The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC ) and DAAR Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM, have resolved their differences.

https://www.witnessngr.com/nigerian-press-organisation-resolves-nbc-ait-face-off/

Nduka Obaigbena, president of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

He said a meeting was convened for all parties to “resolve the issues in the national interest”.

NBC had recently suspended the Broadcast License of DAAR Communications Plc over alleged infractions. DAAR consequently went to court to challenge the action of the regulatory agency. The Court however ordered both parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the case.



Read the full statement below:

NBC / AIT Faceoff Resolved

Following the suspension of the Broadcast License of DAAR Communications Plc., owners of Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Ray Power FM by the National Broadcasting Commission ( NBC ), the President of the Nigerian Press Organisation ( NPO ) comprising of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria ( BON ), The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and The Nigerian Union of Journalists ( NUJ), convened a meeting of all parties to resolve the issues in the national interest.

The meeting hosted at 8PM, on Sunday 9th of June, 2019, by elders and patrons of NPO, Mallam Ismaila Isa Funtua and Uncle Sam Amuka, had the following in attendance:

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/nigerian-press-organisation-resolves-nbc-ait-face-off/

Keystone Bank Limited has again reaffirmed its commitment to providing support for the real sector as it recently partnered Facebook via its partners, Rabbington Media, to organize a capacity building training on digital marketing for its Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) customers in Lagos State.

According to the lender, the training on “Social Media Marketing” held on Tuesday, 7th May and Friday, 10th May 2019, is part of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives under the scheme “Boost-Your-Business”.

At the event, participants (comprising of both existing and prospective customers of Keystone Bank) were trained on the advantages of internet marketing through the social media to grow their businesses and achieve their dreams.

Speaking at the event, the Ag. Managing Director, Mr Abubakar Danlami Sule represented by the Head, MSME/Value Chain Management of Keystone Bank Limited, Helen Nwelle, said the bank is providing businesses and organizations the opportunity to expand their customer reach by projecting their message on global platforms like Facebook thereby promoting exposure.

“We are committed to ensuring that our self-employed customers thrive at their various businesses hence we constantly seek ways and means to connect them to the market and ensure they succeed in reaching their customers. Giving them a social media presence will aid their appeal to the emerging middle-class customers in Nigeria who will most likely form a larger percentage of their customer base in the near future and are majorly upwardly mobile youths who connect daily on these platforms at a reassuring rate.

“The capacity building trainings are available to all Keystone Bank customers who seek a competitive edge to transform their businesses and will be coming to other parts of the country with trainings slated to take place in Edo, Port Harcourt and Enugu within this quarter and in the northern parts of the country from the third quarter,” Nwele explained.

She further stressed that the bank recently re-launched her MSME drive to ensure businesses are well equipped with required knowledge and skills for their growth and survival in the heavily underfunded sector.

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

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-partners-facebook-to-train-entrepreneurs-on-digital-marketing/

These are not the best of times for the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Hadiza Bala-Usman, as an audit report conducted by the Auditor-General’s office has allegedly indicted the her for various questionable transactions.

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/audit-report-indicts-npa-md-hadiza-bala-usman-of-n20bn-contract-fraud/

Part of the recommendations include that the Bala-Usman-led NPA should refund about N5.18 billion to the Federation Account for various unreconciled transactions.

Investigation shows how spending under Hadiza Usman keeps rising even as the NPA flunks its audit.

The fraud which runs into billions of naira was uncovered by an ‘audit query’ of activities of the NPA between 2016 and 2018, Per Second News gathered.

The Auditor General’s Office concluded, however, that the NPA’s financial records were riddled with so many bookkeeping deficiencies, irregularities, and errors that a reliable audit was simply impossible.

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/audit-report-indicts-npa-md-hadiza-bala-usman-of-n20bn-contract-fraud/

The office of the Auditor General of the Federation also came hard on the NPA boss for gross “betrayal of public trust” as demonstrated by her flagrant abuse for due process in the way and manner she runs the agency, citing documents obtained by this newspaper.

Highlights of the damning report from the office of the Auditor General of the Federation include her refusal to remit VAT deductions running into billions of naira and in foreign currency denomination to the Federal Inland Revenue Service.

For instance, the query highlighted unremitted deduction to Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to include N3,667,750,470. $148,845,745.04, Euro 4,891,449.50 and £252,682.14.

The NPA under Hadiza Bala Usman was also accused of” excessive increase in administrative operational expenses” extra budgetary expenditures on hotel accommodation and under disclosure of expenditures on hotel expenses”, Corporate social Responsibility Projects, diversion of funds through the Nigerian Port Today, to the sponsorship of National Assembly Programmes, amongst other.

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/audit-report-indicts-npa-md-hadiza-bala-usman-of-n20bn-contract-fraud/

- Appoints son major contractor, brother as TA in-charge of procurement

- As fresh N342m financial scandal rocks agency


Fresh crisis is currently rocking the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agriculture Lending (NIRSAL) over allegations of corruption, fraud and lack of transparency by its managing director, Mr. Aliyu Abbati Abdulhammed.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/corruption-nirsal-boils-as-md-abdulhammed-allegedly-turns-agency-into-family-business/

NIRSAL, an initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee (BC) and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture & Rural Development (FMA&RD), incorporated as a public limited liability company (PLC) and licensed as a non-bank financial institution (NBFI) is tasked with the primary mandate of facilitating the flow of credit to agribusiness value chain players and collaborating with stakeholders to fix broken agricultural value chains in Nigeria.

As against the mandate of NIRSAL, the managing director, Mr. Abdulhammed is said to have turned the agency into his family business favouring his family members and friends. He is alleged to have appointed his younger brother, Babangida Abdulhammed as his technical assistant, handling all procurement related matters, effectively usurping the functions of the procurement department of NIRSAL. Sources alleged that Babangida singlehandedly decides how contracts are awarded at NIRSAL and who gets them.

As if that was not enough, the son of the managing director, Imran Abdulhammed, is the sole supplier of office equipment including desktop computers, laptops, etc. at exorbitant prices.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/corruption-nirsal-boils-as-md-abdulhammed-allegedly-turns-agency-into-family-business/

Investigations also revealed that the managing director circumvents the usual routes in procurement. A staff of the apex bank, who is one of his relatives, has been fingered in some wild infractions including backdating of documentations for several monies that had been spent to secure board approvals. It was further learnt that Mr. Abdulhammed singlehandedly appoints contractors who work with the company. Nextzone, Blue Accord, Global Knowledge consulting are some of the firms allegedly linked to him by sources.

The lack of transparency in the workings of the NIRSAL leaves much to be desired. Besides the fact that it makes nonsense of the president’s anti-corruption crusade, it further exposes the current government’s inability to adequately monitor public officers. For instance, contrary to government’s directive placing ban on foreign trainings, NIRSAL had sent some staff on trainings abroad, including a particular one in South Africa, described as jamboree by a member of staff who was part of the training.

“It was a shabby exercise and a total waste of public resources,” the staff said. He is also accused of flying in first class on foreign airlines. Amongst other things, the managing director was accused of not keeping adequate records of financial transactions and commitments relating to inflow, expenditure and disbursements. NIRSAL has accumulated bad credit guarantees running into billions of naira, while the farmers are yet to benefit.

Another issue causing ripples in the agency is how the managing director allegedly misappropriated a princely N342 million released to NIRSAL by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) under its Anchor Borrowers’ programme (ABP) for a Southwest maize farmers’ cooperative, Hope Concept Investment Cooperatives and Credit Union.

The fund, which was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria and released in July last year to NIRSAL, for onward disbursement to about 1,800 small holders’ farmers that make up the union, was for preparation of land and planting of maize during the rainy season.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/corruption-nirsal-boils-as-md-abdulhammed-allegedly-turns-agency-into-family-business/

Polaris Bank: Group petitions Buhari, calls for sack of CEO, Tokunbo Abiru over poor performance

Na yeye bank

Polaris Bank has reiterated its commitment to the success of the Meter Acquisition Partners (MAP) Project, which ensures that acquisition of pre-paid meters is seamless.

The bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Tokunbo Abiru, gave the indication at the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the bank and Mojec, a leading Meter Manufacturing Company at the bank’s headquarters in Lagos.

Abiru, represented by the Executive Director, Technology and Services, Innocent Ike, said: “Polaris Bank is pleased to be partnering with Mojec International to support consumers on the meter acquisition scheme. Our bank will be facilitating the acquisition of these meters by granting loans to eligible customers under the Programme.”

Abiru applauded the commitment of the regulators and partners in the public electricity value chain towards ensuring that the pre-paid meters are made available and affordable.

He explained: “Some of the advantages of using prepaid electricity meter is that it enables consumers determine their level of consumption, manage their cash flow and allocate costs appropriately.”

Polaris Bank CEO noted that the initiative, particularly, affords the bank the opportunity to facilitate easy, convenient and acquisition of pre-paid meters for consumers who before now are used to the highly discredited and estimated electricity billing system with its attendant social and economic burden.

Also, the bank’s Executive Director, Abuja and Northern Region, Abdullahi Mohammed assured of the readiness of Polaris Bank to “leverage our wide branch network in Abuja and the whole of the Northern region to enable the roll out of the pre-paid meters”

Earlier, the Mojec Chairperson and Managing Director, Mrs. Mojisola Abdul and Chantelle Abdul noted the bank’s support to Mojec in over a decade.

Mrs Abdul said with the MoU, both institutions were confident that the bank would support Mojec to meet the expectations of Nigerians under its bank’s Consumer & Retail Financing Scheme for MAP meter acquisition.

“We value our years of business relationship with Polaris and believe with the signing of the MAP MoU, we would be able to meet the expectations of Nigerians by making available pre-paid meters, which they would acquire and subsequently pay for the actual energy consumption cost in a stress-free manner,”Mrs Abdul said.

Following the failure of the Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) project, executed by the DisCos, to bridge the metering gap in the country, the Federal Ministry for Power through Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) unveiled MAP to enable consumers buy from accredited accredited agents.


READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/polaris-bank-group-petitions-buhari-calls-for-sack-of-ceo-tokunbo-abiru-over-poor-performance/

Naija businessmen

ON April 14, 2016, Nestle Nigeria assembled a team of geological experts, businessmen and politicians to witness the commissioning of a N5.6 billion water factory in Manderegi, an agrarian community in Abaji local government area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The factory is celebrated as the most modern water plant in Sub-Saharan Africa.

At the event, Nestle Nigeria promised to provide free access to potable water for not fewer than 1,000 residents of the community and improve technical competencies locally by establishing a technical training centre for the youths in Abaji.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/how-nestle-nigeria-contaminates-water-supply-of-its-host-community-in-abuja/


Broken Promises, Deferred Hope

Two years after the water plant started full-scale operations, residents of Manderegi and its environs continue to struggle with chronic water shortages as the stream that serves as an alternative source of water supply is contaminated with wastewater directly pumped from the Nestle’s water factory. Also, the channels for the release of the waste water from the factory has created a gully erosion, that has caused serious ecological danger destroying farmlands and access roads in the community.

In contrast, a promotional video on Nestle Nigeria’s website shows a water fountain built by the company in the outskirts of the community that purportedly provides potable water to 1,000 residents of Manderegi community which, according to Nestle Nigeria, had made the residents abandon the local stream and gain to access clean drinking water.

When The ICIR visited the site of the water fountain, there were only four taps, which were expected to supply water to 1,000 residents of the community.

The advert also claims to have provided 111 jobs for the local community and embarked on Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) to help teachers in the local council area raise awareness on proper hydration and conservation in children which reached 25 schools, 100 teachers and 2,500 pupils in 2017.

In the video, the community chief, Alhaji Seidu Garba, thanked Nestle for siting the water plant in his community.

“We thank God for Nestle that came here to Manderegi, I am very glad,” he said before the video ended.

Time has proved Garba wrong.

Two years later, his tone has changed as expectations that the water processing plant would change the fortunes of the community for the better were dashed.
Garba Seidu, Manderegi Community Chief

Recounting the details of the water crises faced by the community, Garba told The ICIR that, since Nestle Nigeria set up the multi-billion naira water factory in Manderegi, the community regularly has suffered scarcity of water.

And any announcement made by the company to ease the water problem in the community is a promotional stunt to build their public reputation.

“Nestle officials approached me and said they wanted to extend water supply from their factory to their gates so that people in the village could have access to clean water for their needs. They said though they didn’t have the capacity to take the water into the village, they promised me that after one year they would ensure that a borehole is built inside the community to ease the burden of the people,” he said.

It was later we realised that the water project located at the outskirts of the village was not built to solve our water problem but to serve as a tool of propaganda, he added.

“We didn’t know it was a ploy by Nestle to supply water to their customers. Today is Monday if you go there you will see tanker drivers with vehicles there, they didn’t build it for us. They control the taps from their factory and they turn it off when the crowd is much, leaving us frustrated, and without water.

Early this year, Nestle commissioned another borehole project in the primary school that will serve the school and the community but till today there is no water from that borehole,” he said.

Nestle Nigeria constructed a metal container for the village chief which serves as his “office” where he receives guests. In front of the container is a tap head that hardly produces water. When Nestle Nigeria inaugurated the second borehole project in the primary school inside the community in January, people’s hope was raised, but the four taps through the water should pass remain dry till date.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/how-nestle-nigeria-contaminates-water-supply-of-its-host-community-in-abuja/

Reports currently making the rounds indicate that billionaire, Onajite Okoloko's Eroton, Midwestern Oil and Gas as well as Notore Chemicals, are allegedly facing difficult times. Secrets Reporter reports.

According to the report, Notore Chemicals is said to be battling with operational challenges in the aftermath of its largely undersubscribed attempt to raise fresh working capital from the Stock Exchange last year.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/billionaire-onajite-okolokos-midwestern-oil-eroton-and-notore-in-fresh-crises/

The firm, sources said, has had to review its ambitious expansion and diversification plans it hoped to fund with the expected fresh capital injection that did not materialize. It is also said to be battling with huge cash calls occasioned by its liabilities while several contract and junior non-contract staff are said to have been laid off between December 2018 and end of Q1 2019 due to poor returns.

On its part, Secrets Reporter disclosed that Eroton has enough headaches worrying about the fate that awaits its business structure and fortune that is tied to Oil Mining License OML18 which knowledgeable oil industry sources said might not be renewed after its expiry date of 2020.

Currently, Eroton is the operator of OML 18 which has more than 576 million barrels of oil and approximately 4.2 trillion cubic feet of gas. Eroton also owns 27% of OML 18 while Sahara Field Production owns 15% and NNPC 55%. Sensing the need to re-evaluate his political standing as a means of salvaging his economic interest in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, Jite Okoloko was alleged to have been trying to warm up to the presidency and All Progressive Congress (APC) since 2017 but with little or no success. For instance, he was alleged to be one of the silent financiers of a top APC Senatorial aspirant in Delta State while also rolling out money to Delta PDP.

But the Eroton 27% stake in OML 18 is currently the subject of a messy suit FHC/L/CS/793/2018 instituted by SunTrust Oil Company Nigeria Limited against Midwestern Oil and Gas and six other defendants.

In the suit before the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, Sun Trust Oil Company has preferred a case of Breach of Shareholder Agreement against the defendants as it pertains to 50% of Eroton’s issued share capital owned by Martwestern Energy Limited which is a special purpose company jointly set up by Midwestern Oil and Gas and Mart Resources Limited to hold and manage 50% stake of Eroton.

The other 50% Eroton stake is owned by Bilton Energy Limited. Sun Trust owns 20% stake in Martwestern and consequently, 10% of the entire Eroton shares and 2.7% of OML 18. Sun Trust is alleging illegal conversion and transfer of a substantial part of the Martwestern shares to some other companies purportedly brought in as shareholders outside the framework of the existing Shareholder Agreement between it and the other two original shareholders of Martwestern, without its (Sun Trust) knowledge and input. While hearing on the Sun Trust matter continues, a Delta State High Court sitting at Sapele, Southern Nigeria, has struck out the “Stakeholder Interpleader” suit jointly filed before the Court by two law firms, Perchstone & Graeys and Templars, led by Messrs Folabi Kuti and Godwin Omoaka respectively, on behalf of Midwestern Oil and Gas Company Limited against three Respondents, namely Seistech Energy Limited, Sapele Power Plc and the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company Ltd/GTE, to forestall the enforcement against it of a consent Judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, in a previous Suit between the Company and Seistech Energy Limited.

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/billionaire-onajite-okolokos-midwestern-oil-eroton-and-notore-in-fresh-crises/

babba

These are not the best of times for the Delta State accountant-general, Mr. Cyril Chukwuma Agbele as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is said to have interrogated the finance chief for allegedly siphoning from state funds, money laundering, extortion, amassing wealth and assets corruptly, worth over N2.7 billion.

The anti-graft agency, THE WITNESS learnt, is investigating Agbele following a petition written by a non-governmental organization, FOWN. In the petition, the group accused Mr. Agbele of pilfering huge sums of money from the Delta State treasury using several companies to obtain contracts and approve funds for himself. He is also said to have forced other contractors to pay as much as 13 per cent in cash as upfront kickback to him before he processes their payment even after the governor’s approval.

The group further alleged that Agbele has properties scattered all over Delta State said to be worth a whopping two billion naira and these include hotels, school, farms, fast food joints, petrol station and houses. He also boasts of countless number of exotic cars.

“The mammoth fraud and collection of kickback characterizes the office of the accountant-general. It is expected that every contractor must be willing to part with at least 13 per cent of whatever is approved by the governor to any contractor upfront before such funds are approved for disbursement by the accountant-general,” FOWN stated.

“We are aware of other civil servants of his level who only own modest houses which are perfectly in line with their legal earnings and means. Even in rare cases where both the persons were top level civil servants, none is able to amass beyond 50 to 100% of their total salaries throughout their years of service.

“So how does Mr. Cyril Agbele who is on a fixed income live a lavish lifestyle buying properties which only a few businessmen in Delta State can afford?” the petitioner queried.

Mr. Cyril Agbele who is said to have bought a house abroad located at 1010S 17th St, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522 has formed the habit of traveling to the United States with his entire family every summer for holidays where he spends his annual three weeks leave. His children live in Newcastle, United Kingdom where they attend schools.



Listed below are few of the properties linked to the accountant-general:

LOCAL ASSETS

1. Three Duplexes at No. 3, Ezekwe Street, Off Obiajulu street, off DDPA, Asaba, Delta State, worth over N300,000,000.00 “furniture excluded”.

2. Plot 13, Block 6, Opposite Junior Staff Quarters, DDPA Estate, Asaba. Worth N150,000,000.00 Presently leased to Nigeria Institute of Medical Research.

3. Nitika Fast food, DLA Road, Asaba.

4. Ronec Petrol Station, DLA Road, Asaba worth N140,000,000.00)

5. A hotel seated on a 200m by 200m at No 9, Peter Obiagu Street, off Ibusa Road worth over N400,000,000.00.

6. Jostin Excel International School, Okpanam express, off Asaba/Benin express way presently valued at N200,000,000.00

7. A multimillion naira twin duplex mansion at the Asaba Federal Housing Estate, opposite Asaba International Airport. (N250,000,000.00)

8. A multimillion naira students hostel off Asaba Ogwashi Road (N300,000,000.00)

9. A multi-billion naira Hotel in Abuja

10. A multi-million naira mansion in a highbrow area in Abuja

11. A poultry farm with over (30,000 birds) and animal husbandry in Ubulu-uwku area in Asaba.

12. Several hectares of Plantain Plantation on Kwale Road

13. Two Toyota 4-Runner SUV’s (1 Green, Ash colour)

14. Two Bullet Proof Toyota Land Cruiser SUV’s, (1 Silver, 1 Black)

15. One White 2015 Toyota Camry

16. One 2014 Honda Accord (Wine Red)

17. One BMW X6 (Black)

18. One Infinity QX56 (Silver)

19. One Toyota Sienna (Black)

20. Two Toyota Highlander SUV (

21. One Toyota Prado

22. Two Brand new Toyota Hilux (White)

FOREIGN ASSET

1. A 3 Bedroom house at 1010S 17th St, Copperas Cove, Texas, 76522

2. A mansion in Newcastle, United Kingdom.

It was also revealed through the petition that recently, one of his house-helps, a Tiv indigene, conspired with his wife’s brother, Frank Ugo and carted away over $150,000 in cash, a case which Mr. Cyril failed to report to the police or any other agency as it would spark outrage and raise suspicion into his money laundering activities.

The group is calling the EFCC to investigate and prosecute the Delta finance chief and also to request that the illegal properties allegedly scattered all over Nigeria and abroad be temporarily forfeited to the FG.

Efforts to reach Mr. Agbele for his angle to the reports proved futile as calls and text messages placed to his mobile line were not responded to as at press time.



READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/efcc-grills-delta-accountant-general-cyril-agbele-over-alleged-n2-7bn-loot/

In demonstration of its commitment to promote and support the growth and development of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) in Nigeria, Keystone Bank Limited, has empowered 10 Nigerian entrepreneurs in the maiden edition of its “Growing in Love with MSMEs Challenge” scheme.

According to the lender, the initiative, which is open to all MSMEs across Nigeria (not necessarily Keystone Bank customers), is a core component of the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The scheme enables each of the businesses that presents outstanding performance to receive N50, 000 grant that would be injected into their respective operations for expansion and product consolidation.

Commenting on the development, the Acting Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Abubakar Danlami Sule, said: “Globally, SMEs are established drivers of the strongest economies and Nigeria cannot be an exception. With over 15million SMEs dotting the Nigerian landscape, we are poised to ensure our customers in this segment actively grow their businesses through our partnerships and focused initiatives in the segment, and that is why we have strong support for the MSME sector.

“We shall continue to partner with the government and other developmental agencies in making intervention funds available to the segment.

“Our SME proposition, which is the “Growbiz Account” has three variants that address their cycles of growth from infancy through maturity and stability.

“We are also empowering SMEs through our Agency Banking initiative by signing them up as agents for basic off-site cash-in/cash-out services.

“This is the first edition of the “Growing in Love with MSMEs Challenge”, entrepreneurs can key into the initiative by following us on our social media platforms for updates on when the next challenge will take place,” Sule concluded.

The 10 entrepreneurs who emerged winners are: David Anaezi – (Metal Works – Enugu State), Titilayo Sukurat (Variety Store – Lagos State), Henry Nnamani (Poultry farmer – Enugu State), Adeola Eunice (Fashion Designer – Ogun State), Micheal Sowemimo (Photography – Kaduna State), Rere Adetimehin (Shoemaker – Lagos State), Ajibola Oluwafunmilola (Catering Services – Lagos State), Ijeoma Chiamaka – (Organic products – Abia State), Sarah Fatunsin (Fashion Designer – Ondo State) and Cinderella Okubike (Organic products – Abia State).

Since its recent acquisition by Sigma Golf – Riverbank consortium, Keystone Bank Limited, a technology and service-driven commercial bank, offering tailor-made convenient and reliable solutions to customer’s needs has been on upward swing.


READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-empowers-nigerian-entrepreneurs/

Unity Bank Plc released its result for the 2018 financial year which shows the Balance Sheet budding up with a whopping 50.8% growth during the year.

In its audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, released to The Nigerian Stock Exchange, the Bank’s Balance Sheet Size increased from N156.51billion in 2017 to N235.98 billion, culminating in Gross earnings of N37.33 billion for the year.

Similarly, in the period under review, the bank grew its bottom-line by 109.9% as Profit Before Tax (PBT) moved in a positive trajectory to close at N1.41 billion, with the Bank recording a Profit after Tax (PAT) of N1.27 billion, shaking off the negative position it posted in 2017FY. The year’s performance is supported by noticeable fundamentals derived from the Bank’s corporate action to clean up its book by eliminating all the legacy non-performing loans (NPLs) which resulted in full de-risking of its balance sheet and creating a new lease of life for the Bank

A cursory review of the Bank’s performance shows significant growth across key financial metrics, with Net Operating Income for the year ended December 31, 2018 growing by 112% to N21.63 billion from N10.22 billion in the corresponding period of 2017, Non-Interest Income also increased to N6.3billion from N1.61bn recorded in 2017 and earnings per share (EPS) for the year 2018 stood at 13.03 kobo, up from negative of 127kobo recorded in 2017 FY.

The Bank’s improved performance is attributable to the reinvigorated business transformation initiatives implemented during the year, in addition to strategic corporate actions taken by the Management of the Bank to prioritize customer service, product delivery as well as optimize its operations for operational efficiency, thus setting a stage for its sustainable business growth model.

The Bank’s strong performance feat was achieved through composite strategic focus involving the complete revamp of its service delivery channels, products revamp and profiling as well as building structured and secured operating environment to protect customers’ businesses. In this regard, the Bank, not only aggressively pushed out its USSD platform (the newly introduced customer-centric platform for easy banking), but also launched its youth-focused UniFi app – a robust omni-channel app that goes beyond banking services but also offers lifestyle services including gamification for increased customer satisfaction. These, along with aggressive transaction push led to a 290% increase in non-interest income (income from transactions, cards, mobile, ATMs, commissions & fees, FX etc.).

Furthermore, the Bank also optimized its operations and services through process simplification and automation while promoting cost efficiency across the entire value-chain. The Bank rolled out its Central Processing Centre (CPC) for standardized operations and operational risks mitigation thus improving service delivery to customers in the Bank. In effect, these and several modest initiatives led to the huge 17.3% reduction in total operating expenses and a major improvement in the efficiency ratios.

Unity Bank also leveraged on its core competence and strategic advantage in deepening its reach in Agribusiness and attendant value-chain, driving the over 360% growth in loan portfolio in this segment of the market. A major feat achieved without material increase in loan quality – with NPL ratio closing the year at 0.69% (the best in the industry).

On cost optimization, Unity Bank’s focus yielded positive results as the lender brought down its total operating expenses by 17.3% from N24.46billion in 2017 to N20.22billion in 2018FY. This reduction is primarily as a result of the Management drive to build strong processes in its operations by leveraging on key business alliances that attract better efficiency in resource allocation and growing scales in the network.

Commenting on the result, the MD/CEO, Mrs. Tomi Somefun said: “The most gratifying aspect of our 2018 performance, is that the Bank has made a dramatic turnaround from losses in the previous year to a promising profit position in 2018FY. This was made possible by growth in the business throughputs and transaction-based banking with its attendant strong non-interest income. We equally recorded significant growth in our customer acquisition through enhanced customer-centric products that we rolled out during the year riding on our rebranded channels and platforms which were well accepted by the youth. We leveraged on our exceptional competencies in agribusiness and rural economy niche market which contributed to substantial growth in loans through on-lending schemes to farmers in the last quarter of 2018, all of which buoyed our performance for the year under review”.

“Also, the two-prong customer-centric banking approach being deployed to deliver quality banking services to emerging sectors in Retail/Small and Medium Enterprises and the Agricultural value chain are impacting positively on the bank’s bottom-line. In furtherance of our vision to be the “Retail Bank of Choice,” the bank revamped its digital strategy to provide convenient, simple and efficient platforms that are already attracting the next generation of Nigerians and expand the volume of loyal customers that have kept faith with us through the years. These are designed to guarantee double digits growth in both earnings and profits for the bank in the near future” she stated.

The Bank is aggressively and creatively pushing the frontiers of its business by creating robust platforms to support emerging digitalization of strategic businesses as well as corporate service units aimed at unlocking inherent potentials that will enable the Bank effectively ride on economic headwinds and target opportunities in the markets.

Analysts are of the view that the full impact of the initiative on the account and shareholder’s value began to manifest at the fourth quarter of 2018 and early 2019, thereby gradually regaining investors’ confidence in the mid-tier lender after a period of uncertainty prevailed in the preceding year.

A statement from the Bank further adds that the Board of the bank expects that barring unforeseen circumstances, the trend of the results achieved in 2018 would be surpassed in 2019. With the margins steadily looking up, the outlook for the future holds even brighter prospects for the Bank even at this period that the Bank closes its recapitalization programme and sets a new phase of its strategic pursuit.

The Bank’s Board further expects that barring unforeseen circumstances, the trend of the results achieved in 2018 would be surpassed in 2019.



Other performance highlights include:

a. Strong increase in loan portfolio without compromising quality of assets:
* Gross loans increased from N9.47Bn in 2017 to N44.40Bn in 2018 (369%); with loan to deposit ratio at 18.4% thus creating more room to support customers business growth.

* Impairment losses declined from N44.25Bn in 2017 to N0.16Bn in 2018, while NPL ratio remains marginal at 0.69% (the best in the industry).

b. Significant operational efficiencies achieved, with whooping cost containment of N4.24Bn (17.3%) year-on-year.

c. Creating and leveraging on critical skills and capacities in Agribusiness and its entire value chain:

* Over N33Bn loans extended to farmers
* Leveraging on value-chain arising from financing activities
* National recognition for Unity Bank’s contribution to Agricultural development in Nigeria in 2018 with enduring awards from CBN and Federal Government

d. Major growth in channels adoption following a revamp of our platforms and product offering:

* Card issuance increased by 30% in 2018, while revenue increased by 74%
* POS penetration improved significantly, with 120% increase in number of terminals, a 362% increase in transaction count and a 19% increase in transactions value, with underlying revenue growing by 18% in 2018 over the previous year.

Fastest growing financial institution in Nigeria, Keystone Bank Limited, has announced the resignation of Mr. Obeahon Ohiwerei from office as Managing Director/CEO of the Bank, and the appointment of Mr. Abubakar Danlami Sule as Acting Managing Director/CEO. Mr. Sule’s appointment is subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

In a statement by the General Counsel and Company Secretary of the bank, Dr. Michael Agamah, on Saturdaysaid that Mr. Ohiwerei is leaving to pursue other personal interests. The statement further added that the Board recognized and appreciated Mr. Obeahon’s immense contributions to the growth of Keystone Bank and the visibility the Bank had attained as a brand in the past eighteen months.

Mr Sule is a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria with degree in Accounting. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria; an Honourary Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; a Governing Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; and an Alumni of both the INSEAD (France) and Wharton Business School in Pennsylvania, USA. He was until his appointment as Acting MD/CEO, the Deputy Managing Director of Keystone Bank Limited.

He has over 29 years of cutting-edge banking experience with competences in Corporate Banking, Operations, Treasury Management, Credit Structuring, Corporate Planning, as well as possession of very strong relationship management skills.

Mr. Sule had also served briefly as the Managing Director of Sterling Capital Limited, the Investment Banking Subsidiary of Sterling Bank Plc in 2009. While at Sterling Capital Limited, he was appointed by the CBN as part of the Executive Management team to turnaround the fortunes of erstwhile Intercontinental Bank Plc. He eventually returned to Sterling Bank Plc as Executive Director in charge of the North and Corporate Banking. He also worked briefly in Standard Chartered Bank Limited before he joined Keystone Bank.

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


FOR MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-appoints-abubakar-danlami-sule-as-acting-md-ceo/

(L-R) Regional Bank Head, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr. Olaniran Olayinka; the Deputy Governor, State of Osun, Chief Benedict Alabi; and Divisional Head, West, Keystone Bank Limited, Mr Ademola Adeyemi; during a courtesy visit by the management of Keystone Bank to the State of Osun Deputy Governor in his office at Osogbo, on Wednesday.

PHOTO NEWS: CIBN Executives Visit Keystone Bank Management For A Stakeholder Eng
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L-R: Registrar/CEO, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Seye Awojobi; Group Managing Director/CEO, Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei; President/Chairman of Council, CIBN, Dr. Uche Olowu and Group Deputy Managing Director, Keystone Bank Limited, Abubakar Sule, during a courtesy visit by the CIBN executives to Keystone Bank headquarters to discuss key industry issues of interest to the institute and the bank, recently.

Access Bank Plc has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the alleged sale of a customer's goods worth N2.5billion.

The Police Special Fraud Unit in Lagos had charged Access Bank Plc, its managing director and chief executive officer, Herbert Wigwe, and others with 21 counts of conspiracy, fraudulent disposal of trust property, fraudulent conversion, stealing and false representation before an Ogun State High Court.

Access Bank Plc , Mr Wigwe, Alawode Oluseye and Bayo Adesina are accused of conspiring and stealing 23,754.413 metric tonnes of steel billets valued at ₦2.5 billion belonging to BMCE Bank International Plc.

But in a notice to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), on Monday, Access Bank however denied the allegations stressing that at no time did the bank or any of its executives or officers commit any of the alleged offences.

The statement reads:

"In 2015, Access Bank availed credit facilities to Metal Africa Steel Products Limited, to finance the importation of billets and machinery for the expansion of its factory. Consequent upon the grant of the facilities, the bank opened Form M and Letters of Credit ("LC" to facilitate the importation of the billets for which the shipping documents were consigned to the bank. The facilities were secured by a Debenture Trust Deed over the customer’s assets shared with other lenders.

“Upon arrival of the billets, the bank released the shipping documents to the customer to enable it clear the goods. The bank subsequently discovered that the customer had cleared the goods from the port without payment of appropriate customs duty.

“The bank, in line with its duty to protect its depositors’ funds, reported the alleged crime to SFU which obtained a court order to take over the customer’s business operations. Furthermore, the bank petitioned Interpol, which is presently taking steps to repatriate the suspects involved in the alleged fraud from India. Subsequently, the beneficiary banks (including the bank) under the Debenture Trust Deed, appointed a Receiver/Manager who took over the operations of the customer’s business and paid the appropriate customs duty on the billets.

“The Receiver/Manager subsequently obtained court order from the Federal High Court and sold the billets and distributed the proceeds amongst the beneficiary banks (including the bank).”

The lender further said in the statement that it was “aware that the petitioner also laid claims to the same billets following which there were attempts at settlement between the petitioner and the Receiver/Manager. The petitioner subsequently filed a complaint at SFU following the failure of settlement.

“Based on the foregoing, we were surprised to be served with the charges by the SFU alleging, amongst others, that the bank stole the billets and forged the shipping documents covering the billets.

“We hereby state that at no time did the bank or any of its executives or officers commit any of the alleged offences. The bank has continued to maintain the position that it financed the importation of the billets and that the Receiver/Manager appointed by the bank and a syndicate of other lenders had the right to sell the goods. We are aware that there are civil matters in court on the same subject.

“We are also aware that there are on-going settlement negotiations between the Receiver/Manager and the petitioner. Without prejudice to the settlement discussions and the civil matter, we reiterate that the Receiver/Manager appointed by the bank and a syndicate of other lenders acted within its powers to sell the billets.

“We wish to assure our stakeholders that the bank will continue to take all necessary steps to protect its depositor’s funds in line with its fiduciary duties as well as extant rules and regulations.” The statement concluded.


READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/access-bank-denies-any-wrongdoing-in-sale-of-customers-goods/

Information reaching this newspaper revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently quizzing some officials of Sterling Bank Plc and Kwara State Government following an alleged N1billion cash withdrawals by the latter from an account domiciled with the bank.

According to investigations, the money which was withdrawn at Sterling Bank’s Post Office, Ilorin branch on February 7, 2019 was allegedly disbursed a week before the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

The Kwara State Government officials arrested and being interrogated at the Ilorin Zonal Office of the anti-graft agency are Commissioner for Finance Nurudeen Banu; Accountant-General Sulaiman Ishola; Commissioner for Water Resources Yusuf Abdulkadir; Head of Service Susan Modupe Oluwole; Commissioner for Energy, Eleja Taiwo Banu; Chief of Staff, Abdulwahab Yusuf; officials of the Secretary to the State Government, and those of the Government House.

Findings show that the Sterling Bank officials also being interrogated – Rahaman Alimi, Akinleye Ademola, Olarewaju Sarafa and Rasaq Abolarin were said to have moved the said money in bullion van and personally delivered it

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/efcc-quizzes-kwara-govt-officials-sterling-bank-staffers-over-n1-billion/

By: Ezra Adeniyi

The story of corporate revolutions in Nigeria will not be complete without direct reference to Keystone Bank Limited and its Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei. This is a man who has used his Midas touch to turn things around for the financial institution within a significantly short space of time.

Dr. Ohiwerei is a rare breed. We are familiar with individuals who take over bourgeoning establishments and further increase their worth on face value along the line. But it sounds like a fairy tale to have a professional who takes over a near-comatose organization and almost makes a corporate giant out of it. This has been the lot of Keystone Bank.

In just a little over one year after the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria, AMCON’s divestment which saw the emergence of Dr. Ohiwerei as its Managing Director cum Chief Executive Officer, Keystone Bank’s narrative changed to a financial institution to reckon with.

On March 24, 2017, Sigma Golf-Riverbank Consortium took over Keystone Bank in its distressed state, which led to the appointment of Dr. Ohiwerei. On assumption of office in August 2017, Ohiwerei drew up a holistic and integrated approach to business modernization which elevated the bank to deliver a superior customer-centric experience. The impact of this change reflected positive results in its 2018 report card, which restored customers’ trust and confidence in the system.

Dr. Ohiwerei’s magic wand at Keystone Bank has taken industry watchers by surprise, and the industry itself by storm. Since becoming the Managing Director of the lender, the game-changer has spearheaded several growth initiatives which have placed the bank on upward trajectory.

The Bank has invested significantly in technology with copiously integrated service models enabling customers enjoy banking services through a wide range of channels.

From evolving technologies to changing customer expectations to new regulatory demands – it has never been more important for banks to come up with the right strategies for digital transformation and innovation; the bolstered Ohiwerei led team nonetheless made this a reality at Keystone Bank. This entailed initiating partnership processes with foremost technology-enabled concerns to drive its digital revolution.

Keystone Bank’s ‘Cheque Deposit’ feature in its state of the art mobile banking application, ‘Keystone Mobile App’, further describes Ohiwerei’s vision to position Keystone Bank as a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering convenient and reliable solutions to its customers. The feature which is again the first in the Nigerian banking sector, enables customers to deposit cheques into accounts from anywhere and at any time on their mobile phones.

Undoubtedly, Ohiwerei’s achievements at Keystone Bank have not gone unnoticed. Accolades have streamed in from all spheres in praise of a man who has done what many people only dream of.

He clinched the Best Banking CEO Award 2018 at the prestigious European Global Banking & Finance Awards in London in July 2018 for his exceptional achievements over the last year. This is an inspiration for business and government leaders working to raise Africa’s investment profile. The judging panel of the award considered excellent leadership skills, enhanced organizational image and innovation. Keystone Bank also emerged ‘Africa’s Most Innovative Bank of the Year, 2018’ at the awards event.

The bank also shone brightly at the International Banker Awards, 2018 as it emerged winner in two categories beating other nominees and carting away the prize for “Africa’s Best Customer Service Provider” and “Nigeria’s Most Innovative Retail Bank of the year, 2018”. The International Banker Awards is an annual event organized by the renowned International Banker financial magazine, one of the world’s leading sources of authoritative analysis on finance, international banking, and world affairs.

Obeahon Ohiwerei began his professional banking career with Guaranty Trust Bank Plc in 1991, and his exceptional performance saw him rise to the position of manager within six years. He later joined Standard Trust Bank (now UBA Plc) where he was appointed the Pioneer Group Head, Consumer Banking in 1998. He resigned in 2002 as General Manager in charge of Lagos and West to join Pacific Bank Limited (then on Central Bank of Nigeria’s holding action) as Managing Director. He repositioned the bank with his new team within 15 months and moved on to take up a new appointment as the pioneer Managing Director of Standard Trust Bank Ghana (now UBA Ghana).

He was Group Executive Director with Access Bank Plc for seven years, and a director in three of Access Bank’s offshore subsidiaries as well as FITC, Lagos.

Not resting on his oars, the seasoned banker in a recent interview said he would love to leave with a sense of satisfaction that he delivered on the mandate of the investors by making Keystone a Tier-1 bank.

Dr Ohiwerei who describes himself as being audacious to a fault says I challenge my colleagues to pursue audacious goals believing they can achieve them. There is no limit to what you can achieve as long as you believe in yourself and drive your vision strategically. Personally, I set goals for myself every five years and often achieve them within three years.

“While I do not micro-manage people, I am by nature excited by the challenge of execution and that makes it easy for me to engage hands-on with them in working through any challenges that may arise along the way,”

“I want to leave behind a tested and proven team of passionate and highly motivated people that refuse to see any barriers to what they can achieve; people that are able to compete shoulder-to-shoulder/head to head with any leading bank in the industry.

“At the end of my tenure, the recurrent customer feedback should be ‘my bankers are highly professional solution providers, responsive and always within reach.’” He concluded.

As Dale Carnegie puts it, “You never achieve success unless you like what you are doing,” Dr. Ohiwerei’s bold innovations at Keystone Bank are borne out of his passion to succeed in his every endeavor.



- Adeniyi, a financial analyst, wrote from Lagos, Nigeria.

Keystone Bank Limited, Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider, has introduced ‘Cheque Deposit’ feature in its mobile banking application, the new ‘Keystone Mobile App’.

The feature which is another first from the Bank and in the Nigerian banking sector, enables customers to pay cheques into their accounts at their convenience through their mobile phones even with zero data.

Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, said the new feat is in demonstration of the bank’s commitment to continuously deliver superior and innovative banking solutions to its customers.

“The Keystone Bank brand is built on meeting and exceeding customer expectations by providing simple and convenient banking services at all times.

“With the new cheque deposit feature, you have one less reason to make that trip to the bank.

“In our fast-paced and evolving digital world, service literally has to be at the speed of thought; the rules of engagement are changing so fast that customer expectations are as diverse as our lifestyles and choices.

“It is no longer a question of stepping out to the bank but about the convergence of innovative services, digital technology and Omni-channel platforms coming to us at breakneck speed.

“Mobile Banking for one isn’t entirely new in the industry, but there is no end to innovation in delivering customer convenience; at Keystone Bank that’s what sets us apart and that shall continue to be our strength.

“We are determined to be your preferred bank; dependable, responsive and always within reach,” Ohiwerei stated.

Other notable features of the mobile App are, zero data banking (which enables customers enjoy banking services on their mobile phones without data), easy account opening, convenient self- booking and liquidation of fixed deposits, an expanded list of bills-payment options and easy activation of standing instructions & recurrent future payments.

Others include, a “Switch Card ON/OFF option” which allows users to disable their cards temporarily if missing & re-enable at the click of a button, the “Hide Balance Feature” which is an additional safeguard against third-party viewing and the “Meet Your Relationship Manager Option” which allows users to call, text and email their account officers right within the app.

The lender prides itself as the first in the sector to introduce the Zero Data Banking feature and a Chat-bot feature called OXYGEN which enables banking on Telegram and Facebook.

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

FOR MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-introduces-first-cheque-deposit-in-mobile-app-in-nigeria/

Keystone Bank Limited has remained committed to empowering the Nigerian populace with the introduction of the Chat-bot feature called ‘OXYGEN’ as part of its financial inclusion drive.

Oxygen is the lender’s interactive virtual banker that chats with customers and carries out their banking transactions upon request. The feature which enables banking on Telegram and Facebook is fluent in English and is always learning to serve the customer better.

Some of the services on Oxygen include accounts opening, fund transfer, bills payment, airtime top up, purchase of movie tickets, balance enquiry, and lots more.


How does oxygen work?

Step 1: Download and install the Keystone Mobile App from the Play store or App store and register.

Step 2: Download and install Telegram or Facebook messenger as well, if you do not have it already installed on your phone.

Step 3: Launch the mobile app and click on the Oxygen Chat option on the landing page.

Step 4: Click on either Keystone Bot telegram or Keystone bot Facebook.

Step 5: Once this is launched, Oxygen welcomes you with “Hello Customer name/ the username used on either of the apps”. i.e. “Hello Thelma”

Step 6: Follow the Prompts and enjoy this chat banking service.


Subsequently, all a customer has to do to continue using Oxygen is to click on the search tab of either telegram or Facebook messenger and search for “keystone chat banking”.

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

READ MORE HERE: https://www.witnessngr.com/do-more-with-keystone-bank-oxygen-chat-banking/

Keystone Bank Limited has remained committed to empowering the Nigerian populace with the introduction of the Chat-bot feature called ‘OXYGEN’ as part of its financial inclusion drive.

Oxygen is the lender’s interactive virtual banker that chats with customers and carries out their banking transactions upon request. The feature which enables banking on Telegram and Facebook is fluent in English and is always learning to serve the customer better.

Some of the services on Oxygen include accounts opening, fund transfer, bills payment, airtime top up, purchase of movie tickets, balance enquiry, and lots more.


How does oxygen work?

Step 1: Download and install the Keystone Mobile App from the Play store or App store and register.

Step 2: Download and install Telegram or Facebook messenger as well, if you do not have it already installed on your phone.

Step 3: Launch the mobile app and click on the Oxygen Chat option on the landing page.

Step 4: Click on either Keystone Bot telegram or Keystone bot Facebook.

Step 5: Once this is launched, Oxygen welcomes you with “Hello Customer name/ the username used on either of the apps”. i.e. “Hello Thelma”

Step 6: Follow the Prompts and enjoy this chat banking service.


Subsequently, all a customer has to do to continue using Oxygen is to click on the search tab of either telegram or Facebook messenger and search for “keystone chat banking”.

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

FOR MORE, PLEASE VISIT: https://www.witnessngr.com/do-more-with-keystone-bank-oxygen-banking-services/

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As a way of demonstrating its commitment to promoting fitness and healthy living amongst Nigerians, Keystone Bank Limited, has announced its partnership with Orange Island Development, a real estate investment firm, to host the maiden edition of ‘The Orange Island/Ke​​ystone walk’ with the theme: ‘Invest in your health’.

According to the organizers, the initiative which will mobilise people to walk a distance of 5km will hold on Saturday January 19, 2019.

Speaking on the initiative, the Chief Executive Officer of Orange Island, Ms. Yinka Ogunsulire said: “We are excited to welcome everyone to Orange Island’s 5k Walk. This is the perfect way to kick start the year on a positive and healthy note and gives us the opportunity to show you our progress so far.”

Commenting on their involvement in the event, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei said Keystone Bank recognises the importance of health to nation building, stressing that “a healthy workforce is considered the most productive workforce. Good Health is critical to economic development and therefore, health remains one of our core CSR pillars in the Bank. Keystone Bank will continually strive to promote advanced healthcare in Nigeria.”

“The health walk showcases the Bank’s commitment to community investment and project financing. Keystone was the only Bank in Nigeria willing to partner with the Orange Island project at the initial stage after recognising the viability of their vision. And today we remain their sole Bankers, catering to all their needs.

“Sponsoring the Orange Island Walk is in line with our vision to promote a healthier nation as a whole and we also expect that the walk would provide opportunities for non-formal networking for all participants.

“We look forward to seeing you there and starting this New Year on a healthy note”, Ohiwerei concluded.

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


READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-partners-orange-island-to-promote-healthy-living/

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the 2019 general elections will kick off with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on Saturday, 16th February 2019. As it stands in Delta South Senatorial District, the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate representing the district, Dr. Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan is the most favoured to win the seat at the expense of his opponents.

A lot of factors are currently working in his favour, chief among them being the popularity he earned while in the saddle as the governor of Delta State. Emmanuel Uduaghan who is the immediate-past executive governor of the state has so far garnered over 50 endorsements from eminent political groups in and around the senatorial district. This is unprecedented in Delta South and probably one of the biggest electoral boosts for the politician, stemming from his sterling qualities and achievements while in office as the governor. Investigations show that ifone counts every infrastructure dotted all over the state, a greater percentage of them would definitely bear his fingerprint of approval.

The people of Delta South Senatorial District are also disenchanted with Uduaghan’s closest rival who incidentally is the incumbent senator representing the zone. By May 2019 Senator James Manager would have spent 16 years in the red chamber. Those spoken to said they were tired of his representation, and that they have not absolutely felt much impact of the senator, who would have served out four terms as a senator but is nevertheless vying for the position once again on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Uduaghan’s vision and plans for Delta South which indirectly touch the Niger Delta region seem to have endeared him the more to the electorates. Aside from him, no other aspirant has been able to tell the people their plans, just as he continues to run issue-based campaign, laying out achievable programmes for the people of Delta South. In his words, he is on the race to offer his people quality and effective representation that will put smile on their faces if given the mandate in 2019.

While adopting Dr Uduaghan as its preferred choice for the senate seat, one of the groups, the National Association of Itsekiri Graduates (NAIG) had asserted: “Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan with his wealth of experience as the immediate-past governor of Delta State will bring his experience to bear on his job as the senator representing Delta South Senatorial District.

“He is the most respected of all the candidates, he is a planner and strategist, he is development-oriented and that is what Delta South Senatorial District wants; besides that he cares for the downtrodden.”

Ijaw Liberation Movement (ILM) had supported the claim. According to the group, “We followed Dr. Uduaghan’s painstaking effort to develop our area, nay the whole state, while he was governor of Delta State. We are also aware that he stepped down for our son to continue a few years ago, so he is the most suitable person for the job now.”

Dr. Uduaghan is Itsekiri, and for the 2019 elections, that is a plus. Since 1999, no Itsekiri has occupied that position. In the interest of equity and fair play, his ethnic stock places him better in the hearts of the people of the three major ethnic groups making up Delta South which include Ijaw, Itsekiri and Isoko. The last time an Itsekiri man occupied the senate seat was in 1979; that is about 40 years ago. From 1979 till the current dispensation, five senators have represented Delta South Senatorial District. Out of these five, two were from Isoko (Senator Stella Omu and Senator Francis Okpozo of blessed memory) and another two were from the Ijaw tribe (Chief E.K Clark and Senator James Manager, the incumbent). The first and only senator who was from the Itsekiri stock was Chief Franklin O. M Atake in 1979.

More welcoming is the fact the political groups which pledge support for his electoral bid are spread across the three ethnic groups. Prominent among them are Ijaw Liberation Movement (ILM), Isoko Political Revolutionary Force, (IPRF) and Itsekiri Youths Vanguard.

What’s more the magnanimity displayed by Uduaghan when he withdrew from the race for Senator James Manager to continue in 2015 in order to ensure that peace reigned in the state was applauded by all and sundry who now believe the time has come for him to give a shot at the position with their full backing.

So as Nigerians look forward to the elections coming up in the next few weeks, the Delta South Senatorial District electorates are ready to roll out their drums to welcome the most perfect and fruitful senate representation in Dr. Uduaghan.

READ MORE: https://www.witnessngr.com/senate-2019-projections-favour-apcs-emmanuel-uduaghan-in-delta-south/

Customers of Keystone Bank Limited, Nigeria’s most innovative banking services provider, can now transact banking services at their convenience on the new ‘Keystone Bank Mobile App’ with Zero Data.

The feature which is another first from the Bank and in the Nigerian banking sector, enables customers enjoy banking services on their mobile phones without data.

According to the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank Limited, Dr. Obeahon Ohiwerei, the development is in demonstration of the bank’s commitment to deliver superior and innovative banking solutions to its customers.

“In our fast-paced and evolving digital world, service literally has to be at the speed of thought; the rules of engagement are changing so fast that customer expectations are as diverse as our lifestyles and choices.

“It is no longer a question of stepping out to the bank but about the convergence of innovative services, digital technology and Omni-channel platforms coming to us at breakneck speed.

“Mobile Banking for one isn’t entirely new in the industry, but there is no end to innovation in delivering customer convenience; at Keystone Bank that’s what sets us apart and that shall continue to be our strength.

“We are determined to be your preferred bank; dependable, responsive and always within reach,” Ohiwerei stated.

Other notable features of the mobile App are, easy account opening, convenient self- booking and liquidation of fixed deposits, an expanded list of bill-payment options and easy activation of standing instructions & recurrent future payments.

Others include, a “Switch Card ON/OFF option” which allows users to disable their cards temporarily if missing & re-enable at the click of a button, the “Hide Balance Feature” which is an additional safeguard against third-party viewing and the “Meet Your Relationship Manager Option” which allows users to call or email their account officers right within the app.

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

https://www.witnessngr.com/keystone-bank-scores-another-first-with-zero-data-mobile-banking-feature/