AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have commended the Super Eagles of Nigeria for coming second at the just concluded African Football Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Ivory Coast.

The commendation was made under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ during plenary on Monday. 

The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, noted that the team played with synergy while also bringing their personal skills to the fore.

Chairman of House Committee on Sports and Youth Development, Hon. Abiodun Orekoya, also said, it was worthy of note that the footballers were returning to Nigeria with a silver trophy.

He advised that youths should be encouraged to engage in sporting activities in the country by ensuring that the stadia are in good shape and put to proper use.

“This act will ensure that they are gainfully employed,” he said.

In his contribution, Hon. Ege Oluwasegun stated that, the goal keeper, Stanley Nwabali, and the team should be acknowledged for their efforts in ensuring that they made it to the finals of the tournament.

Hon. Kehinde Joseph, in his submission stated that, South African players were mostly home-based players.

“We need to invest and develop more of our local sports,” he said.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, in his commendation, said that the facilities were well organised.

“Our Local Government should develop places where youths are made to develop their wealth of sporting experiences,” he said.

He thereafter directed the Clerk to write a commendation letter to the Super Eagles through the Nigerian Football Association.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Holdings PLC, the headline sponsors of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, has partnered with HACEY Health Initiative and the Nigeria Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA) to deepen HIV/AIDS awareness and testing in Lagos.

The initiative, launched ahead of the highly anticipated 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon scheduled for Saturday, February 10, aims to impact 20,000 individuals with the awareness of best practices to manage their health and wellbeing as well as reduce the spread of the virus.

To this end, Access Holdings, through its implementation partners, last week flagged off a health drive that will extend to the Marathon grounds, and see participants benefit from free HIV screening and counselling.

Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, Head of Group Sustainability at Access Holdings PLC, emphasised the company’s commitment, stating, “Our partnership is demonstrative of our dedication to leveraging large-scale events like the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon to drive positive change in our communities.

By prioritising HIV/AIDS awareness and testing, we are taking significant steps towards a healthier, informed and more empowered society.”

Over the previous editions of the Marathon, Access Holdings’ HIV testing and counselling drives have directly benefited over 13,618 individuals.

Additionally, the Group and its partners have increased awareness of HIV prevention and safety across different LCDAs in Lagos, reaching over 50,010 people.

Through these efforts, 63 reactive patients have received referral care and psychosocial support, while 22,272 condoms and IEC materials have been distributed.

The 2024 Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, an iconic event celebrating athleticism and community engagement, has put Lagos on the world map. Regarded as the world’s fastest growing road race, the Marathon has become one of the continent’s biggest platforms for cultural exchange, contributing significantly to tourism and as a result, boosting the continent’s economy.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Holdings, a leading African finance institution committed to making a difference, has once again demonstrated its dedication to ensuring children have the chance to access quality education.

Through its recent Polo Day, held at the esteemed Guards Polo Club in Windsor, United Kingdom, the group secured pledges for the construction of 100 classroom blocks in Nigeria.

The classrooms will go a long way in ensuring countless underprivileged children will have access to a safe and nurturing learning environment, ultimately inspiring them to dream, learn and become more.

In his remarks at the event, the Group Managing Director of Access Holdings, Herbert Wigwe, highlighted the significant milestones made in line with the organisation’s objectives.

“Today, we stand on the shoulders of the remarkable achievements from previous editions. Each one, a testament to our commitment to making a tangible difference in the lives of children in need of education and optimism. Together, we have made good progress in ensuring children are given a fair chance at a brighter future through quality education.

“Our collective and continuing support of free and equitable education for children reflects a view of our role as change agents that can help institute socio-economic development through responsible business practice and social initiatives. As such, we will continue to seek out innovative ways to garner resources and invest in the future of our society. We are part of the community and we support its wellbeing,” Wigwe stated.

Since the polo fundraising initiative was launched in partnership with Fifth Chukker and UNICEF, Access Holdings, through its flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc has seen to the refurbishment of several schools in Kaduna and has put over 12,000 children through continuous education. At the same time, 60 classrooms and a computer literacy building have been commissioned. The communities surrounding the schools are supported with boreholes for water, while households have been empowered with equipment and training to secure employment, stimulating economic and social development.

The completion of the new set of classroom blocks will represent a significant step in the organisation’s goal of attaining a student-to-class ratio of 35-40 students per class in line with the national target.

Restating plans to empower even more communities, the Managing Director, Access Bank Plc, Roosevelt Ogbonna emphasised that, “The Group’s true victory does not lie solely in the goals scored during the tournament, but in the lasting impact we can create beyond these moments.”

“We are proud to be a driving force in the pursuit of access to education and look forward to creating a world where every child has the opportunity to thrive,” he concluded.

The event brought together distinguished guests and personalities from around the world. Among the notable attendees were the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwoolu; 14th Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, CON; 21st Olu of Warri, His Majesty, Ogiame Atuwase III; Chairman, Coronation Capital, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman, Access Bank Plc, Paul Usoro (SAN); former Chairman of Access Bank Plc, Ajoritsedere Awosika, and more.