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COVID-19: Ecobank Launches “StaySafeNigeria” Media Campaign

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Online Banking: Ecobank Remains the Best, With easy Access to Mobile banking ....written by Sunday Adeyemi

Ecobank Nigeria has launched a ‘StaySafeNigeria’ media campaign being part of its corporate actions to support measures to check the rising spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria. The integrated media campaign is a call to action, creating awareness and educating the populace on safety measures to adopt against the dreaded Coronavirus disease (COVID -19).

Flagging off the campaign in Lagos, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan, said the “StaySafeNigeria” campaign is designed to mobilise the entire citizenry to adopt safe conduct and healthy habits to help contain the spread of Coronavirus in Nigeria. He emphasised that with a population of about 200 million, prevention is better than cure and indeed in the case of COVID-19, prevention is much better than “no cure”. We must therefore place top priority on getting everyone to stop the spread or minimise the spread of the virus now, pointing out that we cannot risk a full pandemic in Nigeria as our health infrastructure and personnel will be easily overwhelmed if that should happen.

He explained that the messages will be in Pidgin, Ibo, Hausa, Yoruba and English on radio, electronic and social media to take the message to the grassroots whilst ensuring a contactless deployment in line with “StaySafeNigeria” ethos.

“All hands must be on deck to check the spread of the COVID-19. We have no choice as a caring and responsible corporate organisation than to rise up to this challenge of our generation and make every contribution to check the spread and save lives. Our media campaign will engage people in very simple language on important tips to stay safe. The campaign will be sustained to continue promoting good hygiene conduct even after we overcome Coronavirus,” he said.

Mr. Akinwuntan disclosed that the bank had engaged in many advocacy measures to protect its staff, customers and other stakeholders since the outbreak of the disease, stating that the bank evoked its business continuity plans, suspended all non-essential travels, cancelled physical meetings and resorted to virtual/digital meetings. He also emphasized strong hygiene habits by encouraging frequent washing of hands with soap and water, provision of alcohol based hand sanitizers in all its locations, temperature checks and mandated employees to respect the mandatory self-isolation/quarantine for 14 days if they have been exposed in any manner. The staff of the Bank also advised customers to maintain social distancing whilst Tellers and front office employees attending to customers wear face masks with gloves in addition to social distancing.

It will be recalled that Ecobank had before now, also encouraged its customers to avoid non-essential contacts in achieving their banking needs by utilising digital solutions to easily access their bank accounts, make contactless payments, transfer funds and carry out other ancillary banking transactions from the comfort of their homes and offices without visiting the branches. Some of the digital platforms include *326#, Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Online, EcobankPay, Ecobank OmniPlus, OmniLite and the Rapidtransfer App.

The StaySafeNigeria campaign is in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which seeks to intervene and contribute to the wellbeing of the people where it operates.

Na Ecobank say make una StaySafe o. #StaySafeNigeria #StaySafeNaija #StaySafe

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US Tightens Visa Rules: Students, Exchange Applicants Must Make Social Media Accounts Public

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US Tightens Visa Rules: Students, Exchange Applicants Must Make Social Media Accounts Public

US Tightens Visa Rules: Students, Exchange Applicants Must Make Social Media Accounts Public


The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a new visa requirement mandating that all applicants for F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas must set their personal social media accounts to “public.”

These visa categories are issued to individuals seeking entry into the U.S. for educational and cultural exchange programs—including international students and scholars.

In a post on its official X (formerly Twitter) page on Monday, the U.S. Mission declared that the directive takes immediate effect, stating:

“Effective immediately, all individuals applying for an F, M, or J nonimmigrant visa are requested to adjust the privacy settings on all of their personal social media accounts to ‘public.’”

The U.S. Department of State emphasized that the move is part of its intensified vetting process to verify identities and determine admissibility, particularly to safeguard national security.

“We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify visa applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security,” the statement read.

The policy shift was first announced in June 2025, when the Department of State underscored that applying for a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right.

“We will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting, including online presence, of all student and exchange visitor applicants,” the guidance stated.
“Every visa adjudication is a national security decision.”

The U.S. stressed that this move is to ensure that all applicants are credibly vetted, with proof that they intend to engage only in activities consistent with the terms of their visa and have no intention to harm U.S. interests.

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Adron Homes Made My Dream Come True” — New Homeowner Shares Inspiring Testimony

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*”Adron Homes Made My Dream Come True” — New Homeowner Shares Inspiring Testimony

 

For many Nigerians, the dream of owning a home often feels out of reach, clouded by financial limitations, uncertainty, and broken promises. But for Engr. & Mrs. Taiwo Ademola, that dream has become a beautiful reality, made possible by Adron Homes.

Speaking proudly from the comfort of his newly completed home in one of Adron’s thriving estates in Shimawa, Ogun State, Engr. Ademola shared his joy and fulfillment at finally becoming a landlord.

“When I thought about owning a home, it felt like a far-off dream,” he recalled. “But Adron Homes changed everything. Their flexible installment plan gave me the confidence to start. Today, I stand here as a proud homeowner. For anyone still doubting, Adron Homes is real, and they are here to stay.”

The Ademolas’ new home, now dedicated and celebrated, is a symbol of stability, dignity, and the fulfillment of a long-held dream. Their success story is a powerful reminder of Adron Homes’ mission to make quality, affordable housing accessible to every hardworking Nigerian, regardless of financial background.

In his congratulatory message to the family, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing, Chairman/CEO of Adron Group, expressed his delight at yet another fulfilled homeowner.

“At Adron Homes, our vision has always been to make home ownership possible for every Nigerian, and I am glad we are living up to this vision” he stated. “Every key we hand over is a step towards fulfilling that vision”.

He welcomed them into the family, describing this feat as the foundation of new beginnings and joyful memories.

Adron Homes has become synonymous with reliability, integrity, and innovation in Nigeria’s real estate sector. With flourishing estates across Shimawa, Lagos, Abuja, Nasarawa, Epe, Badagry, and beyond, the company continues to redefine affordable luxury and accessible home ownership nationwide.

As more Nigerians like the Ademolas proudly unlock the doors to their dream homes, one truth remains undeniable, with Adron Homes, dreams are not just imagined; they are built, one family, one house, one community at a time.

Adron Homes Made My Dream Come True” — New Homeowner Shares Inspiring Testimony

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GTCO Plc Becomes the 1st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to Achieve Listing and Trading of its Ordinary Shares on the London Stock Exchange

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GTCO Plc Becomes the 1st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to Achieve Listing and Trading of its Ordinary Shares on the London Stock Exchange

 

 

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO Plc), Africa’s leading and most profitable Financial Services Group, has recorded a significant milestone in its growth and expansion journey with the successful admission of its Ordinary Shares to the Equity Shares (International Commercial Companies Secondary Listing) category of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.

 

This historic achievement makes GTCO Plc, the 1st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to dual list its Ordinary Shares on both the Nigerian and London stock exchanges, and subject to certain criteria, it is expected that the Shares will be transferrable between the two exchanges.

 

The admission follows the successful pricing of its fully marketed offering (The Offering) on the London Stock Exchange to raise gross proceeds of $105million in exchange for 2.29 billion of new ordinary shares in the company, which was supported by a strong book of high-quality, long-term institutional investors.

 

Concurrent with the Offering, the Company also gave notice of its intention to cancel the listing of its existing GDRs on the certificates representing certain securities (depositary receipts) category of the Official List of the United Kingdom Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”) and the admission to trading of GDRs on the London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities.

 

Building on the momentum of the successful first tranche of its equity capital raise programme in July 2024, which secured ₦209 billion, GTCO will deploy the proceeds from the Offering to strengthen its capital base, meet its recapitalization target, and fund strategic expansion across high-growth markets and priority sectors within and outside Nigeria.

 

It is expected that Admission and unconditional dealing in the Shares will become effective on or before 8.00 a.m. (UK time) on 9 July 2025 under the ticker “GTHC”. Following the cancellation of the GDRs listing, the Company intends to change the ticker symbol for the Shares from “GTHC” to “GTCO” and will issue a separate announcement in due course to that effect.

 

Commenting on the LSE Listing, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said: “Today marks a major milestone—not just for GTCO, but for the future we see for African financial institutions on the global stage.

 

We are incredibly proud to be the 1st Financial Services Institution in West Africa to list our ordinary shares on London Stock Exchange’s main market for listed securities, and even more honored by the trust placed in us by the investing community. For us, this was not just about raising capital. It was about validating the strength of our franchise, the clarity of our strategy, and the discipline with which we execute.”

 

He further said; “I would like to thank everyone who made this possible—our advisors and legal teams, our longstanding shareholders, the regulators both in Nigeria and in the UK, as well as the Nigerian government for creating an environment that supports our bold ambition and vision to be Africa’s leading financial services institution.”

GTCO’s fully marketed offering attracted long-term institutional capital, reflecting investor confidence in the Group’s fundamentals, governance, and strategic outlook.

 

It also signals improving market sentiment, buoyed by ongoing economic reforms by the Federal Government and a return to traditional orthodox monetary policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria, which have gone a long way to stabilising the macroeconomic environment and gradually restoring investor confidence in Nigeria’s long-term prospects.

 

About GTCO Plc
GTCO Plc is one of Africa’s leading financial services institutions with a longstanding track record of strong growth, service excellence, and shareholder returns. The Group operates across banking, payments, asset management, and pension administration in eleven countries, including Nigeria, the UK, and key African markets.

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