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Is Interest Money Being Shared on Twitter?

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Nseobong Okon-Ekong writes on a unique financial institution, VFD Group Limited that deploys innovative entertainment platforms to provide novelty in banking

At the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, most people including myself found solace in online activities –primarily but not exclusively, on Instagram. You name it, I engaged with it – I attended practically every webinar, every IG Live chat and even found myself attending a ‘Nightclub’ online – yes I said it, I partied at ‘ClubV’.

I know what you were thinking, how could I compare an ‘IG party’ to a large venue where DJs thump and spin afrobeat, house and other genres of music? But in fact, I am comparing and dare I say, I partied till 4am in the morning until the virtual bouncers at ClubV kicked me out.

It is fair to say that if the lockdown hadn’t left me with so much boredom, I wouldn’t have paid attention to it but with nothing to do, this was a perfect feast for the eyes as well as the ears.

Now the biggest surprise for this experience was discovering that this was not a creative concept by some of Nigeria’s biggest DJ acts or in fact a host of influencers – it was in fact, a bank that had cleverly orchestrated this.

Are you confused? So was I. I then started to wonder, why will V by VFD, a digital bank organize a ‘club party’ on Instagram?

It seemed improbable but the show was great fun, there was never a dull moment mostly engineered by the Brand Ambassador, music maestro, Don Jazzy entertaining his loyal followers with his unique brand of antics supported by the sounds of DJ Big N.

Fast forward to recent times, VBank caught my attention once again on Twitter. This time, this creative digital bank had consumers share real life tales of the interest payments they had received on their accounts.

At first, I wasn’t sure where to look but with the endless Twitter banter and some celebrity testimonials including fashion designer, Mai Atafo who shared his story of being the recipient of a N18,000 interest payment.

Mai is an acquaintance that I have known on the job and so I reached out to him to understand what the hoopla was all about. It was simple – V for VFD (fondly known as VBank) – launched earlier in 2020; was paying customers interests on their idle overnight bank balances, cumulatively dropping on the 1st day of the following month.

I started to investigate the difference between what its customers had received to what I got from an actual investment (Fixed Deposit) in my ‘brick & mortar’ bank. I must admit, VBank was paying higher. How were the interests I had been receiving lower than what a VBank customer who didn’t even make an investment receive?

The challenge with saving is that many do not practice the maxim that says little drops of water make an ocean. They can conveniently spend a maximum of N2000, for instance, everyday on mundane things (that is N60000 per month or approximately N730000 in a year), as they complain about the economy, the government, and the people around them for their woes.

Some of the products in the VFD Group Limited portfolio in VFD Bridge, a debt investment company that provides personal financial advisory services to individuals and small businesses. Another popular product is Anchoria Asset Management (AAM), a specialist provider of active investment products and services to institutional and individual investors.

That was the sign I needed. I immediately searched “VBank” on AppStore, downloaded the app. I am looking forward to the first day of each month. I honestly cannot wait to post my interest payment for all to see – you may even get to see my victory dance on the day.

https://vfdgroup.com/

Fashion/Lifestyle

Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

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Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

Nigerian travel content creator Alma Asinobi may not be setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents after visa-related delays prevented her from reaching Sydney, Australia, within the required time.

In an Instagram update on Sunday, Asinobi, who is still en route to Sydney, confirmed that her total journey time would be 71 hours and 35 minutes, falling short of the current record of 64 hours, set in February 2025 by American veteran Johnny Cruz Buckingham.

Reflecting on her attempt, she noted that had she been competing against the previous record of 73 hours, set by Indian travelers in 2022, she would have surpassed it. However, multiple setbacks meant that by the time she made her announcement, she had already spent 63 hours, 54 minutes, and 33 seconds traveling, making it impossible to surpass Buckingham’s 64-hour record.

Asinobi faced numerous obstacles throughout her attempt, particularly due to visa restrictions associated with her Nigerian passport. One of the major setbacks occurred when she was denied boarding on her flight to Perth, Australia, forcing her to rebook on a later flight to Sydney.

In her Instagram post, she reflected on the challenges she encountered, including unexpected disruptions such as the Heathrow Airport fire that further complicated her travel plans.

“So close, but so far away. I may not have won this one, but we can sure win the next one together,” she wrote. “My eyes may be swollen from all the tears I’ve cried, but I promise to find moments of laughter in between.”

Despite the setback, Asinobi emphasized that her journey was about more than just breaking a record. She expressed hope that her attempt would inspire others to take on challenges, regardless of the limitations they face.

“When I land, we will catch up on lives and pour our hearts out to each other. For now, let’s finish this! I really hope this attempt was worth something for a Nigerian out there,” she added.

Now shifting her focus to her homecoming event on March 30, Asinobi aims to set another record by gathering Nigerians to sign a national flag in solidarity.

“We still have one more record to break at the homecoming event on March 30, where we will make history by signing our Nigerian flag,” she wrote. “I can’t wait to see you all there. I totally and physically cannot do that one without you, so please show up for me.”

Throughout her journey, Asinobi has been vocal about the difficulties Nigerian passport holders face, including complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and last-minute flight cancellations. Her experience has sparked widespread discussions on passport inequality and the barriers restricting global mobility for citizens of certain countries.

While she may not be taking home the Guinness World Record, Asinobi’s attempt has garnered widespread support, with many rallying behind her efforts.

“You did win! A personal win, a win for Nigerians, a win for me as a fellow Black girl navigating the world without passport privilege,” one supporter commented on her post.

Despite the challenges, Asinobi remains determined to continue making history and inspiring others to push beyond their limitations.

 

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Fashion/Lifestyle

Those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry” – Prudent Ludidi

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Those who wronged you may never say "I'm sorry" - Prudent Ludidi

Those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry” – Prudent Ludidi

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I want to talk about something that can be difficult to accept, those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry.”

 

Those who wronged you may never say "I'm sorry" - Prudent Ludidi

We’ve all been hurt by someone at some point in our lives. And often, we hold onto that hurt, and hope in waiting for the person who wronged us to acknowledge their mistake and apologize.

But the truth is, that apology may never come.

It’s hard to accept because we feel like we deserve closure. We deserve to hear that the person who hurt us regrets their actions.

But closure is not something someone else gives you. Closure is something you give yourself.

You have the power to choose:

Choose to heal, even if they never acknowledge their wrongdoing
Choose to move forward, even if they never make amends

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. Forgiveness means releasing the hold that person has on you.

Forgiveness means taking back control of your life.

You don’t need someone else’s apology to move on. You don’t need someone else’s validation to heal.

You are strong enough to do it on your own.

And when you do, you’ll find peace. You’ll find freedom.

Remember, holding onto anger and resentment only hurts you. It doesn’t change the past.

But forgiveness can change your future.

So, don’t wait for someone else to say “I’m sorry.” Say it to yourself: “I’m sorry that happened to me, but I’m moving forward.”

Say it loud and clear: “I deserve to heal. I deserve to be happy.”

Take back your power. Take back your life.

Move forward with courage and faith.

You got this.

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Fashion/Lifestyle

LSACA, HEFAMAA,NAFDAC ,AVILA NATURALLE,OTHERS SET TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE WEST AFRICA SPA AND COSMETOLOGISTS RECOGNITION AWARD 2024

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LSACA, HEFAMAA,NAFDAC ,AVILA NATURALLE,OTHERS SET TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE WEST AFRICA SPA AND COSMETOLOGISTS RECOGNITION AWARD 2024

 

The west Africa Spa and cosmetologists recognition Award ,the first of its kind in Africa an event collaboration with Ghana Cosmetics Association holds at the prestigious Oriental Hotel lagos

An industry based award to honor legends ,stakeholders and cosmetologists in the beauty Industry ,Regulators and health Agencies

The organisers of the programme is poised with the development of this sector within the west Africa region using quality , safety and Professionalism as a watchword in the quest for products promotion and distribution.

The award will be used to promote individuals and brands in the Beauty Sector who have given their best in the development of beauty in west Africa.

As the drive for continental free trade Area hots up ,the founder of the programme Mr Chukwumah Emmanuel a Public Health Practitioner and the National President of Professional Association of Spa and Cosmetologists in Nigeria says that the perspective of this event is centered on encouragement and Networking within the sub region.

Other awardees for this event include Lagos Safety Commission, Beauty West Africa,and America Nigeria chambers of Commerce

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