STERLING BANK LEADS PROTEST FOR REMOVAL OF BANK TRANSFER CHARGES

LAGOS, NIGERIA – In a landmark move that sets a new benchmark for customer-focused
banking in Nigeria, Sterling Bank has championed the cancellation of bank transfer fees by major banks, announcing it will no longer take any money for itself for any local online transactions by its customers.

The announcement, made on April 1st, initially sparked widespread arguments, with many
assuming it was a marketing prank tied to April Fools’ Day. However, Sterling has confirmed that this is no stunt: the zero-transfer-fee policy is real, and effective immediately.

With this move, Sterling becomes the first major Nigerian bank to take a definitive stand against the long-standing practice of charging customers for everyday digital transfers, an issue that has grown increasingly contentious as digital banking adoption deepens.

“We believe access to your own money shouldn’t come with a penalty,” said Obinna
Ukachukwu, Growth Executive leading the Consumer and Business Banking Directorate. “This is more than a financial decision, it’s a values-based one. It reflects our commitment to making banking fair, inclusive, and truly customer focused.”

“We’re not yet the biggest bank in Nigeria, but we’ve been the boldest,” Ukachukwu added. “Sterling fearlessly believes in the future of Nigeria, and this is us backing Nigerians with more than words.”

Under the new policy, Sterling customers will enjoy free transfers for all local transactions
conducted via the bank’s mobile app. This translates into significant savings, particularly for individuals and new small business owners who make frequent daily transfers.

This customer-first orientation is not new for Sterling. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the bank stood out by providing supplementary payments to healthcare workers in public hospitals—at a time when few others were willing or able to offer additional support. From that moment to now, Sterling has continued to redefine what it means to be a responsible and responsive institution.

The bank’s latest move has been met with widespread public approval, sparking positive
reactions across social media and placing pressure on industry peers to follow suit.

We’re proud to lead this change,” Ukachukwu added. “We hope it inspires others to think
differently about what customers truly need from their banks, not just in services, but in values.”

Online communities were not excluded as WhatsApp Nigeria lit up with viral broadcasts as users forwarded the news across various groups, including one from a prayer circle that read: “Please my good people this is not a joke!!! Sterling Bank has just shocked Nigeria today o!! My neighbour Justina just transferred N100k and no charges!!! God bless Sterling Bank!!”. The message quickly gained traction, sparking massive public interest and mounting pressure on other banks to follow suit.

Sterling’s zero-fee policy is part of a broader strategy to transform the customer experience and deliver transparent, ethical banking solutions at scale.

Dr Ifeoma Eze gives reasons on how to know A Genuine Vision

Dr Ifeoma Eze, a mentor and author of different books gave an insight from her book ” Becoming A Person Of Exceptional Value”, shed more light on The Elements Of A Genuine Vision.

*THE ELEMENTS OF A GENUINE VISION*

There are five key elements that must be present whenever you receive a genuine vision. They are;

1. *Knowing what to do.*
Every genuine vision must be clear, and the terms well spelt out on what to do. It should be tangible and clear enough for anybody to understand. Hab. 2:2.

2. *Knowing when to do it.*
Every genuine vision impacted by God has a time of appointment. Eccl. 3:1-3, Eccl. 9:11, Ps. 31:15. When a man is in the right purpose at the right time, he won’t miss his honour. Knowing the time of your vision requires a lot of prayers which will lead you to high level of sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:1-3.

3. *Knowing where to do it.*
Every genuine vision has an appointed place because destiny answers to the location. Divine location provokes divine allocation. Places are important, hence, God makes places before bringing you on. Gen. 2:15. He made the garden before placing Adam in it! When you get to that God’s appointed location, you will also meet provision for the vision.

And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am.

[11] And the angel of the Lord called unto him out of heaven, and
said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I.

[12] And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from me.

[13] And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. [14] And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the Lord it shall be seen

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Gen. 22:1, 11-14.

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In the scripture, we saw that God deliberately and patiently waited for Abraham to obediently relocate and get to the God-appointed place for the sacrifice and having a readiness to obey God in full; before God made provision of the lamb for the sacrifice. Hence, Jehovah Jireh is the name of God because it is a place where provision met with the discovery of the God-appointed place.

4. *Knowing who to do it with*.

Every God given vision will require some Godly and God-given relationships to make it work. Where there is no vision, the people perish; but where there is vision without people, the vision becomes a burden. The best gift a leader can receive from God is the gift of men.

5. *Knowing How to do it:*

Every vision has a pattern. When God asks you to do a thing it is important that you obtain clear instructions on the structure, pattern and style required to fulfill that vision!

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. [9] According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it. Exodus 25:8-9 KJV

Building outside the pattern is setting yourself up for failure. Adherence to set pattern is guarantee for divine presence and guidance.

*VISION KILLERS*
It is possible to receive a vision from God but still experience frustration in life because of the following vision killers. Some vision killers include;

1. *Tradition.*( Mark 7:13.)

2. *Fear*- It paralyses creativity.

3. *Stereotypes structural rigidity. Break the satus quo.*

4. *Lack of Discipline and Laziness*

5. *Comparison*

6. *Procrastination*

7. *Wrong Association*

*Coined from the book, Becoming A Person Of Exceptional Value By Dr. Ifeoma Eze, The King’s Rubies*

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES JIM OVIA ON ADMISSION TO THE FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF LONDON

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, on his admission to the prestigious Freedom of the City of London.

Admission to the Freedom of the City of London is an honour bestowed on individuals either for their service to the city or for their achievements.

In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described the honour as a fitting recognition of Mr. Ovia’s exceptional contributions to business, innovation, and technology, as well as for his role in shaping Nigeria’s financial landscape and strengthening economic ties between Africa and the rest of the world.

“This honour is a testament to your unwavering commitment to excellence, your pioneering role in the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria, and your visionary leadership that continues to inspire generations. As an accomplished entrepreneur and advocate of innovation-driven development, your recognition in the City of London affirms the global relevance of Nigerian excellence and enterprise,” the President stated.

President Tinubu commended Mr. Ovia for being a distinguished ambassador of the nation’s private sector and wished him continued success in his endeavours.