Business

NOVA Bank Appoints Isiavwe, Iloghalu As New Executive Directors

Published

4 months ago

September 22, 2024

Eric

NOVA Bank has announced the appointment of David Isiavwe as Executive Director, Operations and Information Technology, and Chinwe Iloghalu as Executive Director, Institutional and Commercial Banking.

These appointments are part of NOVA Bank’s plan to strengthen its leadership team as the Bank continues its innovative journey, following its recent transition to a national commercial bank.

Dr. Isiavwe has over 30 years of banking experience in domestic and international banks. With a Ph.D. in Accounting, Dr. Isiavwe is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and Fellow Compliance Institute of Nigeria (FCIN) in addition to other professional certifications such as Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT), Certified Information System Auditor (CISA), Certified Data Privacy Solutions Engineer (CDPSE) amongst others. David has attended leadership programs in some major global institutions such as Harvard Business School, MIT and Oxford University. He currently serves as the President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN), and holds a position on the Governing Council of the Fintech Association of Nigeria. Additionally, he chairs the Statutory Audit Committee of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS). His appointment underscores NOVA’s focus on digital transformation, with his vast experience playing a crucial role in advancing the Bank’s technology-driven phygital model.

Mrs. Chinwe Iloghalu, with close to 30 years of experience in the banking industry, joins as Executive Director for Corporate and Commercial Banking, the key business and relationship management engine of the bank. Throughout her distinguished career, she has made significant contributions in business and corporate banking, with expertise spanning sectors such as energy, corporate, commercial and digital banking, where she has consistently created sustainable value and returns for key stakeholders. Holding an MSc in Media and Communications, along with an MBA, Chinwe is a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA). She has attended leadership and executive programs in key institutions such as Said Business School Oxford, Harvard Business School, Wharton amongst others. Her role will be central to enhancing NOVA’s commercial banking rollout across all key business development segments.

Phillips Oduoza, Chairman of NOVA Bank, commented on the appointments: “The addition of Dr. Isiavwe and Mrs. Iloghalu marks a critical point in constituting the management team that will lead NOVA into its next phase of growth. David’s expertise in technology will be key in enhancing our phygital model, while Chinwe’s strong business drive and relationship management coupled with the retail and product engine of the bank will be instrumental in driving the Bank’s strategic intent to become a formidable player in the banking industry. Their deep understanding of digital and electronic banking will significantly contribute to our trademarked phygital experience, which seamlessly combines the best of in-person service and bespoke digital solutions to serve our customers. Both leaders bring valuable experience that aligns perfectly with NOVA’s vision to be Africa’s preferred financial solutions provider.”

These two appointments will further diversify the board and bring about inclusiveness, noted Mr. Oduoza.

As NOVA Bank continues its expansion and transformation into a national commercial bank, these leadership appointments highlight its commitment to delivering innovative financial services. The Bank’s phygital model, combining cutting-edge technology with a physical presence, is redefining customer experiences and setting the stage for future advancements in the Nigerian banking landscape.

Business

The Tony Elumelu Foundation Opens Applications for 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes

Published

4 days ago

January 8, 2025

Eric

The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF), Africa’s leading champion of entrepreneurship, is pleased to announce that applications for its 2025 Entrepreneurship Programmes are now open. Aspiring and existing entrepreneurs from across Africa are invited to apply for a chance to receive world-class training, expert mentoring, and non-refundable seed capital funding to scale their businesses.

Programmes Open for Application:
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme: the flagship TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is open to all entrepreneurs across Africa with innovative business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. This year, there is a special emphasis on businesses leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green initiatives. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. IYBA-WE4A Entrepreneurship Programme: Launched by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in partnership with the European Union (EU) and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), IYBA-WE4A stands for Investing in Young Businesses in Africa – Women Entrepreneurship for Africa and is exclusively for women entrepreneurs with green business ideas or existing green businesses in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, and Togo. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, with businesses not exceeding five years in operation.
3. Aguka Ideation Programme: The Aguka Ideation Entrepreneurship Programme is a partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, UNDP Rwanda and the Rwandan Ministry of Youths and Arts to support young Rwandan entrepreneurs between 18 -30 with business ideas with a seed capital of $3000, with the aim of nurturing and developing innovative concepts into viable enterprises.

Application Details:
• Platform: Applications are to be submitted through TEF’s proprietary digital hub, TEFConnect.
• Application Period: January 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit their applications well ahead of the deadline.
• Eligibility: Open to African entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.

To learn more about the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s transformative work and the success of our African entrepreneurs. Explore our:
• Impact Report, which highlights the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s achievements and contributions to Africa’s economic growth.
• African Entrepreneurs’ Success Stories, showcasing the inspiring journeys of Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurs.
• Annual Reports, offering insights into the Tony Elumelu Foundation’s strategies and outcomes.

About the Tony Elumelu Foundation:
The Tony Elumelu Foundation is the leading philanthropy empowering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, driving poverty eradication, catalysing job creation across all 54 African countries, and increasing women economic empowerment.
Founded in 2010, the Tony Elumelu Foundation is committed to empowering African entrepreneurs as a catalyst for the continent’s economic transformation.
Since the launch of the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme in 2015, the Foundation has provided up to 2.5 million young Africans with access to training on its digital hub, TEFConnect, and disbursed over USD$100 million in direct funding to over 21,000 African women and men, who have collectively created over 800,000 direct and indirect jobs, and generated over USD$4.2 billion in revenue. The Foundation’s mission is rooted in Africapitalism, which positions the private sector, and most importantly entrepreneurs, as the catalyst for the social and economic development of the African continent.

For More Information:
• FAQs: Click here for detailed answers to frequently asked questions are available on the TEF website.
• Contact: For more information, please contact moyo.awotile@tonyelumelufoundation.org.

Business

Fraud Allegations Against Us False – FirstBank

Published

4 weeks ago

December 15, 2024

Eric

The management of First Bank of Nigeria Limited has dismissed allegations of fraud reported against it in a recent publication by an online platform, Tech Cabal, describing the claims as baseless and unsupported by evidence.

In a corporate statement titled ‘Correction of Misleading Information Regarding Fraud Allegations,’ Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications, addressed the issue on behalf of the bank.

“We have been made aware of a recent publication by Tech Cabal containing allegations of fraud involving our institution. We wish to categorically state that the story is entirely unfounded and not supported by any factual evidence,” Ijabiyi stated.

The bank reaffirmed its commitment to ethical practices and transparency, urging the public to disregard the allegations. It emphasized its dedication to maintaining trust with its customers and stakeholders while upholding its longstanding reputation as a leader in Nigeria’s financial sector.

First Bank reiterated its focus on delivering reliable and trustworthy banking services, dismissing the report as misleading and lacking merit.

Business

UBA Group to Commence Full Banking Operations in France

Published

1 month ago

November 29, 2024

Eric

As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to France, the Chairman of UBA Group, in the presence of President Tinubu and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, signed a landmark business cooperation agreement with the French Finance Minister, Antoine Armand. The agreement is a significant indication of support by the French Government for the development of UBA’s full banking operations in France.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Tony Elumelu, the Chairman of UBA Group commented: ”This partnership reinforces our commitment to seamless international banking services for our customers, not just across the 11 Francophone African countries we serve, but Africa as a whole; and French and European customers transacting with Africa. Expanding into France is a natural progression, with Paris serving as our European Union hub, as we continue to bring Africa and the world together, through innovative financial solutions. Paris will join London, New York and Dubai, as a critical component of our unique global network.”

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.