General News
First Bank Begins Season 3 of $1, 200 Online Reality Competition

First Bank of Nigeria’s online ‘reality’ writing competition created by the bank and www.thenakedconvos.com, popular online art and opinion magazine, has entered season 3 promising to be even bigger.
According to the organizers and just like the first two season, contestants will be given a topic or theme to write on each week and you, the public, as well as the judges, assess them and vote to keep the best writers in the competition until one writer is left standing.
Over the last two years, the competition has been exciting and keenly contested across West Africa but this year, everything changes.
The competition is bigger and better with more evictions every week and more prize money at stake.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek gathered from the organizers that 12 Finalists will be shortlisted from the call for entries submissions.
These writers will be mentored by 3 judges and will contest in four rounds of the online writing competition where three contestants will be evicted weekly.
The competition will require all writers to send in their themed stories weekly by a fixed deadline. Posts from contestants will be put up for members of the public to read and vote on.
At the end of the voting period, the panel of judges will evaluate the stories and score them using pre-communicated criteria.
The public votes from the audience and the votes from the judges will be combined and based on this; contestants will be judged and eliminated weekly until a final winner – THE WRITER – emerges.
The competition is for all Africans who love to write. There is no age, nationality or location restriction.
All Africans or people of African origin are encouraged to send in pre-qualification entries to be considered.
To stand a chance to qualify for the competition, simply write and send in a flash fiction story that is not more than 500 words long (It can be less than this but definitely not more).
The theme for this year’s entry stories is “The First”.
“The first — what? That’s entirely up to you. The first kiss.The first story.The first bite.The first child. The first car.The first man.The first word. Anything. It can be about a time or a place or a person or a situation or anything along the continuum.
“Be creative. Any Style, direction and format is allowed – the more creative and well written, the better your chances of qualifying. Send your entry to [email protected] on or before midnight, February 21st, 2014.
Submissions must be Flash Fiction stories. Poetry and Opinion pieces will not be accepted. The schedule
Deadline for submission of entries is February 21, 2014. The Judges, sponsors and 12 Finalists will be announced and The ‘Show’ will begin on the 3rd of March 2014.
“Only shortlisted writers will be contacted. Writers will be contacted only by e-mail. Please include your full name, phone number and a valid e-mail address in your submission, which we will use for continued correspondence, even if it is the same email address you use to send in the entry.
Only one entry is allowed per writer.
The work must be the work of the person whose name is stated in the email,” the Organizers said in a statement made available to Nigeria CommunicationsWeek.
At the end of The Writer competition, there will be three winners, First Place – $1,200; Second Place – $800 and the Third Place – $600
General News
NDIC Reinforces Full Oversight Compliance to Safeguard Depositors

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

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

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 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.
Telecom2 days agoGoogle Finally Allows Users to Change Gmail Address, Keeps Data and Services Intact
News2 days agoInsomniaQ Spotlights African Creativity in Lagos
General News2 days agoT2 Backs Youth Excellence as NCBC Wins Bosun Tijani Foundation Basketball Tournament
E-Financial1 day agoNigeria’s N58.18trn Budget and Rising Cost of Deficit Governance
Telecom1 day agoNnaemeka Ani – The Architect of ‘Code and Courage’
Telecom1 day agoMTN Nigeria Appreciates Partners, Customers at Lagos Prestige Experience
Telecom11 hours agoNCC Unveils Draft 5-Year Spectrum Roadmap, 60 GHz License-Exempt Guidelines to Boost Broadband, Innovation
Telecom11 hours agoNCC Grants 45 Days for Telecoms Firms to Fix Unapproved Shareholding Changes



















