Oriental Energy Resources Limited,  has announced the donation of a state-of-the-art Science Laboratory Complex to Community Grammar School, Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.

The commissioning and handover ceremony was a demonstration of Oriental Energy’s commitment to education and human capital development in Akwa Ibom State,the company’s Managing Director , Mr. Ignatius Ifelayo,was quoted as saying,adding that  said the complex is evidence of the company’s long-term dedication to human capital development in the state.

According to him: “It is now very clear that most jobs of the future will require a basic understanding of mathematics and science. At the same time, recent developments around the world point to the fact that scientific and technological innovations are becoming increasingly important in the 21st century. Therefore, in preparing our children for the future, we need to provide them with a conducive learning environment, where they can lay a good foundation, especially through the study of biology, chemistry, and physics. This is the main reason why we embarked on the science laboratory project at Community Grammar School, Ebughu, Mbo LGA, Akwa Ibom State

“It is our hope that the judicious use of the laboratory complex for teaching and learning will lead to better academic outcomes for students registered for examinations in the core science subjects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics.”

The complex donated by Oriental Energy consists of Biology, Chemistry and Physics laboratories including teachers’ offices, toilet facilities and fittings, gas cylinders, and fire extinguishers; laboratory furniture including stools for students, teachers’ desks and chairs, white boards, shelves and storage facilities for reagents and chemicals. Other items donated include WAEC-standard equipment together with different types of reagents/chemicals for Biology, Chemistry and Physics practicals. Electricity supply within the laboratory building complex has been made possible by a Solar power system and inverter, which also pumps water from the borehole to the overhead tanks and solar water heating system.

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet commended Oriental Energy Resources for embarking on the science laboratory project: “Oriental Energy Resources partnering with the State Government to promote education should be a challenge to other multinational companies, NGOs and individuals to join hands and build up the sector’’.

Ecobank Nigeria has announced the launch  of  the Super Rewards Scheme for its customers nationwide.

The bank explained that the new scheme gives 200 of its customers an opportunity to earn different cash gifts monthly, with four of them becoming millionaires at the end of the four months campaign.

 Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, who announced the commencement of the campaign in Lagos , said the scheme is designed by Ecobank to reward customers’ loyalty, explaining that 50 customers with the highest deposit will be rewarded with cash prizes worth N25,000 weekly. The campaign runs between March and July 2021.

 According to him,participation is open to both new and existing individual customers of the Bank, adding that, this is the perfect time to open an Ecobank account or reactivate and fund  a dormant account to qualify for the reward and enjoy a first-rate banking experience.

He added:“Fifty (50) customers with the highest deposit will be rewarded with N25,000 every week.  And four customers with the highest deposit and transaction value within the campaign duration will be rewarded with N1 million naira each.”

 Daberechi Effiong, Head, Consumer Products, Ecobank Nigeria, spoke on the dynamics of the scheme, saying the conditions to qualify for the scheme are simple  and easy to ensure both new and existing customers participate and get rewarded.

She said new customers are expected to open an account with a minimum of N5,000 and maintain the deposit for a 30-day period; same she noted applies to existing customers, who only need to fund their active account with a minimum of N5,000 or reactivate their dormant account with a minimum of N5,000 and maintain the deposit for a 30 day period.

 She also explained that customers can withdraw funds from their account during the campaign period but will  only be qualified for the reward when they maintain at least a balance of N5,000 in their account.

Access Bank Plc has  launched Swift Pay, a digital payment service that facilitates the receipt of business payments by enabling customers make quick, easy and secure digital payments on social media platforms to merchants.

 Group, Head, Emerging Businesses, Access Bank plc, Ayodele Olojede, noted that the lockdown, experienced in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in less in-person interactions and  less in-person payment options.

She disclosed that statistics from a survey carried out post-lockdown showed that MSMEs were affected by cash flow, revenue and sales while adding that the impact of the pandemic made more apparent the lack of infrastructure and access to digital resources for small businesses.

She added:“This is why Access Bank introduced SwiftPay to support the digital transition and growth of SME businesses. This product is part of the bank’s commitment to support SMEs to meet their business objectives despite the times. The new service comes in form of a payment link that can be hosted on merchants’ social media pages and sent to anyone to pay and conclude business transactions. It is easy and takes less than 5 minutes for interested merchants to sign up as it is convenient and time saving for everyone.

She also disclosed that the bank is committed to providing very practical solutions that support the growth of small business in Nigeria.

“SWIFTPAY is free and the processing charge is discounted up to 15 per cent to ensure merchants keep most of their earnings.  In recent times, e-commerce has been challenged with the rise in fraud on social media, we have ensured that every merchant registered on SWIFTPAY carries a ‘verified by access ‘ stamp to authenticate the page giving customers confidence when they transact.

 “We have been focused on providing solutions targeted at boosting the economy because we believe it is our responsibility to contribute to the stimulation of economic growth. With the launch of “SwiftPay by Access”, we are renewing our commitment to providing the much-needed technological support to our SMEs.” Olojede concluded.

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Plc has  paperless transactions within the bank’s over 200 branches in the country.

The bank explained that customers no longer require deposit slips, withdrawal booklets, or cheque books to carry out over-the-counter transactions following the introduction of the innovation.

The bank said customers now have the opportunity to enjoy cardless banking experience by just using their fingerprints to withdraw and deposit cash at 575 select biometric Automated Teller Machine (ATM) points of the bank across the country and via biometric Point of Sales (PoS) terminals available within its branches.

The bank said its  575 biometric ATMs can be used by customers for intra and interbank transfers as well as change of PIN and data update. The simple, convenient and secure cardless services are available for use when customers do not wish to go out with their debit cards or these are inaccessible due to loss or damage.

It explained that to withdraw cash with fingerprint via its biometric ATMs, customers are required to visit any of the 575 select ATMs, and initiate the cardless menu. This is followed by selecting the fingerprint withdrawal option, then precisely indicating the 10-digit NUBAN account number. The customer can then place his or her right thumb on the fingerprint scanner for 7 seconds, press “proceed”, input the amount to withdraw and then take the cash