Revolutionizing Menstrual Care: Access Bank and Gatmash Media Unveil PAD Bank in Abuja

By People’s Voice Nigeria | News

Access Bank Plc, a leading financial institution in Nigeria, has partnered with the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” a project by Gatmash Media, to launch a ‘Pad Bank’ at Area 1, Internally Displaced Persons Camp (IDP), Durumi, Abuja.

The launch, which took place today, 3rd April 2025, is a significant step in addressing menstrual poverty and promoting sustainable menstrual hygiene practices among young girls and women.

In her welcome remarks, Theresa Moses, the Convener of the “PAD Me A Girl Initiative,” emphasized the importance of menstrual hygiene while urging women and girls to prioritize their health. She described the initiative as a milestone in providing access to reusable sanitary pads and creating awareness about menstrual hygiene.

She highlighted that approximately 37% of menstruating girls and women in Nigeria lack access to sanitary pads due to financial challenges. This project not only aims to distribute free reusable sanitary pads but also to educate young girls and women on proper menstrual hygiene practices, breaking myths and misconceptions about menstruation.

Theresa Moses explained, “The ‘PAD Bank’ will provide reusable sanitary pads, reducing waste and promoting sustainability while making menstrual products more accessible for free. The initiative seeks to break the silence surrounding menstruation, encouraging open conversations and fostering a culture of understanding and support.”

Adding to the occasion, Mrs. Blessing Jonah Amos, a parenting coach, conducted an engaging session on menstrual hygiene, the use of reusable pads, and healthy lifestyle tips. Meanwhile, CSP Ola Rotimi Ebidero, the Divisional Police Officer of Area 1, shared critical safety advice for women and girls.

The event garnered support from various organizations, including Checkers Custard, Vita Baites Foods, the Jeffrey Kuraun Foundation, and ProStar. Essential items such as exercise books, writing materials, cartons of instant noodles, and sachets of water were also distributed to the attendees.

The “PAD Me A Girl Initiative” is dedicated to expanding its outreach, partnering with more organizations and individuals to provide menstrual hygiene support to underserved communities. By addressing the challenges of menstrual poverty, the initiative aims to empower young girls and women, ensuring they can thrive without limitations caused by inadequate menstrual care.

MAGGI Presents Tales of Ramadan: A Journey of Transformation and Connection

By People’s Voice Nigeria | News 

Ramadan is a period that brings families and communities together in Muslim communities worldwide. It is a season that connects loved ones from Suhoor to Iftar, through shared moments and meals that nourish both body and soul.

During this time, food is more than just a source of nourishment – it carries stories, evokes emotions, brings people closer, and creates enlightening moments. In this inspiring series by MAGGI titled Tales of Ramadan, five women embark on a month-long journey of transformation, discovering the perfect recipe for friendship and connection through six captivating stories.

With a stellar cast that includes Rekiate Ibrahim-Attah, Ramadan Booth, Rabiu Rikadawa, and Uzee Usman, MAGGI Tales of Ramadan delivers captivating characters and delicious, unmissable storytelling for six weeks starting this Ramadan.

As the characters navigate the highs and lows, they experience the power of food to heal emotional wounds, strengthen bonds, and preserve family tradition. These values are familiar to everyone and become even more profound as families and communities gather during Ramadan.

Each episode highlights how the true spirit of Ramadan lies not in perfection but in love, meaningful connections, and the treasured memories shared during mealtime. Through unexpected moments of understanding, relationships are transformed, proving that friendship – like the perfect blend of spices – brings warmth and harmony to even the most stressful situations.

Speaking on MAGGI’s commitment to connecting with its consumers during Ramadan, Category Manager for Culinary, Nestlé Nigeria, Rahamatou Palm-Zakari said “Ramadan is a season of sharing, love and reflection; values which MAGGI also firmly represents. We are evolving from our much-loved series MAGGI Diaries to Tales of Ramadan which we are launching today. We remain as dedicated as we have been over the past ten years, to fostering meaningful connections with our consumers. Through our products and recipes, we’ll continue to support individuals and families to make healthier and tastier food choices every day.”

Viewers can catch Tales of Ramadan across multiple terrestrial channels, on Africa Magic Hausa and on the MAGGI YouTube channel.

As a brand committed to bringing people together through food, MAGGI believes in the power of great tasting food to nurture, inspire, and transform.

MAGGI is an iconic brand from the stable of Nestlé, the Good Food, Good Life company committed to unlocking the power of food to enhance quality of life for everyone today and for generations to come.

1. Access Bank Champions Stronger Alliances to Propel Intra-Africa Trade at Inaugural Africa Trade Conference

By People’s Voice Nigeria | News

Access Bank PLC, today, convened leading policymakers, business executives, and industry stakeholders in Cape Town for the maiden Africa Trade Conference, a platform dedicated to unlocking the continent’s vast trade potential. The conference serves as a strategic response to the shifting global trade landscape, emphasising Africa’s need to build resilient economies through deeper regional collaboration and enhanced financial and trade infrastructure.

Addressing participants, Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director/CEO of Access Bank PLC, highlighted the need for Africa to take control of its economic destiny by fostering deeper collaboration, investing in financial infrastructure, and creating homegrown solutions that drive sustainable growth.

Ogbonna underscored the shifting dynamics of global trade and increasing need for Africa to look inward. The world, he noted, has become more fragmented, with rising nationalist tendencies and supply chain disruptions that have disproportionately impacted the continent. These challenges, he argued, present an opportunity for Africa to strengthen its trade networks, support local businesses, and build the resilience needed to compete on a global scale. However, for this vision to become a reality, several structural barriers must be addressed.

One of the critical issues Ogbonna identified is the challenges businesses face in securing capital. While many African enterprises have the ambition to scale, the excessive cost of financing often inhibits their ability to expand. He advocated a financial services sector that is designed to empower businesses, making capital more accessible and affordable.

“Many businesses on the continent struggle to find capital or access to capital and the right structure of capital, and when they do find it, the cost of capital is so significant that it makes it unbelievably expensive for them to be able to raise capital and still do business competitively. That has to change. We have to create a financial services sector that empowers businesses, one that makes it easier and seamless for businesses to be able to access capital, to able to invest in growth, invest in innovation, and of course, the muscle they need to expand beyond their local boundaries. It is clear that we need to create a network of Africa financial giants who are willing to create homegrown solutions to support the continent in achieving the objectives that we have set for ourselves.”

Beyond financial constraints, limited access to market intelligence remains a major hurdle. Many African businesses lack the necessary insights to identify trade opportunities beyond their local markets. Leveraging technology to enhance information-sharing can bridge this gap, enabling businesses to make informed decisions and seize growth prospects across the continent.

Apart from capital, Ogbonna highlighted the critical role of access to information. Many businesses struggle to find the data and intelligence necessary to make informed decisions and identify opportunities beyond their national borders. He stressed that leveraging technology to bridge this gap will be instrumental in driving cross-border trade and creating a more connected Africa. He also addressed the issue of trust between trading partners, noting that historic challenges, inconsistent regulations, and varying standards have contributed to a lack of confidence in intra-Africa trade. Overcoming this scepticism, he affirmed, requires deliberate efforts to harmonise standards, foster cooperation, and shift perceptions about the quality of African goods and services. He urged African businesses to take pride in what they produce, invest in local industries, and reject the notion that products made on the continent are inferior to those from elsewhere.

The chief executive also emphasised the urgent need to modernise Africa’s trade routes and infrastructure. Drawing on historical examples, he pointed out that Africa once had well-established trade corridors that connected it to the Middle East and Asia. Today, however, inefficient transport networks and regulatory bottlenecks make it easier for businesses in Angola to trade with Portugal than with South Africa or Nigeria. He called for a renewed commitment to building the infrastructure and regulatory frameworks necessary to facilitate seamless trade across the continent, ensuring that goods, services, and capital can move freely between African nations.

Closing his address, Ogbonna challenged attendees to take concrete action toward realising Africa’s economic potential. He urged governments, financial institutions, and businesses to leverage platforms like the Africa Trade Conference to drive meaningful change. The goal, he emphasised, should be to create an Africa where businesses thrive, financial inclusion is a reality, and homegrown solutions set global benchmarks.

“Ultimately, let’s collectively agree that we will create value working as governments, financial services sector and businesses, leveraging our collective power to make the Africa we truly are proud of a reality,” he said.

The Access Bank Africa Trade Conference represents a significant step toward fostering dialogue, building partnerships, and driving policy initiatives that support Africa’s economic transformation. As the continent continues to navigate global uncertainties, events like this serve as a reminder that Africa’s future lies in its ability to collaborate, innovate, and build a sustainable trade ecosystem that benefits all.

PCC Extols Julius Berger for Zero Complaints

 By People’s Voice Nigeria | News

The Public Complaints Commission has hailed construction firm Julius Berger Nigeria Plc for its compliance with regulations and its track record of zero public complaints.

The Commission’s Federal Capital Territory Commissioner, Musa Dikko, stated in a statement that the company deserves an award for its commitment to excellence in construction and labour relations.

Speaking during a courtesy visit to Julius Berger’s headquarters on Wednesday, Dikko highlighted the company’s long-standing reputation for quality and fairness.“Our joy is that every construction done by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is nearly perfect. I say ‘nearly’ because they say no one is perfect,” he said.

The commissioner commended the company’s approach to compensation at project sites, particularly in the FCT, noting that it ensures prompt and fair settlements.“Each time compensation is required, my parents and our people always feel at ease because Julius Berger’s approach is different from other construction companies.This long-standing commitment has ensured that no complaints have been brought to the Public Complaints Commission regarding the company’s conduct,” Dikko added.

PCC’s State Director of Investigation, Irene Ogbogu, also lauded the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility efforts and its adherence to due process. Responding, Director of Administration, Dr Abdulaziz Kaita, reaffirmed Julius Berger’s commitment to upholding workers’ and community rights, His words, “As a company, we have always strived to operate within legal and ethical guidelines.“Our cooperation with the PCC has been beneficial to both parties, and we will continue to support the Commission’s mandate of protecting the rights of the people and ensuring compliance.”

Kaita emphasised that as one of the largest employers in Nigeria’s construction industry, the company remains diligent in its responsibilities.“Being a major employer of labour requires us to be diligent in the protection of our workers and the citizens. We have internal policies that we abide by, and I can assure you that Julius Berger Nigeria Plc will ensure everything is done through due process,” he assured.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening public trust and fostering compliance in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.The PCC delegation on the courtesy visit included the Chairman, Hon. Musa Dikko; State Director of Investigation, Mrs. Irene Chuka Ogbogu; Deputy Director of Investigation, Mrs. Jideri Agbese; Head of Public Relations, Mr. Emmanuel Ugboaja; Deputy Head of Public Relations, Mr. Alex Akinyele; and Information Officer, Ms. Gladys Iduku

Dr Monday Ubani Loses Mother at 90

By People’s Voice Nigeria | News

The former 2nd Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN, has announced the passing of his beloved mother, Mrs. Gladys Nsomma Ubani. She passed away at the age of 90 on Wednesday, February 18, 2025.

In a press statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP by her, Dr. Monday Ubani, SAN on Saturday, confirmed the sad news, expressing gratitude for a life well lived.

“I have lost my mother, Mrs. Gladys Nsomma Ubani, at the age of 90. She is survived by me, her grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The family will announced her burial arrangements in due course,” he stated.

Dr. Ubani also recalled the passing of his father, who lived to the remarkable age of 101 years before his demise in 2021. Despite the sorrow of losing his mother, he expressed gratitude to God for her long and impactful life.