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Polaris Bank is Nigeria’s Best Bank in MSME lending

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Polaris Bank, Nigeria’s leading retail commercial banking has emerged as Nigeria’s Best Bank in Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) lending.

The lender was recognised over the weekend for it’s long standing commitments to supporting MSMEs through several direct and indirect funding channels.

Expert judges at the inaugural MSME Finance Awards 2024, organised by Nairametrics and The Economic Forum, at the weekend in Lagos, said the choice of Polaris Bank as the ‘Best in MSME Lending’ (Banking Sector) was based on the bank’s provision of sustainable finance and funding to entrepreneurs in the MSMEs sector to grow their businesses.

MSMEs are the largest employers in the Nigerian economy, providing immense contributions in job creation and economic activities. Recent data showed that the contribution of the MSME sector to employment had increased by 3.5 per cent.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimated that MSMEs contribute around 48 per cent to GDP and around 80 per cent of total employment in Nigeria.

The award ceremony, held at the upscale Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, cemented Polaris Bank’s reputation as a pacesetter in industry standards for lending and impact-driven financing to critical sectors of the Nigerian economy.

Commenting on the award, Managing Director, Polaris Bank, Mr. Kayode Lawal, said: “We are honoured to receive this prestigious award, recognising our commitment to empowering Nigerian MSMEs. Micro, small, and medium businesses are pivotal to national economic growth; they are the backbone for large corporations and drive innovation and job creation.

“We are glad that our dedication to providing accessible financing and tailor-made innovative solutions has made a tangible impact on the growth and sustainability of these vital businesses.’’

He commended Nairametrics and The Economic Forum series for the award and assured of Polaris Bank’s continued commitment to MSMEs empowerment by delivering innovative and exceptional customer-centric services and solutions that propel Nigeria’s overall economic advancement.

“We are grateful to Nairametrics and The Economic Forum for this recognition, acknowledging our team’s relentless efforts to provide innovative and exceptional services to Nigeria’s MSME sector. This award is a motivation for us; our strategic focus on MSME lending, driving financial inclusion, and promoting Nigeria’s economic development remains something we are committed to,’’ he stated.

Nairametrics, Nigeria’s leading financial literacy news platform, explained that the nomination and subsequent award bestowed on Polaris Bank and other finalists were meant to honour financial services organizations—including banks, insurance companies, and fintech companies—that have made a real impact on MSMEs in Nigeria, ensuring sustainable growth for the sector.

Polaris Bank has built a strong footprint in financing MSME by committing billions of naira in loans to support MSME operations in Nigeria, with huge lending portfolio dedicated to empowering micro, small, and medium businesses meant to grow businesses, create jobs, and build wealth. These initiatives have earned Polaris Bank multiple awards and recognitions, including the 2022 and 2023 MSME Bank of the Year award by BusinessDAY’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions Awards (BAFI).

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Origin Tech Group and NALDA Partners on Greener Hope…

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…Set to sign MOU towards transforming Nigeria’s Agricultural Productivity.

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

In a bold step towards consolidating its quest for revolutionizing large-scale mechanized agriculture in Nigeria, the Greener Hope Large Scale Mechanisation Programme’s team paid a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo.

L-R, Engr Olusegun Owolabi SA Technical, NALDA; Prince S J Samuel (Chairman, Origin Tech Group); Mr Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo (Executive Secretary] and Dr Musa Olasupo (Director of Programmes, Greener Hope Agriculture Productivity Programme – GHAPP, during the courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), recently in Abuja.

The focus of the meeting was to establish a strong partnership between Origin Tech Group and NALDA, aimed at ensuring the smooth implementation of Greener Hope, a transformative agricultural initiative aimed at addressing the food insecurity concerns in the Country.

This collaboration brings together the expertise of both organizations in key areas such as land clearing, mechanization, and the establishment of large-scale model farms across Nigeria. The goal is to unlock new opportunities in sustainable farming, boost productivity, and ultimately transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape through Greener Hope, which is set to substantially revolutionalize Nigeria’s agriculture by providing sustainable access to modern farm machinery and implements, eliminate drudgery, manage post-harvest loses and significantly boost crop yields across the country.

Origin Tech Group, an agricultural value-chain conglomerate is extremely pleased to be working with the Federal Government to birth this innovative program with critical structures and promises to place Nigeria on a higher pedestal to impact every aspect of farming both in the commercial segment and small-holder enterprises; raising and promoting the new agricultural ecosystem in her quest for food security, wealth creation, job opportunities and help spur economic growth.

Speaking about the partnership with NALDA, the Executive Chairman of Origin Tech Group, Prince S. J. Samuel, expressed his optimism: “Our partnership with NALDA is a critical step toward realizing the full potential of Nigeria’s agriculture. By integrating mechanization and land development, we are positioning the country for food security and long-term economic growth.”

During the meeting, Dr. Musa Olasupo, Director of Programs for Greener Hope’s large-scale mechanization program, and Engr. Olusegun Owolabi, Special Adviser on Technical Affairs to NALDA, joined the discussion to outline practical steps for launching model farms across the country, ensuring Nigeria’s agriculture attains self-sufficiency.

Similarly, Mr. Cornelius Oluwasegun Adebayo, NALDA’s Executive Secretary, emphasized the importance of public-private partnerships in achieving agricultural transformation on a large scale: “At NALDA, we are excited to collaborate with Origin Tech Group on this groundbreaking initiative. Together, we’ll empower farmers, create job opportunities, boost food production, and improve rural prosperity by mitigating rural-urban migration, especially amongst the youth population across Nigeria.”

Dr. Musa Olasupo also highlighted the urgency of this novel initiative, saying: “Nigeria’s food security is at a critical juncture, with challenges like insecurity, climate change, and smuggling that combine to threaten our food supply. Bridging those gaps, Greener Hope will provide the infrastructure farmers need to transition to large-scale farming, increase their yields and secure a sustainable food productivity future.”

The Greener Hope Large-Scale Mechanization Programme, a collaborative effort with the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security is designed to overhaul Nigeria’s agricultural sector through the provision of modern farming machinery and equipment, capacity building on equipment use and servicing for youths and the establishment of medium to large scale model farms that will serve as hubs for agricultural best practices.

As the team continues to partner with key agencies like NALDA, both organizations are committed to driving agricultural transformation, enhancing food security, and contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.

For more information, visit www.greenerhopeng.com.

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Fearless Energy Drink Wins ‘Outstanding Energy Drink of the Year 2024’ Award

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

…Blazes the Trail in its Market Segment

Fearless Energy Drink, Nigeria’s leading energy drink brand from the stable of Rite Foods Limited, has clinched the coveted “Outstanding Energy Drink of the Year 2024” Award at the recent Marketing Edge Awards held at Sheraton Balmoral, Lagos.

Mr. Olaniyi Aderuku, Brand Manager, Fearless Energy Drink (Middle), flanked by Mrs. Ruth Mark, Assistant Brand Manager, Rite Sausages (Left), and Mr. Innocent Adulugba, Corporate Communications Manager (Right), all of Rite Foods Limited, during the Marketing Edge Awards, where Fearless Energy Drink Brand of Rite Foods Limited won the “Outstanding Energy Drink of the Year 2024” Award on Saturday, 28th September 2024, at Sheraton Balmoral, in Ikeja, Lagos.

Fearless Energy Drink with the Fearless Classic and Fearless Red Berry variants emerged as the winner in its category, after a thorough rating and evaluation of the highly saturated energy drink market, where the brand made entrant in 2017 with the first-ever packaged polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle packaging that has been the standard for competitors.

The recognition stems from the brand’s unique flavour, originality, and numerous contributions to the industry in talent promotion, human development, and sustainability initiatives that have significantly impacted human and national development.

Extolling the brand for the win, Mr. John Ajayi, the organiser, and publisher of Marketing Edge Magazine affirmed that the Fearless Energy Drink brand has truly demonstrated its market leadership in all ramifications, surpassing its competitors through sponsorship of effective strategic initiatives. He stated that the feat was also due to the brand’s distinctiveness, innovation, and the positive energy it offers.

While receiving the award, Olaniyi Aderuku, the Brand Manager of Fearless Energy Drink, expressed gratitude to Marketing Edge for the acknowledgment of the brand as the number one in its category, a position that has earned it numerous accolades and has also defined the market standard.

He said, “Fearless Energy Drink will continually strive for taste superiority, excellence, and innovation in providing exceptional experience to its consumers, adding that the laurel attests to its strong commitment to consumer connection and satisfaction.”

According to him, “Our Fearless Energy Drink with its tagline ‘Embrace The Thrill’ offers its consumers the unquenchable desire to make a difference in their endeavours, with the positive energy it provides, through credible platforms that resonate with its values of courage, leadership, and the willpower to succeed”

The Fearless Energy Drink brand has garnered so many awards that validate its profile, including Media Consortium Awards 2024: “Energy Drink Brand of the Year”; Brand Exchange Awards 2024: “Best Value for Money”; the “Most Outstanding Energy Drink in Consumer Engagement” in 2023; Best Value for Money – Energy Drinks Brand 2023; and the “Most Outstanding Energy Drink Brand of the Year” in 2021, among other laurels.

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Fidelity Bank improves ease of Revenue Collection with Tax Booths

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

As part of initiatives towards increasing efficiency in revenue collection in Anambra State, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has donated 10 units of tax booths to the Anambra State Internal Revenue Service (AIRS).

Commenting on the donation, the Regional Bank Head, Awka, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, explained that the donation is borne out of the bank’s devotion to creating solutions for its customers.

“For nearly four decades, Fidelity Bank has been dedicated to meeting the banking needs of Nigerians with customized solutions. Whether through thoughtfully designed products or exceptional services, we have established ourselves as the preferred bank for individuals looking to grow, businesses interested in prospering and economies that want to prosper.

“Today’s donation to AIRS is a first-of-its-kind initiative in Nigeria and would go a long way in smoothening the experience with tax payment and collection for individuals and the Anambra State government respectively. We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the government on this project and commit to do more”, explained Dr. Orumwense.

Named the “Fidelity Bank AIRS Small-Tax Hubs,” these booths are customized, secure, and user-friendly self-service terminals designed for efficient banking transactions. They are equipped with both mains and solar power sources to ensure continuous operation, and they connect to the internet for real-time transaction processing.

At the commissioning ceremony, Chairman of Anambra State Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Greg Ezeilo, FCA expressed gratitude for the donation, calling the gesture “a dream come true.” An elated Dr Ezeilo praised Fidelity Bank for the groundbreaking support while promising that the hubs would be utilized effectively.

Ranked as one of the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 8.3 million customers serviced across its 251 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.

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