The New year started on an amazing note for staff and distrubutors of fledgling bakery, City Tasty Confectioneries, as the management of the company doled many gifts to them, at the end of the year party of the company held days back, at the headquarters on Remi Olagunju drive, Aboru, Iyana Ipaja, on the outskirts of Lagos state.
It was a well-attended event, that attracted friends and distributors of the company; it was also an interactive session where distributors and customers laid bare complaints while the management threw light on many of their concerns.
The event, which was anchored by ace on air personality Yemi Sonde, climaxed with the presentations of gifts to many distributors, of the company for their loyalty to the company, since it started operation in April, 2019.
The grand price was Keke Marwa made for bread distribution was won by Ayeni Omowunmi for her diligence and loyalty to the company. Other gift were TV sets, Electrics Kettles, Standing fans, Washing Machines, Generators, and many more.
The grand gift was presented to the ecstatic winner by the Managing Director Mrs Olushola Kolade,along with Pastor Roland Oluwole and Dr Yomi Ogunmola, amongst the many dignitaries. In the vote of thanks,delivered by Taiwo Rosanwo,the company’s accountant,City Tasty Confectioneries,promised better gifts for the distributors, in the emerging year.
Ecobank Nigeria has launched a radio programme – “Ecobank Business Hour” targeted at empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the country. Emeka Agada, Head, SME, Ecobank Nigeria, says the programme which is being syndicated across 10 radio stations in Nigeria is one of the several initiatives the bank is deploying to empower its SME customers with the right resources to thrive. He stated that the programme will also enlighten the public about the various solutions designed by the bank to help businesses.
He explained that the radio programme being produced by Royal Roots, one of Nigeria’s leading production companies, has already commenced and will be aired for an initial period of 13 weeks. He added that the rich content will help entrepreneurs and business managers to upskill and reskill for growth in the new digital landscape. According to him, “This further underscore our unwavering commitment to supporting and sustaining the development of SMEs in all sectors of the economy. The radio programme promises to be an impactful series. I encourage all small business operators including their customers, friends and family members to set aside time to listen to the programme and get tips on how to grow their businesses.”
Also speaking, Greg Odutayo, Managing Director, Royal Roots, said the program will enable aspiring entrepreneurs understand how to set up and manage successful businesses. He commended Ecobank for supporting a programme of this nature, capable of generating positive activities in the SME space.
The Business Ecobank Hour is being anchored by the duo of Greg Odutayo, a presenter, producer and director with over 28 years of professional experience and Helen Ese Emore, an international facilitator, seasoned MSME project development and business coach. The programme will run in 10 radio stations including, Inspiration 92.3FM, Lagos, RayPower 106.5FM, Kano, Odenigbo 99.1FM, Obosi, Liberty 91.7FM, Kaduna and PH Family Love 97.7FM, Port Harcourt and of others. Some of the topics and issues lined up for the broadcast include- starting a new business, structuring your business and business planning, company registration, funding your business, creating markets for your products, taxes and taxation, digital payments and collections, how to obtain SONCAP and NAFDAC registration for all products and many other relevant topics, in addition to tips on how to access Ecobank’s bouquet of offerings for SMEs.
Only recently Ecobank Nigeria was named Among 2020 Customer Experience Leaders in Nigeria by Leading audit and professional services company, KPMG Nigeria. Specifically, the report stated that respondents were impressed with the interaction between Ecobank and its customers during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, stressing that the bank was able to provide personalized service to its respective customer segments. KPMG’s Nigeria banking industry customer experience survey measures the performance of lenders in the country in terms of their relationship with their account holders and other users of financial services.
Gates’s Cascade Investment LLC, the No. 1 shareholder in Signature Aviation, and Blackstone are in advanced discussions with the London-based firm on a $5.17-a-share cash offer, they said Friday in a statement. Signature had said in December it would accept an approach from Blackstone if a firm offer were made at that level.
The involvement of Gates means Blackstone becomes the firm favorite to purchase Signature after Carlyle Group Inc. said Thursday it was also considering a potential offer. A third suitor, Global Infrastructure Partners, said in December that it was considering its options after its lower bid was rejected.
Shares of Signature were trading 4.8% lower as of 8:10 a.m. in London as prospects for a bidding war faded. The stock was priced at 397.90 pence, equivalent to $5.40, still above the offer mooted by Blackstone.
Private flying is one of the few travel sectors to have benefited from the coronavirus pandemic, offering the well-heeled the opportunity to continue traveling while minimizing potentially risky contact with other passengers.
Under the Blackstone plan, Microsoft Corp. founder Gates, who owns 19% of Signature, would contribute his shareholding and top it up with cash to become a 30% owner. Blackstone owns 70% of the bidding entity.
Signature, which changed its name from BBA Aviation last year, traces its origins to a Scottish industrial company founded in 1879. It’s had several names since and has focused on private aviation in recent years, selling parts distributor Ontic last year for $1.4 billion.
The company has also made several acquisitions, buying rival Landmark Aviation for $2.1 billion from Carlyle in 2016, and acquiring Epic Fuels for $88 million in 2018. Gates became an investor in 2009 and holds his stake through Cascade Investment LLC.
Signature had become a more likely takeover target since simplifying and selling its Ontic unit, according to Citi analyst Charles Mortimer.
Carlyle is working with Bank of America Corp. and Morgan Stanley on its approach, people familiar with the matter said, asking not to be identified because the information is private.
Signature confirmed the Carlyle approach and set Feb. 4 as a deadline for a firm offer. It set a Jan. 14 deadline for formal proposals from the Blackstone and GIP.
Arsenal have completed the signing of Omar Rekik from Hertha Berlin.
The 19-year-old will join the Gunners’ Under 23s side after penning a professional contract with the club.
Bild reports Arsenal have agreed to pay Hertha around £540,000 to land the centre-back, who had periods in the youth academies of Feyenoord, PSV, Manchester City and Marseille before joining the German side.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Thursday that the defender’s arrival was all but complete, telling reporters at a press conference: “He’s a young talent that we’ve been following for a while that we believe has a really bright future.”
The Tunisia Under 21 international is yet to make his senior debut, having played regularly in the fourth-tier of German football with Hertha Berlin II this season, but he was an unused substitute in three Bundesliga matches last season.
“It feels great to be here after a long time of hard work. It feels great. I moved in three weeks ago and I’ve been in quarantine, so I can’t wait to get started,” Rekik told Arsenal’s website.
“The warmth of the people and the interest that they showed in me, and of course, when a club like Arsenal is interested, I don’t think anyone needs to think twice.
“I’m a winner. I always want to win, and that’s with everything, not only football, ever since I was a kid. My style of play? I’m a central defender and I like to play with the ball, I like to play out from the back, and I think this is also the structure of the club. It fits perfectly.”
Rekik says Arsenal’s playing style played a key role in his choosing to continue his career in north London.
“With Mikel Arteta, if you watch the games, he’s not a coach who thinks quickly to play a long ball. Of course, when needed, you have to do it, but I think the style of play fits,” he added.
“As a young player, you need to play somewhere where they’re not afraid to give you a chance and you can see a lot of youth players have broken through here, and I want to be the next one.”
Rekik, who is the north London side’s first signing of the January transfer window, was linked with a move to the English capital in the summer transfer window, but a move did not materialise.
Diallo scored four minutes into his 13-minute Atalanta debut as a substitute against Udinese in October 2019 (becoming the first player born in 2002 to score in Serie A), but only played another 11 minutes across two games that season. Then, despite United’s attention, he had to wait almost a year for his next senior minutes: a 13-minute cameo against Hellas Verona on Nov. 28 before a promising 22-minute appearance off the bench in the Champions League against FC Midtjylland on Dec. 1, in which he showed some delicate touches, fine runs and had two good shots saved late on.
Indeed, Diallo’s ability on the ball has seen him likened to Barcelona legend Lionel Messi, and he’s excelled even when playing two age groups above his own throughout his youth career. However, it’s still a massive fee for such an untested player who might not even feature in the Premier League this season. You also have to wonder why the teenager has been used so sparingly (especially in an outrageously fixture-congested year) by Atalanta — even as an impact sub — given his obvious talent, profile and credentials.
With only another 35 minutes under his belt since they agreed the deal, it’s a gamble for United, who have been burned before with the likes of Bebe. But sources told ESPN’s Rob Dawson that Diallo will be considered a first-team signing, along with 18-year-old Facundo Pellistri who was signed from Uruguayan side Penarol at the same time.
As Diallo arrives in Manchester after receiving his UK work permit, here’s a look at why the Old Trafford hierarchy thought the Ivory Coast-born winger was worth the risk.
What kind of player is he?
Diallo is far from unknown on the scouting circuit, having been on the radar of Europe’s leading clubs for quite some time due to his performances at youth level — where he often stands out against older opponents — and his more recent displays in the Italian “Primavera” (U19) league.
His stats in the Primavera over the past two years are impressive — 12 goals and nine assists in 39 games — while he also notched one goal and three assists across six games in the UEFA Youth League in 2019-20.
A top scout at one such club granted ESPN access to their entire file on Diallo, which dates back to 2019 and is based on his appearances in youth tournaments and the U19 league. In the club’s internal system, Diallo is rated as a potential 7.5 player (out of a maximum 10), which equates to “a prospective regular at a Champions League-level club” — just for reference, a peak Messi was apparently a 9.0 according to their system (clearly nobody can be perfect!)
Some snippets from the report, which was compiled using input from different members of the club’s scouting staff, reveal interesting details about his characteristics as a player.
“Physical profile: can seem lightweight, but deals well with contact. Able to stay on his feet even when facing strong challenges. Low point of gravity, good balance. Impressive change of direction with and without the ball. Impressive body control and coordination. Very quick on short spaces, loses some power and speed over longer distances. More continuous than most players of his age, impact persists throughout the game.”
Diallo is also applauded for his “capability to see all areas of the pitch” and he is “able to distribute the ball well beyond short-medium distances; executes good switches of play.” His defensive work-rate is also highlighted as a positive: “His willingness to track runs, defend and align with the team’s defensive structure is surprisingly good.”
What position does he play?
Diallo moved from central midfield early in his career. Diallo is now a tactically aware inverted winger — ideal for a 4-3-3 formation — with skills more akin to the modern wide playmaker than an out-and-out winger limited to a change of pace and the ability to take on opponents. The report reads:
“Characteristic inverted winger who likes to cut in on his left foot from the right. Prefers to take up positions relatively deep in order to participate in build-up rather than go directly for a goal or the conclusive phase, but is also effective closer to the goal and penalty area. Less effective on the left, but can roam with success in central positions.”
Is his style similar to that of any current players?
The Messi comparisons come from Diallo’s great balance, quick feet, excellent technical skills, mesmerising dribbles and ability to see and execute the ideal pass — not to mention his fine left foot.
He possesses a maturity and confidence beyond his 18 years that allows him to exploit his considerable skills — but not just for the sake of it, only when there’s something to be gained — and gives him a real team ethic with plenty of willingness to track back and work hard to play his part in defending.
One professional scout with deep insight into the Italian youth scene says that Diallo’s undoubted potential still needs to translate to first-team level.
“I have seen Diallo many times and he’s an interesting talent, but I have to admit that the deal, especially at the figures involved, was a great surprise to me,” he told ESPN under the condition of anonymity. “Yes, he’s excelled at youth level and yes, even with those from age groups above, but in my view he’s not comparable to players like [Barcelona’s] Ansu Fati, [Real Madrid‘s] Vinicius Jr., Reinier or Rodrygo, who I all tracked at youth level. And for the money involved in this deal you expect a potential world star. I just don’t see Amad Diallo having the same potential of those I mentioned.”
What’s next?
The next steps for Diallo are going to be crucial in enabling him to optimise his talent. Will he be immediately integrated in the first-team squad — much like Pellistri (who, incidentally, occupies the same wide right attacking slot) — and be defined as a first-teamer but almost exclusively play with the reserves? Or will he be sent out on loan to get more experience?
With Diallo reportedly working hard on improving his English he’d no doubt prefer to stay in Manchester, yet the increasingly common route of loaning up-and-coming players abroad to countries such as the Netherlands, Belgium or even Germany might be another possibility. As the holder of an Italian passport, that is certainly an easy option.
What Manchester United decide to do with him next is of utmost importance, because their success stories of signing late teenage prospects with immediate first-team aspirations from abroad are few and far between. They have taken a gamble by spending big money on an unproven 18-year-old, but as their transfer policy continues to target younger players, how Diallo settles at Old Trafford could play a big part in their future.
Elon Musk just became the richest person in the world, with a net worth of more than $185 billion.
Thursday’s increase in Tesla’s share price pushed Musk past Jeff Bezos, who had been the richest person since 2017 and is currently worth about $184 billion. Musk’s wealth surge over the past year marks the fastest rise to the top of the rich list in history — and is a dramatic financial turnaround for the famed entrepreneur who just 18 months ago was in the headlines for Tesla’s rapid cash burn and his personal leverage against the company’s stock.
Musk started 2020 worth about $27 billion, and was barely in the top 50 richest people.
Tesla’s rocketing share price — which has increased more than ninefold over the past year — along with his generous pay package have added more than $150 billion to his net worth.
Meanwhile, Amazon’s share price has remained more subdued due to the potential for increased regulation from Washington.
Elon Musk passed Warren Buffett in July to become the seventh-richest person. In November, Musk raced past Bill Gates to become the second-richest person. Musk has gained more wealth over the past 12 months than Bill Gates’ entire net worth of $132 billion.
Tesla’s shares closed Thursday at $816.04, up nearly 8%. The company’s market value has grown to more than $760 billion.
While the Bloomberg Billionaires Index had Musk within $3 billion of Bezos’ net worth on Wednesday, before Thursday’s trading, the Forbes Real Time Billionaires List had Musk about $7 billion behind Bezos after the market close Thursday. Forbes pegged Bezos’ net worth at $184.6 billion and Musk at $177.2 billion. Forbes, however, may not be including the value of Musk’s options, which he received as part of his pay package, to buy more than 33 million shares of Tesla.
At Lekki , a group of unruly later violent, zobo-socked flag-wielding protesters and anarchists descended visiting violence on public and private property and offering violence to security personnel. Nigerian military was called to restore order .
It was dark. The place was crowded. The protesters buoyed by promise of international fake media support were unyielding to entreaties by security personnel. In a show of high level professionalism, tactical patience and courageous restraint, the soldiers armed with both lethal and non lethal weapons, carefully and methodically applied just the necessary and reasonable minimum force to disperse the arsonists protesters. At the end of this demonstration of the acme of military professionalism, not a single protester was killed, a few maybe bruised , a few broken legs due to stampedes…Dazzol!
Endsars protesters fatalities: Nil.
Own casualty: Nil. Live Ammunition expended: Nil!!
Fake news casualty figures: between 12 to 78.
Elsewhere in the United States of A, @Capitol Hill, a group of Lekki-like protesters descended. Similarly carrying national flags. The security agencies responded, meeting the anarchists with a mix of both lethal and non lethal weapons. The American protesters were not as lucky as their Nigerian counterparts as four people were reportedly shot.
I pause here to ask: Should we not salute the Nigerian military that conducted the Lekki operation for a job well done, for showing the acme of professional skills, tactical patience, courageous restraint in the face of high provocation???
If I spoke your mind, please give your salute here to the Nigerian military.
It would be recalled that In an “unprecedented assault” on democracy in America, thousands of angry supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the US Capitol yesterday and clashed with police, resulting in casualty and multiple injuries and interrupting a constitutional process to affirm Joe Biden’s victory in the presidential election.
The police, outnumbered by the maskless protesters, had a tough time in managing the mob, as hundreds of protesters breached security and entered the Capitol building on Wednesday, where members of the Congress were going through the process of counting and certifying the Electoral College votes. Both the House and Senate and the entire Capitol were placed under a lockdown.
Vice President Mike Pence and lawmakers were evacuated to safe locations. One woman who was shot inside the US Capitol has died, CNN reported, quoting a spokesperson with the Metropolitan Police Department. Multiple officers were injured during the mob attack.
Of a truth, with the recent happening in America which is regarded as the reference point for democracy, the Nigerian army should be celebrated and not vilified for preserving our democracy. No sane security agency in a sane government will look on while anarchy descends on the nation.
Tosin Osho, a NAOSRE member, writes on the commendable efforts of the Nigerian Army for a safer Nigeria
Only recently, precisely on December 11, 2020, at Oriental Hotel, Lagos, the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, engaged players and stakeholders in the security circle to provide options that would assist government and service chiefs in strategic security policy formulation and implementation.
The underlying reason for that humongous gathering stems from the commitment of the association to collective efforts at achieving a safer Nigeria.
At the dinner summit and interestingly so, stakeholder unanimously pushed for appropriate funding and corporative support for military operatives.
This, they believe, would facilitate arresting what has turned out a security menace as Nigeria struggles against itself through the most trying period, comparable only to the civil war between 1967 and 1970.
At the centre of this is the Nigerian Army that has to undertake the often painful professional yet inexorable push towards reclaiming areas that hitherto occupied by the insurgents and deploying the best of professionalism to minimize innocent casualties, being asymmetric battle.
Evidently, the success of reclaiming the local government areas that were taken over by Boko Haram is basically because the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai understands the nuances of the country, which he has translated into security success in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to make life comfortable for Nigerians.
He may not have succeed 100 percent, but it is obvious that it is no longer business as usual.
However, within the purview of international media, the story has been different. Indeed, recent comments, specifically from Borno public office holders have been extraordinary in a most dire sense.
To say the least, Kashim Ibrahim Shettima, immediate past governor of Borno State’s statement, denigrating military efforts, is rather unfortunate and understandably outrageous.
His outpour contrasts with the thinking of most patriotic Nigerians who align with the views of Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi, a security analyst and a counter-terrorism expert who also convenes Coalition of Civil Society Groups Against Terrorism in Nigeria.
In Odeyemi’s recent statement, he maintained that Senator Kashim Ibrahim.
Shettima is the least qualified to dictate to President Muhammadu Buhari on tenure of Service Chiefs.
Senator Shettima and Governor Zulum’s persistent attacks on the nation’s gallant troops and service chiefs provoked further reactions from Odeyemi.
Said he: “Senator Shettima dived into treasonable territory with his latest utterances on national security and acted in an unconstitutional and self-serving manner by trying to dictate to the President the tenure of service chiefs whose briefs start and stop at the table of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
“In fact, as Nigerians, we have to seriously interrogate the motive of Senator Shettima in his apparent attacks on our Service Chiefs, I’m equally using this medium to call on our security agencies, the Department of State Service, the Directorate of Military Intelligence and others to begin to ask the former governor some questions such as, what is his interest in the national security architecture? Can he appoint new Service Chiefs for the Present? Is he the one that appointed the Service Chiefs? What is his interest in the Service Chiefs?
“Is he aiming at overthrowing the democratic government, if the Service Chiefs are not removed? I found it appalling that this same Shettima who was shedding tears like a baby when Boko Haram overran his state pre-2015 before this same President Buhari and the current Service Chiefs he is now vilifying came to his rescue by reclaiming the local governments taken by the insurgents and restoring peace in the state.
“He has also forgotten too soon or refused to remember the current set of service chiefs ensured that his second term as governor was relatively secured and elections were peacefully conducted to bring in his successor and he also won his election to go the Senate under this current military leadership.
“I believe that Shettima was only playing to the gallery to shove up his personality in the North ahead of the 2023 race, though that’s left for our security agencies to determine, otherwise, how and why would he be dictating to President Buhari who he should appoint or work with?
“I think the basic question to ask is why is Shettima raising his voice at a point like this, soliciting for media appearances when there is a sitting governor in the state? Does this not indicate clear politicking? Can’t he seek an audience with the President or is he trying to be more democratic and more representative than the President who got the highest votes of over 15 million across the Country compared to his votes of just a Senatorial zone of less than 300,000?
“On Zulum, I think he should know that a house divided against itself cannot stand. If there is anytime that intense synergy is needed, it is now. He shouldn’t forget where the state is coming from. It will be a big oversight on his part to allow those who are apparently envious of him to misguide him in what they themselves couldn’t do,” he stated.
No well meaning Nigerian can agree less given that what is required is co operation with the Buratai to complete the good work he has started and certainly not denigration.
The future of Africa is on the right tracks all thanks to the selfless and innovative activities The Future Africa Leaders Foundation an initiative of the Rev. Dr. Chris Oyakhilome, with the aim of exploring and expanding the leadership potentials in Africa and for Africa. The foundation was established for identifying, celebrating and supporting young Africans who have demonstrated exemplary leadership by impacting their generation positively through education, youth empowerment and mentoring through other projects aimed at building young people and preparing them for a positive future.
In an event recently in Lagos, the organization showcases some exceptional young people whose selfless contributions to humanity made them worthy to be picked among the top 10 young African leaders between the age of 16 and 23 years from a pool of 30 individuals from 20 African countries to be a recipients of the most sought-after Future African Leadership Awards (FALA) 2020.
The recipients who were honoured with the global recognition awards, which comes with a Star Award Winner that will receive a token amount of $25,000 as a show of encouragement and $10,000 each for other nominees from the founder and chief motivator of the Future Africa Leaders ‘Awards, Rev. Chris Oyakhilome on 31st December 2020 were full of joy and appreciation to God and the organizers they since were going about their functions with no expectation from anybody or even to hope that someone would notice.
Star Award winner, 22 years old Gwei Michael Wawa from Cameroun is a social activist who is passionate about using technology solution for advancement of Africa. His NGO Youths Empowerment through Science and Technology (YEST), has in collaborations with College of Technology impacted 18,000 youths in Cameroun through 34 conferences and 18 seminars.
Other award recipients are 23 years old Christian Majeed Kwesi, from Ghana who has impacted over 3,000 girls and women and also inspired over 10,000 youth through his different programmes; Elsa Cethia Milandou from Congo Brazzaville, who had worked tirelessly to end the suffering of children and youths, she had launched campaign to sensitize young women against unwanted pregnancy, she also distribute foods, sanitizers and washing gel as palliatives to many home during this COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
Mary Mukueba Julius is a 22 years old recipient from South Sudan who has helped disadvantaged youths in refugee camps in South Sudan and Northern Uganda, she had provide planting seed and teach the youths about farming, she started agricultural projects in 5 refugee camps, she also started 2 greenhouses which fruits, vegetables and herbs were distributed to 14,382 households to across the 5 camps to help sustain them. Others in the top 10 are; 22 years old Victor Emeka Mba from Nigeria, 23 years old Tebogo Moroe from South Africa, 23 years old Michelle Mumba from Zambia, Avante Susan Mafusire from Zimbabwe, 20 years old Aicha Elhaj Mahamat from Chad and 18 years old Mayamiko Banda from Malawi.
The project coordinator Dr. Jumoke Akinsanya, explained that the project is non-religious and it is opened to people of African descent who falls between the age of 16 to 23 years, she state further that the foundation has been organising the awards for the past 8 years and that apart from providing financial help it also provides training opportunities to the participants.
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have been in marriage counseling, and we’ve learned the subject of divorce was looming for much of 2020, but they haven’t given up.
Multiple sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ, the marriage was in deep trouble for the last half of 2020. In fact, we’re told Kim was ready to pull the plug on the marriage at one point but it was when Kanye was going through a serious bipolar episode and she felt it was cruel to do it when he wasn’t well.
They have been living separately for a few months … with Kanye spending the majority of his time in Wyoming while she has been in Calabasas with the kids. They were absorbed in personal business projects and didn’t focus on making any final decisions.
Kim has gone back and forth, we’re told … at times thinking divorce was the only option but other times believing there was a chance to save the marriage. That’s why they took a family vacation late last year … to see if they could repair things.
Everything got put on hold for the Christmas holidays, but now the issue is front and center. Kim’s had disso queen Laura Wasser on retainer for years for various reasons, and the subject of divorce was discussed months ago, but Kim never gave the green light to file.
Her ambivalence is understandable, what with 4 small kids. They married in May, 2014.
We’re told no final decision has been made, and it’s telling they’ve been in counseling for a while.
We’re told their issues have been neither contentious nor ugly, but they do have lots of differences … from lifestyle to politics. They are, however, fully aligned on parenting.
One thing our sources wanted to make clear … there is no third party.
As for the likelihood of divorce … we’re told don’t bet against it.
