UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, on Tuesday, held the Grand finale of its eleventh annual National Essay Competition (NEC) at the Tony Elumelu Amphitheatre at the UBA House, Marina Lagos, in a ceremony that was well-attended by students, staff and parents.

A visibly excited 15-year-old Eziaku Esther, a student of His Grace High School, Enugu State, emerged the overall winner with the best essay. For the fifth consecutive year the girls have clinched the best prize as, Esther beat 11 other finalists selected from over 7,000 entries received digitally by the UBA Foundation from students of senior secondary schools across Nigeria.

Esther won an educational grant of N3 million to study at any African university of her choice. She also received a brand-new state-of the-art laptop and many other educational tools from the UBA Foundation. She will be supported throughout her educational career and beyond with constant mentoring by the UBA Foundation.

The 15 year old winner who was escorted to the event by her mother, Mrs Joy Chika Eziaku, said she was excited to have come top in the competition, adding that the experience has bolstered her confidence; “I am so grateful to UBA Foundation for this grand opportunity. it was not very easy as I had to study hard and conduct a lot of research, but I am happy that it paid off for me. This opportunity has changed my life, made me want to learn more, read more and to aspire to be a better person and I really appreciate the UBA and the UBA Foundation for this,” she said.

The UBA Foundation’s Education initiative has been changing lives for over a decade as the tertiary education scholarship programme continues to impact the lives of many students and their communities at large.

The second prize was bagged by Nduka Chukwuemeka, male, aged 17, of Oxfords international School, Abia State, who won a N2,500,000 educational grant and a laptop; while the third prize of N2,000,000 and a brand new lap top went to 15-year old Hajarat Abdulwahab of Addy Basic School, Kano. The other 9 finalists also received brand new laptops as well as consolation prizes, including books and other learning materials.

In his remarks the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Plc Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, said UBA as a bank is happy that it has been touching lives and making a solid impact through the UBA Foundation, adding that the annual competition which is in its 11^th year, has produced hundreds of winners, some of who have long graduated from higher schools and have been impacting their communities.

He said, “Like we did last year, we again increased the prizes to match the rising cost of living. Over the years, we have been assured that we are doing something very unique and truly African, and this is why the initiative is for those who wish to study in Africa, because we are proud of our continent.”

The MD/CEO, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, whilst congratulating the winners, commended them for their exceptional brilliance. “Every student who sent in an entry is a winner. To be confident about your writing skills and ambitious enough to enter a competition to further enhance your educational path is laudable. For those that did not win, I would say do not be discouraged. Take it as a challenge to perfect your writing skills and enter for the competition again next year” she said.

According to Atta, UBA Foundation, being the CSR arm of UBA Plc, makes it a point of duty to give back to communities where UBA operates. Education remains one of the Foundation’s focus areas as it is the bedrock of any nation

UBA Foundation’s National Essay Competition has been rolled out to other African countries including Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea, with plans for more footprints in 2022.

UBA Foundation, the CSR arm of the UBA Group, is committed to the socio-economic betterment of the communities in which the bank operates, focusing on development in the areas of Education, Environment, Economic Empowerment and Special Projects.

3rd Prize Winner, 2021 UBA National Essay Competition, Hajarat Abdulwahab; Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa, (UBA) Plc, Kennedy Uzoka; 1ST Prize Winner, Eziaku Esther Enwereuzo; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta at the grand finale of the UBA Foundation, National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools, held at UBA House, Marina, Lagos

3rd Prize Winner, 2021 UBA National Essay Competition, Hajarat Abdulwahab; Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, United Bank for Africa, (UBA) Plc, Kennedy Uzoka; 1ST Prize Winner, Eziaku Esther Enwereuzo; Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta and the 2nd Prize Winner, Nduka Chukwubikem, at the grand finale of the UBA Foundation, National Essay Competition for Secondary Schools, held at UBA House, Marina, Lagos

In the spirit of providing enabling opportunities for families of its customers and other stakeholders to come together to celebrate, live better and achieve their dreams, FirstBank – through its yearly DecemberIssaVybe campaign – has unveiled the 2021 calendar of events as it reiterates its impact on the arts and entertainment industry.

The campaign which started in 2018 has been making waves across the cities in the country and Nigerians across ages have started Vybing, enamored in excitement.

The 30-day activity loaded event include musical shows and concerts, comedies, fashion, arts and food fairs and are specifically supported to evoke joyful moods as everyone gears up for the celebrations of the end of the year, especially the yuletide. Showcasing an array of the hottest and coolest entertainment platforms, and superstars, FirstBank DecemberIssaVybe campaign offers free massive gifts and ticket giveaways to premium events aimed at creating fascinating and memorable experience for stakeholders in the Yuletide season as they bond with family and friends, whilst connecting with their favourite superstars, music, plays.

FirstBank DecemberIssaVybe is also designed to inspire kindness in all stakeholders. December is a season for giving and given FirstBank’s culture of showing kindness through initiatives such as SPARK (Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness), DecemberIssaVybe campaign integrates kindness and spreads its message of transforming lives.

Excited about the 2021 DecemberIssaVybe, the Group Head of Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Ms Folake Ani-Mumuney said “we are delighted to be back with DecemberIssaVybe. The 2021 edition is enriched with loads of impactful and celebratory activities to build the excitement of witnessing the year-end as we celebrate into 2022. As a Bank woven into the fabric of society, we have ensured that the events are spread across the country and there is an event for everyone, irrespective of age.

We remain committed through resourceful partnerships to nation building; empowering all including the youth to achieve their dreams as these events promote the continued growth of the entertainment industry, unarguably an economic game-changer in the global business landscape, especially a country like ours that is blessed with talents and amazing creative minds.

We encourage everyone including organisers of events to please stay safe and adhere to the COVID-19 protocols. It’s important we all get vaccinated; get our booster jabs where necessary, use face masks, observe social distancing and play our roles to drive full observance and adherence to COVID-19 protocols so we enjoy the season responsibly’’ she concluded.

The FirstBank #DecemberIssaVybe and #FirstBankIssaVybe giveaway fest is open to everyone. To enjoy premium concerts, plays, fashion and food; lucky customers and followers of the Bank’s social media pages – Facebook: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Instagram: @firstbanknigeria should look out for the posts on how to participate in the giveaways as there are exclusive tickets to partake in these celebrations promoted through FirstBank’s DecemberIssaVybe end of the year and yuletide celebrations.

Kayode Tokede examines ways monthly salary earners with FirstBank accounts can benefit from the lender’s numerous loans initiatives amid harsh economy
In time past, monthly income earners – especially bank customers – were unable to have quick access to personal loans to meet their immediate financial needs due to the stringent conditions.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had introduced the Know-Your-Customer (KYC), among other policies, to enhance financial inclusion and reduce the incidence of related identity fraud in the banking sector. These have enhanced the capabilities of banks to grant soft loans to customers.

With these, monthly income earners have access to loans every month with an attractive interest rate, below the stipulated limit, which has eased customers with the opportunity to access soft loans (Personal loans) and meet urgent needs.
Amid double-digit inflation rate, among other operating headwinds, meeting demands of owning a dream car, house, and travel for vacation become challenges as daily expenses inflate.

Personal loans are borrowed money that can be used for large purchases, debt consolidation, emergency expenses, and much more.
These loans are paid back within the period advised in the terms and conditions of the facility. The payback period can be within a month, a couple of months or a few years.

Salary accounts can do more than just receive monthly pay; they have inherent wealth that can be unlocked to help customers achieve dreams as they advance in their careers and be on top of ‘money demanding’ situations at home and work.
Over the years, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has adopted the strategy of creating opportunities for salary accounts holders to unlock the wealth in their accounts with numerous initiatives introduced to bridge the gap in the access of quick loans.
The bank’s salary accounts offer zero opening balance, zero minimum daily operating balance, zero account maintenance charge, First Free Verve or Master Card Issuance and access to consumer loans.

The bank also introduced Personal Loan Against Salary (PLAS), First Advance, and FirstCredit Salary Account designed to meet personal loans demands.

With FirstBank’s PLAS, the salary account holder can access personal loans up to N30 million to pursue capital projects, carry out renovation works on their properties, acquire assets, give their children the best education, and other fulfilling accomplishments. PLAS offers flexible options to top-up and refinance existing loans at competitive rates.
The product is designed to also help customers meet immediate personal financial obligations such as rent renewals, vacation trips to choice destinations and pay for professional examinations to take their career to the next level. With PLAS, Nigerian salary earners need to be assured of a funding partner in FirstBank to fulfil their dreams. PLAS is available to employees whose salary accounts are domiciled with FirstBank.

FirstAdvance is a digital lending solution designed to offer convenient and easy access to cash for payroll customers awaiting payment of their salaries.
The product is meant for salary earners whose accounts are domiciled with FirstBank and have received regular salaries in the last six months or more.
The maximum amount accessible is N500,000.00, subject to 50 percent of the net average three months salary, whichever is lower.
The eligible amount is calculated after deducting all other loan obligations to the Bank. This product can be accessed via the Bank’s leading digital channels: FirstMobile and USSD.
The features of FirstAdvance include: Salary account must be domiciled with FirstBank, loan amount of up to 50 per cent of net monthly income, the tenor is 30 days or next payday [whichever comes first]. Repayment is taken immediately salary is received, while a lien is placed on the unfunded account, among others
The bank also has FirstCredit, a product designed to provide customers with a quick and simple loan to fund their immediate needs.
FirstCredit loans can be accessed from anywhere without visiting the Bank. It involved no documentation or collateral required and all the customer need is a mobile phone or tablet.

FirstCredit is easy and convenient as it promotes immediate access to loans to meet needs. It facilitates quick loan requests and disbursal with no physical documentation required nor collateral required. Neither are there hidden charges nor fees.
Its features include: the customer’s account must have been operational in FirstBank for at least six months; linkage of the account to a valid BVN is a requirement; primarily details of the account, including phone number and residential address, must be correctly updated and the customer must have a positive credit history and score with Credit Bureaus. The maximum loan amount is N300,000

Others are loan tenor: of 30 days, an interest rate of 10 per cent flat and insurance fee is also taken upfront on loan disbursal. To apply for FirstCredit, customers are to Dial *894#, select Loans, and follow the instructions.

Culled from ThisDay