₦airaland Forum

Female singing sensation, Simi, has expressed delight at the chance to perform at GOtv Boxing Night 13, holding on 26 December at the Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Simi will join Small Doctor, Falz, and Reekado Banks to thrill perform live at the event. She also promised to deliver a memorable performance to fans at the event.
Speaking in Lagos on Friday, the Joromi crooner, said: “I’ll be performing live with my band, The Banjos, at GOtv Boxing Night 13. I can hardly contain my excitement because it will be incredible. I look forward to having the time of my life,” she said.
According to Flykite Productions, organizers of the show, arrangements were made with the four music stars perform at the event, which will feature seven boxing bouts.
Jenkins Alumona, CEO, Flykite Productions, said the four artistes were contracted to give fans at the event maximum entertainment during the Christmas period.
“What we want to do is give fans entertainment, real entertainment. It is the reason we have contracted these four artistes, who are in the top bracket in the industry. This will be a show like no other, one no genuine entertainment fan should miss,” said Alumona.
Tickets for the event, he added, are available online at ariiyatickets.com, SLOT and Ebeano Supermarket outlets, Freedom Park and National Stadium, Lagos.
Alumona also explained that to make it easy for fans to get to the venue, free bus rides are available to take ticket-holding fans from the National Stadium to the event venue and back to the stadium.
GOtv Boxing Night 13 will feature seven bouts, including two African Boxing Union (ABU) title fights, one West African Boxing Union title fight, two national title fights and two challenge bouts across weight divisions.

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Friday restrained the Federal Government from taking steps aimed at crippling the business operations and freezing the accounts of AITEO Eastern E & P Company Ltd.

Kolawole made the order after hearing an ex parte motion argued by Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN.

The Defendants are the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The motion exparte was filed pursuant to Order 26 rule 8 of the Federal High Court Rules. It was dated November 23, 2017, and filed on behalf of the plaintiff (Aiteo) by Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, and other senior lawyers.

AITEO is a Limited Liability Company, a major player in the upstream sector of the Nigerian oil industry, as well as the joint/operator of oil mining lease (OML) 29, an asset which is jointly owned by it and the Federal Government, through the NNPC, which subscribes to 55% of the said asset.

The ex parte application is seeking, “an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants jointly or severally, either by themselves, agents, operatives, privies, servants, aides or through any persons howsoever from interfering with or obstructing the business operations, ,activities and undertakings of the plaintiff, either by way of embargoing or freezing any of its accounts or obstructing it’s activities in any way or manner whatsoever.

It also prayed for “An order of interim injunction restraining the defendants jointly or severally, either by themselves, agents, operatives, privies, servants, aides or through any persons howsoever from relying on, activating, making use of, registering and or applying/enforcing the ex parte restraint order dated 19 October, 2017, made in suit Nos: 82/17, in the Matter of Benedict Peters (alleged offender) and Nnenna Peters and 5 others (third parties) etc, by the Crown Court, sitting at Southwark, United Kingdom, coram, His Honour Judge Beddoe, to disrupt, distract, frustrate, meddle (with), hinder, impede the business operations, undertakings, negotiations and activities of the plaintiff.

In a lengthy bench ruling, Justice Kolawole ordered the Federal Government to maintain the “status quo ante bellum”, pending the determination of the motion on notice dated 23rd November, 2017, filed by the plaintiff against the defendants.

The court further ordered the AGF and EFCC to come and show cause on December 18, why the reliefs sought by the plaintiff in the motion ex parte shall not be granted.

Kolawole directed the defendants to do this by way of affidavit depositions, within seven days of being served court processes filed by the Plaintiff.

The court also fixed December 18, for the hearing of the plaintiff’s motion on notice dated November 23, 2017.

Justice Kolawole in making the order termed “hybrid preservative order” agreed with the submissions of Ozekhome that the business operations of the plaintiff may be crippled if the ex parte restraint order made by the Crown Court, London on October 19, 2017 is allowed to be registered in Nigeria, before determination of the motion on notice:

”The facts of the instant case by my assessment presents a perculiar circumstance which this court needs to address. One of the facts is that by the Nigerian law, that is Foreign Judgement Fiscal Act, interim expropriating orders such as it is alleged to have been made by the Crown Court in London are not registrable for the enforcement in Nigeria”, Kolawole held.

Arguing the ex parte motion earlier, Ozekhome, citing authorities, had urged the court to make a preservative order for maintenance of the “status quo ante bellum” in order to halt the defendants from taking any steps prejudicial to the business concerns and activities of Aiteo.

Ozekhome argued that if a preservative order was not made immediately against the defendants, to preserve the “res”, recent developments, show that the EFCC could spring up surprises by freezing accounts of the company, sealing it, etc, even before the motion on notice is heard.

The ex parte motion was accompanied by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed to by one Andrew Onyearu, a Director in AITEO.

He stated that the registration and enforcement in Nigeria of the ex parte restraint order dated October 19, 2017, will deny the plaintiff of its proprietary rights in properties and assets legitimately acquired by it in Nigeria without infringing on any Nigerian law and frustrate its commitment to third parties with respect to onshore and offshore obligations.

The deponent averred that judgments and orders of foreign courts have to be first registered in Nigeria before they can be enforced, and that defendants are making preparations, through Clause 28 of the said order, to register it in Nigeria, when it has not met the legal requirements.

By Olajide Unde

In sane climes, workers unions are partners in the organizations development ensuring amongst others, good working environs and welfare for members of staff. Far from

antagonism or troublemaking, Unionism is majorly to serve as a platform where workers can collectively federate their observations, opinions and suggestions and pass it through their leaders to the management which cannot because of time, situation and circumstances allow a regular convention of the management and the workers.

After several of such conventions have been exhausted; strikes, sit outs or protests are embarked upon. Note, these are legitimate tools created by law and as vistas for workers to peacefully and decently express their worries, call attention to their welfare, caution the management, make suggestions and call the attention of the management to progressive correctional issues. This right is even an internationally acceptable recognized one sanctioned by International Labour Organisation, ILO.

So it came as a shock to industry practitioners when workers of one of the parastatals under the Ministry of Information, National Orientation and Culture being superintended by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Nigeria tourism development Corporation, NTDC, embarked on a protest that shut down the office located at the old Federal Government Secretariat, Area 1 Garki , Abuja.in the absence of the head of parastatal and without any forewarning or past dialogues with the Director General, Mr. Folorunsho Coker.

Not undermining the right of workers embarking on a protest, strike or lockout, the onus here is the motive behind such and whether it is honorable or mischievous considering the timing.

With this in mind, industry watchers are of the belief that this particular strike action smacks of blackmail, which is so sad, particularly for a Director General who has spent less than one year in office and one who understands the importance of human capital development as highlighted in the organisation’s Chief plan introduced by Coker. H is Human Capital Development.

Fastidious in pursuing this path, Coker reiterates the need of developing new ways of making tourism work by working with people that can work effectively through their expertise to bring innovative and workable ideas to grow the tourism industry.

This he is presently pursuing by making sure his members of staff are up to date with happenings in the tourism community worldwide and also what it takes to operate a tourism agency in the age of new media. No small feat but one he his doing already.

If only NTDC Union leaders realise the joke is on them, blackmailing or intimidating the management will be relegated to the backburner. What tourism generates in Nigeria is nothing compared to what fellow African countries like Seychelles, South Africa, Kenya etc generate yearly. A big shame for a country like ours.

Union leaders need to take a cue from their counterparts in other climes who are supposed clinical about their purpose, steering off sentiments and personal loyalty when it comes to union issues, welfare and condition of service.

Now, more than ever, it is important they realize, they are first employees of the organisation before being a member of the Union and the essence of their employment is to serve the organization not to play politics and know where to draw the lines between playing Union duties and being dutiful at their post of responsibility.

Going by these propositions, one has no tiff with the fact that the NTDC Union leaders called their members to strike. Of course they have the rights, however, going by the past trend, it has now become a sequential occurrence and modus operandi of calling sudden ‘Strikes’ as a means of blackmail and that has to STOP!

Those familiar with this trend can attest to the fact that the urge to strike reared its head immediately Mrs. Sally Mbanefo was appointed as the Director-General, NTDC in replacement of Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, a media practitioner and a rambunctious personality who has the history of fighting three tourism ministers to a standstill.

Her appointment gladdened not many hearts especially with a predecessor who worked more on the pages of the newspaper than on the job. His affection for the media through his over-the -top generosity was returned with splashes all over the media but at the expense of the industry that suffered no growth. Despite, several junkets to travel markets in almost all continents, our tourism arrivals enjoyed continuous decrease and domestic tourism was at it’d lowest ebb.

Also, Mbanefo appointment came at a time of economic recession leading to shrinkage of fund available to the corporation thus putting paid to access to free fund which can be employed and deployed to be a good DG either to the press, to staff in form of foreign trips and unnecessary free largesse and frivolous allowances and claims. If that wasn’t bad enough, there was bitterness arising from the abrupt sack of her predecessor who seemed to be angry that Sally lobbied him out of the job whilst nursing secret ambitions of returning to the job he was unceremoniously removed from while on assignment out of the country.

With constant interaction with the workers and the Union leaders who Sally inherited, the intrigue of the bitterness of a displaced DG who still has a lot of blind followers in NTDC with the union leader and workers who were not happy that things were not the same again, the era of strike crawled in. An examination of the reasons, modus operadi and demand of the workers will show that the whole strike actions being embarked in NTDC are out of tune, totally unwholesome and unethical.

Let’s read excerpts from some newspapers on the previous strike.

On February 25, 2015, National newspaper under the Headline “NTDC workers’ strike enters the second week”, ‘The workers have vowed to continue with the industrial action until the agency’s director general, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, is removed from office.

Last week, official activities at the parastatals Abuja and zonal offices were stopped.

The workers, through their union, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE), have made several allegations against Mrs. Mbanefo.

They accused her of starving the agency of fund under the guise that the Federal Government was no longer funding the parastatal.

The workers accused her of “going behind to collect huge allocation from the Federal Government”.

The NTDC Chapel Chairman of AUPTCRE, Sam Unwuchola Okpomo, said as at July 2014, the Federal Government released N52,014,821 as capital budget and N342, 654,807 for training and other logistics to the agency.”

In September 3, 2015, in the Hallmark newspaper under the Headline, “Fears of sack forces NTDC boss to back down …as workers call off strike”

“It would be recalled that the protesting staff, led by Comrade Anthony Benjamin, in a memo obtained by Hallmark accused the DG of not properly mobilizing funds for the activities of the corporation as it relates to administrative functions.

They accused her of incapacitating the staff with the claim of a shortage of funds to perform the statutory functions of the corporation but overhead will be released and go out through other sources.

The staff said,” the DG does not fund the zonal offices, she will visit the zone and stop at the airport to insult the staff of the zone to their integrity by asking them to go and source for funds from affluent individuals for the running of the office. She did not even appreciate the efforts of the staff in ensuring the success of her visit to the state.

”We are tired of a DG who claims to be promoting domestic tourism but will not fund the zones offices where tourism potentials are domiciled organization but will tell the staff there in no money for official works but there is money for other fictitious travels by herself and her associates to different destinations.”

Daily Trust Sept 3 wrote

Striking NTDC workers call for DG’s removal

By Mustapha Suleiman | Publish Date: Sep 3 2015 5:47AM

‘On their demand, Comrade Kunama said: “We want her removal. She is killing the tourism sector. Except the government is not serious with tourism, but if the government wants to tap into the potentials of tourism to diversify the Nigerian economy, they have to remove her and bring in a professional that has a vision for the sector.”

The Federal government seemed to have seen through the malevolent and malicious intent of the unions or the workers and refused to pander to the unreasonable demands of the workers and refused to relief Sally of her job. Though Sally was removed in November 2016, it should be a matter of curious logic and interest that between November 2016 and May 2017 three DGs were in quick succession appointed and removed. Two of them, career officers and the other an outsider, none of them were accepted by the Union

And according to a presidency source, they were all removed majorly “due to the unnecessary antagonism to their appointment by the Union who was being used and manipulated and workers who engaged in writing acrimonious petition with some outsider who was willing to come back to NTDC who took solace at sponsoring media attack against the appointees’.

And the Federal Government brought in Coker, who has distinguished himself in the public sector, government and a memorable tenure as Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism. The problem with Coker according to an investigation commenced shows that his preference for domestic tourism as against the floundering of the meagre fund of the Corporation on foreign fair and Travel markets.

In December 1, 2017 in the Nation’s online, under the headline “Protesting workers seek sack of NTDC’s DG”

‘Activities were paralysed at the headquarters of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), on Wednesday, following a protest by workers who called for the sack of its Director General, Mr. Folorunsho Folarin Coker, for incompetence. The workers accused Coker of highhandedness, saying the DG had not improved their welfare since his appointment.

They said they were disappointed by the “ugly development” in the corporation. The workers noted that Coker illegally set up a project unit, which, they claimed, is not part of the NTDC’s line of activity. They said the unit was a conduit to siphon public funds.’

A few online publications graced their platforms with this news under different slants. A cursory examination and contextual synthesis of the grievances of the works or union under Sally Mbanefo and Coker extensively exposed the rut of a corporation. The sole reason is “The removal of the DG without any concrete allegation or advocacy for workers!“

During the tenure of Sally Mbanefo, it is shameful that none of the allegation levelled against were strong enough to convict her till date. All allegations were unfounded and malicious. The lady was never found wanting or guilty.

Going through the protest letter sent out in 2017 against Coker, one can see that it is not only watery but of no substance. The fault is in not in the workers being teleguided sheepishly by a Union which is being sponsored and used by some external elements who believe NTDC is their birthright but shame of the successive superintending Minister who watch as NTDC is hijacked by the Union who seems to find listening ears and cooperation of the said Minister. The fact is that NTDC needs urgent and prompt surgical operation. It is a corporation full of old doldorous pantaloons and deadwood evil servants who are loyal to persons, not the office. Some of them have no particular assignment or solids scheduled duty.

Any serious government will not only refuse to harken to their silly demands but will go a step further by appropriately restructuring and rightsizing the workers by separating those who want to work for the nation from the goons who want to play cheap politics and those who love to be used as agent of destabilization. NTDC should be clean and straightened up, the time to act is now.

However, the symbolism of the recent phenomenal changes being injected into NTDC by Folorunso Folarin Coker via the ‘Tour Nigeria’ brand which has recorded intracontinental acceptance and acknowledgement with the historic passing of the NTDC Bill by the Senate should not be truncated. Let the process of laundering the NTDC starts now. Let’s reposition it for purposeful activation

Let’s create the ambience for productive piloting for Folorunso Folarin Coker has within 6 months demonstrated and signposted the ability and sagacity of a reformer.

The ball is in the court of the President Muhammadu Buhari and Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

I leave you with this:
Nigeria tourism is beyond the concept of a single person. Is it not curious that NTDC to some few minds cannot be a good corporation until a certain person or persons rule the place? Or has not been okay since certain person has been removed? Why can’t we cast our minds on this observation? Can’t we think beyond our personal and selfish consideration? Why should we continue using the gullible Union leaders to rock the boat of NTDC and destroy the Industry just because the person there is not tending to our selfish demands or because the fellow there is not the person we would have loved to be there? The so-called NTDC workers are only hitting themselves below the belt because they are only calling attention of the government to the fact that the place needs a surgical operation.

The Central Working Committee of The Future Awards Africa has announced award-winning singer/songwriter, Adekunle Gold and TV personality, Mimi Onalaja as the hosts of this year’s event.

Themed Nigeria’s New Tribe, the Awards will acknowledge inspiring young Nigerians aged 18-31 making a difference through social enterprise, social good, and creativity.

With 105 nominees selected over categories including Music, Beauty, Fashion & Design, Professional Service, Sports and more, 21 winners will be announced at the event, including the highly-coveted ‘Young Person of the Year’.

The 12th edition of The Future Awards Africa is set to hold on 9 December, 2017 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos.

The Future Awards Africa 2017 is presented by The Future Project and Refreshed by 7Up. The official hashtags are #TFAA2017 and #NigeriasNewTribe.

The Future Awards Africa has been called the ‘Nobel Prize for Young Africans’, and the ‘most important youth awards’ by Forbes. It is a set of prizes given annually to celebrate and accelerate innovation, creativity and enterprise amongst young Africans aged 18 – 31. It has produced over 150 winners and over 1550 nominees since its first edition in 2006.

The legendary American scientist, George Washington Carver, said ‘education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom”, therefore, to free our future leaders from the shackles of ignorance, poverty, mental slavery and abuse of all forms, Nigerian Breweries Plc has taken up the challenges as part of his corporate social responsibility to invest heavily in the education sector.

The company is convinced that teaching and learning can only take place effectively in a conducive atmosphere. Thus, it is committed to the provision of new structures and the rehabilitation of existing ones across the country to ensure that high quality education is accessible to all learners irrespective of their location.

Nigerian Breweries Plc, on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 donated a newly built block of six classrooms and conveniences to St. Patrick Grammar School, Epe, Lagos State. The project, undertaken through the Nigerian Breweries – Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund further extends the education intervention initiatives of the company in Lagos state and Nigeria.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Corporate Affairs Adviser of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem, stated that the donation is a demonstration of its unwavering commitment to the developmental aspirations of the people of Lagos State. He also explained that the company’s interests in the state and Nigeria goes beyond doing business and making profits to adding value and touching lives in critical sectors of the economy.

“As a responsible corporate citizen, our interests in Lagos state and Nigeria goes beyond the pursuit of business or profit. We believe that the right investment in the education of our children will secure a bright future for our nation. And in line with our corporate philosophy of Winning with Nigeria, we are resolutely committed to this going into the future,” he asserted. Ekanem further urged the school authority and students to use the facility to the good and progress of Lagos State and Nigeria.

In her address, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, represented by Mrs. Adebunmi Adekoya, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, lauded Nigerian Breweries for the donation and acknowledged the company’s commitment to the development of education and other skilled manpower around the state and Nigeria.

“That Nigerian Breweries Plc is a responsible corporate entity is not a subject of debate. Her intervention in this school with the provision of a block of 6 classrooms, 5 toilets, 24 fans complimented by the supply of 150 dual students’ furniture and 6 sets of teachers’ furniture speaks volume about her passion for the development of education and production of skilled manpower to help the growth of the economy of Lagos State and Nigeria,” she said.

Mrs. Adekoya also revealed that the government of Lagos State is committed to providing new structures and rehabilitate existing ones across the state to ensure that quality education is accessible to all students irrespective of their locations.

The donation at St. Patrick adds to the increasing number of schools which have benefitted from similar projects by the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund in Lagos. They include Obele Primary School, Surulere, Okesuna High School, Lagos Island and Igbobi College in Yaba. Others are Adisa Bashua Primary School, Dedeke Memorial Girls Primary School and Randle Avenue Primary School in Surulere.

Other guests present at the ceremony included Chief Mrs. Adedoja Otedola, former first lady of Lagos State; Mr. Adeniyi Saliu, Executive Chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area; Mr. Adebayo Ibiyeye, Director of Science and Technology, Ministry of Education, Lagos State, members of Epe community aswell as the principals, teachers and students of the school.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Thursday joined in the celebration of the grand finale of 2017Community Day, assuring that the year 2018 would be better for residents and investors in terms of implementation of projects and policies aimed at making life comfortable and easier.

Speaking at the programme held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa, Ikeja with the theme: “Community Affinity: Aligning Lagos Communities With Private Sector,” Governor Ambode said though a lot had been done through implementation of various projects and initiatives by his administration across the communities, but a lot more would be done to truly transform and secure the future of the State.

The Governor, who at the event was endorsed for second term, particularly urged the people to continue to support the State Government and be faithful to their civic obligations, saying that government in turn would reciprocate by implementing various projects across the State.

He said: “Y2018 is going to be a better year for Lagos. It is a year we hope to achieve phenomenal increase in the State’s ability to sustain itself by persuading more people to share in the burden of the transformation going on across the State.

“You are all witnesses to the modest projects our administration has executed such as the reconstruction of Airport Road, Light Up Lagos, the Oshodi Transport Interchange, the Abule Egba and Ajah bridges, the ongoing Agege flyover, waterways channelization and construction of jetties, the Ikeja Bus Terminal, the Badagry Marina and the massive deployment of security personnel and equipment across the State.

“What you have not seen, but which is on the way is the implementation of the embedded power project which will bring electricity to every home in Lagos. You have also not seen the reforms which we are going to execute in the transport sector which will ease connectivity across the State.

“With your support through the performance of your obligations, we can safely commit ourselves in the conviction that by the end of Y2018, our communities will be better with more youths gainfully employed and small businesses growing. With a home to return to and a community to live in, our dream of a more secure and prosperous State will be another Nigerian wonder.”

While emphasizing the importance of the Community Day celebration, Governor Ambode said community development was at the heart of the policies of his administration and a key consideration in every government decision.

“It captures the vision and the mission of our administration to continually work for the general good of the people. At inception, we declared clearly our commitment to give governance to the citizens of this State, young and old, men and women, able and challenged.

“We said in our manifesto that from where ever you come from, as far as you labour and add value to the productivity of our dynamic and vibrant State, our government shall work with you to make Lagos State a better, livable and more prosperous home. Two and a half years after we signed that contract with you, we can confidently reflect on ourpolicies, programmes and projects and assert that we have been true to our vision and we have been very honest in our mission,” the Governor said.
Besides, Governor Ambode commended the Community Development Associations (CDAs) for their various self-help initiatives aimed at developing their neighborhood, and urged them to continue.

At the event, Governor Ambode presented three vehicles to the best CDAs which performed creditably-well in executing projects at their neighborhood to complement government, while he also increased the prize of the community development competition to six vehicles next year.

The Governor also approved immediate support fund of N500, 000 each to all the 57 Community Development Committees (CDCs) in the State totaling N28.5million.

In his goodwill message, Chairman of Lagos State Community Development Advisory Committee, the umbrella body for all the 3900 CDAs in the State, Alhaji Tajudeen Quadri, said having reviewed the activities of Governor Ambode ever since assuming office, the body has decided to support him for a second term.

He said: “Having reviewed the activities and lofty accomplishments of our silent achiever in the area of equitable distribution of road infrastructures, health, education, security, emergency response, welfare especially with consideration for people living with disabilities, among others, we have unanimously resolved to support this administration for a second term to consolidate on the gains of the last 30 months in our match towards a megalopolis of our dream.”

Street Angels TV, a non-governmental organisation, is offering N1million to assist underprivileged but very enterprising individuals in the society.

The help is targeted at individuals who lack the necessities of life but defile all odds to take-up petty trades to survive.

According to the initiator, Monica Omorodion Swaida, “Street Angels TV is a non-for-profit initiative that is set out to help humanity one person at a time. We just have to do our part in this world to share love.

“We have got to show little kindness to these street angels who in one way or the other make life better for us by often being at the point of solving our most basic human needs. There are people who survive by hawking, using umbrellas as shelter to sell by the street corner, pushing wheelbarrows, etc. These are street angels that we must not neglect,”

Do you know anyone deserving of this life changing opportunity or what would you do with N1million? Watch the video below to know how to participate.

The sponsor, Monica Omorodion Swaida, is a musician and movie producer. In her teenage days, she was a backup singer for top artistes like Majek fashek, Sunny Okosun, Evi Edna Ogoli and many more. She has a new album under her label. She co-produced an epic Bini movie, Esohe , with Charles Uwagbai. The movie, will hit cinemas in January. Follow her on YOUTUBE, Facebook and Instagram @monicazation and @streetangelstv to submit your post that could transform a life.

Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court has granted a request by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for the temporary forfeiture two properties allegedly belonging to Diezani Alison-Madueke, the former Petroleum Minister.

The properties, valued at $4.7 million include Penthouse 21 building 5, Block C, 11th floor (Bella Vista Estate) Banana Island, Ikoyi, and Penthouse 22, Block B (Admiralty Estate) also in Ikoyi, Lagos.

The judge ruled that the properties be forfeited to the Federal Government pending the conclusion of EFCC’s investigation into the ownership of the properties which it reasonably believes were procured with proceeds of crime.

The EFCC in an ex parte application brought for the forfeiture of the properties lists Diezani Alison-Madueke, Donald Amagbo, Schillenburg LLC, and Sequoyah Property Limited, as respondents.

West African Boxing Union (WABU) middleweight champion, Abolaji “Afonja Warrior” Rasheed, has vowed to defend his title with the last drop of his blood when he faces challenger, Ghana’s Arye Ayitteh, at GOtv Boxing Night 13. The bout is one of the three international title bouts at the seven-fight event holding on 26 December at Landmark Events Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. The show will also witness performances by Small Doctor, Simi, Falz The Bahd Guy and Reekado Banks.
Speaking in Lagos yesterday, the WABU champion said the age-old sporting rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana will motivate him to give his best when defending his title.
“The fact is it should never be heard that a Nigerian boxer is defeated by a Ghanaian opponent in Nigeria. I will fight with everything I have to retain my title and send Ayitteh back to Ghana empty handed. He is in for a very bad time. I will ruin his Christmas,” he said.
In the lightweight category, Nigeria’s Oto “Joe Boy” Joseph will take on Egypt’s Abdulrahim Ahmed for the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) title, while Olaide “Fijaborn” Fijabi will take his first stab at the light welterweight continental title when he confronts Kenya’s Michael Odhiambo. The lightweight division will also feature Rilwan “Real One” Oladosu, who will fight Kehinde “Ijoba”Badmus for the national title. Rilwan “Baby Face” Babatunde will square up to Chijioke “Painless” Ngige for the national light welterweight crown.
Two challenge bouts in the lightweight and super middleweight divisions respectively will see Rilwan “Scorpion” Oyekola clash with Jimoh “Hogan Jimoh Jr.” Lukman, while Matthew “Wizeman” Obinna will duel with Cosmos ‘Awosika” David. Tickets for the event are available online at ariiyatickets.com, SLOT and Ebeano Supermarket outlets as well as National Stadium, Lagos.
Fans who buy tickets will be transported free from the National Stadium to the event venue and back.

Foremost African financial institution; Guaranty Trust Bank plc has been recognized as the 2017 ‘Bank of the Year Nigeria’ at The Banker Awards which held in London, United Kingdom.

The Banker, a publication of the Financial Times, is the world’s leading monthly journal of records for the banking Industry, with over 90 years expertise in publishing development in the banking industry both Africa and on the global scale. The Banker Awards is regarded as the industry standard for banking excellence, recognizing and celebrating the achievements of individuals and financial institutions within the global banking sector.

According to Brian Caplen, Editor of The Banker Magazine: “The banking and financial services industry continues to develop rapidly, with a few financial institutions cementing their positions as market leaders, pushing the boundaries of innovation and excellence. GTBank has over the years maintained a reputation for delivering notable financial success hinged on world class corporate governance standards and excellent service delivery.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director/CEO of GTBank said; “We are honored to be recognized as the 2017 Bank of the Year. Our vision has always been to create an oasis in the financial services industry and we strive to achieve this by adopting high corporate governance standards whilst pushing the limits of innovation and service delivery to provide our customers with a superior banking experience.

He further stated that; “This award serves as further motivation for us as we continue to transform our organization into a platform for enriching lives that offers our customers benefits beyond banking. It also reflects our sustained commitment to maximize shareholders’ value and deliver superior and sustainable return, guided by our founding values of hard work, discipline and integrity.”

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation.

In due recognition of the Bank’s leading role in Africa’s banking industry, owing to its bias for world class corporate governance standards and excellent service delivery and innovation, GTBank has been a recipient to numerous awards over the course of the year. They include Best Bank in Nigeria by Euromoney, Bank of the Year by EMEA Finance and African Bank of the Year by Africa Banker Magazine.

All is now set for the second edition of the Lagos Street Cardinal scheduled to hold on Sunday 3rd December, 2017, along the entire stretch of the Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja from 12noon.
The 12 hours Carnival, consisting of Parade of Colours and Music is packaged by the Lagos State Government in collaboration with HEAT Entertainment outfit, as a private sector initiative is expected to set the tone for the Christmas and New Year Celebration.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Fola Adeyemi in a statement said the 2017 Lagos Street Party, which has now been rebranded and transformed into Street Carnival, is a private sector initiative with the support of the Lagos State Government packaged to provide fun and Entertainment for the entire family as well as set the stage for the One Lagos Fiesta which is to come up in all the five divisions of the State at a later date in December.
He said the Carnival will witness a parade of colours by representatives of all the 57 Local Government Councils and Council Development Areas and Organized Private Sector participation from Lagos Island and other parts of the State.
The Carnival according to him, will provide fun and entertainment to the family, and would have Kiddies section with variety of over 18 games to take care of their needs, while the adult section will be thrilled with carnival procession and musical performance by “A” list Artistes like Olamide, Terry G, Saheed Osupa, Li Kesh,, 9ice, Humble smith, Salawa Abeni, MC Arole, Malaika, Olu Maintain,, YCee, Reminisce, Big Shef, etc.
Adeyemi said the entire stretch of the Oba Akran Avenue would be closed to vehicular traffic from Ikeja under bridge to Sapara Street and all adjoining roads.
He, however, said that alternative routes have been provided through Ile Zik to connect Ikeja, while motorists can also navigate through Akani Doherty through Ladipo Oluwole, Adeniyi Jones and Aromire road to connect Obafemi Awolowo way.
“The Entire Ikeja Axis and adjoining roads would be strategically manned by traffic managers for seamless flow of traffic. Motorists are therefore advised to avoid these roads and if need be, follow directional signs and obey traffic officials along this route,” he said.
He also said that designated car packs have also been provided at Ikeja Local Government, Old Secretariat Compound, Ikeja, Women Development Centre, Agege and Education District 1 compound.
“Lagosians can be rest assured of maximum security which is to be provided by a combined team of the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Army, Civil Defense, SSS etc. who are all set to maintain law and order.
“Lagosians are encouraged to troop out in large numbers and take advantage of this world class event provided by the Lagos State Government, to catch fun and Entertainment preparatory to the One Lagos Fiesta which is to come up for 8 days across 5 venues in all the divisions of the state,” he said.

Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has claimed ownership of Flat 7B in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, where the Federal Government on June 6, recovered $43,449,947 (about N13billion), N23, 218,000 and £27,800 (about N10.6milion).

Exclusive report has it that the cash found in the flat belonged to the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused former NIA Director-General, Ayodele Oke, of fraudulently converting the agency’s funds.

In its application before the Federal High Court in Lagos, the bank prayed the Court to vacate an interim order forfeiting the flat to the Federal Government.

The court, had on November 9, ordered the flat’s temporary forfeiture to the Federal Government as Justice Saliu Saidu ruled that it would be permanently forfeited if no one turned up to justify its ownership within 14 days.

However, Union Bank’s lawyer, Chief Ajibola Aribisala, SAN said he filed an application seeking to vacate the interim forfeiture order.

In a supporting affidavit, the bank said the flat was part of 16, Osborne Road, Ikoyi, belonging to Alhaji Ahmadu Adamu Muazu covered by a certificate of occupancy dated September 27, 2009 and registered as 97/97/2009 in the Lands Registry Office, Alausa.

According to the bank, Muazu mortgaged the property to it by virtue of a Tripartite Deed of Legal Mortgage dated November 1, 2011 revealing that the property was a security for a loan granted to Tripple A Properties & Investment Ltd.

It claimed that the property’s original titled deed had been vested in it adding that the loan was yet to be liquidated despite its tenor expiring.

However, EFCC, in its counter affidavit, argued that the bank lacked the locus standito challenge the forfeiture insisting that Mrs Oke made cash payment of $1,658,000 in tranches of $700,000, $650,000 and $353,700, for the flat’s purchase between August 25 and September 3, 2015.

In a supporting affidavit deposed to by an investigating officer, Mr Musa Giwa, the agency said Mrs Oke gave the cash to a bureau de change operator, Alhaji Shehu Usman Anka, to pay for the flat.

It added that when it recovered the huge cash from the flat on April 12, it also recovered several documents indicating that the flat belonged to Chobe VENTURES, including invoices and cash receipts issued to the company.

It claimed to have written the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) for the particulars of Chobe Ventures’ directors, following which the CAC affirmed that the directors of Chobe Ventures were Mrs Folade Oke and Mr Ayodele Oke Jr.

Justice Saidu adjourned till January 12 for the hearing of Union Bank’s application as an interested party.

The Comptroller-General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Col. Hameed Ali (Rtd) Thursday said that 99 per cent of the nation’s importers are non-compliant with the customs duty and charges.

According to him, the importers are unpatriotic to Nigeria even when they pay duty to other countries they deny theirs its dues.

Ali, who was speaking as the Chief Host at the public presentation of the book “Appraisal of Crime of Smuggling in Nigeria,” in Abuja, pointed out that the belief of a typical Nigerian, is that he does not owe his country any obligation.

Narrating his encounter with an importer, who settled all the charges for two cars in Benin Republic and Niger Republic and evaded Nigeria’s, he said that “somebody picked up two cars from Benin Republic, when he landed in Benin he paid every charges, he move them to Niger, and paid every charges he is supposed to pay.

“But those cars are destined for Nigeria. When he now comes to Nigeria, he decided to take an un-costumed route and brought those cars to Nigeria. And when we did apprehend those vehicles the question I asked him is why are you so unpatriotic?

“You could pay to Benin Republic, you could pay to Niger, and then coming to your own home, you don’t want to pay. He said the duty is too high.

“And I said then why did you buy the two cars in the first place? This is the mentality of the Nigerian; he does not believe that he owes anything to his own country.”

The country, he said, cannot make progress in a situation, where people are not complying with the law and unfortunately, all that Nigerians think is how to circumvent the law.

He commended the author of the book, Musa Omale for not allowing his knowledge, experience and writing skills to die.

The customs boss noted that the book has made the job of the NCS easier and enjoined all the stakeholders to buy and read it.

He assured the author that the Nigeria Customs Service will deploy copies of the books to its libraries and commands.

Speaking with journalists, immediate past president of Association of Nigerian License Customs Agents, Chief Ernest Elochukwu noted that book is an exposure of the dimension of smuggling and the laws that are in place to tackle it.

He said that the fight against smuggling can also be viewed from other angles like the creation of an enabling environment that does not promote smuggling.

This, he said, government can achieve that by making sensible policies in terms of what it bans and does not ban.

He submitted that “when there is so much of ban in the list of items that could be imported into the country, especially if they are essential items, the issue of smuggling becomes inevitable.”

Meanwhile, the author said that what motivated him is that he has been in the Customs for past 26 years and as an experience officer about the level of damage of smuggling to the economy and decided to turn his research for PhD on smuggling into a book.

Sterling Bank Plc, the “one-customer bank”, has one customer giving it sleepless nights over a loan that not only went bad but has now snowballed into a major scandal in the banking industry, TheCable can report.

Grant Properties Limited, a property development company, has accused Sterling Bank of excising 10 hectares — which land it values at N5 billion — from a 50-hectare collateral and illegally selling it for pittance to a front company of a very senior director of the bank.

A Lagos high court has now ruled that the collateral was illegally sold, but there is also suspicion that the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) is less than disinterested in the matter.

AMCON is accused of trying to arm-twist Grant Properties into abandoning the court judgment that nullified the sale of the collateral.

The business deal started in 2002 when Grant Properties secured a 50-hectare land in Lekki, Lagos state, to build “Victory Park Estate”.

It approached Unity Bank, Skye Bank, Wema Bank and Sterling Bank for an N8 billion ongoing loan to partly fund the project. Sterling was the lead of the consortium.

Grant Properties transferred the shares in its subsidiary, Knight Rook Limited, to the banks as security for the loan.

LOAN TRANSFERRED TO AMCON

After Grant Properties had secured the loan and started developing the property, it could not meet up with the repayment obligations. This also came at the time banks were experiencing liquidity problems, with many of them taken over by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which then set up AMCON to buy the bad debts.

The Grant Properties loan, which had gone bad, was transferred to the AMCON in 2011. At the time, the CBN had spent over $6.8 billion of tax payers funds purchasing the non-performing loans from failed banks.

Grant Properties was informed by Skye Bank, one of the banks financing the project, that it had assigned its own share in the project loans to AMCON.

The property company then approached AMCON with a proposal to finance the project and repay the loan. AMCON, however, advised the company to wait for other banks to transfer their share of the loans before entering negotiations with the corporation.

In handing over the debts to AMCON, Sterling Bank and others were required to transfer all Grant Properties’ collateral to the corporation.

ILLEGAL SALE OF LAND

Sterling Bank was expected to transfer, alongside the loan, every part of the land to AMCON, but it was discovered that the bank left out 10 hectares which it had sold to the Real Estate Development (RED) Company — said to be a front for a very senior director of the bank.

Olajide Awosedo, chairman of Grant Properties, said in a recent interview with journalists that a non-executive director of Sterling Bank had called him “face to face, brought out a survey of 10 hectares of my land and said, ‘Sir, sell this portion of land to me, if you want N10bn from my bank. I will make sure you get it. I am the chairman of real estate finance of the bank”.

He refused until AMCON took over the non-performing loan.

“They moved my loan to AMCON, but rather than transfer all my collateral with the loan, the bank (Sterling) withheld the 10 hectares its director had his eyes on and sold it to him through a surrogate company owned by the director and his associates,” Awosedo added.

He alleged that the director initially sold the land to his front company at N18,500/sq. metre, amounting to N1.85b for the 10 hectares — a far cry from the market worth of N5 billion, according to him.

About 2.4 hectares from the land was immediately sold to UAC Properties Development Company (UPDC), another property development company owned by UAC Plc, at a higher rate of N26,000/sq. metre. It was this that became the subject of litigation that ended in favour of Grant Properties.

The remaining 7.6 hectares were developed by Aircom Nigeria Limited, an estate development company, which built the “Cardogan Estate”. A three-bedroom apartment in the estate, TheCable gathered, goes for N48 million.

Curiously, Aircom is owned by Yemi Idowu — the non-executive director of the bank who managed the Grant Properties’ loan before the crisis.

In a seeming disregard for conflict of interest, the bank had appointed Idowu to manage a rival company’s — Grant Properties’ — account.

It appears to be a complicated web of intrigues and interests, which are said to be quite normal in the banking industry in Nigeria.

COURT SAYS SALE OF LAND ‘ILLEGAL’

Meanwhile, Grant Properties filed an action at the Lagos high court to challenge the sale of 2.4 hectares of the 10 hectares to UPDC in 2011. Six years after — precisely on June 2, 2017 — the court ruled that the land was sold by Sterling Bank AFTER the banks had assigned the company’s loan to AMCON.

The court also held that the documents of the sale were signed by Yemi Adeola, managing director (pictured), and Justina Lewa, company secretary of Sterling Bank. The bank, the court ruled, had acted alone as the other banks were not part of the sale.

A. J. Bashua, the judge, made an order nullifying the sale of the land.

“Justina Lewa who executed Exhibit F or DD2 (Deeds of Assignment) did not have power to do so and any such execution was done after interest had the transferred to AMCON,” the judgment read.

“Having therefore not complied with Exhibit C (Memorandum of Understanding) coupled to the fact that Exhibit DD2 (Deed of Assignment) was executed during the pendency of this suit, the sale to the 1st defendant amount to nullity. The claim of the claimants succeeds.”

UPDC is currently on appeal.

While Grants Properties pursued the case, Idowu and UPDC had continued developing the land — in defiance of two court orders obtained in 2012 ordering all parties to stop construction activities on the disrupted 10 hectares pending determination of the case.

“I hereby order that all the construction work engaged by either of or all the parties be stopped or abate forthwith,” T.A.O. Oyekan-Abdullai of the Lagos high court had ruled in July 2012.

But Idowu went ahead with the construction of Cadogan Estate and UPDC, on the other hand, built Alexander Miller Estate on the land, and over the years, and had apparently made huge profit while Grant Properties has been left to carry the burden of the debt obligations to AMCON.

AMCON COMPLICIT?

When it discovered that Sterling Bank had sold part of the land to its director, Grant Properties reported the inside trading to AMCON.

AMCON had promised to help retrieve the land, but it has done nothing or little to getting things rightly done, fuelling fears that the corporation is in bed with Sterling Bank.

Section 34(1) of the amended AMCON Act says when the corporation acquires an asset, the asset will be vested in the corporation alone and it shall exercise all the rights and powers of the financial institution. It adds that the debtor concerned and the financial institution would cease to have those rights.

In the event that the collateral is termed “restrictive”, section 36(1) of the acts says the financial institution from which the restrictive collateral is acquired shall hold such collateral in trust for and the sole benefit of the corporation.

AMCON did not intervene until an action was filed to challenge the sale. It has now instructed Grant Properties to withdraw the case from the court. Ordinarily, the court victory would be seen as a positive for AMCON — it would take possession of the property and recoup the loan it paid to pay off the bad debt. But it only got curiouser and curiouser.

Meanwhile, terms of settlement were proposed by Lanre Olaoluwa, AMCON’s receiver/manager, that: AMCON would provide N2 billion to help Grant Properties complete the project and settle the loan; the banks would refund the assumed secret profit of N750 million based on the assumption that the 10 hectares were resold at 26,000/sq. metre; Grant Properties would ratify the sale of the land; and that the terms of settlement would be entered in the court as a consent judgment binding all parties.

Before signing the terms of settlement, Grant Properties had been informed of AMCON’s board rejection of the proposal. The company, however, met with AMCON top officials and it was agreed that AMCON’s management would write to Sterling Bank to return the land it illegally took.

Grant Properties was later invited by the CBN to respond to a complaint from AMCON’s board. AMCON had refused to write the agreed letter, and Kola Ayeye, AMCON’s executive director, denied any record of the board intervening in the resolutions reached.

The role of AMCON has come under scrutiny because technically, it owns Knight Rook, the company whose shares served as collateral for the loan to Grant Properties. With a positive court judgment, it means AMCON has enough collateral to settle the loan.

“That is why it is surprising that AMCON is rejecting the judgement,” an insider in the deal told TheCable.

EVICTIONS, TORTURE, HARASSMENT

In a debt recovery action, the AMCON Act gives exercising power to its receiver/manager over all the assets and entire undertaking of the debtor company notwithstanding that only a part of the assets of the debtor was charged, or pledged as security in relation to the asset acquired by the corporation.

This, the act maintains, must be carried out without prejudice.

After securing a judgment in its favour over the land sold by Sterling Bank, Grant Properties, in June 2017, wrote to AMCON, enclosing a certified copy of the judgment, and a proposal to repay its loan. The company, in its letter, asked AMCON to value the land and the developments on it, and then take its payment from the property.

A day after AMCON received the company’s letter, armed thugs and policemen sent by AMCON’s receiver manager, Olaoluwa, allegedly took over the company’s property in a coordinated attack across the premises. In the process, it was alleged, members of staff of the company were beaten.

“My children and grandchildren have been rendered homeless,” Awosedo said in a statement. “The eviction of my children from their homes is particularly baffling, given the fact that two of the residences are rented accommodations which cannot be attached toward any debt.”

Awosedo and one of his sons suffer from apnea, a condition which affects the breathing system while sleeping, and they had always slept with the aid of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines which were taken from them.

“We pleaded with them to give us access to our machines, but our requests were denied,” Awosedo said in the statement. The receiver threatened that even if they were going to die of apnea, they would not be allowed access to the CPAP machines, according to him.

In an email EXCHANGE between Awosedo and Ayeye, seen by TheCable, Ayeye said that AMCON would advise the receiver/manager to consider releasing properties extraneous to the AMCON loan.

The receiver is harassing consumers who bought property in Victory Park Estate for not having done due diligence before purchasing. He said they bought AMCON land and they must pay AMCON again to regularise their titles.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF AYEYE

Ayeye, an AMCON executive director, allegedly told Grant Properties that the court judgment in its favor was of no consequence.

“The issue of the land was settled as far as AMCON is concerned,” he reportedly said. Ayeye also reportedly revealed that AMCON had taken N501 million from the bank — profits secretly made from the sale of the land — in order to ratify the title.

When Ayeye was reminded that AMCON cannot ratify an illegal act, or refuse to recognise a court judgment, he said Grant Properties should forget about the judgment and the 10 hectares of land.

AMCON and Ayeye insist that Grant Properties must not refer to the judgment, leading to speculation about the neutrality of AMCON. It had also warned Grant Properties to refrain from making any complaint to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or any other law enforcement agency.

The land illegally sold by Sterling Bank and the property on it are worth at least N30 billion today, according to Grant Properties. This is more than enough to settle their loan obligations to the corporation, which might have ballooned to about N20 billion when interests and penalties are factored in.

‘PROCEEDS OF SALE WAS PASSED TO GRANT PROPERTIES’

Responding to TheCable’s enquiry, Sterling Bank said the proceeds of sale of the 10 hectares was passed to Grant Properties.

“It is instructive to note that the proceeds of sale of the 10 hectares was passed to Grant Properties/Chief Awosedo for onward transmission to the subscribers that had demanded for a refund,” Olubukola Adejokun, the bank’s spokesperson, said in the email sent to TheCable.

The bank also said the 10 hectares was sold to RED and not Idowu, althought it was silent on the beneficial owner of RED.

“Sterling Bank could not have singlehandedly sold any part of the land as the security was pledged to the banking consortium that financed the project,” Adejokun explained, adding that “the decision to sell the 10 hectares was a joint decision between the consortium of banks (Wema, Skye, Unity and Sterling) and the developer (Grant Properties/Chief Olajide Awosedo).”

Asked if the sale was is in line with the AMCON Act which states that an eligible financial institution, Sterling Bank and others in this case, must hand over all assets to the corporation, Sterling Bank said “the 10 hectares had been sold before the transfer of loan to AMCON and therefore did not form part of the assets transferred to AMCON by the consortium of banks”.

The bank also said that it is not true that the court pronounced the sale illegal.

“The court ruling related to only 2.4 hectares out of the 10 hectares which the RED Company subsequently sold to UAC Property Development Company (UPDC) and this is now subject of an appeal at the Court of Appeal Lagos,” he added.

Although the case was between Grant Properties and UPDC — with a larger focus on the 2.4 hectares sold to the latter — the judgment, as against Sterling Bank’s claims, declared that the sale to either RED company or UPDC was done after the banks had transferred its right and interest to AMCON. This is against AMCON’s Act.

‘OUR LAWYERS WILL ISSUE A RESPONSE’

When TheCable spoke with Ayeye, he sounded furious on the phone.

“Grant Properties is just throwing wrong news everywhere,” Ayeye said. “You guys should be careful of somebody who was owing banks for about five years before AMCON took over, and for eight years that AMCON has taken over, the company has not paid us one penny.”

He asked TheCable to reach the corporation’s corporate affairs department for details.

Jude Nwauzor, AMCON’s head of corporate affairs, told TheCable that the legal department was working a rejoinder to these allegations.

“It is a running case, it didn’t just start. Our lawyers have looked at all these and they are coming with a response. We have never acted outside the jurisdiction of the law,” he said.

He explained that AMCON, being a creation of the law, is regularly being monitored by committees from the national assembly.

“These committees have an oversight function on AMCON, and from time to time, they invite the management for questioning. So, whatever we do, when we take over properties, we only do that by the order of a court as mandated by the act establishing us,” he said.

Further asked why AMCON has ignored a court order obtained in favor of Grant Properties, Nwazor urged patience as AMCON’s lawyers have been directed to issue a proper response to all allegations.

Idowu, a key player in this matter, was not ready to provide answers to questions thrown at him. “It is a personal corporate matter between two big businessmen and it has nothing to do with public interest,” he told TheCable.

“The case is in court and it is not something I should talk about,” he added.

In its code of conduct, Sterling Bank warns its directors to avoid conflict of interest in the discharge of their duties.

“A conflict of interest can arise when a director or a member of his immediate family receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position as a director of the bank,” part of the code of conduct reads.

“Competing with the bank for the purchase or sale of property, products, services or other interests” is listed as an example of situations that may constitute conflict of interest.

In the meantime, Grant Properties has petitioned the President Muhammadu Buhari, the CBN, the senate president, the speaker of the house of representatives and the inspector general of police. There is yet to response or action from any of them, according to the company.

These are not the best of times for the Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) Mr. Folorunsho Coker.
The embattled NTDC boss is yet again in the news for the wrong reasons. This time, he is enmeshed in a tug of war with staff of his agency at the headquarters in Abuja.
The NTDC staff yesterday picketed offices of the Corporation, carrying placards calling for his removal. The workers turned out in large number to voice their frustration at the unfriendly work environment in the Agency that has become the order of the day since Coker assumed office as DG.
Head of the NTDC staff union, Mr. Martins Ohiemi, said that staff members of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation are dissatisfied with the leadership style of Mr. Coker, insisting that he treats them like slaves.
The staff union alleged that Coker, since his appointment in April 2017, has been mismanaging the NTDC and running it like his personal business. The DG is said to have excluded the NTDC top management staff from all operational and management decisions since his assumption of duty.
In a letter written to the NTDC DG, and copied to the Minister of Information & Culture, Minister of Labour, the Inspector General of Police and the DSS, dated November 29th 2017 and signed by Comrade Sikiru Waheed, the Secretary of FCT Council of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Employees; the workers said they would picket the offices until Coker address their complaints.
A copy of the letter obtained by our reporter listed some of the grievances raised against Coker by the NTDC workers to include creation of project units to erode the functions of departments, deliberate denial of workers schedule of duty and Illegal recruitment of workers without regards to the guidelines on appointments and promotion.
They also listed unfriendly posture of the Director General leading to unhealthy working relationship, deliberate depletion of existing workers welfare package as well as refusal to conduct 2017 promotion exercise contrary to Federal Government circular directing MDAs to conduct promotion as at when due.
The letter ended with a prayer that: “It is our singular prayer that the issues raised above which has endemically eaten deep into the fabric of workers of NTDC should be reserved positively with immediate effect for the progress of NTDC and the workers”.
Meanwhile, Coker is said to be evasive and has not been coming to the office, since he got wind of the workers protest.

Amid a resounding ovation, the Senate of the Dominican Republic has conferred the chamber’s highest awards on the founder and spiritual head of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, Prophet Temitope Balogun Joshua.

This was made known at the end of the first session of the two-day crusade held at the Central Olympic Stadium, Felix Sanchez, located in the nation’s capital of Santo Domingo, on Friday, November 24, 2017.

While reading the letters of conferment of the Senate and Congress awards, the event had in attendance representatives of the governments of Russia, Spain, Brazil, Paraguay, Haiti, among others.

The Senate argued, among other things, that it reached the resolution of the conferment of the award on the cleric considering Prophet Joshua’s immense contributions to the growth and development of humanity, his wonderful and relentless social work which he had tirelessly extended to impoverished regions of the world, his large donations to help widows, orphans, the destitute, the elderly and the physically challenged. Chief among the mention of the Senate was the humanitarian work spearheaded by the prophet after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, including supports to India, Ghana and the Philippines following various disasters.

The Senate further extolled the unrelenting commitment of the cleric in engendering global peace and therefore made him the spiritual guide of the nation.

While accepting the award in the company of his wife, Prophet Joshua thanked the government and people of the Dominican Republic for such recognition promising that he would continue to pray for the country while also making it his second home.

“I am very delighted. I am also very grateful to the government and people of the Dominican Republic. I dedicate this award to the people of this country. I will continue to pray for you and I will ensure that this country is my second home,” the cleric said.

Earlier, the crusade venue witnessed a mammoth crowd of worshippers, government officials, politicians and the entire strata of the human society. Many had travelled far and wide to hear the cleric preach and pray for the sick and other miracle-seekers.

The crowd had continued to swell with over 60,000 participants in attendance. Despite the human traffic, no untoward incident occurred.

In his message, Prophet Joshua, taking his text from Romans 5:2 of the Holy Bible, called on his immediate and virtual listeners, to ensure that they sought the kingdom of God first while also seeking the happiness and joy of their neighbours.

“We live in a world where people measure their happiness with material possession. But this is not so. You must measure your happiness by ensuring the happiness of others. This is the example that Jesus Christ has set for us. You can bless others with your smile, your money, your material possession or even other things. Put a smile on people’s faces and you will be glad,” he said.

During the prayer session, many who had various ailments and had travelled both far and wide were attended to by the cleric who laid his hands on them “in the name of Jesus”.

CL,24/11/17 Day 1; DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Crusade with Prophet T.B. Joshua

Nigeria’s leading Pay TV operator, MultiChoice Nigeria, has revealed its festive promotion for consumers across the country with the #12GoodReasons goody bags. From Friday, 24th of November 2017 until 18th March 2018, subscribers on both the DStv and GOtv platforms stand a chance to win free subscriptions and kitchenware whilst gaining access to new and exciting content at no extra cost.

The #12GoodReasons promotion covers the spectrum of DStv and GOtv offerings and gives new and existing customers the chance to amongst other things win big and enter a raffle draw.

Speaking during a media interactive session in Lagos, General Manager, Sales and Marketing for MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said: “As 2017 draws to a close, we are rewarding our loyal customers and dealers, whilst also providing an exciting opportunity for new subscribers to get on board.

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“If you also pay for an additional month’s subscription you automatically enter a raffle draw where you stand the chance of winning exciting prizes, including 1.5KVA generators, a set aluminum cooking of pots and 6kg Camp gas with Stainless Steel burner”.

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Nigerian Festival lovers and followers also need not travel as they can watch the coverage of the biggest festivals including the Calabar Carnival, Experience, Miss Africa, Miss Universe and the One Lagos festival all LIVE on the Festivals Pop-Up channel.

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Access Bank hunts billionaire debtor

Skye Bank grapples with Festus Fadeyi’s N196 billion bad arrears
Why more banks may gun for career debtors
The lives of some Nigerian millionaires and billionaires will resonate as one dismal lie from one end to the other, by the time Access Bank Plc. completes its revenue recovery drive. While this sad reality extends beyond the reaches of Access Bank, the pathetic case of Muyiwa Bakare and some other bank debtors has become hot gossip across the cubicles and halls of first generation banks and Nigeria’s high society circuits.

Bakare, who is the son of a former billionaire auto magnate, Chief S. O Bakare, founder of Oluwalogbon Motors, is currently indebted to Access Bank in several millions and this has incited the dissatisfaction of the bank’s management led by meticulous banking Czar, Herbert Wigwe. The latter has reportedly embarked on a debt recovery scheme as part of his drive to recover outstanding debts from the bank’s chronic debtors.

It is interesting to know that Bakare is simply one of many debtors of Access Bank whose outrageous debts may put the bank in precarious financial situation if the bank’s management does not recover loans owed by them by year’s end.

At the backdrop of Access Bank’s debt recovery drive, pundits note that Skye Bank may need to initiate a similar scheme to recover debts owed it by debtors such as Festus Fadeyi, Pan Ocean Corporation boss, who allegedly owes the bank N196 billion.

Besides Access Bank and Skye Bank, several other new generation banks are doing battle to recover outrageous debts owed them by career debtors. The latter despite their disgraceful insolvency and indebtedness in billions, continually parade themselves as Lagos big boys and sophisticated members of Nigeria’s high society.

In reality, they are chronic debtors and poor managers of wealth who have gone bankrupt, argued a highly placed source in one of the banks affected by their debts.

Interestingly, however, you couldn’t have forgotten so soon the Bakare’s expensive 50th birthday shindig for his wife recently. The party was allegedly borne of his desperation to save face and make the world believe that even though Access Bank aggressively seeks to recover debts owed it by him, he is still rock solid. Further findings substantiated the fact that for Muyiwa, the birthday celebration goes beyond just celebrating his wife; it presented a platform and opportunity to keep up appearances.

Muyiwa, the former MD of the moribund Metropolitan bank, never imagined that throwing his wife a 50th birthday bash, valued at over N200 million, would be his ultimate undoing.

The party generated a buzz in high society circuits due to its grandeur. Bakare embarked on a spending spree, contracting popular artistes, King Sunny Ade and Wizkid, to perform all through the event.

Sources close to the socialite revealed that had he not organized the bash in honour of his wife, he wouldn’t attract the attention of his creditors
Bakare simply failed to heed the voice of reason and apply tact in his affairs, according to his closest friends and associates.

Not too long ago, his former creditor, a new generational bank had gunned for his jugular in its bid to also recover debts owed by Bakare.

The bank reportedly seized his assets including choice and very property in exclusive neighbourhoods across Lagos.

The scandal dealt Bakare a devastating blow, almost wrecking him but rather than count his losses and learn from his mistakes, he desperately sought to keep up appearances and make people believe that his life was still rosy; hence he threw his wife the 50th bash.

That happened to be his greatest undoing. Soon after he threw the party, creditors went after him thinking that if he had over N200 million to squander on his wife’s birthday party, then he should be able to settle his outrageous debt to the bank.

Had he known, the former billionaire would have retraced his steps and desisted from living a lie to keep up appearances.

An alumnus of California State University in Northridge California, Warwick Business School and Lagos Business School, not even his education and exposure and privileged background could save his father’s Metropolitan bank, from going under then. And so went his cash cow too.

However, as Bakare struggles to keep up appearances, Fadeyi deals with his own grief. Recall that the well-heeled founder and CEO of Pan Ocean Corporation, an indigenous independent oil and gas company, acquired a multi-billion naira loan from Skye Bank, back when, loan defaulting did not occasion sleepless nights for the culprit.

For Fadeyi, being indebted to Skye Bank didn’t seem a big deal as the economy was buoyant and nothing in the forecasts showed that the business he invested the money in would tank atrociously. Well, it did and his money went down the drain.

Fadeyi has been cliffhanging since the sad incident. To compound his troubles, in 2016, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) sacked the board of directors of the bank, Fadeyi inclusive. The Pan Ocean boss and fellow directors had to be sacked to save the bank from total ruin.

The CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele, contended that the intervention became inevitable in view of the bank’s liquidity and non-performing loan ratios which had been below and above the required thresholds respectively for a while.

Few months on since they incurred unserviceable debts thus putting their banks in precarious states, Bakare, Fadeyi and several other accidental billionaires have met their waterloo in crusader bank chiefs like Wigwe who would leave no stone unturned to recover debts owed them.

Open air brothel where prostitutes shun ‘missionary style’
November 19, 2017 • By CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports



•‘I almost slept with my brother’



Sunday Telegraph’s tour of the den of prostitutes in Ejigbo, Lagos, led to, indeed, a big discovery about the activities of the ‘scarlet of the night’ and their perverse sexual lifestyles. Bricks and Mortar brothel may have been undesirable for them as they have sex in the open. CHIJIOKE IREMEKA reports



‘One Corner’ the instant erotic dance popularised by, Patapaa Amisty, a Ghanian musician, best explains what prostitutes do in open air brothel in Ejigbo LCDA, Lagos State. Sunday Telegraph’s tour of the community was, indeed, a voyage of discovery of perverse sexual lifestyles of prostitutes in Ejigbo.

On three different occasions, our reporter visited the location, it’s no longer bricks and mortar four walls brothel but now an open air where passersby view live pornography shows free. In the open air brothel, missionary style is undesirable.

The ‘One Corner,’ brothel is structured in a way that it admits multiple sexual partners which enables users to have a feel of what obtains at the other partners’ end. The sexually perversed partners are always at liberty to borrow a style from others within the brothel.
Quickies best elucidate the coitus here as there was neither mattresses or synthetic nor raffia mats to lie on except for empty bags of cement sutured together to make a low-range covering.

After payment of N200 to the owners of the brothel and N500 to the prostitute, the gate is opened for sex partners. Others, who came in vehicles, do their quickies there.

It was gathered that there is random selection of the core girls for ‘one corner dance’ especially in the early hours. Most of them, who spent all night clubbing and drinking usually cool off before leaving the club house. This session is for those who do not want to take prostitutes home.
Sunday Telegraph learnt that this was the reason the environment is littered with used condoms and tissue papers in the early hours of the morning. Some of those who can’t gain access to the club house, defecate in some dark places.

Ejike Okoro, a regular caller at the club told our reporter that: “After clubbing, we enjoy ourselves before going home. I don’t take prostitutes to my house. They can be very heartless and mean. They steal, sometimes they are fetish and they are very desperate. So, the best bet is to do it here and let them go. Besides, you spend less, doing it here.”

Bunmi Adesina is one of the main movers at the club, who took our reporter to a corner for share of her sexual benevolence. She made a futile effort to persuade our reporter to do it at the back of a kiosk, adjacent Egigbo LCDA, since our under cover reporter confessed not to have money to pay for short time in a hotel.

Adesina, who insisted she will make do with bend-down quickie style insisted that she must be paid N500, while the ready to go ‘home service’ goes for N4, 000. She revealed that she prefers short-time to the more cumbersome all night service as she makes more money going for several rounds at the brothel or by the corner.

She disclosed that on a good day, she makes as high as N15, 000 every night on quickie, adding that no home service can give her such amount.
She noted: “All you need to do is to pull your trousers a bit down and penetrate through the back. You will enjoy it. Most men like doing it from the back. The other option is for you to sit in your car and carry me, and we do the real thing inside your car. But if you want to take me home, I will charge you N4000.”
Bunmi added that, they used to have some people whose job is to make small covering and collect N200 for anyone, who want to make use of it. The best style in the open air brothel is kneeling and bending as there is no space for missionary style.

A half-naked Joy Stephen, at the entrance of the Ejigbo LCDA side of the park is also willing to enter the open air brothel with our under cover reporter who pretended to be a customer for a show of different styles.
Without mincing words, she said, “I won’t go to your house, it’s okay for us here. Or how many rounds you want do? Your house dey far. Make we do am here nah. Any amount you give me I will take instead of going home. This one pays me more. If I get eight customers, it’s okay for good business. Call baba, he will show us where to stay if you don’t want to stay that place. I go do everything to you here,” she quipped in pidgin English.

Blessing Nwankwo, who declared that she was lured into prostitution by her neighbour said she used to do all styles in the open air brothel until officers the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) cameras scattered our business. After that experience, she has been avoiding customers with strange ideas.

She revealed that, the whole started after she saw the affluent lifestyle of a lady she admired in her neighborhood and was bent on knowing what she does. Eventually, she was introduced to a night club, where men go home with them and gave them some good cash.

“Right now, it has become part of me and I cannot stop. Though, I make money sleeping with men, sometimes I have sex without money. I’m used to sex. So anywhere, any time I’m available. I can do it here, I can do it at home. But I’m not telling you not to pay me ooo,” she added.

However, our reporter’s three days visit to this perverse centre was smooth from Cele Express to Jakande Gate, Oke-Afa. Perhaps, one needs not ask questions as collection of skimpy and half-naked dressed ladies draw attention to the Nite Club, located at the next Bus-stop, NNPC Fuel Station/Junction.
This club assumes two different statuses. In the morning, it’s quiet and calm but becomes den of prostitutes and clubbers at night. If you miss your way going there in the morning, the same will not be the case in the evening as the busy activities of prostitutes grab ones’ attention.

The club house is fizzy, with the prostitutes outside the club and Ejigbo LCDA gates almost out numbering the men who they flock around for possible patronage.
The club named New Romeo and Juliet shares common perimeter fence with Ejigbo LCDA, making the council’s premises one of the most sought after open air brothels. Some security guards attached to the LCDA were allegedly part of the administrators of the open air brothel, an allegation they denied.

The LCDA/Romeo and Juliet have wide parking space for vehicles, and this forms a big converging centre for the core girls, while the entrance to the Club is guarded by bouncers.

On arrival, however, a well-shaped girl with rounded hips, Jessica Asika, from Ogwashi-Ukwu in Delta State, sighted our correspondent and came for a possible patronage. “Hello sweetie, you are here,” she said as if she knew him as a regular customer. After a response from our correspondent, she appealed: “I’m thirsty. Please, help me with water,” a request, which was granted by our correspondent.

Shortly after this, the prostitute became an Oliver Twist and said, “I’m hungry, please help me with N100 bread, I will eat it with my water.” Seeing that she was experiencing lull in the business that first night, our reporter granted her request and added a bottle of bottled soft drink instead of water.

Seemingly mannered, though the reason for her involvement in the business of prostitution is complicated, she turned down the request to have a quickie at the open air brothel or behind the kiosk, saying: “I don’t want ‘one corner.’ There are places for short time. I don’t want police to arrest me and you won’t like being beaten by the police while on boxers. I don’t like that place.”

According to her, until last month, Ejigbo LCDA premises, and the adjourning building, including open air, are the places ‘one corner’ quickies take place. She said the brothel doesn’t ensure proper coverage of the people as passersby see them while having sex.

“We can Bleep there, pointing at one of short-time rooms, but I won’t go to the open air because police come to raid the place. Before, we used to settle the police officers and security guards attached to the Ejigbo LCDA until SARS came and arrested some people. Some guys were arrested half-naked and I am sure you won’t want such embarrassment, “she said.
She insisted that there are different short time brothels that can be used for N1000 instead of going to open air brothel. She added that the open air brothel goes for as cheap as N500 and even N200.

“I like short time because I make more money. On a good day, I can take as much as seven men per night if I decide to go on short time. I choose my customers. One of the criteria is that, such a person must be neat. I don’t do dirty people,” she said.

To our reporter, who requested sex without payment, she said after laughing, “Yes, we are friends already. Well, if you become my friend, you will pay once in a while, but if you don’t have money, you will not pay.



I like you; at least, you are fine. So, I can have sex with you without pay but when you have, you help me too,” she appealed.
Also on expected styles, she said, “If you pay well, I will give you all the styles you like, if not, I will give you normal styles.
The styles depend on the amount customers are willing to pay.

I almost slept with my brother – Susan

Susan Esemene is indifferent about going to the open air brothel. She almost slept with her relative in one of her expeditions. She didn’t know that a client she brought into her room hails from her village in Agbor. God so kind, the customer spoke her native dialect and discussion ensued.

“God saved me one day, I almost had sex with a relative. When we were ready for the action, he spoke my native dialect and I asked if he was from Agbor. By the time we were done discussing, we were from the same village.

“We can’t even marry for you to know how close we are. And the guy was like, what are you doing here, and what pushed me to this? I told him my story (Discordant story) and he wanted to help me but I told him that I won’t work for anybody again. I want to do business of my own.

“My parents live in Asaba, Delta State, while I live alone in FESTAC Town, Lagos. Since then, before I do anything with anybody that I don’t know, I ask questions.Eventually, the guy gave me N1,000 and left without doing anything. He couldn’t even go for another woman that night again. We later exchanged phone numbers.

“How can I do runs where I live? I might run into somebody that knows me. They don’t know what I do,” she said, responding to the question, why she doesn’t operate in FESTAC, where a number of good Nite clubs exist.

She stated that she took to prostitution after her boss demanded for sex from her. This claim sounded superfluous. Susan is hoping and believing God that one day she will get married to a God-fearing man.
“The open air brothel is a make shift tent where the owners collect as low as N200 per round of sex. You don’t lay there rather you squat or you bend while the man penetrates from the back. It’s not hidden even other people passing will be seeing you while you do that. Though, it is about everybody minding their own business here. She can charge N500 or N700 per round in open air. For me, I’m N1000 or nothing for you.”
Ihuoma Maduforo, another prostitute said, “I like short time. If I can do three to four short times in one night I am done for the day. The money paid depends on the mood of the customer. Sometimes the Yahoo boys can pay us N3,000 or N5000 for short time. So, if I am lucky to see a Yahoo boy who gives me N5000 for each round, I will go home happy. That is good business for the day.”

It’s source of worry – Residents


Residents of Ejigbo by NNPC said it’s a horrible sight to behold. “If you come out in the night you will feel sorry for our women and men, who patronise the prostitute here. There is no value to womanhood anymore in this part of Lagos and I wish that human right groups can do something urgent about the terrible situation here.
“I learnt that SARS tried to stop the activities of the prostitutes reacting to series of petitions written by landlords and residents but it has continued unabated,” Mrs. Georgina Adekanbi, a resident told our reporter.
Paul Odueme, one of the residents of the community said, “It is a source of worry to some of us that lives around there. I didn’t even know that such a thing exist there until somebody pointed it out to me.”

Pastor Victor Obiora said those are the signs of end-time, adding that there is the need for serious evangelism in such areas. He lamented that such evangelism cannot be done without cash to empower the young girls.

“Churches can come up with programmes to rehabilitate prostitutes who want to quit the job and empower them with artisan skills and other businesses that give them some comforts. If not so, after such conversions, they still go back to their vomits. We will not condemn them, they are the ones Christ died for and sent to the church to recover,” he said.

However, the Managing Director, New Romeo and Juliet, Mr. Iyke Egegbara, said he runs event centre, VIP Lounge, and open bar and have no business with the prostitutes outside his premises, saying that, he has security personnel that protects his customers.
He said, “Let me clear this misconception. My customers are the ones within my premises and not the ones outside. We have always made the announcement that anybody that comes for the Nite Club should come in and standing outside is at person’s own risk.

“Our security personnel are inside here and they protect those inside. Though we have few others whose job is to secure the cars outside, but all vehicles are parked at owners’ risk. You can see, outside our premises is well lit, so I don’t know how and where the young girls could have sex there. We have mounted CCTV cameras here to help us monitor the activities outside.

“If you are pointing at that side, then, that is local government premises and not New Romeo and Juliet. The only thing I can tell you is that, few weeks ago, some touts organsied some people and apportioned spaces for them to sell hot drinks and other products on the Ejigbo LCDA premises.

“When that came to my notice, I called the attention of the Local Government and they were eventually sent away. So, we do not encourage prostitution or open air chalets here as you have said. We run lounge here.
“You can see banks and council on the both sides of our business area. New Romeo and Juliet Lounge runs three major businesses: the open bar, event centre and VIP Lounge.”

Again, one of the people selling inside the club, Chinedu Mba, said they have no business with the core girls. “They come around because they see young guys clubbing here.”

When Sunday Telegraph visited Ejigbo LCDA to comment on the allegation that its premises are used for the different forms of sexual pervasion, our reporter was told that the council doesn’t have a Public Relation Officer who would have responded officially to the assertions.

Mr. Opesetan, the Human Resources Manager, was also not available and would only be able to comment of the issue next week.

However, a security officer, Mr. Yusuf Adejumo, said, if our reporter can wait until next week, he would meet him. Adejumo stressed that all management staff had gone out for one assignment or the other. “There was a time petition on such situation was raised, but after investigations, it was discovered that such claims were fake. We have security men here and such will not be allowed,” he said.

When contacted to comment on the weird things happening at the premises of the Ejigbo LCDA, the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Olarinde Famous-Cole, tried to establish the fact that those activities are happening there and he queried:, “Do you have any evidence of what you are saying? Evidence like video clip or have you been there yourselves? It’s weird to believe, so please send me a text message so that I can get the DPO of that area to comment on what has been the situation. Let’s us not act on hearsay.”
Speaking on whether prostitution has been legalised in Nigeria, and why such activities should be allowed to happen under the police watch, he said never will anybody do that. “Without calling the DPO, I can tell you that we cannot condone any act of disorderliness in the state or actions that would disturb the peace of the people in the environment.

“I’m sure if such had happened before in this community it definitely not going to be in the last two months. You mentioned that SARS came and raided everywhere. So, it’s on record. If you can go there with the DPO of Ejigbo on mufti to find out whether such acts are still happening there. I will appreciate, if it turns out to be true, I can assure that we will make arrest and even prosecute ccused persons.
“Police is on top of its game and if anybody sees things disturbing the peace of the people, do not hesitate to send an official complaint to us, we shall definitely follow it up immediately. The police cannot see everything at the same time, at all times, so we need reports from the public to end crime in the country. Meanwhile, kindly send a text message, detailing exactly place to me so that I can get the DPO to be part of it.”

Source: https://newtelegraphonline.com/2017/11/open-air-brothel-prostitutes-shun-missionary-style/

Diamond Bank is one of the 22 financial institutions operating in Nigeria, with a mission to “Go beyond banking, connect people and markets and markets to people.” This mission is brought to life through leveraging innovative Microsoft technologies to empower the bank to reach more people in a cost-effective way. Also deepening financial inclusion initiatives, Diamond Bank delivers on this commitment with the right digital assets to enable offering of a wide portfolio of products for the changing needs of their customers. Hear what the bank’s CEO has to say:

Boosting Productivity with End-to-End Customer Relationship Management Tool
Every time we interact with the customer, there is a record of that event. Before now, the Customer Relationship Manager would need to prepare an extensive handover note that took almost a whole day. Now, the system records all interaction and manages the process in real time. The handover note is live and dynamic, with easy access allowing employees more time to do more productive tasks for customers.

Share and Collaborate with Video conferencing and Social for Work
As the bank grew bigger, it became difficult to keep in touch. Every morning my alarm goes off. Microsoft Outlook notifies me about employees’ birthday. I go into Skype for Business and I’m able to wish any member of staff across all 300 branches a Happy Birthday! This also allows easy access to management and aids quick feedback on business.
With the “Microsoft Teams” solution, cross functional collaboration is now possible in a deeply engaging way. Teams can share ideas, brainstorm and execute on tasks faster. This has cut down on travel time significantly. Quarterly, we have a town hall company engagement and everyone gets to participate and air their opinions freely using Skype Conferencing.
Yammer also serves as a great social networking tool allowing us to see pictures and videos of activities happening company wide. New product launches, birthdays etc. The uptake from this has been so high and it has made it easier for everyone to share momentous activities and keep in touch.

Predict and Customize For the Market Place
I now have monitoring dashboards that allow me follow transactions in real time. There are also different parameters that I can tweak to get specific information. I can discover where transactions are happening the most – by type, pattern etc. It is an excellent tool that allows for improved data-driven decision making. This has helped us develop more custom products and solutions for customers.
We have been able to develop several spin off products from the insights gathered. One of which was the *436# Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) mobile service, which customer could use to transfer MONEY to their accounts, top up their mobile phone, check their account balance etc. We can tell what the customer wants or is thinking through their actions and respond appropriately. We are able to collect data, analyze it effectively and implement strategies that produce results.
With Power BI, management teams across the company can all see the same data and pattern in real time. This forces everyone across the company to be customer centric.

Warehouse and Secure Important Data with Cloud
In the past, archiving the level of data generated by all the activities that we are now able to do would have posed a huge challenge; but by adopting Microsoft’s cloud solutions, we are able to warehouse data securely.
Instant updates with Microsoft 365 ensures that we are protected from current security threats and risks.
Overall, Diamond Bank reports significant productivity boost in workplace, product development and penetration, processes, customer servicing and continue to count the gains of digital adoption.
“ Digitization helps us go beyond share of wallet; it enables us increase customer ‘share of life”

By: Marie Phido

Again this year, I attended the GTBank Fashion Weekend. It was a place to be and be seen in Lagos, especially as Nigeria has a dearth of places you can go to with your family to have a relaxing time. It was also open to all people across the socio-economic spectrum, which was good. My observation is that many banks do not open their events to all of their customers, which I believe should be addressed. I was impressed by what I saw and experienced in terms of the high street theme, the esthetics and displays which were an improvement from last year.

There was an international flavor to the whole event, with the master classes, run way shows, locations for photographs and strategically placed mannequins, etc. It was really well organized.

I must commend the bank for supporting small and medium enterprises. Many of the companies I patronize online had their goods displayed. The bank also surpassed itself in the quality and quantity of social media and direct marketing it did for the event. Many enterprises had high quality graphics advertising their businesses designed for them and sent to them to advertise to their customers and communities. I also learnt that the selection of vendors was done randomly at no cost to the vendors. Again, this is commendable. More organizations should give a thought to GTBank’s example and give back to their customers and communities.

One of the things, I always tell banks, is the fact that many of their customers do not think they support them enough. Many bank customers have said, the banks are not interested in their welfare. They complain that to get a loan to grow their business is a herculean task at very competitive rates. After the loans are given, relationship officers are only out to collect MONEY. They feel no support whatsoever is given in ensuring their businesses thrive and become more viable for the mutual benefit of both – bank and organisation.

So, GTBank consistently providing this platform to its customers every year is an example other banks should emulate. According to Frontstream, “companies that take an active role in giving back to their customers and communities are generally viewed more favorably than those that do not have highly visible programs. Having goals and a vision for your company that go beyond products and profits definitely provides a warmer image of your business that consumers will be more eager to engage with”. Can we attribute this fact to why GTBank’s customer base is so large? Food for thought!

I interviewed customers who attended and like in all good things, there is always room for improvement. Many commented that the vendors on display were too “high end”, meaning too expensive. In view of this, they found it difficult to buy anything. It was therefore a sightseeing expedition instead of it being an opportunity to see a variety of goods and be able to purchase items at an affordable rate.

I remember last year, on display were vendors who sold good quality clothes, nice bags (Made in Nigeria), jewelry, shoes, etc that you could get at very affordable prices. It was not the case this year and if they were, maybe those I spoke to did not see them and neither did I. The bank may want to see how this gap can be bridged. I like the idea of raising the bar and bringing in high end retailers to the fair, but since the bank caters to people across the socio-economic spectrum, this demographic must be considered in the selection of vendors.

An observation was that the area designated as food court was not adequate. There was also not without enough variety of snacks and food to buy. Since the experience is meant to be some form of retail therapy and many see going to the fair as a family outing or friends hanging out, the bank may want to consider how they make it a lot more relaxing for attendees. Last year, after shopping, I had to go to Hardrock Café next door for rest and relaxation because I really shopped till I dropped and needed to celebrate the bargains I had gotten.

The size of the booths is another area for improvement, which I may not be completely correct about but I felt that the booths were too small. Since, I did not measure them, I cannot be certain of this; I however, felt everywhere was cramped. It is either the fact that the booths were too many this year or the size of the booths were reduced, because we were almost stepping on each other and on customers in the next booth as we shopped. Then again, it may be that there were a lot more people in attendance than last years’ which gives this illusion.

In conclusion, I believe GTBank has impacted its community very positively and should continue for more effective engagement with its customers and stakeholders, which is supported by research. A 2014 study by Nielsen revealed that “55% of consumers across 60 countries say they are willing to pay more for products and services provided by companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact.” Additional research from Cone Communications/Echo Global showed “90 percent of shoppers worldwide are likely to switch to brands that support a good cause.”

In addition, a company’s greatest asset is its people. According to Jack Welch, the famous CEO behind GE’s monumental growth, “You build the best team, you win.” Companies with published impact initiatives have an easier time recruiting talent. According to the Net Impact’s What Workers Want report, 45% of employees would take a 15% pay cut for a job that makes a social or environmental impact. Another 51% of workers say that helping “make a better world” and making a “contribution to society” are essential for their ideal job.
GTBank is on a winning streak and should continue to improve on the good the bank is doing.

In case you need further persuasion on where to be on Sunday, 3rd December 2017, Lagos state will be shutting down the state with the second edition of Lagos street carnival ever in the state’s history. The Lagos Street is a brainchild of the state government and it promises to be fun galore.
The carnival will be a one-day event with a lot of colour and culture on display. It will take place along the ever-busy Oba-Akran road in Ikeja with an impressive lineup of engaging activities.
The event is to kick-start a series of activities which has been lined-up by Lagos State government to celebrate Christmas and New Year. It will provide a platform for the residents to relax and enjoy themselves in a secured environment.
Performing at the event are: Olamide, Lil Kesh, Yemi Alade, Salawa Abeni, Oritse Femi, DJ Lambo amongst others. And there will be the kiddies corner with various activities like Bouncing Castle, Rodeo Bull, Carroussels etc.
Lagos State Acting Honourable Commissioner for Tourism, Art and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola, while briefing newsmen stated that: the event is expected to start from noon to midnight.
According to her: “The Lagos Street Party, which was held last year has metamorphosed into Lagos Street Carnival. It has been rebranded and repackaged to serve a much wider purpose beyond just a party. It being organized to showcase the state potentials for tourism, arts and entertainment at global level.”
The Lagos Street Carnival Hon. Akinsola disclose is largely private sector driven as there are some private organization that share the same vision and are supporting the state in this drive. “The State Government believes that the platform will engender economic development, empowerment of the people and promote tourism.
“This is exemplified by the fact that, beside entertainment and fun-making, the Carnival offers upcoming artists and tradesmen opportunity to exhibit their skills and market their products which fits into the agenda of the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode led administration,” she said.
Corroborating the Honourable statement is the Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, who says the Lagos Street Carnival draws parallel with international carnivals across the world.
“The Carnival will attract participation of over 700 revellers in colourful costumes of different shades, design and animation in a control procession along the stretch of Oba Akran Road. The carnival will showcase the display of abundant indigenous cultures, food and lifestyle of Lagosians.
“The Lagos Street Carnival is an avenue for propel to have fun and enjoyment just as it is done in other countries of the world,” Ayorinde stated.
Meanwhile, agencies of government that are concerned with ensuring security and free flow of traffic have been mobilized and will be deployed to strategic areas around the venue.
Adequate traffic management arrangement have been put in place to ensure that motorists using Oba Akran Road and adjoining roads do not experience pains as a result of the closure. We have provided alternative routes to motorist.

Keystone Bank Limited, has reaffirmed its commitment to deliver unparalleled products and services to its customers with the recent launch of its new brand campaign tagged: ‘I Bank with Keystone Bank’.

The campaign is geared towards creating awareness for the corporate brand and positioning Keystone Bank as a partner and enabler that supports customers to achieve their goals through opportunities made available by the bank.

Speaking on the development, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Keystone Bank, Mr. Obeahon Ohiwerei said, “With the new focus/drive within the bank, we believe it is imperative for us to re-affirm our commitment to our stakeholders and to highlight the positive strides that we are taking in order to inspire confidence in our customers”.

“Every business requires a steady hand that lends the right kind of support and every year, Keystone Bank helps thousands of business people achieve their goals with consistent commitment to quality service. This is one major factor we wish to showcase with this campaign” Ohiwerei stated.

Keystone Bank is a technology and service-driven commercial bank offering tailor-made convenient and reliable solutions to every customer’s needs.

Some Nigerians are blasting President Muhammadu Buhari for condemning the military coup in Zimbabwe, saying that he should remember his own bloody past.

Commentators on the social media asked him to remember when he overthrew the democratically elected government of Shehu Shagari on 31 December 1983 before he was overthrown himself less than two years after by General Babangida

“The day you ‘overthrew’ Shagari, you did not respect the Nigerian constitution,” lamented Mustapher Salis Sani in response to a story published by Simon Ateba News Africa.

President Buhari on Wednesday called for calm, peace and respect for the constitution in Zimbabwe and urged all political and military stakeholders in Zimbabwe to avoid any action that may plunge the country into unnecessary conflict and impact negatively on the region.

According to President Buhari, “every attempt must be made to resolve all contentious issues by constitutional means in Zimbabwe to save the country from avoidable political instability.”

The President appeal came in the wake of reported “military takeover” as a result of rising political tension in the southern African country sequel to President Robert Mugabe’s recent removal of former Vice President, Emmerson Mnangagwa.

This led to the threat by the head of the Armed Forces of Zimbabwe, General Constantino Chiwenga, that “the military will not hesitate to step in” when the issue had to do with protecting the “revolution.”

Moody’s Investors Service (Moody’s) has downgraded to B2 from B1 the long-term local currency deposit and issuer ratings of four Nigerian banks. It also downgraded the long-term local and foreign currency issuer ratings of another development bank.

The agency, in its new rating released recently, listed the banks to include Access Bank Plc (Access), Zenith Bank Plc (Zenith), First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) among others, while the Bank of Industry, BOI, was listed as the development bank.

Moody’s also downgraded to B3 from B2, the long-term foreign currency deposit ratings of Access, Zenith, Union Bank of Nigeria plc (Union), First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FBN) and Sterling Bank Plc (Sterling) and others.

Moody’s Corporation is the holding company that owns both Moody’s Investor Services, which rates fixed income debt securities, and Moody’s Analytics, which provides software and research for economic analysis and risk management. Moody’s assigns ratings on the basis of assessed risk and the borrower’s ability to make interest payments. Its ratings are closely watched by many investors.

Ratings range from AAA or Aaa (the highest) to C or D, which represents a company that has already defaulted.

Analysis of the report seen by us shows that concurrently, the agency downgraded the baseline credit assessments (BCAs) of Zenith to b2 from b1.

Earlier, Moody’s released a report in which it downgraded the Nigerian government bond ratings to B2, with a stable outlook, from B1. But the Debt Management Office, in its reaction, had rejected the rating.

In its latest rating of banks, the agency noted that the rating reflects the government’s reduced capacity to provide support to Nigerian banks in times of stress and the banks’ significant holdings of government securities linking their credit profiles to that of the government.

“The decision to downgrade banks’ long-term foreign currency deposit ratings follows the downgrade of the relevant country ceiling for foreign currency deposits to B3 from B2,” the agency said.

Commenting on the rationale behind the rating, Moody’s said the primary driver of the rating action is the weaker capacity of the government to provide support to banks, in case of stress, as reflected in the downgrade of the sovereign issuer rating to B2 from B1.

Subsequently, it said in its report, Access long-term local currency deposit ratings and Bank of Industry’s long-term issuer ratings no longer benefit from a one-notch uplift from their b2 BCAs (or standalone credit profile, as is the case for Bank of Industry) as these are now at the same level as the government bond rating.

The long-term local currency deposit ratings of Sterling, Union and FBN have been affirmed at B2, as their b3 BCAs continue benefiting from one notch of government support uplift, it explained.

The report explained further that the secondary driver of the rating action is the Nigerian banks’ significant holdings of government securities, which generally exceed 100 per cent of their core capital, linking their credit profile to that of the government.

“In view of the correlation between sovereign and bank credit risk, the banks’ standalone credit profiles and ratings are constrained by the rating of the government.

“As a result, the BCAs for Zenith have been downgraded to b2 from b1, in line with the downgrade of the government issuer rating, despite the resilient financial performance witnessed by both banks over the last 24 months.

“The BCAs of the other rated Nigerian banks have been affirmed as they already capture risks emanating from their sovereign exposures.”

There was a mild drama on Friday at a Customary Court sitting in Mapo area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, after a Shepherd in charge of a Celestial Church’s parish accompanied his mistress, Omolara Ojeyemi, to the court to witness the dissolution of her marriage to her legal husband.

The priest, Prophet David Adebayo, amid tears, told the court that he was responsible for the pregnancy his mistress was carrying.

He, however, pleaded for forgiveness for impregnating Omolara, who is married to Abiodun Ojeyemi, a staff of Nigeria Breweries Plc.

Confessing, Adebayo, who resides in the Alakuko area of Alagbado, Lagos State, said that Omolara had been his mistress for the past 12 years, despite living with her husband in Ibadan in the last seven years.

He said: “My Lord, anytime Omolara left her husband in Ibadan, she used to come to meet me in Lagos where we usually have fun. Sometimes, she comes after her closing hours in her office and returned to Ibadan the following morning.

“Omolara only told me that she and her husband were no more in good terms even though she already had two children for him. I swear to the holy bible, I didn’t intend to destroy her relationship with her husband, she is just my girlfriend.

“The pregnancy she is carrying belongs to me. I was the one who deflowered her during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days. I followed her into the court to ensure that her union with Abiodun is dissolved today not that I am daring the court’s power.”

Adebayo, however, apologized to the court for causing so many disharmonies to Abiodun, Omolara’s husband and for having unlawful sexual intercourse with a housewife.

The President of the court, High Chief Ademola Odunade, subsequently dissolved the seven-year-old marriage between Omolara and her husband (Abiodun), but ruled that Abiodun should take custody of the two children their seven-year-old marriage had produced.

In his remarks before the ruling, Odunade lamented that the society was fast undergoing an unprecedented decay in morality, especially how adultery was ruining marriages.

He described as unprecedented how a concubine could be so bold to accompany his mistress to a law court despite knowing that the act is an illegality.

He said: “It is so tragic that a man can deliberately impregnate a housewife with children. It has never happened in the history of this court that a concubine will accompany his mistress to the court with the intention of daring us, saying nothing will happen.

“In the interest of peaceful living, the union between Omolara and Abiodun has ceased to be henceforth. Abiodun shall take custody of the two children produced by the union.”

Narrating ordeal to the court, Abiodun said his wife was an unrepentant fornicator despite his genuine love for her.

He said: “My lord, ever since I got married to Omolara seven years ago, little did I know that she had been occupied with all sorts of escapades in the name of going to church vigil. What I know is that she usually told me she was going for church vigil and I never had any reason to suspect her because I trusted her.

“However, since June this year, Omolara started starving me of sex. Before I eventually knew the truth, Omolara had told me that her concubine was her uncle and I was relating with him well as an in-law.

“One day, I got home and discovered that she had packed all the property away including mine. In fact, I have never failed to perform my responsibility as a husband to her and as a father to our children.

“It will be wrong for Omolara to hide under any stupid disguise to be neck deep in adultery. Omolara’s concubine is a priest at a Celestial Church, Emmanuel Parish, Elewiodo-Ojo, Ibadan.”

Testifying in the matter, Omolara’s father confessed that Abiodun was a complete gentle son-in-law whom he liked so much.

He confirmed that he usually renders Abiodun and Omolara monetary assistance anytime they were in need.

He said: “I know that Abiodun has a great future ahead of him and I used to tell Omolara, my daughter to keep calm. If there was any problem, Abiodun never hesitated to inform me.”

“I never gave any wife to that naughty concubine and I know that he only wants to cause disaster to the happy relationship between my daughter and Abiodun.”

Omolara’s mother also added that her daughter had been expelled from the church after she got pregnant for her concubine.

Others who testified corroborated Omolara father’s testimony.

They all confirmed that Omolara was deeply into extra-marital affairs even with some other men.

Abiodun’s younger brother told the court that he had at various times caught her in different hotels with different men on adulterous mission.

He, however, said he refused to tell his brother in order not to be seen as a trying to break their marriage.

Omolara, who was the plaintiff in the case, however told the court she was no longer interested in continuing with the marriage.

She said Abiodun had threatened to attack her with scissors.

She also claimed that her husband was responsible for her pregnancy because she took in shortly before she moved out from her matrimonial home.

She said: “My lord, I can no more endure hunger and lack of care in Abiodun’s home.

“My parents have been responsible for our daily needs including feeding, clothing and our children’s education.

“Worst still, Abiodun used to unleash mayhem on me.

“My lord, enough is enough, please, separate us.”

In a blatant show of naked raw power, Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Saturday narrowly escaped being shot by security men attached to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike. His car wasn’t that lucky though. The car was vandalized with a broken side mirror.
The incident occurred in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, along Trans-Amadi road, Nwaja axis.
TheMinister had arrived Port Harcourt for a function. Accompanied by cars of many of his supporters, the Minister’s black jeep was intercepted and blocked at the junction by the security Motorcycle Outrider attached to Wike after two cars had passed through. One of the two cars had security men assigned to protect the minister in Port Harcourt. Suddenly, gun-totting security men attached to Wike’s convoy, surrounded the Minister’s car, threatening to shoot him. They hit the car, tried to smash the windscreens, back and side windows and broke a side mirror. All through this attack, Amaechi remained calm, inside the fortified Jeep. While the attacked occurred, Wike remained inside his vehicle.
The Minister eventually passed through after the intervention of the security team on ground to protect him in Port Harcourt. However, when Governor Wike got to the point where the incident occurred after Amaechi’s vehicle had gone by, his security men blocked the road again, dragged out from a vehicle and thoroughly beat up a police man attached to protect Amaechi in Port Harcourt. The Policeman’s riffle was also taken from him.
Wike came out of his car, and with his security team was going from one vehicle to another, of Amaechi supporters, charging at them, harassing and abusing them. Wike’s security men were heard loudly insulting Amaechi and called him all sorts of derogative names.
This is a crass show of high handedness, arbitrary behaviour and abuse of public office by a State governor who has no care for the safety of Rivers people.
Meanwhile, the Governor’s Special Adviser on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, who made this known in a statement, noted that the governor escaped assassination during the incident, which occurred while the governor was on project inspection duty at Nwanja Junction on Trans-Amadi Road.

He said that the SARS personnel and soldiers on the Minister’s convoy knocked down the governor’s escort rider and attacked the policemen in the pilot car.

He alleged that Mr. Debewari, the Aide -de-camp, to Amaechi, supervised the attack, which included damage of cameras held by journalists.

Nwakaudu also mentioned the Commander of Rivers SARS, Mr. Akin Fakorede who received the Minister of Transportation at the Port Harcourt International Airport and accompanied him on his trip was present during the attack.

He noted that after the attack, the governor, who was not harmed continued with his inspection of projects. When our correspondent sought the reaction of the minster to the report, neither he nor his Media Adviser David Oyofo picked their calls.

Wedding Party star, Banky-W who has been silent on social media in recent time shared photos showing scars gotten after an operation to remove cancer tumours from his skin.
The singer and actor thanked everyone who had been there for him and was thankful to God for sparing him. He also talked about not taking life for granted.
He wrote: A wise man once said this: “Scars. A sign that you had been hurt. A sign that you had been healed” scroll through the pictures to see mine.
“I’m sharing these because they’re proof of what God has brought me through. And because somewhere out there, I know there’s someone who needs to hear this.
“For those who’ve been wondering why I’ve been away for so long. I had my third surgery on a rare strain of skin cancer tumours in my shoulder last month. The first two were over 10 years ago, then it recently resurfaced. But this isn’t a sad story as much as it is a reminder, and a testimony.
“A reminder that you should never take life for granted. You only get one shot. Some people went to sleep and never woke up. Many others have lost the battle to cancer and other illnesses. Many are still fighting. U never know when your time will be up so don’t waste another minute. It’s also a testimony about the goodness of God. I think I had to go through this again to remember how merciful God is to me; Lord knows I don’t deserve it but He saves me time and again anyway. I keep saying I need to write a book. I really, really do.
“The past few weeks of recovery have been tough, but beautiful. I’m finally back on my feet, feeling stronger and ready to get back to life. I’m especially thankful to my Nurse Susu for loving me and being by my side every step of the way – I don’t deserve U??, my parents and siblings, in-laws and close friends for the love, support and prayers, my Pastors – Pastor Tony Rapu and Pastor Del Balogun of TPH, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya and Pastor Bayo Adeyokunnu – for constantly praying with and for me. And of course to Dr. Wodajo and Dr. Miralli and their teams – who God used to operate on me successfully.
I’m thankful for life, provision and healing. Pls don’t feel bad, or msg me with any worries.

GOtv subscribers will on Friday, 10 November watch the live broadcast of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match between Nigeria’s Super Eagles and the Desert Warriors of Algeria. The match will be broadcast on SuperSport Select 1 at 8:15pm.
With four wins and a draw in the five games played so far, the Super Eagles have already booked their ticket to the 2018 World Cup finals, but will aim to maintain their unbeaten run in the qualifying series when they face Algeria in Constantine.
The Super Eagles hope to wrap up their qualifying campaign in style and use the match as part of the preparations for the tournament in Russia next year.
The World Cup qualifiers continue Saturday, 11 November on SuperSport Select 1 at 1:30pm as Zambia takes on Cameroon in their final Group B match. Both teams will only play for glory, as Nigeria has already bagged the ticket in the group. The match between Ivory Coast and Morocco will also be aired live at 6:15pm on the same channel.
John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, said that GOtv will continue living its promise of bringing quality entertainment to its subscribers.
“Football and GOtv share a peculiar feature – they are a delight in every home. As such, our subscribers can sit back and join the rest of Africa in enjoying the last matches of 2018 World Cup qualifiers. We will continue to bring the best of sports to subscribers,” he said.

A new study recently released has said that men with a bent penis have a significantly increased risk of cancer. According to the study, which was presented at the annual meeting of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine in San Antonio, Texas, United States (US) on October 28, a gene that may trigger crooked penis could also be linked to the development of tumours.

The findings showed that a bent penis also known as Peyronie’s brought a higher risk of testicular cancer by 40 per cent, melanoma by 29 per cent and stomach cancer by 40 per cent. To this end, the researchers from Baylor College in Houston, Texas, said men with bent penis should be closely monitored for cancer in a bid to catch any development early.

The research emerged after a review of patient data of more than 1.5 million. Peyronie’s disease is the development of fibrous scar tissue inside the penis that causes curved, painful erections. Penis varies in shape and size; and having a curved erection isn’t necessarily a cause for concern.

But Peyronie’s disease causes a significant bend or pain in some men. It’s thought that Peyronie’s generally results from repeated injury to the penis, but researchers also think it may be genetic and had linked it to other illnesses. Peyronie’s disease was estimated to affect up to seven per cent of males. Dr. Alexander Pastuszak, who led the study, said: “While they’re significant in the sexual and reproductive lifecycles of these patients, linking them to other disorders suggest that these men should be monitored for development of these disorders disproportionately in contrast to the rest of the population. A ‘mailonline’ report quoted Pastuszak as saying; “Nobody has made these associations before.”

The researchers carried out further genetic analysis of a father and son both suffering from Peyronie’s. They discovered they shared a set of genes understood to predispose people to urological cancer. “We found mutations in this father and son couplet in these types of genes, specifically in melanoma, testis, and prostate cancer,” said Pastuszak. He said the condition shares some similarities with Dupuytren’s disease, a condition in which one or more fingers become permanently bent in a flexed position. They also found links with Ledderhose disease, a thickening of tissue on the fee