₦airaland Forum

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Almost all the impact players for the Golden Eaglets in Saturday night’s 4-2 defeat of Hungary in the opening match of the 2019 FIFA U-17 World Cup tournament in Brazil are products of the annual Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles Championships, including the goal scorers.

The competition, sponsored by NFF’s partner, Zenith Bank Plc, was launched in 2016 and has been widely lauded for its vision, with both U-13 and U-15 competitions running side-by-side right from the states to the zones and then to the national finals.

Samson Tijani, captain of the team and playmaker, who netted two goals (Nigeria’s first and last goals), and was named Man Of The Match, is a product of the competition, as well as defender Usman Ibrahim, whose powerful header off a corner kick restored parity after several attempts by Nigeria had been foiled.

Right-back Oluwatimilehin Adeniyi, whose powerful header off a cross by another substitute Ibraheem Jabaar put Nigeria ahead for the first time in the game (3-2), also emerged from the Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles competition. He was severely injured before the Africa U-17 Cup of Nations in Tanzania in April, and could not make the trip.

Also of note is Akinkunmi Ayobami Amoo, whose entry into the game in the second half brought more vigour into the Nigerian attack. Amoo is a product of the Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles Championship, alongside forward Olakunle Olusegun, who also fought like a Trojan in Saturday’s encounter.

Another player who is a product of the Future Eagles Championship and is with the Eaglets in Brazil is Divine Nwachukwu, but he did not taste action against the Hungarians.

The Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles Championship also supplies the players to the U-15 National Boys’ team, which finished as runner-up at a tournament in Japan few months ago. In fact, Usman Ibrahim, who netted the equalizer against Hungary before further goals by Adeniyi and Tijani, was in the squad that went to Japan.

Nigeria, five –time champions of the FIFA U-17 World Cup take on Ecuador, host of the 1995 edition, in their next match of the tournament on Thursday, also at the Estadio Olimpico in Goiania where they put Hungary to the sword. Their final match of Group B, against Australia, will take them to Brasilia, on Friday.

Zenith Bank remains the biggest corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributor in the Nigerian financial services industry. The bank regularly make donations towards the development of various sectors of the Nigerian economy including education, health, sports, etc. In addition to being a major sponsor of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Nigerian Basketball Federation (NBBF), Zenith Bank is the sole sponsor of the Zenith Bank/NFF Future Eagles Championship, the Zenith Bank Women Basketball League (for 15 years running), the Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup, and the Zenith Bank Next Gen Tennis Championship, amongst others.

https://politicsnigeria.com/zenith-bank-nff-future-eagles-put-hungary-to-the-sword-at-the-2019-fifa-under-17-world-cup/

THIS STORY IS SOMEHOW.....OP DID NOT MENTION ANY NAME, EMAIL OR PHONE NUMBER THAT COULD HELP VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY OF HIS CLAIMS!!!...NOT EVEN SCREENSHOTS OF ALERTS OR EVEN THE LETTER.

HOW THEN CAN WE KNOW THERE IS TRUTH TO THIS STORY?

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Zenith Bank Plc has announced its unaudited results for the period ended 30 September, 2019, with numbers that clearly demonstrates its market dominance and leadership.

From the unaudited account which was presented to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), gross earnings increased by 4% percent from N474,607 billion recorded in Q3 2018 to N491,268 billion in Q3 2019. Profit Before Tax (PBT) grew by 5% from N167,307 billion in Q3 2018 to a record N176,183 billion in Q3 2019. Also, profit after tax rose by 5% from N144,179 billion in Q3 2018 to N150,723 billion in Q3 2019.

Despite a challenging macro-economic backdrop, the Group recorded a significant growth in Non-Interest Income, expanding by 22% from N128.7 billion in Q3 2018 to N156.8 billion for the current period. Our platforms and channels have been the enablers of this growth, with fees from electronic products doubling to N35.3 billion from N17.6 billion in Q3 2018.

Our cost optimization strategies and aggressive retail banking drive are yielding the desired effects as cost-to-income ratio declined from 51.2% in Q3 2018 to 50.1% in Q3 2019 with Earnings Per Share (EPS) growing by 5% from N4.58 in Q3 2018 to N4.80 in Q3 2019.

Our retail and corporate banking franchises continued its momentum with customers’ deposits growing by 7% to N3.95 trillion from N3.69 trillion recorded as at December 2018, a reflection of increasing share of the industry’s deposits and customers’ confidence in the Zenith brand. These deposit acquisitions have directly contributed to our cost of funds improving from 3.3% in Q3 2018 to 2.95% as at Q3 2019.

We have continued to deploy capital to creating viable risk assets with gross loans and advances growing by 9% from N2.02 trillion as at December 2018 to N2.2 trillion as at Q3 2019 across both the retail and corporate segments. Our focus remains the search for bankable lending opportunities to ensure the attainment of the minimum regulatory loan-to-deposit ratio (LDR) of 65% by December 31, 2019 without compromising our prudence.

Our robust risk management framework has ensured that non-performing loans (NPL) ratio declined from 4.98% in December 2018 to 4.95% in the current period. Our commitment to maintaining a shock-proof balance sheet remains with liquidity and capital adequacy ratios at 63.8% and 23.8% respectively, both above regulatory thresholds.

In this final quarter of the year, we will sustain our competitiveness and share of market in the corporate segment and build upon our digital foundations to reinforce our retail banking initiatives.

As a testament to this superlative performance and in recognition of its track record of excellent performance, the bank was recently named as the Bank of the Year and the Best Bank in Retail Banking at the 2019 BusinessDay Banks’ and Other Financial Institutions Awards (BAFI Awards).

https://politicsnigeria.com/zenith-bank-re-affirms-market-dominance-and-leadership-with-q3-2019-results/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

We have been constrained to issue this statement in reference to the above statement credited to the person of the Chairman of Innoson Vehicles Chief Dr Innocent Chukwuma OFR.

Ordinarily we would have ignored the statement and the publication in its entirety which appears to have gone viral in most social media platforms, knowing fully well that this is the handwork of mischief makers, but in a nation where silence may be seen as admission of the truth, we have been constrained to come out to officially ask the public to disregard it and set the record straight.

1. There has never been any order and there will never be any order either from the Federal Government or its agencies to Innoson Vehicles to relocate his Vehicle Manufacturing Plant which is based in Nnewi to Lagos, Kaduna or any other place.

2. Innoson Vehicles has continually maintained a robust relationship with the Federal Government specifically under the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR. For example, under this present administration, Nnewi Auto-Industrial Park was initiated to support automobile parts manufacturing companies to come together and deliver support services, vehicle components, and raw materials required by the teeming automobile manufacturing companies in Nigeria.

A major beneficiary of this initiative is Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing.

3. In a recent press briefing to journalist's, which was widely publicized across many media organizations, the Chairman of Innoson Group stated clearly that Innoson Vehicles “has enjoyed huge patronage and support from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration”.

Furthermore, Innoson Vehicles has continually enjoyed patronage from the Federal Government and its agencies; specifically, The Nigerian Military, The Police Force, Federal Road Safety Commission, Fire Service, Immigration and lots more.

4. Innoson Vehicles is in partnership with the Nigerian Air Force for the development and promotion of joint activities to sustain the maintenance of the Nigerian Air Force Air Assets and other associated Aerospace Ground Equipment (AGE) to enable the Nigerian Air Force to continuously carry out its constitutional obligations to the Nation.

Equally, it is also in collaboration with the Nigerian Army Authority for the local manufacture and supply of Armoured and Bullet-Proof Vehicles.

5. We, therefore, urge the general public to disregard the fallacious publication in its entirety as there is no element of truth therein.

Cornel Osigwe
Head Corporate Communications
Innoson Group

https://politicsnigeria.com/fg-did-not-order-us-to-relocate-to-lagos-or-kaduna-innoson-issues-statement/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The House of Representatives Committee on Niger Delta has received the 2020 budget of the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs with a commitment to work on grey areas and pass a budget that will impact on the lives of the people of the region.

To this end, the Committee has set up a five-man committee to harmonize the budget proposal to ensure that some pending projects in 2019 budget are completed before embarking on new ones.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Rt. Hon. Essien Ayi set up the Committee during the 2020 budget defence by the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio and the Minister of State, Senator Tayo Alasoadura on Tuesday 22nd, October 2019, in Abuja.

The budget harmonization committee which will be chaired by the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Niger Delta, Hon. Henry Nwawuba, is expected to liaise with the Senate counterpart to ensure that some uncompleted projects in the 2019 budget proposal are reflected in the 2020 appropriation bill.

According to Hon. Ayi, the Committee is committed to passing a justifiable budget proposal that will encourage peace and sustainable development in the Niger Delta region. The Chairman noted that all MDAs are not allowed to embark on new projects unless provisions are made for the completion of all pending projects.

He stressed the need for the Upper and Lower Chambers to be on the same page to produce a workable budget that will create employment opportunities, peace, and sustainable development in the region.

Earlier during his presentation, the Hon. Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio said that the Ministry’s budget was based on the 2020 extant circular which directed MDAs to roll over about 60% of their 2019 capital budget to 2020.

According to the Minister, emphasis was also laid on completion of ongoing projects and introduction of vital projects that would have direct impact on the people of Niger Delta region.

He said that the reduction of Capital Projects from N35.2b in 2019 to N23b in 2020 increased the challenges of government commitment in developing the Niger Delta region.

The Honourable Minister said the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs will comply with the directives of the National Assembly to list out all uncompleted projects in the 2019 budget proposal and ensure that they are reflected in the 2020 appropriation bill, but may have zero funding due to the meagre envelop given to the Ministry.

He called on the National Assembly to appeal to the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to consider the upward review of the 2020 budget proposal for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.

Senator Akpabio noted that the Ministry’s projects are aimed at restoring economic growth, investing in the Niger Delta people, and building a globally competitive economy.

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-house-of-representatives-receives-niger-delta-ministry-2020-budget/

Positive reactions from segments of the society have continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s pronouncement on Thursday for a forensic audit to be undertaken on the operations of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).



While receiving governors of the states that make up the Commission in Aso Rock, President Buhari said what is presently on the ground in the Niger Delta region does not justify the huge resources that have been made available to the organization.

Mr Femi Adesina, Presidential Spokesman, quoted President Buhari in a statement released from his Office as expressing disappointment with the current state of operations at the NDDC vis-à-vis the volume of funds that have been pumped into the interventionist agency. “I try to follow the Act setting up these institutions especially the NDDC. With the amount of money that the Federal Government has religiously allocated to the NDDC, we will like to see the results on the ground; those that are responsible for that have to explain certain issues. The projects said to have been done must be verifiable. You just cannot say you spent so much billions and when the place is visited, one cannot see the structures that have been done. The consultants must also prove that they are competent,” the President said.

It would be recalled that the Presidency had been angered with reports of messy water hyacinth amounting to about N1.9bn purportedly approved and paid to phoney companies by the current interim Management team. The controversial payments which were in clear breach of Presidential directive and violation of extant procurement rules were said to have alarmed top Presidency Officials.

In their swift reaction, experts and stakeholders in the Niger Delta have expressed support for the presidential directive on forensic audit. They however urged President Buhari to quickly put the new Board that he appointed in August in place since they have never been part of the NDDC in the past, to help supervise the audit.

Dr Jeffrey Emerson, a Development Economist in Port Harcourt, who has written extensively on the Niger Delta, while lauding Buhari’s bold move stated that “It’s a very laudable and encouraging move. Stakeholders like us are elated but in carrying out the audit, it has to be supervised by a new Board, the New Board that has never been part of the rot in the past. You don’t expect the acting Managing Director or bureaucrats who have been part of the rot in the past to supervise that audit…The auditing team should work independently with a team and that team, in my view should be the newly named Board. That is the standard practice globally.”

In their own reaction, the President of Ijaw Diaspora Coalition, Elder Johnson Ebibai stated that it was widely reported in the national media that the Commission under the current interim management had secretly interviewed and was set to recruit over 300 new staff members without a Board approval for such massive recruitment, and it took the intervention and outcry of well-meaning stakeholders in the Niger Delta Region to halt the exercise. In his view, this therefore is not the leadership that should be entrusted with this level of activity to unravel what has happened in the past which involves them.

https://politicsnigeria.com/experts-and-groups-want-new-nddc-board-to-supervise-audit/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The James Hope College (JHC) has announced the acquisition of the American International School Lagos (AISL) Lekki Campus facility to establish James Hope College in Lagos. This was disclosed at the signing ceremony held yesterday at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event had the Governor of Lagos, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the United States Ambassador ably represented by Carol Cox, the Chairman of AISL Board, Ali Safieddine and other prominent persons in attendance.

While giving his speech at the event, the Founder/Chairman of James Hope College, Mr. Jim Ovia stated that the College would continue to offer full scholarship based on merit, to 40% of all the students that would be admitted into the school.

James Hope College, a co-educational initiative of the Jim Ovia Foundation, offers a combination of British and Nigerian curricula. James Hope College is a Cambridge Associate School, a member of Council of British International Schools (COBIS) and Association of British Schools Overseas (AoBSO). JHC is in partnership with Microsoft Imagine Academy and GL Education. JHC is accredited by Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE), Pearson Edexcel Examinations, and British Schools Overseas (BSO.

With the acquisition of this property, James Hope College is set to replicate in Lagos the outstanding academic performance it is known for. More importantly, the offer of full scholarship to 40% of the students on merit ensures that the school’s equal opportunity model of academic excellence is extended to all students regardless of their state of origin.

James Hope College Lagos will open its doors to students in September 2020.

https://politicsnigeria.com/james-hope-college-acquires-american-international-school-lagos-offers-full-scholarship-to-40-of-students/

Under the Port Reform Programme of 2005 where the Federal Government of Nigeria leased 25 terminals to different port terminal operators, The principle of the agreements reached with the firms is that they would operate the facilities, while the NPA will be responsible for repairs and infrastructural upgrades.

That's what you need to understand...

The decision of the Hadiza Bala Usman-led agency to decommission the Terminal B Jetty in the Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Port complex, which is operated by BUA has sparked outrage in the country.

The Jetty which is set to play a vital role in the transportation and distribution of Products from the Multi-Billion Naira BUA Sugar Refinery and Pasta/Wheat/flour Factory, was shut down by the Nigerian Ports Authority under 'suspicious circumstances'.

The Agency claims that the jetty was in a "state of total dilapidation and in urgent need of repair or reconstruction" adding that their "engineers have advised that the jetty is liable to collapse at any moment…" hence the decommissioning.

The statement by the NPA read;  "As a result, the authority found it necessary to decommission the terminal out of safety concerns. This is a measure to forestall imminent danger as highlighted by BUA Ports and Terminal themselves and to allow for a comprehensive conditional survey of the state of the Rivers Ports in totality. All these steps are in line with international best practices on safety at port locations."

However, Under the Port Reform Programme of 2005 where the Federal Government of Nigeria leased 25 terminals to different port terminal operators, The principle of the agreements reached with the firms is that they would operate the facilities, while the NPA will be responsible for repairs and infrastructural upgrades.

Delivering a Robust Response to the Development, BUA, in a statement on Wednesday, revealed:

"It is on record that NPA has not complied with any of its obligations under the Lease Agreement.

"It is the responsibility of the NPA to dredge the ports, repair, renew, and rebuild the quay walls, as well as provide security for the terminals. It did not do any of these."

"It was the failure of the NPA to provide the required security that led to the nefarious activities of hoodlums and vandals who over a period of time cut the pipes and stole beams of the berths thereby affecting their stability and consequently making remedial works imperative,".

The firm further disclosed that it had issued the letter to the NPA, seeking for it to grant approval to begin the said remedial work on the facilities in the terminal.

According to the firm, the Managing Director of the NPA, Bala-Usman, ignored the fact that the letter was asking for permission to carry out repairs as is provided for in the lease agreement but instead chose to decommission the terminal for the exact reasons it noted in the request.

“The NPA has deliberately and mischievously ignored the essence of the request of BUA (i.e approval for remedial works), rather it celebrated the safety concerns that BUA raised, which is in line with the BUA's obligation under the Lease Agreement to inform the NPA of any such issues before taking remedial action.”, The group's statement read.

The NPA had in 2016 first-served BUA with a notice of termination on the grounds that the ‘notice’ was not in line with the provisions of the lease agreement. According to the statement, the court demanded that both parties enter into arbitration as provided for in the contract.

The firm said the agreement does not give powers to the NPA to decommission the terminal. Contrary to Bala-Usman’s assertion that the terminal was unsafe for business, BUA insists that the state of disrepair in the jetty does not warrant a foreclosure of the facility.

https://politicsnigeria.com/just-in-why-npa-goofed-in-shutting-down-bua-terminal-in-port-harcourt-facts/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

NPA's Claim For Shutting Down Multi-Billion Naira BUA Terminal Busted - Politics Nigeria (Photos)

POLITICS NIGERIA has Photographs of the Multi-billion Naira Terminal/Facilities operated by BUA in Port-Harcourt which was recently shut down by the NPA.

The Terminal plays a vital role in the Transportation and Distribution of Various Products manufactured/Imported by the Firm. The Terminal B Jetty was decommissioned by the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) over "DILAPIDATED" structures which make the terminal unsafe for business.

A visit to the facility greatly contradicts the claims of the NPA as there was no visible evidence that the terminal was unsafe for business as claimed by the agency.

Over 250 dockworkers employed by the firm are now jobless due to the decommissioning as activities have been brought to a screeching halt. Ships laden with products are stuck at sea as they normally berth at the Terminal B Jetty.

Below are photos of the entire facility;

https://politicsnigeria.com/photos-multi-billion-naira-bua-terminal-shut-down-by-npa-for-no-reason/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Security personnel, including officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and the police, have taken over the Bayelsa House of Assembly.


Before the deployment of heavy security, sporadic gunshots were heard within the premises of the state legislature.


At least 10 security vehicles with several scores of policemen are in the Assembly premises, which has now been locked to incoming vehicles and visitors.

Confusion arose following the refusal of the speaker, Emmanuel Isenah, to resign as a result of pressure from the PDP leadership in the state.

Those who are insisting that he must step down are hinging it on the need to balance the power-sharing formula in the state because he hails from the same area as the PDP candidate, Douye Diri.

Isenah insists that he remains speaker, while he was allegedly impeached by his colleagues this morning , following his refusal to resign.

Watch the video Here;

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-heavy-gunshots-rock-bayelsa-house-of-assembly-photos/

https://twitter.com/tvcnewsng/status/1178644276403675137

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

A Popular PDP senator, Bassey Albert Akpan has been accused of brutally 'beating up' his cook.

In a video going viral on Social Media, the injured cook is seen accusing Senator Albert of beating him up and threatening to kill him.

The cook, who claims he is from Cotonou, said that he has worked for Senator Albert for 7 years adding that the Lawmaker was owing 6 months Salary.

He claims that the senator and some of his staff beat him up with Machetes adding that Mr. Albert stepped on his chest during the assault. POLITICS NIGERIA has the footage, Kindly watch below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-popular-pdp-senator-in-trouble-for-allegedly-beating-up-cook-photos/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

It was a night filled with magnificence and splendour as music lovers and fun-seekers were treated to topnotch entertainment at the Zenith Bank Aspire Music Festival which held on Saturday, September 21, 2019, at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The musical festival lived up to its billing as the most anticipated entertainment event of the year, as the audience were treated to electrifying and captivating musical performances by Nigeria’s top artistes including Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Niniola, Mayorkun and Rema.

Also on hand to anchor the event and thrill the audience with rib-cracking jokes was Kenny Black, while celebrity hypeman, Do2dtun, revved up the crowd throughout the night.

Indeed, the crowd could not have asked for a better and more enthralling night as the artistes took to the stage one after the other treating the audience to their major hit songs. From Olamide’s rave-of-the-moment song “Pawon” to Rema’s “Dumebi”, Niniola’s Maradona, Mayorkun’s “Mama”, Phyno’s “Fada Fada” and Flavour’s “Ada Ada”, the audience well held spellbound throughout the night and got real value for their time.

The breathtaking festival, which is one of a series of events lined up by Zenith Bank to usher in “Style by Zenith 2.0”, the bank’s annual lifestyle fair which takes place towards the end of the year, will no doubt linger in people’s memories for many years to come.

https://politicsnigeria.com/top-nigerian-artistes-thrill-fans-at-zenith-bank-aspire-music-festival/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has granted bail to Omoyele Sowore, Publisher of Sahara Reporters and Former presidential Candidate of the AAC.

He is also to submit his International passport.

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-court-grants-omoyele-sowore-bail/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

All is now set for the “Zenith Bank Aspire Music Festival” holding on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at the Harbour Point Event Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos by 5pm.

Dubbed as the most anticipated entertainment event of the year, the breathtaking festival promises to be a night to remember, as it will feature captivating and thrilling musical performances by some of Nigeria’s biggest artistes including Olamide, Flavour, Phyno, Niniola, Mayorkun and Rema.

Also on hand to anchor the event and trill the audience with rib-cracking jokes is Kenny Black, while celebrity hypeman, Do2dtun, will be revving up the crowd throughout the night.

The Festival, which is a must-attend event for music lovers, tourists and fun-seekers, is one of a series of events lined up by Zenith Bank to usher in “Style by Zenith 2.0”, the bank’s annual lifestyle fair which will take place
towards the end of the year.

Attendance at the music festival is exclusively reserved for Zenith Bank customers. However, non-Zenith customers can still participate by simply opening a Zenith Bank account and registering to attend at
www.zenithbank.com/style.

Zenith Bank Plc is recognized as one of the most innovative financial institutions in Nigeria and was voted the most customer-focused bank in Nigeria for the Retail and SME segments in the 2018 KPMG Annual Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS).

https://politicsnigeria.com/all-set-as-lagos-awaits-zenith-banks-aspire-music-festival/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Information reaching the POLITICS NIGERIA Newsdesk on Monday afternoon reveals that Seun Onigbinde, co-founder of BudgIT, has resigned his appointment as a technical adviser at the ministry of budget and national planning.

This development is coming after Onigbinde caused outrage online for accepting an appointment from the Buhari Administration that he was known for severely criticizing via his twitter timeline.

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-buhari-appointee-seun-onigbinde-resigns-reasons/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

A former lawmaker in Zamfara state, Alhaji Manir Gidanjaja has defected back to the All Progressives Congress, APC, after dumping the party for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 3 weeks ago.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that Gidanjaja was weeping uncontrollably, begging to be re-accepted into the APC. After appeals from some party members on his behalf, he was re-accepted and recognized as a member of the party.

Photos below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/just-in-ex-lawmaker-decamps-from-pdp-to-apc-cries-for-forgiveness-photos/

Fidelity Bank Plc, top Nigerian lender has handed over a well-equipped, state-of-the-art Kitchen/Catering Laboratory for the use of students at the Girls Correctional Home, Idi-Araba, Lagos. The project, according to the bank, is a clear demonstration of its unwavering support towards enhancing the lives and wellbeing of less privileged members of the society.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony in Lagos recently, the bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nnamdi Okonkwo said that the decision to embark on the project is borne out of a deep-seated realisation that vocational education remains vital to the development of any society.

Okonkwo who was represented the bank’s Head of Legal Division, Kingsley Ohiri thanked the Ministry of Youth & Social Development for giving them the opportunity to partner with the State and hoped to do more in the future. He also mentioned the bank had, in the past, carried out some CSR projects in the State such as the Correctional Centre for Boys, Birrel Avenue, Yaba where vocational training tools were provided for the use of wards at the centre.

While commissioning the project, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Olusegun Dawodu said that the kitchen would provide the children the means to learn a new vocation which they would use to benefit themselves and the society at large.

Dawodu also reiterated the resolve of the State Government to prioritise the needs of the teeming youth saying, “The Lagos State Government would continue to support and empower the children and youth in the State with relevant skills in order to play active roles in the Nigerian economy, thereby creating wealth and reducing the rate of unemployment and criminal activities among the youths and children”.

He specifically thanked Fidelity Bank for supporting the Government and especially the youths in the State by initiating and extending their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to ensure that the society is impacted positively.

On her own part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Yewande Falugba, emphasised the need for well-meaning Nigerians and organisations to emulate Fidelity Bank by partnering with the State Government in ensuring the social well-being of the youths and children.

https://politicsnigeria.com/fidelity-bank-donates-laboratory-to-correctional-home/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has raised alarm over the presences of ‘Assassins’ around his Isiala-Afaraukwu home in Abia State.

Kanu, on Saturday night, threatened to expose whoever sent the assassins who came to his house in white Toyota Hilux. He tweeted;

“The Fulani assassins in a white Toyota Hilux loitering in front of my house in Isiama-Afaraukwu tonight better retrace their steps. Whoever sent them will be exposed and held accountable.

“The Efulefus that invited them on this dark day are in for one almighty shock.”

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-assassins-storm-ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanus-home-photos/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

A full transcript of the 2019 Presidential Election Tribunal judgement has been released.

The election tribunal on Wednesday, September 11 validated the reelection of President Muhammadu Buhari and dismissed the appeal of the Peoples Democratic Party and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

POLITICS NIGERIA has a copy of the transcript. Kindly download below;

FULL ELECTION TRIBUNAL JUDGEMENT

https://politicsnigeria.com/just-in-full-transcript-of-presidential-tribunal-judgement-against-atiku-pdp-released-documents/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

President Muhammadu Buhari Thursday in Abuja said placing women in strategic positions of his government, like the financial sector, is to ensure effective management of limited resources available, and promote a stronger sense of inclusiveness.

POLITICS NIGERIA learned that President Buhari said he preferred women to oversee the economic and financial hub of the country, Ministry of Finance, as they can readily deploy their experience in aligning resources with the needs of the country, explaining that the nation also had many female technocrats with local and international experiences on economy and finance.

The President gave the insight into his preferred choice for Ministers of Finance while receiving a delegation of National, Zonal, State and FCT Women leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by the party Women Leader, Hajiya Salamatu Umaru Baiwa at the State House.

“I am happy that I can defend myself very effectively on this issue. The APC party leader is my witness. Since the coming into power of this administration I have handed over the treasury to women.

“Even at household level, you hand over the money to women to manage. It can be taken to the level of managing the country’s treasury as well. I have consistently given it to women. It is strategic.

“I am conscious of the leadership roles of women in the society and by my action, I have justified my belief,’’ President Buhari said.

The President reiterated that his administration will ensure inclusiveness for women and youths, especially in the second term, by providing more access to facilities that will enable spread of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, and encourage more interest in agriculture.

President Buhari said the traditional and subsistence style of farming should be replaced with commercialized and business-oriented techniques.

“We have to move away from the traditional ways of farming that were practiced in the pre-colonial and colonial era,’’ he added.

The President said he instructed the ministers to work with traditional institutions to encourage interest in farming, with the Central Bank of Nigeria readily providing loans at low interest rates and longer periods of repayment.

“On unemployment, I know there is no able bodied person that went back to the farm in the last three years that regretted the action,’’ he added.

In her remarks, the APC Woman Leader congratulated the President for his victory at the polls and the tribunal, commending the administration for its efforts in managing the affairs of the country, which provided the impetus for the vigorous campaigns.

Baiwa said women were particularly pleased and willing to vote for the President because the government deliberately formulated some policies to favour and empower women, like the social intervention Trader Moni.

She said the APC had many resourceful and loyal women that would contribute to the success of the administration, while commending the President for giving women strategic positions in the government.

“Our prayer is that God will give you the tenacity to overcome all obstacles,’’ the Woman Leader said.

https://politicsnigeria.com/why-i-handed-over-nigerias-treasury-to-women-president-buhari-opens-up/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

SPeaking in Hausa, Wadume said;"My name is Hamisu Bala, popularly known as wandume. I was the one arrested by the Nigerian police force, as they were taking me away, the soldiers chased after us while shooting, in the process some police lost their lives.""They (soldiers) took me to their base where my handcuffs were removed and I escaped.""Since then I have been hiding, and not until now that I was rearrested by the police and taken to custody."

Watch the video below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/how-soldiers-helped-me-escape-notorious-kidnapper-wadume-confesseswatch/

Kidnap

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has since early hours of today, been inundated with calls that operatives of the Commission raided the residence of the former governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode.

We need to state for the records that the EFCC did not raid Ambode’s house. It is instructive that his administration, like other former governors is under investigation, since they no longer constitutionally enjoy immunity against prosecution.

The Commission hereby states with high sense of responsibility that the operatives did not raid Ambode’s residence.

Whatever the Commission is presently doing with regards to the investigation is in line with its mandate and the rule of law.

We wish to inform the social media to be circumspect in the reportage of any news with regards to investigation activities of the Commission.

As a tradition, the Commission does not carry out investigation on the pages of the newspapers or through the media. Our operations are always covert until at a time when we file charges in court.

Therefore, the attempt to cast the Commission in a bad light is unacceptable as the EFCC will never engage in illegal act. We remain committed to the war against corruption.

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-we-did-not-raid-ambodes-residence-efcc/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

More Photos have emerged of the raid on the Epe residence of Former Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode. POLITICS NIGERIA has footage from the scene.

Watch the video below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/exclusive-efcc-raids-ex-governor-akinwunmi-ambodes-residence-photos/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

The Residence of the Immediate Past Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode was reportedly raided by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC in Epe.

POLITICS NIGERIA gathered that officials of the anti-corruption agency stormed Ambode's Epe Residence on Tuesday morning. Residents and Neighbours were not allowed to come close.

Photos below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/exclusive-efcc-raids-ex-governor-akinwunmi-ambodes-residence-photos/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Chief Asari Dokubo, a former leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, MEND has reacted to the recent attack on the Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Dokubo, in a recent video made available to POLITICS NIGERIA, attacked the leader of the group, Nnamdi Kanu, describing him as an "Ingrate" and a "Frankenstein Monster".

The ex-militant leader, who was visibly annoyed, stated that the attack on Ekweremadu was wrong, adding that the Igbo leader played a very big role in securing Kanu's bail when he was detained a few years ago by the Nigerian government.Dokubo warned Igbos to be wary of Kanu and his antics adding that it would create more problems from the Ethnic group in the Future.

Watch the video below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/ekweremadu-youre-a-frankenstein-monster-asari-dokubo-destroys-nnamdi-kanu-pics/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Nigeria's former Senate President, Bukola Saraki has reacted to the recent attack on Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu in Nurenberg, Germany by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.Saraki, on Sunday evening, expressed disappointment at the development.

He tweeted;"I spoke with my brother and friend, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu yesterday after hearing about the unfortunate incident in Germany and I thank God that he is fine and very well."

"I remember that on Thursday before departing Nigeria he visited me & I could see the enthusiasm, excitement & passion with which he looked forward to meeting Nigerians in Nuremberg at the 2nd Annual Cultural Festival, particularly after attending a very successful 1 earlier in US."

"The Nuremberg incident was highly unfortunate and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora need to avoid this kind of unnecessary distraction."

"This is a time we all have to work together to foster unity and peace in our country. I am happy Ike remains unshaking and solid in his belief about a united, strong and prosperous Nigeria."

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-saraki-reacts-to-ipobs-attack-on-ekweremadu-reveals-next-line-of-action/

POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

A heavy clash between some Yoruba and Hausa youths occurred today in Oke Odo area of Lagos state.It's unclear the cause of the clash but it took place at the Popular Oke-Odo Market leading to loss of property worth millions.

Several people were injured.

POLITICS NIGERIA has photos from the scene. Watch the video below;

https://politicsnigeria.com/breaking-yoruba-and-hausa-youths-clash-in-oke-odo-photos/

@POLITICSNIGERIA.COM

Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Abba Kyari has queried the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service(FIRS) over discrepancies in Tax collections from 2015 to 2018.

According to a letter seen by POLITICS NIGERIA addressed to Fowler, Kyari stated that there were significant variances between budgeted FIRS Collections and Actual Collections for Period 2015 to 2018.

He demanded a comprehensive variance analysis explaining the reasons for the discrepancies between budgeted and Actual collections for each main Tax item for each of the years 2015 to 2018.

The FIRS boss was also queried over Actual Collections for Periods 2015 to 2017 as it was 'Significantly Worse' that what was collected between 2012 and 2014. He was asked to explain the reasons for the poor collections.

Fowler was given a deadline on August 19th, 2019 to respond.

https://politicsnigeria.com/exclusive-abba-kyari-queries-firs-boss-tunde-fowler-over-tax-collections-full-letter/