FirstBank of Nigeria Limited said it has launched the Virtual Payment card, a naira denominated debit card and digital representation of the plastic debit card.
According to the bank, the card is designed to be linked to either a customer’s operative account or wallet account.
The FirstBank Virtual Payment Card is a suitable alternative to the use of cash and cheques, with its wide-range features which include the ability of cardholders to protect their card using the block and unblock capabilities; PIN reset; change PIN as well as view statement at one’s convenience.
It also enables diaspora customers to spend from their FirstBank account within the spend limit advised by the bank without the need for a physical card.
The FirstBank Virtual Payment Card is a safe, convenient, and easy way of making e-commerce payments amongst other functionalities.
The Virtual Payment Card can be created via the bank’s leading digital channels; FirstMobile or Firstmonie Wallet applications, while customers can download the card, activate the card and consummate transactions all at once from the comfort of their homes/offices.
Also, no branch visit is required. Customers are advised to update their mobile application to the latest version, then select Card Services on the FirstMobile App and My Virtual Card application to create a Virtual Card at the cost of N215 (VAT inclusive).
Speaking on the launch, Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gbenga Shobo said ‘the launch of our Virtual Payment Card is yet another secure and seamless way we promote electronic banking, whilst enabling customers to carry-out their transactions on the web”
“The Virtual Payment Card is also designed to guard against the spread of the COVID-19 as it does not require physical interaction between the customer and FirstBank Branches. We enjoin our customers to download the application and stay ahead in modern banking,” he concluded.
Similarly, FirstBank recently launched the FAST Track Automated Teller Machine (ATM), the next generation ATM and first of its kind in Africa, designed to promote financial activities on the ATM without any form of physical interaction with the machine.
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Lafarge Africa extends deadline for entries to national essay competition
COMFORT EKELEME, BUSINESS EDITOR
In order to give more interested children the opportunity to participate, Lafarge Africa Plc has extended the registration deadline for its National Essay Competition in Nigeria to 15th of January, 2021.
This is in response to calls by parents and guardians of pupils in public schools requesting for more time to allow their children and wards to participate in the competition.
Themed “Building the Nigeria of my dreams”, the contest which is in two categories: the Junior category, for pupils aged 7-10 years in public primary schools and the Intermediate category, for pupils aged 11-14 in public junior secondary schools, will help improve literacy amongst young adults and also engender loyalty to the nation as they will write about their hopes and aspirations of the Nigerian nation they desire.
Following the call for the extension, Lafarge Africa’s Country Chief Executive Officer, Mr Khaled El-Dokani, encouraged eligible pupils who are within the age bracket and in public schools to visit www.learnwithlafarge.com to take advantage of the opportunity to further develop their literacy skills even as they stand a chance to win cash prizes of N1.5million in the Diamond category; N1million and N750,000 in the Gold and Silver categories respectively as well as other exciting educational consolation prizes.
“One of our key sustainability priorities at Lafarge Africa is our commitment to our communities through education and we are actively collaborating with the government and the private sector to improve the country’s literacy ratio towards making an impact in reducing the World Bank estimate which states that over 80 per cent of Nigerian primary school-leavers cannot read,” he said.
According to him, the www.learnwithlafarge.com portal which hitherto opened for entries on the 4th of December 2020 will now close on the 15th of January, 2021 while short-listing of successful entries will hold on 28th February, 2021 and overall winners in the different categories will emerge on the 15th of March 2020 after their individual presentations to the reviewing panel.
The virtual National essay competition is built on the recognition that the depth and quality of the country’s human capital are as important as its physical infrastructure.
The essay competition which is aimed at bridging the literacy gap and developing human capital in the country is being held virtually in strict adherence to safety guidelines and protocols amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
