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ZENITH BANK RETAINS POSITION AS NIGERIA’S BEST COMMERCIAL BANK, ALSO SCOOPS BEST CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BANK AWARD AT WORLD FINANCE 2022 AWARDS

R – L: Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc and Paul Richardson of World Finance during the presentation of the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria Awards to Zenith Bank at the London Stock Exchange

Zenith Bank Plc has emerged as the Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2022, retaining the award for a second consecutive year. The bank was also named as the Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022.

The awards, which were presented to the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Mr. Ebenener Onyeagwu at the London Stock Exchange yesterday, were in recognition of the bank’s ability to embrace digital transformation and best-in-class sustainability and corporate governance practices, leading to a stellar business performance in a difficult economic climate.

Commenting on the double recognition, Onyeagwu said that: “These awards reflect our strong business fundamentals, resilience and ability to adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the market through our innovative solutions, as well as our commitment to global best practices. As a member and signatory to various domestic and international sustainability frameworks including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria Sustainable Banking Principles, we continue to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating value for our shareholders, customers, clients, investors, communities and the environment through our practices, operations and investments.”

He dedicated the awards to the Founder and Group Chairman, Jim Ovia, CON, for his pioneering role in building the structures and laying the foundation for an enduring and very successful institution; the Board for the outstanding leadership they provide; the staff for their commitment and dedication; and the bank’s customers for making Zenith Bank their preferred financial Institution.

World Finance is a leading international magazine providing comprehensive coverage and analysis of the financial industry, international business and the global economy. The editorial combines award-winning reportage, covering a broad range of topics from banking and insurance to wealth management and infrastructure investment, with contributions from some of the world’s most well-respected economists and theorists as well as consultants in government think tanks and the World Economic Forum.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, with these latest accolades coming on the heels of several recognitions including being voted as Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards; and Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020. Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine and the Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.

BREAKING: Inmates Escape As Kuje Prison Under Heavy Bombardment

The Kuje Correctional Center is said to be under heavy bombardment by unidentified gunmen.

A source who spoke to THE WHISTLER on telephone said “they are unleashing bombs.

“We don’t know who is carrying out the attack but we can hear heavy sounds bearing the hallmark of bombs.

“Everywhere is under lock and key.”

This is coming few hours after the advanced team of President Muhammadu Buhari came under heavy attacks by terrorists, according to a statement by the president’s special assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Tuesday evening.

A source confirmed to our Correspondent that the first explosion, which she said was likely a high capacity bomb, went off around 10.25pm.

She further confirmed that soon after the second and third blasts went off, sporadic gunshots followed.

It was gathered that there was a security report, which alerted the prison officials that the center which is a Medium Prison would be attacked.

Attempts to speak with the Public Relations Officer of the prison, Francis Enobore, proved abortive as his phone rang out unanswered.

But a source in the prison said the attack was carried out from the back of the building and is still going on as of press time.

“The attack is still going on as we speak and the inmates are escaping. I can’t report any casualty but I can confirm some inmates are leaving because the back is now open and exposed.”

Obama Calls For More Access To Abortion In US

Former United States president, Barack Obama has stated that increased access to abortion is one of the signs that the American democracy was growing.

He lamented on Tuesday that there is still work to do in areas of abortion rights, gun control and LGBTQ rights, among others.

He wrote on his official Facebook page:

“If we want democracy to flourish, we will have to fight for it. We’ll have to nurture it. And we will have to demonstrate its value, again and again, in improving the lives of ordinary people.

“That includes looking at the shortcomings of our own democracies—not the ideal, but the reality of our own democracies. From advocating for increased abortion access to protecting LGBTQ+ rights to tackling gun violence and so much more, we have a lot of work to do. Only then will we be able to tell a better story of what democracy can be, and must be, in this rapidly changing world.”

The former president’s remark is believed to be his opinion pointing towards the country’s independence Day celebration on July 4 .

Also, his remarks comes after the US Supreme Court removed abortion from list of federal rights.

The Supreme Court verdict drew outrage from a number of US citizens but was hailed by several churches.

US president Joe Biden described the verdict as being against the constitutional right of Americans.

JUST IN: Fifty APC Leaders Withdraw Support From Governor Oyetola 11 Days To Osun Election

The Osun governor election slated for Saturday, July 16, may not be a walk in the park for Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The reason is that some APC members, even leaders, have diverted their support to Akin Ogunbiyi, the candidate of the Accord Party (AP), The Nation reports.

Not less than 50 influential APC chieftains who are leaders in various capacities have thrown their weight behind Ogunbiyi ahead of the election, describing him as the one who truly possesses the qualities of a good leader and has an enviable vision for the state.

Confirming this new development, the AP gubernatorial candidate¡¯s media aide, Seun Adeoye, disclosed that the APC bigwigs in the state made their position known when they paid his principal a visit in Osogbo recently.

Reacting to the support he was assured of by the APC leaders, Ogunbiyi noted that he will not fail them. A statement released by Adeoye quoted Ogunbiyi as saying: ¡°I promise to lift this state out of the monolithic economy as a ¡®civil servant state¡¯ by making use of its abundant resources in agriculture, mineral resources, and the large human capital deposits.

¡°I will fully engage in all sectors of agriculture including crop production, livestock, forestry, and fishing, and make the state the food basket of the entire Southwest. ¡°Agriculture is a multi-billion dollar investment.

We can produce another Awolowo, somebody who has the intellect, capacity, and experience to develop something little to something bigger. I will go all out to be that person.¡±

JUST IN: Winner To Get N100m Prize As Big Brother Naija Season 7 Begins July 23

Multichoice Nigeria has announced that season 7 of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show will commence on July 23, 2022.

The winner of this season will walk away with N100 million prize at the end of the show.

The anchor, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, also confirmed the news in a tweet: ¡°Yes, we are back, season 7 is finally here, we can¡¯t wait for you guys to see all the amazing stuff coming this season. Trust me if you think you know Big Brother, this season is about to take things up another notch.¡±

Recall that the grand prize in the sixth edition of the BBNaija show was N90m, which was won by Ikechukwu Hazel Onyeze, popularly known as Whitemoney.

2023: Why the Obidient movement is a useless one – Asari Dokubo

Asari Dokubo, a former Niger Delta militant, on Tuesday said the Obidient movement of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is a futile one ¡°because it is going nowhere¡±.

Speaking in a Facebook Live monitored by POLITICS NIGERIA, Dokubo said Obi does not have the pedigree to match co-contenders, Atiku Abubakar and Bola Tinubu.

He tackled the former Anambra State governor on the recent release of some documents that showed he rejected plots of land offered to him by the Anambra State Housing Development Corporation (ASHDC) during his tenure as governor.

According to Dokubo, Obi is lying to the public.

¡°How would you compare Obi with Tinubu or Atiku? What is his antecedent? Lies. You are showing documents. Who showed that you rejected the lands? All these small small [sic] scams, who dem wan do naw [sic]?¡± Dokubo said.

Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Support Network has called for the immediate discontinuation of the negotiations and alliance between the LP and the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP).

The group said the NNPP’s presidential candidate, Rabiu Kwankwanso,¡¯s continuous association with the Obi candidacy will be a liability rather than an asset.

ICPC: Buratai Denies Links To N175,706,500, $220,965, G-Wagon, Other Properties

A former Chief of Army Staff and Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic, Tukur Buratai has denied links to monies and properties recently seized in Abuja by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Recall that the ICPC had raided a property in the Wuse 2 area of the federal capital territory (FCT) where it recovered money and other items from the property including N175,706,500, $220,965, a G-Wagon, 2022 editions of BMW and Mercedes-Benz cars and customised mobile phones.

It also recovered several designer wristwatches, including three Rolexes, and some property documents.

Following the raids, reports had emerged claiming Buratai is the owner on the property and the seized items but the agency in a statement stated that the property is owned by the owner of K Salam Construction Company, a military contractor called Kabiru Sallau.

Speaking to newsmen on Monday, Buratai’s legal adviser, Ugochukwu Osuagwu, said reports linking the former army chief to the properties are filled with mischief, baseless and concocted.

He said: “Lieutenant General T.Y. Buratai has no relationship with the said properties nor does he have any relationship with the said K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited. These are fabricated lies to criminally defame the image of Lieutenant General T.Y. Buratai.

“First, ICPC, in a press release on June 24, 2022, denied any involvement of Lieutenant General T.Y. Buratai with their investigation of the Wuse 2 property.

“Secondly, Corporate Affairs Commission, in a letter dated Monday, 27 June 2022 and signed by A.G. Abubakar clearly exonerated Lieutenant General T.Y. Buratai with any relationship with the said K Salam Construction Company Nigeria Limited. Messrs. Muhammed Ahmed Sallau and Sallau Kabiru are the owners of the said company.

“Thirdly, a check on the FRSC website on the number plate: ABJ98BH attached to the Mercedes-Benz is false; checks show that the said plate number belongs to a Toyota Corolla custom colour.

“We, therefore, use this medium to urge restraint on those who are trying to politicise what is purely a matter being investigated.

“With ICPC having cleared the air on this subject matter, it will be preposterous to now try to politicise the matter.”

JUST IN: Lagos Govt shuts Redeemers School over drowning of pupil

The Lagos State Ministry of Education on Monday evening said it has shut the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba.

The government said the school will remain closed, pending an administrative investigation of its operations and procedures as well as the conduct of its officials ¨C in line with schools¡¯ safety standards and guidelines.

This was contained in a statement signed by Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, the Commissioner for Education in the state.

The investigation is sequel to the recent death of Chidera Eze, a five-year-old pupil, who is suspected to have drowned during a swimming lesson while in the custody of the school. The police are investigating the matter.

¡°A preliminary probe by the Office of Education Quality Assurance of the Ministry has shown that the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Ogba, is yet to conclude its registration and is, therefore, not yet an approved school.

¡°The Ministry is concerned about the safety of the pupils, hence the need for intervention. The school will remain closed until all the required approval processes are concluded. Parents are advised to note the closure and wait for the conclusion of the administrative investigation,¡± the Lagos government said.

FG Cancels Training Contract For Ex-Niger Delta Militants

The Federal Government has revoked the training contract awarded to Express Concern International (ECN) to train former Niger Delta militants.

The Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), Col.Milland Dikio (retd), made this known in a statement on Sunday signed by his spokesman, Neotabase Egbe.

Dikio stated the federal government decided to revoke the training contract for former Niger Delta agitators over breach of the agreement.

He said the termination followed an allegation by a group, Concerned Indigenes of Oil Mineral Producing States Forum (CIOMPSF), that the company diverted funds it received from the Presidential Amnesty Programme.

Dikio asserted that contracts are not awarded to just anybody who submits a proposal, but to serious contractors, who have the capacity to deliver their contractual obligations.

He said the amnesty office had also activated its internal mechanism to retrieve the money it paid to the firm through a performance bond provided by the company.

Dikio said each job awarded was secured by a performance bond provided by the benefitting firm that enabled the amnesty office to recover its money in an event of default by a contractor.

He said, “The attention of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has been drawn to reports that a contractor, Express Concerns International Limited, has diverted money paid to them to train 90 ex-agitators in the agriculture value chain.

“Indeed, the PAP had contracted Express Concerns International Limited to train its beneficiaries. But the contract was terminated via a letter dated June 14th, 2022 because the contractor breached the terms of the agreement.

“Contracts are not awarded to just anybody who submits a proposal, but to serious contractors, who have the capacity to deliver their contractual obligations.

“However, each job awarded by PAP has an insurance bond that ensures the scheme recovers its money in the event of default by contractors. Consequently, the PAP wrote to the guaranteeing firm/insurance company for the recovery of the mobilization fee paid to the company.

“While the management of the PAP acknowledges the interests shown by various stakeholders in the affairs of PAP, let it be known that deliberate measures were put in place to reform contractual processes and block all loopholes that could be capitalized upon to dupe the programme.

“We want to further assure all stakeholders that PAP’s contracts are designed for the benefits of the programme’s beneficiaries and not for the enrichment of any contractor.”

Arsenal Sign Man City’s Jesus For £45m

Arsenal have signed Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus for £45m, the club confirmed on Monday.

The Brazilian will wear the No. 9 shirt which was worn by Alexandre Lacazette who return to Lyon.

Jesus is now Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer transfer window after Marquinhos (Marcos Aoás Corrêa), Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira.

Mikel Arteta, Arsenal’s coach had worked with Jesus when he was assistant coach to Pep Guardiola at City from 2016 to 2019.

City are hoping to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Arteta said, “The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.

“This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”

Jesus said in an interview with Arsenal that, “I am so happy to be here to help. I come to help, to learn as well, and to try to do my best.

“We (Arterta) spoke a couple of times about the club, the players, the project and the future. I believe 100 per cent in Mikel. I had a very good time with him before, he’s a very good guy and a very good coach as well.

“He helped me a lot [at Manchester City]. We would always stick together after the training sessions and do some finishing or something. He’s a very intelligent guy and was an amazing player, so if he knows something he can teach me or the young players.”