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Elumelu Calls For National Unity, Heavy Investment in Youths and Women

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By Tayo Oyediji

 

 

 

United Bank for Africa (UBA) Chairman and Founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, Mr. Tony Elumelu has called for governments and Nigerians at all levels to strive for national unity while investing heavily in youth development and women.

 

Elumelu who spoke at the ongoing 2023 Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Conference which has its theme as:“Getting it Right, Charting Course of Nigeria’s Nation building’ noted that unity and inclusivity were key elements that will lead Nigeria to greater heights.

 

According to him ‘’We have come together today united. United with one ambition, one duty – nation building. Yes – United, whatever our backgrounds, geographies, religions, experiences, by a single desire – to ensure that our country experiences a true renaissance.

 

“Let us approach the task of nation-building with unwavering determination, guided by the principles of unity, inclusivity, and progress’. Let our pursuit of nation-building be characterized by unwavering determination, empathy, and the commitment to create a legacy of progress, unity, and hope for generations to come”.

 

Elumelu also urged a reawakening of nation-building consciousness amongst Nigerians, pleading with the government at all levels to invest heavily in youth development.

 

He asserted that nation-building entails a fundamental renewal of the social and economic infrastructure of Nigeria, stating that the country needed to invest heavily in youths, women, the power sector, security, social infrastructure and in brand Nigeria.

 

Elumelu also noted that “Nation-building, at its core, is the intricate process of forging a cohesive, harmonious, and united society, out of diverse individuals, culture, and ideologies. It is the art of constructing a shared identity, purpose, and vision that transcends all individual interests

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Elumelu who is also  the Chairman, Heirs Holdings, stated that already, Nigerians have shown their capacity as champions in all spheres of human endeavor and what is needed is our collective will to unite.

 

In his words “In international leadership positions at the WTO, at the UN, at the African Development Bank, at the Afreximbank, in technology, in music and entertainment, in business, in arts and in media, in film, in sports. Indeed, in virtually every human endeavour, Nigerians excel”. In business, the Nigerian private sector is showing globally our capability, our ingenuity, our institutionalisation.

 

“We have global businesses with Nigerian origins: Let me name one – UBA, the United Bank for Africa, the only African Bank that operates in the USA as a deposit taking bank. We are now in Dubai, Paris, and London – and just as importantly 20 other countries in Africa – who would have thought 20 years ago, that Nigeria would be home to Africa’s global bank!”

 

Having achieved these feats, Elumelu said “Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences. Great nations start with great people, not just great leaders. Our private sector, our philanthropies, our civil society, all citizens must be brought together and be empowered – as real, valued and executing partners for this national renewal, this nation building. It behoves on us all to collaborate in unity to reset Nigeria.”

 

Elumelu also harped on the supremacy of the rule of law. Urging the NBA to work assiduously towards achieving a country where the rule of law is upheld. He maintained that, “No country – and no entrepreneur, can truly thrive without the rule of law, without peace, without certainty and fairness – for all – for our young, our old, our women and our men, our future generations.”

 

As he is passionate about nation building, Elumelu observed that he was not alone “There is no one in this distinguished gathering, that does not want the best for Nigeria. Whether my learned friends of the Bar or our distinguished leaders present. We know the potential of Nigeria.We know the resources, human and natural, that Nigeria has at her disposal.

 

“It is the art of constructing a shared identity, purpose, and vision that transcends all individual interests. Transforming Nigeria is a journey that demands our collective dedication, building across political affiliations, ethnic differences, and socioeconomic differences. One that is not the responsibility of our government alone.

 

.So, what does this mean? For me this is nothing less than a fundamental renewal of the social and economic infrastructure of Nigeria. The contract between a nation and its people.

Nation building is not a quick fix, it entails sacrifices. We cannot keep doing the same things and expect different outcomes”.

 

“Let us lead our nation building, by laying those important foundations for our nation – let us renew our infrastructure. Investment in our youth – we need to renew our commitment to our youth, provide them with the means to succeed in Nigeria – not beyond Nigeria. This means not just investment in our education system, but in our entrepreneurial culture”.

 

“Nigeria is a nation of entrepreneurs – you know me as an investor and champion of entrepreneurs. Let us create a joined-up government task force to champion at the highest level, our young and our entrepreneurs. When entrepreneurs succeed, we succeed as a nation. If they don’t, we all fail.

 

“The nurturing of entrepreneurship is not merely an economic endeavour, but a social responsibility. By empowering our youth, supporting start-ups and SMEs, the private sector contributes to equitable wealth distribution, job creation, and social advancement. It paves the way for economic empowerment that uplifts communities and contributes to a more inclusive society. We all owe this to our people, even for our own enlightened self-interest”.

 

He also called for women to be duly supported to thrive “Nations that prioritise their young go far, Let us invest in our women. When a woman succeeds, families and communities are lifted out of poverty. Let us invest in our power sector, And let us invest in our social infrastructure, in our civil society, our courts of law and our administrators of justice, Let us invest in security, Let us invest in brand Nigeria, Let us invest in Nigeria”

 

 

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UBA Celebrates 10 Years of Digital Partnership Success with VERiCASH, Rewards Customers

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Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is celebrating a decade of impactful digital transformation through its strategic partnership with leading fintech firm, VERiCASH. The collaboration, which birthed the award-winning UBA Mobile App, has revolutionised digital banking across the continent – delivering seamless, secure, and user-friendly experiences to millions of customers.

To commemorate this significant milestone, UBA is launching a special promo for its mobile app users as a way of appreciating their loyalty and sustained engagement. The promo is designed to reward customers for their continued trust in UBA’s digital platforms and reaffirms the bank’s commitment to driving innovation and excellence.

With over 10 million downloads, the UBA Mobile Banking App ranks amongst the most downloaded apps in Nigeria, reinforcing the bank’s status as a digital trailblazer across the continent.
Group Head, Retail and Digital Banking, Shamsideen Fashola, who spoke on the success of the partnership, highlighted the global standards of the app which has been instrumental in bridging financial gaps and aiding inclusion in over 20 countries.
He said, “This partnership with VERiCASH has been instrumental in positioning UBA as Africa’s premier digital banking institution, which is indicated by the amount of downloads and transactions we have processed in the past years.

“We made banking accessible to the unbanked, enabling millions of Africans to participate in the formal financial system from the comfort of their homes which reflects our commitment to financial inclusion and our vision of becoming Africa’s global bank,” Fashola added.

Chairman, CIT VERiCASH, Ashraf Zaki, who expressed his organisation’s delight at partnering with UBA over the past 10 years explained that the collaboration represents the pinnacle of possibility when innovative technology meets visionary banking leadership.

“Our collaboration with UBA over the past decade has been transformative, not just for both organizations, but for the entire African banking landscape. We’ve witnessed firsthand how UBA’s commitment to innovation, combined with our technological expertise, has created a digital banking experience that rivals the best in the world” Zaki said.

Also speaking on the partnership, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, expressed immense gratitude to the customers who have used the app, and unveiled the Special UBA/VERiCASH Celebratory Promo.

“We are deeply grateful to our over 10 million app users who have been with us on this incredible journey. Your trust, feedback, and loyalty have been the driving force behind our continuous innovation and improvement” Ladipo said.

Continuing, she said, “To celebrate this milestone, we’re launching a promo where customers can win 10 times the airtime purchased. For 10 weeks, simply buy airtime via the UBA Mobile Banking App, and you could be one of 10 daily winners!.”

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 Announces Strategic Expansion into Key Markets Across Africa

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UBA Group senior executives recently concluded the Group’s Half Year Business Review. Held at global headquarters in Lagos Nigeria, Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba, brought together executives responsible for UBA’s twenty-four countries of operation.

It was an opportunity to restate the Group’s pan-African strategy, and commitment to further expanding the Group’s coverage across high potential markets across Africa, while also deepening its operations in its existing twenty African presence markets. With over 51.7% of Group revenues from ex Nigerian operations, UBA’s journey to being Africa’s most diversified financial services group was clearly in evidence,

The international strategic intent reinforces with the Group’s intention to deliver innovative financial solutions to its fast-growing global customer base. The strategy demonstrates UBA’s unique position as Africa’s global bank and ability to leverage growth opportunities in emerging and leading African markets.

The Group commenced its Pan African journey, with its entry into Ghana in 2004, followed by rapid expansion into 18 additional African markets. Today, as a resilient and future-focused institution, UBA continues to push boundaries by connecting Africa to the world and the world to Africa.

Mr Alawuba highlighted the Group’s expansion plans, disclosing that the Group is excited about the vast opportunities that the new markets present, a testament to UBA Group’s confidence in the African economy, providing world-class banking services that meet the continent’s evolving needs.

“UBA’s vision is clear – we are building a truly global institution anchored in Africa, but serving customers across continents. Further strategic expansion positions us to unlock new opportunities, support intra-Africa trade, and deliver world-class banking experiences wherever our clients choose to do business,” Alawuba said.

“In Europe, UBA has operations in the United Kingdom and upgrading its license in France, expanding its capacity to serve cross-border trade, investment flows, and the African diaspora, complementing our over 40-year presence in NY. These moves signal a clear message of UBA’s intent to reshape the competitive landscape”, Alawuba further said.

As part of the Group’s plan to expand its global presence, UBA, in January, announced plans to open operations in Saudi Arabia.

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. 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.

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Dangote Refinery Slashes Petrol Price to N820

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The Dangote oil refinery has reduced the price of petrol from N840 to N820 per litre.

The N20 reduction came one week after the refinery dropped the price of the fuel from N880 to N840.

This indicates a N60 (6.82 per cent) cut in petrol prices by the Dangote refinery within a week.

The spokesman of the Dangote Group, Anthony Chiejina, told our correspondent on Tuesday that the company reduced the price to make the product more affordable for Nigerians.

“We have reduced petrol gantry price to N820 from N840 per litre,” he stated, noting that the price slash took effect from Tuesday.

Recall that Dangote, NNPC and other major fuel distributors in Nigeria hiked petrol prices less than three weeks ago, blaming this on the rise in crude oil prices in the international market as occasioned by the conflict between Israel and Iran.

The pump prices of petrol hovered between N915 and N955 at the pumps, then, depending on the location. It was below N900 before the sudden hike.

During the price hike, marketers stated that the product was sold at N960 and N980 in the far north because of the distance.

However, as crude prices fell below $70 last week, the pump prices of PMS also declined. Crude prices had crashed because Israel and Iran stopped bombing each other, alleviating fears of a supply disruption in the Middle East.

As of Tuesday, many filling stations sold petrol below N900 per litre in Lagos and Ogun States.

PUNCH Online reports that the filling stations sold petrol at rates ranging from N875 to N890 a litre.

A marginal drop is expected in the price of the product at the pumps.

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