Nigeria News (Standard)
Rank CEO Femi Iromini Launches Collective Wealth Model for Young Nigerians in Lagos Summit
Platform reports over $100 million paid to users as experts urge shift from legacy banking to digital, community-driven finance
Platform reports over $100 million paid to users as experts urge shift from legacy banking to digital, community-driven finance
Rank, a Nigerian fintech platform, has unveiled a new collective wealth model aimed at helping young Nigerians and Africans achieve financial security in the digital era. The announcement was made during ‘The Collective,’ Rank’s flagship user event held in Lagos on Tuesday, where CEO and Co-Founder Femi Iromini addressed an audience of creators, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Iromini stated that traditional pathways to wealth—such as stable civil service jobs and land ownership—have lost their effectiveness for the current generation. “This generation is the most educated, connected and digitally fluent in the continent’s history. Yet they face the weakest, most volatile pathways to actual wealth accumulation,” Iromini said at the summit.
Presenting recent data, Rank highlighted that less than 10 percent of Africans currently have access to formal investment products, with conventional banks struggling to provide inclusive financial services. Africa’s median age is about 19 years, making it the youngest continent globally. Projections indicate that by 2050, one in four people worldwide will be African. Fintech adoption among this demographic is growing at more than 20 percent annually in major cities.
To address these challenges, Rank has developed a three-part ecosystem: Rank Microfinance Bank offers inclusive banking; Rank Capital provides advanced wealth management solutions; and the Rank App enables communities to save, invest, and spend collectively. The company revealed that it bypassed standard consumer banking models in favour of pooled capital and community-driven investment structures. Over the past year alone, Rank reported paying out over $100 million (about ₦150 billion at current exchange rates) to users across various communities.
During a panel discussion titled “Old Money, New Wealth,” leading venture capitalists and digital creators including Kola Aina (Founding Partner at Ventures Platform), Adebukola Adewole, Topher, Lydia Ogah and Segi Ademoroti compared traditional physical-asset-based fortunes with modern digital wealth opportunities. The speakers agreed that young professionals must leverage their demographic advantage and digital skills through flexible platforms like Rank to create sustainable wealth.
With Nigeria’s fintech sector outpacing mature markets in terms of growth rate, stakeholders say collective models could become central to future wealth creation strategies. The summit concluded with calls for further innovation in community-based finance tailored to Africa’s youthful population.
Nigeria News (Standard)
PDP’s Oluyede Wins Polling Unit in Ekiti State Local Election
Victory marks significant boost for PDP ahead of wider results; APC yet to issue official reaction
Victory marks significant boost for PDP ahead of wider results; APC yet to issue official reaction
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Oluyede has emerged victorious at his polling unit in the Ekiti State local elections conducted on Saturday, 20 June 2026. The win, recorded within his ward, signals early momentum for the PDP as collation of results continues across the state.
The voting exercise at Oluyede’s polling unit was concluded under the supervision of electoral officials, with voters turning out early to participate. After counting, Oluyede was announced as the winner at the unit, giving his party a lead in that locality. No incident of violence or disruption was reported during the process at this location.
This development is seen as significant for the PDP, which is seeking to regain ground from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria. Local observers say that victories at polling units can boost morale for party agents and influence turnout in subsequent elections within the area. The overall contest remains closely watched, especially as other results are yet to be declared.
As at press time, APC officials had not released any statement reacting to Oluyede’s win. Electoral officers confirmed that collation would continue through the night and final results will be announced by the State Independent Electoral Commission. Both parties have deployed agents to monitor proceedings at various centres.
The outcome at Oluyede’s polling unit is expected to set the tone for PDP supporters as they await official state-wide results. The electoral commission has called for calm among supporters and assured that all votes will be properly counted before winners are formally announced.
Source: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/889447-pdps-oluyede-wins-in-polling-unit.html
Nigeria News (Standard)
Ekiti Voters Head to Polls as Governorship Election Kicks Off Across South-West State
INEC begins collation of polling unit results as major parties vie for victory; turnout reported high in key LGAs
INEC begins collation of polling unit results as major parties vie for victory; turnout reported high in key LGAs
Polling units across Ekiti State opened their doors on Saturday, 20 June 2026, as residents turned out to cast their votes in the highly anticipated governorship election. The exercise, which commenced early in the morning, saw significant participation from eligible voters in various local government areas of the South-West state.
According to reports from different parts of Ekiti, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials arrived at most polling stations on schedule, with voting materials distributed and accreditation processes underway before midday. Security personnel were visible at strategic locations to ensure a peaceful atmosphere throughout the exercise. Observers noted that voter turnout appeared particularly strong in Ado-Ekiti and Ikere LGAs, where competition among candidates is traditionally fierce.
This year’s governorship election is seen as a crucial test for both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP). With no female candidates on the ballot for the top seat, attention has focused on male flagbearers vying to succeed the current administration. The outcome is expected to have implications for party strategies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While official statements from INEC indicated that polling generally proceeded smoothly, some voters cited minor delays related to biometric accreditation devices at isolated centres. However, electoral officers assured that any technical issues were being resolved promptly. At press time, opposition party agents said they were closely monitoring collation processes and urged INEC to ensure transparency in result announcement.
Collation of results from individual polling units began late Saturday afternoon and is expected to continue into Sunday. INEC has called for calm among supporters while official tallies are compiled. Political analysts say the result will likely shape political alignments in Ekiti and could influence national calculations within major parties.
Nigeria News (Standard)
Sickle Cell Disease Remains Widespread in Nigeria Despite Decades of Awareness Campaigns
Health experts lament persistent high cases nationwide as government faces criticism over inadequate screening and treatment support
Health experts lament persistent high cases nationwide as government faces criticism over inadequate screening and treatment support
Sickle cell disease continues to affect millions across Nigeria, with health authorities reporting no significant decline in new cases despite years of public awareness efforts. The ongoing struggle was highlighted on Saturday, 20 June 2026, as medical professionals and advocacy groups raised concerns over the country’s slow progress in reducing the burden of the genetic disorder.
According to health officials, Nigeria remains one of the countries with the highest prevalence of sickle cell disease globally, particularly in states across the South-West and North-Central zones. Despite repeated campaigns and education programmes, many Nigerians still lack access to early diagnosis and comprehensive care, leading to preventable complications and deaths among children and adults.
The continued spread of sickle cell disease is a major public health concern in Nigeria, where an estimated quarter of the population carries the sickle cell trait. Experts say factors such as low rates of genetic counselling before marriage, limited newborn screening, and inadequate funding for specialised treatment centres have hampered efforts to curb new cases. The World Health Organisation has also identified Nigeria as a priority country for intervention due to its high disease burden.
Health sector stakeholders have criticised government’s response as insufficient. Medical practitioners point out that while awareness campaigns have increased knowledge about sickle cell disease, there is still a lack of free or subsidised screening services at most primary healthcare centres. An official from a leading sickle cell foundation noted that many families are unable to afford regular medical care for affected children. The Federal Ministry of Health has acknowledged these challenges and pledged to strengthen support for affected communities through improved funding and expanded screening initiatives.
Experts warn that without urgent reforms—including making genotype testing compulsory before marriage and increasing budgetary allocations—the country may continue to witness high rates of sickle cell complications. Advocacy groups are calling on policymakers at both federal and state levels to prioritise comprehensive sickle cell control strategies, including public education, affordable diagnosis, and access to life-saving treatments.
PDP’s Oluyede Wins Polling Unit in Ekiti State Local Election
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