Suella Braverman, the UK Attorney-General, will on July 7 determine whether the organ harvesting case filed against Ike Ekweremadu and his wife will be tried in the country or transferred to Nigeria.
The case was adjourned to July 7 after Ekweremadu, Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President, appeared before the Uxbridge Magistrate Court alongside his wife, Beatrice, on Thursday.
The prosecutor, according to Channels TV, insisted that Ukpo Nwamini David, the male alleged to have been trafficked for organ harvesting by Ekweremadu and Beatrice, is a 15-year-old.
The duo’s next appearance would be at the Westminster Magistrate Court after which a decision to try them in the UK or Nigeria would be taken.
The London Metropolitan Police had last Thursday announced the arrest and detention of the lawmaker and his wife for “conspiring to arrange the travel of a child into the UK in order to harvest organs.”
Following their arrest, Ekweremadu and his wife sued the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), and two commercial banks at Federal High Court in Abuja.
They asked the court to compel the institutions to provide the Certified True Copy of the biodata of David with a view to establishing their innocence in the case.
Nigerian politician Babatunde Gbadamosi and Funke Akindele’s ex-boss has made a statement which comes after the revelation that the actress has suffered a failed marriage.
In a post shared on Instagram, the real estate developer said without mentioning any name that the masquerades have finally been unmasked.
He wrote: Breakfast is served. The launch is coming, dinner will be sumptuous. Eventually, all masquerades will finally be unmasked and served their own breakfast, launch and dinner too, at great cost to them, blogger or not.
Naija News earlier reported that JJC Skillz in the lengthy post shared on Instagram said the last two years of their marriage have been extremely difficult for them.
Skillz said he tried to fix things but he believes it’s beyond repair at the moment because Funke Akindele insisted he move out of their house.
He wrote: “Dear Friends and family I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted we shared a lot of things together and have created 2 beautiful children. The last two years have been extremely difficult for us. I know I have tried my best to fix things but I believe it is beyond repair now. 3 months ago and at Funkes insistence I moved out of the house and apart from AMVCA have not been able to get Funke to sit down in an amicable manner to discuss the future of our relationship.
“I’m making this announcement so that the public is clear that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues that need to be addressed such as the custody and wellbeing of our children which is paramount as well as business interests which need to be disentangled but I have no doubt that these will be resolved one way or the other.”
Nollywood actress, Funke Akindele popularly known as Jenifa has separated from her husband, JJC Skillz.
The husband confirmed this in a post via his Instagram handle on Thursday morning, Naija News reports.
There have been rumours that things are not going well with Funke Akindele and her husband, including their other family members over time, a development the duo have repeatedly debunked.
JJC skillz however ended the rumour this morning as he announced their separation on social media.
According to him, he tried to ensure things didn’t get to this stage but it eventually did.
He wrote: “Dear Friends and family I need to let you know that Funke and I have separated. While it lasted we shared a lot of things together and have created 2 beautiful children. The last two years have been extremely difficult for us. I know I have tried my best to fix things but I believe it is beyond repair now. 3 months ago and at Funkes insistence I moved out of the house and apart from AMVCA have not been able to get Funke to sit down in an amicable manner to discuss the future of our relationship.
“I’m making this announcement so that the public is clear that we both are pursuing separate lives. We still have issues that need to be addressed such as the custody and wellbeing of our children which is paramount as well as business interests which need to be disentangled but I have no doubt that these will be resolved one way or the other.”
Amidst the backslash online, veteran Nollywood actor Jide Kosoko has revealed why he is supporting the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Candidate Bola Tinubu.
In a post shared on his Instagram, Prince Kosoko said he has witnessed the achievement of Tinubu as a genuine leader over the years, and his support for humanity and the creative industry.
The actor said he’s convinced that Tinubu is a lover of old and new especially the youths, considering the number of people he has raised politically.
He urged his fans and followers to give Tinubu the opportunity to complete transferring the technical know-how on his God-given assignment.
He wrote: “I stand with Tinubu. I have witnessed his achievement as a Genuine Leader over the years, his support for humanity and the creative industry in particular. I am convinced he is a lover of old and new, especially the youth, considering the number he has raised politically, the Majority of who is doing well as leaders today.”
“Meaning he believes so much in youth as leaders of tomorrow as in today. Please give him the opportunity to complete transferring the technical know-how on his God-choosing assignment. ignore hate speeches by opponents and enemies. HONESTLY, WE NEED HIM. Let it not be another best president we would not have. Arise larika, arika baba iregun.”
A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, may not back his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The former Ekiti State governor gave a hint in the post on his verified Twitter page on Wednesday.
According to Fayose, it was the turn of the South to produce Nigeria’s next president after Muhammadu Buhari’s two-term as president.
Using a Yoruba slang now attached to the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, Fayose said it is the turn of the south or nothing.
The PDP chieftain promised to give Nigerians more details on his tweet soon.
Fayose wrote: “The PDP Constitution provides for a rotational Presidency. Section 3(c) provides that the Party shall pursue its aims & objectives by “adhering to the policy of the rotation & zoning of Party & Public elective offices in pursuance of the principle of equity, justice and fairness.
“The current President of Nigeria is a 2-term Northern Presidency, thus implying that it MUST be a Southern Presidency in 2023 or NOTHING.
“Awa ‘South’ lo kan.’ Nigerians should await details soon.”
Naija News reports that Fayose is a close ally of Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, who is reportedly plotting to dump the party following his failure to grab the presidential and vice-presidential ticket of the main opposition party.
This newspaper reports that Fayose is also a friend of the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.
Tinubu had, during an outburst in Ogun State just before the APC presidential primary, disclosed that he was instrumental to the emergence of Buhari as president, insisting it was his turn to become the next leader of the country. “Emi lokan,” he had said.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, may be sinking into deeper crisis following revelation that, Iyorchia Ayu, its National Chairman, has been suspended.
But in a quick response, the party in a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, its spokesman, said it’s “fake news.”
The statement said, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a fictitious report being circulated in a section of the social media suggesting that the National Chairman of our great party, His Excellency Sen Dr lyorchia Ayu, has been suspended by the NWC
“Such report is completely false and a product of the imagination of mischief makers with the intent to destabilize our Party, create an impression of crisis within our ranks and mislead the unsuspecting members of the public.”
It added, “It is clear that the false report is the handiwork of vicious anti-people forces who are agitated by the stability, unity and soaring popularity of our Party under the cohesive Sen Dr. Ayu led National Working Committee as well as the intimidating statures of our Presidential and Vice Presidential Candidates His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar and His Excellency, Sen Dr.Ifeanyi Okowa respectively.”
Clarifying, the statement said, “Our National Chainman Sen Dr lyarchia Ayu is on a short vacation outside of the country and he officially transmitted power to the Deputy National Chairman (North) His Excellency Amb. Umar Iliya Damagum, to perform his duties in Acting Capacity pending his return in line with the provision of the Comititution of the PDP 2017 (amended).
The statement said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was duly informed on the absence of our National Chairman and that Damagun will be performing the duties of the National Chairman in Acting capacity pending Ayu’s return.
While stating that Ayu remains the National Chairman of the party, it urged all members and supporters to disregard the said report as “fake news.”
The uneasy calm in the party since the conclusion of its presidential primary and the selection of the party’s running mate has given way to open display of hostility as 2023 elections drag closer.
On Wednesday, Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, accused the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, of treating Nyesom Wike unfairly, and urged him to personally visit the Rivers State governor to mend fences after bypassing him as running mate despite the party’s selection committee’s recommendation.
Although Atiku had visited Wike after the conclusion of the party’s presidential primary, both men have not met or spoken since the selection of the party’s presidential running mate.
Instead of Wike, Atiku picked Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate.
Meanwhile, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, on Wednesday also hinted that some aggrieved stakeholders of the party may head to court to seek the removal of Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.
He said the PDP’s constitution provides for rotational presidency just like the Nigerian Constitution.
One Amira Safiyanu will spend one year in psychiatric care after pleading guilty on Wednesday to posting false information about her kidnap thereby misleading the public and the police.
She admitted to the offence on Wednesday upon her arraignment by the Nigeria police, before the Magistrate court Wuse, Abuja.
After pleading guilty, the Police counsel, James Idachaba, urged the court to give the suspect non-custodial imprisonment, in line with Section 44 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
Idachaba held that a medical report obtained by the police showed she had a mental illness as at the time she shared her fake kidnap story on June 14 through her Twitter page.
The prosecution counsel further prayed the court to put the lady under police supervision for now.
Her lawyer did not oppose the submission of the prosecution.
Subsequently, Magistrate Chukwuemeka Nweke ordered that she should be released conditionally to a probation officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police Hauwa Ibrahim, for 12-month psychiatric care.
Recall that Sufiyanu on June 14 tweeted about her alleged kidnap, and gave live coordinates suggesting the movement of her captors.
She was subsequently found in Lagos by security operatives, and detained by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command for proper investigation.
The police said Sufiyanu while in custody had access to medical examinations.
The ruling of the court, however, further confirms the report by this website that Safiyanu may have misled the public due to her mental challenge.
THE WHISTLER had observed that a month before the false alarm, her tweets suggested that she may have been grappling with her mental health.
This is despite describing herself on her Twitter handle , @Ameera_Sufyan, as a psychotherapist.
Meanwhile, the FCT Police on Wednesday said the outcome of her medical evaluation will be made available to the public.
Fitch Upgrades Fidelity Bank’s issuer default rating from ‘B-’ to ‘B’
Fitch Ratings has upgraded Fidelity Bank Plc’s long-term issuer default rating (IDR) from ‘B-’ to ‘B’, reflecting the bank’s increased creditworthiness. The rating agency also upgraded Fidelity’s National Long-Term Rating to ‘A(nga)’ from ‘BBB+(nga)’.
According to the global rating agency, the upgrade is a result of the Bank’s improving business profile and resilient financial metrics. The agency added that the improved rating reflected the bank’s increased creditworthiness relative to other issuers in Nigeria, emphasizing that, “Fidelity’s Long- and Short-Term IDRs are driven by its standalone creditworthiness, as expressed by its Viability Rating (VR) of ‘b’ ’’.
The agency further stated that the VR reflects healthy asset quality, good business profile and reasonable capitalisation and liquidity. These are balanced against high sensitivity to Nigeria’s challenging operating environment as well as higher credit concentration as a percentage of equity and weaker profitability than larger domestic-rated peers.
Commenting on the upgraded rating, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, stated, “Receiving this upgrade at a time when the global economy is faced with a myriad of challenges, speaks to the strength of our business model, the efficacy of our risk management culture and the commitment of our staff towards creating sustainable value for all stakeholders. As a bank, we will continue to execute our growth strategy in a prudent manner that allows us to take advantage of emerging opportunities in our various markets”.
Fidelity Bank is a full-fledged commercial bank operating in Nigeria with over 6.5 million customers serviced across its 250 business offices and digital banking channels. The bank was recently recognized as the Best SME Bank Nigeria 2022 by the Global Banking & Finance Awards. The bank has also won awards for the “Fastest Growing Bank” and “MSME & Entrepreneurship Financing Bank of the Year” at the 2021 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Micro businesses overcoming the challenges of doing business in rural areas
Contrary to the erroneous belief in some quarters that doing business in rural areas is immune from the common challenges that businesses generally face, reality is that micro business owners in underserved areas also have peculiar challenges they go through.
Some of these challenges include difficulty in accessing goods on time. Dearth of infrastructure such as good road network, long distance to the market and lack of adequate transportation system to move purchased goods are among the factors that constitute access barriers to goods and commodities.
As a result, many micro business owners spend longer time or wait for days and weeks to receive inventory or restock, while oftentimes they experience supply shortages. The delay or disruption in supply also affects the end-users/consumers, who are unable to purchase things they need as at when due.
Painfully, micro retailers lose sales, and ultimately money whenever they have stocks-out due to inefficient supply cycles.
However, the increasing impact of digital technology that is rapidly transforming every segment of our socio-economic ecosystem is also changing the narrative positively for businesses including retail trade.
The digitalisation of the economy, which is enabling e-commerce platforms in the B2C segment and lately the B2B segment, has had and continues to have great impact on the manufacturing, distribution and retail value chains.
With B2B e-commerce, tech-driven digital solutions including warehousing and logistics infrastructure and fulfilment solutions are making micro businesses more efficient and better organised in their day-to-day operations, especially those in the underserved remote or rural areas.
So, unlike the past years when micro business owners in underserved areas faced supply hurdles, most of them today can testify of better and faster access to goods and commodities due to B2B e-commerce revolution.
This positive development is not without the efforts of B2B e-commerce platforms like Alerzo whose strong presence in rural areas and commitment to the underserved micro businesses is boosting access to extensive catalogue of products and logistics.
Through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls or log-in onto its site where applicable, customers now easily place orders and get the goods delivered swiftly without being charged for delivery.
Alerzo’s CEO, Adewale Opaleye stated, “Our strong presence in the South-West, and continued expansion to the North-West and Central consolidate our desire to grow in a sustainable manner and continue to serve those that are underserved.
“On our Alerzoshop retail app, we have a vast assortment available to our customers to choose from, and we offer free delivery in all the over 13 cities we’re currently operational. We change the landscape for them (retailers) through on time delivery.’’
Opaleye added that, ‘‘For the past two years, we have delivered to informal retailers at no cost. With our delivery services, retailers save time, energy, and resources that they would have otherwise expended in restocking. These benefits have resulted in 85% of our retailers reducing their two to four times a week restock trips to zero.”
As digital technology makes deeper impressions on more people, it is also anticipated that the rural communities would also open up. Hence, there is a bigger role e-commerce platforms will play in reaching the underserved in light of government’s focus on leveraging micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and digital economy as critical enablers of national economic growth.
As the engine of national economic growth, the MSMEs segment is reported to contribute 50 per cent to the Nigeria’s GDP and make up 80 per cent of the country’s total employment, while the informal retail segment is worth $100 billion. E-commerce platforms, in particular the B2B segment would ultimately be needed to bridge the potential supply-demand gap that could arise.
The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday went into a closed-door session over the organ harvest controversy involving the erstwhile deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu.
While the Federal Government has defended the issuance of visa and other required documents to the alleged victim, David Ukpo, the Senate has moved a stepped further to identify with one of its own.
Ekweremadu, who is serving a fourth time in the Senate, was incarcerated in the UK last week on allegation of trying to illegally obtained body organ from David, who has been deemed to be underaged.
Announcing the decision of the Senate after emerging from the closed-door session, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed that the delegation comprised of members of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The delegation, according to him, will leave for London on Friday.
He mandated the committee to engage the British High Commission in Nigeria to get more details on the case before jetting out.
Lawan revealed that the Nigerian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, has been engaged for necessary diplomatic support to Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
He however said not much could be discussed on the matter as it was already in court, assuring Ekweremadu’s family and Nigerians that the Senate will continue to engage the Foreign ministry and Nigerian High Commission in London on the case.
While urging all relevant government institutions, including the foreign ministry, to continue to provide the required support to the former Deputy Senate President and his wife, he promised that there will be justice and fairness in the end.
Ekweremadu and his wife have been remanded till July 7, their next day to appear in court while David has been placed in protective custody.
