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.”
Access Bank showcased leadership in advancing cross-border payments at the inaugural Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) COWRY 2025 Participants Forum, held on December 2-3, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event brought together policymakers, regulators, financial institutions, and payment experts to explore pathways toward “Building an interoperable and sovereign African payment ecosystem for trade and economic growth.”
In alignment with the theme, discussions emphasized the importance of resilient, interoperable, and sovereign African payment infrastructure that empowers businesses, supports SMEs, and strengthens intra-African trade under the AfCFTA.
Designed to facilitate instant, secure, and efficient cross-border transactions in local African currencies, PAPSS reduces dependency on third-party currencies, enhances settlement efficiency, and promotes regional economic integration.
Access Bank, through its AccessAfrica initiative, plays a leading role in this evolution. AccessAfrica enables fast, secure, and affordable payments across more than 20 African corridors. During the forum, Access Bank representatives Naco Bolote, Head of International Remittance & Payments for African Subsidiaries and Aminat Olatunji, Unit Head of Remittances actively contributed to conversations on the emerging settlement landscape and the future of continental financial integration.
“The progress made with PAPPS reinforces Access Bank’s commitment to real-time settlement and financial integration across Africa, and we remain dedicated to collaboration and innovation, ensuring Africans can move money quickly, reliably, and at scale.” said Bolote.
Bolote also highlighted that PAPPS unlocks instant, local-currency settlement, reducing FX reliance and transaction times; combined with AccessAfrica, allows faster, predictable, and cost-efficient transfers across 20+ African countries; is live in eight Access Bank markets, with further rollouts planned for 2026.
Access Bank commended PAPSS, Afreximbank, and the AfCFTA Secretariat for their leadership in advancing the infrastructure required for a more connected, sovereign, and prosperous African economy.
About Access Bank
Access Bank, a wholly owned subsidiary of Access Holdings Plc, is a leading full-service commercial bank operating through a network of more than 700 branches and service outlets spanning 3 continents, 24 countries and over 60 million customers. The Bank employs over 28,000 people in its operations in Africa, Asia and Europe, with representative offices in China, Lebanon, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
Access Bank is a diversified financial institution which combines a strong retail customer franchise and digital platform with deep corporate banking expertise, proven risk management, and capital management capabilities.
The Bank services its various markets through three key business segments: Corporate and Investment Banking, Commercial Banking, and Retail Banking. The Bank has enjoyed what is Africa’s most successful banking growth trajectory in the last 23 years, becoming one of the continent’s largest retail banks. As part of its continued growth strategy,
Access Bank is focused on mainstreaming sustainable business practices into its operations. The Bank strives to deliver sustainable economic growth that is profitable, environmentally responsible, and socially relevant, helping customers to access more and achieve their dreams.
Access Bank Botswana, a subsidiary of Access Bank Group, has achieved global recognition by securing three prestigious international awards that celebrate its innovation, customer-centric approach, and commitment to social impact. These accolades underscore the Bank’s dedication to transforming Botswana’s financial landscape through digital excellence and purpose-driven banking.
Access Bank was named Best Digital Banking Initiative, Botswana by The Digital Banker Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2025 for its ‘SalaryAdvance’ solution. ‘SalaryAdvance’ is a fully digital, short-term credit facility that empowers salaried customers with instant access to up to 200% of their monthly salary. Delivered via mobile app and USSD, the solution combines convenience, transparent pricing, and automated repayments, enhancing financial inclusion and strengthening customer engagement across the market.
Access Bank Botswana also received two awards from the Global Banking & Finance Awards®. Best Bank for Digital Transformation, Botswana 2025, recognising the Bank’s Women Banking Initiative (W Initiative), which empowers women entrepreneurs and professionals through tailored financial solutions, capacity-building, and financial literacy programmes and Best CSR Programme for Employee Engagement, Botswana 2025, acknowledging the Bank’s outstanding contribution to social development through a CSR framework focused on health, education, entrepreneurship, youth development, and environmental sustainability.
Staff have actively supported national clean-up efforts via the World Clean Up campaign, and participated in education drives, youth programmes, and environmental actions that promote long-term social wellbeing.
Commenting on the achievement, Sheperd Aisam, Managing Director of Access Bank Botswana, said, “These awards affirm our journey of transformation and purpose-driven innovation. Through digital excellence and a strong CSR foundation, we are redefining what it means to be a modern, inclusive bank. One that empowers individuals, businesses, and communities to thrive.”
In 2024, the Bank earned recognition for its digital progress and payment leadership, including: Best Bank for Digital Transformation, Botswana 2024 (Global Banking & Finance Review) for nano loans, bank-to-wallet services, and the original SalaryAdvance features; Visa Best Payments Collaborator Award for remittance solutions; XH Smart Banking Partner of the Year for prepaid card innovations and partnerships.
The latest accolades position Access Bank Botswana among Africa’s most forward-thinking financial institutions, reinforcing its alignment with the Access Bank Group’s vision to be the world’s most respected African bank, providing more than banking, and creating opportunities that help customers and communities’ progress.
FirstBank Basketball Club of Nigeria, popularly known as the “Elephant Girls”, have secured their spot in the final round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa (WBLA), scheduled to hold in Cairo, Egypt from 5-14 December 2025.
The Elephant Girls put on a commanding performance at the FIBA Africa Zone 3 Qualifiers in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, winning all three games. Representing Nigeria as the country’s sole team in the tournament, they overcame fierce competition from Côte d’Ivoire, Liberia, Benin Republic, Ghana, and Togo in the Zone. Their undefeated run included a 66–55 upset against home favourites CSA of Côte d’Ivoire and a thrilling 63–59 comeback win against FBA of Côte d’Ivoire, after trailing by 20 points in the second quarter.
The remarkable performance, marked by resilience, discipline skill, and mental strength, earned the team a triumphant return to continental basketball after a six-year absence. Emerging as champions of Zone 3 and the only English-speaking team to advance, the Elephant Girls have reaffirmed FirstBank’s long-standing commitment to promoting women’s sports in Nigeria and across Africa.
Speaking on the qualification, FirstBank’s Group Head, Human Capital Management and Development and Chairman of the Sports Council, Olumuyiwa Olulaja, said: “We are incredibly proud of the Elephant Girls for their outstanding performance. They have once again shown the world the strength, resilience, and excellence that define FirstBank.
“At FirstBank, we are committed to continuing our support for sports in Nigeria and Africa, and this victory is a significant step forward in our mission to promote excellence in sports on the continental and global stage,” he added.
The Elephant Girls had advanced to represent Nigeria at the WBLA Qualifiers for FIBA Africa Zone 3, following an impressive Silver Medal finish at the Zenith Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) Women’s Premier League.
With their place secured in Cairo, the Elephant Girls are poised to showcase their talent on the continental stage once again, carrying the pride of Nigeria and the FirstBank brand as they aim to make history in the Final Round of the Women’s Basketball League Africa.
