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All set for 7th Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, 10km race returns
By Mike Oboh
Spectacular performances are expected to form the highlights of the 7th edition of the world’s fastest-growing road race, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon set to hold sway in Lagos on Saturday, February 12, 2022.
The traditional take-off point for the Silver-label race remains the iconic National Stadium, Surulere as with past editions of the race.
This was revealed at the World Press Conference held at the Access Bank Towers in Oniru on Friday which had in attendance top sponsors, organisers of the event, athletes, members of the press, as well as some of the country’s top sports administrators.
They include the President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria Tonobok Okowa; Chairman of the Lagos State Sports Commission (LSSC) Sola Aiyepeku; DG of LSSC Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan; First Vice President of the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) Solomon Ogba; Head of Communications and External Affairs, Access Bank, Amaechi Okobi: Chief Consultant Access Bank Marathon Bukola Olopade; General Manager Access Bank Marathon Yusuf Alli; General Manager Marketing, 7Up Segun Ogunleye: course Measurer Norrie Williamson, and a host of others.
In his address, AFN President Okowa lauded the giant strides the marathon has made since its inception seven years ago.
He said: “I want to give kudos to Access Bank and the other sponsors for the good work they are doing to sustain the marathon. After just two editions, the marathon was given a bronze label so we should appreciate them for this. Tomorrow we are going to witness another good performance from the athletes and I’m sure we are going to be very proud of them.”
On his part, the LSSC Chairman reiterated the support of the Lagos State Government: “It’s a privilege for me to have been a part of the Access Bank Marathon from the planning stage, down to implementation, and here we are at the seventh edition. I want to say well done to Nilayo and thank you to our sponsors. Your patience and incremental investment has not gone unnoticed. The strides being made by the marathon is a total buy-in for Lagos State, and we will do everything to ensure it continues”, he said.
In his charge to the athletes and participants, Mr Okobi urged them to be well prepared for the race and to stay hydrated whilst pushing themselves to do the impossible.
Chief Consultant of the marathon Bukola Olopade thanked the sponsors for their continued support and commended Williamson’s dedication towards the continued success of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
General Manager of the race Yusuf Alli disclosed that the 10km race was making a return after being suspended at the last edition due to Covid-19 protocols, and that spy cameras would be in use at this edition of the race.
February 11, 2022
Countdown to Access Bank Lagos City Marathon
Shaibu to run alongside Sanwo-Olu in February
By Mike Oboh
The sports-loving Deputy-Governor of Edo State, Philip Shaibu will add to his huge sports resume on February 12, 2022.
He will be joining the Governor of Lagos State and host of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Babajide Sanwo-Olu to participate in the 2022 edition.
Speaking while signing the entry form over the weekend Shaibu said he has been a distance admirer of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon.
“I congratulate the good people of Lagos State, especially the Executive Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for putting together the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, the biggest one-day sports event in Africa and one of the top ten marathons in the world in terms of prize money and participants.
“Having participated in the highly competitive Okpekpe 10km Road Race on a tough terrain because it is hilly, it will be a great joy to experience the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon alongside my brother Governor Sanwo-Olu. It will be fun to run in Lagos because the course is flat”.
An avid golfer, Shaibu is also a passionate footballer. He etched his name in sports history when he led the Team Edo football team to win the male football gold medal at the 20th National Sports Festival (NSF) in Benin.
In the match, Edo bounced back from a two-goal deficit to defeat the Lagos team 3-2 in the final at the main bowl of the University of Benin Stadium Complex.
Apart from organizing the best NSF ever despite the challenge of Covid-19, Shaibu the man in charge of sports in Edo State is leaving a legacy of giving Edo State world-class sports facilities and equipment including building the best gymnasium in Africa.
Yussuf Alli General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon urges politicians and celebrities to emulate Shaibu, “being active in sports cure many illness and diseases. Our leaders and celebrities that the masses emulate should join Shaibu by embracing sports culture. This will translate mass participation in sports leading to a healthier workforce and less spending on healthcare by the government”.
January 17, 2022
Access Bank Lagos City Marathon commend Sanwo-Olu, Sponsors for making 2022 Label Race list
By Mike Oboh
World Athletics over the weekend released its 2022 Label Road Race calendar and races that retain its label status with Africa’s biggest one-day event, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon retaining its Elite Label Race Status in Category ‘A’.
Slated for February 12, 2022, the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon retained its Elite Label Status in a season that races like Dubai Marathon and others were missing.
While New York Marathon will hold on the first Sunday in November, London Marathon will not hold in April but on October 2.
The 2022 calendar kicks off with the 10K Valencia Race on January 9 and concludes almost 12 months later on December 31 with the traditional New Year’s Eve races in Madrid, Spain, and Bolzano, Italy. “Despite the continued uncertainty around global travel and on mass gatherings in some parts of the world, the number of events that have chosen to be part of the World Athletics Label Road Races programme in 2022 exceeds 200,” said World Athletics Road Running Manager Alessio Punzi.
Meanwhile, the Project Consultant of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Bukola Olopade has said Access Bank Lagos City Marathon continue to rub shoulders with global elite races like New York Marathon and London Marathon because of support from the Lagos State Government and sponsors,
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been very supportive of the Access Bank Lagos City Marathon financially and even participating in the race. I also thank the Headline Sponsor Access Bank for the huge financial support. When the project was just an idea on paper most corporate bodies did not believe in us but Access Bank did.
“I must also thank 7UP Bottling Company, Kia Motors, Revolution Plus Property Limited and several organizations like LASTMA who made this dream a reality”.
Collaborating Olopade, the General Manager Access Bank Lagos City Marathon Yussuf Alli attributed the race meteoric rise to quality of elite field “ the elite runners will bring every year are in the World Athletics top 300 with ‘Where About’ for drug testing. The pacers we use annually are also top class, we pay prize money promptly, our finish area has been adjudged one of the best in the world by World Athletics, then our pool of dedicated staff have made our race to be ranked among the best in the world within seven years. We also thank our media partners for their support”. said Alli.
December 19, 2021
Access Bank completes takeover of Zambia’s Cavmont Bank
Access Bank Plc said it had acquired Zambia-based Cavmont Bank Limited through Access Bank Zambia Limited.
The takeover, a product of the lender’s satisfaction of major preconditions and regulatory approvals, has opened the door for “the merger of Cavmont into Access Bank Zambia,” to take place before January end, Access Bank said in a note to the Nigerian Stock Exchange on Wednesday.
It is also hoped to make Nigeria’s biggest bank by asset to be a more robust lender, with a well-capitalised banking franchise that has “improved scale and capacity to deliver sustainable and best-in-class financial services in the Zambian market.”
The bank said in September it planned to strengthen its presence in Mozambique and venture into the South African market as part of its expansion line up.
“Growing our presence in Zambia remains a strategic priority for Access Bank and with the conclusion of the proposed merger with Cavmont, the bank looks forward to realising the synergies from the transaction and achieving further growth of the combined platform to the benefit of stakeholders,” the board said in the document, signed by Company Secretary Sunday Ekwochi.
January 7, 2021
BREAKING: Polaris, GT, Access Bank set ablaze in Lekki
Three new generational bank buildings have been set ablaze along the Admiralty Way in Lekki, Lagos.
The three banks have been identified as Polaris, GTB and Access Bank branches.
Business premises, shopping malls and shops have also been looted by suspected hoodlums in the area.
These incidents happened on Tuesday night following shootings by security agents at #EndSARS protesters demonstrating against police brutality at the Lekki tollgate area.
Details later…
October 20, 2020
BREAKING: Fire guts Access Bank Office in Lagos
One branch of Access Bank at Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State has been gutted by fire today, Wednesday, after a petrol tanker exploded near it.
The Federal Fire Service confirmed the incident at 10.20 am, saying “Our men are on the ground, trying to combat the inferno. Thanks for notifying us,” it tweeted via @Fedfireng.
August 26, 2020
Access Bank to acquire 100% stake in Zambian Bank
Access Bank Plc has announced plans for acquisition of 100 per cent of Cavmont Bank Limited, a Zambia-based financial institution.
The bank disclosed this in a regulatory filing to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) signed by Mr Sunday Ekwuochi, its Company Secretary.
It said the acquisition plan would be consummated through its Zambian subsidiary, Access Bank Zambia Limited.
” Access Bank has entered into exclusive discussions with Cavmont Capital Holdings Zambia Plc, regarding a potential transactions between Access Bank Zambia and Cavmont Bank Limited.
“The potential transaction relates to the sale of 100 per cent of Cavmont Capital interest in Cavmont Bank to Access Bank Zambia,” it stated.
The bank explained that there was no certainty yet on agreement or terms of the transaction.
It, however, urged investors to exercise caution when dealing in Access Bank’s securities until full announcement was made.
The bank noted that “the completion of a transaction would be subject to formal regulatory approvals.”
The acquisition would be the second across Africa having acquired Transnational Bank Limited of Kenya. (NAN)
July 9, 2020
Access Bank extends Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton programme to 6 African countries
Access Bank PLC has extended its Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton programme to six African countries.
These countries are Nigeria, Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra-Leone, Gambia and Congo. The Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton Africa is targeted at women above the age of 18 years who have been in business for at least one year.
According to the World Economic Forum, women are seen as the future of Africa, being one of the largest contributors to economic growth and having the highest entrepreneurship rates in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Interestingly their contributions are not fully maximized as there are vast potentials not harnessed due to barriers such as finance, manpower, skillset, technology and more.
Access Bank’s W Initiative offers women across various segments opportunities to new markets, access to affordable finance and capacity building programs in addition to a wide array of financial and lifestyle offerings.
Launched in 2019, the Womenpreneur Pitch-A-Ton was the first women-in-business support initiative of its kind in the industry offered by the Access Bank W Initiative.
The program in its maiden edition provided financial grants worth N9Million to the top 3 applicants with a free mini MBA certification for 50 women entrepreneurs in Nigeria.
This it did in conjunction with the International Finance Corporation (IFC, a member of the World Bank Group). This year, the program is being extended to 6 other African countries where Access Bank’s W initiative has its presence.
Speaking on the initiative, Ayona Aguele-Trimnell, Group Head, W Initiative Access Bank stated that the Pitch-A-Ton is an expansion of the Womenpreneur Business Workshop, under the Bank’s women proposition.
She further commented, “Having had a successful program last year, we are really excited to take it a step further by extending this opportunity to more women entrepreneurs trying to power the wellbeing and growth of their societies. This time around, we will provide up to N9 million financial grant and a unique capacity building program aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs.”
Access Bank has been a leading advocate for women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria and this is the key motivation for the W Initiative which caters to the women economy particularly in the areas of capacity building and creating networking opportunities for women” she added.
June 23, 2020
Access Bank denies plan to sack 75% workforce, close branches
Access Bank Plc on Monday denied news making rounds that it would sack 75 per cent of its workforce and as well close over 300 branches.
The bank denied this in a statement signed by Mr Sunday Ekwochi, its Company Secretary, posted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) website.
It said the closure of a bank branch was an action that required the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
According to the bank, it has not applied for nor obtained the approval of CBN for the closure of its branches as widely speculated.
“The bank has only suspended operations in some branches following the directive by the CBN.
“At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, we suspended in-branch operations at different locations as directed by the CBN and in line with business continuity plans at vulnerable spots; whilst we continued to provide services through our alternative digital platforms.
“In line with the phased re-opening of the economy effective May 4, following the Presidential directives, we will be resuming in-branch services in some of our affected branches in a programmed manner to ensure the health and safety of our employees and customers.
“This is also necessary to provide relevant contingency should there be any incident arising from the pandemic.
“We deny in its entirety the baseless and twisted speculation that the bank is sacking 75 per cent of its workforce,” said the statement.
It noted that based on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, not all its branches would be fully open for in-branch services until later in the year.
“This has made it impossible for many of our outsourced workers to perform duties as usual.
“We have commenced engagement with various stakeholders with a view to ensuring that they provide the relevant services and optimum manpower as may be required by the bank on an on-going basis,” it added.
The bank, however, assured its esteemed stakeholders that it would continue to ensure that its actions and decisions are guided by fairness, justice, equity and good conscience.
May 4, 2020
Access Bank to cut staff salaries to avoid lay off
Nigeria’s Access Bank Plc is planning to cut staff salaries to avoid laying off as coronavirus continues to ravage the world and affect global economies, Bloomberg reported.
Bloomberg on Friday reported that “people with direct knowledge of the matter” said the pay cuts are expected to start from May unless business conditions improve.
The sources who were briefed on the matter during a conference call and asked not to be identified because they’re not authorized to speak publicly said some management members will get as much as a 40% decrease.
Access Bank had 6,898 permanent staff at the end of 2019, according to a presentation on its website.
A video circulating on social media platforms reinforces the claims. The Guardian can not categorically confirm the authenticity of the footage.
Access Bank spokesman declined to comment when contacted by Bloomberg.
Major states in the country have been on lockdown since the index case of the virus was reported in the country. Many of the financial institution resorted to working from home to keep up with operations.
But the crash in oil prices and the risk of a naira devaluation due to the pandemic poses a greater threat of rising bad-debt levels.
Banks in Lagos are expected to open for limited hours as from Monday, May 4. The restriction on working hours is expected to run for at least two weeks. The state government said it will review the restriction after two weeks.
May 1, 2020