Niger Delta
Premium Trust Bank Opens Office In PH
Premium Trust Bank has joined the list of licensed commercial banks operating in Nigeria. The bank launched and opened its first branch in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, with the promise to customers of speedy service delivery anchored on innovation and strong market knowledge.
Speaking at the launch event, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the bank, Mr Emmanuel Emefienim, noted that the bank’s coming on board was not to make up the numbers (of banks) but to stand out with its speed of service delivery. Emefienim also noted that the bank would be co-creating financial solutions with its customers to ensure alignment and seamless adoption at the stage of product deployment.
He said: “I have said many times that drawing up strategy in banking is not new. We are not necessarily coming to re-invent the wheel because the banking business especially in Nigeria, has a lot in common. We trade in the same industry and we all have the same regulator; you find out that the industry somehow operates within a boundary.
“Bu, then, there’s a differentiating factor; we have realised that while all banks tend to offer the same kind of service, there is something that is unique or different when it comes to execution. Put it this way, a bank takes a position to offer a certain kind of service. But, then, it takes them such a long time to deliver this service. And then, you find another bank comes on board, offer the same kind of service, but they deliver it in record time. The speed of execution is something that will speak for us in the industry. We are going to be deliberate about it. We know the people, we know the market, we have the experience; we understand the environment, and we understand the business. So, when you have strong knowledge of the people, the market and the business, speedy execution comes easy. This is because you are clear about what you want to do. Also, add that we are going to leverage on technology to make all of these happen.”
Commenting on the process the bank would use to develop products and financial solutions, Emefienim said: “We are not going to come up with products and just dump them on customers; not at all; We will sit with our customers, extract from them what their specific needs are, and then, co-create solutions towards meeting those needs.
“So, the customers will be part of the process. This is in the sense that we understand what they want, we sit with them to proffer solutions to those problems, and we come up with products that are tailor-made to solve the problems. So, by the time we deploy such products, there is some level of alignment. This for us, is a journey that ensures we grow together with our customers, impact lives and build communities consistent with our tagline – Together for Growth.” While the bank has only just launched its first branch, it will open five additional branches within the next 60 days; and then, wrap up with a total of 22 branches across the country by end of 2022.
Emefienim also noted that the bank would be bullish on the use of technology and other digital solutions to reach the unbanked and deepen financial inclusion among the populace. Dignitaries who graced the launch event included Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who was represented by the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs Ifeyinwa Nwankpa.
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno has relieved the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Bassey Okon, of his appointment with immediate effect.
Secretary to the State Government, Mr Enobong Uwah, disclosed this in a statement in Uyo on Monday.
Uwah, who did not give reasons for the commissioner’s sack, directed him to hand over all state government properties in his possession to the Permanent Secretary.
He thanked the former commissioner for the period he served the state, and wished him well in his future endeavours.
Stakeholders in host communities have demanded that oil companies be compelled to address adverse health impact of oil exploration in the Niger-Delta.
They made their position known on Monday during a public presentation of the research report on the impact of oil extraction on women’s health in Otuabagi community in Bayelsa.
The Tide’s source reports that Dr Emem Okon, Director, Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre, an NGO, championed the event.
The source also reports that Otuabagi Community within the Oloibiri District in present Ogbia Local Government Area is where crude oil was discovered in commercial quantity in Nigeria in 1956.
Okon said the report highlighted the adverse consequences of oil extraction which had profound negative impact on health and livelihood of women in Otuabagi community.
She said research revealed that several of the participants had hydrocarbons in their blood sample more than World Health Organisation (WHO) threshold and therefore demanded for compensation from oil companies and government.
“There is, therefore, a need to demand for compensation and restoration of polluted sites as well as health actions to keep us alive and to resist death, poverty and injustice”, she said.
She stated that the findings and data would serve as a tool for policy makers, community leaders and all those who strove for a more equitable and sustainable future.
Meanwhile, Dr Bieye Briggs, a public health physician and head of the research team, said from the findings of the report, it was revealed that there was very high and unacceptable level of exposure of the people to hydrocarbons.
Briggs advocated for the Federal Government to carry out health audit in Otuabagi community and other oil producing areas in the Niger-Delta region.
He explained that such audit was with a view to instituting intervention program to halt and reverse the impact of oil exploration.
Similarly, Chief Daniel Amangi, the traditional ruler of Otuabagi community, commended Kebetkache Women Development and Resource Centre for undertaking the project and urged the Federal Government to focus on developing the community.
Amangi also called for the immediate implementation of the recommendations of the research findings for the overall benefit of the people.
In the same vein, Alagoa Morris, a stakeholder, lamented that life expectancy was lower in the Niger-Delta region than in other parts of the country due to the hazards caused by oil exploration.
He called for compensation to be paid to host communities to ameliorate the health impact of oil extraction in the region.
The ceremony also featured a drama presentation by Otuabagi women and panel discussion on the findings of the report.
A Benin High Court on Monday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to sell a Toyota Venza 2012 model, recovered from a graduate of Biochemistry from Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Osadolor Edomwonyi.
The EFCC charged Edomwonyi with internet fraud.
Delivering judgment, Justice Efe Ikponmwonba, sentenced Edomwonyi to three years imprisonment.
The judge also ordered the forfeiture of an iPhone 13 Promax, recovered from the convict .
He also ordered that balances in his Opay account, Kids Bank account and Access Bank with which he was charged and convicted to the Federal Government through EFCC and the accounts be parmanently closed.
The convict prayed the court for a plea bargain agreement.
Ikponmwonba, however, gave him an option of fine in the sum of N100,000.
Earlier, the EFCC counsel, Mr I K Agwaisaid, said the convict committed an offence contrary to the provisions of Sections 6 and 8 (b) of the advance free fraud and other fraud-related offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
The prosecutor said in a plea bargain agreement, Edomwonyi pleaded guilty to the one-count charge of possession of fraudulent documents.
-
Politics4 days ago
Reps Propose Rotational Presidency, Six-Year Single Term
-
Nation4 days ago
Winners-Take-All Approach Detrimental To Political Justice And Unity – Jonathan
-
World4 days ago
Biden Vows ‘Ironclad’ Support For Israel Amid Iran Attack
-
Business4 days ago
AMJON Partners School To Train Journalists On Maritime Operations
-
Featured4 days agoSenate Passes NDDC N1.9trn 2024 Budget Jerks It By N44,833,046
-
Politics4 days ago
Edo, Ondo 2024: INEC Warns Personnel Against Corrupt Practices
-
Nation4 days agoMFN President Lauds IFMA Over Tournament Sponsorship
-
Rivers4 days ago
HYPREP Urges Intensified Campaign Against Oil Theft, Vandalism