Rano: Inspiring Story Of An Ice block seller who became billionaire

Alhaji Auwalu Abdullahi Rano, popularly known as A.A Rano transformed from a humble boy from Kano Village into a billionaire magnate, overseeing a conglomerate that includes 120 filling stations across Nigeria.

Born into an average family in Lausu, Kano State, Rano started small, with an ice block and groundnut oil business, including other local items.

Rano has gone into building a multi-billion naira enterprise spanning various sectors of Nigeria’s economy.

Today, Rano owns AA Rano oil & Gas industry in Nigeria with 56 ML Tank farm in Lagos, with 120 retail outlet/ fillng stations across Nigeria and over 600 trucks & LPG terminals as well as acquired vessel (M.T LAUSAU).

His ventures include RanoGaz, a state-of-the-art Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) terminal, a rice milling company, Rano Lubricant, Rano Air, Lausu Marine and Logistics, AA Rano Terminal, and AA Rano Road Haulage.

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Fidelity Bank records a 120.1% growth in PBT to N39.5bn in Q1 2024

In line with its upward growth trajectory, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has posted an impressive 120.1% growth in Profit Before Tax from N17.9bn at the end of Q1 2023 to N39.5bn for Q1 2024. This was made known in the Bank’s unaudited financial statements released on the issuer portal of the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday, 30 April 2024.

According to the statement, Gross Earnings increased by 89.9% yoy to N192.1bn from N101.1bn in Q1 2023. The increase was led by a combination of interest income (90.7% yoy) and non-interest income (84.0% yoy). Growth in interest income was primarily spurred by a higher yield environment and strong earning assets base, while the increase in non-interest income was led by double-digit growth in account maintenance charges, FX-related income, trade, banking services, and remittances, supported by increased customer transactions.

Commenting on the results, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, MD/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc stated, “We are pleased to report another quarter of strong financial performance driven by our strategic focus on customer-centricity, digital innovation and operational excellence. Despite the challenging macroeconomic environment, we remained resilient and agile, delivering double-digit growth on key income lines while advancing our business sustainability agenda.”

In the period under review, the bank grew Net interest income grew by 89.5% yoy to N99.6bn from N52.6bn in Q1 2023, driven by interest and similar income as the yield on financial instruments improved to 14.7% from 10.1% in Q1 2023 (2023FY: 11.6%). In line with the steady rise in interest rates through the year, average funding cost increased by 80bps ytd to 5.2%. However, NIM came in at 8.8%

compared to 8.1% in 2023FY, as increafeatsed yield on earning assets surpassed funding cost to 15.1% from 13.3% in Q1 2023 (2023FY: 13.5%).

Similarly, Total Deposits increased by 17.2% ytd to N4.7tn from N4.0tn in 2023FY, driven by double-digit growth across all deposit types (demand, savings and term). Net Loans and Advances increased by 21.2% to N3.7tn from N3.1tn in 2023FY.

“Beginning the year on this inspiring note reaffirms our strategy of helping individuals to grow, inspiring businesses to thrive and empowering economies to prosper. We are committed to our guidance as we build a more resilient business franchise with a well-diversified earnings base in 2024,” explained Onyeali-Ikpe.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8.5 million customers serviced across its 251 business offices in Nigeria and the United Kingdom as well as on digital banking channels.

The bank has won multiple local and international awards including the Export Finance Bank of the Year at the 2023 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards, the Best Payment Solution Provider Nigeria 2023 and Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking and Finance Awards; Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2023; and Best Domestic Private Bank in Nigeria by the Euromoney Global Private Banking Awards 2023.

TY BURATAI HUMANITY CARE FOUNDATION CALLS FOR EXPULSION OF A CHINESE FAMILY OWNERS OF A SUPERMARKET THAT SEGREGATES NIGERIANS

In a bold statement released by the TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation, a call has been made for the expulsion of the Chinese family owners of a supermarket in Abuja, Nigeria, who deny Nigerians access to shop. The foundation, led by it’s Chairman Amb Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi and Betara of Biu, expressed deep concern over the discriminatory practices of the supermarket, which only allows Chinese citizens to enter and purchase goods while barring Nigerians from doing the same.

The Grand Patron of the Foundation, His Excellency Ambassador Lt Gen Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd) CFR, former Chief of Army Staff, condemned the discriminatory actions of the supermarket owners, likening it to racism. He emphasized that no foreign citizen should be denied his rights in Nigeria as long as he or she abides by the country’s laws. Gen Buratai questioned the audacity of foreigners dictating terms to bona-fide citizens on how to live or stay in their own country.

Gen Buratai further criticized the discriminatory policies of the supermarket owners, stating that there is no valid reason for a company in Nigeria to refuse to sell to Nigerians. He labeled the actions of the Chinese family-owned establishment as a clear case of racism and called for decisive action by the federal government against any individuals, foreign or Nigerian, who flout the rules and regulations of the nation.

The TY Buratai Humanity Care Foundation’s stance on the issue serves as a strong message against segregation and open hatred towards Nigerians. The foundation urges the government to address such discriminatory practices swiftly and firmly to uphold the rights and dignity of all citizens in Nigeria and even abroad.