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FIRSTBANK’S SPONSORED ”FIRST CLASS MATERIAL” CONTINUES TO EMPOWER AND CELEBRATE THE NIGERIAN YOUTH.

FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial services provider has again reinforced its commitment to Youth Empowerment and Entrepreneurship through its sponsorship of the docuseries ”First Class Material” from the stables of Linda Ikeji TV

Arguably Nigeria’s most valuable bank brand, FirstBank continues to pride itself as indeed the Bank of many firsts. First Class Material is a docuseries designed to celebrate Nigerians who are excelling in various fields of endeavour whether academic or non-academic. It is a programme that aims to chronicle the success stories of Nigerians who are distinct and exemplary in their achievements and importantly, a testament to the greatness of the West African country. This docuseries aims to make education, vocational training and skill acquisition trendy, attractive and fashionable to the nation’s human capital by celebrating and rewarding innovators and trailblazers in various sectors. First Class Material is a celebration of notable Firsts by Nigerians which underscores what FirstBank stands for. The essence of the programme is to have many more people informed and encouraged by the successes, thereby having these feats emulated in their chosen endeavours.

First Class Material aims to change the narrative about Nigeria and Nigerians by highlighting the great work Nigerians are doing in different fields, including Academics, Technology, Arts, Music, entrepreneurship, and many more. It also aims to inspire others to aspire to excellence and to see hard work, legitimate work, and diligence as something rewarding and deserving of emulation. FirstBank was the official sponsor of the maiden edition of First Class Material by Linda Ikeji TV and based on its success, the Bank is now also sponsoring Season 2 which will commence 3rd week in August.

This innovative partnership would have viewers exposed to Nigerians across the globe that have carved a niche for themselves by being exemplary and influential in their chosen endeavours and career path. Success stories of notable firsts and trailblazers would be highlighted, with viewers encouraged to go beyond limits and leave no stone unturned at making their dreams a reality. Like the first season, which showcased exceptional individuals, the forthcoming season promises to share truly inspiring stories of great feats and accomplishments by some of the most unassuming Nigerians, in the country and dotted around the world. FirstBank’s goal is to inspire the youth and encourage them to make informed choices, critical to securing their future whilst impacting mankind and society at large.

FirstBank, historically, has had diverse interventions in promoting thought leadership and promoting initiatives that will stimulate the advancement of skill acquisition and capacity building for the Nigerian Youth to equip them for a bright future. The Bank’s sponsorship of the Programme is in tandem with the noble objectives of the bank which includes building and instilling values into its customers. FirstBank’s core values of people, passion and partnership very much align with the vision of the First Material towards building the youth to become tomorrow’s leaders. With over 127 years of continuous banking operations, First Bank of Nigeria Limited (FirstBank) is giving a good account of itself in this regard not only as a true financial powerhouse but also as a life enabler, helping Nigerians live better and achieve their dreams.

Apart from the First Class Material initiative and in the furtherance of the Bank’s long term commitment to promote youth development, professional excellence and education, FirstBank has also in the past and currently actively supporting various activities and initiatives in the youth segment. The bank partners with Eventful Nigeria Ltd for Fashion Souk, a platform that creates an opportunity for players in the fashion industry to exhibit and sell their wares to the thousands of event participants. The bank, also in a bid to ensure the sustainability of the industry, recently introduced fashion design loans specifically designed to offer financial support to the participants in the textile industry.

Through its First@arts initiative, FirstBank consolidates all its efforts in the arts, supporting the entire value chain of the creative arts, providing much-needed financing and advisory support, showcasing and facilitating the successes of the industry, and enabling customers to explore and access the wealth of opportunities the creative industry has to offer.

Achieving these and a host of many others have been implemented through strategic partnerships with organisations like the British Council, Duke of Shomolu Productions, Live Theatre Lagos, Freedom Park, Terra Kulture, and the Cross Rivers State Government (Calabar Festival), among others.

With the sponsorship of similar socio-cultural initiatives in the creative arts industry like Moremi, Makaliki, Oba Esugbayi stage drama, October 1st (a movie), the Calabar Festival and the recently concluded, The Voice Nigeria (Season 3) the Bank remains exemplary to expose the youth to a wide range of opportunities that are integral to the realisation of their dreams, as they contribute to the continued socio-economic development of their immediate environment and the country at large.

Indeed, FirstBank remains a noble brand close to the heart of the youths and the deliberate efforts made by the bank has indeed been a catalyst of socio-economic growth of Nigerian youths and the nation as a whole.

Culled from Nairametrics

BREAKING: Court suspends Uche Secondus as PDP National Chairman

The leadership crisis currently rocking the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, worsened on Monday as a High Court in Rivers State has restrained Uche Secondus from parading himself as the National Chairman of the party.

The order was given by Justice O. Gbasam at the State High Court sitting in Degema local government area of the State on Monday.

The judge who gave the order, also approved the suspension of Secondus as a member of the party pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

The order followed a complaint brought before the court by some aggrieved members of the party.

More to follow….

State Governor Approves Jail Term For Anyone Caught Blowing Nose Without Handkerchief

A new law has been passed in Nairobi which prohibits blowing of nose without hankerchief or tissue in public.

The new rules and regulations which are aimed at keeping Nairobi clean and hygienic, also applies to when you are caught urinating in undesignated spaces, spitting on the streets, sleeping in kitchens or food stores, among other misdemeanours.

Defaulters risk being fined anything between ksh10,000 and ksh500,000 or an imprisonment term of between six to 12 months.

They are contained in the Nairobi City County Public Nuisance Bill, 2021 that has now been signed into law. Acting Nairobi Governor, Ann Kananu said Nairobi residents should familiarize themselves with the new law to avoid being caught offside.

The new law prohibits discharge of dirty water, sewer or effluent into streets or water channels, discharge of oils into roads or water channels, obstruction of roads or streets, and also prohibits residents from allowing trees and hedges in their homes or places of work to obstruct streets or footpaths.

The new law also criminalises riding motorcycles or driving on footpaths, playing loud music, and smoking in undesignated places. A person found flouting the new law will be liable to a fine of anything between Sh10,000 and Sh500,000, and imprisonment of six to 12 months depending on the offence committed.

Kananu said;

“Nairobi is the face of Kenya. We all need a clean and hygienic environment to live and work in.”

County executive member for Environment, Energy, Water and Sanitation Larry Wambua thanked Riruta MCA Kariuki Kiriba for coming up with the bill at the assembly and ensuring that all stages were well articulated and now signed into law.

Wambua added that he will work tirelessly in ensuring that all is achieved as ordered by acting Governor Kananu.

FG Releases Shortlisted Candidates For N-Power Batch C

President Muhammadu Buhari-led government on Monday released shortlisted candidates for N-Power Batch C.
The National Social Investment Management System, (NASIMS), disclosed this in a statement released on it website.

NASIMS directed all applicants to update their profile and take tests for possible shortlisting to the next stage of the N-Power application process.

It noted that all successful candidates would be forwarded a mail on how to go about the next step, while candidates that are not selected can re-apply for the next batch.

Recall that the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Farouq, last Thursday said the ministry would ensure that the registration, verification and other process would be done online.

Farouq further stated that as part of measures to make the selection process transparent, a portal, NASIMS, had been launched for ease of coordination, deployment and management.

Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, Former Nigerian First Lady Is Dead

A former Nigerian First Lady, Victoria Aguiyi-Ironsi, has been pronounced dead, Naija News has learned.
It was gathered that the wife of the late Nigerian Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, died on Monday morning at the age of 97.

She was born on the 21st of November 1923 and got married at the age of 16 to the late Nigerian leader as a student of Holy Rosary Convent School, Okigwe in 1953.

The late first lady was also a former Commissioner of the Local Government Services Commission in Abia State.

Recall that Major General Aguiyi -Ironsi, who was the Supreme Commander of the National Military Government for six months, was overthrown and killed on July 29, 1966, after a counter-coup in Ibadan.

More to come…

‘Earphones, airpods are devilish, It Will Block Your Way Forward’ – Bishop Oyedepo Warns youths

The founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo has banned youths with earphones from entering the Church.

Bishop Oyedepo explained that youths with earphones are not ready to hear God’s words, hence they should not be allowed into the Church.

He pointed out that earphones are designed by the devil to block youths from moving forward in life.

The clergyman spoke while addressing his members during Sunday’s Service at the Church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State.

According to Oyedepo: “We live in a very rowdy time. Young generation, please listen to me: all these things you plug in your ear will block your way forward. It is designed by the devil to block your way forward.

“No time to hear from God. Many have never heard anything from God. They even plug it in anywhere, on the streets: noise, noise, noise! Zero access to divine guidance. Noise in the morning, afternoon, night.

“We had a situation in South Korea, I saw it in one publication. Now 10,000 Churches were said to close down within 10 years, an average of 1,000 Churches per year. Why? Children, young people will sit down in Church (with earphones): don’t hear nothing Sir.

“I know they don’t do that here because CCU (Crowd Control Unit) is here, you plug something in your ears, while you are in Church? Never. Go somewhere else. Never, you sit down tight, hear the Word or stay on the road. Life is about discipline. I started understanding the Word from the age of 16. I was responding accordingly.”

Drug Dealer Arrested In Lagos Church Excretes 68 Heroin Wraps

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a suspected drug dealer, Stephen Ikeanyionwu, who was declared wanted for allegedly attempting to export 69 kilograms of cocaine, heroin and cannabis to the United Kingdom.
Naija News reports that he was said to have tried doing this through the NAHCO export shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport at Ikeja, Lagos.

According to the NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, the suspect was traced to a popular Pentecostal church at Ojodu Berger in Ikeja, Lagos, on Sunday, August 15, 2021, when he was arrested soon after he stepped out of the service.

Babafemi, in a statement issued on Sunday, also said the arrest followed the interception of a consignment of illicit drugs weighing 69.65kg going to the UK through the Lagos airport on Thursday, August 12, 2021.

According to him, “the illegal baggage had been sent to the airport for export through a freight forwarding company, which in turn gave a driver to deliver at the NAHCO export shed.

“Following the arrest of the driver, follow up operations and investigations later revealed the true identity of the actual owner of the consignment, Stephen Afam Ikeanyionwu, who was arrested three days later in a sting operation.”

Also at the Lagos airport, operatives of the NDLEA arrested an Italy-bound passenger, Abibu Miminu, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airways flight to Italy via Addis-Ababa for allegedly ingesting illicit drugs.

While under observation at the agency’s facility between Saturday, August 14, and Sunday, August 15, 2021, the trafficker reportedly excreted 68 wraps of heroin in three excretions, all weighing 800grams.

Just In: Sheikh Gumi Reveals Popular Nigerian Politicians Who Are Bandits

Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has faulted Nigerian politicians for hiring private jets to attend the wedding of President Muhammed Buhari’s son, Yusuf Buhari on Friday, while hundreds of school children are languishing in kidnappers den

Recall that, Yusuf Buhari married Zarah Bayero, the daughter of the Emir of Bichi, Nasiru Bayero in a grand ceremony held in Bichi, Kano.

The event was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, serving and former governors, traditional rulers, as well as prominent personalities from within and outside the country.

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi during a preaching programme at Sultan Bello Mosque in Kaduna said Nigerian politicians hired private jets to attend the president’s son’s wedding, but forgot hundreds of innocent souls languishing in kidnappers’ den across the country.

He said “some people are in captivity in bushes dying silently as kidnappers are holding unto them until ransom is paid. Others are suffering from hunger, as it’s everywhere. People are facing all manner of problems, yet politicians spend public funds on private jets.”

Sheikh Ahmad Gumi then asked, “When Prophet Mohammed married off his daughter, who came from Mecca or Yemen? In the entire Medina no righteous persons to oversee the solemnisation?

He said “some politicians are spending money to hire jets to go to a wedding while criminals are holding people to ransom in the bush. The criminals (bandits) are milking the people.

“Some people have never earned N1 million in their life, but bandits would demand N10 million. Many people have sold their houses, farms, everything and paid bandits for ransom, yet, some are not lucky to have their loved ones released unto them.

The cleric decried how politicians corrupted the clergy, saying religious leaders have become subservient to politicians.

“Some religious leaders cannot survive without behaving in a servile manner towards politicians. Politicians have spoilt the clerics. Atrocities are committed in the country but no one can speak up.

“People think only those in the bush (bandits) milk us dry, no! Even our leaders milk us dry. Where did they get the money to hire all these jets?

“In one of the states, some pictures of a dilapidated hospital were sent to me. The roof was blown off and a patient was lying on the bed. That governor is in Kano to attend a wedding.

“How many schools were rehabilitated? The money that should be used to cater for the people is the one they hire private jets to junket around. Are you not also a bandit?

“We vent our anger against ourselves, other tribes. People are left killing themselves because of poor leadership,” Gumi added.

Shocking! Kidnappers Of 121 Kaduna Students Threaten To Collect Interest Over Delayed 80M Ransom Payment

Fresh facts have emerged showing that bandits are demanding ‘demurrage’ for extra days the 80 remaining students of Bethel Baptist School in Kaduna State spend in captivity.

A source close to the negotiating team told Sunday PUNCH that the bandits were insisting on the N80m ransom and increasing it with the demurrage.

The source said, “There is no positive news yet from the bandits. We spoke with them and they are insisting that they (parents) must pay them N80m. They are even threatening to raise the ransom above N80m. They said with every additional day, they would increase the ransom.

“They said every passing day would be demurrage. We begged them to collect what we had given them, but they refused. We have been pleading and reaching out to people to assist us but there is no money in the country. The little we have, we have given the bandits, yet they refuse (to release them).”

Our correspondent had reported that bandits had increased their ransom to N80m, while the mother of one of the students had been diagnosed with a swollen heart.

The bandits, on July 5, 2021, stormed the school located along the Kaduna-Kachia highway in the Chikun Local Government Area and made away with the students.

The proprietor, who is also the President, Kaduna Baptist Conference, Rev. Ishaya Jangado, had said no fewer than 121 students were abducted by the bandits.

Twenty-eight students of the Bethel Baptist High School, Kaduna, were released after spending 20 days in the kidnappers’ den, while four others reportedly escaped.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people have been kidnapped in Zamfara State between June and August this year, while more than half of them are still in captivity. The state Assembly Speaker’s father, stepmother and five others, 18 staff members and students of College of Agriculture and Animal Science Bakura, as well as the 70 people kidnapped in Rini village of the Bakura LGA were part of those yet to be rescued.

Also, hundreds of kidnapped victims of Dansadau Emirate are in the bandits’ dens, despite frantic efforts made by both their family members and the security agents to secure their freedom.

The kidnapped travellers along Sokoto-Gusau road and those kidnapped at Gora-Namaye were also in captivity.

Similarly, other victims of some villages in Magami district had yet to be rescued, while negotiations were ongoing to rescue victims abducted from Shinkafi LGA.

There are several other individuals kidnapped in Maradun the LGA and yet to be rescued.

Breaking: 17 year old girl stabs Neighbour to Death in Kano

A 17-year old girl, Aisha Kabiru of Shekar Maidaki Quarters, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State has been arrested for allegedly stabbing her 28-year old neighbour, Bahijja Abubakar to death.

Police spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, who paraded the suspect on Saturday, said she stabbed the victim at the back of her neck and left her in a pool of her blood.

“She was taken to a hospital but she died while receiving treatment,” the PPRO said.re