Ecobank Nigeria Picks Babajide Sipe to Head Marketing, Corporate Communications

By Adedapo Adesanya Vice President Kashim Shettima has lauded Google’s N1.2 billion grant to the federal government’s one million jobs scheme. In a statement from Mr Olusola Abiola, the Director of Information at the Office of the Vice President, the announcement of a grant of N1.2 billion to support the administration of President Bola Tinubu’s digital jobs initiative was commendable and worthy of emulation by other companies as he received some executives of Google at the Presidential Villa on Monday. “Let’s think outside the box and create more job opportunities. We need to walk the talk. It is easy to

By Adedapo Adesanya President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ms Jamila Bio Ibrahim to serve as the Minister of Youth and Mr Ayodele Olawande as the Minister of State for Youth. These nominations indicate a separation of the ministry, which used to be joined with the Ministry of Sport in the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. In a statement signed by Mr Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, on Sunday, it was emphasised that the nominees would have to undergo screening at the Senate for confirmation. Upon confirmation by the Mr Godswill Akpabio-led parliament,

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Two directors have been appointed to the leadership team of Airtel Nigeria, with an expectation that the appointees will bring about a new era of innovation and growth within the business. The appointed persons are Ms Kemi Ariyo as the new Director of Information and Technology and Mr Harmanpreet Singh Dhillon as the Director of Network Transformation and Planning. The chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Carl Cruz, while commenting on the appointments, said the notably experienced Ms Ariyo would play a pivotal role in driving Airtel Nigeria’s digital transformation efforts and the company is pleased to

By Adedapo Adesanya Brent crude futures climbed by $1.82 or 1.98 per cent to $93.70 per barrel on Thursday, the highest level this year, as expectations of tighter supply outweighed worries about weaker economic growth. Also, the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained $1.64 or 1.85 per cent during the trading session to close at $90.16 per barrel, the highest for the first time since last November. The International Energy Agency said Saudi Arabia and Russia’s extended oil output cuts would result in a market deficit through the fourth quarter. Prices had previously pulled back on a bearish US

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The Federal Government and the management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) have been commended for the improved security situation in the Niger Delta which has rubbed off positively on the operations of international oil companies. This commendation was given by the Chief Operating Officer, Upstream, Eni, Mr Antonio Vella, when he led the management team of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) on a courtesy visit to the Group Managing Director of the NNPC, Mr Maikanti Baru, in Abuja yesterday. Mr Vella said the prevailing peace and security in the region had increased investors’ confidence

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Two financial institutions in Nigeria have been assigned ‘4 Star’ ratings by Agusto & Co Limited, the leading Pan African credit rating agency in the country for over 26 years. The ratings were given after the conclusion of the 2019 Consumer Digital Banking Satisfaction Index report of the agency, which highlights customer’s preferences and attitude towards digital banking platforms provided by banks in Nigeria. This Index in its second year was carried out following an extensive online and offline consumer survey carried out by Agusto and Co. Limited across various geopolitical zones in Nigeria. The survey was

By Modupe Gbadeyanka The Board of Directors of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc has proposed the payment of 60k interim dividend to shareholders. This information was revealed on Tuesday, August 29, 2017, by the Company Secretary, Mr Chidi Okezie. In a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Stanbic IBTC said it would pay the interim dividend to its shareholders on September 27, 2017. In addition, it disclosed that on Tuesday, September 12, 2017, the company will hold its Annual General Meeting (AGM). This, it said, will take place at the Eko Hotel & Suites Victoria Island, Lagos. The firm released

By Modupe Gbadeyanka Many Nigerians are finding it difficult to cope with the rising cost of food items at the market because their sources of income have not been increasing commensurately. In fact, some are struggling to put food on their tables as a result of this issue and in view of this, Ecobank Nigeria Limited is organising a webinar aimed to educate Nigerians on how to survive this trying period. The bank said it would hold a digital conference as part of its commemoration of this year’s Workers’ Day and the event is tagged Inflation and Your Money –

By Dipo Olowookere Phanes Group, an international end-to-end solar provider headquartered in Dubai, UAE, has announced the 2nd edition of its Solar Incubator program, aimed at identifying PV projects of potential in sub-Saharan Africa by providing support to funding, and commercial and technical knowledge. The initiative held under the theme, “Your Project, Our Expertise, For a Sustainable Future”, will be held in collaboration with Hogan Lovells, responsAbility Renewable Energy Holding, RINA and Solarplaza, and invites PV developers to submit proposals for projects based in sub-Saharan Africa that have a clear Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) component. Candidates are asked to submit

By Adedapo Adesanya Despite the foreign exchange (FX) demand pressure at the Investors and Exporters (I&E) window on Wednesday, the Naira closed stronger against the United States Dollar. During the session, the transactions recorded at the market segment increased by $129.93 or 305.1 per cent to $172.52 million from the previous day’s $42.59 million. However, the availability of FX, supplied by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to FX dealers at the window to meet the demands of their customers, ensured that the local currency was bullish. At the close of business, the Naira appreciated against the Dollar by 50

By Adedapo Adesanya Fitch Ratings has upgraded Lagos State ratings from AA+ (nga) to AAA (nga) for its good standing in terms of its debt sustainability and resilience. This was disclosed by the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr Rabiu Olowo, who noted that the lifting of Lagos ratings to AAA reflects the state’s strength compared with national peers as well as its resilient operating performance during the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just wanted to say congratulations on the upgrade to AAA (nga). This is a fantastic achievement and an endorsement of all the good work going on in your department,” a