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BCI Lauds Women’s Contribution to Society, Identifies Challenges at Monthly Business Luncheon

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By Eric Elezuo

The Business Club, Ikeja, has held its lively monthly business luncheon for the month of March with fanfare and exquisite lectures, praising the contributions of women as well identified challenges they face in business.

The event, which took place at the club’s arena on Hakeem Balogun Street, Alausa, Ikeja, was themed Women in Business: The Challenges, and brought together notable wave making women in entrepreneurship, academics, and other sundry endeavours.

BCI President, Adeleke Odude giving his welcome address

Kick-starting the gathering of achievers and would be achievers, the anchor, Dr  Adesola Falaiye, invited Mr. Olashore Adegboyega for the opening prayer after which the Chief Host and President of Business Club, Ikeja, Mr. Adeleke Odude, gave his welcome address.

In his address, he intimated the audience that the essence of the gathering was to celebrate and appreciate the existence of women, especially those in business, saying women are the reason behind the existence of mankind in general.

MD Vitafoam presenting a plaque of honour to the guest speaker, Mrs Omolara Emilade

He noted that the luncheon was basically to ‘network, meet new clients and customers and eat lunch’.

Presenting her keynote address, the guest speaker, who is the Group Managing Director/CEO, UACN Plc, Mrs. Omolara Elemide, noted that women have made giant strides in men dominated world, and as a result should be celebrated. She reasoned that roles of both genders and biological tendencies should not lead to crisis but compliment each other.

Mrs Fayo Williams receiving her plaque

She identified the challenges of women in business to include gender discrimination, which most times according to her, is carried out unconsciously.

“To be successful, female leaders should remain firm to themselves and calling, no matter the name they are called,” she said.

More challenges, according to her, are balancing business and family life and fear of failure, especially when it depends on livelihood, weak salary among others.

Mrs Toki Mabogunje receiving her plaque of honour

Lending credence to Mrs. Elemide’s assertion, the panel of discussants comprising Deputy President, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Toki Mabogunje and Managing Consultant, Simply Exponential Consults Ltd., Mrs. Fayo Williams, agreed that women actually face challenges in doing business.

While Mrs. Mabogunje was quick to identify problem of mobility and credit issues as major challenges, she also advised women to always network wherever they find themselves as well as learn to delegate duties and be open to all and sundry.

Dignitaries gather to cut the luncheon cake

Using her personal experience as analogy, Mrs. Williams told the women not to be limited to the choice of vocation, saying that catering, tailoring and head dressing are not rubber stamped vocation for women. She said that waste management is also a veritable vocation for the womenfolks to explore among many other fields.

The speeches were followed by the launch of the club’s badge, and the guest speakers were decorated and presented with plaques for a job well done.

Mrs Margaret Ajaja and Mr Dele Makanjuola

Among other notable personalities present at the event were the Chairman, Vitafoam Nigeria, Mr. Dele Makanjola, Council Members of Business Club, Ikeja, Honorary Secretary of the Club, Mr. Peter Folikwe; the Treasurer, Alhaji Adefule; Chairman, Membership Committee, Mr. Adelaja among others.

In his vote of thanks, Mr. Folikwe, appreciated everyone that turned up for the occasion as well as all the sponsors including Vitafoam, Patorisky Industrial Planners and many more.

Dr Sola Falaiye

The closing prayer was said by Mrs Rachel Ogolo, bringing the event to a glorious end while networking continued.

A cross section of participants

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Sell Petrol at N770 Per Litre, IPMAN Tells Dangote

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The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) has urged Dangote Refinery to sell premium motor spirit (petrol) at N770 per litre.

The spokesperson of IPMAN, Chinedu Ukadike, said this on Monday.

Ukadike was reacting to comments by businessman, Aliko Dangote, who said Nigeria’s petrol is less expensive, as his refinery ex-depot price stood at N825 per litre.

However, Ukadike noted that PMS is not cheap owing to the country’s position as a crude oil producer.

According to him, the exchange rate is a major determinant in PMS price in Nigeria, noting a drop in exchange from N1,600 to around N1,200 would bring down the price to below N750 per litre.

“On my part, I don’t feel it’s cheap. I think the petrol will go as low as around N770. That’s my own permutation. I’m not an expert in oil refining. But with what I have gathered — the refinery production costs and the landing at the depot cost, petrol should not be more than N780 or N750, in line with the dollar rate. Now the rate is around N1,600 per dollar; should it appreciate further, PMS from Dangote Refinery should be N750 per litre.

“So, if the dollar can come down to N1,200, I want to tell you that the price of PMS at the pumps will go below N750,” he added.

Dangote, barely a week ago, said Nigeria’s petrol price is 55 percent below the West African average.

He reiterated recently that Nigeria’s petrol price is not expensive.

Nigerians currently buy petrol between N875 and N910 in Lagos and Abuja.

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UBA Introduces *919# Advance Top-Up Feature for Instant Access to Customers

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has launched a new feature called Advance Top-Up on its USSD banking platform *919#, which is designed to provide instant access to airtime and data for its customers especially when they are out of call credit or disconnected from the internet.

The new feature, which can be accessed through *919*9#, was unveiled at the UBA head office in Marina on Thursday, allowing customers to borrow airtime or data directly from their mobile devices, offering a fast, dependable solution.

UBA’s Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, who spoke during the official launch, described the feature as a timely addition to the bank’s digital offerings and a testament to its customer-first approach.

“At UBA, we are constantly looking for ways to make banking and everyday services more accessible for our customers. With the launch of Advance Top-Up on our USSD platform, *919*9#, we are giving our customers the power to stay connected without interruption, regardless of time, location, or airtime balance,” Shamsideen said.

UBA’s Advance Top-Up which is now live on *919*9#, joins a wide range of services on the platform, which include airtime and data purchases, money transfers to UBA and other banks, account balance checks, card blocking and freezing, online transaction controls, bill payments, and more.
Fashola emphasised the simplicity and convenience of the solution, adding that “You don’t need to download an app or visit a data centre. Just dial *919*9#, follow the prompt, and you’re immediately connected. It’s simple, fast, and reliable.”
The Bank’s Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communication, Alero Ladipo, added that the feature was developed based on real feedback from customers and their evolving needs.

“Our users asked for a way to stay connected when they have no airtime, and as always, we have come up with a quick solution, right there on their phones, instantly, with no fuss, and no need for internet connectivity. Whether for emergency communications or business continuity, *919*9# puts instant connectivity in every customer’s hands,” she explained.
She explained that only recently, the bank unveiled its newly improved Point of Sale (POS) Terminal as well as the UBA MONI App to redefine the digital payment landscape and empower small and Medium Scale Enterprises across Africa.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

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UBA Emerges Strongest Nigerian Brand in 2025

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United Bank for Africa (UBA) has been named the strongest Nigerian brand in the 2025 Brand Finance Banking 500 report, making a remarkable leap from its 9th position in 2024.

With a brand strength score of 92.4 out of 100 and a coveted AAA+ rating, UBA now leads the pack among Nigerian brands, reaffirming its status as a trusted and innovative banking institution.

Brand Finance, a globally recognized independent brand valuation consultancy, highlighted UBA’s outstanding performance across key brand metrics, including familiarity, preference, and consideration within its home market. This performance contributed to UBA’s climb in the rankings, not only as Nigeria’s strongest brand but also as the 13th strongest banking brand globally among 500 evaluated.

“This year’s ranking is no coincidence; it is the result of deliberate planning, strategic investments, and an unwavering focus on customer satisfaction,” said Alero Ladipo, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications at UBA. “We remain committed to adapting to the evolving landscape while consistently delivering exceptional value.”

UBA’s performance was bolstered by its strong customer loyalty and trust. It scored particularly high in price acceptance, outperforming other leading African banks such as Capitec (South Africa) and Equity Bank (Kenya). These scores reflect UBA’s consistent value delivery and competitive pricing, earning it a solid reputation across its operating regions.

The bank’s rise is also attributed to its sustained investment in digital banking, innovation, and customer-centric technologies. Over the past year, UBA has prioritized digital transformation to enhance user experience and deepen customer engagement—an approach that aligns with current trends in Africa’s rapidly evolving financial services landscape.

Operating in 20 African countries and with offices in the United Kingdom, the United States, France, and the United Arab Emirates, UBA serves more than 45 million customers worldwide. With a workforce of 25,000, it remains one of the largest employers in the African financial sector.

UBA’s strong performance in the Brand Finance report underscores a broader strategy focused on brand equity, innovation, and customer satisfaction, positioning it as a leader in shaping the future of banking in Africa and beyond.

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