Ivanna Bay, the French lady who alleged that Davido impregnated her, has also claimed that the Nigerian singer tried to make her sign a confidentiality agreement.

Ivanna dropped the allegation on her Instagram story shortly after the “Unavailable” crooner unfollowed her on all social media platforms.

She wrote, “He (Davido) really tried to make me sign a confidentiality agreement without my knowledge and without a lawyer. Joke on you.

“For 10k, Yes I am pregnant, Yes I will keep it!”

Ivanna’s allegations came shortly after American IndecentStar, Anita Brown, accused Davido of impregnating her.

...seek deployment to Edo for NYSC one-year national service

The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed that the Edo State Government will place Aminat Yusuf who graduated as the best law student from Lagos State University (LASU) with 5.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) on salary and sponsor her Law School programme.

The governor, who was represented by the Head of Service (HOS) Anthony Okungbowa Esq., said other benefits have been approved for the outstanding student.

According to him, “This is an update on our daughter, Aminat Yusuf after the Government of Edo State honoured her in respect of her academic performance in LASU for graduating with a perfect CGPA of 5.00.

“Following this achievement, the government offered her automatic employment and the governor has now approved other things for her beyond the employment.

“The governor has directed that Aminat Yusuf will be sponsored on scholarship for one year in the Nigerian Law School and that the government will be responsible for the provision of all her needs till she completes the programme.”

He added: “The governor also approved that for every month that she will be in law school, she will receive an up-keep allowance equivalent to the salary of a State Counsel, which is almost N200,000 naira.

“This is in recognition of the feat she achieved in LASU. We are proud of her achievement and hope she would join us after her law school programme as we will write to NYSC to ensure that she embarks on her one-year compulsory youth service in the State.”

Nigeria's apex bank, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has released its Customer Due Diligence Regulations 2023 or financial institutions under its regulatory purview as it takes a decisive stance against financial crimes.

In an effort to enhance the accuracy and depth of customer identification, the CBN has made it mandatory for financial institutions to collect and verify customers’ social media handles as part of their Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements.

The CBN’s latest move aims to bolster compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) provisions while aligning with international best practices.

These new regulations, which complement existing provisions outlined in the CBN’s Anti-Money Laundering, Combating the Financing of Terrorism and Countering Proliferation Financing of Weapons of Mass Destruction in Financial Institutions Regulations of 2022, are designed to fortify the fight against money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.

Under the new regulations, financial institutions are required to establish internal processes and procedures for conducting customer due diligence measures for both potential and existing customers, including occasional customers.

They must identify customers, whether individuals or legal entities, and obtain specific information such as legal names, addresses, contact details, identification documents, account types, nature of banking relationships, and signatures. Furthermore, the regulations emphasize the need to identify politically exposed persons (PEPs).

To verify customer identities, financial institutions must rely on reliable and independent source documents, data, or information.

For individuals, this involves confirming date of birth, residential address, contact details, and the validity of official documentation.

In the case of legal persons or legal arrangements, financial institutions are required to undertake searches on public registries or databases, review annual reports or relevant financial statements, and examine board resolutions.

The regulations also emphasize the importance of record-keeping and maintaining up-to-date customer information.

Financial institutions must retain records obtained through customer due diligence measures, account files, business correspondence, and analysis results for at least five years after the termination or cessation of a business relationship or an occasional transaction.

Regular reviews of existing customer records are required based on risk categories, with high-risk customers requiring annual reviews, medium-risk customers requiring reviews every 18 months, and low-risk customers requiring reviews every three years.

Under section 6 (IV) of the new regulation, financial institutions operating under the regulatory purview of the CBN are now obligated to collect and verify customers’ social media handles as part of their KYC process.

This requirement applies to both individuals and legal entities.

The inclusion of social media handles in KYC requirements aims to enhance the accuracy and depth of customer identification.

By obtaining this additional information, financial institutions can gain valuable insights into customers’ online presence and activities, enabling better assessment of potential risks associated with money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing.

The CBN’s decision to include social media handles as a mandatory KYC requirement recognizes the growing influence and prevalence of social media platforms in individuals’ and businesses’ daily lives.

It acknowledges that social media can provide valuable information about customers’ professional networks, affiliations, and potential sources of income.

Financial institutions will be required to establish internal processes and procedures to collect and verify customers’ social media handles accurately.

This information will be used alongside other KYC data, such as legal names, addresses, contact details, and identification documents, to create a comprehensive profile of the customer.

The addition of social media handles to the KYC requirements reflects the CBN’s commitment to keeping pace with technological advancements and evolving risks in the financial sector.

By adapting regulations to include digital footprints, the CBN aims to ensure that financial institutions have a more holistic understanding of their customers, promoting enhanced due diligence and risk mitigation.

This development serves as a reminder to individuals and businesses to be mindful of their online presence and activities.

Customers should ensure that the information shared on social media platforms aligns with their stated profiles and remains consistent with their financial transactions.

Financial institutions will leverage this information responsibly and strictly adhere to data privacy and protection regulations.

Trending Ghanaian movie star Yvonne Nelson has shared stunning details on some of her experiences in Nigeria.

Nelson, in her much-talked about book, revealed attending events like birthday parties and others were sometimes more profitable to her than featuring in Ghanaian movies.

The renowned actress claimed the ‘Giant of Africa’ had people who hosted parties and were willing to part with huge sums to pay specific personalities just to be in an attendance.

According to her, the presence of these rented guests was presumably their way of enhancing their status or even show their class.

“There were people who held parties and were prepared to pay you to attend just to enhance their status or show their class.

“The array of celebrities that attended someone’s party showed who they were.

“And being present at someone’s birthday or some other celebratory event sometimes paid me more than acting in a movie in Ghana,” she wrote.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday met with Real Madrid’s defender, David Alaba in France.

Alaba, whose parents are Nigerians, has rather chosen Austria ahead of his country in playing football.

The footballer presented his jersey to Tinubu during the meeting.

Tinubu was in France to attend the Global Financial Pact Summit, hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

Earlier, the Nigerian leader was hosted to a State Banquet in Paris, as he was received by Macron.

The Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, has congratulated Bendel Insurance FC of Edo for qualifying for next season’s CAF Confederation Cup after defeating Rangers International FC of Enugu one nil to lift their 4th FA Cup after 43 years.

Shaibu who was at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, venue for the competition, to cheer Insurance to victory, hailed the 2023 FA Cup champions for their great outing during the Wednesday night’s match.

He said, “Our boys gave a good account of themselves as they played the highly rated Enugu Rangers, who showed class as the FA Cup final lived up to the predictions of the pundits.”

According to him, Wednesday night’s victory means that Bendel Insurance will represent Nigeria in the CAF Confederation Cup after defeating their rival, Enugu Rangers 1-0.

He noted that a first-half goal from the penalty spot by Imade Osarenkhoe was all that was needed by the boys to book a place in the CAF Confederation Cup, after many years of absence at the continental scene.

The visibly elated Deputy Governor while recalling that just a year ago, Bendel Insurance only gained promotion to the Nigerian Premier League (NPL), declared that, “today, we have achieved a treble.”

He thanked his boss, Governor Godwin Obaseki whom he described as a sports-loving governor, for his support, morally and financially for the team, which he affirmed led to the success of today.

Shaibu also thanked the team and the coaching crew for their dedication and belief in their abilities “as no one gave them a chance of winning the league unbeaten or qualifying for the CAF Confederation Cup.”

”This is a well-deserved victory and I hope to see you boys in Benin soon,” the Edo Deputy Governor told the victorious Bendel Insurance players and 2023 FA Cup champions.

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2023/06/22/fa-cup-win-shaibu-congratulates-bendel-insurance-as-43yrs-drought-ends-metrowatch/

Management of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), Benin City, has astronomically increased school fees payable by undergraduate (UG) students of the institution by over 100 Per cent.

Checks by METROWATCH on Tuesday night showed that the new fee regime for the institution located in Edo State, takes effect from the next 2022/2023 academic session.

Science students, who until now pay the sum of N73,400 as school fees per session, will henceforth pay N190,000; while fees for non-science students was increased from the current N69,900 to N170,000.

A breakdown of the new fee regime showed that while items such as ICT, Counseling, Accreditation, Sanitation and Certificate Screening were introduced into the list; charges for existing items such as Examination Fee, Laboratory Fees, Library/MTN Lib., Orientation Brochure, Sport, Utility, Bank Charges/Portal Charges and Student Union dues were simply increased.

It was, however, observed that fees for returning students for the current 2021/2022 academic session remain unchanged. While Science students pay N45,400, their non-science counterparts pay N41,400.

Meanwhile, efforts to obtain comment from Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Institution, Mrs Benedicta Adeola Ehanire, on the development, proved abortive.

But, President of the Institution’s Students Union, Mr Nmoye Israel, alias Cyano, in a post on social media, ascribed the fee to typographical error, while calling on students to remain calm as the “error” would be corrected.

However, an explanation offered on the website of the University saying the new price regime takes effect from the 2022/2023 academic session and does not affect returning students, contradicted Israel’s statement.

“Please note that all students admitted before the 2022/2023 session will continue to pay their earlier stated respective charge(i.e N45,400 for science and N41,400 for non-science students),” the statement published on the students’ portal of the University of Benin read.

According to the amended calender of the Institution, affected [new] students for the 2022/2023 academic session are expected in the halls of residence on July 2, while lectures are to commence on July 10.

Students kick

Meanwhile, students of the institution have kicked against the austronimcal increment of school fees, while calling for immediate reversal of the hike and threatening to occupy the streets.

Our correspondent observed that the students have since taken to social media to vent their anger against management of the institution and the Bola Tinubu led federal government.

Some believe that the new price regime may not be unconnected to the FG students loan recently signed into law by President Tinubu, where the federal government had hinted that it could no longer fund universities’ activities.

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2023/06/21/students-kick-as-uniben-increases-school-fees-by-over-100-per-cent-metrowatch/

Lala Seun Mynd44

Former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against releasing the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, saying such move would only escalate tension in the South-East.

There have been calls from some quarters especially in the South-East region where Kanu hails from for his release, with the proponents believing that such development could quell the ongoing killings in the region.

But, speaking shortly after he met President Tinubu behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, Dokubo warned that releasing the IPOB leader would not ease the tensions in the South-East.

He said: “During EndSars, Nnamdi Kanu was walking free. What did he do? He poured petrol on the flames of EndSars. Now, he has been caught. What of the people who have died? This is a criminal. He should face the law.

“Nnamdi Kanu does not have any control over what is happening in the South East. Simeon Ekpa had come out, pretending that he is with Nnamdi Kanu. He has actually plotted a coup against Nnamdi Kanu to take over the leadership of IPOB.

“That is the truth of the matter. So releasing Nnamdi Kanu is rewarding criminality and rewarding gruesome murder of innocent people. He should face the law for the actions and the instigation he has carried out.”

Former Niger Delta militant, Asari Dokubo, on Friday, said more heads will roll under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele and EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa are gone already.

Recall that President Tinubu recently approved the suspension of Emefiele and Bawa from office as governor and chairman of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, respectively.

While Emefiele was suspended following an ongoing investigation of his office and planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy, Bawa, on the other hand, was suspended over alleged abuse of power to allow for proper investigation into his conduct while in office.

Addressing journalists shortly after meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Friday, Dokubo noted that all those who are standing as impediment to the good and development of Nigeria as a country will be removed by the President.

The ex-militant described Tinubu as a strong man and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, noting that he will take a decisive action, so as to take rotten eggs out of the system.

Dokubo said, “The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. He is going to take decisive action to get these rotten eggs. He is going to remove them and make it possible for the people of this country to benefit.

“For instance, Emefiele is gone, Bawa is gone. So more heads will roll — those who are standing as impediment to the good and development of this country. The president will deal with them. He is going to kick them out.”

Dokubo, who said Tinubu has been a father figure to him for over 30 years, commended the political will so far displayed by the president since his assumption of office on May 29.

hisexcellency34:
What about the 14 lawmakers? Any of them returned ?

The Edo State House of Assembly on Friday elected Mr. Blessing Agbebaku as the new Speaker of the state parliament.

Agbebaku represents Owan West constituency in the 24-member House.

The House also elected Mrs Maria Edeko, member representing Esan North-East II constituency, as Deputy Speaker.

Their emergence on Friday is following the proclamation and inauguration of the 8th Edo Assembly by the state governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki.

Immediate past Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, on Thursday, said the allegations of borrowing N150bn and diverting state government monies to fund Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign were spurious and unfounded.

Okowa, who was running mate to Atiku, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, noted that all financial records during his tenure as Delta governor were transparent and accountable.

The PDP former Vice Presidential candidate also denied owning a bank, maintaining that he is known to be a medical doctor and politician and not a banker or business man, let alone is any member of his family having any link with the bank.

Okowa was responding to allegations raised by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark during an interview on ARISE Television on Wednesday, where Clark had alleged that Okowa funded Atiku's campaign with state funds and betrayed Southern Nigeria by accepting a Northerner, Atiku's nomination as running mate, amongst others.

The former Delta governor, who spoke through his Media Adviser, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika at a news conference in Asaba, said all funds that accrued to the state were deployed to develop the state with numerous projects and human capital development across the state.

“You are all aware of the N150bn loan as they called it and we have for the umpteenth time said that money is not a loan but a bridging finance and it remained so.

“It took the ingenuity of Commissioners for Finance in Oil producing states in the Niger Delta led by our own former Commissioner for Finance, Chief Fidelis Tilije to unearth the discrepancies.

“What was owed Delta was N240bn which the Federal Government agreed to pay on four quarterly instalment for 5years.

“We are aware that some states including Rivers, discounted and collected all their monies and started spending but because Okowa believes in rule of law, due process and diligence, he went to the House of Assembly to get approval to use part of the funds for some critical projects from the quarterly instalmental refunds.

“At a media briefing shortly before he left office, Okowa told the press that only N91bn was accessed from the N100bn bridging finance request. It is therefore, erroneous to assume that Okowa collected N150bn loan,” Ifeajika said.

On the allegations of owning a bank, Ifeajika said Okowa is known to be a medical doctor and politician and not a banker or business man, adding that no member of his family have any link with the bank.

“Okowa had earlier told the world that he has no personal business with the bank and no member of his family has any link with the bank.

“That a certain Okowa is a staff member of the Bank is his right to work in any bank and not because the bank is owned by Okowa’s family. The man started his banking career years ago in some other banks before going to Zenith Bank and now Premium Trust Bank.

“We would have thought that for a father that Pa E.K. Clark is, his role should be to build, to support those in authority at all times to build and do well, that should be the role of elder statesman.

“He should not wait at the end of their tenures because it has now become a norm that all the previous governors that ruled the state, while they will be in office they will be friends but when they leave our father will begin to pull them down and begin to say things that are not too right about his children that he saw into office.

“For us, it is unsavoury and not salutary. Okowa has been acknowledged roundly as having performed superlatively, Okowa braved the odds, broke the jinx and developed the oil producing creeks and communities in the state and the projects are there speaking for themselves.

“It is on record that Okowa empowered no fewer than 30,000 youths and took them off the street to become entrepreneurs and job creators.

“Delta State Government led the pack in youth empowerment and Delta under Okowa was number one in youth development; instead of lampooning and taking swipe at Okowa, he should be commended for taking Delta to greater heights,” he added.

On funds accruing to the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission, DESOPADEC, Ifeajika said the interventionist agency prepares its own budget every year outside the budget of the state.

“The money that accrued to the state was used to develop the state and the records are there; Okowa has played his role, done his bit and has performed to the best of his abilities and should be left alone to enjoy his rest,” Ifeajika stated.

https://metrowatchxtra.com/2023/06/16/sundry-allegations-okowa-replies-ek-clark-says-im-a-party-man-didnt-betray-southern-nigeria-metrowatch/

Lala Seun Mynd44

1-100 World's Richest Persons

Nigerian business magnate and Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has suffered a substantial depletion in wealth amounting to N1.45 trillion ($3.12 billion) following the recent change in the Naira’s exchange rate system.

Checks on the Bloomberg Billionaire Index revealed that Dangote’s net worth significantly dropped to $17.8 billion on Wednesday, June 13, compared to the $20.9 billion he held on Monday, June 11.

The changes pushed him down 16 places from his ranking among the world’s wealthiest men to 94th, compared to the 74th position he held a few hours before the CBN announced the naira devaluation.

Why did Aliko Dangote lose so much in one day?

On Wednesday, June 14, the naira experienced a substantial devaluation following the decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unify multiple exchange rates.

At the close of trading on Wednesday, the local currency at the official market experienced a significant decline to N664 against the dollar compared to N461 it started the day.

Aliko Dangote’s investments are naira-denominated assets, like Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar, and Nascon Allied Industries.

Additionally, he holds shares in Dangote Sugar, Nascon Allied Industries, and United Bank for Africa. These investments are connected to his wealth.

Consequently, the depreciation of the Nigerian naira directly impacts the calculation of Dangote’s fortune in U.S dollars. Hence, a weaker naira leads to a lower valuation of his wealth.

The Senate on Tuesday, June 13 elected Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the Senate, in an election held at the National Assembly Complex following the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly.

He defeated Abdulaziz Yari, a former Zamfara governor and his only rival in the contest. Both contestants are members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Akpabio, a former Akwa-Ibom governor and ex-Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, polled 63, the highest votes cast to emerge the nation’s number three man. Yari got 46.

Earlier, Senator Ali Ndume nominated Godswill Akpabio for the position, while Senator Elisha Abbo nominated Abdulaziz Yari.

The Senate adopted the open-secret voting procedure, with the Clark of the National Assembly calling out senators-elect based on alphabetical order of their states.

Meanwhile, METROWATCH has obtained a list showing how the 109 Senators across the country voted for either Akpabio or Yari.