L-R: Mr. Vipin Patel, National Sales Operations Manager, Dairy, Outspan Nigeria; Mrs. Bilkisu Mahe Wali, Branch Controller, Central Bank of Nigeria, Kano; and Alhaji Ahmad Inuwa Kadani, Deputy Chairman Kura Local Government Area of Kano, during the opening of a new Milk Collection Centre (MCC), by Outspan Nigeria Limited in partnership with the Kano Dairy and Livestock Husbandry Cooperative Union (KADALCU) in Kura LGA, Kano, on Wednesday, November 24, 2021.
Outspan Opens New MCC, Deepens Impact in Dairy Value Chain
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Outspan Nigeria Limited, a key player in the dairy sector and subsidiary of ofi, in partnership with the Kano Dairy & Livestock Husbandry Cooperative Union (KADALCU), has opened a new milk collection centre (MCC) in Kano.
The opening of the latest milk collection centre in Imawa, Kura LGA, on November 24, 2021, is in pursuit of the business’ goal of enabling robust activities in the local dairy value chain through improved collection, preservation, distribution and off-taking of fresh milk produced by smallholder dairy farmers.
Outspan Nigeria Limited has so far opened three milk collection centres in Kano State and upgraded a bulking centre cited in the building donated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD).
Speaking during the official opening of the new milk collection centre, Mr Vipin Patel, the National Sales Operations Manager for ofi Dairy in Nigeria said, “We are providing infrastructural support and market linkage for smallholder dairy farmers through the opening of milk collection centres. These efforts ensure that the quality of the fresh milk produced locally is preserved and the farmers can access a ready market for the off-taking of their produce.”
According to Patel, “Through our investment support for the dairy sector, the smallholder dairy farmers’ livelihoods keep improving as they derive maximum value for the fresh milk produced by their herds.”
Speaking about the Outspan milk production value chain development effort, Mr Praveen Paulsamy, General Manager for ofi Dairy in Nigeria, said, “Our partnership with KADALCU borders on feed supplementation, pasture development, training on model dairy farming, and support in milk collection and transportation.”
“The opening of the new milk collection centre is coming on the heels of our recent capacity development training engagement delivered by top dairy consultants to bring the Kano Dairy union members up to speed on modern dairy management, and an artificial insemination exercise carried out on local cattle to improve their reproductive quality,” Paulsamy added.
“These efforts were facilitated by us to ensure we keep scaling our investment in the local dairy value chain such that Kano Dairy would be able to produce thousands of litres of fresh, quality milk for industrial off-takers. This is where we want the local dairy industry to be.”
Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, chairman, Kano Dairy Cooperative Union, commended Outspan Nigeria for supporting the dairy value chain and the members of KADALCU. He said the investment support would assist greatly in boosting the economy.
Outspan Nigeria Limited dairy value chain development efforts are in line with the new Federal Government policy of strengthening the agro value chain to reduce importation of agro produce that can be sourced locally.
Zenith Bank Says It Now Has best IT infrastructure After Successful Upgrade, Commends Customers
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward.
This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.
The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.
This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO.
In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”
Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.
The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system.
“We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.
“While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.
“Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”
Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Polaris Bank’s commitment to digital innovation and excellence has once again been recognized, as the Bank was awarded the prestigious “Best Mobile App” award for its renowned digital banking platform, VULTe, at the Digital Jurist Awards held October 31 at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
This honor comes less than a week after Polaris Bank was named Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, further solidifying its status as a leader in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape.
At the event, attended by representatives from all nominated companies, Polaris Bank’s VULTe app stood out among its peers, winning the hearts of users and the recognition of industry experts.
The Digital Jurist Awards Committee had nominated Polaris Bank in three categories: Best Website, Best Web Portal, and Best Mobile App.
The Bank’s innovative approach and customer-centric digital solutions have made it a formidable contender in each category, with VULTe’s win affirming the Bank’s continued drive to redefine digital banking in Nigeria.
Commenting on the the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital solutions.
“This award continuously shows our dedication to delivering the best digital experiences to our customers. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure that our platforms remain intuitive, accessible, and impactful,” he said.
Polaris Bank’s VULTe app has gained widespread acclaim for its user-friendly design, robust security features, and diverse functionalities, enabling customers to manage their banking needs from the comfort of their devices.
Winning the “Best Mobile App” award is yet another milestone in the Bank’s digital journey, reinforcing its position as a digital pioneer in Nigeria’s banking sector.
The Bank extends its gratitude to the Digital Jurist Awards Committee and its loyal customers for their continued trust and support.
Polaris Bank is committed to advancing digital banking in Nigeria, creating convenient, modern, and secure solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.
Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2024,2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022, 2023 and 2024 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
Access Bank PLC has been named the 2024 Best Digital Award Winner in the Commercial Banks Category at the Digital Jurist Awards, organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl.).
L-R: Adebowale Shonekan, Head, Network Communications (Group & Subsidiaries), Access Bank Plc; Chukwudi Amadi, Team Lead, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc; Ezinne Nwene, Team Member, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc, receiving the Best Digital Commercial Bank award from Abbas Babagana, Chief Technical Officer, Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy at the Digital Jurist Awards held in Lagos… recently.
In addition to this top honour, the Bank also secured the Best Website Award, achieving an impressive score of 201 points for its engaging and user-friendly digital experience. Access Bank’s cumulative score of 380 points reflects its excellence across digital touchpoints, including its website, web portal, mobile app, and social media.Commenting on the recognition, Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer of Access Holdings PLC, said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Digital and Best Website Awards at this year’s Digital Jurist Awards.
At Access, our focus on digital innovation is driven by our commitment to deliver seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions across all touchpoints.
This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital platforms, making financial services more accessible and efficient for our customers.
We thank Phillips Consulting for recognising our efforts and will continue to raise the bar in digital excellence.”Phillips Consulting has long served as a development partner to Nigerian financial institutions and other organisations with an online presence.
Leveraging its proprietary Digital Jurist platform, the firm has conducted assessments of digital touchpoints in various sectors, from financial services and insurance to telecommunications and government agencies, over the past 17 years.
Originally established as Web Jurist®, the platform was reimagined as Digital Jurist to assess new and diversified digital channels in the evolving digital economy. Digital Jurist’s evaluation framework examines a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, functionality, security, customer service, support, marketing, and content engagement across digital platforms.
These awards reinforce Access Bank’s leadership in digital banking, adding to recent accolades including 2024 Best Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App by World Finance, Best Mobile Banking App and Best Digital Bank by The Digital Banker Awards, and Best Digital Banking Initiative at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.