Over the last few weeks, Nigerians all over the country have been faced with the question; Whatisthe737? From billboards to hash tags and radio hypes.
Introduced by Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Bank 737 is more than just well rhyming numbers; it’s a simple, smart, and safe way to bank anytime, anywhere and on any device. Imagine if opening an account was as simple as dialing a number from your mobile phone or transferring funds was as easy as sending a text message, or paying bills could be done at any time of the day, even long after banking hours. Imagine if you need to make an urgent transfer online and your data just ran out and you don’t have your hardware token to complete the transaction. Truth is, at some point or the other we have all experienced those moments when we wished banking could be as simple as ABC’s and 123’s. Well, in this case, GTBank has made it as simple as 737.
In recent years, mobile phones have made life easier! You can now shop online, watch movies, surf the internet, play games, chat with loved ones, share and download information with the simple push of a button. While mobile penetration has witnessed an impressive growth in Nigeria, Internet proliferation hasn’t experienced similar success, owing largely to the cost of data. Built on a USSD interface, GTBank’s 737 banking is phone agnostic and works on any type of mobile phone and does not require internet access or registration protocols. With GTBank’s Bank 737, your mobile phone is now a service channel for all your banking needs. Users simply have to dial the short USSD *737# code on any mobile device to experience a new world of simple banking.
With Bank 737, GTBank customers can perform banking functions such as transfers to all Banks in Nigeria, check account balance, open a GTBank account, buy airtime, pay bills, BVN linking, token code generation, card less withdrawals and lots more from their mobile phones.
Commenting on the launch of the product, Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc said; “The launch of this product marks another milestone in our quest to make banking truly simple for our customers. We remain firm on our objective to deliver banking products and services tailored to meet the diverse needs of our ever-growing customer base by leveraging technology to make banking faster, safer and more accessible for all our customers.”
GTBank is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions in Nigeria and across its subsidiary countries. The bank is renowned for its innovative financial solutions, superior financial performance, world class corporate governance standards and excellent service delivery. The bank’s latest E-payment service, known as the 737 banking, is considered a veritable alternative to in-branch banking as it offers a faster, safer and more convenient way to perform financial transactions.
The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI), the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners and Lifemate Furniture Company, have endorsed the Lagos Housing Fair. By this, they have become the official partners of the fair.
The specialized fair has attracted over 180, 000 persons since its debut in 2001. The fifteenth edition holds between April 25 and 30, 2016.
It will have in attendance, key players in the Nigerian Housing Industry. Over 60 organisations, cutting across the public and private sectors are participating in the fair. It has as its theme: “INDIGENOUS MATERIALS IN HOUSING DELIVERY”
Experts from within and outside the country are expected to take the opportunity to be provided by the Technical Sessions at the event to discuss matters relating to the usage/application of indigenous materials in the housing sector.
A Federal High Court Presided over by Justice Sule Hassan has ordered University of Lagos to reinstate some thirty one medical students back to their faculty of choice.
This order was made as a result of the suit filed by before the court by the student that hoping to continue their medical studies on to confronted with an order to resume the new semester in a different department by the school’s authority.
They had their 100 level in the faculty of medicine, but were denied the opportunity to proceed to 200 level of the same course.
In the suit filed on the behalf, Mr. Jiti Ogunye, at the Federal High Court, they student challenged, what they called, ”the senate’s arbitrary decision.”
They demanded among other things, that the court should order the school’s senate to reverse the alleged arbitrary upward review of requirement for 100 level medical students to proceed to the next level of their course of choice and allow them to proceed with their programs.
The university had blocked some of the 2014/2015 medical students from proceeding to the College of Medicine, after introducing the new academic qualifications in the middle of the school’s academic calendar.
Based on the new rules, the school placed the students in departments other than the ones where they had studied in their first year.
Justice Hassan, sitting in Lagos in an interim judgement, ordered the Unilag’s senate to reinstate the students back into the Faculty of Medicine.
He also ordered that the university should maintain the state of affairs before the dispute, pending when the substantive suit would be heard on April 1, 2016.
The student had earlier alleged that the school authorities wanted to get rid of them to accommodate the diploma students, from whom the sum of five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) were collected.
UAE ranks second while five out of six Gulf Cooperation Council states among the top ten OIC destinations in the GMTI 2016
South Africa is number four on the list for non-OIC countries, preceded by Singapore, Thailand and the UK
In 2015, the estimated total Muslim visitor arrivals were 117 million, representing 10 percent of the entire travel economy. This is expected to grow to 168 million travelers in 2020, spending over US$200 billion.
Asia and Europe are the two leading regions attracting Muslim visitors, accounting for 87 percent of the entire Muslim travel market
Eight countries from the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region have ranked among the top ten destinations in the global Muslim travel market, according to the most comprehensive research focusing on this fast-growing sector.
The MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index (GMTI) 2016, which covers 130 destinations, saw the UAE moving up one spot to second place on the list of Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) destinations, with five out of the other six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Bahrain, also being placed among the top ten destinations. Malaysia retained its number one position on the list.
South Africa has taken the fourth spot while Singapore has retained its pole position for the non-OIC destinations, with Thailand, United Kingdom and Hong Kong making up the top five.
The study also revealed that in 2015, there were an estimated 117 million Muslim visitor arrivals globally, representing close to 10 percent of the entire travel market. This is forecasted to grow to 168 million visitors by 2020 representing 11 percent of the market segment with a market value spend projected to exceed US$200 billion.
Asia and Europe were the two leading regions in the world for attracting Muslim visitors – accounting for 87 percent of the entire market.
“We are pleased to see eight countries from the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region occupying top places in the MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2016. These rankings highlight the MEA region’s strong focus on consistently answering the needs of the fast-growing Muslim travel market, especially since this is one of the key sectors driving greater economic development across the region and is expected to contribute significantly to the long-term tourism growth strategies of these countries,” said Raghu Malhotra, President, Middle East and Africa, MasterCard.
“The MasterCard-CrescentRating Global Muslim Travel Index 2016 has now become the number one tool fordestinations around the world to realign their strategies to reach out to the Muslim consumer.One of the biggest trends we are seeing is non-OIC destinations making a concerted effort to attract the Muslim tourist and they now represent over 63 percent of the destinations covered in the GMTI. For example, Japan and Philippines have taken some major steps over the last few months to diversify their visitor arrivals and boost their economy in the process,”said Fazal Bahardeen, CEO of CrescentRating & HalalTrip.
The GMTI 2016 is the most comprehensive research available on one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world, which represents 10 percent of the entire travel economy.
The GMTI looks at in-depth data covering 130 destinations, up from 100 covered in the 2015 index. This is the first time such thorough insights have been provided on one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism sectors.
The Index helps destinations, travel services and investors to track the health and growth of this travel segment while benchmarking their individual progress in reaching out to this growing market.
All 130 destinations in the GMTI have been scored against a backdrop of criteria including suitability as a family holiday destination, the level of services and facilities provided, accommodation options, marketing initiatives as well as visitor arrivals.
Each criterion was then weighted to make up the overall index score. This year, two new criteria – air connectivity and visa restrictions – were added to further enhance the Index.
Malaysia has an Index score of 81.9, followed by UAE at 74.7 and Turkey at 73.9. The highest scoring non-OIC destination were Singapore which scored 68.4 followed by Thailand at 59.5.
Taiwan and Japan have continued to improve their overall rankings. The overall average GMTI score for the complete 130 destinations currently stands at 43.7. From a regional perspective, Asia Pacific destinations lead with an average GMTI score of 56.5.
First launched in 2015, the GMTI has now become the premier source in benchmarking destinations across the world on how they are engaging with one of the fastest-growing tourism sectors in the world – the Muslim travel market.
While the GMTI 2015 covered 100 destinations, the 2016 Index has been expanded to include 130 destinations from across the world. The GMTI is not only of assistance to Muslim travelers but also helps the travel industry and investors to understand and keep track of the growth potential each destination has to offer.
All 130 destinations in the GMTI were scored against a backdrop of criteria which included suitability as a family holiday destination, the level of services and facilities provided, accommodation options, marketing initiatives, air connectivity, as well as visitor arrivals. Each criteria was then weighted to make up the overall index score.
The Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, urged Nigerians to exercise more patience in their quest to know the amount of money the federal government had so far recovered from treasury looters.
Idris said: “Yes, the federal government is making recoveries and relevant agencies are also making recoveries. When I say relevant agencies, we all know them. People who are alleged to have defrauded the nation or taken Nigerian money, they are under litigation.”
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Dr. Mahmud Isa-Dutse, gave details on the February allocation saying, the gross statutory revenue of N270.499 billion received for the month was lower than the N290.961 billion received in the previous month by N20.462 billion.
He said the distributable statutory revenue was N270.499 billion, adding that the sum of N6.330 billion was refunded b the NNPC to the federal government.
“Also, there is an exchange gain of N3.485 billion which is proposed. The total distributable for the current month, including CAT is N345.085 billion,” he said.
The federal government got N127.2 billion, stares N64.518 billion and local governments N49.7 billion while 13 per cent Derivation is N22.78 billion. AT is N64.781 billion while the Excess Crude Account (ECA) stands at $2.259 billion.
The National Agency for AIDS (NACA) has revealed that Nigeria has the third highest tuberculosis (TB) burden in the world with 574,600 cases or 338 per 100,000 of the country’s 170 million population. About 22 per cent of the patients also have Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV) that causes Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS).
NACA stated: “According to the current national statistics on HIV, an estimated 3.5 million persons are HIV positive, while close to one million are on treatment.
“So far, Nigeria occupies the unenviable global position in terms of the disease burden for both diseases. Nigeria is the second amongst the highest HIV-burdened countries in the world and the third among the highest TB-burdened globally. Added to this burden is the fact that of the number of cases identified with TB, 22 per cent were found to also have HIV as well, thus compounding the existing disease burden.”
The World Health Organisation (WHO) lists Nigeria among the 20 countries with the highest absolute burden of disease, the others being Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mozambique, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Russian Federation, South Africa, Thailand, the United Republic of Tanzania, and Viet Nam.
Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State in north-eastern Nigeria, has been boycotted by a number of visitors for a couple of years as the area is considered a red zone.
With Easter weekend slated for Friday, March 25th to Monday, March 28th 2016, Jovago.com, Africa’s No.1 online hotel booking site has some ‘egg’cellent holiday ideas that will keep visitors as well as locals in Maiduguri smiling ear to ear.
Film Marathon
The perfect thing about running a film marathon is that you do not have to go to a cinema. Dig out all you favorite movies, then invite some friends over so you can spend time watching them back to back. The film marathon could stretch for as long as two days, you just need to make sure you have your steady power supply, food in your fridge and soft pillows to make yourself a comfortable spot. This activity is safe for people who are not keen on exploring the city or just going outside based on the fear of terrorists.
Food banquet
Food is essential to any holiday and what better way to make the most of your Easter by having a food banquet. For most Christians who are observing the lent, the fasting period ends with the holiday and so they have the chance to pamper their taste buds and fill their stomach with all it missed out on during the fasting period. You could cook up a platter and invite friends or you can make it a solo party; the idea is to cook a large variety of food and eat till you drop. Alternatively, you can treat yourself to a buffet at one of the classy restaurants around town- this activity will be best enjoyed by a foodie.
Football match
Maiduguri is home to the El-Kanemi Warriors (a popular football team) and has an active local football league. While the players were advised to dump their El Kanemi stadium in 2014 for fear of insurgents, the team has recently returned and there will be most likely be matches slated for the holiday period. If you are a football fan, a good way to make your Easter exciting would be to attend one of these matches and get your adrenaline pumping.
Picnic at the Kyarimi Park
Originally established in 1970 as a forest reserve, before becoming a large wildlife sanctuary and a botanical park, the Sanda Kyarimi Park is one place still provides residents with some semblance of leisure despite the insurrections in the locale. The oldest and largest zoo in Nigeria, it attracts thousands of visitors per year, but continues to be a sanctuary for people who want to relieve themselves of the day’s stress in the city. Spend a couple of hours off your Easter holiday visiting this location. You could certainly carry your food basket and a mat for picnic or you could decide to tour the park and visit other nearby picnic zones such as Alo Lake and Zambiza game reserve.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has accused operators in the nation’s electricity supply industry of performing grossly below expectation. The operators were also guilty of failing to file the appropriation performance reports as required by law.
The commission, which was particularly miffed with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), said the utility would be queried for defaulting on the reports of its key performance indicators.
NERC disclosed that the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) analyzed from the utilities showed gross under performance.
The Head, Engineering Standards and Safety Department (ES&S) at NERC, Abdullahi Mohammed noted that the review of the KPIs was in exercise of its mandate as stipulated by Section 32 Sub section (2f) of the ESPR Act 2005: “To monitor the operation of the Electricity Market.”
Ibe Kachikwu, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources
Minister of state for petroleum resources, Dr Ibe Kachikwu, has revealed that the lingering fuel scarcity being experienced in all parts of the country may last for the next two months.
He explained that NNPC had moved from a 50 per cent importer of products to basically a 100 per cent importer, adding that the 445 barrels allocated to it was to cover between 50 and 55 percent importation; so, according to him, it quite a huge feat that the country even has the current amount of the product at the stations.
Asked specifically when the queues will disappear, he said, “One of the trainings I did not receive is that of a magician, but I am working very hard to ensure some of these issues go away.
“And let’s be honest, for the five six months we have been here, NNPC has moved from a 50 per cent importer of products to basically a 100 per cent importer. And the 445 barrels that were allocated was to cover between 50 and 55 percent importation. So it is quite frankly sheer magic that we even have the amount of products at the stations.
“We are looking to see how to get foreign exchange input. The president and I discussed extensively on how to get more crude directed at importation. His Excellency will rather have less crude but have individuals in the society suffer less with inconveniences than have more crude and have them continue to suffer.
“So we are going to put a new model to enable us increase the pace and actually get majors as part of the crew of those to bring in more products so that the NNPC will sort of go back on the capacity of what it used to do and the majors will take over the balance of importation.
Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed displeasure with the power supply by the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) to Edo State, saying that it posed threat to security in the state.
He said, “There are a couple of concerns. Sometimes, we have seen some protests, some violent reactions and obstructions and stories about properties being stolen and vandalized, and every day, I am confronted with protests by various communities who are in the dark, either their transformer is not working or it has broken down. There are bills people are paying even without light, or they are being over-billed based on estimates as they have no meters.
“Even the House of Assembly has just spoken to me that they need to spend some money to set up a sub-station that will give more regular power supply. Right now, they are getting less than four hours a day in their residential area. That is an arm of government. They have made a request for a substantial investment for us to provide part of the cost in a distribution chain, and when we provide that and they have access to power, how do we get our fund?
“Recently, the commissioner of Police wrote to me that the police headquarters is in the dark, and that is a serious issue because in the police headquarters, we have cells where there are inmates. And of course, you have offices. Police is 24 hours operation. Now, the transformer has broken down, and the police headquarters is in the dark. They have informed Benin DISCO, and weeks, months, no solution. Now out of desperation, I have to buy, using tax payers’ money to provide a transformer to the police headquarters.
“I mentioned this because we used Edo people’s money to buy transformer, and you told me now that they have power. Now, what happens when you generate bills?
The Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS) advised stakeholders to apply caution on what to do with the over Sixty billion naira, (N60 billion), unclaimed dividend laying idle within the system to avoid running fowl of extant laws.
Most capital market stakeholders, including associations of shareholders, has its opinion on what to do with the money.
A special committee set up to look into the unclaimed dividend issue by CIS’s council came up with recommendation on how the idle fund, causing rancor in the market, should be used.
The committee confirmed that, ”The issue of unclaimed dividend in the stock market has remained a conundrum in the operation of the market.”
Adding that, ‘The matter calls for utmost caution to avoid running fowl of extant laws.”
The committee submitted that it might not be appropriate for the unclaimed dividend to be returned to the paying companies as requested by body of Registrars who had also disagreed with the stockbrokers that suggested that the fund should be used to shore up the market.
However, it suggested that the Registrars should be allowed to set up a fund with their respective holdings of the accrued dividend, however, with a mandate that the names of shareholders of outstanding dividends be published periodically.
The Unclaimed dividends were largely made up of warrants of dead shareholders whose next-of-kin or family members do not know that what they need do was to obtain a Letter of Administration for transmission of the shareholdings and be able to convert the warrants to cash.
Other reason for the build-up maybe, legal tussles in some cases; inappropriate record keeping of portfolio; lack of interest by shareholder to cash ‘’small’’ or ‘’insignificant’’ dividend payments.
The absence of authorised signatories needed to sign dividend warrants in defunct corporate bodies, Trade groups and Associations, Change of address by a shareholder and disinformation with the Registrars or the Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) were some other factors identified.
It could also be the: Non-existence of a functional bank account by the shareholder; Non-compliance of shareholders to the e-dividend mode of payment; Use of proxies to buy shares and the associated encumbrances; Signature irregularities due to infirmities, forgetfulness, loss of memory and many other factors could have led to the N60 billion unclaimed dividend build.
Le’ Venue Property Development Company Limited, the flagship company of the Le‘ Venue Group is a private and independent company which is positioned as a one stop solutions practice to take advantage of opportunities in the Nigerian and global market places. It was incorporated in 2008 and has been in operation ever since.
We are recruiting to fill the position below:
Job Title: Personal Assistant
Location: Lagos
Job Descriptions
To provide secretarial and administrative support. Must be reliable, able to work flexible hours and must understand the need for confidentiality in all areas of work.
Duties
Diary Management
Ensure manager’s office is neatly arranged for the day’s work
Screening telephone calls, enquires and requests and handling them when appropriate.
Help manage output, workflow and office deadlines
Organizing and attending meetings, and ensuring the manager is well prepared for meetings
Collect all mails addressed to the manager
Take minutes of all meetings
Draft, type and dispatch manager’s correspondence
Liaise with relevant individuals, external organizations e.t.c to arrange meetings prepare agenda and draft minutes
Maintain a comprehensive filing system
Co-ordinate manager’s local and international travelling arrangements
Make research, media relations and promotional work on behalf of the manager
And any other duties that may be assigned.
Qualifications
A first Degree in Social Sciences from a recognized University
Minimum of 2 years working experience in similar role
Female Only
Key Skills/Competencies
Good organizational skills
Interpersonal skills
Confidentiality
Proficient use of Microsoft Office Package
Communication skills
Ability to take initiative and multi-task
Application Closing Date
30th March, 2016.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should send their Applications with picture to:recruitment@levenuegroup.com
MTN Nigeria – The leader in telecommunications in Nigeria, and a part of a diverse community in Africa and the Middle East, our brand is instantly recognisable. It is through our compelling brand that we are able to attract the right talents who we carefully nurture by continuously improving our employment offerings even beyond reward and recognition.
We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:
Job Title: Customer Support Manager
Location: Lagos
Job Description
Extract value from what we already have by focusing on optimizing processes within the Unit/Department in line with the value creation philosophy. This includes individual contributions and recommendations to improve existing business project/initiative, capital/budget efficiency activities within the Unit, contracts review and negotiation in collaboration with the Procurement team, structural changes within the Unit etc.
Drive Innovation by identifying and taking advantage of new business opportunities, e.g., by stimulating and encouraging new business opportunities, launch of products, product/process innovation, business model innovation etc.
Maintain leadership in the ICT/Digital industry by influencing stakeholders within your immediate ecosystem for MTNN’s benefit. This includes participation in credible external think-tank sessions, involvement in inter-divisional focus Group sessions to improve business performance etc.
Enhance/expand MTN’s role in the larger national macro environment by participating in CSR projects and/or NGO’s, involvement in recognized professional institutions, think-tank activities etc.
Role model the vital behaviours needed to sustain organisational performance and drive people management activities by being the principal coach for your direct reports using the people management framework. Participate in employee engagement projects such as mentorship, facilitating programs, etc. In addition, support recruitment, on boarding and grievance management processes etc
Provide overall operations support for the operations of MTNN Mobile Financial Services system.
Work closely with management team to develop and implement organization strategies, policies and procedures with a view to improve MTNN MFS operational systems in support of organization’s mission.
Drive and implement new MFS Customer Support initiatives in line with market dynamics to enhance competitive advantage and foster achievement of divisional targets
Ensure timely processing and management of MFS Super and Retail Agents’ commissions to ensure prompt and accurate payment
Carry out periodic liquidity management checks on Agents to ensure constant availability of Float and cash to serve customers
Resolve all MFS Super and Retail Agents queries and complaints relating to commission payments
Review agreed activity and performance reports for Management reporting to ensure relevance, accuracy and timeliness.
Review, update and implement PPPs
Manage the relevant ECW modules and database for MFS and provide system support
Build and acceptance network of Merchants to accept Mobile Money as a means of payment.
Give necessary support to the Channel team and Agents.
Job Condition
Normal MTNN working conditions
Regional and national travel
Basic banking/financial services operations
ECW fundamentals
Requirements
Minimum of 8 years post degree
Fluent in English
Possession of a postgraduate qualification such as Master of Business Administration (MBA) will be an advantage
Minimum of 3 years’ experience in an area of specialization; with experience in supervising/managing others
Experience working in a medium to large organization
Experience in developing marketing mix and implementation
Experience in managing banking operations will be an advantage
Business process improvement and analysis experience.
Minimum Qualification
BA, BEd, BEng, BSc, BTech or HND.
Application Closing Date
Not Specified.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should APPLY
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) helps developing countries attract and use aid effectively. In all our activities, we encourage the protection of human rights, capacity development and the empowerment of women.
We are recruiting to fill the following vacant positions below:
The World Bank Group Analyst Program is a new and unique opportunity for exceptionally talented young people with a passion for international development to contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Applications are invited for the position of:
Job Title: World Bank Group Analyst Program 2016
Location: Nigeria
Description
Through this structured three-year program, you will work in an intellectually challenging and culturally diverse environment within a specific practice, region, or corporate unit in the World Bank Group, which includes the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
You will have the opportunity to contribute and grow your skills in areas ranging from analytics, research, data management, project management, communications, finance, management accounting, and information technology. In addition, the program offers various cohort activities aimed to broaden your exposure to the work of the World Bank Group and develop leadership skills.
Upon completion of the program, there may be opportunities for you to continue your career in the World Bank Group. Participants holding a Master’s degree who find the opportunity to continue their career at the WBG may also be eligible for advancement opportunities. Alternatively, you may leverage the experience you have gained to pursue further studies or other opportunities in international development.
Program Features
The WBG Analyst Program (WBG AP) offers a mix of challenging work program and a comprehensive development curriculum during the three-year of the program/contract.
Work Program
WBG Analysts are selected from recruitment streams that vary every year and range from Operations, Finance, Communication and International Affairs, Information Technology, Management Accounting.
The work program is therefore quite varied, too, and can take place in the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation, the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, or the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes.
Typically, it involves research and analytical work, preparation of visually compelling presentations of data, drafting reports and overviews, coordinating specific programs. Because the WBG Analyst’s work program is very much business-driven, opportunities may come up for cross-support, stretch assignment or even full rotation to another area of the business during the course of their three-year term contract.
At the end of the three-year contract/program, WBG Analyst have several choices:
Apply competitively to an analyst position;
Apply to an officer’s position (for those meeting the eligibility criteria including holding a master’s degree);
Pursue academic studies or other job opportunities outside of the WBG.
Development Curriculum:
A three-year comprehensive development curriculum has been designed to ensure that WBG APs develop a WBG mindset, quickly gain the foundational learning needed to understand and contribute to the WBG, and build the competencies required at an analyst’s level – collaboration, leadership, integrative thinking, and innovation skills – while strengthening a culture of continuous learning.
The curriculum includes a blend of learning activities in a WBG cohort, small groups or individually, ranging from on-boarding activities, e-learning, cohort discussions with WBG leaders, leadership training, performance management support, career development workshops, and networking opportunities.
A technical Buddy is assigned in the hiring units in the WBG Analysts’ first week, as a “go-to person” to answer technical/process questions in their fields.
In their second year, a WBG Mentor, a technical senior colleague, are is offered to discuss career options, “stretch/exposure” assignment opportunities and gain insight into the organization’s culture.
Throughout the program, WBG Analysts meet in small groups to exchange, in a safe, intimate, and virtual format, some of the challenges they are facing. They receive mutual coaching from their peers, sometimes accompanied by an executive coach or an HR professional.
Finally, the Analysts Program team is dedicated to recruiting and helping integrate WBG Analysts into the WBG. It coordinates activities designed to support the cohort, including mentoring and guidance, helping formulate career strategies, and others.
Eligibility Criteria
Citizenship of a member country of the World Bank Group
Passion to contribute to the World Bank Group mission to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity
28 years of age or younger (i.e., born on or after January 1st, 1988)
Master’s or Bachelor’s degree in relevant field. Candidates who are currently pursuing a degree are eligible if the degree will be awarded by December 31, 2016
One to three years of relevant work experience in one or more specialty areas (see Application and Selection Process )
Analytical thinking, proven academic success, strong written and oral communication skills, and leadership potential
Experience working or studying in developing countries is preferred
Fluency in English is required. Fluency or proficiency in other languages, in particular Arabic, Chinese, French, Portuguese, Spanish or Russian, is preferred.
In addition, successful candidates must demonstrate the World Bank Group Core Competencies (Read more about the Selection Cycle):
Deliver results for clients
Lead and innovate
Collaborate within teams and across boundaries
Create, apply and share knowledge
Make smart decisions
Compensation & Benefits
Contract: a three-year local term contract is being offered.
Salary: WBG Analysts are offered a locally-competitive salary, based on their education and professional experience.
Health, Life, Accident and Other Insurance Programs: WBG Analyst and their families (including declared domestic partners) may choose from three comprehensive medical/dental benefit plans. The WBG also provides basic life and accident insurance to all staff at no cost, and staff can elect optional life and accident insurance plans. The WBG also provides disability and Workers’ Compensation coverage to staff at no cost.
Pension Plan: The WBG sponsors a comprehensive pension plan for eligible staff. Upon separation from the WBG, either a lump sum or a pension will become payable to the staff based on eligibility.
Relocation Benefits on Appointment: For WBG Analysts relocating to a new country, a cash allowance at the discretion of their hiring unit may be granted.
Tax Allowance: U.S. staff receive an additional quarterly payment to cover the U.S., state and local income tax liabilities on their World Bank Group income. Expatriates and U.S. permanent residents do not incur U.S. income tax liability and are thus not eligible for this benefit.
Financial Assistance: The World Bank Group offers financial assistance programs, including a two-year interest-free settling-in loan to those who relocate upon appointment.
Selection Cycle
WBG Analysts are chosen through an intensive and rigorous selection process. Competition is keen. We received thousands of applications last year for a limited number of positions.
Timeline
March 16-April 5, 2016: Application Process
April 2016:
Review of applications against eligibility criteria.
Status update to all candidates.
April 13-20, 2016: Online logical reasoning and behavioral assessment for candidates meeting the eligibility criteria (one week to complete, no extension possible. We recommend that you save the date already).
By April 30, 2016: Update to candidates on assessment results (passed or not passed, thus further considered or not).
May through December 31, 2016:
Depending on business needs in recruitment streams, candidates are contacted for interviews/further testing.
Candidates who are not selected by a particular business unit can be considered by another business unit in the same recruitment stream.
Decisions and offers communicated.
Status updates to all candidates.
Starting date on the job.
February 2017: New WBG AP cohort starts development curriculum.
Application Process
You may apply and be considered for up to two of the specialty areas listed below. To apply, click on the relevant link; you will be prompted to log into the Member Center or create a new account.
Please fill in all fields, answer the screening questions, attach your resume or CV and submit your Statement of Interest (no more than 700 words). Read more about our specific WBG Analyst instructions and details about the Selection cycle.
Following the screening of applications against the eligibility criteria, a select number of candidates will be contacted in April to take an online analytical reasoning and behavioral assessment. Other candidates will receive an email to inform them that they have not been selected.
The results of this assessment will determine further participation in the recruitment program.
Based on the business needs in a specific recruitment stream, a select number of candidates will be approached for further interviewing/testing between Mayand December 31, 2016. Offers will be made during that period.
Selected candidates will enter the World Bank Group between May 2016 andFebruary 2017 and will start their development curriculum in February 2017.
Application Closing Date
5th April, 2016.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should APPLY
Fidelity Bank Plc has said the N30 billion it is raising from the Nigerian capital market will be injected into funding of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) especially those focused in non-oil exports.
Managing director/chief executive of the bank, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said he foresees an imminent growth in non-oil export as more Nigerians, governments begin to wake up to the huge prospects inherent in the Agricultural and Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) sectors.
The Bank MD, who made this remark at a one-day workshop/training on exports organised by Koinonia Ventures Limited in conjunction with the bank, expressed high optimism that these sectors, if properly positioned could play significant roles in diversifying Nigeria’s monolithic economy.
He however pointed out that no other time is the subject of import and export substitution more important than now when the country is grappling with a revenue crisis precipitated by the steep decline in crude oil prices and widespread corruption.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) has predicted that Nigeria’s non-oil sector will generate about $100 billion in export earnings in the next 12 years.
To assist export-oriented MSMEs raise their level of competitiveness in the global market, Okonkwo said the bank had raised N30 billion in corporate bonds on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
He said the capital raising exercise is expected to enable the bank fulfil its promise to increase MSME lending to 50 percent by 2017, further adding that the bank has earmarked 80 percent of the net proceed of the bond to finance MSMEs which have been peddled as the next cash cow.
Minister of Petroleum Resources Ibe Kachikwu, on Wednesday, March 23, said that Nigeria expects oil producers to agree a supply freeze at a meeting in Doha in April which should stabilize crude prices even if Iran does not join.
Kachikwu has been taking the lead in a global effort aimed at freezing the level of oil supply even though energy experts have cautioned that freezing oil supply may not likely lead to a rebound in the price of the commodity.
Top producers Saudi Arabia and Russia, as well as Qatar and Venezuela have embraced Kachikwu’s suggestion. Qatar has invited OPEC members and major non-OPEC producers to meet on April 17 to agree a freeze following an initial deal in February between Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Venezuela and non-OPEC member Russia to hold supply at January levels.
Kachikwu told Reuters in an interview in Abuja that, “I expect that we will reach a conclusion on stabilisation, to stabilise current production as of January.
The London Stock Exchange Africa Advisory Group has admitted the Director general of the National Pension Commission, PenCom, Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, as pioneer member.
Anohu-Amazu is one of the high-level financial experts from the African continent appointed by the respected London Stock Exchange to provide advisory services on how best to deepen the African Financial markets.
According to a statement, the Group was unveiled at the just-concluded inaugural meeting of the advisory body hosted by the London Stock Exchange in London.
Also appointed were members drawn from the three largest stock exchanges in Sub-Saharan Africa, namely the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Nairobi Securities Exchange.
Among them are the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr Oscar Onyema and the Chairman of Seplat Petroleum Development Company, Dr Ambrose Bryant Chukwueloka (ABC) Ojiako.
The Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Nigerian Stock Exchange, and Nairobi Securities Exchange account for approximately 80 percent of the market capitalization of public securities in Africa.
However, the development of other stock exchanges, including the top three exchanges, in Sub-Sahara Africa have remained stunted by several factors impacting capital markets, such as low financial depth, high cost of raising capital, patchy liquidity, high market risk, and mutual status.
The PenCom DG and other members of the Advisory Group are, therefore, expected to continually examine these issues and proffer advice that would hopefully change the narrative for the African capital markets for the better.
The Police Service Commission, PSC, on Wednesday, March 23, announced the commencement of the recruitment of 10,000 policemen as directed by President Muhammadu Buhari at the National Security Summit in 2015 in Abuja.
A statement by the spokesman of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said it had on Tuesday in Abuja unveiled the internet website portal for the exercise.
Ani said the chairman of the commission, Mike Okiro, who unveiled the portal announced that it would be open to the public from April 1, indicating the commencement of the recruitment exercise.
The PSC added that interested Nigerians should access the portal through the Commission’s websitewww.psc.gov.ng or that of the Nigeria Police Force, www.npf.gov.ng
It said there would be no charges for the processing of the forms which will be done on-line.
The commission also said it would be recruiting candidates into the three entry points of the Nigeria Police Force which are Constable, Cadet Inspector and Cadet ASP.
There will also be recruitment into the Specialist cadre, the PSC statement said.
“For Police Constables, applicants are expected to posses five credit level passes including Mathematics and English Language at Senior School Certificate Examination in not more than two sittings,” Ani said.
He added that for Cadet Inspectors, in addition to having the requirements of Police Constables, candidates would be expected to have an Ordinary National Diploma (OND), Advanced Level (A level), National Certificate of Education (NCE) or their equivalents.
“Candidates for Cadet ASP must possess a university degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND),” the statement said.
The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) would co-host the 5th Building African Financial Markets (BAFM) seminar.
The seminar holding for the firs time outside South Africa, is tagged – ‘Addressing Liquidity Concerns in African Capital Market’ and would be held between April 28 and 29 while the ASEA Executive Board meeting holds on the 30th of next month.
CEO, Nigerian Exchange and President ASEA, Oscar Onyema said, the BAFM seminar was designed to promote growth in African financial markets; it also presents an opportunity for participants to enhance their capacity, create an opportunity for them to interact and also be able compete effectively at the global stage.
“The seminar aims to accelerate dialogue, capacity building and collaboration among participants to drive the growth of Africa’s capital markets, build collaboration on issues of shared interest in order to present the African continent as an attractive investment destination”, he said.
He further said that, “As African economies re-position themselves following the significant impact of global headwinds that have challenged the continent’s growth prospects, African securities exchanges must step up their efforts at driving liquidity in their markets in order to help finance the continent’s infrastructure and capital requirements.”
He said, “Initiatives such as this, forms an integral part of the continued development of sustainable economies within the continent bearing in mind peculiar strengths that we could leverage individually and collectively as we press forward.”
The Seminar would feature leaders of thought from dominant African financial institutions, multilateral organisations and regulators that would moderate discussions on the various topics such as: Strengthening equity market structure in Africa to better address low liquidity.
Instituting an optimal pricing mechanism on African exchanges; Cross border capital market integration – a catalyst for boosting liquidity on African Stock Exchanges, are some of the other topics to be treated.
