MTN Ghana Foundation has completed screening applications for its Bright Scholarship scheme for tertiary students for the 2020/2021 academic year. A total of 1,180 applications were received out of which 184 applicants were shortlisted for the final batch of the Scholarship. The shortlisted applicants comprised 134 males and 52 females selected from 20 tertiary institution across country.

The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel composed of members of the academia and accredited human resource personnel from 17 th – 21 st August 2020 (Southern Sector) and 24th – 28 th August 2020 (Northern Sector).

After the interviews are completed the panel will select 100 qualified students in public tertiary institutions to be awarded Bright Scholarship from MTN Ghana Foundation. The scholarships will cover the cost of tuition, accommodation and a stipend for books and other relevant reading materials for the duration of their studies. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for the interviews.

Commenting on MTN Bright Scholarships, the Corporate Services Executive of MTN, Mr. Samuel Koranteng said, “the surge of the Coronavirus has aggravated the plight of students whose parents have lost their sources of income. Through the screening process, it was evident a lot of students have been impacted and will need a helping hand to complete their studies.”

Mr. Koranteng further said “I am glad the MTN Ghana Foundation which has been contributing toward the fight against covid 19 has reached out to students in need to enable them complete their education. Hundred students will be awarded with MTN Bright Scholarship”.

The commencement of MTN Bright Scholarship in 2018 was in fulfillment of a commitment MTN made to Ghanaians during the commemoration of its 20 th Anniversary in 2016. During the celebrations, MTN, through the MTN Ghana Foundation promised to award a total of 300 scholarships over a period of three years. So far, 200 scholarships have been awarded to students in public tertiary institutions across the country for 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 academic years respectively. The final batch of 100 scholarships will be presented for the 2020 edition of the Bright Scholarship scheme.

The MTN Ghana Foundation has over a 12 year period awarded over 1000 scholarships to students from basic school to the tertiary level.

FBNBank Ghana has announced the signing of the award winning Reggae and Dancehall recording artiste, songwriter and performer, Samini as ambassador of its new product, quick banking *894#. Samini will be featured in a gripping integrated advertising campaign for the quick banking *894# product which will run on radio, print and online channels.

Africa1 Media, Samini’s management company expressed incredible excitement about FBNBank Ghana’s partnership with Samini. The company was optimistic that the partnership will yield amazing results for both brands.

Samini, the quick banking *894# product ambassador said “FBNBank Ghana has a rich heritage of being a constant financial partner throughout its customers’ lives and I am thrilled to work in partnership with the bank.” While stating that the product ambassadorial collaboration is sure to be a winner, Samini said “more importantly, I urge you to dial *894# now to enjoy easy and simple banking.”

Quick Banking *894# is a mobile application that enables customers to conduct banking on their mobile phone wherever they are at any time. Customers dial *894#, follow the prompts to enroll and activate for quick and easy banking.

In a statement, Victor Yaw Asante, FBNBank Ghana Managing Director was delighted that the bank partnered with Samini. He noted that with a career spanning over twenty years and amassing multiple awards, the Samini brand has been instrumental in the growth of several brands. Mr. Asante was convinced that as Product Ambassador of quick banking *894#, Samini will in no small measure, contribute immense value to the FBNBank brand.

The FBNBank Ghana MD disclosed that the First Bank of Nigeria Limited subsidiary in Ghana is continuing its quest to endear the brand to its stakeholders in the Ghanaian market. “This is because we take pride in being exclusively customer-centric and we go to great lengths to put the needs of our customers at the heart of our business. Our commitment is to set the gold standard of customer experience and excellence in financial services solutions. Since 1894, our brand has developed a unique culture of making the people we serve our utmost priority and today, we reinforce our application of this culture, even as we provide unrivalled value to all our customers during this integrated advertising campaign and beyond.”

Mr. Victor Yaw Asante called on Ghanaians and businesses to take full advantage of FBNBank’s distinctive values and rich heritage which has made its brand a leading African brand and one of the most credible financial institutions on the globe.

(Source: Africa 1 Media)

“Black Parade” (stylized in all caps) is a song by American singer Beyoncé. It was released as a single on June 19, 2020, also referred to as Juneteenth, a day that originated in Beyoncé’s home state, Texas, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. An online directory of black-owned businesses called “Black Parade Route” was launched alongside the single’s release.

Due to the release of “Black Parade” and the accompanying “Black Parade Route” initiative, Black-owned businesses have received increased attention. The Black-owned laundromat Celsious experienced “a massive uptick in online orders”.

The talented artist and philanthropist has also listed a directory of Black-owned businesses that was created and curated by @ZerinaAkers with @black.owned.everything on her website. The site lists several hundred Black-owned companies. The companies can be searched by category, including Art and Design, Beauty, Fashion, Home and Living, Lifestyle, Restaurants and Bars, Services, and Wellness and Health.

“Being Black is your activism. Black excellence is a form of protest. Black joy is your right,” the site states. “Black Parade” benefits BeyGOOD’s Black Business Impact Fund, administered by the National Urban League, to support Black-owned small businesses in need.”

Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z Fold2 has leaked out in full, high-resolution glory with a more sophisticated design and robust-looking hinge. The renders, found by MySmartPrice (via Android Police) show that Z Fold2 has completely lost the original Fold’s cutout selfie camera notch on the interior screen, replaced by a hole-punch. The exterior LCD screen now takes up most of the front space, as well — rather than having big gaps above and below like the Fold.

However, the biggest improvement appears to be in the hinge. Where the Fold (after the redesign) had some janky seals to close off gaps that allowed dust and other particles to get in, the Fold2 sides appear to enclose the hinge structure more completely. The inside corners are also square instead of rounded, so there’s no longer a small gap at the top and bottom when it’s opened. Finally, the hinge appears to be a bit larger and fits more tightly to the sides of the phone.

An earlier and much blurrier leak confirms the punch-hole camera and name, the Galaxy Z Fold2 5G. The “5G” means it’s likely to have a high-end Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, as you’d expect. We also saw a rumor that the Fold2 would come in both 512GB and 256GB variants (rather than just the $1,980 512GB version like the Fold), giving a buyers a cheaper option. All of this should be taken with some skepticism, naturally, as neither the photos nor details have been confirmed by Samsung. The way it’s going, however, expect to see more leaks as the Z Fold2 gets closer to launch.

– www.engadget.com