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Heritage Bank’s “The Refinery,” CBN, 25 others receive CIBN’s Certificates of Accreditation

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Heritage Bank

The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) yesterday official presented Certificates of Accreditation to Heritage Bank Plc Academy known as “The Refinery” and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Learning Centre.

The Institute via a Zoom virtual platform also accredited more 25 Educational Training Service Providers (ETSP), which is in accordance with its role as the Accreditation Agency for the implementation of the Competency Framework released, as part of the strategy to redirect the banking industry towards the path of entrenching a sequenced competency development programme and build capacity for the stability of the financial system.

The Institutions include Crown Agent UK; B. Adedipe Associates Limited; Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI), United Kingdom; The Nigerian Stock Exchange X Academy; Mactay Consulting Limited; Knowledge Beyond Limited; Brideswell Consulting Limited; Ultravantage Solutions ; EdgeEcution Global Resources Limited and Katalyst Consulting.

Others are: Michael Stevens Consulting; NLP Nigeria Limited; Procept Associates Professional Services Limited; Don Mitchell & Co Limited; Bode Zakari Management Consultants; Success for ALL Limited; Edcof Educational Services Limited and Kloverharris Limited.

The Refinery supervised by the Bank’s Human Capital Management Group was accredited by CIBN after assessing and evaluating its syllabus, curriculum and structure by panel of technocrats and seasoned bankers set up by the Institute, which according to the chartered institute aligns with the Competency Framework of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the professional paper standard of CIBN.

Speaking during the presentation, the CIBN President, Bayo Olugbemi said the event marks yet another significant milestone in the annals of the Institute and our continuing quest for the strengthening of the intellectual resources and capabilities of the human capital in the banking and finance industry. He stressed that apart from efforts towards addressing competency challenges, thereby enthroning a minimum standard for practitioners in the banking industry.

He applauded Heritage Bank for setting a high standard of learning facility which its structure and curriculum “is next to that of CBN’s training institute,” whilst stressing that the bank’s training school is the best in Nigerian banking industry and at par with international best standard.

He equally informed the gathering that the Certificates of Accreditation presented to Two (2) Bank Academies and Twenty-Six (26) ETSPs bringing the total number of institutions under the Programme to Nineteen (19) Bank Academies; Seventy-Five (75) Educational Training Service Providers; Sixty-Nine (69) Solicited Accreditation; Six (6) Unsolicited Accreditation.

Ifie Sekibo, the MD/CEO of the bank, has described Heritage Bank as a forward looking business whose strength lies in the ability to spot and mould talents into great professionals.

Sekibo, represented by the Executive Director, Jude Monye explained that the word “The Refinery” was chosen for the purpose of refining its employees to emerge as gold and harness the required skills to excel in their job functions.

He noted that the Refinery was established to train, nurture and arm young employees with the right skills needed to fast-track development and enable teams to flourish.

“Just as the word Refinery connotes, the Heritage Bank Plc Refinery is a Facility where crude talents or abilities are converted or ‘refined’ into ‘finished’ jewels for optimal performance.

“The training program is designed to take each participant on an enriching, rigorous and intellectually engaging learning journey to equip them with the fundamental competencies required of a professional banker. The Curriculums are structured to accommodate both Core and Non-Core Banking competencies such as finance, credit and accounting, organizational and behavioral competencies to mention a few”, Sekibo stated.

Meanwhile, about 300 employees who are fresh from universities across and outside the country with diverse academic backgrounds and impressive academic records underwent rigorous training in an intensive 12-week academic (practical and theoretical) programme with over 30 courses in Port Harcourt.

The Refinery is a tailored learning experience Institute with the perfect blend of technologies, techniques and methodologies to optimise training experiences, which will help employees, succeed in ensuring that the bank’s business stays ahead of the curve with the banking sector along with Heritage Bank’s target goals.

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Nothing Is Impossible, Dangote Tells Harvard Scholars

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…Dangote, an Entrepreneurial Genius, Providing Innovative Solutions’

 

The President/Chief ExecutiveDangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, has urged young entrepreneurs and scholars to rise above limitations and push their ambitions to help transform the world into a better place.

 

The prominent industrialist made this call on Wednesday when a delegation of Harvard Kennedy School scholars visited the Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals complex and Dangote Fertiliser Limited in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos.

 

Addressing the 50 scholars, representing 18 different nationalities from across the globe, Dangote emphasised the importance of being driven by ambition and a ‘can-do’ spirit, as exemplified by the Dangote Group in constructing the world’s largest single-train refinery.

 

He stressed that ambition should be paired with a desire to create a legacy and make an impact, not simply for profit. 

“Life is not worth living without ambition. In this life, nothing is impossible. Don’t allow fear to hold you back. Be knowledgeable about the business you want to pursue. I am not an engineer, but I don’t engage in any business I don’t understand,” he said.

 

Dangote, who spent over 40 minutes answering questions from the scholars, recalled being advised against building the refinery, as many argued that such mega projects were only feasible for sovereign nations, not individuals. He shared that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the company had to find ways to sustain the project. He also noted that the ingenuity involved in constructing a world-class refinery, which meets global best practices, produces Euro V products, and is capable of processing over 100 different types of crude oil, has kept it running despite shortage of Nigerian crude oil.

 

Vice President, Oil & Gas, Dangote Group, Edwin Devakumar,  explained that building the 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery was a monumental feat that required immense courage, vision, and determination. He pointed out that the group acted as its own Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractor for the project – a refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day – a feat that had never been attempted before.

 

“Our Group President has a plaque in his office that reads, ‘nothing is impossible.’ This is the mindset he instilled in us when faced with challenges. He does not accept impossibilities and always aims for excellence. This approach was the same when we revolutionised the cement industry in Nigeria. We turned the country from one of the largest importers of cement into a net exporter. Today, after decades of depending on imported refined products, we now have the capacity to meet all of Nigeria’s refined product demands, with surplus supplies of jet A1, gasoline, and diesel for export. Other products from the refinery include polypropylene, carbon black feedstock, and sulphur,” he said.

 

Devakumar highlighted the significant investments made to realise the project, including dredging 65 million cubic metres of sand to raise the height of the site by 1.5 metres to safeguard against potential sea level rises due to global warming. The group also procured 330 cranes and lifting equipment due to the lack of local capacity, built the world’s largest granite quarry to supply materials such as coarse aggregates, stone columns, and stone dust, and constructed the refinery on 250,000 piles – potentially the largest number ever used for a single project.

 

The scholars, who toured the magnificent complexes, were in awe and praised Dangote for his ambitious vision, which seeks to address global needs. They commended him as an inspiration and entrepreneurial genius, with many describing the visit to the refinery as the highlight of their tour, which also included stops in Ghana and Abuja.

 

Sheffy Kolade, leader of the Harvard Kennedy School student-led Nigeria-Ghana Trek and global advisor for the Women for Prosperity project with the Atlantic Council’s Freedom and Prosperity Center, said that the Dangote Group symbolises Nigeria’s resilience and economic transformation.

 

“I want to start by saying that the Dangote Group is not just a business. It is a symbol of Nigeria’s resilience. It is a symbol of the bright future that lies ahead for us. It represents the extraordinary achievements possible when we put our minds to something. I am happy that we are here to witness the economic progress happening in Nigeria. We’ve seen the largest single-train refinery in the world, and we’ve visited a fertiliser plant that exports to South America and the US,” she said.

 

A social entrepreneur and a member of the Forbes Business Council, Kolade added, “From where we are standing, thousands of people earn their daily livelihood. This business has created numerous jobs and energy security for our country. It has reduced our reliance on imported petroleum products, and, of course, it is increasing our foreign reserves. I want to thank you, sir, for everything you’re doing for our country and for Africa. We appreciate it. It’s truly inspiring for us.”

 

Speaking about her team and their mission at the refinery, Kolade noted, “My team consists of 50 people from 18 different nationalities. We have people from nearly every continent. We are a blend of policy, business, sustainability, and development-minded individuals, most of whom are from the Harvard Kennedy School. There’s one from the Harvard Business School, one from Harvard Public Health, and others pursuing joint degrees with Harvard, Stanford, and MIT. We are all curious-minded people who value impact, sustainability, and progress.”

 

Another member of the team, Darrow Merton, a Foreign Service Officer with the United States, described Dangote’s vision and resilience as an inspiration to entrepreneurs. He praised Dangote for not only breaking barriers to build the refinery but also for his ability to provide innovative solutions in the face of adversity.

 

Nothing Is Impossible, Dangote Tells Harvard Scholars

 

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Heirs Holdings Partners with GIVO Africa to Tackle Plastic Waste for a Sustainable Future

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Heirs Holdings deepens commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

Lagos, March 21, 2025 – Heirs Holdings, a leading pan-African investment company with a portfolio spanning the power, energy, financial services, hospitality, real estate, healthcare and technology sectors, has announced its strategic partnership with GIVO Africa, a climate technology and recycling company, reinforcing the company’s deep commitment to driving initiatives that deliver meaningful impact.
This initiative will advance Heirs Holdings’ efforts in promoting a circular economy in Africa; fostering sustainable practices that minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency.
Over the past 15 years, Heirs Holdings’ impact-driven approach has been instrumental in shaping Africa’s business landscape, underscoring its commitment to long-term, sustainable development. Guided by its Africapitalism philosophy, Heirs Holdings has championed inclusive growth by investing in businesses that drive economic transformation, generate employment, and uplift communities across the continent.
Speaking on the partnership, Group Sustainability Officer at Heirs Holdings, Clari Green said: “At Heirs Holdings, we believe in a shared destiny with our local communities—businesses have a responsibility to drive sustainable solutions that create lasting economic and environmental impact. This initiative reinforces our commitment improving lives and driving meaningful transformation across our continent.”
Similarly, CEO of GIVO Africa, Victor Boyle-Komolafe remarked: “We are excited to join forces with Heirs Holdings in tackling plastic waste and promoting a circular economy in Africa. By leveraging our expertise in climate technology and community engagement, we are confident that this partnership will contribute significantly to environmental conservation while fostering economic opportunities.”
Heirs Holdings continues to lead in sustainable business practices, integrating sustainability into its corporate strategy to tackle environmental challenges while fostering meaningful social impact.

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U.S. Visa Interview Rules Get Stricter – Avoid This Critical Error

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U.S. Visa Interview Rules Get Stricter – Avoid This Critical Error

New U.S. Visa Rule Could Derail Travel Plans in 2025

If you’re planning to apply for a U.S. visa in 2025, brace yourself for a major policy shift that could make or break your travel plans. The U.S. Department of State has unveiled significant changes to the visa interview process, set to take effect in April 2025. This sweeping reform impacts all visa categories, including student, work, tourist, and immigrant visas.

Stricter DS-160 Barcode Requirement One of the most critical modifications is the strict enforcement of barcode verification on the DS-160 visa application form. According to the new guidelines, applicants must ensure that the barcode number on their DS-160 matches the one used to schedule their visa appointment. Failure to comply with this requirement will lead to immediate denial of entry into the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for their visa interview.

Previously, applicants could make modifications to their DS-160 form even after securing an interview appointment. However, as of March 18, 2025, this will no longer be permitted. Under the new rules:

  • The visa appointment must be scheduled using the same barcode number on the DS-160 form.
  • If the barcode numbers do not match, applicants will be refused entry to the Embassy or Consulate.
  • To correct a mismatch, applicants must reschedule their appointment using a DS-160 form with the correct barcode number.

Increased Scrutiny and Responsibility on Applicants While these measures are designed to streamline the visa process and minimize errors, they place a heavier burden on applicants to ensure accuracy from the outset. Mistakes that may have previously been rectified with minor adjustments could now result in serious delays, affecting travel, work, and study plans.

How to Avoid Delays and Denials To navigate these stricter requirements, visa applicants must take proactive steps, including:

  • Double-checking that the DS-160 barcode number matches the one used to schedule the interview.
  • Printing and bringing the correct DS-160 confirmation page to the interview.
  • Rescheduling immediately via the official U.S. Visa Appointment website if any barcode mismatch is detected.

Consequences of a Barcode Mismatch A mismatched barcode is not a trivial issue. In countries with already lengthy visa interview wait times, this error could push appointments back by weeks or even months. This could lead to students missing enrollment deadlines, workers losing job opportunities, and tourists having to rethink their travel plans.

With these new requirements looming, prospective U.S. visa applicants are urged to be meticulous in their applications. Ensuring that all details match precisely could mean the difference between a smooth approval process and a frustrating delay.

 

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