Business

Samuella Sam-Orlu Emerges Winner of 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition

Published

8 years ago

November 21, 2017

Pix 1: l-r: Group Head, Human Resources, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Patricia Aderibigbe; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Overall Winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; and Group Head, Secretariat & Corporate Services, UBA Plc, Bili Odum during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, held at UBA House in Lagos on Monday

It was an all-female affair as fifteen year old Samuella Sam-Orlu of British Nigerian Academy Abuja, emerged the overall winner of the 2017 edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, winning an educational grant of N1,000,000.00 to study in any African university of her choice, as well as a laptop.

Samuella clinched the first position at the grand finale, which was held on Monday November 20th, 2017 at the UBA Head Office, Marina Lagos, ahead of 11 other finalists selected from over 1,000 entries received by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria.

Pix 2: L-R: GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka with the Overall Winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition held at UBA House in Lagos on Monday

A visibly elated Samuella – who was escorted by her guardian, Mrs. Jacqueline Uzoadibe – said winning the competition would propel her to do more in attaining her dreams of becoming a Medical Director. “I am very thrilled, and thankful to God. I want to say that I was very grateful to hear my name announced as the winner. I am indeed very grateful to UBA for this huge opportunity and making me believe in myself. This grant will go a long way to support my bid for quality education.”

The second prize was bagged by Deborah Chinwendu Innocentaged 15 of Enal International Schools Abuja, who won N750,000 educational grant and a laptop while the third prize went to Yahofon Ettah Essien of Nigerian Christian Institute Akwa Ibom State, coveting a N500,000 educational grant and a laptop. The other 9 finalists were given laptops. All 12 finalists also went home with certificates.

Pix 3: l-r: 1st Runner-up 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and student of ENAL International Schools, Miss Deborah Chinwendu Innocent; GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Overall Winner and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; and 2nd Runner-up and Student of Nigerian Christian Institute, Miss Yahofon Ettah Essien during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony held at UBA House in Lagos on Monday

Bola Atta, the MD/CEO of UBA Foundation while congratulating the winners commended them for their exceptional brilliance. “Every student who sent in an entry is on a winning streak already. To be confident about your writing skills and thirsty enough to enter a competition to further enhance your educational path is laudable. For those that did not win, I would say do not be discouraged. Take it as a challenge to perfect your writing skills and enter for the competition again in 2018’ she said.

According to Atta, UBA Foundation, being the CSR arm of UBA Plc, makes it a point of duty to give back to communities where UBA operates. Education she noted is one of the Foundation’s focus areas as it is the bedrock of any nation.

She went on to encourage finalists to be good ambassadors of the competition which is in its sixth year in Nigeria, affirming that the competition will be held every year.

Pix 4: l-r:: GMD/CEO, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Overall Winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu; and Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition, held at UBA House in Lagos on Monday

In his remark the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said UBA as a bank is happy that it is touching lives and making solid impacts through this competition and the grant it gives out to those who emerge winners.

“Seeing past winners tell their stories on the impact the grants have made on their education and particularly how the financial burden was lifted off their parents, gives us joy that our foundation is unique and stands out from others in touching lives,” Uzoka said.

He informed the gathering made up of parents, students and media that the essay competition has produced over 100 winners, since its inception in 2011 in Nigeria, with winners studying varied courses in Universities in Nigeria and within the African continent. “I must also state here that we want to make sure that the grants are given to those who really need it. That is why we restrict the grant to schools within Africa alone. If by chance the parents of any winner sends his or her ward to an elite school outside Africa, we would not go ahead with that support, because what we are really after are those who need the grant as we contribute to the development of Africa, Uzoka said”.

He encouraged the winners to be of good character, and ensure that apart from academic excellence, they must avoid any negative action that might dent the foundation’s image and that of their families.

Pix 5: l-r: Group Head, Human Resources, UBA Plc, Patricia Aderibigbe; GMD/CEO, UBA Plc, Mr. Kennedy Uzoka; Guardian of the Overall Winner, Jacqueline Uzoadibe; Overall Winner of the 2017 UBA Foundation National Essay Competition and Student of British Nigerian Academy, Miss Samuella Sam-Orlu; Managing Director/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta; and Group Head, Secretariat & Corporate Services, UBA Plc, Bili Odum during the Grand finale and prize giving ceremony of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition held at UBA House in Lagos on Monday

One of the past winners of the 2011 edition, Miss Enitan Amodu, who is now a graduate of Physiotherapy, from Babcock University, said the grant has taken a huge burden off her parents financially, and has also helped to build her confidence. “Being a winner of this grant gave me a platform to shine and has helped to reinforce my determination that I can achieve anything I set out to do. That is why every day, with heartfelt gratitude to UBA, I have decided to be a worthy ambassador of the foundation by keeping the fire burning most importantly because I don’t want to be another unemployed graduate statistic,” she said

The judges, led by a Professor of English (Gender Studies) and Director of Pre-degree Studies, University of Uyo, Mrs. Ini Uko said they were impressed with the participants who showed lots of promise as to what to expect of the future of Nigeria, noting that the students wrote intelligently and their ideas were well articulated, new and refreshing. She noted that the judges were also encouraged by the fact that entries came in from students from all parts of the country.

Business

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Published

3 days ago

February 19, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Nigeria’s Inflation Drops to 15.10% as NBS Reports Deflationary Trend

Nigeria’s headline inflation rate declined to 15.10 per cent in January 2026, marking a significant drop from 27.61 per cent recorded in January 2025, according to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released by the National Bureau of Statistics.

The report also showed that month-on-month inflation recorded a deflationary trend of –2.88 per cent, representing a 3.42 percentage-point decrease compared to December 2025. Analysts say the development signals easing price pressures across key sectors of the economy.

Food inflation stood at 8.89 per cent year-on-year, down from 29.63 per cent in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, food prices declined by 6.02 per cent, reflecting lower costs in several staple commodities.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently attributed recent economic adjustments to ongoing fiscal and monetary reforms aimed at stabilising prices, boosting agricultural output, and strengthening domestic supply chains.

Economic analysts note that while the latest figures indicate progress, sustaining the downward trend will depend on continued policy discipline, exchange rate stability, and improvements in food production and distribution.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

The data suggests a sustained downward trajectory in inflation over the past 12 months, pointing to improving macroeconomic stability.

The January report provides one of the clearest indications yet that inflationary pressures, which surged in early 2025, may be moderating.

Bank

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2026

Sahara Weekly

Alpha Morgan to Host 19th Economic Review Webinar

In an economy shaped by constant shifts, the edge often belongs to those with the right information.

On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Alpha Morgan Bank will host the 19th edition of its Economic Review Webinar, a high-level thought leadership session designed to equip businesses, investors, and individuals with timely financial and economic insight.

The session, which will hold live on Zoom at 10:00am WAT and will feature economist Bismarck Rewane, who will examine the key signals influencing Nigeria’s economic direction in 2026, including policy trends, market movements, and global developments shaping the local landscape.

With a consistent track record of delivering clarity in uncertain times, the Alpha Morgan Economic Review continues to provide practical context for decision-making in a dynamic environment.

Registration for the 19th Alpha Morgan Economic Review is free and can be completed via https://bit.ly/registeramerseries19

It is a bi-monthly platform that is open to the public and is held virtually.

Visit www.alphamorganbank to know more.

Business

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2026

Sahara Weekly

GTCO increases GTBank’s Paid-Up Capital to ₦504 Billion

GTBank Launches Quick Airtime Loan at 2.95%

Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd (GTBank), the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, Africa’s leading financial services group, today announced the launch of Quick Airtime Loan, an innovative digital solution that gives customers instant access to airtime when they run out of call credit and have limited funds in their bank accounts, ensuring customers can stay connected when it matters most.

In today’s always-on world, running out of airtime is more than a minor inconvenience. It can mean missed opportunities, disrupted plans, and lost connections, often at the very moment when funds are tight, and options are limited. Quick Airtime Loan was created to solve this problem, offering customers instant access to airtime on credit, directly from their bank. With Quick Airtime Loan, eligible GTBank customers can access from ₦100 and up to ₦10,000 by dialing *737*90#. Available across all major mobile networks in Nigeria, the service will soon expand to include data loans, further strengthening its proposition as a reliable on-demand platform.

For years, the airtime credit market has been dominated by Telcos, where charges for this service are at 15%. GTBank is now changing the narrative by offering a customer-centric, bank-led digital alternative priced at 2.95%. Built on transparency, convenience and affordability, Quick Airtime Loan has the potential to broaden access to airtime, deliver meaningful cost savings for millions of Nigerians, and redefine how financial services show up in everyday life, not just in banking moments.

Commenting on the product launch, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd, said: “Quick Airtime Loan reflects GTBank’s continued focus on delivering digital solutions that are relevant, accessible, and built around real customer needs. The solution underscores the power of a connected financial ecosystem, combining GTBank’s digital reach and lending expertise with the capabilities of HabariPay to deliver a smooth, end-to-end experience. By leveraging unique strengths across the Group, we are able to accelerate innovation, strengthen execution, and deliver a more integrated customer experience across all our service channels.”

Importantly, Quick Airtime Loan highlights GTCO’s evolution as a fully diversified financial services group. Leveraging HabariPay’s Squad, the solution reinforces the Group’s ecosystem proposition by bringing together banking, payment technology, and digital channels to deliver intuitive, one-stop experiences for customers.

With this new product launch, Guaranty Trust Bank is extending its legacy of pioneering digital-first solutions that have redefined customer access to financial services across the industry, building on the proven strength of its widely adopted QuickCredit offering and the convenience of the Bank’s iconic *737# USSD Banking platform.
About Guaranty Trust Bank

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is the flagship banking franchise of GTCO Plc, a leading financial services group with a strong presence across Africa and the United Kingdom. The Bank is widely recognized for its leadership in digital banking, customer experience, and innovative financial solutions that deliver value to individuals, businesses, and communities.

About HabariPay

HabariPay is the payments fintech subsidiary of GTCO Plc, focused on enabling fast, secure, and accessible digital payments for individuals and businesses. By integrating payments and digital technology, HabariPay supports innovative services that make everyday financial interactions simpler and more seamless.
Enquiries:

GTCO
Group Corporate Communication
[email protected]
+234-1-2715227
www.gtcoplc.com