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Stanbic IBTC Gives Succour to Children at 10th Together4Alimb Charity Walk
In a profound demonstration of commitment to societal welfare and support for underprivileged children, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, a subsidiary of the Standard Bank Group, successfully commemorated the 10th edition of its flagship Corporate Social Investment (CSI) initiative, the Together4ALimb Walk, on 17 August 2024. This hallmark event marks years of dedicated efforts towards enriching the lives of children living with limb loss and underscores Stanbic IBTC’s steadfast dedication to social responsibility.
Speaking at the event, Dr Demola Sogunle, the Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, emphasised the significant impact of limb loss on children’s emotional, psychological, and societal well-being. He highlighted the organisation’s holistic support approach, tackling not just the medical needs but also the financial and social challenges encountered by the families.
He emphasised the crucial role businesses play in offering comprehensive support, urging them to recognise that limb loss presents a complex challenge that goes beyond the physical condition. He highlighted the efforts of Together4ALimb, explaining how the initiative addresses both the visible and hidden obstacles faced by these families, ultimately providing a more holistic and inclusive form of support.
“Businesses have a crucial role in delivering comprehensive support, recognising limb loss as a complex life challenge beyond the physical condition. Through Together4ALimb, we address both the tangible and intangible hurdles these families face,” Demola stated.
The 2024 Together4ALimb Walk, resonating with the theme “Wellness in Motion” 2.0, was engineered to spotlight and ease the challenges faced by underprivileged children suffering from limb loss. Since the initiative’s inception in 2015, Together4ALimb has significantly improved the lives of 55 children by providing them with prosthetic limbs and creating educational trust funds of N1.5 million for each beneficiary. The programme witnessed a considerable expansion in 2023, extending its benevolence to 45 additional recipients.
To this day, the initiative proudly boasts of assisting 136 beneficiaries nationwide, ensuring each child receives an annual prosthetic limb replacement until age 18. This year’s event further solidified Stanbic IBTC’s commitment by welcoming 36 children into the programme, thereby cementing Stanbic IBTC’s role in creating brighter futures for children experiencing limb loss.
During the event, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, First Lady of Lagos State, highlighted the remarkable impact of the initiative noting with admiration that 136 children have benefited from the organisation’s esteemed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
She said, “I want to sincerely appreciate Stanbic IBTC’s commitment and consistency over the years through this laudable initiative. It is imperative to note that supporting special children who have experienced limb loss either through accidents, mismanaged injuries, or congenital issues/birth defects and providing prosthetic limbs and educational trust funds for them will further assist them in realising their full potential and give them a sense of love, care, and support from society.”
“Over the years, issues around welfare and rights of persons with disabilities have become a recurring decimal in national discourse with successive administrations coming up with various initiatives to end discrimination and generally promote the principle of social inclusion. In today’s world, our society has realised that physical disability is not inability and therefore should not, in any way, hinder anyone from achieving something positive in life,” she stated.
Ejike Anih, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of IfeanHealth Orthopaedics, stated that Stanbic IBTC has accomplished milestones through the Together4Limb initiative.
“This initiative explicitly targets the upliftment of underprivileged children, a segment of society often overlooked yet deeply impacted by systemic inequalities. By focusing on this group, the organisation sheds light on these children’s pressing issues and actively works to create tangible positive changes in their lives.”
“Such initiatives are paramount today, as they embody the essence of corporate responsibility—recognising the roles of businesses in the economy and as pillars of society with the power and resources to enact real change. By dedicating a portion of its resources to the welfare of underprivileged children, the organisation sets a laudable example for others to follow, demonstrating how corporations can make a significant difference in the world, one child at a time,” Ejike said.
Speaking at the event, Brigadier General Samson Okoigi, Corps Commander—Medical, Nigerian Army, commended the Together4ALimb initiative for its significant contribution, providing much-needed hope and support to those affected. This initiative is crucial in helping recipients tap into their inherent potential and navigate life more confidently despite their physical challenges.
He stressed, “We understand firsthand the impact of losing a limb, not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically. I stand here today with pride, recognising the vital work that Stanbic IBTC has been doing through this remarkable initiative. Your dedication to restoring mobility to individuals with limb loss across Nigeria aligns with our mission in the Nigerian Army to rehabilitate and support the brave men and women who have sacrificed so much in service to our nation. We know that the journey to recovery is not just about restoring what was lost but empowering individuals to regain their independence, confidence and sense of purpose.”
The 10th Together4ALimb Walk commenced at the Stanbic IBTC Head Office on Walter Carrington Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos, and concluded at the Law School Bus Stop on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue.
This year’s event marked a significant milestone by expanding its reach beyond Lagos, bringing the Together4ALimb Walk to several cities across Nigeria with staff and partners joining the walk with the aid of Steps by Stanbic IBTC. This expansion underscores Stanbic IBTC’s commitment to fostering the nation’s social, economic, and environmental welfare.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has issued a data protection compliance circular to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to promote public trust through data-driven governance.
The compliance directive is contained in Circular No. 59805/S.I/74, dated 27 July 2026, and signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr George Akume, according to a statement by the Head, Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, Mr Babatunde Bamigboye.
The initiative forms part of a continuum of regulatory measures that will be vigorously pursued as Nigeria advances towards the decisive frontiers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The circular drew the attention of MDAs to a statement of President Bola Tinubu, where he said: “Data is the new oil”.
Mr Akume then directed all Ministries, Extra-Ministerial Departments and Agencies to capture the information rigorously and safeguard it under the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (NDP Act).
The circular also directed MDAs to ensure full compliance with the NDP Act, Regulations, Guidelines, and Directives issued by the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in relation to the processing of personal data.
To this end, the Circular directs MDAs to, designate suitably qualified officers as Data Protection Officers (DPOs) to oversee data protection compliance and advise management on all matters relating to the lawful processing of personal data, ensure that the names and contact details of their designated DPOs are communicated to the NDPC for registration and official records; engage licensed Data Protection Compliance Organisations (DPCOs), where required, to facilitate compliance with the NDP Act and support the conduct of statutory compliance audits.
It also directed them to provide adequate budgetary allocation for data protection compliance activities, including capacity building, awareness programmes, deployment of appropriate technical safeguards, and periodic compliance audits; and submit all mandatory Data Protection Compliance Audit Returns and other statutory returns to the NDPC within the timelines prescribed by law.
The circular further states that “Permanent Secretaries, Accounting Officers and Chief Executive Officers of all MDAs shall be personally responsible for ensuring institutional compliance with the Circular and the provisions of the NDP Act.”
The National Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer of the NDPC, Mr Vincent Olatunji, expressed the commission’s commitment to supporting data-driven governance.
Mr Olatunji maintained that data accountability is pivotal to achieving the eight Presidential Priorities. To provide full technical support to MDAs for the purpose of achieving compliance, the commission has constituted a regulatory clinic.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Yellow Card, a global stablecoin infrastructure provider, has raised $40 million in a strategic funding round to accelerate its international expansion and strengthen its digital payment infrastructure.
The funding round attracted investments from SC Ventures, the innovation and investment arm of Standard Chartered, Sony Innovation Fund, Polychain Capital, Blockchain Capital, and other strategic investors. With the latest raise, Yellow Card’s total equity financing has now exceeded $120 million.
The company said the fresh capital will be used to scale its Global US Dollar Accounts, an end-to-end dollar account designed for businesses, while expanding the stablecoin payment rails that connect businesses to markets around the world.
Yellow Card’s chief executive, Mr Chris Maurice, described the investment as a strong endorsement of the company’s long-term vision, noting that the company has spent years building infrastructure that allows businesses to move money globally without relying on traditional correspondent banking systems.
He added that the next phase of growth will focus on helping banks connect directly to stablecoin payment rails, enabling faster and more efficient cross-border transactions while expanding access to US Dollar services for businesses.
SC Ventures chief executive, Mr Alex Manson, said stablecoins are becoming an important part of global payments, but noted that widespread adoption will depend on reliable infrastructure and practical use cases.
He said Yellow Card has built the payment rails businesses across Africa need to move money efficiently across borders and expressed confidence in the company’s ability to expand both within Africa and internationally.
The investment also marks growing interest from global institutions in stablecoin-based payments. Sony Innovation Fund said its backing reflects confidence in Yellow Card’s ability to build digital payment infrastructure for emerging markets.
Mr Austin Noronha, Managing Director at Sony Ventures-US, said the company believes Yellow Card is creating the technology needed to help banks, financial technology firms and enterprises move money faster and more securely.
He added that the company looks forward to supporting Yellow Card as it expands beyond Africa into Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.
Yellow Card said the funding will also support the wider rollout of its Global USD Accounts, which allow businesses to hold U.S. dollars, manage treasury operations, swap stablecoins, and collect or make payments in local currencies across more than 50 countries.
The company noted that the platform is already being used by major customers, including Visa and Western Union.
Founded to simplify cross-border payments through digital assets, Yellow Card has processed more than $10 billion in transactions across its network. The company supports over 50 currencies and holds licences, authorisations and registrations in 22 jurisdictions across North America, Europe and Africa.
Yellow Card has also established strategic partnerships with global payment companies including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal and Coinbase as it positions itself as a key infrastructure provider for international digital payments.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The National Economic Council (NEC) has approved a $4.5 billion arrangement for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited aimed at strengthening the country’s external reserves and freeing up funds for infrastructure.
This is part of the refinancing of the $3.3 billion Project Gazelle Pre-Export Finance Facility through a new $4.5 billion facility named “Project Gazelle 2”.
The approval allows NNPC Limited to refinance the outstanding balance of approximately $1.5 billion under the original 2023 facility, while unlocking an additional $3 billion in liquidity to strengthen the country’s external reserves and support ongoing fiscal and infrastructure priorities of the government.
NEC’s approval followed a presentation by the Minister of Finance, Mr Taiwo Oyedele, which was presented by the Chairman of the Council, Vice President Kashim Shettima, underscoring the importance of the project.
NEC observed the significance of unlocking additional liquidity to the federation, among other benefits, pledging its support for the actualisation of the initiative.
The Finance Minister explained that the refinancing has been structured on more favourable terms than the original facility, including a reduction in the volume of pledged crude oil from 90,000 barrels of oil per day to approximately 78,750 barrels of oil per day – a 12.5 per cent reduction.
He noted that under the new arrangement, an additional 11,250 barrels of oil per day for the federation will be released, while there will be a reduction in the pledged crude volumes by the state oil company.
Mr Oyedele added that while accessing additional liquidity on improved terms, the arrangement is freeing up resources for strategic national priorities while strengthening the country’s financing structures.
“The arrangement is freeing up resources for strategic national priorities while strengthening the country’s financing structures,” he said.
VP Shettima called for a responsive, scalable, and data-driven social protection policy to tackle multidimensional poverty in Nigeria.
According to Mr Shettima, government policies are often heard before they are seen, speak through the price of food, condition of hospitals, records in schools, strain on families, the confidence of those who invest their labour in the nation’s future, and, very importantly, the ambitions of state governments.
He implored members of Council to ensure that every decision they make assure the citizens “that their government is paying attention to the pulse of the nation and is resolved to respond with competence, compassion and purpose.”
