By Aderonke Ojediran

Access Bank has unveiled several discounts and mouth-watering freebies on its retail products and services to celebrate its customers in this season of love.

The Valentine season campaign, tagged Love is More, will run from Feb. 1 to March 11, 2023.

Mr Robert Giles, Senior Retail Advisor, Retail Banking, Access Bank, said at the campaigns debut that the initiative was introduced to demonstrate love and appreciation for its customers.

Valentine season provides us with another opportunity to demonstrate our love and appreciation for our customers for the years of loyalty and support for the bank.

We are using this opportunity to thank our customers for their commitment to Access Bank.

We value our customers and non-customers who rely on our services and products to conduct seamless banking activities, and we wish everyone the best of this season, Giles said.

Also speaking, Njideka Esomeju, Group Head, Consumer Banking, Access Bank, said that the campaign was unveiled to appreciate its customers during Valentine.

In the spirit of the season of love, we have unveiled several amazing offers to appreciate our customers during this month of love.

Our customers who sign up for the XclusivePlus annual plan this month of February will not only receive a 10GB of data to share great moments with loved ones but will also get a 10 per cent discount off their total purchases on Konga.

This season, when our women use their W branded debit card at Beacon Health Diagnostics, they will receive a 20 per cent discount on cervical cancer screening. Ladies, you can get your W debit card today from any Access Bank branch close to you, she said.

Esomeju said customers who transact five times every week this February on AccessMore or *901# would qualify to win a N500 top-up on *901# and N1,000 worth of data on AccessMore.

She said that the bank would also provide customers with free vehicle registration when they acquire a brand-new or pre-owned vehicle from one of our registered dealers nationwide.

Salary account holders with Access Bank are not left out, as they can access a bouquet of loan offers and enjoy a five per cent interest rate reduction in the first month of the loan repayment.

We are offering these and so much more to show how much we appreciate our customers consistent patronage.

To join the reward train, dial *901# or download and log onto the accessmore app to open a new account.

You can also visit any Access Bank branch near you to reactivate your account, and then start transacting immediately to enjoy the Valentine season campaign benefits, Esomeju said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

By Vivian Emoni

The Lift Humanity Foundation (LHF), an NGO, has called on all relevant stakeholders to support and intervene on those vulnerable communities, youth and women, affected by climate change and other environmental crisis across the country.

The Executive Secretary of the LHF, Pius Oko, said this at Post-COP 27 and Pre-COP 28 Consultative Workshop, on Thursday in Abuja.

Oko said that the collaboration of the relevant stakeholders would help to pressurise developed countries to redeem their financial commitment and other support.

He said that such intervention would aid to address environmental crises for those vulnerable communities, the youth and women, thereby assisting in promoting smart agriculture and other activities in the country.

According to him, we want all stakeholders to come together and ensure that the voices of the vulnerable, those that have been suffering from the impact of climate change is heard.

It is not a discussion for policy makers, it should be a decision that concern people at the grassroots, so let us come together and make sure that voices are being heard through strong advocacy.

Yes, we strongly need more of advocacy and sensitisation, especially to those climate deniers who have refused to understand the impact of climate change in our environment.

Climate change issues are too important to be left in the hands of deniers.

So, we need to educate them to let them know that the climate change we are talking about is real and it is impacting us negatively.

Oko said that in 2022, floods claimed lives of Nigerians, displaced millions of people and washed away hundreds of farms and farm lands across the country.

He said that the issues would continue in frequency and magnitude, if the present trend could not be reversed to build climate resilience.

He urged stakeholders to strongly put more strategies that would support in the implementation of programmes and decisions taken in 2022 at COP 27, held in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.

He, however, called on Nigerians to intensify more action, especially at the community levels, to ensure that the environmental crisis was tackled effectively.

The Chief of Mission to Nigeria, International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Laurent de Boeck, said that climate change, environmental degradation and disaster were reshaping contemporary human mobility patterns around the world.

Boeck said that extensive array of international agreements and frameworks attest to urgency of addressing climate change and human mobility together.

He said that Nigerians should integrate climate risks into humanitarian response plans and programming to ensure response to climate-related displacement.

The Executive Director, Education as a Vaccine (EVA), Toyin Chukwudozie, said that the organisation had a discussion with women and girls in various states affected by climate change and other environmental impact.

After the discussion, we recommended that there should be a guarantee equitable participation of women and girls in all their diversity in climate change policy process, programming and decision making at all levels.

There is a need to be a gender balance and inclusion in selection of decision making bodies such as the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change and other relevant committees.

Chukwudozie said that women and girls should be involved in conversations about the climate change issues to enable them make solution on how it can be tackled. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vincent Obi

Source: NAN News

The Ijegun-Egba Tank farm owners and Operators have resolved to sell the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to marketers at ex-depot price of N172 beginning from Monday.

This is to ensure that filling stations across the country sell the product at the government approved price and to reduce the hardship faced by Nigeria in accessing it.

In a communiqu by Mr Adebowale Olujimi, Chairman of the group, the owners said they are working with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to achieve an uninterrupted distribution by Monday of the 127 million litres of its February allocation.

We will utilize our storage networks to supply and distribute petroleum products to various part of the country to ensure that Nigerians have Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) for their daily operations. We are also committed to maintaining our transparency in this respect.

That our Tank farms will continue to sell and load at the government regulated price of N172 Ex Depot to all marketers. All our members retail outlets across the Nation will continue to sell petroleum products at the government approved price.

We consider ourselves as an integral part of petroleum product supply chain in ensuring product supply, energy stability and energy security. We have played and will continue to play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation.

Our members are committed to ensuring efficient petroleum product distribution, and by extension ensuring energy security in line with the Federal Governments policies and regulations.

The tank farm owner further reiterated their resolve to contribute to National economy, energy security and play significant roles in the supply and distribution of petroleum products across the nation to ameliorate adverse effects the current challenges have on business and commercial activities.

It also restated its members commitment to continue to contribute to governments effort in building a robust business environment to stimulate economic growth, especially in making petrol available to Nigerians.

The association is an umbrella organisation of all the oil companies currently engaged in the operation of petroleum storage tank farms and facilities at Ijegun Egba, Satellite Town, Lagos, along the Ojo Creek Channel.

They are A.A. RANO Nigeria Limited, JGold Nigeria Limited, Chipet International Limited, Emadeb Energy Services Limited, First Royal Oil Nigeria Limited, MAO Petroleum Company Limited, Menj Oil Limited, Ocean Pride Energy Services Limited, Stallionaire Nigeria Limited, Wosbab Energy Solutions Limited and Rainoil Limited.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Source: NAN News

Inflation curve

By Rukayat Moisemhe

Economic experts have urged Nigerians to diversify their asset classes and investment portfolios to hedge against the countrys inflationary pressures in order to enhance profitability.

The spoke at the Nairametrics economic outlook for Nigeria in 2023 webinar with the theme: 2023 Economic Opportunities to Mitigate Impact of Headwinds, on Saturday.

Mr Kalu Aja, a certified financial education instructor, observed that the countrys current inflation rates averaged 20 per cent.

He said that to get returns meant making profits above 21 per cent; a difficult phenomenon.

Aja opined that to make returns in Nigeria, a combination of portfolios and a better handling of the current insecurity situation which trigger food inflation was very critical.

He added that businesses or individuals looking to invest in the country must come together, raise capital to take advantage of commercial papers in the capital market.

Aja noted that the youthful population must invest and build their portfolio over time to get returns in the long-term.

To address the countrys debt situation, Aja said that some percentage of Nigerias assets must be sold to pay off the debt principal as well as foreign debts.

If we can have a handle on insecurity, it would drive inflation down and help to make a real rate of returns.

Investments must be diversified and if you have the means to earn foreign currency risk free; embrace it. You can also do a dollar fund in Nigeria.

Investing in Nigeria now should be very flexible and short term and one must spread risk by having more people invest with you, he said.

Mr Andrew Nevin, the Chief Economist, PwC Africa, noted that Nigeria currently was operating a harsh business environment characterised by multiple taxation, weak purchases and other macroeconomic challenges.

Nevin, however, stated that the real estate environment had improved massively due to the professionalism of the players in the sector and the fact that land held real value that does not depreciate.

The economist said that the best investment class was the brain and charged Nigerians to up-skill and invest in themselves to beat the headwinds.

Nigeria must also expand exports in fields of exports, technology and others against manufacturing or physical goods to fully engage the more youthful and growing population going forward, he said.

Mr Cheta Nwanze, Lead Partner, SBM Intelligence, affirmed that all states in the country particularly Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Anambra, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Nasarawa, and Abuja offered opportunities for investments.

Nwanze stressed the need for better integrate Lagos to Onitsha with road infrastructure to harness trade and commerce activities worth billions of dollars across the region.

Nigeria has been a net exporter of people for many years now as our economy never generates enough jobs to accommodate the unemployed hence the Japa syndrome.

People need to up-skill as quick as possible to match up technology advancement and disruption and Nigeria needs to take advantage of its proximity to Europe to export apparels and other things but we must create quality to be accepted.

Customs must not be solely focused on the unrealistic revenue target set for them and a reform is needed to unleash the countrys potential, he said.

Nwanze advocated the importance of a phased out petroleum subsidy removal spread across the next four years against the once-and-for-all-style to mitigate the impact of inflation and the standard of living of people.

He also stressed the need for transparency in the use of the removal proceeds to gain the trust of the people.

Mr Ugo-Dre Obi-Chukwu, Founder, Nairametrics, projected that the socio-political challenges facing Nigeria in 2023 included fallout of the general elections, fiscal and debt crisis, corruption, inflation, migration, subsidy removal, protests amongst others.

Obi-Chukwu stated that the outlook for 2023 would be characterised by likely rejection of electoral outcomes, partial implementation of budget and uncertainty in making critical business decisions.

In 2023, Nigerians should expect to pay more taxes as government plans to leverage taxes to boost non-oil revenue and investing in technology to ensure compliance, he said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

Source: NAN News

NEMA Hq, Abuja

By Ruth Oketunde

Mr Mustapha Ahmed, Director-General, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has approved the promotion of 229 staff members of the organisation who were successful in a recent promotion exercise.

This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Manzo Ezekiel, Head, Press Unit, NEMA, on Sunday in Abuja,

Ezekiel said the newly promoted staff were elevated to various ranks which include one substantive director on salary grade Level 17, one deputy director on grade level 16 and eight assistant directors on grade level 15.

Others are 37 staff members promoted to grade level 14 and 55 officers to level 13.

Also, 45 officers were elevated to grade level 12, 29 officers to level 10, 9 officers promoted to level 9 and 5 were promoted to level 8 and 39 others were also promoted to grade level 7.

Furthermore, one staff member was converted from clerical to executive cadre and another from executive to administrative cadre respectively. Also, 10 drivers were converted to works superintendent cadre.

The promotion exercise was conducted in line with the extant provisions of Public Service Rules.

The Management of NEMA approved the outcome of the exercises, which was ratified by the Senior Staff Establishment Committee that included representatives of the supervising Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development as well as the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, he said.

The director-general congratulated the newly promoted staff and urged them to justify their elevation with more commitment to duties and actualising the mandates of the agency.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Source: NAN News

Buhari on Katsina vigilantes attack

By Ismaila Chafe

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday condemned the attack on vigilantes at Yargoje Forest in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, where many lives were lost.

The insurgents ambushed a convoy of vigilantes in the forest as they went to recover stolen cows.

In a statement issued by his media aide, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, the president paid tributes to the vigilantes and their family members.

He said the sacrifices of the brave men who were working to prevent and punish crime in their communities would not be forgotten.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult period. May Allah repose the souls of the deceased, the president said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Alli Hakeem

Source: NAN News

New Emir of Dutse, Hameem Sunusi

By Muhammad Nasir Bashir

Gov. Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa has approved the appointment of Hameem Sunusi as the new Emir of Dutse.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the new Emir succeeded his father, Dr Muhammad Sunusi II who died on Jan. 31 at the age of 79, after 28 years on the throne.

NAN also reports that Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abdulkadir Fanini, presented the letter of appointment to the new emir in Dutse on Sunday, on behalf of the governor.

The governor said that the new emir was chosen after careful consideration of the names recommended by the kingmakers of Dutse Emirate Council.

He urged the new emir to discharge his duties in the best interest of his people, without preference and unite them for the progress of the area.

NAN reports that until his appointment, the new emir, who was born in 1979, held the title of Daniyan Dutse.

On behalf of the Jigawa State Government, His Excellency, Gov. Muhammad Badaru Abubukar has congratulated HRH Alhaji Hameem Nuhu Sanusi on his appointment and wished him a successful and peaceful reign as Emir of Dutse, he said.

Responding, the new emir, who expressed gratitude to the governor for finding him worthy of the position, promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.

Sunusi, who promised to operate an open door policy, called for the support and cooperation of everyone in the emirate. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Abubakar Ahmed and Wale Sadeeq

Source: NAN News

Alhaji Aliko Dangote

The Dangote Industries Limited is the major sponsor of the ongoing 44th Kaduna International Trade Fair which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce Industry Mines and Agriculture(KADCCIMA).

The Trade Fair, which was officially declared open at the weekend, has as it theme: Promoting Value Addition for Economic Growth and Development.

Speaking, President of KADCCIMA Alhaji Suleiman Aliyu described the partnership with Dangote as very important for deepening commercial activities in the country.

He said that the support of the Dangote Group towards the success of the Fair cannot be quantified.

Speaking to newsmen, the Director General of the Chamber Alhaji Usman Saulawa, said the Dangote Group is a major sponsor of this years Trade Fair, and had been sponsoring the annual event all along.

He said: Dangote Group has been playing the role of supporter and partner for many years. It participation has been adding value to the Chamber.

The DG described this years fair as unique as there would be a Business Round-table session that would help deepen business opportunities for participants.

According to him, this years fair has attracted foreign companies from Niger Republic, Mali, Pakistan, Senegal and Egypt, among others.

The participating companies under the Dangote Industries Limited are: Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, NASCON, Dangote Fertiliser and Dangote Sinotruk West Africa Limited.

A statement from the Corporate Communication Department of the Dangote Group said participants who seek to do business with any of the companys subsidiaries can avail themselves such opportunity through a special help desk at the pavilion.

It described Kaduna State as one of its biggest markets in the country, given its historical position as the political capital of Northern Nigeria.(NAN)

Source: NAN News

Jessica Dogo

An NGO, The Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation, has empowered pupils of LEA Nursery and Primary School, Kado-Kuchi, in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with learning materials.

The NGO, carried out the exercise at the 7th edition of its Adopt A Child And Educate, empowerment programme for schools in communities across the country, on Wednesday.

It provided the 393 pupils in the school with materials like exercise books, uniforms, sandals bags, pencil and biros, among other items.

The National Coordinator, of the foundation, Christybelle Sylva-John, said that the gesture was aimed tlat improving the education of the disadvantaged children in various communities across Nigeria.

Sylva-John said that the gesture would also build their self-esteem aand improve their academic performances.

Our goal is to improve the educational growth of the disadvantaged children in various communities across Nigeria by providing the necessary tools needed for their academic pursuit.

Our vision is to see that no child in Nigeria resumes school without the necessary school supplies needed to help him or her succeed.

To make sure that no child drops out of school due to lack of school fees, she said.

According to her, every child deserves to be educated, saying, education is the first early investment for every childs development.

She said that for nations to develop, their govermemts needed to prioritise budgetary allocations to educational infrastructure.

Sylva-John said that the gesture had been replicated in Benue, Enugu, Niger, Kaduna, Katsina and Imo states, as well as the FCT.

The coordinator urged the Federal Government to do more educationally, and increase the budgettary allocation to schools in the country.

Together, we can make a difference in the lives of the less privileged children in our society by empowering them to get quality education.

Since the launch of this programme in 2015, with the support of individuals, organisations and corporate bodies, we have visited several schools in the country and still counting.

The school is dilapidated. It is in need of toilets, chairs, teachers, more classrooms and the existing ones need to be renovated, she said.

The Headmistress of the School, Mrs Arhanmhunde Edith, said that the gesture has put smiles on the faces pf both the pupils and teachers.

She called on the Kado-Kuchi community to give its support by taking care of the facilities.

The rain spoilt our school. The government can help us renovate the school because most of the buildings are dilapidated.

We always welcome any organisation that is ready to come up with gestures like this. Our doors are always open for such, Edith said.

Isaac Isola, a pupil of the school, thanked the foundation for sharing the learning materials. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman/Bashir Rabe Mani

Source: NAN News

By Chimezie Anaso

African Law students, under the aegis of Federation of African Law Students (FALAS), say they will explore opportunities for exchange programmes with their peers in other continents of the world.

The Head, Diplomacy and External Affairs of the group, Mr Odira Ezeh, said this during an interactive session with newsmen in Awka on Tuesday.

FALAS is the umbrella body of Law students and young lawyers across the continent.

Ezeh, a student of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam in Anambra, was elected at the just-concluded Second Annual Conference of the body held between Oct. 3 and Oct. 5 at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

He said the new leadership would manage the affairs of the federation for one year.

Ezeh said the collaboration between the group and law students in other continents, like America, Europe and Asia, was aimed at acquainting themselves with new developments in their different legal environments and work towards convergence.

He further said that the group would further explore scholarship opportunities for members.

According to him, collaboration with our colleagues in other continents would engender greater cooperation among African law students and ensure continued unification of voices in Africa.

As the head of Diplomacy and External Affairs of FALAS, I shall work towards better collaboration in the areas of intellectual exchange, sponsorship opportunities and law updates with students across the world, he said.

Ezeh said that six other officers elected at the conference included Siaffa Kemokai from Liberia (President), Monica Tembo from Zimbabwe (Vice President) and Abigail Ampumuza from Uganda (General Secretary).

Others were Justice Emeh, Nigerian (Deputy General Secretary), Gerald Uchem, Nigerian (Welfare Secretary) and Nokuthula Songo from South Africa, Director of Information and Protocol. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Sam Oditah

Source: NAN News