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GTCO Returns as Headline Sponsor for Lagos NPA International Tournament

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) is proud to be the headline sponsor of the 2025 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament August24news.com has learnt.

Caption:L-R : Mohammed Sani Dangote ,Captain, Lagos Polo Club;Unoaku Sheidu,Corporate Communication, GTCO PLC ; Olugbile Holloway ,Secretary Lagos Polo Club; Derin Alex-Adedipe ,Corporate Communication, GTCO PLC ; Adeyemi Alakija ,Secretary General Nigeria Polo Association; Mayowa Ogunusi,Tournament Manager ,Lagos Polo Club, at the media briefing on the 2025 edition of GTCO/Lagos International Polo Tournament ,which was held at the Lagos Polo Club today Tuesday, 2025.

Our Business Editor, Ajagbe Adeyemi Teslim gathered that the highly-anticipated Polo Series will be held at the prestigious Lagos Polo Club, Ikoyi, from 4th to 23rd February 2025.


A staple in Nigeria’s sporting and social calendar, the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament is celebrated for its rich heritage, thrilling competitions, and vibrant atmosphere.

Last year’s tournament delivered a thrilling six chukkas encounter that saw Leighton Kings dispatch a hard-fighting Art Hotel Shoreline team to retain the coveted Majekodunmi Cup.

The 2025 NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament is set to be even more spectacular, featuring top-tier teams vying for the Open Cup and the Majekodunmi Cup in a series of high-goal and low-goal matches to be played over 18 days.

The Silver Cup will run across all three weeks while the Low Cup takes center stage in the third week, ensuring an engaging and dynamic experience for players and spectators alike throughout.


Commenting on GTCO’s role as main sponsor of the Lagos International Polo Tournament, Segun Agbaje, Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “At GTCO, we are passionate about fostering excellence and creating platforms that bring people together through shared passions.

The NPA Lagos international Polo Tournament embodies the spirit of teamwork, discipline, and fair play—values that resonate deeply with our brand.

We remain committed to driving positive change by supporting local initiatives with global impact that foster community development and social progress, ensuring that the benefits of the tournament extend well beyond the sport itself.”


GTCO has a longstanding tradition of supporting impact-driven sporting events as part of its broader commitment to community development.

The Group’s long-running sponsorship of the NPA Lagos International Polo Tournament reinforces its commitment to celebrating Africa’s rich sporting heritage and promoting inclusivity through world-class events.

Business

Jamara Home Celebrates Mothers with an Extensive Range of Exceptional Products this Mother’s Day

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Jamara Home Celebrates Mothers with an Extensive Range of Exceptional Products this Mother’s Day

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H


Jamara Home, one of Nigeria’s leading destinations for electronics and home appliances, celebrates this year’s Mother’s Day with heartfelt appreciation and a variety of items to help customers honor the incredible women in their lives.


From practical everyday solutions to thoughtful lifestyle upgrades, Jamara Home has in stock a wide selection of products to suit every type of mum because every mother deserves to be celebrated in a way that’s as special as she is.


Rabi Jammal, Managing Director of Jamara Home, says: “We see mothers as the unsung heroes of our everyday lives. This celebration gives us an opportunity to express our gratitude and to help our customers do the same through products that are thoughtful, meaningful, and heartfelt.”


Customers can shop a curated lineup of top-quality essentials and gifts, including:
Gas Cookers for dependable everyday cooking.


Refrigerators and Freezers to keep meals and moments fresh Smart TVs for entertainment that brings the family together Air Conditioners for cool, comfortable living Kitchen Tools & Appliances for enhancing convenience and creativity in the home With showrooms located in Lagos and Port Harcourt, Jamara Home has become a trusted household name known for quality products and customer-focused service.

The brand’s seamless omnichannel presence, combining user-friendly online shopping with physical retail experiences, ensures convenience and authenticity at every touchpoint.


To explore the full range of exceptional products by top brands from Jamara Home, visit the online store or locate the nearest Jamara Home showroom.

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Business

Okobi, Esomeju, Otaigbe Join Global Leaders to Discuss Sustainable Finance, Economic Transition at UNEP FI’s Regional Roundtable

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

As part of its continued commitment to sustainability, Access Holdings PLC will be amongst the leading participants in the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) Regional Roundtable on Sustainable Finance for Africa and Middle East.

taking place from May 6-7, 2025, in Marrakech, Morocco, the event will bring together regulators, policymakers, and key stakeholders from the financial sector to discuss and shape critical sustainability issues, including climate mitigation and adaptation, nature-positive finance, just transition and financial inclusion, carbon finance, among others.

Amaechi Okobi, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of Access Holdings; Edmund Otaigbe, Group Head of Credit Administration, Governance & Project Monitoring, and Njideka Esomeju, Group Head of Products and Segments, will be contributing insights from their extensive experience in driving sustainability within the financial sector.

Among the discussions will be sessions dedicated to accelerating the transition of real economy sectors towards sustainability, addressing climate risks, and ensuring financial inclusion. One of the focal points will be how financial institutions can support climate adaptation and resilience, particularly in vulnerable sectors across Africa and the Middle East. The event will further tackle the challenge of unlocking private finance for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exploring innovative ways to align capital flows with regional sustainability needs.

Other high-level dialogues will explore regional collaboration to support sustainability goals, advancing action on climate adaptation, and the regulatory developments promoting sustainable finance across the region. Panels will focus on topics such as financing and insuring MSMEs for climate resilience and fostering an inclusive transition by ensuring that vulnerable communities and underserved populations are not left behind in the push for green growth.

Prominent speakers at the event include Mahmoud Mohieldin, UN Special Envoy on Financing the 2030 Agenda; Louise Gardiner, Senior Operations Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC); Lily Burge, Policy Manager, Climate Bonds Initiative; Samuel Tiriongo, Director of Research and Policy, Kenya Bankers Association; Walid Ali, General Manager, Sustainability Department, Central Bank of Egypt; Yasser Mounsif, Director of Issuers, Moroccan Capital Market Authority, alongside other leaders in sustainable finance.

The UNEP FI Regional Roundtable promises to be a critical platform for deepening collaboration among stakeholders across Africa and the Middle East, with the shared goal of creating a resilient, sustainable future for the region.

#Access Holdings Plc
Access Holdings Plc is a leading multinational financial services group that offers banking, lending, payment, insurance, and pensions services. Headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria, Access Holdings operates through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 24 countries, and 60+ million customers.

Access transitioned into a holding company to drive rapid growth and become a full-scale ecosystem player offering interconnected services across customer needs. Established in 2022, Access Holdings Plc consists of the Access Bank Group; Access ARM Pensions; a Payment and Switching Services Company; a Digital Lending Company, and an Insurance Brokerage Company. The banking vertical serves its various markets through four business segments: Retail, Business, Commercial and Corporate, and has enjoyed what is it arguably Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last eighteen years, becoming one of Africa’s largest retail banks by customer base and Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest bank by total assets.

Access Holdings strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.

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Access Holdings Records 88% Growth in Gross Earnings to N4.878 Trillion

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AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Holdings PLC (“the Group”) (Bloomberg: ACCESSCO), a leading African financial services group, today, announced its audited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024.


The Group delivered 88% year-on-year growth in gross earnings, rising from N2.594 trillion in 2023 to N4.878 trillion in 2024. The strong performance was driven by diversified income streams, with interest income growing by 110% to N3.480 trillion and non-interest income increasing by 47.8% to N1.397 trillion, supported by robust retail banking activities, digital expansion, and a dynamic trading strategy.


Profit before tax (PBT) increased by 19% to N867.0 billion, while profit after tax (PAT) rose to N642.2 billion, despite inflationary and macroeconomic challenges. Total assets grew by 55.5% to N41.498 trillion, and customer deposits rose by 47% to N22.525 trillion. Shareholders’ funds also increased by 72%, reaching N3.760 trillion.

In 2024, the Group made significant social and environmental impact across the continent, touching millions of lives and earning multiple industry accolades. Through various corporate social investment initiatives in education, entrepreneurship, health, and the environment, the Group reached over 21 million individuals across Africa. Its employee wellness programmes also covered 28,000 staff across operating entities. Access Bank, the flagship subsidiary, through its W-Initiative, disbursed loans to over a million women-led SMEs, advancing financial inclusion and gender empowerment.
The Group’s efforts attracted prestigious recognition and awards, including three Euromoney Awards for Excellence (notably ‘Best Bank for ESG’); International Finance Award for ‘Most Innovative Bank for Community Development and Community Engagement’; and World Economic Magazine Award for ‘Most Sustainable Bank’.
In terms of economic sustainability, Access Bank recorded strong strides through its Economic, Social and Governance (ESG) programmes. It facilitated $437.42 million in DFI inflows to support MSMEs across Africa, disbursed 1.6 million digital loans to low-income individuals, and booked its first N1.4 billion diaspora mortgage loan.
The Group also achieved a 13.4% reduction in operational emissions, planted 57,302 trees, and enabled solar power adoption for 226 homes and businesses. Its headquarters was awarded the IFC EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) Green Building Certification for sustainable design and construction

standards.
In addition, Access employees contributed 228,500 volunteer hours to various community development programmes, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to inclusive and purpose-driven impact.
The Group is focused on delivering sustainable returns to shareholders, while reinvesting in innovation, infrastructure, and cross-border expansion. Its banking subsidiary launched operations in Hong Kong, received regulatory approval in Malta, and successfully integrated its operations in Zambia and Tanzania, expanding its global footprint.
Access Bank posted significant gains across all performance metrics, with interest income growing by 110% and fees and commissions rising by 81%. International subsidiaries contributed 48.5% to the banking segment’s PBT, demonstrating strong execution across key markets.
In 2024, Access Holdings also became the first institution to meet the Central Bank of Nigeria’s recapitalisation directive, raising ₦351 billion through a rights issue. The proceeds are being strategically deployed to strengthen digital infrastructure, enhance liquidity, and fuel long-term growth.
Looking ahead, Access Holdings remains committed to building a more inclusive, sustainable, and profitable future, delivering value not just to shareholders, but to society and the environment at large.

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About Access Holdings

Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) operates through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets, spanning three continents, 23 countries and over 60 million customers. The Company serves its various markets through four subsidiaries across the banking, payment, pension administration and insurance sectors through four operating companies, viz: Access Bank Plc, Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited, Access Pensions Limited, and Access Insurance Brokers Limited.

Access Bank Plc serves its various markets through four business segments – Retail Business, Commercial and Corporate, and has enjoyed what is Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last twenty years. Following its merger with Diamond Bank in March 2019, Access Bank Plc became one of Africa’s largest retail banks by customer base and the Nigeria’s largest bank by total assets.

Hydrogen Payment Services Company Limited, the payment company, leverages the strong suite of the Bank’s existing assets and customer base, creating a super fintech that will be Africa’s most powerful business services network. Hydrogen being a company of African heritage has a clear understanding of the unique payment challenges across the continent and is positioned to address these challenges with its offerings. Its range of products and services, such as InstantPay, Payment gateway, POS services, Card and Switch processing are gaining traction in the marketplace and addressing the unique needs of customers.

Access ARM Pensions Limited, formerly Access Pensions Limited, is one of Nigeria’s largest Pension Funds Administrator (‘PFA’) by customer base and Assets Under Management, with nearly ₦3 trillion in assets under management and serving over two million Retirement Savings Account holders.

Access ARM Pensions Limited is the product of separate entities. The erstwhile Access Pensions Limited first became a subsidiary of Access Holdings following the acquisitions of the former First Guarantee Pension Limited and Sigma Pensions Limited and their subsequent merger. Subsequently, Access Pensions Limited merged with ARM Pensions Managers Limited to then form Access ARM Pensions Limited. As one of Nigeria’s leading PFAs, Access ARM Pensions Limited will leverage key relationships and Access’ growing ecosystem across Africa to unlock greater opportunities for customers.

Access Insurance Brokers Limited is a company licensed by the National Insurance Commission that provides intelligent solutions that mitigate the unique risks faced by individuals and businesses in an ever-changing world using leading risk management tools and governance standards.

Access Holdings Plc strives to invest in businesses that are committed to sustainable practices and have a positive impact on the environment.

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