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NDIC CLINCHES FIRST, THIRD PLACES AT THE 2024 FEDERAL PUBLIC SERVICE INNOVATION COMPETITION

The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) is proud to announce its exceptional performance at the 2025 Federal Public Service Innovation Competition, emerging as both the overall winner (1st place) and Third runner-up (3rd place) out of 155 competing entries from across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

This remarkable achievement was announced by the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation(HOSF), Mrs. Didi Walson-Jack, during the award ceremony held in Abuja on Tuesday, April 29. The NDIC’s winning entry, the Carpooling Team, developed an innovative digital carpooling application that acts as a rideshare platform aimed at reducing commuting costs for federal workers — a solution that earned them the coveted top prize of N5 million.

In addition to this, a second NDIC team came in at third place with the prize of N3 million for an innovative digital platform to enhance staff productivity and streamline administrative processes called Perfoma. It acts as a convenient online secretariat that facilitates the creation and tracking of documents, as well as measuring the output and implementation of tasks to monitor performance of staff – a full packaged office-suite.

Speaking at the event, HOSF, Mrs. Walson-Jack, emphasized that “Innovation is one of the six key pillars of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan 2021–2025 (FCSSIP 25)” commending participating agencies for aligning with the federal government’s vision for a dynamic and efficient public service.

The MD/CE, Mr. Bello Hassan, who was represented at the ceremony by the Director, Strategy Development Department, Mrs Gwa Uduwak Zachary, lauded the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) for sustaining the innovation tradition while commending the NDIC’s teams for their ground-breaking achievements underlining the Corporation’s commitment to excellence, problem-solving, and a forward-thinking approach to public service delivery. While receiving the teams at his office, the MD/CE, NDIC stated that “This double recognition is a testament to the innovative spirit and professionalism that NDIC nurtures. Our teams have once again demonstrated the Corporation’s leadership in deploying technology and creative thinking to solve real-world challenges”.

The NDIC’s success in the competition, organized by the OHCSF, is a strong endorsement of its ongoing drive to embed innovation into its operational culture. It also reflects the Corporation’s strategic alignment with national priorities on public service reform, digital transformation, and cost-effective governance.

The NDIC remains committed to supporting and scaling solutions that improve service delivery across the civil service and contribute meaningfully to national development.

 

AXA Mansard Health Reiterates Commitment To Customer-First At South-West Providers’ Forum

AXA Mansard Health Reiterates Commitment to Customer-first at South-West  Providers' Forum | THISDAYLIVE
AXA Mansard Health, Nigeria’s leading health insurance provider, has reiterated its continued commitment to quality healthcare for its millions of customers across Nigeria.
 The CEO of the company, Tope Adeniyi, made this know during the company’s South-West Provider Forum in Ibadan, recently.
According to Adeniyi, the forum is part of AXA Mansard Health’s ongoing initiative to work with its providers, its customers across Nigeria can enjoy quality, affordable and accessible healthcare. He noted that AXA Mansard Health is care deeply about its customers, so the forum is an opportunity to engage with its providers to jointly chat the best ways to ensure that AXA customers receive the best healthcare services.
“For us at AXA Mansard Health, its about the customer first. It’s not just a core value, it’s the mantra that guides everything we do from innovation to process improvement, product development and even our CSR initiatives. We are a company built on protecting what matters to our customers. But in all of these, we know that its over providers that complete this value-chain of superior customer service. The hospitals, the clinics, the laps, and so on. That’s how our customers experience us. So we are here today to consolidate on the partnership, so our customers can always get the best”.
“Our customers are always first, and they are followed by our providers. We are convinced that if we keep this model, we will remain the brand to beat in Nigeria. Our wider plan is to touch all corners of Nigeria and bring premium healthcare services to every Nigerian because they deserve it. These forums are crucial in building strong partnerships with our providers, which ultimately lead to better healthcare outcomes for our customers,” Adeniyi stated.
The Forum, which has been held previously in various cities including Lagos, Port Harcourt, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Ibadan, and Abuja over the last four months, underscores AXA Mansard Health’s commitment to bridging the healthcare gap and ensuring that premium healthcare services are accessible to all Nigerians, not just those in major cities. This nationwide reach ensures that the benefits of these engagements are felt across the country, fostering collaboration and sharing best practices needed to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by different parts of Nigeria.
Nigeria faces significant healthcare challenges, with only about 4.08% of its GDP spent on healthcare. The country has a doctor-to-patient ratio of approximately 1 to 10,000, far below the World Health Organization’s recommendation of 1 to 600. With healthcare access unevenly distributed across the country and rural areas experiencing higher out-of-pocket expenses for healthcare compared to urban zones, there is an urgent need for initiatives like the Providers Forum to improve healthcare delivery for all Nigerians.
AXA Mansard Health is committed to enhancing its products and services through these forums while also working on improving the overall healthcare experience for its customers. The company plans to hold future forums in the South East region in the coming months, further demonstrating its dedication to ensuring quality healthcare is accessible to all.
“As we progress further into 2025, the insights and feedback gathered from these forums will play a pivotal role in shaping our company’s strategies to enhance customer experience and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all Nigerians” Adeniyi concluded.
AFRIMA 2025: Lagos Ready To Host Africa, Gov. Sanwo-Olu Declares

L-R (front roll): Mike Dada, President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards – AFRIMA; Angela Martins, Director, Social Development, Culture & Sport, African Union (AU); Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State; Matlou Tsotetsi, Director, Brand Communications and Sponsorship, AFRIMA; Kenny Ogungbe, Member, International Congress of AFRIMA; Victoria Nkong, Associate Producer, AFRIMA;
(back roll) Francis Doku, Country Director, Ghana, AFRIMA; Adenrele Niyi, Chief Experience Officer, CXO, AFRIMA; Mike Strano, Regional Director, Eastern Africa, AFRIMA; Toke Benson -Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture; Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment; and Sam Egube, Deputy Chief of Staff to Lagos State Governor, during a courtesy visit by the African Union and International Committe of AFRIMA to the Lagos State Governor at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday
L-R: Mike Dada, President/Executive Producer, All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA; Angela Martins, Director, Social Development, Culture & Sport, African Union (AU), receiving a gift from the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu during a courtesy visit by African Union Commission and International Committee of AFRIMA to the Lagos State Governor at his office, Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja on Tuesday
Lagos, the bustling cultural and commercial heartbeat of Nigeria, is once again highly favoured to host Africa’s most prestigious music celebration, All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), as Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu officially declared the state’s readiness to host the rest of the continent and the world for the 2025 edition of the award ceremony.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, who made the declaration when he received a high-powered delegation from the African Union and the AFRIMA International Committee in his office on Tuesday, said Lagos is more than prepared to roll out the red carpet for the rest of Africa in a demonstration of the state’s status as the creative and cultural capital of Africa.
Sanwo-Olu said Lagos’ acceptance to host AFRIMA 2025 aligns perfectly with his administration’s vision to make the creative and tourism industry a major pillar of the state’s development drive.
He stated that his government has made significant investments in the creative industry, recognizing it as a key component of its THEMES agenda. He expressed his admiration for the flourishing creative ecosystem that nurtures talent, attracts global attention, and drives economic growth, all of which have been created by his administration.
“I am impressed by the diversity and calibre of the members of the AFRIMA International Committee. Seeing representatives from countries like Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, Ghana, Kenya, Ethiopia, Morocco, and South-Africa is a strong affirmation that AFRIMA is a global pan-Africa initiative, it is a true continental platform,” Sanwo-Olu said as he welcomed the team.
“One of the key pillars of our administration’s development agenda is the creative industry. Since I took office, we’ve been intentional about building a vibrant creative ecosystem supporting film, music, fashion, photography, and cultural tourism. This year, Lagos will be at the Cannes Film Festival, and in October 2025, we’ll host the E1 world championship, Africa’s first international water sports event right here in Lagos. Our packed creative calendar is a strategic effort to position the state as Africa’s cultural and creative capital.
“We are happy to receive the AFRIMA team; we will do it, and we will be part of this, this is one initiative we are proud to accommodate. Our team will work together with your team to action this. We thank the African Union and the AFRIMA Committee for trusting Lagos.”
In her remarks, Ms. Angela Martins, Head of Culture and Acting Director for Social Development, Culture and Sport at the African Union Commission, commended the Governor for his continuous support of the arts and reaffirmed the AU’s long-standing partnership with AFRIMA.
“The African Union has been proud to partner with AFRIMA since 2014. Over the years, we’ve supported the awards to make sure they live up to their promise to celebrate and reward African talent and music and to promote our cultural values. Beyond entertainment, AFRIMA has become one of the tools through which we promote and communicate the African Union’s cultural policies and the wider vision of Agenda 2063, particularly in building the creative economy of Africa.
“Lagos has played a major role in the success of AFRIMA in the past. The state has hosted previous editions of the awards, and each time it has left a strong and lasting impression. This year, we are here again, not just to visit, but to officially ask for Lagos’ partnership and support to host AFRIMA 2025 because Lagos is at the heart of Africa’s creative industry,” she said.
Mike Dada, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu for the state’s investment in the creative industry, stating that AFRIMA is positioned to create big opportunities for tourism, entertainment, jobs, and the economy for the host city.
Dada said, “Your Excellency, under your leadership, Lagos has made great progress in the creative industry. You’ve been a strong supporter and a true promoter of talent and fresh ideas. Whether it’s film, fashion, music, or technology, your efforts have helped make Lagos stand out as Africa’s creative capital. We at AFRIMA truly appreciate your support, and we believe Lagos is more than ready to host an unforgettable AFRIMA 2025.
“Since AFRIMA was birthed in 2014, and hosted in Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with road shows in over 22 countries around the world, we’ve remained committed to celebrating and uniting Africa through music. AFRIMA is not just about music, it also resonates with real human stories, we’ve seen dreams come through, talents discovered, and careers launched. More importantly, AFRIMA is helping to reshape the global narrative about Africa. We’re showing that Africa is not a continent of lack but a cultural powerhouse that supports development and economic growth.
“With over 1,600 nominees, and their teams, more than 1,100 production crew members expected in 2025 and over 400 million global broadcast audience, Lagos won’t just host an event; the impact of the one-week festival will be massive, opening more doors for tourism, hospitality, and new economic opportunities for business in the sector and beyond.”
Ahmed Soultan, a past winner of the Best Male Artist in Northern Africa award, and a member of the visiting team, recalled how the award he won in 2014 transformed his career globally and opened a window of collaboration with top stars including Femi Kuti, late Sound Sultan and Waje.
Other members of the visiting team included Ms. Matlou Tsotetsi from South Africa, Director of Brand Communications at AFRIMA; Ms. Adenrele Niyi, Chief Experience Officer (CXO) from Nigeria; Mr. Mike John Strano, an Australian-Kenyan and Regional Director for Eastern Africa; and Mr. Francis Doku, Country Director for Ghana. Also in the delegation were Mr. Kenny Ogungbe from Nigeria, a member of the AFRIMA International Congress and Media Committee, Ms. Edwidge Goli from Cote d’Ivoire, who serves as Liaison and Partnership Advisory Executive, Francophone region, and Ms. Victoria Nkong from Nigeria, an AFRIMA Associate Producer.
The African Union and AFRIMA International Committee will on May 13 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia officially announce and present the certificate to the host of the 2025 AFRIMA.
emPLE Unveils BETA Life: A Three-In-One Endowment Plan For Smarter Savings And Protection

emPLE Provides Free One-Year Insurance to Female Entrepreneurs - MSME Africa

 

emPLE Life Assurance Limited has announced the launch of BETA Life, an endowment policy designed to empower Nigerians to grow their wealth, secure their future, and protect what matters most.

 

In a market where financial uncertainty and underinsurance remain widespread, BETA Life offers a refreshing alternative. The product offers a unique combination of protection and savings in one simple, flexible plan helping Nigerians meet their financial goals while staying protected through life’s uncertainties.
With three cash benefits spread over the policy term, BETA Life helps customers plan for real goals be it education, rent, homeownership, or business without having to wait till the end of the tenure to benefit from their plan.
Speaking on the launch, Rantimi Ogunleye, MD/CEO of emPLE Life Assurance Limited, said:

 

“BETA Life is more than a product; it’s a solution built around the realities of our customers. It’s for the parent who wants to secure their child’s future, the entrepreneur planning ahead, or the individual who wants to save smartly without losing the safety net of protection. We’ve brought together savings and life insurance into one plan, because we believe financial empowerment shouldn’t mean choosing one over the other.”

 

With flexible policy durations and multiple payout points, BETA Life is designed to adapt to a customer’s journey while providing peace of mind. In the unfortunate event of death or permanent disability, the plan ensures that loved ones or the policyholder are financially supported, proving that life insurance can be just as much about living well as it is about preparing for life’s uncertainties.
This launch is a continuation of emPLE’s mission to make life insurance more inclusive, relevant, and empowering, giving more Nigerians the tools to build financial resilience with confidence.
For more information, visit www.emple.group/betalife

About emPLE

emPLE is a leading financial services company dedicated to providing insurance and investment solutions to retail and corporate clients across Africa. At emPLE, our purpose is to empower Africans by providing innovative financial solutions that enhance their freedom, security, and prosperity. We believe that true empowerment comes from providing not just access to financial products but also the knowledge and tools necessary for our customers to make informed decisions and achieve financial independence.
For more information about emPLE, visit: www.emple.group

Soyinka Lauds Nigerian Workers On  May  Day

As the world marks this year’s edition of Workers’ Day on Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Mr. Olaotan Soyinka has lauded the efforts of Nigerian workers and their contributions to national development.
 He noted that a virile and dedicated workforce is very instrumental and germane to the progress of any society. He gave this remark at the company’s Appreciation Day Ceremony held at the Head Office of the Underwriting Firm located in Victoria Island, Lagos.
He said the date, May 1, should be seen as a very important one because it is the day set aside to celebrate and give due respect to workers all over the world regardless of their social strata in the society. According to him, “every legitimate form of work is as important as the other and credence must be given to all and sundry without any bias”.
In appreciating the Staff of Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, the Managing Director/CEO of the Underwriting Firm congratulated all members of the Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc Team and urged them not to relent in the judicious discharge of their duties as they strive to maintain the worldclass standard of the STI Brand.
He further said that the Management of the company will not stop at investing in the development of the company’s human capital while also placing technology at the heart of its business operations. He equally assured the members of staff that their labour will not go in vain as they contribute their quota to the growth and advancement of the organization.
He wished them all a hearty Workers’ Day on May 1, 2025, and encouraged them to always think of making the customer the focal point in their day-to-day activities. In his words, ‘our customers should be at the heart of our business just as we must not compromise on delivering service excellence at every given opportunity thrown our way’
The Head of Human Resources for Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc, Adeola Onichabor in her response to the MD/CEO’s speech thanked the Management for the uncompromising stance in investing in Training and Human Capital Development for members of staff both at the local and international level. She made bold to say that Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc has on parade in the Insurance Industry, an array of professionals in different fields of specialization who effectively compliment the efforts of the professional underwriters in the organization.
She equally used the opportunity to thank and encourage her colleagues to continue in their stride of hard work and dedication to the ideals of the company. She enjoined them to also respect and honour one another in the discharge of their duties as the organization strives to maintain best practice standards in the comity of insurance companies in the country and beyond.
Some members of staff who had been with the organization from inception were equally recognized and appreciated for their commitment, unwavering dedication and contribution to the growth of the organization in the last 30 years of the company’s formation.
Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc is an equal opportunity employer of labour with an uncompromising stance on high ethical standards and astute professionalism. The Head of Human Resources and Capital Development equally used the opportunity to wish every Nigerian worker and workers globally, a happy celebration on Workers’ Day come May 1, 2025.