Benue Commissioner of Police Audu Madaki has ordered full scale investigation into the gruesome murder of Chief Mrs Eunice Aganya.
A statement signed by DSP Anene Sewuese Catherine, Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue Command and made available to NAOSRE, stated that on March 13 at about 9.30 am, information reached the Command that Chief Mrs Eunice Aganya, wife of Commissioner Ebezimako Aganya, ret’d, who resided at Austin Iwar Street, off David Mark Bye-Pass in Makurdi could not be seen by her co-chiefs who had planned to pay a courtesy call on a Royal Father in Makurdi.
The statement stated that Police detectives who received this report swiftly moved to her house where she resided alone behind her bakery.
At her residence, her car was seen parked in front of her gate and her fence broken into but her doors were locked.
According to the Police, the team noticed blood stains on the window of the deceased and curiously broke into the house where they found the lifeless body laying in a pool of blood with a deep cut on the head.
Following this sad development, Commissioner Madaki has ordered a full scale investigation to be carried out by detectives of the Command Criminal Investigation Department.
The Benue Commissioner has commiserated with Commissioner E. Aganya, ret’d as well as family members and vows not to leave any stone unturned apprehending the culprits.
Meanwhile, the Corpse has been deposited at Bishop Murray Medical Center Morgue while one suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
4 Customers To Get One Million Naira Each at the end of campaign
Ecobank Nigeria has launched the Super Rewards Scheme, which gives 200 of its customers an opportunity to earn different cash gifts monthly, with four of them becoming millionaires at the end of the four months campaign. Korede Demola-Adeniyi, Head, Consumer Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, who announced the commencement of the campaign in Lagos , said the scheme is designed by Ecobank to reward customers’ loyalty, explaining that 50 customers with the highest deposit will be rewarded with cash prizes worth N25,000 weekly. The campaign runs between March and July 2021.
Demola-Adeniyi stated that participation is open to both new and existing individual customers of the Bank, adding that, this is the perfect time to open an Ecobank account or reactivate and fund a dormant account to qualify for the reward and enjoy a first-rate banking experience. “Fifty (50) customers with the highest deposit will be rewarded with N25,000 every week. And four customers with the highest deposit and transaction value within the campaign duration will be rewarded with N1 million naira each.”
Speaking on the dynamics of the scheme, Daberechi Effiong, Head, Consumer Products, Ecobank Nigeria, said the conditions to qualify for the scheme are simple and easy to ensure both new and existing customers participate and get rewarded. According to her, new customers are expected to open an account with a minimum of N5,000 and maintain the deposit for a 30-day period; same she noted applies to existing customers, who only need to fund their active account with a minimum of N5,000 or reactivate their dormant account with a minimum of N5,000 and maintain the deposit for a 30 day period. Other conditions she noted are listed on Ecobank’s website, she also explained that customers can withdraw funds from their account during the campaign period but will only be qualified for the reward when they maintain at least a balance of N5,000 in their account.
Further, Mrs. Effiong noted that the beneficiaries of the reward will be announced every week on different platforms, including the Bank’s social media handles like Facebook – @EcobankNGR, Twitter and Instagram – @ecobank Nigeria and direct communication to customers. She stated that “the bank will also send congratulatory SMS/email to the beneficiaries of the reward. She further explained that a customer can be rewarded more than once. “However, they will be required to make additional deposits and fulfill the other conditions for eligibility.” She advised those seeking further enquiry to do so via the Bank’s social media platforms and contact centre.
Femi Fani Kayode, Nigerian former Minister of Aviation has given thumbs up to the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE over its commitment to unbiased security reportage in the face of
He gave the appraisal on Saturday in Abuja during a late night meeting with the President of the online media association, Mr. Femi Oyewale.
The former minister enthused that he has been following the activities of the association especially in its commitment to bridging the information gap between citizens and security agents.
Femi Fani Kayode emphasized that the task to enthrone a secured Nigeria should be all inclusive.
“All hands must be on deck to fight insurgency. The media has a big to play and I am very happy NAOSRE has engaged itself in such onerous task. I am proud of you Femi and you have my support,” he said.
Continuing, the lawyer noted that he has always been a friend of the media and would continue to hold the media in high esteem despite the once-a-while disagreement adding that he would have been personally present at NAOSRE Dinner Summit which held at Oriental Hotel on December 11, 2020 in Lagos but for other tight schedules
“I have always maintained that I am a friend of the media and it remains so. We may disagree sometimes. Disagreement is an integral part of friendship and should be expected amongst friends,” he explained.
Oyewale however thanked Femi Fani Kayode for his words of advice and promised that the NAOSRE he leads will not disappoint Nigerians.
Femi Fani Kayode whose father was a minister in the first republic, was the Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to President Olusegun Obasanjo from July 2003 until June 2006. He was appointed the Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from 22 June to 7 November 2006 and as the Minister of Aviation from 7 November 2006 to 29 May 2007
Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, ret’d, the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, is now Grand Patron of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE.
In a brief ceremony on March 11 at the Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, Abuja, where the President of the online media association, Mr. Femi Oyewale presented a plaque of honour to the Ambassador Designate, Buratai thanked the association’s leaders and members for considering him for such enviable position.
He re emphasized the importance he attaches to the media as useful partners in nation building. He reinstated his determination to always co operate with the media, in any way possible, for a better and safer Nigeria.
Buratai urged NAOSRE not to relent in its patriotic efforts at promoting unity and harmony between citizens and security operatives through professional and unbiased reportage.
“I thank NAOSRE leadership and members for being here today to involve me as the association’s Grand Patron for a better and safer Nigeria. The unity and peaceful co existence of our dear country is what I have always worked for. I will continue to support anything that will make Nigeria safer and secured even outside office as Chief of Army Staff.
“I also want to use this opportunity to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the confidence he reposes in me. I will never betray that confidence and I will not disappoint the Commander-in-Chief in any position of trust I am assigned from time to time,” Buratai stated.
Earlier in his presentation, Oyewale described General Buratai as radiating Warren Bennis’s philosophical definition of leader as a servant with capacity to translate vision into reality. He said “Of a truth, His Excellency, General Ambassador Dr Tukur Yusuf Buratai epitomized and exhibited those leadership skills as Chief Of Army Staff. We are sure he will do more in subsequent assignments.”
Oyewale disclosed that the idea to choose Buratai as NAOSRE Grand Patron is a product of the association desire to minimize errors in its pursuit of creating harmony between citizens and military operatives.
He said, “With an experienced General like Buratai as NAOSRE Grand Patron, we will always interface with him in the discharge of our media responsibilities especially security matters for a safer Nigeria.”
Oyewale’s statement reads in part:
“After an exhaustive evaluation of his unmatched pedigree in professionalism, humanitarian services, commitment to officers’ welfare and undiluted love for Nigeria’s security, the leadership, Board of Trustees and members of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, have collectively chosen His Excellency, General Ambassador Dr Tukur Yusuf Buratai as our Grand Patron.
“The certificate of your Investiture as NAOSRE’s Grand Patron is hereby handed over to you.”
National Security Adviser, NSA, Mohammed Babagana Monguno has embarrassed the Presidency, yet again.
Monguno, during an interview with BBC Hausa Service apportioned blames sayings budgeted funds for arms and ammunition may not have been properly utilized, a development that has caused rift in the Presidency.
Arising from his statement, the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE gathered that Monguno has been under fire owing to this careless statement.
Dependable sources availed that this is not the first time the NSA would be causing rift in the Presidency owing to unguarded statements.
“He knows about the defence budget and how monies are being spent. But to come out and apportion blames on former service chiefs by way of saying monies are missing as well as embarrass the Presidency in the Hausa BBC interview seems to be the height of incompetence,” a top Nigerian told NAOSRE.
Meanwhile, the NSA has issued a clarification saying he was quoted out of context and that he never said funds were missing.
The statement reads in part:
“The attention of the Office of the National Security Adviser has been drawn to some media reports regarding Armed Forces equipment during an interview with the BBC Hausa service.
“We would like to state that the NSA was quoted out of context as he did not categorically say that funds meant for arms procurement were missing under the Former Service Chiefs as reported or transcribed by some media outlets from the BBC interview.
“During the interview, the National Security Adviser only reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to deal decisively with insecurity and stated President Muhammadu Buhari’s continued commitment to provide all necessary support to the Armed Forces, including the provision of arms and equipment.
“In the interview, the National Security Adviser clearly informed the BBC reporter that Mr President has provided enormous resources for arms procurement, but the orders were either inadequate or yet to be delivered and that did not imply that the funds were misappropriated under the former Service Chiefs. The NSA also informed the reporter that, Mr President is following up on the procurement process as is usual with contracts relating to military equipments, in most cases the process involves manufacturing, due diligence and tedious negotiations that may change delivery dates.”
It should however be recalled that Mohammed Babagana Monguno, current National Security Adviser is a retired Nigerian military general. He was the Chief of Defence Intelligence from July 2009 to September 2011 and the Commander of the Brigade of Guards from 2007 to 2009.
IAJ has been equipping thousands of journalists across the continent of Africa! In a very recent development – IAJ is set again to increase its milage in the world’s most populous black country – NIGERIA.
Demonstrated through series of social media messages and pictures released by Adeniyi IFETAYO – the Publisher of Megastar Magazine; Senior Correspondent at BEN TV London, IAJ is consummating an ‘International Journalist Training Partnership and Professional Collaboration’ via an ‘MOU’ with Nigeria’s award-winning celebrity journalist – Adeniyi Ifetayo Moses.
Handing over the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the Project Coordinator – Dimakatso Mathe expressed deep belief that Africa is indeed set for another journalism boost through this fete with the 28year old institution – ‘IAJ’!
Recently at the institute’s headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa –
Niyi (as he’s fondly called by his numerous clients and admirers) was commissioned to promote the institution in Nigeria and coordinate the activities of other journalists, writers and communications experts who will like to sharpen their skills in journalism by exploring new strategies in Media, Publications and Journalism at the Institute for Advancement of Journalism in South Africa.
According to the 1st Secretary – Political of the South African Embassy Abuja – Boipelo Lefatshe, aside other undisclosed commitments of the collaboration – the bilateral relationship between the two biggest economies in Africa would definitely culminate into a unique professional integration of the two nations so soon. Through ‘SMS’ – Lefotshe said – ‘the MOU is a great news which will entrench deeper cooperation in the educational sectors of the two countries respectively. She also affirm that ‘both the beneficiaries and benefactors of this journalistic initiative would definitely be better for it very soon’
Nigeria’s leading innovative bank, Wema Bank Plc., through its female proposition, Sara by Wema, will mark this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) with a webinar on Friday, March 12 by 10.00 am.
The 90 minutes’ event themed ‘Challenge Today for an Equal Tomorrow’ will have key industry experts and leading female corporate policy influencers in the Nigerian financial, investment, talent development and management ecosystem as panelists.
The webinar aims at speaking to women on challenging societal norms to reach their full potential in entrepreneurship, the workplace, or personal lives.
The Executive Director, Business Support, Wema Bank, Folake Sanu will host the webinar, while Team Lead, Business Process Re-Engineering, Wema Bank, Chika Adun, will moderate.
Other panelists include Founder, Green Investment Club and certified financial education instructor, Tomie Balogun; global leadership development expert, Dupe Akinsiun, and Chief Knowledge Officer, Wofin Tech Limited, Omilola Oshikoya.
Commenting on the importance of the webinar, Head, Brands and Marketing Communications, Wema Bank Plc. Funmilayo Falola, reiterated the institution’s belief in female empowerment and equity.
“At Wema Bank, gender sensitivity and diversity are second to none – it is at the heart of our operations,” she said.
“With the 2021 IWD celebration, we are poised to entrench the importance of equity across the board as a sustainable voice for women to rise above every known challenge to the pinnacle of career excellence.
Our proposition, SARA, is a testimony that affirms Wema Bank’s commitment to towards the development of women and girls says Abiola Nejo, Head, Gender Banking
This year’s webinar is part of a week-long social media and online engagement with Wema Bank’s customers to share contemporary knowledge, deepening technology and financial inclusion for their business growth whilst growing the nation’s GDP.
The bank also plans to use the webinar platform to launch its new gender loan offering for female business owners.
Interested participants can register for the webinar through
The Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) has revealed in a new monthly template that the price of Premium Motor Spirit, also known as petrol, has reached N212.6 per litre.
According to the template which the PPPRA released on Thursday, petrol is expected to sell at a lower retail price of N209.61 and at an upper retail price of N212.61 which is usually followed by marketers.
The expected ex-depot price as seen in the template is N206.42, while the landing cost is N189.61.
The template, published on Thursday night, shows that the retail price of petrol will be between market band of N209.61 and N212.61. Nigerian marketers usually sell at the upper band.
With ex-depot price standing at N206.42 per litre, the March template shows that the landing cost for petrol per litre is N189.61.
This is despite the Nigerian Petroleum Corporation saying there won’t be any change in the price of PMS in the month of March.
The NNPC had promised that petrol price would remain static in March to allow smooth negotiations between the government and labour unions, but the PPPRA template follows the increasing price of crude at the international market as well as instability in exchange rate.
“Hip-hop from the beginning has always been aspirational,” Jay-Z said in 2010 when Forbes got a ringside seat to the rapper’s first meeting in Omaha with billionaire investor Warren Buffett. “It always broke that notion that an artist can’t think about money as well.”
More than a decade later, the rapper-turned-billionaire is showing exactly what he means: In his second major deal in as many weeks, Jay-Z inked a deal to sell a majority stake in music streaming company Tidal to Jack Dorsey’s mobile payment company Square for $297 million. The transaction valued the company at about $450 million—$150 million more than Forbes’ 2019 estimate. Forbes figures he netted out $149 million in cash and stock—and got a board seat—after buying back 33% of Tidal from T-Mobile earlier this week and then selling that and the third he already owned. Tidal’s “artist shareholders” will continue to have a stake in the company, and Jay-Z will own a small percentage, as well.
This comes a week after he sold half of his Armand de Brignac champagne to LVMH in a deal that valued the luxury liquor company at about $640 million.
The two deals helped lift the fortune of hip-hop’s first billionaire to $1.4 billion, up from $1 billion.
It’s just the start. His diverse and growing business includes the remaining 50% stake in the $300-per-bottle Armand de Brignac, as well as D’Usse cognac and a collection of less-sexy startups including insurance startup Ethos and salad chain Sweetgreen. He also owns a chunk of his own music, shares multiple multi-million dollar mansions with his wife Beyoncé and has a growing art collection.
In 2005 he laid down the now prophetic lyric, “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, man.”
Here’s how it breaks down:
Cash and Investments: $425 million
Jay-Z has been singing about the importance of spending money wisely for years—and he’s done just that, pouring a good portion of his $760 million estimated earnings (pretax) into investments. His holdings include stakes in Uber and now Square, as well as in private companies like salad chain Sweetgreen, insurance startup Ethos and SpaceX. His next likely big win: Oatmilk company Oatly is expected to IPO this year and is reportedly seeking a $10 billion valuation. He invested an undisclosed amount in July 2020.
Armand de Brignac: $320 million
Last week, Jay-Z announced he was selling half of his champagne company, also known as Ace of Spades, to luxury house LVMH’s Moët Hennessy. Forbes estimates that the deal valued the gold-bottled bubbly brand at $640 million—or more than double its estimated value in 2019 and even more than the “half a B” Jay-Z himself rapped about on Meek Mill’s 2018 song “What’s Free.”
Roc Nation: $140 million
Jay-Z’s joint-venture with Live Nation was founded in 2008 and is a full-service entertainment company serving some of the biggest names in the biz, from musicians Rihanna and Alicia Keys to athletes Kyrie Irving and CC Sabathia. The company is responsible for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Made in America music festival and even has a publishing deal with Random House. While the pandemic has slowed the company’s live-touring business, it was growing steadily prior to Covid-19.
D’Usse: $120 million
A partnership with liquor giant Bacardi, Jay-Z’s cognac launched in 2012. While it typically retails for a reasonable $30 per bottle, fifty rare bottles—including a diamond-shaped crystal decanter—are currently at auction at Sotheby’s for an estimated price tag of $24,000 to $75,000 each.
Music Catalog: $95 million
With multiples for music catalogs on the rise, Jay-Z’s library of nearly 300 songs is worth $20 million more now than it was two years ago, and thanks to a series of smart negotiations, he owns both the publishing rights and master recordings to his music.
Art Collection: $70 million
A fan of Jean-Michel Basquiat—he raps about having one in his kitchen on his song“Picasso Baby” and reportedly spent $4.5 million on one in 2013—Jay-Z’s impressive art collection also features works by Damian Hirst, David Hammons and Richard Prince. He sees the collection as an investment. As he sang on “The Story of O.J.”: “I bought some artwork for one million, Two years later, that shit worth two million, Few years later, that shit worth eight million, I can’t wait to give this shit to my children.”
Real Estate: $50 million
Jay-Z and Beyoncé picked up two homes in 2017 after giving birth to their twins: an $88 million Bel Air mansion and $26 million East Hamptons spread. The Los Angeles home is already worth $5 million more than the purchase price. Proving that the couple is, in fact, human, they still have a mortgage on the home. He also still owns his Tribeca penthouse bachelor pad that he bought in 2004 for $6.85 million.
Mikel Arteta says his Arsenal side need to stop being their own worst enemy after defensive lapses undermined their last-16 first-leg victory over Olympiakos in the Europa League.
While Martin Odegaard’s opener paved the way for their win, familiar failings at the back saw the Greek champions level and made life uncomfortable until late goals from Gabriel and Mohamed Elneny swung the contest back in Arsenal’s favour.
“We have to be very clear and honest with ourselves. We gave three chances to the opponent, they took one and at that level they are going to punish you,” Arteta said.
“If we want to go to the next level we have to stop that and be more ruthless and when we are that dominant, kill the games off.”
Lax play from both David Luiz and Odegaard had gone without punishment but Arsenal were not as fortunate when Bernd Leno played substitute Dani Ceballos into trouble and Youssef El Arabi stroked in an equaliser.
It added to a litany of recent errors, with Arsenal guilty of conceding soft goals against Burnley and Benfica in fixtures over the last month.
“The goals and chances we have conceded are coming from ourselves,” Arteta added.
“That’s positive because when we stop it, we will be stronger. The reality is that we have to stop it immediately. It’s my responsibility. I make them play the way we want to play it is just understanding the risk and reward.”
Thankfully for Arteta, three valuable away goals mean his side are well placed to avoid a repeat of their dramatic exit to Olympiakos last term.
In general he will also be satisfied with a display that saw Arsenal create several early openings and take the lead courtesy of Odegaard’s powerful 20-yard drive.
The Norwegian midfielder could and perhaps should have opened the scoring earlier than that, skewing a left-footed effort wide, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was also superbly denied a goal when home goalkeeper Jose Sa diverted his header on to the crossbar.
And while the Gunners did not run away with the game, their resolve came to the fore at the Karaiskakis Stadium for the second time in under a month.
Twelve minutes after El Arabi had spurned a chance to put the hosts ahead, Gabriel towered above his marker to head in Willian’s right-wing corner, with Elneny’s late effort adding deserved gloss to the result.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, speaking to BT Sport: “We started the game really well, really dominant and creating a lot of chances.
“We gave them a goal trying to play out from the back but then we reacted well to score two more goals. Overall a really positive result but we have to stop making the errors that are costing goals because we cannot sustain that.
“This is half-time and anything can happen. Full focus and we start 0-0 again in the second leg and try to win the game.”
