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The Nigerian Transportation minister has assured Nigerians that he does not like money hence no reason for him to be corrupt.

The Transport minister made this known while speaking during an interview with Channels Television.

The immediate past governor of Rivers state during the interview conducted after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, discovered the sum of $50 million from an apartment in Ikoyi, Lagos state said when asked if he is corrupt: “Is my honesty in doubt? I have told Nigerians and I repeat to Nigerians today I am not corrupt and I don’t like money. I am not one swayed by money. I have lived a character that most Nigerians can tell you.”

He continued: “I try as much as possible not to annoy God by saying I am honest. But with all modesty, I am a honest Nigerian and there are very few honest Nigerians.”



The former Rivers State governor who was accused of owning $43 million of the money found in the Ikoyi apartment while reacting to a question on why people keep having the impression that he’s corrupt said: “When did that impression start? Nyesom Wike becomes the governor. He takes documents from Government house that people cant read, and says oh, we sold Gas turbines and disappeared with the money. He set up a panel of inquiry? Publish the report.”

Further during the interview, the transport minister in response to what he thinks of the Muhammadu Buhari-led anti-corruption war said: “When you talk about the PDP angle, they are bitter that we fought and led the movement against the former government and PDP, and we were successful to have removed them from power.

“If I was corrupt, why didn’t President Goodluck prosecute me? The fight between Goodluck and Rivers state government or myself lasted for two years.”


Read more at http://www.herald.ng/dont-like-money-amaechi-nigerians/#Psv3aTq8kvkWt5gb.99

Ecobank Nigeria PLC, a local unit of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated might be shutting about 79 of its branches across Nigeria.

The bank has not confirmed nor denied the reports, however, there are serious challenges facing the pan-African lender.

In its recently released full year result for 2016, Ecobank said impairment losses on financial assets which rose by 111% to NGN221 billion compared to NGN105 billion.

The deterioration in its loan books shows that the bank is suffering from the same problem confronting many other banks in Nigeria.



The lingering impairment pile up has increased Ecobank’s total liabilities to NGN5,7 trillion compared to NGN4,1 trillion disclosed in 2015. Total asset at the end of the year also rose by 33% to NGN6,2 trillion compared to NGN4,6 trillion disclosed last year.




Read more at http://www.herald.ng/recession-ecobank-may-shut-70-branches-nationwide/#s46TDuomRPl3wIPi.99

For the better part of this week, Nigeria has been having much of a to do about the royal snub from the Oba of Lagos to the Ooni of Ife. Such outrage, such consternation against Oba Rilwan Akiolu. The venom vented on him on social media and in real life were as though he had committed some unpardonable sin.

We are angry with an Oba who refused to shake an Ooni, but not at a President who refused to shake his own female ministers on religious grounds but did not remember religion when he shook hands with the Queen of England, Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany and Iara Oshiomhole.

You can see that hypocrisy, rather than corruption is the main problem of Nigeria. A nation that sympathizes with a star’s husband for attempted suicide and charges a destitute woman with attempted suicide. No wonder our Presidential Villa had been turned to a retirement home!

Strewth!



As a people, we are easily distracted, easily carried away. We are excitable, with hyperactive nerves, quick to run away after fancies while the issues that are at the heart of our survival as a people are left untreated.

While we were tearing our our hair over what might just have been an oversight on the part of the Oba of Lagos, the minister of Information, the eponymously named Lai Mohammed, announced to a distracted nation that President Muhammadu Buhari, who had just missed his third Executive Council of the Federation meeting, would be working from home!

This is the same Lai Mohammed who in December 21, 2009 called for his predecessor, the late Professor Dora Akinyuli, to give daily updates on President Yar’adua’s health.

Speaking as the Publicity Secretary for the now defunct Action Congress, Lai said:



“It is clear to discerning Nigerians that those pretending to speak authoritatively on the President’s health are deceiving the public, since they are neither well informed on the issue nor competent to speak on it. Therefore, a daily briefing by the Minister of Information, based on authentic details provided by the President’s doctors, should start forthwith. As we have said many times, the health of the President, as a public figure can no longer be of interest only to his family and friends. Nigerians have a right to know.”

This is the same Lai who told us in January that the President was in perfect good health. Now we know that his health is so good that he has to work from home!

And to add insult to injury, just two days before Lai told us that the President would now work from home, Chief John Odigie Oyegun was hugging the headlines calling for a second term for the stat at home President! Really!

We only see the man every Friday, yet instead of praying for his recovery Oyegun is scheming for his second term! That is how they deceived Abacha and Yar’adua to cling onto power instead of tending to their health. What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his soul?

This is a man that we only see on Friday at Mosque. The man has more or less become a ghost President!

A ghost President, with ghost achievements fighting ghost workers with an EFCC that goes after ghost monies in apartments owned by ghosts. This is what President Muhammadu Buhari and the ruling All Progressive Congress have reduced Nigeria to!

It is hypocritical for a government that fights ghost workers to have a ghost President. If the President is sick let him hand over to the more than able Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo!

If you think it is harsh to ask the President to hand over to Osinbajo then ask him if he did not give the same advice to Yar’adua in 2010! Precisely on March 10, 2010, President Muhammadu Buhari called for the impeachment of Yar’adua because his health condition prevented him from performing his duties. For three weeks our President has not attended council meeting. For three weeks the only time we see him is at Mosque. Would he have tolerated this from Yar’adua?

From President Muhammadu Buhari’s residence in Aso Rock to his office takes a five minute walk. I have walked that route myself. I know what I am taking about. I have been in his official residence and I have been in his office.

His office and his residence are connected by a corridor. If he cannot make it to the office despite the close proximity between his office and his residence, it suggests he may need something more than resting at home. Remember what Obasanjo said on January 20, 2010 “If you take up an assignment, a job-elected, appointed whatever it is, and then your health starts to fail and you will not be able to deliver to satisfy yourself and to satisfy the people you are supposed to serve, then there is a path of honour and the path of morality. There is path of honour and the path of morality.”

A 93, President Robert Mugabe does not work from home. Even Pope Benedict XVI, whose home was his office, resigned in 2013 when his health could not handle the demands of the papacy. It is not about age. It is about capacity. President Muhammadu Buhari said the same thing about Yar’adua. What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

Again, President Buhari, if you cant cope, temporarily hand over to Osinbajo! It does not have to be permanent. Go and take care of yourself. Aso Rock is a Presidential Villa not a retirement home!

What moral justification does the Head of Service or any authority have to query any civil servant for absenteeism going by this recent development?

I urge any civil servant who is being queried or has been sacked for absenteeism to sue the Federal Government. If President Muhammadu Buhari can work from home and still collect full salary, why can’t other federal workers? If the man with the most vital job can do his job from home, why can’t civil servants with less vital duties follow suit.

And you can imagine that only this week, the State House correspondent of the Punch Newspapers was banished from Aso Rock Presidential Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer because of a story on the President’s health. Now we know what the fuss was all about!

And the excuse given by the Presidency that they were unaware of the CSO’s action only raises more questions than it answers.

The worst thing the Nigerian Presidency could do in the case of the The Punch Newspapers reporter that was expelled from Aso Rock Villa by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief Security Officer is to admit that they were not informed before the actions. If the Presidency was not informed about this action done in the Presidency’s name then it begs the question, who is ruling Nigeria? Who is exercising the executive powers of the President? Is the tail now wagging the dog? Is this a déjà vu of the Yar’adua situation? No wonder Babachir asked ‘who is the Presidency’. We did not know what he meant!

From the way things now stand, I just have to ask that between Nnamdi Kanu and President Muhammadu Buhari, who is actually in prison and who is actually free?

At least we see Kanu in court. How often do we see Buhari? Nnamdi Kanu speaks with authority, can we say the same of an unrepentant blamer who blames everyone but himself for the misfortune of his administration? Nnamdi Kanu has no NTA or a Liar Mohammed yet his words affect more headlines than those who do, proving that leadership is not by position! Yet somebody thinks Nnamdi Kanu is in prison and President Buhari is free! I laugh in Igbo and Fufulde!

And to think that Joe Igbokwe, the Publicity Secretary of the Lagos State chapter of the APC had the guts to say that the Igbo are not interested in Nnamdi Kanu’s cause!

If Joe Igbokwe really thinks the Igbo are ‘not interested’ in Nnamdi Kanu’s cause, let him go and say so in Onitsa Market and see if he survives. It is easy to stay in Lagos and say such nonsense, but I have a word of advise for Igbokwe: No matter how much a slave rejects his father’s name, his master will still not include his own name in his will.

Hypocrisy has almost become a national pastime under this APC administration. It is not surprising. What more can one expect from a government that was conceived in propaganda and delivered in deceit?

Take the hypocrisy in the case of Mrs. Titilayo Momoh, the failed suicide who attempted the act on the Third Mainland Bridge. Now she has been charged to court.

I do not understand the point of charging failed suicides to court for attempted suicide. Do we want to drive them to succeed at suicide? Failed suicide need counseling, support and understanding. Stress, pressures of life and disappointments drove them to suicide. By charging them to court we are only adding more stress, pressure and disappointment to their life, further pushing them to suicide. This is an archaic law that is against the principles of natural justice and needs to be taken off our statute books.

A government that does not care if Fulani herdsmen kill us has the guts to charge a woman for attempted suicide! Are they angry she cheated Fulani herdsmen off her life? This is a travesty of justice! They have not charged the killers of pastor Eunice Elisha who was killed in Kubwa, fifteen minutes from Aso Rock Villa. They have not charged the killers of pastor Eunice Elisha who was beheaded in Kano in broad daylight. They have not charged the killers of Southern Kaduna minorities. But it is Mrs. Titilayo Momoh who is overburdened by a debt she cannot pay that they can try for attempted suicide. What a hypocritical action!

When Tiwa Savage’s husband, Tunji “Tee Billz” Balogun, attempted suicide, nobody charged him for attempted suicide and rightly so. So why charge Mrs. Titilayo Momoh with attempted suicide? Does Nigeria have one law for the rich and famous and another for the poor and unknown? This woman attempted suicide because the economy collapsed and her business was in ruins leaving her in debt. Let us not fight the symptoms and leave the disease. If the government wants to deter suicide then they should fix the economy instead of trying Mrs. Momoh.

I could go on and on, but I have limited space. You can email me at reno@renoomokri.org to continue the conversation.

Reno’s Nuggets:

My nuggets for this week centers on money so that people like Mrs. Momoh, who are overburdened by debt can get some financial intelligence that will see the escaping the debt cycle if they apply these wisdoms I gleaned from the word of God.

The big difference between the rich and the poor is that the rich only borrow money to invest while the poor only borrow money to consume. The rich man gets a loan to build a clothing factory, or a retail mall or a small boutique because he knows that the poor man will go to the same bank to get a loan or a credit card to splurge on new clothes to impress people. You see, many people who look rich are not rich simply because they spend too much money trying to look rich and have little left to be actually rich. The term dressed to kill may mean dressing well but it may also mean spending too much on clothes to kill yourself with poverty. The more the poor continue buying clothes and other accessories they do not need, the more the rich becomes richer and the poorer they become. So break the cycle. Never borrow to consume only borrow to produce.

Those who say money cannot buy happiness act as if being broke can buy happiness. Get money even if it cant buy happiness. Money multiplies your ability to do good. The world is evil today not because money is evil but because evil people control money. Ask yourself how helpful the Good Samaritan could have been if he had no money. Now ask yourself how destructive satan can be if his people had no money. Jesus preached and taught about money more than about ANY OTHER THING. So go out there and make money, do not be afraid of it. #RenosNuggets




Read more at http://www.herald.ng/ghost-president-ghost-achievements-ghost-monies-in-apartment-owned-by-ghosts-reno-omokri/#qtVhkYYgKgI8tsXq.99

A new study published in The Journal of Physiology has warned pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to avoid diets high in fructose-containing sugars as it increases the risk of their kids being obese or diabetic.

Researchers from the University of South Australia gave female rats water supplemented with fructose-containing sugars at an amount equivalent to those in standard soft drinks, before, during and after pregnancy, The Cable lifestyle reports.

After birth, offsprings were weaned by a mother who had access to the same fructose-containing beverage, or by one who had access to water only.

Body weight, fat mass and glucose control in the offspring were measured and tissues were analysed to see the amount and type of fat in their livers.



Offspring from mothers who had a diet high in fructose-containing sugars were found to have a detrimental fat composition in their liver.

This can negatively impact the metabolic health of the offspring, contributing to the development of obesity or type 2 diabetes in the future.

“This study highlights the importance of maternal nutrition during the lactation period. Guidelines for consuming added sugars or sugar-sweetened beverages during pregnancy should consider this,” said Sheridan Gentili, senior lecturer in biological sciences at the University of South Australia, and lead investigator of the study.

“As there are differences in physiology between humans and rodents, we need to be careful when translating this research directly to humans.”



Many kinds of cereal, sugary soft drinks and other processed foods have fructose-containing sugars, including sucrose and high fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

Excess consumption of these sugars is also a major contributor to obesity and type 2 diabetes.



Read more at http://www.herald.ng/taking-soft-drinks-pregnancy-make-child-diabetic-report/#46m2vlEBD7XffrcG.99

Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied ever importing any bullet proof car contrary to the report laid before the Senate.

Saraki made the denial when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in Abuja on Monday.

He said he had nothing to do with the vehicle under reference, adding that the allegation was an attempt to malign his person.

“I am not (an) importer and at no point did I import an SUV Range Rover. As you know, this is a vehicle that is not a personal vehicle.

“It is a vehicle which was processed through the National Assembly.

“I don’t know anything about the importation; I did not appoint any clearing agent or anything like that.

“Most of the vehicles that are here you only know when it is delivered to you. None of this did I import or getting any agent or going to the port.

“This is not true, those that said it know it is not true, (the) Customs knows it is not true.

“This is because we all know that all treated vehicles have end user certificate and there it states clearly who the importer is and these documents are available and there is no document anywhere that shows my name.

“So, I want to state categorically that this is not true and it is important that I come here and clear my name and put this matter to rest.

“We all raised the issue of the policy that is anti-people in the interest of Nigerians.

“This policy that really had no value at all and that was why this motion came up and we debated it in the interest of Nigerians.

“Unfortunately those who want to fight back went and thought there was something to blackmail us with.

“I know the documents you have will show clearly that it has nothing to do with me’’, he said.

The Senate President commended the committee for giving him a fair hearing.

He said the process would further strengthen the institution as well as protect the country’s democracy.

“I believe that this process is good for us. It will further strengthen our institution.

“It is a great day for our democracy for me to come before you as the President of the Senate.

“We must protect this institution. As members, we will come and go but we must protect this institution.

“To ridicule an institution of this magnitude is not something we should take lightly and that is why I have taken the time to be here.

“Today, it is me but tomorrow it will be another person.

“I think it is part of the sacrifice we are making in the work that we are doing that we have this kind of case that did not hold water.

“We must protect this institution because this is the only thing we can leave. The difference between military rule and democracy is the parliament.

“For as long as the parliament is weak, our democracy can never be strong’’, he said.

Saraki reiterated that democracy could only be strong with a strong parliament.

He added that the parliament would only be strong if the lawmakers respected the Standing Order and the Constitution.

The Senate President noted that it was his belief in the institution of the National Assembly and the legislature as a whole that motivated him to appear before the committee.

He pointed out that “that is why I told myself that I must come here no matter how ridiculous I felt it was “because the documents are clear.

“There is no where it said I imported it; it is not my private vehicle.

The importer of the car, Tokunbo Akindele, said it was imported on behalf of Oando Plc in 2015.

He denied allegations that Saraki had any link with the car.

According to him, the car was imported by the company for the various operations it had around the country.

He also explained that “at no point did we submit any fake document for the clearing of the car.

“We followed all due processes in terms of payment to the company which handled the entire process for us.

“In 2015, on behalf of the firm that I work for, Oando PLC, we imported a Range Rover Bullet Proof SUV vehicle.

“We imported it as the company that needed to use it for the various operations that we have around the country.

“The car took longer than was expected and by the time it reached Nigeria in 2015, September, we decided that we will no longer be using the car, so we effectively parked it.

“We mandated a company offshore to buy the car, amour the car, ship the car, clear the car with Customs and just deliver the car to us as a full-fledged service.

“We received the car in September 2015 assuming that all of these things were done.

“All payments were made for the acquisition, the armouring, the shipping as well as the clearing of which we have necessary evidence.’’

He further explained that at no point did the company receive any documentation from the National Assembly in the process of clearing the car.

“We were not a part of clearing the car, we were the customer; we were expected to receive the car for our own use.

“The vehicle was not to be used by Sen. Bukola Saraki, it was not imported or acquired for his use at the time the vehicle came into the country.

“The National Assembly took receipt of the car through a consignment from us, through Lanre Shittu Motors in December 2015.

He said the car was in the country for two months and with no use, adding that it was at that point that Oando released it to Lanre Shittu on consignment who sold it to the National Assembly.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, gave assurance that the committee will do all within its powers to ensure that all parties involved got fair hearing.

While commending the president of the senate for appearing before the committee, Anyanwu said the committee would continue to work for the advancement of democracy and protection of the parliament.

He said the customs boss, “will appear before it on Tuesday to speak on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls a section of the media had reported that Nigeria Customs Service had impounded a N298million worth of vehicle with fake documents. (NAN)

Senate President Bukola Saraki has denied ever importing any bullet proof car contrary to the report laid before the Senate.

Saraki made the denial when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions in Abuja on Monday.

He said he had nothing to do with the vehicle under reference, adding that the allegation was an attempt to malign his person.

“I am not (an) importer and at no point did I import an SUV Range Rover. As you know, this is a vehicle that is not a personal vehicle.

“It is a vehicle which was processed through the National Assembly.

“I don’t know anything about the importation; I did not appoint any clearing agent or anything like that.

“Most of the vehicles that are here you only know when it is delivered to you. None of this did I import or getting any agent or going to the port.

“This is not true, those that said it know it is not true, (the) Customs knows it is not true.

“This is because we all know that all treated vehicles have end user certificate and there it states clearly who the importer is and these documents are available and there is no document anywhere that shows my name.

“So, I want to state categorically that this is not true and it is important that I come here and clear my name and put this matter to rest.

“We all raised the issue of the policy that is anti-people in the interest of Nigerians.

“This policy that really had no value at all and that was why this motion came up and we debated it in the interest of Nigerians.

“Unfortunately those who want to fight back went and thought there was something to blackmail us with.

“I know the documents you have will show clearly that it has nothing to do with me’’, he said.

The Senate President commended the committee for giving him a fair hearing.

He said the process would further strengthen the institution as well as protect the country’s democracy.

“I believe that this process is good for us. It will further strengthen our institution.

“It is a great day for our democracy for me to come before you as the President of the Senate.

“We must protect this institution. As members, we will come and go but we must protect this institution.

“To ridicule an institution of this magnitude is not something we should take lightly and that is why I have taken the time to be here.

“Today, it is me but tomorrow it will be another person.

“I think it is part of the sacrifice we are making in the work that we are doing that we have this kind of case that did not hold water.

“We must protect this institution because this is the only thing we can leave. The difference between military rule and democracy is the parliament.

“For as long as the parliament is weak, our democracy can never be strong’’, he said.

Saraki reiterated that democracy could only be strong with a strong parliament.

He added that the parliament would only be strong if the lawmakers respected the Standing Order and the Constitution.

The Senate President noted that it was his belief in the institution of the National Assembly and the legislature as a whole that motivated him to appear before the committee.

He pointed out that “that is why I told myself that I must come here no matter how ridiculous I felt it was “because the documents are clear.

“There is no where it said I imported it; it is not my private vehicle.

The importer of the car, Tokunbo Akindele, said it was imported on behalf of Oando Plc in 2015.

He denied allegations that Saraki had any link with the car.

According to him, the car was imported by the company for the various operations it had around the country.

He also explained that “at no point did we submit any fake document for the clearing of the car.

“We followed all due processes in terms of payment to the company which handled the entire process for us.

“In 2015, on behalf of the firm that I work for, Oando PLC, we imported a Range Rover Bullet Proof SUV vehicle.

“We imported it as the company that needed to use it for the various operations that we have around the country.

“The car took longer than was expected and by the time it reached Nigeria in 2015, September, we decided that we will no longer be using the car, so we effectively parked it.

“We mandated a company offshore to buy the car, amour the car, ship the car, clear the car with Customs and just deliver the car to us as a full-fledged service.

“We received the car in September 2015 assuming that all of these things were done.

“All payments were made for the acquisition, the armouring, the shipping as well as the clearing of which we have necessary evidence.’’

He further explained that at no point did the company receive any documentation from the National Assembly in the process of clearing the car.

“We were not a part of clearing the car, we were the customer; we were expected to receive the car for our own use.

“The vehicle was not to be used by Sen. Bukola Saraki, it was not imported or acquired for his use at the time the vehicle came into the country.

“The National Assembly took receipt of the car through a consignment from us, through Lanre Shittu Motors in December 2015.

He said the car was in the country for two months and with no use, adding that it was at that point that Oando released it to Lanre Shittu on consignment who sold it to the National Assembly.

Chairman of the committee, Sen. Sam Anyanwu, gave assurance that the committee will do all within its powers to ensure that all parties involved got fair hearing.

While commending the president of the senate for appearing before the committee, Anyanwu said the committee would continue to work for the advancement of democracy and protection of the parliament.

He said the customs boss, “will appear before it on Tuesday to speak on behalf of the Nigeria Customs Service.’’

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls a section of the media had reported that Nigeria Customs Service had impounded a N298million worth of vehicle with fake documents. (NAN)

Never again will terrorists take over and occupy any part of Nigeria’s territory, President Muhammadu Buhari vowed in Sambisa Forest on Monday.

The President made the vow when he declared the 2017 Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship (NASAC), opened.

Represented by the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, Buhari noted that holding the championship in the forest was an affirmation that government was “resolved to stamp out all activities and operations of the Boko Haram insurgents from our territory.”

Buhari said: “This championship is a showcase of the clear effect and degradation of the Boko Haram terrorist group with the destruction of Camp Zairo in the heart of the famous Sambisa forest.

“I can say categorically that never again will Boko Haram occupy any of our land.

“I want use this opportunity to congratulate the Nigerian Army for this achievement and reiterate at this point by noting that it is a case of professional training that brought the Nigerian Army to this length.”

Buhari restated that through the Presidential Committee on North-East Initiative (PCNI), government would reconstruct facilities and structures destroyed by the terrorists so that the people of the region could enjoy the dividends of democracy.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said the championship was held at the forest to consolidate on the gains achieved by troops in the North East so far.

“This championship is therefore held here at the heart of the Sambisa forest as part of Nigerian Army’s plans to effectively dominate all hostile territories in the North East”, Buratai said.

NASAC was held seven years ago at Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, in Kaduna state.

According to Buratai, the championship could not be held since then due to numerous operational engagements by the army.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has named the newly established Nigerian Army shooting range at the Sambisa forest after the late Lt.-Col. Abu Ali.

Ali, who was the commander of an army formation at Mallam Fatori in Borno east, died in a battle on Nov. 4, 2016 when Boko Haram terrorists attempted to invade and take the town.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the army routed the terrorists and took over Sambisa on Dec. 23, 2016 at about 1.35pm after it overran Camp Zairo, their last strong hold in the forest. (NAN)

Mrs Taiwo Obasanjo, wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday filed a suit at an Ikeja High Court, seeking to stop the wedding of her son, Olujonwo Obasanjo, scheduled for May 11.

Ex-President Obasanjo and the father of the bride, Sir Kessington Adebutu, promoter of Premier Lotto known as “Baba Ijebu” are respondents to the suit.

Mrs Obasanjo, who is the twin sister of Chief Kenny Martins, the former Coordinator of the Police Equipment Fund, is seeking a postponement of the wedding of her son, Olujonwo to Tope Adebutu scheduled for May 11 and May 12.

She wants the wedding to be fixed for a date after June 1.

NAN reports that Olujonwo and Tope had an elaborate introduction on Dec. 17, 2016 with the social media awash with photographs of the event.

Obasanjo, among others, is seeking a court declaration that as the mother of the groom, she had the rights to take part in the deliberations, decisions and activities leading to the forthcoming ceremony.

According to her, wedding invitations have been sent out and she has been excluded from the preparations for the ceremonies.

She said she also received prophesies and warnings from men of God to the effect that Olujonwo, her son who turns 34 on June 1, should not do or be involved in any elaborate celebration before his birthday.

The woman wants the court to compel Adebutu and Obasanjo to shift the wedding to a date after June 1 after she had appealed to Adebutu and Mrs Rosemary Dacosta, the mother of the bride, Tope Adebutu, the bride-to-be as well as Chief Kenny Martins.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Lateefa Okunnu has fixed April 10 for hearing of the suit no. ID/262FPM/2017. (NAN)

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), on Monday said it would sell dollars to banks at N357 and direct them to sell to their customers at N360 with immediate effect.

The apex bank, however, said the new rate would be for only customers’ basic travel allowance, school fees and medical treatment.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the bank’s acting Director, Corporate Communications, Mr Isaac Okorafor, said 100 million dollars had been offered to authorised FOREX dealers to meet the requests of genuine customers.

He further said all banks had also been directed to immediately post the new rate on electronic display boards in the banking halls of their branches.

Okorafor said that examiners from CBN would visit banks to ensure the new rates were implemented, with immediate effect.

The CBN spokesmen reiterated the bank’s directive to all banks to process and meet the demand for Travel Allowances (TA) by end-users within 24 hours of such application.

He also said that applications for school fees and medical bills were to be approved by banks, within 48 hours of such application.

Okorafor stressed that the new move was aimed at further easing access of genuine end-users of FOREX and prohibiting banks from selling foreign exchange funds meant for invisibles to Bureau De Change (BDC).

According to him, all banks will receive amounts commensurate with their demands per week, which will be sold to customers who meet the basic documentary requirements-visa and flight ticket.

He, therefore, urged customers to report any erring bank to CBN for investigation and appropriate sanction.

Meanwhile, the naira continues to appreciate against the dollar at the black market, selling at N375 to a dollar, N420 to a Pound Sterling and N405 to one Euro.

A FOREX operator in Abuja, who did not want his name mentioned, urged CBN to lower the price it was selling to BDCs as well before the next bid on Thursday.
According to him, this is necessary to ensure level playing field for all foreign exchange dealers.

NAN reports that CBN sold to BDCs at N390, expecting them to sell to end-users at N400.
However, analysts said that with the current crash in prices, this might no longer be visible. (NAN)

RI/AOS/DUA

Mr Omotayo Igbosanu, a principal witness in the case of alleged N8 billion CBN currency scam, on Wednesday told a Federal High Court in Ibadan that two FCMB employees stole N54 million.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two FCMB employees, who allegedly connived with some CBN staff, are Kehinde Fatokun and Olukunle Sijuwade.

Testifying before Justice Joyce Abdulmaleek, the witness said that 10 boxes which were supposed to be containing N10 million each meant to be destroyed were either replaced with cut newspapers or lower denominations.

Ignosanu added that the CBN lost a total sum of N54 million to the short change because the accused persons only left N46 million in lower denominations to be destroyed.


Igbosanu further stated that prior to the isolation of the 10 boxes in August 2014, a box sent from FCMB was discovered to be containing cut newspapers instead of N1,000 denomination notes.

According to the witness, the inspection of the boxes was done in the presence of representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other stakeholders.

Abdulmaleek, however, adjourned the case till Feb. 27 for continuation of trial.

NAN reports that Fatokun, Sijuwade, Kolawole Babalola, Muniru Olaniran and Kayode Togun had since 2015 been standing trial over multiple charges bordering on conspiracy, forgery, stealing and recirculation of mutilated N8 billion at the Ibadan branch of CBN. (NAN)


Read more at http://www.herald.ng/n8bn-currency-scam-witness-accuses-fcmb-staff-stealing-n54m/#6qt0RjeddPyXPUl6.99

joinnow:
OP
You just made me recall 1999 when I want to open zenith account with 30k naso the teller said I need 250k to open account then
I ask the guy where will I be keeping the money to reach 250k b4 I go bring am come open the account.
I just take vex leave them walk across enter first bank
First bank said its 5k to open account then.......

Imagine. I guess they have come a long way, at least online.

@lalasticlala pls help us get this to front page.

I would like to congratulate Zenith Bank on the impressive strides it has made in online presence and social media this year. It is mind blowing that from less than 100,000 followers at the start of the year, Zenith now has over 2 million followers on Facebook and Twitter alone. There is also a plethora of cutting edge online communication and great social media content marketing surrounding your product offerings that makes me say kudos to your communications / advertising agency for an excellent showing in 2016. Whoever they are l must say they are doing a fine job of positioning your bank as a warmer, friendlier, and more retail focused bank with the #1000 campaign and it is great to know Zenith is open for business with the little guy.

However, despite all the great things I see online, your physical branches and the staff therein leave much to be desired when it comes to customer service. Some of the staff even sitting at the customer service desk have an air of hostility and are distant instead of welcoming. A warm smile or even any kind of smile would be a great resource for the service desk attendees to keep in their toolkit.

No matter the strides your team makes on social media adverts, it won't translate to much unless the staff in the banking halls have their own campaign to welcome the converts you create online.

May I advice that you do some serious reorientation internally before you ask us to come and bank with you. A friend of mine was told in a very hostile manner that you need a minimum of 10k to open an account at one of your branches last week, when he told the customer service officer that we were being sold a different message online. The rude lady simple said that is just a communication campaign and if he is not ready to open an account he should allow her attend to other people. Guess what he didn't open the account. Zenith Bank, please get your act together