Business
Shalina Healthcare Wraps Up 2021/22 Financial Year, Celebrates Staff
There was excitement, show of gratitude and placement of honours during a Gala Night and Award for Excellence ceremony tagged Celebrating Shalina Stars in Lagos, when one of Nigeria’s leading pharmaceutical company, Shalina Healthcare wrapped up its 2021/22 financial year.
The event which was in different sessions was used by the company to assess the outgone financial year while projecting into the new year, celebrate its members of staff as well as take them through leadership training program session.
Welcoming everyone to the event ,the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company, Shalina Clifford said the outgone year has been of a tremendous success for the company, and the contributions of the entire staff of the company in this regard can never be overemphasized.
“We have made a lot of successes in the year, and it is a fact that this can never be achievable without the contributions of all of you. I really appreciate your efforts in ensuring that we have the best of business in the year. Your dedication, commitments and loyalty to the company are invaluable. These have made us gone this far.” She said.
Addressing the members of staff at the event, the Vice President/ Head, West Africa, of the company, Arun Raj while appreciating them also encouraged the staffs not to look back in consolidating on the success made, saying “the company will always do its best to provide a good working condition and support every member of staff in every area to bring out the best in them.”
In the same regard, the company’s Head of Consumer Business West Africa, Suresh Karuppiahsamy, promised that no one will regret associating with the company. “We are a big family here. We are most interested in your happiness, this is part of what we are doing by recognising and honouring some of you and encouraging others to put more efforts.”
Announcing some of the winners of special awards at the event, the Head of Corporate Marketing, Folorunso Alaran highlighted the core values of company which form some of the basis for winning some of the awards. According to him, “the core values of the company with an acronym EPPIC, stand for Entrepreneurship, Persistence, People, Integrity and Customers Obsession.”
In recognition of their outstanding performance in the year under review, a good number of the staffs were awarded with certificates of honours which came with cash award among other benefits in different categories. The categories for the individual awards include, Quarterly Award, Long Service Award, Special Recognition Award, Special Mention Award, Annual Award and Global Award.
In the Annual Award, Gloria Okolie and Olutayo Olutade won the Best Consumer Delegates while Chindima H. Mbakagu and Gabriel Joseph won Best Pharma Delegates award, and Ruth Dinwabor, Israel Akinola won Medical Delegates Awards respectfully. In the other annual awards, David Nwadike and Adekunle Abass Yussuf won Best Regional Manager (Trade) and Best Regional Manager (Insti) respectfully.
In the over 50 awards won at the event both on the individual and team basis, one of the most prestigious awards was the Global Award where the winners would enjoy an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai, UAE to compete at the international level with other staffs of the company from all over the world. In this regard, Chindima H. Mbakagu and Chiuba Nwosu emerged the winners of Pharma Delegate and Consumer Delegate Awards respectfully.
Meanwhile, in their earlier individual remarks, some of the members of staff of the company who were elevated in the year praised the company and promised to do more. Francis Ude, Regional Manager (East) said; ” Thank you for the promotion! I am excited and look forward to adding more value to my team in my new position.”
Also, Donald Oluwatosin, Regional Manager CVD(East) said; ” I feel privileged to be a Shaliknight, a workplace that exudes love, radiates passion and encourages human development . Shalina is one of the best workplaces and I look forward to give my best in the new role. ”
In his own remark, the Regional Manager, Mass Speciality Lagos, Ololade Okanlawon, said that “the work ethics and leadership in Shalina Healthcare has been an inspiring example, I look forward to continued success.”
The Monetary Policy Committee of the Central Bank of Nigeria has maintained the benchmark interest rate at 27 per cent, extending its pause on monetary tightening.
The CBN Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, announced the decision on Tuesday at the end of the committee’s 303rd meeting in Abuja.
Cardoso said, “The Committee decided by a majority vote to maintain the monetary policy stance,” indicating that members were not yet convinced that current economic conditions warranted another reduction.
The move follows the 50-basis-point cut implemented in September 2025, the only rate reduction since the tightening cycle began under the current CBN leadership.
It also marks the fourth consecutive hold this year.
The MPC had raised rates six times in 2024 amid surging inflation and currency pressures.
The Punch
Access Bank Plc, Nigeria’s largest retail bank, is set to unveil DettyFusion, an innovative all-in-one digital platform designed to help Nigerians at home and in the diaspora seamlessly discover, plan, and enjoy entertainment events during the upcoming Christmas and New Year festive season.
Billed as the first-of-its-kind entertainment aggregator in the country, DettyFusion will serve as a centralized hub where users can explore event calendars, purchase tickets, access exclusive discounts, participate in curated festive experiences, and make safe, seamless payments throughout the holiday period.
Speaking on the forthcoming launch, Access Bank’s Head of Mobility, Ishmael Nwokocha, said the platform was inspired by the bank’s commitment to enhancing customer experience during the highly anticipated Detty December season.
“Every December, Nigerians look forward to moments that bring joy, connection, and unforgettable experiences. The launch of DettyFusion will create a single gateway that makes it easier, safer, and more convenient for customers to enjoy the thrills of Detty December,” Nwokocha stated.
He added that the platform reflects Access Bank’s drive to deliver innovative lifestyle solutions that extend beyond traditional banking services. “DettyFusion brings together key features that meet the needs of today’s digitally active and experience-driven audience,” he said.
With this initiative, Access Bank continues to reinforce its position as a leading lifestyle enabler, supporting Nigeria’s creative sector while empowering customers to enjoy top-tier entertainment during the festive season.
With DettyFusion, Detty December just got smarter, more convenient, and even more rewarding.
Across Africa, women are fast becoming the heartbeat of economic transformation. From bustling open-air markets to high-tech boardrooms, women-led enterprises are redefining what is possible for the continent’s future.
Whether as market traders expanding their reach through digital platforms, tech founders scaling innovations across borders, or artisans turning local crafts into global brands, women’s contributions are now central to Africa’s economic resurgence.
Even as they break new ground, many still face formidable barriers. Access to finance, mentorship, business education, and supportive networks remains limited. Structural issues such as weak property rights, gender bias, and inadequate legal protections often hinder women from securing loans or expanding their businesses.
Consequently, many women-owned ventures remain small, informal, and vulnerable to economic shocks.
Recognising both the promise and the obstacles, Access Bank has positioned itself at the forefront of empowering women across the continent. Recently named Africa’s Best Financier for Female Entrepreneurs by the EMEA Finance Awards, the Bank has earned global recognition for its commitment to inclusion, innovation, and sustainable impact.
At the centre of this effort is the W Initiative, one of Africa’s most comprehensive women-focused banking programmes. Unlike conventional banking, it combines finance with mentorship, training, and community support, acknowledging that true empowerment requires more than access to capital. The initiative meets women wherever they are on their entrepreneurial journey, from start-ups to growing enterprises and corporate leadership.
The W Power Loan offers affordable credit with flexible terms, enabling women to invest in expansion, inventory, or technology. The W Academy provides leadership and business training on financial literacy, marketing, and regulatory compliance, while the W Community connects women to peers, mentors, and role models across industries.
Importantly, these offerings extend beyond urban centres. From microloans sustaining traders in rural markets to leadership programmes developing female executives in multinational firms, Access Bank’s approach is deliberately inclusive. By partnering NGOs, business associations, and government agencies, it reaches women in underserved communities, ensuring participation in Africa’s economic rise.
The results are evident. Thousands of women have accessed credit, training, and networks through the Bank’s initiatives, enabling them to launch and scale businesses, create jobs, and uplift their communities. The ripple effects are far-reaching: increased household income, improved family wellbeing, and greater economic resilience. Women who once faced daunting barriers now serve as role models and change-makers, inspiring others to follow their path.
Studies show that when women thrive, societies prosper. The World Bank and African Development Bank note that empowering women fuels GDP growth, improves health outcomes, and enhances social stability. By directly addressing structural gaps in access to finance and information, Access Bank helps to unlock this transformative potential.
Apart from supporting entrepreneurs, Access Bank promotes gender inclusion within its own organisation. Its leadership pipeline identifies and advances talented women, while mentorship and wellness programmes help female professionals thrive. The Bank also uses public platforms, from conferences to policy dialogues, to share success stories and advocate for gender diversity across sectors.
The EMEA Finance recognition thus goes beyond trophies and titles; it affirms that profitability and purpose can coexist. For Access Bank, supporting women’s advancement is smart economics. By embedding inclusion into its DNA, the Bank is shaping a financial ecosystem that views women as equal partners in progress.
Access Bank’s influence also extends into advocacy. Through forums, roundtables, and research collaborations, the Bank engages policymakers, civil society, and business leaders to identify and dismantle barriers facing women entrepreneurs. Its campaigns amplify women’s voices, spotlighting their achievements and driving conversations around inclusive growth.
