₦airaland Forum

DJ Chris K, is undoubtedly one of the most talented Disc Jockeys making Africa proud in Germany, and he has pushed him to the top of the business.

Having over a decade of experience on the turntable, DJ Chris K whose real name is Christian Kambilo, says his journey into the disc jockey profession was never for fame or money.

His greatest reward for being a DJ is seeing the satisfied look on the faces of his fans.

His entire life has been devoted to the entertainment industry. This made him upgrade his craft from a professional dancer to, disc jockey and now a singer and composer of his own music.

Responding to a question if he has ever gotten tired of the disc jocky profession and thought of doing something else, he stated, "I have not gotten tired but I am inspired to do some more. That’s why I started to produce my own beats and sing.

It was the same with being a DJ. I danced in my own dancing crew for years. We went to several championship and were well known. In clubs I always wanted to dance but sometimes the chosen songs were not good or the DJ was not into his set and more. So, I said to myself let’s try it myself. Because I enjoy the beats and many genres, why shouldn't I also be a good DJ? I like to challenge myself and try various things!

Secondly, I didn’t become a DJ because I wanted money. I didn't start DJing because of the fame. I became a DJ because I love music and I love entertaining people. The joy I get from being a DJ is when guests say that they had a great time at the event I played. I like hearing things like, the DJ was awesome or the DJ did great."

As a DJ who has played music in different countries and cities around the world, DJ Chris K says that every culture comes with its own unique music taste.

"Unique in the sense that every culture is different. I have played in different countries around the world. It is always a breath of fresh air whenever I go to a new location and I play for a different culture and for a different group of people because that is what I love doing. I love to play music and being able to use music as a form of communication with people, because music is a universal language. At the end of the day, you can understand the beat; you can connect with the lyrics, depending on the person that is able to relate with the music."

"Another thing is that, even though I have being DJing for a long time now, I’m always excited and a little nervous before every gig, especially in new cities or countries,” he said.

As a professional. DJ Chris K has a fee advice for up-and-coming DJs who wish to keep being relevant in the industry.

"First and foremost, as someone who reside outside Africa, I played a lot of Afrobeats in Germany. Again, you must look at innovation, both new and old together not just music but also audience different generation, style, mode, passion, produce own music.

"Basically, you always have to find a way to stay relevant which applies to everything in life. Occasionally, I pull back and re-access the market and know how best to serve my fans. Many have asked me how I have been able to remain relevant. The truth is that I am always re-strategising and rebranding. I am always checking myself. The way Mercedes is always researching the products that customers would love is the same way a DJ is checking the latest sound that move people. In the process, we also look for a way to make our trade easier. If a new technology comes out, I trying to find out how best the technology can help me deliver to my audience and fans all over the world."

Just like every career has its own challenges, DJ Chris K said he has had door shut on his face while growing his career, but that cannot stop a man on a mission.

Presently, he is working on his news song, titled ‘Dodo’ which will be dropping in July, 2023.

Dodo' is an Afrobeat song with French influence, English and Lingala (mother tongue).

"I got inspired by a song my mother always sing for me when I was a child because my mom was a lover of good music and I grew up listening to all kinds of song. ‘Dodo’ is about women's sexual power and to appreciate African women all over the world. They are always sexy and beautiful."

Says propaganda targeted at image of Mission, Nigeria
…’mission enjoys unprecedented cooperation of Nigerian Diasporan Community’


The Nigeria High Commission in London has asked Nigerians and global members of the public to disregard some old videos in circulation on social media, saying they are events of the past.

A caveat issued on Wednesday from the Office of the High Commissioner said the videos, photographs and stories, currently being circulated as fresh events, were those of events that transpired before December 2019.

The statement described the misinformation as propaganda targeted at the image of the Mission and Nigeria.

It noted that the High Commission in London remains committed to exemplary service, stressing that the Commission presently enjoys peace, tranquility and harmony.

It also enjoys unprecedented cooperation of the Nigerian Diasporan Community in the United Kingdom, particularly on consular services and bilateral relations, the statement stressed.

“The attention of the Nigeria High Commission has been drawn to the existence of various propaganda in the media, targeted at the image of the Mission and Nigeria. Videos, photographs, and stories of events that transpired before December 2019 are currently being circulated as current events.

“We hereby seize this opportunity to inform members of the public to disregard such videos, photographs, and stories of the past.

“The Nigeria High Commission, London currently enjoys peace, tranquillity, and harmony. We also enjoy unprecedented cooperation of the Nigerian Diasporan Community in the United Kingdom, particularly on consular services and bilateral relations.

“We are also committed to our responsibility of delivering efficient services to both Nigerian residents in the UK and Nigerian visitors to the United Kingdom, diligently and relentlessly.

“The Nigeria High Commission, London also remains committed to exemplary service,” the statement reads in full.

…as EXCO receives report on projects, promises completion before end of tenure

The Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, on Monday during an Executive Council Meeting, administered oath of office, secrecy and allegiance on five returning appointees of his administration who initially resigned their appointments to seek for elective post in the recently concluded gubernatorial primary elections.

The appointees includes the Chief of Staff, Pharm. Abdulkareem Jamiu, Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic planning, Asiwaju Idris Ashiru, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Bar. Deedat Ozigi, Accountant General of the State, Alh. Jubrin Momoh and the Auditor General of the State, Alh. Yakubu Okala.

In a press briefing by the Commissioner for Information and Communication Strategy, Mr. Kingsley Fanwo, after the Executive Council Meeting, he mentioned that the returning appointees were all charged to continue to be loyal and serve diligently in a bid to move the administration further forward.

Similarly, Mr. Fanwo briefed that the EXCO received reports on the progress on several projects currently embarked on by the administration, noting that several of these projects were hinted to be in advanced stages while the governor reiterated commitment and determination to ensure completion of all projects before the end of his administration.

Other approvals at the meeting according to the Commissioner includes the Termination of the appointment of the Former Chairman of the Market Board, Mr. Danjuma Ochima who was accused of neglecting duties and promoting the return of filth in the state adding that his replacement would be announced in next few days.

The Commissioner mentioned also that the EXCO approved a Memo seeking for the establishment of the Directorate of Medical Laboratory Services in the Ministry of Health. He alluded that the creation of the Directorate will create cooperations amongst Medical Laboratory Scientist across the states, particularly in health care institutions.

Mr. Fanwo also hinted that the council approved a Memo seeking for a law to repel the Prohibition of Kidnapping and other related matters, Law 2015 and be reenacted, Kogi State Prohibition of Kidnapping and other related maters, law 2023. He said that the State Attorney General was further directed by the council to forward the bill to the State House of Assembly adding that the law when passed is aimed at strengthening the criminal justice system of the state and to further nip in the bud, issues of kidnapping, thuggery and other violent crimes.

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress and the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Hon. Kingsley Fanwo has expressed confidence that the party will win the November 11, 2023 poll, “massively”.

Fanwo who made this known while speaking with journalists in Lokoja said the pedigree of the party in the state is such that the opposition will “continue to struggle”, saying the aspiration of Alh. Usman Ododo is a “movement of a united Kogi people”.

His words: “Our candidate, Alh. Usman Ahmed Ododo has met virtually all key stakeholders in Kogi State. He is still meeting more people to consult with them on the way to consolidate on the legacies of Alh. Yahaya Bello. Today, he is working harder than any other candidate in the race.

“He has and he is still meeting with stakeholders across the state from the East to the West and Central, because he is running on the card or a united Kogi State. He is confident that his programs and the achievements of the Yahaya Bello administration will deliver victory to him.

“The commitment of stalwarts and our compatriots across the ethnic, religious and class lines has been phenomenal, a clear demonstration of what Yahaya Bello laboured for seven years to build which is a people united by destiny.

“The embrace of our candidate by all is what is sparking jitters in their spines. APC has done well in Kogi State and will continue to earn the trust of the people. GYB delivered Kogi to the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, won all the three Senatorial seats, won six of the nine Reps seats and won 22 of the 25 Assembly seats. It is an indomitable, thumping political warchest. In November 2023, the people will speak again with a resounding voice that Kogi is APC and APC is Kogi”.

The APC Chieftain said those campaigning on ethnic lines “missed their roads to a new Kogi where ethnicity and religion do not determine who drives the car but the competence to drive the car”, insisting that they will “meet their political Waterloo at the appropriate time”.

“Ethnic and religious politics ended in Kogi in January 2016 and will never raise its ugly head again. That is why those who truly cherish the development of our State are leaving our opponents in their sinking ship to join the Team that has done Kogi proud in the last seven years”, he said.

He said the candidate of the ruling party, Alh. Ahmed Ododo has sat down with his Team to look at the stage of development in the state, with a view to taking the state further into her place of pride, assuring the people that Ododo will be a “fantastic Governor”.

“Our candidate has learnt the ropes from Kogi’s best Governor ever. He has seen the commitment of the present administration to security, education, healthcare, rural development, urban renewal as well as human capacity building. He has watched from close quarters , how GYB has turned the youth to leaders of today and involved women in governance. He will follow that path.

“While they are talking about Ethnic Agenda, we are discussing with Kogites, how to take the budget for education and healthcare further. We are discussing with Kogites how to expand the nets of our health insurance to capture more beneficiaries. We are discussing with Kogites how to empower rural women and rural farmers. That has been our business in the last seven years and it won’t change”.

On the vandalization of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation at OCHAJA, Fanwo said the State Government is still awaiting police investigations on the matter, assuring the people that those who vandalized the broadcast facility will surely be brought to book.

“We are in touch with security agencies and we have given them the intelligence at our disposal. They know how to do their job and we are confident they will get to the root of the matter. All I know is that we will soon be back on air after improving the security around our broadcast facilities across the state,” he assured.

In December 2015, the share price of First Bank of Nigeria Limited was trading around N4.8 band. About seven years later, precisely last December, the value held tightly to N15, growing by over threefold amid general asset and economic doldrums.

The steep rise in the valuation of the financial institution deviates remarkably from the average performance of FUGAZ, an acronym describing the top five Nigerian banks by market capitalisation. In the past seven years, the share prices of the leading banks appreciated by an average of 90 per cent as against over 200 per cent growth seen in FirstBank.

Deflated by the bank’s exceptional performance, Access Holdings, GTCO, UBA and Zenith stocks posted about 60 per cent growth. The performance of the entire banking sector also flattens out when compared with FirstBank, which raises questions about the fundamentals of the bank and its growth trajectory.

In terms of inflation-adjusted return on investment, FirstBank shareholders are among the investors that emerged from the turbulent years with a positive real rate of return. Was it a stroke of luck? Does the market reward poor performance?

Of course, stocks sometimes thrive on mere greater fool theory, thus triggering an asset bubble. But the positive share movement of the premier bank is but only one of the many high growth indicators.

In first quarter of 2023, the bank’s non-performing loan (NPL) ratio came down far below the five per cent regulatory threshold, which means so much difference when placed in a historical context. As at December 2015, its NPL ratio was over 45 per cent, a telling reflection of the level of effort that went into cleaning its books in the intervening years. For analysts, the cleanup, which was done without raising fresh capital, explains what disciplined, focused and forthright leadership could achieve.

On cleanup process, the Bank CEO, Dr. Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, said the institution was “its self-created AMCON”, referring to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria set up in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis to buy up the threatening toxic assets of Nigerian banks.

Indeed, what the management of the bank has done in the past seven years is not remarkably different from the role of AMCON, since its creation in 2011, except that the former raised fresh capital for its humongous responsibility whereas the bank did not. Also, the FirstBank experience was internal; and it did face a tougher task in terms of the proportion of its assets that had gone bad.

At the height of the financial crisis in 2008/2009, the NPL ratio rose to 37.3 per cent, from 9.9 per cent on record in 2007. On the other hand, the premier bank was carrying over 45 per cent NPL on its book as at January when Adeduntan took the reins of its leadership as the managing director.

All through the process, the bank did not raise fresh capital for the housecleaning programme, meaning the shareholders’ value was not diluted in the process.

Investors may have also kept in view other impressive qualitative metrics such as pre-tax return on equity (RoE), a measure of net income in proportion to shareholders’ equity, which moved from 0.6 to 17.3 per cent at the end of last year’s financial cycle. Also, pre-tax Return on Asset (RoA) climbed from 0.1 to 1.6 per cent while the cost of risk was also down to 1.7 per cent last year, from 10 per cent recorded in its 2015 financial.

At the end of this month, Adeduntan would have spent 7.5 years in office and he would be 30 months short of the tenure limit requirement. Already, he is the longest-serving chief executive of the institution, which is known for its short-term leadership tradition. Casual observers consider him as fortunate, but deep analysts think differently – the bank has been fortunate to have had him.

The lender, which predated ‘Nigeria’, and played the most active financial role in the structuring of the country’s pre- and post-Independence economy, may have just got its groove back under the current management. The books are clean and the NPL is trending downward, faster than the industry average. But beyond, its top and bottom lines are all out of the woods and climbing.

Its total assets, for instance, have increased by 167 per cent in the past seven years, meaning that its asset size has almost tripled, which also outperformed the industry growth. In terms of liquid asset to total asset ratio, it is also ahead of most of its peers. This suggests that while the quality of its assets has increased remarkably, with the NPL ratio falling by 88 per cent in less than a decade, the bank’s asset growth has not stalled, which speaks volumes about the quality of its risk management approach.

Currently, FirstBank had in its portfolio of about 41 million customer accounts, an extraordinary 276 per cent lift from its 2015 record. The figure is about 30 per cent of total bank accounts held by Nigerian banks. Customer depositors also jumped by as much as 153 per cent to 10.6 trillion.

The growth seen is also robbing off on the bottom line with the profit before tax (PAT) increasing by N137 billion in the period. That translates to over 1300 per cent, probably contributing majorly to the sudden spike in the share of the bank.

Perhaps, owing to its long history dating back to when banks were mostly associated with corporate and public sector financial infrastructure, FirstBank was mostly seen as a go-to for savers and borrowers. But that seems to have changed with its many smart digital channels. For its management, that is deliberate.

“Our goal is to transform the bank from lending-based to a transaction-based financial institution,” the chief executive pointed out.

Yes, its transformation is no longer a dream. From zero share of corporate e-bill payments, it has shoved its competitors behind to take hold of 42 per cent of the market. The bank, in the words of its managing director, has pivoted from brick and mortar to “brick and click”, making payment seamless and a click away for individuals, corporate as well as public entities.

“We have built a very formidable trade and cash management platform that we call FirstDirect, which allows corporate banking customers, from the comfort of their home, to initiate a trade transaction and complete it. You have a single view, giving you an interface where you can add your different accounts and transact,” Adeduntan explained.

FirstMobile, a standalone digital bank, has also emerged as a household name in the financial technology ecosystem. In 2015, when the platform was still at its teething age, its users were about 60,000 a number that soared to over six million (a growth of over 10,000 per cent). That has contributed immensely to the changing tradition of banking with FirstBank, as about 85 per cent of its transactions are now initiated via digital windows.

FirstMobile appears to have hit the bull’s eye in the bank’s reinvention drive and effort to appeal to younger demographics. But the platform itself is merely one of the potpourris of telecommunication-driven initiatives it has taken on to get the young depositors on board. FirstOnline users have also grown from about 90,000 to over one million within the timeframe just as its USSD, which targets feature phone users, is even more successful with users increasing by close to 3,000 per cent in seven years to 14.7 million.

Overall, its digital banking has evolved in both volume and public impression. Ease, convenience and reliability have moved the customer base from its tiny 0.6 million to 22 million.

Indeed, FirstBank is transmuting into a transaction-led institution. Last year, the volume of transactions hit 17 million, 8.5 times what it was in 2015 when it experienced some corporate turbulence. But the growth is not only in volume terms, as its non-interest income ratio hit 40.6 per cent for the first time last year, which aligns with the strategic direction of the current management in weaning the group from excessive credit risk exposure.

Over the years, most Nigerian banks have consolidated their global outlook. FirstBank has led the pack with its 40-year United Kingdom subsidiary, which is bigger than some of its competitor wholesale operations back home. But some of the pro-offshore Nigerian banks had been accused of extroversion and ego-seeking as most of the outposts were nothing but cost centres.

In the past few years, the assumption has been deflated; and the performance of the African subsidiaries of FirstBank is among what could be changing the tide. Before the 2015 change of the guard, the subsidiaries’ operations left had created a gaping hole in the PBT of the consolidated account. Last year, they contributed a combined 21.3 per cent to the group’s pre-tax profit.

But that was not because there was no risk out there. In the heat of the Ghanaian government debt crisis, Adeduntan revealed, FirstBank took the least impairment among Nigerian banks that were exposed to the crisis “not because we saw it coming but because we have consistently done the right thing and adopted best risk management practice”.

There is also a humane side to his management approach. Today, FirstBank is among the highest-paying Nigerian banks and offers the most attractive conditions of service, including training, accelerated career growth and many more. In 2021, its efforts were compensated with the Great Place to Work Award. Today, the once-touted conservative bank is attracting young and upwardly mobile professionals with the average age of its employees estimated at 39 years.

Being the longest-serving managing director of the pre-colonial financial behemoth, Adeduntan has the leverage of time and experience to enforce its transformational agenda. But he had also prepared for the job. At KPMG where he co-pioneered the firms’ financial risk management advisory services, he trained in almost all areas of human endeavors – presentation, people management, business writing and all sorts. On assumption of office, he was bold and firm in his decision to headhunt, institute new work culture, clear career growth blockages and challenged the status quo.

His courageous outing in the past seven and half years has transformed an institution once considered one of least prepared for the age of “brick and click” banking into the Usain Bolt of the emerging financial technology space.

Culled from Guardian Newspaper

Tribute by Dr. Olatokunbo Osinowo

Senator Bayo Osinowo, also known as “Pepperito,” was a prominent Nigerian politician and a key figure in the struggle for democracy during the June 12 movement.

Bayo Osinowo was born on November 28, 1955, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Nigeria. He began his political career in the early 1990s, actively participating in the pro-democracy movement against the military regime that held power at the time. Osinowo was a vocal advocate for the restoration of democratic governance and played a crucial role in mobilising support for the June 12 struggle.

The June 12 struggle refers to the historic presidential election held on June 12, 1993, in Nigeria. The election, widely regarded as one of the freest, fairest and most credible in the country’s history, saw Chief Moshood Abiola, a prominent businessman and philanthropist, emerge as the presumed winner.

However, the military regime, led by General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election, sparking widespread protests and civil unrest across Nigeria.

Senator Osinowo actively participated in various demonstrations, rallies, and public campaigns in support of the June 12 struggle. He fervently advocated for the recognition of the election results and the installation of Chief Moshood Abiola as the legitimate President of Nigeria.

During the actualisation of the June 12 struggle in 1993, he was one of those imprisoned by the then-military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha. During the heyday of the military regime under Abacha, Osinowo aligned himself with the progressive forces in the fight to achieve the democratic mandate of MKO Abiola, the presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the June 12, 1993, election. As a result, he incurred the wrath of the Abacha-led military government and was subsequently imprisoned.

Osinowo’s unwavering commitment to democracy and his courageous stance against military dictatorship earned him respect and admiration among his fellow activists and supporters.

Despite facing numerous challenges and threats, Senator Bayo Osinowo remained resolute in his pursuit of justice and democratic ideals. He played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of June 12 and its significance in Nigeria’s political landscape. His efforts, along with those of other pro-democracy activists, eventually led to the transition to civilian rule in 1999.

Senator Bayo Osinowo’s dedication to the June 12 struggle and his contributions to the democratic process in Nigeria did not go unnoticed. In recognition of his service to the nation, he was elected into the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Kosofe 1 State Constituency. He served in that capacity for 16 years and throughout his time in the Lagos State House of Assembly, he played a pivotal role as a strong pillar within the house, actively mobilizing, coordinating and implementing the goals, objectives, and decisions of the party. In 2019, he was elected into the Nigerian National Assembly as the Senator representing the Lagos East Senatorial District. He was subsequently appointed as the chairman, Senate Committee on Industries.

Tragically, on June 15, 2020, Senator Bayo Osinowo passed away, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, courage and commitment to democratic principles. His contributions to the June 12 struggle and his tireless advocacy for a better Nigeria will always be remembered and revered by those who continue to fight for democracy and justice.

Today, June 15, 2023, is the third anniversary of his death, and he is still warmly remembered.

May Senator Bayo Osinowo rest in eternal peace, knowing that his legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the indelible mark he left on our beloved nation.

•Dr. Osinowo is a lecturer, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State

...says it's baseless, lacks merit

.Court adjourns to July 18 for judgment


The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in Kogi State, Usman Ododo, has asked a Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit seeking his disqualification from the race.

Ododo, through his lawyer, M. Y  Abdullahi, SAN, told the Court that, contrary to the allegations in the suit, he resigned legitimately from the employment of Kogi State as required by law and thus eminently qualified for the forthcoming poll.

At the hearing of the suit on Wednesday, the APC candidate maintained that he broke no law at the time he picked the Expression of Interest form of his party and also at the time he stood for the primary election and won.

The Governorship flagbearer said that he tendered his resignation letter on March 8, 2023 through the office of the State Governor and that same was received by the appropriate body the same day.

He drew the attention of the Court to section 306 of the 1999 Constitution, adding that whether his resignation was acknowledged, accepted or not, it had started taking effect from the date of submission of the letter.

Ododo said that the plaintiff in the suit could not contradict his claim of resignation with any documentary evidence, especially with pay slips or salary payment.

Besides, the APC Governorship candidate argued that the plaintiff jumped the gun in the way and manner he instituted the suit, adding that the cause of action had not arisen at the time the case was filed.

He therefore asked the court to rely on his 19 paragraphs affidavit and dismiss the case of the plaintiff for lacking in merit and for being incompetent and baseless.

The position of the governorship candidate was adopted by APC through its counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, who prayed that the suit be dismissed with substantial cost.

At Wednesday's proceedings before Justice Obiora Egwatu, the plaintiff's counsel, Daniel-
Ebune, relied on 16 exhibits in support of the Originating Summons/case.

He insisted that Ododo breached sections 20, 21, 124, 147 of the 1999 Constitution and section 159 of the Evidence Act and urged the Judge to invoke the provisions of the law to disqualify the gubernatorial candidate.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, after taking arguments from the lawyers, fixed July 18 to deliver judgment in the matter.

The prestigious Alisa Hotel in Accra, Ghana, will host the highly anticipated New Africa Leaders Summit and Awards on the 19th and 20th of July.

This grand event is set to bring together the continent's brightest minds, change-makers and influential leaders; showcasing their immense contributions to the development and progress of Africa.

The New Africa Leaders Summit and Awards is an exceptional platform designed to recognize and honour exemplary leaders from diverse sectors; including government, business, academia, and civil society.

This two-day summit will honour and celebrate their visionary leadership, innovative ideas, and tireless dedication to shaping Africa's future.

Attending this summit will be a gathering of influential delegates, including esteemed heads of state, prominent business leaders, renowned scholars, and public figures from various fields.

Through thought-provoking panel discussions, insightful keynote addresses, and interactive workshops, the summit aims to foster collaboration, inspire new ideas, and facilitate meaningful dialogue on critical issues affecting the continent of Africa.

Moreover, the New Africa Leaders Awards, a highlight of the event, will recognize outstanding leaders who have made exceptional contributions to the advancement of their respective fields of endeavours.

Awards will be presented in various categories; including but not limited to Leadership in Governance, Education and Research, Social Impact, Entrepreneurship and Innovation; and Women Empowerment.

"We are excited to host The New Africa Leaders Summit and Awards in Accra, Ghana," Dr Gift Chidinma Nnamoko Orairu, Publisher of The New Africa Magazine.

"This summit serves as a platform for leaders across Africa to come together, share experiences, and inspire one another. We believe that by recognizing exemplary leadership, we can encourage others to follow suit and contribute to the progress of our great continent."

The Alisa Hotel, known for its elegance and luxurious ambience, provides the perfect arena for this prestigious event. With its state-of-the-art facilities and impeccable service, attendees can expect an unparalleled experience throughout the summit.

The New Africa Leaders Summit and Awards invite media professionals, business executives, scholars, and the general public to participate in this innovative and transformative event.

Attendees will have the opportunity to network with influential figures, gain valuable insights, and be a part of a movement that seeks to shape Africa's destiny.

Heritage Bank is reportedly in the midst of a boardroom crisis that may shake the institution to its foundation, THE WITNESS reports.

The imbroglio has been revealed to be involving the current managing director and chief executive of the bank, Mr. Akinola George-Taylor, as well as some members of the board.

Less than one year after assuming office as bank’s head honcho, the new bank chief may have plunged the distressed bank into further boardroom crisis, compounding the lender’s many challenges.

George-Taylor, who joined Heritage Bank as acting managing director/chief executive officer on September 12, 2022, succeeded Ifie Sekibo, the bank’s founder and pioneer managing director who served out his 10-year tenure in September 2022. George-Taylor was, however, confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the substantive managing director of the lender in April 2023.

But while the bank’s shareholders may have been expecting that the new helmsman would change its fortunes and drive growth, sources say he has instead, allegedly, instigated internal crisis, in an attempt to rid the bank of those suspected to be loyalists of some board members, and employ his own people. The move, sources disclosed were unconnected with the new bank chief’s plan to oust some board members who are said to be at loggerheads with him, from the bank.

The bank’s chief is said to be enjoying the support of a top shareholder of the bank whom sources say is allegedly determined to solely take over the bank and get rid of the owners.

Top sources in the bank, which has been struggling to stay afloat in recent months, informed THE WITNESS that not less than 70 senior staff members have been sacked, while a number of others were asked to resign. Besides those who were forced to leave, sources say that some resigned voluntarily over poor working conditions, while the once active branches of the bank are as quiet as graveyards. We further gathered that the affected staff were disengaged without paying them their accrued entitlements and allowances.

This development comes despite an order by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) barring deposit money banks from mass sack of their workers.

“I can tell you that there is war at Heritage Bank as we speak. Over 70 persons have been asked to go, while some were asked to resign. Mind you, those who were asked to go have not been paid any compensation,” said a management staff who preferred anonymity.

“The mission of the new managing director is to ease out those who are loyal to some board members whom the managing director is not in tune with, so he could employ his own people,” one of the sources said.

The latest crisis comes amid persisting financial distress in the bank.

We learnt that the bank has been struggling to pay workers’ salaries for some time now, even as depositors have not been able to access their funds.

The apex bank, it would be recalled, had come under pressure to withdraw the bank’s license over its alleged bankruptcy issues, and inability to meet obligations to depositors.

Many had wondered why the Nigeria’s banking regulator had not wielded its hammer on the bank despite its troubled and distressed state.

Further investigations however revealed that apart from the issues of “Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) and the Liquidity Ratio (LR), the commercial bank is also grappling with many other crises that tend to threaten its survival.

One of them is its poor services which are staring its customers in the face. Already, most of its branches are awash with complaints of unsatisfied customers whose singsong is their plans to close their accounts due to long hours they experience to get services from Heritage Bank staff.

In our fact-finding mission, THE WITNESS contacted Ozenna Utulu, the head of Corporate Communications of Heritage Bank for the bank’s angle.

In her response, Utulu said: “These things are not true, there is no boardroom crisis at the bank. Of course, organizations everywhere restructure from time to time.”

HomeBusinessFunfair, excitement as thousands throng Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience

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Funfair, excitement as thousands throng Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience

By:Usman Kadri

Date:

June 12, 2023

It was a beehive of activities and funfair at Ecobank Adire Lagos Experience which took place over the weekend at the sprawling Ecobank Pan African Center (EPAC), Lagos.

The 3-days Adire exhibition which is the second edition according to the bank is to promote culture, tourism, Micro, Small and medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to benefits from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern Nigeria, Adire textile is an indigenous indigo-dyed cloth made by using different wax resist methods to create dazzling designs.

The exhibitions witnessed the influx of topflight exhibitors, government functionaries, culture enthusiasts, social media influencers, artistes, local and foreign tourists, traditional rulers, diplomats, and members of the National Union Textile Garment Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (adire Sector).

Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, speaking at the event said the support for Adire textile was a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to supporting MSME growth in Nigeria, stressing that the bank was impressed and motivated by the phenomenal success of the maiden edition held last year.

“We believe that through this event we are showcasing the enormous potentials in adire clothes. If you look at what Ghana has done with kente and America with jeans, we want to promote adire as a Nigerian clothing brand to the world,” he stated.

Speaking in the same light, Kola Adeleke, Executive Director, Commercial Banking, observed that the bank’s support was to connect the SMEs to the world and play in the AfCFTA landscape, stating that with the bank’s footprint in Africa and unified payment system, it was capable of taking adire to the world stage.

According to him, “Ecobank has the largest presence in Africa. We have presence in 33 countries in Africa. That gives us the opportunity and advantage to connect African businesses across the continent. When you look at the impact, we are making in the SME sector in the country, there is a need to deepen the opportunities in the market. Producing quality products will give our Nigerian producers the opportunity to sell their products to other Africans across the continent.”

Adeleke observed that the bank’s support for adire goes beyond exhibition but supporting the producers to play in the international market. “Ecobank has a single market app which we have built. Our customers can onboard and on the app;  they can advertise their products. This app is accessible to other Africans across the continent. So, this is the kind of support that we are looking at beyond providing the normal financial advisory services but connect entrepreneurs across the world.”

Mrs Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, said the exhibition is part of the bank’s contribution to boost the nation’s tourism, culture and the creative industry using adire as a key driver, adding that the bank was impressed with the turnout of high-profile exhibitors, vendors, dignitaries from different parts of the world.

According to her, “The bank is encouraged with the success of the maiden edition which took place last year.  It is in line with our brand promise as a pan-African institution to promote culture and boost tourism on the continent. We are impressed with the patronage and interest shown by exhibitors and dignitaries from all walks of life.”  “The 3-days event also featured a series of masterclasses as well as networking opportunities with entrepreneurs, shoppers and everyone interested in the making or trading of adire,” she said.

Cross section of exhibitors, shoppers, and vendors were full of praises for Ecobank, urging the Pan African bank to make it an annual event as promised.

...Barewa College Principal, over alleged fraudulent letter

Thousands of Kogi indigenes under the umbrella of Kogi Collective Interest Group, on Saturday, called on security agencies, especially the Police and the Department of State Services, to launch a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding a letter purpotedly written by the Principal of Barewa College, Zaria, to save the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State, Muritala Yakubu, from an imminent certificate forgery scandal.

The indigenes, spread across the 21 Local Government Areas of the state, said the inconsistencies, particularly in the second letter written by the Principal of Barewa College, Alhassan Isyaku, only worsened the situation of the said candidate in a way that suggests serious foul play.

The school had issued a letter in response to a request by a respected member of the Kogi East Elders Forum, Prof. Hassan Isah, for the authentication of Yakubu’s testimonial.
In the letter, the school principal had said that, from all records, the SDP candidate never attended Barewa College.

Apparently to contain the media fallout of the alleged scandalous letter, the College wrote a second letter, saying the previous one was issued in error and that Yakubu attended Barewa College but did not write WAEC.

The Kogi indigenes’ letter, signed by the Convener of COCIG, and two-time Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights in the state, Abduganiyu Yusuf, reads:

“Our attention has been drawn to a letter written by Barewa College, Zaria, in response to a request of authentication of a testimonial from the school presented by the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in Kogi State.

“In the said letter, the Principal of the school, Alhassan Isyaku, said categorically that the governorship candidate was never a student of the school.

“The request for authentication was made by a highly respected stakeholder in Igala land, and a member of the Kogi East Elders Forum, Prof. Hassan Isah.

“In his response, titled, ‘Re-Authentication of Testimonial: Muritala Yakubu B 14667’, the school principal wrote: ‘Reference to your letter dated 30th May, 2023 for the above subject matter, I write to inform you that the above named was not a student of Barewa College  Zaria.

‘After thorough investigations in the following:
(i) 1995 Admissions register
(ii) 1998 WAEC gazette
(iii) List of admission
(iv) Classes files

‘We could not find the above named student. We hope the information above will be useful.’

“Prof. Isah, in his request for authentication, dated 30th May, 2023, stated, ‘I hereby write to attach a testimonial issued to Muritala Yakubu by this highly prestigious institution.

‘We would be most grateful for your assistance in confirming this information.’

“The letter was addressed to the Principal of Barewa College.

“The ink of the response letter of Barewa College debunking the claims that Muritala Yakubu attended the College had hardly dried when another letter surfaced, apparently to redeem the image of the individual involved in the scandal.

“In the letter, which we believe was hurriedly done, probably at a cost, which we cannot readily establish, the Principal only worsened the situation of the said candidate in a way that suggests serious foul play.

“We would like to also point out that the said letter, purportedly signed by the same Principal, is capable of dragging the integrity of a school as respected as Barewa College in the mud.

“In the second letter, currently circulating on social media, the Principal curiously said, ‘Refer to the letter the College wrote to you dated 31st May 2023, regarding Muritala Yakubu. ‘I write to inform you that our initial response regarding the named individual was incorrect. The situation arose from an error of omission on our part.

‘After additional investigation of our achieved records, I confirm that the Muritala Yakubu with registration number 14667 was a student of the College from 1995 to 1998.

‘However, he did not seat for WAEC in 1998 in the College, hence the absence of his name in the 1998 WAEC gazette.

‘I apologise for the error and are available should you need further clarification.’

“Having read this letter carefully, we want to state that the letter has done serious damage to the reputation of Barewa College and genuine old students association must stand up to defend their alma mater.

“The testimonial in question states that Muritala Yakubu attended the school from 1995 to 1998 and completed his Senior Secondary School Course in the same institution. Barewa College would need to state whether this completion excludes sitting for WAEC because the Principal pointed out in Paragraph 3 of his “second letter” that Muritala Yakubu did not “seat” for WAEC in the school in 1998. There is an urgent need to probe this statement further.

“Also, mark the use of the word ‘seat’ as against ‘sit’ in the same paragraph. Could this have been truly written by the Principal of Barewa College or hurriedly arranged by some adhoc staff to save a bad situation?

“We also note the improbable error in the letter where it is written: “after additional investigation into our achieved…” and in the last paragraph where the Principal said: “I apologise for the error and are available should you need…” These unpardonable errors from the office of the Principal of a respected school suggest that the letter, if authentic, might have either been written under duress or the influence of financial gratification.

“No matter the hurry, it is difficult to accept that a principal of such a reputable institution could commit such obvious grammatical and contextual errors in one short letter that contradicts the first one.

“It is also necessary to find out if the Principal actually signed the second letter. If he did, he must be invited for further clarification by security agencies.

“Finally, we observe that the photograph of the individual at the centre of this scandal, attached to the controversial testimonial, could not have been taken in 1998.

“We cannot, in the name of politics, fold our hands and allow the good name of Barewa College built over the decades become a subject of public ridicule.

“The relevant security agencies, particularly the Police and the Department of State Services, DSS, must immediately swing into action to fully investigate this issue and unveil the masquerades behind this looming scandal.”

…says Kogi SDP governorship candidate never a student of the school

Barewa College, Zaria, has debunked claims by the Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the November 11 2023 election in Kogi State, Muritala Yakubu, that he attended the school.

The Principal of the school, Alhassan Isyaku, in his response to a request by a member of the Kogi East Elders Forum, Prof. Hassan Isah, for authentication of a testimonial from the school, which had been presented by Yakubu, said the governorship candidate was not a student of the school.

In his response, titled, “Re-Authentication of Testimonial: Muritala Yakubu B 14667”, which was leaked to the media on Friday, the school principal said, “Reference to your letter dated 30th May, 2023 for the above subject matter, I write to inform you that the above named was not a student of Barewa College Zaria.

“After thorough investigations in the following:
(i) 1995 Admissions register
(ii) 1998 WAEC gazette
(iii) List of admission
(iv) Classes files

“We could not find the above named student. We hope the information above will be useful.”

If the claims by Barewa College are found to be true, Yakubu risks prosecution for forgery, a criminal act.

In his request for authentication of the governorship candidate’s student status, dated 30th May, 2023, and personally signed by him, Prof. Isah had said, “I hereby write to attach a testimonial issued to Muritala Yakubu by this highly prestigious institution.

“We would be most grateful for your assistance in confirming this information.”

The letter was addressed to the Principal of Barewa College.

…as customers panic over their hard earned savings


Globus bank Limited has filed an application before a Lagos high court seeking an order for recovery of a total sum of N962,019,843.35 fraudulently transferred electronically from its vault into accounts domiciled in eight commercial banks.

The N962m is part of the total N1,755,376,156.34 transferred from the bank between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th of June 2022. The bank has already recovered the sum of N817,998,969.85 from the accounts of the fraudsters.

In an affidavit sworn to by the legal officer, Kosisochukwu Ngene, Globus bank said fraudsters took advantage of system glitch in its USSD application between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th of June 2022 to process several fraudulent and unauthorized electronic transfer totalling N1,755,376,156.34 (One Billion, Seven Hundred and Fifty-Five Million, Three Hundred and Seventy-Six Thousand, One Hundred Fifty-Six Naira thirty four kobo.

The bank said 709 people who were its customers were involved in the fraudulent transfer of the funds to accounts domiciled in eight commercial banks.

It added that immediately it discovered the glitch, it instantaneously notified all the banks involved and requested that the beneficiary accounts be restricted.

This, Globus Bank said was in line with Central bank of Nigeria regulation to avoid dissipation of the funds fraudulently transferred into the accounts domiciled with the banks.

“Subsequently, Globus bank immediately approached the Magistrate Court, in the Yaba Magisterial District and obtained an order directing the banks to freeze and reverse the amount fraudulently transferred into various accounts domiciled in the banks.


“That in response to the order served on the respondents some of the respondents were able to salvage certain sum wherein the total sum of N817,998,969.85 were returned to the bank while the total sum of N962,019,843.35 is still outstanding and yet to be returned to the bank by the respondents banks.

The Excel sheet which contains the names of the respondents the total amount fraudulently transfered from Globus bank,the total amount salvaged and returned to the Globus and the total amount outstanding is analyze was also filed before the court.

Globus Bank said it still requires the order of the high court to enable the other banks to reverse and remit the salvaged funds to it.

It added that the other banks have requested an order of the high court, to enable them reverse and remit the salvaged funds.

“Consequently, Globus bank Limited is seeking the following reliefs from the court.

“An Order of the Court directing all the eight banks to immediately reverse and remit to, Globus bank Limited the total sum of N962,019,843.35 (Nine hundred and sixty two million, nineteen thousand , eight hundred and forty three naira, thirty five kobo), being the outstanding sum yet to be salvaged from the fraudulent transfer into several accounts domiciled with the eight Respondents from the Globus bank 709 customers’ accounts, less depleted sum.

“An order directing the eight commercial banks to release all account information in respect of the destination accounts and the beneficiaries of the transfer funds

“And for such further order(s) as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

Access Bank has launched two new consumer credit cards: the Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the metal Platinum® Card. These are the first American Express Cards to be issued in Nigeria.

By launching these Cards, Access Bank improves its overall offering to its retail and private bank customers, who can now enjoy the Membership Rewards loyalty programme and a wide range of travel and lifestyle benefits. In 2019, Access Bank signed an agreement with American Express to start acquiring merchants, enabling businesses across the country to accept payments from international American Express Cards. The bank is now ready to issue the first American Express credit cards in West Africa.

The Gold and Platinum Cards showcase the international American Express card design, featuring the distinctive ‘Centurion’ icon. Similar products are also issued outside of Nigeria by American Express or third parties licensed by American Express and provide Cardmembers with extensive rewards and benefits. Through Access Bank, this credit card experience is now available in Nigeria.

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Managing Director and CEO of Access Bank, said: “The launch of American Express Cards in Nigeria is another milestone in the continued development of a vibrant and fast-growing payments industry. Customers want more than transactions – they want real value. With American Express, we can provide valuable card benefits, strong loyalty rewards, and a real reason to use electronic payments instead of cash. By diversifying our services to facilitate payments, we can connect more consumers to the SMEs and retail businesses across the country who we know are the engine of economic growth.”

Mohammed Badi, President, Global Network Services at American Express, said: “By granting Access Bank a license to launch the first-ever American Express Cards in Nigeria, American Express’ presence in Africa is becoming even more vibrant. The Access Bank American Express Gold Card and the metal Platinum Card enhance the credit card experience in Nigeria with special benefits, access, and service – for Cardmembers both in Nigeria and when travelling overseas.”

Alongside dual-currency functionality (NGN/USD) and international acceptance, the American Express Cards include airport lounge access, car rental perks, Membership Rewards, loyalty points, as well as insurance and protections. On top of these features, the Platinum Card also offers:

Expanded airport lounge benefits, with complimentary access to more than 1,400 lounges through the American Express Global Lounge Collection.
Hotel perks and upgrades through The Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels + Resorts.
Special status access in the Hilton Honours, Radisson Rewards, and Marriott BonvoyTM rewards programmes.
Complimentary access to hotel membership programmes, with Tablet Plus membership and Mr & Mrs. Smith Gold status.
24/7 travel and lifestyle concierge services.
For more information on the Cards, please visit the Access Bank website or contact your Access Bank account officer or relationship manager.

Rising from a lower profit margin of N10.2billion and a debilitating Non-Performing Loan portfolio of 45 per cent in 2015, to an impressive profit of N147billion and a significantly lowered NPL rate of 5.6 per cent in 2022, FirstBank has proven that its back-to-back profit-making is far beyond recoveries made, but rather it’s a reinforcement of a well-articulated growth trajectory driven by a committed, competent and experienced Board and management team, writes Festus Akanbi

There seems to be a consensus among watchers of the Nigerian banking sector that these days, the changing dynamics foisted on the nation’s economy by both the current local and international economic realities are already taking their toll on Nigerian banks.
As the nation’s population rises, so also the need for banking services by the people. However, the rise in population and the corresponding rise in the number of unbanked and underbanked Nigerians are creating a new dimension of competition among banks in the country.
Therefore, as competition for the sphere of influence becomes fierce, analysts said only banks with a track record of consistent preparation for emerging challenges will stand the test of time, especially in a period of regime change with its attendant restructuring in the Nigerian economic policies.

FirstBank Returns with Solid Fundamentals
Top on the list of banks in this category is FirstBank Limited, a subsidiary of FBN Holdings Plc. This is because, from whatever angle one looks at its performance trajectory, especially in the last seven years, what is constant is the sustained growth in its deliveries coupled with its stabilisation and return to the top of the ladder of the Nigerian banking industry.
The bank has over the years taken some far-reaching decisions, which observers said have created a new benchmark in the Nigerian banking industry, especially with its triumphant return to solid profitability within a period of seven years.
For example, in its full-year results for 2022, the bank was been able to record tremendous improvements in all performance metrics surveyed by our correspondent. It grew the number of total customer accounts from 10 million in 2015 to 41 million customer accounts as of December 2022. Its total number of issued cards rose from seven million in 2015 to 12 million last year.
Also within a spate of seven years, the number of its FirstMobile users rose to 6.1 million, while the number of FirstOnline users was put at 1.1 million in 2022. Its USSD users were said to have hit 14.7 million while the number of its total digital banking customers rose from 600,000 in 2015 to 22 million in 2022.

Agent Banking
In the same category is the bank’s agent banking business where FirstMonie agent banking is reaching out to customers in unbanked or underbanked regions to process financial requests through registered agents. This was non-existent in 2015, but by 2022, the bank could boast of 200,000 direct agents in all the crannies of the country. Analysts are quick to remind us that if we factor in the fact that most of the agent bankers usually employ about two additional staff, what it means is that FirstBank has empowered about 600,000 people.

Performance Indicators
To show for its policy consistency, innovation and its recovery measures since 2015, a comparative analysis of the performance indicators in the bank’s statement of account between the 2015 and 2022 figures confirmed analysts’ vote of confidence in the board and management of FirstBank.
For instance, the bank has significantly grown its customer deposit from N2.905 billion in 2015 to N7.351 billion in 2022. Its total assets rose from N3.973 billion in 2015 to N10.605 billion in 2022.
It improved on its profit before tax of N10.2 billion in 2015 which grew to N147.3 billion last year. Other metrics include a major improvement in the bank’s pretax return on equity from 0.6 per cent in 2015 to 17.3 per cent in 2022, while its pretax return on asset moved from 0.1 per cent to 1.6per cent. The bank also recorded an appreciable reduction in the cost of funds from 3.6 per cent in 2015 to 2.1 per cent in 2022.

Lower Rate of Non-Performing Loans
However, one major development is the ability of the bank’s leadership to free the institution from the burden of non-performing loans which trended down from 45 per cent in 2015 to 5.6 per cent in 2022.
In response to the ongoing turnaround of the bank initiated in 2015, the latest performance figures showed that the African subsidiaries of the bank have shed their negative position of 2015 to profitability and they indeed contributed 21.3 per cent of its PBT for the year under review.
Perhaps, the most visible indication that FirstBank has returned to profitability is the quantum jump in its share price which moved from N4.88 to N14.17.

First Bank’s Laudable Firsts
Industry watchers said the bank’s return to solid profitability can also be assessed in terms of its areas of concentration as a growing concern.
It’s on record that FirstBank has many records of being the first. It was the first financial institution to be established in West Africa; the first Nigerian company to emerge Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria for six consecutive years in the globally renowned brand Finance Surveys and the first Nigerian bank to surpass 200,000 agent banking locations as an exceptional financial inclusion pioneer.
Other pioneering records include its emergence as the first bank to reach N1trillion ((US$8 billion) market capitalisation on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE); the first financial institution to engage in a N100 billion (US$800 million) hybrid offer that marked the largest public offer on the Nigerian capital market and the first Nigerian bank to establish an off-shore subsidiary – FirstBank UK Ltd.

Unique Products’ Offerings
The bank is also reputed as the first financial institution to support a centre on Sustainability in partnership with the Lagos Business School.
Then referred to as the FirstBank Sustainability Centre, it was used as a case study for global best practice in terms of “Partnerships with Business Schools to Advance Sustainability (Ideas that Inspire Action)” championed by the Principles for Management Education (PRME) and the United Nations Global Compact LEAD. It’s the commitment to advancing Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) that earned the Bank several awards including the Market Leader Nigeria (ESG) by Euromoney Market Leaders 2022.

Q1, 2023 Results
Expectedly, the bank has continued to receive impressive ratings ever since its first quarter 2023 result was made public, with analysts saying the transformation has further confirmed the claim of its management that it has rebuilt FirstBank with solid fundamentals.
For instance, gross earnings recorded a substantial increase of 44.2 per cent year-on-year, while its net interest income saw a remarkable surge of 50.9 per cent year-on-year on the back of optimal asset pricing and effective management of interest-earning assets.
Speaking on the results, the Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan disclosed that increasing penetration of digital and transaction banking offerings supported the bank’s Q1 performance in non-interest income by 15.3 per cent growth, adding that “The increase of 21 per cent year-on-year in operating expense reflects the high inflationary environment but within revenue growth. Overall, the Commercial Banking Group delivered substantial growth of 57 per cent and 54.8 per cent in profit before tax and profit after tax, respectively, for the quarter.”

The Making of a Transaction-led Institution
Another game-changer in the story of the transformation of FirstBank was the conscious attempt of the board and management to make the bank a transaction-led institution.
Analysts said the feat was achievable because of the commitment of the bank’s management to invest and deploy technology to the fullest.
For instance, FirstBank is the first to begin the Technology Academy in Nigeria and this has helped the bank to build a transaction-led “machine” -a digital infrastructure that can accommodate huge transactions. Today, the bank has been able to grow its customer accounts to 42 million-as against the 10 million it recorded in 2015, while it has over 22 million active customers on its digital channels.
Adeduntan explained further that “In cleaning up the bank, there was no additional fund injection, which is the most dramatic thing. That means we have been able to achieve all these without shareholders losing their business. What happened was that we did our own AMCON by cleaning our books ourselves without any external capital injection.

Human Resources
Realising the pivotal role of its employees, the bank decided to invest in its staff while it sought external assistance on areas it couldn’t address locally. Thisday gathered that the bank liaised with international institutions like Standard Chartered; Citibank and JP Morgan.
The bank also has a structured succession plan having initiated a development plan in 2015 that allows most if not all the vacancies in the bank to be filled internally.
The bank also put in place a Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP), which is an intensive modular programme for a select group of senior managers to principal managers who are proven leaders in their respective functions and have been identified as central to the Bank’s succession plan.
Other initiatives include the Leadership Acceleration Programme (LAP), which was specifically designed to develop and infuse critical leadership and change agents within the middle management staff cadre of the Bank. The list also includes First Bank Management Associate Programme, a 24-month fast-track comprehensive programme targeted at young, dynamic and highly driven individuals that are passionate about making a difference in the financial services industry. The programme is designed to build the next generation of leaders to drive the Bank’s vision of being Africa’s Bank of First Choice.

FirstBank’s Performance Indicators (2015 Versus 2022)
Dec 2015 Q1 2023/ Dec 2022*

Number of Total Customers Accounts1 [millions] 10.9 41
Total Number of Issued Cards [millions] 7 12.0
FirstMobile Users [millions] 0.06 6.1
FirstOnline Users [millions] 0.09 1.1
USSD Users [millions 0.5 14.7
Total Digital Banking Customers Users [millions 0.6 22.0
Annual Transaction Volumes [millions] 2,000 17,000
Number of Agents 0 200,000
% of Customer Induced Transaction Processed on Digital Platforms 20% 96%
Transaction Momentum (Non- Interest Income as a % of Net Revenue 22.7% 40.59%
Number of Total Customers Accounts1 [millions] 10.9 41
Transaction Banking Platform Users 0 1,476

Culled from ThisDay

National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria to host conference in Abuja on the 'Critical Role of Marketing and Ethics in Nation-Building'

The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) is delighted to announce its upcoming conference, to be held in the capital city of Abuja on June 22nd, 2023.

The conference aims to shed light on the indispensable role of marketing and ethics in driving sustainable nation-building efforts.

Under the theme of " The Role of Marketing and Ethics in Nation Building”, the highly anticipated event will gather marketing professionals, experts, scholars, and thought leaders from across Nigeria. Attendees will engage in insightful discussions, share best practices, and explore innovative strategies that can contribute to the overall growth and development of our great nation.

In today's rapidly evolving landscape, marketing plays a crucial role in shaping perceptions, influencing behaviour, and driving economic progress. As we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the digital era, it is imperative that marketing practices align with ethical principles, promoting honesty, fairness, and accountability. By upholding ethical standards, we can ensure the long-term success of businesses, enhance consumer trust, and contribute to the socio-economic advancement of our nation.

According to the President of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN), Idorenye Enang, he stated that for Nigeria to attain sustainable development there is a need to imbibe strong ethical leadership while harnessing the nation’s greatest asset, the people.

He also stated that the conference was inspired by the need to review the Nigerian ecosystem while creating a platform for discourse with relevant stakeholders including the government and private sector to share ideas on delivering better leadership quality and harnessing its human resources for sustainable development of businesses and the economy.

“I believe that our greatest asset as a country is our people. As an institute, we are developing ways to foster conversations around the role of marketing and ethics in building the nation. What makes a great nation and what makes a great person is ethics.”

The conference program will feature keynote speeches, panel discussions, case studies, and interactive workshops, covering a wide range of topics with key note speakers such as Mr. Lolu Akinwunmi, the Group CEO of Prima Garnet Africa; Mike Iteumagbor- Chairman Padmozi Sports Marketing; Prof Uchenna Uzo, Professor of marketing at Lagos Busines School; Dr Ibrahim Yusuf Ohida, Senior Lecturer at Nasarawa State University; Dr. Nechi Nceako, Chief Executive Officer at EL-Values Advisory; Prof. Agbo JC Onu, a professor at Ahmadu Bello University amongst several others.

These distinguished speakers and industry experts will share their invaluable insights, highlighting successful ethical marketing campaigns, innovative approaches, and emerging trends. Participants will also have the opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and forge collaborations that can further drive the ethical marketing agenda in Nigeria.

The NIMN conference serves as a platform to inspire and empower marketing professionals to adopt ethical practices that align with the core values of integrity, professionalism, and social responsibility.

The institute thereby cordially invite all marketing professionals, academics, government officials, and stakeholders in the marketing industry to join the conference in Abuja. This is to pave the way for a brighter future built on ethical marketing practices.

Tingo Group, the fast-rising conglomerate of businesses that cut across tech, agriculture, e-commerce and aviation has been accused of “exceptionally obvious scams with completely fabricated financials.”

In a new expose by Hindenburg Research, a US-based investment research firm, “Dozy” Mmobuosi, CEO of Tingo Group is accused of falsifying documents and the financial statements of the company on multiple occasions.

Tingo Group’s scams
It also alleges that the company sought to sell products that it didn’t have, including mobile phones, food processing and an online food marketplace for farmers primarily located in Nigeria.

Tingo claims that it has generated $128 million from its mobile handset leasing, call and data segments in Q1 2023, services that it said it provided through an agreement with Airtel in Nigeria. Not only did this type of agreement not exist in Nigeria until this month, but the Nigerian Communications Commission also said that it has no record of Tingo being a mobile licensee at all.

The claims that Tingo Mobile, the phones provided for farmers, were being used by millions in Nigeria have also been unsubstantiated. Similarly, its Ghana expansion that would have generated 2-4 million members of Tingo Mobile could also not be substantiated.

Tingo Pay, its fintech described as a “seamless payment system” is also shrouded in discrepancy, including not having a partnership with the bank that it said it had when it launched in 2021. The bank said it had “NOT concluded any agreement with Tingo International in respect of any payment system whatsoever.”

Tingo said that it has a point of sale (PoS) product. but it has photoshopped its logo on images from other PoS operator websites.

Its online marketplace, NWASSA which it said generated $125.3 million in revenue last quarter has been “under maintenance” and inoperable for months.

But in fact, Tingo has no food processing facility of its own, Hindenburg Research learned from its investigation.

A February event announcing a $1.6 billion Nigerian food processing facility that included pictures of Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, Nigeria’s minister of agriculture, Hindenburg Research found to have been a fake rendering of an oil refinery from a stock photo website.

An announcement by the company of a $150 million agreement with a UK entity called Evtec Energy to build solar panels for its non-existent food processing facility is also just one of Dozy’s scams. In fact, UK filings show that Evtec was “Dormant” and held zero cash in the bank.

An acquisition of Tingo Foods from Dozy Mmobuosi by Tingo Group in February 2023 for $204 million has also completely vanished from the Q1 2023 accounts without explanation.

Dozy Mmobuosi’s web of lies
At the core of the reporting were activities by Dozy, like his claim to have developed the first mobile payment app in Nigeria which is totally false.

He also said he had received a PhD in rural advancement from Universiti Putra Malaysia in 2007. The University said it couldn’t find his name in its verification system.

The report reveals that in 2019 when Dozy claimed to have launched “Tingo Airlines” and posted social media messages encouraging customers to “fly with Tingo Airlines today,” it was actually photos of aeroplanes belonging to other airlines. He has since admitted to never owning any actual aircraft.

At the peak of his scam, he attempted to acquire Sheffield United, the now-Premier League soccer team. Tingo’s plans to raise $500 million and list on the NYSE, were heavily reported in the international media including on Bloomberg. Dozy was featured on the cover of Forbes Africa and GQ South Africa, as an African tech entrepreneur changing the face of agriculture.

Already the expose is making an impact with Block & Leviton, a law firm that previously sued Elon Musk over his Twitter stake, launching an investigation into potential securities law violations.

“We strongly suspect Tingo’s cash balance, which it conveniently claims is held in Nigeria, is fake. The company collected only ~12% of the interest income one would expect from its claimed cash balances,” Hindenburg Research says.

“Overall, we think Tingo is a worthless and brazen fraud that should serve as a humiliating embarrassment for all involved. We do not expect the company will be long for this world,” it added.

Breaking: EFCC lacks constitutional powers to probe Zamfara State's accounts, court declares

. Sets aside Commission's invitation to past, serving Zamfara officials



A Federal High Court, sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State has declared that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission does not have the powers to invite (by letters, telephone calls or any other means of communication) serving and past officials of the Zamfara State Government for the purpose of explaining how the state's funds are utilised.

The Court held that the power to audit the public accounts of Zamfara State is not vested in the 1st Defendant (EFCC) or any other authority, person, body or organisation other than in the Auditor General of Zamfara State.

Justice Aminu Bappa Aliyu made this known on Wednesday while delivering judgment on a suit instituted by the Government of Zamfara State and Attorney General of Zamfara State against the EFCC and the Attorney of the Federation.

The Court also set aside EFCC's letter of invitation to the past and serving officials of Zamfara State Government, dated 28th September, 2021, or any other date, noting that such letter, "being ultra vires the powers of the 1st Defendant", was null and void and of no effect whatsoever.

These and other orders were made after the court had listened to submissions of the Plaintiffs' counsel, Abdulfathu Shehu; and Counsels to the defendants, Adebisi Adeniyi and P. A. Attah, in the Writ of Summons suit, dated and filed on November 16, 2021 and marked: FHC/GS/CS/30/2021.

Having gone through the processes filed by the parties, Justice Aliyu granted all the prayers of the Plaintiffs, stressing that only the Zamfara State House of Assembly and the Auditor General of the state are vested with the constitutional authority of seeking explanation or inviting public officials on how the state's money is being spent and not the EFCC or the AGF.

The Zamfara State Government had also prayed the court to bar EFCC from inviting, arresting or detaining any government officials as regards the appropriation of public funds in the state as such contradicts the power of the anti-graft body.

The presiding judge granted all the Plaintiffs' prayers, saying, "A declaration is made that, having regard to the provisions of Section 120, 121, 122. 123, 124, 128 and 129 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the 1st Defendant (EFCC) does not have the powers to invite (by letters, telephone calls or any other means of communication) serving and past officials of the Plaintiff for the purpose of explaining how funds meant for security votes, estacodes and travelling allowances were utilized, or are being utilized, when such funds are such that the Auditor General and the Zamfara State House of Assembly have the constitutional authority to conduct investigation and exercise powers and control over same.

"A Declaration is made that upon a calm and proper interpretation of the provisions of Section 125 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the power to receive financial statement and annual accounts of Zamfara State from the Accountant General of Zamfara State is not vested in the 1st Defendant or any other authority, person, body or organization other than in the Auditor General for Zamfara State.

"A Declaration is made that upon a proper interpretation of the provisions of Section 125 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the power to audit the public accounts of Zamfara State is not vested in the 1st Defendant or any other authority, person, body or organization other than in the Auditor General of Zamfara State.

"A Declaration is made that upon a calm and proper interpretation of the provisions of Section 125 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, the Auditor General or any person authorized by him, cannot be subjected to any direction or control of the 1st and 2nd Defendants (EFCC and AGF) or any authority, person, body or organization.

"An Order of Injunction is made retraining the 1st Defendant by itself, agent, servant, detectives, employees, staff, operatives and privies from inviting, or further inviting. arresting and or detaining past or present officials of the 1st Plaintiff (Zamfara State Government) with respect to how funds meant for security votes, estacodes and travelling allowances were expended by the 1st Plaintiff except through the House of Assembly of Zamfara State and in strict compliance with provisions of the Constitution of the Federal of Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

"An Order of Injunction is made restraining the 1st Defendant whether by itself, its agents, employees, servants, operatives, detectives, privies, investigating officer(s), and other person by whatever name called, from inviting, or further inviting, intimidating, harassing and threatening to arrest or detain, or from arresting or detaining any past or present official of the 1st Plaintiff on the basis of the same facts or similar facts as herein stated.

"An Order is made setting aside the 1st Defendant's letter of invitation to the past and serving officials of the Plaintiff, dated 28th September, 2021, or any other date, same being ultra vires the powers of the 1st Defendant, and therefore, null and void and of no effect whatsoever."

A Lagos based legal practitioner, Chief Abdullai Tony Dania has slammed N12,987,343.42 suit on AIICO Insurance company over alleged breach of contract.

According to further and better affidavit sworn to by Litigation Manager.Mr Abimbola Mayowa in the office of Chief Abdullai Tony Dania counsel and the Plaintiff in this case.The Plaintiff entered into an insurance policy contract with AIICO in the year 2007, with policy No. 12028081.

The Plaintiff kept to his side of the contract, and made financial deposits to the Insurance company periodically though he missed some years when he was on admission at Igbobi Orthopedic Hospital after surviving a fatal motor accident. As agreed he ought to be paid the sum of N1,987,343.42 by the Defendant, on the maturity date 24th April, 2022.

He wrote a letter dated 28/03/2022 upon suspicion of fraudulent acts in their relationship either on the part of the Defendant or her Agents or intermediaries, requesting to be furnished with a full Statement of Account and a proper update on his policy no. 12028081.

The Defendant responded to the letter under reference above vide their letter dated 11/04/22 and stated that receipts of payments were wrongly posted to one of Mr. Dania Tony Abdullai’s mature policy which caused variation in the assumed calculation of the surrender benefit given on the stated policy, has been collected.

The Plaintiff replied to the letter referred vide a letter dated 26/04/22 insisting that the Defendant furnish proof/evidence of the referred wrongful posting mentioned above and to further provide full statement of Account and proper update of his policy no. 12028081 and any other policy belonging to the Plaintiff

The Defendant further responded vide a letter dated 2/05/2022 explaining that the receipts of payment referred to as wrongly posted to another policy belonging to Mr. Dania Tony Abdullai in their letter of 11/04/22 have now been posted correctly to policy no. 18028081 and further stated that policy no. 18028081 has lapsed and can no longer receive maturity benefit as it does not meet up with the basic requirement for maturity payout.

The Plaintiff replied to the letter referenced vide a letter dated 9/05/2022 urging the Defendant to allow parties to amicably close the transaction on policy number 12028081 and the Plaintiff paid off, unfailingly, before the end of May, 2022, failing which, the Plaintiff shall instruct his lawyers accordingly.

That the policy became due on the 24th day of April, 2022.

However, when the Defendant refused, neglected and failed to pay the plaintiff his premium which was calculated to be in the sum of N1,987,343.42.

The Plaintiff wrote a complaint letter to the Honourable Commissioner of National Insurance Commission of Nigeria, reporting the refusal of the Defendant to pay him his premium.

AIICO General Insurance Plc, was copied with the above mentioned complaint letter and he has not received any response from the Defendant.

The defendant has refused to pay the Plaintiff’s insurance policy entitlement, which has become due and thus breached the insurance contract between them, and has also refused to respond to his letter.

Chief Dania contended that facts of this case are not contentious, they are very clear, unambiguous and incontrovertible; it is based on a contract executed between the two parties.

Consequently, the action of the Insurance has left the Plaintiff with no other option than to resort to court to recover his money from the Defendant, as he verily believe that the Defendant has no defense/response to this action as the sum demanded is a liquidated sum, therefore the case of the Defendant shall not in any way be prejudiced, if the prayers sought herein are granted.

A declaration that it was wrong, improper and amounted to breach of contract for the defendant to have refused to pay to the Plaintiff the sum of N1,987,343.42 (One Million Nine Hundred and Eighty Seven Thousand Three Hundred and Forty Three Naira, Forty Two Kobo, only which the defendant was supposed to pay to the Plaintiff, upon the maturity of the insurance contract, with policy No: 12028081 executed by both parties herein.

An order directing the Defendant to pay the claimant, the sum of N1,987,343.42 being the amount due for, and or standing to credit of the Plaintiff from the insurance policy and contract he executed with the Defendant.

An order directing the Defendant to pay the Plaintiff the sum of ten million naira as general and exemplary damages, for the avoidable hardship extreme difficulties, psychological trauma, which the claimant, suffered as a result of the actions of the action of the defendant.

However, in a counter affidavit filed before the court, by the AIICO Insurance company, the company while denying almost all the claims of Chief Abdullai Dania, stated thus: that the Claimant took out a bi-annual endowment insurance policy in 2007 with policy number 12028081. The policy was for a period of 15 (fifteen years) and mature in April, 2022.

By the said policy, the Defendant was obliged to pay a premium of N581,571 bi-annually from April 2007 till April 2022, with a sum assured of N10,000,000 (Ten Million Naira) at maturity.

Under the policy, the Claimant is at liberty to make a 25% partial withdrawal after five years, the Claimant is also at liberty to make a 25% partial withdrawal after ten years and make a full withdrawal of the sum assured N10,000,000 fifteen years;(Ten Million Naira) plus a 3% revertionary bonus at maturity I.e. fifteen years.

The above benefits are only available to the claimant if he services the policy as and when due i.e the claimant must be be paying his premium of N581,571every six months.

The Claimant breached the contract between him and the Defendant when he decided to pay his premium in bits as opposed to the bi-annual payment in the contract between them; after the payment of the sum of N85,000 in January, 2008, the Claimant refused to service the policy until three years later in 2011 and after the 2011 premium payment, the Claimant refused to service the insurance policy;

Sometime in 2008, the Claimant requested for the status of his policies with the Defendant and by a letter dated July 14, 2008, the Defendant responded that the Claimant’s policy No. 12028081 was in force. However, the bi-annual premium was overdue for payment. Thereafter, the Claimant refused to service the policy until June 2011;

In 2010, the Claimant wrote to the defendant for the withdrawal of his policies. In 2011, the Claimant further approached the Defendant to know the state of his policy and the Defendant responded via a letter dated 12th May, 2011 where the Defendant further explained that the policy has lapsed and cannot be surrendered. The Defendant advised the Claimant to reinstate the policy by paying the outstanding premium of N4,070,997.

The Claimant refused to pay the outstanding premium of N4,070,997 above but paid the sum of N353,996, N250,000 and N215,205 which were not sufficient to reinstate the lapsed policy. The Claimant, again, made a request to know the state of his policy and the Defendant responded via a letter dated 4th January, 2013 wherein the Claimant was informed that his outstanding premium was N5,826,650.51.

The assertion of the Claimant that he was involved in a fatal motor accident is an afterthought. The Claimant made the assertion for the first time in his affidavit and the Defendant was not notified of same.

The Claimant is not entitled to any sum at all as the Claimant refused to pay the bi-annual premium, as agreed at the inception of the contract.

The Claimant did not keep to his side of the contract. The Claimant is in arrears of the sum of N15,813,783 in outstanding premiums, as stated in the Endowment contract;
Defendant explained the circumstances of the wrong posting to the Claimant and same had been rectified.

The Claimant’s policy with the Defendant had lapsed and the Claimant is not entitled to any sum under the policy;

The Claimant wrote a Petition to the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) against the Defendant. The Defendant has responded to the allegations of the Claimant contained therein to NAICOM and the Claimant is having a copy of the Defendant’s response.

The Claimant did not wait for the outcome of his Petition to NAICOM before approaching this Honourable Court, despite receiving the Defendant’s response.

The Claimant has not exhausted all domestic fora before approaching this Honourable Court; and there is no material before this Honourable Court warranting the grant of the prayers sought by the Claimant.

Therefore, it will be in the interest of justice if this application is refused.

The presiding Judge, Yelin Bogoro has fixed 6th of July,2023 for judgement.

Following the zoning formula released by the NWC of the ruling APC after consulting President Bola Tinubu which identified Hon Ben Kalu Member of House of Representatives (Bende, Abia) Federal Constituency as Deputy Speaker designate of the House of Representatives in the 10th Assembly, more and more national stakeholders from different sectors have been applauding the ruling party for making a very good choice.

This time, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) in a statement released by SSA Media and Public Affairs to the National President Barr Val Iwuchukwu extoles the virtue of Hon Kalu.

The statement reads: “It is a geometrical axiom to state that when one straight line falls perpendicular with another straight line that lies horizontal, the angles formed are supplementary angles of one hundred and eighty degrees, therefore the choice of Hon Ben Kalu as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives is a round peg in a round hole

“Benjamin Kalu was elected to represent the good people of Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State in the 2019 General Elections and sworn in to office on the 11th of June 2019. He was re-elected to the same office in the 2023 General Election. He is currently the Spokesperson of the House of Representatives at the Nigeria National Assembly as the House Committee Chairman Media and Public Affairs.

His wealth of experience has been resourceful to the major committees of the house where he serves as a member; Defence, Airforce, Navy, National Security and Intelligence, Agricultural Services, Health Institutions and Health Services, Basic Education, Federal Judiciary, Petroleum Upstream, Climate Change, Federal Charater, Pensions and other Adhoc committees like the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) etc.

“He sat in different stakeholders meeting where strategic decisions were taken, why such decisions were taken and its impact in the overall interest of the nation sank well with him amd it has become unforgettable experience. It is trite to say that in the 9th Assembly, he acquired matchless experience which makes him the best man (from the South East) for the job.

“He is a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who has been involved in series of complex international business structuring from start-up, negotiation, pre and post incorporation stages. He has been engaged in international trade, import and export financing. He has handled series of financing deals for marine vessels purchases and documentation which involved syndication with multilateral finance institutions and local banks. Before settling down for the practice of law, Benjamin has built international businesses from start-up to international recognition. His communication skills within the public and private sector acquired through years of experience in both sectors is an advantage to the value he will create as the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“His experience in government and governmental affairs will assist him in upholding the interdependence of the arms of the government while upholding most importantly the independence of the Legislature,” the statement concluded.

It will be recalled that on May 8, 2023, APC leadership released the zoning arrangement as follows: Senate President – (South South) Senator Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Deputy Senate President – (North West) Senator Barau Jubrin (Kano).

Speaker, House of Representatives – (North West) Hon Bass Tajudeen (Kaduna); Deputy Speaker – (South East) Hon Ben Kalu (Abia).

…over 10,000 residents to benefit from new primary healthcare centre


By EDU ABADE

In a bid to boost healthcare delivery to thousands of residents, the Lagos State Government has built and unveiled a new Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) in Ije-Ododo Community, Iba Local Council Development Area (LCDA), under the Ojo Council Area of the state.

The facility, which has been under construction since 2021 in partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited, was unveiled in the community in an opening ceremony attended by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, representatives of the state government, the state Primary Health Care Board, community leaders, as well as traditional rulers of Iba, Ije-Ododo and Ijagemo, among others.

In his welcome address, the governor, who was represented by Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mrs. Folashade Sherifat Jaji, said the opening of the health facility under the SSG’s One Community At A Time (OCAAT) initiative, formed part of activities to herald the inauguration of his second term in office on Monday, May 29, 2023.

Maintaining that the attention being paid to the healthcare sector was deliberate to ensure a healthier populace, he said the state government under his watch would deploy more resources to the health sector for easier access to health services, especially in underserved communities.

He enjoined members of the community to take full advantage of the health benefits that will be provided in the facility and charged them to take ownership and protect the assets and the facility at all times.

Speaking, Permanent Secretary, Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustapha, commended First Bank of Nigeria Limited and the contractor for completing the project within the stipulated time frame, but also requested more assistance to make the facility functional by providing equipment and other necessary medical gadgets.

On his part, Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, who was represented by Mr. Seyi Oyefeso, expressed satisfaction at the successful completion of the project, adding that it was gratifying to know that no fewer than 10,000 residents of Ije-Ododo and neighbouring communities will have access to primary healthcare services in the facility.

He said as a responsible corporate social organisation, the bank’s intervention in the primary healthcare sector aligned with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) approach anchored on citizenship, impact management, strategic education, as well as the health and welfare of the immediate and remote communities of Lagos State and other parts of the country.

In his words: “The completion and opening of the primary healthcare centre is to ensure that Ije-Ododo community will become healthier and wealthier since health is wealth.”
In his goodwill message, the Baale of Ije-Ododo, Dr. Abu Jelili Ododo, who spoke in company of the Oba of Iba and Baale of Ijagemo, applauded Governor Sanwo-Olu for the timely completion of the healthcare centre and appealed for the construction of the Ijegun-Ije-Ododo-Abule-Ado road to link the Badagry Expressway, adding that it was high time the Ije-Ododo Community was provided with a motorable road to ease the sufferings of residents.

Responding to the request for the road, Jaji assured that the Lagos State government under Sanwo-Olu was poised to build the road but that the project suffered some setback due to agitations by some members of the community over the location of the project, adding however, that as soon as the governor settles down for his second tenure, construction work will begin on the road.

As part of its commitment to continually empowering the youth through various entrepreneurial initiatives, Retail giant, Access Bank has rewarded 55 members of the batch A, stream two Corps members across the country with various cash grants.

A total of N15.5million was given out to corps members with winning entrepreneurial ideas in Abuja, Delta, Kaduna, Kwara and River States with the star winners receiving N1million each.

According to Njideka Esomeju, Group Head, Consumer Banking, Access Bank “As an institution, we understand the role that young people play in the community and the nation, and we are committed to supporting their aspirations. We believe that the youths represent the future and hope of our nation. And we will do all we can to support their innovative ideas.

“Access Bank has been in a strategic partnership with NYSC since 2016. The relationship further evolved into the launch of Accessprenuer: The NYSC edition in February 2021. We have completed 13 editions of Accessprenuer competition, impacting 490 corps members with N195m seed capital. We have a facebook community where the winners of this editions will interact freely amongst themselves and inspire young entrepreneurs with similar aspirations. The facebook community has about 5,800 members” Njide concluded.

The Star prize winner in Rivers State, Obot, who wants to go into palm oil business, thanked Access Bank for motivating him with a seed capital to realize his dream and have a brighter future.

Second runner up winner in Abuja, Nifemi Ademola, who pitched on tomatoes harvesting and reproduction and won N700,000 said “ I really want to thank Access Bank for this initiative. The seed capital money I won today will really assist to expand my business and also help me to acquire more tools that I need for efficient production in the future”.

Ugah Ebuka, one of the N400,000 winner in Kwara said “A very big thank you to Access Bank and I pray that utilizing this cash for what it is actually meant for, my business will not just grow but be heard across the globe”.

The Bank also rewarded other corps members across the country in the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th -10th positions with N400,000, N250,000, N150,000, and N100,000 respectively.

Access Bank has announced its partnership with Konga, Nigeria’s leading composite e-commerce platform, to offer instalment payments to customers through Pay with QuickBucks.

This innovative payment solution will enable Access Bank customers to purchase products on Konga and make payments in flexible instalments.

This partnership reinforces Access Bank’s commitment to providing its customers with convenient and affordable financing solutions. By partnering with Konga, the bank is now able to extend its credit facilities to a wider audience.

“We are excited to partner with Konga to bring our innovative financing solutions to Access Bank customers,” said Robert Giles, Senior Retail Advisory, Access Bank. “Our goal is to make it easier for people to access credit and purchase the products they need, and we believe that our partnership with Konga will help us achieve that.”

With Pay with QuickBucks, customers who have their salary with Access Bank, meet the bank’s risk acceptance criteria, and are eligible will be able to select the instalment payment option when checking out on Konga. They will then be directed to a QuickBucks page, where they can complete the application process and receive an approval decision within minutes.

Also commenting on the partnership, Dave Omoriege, Chief Operating Officer at Konga, expressed delight at the additional convenience it would afford shoppers on the platform. “We are thrilled to be partnering with Access Bank to provide our customers with a convenient and affordable way to pay for their purchases. With this development, customers will now have access to flexible payment options, which will make it easier for them to shop on Konga.”

This partnership between Access Bank and Konga is a significant step towards making credit more accessible to Nigerians. The companies are committed to delivering innovative financial solutions that will improve the lives of their customers and help them achieve their financial goals.

To know more about QuickBucks, FAQs, and how to get started, please click HERE

Maritime stakeholders are anticipating a great deal of excitement as the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Col Hameed Ali (Rtd), will open the Annual Training Retreat of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) for 2023.

At the retreat scheduled for Thursday, May 25 2023, representatives from the Nigeria Customs Service and the National Inland Waterways Authority will discuss salient operational issues affecting their operations.

With the theme Enhancing Capacity/Efficiency in Modern News Reportage, AMJON, seeks to hone the reportorial skills of its members in this new era of multiplicity of news outlets and the changing dynamics of news reportage.

According to the President of AMJON, Mr. Paul Ogbuokiri, the 2023 training is expected to sharpen the skills and intellect of its members in line with present realities of news reportage.

Chairman Organizing Committee for the Conference, Mr. Kelvin Kagbare disclosed that the event has attracted members of the Presidential Standing Task Team, of PSTT, who shall participate and interact with AMJON members on its operations.

The National Inland Waterways Authority, NIWA, is also featuring at the AMJON Retreat to speak on its new Autonomy status and how it affects its national mandate.

While calling AMJON members to maximize the opportunity which the retreat offers, he as well charged them to be prepared for an intensive session with quest lecturers and presenters at the event.

“There is a lot that is happening in the Maritime industry that is either under reported, ignored or reported wrongly. Often times, you see terms and terminologies applied wrongly or misused there by causing confusion among stakeholders”

“While it is convenient and easy to blame the Journalists for such errors, heads of agencies have not helped matters by sidelining the media from several of their activities,” Ogbuokiri said.

The president of AMJON, Mr. Paul Ogbuokiri emphasized that the 2023 AMJON training/retreat was designed as an in-house program which was bought into by relevant agencies who sought to use the opportunity to illuminate on their services and operations.

Chairman of the planning committee stressed the importance of clarity of purpose when customs intervenes at ports and border posts, such as Duty Paid Value, Debit Note, Import/Export Prohibition Lists, Trade Facilitation, Revenue generation, Anti-Smuggling (who is a smuggler, among others, even as the PSTT and NIWA interact with AMJON at its 2023 Retreat and Training session.

The Supreme Court has cautioned Nigeria's anti-graft agencies against harassing officials and associates of the Kogi State Government pending the determination of a suit instituted by the Attorney General of Kogi State against the Attorney General of the Federation challenging the constitutionality of Acts establishing some anti-graft agencies, including the Proceed of Crime Protection and Prevention Act 2022, and their applicability to the state.

The Acts mentioned in the Originating Summons include those establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

When the matter came up before the full panel of the Supreme Court on Tuesday (today), May 23, 2023, Counsel to the Attorney General of Kogi State, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, drew the attention of the Court to the continued harassment and even arraignment of associates of Kogi State Government in various Courts despite the pendency of the Suit that was filed in February, 2023. Chief A.A. Adeniyi, SAN, also represented the plaintiff (Kogi State AG).

However, Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, T.A. Ghazali, SAN, who was in Court, strangely claimed not to have been served the Originating Process.

The full panel of the Court, led by Hon. Justice Amina Augie, in reaction to the concerns raised by Counsel to the plaintiff (Kogi AG), was unequivocal in making it clear to all parties that once a dispute had been submitted to the Court, and in this case, the apex Court of the land, all persons and authorities in Nigeria are expected to stay further action and await the outcome of the suit.

The Court therefore advised parties to stay further action on the subject of litigation pending the outcome of the suit and adjourned the hearing of the substantive originating Summons to October 10, 2023.

The Attorney General Of Kogi State had, in February, 2023, in Suit No. SC/178/ 2023, approached the Supreme Court vide an originating Summons to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to determine the Constitutionality of the EFCC Act, the ICPC Act, the NFIU Act, the Proceed of Crime (Prevention and Management Act) 2022.

He contended that, going by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Joseph Nwobike V.FRN to the effect that the United Nation Convention Against Corruption is the precursor to the EFCC, NFIU, ICPC and Proceed of Crime (Prevention and Protection) Act,  and that these laws, having not been enacted in consonance with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), are unconstitutional and have no applicability whatsoever to Kogi State under whatever guise.

The All Progressives Congress in Kogi State has suspended the entire executive officers of all the wards in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area of the state for alleged anti-party activities.

The suspended executive members were also accused of financial inducement to weaken the party in the state.

Their suspension and dissolution of the executive teams were contained in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the Kogi APC State Secretary, Joshua Onoja.

It reads, “The Kogi State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress have received disturbing reports of gross violation of the constitution of the party by Ward and Local Government Executives of the party,who ordinarily should be the custodian of the sanctity of our party’s constitution.

“Allegations of anti-party activities and financial inducement to weaken the party have been established as some executives of the party are under very serious investigations.

“To this end, the entire executives of the party in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area from the Wards to the Local Government level is hereby dissolved.”

Meanwhile, the party said a caretaker committee would be constituted immediately to pilot the affairs of the party in the affected council, and directed all suspended officers to hand over all party materials in their possession to the state secretariat in Lokoja.

The leadership of the party warned the sacked officers to desist from parading themselves as executives.

The statement further reads, “Caretaker Committees will be immediately set up to run the affairs of the party, pending full report of the investigative committee.

“Officials of the party from the Wards to the Local Government level in Igalamela/Odolu Local Government Area are hereby directed to submit party materials in their possession to the State Secretariat in Lokoja and seize forthwith to operate as executives with effect from today, 19th May, 2023.”

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Judicial Division, has dismissed the appeal filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, challenging the decision of the Kogi State High Court that it has jurisdiction to try the defamation suit instituted against the Commission by the State Government over the purported N20 Billion bailout fund.

The Court of Appeal in a ruling delivered on 18th May, 2023 in Appeal No. CA/ABJ/CV/290/2022, agreed with the Kogi State Government that the suit was properly commenced at the High Court of Kogi State, and therefore Ordered the EFCC to go back to the High Court of Kogi State to file their defence.

Contrary to a false narrative in some sections of the media, the appeal has nothing to do with Ali Bello, as he was neither a party to the appeal nor joined in the appeal.

The appeal is the defamation suit instituted by the Kogi State Government against the EFCC, Sterling Bank Plc and Central Bank of Nigeria in appeal No. CA/ ABJ/290/2022 over claims by the EFCC that Kogi State Government kept the sum of N 20 Billion in an interest yielding account.

With the victory of Kogi State Government in the appeal filed by EFCC, the anti-graft agency has therefore failed to prove its case against the government of Kogi State.

The Court of Appeal asked the EFCC to go back and file its defence on the merit to the defamation suit, which seems to have been avoided since 2021.

The EFCC was challenging the decision of the High Court of Kogi State to assume jurisdiction over the suit.

Kogi State Government was represented by M.Y. Abdullahi, SAN, F.O. Ekpa,Esq, while Kemi Pinhero, SAN and Jubrin Okutepa, SAN, represented the EFCC.

…say EFCC not conceived as agency for settling political scores


Following Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State’s bombshell, on Wednesday, that he and some other prominent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices against the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Abdulrasheed Bawa, notable Anti-Corruption crusaders in Nigeria, numbering over 150, on Thursday, insisted that Bawa can no longer continue to stay in office.

The leaders of the organisations who said they had refused to be cowed into shelving their agitation for a genuine fight against corruption in Nigeria, said inasmuch as elected officials must account for their actions in office, they shared Matawalle’s view that the investigations must not be selective but all-embracing.

According to the activists, the EFCC is an important agency in Nigeria, established to rid the society of corruption with impunity, it was not conceived as an agency meant for settling scores for political godfathers.

Led by the Chairman of the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership, CACOL, Debo Adeniran, the activists said, at a press conference in Lagos, that it was the standard practice all over the world for officials who have been accused of gross misconduct to step aside while investigations are being conducted to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.

They, therefore, called for a full probe into the activities of the EFCC under Bawa, saying, “his predecessor, Ibrahim Magu, was not only told to step aside when Bawa’s godfather wanted him out at all costs, he was humiliated out of office and up till tomorrow, no one knows the exact outcome of the probe against him.”

According to them, from the interaction of Journalists and CSOs with ordinary Nigerians who had been invited for one reason or the other at the Commission, “there have been several allegations to the effect that about 80 per cent of cases under EFCC investigation are not taken to court. EFCC offices now literally serve as court rooms.”

“There are damning allegations that some of the Commission’s officials simply negotiate with suspects, get assets and cash retrieved and do plea bargains. This opens limitless opportunities for corrupt bargaining and self-enrichment by the operatives of EFCC under Mr. Bawa’s watch,” the anti-corruption activists alleged.

“This needs to be thoroughly investigated by a technical Commission of Inquiry to dig into the modus operandi of EFCC investigations in the last three years by thoroughly analysing records of arrests, investigations, outcomes and final closure of each incident and individual suspects and how the matters were eventually dispensed with,” they demanded.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the CSOs, their spokesperson, Olufemi Lawson, stated, “Allegations of sharp practices with confiscated assets by the Commission have refused to go away. To this end, all seized assets need to be forensically audited with a view to recovering all assets re-looted or auctioned in suspicious circumstances.

“The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, has been convicted for contempt over his failure to comply with an earlier order of the court. As we speak, the Inspector-General of Police has not complied with a court order to commit Bawa to Kuje prison while Bawa has not deemed it fit to purge himself of contempt.”

The activists said claims by Bawa that the EFCC had secured 98.93 per cent convictions in 2022, losing only 1.07 per cent, were spurious, noting that a large chunk of the convictions were online fraudsters, while favoured political office holders were left untouched.

Lawson said, “We are also aware that in December 2022, the Bawa-led EFCC had announced its plan to sell forfeited properties. It also announced later in January that about 12 bids were made for those properties and, later, that six of those bids were successful. No details of this were made public, either to know successful bids or rejected ones. This was a ploy, in our opinion, to make the processes less transparent and, therefore, facilitate corrupt mismanagement of the proceeds or ensure that only their corrupt allies got the opportunity to purchase the assets at giveaway prices. The processes were rendered opaque and that’s very suspicious.

“The EFCC has done a selective invitation to outgoing Governors in Nigeria, reportedly exempting other government officials who have loads of petitions against them, even by Governors.”

“If a government agency expected to fight crime is found going about its business in a manner that mimics witch-hunt and selective justice while also being unable to deal with corruption going on within its own workforce, the Coalition of Anti-Corruption Organizations, COACOs, is afraid that the Nation may slide into some real crisis of confidence in our systems, which is bound to provoke a defunding of the EFCC by local and international donor organizations,” the activists stressed.

The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Muhammed Matawalle has requested the resignation and probe of the EFCC chairman, AbdulRasheed Bawa.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the governor accused Bawa of corruptly enriching himself while asking the anti graft boss to excuse himself and surrender for investigation.

Matawalle, who noted that he and some eminent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices, breach of public trust and abuse of office against Bawa, said the commission led by Bawa had been largely abused.

He said Bawa needs to come clean on the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight, and should therefore explain how seized assets by the EFCC are being sold without adherence to due process.

He said: “Bawa should explain, for instance, how he has assumed the role of the plaintiff, prosecutor and jury and how he has executed his brand of plea bargaining with suspected criminals and saboteurs of the Nigerian economy and agenda who instead of being put on trial, are walking freely all over Nigeria.

“It is when the EFCC Chair does this and becomes open, non-selective and all-embracing with his invitation, that will we take him seriously.

“It is only then will serious-minded officers who have served the people selflessly and meritoriously and are not opposed to an examination of their books, and indeed Nigerians generally take him seriously.

“Without this, it is just a case of another person in government who has some explaining to do himself over allegations of corruption, high-handedness and abuse of office now asking others to account, by so doing, merely giving Nigerians a comic relief from the present challenging times they are experiencing,” Matawalle said.

The governor also charged Bawa to make his investigation holistic and not selective, saying that the recent invitations and pronouncement by the EFCC Chair is imbalance, incomplete, hypocritical and unnecessarily skewed.

He explained that Bawa’s action is counterproductive to the anti-corruption crusade, while doubting whether Bawa is actually committed to the anti corruption war.

“In a bid to help the obvious knowledge-gap and inertia exhibited by the EFCC Chair, the probe should be all embracing and cover all officers.

“I demand that the EFCC chair extend similar invitations to officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council, which is the highest tier of government in the country,” the governor noted.

Full statement

My attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Malam Abdulrasheed Bawa, in which he claimed he has sent invitations to all outgoing Governors and Commissioners in a bid to commence investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office perpetrated by them while in office.

While this is appropriate and commendable because it’s important for political office holders to account for their actions in office and EFCC is imbued with the power of investigation, however, this power must be exercised judiciously.

The investigation must be holistic and not selective. It is in this respect that the recent invitations and pronouncement by the EFCC Chair is imbalance, incomplete, hypocritical and unnecessarily skewed.

This is counterproductive to the anti-corruption crusade itself, that is if Malam Bawa is actually committed to one.

In a bid to help the obvious knowledge-gap and inertia exhibited by the EFCC Chair, the probe should be all embracing and cover all officers.

I demand that the EFCC chair extend similar invitations to officers of the Presidency and members of the Federal Executive Council, which is the highest tier of government in the country.

In furtherance of my desire to engender a broad based investigation and an enlargement of the fight against corruption, I will also demand that Abdulrasheed Bawa excuse himself and surrender himself for investigation, as I and some eminent Nigerians have evidence of corrupt practices, breach of public trust and abuse of office against him and the commission led by him.

Importantly, he needs to come clean with Nigerians on the way and manner he has prosecuted the anti-corruption fight.

He needs to explain among others how seized assets by the EFCC are being sold without adherence to due process.

He should explain, for instance, how he has assumed the role of the plaintiff, prosecutor and jury and how he has executed his brand of plea bargaining with suspected criminals and saboteurs of the Nigerian economy and agenda who instead of being put on trial, are walking freely all over Nigeria.

It is when the EFCC Chair does this and becomes open, non-selective and all-embracing with his invitation, that will we take him seriously.

It is only then will serious-minded officers who have served the people selflessly and meritoriously and are not opposed to an examination of their books, and indeed Nigerians generally take him seriously.

Without this, it is just a case of another person in government who has some explaining to do himself over allegations of corruption, high-handedness and abuse of office now asking others to account, by so doing, merely giving Nigerians a comic relief from the present challenging times they are experiencing.

SIGNED

Bello Muhammed Matawalle
Governor,
Zamfara State.

Ayo Olesin

As expected, some of those who lost out in the race to secure the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket to contest the upcoming Kogi State governorship elections have gone all out to discredit, not just the process, but also the administration and person of the incumbent Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

For any outsider looking in without being beclouded by partisan considerations, it is obvious that the emergence of Yahaya Bello as Kogi Governor in January 2016 was a simple matter of preparation meeting opportunity, which some will sum as luck.

Surely, his party leaders perceived certain qualities in Bello in handing him the ticket after the demise of Abubakar Audu. Who can fault that?

Bello, who has demonstrated, early, an uncanny ability to weld the disparate political and ethnic cleavages that hitherto existed in the state, has been accused of maintaining a totalitarian grip on the affairs of the state, something which has been mischievously termed absolutism.

For one, any student of politics knows that in a constitutional democracy, it is impossible for an elected leader, especially of a sub-national entity, to wield absolute power like some medieval ruler. But if a leader has been able to rally massive support among his constituents, dealing fairly but firmly with issues of governance, dissent is most likely to be limited.

Under our constitution, state governors are accountable to the law, not just to themselves. Yet, that does not diminish the fact that a true leader must be in control of his environment lest he be pushed around and misled into serving the interests of just a few.

The particular point of angst is the emergence of Ahmed Usman Ododo as the party’s candidate for the November polls. Some of the losers have accused Bello of handpicking him even though a party primary was conducted in the full glare of stakeholders. Anyone that emerged from that process would have been labelled as “hand-picked” anyway. Assuming but not conceding that Bello even hand-picked him from the array of other qualified aspirants, many of whom also served in his cabinet and have held high offices even in their youthful years, including a few non-indigenes, it is nothing new in these climes. A sitting governor has a right to show an interest in who succeeds him, having the benefit of a first-hand assessment of performance in their erstwhile offices.

President-elect Bola Tinubu has adopted this strategy in Lagos and ensured continuity in the implementation of government policy and programmes. However, if the primaries are deemed improperly conducted by anyone, the remedy lies with the courts.

Now the deeper argument is that Ododo is Bello’s cousin from Ebiraland, which, in fact, has never produced a governor until Bello arrived in 2016. (By the way, Gov. Bello and Ododo are not blood relations, according to painstaking findings).

These views are being championed from Igalaland by those who want power to shift to that axis but it appears the bus has left that station as even the elite, including the Attah of Igalaland, are not in that corner, judging by the huge reception and blessings given to the APC candidate during his recent visit to Igala land. To them, what matters most is the continued development of Kogi State and peace in the land.

There are also some who believe that it is their turn to be governor on account of having held a high political office but now find themselves in the winter of their careers defined by a permanent residency in Abuja and lavish “investments” in other parts of the country rather than their home states. These characters are the ones now playing the “rotational governorship” card, using their affinity with the media to push their narratives.

That Ebiraland is having another shot at the governorship seat does not in anyway preclude others, especially the Okun, who have not occupied the seat, an opportunity.

The truth, as reinforced by the outcome of the 2023 general elections, is that power is not served on a platter. As such, politicians that have lost out at this time need to return to the drawing board and retune their strategies, rally support, perhaps in preparation for the next elections.

The same elections also point to the fact that it is indeed defeatist to assume that the APC ticket is equal to the governorship seat in Kogi or elsewhere as there are other strong contenders in that race.

In repeated attempts to discredit Yahaya Bello himself, much heavy weather has been made about Kogi being sustained by civil servants and teachers and how they have been having a hard time under his watch. This curious argument conveniently neglects the immense contributions of other members of the productive workforce, including farmers, traders, transporters, artisans and solid business concerns in the hospitality and other sectors. Are we saying now that state and local governments exist just to pay salaries and wages of civil servants, many of whom cannot state their job description in clear terms?

Bello has since the inception of his administration made it clear that the era of a government bleeding from payment of ghost workers; people working multiple jobs in other states; retired and dead persons still on the payroll will end, and it did. Of course, those enjoying such freebies would not be happy.

Regardless, it seems to me that the misinformation has been deliberate all along and people would choose to believe what they want to believe. The same workers that people say are not paid are the same workers commending Yahaya Bello for prompt payment of salaries.

In his address to mark the 2023 International Workers’ Day celebration, Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Kogi State, Comrade Gabriel Amari, confirmed that Governor Bello’s administration had been consistent with the regular payment of workers’ salaries. The commendation was in the papers.

Perhaps what many cannot stand is the fact that Bello has chosen to be his own man. His proven abilities as an energetic, vibrant, youthful leader may not sit well with many. His demonstrable commitment to bridging gaps within his party and the state; his loyalty as a quintessential party man; his recognition of the critical role of the youth and women in governance; his boldness in taking hard, firm decisions have been framed as exhibiting dictatorial tendencies. I disagree. These are, instead, strengths that no one should ignore.

Some have also chosen to ignore the fact that Bello took up the task to address the terrible security situation in that axis – a crucial link accounting for 80 per cent of road traffic between the southern and northern parts of the country – which, hitherto, had been overrun by highway robbers and kidnappers. By simply supplying men of the police force with hundreds of vehicles and communication equipment and other tools of the trade as well as building an internal security intelligence mechanism, relative peace returned to that state and its communities, allowing for increased economic activities and dousing social tensions.

It was under Bello’s watch that the long-standing mutual distrust, enmity even, between the three major ethnic groupings in Kogi – Okun, Igala and Ebira – was finally resolved, paving the way for closer cooperation in moving the state forward. I told a colleague during one of our heated arguments that I was sure that if Ododo had been an Igala man or from Okun, his boss would have still given him his blessings for the ticket. Having studied Gov. Bello, and judging from many of his public pronouncements, tribal affiliation will not be a determining factor in “anointing” anyone. The considerations would be deeper than that, most probably capacity to deliver and loyalty. So, those advancing ethnic theories need to relax.

Like the organisers of a recent Governor of the Year award said while conferring the honour on Bello, the commissioning of first-of-their-kind landmark projects in the state by the President was an eye opener that the public had been fed the opposite of what is happening in Kogi State for long. I went to that state recently and was quite taken aback at how some people had misrepresented certain facts over the years.

One must concede that Bello made grave errors in communicating many of his policies in his first tenure in office and has suffered a negative backlash as a result. But it would be unfair to continue to peddle the “usual falsehoods” against his administration. The good he had done should be acknowledged just for fairness sake even if you don’t like him. Everyone so concerned should hone their political skills and address issues rather than sentiments. If we list politicians with capacity to hold their own in Nigeria, Yahaya Bello will be in the top 10 category.

With now less than a year to leave office, the November poll is an opportunity to weigh Bello’s politics and the impact of his performance in office. After all, it is the electorate that will determine if his man wins or not.

Ayo Olesin is a senior journalist, publisher and member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors