Our Reporter 

Indigenous market leaders in shipping and logistics services, Fortune Global Shipping and logistics (FGSL) today announced the appointment of a new Managing Director, Kingsley Uwagbale.

Uwagbale brings to bear a wealth of professional experience crisscrossing multiple sectors including aviation, maritime, logistics, emergency management and business consultancy in a successful career that spans over 30 years.

“Kingsley is a seasoned professional with vast experience and a trackrecord of delivering world-class services. He is known for combining effective commercial credentials, data-driven decision making and inspirational leadership to steer businesses and people in the desired direction. On this note, the management remains resolute in its convictions that under his stewardship, Fortune Global will positively make inroads into other major markets across the continent,” said Eric Opah, President/CEO, FGSL.

Uwagbale’s appointment comes at a time when businesses globally are gradually exiting the downturn brought about by the pandemic. MrUwagbale is charged with not only driving business stability but also charting the roadmap for growth in the near and long term.

“Leveraging the opportunities that the current business climate has presented us to improve our operational efficiency is paramount to the long-term objectives of the company. The market may still be reeling from the devastating effects of the pandemic, however, with the deployment of technology and a growth-oriented approach, we shall fulfil the Board’s mandate and further enhance customer satisfaction. Innovation and the ability to seamlessly pivot into other businesses will be paramount in our activities moving forward and with the calibre of forward-thinking colleagues working tirelessly with me, we can hit the shared objectives in good time,” remarked Kingsley Uwagbale.

Uwagbale holds an MBA in Marketing from the University Port-Harcourt, a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Chemistry from the University of Benin. Over the years, he has also attended Executive Education programs at the prestigious Harvard Business School and Cambridge University, England. He is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Chemists of Nigeria and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Under his stewardship, the firm is expected to make significant improvements on the successes it has made in recent times. This year, the firm has acquired a multi-million Bonded and General Warehouse to bolster its operations. It also added its ever-growing fleet, new trucks to improve service delivery. Finally, the organisation signed has entered multi-year partnerships with numerous International Oil Companies to render its unique services and ultimately contribute to the national economic recovery.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

A new entrant in the financial services sector Branch has announced a free unlimited money transfer scheme for Nigerians qualifying it as Nigeria’s leading investment returns pegged at 20 per cent.

According to its Managing Director, Dayo Ademola, the operator is Africa’s leading finance app invites Nigerians to compare and save.

With over 23 million downloads, Branch, Ademola said is one of the most popular lending apps in the world with its app now offering two new noteworthy services:

Describing it as an unlimited money transfer scheme, it is unmatched amongst today’s finance apps with 20 per cent per annum investment returns.

According to Ademola, the new offerings complement instant loans up to N500,000, free bill pay, airtime top-ups, and other existing services found within the app.

Taken together, he said customers can now enjoy a single app to manage their money with unmatched value.

Speaking on the value offering, Ademola said: ” Finding the best deal when it comes to your money can be overwhelming. We have made it simple. Compare our 20 per cent returns and free money transfers to see how Branch is better than your bank.

“Branch’s unlimited free transfers to recipient bank accounts have no hidden fees or restrictions. Most financial apps today charge a transfer fee or cap the number of free transfers.

“Unlike other investment platforms where the money is locked for a fixed period, our customers can withdraw their investments after a 24-hour period. Branch’s 20% per annum return is paid weekly. Investments through the Branch app are channeled into low-risk financial instruments with capital preservation as the ultimate goal. Branch also forfeits its commissions to customers in order to provide returns that are amongst Nigeria’s highest.

“To further encourage new customer trials, Branch is offering a limited time additional incentive: for each deposit of N300 or more using the wallet, customers receive a N50 bonus – up to N6,000 in bonuses per year.

“Branch is licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria as a Finance Company and authorised to provide services such as credit and fund management.

” Over 23 million people have installed Branch’s app with a 4.4 star rating by over 300,000 reviews on Google Play. Branch is backed by some of the world’s biggest investors, including Andreessen Horowitz , early backers of Facebook & Twitter as well as Visa.

Since 2018, Branch has provided over three million loans to Nigerians and is now expanding to offer 20 per cent investments and free money transfers.

“With over 23 million downloads, Branch is a leading finance app that provides Nigerians access to instant loans, free money transfers, bill payment, and an investment platform that offers a 20 per cent interest rate per annum, all in one place. In addition to Nigeria, Branch International has offices in Kenya, India, and Silicon Valley.

” Founded in 2015, its mission is to provide world-class financial services to the mobile generation.”

Our Reporter

Nigeria’s leading shipping and logistics company, Fortune Global Shipping and Logistics Limited (FGSL) emerged a winner for the “Next Bull” award at the 2021 Nigerian Investor Value (NIVA) Awards formerly known as Top 25 CEOs & Next Bulls Award. The award was in recognition of the appreciable innovation the company has made in improving the industry through exceptional service delivery.

The award, which held on April 24, is the brainchild of a collaboration between the Nigerian Stock Exchange and BusinessDay Media. Upon a rigorous selection process selection process, FGSL came top on a longlist of 136 firms to earn the accolade.

Commenting on the feat, President and CEO of Fortune Global, Eric Opah said: ”We are humbled by this recognition and it speaks to our long-time commitment to strive for excellence in our business operations. To be named “Next Bull”is a commendation of the work done behind the scenes, and it is even better much more coming on the back of the pandemic which created severe alterations in the activities of businesses.

We are resolved to use this recognition as a springboard for greater achievements. Our mandate to make the indigenous shipping & logistics sector on par with its foreign counterparts remains in place. It is our hope that this will contribute to the improvement of the national economy and demonstrate to peers that a customer-centric outlook and technical know-how will ultimately engender competitive advantage.”

The bestowment of the accolade on the organisations follows from multiple statements of interest by well-informed investors to acquire shares in the firm should they become listed in the near future. The award selection process included extensive consultations with experts in different financial sub-sectors such as retail and institutional investing, financial journalism and other sectoral experts.

According to the organisers of the event, FGSL has shown: ”Impressive growth, market reputation, regulatory compliance and world-class corporate values. It is heartening to see that despite an arid initial public offering on the NSE in recent years, there remains a strong appetite and solid support among investors for well-run companies with strong market positions, executing with discipline on their strategy, and led by visionary leaders.”

Fortune Global has a rich history of continually enhancing its strategies and processes, evident in its operational strategy. In 2020, the company joined the ranks of internationally certified players by bagging its ISO 9001:2015 accreditation. A move that confirms its alignment with global best processes and reinforced its excellent quality management system. The company has also been one of the few organisations in its sector to swiftly adapt its operations to new realities to achieve both business stability and expansion afterwards. The company stands alongside illustrious firms like SystemSpecs, Innoson Group and Enyo Retail and Supply to have earned the winners’ plaque.

The NIVA Awards was founded in 2014 and has since become a beacon for identifying the top-performing companies and directors on the exchange market as well as detecting the best-run private firms. The award recognises both Listed and unlisted companies, for which it enjoys a wide following by members of the investing public.