Distinct Media

  The 2023 edition of Sterling’s Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) has reached the penultimate stage with revealing of the top ten innovators to pitch for grants at the highly anticipated 5th edition of its annual event. This year’s summit will be an incubator-style investors' deal room tagged 'AgroPitch.'. The shortlist comes as an outcome of an extensive screening process which saw the ASA assess thousands of submissions in its call for applications, with the final winners to be announced at the grand event scheduled for 08 November 2023.  Speaking on the shortlist, Group Head for Agriculture and Solid Minerals Finance at Sterling Bank, Dr. Olushola Obikanye, said that "The selection committee received a multitude of amazing submissions.  However, we are confident that this shortlist of the ten agro-innovators presented uniquely transformative solutions that underscore a profound understanding of the critical gaps within our agricultural sector."  The ASA 2023 gra...

  LAGOS.3.11.2023. Retail lender, Unity Bank Plc has recorded gross earnings of N38 billion for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2023, with customer deposits appreciating by 5% to N344.4 billion within the period, an indication of business growth and customer confidence in the Bank.  A review of the lender’s unaudited nine-month results released to the Nigerian Exchange Group Limited showed that the Bank continued to maintain its expansionary and customer-centric model with total loans and advances rising to N222.8 billion, even as interest and similar income stood at N33 billion, which underscores the Bank’s strategic focus to reinvigorate and sustain asset creation that will deliver returns to shareholders. Other key highlights of the 9-month financials include the total assets which stood at N423.4 billion; net fee and income commission, N4.4 billion within the period. However, the recent FX regulation impacted the Bank’s bottom line, a situation that can be revers...

  As part of his 51st birthday celebration, the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Dr. Mudashiru Obasa, on Friday spent hours with pupils and students of different schools in Agege giving pep talks and advising them to be their best at all times. This is as the lawmakers of the Lagos State House of Assembly pledged to equip Oyewole Secondary School, Agege with computers. Dr. Obasa, who announced financial support to some of the pupils and students, told them that they can become successful and better in life if they make commitments to their studies, dedication and passion for education part of their lives. "Our being here is an investment for the future because you, our children, will always remember this event and it would motivate you to be great," he said. He told the students that they could achieve their dreams of becoming leaders in their chosen professions as the world is big enough to accommodate them. "You can fulfil your dreams if you worki hard. Yo...

  The General Manager Oyo State Fire Service Agency, Mr Yemi Akinyinka, has condemned the attack on some fire service officers by a mob, during a rescue operation in Ibadan, the state capital. Mr Akinyinka condemned the act while confirming the incident in a telephone interview with Fresh Facts According to Mr Akinyinka, the officials were on Tuesday called to put out a fire at a private residence at Akingbola, Bodija and were attacked when they were attempting to replenish the depleted water supply. Mr Akinyinka appealed to residents to stop attacking fire service officers during the rescue missions.

  The Lagos State Government has concluded the maiden edition of Voluntary Local Review (VLR) Validation Workshop for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with the dictates of the Global ambition on the 2030 agenda. The event, which was held at the Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja was the first validation exercise on the global agenda in Nigeria as a whole. Speaking at the programme, the Special Adviser on Sustainable Development Goals to Mr. Governor, Dr. Oreoluwa Finnih explained that the initiative marks a pivotal moment in the collective aspirations of the state toward achieving the Global Goals and co-creating an inclusive, just, and prosperous future for all residents of Lagos State.  According to her, the Voluntary Local Review as a sub-national endeavour holds profound significance for the future of our dear state and the country at large as it continues to demonstrate the local capacity and commitments of cities and regions to foster SDGs in rural communities....

  The former Chief of Staff in Lagos State, Otunba Samuel Olukunle Ojo aka Baba Ojo, has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over last Thursday's victory at the Supreme Court. Ojo also praised the apex Court for using available facts and not emotions in arriving at its  judgment in the February 25 Presidential polls.. The Supreme Court had last Thursday dismissed the appeals filed by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) challenging the verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal which on September 6 affirmed Tinubu's victory. He declared that without an iota of doubt, now that the road is clear for complete governance,   Tinubu, who according to him knows the length and breadth of governance would now be able to sit down adopt the necessary side of governance that would benefit the citizens and the country to make Nigeria great again. According to him " Your previous years...

To State Government has provided N1Billion Loan Facility to the Oyo State Agricultural Credit corporation for farmers across the state.  The single digit interest loan facility would ensure more access at reasonable interest rates for farmers to expand their business and attract potential investors into the farming value chain. Speaking during a media briefing at the Ministry of Information and Civic Orientation Film Theatre in Ibadan, recently, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Agricultural Credit corporation, Alh. Taofeek Akeugbagold said that the present administration was committed to reforming the farming sector with notable programmes like the Sustainable Action for Economic Recovery (SAfER), among others. He said this will ensure food security and cushion the effect of removal of fuel subsidy, by the federal government.  He said the loan facility will focus on the small holder farmers, who bear the burden of feeding the teeming population. "His Excellency, the Governor ...