Latest news with #Agbaje
Irish Independent
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Just throw yourself in there' – Former Love Islanders Catherine Agbaje and Toby Aromoloran give advice to newest Irish contestant
Fellow Dubliner Agbaje was a contestant on series 10 of Love Island in 2023 and also took part in this year's series of Love Island: All Stars. Aromoloran, whose mother Victoria is from Crossmolina in Co Mayo, was the runner-up on series seven of the show and also returned to the show on All Stars. Agbaje said she is sure Clarke, who is drawing comparisons to Maura Higgins, will get on well in the villa. "Dubliners are friendly. I feel like she'll get on with everyone and I'm just happy to see someone from Dublin in the Villa again. I feel like you need a Dublin person,' she said. 'The thing is – can English guys deal with Irish girls?' Aromolan asked. 'We're feisty,' Agbaje replied. She said there is an adjustment period that comes with heading into the Love Island world for the first time. "Being from Ireland and going into the villa, you don't know what to expect. It's a whole different culture out there, a whole different set of rules, but I feel like she'll be fine. Once you go in there, you're yourself, you make friends with the girls,' she said. "Irish girls are such girl's girls, so I feel she will be a girl's girl and be able to stand her foot.' Aromoloran said he found the pressure of life after Love Island easier to cope with as he exited the villa in a relationship with his fellow contestant Chloe Burrows. "I came out in a relationship, so we leaned on each other, which was a lot better than just coming out by yourself. I feel like the pressure of that is really hard, even though the pressure of the relationship is quite hard as well,' he said. "I quite enjoyed it, to be honest. I thought it was quite fun, something different and out of the ordinary, a different situation I've never been in. I leaned into it in a way, and found it funny half the time.' Both Agbaje and Aromoloran are yet to find love, but both said they would not do anything differently if they were heading back into the villa this year. Reflecting on what he learned from the experience, Aromoloran said: 'I've learned, from the first time ever, I didn't know anything about love. Now, I feel like I know so much. "I think I know a lot now. My advice would just be, throw yourself in there, try and not overthink anything. Just throw yourself into the process of finding love. Let yourself go.' Similar sentiments were echoed by Agbaje, who advised the contestants on the upcoming series of Love Island to 'let their guard down'. "I feel like that's important because as girls, we like to hold on to stuff and unintentionally bring it into new relationships,' she said. "You just need to let your guard down and sometimes, you might have an idea of what you want, but truly no one knows what love is. It's until you feel it, it's a feeling.'
Daily Mail
29-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Millions of teenagers may suffer 'ticking time bomb' heart problem due to common diet mistake, experts warn
Millions of seemingly healthy teenagers are at risk of deadly heart failure due to poor diets and lack of exercise, experts have warned. Researchers at the University of Eastern Finland found that teens with elevated blood sugar levels were significantly more likely to have an enlarged heart. The condition, called ventricular hypertrophy, weakens the organ's ability to pump blood effectively, dramatically increasing the chances of a fatal cardiac arrest. Professor Andrew Agbaje, from the University of Eastern Finland, said they found even healthy-looking teens and young adults, of a normal weight, may still be at risk. The team analysed 1,595 volunteers, aged 17 to 24, from the University of Bristol's Children of the 90s cohort—a long-running study tracking the health of thousands born in the early 1990s. They measured blood sugar levels to investigate whether raised glucose could trigger metabolic changes linked to harmful alterations in heart structure. Previous research has shown that high blood sugar in youth is a strong predictor of type 2 diabetes—a condition that doubles heart attack risk—in later life. Now, for the first time, evidence suggests that damage to the heart may start earlier, even before diabetes is diagnosed. Worryingly, the study found that youngsters with a persistent fasting blood sugar level of 5.6mmol/L or higher—still below the NHS threshold for diabetes—were at a 46 per cent greater risk of developing left ventricular hypertrophy. Whilst the condition itself does not cause symptoms, it can put strain on the heart resulting in chest pain, shortness of breath and heart palpitations. Left untreated, this can cause abnormal heart rhythms which can lead to cardiac arrest and sudden death. Other factors that influence heart health—including family history of cardiovascular disease, smoking, and levels of physical activity—were also taken into account. Prof Agbaje suggested his team's findings 'underscore the critical importance of lifestyle, behaviour and dietary habits, especially after adolescents have become independent from their family. 'The findings further confirm that even healthy-looking adolescents and young adults who are mostly normal weight may be on a path towards cardiovascular diseases, if they have high blood glucose and insulin resistance. 'Surprisingly, we observed that high blood sugar may aggressively damage females' hearts five times faster than males'—therefore, special attention should be paid to girls in terms of prevention,' he added. Once considered a disease of middle and older age, type 2 diabetes is increasingly common in young people. In the UK, about 168,000 people under 40 years old currently live with the condition, which also increases the risk of kidney failure, strokes and blindness. Of this group, a significant portion are children and young adults. The number of young people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes has been on the rise, with a 40 per cent increase observed between 2016 and 23. The NHS advises avoiding too much sugary food, findings ways to manage stress and exercising regularly to try to stop blood sugar levels getting too high.
Zawya
25-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Nigeria: GTCO shareholders approve $0.00497/ Share dividend payout
Shareholders of Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) Plc have approved the payment of a total dividend of N8.03 per share for the financial year ending December 31, 2024. This decision was made at the company's fourth annual general meeting, which was held virtually on Thursday. The company had previously paid an interim dividend of N1 per share and will now pay an additional N7.03 per share, bringing the total dividend for the 2024 financial year to N8.03 per share. Speaking to shareholders, the chairman of GTCO, Mr. Hezekiah Sola Oyinlola, emphasized the group's ability to remain agile and forward-thinking, which has allowed the company to achieve record-breaking performances. Oyinlola stated in his address at the AGM, 'In 2024, we became the first Nigerian bank to surpass the N1 trillion profit mark, an achievement that underscores the resilience of our business model, the dedication of our people, and the trust our customers place in us.' According to him, the company's success in a changing macroeconomic landscape is built on three pillars: operational excellence, disciplined risk management, and a relentless focus on customer-centric innovation. He noted that the banking business continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals, supported by a robust capital base and effective cost management. 'Our strategic diversification into payments, asset management, and pension fund administration has provided complementary revenue streams, reinforcing our leadership in the financial services sector,' he added. Also speaking on the group's 2024 performance, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Mr. Segun Agbaje, noted, 'In 2024, we reached a historic milestone, delivering over N1 trillion in profit before tax, becoming the first Nigerian financial institution to achieve this feat.' He emphasized that its banking subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank, remains central to its operations, driving growth in Nigeria, West Africa, East Africa, and the United Kingdom. 'In 2024, we navigated a rapidly evolving regulatory and macroeconomic environment with a focus on strengthening our financial position and delivering best-in-class banking services,' he explained. Agbaje also noted that the Central Bank of Nigeria's recapitalization policy presented an opportunity to reinforce market leadership, allowing the group to complete the first phase of its equity capital raising plan through a Public Offer. 'This Public Offer attracted strong participation from both domestic retail and institutional investors, raising N209.41 billion and expanding our shareholder base from 332,000 to over 460,000,' he added. 'With this momentum, we are prepared to launch the second phase of our capital raising plan in 2025, targeting significant foreign institutional investments to further solidify our reputation as a globally recognized and competitive financial services brand,' he continued. Looking ahead, Agbaje stated, 'Our focus will be on deepening digitalization, enhancing customer experiences, and expanding our ecosystem of financial and non-financial solutions. We will continue to invest in cutting-edge technology, strengthen our cybersecurity framework, and build strategic partnerships that unlock new growth opportunities. Most importantly, we will remain true to our purpose: driving economic progress, fostering financial inclusion, and creating sustainable value for all stakeholders.' Shareholders commended the board for the financial performance achieved during the reviewed period, despite the challenging operating environment. Chief Timothy Adesiyan, speaking on behalf of shareholders, praised the management of GTCO for their impressive financial performance in 2024 and the dividend payout. Also, Mrs. Bisi Bakara, national coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, commended the board, management, and staff for their stellar performance and success in the face of adversity. She expressed approval for the proposed final dividend declaration of N7.03 per share, which totals N8.03 in dividend payments. For the year ended December 31, 2024, GTCO reported a remarkable 81.1% surge in gross earnings, reaching N2.15 trillion, up from N1.19 trillion in 2023. Before the end of the AGM, Oyinlola also announced that, as part of the company's succession plan, Mr. Suleiman Barau has been appointed as the new Group Chairman, pending regulatory approval. He highlighted Barau's extensive experience and respect in the industry, noting that 'he is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, with a proven track record of leadership and strategic insight.' 'He has been a pioneering director of GTCO since its restructuring. I am confident that under his guidance, GTCO will continue to thrive, innovate, and deliver superior value to all its customers and stakeholders,' he stated. Copyright © 2022 Nigerian Tribune Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
