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GTCO Fashion Weekend 2023: Celebrating Style, Innovation, and Creativity

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The highly anticipated GTCO Fashion Weekend is set to take centre stage this weekend, bringing together the world of fashion, style, and creativity in a show of unparalleled glamour.


Organized by the renowned Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc, the GTCO Fashion Weekend has become a hallmark event in both the local and global fashion calendar. This year’s edition promises to offer a valuable opportunity for hundreds of local fashion enterprises to tap into new markets, and position themselves for sustained growth.


In addition, the 2023 GTCO Fashion Weekend will feature series of masterclasses led by esteemed experts from the fashion industry.

These masterclasses, made for entrepreneurs and fashion enthusiasts, will provide valuable insights into building and sustaining fashion brands in the present and future. The event will also maintain the highly anticipated Runway Show, showcasing a curated collection of bold and captivating fashion statements by Africa’s finest alongside global brands.


Here are some of the designers to look out for this weekend: –
DUABA SERWA
Duaba Serwa is renowned for creating luxurious style lines that cater to the woman who prefers understatements. Duaba’s garments are made for comfort and simplicity, with harmonious lines reinforced by a bold palette of colours and fine materials.

Duaba Serwa has become synonymous with origami folds, triangular pleating and smock work made from luxurious silks and handwoven fabrics, tie-dyes and batiks.

A dress by Duaba Serwa was worn by Michaela Coel on the cover of Vanity Fair’s Annual Hollywood issue in February 2021, which reiterated what the Duaba Serwa brand embodies: Slow Fashion, Sustainably Made, High-End.

The global textiles juggernaut VLISCO handpicked Duaba Serwa to design a collection for their quarterly international campaign. The work was so well received, Duaba designed the subsequent 2 collections for them. The culmination of years of consistent work happened in 2022 when Duaba co-created a gown with academy award winning actress Lupita Nyongo for Ms Tina Knowles’s wearable Art Gala.

TORLOWEl
TORLOWEl, a luxury ready-to-wear brand with a lingerie-inspired touch was founded by Patience when she embarked on her journey in 2006 in Brussels, founding Patience Torlowei BVBA, specializing in bridal wear. Within two years, the brand was supplying wedding and cocktail dresses to six European countries, all crafted in her Belgian garage.

Recognizing a need for wedding lingerie, in 2008, TORLOWEI expanded its offerings. Fast forward to 2014, Patience’s masterpiece, “The Esther dress,” joined the Smithsonian Institution’s permanent collection in Washington DC, making history as the first couture piece from the National Museum of African Art.

TORLOWEI’s creations have adorned dignitaries like Ghanaian First Lady, Mrs. Rebecca Akufo-Addo, and notable figures such as DJ Cuppy Otedola, Naomi Campbell, and many more. This trailblazing brand became the first black-owned label in Harrods’ lingerie section and is also available at McMullen in California.

BRUCE AND GLEN
Bruce and Glen share a lifelong love for fashion, even before they knew what to call it. Their formal journey into the world of fashion started at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania.

Here, they delved into the business of fashion, discovering the fundamentals of merchandising, the concept that the fashion figure is 9 heads tall, and the art of pattern drafting. Glen specialized in fashion merchandising and business marketing, while Bruce pursued his passion for fashion design.

Their resume boasts the creation and launch of celebrity brands for icons like Beyonce, Nicki Minaj, Trey Songz, and Diddy. In 2019, they pivoted their focus towards accessories, crafting an impressive bag collection that soared in popularity, especially during the pandemic.Then, in 2021, they introduced a sustainable clothing line that outshone even the handbags that initially defined their business.Their collections are bold, vibrant, and inclusive, sparking conversations and inviting everyone to be part of their fashion journey.Get ready to be amazed by their ever-colorful collections on display at their runway show.

SUKEINA
SUKEINA, a Parsons School of Design graduate, started his journey at Sonia Rykiel in Paris, later becoming the Visual Director in New York. After valuable experiences with Sonia Rykiel and Christian Lacroix, he established his own fashion house, SUKEINA, in 2012, named after his late mother, symbolizing “bright light.” His passion for making women feel special and his unique worldview have shaped his progressive, innovative, and powerful yet elegant fashion. With a history of putting on stunning shows at GTCO Fashion Weekend, get ready for another unforgettable experience this year!

THEOPHILIO
Theophilio is a fashion brand founded by Jamaican-American designer Edvin Thompson. The brand is known for its bold and contemporary designs that often incorporate elements of Jamaican and Caribbean culture. Theophilio has gained recognition for its vibrant and expressive approach to fashion, celebrating the designer’s Jamaican heritage and exploring themes related to identity and self-expression. Thompson’s commitment to sustainability is evident in the brand’s thoughtfully curated collection, featuring items like flared leather trousers, relaxed denim, intricately printed T-shirts, crochet dresses, and vibrant mesh tops, all crafted from conscientiously sourced materials.

LOZA MALÉOMBHO
Loza Maléombho, born in Brazil and raised between Côte d’Ivoire and the United States, Loza started designing at the age of 13. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation from the University of the Arts of Philadelphia in 2006.After interning with top fashion designers in New York City, she established her own brand in 2009. Now based in Côte d’Ivoire, Loza Maléombho’s fashion blends traditional African aesthetics with contemporary style.
For more information on this event, please visit, https://fashionweekend.gtcoplc.com

Attendance is FREE.

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UBA Champions Youth Empowerment through Graduate Programme, Employs 398 Across Africa.

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

African’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), held the second edition of its expanded Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP) class of 2024, where 398 young Africans were inducted into the UBA Tribe after a rigorous six-month hands-on-work and learning experience.

The event, which was held in a grand ceremony in Eko Hotel, Lagos on Thursday, was graced by esteemed guests, the UBA management, faculty members, mentors, and the graduating cla

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA), held the second edition of its expanded Graduate Management Acceleration Programme (GMAP) class of 2024, where 398 young Africans were inducted into the UBA Tribe after a rigorous six-month hands-on-work and learning experience.

The event, which was held in a grand ceremony in Eko Hotel, Lagos on Thursday, was graced by esteemed guests, the UBA management, faculty members, mentors, and the graduating class.

The graduands are from six African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroun, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia.

Addressing the gathering, UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who congratulated all the graduates, expressed profound pride and admiration for their success having completed the intense capacity-building programme, combining learning with on-the-job training experience, garnered while rotating across several departments and units in the bank.

Elumelu took time to highlight the bank’s passion for youth empowerment in Africa, while bridging the unemployment gap, which according to him, remains one of the greatest challenges of the continent.

“For me these young UBA Graduates are a testament to who we are: a truly pan-African Group, that invests in African talent.This milestone is more than just numbers. It signifies UBA’s commitment to youth empowerment. Unemployment is the greatest challenge we face – a tragic and cruel betrayal of a generation. We know governments alone cannot create all the jobs we need – so it is up to us, the African private sector, to partner our government in improving lives and livelihoods. This is Africapitalism, and it is gratifying to see UBA play its part. UBA is dedicated to creating a positive impact, through the GMAP programme UBA is creating employment, boosting economic growth, and transforming lives across Africa,” Group Chairman said.

Continuing, he said, “At UBA, identifying these young ones, bringing them to the centre, training them, equipping them for the future and the task ahead, not just for a career in UBA, but wherever they end up remains our passion, because this is how we play our role as a Pan-African bank, in helping to empower the next generation, which is the African youth. We are helping to create employment and this for us is our driving force.”

Earlier in his speech, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, commended the graduating class for their unwavering commitment and emphasized the program’s role in cultivating the next generation of UBA leaders.

“Your dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment have been nothing short of inspiring. Each of you has demonstrated the qualities of a true UBA ambassador, and today, we celebrate not just your achievements but also the collective strength of our UBA family.

While recognizing the invaluable support extended by families and friends, the GMD said, “Let us take a moment to express our deepest appreciation for their steadfast support as the invaluable support of your families and friends throughout this journey. Their love, encouragement, and understanding have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in your success.”

UBA’s Group Head, Human Resources, Modupe Akindele, said the bank remains committed to nurturing talent and leadership within the organisation. She noted that the GMAP programme, which marked its second graduation will be a continuous initiative, as it culminates an intensive journey towards leadership excellence.

“Already, the programme has graduated over 1,100 graduates, that is about 700 in 2023 and now we have 398 graduates. The fact remains that at UBA, we believe in equal opportunity for all, regardless of age, tribe, gender, or background; and so, we will continue to pursue our dream to nurture these young ones to their full potential,” she added.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-five million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries and across 4 continents.

With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France and more recently the United Arab Emirates, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services.

Picture 1: l-r: Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi; Group Head, Human Capital Management, Modupe Akindele; Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba; Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu; Group Head, Customer Experience, Michele Nwoga; Executive Directors, Ugo Nwaghodoh and Alex Alozie flanked by graduands of Graduate Management Accelerated Programme(GMAP) of United Bank for Africa(UBA), held in Lagos on Thursday

Picture 2: l-r: Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi; Group Head, Human Capital Management, Modupe Akindele; Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba; Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu; Group Head, Customer Experience, Michele Nwoga; Executive Directors, Ugo Nwaghodoh and Alex Alozie flanked by graduands of Graduate Management Accelerated Programme (GMAP) of United Bank for Africa(UBA), held in Lagos on Thursday

Picture 3: l-r: Group Treasurer, Stephen Amangbo(1st from Left) ; Executive Director, Alex Alozie(3rd from left); Group Deputy Managing Director, Muyiwa Akinyemi(5th from left); Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu(middle); Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba(9th from left); Executive Directors, Ugo Nwaghodoh(11thfrom left); Group Head, Human Capital Management, Modupe Akindele(12 from left); and Company Secretary, Bili Odum, flanked by graduands of Graduate Management Accelerated Programme(GMAP) of United Bank for Africa(UBA), held in Lagos on Thursday

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Access Bank Advocates for Innovative Financing Models to Realise SDGs

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

At the 2024 Medic West Africa Event, organised by ABCHealth in collaboration with Informa Markets, Access Bank reaffirmed its dedication to fostering positive transformation in healthcare across Africa.

L-R: Mories Atoki, Chief Executive Officer, ABCHealth; Jane Ike-Okoli, Head of Specialised Sectors Business & Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC; Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division (Lagos 2), Access Bank PLC; Odunayo Sanyo, Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Ibironke Akinmade, Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank, and Zouera Youssoufou, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation at the 2024 Medic West Africa Event hosted by ABCHealth in partnership with Informa Markets in Lagos…recently.

The event, which served as a platform for stakeholders across industries deliberate on the theme ‘Healthcare Investments in Africa: Mobilizing the Private Sector to Drive Healthcare Investments in Africa,’ aimed to chart a path through which corporates can leverage innovative financing models and strategic partnerships in fostering the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The discussions also explored strategies for strengthening healthcare infrastructure, leveraging technological advancements, as well as enhancing community health initiatives.

Lending his voice to the conversation, Ralph Opara, Group Head, Commercial Banking Division at Access Bank Plc, stressed that, “The government can’t carry the burden of the health sector alone. Hence, it is imperative that the private sector explores and implements innovative financing models and strategic partnerships to bridge the healthcare investment gap.”

Opara noted that collaborative effort between the public and private sectors is not only crucial but essential to driving innovation, improving healthcare accessibility, and ensuring sustainable development across the continent.

Walking the talk on partnerships, Access Bank partnered with the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN), to launch the Adopt-A-Health Facility Program (ADHFP) with the primary aim of delivering, at least, one global standard Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in each of the 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Nigeria. So far, the initiative has resulted into over 180 PHCs adopted across the country.

Other notable participants at the event include Mories Atoki, CEO, ABCHealth; Jane Ike-Okoli, Head of Specialised Sectors Business & Commercial Banking, Stanbic IBTC; Odunayo Sanyo, Executive Director, MTN Foundation; Ibironke Akinmade, Group Head, Health Finance, Sterling Bank, and Zouera Youssoufou, MD/CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation.

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Transcorp Hotels Breaks All-time Revenue Record in Q1 2024, Achieves 844% PAT Growth

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Transcorp Hotels Plc, the hospitality subsidiary of one of Africa’s leading, listed conglomerates Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), has sustained its remarkable financial performance as shown in its released Q1 2024 unaudited financial statements, for the period ended March 31, 2024.


The company recorded a 72% increase in revenue to N13.8 billion compared with N8 billion reported in Q1 2023.  


Highlights of Transcorp Hotels Q1 2024 Results
Q1 2024 RevenueN13.8 billion, up 72%, in comparison with N8 billion reported in Q1 2023.


Profit before Tax rose by 568%, amounting to N6 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N911.6 million during the same period last year.


Profit after Tax grew by 844 % year-on-year to N5 billion in Q1 2024, compared to N531 million in the same period last year.


Occupancy grew to 82% in Q1 2024, up from 75% in Q1 2023.


Commenting on the Q1 results, Oluwatobiloba Ojediran, the Chief Financial Officer said, “This outstanding performance highlights the continuous improvement we have recorded in all parts of our business, and how our operational efficiency has given us a competitive edge.

We have continued to break our own revenue records and outperform industry performance on all indices”.  
Transcorp Hotels Plc Managing Director/CEO, Dupe Olusola said, “Our excellent first quarter performance marks the beginning of another great year for our company.

We broke our all-time monthly revenue record in March, a demonstration of our commitment to excellence and superior performance.

We leveraged opportunities across our segments for continuous growth. Demand in our International Business Travel and leisure segments remained strong in Q1 2024, delivering an industry-leading revenue per available room (RevPAR) growth of 74% and profit growth in excess of 844%”.


“We assure our stakeholders that we will continue to deliver exceptional value and leverage innovative tactics to rapidly expand our business portfolio.”

About Transcorp Hotels Plc 
Transcorp Hotels Plc is the hospitality subsidiary of Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group), one of Africa’s leading, listed companies with strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and energy sectors.

Transcorp Hotels is redefining hospitality standards in Africa through its businesses, including the iconic Transcorp Hilton, Nigeria’s flagship hospitality destination, and digital platform, Aura by Transcorp Hotels. www.transcorphotelsplc.com 

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