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Development Bank of Nigeria Announced as Partner for the Africa Social Impact Summit 2024

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Development Bank of Nigeria Announced as Partner for the Africa Social Impact Summit 2024

Sterling One Foundation, co-conveners of the Africa Social Impact Summit are pleased to announce the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) as one of its partners for the third edition of the Africa Social Impact Summit to be held from July 25 – 26, 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria.

 

 

With this partnership, DBN joins an impressive list of partners, including private-sector organizations, international development organizations, public-sector bodies, and diplomatic organizations.

Established in 2014, the Development Bank of Nigeria is a wholesale finance institution that focuses on addressing the financing challenges facing Micro, Small, and Medium Scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Nigeria through the provision of financing and partial credit guarantees to eligible financial intermediaries.

Now in its sixth year of operation, DBN has disbursed loans to millions of MSMEs and supported many others through initiatives such as the Entrepreneurship World Cup, Eco Innovation Challenge, DBN capacity building initiative and many more. By end of 2023, the institution lent ₦ N787.47 billion to over 494,819 MSMEs, 356,451 of which were women-owned.

Speaking on what necessitated this, Managing Director and CEO of DBN, Dr. Tony Okpanachi explained that the DBN has been a part of the Africa Social Impact Summit right from inception, with its Chief Economist as one of its panellists, because it sees value in the Summit’s drive for increased impact investments to scale sustainable solutions.

“We are constantly looking to reach more enterprises building impactful solutions that address Nigeria’s challenges and this Summit presents a good opportunity to engage them and offer them ways to scale and grow,” he said.

Providing further insight into the partnership, Mrs. Olapeju Ibekwe, CEO, Sterling One Foundation expressed delight at having the Development Bank of Nigeria onboard, stating that the impact of their work and the insights they have from serving Nigeria’s vibrant MSME space is worth learning from. She also hinted at the opportunity this partnership offers to Summit attendees looking to access credit for the impact-focused solutions they are building.

The Africa Social Impact Summit now in its third year is expected to be held from July 25 to 26, 2024 at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos, Nigeria. Registration for in-person attendance is ongoing at www.theimpactsummit.org

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Fidelity Bank Affirms Industry Leadership with Publication of Its ISSB-Compliant Sustainability Report

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Fidelity Bank Affirms Industry Leadership with Publication of Its ISSB-Compliant Sustainability Report

 

 

In demonstration of its leadership in the Sustainability space, leading financial institution – Fidelity Bank Plc – has emerged the first bank to publish its 2023 ISSB-Compliant Sustainability and Climate Report in the Nigerian banking industry.

Hosted on the bank’s website on 30 June 2024, the report provides insights into the Bank’s Governance, Strategy, Risk Management, Metrics and Targets around Sustainability and Climate-related risks and opportunities, Human Capital, Community Efforts, amongst others in the 2023 financial year.

“2023 marked a pivotal point in our sustainability journey. We became a signatory of the UN Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Principles for Responsible Banking (PRB) and the UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEP). These associations go beyond mere statements of membership – they actively integrate sustainability and climate-related goals into our core business strategy and daily operations.

“We believe innovation and transparency are essential for building trust in our strategies and achievements. As we progress towards sustainability, we remain committed to our diverse stakeholders including our dedicated workforce, esteemed shareholders, and valued customers”, remarked Mr. Mustapha Chike-Obi, Chairman, Board of Directors, Fidelity Bank Plc in the report.

The document, which was prepared in accordance with the requirements of IFRS S1 and S2, highlights the bank’s achievements and aspirations as pacesetters within the financial services sector.

Speaking on the bank’s strategy on Sustainability and Climate change, Mr. Kevin Ugwuoke, Executive Director/Chief Risk Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, stated, “Our 2023 Sustainability and Climate Report details our commitment to continually situate ESG and Climate-related risks & opportunities considerations at the core of our business operations and activities as we constantly explore means of meeting our corporate objectives in a manner that significantly reduces the negative environmental and social effects. We are glad to be the first bank to publish its report as this emphasizes our market leadership in the Sustainability space and we commit to do more to increase our positive impacts in all aspects of sustainability.”

It will be recalled that Fidelity Bank was recently listed amongst the top Nigerian banks in ESG performance according to a survey commissioned by the Independent Project Monitoring Company (IPMC) Limited.

To access the Fidelity Bank 2023 Sustainability and Climate Report, please visit https://www.fidelitybank.ng/documents/Fidelity_Bank_Sustainability_Climate_Report_2023.pdf

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.

 

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NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

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NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

 NCAA suspends licences of 10 private jet operators

 

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has suspended 10 private jet operations over failure to begin the recertification process.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mr Michael Achimugu, on Friday, in Abuja.

The agency said the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 18.3.4 forbids holders of Permit for Non-Commercial Flights (PNCF) from using their aircraft for carriage of passengers, cargo or mail for hire or rewards (commercial operation or charter services).

“As a result of flagrant disregard of this rule, the NCAA had earlier directed all holders of PNCF to undergo re-evaluation, which should have been concluded by April 19, 2024.

 

 

“To this end, the NCAA has suspended the PNCF of Azikel Dredging Nigeria Ltd, Bli-Aviation Safety Services, Ferry Aviation Developments Ltd and Matrix Energy Ltd.

 

“Also, Marrietta Management Services Ltd, Worldwide Skypaths Services, Mattini Airline Services Ltd, Aero Lead Ltd, Sky Bird Air Ltd and Ezuma Jets Ltd.

“The public is hereby notified that it is illegal to engage PNCF holders for commercial purposes. The NCAA will not hesitate to initiate enforcement actions against any PNCF holder found guilty of illegal operations,” the agency said.

 

The agency said that its officials had been deployed to General Aviation Terminals (GAT) and private wings of the airports to monitor the activities of the PNCF holders.

NAN

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Land Grabbing Allegation: Owoeye Replies House of Assembly, Salutes Lands Committee on move to broker peace in Ogun

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Land Grabbing Allegation: Owoeye Replies House of Assembly, Salutes Lands Committee on move to broker peace in Ogun

………..Owoeye said the family that sold the properties to him has written petitions to Ogun State House of Assembly, Police, DSS, Attorney General on several occasions to validate his proof of ownership on the lands but no reactions

……Says he is an investor, the family that sold the land to him should be dragged and not him

…..Clears the air on the allegations of land Grabbing, said he is a legitimate real estate owner and not a grabber.

 

The Popular Real Estate mogul, Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye has replied the allegations of land Grabbing as addressed by the Ogun state House of Assembly in a publication released today 4th of July 2024.

According to the publication, Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye was invited by the House of Assembly alongside Ademola Owoeye, Garba Owoeye, Sina Oladunjoye and Taoheed Bayo, Secretary Lasabi Family in connection with an alleged case of forcible occupation of landed properties of some communities within twelve (12) Community Development Associations (CDAs) at Obada-Oko, in Ewekoro Local Government Area of the State.

Alhaji Mutairu Owoeye, while commending the Chairman of House Committees on Lands and Housing as well as Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions, Hon. Damilola Soneye for his actions to broker peace to land dispute in Ogun state, he also charged him to follow due process when inviting people as a learned legislator.

 

He said the family who sold the land to him has written petitions to the Ogun State house of assembly earlier before now on several occasions,also to the Nigeria Police Force, department of state security DSS, Attorney General of Ogun State, and all other institutions that deals with land disputes with documents to proof their ownership as the original owner of the said lands but the now complaints show cause of their ownership.while the assembly members doesn’t work on the petitions.

“I am very surprised when I read the publication released by Ogun State House of Assembly today sending invitation to me through the media, I expected the Chairman of House of Assembly Committee on Lands and Housing as well as Justice, Ethics and Public Petitions to address invitation appropriately instead of the public threat and calling of names as land grabber” Owoeye said.

“As an experienced real estate business man and law abiding citizen of Nigeria, I ensure I purchase properties with valid documents to avoid any problems, general public should disregard the calling of names, it is one of the hazard of our business.” He added.

He said the invitation period is too short for him due to the fact that he is having a scheduled business trip abroad, promised to honour the committee by appearing before the House of Assembly on the 11th of July, 2024.

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