Business
Ecobank Day: Stop Discrimination Against Victims of Mental Health – Akinwuntan
Ecobank Nigeria has reiterated its commitment towards promoting mental awareness for its staff, customers and the communities where it operates being part of its corporate action to support general wellbeing amongst citizens . This, according to the bank, is necessary in view of the enormous stress people encounter while trying to play their part in sustaining the national economy.
The Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan while speaking at the 2021 “Ecobank Day” event in Lagos stated that there was need for people to exercise more sensitivity and be more supportive towards improving mental health.
According to him, “This year, we are focusing on how we can support one another to improve on our mental health. It is something we should be open to talk about; it is something that we should be able to share our concerns so that each of us can be sensitive to how we support one another and to manage the stress available in our environment. So, this year, we are focused on mental health, educating people on how to identify and manage the disease, while also helping reduce stigma and discrimination. We all know that Nigeria is a country with about 200 million people, and there is a lot of stress on all of us. At Ecobank, we encourage staff to speak out through word of mouth, written communication, WhatsApp, sms message, even if it is an anonymous call to support victims. We also try to identify things within the environment that could have a negative effect on our journey to better mental health, and quickly take them out”.
On her part, the Executive Director, Commercial Bank, Ecobank Nigeria, Carol Oyedeji, urged colleagues to find a way to balance work with other aspects of their life. “Please when you close work, shut down your system and find ways to connect with your spouse, family and in any other thing that will give you joy and happiness”. She noted that we must encourage people to feel comfortable to talk about their emotions, without shame, fear of being judged or abuseD. She emphasized that anyone suffering or facing mental health problems should be aware that they can get help.
Experts at the event listed signs to watch out for in mental health to include; negative view of self, feeling alone, giving things away and frequent talks about death. They noted that mental health disorders are one of the most common Non-Communicable Diseases, noting that mental health issues can happen to anyone and it’s important to talk about it and also act on it.
Ecobank Day, is a Group’s flagship annual corporate and social responsibility event that ‘gives back’ to the local communities across the pan-African footprint. The 2021 Ecobank Day had the theme ‘Mental Health – Time to Talk and Act!’. It marks the final stage of Ecobank’s three-year campaign to raise awareness and help prevent Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).
Ecobank Day which started in 2013, focusing each year on a specific theme. These have been Education for young people in Africa (2013); Malaria prevention and control (2014); Every African child deserves a better future (2015); ICT education in schools and improving maternal health (2016); Safe water management (2017); Orphanages (2018); Cancer (2019); and Diabetes (2020).
Premier bank in West Africa and a leading financial inclusion service provider, FirstBank, has announced the successful integration of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) into its flagship digital banking platform, the LIT app, enabling customers to make instant, secure, and local currency-based cross-border payments across Africa.
PAPSS, developed by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and the AfCFTA Secretariat, enables instant, low-cost payments in local currencies between African countries.
Speaking on the integration, the Group Executive, e-Business and Retail Products at FirstBank, Chuma Ezirim, said, “The integration of PAPSS into the LIT app is a testament to FirstBank’s commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions that simplify and enhance financial transactions. This milestone aligns with the Bank’s strategic goal of deepening digital capabilities and expanding access to seamless cross-border payment services across Africa.”
Commenting on this collaboration, Mike Ogbalu, CEO of PAPSS said, “Every time an individual, an SME or a Company sends money instantly within Africa in their own currency, we are not just moving funds, we are connecting ambitions, supporting livelihoods, and bridging dreams across borders. This collaboration with FirstBank and their LIT app brings us a step closer to making African borders invisible to movement of money, so that the continent’s entrepreneurs and families can focus on what matters most: building their future, not battling payment barriers.”
The LIT App, FirstBank’s innovative digital banking platform, offers a wide range of features including virtual cards, scheduled payments, and multiple transfers in one go, designed to meet the dynamic needs of customers. The addition of PAPSS expands its capabilities to support cross-border commerce, especially for individuals and SMEs engaged in pan-African business.
With PAPSS now live on the LIT App, FirstBank is breaking down barriers to payments, trade and financial inclusion across Africa. Customers can now send funds conveniently to other countries in Naira, without needing US dollar, GBP or Euro conversions. This landmark integration enables real-time cross-border payments in local African currencies, reduces transaction costs, and improves settlement efficiency. It also expands access to digital banking services, promotes financial inclusion, supports SMEs and fosters growth under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
This integration of PAPSS to the LIT app reinforces FirstBank’s leadership in digital banking innovation and supports the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agenda by simplifying intra-African transactions.
Nigeria’s leading real estate company renowned for making homeownership affordable for all, Adron Homes and Properties, has unveiled the much-anticipated Lemon Friday Plus Promo; an upgraded version of its annual Lemon Friday campaign.
The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is designed to make property ownership easier, more flexible, and more rewarding for Nigerians both at home and in the Diaspora. With discount of up to 50% on all landed properties, flexible payment structures, and exciting gift packages, Adron Homes continues to fulfill its mission of providing affordable housing solutions nationwide.
According to the company’s Group Managing Director, Mrs Adenike Ajobo, the Lemon Friday Plus Promo was introduced as part of Adron Homes’ commitment to empower more Nigerians to become landowners despite the current economic challenges.
“For over a decade, we have continued to make property ownership possible for everyday Nigerians. Lemon Friday Plus takes that vision even further by making payments more flexible and the process of owning land more convenient and rewarding,” he said.
For the first time, subscribers can spread their initial deposits into five convenient installments, from July to November 30, 2025. This unique feature allows individuals and families to plan their finances while securing a plot in any Adron Homes estate of their choice.
The promo offers affordable entry options with tiered deposit packages:
* ₦300,000 (Bronze)
* ₦500,000 (Silver) – includes a cockerel & rice
* ₦1,000,000 (Gold)
* ₦3,500,000 (Diamond)
Each deposit category comes with exciting gift rewards, ranging from home appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines, and home theatres, to even cows for festive celebrations.
During the promo period, customers can enjoy a massive 50% discount on all Adron Homes estates nationwide and spread their remaining balance conveniently over 12 months.
This offer applies to all Adron Homes estates, including popular developments such as Treasure Park and Gardens (Shimawa), City of David Estate (Abeokuta), Grandview Park and Gardens (Atan-Ota), Manhattan Park and Gardens (Karshi, Abuja), among others.
With over 60 estates across Nigeria, Adron Homes provides customers the opportunity to own land in Lagos, Ogun, Abuja, Oyo, Osun, Niger, Nasarawa, Ekiti, and Plateau States.
Speaking further, the Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, who officially declared the Lemon Friday Plus sales open at the company’s Ibadan regional office, emphasized that the campaign underscores Adron Homes’ goal of building cities and creating affordable housing opportunities.
“This promo is not just about discounts; it’s about making real estate accessible to everyone; traders, salary earners, entrepreneurs, and even students. At Adron Homes, we believe everyone deserves a place to call home,” she noted.
The Lemon Friday Plus Promo is currently open to new and existing customers nationwide. Interested buyers can visit any Adron Homes regional office, call the company’s hotlines, or connect via its official website and social media handles to take advantage of this limited-time offer.
Heirs Insurance Group, Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has announced the winners of the 4th edition of the Heirs Insurance Essay Championship, a nationwide competition promoting financial literacy and academic excellence among secondary school students and educators.
The grand finale, held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, brought together students, parents, and academic leaders for a celebration of knowledge and creativity. This year’s edition, which attracted over 5,000 entries from junior secondary school students nationwide, was anchored on the topic “The Role of Insurance in Keeping Families Safe and Secure”.
After a rigorous evaluation process by a distinguished panel of academic professionals, independently verified by Deloitte & Touche, 13-year-old Rhema-Love Abraham of Precepts Learning Field, Lagos, emerged as the overall winner, earning a ₦5 million scholarship and a ₦1 million grant for her school.
Bernice Michael of S-TEE High School, Lagos, claimed the second-place position, winning a ₦2 million scholarship, while Afopefoluwa Tofio-Jacobs of D-IVY College, Ogun State, took third place, receiving a ₦1 million scholarship.
This year, Heirs Insurance introduced the inaugural Teachers Prize, to honor teachers promoting insurance awareness within their schools and communities. This initiative was created to democratise access to insurance literacy, working collaboratively with teachers and educators.
Mr. Okpe James Chidi, a teacher at Urban Secondary School, Umuna Orlu, Imo State, emerged as the winner of the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize, with a personal award of ₦1 million cash prize, and a ₦500,000 grant for his school. His project, which deepened students’ understanding of financial literacy and insurance, was praised for its innovation, reach, and measurable impact.
Speaking at the ceremony, Niyi Onifade, Sector Head, Heirs Insurance Group, commended all the participants for their creativity and drive, emphasising the Group’s commitment to nurturing future leaders through education.
He said, “We are proud of every student and teacher who participated in this year’s Essay Championship. Their creativity, curiosity, and dedication reflect the future we envision for our nation; one built on knowledge, innovation, and resilience. At Heirs Insurance Group, we believe financial literacy is a powerful tool for empowerment and transformation”.
The Heirs Insurance Essay Championship is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative of Heirs Insurance Group, created to build awareness of insurance literacy and critical thinking among young Nigerians. The introduction of the Teachers’ Insurance Awareness Prize further demonstrates the Group’s commitment to advancing insurance education and promoting financial inclusion at every level of society.
