A former Minster of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, will on Thursday December 10, in Abuja, receive the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence 'Woman of the Year' award for her outstanding impacts on society, humanity and contribution to nation building across the international space.
Okonjo-Iweala had, in a seven-day online voting session, defeated four other prominent and distinguished Nigerian women — who were nominated alongside the ex-minister in the same category — to emerge the 'Woman of the Year'.
They are: Dr. Aisha Buhari, Nigeria's First Lady; Folorunsho Alakija, Nigerian billionaire businesswoman and former African richest woman; Catherine Uju Ifejika, Nigerian lawyer and CEO of Brittania-U Nigeria Limited (BUNL) and Bola Shagaya, Nigerian businesswoman and one of Africa's richest women.
The prestigious Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards, recognises and honours the outstanding impacts of leaders across several sectors and industries in Nigeria. The most anticipated 2020 'lockdown edition' is slated for Thursday December 10 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, in Abuja.
The Award is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.
Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, a former managing director of the World Bank, was nominated for her brilliancy, consistency, contributions to the society, humanity and nation building, strong commitment and impact which is felt all over the world, influencing both the youth and the girl-child positively.
According to Nigerians who massively voted the Nigerian-born economist and international development expert, the choice of the World Trade Organization Director-General hopeful was for raising the bar and becoming one of Africa's most celebrated women in the world.
Okonjo-Iweala was named by Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 greatest world leaders in 2015, and by Forbes for five consecutive years as one of the 100 most powerful women in the world. In 2014, Dr Okonjo-Iweala was recognised by Time Magazine as one of the world’s 100 most influential people.
She sits on the Boards of Standard Chartered Bank, Twitter, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the African Risk Capacity (ARC). Okonjo-Iweala had a 25-year career at the World Bank as a development economist, rising to the No. 2 position of Managing Director.
As Managing Director, she had oversight responsibility for the World Bank’s $81 billion operational portfolio in Africa, South Asia, Europe and Central Asia. Okonjo-Iweala spearheaded several World Bank initiatives to assist low-income countries during the 2008 – 2009, food crises, and later during the financial crisis. In 2010, she was Chair of the IDA replenishment, the World Bank’s successful drive to raise $49.3 billion in grants and low interest credit for the poorest countries in the world.
This year’s Award event would be one of the most outstanding and credible award ceremonies in Nigeria, as personalities in the Presidency, State Governments, National and State Assemblies, Economic Industries, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Activism are expected to grace the occasion.
Some of the awardees include, former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (Foundation of the Year); Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Car Maker of the Year); Babagana Zulum, Borno state governor (Governor of the Year); Chief (Hon) Alex Ikwechegh, Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation (Personality of the Year); Rt Hon (Engr) Chinedum Orji, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly (Speaker of the Year); Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year); and Chief Uche Nwosu, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government (Hospitality Personality of the Year).
Others are: Senator Uba Sani, Kaduna Central (Senator of the Year); Gbene (Dr) Joi Nunieh, immediate past acting NDDC managing director (Public Servant of the Year); Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health (Medical Expert of the Year); Hon. Sir. Melie Onyejepu, General Manager of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement (State Public Servant of the Year); Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo First Lady (Woman of the Year on Empowerment); and former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Founder of Kwankwasiyya Foundation (N.G.O of the Year).
Also on the list are, Mrs Karima Babangida, Director FDA, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Civil Servant of the Year); Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and CEO of Transcorp PLC, founder of VCO Foundation and frontline governorship aspirant in the Anambra 2021 election (Empowerment Personality of the Year); Justice Nuagbe a.k.a Ushbebe, Comedian of the Year; Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA (Maritime Personality of the Year); Prof. Babagana Zulum, Borno state governor (Governor of the Year); Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning (Financial Expert of the Year); and Hon. Vincent Ofumelu, House of Rep member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency (Best Performing New Legislator of the Year).
While Dr. Alice Onyema, Vice-Chairman of Air Peace is being awarded as Aviation Personality of the Year; Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, CEO/Managing Director of Property Finders Limited, developers of Centage Estate, Lagos and Oil Spring Estate, bags Businesswoman of the Year award; with Prof. Georgewill Owunari, the former Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences (UNIPORT) and Board member of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, emerging as 'Educationist of the Year'; and Olakunle Churchill as 'ICT Personality of the Year'; Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal CF football star as 'Footballer of the Year'; and Chiedozie Akwiwu (Payenergy), as 'Best Indigenous App of the Year', among others.
The 2019 edition of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards which held 28th November, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja saw distinguished and prominent captains of industry, public figures and leaders cling on to the various Award categories.
Prominent awardees included President Muhammadu Buhari, United States-based Nigerian billionaire medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka; former President Goodluck Jonathan, former House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; minister Rotimi Amaech, Senator Rochas Okorcha, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, among others.
According to Igbere TV, organizers of the Award event, this year’s edition which holds Dec. 10, has been tagged Africa’s biggest and most glamorous online media award. The programme will be transmitted live on DSTV, GOTV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Zoom, Instagram and other social media platforms with over 10 million audience globally.
Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Adams Oshiomhole says he still maintains his earlier position on accepting the dissolution of the Party's National Working Committee (NWC) under him.
He was reacting to the report of a fresh legal suit challenging the dissolution of the NWC by President Muhammadu Buhari. The suit was filled by a member of the dissolved NWC, Hillard Eta, an ally of Oshiomhole and former acting national chairman of the Party.
Rumours were rife that Oshiomhole, a former governor of Edo State, may be using Eta as proxy to fight his way back to Office as the ruling party National Chairman, having been out of power for long.
But Oshiomhole, in a statement obtained by Igbere TV on Monday, entitled: "My Position Has Not Changed", said the court documents were clear enough on who the plaintiff was and shouldn't be dragged into the legal battle.
He lamented the attributions made by the media to the effect that the plaintiff is an “ally of Oshiomhole” or an “associate of Oshiomhole”, insisting he had nothing to do with the case.
Oshiomhole maintained that he already left as national chairman of the party and wouldn't return to office even if a court reverses the dissolution or declares same as illegal, having accepted his fate earlier.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the 21-member NWC under my leadership largely worked cohesively and harmoniously. The only exceptions were those of the three members used by forces desperate to take control of the party. They contrived a crisis and abused the judicial process to undermine the constitution and integrity of the party. The majority of 18 members worked as a team and not as allies or loyalists of any body. When the National Executive Committee (NEC) in its wisdom dissolved the NWC, I immediately announced publicly that I accepted the decision, regardless of its illegality or otherwise, as it affected my position as national chairman,” he said.
“I was the only one at the press conference where I made the announcement for personal reasons. The reason, of course, was that some of my colleagues in the dissolved NWC obviously didn’t share my position not to contest the dissolution in court. I can only accept responsibility for my own decision.
“Subsequently, I instructed my lawyers to withdraw the suits challenging my purported suspension from office by the proxies of those bent on removing me as chairman.
“It is, therefore, the height of mischief to insinuate, as it is being done in some quarters, that I would publicly accept the decision and later surreptitiously seek to contest it in court. That chapter of my political life is closed. Even if another NEC decision or a court order reverses the dissolution, with utmost humility I will decline to return as APC chairman.”
Oshiomhole said he was proud of the accomplishments of the NWC under his leadership and grateful to the “principled 18 members” who worked as a team committed to the cause of the party, adding that he bear no grudges against any one for the manner of his removal.
Instead, the former APC national chairman said he was grateful and loyal to President Muhammadu Buhari who he said encouraged him to contest the chairmanship of the party. “I am also very much appreciative of the support of President Buhari who encouraged me to assert the authority of the party without fear or favour,” he added.
“Indeed, I would not have lasted as long as I did as national chairman but for the President’s and support for me. I will continue to support his administration to succeed in serving the common good of the people of Nigeria.”
PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE URGENT NEED TO SHELVE ANOTHER ROUND OF #ENDSARS PROTESTS FOR NOW - A TIMELY WARNING AND AN APPEAL TO THE HEART OF NIGERIAN YOUTHS BY HIS EXCELLENCY, GOVERNOR YAHAYA BELLO OF KOGI STATE
I am unsettled by credible intel indicating that another round of the #EndSARS protests are brewing in select cities across the country, likely to commence this week, and possibly as early as Monday the 7th of December. In other words, tomorrow morning.
Every Nigerian should be worried by the spectre of another nationwide protest for any reason at all at this time. Not only is it true that the whole nation is still scarified and much traumatised by the violent aftermath of the last round of protests, but Ground Zero has changed drastically, and the rules of engagement this time around will no longer be the same.
The last round of protests benefited from a police force subdued by embarrassment at the misdeeds of few of their colleagues and simultaneously held in check by official directives, even from self defence. Any future protest is likely to run into a police force still enraged by the vicious attacks visited upon her last time.
Nigerians are aware of the gruesome slaughter, and even cannibalism, of at least 22 police officers during the violence that erupted alongside the #EndSARS protests. This is aside from the scores who were injured or maimed, in addition to the deliberate targeting and destruction of dozens of police stations and other police facilities as well as the looting of high calibre guns and ammunition from armouries. These 22 police officers were our brothers, sons and husbands. Ultimately, they are Nigerians.
While it is true that law enforcement should do her job professionally irrespective of circumstances, it is even truer that official uniform armed men and women who were universally hunted and killed across the country by hoodlums can be unpredictable, even paranoid. In the face of all this and as the first sitting Governor who publicly upheld the rights of our youths to protest against Police Brutality, I cannot in all good conscience agree that the time is ripe for another round of #EndSARS protests.
Moreover, it seems to me that this is the time to consolidate on the gains of the last protests by participating fully in the various Panels and bodies set up by the Federal and state Governments to look into police brutality, identify perpetrators and compensate victims.
From what I can see so far, progress is being made at the various Panels. Not only are we seeing emboldened citizens coming forward with their stories of officer-involved in human rights abuses, but such erring officers are being identified. No doubt, established offenders will be punished, just like the scores of the defunct SARS officers who have since been dismissed from the force, and who may be further sanctioned.
Youths have seats on these Panels and have acquitted themselves with commendable humility and maturity. I therefore call on them to persevere in this process despite any perceived shortcomings. It is only an unwise hunter who does not make time to roast or otherwise prepare what he took in hunting for consumption or commerce.
I deem another round of #EndSARS protests to be premature and counter-productive at this time. Apart from the higher likelihood of conflict with the police earlier canvassed, we must also admit that the security situation in the country is very precarious at the moment. All patriots must therefore make conscious efforts not to degrade a parlous security situation further. Nationwide protests at this time will only overburden the load-bearing capabilities of our security architecture increasing the likelihood of total collapse. No matter the narrative, I doubt that out-of-control anarchy is an objective of the #EndSARS protests.
It is also true that we live in an economy that is bleeding badly right now. Traditional responses to Covid-19 has hurt, not just Nigeria, but all other countries of the world. Many have fallen into recession. To worsen matters, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) predicted 3 days ago that the pandemic could push the number of people living in extreme poverty to over 1 billion by 2030. Thank God they are owning up to my earlier prediction, warning and caution.
Nigeria's earning and foreign exchange situation is too fragile as we speak to resist sustained shocks. Another nationwide protest will worsen the multidimensional poverty indices all over our country and work greater hardship on the ordinary Nigerians we claim to be advocating for.
There are also sociocultural implications. Nigerians tend to travel a lot during the Christmas holidays. Statistics show that travel during this period is not only for pleasure as widely supposed. For many of our people, this is the only time in the year when they can attend to pressing life responsibilities like marriages, hospital appointments, funerals of loved ones and even community improvement events.
As a Governor, I am aware hundreds of such events will happen in towns big and small in my state and beyond. Many have been fixed for months or even years in advance with much expense already gone into planning. All of this will be disrupted by nationwide protests at this time and I appeal to the great Nigerian youths not to be the harbingers of so much pain and loss to their compatriots - individuals, families and communities alike.
Then of course we have sociopolitical reasons to thread carefully. We have the example of countries which have gone the path of chaotic social change only to collapse as proof that action and caution are siamese twins in the journey of all successful revolutions.
Social justice is always going to be within a social context. In other words, we need to have a country to even protest for a better one at all. Social Change, like fire, must never be allowed to get out of control or it will consume the very building it was ignited to warm in the first place, along with the occupants.
In public protests, no variable is 100% guaranteed. Every protest can be hijacked. Like the #EndSARS protests, recent Black Lives Matter (BLW) protests against systemic racism and police brutality in the United State were largely peaceful, yet it was infiltrated by violent elements. This forced the leaders to frequently recalibrate their strategy in order to keep travelling towards their objectives. For instance, they have ceased fire since November 4th, no doubt to give the electoral process a chance.
I must also stress that when all is said and done, the fastest route to desired social change in a democracy is via the political process. The guarantee of periodic elections and change of guard in government is one reason never to burn it all down at once. Perhaps the most impressive thing about the US protesters is how much they have utilised the ballot box in 2020.
In 2016, about 135 million Americans voted in the Presidential Elections. In 2020, they are on course to overtake the 180 million mark. Majority of the new voters are youthful protesters, and mobilisation is the key. Currently, Black Lives Matter (BLM) is actively participating and setting agenda in the Joe Biden transition programme because their roles in his support cannot be denied. #EndSARS can do likewise or even better.
Pressure groups take political power when their pressure has built up to the point they can no longer be refused or ignored. My administration has recently capitulated to the growing power and participation of women in our state politics by ceding all the 21 Deputy Chairmanship positions in all of our local government councils to them along with the 21 Council speakership positions. Nothing stops #EndSARS from achieving similar accommodation with our political parties.
The good thing about a democracy is that if leaders push citizens to the brink through a consistent pattern of substandard governance, citizens can always wait for them at the next elections. I can testify from my personal experience that a political system can only be comprehensively overhauled from within and you can only do that when you take control of it as a legitimate and legal participant. It does not matter how much protesters ground the nation, they can never produce even a Councillor outside the ballot box which will be acceptable to the people.
Thus, anger at social imbalances or poor governance manifested only through protests, whether peaceful or violent, will only achieve piecemeal objectives. Our #EndSARS protesters must therefore start looking and organising towards the 2023 General Elections now, either by adopting an existing party platform or setting up one of their own.
Contrary to perceptions, 2023 General Elections are not far at all. If God keeps our lives, we are only about 800 days away from February, 2023 when all of this youthful energy can be harnessed and channeled properly for a true revolution via the ballot box. Till then, there is more than enough work before the #EndSARS group.
I therefore appeal to the Nigerian Youth, especially the #EndSARS protesters, to rethink all plans for protests at this time, and indeed before the Panels have rounded off their assignments. Such would be premature, dangerous and above all, counter-productive to our stated aims and objectives.
Men are still mourning the man bitten to death by the lizard (with his small teeth). The leopard should not take money to go and sharpen his fangs please.
I wish all Nigerians the very best of this season, a Merry Christmas and a peaceful, prosperous and healthy 2021.
Shelve Your Planned Dec. 7 #EndSARS Protest, Yahaya Bello Begs Youths
The Kogi State Governor, Mr. Yahaya Bello has called on the Nigerian youths to shelve their planned second round of the #EndSARS protests, beginning from Monday December 7.
In a personally signed statement on Sunday forwarded to Igbere TV, Mr. Bello said such move would be premature, dangerous and counterproductive.
He said he was worried following intelligence reports that youths were mobilising to resume another round of #EndSARS protests in some selected cities beginning from December 7.
According to him, there was urgent need for all relevant stakeholders to take steps that would ensure the country does not witness another round of #EndSARS protests.
He said the country was yet to recover from the devastating impacts of the last #EndSARS protests which were hijacked by hoodlums who unleashed unimaginable mayhem on innocent people and engaged in massive looting and destructions of both public and private infrastructures across the country.
Bello is of the opinion that another round of protests will worsen the already precarious security situation and economic recession currently bedeviling the country.
Nigerians are calling for the sack, arrest as well as immediate prosecution of the Abia governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr ACB Agbazuere, “for abusing the naira note”, a symbol of the country's sovereignty.
Agbazuere was on Sunday suspended from office after he was caught on camera 'spraying' money on controversial Nigerian pastor, Odumeje, right inside his Office at the Abia Government House, in Umuahia.
Despite public outcry and wide condemnation, nothing much has been done with management of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and authorities of the Nigerian Police Force keeping mum.
According to the CBN Act, spraying of Naira notes amounts to “abusing the country’s symbol of sovereignty.” The CBN had equally warned that abusing and spraying of Naira notes may get you a jail term.
“If a celebrant is dancing and you spray him/her, you may go to jail from the party venue, because the law enforcement agents will be there, waiting to arrest you,” the Nation's apex bank warned.
Nigerians who are concerned about the expediency of such law, morality and sincerity of the CBN as well as wellness of the currency, are now wondering why the Nation's apex bank or relevant security agencies are yet to act despite public outcry.
“Can you now see that the law is made for the poor in this country? How come a public official(ACB Agbazuere) has not been sacked, arrested or prosecuted in accordance with the law?,” a social media user, Francis Ukamaka opined.
A financial expert, Mr. Ikechukwu Frank, who added his voice, said, “the claim that ‘spraying of naira notes is an offence’ is true. Section 21 of the CBN Act 2007 clearly states that spraying of Naira notes is an offence punishable by six months imprisonment or a fine of N50,000 or both for offenders.”
“Spraying of naira notes is an offence. CBN spent millions of naira every year for campaign against naira abuse, here a public official is disobeying the law and the apex bank is unbothered. Truly Nigeria is a contradiction under this regime,” Frank claimed.
The CBN director of Corporate Communications Department, could not be reached for comment. But a source close to the Office, confirmed it was a punishable offence to abuse the currency.
“It is a very big offence to spray our naira notes,” he said, “it is the symbol of our national sovereignty. The law is very clear on it. When you abuse the notes by spraying them, you get a jail term, or a N50,000 fine or both.”
The source, however, refused to say if the CoS would be arrested or prosecuted. When this reporter pressed further, the CBN's staff said the police was in a better position to answer. “It is the duty of the law enforcement agencies to catch offenders and take them to court,” he said.
But when contacted, the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, declined comment. The police spokesman hung up the phone immediately this reporter mentioned the matter.
Subsequent calls failed to connect as the phone line returned the "line busy" response several times. He was yet to reply text messages sent to his known phone line as at press time.
Section 21 of the CBN Act 2007 prescribes “imprisonment for a term not less than six months or to a fine not less than N50,000 or to both such fine and imprisonment” for anyone guilty of “spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, spraying of, dancing or matching on the Naira or any note issued by the Bank during social occasions or otherwise howsoever shall constitute an abuse and defacing of the Naira or such note and shall be punishable under Sub-section (1) of this section,” the Act stressed.
The law, in Section 5 (i) goes further to define “Matching” to include “spreading, scattering or littering of any surface with any Naira notes or coins and stepping thereon, regardless of the value, volume, occasion or intent” ...
While in 5(ii) “Spraying” includes adorning, decorating or spraying anything or any person or any part of any person or the person of another with Naira notes or coins or sprinkling or sticking of Naira notes or coins in a similar manner regardless of the amount, occasion or the intent.”
The Executive Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, has been voted as the 2020 'Governor of the Year' in the online voting segment of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards.
Zulum beat four other governor-nominees including Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos) and Nyesom Wike (Rivers) — to emerge the winner in a seven-day massive voting by Nigerians via online platforms.
The prestigious Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards, recognises and honours the outstanding impacts of leaders across several sectors and industries in Nigeria. The most anticipated 2020 'lockdown edition' is slated for December 10 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, in Abuja.
The Award is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.
Governor Zulum was nominated for his uprightness, courageous leadership, boldness and for remaining consistent and demonstrating uncommon courage in serving Borno State.
According to Nigerians who massively voted Zulum during the seven-day period, the choice of the vocal Borno governor was in recognition of the "good governance" in Borno.
Zulum had been described as a revolutionary governor, who has become one of Nigeria's most accomplished leaders within a short period of time. He is widely celebrated.
This year’s Award event would be one of the most outstanding and credible award ceremonies in Nigeria, as personalities in the Presidency, State Governments, National and State Assemblies, Economic Industries, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Activism are expected to grace the occasion.
Some of the awardees include, former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo (Foundation of the Year); Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Car Maker of the Year); Chief (Hon) Alex Ikwechegh, Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation (Personality of the Year); Rt Hon (Engr) Chinedum Orji, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly (Speaker of the Year); Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year); and Chief Uche Nwosu, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government (Hospitality Personality of the Year).
Others are: Senator Uba Sani, Kaduna Central (Senator of the Year); Gbene (Dr) Joi Nunieh, immediate past acting NDDC managing director (Public Servant of the Year); Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health (Medical Expert of the Year); Hon. Sir. Melie Onyejepu, General Manager of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement (State Public Servant of the Year); Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo First Lady (Woman of the Year on Empowerment); and former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Founder of Kwankwasiyya Foundation (N.G.O of the Year).
Also on the list are, Mrs Karima Babangida, Director FDA, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Civil Servant of the Year); Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and CEO of Transcorp PLC, founder of VCO Foundation and frontline governorship aspirant in the Anambra 2021 election (Empowerment Personality of the Year); Justice Nuagbe a.k.a Ushbebe, Comedian of the Year; Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA (Maritime Personality of the Year); Prof. Babagana Zulum, Borno state governor (Governor of the Year); Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning (Financial Expert of the Year); and Hon. Vincent Ofumelu, House of Rep member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency (Best Performing New Legislator of the Year).
While Dr. Alice Onyema, Vice-Chairman of Air Peace is being awarded as Aviation Personality of the Year; Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, CEO/Managing Director of Property Finders Limited, developers of Centage Estate, Lagos and Oil Spring Estate, bags Businesswoman of the Year award; with Prof. Georgewill Owunari, the former Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences (UNIPORT) and Board member of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, emerging as 'Educationist of the Year'; and Olakunle Churchill as 'ICT Personality of the Year'; Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal CF football star as 'Footballer of the Year'; and Chiedozie Akwiwu (Payenergy), as 'Best Indigenous App of the Year', among others.
The 2019 edition of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards which held 28th November, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja saw distinguished and prominent captains of industry, public figures and leaders cling on to the various Award categories.
Prominent awardees included President Muhammadu Buhari, United States-based Nigerian billionaire medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka; former President Goodluck Jonathan, former House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; minister Rotimi Amaech, Senator Rochas Okorcha, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, among others.
According to Igbere TV, organizers of the Award event, this year’s edition which holds Dec. 10, has been tagged Africa’s biggest and most glamorous online media award. The programme will be transmitted live on DSTV, GOTV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Zoom, Instagram and other social media platforms with over 10 million audience globally.
A group, the Act For Positive Transformation Initiatives, has called on the Buhari led federal government to stop the minister of Niger Delta, Senator Godswill Akpabio from "sinking" the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) "further."
The group's position was contained in a letter to the federal government addressed through the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF), dated December.
A copy of the letter which was made available to Igbere TV on Friday, in Abuja, by the group, was signed by the Head, Directorate of Research, Strategy and Planning, Kolawole Johnson.
He warned of an alleged sinister plot by the Minister to plunge the Agency into another round of crisis for his “selfish interest” by appointing a sole-administrator to run the commission against the laws setting up the interventionist agency.”
“Reports of a certain court order ‘sacking’ the present Interim Management Committee members of the NDDC surfaced in the media on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020. It is curious to note that the said order ‘restraining the IMC members from performing the functions of the board’ of NDDC was given on the 27th day of October, 2020 but kept under wraps for over one month, only to be let out few days to the next hearing date, the group said.
“While motives remain a source of concern, ACT has, again, stumbled on a sinister plan by Senator Godswill Akpabio to surreptitiously bring in the present Acting Executive Director of Finance, Effiong Akwa, as a Sole Administrator of the commission using the suspicious judgement to pave way,” it alleged.
The group also warned that, if allowed, “this singular step shall sink the commission further and ruin the chances of rewriting the dark history of the commission under the embattled minister whose only achievement thus far has been corruption and more corruption.”
“This is against the law. Over 187 Billion Naira has so far been squandered under the Minister without anything to show for it. In an unprecedented manner, monies are moved out of the coffers of the commission for non-existing jobs, contract scams etc. Effiong, the Ag. Executive Director of Finance, was appointed in August in a controversial circumstance.
“He was a Personal Assistant on Finance matters to a former MD of the Commission between 2013 and 2015, a period that was reportedly characterized by a mindless looting of resources of the Commission.
“The Managing Director in question, Bassey Dan-Abia, a former Commissioner in Akpabio’s cabinet in Akwa Ibom state was nominated by same Godswill Akpabio to head the commission. His tenure was heavily tainted with allegations of corruption. That has become the hallmark of Senator Godswill Akpabio wherever he goes directly or indirectly. Another Akwa-Ibom man, Nsima U. Ekere, was also sworn-in as a substantive Managing Director few months after.
“Recall, the first memo written by Akpabio few hours after resumption of office as a Minister was for the take-over of the NDDC, directly demanding the powers of the President against the position of the law. Nevertheless, he had his way. It will be unthinkable to allow him hoodwink the nation into another round of his circus to further his impunity against the law setting up the NDDC.”
The group, therefore, called for the immediate constitution of a substantive board answerable to the President and the people, "not some Akpabio’s puppets turn personal stealing machine", insisting, this is "the only way forward."
They called on President Buhari to "reject any maneuvering for the extension of the tenure of the present corrupt management or any attempt by the Minister to bring in a Sole Administrator," adding, "it is not known to law."
“There is no other better time for the National Assembly to rise in defense of its functions and our laws, the tax payers look forward to this institution for hope, if any,” the statement added.
Luck on Friday ran out of armed robbers who came to attack traders in the popular New Benin Market, in Edo state as they were gunned down by men of the Nigerian Police.
Earlier, an operator of a Point Of Sales (POS) shop was shot dead by some suspected armed robbers in Benin city, the Edo state capital.
Igbere TV gathered that the incident happened at the popular Godwin Abbey Way, off Sapele road, GRA, in Benin city.
It was gathered that the armed men stormed the centre at exactly 12:50 PM and went straight to the young girl in her early twenties who was operating the POS shop.
Our correspondent reports that the hoodlums after collecting her money, mobile phones and other personal items still shot the young girl dead on the spot.
The reason for the killing even after they had successfully robbed her could not be easily ascertained.
Igbere TV however gathered that the dare-devil armed men later zoomed off towards the Sapele road end of Benin city.
The death of the young girl attracted some sympathisers who described the deceased as a young promising girl who was into POS business to make ends meet.
The Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation (OOF) has won the 'Humanitarian Foundation of the Year' category in the 2020 Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards, following a seven-day voting by Nigerians via online platforms, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
OOF, founded by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, beat four other nominees — including the Shehu Musa Yar'adua Foundation, Goodluck Jonathan Foundation, Atiku Care Foundation and Abdulsalami Abubakar Foundation — to emerge the winner.
The award will be formally presented to the former president and other prominent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in the outgoing year at a glamorous Awards presentation dinner to be hosted at the prestigious Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Abuja on December 10. A table reservation ticket to the 'lockdown edition' event was on Thursday presented to Chief Obasanjo.
NAN reports that the Leadership Excellence Awards is endorsed by the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC), an advisory body of the African Union (AU) designed to give civil society organizations (CSOs) a voice within the AU institutions and decision-making processes.
According to Nigerians who voted the OOF as the humanitarian foundation of the year, the choice of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation was due its sustained humanitarian and philanthropic activities across the country, Nigeria.
In line with its core mandate in the education sector, the OOF, in October, distributed textbooks as well as exercise books to primary school pupils in Iseyin Local Government Area of Oyo State, South West, Nigeria.
Just recently, the Foundation in partnership with the China Consulate announced and concluded the donation of over 1,000,000 academic materials to students of public primary and secondary school across the six geo-political zones.
At a brief profiling event where Chief Olusegun Obasanjo played host to the Igbere TV Award crew in his Hilltop mansion residence, Abeokuta on Thursday, the OOF founder expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their support towards his Foundation.
Chief Obasanjo, while describing the Leadership Excellence Awards as "most credible", commended the Igbere TV management team for their good works, and for recognising excellence in the society.
Also at the profiling event was Dr. Olalekan Makinde, chief executive officer of the Olusegun Obasanjo Foundation, who oversees the affairs of the OOF including the recent donation of academic materials to public primary and secondary schools nationwide.
This year’s Award event would be one of the most outstanding and credible award ceremonies in Nigeria, as personalities in the Presidency, State Governments, National and State Assemblies, Economic Industries, Humanitarian Affairs and Human Activism are expected to grace the occasion.
Some of the awardees include, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, Chairman of Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Co. Ltd. (Car Maker of the Year); Chief (Hon) Alex Ikwechegh, Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation (Personality of the Year); Rt Hon (Engr) Chinedum Orji, Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly (Speaker of the Year); Apostle Chinyere Chibuzor, General Overseer, Omega Power Ministries (Most Outstanding Humanitarian of the Year); and Chief Uche Nwosu, former Imo State governorship candidate and Chief of Staff to the Imo State Government (Hospitality Personality of the Year).
Others are: Senator Uba Sani, Kaduna Central (Senator of the Year); Gbene (Dr) Joi Nunieh, immediate past acting NDDC managing director (Public Servant of the Year); Dr. Betta Edu, Cross River State Commissioner for Health (Medical Expert of the Year); Hon. Sir. Melie Onyejepu, General Manager of Anambra Bureau of Public Procurement (State Public Servant of the Year); Chief Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ondo First Lady (Woman of the Year on Empowerment); and former Governor of Kano State, Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Founder of Kwankwasiyya Foundation (N.G.O of the Year).
Also on the list are, Mrs Karima Babangida, Director FDA, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Civil Servant of the Year); Valentine Ozigbo, the immediate past President and CEO of Transcorp PLC, founder of VCO Foundation and frontline governorship aspirant in the Anambra 2021 election (Empowerment Personality of the Year); Justice Nuagbe a.k.a Ushbebe, Comedian of the Year; Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA (Maritime Personality of the Year); *Prof. Babagana Zulum, Borno state governor (Governor of the Year); Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning (Financial Expert of the Year); and Hon. Vincent Ofumelu, House of Rep member representing Oyi/Ayamelum Federal Constituency (Best Performing New Legislator of the Year).
NAN reports that while Dr. Alice Onyema, Vice-Chairman of Air Peace is being awarded as Aviation Personality of the Year; Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuife, CEO/Managing Director of Property Finders Limited, developers of Centage Estate, Lagos and Oil Spring Estate, bags Businesswoman of the Year award; with Prof. Georgewill Owunari, the former Deputy Provost, College of Health Sciences (UNIPORT) and Board member of the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, emerging as 'Educationist of the Year'; and Olakunle Churchill as 'ICT Personality of the Year'; Samuel Chukwueze, Villarreal CF football star as 'Footballer of the Year'; and Chiedozie Akwiwu (Payenergy), as 'Best Indigenous App of the Year', among others.
NAN also reports that fhe 2019 edition of the Igbere TV Leadership Excellence Awards which held 28th November, 2019 at the Sheraton Hotels, Abuja saw distinguished and prominent captains of industry, public figures and leaders cling on to the various Award categories.
Prominent awardees included President Muhammadu Buhari, United States-based Nigerian billionaire medical doctor, Dr. Godwin Maduka; former President Goodluck Jonathan, former House of Reps Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara; minister Rotimi Amaech, Senator Rochas Okorcha, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, among others.
According to Igbere TV, organizers of the Award event, this year’s edition which holds Dec. 10, has been tagged Africa’s biggest and most glamorous online media award. The programme will be transmitted live on DSTV, GOTV, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Zoom, Instagram and other social media platforms with over 10 million audience globally.
A young lady has received the beating of her life after she was caught purchasing items worth three thousand naira (N3,000) with a fake bank alert.
Igbere TV reports that the incident happened in Benin city, the Edo state capital, early Wednesday. The identity of the lady could not be established.
It was gathered that the lady went into a store and purchased an item. When asked to pay, she requested to use bank transfer. She was given the account details and after some minutes, she presented a message on her phone telling the shop owner that she had been debited.
However, luck ran out of her when the shop owner checked his balance, and discovered that the money did not reflect in his account despite the alert. There was a brief argument between the customer and the seller, with the lady insisting on leaving the shop with the items. She told the seller that the delay in the transaction was from his end, as she had received her own alert.
When some onlookers approached the duo, it was discovered that it was same girl who had been caught in the act of paying items with fake bank alert twice before that day but pleaded for her dear life and was pardoned. This forced the onlookers to pounce on the lady who admitted carrying out a fake transfer for the shop owner.
A friend of the lady who spoke to Igbere TV, but pleaded anonymity, said the suspect was a specialist in generating fake alerts for sundry purposes, including payment for expensive items such as phones.
He said the lady, a former student of the Benson Idahosa University, in Edo, started misbehaving after she was introduced into 'crap' smoking by her boyfriend who is now late. The friend said she has a kid for the boyfriend who was shot dead when he went on robbery.
Politics › Okonjo-iweala To Receive Igberetv 'woman Of The Year' Award In Abuja (photos) by BleedingPen(op): 9:56pm On Dec 07, 2020
