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The bank’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Uzoma Dozie, said this in a statement signed by the bank’s Head of media, Ezechinyere Anyanwu on Friday in Abuja.

According to Dozie, the move was part of Diamond Bank’s strategy to focus on Nigeria’s significant opportunities.

He said that the change in the license means Diamond bank can expand product services to Nigerian consumers.

Dozie said: ”With this approval the bank will cease to operate as an International Bank.

“The re-licensing as a national bank supports Diamond’s objective of streamlining its operations to focus resources on the significant opportunities in the Nigerian retail banking market, and economy as a whole.

“The move follows Diamond’s decision to sell its international operations, which included the disposal of its West African Subsidiary in 2017 and Diamond Bank UK, the sale of which is currently in its final stages.

“The change to national bank status also enables the bank to maintain a lower minimum capital requirement of 10 per cent as against 15 per cent required for international banks.

Dozie said that the approval would enable the bank to deploy more capital for stronger growth in the quarters ahead through additional investment in technology platforms.

He said it would also enable the bank deploy funds to customer acquisition and expansion of loans to the critical sectors of the economy.

According to Dozie, the move to a national banking license marks a continuation of a strategy to focus on Nigeria’s significant fundamental trends.

This, he said included a large under banked population and Africa’s biggest economy.

He said: ”By focusing and optimising our resources towards Nigeria and the priority area of retail banking, we will be better positioned for longer term growth and greater profitability.

“The reduction in minimum capital requirement also increases our capacity to expand the quantum of business and product services we can offer consumers.

“It will also represent a key step in strengthening our financial position.

“This development does not affect the bank’s ability to offer services to its clients in international locations.

”Rather, with focus on its domestic business being priority, the bank also intends to pay down in full, the Eurobond loan of 200milliin dollars at maturity in May 2019.

According to the chief executive, there will be no refinancing of the loan.

He said this was because of the intent to pay down with foreign exchange generated from its internal operations, a reflection of the solidity of its operations and funds flow in the last few years.

He further said that top quality services to international customers would continue through the bank’s digital channels and network of correspondence banks.

Credit: Pulse

Flagging off the campaign on Thursday at Gwandu, Gov. Atiku Bagudu, said more than two million people were being targeted.

Bagudu said the second round of vaccination became necessary following reported suspected cases of yellow fever in the state and neighbouring states.

“In March, the first round of yellow fever vaccination was conducted in eight LGAs of the state following reported suspected cases of yellow fever in Kebbi and other states of the country.

“In view of the danger posed by yellow fever to the health of the people, the Kebbi State Government has collaborated with the Federal Government and our development partners, notably WHO,UNICEF and GAVI to conduct second round of yellow fever mass campaign in 13 LGAs of the state beginning from today,” he said.

Bagudu assured that the state government would continue to collaborate with development partners in the fight against yellow fever and other preventable diseases in the country.

The governor thanked the development partners and National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) for their support in the campaign.

Earlier, the state Commissioner for Health, Alhaji Umar Kambaza, said the exercise would cover Argungu, Augie, Arewa, Aliero, Dandi, Birnin Kebbi, Gwandu, Kalgo Bunza, Jega, Zuru, Dakaba and Danko Wasagu Local Government Areas.

He explained that children from nine months up to 44 years would be vaccinated against yellow fever in the state.

Kambaza called on eligible people to make use of the opportunity to get vaccinated.

Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar, a representative of NPHCDA, Abuja, called on stakeholders to cooperate and mobilise people for the campaign.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the campaign would last for 10 days and would take place in 847 vaccination posts from Nov. 29 to Dec. 8.

Credit: Pulse, NAN

Billionaire businesswoman Folorunsho Alakija and chancellor of Osun State University, has laid the foundation for the 250-bed teaching hospital she is donating to the university.

This is in fulfillment of the pledge she made shortly after her appointment as the Chancellor of the university in 2016 by the Governor of the State of Osun, Rauf Aregbesola.

“The decision to lay the foundation of the Teaching Hospital today is deliberate. Deliberate in the sense that I agreed with the proposal of the University Management that the foundation laying ceremony should coincide with the 7th convocation ceremonies and more importantly, as a mark of honour to the dynamic Governor of the State and Visitor to the University, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola before he leaves office,” she said.

She continued:

The idea for this hospital was borne out of my love for the young ones, mothers and indeed humanity. The event of today is the fulfilment of my pledge when I was appointed Chancellor by the Visitor to the University, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. In Nigeria today, there are few children’s hospitals. If our children who are the future of this country do not have access to timely and qualitative medical services, then where lies the future of this country? We must do everything in our capacity to ensure that our children and teens have everything necessary for them to grow and excel, and one of such necessities is good healthcare services.

The Facility when completed will consist of a world class Community Health Unit,
Maternity& Neonatal Medicare, Research & Diagnostic Laboratories, State of the art operating Laboratories, cutting edge Diagnostic Imaging, inclusive of C.T Scan, M.R.I Scan Facility, Ultra-Sound Scanning Facilities, X-ray and Radiotherapy Suites, Lecture rooms, Necropsy and Morgue.

 

 

Credit: Bella Naija

South African newspaper, Sowetan has published a letter written by Beyoncé and addressed to the late Nelson Mandela.

The letter sees the 37-year-old singer thanking Mandela who passed away in 2013 for teaching her life lessons that she can pass on to her children. She also writes of her conversations with the political leader, and how it will be an honor for her to perform at the forthcoming Global Citizen Festival that tributes him.

Read below:

 

Dear Madiba by Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

Dear Madiba,

I first met you in 2004 for the 46664 AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town, and the impact you have had on my life resonates with me today and every day. Your kindness and gratitude for every experience, and your ability to forgive are lessons I have learned and will pass on to my three children. My entire family holds you in high regard.

It is an honor for me to travel to South Africa this week in celebration of you and your efforts to right so many wrongs. You were a strategic warrior, a bold activist, and charismatic and well-loved leader. Your vision for dignity, for human rights, for peace and a South Africa free of racism and apartheid, allows us all to turn dreams into reality.

I remember taking that walk with you back to the prison on Robben Island where you spent 18 of those imprisoned 27 years. I recall your measured but focused steps in as you recounted the stories of the struggles, the sacrifices and your resilience. You smiled as you talked to a crowd of artists and their guests, including my mother, who first told my sister and me about the great Nelson Mandela. In that moment I truly understood your heart and humility.

You made it possible for so many people like me to reject impossibilities and understand our capabilities in making lasting change in the world. The smallest efforts could change the trajectory for so many living in extreme poverty, facing injustices, the indecency of racism and fighting for their rights as humans.

As we celebrate the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, honoring your centennial year, I promise you that we have made your dreams our own.

Your work and your sacrifices were not in vain. I will cherish every moment shared in your presence and use the lessons learned from you as fuel to stir positive ideas and solutions.

Beyoncé Knowles-Carter

 

Source: stargist.com

Celebrity couple, Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx are reportedly set to get married in Paris after years of keeping their relationship a secret.

A source told Radar Online on Wednesday, that the pair are planning to tie the knot in City of Light

Their insider said:

“Paris is the city where they decided to go public with their romance after years of sneaking around.

Jamie’s been a handful ever since they started secretly dating in 2013 — but Katie’s convinced him to settle down, and they’re ready to make it official”.

“Katie has waited a long time to marry Jamie, and she’s now made it clear where she wants to get married and when,’ the source told Radar Online. ‘She’s desperate for a winter wedding in the City of Light”.

Katie Holmes and Jamie Foxx

Credit: LIB

A total of 25 women formerly living with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) have received free repair surgeries, giving them a chance to live normal lives again. This life-changing event was carried out courtesy of a recent Extended Hands Foundation’s pool effort in Sokoto state sponsored by SNEPCo/NNPC.

Since its inception, the goal of the Extended Hands Foundation founded by star actress and producer Stephanie Linus has been to restore hope and put smiles on the faces of women. For some years now, the foundation has been focused on helping women with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) – a serious disability that can be experienced by women after childbirth – and giving them a chance at living normal lives through free repair surgeries.

With a generous sponsorship from SNEPCo/NNPC, the foundation completed the successful repair of 25 Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) patients at the Maryam Abacha Woman and Children  (VVF Hospital) Sultan Bello Rd, Sokoto. All the repairs have been completed successfully and the women are recovering well.

The team of medical staff was led by Dr Sa’ad Idris, a seasoned VVF Surgeon and former Commissioner for Health in Zamfara State with over 20 years experience in the field. He was assisted by Dr Halima Bello a VVF surgeon, Chief Medical Director Dr Lawal Bello, Chief Matron Hamsai Abdullahi Wisso, and other doctors and nurses at the VVF Center.

As noted by the medical team, most of the women who were repaired had very complex cases of fistula resulting from botched surgeries carried out on them by inexperienced doctors. Some of the women had damaged wombs and tubes which caused a continuous involuntary discharge of urine into the vaginal vault. These women had been living with this condition for a varying number of years and finally got dry after the surgeries.

Against the backdrop of her Child Bride and Fistula advocacy movie, Dry, Stephanie Linus has been taking the message of restoration and hope to real women suffering from VVF. This pool effort goes a long way to show that DRY is more than just a movie, but a tool for touching the lives of women actually living with this condition.

See photos below:

Credit: Bella Naija

A new study has analysed the differences in library size and monthly cost of Netflix subscriptions around the world.

The authors of the study looked at the figures based on the number of TV shows and movies available in 78 countries(according to the most up-to-date figures from both uNoGS and Finder.com) which they divided into the monthly subscription price to establish each country’s cost per title per month.

The study, by Comparitech, showed the disparity when cost per title (TV shows and movies) is analysed between different countries.

“American customers may have the largest choice of titles on Netflix but they don’t get the best value for money. Our study shows a massive disparity when cost per title is analysed between different countries. Due to the cheap price and number of titles available, Canada is actually the most cost-effective country to watch Netflix in, with US and UK customers paying 10 or 13 percent more per title than Canadian customers, respectively,” the authors of the research, said.

The study revealed that customers in Denmark pay 98% more per title compared to Canadian customers and around 90% more than U.S. and UK customers.

See top 10 cheapest countries (on cost per title basis):

See data on other countries below:

This study is a follow up to Comparitech’s research on Netflix’s war against VPNs. Based on over 5,000 tests the study highlights how effective 59 different VPNs are at unblocking 30 international Netflix catalogs.

VPNs, or Virtual Private Networks, are a popular means of accessing Netflix TV shows and movies that are not available in the user’s home country.

Credit: Bella Naija

The billionaire heiress announced this on her Twitter page on Wednesday, November 28, 2018. According to her, she also joins the African advisory board of the NGO.

“So proud to be announced as the newest Ambassador of @SaveChildrenUK and also to join as a member on the African Advisory Board!      Looking forward to working around the continent to save children’s lives… #CuppyCares,” she tweeted.

Cuppy

@cuppymusic

So proud to be announced as the newest Ambassador of @SaveChildrenUK and also to join as a member on the African Advisory Board! 🌍💯 Looking forward to working around the continent to save children’s lives…

277 people are talking about this

DJ Cuppy’s is well known for her benevolent heart. She has impacted a lot in society by giving back and helping people in need.

The movie star made this known via her Twitter page on Monday, November 26, 2018. Rita in her tweets made fun of the situation as fans wanted to find out how she was handling it.

“I told my Mum these morning that I have Rita Dominic number, she hissed and said she as it also, that a friend of hers added Rita Dominic to one of there Group Chat                  @ritaUdominic,” a fan had tweeted.

the_Nawti.D@Danielomole

I told my Mum these morning that I have Rita Dominic number, she hissed and said she as it also, that a friend of hers added Rita Dominic to one of there Group Chat 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 @ritaUdominic

57 people are talking about this

Rita went on to reveal that she had been added to over a thousand groups.

Rita Dominic

@ritaUdominic

I am a member of over 1000 groups now. 😟 Good morning everyone

the_Nawti.D@Danielomole

I told my Mum these morning that I have Rita Dominic number, she hissed and said she as it also, that a friend of hers added Rita Dominic to one of there Group Chat 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 @ritaUdominic

830 people are talking about this

“I am a member of over 1000 groups now.    Good morning everyone,” she tweeted.

Pwetty woman@pwettywoman9

@ritaUdominic I really admire how you are jokingly going about the whole number thing, like you make it look like it’s nothing. You are really special ma.

Rita Dominic

@ritaUdominic

I am a member of over 1000 groups now. 😟 Good morning everyone https://twitter.com/Danielomole/status/1066913195007332352 

See Pwetty woman’s other Tweets

“@ritaUdominic  I really admire how you are jokingly going about the whole number thing like you make it look like it’s nothing. You are really special ma,” another fan tweeted.

Rita Dominic

@ritaUdominic

It’s only a phone number. People are going through worse everyday

Pwetty woman@pwettywoman9

@ritaUdominic I really admire how you are jokingly going about the whole number thing, like you make it look like it’s nothing. You are really special ma. https://twitter.com/ritaUdominic/status/1066981797836324864 

125 people are talking about this

“It’s only a phone number. People are going through worse every day,” she replied.

Rita Dominic

@ritaUdominic

So everybody is calling at the same time and I can’t talk to anybody. It’s an I belong to everybody but nobody kind of day😃

309 people are talking about this

“So everybody is calling at the same time and I can’t talk to anybody. It’s an I belong to everybody but nobody kind of day,” she tweeted again.

Rita Dominic’s tweets came on the same day Nina of BBNaija fame recovered her hacked Instagram account from the same person who leaked her phone number.

Some of the bronzes looted from the Benin Empire by British Soldiers over 100 years will be returned to Nigeria, but with certain terms and conditions.

According to CNN, the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG), which comprises of representatives of several European museums, the Royal Court of Benin, Edo State Government, and Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, struck a deal in October to have “some of the most iconic pieces” return to Nigeria for an exhibition at the new Benin Royal Museum in Edo State within three years.

The return of the artefacts is contingent on the completion of the Royal Museum of Benin, whose designs, according to spokesperson to Governor Godwin Obaseki, Crusoe Osagie, are being finalised.

“We are grateful these steps are being taken but we hope they are only the first steps. If you have stolen property, you have to give it back,” Osagie said.

Osagie also called for more pressure on European governments to return looted artefacts from the colonial era.

A spokesperson for the British Museum, according to CNN, said:

The key agenda item (at the October meeting) was how partners can work together to establish a museum in Benin City with a rotation of Benin works of art from a consortium of European museums.

The museums in attendance have all agreed to lend artefacts to the Benin Royal Museum on a rotating basis, to provide advice as requested on building and exhibition design, and to cooperate with the Nigerian partners in developing training, funding, and a legal framework for the display in a new planned museum.
There are no details on the pieces to be returned at the moment.
Source: Bella Naija