Business

Giving.NG Partners Shoprite Nigeria on 40 Days of Giving Campaign

Published

3 years ago

December 2, 2022

Giving.NG Partners Shoprite Nigeria on 40 Days of Giving Campaign

Giving.NG is partnering with Shoprite Nigeria on “40 Days of Giving” campaign, aimed at inspiring people and organizations to spread kindness and treat it as an everyday thing, rather than a seasonal activity.

Giving.NG, Africa’s first and only free crowdfunding platform, has announced that it will begin a campaign in November to assist less privileged Nigerians and honor organizations and people carrying out exceptional, social impact work nationwide.

The campaign, themed “40 Days of Giving,” is being launched in partnership with Africa’s largest fast-moving consumer goods retailer, Shoprite Nigeria, and is expected to span the Christmas season and into the New Year.

Traditionally, the Christmas season is known to be a season of giving, with statistics showing that most donations are made during this time. Most people use the season to appreciate people who have been there for them all year round or give back to the less privileged. The 40 Days of Giving campaign plans to tap into this existing trend in a way that encourages people to give and creates a chain of giving that goes beyond the festive season.

Speaking about the campaign, Sterling One Foundation’s CEO, Olapeju Ibekwe explained that this was a much-needed campaign considering how tough the year has been, alongside the huge loss by the recent flood crisis in at least 32 states of the country. In her words;
“This campaign is about getting as many people as possible to join us in lending a helping hand to vulnerable Nigerians while supporting those changemakers who have been on the frontlines doing the same all year round. For each day of the campaign, we want to support at least one person, selected through an online nomination with their next meal, resources to restart their small business or just new clothes. We just want to spread kindness to many people daily.”

The 40 Days of Giving campaign is expected to kick off on November 29, 2022, the last Tuesday of November, is recognized globally as Giving Tuesday and runs until January 7, 2023. As part of the campaign, people can donate money to a fundraiser on the Giving.NG platform or items at designated points, including Shoprite stores nationwide.

Commenting on their partnership to execute this, Shoprite Nigeria’s Head of Marketing, Kunle Abiola stated that the campaign is a laudable initiative that has a lot of potentials to bring change into people’s lives. In his remarks, he said;
“Beyond want the items donated can do for the beneficiaries, we are keen on the hope that these acts of kindness can spread among Nigerians. We are giving our shoppers an opportunity to be part of a very noble initiative and we know they will buy into it.”
With this partnership, shoppers can buy items at any Shoprite store across the country and drop them off at designated points in the store from where they will be collected and redistributed to selected NGOs or given out in-store as a paid-forward gesture to other shoppers. Some of the beneficiaries nominated online will also receive shopping vouchers which they can redeem at any Shoprite store closest to them.

Both brands are also hopeful that they can grant as many wishes as they can from the nominations and requests they will receive, even as they look forward to having Nigerians join them in playing ‘Everyday Santa’ and spreading kindness.

Bank

Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

Published

3 minutes ago

May 13, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

Lagos, Nigeria – Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its reputation as a strong supporter of Nigerian businesses, receiving the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025 from the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, held recently in Lagos.

The award was presented to the Bank in recognition of its strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises, through a differentiated suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham, Head of SME Segment at Union Bank, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the Bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He said:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Through enhancements to our specialised platforms such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting. These improvements have shortened onboarding, increased digital adoption among our SME customers, and supported the acquisition of new business clients. Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive.”

Organised by ASBON in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, the event convened stakeholders from the public and private sectors to recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.

Union Bank remains focused on deepening its support for SMEs through customer-led solutions and processes that strengthen business growth across the ecosystem.

Bank

Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion

Published

13 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion

_By AGP News

*UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS* — In a move signaling a push into international markets, the Royal Throne of the United Kingdom of Atlantis on Sunday announced the corporate transformation of Atlantian Crown Bank LLC into *Arizona Global Bank LLC*, as part of a wider restructuring to position the institution for global banking and financial innovation.

The announcement was made at a press conference in the UKA capital by *HRM Queen Amb. Cletus C. Leaticia*, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named bank. She told reporters the rebranding marks _“more than a name change”_ and reflects a strategic pivot toward digital finance, cross-border investment, and modern banking standards.

_“This transformation represents our commitment to innovation-driven banking and our vision to become a globally competitive financial institution,”_ Queen Leaticia said.

*Licensing Process Underway*

According to the Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, which issued the official communication, Arizona Global Bank LLC has formally begun the process of applying for a *Banking Operational Licence* under UKA’s financial regulatory framework.

Once licensed, the bank plans to operate as a modern financial enterprise focused on four pillars:

1. Innovation-driven banking and digital financial solutions

2. Corporate financing and structured investment services

3. International financial partnerships and cross-border trade facilitation

4. Financial inclusion initiatives

Bank officials stressed that the institution will _“maintain strict compliance with all banking regulations and supervisory standards”_ set by UKA financial authorities.

*Strategic Shift Amid Global Ambitions*

Management described the rebranding as part of a broader restructuring initiative to _“strengthen the bank’s international identity, expand its global financial footprint, and align operations with contemporary banking standards.”_

Representatives called the licensing and rebranding process a _“major milestone”_ aimed at supporting economic growth, international trade, and cross-border investment initiatives.

*No Disruption to Existing Commitments*

Addressing potential concerns from clients and partners, management reassured stakeholders that _“all existing institutional commitments, operational objectives, and long-term strategic plans remain fully intact throughout the transition process.”_

The Royal Throne indicated that further updates on the licence approval, commencement of operations, corporate partnerships, and investment programmes will be released through official UKA and Arizona Global Bank LLC channels.

_The Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, Royal Throne of United Kingdom of Atlantis, issued the official statement._

Bank

Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025

Published

13 hours ago

May 12, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025

Lagos, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian financial institution, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting Gross Earnings growth of 45.6% from N1.04 trillion in 2024 to N1.52 trillion in FY 2025, reflecting stronger topline momentum across core business segments.

The Group recorded a Profit Before Tax of N347.7 billion. This performance was underpinned by a 38.7% year-on-year increase in interest income to N1.11 trillion (FY 2024: N803.1 billion) and a 44.7% year-on-year rise in fees and commission income to N113.4 billion (FY 2024: N78.4 billion).

On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 18.6% year-on-year to N10.46 trillion (FY 2024: N8.82 trillion), while customer deposits increased by 16.1% year on year to N6.89 trillion (FY 2024: N5.94 trillion), reflecting continued franchise strength and growing customer confidence in the brand. Net loans and advances declined by 2.4% year-on-year to N4.28 trillion (FY 2024: N4.39 trillion) as customers paid down on their mature obligations.

The Bank also strengthened its capital position during the period, with eligible capital rising to N561 billion, above the regulatory minimum of N500 billion for banks with international authorisation. In addition, capital adequacy remained robust, with Capital Adequacy Ratio of 30.94 percent as at 31 December 2025 (FY 2024: 23.47 percent).

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.