We want to express our sympathy for the inconvenience that eight of our customers are going through due to the restrictions on their accounts as mandated by a Federal court order. We are eager for this to be resolved as soon as possible.

It is common knowledge that we and the entire banking industry are regulated entities and therefore operate under the authority of our regulators and law enforcement agencies. As such we are compelled to comply with regulatory directives.

While acknowledging the concern of all well-meaning parties, we urge that enquiries and views be channeled to the relevant regulatory and judicial agencies where the matter is receiving attention. It is therefore surprising that some individuals still choose to target Access Bank in a negative manner despite not being the source of the action.

The Bank has always been at the forefront of innovative efforts in support of the development of our country. We embrace this role as we are also the largest employer of labour – a sizable number of which are youth.

Access Bank has always led the way with regard to support for young Nigerians in terms of capacity building and development of SMEs. Recall that Access Bank launched an initiative to boost the creative industry with loan facilities aimed at capacity building and employment for individuals and businesses in movie production and distribution, fashion, IT and music. Our commitment also extends to the support of small business owners through initiatives that provide access to finance for growth and expansion.

We continue to be concerned by the inconvenience that our affected customers are experiencing. We stand ready to play our part to remedy the situation and have them using their accounts as quickly as possible.

Signed: Management

https://leaders.ng/freezing-of-endsars-protesters-accounts-access-bank-release-statement/

Eight years after the passing of late Patrick Ayiwe Oghenejode, his memory lives on as the Chairman, Patrick Adahor Ayiwe Oghenejode Foundation, Edirin Adahor oghenejode commemorates the selfless services the late Patriarch rendered to the society.

In a tribute to his Father, the Chairman of the foundation extolled the late Oghenejode for his total commitment to God Almighty and his dedication to working for humanity while on earth.

According to him, "Its exactly 8years ago you proceeded to heaven to be with the angels and Saints of heaven, your exemplary lifestyle on earth has indeed gained me access to greater heights.

A few days ago , your friend for over four decades (HRM Oba Adegbamigbe Olugbemigun Kokotiri, the 11 Olujare of Ijare )called to check up on me and he spoke highly of you.

I was extremely grateful to Almighty God for your selfless service to humanity and total commitment to the Almighty God.

I pray Almighty God to continually grant your soul eternal rest, Jaden, Orlando and i miss you greatly."

...Commends President for Appointing a Competent Ijaw son to oversee Programme

Foremost Ijaw activist and Coordinator, Ijaw Monitoring Group, Comrade Joseph Evah, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to discountenance calls by mischief makers to politicize the Presidential Amnesty Office.

Evah a former National Publicity Secretary òf the Ijaw National Congress stressed that any society that is keen on making progress would give priority attention to available first class brains with superlative record of performance and competence to occupy sensitive offices in the interest of the society.

He stated that President Buhari retained the services of the Governor òf Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele, and backed Dr Akinwunmi Adesina for the leadership òf the Africa Development Bank, and recently Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, for the position of the Director General òf the World Trade Organization even though they served under former President Goodluck Jonathan, in appreciation of the pertinence òf engaging first class brains for national development irrespective of party affiliation.

He also called on the Interim Administrator of the PAP to take a cue from President Buhari by making it a policy to go for first class brains with proven capacity to do the job in the interest of the region and Nigeria.

The former Publicity Secretary òf the Ijaw National Congress said that those who call for the engagement of only APC members do not mean well for the region and the country.

He commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the appointment of Col Milland Dikio, (retd), as the Interim Administrator òf the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

The prominent activist also thanked the National Security Adviser, Maj Gen Babagana Monguno, for recommending Col Dikio to the President for the sensitive Amnesty job.

Comrade Evah advised the President to ignore those he described as mischief makers and political jobbers who are desperately struggling to taint the image of the new Amnesty boss with unacceptable political sentiments inimical to peace in the region.

He said that it was a good development the President and the NSA who appointed Col Dikio are aware of the systemic rot in the Amnesty Office and the web of corruption existing between operatives of the office and some persons outside the office over the years.

Evah noted that the President was right to have appointed Dikio, a disciplined retired military officer, reputed for his integrity and high level of competence and attention for details.

He urged the President and the Office òf the NSA to give free hand to the new Amnesty Boss to select his team of competent and trusted Nigerians with the right contact to assist him in wresting the office from the talons òf greed and corruption.

He explained that a reformer no matter how gifted, dedicated and strong will not be able to achieve much if he does have the freedom to do the right thing.

The IMG President therefore urged the President to ensure that Dikio is allowed to engage the services of all competent Ijaw sons, Niger Deltans and Nigerians to fit into appropriate roles irrespective of political leanings in the Amnesty Office.

He also called on Col Dikio be focused and be prepared to take the tough decision in the mission to rewrite the story of rot in the Amnesty Office in the interest of peace and stability in the Niger Delta.

He said, “I must commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the NSA, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno for appointing Col Milland Dikio, a Niger Delta don, as the Head of the Amnesty Office.

“While I will urge the President and the Office of the NSA which oversees the Amnesty Office to give him the freehand to change the sad story of Office, I advise Col Dikio to be wary of political jobbers and their mischievous antics.

“The Amnesty Office is not a party office; it is a Federal Government office where any competent Niger Delta person whose services are needed should work.

“I urge him to make the Ijaw nation proud by doing the right things in accordance with expectations no matter what happens. We are watching.” He said

I will start these strings of thoughts with a quote from the 1930s  - “A single spark can start a prairie fire,”. Writing these words, I feel the same way Comrade Mao Tse-tung felt as regards the possibility of a revolution not only in China but in Nigeria. The only difference is that my generation can set off the sparks at a record time with just a single click via the instrumentality of social media. One smartphone backed with inspired hashtags can set off mass demonstrations across the world and particularly in Nigeria as we saw with the #EndSARS movement.
 
 
Unquestionably in the early 2000s, It was clear how social media contributed to helping young people organize effective resistance movements and nonviolent actions. But, after the mid-2000s, many have started becoming more cynical about whether these technologies were helping or hurting these movements.
 
 
The debate as to whether social media has been a curse or blessing to Nigerians has been on for decades. It will continue. The government is having sleepless nights trying to “censor/regulate” the nation’s online space with the intent of combating harmful misinformation and dissident expressions that are capable of tearing the nation apart. Young people on the other hand do not trust the government as they are sure the real intent is to restrict freedom of speech and expression. Wherein lies the balance? Wherein lies the way forward?
 
 
They say we live in an information age. I totally agree. But I think we also live in a disinformation age.
 
 
The EndSARs protest like many other protests was in no doubt fueled by Nigeria's rising profile in internet penetration and smartphone access. The technology was an efficient vehicle for the rapid transmission of information about planned events and political developments, thereby facilitating the organization of protest activity. But technology is what it is – technology -depending on how you use it. The figurative case of a knife in the hand of a murderer producing different results compared to a knife in the hand of a surgeon. Later on in the life of the protests, it began to suffer by the very tool that made it. 
 
 
During the EndSARS protest, more than 28 million social media posts bearing the #EndSARS hashtag was recorded on Twitter alone. Analytics show that only a small quota of this outstanding figure was used to mobilize demonstrations, garner local, diasporic, foreign backing, and sympathy for the movement. The majority of postings, shares, tweets, and retweets were proliferated fake contents inserted to fuel an already edgy state of affairs.
 
 
Before the hoodlums that we see today came offline, they already existed online.
 
 
Misrepresentation of happenings during the ENDSars protest was in full-blown circulation with a deliberate goal to scale up fear and anger. Fake stories and accompanying imagery of alleged state action against its citizens trended on social media. The obvious intent was to arouse a sense of fear and anger, encourage Nigerians to think intuitively by “liking”, retweeting, sharing content that painted instituted authority as villains thereby distorting the mutual trust needed to restore peace. These images were later found to have originated from theatre scenes, automobile accidents, past events (even beyond the shores of Nigeria). Many have come to debunk concocted stories. Many will in the coming days. Sadly, the deed had already be done, FIRE instead of WATER was unleashed.
 
 
There is no denying that there were fatal incidences as a full out of the ENDSars protest. However, misinformation on social media fanned by violent, hate-mongering, and communally insensitive posts from influencers and supposed leaders is now undermining the movements’ public image and its ability to attract large and diverse segments of society
 
 
The surge of fake news is now killing the credibility of the #EndSARS protest and may eventually be the death of it.
 
 
Real leaders of the revolution must be truth-seekers and not lie pedlers. Real revolutions come from a place of truth. For if the foundation is based on lies, it will surely sink. It won't be long before the skirt is uncovered and the true sex revealed.
 
 
Even if it has to be a fire, let it refine the stories before posting. If it has to be water, let it not drown us.
 
 
 
©️ Segun Oduyemi, Lagos Nigeria 2020
 
 
This article is sponsored by SAME GROUNDS, a movement that advocates that young people should organize more intelligently.
 
 
Feel free to share

The “aftermath” of the #EndSARS protests has not only left many sour tastes in our mouth but has also gotten emotions flying around the place. Tempers are flaring with so much angst during these tough days. Whilst many young people feel “defeated”, “disrespected” or “betrayed”, on the other hand, the government now feels “threatened” as it has never had it this hard-hitting since the civil war. Howbeit the theories on whether the protest was successful or unsuccessful continue, this might be the right time to remind us of the two salient outcomes every protest herald – ANARCHY OR SANITY.
 
For one thing, I would believe the overarching aim of the #EndSARS protest by young Nigerians was to demand new institutional reforms in the country (SANITY). Conversely, protests in their very nature if left unchecked can spiral to revolts and rebellion, against the established government that is capable of ripping our nation apart (ANARCHY)
 
As we go round the world a bit to see the outcomes of protests, permit me to plant the question in our heads – ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
In the MIDDLE EAST ten years ago, protesting the same police harassment, Muhammad Bouazizi, a Tunisian street peddler, set himself on a fire that will spread to other Arab nations heralding and spurring series of protests, revolution, government overthrows, and bloody civil wars that gave the moniker “Arab Spring”. Many years on, the spring has backfired as the nations of Bahrain, Egypt, Libya, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen are still imploding and burning with civil wars, high spates of terrorism, and the collapse of central governments.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
Since the last quarter of 2019, the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) regions in SOUTH AMERICA has witnessed economic and political discontent triggered protests with many young people calling for the head of their leaders. So many months on these protests that took place in Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia, with roughly 400 dead, 15,000 injured, and incarcerated have failed to produce the much-needed institutional reform. According to the IMF, the LAC regions grew an anemic 0.1% in 2019 — the worst economic performance of any major region in the world.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
In ASIA, Hong Kong's protests started in June 2019 against plans to allow extradition to mainland China. Though the Chinese government complied with the demands of the protesters and the bill was withdrawn in September 2019, the demonstrations continued, propelled by the constant smearing of the Beijing and Hong Kong governments by Western media sources and backed by external funding. Consequently, the protests became increasingly violent, with shops vandalized and boarded up, and many subway station entrances charcoal-black from fires set by protesters.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
Fuel shortage in mid-September 2019, on top of spiraling inflation, lack of safe drinking water, and food scarcity caused protesters in NORTH AMERICA’S Haiti to block roads, set fires, destroy property, and loot businesses. Police responded with tear gas and live rounds which left many injured and at least 42 persons dead. The protest led to the resurgence of gang violence, crime, and an increase in police brutality. The Disruption crippled the delivery of basic services which pushed the country further towards a humanitarian crisis.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
Seven years ago, in EUROPE’S Ukraine, civic protests against the government’s decision to end talks on a Ukraine-European Union Association Agreement led to a widespread crackdown on protesters. There were reports of assault, kidnapping, unlawful arrest by security officers even as protesters threw rocks and Molotov cocktails, set fire to cars and buses and used the debris to build barricades in the streets. Follow events within this period morphed into the Ukrainian Revolution and the eventual outbreak of the Crimean war.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
Months of unprecedented street protests that took place in AFRICA’S Sudan forced army generals to step in and topple the government of Al-Bashir in April 2019. Demonstrations, however, continued well after Al-Bashir’s downfall, with protesters demanding that power be handed over to a civilian administration. The Khartoum massacre which led to the death of 128 protesters represented the brutal military crackdown that ensued.  Up to date, Sudan remains politically and economically unstable.
 
WHAT DO YOU WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY?
 
Now let us come back home to NIGERIA and spotlight the “aftermath” of the #EndSARS protest that is now characterized by clashes between the authorities and suspected hoodlums, perpetual arson, random destruction of public and private properties, and widespread looting. Yes, the destructions seem to swing at the system, but the blow is now on the peaceful protesters.
 
As a researcher, I do not like to foretell the future, but we can certainly identify viable trends based upon present circumstances that these uprisings if unbridled will teeter the state on a knife-edge.  As hesitant as I am in predicting the timing or sequence of a “Nigeria Spring”, I am extremely certain of its inevitability given the resurgence of authoritarianism and the obstructive demands and unguided outbursts by young citizens.
 
WHAT DO WE WANT? ANARCHY OR SANITY
 
You choose…
 
©️ Segun Oduyemi, Lagos Nigeria 2020
 
This article is sponsored by SAME GROUNDS, a movement that advocates that young people should organize more intelligently.

We, at Okama Infinity Nigeria Limited, whish to bring to the notice of the general public the barefaced impersonation, fraudulent mixture and sale of our products: F-500 Encapsulator Agent and our Stainless-Steel Fire Extinguishers by some unscrupulous elements, who have flooded the market with the adulterated version of our company's products.

We are an indigenous oil servicing company with over two decades of experience in the Nigerian oil and gas sector.

We are the Sole Agent and Master Distributor to Hazard Control Technologies (HCT) Inc. USA, for the sales and distribution of F-500 EA in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.

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The impersonators and fraudsters are labelling their fake products with our name and address.

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We are concerned about the safety and health issues that are most likely to arise as a result of the usage of the adulterated, ineffective and substandard chemicals in the fake products that are harmful to life, and the environment.

Thank you.

By: Okama Infinity Nigeria Limited in collaboration with our partners Hazard
Control Technologies Inc., USA.
Contact Number: 09016113535 and 08033463161

Access bank has assured customers of the security of their accounts stating that there is no security breach with customers banking details.

In a statement released, it said, "your safety is our priority and we will never disclose any information that will result in loss of your funds."

Reacting to a viral video of one hacker Ihebuzo Chris, who allegedly claimed to be in possession of the bank's customers banking details such as BVNs account number, it stated that the bank is working with appropriate authorities to bring the perpetrator to book.

"Please note that our customers financial security is a top priority, we will never disclose any information that will jeopardise the safety of your account", the bank further affirmed.

*…pays courtesy visit to Gajam in Abuja*



A new and inspired generation of leaders have emerged in Nigeria, a kind of leadership that will manifest within a short time and will transform Nigeria into a nation of great possibilities and in which the full potentials of the nation’s economy will be unleashed and poverty greatly reduced, says Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum, NYPF, Moses Siloko Siasia. He said this today when he paid a courtesy visit to Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, the Lamido Sabon Gari, President of the Youths Liaison Motivity (YLM) and Chairman/Managing Director of Habigamo Solutions International Limited in Abuja.

According to Siasia, his visit to Gajam is in line with the vision of NYPF to mobilize critical mass of young professionals across Nigeria to pursue the goal of ensuring purposeful national growth, development and rebirth.

Speaking to journalists during the visit, Siasia described Gajam as a young emerging leader in Nigeria, someone who has shown exemplary leadership in absolute service to his community and for having so committed himself to impacting humanity with humanitarian projects that directly lift people out of poverty in Zamfara State and in northern Nigeria. He said Gajam is a young leader to watch out for.

In his remarks Siasia said “it is a feeling of joy for me as one who has always looked out for young people who are eager to improve the well-being of their communities, their local governments and their states. This visit has done a lot for me as I can see the giant strides of amazing developmental projects being executed by our brother Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam.

“This remains for me a mark of new leadership emerging from within Nigeria, a kind of leadership that is driven by the feeling of the need to serve and to improve the lives of ordinary people. This is what we need in Nigeria at this time and this gives me hope that it is not over yet with the possibility of a renewed leadership in Nigeria. If Gajam can do these things he has done for his people, in his private capacity, one is left without any doubt that he will do more if and when he decides to consider providing his knowledge, skills and complete sense of leadership to the nation.

“Gajam has the requisite leadership competence that is needed at the national level, and for these things he has done we at NYPF are poised to keep encouraging and supporting him, until such a time that our nation will feel the impact of his demonstrable leadership abilities”

On the issues of security, development and education in Northern Nigeria, Siasia said that there is an urgent need to pay serious attention to the welfare and security of the people noting that only by doing so that development can be restored. He charged leaders to look into the educational system currently implemented in the region and ensure to revamp, modify and correct whatever needs to be, especially with regards to the Almajiri Schooling system.

He said “you will agree with me, using the events of the most recent past as reference that we need to rethink our security structure so as to ensure that we have the resources to protect our citizens in Northern Nigeria. We cannot afford to turn a blind eye to this matter that has cost us so many lives and has negatively affected the livelihood of many

“In the same vein, we must think about how to bring about meaningful development to this region. The extent of alarming poverty compared to the vast amount of our national wealth is a contraction of all forms. Our nation must, as matter of collective interest and aspiration, pursue the development of North East region and other parts of the North that have been badly destroyed by activities of terrorists and other criminal elements”

On his part, Gajam thanked Siasia for finding time out of his busy schedule to visit him and for the many encouraging words especially for his ability to identify quality young leaders with integrity and sincerity of purpose, Siasia’s interest in mobilising young professionals as shown in various efforts and programmes for young people in Northern Nigeria. He assured that he will not relent in his commitment to improve the lives of people within the state and across the country as he sees the need and opportunities to do so.

The Chairman Edirin Adahor Oghenejode (Jnr)and trustees of the Patrick Ayiwe Adahor Oghenejode foundation has congratulated The Catholic Arch Bishop of Abuja, His Grace, Most Rev. Dr Ignatius Ayau Kaigam, on the historic groundbreaking ceremony of St.Agnes Catholic Church in Wuye, Abuja during the pastoral visit.

He Prayed Almighty God to strengthen, and grant him grace to keep engendering Spiritual growth amongst his flock of the metropolitan-see, which God has entrusted in his care.

https://leaders.ng/oghenejode-foundation-congratulates-arch-bishop-of-abuja-on-the-groundbreaking-foundation-of-wuye-diocese/

The former Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, on Thursday condoled with family òf the Director General òf the Department òf State Services, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi, over the death of his mother, Hajia Karimatu Abubakar.

The former Governor said that Hajia Karimatu lived a life worthy of celebration

He noted that very few mothers and indeed communities would be privileged to produce a high valued personality of immense importance to national development of the status of the Director General òf the DSS.

He said that while it is a fact that no
Mother is always old enough to die, the DG and the family should take solace in the fact that his mother’s death is a transition to eternal glory in accordance with the will of Allah.

“My family and I commiserate with the Kano State Government and the Bichi family on the death of Hajia Karimatu Abubakar, mother of the DG SSS, Alhaji Yusuf Bichi .

“While one would wish a mother to live for ever, Zif possible, we cannot ignore the wish of Allah at this particular time.

“The Government and people of Kano and the Bichi family should be condoled by the fact that our late mother lived a productive and exemplary life.

“We can only pray for the repose òf the soul of the deceased and pray God to give the family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

The immediate past Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has condoled with the former Governor òf Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff over the death of his father, Modu Sherif.

The former Governor also condoled with the State Governor, Government the Shehu and people of Borno on the unfortunate death of the Galadima of the Borno emirate.

He also commiserated with Sheriff on the death of some of his security aides while making preparations for the burial of his father.

The former Governor said that the Senior Modu Sheriff lived a full, rewarding and exemplary life which was indeed a blessing to many.

He urged the former Governor to take solace in the fact that his father has gone to be with Allah and prayed to God to give the family and the other families the fortitude to bear the painful, unexpected loss.

“My family and I commiserate with the Government of Borno State, the family
of Modu Sherif, my father, His Highness, the Shehu and people of Borno over these painful tragic deaths.

We pray to God for the repose òf the souls of the Galadima and the others and equally prayed that God gives the grieving families the fortitude to bear these loss.