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HOW GOD WANTS US TO MARK MY 57TH BIRTHDAY – TB JOSHUA

On Friday June 12th 2020, Prophet TB Joshua will turn 57 years old! Here is an important message on how God wants us to mark this occasion:

“Viewers all over the world, good morning and win today! Happy 57th birthday – June 12th. Birthdays are a time to reflect on the memories of yesterday, the joys of today and the dreams of tomorrow. Viewers, I want to thank you for your prayers and your love.

Many waters cannot quench love. Viewers, what does this love I am talking about look like?
➡️ Love that has feet to move to the needy, to move to the sick ones, to move to the hungry ones.
➡️ Love that has hands to help others without expectation.
➡️ Love that has eyes to see misery and want.
➡️ Love that has ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men.

Happy Birthday, my friends! The only way to have a friend is to be one.
⭐ Many T.B. Joshuas are orphans. Let us father them.
⭐ Many T.B. Joshuas are homeless. Let us shelter them.
⭐ Many T.B. Joshuas are sick. Let us care for them.
⭐ Many T.B. Joshuas are lonely. Let us be their companion.

My friends, let the feelings of others matter to us. ‘Will these children not go to school? How can these people be lonely and homeless?’ There are many sick ones, hungry people, widows and orphans in our communities. Let us care for them.

Let me leave you with this word of exhortation. Matthew 25:40 – “And the king will tell them, ‘I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’ ” Viewers, what does this mean? Whatsoever you do to the least one, that you do to God. Happy birthday!

Let us pray. Viewers, by the authority of the Scripture, I proclaim a mighty blessing upon your life! I proclaim a mighty blessing upon your now! I proclaim a mighty blessing upon your future! In Jesus Christ’s name we pray. Amen!

Lord Jesus, as we celebrate according to Your instruction, give us the vision we should have for our lives. Give us the faith and the courage to dream big, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen! Happy Birthday!” – TB Joshua

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVgf3jeCdIY

Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire Cleared of N23Bn SDGs Money

The National assembly through the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has cleared Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire the Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) of Financial Impropriety.

In a statement signed the Chairman of the House Committee on SDGs, Mr Rotimi Agunsoye, he declared it was untrue that the office of the OSSAP-SDGs was appropriated N33 billion in the 2020 budget assented by President Buhari.
The statement reads; “The attention of the House Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been drawn to a publication by The Nation Newspaper, with the headline ” 2020 Budget: Row over N33b SDGs’ vote” stating that the sum of N33 billion was included in the allocation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the 2020 Budget without details being provided to the National Assembly and consequently direct the Ministry of Finance to stop release of allocation to the SDGs office .

In setting the records straight, The House Committee on SDGs hereby state that a correspondence was sent to the Finance Ministry in respect the subject matter, upon which clarification was sought from the SDGs office without any indictment on the person or the office of the SSA-SDGs, indicating misappropriation of the 2020 budgetary allocation of her office.

The House Committee on SDGs got records from the OSSAP-SDGs and Appropriation committee which shows the said additional 33 billion was not appropriated for SDGs office among provisions of the 2020 budget earlier assented by Mr. President upon which we all know the prevalence of Covid-19 distorted implementation of entire 2020 budget.

The legislature is determined to ensure adequate oversight of all appropriated for the implementation of SDGs programmes in all ministries and agencies of government as well captured, as soon as we get adequate correspondence from the House appropriation committee to further ascertain fund release in order to guide our oversight activities. Hence, the recent official correspondence from both Senate and House SDGs committees to the finance ministry to release the budget provisions of OSSAP-SDGs so as to enable our committee to oversight accordingly.

This clarification became imperative to avoid any misrepresentation of the earlier correspondence between the National Assembly Committees on SDGs and Finance Ministry as any financial indictment on the person and office of the OSSAP-SDGs.”

Also responding to the fake report, of the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) funds allocated and released to the office have been judiciously utilized for intended purposes.

The statement reads in part; “Indeed, Staff of OSSAP-SDGs read the report with disbelief as the amount allegedly stolen was more than the total amount released to the office by the government.

It is also pertinent to state that it is completely the prerogative and responsibility of the parent ministry or agency of every civil servant to redeploy any of their staff seconded to any Ministry, Department or Agency in line with Service rules and it is therefore misrepresentation of fact for anyone to interpret this as an ‘attempt to cover up.’

We also like to point out that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration in demonstration of its commitment to the war against corruption has put adequate safeguards in place to ensure that funds can only be withdrawn from government’s coffers for approved purposes.

The public is therefore advised to disregard any of such reports as they are designed to malign the office.

The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs is committed to the fight against corruption and will not bow to pressure and distractions in the onerous task of achieving Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria.

Heritage Bank-Dukia Gold to boost Nigeria’s 200mn ounces of gold potential reserves- FG

…To fast-track 10% contribution of mining sector to GDP

The Federal Government of Nigeria has commended Heritage Bank for being part of a valuable private sector collaboration with Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Co. Ltd, saying such partnership stands to create new opportunities for Nigeria to grow its potential reserves of 200 million ounces of gold.

The Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, disclosed this during a Zoom- meet & chat session, a virtual platform at the launch of nationwide Dukia-Heritage Bank Gold & Precious Metals Buying Centres held yesterday

He affirmed that the launch of this expansive project between Heritage Bank and Dukia Gold would enable Nigeria to mine reserves properly, trade responsibly, refine locally and boost the nation’s foreign reserves.

He stated, “What we are looking at here is an extremely valuable new source of trade, jobs and foreign exchange.

“This project will create primary employment for local artisanal miners and mining cooperatives, and across the solid minerals value chain. Off-take agreements between Dukia Gold and local mining communities and owners of recyclable gold will be a useful provider of jobs in our post-covid economy.

“The positive multiplier is expected to extend even further than this as the Dukia Gold project will also encourage the emergence of smaller-scale mining companies who, for the first time, will now have a transparent and welcoming market for their mined gold and precious metals. This is set to create jobs and unleash the economic potential of mining communities.”

Osinbajo further counted the enormous benefits of the project, “This provides a sustainable way for Nigerians to exchange their gold jewellery and other precious items for cash. This system of exchange not only helps encourage a culture of recycling, but will also serve as a complementary source for the raw materials needed for the Dukia Gold & Precious Metals Refining Company. These buying centres will also enable the responsible management of some of electronic waste.”

Meanwhile, the project would further drive the diversification of the nation’s economy, Heritage Bank Plc, Dukia Gold which have given birth to a new gold and precious metal market that will grow the mining industry’s contribution to gross domestic products to over 10% by 2026.

Records have shown that the growth of mining production at the end of 2019 in Nigeria was 0.1% and the sector still contributes less than 0.5% of GDP compared to other African economies who are strong in mining like Botswana (38%), Democratic Republic of Congo (25%), South Africa (18%), Zambia (18%), Guinea (12%) and Ghana (7%).

However, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank Plc, Ifie Sekibo stated that the partnership that would boost the mining industry production have given birth to a new market, a platform that will contribute immensely to the transformation of Nigeria’s economy.

According to him, the operationalization of this initiative aligns with the overall Economic Transformation Agenda of the Federal Government of Nigeria especially as it relates to the full stream diversification of the Nigerian economy, job and wealth creation, development of the solid mineral space amongst others.

Sekibo affirmed, “It is our believe that as the economy of Nigeria is being recalibrated, given the impact of the global pandemic, the government’s committed aspiration to build a robust and resilient economy will be further enhanced through the operationalization of this initiative working with all stakeholders across States and Government Parastatals, the Central Bank, Private Sector and other international actors towards the development of the solid minerals sector and its appendages.”

He explained that this would enhance a regulated market that would see precious metals and other commodities take centre stage in endeavour to ensuring irreversible economic growth and development in alliance with a modernized Exchange for commodities trading in Nigeria.

UBA REWARDS 100 MORE CUSTOMERS WITH N100,000 EACH IN FRESH BUMPER DRAW

Pan African Financial institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has rewarded another set of 100 loyal customers with a total of N10m in the UBA Bumper account draw. The 100 customers won N100,000 each in this month’s edition of the draw which began in January 2020.

The virtual and transparent draw which was held at the UBA Head Office in Lagos on Wednesday, was transmitted live via the Facebook platform in strict compliance with social distancing rules as directed by the Federal and Lagos State Government.

Just like the previous draw held in May, lucky winners, who were contacted via their mobile phone numbers were overjoyed as they emerged the latest winners of N100,000 each. While expressing gratitude to the bank, they said the winnings will go a long way in meeting their pressing needs especially in these trying times, when the Covid-19 pandemic has made most businesses vulnerable.

UBA’s Group Head, Consumer and Retail Banking, Jude Anele, who congratulated the lucky winners, said they were rewarded for their loyalty to the bank. He also noted that the bank is dedicated to supporting customers and remains passionate about their success and overall growth.

He said, “I will like to reiterate that UBA is always happy to reward and support customers. There is no better time to give back and delight customers than this challenging economic period where people need all the support they can get to make life more meaningful. With this in mind we decided to prioritize them as we always like to do at UBA by giving them ample reason to be joyful.

Continuing, Anele said, “Our key objective is to encourage our customers save regularly. We are here to support them likewise encourage them save and ultimately grow as well, because we are aware that they are invaluable to all that we do”.

UBA’s Group Head Marketing & Customer Experience, Michelle Nwoga, who explained that the main purpose of the UBA Bumper Account is to ensure that Nigerians fully embrace the savings culture; noted that the monthly, quarterly and targeted draws will also go a long way to assist customers through these turbulent times, by providing them with funds that will help ease the difficulties occasioned by the pandemic.

Explaining the modalities for the draw, Nwoga said that all new and existing customers need do to qualify for the draw is to ensure that they have a minimum deposit of N5,000 in their UBA Bumper Account. Current UBA customers are to dial *919*20*1# to migrate to the UBA Bumper Account whilst potential customers should dial *919*20# if interested in opening a UBA Bumper Account.

She also added that for the bumper account a monthly shopping allowance of N100,000 for a year is also up for grabs. “No fewer than five account holders will get a whopping N2 million each across all participating regions every quarter.

Speaking further, Nwoga disclosed that UBA is constantly working on best ways to serve the interest of customers by making their lives easier, “This is why as a bank, we continue to invest in cutting edge technology that guarantees ease as is evident in our recent mobile app upgrade which offers a more interactive, user friendly interface that makes available a myriad of opportunities from the comfort of customers’ homes,” Nwoga stated.

She explained that the new mobile app will now prompt users to use their device enabled biometrics, adding that the menu has been reduced and divided into sub-menus to enable users view Transaction History, Net worth, Trends amongst others at a glance.

“One other key feature of the app, worthy of mention is that it includes the live chat option, where users can communicate on the go with dedicated staff trained to assist with any enquires and challenges; biller validation; as well as group transfer – a new menu where users can create groups, save members and transfer funds to up to 100 members on the group. You can be assured that UBA never relents in guaranteeing premium customer satisfaction”, she said.

ONDO 2020: Chief Bukola Adetula’s Preparedness

Gentlemanly, suave, highly cerebral are words that best describes Chief Adebukola Adetula, a man who has been destined for greatness since his formative years. Those who are close to him, will attest to the fact that; he is an angel in human form. If there is one thing he loathes so much, that will be the sight of his fellow human in distress, he is always ready to render assistance at all times.

Adetula is well grounded politically, most especially at the grassroot level, with his knowledge of the Ondo political terrain laced with his career exposure across the world. He is hell bent on making Ondo a better place for his people by placing it high in all ramifications among other state in the country. Junior Adetula, is indeed a chip of the old block, as his late father, Chief ZOK Adetula, popularly known as ZOKA was one of the foremost political leaders of the progressive family in Ondo State, whom under his watch, Bukola learnt the rudiments of politics before throwing his hat in the ring to contest gubernatorial in 2016.

ZOKA was a contemporary of Pa Adekunle Ajasin, former Executive Governor of Ondo State and a protege of the late sage and former premier of the defunct Western region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. His father popularly called ZOKA, represented Owo constituency at the Federal House of Representatives between 1979 and 1983 before military Government took over power.

This is a clear indication that the Owo Born politician is born ready for the herculean task ahead with his “Credible Alternative Mandate”, as he jostle with the incumbent Governor Arakurin Akeredolu at the forth coming primary election. He is the favourites of many political elites and grassroots politician, whom have vowed to repay his kind gestures and goodwill for the state with a vote at the primary election to help him secure the ticket as the Gubernatorial candidate of the APC.

Ever since he announced his candidacy by throwing his hat in the ring once again, he has created a frenzy of excitement at the grassroots level. The U.S trained Criminal lawyer, formed a strong affiliation with the Unity Forum, under the leadership of Alhaji Ali Olanusi, a former Deputy Governor and serving Board of Trustees member of the APC. His influence has growed and fluttered across Ondo state like wild fire. Both the young and old are patiently waiting to have him as the parties flagbearer at the primariy election. They are all aware that ,he will bring hope and succour by restore the lost glory of Ondo State within a little space of time.

Political pundits in Ondo State avered that; “This years primaries election is not going to be an easy ride for Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu like it was in 2016. Adetula has an edge over him because of his family pedigree at Owo. If you can remember vividly in 2016, Akeredolu and Adetula participated at the exercise that led to Akeredolu’s emergence as Governor. This time around, there are factors we can’t take away between the duo. They are both from Owo Kingdom, both are lawyers and are contesting under same party, APC.

This is a clear indication that the ring is open but Adetula has done his underground work and has gathered the support of the masses across Ondo with a tour to all the local government areas.”

Apart from his political resume, his personal career resume is quite an intimidating one. Bukola Adetula is a successful international businessman, who has his hands across many pies of business chains across the world like; Oil & Gas, Media, Law and Training.
He attended the prestigious Government College, Ibadan and thereafter travelled to the United States of America from where he received B.Sc. (Criminal Justice); B.A. & M.A. (Political Science) and a Juris Doctor (J.D) in Law, degrees.

Gov. Sanwo-Olu Agrees with Prophet T.B. Joshua on Church Re-opening

The governor of Lagos state, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu has maintained that churches and mosques in Lagos state remain closed despite the fact that President Muhammadu Buhari had lifted the ban on religious organisations in the new directives to battle covid-19.

This is coming after the founder of SCOAN, Prophet TB Joshua said his church will not open till God asks him to , even after the ban has been lifted on religious organization.

It will be right to say Governor Sanwoolu, having thought about the welfare of lagosians, and the possible repercussion of opening churches at this time, concur with the prophetic message of Prophet TB Joshua too.

The prophet when delivering the message of not opening his church made it known that God gave him the revelation three times that the church will be closed and that he is also waiting for the same God to tell him when to open it.

He therefore urged listeners to join him on Emmanuel TV as he awaits God’s instruction.

‘’ Viewers, don’t forget there was a revelation three times concerning the church closing.

Viewers, that same God, we are waiting to hear from on when to reopen – when things will go back to normal – as usual. God’s time is the best. We are waiting at His feet for that time. We are tarrying for the Holy Spirit’s instruction. Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Meet us as usual on Emmanuel TV until we hear from God when to reopen, the same God who gave us the prophecy three times about the church closing. It is God’s work, not our work. Here, our thanks go to the authorities for understanding. Jesus is Lord!

FIRSTBANK LEVERAGES TECHNOLOGY TO PROMOTE VIRTUAL BANK ACCOUNT OPENING FOR CUSTOMERS

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced that it has reinforced its technology infrastructure to enable anyone in the country open a FirstBank account through their mobile phones, without visiting any of its branches nationwide.

The investment in the Bank’s mobile banking infrastructure is in furtherance of the need to deepen financial inclusion in the country, enabling account opening to be carried out on its *894# USSD banking, FirstMobile (self-service telephone banking), its website – www.firstbanknigeria.com – as well as the Bank’s staff, through the Direct Sales Executive (DSE) application installed on their mobile phone, ATMs and the bank’s over 55,000 FirstMonie Agents spread across the country. Opening an account with FirstBank through any of these means is seamless, convenient, fast, and user-friendly.

The DSE App is an end to end encrypted mobile application installed on the phone(s) of FirstBank staff which enables them to open an account for to-be customers. Upon the completion of the account opening process via the DSE App, the customer is notified of his or her account number through a text message on the mobile phone used to register the account.

With FirstBank’s *894# USSD banking, various banking activities are carried out on a mobile phone – across the four major GSM network operators in the country – without the use of the internet. To open an account via this means, dial *894# then select ‘open an account’ to provide the information required or by simply dialling *894*0#. The Bank currently has over 9.5 million of its nearly 20 million customers on its USSD banking platform.

The FirstMonie Agent Banking is an agent banking initiative from the bank that is designed to take banking closer to people, thereby bridging the gap between the banked and unbanked. FirstMonie is a channel through which various banking activities like FirstBank account opening, funds transfer, bill payments, data and call credit recharge services, amongst others are carried out. The Agent Banking initiative has also contributed to reducing poverty, being responsible for the indirect employment of over 150,000 people across the country.

According to Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, “beyond opening an account in any of our over 700 branches, we are delighted with the investments at reinventing our business processes over the years, especially with the use of technology. This has been critical to staying relevant in the industry for over 126 years and being the financial partner of the first choice to all our customers and Nigerians, irrespective of where they are.”

Creating these virtual ways of opening a bank account with us – thus; the staff DSE App, ATMs, FirstMonie Agents, *894# USSD banking, FirstMobile and our website – reinforces our resolve to ensure that more Nigerians and residents have access to banking, especially through our state of the art financial services and we remain resolute to being the key to banking, enabling business and financial activities that would continue to propel the country’s economic growth and development.

Olugbo Visits Jimoh Ibrahim, inspects ongoing construction at his Fortune University

His Imperial Majesty, Paramount ruler and prescribed authority, Olugbo of Ugbo kingdom, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, CON, paid a scheduled visit to billionaire business mogul and politician, Barr. (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim (CFR) at his country home, Igbotako in Okitipupa Local government area of Ondo State.
Oba Akinruntan was accompanied by his High Chiefs on the visit.

The first class monarch and Chairman, Ondo state council of Obas, also used the opportunity to inspect ongoing works at the site of the University of Fortune, the pet project of Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim is currently embarking on, which would open up the serene and agrarian Igbotako community to unprecedented infrastructural development.

At the palatial residence of Ibrahim, Oba Akinruntan congratulated him for deeming it fit to bring closer to his people such a noble and laudable project as a university of higher learning, adding that when people are knowledgeable they have been saved from the agony of illiteracy which berths poverty and lack. “There is need for our people to become knowledgeable about their history and culture. We need to correct some wrong impression about skewed history of Yoruba Land. This has prompted me to write a book about the proper place of Ugbo in Yoruba connectivity, which propagandists had attempted to sweep under the carpet.”

While presenting his books to Ibrahim, Oba Akinruntan said Ugbo people to all intent and purpose are the owners of Ife as the reign of Obamakin Ugbomokun preceded the arrival of Oduduwa at Ile Ife, adding that it takes a fair and Correct knowledge of traditional history of Yoruba Land and culture to unravel this sacred fact.

At the inspection of the University, Oba Akinruntan patted Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim at the back for the thoughtful project, stating that; Ibrahim is investing huge capital not just in mere edifices or cash crow business this time round, but in a citadel of learning that will put Igbotako and Ikale Land and even the entire Ondo state on the world map.

In his reaction, Barr. Ibrahim thanked the royal father for the August visit, maintaining that he felt highly honoured by the visit of such an eminent royal father of international repute. Jimoh Ibrahim who has his hand tied across many pies of business chain ranging from; finance, hospitality and real estate consortia among others, told his guest that the University of Fortune at its completion shall attract the best hands in the world of academics. He said; “The university shall produce graduates that will have not just a paper certificate but quality potentials that will make them problem solvers and educated people that will impact very positively on the economy of Nigeria.”

ZENITH BANK EMERGES BEST BANK IN NIGERIA IN THE GLOBAL FINANCE WORLD’S BEST BANKS AWARDS 2020

Zenith Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading financial institution, has emerged as the Best Bank in Nigeria in the recently released Global Finance Magazine World’s Best Banks Awards 2020.

The awards, which was published in the May 2020 edition of the Global Finance Magazine, was based on the performances of the banks in their respective regions and countries over the period from January 1 to December 31, 2019.

Global Finance’s “World’s Best Banks Awards” are recognized amongst the world’s most influential banking/finance and corporate professionals as the most coveted and credible awards in the banking industry, with winners chosen in more than 150 countries across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, North America and Western Europe.

Founded in 1987, Global Finance regularly selects the top performers among banks and other providers of financial services and the awards have become a trusted standard of excellence for the global financial community.

Commenting on the recognition, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Mr, Ebenezer Onyeagwu said that “this award is a clear demonstration of the bank’s market leadership, occasioned by our superior product offerings, best-in-class service and top-of-the-range technology which create value for our teeming customers.”

Zenith Bank has clearly distinguished itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service quality, unique customer experience and sound financial indices. The bank, with a knack for setting the pace and raising benchmarks, is a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions.

As a testament to its resilience and market leadership, Zenith Bank announced an impressive result for the year ended December 31, 2019, with profit after tax (PAT) of N208.8 billion, achieving the feat as the first Nigerian Bank to cross the N200 billion mark. In the recently released Q1 2020 unaudited financial results, the bank also recorded an improved result over the corresponding period in 2019, with gross earnings rising by 6% to N166.8 billion and profit before tax (PAT) growing 3% to N58.8 billion.

Consistent with this superlative performance and in recognition of its track record of exceptional performance, Zenith Bank was ranked as the Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria 2019 by the World Finance and the Best Digital Bank in Nigeria 2019 by Agusto & Co. The bank was also voted as Bank of the Year and Best Bank in Retail Banking at the 2019 BusinessDay Banks and other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. Most recently, the bank was recognized as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria, for the third consecutive year, in the Banker Magazine “Top 500 Banking Brands 2020” and the Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020.

APPLE Announces DJ Cuppy as their First ever African Radio Host in Million- Dollar Deal

DJ Cuppy, the celebrity daughter of Nigerian billionaire, Femi Otedola, has landed first-of-its-kind deal with Apple Music in a move that entertainment industry watchers have labelled “watershed”.

Apple Music is launching its first radio show in Africa.

The streaming platform announced today, Thursday, that “Africa Now Radio with Cuppy” will debut Sunday and will feature a mix of contemporary and traditional popular African sounds, including genres like Afrobeat, rap, house, kuduro and more.
The weekly one-hour show will be hosted at 3 pm Nigerian time on Sundays.

As face and voice behind Apple Music in Africa, Cuppy will be bringing the world to Africa.
Besides DJing all genres of African music, the show will see Cuppy entertaining the listeners with interviews from artists across the continent and even beyond.

“The show represents a journey from West to East and North to South, but importantly a narrative of Africa then to Africa now,” Cuppy said.

African music and artists have found success outside of the continent and onto the pop charts in both the U.S. and U.K. in recent years.