News
Access Bank to Train 500,000 MSMEs on Financials, ICT, Others
Access Bank of Nigeria Plc says it is planning to train about 500,000 players in the Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) space, aside assisting them with loans where necessary.
Mrs Chizoma Okoli, the Deputy Managing Director of the Bank, made the disclosure in Abuja at the 5th National MSME Award held at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to her, the bank has since unveiled the Access Bank SMEs zone, a robust blueprint designed specifically for supporting the MSMEs, in recognition of their strategic place in the economy.
She revealed that Access Bank has already trained about 100,000 of such small businesses after the management discovered that many of them needed to be educated on financials, cash flow management, HR, technology and other areas.
She said: “Now, for us, we have invested a lot in infrastructure and technology to make sure that we support the SME sector. So, we have loans for SMEs both digitally otherwise; where they can sit down at the comfort of their homes and access up to N10 million without collateral.
“So, we believe, as you heard, in the statements of the VP that the SMEs contribute 90% of world businesses and 50% of employment. And what does that mean? That means that SMEs are an integral part of any economy. So, any economy that has no support for the SMEs would definitely not grow.
“But beyond the funds, many SMEs do not know the difference between company funds and their personal funds. So, we have the Access Bank SMEs zone, where we have over 100 training for SMEs from training them on financials, on cash flow management, HR, technology, anything that they want, because it’s beyond giving them money.
“After the money, they are trained in all these areas so they know what they’re doing; creating a sense of discipline in their businesses. So, they understand the financials of their businesses.
“We’ve trained over 100,000 SMEs on that platform. This year, we’re targeting to train 500,000 customers.”
Okoli emphasised the bank’s determination to assist private sector players, adding that it has always partnered the MSMEs award due to its objective of growing SMEs, who in turn grow the economy.
Praising the steadfastness and contributions of young entrepreneurs that won prizes at the event, the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo noted that “these MSMEs tell the story of our country’s great economic future.”
According to him, “we are set to manufacture our own vehicles, clean energy trucks and cars, and we are on course to manufacturing our own weapons, armoured mobile platforms and aircraft. We have all it takes.”
Making specific reference to prospects in the manufacturing and technology sectors, the Vice President noted: “I believe that MSMEs in technology and manufacturing especially in the clean energy or green economy deserve special mention. I am convinced that this sector will be crucial in global industrial development in the coming years and will leapfrog Nigeria to economic prosperity.”
News
Stella Ikwuegbu, Nollywood Actress is Dead
Stella Ikwuegbu, veteran Nollywood actress is dead.
Stanley Nwoko better known as Stanley Ontop, movie producer, made known this known on Sunday by via his Instagram page.
Stanley Ontop, revealed that the actress passed away today, Sunday, June 16th, after battling with leg cancer.
He wrote: “Nollywood actress and veteran Mrs Stella Ikwuegbu is dead. The veteran actress left this world today after battling with leg cancer. Rest well, Madam Stella. Nollywood again. It’s well.”
The late actress began her career in 1990, appearing in numerous films such as ‘Spoiler,’ ‘Ukwa,’ ‘Sound of Love,’ ‘Holy Man,’ ‘Two Hearts,’ ‘Heart of Stone,’ and ‘Madam Koikoi,’ among others.
Hailing from Enugu, she was not only an actress but also a businesswoman.
A graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT) in Enugu State, she launched her restaurant, ‘The Film Bar,’ on August 1.
The actress’ death comes barely five days after veteran Yoruba actor Dayo Adewunmi, aka Sule Suebebe, died at 68.
News
MoneyMaster to Showcase Mobile Wallet @ Ojude Oba Festival
As the ancient city of Ijebu ode gets set to host another Ojude Oba festival, Nigeria’s leading payment service bank, Moneymaster Payment Service Bank Limited (MMPSB) has concluded arrangements to be part of the annual event where the indigenes of Ijebuland will be onboarded to the bank’s multipurpose mobile wallet.
The Ojude Oba typically holds on the third day of the Eid-El-Kabir whereby different cultural age groups put up a spectacular parade to pay homage to the Royal Majesty, the Awujale of Ijebualand.
Preparatory to the event, Moneymaster, had embarked on month-long market activation, across Ijebuland to onboard the indigenes on to one of its digital banking platforms – mobile wallet through which customers can transfer, withdraw from an agent, buy airtime and pay utility bills.
In a statement, Moneymaster opined that once majority of Nigerians embrace mobile wallet which enables them to cultivate a more convenient savings habit and also make to payment with ease, the nation’s move towards a cashless economy will become a reality.
“While we rejoice with the people of Ijebuland at this time, we also want to showcase what we have in Moneymaster’s mobile wallet that can help various people to enjoy seamless banking from their phones”, the statement noted.
Licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria in August, 2020 and insured by NDIC, Moneymaster Payment Service promotes financial inclusion in furtherance of the Nigerian financial literacy initiative driven by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
With Moneymaster, Nigerians can open mobile wallets, savings account, individual and business accounts to make payments, buy airtime, pay utility bills to over 4,000 companies.
The Bank was recently appointed a payment partner to the Ounje Eko initiative by the Lagos State government in its bid to provide discounted food items to residents of the state amidst rising cost of food items.
News
President Tinubu Appoints Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as New DG Procurement Bureau
President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mr. Ayodeji Ariyo Gbeleyi as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE).
Ajuri Ngelale, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, in a statement released on Saturday, June 15, said the move was part of a larger reorganization effort in the public procurement system to reposition the agency for greater efficiency and transparency.
Ajuri added that the President thanked Ahmadu for his services and wished him success in his future endeavours.
The statement further noted that Gbeleyi is a renowned financial expert and award-winning chartered accountant.
It said he is a fellow of both the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria.
According to Ngelale, Gbeleyi is also an alumnus of executive programmes of the prestigious London Business School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Lagos Business School.
He said Gbeleyi has over 30 years of post-qualification experience in diverse sectors, including manufacturing, fast-moving consumer goods, investment and commercial banking, project finance, telecommunications, infrastructure, and public administration.
The statement added,“He was the Board Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and Commissioner of Finance in Lagos State from 2013 to 2015.
The President expects the new Director-General to bring his vast experience and competence to bear in this role to strengthen the agency as the national resource centre for capacity building and sustenance of reforms through the promotion of a competitive private sector-driven economy, ensuring social accountability and efficient deployment of public resources, as well as advancing effective corporate governance and fiduciary discipline in the public and private sectors.”
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