₦airaland Forum

A mother of five was on Wednesday 10, May 2017 remanded in Kirikiri Prison by an Igbosere Magistrate Court over a case of assault and threat to life.
The presiding Judge, Hon. (Mrs.) Botoku of Igbosere Magistrate Court 2 gave the order to that effect.
The accused, Mrs. Uche Jerry Okoh, was alleged to have assaulted a legal practitioner, Mrs. Blessing Ahmed, on April 19, 2017 in the Oko-Oba area of Lagos State in the course of carrying out her official duty as a legal consultant to the accused landlord.
However, when the case came up for hearing on Wednesday, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charges and was subsequently committed to bail but failed to meet the condition.
On compassionate grounds, the trial judge gave a bail conditions of N 100,000, one surety in like sum, who must also have evidence of tax payment and verified address in a paid employment.
The lawyers to the complainant, Jude Ozemohya esq, Armani John and Atunbi John did not object to the bail conditions.
The accused who failed to meet her bail conditions, was subsequently remanded at the Kirikiri Maximum prison pending when she will be able to meet the conditions.
It will be recalled that the accused and others on the run assaulted and inflicted heavy injuries on the lawyer, Mrs. Ahmed when she had gone to serve the accused a letter.
The matter has been adjourned to June 15, 2017.

Vendors selling MTN recharge cards at prices above the face value are doing so illegally, the mobile operator has said.
Adekunle Adebiyi, the acting sales and distribution executive of MTN, said in a statement on Wednesday that the cost of recharge cards remains the face value stated on the physical vouchers.
“We hereby use this medium to inform all our subscribers that we have not increased the prices of our recharge cards.,” he said.
“Any increment from any quarters across the country on our recharge cards is without our knowledge, and we urge all our customers to always pay the exact value advertised on the cards.”
Urgent steps were being taken to ensure compliance on sales of the recharge cards at the stated face value by all MTN’s trade partners and retailers, he said.
“While we are working assiduously to resolve claims of illegal increases, we apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this might have caused,” he furter said.
“Alternatively, we advise our customers to explore other options of purchasing airtime such as MTN Virtual Top Up (VTU), Diamond Yello Account (DYA), or MTN Auto Top-up. For more information on these services, please visitwww.mtnonline.com/autotopup.“

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may reopen the case of arrested and freed staff of Fidelity Bank Plc., who allegedly aided the former Chairman of Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina‎ in a money laundering scam.
An EFCC source told THEMOMENTNG over the weekend that the anti-graft commission is working towards revisiting the case of the bank’s Group Head, Private Banking, Danjuma Zubairu and an account head, Abubakar Gwambe, who were arrested and quizzed last year, following the evidence that they were managing proxy accounts for Mr. Maina.
Recall that the duo were arrested and later freed while Mr. Maina went off ‘circulation’ after the EFCC filed charges against him for stealing billions of naira through a phony biometric exercise alongside Steve Oronsaye, the former Head of Service of the Federation.
Also, recall that Senate Joint Committee on Public Service and Establishment, had, in 2013, indicted Mr. Maina of fraud after he was brought in to reform the pension administration.
The EFCC said at the time that they had traced N2.8 billion to numerous bank accounts used by Mr. Maina.
“The accounts, which have over time, witnessed massive inflow of slush funds include two corporate and three individual accounts,” the anti graft commission said.
“The first individual account opened in the name of Abdullahi Faizer, had a turnover of N1.5bn, while the other operated in the name of Nafisatu Aliyu, recorded a turnover of over N100,000.
The corporate accounts of Cluster Logistics had a turnover of N500million and $400,000 USD.
“Drew Investment and Construction and Kongolo Dynamics Cleaning Limited recorded turnovers of N54million and N509m respectively. All the five accounts, according to the EFCC, had different opening packages. Four of the accounts were allegedly opened by one Khalid Aliyu, a relation of Maina, who was an employee of the bank.”
The Commission continued: “The said Khalil is currently at large. But investigation established that Abdulrasheed Maina is the one operating the accounts.”
Again, competent sources in the anti-graft agency disclosed that the nexus between Mr. Maina and the accounts was established through a detailed analysis of telephone text messages and email communications between Mr. Maina and the bank officials.
The bulk of the monies, it was gathered, had been moved through some Bureau de Change operators, who convert them into dollar and transfer to Mr. Maina, who is believed to be hiding in the United Arab Emirates.
The EFCC has been on the trail of Mr. Maina for years. Before the agency filed charges against him in absentia, it arrested Ann Igwe, who served as Mr. Maina’s secretary during his reign as the Chairman of the controversial PRTT.
Ms. Igwe was arrested in July by the Commission and she had provided useful information, a source close to the agency said.
It was learnt that Ms. Igwe allegedly confessed‎ on how the biometric contract allegedly awarded to streamline pension administration under Mr. Maina actually became a conduit for stealing pension fund.

A Prophet and founder of Grace and Great Kings Christian Ministry, Egbu, Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State Obinna Omerie has revealed that President Muhammadu Buhari will be healthy by May 29, 2019 when his four-year tenure will be completed.
Speaking with journalists in Owerri, he said that those speculating that Buhari will die today and tomorrow are spiritually blind and are speaking from the revelation backed by satanic sources, adding, “God revealed to me as His prophet that Buhari will complete his tenure in 2019.’’
The man of God also said that the economic recession ravaging the country was divinely motivated, stressing that ‘Nigeria’s economy will emerge stronger at the end of the recession’.
“For children of God this economic depression is not so much felt, the situation is fast opening prosperity doors for some cities, like in Owerri, Port Harcourt, Lagos, and Calabar because things are positively changing now in these cities’’, he said.
On the 2019 elections, he said, “Those saying the election will be bloody are wrong, adding, “For me, the Lord has not shown me any blood, the election will be peaceful as usual irrespective of all the doomsday prophecies from some altars and pulpits.’’
Omerie noted that Nigeria is a nation loved and blessed by God, adding that no evil will befall the nation during the next general elections as pockets of crisis recorded across the country according to him were caused by evil men challenging the supremacy of God.
On the impact of fake prophecy, the man of God said the activities of fake religious ministers had created much disunity and crisis in many families, and called on government and church leaders to evolve means of checking such problems.
Omeire, popularly called `Authority’ said people who seek solutions to their problems sometimes play into the hands of fake pastors by carelessly disclosing their problems during counseling which such fakes take advantage of.
“People meeting men of God should stop leaking information to these ministers, allow God to reveal things worrying you to the man of God, that is the way God works’’, he advised.
Omerie regretted that a lot of crisis plaguing many families today were problems instigated by so called men of God whose underlying motive were exploitation and materialism.
“If you listen to Nigerians these days, all they say is my uncles or relatives are after my live, and all these stories are linked to so call prophecies from so called men of God.
“These kind of troubling stories are only meant to create fears and exploit the people and by extension these religious style ignite crisis in the society and government must rise against these evil operations for things to be better’’, Omerie said.
“Some people accuse their uncles, brothers, and sisters of being members of occult groups because they could not get a favour from such relatives, when they go to men of God they simply affirm such thinking that God said the people are evil men,” he said.

In less than three years in the Nigerian music industry, Innocent Udeme Udofot, popularly known as MC Galaxy, has become an overnight celebrity. A singer, dancer and comedian, MC Galaxy is constantly upping his ante and proving naysayers wrong. Following the release of his sophomore album titled MMM, the singer is hoping to replicate the glory of his debut LP that catapulted him to success. A chat with singer where he spoke about his new album, his foray into music, relationship with Swizz Beatz, Akpabio, and much more.

Your latest album, MMM, has a rather interesting title. What is the story behind it?
MMM simply stands for Money Making Machine. I am simply trying to pass a message that everyone has the potential to make money and become wealthy. Every individual is gifted and can make money from it. Money Making Machine is an afro-centric body of work with guest appearances including Swizz Beatz, Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie, Congolese singer Neza and Serge Beynaud from Côte D’ivoire.

Is it also connected to the fact that you lost N25 million to the MMM Ponzi scheme last year?
Not really. It was one of the reasons, but not the major reason. I can’t even remember it. That’s in the past. I have forgotten all about it. My manager convinced me to invest about N25 million in MMM but that is all in the past. True, I lost money to MMM, but it has taught me now that I am my own money making machine. A lot of people have learnt a lot of lessons from that experience.

Why did you release your sophomore album on your birthday?
Three years in the Nigerian industry is not easy. I used to be that comedian who was paid N2000 per show. There were times I begged producers to sleep in their studios; times I begged some artistes to stay in their boys’ quarters.

I used to dance for free. Now, all that has changed. I am happy now. I have empty rooms in my house now. I don’t even know where most of the people who live in my house come from. And thinking through all these things, I chose the title, MMM, to inspire everybody that we are all capable of making money; that within us lays the machine that can grant us financial freedom. Everybody can make money. All you need is determination and consistency. All you need is to find out the money making machine that is in you. Anything can be your MMM. Do not underrate yourself. What you are doing now may not be what you will do forever.

How did you come by the name MC Galaxy?
A lady gave me the name in Akwa Ibom State. When I was trying to get a name for myself, she said I should answer Galaxy. You know, galaxy refers to a collection of stars. The name fits since I am a comedian, musician and dancer; I felt it was a great name.

You are fond of describing yourself as an accidental celebrity. Why so?
My album is inspired by my story of becoming an accidental celebrity. Everybody can make money; all you just need is determination. Don’t underestimate yourself. I used to be a comedian charging N2, 000; I used to dance for free, but look at me now. My first album did very well; I was just a year old in the industry and I already made an album. I had “Sekem”, “Nek-Unek” and others and they were all hit songs.” My first song ever “Nek-Unek” which translates to dance in English was an appropriated song by a local singer in Calabar, where I grew up. My friend and ace Nigerian producer, Shizzi, made me sing, he wanted us to do a song for the my state governor at the time, Godswill Akpabio, because he gives out a lot of money. I recorded the song and all my lyrics from the song was from King Zoro Boy.

How did you get Davido to feature on the track?
Davido walked into the studio when we were recording the song. When he heard the beat, he was like, “Who get this beat? I want to record”. Shout out to Davido because before I started singing he was the only top singer who visited my comedy club. And then I began to mention the names of wealthy Nigerians in the song. I had to teach Davido some of the words in my dialect. The following day, the song was ready. I played the song at the comedy club. One man heard the song and was like “Akpabio is my friend. Why don’t you shoot the video of this song?” I said, “With which money?” He laughed and asked me to meet him the following day. Long story short, he gave me N2 million to shoot the video for the song.

Did that mark the beginning of your music career?
Yes, that was how I started my music career. I shot the video with Patrick Ellis and today the video for Nek Unek has reached over 21 million views on YouTube. I still make money from that song till this day. That is one of the reasons I called my second album MMM – Money Making Machine.

How much did Governor Godswill Akpabio give you?
Funny enough, many people think Akpabio gives me money. I am a businessman. I keep my wealthy friends as friends. If I begin our friendship by asking for money they will not be picking your calls. I don’t ask them for money. They are my friends. If I want to do something I call on them. Akpabio was at my first album listening party. Udom was there also. I am a friend with most of the governors in Nigeria. I do a lot of private shows for them. And I respect Godswill Akpabio. He is a giver.

Tell us about your friendship and collaboration with Grammy award-winning music producer and performing artiste, Swizz Beatz?
It was great working with Swizz Beatz on Sekem Remix, which is a track in my album. He started loving the track even before we met. He was posting the song on Snapchat, Instagram and other places when people drew my attention to it. Before then, I had never contacted him personally. Having that remix with Swizz now has helped my relationship with other American acts including Busta Rhymes, Drake and Rihanna. I’ve been in the studio with all of them.

What do you hope to achieve with this album?
With this new album, I hope to consolidate on my new status and also satisfy more critics as I blend into my happy music style a more serious outlook leading with the new track titled Your Love.

I find it curious that you do not have any single Nigerian collaboration on your new album. Is it deliberate?
This is because the focus of this album is Africa. I tried to blend some other African sounds into my music so that it can appeal to a wider African audience. We have sounds from Ghana, Angola, Congo and America in the album. I am trying to break into the African market. Doing a song with Sarkodie was an opportunity to appeal to my Ghanaian fans, recording a song with Kelli Pyle was also avenue to connect with my Angolian fans, and a song with Swiss Beatz gained me the American fans. It is a sixteen-track album, fourteen singles and two bonus tracks. I pray the album brings in more money. I have spent a lot of money on the album, you know, going to America to record with Swizz Beatz; going to Angola to record with Kelli Pyle; going to Ghana to record with Sarkodie. I recorded the songs in different countries in Africa because I wanted to make it an African oriented album. Neza is the only female artiste I featured in the album.

Most of your songs are surprisingly hits. Some of your colleagues have not been lucky in this regard. What is your secret?
It is simple to understand Nigerian music. I like to tell up and coming artistes the truth. The secret of making a hit in Nigeria is the sound. That your voice is very good, that you are a good lyricist, or either beautiful or handsome does not score you much points in making a good song that Nigerians would love. If you get the beat right, if you invest in your production, if you work with a top producer, you will definitely get it right. Listen to the quality of sound in Tekno’s Pana, or PSquare’s Do Me, Davido’s If. You can never sit down when the aforementioned songs are played in a club or a party. If your sound is heavy then the success of your song/album is guaranteed. It is not in fact compulsory that you talk in a song. For instance, Comolop Cholom was about the only thing I said in the song of the same title. It recorded and sangSekem in less than 30 minutes.

Now that you have released another album, do you have plans to tackle piracy?

You know I posted on my Instagram that as a birthday gift, people should go to iTunes and buy my album because right now, you can only find my album on iTunes and MusicPlus. These are the only two places you can find my album. I have not sent it to any blogger. We know that if it gets to the blogs people will download it for free. And judging by the response we are getting now, people are buying it. This is the only way we can make money without pirates sweeping in. This is also why I had to do a lot of international collaborations. To be frank, Sekem did not make me as much money asBounce Remix, which I did with Beniton, made me. This is because it was on iTunes and it was sold for one dollar. Americans buy their songs.

Is it that Nigerians are not really used to buying songs online?
No. It’s the fault of the artiste. And I think we can control that. People are talking about the economy. I think we are the problem of the economy. We need prayers in this country. This is why the first track in my album is titled ‘I Pray’. I got inspired by the situation in the country to sing it. And it is doing very well online. The video will be out in few days’ time. I shot the video with Clarence Peters. Personally, I have some plans for piracy and I have been talking with some people about that. We can stop piracy if we set our minds to it.

Is comedy still in the pipeline?

Not really, but if you call me for comedy, I can come and perform. But I will only make sure I that I dance, crack jokes and sing at the event. It is full package. And I am about to commence a comedy series, because in Nigeria, people always want more. Two talents are not enough. It was very hard for people to accept me as a singer. Most people believed I was a comedian and an unserious singer. It was after I dropped ‘I Go Calabar’, Sekem and Comolop Cholom that I began to get the attention of many. And with Swiss Beatz partnering with me, everyone is beginning to realise that I mean business. My second album is designed to show people that I have grown and I am a serious artiste.

Are you still single?
Yes.

Do you have a baby mama?
I don’t do baby mama. It is not possible.

What are the qualities you are looking for in a woman?
I don’t actually have a taste. Just everything good: good heart, good looking and God-fearing.

Do you have a celebrity crush?
You know, I don’t really have one. But there are a few Nigerian artistes whose work I admire. I think someone like Yemi Alade qualifies. I respect her because she behaves like a female celebrity. As a female celebrity, you are supposed to be difficult to reach and at the same time easy to relate to. That way people will see you as their celebrity. Her brand management is doing well in this regard.

The third draw in the on-going season II ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire’ reward promo is scheduled to hold in Kano on Wednesday, May 10 where another millionaire is expected to emerge, alongside scores of other consolation cash and gifts prize winners.

The duo of Mr. Olusola Olusegun Ezekiel and Mrs. Elizabeth Ohaeme emerged millionaires, respectively alongside several others who went home with cash and gift items as consolation prizes in the first and second draw of the promo which took place earlier this year in Ikorodu, Lagos and Owerri, Imo State.

According to the pre-draw statement issued by the Bank at the weekend, “both new and old customers stand a chance to win N1,000,000 and other monetary rewards at the next draw on Wednesday, May 10, 2016”.

The reward promo which has seen several customers of the Bank winning N1million, and other consolation prizes, will open up for more winners at 1, Ibo Road Sabon Gari, Kano by Abubakar Rimi Sabon Gari market and Singa Commodity market.

On the modality adopted to pick winners, the statement indicate that: “It would be an open air event at a high traffic market location which would be conducted through a transparent electronic draw projected on a mega screen, for members of the public and market leaders to be active participants in drawing the winning account numbers”.

Customers of the Bank and propsects, it was further stated, “also stand a chance to win various cash prizes including N100, 000 for 10 customers; N50, 000 for another 10 customers and N20, 000 for 20 loyal customers” This advantage exists every month throughout the period of the promo.

Gift items such as table top fridge, generator, table top gas cookers, mobile phones, blenders, recharge cards and table top gas cookers are also available to be won.

Since it was introduced, the Skye Bank ‘Reach for the Skye Millionaire’ reward promo has been changing lives of many for the better. The reward promo, which is a feature for its flagship savings products, is meant to encourage savings culture amongst the mass-market segment.

Speaking on the Bank’s commitment to the initiative, Group Head, Retail Banking, Skye Bank Plc., Mr. Ndubuisi Osakwe said “the reward initiative provides a unique opportunity for the Bank to stay in touch and reward its savings account customers, who have a unique role to play in the country’s economic expansion”.

Part of activities lined up for the event is the instant reward for people who open any savings account during the draw event. The instant reward items at the draw venue include; generator sets, refrigerators; blenders; phones; table gas cookers and even recharge cards.

Skye Bank is Nigeria’s leading retail bank with wide-ranging electronic solutions promoting consumer lifestyle and e-commerce experience for its customers.

NFF President Amaju Pinnick has extolled the nation’s Beach Soccer National Team, the Supersand Eagles, for a heartwarming macho display at the 9th FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in The Bahamas.
African vice champions Nigeria failed to reach the knock –out phase of the competition but won applause from the global audience after pushing group winners Iran to the limit, before losing on penalty shoot –out on Tuesday morning.
“You have shown us again that the Nigerian Spirit which we all talk about now and again is well and truly alive, and is not mere talk. Personally, I wanted the team to have better pre –World Cup preparation but some factors conspired against that.
“Despite little preparation, you came very close to making the quarter finals, through doggedness and infectious patriotic fervour. I commend your spirit, determination and endeavor,” the CAF Executive Committee member said while receiving the contingent on arrival at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos on Friday.
The Supersand Eagles were scheduled to take part in a Four –Nation Tournament in Senegal prior to the World Cup, but delay in receiving their US transit visas ran that plan into the sand.
Following elimination from the tournament on Tuesday, Nigeria’s delegation flew to Atlanta, United States of America before flying aboard Delta Airline to Lagos on Friday.

Honour again came the way of President of Nigeria Football Federation, Mr. Amaju Melvin Pinnick on Thursday, as the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) presented him with a Merit Award.
The occasion was the 53rd Full Council Meeting of SWAN, which took place at the expansive ambience of the Yankari Games Reserve, Bauchi and was attended by a galaxy of prominent political leaders and football chieftains, among them Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar and members of his cabinet. There were also former NFF General Secretary and two –term member of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Sani Ahmed Toro and Chairman of NPFL club Wikki Tourists, Alhaji Isa Musa Matori.
In presenting the award to the NFF supremo, SWAN President Honour Sirawoo said “the sports writing fraternity in our great country is proud of your outstanding support to the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and contributions to sports development in Nigeria.”
NFF’s Director of Media and Communications, Ademola Olajire, who collected the award on behalf of Pinnick, said the new member of the Executive Committee of Confederation of African Football remained committed to providing even greater support and encouragement to the nation’s sports –writing family.
Pinnick, whose 31 –month old administration has brought honours to Nigeria in the shape of FIFA U17 World Cup, Africa U23 Cup of Nations, two Africa Women Cup of Nations titles and Olympic bronze medal, is also the vice president of the West Africa B Union and a member of the Organizing Committee for FIFA Competitions.
The two –day SWAN Full Council Meeting, the first in the life of the Honour Sirawoo –led executive body, ended on Friday.

Following the suspension of fourteen commercial banks from the FOREX market and the re-instatement of some banks based on provision of evidence of compliance, some more banks have been readmitted into the weekly wholesale spot and forwards intervention market.
Keystone Bank which is currently undergoing a transition following the successful divestment process; was Wednesday readmitted into the spot and wholesale forwards segment of the foreign exchange market by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) following GTBank, First Bank and UBA sequel to the provision of evidence of sales of FOREX to Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SME) since the introduction of the special window for small businesses. The CBN had banned fourteen banks from participating in the weekly wholesale spot and forwards intervention market leaving only eight banks.
According to the CBN, the banks were sanctioned for not adhering to the FX supply policy to SMEs thereby frustrating the efforts of small businesses that needed FOREX. The eight banks that were not originally suspended include; Access Bank Plc, Diamond Bank Plc, Fidelity Bank Plc, Heritage Bank Plc, Jaiz Bank, Sterling Bank Plc, Unity Bank Plc and Zenith Bank Plc.
A source from the CBN stated that; the sale of FX to SMEs has become the “gold standard” for participating in the FOREX market and the CBN would not hesitate to sanction any bank and its officials who circumvent the rules. In addition, other banks were also in the process of providing verifiable proof of compliance and once they do so, they would be readmitted.
The FOREX supply policy to SMEs was introduced as a means to provide small scale businesses with a lifeline as findings showed that they were being crowded out by larger scale firms in the FX market. Under this special arrangement, companies with staff strength of between 10 to 199 and an asset base of N5m to N500m were offered the opportunity to import eligible items within the approved threshold.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday received briefing from the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, over the stability in the country’s foreign exchange, forex market and other activities of the apex bank.

Emerging from the presidential wing of the Villa after a closed door meeting with the President, who is still recuperating from an undisclosed ailment, Emefiele told State House correspondents that he updated the president on the efforts being made by the apex bank to stabilize the local currency.

He said the naira is currently stabilising at between N380 and N385 to a dollar, explaining that the increase in crude oil production and export were the major factors responsible for the stability in the forex market.

He said: “Basically, as it’s expected, what we normally do is from time to time to brief the President about activities about the Central Bank of Nigeria particularly at this time as it relates to the efforts that the central bank is doing to stabilize the Forex market.

“And we briefed him regarding the activities so far and he was very delighted to hear that the market is stabilizing at the level that it is right now and I am saying the parallel market which currently stabilizes at between N380 and N385.

“There is no secret. It’s about the fact that at this time we have seen production of crude and increasing export of crude also. The fact that we have seen also crude prices oscillating to between $50 to $55 to $56. It has helped our revenue position and had also provided some ammunition for the Central Bank to defend the currency.

“Given what we have right now the fact that the revenues are looking good, the state of the economy is good and I believe that we are going to pull out of the problem in due course.”

The CBN governor stated that the economy was also looking good with the rising price of crude oil which he said was “oscillating between $50 to $55 and $56” per barrel.

When asked if the intervention of the apex bank which comes by way of injecting more funds into the forex market was sustainable, Emefiele said that it was the responsibility of the apex bank to ensure that businesses were not stifled on the account of dearth of foreign exchange.

“Our responsibility as Central Bank of Nigeria is to do what we are doing at this time. Nigerians or importers, people who need foreign exchange to do businesses need these foreign exchanges to conduct businesses and given the fact that we are able to increase our fx revenues, the natural thing to do is to make the foreign exchange available to those who need them to import or to carry out eligible transactions,” he said.

Lanre Gentry, husband to popular actress Mercy Aigbe has revealed eye opening issues about his wife during this period of their embattled marriage.

Gentry said this in a chat with BONONLINE, on Wednesday morning. His words: “Mercy has mental issues and I’m the one who knows how many places we’ve been to so she can remain stable. I have papers to prove this.”

Larry disclosed that contrary to the news that made the rounds that he beat her up, it was Mercy that ganged up with her friends in her designer, Luminee House, to attack him. He claimed that while the others beat him, his wife hit him hard with a stool.

Invoking biblical curses on himself, he swore that he has never beaten Mercy before, despite the fact that he caught her several times with different men. He cited an example of last year when she said that she was going to China for 2 weeks but instead, went to a Dubai hotel with a man.

To prove his point, Larry showed BON different whatsapp conversations and a particular one where Mercy was asking a third party to get some dollars from the man for her.

“When I confronted my wife, she said she only wanted to collect money from him – a married woman!!! But I discovered that it was the same man that paid for the Magodo house she just moved to.

”See, I understand her antics too well. All she wants is to be free to live the life of a single woman. What I have tolerated from her all these years, no man can tolerate from any woman.

”I worshipped her and I have deposited N8m at Benefit Motors to buy her a N16m Range Rover Evoque for her 40th birthday. I have also paid N1.2m for a hall opposite Sheraton Hotel to celebrate her big, but she has her eyes on other things.”

Asked why he has not consulted her family to intervene, he says Mercy has no regard for her parents, citing an example of last year when her dad collapsed while on the queue to get his pension and was rushed to the hospital.

When Mercy was informed, Larry said she lied that she was in Calabar and till now, had not gone to see the old man. He claimed that he was the one that went there and spent about N180k adding that because she refused to take care of her mom, he put the old woman on a salary of N25k per month.

Fidelity Bank Plc shareholders on Thursday endorsed the bank’s N4.05 billion dividend for the financial year ended Dec. 31, 2016.
The shareholders gave the approval at the bank’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the dividend translated to a dividend of 14k per share.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Boniface Okezie, the President, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria (PSAN), commended the bank in spite of the challenging environment.
Okezie said that the bank needed to grow its earnings to ensure improved dividend in the future, and urged the bank to do more on its promo to grow its deposit base.
Another shareholder, Mr Shola Aboderin commended the bank’s performance in spite of the difficult environment occasioned by high inflation, strict regulations by the CBN and fall in oil prices.
He, however, called on the bank to map out strategies aimed at reducing its non-performing loans.
Responding, Mr Ernest Ebi, the bank’s Chairman assured the shareholders of greater dividends in the years ahead.
Ebi said that Nigeria faced its worst economic crisis in more than 20 years in 2016, which was driven by consistent contraction in the oil sector, the country’s main source of revenue.
He commended the shareholders for their love and support to the bank, saying that the bank would continue to maximise shareholders’ value.
The chairman said that the bank’s going forward would ensure compliance with CBN rules to avoid unnecessary sanctions.
On branch expansion, Ebi said that the banking was moving from banking halls to mobile appliances.
He said that the bank would continue to invest in information technology to meet the yearnings and aspirations of its customers.
The chairman said that the bank would strengthen its debt recovery strategy and as well ensure cost reduction mechanism in the current year to reduce operating cost.
The bank during the period under review posted gross earnings of N152 billion compared with N146 billion achieved in 2015, representing an increase of 3.5 per cent.
Its net interest income grew by 1.7 per cent from N60.9 billion to N61.9 billion, while the total deposits, a measure of customer confidence grew by three per cent, rising from N769.6 billion in 2015 to N793.0 billion.
The total assets increased by 5.4 per cent to N1.29 trillion from N1.23 trillion in the corresponding year.
The bank’s profit before tax dropped to N11.1 billion from N14 billion posted in the previous year.

Ecobank plans to close branches and cut jobs as the Pan-African lender steps up investments in digital platforms, its chief executive said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum for Africa in Durban, Chief Executive Officer Ade Ayeyemi said the bank’s plans to expand its mobile platforms would help deliver profits.
“This means reducing our branch network, using technology to deliver to customers and processing transactions centrally,” said Mr. Ayeyemi.
“We believe that this business model can deliver profitability to our shareholders.”
Mr. Ayeyemi, a former Citigroup executive in Africa, who took over at Ecobank in 2015, said the expansion into online platforms would lead to lay-offs. The bank employs more than 17,000 people.
He also said a recovery in oil prices in 2017, which would result in higher import revenues for African economies dependent on crude sales, was a positive policy for the bank.
Ecobank’s operations in nearly 40 countries across sub-Saharan Africa are exposed to some economies that have been pressured by the slide in commodity prices and unfavourable currency swings.

After so many speculations about his getting married, popular Nigerian musician, Banky W is engaged to Adesua Etomi. And this is official.
Banky W revealed this much in a letter he sent to Etomi exclusively obtained by Bella Naija.

Read the letter below:

Dear Susu
We crossed paths 2 or 3 times since 2012, but I wasn’t paying enough attention. Destiny was staring me right in the face and I was too caught up in my own hustle and paper chase, to know it. In June 2015 however, God brought you my way again, and this time, I really SAW you. I was smitten by your grace, aura, and beauty. So smitten infact, that even though I didn’t get to say a word to you that day (because you were seated far across the room), I immediately called my best friend @captdemuren and told him I’d found my next girlfriend. LOL. He laughed.
I asked one or two people about you.. your manager Isioma, who I’d worked with previously, and then I did some research myself. Googled you, stalked your instagram.. the whole 9 yards, and the more I found out, the more you seemed like a breath of fresh air.
Now, I personally don’t like being “hooked up”, so I decided to approach you myself by sliding into your DM a few days later. Introduced myself, made some silly attempts to make you laugh, told you I planned to become your biggest fan, and asked if we could be friends. Thank God you laughed at my silly jokes, and thank God you graciously agreed to become my friend. At the time, I was COMPLETELY lying about only wanting to be friends, by the way.. but I figured it was a safe place to start.
Since that DM, I’ve spoken to you pretty much every single day for almost 2 years. Sometimes, in the morning, at night and in between. We clicked instantly, and you quickly became one of my favourite people on earth, and one of my closest friends. It got to the point where my day wouldn’t quite feel right without speaking to you. I needed your friendship. I needed, and still need, the bond we share. It completes me.
I knew pretty early in the process that I wanted to spend forever with you. Prayed about it fervently. But it took you FOREVER (okay fine.. maybe a year and a half or so) to see things my way. But I kinda knew all along.. I was just waiting for you to catch up.
In that time, I got engaged to you in my “Made For You” music video… and then by coincidence, we both got cast to get married in “The Wedding Party” movie.. but all the while we were the very best of friends. I guess, in our case, real life will now imitate art.
I’m not sure what the future will bring, but I’m completely sure that I am ready to face it with you by my side. I pray that God continues to build me into the kind of man that you deserve. I love you Susu.. I feel safe and at peace with you. You mean the world to me. Thank you for agreeing to be my lover and best friend. Thank you for agreeing to be my wife.
PS: The timing of this may make some people think this is promo for another video, or a movie. It isn’t.
Ironically, everyone who has seen us together in art, or in life, always insists that we have amazing chemistry. I guess you can say we have been hiding in plain sight. I fell in love with an Actress. Now my life is a movie.
In February of 2017, I asked Adesua Tolulope Oluwaseun Etomi to be my wife.
She said Yes.

Embattled Nollywood actress Mercy Aigbe has been granted a restraining order against her hotelier husband, Lanre Gentry by the Chief Magistrate’s Court of Lagos State sitting in Ogba, Lagos.
A certified copy of the order dated 28th April 2017 and signed by Mrs. Davies Abegunde, Chief Magistrate, Ogba Magistrate’s Court, made available to our correspondent, restrained Lanre from committing any further acts of domestic violence against the actress, (Mercy) with immediate effect.
According to the order issued on the grounds of the application issued by the Lagos State Domestic And Sexual Violence Response Team, Lanre is also retrained from going anywhere within one mile radius of where Mercy and her two children in her custody.
The returning date is May 17 whereby Lanre is ordered to appear before the Ogba magistrate’s court to show cause while the restraining order should not be made permanent by the court.
The whole of social media and the mainstream media has been buzzing with the news of the actress’ battered face arising from the alleged domestic violence perpetrated by the husband.
The drama was heightened with pictures of Mercy going through a head CT scan which surfaced online. This led to accusation and counter accusation followed by quasi make-up by both the husband and the wife.
Mercy took to her social media platform to share pictures of domestic violence victims with a caption; “Real men don’t beat women”.
In response, the husband initially posted and deleted a photo with a caption about how women should not be promiscuous. Shortly after that, he went ahead to post a photo of himself and Mercy and captioned it “I love my wife so much”.
While Mercy remains mute and has not gone beyond her social media message, Lanre has been granting interviews denying ever beaten her and claiming that the pictures trending were from a movie scene.
However, while the drama goes on, Mercy quietly reported the matter to the anti-domestic violence agency which took the matter up leading to the restraining order.
38-year old Mercy married Lanre, a popular hotelier over seven years ago. Their controversial marriage has been a staple for many talebearers with reports of several abuses.
But Lanre, a polygamist in an interview with an online portal said that most men would not tolerate what his wife has done to him in the past seven years they have been married.
He claimed he had shown her love and support despite some “unbelievable things” he had seen her do and had endured for the sake of keeping the marriage and her image intact.
“Would she have been in my house for seven years if I beat her? I don’t know why she pulled such a picture stunt but I know the person that rented the house for her. The pictures and all are just stunts to paint me bad and gain sympathy,” said Lanre.
“You know where Mercy was before I married her and in seven years, I think I have tried but she has other ideas and most of the things that I take from her, most men wouldn’t take it and I hope she won’t allow me to talk if she keeps smearing my name. I am trying to be calm because I don’t want to use my hand to destroy what I help created,” added.

Given the quality of Cristiano Ronaldo’s performance against Atletico Madrid, it’s probably only right that the legitimacy of the display was verified.
The Portugal international striker added to his record haul of Champions League goals by grabbing a hat-trick against his side’s near neighbours as they put one foot in the final thanks to a 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid were in rampant mood thanks to Ronaldo, who headed the opener before the break before finishing powerfully in the second half. His third was a close-range finish late on that completed the tie.
And Sergio Ramos confirmed after the match that authorities had held the attacker back for a routine random drugs test.
“He had to undergo a doping test, so we couldn’t see him,” the club captain announced to the media.
“Obviously when Cristiano is in good form, Real Madrid make the most out of it.
“I want to congratulate him because he is unique.
“When he is playing well, Real Madrid are a different team.”
Ronaldo, the current Ballon d’Or holder, now has 103 goals in Europe’s top club competition to his name, while Madrid are bidding to become the first team in the Champions League era to retain the trophy as they seek a twelfth title.

A detective with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Tosin Owobo, on Tuesday, told a Federal High Court, Lagos, how three ex-Airforce Chiefs, Air Marshall Adesola Nunayon Amosu, a former Chief Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Bola Adigun, a former Director of Finance and Budgeting of Nigeria Air Force (NAF), and his deputy, Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, used fake Oil and Gas Firms to launder the sum of N5.9 billion. The anti-graft agency official also indicted two commercial banks, Skye Bank Plc and First City Monument Bank, FCMB in the alleged fraud.
Owobo, the second prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the former Airforce Chiefs, gave a graphic detail before Justice Mohammed Idris how the trio diverted the sum of N3 billion received from Nigerian Maritime Safety and Administration Agency (NIMASA) and other monies received from different Nigeria Air Force accounts amounting to N5.9 billion to their personal account.
Air Marshal Amosu, Vice Marshall Adigun, and Commodore Gbadebo, alongside eight limited liability companies are being tried over alleged N22.8 billion fraud.
The companies are: Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, Hebron Housing and Properties Company Limited, Trapezites BDC, Fonds and Pricey Limited, Timsegg Investment Limited and Solomon Health Care.
At the resumed trial of the former Airforce Chiefs, Owobo while being led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court that upon investigation, it was discovered that some of the limited liability companies charged alongside the accused three Airforce Chiefs: Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil and Gas Limited, Delfina Oil and Gas Limited, Mcallan Oil And Gas Limited, never deal in oil and gas business, rather they dealt in foreign exchange business.
Owobo told the court that Vice Marshall Adigun and Commodore Gbadebo who were the only signatories to NAF Special Emergency Operation account domiciled with FCMB Plc, received the sum of N3 billion from NIMASA, which were paid in three tranches, between September 15, 23 and 29, 2014.
He said the transfer of the said N3 billion was as a result of approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between NIMASA and NAF.
He stated that after each transfer of the first N1 billion on August 28, 2014, upon analyzing, the exhibit A3, which contained NAF’s statement of account, it was discovered that on September 2 and 4, 2014, there was various transfer of the money to Right Option Oil and Gas and Judal Oil and Gas Limited, in the trenches of N328 million, N336 million, N165. 790 million and N170.210 million.
He stated that upon inviting the two oil and gas companies’ Managing Director, in person of one Adegbite Adelakun, to explain how they came about the money, he told the Commission that he does not operate Oil and Gas Company but deal in foreign exchange business, and that after collecting the money he took the Dollars equivalent to the account officer of NAF, who later gave the money to Commodore Gbadebo.
The witness also told the court that there was a transfer of the sum of N336 million to AGBS Oil and Gas but the money was reversed to the NAF’s account due to disagreement on exchange rate.
Owobo who is an investigator with EFCC said the second oil and gas company, Delfina Oil and Gas received the sum of N280.650 million, another N262.416 million and N480.920, while it transferred to McAllan oil and gas the sum of N243,919 million, and N114.064 million. Adding that from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) documents they received it was revealed that the companies’ accounts were being operated by one Ayoka Esther and McAllan Adenike, while it’s accounting officer was Oshinsanmi Olufunke, the documents also revealed that the Directors are: Jacob Fummi, Jacob Fredrick and Jacob Samuel.
The witness also stated that upon further investigation, it was discovered that the same passport photographs were used for the said Ayoka Esther and McAllan Olufunke, and that the second defendant, Air Vice Marshall Adigun admitted to have supplied the photographs and being the only operator of the account.
The witness also stated that between September 23 and 25, 2014, there were total transfer of the sum of N976 million from NAF’s account to Labol Oil and Gas Limited, and that upon interrogating the Managing Director of Labol Oil and Gas Limited, he denied being into oil and gas business but said he deal in foreign exchange, and that all the money he changed to US Dollars were given to Air Vice Marshall Adigun Gbadebo.
The witness disclosed that further interrogation of the Labol Oil and Gas Limited Managing Director, he told his team that it’s because oil and gas company get unlimited threshold of amount they can transferred.
Owobo stated that apart from money from NIMASA, there was a sum of N1 billion from NAF project account which was transferred from NAF headquarters to Skye Bank, and that the money was transferred to Delcon Installer, Namuduka Ventures Limited, Marab General Concept, and 7×7 Limited in the sum of N16. 980 million, N120.420 million and N17.2 million, N86 million respectively. While the sum of N23.020 million was withdraw in favour of Commodore Gbadebo.
The EFCC Witness further stated that on April 22, 2014, the sum of N120 million was paid by NAF Project account and the money was disbursed to Shawai Limited, Hebron Housing and Property Limited, the companies owned by James Bola Adigun, adding that the directors of the company’s account are: Ayoka Esther, Oladele James, and Ann Toluwalope, and that Vice Marshall Bola Adigun stated that he used James Oladele to operate Hebron’s account.
Furthermore, the witness stated that other funds from NAF’s Project account at different time were disbursed to Shawai Trading Limited, Adeyinka Amosu, Afuwa Integrated Services. Such disbursement were listed as: N34.460 million; N10 million: N10.110 million; N15.590 million; N37.620 million and N39.4 million.
He also stated that the sum of N45.6 million was transferred to Gbemisola Ventures’ account with FCMB, which has link with Commodore Gbadebo adding that all the Corporate Affairs Comission documents of Gbemisola Ventures’ were filled by Owodunni Olugbenga Gbadebo, who is the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.
From the Exhibit A4, which has been admitted by the court, the witness said Delfina Oil and Gas Limited owned by Commodore Adigun received about N10 billion from several NAF Projects accounts.
He also stated that one Omolara Omolola, who happened to be the wife of former Chief of Airforce, and Director of Solomon Healthcare Services, also received several million from the NAF special project account which she used in buying equipments to the healthcare.
He also stated that the three defendants diverted several millions through Tripadize BDC who in turn changed the money used in buying the equipment for Solomon Healthcare Services Limited.
However, the proceedings was brought to a halt, when the lawyers representing the defendants told the court that they can only response to the verification of the statements of their clients which were tendered by the prosecutor.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Mohammed Idris, adjourned the matter till Wednesday April 3, 2017, for continuation of trial.
The accused persons were first arraigned before the court on June 29, on 23 counts charge bordering on fraud, money laundering, and stealing.
The offences are contrary to sections 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012, and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.

Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua, the IBF, WBA and IBO heavyweight champion has reveal how beating at Mayflower boarding school, Ikenne, Ogun State, instilled discipline and toughness in him from early age.

Joshua beat Wladimir Klitschko after 11 rounds on Saturday to win three of the four heavyweight titles that belonged to Fury, who relinquished all of his titles in 2015 after his license was suspended pending investigation for doping and medical issues.

In 2002, Joshua joined his Nigerian mother Yeta in the African nation for six months at the age of 11 and attended Mayflower school, Ikenne founded by the late educationist, Dr. Tai Solarin.

After a period that he believes taught him discipline, Joshua and his family returned to the UK, and he resumed the path that led to him being discovered as a promising amateur fighter who has since been groomed for exceptional success.

‘I thought I was going there (Nigeria) on holiday,’ said the 27-year-old who also has an Irish-Nigerian father, Robert.

‘I wasn’t prepared for it. It was a boarding school as well.

‘At the time you think ‘Why?’, but as you get older you think it was good that you experienced it. It was good for me.

‘I think my mum was trying to do some business there; maybe she had it in her mind. You don’t just randomly decide to move there. She might have been thinking about it, but didn’t inform us because we were kids. We stayed out there, not long, only six months.

‘It was a change and I thought I was going to go for the full course: 5.30am in the morning, up fetch your water, put like an iron in your water to warm it up. Your clothes had to be washed and ironed.

Joshua originally thought he was going on holiday but ended up staying six months

‘It wasn’t an issue but I wasn’t prepared. It was a good discipline.

‘We got beaten. That’s my culture: beating. The government raise your kids now; parents aren’t allowed to raise their kids, because there is so much control about what you do or what you say. In the (Nigerian) culture it’s family, outside support; everyone has a role in raising the kids.’

Joshua, last visited Nigeria – where he still has family in Lagos – 13 years ago.

‘I thought I was in heaven (when I returned to England),’ said Joshua, who continues to be linked with having a future fight in his mother’s homeland.

‘(But) when you are in sport you become a representation of people. I’ve got it (an outline of Nigeria) tattooed on my arm, so people can relate to me.

‘I don’t know if (a fight there) will happen.’

Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth saw the Black Cats drop to the Championship, having won just five of the 34 games they have played

Sunderland have been relegated from the Premier League after their 1-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Black Cats’ drop to the Championship was confirmed with four games left to play, as they sit 13 points behind 17th-placed Hull City.

A draw would have been enough to delay the confirmation by at least a week, as they face Hull next week, but an 88th minute goal from Joshua ing

David Moyes’ side have won just five of the 34 Premier League matches they have played this season, with the last one coming in February – a 4-0 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

However, they have collected just two points since then, losing 26 in the league so far.

More to follow…

National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, says he is working on a book on how his party unseated an incumbent president.

President Muhammadu Buhari, who was the candidate of the APC defeated former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 election.

Tinubu has been hailed for the role he played in helping the ruling party form government at the centre.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Against the Run of Play’, a book by Olusegun Adeniyi, a renowned journalist, Tinubu said he will soon tell the story of how he moulded APC to end the 16-year reign of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Tunde Rahman, Tinubu’s media aide, represented him at the programme.

“Some have said that they will tell their story, Asiwaju is also working on his own book to tell his account of what transpired,” Rahman said.

“To tell how he was able to mould the APC to the extent that it was able to unseat an incumbent president for the first time in the history of our contemporary politics.”

He also said his loss of the vice-presidential seat could not be compared to the achievements of Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo.

Tinubu added that he made a good choice nominating Osinbajo as the running mate to Buhari.

On Thursday, newspapers, which had advanced copies of Adeniyi’s book, had reported how Tinubu, one of those featured in the book, accused Senate President Bukola Saraki and Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, of working against his emergence as Buhari’s running mate.

But Rahman said his principal was quoted out of context in some reports.

“The account of what transpired as told by Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the book and as presented in some newspapers is not about him losing the vice-presidency and the eventual vice-president emerging, as the reviewer has put it,” he said.

“Asiwaju spoke in greater context in that book, and when people are making comments, they should speak with the context in which he spoke. If they are saying that Asiwaju lost the vice-presidency and that a vice-president emerged, where did he emerge from? Who nominated the vice-president?

“I’d like to say that even the vice-president has said on some occasions that a certain political leader from the south-west nominated him for the job and we all know who that is.

“That nomination has been a very good choice from all the wonderful things the vice-president has been doing.”

Arsenal legend Robert Pires says his former club will sign talented teenager Kylian Mbappe from Monaco.
The striker has been linked to several of Europe’s top clubs, but the French side’s £100m price-tag has so far proved a sticking point.
But Pires says Mbappe will head to the Emirates, and that Arsene Wenger is the best man to help him develop.
‘I do think Arsenal will sign him,’ Pires, who spent six years at the club and won two Premier League titles, told Bwin.
‘The problem is how much. Mbappe has the potential to play for Arsenal and Wenger is the right manager to manage him.
‘Monaco and Arsenal are very similar in clubs, so it won’t be much of a transition.’
Wenger helped develop another Monaco graduate, Thierry Henry, into a superstar at Arsenal.
But Pires is wary of comparisons between the two French forwards, saying it is too soon to place Mbappe in the company of Henry.
‘The comparison is unnecessary, he’s not ready to be compared to Thierry. Mbappe is a very similar player but to compare the two players would be unfair.
‘I hope that Kylian can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, he has the same profile as Thierry – quick, strong and a great finisher but he’s very young so I would hold off on comparisons just yet.’
Pires still trains with his former club, and has been a vocal advocate for Wenger’s management despite supporter unrest.
And the Gunners legend says he believes Wenger will sign a new deal this summer having led Arsenal back into the Champions League and having won the FA Cup.
‘I always want to see Arsenal finish in the top four. Champions League is incredibly important for the club, fans and players.
‘I understand that you cannot give up a big trophy like the FA Cup but Champions League is much better for the club. But, I think Arsenal will finish in the top four, and win the FA Cup.
‘I understand the fans and it’s quite right to criticise the players when they’re not performing and it’s down to the players to prove those critics wrong.
‘You’re not always going to win the league, it’s impossible and there are so many good teams in this league.
‘My message to the fans is be patient. Arsene has done well for a long, long time and he knows that the fans want to compete in the Premier League and he’s doing his best to make sure that happens.
‘Of course there are reasons why it hasn’t happened this season, but Arsene is 100 per cent the right man for the job.
‘I want Arsene to extend his contract for two or three more seasons, I’ve made that very clear. I think we can challenge for the league next year.’

..Its African subsidiaries wax stronger, contributing 35% of earnings

The Pan African financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) has released its unaudited first quarter results, showing significant growth across major income lines.

Following a sterling performance in 2016 financial year, UBA Group delivered another impressive 41% percent year-on-year growth in profit-before-tax in the first three months of 2017. Leveraging on strong growth in both interest and non-interest income as well as increased efficiency, UBA recorded N25.5 billion in profit before tax in the first quarter, ending March 31st 2017, compared to N18.1 billion achieved in the first quarter of 2016. The Group also recorded a profit after tax of N22.4 billion in the first quarter, an impressive 32 percent year-on-year growth compared to N17.0 billion achieved in the corresponding period of 2016. The group sustained its strong profitability recording an annualized 19.4% Return on Average equity(RoAE).

Driven by an unprecedented 43% year-on-year growth in interest income, UBA Group recorded a 38% percent year-on-year growth in gross earnings to close at N101.2 billion for the three months period ending March 2017, compared to N73.7 billion recorded in the first three months of the year 2016.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of the United Bank for Africa Group (UBA), Mr. Kennedy Uzoka, expressed satisfaction with the Bank’s impressive performance in the first quarter of 2017, despite intensifying competition and a very challenging business environment.

“Our performance in the first quarter of the year strengthens our optimism on economic and business recovery in Nigeria and many of our markets across Africa. More importantly, this result is evidence of efficiency gains in our pricing, balance sheet management and operations,” Uzoka said.

“Driven by our balance sheet liquidity, we grew interest income by 43% to an unprecedented quarterly run-rate of N77 billion. Buoyed by improving foreign currency supply in Nigeria, remittance and trade services fees almost doubled and foreign currency trading income grew by 148% year-on-year, as we leveraged our Customer First initiatives to gain market share in these offerings. More so, it is my pleasure to report that we made further progress in our consistent retail penetration, as reflected in the 12% year-to-date growth in retail savings and current account deposits. Notwithstanding the tight interest rate environment, we recorded a 30bps reduction in cost of funds to 3.4%, a positive result of our customer service-led approach to low cost deposit mobilization. As at Q1, low cost savings and current accounts (CASA) represent 80% of our deposit funding,” Uzoka explained.

While emphasizing the increasing relevance of its African operations to its bottom line, Uzoka said, “Our businesses outside Nigeria continued to wax stronger, contributing 35% of our earnings. We remained prudent in risk asset creation growing net loans by 2% year-to-date, as we have continued to monitor development in key sectors of the economy to take advantage of emerging bankable opportunities in due time. Albeit the structural challenges that exist in Africa, the opportunities and returns are immense and compelling. We will deepen our penetration across our chosen markets, as we diligently execute our strategies for consistent market share gain.”

Also speaking on UBA’s financial performance and position, the Group CFO, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said the Bank’s performance in the first quarter further proves its resilience and very strong prospect of the business across its chosen markets. He said that beyond the sterling growth in top and bottom lines, he remained particularly impressed with the quality of the earnings, which reflects the bank’s focus on the core business of financial intermediation and transaction banking.

“We remain steadfast on our prudent and proactive risk management, which helps to minimize the impact of the macroeconomic pressures on our portfolio. Our non-performing Loan ratio stood at 3.95%, with a 136% provisions coverage, inclusive of regulatory risk reserve. We remain well capitalized and liquid to fulfill our growth strategy; 19.4% BASEL II capital adequacy ratio and 41% liquidity ratio, which present opportunity to explore the headroom in our low LTD of 61%,” Nwaghodoh said.

Ecobank Nigeria limited has entered an advanced stage of its digital transformation agenda which is aimed at enabling its customers depend more on its digital platforms to do their daily banking activities, thereby reducing the need to go to branches. By this development, the bank will deliver enhanced services leveraging more on its digital channels.
The Managing Director of the Bank, Charles Kie says the move is part of the bank’s transformation agenda which is meant to create a fundamental shift of its banking activities to digital channels, as well as improve customers’ experience, while also reducing the cost of serving them. This also supports the bank’s financial inclusion strategy and the cashless policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Mr. Kie says as part of this strategy, the bank has enhanced its Retail Internet Banking platform with much speed and flexibility while also strengthening the Ecobank Mobile App that enables customers do instant payments, open accounts as well as do instant transfers across 33 countries in Africa. The Ecobank App, the first of its kind in Africa, has an innovative payment solution, the Ecobank Masterpass that allows customers the convenience to pay for goods at merchant locations by simply scanning a QR code on their phones.
He says the bank has also decided to merge some of its branches across the country. According to Mr. Kie, “after a detailed analysis of the physical network of branches needed to serve our customers, the decision was made by the Ecobank Nigeria Board, and approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria, to optimize 74 out of its 479 branches. With the merger, Ecobank now boasts of 405 branches across the country supported with top of the range technology application”.
He stated that most of the staff in the affected branches will be moved to other projects. In his words “We are deploying staff and other resources from the merged branches to other ongoing projects, while also strengthening the existing branches to make them more resourceful and up to speed in their daily activities”. He reiterated that this is a well thought through decision expected to fundamentally shape Ecobank’s business for better performance.

For one of the newest entrants into the Nigeria’s banking industry, it has become a case of one trouble to many for Sterling Bank as the financial institution continues to swim in the sea of controversies amidst financial improprieties and workers remuneration. And as it stands, the bank is fast proving to be L’Enfant terrible in the Nigeria banking sector, as its name constantly props up in every underhand dealing featuring some Nigerian financial institutions.
Whoever believes that the bank is mightier than the storm should ask the management and staff of Sterling Bank. They probably know better. As you read, Sterling Bank is caught in the turbulence of steep and unforgiving commerce.
The hard times have indeed dawned on the commercial bank. Some members of staff of the bank have lost their jobs. The affected workers had their sack letters handed over to them precisely on Friday, April 21st April, 2017.
A visit to the bank’s new head office revealed a lot, as most staff walked about like they were under a cloud of doom with brows furrowed in deep worry. Who is next? That seems to be the question on the lips of everybody.
Some aggrieved staff of the financial institution that spoke to us threatens to reveal more skeletons in the banks closet.
Unless something drastic happens to salvage the situation, Sterling Bank may run into serious financial crises that may render it unable to meet its obligations as a deposit money bank.
This medium also learnt, large number of customers of the bank are in panic as they planning to storm various branches of the bank base on this worrying situation and withdraw their monies, as they believe is just a matter of days before CBN finally wave their axe.
However, in the last few months, many top banks have thrown thousands of their employees into the labour market for reasons ranging from insolvency and paucity of funds. Some of the banks laid the blame at the doorsteps of the employees citing lateness, dereliction of duties, absence and other workplace behaviours identified as unproductive to the course of the companies.

Apparently disturbed by the lackluster developments in the Lagos Island local government areas, Prince Wale Ojora has taken the bull by the horn to vie for the chairmanship position of the council in the forthcoming local council elections.
This is as a result of his conviction that he has got what it takes to take the council area to the next level that will be in conformity with his party’s manifestoes and aspiration of change.
Speaking recently with journalists, the former secretary to the local government explained that he was persuaded by various political interest groups in the area who have severally lobbied him to come out and vie for the position and perhaps make him the only candidate to beat at the moment.
A well-educated young politician has his first degree in Industrial Chemistry and two masters degrees in chemical engineering and operations research from the University of Lagos and Certification in Oracle 9i Data administrator from Oracle university in South Africa In his view, Lagos Island needs to be brought back to its old glory where virtually all the blue-chip companies used to have their headquarters either on Marina or Broad street, saying ‘it is disheartening that almost all the companies now prefer Victoria Island, Lekki or Ikoyi, we must find a way to bring those companies back because the problems are being resolved by the present state governor’ Ojora who presently oversees the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) claimed to be the appropriate candidate for the post, having been a Supervisor for works and Secretary to the local government in the past and equally well educated to take the challenge of the council leadership.
According to him, the local government urgently need to fix all the primary health centers and the primary schools to give a decent life to the residents who may not afford the luxury of private consultations.
In this regard, he said an aggressive close collaboration with the state government is needed to fast track all these massive transformation which are very achievable with a visionary leader like himself.
On his confidence to clinch the ticket of his party, All Progressive Congress, Ojora opined that APC is a party of democrats that will give a level playing ground to all aspirants and because of this, he is assured that he is the man the party will put forward to contest the July election.
Reeling in comfort of his royal blood, the prince who pride himself as the home boy of Lagos Island called on his people to rally round him to achieve the dream of a new Lagos Island.
“At the moment we need to key our ideas into the state governor’s vision to take our area to the next level. We should key into the proposed regeneration programme of the Marina by Governor Ambode to benefit our people in terms of jobs and empowerment,” he said.

Hip hop star, David Adeleke popularly known as Davido, has revealed that he is “heartbroken” over the death of his uncle, Senator Isiaka Adeleke.
The Senator representing Osun West, passed away on Sunday morning at Biket Hospital in Osogbo, the state capital, after reportedly suffering from heart attack.
Davido, who has been quiet since his uncle died, took to Instagram on Monday morning to express sadness over the incident.
“Heartbroken Rest In Peace My dear uncle…. SHERUBAWON,” the singer wrote.
The deceased is the brother of Davido’s father, Adedeji Adeleke.
Senator Adeleke, who had been a member of the National Assembly since 2007, was planning to run for the governorship election in Osun state in 2018.

A 28-year old fashion designer, Chizoba Nwakuro, who allegedly slapped his landlady over unsettled house rent, was on Monday hauled up before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.
Nwakuro, a resident of Odusola Street, Aboru, Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, is being tried for breach of peace and assault.
According to the Prosecutor George Nwosu, the accused committed the offences on April 4 at his apartment.
He said the accused assaulted his landlady, Mrs Destiny Dennis, by slapping her several times.
Nwosu said the accused was owing the complainant four months rent and when the complainant accosted him asked for the money, the accused got angry and gave her severally slaps in the face.
The offences contravened Sections 166 and 170 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Section 166 provides three months or N45, 000 fine or both, while Section 170 prescribes three years jail term for breach of peace.
The accused pleaded innocence of the offences and was granted bail in the sum of N10,000 with two sureties in like sum.
The Magistrate, Mrs O.I. Raji, adjourned the case until May 2 for mention.

A total of nine contestants, four from Akure and five from Ibadan, have made it to the quarterfinal stage of the ongoing Ariya Repete, a talent hunt competition for Fuji and Juju music in the South-West. The auditions that produced the winners held in Akure and Ibadan on April 19 and 21, 2017, respectively.

After a breathtaking audition that judged the appearance, composure, creativity, vocalization and stage craft of each contestant, seven Fuji and three Juju artistes were chosen from each city to compete at the selection party, where two winners emerged from each category in Akure, while three from Fuji and two from Juju emerged in Ibadan.

The Fuji artistes that were selected in Ibadan are Aliu Inaolaji, Taiye Akanji and Ashafa Olusila, while the Juju artistes are Oshinbanjo Gabriel and Wale Daniel. In Akure Oladele Damilola and Afolabi Ibrahim emerged from Fuji category, while Osadare Abayomi and Ojo Abiodun emerged from Juju category.

The artistes will compete at the quarter finals slated for June 30th in Akure with winners from other auditions in Ilorin, Ijebu Ode, Oshogbo, Abeokuta, Ado Ekiti and Ile Ife.

The semi-finals will take place on July 7th in Abeokuta with the grand finale scheduled for July 14th in Ibadan, Oyo State.

In the quarter finals, 32 artistes selected from the different locations would be reduced to 10 and this would be further pruned to five for the grand finale.

At the grand finale, a winner, each for Fuji and Juju will emerge with each clinching a grand prize of one million naira (N1, 000,000) and a recording deal.

Ariya Repete, an initiative of Goldberg, from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc is an expanded music talent hunt platform that seeks to promote and develop indigenous Yoruba music that includes Fuji and Juju music genres.

According to Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, “the brand is using the new platform to extend its drive to discover new talents in the two indigenous Yoruba music genres and the move is in line with its commitment to promote the culture and tradition of the people of South West Nigeria.

The Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) has pledged to remain a key driver of initiatives aimed at fostering and increasing bilateral trade and investment between Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
President and Chairman of Council, Prince Dapo Adelegan, gave the assurance in Lagos on Friday while delivering a welcome address at the special lecture to mark the 40th anniversary of the Chamber.
He said as Nigeria continues on the journey of a second centenary of economic relations with the United Kingdom, NBCC has an abiding focus on optimizing bilateral relations between the two countries with a view to achieving the set target of doubling inter-country trade and investment volumes soon.
To this end, Adelegan revealed that the Chamber would focus on a number of initiatives such as actively re-engineering and strengthening its partnerships; attracting top range economic players as premium members and pulling in new members in other categories.
While lauding the support of Lagos State for the Chamber over the past 40 years, the NBCC President said a special day themed “Lagos Day” would be designated for discussing the economic milestones and business development opportunities in Lagos State during the forthcoming NBCC 40th Anniversary Trade Mission to London between May 22nd and 26th this year.
Delivering the lecture titled ‘Nigeria – British Relations: The Next 100 Years’, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Paul Arkwright, said he was confident that even with the UK exiting the European Union, her economic ties with Nigeria would remain strong.
“The ties that bind the UK and Nigeria, that are cultural, linguistic, historical and business will grow stronger and the UK looks forward to becoming the top non-oil trading partner with Nigeria very soon.
Today, the UK’s bilateral trade relationship with Nigeria is worth 3.8 billion pounds per annum and there are several British companies who are interested in various other sectors, apart from oil and gas, in Nigeria such as power (including solar), infrastructure, agriculture, education, the digital economy and financial technology. We will remain steadfast in our resolve to partner with Nigeria to support social and economic development of both countries,” Mr. Arkwright disclosed.

Perturbed by the rate of treasury looting in the country, an Osun State-based clergy, Prophet Hezekiah Oladeji, has charged the looters to return the stolen money or risk God’s wrath.
He said God is angry with those that mismanaged the nation’s resources and would continue to expose them until they return commonwealth in their possessions.
Prophet Oladeji, who made the charge at a press conference held at Garage-Olode, a town in Ife South Local Government Area of the state, warned those in the untoward act to briskly return the looted money or see the wrath of God in action.
Oladeji, the General Overseer, Christ Apostolic Church, Canaan-Land World-Wide, remarked that Nigeria’s current economic hardship is part of punitive measures from God.
He said, “More treasury looters would be disgraced, but their punishment would be limited, if they voluntarily return their loot. There would no longer be hiding place for looters because God has intervened in the affairs of the country.”
The servant of God, however, maintained that the country would come out of the current economic hardship, when those in positions of leadership have genuine repentance and return to God.
Speaking on why the country is in a messy situation, he said those trusted with positions of leadership in the country lack divine guidance.