Category: cover

Nigerian Army recalls soldiers from study leave to fight Boko Haram

 

The Nigerian Army has recalled a large number of its personnel studying in civil institutions (universities and polytechnics) across the country in order to tackle the raging insurgency in the North East.

This is contained in a leaked memo by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, Department of Army Training, Abuja.

In the memo dated May 11 and obtained by Punch, the Nigerian Army also suspended the sponsorship of personnel in civil institutions with the exemption of students in the final year.

The army has continued to suffer heavy casualties in its counter-insurgency operations that have seen hundreds of Boko Haram and ISWAP terrorists also killed by gallant Nigerian troops.

In one of the recent attacks, more than 30 soldiers were reportedly killed in April when Islamic State-aligned fighters ambushed a military convoy escorting weapons and overran a base in Mainok, Borno State.

A month earlier, about 30 soldiers were reportedly killed in four attacks by Islamist militants in the North-East.

On April 1, 2021, five soldiers and two villagers were killed in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. About 10 soldiers were also killed in the Konshisha Local Government Area of Benue State on April 9.

On April 26, wherein 40 persons were killed in Anambra, Imo, Kebbi and Rivers states, two soldiers and three policemen were among the casualties.

In March 2020, at least 70 soldiers were killed in an ambush by ISWAP terrorists, AFP reported.

The insurgents reportedly fired rocket-propelled grenades at a lorry carrying troops as it travelled near Gorgi village in Borno State.

The Islamic State West Africa Province faction split from Boko Haram insurgents in 2016 and has focused on attacking troops, raiding bases and laying ambush on military convoys.

The decade-long Boko Haram insurgency has killed around 40,000 people and displaced over two million in the North-East, according to the International Crisis Group.

The military has also recorded many gains against the insurgents foiling their attempts to take over territories and also neutralising them in their numbers.

For instance, the troops sometime in April eliminated at least 40 Boko Haram terrorists in the town of Dikwa in Borno State. Several other members of the terrorist group were reportedly wounded but managed to escape.

In another operation in the same month, troops killed at least 21 Boko Haram terrorists in the Geidam region of Yobe State, according to a statement by the Army spokesperson, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima.

Source: Punch

 

Changes to boards of First Bank and FBN Holdings guarantee stability – By S&P Global Ratings

S&P Global Ratings said changes to the boards of First Bank of Nigeria Limited and FBN Holdings (FBNH) Plc, recently directed by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), addressed the banking group’s corporate governance challenges and ensures the Nigerian banking sector’s financial stability.

 

 

 

In a statement, it stated that its ratings on FBN and other Nigerian banks remain constrained by shortcomings in corporate governance and transparency, among other factors.

 

 

The CBN recently replaced the entire boards of FBN and FBNH, and reinstated the former executive directors and CEO, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan.

 

 

The CBN had also requested FBN unwind certain exposures and divest from its participation in a non-permissible company, also pointing to potential corporate governance lapses at the bank.

“However, Dr. Adeduntan’s reinstatement and the re-appointment of the other executive directors underscores the CBN’s confidence in the existing management team to continue the turnaround of the third-largest banking group in Nigeria, which has total assets of Nigerian N7.7 trillion.

“We are of the view that the CBN’s historical approach has been more reactive than proactive, as illustrated by the Skye Bank episode. That said, recent actions, while disruptive in the near-term, may signal a more direct and possibly decisive supervisory approach to alleged failings in the management and governance of regulated institutions,” it stated.

It, noted that FBN’s overall credit profile has gradually stabilised since 2016, with a capital adequacy ratio of 17 percent in 2020, as against a 15 percent minimum requirement.

Similarly, the bank’s asset quality indicators improved significantly, with Non-Performing Loans (NPLs) reducing to 7.7 percent in 2020, from 20-25 percent since 2016.

Photo: Building where kidnappers reside In Ikeja EXPOSED

A source has reached out to Kossyderrickent to expose a building in Ikeja, Lagos, where kidnappers, who belong to a fake company – ( MAG Limited) reside has been exposed.

Reaching out to Kossyderrickent, the source shared a photo of the building and SMS. Before the source reached out to us, we’ve seen reports about the same company and the same building.

According to the source, the building is located at 8, Ogabi Street, close to Toyin Street in Ikeja, Lagos. What they do is that they’ll send a text message to one’s phone and convince the individual that the company is genuine.

When the person goes there, he might not return or might be scammed.

The source said: “KIDNAPPERS ALERT!
This house at 8 Ogabi Street, close to Toyin Street, Ikeja is being used by kidnappers and job scammers (MAG Limited) to scam unsuspecting victims.”

 

 

“Use your professional Skills to nurture younger crops of journalists” – Buhari tasks Olowosago as he Clocks 70

 

President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with Chief Monzor Olowosago, Publisher of Oriwu Sun Newspaper, on his 70th birthday, May 15, 2021.

The President salutes Olowosago for his resilience, which has seen him publishing Oriwu Sun for 36 years, turning it into the foremost community newspaper in the country.

President Buhari felicitates with the family, friends and professional colleagues of Olowosago, asking the media entrepreneur to use his professional skills in nurturing younger crop of journalists, who would value fidelity to ethics and professionalism.

He says the fact that Oriwu Sun has maintained cordial relationship with successive governments in Lagos State since it was established in 1985, “shows that the newspaper is focused, and development oriented.”

The President wishes Olowosago longer life, and greater wisdom to serve the society, and journalism, the profession he loves so much.

Police not Nigeria’s problem – Dickson Condemn attacks on personnels.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Friday, received former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

The Senator representing Bayelsa West said his visit was to solidarize with the IGP and the force over coordinated attacks on personnel and facilities.

Dickson condemned the incidents and called for a cessation of all criminal acts. He stated that the Police “should not be seen as the enemy of the people”.

He congratulated Baba, the 21st indigenous Inspector General, on his appointment and called for proper funding of the security agencies to enhance its operational efficiency.

Dickson added commended officers and men for doing their best in the face of daunting welfare and operational challenges.

Baba, in his remarks, assured the former Governor that in spite of the challenges, the police remain committed in its task of protecting lives and property nationwide.

 

Bauchi: Police Arrest 35year old Man For Killing, Burying Lover’s Corpse In Sewage

 

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a middle-aged man, Lamido Gunduma, for killing and burying the corpse of his lover in sewage.

This was contained in a press statement by the State Police Public Relation Officer, SP Ahmed Mohammed Wakil and made available to newsmen in Bauchi.

According to the Police Spokesman, on Wednesday, April 7, at about 1200hrs, one Saidu Iliyasu of Zubuki area Jamaare local government area of Bauchi came to Jamaare Divisional Headquarters and reported that on the 5/04/2021 his daughter, one 35-year-old Jamila Saidu of the same address was declared missing after which a search party which was organized, but to no avail.

He said that on Thursday, April 8 at about 1030hrs, her decomposed body was discovered with a newborn child in a Sewage at her boyfriend house identified as Lamido Gunduma at Unguwar Yari-Mari Jamaare.

“During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect criminally conspired with one Ishaq Abdullahi, aged 34yrs of the same address and fixed a canola into the arm of Jamila Saidu and administered her with dextrose water, Quinine and Ostagen in order to abort her pregnancy which culminated into an induced labour that resulted to the death of the victim and newborn baby,” the PPRO said.

SP Wakil said that the suspect deposited the corpse in a sewage system within his compound and fled to Kwadon in Gombe State where he was tracked and arrested, adding that he has been charged to court for prosecution accordingly.

In another development, the police said that three suspects have been arrested by detectives of the Bauchi State Police Command in connection to the case of robbery.

The suspects who include Kamaluddeen Adamu – 22 years old, Murtala Muhammed – 22 years old and Ahmad Muhammad – 19 years old, all of Railway area of Bauchi Metropolis, on the 30/04/2021 at about 0300hrs conspired and attacked one Salisu Muhammad of Federal Low cost in his house and robbed him of his valuables.

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The police said that the exhibits recovered from the suspects include a Jincheng Ladies Motorcycle, cash sum of N45, 000, Four bundles wrappers, six cellphones of different models and one HP Laptop.

 

 

Nigerian Air Force combs Kaduna forests, eliminates bandits

 

The air component of Operation Thunder Strike has conducted a series of aerial missions across several locations, as reported in operational feedback from the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, to the Kaduna State Government.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday.

According to the statement, the armed reconnaissance was conducted over Erena, Kusasu, Kuduru, Kulefe, Kusherki and Shiroro in neighboring Niger State as well as Chikun and environs, in Chikun local government area.

“Bandits were seen fleeing Kaduna State part of Kusasu (in Chikun LGA) on motorcycles. They were trailed by the crew and subsequently neutralized.

“Following this, armed reconnaissance was conducted along the Kaduna-Abuja expressway, Olam Farms, Rugu, Akilbu, Polewire Rijana, Katari, Jere and adjoining settlements.

“Normal human activities and free flow of traffic were observed along the highway and rail line. All locations scanned were reported calm with no threats observed.

“Additionally, strike aircraft carried out operations over Jan Birni, Birnin Gwari local government area, which was observed to be active with bandits.

“The targets were attacked by the aircraft, and was subsequently confirmed that some bandits were indeed taken out and the camp set ablaze and destroyed.”

The statement added that a second mission was flown over another identified camp in the area, which was also attacked, set ablaze and completely destroyed by two strike aircraft.

The statement added that, “thereafter, a show-of-force was carried out by the aircraft over the Birnin Gwari general area, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria. Normal human activities were observed along the expressways and rail lines.

“The operations continued as aircraft conducted armed reconnaissance and show-of-force over Birnin Gwari, Kaduna metropolis and Zaria.

“Free flow of traffic was similarly observed along the expressways and rail line. Normal activities were reported within the metropolis as citizens observed the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations without incident.

“Afterwards, a show-of-force was conducted over Gwagwada, Gadani, Chikun, Kusasu, Iburu, Zamba, Shiroro, Kuta, Kwatayi and Erena, spanning Chikun, Kachia and Kajuru LGAs. All locations covered were reported calm with no threats observed.

“These air operations, which include air interdiction, armed reconnaissance and patrols are set to be sustained over the coming days over Kaduna metropolis and other areas of interest in the state.

“Major highways will also be covered, including the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari, Kaduna-Abuja, Kaduna-Zaria, Kaduna-Kachia and Kaduna-Afaka roads.

“Receiving the feedback, Governor Nasir El-Rufai commended the crews for the successful missions.”

Ganduje decongests correctional centre, Frees 123 inmates

 

in his efforts to curb many crimes and also make others repent from their offences in the state, Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano State has yesterday freed 123 inmates from Correctional Centre, Gwauron Dutse.

Dr. Ganduje granted them freedom during his visit to the Centre which has become a culture to his administration during every Eidel-Fitr, to visit and see the inmates so as to give them freedom with the promise of being born again.

“We want to use this opportunity to release judiciously some of you who satisfied certain conditions. “First of all, to those of who behave well, who are born again and who do not wish to go back to former condition,” said Ganduje.

The governor added: “Some of you were fined but could not pay the fine; therefore, you have to continue to be in this house until the period is over.

“So, Kano State Government decided to pay some of these charges and we pay all.”

He also assured the inmates that his administration would continue this programme in order to make the Correctional Home less congested and also to give encouragement to those who want to be good citizens of the country. Dr. Ganduje also urged the inmates that they should be good citizens as “From today, you must be born again.

So we urge you, when you go back to your homes, you must be good citizens of your towns, of your local government or state and Nigeria as a whole.

” He also promised the inmates that during the next Sallah, in 70 days’ times, his administration would be back to release more inmates than 123 that had been released, but they must fulfill certain conditions. “We will be back here again to free more inmates in the next Sallah but you must fulfill certain condition, and the most important condition is that, you must be born again.

“You must to behave well; you most understand that peace and stability is a responsibility to everybody and committing crime is something that we will not accept,” he added.

On his part, Alhaji Suleiman T. Suleiman, the Controller of the Correctional Centres, in the state appreciated the gesture shown by the governor for providing food and other items to the inmates besides the release of some of the inmates at Gwauron Dutse and Kurmawa Correctional Homes.

“Throughout the 30 days fasting period, your foundation, that is Ganduje Foundation provided food for the inmates… When I say food, it is not an ordinary food, it is good food with chickens, soft drinks and bottles of water.

“Over 3,000 inmates in the state are happy today because you provide them cows, rice, food and ingredients to celebrate Sallah,” said the Controller General. He similarly thanked the governor for his fashion as he granted amnesty to many inmates by paying their fines which their parents and relatives were unable to pay.

Babcock VC lauds Nigeria’s first set of Church Admin diplomates

President, Church Administrators Society of Nigeria, Pastor Seyi Oladimeji, and Senior President and Vice-Chancellor, Babcock University, Prof. Tayo Ademola during the first graduation ceremony of diplomates of Church Administration (Executive Diploma) recently in Ilishan, Ogun State

The Vice Chancellor and President of Babcock University, Prof. Tayo Ademola, has lauded the 17 pioneer graduates of Church Administration (Executive Diploma) the first of their kind in the history of professional Christian education in Nigeria. He called them first fruits of the university in its collaboration with the Church Administration Society of Nigeria (CASON).

 

 

In his address at the graduation ceremony held Thursday in Babcock’s Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State campus, Ademola said, “I wish to congratulate the graduands for sticking to the battle to the end. They are the first fruits of our relationship with CASON in their bid to foster greater professionalism in the administration of churches in Nigeria.”

 

He further affirmed, “If there is a need for church workers to get or receive more training, the time is now. The world is getting more sophisticated and so are the members of our different churches.”

In his own remarks, CASON President, Pastor Seyi Oladimeji said, “By providence, our partnership with Babcock University was birthed in August 2017, followed by two years of intense preparation and today, we witness the graduation ceremony of the first set of university diplomates in Church Administration; a first in the history of the Church in Nigeria.”

Oladimeji concluded by saying, “The Church is a critical stakeholder in the building and development of a nation; to give direction towards peace and progress. Therefore, the Nigerian Church must rise to the challenges of our country. Hence the need for the upscaled training of church workers and stakeholders.”

The 17 diplomates, sourced by CASON, comprise of general overseers, pastors and career-minded church administrators. Already the second stream of candidates have been admitted for the 2021 Executive Diploma in Church Administration with registration ongoing, while the partners, CASON and Babcock hope to institute an Executive MBA in Church Administration a few years into the future.

Others at the ceremony were the Senior Vice President, Academics, Prof. Philemon Amanze; the Registrar, Prof. Jonathan Nwosu; and the Director, Babcock Centre for Executive Development, Prof. Johnson Egwakhe for the university.

CASON Board members in attendance were the Vice President, Pastor Steve Akoni; Secretary, Pastor Ayo Daniels; Treasurer, Mr. Segun Shelleh; Registrar, Pastor Segun Adegoke; Director of Media & Communication, Dr. Kunle Hamilton and Pastor Sunkanmi Obisesan.

FrieslandCampina WAMCO Accelerates Growth, records N199.5 billion turnover in 2020 Annual Results

From left, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Ore Famurewa; Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat; Chairman Board of Directors, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe, OFR; Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Mrs. Olubukunola Olateru and Executive Director Finance, Mr. Marc Galjaard, at the 48th Annual General Meeting of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC held in Lagos recently

Top dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, makers of premium milk brands – Peak, Three Crowns, Coast, Nunu and Olympic has reported a turnover of N199.5 billion. This was announced at its 48th Annual General Meeting held Thursday, 6 May 2021, in Lagos.

 

 

 

Speaking at the AGM, the Chairman, Mr. Moyo Ajekigbe, OFR said, “the challenging operating environment in 2020 notwithstanding, the Company’s commercial and financial performance for the year showed considerable improvement compared to the previous year. Turnover increased by 23% in 2020 to N199.5billion from N161.8billion in 2019. This was due to a combined effect of organic and inorganic growth following the acquisition of Nutricima’s dairy business. Profit Before Tax however decreased by 20.3% from N18.8 billion in 2019 to N14.9 billion in 2020 as a result of high input costs and naira devaluation impact.”

 

 

The meeting was held in compliance with COVID-19 pandemic protocols, ensuring the health and safety of all stakeholders involved. The meeting was broadcast live for shareholders and other relevant stakeholders to participate in the proceedings in line with the “Guidelines on Holding of Annual General Meetings (AGM) of Public Companies Using Proxies” as established by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

All the resolutions submitted for shareholder approval were adopted, including the approval of a total dividend payout of N6.74 per N0.50 share.

As underlined by the Managing Director, Mr. Ben Langat, during his presentation on the financial results, “2020 was shaped by the Company’s continued focus on sustainable business processes. We leveraged our brands and superior commercial expertise to deliver impressive volumes during the year. FrieslandCampina WAMCO continues to be committed to nourishing Nigerians with quality dairy nutrition. Our Board and Management will continue to take necessary steps to ensure that the growth momentum is sustained.”

Explaining the Company’s response to COVID, Mr. Langat said, “From the very first signs of the Covid-19 pandemic, our Company defined three absolute priorities; protecting the health and safety of our employees; doing all that is necessary to ensure business continuity; and supporting Nigeria to manage through the crisis, therefore, a donation of N500 million was made to the COVID Relief Fund while over N100 million worth of products were donated to low income communities during the lockdown.”

Following its expansion drive, FrieslandCampina WAMCO acquired Nutricima factory in Ikorodu during the year under review. The acquisition underlines FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s continued commitment to contribute to the development of the Nigerian dairy sector and satisfies the need for additional production capacity for FrieslandCampina WAMCO to meet the growing consumer demand for locally produced dairy.

Under its backward integration strategy, the business aggressively expanded its activities to

strengthen the dairy value chain in Nigeria. Significant to this was the establishment of the Center for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development,  Nigeria’s first national expertise Center for dairy, committed to unlocking and developing homegrown dairy expertise across the value chain. The business also established the Value4Dairy Consortium, a formidable partnership of FrieslandCampina WAMCO, URUS, Barenbrug and Agrifirm, committed to accelerate self-sufficiency in Nigeria’s dairy sector.

A look at Q1 2021 activities indicates continued economic headwinds in a volatile and uncertain business environment. However, FrieslandCampina WAMCO remains positive about the future of its business in Nigeria. The business is confident that our brands, which are well known, will continue to grow on the back of our strong business fundamentals and unique route-to-market strategy to achieve our business ambition.

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