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GHAPP Participates in FARMFATECH 2024, Advocates Agricultural Financing, Mechanisation in Nigeria

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Greener Hope Large-scale Agriculture Mechanisation Programme, GHAPP has made a significant impact at the maiden edition of the FARMFATECH 2024 EXPO, a three-day event held at the Velodrome of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in Abuja.

The event gathered prominent stakeholders from the agricultural value-chain sector to discuss pressing issues in farm financing and the value chain across Nigeria and Africa.

FARMFATECH 2024 featured a rich line-up of thought leadership panels and exhibitions showcasing advancements in agricultural technology, mechanisation, and financing solutions.

Greener Hope actively participated in both discussions during the sessions and the exhibitions, highlighting its commitment to providing technology-driven mechanisation solutions to Nigerian farmers and the agribusiness value chain.

Panel Discussions on Agricultural Financing and Mechanisation during the EXPO commenced with the first panel, themed “Agricultural Financing and its Value Chain in Nigeria and Africa,” with discussants who paraded key industry leaders and decision-makers including Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, Honourable Minister of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, General Christopher Cwabin Musa, OFR, Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces, Professor Benedict Okey Oramah, President and Chairman of Afreximbank, Oliver Alawuba, CEO of United Bank for Africa, while Dr. Ilyasu Gashinbaki, Vice President Finance (Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry), served as the session’s moderator.

On the panel, Dr. Musa Olasupo, Director of the Programme of Greener Hope, extensively discussed the importance of access to finance in expanding mechanisation efforts.

He emphasised the Greener Hope Large-scale Agriculture Mechanisation Programme’s (GHAP’s) relentless commitment to empowering both smallholders as well as large-scale farmers, enabling them to increase productivity and address food security challenges.

‘’Agricultural mechanisation services require long-term financing options, and it must be made consistently over some time for us to attain the desired level of Mechanisation that can catalyse agricultural productivity in Nigeria. The government should be ready to do the heavy lifting and allow the private sector to complement its efforts. That is the logic guiding the Greener Hope Large Scale Mechanization Programme” said Dr. Olasupo.

The second panel brought together experts which included Dr. Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, Director General, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Mrs. Nonye Ayeni, Director/CEO, Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Mr. Kamal Abdullahi Rasheed, Executive Director and CEO, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanisation (NCAM), Kamar Bakrin, Executive Secretary, National Sugar Development Council (NSDC), Mr. Oluwemimo J. Osanipin, Director General, National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr. Sa’ad Hamidu, CEO, NIRSAL to discuss further strategies for advancing agricultural productivity and enhancing support structures for mechanisation.
Exhibition Highlights

In addition to the panel discussions, FARMFATECH 2024 also featured an extensive exhibition that showcased Greener Hope’s innovative mechanisation solutions tailored toward Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Attendees, including policymakers, financiers, and agricultural stakeholders, were able to engage with Greener Hope representatives and explore the cutting-edge technologies that the organization offers to boost farm productivity, minimize manual labour, and address common farming challenges.

Shaping the Future of Agricultural Financing and Mechanisation FARMFATECH 2024 was a crucial platform for Greener Hope to emphasize the role of mechanisation and innovative financing in building a sustainable agricultural ecosystem. Dr. Olasupo’s contributions to the discussions underscored Greener Hope’s leading role in meeting the financial and technological needs of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Total Energies, HEI Train Over 2500 Secondary School Teachers, Students on Pre Hospital Skills

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blacktalker
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Over two thousand, five hundred secondary school students and teachers drawn from two hundred Public, Missionary and Private schools in Lagos State have been trained as First Responders in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, First Aid, and Safety techniques.

The Training was sponsored by TotalEnergies E&P and facilitated by the Health Emergency Initiative, HEI, an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides financial assistance to indigent and vulnerable patients in public hospitals for the overall purpose of saving lives.
  
In his opening remarks, Executive Director of HEI, Paschal Achunine explained that the training came after the approval of the Lagos State Ministry of Education to train students, set up first responders clubs in schools, conduct essay and debate competitions, and inclusion of pre-hospital skills in the schools curricular.

Achunine noted that the training is also to reduce road traffic accident-related deaths among young by fifty percent, equipping Nigerians regardless of age and profession with skills that can save lives before the arrival of medical personnel.

”We have before now conducted this training for police personnel, LASMA, VIO, FRSC, and Fire Service and also expanded to people that are always at the scene of emergencies, like commercial transporters, taxi drivers, Uber drivers, filling station attendants, and everyone whose daily work puts them at the scene of the emergency. 

”So we conducted further needs assessment and realized that young people don’t even know what to do. They’ve not even been exposed to emergency training skills. And so that lends credence to engaging the ministry and securing this approval to train young people on emergency preparedness. The beauty is that in the last five years, we extended this training to young people, secondary school students particularly.
In their schools, we have seen positive outcomes when they handled incidents”.

Training Lead at HEI, Abigail Mkperedem, who highlighted the importance of such training for everyone, explained that the preservation of the golden hour which is estimated to be between zero to four minutes after an emergency occurs is necessary to save lives and the needed skills have been covered by the training.

On her part, Senior Project Officer with HEI, Chika Nade explained that the training aligns with the vision of the NGO to assist in the provision of emergency and life-saving response in public health institutions and support other related initiatives for the good of humanity.

”Interestingly, this is part of what we do, Saving Lives in HEI, and currently, we are in partnership with Total Energy for carrying out safety and first aid training for students and teachers. It’s focused on helping us improve emergency preparedness, not just here in Nigeria, but across, you know, Sub-Saharan Africa.

So the programme is focused on improving the emergency preparedness of secondary school students and teachers. The idea is we just don’t want to leave it for adults. We want to be able to include youth and the younger ones, bringing them up to this sense of responsibility that says that they also can be involved in saving lives.

Earlier, participants at the training expressed satisfaction with the level of knowledge that has impacted them, while also commending the organisers for the initiative.

Yacoub Alabi Wasilat, a teacher with Chrysler School said the training was so fantastic. In her words; Because it’s very rare for you to see an organization or a company that will come up with such training and that will give teachers and students. It’s very rare, so I can say kudos to them because they’ve done a great job by at least training the children from now to have that knowledge of CPR.

Another participant, Mrs. Afola B. Ulubukola from Baptist High School, Senior High School, Obanikoro described the training as an educative training that teaches both students and teachers a lot of things concerning themselves.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re a science student or an art student, it’s for everybody. That is what you can do in times of emergency. When you find yourself in a situation where there’s no other person who can help you, at least you can render first aid help to a victim, whether of accident, whether outside, road, within the school,  within the classroom, what you can do to help your colleagues, your classmates in times of emergency. ”

According to the World Health Organization, W.H.O. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, CPR, and First Aid treatments for burns, fractures, cardiac arrest, and bleeding resulting from road accidents and emergencies can ensure that victims stay alive until medical personnel arrive on the scene.

FirstBank Host Fintech Summit 6.0, Launches Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme

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blacktalker
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FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider is excited to announce its 6th annual Fintech Summit, themed “Banking on Partnerships,” scheduled to hold on November 13 and 14, 2024.

This year’s edition will bring together renowned subject matter experts, innovators, and industry leaders worldwide to explore the latest trends and advancements in financial technology.

Since its inception in 2016, the FirstBank Fintech Summit has established itself as a premier event, attracting top subject matter experts in digital innovation from Nigeria and around the globe. While the Summit transitioned online in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be hosted as a hybrid affair, enabling participants from around the world to engage with renowned speakers and insightful discussion.

A key highlight of this year’s summit is the launch of the Fintech Innovators Pitch Programme, designed to empower early-stage fintech startups and cultivate innovation within the financial services ecosystem. Selected startups will benefit from intensive training and mentorship, culminating in an opportunity to pitch their groundbreaking solutions to FirstBank, prominent investors, and industry experts. 

Winning Startups will receive essential support from FirstBank to propel their products to market, including strategic guidance, resources, and access to a vast network.

The FirstBank Fintech Summit 6.0 promises a dynamic lineup of sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, positioning it as a must-attend gathering for industry leaders and innovators.

The two-day Summit will feature expert keynote addresses and panel discussions, regulatory roundtable, investor roundtable, fireside chats, and master classes.

Emmanuel Daniel, the founder of TAB Global—a research, publication, and consulting firm known for platforms like The Asian Banker, Wealth and Society, The Banking Academy, and TAB Insights—will be a key speaker at the upcoming event.

He will be joined by Olusegun Alebiosu, the Managing Director and CEO of FirstBank Group, along with a lineup of distinguished guest speakers and panelists which include Dr. (Mrs) Markie Idowu, GMD/CEO of Xpress Payment Solutions Limited; ’DeRemi Atanda, Managing Director of Remita; Tomilola Majekodunmi, Co-Founder and CEO of Bankly; Obi Emetarom, Co-Founder and CEO of ZONE; Oladipo Alabede, Regional Managing Director, West Africa (Acquiring) Network International; Obianuju Odukwe, VP of Digital & API Ecosystems at Interswitch Group; Ashley Immanuel, Co-Founder and COO of SemiColon; Chijioke Dozie, Co-Founder of Carbon; Yewande Sulaiman, Managing and Product Consultant at ProduqtEdge.

With its hybrid format, participants worldwide can access the same quality of discussions and speakers. To register for the Fintech Summit, interested participants can click on https://fintech.firstbanknigeria.com/#/?lang=en.

Speaking on the Summit, the CEO FirstBank Group, Olusegun Alebiosu said “This year’s summit provides a platform to unite industry leaders, innovators, regulators, and thought leaders to explore how collaboration and partnerships can shape the future of financial services and technology.

As FirstBank continues to lead in innovation, this event presents another unique opportunity to engage with key stakeholders and deepen our understanding of emerging trends in the Fintech landscape emphasizing our role not only as a participant but also as a leading and preferred partner in the Fintech domain.”

The FirstBank Fintech Summit is one of the initiatives that the Bank has established to drive innovation and foster growth in the financial technology sector. By bringing together thought leaders and disruptors in the field, the Summit catalyzes transformative ideas and collaboration.

About FirstBank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited “FirstBank”, established in 1894, is the premier bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion services provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant. 

FirstBank’s international footprints cut across three continents ─ Africa, Europe, and Asia, with FirstBank UK Limited in London and Paris; FirstBank in The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone; FBNBank in Senegal; and a FirstBank Representative Office in Beijing, China. All the subsidiary banks are fully registered by their respective Central Banks to provide full banking services.

Besides providing domestic banking services, the subsidiaries also engage in international cross-border transactions with FirstBank’s non-Nigerian subsidiaries, and the representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe into Nigeria and other African countries.

For over 130 years, FirstBank has built an outstanding reputation for solid relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position, and has been at the forefront of promoting digital payment in the country with over 13 million cards issued to customers (the first bank to achieve such a milestone in Nigeria).

FirstBank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation, and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with virtually 23 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.

With over 42 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) spread across Nigeria, UK, and sub-Saharan Africa, the Bank provides a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 243,400 agent locations spread across 772 out of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

In addition to banking solutions and services, FirstBank provides pension fund custody services in Nigeria through First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited and nominee and associated services through First Nominees Nigeria Limited.

FirstBank’s commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships, and initiatives such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 39%:61%; and 32% women in management) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation.  In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

For six consecutive years (2011 – 2016), FirstBank was named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” eight times in a row, 2011 – 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards.

In 2023, FirstBank received notable awards including “Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023” by Global Finance Awards; “Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Bespoke Banking Services in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria 2023” by Digital Banker Africa; and “African Bank of the Year” by African Leadership Magazine; ’’Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria 2023’’ by Euromoney Awards and ‘’Most Innovative Banking Brand – Nigeria 2023’’ by Global Brands Award.

Significantly, FirstBank’s Global Credit Rating was A+ with a positive outlook while ratings by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s were A (nga) and ngBBB+ respectively both with Stable outlooks as of September 2023. FirstBank maintained the same level of international credit ratings as the sovereign; a milestone that was achieved in 2022 for the first time since 2015.

FirstBank continued to gain wide acclaim on the global stage with several international awards and recognitions received so far in 2024. Some of these include Nigeria’s Best Bank for ESG 2024 and Nigeria’s Best Bank for Corporates 2024 both awarded by Euromoney Awards for Excellence; Best SME Bank in Africa and Nigeria by The Asian Banker Global Awards; Best Private Bank in Nigeria and Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa by Global Finance Awards; Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best CSR Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best Retail Bank in Nigeria 2024, Best SME Bank in Nigeria 2024 and Best Private Bank in Nigeria 2024 all awarded by the Global Banking and Finance Awards.

Our vision is “To be Africa’s Bank of first choice” and our mission is “To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible”. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity. Our strategic ambition is “To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution” and our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence to position You First in every respect.

LAGFERRY Trains Staff on Personal Survival Techniques, Search and Rescue on Waterways

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blacktalker
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As part of efforts to ensure passenger safety and rescue, the Lagos State Ferry Services, LAGFERRY has trained its staff on personal survival techniques, search and rescue, citizenship, and leadership training programmes aimed at enhancing their readiness for challenges and ensuring smooth waterways transportation.

The Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Hon Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun in his welcome address to participants, reiterated the commitment of the agency to foster a culture of safety and preparedness within the water transport sector, explaining that the training is one of many initiatives aimed at improving operational safety standards and reinforcing the importance of emergency preparedness among all personnel.

“We recognize that safety is paramount in our operations, which has ensured our enviable safety record of not experiencing any major accident in the last four years since the relaunch of our operation. By equipping our staff with the skills to handle emergencies effectively, we are not only protecting our team but also ensuring the safety of our passengers. This training is an essential part of our commitment to safety and excellence in service.” he stated

The two-day training session held over the weekend at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Sea School Apapa took participants through practical exercises and theoretical knowledge that equipped them with essential skills for navigating emergency situations on the water.

Key components of the training included Personal Survival Techniques: training staff on floating, swimming, and utilizing life-saving equipment, Search and Rescue Operations, diving and underwater search methods, Safety Equipment Familiarization, Citizenship and Leadership training inclusive.

In addition to the practical training sessions, participants also engaged in an endurance trek from Itu-Agan village in Apapa to Tarkwa Bay in Victoria Island and in scenario-based drills that mimic real-life emergency situations. This immersive approach was designed for staff to feel more confident and prepared to respond to any potential incidents on the waterways.

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT SET TO REWARD MOST COMPLIANT INDUSTRIES

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blacktalker
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The Lagos State Government has revealed plans to organise an industrial pollution abatement award ceremony to recognise and award industries with sound pollution abatement systems across all industrial sectors in the State.

The General Manager of Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, Dr. Tunde Ajayi, stated this during a press conference held in Alausa, explaining that the Cleanest Award ceremony, also known as the Lagos Industrial Pollution Abatement Award, LIPAA, is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, November 26th, 2024.

Ajayi explained that the Year 2024 LIPAA award is aimed at encouraging industries, especially Manufacturing Organisations, to implement pollution prevention measures and stop discharging untreated waste (liquid or gaseous) directly into the environment or water bodies for public safety and the ecosystem.

According to him, the award will also encourage industries operating in the State to prioritise cleanliness and public safety in their operations, thereby, ensuring more compliance with government standard regulations on pollution control, industrial waste management, and effluent discharge for the safety of the environment and the general public.

The LASEPA boss noted that the initiative was conceived when it was observed during the Agency’s routine industrial inspection, that several industrial organisations operating in the State were mostly operating without pollution abatement plants in place, thereby discharging their untreated waste (liquid or gaseous) directly into the environment/water bodies.

Also, some of those organisations with existing treatment plants have packed them up for one technical problem or the other, thereby discharging raw effluent and air pollutants into the environment against the standard manufacturing regulations.

“It is against this background that LASEPA, as an Environmental Regulator charged with the responsibility of protecting the environment in the State, is organising this industrial pollution abatement award among our industries in the state to encourage them to implement pollution prevention measures and comply with the standard environmental practices.

“We want to ensure that all our manufacturing organisations have perfect and efficient pollution abatement and effluent treatment plants in place so that they don’t discharge their hazardous wastes into the environment or water bodies for public safety and the ecosystem’’, he stated

Ajayi also said the award and prizes to be given have been categorised into nine sections within the industrial sectors, meaning that each of the sectors will be recognised and awarded for being the best in cleanliness and compliance with the State environmental regulations in their respective sectors.

The nine industrial Sectors, according to Ajayi include Foods, Beverages and Tobacco, Paints and Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Iron and Steel, Domestics /Industrial Plastics, and Rubber. Other Sectors include Pulp/Paper, Printing and Publishing, Cosmetics, Soap and Detergents, and finally, Non-metallic and Mineral Products.

He also explained that the award of recognition which will be made an annual event, will be given to the winners and two runners-up in each category, adding that the ceremony will be attended by top government officials including representatives of the members of the Lagos State Executive Council, (Lagos EXCO), Lagos State House of Assembly, Captains of Industry and other dignitaries drawn from the Public and private sectors.

Owode Egba Police Division Foils Kidnapping Attempt, Recovers Weapons in Ogun State

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blacktalker
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A swift response by the Owode Egba Police Division in Ogun State has led to the successful rescue of two kidnapped individuals and the recovery of operational weapons.

A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Ogun Police Command, SP Omolola Odutola anipr, revealed that on October 31, 2024, officers, who were acting on an anonymous tip, intervened in the abduction of 80-year-old Odesanya Rufus from Owode Egba and Oluwaseye Olajide from Mango Oke Ata, Abeokuta, who had been abducted near Edun Village Junction.

Odutola noted that the Area Commander, alongside a tactical team and local hunters, mobilized immediately, strategically blocking escape routes and cornering the six armed kidnappers.

According to her, the suspects fled, abandoning the hostages as authorities recovered a pump-action rifle from the scene, while the search for the fleeing kidnappers is ongoing.

The Police Public Relations Officer, the Division’s efforts mark another successful operation in the Ogun State Command’s ongoing commitment to tackling criminal activity in the region.

IERD to Highlight Nigerian Urban Development at Upcoming World Urban Forum in Cairo

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blacktalker
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The Institute for Environment Research and Development, IERD, a Nigerian government-registered research institute, is set to make a significant impact at the upcoming World Urban Forum in Cairo.

IERD will on November 6, 2024, co-host the “Voices From Cities” event at the International Convention and Exhibition Centre, focusing on the developmental achievements of Nigerian cities and key innovations across all 36 states.

IERD, led by prominent professors in environmental research, has an established history of influencing global urban development discussions. The institute’s insights have shaped the final reports of the UN-HABITAT World Urban Fora, with notable contributions at sessions in Nanjing (2008), Rio de Janeiro (2010), Naples (2012), and Medellin (2014). Recognized for its expertise, IERD was appointed a partner of the African New Urban Agenda programme in 2013 and facilitated the launch of the United Nations Habitat’s State of World Cities report in Nigeria at Caleb University in 2014.

The Cairo event, drawing an anticipated 25,000 participants from 181 nations, will spotlight exemplary Nigerian cities in categories such as “city smartness,” innovative development, prosperity, security, and intercity cooperation. Dr. Wole Akiode, former IERD research fellow and current head of Biological and Environmental Sciences at the University of Kampala, Uganda, outlined these focus areas for the event.

Prof. Oyebanji Oyelaran, Special Adviser to the President of the African Development Bank on Industrialization, underscored the importance of governance and industrial growth to help lift Africa from extreme poverty. “Prudent governance spending, combined with sustainable industrialization, is critical for Africa’s economic recovery,” he stated.

Additionally, Executive Director of Della Sustainability and Resource Institute, Dr. Marwan Abdulkarim, advocated for grassroots and inclusive governance, aiming to elevate Nigerian cities in the global discourse. Urban planning expert Prof. Mathew Dayomi further emphasized that urban transportation is a vital factor in evaluating the efficacy of urban governance.

IERD will introduce these critical themes to the global audience, with insights from Dr. Oluyinka Abiodun Olumide, Lagos State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and Mr. Oumar Sally, Director of the African Regional Office of the United Nations, who will be presenting at the Cairo summit.

Pastor Evelyn Joshua Gets Accolades in Argentina for Historic Crusade, Charitable Efforts

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blacktalker
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In a landmark recognition of her spiritual and humanitarian contributions, Pastor Evelyn Joshua, leader of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations, SCOAN, has received multiple awards from Argentine authorities following a historic crusade and charity outreach in the country.

The event, which included a significant relief program for the underprivileged, was lauded as an event of public interest by various government bodies, highlighting its profound impact on the Argentine community.

Pastor Joshua was awarded the “Key to the City of Resistencia” in the Chaco Province by the city’s Mayor, Abelardo Nokckich, marking her as a distinguished personality and honored “citizen” of Resistencia.

Further commendations came from the President of the Chaco Chamber of Deputies, Carmen Delgado Britto, who officially recognized the crusade as a special event for the province. Additionally, Chaco’s Governor, Leandro Zdero, praised the event for its positive influence on the province.

Expressing gratitude for the honors, Pastor Joshua dedicated the awards to Argentine Christians. “God commands that we should be here to demonstrate His love physically and spiritually,” she said. “I dedicate these awards to the Christians in Argentina who are striving and yearning to be like our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May you continue to grow in faith, spirit, and in the words of God.” She also extended prayers for blessings and transformation in Argentina.

The two-day crusade drew numerous dignitaries, including Provincial Deputy Paola Beneitez, Minister of Justice, Labor, and Human Rights Jorge Gomez, and Religious Affairs Directors Pedro Garcia and Javier Pinero.

Attendees were witness to what many called a spiritual rejuvenation, experiencing a revival of the early Apostolic age with miracles, healings, deliverances, and blessings throughout the event.

The Argentine government’s multiple honors for Pastor Joshua underscore the profound spiritual and social impact of her work, resonating with thousands and rekindling faith across the country.

Breast Cancer Awareness: SUNU Nigeria Targets 100 Women in Lagos

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blacktalker
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As part of its commitment to promoting health and well-being, SUNU Nigeria is set to conduct free breast cancer screenings for 100 women in Lagos State.

The initiative, themed; ”A Small Effort, A Great Protection”; aims to combat breast cancer across the 17 African countries where the SUNU Group operates.

SUNU Group has designated this month as Pink October to raise awareness about breast cancer which demonstrates the Group’s commitment to human health and early detection.

In a statement, SUNU Nigeria has announced its participation in the fight against breast cancer as part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, aligning with the Group’s collective efforts.

SUNU Nigeria believes that early detection is key to preventing breast cancer deaths. When breast cancer is found early, while it’s still small and hasn’t spread, treatment is more effective.

By participating in this initiative, SUNU Nigeria aims to contribute to the global effort to raise awareness about breast cancer, encourage regular screenings, and support those affected by this disease.

The company is dedicated to improving human health, with a particular focus on empowering women and promoting their well-being.

The mammogram screening will take place from Wednesday, October 30th to Saturday, November 2nd, 2024, at the DAIMED Centre, Plot 78 T.F Kuboye Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

To register for a screening slot, please visit https://forms.gle/wBzrZuRMH11qoN4w5

or visit SUNU Assurances Nigeria PLC and SUNU Health Nigeria Limited’s social media pages.

FirstBank Joins Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, Reinforces its Commitment to Climate Action

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blacktalker
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As part of its commitment to sustainable finance and taking active steps towards reducing its carbon footprint, FirstBank has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials, PCAF to promote sustainable finance, combat climate change, and advance sustainable socioeconomic development for the just transition. 

PCAF is a collaboration between financial institutions worldwide to enable harmonised assessments and disclosures of greenhouse gas, GHG emissions from loans and investments. With more than 530 financial institutions from six continents, the group is rapidly expanding in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

Joining PCAF aligns with FirstBank’s broader climate agenda, reinforcing its efforts to contribute meaningfully to global climate goals. By adopting PCAF’s globally recognised standards, FirstBank aims to enhance transparency in carbon accounting and reporting, integrate climate risk into its lending and investment decision-making, and support Nigeria’s transition to a low-carbon economy.

This initiative complements FirstBank’s ongoing work on environmental, social, and governance, ESG issues, underscoring its dedication to responsible banking practices.

PCAF will provide FirstBank with a standardised methodology and framework to measure and report the Bank’s GHG emissions and climate-related risks. By joining PCAF, the Bank’s capability in understanding and managing its exposure to climate risks and liabilities (physical and transition risks) will be enhanced.

This will enable the Bank to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to mitigate these risks while leveraging on the growth opportunities.

Regional lead For PCAF Africa, Dylan Hauser said “We congratulate FirstBank on becoming a signatory of PCAF. We are absolutely delighted to have FirstBank on board sharing our commitment to driving positive change and reducing carbon footprints in the region through transparent and accountable practices.”

According to Chief Risk Officer, FirstBank, Patrick Akhidenor, “Joining PCAF is a significant milestone in our sustainability journey. It is not only a demonstration of our commitment to combatting climate change but also a step towards ensuring that we, as a financial institution, are accountable for the carbon emissions our activities finance. We are excited to collaborate with other global institutions in driving meaningful climate action”.

By joining forces with PCAF, FirstBank is poised to champion transparency and accountability in the impact of the financial sector’s activities on climate change.

About the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF)

The Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) was launched globally in September 2019. Currently, more than 530 financial institutions have subscribed to the PCAF initiative.

PCAF participants work together to jointly develop the Global GHG Accounting and Reporting Standard for the Financial Industry to measure and disclose the greenhouse gas emissions of their loans and investments. For more information see https://carbonaccountingfinancials.com/.

About FirstBank

First Bank of Nigeria Limited “FirstBank”, established in 1894, is the premier bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion services provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant. 

FirstBank’s international footprints cut across three continents ─ Africa, Europe, and Asia, with FirstBank UK Limited in London and Paris; FirstBank in The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone; FBNBank in Senegal; and a FirstBank Representative Office in Beijing, China. All the subsidiary banks are fully registered by their respective Central Banks to provide full banking services.

Besides providing domestic banking services, the subsidiaries also engage in international cross-border transactions with FirstBank’s non-Nigerian subsidiaries, and the representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe into Nigeria and other African countries.

For over 130 years, FirstBank has built an outstanding reputation for solid relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position, and has been at the forefront of promoting digital payment in the country with over 13 million cards issued to customers (the first bank to achieve such a milestone in Nigeria).

FirstBank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation, and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with virtually 23 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.

With over 42 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) spread across Nigeria, the UK, and sub-Saharan Africa, the Bank provides a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 243,400 agent locations spread across 772 out of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria.

In addition to banking solutions and services, FirstBank provides pension fund custody services in Nigeria through First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited and nominee and associated services through First Nominees Nigeria Limited.

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