A yet-to-be identified orderly assigned by Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Headquarters to one Professor Dike Zainab has been hospitalized after she was allegedly assaulted at the behest of her boss in Abuja.
According to reports the incident happened on Wednesday, September 21.
In a now-viral video posted by Deji Adesogan on Twitter, the orderly claimed she was beaten by the maids to the Professor Zainab.
“She told her boys to kill me,” she said incoherently.
In the video, she was captured seated on a floor, with part of her face and uniform, covered with blood stains. All she kept asking was to be taken to the hospital to save her life.
“Reports of one Prof Dike Zainab of Area 11 in Abuja who allegedly assaulted her Police Orderly and also ordered her maids to beat her up. Thorough investigation & prosecution of the culprits will serve as deterrents to others. Totally inhumane & unacceptable!!!” Dejiadesogan captioned the video on Twitter.
Nigerians have reacted to the incident and called the attention of the NPF to the video calling for justice and the prosecution of the culprit.
🚨DISTURBING NEWS: Reports of one Prof Dike Zainab of Area 11 in Abuja who allegedly assaulted her Police Orderly & also ordered her maids to beat her up. Thorough investigation & prosecution of the culprits will serve as deterrent to others. Totally inhumane & unacceptable!!! pic.twitter.com/cSTPdXva4k
Dr. Obasa, in a statement by Eromosele Ebhomele, his Chief Press Secretary, described the former First Lady of Lagos as one whose love for Nigeria and roles in national unity and development are worthy of emulation by every well-meaning citizen.
The Speaker added that Senator Tinubu has continued to etch her name in the history of Nigeria as a politician of repute, a champion of the downtrodden and an advocate for the youth, the aged and good governance.
He noted Senator Tinubu’s passion for a greater Nigeria both as a crusader for a more vibrant democracy and as a serving member of the National Assembly.
“As the loving wife of our dear leader and presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, you have been a major pillar of support and progress.
“That Nigeria practises democracy today is partly as a result of the roles you played while the military held on the the government of the country. History is replete with how you worked tirelessly against the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election result won by Chief MKO Abiola and how you took care of many exiled members of the National Democratic Coalition and citizens of Nigeria who were at the time under the radar.
“As First Lady of Lagos State, your love for the education of the underprivileged in the society and the need to raise standards gave birth to your pet project, The Spelling Bee Competion, which, delightedly, has produced great minds and future leaders.
“Lagos is blessed with you and we are happy that you have remained a major support for the growth and development of our State. You have also remained a mentor to many Nigerians whose lives you have touched with your New Era Foundation and various scholarship programmes.
“On behalf of my family and members of the legislative arm of Lagos government, I congratulate you on your birthday and pray that God continue to bless you with good health, strength and divine capacity ahead of the bigger task before us all, amen,” Obasa prayed.
Nigeria’s First Lady Aisha Buhari has come under heavy criticism by citizens after she shared the graduation photos of her daughter-in-law across her social media pages on Tuesday.
Zahra Bayero-Buhari, who got married to President Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf, in August 2021, graduated from a UK university on Tuesday.
The First Lady, while celebrating her son’s wife and daughter of Nasiru Ado Bayero, Emir of Bichi, flooded her page with photos from the graduation ceremony, noting that Zahra graduated “with First Class Honors in Architectural Science.”
While some Nigerians shared in her joy, many who commented on the First Lady’s post accused her of “insensitivity” as the celebration came at a time when public universities have been shut down for seven months due to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Mrs. Buhari also shared the photos days after National Association of Nigerian Students (NANs) staged protests in different parts of the country over the Federal Government’s failure to resolve the strike.
Among those who criticised the President’s Wife was a former minister in President Buhari’s cabinet, Solomon Dalung.
The former sports minister wrote under Aisha’s post: “The acceptable interpretation to say the least is an insult to the psyche of Nigerians. You used to stand with common people in the first tenure but this time around you have not only abandoned them but graduated into academy of tyranny. What makes her better than any other Nigerian child? Given the apportunity in foreign universities some would have graduated with Distinction. This is not only insensitive but disappointing my dear Wife of the President.”
The 2023 presidential candidate of Action Alliance, Omoyele Sowore, who also commented under the First Lady’s post said Nigerian leaders are unbothered about the ASUU strike because they afford to send their children abroad for studies.
“This is the reason their father Muhammadu Buhari shut down Nigerian public universities for 7 months now and still counting, because his children don’t go to schools in Nigeria and as you could tell they’ve used your resources to give their children the best education money can buy. Nigerians!!! You see why you need a #Revolutionnnow?” wrote Sowore.
Queen Elizabeth: Lagos Assembly Wants More For Nigerian Traditional Rulers
The Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the government to improve the honour given first-class and prominent traditional rulers before and after their death.
This motion followed a Matter of Urgent Public Importance raised by the lawmaker representing Mushin Constituency 2, Hon. Olawale Abdulsobur Olayiwola, during on plenary on Monday.
Referring to the celebration that accompanied the burial ceremony of Queen Elizabeth II of England, Hon. Olayiwola observed that traditional rulers in Nigeria are never given adequate honour and recognition before and after their death.
In his comment, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa emphasised that while it might not be easy to honour all the traditional rulers in the state, first-class royal fathers should be celebrated.
The Speaker said that he shared the idea of celebrating those who make up the traditional institution adding: “We should learn how to elevate our own. If foreigners are coming to celebrate us through their documentaries, we should think deeply about celebrating ourselves too.
“The Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs should fashion out how best our Obas should be celebrated.
“Occupiers of recognised thrones that have been in existence for many years should be celebrated,” he said.
Earlier in his argument, Olayiwola had said: “Queen Elizabeth II left after over 70 years on the throne and the burial was attended by a delegation from Nigeria led by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.
“But here in Nigeria, we don’t celebrate our traditional rulers in death. An example was when the former Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, joined his ancestors recently. He was not celebrated as he should,” he lamented.
Olayiwola, Chairman of the House Committee on Local Government and Community Affairs, called on the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs to celebrate the traditional rulers in the state while they are alive and during their demise.
This was accepted by all the lawmakers at plenary.
Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Exclusive! Osinbajo Fingered in Barrister Kayode Ajulo’s Acquisition of Airplanes, Real Estate Worth £3 Billion
The owner at Castle of Law, Kayode Ajulo, according to information reaching us from grapevine sources, is presently on hot seat to explain the source of his new found wealth.
Sources revealed Ajulo, who just returned from a trip abroad where he stayed about 7 weeks, the longest he’s said to have stayed outside Nigeria’s shore in a long time, while away made some lavish acquisitions that include 3 airplanes, hectares of farm land and real estates in the Scandinavian.
It was learnt Lord Abraham Ajulo, as Kayode is also called, splashed funds in the region of about 3 billion pounds during the trip, which suggest he’s the richest lawyer in black Africa.
However, beyond the expected excitement this development has brought for the man in question, sources hinted the lawyer is under fire as there are questions in some quarters about where he could have stumbled on such stupendous wealth. Those who are concerned about Ajulo’s sudden wealth are wondering where and how he made such money despite his fierce advocacy, activism and anti-corruption crusades.
More interesting of the issue are speculations about where he may have gotten the money from, and major among those speculations is the one that links Ajulo’s new found wealth with the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo.
Ajulo, it will be recall played a very significant and daring role where he persistent and aggressively doled out legal permutation and speculations in rooting for the aspiration of the Vice President in the wake of APC presidential primary, in which the Law Professor eventually lost out.
However, no concrete mode of how the speculated alliance between Ajulo and Osinbajo resulted into fortune for the former, but sources insisted Osinbajo’s influence can not be excused from the entire calculation.
Prince Fuhad Oloto Gives Out Education Accessories To Indigent Students
Born in royalty and one of the most successful businessmen of Nigeria’s younger generation, Prince Fuhad Oloto, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Futol Group of Companies comprising Futol Homes, Futol Environmental Services, Futol Hotels, Futol Guards Ltd. and Futol Logistics is set to empower indigent students with educational accessories. While briefing High Celebrity Squard Magazine on this noble step, the imperial prince affirmed that he has been doing this for many years and he is never inspired by anything to venture into it.
Prince Oloto added that he is of the opinion that the Almighty God that blesses humanity expects reciprocal approach in return. This implies that privileged ones should imbibe the culture of giving back to the underprivileged.
The real estate giant will give out large numbers of note books and GCE Forms to indigent primary and secondary school students and this will go a long way in relieving the heavy burden of parents, many of whom are currently at crossroads over payments of school fees and purchase of these academic essentials. However, lucky beneficiaries of these materials will appreciate the kind gestures of Prince Fuhad Oloto. Additionally, this humanitarian move by the successful business tycoon is a pointer for other privileged Nigerians to take a cure from him and take critical look into the plight of the poor masses, help in alleviating poverty from the country and exterminating illiteracy from the larger society. Remarkable kudos to this indefatigable, indomitable, committed philanthropist and a man of the people, Prince Fuhad Oloto.
PRUDENTIAL ZENITH LIFE INSURANCE RECORDS 75% GROWTH IN PROFIT AFTER TAX IN FULL YEAR 2021 RESULTS
Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Limited (“PZL”) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31st December 2021, recording a 75% growth in profit after tax (PAT) of ₦1.13b compared to the ₦646m recorded in the corresponding period in 2020.
The results, which was approved by the Board of Directors of Prudential Zenith and the insurance industry regulator, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), shows that Gross Written Premium (GWP) and Annualized Premium Equivalent (APE) grew year on year by 16.3% and 9.3% respectively. This was primarily driven by 27% growth in new business acquisition for Group Life written during the period.
Investment income grew by 30% year-on-year due to a significant increase in the interest-generating assets of the company, and commission income also increased by 43% during the period.
The financial performance is a testament to the continued focus on investments, as the company remains committed to building a strong market-leading position in Nigeria by enhancing its capabilities, strengthening its digitally enabled multi-channel distribution network, and broadening the range of products and services that are available to customers in order to meet their needs.
Despite the challenges experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, Prudential Zenith was able to achieve this strong growth in 2021 and is poised to continue improving its performance in the upcoming financial years. Prudential Zenith will continue to develop and launch unique products to meet customers’ needs, leveraging technology and its core corporate governance structure to deliver faster claims settlement. The company will also continue to prioritize the health, safety, and welfare of customers, who subscribe to its unique insurance product offerings.
Prudential Zenith Life Insurance Ltd (PZL) is a subsidiary of Prudential Plc., established in 2017 when Prudential Plc acquired a 51% holding in Zenith Life Insurance. PZL is one of the most capitalized companies in the Nigerian insurance industry with a wide range of individual products including savings & investments-linked products, endowment, and protection products designed to meet the needs of individuals and their families. For corporate clients, the company’s product offerings include Group Life, Key-Man Assurance, Credit Life, School Fees Protection, and Mortgage Protection, ensuring that the welfare of clients’ staff and families are met.
Prudential Plc provides life and health insurance, and asset management in Africa and Asia, helping people get the most out of life by making healthcare affordable and accessible and by promoting financial inclusion. Prudential protects people’s wealth, helps them grow their assets, and empowers them to save for their goals. It has more than 19 million life customers and is listed on stock exchanges in London (PRU), Hong Kong (2378), Singapore (K6S), and New York (PUK).
Prudential Plc has insurance operations in eight countries in Africa: Nigeria, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Togo Uganda, and Zambia. With over 1 million customers, Prudential Africa works with over 11,000 agents and six exclusive bank partnerships, with access to over 600 branches to bring value-added insurance solutions to its customers.
Heritage Bank joins forces with Gail Sickle Initiative to rescue sickle cell patients
Heritage Bank Plc has upped the ante of its support in the corporate social responsibility space by joining forces with Gail Sickle Initiative to rescue people living with sickle cell anaemia.
The partnership with Gail Sickle Initiative, a non-profit organisation, according to the Executive Director, Heritage Bank, Osepiribo Ben-Willie with its back-to-school project support, is to ameliorate the burden of sickle cell persons in Nigeria and to ensure that all affected persons live normal pain-free lives.
She stated it has become of concern to Heritage Bank to help alleviate the burden as over 40million Nigerians are healthy carriers of the sickle cell gene, whilst 150, 000 children are born with the disorder. This, according to her, is by far the largest burden of sickle cell disorder around the world especially Nigeria and most of these children die in childhood from lack of access to early diagnosis and proper care.
“In Heritage Bank, health is a priority, that is why we want to continue partnering and supporting the NGO, Gail Sickle Initiative on welfare support, early detection and improved treatment and proper care,” she said.
Ben-Willie further affirmed that said that Heritage Bank in partnership with Gail Sickle Initiative is synergizing to create significant awareness and support for individuals affected by the disease.
Speaking at an event, the convener of Gail Sickle Initiative, Oluwafemi Ajayi, disclosed that with the support from Heritage Bank, the NGO has gone beyond its support to her members whom she refers to as winning warriors, to supporting and donating to people living with the sickle cell disease across the country.
According to her, as an organisation that supplies supplements to winning warriors, the Gail Sickle Initiative partnered with Heritage Bank and with the funds provided went beyond the organisations’ members and reached out to other winning warriors who have no parental support and to those in various hospital to give them supplements and offset the bill of some who were unable to pay their bills.
Ajayi further stated that Sickle Cell disorder poses various challenges to the carriers like the health challenge, stigmatisation, economic challenge amongst others.
According to her, the Gail Sickle Initiative focused on how to cover every aspect of these challenges by birthing the Sicklepreneur, this aids the warriors to be trained so they can acquire relevant skills and equip themselves to be independent. Therefore, apart from trying to eradicate the sickle cell disease, they ensure that the stigmatisation label on the warriors does not result in depression for them.
She encouraged other corporate organisations to learn from Heritage Bank’s sterling example to the winning warriors by supporting the initiative and further contributed towards the back-to-school project with relevant items donated.
Olajide Adediran, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Lagos State, has slammed the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for criticising his visit to some of the traffic offenders whose vehicles were recently auctioned by the state government.
Videos from the exercise had gone viral on social media after affected persons who couldn’t reclaim their vehicles through the bidding process were seen crying profusely.
Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, visited some of the victims at the weekend and reportedly promised humane traffic measures against traffic violators if elected governor in 2023.
But Jandor’s action did not sit well with the Governor Sanwo-Olu-led APC government which accused the PDP candidate of being desperate, promoting lawlessness, and playing politics with human lives.
The PDP candidate, in a response issued by the head of communications of his campaign organisation, Gbenga Ogunleye, clarified that he was encouraging residents of the state to be lawless.
He said in punishing traffic offenders, the state government must ensure that the measures they adopt do not “destroy” the people.
“We must realise that laws are made for the people and not people for the law. Therefore, all laws must bear a human face and seek to correct rather than destroy the very citizens that they were made for.
“In this instance, the penalty for breaking the law in question amounted to killing an ant with a sledgehammer and will potentially create more problems than it was meant to solve.
“One may wonder why a state government that is supposed to cater for the welfare of the people is so intent on taking away the means of livelihood of the same people when other measures, such as hefty fines, could have served as a deterrent to potential offenders?
“Their pathetic outburst could be the wild ranting of a dying hegemony having realised that their game is up and Lagosians are now sick and tired of the poor governance that they have been subjected to for the past 23 years and are now craving for the breath of fresh air, which the dynamic duo of Adediran and Olufunke Akindele represent,” read the statement.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has refused to disqualify the candidates of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi and All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, from participating in the 2023 presidential election.
The court, in a judgement that was delivered on Monday by Justice Donatus Okorowo, held that a suit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) instituted against the two presidential candidates lacked merit and deserved to be dismissed.
PDP had approached the court, accusing both Peter Obi and Tinubu of acting in breach of the Electoral Act.
The PDP told the court that contrary to provisions of the electoral law, both Obi and Tinubu, failed to nominate their running mates in due time, choosing rather to temporarily hand over their Vice Presidential tickets to placeholders.
PDP told the court that whereas the candidate of the Labour Party, Obi, chose Dr Doyin Okupe as the placeholder for his Vice Presidential post, the other hand, candidate of the APC, Tinubu, submitted the name of Kabiru Masari as his own placeholder.
Plaintiff, in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1016/2022, contended that the Electoral Act, 2022, did not make provision for a “place holder” or temporary running mate.
The opposition party argued that the subsequent resignation, withdrawal or substitution of Okupe and Masari, by both the LP and the APC, were illegal and unconstitutional.
PDP maintained that Obi and Tinubu could only qualify to contest the 2023 presidential election with Okupe and Masari, as their respective running mate.
It further argued that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was bereft of the power to accept any withdrawal or substitution of both Okupe and Masari, without the LP and the APC conducting fresh primaries to substitute Obi and Tinubu.
PDP told the court that both Okupe and Masari are not products of any primary election and as such was not validly nominated by the LP and the APC.
Delivering ruling on Monday, Justice Okorowo held that the suit was not only incompetent but amounted to gross abuse of the judicial process.
The court held that it lacked the jurisdiction to entertain an incompetent suit and accordingly dismissed it.
