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Diamond Bank, Nigeria’s foremost retail bank, has announced its partnership with Wakanow, Nigeria’s leading online travel company.
The partnership will see the introduction of the Wakanow cards, a collection of MasterCard-branded pre and post-paid cards that will enable prospective travellers to enjoy special discount and pocket friendly travelling arrangements.
Speaking at a press conference that heralded the launch of the partnership, Uzoma Dozie, Deputy Managing Director, Diamond Bank PLC, stated that it was borne out of a need to give Nigerian travellers the best deals possible when making their travel arrangements.
He said, “As a key player in the country’s financial industry, we are always looking out for innovative ways to impact the lives of Nigerians. That was what informed our decision to work with Wakanow. What we are doing essentially is to give financial ease to the teeming Nigerians who wish to travel whether outside or within the shores of this country for whatever reasons.”
He added that the bank’s decision to work with Wakanow stems from the company’s immense contribution to the travel/tourism industry.
“The decision to work with Wakanow was not a hard one for Diamond Bank to make. Wakanow is a prominent player in the travel and tourism industry and just like Diamond Bank, Wakanow is renowned for putting the customers first in all they do. This partnership coming at a crucial time when Nigerians are preparing to travel to Brazil for the World Cup to support the national team, the Super Eagles,” explained Dozie.
Also speaking at the event, Obinna Ekezie, the CEO of Wakanow, expressed the optimism that the partnership would benefit Nigerians who ordinarily could not afford to travel out of the country.
According to Mr. Ekezie: Wakanow has always been at the forefront of making travelling affordable for Nigerians. This is just one of the ways we intend to fulfil that mandate. With Diamond Bank coming on-board to support us, we have raised the bar a notch higher.”
While reeling out benefits of the cards, Ayona Trimnell, Head, Corporate Communications Division, Diamond Bank, stated that users will enjoy generous discounts on flight tickets and hotels, and earn loyalty points on every purchase which can be exchanged for free services on Wakanow Reward programme.
Cardholders will also enjoy the freedom to use the cards at more than 36.9 million locations in more than 210 countries where MasterCard is accepted.
“MasterCard is committed to increasing the adoption of electronic payments, delivering on the promise of greater financial empowerment for everyone. We are pleased to collaborate with Wakanow and Diamond Bank to introduce this innovative solution that will make travel payments safe, secure and convenient,” says Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head, MasterCard in West Africa.
The Wakanow Cards come in five variants; Standard Prepaid, Atlantis Prepaid, Black Prepaid, Corporate Card and Platinum Credit Card.
