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.

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.

Dr. Boma Horsfall
Convener, NDIG

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.

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.

Osita Nwanisobi
Director, Corporate Communications

2023: Group stages solidarity walk for Atiku in Oyo


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZegER7Se0A

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.

A Nigerian citizen, Mr Oseyili Anenih, has sued a serving member of the House of Representatives, Hon Alhassan Ado Garba (Doguwa), for threatening violence against the electorate on Election Day.

Anenih, in a suit, filed by his counsel, Victor Opatola, Esq of Legatify Attorneys and Solicitors, is making a direct criminal complaint against Hon Garba, which is brought pursuant to Sections 93(1) and 93 (2)(a) of the Electoral Act 2022; Sections 88(1), 89(3), 109(a), 110(c), 115 (11)(b) and 119 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the court.

In the processes filed before a Federal High Court in Abuja by Anenih (complainant), he averred that “this direct criminal complaint is lodged against the defendant, Alhassan Ado Garba, whose principal place of work and address is at the National Assembly, Three Arms Zone 900103, Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, as follows:

“On or about 5th day of December 2022, in Kano State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, the defendant, Alhassan Ado Garba (Doguwa) made and uttered the following statement in Hausa language to the hearing of the public and electorate: “Ranar zabe, Wallahi, mutum ko ya zabe APC ne, ko yaci ubanka. A Doguwa, ko ka zabe APC, ko ka ci ubanka! Inna pada, ku ansa min! A Doguwa, kode ka zabe APC, ko …ka ci ubanka!”

That the said utterances of the defendant directly translate in English language to mean: ‘On the day of election, wallahi, a person should either vote for APC or you will be dealt with. The day of election you either vote for APC, or you will be dealt with. When I say it, you should answer me: in Dogowa, either you vote for APC, or you will be dealt with.’

“That the said utterances directly violate the provision of section 93(1) of the Electoral Act 2022; punishable under section 93(2)(b) of the Electoral Act, 2022.”

The complainant paticularised the complaint/offence as follows: “That the complainant is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and a duly registered voter who is interested in the free, fair election and non-intimidation or threatening of voters. A copy of his voter’s card will be relied upon to prove this case at trial.

“That the complainant has consequently brought this Direct Criminal complaint against the Defendant.

That the Defendant is Alhassan Ado Garba, a House of Representatives member, representing Doguwa/Tudun Wada Federal Constituency of Kano State.

That the defendant while engaging in political campaigning and publicly addressing citizens and voters on or about the 5th day of December 2022 made the following statement in Kano State while addressing the general public and the electorate: ‘Ranar zabe, Wallahi, mutum ko ya zabe APC ne, ko yaci ubansa. A Doguwa, ko ka zabe APC, ko ka ci ubanka! Inna pada, ku ansa min! A Doguwa, kode ka zabe APC, ko …ka ci ubanka!’ thereby committing an offence contrary to the provisions of section 93(1) of the Electoral Act 2022; punishable under section 93(2)(b) of the Electoral Act, 2022.

That the said statement directly translates in English Language to mean: ‘On the day of election, wallahi, a person should either vote for APC or you will be dealt with. On the day of election, you either vote for APC, or you will be dealt with. When I say it, you should answer me: in Dogowa, either you vote for APC, or you will be dealt with.

“That the said video comment of the defendant will be relied upon to prove this case at trial.
“That this statement is capable of causing threat, fear of use of force or threat in the minds of ordinary Nigerian electorate

That the statement of the defendant has caused fear in the mind of the complainant.

That the statement of the defendant is a direct effort at compelling voters to support or refrain from supporting a political party.

“That this comment has gone viral on major online platforms in Nigeria.
“That the defendant has also confirmed making such statement in his recent interview on National Television. This interview will be relied upon to prove this case.

“That the utterance of such statement is against the provisions of Section 93 (1) of the Electoral Act, 2022 and punishable under Section 93 (2)(b) of the same Electoral Act.

“That the said statement made by the defendant was reported by major national dailies. A newspaper report of the statement of the defendant will be relied upon at trial.
“That the complainant herein has now filed a direct criminal complaint against the defendant in line with his resolve towards the free, fair election and non-intimidation or threatening of voters in the coming 2023 general elections.

“That the society is crying for justice in this matter and only an intervention by the Court can it be shown that there are no sacred cows or individuals bigger than the Law.
“That it will be in the interest of justice to bring the defendant to answer to this complaint;
“That this court has the statutory and inherent powers to direct that the accused person be brought to answer to this complaint; and

“That this complaint is made in good faith and in the interest of justice.”
The complainant deposed to a verifying affidavit in support of his complaint.

itel has once again fulfilled its promise to customers in by rewarding a customer with 2 million naira and hundreds of customers with itel televisions, powerbanks, gift bags, and lots more to commemorate the brand’s 15th year anniversary in November.

One lucky customer who purchased itel S18 sometime in November during the 15th Year Anniversary and Black Friday Sales Promo was pleasantly surprised to scratch the scratch card given at the point of purchase and see that they had won 2 million naira. This feat was a bold move by itel to cement its position as a thoughtful brand with its customers at the forefront of their activities.



The smartphones, accessories, and Television brand whose mission is to ensure consumers enjoy better life has restated that celebrating their 15th year anniversary was a way for them to give back to their consumers whilst appreciating them for their patronage over the years. During the promo which ran from 1st to 30th November 2022, customers were implored to purchase any itel smartphone and get a scratch card at the phone store after purchase, then scratch it to show what they have won. The scratch cards were to give these customers a chance of winning 2 million naira, televisions, powerbanks, and other exciting prizes.

It was a lucky day for Balafamo A. when he walked into the itel authorized store closest to him, bought an itel S18 smartphone and scratched the card he was given. A card that won him 2 million naira instantly. His shock and joy were so wonderful to see that the itel sales promoter who sold the smartphone to him had to take a video of him.


The grand prize winner of 2 million naira, Balafamo A. said, ‘I am so thankful to itel for this opportunity. I never expected that buying an itel smartphone would ever mean me winning 2 million naira. This money will do a lot for me, and my family and I will forever be grateful.’

He also reiterated that everyone who has doubted itel, itel is real. They are genuine. Today now I am a millionaire because I bought an itel S18 smartphone. For itel to do this for me, I feel so special. Thank you, itel. I can’t wait to buy itel S18 and win again.’

Speaking at the presentation, the Marketing Manager for itel Nigeria and West Africa (Region 1), Oke Umurhohwo said the itel brand remained customer centric with a regular reward system for customers, adding that it would not relent in providing services and products that would help every Nigerian enjoy better life. According to him, “we are always after simplifying the lives of our consumers through our products and we derive great joy in knowing that our products make life easier for them. We won’t stop and we will always make sure to provide services and products that will help every Nigerian enjoy better life.”

itel has no plans to relent on its personalized marketing activities as they have also announced that they will be offering more products that are affordable, reliable, and quality for every Nigerian and Nigerian home.

For more information on itel’s promotional offers, follow @itelNigeria on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or visit their website at www.itel-life.com to see their product categories. See some of the winners’ photos below:

The Youth Coalition for Good Governance, (a coalition of youth groups from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria), has endorsed & adopted the candidate of the Labour Party, His Excellency Peter Obi as it’s Presidential candidate in the 2023 Presidential election.


In a press statement released by the organization after it’s executive meeting in Kaduna State, the group said they carried out an audit of all the front runners in the 2023 presidential race and Peter Obi beat all the others in terms of his proven track record of performance as a 2-time Governor of Anambra State, his stance on reducing the size of governance, transparency, fighting insecurity, economic & foreign policy, youth inclusiveness in his campaign, restructuring & above all, his zero tolerance for corruption.


The group said it is mobilizing it’s members nationwide to vote for the former Anambra State Governance & will be announcing a date for it’s Mega Youth Conference soon.

The Youth Coalition for Good Governance (a coalition of youth groups from the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria), at its executive meeting held in Kaduna on Saturday 26 November 2022, resolved as follows:

That all Nigerian Youths must as a matter of National interest take the 2023 Presidential election seriously & participate in it.

Youths make up a large percentage of the voting block in Nigeria & our votes must count in 2023. We will no longer be ignored nor play second fiddle to anyone.

All Nigerian Youths are enjoined to collect their PVC’s from INEC offices nationwide & be prepared to vote in the 2023 elections.

In the spirit of equity, fair play, justice, unity & national interest, the next president should come from the Southern part of Nigeria in 2023. There is no justifiable reason for another Northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari after his 8yr tenure.

The Youth Coalition for Good Governance distances itself from the Muslim Muslim ticket of the All Progressive Congress as it considers it insensitive & offensive to a section of Nigerians

The Youth Coalition for Good Governance has reviewed the credentials of the presidential candidates from the South & have thrown their weight and support behind the Labour Party Presidential Candidate, Mr Peter Obi, the candidate we consider most qualified for the position.

As power shifts to the South in 2023, Nigerian Youths will and are encouraged to vote the most competent & credible candidate, Peter Obi, candidate of the Labour Party.

When power returns to the North in 2031, we will consider the candidacy of Their Excellencies Atiku Abubakar & Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso along with other candidates from the North, and we will rally support for any of them that qualifies for that office if they decide to run in 2031.

We urge all candidates to adhere to the peace accord already signed. Candidates should stick to issue-based campaign strategy and not mudslinging.

We hope the Independent Electoral Commission(INEC) will keep to its word of conducting an election that will be seen by all sides as being free, fair and credible – for the good of the nation. We insist on the use of BVAS and electronic transmission of results in the 2023 elections. Every vote must and be seen to count in 2023.

Nigerians will hear more from us in the coming days on the modalities our participation in the presidential campaign will take.

Thank you and God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Signed,

Hassan Gidado
National Secretary

It is the season of love and giving, and itel Nigeria has today donated mobile class libraries, hundreds of books, school bags, stationery, food coolers, and other items to over 1,000 pupils across primary schools in Oworonshoki, Lagos state.

This, under the brand’s Love Always On CSR initiative, is in line with the company’s mission to impact lives in the communities they cater to. itel may produce smartphones, accessories, TVs, and other electronics but it is also known for its Love Always On CSR activities; an initiative set up to reach children and underprivileged communities across the country.

The pupils of Muslim Mission Nursery and Primary school, Local Government Nursery and Primary school, Mosafejo Nursery and Primary school, Oworo Nursery and Primary school, and Ayeroju Nursery and Primary school were excited to welcome the brand to their schools. The Christmas and children-centric event featured face painting, games, and other fun activities children love.

But the key highlight for the children was when itel announced the donation of 100 brand-new school uniforms, shoes, and socks to children funded by the Lagos state’s government Zero Project. itel also went further to distribute school bags, socks, shoes, books, and other educational items to the rest of the children in the schools. They could not contain their excitement as it felt like a dream come true to them.

Ayobami, one of the children present at the event kept saying that his parents would be so happy to see what he was taking home. A teacher also said, ‘itel, thank you for coming to our schools and blessing these beautiful children with such great gifts. I am so sure that their parents and guardians will be thankful too. You have eased the financial burden of providing educational materials for the children.’

Oke Umurhohwo, Marketing Manager for itel West Africa said, ‘Christmas 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. Our children are our future, and we will keep enabling them with the right tools needed for a brighter future.’

It is exciting to see how itel has incorporated sustainable development goals 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 always on.

Investigation conducted by The Network shows that over 185 students who were given the Federal Government sponsored Presidential Amnesty Programme’s scholarship last year are affected by the weird action of the school’a operatives.

The authorities of the institution threw out the bewildered students in the middle of the examination into DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (GEN 201)

The students told the Network that the school authority did not notify any one of them in advance only to throw them out of the examination hall.

The students also said that their parents were not also put on notice because the sudden action of the institution.

As at the time of filing this report many of the young students are scattered all over the institution while their colleagues are in hall.

The students lamented while they stood in the corridor to write the examination, they were not allowed the sign the attendance for the general paper.

They are also not sure whether the examination will be recorded for them:

Others lamented that the institution truncated their examination after long period of preparation for the examination with prior notification to the parents.

The Network gathered that the students were among over 500 colleagues who were already seated at the multi purpose hall of the University to write the examination when a lecturer called out all the students on Amnesty Scholarship to leave the hall.

A male student who was distraught with the development recalled how the school asked a messenger to tell them they were being prevented from the examination because their school fees had not been paid for the semester.

The student said, “On Thursday 8th December 2022, all students offering the course titled DIGITAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP (GEN 201) amounting to over 500 students in number convened at the Baze University multipurpose hall to sit for the final exams for this semester.

“All pre exam practices were duly conducted; we were searched, allocated our seat numbers and schooled on the rules by which we were to be bound for the duration of the exam.

“We were seated and ready to start at any moment when a lecturer informed us that he will be calling out a list of names, and if your name or matriculation number is mentioned you are to walk to the end of the hall.

“Naturally we guessed that the aim of this was to filter out the students that had not met the attendance requirements to write the exam but this theory was struck out when we noticed a pattern; only amnesty students we’re being called out.

“We were then escorted out of the hall and taken to the registration block where we were informed through a “messenger” that we have henceforth been suspended by the school from writing the final exams due to the fact that we have not paid our school fees for this semester.

“This was all the information we were given as we were left to scatter about the school. Some of us made a choice to write the exam as it was being held online.

“We unsure whether it will be recorded as we did not get the opportunity to sign the mandatory physical attendance in the hall before we were escorted out.”

A Senior staff of the Amnesty Office who confided in the Network said that the office could not pay the schools because of paucity of funds.

The Network gathered that the Amnesty Office has sent a delegation led by the Head of Reintegration to Base University to stop the curious conduct.

The Network called the Registrar of Base University but the calls to his mobile telephone lines did not connect.

Kwara state Governor, Mallam Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq has indicted speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Danladi , majority leader , Mogaji Olawoyin as well as other members of the House over failures to empower their constituents despite huge take home attached to their individual offices

Ramoni who made this known during a campaign flag of in Babaloma , Ifelodun LG , said out of all 24 members of this 9th Assembly headed by Yakubu Danladi, only Owolabi had been able to carry out few empowerments for his Constituents while the rest lawmakers pocket their money leaving constituents languishing in poverty.

The Governor who spoke shyisly in Yoruba language to his Audience said he’s surprised that out of 24 APC lawmakers elected by people , only one (Owolabi) is coming back to his Constituents with empowerments.

“It even amazed me how Owolabi is doing all these , he and other members of the House (Speaker inclusive) are earning same salary , what’s now the difference? The Governor queried

Answering the question himself , Ramoni submitted that other lawmakers in the House are selfishly enriching themselves and their families.

“The difference is that while the rest lawmakers in the House of Assembly are pocketing their own money and spending it on their individual families, only Owolabi is not poketing his own, you can see he’s wearing lace “

It should be noted that Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq himself has not conducted any meaningful empowerments since he assumed office despite record of almost five hundred billion naira he had recieved in form of Bond, loan, Covid19 fund ,Faac and other fund coming to government coffers , the Governor has also been unable to carry out any project commissioning since inception .

Just few days back, President Muhammadu Buhari had also indicted Governor Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, asking Kwarans to hold him responsible for the current hardship being experienced at the grassroots over his failure to conduct local government elections.

President Buhari said the fund meant for Local government areas in the country are being diverted by Governors while people wallow in hardship. Few governors had come out to exonerate themselves but Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq had kept mum , knowing fully that under his government, the 16 LGs have Neen crippled

The Governor statement is a clear indictment on apc-led administration in the state especially as 2023 elections is in the offing . The governor has successfully established that the crop of people paraded by his party, the APC, have failed their constituents .

16 teams will battle for honors and glories at the third edition of Oke Umurhohwo Football Tournament in Ughelli, Delta State.

The football tourney sponsored by Honorable Oke Umurhohwo will kickoff on Monday, 5th December, 2022 with four games.

The first match will see Ichofe Wend FA taking Maro 11 FA by 10am at the Ughelli Township Stadium in Ughelli.

Elite FC will be taking on Morning Star FC by 12noon while Solution FC will engage Delta Eagles FC by 2pm.

The match between Igbunu FA and Heroes Star will witness opening ceremony where invited guests will grace the occasion by 4pm.

Organizers disclosed that eventual winner of the tournament will cart home 250,000 naira with Gold medals and set of jerseys while runners up will get 150,000 naira with Silver Medals and a st of jerseys.

There are prizes in place for Most Valuable Player of the Tournament, Top Scorer and Best Goalkeeper.

The grand Final is scheduled for Saturday, 17th December, 2022.

All matches to hold at the Ughelli Township stadium.

In his resolve to reform the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Major General Barry Tariye Ndiomu (rtd), the Interim Administrator of the intervention programme has sought the cooperation and support of traditional rulers in the Niger Delta region.

Gen. Ndiomu who noted that as custodians of the culture and tradition of their people, the monarchs command enormous influence which they can deploy to propagate the new policy direction, assured that his policy direction is aimed at ensuring that the Programme becomes more impactful to the real beneficiaries.

The PAP boss who stated this when he hosted the traditional rulers under the aegis of the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs in Port Harcourt on Thursday, posited that to maintain the desired peace and stability in the region, monarchs must be consulted just like other critical Niger Delta stakeholders.

“Ever since I assumed office, I have been trying to get myself acquainted with the mode of operations of the Presidential Amnesty Programme. I have interacted with several stakeholders across the region and I realized that I will also have to meet with the monarchs in the Niger Delta.

“Being the principal custodians of the tradition and culture of our people and by virtue of your positions as monarchs, you’re the closest to the people.

“PAP is a national security programme and considering the role of our monarchs in the Niger Delta, it is very important that you’re carried along with the new policies that I intend to introduce to ensure we maintain peace and security across our region.

“I believe that through you, we can reach out to educate people that we need to maximize the benefits of this programme. This programme has already swallowed over a trillion naira. I personally believe that if we had properly directed the resources, a lot more could have been achieved,” he noted.

Ndiomu told the monarchs that he was seeking the approval of the federal government to commence the process of getting ex-agitators to form cooperatives as part of the deliberate policy to make them self-reliant.

He said despite the obvious challenges, the PAP has recorded some degree of success, especially in education and skills acquisition, but insisted that much more could have been achieved.

“We have recorded quite a number of successes in the educational pursuit of the dreams of ex-agitators and all other indigenes of Niger Delta through the very robust scholarship schemes.

“As of today, we have 2,984 students in training, in various tertiary institutions across the country.

“We have also over these years between 2015-2022 produced 121 first-class graduates in various levels of the scheme.

“The total number of graduates between 2018-2022 is 2,881. On this number we have Bsc students 1,862, Masters degree 362, PhD 38, we also have about 53 students currently schooling abroad, first degree, a masters degree, and PhD,” he added.

Highlighting some of the challenges that have bedeviled the programme, Ndiomu said, “One of the challenges I inherited in the amnesty office is the issue of the accuracy of the database, now like I said earlier, initially from the disarmament and demobilisation exercise they had recaptured about 30,000.

“Now when I took over office, they still had the 30,000 intact, based on our records. But you’ll agree with me that that is not realistic, what that means is that nobody died, nobody graduated from the university and got gainfully employed and so I decided to investigate.

“I’m sure our royal majesty and highnesses must have read in the papers some reactions by some of our people, at the end of the day, they call you all sorts of names, but what I am doing is in their best interest.

“In my investigations, now there are two categories of what we call stipend payments of the ex-agitators, you have the bulk payment and you have the single individual payments too, that is supposed to be to individual ex-agitators.

“In the course of our investigations, the bulk payment was explained to me, and I want to believe that that is the truth as monies paid in bulk to some of the ex-militant leaders and the basis for that is because there were a number of ex-agitators in the list, that was not accounted for disarmament and demobilisation phases, and so there was the need for all payments to be made to the ex-militant leaders who will, in turn, disburse same to those affected.

“But strangely in the course of investigating, if we could justify that of the bulk payment programme of the ex-militant leaders, we now found individuals with single BVN having multiple payments into their accounts with a single BVN, so which means a single BVN receiving 33 stipend payments of 65 thousand naira monthly.

“In a bid to now delist these names, well not delisting them to say we’re completely denying them because we have to understand exactly why an individual had 33 stipend payments into his account.”

Executive Chairman and General Coordinator of the Association of Niger Delta Monarchs of Nigeria, HRM King Frank Okurakpo, assured Ndiomu of their support in ensuring the success of his tenure.

Other traditional rulers who spoke at the event described the meeting as a necessary interaction for the good of the Niger Delta, noting that it was the first time any head of the PAP was reaching out to them to collate their views on the programme.

The monarchs jointly urged Ndiomu to remain focused and priotize the needs of the ex-agitators while also avoiding some mistakes of his predecessors.

Senator Bassey Albert Akpan and his supporters have been warned to desist from further blackmail and smear campaigns against Governor Udom Emmanuel, over the current legal imbroglio of the Young Progressives Party’s gubernatorial candidate.

A major advocacy group, Akwa Ibom Integrity Alliance in a reaction by its Chairman, Barr Stephen Abia, said it was unfair and uncharitable for the embattled senator to transfer blames of his travails to the doorsteps of Governor Emmanuel who neither originated the charges nor even knows of the facts of the case.

The group opined that to remotely or directly blame Governor Emmanuel for the probe of Bassey Akpan’s financial impropriety, was devilish, wicked and malicious.

“From investigations by our team of professionals, Governor Emmanuel was not in office as Governor, when the case of bribery and corruption against Bassey Albert Akpan commenced”, said Barr Stephen Abia.

“The case was purely on the heels of a probe of the infamous alleged slush funds against a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, where part of the funds where allegedly linked to a certain Jide Omokoro who confessed during investigation that he used the funds to bribe Senator Albert Akpan through car donations amounting to N204million to get contracts.

“For the avoidance of doubts, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and detained Senator Akpan over cars that he had allegedly received as bribe from Jide Omokore while serving as Akwa Ibom Finance Commissioner and Chairman of the State Inter-Ministerial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee.

“Investigations show that the Omokore’s companies – Bay Atlantic Energy and Sahel Energy – received contracts from the Senator Akpan’s InterMinisterial Direct Labour Coordinating Committee and the EFCC claimed the vehicles were used to bribe Akpan.

“We have discovered that it is only on the basis of jurisdiction that the case could not be decided a long time ago when the trial was conducted at Justice O.A. Taiwo presided Federal High Court in Lagos, hence the case was reassigned to the federal high court in Uyo in line with Senator Albert Akpan’s argument that the offense took place in Uyo.

“When he was testifying at the High Court, Senator Albert admitted receiving the car bribe from Omokaro and further brought some members of his campaign team as witnesses that they were given the contentious vehicles to campaign for Albert’s elections in 2015.

“Throughout the duration of this trial and till this moment, there is no record that the Akwa Ibom State government was a party in the case, nor can it be said that Governor Emmanuel or any of his appointees had testified in the case. It is therefore worrisome that Senator Bassey Albert would come out to castigate the Governor for a sin he allegedly committed when Governor Emmanuel had not assumed office”, the group enthused.

According to Barr Stephen Abia, himself an indigene of Ibiono Ibom local government where Bassey Albert also hails from, the people of Ibiono Ibom have disassociated themselves from the corruption allegations against their son, and are also ready to remain in support of the transparent leadership of Governor Emmanuel, which has brought about monumental feats in the State since 2015.

Judgement on the case is expected to come up on Friday this week at the Federal High Court in Uyo

The Senate has endorsed the N48 billion oil pipeline surveillance contract awarded by the Federal Government to former leader of the Mivement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo).

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Albert Akpan, made the disclosure while speaking with journalists shortly after presenting the report of Senate ad hoc Committee on Oil Lifting, Theft and the Impact on Petroleum Production and Oil Revenues.

The Senator stated that there was nothing wrong with the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), and the Federal Government to engage non-state actors to secure oil pipelines as far as the contract was achieving the objective for its award.

He said that with the award of the contract an appreciable level of achievement had been made in the fight against the scourge of oil theft.

He stressed that the recent engagement of the pipeline surveillance contract to address oil theft is yielding positive results with noticeable increase in the country’s oil production capacity.

The Senator who commended the NNPCL for the decision said that 500,000 barrels and 87,000 barrels of crude oil per day have been restored in Forcados and Bonny terminals respectively.


He said that the Forcados and Bonny terminals which are major export facilities had not been operational for over seven months because of the oil theft and pipeline vandalism until the decision to engage the security firms.

He recalled that the oil theft had reduced the country’s oil production capacity and a caused a loss of Two billion Dollar to the country since January.

“There are both formal and informal approaches to solving the issue. If that contract was contracted duly and processed, we don’t have any issue with it and if it yields desired outcomes, I don’t think there is anything wrong in it.

“We commend the NNPCL for the action. As we speak, the Forcado terminals have restored 500,000 barrels a day to our national production.

“Just about five days ago, the first 87,000 barrels a day was received at the Bonny terminals. So, things are getting better.

“This means that the abridged intervention done recently by government have yielded positive results because the production would have been shortened and you could imagine the effect on investment because investors will hold back if they cannot derive maximum profits from their investments.”


The Senate had earlier adopted at plenary the recommendations of the ad-hoc committee that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) should resume full regulatory oversight of all existing crude oil terminals in Nigeria

Dead silence from all the S/South Govs since the revelation by Gov. Wike. Yet, they make it a pastime to abuse Buhari’s govt everyday when they cannot account for the humongous amounts released to them by Buhari’s govt, monies PDP past govts failed to pay. See the figures below�

The lawmaker representing Egbeda/ Ona ara federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Honorable Akin Alabi has distributed 200 brand new laptops to selected ,qualified youths who participated in the 3 days digital marketing training facilitated by Servicom, an Agency of the federal government of Nigeria .
Honorable Alabi handed over the computers to the participants today at Devine grace event center at Akakia area of ibadan after successfully completing the training .

Honorable Alabi explained that the initiative powered by servicom was one of federal government initiatives geared towards empowering Nigerian youths , especially startups and existing entrepreneurs on better ways to drive traffic for there business and also learn the basics of running a successful business in this harsh environment.

The lawmaker who appreciated the speaker of the house , Rt. honorable Femi Gbajabiamila for his support and leadership style ,noted that he was able to facilitate the initiative to his constituency because the leader gave all the support needed to make it a reality .

Honorable Alabi who further explained that the empowerment program for today was basically for the youths ,disclosed that during the one week event put aside to flag off his second term campaign , different empowerment programs for different caliber of people were also done , with commissioning of different infrastructural facilities.

He said if given the opportunity to represent his constituents again , he will build on all the good initiative aimed at making life meaningful for his constituents by multiplying the efforts by ten times in order to spread the dividends of democracy to his people .

While reeling out his score card in the past three years to beneficiaries at the event , with lots of success recorded on youth empowerment, women empowerment , constituency development , improvement of education, infrastructural development , constituency outreach , brilliant representation at the upper chamber with presentation of developmental motions and bills and lots more, he said he is ready to do more , if his constituents are ready to trust him with their votes

He however pleaded with the lucky participant to help propagate the good news and also utilize the materials , with total market value at over 3.5million naira , to build their personal capacity and also expand their business.

While he emphasized that lot more developmental initiatives can be achieved and facilitated to the constituency, he implores electorate at his constituency to consider voting the ruling party from top to bottom, as this will go a long way in helping to spread the dividends of Democracy.

Some of the lucky beneficiaries who could not hold there joy on what was learnt, the opportunities exposed to and the presentation of brand new laptops , lauded Akin Alabi , who they described as the best lawmaker they have ever had , assuring him of there total support at all times.