Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp Group has reinforced its commitment to corporate governance with the appointment of the former Corporate Affairs Commission Registrar Alhaji Garba Abubakar.
Hailed as one of the most reform-minded heads of agency in Nigeria during his time at CAC, Abubakar worked hard to midwife the business-friendly Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020. He also led efforts to block all avenues for bureaucratic hiccups and encouraged digitalization of the agency, leading among other reforms, to the commencement of virtual Annual General Meetings in the country.
According to a filing on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), Abubakar joins the Transcorp Hotels Board as an Independent Non-Executive Director, effective December 15, 2023.
Abubakar brings with him a wealth of experience gained over 34 years in the corporate world. His illustrious career includes a 19-year tenure at the Corporate Affairs Commission, where he held various pivotal positions, such as Director of Compliance, Special Adviser to the Registrar General, and Deputy Director of Compliance.
A distinguished alumnus of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Mr. Abubakar holds a law degree and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1989. He is an esteemed member of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chartered Institute of Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Directors (Chartered), among others.
Also appointed to the Board of Transcorp Hotels is Adesimbo Ukiri who joins as Non-Executive Director, effective December 15, 2023.
Ukiri, the CEO of AVON Healthcare Limited, brings her remarkable 30 years of professional experience to the Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc. She has a proven track record of driving organizational transformation and inspiring leadership teams to excel.
Ukiri also serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Heirs Life Assurance Ltd and is a member of the Technology and Data Committee of the Tony Elumelu Foundation. An alumna of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where she obtained her law degree, Ukiri was called to the Nigerian bar in 1989. She also holds a master’s degree focused on strategy and leadership from the London Business School.
Adesimbo Bello-Ukiri is the pioneer Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Avon Healthcare Ltd (Avon HMO). She possesses a wealth of professional experience spanning over 30 years and is also currently the Sector Head of the healthcare companies within the Heirs Holding Group.
She has a track record in organizational transformation and galvanising leadership teams to superior performance levels.
A trained lawyer, Adesimbo is a Sloan Fellow of London Business School, where she obtained an MSc in Management, specialising in Strategy and Leadership. She holds an LLB from Obafemi Awolowo University and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1991. Her professional experience straddles diverse sectors – Financial services (Crystal Bank, now UBA PLC), Oil & Gas Exploration and Services (Amber Resources, BG Group), FMCG (Guinness Nigeria PLC), Telecommunications (Econet, V-Mobile, now Airtel) and Healthcare (Hygeia HMO).
Across these sectors her roles have been equally diverse and include Managing Director, Chief Marketing Officer, Head of Sales Division, and other leadership roles with responsibilities for Strategy, Human Resources, Finance, and Operations.
Adesimbo serves on the Board of Heirs Life Assurance Ltd as a Non-Executive Director and is also a member of the Technology and Data Committee of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.
Emmanuel Nnorom, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, expressed his enthusiasm about these appointments, saying, “We are delighted to welcome Mr. Garba Abubakar and Ms. Adesimbo Ukiri to the Board of Transcorp Hotels Plc.
Their extensive experience and outstanding track records make them valuable additions to our Board. We expect their contributions to enrich our decision-making processes and help us continue to drive growth and innovation in the hospitality industry.”
About Transcorp Hotels Transcorp Hotels Plc. is one of Africa’s leading hospitality companies, committed to redefining hospitality standards.
Transcorp Hotels is the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp).
The Company’s hotels include the award-winning Transcorp Hilton Abuja and Transcorp Hotels Calabar. It also owns Aura by Transcorp Hotels, an online platform for booking homes, hotels and memorable lifestyle experiences.
Fidelity Bank Supports Modupe Cole Memorial School, Lagos
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
In continuation of its drive to alleviate the impact of economic hardship and suffering among indigent Nigerians, Fidelity Bank Plc recently donated food items to Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home School in Akoka, Lagos.
CAPTION:
L- R. Tolulope Rojaiye, Team Member, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc; Osho Olufunmilayo Bamidele, Vice Principal 2, Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home School; and Victoria Mbonu, Class President, Intellect Nexus Inductee Class, Fidelity Bank Plc; during a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) donation event executed by Fidelity Bank at Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare and Treatment Home School, Akoka, Lagos recently.
The donation which aligns with the Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) pillars of education and health, was championed by the Intellect Nexus Class of 2024 under the Fidelity Helping Hands Program (FHHP). Through this initiative, Fidelity Bank staff identify community needs, raise funds to address them, and receive matching support from the bank to implement impactful projects.
Explaining the bank’s commitment to supporting its host communities, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, noted that, “At Fidelity Bank, we recognise the symbiotic relationship we have with the communities where we operate. This informs our decision to not only provide our host communities with relevant financial services but to also impact them with developmental projects.
“We are inspired by the great work being done here at Modupe Cole Home School and our donation is a small token of appreciation for this as we aim to support the well-being of these exceptional children.”
On his part, the Vice Principal of the school, Mr. Isiaka Ajani, expressed gratitude for the bank’s consistent support noting that Fidelity Bank’s gesture is a huge encouragement to the school. “We say thank you for the gift items that you have brought to us today, and this shows that we are not alone in the mission to provide care and education to children with special needs.
“This institution is a testament to the belief that there is ability in disability. We have children here who have passed common entrance examinations and gained admission into higher institutions despite their challenges. It is our mission to help them achieve their potential.
“The school had made effort to provide academic and vocational training programs in bead-making and hairdressing, and specialized care for residents with severe disabilities for its 476 residents, many of whom have been abandoned by their families.” He stated.
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged customer commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 255 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.
Access Bank to Host Pioneering Africa Trade Conference in Cape Town
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Access Bank PLC is set to host its first-ever Africa Trade Conference (ATC), a landmark event focused on advancing Africa’s economic transformation under the theme, ‘Empowering Africa Through Trade, Innovation, and Sustainable Growth’. Scheduled for March 12, 2025, in Cape Town, South Africa, the conference is poised to bring together the most influential voices in trade, finance, and policy to address the future of commerce across the continent.
With Africa’s trade finance gap estimated at $81 billion annually, the conference aims to tackle the systemic challenges hindering trade, particularly for SMEs and domestic firms. By fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, the Conference will explore innovative solutions, sustainable trade practices, and strategies for expanding African economies into global value chains.
Roosevelt Ogbonna, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank PLC, emphasised the importance of the Africa Trade Conference, in addressing these pressing issues. “The Africa Trade Conference represents a crucial step in redefining Africa’s trade potential. By creating platforms for dialogue, innovation, and actionable solutions, Access Bank is enabling African businesses to connect and thrive in the global economy.”
Access Bank’s presence across 24 countries globally, including 16 in Africa, provides a unique advantage in facilitating inter- and intra-African trade. The Bank’s growing network positions it as a key player in addressing trade complexities and promoting inclusive growth across the continent.
Seyi Kumapayi, Executive Director, African Subsidiaries, Access Bank, highlighted the broader vision of the forum, saying, “The Africa Trade Conference is a platform to not only address Africa’s trade challenges, but to champion the continent’s opportunities. Through strategic partnerships, tailored financial solutions, built on the ethos of sustainability, we are paving the way for Africa’s businesses to take their place on the global stage.”
This flagship event will convene a distinguished line-up of seasoned speakers, and top executives from leading international banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and captains of industry in Africa.
The ATC will also shine a spotlight on the transformative potential of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which aims to reduce trade barriers, enhance infrastructure, and integrate African economies into global trade networks.
Furthermore, the event will explore critical themes shaping the continent’s economic future, including the transformative role of digitisation and innovation in global trade, solutions for overcoming trade barriers to enhance market access, as well as sustainable trade practices and innovative financing models, thereby providing a comprehensive roadmap for advancing Africa’s position in global commerce. Please visit https://africatradeconference.accessbankplc.com/ for more information.
Union Bank Rewards 360 Customers with N21 Million in First Save and Win Palli Promo 4 Draw
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Union Bank, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has kicked off its Save and Win Palli Promo 4campaign on a high note following the announcement of its first set of winners in its inaugural monthly draws.
The first live draw of this season, which took place at the Bank’s Head Office in Marina, Lagos, rewarded 60 customers with ₦100,000 each. Additionally, 300 other winners went home with ₦50,000 worth of gift vouchers during the inaugural live draw, which was conducted transparently and digitally under the supervision of relevant regulatory bodies. The winners cut across the nation.
Speaking at the first monthly draw, Gloria Omereonye, Union Bank’s Area Business Executive for Lagos Island 1, stated, “Union Bank is always dedicated to rewarding customers for their loyalty and financial discipline.
We are pleased that our promo has continued to achieve its noble goals of providing succour to our customers through our gifts and rewards, especially in these economically trying times, while facilitating a sustainable savings culture for future goals and objectives.”
Save & Win Palli Promo is a nationwide campaign designed to reward both new and existing customers with cash prizes. Season 4, which began in December 2024 and runs until May 2025, offers customers the opportunity to win ₦131 million in cash prizes, Motorcycles, Tricycles, Fuel Vouchers, and a star prize of ₦5 million, which will be handed out to three lucky winners at the grand finale.
Open to new and existing customers, the Save and Win Palli Promo requires participants to save a minimum of ₦10,000 and perform a minimum of five transactions monthly to qualify for draws. Monthly winners can receive ₦100,000, while quarterly draws will reward lucky savers with Motorcycles, Tricycles, and other exciting prizes.
Customers who save in multiples of ₦10,000 will increase their chances of winning.
New customers can join the promo by downloading the UnionMobile app to open an account or visiting any Union Bank branch.
Existing customers can reactivate accounts by calling the 24-hour Contact Centre at 07007007000 or visiting a branch.