Personality in Focus
Glo Partners AXA Mansard for Affordable Health Insurance Package
In order to give its customers access to limited medical treatment at the most affordable rates, Globacom, Nigeria’s digital solutions provider, has introduced the Glo Health Insurance package, a micro-health insurance plan offered in partnership with AXA Mansard Health Insurance.
Every Glo subscriber, irrespective of location in the country, is qualified to have access to this simple, convenient, and inexpensive health insurance coverage with the Glo Health Insurance, which makes use of the benefits of the Glo mobile network. Subscribers can have access to it via the web, USSD, and SMS.
The company explained that “Subscribers will be connected through a tele-consultation with a medical practitioner and have access to free drugs and treatment at thousands of pharmacies across the country.”
A variety of daily, weekly, and monthly subscription options are available to subscribers for N50 per day, N300 per week, and N750 per month, respectively. The choice of auto-renewal or one-time (one-off) renewal is included with every plan.
The program is projected for Nigerians of all ages and socio-economic backgrounds who are looking for accessible healthcare for friends, family, and themselves. Subscribers benefit greatly from the insurance packages because they do not have to pay for basic medical consultations or prescription drugs. Additionally, they are eligible for free medication up to a certain quantity.
In addition to the insurance, Glo subscribers can win up to N1 million naira each month because every subscriber will be automatically entered into a weekly and monthly raffle draw by the health insurance lottery. Any subscriber whose number is selected in the monthly draw will win a million naira. According to Globacom, the goal is to reward customers regardless of whether they use the health insurance services, giving them a pay-back advantage.
The company also added that one of the package’s greatest features is that Glo users can take advantage of all of its offerings without ever having to visit a Glo office. All Glo subscribers have access to Glo Health Insurance through the Glo website, USSD, and SMS services. Subscribers can easily dial *3013# from their mobile phones to select any health insurance pack of their choice.
AXA Mansard Chief Marketing Officer, Adebola Surakat noted that the offering reflected the company’s dedication to guaranteeing that all Nigerians have access to reasonably priced, high-quality healthcare. She added that AXA is thrilled to work with Globacom and other project partners on the project.
The combined purpose of AXA to act for human progress and Glo to power ambitions is at the heart of this product. Ultimately, however, Nigerians win. This is because this partnership will accelerate the noble agenda of universal health coverage. With this product, healthcare can now be accessible to everyone, everywhere in the country,” she affirmed.
According to The Chief Executive Office of Truthware Solutions, Deji Macaulay, “this innovative service offers protection to customers against a wide range of health risks, providing cover for primary care and hospitalization.” Truthware Solutions is the technical designer and integrator of the solution. Millions of Nigerians can access the product, thanks to its simple enrollment process, quick claim processing, and reasonably priced premiums. The way customers protect their own and their family’ health care is about to undergo a revolutionary change because to this cross-industry convergence.”
Personality in Focus
Writers Celebrate Chinua Achebe’s 94th Posthumous Birthday
Writers across Nigeria, under the auspices of the Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW), have united in commemorating the 94th posthumous birthday of one of Africa’s greatest literary icons, Prof. Chinua Achebe. Achebe, renowned globally for his groundbreaking novel *Things Fall Apart*, remains an enduring symbol of literary excellence and cultural preservation.
In a statement issued by Wole Adedoyin, the President of SYNW emphasized Achebe’s unmatched contributions to African literature and his role as a beacon of inspiration for writers across generations. Adedoyin highlighted the Society’s unwavering commitment to honoring Achebe’s legacy through creative and impactful initiatives.
One of the key tributes mentioned is the *Chinua Achebe Annual Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture*, initiated by the Anambra Chapter Coordinator of SYNW, Izunna Okafor. Now in its 9th edition, the festival has become a significant platform for celebrating Achebe’s works and discussing his influence on modern African literature.
Cynthia Maduekwe, the President of the Nigeria Society of Campus Writers, also spearheaded the *Writers Tour*, another initiative aimed at engaging young writers with Achebe’s literary philosophy. This tour exposes aspiring authors to Achebe’s timeless themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and societal transformation, ensuring his legacy continues to inspire future generations.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers (SYNW) reaffirmed its dedication to Achebe’s memory through these longstanding programs. Writers across the country were encouraged to reflect on Achebe’s life and works, sharing tributes and essays on social media platforms to further propagate his vision of storytelling.
Adedoyin lauded the efforts of writers like Okafor and Maduekwe, whose initiatives keep Achebe’s legacy alive.
He also urged literary organizations and institutions to continue collaborating to sustain Achebe’s impact on African literature and culture.
“Prof. Achebe’s work transcends literature. He gave Africans a voice on the global stage, presenting our stories with authenticity and pride. Celebrating his 94th posthumous birthday is a reminder of the power of storytelling in shaping society,” Adedoyin stated.
The SYNW also used the opportunity to announce plans for a series of upcoming events dedicated to Achebe in the coming year, including essay competitions, poetry readings, and book discussions. These programs aim to further Achebe’s vision of nurturing literary talent and promoting African narratives.
As the literary community celebrates Achebe’s life and achievements, his timeless words resonate: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
Achebe’s legacy continues to inspire writers to tell their own stories, preserving the richness of African culture for generations to come.
The Society of Young Nigerian Writers concluded by inviting literary enthusiasts to join in celebrating Achebe’s enduring impact, emphasizing that his legacy is a shared treasure for all who value the power of words.
Personality in Focus
UBA Appoints Henrietta Ugboh Independent Non-Executive Director As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
The appointment has been approved by the relevant regulatory bodies, including the Central Bank of Nigeria.
UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, CFR commenting on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ugboh brings a track record of professional success, integrity and leadership, which will further strengthen the UBA Group Board, underlining once again the Group’s commitment to robust corporate governance.”
Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Management Program. She has over 30 years experience in banking with Citibank and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).
Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise, which includes commercial banking, credit, and risk management, the UBA Board is delighted to welcome Mrs Ugboh to the Group Board, “We look forward to her invaluable contribution to the Group, as we continue to execute our unique growth strategy across Africa and globally.”
The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.
During her tenure, Mrs. Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on Committees of the Bank including the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.
On behalf of the board, Mr. Elumelu expressed UBA’s deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and related banking services.
Personality in Focus
Tinubu Hails FirstBank’s Immediately Past CEO, Adeduntan on Exceptional Service
By Eric Elezuo
Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, has congratulated the immediate past Chief Executive Officer of the FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan as the bank holds a splendid Sendforth party on his behalf for a meritorious service.
The president’s congratulatory message is contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Information & Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The statement reads in full:
PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES DR ADEDUNTAN, AS FIRST BANK CELEBRATES EX-GROUP CEO
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Dr Adesola Adeduntan, the retired Group Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Limited, for his exceptional service at Nigeria’s oldest bank.
In celebration of Adeduntan’s remarkable tenure, the 130-year-old First Bank will host a special send-off ceremony this weekend, expressing gratitude for his contributions over the past nine years.
President Tinubu commends him for steering the bank through transformative growth, which includes expanding customer accounts from 10 million to over 42 million and elevating Profit Before Tax from N10 billion in 2015 to an impressive N300 billion in 2023.
These milestones, the President said, reflected Adeduntan’s visionary leadership and commitment to excellence.
The President expresses his appreciation for Adeduntan’s willingness to serve the nation in various pivotal roles, including his contributions to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group and other prominent institutions. His extensive expertise in the financial sector has significantly bolstered Nigeria’s economic landscape.
President Tinubu also lauds the bank’s solid internal management ethos, which is responsible for the seamless transition from Adeduntan to the current CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu.
President Tinubu wishes Dr Adeduntan continued success in all his future endeavours.