FirstBank To Launch Financial Services For Blind, Physically Challenged Customers

FirstBank, the premier West African bank and a leading financial inclusion service provider, is set to introduce tailored financial services for blind, partially sighted, and physically challenged customers across its operations.

This initiative is part of FirstBank’s broader continuous commitment to promoting Financial Inclusion and Diversity, which is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 41 per cent,:59 per cent; and 37 per cent women in management roles) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation. 

In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.

Commenting on the proposed launch, the Chief Risk Officer and Chairman of the FirstBank Sustainability Committee, Patrick Akhidenor, said, “Everyone deserves access to financial services whether physically or digitally.

“We recognise this, and we are providing financial services that are both accessible and affordable to visually impaired and physically challenged customers at all our touchpoints. We are making it possible for them to manage their accounts independently and securely, the bank said.”

The initiative will be implemented in phases across all subsidiaries and locations of the FirstBank Group. Transaction documents will be made available in braille, audio, large print, and digital formats. ATMs will be upgraded with high-contrast screens and voice-prompt commands, while cards issued will feature tactile motifs and braille inscriptions for easy recognition. Already existing soft PINs and tokens would be enhanced to boost secure access to banking channels. Product brochures will also be made available in braille and audio formats to support customer understanding and engagement.

FirstBank’s efforts align with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s financial inclusion strategy and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which advocate equal access to financial services.

With this initiative, FirstBank is shaping a future where every individual, regardless of physical ability, can manage their financial affairs without third-party assistance. By embedding accessibility into its core operations, the Bank is setting a new standard for ethical, inclusive, and impactful banking.

 

Read More

Lagos Begins Drainage Project In Lagos Island To Tackle Flooding

The Lagos State Government has commenced the creation of natural water flow channels along road networks in flood-prone areas of Lagos Island.

The project is part of the state’s regeneration plan to address recurring flooding, improve road infrastructure, and provide essential amenities for residents of the island.

This was disclosed during the ceremony for the construction of an ultra-modern shopping mall at the site of the demolished Pelewura iron rod market, Adeniji Adele, Lagos Island.

The project, undertaken by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development, through the Office of Urban Development, in partnership with the Lagos Island Local Council Development Area, is expected to be completed within a year.

In a statement obtained by Saturday PUNCH, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Oluyinka Olumide, explained that the regeneration of Pelewura market was central to the government’s master plan for the Island.

He said, “In theory, Lagos Island is not below sea level, but it is very close. This makes the management of drainage flow critical. What we are planning now is to create natural drainage channels, and that means pulling down structures that obstruct the process.

“The result will be a return to the old days when we had free-flowing drains. As a child, I remember making paper boats with friends and racing them on the streets. That was possible because water could flow freely. That is exactly what we want to bring back to Lagos Island.”

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Urban Development, Olajide Abiodun, described the proposed mall as a symbol of renewed life for Lagos Island.

The Chairman of Lagos Island LCDA, Folawiyo Alade, assured that the project would be delivered on schedule.

 

Read More

Toyota Unveils Toyota Corolla 2025 Model with Bold Designs And Tech Upgrade

The Toyota Corolla, one of the world’s best-selling cars and a staple of the U.S. compact sedan market, has been refreshed for 2025 with a new design, enhanced technology, and improved fuel efficiency—strengthening its appeal to families, commuters, and young professionals alike.

Sharper Look, Premium Feel

The 2025 Corolla sports a bolder exterior, featuring a redesigned grille, sleeker LED headlights, and a sportier bumper. New alloy wheels and sleeker taillights give the sedan a more upscale look, while maintaining the practicality the model is known for.

Inside, Toyota has upgraded cabin materials, seat upholstery, and noise insulation. The cabin provides ample legroom, foldable rear seats for added storage, and ambient lighting, offering a balance of comfort and utility for daily drives or long road trips.

Tech-Forward Cabin

Standard across trims is an 8-inch touchscreen, with higher trims offering a 12.3-inch display, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital instrument cluster, wireless charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, and an optional JBL premium audio system.

Performance and Efficiency

The standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine delivers 169 horsepower via a CVT, while the standout Hybrid variant achieves up to 53 MPG in the city and 52 MPG on the highway—making it one of the most fuel-efficient sedans on the U.S. market. The gasoline version still impresses with 32 MPG city and 41 MPG highway.

Safety First

All trims come equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, pre-collision braking, and automatic high beams. Higher trims add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Pricing and Value

The 2025 Corolla is offered in multiple trims: the LE starts at $23,500, the SE at $25,500, the feature-rich XSE at $28,500, and the Hybrid at $25,000. Competing against the Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Nissan Sentra, Toyota banks on its mix of affordability, efficiency, and long-term reliability to keep the Corolla a top seller.

Verdict

While acceleration remains modest compared to turbocharged rivals and trunk space is average for its class, the Corolla 2025 checks nearly every box for budget-conscious buyers. With a sharper design, advanced features, and Toyota’s reputation for durability, the latest Corolla continues its reign as one of America’s most dependable compact sedans.

 

Read More

PFN's President Marks 69 Birthday Today

The National President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) and Presiding Bishop of Sword of the Spirit Ministries, Bishop Wale Oke, is marking his 69th birthday today, according to a statement released on Saturday.

The statement recounted Oke’s remarkable journey in ministry, noting that he founded the Sword of the Spirit Ministries (Christ Life Church) and launched The Sword of the Spirit magazine in May 1980.

Renowned for his evangelistic crusades, Oke has conducted mass outreaches across Nigeria and several African nations, where testimonies of salvation, healing, miracles, signs, and wonders have been recorded.

Beyond Africa, he has also spoken at conferences and conventions in Europe, Asia, North America, Russia, and Eastern Europe. He currently hosts a daily Instagram broadcast, The Voice of the Lord, and founded the Sword Media Network (SMNET), a cable and internet platform broadcasting the gospel globally.

Since 1983, Oke has consistently hosted two major annual gatherings — the Holy Ghost Convention and the God’s End-Time Army Conference — drawing participants from across the world.

The cleric is also a prolific author, with bestselling titles including Alone With God, Walking in God’s Covenant, The Precious Blood of Jesus, Stepping Into Greatness, and The Weapons of Our Warfare. He is also the author of the widely used annual devotional, Change from Glory to Glory.

 

Read More

Thugs Invade ADC's Rally In Lagos

Miscreants, suspected to be political thugs, yesterday, invaded a rally organised by the Lagos State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), led by a former Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.

The rally, held at Lion Field in Alimosho Local Council of the state, was organised to receive and welcome the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, and the party’s 2023 governorship flag bearer in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

It was gathered that shortly after the kick-off of the programme, miscreants stormed the venue and sacked all the participants.

The rally was also organised to sensitise residents on the importance of obtaining their Permanent Voter Card (PVC), and urge members to mobilise youths to register during the exercise in preparation for the 2027 general elections in the state.

The miscreants, who were suspected to be supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, inflicted varying degrees of injuries on their victims.

However, policemen deployed from Lagos State Police Command were apparently overwhelmed as the miscreants went berserk, sending everyone in different directions.

Despite the police takeover of the venue earlier chosen for his declaration of defection to the ADC on Saturday and suspected attacks on a church premises later chosen as an alternative, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour has gone ahead to make good his planned action. Rhodes-Vivour said: “We are not holding a political rally, but we are holding a political meeting, which we have constitutional rights to do.

However, we will go right now to meet with the Commissioner of Police to know why his men are here and find out if their presence is to carry out their constitutional duty of providing security and protection or not.”

Meanwhile, Publicity Secretary, Lagos chapter of the APC, Seye Oladejo, when contacted, absolved the ruling party of involvement in the incident. Oladejo said: “The opposition is certainly not helping our democracy to grow by accusing the ruling party of being the cause of their internal rifts.

“It is a well-known fact that the opposition in the country is a house divided against itself. The APC, as the ruling party, is the greatest stakeholder when it comes to maintaining peace and tranquility in the state.

“The opposition, as currently constituted, poses no threat to us and we are not interested in their inability to put their house in order.

“They are already looking for excuses for their imminent defeat come 2027.

“We vehemently deny any role in the failure of their rally and want to urge them not to throw the state into turmoil.”

RELATEDLY, a pro-democracy advocate, Olatorera Majekodunmi-Oniru, has raised the alarm over what she described as “brutal acts of thuggery and kleptocracy” unfolding in Lagos State. She, however, condemned the weekend’s forced displacement of residents in Oworonshoki and the disruption of opposition political activities.

Majekodunmi-Oniru, who accused entrenched political actors in Lagos of eroding democratic space through intimidation and violence, said: “These incidents are symptomatic of a broader authoritarian streak that has dogged Lagos politics for decades. From the suppression of student movements in the 80s to the more recent clampdown on the #EndSARS protests in 2020, the state has often been criticised for deploying state-backed might to muzzle dissent and maintain a one-party stranglehold.

“Democracy cannot thrive where citizens are brutalised, opposition voices are silenced, and laws of humanity are disrespected. Nigerian citizens must stand tall against kleptocrats, thugs, and warmongers.”

Meanwhile, the ADC has condemned Saturday’s attack on its members at the rally venue. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdhllahi, the party said: “The African Democratic Congress is outraged by the attack that occurred at an ADC gathering in Alimosho, where its leaders and members had gathered for a peaceful meeting.

“The ADC particularly condemns the invasion of the church premises where the meeting was meant to be held. This attack on the church premises is a profound act of desecration by a jittery ruling party that would stop at nothing to silence opposition voices in the country.”

It, therefore, called on the police to rise above partisan interests and demonstrate that they are not compromised.

 

Read More