Business
UBA Foundation Commences 2024 National Essay Competition for Youths
UBA Foundation, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the commencement of the 2024 edition of its annual National Essay Competition (NEC) with a Call for Entries in Nigeria.
Now in its 14th year, the annual National Essay Competition (NEC) is part of the UBA Foundation’s education initiative aimed at championing literacy and encouraging intellectual development among senior secondary school students across Nigeria and the African continent.
The 2024 edition will see increased participation from senior secondary school students across Nigeria as they can conveniently submit their entries from the comfort of their homes or schools via the UBA Foundation NEC digital submission portal at www.ubagroup.com/uba-foundation/national-essay-competition
The essay topic for the call for entries is “Discuss the Impact of Carbon Emission on Climate in Nigeria: Challenges and Solutions”. Students are expected to properly research, write, scan and upload their handwritten essays to the digital portal on or before November 8, 2024.
The essays will be graded by renowned English professors who will then select the best 75 entries, which will be rewarded with N75,000 cash. A second competition will be held across four regions in Nigeria – Abuja, Enugu, Lagos and Port Harcourt where the 75 candidates will compete to be one of the 20 finalists. These 20 finalists will thereafter write a third essay where the top three will be selected.
The Foundation has also announced a substantial increase in educational grants as the first-place winner will receive N7.5 million to study at any African university of their choice, while the second and third-place winners will receive N5 million and N3.5 million, respectively.
The Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, who spoke ahead of the flag-off of this year’s completion, noted that despite the current global economic challenges, UBA Foundation remains steadfast in their commitment to educational excellence by significantly increasing the grant prizes this year
“We are aware of what families and parents are going through especially in the face of the current economic climate in Nigeria, and by raising the first-place prize to N7.5 million, with N5 million and N3.5 million for second and third places respectively, we are making a bold statement about our dedication to African education. The increase in grant prizes reflect our understanding of the rising costs of quality education and our determination to ensure that exceptional students can pursue their academic dreams without financial constraints.” Atta said
Apart from the 75 best essays, the 20 finalists will go home with brand new Laptops and other educational tools to help them with their studies and other tertiary research work. Also, the teachers of the school with the highest number of entries will be rewarded.
Atta pointed out that professors from leading Nigerian universities will serve as judges to evaluate the entries at all levels, to ensure fairness and transparency.
Speaking on the foundation’s unwavering commitment to development across Africa, Bola Atta, reiterated that NEC is a testament to UBA Foundation’s broader education initiatives, which include the ‘Read Africa’ program, which has distributed hundreds of thousands of books to students across the continent.
“The competition stands as a beacon of our commitment to nurturing Africa’s next generation of leaders and thinkers,” Atta said. “Through initiatives like this and our ‘Read Africa’ program, we’re not just promoting literacy; we’re investing in the intellectual capital that will shape Africa’s future”
The National Essay Competition has been rolled out in other African countries where UBA operates, in order to open up the opportunity for more African children to benefit from the educational grants.
UBA Foundation embodies the UBA Group’s CSR objectives and seeks to impact positively societies through several laudable projects and initiatives. Through its Education pillar, the Foundation has donated hundreds of thousands of books to students across Africa under the ‘Read Africa’ initiative aimed at encouraging and promoting the reading culture in African youths. Its National Essay Competition has also afforded the opportunity to hundreds of students to improve their lives through higher education.
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.
