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.”
West Africa’s premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider, FirstBank, has officially announced its sponsorship of the Carnival Calabar & Festival 2025, unveiling a landmark addition set to redefine the carnival experience — the first-ever private premium seating area at the event.
The highlight of FirstBank’s participation is the construction of a 500-seater premium bleacher, designed to provide comfort, safety, and an elevated viewing experience for carnival enthusiasts.
Speaking on the sponsorship, the Acting Group Head Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Olayinka Ijabiyi, noted that the carnival aligns with the Bank’s First@Arts initiative, a platform dedicated to supporting the creative arts value chain across Nigeria. He said, “We recognise the transformative power of the arts, including carnivals, in inspiring people and strengthening national unity. For more than 131 years, we have supported platforms that promote self-expression, social reflection and cultural exchange. Our investment in the Carnival Calabar & Festival demonstrates our commitment to preserving the nation’s rich cultural heritage through First@Arts.”
“As part of our sponsorship this year, we are introducing the first-ever private 500-seater premium bleacher to further elevate the carnival experience. This exclusive seating is designed to provide exceptional comfort and an unforgettable viewing experience for attendees,” Ijabiyi added.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Calabar Commission, Gabe Onah, also commented on FirstBank’s sponsorship. “FirstBank’s involvement is a strong demonstration of private-sector support for culture and tourism. This partnership not only enhances the overall quality of the carnival but also strengthens its global appeal,” he said.
The Carnival Calabar & Festival 2025 is officially marketed by Okhma Global Limited, the appointed Official Marketer responsible for brand partnerships, promotional engagements, and ticket sales. Okhma Global Limited has partnered with the Cross River State government in delivering Carnival Calabar & Festival for over ten years, playing a key role in strengthening the carnival’s commercial growth and global visibility.
Ecobank Nigeria, a member of Africa’s leading pan-African banking group, has assured customers of uninterrupted access to banking services throughout the year-end holiday period via its secure and robust digital platforms. The Bank also urged customers to remain vigilant against fraud and scams during the festive season.
Speaking on the development, Victor Yalokwu, Head, Products & Analytics, Consumer & Commercial Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank’s digital channels — including the Ecobank Mobile App, Ecobank Business App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, OmniPlus, Omnilite, EcobankPay, RapidTransfer, Ecobank Cards, ATMs, PoS terminals, and over 35,000 Ecobank Xpress Point (Agent Banking) locations nationwide — will remain fully available to support customers throughout the yuletide and year-end holiday period.
He noted that customers will continue to enjoy a wide range of services during the period, including local and international funds transfers, bill payments and airtime top-ups, merchant payments, balance inquiries and account statements, as well as cardless cash withdrawals via ATMs.
According to Yalokwu, “Ecobank encourages customers to leverage these digital solutions for safe, fast, and efficient banking, especially during the festive season when convenience and reliability are essential. While physical branch operations may be subject to adjusted working hours in line with public holidays, customers can be assured that Ecobank’s digital platforms are designed to deliver uninterrupted service and enhanced security at all times. Ecobank remains committed to providing innovative financial solutions and exceptional customer service, and we wish all our customers a joyful festive season and a prosperous New Year.”
Yalokwu also cautioned customers to remain vigilant against fraudsters and scammers during the period. “Before you wrap up the year, tighten your security. December brings online sales, travel, and year-end distractions—this is exactly when scammers are most active. From fake festive deals to cloned merchant sites and suspicious messages, staying vigilant helps keep your money safe.”
He advised customers to shop only on trusted websites, never share their PINs, passwords, or one-time passwords (OTPs), avoid banking on public Wi-Fi networks, be cautious of urgent or emotionally charged messages, and regularly review their account activity.
Fidelity Bank Plc has donated firefighting and preventive equipment, including hoses and gasoline-powered water pumps, to the Ikoyi Fire Service Station in Lagos, reinforcing efforts to improve emergency response and promote community safety.
The donation was executed under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP) by the bank’s True Serve team. Through the initiative, Fidelity Bank employees identify critical community needs, raise funds, and receive matching financial support from the bank to implement impact-driven projects.
Speaking on the initiative, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications Division at Fidelity Bank, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, said the intervention reflects the bank’s commitment to public safety, environmental protection, and sustainable community development.
“Community safety is a shared responsibility. Fidelity Bank remains committed to supporting initiatives that protect lives, property, and the environment,” Nwagboh said, adding that preventive measures remain more effective than emergency responses.
He noted that providing the right tools to first responders aligns with the bank’s broader goal of enabling people to live safe, meaningful, and empowered lives.
Lagos State Controller of the Federal Fire Service, Controller of Fire (CF) Funke Adebayo, commended Fidelity Bank for the timely support, particularly as the festive season approaches amid dry weather conditions that heighten fire risks.
She urged residents to remain vigilant and warned parents against allowing children to handle fireworks during celebrations, stressing that careless handling of fire could lead to avoidable disasters.
Adebayo also disclosed that the Fire Service has intensified sensitisation visits to corporate organisations to promote fire safety and discourage unsafe practices.
Also speaking, Area Commander, Onikan Fire Station, Chief Superintendent of Fire (CSF) Oswere Michael, expressed appreciation for the donation, noting that it would strengthen the station’s operational capacity.
He encouraged households, businesses, and community members to prioritise fire safety, describing collective responsibility as critical to preventing fire outbreaks.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial deposit money bank serving over 9.1 million customers through its digital platforms, 255 business offices across Nigeria, and its UK subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited. The bank has received multiple local and international awards in recognition of its performance in digital transformation, MSME banking, and innovative financial services.
Photo – L-R: Lagos State Controller, Federal Fire Service, CF (Controller of Fire), Adebayo Funke; Tolulope Rojaiye, Marketing Business Partner, Fidelity Bank Plc; Assistant Superintendent of Fire, Ishola Folorunsho Olufemi; and Station Commander, Onikan Fire Station, Lagos, Okeke Ferdinand; during the donation of firefighting equipment to the Federal Fire Service at Ikoyi, Lagos, recently.
