₦airaland Forum

LAW TOO LENIENT TO JAIL TRAFFICKERS, NEEDS URGENT REVIEW – MRS. JUMAI MADAKI LAMENTS AS FOUR NIGERIAN GIRLS RESCUED FROM MALI, BURKINA FASO


An anti-human trafficking advocate, Mrs. Jumai Madaki, has called for an urgent review of Nigeria’s anti-trafficking law, describing it as too lenient to effectively deter offenders, following the rescue of four Nigerian girls trafficked to Mali and Burkina Faso under different deceptive circumstances.

The victims, identified as Blessing Dallani and Anko Damaris from Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, Sylvia from Enugu State, and Hannah from Benue State, were reportedly lured with promises of decent employment but eventually forced into prostitution under harsh conditions.

Their rescue was facilitated by the founder of the Global Alliance Against Human Trafficking Organisation (GAHTO), Prosper Kayode Michael, following an alert from an anti-trafficking advocate and GAHTO partner in Plateau State.

LAW TOO LENIENT – MRS. MADAKI

Speaking in an interview on the recurring cases of Nigerians being trafficked to Mali and other countries, Mrs. Madaki said rehabilitation and public awareness campaigns alone were insufficient to address the growing menace, stressing the need for stronger laws and decisive punishment for offenders.

She said:

“Rehabilitation and awareness are not enough. Many organisations are trying to do that, but the laws are there and you can hardly get anybody really hooked on it. So something needs to be done about the law. We need to review that law.”

“A law that you are not scared of is no law. The law that does not scare you is no law,” she added.

“I FEEL VERY BAD” – MADAKI

Speaking on how she feels about the continuous rescue and return of trafficking victims, Mrs. Madaki expressed mixed emotions, saying she was grateful for their safe return but saddened by the level of deception and ignorance surrounding their journeys.

“I feel very bad. I mean I’m happy that they’re back, but you know, you can see some level of ignorance. Even those that knew that they were going for prostitution thought it was just town prostitution. One man, one night, 6am, 7am, you are off. They don’t know the magnitude,” she said.

She further lamented that Plateau State was experiencing a disturbing level of human trafficking, with families increasingly becoming victims of the criminal network.

“Plateau State is really suffering from this everywhere. Families are being dismantled, I would say. The fabric of the family is broken. We find kids coming to town to look for jobs. We find people coming from outside the state in the pretense of, you know, let’s help. We’ve had so many cases,” she stated.

PLATEAU VICTIMS: “WE WERE TOLD IT WAS COMPANY WORK”

Narrating their ordeal, Damaris disclosed that a friend identified as Chris introduced them to the supposed employment opportunity after he was contacted through his friend’s wife’s elder sister.

According to her, they were informed that the job in Mali involved selling food to workers in a company.

“They told Chris that the work we are going for in Mali is company work, that we are going to go and sell food for people in the company. So that’s why Chris convinced us to go,” Damaris said.

She explained that their journey began from Jos to Abuja, where they met Chris, his friend and the friend’s wife before boarding a luxury bus to Lagos.

From Lagos, they were transported through Cotonou in the Benin Republic with the assistance of a border handler.

“When we got to Cotonou, they said we should bathe and change clothes. There is one private motor that carried us. We did not even talk to the man throughout,” she recounted.

Damaris further explained that their journey continued through Togo, where they rested and received travel documents, and subsequently to Burkina Faso, where they were given two identification cards each.

They were eventually taken to the Mali border, where they reportedly spent two days before proceeding to Bamako and other locations.

On arrival, they were welcomed, fed and asked to rest. However, the reality of the journey became clear when they woke up around 4 p.m. and were informed that they had been brought for prostitution.

“The madam now said, it’s ashawo work that you guys are coming here to do. Why didn’t Mary Ann tell you guys from Lagos that this is the work that you guys are coming here to do?” Damaris recalled.

ENUGU VICTIM: “I WAS PROMISED A HAIRDRESSING JOB IN MALAYSIA”

Sylvia, who hails from Enugu State, disclosed that she was deceived by a man she met at Oniru Beach in Lagos, who promised her a hairdressing opportunity in Malaysia with a monthly salary of N100,000.

According to her, the man approached her because of her interest in hairdressing and claimed that his sister in Malaysia needed a housekeeper and had a salon where she could work.

“My name is Sylvia. I left Nigeria through one guy at Oniru. He stopped me at Oniru Beach because I have passion for hairdressing. He said there is one of his sisters in Malaysia that needs a house girl and also has a salon that will be paying me N100,000 per month,” she said.

She, however, discovered upon arrival that she had been taken to Mali instead of Malaysia and that the promised hairdressing job was actually prostitution.

Sylvia also narrated the disturbing oath-taking practices allegedly used to control victims and prevent them from escaping.

“They used to take oath. They can cut your hand, remove small blood or cut your hair. Like my own boss, she cut hair from my private parts and also from my head. That’s so that you can take an oath. Like if you get there, you will just be speechless. It’s just like charm,” she said.

She disclosed that she spent eight months in Mali and was asked to pay 1.5 million CFA francs before she could secure her freedom.

However, she managed to pay between 800,000 and 900,000 CFA francs, explaining that her boss regularly deducted money for accommodation and feeding from her earnings.

BURKINA FASO VICTIM: “I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL”

Hannah, who was rescued from Burkina Faso, attributed her search for employment to financial hardship and her inability to sponsor her education.

Appealing to the government for assistance, she called for empowerment programmes that would give vulnerable young Nigerians access to education and legitimate employment opportunities.

“My name is Hannah. Please, our government, Biko, please sir, we need empowerment in our country. Children, we are suffering. Me, I want to go to school. I don’t have money to sponsor myself. That is why I was looking for a job. My journey led me to Burkina Faso. And I thank God now, today I am back to Nigeria,” she said.

OVER 80 CHILDREN STILL MISSING IN MY COMMUNITY – MADAKI

In another disturbing revelation, Mrs. Madaki disclosed that more than 80 children from her community were still missing after a woman allegedly approached families under the guise of being a missionary and took the children away.

She said some of the children had been recovered, but their identities had reportedly been altered.

“In my community alone, over 80 kids are yet to be found. Somebody came in the name of a missionary and picked them, took them away,” she said.

Providing further details, she explained that the parents believed the woman was offering caregiving assistance and did not realise they were effectively signing their children away.

“We got some back, but you know, I alone cannot do this. They’ve changed their names to Igbo names. The parents thought they were for, you know, as caregivers. They didn’t know that they were signing them out,” she narrated.

LAW FRUSTRATES PROSECUTION OF TRAFFICKERS

Mrs. Madaki further criticised the existing legal framework, arguing that certain provisions make it difficult to successfully prosecute suspected traffickers.

She particularly expressed concern over the requirement for survivors to be available before proceedings can effectively move forward, saying this creates additional difficulties for those working to secure convictions.

“You see, you cannot even take a trafficker to court till the survivor comes. So you see, at the end of it all, you’re struggling to bring the trafficker, I mean to get the trafficker jailed, but you also have to bring the survivor. You see the laws around it, the laws that would let us really hook the trafficker,” she explained.

She maintained that Nigeria needed a stronger legal framework capable of ensuring that traffickers faced appropriate consequences for their crimes.

GOVERNMENT MUST PUNISH FAMILY MEMBERS WHO COLLABORATE WITH TRAFFICKERS

On the role of government in tackling human trafficking, Mrs. Madaki called for more decisive intervention, suggesting that family members who collaborate with traffickers should also face punishment.

She noted that despite continuous public awareness campaigns, traffickers continued to exploit unsuspecting victims through different networks, including family connections.

“The Nigerian government as a whole need to do something over these traffickers. And maybe extend it to their family members, maybe so that they can stop. Because the awareness we are giving is as if it’s not having impact. Because they are coming through another way. These traffickers are through their family members,” she said.

GAHTO FOUNDER SPEAKS ON ALARMING RATE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

The founder of GAHTO, Prosper Kayode Michael, described the rate at which Nigerians are trafficked outside the country as alarming.

He disclosed that the organisation was working towards becoming financially stronger to facilitate more rescue operations, particularly for Nigerians stranded in Libya and other countries, with support from philanthropists and the government.

“Thousands of our people are crying for rescue every day. We must be there for them and give them hope for a better future because this is our country. We are the Giant of Africa, and no Nigerian should be trafficked for sexual and labour exploitation,” he said.

The rescued survivors appealed to the Plateau, Enugu and Federal Governments, as well as well-meaning Nigerians, for financial empowerment and educational support to enable them rebuild their lives and secure a better future.


By Loveline Agbonifo @VONNews

DR JOHNSON MAFIKUYOMI AT 60: Family, Colleagues, Mentees Celebrate A Life Of Grace, Service And Impact

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Family members, friends, colleagues, church associates and former mentees have celebrated Dr Johnson Abayomi Mafikuyomi on his 60th birthday, describing him as a humble leader, devoted Christian, dependable brother and mentor whose influence has shaped lives across family, academia, ministry and community service.

The tributes, marking his Diamond Jubilee, highlighted six decades of God’s faithfulness and a lifetime of dedication to others, with several accounts recounting his generosity, quiet sacrifices, words of encouragement and willingness to stand by people during difficult moments.

Mafikuyomi, fondly known as Brother Johnson or “Mafik,” has been described as a man whose impact extends beyond professional achievements and leadership positions to the personal lives of people he has supported, mentored and inspired over the years.

A tribute by Dr Albert Tobi-Amosu, JP, PhD, portrayed him as an embodiment of civility and an ambassador of peace, praising his humility, sincerity, industriousness and commitment to moral values. He also described Mafikuyomi as a resourceful administrator, experienced teacher, counsellor and a proud Awori man.

According to Tobi-Amosu, Mafikuyomi’s professional journey has included several administrative and academic responsibilities at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Oto/Ijanikin, now Lagos State University of Education (LASUED), including service as Deputy Director of the Centre for Outreach Programme.

Another tribute by Dr Peter O. Kudaisi described their friendship, spanning more than four decades from their youthful days in Deeper Life Bible Church and Deeper Life Schools Outreach (DLSO), as a priceless bond built on loyalty, shared values and enduring commitment.

Kudaisi praised Mafikuyomi’s dependability, courage, honesty and readiness to help others whenever possible, expressing hope that his new chapter would bring renewed strength, sound health, uncommon breakthroughs and greater fulfilment.

A MENTOR WHOSE KINDNESS CHANGED LIVES

One of the most striking aspects of the birthday tributes was the number of people who recounted how Mafikuyomi’s intervention and encouragement had influenced the course of their lives.

Engr Olasoju Samson Abayomi, his mentee and president of SIYCAI, recalled how Mafikuyomi supported him after three unsuccessful attempts to gain university admission.

According to Abayomi, Mafikuyomi helped him navigate the admission process, an intervention that eventually enabled him to study at the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State, where he graduated with an excellent result and emerged as the best graduating student in his department.

Abayomi also credited him with providing employment opportunities at the institution now known as LASUED and standing by him during serious health challenges, including a period when he was vomiting blood and had little hope of survival.

He said Mafikuyomi offered him a place to recover and start afresh, adding that his mentor had also defended and supported him during difficult workplace situations.

Abayomi described the celebration of Mafikuyomi’s 60th birthday as a worthy opportunity to honour a man whose kindness, guidance and personal sacrifices had made a lasting difference in his life.

Similarly, Sunday Adeboye recalled how Mafikuyomi’s words of encouragement, alongside those of Pastor Segun, rekindled his faith and commitment to God’s service during a difficult period in the Deeper Life Schools Outreach. He said the encouragement he received during a visit to LASU continued to inspire him years later.

Aniema Roseline Umoh also recounted an experience from her teenage years when Mafikuyomi forgave her after she misplaced his treasured grammar textbook, which he had lent her to prepare for her Senior School Certificate Examination.

She said the experience taught her the meaning of grace and Christ-like forgiveness, describing him as a father figure, mentor and example of unconditional love.

Other former members of the DLSO choir, including Chaplain General Chidi Opara, credited Mafikuyomi with instilling discipline, nurturing their talents and providing opportunities that helped shape their personal and musical development.

Opara recalled Mafikuyomi’s leadership in the choir and his role in introducing him to the orchestra as a violinist, describing the experience as an important part of his formative years.

Prof Albert Oikelome and Sister Gloria Igbojionu also celebrated his enduring friendship, words of wisdom and years of service in the Lord’s vineyard.

FAMILY CELEBRATES A FATHER’S SACRIFICE

Beyond his professional and ministerial contributions, Mafikuyomi’s children paid emotional tributes to a father they described as a protector, provider, teacher and source of strength.

In a heartfelt message, his daughter, Pelumi, expressed gratitude for the sacrifices he had made to give his family a stable and secure home.

She recalled his quiet commitment to providing for the family, protecting his children, offering guidance and making difficult choices without seeking recognition.

Pelumi said she had come to appreciate more deeply the sacrifices her father made as she grew older, describing his example as a lesson in responsibility, hard work, integrity and love.

She wished him a new chapter filled with rest, laughter, good health and the same happiness he had spent years making possible for others.

Another daughter, Oluwaponmile, thanked him for his unwavering love, protection, advice and commitment to ensuring that his family lacked nothing, praying that God would preserve him in good health and grant him many more years to enjoy the fruits of his labour.

His son, Pamilerin, also celebrated his father, praising the sacrifices he and his mother had made for their family and others. He described Mafikuyomi as an upright and loving man whose resilience through life’s challenges had continued to inspire him.

Florence, who fondly calls him “Daddy” and “small girl” in their relationship, also recalled his consistent willingness to help, even when doing so was inconvenient, describing his kindness as a reflection of genuine Christian love.

A LIFE OF SERVICE TO GOD AND HUMANITY

Mafikuyomi’s commitment to Christian faith and service also featured prominently in the tributes, with pastors and fellow workers in the vineyard praying for renewed strength, deeper wisdom and greater accomplishments in ministry.

Pastor Sunday Olasoju described him as a blessing to the Olasoju family, praying that his 60th year would usher in abundant blessings, sound health, divine favour and the fulfilment of his God-given destiny.

Pastor David Taiwo Raphael praised his humility, compassion and care for others, recalling the attention and support he received from Mafikuyomi during an illness.

Pastor Abraham Omoforma George, of Living Faith Church, Port Harcourt, also celebrated his contributions to the DLSO choir, describing him as a quiet but firm leader who mentored young people and helped guide them during their formative years.

In his tribute, Architect Sunday Kuti portrayed Mafikuyomi as a gentleman who never gives up, a skilful administrator who remains composed under pressure, a discreet leader who manages differences and a committed friend who stands by others in every season.

Sister Oladipo Modupe described him as a rare gem, an uncommon brother and a dependable colleague whose value lies not merely in his titles but in the lives he has touched and the support he has consistently offered.

Other well-wishers, including Sister Laide, Bro Wole and members of the Amos family, joined in celebrating the milestone, offering prayers for long life, prosperity, peace of mind, renewed grace and greater achievements.

A representative of his workplace, Mrs Abua, also described him as a compassionate boss who listens, offers advice and supports those around him, noting that his leadership has earned him appreciation beyond the formal workplace relationship.

SIYCAI JOINS IN CELEBRATING A MILESTONE

The birthday celebration is also associated with the Support Initiative for Youths and Children Affairs International (SIYCAI), whose identity appears on the commemorative material provided for the occasion.

The tributes collectively reflect the values of mentorship, encouragement, service and community development, with many contributors pointing to the importance of investing in younger generations and supporting people through life’s challenges.

For those who have encountered him at home, in church, in the classroom, in the workplace and through youth development activities, Mafikuyomi’s 60th birthday represents more than a personal milestone. It is an opportunity to acknowledge the lasting effects of a life committed to family, faith, friendship and service.

As he enters his seventh decade, his family, friends, colleagues and mentees have prayed that his coming years will bring greater fulfilment, renewed strength, sound health, peace and continued opportunities to serve God and humanity.

For a man whose admirers say he has often worked quietly without seeking recognition, the outpouring of tributes offers a public reminder of the power of kindness, encouragement and consistent support.

Happy 60th birthday and Diamond Jubilee to Dr Johnson Abayomi Mafikuyomi.


By Loveline Agbonifo @VONNews

Fidelity Bank Honours Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe at Beauty in the Motherland Awards

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Fidelity Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to women-owned businesses and the growth of Nigeria’s beauty industry, following the presentation of a special recognition award to its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, at the Beauty in the Motherland 2026 commemorative dinner and awards ceremony.

The event, held on October 6, 2026, at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, celebrated innovation, entrepreneurship and outstanding contributions across the beauty and lifestyle sector.

The three-day programme attracted over 3,000 attendees and more than 300 exhibitors across skincare, haircare, cosmetics, fragrance, wellness and related industries.

The award recognised Onyeali-Ikpe’s leadership and Fidelity Bank’s contribution to the development of Beauty in the Motherland and the wider beauty business ecosystem in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ceremony, Onyeali-Ikpe said the Bank’s sponsorship of the initiative for the third consecutive year reflected its confidence in the industry’s potential and the entrepreneurs driving its growth.

She described Africa’s beauty industry as vibrant, innovative and increasingly positioned for global recognition, stressing the need to provide entrepreneurs with the financial resources, business knowledge and market access required to build sustainable enterprises.

According to her, Fidelity Bank remains committed to helping business owners strengthen their operations, access funding, expand into new markets and unlock opportunities for growth.

Beyond its sponsorship of the event, the Bank supported participating businesses with account-opening services, payment solutions and business advisory support. It also served as the event’s exclusive point-of-sale provider, enabling vendors to receive payments and encouraging the adoption of digital payment channels.

Among the solutions showcased were Fidelity POS Instant Settlement, PayGate Plus and SME accounts. Bank representatives also engaged exhibitors on financial management, business expansion and access to appropriate banking services.

Hosted by Nancy Isime and Enioluwa Adeoluwa, the dinner attracted entrepreneurs, investors, industry leaders, creatives and other stakeholders, with Nigerian music star Yemi Alade delivering a performance.

The organisers, Beatrice Obinna Eneh and Linda Edozien, said Beauty in the Motherland was established to celebrate and advance the human and natural resources powering Africa’s beauty industry.

They explained that the initiative aims to strengthen industry structures, empower entrepreneurs and improve access to markets, partnerships and investment opportunities.

The 2026 edition featured exhibitions, product showcases, competitions, networking sessions and business discussions, providing a platform for entrepreneurs to promote their products, connect with customers and explore partnerships with distributors and investors.

Fidelity Bank continues to support small and medium-sized enterprises through initiatives including the Fidelity SME Hub, Fidelity Quarterly Business Forum, SME masterclasses, HerFidelity and FundHer. The platforms provide business financing, capacity development, advisory services, digital solutions and market access opportunities.

The Bank’s continued partnership with Beauty in the Motherland highlights the growing importance of financial institutions in supporting women-led enterprises and strengthening Nigeria’s beauty value chain.

Through its sustained engagement with the sector, Fidelity Bank is seeking to deepen financial inclusion, promote business growth and position Nigerian beauty entrepreneurs to compete in wider markets.

By Loveline Agbonifo @VONNews

Fidelity Bank, Foremost Radiology Promote Early Breast Cancer Detection

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Fidelity Bank Plc, in partnership with Foremost Radiology, is intensifying efforts to promote early breast cancer detection, urging women to pay attention to unusual changes in their breasts and seek prompt medical evaluation.

The initiative, driven through HerFidelity, the bank’s women-focused proposition, forms part of activities marking Breast Cancer Awareness Month, with a focus on encouraging informed health decisions and improving awareness of the importance of early diagnosis.

Breast cancer may present through a lump or thickening in the breast, changes in breast size or shape, skin or nipple changes, or unusual nipple discharge. However, some of these symptoms may occur without pain.

Although such changes do not automatically indicate cancer, medical professionals advise that unusual symptoms should be assessed promptly by qualified healthcare providers.

Under the campaign, HerFidelity is working with Foremost Radiology to promote breast health education, encourage professional medical evaluation and make relevant information more accessible to women.

A major highlight is a webinar themed “Beyond the Lump: The Role of Awareness and Imaging in Early Breast Cancer Detection,” scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. West African Time.

The webinar will feature Dr Alabi, a Consultant Radiation and Clinical Oncologist, who is expected to discuss breast cancer warning signs, the role of medical imaging and the importance of timely professional assessment.

Participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions and obtain practical information to help them make informed decisions about their breast health.

Beyond the online engagement, HerFidelity is scheduled to conduct a breast health screening and awareness outreach at Oyingbo Market in Lagos on October 25, 2026.

The outreach is designed to take breast health information closer to women in one of Lagos’s busy commercial communities, reinforcing the need to recognise unusual changes and seek qualified medical attention when necessary.

The campaign is anchored on the message “Know, Check, Act,” encouraging women to understand their bodies, pay attention to changes and take appropriate action rather than allow fear or misinformation to prevent them from seeking medical advice.

HerFidelity was established to support women through access to finance, business education, capacity building, entrepreneurship support, mentorship, networking opportunities and health and wellness programmes.

The bank maintains that women’s empowerment extends beyond access to capital, noting that their health and overall wellbeing are also important to their ability to build sustainable businesses, support their families and contribute to their communities.

Through its funding initiatives, HerFidelity supports women seeking to establish or expand their businesses, while its business education and capacity-building programmes provide knowledge intended to strengthen business management and sustainable growth.

Its entrepreneurship support pillar promotes mentorship and development opportunities for women business owners, while the health and wellness pillar addresses aspects of wellbeing that can affect their personal and professional lives.

By combining financial inclusion with health awareness, the initiative seeks to broaden the conversation around women’s empowerment, highlighting the importance of economic security, knowledge, confidence and access to relevant health information.

Women interested in participating in the October 16 webinar can register online


By Loveline Agbonifo

Nigerians Abroad Can Grow Wealth at Home Through Fidelity Bank Diaspora Fixed Deposit

LAGOS, NIGERIA — Nigerians living abroad are being encouraged to explore investment opportunities at home as Fidelity Bank Plc positions its Diaspora Fixed Deposit proposition as a means of earning returns on funds reserved for future financial commitments.

The initiative targets Nigerians in the diaspora seeking to preserve savings, manage funds in different currencies and build long-term financial security while maintaining financial ties with Nigeria.

According to the bank, eligible diaspora customers can place fixed deposits in Naira, US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros, with competitive interest rates and flexible investment periods designed to accommodate different financial goals.

The development comes amid the growing importance of diaspora remittances to Nigeria’s economy and increasing interest in financial solutions that go beyond sending money home to creating sustainable wealth.

World Bank data put personal remittances received by Nigeria at approximately $22.8 billion in 2025, representing about 7.8 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Similarly, Central Bank of Nigeria data show that workers’ remittances reached $5.24 billion in the third quarter of 2025, underscoring the significance of financial inflows from Nigerians living abroad.

Fixed Deposit Options for Diaspora Customers

The refreshed Fidelity Bank Diaspora Fixed Deposit proposition allows eligible customers to select deposit currencies and tenors based on their financial objectives and when they expect to need their funds.

Naira deposits are available for 30, 60, 90, 180 and 365 days, while deposits in US Dollars, British Pounds and Euros are available for 30, 60, 90 and 180 days.

The bank offers interest rates of up to 12.5 per cent per annum on eligible Naira deposits and up to seven per cent per annum on eligible US Dollar deposits, depending on the approved deposit amount and tenor.

Rates for British Pound and Euro placements are determined by the applicable deposit amount and tenor. Qualifying US Dollar placements exceeding $10 million may also attract negotiated rates, subject to Treasury approval.

The options are designed to help customers align their deposits with planned expenses, including property purchases, education, business investments, family responsibilities and retirement planning.

Beyond Sending Money Home

For many years, diaspora banking has largely focused on facilitating secure and convenient international transfers. However, the financial needs of Nigerians abroad increasingly extend to savings, asset acquisition, business financing and long-term investment planning.

A Nigerian earning in British Pounds, for instance, may prefer to retain some savings in that currency while setting aside Naira for property or family expenses at home.

Similarly, a customer earning in US Dollars may wish to place funds in a fixed deposit while preparing for a future commitment.

Fidelity Bank’s proposition seeks to address these needs by combining multiple currency options, different investment tenors and returns on eligible deposits.

The bank’s Diaspora Banking team also provides support with enquiries, account opening, funding and fixed deposit placement, helping eligible customers manage their banking needs across geographical boundaries.

Strengthening Diaspora Wealth Management

The initiative comes as Nigeria continues to explore ways of deepening formal diaspora financial inflows and improving transparency in international money transfer operations.

In March 2026, the Central Bank of Nigeria introduced additional measures aimed at strengthening diaspora remittances and transparency in international money transfer operations.

For financial institutions, the expanding diaspora market presents an opportunity to provide services that help customers move beyond remittances towards structured savings and wealth management.

Fidelity Bank’s Diaspora Fixed Deposit proposition is positioned to support this transition by offering eligible customers the opportunity to earn returns on funds set aside for future use.

The bank’s approach reflects a growing need for financial products that accommodate customers whose earnings, investments and personal obligations span different countries.

For Nigerians abroad, the choice of deposit currency, investment period and applicable interest rate will remain important considerations when deciding how to manage funds in Nigeria.

Ultimately, the objective is to make money reserved for future commitments work more effectively while maintaining access to financial opportunities at home.

Through its Diaspora Banking services, Fidelity Bank is encouraging eligible customers to explore fixed deposit options that align with their financial goals.

Terms and conditions apply. Rates are per annum and are subject to applicable taxes, Treasury confirmation, market conditions and approval. Actual rates depend on the deposit amount, currency and tenor.


By Loveline Agbonifo

APPMEN Inaugurates Lagos Council, Unveils Plan to Protect and Empower Private Media Owners

LAGOS, Nigeria — The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has inaugurated its Lagos State Council, with a commitment to strengthen professionalism, protect media practitioners and improve the financial sustainability of private media businesses.

The inauguration, held on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at No. 133, Idimu-Ejigbo Road, Alimosho, Lagos, brought together proprietors of private media establishments and other stakeholders in the media industry.

The National Coordinator of APPMEN, Chief Precious Enebuse, formally inaugurated the council virtually from the association’s National Secretariat in Abuja.

Describing the occasion as a historic milestone, Enebuse said Lagos remained central to the growth and development of Nigeria’s private media industry.

“Today is not just another meeting. Today is history. For the first time since the formation of APPMEN, we are inaugurating our engine room, our heartbeat, our headquarters of media in Africa — Lagos State Council,” he said.

Enebuse lamented the challenges facing private media owners, noting that while they invest in platforms, employ staff and produce content, many lack adequate representation and protection.

He charged the new leadership, led by Princess Agbonifo as State Coordinator, to unite media proprietors and create opportunities for professional development and business growth.

He also identified Onome Naomi Onojaefe as a key member of the leadership team, describing her as a digital media advocate who would support the council’s activities.

Speaking on the theme, “Voice, Vision, Purpose,” Enebuse urged the council to promote development journalism, strengthen the collective voice of private media operators and facilitate training, grants and corporate partnerships through the APPMEN Institute for Communication and Media Studies.

Agbonifo Unveils Three-Point Agenda

In her acceptance speech, the newly inaugurated State Coordinator, Princess Agbonifo, described the occasion as a collective achievement rather than an individual victory.

“I know the pain of being a private media owner in Lagos — buying data with your last money and still being called ‘small blogger.’ Today, that story ends. Today, APPMEN Lagos begins,” she said.

Agbonifo unveiled a three-point agenda centred on Professionalism, Protection and Prosperity, which she described as the foundation for building a stronger and more sustainable private media industry.

Under professionalism, she promised quarterly masterclasses in fact-checking, investigative reporting, content monetisation and artificial intelligence tools through the APPMEN Institute for Communication and Media Studies.

She also pledged to promote self-regulation and responsible journalism as part of efforts to combat misinformation and fake news.

On protection, Agbonifo announced plans to establish a Rapid Response Desk to assist members facing harassment, threats or intimidation in the course of their professional duties.

She said the council would also engage the Lagos State Government, the Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) on issues affecting the safety and welfare of private media practitioners.

For prosperity, the coordinator disclosed plans to lead engagements with banks, telecommunications companies, real estate businesses and other corporate organisations to secure advertising opportunities for members.

She also announced plans to establish an APPMEN Lagos Cooperative as a branch of the national structure, with a focus on facilitating access to digital monetisation opportunities, grants and loans.

Agbonifo set a target for every financially active member to have benefited financially from the council’s activities by October 2027.

“Professionalism will give us respect. Protection will give us safety. Prosperity will give us sustainability,” she declared.

Grand Patron Calls for Higher Standards

In his goodwill message, the Grand Patron described Lagos as the cradle and powerhouse of the African press, recalling the establishment of Iwe Irohin by Reverend Henry Townsend in 1859 as a landmark in Nigeria’s newspaper history.

He urged the newly inaugurated council to establish high professional standards, bridge the gap between traditional and digital media, strengthen fact-checking and develop collective advertising opportunities for members.

Among his recommendations were the introduction of an APPMEN Certified Seal, the establishment of a Lagos Fact-Check Hub and Rapid Response Desk, and the creation of an APPMEN Lagos Ad Network.

He also encouraged the association to embrace emerging media practitioners, including content creators, YouTubers, podcasters and other digital publishers, while maintaining the standards associated with responsible journalism.

According to him, collective action would give private media operators greater bargaining power and improve their access to advertising revenue.

Council Issues Communiqué

At the end of the inauguration, the Lagos State Council issued a communiqué affirming its commitment to the APPMEN National Secretariat and the implementation of the three-point agenda.

The council also called on unregistered private media proprietors operating in Lagos State to join the association and participate in efforts to strengthen the industry.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the State Publicity Secretary, Onome Naomi Onojaefe, followed by group photographs and networking among participants.

The inauguration marks the beginning of a new phase for APPMEN in Lagos, with the council expected to focus on professional development, the welfare of media practitioners and the creation of sustainable business opportunities for private media owners.

By Esther Osazuwa | @VONNews

FORMER ADAMAWA FIRST LADY ZAINAB HARUNA GETS DOUBLE HONOUR FROM APPMEN

Abuja, Nigeria

The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has honoured former Adamawa State First Lady, Ambassador Dr. Mrs. Zainab Boni Haruna, with two appointments in recognition of her humanitarian service and contributions to society.

Haruna, who served as First Lady between 1999 and 2007, was decorated as Nigeria We Want Ambassador for Humanitarian Service and Social Impact and appointed a member of APPMEN’s National Advisory Council.

The ceremony took place on Friday, October 9, 2026, at her residence in Asokoro, Abuja, with APPMEN National Coordinator, Chief Precious Enebuse, presenting the honours.

Speaking at the event, Enebuse described Haruna as a committed humanitarian whose record of service reflects the objectives of the Nigeria We Want Project.

He highlighted her Rural Empowerment Acceleration Programme (REAP), which he said promoted rural transformation and empowerment during her tenure as First Lady.

According to him, her continued involvement in humanitarian activities and public service after leaving office made her deserving of the recognition.

Enebuse explained that the Nigeria We Want Ambassador title was introduced to recognise credible Nigerians whose contributions and personal values inspire national development.

He added that Haruna’s appointment to the National Advisory Council, described as APPMEN’s highest advisory body, would enable the association to benefit from her experience, guidance and network in advancing private media practice in Nigeria.

In her acceptance speech, Haruna expressed gratitude for the recognition, revealing that she initially had reservations about accepting the honour.

She explained that she had always questioned the practice of giving awards to governors and first ladies for responsibilities she believed came with their offices.

However, she said she reconsidered after becoming convinced of APPMEN’s credibility and its vision for the country.

The former first lady thanked Enebuse and members of the association for the recognition, pledging her commitment to supporting the growth of private media and humanitarian reporting in Nigeria.

The ceremony was attended by members of APPMEN’s Central Executive and selected journalists.

APPMEN is an umbrella association for private media proprietors in Nigeria, with a stated membership of more than 1,000 across the country.

Its flagship initiative, the Nigeria We Want Project, seeks to recognise Nigerians making positive contributions to society and promote a more positive national narrative.


By Loveline Agbonifo

FIDELITY BANK SHAREHOLDERS BACK MANAGEMENT, HAIL STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE

Lagos, Nigeria

Shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc have commended the Board and Management for strengthening the bank’s capital base, improving asset quality and sustaining earnings growth despite prevailing economic challenges.

The commendation came at the bank’s 38th Annual General Meeting, held virtually on Friday, October 9, 2026, where shareholders expressed confidence in its financial position and long-term growth prospects.

National Coordinator of the Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Bisi Bakare, cited the bank’s non-performing loan ratio of 2.4 per cent and capital adequacy ratio of 16.1 per cent as evidence of its resilience.

Bakare also highlighted the bank’s customer base and financial indicators, saying the figures justified shareholders’ confidence in the Board and Management.

Similarly, Chairman of the Progressive Shareholders Association, Boniface Okezie, praised the bank’s leadership for successfully completing its capital-raising exercise and meeting the new regulatory capital requirement for banks with international authorisation.

Fidelity Bank completed a N227.05 billion private placement in December 2025, raising its eligible capital from N305.5 billion to N532.6 billion, above the N500 billion regulatory minimum.

Presenting the bank’s performance, Board Chairman, Amaka Onwughalu, said the institution remained committed to building a stronger, more agile and sustainable organisation capable of creating long-term value.

She said the bank’s strategy was anchored on trust, innovation, responsible growth and delivering lasting impact for its stakeholders.

The bank’s 2025 financial statements showed a 45.6 per cent increase in gross earnings to N1.52 trillion, up from N1.04 trillion recorded in 2024.

Profit before tax stood at N347.7 billion, while profit after tax reached N242.4 billion.

The bank also recorded improvements in asset quality, with its non-performing loan ratio declining from 3.1 per cent to 2.4 per cent. Its loan coverage ratio rose from 138.4 per cent to 203.9 per cent.

Liquidity stood at 66.5 per cent, well above the regulatory minimum of 30 per cent, while total equity increased to N1.09 trillion from N897.9 billion.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said the bank would continue to prioritise customer relationships, accessible financial services and sustainable value creation for shareholders, employees and the communities it serves.

The bank’s external auditors, Deloitte & Touche, issued an unmodified opinion on its financial statements, indicating that the accounts fairly presented its financial position, performance and cash flows in accordance with applicable reporting standards and Nigerian laws.

During the meeting, shareholders considered the audited financial statements and reports of the Directors, External Auditors, Statutory Audit Committee and Independent Board Appraisal Consultants for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.

They also considered the election of Jonathan Ososuakpor as a Non-Executive Director and the re-election of Onwughalu to the same position. The meeting also noted the retirement by rotation of Non-Executive Director, Chief Nelson Nweke.

Other resolutions included authorising the Directors to determine the remuneration of the external auditors for the 2026 financial year, disclosing management remuneration and electing members of the Statutory Audit Committee.

Shareholders urged the bank’s leadership to sustain its performance, strengthen its competitive position and improve returns to investors.

Fidelity Bank Plc is a commercial deposit money bank serving customers through digital banking channels and its network of 255 business offices in Nigeria, alongside its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including awards for MSME support, retail and SME banking, export and trade finance, private banking and financial innovation.


By Loveline Agbonifo

Fidelity Bank to Convene Lagos Entrepreneurs, Experts on Sustainable Business Growth

Caption: “Built to Compete: Fidelity Bank Targets Stronger Lagos Businesses”

Lagos, Nigeria

Fidelity Bank Plc is set to bring together entrepreneurs, industry experts and key stakeholders in Lagos for its Quarterly Business Forum, with a focus on helping businesses become more competitive and achieve sustainable growth.

The Lagos edition of the forum, themed “Built to Compete: Positioning Lagos Businesses for Sustainable Growth,” will examine the opportunities and challenges confronting businesses in the state’s fast-changing economic environment.

Key areas expected to feature in the discussions include access to finance, market expansion, innovation, digital transformation, competitiveness and strategies for building sustainable businesses.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Divisional Head, SME Banking, Fidelity Bank Plc, Ugochi E. Osinigwe, said the forum would provide an opportunity for the bank to engage directly with entrepreneurs while gaining deeper insight into their business needs.

She said businesses require more than funding to survive and grow, stressing the importance of knowledge, structure, networks and effective business strategies.

According to her, the Quarterly Business Forum is designed to enable entrepreneurs to learn from experienced business leaders, exchange ideas and identify practical ways to strengthen and expand their businesses.

The forum is part of Fidelity Bank’s broader SME support initiatives, which include business masterclasses and advisory programmes covering areas such as pricing, digital growth, business structure, trade and market expansion.

The bank said the Quarterly Business Forum was established as a strategic engagement platform connecting entrepreneurs, business leaders, policymakers and industry experts to share practical knowledge on business growth, innovation and sustainability.

It added that the initiative reflects its commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses through financing, capacity building, advisory services and knowledge-sharing opportunities.

Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving more than 10 million customers through its digital banking channels and 255 business offices across Nigeria, as well as its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, Best Retail and SME Bank Award by Independent Newspapers, Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards.

It also received Nigeria’s Best Private Bank award at the 2025 Euromoney Awards, alongside other recognitions including Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year by Nairametrics, SME Bank of the Year by NewsDirect and the Straight-Through Processing Excellence Award by Citi.

The bank has also been recognised by Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.


By Loveline Agbonifo

CUSTOMER SERVICE WEEK: Why The Human Voice Still Matters

Lagos, Nigeria

As organisations across the world mark Customer Service Week, customer experience and brand expert, Olufunmilola ‘Funmie’ Aluko, has urged businesses and institutions to look beyond technology and place greater emphasis on the human beings who interact directly with customers.

According to Aluko, the real test of customer service begins from the moment a customer picks up the phone, walks into an office, approaches a reception desk or seeks help through any available channel.

She said customers in difficult situations are often not looking for grand gestures, but simply want someone who will listen, understand their concerns and take responsibility for helping them.

Writing on this year’s Customer Service Week theme, “The Extra Mile,” Aluko said organisations must first get the basics right before attempting to go the extra mile.

“The extra mile begins with the first,” she said, stressing that reachability, reliability and a human being who takes ownership are the foundation of good customer service.

Aluko, who has spent 25 years in financial services, working across brand management, customer experience, contact centres and complaints operations, said the person answering a customer’s call or receiving a visitor often represents the entire organisation.

She noted that the front line goes beyond traditional customer care centres to include receptionists, switchboard operators, security officers, nurses at hospital admission desks and officials handling enquiries in public institutions.

“Yet to the people they serve, they are the brand, the culture and the promise, all at once,” she said.

Human Connection Still Matters

Aluko said available research continues to demonstrate the importance of human interaction despite the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and automated customer service systems.

She cited PwC’s 2025 Customer Experience Survey, which found that 86 per cent of consumers considered human interaction moderately or very important to their experience with a brand.

She also referenced Gartner research showing that 64 per cent of customers would prefer companies not to use AI in customer service, with reaching a human being identified as a major concern.

According to her, the rise of artificial intelligence should not mean the complete removal of human contact.

Rather, she said, technology should be used to handle routine requests while trained customer service personnel focus on complex, sensitive and urgent matters.

“A balance checked at midnight, an order tracked in seconds, a password reset without a queue: these are genuinely good service,” she said.

“But every automation decision carries a quieter question: what will we do with the capacity it frees?”

Aluko warned that when poorly implemented, technology could become a barrier between organisations and the people they serve.

She described endless phone menus, chatbots without human escalation and unanswered calls as examples of how technology can frustrate customers instead of helping them.

Measure Resolution, Not Just Contacts

The customer experience leader also challenged organisations to rethink the way they measure customer service.

She said businesses should not celebrate simply because fewer customers are contacting them, noting that a reduction in complaints or enquiries could mean customers have simply given up.

“Deflection and resolution are different things,” she said.

“A contact can count as ‘contained’ simply because the customer gave up, and a customer who gives up is usually deciding, quietly, where to take her business next.”

According to her, organisations should pay closer attention to whether customers’ issues are resolved at the first point of contact, how much effort customers have to make and whether they would recommend the organisation afterwards.

Invest in Frontline Workers

Aluko further called on organisations to invest more in frontline workers, particularly those who are often overlooked despite being the first point of contact.

She said receptionists and switchboard operators are sometimes among the least trained and least valued employees, even though they are responsible for creating customers’ first impressions of an organisation.

She urged organisations to equip such workers with adequate knowledge, authority and support to resolve problems instead of simply transferring customers from one desk to another.

According to her, the ability to remain calm when dealing with an angry customer, identify the real concern behind a complaint and make fair decisions is a valuable skill that should be developed and rewarded.

“One that automates the easy work and underinvests in the people left with the hard work has arranged to fail more expensively,” she said.

Complaints Should Lead to Change

Aluko also emphasised the importance of using customer complaints as a source of information for improving organisations.

She said logging complaints should not be the end of the process, arguing that businesses must identify the root causes of recurring problems and fix them.

She cited KPMG’s 2025 West Africa Banking Industry Customer Experience Survey, which identified Resolution as the lowest-rated of its six customer experience pillars among Nigerian retail banking customers for the fifth consecutive year.

The report, she noted, highlighted delays in resolving complaints and unclear communication as major concerns.

Aluko said frontline workers should be given opportunities to share recurring customer complaints with management because they often identify problems before they become obvious to senior executives.

“Resolving one customer’s problem is service. Fixing the cause so the next thousand customers never experience it is customer experience,” she said.

Nigeria, Africa Need Stronger Customer Trust

According to Aluko, the importance of effective customer service is particularly significant in African markets, where trust in institutions can be difficult to build and easy to lose.

She noted that customers interact with banks, telecommunications companies, hospitals, insurers and government agencies through different channels, including USSD, WhatsApp, social media, physical offices and telephone lines.

She urged organisations to ensure consistency across these different channels.

“Serving people consistently across all of those doors is far harder than any single channel makes it look,” she said.

“It is the real test of a service operation on the continent, and the organisations that pass it are the ones that treat every door as the front door.”

Customer Service and Fraud Prevention

Aluko also linked customer accessibility to fraud prevention.

She cited KPMG figures showing that Nigerian financial institutions lost ₦52.26 billion to fraud in 2024, compared with ₦17.67 billion the previous year.

She noted that only about one-third of customers felt very secure about how their digital transactions were handled.

According to her, having a trusted and accessible human representative can help customers determine whether a communication or transaction is genuine.

“Being reachable is not only good service. It is part of keeping people safe,” she said.

Go Beyond Compliance

Aluko noted that consumer protection regulations in Nigeria already require organisations to treat customers fairly and provide avenues for redress.

However, she said compliance should be regarded as the minimum standard rather than the ultimate goal.

“Fair treatment and timely redress are the least any organisation owes the public. Loyalty is earned in what we do above that line,” she said.

She explained that going the extra mile does not necessarily require huge investments.

It could involve an agent listening carefully before responding, a switchboard operator ensuring that a caller is connected to the right person, a receptionist empowered to resolve a problem, a promised callback that actually happens or an apology that genuinely acknowledges the customer’s experience.

A Challenge to Organisations

As part of this year’s Customer Service Week, Aluko challenged organisational leaders to examine how easy or difficult it is for customers to reach them.

She urged leaders to remove at least one barrier that makes their organisations difficult to access, spend time with receptionists and switchboard operators, read customer complaints in their original form and empower frontline workers to resolve issues without unnecessary escalation.

She also encouraged leaders to call their own organisations’ main telephone lines or visit their offices as ordinary customers to experience their service firsthand.

“Listen to the person on the other end of the line, from both sides, and ask whether your dashboards tell the same story,” she said.

Aluko acknowledged that technology would continue to transform customer service, but stressed that human empathy and responsibility would remain essential.

According to her, technology can answer questions faster and handle routine tasks, but it cannot replace genuine human care.

“The technology will keep improving, and I will keep welcoming it,” she said.

“What it will not do is care. Caring remains stubbornly and valuably human.”

She added that in an increasingly competitive market where businesses offer similar products and prices, the quality of customer experience could become one of the strongest factors determining whether customers stay or leave.

“The person on the other end of the line is the reason a customer stays. We would do well to build our organisations around her.”

About the Author

Olufunmilola ‘Funmie’ Aluko is a customer experience and brand leader with 25 years of experience in financial services.

She is a Certified Customer Experience Professional (CCXP), Certified Experience Management Professional (XMP) and Associate Registered Practitioner in Advertising (ARPA).

Aluko serves on the Africa Regional Council of the Customer Experience Professionals Association (CXPA) and is a member of the American Marketing Association. She was also named among the top 20 global customer experience leaders in 2022.

She currently serves as Chief Brand and Marketing Officer and Head of Customer Experience at Union Bank of Nigeria, where she leads the bank’s brand, marketing, communications and customer experience agenda and oversees its Contact Centre.

She holds an MBA from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, and a BA (Hons) from Lagos State University.


By Loveline Agbonifo

World Teachers’ Day: Shona-Aluko Urges Teachers to Keep Working, Says Impact May Come Later

“Don’t Wait for Recognition, Keep Shaping the Lives of Children”

Lagos, Nigeria

Yeye Bobajiro Odua, Dr. Folashade Shona-Aluko, has urged teachers to remain committed to their profession even when their efforts are not immediately recognised, stressing that the impact of their work on children may only become visible years later.

Shona-Aluko gave the charge while speaking at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State Wing, at Agidingbi Primary School, Ikeja.

The event, themed “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping Our Future,” brought together teachers and stakeholders to celebrate the contribution of educators to society.

Speaking as the Mother of the Day, Shona-Aluko encouraged teachers not to allow the challenges or demands of the profession to discourage them.

She said the absence of immediate recognition should not make teachers abandon their responsibilities, urging them to remain focused on the difference they make in the lives of their pupils and students.

“My advice to teachers is for them to just continue to work. In fact, people may not see you, but don’t bother. Continue to work. One day God wants you out,” she said.

According to her, teaching goes beyond classroom instruction, as educators also play an important role in shaping the character, discipline, values and attitudes of children.

“Teach Children Culture”

Shona-Aluko particularly called on teachers to pay greater attention to teaching children cultural values and respect, expressing concern over what she described as disturbing behaviour among some young people.

She said teachers should help children understand the importance of respecting their parents, elders and members of society.

“My advice to the teachers is, please, try to teach children culture. A lot of them are misbehaving these days. We see situations where they can even abuse their fathers. But we should try as much as possible, as teachers, to teach culture. Our culture remains ours,” she said.

She also cautioned against indiscriminately adopting foreign cultural practices at the expense of indigenous values.

“We should not borrow any other culture outside to move here. No matter the condition, teach them how to show respect. It is very important. There should be respect. A teacher is also a parent,” she said.

Teachers as Second Parents

The education advocate described teachers as second parents to children, noting that while the home remains the first environment where children learn, the amount of time spent in school gives teachers a significant opportunity to influence their development.

She therefore urged teachers to take the responsibility seriously, particularly when dealing with pupils whose behaviour may require additional attention.

“As a teacher, being the second session of a child in life, the first place for a child to learn is home, as a parent. A teacher is also a parent,” she said.

Shona-Aluko urged educators not to give up on children simply because they are difficult to handle.

Rather, she encouraged them to continue guiding such children and make every effort to help them become responsible members of society.

“Therefore, let’s do all due diligence to make sure that these children have moved to something worthwhile. Don’t just neglect them. Do the best you can do as a mother and as a teacher,” she added.

Call for Parents, Teachers to Work Together

Shona-Aluko also called for stronger collaboration between parents and teachers, stressing that the responsibility of raising responsible children should not be left to schools alone.

She said parents and teachers must work together to instil discipline, respect and acceptable values in children.

According to her, the home and school should complement each other in shaping the future of young people.

She further urged teachers to remain patient and committed, even when the results of their efforts are not immediately visible.

Her message to educators was simple: keep working, keep guiding and keep believing in the lives being shaped through their efforts.

Rice, Awards for Teachers

As part of her contribution to the celebration, Shona-Aluko distributed bags of rice to teachers and presented awards to some educators in recognition of their commitment and dedication to the teaching profession.

The gesture formed part of activities marking the celebration and recognising teachers for their contributions to education and the development of young Nigerians.


By Loveline Agbonifo

BREAKING: Industrial Action Records Total Compliance as Justice Lead Administration Begins Strike

Lagos, Nigeria

The first day of the industrial action declared under the leadership of the Justice Lead Administration has recorded total compliance and massive solidarity from members, with activities brought to a complete halt across all operational points.

Members withdrew their services as the strike commenced today, resulting in a shutdown of operations.

Findings from the scene showed members gathered peacefully and orderly at the main gate, united in solidarity with the leadership and the demands of the Union.

The development, according to the leadership, represents a strong demonstration of members’ collective resolve and determination to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed.

The Justice Lead Administration said the decision to embark on the industrial action was not taken lightly, stressing that it followed careful consideration of the welfare and interests of members.

The leadership described the Day One turnout as “unity in action,” noting that every member who participated had contributed to what it described as a significant moment in the Union’s history.

The Administration commended members for their courage, patience and discipline, while urging them to remain peaceful, focused and committed to the objectives of the industrial action.

It further maintained that leadership, especially during difficult moments, requires standing with the people, listening to their concerns and providing purposeful direction.

As the industrial action continues, activities are expected to remain grounded, while further directives and updates are expected from the leadership.


By Loveline Agbonifo

SNAKE ISLAND LAND CRISIS: COMMUNITIES ACCUSE NIGERDOCK OF ENCROACHMENT, N500M FUND DIVERSION

Coalition demands probe into alleged illegal terminal project, frozen N75m community account; Baale disputes Adams Oluwo’s claim to traditional authority

By Princess Loveline Agbonifo
Lagos, Nigeria

A fresh controversy is brewing in Snake Island, Apapa, Lagos, as a Coalition of Civil Organizations, alongside residents and leaders of the Igbolugun, Igboeseyore and Igbosu communities, has accused Nigerdock Nigeria Plc of alleged land encroachment, breach of a 2004 Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) and irregular handling of about N500 million in community funds.

The allegations were raised at a World Press Conference held in October 2026, where the coalition presented documents it described as Annexures A–F in support of its claims.

Representatives of the three communities who attended the briefing included Sikiru Jelili of Igbo Esore, Waheed Rufai of Igbo Osu, Chief Moses Olayiwola Olaleye, Baale of Igbologun, Chief Onikoyi Jamiu Cole, Balogun of Igbologun, Ridwan Adisa and Ahmed Olayiwola.

The statement was signed by Comrade Olusegun Adeeko, Chairman/Lead Activist, and Comrade Savior Icha, Ambassador for Peace.

THE LAND DISPUTE

According to the coalition, the land in question covers 24,651 hectares, referenced by Survey Plan No. APA/LA/12 of 1990, with the group citing public acquisition dated August 2, 1991, and publications in the Federal Government Official Gazette.

The coalition alleged that Nigerdock has gone beyond its gazetted area and encroached on community land in connection with the construction of what it described as an illegal terminal reportedly being developed for SICT FZE, with ITB FZE Construction Company allegedly involved in the project.

The communities maintained that the project was undertaken without the consent of the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, whom they described as the traditional authority and owner of the disputed land.

THE 2004 MOA CONTROVERSY

The coalition said discussions between community leaders and Nigerdock management resulted in a Memorandum of Agreement signed on February 27, 2004, which it presented as Annexure A.

It alleged that the terms of the agreement were not fully implemented and that subsequent engagements involving some individuals resulted in a separate 2022 document which the coalition now disputes.

The group specifically questioned the role of Abayomi Oyewole, identified as Nigerdock’s Executive Director, Community Relations and Development, alleging that the 2022 document was being relied upon instead of the 2004 agreement.

The coalition further claimed that the EFCC has questioned the existence or validity of the 2022 document, although the details and status of any such EFCC position remain subject to verification.

HOW THE N500M WAS PAID

The coalition said about N500 million was paid into an account belonging to Igbolugun, Igbeseyore, Igbosu Parapo Community Development Association, registered under No. 98325, with LOTUS Bank Plc.

According to the statement, the payments were:

* December 8, 2022 — N200 million
* July 30, 2024 — N50 million
* July 31, 2024 — N100 million
* February 5, 2025 — N150 million

Total: N500 million.

The coalition alleged that after the first tranche, some community leaders from Okemedu, Igbolugun engaged DE Royal Crown Solicitors, who subsequently wrote to Nigerdock requesting that further payments be stopped over alleged marginalisation.

The group said the intervention reportedly stalled further payments for about seven months before payments allegedly resumed.

It also cited a bank transaction of N3.8 million transferred to DE Royal Crown Solicitors on December 5, 2024, which it presented as Annexure D.

N75M ACCOUNT FROZEN

The coalition further disclosed that a petition was submitted to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police over alleged fraudulent conversion of community funds.

According to the group, proceedings subsequently resulted in a PND order affecting an account containing more than N75 million, which it attributed to an order of the Federal High Court in Lagos.

The document was presented as Annexure E.

BAALESHIP DISPUTE

Another major point raised at the press conference was the leadership dispute surrounding the Baaleship of Igbologun.

The coalition referenced previous suits, including Suit No. ID/2029/98 and ID/984/2000, involving Adams Lateef Oluwo, and alleged that attempts had been made to establish him as Baale.

However, Chief Moses Olayiwola Olaleye said he was installed as Baale of Igbologun on September 6, 2025, with the consent of HRM Alayeluwa Oba Moroof Oyekunle Atanda Amodu Tajani, Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom.

Speaking at the briefing, Olaleye said he does not recognise Adams Lateef Oluwo as the valid Baale of Igbologun, insisting that his own installation followed what he described as the proper traditional process.

He also maintained that the Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom remains the community’s consenting authority in the land dispute.

“WE WANT THE LAW TO TAKE ITS COURSE”

The Baale appealed to the government and relevant agencies to intervene in the dispute.

The coalition also expressed concern over growing tension among youths in the affected communities, while stressing that it wants the matter resolved through lawful means.

The group called on the Federal Government and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the allegations surrounding the disputed funds, land and agreements.

EFCC PETITION

The coalition said it submitted a petition to the EFCC on May 12, 2026, addressed to the Zonal Director and reportedly assigned to an investigative officer in the PSF section.

It alleged that the investigation had not adequately addressed the issues raised by the petitioners, claiming that attention had instead focused on the N3.8 million legal fee paid to solicitors.

The coalition said it had submitted additional evidence to the EFCC and was demanding a more comprehensive investigation.

15 DEMANDS

Among its demands, the coalition called for:

* An immediate halt to the alleged encroachment and disputed terminal project;
* Investigation into the land and concession arrangements involving SICT FZE;
* Suspension or investigation of relevant officials implicated in the allegations;
* N5 billion compensation for alleged 40-year use of the community’s land;
* Provision of electricity, water and a jetty for Igbolugun and Ibafon;
* Provision of eight 30-passenger boats and two 1,500-ton barges;
* Allowances for the Baale and community chiefs;
* Scholarships for community members;
* Construction of a Baale’s residence;
* Expanded corporate social responsibility projects;
* Daily toll arrangements for trucks;
* Appointment of community representatives in relevant community-relations structures;
* Employment opportunities and contracts for indigenes;
* Improved access to healthcare, including health centres; and
* Other development initiatives for the affected communities.

The coalition said the demands were aimed at addressing what it described as decades of alleged marginalisation and ensuring that the interests of the affected communities are protected.

VONNEWS reports that the allegations contained in the coalition’s presentation could not independently be verified at the time of filing this report.

Efforts to obtain responses from Nigerdock Nigeria Plc, Abayomi Oyewole, SICT FZE and the EFCC are ongoing. Their responses will be published when received.

@VONNEWS

DEBIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD? KNOW THE RIGHT CARD TO USE FOR EVERY EXPENSE

“Your money today or borrowed money to repay tomorrow?”

By VONNEWS Business Desk
Lagos, Nigeria

Choosing between a debit card and a credit card goes beyond simply tapping, inserting or swiping a card to complete a payment.

For many Nigerians, everyday expenses, travel plans, bills and unexpected financial needs can make the choice of payment card an important part of managing personal finances.

While both cards provide convenient ways to pay, they work differently.

A debit card allows customers to spend money already available in their linked bank account, while a credit card provides access to an approved credit facility that must be repaid according to agreed terms.

Understanding this difference can help cardholders make more deliberate financial decisions.

DEBIT CARD: SPEND WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE

A debit card may be suitable for routine expenses such as groceries, fuel, utility bills, subscriptions and meals.

Since payments are deducted directly from the linked account, customers can keep their spending connected to the funds currently available to them.

Fidelity Bank offers debit card options for different payment needs, including Naira and Dollar cards. Customers are expected to consider factors such as transaction currency, where the card will be used and the applicable terms before choosing an option.

Before making a payment, customers should also ensure that sufficient funds are available and that the card supports the intended transaction.

CREDIT CARD: FLEXIBILITY WITH A REPAYMENT RESPONSIBILITY

A credit card operates differently.

Rather than spending directly from an existing account balance, the cardholder uses an approved credit facility and is required to repay the amount under the applicable terms.

This can provide flexibility when an expense needs to be paid before expected funds become available.

For instance, a traveller may need to pay for a flight or hotel before receiving an expected payment. A credit card may provide a temporary bridge, provided the customer has a realistic plan for repayment.

Before using a credit card, customers should consider three key questions:

Is the purchase necessary?

Can I repay the amount by the due date?

What happens if the expected funds arrive late?

Having an available credit limit does not necessarily mean the entire amount can be comfortably repaid.

USING A CREDIT CARD RESPONSIBLY

Credit-card flexibility comes with financial responsibility.

Customers should understand the applicable interest rate, fees, repayment date and minimum payment requirement before using the card.

Paying only the minimum amount may leave an outstanding balance that continues to attract interest, depending on the card’s terms.

It is therefore important to know where the repayment will come from, when it is expected and what the total potential cost of the transaction could be.

Small purchases should not be ignored either. Several seemingly minor transactions can accumulate into a significant outstanding balance when spending is not monitored.

TRAVELLING? YOUR CARD CHOICE MATTERS

For international travel, the decision goes beyond simply having a card in your wallet.

Customers should consider the card’s currency, international acceptance, travel frequency, repayment capacity, applicable charges and available benefits.

A debit card allows travellers to spend from available funds, while a credit card provides access to an approved credit facility.

For customers considering premium cards, travel and lifestyle benefits should also be assessed based on how frequently they are likely to be used.

FIDELITY BANK PREMIUM CARD OPTIONS

Fidelity Bank’s premium card offering includes the Visa Signature Debit Card and Visa Infinite Credit Card.

The Visa Signature Debit Card draws directly from the customer’s available funds, while the Visa Infinite Credit Card provides access to an approved credit facility.

According to the information provided by the bank, benefits associated with the Visa Infinite Credit Card include unlimited complimentary access to more than 850 LoungeKey lounges for the cardholder and one guest per visit.

The card also offers concierge services, benefits at more than 900 hotels, multi-trip travel insurance and discounted personal fast-track services at more than 380 international airports, subject to applicable terms and eligibility.

For frequent travellers, such benefits may provide additional convenience, particularly during international trips.

However, customers should review the applicable benefits, charges and eligibility requirements before making a decision.

SO, DEBIT CARD OR CREDIT CARD?

There is no single card that automatically suits every customer or every transaction.

A debit card may be appropriate for routine expenses that can be paid for immediately.

A credit card may be considered for planned expenses where the customer has a clear repayment strategy.

Premium cards may be useful where their travel and lifestyle benefits correspond with the customer’s actual spending and travel patterns.

The key is to understand where the money is coming from, what the transaction will cost and what obligation remains after the payment.

HOW TO REQUEST A FIDELITY BANK CARD

Eligible Fidelity Bank debit cards can be requested through the Fidelity Mobile App.

Customers interested in a credit card or Fidelity Bank’s premium card offerings can visit a branch or speak with a relationship manager to discuss eligibility, fees, repayment terms and available benefits.

Before applying for any card, customers should review the applicable currency, charges, transaction limits, repayment obligations and benefit terms.

MAKE EVERY CARD PAYMENT COUNT

A card may make payment easier, but responsible financial management begins before the transaction is completed.

Whether using a debit or credit card, customers should consider how the payment affects their finances today and what it means for their finances tomorrow.

The right card is ultimately the one that matches the customer’s spending pattern, available funds and ability to meet any repayment obligation.

Think before you tap. Know your card. Know your money.m


By Loveline Agbonifo

NIGERIA @ 66: VONNEWS HAILS NIGERIANS’ RESILIENCE, CALLS FOR RENEWED UNITY

…As Nation Marks 66th Independence Anniversary



As Nigeria celebrates its 66th Independence Anniversary, VONNEWS – Voice Out Nigerian News has joined Nigerians at home and abroad in commemorating the nation’s journey since independence, while celebrating the resilience, creativity and determination of its people.

Nigeria attained independence from British colonial rule on October 1, 1960, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.

Sixty-six years later, Nigerians continue to demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges, while making contributions to the growth and development of the country across different sectors.

In a goodwill message marking the anniversary, the management and editorial board of VONNEWS congratulated Nigerians on the occasion, describing Independence Day as a moment to reflect on the country’s journey, celebrate its achievements and renew commitment to its future.

The organisation also recognised the contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora, noting that their achievements and continued connection to the country remain an important part of the Nigerian story.

VONNEWS called for renewed patriotism and unity among Nigerians, stressing the need for citizens to look beyond ethnic, religious and other differences and work collectively toward a better Nigeria.

The organisation further reaffirmed its commitment to responsible journalism and to telling Nigerian stories with truth, balance and pride, while giving Nigerians at home and abroad a platform to have their voices heard.

As the country marks another milestone in its journey, VONNEWS wished Nigerians a peaceful and memorable Independence celebration.

Happy Independence Day, Nigeria!

Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
Long Live Nigerians at Home and Abroad!

Signed:
Management, VONNEWS
Voice Out Nigerian News


By Loveline Agbonifo

Polaris Bank Takes Customer Service to “The Extra Mile”

…As Bank Set to Celebrate 2026 Customer Service Week, October 5–9

Lagos, Nigeria – September 28, 2026

Polaris Bank has announced plans to join organisations around the world in celebrating the 2026 Customer Service Week, scheduled for October 5 to 9, under the theme, “The Extra Mile.”

The Bank said the theme reflects its continued commitment to placing customers at the centre of its operations while improving the quality of their banking experience.

According to the Bank, Customer Service Week provides an opportunity not only to appreciate its customers but also to recognise employees who consistently demonstrate exceptional service and promote a strong customer-focused culture across the organisation.

Polaris Bank said its annual Customer Service Week celebrations have evolved over the years, reflecting different aspects of its service culture.

The Bank noted that its 2020 celebration, themed “Dream Team,” recognised employees’ collective efforts in sustaining service delivery during a challenging period, while the 2021 edition maintained the focus on service excellence and customer appreciation.

In 2022, the Bank reinforced its commitment to delivering value through meaningful customer relationships, while the 2023 theme, “Team Service,” highlighted the importance of collaboration in creating seamless customer experiences.

The 2024 celebration further emphasised service excellence and customer engagement, while the 2025 theme, “Mission: Possible,” focused on employees’ ability to overcome challenges and deliver exceptional customer experiences.

The Bank also referenced its recognition in the 2022 KPMG Customer Experience Survey, where it was reported as the most improved bank in the retail segment, moving five places to sixth position.

Speaking ahead of this year’s celebration, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, said customers remained central to the Bank’s growth.

“Customers are at the heart of everything we do. Their feedback, trust and partnership challenge us to keep improving and delivering value every day. Customer Service Week is an opportunity to recognise that relationship and remind ourselves that great service must go beyond expectation,” he said.

According to the Bank, the 2026 theme, “The Extra Mile,” reflects the changing expectations of banking customers and the need to provide service that goes beyond basic expectations.

It said going the extra mile could include listening more closely to customers, resolving issues faster, providing clearer information, anticipating customer needs, simplifying processes and demonstrating empathy when it matters most.

Polaris Bank added that its customer-service efforts extend across its physical and digital platforms, including its branches, business network, contact centre and digital banking platform, VULTe.

The Bank said it would engage customers and recognise service champions through a series of activities across its branches, digital channels and other customer touchpoints during the week.

It also plans to use the celebration to encourage customer feedback and strengthen the connection between customer insights and continuous service improvement.

As Customer Service Week 2026 approaches, Polaris Bank said it remains committed to making exceptional customer service an everyday practice rather than an annual celebration.

The Bank maintained that every customer interaction provides an opportunity to listen better, respond faster, demonstrate genuine care and create greater value.

For Polaris Bank, “The Extra Mile” is more than a Customer Service Week theme; it is a commitment to making every customer interaction count.


By Loveline Agbonifo

BREAKING: Fidelity Bank Distributes 2,500 Food Packs to Vulnerable Residents in Edo

…As Edo Govt Commends Bank’s Food Security Initiative

By VONNEWS Correspondent
Edo, Nigeria

Fidelity Bank Plc has distributed 2,500 food packs to beneficiaries across eight communities in Uromi and Irrua, Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State, as part of efforts to support vulnerable families and strengthen food security.

The intervention was carried out under the bank’s Fidelity Food Bank initiative, one of its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes targeted at reducing hunger and supporting communities facing food insecurity.

The distribution event, held at the Uromi Town Hall, brought together representatives of Fidelity Bank, the Edo State Government and members of the beneficiary communities.

Speaking on the initiative, the Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Meksley Nwagboh, said the intervention was aimed at providing immediate support to families while contributing to stronger and more resilient communities.

Nwagboh said the distribution of the food packs went beyond providing food, stressing that it was also about improving the wellbeing of beneficiaries and supporting families facing economic pressures.

“Today’s distribution will provide over 2,500 beneficiaries with essential food supplies. This event goes beyond the distribution of food items; it is about uplifting lives, strengthening communities and supporting families with resources that contribute to their wellbeing and resilience,” he said.

He added that the initiative contributes to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2), which focuses on ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

According to him, the Uromi intervention was specifically designed to reach families across eight communities and provide immediate assistance to people affected by food insecurity.

Nwagboh further disclosed that Fidelity Bank distributes 10,000 food packs every month through the Fidelity Food Bank programme, working with 19 partners across the country to reach communities where the need is greatest.

The intervention also received commendation from the Edo State Government, with Governor Monday Okpebholo represented at the event by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Jerry Uwangue.

Uwangue praised Fidelity Bank for extending the initiative to residents of Uromi, noting that corporate organisations have an important role to play in supporting communities, particularly during periods of economic pressure.

“At a time like this, when family needs come first, this act of kindness demonstrates that corporate organisations have a vital role to play in the wellbeing of our communities,” he said.

The Commissioner, on behalf of the governor and people of Edo State, thanked Fidelity Bank for the intervention and called on other corporate organisations to emulate the gesture by giving back to communities where they operate.

Beneficiaries also expressed appreciation to the bank and its partners, saying the food packs would provide relief and help reduce the burden of feeding their families.

The Fidelity Food Bank programme, introduced in April 2023, is designed to address hunger and malnutrition while supporting communities experiencing food insecurity.

Since its launch, the programme has distributed more than 300,000 food packs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, according to the bank.

The latest intervention further underscores Fidelity Bank’s CSR efforts in supporting vulnerable communities and contributing to food security across the country.


By Loveline Agbonifo

BREAKING: THREE LASU STUDENTS TAKE TAX EDUCATION TO A NEW LEVEL WITH MAIDEN WEBINAR

“Where Do Our Taxes Go?”

Lagos, Nigeria
Three students of Lagos State University (LASU) have taken tax education to a new level with the maiden edition of The Tax Student (TTS) Tax Literacy Webinar, held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, via Google Meet.

The webinar, themed “Empowering Students to Understand Tax with Ease & Where Do Our Taxes Go?”, was convened by Miss Agbonifo-Osazuwa Divine, founder of The Tax Student, alongside Miss Onyuku Anthonia Chioma and Rt. Hon. Adenaya Israel Oluwatimilehin, who served as guest speakers.

The virtual event brought together students, young professionals, business owners, professional bodies and tax enthusiasts for conversations aimed at making taxation easier to understand and getting young Nigerians to pay more attention to how public revenue is generated and used.

Speaking during the webinar, Divine said The Tax Student was created to make tax education simple, relatable and accessible, especially for young people who often see taxation as complicated or filled with technical terms.

She stressed that tax is not just a topic for accountants, lawyers or tax professionals, but something that affects individuals and businesses in their everyday lives.

“Tax is taught as something very boring and difficult. But tax is part of our daily life. This platform will help students learn tax with ease, with no big grammar. This is our first step to raise a tax-aware generation,” she said.

Divine explained that taxation is a compulsory financial obligation imposed by law on individuals and businesses to generate revenue for government expenditure.

But beyond paying taxes, she challenged participants to ask what happens to the money after it is collected.

“We need to look beyond how much tax is being collected and ask what happens to the revenue after it is collected and what value it creates for society as a whole,” she said.

She also introduced participants to Nigeria’s current tax reform framework, including the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, which forms part of the country’s new tax legislation implemented from 2026.

SO, WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?

One of the guest speakers, Miss Onyuku Anthonia Chioma, a tax advocate and student of Lagos State University, took participants through the journey of tax revenue from collection to government spending.

Chioma explained that taxes collected by relevant authorities form part of government revenue and are appropriated through approved budgets for different public purposes.

She highlighted areas such as healthcare, education, roads and infrastructure, national security and defence, social investment programmes, public administration, debt servicing, personnel costs and statutory transfers.

She also analysed the 2026 Federal Appropriation Act, explaining its different expenditure components and what they mean for public development.

According to Chioma, understanding tax should go beyond knowing what citizens are expected to pay. She encouraged young Nigerians to also understand how taxation connects with government revenue, public spending and national development.

FROM COMMUNAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MODERN TAX LAWS

The second guest speaker, Rt. Hon. Adenaya Israel Oluwatimilehin, a student leader, tax enthusiast and Speaker of the 10th Legislative Administration of the Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association (NUASA), Lagos State University Chapter, took participants through the history of taxation in Nigeria.

He traced taxation from the pre-colonial era, when communities relied on communal contributions, tributes and communal labour, through the colonial period and its eventual development into the modern Nigerian tax system.

Oluwatimilehin also explained major categories of taxes in Nigeria, including Personal Income Tax, Companies Income Tax, Value Added Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Withholding Tax, as well as the roles of different levels of government in tax administration.

He further highlighted some consequences of tax non-compliance, including penalties, accrued interest, fines and other enforcement measures provided under applicable tax laws.

Speaking on the importance of taxation, the NUASA Speaker said tax revenue plays an important role in financing government programmes and public administration, including infrastructure, education, healthcare and security.

He, however, noted that public confidence in taxation is closely connected to citizens’ perception of accountability and the quality of public services delivered.

Oluwatimilehin therefore called for greater transparency and prudent management of public funds, stressing that citizens are more likely to appreciate their tax responsibilities when they can see tangible value from government expenditure.

QUESTIONS, ANSWERS AND CERTIFICATES

The webinar ended with an interactive question-and-answer session, with participants seeking clarification on issues including tax filing procedures for students, exemptions applicable to small businesses and the implications of the Nigeria Tax Act, 2025, for young entrepreneurs.

Participants also received certificates of participation at the end of the programme.

Participants described the maiden edition as insightful, practical and timely, particularly for young Nigerians looking to understand taxation beyond classroom theories.

The event marked the first major public educational programme organised under The Tax Student (TTS) initiative, which seeks to simplify tax education and promote a tax-aware generation among Nigerian youths.

The convener appreciated the guest speakers and participants for supporting the maiden webinar and reaffirmed her commitment to expanding tax literacy among students and young Nigerians.

She said TTS would continue to create accessible platforms where young people can better understand their tax responsibilities, ask questions about public revenue and understand the role of taxation in national development.


By Princess Loveline Agbonifo

APPMEN INAUGURATES COUNCIL OF PATRONS TO STRENGTHEN PRIVATE MEDIA IN NIGERIA

Former Governor Liyel Imoke Emerges Chairman, Royal Fathers Appointed Patrons

Lagos, Nigeria…..
The Association of Proprietors of Private Media Establishment of Nigeria (APPMEN) has inaugurated its Council of Patrons, National Advisory Council (NAC) and The Nigeria We Want Ambassadors as part of efforts to strengthen the private media sector and promote its recognition and sustainability in Nigeria.

The investiture, held on September 24, 2026, in Abuja, marked what the association described as a significant step in its transition from an association into a national institution focused on private media development, recognition and sustainability.

Former Cross River State Governor, Distinguished Senator Ambassador Liyel Imoke, CON, emerged Chairman of the Council of Patrons and National Patron.

Also appointed were His Royal Highness, Amb. Dr. Joel Sabo Aninge, PhD, MFR, Odyong Nyankpa II, as Grand Patron, and His Royal Highness, Amb. Alh. Baba Umar Faruq II, CFR, Emir of Katagum, as National Patron.

The association also constituted a National Advisory Council, chaired by development expert, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, PhD, Chief of Staff to the Deputy President of the Senate in the 9th Assembly and Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD).

Speaking on the development, APPMEN National Coordinator and Convener of The Nigeria We Want Project, Chief Precious Enebuse, said the initiative was designed to provide private media proprietors with institutional support, national recognition and a sustainable structure.

“For long, private media proprietors in Nigeria have operated without institutional cover, national recognition or a sustainable structure,” Enebuse said.

He explained that the newly constituted council would focus on three key areas: building the impact of private media as a tool for national development, securing national recognition for APPMEN as a critical stakeholder in the Nigerian project, and ensuring the sustenance of the association beyond the present generation.

Enebuse expressed appreciation to Imoke and the two traditional rulers for accepting to serve as patrons of the association, describing their involvement as a source of guidance and institutional support.

He added that the Council of Patrons would serve as the moral and strategic compass of APPMEN, while the National Advisory Council would provide policy, research and strategic direction and facilitate engagements with government, development partners and global platforms.

APPMEN said its activities are focused on promoting professionalism, press freedom, digital economy advocacy and national development among private media owners and digital content creators.

The association is also pursuing these objectives through its flagship initiative, The Nigeria We Want Project.

Signed:
Chief Precious Enebuse
National Coordinator, APPMEN
Convener, The Nigeria We Want Project


By Loveline Agbonifo

BREAKING: AYENWALE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCES JOY AS CBSA ROYAL MEN BEGIN 16TH CONVENTION WITH FREE MEDICAL OUTREACH

By VONNEWS Correspondent
Lagos, Nigeria

The Royal Men of the Christ Battle Solution Assembly (CBSA) have commenced activities marking their 16th Annual Royal Men Convention with a free one-day medical outreach for residents of their host community, Ayenwale.

The outreach, held in September, provided free medical consultations, laboratory tests and medications to hundreds of beneficiaries, particularly the poor, elderly and residents unable to afford hospital bills.

Organisers said although the medical outreach is a one-day programme, it will be sustained annually every September as a major feature of the Royal Men Convention.

Services rendered included blood pressure and blood sugar checks, blood group and genotype screening, malaria, HIV and syphilis tests, as well as temperature, weight and height measurements.

Beneficiaries also received free medications, including anti-malaria drugs, paracetamol, Vitamin B-Complex and Vitamin C, while serious cases were referred to higher health facilities for further treatment.

Speaking with VONNEWS, Mr. Sunday Hovode said the initiative was inspired by cases of preventable deaths within the community.

“We noticed many people are dying without knowing the cause. Sometimes it is just a minor issue like high blood pressure. Because of ignorance and the economic situation, people don’t have the capacity to go to the hospital. So we decided to use our little resources to help the poor and to encourage them that God still loves them.”

Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of the group, Mr. Obia Ifeanyi Chukwu Harry, said the medical outreach was selected as the community impact project for this year’s convention.

“Every September we usually hold our Royal Men Convention. This is our 16th. Sometimes you wake up and hear somebody just died without knowing the cause of the illness. Recently, a friend of mine who had typhoid is now down with stroke from untreated typhoid. A lot of people are dying silently due to hardship. Health is wealth. Without good health, someone cannot go out to struggle to make money.”

Another leader of the group, Mr. Anayo Chijoke, said the outreach would be sustained annually.

“To the glory of God, as we have started it, we are going to be doing it every year, every September. We found out that a lot of people are dying from minor sicknesses, so we brought doctors and nurses to check them and give them free drugs and free treatments.”

The Welfare Officer, Mr. Emeka Silvester, said the programme reflects the group’s commitment to supporting residents within its vicinity.

The medical team from Simic College of Science and Technology advised residents to prioritise regular medical checks, describing high blood pressure as a silent killer and urging residents to undergo routine medical checks at least every eight weeks.

Beneficiaries expressed appreciation to the Royal Men and the medical team, describing the gesture as timely and life-saving, while calling for its sustenance.

The medical outreach ended the same day.

@Vonnews
Princess Loveline Agbonifo

Appeal Court Clears Fidelity Bank of Liability in Fundamental Rights Case

Lagos, Nigeria — The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has cleared Fidelity Bank Plc of liability in a fundamental rights case involving Michael Kundera, overturning the decision of the Federal Capital Territory High Court which had held the bank liable.

A three-member panel led by Justice Adebukola Banjoko delivered the judgment on September 14, 2026, allowing Fidelity Bank’s appeal and setting aside the finding of liability against the financial institution.

The case, Suit No. CV/6258/23, was instituted by Kundera to enforce his fundamental rights following his arrest and detention between May 15 and 16, 2023.

Kundera had alleged that he was detained without being charged before a court or granted administrative bail.

The respondents included the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, an EFCC officer identified as Calistus, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

In April 2024, the FCT High Court, presided over by Justice Peter Kekemeke, had declared Kundera’s arrest and detention unlawful and a violation of his fundamental rights.

The court consequently ordered the respondents, jointly or severally, to pay Kundera ₦10 million in damages and an additional ₦2 million as costs of the action.

The trial court also noted that Kundera, who was reportedly 75 years old at the time, should not have been subjected to such treatment.

It further held that continued invitations and threats against him concerning a matter that had already been decided exceeded the lawful bounds of the respondents.

Kundera, through his counsel, O. Orji, had linked the dispute to a parcel of land at the Foreign Affairs Quarters, which he claimed lawfully belonged to him.

He also maintained that the matter was pending before the Court of Appeal in Suit No. CA/ABJ/CV/533/2021.

Among other reliefs, he sought declarations that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights under Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution, an order restraining further invitations or threats of arrest, as well as ₦500 million in exemplary or aggravated damages.

However, Fidelity Bank challenged the decision, arguing that there was no credible evidence linking it to Kundera’s arrest, detention or the alleged violation of his constitutional rights.

The bank explained that its involvement was limited to a petition submitted to the EFCC over allegations of criminal conduct involving legal entities that had obtained a ₦100 million loan procurement order for a specific project but allegedly diverted the funds for personal use.

Fidelity Bank maintained that Kundera was not the subject of the petition and argued that there was therefore no basis for holding the bank responsible for the alleged infringement of his rights.

The bank consequently asked the appellate court to determine whether the trial judge was right to grant reliefs against it without sufficient evidence establishing its involvement or liability.

In its judgment, the Court of Appeal upheld Fidelity Bank’s position, finding that there was no credible evidence before the trial court establishing that the bank had infringed Kundera’s fundamental rights.

The appellate court further held that Kundera failed to discharge the burden of proof required to establish wrongdoing by Fidelity Bank and justify the reliefs granted against the bank.

The Court of Appeal consequently reversed the finding of liability against Fidelity Bank, clearing the bank of responsibility for the alleged infringement of Kundera’s fundamental rights.


By Loveline Agbonifo

### Benin-Asaba Expressway: SAN Urges FG to Follow Due Process Before Concession Revocation


Lagos, Nigeria — Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Abiodun Olatunji, has cautioned the Federal Government against unilaterally revoking the 25-year concession agreement for the Benin-Asaba Expressway, urging authorities to strictly adhere to the contractual provisions governing the project.

Olatunji gave the advice in a legal opinion on the dispute between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) over the condition, reconstruction and management of the 125-kilometre highway.

The Senior Advocate said that while the deteriorating condition of the road may justify urgent government intervention, there may be insufficient legal grounds for unilateral revocation of the concession in the absence of established abandonment, repudiation, unreasonable delay or other contractual grounds for termination.

According to him, the Federal Government's powers must be exercised within the framework of the concession agreement, particularly provisions relating to default, cure periods, step-in rights, termination, compensation and lender protections.

"Our considered opinion is that the Minister has no general or personal authority to revoke the concession at will," Olatunji stated.

He explained that the contracting party is the Federal Government acting through the appropriate ministry, rather than the Minister of Works acting in a personal capacity.

The legal opinion also noted that ongoing construction activities could make allegations of abandonment, repudiation or total failure of performance more difficult to establish.

Olatunji, however, acknowledged the Federal Government's responsibility to protect motorists and other road users where the condition of the highway poses an immediate danger.

He said such circumstances could justify "immediate and proportionate emergency intervention", particularly where the concession agreement provides for government step-in rights.

According to him, emergency intervention should ordinarily be directed at addressing immediate risks while preserving the underlying concession arrangement, unless the agreement provides a lawful basis for a wider intervention.

He further cautioned that broad public-interest considerations, on their own, may not automatically extinguish contractual rights relating to compensation, cure periods and lender protections.

The SAN noted that a permanent takeover of the project, removal of the concessionaire, redesign of the entire route or appointment of replacement contractors could go beyond the scope of a limited emergency intervention unless carried out through mechanisms expressly provided for in the agreement.

Such mechanisms, he said, could include a valid change in scope, negotiated amendment, termination for convenience with applicable compensation, or a properly executed default-termination process.

The legal opinion comes amid an escalating disagreement between the Federal Ministry of Works and BAECC over the condition of the Benin-Asaba Expressway.

The Ministry has alleged breaches of provisions of the concession agreement by the concessionaire and has reportedly proposed a mutual termination of the arrangement.

Works Minister, David Umahi, had previously expressed dissatisfaction with the state of the highway following an inspection of the road with Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo.

The Ministry has linked the deteriorating road conditions to prolonged gridlock and hardship experienced by motorists travelling between Benin and Asaba.

BAECC, however, has disputed suggestions that the project has been abandoned, attributing some of the challenges to heavy rainfall, increased traffic volumes and the complexities involved in reconstructing a major highway while maintaining traffic flow.

The concessionaire has also pointed to ongoing earthworks, drainage construction, asphalt laying, carriageway expansion and other construction activities along sections of the corridor.

Olatunji said his opinion was based on the documents made available to him and should therefore be regarded as provisional pending a review of the complete Concession Agreement and other related contractual documents.

The Benin-Asaba Expressway concession dates back to 2023. The Federal Executive Council approved the project on January 16, 2023, while the concession agreement was signed on May 23, 2023.

The project was structured under a Design, Finance, Build, Operate and Transfer (DFBOT) model with a 25-year concession period, including the construction phase.

A 2026 transport-sector study prepared for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) also records the concession as running from May 2023 to May 2048 and identifies the project as being under implementation.

The highway stretches from Ring Road Roundabout in Benin City to Summit Junction in Asaba, connecting communities and businesses across parts of the South-South, South-East and South-West regions.

The dispute attracted increased public attention after motorists experienced prolonged gridlock and worsening road conditions, particularly during the rainy season.

During an August stakeholders' meeting, Umahi acknowledged some of the contractual complexities surrounding the concession and sought the concessionaire's agreement on proposed changes.

The project is among several road concessions being implemented under the Federal Government's Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), which was established to attract private-sector capital and technical expertise to federal highway development and management.

The outcome of the dispute is therefore expected to be closely watched by investors, lenders, concessionaires and other stakeholders involved in long-term public-private infrastructure projects.

While the Federal Government has maintained its commitment to restoring the highway and reducing the hardship faced by motorists, the legal opinion suggests that emergency intervention and contractual obligations can be pursued simultaneously.

The immediate challenge, according to the opinion, is to establish the extent of any contractual default, undertake urgent remedial works, determine responsibility for the interventions and resolve the broader concession dispute without further delaying the restoration of the major transport corridor.


By Loveline Agbonifo

# HerFidelity: How the Right Community Can Help Women Turn Ambition Into Opportunity


For many women, hard work and determination are often the starting points for success. But while personal drive remains important, access to the right financial support, knowledge, networks and opportunities can make the journey significantly easier.

Across Nigeria, women continue to build businesses, advance in their careers, create jobs, support families and contribute to the growth of their communities. Yet, many still encounter challenges ranging from limited access to finance and business knowledge to inadequate professional networks and mentorship opportunities.

It is against this backdrop that women-focused communities such as HerFidelity, the women-focused proposition of Fidelity Bank, are gaining relevance.

HerFidelity is designed to provide women with more than conventional banking services by bringing together financial solutions, business education, enterprise support, networking and lifestyle engagement to support women at different stages of their personal, professional and entrepreneurial journeys.

### More Than Access to Finance

While access to funding remains important to business growth, sustainable success often requires more than capital.

Through FundHer, eligible women-led businesses can access financing for working capital, asset acquisition and business expansion, subject to applicable terms and requirements.

The initiative is designed to support entrepreneurs seeking to strengthen their operations, expand their businesses and take advantage of new opportunities.

Beyond financing, HerFidelity also places emphasis on capacity building, mentorship and networking, recognising that access to knowledge and the right relationships can be just as valuable as access to capital.

For an entrepreneur, a mentor can provide guidance when navigating difficult business decisions, while professional networks can open doors to potential customers, partners, investors and new markets.

### Building a Community of Women

One of the central ideas behind HerFidelity is the role of community in helping women achieve their goals.

A young professional may need financial education today and a professional network tomorrow. A small-business owner may require funding to expand her operations but also need mentorship and business knowledge to manage that growth effectively.

Likewise, an experienced professional or entrepreneur can contribute by sharing knowledge, mentoring younger women and creating opportunities for others.

By bringing women with different experiences and ambitions into the same community, opportunities for knowledge-sharing, collaboration and professional growth can increase.

The impact can extend beyond individual women, as stronger businesses can create employment, support families and contribute to economic activity within communities.

### Supporting the Whole Woman

HerFidelity also includes health and wellness among its areas of focus.

This reflects the reality that many women balance professional responsibilities, entrepreneurship and family commitments. Physical and emotional wellbeing can therefore play an important role in sustaining long-term personal and professional achievement.

Its focus areas include financial support, business education and capacity building, entrepreneurship support, as well as health and wellness.

### Turning Ambition Into Progress

For women, choosing a financial institution is increasingly about more than simply having access to an account or financial product. It can also involve finding an institution that understands their aspirations and provides opportunities for growth.

HerFidelity seeks to respond to this changing expectation by creating a platform where women can access financial solutions while also developing skills, building relationships and connecting with opportunities.

For an entrepreneur looking to expand, a professional seeking greater financial confidence, or a woman interested in developing new skills and meaningful networks, such a community can provide additional support along the journey.

Ultimately, the idea behind HerFidelity is that when women have access to the right combination of finance, knowledge, networks and support, individual progress can translate into wider benefits for businesses, families and communities.

For women looking to build, learn, connect and grow, HerFidelity presents a community-focused approach to banking—one that seeks to turn ambition into opportunity and individual progress into shared prosperity.


By Loveline Agbonifo

# Bebuzee Lights Up Lagos With Digital Super App, Signs Top Nollywood Stars as Ambassadors


LAGOS, NIGERIA — Bebuzee, a digital technology platform integrating social networking, entertainment, streaming, e-commerce, artificial intelligence and other digital services, has been unveiled in Lagos with a focus on expanding opportunities for African creators and users.

The platform was launched on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at the Sheraton Hotel, Lagos, where leading figures in Nigeria’s film, television, technology and creative industries gathered to witness the unveiling.

Bebuzee describes itself as a digital ecosystem designed to bring multiple online experiences together on a single platform.

Its services include SocialBuz, ShortBuz, Bebuzee Streaming, BBZ TV, BuzSense AI, AI Twin, ShoppingBuz, GIGBuz, ProperBuz, TradeBuz, TaxiBuz and Buz-Eat.

The platform also unveiled veteran and contemporary Nigerian entertainers, including Patience Ozokwor, Ebele Okaro, Jide Kosoko, Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Zubby Michael and Destiny Etiko, as brand ambassadors.

Speaking at the event, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Bebuzee, Joseph Onyero, traced the idea behind the platform to 2004, when he and some friends in Cambridge developed a messaging-service concept that was never launched.

He said the emergence of similar social networking services later encouraged him to continue working on what he described as an ideal social media platform, eventually leading to the development of Bebuzee.

According to Onyero, the long-term vision is to build a digital utility platform for Africa, with Bebuzee targeting more than 400 million users across the continent as it expands its services and reach.

He said the platform was designed to enable users to communicate, create content, access entertainment, shop, work and earn income through multiple digital services.

Onyero said Bebuzee currently offers more than 15 products and services, providing opportunities for users to generate income through content creation, freelancing and other digital activities.

He also said Bebuzee Streaming, which he said is based in Amsterdam, focuses on African films and provides profiles that connect actors and actresses with their movies.

### NFVCB DG Urges Protection of Intellectual Property

Delivering the keynote address, Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Dr. Shaibu Husseini, said the major challenge facing Nigeria’s film industry was increasingly shifting from production to distribution and monetisation.

Husseini traced the evolution of Nollywood’s distribution channels from videocassettes and traditional film markets to VCDs, DVDs, cinemas, satellite television, YouTube and streaming platforms.

He said digital platforms had created opportunities for Nigerian and African stories to reach audiences in cities across the world, but stressed that global reach must be accompanied by quality, originality, strong intellectual property and effective monetisation.

He urged digital platforms to ensure that value generated from creative works flows back to creators through proper contracts, copyright protection, licensing, revenue-sharing arrangements and transparency.

The NFVCB boss also reminded digital platforms that online distribution does not remove regulatory obligations, noting that films distributed or exhibited digitally remain subject to applicable laws and classification requirements.

He challenged Bebuzee to innovate responsibly, respect intellectual property, protect audiences, comply with regulatory requirements and create sustainable value for African creators.

### Lagos Film Board Speaks on AI

The growing influence of artificial intelligence on the creative industry also formed a major part of discussions at the launch.

Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja, Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, said although she initially took time to understand the rapid development of artificial intelligence, she had come to recognise its potential benefits to the creative sector.

Agbaminoja said AI could assist creatives in areas such as generating songs and voices, preparing reports and transforming scripts, stressing that the technology was already becoming part of the creative process.

She, however, called for greater engagement between creative practitioners, regulators and major digital platforms to address emerging challenges associated with artificial intelligence.

According to her, stakeholders should engage platforms such as YouTube and other social media companies while also organising conferences and structured discussions to develop practical ways of addressing misuse of AI.

She noted that individual creative associations might not have sufficient capacity to tackle the challenges alone and therefore needed to collaborate with regulators, technology companies and other relevant stakeholders.

Agbaminoja said AI was here to stay and that the industry should embrace its opportunities while putting measures in place to prevent abuse and protect creative works.

### Industry Leaders Debate AI, Actors’ Rights

The AI discussion also generated contributions from prominent actors and industry practitioners.

Veteran actor Jide Kosoko recalled that there were initially fears that new technologies could displace actors and other practitioners, but said the industry had repeatedly adapted to technological changes.

Actor Zubby Michael acknowledged his limited understanding of AI but said technological advancement could not be stopped and should be approached with an understanding of both its opportunities and potential risks.

Patience Ozokwor raised concerns about the use of actors’ images and voices in AI-generated content, stressing that performers should be properly compensated whenever their identities, voices or likenesses are commercially exploited.

Other participants discussed the possibility of creating voice banks where voice artists could register their voices, agree to specific terms and receive payment when their voices were licensed for use.

They also raised concerns about deepfakes, unauthorised use of voices and images, and the potential loss of commercial opportunities for actors if advertisers increasingly turn to AI-generated personalities.

Zeb Ejiro noted that AI could affect different parts of the creative production chain, including scriptwriting, acting and make-up, stressing the need for the various professional associations to work together in protecting practitioners.

Participants also called for collaboration with relevant regulatory and technology institutions to develop safeguards around AI-generated content, voice cloning, deepfakes, copyright and data protection.

### NTA, Bebuzee Announce Strategic Engagement

The Zonal Director of the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA Lagos Network Centre, Dr. Evelyn Nwosu, said the broadcaster was open to strategic partnerships capable of advancing Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem.

Nwosu, who described herself as both a representative of NTA and a theatre practitioner, said she was particularly pleased to witness the launch and celebrate veterans and other practitioners who had contributed to Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

She said the media environment was rapidly shifting towards digital convergence, on-demand content and mobile consumption, adding that NTA was exploring ways to modernise its operations and align its traditional broadcasting reach with emerging digital platforms.

Nwosu welcomed Bebuzee to Lagos and expressed optimism that collaboration between established media institutions and new technology platforms could create measurable opportunities for young Nigerians and the wider creative economy.

### Bebuzee Promises Opportunities for African Creators

Onyero said Bebuzee was designed to address some of the difficulties African creators face on existing digital platforms by providing more opportunities for monetisation and audience engagement.

He said the company intended its artificial intelligence tools to assist creators, editors and other users in improving productivity and generating more revenue.

He also highlighted the platform’s messaging, social networking, streaming, shopping, freelance, blogging, recipe and television services, describing Bebuzee as a comprehensive digital ecosystem.

The launch attracted several prominent figures from the Nigerian entertainment industry, including Jide Kosoko, Patience Ozokwor, Segun Arinze, Zeb Ejiro, Ejike Asiegbu, Emeka Duru, Fred Amata, Paul Obazele, Zubby Michael, Anita Joseph, Felix Duke and others.

Government and regulatory representatives at the event included Dr. Shaibu Husseini of the NFVCB, Dr. Evelyn Nwosu of NTA Lagos and Mrs. Bukola Agbaminoja of the Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board.

The event underscored the growing intersection between technology and Nigeria’s creative economy, with participants emphasising the need to embrace digital innovation while ensuring that creators’ rights, intellectual property, audience protection and appropriate regulation remain central to the industry’s development.


By Loveline Agbonifo

EZE CHIKA NWOKEDI MARKS IRIJI FESTIVAL, EMPOWERS ELDERLY, GUESTS WITH CASH, FOOD ITEMS

LAGOS, NIGERIA — The Ezendigbo of Ijegun-Ijedodo and Eze Okpoko I of Obodoukwu, Eze Dr. Chika Nwokedi, has celebrated the 2026 Iriji (New Yam) Festival with a colourful gathering of traditional rulers, community leaders, titled men and women, cultural groups and other dignitaries in Lagos.

The annual celebration, held on Sunday, September 20, 2026, combined traditional rites of thanksgiving for a new harvest with prayers, cultural displays, entertainment and a major philanthropic gesture by the host.

A major highlight of the celebration was the distribution of bags of rice, semovita and other food items, Ankara materials, wristwatches and other gifts to guests and beneficiaries.

Nwokedi also gave cash gifts totalling more than N200,000 to 72-year-old Beatrice Ngozi Ibundun and other beneficiaries at the event, while encouraging others to support people in need.

Speaking on his philanthropic activities, Nwokedi said his generosity was not dependent on having enormous wealth, stressing that his philosophy of giving was rooted in his desire to touch lives and serve humanity.

According to him, his commitment to giving is also connected to his spiritual calling and a tradition handed down by his forefathers.

He recounted the story of an unidentified woman who attended the festival and offered N1,000 during the breaking of the kola nut. Nwokedi said he was moved to support her after sensing that the money she offered was all she had.

He subsequently gave her N100,000 and other gifts, after which other guests also contributed money to her, reportedly raising her total benefit to about N400,000.

Nwokedi said the woman later confirmed that she had borrowed money to attend the event because she was determined to see him, having benefited from his generosity on previous occasions.

He said the incident reinforced his belief that acts of kindness could create opportunities for people in unexpected ways.

> “I don't have massive wealth, but I have the heart of giving,” Nwokedi said, adding that he believes every person would eventually be accountable for the lives they touched during their lifetime.

Explaining the significance of Iriji, Nwokedi said the festival represents thanksgiving for life, harvest and divine protection.

He noted that traditional rites preceding the feast, including animal sacrifice, symbolise thanksgiving and prayers for protection.

He also referred to the biblical account in Exodus 12:13, where God told the Israelites: “And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you.”

Nwokedi said the passage informs his understanding of the symbolism of blood in the traditional prayers associated with the festival.

Speaking on the importance of preserving Iriji among Igbos in the diaspora, he urged people to sustain their culture according to their circumstances and convictions.

He cautioned that people should not engage in activities beyond their means simply because others were doing so, stressing that philanthropy should be guided by one's capacity and calling.

The cultural significance of the festival was also highlighted by Mr. Charles Kelechi Nelson Ngbe, Chairman of Ndi-Igbo in Ijegun-Ijedodo.

Ngbe described the New Yam Festival as a period of thanksgiving to God for life and the opportunity to witness another harvest.

He urged Igbo youths to learn their language, customs and traditions and pass them on to their children, warning that people who lose touch with their roots could eventually become strangers to their own heritage.

Other speakers similarly described yam as a central crop in traditional Igbo society and explained that the festival marks the commencement of eating the year's new harvest.

Barr. Ene Vincent Ifeanyichukwu described Nwokedi as a philanthropist whose activities provide an example for other Igbo leaders to emulate.

Chief Arinze Opkara, CEO of RH Mega Resources Limited, Ghana and Nigeria, who travelled from Ghana for the celebration, commended Nwokedi for promoting Igbo culture and bringing people together.

Opkara stressed the importance of preserving Igbo heritage among people living outside Nigeria, particularly by teaching children the Igbo language and traditions so they remain connected to their ancestral roots.

Newly coronated Super High Chief Urukanachukwu said his new title comes with a responsibility to promote unity, compassion and support for the less privileged.

He said he was inspired by the leadership and humanitarian example of Eze Okpoko I, whom he described as a mentor.

According to him, he intends to emulate the monarch by helping people in need, supporting those unable to meet their obligations and fostering unity among the Igbo.

Urukanachukwu also said the New Yam Festival provides an opportunity for Igbo people to reconnect, build relationships and strengthen their sense of community.

Similarly, Eze Chukwuemeka Sylvanus Onuoha, Ezendigbo of Iyana-Iba, described the festival as an avenue for Igbo children to learn their customs and traditions.

He appealed to Igbo leaders and cultural organisations to prioritise unity, saying disputes and supremacy struggles should not overshadow the original purpose of organisations established to promote peace, cultural preservation and mutual assistance.

Eze Okparaku Boniface, Bobaselu of Ikotun Land, said the New Yam Festival remained an important part of Igbo traditional heritage and should be preserved without infringing on the culture and laws of host communities.

He particularly encouraged parents in the diaspora to teach their children the Igbo language, saying language remains an important part of cultural identity.

The festival also featured the breaking of kola nuts, traditional music and dances by members of the Igbo Speaking Community, Ohaneze Ndigbo and the Eze Okpoko Dance Group, as well as the ceremonial eating of the new yam.

Among those who attended were Eze Monday Lawrence Obijogu, popularly known as Eze Monday Lawrence Obi JP or Ezedioranma 1; Eze Okparaku Boniface; Eze Chukwuemeka Sylvanus Onuoha; Barr. Ene Vincent Ifeanyichukwu; palace chiefs; members and executives of the Igbo Speaking Community and Ohaneze Ndigbo; representatives of various associations; and security personnel from the Nigerian Army, Police and NSCDC.

### GOAT SACRIFICE SYMBOLISES THANKSGIVING, PROTECTION

Explaining the significance of the goat sacrifice conducted before the festival, Chief Chika Victor Okeoma said the ritual was performed as a covenant and prayer for the protection of members of the traditional cabinet, their wives, children and the wider community.

He said the shedding of the animal's blood symbolised a prayer that members of the community would be protected from death and other misfortunes throughout 2026.

According to Okeoma, the sacrifice is part of the traditional observance accompanying the New Yam Festival in his community.

Chief Chukwuemeka Ezurike, founder and leader of Obi Udo Traditional Association, similarly explained that, in some traditional settings, an animal such as a cow, goat or fowl is sacrificed before the new yam is eaten.

He said the practice represents thanksgiving for being alive to witness another harvest and a prayer for continued protection and guidance into another year.

Ezurike explained that the New Yam Festival is primarily a celebration of harvest and an important aspect of Igbo cultural heritage. He said yam is traditionally regarded as the “king of crops” because of its historical importance in Igbo society.

Chief Emeka Onwukaobi, the Onowu of Ijegun-Ijedodo, also described the festival as a cultural tradition handed down from generations, noting that yam occupies a special position in Igbo society.

He explained that the festival traditionally marks the period when people begin to eat the year's newly harvested yam after the required cultural observances have been performed.

Chief Godwin Anaeme (Akajiofo) explained that the sacrifice of the goat symbolises the shedding of blood in place of human lives.

According to him, the practice is rooted in the belief that God instructed that a ram be offered on His altar. He said the sacrifice represents protection, as the goat’s blood is believed to stand in place of human blood and cleanse the community of evil plans and afflictions attributed to the devil.

The explanations about the sacrifice reflected the traditional beliefs expressed by the participants that the ritual serves as thanksgiving and a symbolic plea for protection against death and misfortune. The practice, however, varies among Igbo communities.

For Nwokedi, the 2026 Iriji celebration went beyond the eating of new yam. It became an occasion for thanksgiving, cultural preservation, community bonding and, most significantly, extending a helping hand to people in need.


By Loveline Agbonifo

CHIEF M. DANIEL OFANGBAH CELEBRATES 70TH BIRTHDAY, HONOURED WITH PEACE AMBASSADOR AWARD

OJO, LAGOS STATE — Mr. M. Daniel Ofangbah, popularly known as “Tallest,” on Sunday, September 20, 2026, celebrated his 70th birthday with family, friends, associates and well-wishers who gathered in Ojo, Lagos State, to honour his life, faith, legacy and impact.

The celebrant was also honoured with the Peace Ambassador Award (PA), an initiative of Pastor Patrick Oseaga Eghator, and conferred through Voice Out Nigeria News (VONNews) in recognition of his contributions to humanity, the maritime sector and peaceful community relations.

The celebration, held under the theme “70 Years of Faith, Legacy & Impact,” brought together people from different walks of life, including members of the Edo Maritan Club, military personnel, church leaders, friends, family members and associates.

The event featured prayers, tributes, presentations, entertainment and the cutting of the birthday cake, while photographs documenting different stages of the celebrant’s life were also displayed.

Speaking during the celebration, Mr. M. Daniel Ofangbah expressed gratitude to God, recalling the difficult circumstances he experienced while growing up.

He said he lost his father at about 12 years of age and later lost his mother, adding that he had passed through different challenges before reaching the milestone.

According to him, his achievements were a result of perseverance, faith in God and commitment to whatever he found himself doing.

Ofangbah urged people to put God first in whatever they do, stressing that faith and perseverance remain important in overcoming life’s challenges.

He referenced Psalm 23, encouraging people not to be afraid of opposition and stressing that God remains the ultimate source of strength and success.

His wife, Mrs. A. Stella Ofangbah, described the celebration as a major surprise, saying she did not expect such a large gathering.

She advised women to exercise patience and support their husbands, while also speaking about the importance of maintaining peace within the family.

Mrs. Ofangbah prayed for her husband’s continued longevity, good health and prosperity, expressing her desire to continue sharing life with him.

The President of the Edo Maritan Club, Mr. Tom Edeigba, described Ofangbah as a founding member and Board of Trustees member of the association since 1993.

Edeigba explained that the Edo Maritan Club supports Edo indigenes and their wives working within the maritime industry, including people involved in logistics, cleaning, shipping-related activities and other areas of the sector.

He said Ofangbah’s humility, Christian faith and willingness to support others had made him an important figure within the organisation.

Another guest, Mr. Lucky Freeman, an entertainer, described Ofangbah as a big brother, father, leader and role model who had consistently supported younger people and made himself available to others.

He said many people travelled from different places to attend the celebration because of the support and goodwill Ofangbah had shown them over the years.

The celebrant’s last child, Miss Faith Ofangbah, described her father as a loving father and grandfather who extends his care beyond his immediate family.

She said his ability to treat many people as members of his family was one of the qualities that made him unique.

Faith prayed for her father to enjoy many more years in good health, prosperity, happiness and laughter, noting that he was someone who loved to laugh.

A family member, Mr. Alex Ofangbah, said the original plan was for a small celebration involving family and close friends, but the number of people who turned up made the occasion much bigger than expected.

He attributed the large turnout to Ofangbah’s contributions to people’s lives and said the celebration demonstrated the love and respect people have for him.

He urged people to learn to appreciate one another, live peacefully and allow love to guide their relationships.

A representative of the 149 Battalion, Warrant Officer Momo, also joined other guests in celebrating Ofangbah. He prayed for longevity, prosperity, good health and continued blessings for the celebrant and his family.

The military delegation also presented a gift to Ofangbah on behalf of the battalion.

In his tribute, Pastor Patrick Oseaga Eghator, the initiator of the award, described Ofangbah as a man of honour, integrity, humility and strong faith in God.

He said the celebrant had positively influenced the lives of many people and remained committed to helping others.

Pastor Eghator prayed that God would grant Ofangbah long life and enable him to enjoy the years ahead in good health and fulfilment.

VONNEWS HONOURS OFANGBAH WITH PEACE AMBASSADOR AWARD

As part of activities marking his 70th birthday, Voice Out Nigeria News (VONNews) proudly conferred the distinguished Peace Ambassador Award (PA) on Mr. M. Daniel Ofangbah, popularly known as “Tallest,” through the initiative of Pastor Patrick Oseaga Eghator.

According to the citation issued by VONNews, the award was presented in recognition of his meritorious and impactful philanthropic services to the growth of humanity, outstanding contributions to the development of the maritime sector, and exemplary and visionary leadership style which continues to inspire peace, progress and unity.

The citation further recognised him as Director, Oziegbemi Ventures and Maxfalex International Limited, involved in clearing and forwarding, import and export, as well as Grand Patron, Esan Maritime; Patron, Edo Maritime; and Patron, G7.

VONNews described the honouree as a “man of honour, service and integrity” and congratulated him on attaining the age of 70.

Other individuals involved in making the birthday celebration possible were also recognised during the event, including Pastor Patrick Oseaga Eghator, who was acknowledged for his role as facilitator, motivator and organiser of the presentations.

The gathering ended with prayers, goodwill messages and congratulations to Mr. M. Daniel Ofangbah as he marked his 70th birthday, with family, friends and associates wishing him many more years of good health, prosperity, peace and continued impact.

@VONNews
Esther Osazuwa

### BAECC Strengthens Leadership, Appoints Emmanuel Onwodi COO

The Benin-Asaba Expressway Concession Company Limited (BAECC) has strengthened its executive leadership with the appointment of renowned Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and infrastructure specialist, Dr. Emmanuel Onwodi, as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).

Onwodi, a chartered accountant, infrastructure finance specialist and former senior official of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), brings more than 25 years of professional experience spanning infrastructure development, concession management, project finance, risk management, transport and logistics.

In his new role, Onwodi will support the operational execution of the Benin-Asaba Expressway concession, with responsibilities including project delivery, stakeholder coordination and implementation of the company's long-term objectives.

His mandate will also cover improving operational efficiency, maintaining the integrity of the concession framework and strengthening collaboration among government institutions, investors, contractors, lenders, communities and other stakeholders involved in the project.

Onwodi spent about 14 years at the ICRC, where he rose to director-level positions covering Transport Infrastructure, Planning, Research and Statistics, and Special Projects.

During his public-sector career, he participated in the development, review and implementation of major PPP and infrastructure initiatives covering roads, railways, ports, aviation, energy, real estate and social infrastructure.

His experience includes the structuring and negotiation of concession arrangements, project finance, financial modelling, risk allocation and contingent liabilities, as well as the development of frameworks aimed at improving the bankability and sustainability of infrastructure projects.

He contributed to major policy initiatives including the Nigerian Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, the National Infrastructure Financing Policy and guidelines supporting PPP implementation across Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

Onwodi also served on the Inter-Agency Committee involved in developing Nigeria's Sukuk bond framework, aimed at expanding alternative sources of capital for infrastructure development.

In the transport sector, his professional experience includes road concessions, national tolling frameworks, railway development, deep-sea ports, dry ports, truck transit parks and aviation infrastructure.

He participated in the negotiation and structuring of the Eastern and Western Railway concessions, valued at more than $2.2 billion, and was also involved in work relating to high-speed rail business cases and transaction advisory.

His maritime infrastructure experience includes projects connected with the Badagry Deep-Sea Port, Ibom Deep-Sea Port and Bakassi Port, alongside broader maritime and logistics policy initiatives.

Onwodi has also worked on PPP structuring and financial modelling for aviation and airport infrastructure, independent power projects, hydropower risk allocation and other energy-sector transactions.

His experience extends to urban and social infrastructure, including the National Theatre concession, Federal Secretariat PPP and infrastructure models in the health and education sectors.

In infrastructure finance and investment, he has participated in transactions designed to mobilise private capital for public projects, including the structuring of a transaction that attracted more than N41 billion in private investment into a single project.

He also contributed to the development of Direct Negotiation guidelines aimed at reducing transaction timelines and associated costs in infrastructure procurement.

Onwodi holds a Ph.D. in Risk Management in Public-Private Partnerships, with research focused on contingent liability risk. He also holds an M.Sc. in Risk Management from Birmingham City University, United Kingdom, and a B.A. in International Accounting from the University of Northampton, UK.

He further holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, Zaria.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT), as well as a Certified Public-Private Partnership Professional (CP3P), Chartered Financial Consultant (CFC) and Chartered Management Consultant (Ch.MC).

Beyond infrastructure development, Onwodi has been involved in professional education and capacity building. He currently serves as Director of Programme and Capacity Building for the PPP Practitioners Association of Nigeria (P3PAN) and is Branch Chairman of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Abuja.

He has delivered presentations and participated in professional engagements on PPPs, infrastructure finance, transport, risk management and concession development in Nigeria and internationally.

Commenting on his approach to infrastructure development, Onwodi said: “Infrastructure is the bridge between vision and prosperity. Through balanced risk, transparent partnership, and rigorous execution, we turn concession agreements into lasting public value — for generations to come.”

BAECC said Onwodi's combination of public-sector experience, private infrastructure knowledge, financial expertise and familiarity with complex concession arrangements would support the company's efforts to deliver the Benin-Asaba Expressway project.

The appointment comes at an important stage in the development of the corridor, where coordination among the concessionaire, government institutions, contractors, financiers, communities and road users remains central to successful delivery.

The Benin-Asaba Expressway is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership concession and serves as a major transport link connecting Edo and Delta states while facilitating the movement of people and goods across southern Nigeria.

BAECC said the scale and long-term nature of the project require strong concession management, financing, risk allocation, logistics, stakeholder engagement and operational coordination, areas that form a substantial part of Onwodi's professional background.

The company said his appointment reinforces its commitment to assembling the professional and technical leadership required to deliver the expressway to the standards expected of a major national infrastructure project.

With Onwodi joining its executive leadership, BAECC said its immediate priority remains effective execution of the concession and constructive engagement with stakeholders towards delivering a safe, efficient and modern Benin-Asaba Expressway.


By Loveline Agbonifo

Fidelity Bank Promotes 433 Employees, Says 13% of Workforce Benefited

Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the promotion of 433 employees through its 2026 Promotion and Notch Award Exercise, representing approximately 13 per cent of the bank’s workforce.

The latest exercise marks an increase from the 12 per cent and 11 per cent recorded in 2025 and 2024, when 376 and 337 employees were promoted respectively.

The bank said the initiative underscores its commitment to recognising excellence, rewarding outstanding performance and strengthening a performance-driven culture across the organisation.

Since the assumption of office by Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nneka Onyeali Ikpe, Fidelity Bank has continued to conduct annual promotion exercises aimed at recognising employee contributions, strengthening institutional capacity and developing its leadership pipeline.

Beyond career progression, the bank said it has continued to invest in employee welfare through measures designed to improve productivity, workplace satisfaction and staff wellbeing.

According to the bank, salaries across all categories and grade levels were increased in 2022, 2024 and 2025, while staff buses were deployed to ease commuting. The bank also enhanced medical support and expanded learning and development programmes.

It further extended its mortgage loan and home ownership scheme to employees from the Assistant Banking Executive to Deputy Manager cadres, while increasing applicable mortgage limits for qualified staff in line with current market realities.

Fidelity Bank said the initiative makes it one of the few institutions providing mortgage support to employees below the Manager cadre.

The bank has also sustained initiatives focused on employee engagement, collaboration, work-life balance, professional certification and continuous upskilling as part of efforts to build a motivated and future-ready workforce.

The latest promotion exercise forms part of the bank’s broader people strategy to attract, develop, reward and retain talent by recognising discipline, professionalism, innovation, customer focus and sustained performance.

Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 10 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and its United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The bank has received several local and international recognitions, including the 2025 Development Bank of Nigeria Innovation Award for MSME support, Best Retail and SME Bank Award from Independent Newspapers, Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance and Most Innovative Bank of the Year at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions Awards, and Nigeria’s Best Private Bank at the 2025 Euromoney Awards.

It also received the Most Improved Commercial Bank of the Year award from Nairametrics, SME Bank of the Year from NewsDirect and the Straight-Through Processing Excellence Award from Citi, alongside recognition from Global Brands Magazine for Excellence in Community Empowerment.


By Loveline Agbonifo

Police Arraign Two Women Over Alleged Cyberstalking of Access Bank


The Nigeria Police Force has arraigned two women before the Federal High Court in Lagos over alleged conspiracy and transmission of false information concerning Access Bank Plc.

The defendants, Idorenyin Samuel Umoh and Fineness Monday Esu, were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime and publication of false information allegedly capable of causing fear and alarm among members of the public.

The Police prosecuting counsel from the Directorate of Legal Services of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, Stanley Nwafoaku, told the court that the defendants allegedly conspired with other persons now at large to circulate a false publication claiming that Access Bank would shut down its operations effective September 23, 2026.

According to the charge, the defendants allegedly urged customers of the bank to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

The prosecution alleged that the publication was transmitted through computer systems and networks, including Facebook and WhatsApp, with the purported intention of causing a breakdown of law and order.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to all three counts when the charges were read to them.

Following their pleas, Nwafoaku urged the court to remand the defendants in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service pending trial.

However, Cynthia Nwanpu, who appeared for Ifenna Okeke, counsel to the two defendants, appealed to the court for a short date to enable the defence to file a formal bail application.

Justice Akintayo Aluko, in his ruling, ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service.

The judge subsequently adjourned the matter until November 25, 2026, for trial, while directing that the defendants' bail application, when filed, should be given expeditious hearing.

The case is registered as FHC/L/CR/773/2026.

The three-count charge was filed by the police under provisions of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as amended in 2024, and the Criminal Code Act.

In Count One, the prosecution alleged that the defendants conspired among themselves and with persons still at large to knowingly transmit a false publication concerning Access Bank through computer systems and networks.

Count Two accused the defendants of knowingly and intentionally transmitting the alleged false publication through Facebook and WhatsApp, claiming that the bank would cease operations on September 23 and advising customers to close their accounts and withdraw their funds.

In Count Three, the prosecution alleged that the defendants knowingly published or reproduced a statement, rumour or report that Access Bank was shutting down its operations, which was allegedly capable of causing fear and alarm and disturbing public peace.


By Loveline Agbonifo

Peter Obi’s Former SSG Breaks Silence on Anambra Debt Controversy


The former Secretary to the Anambra State Government under former Governor Peter Obi, Oseloka Obaze, has broken his silence on the ongoing controversy over the financial position of the state when Obi handed over power to Willie Obiano in 2014.

Obaze, who served as Secretary to the State Government during Obi’s administration, said he was personally present during the handover ceremony on March 17, 2014, where Obi formally transferred power to Obiano.

According to him, the handover documents contained detailed information on the state’s assets, investments, bank balances and liabilities at the time.

Obaze said the documents showed that the state had about N27 billion in local investments, $156 million in foreign-currency investments, valued at about N26.5 billion at the time, as well as N28.166 billion in certified balances belonging to the state and its Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He added that the documents also included a N10 billion Federal Government refund, bringing the listed financial resources to about N91.666 billion.

The former SSG said the state’s estimated liabilities at the time were about N5 billion, leaving a reported net balance of approximately N86.666 billion.

Obaze also referred to the 2017 Anambra governorship debate organised by Channels Television, where former Governor Willie Obiano reportedly acknowledged that funds had been left behind by the previous administration.

He said the latest controversy should therefore be examined against the records contained in the official handover documents rather than through political claims.

The intervention comes amid renewed disagreement over loans allegedly obtained by the Obi administration and the financial obligations inherited by subsequent governments.

The Anambra State Government has claimed that eight external loans were obtained between 2007 and 2013, with an outstanding balance of about $92.35 million, reportedly equivalent to N127.37 billion as of June 30, 2026.

Obi has rejected the claims, maintaining that his administration did not leave unpaid obligations relating to salaries, pensions, gratuities and certified projects.

The former governor has also maintained that his administration left substantial funds and investments for its successor.

The latest statement by Obaze has therefore added another dimension to the ongoing debate over Anambra State’s financial records, with attention now focused on the official handover documents and how the state’s assets, investments and liabilities were accounted for during the transition in 2014.


By Sunday Eligbue

Keystone Bank Opens Subscription Access to Dangote Refinery IPO, Named Receiving Agent


Keystone Bank has been appointed one of the accredited financial institutions serving as a Receiving Agent for the Initial Public Offering (IPO) of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE, providing investors with access to subscribe for shares in the landmark industrial enterprise.

The appointment positions the bank as an authorised gateway through which Nigerians and eligible international investors can participate in the public offer and become part-owners of the Dangote Refinery.

Under the terms of the offer, 4.1 billion ordinary shares are being offered at N525 per share, with a minimum subscription of 10 shares valued at N5,250. Investors may apply for additional shares in line with the conditions contained in the offer documents.

The subscription opened on Monday, September 14, 2026, and is scheduled to close on October 13, 2026, subject to the provisions of the offer documentation.

Keystone Bank said both existing customers and non-customers can participate in the offer through its approved subscription channels.

Speaking on the appointment, the Executive Director, Corporate Bank and South, Keystone Bank, Nnenna Anyim Okoro, described the Dangote Refinery Offer as more than an investment opportunity, saying it provides Nigerians with an opportunity to own a stake in an asset expected to contribute significantly to the country's industrial and economic development.

She said Keystone Bank was proud to support the transaction by providing investors with a seamless, secure and convenient subscription experience through its digital and physical channels.

According to her, the bank believes access to wealth-creation opportunities should be simple, inclusive and available to all, adding that both retail and corporate investors have an opportunity to participate in the landmark enterprise.

Okoro urged prospective investors to conduct appropriate due diligence, carefully review the offer documentation and make investment decisions consistent with their financial goals.

She added that the bank was committed to enabling wider participation in what she described as a significant milestone for Nigeria's capital market and economic development.

Investors have also been advised to ensure that their personal and banking details, including their Bank Verification Number (BVN), are accurate and up to date before submitting their applications.

Customers and other eligible investors can access the offer through Keystone Bank's designated channels, subject to the applicable subscription process and terms.

The Dangote Refinery IPO is regarded as a significant transaction for the Nigerian capital market, with the public offer structured to widen ownership of the refinery and provide retail investors with an opportunity to participate in the business.

Keystone Bank therefore invited individuals, professionals, entrepreneurs, business owners, institutional investors and other eligible investors interested in the offer to subscribe through the bank.

The bank, however, advised prospective investors to read the Prospectus and other offer documents carefully and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary before investing.

It also urged investors to subscribe only through approved channels and remain vigilant against fraudulent investment schemes.

Keystone Bank said investors should never disclose their PIN, password or One-Time Password (OTP), or pay money into a personal account in connection with the offer.

Keystone Bank Limited is a Nigerian commercial bank providing retail, commercial and digital banking services to individuals, businesses and corporate customers through a network of more than 157 branches nationwide.


Customers can access the offer through the Bank's designated channels, subject to the applicable subscription process and terms, via https://www.keystonebankng.com/keystone-bank-dangote-petroleum-refinery-ipo/

By Sunday Eligbue