Anambra Commences Warehouse Construction For Pharmaceutical Grade Kaolin



AMAKA Obiefuna
In its continued effort to reposition the industry, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) has announced its move to totally ring-fence Retiree Life Annuity (RLA) funds.
This, according to the Managing Director NSIA Insurance Limited, Moruf Apampa, is aimed at giving adequate protection to annuitants, adding that comprehensive supplementary guidelines would soon be issued.
Apampa, who is also a member of Communication & Stakeholder Engagement Sub-Committee, Insurers Committee disclosed this at a press conference held on Wednesday June 11, 2025 after the June 2025 Insurers’ Committee meeting in Lagos.
Both the supplementary guidelines and other measures taken by NAICOM are geared towards protecting annuitants and other policyholders, the Managing Director stated. He also disclosed that NAICOM is also working on cyber risk guidelines
On settlement of claims Apampa announced that the Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Omosehin, has expressed satisfaction with the improvement made in this regard and assured that NAICOM and operators are now fully committed to prompt settlement of genuine claims.
LarryBravo Nwaiwu
…. Gov. Mbah, wife, pledge collaboration

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has debunked a news story in circulation suggesting that the Bank has extended the deadline for the recapitalisation of Bureau De Change (BDC) operators to December 31, 2025.
The CBN, through its Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, described the information as false, misleading, and stated that it should be disregarded.
According to her, the Bank has not granted any such extension beyond the previously communicated deadline of June 3, 2025.
She consequently urged the general public, journalists, media platforms, and all stakeholders to consistently verify information directly from official CBN sources, such as the Bank’s website and authorised communication channels, before publishing or sharing news about the Bank and its regulatory directives.
The CBN remains committed to ensuring transparency, stability, and compliance in the foreign exchange market and will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders in accordance with its statutory mandate,” Sidi Ali noted.
As part of the revised framework introduced in February 2024, BDCs are required to meet new minimum capital requirements: ₦2 billion for Tier-1 and ₦500 million for Tier-2 operators.

In furtherance of its long-standing commitment to education and youth development, leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has donated a wide range of relief and academic materials to Government Junior Secondary School, Elekahia, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The donation was made possible by the unwavering dedication and generosity of a class of newly inducted staff, known as the Suncrest Inductee Class, under the Fidelity Helping Hands Programme (FHHP).
Through the FHHP, staff across Fidelity Bank’s business locations identify projects that impact their immediate community and raise funds to execute them. The bank’s management thereafter matches this contribution with an equal amount and disburses it for the selected project.
Speaking about the donation event, Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Dr Meksley Nwagboh, noted the bank’s dedication to fostering community development and supporting children from underprivileged backgrounds.
“We deliberately chose a public school because we understand the challenges many students face. Our aim is to provide support that not only aids academic performance but also inspires hope for a brighter future,” said Dr Nwagboh.
He highlighted that the Bank’s initiative for school and students has spanned 15 years with numerous schools as beneficiaries nationwide. “At Fidelity Bank, we believe that investing in the next generation is a direct investment in the future of our country. This initiative is deeply rooted in our philosophy of grooming responsible future leaders and promoting social equity, with our members of staff being able to significantly contribute right from their early days in the bank” he affirmed.
In her remarks, the Principal, Government Junior Secondary School, Elekahia, Dr. Ekeh Florence, expressed heartfelt appreciation to Fidelity Bank for its generous gesture.
“We are sincerely grateful that Fidelity Bank remembered the students of our school. The materials they provided – which includes exercise books, biros, socks, footwear, sanitary items such as pads and shaving sticks, and even snacks – will go a long way in boosting the morale and academic readiness of our students,” Dr. Ekeh stated.
The students expressed their joy and appreciation, describing the donation as the first of its kind from any corporate organization. Many pledged to make the best use of the materials to improve their academic performance and personal development.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.
The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Leadway Group, one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial service group, has announced its sponsorship of the Nigerian Pavilion at the prestigious London Design Biennale, scheduled for June 2025. This sponsorship is a decisive commitment to the global celebration and representation of the next generation of Nigerian creatives through international convergence of Nigerian culture, innovation, and creativity.
From June 5 – 29, 2025, the Nigerian Pavilion, “Hopes and Impediments”, will take center stage at Somerset House, London, the UK’s largest creative community and a global hub for the arts. The Pavilion curated and designed by Myles Igwebuike, founder of Nteje Studios, and produced by Culture Lab Africa and endorsed by the Centre for Black and African Arts & Civilisation (CBAAC) presents a radical reimagining of identity, historical memory, and indigenous knowledge systems through the lens of contemporary design.
Myles’ roots in South-Eastern Nigeria and experiences abroad have uniquely positioned him as a bridge between tradition and transformation; exploring how the South-East of Nigeria is a cultural powerhouse redefining narratives and inspiring a reawakening of national pride.
According to the Group Managing Director, Leadway Holdings, Tunde Hassan-Odukale, “At Leadway, we believe that the intersection of culture, creativity, and commerce holds immense power to shape society and inspire progress. Our support of Nigeria’s participation at the London Design Biennale 2025 aligns with our bold affirmation of the global significance of Nigerian artistry and innovation. This initiative is not merely about aesthetics; it’s about preserving heritage, amplifying our stories, and empowering the next generation of creative thinkers. Through this platform, we proudly invest in the limitless imagination of Nigerian youth and the enduring spirit that propels our nation forward.
“As a proudly Nigerian brand, we see this as an extension of our commitment to social investments and economic development through inclusive, future-forward and globally inspired engagements. We are honoured to be part of a movement that celebrates our identity, creativity, and the boundless potential of our people.” He concluded.
Commenting on Nigeria’s participation at this year’s Biennale, Hon. Aisha Adamu Augie, the Director General, Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), a proud partner and contributor to the Nigerian National Pavilion stated that, “Nigeria’s participation in this year’s London Biennale is critical to our collective goal of projecting the African heritage on the world stage. This provides a veritable platform for the best of African design and talents to showcase their capabilities and inspire a lot more in the creative sector in the process. Nigeria’s participation at this year’s Biennale will further cement its position as a leader in projecting African Heritage to the world,” she further added.
Leadway’s sponsorship strengthens its broader investment in the Nigerian creative community. The company has previously supported creative initiatives such as Leadway Media Dash, which provides free media exposure for young entrepreneurs and continues to support platforms like the Lagos Leather Fair, a critical initiative to elevate Nigeria’s leather craftsmanship.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) has presented the Procurement Excellence Standard Certificate to Seplat Energy Plc, the foremost Nigerian independent energy company.
The Global Chief Executive Officer, CIPS, Ben Farrell, made the presentation to Seplat Energy at the company’s office in Ikoyi – Lagos State on June 5th 2025. Farrell led a delegation from the CIPS to make the presentation to the Seplat Energy team led by the Chief Operating Officer (COO), Samson Ezugworie; and the General Manager, Supply Chain Management (SCM), Valentine Agwu.
Seplat Energy’s application to be assessed against the CIPS standards started in February 2023. During the period, CIPS-approved assessors reviewed – amongst other criteria – the company’s processes, policies, ways of working, and so on, against 98 elements and across 5 dimensions (categories) used to assess the operations of a supply chain management organisation.
Seplat Energy’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) held the final assessment with a CIPS Advantage Procurement Excellence Programme Independent Verifier on Monday the 21st of January 2025. Consequently, on Wednesday 22nd January, CIPS announced that Seplat Energy Plc has been issued with the award.
The CIPS Global CEO observed that the award has only been issued to a few organisations who have demonstrated to be aspirational, continuingly obsessed with being better and raising the bar.
Farrell said: “We don’t give these Certificates away, because they are serious, meaningful recognition of that ambition. So, it is designed for hard work and to be rigorous, because we want people to feel at the end of it that they are really proficient, and they are capable of all the things it is designed to do. So, it is a real recognition of your commitment and the team’s commitment. Congratulations to you all.”
The Seplat Energy COO, on behalf of the company and its leadership expressed deep appreciation to the CIPS team for the transformative journey the Seplat SCM had gone through and gave credit to them, particularly for the thoroughness and vigor in the review process.
Ezugworie said: “For us as Seplat Energy management, we made a deliberate decision to go this route, because Supply Chain is the bedrock of our business. It is the channel of our spend and it is very important to get the channel of your spend on a very right foundation, and perhaps with transparency that this whole process brings.”
He thanked the entire SCM Team, led by Valentine Agwu, for making the company proud and further challenged them on a continuous implementation journey towards the Platinum Category of the certificate, such that sustainability becomes the next level of challenge.
Earlier, the GM SCM, Seplat Energy, had noted that in 2021, Seplat Energy set out on a transformation agenda which was built around process, people and systems only. However, the company eventually adopted a CIPS PEP Model upon which to build the transformation.
“It took us two years of rigorous assessment on 5 dimensions including Leadership and Organisation, Processes and System, Strategy and Policy, Performance Management and People. I am proud to announce that we passed in flying colours, which is why we are here today,” Agwu said.
The SCM function of Seplat Energy Plc has undergone a rigorous assessment by the CIPS UK and adjudged to have successfully met the required standard as set out, for having robust and effective governance processes in place for supply assurance and compliance. This outstanding feat is a result of the process, people and ways of working initiatives that were implemented over the years.
It is worthy to note that, by reason of this award, Seplat Energy Plc has set another pace as the first in Nigeria to receive the CIPS Procurement Excellence Standard Award in Nigeria. The company is also the second oil and gas company in Africa to have received the award.

Sanlam, Africa’s biggest non-banking financial services powerhouse, and Allianz, one of the world’s most recognised global insurer, have announced a significant milestone in their Pan-African expansion strategy with the successful merger of their operations in Nigeria, one of Africa’s leading economies.
The merger, now branded as SanlamAllianz Nigeria, was officially announced on Thursday, June 5, 2025, during a high-profile launch event at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island Lagos. Executives, regulators, partners, and the media gathered to witness the unveiling of the new brand.
SanlamAllianz Nigeria is part of a broader initiative by both parent companies to create Africa’s leading non-banking financial services group in different markets. By leveraging Sanlam’s extensive continental footprint and achievements and Allianz’s global reputation and technical expertise, this new entity aims to offer enhanced customer experiences, innovative insurance solutions, and improved financial inclusion in Nigeria.
Speaking at a press briefing on the event day, Tunde Mimiko, MD/CEO of SanlamAllianz Life Insurance Nigeria, said, “Today marks a transformative chapter for Sanlam and Allianz but, even more importantly, the Nigerian insurance industry. Our joint venture, SanlamAllianz, is the fusion of complementary strengths, global expertise, rich underwriting heritage, and local insights designed to expand access to world-class insurance solutions for millions of Nigerians.
“At a time when Africa’s economic evolution demands more than traditional products, SanlamAllianz is committed to empowering individuals and businesses to build resilience, plan confidently, and drive inclusive growth. By embedding innovation and collaboration at our core, we aim to navigate the complexities of Nigeria’s market with integrity and excellence, setting a new benchmark for the insurance industry and securing the future of our people and businesses.”
At the heart of SanlamAllianz’s mission is a steadfast commitment to fostering Confidence in Nigeria. In an often-uncertain market, this partnership aims to be a beacon of stability and reliability for Nigerians and businesses. By delivering transparent, customer-centric solutions and upholding the highest standards of governance and ethics, SanlamAllianz seeks to build enduring trust, empowering individuals and enterprises to face the future with confidence.
Commenting on the merger’s significance for Nigerian economic development, Yomi Onifade, MD/CEO, SanlamAllianz General Insurance Nigeria, stated, “The emergence of SanlamAllianz Nigeria is timely and significant, especially as Nigeria has boldly announced its ambitions to achieve a $1 trillion economy. Such an ambitious goal requires the backing of a financially solid underwriter and exceptional risk management expertise.
“We understand that building confidence in the market involves more than just offering insurance products; it requires strict adherence to governance, transparency, responsiveness, and excellence in service delivery. At SanlamAllianz, we recognise the unique challenges that businesses and industries face and are well-positioned to provide tailored solutions that inspire trust and deliver real value.”
Sanlam and Allianz have already merged their businesses in several African countries, including key markets like Kenya, Morocco, Ghana, Uganda, Côte d’Ivoire, and now, Nigeria. This integration combines decades of experience across insurance and asset management, aligning operations to serve local markets better while streamlining product delivery and regional expansion.
With Nigeria’s low insurance penetration among its vast population, SanlamAllianz is strategically positioning itself at the right moment to transform the Nigerian insurance landscape. By embracing innovation, fostering financial inclusion, and expanding accessible coverage, the company aims to build lasting trust in insurance as a vital tool for long-term financial security.
About SanlamAllianz
SanlamAllianz is a leading Pan-African financial services entity, established in September 2023 through a joint venture between Sanlam, Africa’s largest non-banking financial services provider, and Allianz, one of the world’s foremost Insurers and Asset Managers. Operating across 27 African countries, SanlamAllianz combines over two centuries of collective experience to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including life and general insurance, asset management, assistance, third-party administration, and retail credit.