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Wema Bank, BOI align forces over Sara by Wema

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5 years ago

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Wema Bank Plc, the pioneer of Nigeria’s first fully digital bank ALAT, has empowered over 100 women in the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sub-sector. The business advisory seminar, tagged ‘Running A Profitable Business’ brought women entrepreneurs together from the bank’s Lagos Region.
Speaking at the event, Mrs Aramide Awosanya, Regional Manager, Lagos Mainland, Wema Bank, said the initiative was taken to complement the policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria, which aims at MSME development in the country.
It would be recalled that the CBN launched the MSME Development Fund in 2013 with a share capital of N220 billion. The Fund was established in recognition of the significant contributions of the MSME sub-sector to the economy and the existing huge financing gap.
Awosanya said Wema Bank is working with the Bank of Industry (BOI) to assist women entrepreneur to maximize the enormous financial benefits available within the Sara by Wema community.
According to her, Sara by Wema is a community that gives women the capacity to participate in, wholly contribute to and fully benefit from the growth opportunities available in Wema Bank. In her words, “it is fuelled by our conviction that women across all socio-economic backgrounds deserve as many opportunities as they can get to achieve financial independence and economic growth.”
She stated that the community is open to all Nigerian women who own startup enterprises as well as those that are low-income earners and stay-at-home entrepreneurs.
Mrs Sade Odunaiya, keynote speaker at the event and Certified Business Coach with ActionCoach, addressed participants on “Growing Your Own Business’. In her presentation, she noted that 80% of new enterprises fail within their first 5 years of operation, while another 80% of those who survived that period also fail within the next 5 years.
On the way forward, she advised participants to ensure they master their production systems, guide against misplaced priority, collate feedback from customers and also put in place procedural manuals for all team members.
Similarly, Mrs Jimoh Amdala, Deputy Manager, Gender Business, BOI, said her management partnered with Wema Bank with a view to enlightening women about the best way to package their applications for credit facilities from Wema Bank.
Speaking on “How to Fund Your Business”, Amdala disclosed that the BOI has identified the basic impediments working against entrepreneurs in applications for loans. She also stated that BOI does not give loans to businesses that would not be able to repay. Her words: “We give loans at a very minimal rate but must be convinced of your viability to pay back.
However, Amdala disclosed that when women approach the BOI for loans, their documentation, most of the time, is not complete. According to her, the management of BOI is always ready to give a helping hand to any application by women because the financial institution believes that any support given to a woman connotes support to a nation.
Meanwhile, Awosanya revealed that Wema Bank will take the Sara by Wema women empowerment initiative to other parts of Nigeria for the benefit of women entrepreneurs across the country. “We shall take the initiative to Abuja before theend of the year and later to other parts of the country,” she said.

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Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Spends Second Night In EFCC’s Cell Over N1.3 Trillion Alleged Fraud

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9 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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Immediate past governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, who was arrested and detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has spent second night in the custody of the anti-graft commission.

 

Okowa is currently being investigated and detained over the alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion.

 

The N1.3 trillion reportedly represents the 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

According to sources within the commission, Okowa was invited to the EFCC office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he’s subsequently detained by officials.

 

One of the sources stated, “Okowa was at our Port Harcourt office following an invitation from investigators probing the allegations against him. He was then arrested. The commission is investigating him regarding the N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

“He is also accused of failing to account for the funds, as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed was used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas. He reportedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the country’s major banks, representing an 8% equity stake, to support the offshore LNG project. The funds are alleged to have been misappropriated for other purposes.

Investigators are also examining the alleged diversion of funds by the former governor to acquire estates in Abuja and Asaba, Delta State. He is currently being held at the EFCC facility in Port Harcourt.

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Lagos Government Shuts Down Redeemed Church, Celestial Church, Clubs, Event Centres Over Noise Pollution

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21 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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The Lagos State government has shut down a branch of Pastor E. A. Adeboye’s Redeemed Christian Church of God, a Celestial church, nightclubs and event centres over noise pollution.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who made this known on Wednesday, said the churches, clubs and event centres were sealed on Tuesday by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) in the Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota areas of the state.

The sealed establishments include: Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Lounge & Lodging, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.

The commissioner in a post on X said, “In a bid to address noise pollution and other environmental violations, the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) took action yesterday, closing down several establishments across different parts of the state.

“This enforcement drive, focusing on areas like Ogudu, Gbagada, Iyana Ejigbo, Isolo, Ajao Estate, Oshodi, Ilasamaja, and Okota, is part of LASEPA’s continuous efforts to uphold environmental standards and safeguard public health.

“The affected establishments include Honourable Lounge & Lodging, Redeemed Christian Church of God, Celestial Church of God, OMA Nightclub and Lounge, Bridge Spot Bar, Okiki Event Center and Hall, Emota Paradise Hotel (Phase 2), CF Hotel & Suites, House 27 Hotel & Suites, Echo Spring Hotel, and Smile T Continental Hotel.”

 

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Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja: Tinubu directs flags be flown at half-mast

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23 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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President Bola Tinubu has directed that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days across the country to mourn the passing of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The late Army chief, who was appointed by Tinubu on 19 June 2023, was said to have passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, in a statement on Wednesday by his office Director of Information & Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, said the president expressed regret over Lagbaja’s death.

Akume said, “President Bola Tinubu has expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, after a brief illness at the age of 56.

“The President has directed that national flags be flown at half mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed Army chief.

“He profoundly appreciates the services of the departed to the nation and wishes the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.”

Meanwhile, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, have commiserated with the president, the military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

In a statement by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Henshaw Ogubike, the ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the Army, and the nation at large.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.

“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed significantly to internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.

“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military, and the nation, as he served the nation with commitment and dedication,” the statement added.

 

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