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Access and Diamond Bank commemorated the International Women’s Day by hosting female entrepreneurs to a conference on 14 March, 2019 at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event themed 'Think W... Build Smart and Innovate' featured insightful sessions, as the speakers highlighted issues and solutions on how women can effectively leverage on technology and finance to build profitable and innovative businesses.

While delivering the keynote speech, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe said, "Women, over the years, have continued to break aboundaries, reinvent the status-quo and take advantage of the opportunities provided by technology and quality financial systems to make things better in the society. This year, the International Women’s Day Conference, has been designed to educate women on how best to leverage innovations because we have come to the realization that female-owned businesses also hold the key to the growth and stability of our economy.”

Wigwe said, “As a Bank, we are in full support of a gender-balanced society, this is why, through our Access Bank W Initiative, we educate women through our capacity building and mentorship programs, to ensure that they build and sustain brands that are globallyrecognised. We also have funding opportunities that are tailor-made for women and their businesses.”  

This was followed by a goodwill message from the British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Laure Beaufils, as she advocated more support for female entrepreneurs and called for solidarity amongst women to facilitate gender parity.

“It is commendable to see corporates step up to bridge the divide by providing women with platforms and education to help build successful businesses. Globally, women need to serve as support systems for one another and adopt a ‘Pull-Her-Up’ mentality, as againstpulling each other down. Only then can we achieve the balance that we seek,” she said.

The event also featured two panel sessions, with speakers providing insights into how female entrepreneurs can access investment opportunities and build smart businesses using technology, product, and service differentiation.

Other business leaders and personalities that participated in the panel sessions include Bonaventure Okhaimo, Chief Operating Officer, Development Bank of Nigeria; Titi Osuntoki, Executive Director, Business Banking, Access Bank Plc; Adebola Adefila, Chief Executive Officer, Banrut Roll; Toyin Onigbanjo, Founder, August Secrets; Chukwuka Nonye, Founding Partner, Cuici Consulting and Director General, Delta Economic Summit Group; Patricia Nzolatima, Chairwoman, Bizolly Holding, among others.

The networking event ended with a grand dinner followed by an after-party anchored by ace Nigerian Disc Jockey, DJ Spinall and performance by Falz the Bahd Guy.

Acjohn:
Everybody is shouting woof now but I believe the country was peaceful till Islam invaded. It all boils down to them.

I think you have ectopic pregnancy of the brain, this statement is so inhumane

Abdul Aziz, 48, is being hailed as a hero for preventing more deaths during Friday prayers at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch. (Vincent Thian/Associated Press)

When the gunman advanced toward the mosque, killing those in his path, Abdul Aziz didn't hide. Instead, he picked up the first thing he could find, a credit card machine, and ran outside screaming "Come here!"

Aziz, 48, is being hailed as a hero for preventing more deaths during Friday prayers at the Linwood mosque in Christchurch after leading the gunman in a cat-and-mouse chase before scaring him into speeding away in his car.

But Aziz, whose four sons and dozens of others remained in the mosque while he faced off with the gunman, said he thinks it's what anyone would have done.

The gunman killed 50 people after attacking two mosques in the deadliest mass shooting in New Zealand's modern history.

Death toll would have been higher, imam says
The gunman is believed to have killed 41 people at the Al Noor mosque before driving about five kilometres across town and attacking the Linwood mosque, where he killed seven more people. One person died later in a hospital.

White supremacist Brenton Tarrant, 28, has been charged with one count of murder in the slayings and a judge said Saturday that it was reasonable to assume more charges would follow.

Latef Alabi, the Linwood mosque's acting imam, said the death toll would have been far higher at the Linwood mosque if it wasn't for Aziz.

Alabi said he heard a voice outside the mosque at about 1:55 p.m. and stopped the prayer he was leading and peeked out the window. He saw a man in black military-style gear and a helmet holding a large gun, and assumed it was a police officer. Then he saw two bodies and heard the gunman yelling obscenities.

'He went after him'
"I realized this is something else. This is a killer," he said.

He yelled at the congregation of more than 80 to get down. They hesitated. A shot rang out, a window shattered and a body fell, and people began to realize it was for real.

"Then this brother came over. He went after him, and he managed to overpower him, and that's how we were saved," Alabi said, referring to Aziz. "Otherwise, if he managed to come into the mosque, then we would all probably be gone."

Aziz said as he ran outside screaming, he was hoping to distract the attacker. He said the gunman ran back to his car to get another gun, and Aziz hurled the credit card machine at him.

'I just got the gun and threw it'
He said he could hear his two youngest sons, aged 11 and 5, urging him to come back inside.

The gunman returned, firing. Aziz said he ran, weaving through cars parked in the driveway, which prevented the gunman from getting a clean shot. Then Aziz spotted a gun the gunman had abandoned and picked it up, pointed it and squeezed the trigger. It was empty.


He said the gunman ran back to the car for a second time, likely to grab yet another weapon.

"He gets into his car and I just got the gun and threw it on his window like an arrow and blasted his window," he said.

'That's why he got scared'
The windshield shattered: "That's why he got scared."

He said the gunman was cursing at him, yelling that he was going to kill them all. But he drove away and Aziz said he chased the car down the street to a red light, before it made a U-turn and sped away. Online videos indicate police officers managed to force the car from the road and drag out the suspect soon after.

Anti-Muslim immigration sentiment is less prevalent in New Zealand than in Europe
After New Zealand attack, solidarity and grief at the Quebec City mosque
Originally from Kabul, Afghanistan, Aziz said he left as a refugee when he was a boy and lived for more than 25 years in Australia before moving to New Zealand a couple of years ago.

"I've been to a lot of countries and this is one of the beautiful ones," he said. And, he always thought, a peaceful one as well.

Aziz said he didn't feel fear or much of anything when facing the gunman. It was like he was on autopilot. And he believes that Allah didn't think it was his time to die

Stumbled on a video of a Muslim Cleric, Sheik Sulayman Onikijipa (Al-miskin billah), where he claimed that the Senate President Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki is Ilorin pride, and can not be defeated


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBF0vCHaWIY

SEC APPROVES ACCESS BANK’S BOOK BUILD FOR PROPOSED GREEN BOND SUBSCRIPTION

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the institution in charge of regulating the Nigerian Capital Market has approved the book build in respect of the proposed Green Bond, issued by Access Bank Plc.


Following the approval, the book build commenced on Thursday, February 21, 2019and will be concluded in exactly one week, after which the funding of commitment will begin on Friday, March 1, 2019.


The Bond, a 5-year Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Green Bond of up to N15 Billion is the first ever Climate Bonds Standard Certified Corporate Green Bond to be issued in Africa. It has been awarded a B2 rating by Moody’s and verified by PwC (UK) following certification by the Climate Bond Initiative as having met the Climate Bond Standards.


The Bank’s management had in anticipation of the approval, launched the Nigerian Green Bond Market Development Programme in June 2018, in partnership with FMDQ OTC SecuritiesExchange and the Securities Exchange Commission.


While reacting to the approval, the Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe described it as a step in the right direction adding that it lends credence to the process and gives hope of a favourable outcome. According to Wigwe, the final approval of the Green Bond will mean another feat that is commendable and speaks to the vision of being a key player in the country’s finance sector. In his words, ‘With over a decade’s experience leading Sustainability in the Nigerian financial sector, we believe that the issuance of this bond will create a path to financing Nigeria’s climate change objectives and also unlock the country’s economic growth potential’.


He continued, citing the Bank’s rich experience in the area of sustainability as a factor that will guarantee its success, ‘With our pace-setting experience in the mainstreaming of sustainability in our business operations, we are confident that this Issue will further help in supporting environmentally friendly investors to meet their investment objectives whilst simultaneously supporting the Bank’scustomer towards realizing growth opportunities in the fast-developing low carbon economy’, he said.

The Issue proceeds will be used to finance eligible green projects that meet the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) standards. The Issue will serve as a turning point for Nigeria, attracting both domestic and international investors and will set the pace for other Nigerian corporates to raise green capital.

https://www.legit.ng/amp/1224149-sec-approves-access-banks-book-build-proposed-green-bond-subscription.html

As the nation counts down to the 2019 general elections, election campaigns across the country are growing in scope and intensity. One campaign that has proven revolutionary is the inclusive and progressive grassroots driven campaign Nsima Ekere, the APC governorship candidate has brought to the people of Akwa Ibom. Ekere’s campaign has been closely watched because of Akwa Ibom’s long contested potential as a swing state, and the short and long term implications if the state finally choose an opposition party for its highest leadership position.

With a general dissatisfaction with the current government and a widespread nostalgia for the golden age of Akwa Ibom, this election cycle the state is one of the few where a robust political campaign and a comprehensive message can be the difference between success and failure.

Ekere’s first task as flagbearer for APC was his most tenuous. The party’s state chapter has struggled with factions and a general distrust that allowed the present governor Emmanuel Udom into power largely uncontested. Working with party officials and running a grassroots programme that aligned his interests to the party’s and their sympathies to his cause were important steps in his quest to unite the once divisive All Progressive’s Party. It took three years, but Ekere largely succeeded, positioning himself as the most qualified candidate to represent the party in this year’s elections. Ekere’s success is even more remarkable when you consider he is a relatively new import to the party, defecting to the APC from the PDP after in-fighting within the PDP denied him the opportunity to represent that party as their governorship candidate in 2015.

Immersing himself in the ethos of the party and championing its causes, Ekere’s announcement as the APC gubernatorial candidate triggered a tidal wave of PDP defections, from government aides and members of the House of Representatives. It was such a comprehensive routing that it even convinced a PDP stalwart and Ekere’s former boss, former governor Godswill Akpabio to defect to the APC.

With the party in full support of his duty to swing the state for the APC, Ekere has spent the entirety of the campaign window personally engaging the citizens of the state. An extensive tourney of all the state’s federal constituencies and local governments has seen Ekere personally engage with disenfranchised citizens, religious and cultural leaders and informal groups and societies, listening to their problems and proffering his solutions for reforming government so that it meets the needs of all Akwa Ibom’s citizens.

The governorship candidate’s campaign tour recently focused on the Onna/Eket/Esit Eket/Ibeno constituencies. Formerly a PDP stronghold, Onna has seen a sustained neglect of the constituencies needs and problems. Ekere was especially appalled to discover the Urua Nka Market, a popular market that supported hundreds of families and served as a point of convergence for people of the neighbouring towns was destroyed and despite complaints from residents, was yet to be rehabilitated. Even more worrisome to the gubernatorial candidate were the persons displaced by the demolition who were yet to be compensated or resettled by the present government.

In appreciation of all that the APC gubernatorial candidate’s dedication to Akwa Ibom state and the Eket constituency in particular, popular Eket Businessman Otuekong Emmanuel Assam of Emmaco donated to the APC campaign a three storey state-of-the-art office complex to be used as a campaign office for the 2019 elections. Other prominent Eket politicians like Dr. Emem Wills, once a commissioner for Commerce and Industry told the audience that had gathered to welcome Ekere that he predicts a 75% win for the aspirant in the Eket constituencies. He also dismissed concerns that the APC hadn’t done enough to convince residents to support them at the polls.

It was not a statement made without requisite proof. The Onna – Etinan Road, leading to the hometown of the present Governor Udom Emmanuel has remained in disrepair for the duration of the governor’s tenure, his impact barely felt by his own kinfolk. Ekere promised to remedy this disheartening situation once he is given the mandate to lead, and cited his own achievements including the construction of the Afaha Ubium – Edet Idim Ishiet – Ikot Akpan and the Ikot Ekong- Ntafre – Opolom – Ikot Inyang roads as the director of the Niger Delta Development Council (NDDC). His achievements in education and healthcare in the community were milestones fondly remembered by residents of the constituency.

Group captain Ewang Sam Ewang (retd.), the Chairman of the APC governorship Campaign Council and Mr. Samuel Mbosoh, the chairman of the APC Onna chapter both marvelled at the impressive turnout for Ekere and referenced this as assurance that as everywhere in the state, Ekere has the ear and the votes of Onna.

It is impossible to determine the outcome of the governorship elections this February, but every single voter in Akwa Ibom can agree that the APC candidate, Nsima Ekere deserves to be our governor in 2019.

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ACCESS BANK LAGOS CITY MARATHON; MAKING ITS WAY TO A SILVER LABEL RACE

If you needed proof that the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon is the biggest singular sporting event in West Africa you need not look any further than the recently concluded fourth installment which happened on February 2, 2019.

100,000 runners. 4,000 international runners. 20 elite* runners. The athletes: 42km runners; 10km runners; wheelchair racers; first timers; veterans, runners who came from far and wide. Then there were those who came to watch just to be a part of something incredible. There were sponsors. There were vendors. There were artists. There was the GMD of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe and the Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode. It’s not often that a single event touches so many in so many different ways.
There were many reasons to celebrate this year's marathon.

In the four years Access Bank has partnered with the Lagos State Government to organize the marathon, we've seen the attitude of Nigerians everywhere change towards sports, personal health, green initiatives, and even national pride.
This year’s edition brought the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon a little closer to that coveted goal of becoming a Silver Label race. Suntayahu Legese of Ethiopia won the competition overall, after a dramatic finish that saw him overtake Joshua Kipkorir of Kenya, the front-runner for most of the race, in the final leg.
William Yegon who is also Kenyan completed the trifecta of male winners for the main event. Ethiopian, Dinke Meseret dominated the women’s race getting to the finish line before Almnesh Herepa and Kabena Chala. Nigerian winners, Sunday Manasa and Deborah Badung both came in at 6th in the overall rankings, with better times than Iliya Pam from the first Marathon who came in 17th overall, and Olude Fadekemi who came 12th overall in the women’s category during the 2017 race.

With a total cash prize that came up to $400,000, and prize categories that rewarded not just the male and female winners of the marathon but also the first Nigerians to finish the marathon and a separate 10km marathon, the Access Lagos City Marathon is one of the most inclusive marathons on the continent.
A major event like the Marathon has attracted interest in long distance running as a preferred form of exercise. Even with a Bronze Category, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon has put the world on notice of the amazing spectacle that can come out of Nigeria. With each edition, lessons are learned and improvements are made, and we are in no doubt that soon enough the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon will achieve the Silver Label status it deserves.

limbolimbo:
I recently showed interest in a neighbour of mine, I know she likes me, but she is a very traditional person, she wants us to go through the full cycle before anything further. But something started giving me a reason to worry about here mindset towards relationships.

She celebrated her birthday last month, and I got her a very expensive wrist watch, it cost me 94k, she doesn't know this. I also got her a really nice cake, cost me 10k, so in all I spent over a hundred thousand on her birthday. I know for some this may not seem like much or may seem like too much, I think what really matters is tat I was fine with it and could afford it. Within the same period, she would indirectly ask me for funds, she said she was broke, I could have helped her with this but I felt it was way above my position, as I am only a "To Be Boyfriend", to offer her all this after spending a 100k on gifts for her birthday.

A week ago we had a very interesting discussion, about the role of the man and the woman in a relationship, she said that "A man should be responsible for the upkeep of his Girlfriend, he should save a portion from his salary monthly which he should give to his girlfriend for upkeep". I thought that was nonsense and I quickly called her out on it, all I can say now is that I don't think we would be dating anymore, because she took it very personally, she said she thinks she would suffer if she goes into a relationship with me, because I am already showing signs of being stingy.

If I keep writing I would not end, so my question here is, is she right? Should I have instead given her the cash rather than the gift? Because to me it now seems she doesn't see the value of the gift and would rather have cash. I want adult opinions please.

(Please note that I am not trying to paint this lady as an evil person, she is really sweet, loving, caring, she loves getting attention and doesn't have any problem in showing me how she really feels about me, overall she is a great lady.)

Do not give her any weekly or monthly allowance until you both are married, it is not your responsibility as a boyfriend, else if you have plans to marry her soon. That doesn't mean you are stingy, I think she's just being smarter than you. I repeat do not give her shishi.
Let me scold you small, have/did you spent that kind of money on your mum at a go.

To be sincere, I have never liked DSTV or GoTV, I used it for few months this year and that was it, for close to two months decoder always showing loading, customer service to the rescue no way.
Last resort, pack it up, throw away the Dish, called a friend to get my Free to Air for #25,000 with almost 100 channels, don't ask me if it shows super sport. All I need is information and entertainment for.my family.
Less I forget, the #25,000 is one off and can always be reconfigured when new free channels open.

Stop wasting your money on paid subscription and fueling. Life is free enjoy it.

Tizu:
Poor man. You still in addition to their poor services buy fuel daily to enable you watch your television. Don't you think that you are a great looser? How many of your family members are working with multichoice that you have become their milk cow? I boycotted them long time ago when I found out that they work hand in hand with our government officials to reap us off.

To be sincere, I have never liked DSTV or GoTV, I used it for few months this year and that was it, for close to two months decoder always showing loading, customer service to the rescue no way.
Last resort, pack it up, throw away the Dish, called a friend to get my Free to Air for #25,000 with almost 100 channels, don't ask me if it shows super sport. All I need is information and entertainment for.my family.
Less I forget, the #25,000 is one off and can always be reconfigured when new free channels open.

Stop wasting your money on paid subscription and fueling. Life is free enjoy it.

Photo 5: [L-R] Abiola Salami; COO, Abiola Champ, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Group Head Sustainability, Access Bank Plc, Joshua Ajayi; Editor, Brand Communicator.

In recognition of its exploits and outstanding success in Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Sustainability, Access Bank Plc. emerged the biggest winner with four awards, including the most responsible business in Africa at the annual SERAS CSR.

The award recognised the bank’s effort at corporate social responsibility and business sustainability, with Access Bank also winning categories such as the Best Partnership for Development, Best Corporate Communications Team and Sustainability Practitioner of the Year, which was presented to Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, the Bank’s Head of Sustainability.

Receiving the award, the bank’s Executive Director, Personal Banking, Victor Etuokwu, stated that the award will further fuel the bank’s passion to do more in sustainability, noting that ‘At Access Bank, we have stayed committed to ensuring that we place priority on not just being a profitable venture but also one that is deeply concerned about the planet and the people and this award is a testament to how well we have come’’.

Victor-Laniyan, while corroborating Etuokwu, expressed appreciation for the awards, describing it as a reminder that more work has to be done in supporting sustainability. He said, "We are very grateful for such an honour accorded to the Bank and particularly proud of the work that we are doing. However, we choose to see this award as a challenge to do more and we will continue to make sure that we push the boundaries of the practice of sustainability to the best of our ability and for the betterment of our planet and the people’’.

Ken Egbas, Founder, SERAS CSR Awards, explained that the selection was one that was painstakingly made by members of the jury. He described it as an indication that the winner, Access Bank is doing something right and highlighted the same passion with which they launched the projects on sustainability. In the same vein, the former deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Professor Kingsley Moghalu, as he presented the award to Access Bank, described the victory as well deserved.

Few weeks ago, the bank organised a weeklong activity at its branches globally in celebration of the remarkable achievements recorded since 2008.

Photo 1: L-R Suleman Ibrahim; team member, Sustainability, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Head, Sustainability, Victor Etuokwu; Executive Director, Personal Banking, Esther; Team member, media relations, Mofifoluwa Olawumi; team member, Sustainability, all of Access Bank Plc at the 2018 edition of SERAS CSR awards held in Lagos, recently.

Photo 2: L-R Victor Etuokwu; Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank Plc, Frances Eza; Managing Director, Space, Nigeria, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc, at the 2018 edition of SERAS CSR awards held in Lagos, recently.

Photo 3: L-R Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Head, Sustainability, Access Bank Plc, Victor Etuokwu; Executive Director, Personal Banking, Access Bank Plc, Bekeme Masade-Olowola, Chief Executive, CSR-in-Action at the 2018 edition of SERAS CSR awards held in Lagos, recently.

Photo 4: [L-R] Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan; Group Head Sustainability, Access Bank and her Husband, Mr Victor Laniyan, Victor Etuokwu; Executive Director, Personal Banking at SERAS CSR awards 2018 that held recently in Lagos.

CC: Seun. Mynd44, Lalasticlala

Four40:
Good day Niaralanders, I recently discovered this painful growth at the back of my neck. Please what could it be and is there any treatment for it?.
Pic attached below

@Op kindly call this number for consultation

Deetee Bumps
08063746667

NnamdiN:
was so pissed the day one put that thing on me. I thought it was free until she said I had to pay, I gave her 5h, she refused o, insisted I had to pay 2k5
I was about to do something really stupid, my cousin had to give her the money to save all of us the embarrassment.

I think it's only Lagos airport that has such issues.

Happens in other Nigerian Airport, e.g Abuja, Kano, Sokoto, Adamawa.

They even have a ticket for it at Kano Airport

kristen12:
Hi, please if you have another opening for English or yoruba. Kindly let me know.
Thanks

Send an email that you are available for English and Yoruba

Urgent Customer calling Job
Requirements : must be Hausa speaking and computer literate
Pay is 3,000 per day
Email@ frances.ofili@bosworthmc.com if interested

The movie: Final Destination comes to mind

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Africa's leading financial institution, Access Bank Plc has restated its commitment to sustainable banking practices that stimulate economic growth and development.

The Bank in celebration of 10 years of promoting sustainable banking recently held a week-long event across its several branches within and outside Nigeria aimed at reiterating the Bank’s commitment to sustainable banking.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, with the theme ‘Journey to a Sustainable Future,’ Group Managing Director/CEO, Herbert Wigwe, described the celebration as an opportunity to appreciate the results recorded so far while still setting the pace for better achievements in coming years.

In his words, ’The business of banking for us, goes beyond keeping money and making profit. We are very interested in the development and well-being of people and preserving the planet. I am happy at the progress we have made since we began 10 years ago, and I am very sure we will do even better in the coming years. I believe we have the most skilled, disciplined and ethical people in the industry and I can make bold to say that it is our collective effort as a team that has gotten us this far in our journey to becoming the World’s most respected African Bank.”

Corroborating the statement, the Head of Sustainability, Access Bank, Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, added that these ten years, the Bank has initiated several ideas that demonstrated its commitment to promoting sustainability.

The event featured a series of activities including seminars, employee volunteering, movie screening and other exciting activities geared towards deepening the sustainability culture among staff. One of the highlights was the kick-off of the ‘Biggest Loser’ competition which aims at promoting a healthy lifestyle among staff.

Since 2008, Access Bank has continued to earnestly push the boundaries on matters relating to sustainability, building value for stakeholders by sustainably making profit, reducing environmental impact of its business operations, and developing the communities it serves.

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Okay well done

But please spell DROPSON

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Picture 3: The Tutu, the famous work of renowned Nigerian artist, Ben Enwonwu

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