Maduka University College is the secondary school of the proposed Maduka University.
We are a full-boarding modern hybrid school in Enugu, Nigeria, with the best facilities and highly professional administrative and academic staff who are capable and willing to bring out your child's brilliance in academic studies, morals, sports, skills, and a lot more.
Students are still being accepted into JS1 and SS1.
The Federal Governments’ Special Investigative Panel on Oil Theft/Losses, has called for deliberate conversations to drive legal reforms that would provide stiffer penalties to culpable entities involved in oil theft.
Chairman of the Panel and Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme PAP Maj. Gen. Barry Ndiomu (retd) while speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at a One-Day Stakeholders Confernce on Oil Theft/Losses, said “frank discussions” must be held to enable the country “crack the code” and put an end to the “criminal enterprise” of oil theft.
The Panel Chairman regretted that the menace of oil theft has had enormous negative impact on Nigeria’s crude oil production, plunging output to a 13-year low of 800,000bpd. He reiterated that strategic consultations have been held with state governments of the Niger Delta region and other critical stakeholders to that effect.
Gen. Ndiomu thus advocated for application of modern technologies to protect oil assets, and a review of security architecture in the region with a view to stem the “sophisticated network of complicity between elements from the host communities, security agencies and industry players”.
While declaring the Conference open, Vice President Yemi Oshibajo noted that the Oil and Gas industry is facing serious threat, as crude oil theft which happens on a large scale, is sabotaging Government efforts.
Osinbajo who noted that organized oil theft does not happen without the conspiracy of critical state institutions, said the Federal Government must now take up the task of continually engaging host communities to douse their grievances.
“It is important to sit down with these local communities to engage and talk to them. So that we are able to understand what is going on and profer solutions”. We must hold people in authority to account on what is going on,” he added.
The VP further urged host communities to desist from attacking oil installations in the region, adding that continuous occurrence of crude oil theft threatens the credibility of Government.
National Security Adviser (NSA) Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd) observed that the problem of oil theft has developed to disturbing levels. “This is because the criminals have now increased the level of sophistication, considering the various methods they employ to tap primary pipelines with illegal secondary pipes to load on barges and sell to international collaborators, or to process locally for illicit domestic sale,” he said.
He expressed Government’s commitment to address the issues of oil theft with a comprehensive approach, adding that crude oil theft is arguably the biggest issue in Nigeria.
The NSA noted that so far, 83 oil tankers involved in crude oil theft have been arrested, while theft of over 3 million barrels of crude oil have been prevented, and 11 million litres of petrol and diesel recovered.
Similarly, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Slyva alluded to the monumental drop in crude oil production and loss of revenue due to wide scale theft and vandalization of oil assets.
He added that concerted efforts by Government in securing oil assets is yielding positive results, and that the tempo will be sustained to achieve the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota.
Also present at the One-Day Conference, were all Security Service Chiefs, Traditional Rulers from the Niger Delta Region, representatives from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and other critical stakeholders of the oil and gas industry.
INTRODUCTION A candidate with a strong track record of fiscal, strategic, administrative and leadership skills, who is considered most suitable to pilot the affairs of Kwara State to a desirable level for all patriotic kwarans, where the State economy will generally appreciate, Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is expected to improve, employment opportunities will be generated, infrastructural projects will be massively undertaken, welfare and capacity building of the State workforce will be accorded priority, this is no other person but ALH. SHUAIB YAMAN ABDULLAHI (SYA)
SYA is a Nupe native from Ankurifun Shonga, Shonga Emirate of Edu Local Government Area (LGA), Kwara State. He was born to the family of Alhaji Abdullahi popularly known as Alhaji Bacita.
EDUCATION
He had his primary education at Native Authority Primary School, Shonga, which was renamed Central Primary School between 1964 and 1969. Thereafter, he proceeded to Gov't Sec. Such. Omu-Aran where he completed his Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) between 1970 and 1974. Because of his excellent academic performance during his secondary education, he was immediately offered admission at the School of Basic Studies, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria for one year Interim Jamb Matriculation Program and subsequently absorbed into the Department of Business Administration, where he graduated as the best graduating student with Upper Second Class Division (2.1) in 1979.
CAREER
Following his attractive academic result upon graduation, he was offered letters of employment from different private organizations as well as the public sector. He however commenced his career sojourn as Asst. Secretary, Economic Relation Department of Ministry of External Affairs in July 1980 during which he participated in Bauxite, Joint Venture with Guinea as well as several write-ups for the Federal Government.
In September 1980, he transferred his career service to SCOA Motor & SCOAGRI, a private company with headquarters in Lagos, which deals in Agricultural machinery, motor vehicles and other agricultural-related services.
He was enlisted into the company as Trainee Manager and rose to Branch Manager, Commercial Manager and subsequently Deputy General Manager in 1988, after which he voluntarily resigned.
In his determination to be an employer of labour, in 1989, he established Agromatrix Nigeria Limited, with head office in Kaduna, Kaduna State, where hundreds of persons were gainfully employed.
RESPONSIBILITIES UNDERTAKEN BY SYA DURING HIS CAREER
As a Branch Manager, SCOA Motor ( Kano, Jan 1987, Kaduna 1984-86, Maiduguri 1981 - 84)
1. He was responsible for the development of marketing of hard-line merchandise especially agricultural machinery
2. He oversaw marketing, personnel management, accounting and..corporate target realization
As a Commercial Manager, SCOA MOTOR (1987 - 88)
1. He oversaw operational activities of all branches in Northern Nigeria i.e Kaduna, Kano, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Yola, Katsina, Ilorin, Minna, Jos and Bauchi.
2. Development of market strategies for marketing agricultural machinery, motor vehicles and other agricultural services.
3. Writing proposals for Agricultural projects for machinery acquisition, tractor hire unit and out-grower schemes for big agricultural projects.
4. Securing agricultural finance from Nigeria Agricultural and Cooperative Banks (NACB), other development Banks and merchant bank projects willing to procure machinery from SCOA in the North
As Deputy General Manager, SCOA Motor
1. Directly responsible to the General Manager and Chief Executive of the SCOA Motor at the company Headquarters in Lagos.
As a Chairman, Agromatrix Nigeria Limited.
1. Recruited more than fifty (50) Nigerians.
2. Trained and empowered more than thirty (30) Nigerians, who are now successful and independent business moguls in their fields across Nigeria
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS AND BOARD MEMBER
1. Federal Commissioner, Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Commission. (2019 - date)
2. Member, Mineral and Metals National Technical Working Group for Vision 20: 2020
3. Member, Abuja Investment Company Board (2018 - 2019
The crisis in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has taken a new dimension as different factions have now endorsed three different presidential candidates while its own standard-bearer, Dumebi Kachikwu, continues to express displeasure over the moves by the party.
Meanwhile, elements in the party have on different occasions announced their endorsements for the presidential candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), All Progressives Congress (APC) and Labour Party (LP), Atiku Abubakar, Bola Tinubu and Peter Obi, respectively.
But the gale of endorsement has met stiff resistance from the presidential candidate of the party, Dumebi Kachikwu, who has dismissed it as the handiwork of people trying to allegedly sell the party for a pittance.
Tribune Online checks on Monday revealed that the party standard-bearer is livid that those he referred to as corrupt party members are making his campaign difficult by creating the impression that the party has no presidential candidate.
Sources close to Dumebi Kachikwu affirmed that due to the actions of a few members of the party, he has been unable to kick off his presidential campaign in states because he has been left with nobody to welcome him.
“The other day, they endorsed PDP, APC and today again, it is Labour after collecting money from them. How can one party endorse three parties? That means what am saying is true,” the source lamented.
Kachikwu’s camp is however, blaming the situation on the erstwhile national chairman of the party, Chief Ralph Nwosu, who, despite being ousted by the court for overstaying his tenure, is believed to still be in control of much of its affair.
Latest report on ADC’s endorsement of the Peter Obi presidential bid was said to have come at the heels of the formation of a grand coalition working for the realization of the LP victory in Saturday’s presidential election.
Kwarans will go to the polls on the 11th of March to elect a new Governor or return the incumbent Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak. The election will be a referendum on Abdulrahman Abdulrazak’s tenure in office. The Guber election in Kwara is already shaping up to be a hard-fought race between 5 parties, The incumbent APC, PDP, YPP, SDP and NNPP.
In 2019, Kwarans were hoodwinked by latter day saviors into the Otoge mini revolution that got Governor Abdulrazaq elected to office, ever since then people have complained about the lack of experience from the Governor and his retinue of appointees and aides. The Governor started his tenure by picking fights with fellow APC members and Otoge crooners. He then started a war of supremacy and vendetta against the Saraki Family, as if that will endear him more to everyday Kwarans that only needed to see the dividends of Democracy and good governance.
The Governor pushed out the state Party Exco that helped elect him into office and then factionalized the party, The party then broke into two with the BOB faction moving to set up another secretariat. All efforts by the national headquarters and leaders of the party from the North Central zone to reconcile the feuding factions failed. The Governor did not welcome any reconciliation efforts, he went on to alienate and heavily criticize other party leaders like lhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, Sen. Gbemisola Saraki, Minister of State, Solid Mineral Development, Akogun Iyiola Oyedepo, Prof. Oba Abdulrahim, former Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin and ex-chairman, Federal Character Commission (FCC), Hon. Hakeem Lawal, Alh. Yakubu Gobir, Alh. Yahaya Seriki, Alh. Yaman Abdullahi, Hon. Saheed Popoola, and many of the APC leaders in the state.
Asides from internal party squabbles, his personal vendetta againt the former Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki led him to abandon all previous projects and failed to propose a coherent plan for everyday Kwarans, he was busy with personal fights and four years later, there is a consensus that the Governor has failed Kwarans and he cannot point to any achievement in his first term in office as he seeks another term. Unlike 2019’s Otoge, the main slogan in Kwara is now Osu wa- meaning we are tired.
The original O to Ge – APC platform of 2019 has now broken into pieces such that a quarter is now populating Social Democratic Party (SDP), led by Akeem Lawal, the gubernatorial candidate. Another quarter is in the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) where Prof. Oba Abdulrahim (Oba Abu), another former APC chieftain, is the flagbearer, while a third quarter is in Young People’s Party (YPP) led by Yakubu Gobir, formerly of APC, who is the gubernatorial candidate. All these former allies are set to do battle with the Governor.
The PDP elected Yaman Abdulahi as its Governorship candidate in a transparent process, and he has immediately hit the ground running with his campaign. Abdulahi Yaman is a renowned businessman from Tsonga, Kwara North. The ABU Zaria graduate has shown his capacity in the private sector by building multiple successful companies and he is now ready to give back to the people of Kwara by serving them
Abdulahi Yaman has identified mechanized Agriculture in Kwara as one of the most important sectors in the state and he has promised to provide 20,000 jobs through cotton production, Abdulahi Yaman believes the axis of Barunten and Kaiama Local Government Areas of Kwara state could boast of cotton production, and he will establish a ginnery to create jobs by working with the private sector.
According to him, “I have spoken to Chinese companies who could build generators powered by coal. We have coal in abundance in nearby Kogi that can assist in power generation needed by the cotton clusters we intend to create with that, we can make our product competitive and undercut illegal imports, providing jobs from which tax can be paid to the government”.
Human capital development is another core area of focus, which is why it wasn’t surprising when he was endorsed by the National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS). The President of NAKSS, Mr Alawaye Musbau decried the state of investment in Education and human capital development by the incumbent APC Government and stated that the PDP candidate is the only alternative after they held interactive sessions with all the other opposition candidates in the state. Abdulahi Yaman thanked them and stated that no child will be denied public education and promised to revive the student loan board to guarantee uninterrupted schooling for pupils in the state.
The PDP candidate has also promised to continue the legacy of previous PDP administrations by completing abandoned projects that Governor Abdulrazak has ignored because of personal differences, as Kwarans go to the polls, we must consider the platform that has done it before, the one that gave us great infrastructure, an aviation school, a state University and multiple roads, we must ignore the mistake of 2019 to avoid voting inexperienced people with a rush of blood to the head, it is important to make informed decisions for our future.
Small money, great value: itel teams up with Airtel for deal of the year.
By now, you must have heard about the all-exciting launch of the itel A60 by foremost smartphone makers, itel, and I am sure you also know by now that the device was unveiled in partnership with one of the world’s largest mobile network providers, Airtel.
Also recall that at the official launch of the itel A60, it was disclosed that device taps into the 4G technology to deliver smooth internet experience and it is a given that for this to work, there must be a steady connection and of course, abundant data!
To this end, itel has made provisions for you to not just obtain the itel A60 at a mouthwatering N45,900 but also for you to have access to big data bundles at little cost, all thanks to the partnership with Airtel.
The itel-Airtel partnership is not just about signing documents and memoranda of understanding, but a deliberate partnership geared at building on the success of serving you and in keeping with the smartphone giants’ culture of meeting all the phone needs of its customers.
This is why it can be established for a fact that the coming together of these two giants to deliver the itel A60 4G enabled smartphone is the best combination to come out of the smartphone-mobile network industry.
The smartphone is not just affordable, it comes out tops compared to other products of the same price and performance range. With its SC9832E and 32+2GB platform and memory, alongside other features, it is indubitable that itel did not come to play!
itel A60: 4G for Everyone and Amazing Data Bundles
Last year, Airtel ran a double data campaign where subscribers got data doubled to 3GB but this time, there’s an even better deal on the itel A60. For six months, you do not have to worry about spending heavily on data bundles because itel and Airtel have got you covered.
What if you were told that on the itel A60, 1,000 naira would get you 5GB worth of data?
For the first six months after you purchase the itel A60, you get 5GB data every time you buy 1,000 naira airtime. The process of getting this is easy and time efficient. All you need do is send the IMEI number of your itel A60 Airtel and boom! You get a code to opt into the offer for six months!
What’s your IMEI? It is the 15-digit number on the back of the itel A60’s box, just above the bar code. If you are not an Airtel subscriber, here’s your chance to join the winning team: itel A60 + Airtel= 4G for everyone, Big Data Plans and an all-round amazing mobile phone experience.
Existing itel consumers already know that it makes good on all its promises and that’s why in the years past, it has recorded tremendous successes that have made it the toast of all and sundry. In 2022 alone, itel ranked 15th amongst Most Admired Brands in Africa (brand AFRICA). It also emerged the Most Popular Brand of 2021 (Mobility Excellence Award) alongside other awards like Champion of Rural Markets, Best Global Market-Performance Mobile Brand as well as Outstanding Services (CSR Award).
These, and many more, set itel apart from other brands in the smart phone industry and with the partnership with Airtel, you can rest assured that value for money is guaranteed and a new user experience like never before will be delivered.
Walk into any retail (or online) store and get your itel A60 today.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, has said that the position of the Supreme Court on the naira redesign of the Central Bank of Nigeria remains valid.
The AG said the rejection of the old notes by some persons and institutions in the country was contrary to the stand of the apex court, adding that petrol stations, banks and others who were rejecting the old notes could be prosecuted.
Onigbanjo stated these when he appeared on TVC Business Show on Thursday.
This was coming on the heels on the national broadcast by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), where he (Buhari) stated that the old N500 and N1000 notes had lost their legal tender status while the old N200 notes should be recirculated by the CBN until April 10, 2023.
Onigbanjo decried the crisis caused by naira scarcity and condemned the high charges by Point-of-Sales operators which have fostered untold hardship on Nigerians.
He noted that people who are hungry and have their means of livelihood eroded cannot care about any macro-economic policy or its short or long-term gain.
He also advised Lagosians who have been impacted by the naira crisis to press charges as, according to him, it was a breach of contract by the banks that refused to pay them cash.
He said, “There is a contract between a customer and a bank that says when you bring your money to us you can have it back on demand. Any bank that refuses to give the money on demand has violated the terms and conditions of that contract and can be sued. I will advise Lagosians who have experienced suffering and injury as a result of the situation to press charges.”
Onigbanjo lamented the fact that Nigerians were buying their own money, adding that, “Even the producers of goods and services are losing money due to the scarcity of new notes to purchase their products easily.”
The commissioner, commenting on Buhari’s broadcast, said the President, even though having enormous powers, had no power to repeal the order of the Supreme Court or any court for that matter.
The Supreme Court had in a ruling granted an interim injunction that the CBN and the FG should suspend the implementation of the February 10 deadline for the expiration of the legal tender status of the old N200, N500 and N1000 notes pending the hearing and determination of a suit before it.
The hearing had been slated for February 22, 2022.
However, Buhari had announced in a national broadcast on Thursday, February 16, that only the old N200 note would remain valid until April 10 while the old N500 and N1000 notes had lost their legal tender status, contrary to the ruling of the apex court.
Leading global phone maker, itel, on Wednesday launched the latest in its line-up of smartphones, the itel A60 smartphone targeted at leveraging on existing 4G technology to provide smoother, faster and more stable internet connectivity at an affordable price for consumers.
This is just as the global home appliances’ maker reassured one and all that it is constantly improving on its products and services to stay in touch with and satisfy the ever-dynamic demands and yearnings of its customers across the globe.
During the official launch and press briefing which held at the Lagos Marriot Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos State, itel’s Marketing Manager for West Africa 1, Oke Umurhohwo noted that in line with the 4G for Everyone tagline, the itel A60 will bring a different dimension to how the brand’s target users surf the internet and engender an overall amazing experience for customers.
He added that even though itel has established itself as a first-rate maker of smartphones, accessories and electronics, it will not rest on its oars in the bid to deliver quality products and services which cater to the needs of millions of existing and potential consumers.
The press briefing also doubled as the formal announcement of itel’s new strategic partnership with telecommunications giant, Airtel. Oke Umurhohwo disclosed that itel’s partnership with Airtel is to continue to bring ease to consumers. Speaking further, he described the itel A60 as the first of its kind, combining affordability and efficiency without dropping the ball in terms of performance.
Commenting on the announcement, Director Corporate Communications, Airtel Nigeria, Adefemi Adeniran said that Airtel is delighted to establish a prolific partnership that will go a long way in creating a strong value chain for the customers of both brands.
In his remarks, Airtel’s Marketing Director, Ismail Adeshina reiterated Airtel’s commitment to delivering affordable innovation aimed to create meaningful experiences for Nigerians.
“Airtel is committed to delivering affordable innovations that will create a better and more meaningful experience for Nigerians, and we believe that this partnership will not only help us achieve that, but also significantly contribute to building a solid experience for both customers of Itel and Airtel Nigeria.” he said.
Touted as 2023’s most affordable 4G smartphone across all OEM businesses, the entry-leve itel A60 will retail for N45,000 and comes with a range of distinctive features to give the user a different experience while getting value for money.
The itel A60 will feature a 5000mAh battery for longer uptime, 6.6″HD+ Waterdrop FullScreen for an immersive display experience, 32+2GB memory, 8MP+QVGA Rear Camera + 5MP FF Camera+AI Selfie as well as Facial Recognition and Fingerprint protection.
Roses might be red and violets blue but for itel and the Lagos Food Bank, love is in the air. It is the season of love, sharing and affection and today, itel came through for widows in the Amukoko Community, Lagos State.
In keeping with its tradition of excellent service delivery beyond smartphones, accessories, TVs, and other electronics, itel today put smiles on the faces of widows as part of its Valentine’s Day celebration. This is in line with itel’s Love Always On Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative to be there for its customers and underserved communities.
Themed Love in a Box, the initiative was part of efforts to shore up support for widows who could not hide their excitement amidst the fanfare and celebrations. Despite the colourfulness of the event, the purpose was not lost on hundreds of widows who gathered to share in the love and togetherness engendered by itel and the Lagos Food Bank through Valentine’s Day.
Some of the excited beneficiaries expressed delight at the initiative by itel and described it as a novel, thoughtful and heartwarming act. They used the opportunity to call on other people of means to emulate itel and commit themselves and their resources to helping those around them. The food boxes distributed contained food items like rice, beans, cooking oil, milk, seasonings, and other items suitable for the home.
Speaking at the event, Oke Umurhohwo, itel’s Marketing Manager noted that itel is a community-centric business which focuses on ensuring that consumers are well cared for all-year round. "It is the season of love, sharing, and giving, and at itel, we are so thankful for the opportunity to give back whenever and wherever we can," he says. "And that is why we are here in Amukoko community. We promise to be unrelenting and single-minded in our service to Nigerians."
While giving his own remarks, Michael Sunbola, the President of the Lagos Food Bank Initiative, commended itel for being a business that is always ready to collaborate on efforts designed to emancipate the communities they serve, adding that the Lagos Food Bank bought into the initiative because it was a loving way to give back to society.
According to him, "The whole essence of giving back to our communities is firmly rooted in our mission of reducing hunger and fighting malnutrition among the vulnerable population and we do this by partnering with corporate organisations like itel Nigeria. In this season of love, and especially with the rate of poverty and inequality in Nigeria right now, it is essential to foster collaboration that seeks to provide basic needs to improve the lives of vulnerable people; and we are very pleased to be a part of this action."
He says hopes are high that this will be a reference for other acts of philanthropy and goodwill, especially in the hinterland where there is a multitude of those who cannot afford certain things.
Despite the challenges and the crunch across all sectors, it is particularly encouraging to see how itel has incorporated Sustainable Development Goal 2 to "achieve zero hunger" into its core business strategies, making it a brand that doesn't just provide smartphones and appliances for everyone, but also a brand that cares deeply for the needs of its consumers and society at large.
With itel, love is not just in a box on Valentine’s Day; it is everywhere, all the time. For more information on itel's CSR activities and other brand initiatives
Advises Mutfwang to apologize to Ex Mangu workers or withdraw from gubernatorial race ”
Insist gang up against Gov Lalong would fail
Group, operating under the aegis of Plateau APC Alliance for good governance has throw its weight behind the comments of Governor Simon Lalong at the flag off of the state All Progressives Congress (APC) Gubernatorial rally in Wase local government council of the state .
The group also said that the perceived gang up against Governor Lalong will fail woefully, as the people of the state have rejected the PDP and would vote massively for the APC in the forthcoming polls from top to bottom.
Lalong had last Wednesday during a rally at Wase LGA, accused the People’s Democratic party PDP Governorship Candidate Bar Caleb Mutfwang of leaving behind 10 months’ salary arrears during his tenure as local government chairman of Mangu local government council .
Lalong had at the occasion also said he had documents to show that Mutfwang left 10 months of unpaid salaries to workers of Mangu LGA .
In a swift reaction the leader of the group Hon Idris Ado , said rather than attack Governor Lalong ,the Candidate of the PDP in Plateau state has no business been in politics especially after failing to pay LGA workers while in office as council boss of Mangu .
“We advise people of Plateau especially civil servants to reject the PDP candidate because he would continue to owe salaries ,we would not allow our Civil servants to become beggers “.
Ado who spoke to reporters in Abuja on Tuesday said ,we stand by our Governor Simon Lalong for always saying the truth at all times .
” We have carefully carried out our investigation and come to the conclusion that Governor Lalong was right as several ex staff of Mangu local government council of the state whom we meet confirmed that Governor Lalong’s comment on the PDP Candidate was nothing but the truth . ” We call on the PDP candidate to apologize to the ex workers of Mangu local government council or withdraw from the Governorship race .
The group alleged that Civil servants in Plateau would see hell fire if he is elected as Governor of Plateau state in the forthcoming polls.”
” Unlike the PDP Candidate ,Our Governor Simon Lalong has the interest of civil servants at heart and would continue to pay their salaries as at when due ”
During the APC rally in Wase ,we could see the feeling of satisfaction on the faces of the people of Plateau state . When you get the opportunity to serve, we must serve the people to the best of our ability. Governor Lalong is serving the good people of Plateau State and he would deliver the APC in the state .
Lalong would triumph over his enemies just like Elijah triumphed over the priests of Baal as conspiracies against Lalong in the past had met brick walls just like the new plan being hatched by those he called enemies of progress in Plateau would also suffer the same fate.
The PDP candidate Caleb Mutfwang had some days ago rebutted Governor Simon Lalong’s allegations of unpaid salaries levelled against him during his tenure as chairman of Mangu Local Government Area of the state.
Mutfwang, who spoke in Wase Local Government Area during a town hall meeting said i want to challenge Governor Lalong in the same Wase, that if he is not a coward, let him produce the documents that prove that I did not pay salaries for 10 months as local government chairman.
“Let me inform you that I have instructed my lawyers to take action, he will be hearing from my lawyers very soon if he does not refute that allegation, we will meet in court.
“He should remember that his immunity expires on the 29th of May, thereafter, he will have no hiding place.” Mutfwang had said .
Elder Kayode Afolayan, the Egbeda community leader in the viral video where he stood up to the Accord Party House of Representative candidate, Capt Kazeem Akinjide that he doesn’t know Accord candidates for the Presidential elections has now clarified that himself and his community will be voting Hon. Akin Alabi and other APC candidates.
The well respected leader made this declaration when he received Hon. Akin Alabi and the house of assembly candidate, Mr Jide Falade yesterday in Egbeda LGA. He declared total support for Hon Alabi and praised him for giant strides in the community.
Elder Afolayan had initially stated the importance of voting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC while receiving Capt Akinjide, a bewildered Akinjide then asked for support for his own election, carpeting his party’s Presidential candidate in a show of selfishness.
Hon Alabi declared his satisfaction with the support of Elder Afolayan and his community in the upcoming elections and implored that they vote all other APC candidates including Sen Teslim Folarin for Governor of Oyo state
The accord Party candidates for Egbeda/Ona-Ara were met with shock after the community leaders rejected them right in their presence during a meeting held yesterday at the home of one of the top political leaders in the community.
One of the leaders was heard saying, we cannot support the accord party because We don’t know their presidential candidate and don’t know them.
AS THE MULTI BILLION NARIA LAND SUIT WITH DOZZY OIL HEATS UP
A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt and presided over by Hon Justice A. Enebeli this morning, January 30,2023 put Anambra-born multibillionnaire businessman, Chief Cletus Ibeto in the dock in further cross examination by the defence counsel - Barrister E.C Ukala, SAN, in one of the suits between his companies and Dozzy Oil Ltd.
Ibeto on the resumption of proceedings this morning disputed his previous documented evidence that was already before the court.
Under cross examination, the defence counsel, Barrister Ukala, SAN, asked to know the size of the property in dispute, the location, the original owners from where he derived his title and at that point he denied the contents of his own document. He further added that it was his lawyers that prepared the details, and that it wasn’t correct.
At that moment,a ding dong battle ensued between him and the defence counsel seeking to clarify the document. It lingered till the presiding judge intervened, and informed him (Ibeto) that he would suffer no disadvantage to own up.
He was also unable to tell the court the size of the property in dispute, nor the original owners of the title that he inherited.
It was the presiding judge’s intervention that enabled him to accept that the document was in line with his instructions.
Chief Ibeto in Suit No. PHC/268/FHR/2022 against Dozzy Oil Ltd in one of the suits in the lingering dispute over a case of sale of apparently encumbered property and an allegation of fraud and forgery against him.
In the suit he had dragged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Dozzy Oil Ltd before a Court seeking an order to stop the EFCC from arresting and or investigating him whatsoever, in enforcement of his fundamental human right.
The criminal allegations against on the matter bordered on obtaining N4.6 billion through false pretense from Dozzy Oil in the sale of a large expanse of land to Dozzy Oil.
It was alleged that Dozzy Oil only found out that Ibeto’s tittle on the property was encumbered hence went for refund of about N4.6billion Naira being accumulated payment and cost of the transaction, which he declined. Dozzy then petitioned EFCC for recovery of his funds.
Dozzy Oil, Chief Dan Chukwudozie had alleged that he was approached by Ibeto (the applicant) to purchase a parcel of land situated at Reclamation Layout Phase 11 Port Harcourt, but only to discover that the property did not belong to claimant and his companies.
The matter was later adjourned to 7 and 8 February, 2023 for continuation of cross examination of Chief Ibeto.
Shobanjo, Ahmad, Awosika, Babaeko, others stimulate conversation at AT3 Resources’ one-week digital marketing bootcamp for SMEs
AT3 Resources, Lagos-based communication and events consultancy on Friday 20th, January concluded its week-long digital marketing training for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) in commemoration of its 5th Anniversary. The training themed ‘Leveraging Possibilities for SMEs in The Digital Age’ was designed to empower SMEs to seize the growth opportunities present in the digital media era.
The intensive digital marketing Bootcamp delivered by 15 marketing experts had in attendance participants who were armed with the best digital marketing tools, tips, trends, tactics & strategies to scale their businesses using digital tools whilst 10 corporate titans and leading entrepreneurs shared life and success nuggets.
Speaking during the Bootcamp, Aishah Ahmad, Deputy Governor, of the Central Bank of Nigeria stated that “Small businesses are the lifeblood of the economy and drivers of economic growth. Over 70% of the jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa and emerging markets are provided by small businesses. “Running a successful business in Nigeria comes with certain challenges but to overcome the challenges in the ecosystem, entrepreneurs must identify opportunities, set goals, be open to knowledge, build a sustainable structure, nurture relationships, add value and envision a better world with the service they provide.”
Chairman, Troyka Holdings Limited, Dr Biodun Shobanjo, while speaking urged business owners to define their mission from the onset in order to deliver great results and remain in business. He said, “The ability to deliver creative work in a timely manner is very crucial to running a successful business. Also, as a business owner, leading with integrity, excellence, and passion and building a team of leaders for succession is important in sustaining a business. To remain above the curve, entrepreneurs must seek to diversify, innovate and leverage digital resources available in this digital era.”
Sharing nuggets for success, Ibukun Awosika, Founder/CEO, of The Chair Centre Group, charged participants to continuously renew and empower their minds through education. “My thirst and quest for continuous learning empowered me to build relationships and networks which has helped me broaden my mindset over time. Knowledge is important, however, maintaining discipline, staying teachable and upholding values such as respect, openness, fairness, the right attitude, and integrity is key to becoming a successful entrepreneur.”
Giving the closing remark during the last session, Tosin Adefeko, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, of AT3 Resources charged the participants to leverage knowledge from the training to carve a niche, grow their business and connect to a wider audience in the digital space. “It is a delight to have hosted an impactful training for SMEs who are committed to scaling their businesses. I want to especially thank all the marketing communications experts who shared their wealth of experience. I encourage you to incorporate learnings from this training to scale your businesses.”
Speaking on behalf of the attendees one of the small business owners expressed gratitude for the opportunity and reiterated his plans to integrate the knowledge practically. “The skills gained from this training will be used to increase profitability for my digital marketing business. I am grateful to AT3 Resources for organising this impactful training and I say a massive congratulations as they mark their 5th anniversary.”
The AT3 Digital Marketing Bootcamp is its first edition in alignment with the company’s vision to lend its support within its core expertise area whilst using its sphere of influence to enrich the lives of SMEs who aim to carve a niche for their business in the digital space.
in line with his principle of protecting the interests of citizens including those on uniform, Anambra South Senator and Candidate of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) for the 2023 Anambra South Senatorial Election Dr Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah on Friday, called for the exit of Nigeria Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme which is being run and managed by the National Pension Commission (PENCOM). Senator Ubah made the call during a One-Day Public Hearing on the Police Pension Board (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 1009) which was sponsored by Senator Elisha Abbo, APC, Adamawa North and the Nigerian Police Special Forces (Establishment) Bill 2022 (SB. 846) sponsored by Senator Ali Ndume, APC Borno South.
Speaking at the event which was organized by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Ubah asked representatives of PENCOM to explain to Nigerians why the Pensions of retired Police personnel remains under the control of the Commission while other security agencies have separate units under their control that manage their pensions. The Anambra South Senator further maintained that in spirit of equity and justice, the Police Force like other security agencies, should be allowed to manage pensions of its retired Personnel.
Also speaking at the event, the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Baba, represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Sanusi Lemu said the Police requires a separate board for management and administration of pensions of retired police personnel in the mode of the Military Pension Board. The IGP further argued that exiting the Contributory Pension Scheme being run and managed by PENCOM is long over due for the police on account of poor services.
Chairman of the committee, Senator Dauda Haliru Jika in his presentation, also maintained that the Police deserves same special treatment being enjoyed by other security agencies.
Also in their separate remarks, the aforementioned sponsors of the Bills further threw their weight behind calls for exit of Nigeria Police Force from Contributory Pension Scheme and expressed hope that the Bill will be passed by the National Assembly.
In their separate presentations, representatives of PENCOM, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria and Nigerian Labour Congress argued that retaining the management of pensions of retired police Police personnel under PENCOM was a decision made by the Federal Government to avoid sending the country back to dark ages. They further argued that the exit of the Police Force from the Contributory Pension Scheme shall breed avoidable liability for the country. However, members of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and the Inspector-General of Police maintained their supports for the Bill.
The Senate Committee on Police Affairs is expected to present its report to the upper chamber when it reconvenes on Tuesday.
Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District in the National Assembly Prof Nora Ladi Daduut on Friday empowered over 300 persons including widows ,youths and the less privileged individuals from the six local government areas of her Senatorial district with various tools .
The lawmaker explained that the empowerment which was stream lined to build the capacity of selected women and Youths with empowerment tools was basically to change the financial situation of the beneficiaries and also make them self employed .
Our correspondent report that items distributed to the beneficiaries includes mini tillers , irrigation water pumping machine ,house solar units , Spark fans ,rural sparks ,sewing machines , complete sets of hair dressing saloon kits ,grinding machines and complete sets of barbing saloon kits .
Disbursing the times to the widows and Youths on Friday , Senator Daduut who was represented by her Legislative Assistant Mrs Rufina Grumyem said empowering them was part of her campaign promises and her contributions to improve the economic development in the zone.
“Women empowerment, especially widows, is a major area of interest to me in our Senatorial District.”
” Economic development hinged on industrialisation, employment, infrastructural provision and youth development constitute my priority,” she said sandals
Senator Nora Daduut however implored the lucky beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment for the betterment of their life and people around them.
She also urged the beneficiaries to always remain peaceful and engage in meaningful ventures in their interest and for the overall development of the country.
In the same vein, she enjoined her constituents to support the All Progressive Congress Party in the coming elections by voting APC from top to bottom, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for President,Dr Nentawe Yilwada for Governor ,Governor Simon Lalong for Senator ,Idris Maje Wase for House of representatives Wase Federal constituency and every other APC candidate .
Senator Daduut also called on the women, particularly registered voters in her Senatorial zone to take advantage of the ongoing distribution of Permanent Voter’s Card (PVCs) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to collect theirs and vote during elections.
Dakup Lami a beneficiary of the empowerment described the lawmaker as an uncommon senator.
She commended Senator Daduut for bringing succour to her people at this period of economic crunch through various projects and empowerment items.
The actor who is a member of Labor Party and Peter Obi's Presidential campaign council went on a tribal tirade lately reinforcing People’s opinion that Peter Obi is running on an ethnic ticket
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foir_JHqUso "Igbos already have over 30 million votes, don't leave where you're so that we can secure 25% votes for Peter Obi across Nigeria...."
Kanayo O. Kanayo urges Igbo.
"Igbos already have over 30 million votes, don't leave where you're so that we can secure 25% votes for Peter Obi across Nigeria...."
Ex-Millitant Leaders Disassociate Selves From Petition To National Security Adviser Against Gen. Ndiomu.
The Niger Delta Integrity Group (NDIG) condemns the spiteful attempt by certain so called ex-millitants and some contractors to slander the good image of Major General Barry Ndiomu (Rtd) in his quest to reform the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP).
The claims of alleged diversion of PAP funds by Ndiomu as recently published in some news platforms is untrue, baseless, unfounded, and is a clear case of a sponsored attempt to evoke distraction away from the good works of the new PAP administration.
The NDIG notes with utmost dismay, how some Ijaws have chosen to remain non-futuristic, disunited and are sticking to the culture of pulling down each other, exhibiting the ‘Pulling Down Syndrome’. We recall how the likes of Brig. Gen. Paul Boro (Rtd), late Prof. Charles Dokubo and others who are of Ijaw ethnic extraction were pulled down by our own people.
It is sad that our people have maintained the trend of writing petitions to drag each other, rather than focusing on things that will move the Niger Delta region forward. The NDIG recalls that there was a time when a northerner was appointed on Interim basis to head the PAP. Did they write petitions at the time?
We have it on good authority that a portfolio contractor identified as Andrew Pinneh and his associates, had been threatening to blackmail the Interim Administrator for refusing to pay him a dubious sum of N1.5bn. The said contractor who owns NYEEAP SYNERGY CONSULTING LIMITED, never delivers in contracts awarded to him, and has been doing so in connivance with a suspected mole in the PAP Accounts Department.
The NDIG also has it on record that the contractor was one of those used by late Dokubo to run fraudulent errands both in Nigeria and in the UK during the latter’s time as Interim Administrator of the PAP.
The Presidential Amnesty Programme receives a monthly budgetary allocation of N5bn. Out of this amount, over N3.8bn is exhausted on paying monthly stipends of ex-agitators with bulk payments to their leaders, who are called the ‘Big Five’, educational scholarships are also facilitated from this monthly fund. Unpaid contractors are settled from same fund, the day-to-day running of the PAP office, stakeholders engagement meetings, salaries of staff, are all sorted from this fund. So what remains to be diverted?
Given this huge monthly expenditure of the PAP, the said sum of N12bn being diverted is laughable and unrealistic.
These group of disgruntled elements have only been provoked by the refusal of Gen. Ndiomu to dance to their tune and the strictness of the Committee set-up by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) which recommended that contractors who did not execute their contracts should not be paid. This is the same culture in the NDDC, where contractors are fraudulently demanding for payments for contract they didn’t execute.
We are, however, aware that majority of these ex-agitators are jobless and can be used as a tool for destruction. But the good news is that General Ndiomu is working tirelessly to create sustainable livelihoods for them. To this end, they must now desist from being continuously used as a tool in the hands of their brainless sponsors.
The ongoing reforms in the PAP is no doubt triggering this fight-back. We urge General Ndiomu to publish the fabricated job report done by this so called contractor, so the world will see the dubious nature of these characters and also take the bold step of identifying and removing the moles in his office working together with these enemies of progress.
Adetola Durojaiye, Director of Business & Strategy at Syracuse Africa, has had a very interesting career path that, almost ironically, did not kick off as the start of his career in the marketing industry. Despite the fact that his entry into the world of marketing was quite unplanned, it turned out to be an exciting and passionate adventure across both local and international scopes.
Even more astounding is his fast-paced career trajectory and growth within a very short period of time. Within 5 years, Adetola rose through the ranks from being a modest social media manager, a job that was initially a hobby, to becoming the Manager and eventually the Director of Business and Strategy at a top Pan-African agency charged with managing over 30 local and international brands in the industry, over time. He has, to his credit, spearheaded the marketing innovations in many popular brands, leading to the bagging of several awards like the 2021 BoICT Awards- Best Selling High-End Smartphone of the Year (OPPO Reno Series), the 2021 GAGE Awards – Online Campaign of the Year (#ShotOnOPPO) and the 2019 Nigerian Tech Innovation & Telecoms Awards (NTITA) – Emerging Smartphone Brand of the Year.
As a leading Marketing strategist in his industry, his marketing experiences stretch from the tech industry to the FMCG and finance industry, proving that his skills are not industry-specific but core competencies that will stand him out anywhere. Quite literally, anything Adetola Durojaiye touches turn to gold.
Adetola Durojaiye’s journey into digital marketing although unplanned has turned out to be quite an exciting adventure. In his words, “My journey into digital marketing is something that was unplanned. It was something that was available by the time I was a job seeker. I was very social media savvy. I had a huge following on Twitter, in particular. As a result of my large following and how I was able to create conversations on Twitter which got a lot of engagements, I attracted people in the marketing industry who wanted to work with me as a consultant and those who wanted to employ me. When I was made an offer to work with some of the leading agencies, I couldn’t refuse. It is difficult to get a job in Nigeria. I took it, and it became something that I enjoyed. Digital marketing is something that is the mother of all marketing. Social media marketing is a branch of digital marketing. Because I enjoy social media, it made me enjoy digital marketing. It also helped me to grow at a very fast pace. It’s been 5 years and seven-eight months now I have gotten around 4-5 promotions within the industry. So it has been a good one.”
For Adetola, his belief is that entering into the marketing industry requires not just knowledge but a passion for social media since it is a dwelling place of customers and customers are the lifeline of any brand or business. “Whatever you are trying to sell, the end user is what matters. If you place a good enough priority on this consumer you will be able to thrive.”
Moving forward, the director clarifies a common misconception between what is known as ‘marketing’ and ‘digital marketing.’ He says, “There is a big difference. I have had a couple of experiences where people ask me what I do and I respond that I am a marketing strategist and then they go “all these marketers.” They mean that when they employ you as a salesperson and give you targets. But digital marketing is much more than that. It is about building brands through the use of digital platforms. It is about building brands, connecting them with their consumers, and connecting consumers with brands as well. It is also the cheapest means to reach your target audience or consumers. Marketing today is way bigger than what most people know it to be. It is to get people to know more about your product in a way that would benefit your brand. If you do a video, for example, and post it on social media you would probably reach more people than TV because digital has more coverage. You can also take advantage of modern technology like data because now you can know where people are watching your videos, and how people from the North are perceiving your video in English or Hausa. Digital marketing makes marketing a lot easier and cheaper than conventional marketing.”
Practicing marketing in a place like Nigeria showcases the viability of the industry seeing as there is a lot of competition on the ground. In his opinion, this is what has made the industry not only thrive but greatly improve, especially with the new generation of Gen Zs. “I have to say that influencer marketing in Nigeria right now is fantastic. You have to appreciate what influencers and content creators are doing. In terms of the content, they are producing it is almost on the global level, looking at the camera quality, voice quality, and recording capacity. Many of the influencers in the UK and the US are also of Nigerian descent. Nigerians are doing amazing when it comes to influencing. I am a big fan of what they do and I have had the opportunity to collaborate with a lot of them. As a marketing strategist, you are required to come up with different strategies that sell your brand. You need to put out communications in different forms. The consumer is always what matters and some of them are not going to be convinced until they see someone they trust talking about it. Influencers are who people trust because they follow them every day. For instance, if Rihanna is tweeting about a lip gloss you will see fans who will say “If Rihanna is using this I definitely have to use it.
“Influencers have a large influence on the audience compared to what even your ad will get you. If you were to see a video about some random person, you would probably pay more attention to a video with a celebrity, especially the one you follow and love what they do. If you are following them for a reason, you will most likely buy into the brands that they endorse. Influencers are a mouthpiece for many brands. Some influencers would not also take up gigs or jobs from brands that they themselves don’t trust. What you see today in the influencer community is just the tip of the iceberg. The next five years in Nigeria in the influencer industry are going to be explosive.
However, society has become more sensitive than before. “…For example, if you were to create a video about Maggi and you place a woman in the kitchen, you could have people challenging it, “are you saying that only women are supposed to be in the kitchen?’ These are some challenges that the industry has had to adapt to, and it is doing so fairly well, but still way behind in comparison to the international industry. ‘I would say the industry has grown well but we are still behind international agencies. One of the reasons is that they have more things to work with; I will also say a richer audience to work with. The purchasing power in Nigeria is quite low. It makes it very hard to sell expensive products and hard to target the core audience for these expensive things.”
His approach to marketing is unique and tailored to the many brands he has worked with while taking into cognizance his team’s strengths and weaknesses. “I have worked with both local and international brands across different industries, mostly smartphone companies, I would say many brands have their guidelines that you have to follow in creating whatever strategy that you are creating. As a marketing strategist, I will take this and try to create what works for them. One of the stumbling blocks that you will face as a digital marketer is the brand guideline which often will box you into a place when trying to come up with ideas. Sometimes many of these people are also flexible.
“The biggest lesson is that what makes a beautiful campaign is your team. When you have the right team and your people are able to synchronise it is always easy. You never can tell who is going to bring out the best idea. It could be the intern. Most of the time it may not even be the manager that brings out the best idea. It is mostly the junior ones that are not thinking inside of the box because they are not as restricted since they have less communication with the client, for example. However, as the manager, you are able to take their idea and transform it or flesh it out in a way that does not violate any brand guidelines. I think your team is just as strong as your marketing campaign. The team goes into your deployment because many times when we want to execute a campaign, we need more hands than we already have and that is what makes a great campaign. One of my best campaigns was one where I had over 100 people on the team.”
Speaking on the Nigerian policy environment, Adetola opines that “The current policies are not exactly bad. However, there are rumours of the federal government trying to censor how people place their ads on social media. The government is not in control of social media. Hence, it is hard for them to monitor adverts on the different platforms because they are not Nigerian-owned or affiliated with Nigeria apart from the fact that they are available in Nigeria. The government is trying to police it and I don’t think it is necessary because we already have quality control where they check every ad to make sure you are not violating certain rules.
The other challenge is when you are trying to get approval for a billboard, you have to go through several approval processes. For example, if you are a food company, NAFDAC has to approve the video and you still have to get approval from APCON. It is just a long process. If it can be made easier we can have a more viable environment for people to succeed and it will eliminate a lot of frustration coming from government officials and clients. One of the things that NAFDAC has done on their part is that you can send them a script before you shoot the video so you do not waste money on your video. I think the government is doing very well but it can be better.”
If your line of work involves evaluating investment options, understanding debt securities and how they operate might help you make more sensible choices. A debt security is a type of financial instrument that may be issued by governments, corporations, governmental organizations, or other significant entities. Therefore, improving your career trajectory by learning about debt securities is possible if you do your homework.
In this article, we describe debt securities, including what they are, how they operate, several varieties, and distinctions between debt and equity securities.
Debt securities are what? Debt instruments that can be sold from one party to another are known as debt securities. Normally, the borrower and the lender agree to all of the loan’s terms, including the amount each borrows from the other, the amount the loanee must repay at the end of the loan term, the interest rate, and the maturity date—the time by which the loanee must repay the borrowed amount in full. Debt securities are often issued by large institutions like governments, government agencies, and corporations to raise money for a variety of objectives.
How do debt instruments function? A big institution can issue debt securities in a variety of formats as a request for a loan with the commitment to repay it with interest at a given date when it needs to raise money for business objectives. Then, investors looking for a secure investment option can buy the debt instruments, earning money from the interest and aiding the organizations that issued them in raising capital.
Investment in debt securities is regarded as one of the safest forms of investment because the institution that issues the debt securities is legally required to make all agreed payments.
However, they do carry some risk because the issuing institution could go bankrupt or break the terms of the contract. Interest rates on debt securities often follow a risk-to-return relationship, which means that companies with lower credit ratings attempt to make up for this by charging higher interest rates than companies with higher credit ratings.
Debt securities types Typical forms of debt securities include:
Treasury bonds, bills, and notes These debt instruments are issued by the United States Treasury and are among the safest types of debt in existence because they are backed by the government. This also indicates that they typically have lower interest rates than other debt securities, given the relationship between a debt security’s risk and interest rate. The maturity date is the primary distinction between bills, notes, and bonds. Bills have shorter terms than a year, notes have terms between one and ten years, and bonds have terms more than ten years.
Business bonds These kinds of debt securities are usually issued by corporations to raise money for a sizable undertaking. Their interest rate, which the issuing company typically pays twice a year, is either set or variable. The bond’s face value—the sum the investor originally paid—is then paid at the bond’s maturity rate. A unique call provision on some corporate bonds enables the issuing company to repurchase them before they mature. The length and credit rating of the issuing company are two factors that typically affect a corporate bond’s interest rate.
Governmental bonds Municipal bonds are issued by states, cities, counties, and other governmental bodies. These bonds are typically used to fund significant initiatives, fulfill obligations, or pay off past debt. There are two main categories of municipal bonds:
Bonds issued under general obligations are not secured by any real property. Instead, they are only supported by the reputation of the issuer because each political body has the authority to tax its citizens to obtain money for bondholder payments. Bonds backed by revenue from a particular project or source, such as rental fees or tolls on the highway, include revenue bonds. Investment bonds
To aid with loan repayment for the US government, the Treasury Department of the US produces saving bonds. Being backed by the U.S. government makes them a very safe investment option, much like treasury bills, notes, and bonds.
Two categories of savings bonds exist:
Series EE: They bear interest quarterly, with the face amount of the bond plus all accumulated interest being paid to the investor upon redemption. Series 1: Comparable to Series EE savings bonds, with the main distinction being that the interest rate is inflation-adjusted rather than fixed. Business paper
By issuing and selling this sort of debt security, which is essentially a promissory note declaring that the loanee will pay a particular amount of money to the loaner at a defined date, financially sound firms can finance short-term projects and obligations.
The investor purchases the commercial paper at a reduced cost and earns a profit by collecting its face value when its maturity date arrives, as opposed to gaining money through interest. Commercial paper is a viable investment option for big investors like mutual funds because each unit normally has a value of at least $100,000.
Shady bonds
Junk bonds are frequently issued by organizations with poor credit ratings to raise money for brand-new initiatives or debt payback. They are comparable to standard corporate bonds, with the main distinction being that their interest rates are frequently much higher. Many individuals view them as a high-risk, high-reward investment option.
Comparing equity and debt securities Equity securities are claims to a portion of a company’s assets and profits, as opposed to debt securities, which are investments in debt instruments. The most popular kind of equity security is stock.
When an investor buys stock from a firm, they become owners of that company, which means they get money if the business is successful but lose money if it is not. Since equity securities don’t have a set maturity date, their owners are free to keep them or sell them whenever they see fit. They also grant owners voting privileges within the business.
Since assumption of office as Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) Major General Barry Ndiomu has tenaciously resolved to change the negative narrative that has clouded the Programme for years.
In this interview with selected Journalists in Abuja, the PAP boss disclosed that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has displayed committed empathy towards the sustenance and impactful operation of the PAP. Our Correspondent ERE-EBI AGEDAH, was there and reports.
Can you brief us on the current state of your internal reforms and why you started it?
It’s been over three months since I took over the helm of affairs here at the Presidential Amnesty Programme. When I resumed office, I naturally inherited a myriad of problems based on the briefings I received from the various departmental heads. I had a clear mandate from the Office of the National Security Adviser on what was expected of me to do.
First of all, there was a clear directive for me to put an end to all contract awards and of course that also meant that we had to discontinue the award of scholarships on other programmes other than the ongoing programmes that are inherited.
Now the idea behind that directive was to enable the new dispensation take stock of the activities of the Presidential Amnesty Programme and to see how we could bring the Programme back in actualising its mandate. At the time when the Amnesty Programme was conceptualised, the plan was to terminate in 2015.
However a couple of things happened, I wasn’t here but somethings happened between the time it was established and the year 2015. The numbers of ex-agitators kept increasing until eventually the concept of impacted communities was introduced and that further expanded the number of ex-agitators that was initially captured.
I believe personally it was from that point the programme deviated from its original vision that was conceptualised by those who originated it. The figures kept increasing from about 19,000 plus until it got up to 30,000 ex-agitators. Of course there were other reasons that were given for that explosion in numbers.
Some averred that it was because quite a number of the ex-agitators did not come out from the creeks because they did not trust the true intentions of government at the time and so when they were now reassured of their safety, quite a few of them emerged from the creeks. Like I said, in addition to the idea of impacted communities, this expanded the Programme.
It got to a point where the programme was no longer addressing the original agitators captured, focus was now more on the impacted communities. So scholarship schemes, beneficiaries were not even the ex-agitators but it came more or less like a social welfare programme that cut across the entire Niger Delta.
Also, one of the directives that were given was to carry out an education audit to ascertain the number of ex-agitators that have been trained in educational and tertiary institutions across the country and overseas. Ofcourse the audit programme is still on, we have just received report of the education audit, we are studying it at the moment.
But I think snippets of it that I can give for now, very clearly, three-quarter of the beneficiaries are not the ex-agitators that the programme was intended to carter for. Therefore, we have large number of ex-agitators that have not been trained. They have not been beneficiaries of this scholarship scheme neither have they been trained in any vocational training centres.
Although it could still be argued that in certain cases, some of the ex-agitators surrendered their rights to be educated. And they surrendered that right to their siblings, children and members of their communities in quite a number of cases.
So it was not necessarily the fault of anyone but then again I have received complaints from the same ex-agitators that they were left out in the training Programme that has been carried out by the PAP. This seems to have worked as cross-purposes with the true intention of those established the programme.
Since your resumption, you have been putting much effort in the engagement of ex-agitators in various government establishments; can you say what informed your decision to push on it?
Interestingly, when we looked at the data we had for the ex-agitators and members of impacted communities that have benefited from either the scholarship scheme, or the vocational training programmes, we realised that less than one percent are gainfully employed. That was totally at cross-purposes with whatever was intended of the amnesty programme and I’m not joking, less than one percent are gainfully employed.
Why I visited the Head of Service was because we had 350 beneficiaries of the Presidential Amnesty Scholarship Scheme. The 350 individuals are not necessarily ex-agitators; I want to bring up this distinction so you will have an understanding.
But the important thing they may be classified as those who benefited on the basis of the impacted community concept. Interestingly, this 350 individuals, very brilliant Niger Deltans, first class and second class upper. They were specially selected and the federal government at the time decided that they should be employed at the various federal ministries and agencies.
This happened in 2017, and till date you will not believe it, not one of them has been employed despite the presidential directive to that effect. So when I resumed and my attention was drawn to the issue, I quickly wrote and had audience with the Head of Service. As I speak, I am also trying to make contact with the Vice President because his office was also very much involved in trying to ensure that these 350 Niger Deltans were gainfully employed.
As a matter of fact, they have actually been distributed to various Federal Ministries; the numbers were stated in the correspondences. I realised that I needed to give it that additional push which I can assure you is in progress, the Head of Service was very kind and magnanimous, she’s looking into it and I believe by the time the Vice President gets involved, I’m positive that we would have these 350 individuals gainfully employed in the various ministries of the Federal Civil Service.
Last year you resolved the payment of fees for students under this programme at the Baze University. Are you placing priority on Scholarships?
If you recall I had mentioned when I started that the directive to me was to suspend all contracts which included scholarships programmes. That directive has not been lifted and the reason like I said, we were asked to take stock of what was existing and what I inherited, which we are doing.
Let me quickly mention here that one of the reasons it was necessary to suspend the scholarship programme, is because of the costs of Presidential Amnesty Programme. For example, we now have a total of well over 3,000 individuals to whom scholarships have been awarded.
If you looked at the bill, tuition fees is well over N7 billion for the section. We are talking about onshore 3,000 plus, offshore, there’s no government institution. There was need to take a second look at it and that was why we had that problem with Baze University because it was just impossible to pay the tuition across these institutions.
These were not government-owned universities; we are talking about private universities. Millions of Naira on individual students, I don’t want to put blame on anyone but that was without any doubt, reckless. There was need to take a second look at it which we are doing and we are not going to suspend the scholarships which have already been awarded because it was not the fault of these children to be awarded these scholarships, we have to work out a way of looking for the funds to upset these huge bills that we are confronted with.
That was why it possible to discuss with Baze University to do a certain percentage payment, so that later on this year, we will be able to upset the balance of the tuition fees. We hope to do that with all other institutions before we can begin to talk about re-awarding scholarships in a more rational and reasonable manner consistent with the budget of the amnesty programme.
What is your plan about ensuring proper monitoring and evaluation in all these reforms and ongoing, scholarship and trainings?
We are doing that, that’s why immediately I took over, one of the first departments that I carried a reform on was the reintegration department, it’s under the reintegration department that you have the education department, vocational training, peace building, and job placements.
Infact I fired the officers who were there, because if I didn’t do that, they had already put out a very terrible and nasty situation which we are still trying to confront at the moment. I had to bring in people with institutional capacity and sufficient knowledge in these areas and so we have a thorough-bred professional currently heading the reintegration department.
We have various stock taking measures and audits which are ongoing so that at the end of the day we will now work within the ambit of the budget.
In December 2022 the National Security Adviser inaugurated an Oil Theft Committee which you are chairing. What plans does your Committee have for the ex-agitators? Especially those that are into what is called the Kpo-Fire business?
To be honest, I would not want to pre-empt the work of the committee, maybe whatever opinion I will be expressing will be my personal opinion and also based on capacity as a Interim Administrator of the Amnesty Programme.
First of all, I have always wondered why anyone who will be talking about pipeline security and surveillance without involving the Presidential Amnesty office. I do believe to start with, problems confronting the Niger Delta, stems from the issues around pipeline vandalisation, which eventually led to agitations of different forms and which also led to the forming of Presidential Amnesty Programme.
But to say you are talking about pipeline protection and surveillance without the Amnesty Programme, I think it was a mistake. I have expressed this and emphasised it privately to the G.O of the NNPC, and I’m waiting for his response because I believe that the ex-agitators should be given the opportunity to be involved in the protection and surveillance of oil pipelines within the Niger Delta.
It is something they have also discussed with me and I believe it will also be a way of testing their faith and commitment. We are all aware of the dangers the issue of vandalisation of pipeline poses to the environment, so it will be a wonderful opportunity for them to also understand the need to safeguard the environment by ensuring these pipelines are not vandalised.
The feedback I have gotten from them is that they a very willing and interested and they want to take up the challenge if given the opportunity. I hope at the end of the day, the G.O of the NNPC will extend that hand of friendship to us and allow the PAP through these ex-agitators, because it will also be a way of empowering them. Ensuring also that they are part of the process of keeping the Niger Delta and the oil facilities intact and safe.
Do you think the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari has done well for the PAP?
To be honest, the current administration has done exceedingly well. In the funding the PAP, they have given us sufficient resources that financed the programme in a timely manner. That is why we have been able to pay stipends to the ex-agitators, probably the first government agency every month that is able to pay stipends I can assure.
Except for failures of the system which is nobody’s fault and is based on technology, by the 20th of every month, stipends are paid. I will tell you that the government has not short paid the amnesty programme by one Naira.
Considering that a reasonable number of the ex-agitators are yet to be engaged after several trainings. Are you also considering entrepreneurship for them? What’s your plan to strategically create sustainable livelihood for these ex-agitators?
Talking about how to ensure gainful employment for the ex-agitators, it is one of the reasons why I have gone round, writing a number of government agencies and ministers in trying to see how we can secure employment for this boys.
In terms of entrepreneurship, we have a number of initiatives that by the grace of God with the signing and passing of the budget by the President, we are looking at setting up cooperatives. The idea behind the cooperatives will be for these same ex-agitators who will become the administrators and managers of their own destiny.
We would attach experts to these cooperatives, we will finance the cooperatives so that they will have access to micro-credits, along with consultants who will advise them on whatever initiatives and businesses and entrepreneurial skills. So that they can do businesses that will help to improve their individual and economic situations.
Quite a number of these initiatives also, we built into the budget so that we can atleast have a reason to spend the monies judiciously that has been given to the agency. We are also thinking about setting up fishing trolling companies which would entail procuring fishing trolleys. We will also send them outside the country to be trained and get as many onboard that are interested because we are not going to compel any individual.
This programme is not intended to last forever, the idea is to provide them with what they require to be able to earn sustainable means of livelihood. Otherwise we would create an impression that the Niger Delta remains a region that is in a constant state of conflict and I think that’s not going to be in our best interest.
Banks recently barred customers from performing international transactions with their naira-denominated debit cards. TEMITAYO JAIYEOLA examines the impact of this decision on bank customers
Guaranty Trust Bank Plc on Thursday, December 29, 2022, sent a mail notifying its customers that their naira-denominated Mastercard would no longer be allowed for foreign transactions from December 31, 2022.
According to the bank, these cards would no longer be supported for international online and Point of Sale transactions. While the bank did not give reasons for this decision, it advised them to get dollar cards, which means they need to open dollar accounts.
The bank said, “Dear customer, we write to inform you that you will no longer be able to use your Naira Mastercard for international online and POS transactions effective 31st December 2022.
“Kindly note that you can use your GTBank dollar card for all your international spending requirements.”
With this move, GTB joined a growing list of banks that have suspended international transactions on naira-denominated cards. Standard Chartered Bank announced in July that it was suspending international transactions on its naira visa debit card.
It told its customers, “Kindly be informed that effective August 1, 2022, International spending on our Naira Visa Debit Card will be suspended.”
First Bank of Nigeria had to suspend the usage of its naira-denominated cards for foreign transactions due to the foreign exchange scarcity that the country has been grappling with.
In September, the bank said, “Due to current market realities on foreign exchange, you will no longer be able to use the Naira Mastercard, Naira Credit Card, our Virtual card, and Visa Prepaid Naira card for international transactions. This will take effect on 30 September 2022.”
Although banks gave their customers the option of dollar-denominated cards to enable them to engage in international transactions, it is a pointer that naira-denominated cards are becoming useless outside the borders of the country.
But things were not always like this. It has been a long road to where naira-denominated cards are now. Users of naira-denominated cards were formerly allowed to spend up to $150,000 per annum ($12,500 per month) for international transactions. But in April 2015, the spending limit on naira-denominated cards for international transactions was reduced to $50,000 per person per annum or $4,166.7 per month. This soon dropped to $500 per month and then $100 per month. In the first quarter of 2022, holders of naira-denominated cards were limited to $20 international transactions. And in December, they were finally barred from transacting any international transaction with their naira-denominated cards.
Nigerians have been here before. In 2016, banks also suspended international payments on naira-denominated cards. In a mail to its customers at the time, Standard Chartered Bank blamed limited foreign exchange supply for its decision to stop supporting international transactions on naira cards.
Banks are not the only ones struggling to facilitate international transactions in the country. Fintechs are in the same situation. With every rising of the sun, a new fintech springs up and promises to help Nigerians facilitate foreign transactions. But like shooting stars, they are here today and gone tomorrow.
Fintechs such as Flutterwave and several others that used to have virtual dollar cards have since suspended services that facilitate international transactions.
A tech expert, who did not want to be named, claimed he has been having issues renewing international subscriptions, which his business depends on. According to him, he has had to try different products to enable him to renew his subscriptions.
He explained, “I was using Gomoney but it stopped working. I just discovered Grey, which was launched recently.
“I used it to pay for my apple music, software subscriptions, and Google. The other option was to open a domiciliary account, which is stressful. You have to get referrals, like two reference letters. I would stick to this alternative until there is another one.
“Also, there is Aboki Africa. They have a mobile app. They have a dollar card too, and there is Chipper Cash. But it is all black market rates, which is expensive. All my naira cards are not working again.”
Other people who spoke to our correspondent stated that their naira cards from banks such as GTB, Access, and First Bank had stopped working on international platforms.
One of them described how he almost lost his Microsoft 365 subscription because his GTB card stopped working. According to him, he had to use a friend’s Zenith naira card to pay for the subscription. This is currently the reality of many Nigerians.
A lot of Nigerians cannot pay for dollar-denominated services such as streaming services, application fees, magazine subscriptions, domain renewal, etc. with their naira cards.
With this latest suspension on naira-denominated cards, Nigerians would have no choice but to turn to the parallel market to continue to enjoy subscription services.
On Thursday, $1 was about N739 in the parallel market and N461.50 in the official forex window.
With the stoppage of naira-denominated cards for international transactions, Nigerians may be able to enjoy a lot of international technology services that are subscription-based. This may hamper the country’s drive to have a fully digitised economy in the not-too-distant future.
The Managing Director of Cowry Asset Management Limited, Johnson Chukwu, explained that banks only serve as intermediaries and rely on the CBN for FX supply.
He said, “The basic reason is that they are not getting reimbursement from the Central Bank. It is coming from the Central Bank of Nigeria. They cannot provide the dollar cover to fund those cards.
“When the CBN denies them access to or does not allocate FX for funding of naira-issued dollar transactions, the banks have no choice but to suspend foreign currency payment on those cards. The banks are at best what you call intermediaries.”
Chukwu added, “We don’t have liquidity. The banks cannot manufacture FX, what matters is what kind of flow comes into the economy. The CBN is the recipient of about 90 per cent of the inflow that comes into the economy.
“The CBN is the market marker when it comes to the FX market.”
Also, Director, Research and Strategy at Chapel Hill Denham, Tajudeen Ibrahim, explained that banks were suspending international transactions because of sustained illiquidity in the financial market.
He said, “The major reason is the sustained illiquidity in the exchange market. Do not forget that we are barely one week into the new year, and this problem started last year, around the second quarter.
“Since then, we have not seen any improvement. If we are not seeing inflows from foreign borrowings and the government, or we see inflows from portfolio investors or foreign direct investment or diaspora remittances into the official channel of the market.
“Liquidity will not improve if these sources do not improve. The consequence of this is what we are witnessing now. Banks are suspending their naira cards for foreign transactions because we have not seen improvement in inflows or we have not even seen inflows from the channels I mentioned earlier.”
He noted that this was why investors have been struggling to repatriate their funds out of Nigeria as the country is out of dollar supply. He explained that once the CBN doesn’t have forex to sell to banks and investors, liquidity in the market would tank and demand would outweigh supply.
Ibrahim added, “If foreign portfolio inflow, which has been a major component of forex, improves we should be better positioned in terms of the CBN’s ability to supply liquidity to the market.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been at the centre of online trends for quite a while. This is due to some of its recent policies.
First, it was the announcement of the naira redesign, and then there was the limits placed on cash withdrawals. Just this week, the CBN also announced an upward review of the earlier limits placed on cash withdrawals. This again got people talking on social media.
As a Deputy Governor at the apex Bank, Aishah Ahmad is not far from the trending discussions as well. Recently, she had to represent CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele before a senate hearing, a development that got her name trending.
This week’s profile will be on the woman who is in charge of leading the effort to promote a sound financial system in the country.
Birth and education:A native of Niger State, Aishah Ahmad was born in Lagos, sometime in the 1970s. She attended St. Catherine’s Primary School, Surulere Lagos, and Zarumai Primary School, Minna Niger State, before heading on to Federal Government Girls’ College, Bida, for secondary schooling.
Aishah went on to graduate with a BSc degree in Accounting from the University of Abuja and obtained an MBA (Finance) from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc. Finance and Management from the Cranfield School of Management (UK). She is a Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) and she holds the prestigious Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Her career trajectory: Ahmad has had what one might call a very rich career in the banking and finance industry for over two decades, even before she joined the apex bank. Right before joining CBN, she was in retail banking at Diamond Bank Plc. She was also the Head of Consumer and Privilege Banking, a Deputy General Manager and the Head of the Retail Financial Services Division, overseeing Privilege Banking, Consumer Banking Group, Retail Assets, Cards and Customer Engagement & Insight, for about four years.
Before Diamond Bank, Aishah Ahmad worked with Stanbic IBTC Holdings (a member of Standard Bank Group, SA) between 2009 and 2014, holding different critical positions like Head, Private Client Services and Deputy Head, Private Client Services, and Head, High Net-worth Individuals. Her two decades of banking experience also include Zenith Capital Limited where she was Head, of Business Development, Bank of New York Mellon (UK), Synesix Financial Limited (UK), and Zenith Bank Plc where she was Head, Retail Banking Unit.
She equally worked with NAL Bank Plc as Head, of Private Banking; as well as the First Interstate Bank Plc as Executive Assistant, Treasury Group, Manstructs Group Nigeria Limited as Group Accountant and Z. O. Ososanya & Co.
Appointment as CBN Deputy Governor: By the time the CBN announcement came, stakeholders in the industry could well agree that she had a well-rounded background in the space and was prepared to assume the role. In 2018, she succeeded two-time Acting Governor of the Central Bank, and Deputy Governor, Dr Sarah Alade who retired in March of the same year.
Her profile on the CBN board profile page says that as Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, she is responsible for leading the effort to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria. Aishah Ahmad is a member of the Governing Board and Committee of Governors at the CBN and Chairman of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC) – a not-for-profit organization offering training, consulting and research services for the financial services sector.
Other roles and engagements: As one who has achieved impressive success in her career path, it naturally follows that Ahmad would now become a role model of some sort to other women. She was the former Chairperson of Women in Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ); a leading women-focused NGO in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aishah is a member of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Association and the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) Association.
The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to a spurious, malicious, and misleading online publication, which made several false claims concerning the recent sale of the Federal Government’s interest in Polaris Bank Ltd. Given the potentially grave implications for the stability of the bank, financial sector and the Nigerian economy, the CBN is constrained to correct these inaccuracies.
For the records, the public is referred to the statement dated October 20, 2022 by CBN & AMCON announcing the sale of 100% equity in Polaris Bank to a new core investor, Strategic Capital Investment Limited (SCIL), wherein it provided copious details of the process by which the sale was conducted.
Contrary to claims in the aforementioned online publication, the divestment from Polaris Bank was supervised by a Divestment Committee (Committee) comprising senior representatives of AMCON & CBN and supported by reputable legal and financial advisers. In addition, the divestment mode, process and decision received requisite board and regulatory approvals.
[b]At no time did any other party make a higher purchase offer as falsely claimed by the online publication. The entity in question, Fairview Acquisition Partners, had indicated an interest in acquiring two banks, including Polaris Bank, for a total sum of N1.2 trillion, an indicative offer which significantly discounted the existing N1.305 trillion debt owed by Polaris Bank to AMCON and so represented a material loss to the Federal Government. Notwithstanding, along with twenty-four (24) other parties, Fairview Acquisition Partners was invited by the financial advisors to participate in the sale process via the execution of a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), the first stage of the process. The financial advisors informed the Committee that Fairview Acquisition Partners neither executed nor returned the NDA despite verbally confirming receipt of the agreement and after follow-up from the financial advisors. Therefore, Fairview Acquisition Partners did not take the opportunity to update their offer by participating in the divestment process and thus did not make a binding purchase offer for Polaris Bank.[/b]
The divestment was executed based on the relevant laws, global best practices for bank resolutions, and requisite regulatory approvals. The Committee, along with its legal and financial advisers, conducted a rigorous technical and financial evaluation of the purchase proposals, assessing promoters’ fitness and propriety, offer price received vs. reserve price, funding structure and financial capacity, strategy and growth plans, amongst others.
Following evaluation, the promoters of the strategic purpose vehicle, SCIL, emerged as the preferred purchaser, having presented the most comprehensive technical/financial purchase proposal and the highest-rated growth plans for Polaris Bank. In addition to passing all fitness and propriety tests, the promoters also made the highest financial offer for the bank, which was significantly above its core valuation and reserve price.
SCIL’s binding offer involved an immediate upfront consideration of N50 billion and full responsibility for the debt of N1.305 trillion owed to AMCON, essentially a total purchase consideration of N1.355 trillion. This offer was the most competitive and provided taxpayers and the Federal Government with more than full recovery of its intervention cost. By the sale, the CBN and Federal Government achieved a successful, value-driven resolution of a strategic financial institution.
This curiously-timed online publication deliberately misrepresents the circumstances surrounding the sale of a strategic asset of the Federal Government. Its misleading statements are obviously intended to undermine the credibility of the divestment process. It also portends negatively on the stability of Polaris Bank and risks derailing the progress made by the monetary authorities.
We reiterate that the divestment from Polaris Bank was an institutional decision supervised by a Committee comprising senior representatives of AMCON & CBN, coordinated through reputable legal and financial advisers and approved by the respective leadership and boards of the two institutions.
The CBN remains resolute in pursuing its mandate to promote a safe and sound financial system in Nigeria.
This is for the records and attention of the general public.
People’s Democratic Party coalition under the auspices of National Mandate Group, Oyo state chapter, on Wednesday staged a ‘Freedom Walk For Atiku’ in Ibadan, Oyo state capital in support of Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 General elections.
The National Mandate Group, Oyo chapter which comprises Party Stalwarts, Youths, Women and mobilizers from across the state were seen on major streets in Ibadan metropolis marching with banners and campaigning for Atiku ahead of the February 25th Presidential Election.
On the streets to lead the Freedom Walk For Atiku were Former Minister of State for FCT, Hon. Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; Elder Wole Oyelese, Former Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Alh. Azeem Gbolarumi, Former Deputy Governor, Oyo state, Engr. Jide Adeniji, Director Special Duty, PCC, Engr. Femi Babalola (Jogor), PDP members, Support Groups, Non indigenous groups, and National Mandate Group members.
Speaking with newsmen in Ibadan, one of the conveners of the group, Hon. Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide, said, Atiku is a Pan-Nigerian and one who will lead Nigeria out of her current Socio-economic and political challenges.
“We will campaign for Atiku in Oyo on the basis of merit and on the basis of fidelity to our great party. There’s really no divide in the PDP. It is a fight for space. So, I don’t think the public should worry themselves because the day they make up, they’d be on Television smiling and back slapping and calling each other brother and you wonder why you wasted so much energy on it.
“Let us face what is of concern to 200 million Nigerians which is the Five Points agenda to recover and restore Nigeria which Atiku is proposing.”
“Our Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar is promising to Unite Nigeria, secure the country, build a prosperous economy, restructure and devolve power to the federating units, education system that allows our people to compete nationally and globally and these are core issues that are of interest to the Nigerian People”.
You would recall that PDP has been enmeshed in internal political crisis since the emergence of Atiku Abubakar. Five of its governors, the G5 have been calling on the national chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu to step aside following the emergence of Atiku who happens to be from the same Geopolitical zone with Ayu.
The governors describe Atiku’s candidacy and that of Ayu’s position as the Party’s chairman as grave injustice to southern Nigeria and governor Seyi Makinde who is one of the G5 governors was conspicuously absent from the Walk.
However, Jumoke Akinjide, while addressing members of the PDP during the Freedom Walk in Ibadan, stated that the PDP members in the state should ignore the visitors that will be coming to Oyo state tomorrow to poison the minds of the people against the party’s presidential candidate.
“Tomorrow, we will be having the Governor’s own rally and inauguration. All of us intend to be there as well, but I want to say something: If some of tomorrow’s visitors come and speak against PDP or Atiku, what are we going to say? No to their antics! We are brave people and we must demonstrate that tomorrow, ” he concluded.
In a landmark judgement, Hon. Justice Suleiman B. Belgore of FCT High court in his judgement asserted that from the totality of the evidence before it, it is clear no iota of evidence was led to prove the accused committed the crime. For to establish the alleged offence against the accused person, the prosecution must establish the essential ingredients of the offence before coming to the conclusion that the offence has been committed and the trial court must be satisfied that the ingredients have been established beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution.
Court slams N1m bail on man over alleged wife battery
Abusinessman, Edirin Oghenejode, who allegedly assaulted his wife, was on Thursday released on N1 million bail by the orders of an FCT High Court in Apo. Justice Valentina Ashi, granted bail to Oghenejode after he pleaded not guilty to a two- count- charge of battery and inflicting physical injury on his wife.
Ashi, who announced the bail condition, also ordered the defendant to produce one surety in like sum and that the surety must be a civil servant of Grade level 9 residing in the FCT.
He advised the defendant to settle with his wife and adjourned the case until Dec. 6 for hearing. Oghenejode resides at No. 579 Gidado Idris Street Wuye District, Abuja.
The prosecutor, Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, told the court that the defendant committed the offence on Dec.30, 2017.
He said that the defendant battered his wife, one Mrs Ule Oghenejode, of the same address. “The defendant intentionally inflicted physical injury on his wife’s right eye,” he said.
Ogbobe also said that the defendant deliberately abandoned his wife and son without any means of subsistence.
The offence contravened Sections 19 and 16 of the Violence against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Adurobu Anthony, applied for the bail of the defendant, stating that he was granted administrative bail and had not defaulted in anyway and would abide by the conditions.
Staff of NDIC faith ule Eza in shame as FCT High court dismiss her frivolous suit. (See Documents)
It’s the greatest holiday season of the year, a time of sharing, giving, and celebration. For itel, customer-centric brand and Africa’s number one smartphone brand under 100 dollars, it is the time to grant the wishes of customers for Christmas.
In early December, itel gave its online customers a blank cheque to ask for whatever they wanted for Christmas in the An itel Christmas online challenge. And today, itel has granted those wishes at an event in Lagos, Nigeria. These fans wished for gifts like itel TVs, itel laptops, itel blenders, accessories, Christmas hampers, and even the itel S18 series- itel’s latest S series flagship smartphone. Hundreds of online followers made their wishes with almost 40 persons being selected as the finalists.
The surprise and joy from the finalists when they saw the range of itel Family products- itel S18 smartphones, itel televisions, the itel ABLE 1 laptop, itel blenders, and other products worth hundreds of thousands of naira that they had been given was an amazing thing to see.
Chioma Obinwa, a fan who had her wish for an itel S18 smartphone granted said; ‘I told itel my wish with the hope that it would be granted but it really happened, and my joy knows no bounds. Thank you so much, itel.’
Omo Olade, a fan who wished for an itel laptop and got it was full of gratitude. She said ‘I was saving up to buy an itel laptop for my coding training next month, but this was so unexpected. itel just helped me save and manage my expenses. Thank you itel.’
‘This is a big deal for me and my family. We really needed an itel blender. I truly appreciate itel for giving it to me (us).’, was what Adesirenioluwa had to say.
With ‘Enjoy Better Life’ as the brand’s slogan, itel has proven that taking care of their customers is what they do best. We look forward to seeing more feats of care from the customer-centric brand in 2023.
Education › Re: Admissions to Maduka University College Are Still Open! by AnonPoet(op): 2:58pm On Feb 22, 2023
