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Coca-Cola Finds Afro Santa Model

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Victor Olaotan, a very lucky 56-year old actor and petroleum products marketer on Wednesday, last week emerged the winner of Coca-Cola’s first Afro Santa model search – another aspect of Coca-Cola’s 2008 year-end marketing campaign.
 He beat hundreds of other contestants in the competition which opened on October 27 and finally closed on November 15, 2008.
The Afro Santa model and the search process are some of the innovations introduced by Coca-Cola in this year’s marketing Campaign. The objectives are to bring to live the Afro Santa which was introduced in last year’s campaign as a creative representation of an authentic African Santa Claus as well as to excite consumers through competition for the unique opportunity to make history as the special Ambassador for beloved brand Coke during the festive season. The was search open to men between the ages of 30 years and 60 years whose personality reflects the winsome features and virtues of Santa in a uniquely African context.
Olaotan was selected by an independent panel of judges led by Adesua Onyenokwe, leading TV presenter and publisher of Today’s Woman magazine. Other members of the panel were Kelechi Amadi-Obi, ace photographer and painter; Idowu (ID) Ogungbe of the famed Prime Time Television crew; Moyo Oyatogun, presenter of the popular audience phone-in programme Talk Back on Star 101.5 FM; Neta Nwosu, outspoken Columnist and AGM (Marketing & Business Development) with The Sun newspapers; and Josephine Igberaese, Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Arts Theatre.
The final selection event which was attended by the media took place in the VIP Lounge of the National Arts Theatre on Wednesday, December 3. The Afro Santa model search attracted numerous entries from various parts of the Country. Under the selection process, each member of the judge’s panel separately evaluated and ranked the entries. This resulted in an initial short-list of the 15 most frequently occurring names on the respective judge’s lists. The panel then met and collectively evaluated the 15 contestants at an interactive session with the latter, where a final short-list of 4 contestants was decided.
Speaking at the final selection event, Adesua Onyenokwe said that the entries received cut across gender, age groups and social classes, including accomplished professionals in various fields. These, she observed, reflected a general acceptance of the Afro Santa concept among Nigerians as well as Coca-Cola’s status as a trusted and esteemed brand. She revealed that the judges had a hard time arriving at a decision, particularly among the four finalists any of whom she noted would have been a great choice for the role. She further observed that the import of the event – emergence of the first Afro Santa model – will be better appreciated sometime in the future as setting the tone for a sustainable cultural reorientation.
Another member of the panel, Josephine Igberaese observed that the Afro Santa concept developed by     Coca-Cola holds great cultural significance as a tool to validate and project our collective identity and relevance as Africans in a globalized cultural environment. She said this was important to give our children a sense of belonging and pride in their African heritage.
An overwhelmed Olaotan, the newly found Afro Santa model, expressed gratitude for the honour to be closely associated with the world’s best brand, Coca-Cola. He said he was attracted and intrigued by the fact that Coca-Cola’s Afro Santa model search was an out-of-the-box initiative that gave a direly needed sense of relevance to the middle-aged and older persons who are habitually ignored these days by other marketing and advertising initiatives, all of which invariably target either children or younger adults.

 


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NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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Mr. Thompson Sunday, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), has reaffirmed the Corporation’s strict compliance with fiscal and financial regulations, including the provisions of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA) 2007, noting that the NDIC has consistently remitted the required percentage of its earnings to the Federal Government.

Mr. Sunday made this known during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Dr. Armstrong Takang, as part of NDIC’s ongoing engagement with key stakeholders following his formal assumption of office in July 2025.

According to him, NDIC takes financial accountability and transparency seriously, stressing that the Corporation complies fully with statutory remittance obligations, including the payment of 20 per cent of gross earnings or 80 per cent of net surplus to the Federal Government, as applicable. He added that NDIC also submits its financial statements ahead of statutory deadlines.

The NDIC MD/CE explained that this culture of compliance aligns with the Corporation’s role as a key institution within Nigeria’s financial safety-net, charged with protecting depositors and promoting confidence in the banking system. He emphasized that adherence to fiscal discipline remains central to NDIC’s credibility and effectiveness.

Mr. Sunday further disclosed that NDIC also complies with the Federal Government’s 50 per cent cost-to-income ratio policy, although he noted that the policy poses operational constraints. He explained that the deductions affect NDIC’s ability to build a strong Deposit Insurance Fund, which is needed to respond effectively to bank failures.

He stressed that international best practices under the Core Principles for Effective Deposit Insurance issued by the International Association of Deposit Insurers (IADI) require deposit insurers to maintain adequate funds to reimburse depositors when banks fail without recourse to government, adding that the NDIC is seeking an exemption to strengthen its capacity in this regard.

Mr. Sunday described MOFI as a critical stakeholder, noting that the Federal Government, through MOFI, holds a 40 per cent equity stake in NDIC. He said sustained collaboration with MOFI is essential to ensuring that NDIC continues to meet its obligations to government while effectively safeguarding depositors’ funds.

In his remarks, Dr. Takang commended the NDIC for its exemplary collaborative spirit and acknowledged the Corporation’s compliance with fiscal regulations. He assured that MOFI would continue to engage the Federal Ministry of Finance on NDIC’s behalf, noting that a strong NDIC is vital to sustaining confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation, transparency and accountability, with Mr. Sunday reiterating that NDIC remains focused on balancing regulatory compliance with its overriding mandate of depositor protection and financial system stability.


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T2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament

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T2 has reaffirmed its commitment to youth development and excellence through sport as the NCBC basketball team, adopted by the brand, emerged champions of the Bosun Tijani Foundation Youth Basketball Tournament held at the Alake Sports Complex, Ijeja, Abeokuta.

The tournament, organised by the Bosun Tijani Foundation in collaboration with the Ogun State Government and supported by several partners including T2, brought together 12 competitive teams from across Nigeria, positioning basketball as a powerful platform for youth engagement, discipline, and opportunity.

NCBC’s championship run reflected the values T2 seeks to champion, work ethic, intelligence, teamwork, and resilience. The team recorded commanding victories over Team Vision, Warlords, and Elevate before defeating the Ilupjeu Raiders 66–52 in a gripping final.

Commenting on the adoption of the team, Seni Ogunkola, Vice President, Brands and Communication, T2 stated “NCBC embodies the qualities we believe in, exceptional work rate, intelligence on the ball, discipline, and a hunger to excel. By supporting them, T2 is investing in potential, purpose, and the next generation of leaders on and off the court.”

The climax of the event saw His Royal Highness, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, the Alake of Egbaland, alongside Nigeria’s Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, present the trophy to the victorious team, drawing rapturous applause from spectators. The event was also attended by the Chief of Staff to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, Mr. Lere Olayinka, and the Ogun State Commissioner for Sports, Honourable Wasiu Isiaka, underscoring strong institutional support for youth-focused initiatives.

Through its participation in the tournament, T2 continues to position itself as a brand that goes beyond sponsorship, championing platforms that unlock talent, inspire ambition, and create lasting social impact for Nigerian youth.


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Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

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Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.

Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period

Ecobank Bank

Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels – including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide – will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.

He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.

According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential.

“While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times.

“Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”

Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”

He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.


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