Business
Unity Bank Partners RIFAN on Ekiti Pyramids Project
Having sponsored no fewer than 900,000 smallholder farmers in rice production across the federation to benefit from CBN’S intervention fund under the Anchor Borrowers Programme, Unity Bank Plc has partnered the launching of Ekiti Rice Pyramid Project in South West Nigeria held recently.
The launch is a follow-up to the unveiling of Rice Pyramid earlier in the year at Kebbi State, for the North West and Gombe State in the North East.
Over 278 metric tonnes of rice paddy were on display at the event attended by several stakeholders in the rice production value chain including the Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi and CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele.
Unity Bank said it provided additional funding to 500,000 rice farmers across Nigeria in the wet and dry season farming in 2020.
Reflecting on the impact of the funding interventions for the rice farmers, under the aegis of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, RIFAN since the launch of the Anchor Borrowers Programme, the Managing Director of Unity Bank Plc, Mrs. Tomi Somefun, recalled that through the strategic partnership with the rice farmers, the Bank financed about 273,000 smallholder farmers at the onset of the programme, which was then the largest single-ticket transaction in any CBN intervention programme in the agricultural sector.
She said that in 2019, the bank followed up with the financing of additional 146,810 smallholder rice farmers for the wet and dry season farming activities, cutting across 35 States of the Federation and the (FCT).
The Bank sustained the momentum in 2020 by extending additional funding to over 500,000 smallholder farmers in the 2020 wet and dry season farming activities, in furtherance of the Bank’s commitment towards supporting rice farmers.”
Represented by the Regional Manager, South West, Adenike Ambimbole, Somefun commended the Central Bank for sustaining the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme initiative, adding that it is imperative to boost food production and attain selfsufficiency in food production in the country.
She also enjoined the rice farmers to utilize their inputs judiciously and continue to show commitment to the government’s agenda of driving food security through rice production.
She said, “We urge the beneficiaries of the Intervention Programme to utilize the inputs judiciously and ensure the sustainability of the Programme by repaying their loans.”
“They should appreciate the efforts of the Government in attaining food sufficiency, diversification of the economy from oil, job creation for the teeming youth and poverty reduction. We also advise our farmers to imbibe good agricultural practice as it has been established that doing so would enhance yield and greatly increase farmers’ incomes.”
She added, “We remain optimistic that RIFAN under the able leadership of the National President, Alhaji Aminu Goronyo, will continue to educate its members on their roles and responsibilities under the ABP.
“Unity Bank is fully committed to its partnership with RIFAN to support the programme. This commitment will ensure the attainment of FGN/CBN’s target of meeting self-sufficiency in food production and through it, national security.”
Recall that Unity Bank announced recently that it would support an additional 120,000 smallholder maize farmers in the 2021 wet season farming under the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
The Bank has gained a reputation for its agric financing in the country, especial for its role in facilitating the Nigerian government’s intervention in the agric sector through the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has imposed a withdrawal charge of between N100 and N600 for every N20,000 worth of interbank ATM withdrawals.
The new policy eliminates the three free monthly withdrawals that customers enjoy on interbank ATM withdrawals.
According to a CBN circular, FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/001/002 with title, ‘Review of Automated Teller Machine Transaction Fee,’ dated February 10, 2025, the new fees would take effect March 1, 2025.
The apex bank said: “In response to rising costs and the need to improve the efficiency of Automated Teller Machine (ATM) services in the banking industry, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has reviewed the ATM transaction fees prescribed in Section 10.7 of the extant CBN Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial and Non-Bank Financial Institutions, 2020 (the Guide)”.
The CBN said customers withdrawing at the ATM of their financial institution in Nigeria would not be charged.
“Withdrawal from another institution’s ATM in Nigeria (Not-On-Us): On-site ATMs (within bank premises): A fee of N100 per N20,000 withdrawal will apply,” the apex bank further directed.
For Off-site ATMs (outside bank premises), the apex bank said a charge of N100 plus a surcharge of not more than N500 for every N20,000 withdrawal would be applicable.
It said that international withdrawals would be based on the exact amount imposed by the international acquirer.
The CBN added: “This review is expected to accelerate the deployment of ATMs and ensure that appropriate charges are applied by financial institutions to consumers of the service.
“Accordingly, banks and other financial institutions are advised to apply the following fees with effect from March 1, 2025.”
Glo, Samsung Unveil Exclusive Galaxy S-25 Offer for Customers
Digital solutions company, Globacom, has teamed up with Samsung, world’s leading manufacturer of electronic devices, to bring a new offer to Glo subscribers. This tantalising deal allows Glo customers to pre-order the highly sought-after Samsung Galaxy S-25 smartphone and enjoy unique benefits.
Samsung Electronics unveiled its newest flagship smartphones: the Galaxy S25 series which comes with cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and was designed to elevate user experience and set new standards in the industry on January 22, 2025.
The pre-ordering exercise kicked off on January 22 and closes on February 18, 2025 at Gloworld shops across the country. It gives customers the opportunity to select from the Galaxy S25 lineup, including the S25 Ultra, the top-tier and most sophisticated model, as well as the S25+ and the standard S25. They, however, come with different processors and storage options.
Customers who pre-order the Galaxy S25 or S25+ will receive complimentary gifts, including a Buds FE, a suit cover, and Samsung Care, while those opting for the Galaxy S25 Ultra, will receive a free Buds 3, a standing grip case, and Samsung Care.
Globacom is also delighting customers who purchase any model from the Galaxy S25 series with 18GB bonus data for 6 months under smartphone festival data plans, while they can also secure their pre-order at any Gloworld shop with an advance payment of ₦500,000. Pre-ordered phones will be delivered to customers from February 19 onwards.
“We are thrilled to bring this offer to our subscribers, who will enjoy unparalleled benefits, including innovative packaging. This partnership with Samsung reinforces our commitment to providing value-added services that cater to the evolving needs of our customers”.
The company advises other phone lovers who are yet to pre-order the new device to visit any Gloworld outlet close to them and join the list of the new owners of the Samsung S-25 phone before the expiry date.
Technology company, Globacom, on Wednesday opened another Gloworld retail outlet in the Borno State capital, Maiduguri.
The new Gloworld shop is the latest in Globacom’s trademark customer interface shops, and is equipped with the latest technology for fast and efficient customer service and complaints resolution.
According to Mr. Augustine Mamuro, Globacom’s Regional Sales Coordinator, North East, the opening of the centre is in line with its “desire to bring its services closer to the people, create more platforms for customers to have access to Globacom’s wide range of products and services and give them more exciting experience on the network.”
He added that Globacom’s approach to customer service “is one that is underpinned by innovation and total inclusiveness. This is why we are consistently seeking innovative channels to make available our array of services to them”.
Mamuro assured the people of Maiduguri that the office is manned by well-trained, polite and customer-friendly staff who will provide first-class services and attend to customers’ enquiries as well as their service and product needs.
He also said the new shop will offer affordable Glo products, devices, smartphones and accessories, adding, that the people are assured of quick and satisfactory resolutions of all issues ranging from SIM replacement and registration to recovery of over-scratched cards, refill, unblocking of phones and laptop configurations for internet, as well as post paid bill payments and purchase of all Glo and other complementary products”.
The Deputy Governor of Borno State, Alhaji Umar Umar Kadafur, who was the Special Guest at the event, eulogised Globacom for deeming it fit to open a new Gloworld in Maiduguri for the benefit of the people.
He lauded the management of the company for its thoughtfulness in bringing its products and services close to the people of the state.
