A Senior lecturer at Lagos State Polytechnic, Steven Anu’ Adesemoye has advocated for the propagation of Yoruba culture and language through the film industry and aid competition with other indigenous industries across the world.
Speaking at the Dallas International Yoruba Movies Awards official presentation held on April 25 at Ambiance Cafe in Ikeja, Adesemoye bemoaned the backstage role which the culture is subjected to by the film Industry.
He said, “The Yoruba film industry should not see its language of expression as a barrier to greater height. Instead, they should improve on their skill set in filmmaking to project the language and compete with other indigenous films across the globe”
He stated that the film industry has a cogent role to play in the preservation of Yoruba culture as it transcends geographical limitations. As a result, the language must be used appropriately to protect the originality of the culture.
In his words, “The only hope for the Yoruba nation in preserving the language is Yoruba film both home and abroad. People now learn how to speak Yoruba language through what they see in films across the globe.”
“Therefore, the industry players must pay more attention to the effective use of the language. Proverbs, idioms, anecdotes, etc must be constructed and disseminated. If we must protect and project Yoruba culture, the language must first be protected. Language is the key that opens the tradition and culture”, he added.
He frowned against the misconceptions in the usage of the culture. He further advocated for self-promotion of the cultural heritage. He encouraged collaboration and film tourism as tools which can help boost the industry’s impact in promotion of cultural value across the world.
“Gone are the days when foreigners are allowed to tell our stories to their satisfaction. Yoruba filmmakers must rise to the occasion by telling their stories the way they want the world to see them. Èsù is not Satan. Ifá is not an idol. A Pastor is not better than Babalawo. Let there be distinctive demarcations between Onisegun, Adaunse and Babalawo.”
“The world must see our real stories the exact way they should be seen. Thank God for technology that is helping the proliferation of Yoruba films across the globe. It is a ‘soft war’ as Femi Odugbemi rightly put it and we must take advantage of that to tell our stories and promote the citizen cinema”, he said.
“Collaboration is highly needed to achieve greater feats. All the sectional cliques and caucuses should be dismantled to give way to a formidable front that is capable of putting The Yoruba films on Netflix and award-winning Oscars. That’s the type of industry we are expecting and it is achievable in our time. Indians, Chinese, Korea, South Africa, etc have done it in their local languages, Yoruba films can do better.”
“Premium must be placed for Film Tourism. And amongst everything that is sellable to the outside world in the area of tourism, the only and surest commodity is our culture. We can export our culture easily through films. We can attract massive Tourists and earnings to our tradition and culture”.
“You can not sell seas and hills to foreigners because most of them have the same in abundance. But they don’t have Egungun, Eyo, Igunnuko, Ifa, Sango, Bata dance, Gangan, Kerikeri, Bata, Agidigbo, Ewi, etc. Yoruba films must start having a redirection to infuse our cultural values and heritage on their Central Dramatic Problems (CDP). That’s the new black oil.”
It must be recalled that the DIYMA Awards was previously held virtually on March 6 at Dallas by the popular sitcom couple, Mr. & Mrs. Kogberegbe to recognise the contribution of over 18 screen icons across different categories in the industry.
The situation of things presently at Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA can best be described as calm howbeit uneasy just a few days to the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary for those that will be occupying different positions in the forthcoming local government elections.
The timetable for the elections was recently released and many people have been jostling for political relevance and opportunities to occupy one sit or the other and for most people of Oke-Odo, their councilors and Chairman are expected to be the people’s choice before the intervention of the HRM Oba Jimoh Olawale-Cole, who though now a king in Ojota area of Lagos, but will still want to keep political control of the area he had lived for many years and instead of allowing a free primary whereby party members will choose a candidate of their choice he decided to you his influence and money to force on the people one of his boys.
The person in question it was gathered was at a time a member of the local government legislative arm before he was kicked out for not been effective about 8 years ago, and the party members in the area have been clamoring for fresh mind but were shocked and angry that the party executives allow themselves to be bought or coerced by the king into selecting his boy again.
The information however is that the youths of the area may be planning a showdown with the party executives during the primary.
Heritage Bank in partnership with the Road Transport Employee’s Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) has launched the Travelers’ Accident Insurance Scheme (TAIS) to assist road accident victims across the country.
The scheme which was launched on Friday, aims to address deaths associated with inability of travelers involved in accident to offset hospital bills.
The Regional Executive, Abuja and North, Heritage Bank Plc, George Okoh-Oboh, speaking at the launch of the scheme in Abuja, commended the thoughtfulness of the Association in coming up with such program to save the lives of accident victims.
He stated that the partnership would help address the road safety crisis due to the tragic loss from a road crash death or severe injury which was compounded by the harm to families, social networks, and national economies.
According to him, the majority of victims are part of the working-age population (between 15 and 64 years old). In fact, road crashes have become the #1 killer of the young worldwide.
He pledged the continued support of the bank in ensuring the success of the scheme.
Okoh-Oboh said, “At Heritage Bank, we believe in this project and we are ready to support it as it seeks to address accidents on the road.
“This project will save lives of many Nigerians, so we are not just here to see what comes in but we are here to add value and ensure that it succeeds.”
The National President of RTEAN, Musa Muhammed in his remarks said that the scheme aims at promoting the welfare of passengers, while ensuring security for passengers’ property.
He explained that the scheme would provide support to passengers who may be involved in accident at the course of their journeys.
“This scheme covers all Nigerians involved in accidents that require medical attention while on a road trip.
“This is part of effort to assist and improve the Nigerians transport system,” he added.
According to him, the scheme will cover only parks owned and operated by members of the Road Transport Workers Association.
He further stressed on the need for the government to deepen investments in road infrastructure, while ensuring security along the major road.
Nicholas Tofowomo, Senator representing Ondo South Senatorial District of Ondo State at the 9th National Assembly, urged transporters to ensure that workers are properly licensed and vehicles insured.
This, he noted, would ensure the effective implementation of the scheme.
Pan African Financial Institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc has announced that 10 of its loyal customers will get a chance to win N1,000,000 each, in the ongoing UBA Savings Promo which is scheduled to hold on to May 7, 2021 at the bank’s corporate head office, in Lagos.
This unique promo intends to appreciate loyal customers of the bank, who have stayed with the bank over the years, and will also offer fresh opportunities for potential and intending customers to join the growing number of UBA millionaires who have in the past benefitted from the ongoing Promo.
To qualify for the draws, new and existing customers of the bank are expected to save N10,000 monthly or N30,000 at once for 3 months; before each draw date. Savings account holders eligible for this draw include Target, Bumper, Next Gen, Savings, Teens & Kiddies).
Some past winners who cut across all regions of the country and have previously benefitted from the promo include; Nnadumije, Ebube Dawn; Onwochei Christiana Okwukwe; Eze Mathias Nnaji; Christian N Orie; Uka, Okwudiri; Okata Stephen Uche; Okafor Onyinye Esther; Nwanekezi Chimezie Jude; Ayomide V Yahaya and Olanegan, Oyetunde Keji.
Others are Emmanuel Onu Chidozie; Mohammed Fatima; Aminu, Mustapha; James Nanre; Pahinti Albert; Emmanuel O Adeniji; Jaki Movihinze Mercy; Saminu Muritala Mohammed; Ezeh Raphael Uballa; Uchenna Iheji. Already the winners have claimed their cash prizes and are currently spreading the news so others can take advantage of this once in a life time opportunity.
Speaking ahead of the forthcoming draw, UBA’s Head, Personal Banking, Ogechi Altraide, said that without a doubt, UBA’s passion for the growth and overall success of its customers cannot be overemphasized, adding that this has consistently been proven in numerous ways. She explained that the bank has consistently invested in cutting edge technology to improve its service delivery and its overall aim of delighting customers.
She said, “With customer-centric promos like the UBA Savings Promo, we have created an ever increasing list of millionaires who continue to join the UBA customer millionaire club. For this edition of the promo, we decided to pick the month of May, which is the month that workers are celebrated across the world for their efforts at contributing to the growth of the economy. We know that this promo will put lasting smiles on the faces of our customers and will also assure them that UBA truly values them’” Altraide said.
UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Sampson Aneke, spoke of UBA’s continuous commitment to give back to its customers especially during these challenging economic periods, where people need all the support they can get to make life more meaningful.
“With this in mind we decided to prioritise them in as we always do at UBA, by giving them plenty to cheer about and that is the reason for the Promo. I have been privileged to visit some of the customers who won in January, and we were more than fulfilled to see happiness and gratitude on the faces of the lucky ones when their cash prizes were presented to them. That feeling is special. So I enjoin those who are yet to join the winning team, to do so. You never can tell, the next big millionaire could be you,” Aneke said.
United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than twenty-one million customers, across over 1,000 business offices and customer touch points, in 20 African countries. With presence in the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail; commercial and corporate banking; innovative cross-border payments and remittances; trade finance and ancillary banking services.
Following the heightened insecurity enveloping almost all the geo political zones in Nigeria, Femi Oyewale, President, National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has raised concerns over cautionary comments alluding to an allegation that some leaders are plotting to overthrow the government.
The Presidency, on Tuesday, claimed it has evidence to the effect that some elements are recruiting ethnic groups and politicians to convene a conferences where a vote of no confidence would be passed on the President.
Reacting, Oyewale emphasized the patriotic efforts made by the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, who, on assumption of office, recovered all the territories previously occupied by insurgents as well as put in check suicide bombing.
Oyewale stated that during Buratai’s period, sanity was gradually retuning to the system and military personnel were pre occupied with engaging the insurgents for a safer Nigeria.
“At no time were there insinuations of attempting to overthrow government because soldiers were happy to defend Nigeria. We were not receiving DSS alert on overthrowing government during Buratai,” he said.
He however wondered how, within few months, the country has been turned into turmoil and insecurity has assumed freighting and disintegrating dimensions.
The NAOSRE President therefore called on the present Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, to deploy Tukur Buratai’s strategies and sustain his efforts even as he concurs with Philip Agbese’ submissions, reproduced below
Combating terrorism or insurrections are acknowledged globally as quite arduous assignments. Soldiers who command such warfares must be necessarily be brave, courageous and determined combatants of the trenches. It’s not a task for the faint- hearted!
The ex-Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and leader of the counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria, retired Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, remonstrated these rare qualities abundantly when he scored the shots on the podium of terrorism combats in the country.
But a very honest verdict on the ex-COAS, as the honcho of anti-insurgency operations in the country from May 2015 to January 2021 can only be gleaned from the enduring whirlwind of his exploits, long after he quitted active service.
Even unpatriotic misanthropes can sight the legacies of Buratai which have refused to be fogged by the thickness of billowing smokes; whether of partisan and ethno-religious flavors, as peculiarly Nigerian.
Buratai’s successor, the incumbent COAS and ombudsman of the counter-insurgency operations, Lt.Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru might not be caught unawares by the new assignment. But its certain, his predecessor, Buratai left a big-sized shoe, quite uneasy to wear effectively.
An introspection of what constituted the defining principles and convictions, Gen. Buratai weaponized to wilt the storm of insurgencies and insurrections in the country for six long years would certainly prop up the image of a strong leadership character in his persona.
Even dispassionate outsiders attested loudly to Buratai’s palpable, unshaken and unfractured patriotism and loyalty to Nigeria. He could be jovial with his subordinates to a fault; but upheld the sacred military doctrines of professionalism, loyalty and discipline.
He dispensed himself to soldiers generally as a father, blood brother, welfarist, amiable boss, compassionate leader, trustworthy compatriot and courageous warrior in the trenches. Boko Haram factional leaders, both Abubakar Shekau and the ISIS-backed Musab Al Barnewi, in alliance with Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakzaky of the IMN or Shiites in Nigeria, another terrorist’s sect, wished Buratai dead for his uncompromising stand.
Leaders of these sects operating in Nigeria, vigorously pursued the agenda of eliminating Buratai through terrorists’ ambushes of his convoy in the Northeast and the assassination plot hatched against him in Zaria by IMN. Though he faced death multiple times in the trenches, but remained resolute and undeterred.
Buratai’s NDA course mate and friend, who retired much earlier, Major Daniel Banjo (rtd), recalled when he requested for a thanksgiving service in his home state for the ex-COAS; “I remember, about three times, he (Buratai) called me in the middle of the night. He was at the warfront. He would call and say things are happening here and Nigerians are not appreciative of what we are doing…He wouldn’t sleep for weeks. He was ambushed three times and he jumped into the bush with his men, with Kalashnikov (AK-47 rifles) and they would be able to kill some and arrest some.”
Hate or love him, but it never escaped the sight that Buratai was relentless and untiring. His troops often chortled among themselves whether this boss ever slept or thought of a beloved family which also needed his attention.
He sprung surprises of a talisman with his presence everywhere in the warfront, day and night, from North to South. He constantly visited troops and supervised Army units and formations to ensure planned Internal Security (IS) operations or projects progress smoothly and unencumbered. He tolerated no excuses for failure from troops on any assignment.
And to bolster performance and unalloyed loyalty, Buratai also, religiously fulfilled his own part of the bargain by ensuring troops legitimate entitlements and allowances were promptly delivered to them, even in the frontlines. It was one of the many things Buratai got right and it really worked for the Nigerian Army, especially for the troops in the frontlines on terrorism combating expeditions.
He treated the families of troops like his cherished assets and personal family. Buratai paid frequent visits to Army barracks, interacted with wives of soldiers, listened to their problems and remedied them immediately. Nigerian Army Officers Wives Association (NAOWA) explored new frontiers in economic empowerment of wives of soldiers through various multi-purpose cooperative investments initiatives.
The ex-army chief further boosted the morale of his troops with packages such as the COAS special allowances and incentives, like special recognitions’ and instant or accelerated promotion of troops who demonstrated proven gallantry, courage and exceptional excellence in the frontlines.
The expansion and re-equipping of the of the Nigerian Army was another was a focal policy of retired Buratai’s leadership. He relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of manufacturing its own small and light weapons in the combat of terrorism, innovatively using home-grown technology and human resources’.
Under his reign, the Nigerian Army established two new Army Divisions 6 and 8, in Borno and Rivers states; a dozen Forward Operations Bases (FOBs) and Special Task Force units across the country in strict compliance with the new Order of Battle (ORBAT). The initiative brought security closer to Nigerians, boosted troops rapid responses to distress calls from entrapped Nigerians and the operational effectiveness of soldiers in operations.
Nigerian soldiers were endeared to Gen. Buratai and performed their official assignments with glee because he prioritized the building of infrastructures for soldiers and officers of the Nigerian Army. He had stringent focus or absolute belief in the welfare of troops in multiple ways and he knew, soldiers deserve at least minimum comforts to function splendidly. So, he erected new office and residential accommodation for soldiers.
Therefore, Buratai aggressively relaunched the Nigerian Army on the path of its lost glory in revolutionary style. The former army chief embarked on ambitious projects such as the massive construction of new army barracks, renovations of dilapidated barracks and army formations, their upgrade and re-equipment with state-of-the-art facilities; resuscitation of moribund Army training institutions and the building of new ones, namely, the Army War College, the Army Aviation School and the Nigerian Army University, Biu.
Buratai garnished it with the generous renovations/upgrades of existing, but outdated army hospitals and the building of new Army Referral hospitals to carter for the Medicare of soldiers, their families and members of Army host communities. These were legacy projects, signposts of focused leadership, the pillars and inerasable footprints of his leadership that publicized a reformed Nigerian Army in conduct and performance.
The former army chief understood clearly that the success of Nigeria’s anti-insurgency combats basically depended on the assistance of foreign nations in weaponry and technical support. He was conscious of the prohibitions on human rights abuses by soldiers as enshrined in the Leahy Act amendment law. Besides, as a humane and compassionate leader, Buratai was conscious of the human dignity of all Nigerians. He never shirked from punishing erring soldiers.
Consequently, records of his observance of human rights were unequalled in the history of the Nigerian Army. He established the novel Human Rights Desk in the Nigerian Army, manned by a desk officer, and structured in an accessible manner to all Nigerians by its replication in all major Army formations throughout the country. The Army human rights desk handled, redressed and dispensed hundreds of cases between soldiers and civilians.
The Nigerian Army was under the plague of meagre budgets for its operations, even in the age of consuming insurgency. Therefore, Buratai imbibed the spirit of transparency, accountability and judicious application of Army resources for maximum effects. Lack of transparency in the administration of Army resources’ engendered distrust, dissension and rebellion among officers and soldiers.
Foremostly, Buratai resolved the problem by switching over to e-governance in consonance with the policy of the federal government. He established the Army Procurement Department; migrated the Nigerian Army into the IPPIS payment system, and halted the culture of table payment of allowances/entitlements to troops in the warfront, which often led to avoidable complaints of diversion.
The former leader of counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria was a famed Military strategist, tactician and foresighted leader. Therefore, his clairvoyance pricked him of the looming threat of Cyberspace terrorism in combating insurgency in Nigeria. In order to clip the wings of cyberspace terrorists, who were largely Boko Haram sympathizers’ and agents, Buratai built and launched the Nigerian Army Cyberspace Warfare Command. Its mandate mainly is to secure Army’s classified information from leakage to enemies and certify the preservation of sensitive documents.
Added to it, Buratai upgraded and re-equipped the Department of Army Public Relations (DAPR)) to handle fake news and propaganda syndrome on the counter-insurgency operations in the country. The DAPR operated 24hours a day and proactively deflected terrorists’ propaganda which previously caused unnecessary public anxiety and panic.
To this end, good leadership examples are worthy of emulation. The onus falls on Gen. Attahiru, who is also an old horse in the game to sustain and improve on these legacies of Buratai by moving a notch higher to turn the table against Boko Haram. It is the necessary antidote the incumbent Army leadership has to adopt, if it wants to really succeed to finally cripple insurgents.
It’s no longer news that Nigerians are unwittingly beginning to celebrate the Buratai days. But Nigerians want to celebrate the Army at all times and the only alternative is to kick harder, harder than Buratai ever did. Attahiru should be mindful of news of Boko Haram dreadful presence in Niger state and predictively, Abuja is now donated to the mercy of terrorists.
But fundamentally, all the incumbent Service Chiefs have already clocked 100 days since their appointment on January 26, 2021. Quite unimpressively, media reports are awash with news that 741 Nigerians have been killed by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists, armed bandits, herdsmen and arsonists across the country. Neither is it exciting that the southern part of the country is also contending with lethal kidnapping syndicates and killer herdsmen conundrum. Nigerians are no longer singing joyful songs which heralded the new service chiefs and there is need to redouble the efforts.
Banker turned Blogger; Charles Odibo, is an erstwhile Marketing Communication Manager of Fidelity Bank and two other banks, who was notoriously known for running several rackets while he was in active service. February this year, he launched a website aimed at promoting the Igbo people, which was well applauded by all sundry for his interest in moving the South East region forward. Not many knew his motive was for selfish financial gains and not for the interest of the Ndigbo’s. In other to achieve his motive, he organized and unleashed media attacks on Imo State Government under the leadership of our hardworking and indefatigable Governor; Hope Uzodinma. It came as a shock to many on the obvious lies he posted on his blog, but those who know him attest to the fact that; he is a pig who will always return to the dirt no matter how clean you wash it. He has a double-faced personality, who is thirsty for government appointments and financial gains.
Some said; “he is so shameless that he would sell his dignity for monetary gains. More reason he was denied a juicy government appointment by former Governor Emeka Ihedioha, whom he always lobbied for appointment by sponsoring media campaign and opinion piece for. Iheodiah rebuffed his appointment due to his unprofessional conduct.”
Last week, he published a piece of false and concocted information embedded with lies from the pit of hell to create unrest between the Imo State Government, Governor Hope Uzodinma and Imolites, who are currently battling the issues of insecurity. Sources said; ever since the Supreme Court sent his benefactor packing as Governor of Imo, he has vowed to use the media to peddle and sponsor fake news to create unrest in the state. “Imolites are wise enough to stand by their hardworking Governor who is also recovering from an attack on his country home recently. Employing a campaign of calumny by pitching the Imo state government and its indigenes against itself, is an act unworthy of a patriot.” A senior political appointee said.
From a thorough investigation carried out by Concerned Imolites, Charles Odibo, the co-founder of a failed mobile app, Tomachy, also threatened the Government of Imo State by vowing to continue posting fake news about them in the guise of exposing them. He was even said to have demanded for funds from Imo State Government in other to ceasefire from the cheap blackmail and media attack. A government appointee who claimed anonymity averred that; “He has sent several messages soliciting for funds to stop the bad press and also threatened that if his demands are not met, he will keep on attacking Imo State Government and Governor Uzodinma. He said there are more stories about Governor Hope-led administration stored in his kitty, to be release soon.”
According to the code of conduct of the noble pen-pushing profession, Charles has contravened some section in the constitution, which frowns at blackmail, defamation and threat. If found guilty of the above crimes, it’s outright suspension from the profession and can also be tried in the court of law for cyberbullying and other related crimes. Imo State will give no room for such media practitioner, who would only use their platform to promote dichotomy instead of celebrating the good works the Governor has been doing to restore the lost glory of Imo State. ”Governor Hope loves the media and he has always supported them at every slightest opportunity nobody will hold us to ransom at the point. Our state will never fall for such threat from that filthy attention seeker. It’s against our ideology, we don’t negotiate with blackmailers and scammers like Charles, knowing where his allegiance belongs. “Imo State has zero-tolerance for quacks like him hiding under the guise of a media practitioner, who loves interviewing the keyboard. Such practices are part of the menace tearing apart the journalism profession.”
People like Charles Odibo are the reason Federal Government has raised plans to regulate the online media space to curb blackmailers and fake news peddlers like him from misleading the general public with untrue information. Another Government source said; using an hammer to kill a fly in this situation is not necessary, we know his background during his days as a marketing head in the banking sector, he was never straightforward, he was not dependable and trusted. He was even alleged to have been involved in several shady deals. “People like this should not make way into government. He should be ignored. Since he launched the media platform earlier this year, we have heard several complaints of character assassination and defamation of character. That’s not what Journalism is all about. People like him should not be encouraged. Imolite are behind our Governor and we stand by him in solidarity. Any attempt to cause further unrest, the fangs of the law will strike him.”
The shareholders of Fidelity Bank Plc have unanimously endorsed the payment of a cash dividend of 22 kobo per share to all Shareholders whose names appear in the Register of Members at the close of business on April 16, 2021. This translates to a dividend yield of 9.2%, making it the 4th most rewarding Bank to investors in the Nigerian Capital Market. This announcement was made at the 33rd Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos on April 30, 2021.
Shareholders who spoke at the event praised the Board of Directors and the management team for the 38.7 percent increase in total customer deposits, which rose from N1,225.2 billion in 2019FY to N1.699.0billion and was driven by strong double-digit growth in both local and foreign currency deposits.
Mustapha Chike-Obi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank, reassured shareholders at the AGM that the board and management of the bank would maintain the high corporate governance standard synonymous with Fidelity Bank and also ensure the bank continued in its growth trajectory in the years ahead.
“We will continue to strengthen our enterprise risk management capabilities to ensure the sustainability of our business, while modeling our governance practices to align with international best practice”, said Chike-Obi.
Mrs. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Fidelity Bank CEO echoed the Chairman’s sentiments, stating that the bank’s financial performance for the period reflected the resilience of its business model in a challenging operating environment.
Mrs. Ikpe revealed that local currency deposits grew by 49.6 percent to N1,400.8 billion and constitutes 82.5 percent of total customer deposits while foreign currency deposits grew by 3.3 percent to N298.2 billion and now accounts for 17.5 percent of total deposits.
She further highlighted that the bank’s retail banking push continued to deliver impressive results as total savings deposits increased by 54.2 percent to N424.4 billion, making it the 8th consecutive year of recording double-digit growth in savings deposits. Total savings deposits now account for about 25.0 percent of total deposits, an attestation of the Bank’s increasing market share in the retail market segment.
Speaking on the strategy for the current financial year, Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe, said, “We will continue to focus on redesigning our systems and processes to enhance service delivery, deepen our cost optimization initiatives to reduce operating expenses, and enhance our overall risk monitoring capabilities to ensure both internal and external risks are identified and mitigated. Our growth aspirations will be sustained while we continue to identify new opportunities in the new normal.
“On the back of the evolving dynamics in the economy, we will continue to increase the adoption and migration of customers to our digital platforms and increase our retail banking market share through innovative products and services”, she concluded.
The shareholders expressed their continued confidence in the Bank for its 2020 performance which saw a 50.9 percent increase in core operating profit to N44.9 billion. The share price also rallied 22.9 per cent, outperforming the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) Index, which only gained 10.1 percent. According to Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe, the Bank showed “strong resilience to the adversities the global economy witnessed in 2020”.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Farouk Umar, President, Association for the Advancement of the Rights of Nigeria Shareholders, commended the bank for posting encouraging performance in 2020 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Umar appreciated the bank for paying dividend the same day of the Annual General Meeting unlike their peers in the industry that pay dividends a day after the AGM. Also speaking, Mrs Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, commended the bank for declaring dividend in spite of unfriendly economic environment and the COVID-19 pandemic challenges. Bakare who welcomed Mrs. Onyeali-Ikpe and Mr. Chike- Obi, urged them to sustain the growth and ensure higher dividend in the years ahead.
In compliance with the guidelines of the Corporate Affairs Commission’s (CAC), the meeting was held by proxy and had in attendance very few shareholders because of the COVID-19 precautionary measures.
Onyeali-Ikpe thanked the shareholders and the members of the Board for their continued confidence in the management team and specially appreciated Fidelity Bank customers for their patronage and loyalty.
Fidelity Bank began the year on a positive note having recorded a strong financial performance in the first quarter of 2021, posting appreciable growth in profit for the period ended March 31, 2021.
Details of the unaudited results showed that its profit before tax (PBT) grew by 53.9 per cent from N6.6 billion in the corresponding period in 2020 to N10.1 billion in the period under review. Similarly, net revenue in the period increased by 13.4 per cent from N30.3 billion in the first quarter (Q1) 2020, to N34.4 billion at the end of March 2021. The bank also recorded growth in other performance indices.
The Presidency on Friday derided the Spiritual Director of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu, Fr Ejike Mbaka, for criticising the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), over his alleged failure to contain insecurity and wanton killings of Nigerians by banditry gangs.
The Presidency attributed Mbaka’s criticism of the President to a decision by Buhari to reject a contract request made by the cleric.
Mbaka, who supported the President during the 2015 and 2019 elections, made a U-turn on Wednesday, asking Buhari to resign or be impeached for not doing enough to tackle widespread insecurity.
The cleric told his congregation that no civilised leader would remain in power with the spate of violence across the country.
He regretted that Buhari could maintain grave silence in the midst of widespread violence and deaths of Nigerians.
“How can people be dying and the chief security officer of the country would be sitting down without making any comment? Gunmen attacking people everywhere. Buhari should have resigned honourably following his (alleged) failure as a leader.
“Let me tell you that if it were in a civilised country, President Buhari would have resigned by now. So, it is amazing that he has chosen to sit tight while people are dying daily,” he said.
Mbaka also called on the National Assembly to impeach the President, saying Nigerians were facing intense poverty and insecurity.
But the Presidency lashed out at Mbaka on Friday, saying the cleric was aggrieved because Buhari rejected a contract request by him.
The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, said this in a statement titled, ‘Father Mbaka is everything apart from what he claims to be.’
The statement read, “An outsider distilling the avalanche of verbiage will be surprised that after supporting the President two times to win the Presidency, Father Mbaka has made a complete U-turn, preposterously asking President Buhari to resign or be impeached.
“Here is the point of departure: Father Mbaka asked for a meeting and to the shock of presidential aides, he came accompanied by three contractors. The President graciously allowed them in, and to everyone’s surprise, Father Mbaka asked for contracts as compensation for his support.
“Anyone familiar with President Buhari knows that he doesn’t break the laid-down rules in dealing with contracts or any other government business for that matter. He requested the appropriate authorities to deal with the matter in accordance with the laid-down rules.
“Inside the Villa, discretion prevailed, that if those pictures and requests were made public, the followers would turn against the religious leader. None of it was released. Now, this is what is eating Father Mbaka.”
However, many Nigerians slighted the Presidency’s claim, saying there was nothing wrong with the cleric’s demand for contracts as long as he is a Nigerian and qualified for the job.
A Twitter user @firstladyship said, “While I cannot independently verify this story (Presidency’s claim), I think we can now see the monsters in charge of Nigeria.
“When asked to resign or be impeached, they resort to cheap blackmail to curry public sympathy. The Presidency, through Mallam Garba Shehu, has once again reached out to their supporters, through virtue signalling. This bothers on morality.”
Another Twitter user @nyotjoel said, “The effort by this government to whip up public sentiments against Father Mbaka, rather than address the genuine concerns raised, is quite ridiculous. What’s the connection between Mbaka seeking contracts and the state of insecurity currently grappling the nation?”
@FS_Yusuf_ also tweeted, “Garba Shehu is shamelessly telling us that Rev Mbaka asked for some contracts as gratification for supporting Buhari. Ladies and gentlemen, please does this change the fact that this country is run by terrorists?”
Likewise, Henry Shield tweeted, “No Mbaka slander will be tolerated. You (Presidency) are backing Pantami, we will back Mbaka.”
Also, @Komrade_Konrade tweeted, “One peculiarity about the Buhari-led government is that it’s never objective. Once you’re in bed with them, they’ll hold it against you anytime you disagree with their agenda. Yes, he (Mbaka) asked for contracts. Is that a criminal offence?”
Meanwhile, a former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, described both the Presidency and Mbaka as “blackmailers and scammers” who don’t deserve the attention of Nigerians.
Fayose stated this while reacting to the rift between the Presidency and Mbaka.
“The Presidency and Father Mbaka are nothing but blackmailers and scammers. They don’t deserve the attention of Nigerians,” Fayose said via his Twitter handle @GovAyoFayose on Friday.
In its reaction, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress said it would report Mbaka to the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, if the priest continued to threaten the President and cause disaffection for the regime.
The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Yekini Nabena, in a statement said, “One will wonder whom Father Mbaka is emulating because the Lord Jesus Christ did not threaten to bring down the government during his own time, in fact, Jesus Christ obeyed and honoured constituted authority That’s why he paid his tax.
Also reacting to Mbaka’s outburst, the Catholic Diocesan Director of Communication, Enugu State, Fr Benjamin Achi, said though the diocese had yet to be officially informed about the ruling party’s threat to petition the Pope, it would issue an official statement on the matter when that happens.
“Well, we haven’t received any official information on that. But when that happens, we will respond accordingly. We are going to issue an official statement,” the priest said.
We refer to the Central Bank of Nigeria Limited (CBN) pronouncement on the reconstitution of the Board of Directors of First Bank of Nigeria Limited.
Further to the press conference held by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele CON on Thursday, 29 April 2021, the Boards of FBN Holdings Plc and First Bank of Nigeria Limited were dissolved and reconstituted, pursuant to its power under Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) 2020.
The Board of Directors of First Bank of Nigeria Limited is now comprised as follows:
Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has since resumed work as CEO in line with the directives of the CBN.
We can confirm that the Bank is cooperating with the Central Bank of Nigeria and other regulators while the operations of the Bank are not hampered or hindered in any way and are in fact running smoothly.
We further wish to reassure the public, our esteemed customers and stakeholders in the words of the Governor of the Central Bank in concluding his press conference, “The CBN hereby reassures the depositors, creditors and other stakeholders of the bank of its commitment to ensuring the stability of the financial system. There is therefore no cause for panic amongst the banking public, given that the actions being taken are meant to strengthen the Bank and position it as a banking industry giant.”
Following the confirmation of the presence of Boko Haram in Niger State by the Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello, it has been gathered that about 65 communities in Niger State have resorted to negotiating and signing a peace deal with the insurgent to avoid future raids.
This development came few days after the terror group displaced more than 5,000 villagers from their homes in some local government areas in the state.
Though the Nigerian Army said it was unaware of Boko Haram’s incursion into Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in the state, said he could not dispute Bello’s claim about the influx of the terrorist group into the state.
He said, “The executive governor is the chief security officer of the state. Are you expecting the police to dispute or go against the pronouncement of the executive governor?”
Our correspondent gathered that communities in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa and Kukoki distrists in the Shiroro area of the state had negotiated with the terrorists for a peace deal after reaching an agreement to pay certain amount of money.
The communities were said to have also purchased at least six motorcycles worth N500,000 for the terrorists.
Yusuf Sani, the co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth, said, “This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with the terrorists are more than 40.
“While some communities have already sealed up deals for ceasefire with the terrorists and are currently reaping the benefits, others are on the verge of finalising theirs.”
Sani also said the communities had paid “not less than N20 million to sign the peace deal with the terrorists.”
