₦airaland Forum

Alleged N87bn fraud in Bashir Jamoh led Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA,  through  unexecuted contracts  by Nigeria’s auditor general as earlier reported.

The Senate Committee on Public Accounts has sustained a query by the Auditor General of the Federation against the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) over payment of N87billion for unexecuted contracts.

The money was said to have been paid for unexecuted construction works at the Maritime University, Okerenkoko, in Delta State by NIMASA.

Following the development, the Auditor General of the Federation in his 2015 audit report now being considered by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, recommended some of officials of NIMASA for investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

It was learnt that series of invitations extended to the management of NIMASA by the Senate Committee on Public Accounts chaired by Senator Matthew Uhroghide (Edo South) to defend their indictment in the 2015 audit report of the Auditor General of the Federation were not honored by the agency.

Following the refusal of officials of the agency to appear before the Committee the Senator Uhroghide-led panel resolved to sustain the query which is due for presentation to the Senate at plenary.

Among the contracts not executed which the agency allegedly paid for are the construction of ship building facility and dockyard, maritime equipment and structure, ancillary buildings at Okerenkoko, Delta State was awarded to a company at a contract sum of N40.2 billion, construction of access roads, internal road network and drainages (work package B) at Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko was awarded on 7th January, 2014 to a company at the sum of N11.1 billion with a completion period of 18 months and another N36 billion contracts.

Others are, Construction of Administrative Blocks A1, N836,026,170.00, Lecture Rooms, A2, N1,729,854,640.00, Vice Chancellors Lodge & Staff Quarters A3 N11,711,090,610.00, Student Hostels, A4, (0% yet to commence), Power House – Power Sub Station A12, N151,445,250.00 (15% at Foundation Level), Perimeter Fence A13, N446,066,550.00 (0% yet to commence), Jetty & Ramp A18

N808,091,100.00 (5% bush cleared), Provision of Electricity Services and Connection of the University to the National Grid A19, among others.

The total amount for the contracts stood at N36 billion, according to the audit report.

The query reads in part: “The package was awarded at a total contract price of N36,839,747,931.00. The tendering process was found to be selective, in that the award of contract was based on a recommendation letter jointly signed by leaders of Okerenkoko Federated Community, Gbaramatu Kingdom and Warri South West Local Government Area in favour of the two preferred companies.

“It was observed that the sum of N5.5 billion had been paid vide PV. No. ZIB/EP/0358/14 of 16/04/14.

“During site inspection carried out on 30/7/15, it was observed among others; that apart from the gate house, which had attained 70% completion, (as shown in the table above), most of the jobs were still at foundation level.

“Project inspection visits undertaken by staff were generally misleading, as the reports submitted were not true reflection of the activities on ground.

“It was gathered that some of the staff collude with the contractors to submit false progress reports on the project.

“The Director General has been requested to justify the selective tendering process adopted in the award of this contract.
“Show evidence and justify in concrete terms, the commitment of the mobilization fee to project execution, contrary to what was met on ground during physical verification.

“In line with Financial Regulation 3104 (i) to recover and refund to treasury, the sum of N5,525,962,189.65 (Five billion, five hundred and twenty-five million, nine hundred and sixty-two thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine naira, sixty-five kobo) being irregular payment, furnishing recovery particulars for verification.

“The contract for the construction of ship building facility and dockyard, maritime equipment and structure, ancillary buildings at Okerenkoko, Delta State was awarded to a company at a contract price of N40,243,702,763.38 on 12th November, 2013 with a completion period of 36 months.

“Relevant documents such as letter of award and contract file were not made available during the audit despite repeated demands.

“As a result, I cannot confirm that due process was followed in the award of this contract. It was claimed that ‘there was a presidential approval’ for the project.

“However, presidential approval does not suffice for a Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval or Bureau for Public Procurement (BPP) certification.
“The payment profile indicated that on 05/12/13, through PV. No. GTB/EP/13/0905, the sum of N6 billion was paid as mobilization fees.

“Meanwhile, as at the time of audit visit in July, 2015, though the contractor was on site, there were no structural, mechanical, electrical or ancillary buildings on site.

“The contractor explained that their fabrications are being done outside Nigeria and letters of credit have also been opened for the fabrication of the equipment for the dockyard abroad, this claim could not be authenticated at NIMASA.

“The inability to sight the BOQ and contract file made it impossible to ascertain the project content and confirm adherence to execution of this project.

The Director General has been requested to: Give reasons for not presenting the relevant documents relating to this project namely, letter of award, contract file and BOQ, for audit examination.

“Show evidence of compliance with due process in the award of contract by producing the FEC approval and BPP certification, for audit scrutiny.

“Show evidence and justify in concrete terms, the commitment of the mobilization fee to project execution, contrary to what was met on ground during physical verification.

“In line with Financial Regulation 3104 (i), recover and refund to treasury, the sum of N6 billion being irregular payment, furnishing recovery particulars for verification.

“The contracts for the clearing of bush of 20 & 30 hectares of land at the ship building and dockyard, Okerenkoko Warri, were awarded to 2 different companies at contract sums of N160,523,900.00 and N221,542,418.00 in utter disregard to extant regulations which prescribe graduated payments beginning with mobilization.

“The agency paid the contractors at once through P.V. No. UBA/EP/13/0552 of 13/6/13 and GTB/NIMASA/ EP/13/0704 respectively.

“The payment vouchers which did not pass through normal checking processes were devoid of job completion certificates and other relevant attachments required for a valid payment voucher.

“During an audit inspection visit to Okerenkoko, Warri, on 30th July 2015, contractors on site confirmed that there was no bush clearing at all and that each contractor cleared the bushes on their own project sites.

The Board of Directors of the First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has said it is currently investigating allegations of unethical conduct against its Managing Director, Adam Nuru.

The bank chief has been at the centre of a marriage scandal involving Moyo Thomas, a former employee of the bank, and his late husband, Tunde Thomas.

A petition initiated by friends of the deceased had alleged that Tunde died of depression after discovering that his supposed two children with Moyo are not his.

Over 1200 people have already signed the petition to get the bank chief sanctioned.

Thomas was said to have died of depression on December 16, 2020.

The unidentified petitioners, also called on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to sack Nuru, while demanding a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“This is a case of gross misconduct based on ethical grounds and an unjustifiable economic oppression by the elite (Adam Nuru) against the underprivileged in the society,” the petition, which has already garnered over 1200 signatures, reads.

“The MD has been doing everything possible to sweep this case under the carpet. We implore the Central Bank of Nigeria, as the apex regulator, and the board of FCMB to investigate this for the integrity of the bank and Nigerian banking industry.”

But in a statement, FCMB Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Diran Olojo, said the bank was aware of the allegations making the rounds against its MD.

The statement reads: “We are aware of several stories circulating across several media platforms about our bank’s Managing Director Adam Nuru, a former employee Ms Moyo Thomas and her deceased husband, Mr Tunde Thomas”.

“While this is a personal matter the tragedy of the death of Mr Tunde Thomas and the allegations of unethical conduct, require the banks board to conduct a review of what transpired, any violations of our code of ethics and the adequacy of these code of conduct ethics. This will be done immediately.”

“We enjoin all our stakeholders to bear with us as we conduct this review and to please respect the various families involved”.

Recall, this is not the first time a Managing Director of the bank will be involved in sex scandal.

Former Managing Director and son of Subomi Balogun, founder of FCMB, Ladi Balogun was fingered in multiple sex scandals that shook the bank to its very foundation. Ladi who was the bank’s MD at the time was allegedly behind the marital crash of socialite, Uju Murphy and actress, Uche Iwuji.

As humanity steps into the New Year Friday, president of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Hon. Iju Tony Nwabunike has called on all aggrived members of the association to return into the warm embrace of the body, saying the leadership of the association has forgiven the misdeeds of anyone that tried to truncate the development agenda of ANLCA and the profession.

This was the highlight of a New Year message by Hon. Nwabunike to his members and the freight forwarding community on Friday morning.

He hinted on the moves by the leadership of the association to get the Federal Government to put in place a special loan package to help logistics firms expand and maintain fleet of heavy duty and lighter vehicles required beyond the coverage of train.

He further charged members and all freight forwarding professionals to embrace the new digital world for their professional advantage, saying the need has become more compelling with the second wave of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic which restricts human contact.

The New Year message reads in part: “I want to specially greet you for being part of our country’s social and economic success in 2020 as we all step into the new year 2021.

“Our individual and collective resilience in keeping our ports working and making the total logistics chain functional during the periods of lockdown and movement restrictions, underscores the importance of our relevance as essential service providers.

“Being at work and staying compliant with the Covid-19 protocols throughout the periods when many others stayed at home are functions of individual self discipline, corporate coordination and selflessness.

“This selfless attributes was a factor driven and held beyond personal gain by you but aimed at ensuring needed cargoes, including medical supplies exited our ports to their destined locations across the country.

“Even when the Federal Government provided free buses  for us to access and exit ports, which in most cases weren’t enough, many of you were at work on your own at extra costs to you. You are appreciated.

“As we enter the new year, 2021 we must not lose our guards – a second wave of #Covid-19 is here. It has become imperative that we continue to take responsibility and act in line with clearly spelt out guidelines.

“As you are aware, President Muhammadu Buhari signed the 2021 Appropriation Law of over N13.5 trillion with a charge to revenue generating agencies to scale up their efforts for collection into government coffers.

“We, as professionals,  interface with no fewer than nine revenue collecting and regulatory agencies of government in the course of our professional services and will therefore be part of Nigeria’s success stories economically, as we have always been, albeit unsung.”

Hon. Nwabunike noted that the impact of the activities of Customs Brokers on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and many others reinforce their strategic role in the Federal Government’s economic diversification agenda and increasing it’s non oil revenue base.

To this end, he assured that the ANLCA under his watch “and by your  popular mandate, will continue to engage government strategically at various levels to achieve better deals for all our colleagues.”

He said: “We look forward to having stronger interface with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Bank of Industry (BoI) on the need for a special loan scheme to help logistics firms in expanding and maintaining fleet of heavy duty and lighter vehicles required beyond coverage of train services.”

The ANLCA boss recalled the murderous attempts by criminal elements  at human lives who dedtroyed part of valuable property at the National Secretariat of ANLCA last year, saying “For this, we are moving forward without grudge and on behalf of all members of the National Executive Committee (NECOM), we have forgiven the misdeeds of anyone attempting to disrupt our development agenda for ANLCA and our profession.

“ANLCA is strong and indivisible. It is in reality, the mother of every group that identifies itself as a customs licence or freight forwarding body in Nigeria.

“As mother hen of the sector, our wings are wide enough to cover and cater for all. I hereby call on all aggrieved persons in our organisation to come into our warm embrace as we enter a new year. Let’s work together as one.

“No person or group is perfect. Whoever feels offended or aggrieved by our style of administration should also forgive us any perceived shortcoming on our part. We can explore continually, the channels of dialogue and tolerance as we grow older and stronger,” Nwabunike said.

Group petition CBN for sanction

There are strong indications that the erudite banker and managing Director of First City Monument Bank FCMB Adam Nuru will soon be swimming in the pool of sex scandal rocking the internet.

This is because a group identified as JUSTICE FOR TUNDE THOMAS has launched a petition on change.org calling on the Centra Bank of Nigeria CBN to sanction the banker over what they described as indecent behaviour.

As the story was narrated, it was alleged that the banker was responsible for Tunde Thomas’ marriage breakdown that eventually led to Tunde’s death few days back.

The story as posted on the website read:
“Tunde Thomas died recently like about a week or two from depression. Apparently, kids from his marriage to Moyo Thomas belongs to wife’s boss (Adam Nuru, the current MD of FCMB). Moyo Thomas left Tunde to go to America with the kids, she told him kids were not his when she got to America. He (Tunde) was later down with stroke but recovered.

Apparently, Tunde met someone else he was going to remarry but apparently didn’t recover from the first Marriage issues. Tunde was just made director for the MFB he works for. Got back from work last week and had a cardiac arrest 2 days before introduction to pregnant new girlfriend.

This is a case of gross misconduct based on ethical grounds and an unjustifiable economic oppression by the elites (Adam Nuru) against the less privileged in the society.

The MD has been doing everything possible to sweep this case under the carpet. We implore the Central Bank of Nigeria as the apex regulator and the board of FCMB to investigate this for the integrity of the bank and Nigerian banking industry. This is a case too many, while I agree that this is not the full story, the minimum will be an investigation into this unethical conduct by the current MD of FCMB Bank Adam Nuru”

https://www.change.org/p/godwin-emefiele-compel-the-cbn-board-of-fcmb-to-dismiss-adam-nuru-on-ethical-grounds-marriage-scandal

After many harrowing months of biased trials by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , Chief Olisa Metuh the former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party regained his freedom from the Kuje Correctional Facility in Abuja on botched charges through the Court of Appeal which dismissed the conviction delivered against him by the Justice Okon Abang led Federal High Court.

Chief Olisa metuh who was released hours after the judgement, faced difficulties to secure the recovery of his international passport to travel abroad for his medical treatment for a severe spine issue which he has suffered for years.

The Nigerian government in its commitment to adhering to court judgements recovered his passport and traveled to the United Kingdom via Dubai and arrived this morning.

Our attention has been drawn to the subtle attempt to deliberately create division amongst the Arewa Community in Lagos, through the backdoor, using the office of the controversial Kabiru Ahmed, the half-forgotten Waterfront Commissioner for Lagos State.

This avoidable friction amongst the Arewa Community is obviously engineered by anti-peace and unity elements under the supervision of the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Kabiru Ahmed, while the State Government pretends all is well. Indeed, the silence of the Lagos State Government over this brewing crisis has created widespread suspicion that Kabir Ahmed, the Waterfront Commissioner was acting out the script of the Lagos State Government in disguise.

Pursuant to this dangerous move against the unity and brotherhood that has held the Arewa Community together for decades, we would like to state as follows:

1. The AYCF condemns in the strongest terms this conspiracy to create bad blood and destabilize the Arewa Community by creating wrong impression about Arewa Council of Chiefs’ established succession process.

2. We cannot fathom what is the business of a Waterfront Commissioner with the unity, recognition and respect of the monarchs in the Arewa Community in Lagos. It is evident that the Arewa Community has no business with a Waterfront Commissioner who means nothing to our people and even less relevant to Lagos itself. We take exception to this senseless meddlesomeness of a Commissioner who is always anxious in crossing the lines, on matters affecting the Arewa Community. However, he is free to seek relevance elsewhere, since it I’d obvious his office has no project ideas and he is desperate for relevance.

3. We are worried that the Arewa Community has been asking questions about why the Lagos State Government has allowed a Waterfront Commissioner to dominate or hijack what should ordinarily be the role of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. It begs the question whether the Lagos State Government has an organized administrative structure or not. In a modern world governed by strategic communication, it is ridiculous that a Waterfront Commissioner would have the temerity to interfere with a matter strictly concerning the monarchy.

4. We would like to categorically state that this subtle attempt to disunite and destabilize the unity of the Arewa Community in Lagos would be met with legitimate resistance from northerners of good conscience within and outside Lagos. We will no longer fold our arms and watch the desecration of our traditional heritage in Lagos by a confused and desperate Commissioner, aided and abetted by a nonchalant State Government.

5. We say no to this sinister move in its entirety and wish to stress that enough of this deliberate and senseless interference with the affairs of the Arewa Community in Lagos. We have warned, whoever has ear let him hear. Our position is unequivocal this time and we are prepared for massive legitimate resistance to this unending, undue interference.

*Signed*
Alh. Yerima Shettima
National President

Leading audit and professional services company, KPMG Nigeria, has ranked Ecobank Nigeria among the top three banks with good customer experience in the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) segment. KPMG’s Nigeria banking industry customer experience survey measures the performance of lenders in the country in terms of their relationship with their account holders and other users of financial services.

The 2020 survey covered 15,056 retail customers, 1,856 SMEs and 332 commercial/corporate organisations. Respondents were selected from customers who have interacted with their bank in the last six months.

According to the report in the SME category, Sterling Bank, Union Bank and Ecobank were top three. They were trailed by Zenith Bank and FCMB. Specifically, the report stated that respondents were impressed with the interaction between Ecobank and its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, stressing that the bank was able to provide personalized service to its respective customer segments.

“The remote working arrangements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have further constrained banks from catering to this stated need. While many banks struggled with providing dedicated relationship managers to SMEs, other banks quickly adapted by developing “how-to” guides for their relationship managers to navigate client relations during the pandemic. Ecobank, FCMB and Union Bank are rated as the top banks in the delivery of personalised experiences,” the report stated.

Commenting, Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Patrick Akinwuntan stated the bank’s unwavering commitment to support and sustain the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in all sectors of the economy.

He reiterated that Ecobank had invested in a robust technology-based model which positioned it to cope with current and future challenges including provision of convenient digital banking services to customers in a seamless manner, adding that the bank will continue to harness and explore the various intervention schemes, funding and trade opportunities for small businesses.

“We are delighted with this recognition from KPMG. It underscores our commitment to customer-centricity and putting the customer first in all that we do. We provide access to finance and markets to our customers and are the natural choice for ease of payments, trade and distribution within Africa on a real time, 24/7 basis.

“Our well trained personnel leverage the financial products and services we offer to support SMEs at all times through about 20,000 agency banking locations across the country and our digital platforms namely Ecobank Omnilite, Ecobankmobile, Ecobankpay, EcobankOmniplus, Rapid Transfer amongst others. By utilising these digital offerings, our customers can easily access their bank accounts, make payments, transfer funds, process salaries, have access to credit and carry out other ancillary banking transactions from the comfort of their homes and offices,” Mr Akinwuntan stated.

The KPMG 2020 Nigeria Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey tagged: The customer in a new reality is the 14th edition. Banks are usually rated in three categories – Retail, SME and Wholesale. The researchers asked customers across financial market segments about their experience with their banks based on six pillars of personification, integrity, expectations, time and effort, resolution and empathy.

StarTimes, the home of telenovelas will begin airing a new Argentine telenovela named Argentina, Land of Passion and Revenge, from January 4th at 8:30 pm daily.

The main story is more based on the local livelihood in Argentina, thus the audience can access the exotic culture to some extent aside from the complicated relationships and communications among the main characters.

Torcuato Ferreyra is a veteran of the Spanish Civil War who managed to amass a great fortune in Argentina after betraying his best friend, Bruno Salvat.

At the end of the 30s, Bruno arrives in Argentina, in order to avenge Torcuato’s treachery and rescue his sister Julia, who fell into the clutches of a love-vendor. Bruno gets asylum in a typical conventillo in Buenos Aires and from there he begins to plot his revenge plan.

“The channel ST Novela E plus is fully-dedicated to broadcasting the best dramas around the world. We understand that although the cultural background varies, still human-beings share something emotional in common, and through the touching telenovelas, the audience could experience the things and stories that have never happened in their surroundings before.

“Argentina, Land of Passion and Revenge in this regard, certainly is a recommendation for the new year. Be prepared to welcome something new.” said Ali Auta, Content Marketing Manager of StarTimes.

Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that the 59th edition of its annually sponsored Lagos Amateur Golf Championship Teed-Off at the golf section of Ikoyi Club 1938 on Monday, 28 December 2020.

The competition, which is one of the longest running international amateur events in the country is endorsed by the United State Golf Association (USGA) and the Royal and Ancient (R&A) of Scotland. Preceding the 2019 event, the golf tourney reached the notable milestone of being listed amongst the golf tournaments in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR).

FirstBank’s sponsorship of the event is in recognition of its health benefit to players whilst providing a platform to enable golfers achieve their dream of global recognition and participation. According to Harvard Health Publishing (Harvard Medical School), the health benefit of golf includes the burning of calories and participants generate an optimal amount of endurance exercise for their heart whilst walking across the holes in the course of playing the game.

Last year, Peter Eben-Spiff made history becoming the first Nigerian ever to get listed in the World Amateur Golf Ranking courtesy of his victory in the competition and he is expected to lead a field of low handicap players in this year’s edition.

Eben-Spiff, who had maintained a top 5-finish in the last two editions before his victory last year, closed with a 76, for 16-over par, over 56-holes to win the R&A and USGA sanctioned Championship.

Apart from Eben-Spiff, players like Muyideen Olaitan, three times winner; Port Harcourt based S U Amadi, Uche Eze; two-time winner, Biodun Oyewoga and Policemen, Milo Ajah are some of the players to watch out for in this year’s edition.  The 2018 edition was won by Sam Njoroge from Kenyan.

In what has become a tradition, the Chief Executive Officer of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, reiterated the Bank’s commitment to the development of the competition.

“This tournament started 59 years ago, is now one of the international golf events which bring together the best amateur golfers in Nigeria. We are happy and appreciate the fact that this is a very important yearly activity in the golfing calendar in Nigeria, and that explains the passion, commitment and importance which First Bank of Nigeria Limited attach to it”, he concluded.

The three-day competition is a closed Championship that is open to Ikoyi Club members alone. This is organized in observance of the full Covid-19 protocols, the sponsoring outfit, organizers of the event, Concierge Sports explained.

The 56-hole golf tournament, to be played over three days would be rounded off with a grand finale and awards ceremony on Wednesday, 30 December 2020.

Governor Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, December 26, has been accused of sharing COVID-19 palliatives as Christmas gifts to members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.

The accusation was leveled against Governor Udom by the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the APC, the items being shared are the COVID-19 food items donated in July by a coalition of private-sector players led by Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

The APC in a statement by the state Publicity Secretary, Nkereuwem Enyongekere described Governor Udom as selfish, mean, and wicked; to have hoarded the items since July, thereby denying Akwa Ibom people of its use during the lockdown; and now turn around to share it to their party members only.

I’m a Blogger and Google Publisher. I’m here to report my issue with FCMB Bank.

On the 21st of this month (December 2020), a payment was sent to me by Google Ireland Limited just as they do every month since this year started. The payment was sent into my FCMB Bank- same Bank I’ve been using to receive all my advert payment from Google and other companies, but this time around FCMB is refusing to credit my funds which was sent in by Google and I want to use this medium to warn people about transacting with FCMB Bank (mostly international money transactions).

My Story goes as thus:

On The 21st of This Month Google Sent $2,685.38 USD to my FCMB Bank Account (The Same which they have been sending to every month and I’ve been getting credit – without issues).

22nd of December: I called FCMB Headquarters via this Phone Number: 012798800 and informed them about the incoming WIRE Transfer from Google Ireland; I mailed the Payment Receipt send to me by Google to them (via: customerservice@fcmb.com) and FCMB Bank’s Customer Service Rep who Picked up my Call and Logged my Transaction responded to me as thus: “I have Logged your Incoming Transaction, Be rest assured that FCMB will credit you once we confirm we have the corresponding Inflow…. Please, expect an update within the Next 24 Hours – You should receive it immediately we confirm we have the Funds in question”.

That has been the response they always give me whenever I call in to inform them about an incoming USD Inflow every month and I get my credit before the end of Working day on that day or early 23rd which is the next Day….. This time Around I didn’t get it even on 23rd December.

23rd December: On This day, I called back FCMB Headquarters and the Customer Care Representative that spoke with me confirmed the Inflow and made me understand that he can see the Inflow pending and FCMB Bank is in receipt of the Funds and the only thing remaining is to credit my account, I asked him “Why is this taking Long? Since FCMB is in receipt of my Fund, Credit my account because I need my Money!”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to let me know that “From what I can see here, This Current Inflow is bigger than what you usually get from Google in the Past Months, we are looking into it – why is it so?” I replied as thus: “It’s not a Fixed Payment, it might go up or even be lesser depending on so many factors, but the Payment for this Month is bigger”, The Customer Service Rep went ahead to end the conversation by telling me this “Please, I have done a follow up on this issue to confirm why You’ve not been credited this amount which I can see from my end. Please, give us 24 Hours; you should be credited on or even before the 24 hours elapses”. After everything, I was expecting my credit as he promised But I saw nothing and I didn’t get any Credit after 24 Hours.

24th December: On This Day I called FCMB Headquarters again to complain on why they have not credited me my Inflow despite conforming they are in receipt of my Inflow, the Customer service Rep that Picked up my call told me this “We are in receipt of the Fund but the appropriate team noted that Your Name was not written in Full by the sender, Please inform REMITA to write your name in Full” I was dumbfounded because that was not my first time of receiving payment from the same Company Google Ireland Limited, and IF it was a Wrong Account or mistaken transaction, They wouldn’t see the inflow, neither will the transaction bear my account number and I explained it to the rep to check my previous inflows from the same company and see that’s how all the inflows has been and I have always been credited without such issues, I made her to understand that I need my money credited fast because I need to use it for my Christmas Celebration. I also made her know that it’s a Wire Transfer which has been coming in monthly like that and I’ve been getting my credit and I don’t have any transaction or history with Remita to start up a conversation with them… The Customer Rep informed me that I would be credited before the day runs out as she has done a Follow up on my Issue…. Uptill Today I have not received my Payment… I Was Home all day Yesterday being Christmas and uptill Now I’ve been and I’m Still feeling Bad because I have #0 With me and FCMB is holding my funds with Flimsy excuses. That Made me Not To Celebrate my Christmas- FCMB BANK is WITHOLDING MY HARD EARNED MONEY.

I decided to send a tweet to their Twitter Handle so as to make a further report in regards to the issue, and on getting to their Most Recent Post (as at 24th December 2020) I noticed a tweet by another Blogger who complained about FCMB Holding his Payment which was sent to him by Google Too (Screenshot Attached to this Post)… There and then I noticed I was not alone on this and it looks like FCMB is trying to play a Fast one on Bloggers. I sent out a tweet to their Official handle but got no reply even till this moment.

I have been getting my credit into my FCMB Bank account every month until this December and some FCMB customer reps have handled my Google transactions in the past and here are their details for further confirmation:

Rep 1: Ayomide Omole

E-mail: ayomide.omole@fcmb.com

Rep 2: Mariam Okubena

E-mail: mariam.okubena@fcmb.com

Current Inflow Transaction Request ID (Assigned to me for this transaction by FCMB Via Mail): RE-1962584

Transaction Amount: $2,685.38

Date Sent: 21st December 2020

Lagos State Waste Management Agency – LAWMA has circular indicating increase in the cost of waste disposal across Lagos State.

In a notice shared across to Lagosians who use its service, LAWMA through its PSP operators Service cited the current economic situation which has resulted into a high overhead cost, high cost of truck maintenance, etc as the reason for the increment which is expected to take effect from January 2021.

“We wish to appreciate our numerous customers for their patronage over the years, without you the business will not exist.

However due to the economic situation, we have been running at a loss; as a result of high overhead cost of diesel, truck maintenance etc, to mention but a few. This has necessitated the increment in tariff which is ongoing throughout Lagos State.
The tariff increment will take effect as from January 2021. Please bear with us” the statement read.

Although the statement did not state the new rate, but most users of LAWMA services across the state are already panicking.

The Lagos State Waste Management Agency is a government of Lagos State body responsible for managing waste generated in Lagos state through a waste collection, transportation and disposal structure with a staff strength numbering about 1157. It was founded in 1977.

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider has announced its ongoing digital campaign “Mask Up, Stay Safe” as part of its advocacy to encourage everyone to consciously protect one another against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The digital campaign which is designed to employ a fun approach to urge and engage its stakeholders on the need to observe the safety and precautionary guidelines during the festive season is implemented using the Bank’s customised face mask filter on instagram, that is made of the bespoke FirstBank 125th Anniversary pattern in Ankara fabric giving a distinct African contemporary an consistent look.

The “Mask Up, Stay Safe” digital campaign is part of the FirstBank’s December activities which kicked off on the 7th December 2020 themed: “12 Days of Christmas and 12 Days of Kindness”. The activities are structured in part to increase public awareness and participation in the Bank’s SPARK (Start Performing Act of Random Kindness) initiative with the central goal of reigniting the societal moral values by encouraging people to choose to do the right thing and reinforcing a consciousness/mindset of showing compassion, empathy; as well as giving to others aimed at inspiring people to make a difference.

Speaking on the campaign, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, the CEO of FirstBank said “In the spirit of walking the talk, I have uploaded my Instagram story with the virtual face mask and I crave your indulgence to join me in doing the same.”

“This campaign is targeted at informing our customers and the general public that staying safe and protected through face mask wearing is paramount now, more than ever, as it is a way of mitigating the unforeseen tragedy of the second wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Stay Safe First!” he concluded.

In its bid to continue driving and leading in Innovation by leveraging technology to deliver affordable and convenient banking services to the unbanked and underbanked segment of the society, Nigeria’s leading retail financial institution, Access bank Plc, has successfully commissioned and empowered over 50,000 Closa agents to provide financial services to customers across Nigeria.

Customers and non-customers of the Bank who are travelling for events or to visit loved ones during this festive season will continue to enjoy uninterrupted banking services as Access Closa agents are available in several rural and semi-urban locations across the country.

According to Robert Giles, Senior Banking Advisor, Retail, Access Bank plc, the exponential growth of Access Bank’s agent network was part of the Bank’s promise to ensure easier and safer access to financial services for every Nigerian.

“As a bank driven by innovation, we must deliver better outcomes for customers in terms of speed, security and service in order to enhance customer experience in all the locations that we operate. With the recent mapping of our Closa Agents, customers and non-customers of the Bank who intend to travel to different parts of the country can now access financial services from a Closa agent near them, by simply searching for “Access Closa Agent” on Google Map instead of walking long distances in search of a branch.”

Reiterating Rob’s statement, Tolulope Oyeyipo, Head, Agency Banking, Access Bank Plc said: “The Access Closa agent network is providing ease of access to financial services for millions of people in Nigeria. With over 50,000 agent locations spread across every neighborhood in the country, we are making sure our customers and indeed customers of other banks can enjoy seamless banking services close to where they live and work, in a safe and convenient manner. By offering basic financial services such as cash withdrawal, cash deposit, bill payments and account opening, our continuously growing agent network is increasingly making the need to visit a bank branch unnecessary for everyone. We are committed to being at the forefront of providing digital financial services in Nigeria,” Tolulope concluded.

Access Bank remains committed to delivering More than banking solutions to its customers leveraging the power of technology. The geographical location tagging of Access Closa agents on Google Maps through internet-connected devices is one more way the Bank is living up to its brand promise as it will assist customers and non-customers of the Bank locate and access Closa agents within their communities, truly bringing financial services closer to the people.

Access Bank, over the years, has leveraged technology including advanced analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics process automation to reform business operations and drive performance to improve customer experience. Click HERE to view the list of Access Bank Closa Agent locations and how to become an agent.

Beginning from Christmas to New Year Day, movie fans will be treated to the best of Nollywood movies on PBO TV.

The exciting line-up includes movies that recorded box-office performance in cinemas.

On Christmas Day, Memoirs of 4 featuring Adesua Etomi, Linda Ejiofor and Tina Mba will air at 12:15 pm and Isoken at 8:15 pm. On boxing day, Hire a Woman will air at 8 pm; Desecration at 8 pm on 27th; The Waitress on 28th at 8:10 pm; Moms at War on 29th and New Money featuring Jemima Osunde, Falz, Blossom Chukwujekwu and Dakore Akande will be aired on Jan 1st at 8:15 pm, among others.

PBO TV is a 24-hour entertainment channel dedicated to top-rated Nollywood content.

The channel is available on StarTimes basic bouquet at N1700 monthly on channel 017 and smart bouquet at N2200 monthly on channel 184.

Commenting on this, Gabriel Nworah, CEO of The Big Idea Mediaworks, said: “As COVID-19 restrictions limit public celebration of Christmas this year, we thoughtfully prepare quality entertainment for the family so that Christmas can be so memorable at home.

“PBO TV celebrates the richness and diversity of African culture with original and highly sought-after content. We are excited to bring PBO’s live content and catalogue of original programming to millions of StarTimes viewers across Africa. PBO TV is the dose of premium entertainment for everyone.”

...as board appoints executive director, Emeka Okonkwo, as successor


The Board of Union Bank Nigeria Plc announces today that, after eight years leading the Bank, its Chief Executive Officer, Emeka Emuwa, has communicated his decision to retire from the Bank and his role as CEO on March 31, 2021.

Emeka Emuwa joined Union Bank in November 2012, following a $500 million investment by Union Global Partners, with a mandate to transform and restore one of Nigeria’s oldest institutions back to its rightful position as a respected provider of financial services.

With his imminent departure, the Board has appointed Emeka Okonkwo, an Executive Director currently leading the Bank‘s Corporate Banking business, to succeed him. The appointment is subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Commenting on his retirement, Emeka Emuwa said: “I have enjoyed the significant challenge of leading Union Bank over the last eight years. I am extremely proud of the management team and what we have been able to accomplish during my time as CEO. Today, we have a strong bank that is well positioned to compete and deliver on its vision to be ‘Nigeria’s most trusted and reliable partner.’ With a clear strategic direction, a growing and loyal customer base and a strong brand, this is now the natural time for the next generation of leadership to take Union Bank forward and deliver further value.

In over three decades of banking, my time at Union Bank has been one of the richest experiences in a long and fulfilling career with a treasure of work and life lessons to carry into the future. Together as a team, we scaled many hurdles and accomplished significant feats and I would like to thank my Executive team, senior management and every one of our employees for their integrity, support and hard work that have brought Union Bank to where it is today.

I would also like to thank the Board for the opportunity to lead this storied institution that has impacted generations of Nigerians for over a century and for supporting our efforts and vision during my tenure.

As we begin the transition into a new era of leadership under Emeka Okonkwo, a consummate professional with the right experience and values, I know that Union Bank will continue on its path as a values driven organisation that is deeply committed to our customers and the communities we serve.

Prior to joining Union Bank, Emeka Emuwa led a distinguished 25-year career at Citibank. Following several senior roles in Nigeria and across Africa, he became the first Nigerian to be named Country Officer and Managing Director of Citibank Nigeria.
On his retirement, Emeka Emuwa will also step down from the Board of Union Bank.

Union Bank’s Chair, Beatrice Hamza Bassey, said: “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Emeka Emuwa for leading Union Bank during the last eight years. His exceptional contribution to the transformation of the business produced excellent results and set a solid platform for growth.

The focus over the last eight years on technology transformation, digital innovation, and development of diverse markets for our world class range of products, has seen Union Bank well positioned to continue growing from its current position as a market disruptor.

Amid a tough macroeconomic environment, Union Bank maintained steady operational momentum under Emeka’s leadership which in 2020 culminated in the first dividend payment to investors and shareholders in over ten years. His many significant achievements, including providing steady stewardship during the unprecedented challenges wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, lays a solid springboard for the future. We wish him the very best and are grateful for his support and commitment to ensure a successful transition over the next few months.

The Board is pleased to have Emeka Okonkwo as incoming CEO. Having been a key contributor to the achievements of the Bank over the past seven years as an Executive Director, Emeka Okonkwo is well suited to lead Union Bank’s next phase of growth. The Board and I look forward to working with him to execute our strategy and deliver value to all stakeholders in the years ahead.

Emeka Okonkwo is a seasoned banker with 30 years of experience. He joined Union Bank in 2013 as an Executive Director to lead the Corporate Banking and Treasury business. As the Bank embarked on its transformation, he was responsible for rebuilding the business and strategically positioning Union Bank for success in the Corporate Banking space.

Mr. Okonkwo began is a seasoned banker with 30 years of experience. He joined Union Bank in 2013 as an Executive Director to lead the Corporate Banking and Treasury business. As the Bank embarked on its transformation, he was responsible for rebuilding the business and strategically positioning Union Bank for success in the Corporate Banking space.

Mr. Okonkwo began his career at Citibank Nigeria where he rose from officer level to become Executive Director in charge of Commercial Banking and Global Subsidiaries in 2009. At Citibank, he worked across various disciplines including Corporate Finance, Credit Risk Management, Marketing, Treasury and Strategic Management in Nigeria and London.

Prior to joining Union Bank, he was the Head of the Corporate and Investment Banking Division in Citibank Bangladesh. Emeka Okonkwo has a bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka; an MSc in Construction Management from the University of Lagos and an MBA from Warwick Business School, UK.

Titan Trust Bank Limited, Nigeria’s fastest growing financial service provider, is set to cheer its teeming customers with over N100, 000 each.

The campaign tagged: ‘Titan 360 Giveaway’ will run from December 20th to 24th, 2020.

A statement by the lender said that the giveaway was in celebration of its first-year anniversary and the yuletide season.

The lender further disclosed that the reward scheme is to appreciate its customers (both old and new), for believing and standing by the bank in the last one year and also to give them some joy this yuletide despite the downturn occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Titan Trust Bank is passionate about its customers and everything we do is centred around giving them more.

“This season, we have decided to launch this campaign to end the year on a high note in celebration of our customers. We appreciate them for their loyalty and support and this is our own way of saying thank you to them,”.

To participate, the bank added, “All our customers need to stand a chance to win is to join our Executive Director, Adaeze Udensi, Ph.D, on Instagram (IG) at 12noon between December 20th – 24th for a fun and exciting questions and answers session on the brand, her work-life balance and interests.

“For those who don’t have an account with the bank, all they need to join is to dial *922# or click the link in our bio to open a Titan account,”.

Titan Trust Bank was formed to take advantage of the identified gaps in the Nigerian banking sector and address the unmet needs of the retail mass market, SMEs and corporates.

The Director General of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), Farouk Salim, has said that Nigeria’s Blue Economy Project would help the country bounce back from the current economy woe and generate far larger revenues than what it is currently generating.

Adding that the blue economy had the potential to create both economic growth and development in Nigeria, noting that SON has the human, technical and procedural capacity for immediate deployment when called upon.

Salim said this on Thursday at a Training Workshop organized by Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON’s) in Lagos. The workshop has the theme: An Insight Into Nigeria’s Blue Economy Project.

Speaking further, the SON DG who was represented at the event by Benedict Preake, Chief Technical Officer, SON however stated that the African continent had a long way in properly harnessing the economic power of its marine and maritime economy.

He said that relative inefficiency in African port activities which tended to slow throughput processing times leading to long cargo turnover periods and lower potential incomes would result from faster port processing.

Analysing the causes of the problems hampering sustainable Blue Economy in the maritime sector growth, he listed six key strategic difficulties.

“Political Will: The lack of broad political consensus on the nature of Nigeria’s fiscal federalism has deep economic implications, including making the blue economy a fragile project. If we must operate optimally and make the project work, every port must be made functional (Calabar, Port Harcourt, Warri, Lagos etc)

“Economy: A blue economy would require competitive and efficient use of coastline resources. Nigerian ports and maritime facilities are currently costlier to operate and manage than ports in neighbouring countries such as Cotonu port in Benin Republic, Lome Port in Togo or Tema Port in Ghana.

“The relative high cost of Nigerian ports reduces port patronages, efficiencies, operations and related activities; this, in turn, reduces potential employment ,optimal utilization of ports, competitiveness and decreased tax revenues.

“This port inefficiencies become more imperative, especially now that Nigeria has become a signatory to “The African Continental Free trade Agreement deal’’, our operations must be carried out in a less expensive and more efficient administrative environment.

“Social – High incidence of piracy, smuggling, human trafficking and drug peddling makes Nigeria’s maritime business a precarious entrepreneurial activity. The high presence or influence of wharf gangs has created a marine ‘inverse’ ecosystem that is socially precarious.

“Technology: Technology adoption is a critical aspect of the evolving blue economy, from stevedoring to cargo handling and inspections, the use of machines has become a compelling necessity to remove the obvious delays and bottle necks that occurs with multi-point human interface in shipping operations.

“Through the digitization of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and use of electronic monitoring and inspection technology has gone a long way in improving port turnaround time and scaled down the levels of delays that result from high levels of human discretion, we can improve on the present scale.

“Environment: The port environment in Nigeria is poor and nurtures a culture of weak morals and perverse hygiene. Port infrastructures are old and badly maintained while marine shorelines are highly polluted from industrial effluence and waste products, habitually thrown into the dock waters by port users and refuse disposal vendors. The pollution of the ports marine water creates challenges for environmental sustainability.

“Legal: The laws and procedures guiding maritime services in Nigeria are comprehensive and fairly robust, the problem seems to stems from procedural enforcement than with the written regulation.

…as 10,000 applicants are abandoned



Thousands of applicants, who were shortlisted by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to fill positions for the experienced cadre, have written an open letter to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), alleging foul play.

The applicants said while those who applied as graduate trainees had already been employed, others who applied for the experienced category had not been contacted by the NNPC since June 2019 when they sat exams.

The letter read in part, “In March 2019, the then NNPC GMD, Dr Maikanti Baru (now deceased) with his management team that included the current GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari, through various national newspapers, placed advertisements welcoming applications to vacancies in different positions involving graduate trainees and experienced hires after the needs assessment of the corporation.

“By June 1, 2019, a CBT aptitude test was conducted nationwide for the over 60,000 candidates shortlisted in an open and transparent manner monitored by leading television stations. After assessment, about 10,000 candidates passed the test and were scheduled for interviews between July 1 and 10, 2019 at the NNPC Towers Abuja conducted by the different corporation’s technical panels.”

The applicants said the seamless communication and engagement from the NNPC management at the initial stages were commendable, but things began to change after Kyari took over, as no one communicated with them any longer.

They said on February 14, 2020, the NNPC management released the outcome of the interview for only the graduate trainees titled: ‘External Communication on 2019/2020 Recruitment’, where it was mentioned that the experienced component of the recruitment would be addressed in due course.

The applicants said several attempts by civil society organisations to get the NNPC to complete the exercise proved abortive, while advertorials and open letters to Kyari were ignored.

The letter further read: “The GMD, Mallam Mele Kyari, appeared on the monthly webinar programme, the June edition of the Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, and several questions about this lingering incomplete recruitment were posed.

“He responded that the ‘experienced hire candidates will be contacted as soon as possible’. Your Excellency, till date, this pledge has not been fulfilled and still (there’s) no communication or any form of contact with the affected candidates, who are very qualified Nigerian young professionals, who have been assessed and interviewed by the highest technical organ of the corporation itself.”

They said they had taken to Twitter to inform the President; Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo; Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; and the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, and the matter had generated over 10,000 tweets, but all their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

The applicants said several months after, there had been no progress and they began hearing that secret recruitment had taken place and only the relatives of Very Important Persons were hired.

In a desperate plea, they called on the President to live up to his promise to curb corruption by ensuring that the process was transparently completed.

A text message sent to the Manager, Public Affairs, NNPC, Kenny Obateru, had not yet been responded to as of the time of filing this report.

Baring any unforeseen development, the Management of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is ready to launch a fully automated customs operation, tagged e-Customs platforms which will enhance efficiency of Customs operations and raise government revenue.

According to NCS, e-Customs would enhance and improve operational methodologies in the agency in line with international best practise

The National Public Relations Officer of NCS, Deputy Comptroller Joseph Attah said this at the training workshop organised by Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) in Lagos on Thursday.

He said this while stating the roles of the Nigeria Customs Service in the blue economy.

Attah who was represented at the training by Uche Ejesieme, a

Superintendent of Customs added that the role of the Service in the blue economy would have to do with its initiative towards improving Customs processes and procedures.

He said: “Our role in the blue economy will have to do with our initiative towards improving customs processes and procedures e.g. you will recall that our automation process began with ASYCUDA, then transited to ASYCUDA++, then we had ASYCUDA 2.7 version, then NCIS 1 and now NCIS 2.

Now, the Service is working on a more active platform/system that will be launched next week that will have the capacity to promote future increase in cargo throughput using technology.”

He added that some deliberate steps created by the service in dealing with Trade Related Disputes include; creation of the dispute resolution committee at the headquarters and at area command’s, the committee’s are charged with the responsibilities of identifying trade dispute and addressing them expeditiously with minimal delays.

According to him, there is a renewed synergy and collaboration between the Nigeria Customs Service and other critical security and regulatory agencies in seaports, airports and the borders.

He maintained that the initiative has enhanced the speed with which issues are handled without the usual rancour, acrimony and which hitherto was the order of the day.

The marine unit of the Service, he said has helped to confront smugglers at the waterways, making seizures and decimating their heinous activities.

Meanwhile, DSC Attah has disclosed that training and retraining of officers and men of the Service have commenced in readiness for the official take-off of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) on January 1, 2021.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari at Nimmey, Niger Republic summit of the African Union on JULY 7, 2019 signed the AfCFTA agreement, making Nigeria the tend African nation to the envisaged largest free trade area in the world.

AfCFTA which among other things will break trade barriers amongst African countries, according to AU will lead to 65 per cent improvement in intra-African trade.

•Being investigated for another N2.8bn fraud -EFCC

 

Mr. Kelechi Mbagwu, the Managing Director of CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Limited, builder of Pearl Estate, Sangotedo-Ajah, Lagos, has been remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), by the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos.

The court presided over by Justice Sherifat Solebo, ordered the remand of Mr. Kelechi, after he was arraigned before the court on four counts charge of conspiracy, stealing, obtaining by false pretence and fraud.

The EFCC through its prosecutor, Mr. Mohammed Idris, during the arraignment of the defendant on Friday, told the court that Kelechi and his company, had between February 12 and September 14, 2018, conspired among themselves and fraudulently obtained the sum of N25 million, from one Okafor Ameachi Sixtus, under false pretence of selling to him two Residential plots of land in Pearl Garden Estate, Sangotedo.

Idris told the court that upon receiving the mentioned money, Kelechi dishonesty and fraudulently converted it to his personal use, while also failed and refused to give out the plots of land to the fraud victim.

Idris told the court that the offences committed by Kelechi and his company, CMB Building Maintenance Limited, contravened section 411 and punishable under Section 287 (5)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015. And section 1(3) and 8(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No 14 of 2006.

Upon reading of the charge to the defendant, he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the counts of the charge.

Following the not guilty plea of the defendant, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while also urged the court to remand him in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charges against him.

But the dfendant’s counsel, Mr. R. A. Aladesanmi, pleaded with the court not to remand his client in the custody of the NCoS, but to remand him in the custody of the EFCC, pending when his bail application will filed, argued and determined.
In a bench ruling, Justice Solebo, while adjourning the matter till February 2, 2021, for trial, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC.
Speaking on Kelechi’s arraignment, the prosecutor, Mr. Idris, said the charge brought against him on Friday, is just one in many petitions against him, as the commission is still investigating him in another 13 other cases, in which he is alleged to have defrauded several people of about N2.8 Billion.

Part of the charge against the defendant reads”statement of Offence on Count 1:Conspiracy to steal contrary to section 411 and punishable under Section 287 (5)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos state, 2015. Particular of offence: Kelechi Mbagwu and CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Ltd, Between 12th February and 14th September, 2018, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit felony to wit: stealing of the cumulative sum of N25, 000, 000.00 (twenty Five million Naira) property of Okafor Ameachi Sixtus.

“Statement of offence on Count 2; stealing contrary to Section 287 (5) (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.Particular of offence, “Kelechi Mbagwu and CMB Building Maintenance And Investment Ltd Between 12th February and 14th September, 20l8 in Logos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with a dishonest intent converted to your own use the cumulative sum of N25, 000, 000. 00 (Twenty Five Million Naira) property of Okafor Ameachi Sixtus.

“Statement of offence count of 4; obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006. Particular of offence; Kelechi Mbagwu and CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Limited, between 12th February and 14th September, 2018 In Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of N25,000‚000.00 (Twenty Five Million Naira) by false pretence from Okafor Ameachi Sixtus by falsely representing to him that the two Residential plots of land in Pearl Garden Estate, Sangotedo, Lagos, you gave to him as genuine which representation you knew to be false.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Wema Bank Plc, Mr Ademola Adebise, has advised accountants to store data safely and protect them against cybersecurity threats and other criminal breaches.

Adebise said this on Tuesday at the 16th Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) Western Accountants Conference themed ‘Digital Economy: Whither the Professional Accountant’ held in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

The MD/CEO who stressed the importance of data storage and security said that accountants in the digital age must be flexible and knowledgeable to save data on storage devices on-premises or in the cloud.

He also noted that in case of loss or data corruption, the 21st-century accountant needs to be conversant with the Disaster Recovery Plan (DRP) to mitigate loss.

Mr Adebise explained that “a large amount of data is sitting on storage. As accountants, we need to safeguard our storage and be versed in data recovery and business continuity planning should there be a loss or corruption of data.

“The accountant must know contemporary issues on cybersecurity – ensuring that digital information is safe and secure, at all times. Going digital exposes you to risk from hackers. So, as an accountant, you need to have an in-depth knowledge of cybersecurity and must know the various data and information security standards to audit the environment.”

Apart from being security conscious and storing data securely, the MD/CEO further noted that modern accountants should understand the changes taking place in the profession, including the evolution from traditional data collection methods.

He said, “these include using Enterprise Resource Planning systems that are interconnected to process data from production, distribution, marketing, and sales. The accountant, therefore, needs to be skilled to understand the complexities, transaction flows of the new ways of doing things and understand what data is saying.”

In Nigeria, the most popular forms of cybercrimes that accountants and other professionals in the financial services sector are susceptible to include fraudulent electronic mails, identity theft, hacking, cyber harassment, spamming and Automated Teller Machine spoofing.

The biggest, however, is still fraud emails. The Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF) revealed that bank customers lost N3.6 billion to cyber-fraud in two years (2017 and 2018).

Data released by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) also showed attempted fraud in 2018 alone was about N9 billion.

In response to the recent announcement by the Central Bank Nigeria (CBN) that recipients of international remittances can now receive their funds in Dollars or to have funds paid directly into their domiciliary accounts, Access Bank plc has announced that customers can visit any of their branches nationwide to receive funds sent from family and friends abroad in US Dollars effective immediately.

Victor Etuokwu, Executive Director, Retail Banking, Access Bank plc, in a statement to the press said: “As part of our promise to create value and meet the needs of our customers, we are happy to announce that our customers can now receive funds sent from the diaspora in Dollars at any of our branches nationwide. The funds will be available as cash pick-up or direct transfer into customers’ domiciliary accounts.

“The bank’s promise to deliver “More than Banking” services is even more critical at this time as customers are looking for convenient products and services that facilitate their lifestyle and our remittance services are available to both customers and non-customers of Access bank.

“We encourage Nigerians in the diaspora to take advantage of this season of giving, to send funds home for their loved ones, who in turn can receive either by opening an Access bank domiciliary account or reactivate their inactive domiciliary account and the funds will be paid directly to their accounts or visit any of our 500 branches nationwide to receive their funds in USD cash. We maintain a strong relationship with our remittance partners: Western Union, MoneyGram, Ria, WorldRemit, Transfast, Paysend, Shift, Sendwave and other international money transfer services and we are committed to delivering excellent service to all our customers,” Victor concluded.

Access Bank, over the years, has leveraged technology including advanced analytics, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics process automation to reform business operations and drive performance to improve customer experience.

Gypsy Capital Limited, a leading consumer financial services provider in Nigeria, has introduced Consumer Credit, a loan product designed to address the urgent needs of customers who are salary earners.

A statement released by the retail lender said the new product allows salary earners to apply for loans up to N1 million and pay back over a 6-month period at a very competitive interest rate without need for collateral.

Commenting on the product, Ayodeji Mekuleyi, managing director cum chief executive officer, Gypsy Capital Limited, said the fintech is committed to empowering its customers to fund their urgent needs through trusted simple and smart solutions, within 24 hours.

“At Gypsy Capital, we have a commitment to help individuals achieve their personal goals through financial intermediation and that is why our offerings are designed to conveniently meet the financial needs of our customers.

“No matter what your personal goals may be, at Gypsy, we are invested in you, if you have the credible financial data.

“As a retail financial institution focused on digital finance services, we offer unsecured, easy and fast lending to Nigerians who can show a verifiable and stable means of repayment.

“Our loans are easily accessible through physical and digital channels, with structured tenures between 3- 6 months to suit our customer needs,” Mekuleyi said.
The company’s chief executive further posited that ‘Consumer Credit’ is one of its novel products tailored to the needs of its customers.

“The product is straightforward and more affordable than many other loan products in the market and we do not require any collateral from customers to be eligible to apply.

“All our customers need to apply for our loan is to visit our website, create a free Gypsy Capital account, complete the application form and receive their money within 24hours, if eligible.”

Established on the 30th of July 2019, the retail lender headquartered at Landmark Towers, 5B Water Corporation Road, Oniru Rd, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria, has continued to blaze the trail by delivering unique and customer-focused services through investment and loan products accessible via physical and digital channels.

When Titan Trust Bank Limited, one of the three newest entrants into the Nigerian banking industry, began operations in October 2019, many people gave it just a passing glance, but within a year, the achievements of the lender have taken industry watchers by surprise and this, has further warmed it into the hearts of its customers and Nigerians alike.

Established on the 12th of December 2018 with a solid post-capitalization financial base in real cash, the bank has proven that it is ready to compete with long-standing and well-rooted Nigerian banks.

With a mission to take advantage of the identified gaps in the banking sector and address the unmet needs of the retail mass market, SMEs and corporates, Titan Trust Bank, has risen to become a financial institution to reckon with and as a result is experiencing an influx of business-minded customers.

At the inception of the bank’s operations in October 2019, the management team led by seasoned banker, Mudassir Amray, the group managing director/CEO, drew up a holistic and integrated approach to business modernization, which has formed the foundation for the Bank’s superior customer-centric experience.  The impact of this strategic decision led to a positive impact in the Bank’s performance within its first three months of operations where the bank recorded a profit after tax (PAT) of N500 million.

In addition, despite the rage of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the bank has opened four branches in strategic locations in Lagos and Port Harcourt with more still under consideration. The bank positioned itself for delivering service to its customers during the pandemic, by continued investment in its alternative banking channels: the Titan Mobile Application, Titan Internet Banking platform and the Titan *922# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) solution.

Titan Trust Bank is a financial service provider that is passionate about the future, committed to tomorrow, and laser-focused on building a pan-African world class financial institution with innovation, youth, and strength at its heart.

In demonstration of its commitment to deliver superior, convenience and innovative banking solutions to its customers, the bank has invested substantially in technology and developed fully integrated service models that enable its customers enjoy banking services through a wide range of channels and these have also placed the bank on an upward trajectory.

The bank’s mobile-based banking application, Titan Mobile App, has exciting user-friendly and interactive features to aid banking, whilst allowing customers to perform unlimited transactions with simple taps on their mobile phones.

Customers enjoy many benefits and access self-service options such as easy account opening, expanded list of bill-payment options, easy activation of standing instructions and fund transfers in a secure environment anytime, anywhere. With Titan Mobile App, the bank is always open 24/7.

The lender’s internet banking solution, Titan Internet Banking has improved features to promote and safeguard the electronic banking experience of customers vis-à-vis payment efficiency, versatility, and productivity in their business transactions. The user-friendly and secure internet banking tool, which can be carried out on one’s computer or mobile device is designed for both individual and corporate customers to experience with ease, cutting-edge banking services anywhere, at any time and place, with good internet connection.

Some of the leading-edge features on the Titan Internet Banking include self-verification for intercepted transactions, statement download in different file formats, multiple transactions with a single token entry, bills payment, creation and cancellation of standing orders or recurring transfers, improved security, to mention a few.

Titan Trust Bank’s *922# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) solution is another effort by the bank to provide cutting-edge, round-the-clock and seamless banking services to its customers.

With Titan’s *922# banking channel, customers can carry out various banking activities on the go, wherever they are.
Launched in December 2019, the *922# USSD solution is an easy-to-use, convenient, fast, user-friendly mobile that enables the bank’s customers to conveniently perform third-party transfers to both Titan Trust and other bank account holders in Nigeria, open Titan Trust accounts, buy airtime, pay bills, BVN enquiry, and access mini statements such as balance enquiry. The solution also allows customers to request, activate and manage their cards using their mobile phones without necessarily having internet data or airtime.

The *922# USSD service works on all GSM networks, on any type of handset or device; iPhone, Android, BlackBerry and even simple-feature phones.

The bank has also introduced a SMART number – 07000200200, for customer support. This eliminates the need for customers to remember multiple numbers while removing the uncertainty as to which of the lines are actively engaged.

These and many other moves leveraging technology and building a culture of innovation have positioned the bank on an upward trajectory.

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and a robust effort to combat the deadly Coronavirus outbreak in Nigeria, the bank donated N50 million for the purchase of relief materials, critical care facilities and protective gear to contain the spread of the virus.

The fund was made through the Nigerian Private Sector Coalition Committee against COVID-19 which was coordinated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
With the robust and steady growth of the bank, without mincing words, it is clear that the bank means business and has really come to redefine retail banking in Nigeria.

– Theophilus Onyegwu, a financial analyst writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

Real estate guru, Meckson Okoro, has hailed the Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area, Hon. Chief (Mrs) Gloria Uche Mbadiwe, over her recent Bsc certification and sterling performances in office.

At the recent graduation ceremony of the institution, the Chancellor of Gregory University, Professor Gregory Ibe, was pictured handing over a B.Sc Degree certificate in Political Science to Mbadiwe, who was adorned in her academic regalia.

Extolling the virtues of Mbadiwe, ace real estate guru, Meckson Okoro, said: “Hon. Uche Gloria Mbadiwe is a well focused lady who knows what she wants and how to get what she wants. She is very resilient, courageous and extremely bold in the pursuit of her life ambition.

“Despite her age, she has spent minimum of five years of hard labour to obtain Bsc. Hons Degree in Political Science; a widow of five children who is busy training three of them in various Nigerian universities, with the remaining two warming up for their tertiary education.

“This dogged grassroot politician of Arondizuogu origin and presently the IMC Chairman of Ideato North LGA, is a committed apostle and and an ardent follower of Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State.

“Little wonder why she is popularly known as Police Onwa Oyoko, meaning a very devoted staff of the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, alias Onwa Oyoko.

“She was not deterred or overwhelmed by her status of widowhood of over 15 years of the demise of her husband who was also an astute politician. Instead, this amazon of our time in the person of Hon Mbadiwe, who is a devoted practising Christian, weathered the storm of raising her five children singlehandedly up to the university level and as if the load is not too much on her head, she decided to brush up her education by enrolling herself in the university to study Political Science from the famous Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State.

“That is in order for her to prepare herself better in her chosen career as a politician.

“Today, we are celebrating this quintessential lady and an extremely humble politician, Hon. Chief (Mrs) Gloria Uche Mbadiwe.

“I make bold to say that Imo State and the entire nation Nation can now adopt her as a model and case study, using her examplary lifestyle, determination, resilience and doggedness without compromising her family virtue and trandition to educate and empower other women, particularly widows.

“We should all emulate this lady of our time in learning the art of survival in the mist of life’s challenges. We congratulate our lady of excellence, Hon Chief (Mrs) Gloria Uche Mbadiwe, the IMC Chairman, Ideato North LGA, for making women all over the world proud with her success in the university and in administration too. To God be the glory.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday sacked the Prof Kemebradikumo Daniel Pondei-led Interim Management Committee (IMC) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, announced the development in a statement on Saturday night.

He said the president also approved Effiong Awa, acting executive director of finance and administration of the commission as the new head of the agency.

Adesina said Akwa would be in charge of the agency until the completion of the forensic audit ordered by the president.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of an interim administrator to oversee the affairs of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC)

“He is Mr Effiong Okon Akwa, the Ag. Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Commission, who is to assume headship till completion of the forensic audit.

“Mr Akwa is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”

“The development became necessary as a result of plethora of litigation and a restraining order issued recently against the Interim Management Committee of the NDDC by a Federal High Court in Abuja”, the statement said.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State, has tested positive for COVID-19.

Akin Abayomi, commissioner for health, broke the news in a statement on Saturday evening.

The governor, whose aides had previously tested positive over the past months, had recently gone into isolation after he came in contact with someone who had contracted the virus.

Lagos currently has the highest number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the country, with over 20,000 cases in the state.

Leonard Ekeh, Chairman of Zinox Technologies, has been indicted for a N170 million fraud.

He was said to have colluded with seven other suspects to hijack a contract of about N216.6m awarded to Benjamin Joseph, Managing Director of an Ibadan-based IT retail firm, Citadel Oracle Concept Limited, by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). They were said to have opened an Access Bank account with fake company documents, including a fake board resolution of the company, to receive the money from FIRS.

Joseph had written a petition against the officials of Zinox to Solomon Arase, then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) in charge of Force Criminal Investigation Bureau (FCIB) on July 3, 2014. He accused Chris Ozims, Zinox’s Legal Adviser, of conspiring with Onny Igbokwe, Chief Executive of Ad’mas Digital Technologies Limited and Pirovics Engineering Services Limited, and Princess Kama to hijack the contract. He said the trio colluded to ‘appoint’ Ozims, Folashade Oyebode, a Technologies Distribution director, and Igbokwe as signatories to the fake account.

A certified true copy (CTC) of the Police Investigation Report on the petition obtained by Premium Times showed that Ekeh was listed as the fifth of eight suspects for criminal prosecution after the police concluded its investigation.

The report No. CR: 3000/X/FHQ/ABJ/SEB/Vol.41 dated April 7, 2015 was signed by Olayinka Ajeigbe, then a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Team ‘A’ Leader, Special Enquiry Bureau, Force Criminal Intelligence & Investigation Department (FCIID), Abuja.

The report titled: ‘Re: Case of Identity theft, Impersonation and Criminal Conversion of Contract worth over N170million committed against Citadel Oracle Concept Limited’ was addressed to the Commissioner of Police (Administration), Special Enquiry Bureau, FCIID, Nigeria Police, Abuja.

The suspects listed in the report included “Princess Kama Onyeoma, Chief Onny S.O. Igbokwe, Mr. Chris Eze Ozims, Folashade Oyebode, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Charles Adigwe, Obilo Onuoha, (and) Deborah Ojeabu.” It listed Ekeh as ‘at large’ meaning he did not honour invites to answer questions on his role in the fraud.

The police, in the report, found that the statement of account sent by the FIRS to the SEB FCIID showed that N115.2 million was transferred to Technology Distribution Limited, an affiliate of Zinox, account with Guaranty Trust Bank, while N38 million was moved to Ad’mas Digital Technologies account at Zenith Bank.

Arase was said to have ignored a request by the Director of Public Prosecutions, Mohammed Diri’s request for the case file.

On May 8, 2015, Joseph was reported to have written to Arase to remind him of the pending case file to which nothing was done. Frustrated, he petitioned Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the matter.

The EFCC, in its investigation between September 2017 and May 2018, had quizzed all the suspects, including Ekeh and wife, Chioma, who is Managing Director of Zinox Group.

However, three days to the end of Arase’s tenure as IGP, the police charged Joseph to court accusing him of providing false information against Ekeh and other suspects. Arase said the allegations in his July 2014 petition were false.

Surprisingly, the police was said to have presented the suspects accused of fraud against Joseph’s company as witnesses against him at the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, Abuja.

Christmas is never a season only for adults to rest and enjoy. For kids, aside from Christmas cloths, the inspiring programmes on TV are triggers to create lasting festive memories.

With over eight cartoon channels on the most affordable pay-TV platform, StarTimes has lined up exciting content for kids of all ages during this festive period.

Kids will have access to cartoon channels which include JimJam, Nickelodeon, Toonami, Cbeebies, DreamWorks, ST Kids, Baby TV for toddlers and Pineapple TV, among others.

If your children are more into adventures and fairy tales, ST KIDS Channel will air Boonie Bears: The Adventurers during weekdays from December 14 at 4 PM and The Guardians of Carcosa Season 6 weekdays from December 3rd at 5 pm. Boonie Bears is about a wonderful and joyful adventure of tiger-finding and fight against the villains of poachers. The Guardians of Carcosa tells a story about a fairy who believes the power and the kindness of human-beings helped them to overthrow the slavery of the dictator.

Kids will also see popular animation characters on Toonami Channel. In the Justice League, airing daily at 5 pm, the Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman will lead the DC Super Heroes against their most infamous foes. While the Dragon Ball Super also airing daily at 3:25 pm & rerun at 11:35 am follows the adventures of Goku and his friends after defeating Majin Buu and bringing peace to Earth once again. Goku encounters beings far more powerful and defends the Earth against a powerful destructive deity. For kids hoping to expand their world views, this channel could be a window to the whole world.

On DreamWorks, children can enjoy Voltron Legendary Defender at 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm daily and weekends at 8:30 am and Noddy Toyland Detective weekdays at 8:30am & 10:30am. For the Voltron Legendary Defender, DreamWorks Animation re-imagines one of the most popular fan-favourite shows of all time in this all-new comedic action-packed show from executive producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and co-executive producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra). Toyland Detective takes pre-schoolers on exciting, fun-filled adventures to a colourful world filled with dinosaurs, trains, unicorns, robots, pirates and more.

“To enable each family member stream their favourite content without TV remote fight, StarTimes has launched a one-for-four project giving each pay-TV subscriber 3 VIP membership on the StarTimes ON mobile TV app for free, in addition to TV viewing. All family members can watch their favourite content simultaneously on various devices. This handy application, available on Play Store and Apple Store, provides viewers with over 100 TV channels and 20,000hrs+ programs,” PR Manager, StarTimes Nigeria, Lazarus Ibeabuchi said.

'Naranara e, Narakele Narakele Mo Nara Nara e, Narakele Narakele Mo’ that song lives rent-free in the minds of most Nigerians and it’s not so difficult to see why. Nara is a classic that was birthed when two very talented artists from two different parts of the world (Tim Godfrey and Travis Greene) came together to work on a gospel song that will immediately cross borders and bless many across the globe.

Although Nara was first performed at Tim Godfrey’s Fearless victory concert in 2018 by the duo, it was performed again later that year to the mammoth crowd of the popular gospel music concert; The Experience (13th edition). The performance was astonishing as it got many people in the audience worshipping intensely. It’s available on Youtube, you should check it out.

Tim and Travis have made their mark on the world with that song. The interesting news is that they will both be performing at The Experience again this year.

For those who do not know, The Experience is an annual, free gospel music concert held at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos Island, Nigeria. Hosted by House On The Rock lead pastor Paul Adefarasin, the first concert in 2006 had an attendance of 70,000 people. The concert features local and international artists such as Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Donnie McClurkin, Don Moen, Frank Edwards, Nathaniel Bassey, Chioma Jesus, Tope Alabi, Tim Godfrey etc. The Experience really is a gospel concert like no other.

There have been mind-blowing performances like that of Tim and Travis at The Experience over the years, Tope Alabi always delivers a masterclass performance every year, Nathaniel Bassey with his saxophone is sure to get participants in the worship mood every year, while Chioma Jesus with a special brand of worship is always a performance to look forward to.

Sadly and due to COVID-19 concerns, The Experience 2020 will be held virtually. Not to worry though, there are other ways to make sure you don’t miss the wonderful experience of The Experience Global edition.

The surest way to see that you don’t miss any moment of the concert is connecting to DStv. The Experience makes a grand return on Friday, 11 December from 12:30 am. DStv subscribers will have the opportunity to enjoy the gospel music concert alongside hundreds of thousands of worshippers for the special pre-recorded global edition on DStv Channel 198 and GOtv channel 29.

Just like the classic performance by Tim and Travis 2 Experiences ago, this global edition looks set to produce another set of classical performances judging by the line-up of artists set to perform during the concert. You have zero excuses not to be a part of this one especially because it’s going to be live on DStv channel 198. Be sure to tune in with friends and family for a great Experience!