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FIRSTBANK KICKS OFF DECEMBERISSAVYBE 2024 WITH KENNY BLAQ‘S ‘RECKLESS’ MUSICOMEDY

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FIRSTBANK KICKS OFF DECEMBERISSAVYBE 2024 WITH KENNY BLAQ‘S ‘RECKLESS’ MUSICOMEDY

By Bolaji Israel

 

December marks a special time in Nigeria, a moment when people take a break from their hectic year to unwind, celebrate, and create lasting memories with loved ones. The month is filled with vibrant arts and entertainment, including plays, musical concerts, festivals, operas, fashion shows, poetry, and various performance arts.

 

As the month unfolds, the atmosphere is electrified with fireworks, street carnivals, and colourful Christmas decorations, complemented by numerous year-end thanksgiving parties. It’s also a time for bonding, as Nigerians reconnect with family and friends visiting from around the world.

 

Recognising the significance of December, FirstBank, through its First@arts initiative, hosts the annual DecemberIssaVybe campaign. This initiative aims to inspire and empower people to create and enjoy thrilling memories by providing fully paid access to highly sought-after concerts, shows, plays, and festivals featuring A-list entertainers.

 

In light of the tough economic climate, FirstBank offers a welcome relief for Nigerians looking to celebrate and have fun this December. For over 130 years, the premier financial institution has consistently woven itself into the fabrics of the society including its massive support for festive concerts showcasing Africa’s biggest music stars, including Kizz Daniel, Davido, Burna Boy, Asake, Tiwa Savage and many others, creating unforgettable experiences for music lovers.

 

The DecemberIssaVybe campaign is all about making memories. It provides a platform for both Nigerians and international audiences to enjoy unique experiences. Since its inception in 2018, the FirstBankIssaVybe campaign has delivered exciting moments that people eagerly anticipate each December.

 

As we get into the 2024 year end season, FirstBank has curated an impressive lineup of events for maximum enjoyment through DecemberIssaVybe. The much-anticipated campaign kicked off on Saturday, December 13, at Onikan Stadium in Lagos, featuring the sponsorship of Kenny Blaq’s Reckless Musicomedy Festival.

 

Through engaging social media activities, FirstBank distributed free tickets to young Nigerians and entertainment enthusiasts eager to attend the show.

 

The event which started in the late afternoon into the night showcased an unforgettable evening filled with laughter and music, featuring performances from DJ Neptune, Kenny Blaq, Aproko, MC Monica, OvyGodwin, and others. Attendees enjoyed a night of laughter, dancing, and vibrant energy.

 

The exhilarating festival merges the dynamic worlds of music and comedy, highlighting Africa’s impressive creative entertainment scene. Alongside renowned comedians, many emerging talents were given the stage to showcase their skills, receiving enthusiastic applause from the audience.

 

Headlining the event, comedian and singer Kehinde Otolorin, also known as Kenny Blaq, delighted fans with a captivating combination of dance, music, and comedy. Ahead of the event, he articulated his vision for the festival, stating, “Music and comedy have always been intertwined for me, and I aimed to create an event that highlights both in a unique way. This festival encourages people to embrace boldness and creativity while having fun.”

 

The festival’s theme centres around a positive interpretation of recklessness, celebrating courage, creativity, and authenticity. FirstBank enhanced the festive atmosphere with a fun booth, where attendees engaged in trivia games, received mementos, and took photos.

 

Olayinka Ijabiyi, Ag. Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications at FirstBank, expressed the bank’s commitment to delivering a ‘Wow December to Remember’ experience for all generations. He noted, “FirstBank is facilitating memorable homecoming experiences this December for gatherings such as weddings, family reunions, and festivals.”

 

Ijabiyi emphasised FirstBank’s 130-year legacy of supporting the arts through its First@arts initiative, and he encouraged Nigerians to embrace the entertainment offerings through the DecemberIssaVybe campaign. He stated that FirstBank is dedicated to creating memorable experiences while considering the overall well-being of its customers.

 

With over 500 VIP tickets available for premium events valued between N15,000 and N50,000, the FirstBank #DecemberIssaVybe and #FirstBankIssaVybe giveaway fest is set to reward customers with access to exciting events across Lagos.

Nigerians eager to join in on the festivities can follow FirstBank on social media—Facebook: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Instagram: @firstbanknigeria, and Twitter: @firstbankngr—to stay updated on ticket giveaways and experience the vibrant party atmosphere this season.

 

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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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