₦airaland Forum

The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development has announced that the modified Home Grown School feeding Programme will commence on Thursday May 14, 2020 in Abuja then subsequently in Lagos and Abuja before going to other states of the federation.

Here are 13 key things you need to know about this programme:

1. Why are school children being fed at home? The programme is being implemented based on a March 29, 2020 presidential pronouncement directing the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development to liaise with state governments to develop strategies on the continuation of the school feeding program

2. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development in consultation and collaboration with state governments identified the distribution of Take-Home Rations (THR) to the households of the children on the programme as a feasible method of achieving this directive after exploring several options.

3. In order to trace the children who are at home due to the lockdown, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development requested states to carry out mapping exercises in order to trace the households of the children using all available data sources including the School Based Management Boards, community focal persons, cooks on the programme and most importantly existing school registers in the LGAs where the schools are domiciled, which is the primary source of data of beneficiaries used by the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme. As a second level of verification, the door to door voucher distribution process will be used. This is currently ongoing in Abuja and Lagos.

4. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development is not implementing the programme? The Federal Government is providing funds to the States for implementation and the programme will be carried out based on data provided and structures put in place by the HGSFP over the years

5. The programme will run in all 36 states and the FCT. Following requests from Kwara & Bayelsa where the programme was not fully operational before the lockdown, the two states will now benefit from the modified programme once certain requirements are fulfilled

6. Contrary to ongoing speculation, the Take-Home Rations would NOT be given to CHILDREN but to the parents & guardians & caregivers of children in primary 1 to 3 in public schools participating in the programme. A total of 3,131,971 households are targeted for this intervention.

7. For beneficiaries to be able to access the Take-Home Rations QR coded vouchers will be distributed door to door. They will be serialized as well as date and time stamped. Once presented at a distribution center, identified head of households would be able to collect the Take-Home Rations.

8. Each Take-Home Ration is valued at N4,200 & made up of 5 kg Bag of Rice, 5 kg Bag of Beans, 500 ml Vegetable Oil, 750 ml Palm Oil, 500 mg Salt, 15 pcs of eggs, 140gm Tomato Paste. These rations have been reviewed by nutrition experts.

9. Safety remains a collective responsibility, so the ministry has incorporated rapid sensitization into all phases of this model, so that people are equipped with the knowledge they need to stay safe and maintain social distancing.

10. To ensure that the programme is not mismanaged, the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development has requested other government agencies including the DSS, EFCC, ICPC, Code of Conduct Bureau & a host of NGOs & CSOs to help monitor. The Ministry’s hotlines will be made available to the public to provide accurate information and for grievance redress

11. The Ministry is receiving Technical Support from the World Food Programme (WFP). Following on the technical partnership with the WFP, a joint document on “Safe Distributions during COVID” has been developed & will be shared with the State Governments before implementation.

12. The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management & Social Development is cognizant of the fact that some states have children not already on the programme? While this is primarily for school children currently enrolled on the programme, the ministry has also been engaging partners and other agencies to explore options for those children who are not current beneficiaries.

13. The Take Home Rations would be distributed from over 6,000 schools which will serve as distribution centers for clusters of communities except in some states with unique security and safety issues where other structures will be used.

Fifty-seven (57) trainees, who represent batch seven set of graduates being absorbed into Ecobank Nigeria as full time employees were last week hosted to a virtual graduation ceremony by the Ecobank Academy – the first of its kind by the bank in Nigeria as it positions itself as a high quality employer ready for the opportunities of a post-COVID19 lockdown.

In attendance were notable personalities including the Registrar/Chief Executive, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Seye Awojobi; Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan; Group Executive, Human Resources, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), Yves Mayilamene; Head, Human Resources, Ecobank Nigeria, Kunle Adewuyi and several others including the 57 graduands who joined the ceremony from various locations within and outside the country.

In his comment, the Managing Director, Patrick Akinwuntan reaffirmed the commitment of Ecobank to continue to invest in young Nigerians to boost its high quality labor force in order to better serve its customers in a convenient and accessible manner particularly as the nation rebounds from the COVID19 lockdown.

He added that Ecobank had invested in a robust technology-based model which positioned it to cope with current and future challenges including provision of convenient digital banking services to customers in a seamless manner across 36 countries on the African continent.

CIBN Registrar/Chief Executive, Seye Awojobi, said the initiative of the bank to host the event digitally is pacesetting for the industry. He commended the bank for the high premium placed on training and building the competencies of its workforce.

“The CIBN is quite impressed with the importance Ecobank attaches to training of new hires and capacity building of its staff. I have lost count of how many graduation events I attended at the state of the art Ecobank Academy last year. This is certainly the way to grow the bank and the industry to meet up with global standards. I advise the graduands to display high level of integrity. One of the truest test of integrity is its blunt refusal to be compromised. You should be ready to give your best to the bank that hired and trained you and thereby contributing your quota to the growth of the industry.”

Speaking further, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan encouraged the graduands to remain ethical and diligent in the delivery of the vision of the bank to become the most preferred financial services payments brand in Nigeria to support the economic development of households and growth of trade, manufacturing and commerce in Nigeria and Africa.

Welcoming the graduands formally to the bank, Acting Head, Human Resources, Ecobank Nigeria, Kunle Adewuyi said the bank offers an enabling and conducive environment for staff to excel to the highest level, adding that its reward system remains a motivating factor for high performance and productivity. He explained that the Ecobank Graduate Trainee program is an intensive one year of in-depth training for fresh graduates, aimed at equipping the participants who may be coming from non-financial and banking related academic backgrounds with the necessary skill set and knowledge required to work in the banking and finance industry.

Adewuyi noted that the graduation involving 57 trainees, which took place digitally due to the Coronavirus pandemic, was the first ever virtual graduation to be held in the history of the academy. He enjoined them to remain focused and apply themselves uniquely in their different roles.

Group Executive, Human Resources, ETI, Yves Mayilamene advised the graduands to be fully committed to their growth, as well as the overall growth of the organization and Africa.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has decorated that his administration has put in place life insurance policy for the State health workers, just has their hazard allowance has been reviewed from 200 to 300 per cent.

The Governor who disclosed this when he met with representatives of health workers in the State at his Office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, said the life policy would have taken off immediately but would wait to go along with the federal government, which is also putting in place similar programme.

“I want to inform you that we have put in place life policy for our health workers. We would have started immediately, but we will wait to go along with the federal government which is also planning similar programme,” he said.

The Governor who noted that his administration was determined to provide adequate health care services to the people, also informed that health worker would be appropriately accommodated in the new minimum wage.

Abiodun said he was impressed with the spirit of negotiation, adding that their requests and resolutions with government was a pointer that they were concern with what was going on in the health sector.

“What transpired was because we have not been engaging each other as much as possible. I am impressed with the spirit of negotiation. Your requests and resolutions point to the fact that our health workers are concerned with what is happening in the health sector”, the Governor noted..

While enumerating efforts of his administration to reform the sector, he said prior to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, rehabilitation of hospitals had commenced with 236 Primary Health Care Centres across the State.

He appealed to the health officers not to allow issues degenerate, but keep communication open with government.

“This pandemic is a surprise to everybody. This happened just as we were beginning to roll out plans for total reform of our health facilities beginning with 236 Primary Health Care Centres. However, I want to assure you that this government is determined to ensure provision of adequate health care for our people,” the Governor promised.

The governor appreciated the health personnel, particularly those tackling the Coronavirus, assuring them that Personal Protective Equipment and other accessories needed to perform their duties effectively, would be made available.

In her remark, the Commissioner for health, Dr. Tomi Coker, described the State health workers as people with passion who are ready to give their all in the sector.

She lauded the governor’s efforts at revamping the sector, saying things are looking up for good.

Speaking, representative of the health workers, Dr. Femi Odubote, lauded the State govenment for addressing their concerns, as all contending issues were adequately trashed out, adding that they would continue to do their best in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and other health challenges in the State.

Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that its *894# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD), Quick Banking service has hit over 9.5 million customers. This is in clear demonstration of its acknowledged leadership in electronic Banking.

The Bank’s USSD banking service, launched in January 2015, is an easy to use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile banking channel through which various banking activities are carried out on a mobile phone – across the four major GSM network operators in the country – without the use of the internet.

Customers are able to enjoy a wide range of banking services using the Bank’s *894# USSD banking. These services include; Data and Airtime top-up for self and third-party individuals, Quick Balance Enquiry, Fund Transfers, BVN Enquiry, BVN Linkage, Mini-statement, Account Number Enquiry, Account Opening, Merchant Payment and FirstAdvance loan service. The FirstAdvance loan service enables salary earners to take a loan up to 50% of their monthly salary.

In the words of Chuma Ezirim, FirstBank’s Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, “At FirstBank, we are excited about the impact our innovative solutions are making in the Nigerian payment landscape. Our *894# USSD banking has been a viable platform through which we take our banking services to the doorstep of our customers, right on the palm of their hands, without the limitation of an internet connection. We remain committed to creating various avenues to enable Nigerians carry-out various financial activities conveniently, safely and securely anytime, anywhere in Nigeria.”

At least 10 persons at the Lagos state government house in Marina have tested positive for COVID-19.

Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health, broke the news in two tweets on Thursday afternoon.

Abayomi said the development made Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor, and Joke, his wife, to undergo another test for the disease. He said the results came back negative.

The sample of Sanwo-Olu and his wife had been tested after governors were advised to go for test following their exposure to COVID-19 patients.

“I am glad to announce that #COVID19 Incident Commander Governor of Lagos State @jidesanwoolu and the First Lady of Lagos
@jokesanwoolu have consistently tested negative to #COVID19 following three consecutive tests conducted on them recently,” the tweet read.

“However, 10 persons associated with Lagos State House in Marina have tested positive to #COVID19. On behalf of @followlasg, I therefore implore you all to continue to embrace the #MaskUpLagos initiative and observe all precautionary measures.”

https://mobile.twitter.com/ProfAkinAbayomi/status/1258385347102334977

Ecobank Nigeria has encouraged its customers to obey the COVID-19 rules,  emphasizing the importance of social distancing to check the spread of the Coronavirus, especially when visiting the branches.

The bank which gave this advice in a mail to customers also thanked them for their dedication and continued patronage while confirming that more branches are being opened to decongest those already opened for business since the easing off of lockdowns across the country.

Responding to media enquiries in Lagos, Head of Branch Network, Ecobank Nigeria, Titiloye Olarinde  said  Ecobank takes the safety of customers  and staff very seriously and has therefore put in place measures to ensure they are safe when they visit the branches.

According to her, temperature checks and wearing of masks are compulsory for both staff & customers before admittance to any bank premises; provision and mandatory use of hand sanitizers before accessing the branch or ATM Gallery while regular deep cleaning of work surfaces and ATM areas is ensured. She also stated that only 5 customers are allowed into the banking hall at a time and appealed for cooperation with security personnel as their actions are all in a bid to keep everyone safe.

“We are operating in line with the health and safety guidelines issued by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control to mitigate the spread of coronavirus. With the opening of additional branches, we are able to meet customers’ needs in a safe and conducive environment.  Key services available at our branches include ATM services, assistance to onboard to our Digital platforms, account opening and over the counter services for essential cash and cheque transactions.

For your safety and comfort, we encourage you to continue using our 24/7 digital self-service solutions such as Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Online, EcobankPay, Ecobank OmniPlus, Omni Lite and the RapidTransfer App thus supporting initiatives to help curtail the spread of COVID-19. At Ecobank, we take the safety of our staff and customers very seriously and have therefore put in place measures to ensure your safety should you need to visit our branches,” she noted.

Ecobank Nigeria has being in the forefront in supporting the public and government since the commencement of the fight against  COVID-19.  The bank had initiated various public enlightenment on radio and social media, having launched the #StaySafeNigeria campaign, to educate the public about the virus and ways to curb its spread.

Ecobank has also partnered with many State Governments to provide palliatives and relief packages to indigent people. This is in addition to the bank’s contribution as a Corporate member of the Bankers Committee and the Nigerian Private Sector led Coalition to raise funds against COVID-19, being part of  the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility activities.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, will host a virtual SME Business Clinic to provide insightful information on how SMEs can better manage the financial activities of their businesses.

The clinic which is scheduled to hold via Microsoft Teams by 11 am on Thursday, 7 May 2020 is entitled: “Developing a budget to keep your business afloat” and will be discussed by leading SME experts in the country; Abayomi Adewumi, Founder/Director at Global Leadership Institute and Ojiugo Ajunwa, CoFounder at Ritetrac.

Speaking on the event, Mr. Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank said “the roles SMEs play in Nigeria are instrumental to the growth of our economy, especially in this very sensitive time, where many countries across the world are exploring alternative avenues to sustain the viability of their economy. The FirstBank SME clinic has been instrumental to having SMEs better informed on how to manage their businesses and we encourage SMEs to join us in the forthcoming clinic as it promises to be enriching and impactful to their business. 

In line with its resolve to support SMEs with essential skills and information to stay ahead in managing their businesses, FirstBank has held three SME clinics in the course of the year. These clinics were held in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and had over 150 SMEs in attendance.

To attend the event, follow the link https://smeconnect.firstbanknigeria.com/webinar to register.

Pan African Financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has again given its loyal customers reason to cheer  as  it  rewarded 100 loyal customers with N100,000 each in the UBA Bumper account draw.

The draw, which took place at the UBA Head office on Tuesday, was held via the Facebook platform in strict compliance with social distancing rules as directed by the Federal and Lagos State Government where 100 more customers emerged winners through a transparent draw.

When contacted, the customers who emerged winners of the draw agreed that the total reward of N10m is timely and would be very useful in assisting them especially in the face of the Coronavirus Pandemic currently ravaging the world with attendant effect on incomes of individuals.

UBA’s Group Head, Consumer and Retail Banking, Jude Anele, spoke about the bank’s excitement to be able to put smiles on the faces of as much as 100 customers at this critical time when livelihoods and lives are being threatened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“These are difficult times indeed with little to cheer about because people are going through trying times. However, for us in UBA, we want our customers to know that we are in these together, that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to reward those that have kept our business going with their loyalty. With this reward, we want to encourage them to stay happy and safe even as they continue to aim for their dream regardless of the present challenges,” Anele said.

Anele noted that, the bumper draw is also in line with the bank’s mission of creating superior value for its stakeholders while encouraging saving cultures among Nigerians, adding that “We have in recent times deepened our focus on the most important aspect of our business – the customers we serve. Hence, our huge investment in technology to make banking easier and seamless across all our product channels and that is why we most recently introduced new offerings such as this Bumper Account,  with our customer in mind as it is expected to deliver improved value to them.

Explaining the modalities for the draw, Anele said that all new and existing customers need do to qualify for the draw is to ensure that they have a minimum deposit of N5,000 in their UBA Bumper Account. “Current UBA customers are to dial  *919*20*1# to migrate to the UBA Bumper Account whilst potential customers should dial *919*20# if interested in opening a UBA Bumper Account,” he added.

​​​​​​​In the first draw which was held live during the official launch in Lagos,  a total of 100 customers emerged winners as the  Bumper to Bumper Crooner, Wande Coal serenaded guests with his famous hit songs to the delight of all present.

The Group Head Marketing & Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, explained that the Bumper account was created specifically with the customer in mind, adding that UBA truly puts its customers first and will stop at nothing to ensure they have the right solutions to support their needs. “We are committed to delivering exceptional service and will always seek to excite our customers at every interaction. We back our words with action and that is why a total of 100 customers emerged winners at the last draw which also took place here,” she said.

She added that a monthly shopping allowance of N100,000 for a year is also up for grabs. “No fewer than 5 account holders will get a whopping N2 million each across all participating regions every quarter. This account is open to both existing and new customers of the bank who save a minimum of N5,000,” Nwoga added.

Mafulul Emmanuel King, one of the winners who was called on the phone, could not hide his joy when he was announced as one of the winners. “I am still very amazed. I never knew I could get lucky and win. All my life, I have never won anything like this, and I am very happy that I won this time.  What a time to get lucky than now when this Corona Pandemic has affected my business severely. You cant imagine how relieved and delighted I am. God bless you guys, thank you so much UBA,” he said.

​​​​​​​Another winner, Bello Aishat, who could not also believe it when her name was contacted screamed for joy, saying “you don’t know what this means to me at this very difficult time! This bank keeps touching and supporting lives. The same way they supported both the federal and state governments and some African countries with a whooping N5billion. I am convinced UBA truly cares and I am proud to bank with UBA. Thank you so much, you have touched me beyond words at a trying time,” she concluded.

At first, they shrouded his health status in secrecy. For many days, it was a matter for hush tone discussions, and because of the delay in owing up, he carried on as if all was well, thereby infecting others.

When the bubble burst, the Presidential Task Force (PTF) kept saying a ‘presidential aide’, refusing to mention the name of the once most powerful man after President Buhari.

Even after owning up, and said he was moving to Lagos, they kept the venue of his treatment under wraps.

We knew it was a private hospital yet, the SGF Boss Mustapha and the Minister of Health, Dr Ehanire, said no private hospital had been accredited to treat coronavirus and that there would be sanctions on erring hospitals.

They said the Federal Government will shut such hospitals because they put their lives and those of their visitors at risk.

But Kyari was attended to, in a private hospital. Who queried that?

Now, reports say he was allegedly treated at First Cardiology Consultant Hospital in Ikoyi, Lagos.

If truly he died in that hospital after being hospitalised for days, couldn’t he have put the management and staff of the medical establishment at risk?

Who are the owners of the hospital? Why did they disobey the rules of government and their professional ethics?

Why wasn’t Kyari referred to an accredited isolation centre?

What should happen to the management of the hospital?

Who are the doctors, nurses and other care givers involved in his secret treatment at that hospital?

Have they flouted any law? How about their own safety and that of their families?

Couldn’t they have been infected with the disease? Shouldn’t the staff of the hospital be isolated or quarantined immediately?

Isn’t it possible that the virus has spread through some of the staff to their families and by extension, to Ikoyi and other Lagos environs?

Only God knows how many people are infected now by this unnecessary secrecy and unintelligent show of power.

Do we even know how many people that are still hiding their status or the uncountable folks walking dead because they have refused to submit themselves to the test?

Honestly, I believe we have more cases than being reported by the NCDC at this time.

Now that cases are rising and spreading to other areas through community contacts, wouldn’t Buhari be justified if he extends the lockdown beyond the FCT, Lagos and Ogun?

How more difficult will contact tracing be, in places like Lagos and Kano, in view of the foolishness of some people.

Even if you would be stigmatised, isn’t it devilish and ungodly to put the rest of the masses at risk with your unholy falsehood?

There are two rules in my country; one for the poor, you can guess who the other rules are meant for.

Buhari, SGF Boss Mustapha, Lai Mohammed and other members of the PTF are culpable in the event of the spread of this virus, if arising from Kyari’s treatment.

There are still many Abba Kyaris out there, in the corridors of power and elsewhere, killing the rest of us slowly.

In his last days, before leaving this sinful world, Kyari has obviously done us harms but Islam forbids me to speak ill of the dead, because we shall all pass through that route someday to our final destination in the hereafter.

So, I will rather pray that God should please not record this against Abba Kyari.

The Almighty Allah should please count his good deeds, forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus.

May God also comfort his family and friends and give them the strength to bear their loss.

Ina lillahi waina ilehi rajiun (From God we came, to Him we shall return).

*Osiade, an Assistant Editor with New Telegraph Newspaper wrote in from Lagos.

By Michael Jimoh

Trawling through twitter, this writer came across a tweet – HM @sadiya_farouq on an official visit to @nemanigeria. The DG updated the Hon. Minister @sadiya_farouq and the perm sec Jalal Arabi on the activities, interventions and responses of @nemanigeria with respect to the #COVID 19 pandemic.

A comment caught my eye – “What is this woman @sadiya_farouq doing again with NEMA?”

My first instinct was to consider the question, what is the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development doing with NEMA? But the moment I considered the question, the answer popped up almost immediately. The ministry’s mandate under – Disaster Management is completely aligned with the mandate of NEMA.

NEMA short for National Emergency Management Agency was established via Act 12 as amended by Act 50 of 1999, to manage disasters in Nigeria with a clearly defined objective – tackle disaster related issues through the establishment of concrete structures.

Its mission, as spelt out on its website, is to “coordinate resource towards efficient and effective disaster prevention, preparation, mitigation and response in Nigeria” while its vision is “to build a culture of preparedness, prevention, response and community resilience to disaster in Nigeria.”

The Ministry on the other hand established in 2019 with a mandate to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, while managing the formulation and implementation of equity focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria.

A close reading will show that there are several points at which the raison d’ etre of NEMA intersects with that of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. But before we consider those points of intersection and alignment, let us take a quick trip to America.

Even the most cursory look at NEMA vis a vis its name, mission and vision will leave no one in doubt that the spirit and the letter came from America’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). In America, FEMA is responsible for coordinating the federal government’s response to natural and man-made disasters. Its mission statement is simple and speaks to proactiveness – “helping people before, during and after disasters.”

FEMA was established in 1979 by President Jimmy Carter via Executive Order 12127. The executive order merged many of the disparate disaster-related responsibilities into the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Upon its establishment, FEMA absorbed the following: The Federal Insurance Administration, The National Fire Prevention and Control Administration, The National Weather Service Community Preparedness Program, The Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration as well as the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from Housing and Urban Development while Civil defense responsibilities were also transferred to the new agency from the Defense Department’s Defense Civil Preparedness Agency.

FEMA enjoyed autonomy for all of 24 years before it was subsumed under the newly created Department of Homeland Security in 2003, two years after the 9/11 bombing of 2001, America’s biggest man-made disaster. The Department was set up ostensibly to “better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense.”

In subsuming FEMA under the Department of Homeland Security and providing it with cabinet level oversight, the President George W. Bush administration noted that though effective, FEMA had over its 24 year existence carried out its mandate in concert with other disparate federal and state agencies and they all had failed to present a single, unifying and wide ranging strategy to meet the nation’s disaster preparedness and management.

17 years later, FEMA is a larger and much strengthened agency reporting to the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

20 years after NEMA was created in Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari created the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. The overarching intention was to create a ministry that would facilitate and oversee the preparedness and management of the nation’s humanitarian programmes, disaster management activities as well as social investment programmes.

Such a ministry has become imperative in a country where the North East has been devastated by over a decade of insurgency which has taken unprecedented human and infrastructural toll on the nation; personal and forced migrations have become topical issues that dot our newspaper headlines; the term IDP has become part of our daily lingo due to internal displacements precipitated by sundry crises; incidents of flooding have been on the increase no thanks to climate change and environmental degradation while the death toll continues to rise from incidents of fire disasters, pipeline explosions as well as other man-made disasters that continue to exert pressure on the government and populace.

These exigencies made it imperative for a ministry that would provide oversight as well as a single, unifying and comprehensive strategy to meet the humanitarian, disaster management and social development needs of a country like Nigeria.

A few months after its creation, the ministry was put through its paces when it facilitated the return of over 130 Nigerians who were stuck in Cameroun. Many who knew the Minister’s antecedents did not find that particularly newsworthy because they saw her doing what she had always done because prior to her appointment as Minister, Sadiya Umar Farouq had acquitted herself creditably as the Honourable Federal Commissioner of the National Commission for Refugee, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI).

Because it was her quick interventions and leadership from the front in the wake of two devastating incidents that finally put her in the bull’s eye of the press and public.

Boko Haram’s attack on Auno in crisis plagued Borno state left one score and ten people dead while a pipeline explosion in the Abule Edo area of Lagos led to over 20 fatalities. Sadiya Umar Farouq was quick to carry out on-the-spot assessments which were followed by the provision of relief materials and medical supplies.

Under her sway, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has become more engaged and only recently announced the construction of a 14-bed and 21-bed facility, each close to a large IDP Camp in Maiduguri using pre-fabrication technology to serve as COVID-19 Isolation Centres in the North-East.

With the Covid 19 pandemic, Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq and the ministry she superintends have suddenly been thrust into the forefront of the battle against Covid-19. Today, the major bodies in the vanguard of attack are clearly the Presidential Task Force (PTF), the Nigerian Center for Disease Control (NCDC) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development.

The Ministry, to give impetus to its interventions, inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) on March 27th, 2020 to complement the efforts of the PTF in providing humanitarian and social interventions as Covid-19 rages. The TWG is comprised of all the Agencies and programs under the supervision of the Ministry; which have been pooled to operationalize the Ministry-led response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ministry is providing, in a single, unified and comprehensive manner, humanitarian assistance to the poor and vulnerable, awareness and sensitization to persons of concern as well as relief and palliatives as social impact interventions during this crisis.

These interventions are more comprehensive and wide ranging and clearly beyond the remit of a disaster management agency like NEMA. So, like Bush did with FEMA, Buhari has done with NEMA, bringing the agency under the away of a broader and more strategic ministry for the good of the larger majority.

Now, we know what that woman @sadiya_farouq is doing with NEMA?

**Mike Jimoh, a communications analyst writes from Lagos

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has asked Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to come clean on the N5.8 billion National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) scandal for which he was reportedly fingered by an investigative committee of the House of Representatives.

The party also charges the Buhari Presidency to immediately prosecute the sacked Director General of NEMA, Engr. Mustapha Yunusa Maihaja, who was also indicted by the House of Representatives over alleged embezzlement of N33 billion in the agency.

The PDP stands with Nigerians in rejecting this unpardonable pat in the wrist of allowing Engr. Maihaja to leave office without investigation and prosecution to recover the allegedly embezzled fund.

Our party believes that the failure to prosecute the indicted former NEMA Director General as a ploy to shield very top officials in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, who are alleged to be involved in the series of scam in NEMA, while the masses, for whom the fund was meant to serve, continue to suffer neglect and untold hardships.

The PDP insists that the sacking of Engr. Maihaja should not be used as an excuse to foreclose an investigation into the huge fraud in NEMA under Vice President Osinbajo as Chairman of Governing Board.

The party describes the sleaze in NEMA as an indelible smear on the Buhari Presidency and charged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take in Engr. Maihaja for questioning and if found wanting, prosecution.

The party notes that the Vice President had failed to provide cogent response to the report of the House of Representatives on the N33 billion NEMA fraud in addition to allegations that the N5.8 billion was withdrawn from the national coffers, while he was acting President, without legislative consent and expended without recourse to extant due process, procurement and contract rules.

The PDP recalled that the House of Representatives had exposed that while the fund was claimed to have been expended for procurement of grains under the emergency intervention on food security in the North East, none of the six states of the Northeast received any grain from the so called emergency intervention by NEMA.

The legislative house had also exposed that there was no evidence that the World Food Programme (WFP) received the 5000 metric tons of rice, which NEMA claimed to have bought and donated to WFP for distribution to victims of insurgency in the region.

Indeed, the failure of the Buhari Presidency to prosecute Engr. Maihaja, despite his indictment by the House of Representatives, had raised serious issues of alleged complicity in high places, for which Nigerians expect Prof. Osinbajo, as Chairman of Governing Board of the agency, to come clean.

It is even more saddening that the looted fund is part of the money set aside for emergency response such as provision of palliatives and other essentials for the poor masses to mitigate the hardships that would be occasioned by emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PDP therefore charges the EFCC to use the report of the House of Representatives as a working document and immediately invite Engr. Maihaja for questioning on the stolen funds as well as further expose top officials of the Buhari administration allegedly involved in the huge fraud in NEMA.

Stanley Ihedigbo

26-year-old private security guard, Ibuchi Nwoju,  attached to Coca Cola depot in Onitsha, has allegedly stabbed a young man to death.

The suspect who came from Asa village, Abia State but reside in Onitsha, Anambra State,  had an altercation with one Cletus Chisom , 22,  years of Ekekwe Street Awada and stabbed him with a knife on his chest.

Speaking on the incident, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Haruna Mohammed, said operatives from Okpoko Division in Onitsha has arrested the suspect.

He explained that the victim, Chisom became unconscious after the incident and was rushed to Goodnews Hospital Onitsha where he was confirmed dead on arrival by a medical doctor.

The PPRO further said that the  Chisom’s corpse was deposited at Toronto Hospital Mortuary for autopsy.

Commissioner of Police CP John B.Abang, has ordered for immediate transfer of the case to State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Awka for discreet investigation.

The controversy trailing the alleged distribution of the contaminated rice to Oyo State and other South West states by the Federal Ministry of Humanitarin Affairs and Disaster Managment, is not yet over as a group under the auspices of League of Maritime Editors and Publishers (LOMEP) have called for immediate sack of the Comptroller General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali (rtd).

They accused Col Ali of willfully releasing the poinsnous rice for public consumption, even though he and the Minister of Information Lai Muhammed had at several fora in the last two years have been warning Nigerians not to consume such rice.

They noted that the customs helmsman had on several occasions warned Nigerians that imported rice is poisonous, cancerous and totally unfit for human consumption.

They wondered why the Customs CGC could instead of destroying such seized rice it the Customs warehouses, he willfully relaesed it to the Federal Government for onward distribution to states as COVID-19 palliatives to the hungry Nigerian public.

A statement signed by the president of LOMEP, Kingsley Anaroke and Secretary General, Francis Ugwoke said among those that should be dismissed for betrayal of trust, negligence and attempted murder by giving out contaminated and expired rice that are dangerous for human consumption as palliatives to the people are Customs Controllers of Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Ogun commands who distributed the grains to the different states.”

The statement titled: ‘State of the Nation Statement’, alleged that Ali and his Customs Controllers treated with total disregard the health implications of the grains to the people of the states even when they were fully aware that the food items were poisonous.

The group recalled that Ali had himself described the grains as poisonous and had warned Nigerians from consuming them on several occasions.

They alleged that the grains came to the country years back and were seized by the Customs who later said that were contaminated.

The group recalled a statement credited to the Customs boss when he addressed newsmen, where he was advising Nigerians against eating foreign smuggled rice which includes seized rice on the argument that such have spent a minimum of five years in the silos before arriving the country.

Ali had actually told newsmen: “A chemical must have been added to sustain its freshness and that chemical is harmful. Also, it has been re-bagged with a new date given as the production and expiry date and that is what we consume here which causes diseases.”

The group also recalled that the customs under Ali’s leadership had equally donated the same poisonous rice to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North but were withdrawn later, adding that this was unbecoming of a highly placed public officer who claims to be in the forefront of the war against corruption.

According to the group, the claim by Customs that the grains were tested before they were given out, was simply a volte face, fallacy and demanded evidence of such test from the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

The group further said that the conflicting reports by the five All Progressives Congress (APC) party states, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti Ondo and Ogun on the contaminated rice, was merely for political reasons and patronage.

“If the CGC has said severally that foreign rice is not fit for human consumption, why must it then be distributed as palliatives, is customs not aware how long the rice must have stayed in their warehouses and what due diligence did it carry out on the rice before releasing them to the states? Were they inspected and tested by NAFDAC?

“When did this foreign rice become okay for human consumption? Why can’t Ali’s Customs give Nigerians Nigerian rice instead of foreign rice which he knows are poisonous?

“Nigerians should ask the CGC where he got his information first on the poisonous rice. Was it after it was distributed to IDPs which probably led to the stoppage? If so, why sending them to the West as COVID 19 palliatives, a move which could be seen as ethnic sabotage? ”

The group called for halt on further on distribution of any palliative from customs without certification by the relevant authorities, hinting of another plot to donate 10 bad containers of tomato paste in Onne Customs Command, Rivers State, as palliatives to the Federal Government.

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the first quarter ended March 31 2020, with gross earnings rising by 6% from N158.1 billion in March 2019 to N166.8 billion.

According to the unaudited account which was presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, April 29, 2020, this top-line growth was driven by the 43% expansion in non-interest income from N32.7 billion in the prior-year period to N46.6 billion in March 2020.

The Bank’s profit before tax also rose 3% from N57.3 billion in the prior-year period to N58.8 billion in March 2020. The increased profits benefited from the twin effects of continuing top-line growth and focused cost-of-funds optimisation. Cost of funds declined significantly from 3.0% in March 2019 to 2.6% in the quarter, translating to a 10% decrease in interest expense dropping from N36.3 billion in March 2019 to N32.8 billion in the quarter.

Despite this drop, the current low yield environment necessitated the repricing of interest-bearing assets which in turn resulted in a 13% compression in net interest margin, decreasing from 8.9% in March 2019 to 7.7% in the current period.

Zenith Bank has continued to gain customer acceptance, with customer deposits increasing by 5% from N4.26 trillion in December 2019 to N4.46 trillion in Q1 2020. The Bank’s customer deposit mix rebalancing remains on-track as the Group added N150 billion in savings account balances in Q1 2020, supported by its retail drive.

The Bank’s total assets increased by 12% growing from N6.35 trillion in December 2019 to close at N7.13 trillion in Q1 2020. Gross loans grew by 11% from N2.46 trillion in December 2019 to N2.74 trillion in Q1 2020.

Zenith Bank continues to surpass the expectations of its shareholders with its track record of superlative performances.

Consistent with this performance and in recognition of this, the Bank was voted as the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 by the World Finance and the Best Digital Bank in Nigeria 2019 by Agusto and Co. The Bank was also recognised as Bank of the Year and Best in Retail Banking at the 2019 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards. Recently, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, for the third consecutive year, in the Banker Magazine “Top 500 Banking Brands 2020”, Best Bank in Nigeria 2020 in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020, and Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020.

…Reports Profit Before Tax of $90 million on net revenues of $393 million in Q1, 2020



Recorded significant increases in customer adoption rates on our digital/online channels across our businesses. Adoption rates are expected to accelerate as COVID-19 induced lockdowns changes consumer behaviour.

The number and value of transactions grew by 8% and 15% to 4m and $6.1bn, respectively, on Ecobank Omni+, Corporate and Investment Bank’s corporate clients’ online banking platform in the first quarter of 2020.

OmniLite, Commercial Bank’s online banking platform designed specifically to meet the unique financial needs of SMEs increased number of transactions by 40,000 to 126,000, which amounted to $435m.
Ecobank Pay, our payments platform saw a 61% increase in merchant acquisition numbers to 195,000 merchants.
Transaction numbers and value on Ecobank Mobile increased by 72% and 32% to 9m and $613m, respectively.
Registered customers increased by 3,000 to 9,000 year-on-year on our Africa RapidTransfer App, which facilitates low-cost money transfer across 33 African countries.
The number of XpressPoints (our physical agency network) grew by approximately 4,000 agents to 43,700, with the value of transactions reaching $445m.
Three months ended 31 March 2020 – Earnings Results
PBT of $90m, down 12% on a reported basis, but up 27% in constant currency, driven by positive operating leverage
Operating income (net revenue) of $393m, up 1% on a reported basis and 14% in constant currency
Operating expenses of $259m, up 1% on a reported basis and 6% in constant currency
Pre-impairment profit of $133m, up 2% on a reported basis and 34% in constant currency, on positive operating leverage
Customer deposits of $16,103m, up 6% on a reported basis and 11% in constant currency
Loans and advances to customers (net) of $8,788m, up 2% on a reported basis and 7% in constant currency
Ade Ayeyemi, Group CEO said: “Quarter 1, 2020 was the beginning of an unprecedented, uncharted and disturbing period for businesses, governments and individuals globally, owing to the rapid spread of the coronavirus pandemic. For us, as a bank, our focus is on making sure that we can meet the needs of our customers despite the pandemic, while also ensuring their wellbeing and safety as well as those of our employees.

All our countries have successfully activated our business continuity plan in line with the needs of each local environment. Through our investment in technology over the years, working from home has been seamless and indeed a pretext to a possible new normal post-COVID-19.”

“As the leading pan-African bank, Ecobank embraced the call to duty with a sense of urgency. With our knowledge of Africa and its intricacies in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, we have contributed about $3 million in the form of cash, healthcare equipment and supplies, in addition to mounting sustained and robust awareness campaigns, while we are also using our digital banking platforms to provide money to some of the most vulnerable members in our communities.”

In recognition of the effects of the pandemic on a significant sector of African businesses, MSMEs, we are further co-leading, with the African Union-NEPAD, and are actively committed to an initiative to support MSMEs with technical knowledge, mentoring, knowledge sharing and financial support, thus playing a vital role in helping their businesses survive the pandemic.

“For the safety of our customers, we continue to adhere strictly to guidance from the WHO, governments, and health agencies in operating our physical locations, where they have to remain open. We have made it safer to visit our physical locations by providing temperature checks, crowd control, hand sanitisers and social distancing, among other measures.

Our ATMs and call centres remain open 24/7, and the full range of our banking services are available via our digital platforms. Ecobank Mobile and Ecobank Online are available to our consumer customers, and Ecobank Omni Lite and Ecobank Omni meet the needs of SMEs and large businesses. To further help alleviate the adverse impact of the pandemic on our customers, we have waived some of the fees on our digital channels and we are closely monitoring events to anticipate situations that may require our support to customers as circumstances evolve,” Ayeyemi added.

“That said, our quarterly performance was resilient, again reflecting the strength of our diversified business model. We delivered $90 million in pre-tax profits, an increase of 27% if adjusted for currency translation effects, and a return on tangible shareholders’ equity of 17.1%. We are managing impairment losses prudently, and as a result, our cost-of-risk increased to 1.5%, versus 0.5% in the prior-year quarter.”

For one of Nigeria’s oldest financial institutions, Wema Bank Plc, it has become a case of one day, one trouble as the bank led by Ademola Adebise has continued to swim in the sea of controversies amidst financial improprieties. And as it stands, the bank is perfecting its acts that may qualify it as enfante terrible in the banking sector, as its name and staffers constantly prop up in one controversy or the other.

Reports available to this medium indicate that Wema Bank plc and its management are currently the focus of Nigeria’s banking regulator, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Economic and Financial Crimes.

According to the document received by this medium, Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani-Bello in a letter dated 23/07/2015 from the office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Malam Zakari Abubakar appointed Ori Adeyemo, a Lagos based forensic expert as consultants to investigate deductions of unremitted 10 per cent Withholding Tax on Credit Interest by some banks operating in the state.

However, an instruction was passed by the then Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary to its supervised Niger State Board of Internal Revenue of Adeyemo’s full appointments to cover all the banks in Niger State.

At the end the forensic investigation, the total refundable by the Wema Bank stood at N192,963 million out of the N4.6 billion due to the state by 12 banks and one Micro Finance institution.

In his petition to the EFCC, seen by this medium. Adeyemo alleged he was reliably informed that the Board had given clean bill of health and letters of non-indebtedness to the said compromised concerned banks.

He added that by a letter dated 29/01/2019, Wema Bank Plc., also sent in a reply to the Board’s earlier N192, 963,839.30 Best-of-Judgement (BOJ) demand letter as initiated by us.

The consultant also alleged that the Board “went ahead to try and sell-out this assessment to persons unknown so far who relied on our reports in lowering the assessment to sum for reasons unknown after unbridled reports mutilation and suspected behind-the-scene negotiations all in a bid to deprive the Niger State Government of its hard-earned Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).”

He added that: “Total commissions and/or dues fraudulently lost thereto and/or withheld by the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue is N910,422,825.32, which “we hereby request that the EFCC use its wide-ranging investigative powers to help recover for us.”

The petitioner also included a compact disk (CD) detailing all completed jobs in intellectual properties as so far executed by the consultant for the Niger State Government enabling it to demand for an additional but unpaid N732,143,601.52 commission sum.

“Consequently, in the light of the mutual agreement that have with the Niger State Government, we are entitled to 15% of the established N1,131,931,579.67 liability assessment per completed assignments for N178,279,223.80 sum, which we hereby demand that EFCC should assist us to collect from the Niger State Board of Internal Revenue and its collaborators”, Adeyemo said.

Meanwhile, Wema Bank’s Corporate Communication Manager, Mrs. Funmi Falola, debunked the allegations, saying that from their investigation, there is no such liability on the neck of the bank anywhere.

The Mercy & Ike show premiered on Sunday, April 26, and Big Brother Naija fans and many Nigerians, couldn’t have been more thrilled.

The Mercy & Ike show follows the love story of Mercy Eke (winner of the 2019 edition of Big Brother Naija) and Ike Onyeama, another BBN contestant. The pair met and bonded in the BBN house, but the Mercy & Ike show is proof that their love did not end there.

The show opens with Mercy and Ike reminiscing about their time in the BBN house and how they formed an alliance to ensure that either of them won. It then goes on to draw us deeper into their personal lives.

Mercy opens up and talks about growing up in a poor household. At one time, her mother had to sell Akara to support the family, while Mercy would roast corn and sell fuel to make ends meet.

‘My mum used to sell Akara, so from there, she graduated from selling Akara to ‘Mama Put’, so maybe that’s why I know how to cook… Then I used to sell fuel and I roasted corn while helping her.’

She almost broke down in tears when she revealed that while her mother was pregnant with her, she repeatedly tried to lose the pregnancy because of the extreme poverty they faced at that time. Mercy lets us know that that discovery only made her more determined to become successful in life.

Ike talked about having a regular upbringing in the United States. Life was going well for him until 2017 when a hurricane in the U.S. affected his business and destroyed the apartment he was living in at that time.

We get to meet Mercy’s older sister, Promise. According to Mercy, her older sister sacrificed her own happiness by getting married just so she could take care of the family. Promise is a widow with three kids, and she lets us know that Mercy has been the one taking care of her and her children since she lost her husband.

Ike comes over to visit Mercy, and as they settle down to eat, Ike says that it’s time he met the rest of Mercy’s family, pointing out that Mercy avoided this during their last visit to Owerri.

In Ike’s interview session, he lets us know that because of their popularity, social media has a lot of impact on their relationship because whatever they do as a couple gets online, and sometimes gets misinterpreted.

Mercy simply says that Ike does not know how to manage social media.

Rumours about Mercy and Ike’s true relationship status have been flying around since the Big Brother Naija show ended. Ike put those rumours to rest by saying that he definitely envisioned himself committing to marriage with Mercy. Mercy playfully told him to be sure he was ready to commit before popping the question because she didn’t plan to wear an engagement ring for longer than one month.

As the first episode of the show ends, Mercy and Ike talk about planning an exclusive home party and discuss the guest list.

Teasers from the next episode show that Ike wants to move in with Mercy, but apparently, there is some resistance to that idea. We saw something that looked like a big fight too. We definitely hope that Mercy and Ike are okay.

If you missed the premiere episode, you missed out on a whole lot! The first episode of Mercy & Ike broke all of Africa Magic’s previous viewership ratings.

You can still catch up with all the juicy action from episode one with another airing on April 27, 2020, by 7.30 pm on Africa Magic Urban DStv Channel 153.

Looking forward to the next episode? Mercy & Ike will air on Sunday, 6.30 PM on Africa Magic Showcase, Channel 151.

If you are on DStv Family and Access as well as GOtv, sit tight, Mercy & Ike is coming to you from May 3, 2020, at 4:00 pm on Africa Magic Family DStv channel 153 and GOtv channel 2.

Don’t miss out on this!

…pledges to follow social register for distribution

The Food and Relief Committee constituted by the Governor, State of Osun, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola to cushion the effects of lockdown rules occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday commenced the distribution of food and relief materials to  vulnerable people across the state.

Addressing the media during the flag-off of the distribution in Osogbo, the Secretary of the 21-man Food and Relief Committee,  Chief Adebayo Jimoh, said the distribution would be made in accordance with the World Bank-approved social investment registers in order to ensure that the stimulus package get to the needy.

He maintained that the Committee would champion equity, transparency and accountability in the discharge of its responsibilities, saying the palliatives would be distributed across socio-economic, political and religious divides.

Jimoh who disclosed that the Committee had expended over N150million for the procurement of the food stuffs, noted that only the  identified vulnerable and indigent citizens captured in the social investment register of the State would benefit from the gestures.

The Committee’s secretary who described the distribution as a continuous exercise, said the distribution would be done in tranches as soon as the resources come in.

He said the exercise would be monitored and supervised from the take-off venue to the doorsteps of the beneficiaries as part of efforts to ensure credibility and accountability.

“We have come to commence formally the food distribution which the committee has been able to source from eminent sons and daughters of the State for the less privileged and vulnerable people as a succor in the State of Osun.

“As a Committee, we have a programme of continuity and this is just the first phase of distribution. We have spent #150million for the procurement of food stuffs such as rice, beans, garri, noodles, eggs, among others.

“This first tranche is to provide for those identified on the social registers through out the 31 local government areas in the State.

“The social investment register is a World Bank- approved document, updated every year without any political interference.

“We will commence delivery through the Christian leaders, Muslims leaders, civil society organisers and focal staff in each of the local governments . The process has involved a lot of planning involving all stakeholders in the State; Christian leaders, Muslim leaders, traditional rulers, elders in the society, representative of the governments, focal staff of all local governments, civil society organizations, local government chairmen, community development associations, among others.

“They all have the list containing phone numbers, addresses and locations of the vunerable people that have been identified in the social register.

“We are doing all these to ensure that the products get to the targeted beneficiaries.

“We are starting the pilot scheme with Odo Otin, Ilesha West and Ede North local governments. The process is an auditable, transparent and easy process,” Jimoh added.

In their separate remarks, the representatives of the religious organisations and Civil Society Organizations lauded the State Government and the members of the Committee for alleviating the hardship that the people are going through due to the lockdown.

Ten months ago, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development did not exist. But then 10 months ago if you said Corona, young people would think of a beer brand while older folks would think of an old car model, Toyota Corona. The Coronavirus, also, did not exist.

But times have changed and today, with the world on lockdown from Minna to Minneapolis and Lagos to Lisbon, the word de jour is Covid-19, a disease caused by the novel Coronavirus.

Total global infections now stand at over 2.8m with a total fatality rate of almost 200,000 which is well over 5%. Of the global number of infections, 808,024 people have recovered. Figures are based on statistics available on April 25, 2020.

Nigeria with 1,095 confirmed cases and 32 deaths is fast closing the gap against Ghana which has 1,279 confirmed cases and 10 fatalities as well as South Africa which has reported 4,220 cases with 79 fatalities.

Prognostications from the Nigeria Center of Disease Control (NCDC) are dire with the figures expected to rise further in the coming days as more tests are carried out.

The global pandemic has impacted the world in horrible ways. The global economy is in tatters, the airline and travel industry may never recover, the Olympics has been canceled, football leagues abandoned, blockbuster movie releases pushed back, terminal examinations postponed indefinitely while oil prices are in negative territory, having dropped below $1. Medical facilities and personnel are stretched thin even in highly developed countries like Germany, France, Canada and Japan.

While a few countries like Sweden, Czech and Georgia seem to have seen the worst of it, most of the world has been impacted so negatively it will take decades for full recovery to occur.

The Covid-19 pandemic can only be likened to a sneak guerilla attack with no warning and scant preparation. The world was left flat footed as can be seen from the debacle unfolding daily.

Wrong advice and faux pas have become the order of the day as we see world leaders, who, overwhelmed by the scale of the disaster and drowning in the muck are reaching for any strand of hope to cling to.

The innate ability to keep your head in moments of crisis has long been recognized as a defining attribute of leadership and the Covid-19 pandemic is showing up leaders across the world as either inept or made of stellar stuff because desperate times call for unique insights and perspectives.

In Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari was accused, at the beginning of the crisis, of not addressing the nation but the president in his own inimitable style chose to observe and analyse the situation before making a broadcast. Two broadcasts later, he has defined the strategy and affirmed clearly that the fight against Covid-19 “is not a joke. It is a matter of life and death.”
In his March 29th broadcast, the president announced a lockdown of the frontline states of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja beginning April 1, 2020 and it was no April Fool’s. The lock down was extended 13 days later for another two weeks and in his second address, the president acknowledged the toll the lock down was taking and would take on the nation – “we made this very difficult decision knowing fully well it will severely disrupt your livelihoods and bring undue hardship to you, your loved ones and your communities.”

With the second lockdown by the Federal Government set to elapse on April 28th, 2020, the Governor’s Forum has announced a cessation of all interstate movement from next week. These actions, though pragmatic and proactive, are taking a huge toll on people especially in a country where many are subsistent income earners, depending on daily wages and income to survive.

The president acknowledged the fact in that same broadcast when he noted that “No country can afford the full impact of a sustained restriction of movement on its economy. I am fully aware of the great difficulties experienced especially by those who earn a daily wage such as traders, day-workers, artisans and manual workers.”

To assuage the impact of the lock down, the president announced a series of palliatives comprised of food distribution, cash transfers and loans repayment waivers as well as an expansion of the current social register from 2.6 million households to 3.6 million households in the next two weeks.

The implementation of those palliative is the remit of the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development led by Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq. Created in August 2019, the ministry’s mandate is to develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, and manage the formulation and implementation of equity focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria.

The Ministry seems created for the moment and Emma Agu, a public commentator writing under the caption, Sadiya Farouq and the Burden of Expectation, has suggested that the president might actually have been clairvoyant in creating a ministry charged with such an expansive mandate a mere four months before the scourge.

Sadiya Umar Farouq has become the face of the federal government’s social intervention efforts as it concerns the humanitarian aspect of the fight against Covid-19. She is charged with turning the federal government’s resolve into action.

Her ministry has submitted the implementation plan for the identification of an additional 1 million poor and vulnerable households to the Economic Sustainability Committee to expand the social register from 2.6m to 3.6m in line with Mr. President’s directive while 1,794,633 Loan beneficiaries under the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) beneficiaries have been granted 3 months moratorium.

453,744 poor and vulnerable households in 24 states and the FCT have been impacted under the Conditional cash Transfer programme while 12,000 beneficiaries have received Trader Moni loans and Market moni loans in Lagos and FCT as at April 20th.

Following the federal government’s approval of the release of 70,000 metric tons of grain from the Strategic Grains Reserve, the ministry has facilitated the deployment to 13 states based on reported cases of COVID-19, population and density using the existing structure provided by NEMA. 5,820 metric tons have already been delivered to Lagos, Ogun, and FCT, whilst 2,550 are in transit as the remaining grains are being bagged and transferred.

Despite logistical challenges in the North East, the ministry working with the North East Development Commission (NEDC has commenced construction of both a 14-bed and 21-bed facility, each close to a large IDP Camp in Maiduguri to serve as COVID-19 Isolation Centres. The Ministry has provided, through the NEDC, 11,000 Personal Protective Equipment, 12 ventilators, 6,000 surgical masks, 3,000 ordinary masks, 192 infra-red thermometer, 2,400 hand gloves & 2,500 hand sanitisers to 6 states in the North East.

The 65 trucks of rice released to the Ministry by the Nigerian Customs Service rice have been distributed to Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Jigawa, Katsina, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Kebbi and FCT, with distribution ongoing to other States.

In collaboration with National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficked Persons (NAPTIP), the Ministry is leading the implementation of interventions which will assist in providing social protection for the vulnerable. To this end Covid-19 advocacy and sensitization campaigns are ongoing in shelters while sensitization and distribution of palliatives have commenced in 3 states in collaboration with UN OCHA.

Last week, the minister met with the executives of the Coalition of Disability Organisations (CODO) to align strategies for sustainable interventions. CODO acknowledged the Minister’s proactive commitment in appointing a Special Assistant (Special Needs) immediately upon assumption of office.

Over 30 trucks of food items were also handed over as palliatives to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory as well as the Kogi state government during the week.

And in all these, Sadiya Umar Farouq has been lauded by colleagues and partners for her insistence on measurement and evaluation not just of interventions but impact. Working with NGOs and CSOs her ministry is employing the M & E Field Activity Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to monitor and evaluate all social, humanitarian, advocacy and sensitization interventions, within the framework of Covid-19 emergency response across all 774 LGAs nationwide.

Watching and listening to the soft spoken Sadiya Umar Farouq speak during a recent interview on Channel’s TV what became immediately obvious was that leadership and responsibility are not consistent with physical stature. You don’t have to be big to be effective.

It is also fair to say that former prime minister of Britain, Margaret Thatcher was unto something when she averred that “the best man for the job is a woman.”

Residents of Sangtedo in Eti-Osa local government area of Lagos State heaved a big sigh of relief, yesterday, when PWAN Group, foremost real estate marketing company, touch the lives of over 1000 families with generous gifts of food stuffs.
Our correspondent, who covered the exercise, reported that each recipient smiled home with rice, noodles, vegetable oil, tomato pest enough to last a family seven days.
Over 1000 pieces of ankara face mask were also given out even as the residents were encouraged to embrace safety advise by government and medical experts as a measure to check the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.
The Chairman of PWAN Group, Dr Augustine Onwumere, said that he was deeply touched seeing that the stay-at-home order, which ordinarily is a positive move by government to arrest the spread of coronavirus in the country, had unfortunately subjected many families to hunger and serious economic challenges.
“As a responsible corporate organisation, we could not just sit back and watch residents of our host community languish in extreme hunger, without making efforts to cushion their sufferings.
“Lockdown without food is a knock down; that is why we took necessary steps to ensure that everyone benefited from our food distribution exercise,” Dr. Onwmere, further explained.
The Managing Director of PWAN Plus business concerns limited, an affiliate company with the PWAN Group, who coordinated exercise, Julius Oyedemy, added; “The essence is to support the Federal government in spreading help to the unreached. As an organisation, we are targeting to reaching out to over 1000 families and suffering masses who cannot afford food at this critical time of COVID-19 pandemic.”
Oyedemi explained that, the exercised, which began on April 25 in Sangotedo, would be replicated in over 15 communities in Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe local government areas where PWAN Group is located.
To achieve quality distribution as well as ensure social distancing, the Group collaborated with Eti-Osa local government officials, the police and community heads. That conscious arrangement reduced the scramble for the food stuff to a harmless to small groups of residents eager to grab a piece of the generous package.
“What we are doing is also a kind of Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) to the communities to touch lives at this point in time where people are hungry.
“We have rice, cartons of noodles, vegetable oil, tin tomatoes to share for people to feed during these trying times,” the Group Executive Managing Director, Afam Okonkwo, said.

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Pan Africa financial institution, has announced an increase in its net profit for the first quarter of 2020.

The lender, in its financial statements for the first three months of this year, declared a profit after tax of N30.1 billion as against N28.7 billion recorded in the same period of last year.

The bank, which has branches in some African countries and few European nations, reported a profit before tax of N32.7 billion in contrast to N30.2 billion over the same period of 2019.

During the period, the bank said it recorded an interest income of N109.1 billion, higher than N98.6 billion in the first three months of last year, while the interest expense increased to N43.7 billion from N40.5 billion, with the net interest income closing on March 31, 2020 at N65.4 billion compared with N58.1 billion as at March 31, 2019.

The fee and commission income grew to N28.2 billion from N24.2 billion, while the fee and commission expense increased to N9.5 billion from N7.5 billion. The net fee and commission income ended the period under review at N18.7 billion versus N16.8 billion in the same time of 2019.

The net trading and foreign exchange income of UBA jumped to N9.2 billion from N6.1 billion, while the other operating income declined to N680 million from N2.7 billion, with the total non-interest income appreciating to N28.5 billion from N25.6 billion and operating income rising to N93.9 billion from N83.7 billion.

The lender stated in the earnings that employee benefit expenses increased to N22.0 billion from N18.1 billion, while other operating expenses jumped to N32.5 billion from N30.1 billion, with the total operating expenses at N58.7 billion, higher than N51.9 billion in Q1 2019.

Year-to-date, the total assets increased to N6.4 trillion in the first three months of this year from N5.6 trillion in December 2019, while the total liabilities grew to N5.7 trillion within the same period from N5.0 trillion.

The borrowings in Q1 2020 increased to N863.8 billion from n758.7 billion, while deposits from customers rose to N4.3 trillion year-to-date from N3.8 trillion.

The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development (FMHDSD) was established in 2019 as a special intervention ministry for humanitarian affairs, management of disasters and social interventions. It was created on August 21, 2019 with a mandate to: develop humanitarian policies and provide effective coordination of national and international humanitarian interventions, ensure strategic disaster mitigation, preparedness and response, and manage the formulation and implementation of equity focused social inclusion and protection programmes in Nigeria.

Headed by Honourable Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, it is at the forefront of the Covid-19 intervention as the ministry saddled with providing palliatives to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Here are 13 other things you didn’t know about the ministry.

1. To concentrate efforts in tackling Covid-19, the Ministry inaugurated its Technical Working Group (TWG) on the 27th March, 2020. The TWG will complement efforts of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) which is in charge of coordinating efforts in the fight against Covid-19. The mandate of the TWG is 4 fold – Social Interventions, Humanitarian Interventions, Advocacy and Sensitisation, as well as Monitoring & Evaluation.

2. The Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq has made a pledge that all poor and vulnerable Nigerians will be impacted positively – “I want to assure Nigerians that we are focused, equipped and ready to deliver, in a transparent and rapid manner, palliatives that will help our vulnerable populations deal with the shocks brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. We solicit the support of Nigerians as we set about the task of delivering on this pressing assignment”

3. The Ministry has solicited the commitment of the Social Protection Donor Group to secure funding for up to $1 billion dollars for the Covid-19 shock response social safety nets in line with its humanitarian, disaster management and social intervention mandate.

4. The Ministry is working with the National Social Investment Programs (NSIP) & Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to take action on Sustaining Social Interventions during this emergency. It is also collaborating with the National Commission For Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) & National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficked Persons (NAPTIP) in providing social protection for the vulnerable.

5. The Ministry using the National Social Register, made up of 2,644,495 poor and vulnerable households had paid 537,886 beneficiaries existing on the national social register, a 2-month advance payment of N20,000 as directed by Mr. President. Further, to the directive of the President, the Ministry through the National Social Safety Nets Programme (NASSP) has been actively rapidly expanding the National Social Register, and a specialized COVID-19 Shock Responsive register to complement existing Conditional Cash Transfer of Government for vulnerable and/or at-risk population (non-traditional groups) who will be impacted by the COVID – 19 pandemic.

6. Following the Presidential directive, the Ministry has granted a 3-month moratorium to 1,794,633 Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP) beneficiaries and initiated the Conditional Cash Transfer to 453,744 poor and vulnerable households in 24 states plus the FCT since April 1, 2020.

7. The Ministry has facilitated the disbursement of Trader Moni and Market Moni loans to 12,000 beneficiaries in Abuja and Lagos. In Ogun state, beneficiaries are being revalidated in readiness for disbursement. The Bank of Industry will disburse loans to 10,000 beneficiaries in the 3 frontline states and loans to 5,000 beneficiaries in 2 states per geopolitical zone.

8. The Federal Government has approved the release of 70,000 metric tons of grain from the Strategic Grains Reserve for deployment by the ministry to 13 front line states based on reported cases of COVID 19, population and density using the existing structure provided by NEMA. 5,820 metric tons have been delivered to Lagos, Ogun, and FCT, whilst 2,550 are in transit whilst the remaining grains are being bagged and transferred.

9. In addition, the Nigerian Customs Service has released 65 trucks of rice to the Ministry. So far, the rice has been distributed to Imo, Ogun, Lagos, Kano, Ondo, Oyo, Kwara, Osun, Ekiti, Kogi, Jigawa, Katsina, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Kebbi and FCT, with distribution ongoing to other States.

10. The Minister upon assumption of office immediately appointed a Special Assistant, Special Needs with oversight for issues related to People living with Disability. The first of its kind in Nigeria.

11. Working with the NEDC, the Ministry has commenced construction of both a 14-bed and 21-bed facility, each close to a large IDP Camp in Maiduguri to serve as COVID-19 Isolation Centres in the North-East using pre-fabrication technology.

12. The Ministry has provided, through the NEDC, 11,000 Personal Protective Equipment, 12 ventilators, 6,000 surgical masks, 3,000 ordinary masks, 192 infra-red thermometer, 2,400 hand gloves & 2,500 hand sanitisers to 6 states in the North East.

13. 500,000 N-Power beneficiaries have been paid their stipend for March 2002 even as the Ministry works to overhaul the programme to be more efficient. It is also working, despite the logistical challenges during this lockdown, with sundry stakeholders to transition the current beneficiaries whose tenure ended 18 months ago and on-board new beneficiaries.

#MakingImpact

By Bolatito Adebola



In this COVID-19 era where movement is restricted in some major parts of the world – including Nigeria – with many Banks and business reengineering efforts to improve the adaptability of their customers to electronic ways of carrying out business, Firstmonie Agents, an agent banking initiative from First Bank of Nigeria Limited is bridging the gaps and helping people to meet their needs of accessing the funds to buy food items and groceries as well as to send money to their loved ones.

This is one of the many measures by the premier financial institution in Nigeria to support the need to promote social distancing and the reduction of physical interactions of people in large numbers, thereby guarding against the spread of the coronavirus.

FirstBank introduced this innovative channel three years ago, with the aim of bringing banking to close those who live in the rural areas and to every Nigerian -regardless of where they are in the country.

Firstmonie Agents also ensure individuals in the suburbs do not have to travel for long hours to the city for their banking activities. The gap between the tech-savvy and the low literacy clients has been bridged as Firstmonie Agent network represents the convenient and comfortable alternative for customers that are unacquainted with the sophisticated digital channels.

With over 53,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across 99% Local Government Areas in the country, the laudable initiative by FirstBank is another way to bank – without visiting a Bank – which allows you to make cash deposit, transfer money to any bank and enjoy other banking services like bills payment and purchase of recharge card amongst others.

Recently, Halima, a FirstBank customer who is a housewife and petty trader, residing in a remote area in Abuja expressed her delight on the Firstmonie Agent initiative as she was able to easily get cash from an agent nearby to procure groceries for herself and her three children. Her bank being far away in Garki was too far to visit to get money. Thanks to Firstmonie which she discovered through her co-tenant, her joy knew no bounds as Halima was able to access her money at the Firstmonie Agent outlet close to her, as well as send money to her mother in far away, Maiduguri in Borno State.

Another customer in Lagos, Adeoye, a civil servant also lauded this brilliant initiative from FirstBank and narrated his experience when he visited the stand of Firstmonie in Ojota area of Ogudu, Lagos. He explained that he was able to do his transaction with ease.

According to Mrs. Sadia Folorunsho, she said ‘I did not know FirstBank has this wonderful service within my area as it actually saved my family from hunger as I was able to perform banking activities without being in the bank,’ she stated.

These are what the management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, led by its CEO, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has been able to make available well ahead of time, since no one knew there might be a pandemic that will warrant a lockdown.

Its Firstmonie Agents at every nook and cranny in Nigeria has been able to remove the burden from the shoulders of Nigerians and allow many to carry out several transactions at Firstmonie Agent locations, within close proximity of their home.

Firstmonie Agent banking is a channel specifically designed by FirstBank to bring financial services closer to the unbanked and underbanked segment of the society whilst promoting existing businesses within the communities to deliver their services and contribute to the growth and development of the economy.

With the spread of its Agent Banking network, FirstBank has been able to indirectly create over 150,000 jobs as the Firstmonie Agents have had to employ the services of other individuals to build their businesses and meet the financial needs of individuals in its community.

So far, the Bank has deepened financial inclusion through Firstmonie Agents with 237.3 million transactions processed through the network at a monetary value of over 4.08 Trillion Naira.

Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the mandatory use of face masks in public places effective from Friday, April 24.

The development was said to be part of measures to curb the spread of coronavirus in the state.

A statement signed by Oyetola’s Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, on Thursday, explained that the decision to enforce the use of face mask was reached last week Thursday by the South West Governors at their virtual meeting.

Oyetola said the South-West states were the first to make the wearing of masks mandatory, adding that the regulation would remain in place till the states were rid of the pandemic.

He also warned residents against complacency, urging them to cover their nose and mouth with a mask whenever they step out of their homes.

He added that the sit-at-home order is still in place.

He further implored the residents to observe other precautionary measures of social distancing and regular washing of hands to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

The management of Keystone Bank Limited, has alerted its teeming customers of the activities of one Mr. Obinna Onuselogu, who parades a company, Triple C Investment Limited, as an affiliate of the bank with the aim of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

In a statement by the lender on Thursday, the bank said Mr. Onuselogu who used to be a staff of the bank was no longer in its employ. It added that anyone who transacts any business with him purportedly in the name of the bank does so at his/her own risk.

“Please note further that Keystone Bank is neither related nor affiliated to any company known as Triple C Investment Limited, which Mr. Onuselogu claims to be its chief executive officer. Anyone who transacts any business with him purportedly in the name of Keystone Bank does so at his/her own risk, the statement said.

It was learnt that the ex-staff has been using the name of the bank and its executives claiming to be in partnership with the bank with the intent of defrauding unsuspecting members of the public.

The bank said it was working on a legal process and security agents to put an end to the unscrupulous activities of the so-called Tripple C Investment and its agents led by Mr Onuselogu.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers.

…Reports profit before tax of ₦58.2 billion

Guaranty Trust Bank plc has released its unaudited financial results for the period ended March 31, 2020, to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

A review of the results shows positive performance across all financial indices, reaffirming the Bank’s position as one of the most profitable and well managed financial institutions in Nigeria. Profit before tax stood at ₦58.2billion, representing a growth of 2.1% over ₦57.0billion recorded in the corresponding period of March 2019.

The Bank’s Loan Book grew by 8.0% from ₦1.502trillion as at December 2019 to ₦1.622trillion in March 2020, while customers’ deposit increased by 9.3% to ₦2.768trillion from ₦2.533trillion in the same period.

The Bank maintained a well-structured and diversified balance sheet with Total assets and Shareholders’ Funds closing at ₦4.057trillion and ₦661.1Billion respectively.

Full Impact Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) remained very strong, closing at 23.5%. In terms of Asset quality, NPL ratio and Cost of Risk (COR) improved to 6.0% and 0.1% in March 2020 from 6.5% and 0.3% in December 2019 respectively. Loan Loss coverage also improved to 130.5% for Lifetime Credit Impaired Loans (NPLs) compared to 126.6% in December 2019.

Commenting on the financial results, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said: “These are very difficult and uncertain times, not just for the financial services sector and the economy as a whole, but also for hundreds of millions of people around the world whose lives and livelihoods have been put at risk by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At GTBank, we know that the impact of this pandemic may sustain for months to come, but we remain positive that, by staying nimble and continuing to build on the strength of our businesses, we are appropriately positioned to cope with emerging economic realities, as reflected in our first quarter result.”

He further stated that; “As a platform for enriching lives, our focus is on safeguarding lives and livelihoods. That is why we are working round the clock to keep all our members of staff and customers safe, supporting the government in combatting the pandemic and being there for our customers in every way that they may need our support at this time.”

Overall, Guaranty Trust Bank plc continues to be best-in-class in the Nigerian banking industry in terms of financial ratios i.e. Post-Tax Return on Equity (ROAE) of 29.7%, Post-Tax Return on Assets (ROAA) of 5.1%, and Cost to Income ratio of 40.6%. These ratios reflect the Management stability and well-structured Balance sheet coupled with operational efficiency.

In recognition of the Bank’s bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery, and innovation, GTBank has been a recipient of numerous awards over the years. Some of the awards include Best Bank in Africa and Best Bank in Nigeria, by the Euromoney Magazine (2019), Best Banking Group and Best Retail Bank Nigeria from World Finance Magazine (2019), Bank of the Year – Nigeria from the Banker Magazine (2018), Most Innovative Bank from the African Investor (2018), and Best Digital Banking Brand in Nigeria from the Global Brands Magazine (2018).

Amid shuttering of social activities especially commercial services, through various lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic, FirstBank has proven that as long as its customers require services, the Bank will be waiting right in front of them.

As key enablers of the economy, banks are providers of essential services to customers and communities.

Sequel to the pandemic outbreak, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning and the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria obtained Presidential approval to permit critical financial services to function during this period.

CBN further urged the general public to limit their use of cash and avail themselves of alternative payment channels such as mobile banking, internet banking, mobile money, Point of Sale (POS), and USSD banking; assuring that financial institutions will remain operational during this period and therefore people should guard against panic withdrawals from their banks.

The assumption that banks will be able to deliver services during this period, was no doubt predicated on the fact that institutions like FirstBank already had a fully functional digital infrastructure, to serve its customers through electronic channels.

In a statement to customers, FirsBank’s CEO Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, categorically made this promise to them: “COVID-19 will not slow us down”.

“These are unprecedented times,” acknowledges Adeduntan “We therefore promise that now more than ever we will remain steadfast, showing up for all Nigerians; we would always be there for you.

“As I reflect on the last two weeks, I am comforted by the resilience of our people. I look back at our commitment and contribution to keeping commerce going and enabling businesses.”

These reassuring words of Dr. Adeduntan, do not go without tangible proofs of the bank’s unrelenting efforts to stay ahead of the situation many customers feared would cripple banking transactions and further exacerbate the pains brought on by the pandemic.

Indeed, since the enforcement of the lockdown measure, regular and unique ancillary services continue to be seamlessly delivered by FirstBank.

The impressive achievements of FirstBank in service delivery, during this unexpected disruption to lives and businesses on a global scale, has been nothing short of the extraordinary.

Or how would you explain over 53,000 agents bringing banking services right to your doorsteps, processing over 5 million transactions with different and large monetary values in the week preceding 10 April.

How about an approximate 2.5 million withdrawals amounting to N35billion across FirstBank’s ATMS in a single week?

On record, FirstBank’s larger corporate customers have done over 1,700 transactions successfully on the bank’s e-bills platform worth N6.8billion during this challenging period.

Nigerians with FirstBank cards have used them 21 million times for payments or withdrawals, worth N268 million.

Customers have made transfers over 10 million times with a total value of about N615billion naira across FirstBank’s digital channels all in one week.

How does a bank get all these done under the prevalent lockdown and disruption of regular routine?

“Expertise and resilience are in our DNA,” explains the Bank’s CEO, “we are working tirelessly to ensure that your banking transactions continue seamlessly and will remain so; COVID-19 will neither slow us down nor defeat us.

We are holding up our side, and now more than ever we will uphold our promise to you to be here for you and put You First.”

Indeed, the capability of banks to render uninterrupted digital services and investment advisory across many channels, especially during a crisis, projects economic stability.

More than ever before, the importance of the services banks provide to individuals and communities extends beyond commercial interests, especially now that cash withdrawals far outstrip deposits.

As an unprecedented challenge to financial institutions like banks, the current coronavirus pandemic serves as a litmus test for them to prove their role as systemic stabilizers, delivering services at least in part for social good.

As the crisis lingers with no end in sight, FirstBank staff remarkably are in place to attend to customers’ needs, in spite of the social distancing measure.

The bank continues to maintain all pre-existing channels of communication including receiving emails through its firstcontact@firstbanknigeria. com address and urging customers to contact their Relationship Managers or Private Bankers for banking services guidance and advisory.

Despite the extra efforts banks may put into rendering uninterrupted services in times like this, they are doing nothing more, than to meet the expectations of customers and maintain economic stability.

From a tactical level, financial institutions like banks can do a lot to reduce consumer and business stress, because as deposit gatherers, credit grantors, and payment facilitators, banks play a vital role in the functioning of the economy.

However, delivering solutions tailored to each individual customer at this critical time, also engenders trust and brand loyalty.

“We recognize our role in keeping the engine going, keeping society going and recognize further, it is our responsibility to remain at the forefront of this; true to our name and in keeping with the incontrovertible fact that we are fully woven into the fabric of society. Our unparalleled network and total coverage of this nation serve us all well at this time ensuring service across the country via our safe, user friendly and convenient alternative channels are available for you 24/7,” says Adeduntan.

While Nigeria is Africa’s largest economy, large portions of the economy are in the informal sector and depend constantly on cash movement.

As the financial consequences mainly for MSMES become more serious due to paucity of inflows, (some major players in the economy – oil, aviation and tourism too are not spared) people will expect their banks to look out for them and protect them from imminent financial catastrophe.

Indeed, bank clients would like to see the pandemic brought under containment as soon as possible, in order to resume work and commercial activities. For them, a stable and reliable financial partner like FirstBank that has shown resilience and reliability would be an institution that can be leveraged on, to get business back on track and rolling as fast as possible, once this is over.

Adeduntan in concluding his statement says to the bank’s customers: “Rest assured that we are in this together, and together we will emerge stronger at the end of this period because this too shall pass. We have all it takes; your support, patronage and trust. We will always put You First”.

Pastor Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, popularly known as Odumeje, has said a prophet can overrule God.

The founder of Holy Ghost Intervention Deliverance Ministry in Onitsha, Anambra State, said this in a video circulating on social media.

He told his congregation, in a service, that it is possible for a prophet to change the message of God and say, “please sir, no.”

“A Prophet can change the message of God, When God say yes, a prophet can say please sir, NO!.

“Bible says’ Obey the word of your prophet and you shall Prosper. so God has already put his position to the prophet.

“So prophet is not by Profession, Prophet is by what you practicalise and that is why i speak to you as an Oracle, as an ambassador of the most high, as an Iroko tree planted by Almighty Jesus that Nobody can challenge,” he added.

Nigeria’s leading retail financial institution, Access Bank Plc, is set to splash millions of Naira on lucky customers who will emerge winners in the forthcoming DiamondXtra monthly draw scheduled to take place on Wednesday, May 13, 2020.

According to Adaeze Ume, Group Head, Retail Products and Segments, Access bank Plc: “We have been encouraging our customers to stay safe and stay connected by using our various digital channels this period. We know these are trying times and our customers need funds to pay essential domestic bills, send money to their loved ones and also save up for unforeseen circumstances since we don’t know how long the lockdown will last.

“To deliver on our promise to continually reward our customers for their loyalty and savings culture, 10 lucky customers will be rewarded with N1million each in the May monthly draw. We are also going to feature a special Women’s draw – WXtra – where 27 Women will win N100,000 each and one Woman will win the WXtra star prize which is a monthly allowance of N100,000 for one year.”

To join the winning train or stand a chance to win in the forth coming monthly draw, simply fund your DiamondXtra account with N5000 or more for an opportunity to participate in the draw to win N1million and a lot of other mouth–watering cash prizes.

For those who do not have a DiamondXtra account, simply dial *901*5# from your phone to open a DiamondXtra account and fund it with a minimum of N5,000 or more to stand a chance to become a winner in the monthly draw. Now our customers can stay safe, stay connected and stay winning. Ume concluded”.

DiamondXtra is an interest yielding hybrid account which allows deposit of both cash and third party cheques. Hybrid means a combination of both savings and current account features. The DiamondXtra reward scheme was launched in 2008 and has been running till date. Please Click HERE to know more.