Connect with us

NEWS

FirstBank Reiterates Commitment to Supporting Businesses for Economic Growth

Published

on

Share

First Bank of Nigeria Plc has reiterated its commitment to supporting businesses through various initiatives and providing financial solutions for a thriving business environment and economic growth.

Mrs Olaitan Martins, Group Executive, Transaction Banking, reaffirmed this during an interactive session with some Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCGs) business owners on Wednesday in Lagos.

Reports says that the interactive section was for FMCG distributors in Southwest to enlighten them on business development and how to grow their income bases.

Martins said that the forum was part of the bank’s efforts to engage and educate its customers on business development and to appreciate key distributors and principals in the FMCG sector.

Martins said it was important to support businesses that contribute to the nation’s economy through the distribution of fast moving commodities.

“Our customers are the key distributors and the principals. They are the large corporates and the main companies in Nigeria.

Today’s event is just to enlighten them and celebrate them for what they have been doing in contributing to the nation and to the distribution channel for fast moving commodities.

“It’s also an opportunity for us to thank them for their businesses and really educate them on how to run this value chain business because, in everything, there is risk. It is important that we assist our customers,” she said.

Martins emphasised the bank’s longstanding presence in Nigeria for 130 years and its integral role in the country’s economy and individual lives.

She explained that the distributor’s scheme was about financing companies, thereby growing the economy.

“FirstBank is here to support every business. We are here for you, but we all have to do it together and ensure that we grow the economy and grow the nation,” she said.

Earlier, Mobolade Ojeahere, Group Head, Transaction Banking, FirstBank, said it had become imperative for the bank to engage the distributors because of the exchange rate volatility.

He said the interactive session was also to get feedbacks, look for solutions and how to turn challenges into opportunities.

Reports says that the officials of the bank took turns to introduce various products of the bank, demystify myths about bank loans and also spoke on how distributors could leverage on opportunities.

They discussed market trends for critical sectors being dominated by FMCGs.

They also discussed digital solutions for distributors and the need to embrace cashless transactions for FMCGs, adjudged to have the highest market sale in Africa with 41.78 billion dollars.

The panel answered questions on mode of calculations for various bank facilities, interest rates on various products, over deductions as well as product dynamics and advice.

Awards were later given to the best distributors from the Southwest in attendance. (NAN)

Education

UBEC to roll out nationwide smart education technology

Published

on

Share

The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced plans for a comprehensive deployment of technology to transform basic education delivery across Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Mrs Aisha Garba, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja, during a media briefing ahead of the 2025 International Conference on Smart Education and Digital Literacy (ICSE 2025).

Report says that the conference was jointly organised by the commission and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The three-day conference, scheduled for May 6 to May 9 in Abuja, is with the its theme: “Empowering African Smart Education Through Emerging Technologies”.

According to Garba, the event is aimed at repositioning Nigeria to align with some other African countries in integrating technology into education.

She cited the example of Rwanda, which has been using technology in basic education system for many years.

“They they have reached a level of using AI in their classrooms.

“For us in Nigeria, we have already started by doing the smart schools, which already many of you are aware of, ” she said.

The executive  secretary revealed that there were 36 plus one smart school in each of the states in Nigeria.

She said that the smart schools were equipped with high technology, content studios, and teachers that were already skilled in the technology of teaching and learning in classrooms.

Garba emphasised the need to equip basic schools with the infrastructure necessary for a smart education system.

“From the data, it shows that less than 50 per cent of public primary schools in Nigeria have digital technology, ” she said.

She said that whether a child was in the rural area, semi-urban or urban area, there should be a technology appropriate to be applied.

Also speaking, the KOICA Country Director, Kim Eunsub, emphasised South Korea’s support for Nigeria’s smart education journey through the KOICA Smart School Initiative in collaboration with UBEC.

Eunsub said that the initiative had already facilitated the construction of state-of-the-art smart schools, the training of teachers and administrators, and the sharing of learning resources.

He described the upcoming conference as a platform to deepen collaboration and build on the progress of the initiative.

Eunsub further revealed plans for a second phase of the project to begin in 2026.

Earlier, Deputy Executive Secretary (Technical) of UBEC, Rasaq Olajuwon, said that the conference sought to expand access to quality basic education through inclusive, technology-driven initiatives.

“We are delighted to have 26 distinguished dignitaries, 144 teachers from across Nigeria, and 30 delegates from various African countries joining us,” he said.(NAN)

Continue Reading

Metro

Tinubu Approves Deployment Of 2 New Perm Secs

Published

on

Share

President Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of two newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries to key ministries.

This is contained in a statement issued by Mr Eno Olotu, Director, Public Relations, Office of the Head of the Civil Service of  the Federation (HCSF), on Monday in Abuja.

Olotu said the move aimed at enhancing governance and promoting effective service delivery.

According to him, the permanent secretaries were appointed following a competitive selection process and are expected to bring experience, professionalism and innovation to their respective roles.

Listing the names of the officials and their postings, Olotu said Mr Rafiu Adeladan  was deployed to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy,  while Dr Mukhtar Mohammed was deployed to the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

“The HCSF, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack congratulated the new appointees and urged them to demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and leadership in their new assignments.

“She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring efficient policy implementation across ministries,” he said

Continue Reading

Health

NCDC Urges Stronger Hand Hygiene Culture In Healthcare

Published

on

Share

As part of activities to mark the 2025 World Hand Hygiene Day, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has emphasised that hand hygiene is not just a clinical procedure.

It is a moral obligation and a public health imperative that must be embedded in the culture of healthcare delivery nationwide.

Dr Tochi Okwor, Head of Disease Prevention and Control at the NCDC, said this on Monday during a commemorative event held at Maitama District Hospital in Abuja.

Okwor reiterated that hand hygiene remained one of the most effective measures for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), limiting the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and ultimately saving lives.

“The theme for 2025 campaign, ‘It Might Be Gloves. It’s Always Hand Hygiene,’ highlights the misconception that wearing gloves alone is enough to prevent infection.

“Gloves can become sources of contamination if not used properly or if hand hygiene is neglected before and after use.

“Glove stewardship, like antimicrobial stewardship, must be grounded in evidence, risk assessment, and responsible use,” she added.

Highlighting Nigeria’s progress in infection prevention and control (IPC), Okwor noted significant achievements, including the implementation of the Turn Nigeria Orange (TNO) movement, which assessed and strengthened IPC systems across the country.

She explained that the agency had established the Orange Network, a cohort of healthcare facilities serving as centres of excellence for IPC, antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), WASH, and diagnostics.

“Other key milestones include the launch of a national IPC policy and five-year strategic plan, the establishment of a dedicated IPC budget line at the federal level, and the training of more thsn 393 certified IPC professionals.

“We’ve also developed a draft IPC legal framework, formed operational technical working groups at national and state levels, and rolled out HAI surveillance systems for real-time infection detection and response,” she said.

While policies and protocols were vital, she emphasised that true progress lied in building a culture where hand hygiene was a lived practice embraced by healthcare workers, administrators, patients, and communities.

“We must move beyond compliance to foster a culture supported by leadership role-modelling, data-driven feedback, and patient empowerment,” Okwor said.

She noted that Nigeria’s IPC strategy aligned with the WHO’s Global IPC Strategy (2024–2030), supporting national health goals such as Universal Health Coverage and Primary Health Care revitalisation.

“Let every clean hand be a declaration that safety matters, that patients deserve better, and that no one should be harmed in the process of care,” she added.

Dr Rita Idemudia, Medical Director of Maitama District Hospital, stressed the significance of consistent hygiene practices in both healthcare and community settings.

“About 60 per cent of diseases can be prevented through proper hand hygiene,” she said, adding that regular handwashing was one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce infections and promote public health.

The event lauded institutions like Maitama District Hospital for translating national IPC policies into practice, setting benchmarks in implementation and demonstrating a commitment to patient safety.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) observes May 5 each year as World Hand Hygiene Day to raise global awareness about the importance of clean hands in preventing infections and safeguarding healthcare systems.

The event ended with a call to action urging all healthcare stakeholders to recommit to hand hygiene as a life-saving practice, one that must never be overlooked, regardless of gloves or other protective equipment in use.

Continue Reading

Read Our ePaper

Top Stories

Education7 hours ago

UBEC to roll out nationwide smart education technology

ShareThe Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) has announced plans for a comprehensive deployment of technology to transform basic education delivery...

Metro8 hours ago

Tinubu Approves Deployment Of 2 New Perm Secs

SharePresident Bola Tinubu has approved the deployment of two newly appointed Federal Permanent Secretaries to key ministries. This is contained...

Health11 hours ago

NCDC Urges Stronger Hand Hygiene Culture In Healthcare

ShareAs part of activities to mark the 2025 World Hand Hygiene Day, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention...

NEWS11 hours ago

Methodist Synod Urges FG To Enhance Police Capacity to Combat Ritual Killings

ShareFrom Ene Asuquo,Calabar Methodist Church of Nigeria, Calabar, Synod  has charged President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to enhance...

Foreign News12 hours ago

German Minister Keeps Post As SPD Reveals Ministers

ShareGerman Defence Minister, Boris Pistorius is to retain his post in the new Cabinet, his Social Democratic Party (SPD) said...

Foreign News13 hours ago

Zimbabwe Celebrates National Culture Month in May

Share Zimbabwe has started celebrating its National Culture Month from May 1 to May  31,  following Cabinet approval of the 2025 ...

JUDICIARY13 hours ago

Man, 27, Docked For Allegedly Stealing Jewelry, Other Goods Worth N1.3m

Share A 27-year-old man, Olatilewa Ahmed, on Monday, appeared before an Ota Magistrates’ Court in Ogun for allegedly breaking into a...

NEWS22 hours ago

Tinubu to Meet GenCos Leadership over 4trn Debt-Minister

ShareThe Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu on Sunday said that a meeting has been scheduled between President Bola Tinubu...

POLITICS22 hours ago

INEC Yet to Set Date for CVR Resumption- Official

ShareThe Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has announced that no date has been set for the resumption of Continuous Voter...

NEWS22 hours ago

Youth Assembly Denounces Attacks on Seyi Tinubu

ShareThe Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA), umbrella body of all Yoruba youth groups, has condemned recent misinformation and character attacks against...

Copyright © 2021 Daily Asset Limited | Powered by ObajeSoft Inc