₦airaland Forum

READ ALL THE GIST WITH PICTURES HERE: https://e-nigeriang.com/2021/08/06/comedian-alibaba-son-with-ras-kimono-wife/

According to E-Nigeria Newspaper findings, Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy, is on the verge of finishing his multi-million naira shopping complex in Lagos’ affluent neighborhood.
When we visited the shopping complex off Admiralty Way...READ MORE: https://e-nigeriang.com/2021/07/28/rudeboy-shopping-complex-in-lekki/

2Face and Blackface Reconciliation: After years of animosity, music artists 2Face Idibia and Blackface have reconciled, burying the hatchet. 2Face (Innocent Idibia) and his old Plantashun Boiz label mate Blackface (Ahmedu Augustine Obiabo) fell out years ago when the latter accused the former of appropriating his song, African Queen, according to E-Nigeria Newspaper findings.
African Queen was supposedly developed by Blackface, but 2Face allegedly went ahead and re-made the song yanking off his credit; making him lose out on royalties.
An enraged Blackface, who has been adamant about his accusations since the release of African Queen in 2004, has continued to pursue it through all means, including calling out his former label colleague on social media.

Angered by Blackface’s constant insults, 2Face launched a N50 million defamation case against him, resulting in the industry’s most famous legal battle...READ MORE: https://e-nigeriang.com/2021/07/24/how-2face-and-blackface-reconciled-at-last/

Reports reaching E-nigeria! from palace sources is that the Olu of Warri, Ikenwoli Godfrey Emiko is dead.

Although information regarding his cause of death is still sketchy at this time, but insiders who spoke to us said, arrangements are already on top gear to make an official announcement while preparations for his burial according to tradition is yet to commence.
The Olu of Warri was crowned Ogiame Ikenwoli on the 12th of December 2015[2] at Ode-Itsekiri, the ancestral home of the Itsekiri people in a ceremony which was witnessed by many dignitaries in Nigeria such as the Secretary to the Federal Government David Babachir Lawal, the Delta State Governor Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Emmanuel Uduaghan (former Governor Delta State), and Bola Ahmed Tinubu the national leader of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

He was 65; married to Olori Mary Emiko and together they had three children.
- E-nigeria! https://e-nigeriang.com/olu-of-warri-ikenwoli-godfrey-emiko-is-dead/

Dangote Trucks: E-nigeria! investigations have now revealed how Dangote Group under the leadership of its president, Alhaji Aliko Dangote has been engaging in subversive activities tantamount to economic sabotage, around Nigeria land borders.
In August 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari’s government announced a border closure policy which saw the immediate halting of all trade activities across Nigerian borders with neighbouring countries like Benin and Niger State.

The border closure policy was triggered by Nigerian authorities’ frustration with the smuggling in of rice and illicit exports of locally subsidized petrol to neighboring countries Benin Republic and others.
Although it may seem like the blockade encouraged the consumption of locally grown produce such as rice, it also hurt factories in some countries across West Africa, which rely on Nigeria’s market of 200 million people.

However, E-nigeria! Investigations revealed that while the borders remained shut, Dangote trucks resumed export of cement across neighbouring West African Countries and upon returning back into the country, men of the Nigerian Customs Service suspected to be under the company’s payroll look the other way while the Trucks smuggle foreign rice and other contraband goods into the country particularly through the Seme border.
Olabode Somefun, a land border clearing agent who spoke to this reporter recounts how his business has been in decline since the border was shut, stating that he is even more frustrated seeing the shenanigans orchestrated by Dangote Cement truck drivers on daily basis across the border. He said, “my colleagues and I who are badly affected by the border closure sit here every day gnashing, some of us are now out of business, but Dangote trucks loaded with cement drive pass the border freely and on their way back to Nigeria are again loaded with bags of foreign rice, groundnut oil and other goods. The trucks are not checked by officials of the Nigerian customs at the port of entry. We are suspecting that men of the Nigerian Customs are on the payroll of Dangote Group, which can only explain why they are often not checked.”

Meanwhile, other eye witnesses also narrated that at times the truck drivers stop at some Customs check points to offload a few bags of rice as compensation for the officials who eventually grant them passage.
Meanwhile, in October 2019 when the Customs Comptroller-general, Hameed Ali spoke to the media in Abuja, he reiterated his agency’s commitment to President Mohammadu Buhari’s land border shut down directive, saying that it will help Nigeria to have total control over what comes in and goes out of the country.

“All goods, for now, are banned from being exported or imported through our land borders and that is to ensure that we have total control over what comes in,” Hameed said.

Reconciling the Customs chief’s statement with current realities has become a bit confusing giving current findings that Dangote Cement trucks has unfettered access to and from Nigeria’s land borders with the express support of officials of the Nigerian Customs.
Although Buhari’s border closure directive was targeted at encouraging the consumption of locally grown produce such as rice, despite that, the reason why foreign rice keeps flooding the Nigerian market can now be known to the public.

“In the wake of this new reality, a question now being asked across several quarters is if the Presidency is in support of Dangote Group’s smuggling activities through Nigeria land borders particularly the Seme border? if the answer is yes, then we may have a huge case of nepotism in our hands, but if for any reason, the presidency is not ‘aware’, then Dangote Group needs to be sanctioned immediately, said a concerned Nigerian.

Dangote Group is publicly perceived as the highest benefactor of Nigeria’s economy, as there are countless allegations of tax waivers which the business conglomerate enjoys from the government from time to time.

Responding to our report when we reached out to Dangote Group, its Head of Corporate Communications, Anthony Chiejina said the group was not the only one granted partial license by the Nigerian government to operate while the border was shut, he said other companies like Flour Mills and Bua were also operating under same license, why are concentrating on Dangote alone he queried?

When asked if he is also aware that Dangote trucks are used for smuggling large quantity of foreign rice into the country, he said, “well you know majority of these drivers cannot be trusted, sometimes they engage in illegal activities but I can assure you that we know nothing about it”.

Mr. Anthony also failed to respond to the question if Customs officials are under the company’s payroll as at the time of filing this report.

More details soon.
–DESMOND IKE-CHIMA

Immediate past Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will from October this year, start a fellowship program at the prestigious Oxford University in the United Kingdom.

The Management Committee of the African Studies Centre, University of Oxford, recently approved Sanusi’s request for a Visiting Fellowship (Academic Visitor) at the Centre for the 2020-2021 academic year.

Oxford University’s African Studies Centre is one of the world’s leading Centres of African Studies. The Centre has trained graduate students who are now holding important positions in different spheres of social, economic and political life in Africa and the rest of the world. With strengths in the Social Sciences and the Humanities, the Centre enjoys a reputation for high quality, relevant research that plays a leading role in academic debates as well as public policy.

The Centre notes that Sanusi who is also a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN),intends to use the period of his affiliation to write a book around the theme: ‘Central Bank Response to Global Financial Crisis: A Case Study of the Central Bank of Nigeria 2009-2013.’This will be based on his experience as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, and as a banker and public intellectual.

Emir Sanusi, an economist and banker served as the Governor of the CBN from 2009 to 2014. The Banker magazine recognised him as the 2010 Central Bank Governor of the Year, for his reforms and leading a radical anti-corruption campaign in the sector, the first of its kind during the financial crisis. He is widely recognised for pacifying the overtly corrupt banking industry and his contribution to a risk management culture in Nigerian banking.
SOURCE: e-nigeriang.com

First City Monument Bank - FCMB sustained new strengths in operations in the second quarter despite the challenges of the Covid-19 economic lockdown. The bank kept all the growth levers up from the closing levels in 2019 e-nigeria! understands.

The addition of new strengths and retention of some key capabilities of the preceding year constitutes the operating advantage for the bank this year. It is maintaining the elevated revenue outlook seen in the first quarter, which is happening for the first time since 2017.

Both interest and non-interest incomes are contributing to revenue improvement but non-interest earnings keep leading the way. Against a drop of 11 percent in 2019, non-interest income grew by 13 percent year-on-year at half-year ended June 2020.

Interest income is still accelerating from 4 percent at the end of last year to 8 percent at half-year though slowing down from 15 percent growth in the first quarter. This remains the highest growth rate in interest income for the bank at any time since 2014.

The good behavior of interest expenses seen in the first quarter improved to better in the second quarter. From a moderated growth of 4 percent in the first quarter, interest expenses proceeded to a 3 percent decline year-on-year at half-year. Accelerating interest income and a decline in interest expenses enabled an increase of 17 percent in net interest income from less than 5 percent improvement at the end of 2019.

This marks the first reasonable improvement in revenue the bank is seeing since 2017. Last year ended with only a 2 percent increase in gross income to a little over N181 billion. Revenue growth at half-year represents the highest in four years.

The retained strength in revenue is keeping the bottom line on the upbeat at which the bank began the year in the first quarter. Profit improvement remains quite good at 29 percent year-on-year for FCMB at half-year – still one of the best growth records in the banking sector. This is an accelerating growth from the 16 percent profit improvement at the end of 2019.

The ability to convert revenue into profit improved both on a year-on-year basis and from the 2019 closing mark. At the end of half-year, the net profit margin stretched out from 8.4 percent in the same period last year and from 9.5 percent at the end of 2019 to 10 percent. This is a step back however from 11 percent in the first quarter but yet remains the highest net profit margin for the bank since 2015.

The bank’s operating strength for the 2020 financial year is anchored on growing revenue and improving profit margin. The strength to grow profit more than two and a half times as fast as revenue at half-year points to a reasonable cost saving achieved by management. This came from a decline in interest expenses and a moderated operating cost during the period.

The loss in the first quarter of a key strength of last year – which is a drop in net loan impairment expenses for the third straight year, remained in place at half-year. Loan loss expenses rose by close to 41 percent to N7.8 billion at the end of June 2020. The increase follows an increase of 13 percent in the loan portfolio last year and by another 10 percent over the first half of the current financial year to N795 billion.

Half-year operations ended with gross earnings of slightly over N98 billion for FCMB, an accelerated growth from 2.3 percent at the end of 2019 to 9 percent year-on-year. This marks the first reasonable improvement in revenue since 2017.

An improvement of 8 percent in interest income to over N76 billion is one of the new strengths for FCMB in 2020. This reflects the expansion of earning assets with loans and advances growing by N80 billion over the 2019 closing figure of N715 billion and investments rising by N60 billion to N300 billion over the same period. The second is a rebound in non-interest earnings that were a drag for the bank last year to N22 billion at the end of half-year.

At slightly N30.8 billion, interest expenses    improved further its disciplined behavior – declining by 3 percent against an increase of 4 percent in the first quarter. The share of interest income devoted to interest expenses went down from 45 percent to 40 percent over the review period. The result is an increase of 17 percent in net interest income to over N45 billion at half-year.

FCMB closed the half-year operations in June 2020 with an after-tax profit of N9.7 billion, an increase of 29 percent year-on-year. The bank is maintaining the path of growing profit for the third consecutive year since it lost 40 percent of profit in 2017.

Earnings per share amounted to 49 kobo at the end of half-year operations, improving from 38 kobo per share in the same period last year.

The ability to maintain an elevated performance in earnings through the economic lockdown in the second quarter is a bullish point for FCMB going forward to the second half. The bank is expected to retain the key strengths of growing revenue, moderating interest expenses, and improving profit margin to stay the course of rebuilding profit for the third straight year in 2020.
SOURCE: www.e-nigeriang.com

Last week at the National Assembly, Festus Keyamo, fiery human rights lawyer and Minister of State for Labour and Productivity drew positive attention to himself.
The minister took a position on the side of the masses and gave a good account of himself on the raging issues around the pending 774,000 jobs at the grassroots.
Keyamo spoke eloquently and in defense of the downtrodden, challenged the lawmakers who as usual, wanted to determine those who will be employed by this federal government’s job intervention exercise.
At no time in this digital age did Keyamo receive so much praise and admiration from Nigerians who still remember his vigorous campaigns to bring about political change and accountability during the military rule.
That is Keyamo, the quintessential activist and lawyer who has spent the last thirty years or so of his life, fighting for the common good and a better society.

I may not be a politician but I must confess, I am a great fan of Keyamo because of what he represents. Again, he excited Nigerians once again with his eloquence, courage and revelations at that joint sitting of members of both the Senate and the House of Representatives. As far as I am concerned, this is one of Keyamo’s finest hours under the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government. His disclosure actually gave an insight into our realities. The lawyer and Senior Advocate exposed to the world the greed and desperation of some members of our parliament even in trivial matters like this one involving unemployed young Nigerians at the local government level.

But this development did not come as a surprise to some of us who have followed with keen interest, the politics of our National Assembly since 1999. As far as many Nigerians are concerned, service is far from the minds of those who make laws for us and this has remained a recurrent decimal for many years now. It is unfortunate that those elected to make laws and carry out oversight functions are always looking for advantage for self. In this instance, it is obvious that they are trying to take over executive duties for reasons that are now clear to everyone.

A couple of years ago, we read that our legislators are the highest paid in terms of salary and allowances in the whole world during a comparative analysis that shocked mankind. Nothing has changed since that revelation. In fact, the situation is worse today as the issue of remuneration tops legislative agenda all the time. These days, they no longer hide their avarice and this is understandable. For a few weeks now, the distasteful photos of hundreds of exotic cars waiting to be delivered to Nigeria’s lawmakers have been trending everywhere even as hunger, unemployment and hopelessness continue in the land.

Unluckily for them this time around, they met their match in Keyamo, a fearless lawyer and a veteran of many battles.

If one may ask, what exactly is the matter of this on-going controversy between legislators and the Ministry of State for Labour and Employment? It will be recalled that Keyamo had appeared before the Joint Committee on Labour to present a work plan ahead of the 774,000 jobs in all the local government areas of Nigeria. Before now, the National Assembly had appropriated N52 billion in the 2020 budget for this special job creation programme which is aimed at employing 774,000 people and ameliorating unemployment challenges at the grassroots. But when Keyamo discovered the glaring dissonance between the executive and the legislative arms in the implementation of the project, he was unhappy. Immediately, he expressed his displeasure over what he described as attempt by the lawmakers to sabotage the project even after receiving 15 per cent of the job slots.

In spite of the fact that this is a straight-forward issue, the National Assembly insisted that it is the National Directorate of Employment, NDE that has the power to execute. In fact, they accused the minister of hijacking the project from NDE.
But Keyamo as expected fired back, maintaining that the lawmakers are actually the hijackers. Even a man on the street knows that in the eye of the law, the minister is right. After all, NDE that the legislators hold tightly on are under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity. So, what is the hullabaloo all about?

I am happy that even after the apology and the intervention of Chris Ngige, Keyamo’s senior minister, the radical lawyer still holds his ground as he insists that the lawmakers’ action is nothing but an attempt to bypass him and that is the truth. If these lawmakers are actually serving the interest of Nigerians, then they must serve with knowledge and integrity. They should read the enabling act like the National Directorate of Employment Act. This will aid resolution and proper understanding of all the outstanding issues. It is never too late to beat a retreat. We cannot continue to do the same thing the same way every time and expect a different result.

That is why we must support Keyamo who is one of the youngest and the most outstanding appointees in this administration. However, it is gratifying to note that this young man is fully representing my generation; this ordinarily should gladden every young person. He may be new in the game of Nigeria’s brand of grubby politics but he is surely up-to-the-minute with issues of liberty, freedom, equality, good governance and accountability. Young people all over the country are happy with him in words and actions. He is also demonstrating that things can be done differently. He believes that Nigeria can actually move from where she is now to the next level. No doubt, this man inspires hope and it is in the interest of all Nigerians to support him and if possible, make demands on the powers that be, to give him higher responsibilities. In him, we have found hope and a reason to keep supporting this government.

NB: Desmond Ike-Chima is a Journalist with e-nigeria!, writer, New Media Strategist and Social media expert.

Kenny Okolugbo, a former Commissioner of Delta State Oil Producing Area Development Commission - DESOPADEC, has been arraigned at the Igbosere Magistrate Court in Lagos, e-nigeria! can exclusively report.

He was charged on five-count offences bordering on stealing, forcible entry, malicious damage, breach of peace and unlawful ejection of a tenant.

Okolugho, the landlord of a building on 39A, Awudu Ekpegha Street in Lekki, allegedly connived with other suspects still at large to break into a tenant’s apartment.
They allegedly made away with gadgets and other expensive items, while the occupant was out of town.

Although the occupant of the three bedroom owed him four-months rent, Okolugbo was accused of taking laws into his hands.

Unknown to Okolugbo and others, their invasion were caught by CCTV installed by the tenant for the security of their private library operated in the apartment.

Prosecuting counsel, Zebedee Arekhandia, said the actions of the accused in the case with charge no. B/21/ Commissioner of Police vs. Kenny Okolugbo, contravened section 287 of the criminal law of Lagos State, 2015.

The charge sheet read obtained by e-nigeria! reads in part: “That you Kenny Okolugbo and others now at large, in December, 2019, at No. 39A, Awudu Ekpegha Street, Lekki Phase 1, in the aforesaid magistrate District, did in the same course of action steal the following: thirty six units of office Egonomic Chairs, fifteen units of training tables, four units of window blinds, one projector screen, one 3600 Lumen HDMI projector, four standing fans, one 32 inch LG LED TV, five 50 inch canvas painting, one CCTV camera, etc."

Okolugbo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), pleaded not guilty to the charges and the magistrate , Kikelomo B. Ayeye granted bail in the sum of N1million.

He must present two sureties with verified tax clearance in Lagos State and with like sum of N1million each.

Okolugbo was remanded in Police custody until he meets bail conditions.

The case was adjourned till August 28 for continuation of trial.
SOURCE: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/kenny-okolugbo-ex-desopadec-commissioner-arraigned-for-stealing/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhO_75luQL4

Details have now emerged on why Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu was arrested by men of the Department of State Services a few hours ago, e-nigeria! can now report.

Ibrahim Magu has been in the middle of multiple accusations of corrupt practices from different agencies who investigated him. However his recent ordeal may not be unconnected>>>READ MORE: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/why-efcc-chairman-ibrahim-magu-was-arrested-by-dss/

Profile of New Fidelity Bank Chairman, Mustafa Chike-Obi: In an earlier report, e-nigeria! published the exit of Mr. Ernest Ebi the outgoing Chairman of Fidelity Bank Plc and Mr. Seni Adetu Independent Non-Executive Director, haven successfully completed their tenure in the bank’s board. READ HERE

However, in this new report, e-nigeria takes a look into the impressive and intimidating profile of Fidelity Bank’s incoming Chairman, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi.

Asides being an economist haven graduated from the prestigious University of Lagos and also an alumnus of Stanford School of business, Mustafa Chike-Obi has a vast boardroom experience serving on the board of several establishments both in government and the private sector.

Often called the boardroom guru, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi is the son of Nigeria’s first doctorate degree holder in Mathematics, professor Chike Obi full names (Chike Edozien Umuezei Obi) from Anambra State.

During the 2019 general elections, Mustafa Chike also served as the economic adviser to Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation.

He has over 40 years of experience in investment banking and the financial services sector, working with reputable global investment banking and asset management firms.

His leadership skill at Alpha African Advisory has direct oversight over the capital raising division.
Prior to joining Alpha African Advisory, he Obi was the inaugural CEO, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), a Federal Government backed institution, established to resolve the problem of non-performing loan assets of Nigerian Banks after the 2008 global financial crisis.

Mr. Chike-Obi was Founding President at Madison Advisors, a financial services advisory and consulting firm in New Jersey, specializing in hedge funds and private equity investment advice.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of Lagos (First Class Honors) and an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business.

From Onitsha Anambra State, his father the youngest mathematician in Nigeria was a detribalised Nigerian who gave all his children one non-Igbo names, which explains why his first name is Mustafa.

Chike Obi is expected to bring aboard his wealth of experience to the board of Fidelity bank Plc.

Written by DESMOND IKE-CHIMA
>>>>https://www.e-nigeriang.com/mustafa-chike-obi-profile-of-new-fidelity-bank-chairman/

Leading financial institution in Nigeria, Fidelity bank has announced a minor board re-shuffling. In a statement sent to e-nigeria! on Sunday evening, the bank mentioned that as the tenure of its outgoing Chairman, Mr. Ernest Ebi (MFR)expires he will be stepping down in accordance with Nigerian banking regulations and policy.

In the same vein, the bank announced the tenure expiration of its Independent Non-Executive Director, Mr. Seni Adetu respectively.

As expected the board of directors of Fidelity bank have approved Ernest Ebi’s successor, in the person of Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi who is currently the Executive Vice Chairman at Alpha African Advisory.

A Statement by Fidelity bank reads in part, “Under the Chairmanship of Mr. Ernest Ebi, the Bank recorded significant growth across key financial metrics with both Messrs. Ebi and Adetu playing significant roles, complementing management effort in the delivery of these milestones; in service of the long term vision of the Bank. The Bank’s market share position has also been materially strengthened over this period".

Buttressing further on the amazing profile of its Chairman designate, Mustafa Chike-Obi, Fidelity bank said, "He has over 40 years of experience in investment banking and the financial services sector, working with reputable global investment banking and asset management firms. He provides overall leadership at Alpha African Advisory and has direct oversight over the capital raising division".

The outgoing Chairman Mr. Ernest Ebi will however continue in the role until the in-coming Chairman assumes office, as part of the process of ensuring a smooth and successful transition.

The changes being announced further attest to Fidelity Bank’s high governance standards and best practices in compliance with internal succession policies. >>>https://www.e-nigeriang.com/mustafa-chike-obi-takes-over-as-new-fidelity-bank-chairman/

Facts have emerged how Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa in connivance with leaders of the House allegedly connived to embezzle public funds in the tune of millions of naira, e-nigeria! reports

Series of media reports backed by documented evidence>>>READ DETAILS: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/fraud-how-lagos-speaker-mudashiru-obasa-was-nailed/

Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly may now officially be in trouble as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigation into the series of corruption allegations leveled against him, e-nigeria! reports.

In the last six months, the embattled Speaker has come under public scrutiny after reports of fraud were leveled against him since he assumed office as Speaker in 2015.>>>READ MORE: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/efcc-begins-investigation-of-lagos-speaker-mudashiru-obasa-over-corruption/

Nigerians are now experiencing multiple taxation from various  of government agencies lately as The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) announces that stamp duty will be paid on house rent and Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) as part of measures to reduce disputes in real estate related transactions and generate more revenue, e-nigeria! can now report

This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the FIRS Director for Communication and Liaison Department, Mr. Abdullahi Ahmad, in Abuja on Thursday.

He explained that the new policy was necessary so as to give the instruments the legal backing required and make them legally binding on all parties involved in such transactions.

Mr. Ahmad asked Nigerians to ensure that documents that relate to rent and lease agreements for homes or offices, C of O, and other common business-related transaction instruments were authenticated with the new FIRS Adhesive Stamp Duty. READ MORE: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/nigerians-to-now-pay-stamp-duty-on-house-rent-c-of-o/

FMAP: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider,  has graduated 28 successful candidates in its inaugural First Bank Management Associates Programme - FMAP, virtually held on Tuesday, 30 June 2020 via the Zoom video conferencing application.

The programme which commenced in 2018 had a total of 48 candidates selected from thousands of entries and applications received nationwide.

FMAP is a 24-month fast-track comprehensive developmental programme targeted at young, dynamic, self-motivated and highly driven individuals that possess the right skill set and excellent leadership potential among Junior and entry-level cadre staff. Entries and applications for the programme enrollment was also extended to the public

Speaking about the programme, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, FirstBank said “It is an intensive skill development programme structured to enhance acute thinking, financial, methodical skills of staff. The bank would continue to reinvest in its human capital to create a kind of leadership needed for future growth and development

“This is part of the Bank’s strategic objectives of infusing and developing leadership at requisite levels across its staff hierarchy, aimed at building the next generation of leaders who will be groomed to drive the Bank’s vision of being Africa’s Bank of first choice”, he concluded.

At the end of the programme, successful candidates are moved to middle management, becoming Management Associates irrespective of their grades at the point of entry.
Cross country postings and secondment opportunities is also offered to such staff to provide them with global exposure and network...

First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is the premier Bank in West Africa and the leading financial inclusion services provider in Nigeria for over 125 years.                With over 750 business locations and over 57,000 Banking Agents spread across 99% of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria, FirstBank provides a comprehensive range of retail and corporate financial services to serve its over 15 million customers.>>>https://www.e-nigeriang.com/inaugural-graduates-of-fmap-by-first-bank/

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Vincent Sunny Okobi is dead, e-nigeria! has learned.

A statement by the family, which was signed by Amaechi Okobi, Group Head, Corporate Communications, Access Bank Plc reads as follows:

“Our family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ambassador Vincent Sunny Okobi, who passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, June 27, 2020 after a long illness.

Ambassador Okobi was the quintessential gentleman and a diplomat who has left an indelible mark on the world stage. First as a clerk under then Governor-General of Nigeria Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, before leaving Nigeria for the United States. Then as a civil rights activist and President of the African Students’ Union in Washington, D.C. in the 1960s. While serving as Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, he was awarded France’s Légion d'honneur by President Francois Mitterrand for his commitment to promoting Franco-Nigerian foreign relations.

Most of all though, Ambassador Okobi has left his most unforgettable legacy as a devoted husband of 52 years, father of four children and grandfather of 14.

Ambassador Okobi is survived by:

Justice Victoria Okobi (wife)

Amaechi Okobi

Yomi & Adaobi Oniwinde

I.K. & Alison Okobi

Patrick & Awele Okigbo

Comfort Odiachi (sister)

Maggie Okobi (sister)

Patricia Dada Amuzie (sister)

Telema Okobi (brother)

We would like to thank all friends and well wishers for your constant love and support.

In strict adherence to COVID-19 guidelines, we respectfully ask that well wishers do not plan home visits to the family at this time.

Burial plans will be announced shortly. In the meantime, we ask that you keep our family in your prayers.”

Signed:

Amaechi Michael Okobi

on behalf of the family>>>https://www.e-nigeriang.com/victor-sunny-okobi-former-nigerian-ambassador-to-togo-dead/

Forbes Africa Under 30: DJ Cuppy, Patoranking, Mr. Eazi, Asisat Oshoala Others Make the list>>>See complete enlistment: https://www.e-nigeriang.com/forbes-africa-under-30-dj-cuppy-patoranking-mr-eazi-asisat-oshoala-others-make-the-list/