Events

Mutual Trust MFBank gives back with festive food drive

Published

3 years ago

January 4, 2024

Christmas, known as the season of good cheer, took a gloomy turn for many Nigerians this year as the rising cost of festive essentials casts a shadow over celebrations. With higher prices impacting everything from food and drink to gift items, Nigerian households grappled with increased financial strain.

The costs of basic necessities essential for a joyful Christmas celebration have surged, with families having to allocate more of their budgets to food, beverages, clothing, shoes, and transportation.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s headline inflation rate for November 2023 stood at 28.2 percent, marking the 11th consecutive month of inflationary increases. This rate is the highest recorded since July 2005, spanning over 18 years. A previous NBS report on the Customer Price Index for October also revealed a rise in the headline inflation rate to 27.33 percent, up from September’s 26.72 percent.

With these economic challenges looming large, many Nigerian families face the prospect of a less-than-merry Christmas and New Year celebration due to the surge in the prices of goods and services.

In a heartwarming response to this growing concern, Mutual Trust MFBank Limited, a Nigerian microfinance bank headquartered in Abuja, organized a one-day feeding initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. This initiative aimed to provide underprivileged individuals and families with various packages of food and water to brighten their festive season.

The bank collaborated closely with local partners to identify those in need, ensuring the initiative reached the most deserving beneficiaries.

Addressing attendees at the event, Josh Oyebisi, managing director/CEO of Mutual Trust MFBank Limited, characterized the Feeding Initiative project as a crucial component of the bank’s CSR mission to give back to the community.

“The Mutual Trust MFBank Feeding Initiative is a CSR endeavor that seeks to support vulnerable members of society and alleviate hunger, especially during this festive season,” he stated. “We hope that this initiative will make a meaningful difference in the lives of people who are struggling to put food on their tables for themselves and their families.”

The bank’s feeding initiative received widespread commendation from local community leaders and beneficiaries, including widows, children, and elderly men.

Speaking at the event, Gbenga Adetola, the Chief Corporate Services Officer of Mutual Trust MFBank Limited, emphasized the vital importance of the initiative as a service to humanity. “Numerous individuals are grappling with the challenge of putting food on the table during the festive season,” he noted. “The bank’s feeding initiative is just one of the ways in which we are giving back to the community. Our bank also actively supports various charitable organizations, including schools, hospitals, and orphanages.”

Mutual Trust MFBank’s CSR program constitutes a significant part of its overarching mission, reflecting the institution’s commitment to improving the community. The bank firmly believes in its responsibility to contribute to the betterment of society, and its feeding initiative stands as a testament to this enduring commitment.

As Nigerians grapple with the economic hurdles posed by inflation, acts of goodwill like the one organized by Mutual Trust MFBank are a beacon of hope, bringing warmth and joy to those in need during the festive season.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.