February 2022 - Page 11 of 19 - SocietyGazette.com

Shake up in presidency as Buhari sacks First Lady’s aide

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved reorganisation of the workforce in the Office of the First Lady, leading to the sack of a political appointee, redeployment of three and appointment of a new one.

Buhari appointed renowned journalist and former member of the House of Representatives, Muhammad Sani Zorro, as his new Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs and Strategy deployed in the Office of the First Lady.

A statement on Saturday morning by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, disclosed that three of the aides of the First Lady, Hajia Aisha Buhari, were redeployed, at her request, from her office to that of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF).

The statement also said the President has approved the immediate disengagement of his Special Assistant on Domestic and Social Events in the Office of the First Lady, Zainab Kazeem.

The reason for Kazeem’s sack is yet to be ascertained.

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Those redeployed to the OSGF from the Office of the First Lady are: Dr. Mohammed Kamal Abdulrahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health and Development Partners and Personal Physician to the First Lady; Hadi Uba, Special Assistant to the President on Administration; and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant to the President on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of Muhammad Sani Zorro, journalist, politician and former lawmaker, as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs and Strategy, Office of the First Lady.

“At the instance of the First Lady, Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, the President has also approved the immediate redeployment of three of the political appointees in her office to the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, pending their assignment to some other government departments or agencies.

“Those affected by the redeployment are: Dr. Mohammed Kamal Abdulrahman, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Health and Development Partners and Personal Physician to the First Lady; Hadi Uba, Special Assistant to the President on Administration and Wole Aboderin, Special Assistant to the President on Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs.

“Also approved with effect from 11th February is the disengagement of Zainab Kazeem, the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic and Social Events, Office of the First Lady.

“Zorro, a famous journalist, brings to the new job decade-long experience in media practice, publishing and unionist leadership.

“He was at various times President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, West African Journalists Association (WAJA) and the Federation of African Journalists, FAJ.

“He was in the House of Representatives where he chaired the committee on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), Refugees and Initiatives on North East,” the statement reads.

2023: Zulum Reveals Those That Will Decide APC Presidential Candidate

Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State has revealed those who will decide the presidential flag-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election.
He said President Muhammadu Buhari, APC governors and other party leaders will decide who becomes the party’s presidential candidate in 2023.

Zulum made this known on Friday when he received members of the Progressive Consolidation Group (PCG) at his office in the Government House in Maiduguri, the state capital.

Zulum said: “I am solidly behind initiatives aimed towards enhancing the unity of our party and progress of Nigeria; at this crucial time, no one and nothing will prevent the party from moving in unison.

“We have to identify the right individuals to lead the nation and the task requires governors, party hierarchy and the President working together in concert.

“Individual aspirations may have to be downplayed because we all have to concur with the decision of the leader of our party.

“Borno state under me will promote unity and all efforts to ensure the success of APC; we shall work with the party hierarchy, our leaders at the National Assembly and our party leaders at ward and state levels, to arrive at the best solutions for taking the country forward.”

Earlier, the Chairman of the PCG, Aliyu Rabiu Kurfi, stressed the need for Zulum, other state governors, and party leaders at the ward, state and federal levels to forge a consensus towards making Professor Yemi Osinbajo Nigeria’s next president.

“The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo deserves the right of first refusal and even in a crowded race with great individuals, he stands out as an insider with the right level of competence and intellect to do the job better than all others,” he said.

Hushpuppi: PSC gives fresh update On Abba Kyari Investigation

The Police Service Commission (PSC) on Friday gave an update on investigations involving allegations against the suspended former head of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari.
Kyari is facing investigation over alleged involvement in a fraud case by arrested internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi.

The commission in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani said it will defer any decision until a report on further investigation is received.

However as earlier reported by Naija News, the PSC directed the Nigeria Police Force to conclude its investigation on the case involving Abba Kyari within two weeks.

It added that the investigation should be carried out by a different panel.

The decision was reached at the 14th plenary meeting which was chaired by retired Inspector-General of Police and Chairman of the Commission, Musiliu Smith.

Apart from the Kyari case, the PSC also considered issues ranging from disciplinary issues among operatives, promotion, and court rulings/judgments.

Below is the full statement from the Police Service Commission.

DCP ABBA KYARI CASE –PSC DEFERS DECISION UNTIL REPORT ON FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS RECEIVED, DIRECTS THAT POLICE MUST CONCLUDE INVESTIGATION IN TWO WEEKS AND SHOULD BE CARRIED OUT BY A DIFFERENT PANEL; REAFFIRMS DECISION ON SP SHAABA ADAMU GBOYAKO; PROMOTES 89 STAFF

“The Police Service Commission has deferred decision on the case involving suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba A. Kyari, who until his suspension by the Commission was the Officer in charge of the Inspector General of Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT). Kyari had earlier been indicted by a Report of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States and was also investigated by a special Panel set up by the Inspector General of Police.

“The Report had earlier been forwarded to the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for legal advice by the Inspector General of Police.

“The Commission also directed that further necessary investigation should take half the time it took the Police to conduct the original investigation and that the investigation should be carried out by a different panel.

“The Commission took the decision at the continuation of its14th Plenary Meeting which ended in Abuja on Thursday, February 11th 2022 and which was chaired by Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a retired Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Commission.

“The Commission at the Plenary Meeting also considered 20 Pending Disciplinary Matters and five appeals and petitions from the Inspector General of Police and aggrieved serving and ex-Police Officers. It also considered five promotion appeals.

“The Commission reaffirmed its earlier decision to exonerate SP Shaaba Adamu Gboyako a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to former Inspector General of Police taken at its I9th Plenary Meeting of 28th and 29th September, 2020. The Commission was mindful of the need to safeguard its corporate image and defend its institutional integrity. It directed the Inspector General of Police to implement its decision as its affects the Officer without delay.

“The Commission also directed that the judgment of a Kano High Court in an application for enforcement of the fundamental right to life brought by the father of one Abdulkadir Nasiru (now deceased) be forwarded to the Inspector General of Police for implementation of the orders of the court.

“The appellant was seeking justice for the alleged torture of his son to death by Police.

“The appeal for accelerated/notional promotion based on merit from CSP Ita Lazarus Udom was also considered and approved by the Plenary. The Commission approved the adjustments of promotion dates of the Officer from the rank of Superintendent of Police to a Deputy Commissioner of Police in line with his course mates.

The Commission also considered and promoted 89 staff of the Commission with a promise to ensure that staff promotion will continue to receive priority attention while they should ensure they, at all times put in their best.”

Oluwo Denies Requesting ₦20M From Oyetola For Wedding

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has distanced himself from the report claiming that he contacted the Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, to solicit support for a proposed wedding in Kano State.
A letter was shared online where the monarch allegedly solicited money for the Kano wedding.

The letter dated February 8, 2022, and addressed to the state Governor was received on behalf of Oyetola by the Special Adviser to the governor on Chieftaincy Affairs.

The letter read in parts, “I have the instruction of the His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, the Oluwo of Iwo, to notify you of Oluwo’s decision to marry a princess from Kano Emirate, to be precise, Ado Bayero Dynasty.

“I wish to remind your Excellency that this kind of royal wedding within two notable traditional institutions in Nigeria will require huge expenses, which necessitate the support of the state government financially, even logistically.”

The Press Secretary to Oluwo, Alli Ibraheem, when questioned on the development noted that the palace did not forward any letter to the Governor.

He said, “We didn’t author any letter. The letterhead you saw is not the one used by Oluwo. Moreso, if Baba will write government, it will carry his signature.”

Oluwo’s marriage to his Jamaican wife, Ms Chanel Chin, had crashed in December 2019.

UBA Gifts Customers Awesome Digital Experience at Valentine with New Internet Banking

Africa’s global bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to launch the new internet banking, tagged ‘Made for Love’ in time for the Valentine season which is widely celebrated all over the world as the season of love.

The newly upgraded internet banking has been fully equipped to provide a new digital experience to customers as the bank has invested in cutting edge technology to achieve this with attention to the smallest detail.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Kennedy Uzoka, who gave insight on the new internet banking system, explained that as always, UBA remains committed towards prioritising customers, which is why the bank has gone the extra mile in conceptualising an outstanding service, with countless benefits and features designed to give its esteemed customers increased control and accessibility to carry out their transactions with ease.

As a key part of the new features, he said the application has been loaded with security elements to protect all financial transactions on the bank’s platform and is securely focused on the ultimate customer experience.

Speaking specifically about the internet Banking payment system, the GMD explained that it is the best in its class and was designed with multiple-factor authentication security features, which makes it extremely difficult to hack. He, however, advised customers not to divulge personal information to third parties, in order to keep the line of transaction fully protected on the part of the customer.

“The new Internet banking comes with a lot of features that are engaging for customers and have made banking transactions a lot easier, while easily addressing customers’ needs, through inbuilt emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI),” Uzoka said.

He listed some of the upgraded features to include transfer of money from UBA account to other UBA accounts, sending money to saved beneficiaries, card-less withdrawal for self and for third party, personal financial management and so much more.

“Mobile technology is our strategy in UBA, and we have devoted a lot to ensure that we are able to deliver banking services using a web system that is unparalleled across the globe”, Uzoka explained.

Also speaking on the new digital experience, Group Head, Digital Banking, Kayode Ishola, said the new internet banking is the customers’ personal finance manager built with a distinctive user interface that will change the face of banking, adding that the internet banking has been designed as multilingual and multi-currency Web payment system to address the needs of all categories of UBA customers, irrespective of their education and tribe, either for Individual customers or SME customers.

He disclosed that the new Internet banking runs concurrently in the 20 countries of UBA’s operation, interacting in the different languages and cultures in line with the specific needs and regulation of the country in focus, adding that it is sleek and trendy with a seamless user interface and can also speak to the specific country where it is being used.

“Interestingly, we have worked towards creating behavioural insight for our customers and working around this to address the real needs of our customers using the Omni channel platform and running on our open digital platform, which is very interactive and armed with lifestyle services,” Ishola explained.

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-one million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries.

With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services

Gunshots As NURTW Factions Clash In Lagos

Two factions of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) on Friday morning clashed at the Agbado area of the Alimosho Local Government Area in Lagos State.
Naija News reports that this caused pandemonium amongst residents of the area.

It was gathered that road users and passersby scampered for safety when the two factions violently engaged each other.

An eyewitness told The PUNCH that gunshots were also heard during the conflict over ticket collection at the parks.

This online newspaper reports that NURTW factions have been behind recent violence erupting in Lagos State.

It has been gathered that the violence which has led to killings are mostly due to territorial control dispute.

Recall that a Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, Lagos State, has ordered an executive of the NURTW, Azeez Adekunle Lawal, popularly known as Kunle Poly, and two others to be remanded in the facility of the Nigeria Police Zonal Monitoring Unit, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan-Lagos,

The Chief Magistrate, Linda Balogun on Thursday ordered that Kunle Poly, Prince Idowu Onikoyi Johnson and Agboola Akeem Kosoko should be remanded for 30 days over the last Thursday Idumota mayhem.

The executives of the NURTW were remanded after the police’s application for remand was moved by Barrister Morufu Animashaun.

Barrister Animashaun, while urging the court to remand the three, said the application is pursuant to sections 264(1), (2), (3), (4) and (6) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2021 (as amended); Section 4 and 10 of the Police Act, 2020, and sections 6(c), 35(1)(C)(5) and (7)(a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 199 (as amended).

He further stated that the application sought, is to enable the police to conclude an investigation of a case of threat to life and property, violence, cultism, mayhem, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, unlawful possession of firearms, conspiracy and murder against the three men.

Leave Emefiele out of politics, Economists warn propagandists

The North-South Economists’ Forum, NSEF, a focus group of development economists, has warned propagandists and information hawkers feasting on a phoney ‘Emefiele for President’ campaign not to drag the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, governor into the murky water of partisan politics.

Recently, some online news platforms flew a kite purporting that a group of top private sector players and some sitting governors were working on a script to install Mr. Godwin Emefiele as the next Nigerian president in the 2023 presidential election.

The report claimed that Emefiele may likely resign his appointment as CBN governor this month to throw his hat into the Presidential ring.

But the CBN has stoutly rebutted the story as disingenuously false, lacking in substance and therefore a figment of the imagination of its purveyors.

CBN spokesman, Osita Nwasinobi, described the report as a distraction from the CBN’s focus on its mandate of minding monetary policies, financial stability and supporting government programmes.

“I don’t know where that platform got their news from. We discuss monetary policies at the Central Bank and how to support the government, we don’t discuss politics. All these distractions, they should leave us out of them so that we can do our job,” Nwasinobi said.

However, the North-South Economists’ Forum said having done its independent investigation and consultations among highly placed Nigerian entrepreneurs some of whom were said to be among those promoting the Emefiele for President movement, it has discovered that the story was false in its entirety.

The body of Economists in a statement on Wednesday signed by its Chairman, Malam Ahmed Abdulkadir and Secretary, Dr. Chima Eboh, noted that “what was perceived to be a political meeting promoting Emefiele Presidential ambition was actually a meeting of governors, ex-governors, non-political actors, business people with proven economic management background, civil society organisations and the media, whose sole aim was to forge a new pathway for the growth and development of the nation.

“Emefiele was not on the agenda neither was he singled out for discussion at the meeting,” NSEF said.

The Economists urged the CBN governor to stay focused on his economic reengineering of the nation’s monetary policy framework to engender financial stability especially at these times when the nation is facing grave economic challenges.

NSEF charged those calling for Emefiele’s head and accusing him of playing partisan politics on the basis of a fake news to desist from such ill-advised adventure, adding that it ‘was childish and logically infantile to base their conclusion on a faulty premise.

“We have watched how the CBN under Emefiele has constricted the space for economic vampires who take advantage of the nation’s weak primary sector to import all manner of commodities into the country using forex sourced from CBN for local production of goods only to divert same to importation of the same products they originally claimed to manufacture in Nigeria.”

The group linked the renewed attacks on Emefiele to the economic crooks whom he has through the CBN policies of zero-forex for importation of commodities that can be easily grown in Nigeria and dozens of economic interventions by the CBN. It urged Emefiele not to be deterred by the headwinds created by this brood of economic saboteurs who have found easy recruits in some faceless organisations.

“Dragging Emefiele into politics is a show of aberrant mental indolence which does not advertise the propagandists as intelligent or persons given to critical thinking. As a body of Economists with strong bias for development, we consider it an effusion of ingratitude to ever imagine or conjecture that CBN under Emefiele is favouring one political party over another. That is the height of unreason,” the statement said.

FIRSTBANK FELICITATES WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT NIGERIA ON NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINATION

FIRSTBANK FELICITATES WITH JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT NIGERIA ON NOBEL PEACE PRIZE NOMINATION

In recognition of the giant strides and efforts by Junior Achievement Worldwide – the parent body of Junior Achievement Nigeria and other Junior Achievement across 119 countries – in equipping young people to solve societal issues, whilst building an entrepreneurship mindset, Junior Achievement World Wide –– has been nominated for the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize.

Asheesh Advani, CEO of JA Worldwide, shared his perspective in response to the nomination: “Peace is only possible when youth in all countries and regions have economic empowerment. JA Worldwide is honored to receive this nomination and will continue our work to enable all young people to have the skills and mindset to build thriving communities. Our primary hope for solving the world’s most complex problems rests in the young people of today who will be the leaders of tomorrow.”

The nomination has received commendations from various individuals and corporate bodies across the world, especially those that have been partnering with Junior Achievement to promote self-sufficiency amongst the youth in their quest to making the world a better place.

Amongst the organisations is First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider. The financial services heavyweight has remained at the forefront of driving youth development and career building in the country.

FirstBank has been partnering with Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) to implement FutureFirst programme which is built around career counselling, financial literacy and entrepreneurship. In the last 11 years, the bank, through its partnership with JAN, has hosted its annual flagship event- the National Company of the Year Competition (NCOY)- which convenes winners of the JA Company Regional Competitions across Nigeria to compete for the National Company of the Year Award.

Excited about the nomination, FirstBank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney said, “we are proud to be associated with Junior Achievement on the nomination of 2022 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination is certainly well deserved given the depth and reach of the organisation’s impact on the society based on its programmes worldwide. As an institution that remains woven into the fabric of the society, we are truly delighted for this recognition and it would further reinforce our commitment to drive youth development and empowerment in partnership with JAN”.

In response to the news, Executive Director of JA Nigeria (Foluso Gbadamosi), commented: “It’s an honour to be part of the JA Network and we join our colleagues across the world in celebrating this recognition of our efforts to educate and empower young people across the world. Through our unique blend of entrepreneurship, digital literacy, financial literacy, and work readiness programs, we, at JA Nigeria, aim to ensure that Nigerian youth, regardless of socioeconomic status, maximise their potential and take ownership of their economic future as they become leaders of tomorrow”

Nominations may only be received from heads of state and certain elected officials, university professors in selected fields, past Nobel laureates, and a few other notable individuals. Although the identity of each nominee is officially to remain anonymous for 50 years, we have received permission to share with you that we were nominated by a distinguished Professor of Law and International Affairs who was impressed by JA’s incredible global reach, our success in delivering economic empowerment to youth at scale, and our ability to find unity in diversity.

2023: Tinubu Appoints Northerner As National Media Coordinator (PHOTO)

Society gazette reports that the National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and presidential aspirant, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Muhammad Mahmud, from Borno State, as his National Media Coordinator.

While addressing newsmen recently in Maiduguri, Mahmud, 31, solicited support from everyone to ensure that the ambition of the former Lagos State Governor, is actualized ‘in order to consolidate on President Muhammadu Buhari’s unprecedented transformation and development’.

“I received with joy my appointment as the National Coordinator, Tinubu Media Support Group.

“Without doubt, this is a daunting assignment taking into account that our principal is a game-changer of Nigerian politics. He is as well a man of many flanks.

“Therefore, our approach shall be very tasking, as we aren’t oblivious of the fact that with the support of well-meaning Nigerians and prayers, we will wither the storm insha’Allah (By God Grace),” Mahmud said.

Identity Of Police Officer Killed In ibadan Bullion Van Robbery Revealed

The identity of an operative in the Oyo State Police Command that was killed in the armed robbery attack on a bullion van in Ibadan on Thursday has been revealed.
Naija News had earlier reported that armed robbers attacked a bullion van at the Idi-Ape area of Ibadan.

There were claims that the robbers killed some innocent citizens, while several others sustained an injury in the attack.

The deceased was identified by his close associates as Mr Sulaiman Mubarak Olanrewaju.

A close associate to the police officer that was killed, Ridwan Abiola, in a message forwarded to Daily Post to confirm the identity of the victim.

According to Abiola, he has lost a brother and friend.

He said, “I lost a brother and friend to this incident. This happens when we have a government that condones the excesses of thugs.

“This happens when we have in government people who think they are capable but play politics with people’s lives.

“From Ibarapa to Shasha, Iwo Road, Idi Ape and other places not reported. May Allah have mercy on my brother and other deserving servants of Allah killed in these avoidable killings.

“May Allah take our rights from this nonchalant government and give them to us.”