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All Posts in "Day: October 13, 2025"

Polaris Bank Wraps Up 2025 Customer Service Week With Renewed Commitment To Customer Satisfaction By Winifred Bosa

 Polaris Bank has restated its dedication to delivering exceptional customer *experience* as it successfully concluded activities marking the 2025 edition of Customer Service Week themed “Mission: Possible.”
The week-long celebration, which ran from Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10, was filled with engaging customer appreciation activities and staff recognition initiatives across the Bank’s branches and digital channels.
Throughout the week, Polaris Bank celebrated its customers with giveaways, appreciation messages, and interactive engagements across its touchpoints, reaffirming its commitment to continuously improving service delivery. Employees were also recognised for their outstanding contributions to service excellence, underscoring the Bank’s belief that exceptional service begins with an empowered and motivated team.
Speaking at the close of the celebration, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, thanked customers for their loyalty and trust, describing them as the driving force behind the Bank’s commitment to excellence.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Their feedback, trust, and partnership inspire us to keep improving and delivering value every day. This week reaffirms that great service is not just a goal, it’s our way of life at Polaris Bank,” he said.
Mr. Lawal noted that the Customer Service Week provides an opportunity for reflection and renewal of the Bank’s promise to serve with consistency, empathy, and excellence.
Polaris Bank staff across the country also participated in internal learning and engagement sessions designed to enhance their customer interaction skills and promote a culture of service leadership.
The global Customer Service Week, celebrated annually in the first week of October, recognises the vital role of customer service professionals and the impact of service excellence on business growth. For Polaris Bank, this year’s celebration reinforced its belief that with dedication, innovation, and teamwork, great service is always a “Mission Possible.”
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in Capital Market
Heirs Insurance Group Announces Inaugural Travel Festival: A Call For Inclusive Travel Ecosystem For Africans

Amaka Obiefuna
Heirs Insurance Group (HIG), Nigeria’s fastest-growing insurance group, has announced the launch of the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, scheduled to take place on November 29, 2025, in Lagos.
The one-day festival is a bold call for inclusive travel ecosystem for Africans, and will convene thousands of attendees, including travel ecosystem stakeholders, embassy representatives, tourism content creators, and travel lovers, across the tourism value chain for a first-of-its-kind immersive celebration of global cross-border tourism and culture.
With the theme “Promoting Cultural Diversity and an Inclusive Travel Ecosystem,” the event will feature high-level diplomatic dialogues and fireside chats with renowned African travel creators, aimed at fostering strong relationships and promoting global tourism, to build a more connected world.
Guests can look forward to an unforgettable experience, featuring immersive games, live performances, thought-provoking panel sessions, cultural showcases, vibrant music, and a curated marketplace with diverse vendors across food, lifestyle, tourism, and entertainment, all designed to bring the world closer to home.
Speaking about the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, Ifesinachi Okpagu, Chief Marketing Officer, Heirs Insurance Group, emphasized the uniqueness of the event and the role of insurance in facilitating such deep and meaningful convenings.
She said: “Travel is about discovery, exposure, and connection. The world is more connected than ever, but with border restrictions, it is becoming increasingly difficult to explore possibilities and opportunities. Heirs Insurance Group is creating a platform to address these limitations, as insurance plays a key role in unlocking these opportunities safely. Through the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival, we are championing a physically borderless world and provoking meaningful conversations that promote responsible, inclusive travel for all.”
Registration is officially open for the Heirs Insurance Travel Festival. Interested participants can secure their free passes on the company’s website.
Businesses seeking to showcase their offerings and secure exhibition booths can visit https://heirsinsurancegroup.com/travel_festival/.
Heirs Insurance Group is the insurance arm of Heirs Holdings, the leading pan-African investment company, with investments across 24 countries and four continents. With a rapidly expanding retail footprint and an omnichannel digital presence, Heirs Insurance Group, comprising Heirs General Insurance Limited, Heirs Life Assurance Limited, and Heirs Insurance Brokers, serves both corporate and individual customers across Nigeria.
Heirs Insurance Group is championing financial inclusion and leading the digital insurance play in Nigeria, demonstrating its mission to democratise access to insurance.
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in Insurance and Pension
Customer Service Week: SEC DG Emphasizes Technology As Key To Building Investor Trust

CSW: SEC DG emphasizes technology as key to building investor trust | Western Post
Amaka Obiefuna

The Director General of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Dr. Emomotimi Agama, has reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to leveraging technology to strengthen investor confidence and transform Nigeria’s capital market into a globally competitive environment.

 Speaking at the 2025 Customer Service Week celebration in Abuja with the theme “Building the Market of the Future, One Interaction at a Time,” Dr. Agama said the SEC is embracing digital innovation as a core part of its service strategy to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accessibility across all market operations.
He noted that recent advancements, such as the digitization of SEC processes, deployment of new online service portals, and enhanced engagement with market stakeholders through digital platforms, were designed to simplify regulatory interactions and make the market more user-friendly.
 According to him, “The digitization of our processes, the launch of new portals, and our enhanced engagement on social media are all steps in the right direction. They are designed to make our market more accessible, transparent, and user-friendly”.
 While acknowledging the transformative power of technology, the SEC boss stressed that human engagement remains central to building trust.
He explained that “technology is only an enabler,” adding: “The heart of excellent service is the human connection—the ability to listen, understand, and provide solutions that make every stakeholder feel valued.”
 Dr. Agama pledged that the Commission would continue to invest in digital infrastructure, continuous staff training, and tools that empower frontline officers to deliver superior service to investors.
 He described customer-facing staff as the “true heroes” of the capital market, whose work directly shapes investor perception and confidence in the system.
 He stressed that the SEC’s vision is to build a deep, vibrant, and technology-driven capital market powered by efficient service delivery and sustained trust.
“Let every day be Customer Service Day at the Nigerian SEC and across our capital market. Let us continue to build this market of the future, not with grand pronouncements alone, but with one successful interaction, one resolved complaint, and one satisfied stakeholder at a time”, he stated.
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in Capital Market
MAN Backs Proposed Reform Of Free-Trade Zone Operations In Nigeria

The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) affirmed its support for the proposed reforms of the act establishing the free trade zones in Nigeria.

In a statement by the Director-General of the Association, Mr. Segun Ajayi-Kadiri, made available to press, the operators in the zones are expected to produce for export and not for the local market.

According to the DG,  “It is important for us to situate this conversation within the context of what export processing zones and export free trade zones were created to achieve and the value they are purposed to deliver to the economy.

“It is clear from the enabling laws and in the 3rd Schedule to the NEPZA Act with the first listed approved activity stated as “manufacturing of goods for export”, while other activities relate to international services, transshipment and services within the zones. The emphasis here is “within the zones. For instance, banking is listed as an approved activity but it does not mean that a bank can set up in the zone and render banking services across Nigeria without paying taxes, rather it refers to banking within the zone and exports. So, this should explain how other activities (apart from manufacturing for export) should be viewed.”

The DG pointed out that the concern of members and the contention are obviously pertaining to tax incentives, which  Section 8 spelt out that exemption from taxes only applies to approved enterprises operating within a Zone.

He expressed that they are exempted from all Federal, State and Local Government taxes, levies and rates, saying sales to the customs territory is neither an approved activity nor is it within the zone.

“However, section 18 permits the sale of goods and services to the customs territory, but this does not confer tax exemption on the sales, but rather a regulatory matter regarding what is permissible.

“Over time, the provisions of sections 8 and 18 have been misinterpreted as not only permitting the sale into the customs territory but also as tax exemption.

“So again, I say this is where the concern of my members and the contention lies: This position is not consistent with the law and it undermines tax-paying entities operating within the customs territory and producing similar goods and services. Where does the tax exemption enjoyed by the companies operating within the zones, leave my more than 2,500 members who operate outside the zone, in terms of level playing field, competitiveness, fairness and equity? They find themselves in a disadvantage position and are rendered less competitive.

“I believe that the tax reform bill before the National Assembly has actually come to the rescue. The bill seeks to bring clarity and equity by stating that sales to the customs territory are taxable, not just for import duties and VAT, but also CIT purposes. That is to say that all sellers in the customs territory should be subject to the same tax obligations.

“Subsequently, I don’t think the relevant provisions of the tax reform bill amount to a reversal of the incentives, not at all.

“It is actually a clarification to align with the intent and letters of the enabling laws. This is in line with global best practice for free zones. In fact, Nigeria will continue to be more generous even after the proposed amendments. An example that is not farfetched is the situation in nearby Ghana. Ghana only allows up to 30% sales into the customs territory subject to payment of duties and taxes, including CIT. Whereas we allow 100% sales. Exports by a zone entity are tax-free only for 10 years after which up to 8% CIT will apply. Nigeria offers indefinite tax exemption on exports.” The DG stressed.

He emphasised that the proposed reform will ensure equitable tax treatment for companies operating in the customs territory and those licensed to operate within the free zones with respect to sales into the customs territory, thereby enabling fair competition while protecting the country’s tax base.

“Licensed entities will also enjoy similar incentives available to entities within the customs territory with respect to their sale of goods and services into the Customs Territory, a win-win outcome.” Ajayi-Kadiri averred.

Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in News
Manufacturing costs soared by 18.2% in Q4 – MAN

Manufacturing costs soar by 18.2% in Q4 2024 as economic pressures mount - SMALL BUSINESS INSIGHTSThe Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), said that the production and distribution costs in the manufacturing sector surged by 18.2 per cent in the fourth quarter of last year. Showing the macroeconomic environment’s as a worsening impact on manufacturers.

Director-General of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Segun Ajayi-Kadir, disclosed this in the Q4 2024 Manufacturers CEO Confidence Index report, made available to news men showing how the industry’s struggles with high costs, policy inconsistencies, and economic instability.

Following the report he states, “The findings show that production and distribution costs surged further by 18.2 per cent in the quarter under review, from the 20.1 per cent increase witnessed in the preceding quarter.”

While the report indicated a slight improvement in sales volume by 1.1 per cent, other key indicators such as capacity utilisation, manufacturing investment, and employment recorded further contractions.

Ajayi-Kadir revealed in the report that capacity utilisation declined by 0.8 per cent in Q4 2024 while manufacturing investment dropped by 1.2 per cent.

Employment in the sector also fell by 0.7 per cent, although the contraction was lower than the 3.5 per cent recorded in Q3 2024.

Ajayi-Kadir also noted that the cost of shipment rose by 11.6 per cent in Q4 2024 from the 17 per cent increase recorded in Q3 2024.

“A close observation of the analysis indicates that only the sales volume recorded a favourable change during the period of review,” MAN’s DG stated. “However, the analysis generally reveals that the adverse effects of the prevailing macroeconomic reforms are diminishing as production and distribution costs, capacity utilisation, volume of production, investment, employment, and cost of shipment recorded lower adverse changes compared to the previous quarter.”

Manufacturers identified high energy costs, forex scarcity, multiple taxation, and poor infrastructure as the biggest threats to their survival.

According to the report, high electricity tariffs and the cost of alternative energy remained a major burden on production.

The manufacturing chief executive officers also flagged the high exchange rate, interest rate hikes, and inconsistent government policies as factors crippling their businesses.

“Manufacturing operations were directly stalled by the lingering effects of high raw material costs, energy, and logistics, as the existence of high exchange rates, interest rates, and inflation rates remain unfavourable to the overall business environment,” the report noted.

Despite the tough conditions, the MCCI inched up by 0.5 points to 50.7 points in Q4 from 50.2 points in Q3, reflecting marginal optimism among industry players.

However, projections for the first quarter of 2025 show a downward trend.

The expected business condition dropped from 56 points to 53.2 points, while the projected employment condition slid to 53 points.

The anticipated production level also fell from 54.3 to 54 points, indicating manufacturers’ fears of further economic downturns.

The report suggested that hopes for stability in exchange rates, a halt in interest rate hikes, lower energy costs, and tax reforms were keeping optimism afloat.

Manufacturers urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to ease the financial and operational burden on the sector.

Key recommendations include suspending further electricity tariff hikes and reviewing previous increases, pausing interest rate hikes, directing banks to offer manufacturers single-digit loans, and expanding the Bank of Industry’s capital base to improve access to industrial credit.

Ajayi-Kadir also called for the clearing of the outstanding $2.4bn forex forward contract to restore confidence in the currency market, halting the 15 per cent increase in port charges and facilitating the implementation of the National Single Window project to reduce trade costs.

He also recommended fast-tracking tax reforms and establishing a more transparent exchange rate mechanism for customs duties.

MAN’s DG emphasised that addressing these challenges would stabilise the manufacturing sector, boost production, and drive economic growth.

“Nigerian manufacturing is on its last breath. The future of the country will continue to hang in the balance unless the plight of manufacturers is adequately addressed with appropriate interventions,” he warned.

MAN’s MCCI is an index to measure changes in the quarterly pulse of manufacturing activities concerning movement in the macroeconomy and government policies. It has a baseline of 50 points, suggesting a stationary point in the economy.

When the MCCI rises above 50 points, it shows manufacturers have increasing confidence in the economy, and when it drops below 50, it signifies otherwise.

Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in Industry
SON seeks improved stakeholders’ collaboration to strengthen trade through standards

 
 
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria has called for collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen trade through standards.
The Director General, SON, Ifeanyi Okeke at the 2025 edition of the World Standards Day themed “Shared vision for a better world,  spotlight on the Sustainable Development Goal 17” celebration in Lagos, said the event is not only to commemorate the global significance of standards, but also to demonstrate collective commitment through the work of standards, a symbolic expression of unity and shared vision for national and global development.
According to him, the theme is both timely and also compelling, noting that it reinforces the fact that sustainable development cannot be achieved by any single institution.
“Collaboration, cooperation, partnership are true drivers of progress and standards are the common language that makes such partnership possible.
“For Nigeria, this theme speaks to the realities of our development journey. Our goals, from food security to industrialization, from energy transition to trade expansion, require cooperation between the government, the private sector, academia and civil society.
“By spotlighting this Sustainable Development Goal 17, we affirm that partnerships are not simply supportive, but are the very backbone for achieving other Sustainable Development Goals.
Okeke said that national quality infrastructure is the underpinning, that determines Nigeria’s level of development, in terms of its ability to ensure that imported and exported products meet the required standards,  either national, regional and global standards.
“We cannot do conformity assessments alone.
We need the collaboration, we need the partnership, we need the cooperation.
“In this regard, for imported products, we need to have our internationally accredited experts, because SON cannot be found everywhere in the world.
“We need to have organizations that have been accredited and recognized globally to be able to help us test and certify our products.
“So we need that support, we need that collaboration internationally for imported products,” he added.
To boost export of locally produced goods, the Director General said, “We have the SONEXCAP which is our certification programme for exports. Nigeria cannot just continue dwelling on imports.
“What really sustains any nation is the ability to export. So SON is also playing in that field. Through the SONEXCAP, products that will leave this country to other countries with the SONEXCAP certification, those products can be accepted in most of the countries especially in Africa because of this African free trade area agreement.
“Because what it simply means is that with our SONEXCAP certification, we have a mutual recognised agreement with other African countries.
“This means that any products that leave Nigeria to other African countries will be wholeheartedly accepted,” he averred.
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in News
Archbishop Nzekwesi Celebrates Birthday In Grand Style 

By Nnedinma Michael
 
 
The Chief  Executive Officer ( CEO) of Pineeaf Estate and founder of Jesus Is Alive Church, Archbishop Onyekachukwu Joseph Nzekwesi, on Friday, October 10, 2025, celebrated his birthday in Eziowelle, Anambra State, Nigeria.
The celebration attracted numerous dignitaries, including politicians and business leaders, who gathered to wish him a happy birthday.
Some notable attendees include Chief George Muoghalu of Labour Party,
Chief Obinna Iyiegbu (Obi Cubana), Chief Chimezie Nwankwo (Abig Nwankwo), Chief Ikenna Iyiegbu (Ike Cubana), Hon Ikenna Offordeme of Anambra State House of Assembly, Chief Humphrey Anuna, President-General of ASMATA and others.
During the celebration, Archbishop Nzekwesi expressed gratitude to God for his blessings and prayed for his church members, business partners, sons and daughters in the real estate business, and for peaceful conduct of the November 8 Gubernatorial Election in Anambra State.
The Permanent Secretary,  Anambra State Ministry of Transport  and Commerce, Chief Engr. Michael  Obiekwe( Mmilioma Ogbunike),  praised Archbishop Nzekwesi for his  philanthropic efforts, noting that he has been a hope  for many,  a child of God that has created ripple effects of kindness  and generosity that has transformed lives and the community.
He prayed and thanked God for the celebrant’s life and that of his family, wishing him a peaceful birthday celebration.
A  consultant with Pine Leaf Estate, Mr Austine Eke,  described Archbishop Nzekwesi as a good man, a mentor in the real estate business, praising his exceptional work in real estate, and encouraged others to emulate his example to contribute to the development of the South East Region.
He added that his selflessness serves as a powerful reminder that everyone has the capacity to make positive impacts.
“Bishop has impacted many lives through his mentorship and empowerment to youths, women and others,” he concluded.
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in News
Stakeholders Seek End To  Infrastructure Deficits, Barriers to  Achieving $1trillion Economy for Nigeria.

The quest for economic intelligence and
strategies that will mitigate  infrastructure deficits and  barriers on pathways to achieving  $1trillion economy in Nigeria will dominate  discussions at the Finance and Business Online Publishers (FiBOP) Annual National Conference 2025.
Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of  the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun and his team will be aggregating emerging solutions to put the economy at an even keel at the upcoming event.
The Annual National Conference provides a platform for technocrats, economists, and  thought  leaders from across all sectors to  brainstorm on fundamental ways to fast track  the achievement of $1 trillion economy target.
The Ministry has confirmed full participation at the conference which is scheduled to hold on October 18th and 19th 2025 at Orchid Hotels Lekki, Lagos.
Specifically, the conference is also billed to identify innovative strategies for  diversifying from dependence on oil, by adapting technology, fostering innovation, investing in renewable energy, insurance, agriculture, and services.
Absolutely designed to chart  a clear plan for securing successful mutual accountability and investment strategies of crucial importance for Nigeria’s economic growth development.
Furthermore it is intended to show how  technology innovations, tax reforms, renewable energy, and agriculture will severally and jointly contribute to achieve the target of $1 trillion economy.
National development minded corporate Organizations have thrown their weights behind the conference.
Cornerstone Insurance PLC, NGX Group, Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and NASENI are amongst the latest  to join forces with emPLE Insurance, Universal Insurance, Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Nigerian Agriculture Insurance Corporation, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Nestle Nigeria PLC  and banks like Zenith, Polaris and Fidelity to ensure a grand and successful confab.
Commenting on preparations for the event, Chairman, Conference Planning Committee, Mr. Godson Ikoro, is very optimistic that FiBOP  will pull off a very  utilitarian conference that will generate fresh strategies to drive home Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy by 2030.
In the same vein, FiBOP President, Mr Charles Onwuatogwu in appreciating the support of the various partners backoned on more and organizations to join forces with other stakeholders to fast track the $1 trillion economy agenda and ensure better standard of living for Nigerians.
He reiterated that  partners and sponsors will enjoy a wide range of benefits from well articulated media exposure and publicity plan.
FiBOP is a registered body by the Corporate Affairs Commission made up of seasoned online publishers and editors, with wealth of experience in the print and electronic media, who are dedicated to promoting informed and balanced reporting of economic events and activities, wealth creation, and contributing to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy and the continent of Africa.
The association’s annual conference provides the needed platform for experts and stakeholders to contribute to issues of great national importance aimed at fostering inclusive growth, unity, and national prosperity.
Online Poster by — October 13, 2025 in News