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DECEMBERISSAVYBE: FIRSTBANK SPONSORS ‘THE CAVEMEN CONCERT’, THRILLS AUDIENCE   By Oladapo Sofowora

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DECEMBERISSAVYBE: FIRSTBANK SPONSORS ‘THE CAVEMEN CONCERT’, THRILLS AUDIENCE

 

By Oladapo Sofowora

 

December is a particularly vibrant and deeply meaningful month in Nigeria, imbued with a palpable sense of excitement and celebration that permeates the air. As daily life slows down, this festive season offers a welcome opportunity for relaxation and togetherness. Families and friends gather to create cherished memories, participating in a rich tapestry of cultural activities that showcase Nigeria’s diverse heritage. The month is characterized by a colourful array of events, including theatrical plays, musical concerts, traditional festivals, operas, fashion shows, poetry readings, and various forms of performance arts, all reflecting the dynamic cultural expressions of Nigerian society.

As December unfolds, the excitement continues to build, with streets and homes becoming vibrant displays of holiday spirit. Elaborate decorations adorn every corner, featuring colourful Christmas ornaments, twinkling lights, and festive paraphernalia that evoke a sense of wonder and joy. Evening skies light up with breathtaking fireworks, illuminating the night and further enhancing the joyous mood of the season. Year-end Thanksgiving parties have become commonplace, offering spaces for loved ones to gather, share meals, and express gratitude for the blessings and experiences of the past year. This period also allows Nigerians to reconnect with family and friends, many of whom travel from various parts of the globe to partake in these significant celebrations.

As the year-end festivities for 2024 draw near, FirstBank has thoughtfully curated an exhilarating lineup of events under the DecemberIssaVybe program, aimed at enhancing the enjoyment of this festive season. A highlight of this initiative is the much-anticipated concert featuring The Cavemen, a celebrated musical duo. Which was held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at Muri Okunola Park, located along the bustling Lekki-Epe Expressway, the event brought Lagos to life with a captivating performance that seamlessly blends highlife, soul, and folk music. Attendees enjoyed an engaging experience filled with mesmerizing sounds for over an hour, keeping them on their feet and immersed in the rhythm.

The atmosphere at the concert was electrifying, drawing a diverse crowd of enthusiastic youth eager to experience The Cavemen’s unique interpretation of highlife music—a genre deeply rooted in Nigerian culture and characterized by its rich, rhythmic beats and soulful melodies. The concert also featured an impressive lineup of other notable artists, such as the popular act Ckay, who collectively contributed to a night filled with remarkable entertainment and unforgettable performances.

The stage witnessed a pulsation of energy as The Cavemen’s talented band propelled the evening forward, delivering an infectious performance marked by masterfully executed guitar riffs, powerful drumming, and enchanting vocals. Audiences found themselves wholly absorbed in the moment, as the music unites them in joy and celebration, showcasing the revitalization and redefinition of the highlife genre that The Cavemen have pioneered.

In addition to the music, the concert artfully integrates comedic performances, highlighting the vibrant and diverse creative entertainment scene in Africa. Acclaimed comedians took to the stage, drawing laughter and delight from the crowd, while emerging music also had their moment in the spotlight, receiving enthusiastic applause and encouragement from an appreciative audience.

Recognising the profound impact of December in nurturing relationships and spreading joy, FirstBank has actively engaged its First@arts initiative to launch the annual DecemberIssaVybe campaign. This initiative is meticulously crafted to inspire and empower individuals across Nigeria to create and experience exhilarating moments throughout this joyous season. By providing fully sponsored access to premium concerts, theatrical performances, shows, and festivals featuring some of the industry’s top entertainers, FirstBank aims to alleviate the financial burdens that often accompany festive celebrations.

In a time marked by economic uncertainty, FirstBank stands as a crucial support system for Nigerians wishing to celebrate without the weight of added financial stress. With a proud legacy spanning over 130 years, this esteemed financial institution has woven itself into the fabric of Nigerian life. FirstBank has long championed numerous festive concerts showcasing Africa’s music icons, including Kizz Daniel, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, and Tiwa Savage, crafting unforgettable experiences for music aficionados across the nation.

The DecemberIssaVybe campaign encapsulates the essence of creating lasting memories during this festive season. It serves as a dynamic platform for both local and international audiences to immerse themselves in unique, culturally rich experiences tailored to the holiday spirit. Since its inception in 2018, the FirstBankIssaVybe campaign has quickly become a highly anticipated annual event, delighting participants with exhilarating moments designed to resonate and linger long after the celebrations are over.

Olayinka Ijabiyi, the Acting Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, emphasized the institution’s unwavering commitment to crafting a ‘Wow December to Remember’ experience for individuals of all ages. He stated, “FirstBank is devoted to facilitating memorable homecoming experiences this December through gatherings such as weddings, family reunions, and festive celebrations, ensuring that every moment spent together is cherished.” Through this commitment, FirstBank continues to play a pivotal role in the celebration of culture and community during this significant time of year.

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TM Foundation: Transforming Lives, One Generation at a Time

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From Automobiles to Acts of Compassion: Olatunde Mukaila Lawal is Transforming Lives in South Africa

TM Foundation: Transforming Lives, One Generation at a Time

In a world where compassion is increasingly vital, TM Foundation stands out as a beacon of hope and empowerment. Established in 2019 by the visionary Olatunde Mukaila Lawal, this South Africa-based organization is dedicated to uplifting the elderly, less privileged kids, and the vulnerable, fostering stronger communities through a mission rooted in dignity, love, and care.

 

Making an Impact Since 2019

TM Foundation began with a simple yet powerful goal: to create meaningful change for those often overlooked. Since its inception, the foundation has provided vital resources and emotional support to kids, seniors and young individuals, bridging the gap between generations and creating a sustainable future for all.

 

“We believe in the transformative power of compassion,” says Lawal. “Our work is about more than just helping—it’s about empowering people and building stronger, more resilient communities.”

A Multi-Faceted Mission

TM Foundation operates on three key pillars:

Social Support and Companionship: Ensuring no one feels forgotten, the foundation offers a caring hand and a listening ear to, kids, seniors and others in need.

Promoting Wellness Across Ages:

Through various programs, TM Foundation prioritizes physical, mental, and emotional well-being for all generations.

Fostering Compassion and Understanding: Building bridges of empathy, the foundation strengthens the fabric of communities.

These programs aim to create lasting change by addressing both immediate needs and long-term challenges.

TM Foundation: Transforming Lives, One Generation at a Time

Why You Should Support TM Foundation

TM Foundation’s efforts rely on the support of individuals and businesses who share their vision. Your contribution—whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word—directly impacts lives. From funding wellness programs to providing companionship for seniors, every act of kindness counts.

 

“Together, we can ensure no one feels forgotten or alone,” Lawal emphasizes. “It’s about leaving a legacy of compassion and empowerment.”

How to Get Involved

There are many ways to support TM Foundation:

Volunteer: Offer your time and skills to assist in their programs.
Donate: Your financial contributions help sustain their impactful initiatives.
Raise Awareness: Spread the word about TM Foundation’s mission to inspire others.

Contact TM Foundation
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.tmfoundation.giving
Phone (South Africa): +27823781398 | +27 81 289 0171 | +27 69 286 4950 | +27747835891
Phone (Nigeria): +234 813 448 0159

Join TM Foundation today and become part of a movement dedicated to empowering seniors and young ones. Together, we can build a brighter, more compassionate future.

TM Foundation: Transforming Lives, One Generation at a Time

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Olam Agri and GIZ Sign MoU to Scale Up Sustainable Development in Global Agriculture and Food

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Olam Agri and GIZ Sign MoU to Scale Up Sustainable Development in Global Agriculture and Food

 

Singapore, January 20, 2025 – Olam Agri, a market leading food, feed, and fibre agri-business, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH to scale up sustainable development in the global agri-food sector. The MoU provides a framework that will facilitate collaboration between the two partners across staple agriculture supply chains that include rice, cotton, and rubber in developing markets in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This extends and deepens the long-standing partnership that GIZ and Olam Agri have shared over the past 15 years helping smallholder farmers become more productive, profitable, and sustainable.

 

Three key objectives of the MoU are to support sustainable food production at a range of scales towards climate adaptation while protecting and preserving soil health, biodiversity, and water resources; to improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and providing them with access to key services and inclusive opportunities; and establishing sustainability and traceability across agriculture supply chains. This is aligned with Olam Agri’s purpose to transform food and agriculture for a more sustainable and food-secure future.

 

For joint projects, GIZ and Olam Agri have identified six priority intervention areas: nutrition-sensitive regenerative agriculture; harvest and post-harvest loss reduction; access to finance for smallholders; economic inclusion and rights; management of crop residues and reuse; and ecosystem services, including protection and restoration of ecosystems and carbon initiatives. Both partners will continue to identify topics relevant across value chains and regions to drive innovation and scaling, with possible cross-sectoral issues including climate and carbon credits, landscape-scale approaches, and digitisation.

 

Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder & Group CEO of Olam Agri, said: “We’ve shared a strong and fruitful relationship with GIZ over the years during which we’ve made significant inroads in transforming smallholder farming in several supply chains across many geographies to be more productive, profitable, and sustainable. I am thrilled to be signing this MoU with such a valuable partner that is GIZ and commit to collaborate even further to scale up our sustainability programmes in developing and emerging agriculture economies.”

 

Anna Sophie Herken, Managing Director at GIZ said: “The signing of this MoU with Olam Agri marks a pivotal step forward in our collaborative efforts towards sustainable food production. I am very happy and grateful that we can deepen and broaden our cooperation efforts simultaneously. We look forward to enhancing the scope and impact of our successful projects in climate-smart farming.”

 

The MoU builds upon years of successful cooperation between the two organisations since 2008. Starting in Africa, the partnership has expanded through several key initiatives. In the rice supply chain, for example, the progress the partnership has made with the founding of the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) in 2011 has led to positive transformation of the sector by advancing sustainable rice cultivation. Through climate-smart methods and technologies, sustainable rice cultivation reduces usage of water and fertilisers, and consequently significantly reduces the emission of methane, a greenhouse gas contributing to global warming. Under the joint efforts of GIZ and Olam Agri, the Market Oriented Smallholder Value Chain (MSVC) rice project in Southeast Asia has improved the livelihoods of more than 28,000 smallholder farmers and their families in four years, raising their incomes by 20 per cent while reducing their ecological impact. GIZ and Olam Agri continue to engage smallholder rice farmers in Southeast Asia in large scale projects and currently also cooperate in a regional sustainable cotton project in Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, and Chad, and in sustainable natural rubber in Côte d’Ivoire and Indonesia.

Olam Agri and GIZ Sign MoU to Scale Up Sustainable Development in Global Agriculture and Food

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Shocking Fraud: Nigerian CEO and Companies Sanctioned by World Bank

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Shocking Fraud: Nigerian CEO and Companies Sanctioned by World Bank"

World Bank Debars Nigerian Companies Over Corruption in Social Safety Net Project

By femi oyewale

 

The World Bank Group has announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigerian companies, Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited, along with their Managing Director and CEO, Mr. Norman Didam, for engaging in fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices linked to the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria.

In a statement released on Monday, the World Bank detailed unethical actions during the 2018 procurement and contract processes for the project, which was designed to provide financial assistance to poor and vulnerable households.

“The World Bank Group today announced the 30-month debarment of two Nigeria-based companies—Viva Atlantic Limited and Technology House Limited—and their Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mr. Norman Bwuruk Didam. The debarment is in connection with fraudulent, collusive, and corrupt practices as part of the National Social Safety Nets Project in Nigeria,” the statement read.

Allegations and Findings

According to the World Bank, Viva Atlantic Limited, Technology House Limited, and Mr. Didam misrepresented a conflict of interest in their bids and gained access to confidential tender information from public officials. These acts violated the bank’s Anti-corruption Framework.

The companies and Mr. Didam also falsified experience records, submitted fake manufacturer authorization letters, and offered inducements to project officials, further undermining the integrity of the initiative aimed at assisting Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations.

The statement added, “Viva Atlantic Limited and Mr. Didam misrepresented Viva Atlantic Limited’s experience and submitted falsified manufacturer’s authorization letters, as well as offered and provided things of value to project public officials. These actions were fraudulent and corrupt practices, respectively.”

Sanctions and Compliance Measures

The debarment bars the two companies and Mr. Didam from participating in World Bank-financed projects and operations for the next 30 months. As part of their settlement agreements, the parties admitted their culpability and agreed to meet specific conditions, including enhanced compliance measures.

Mr. Didam is required to complete individual ethics training, while both companies must strengthen their internal integrity policies and implement corporate ethics training programs aligned with the bank’s Integrity Compliance Guidelines.

The World Bank noted that reduced debarment periods were granted due to the parties’ cooperation during the investigation, voluntary corrective actions, self-imposed restraints from bidding, and the time elapsed since the infractions.

Broader Implications

The debarments are subject to cross-debarment by other multilateral development banks under the 2010 Agreement for Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions, further limiting the companies’ ability to participate in international development projects.

The World Bank reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on corruption, emphasizing that the implicated parties must fulfill the stipulated conditions during the debarment period to regain eligibility for future Bank-funded initiatives.

“The companies also commit to continue to fully cooperate with the Bank Group Integrity Vice Presidency,” the statement concluded.

This development underscores the World Bank’s commitment to ensuring transparency and accountability in its projects, particularly those aimed at improving the livelihoods of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

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