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Ogun Police Commissioner Applauds NAOSRE, Sues For Fairness

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Edward Ajogun, on Tuesday, applauded the committed efforts of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE at bridging the gap of communication between citizens and security agents.

The Commissioner made the remarks in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital when Mr. Femi Oyewale, NAOSRE President, led the association’s team to pay him a courtesy visit at his Eleweran office.

He emphasized the importance of media as integral partners in nation building and urged for restraints in sensationalism.

“I feel happy to receive you today in my office. I know the importance of media in the security space.

“At the moment, insecurity is a big threat to us as a people and as a country. To solve it requires collective efforts. That is why I am particularly happy with your association that is doing so much to keep Nigerians informed about our activities,” the CP stated.

Despite his good impression about the media, Edward Ajogun however expressed reservations about over sensationalized news items for the purpose of attracting readership and called for more commitment to investigative journalism to achieve balanced reportage.

“There are false publications and lots of inaccurate reports. These are harmful to security. Try and be honest and build a reputation of honesty for the association.

“Always consider national interest in your reports so that your association can become the standards for measuring accuracy,” he advised.

Earlier, Femi Oyewale espoused the mission of NAOSRE which includes but not limited to setting a standard on security reportage for national harmony.

He explained that the loss of confidence by citizens on security agents needs co operative efforts to checkmate.

He therefore called on the CP and other heads of Nigerian security formations to be available for conversations so that journalists would de emphasize the reliance on third party narratives in writing reports.

“NAOSRE is unique in style and scope. Nigerians and security agents can always count on us for credible reportage,” he promised.

Meanwhile, a statement from the Command’s spokesman, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, and made available to NAOSRE stated that two suspected armed robbers who dispossessed one Nonso Nwibo, a rice merchant, of cash sum of #120,000 at Ipamesan area of Sango Otta have been arrested by men of Ogun State Police Command.

The suspects, according to Oyeyemi, were arrested following a distress call received by the DPO, Sango Otta Division, CSP Godwin Idehai that robbers have invaded the shop of the said Nonso and robbed him of N120, 000 as well as his Techno handset at gun point.

Upon the distress call, the DPO Idehai quickly led his men to the scene, but on sighting the policemen, the robbers took to flight, but they were hotly chased and one of them by name Sadiiq Hassan was arrested with a locally made pistol while the other one escaped.

Following diligent investigation, the second suspect, Kudus Rasak, was apprehended on the 19th of April 2021, in a hideout at Owode Ijako. A live cartridge was recovered from him.

The two suspects have confessed being the robbers that robbed Nonso of his valuables.
CP Edward Ajogun has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department for discreet investigation.

Nigeria needs Tinubu – Obasa, Lagos lawmakers eulogise ex-governor

– Congratulate Oba Elegushi at 45 for role in peaceful coexistence

… Celebrate ex-IGP, Musiliu Smith, who recently clocked 75

The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday described the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a man for whom Nigeria as a country currently yearns.

Members of the House said this at plenary as they took time to eulogise the former governor of Lagos, who recently celebrated his 69th birthday.

Speaking after Hon. Victor Akande (Ojo 1) urged his colleagues to join him wish Tinubu a happy birthday, the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, noted that it had always been customary of the House to celebrate the Jagaban of Borgu on his birthday, but that this year’s celebration happened at a time the House was on recess.

The Speaker who said Tinubu had earlier been honoured by attendees at a colloquium organised in his honour, added that the comments by the lawmakers during the day’s plenary showed how the APC National Leader had impacted in the lives of individuals.

He agreed with the members of the House that Tinubu remains one man that can effectively steer the Nigerian ship to make the country attain greater success in the coming years.

“We all congratulate him and wish him all the good things of life.

“We believe strongly in him and we have the conviction that he is a worthy man that can steer the ship of this nation. It is not about religion or ethnicity, but it is about wisdom, knowledge, experience and the capacity to lead,” Speaker Obasa said.

Earlier, Hon. Rotimi Olowo (Shomolu 1) described Tinubu as a man who understands the country and has the needed experience.

Olowo said Tinubu is a man that no one can love to hate because of his role in the advancement of the country.

For Hon. Tobun Abiodun (Epe 1), Asiwaju Tinubu is “a father figure to most of us and we will continue to celebrate him for a long time to come.

“He is adjudged one of the most active politicians. As a father to us, we appreciate him. He recognises those who are loyal and brilliant. He is the only man that can lead this country to meet its goals.”

Supporting his colleagues, Hon. Rasheed Makinde called Asiwaju Tinubu a man of the moment who believes in hunting talents and keeping them to prosper.

He said even though Tinubu has not held office for a long time, he still remains relevant because of his large heart and spirit of forgiveness.

He urged Asiwaju to help lead the country in 2023.

Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2), said he was delighted to share the same birthday with Tinubu who he called an inspirational figure.

“The Asiwaju that I know is a builder of people, a stabiliser and one who loves selflessly. He is a man who loves other people’s progress. I can only wish him many more fruitful years, first as father and the National Leader of the APC,” he said.

In a related development, the House also celebrated Oba Saheed Elegushi, who was described as a monarch that has brought advancement to his Ikate land while preserving the culture and traditions of his domain.

Hon. Temitope Adewale, while moving that the traditional ruler, who recently clocked 45, be celebrated, said Oba Elegushi had kept the state proud.

The lawmaker was supported by his colleague, Hon. Desmond Elliot, who described the monarch as a 21st century Oba.

In his contribution, Speaker Obasa said the young monarch had endeared himself to the people because he has shown a strong passion for the peace and progress of the state.

While praying for the traditional ruler, Obasa added that Oba Elegushi was being praised for ensuring peace in the state.

He said the commendation should be a challenge to other traditional rulers in the state to play positive roles for its growth and progress.

The House further eulogised Alhaji Musiliu Smith, a former Inspector-General of Police, IGP, who recently clocked 75.

The House affirmed Smith’s importance noting that he has continued to serve the country as the chairman of the Police Service Commission.

Speaker Obasa described him as a man of peace, a quintessential Lagosian and one who often expresses his views and suggestions about the effective running of the state.

He thereafter directed the acting Clerk of the House, Barrister Olalekan Onafeko, to write a letter congratulating each of the celebrants on behalf of the Assembly.

Unity Bank Posts Assets Growth of 67.90% to N492.02 Billion, As Gross Earnings Hit N42.71 Billion in FY 2020

Unity Bank Plc grew its assets base to N492.02billion representing a significant increase of 67.90% from the N293.05 billion of total assets value recorded in 2019. This is even as the agric-focused lender declared gross earnings of N42.71 billion within the period under review.

A review of the Bank’s audited results for full year ended 31 December 2020, released to the Nigerian Stock Exchange, showed that the Bank improved its bottom line marginally as Profit After Tax, PAT stood at N2.09 billion. Profit Before Tax, PBT closed at N2.22 billion, in a year that was defined by the unmitigated impact of global pandemic characterized by disruptions in business activities and general downturn that resulted in revenue/returns dip in major leading sectors globally.

The lender substantially grew its customers’ deposit portfolio to N356.62 billion, up from N257.69 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 38.4% growth. This affirms positive market uptake of the Bank’s product offerings, as well as the lender’s growing customer base to its recent aggressive push with agile customer-centric products, which has played a role in deepening financial services penetration especially to a wider world, underserved spectrum of the retail market.

Other major highlight of the audited financial statement relates to growth in its net operating income which rose to N25.46 billion from N23.21 billion in the corresponding period of 2019, representing a 9.71% increase. This is even as the net interest income recorded a significant jump, as it rose by 7.60% to N17.75 billion from N16.49 billion in the corresponding period of 2019. Earnings per Share closed at 17.85 Kobo.

The Bank’s gross loans portfolio increased by 92.9% to N206.2 billion in December 2020 from N106.9 billion in December 2019. The Bank’s lending strategy was specially tailored to support the nation’s food agenda. This had the added advantage of improving food security across the country, providing employment to thousands of youths and entrepreneurs, contributing to the conservation of FX stocks and mitigating security challenges by ensuring adequate empowerment of citizens and deepening skills acquisition across the value chain.

Commenting on the result, Unity Bank’s Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Tomi Somefun stated that the results showed the resilience of the Bank during unprecedented times of uncertainties and our ability to innovate and focus on key balance sheet items that will enable us maintain growth trajectory.

She further opined that: “Consequently, for the year under review, the opportunities to significantly create more quality assets for the business, thought to have sustainable impact, informed part of choices made and we have seen some encouraging market uptake in this regard, apart from the benefits to the enterprise bottom-line that have also started trickling in. Other key performance indicators especially on the liability side of the business was equally not left out. The Bank deployed new product features and augmentation supported by omni-channel, USSD promotions and other channels to enhance services delivery efficiency, drive income generation capacities and enhance steady balance sheet growth for the year”.

Looking ahead, Somefun stated: “we will latch on targeted strategies to deploy significant investment in technology in order to ride the waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. On the back of this, the Bank focus on achieving major efficiency gains, deepening its retail footprints and penetrating identified cluster market segments, as bulwarks to tapping into various youth markets platforms, in addition to the mass market would get further boost”.

While laying outlook for the future, the Unity Bank’s Chief further stated: “The Bank is also looking to consolidate on the gains from its core business areas and niche in the agribusiness sector. The Bank has solidly financed over one million farmers over the past three years. These farmers cut across several primary crop production such as rice, maize, cotton, wheat, sorghum, etc coupled with their rich value chains, and we hope to continue to expand on this as we play our part in driving the country’s quest for self-sufficiency in food production.”

Analysts are of the view that having made appreciable impact in the agribusiness and its value chains consistently, the market is excited that the current year performance and different initiatives of the Bank show that the agribusiness is bankable not only as a differential positioning but also for sustainable business performance and profitability.

FirstBank Launches a New Corporate Website, Reiterates its Commitment to Service Delivery Excellence

FirstBank, Nigeria and indeed West Africa’s premier financial inclusion services provider has announced the launch of its newly designed website at https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/. The new website is upgraded with features that are streamlined to reinforce its role in delivering seamless banking and technology solutions to its customers across the world.

The website is configured with modern design and improved functionality that eases customer experience whilst carrying out various activities on the site, including electronic banking. Non-customers are also able to open an account, putting them at an edge in the industry as they establish a relationship with the Bank that puts YOU, its customers, First.

The new website seamlessly adopts a fresh, magazine-style look and feel for easy navigation in order to promote the access to essential information for its customers, FirstMonie agents, prospective agents and the public. This upgrade also guides one to make well-informed decisions about one’s personal, business and private financial needs.

Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO of FirstBank Group, while speaking on the launch of the New Corporate Website, said that “as one of the key contact points to existing and potential customers, the Bank’s website remains a gateway to our business, supporting our unique value propositions and financial services solutions. As such, we are committed to continuously improve the overall user experience through intriguing content quality, exciting features and ease of navigation”.

He further noted that “the Bank’s new website will be updated on a regular basis with exciting features that will continue to reinforce the Bank’s resolve to promote digital customer interactions and transactions across our virtual touchpoints and platforms”.

Concluding, he remarked that ”the website will also serve as a financial services library that will keep customers and the public abreast of various financial services solutions and offerings, thereby helping them to improve their economic and social wellbeing”. He encouraged everyone to explore the website and follow the Bank’s social media pages for updates.

FirstBank has continued to evolve over the years, successfully adopting the latest technology and embracing innovation in its quest to be African’s bank of first choice.

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Reaching out to the poor is our mandate – BAT Foundation

BAT FoundationThe director general of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Foundation, Hon. Ipoola Omisore, has said the organisation is poised to reduce hunger as much as possible.

Omisore stated this when he spoke with some journalists in relation to the foundation’s donation of rice to IDP camps in Borno.

The Foundation also recently reached out to three orphanages in Lagos with food and other items.

According to BAT, the donation of the food to the IDP was facilitated by the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. (Hon.) Dr. Mudashiru Obasa and some others including Bolaji Ariyo, Ajala Razaq and Kolade David, all local government council chairmen in Lagos.

Earlier speaking on the gesture, the Director-General of the Foundation, Hon. Ahmed Omisore, said the rice had been bagged for ease of distribution among the IDPs.

According to him, “the donation of the food items is a gesture to show that the former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is much concerned about the well-being of all Nigerians, wherever they may be living.”

Omisore noted that the Foundation was established purposely to cater for the needy in the nation’s six geo-political zones.

He further stated: “The Foundation is an advocate of peace. It is founded purposely to cater for the people especially the less privileged ones in our society.”

“It stands for what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is, a lover of peace and advocate of poverty free society. The gesture should be seen as a reflection of his passion to make sure everybody in the country are free of hunger.” Tinubu, through this Foundation,has been supporting people in various capacity across the country.

“We know the current need of the Internally Displaced People is food and that is why the Foundation is donating trailer loads of rice to the IDP camps in Maiduguri. This is just the beginning of a gesture that will automatically get to other parts of the country,” Omisore declared.

For the orphanages that were recently visited by the Foundation, Omisore urged well-meaning Nigerians including the rich to always find time to visit and help the needy.

Noting that the materials donated to the three orphanages were also facilitated by Obasa, the director general thanked the Speaker and said he and his team felt fulfilled seeing the joy in the faces of the children and their supervisors during the visit.

Barrister Mobolaji Sanusi, director of media of the foundation, also reminded that “Just recently, the Foundation donated a brand new 18-seater bus also facilitated by our amiable Speaker Obasa to the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Lagos chapter. Our programmes are in batches and we shall continue to execute them one after the other.”

Sanusi further stated that the food items were “donated to support the effort of the Borno State Government in feeding the displaced persons in their various camps.”

He also said the Foundation represents the “good deeds of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a compassionate and generous leader with bias for catering for the well-being of the less privileged.”

He revealed that the Foundation has different programmes for all people in different categories which would be executed in I have thy

Emirates Milestone flight EK2021 highlights industry readiness for travel rebound

Emirates’ one-of-a-kind flight EK2021 proudly made a journey across the different emirates this week , to signal the aviation industry’s readiness for a travel rebound. It was also to celebrate the UAE’s remarkable vaccination programme that has administered close to 9 million vaccines doses to date.

The special flight, which carried fully vaccinated crew and passengers onboard, was unprecedented in the industry in scale. With close to 400 fully vaccinated customers onboard, the flight illustrates confidence and undiminished excitement for air travel. EK2021 was also supported by fully vaccinated teams across the aviation eco-system, from onboard crew to ground staff, demonstrating the readiness of the UAE’s aviation eco-system to support the safe rebound of air travel.

In spite of the pandemic, the UAE has maintained its status as a leading global aviation hub and it will continue to grow its position as a hub for passengers and cargo traffic by investing in innovations and close collaborations with all stakeholders. Onboard EK2021 was a group of senior officials from key aviation and health sector entities hosted by Emirates.

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “The UAE’s rapid pace and progress in vaccinating our population is a testament of our leadership’s vision and commitment to safeguard our communities, and manage the pandemic by adopting the appropriate measures to protect both nationals and residents. Today’s flight is a showcase of the combined efforts and dedication of all stakeholders in supporting the vaccination programme, and the implementation of protocols in the past 12 months to ensure a safe travel journey, stimulate passenger traffic and set the groundwork for the ramp up of air travel in the near future. Emirates continues to support the national vaccination programme and we are pleased with the progress made within the group in vaccinating our employees.”

The special flight was operated with Emirates’ newest A380 aircraft which featured the airline’s brand-new Premium Economy seats, and refreshed cabin interiors across every cabin class. First and Business Class customers were able to safely network and mingle in the iconic A380 Onboard Lounge.

Combining the most advanced aviation technology and an inspired cabin design, The A380 remains a customer favourite for its unmatched comfort and spaciousness.

This month, Airbus launched a travel companion app called “Tripset”. The application aggregates and provides flight and travel information to ease and restore passenger’s trust in their end-to-end journey when traveling by air during the COVID-19 pandemic. Providing passengers with the latest and most relevant travel conditions, restriction and health requirements in place, without having to consult a variety of sources. Tripset is part of Airbus’ continuing commitment, alongside airlines, industry partners and regulatory agencies, to encourage the flying public to keep trust in air travel, supporting the safe and well-coordinated return to flight, which is essential for economic recovery from COVID-19.

On the ground, passengers checked in using the latest biometric technologies for a seamless journey across multiple touchpoints. Biometric touchpoints were recently expanded to include over 18 check-in desks and 15 boarding gates at the airport. As a result, customers across all classes enjoyed seamless biometric entry to experience the First and Business Class lounge at DXB.

All EK2021 passengers were provided rapid COVID-19 PCR tests, facilitated by Pure Health. Pure Health, the largest integrated healthcare solutions provider in the UAE, has facilitated the administration of up to 4 million PCR tests at Dubai Airports to date. It has also played a vital role in providing COVID-19 testing support to the aviation industry at large, since the start of the pandemic.

As passengers disembarked, they were handed commemorative certificates for taking part in this initiative.

EK2021 was commanded by UAE National Captain Ahmed Al Obeidli, First Officer Ramon Wilde and flight deck crew were supported by Captain Ricky Garala. All proceeds for EK2021 have been donated to the Emirates Airline Foundation, the airline’s non-profit charity organisation which supports projects around the world aimed at improving the quality of life for disadvantaged children around the world.

UBA Business Series to Equip SMEs with Performance Management Strategies for Organisational Growth

As part of its commitment to support the growth and sustainability of Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) in the continent, Pan African financial Institution, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, is set to organise the next edition of its UBA Business Series.

The UBA Business Series which is a monthly event, is an MSME Workshop as well as a capacity building initiative of the bank where business leaders and professionals share well-researched insights on best practices for running successful businesses, especially in the face of the difficult operating environment that dominates the African business landscape.

Through this initiative, UBA has been assisting with essential tips to help businesses re-examine their models and strategies and ensure that they stay afloat and remain thriving.

The topic for the next edition of the series is ‘ Managing Performance for Business Growth,’ and it will be held on Wednesday, April 14, 2021 via Microsoft Teams. At this session, the Managing Director, Secure ID Limited, Mrs Kofo Akinkugbe, will be sharing useful tips and insights on the key strategies of performance management to boost business growth.

Akinkugbe is the founder of SecureID Nigeria, a MasterCard, VISA and Verve certified Smartcard Personalization Bureau and Digital Technology company. She currently serves as the Managing Director/CEO, Secure Card Manufacturing, – a Smartcard manufacturing plant producing high security identity cards and documents for the Banking, Telecoms and Public sectors across Africa and beyond.

The capacity building event is a virtual session which is open to all – including business owners and leaders – and will be held on Wednesday, April 14 ^th, 2021, at 2pm WAT. Interested participants can register via http://bit.ly/UBASMEWorkshopMarch2021

UBA’s Head, SME Banking, Sampson Aneke said of Akinkugbe, ‘with her vast experience garnered over the years from various sectors, she will help business owners understand how performance management strategies can be effectively implemented to ensure business growth’.

He emphasised UBA’s commitment and deep passion for small businesses, which according to him, remains the engine of any developing economy adding, “We know small businesses are the backbone of the economy in every country. In many climes, businesses with fewer than 100 employees account for 98.2% of all businesses. This no doubt captures the importance of SMEs to a thriving economy which is why UBA is committed to seeing them flourish.”

Emirates Skywards launches exclusive double Tier Miles offer for members

Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai, has rolled out an exclusive offer to help members fast-track to a higher tier status. Members can automatically earn double Tier Miles on all Emirates and flydubai flights booked from 1 April until 30 June, for travel between 1 April and 30 December 2021.

To be eligible for the promotion, customers need to simply be existing Emirates Skywards members, or join as a new member before 30 June 2021. Members can now move up tiers faster, and unlock an extensive range of benefits and rewards.

The offer applies to any ticket, regardless of fare type, purchased on Emirates or flydubai during the offer period – helping members quickly earn sufficient Tier Miles to bump up one tier status higher. For example, an Emirates Skywards Blue tier member can upgrade to an Emirates Skywards Silver tier member, and an Emirates Skywards Silver tier member can upgrade to an Emirates Skywards Gold tier member.

Emirates Skywards offers four tiers of membership – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum. Each Tier offers members unique privileges and advantages, including lounge access, priority boarding, dedicated check-in counters, complimentary seat-selection, and much more.

In addition to earning double Tier Miles, members will still be able to earn Skywards Miles on flights flown during the offer period. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including flight upgrades, hotel stays and money-can’t-buy experiences.

With more than 27 million members worldwide – Emirates Skywards continues to provide its members with rich value offerings, unmatched rewards and innovative offerings. Earlier this year, the loyalty programme was one if the first in the world, and first in the region, to offer members a generous extension on tier status until 2022. The loyalty programme has also extended validity of any Skywards Miles due to expire since April 2020 until 30 June 2021.

For more information on Emirates Skywards, visit emirates.com/skywards.

Yinka Odumakin to be buried April 24 – Family

The family of the late activist and Afenifere spokesman, Yinka Odumakin, on Monday, announced the order of his funeral rites.

A terse statement by his widow, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, on Monday said the rites would span three days – starting from Thursday, April 22 through Friday 23 and Saturday 24, 2021.

She said, “Thursday, April 22: Day of Tributes and Service of Songs at the Police College, Ikeja Lagos between 11 am and 4 pm while his body lies in state.

“Friday, April 23: Body departs Lagos for Moro, his country home, in Ife North LGA of Osun State.

“There will be a Christian wake keep by 5 pm at the Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro, to be followed by a candlelight procession on Friday.

“Saturday, April 24: Lying in State at Origbo Anglican Grammar School, Moro by 8 am, followed by a Funeral Service by 10 am, after which his remains will be committed to Mother Earth at a private interment.”

South African Police Investigates Death of AKA’s Fiancée

South African police are currently investigating how superstar rapper, AKA’s fiancée, Nellie Tembe, fell to her death at Cape Town’s Pepper Club Hotel in the early hours of Sunday.

AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, and Nellie got engaged in February this year. In March, he paid lobola to Nellie’s family, describing her as ‘the love of his life’ when he announced their engagement on social media, Newzimbabwe reports.

According to reports, Nellie fell from one of the upper floors of the hotel to the intersection of Loop and Bloom streets in the Cape Town central business districts.

A statement from the Tembe and Forbes families confirmed her untimely passing.

The statement read, “It is with the deepest regret that we, Tembe and Forbes families, confirm the untimely passing of our beloved fiance, daughter, sister and daughter-in-law, Anele Tembe (22). Anele tragically passed on in the early hours of this morning, Sunday 11 April 2021.4.11.

“We are still in shock and are dealing with our emotions as she was an exceptional and gifted young woman with so much life ahead of her. She had a sweet nature about her and was always nurturing those around her.

“Her fiance, Kiernan Forbes, is currently inconsolable and is surrounded by family and closest friends. At this hour of our grief, we humbly request that our families be given privacy and time to heal.”

Speaking to the media, Pepper Club General Manager, Efi, said, “At 7:30 am, we got a call that there has been an incident. We called the police subsequently. What I can tell you is that there is an investigation; it’s a young girl age of 22 and at this stage, the police is still investigating.”

Western Cape police spokesperson, Captain Frederick van Wyk, said investigations were still underway.

“Cape Town Central police are investigating an inquest case after an incident at a hotel at about 7:45 AM at the corner of Loop and Bloem Streets in the Cape Town CBD. The body of a 22-year-old woman was found deceased.”