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Sterling Bank’s inhumanity overdose: customers sit on the bare floor, begging to withdraw 

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Sterling Bank's inhumanity overdose: customers sit on the bare floor, begging to withdraw 

Sterling Bank’s inhumanity overdose: customers sit on the bare floor, begging to withdraw 

 

 

 

 

”In our meetings with the banks, we have told them to set up tents and chairs, and give people numbers.” These were the words of The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, who appealed to Nigerians days ago to show understanding about circulation and the accessibility of the new Naira Notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emefiele had noted that he was seeing the protests and arguments surrounding the difficulty citizens were facing in accessing the new notes and therefore begged people to show understanding and be calm.

 

 

 

 

 

However, how else can man’s inhumanity to another be described than subjecting your fellow to untold hardship and not be concerned?

 

 

 

 

 

This was the case with one of the leading financial banks in Nigeria, Sterling Bank. Migrating from an identity and slogan of ‘The one-customer bank’ to ‘Your one-customer bank’, Sterling Bank has found it difficult to fulfill its mandate to its teeming customers.

 

 

 

 

Sterling Bank's inhumanity overdose: customers sit on the bare floor, begging to withdraw 

An on-the-spot assessment of some of their branches mostly between Lagos and Ogun suburbs by Omonaijablog.com.ng, showed that CBN Governor’s appeal to the banks to at least show some level of respect and humanity to their respective customers is not of concern to Sterling Bank. 

 

 

 

 

Omonaijablog reports that as early as 6 a.m. this morning, customers in their numbers had converged at one of the Sterling Bank’s branches close to Alagbole Road, Ojodu, with most of them sitting on bare floor!

 

 

Sterling Bank's inhumanity overdose: customers sit on the bare floor, begging to withdraw 

 

Young, old, married, single, businessmen and women, students in their numbers sitting on the floor, some hanging beside the walls of the bank waiting for when the bank’s ATMs will be loaded and till past 9 a.m. when a reporter of Omonaijablog left the premises, there was no cash at sight. 

 

 

 

 

 

Some who could not access the bank over the weekend were seen begging, pleading, and cursing! The scene was pathetic. Seeing people wearing sad emotions on a Monday morning isn’t a a good omen for the week. Something must be done!

 

 

 

 

 

Let us even ask ourselves, what would it cost the bank to hire a few dozen plastic chairs? Why would people go through such difficulties to withdraw their hard-earned money deposited in a bank legally?

How long do people need to be in the queue before the ATMs will be loaded? How many ‘rich guys’ were in the queue, yet they were the first to get the new notes?

What exactly do we refer to as customer service? And that is why notes were available at parties: birthdays, burials, etc. Being thrown about and trampled upon in ecstasy at events. Propelled by choice of wine and spirit, the rich flaunted the new currency and exposed the conspiracy with the banks.

This was the same bank whose one of the managers was arrested and paraded by CBN’s monitoring team over the week in Ado Ekiti for hoarding about #6 million new notes in the bank’s vault.

In a trending video on social media as reported by Omonaijablog.com.ng, a man who identified himself as Oluwole Owoeye, a deputy director of CBN, while monitoring the distribution of the new naira notes in the state, was seen questioning the bank officials as to why they have not uploaded the funds into their Automated Teller Machines, (ATMs), despite having six of the machines in place.

And to serve as a deterrent, the CBN director also announced a fine of N1 million for each day the fund was in the bank’s custody.

These commercial banks should know that the situation in Nigeria now is terrible and is eating deep into the downtrodden masses.

So, their efforts at sabotaging the whole process should be jointly condemned by all well-meaning Nigerians. Or how best can you describe a bank manager who hoards and sell the new Naira Notes to the highest bidder?

This is definitely different from how to lead a nation to prosperity. People are passing through pains!

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Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

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Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

In a show of solidarity, the Committee of Banks in Nigeria has extended a helping hand to victims of the September 2024 floods in Jigawa State. On Thursday, a high-profile delegation led by Dr. Oliver Alawuba, Chairman of the Committee and Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA), visited Dutse, the state capital, to present relief materials to the state government.
The donated items, worth several million Naira, included essential food supplies such as rice and cooking oil, along with mattresses and beverages. Dr. Alawuba highlighted that the gesture aimed to alleviate the hardship faced by flood victims and support critical institutions, especially public hospitals, in their efforts to assist those affected.
“We stand in solidarity with the people and government of Jigawa State during this difficult time. This donation is our way of expressing empathy and supporting those who have lost loved ones, properties, and livelihoods,” Dr. Alawuba stated.
The delegation included notable banking leaders such as Mr. Roosevelt Ogbonna of Access Bank Plc, Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank Plc, and Dr. (Mrs.) Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank Plc, among others. Their collective presence underscored the banking sector’s commitment to corporate social responsibility and national development.
Governor Malam Umar A. Namadi expressed profound gratitude for the donation, describing the visit as a rare and commendable act of compassion. He assured the delegation that the relief materials would be judiciously distributed to the intended beneficiaries, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in rebuilding lives and communities.
The Committee of Banks also reiterated their commitment to supporting Nigerians during emergencies, drawing attention to previous interventions, including relief efforts during the 2011 and 2013 floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, and security initiatives like the Lagos State Security Trust Fund.
This humanitarian gesture reflects the collective resolve of Nigeria’s financial institutions to foster social and economic growth, making a meaningful impact in times of need.
Nigerian Banks Donate Multimillion Naira Relief Materials to Jigawa Flood Victims

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Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

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Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

Polaris Bank has once again cemented its position as a leader in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by winning the prestigious Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility Awards (SERAS), Africa’s foremost recognition for impactful community and sustainability initiatives.

The bank was honored at the 18th edition of the SERAS Awards, held at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos, for its unwavering dedication to sustainable development and critical community interventions across Nigeria. The organizers commended Polaris Bank for its consistent efforts to improve lives and foster growth in underserved areas.

Polaris Bank Clinches SERAS Award for Excellence in Sustainability and CSR

 

The SERAS Awards, often regarded as the gold standard in sustainability and CSR, celebrate organizations that drive innovation and create lasting societal and environmental benefits. Polaris Bank stood out this year for its extensive portfolio of impactful projects, earning the “Best in Rural Population Integration” award.

Some of the bank’s notable initiatives include:

Sponsoring the planting of 2,000 economic trees in communities like Ajingi, Kano State.
Renovating the Ibeju-Lekki Skill Acquisition Centre and donating essential equipment.
Installing boreholes in underserved rural areas to provide clean water access.
Supporting over 15,000 indigent students in public schools with educational resources, including uniforms, sandals, and books.
Providing free breast cancer screenings to 20,000 women over a decade and supporting survivors through retreats.
Establishing hospitals and rehabilitation centers for victims of sexual violence and vocational centers for women.
Donating ICT labs to skill acquisition centers and promoting financial literacy among students.
Organizing medical outreach programs and aiding Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
These initiatives have not only improved living conditions but also reduced rural-to-urban migration by making communities more self-reliant and livable.

Rebuilding Community Resilience
Polaris Bank recently demonstrated its commitment to resilience by rebuilding its Sagamu branch, which was destroyed during the cash crunch riots following the Naira redesign policy. The bank fully reconstructed and re-equipped the branch, restoring critical banking services and supporting economic recovery in the community.

Commitment to Sustainability
Speaking on the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director, Kayode Lawal, emphasized the institution’s dedication to sustainability. “This recognition underscores our deliberate efforts to drive impactful socio-economic interventions and address the effects of climate change on our environment, economy, and people,” he said.

Lawal reiterated that for Polaris Bank, sustainability is not just a destination but a continuous journey of creating positive change.

Celebrating Africa’s Sustainability Leaders
The SERAS Awards brought together policymakers, business leaders, and global sustainability experts to celebrate organizations shaping Africa’s future through innovative solutions. Attendees used the event to connect with like-minded professionals and reaffirm a shared vision of lasting positive change across the continent.

As a trailblazer in sustainability and CSR, Polaris Bank remains steadfast in its mission to uplift communities, foster economic growth, and champion solutions to pressing societal challenges.

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Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

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Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

Holiday Relief: Dangote Refinery Lowers PMS Price to N899.50, Introduces Special Credit Offer

In a bid to ease financial burdens during the holiday season, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced a reduction in the price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) to N899.50 per litre. This follows a previous price cut to N970 per litre on November 24. The move is aimed at reducing transportation costs for Nigerians as they prepare for festive celebrations.

Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief Branding and Communications Officer of Dangote Group, disclosed the development in a statement, highlighting additional benefits for consumers. Beyond the price reduction, the refinery is introducing a special credit offer. For every litre of PMS purchased on a cash basis, consumers can buy an additional litre on credit, supported by a bank guarantee from Access Bank, First Bank, or Zenith Bank.

“To help reduce transport expenses this holiday season, we’re offering PMS at N899.50 per litre and providing a credit option for additional purchases. This is part of our commitment to making high-quality petroleum products accessible to Nigerians,” Chiejina said.

The refinery also reaffirmed its commitment to providing premium-quality, environmentally-friendly fuel, while ending Nigeria’s dependence on substandard imported products.

With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote Refinery is the largest single-train refinery in the world, capable of meeting Nigeria’s entire refined petroleum product demand and generating surplus for export. As the festive season approaches, the company expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support and pledged continued efforts to ease their economic burdens.

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