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ABUJA- TAJBank Limited, one of Nigeria’s leading non-interest banking services provider, has again set a record with Bbb+ rating by the foremost rating agency – Agusto & Co.

This makes the it the best rated in the nation’s Non-Interest Banking (NIB) space.

According to a statement by Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TajBank, Hamid Joda, the latest rating is a notch up from the bank’s previous rating.

Joda said that it came in recognition of the bank’s high quality balance sheet and robust earnings capacity.

He described the improved rating by Agusto & Co as a clear demonstration that TAJBank has continued to prioritise necessary risk management and operational control.

“The latest rating of TAJBank by the reputable agency has, once again, confirmed the management’s commitment to world-class standardisation of the bank’s operations.

“Especially in terms ensuring high operational standards and service provisions for our growing customers on a sustainable basis.

“As we have consistently assured our customers and industry regulators, our primary goal is to deliver cutting edge quality and operational systems and services as well as protect the interest of our customers.

“By so doing, retain TAJBank as the leader in the NIB subsector of the banking system and make it the preferred choice for value-conscious customers in non-interest banking services in Nigeria and globally.

“Our message to our current and potential customers is that with TAJBank, they can be rest assured of safety of their transactions.

“TAJBank is ready to support their business and other endeavors in line with our operational mantra, which says our interest is only the customer”, he said.

The bank’s Executive Director, Sherif Idi, said that the latest ratings reaffirmed TAJBank as a system and operational-conscious and standard-drive non-interest lender.

“Today, TAJBank remains at the leading edge of the NIB sub-sectoral market and is determined to retain this position in the years ahead by prioritising investment in human capital and innovative technologies and solutions.

“By this, we will continue to serve our customers better and add value to the businesses or socioeconomic well-being ” he said. (NAN)

OSUN- The Authorities of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, say they have lost a final-year student of the Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agricultural Economics, Chisom Nwankwo, to a road accident within the campus.

The Public Relations Officer of the Institution, Mr Abiodun Olarewaju, confirmed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Tuesday in Ile-Ife.

Olarewaju said that the deceased was involved in an accident on campus and unfortunately died.

He added that Nwankwo’s death is a colossal loss to the department, faculty and the entire University community.

According to him, the University Management was saddened about the incident and regrets to announced the passing away of their dear agriculturalist with hope of brighter future.

“The management appealed to motorists and motorcyclists to be conscious of the traffic law and reduce speeding within and outside the campus.

“We cannot afford to be losing our students no matter their level, therefore we warn all and sundry against speeding and wrong overtaking that can claim the lives of students or staff.

“The management condoled with the family of the deceased and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”. Olarewaju stated.

He charged private car and commercial bus drivers to reduce their speed on campus, and should adhere to speed limits and traffic signs within the University. (NAN)

OSOGBO- The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun,  on Tuesday, advised Gov. Ademola Adeleke to halt the free school feeding programme recently initiated by his administration in the state.

The call followed the recent incident of alleged food poisoning of 18 primary school pupils of St. James Primary School in Osogbo.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN ) recalls that 18 pupils allegedly became ill after eating their free O-Meal diet, on Monday, and were rushed to an undisclosed hospital where they were all treated and later discharged.

Reacting to the reported incident, the APC Chairman, Mr Sooko Lawal, in a statement  on Tuesday in Osogbo, said that the episode was another indices of lackadaisical leadership in the state.

The statement by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Mr Kola Olabisi, and made available to newsmen, quoted Lawal as describing the incident as an embarrassment to the citizenry and a gauge of the unpreparedness of the “handlers”.

” The humanity in me became uncomfortable when one of victim’s mother gave account of her child coming back from school with an offensive odour similar to a rotten egg.

” If these allegationas are true, then Gov. Adeleke must have a clear conversation with his creator. How would the food vendors be dedicated when they are paid peanuts and are not supplied with the right food supplies? ” Lawal said.

He said that stakeholders should rise up to condemn the laissez faire approach to governance which was partly manifested with the suspected poisoning of 18  primary school pupils .

Meanwhile , the Osun Government has ordered full investigation into the alleged food poisoning of in St. James Primary School (B), Owoope in Osogbo.

This is contained in a statement by the state’s  Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, and made availaible to newsmen  in Osogbo.

The statement explained that Gov. Ademola Adeleke ordered the action and had directed the stoppage of free meals to pupils.

It stated that the affected cooks in the school and their planning officer for the programme had been summoned to a meeting on Tuesday.

” The governor  has directed enforcement of food standard as well as the auditing of O-Meal structure to prevent future occurrence, ” the commissioner said.

According to the statement,  the state government has settled all medical bills of affected students after they were discharged from hospital.

Also, the Chairman of  Local Government Education Authority,  Mr Nathaniel Ojetola, said  that 18 students were treated and discharged.

” The total student population of the school is 200 while only 103 were within the population receiving food from the O-Meal programme .

” Also, a government delegation is visiting families of the affected students,” the statement said. (NAN )