GTBank MD; Segun Agbaje recognized as CEO of the Year...Wins 2015 Finance Monthly CEO Awards

The Foremost African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc has again endorsed its position as a leading global brand with the recent recognition of its Managing Director/CEO, Segun Agbaje, as CEO of the Year at the 2015 Finance Monthly Global Awards

The Monthly Finance Awards, which is in its seventh year, is one of the most sought after industry awards and compiled by a dedicated team of researchers, who draw on the views of thousands of stakeholders including investors, analysts, executives, employees, and media professionals worldwide.
The research results are used to inform and identify best management practices and critical success factors, and ultimately recognize achievement in business.
Every year, Finance Monthly magazine identifies and honours the most respected companies and their leaders, by recognizing extraordinary individuals who have shown the strategic foresight and leadership to deliver superior performance over the past 12 months, effectively managed all key stakeholders and prepared the organization for the next phase of growth.
According to Mark Palmer, Finance Monthly Magazine’s Editor-in-Chief, “The success of every business starts with a strategic, resourceful and engaging leader. It is these qualities that help foster team spirit and employee motivation, which in turn create a successful company.

“The CEOs listed within Finance Monthly’s 2015 CEO Awards publication are corporate leaders who deliver results and have achieved considerable success in their sectors.
In winning this award, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank Plc stands out as one of Africa’s most successful, innovative and forward thinking CEOs whose inspiring leadership has helped create an enduring organization with deep beneficial impact on the wider community and society at large.”
Commenting on the award, Agbaje said, “We operate in challenging business environments, but we believe that our stakeholders should be better off for partnering with us thus, we set high goals and benchmark ourselves against global standards which influence our service culture and product offerings, thereby enabling us to remain relevant to our customers while adding value to all stakeholders.

“For us, this award is an indication that we have earned the loyalty of our customers and an attestation of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board without whom this award would not have been possible.
Whilst thanking the Bank’s customers for their continuous patronage and tremendous support over the years, he further stated that the Bank would continue to leverage its brand equity to tap into the growth potentials of African economies.

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best-run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

The Abuja Centenary City ‘Address Set to Elevate Nigeria

The Abuja Centenary City ‘Address’ Set to Elevate Nigeria
Nigeria’s long term vision of becoming a world class business destination and put the country in the global property map, has received a huge boost with the launch and rapid development of “The Address Hotels + Resorts” in Abuja, by Eagle Hills.
A city within a city, this project is a truly multifunctional development that offers a complete cosmopolitan lifestyle to its residents, as well as serves as a hub for the wider community. Centenary City, a smart, inter-connected urban centre that draws on the innovative technologies, will have a central business district, a financial centre, a museum and cultural centre to promote African and global arts, world-class hotels, business and technology parks, residential districts, an 18-hole golf course, industry centres, sports and leisure facilities and community amenities.
Eagle Hills, a UAE-based private real estate investment and development company, has reconfirmed The Address Resorts as a core element of the Abuja Centenary City, its premier lifestyle free trade zone development in Abuja. The Address Abuja, which is already under rapid construction, promises to introduce a new concept in Nigeria for hospitality and residential living with serviced villas and apartments.

The Abuja Centenary City will be an interconnected, smart and intelligent city that will create several thousand new jobs and promote other sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure, and also serve as a significant attraction in securing further direct foreign investment to Nigeria

The Address Abuja in Centenary City is designed to work in harmony with nature: an exclusive community becoming part of the natural landscape and offering both an impressive downtown skyline and peaceful suburban living. Conceptualised by one of the world's finest hospitality labels, The Address Residence serviced apartments, will be the city's most exclusive uptown address, offering the pinnacle of urban life, ultra-modern towers and a breathtaking view of Centenary City. Residents will be able to enjoy a host of world-class amenities both inside and around their homes from fully equipped gyms, swimming pools and premier wellness facilities to closely located convenience stores and services.

It is set in a spectacular position, offering breathtaking views of Centenary City and the surrounding landscape. The podium deck is the front door of the project, featuring a carefully detailed complex of private decks, infinity pools, concierge services, and the ultimate in club facilities, all within a resort atmosphere. The development aims to boost the Nigerian hospitality sector, bringing it in par with international standards across the globe.
Mohamed Alabbar, an Executive board member of Eagle Hills said: “Centenary City Abuja is a fitting tribute to the Nigerian nation.

The 1,300-hectare master-planned community, is envisaged as a spectacular city hub and the largest of its kind in Africa. The Address Residence Abuja will be the latest premier property embodying the company’s progressive spirit. The project features a residential community consisting of four- to ten-bedroom luxury villas and one- to three-bedroom apartments.”
Philippe Zuber, Chief Operating Officer of The Address Hotels + Resorts said “The Address Abuja, the five star premium brand brings a new identity to the hospitality and service offering in Nigeria and the region. The Address chooses central locations to offer its customers the best in entertainment, leisure and overall convenience, guaranteeing a first-class hospitality experience for every resident and guest. The Address Hotels + Resorts group philosophy is to offer a more personal and approachable experience to guests in a lifestyle environment, whether it be business, leisure or group travelers. Its motto ‘Where life happens’ demonstrates the versatile approach of The Address to servicing every customer, guaranteeing a first-class hospitality experience for every guest; making it the perfect addition to Centenary City.

With excellent connectivity to the main highway, 30 minutes from the city centre and less than 10 minutes from the airport, The Address Abuja in Centenary City is located in the heart of this spectacular development.
The arrival of The Address Hotel in Nigeria at Centenary City Abuja is symbolic of Eagle Hills’ approach to developing flagship mixed-use master-planned communities in high growth cities of the future. The urban expansion and renewal projects positively impact business and tourism while also ensuring sustainable economic growth. When completed, Centenary City will be an interconnected, smart and intelligent city that will create several thousand new jobs and promote other sectors such as retail, hospitality and leisure.
Eagle Hills is a global developer of iconic real estate assets and a provider of premium lifestyles that helps countries raise their global profiles to new heights. Their properties aim to become flagship city destinations that invigorate nations. Backed by unprecedented credentials in creating mixed-use master planned communities, Eagle Hills Company builds residential projects that captures the very best the city has to offer, and is a catalyst to urban expansion and sustainable economic growth.
ENDS #

For more information, visit:
http://www.eaglehills.com/centenary_city
http://www.centenarycity.com/residential.html
http://www.centenarycity.com/about-us.html
http://www.eaglehills.com/PDF/Centenary.pdf (PHOTOS)
http://www.eaglehills.com/

GTBank Releases 2015 Half Year Audited Results >>>>>Reports Profit Before Tax of N63.11Bill

Guaranty Trust Bank plc has released its audited financial results for the half year ended June 30, 2015 to the Nigerian and London Stock Exchanges.

A review of the half year performance, shows positive growth across all key financial metrics and improved strategic positioning of the brand. Gross earnings for the period grew by 15% to N153billion from N133billion reported in the June 2014; driven primarily by growth in interest income. Profit before tax stood at N63.11billion, representing a growth of 18% over N53.39billion recorded in the corresponding period of June 2014.The Bank’s loan book grew by 2% from N1.276trillion recorded as at December 2014 to N1.299trillion in June 2015 and total customer deposits increased by 5% to N1.71trillion from N1.618trillion in December 2014.



The Bank closed the half year ended June 2015 with Total Assets and Contingents of N3.04trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of N385Billion. The Bank’s non-performing loans remained low at 3.73%. On the backdrop of this result, Return on Equity (ROAE) and Return on Assets (ROAA) stood at 28.1% and 4.4% respectively. The Bank is proposing interim dividend of N0.25k per ordinary shareof 50 kobo each for period ended June 30, 2015.



Segun Agbaje, the Managing Director/CEO of Guaranty Trust Bank plc attributed the Bank’s strong performance during a tough half year period, to the continued support of its customers, the commitment and hard work of its Staff, Management and Board, and strong corporate governance standards.



According to Segun Agbaje, a major objective for the Bank this year is to add value to all stakeholders and improve the customer experience. “We will continue to drive customer engagement, underpinned by a single view of the customer, and build an ecosystem that will guarantee increased customer interactions and satisfaction at every touch point”. He further stated that the Bank will continue to leverage technology and collaborations to improve customer experience and ease of interaction.



GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.



The Bank’s most recent service introductions includes; the GTEasySavers account, which was launched to strategically drive financial inclusion in the country by targeting low-income segments of society who do not have access to banking services by enabling mobile phone users open an account and enjoy basic banking services on their mobile phone. The Bank also launched another innovative service on its mobile banking platform, “*737* Funds Transfer”, which enables GTBank customers to conveniently transfer funds to both GTBank and other bank account holders in Nigeria.

Emirates Launches Up to 25% off Sale to select Destinations

Emirates launches up to 25% off sale to select destinations

Emirates, a global connector of people and places, has announced the launch of a sale campaign offering up to 25% off to select destinations in its Economy Class cabins for the Nigerian market.

The special fares apply to all Emirates’ destinations from Lagos including: Mumbai (BOM); Guangzhou (CAN); Delhi (DEL); Dallas-Fort-Worth (DFW); Dubai (DXB); Houston (IAH); New York (JFK); London (LHR); Chennai (MAA) and Chicago (ORD); Bangalore (BLR); Mumbai (BOM); and Guangzhou (CAN).
The offer is valid for booking between 18 August and 24 August for travel from September 1st up to December 10th, 2015, (conditions apply).
Economy Class fares from Lagos to Delhi via Dubai, start from $992; Mumbai $1,020; Guangzhou $1,043; London $1,025; Chicago $1,243; New York $1,241; Chennai $1,010; Houston $1,344; Dallas-Fort-Worth $1,343 and Dubai $852.

Economy Class fares from Abuja to Delhi, via Dubai, start from $992; Guangzhou $1,043; Washington $1,243; Beijing $1,264; Kuala Lumpur $1,136 and Bangalore $1,018

Speaking on the tactical fares, the Regional Manager, Emirates West Africa, Mr. Manoj Nair stated that, the special fares and the opportunity to stopover in Dubai for shopping and leisure are particular attractions for passengers, with the 96-hour visa in Dubai making the journey even smoother.

“Passengers can experience award-winning services from Emirates international cabin crew from more than 130 countries, gourmet cuisine and the airline’s renowned ice inflight entertainment system, which offers passengers hundreds of audio and visual channels on demand,” he added.

Customers travelling with Emirates benefit from a generous baggage allowance of 30kg in Economy Class, 40kg in Business Class and 50kg in First Class. Passengers on Emirates flights can also stay in touch with SMS, email and phone connections in every seat.