GTBank’s 2015 Orange Ribbon Initiative .. 5th Annual Autism Program

Lagos Nigeria – June, 2015.

Foremost African financial institution; Guaranty Trust Bank plc is set to hold the 5th edition of its Annual Autism programme. This year’s programme will start with a 2-day conference at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, on the 30th of June and 1st of July, 2015; followed by a 7-day child assessment clinic from the 2nd – 10th July, 2015 as well as a Radio Talk Series - Let’s talk Autism.
The initiative, which is in its 5th consecutive year, is an advocacy program designed to create awareness and provide support for children with developmental disabilities, most especially the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Autism Spectrum Disorder affects 1 in every 150 children around the world and is a lifelong developmental disability that affects how a person communicates with others.
Recognising the challenge posed by Autism in the educational development of children, GTBank has over the years partnered with various stakeholders and practitioners, including The University of Lagos - College of Medicine, Blazing Trails International, Ministries of Health and Women Affairs to increase awareness about Autism in Nigeria. The 2015 programme assumes a rather broader spectrum in expanding existing research on ASD through its theme “Bridging Gaps and Transforming lives”. The idea behind this year’s theme, encompasses a broad array of concepts which goes beyond creating awareness for ASD to include increasing social justice education, helping individuals with special needs participate in the political process and providing access to technology for people affected with ASD. Also, the seminar will feature other initiatives such as behavioural training, teaching of non-verbal children functional communication and management of autism disorder.

ST GREGORY, THE QUEENS SNATCHED GTBANK MASTERS CUP SEASON 4

ST GREGORY, THE QUEENS SNATCHED GTBANK MASTERS CUP SEASON 4

The GTBank Masters Cup Season ended in a grand style as St Gregory Obalende distraught St Finbarrs Akoka Yaba in an enthralling 3-1-football match. It was an epic finals between two eternal rivals at Onikan Stadium while on the female side, Queens College Yaba showed Ansar UD-Deen, Itire why they are called “The Queens”.

What a Friday to remember for youth football at Onikan Stadium when St Gregory gave a night mare to St Finbarrs Boys and Alumni to win the glorious cup and the Queens came from behind three times to stun Ansar-UD-Deen girls to retain her title.

The encounter which attracted capacity crowd that included some old boys of both colleges was the climax of a month-long GTBank sponsored Masters Cup tournament, organised by the Lagos First Generation Heritage Colleges Association.

The Season 4 of the prestigious football tournament commenced in November 2014 with 20 Male teams and 10 female teams from participating schools, Queens college and St Gregory showed they are force to reckon with in building tomorrows leader through football.

The atmosphere was electric when the girls – Queens College, Yaba and Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School, itire – filed out to play. Ansar UD-Deen, Itire was the only school to have played in three consecutive finals. This is the second time both sides will be playing at the GTBank Masters Cup Finals and both teams were ready for the face off. But Ansar Ud Deen Girls drew the first blood 14 minutes into the game when Durojola Zainab pounced on rebound that Adefunke Adeleke of Queens College replied immediately too.

Moments later, Ansar Ud Deen Girls Captain - Fatima Oyebanji gave the Ansar Ud Deen Girls the lead again. However, Ebere Ugohagbulam proved that the game is not over yet as She equalized minutes before the first half break and it was level at half time.

It all looked like it will end in penalties just like last year but Ebere struck again minutes before the full time whistle and that snatched the trophy from Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School for the second consecutive time. The game ended 3-2 in favour of Queens College who are the first female team to successfully defend the GTBank Masters Cup title.

Speaking at the event, the queens captain Inneji Chinasa Devo, an SS2 science student said “ I’m very happy to have helped my school lift the trophy this year. Am grateful to God, GTBank, for helping me showcase my talent and most especially my brothers who helped me developed my football career at early as 3 years old. My football career started when I was called upon as early as  JSS 1 to play for the school team. Initially my parents were not in supportive because they felt am a lady but when they saw the zeal and passion, they let go of me. As a science student, I was able to balance up because I knew I needed my academics to survive in life. The young also said “I would love to develop my football career so as to be like Shola Adiza who plays for Falconet She advised others like her to remain focus and stick to their dreams for better result.

Dignitaries from all spheres of lives came to grace the occasion, ranging from: MD GTBank Mr Segun Agbaje, Mr Demola Adeyemi- Executive Director GTBank, Mrs Lola odedina; General Manager Communications and External Affairs Group-GTBank and Oyinade Adegbite- Senior Manager Communications and external Affairs Group, GTBank

 Alumni of the schools like Rev. Ayeni- Administrator of St Gregory College, Justice Bode Rhodas –Justice of the supreme court of Nigeria and St Gregory’s college old boys, Bashorun Anthony (DC)- President St Finbarrs College old Boys Association, Mrs Nkoli Ogbolu- Secretary Queens College old Girls Association, Mr Ayo Adewale- Former Chairman Amuwo Odofin Local Government and St Gregory’s Old Boys Association also came to add colours to the game.

Also in attendance are: Barrister Seyi Akinwunmi- Chairman, Lagos State Football Association and 

1^st Vice President Of The Nigerian Football Federation, Mr Paul Bassey- Veteran Sports Journalist, Mrs Babs Akinyeye- Director, Coordinator services Ministry of Education, Lagos State and Otunba Oladele Olapeju- Chairman, Lagos First Generation Colleges Association (LAFGHCA).

Then the boys came out to play. The match that was dubbed the ‘El Catholico’ was between the two most successfully schools in the history of secondary school football in Nigeria - St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi and St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka. The first 10 minutes of the game was intense but
the deadlock was broken through Ayoka Kingsley shot that found the back of the net. But the Gregorians were not fazed. They got the much needed equalizer in the 23^rd minutes and also scored 4 minutes later to lead at half time.

St. Gregory’s dominated through the second half as St. Finbarr’s College tried to break through their ranks all to no avail. Obi David finally sealed it for St Gregory’s College when his superb effort ended up in the back of the net to make it 3-1 at full time. St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi are GTBank Masters Cup Champions for the first time.

The Gtbank MD stated "putting our youths in a position to win and excel does not start on the playing field. It begins in the mind, then the classroom before the final stage of the playing field. In the new global competitive landscape, winning requires discipline, focus, creativity and a sound mind. Education must be an integral part of the whole developmental process. That is why, Gtbank is committing a greater amount of time, resources and high level personnel to youth soccer as well as education, especially at the youth and secondary school level."

The foremost bank gave out prizes to winners and runner-ups as promised, ranging from N750,000.00, N500,000.00 and N350,000.00 for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners respectively in both the male and female categories. On the male category, 1^st – St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi, 2^nd – St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka and 3^rd – Western College, Yaba while on female category 1^st – Queens College, Yaba, 2^nd – Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School, Itire and 3^rd – Ansar Ud Deen College, Isolo

Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy, most especially in sports education. The Bank actively supports in classroom and out of classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, students scholarship and teacher trainings across Africa. The GTBank Masters Cup as well as the Principals Cup tournaments in Lagos and Ogun states are some of the projects the bank has taken up in this regards.


For more information on the football competition, visit www.gtbank.com/football

Finals Season 4

Scores

Female Team
Queens College, Yaba Adeleke Adefunke 15’ Ebere Ugohagbulam 22’ 47’	3-2	Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School, Itire Durojola Zainab 14’ Oyebanji Fatima 19’
Male Team
St. Gregory’s College, Ikoyi Nwadike Somto 23’ Otetah Emmanuel 27’ Obi David 53’	3-1	St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka  Ayoka Kingsley 11'

Innosons Outstanding Debt to Gtbank

 Innosons Outstanding Debt to Gtbank

A lawsuit was recently filed by Innoson Group of companies claiming damages up to the sum of N30bn against GTBank, a leading and technology driven bank in Nigeria. It has been in the news in the last few days. Reports and  investigations revealed that in the course of the Banker and Customer relationship between GTBank and Innoson Nigeria Limited (“Innoson”), GTBank granted various credit facilities totalling N2,400,000,000.00 (two billion, four hundred million Naira only) to Innoson, to finance the importation of motorcycles and spare parts.   

In the case of banker-customer relationship, once the contact is agreed by both parties, the bank has an obligation to provide the agreed facilities stated in the contract while the customer has the obligation of utilizing the said funds for the agreed purpose and ensuring loan repayments as and when due as contained in the contract.

The facilities granted to Innoson were secured by, lien over shipping documents covering the imported goods financed by GTBank; Legal Mortgage over properties located at Calabar, Enugu and Nnewi and Personal Guarantee of Chairman/Managing Director of Innoson, Chief Innocent Chukwuma. According to very reliable and confirmed sources from GTBank, Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma however failed to meet repayment obligations due under the facilities. It was at this stage that, the Bank discovered that Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma had gone ahead and  cleared several consignments of goods financed by the Bank without endorsed shipping documents, the originals of which are still in the Bank’s custody.  Upon discovery of the fraud, the Bank filed a Petition before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (“EFCC”) in May 27, 2013, to investigate the fraud committed against the Bank and bring Innoson and its Promoters to book.

 Based on the Bank’s petition, Chief Innocent Chukwuma was arrested and interrogated by operatives of the EFCC, following which he agreed to make monthly payments into Innoson’s account until the full liquidation of Innoson’s indebtedness to the Bank.  However, Innoson defaulted in making the agreed payments.  Investigations by the Nigeria Police following a petition by the Bank in September 2013 also found Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma culpable of the criminal allegations levied against them by the Bank, and Chief Innocent Chukwuma was accordingly charged to court by the Police. 

To stall the criminal proceedings against him, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company instituted suits at the Federal High Court, Abuja, as well as the Federal High Court, Awka in January 2014 against The Inspector General of Police, The Nigeria Police Force and Investigating Officer(s), seeking declaratory and injunctive reliefs, including orders restraining the Police from commencing criminal proceedings against Innoson and Chief Innocent Chukwuma. Furthermore, in a bid to stall the Bank’s recovery steps, and distract the Bank from focusing on the criminal action, as well as civil actions filed for recovery of the debt, Chief Innocent Chukwuma and his company Innoson, have continued to institute various spurious suits before various courts, claiming frivolous and outrageous sums against the Bank.

With no other alternative and to ensure the recovery of depositors funds held by Innoson, the Bank instituted a recovery action against Innoson at the Federal High Court, Lagos. This is in addition to a Winding up action instituted against Innoson by the Bank, which is still pending in court. Pursuant to the suit instituted by the Bank at the Federal High Court, Lagos, the Bank secured mareva orders against Innoson freezing its Bank accounts in all Banks in Nigeria in September 2014.

The new N30 Billion action filed by Innoson at the Federal High Court, Awka was instituted on the basis of purported damages which it suffered as a result of the mareva orders granted by the Federal High Court, Lagos in favour of the Bank.  According to some legal experts, this new suit is in continuation of Innoson’s antics to distract the Bank from focusing on the criminal matter pending with the EFCC and the Police.

The legal experts also interpreted these  Innoson’s moves as legal delay tactics antics, to avoid or delay  paying its indebtedness and discharging its obligations to the Bank, which stands in excess of N2.billion, while interest continues to accrue.

According to a source in the Bank, the recovery of borrowed funds is a matter of integrity and is always in the long term interest of its depositors and the society at large. 

GTBANK MASTERS CUP FINAL COUNTDOWN

       

                                    GTBANK MASTERS CUP FINAL COUNTDOWN The Finals of the GTBank Masters Cup season 4 comes up on Friday, 26^th June 2015 at the prestigious Onikan Stadium, Lagos.The Competition, which is for First Generation Heritage Colleges and Private Secondary Schools with pedigree in Lagos State, has 28 Schools participating this season and over 160 goals scored in the course of the tournament in both male and female categories.The last standing schools that made it to the finals of the competition are  – St. Gregory’s College Ikoyi, St. Finbarr’s College Akoka, Queens College Yaba and Ansar UD Deen Girls High School Itire.In the male category, it will be battles of the Catholic missionary schools as St. Gregory’s College take on St. Finbarr’s College. Both schools will be playing to lift the trophy for the first time since its inception. In the female category, it will be a repeat of last year’s finals between defending champions, Queens College and Ansar UD Deen Girls High School.The Finals will surely be a fun filled day, packed with excitement, delightful display of skills and talents of future stars plus a dash of history.Come, witness and support young talents as they bring to life unique and fresh dexterity enriched with history of grassroots football in Nigeria.For more updates, visit www.gtbank.com/football .
 Finals Fixtures

Finals – 26th  June				Time
Female Team	Queens College, Yaba	Vs	Ansar Ud Deen Girls High School, Itire	1.00 pm
Male Team	St. Gregory’s College, Obalende	Vs	St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka	2.30 pm

  
 SPECIAL FACTS ABOUT ST GREGORY VS ST FINBARR’S         ST GREGORY·        St. Gregory’s College will be playing in the finals of Masters Cup back to back (2014&2015)
·        Came 3^rd in 2012 and 2^nd 2014.
·         Defeated St. Finbarr’s College 1-0 at the 1979 Principal Cup Final.·        St. Gregory’s College has the highest number of goals scored this season (16)  
 ST FINBARR’S·        This is the first time St. Finbarr’s will be playing at the GTBank Masters Cup Final
·        St Finbarr’s won the most Principals Cups (11) in Onikan Stadium
·        St. Finbarr’s is the most successful secondary school football team in Nigeria
·        They defeated St. Gregory’s College in the Principals Cup Finals of 1962 and 1978
 Players to Watch1.    Master Obi David – St. Gregory’s College, Obalende
David is leads the attack for St. Gregory’s College. This strong and clinical striker currently has 8 goals to his credit.2.    Master Alex Mario Rosario – St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka
This young lad’s pace and skills on the field of play is to be reckoned with. He usually steps up when called upon on the field of play and scores when it counts the most. Alex is the top goal scorer for St. Finbarr’s College with 3 goals.3.    Miss Fatima Oyebanji – Ansar UD Deen Girls High School, Itire
Fatima is proving to be a prolific goal scorer has she has 12 goals from 4 matches which makes her the overall highest goal scorer so far in this competition.

GTBANK UNVEILS PORSCHE CAMPAIGN PROMO

                                                GTBANK UNVEILS PORSCHE CAMPAIGN PROMO

Lagos, Nigeria. 10 June, 2015.

In a strategic bid to reward its teeming customers, GT Bank has unveiled Porsche Campaign promo in the country. The promo is slated to run for six months, from May 6^th to October 31^st 2015.

The novel promo is open to all GT Bank customers between the ages of 18-64 years, who have either a current or savings account and maintains an average balance of N3million for three months during the promo period. Customers who maintain such balance qualify for a raffle draw where they stand a chance to win a brand new Porsche sports car 911. This draw will take place at the Bank’s Corporate Head Office at No. 635, Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island Lagos, in November 2015.

Speaking on the promo, the Head of Corporate Communications and External Affairs, Mrs. Lola Odedina noted that, Guaranty Trust Bank is committed to creating enduring platforms to meet and surpass customers’ expectations by adding tremendous value to them. She stated that, the six months promo is aimed at providing a unique avenue for the bank to bond with its customers and reward their patronage.

“Very few cars have been in production continuously for over 50 years and the Porsche 911 Carrera is one of them. Fortunately, Guaranty Trust Bank will offer account holders an opportunity to win this exotic car in the Porsche Campaign. This is just one of promotional activities GT Bank deploys to reward its loyal customers,” she added.

The Corporate Communications helmsman further explained that, a few accounts are exempted from the promo- GTCrea8,GT Seniors and Private Banking as well as staff of Guaranty Trust Bank. Other details can be found at www.gtbank.com/platinumreward

GT Bank is one of the most innovative Nigerian financial institution with a vast asset base of over 2 Trillion Naira and shareholders’ funds of over 200 Billion Naira. The Bank has offices across Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Uganda and the United Kingdom.