TheNewsGuru

Tag: Access Bank

  • Access Bank moves to acquire National Bank of Kenya

    Access Bank moves to acquire National Bank of Kenya

    Access Holdings Plc says its subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, is in the process of acquiring the entire issued share capital of National Bank of Kenya Ltd. (NBK).

    Mr Sunday Ekwochi, the bank’s Company Secretary, said this in a notification sent to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd.(NGX) on Wednesday in Lagos.

    Ekwochi stated that the bank had entered into a binding agreement with Kenyan-based KCB Group Plc (KCB) for the acquisition of NBK from KCB.

    He said KCB is also the holding company of NBK, which is Kenya’s largest commercial bank.

    According to him, the transaction is in furtherance of the bank’s African expansion strategy and will reposition it as a stronger and significant player in the Kenyan market.

    Ekwochi said this would also serve as a regional hub for Access Bank’s East African bloc, anchored by a solidified balance sheet.

    “The parties will be working together in the coming months towards fulfilling the conditions precedent relating to the Transaction.

    “This include the regulatory approvals of the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) and the Central Bank of Kenya,” he said.

    According to him, sequel to the completion of the transaction, NBK would be combined with Access Bank Kenya Plc.

    Ekwochi explained that this would create an enlarged franchise in the pursuit of Access Bank’s strategic objective for the Kenyan and East African markets.

    Commenting, Ms Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer(GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc said the proposed acquisition marks a significant step in the execution of the bank’s five-year strategic plan aimed at positioning it as Africa’s Gateway to the World.

    Agbede noted that the deal with NBK, a historically strong and well-known bank in Kenya with a balance sheet in excess of $1.1 billion, presents a compelling opportunity to scale up Access Bank’s growth in the East African market.

    She said: ” We remain confident that our investments towards diversifying and strengthening the Bank’s long-term earnings profile will deliver significant value for our shareholders, customers, and wider stakeholder groups.

    “We will keep the market updated on the progress of the Transaction.”

    Access Holdings Plc operates through a network of more than 600 branches and service outlets, spanning in three continents, 18 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.

  • Speaker Abbas mourns Access Holdings CEO, Wigwe, wife, son, Ogunbanjo

    Speaker Abbas mourns Access Holdings CEO, Wigwe, wife, son, Ogunbanjo

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, has expressed shock and deep pain over the death of the Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc and founder of HOW Foundation, Dr Herbert Wigwe, CON, and others in a helicopter crash in the United States.

    Wigwe reportedly died in the chopper alongside his wife, Doreen and son Chizi, as well as a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, MFR.

    The Speaker, after receiving an official confirmation of the incident and deaths by the Group Company Secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, on Sunday, described it as a huge tragedy to Nigeria as a country.

    Speaker Abbas recalled how Wigwe as CEO of Access Bank Plc grew the deposit money bank to a household name in Nigeria and spread across Africa and other continents.

    He also noted that Wigwe’s elevation to GCEO of Access Holdings Plc was an attestation to the entrepreneurial excellence, business acumen and corporate ethics.

    The Speaker said Wigwe has left a huge vacuum in the banking sector and the corporate world by extension, urging the corporate organisations that he championed and served most of his life to sustain his legacy.

    Speaker Abbas prayed to God to console the bereaved families and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones. He also prayed to God to grant the departed souls eternal rest.

  • I’m deeply saddened – Atiku reacts to Herbert Wigwe’s death

    I’m deeply saddened – Atiku reacts to Herbert Wigwe’s death

    Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar has reacted to the death Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, Herbert Wigwe who died in a helicopter crash in the United States.

    Wigwe was reportedly involved in the crash with his wife and son, Abimbola Ogunbanjo who was a former group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX), and two others.

    Atiku on his verified X page, said he’s sad to hear the sudden death of the banker.

    He wrote: “In the words of one of Nigeria’s finest CEOs, Herbert Wigwe, “Today and always, let us remember that life is a precious gift – a chance to breathe, feel, love, experience and connect. Let’s honour this gift by living with purpose, kindness, and gratitude, making every moment count. Let us number our days.”

    “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the unfortunate incident that led to the loss of Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, and his family. Indeed, Herbert Wigwe, consummate banker, education promoter, and philanthropist, numbered his days. On behalf of my family, my heart goes out to their loved ones and everyone affected by this unfortunate incident. May their souls rest in peace.

    The helicopter carrying six people crashed near a small town in southern California’s Mojave Desert, authorities said.

  • Why we disqualified 5,000 runners from Lagos City Marathon – Official

    Why we disqualified 5,000 runners from Lagos City Marathon – Official

    Yusuf Alli, the Technical Director of Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, says no fewer than 5,000 runners who failed to pick up their kits on time were disqualified.

    Alli disclosed this in an interview with NAN on Saturday in Lagos.

    Alli noted that the last-minute rush by the intending runners after the expiration of the deadline for picking the kits would affect getting the accurate record of runners.

    According to him, it is important that those who register for the marathon are timely in their online registration and in picking their kits for the race, to keep to the World Road Race’s standards.

    “There were fewer runners in this year’s edition because many runners came late for the collection of their kits and we have to turn down about 5,000 that came on Thursday.

    “People waited till the last minute and if we keep giving out kits until the last minutes, we won’t have accurate number of runners – which is our start sheet.

    “People should abide by the deadline given; it’s not that we don’t want them, but we want to keep to the rules of the game which is good for us.

    “I believe the numbers will increase because there was a time we had over 120,000 runners in the marathon but when COVID-19 came, it disrupted the figures, but we are picking up gradually,” he said.

    Alli also pointed out that the 42 km Gold Label race had witnessed significant improvement from when it started nine years ago.

    “When we started the marathon, the time difference between the elite runners and Nigerians was 24 minutes, but today, it’s just 10 minutes, that means we are picking up.

    “The world record in 1990 was 2:07 and Nigerian record stood at 2:15 years after. For some years, we went to sleep and didn’t do anything, this affected us.

    “If we have been busy, we would have improved more, but with what I have seen today, by the next two years, Nigeria will be in the world top athletes, ” he said.

    Alli, a gold medalist at the 1990 Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, said that the marathon would look at ways to develop more Nigerian long distance runners.

    “By next year, we will concentrate on Nigerian runners; there was more focus on the elite runners this year because it’s a year for the Olympics while many of the runners want to qualify.

    “By next year, we will narrow the elite runners to fewer numbers, get them paid well; the money paid for 88 elites runners will be pruned to 20 elites, then we will have room to increase bonuses.

    “The bonuses will be increased from 10,000 dollars to 20, 000 dollars which is a great incentive.

    “For this year, the weather is not friendly so we are looking at a way of altering the date for the marathon, ” he said.

    Alli, who is the Chairman of Nigerian Road Race, also spoke about the vision of his committee to improve the road races in Nigeria.

    “What we will do to improve the quality of the road race is to streamline the numbers to have a clear-cut road race.

    “From 2016 till now, we now have about 70 and more races in Nigeria, but half of the road race are not measured which gives room for discrepancies.

    “We will henceforth certify the road races and measure them with accurate marathon device to check malpractices.

    “We also intend on having an exchange programme with the Kenyans to train Nigerian runners.

    “It is cheaper to bring them to Nigeria than taking the athletes to Kenya; we will exchange notes to see where we can fit in with their programme,” he said.

  • Video: Access Bank MD pays tribute to late Abdul Imoyo, describes him as a friend to all

    Video: Access Bank MD pays tribute to late Abdul Imoyo, describes him as a friend to all

    Mr Roosevelt Ogbonna, the Managing Director of Access Bank, has described the Late Abdul Imoyo, Head of Media Relations at Acess Holding, as a man who impacted many lives and was a friend to all.

    He made this known while paying tribute to him.

    According to him, he worked with him for ten years, and he helped build Access Bank.

    See video below:

    Late Abdul died in the early hours of December 17 after a brief illness at First Cardiology, Ikoyi Lagos.

  • Access Bank acquires Zambian Bank

    Access Bank acquires Zambian Bank

    Access Holdings Plc has completed the acquisition of Atlas Mara Zambia.

    The bank made the disclosure on Monday in a regulatory filing on the Nigerian Exchange Ltd

    Access Zambia had approached Atlas Mara in 2021 and, in March 2023, announced that it has received regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria to proceed with the deal.

    The transaction was expected to be completed in Q3, 2023.

    Access said, “It is pleased to announce that Access Bank (Zambia) Limited (“Access Zambia”) a subsidiary of the Company’s flagship subsidiary, Access Bank Plc, has completed the acquisition of African Banking Corporation Zambia Limited, trading as Atlas Mara Zambia (“Atlas Mara Zambia “). Atlas Mara Zambia is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Zambia.”

    The lender said the completion of the acquisition, Access Zambia would now move towards integrating and merging Atlas Mara Zambia into its operations.

    The lender also said it targets to create one of the top five banks in Zambia by total assets, with prospects to be in the top three by 2027.

    The Group Chief Executive of Access Holdings, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, said the acquisition marks a significant milestone for Access Bank as the bank works towards achieving its vision of being the World’s Most Respected African Bank.

    He said, “We are poised for success by harmonising the robust brands, rich heritage, shared values, and best practices of both companies to create opportunities for all our stakeholders in Zambia and the SADC region.”

  • Just In: Access Bank’s Head of Media Relations, Abdul Imoyo, is dead

    Just In: Access Bank’s Head of Media Relations, Abdul Imoyo, is dead

    The Head of Media Relations of Access Bank PLC, Abdul Imoyo, has been reported dead from an undisclosed ailment.

    The death of Imoyo, according to sundry media reports, filtered in on Sunday morning.

    Friends and well-wishers, according to reports, have been mourning his demise on Facebook and other social media platforms.

    In the evening of Sunday, Tunde Imoyo, hus brother, confirmed the death of the PR expert.

    Tunde Imoyo confirmed the death in a statement made available to newsmen.

    The statement said that Imoyo died at the First Cardiology, Ikoyi Lagos.

    The statement reads “It is with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the death of our beloved husband, father, brother and uncle Abdul Kolawole Imoyo, who went to be with the Lord in the early hours of 17th December 2023 after a brief illness.

    “We are taking some time as a family to grieve over our loss at this time.

    “We thank you for your prayers and support.

    “Further announcements will be communicated in due course.”

    But Access Bank had yet to issue a fornal statement confirming Imoyo’s death as of press time.

    The deceased, according to his LinkedIn page, had been working with Access Bank since August 2014.

    He had also worked in the Public Relations Unit of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) before joining Access Bank.

    Imoyo was also the Finance Editor of BusinessDay between May 2004 and July 2010.

    The deceased attended the Lagos State University (LASU) between 1998 and 2002 where he bagged a B.Sc in Public Administration and later attended the University of Lagos (UNILAG), where he bagged his Master of Business Administration
    (MBA).

  • Full list of winners at Lagos City Marathon

    Full list of winners at Lagos City Marathon

    Edwin Kibet of Kenya on Saturday emerged winner of the 2023 Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, after returning a time of 2:14:06 for the US$50,000 prize money.

    Kibet joined the league of winners of Kenya-dominated 42km Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, as they won in 2016 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

    The Ethiopians who have been sharing the stage as winners are two-time winners as they won in 2019 and 2022 while French runner, Abraham Kiprotich, won in 2018.

    The 2023 Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon would have been gone to David Bamassai, the 2020 winner and the race record holder in 2:10:23, but he collapsed during the race to pave the way for Kibet to emerge champions.

    Ethiopian runner, Dekeba Tafa, however, came second in 2:14:54, while another Kenyan, Bernard Sang, came third in 2:17:14.

    In the women’s category, it was an all-Ethiopian affair as Alemenesh Guta won the race for the second time in 2:40:42 to follow her feat in 2018. Guta, a regular participant in the race, however, came second in the 2021 edition.

    Urisa Kebene Chala also from Ethiopia came second in 2:40:42 while Naomi Maiyo who came third at the 2022 edition maintained her spot in the position with 2:40:56.

    East Africans Gyan Boyi, who emerged winner with 2:48:33, shared the podium with Adamu Shehu, in second position with 21:30:52, while Friday Yohanna came third with 2:33:02 for the male category.

    In the female category, veteran runner, Deborah Pam led the pack in 2:48:33, Elizabeth Nuhu came second in 3:00:20 and Dinatu Yahanna came third in 3:02:12.

    The 2023 marathon was a delight in Sports City, Lagos, as residents stood on the streets to cheer the 50,000 runners from the National Stadium, Surulere, to the finish point at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.

    The winners of the 2023 edition on the sidelines of the marathon said he was elated to emerge winner of the race.

  • Finish line in view as Lagos City Marathon starts off

    Finish line in view as Lagos City Marathon starts off

    The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, held annually in Lagos State has kicked off as runners already set their eyes on the finish line.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the first category of the Access Bank-Lagos City Marathon covers 42 km and commenced from National Stadium Underbridge on Funsho Williams Avenue and would go through Barracks Ojuelegba.

    The marathon will continue on the main carriageway, Dorman Long Bridge at Fadeyi on Ikorodu Road, Obanikoro, Anthony to Gbagada, Third Mainland Bridge, Osborne Road, Alfred Rewane (Old Kingsway) Road, and Falomo Roundabout.

    The trail will continue to Bourdillon Road ,Cable Bridge (Ikoyi – Lekki Link Bridge), Admiralty Way, Lekki First Roundabout, Lekki Tollgate, Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street, terminating at Eko Atlantic City.

    The second category of the race covers 10 km, and starts from Durosimi Etti, Lekki Phase 1 and will connect Lekki First Roundabout, Lekki Toll-Gate,  Ozumba Mbadiwe Road, Akin Adesola Street, Bishop Oluwole Street terminating at Eko Atlantic City (Finish Point).

    TNG reports top winners of the 2023 Gold-Label Lagos City Marathon will book qualifications tickets for the marathon event of the next edition of the Olympic games in Paris 2024, France.

  • LASG issues travel advisory for Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

    LASG issues travel advisory for Access Bank Lagos City Marathon

    Ahead of the Lagos  City Marathon coming up on Saturday February 4th, 2023,  the  State Government on Thursday, released a travel advisory to aid vehicular and pedestrian movement.

    The Marathon will kickstart by 5.00am and the race will be in two categories with different “Start Points” and distances to be covered.

    Lagos state  Commissioner for Transportation Dr Frederic Oladeinde said the advisory is meant to ensure that motorists enjoy their ride on Lagos roads during the marathon ride.

    He said dedicated route have been mapped out for the marathoners and urged motorists to make use of the alternative routes provided for them by the government to avoid stress while the marathon lasts.

    According to him, the Marathon Dedicated Routes are:

    A.   The first category of the Access Bank-Lagos City Marathon covers 42 km and shall commence from National Stadium Underbridge on Funsho Williams Avenue and shall go through Barracks >>> Ojuelegba on the main carriageway >>> Dorman Long Bridge >>> Fadeyi on Ikorodu Road >>>Obanikoro >>> Anthony to Gbagada >>> Third Mainland Bridge >>> Osborne Road >>> Alfred Rewane (Old Kingsway) Road >>> Falomo Roundabout >>> Bourdillon Road >>>Cable Bridge (Ikoyi – Lekki Link Bridge) >>> Admiralty Way >>>Lekki First Roundabout >>>Lekki Tollgate >>> Ozumba Mbadiwe Road >>>Akin Adesola Street >>> Bishop Oluwole Street and terminating at Eko Atlantic City.

    B.   The second category of the race covers 10 km, and starts from Durosimi Etti, Lekki Phase 1 and shall connect Lekki First Roundabout >>>Lekki Toll-Gate >>> Ozumba Mbadiwe Road >>>Akin Adesola Street>>> Bishop Oluwole Street terminating at Eko Atlantic City (Finish Point).

    Hence, motorists and commuters plying these roads are hereby informed of the necessary closure of these routes in order to protect the runners and preserve the integrity of the event.

    THE FOLLOWING ROADS WILL BE TOTALLY OR PARTLY CLOSED:

    a)     Total closure of Third Mainland Bridge inwards Lagos Island from6.45am to 2pm

    b)    Alaka Service lane by Alaka Estate will be closed from5.00am to 7.30 am

    c)     National Stadium to Ojuelegba, Dormanlong Bridge, Onipanu, Obanikoro, and Anthony will be closed from6.00am to 8 am

    d)    From Anthony to Charly Boy Bus Stop to Oworonsoki will be closed from6.30 am to 8.30 am

    e)     From Adekunle Junction linking the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed from 7.00 am to 2pm.

    NOTE: All adjoining streets and feeder roads leading to marathon dedicated routes shall be temporarily closed to traffic to ensure a hitch free exercise and guarantee the safety and security of the athletes.

    ALTERNATIVE ROUTES:

    Due to the road closure that is inevitable within the duration of the marathon, accessible alternative routes identified for road users include the following;

    All motorists from Ikeja and environs heading to Victoria Island should go through Ikorodu Road>>>>Fadeyi>>>> Funsho Williams >>>>Eko Bridge

    Motorists from Badagry, Mile 2, and environs going to Lagos Island should go through Apapa, Orile to link Eko Bridge.

    Motorists from Mainland, Surulere and environs should avoid Masha Area and National Stadium but can link Lagos Island through Iponri/Iganmu and Eko Bridge

    Motorists coming from Ibadan, Mowe and environs can link Lagos Island throughOjota, Ikorodu Road, Funsho Williams Avenue and Eko Bridge

    Motorists from Okota,Apapa-Oshodi Expresswayto Lagos Island should go through Mile 2, Orile to Eko Bridge

    Motorists from Sango-Otta going to Lagos Island should go through Mushin, Funsho Williams Avenue (old Western Avenue) to Eko Bridge

    Motorists coming from Epe, Ajah, Lekki and environs should use the Alternative Route to Ikoyi/Victoria Island (from Ikate to Ikoyi: take Freedom Road >>> AdmiraltyRoad >>>> Cable Bridge (Ikoyi Link Bridge) and connect destination OR Nike Art Gallery >>>>Iru >>>> Victoria Island).

    Motorists from Ikoyi to Mainland can useAlfred Rewane Road (old Kingsway Road) >>>>Osborne Road >>>> Third Mainland Bridge OR Awolowo Road >>>>Obalende Bridge >>>>Third Mainland Bridge