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Lagos Police Pounce On Rail Tracks Vandals, Traffic Robbers, Arrest Suspects

The Police operatives attached to Satellite and Aguda Divisions of the command have arrested two suspected traffic robbers each at different locations in their areas.

The Satellite Division arrested two suspected traffic armed robbers along Agboju-Alakija on Lagos-Badagry Expressway on 19th February, 2021 at 1035pm. The two suspects, 26 years old Solomon Ayuba and 20 years old Manase David, were caught in the act by the police when they were attacking unsuspecting commuters in the area, while other members of the gang took to their heels.

The police operatives had placed suspected armed robbers under surveillance for some days before they were eventually arrested. Items recovered from them include one locally-made pistol, some cartridges and 2 face Masks.

In the same vein, the operatives attached to Aguda Division on 20th February, 2021, at about 1.35pm, arrested two suspected traffic robbers while attacking and robbing a Toyota Siena Bus with Reg. No AAA 30 AZ, driven by one Apele Mohammed on transit at Olatunji Onimole Street by Brown Junction.

The suspects are 24 years old Ismail Abayomi, and 25 years old Seun Akinbunu.

The suspects and others at large attacked the bus, broke its side screen and robbed one Atinuke Adisa of her Infinix-8 phone.

In another development, the operatives attached to the office of the Area Commander, Area E Festac, arrested two suspects with some vandalised rail tracks belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation on 20th February, 2021, at about 4pm. The policemen that were on routine check stopped the vehicle driven by one 21 years old Victor Akpanof Ijora, Lagos and his accomplice, one Adesina Folorunsho at No 36, Biefield Apapa road and discovered the vandalised rail tracks in the said vehicle.
They could not give any satisfactory account of the vandalised items but claimed that they got them from some miscreants .

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu has ordered that the suspected traffic robbers be taken to State CID Panti for thorough investigation while the Area Commader Area E Festac works with his DPOs and intensify efforts to trace the fleeing traffic robbers and carry out thorough investigation on the vandalised rail tracks.

The police boss also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to continually flush out the criminals and hoodlums of Lagos State.

Ecobank Group Signs A Remittance Partnership With Small World Financial Services

Leading international money transfer provider Small World Financial Services (“Small World”), has signed a partnership with Ecobank -the leading Pan-African banking group, based in Lomé, Togo.

The agreement brings the strengths and assets of both organisations to offer money transfer services to Africans in the diaspora. This is an exciting development for both Small World and the Ecobank Group as Small World can continue to grow its global customer base as well as its 250,000 pick-up locations, while Ecobank, with its footprint across 33 African countries can further expand its remittance reach within African communities across Europe and other parts of the world. Small World customers will be able to access the unparalleled Ecobank Africa -wide network in three ways: Direct transfer to Bank accounts, mobile wallet; and cash pick up at any Ecobank location.

This partnership will further financial inclusion in Africa as Ecobank will make available the Ecobank Xpress Account (a mobile based bank account developed for the unbanked and under-banked) for the recipients of remittances sent by Small World Financial Services’ customers.

Nick Day, Chief Executive and Founder of Small World, said: “We are delighted to be forging a partnership with Ecobank. It is a leading bank in Africa with over 50,000locations in the region which means our global customers get access to even more ways to send money home to African countries. Importantly, Ecobank shares our commitment in delivering great customer service alongside providing fast, affordable and reliable transfers.

“Nana Araba Abban, Ecobank Group Consumer Banking Head, added: “We’re proud to offer seamless payments across our vast borderless network in Africa. At Ecobank, we value partnerships, such as this, that enable Africans in the diaspora to remit money affordably and conveniently. This provides a win-win partnership as Ecobank can offer banking services to Africans wherever they are on the globe.”Ecobank shares Small World’s commitment of making financial services seamless, convenient, and interoperable across Africa.”

WITH YOUR FIRSTMONIE WALLET, YOUR VALENTINE HAS GOT A BOOST WITH BONUS DATA AND AIRTIME

You’ve got Firstmonie Wallet on your phone? Did I hear you say Yes… then, count yourself lucky because your first daily recharge and data subscription between 13 – 15 February will give you the opportunity to speak more to your loved ones, or spend more time on your favourite social media channel.

In sharing love this valentine season, Firstmonie Wallet – the electronic wallet initiative by FirstBank – will gift customers bonus 100% data and 50% airtime on their first recharge each day across all GSM networks… make some Noise!!!

Firstmonie Wallet is your friendly e-wallet to pay for your utility bills, buy airtime and data, transfer and receive money from any account in a seamless and convenient way and much more. It is your wallet with many more possibilities.

You don’t have Firstmonie Wallet on your phone? Then count yourself also lucky because you will be gifted the bonus airtime and data once you download the Firstmonie Wallet app, purchase airtime and data; that’s all, data and airtime is all yours. You can also sign up on Firstmonie Wallet via USSD by simply dialing *894*1#.

To sign up for Firstmonie Wallet using your phone,

Simply download the app from your store (iOS or Android)
Enter your mobile number and agree to terms and conditions.
Follow the steps to complete registration.

To sign up for Firstmonie Wallet via the USSD string,

Just dial *894*1#.
Choose 1 to register without BVN and input necessary information.
Choose 2 to register with BVN and follow the prompt.

Use your Firstmonie Wallet between 13 – 15 February and share in our love this valentine.

Terms and conditions apply.

NAOSRE Salutes Gen Sagir Musa, Promises Commitment to Professional Ethics

The national leadership and members of the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, have commended Brigadier General Sagir Musa, the immediate past Nigerian Army spokesman for his commitment to duties and seamless synergy with the media in promoting military operational understanding with the public.

The association President Mr. Femi Oyewale stated this in a statement on Saturday.

In the statement, Oyewale noted that managing the communication functions of an institution like the Army could be challenging but added that Sagir displayed professionalism and maturity in handling obviously vexatious issues whenever they arose.

“Overtime, there were renewed bashings from both local and international media in equal measures, yet, you remained unwavering and continued in a most commendable fashion.”

Continuing, Oyewale emphasized that General Sagir assumed office at a period classified as one of the most trying in Nigeria’s history, stressing that Sagir’s basic understanding of the nuances of Nigeria which translated into balanced people-oriented information, at a time of confidence loss, deserves commendation.

“NAOSRE recognized this and never waved in its vision of supporting the patriotic efforts of security operatives. We were particularly hooked on the Nigerian Army by publishing Army stories to keep the public informed.

“We salute your courage and requisite compassion to soldier on by keeping eyes on the ball. However, the task of securing Nigeria remains ongoing. We therefore, admonish you to deploy same energy, zeal and intelligence in the execution of your assigned duties wherever you are deployed,” Oyewale stated.

He stated further that “I must not fail to use this medium to convey the association’s profound appreciation to the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai. NAOSRE had a harmonious working relationship with you for a safer Nigeria.”

Oyewale promised to oil the association’s firm conviction on media role in promoting national security. He added that NAOSRE is committed to work with the new Army leadership by enhancing trust between security agents and citizens through factual and professional reportage for a safer Nigeria.

Lateef Jakande: NAOSRE Condoles With Sanwo-Olu, Media Industry

The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has joined millions of groups and individuals worldwide to condole with His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and media industry on the demise of a renowned journalist and first civilian governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande who died on 11 February at the age of 91.

In a statement conveying the condolences, the association President, Mr. Femi Oyewale extolled the visionary leadership of Jakande which birth, among other things, the establishment of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and other developmental strides in governance.
“NAOSRE condoles with the family of Alhaji Lateef Jakande and His Excellency Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the executive governor of Lagos State on the death of the first executive governor of the State. Jakande’s legacies in the media and democratic governance are evergreen. The Nigerian Institute of Journalism he envisioned has been the pool for harvesting resource persons to drive the media industry.
“As an association, NAOSRE will continuously strive to sustain the vision of Jakande in media professionalism in line with global best practice as well as build sustainable trust between security operatives and citizens through balanced reportage for a harmonious co existence,” he promised.

STILL WITH US”; a Short Film on Covid-19 set to be premiered in Lagos by JCI Ikeja

The need to follow all precautionary measures of Covid-19 and be committed to staying Safe and Alive has been re-emphasized by a Membership based Non Government, Non Profit Organisation, Junior Chamber International Ikeja through the medium of a Short Film titled “ STILL WITH US”

JCI Ikeja took up the initiative to shoot a Short film/Campaign sensitizing the entire public and the world at large on the need to Stay Safe through the #CommitToQualityHealth Project Initiative .

– ‘STILL WITH US’ is a story of OLa-Fathia’s Buka amidst a raging pandemic and the casualties that go with it. Costumers of OLA-FATHIA’s buka seem to care less. Tomiwa enlightens them that when it rains, even the grasses are not spared and covid-19 isn’t any different. The Short Film was Directed by the very delectable Film Maker – Usman ‘Blackky’ Ogunlade.

Speaking on the Project Initiative, The Project Coordinator , a Ghanaian-Nigerian – Ruth Oriyomi Idowu and the the 2021 Local Organisation President, JCI Ikeja – Tricia Inalu amongst others spoke on why they had to communicate this through the media of Entertainment which in their words is the best way to get the message across.

The Short Film is set to premiere in Lagos on Sunday,14th March 2021.

Popular Inspirational Singer, Atorise Officially Announce interest in Politics

Just like the popular saying that, we are all political animal. This notion is what best describes gospel singer, Lanre Teriba, who is popularly known as Atorise as he picked interest in Politics. According to information gathered, Lanre Teriba registered his membership today as a member of All Progressive Political Party APC.

LTEE as Lanre is fondly called registered at ward 01 Ayigbami isara Remo North LG, his home town.

It was scooped that, the talented singer has been nursing the ambition to serve his people for a very long time and he feels 2023 is the best time for him to give back to the people.

Atorise in his words enjoined all sons and daughters of Remo Land to go into politics because there will not be excuse for any failed individual in Politics and we all have to participate in the Future of this country saying “enough of failed leaders, 2023 will not be business as usual.” The young man concluded

Ecobank Nigeria announces the pricing of its Senior Unsecured $300 million bond

Ecobank Nigeria (“ENG” or “the Bank”), a wholly owned subsidiary of leading pan-African banking giant, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (‘ETI’), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, announced that it has successfully priced its USD 300 million bond issuance maturing in February 2026, with settlement of the bond to take place on 16 February 2021.

The fixed-rate, US dollar-denominated bond, with a tenor of 5 years, carries a coupon rate of 7.125% and will be listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is accompanied by an Issuer Rating of B- from Fitch Rating Agency and S & P. The coupon / yield represents the lowest ever coupon / yield achieved by a Nigerian financial institution for a benchmark bond transaction. At the peak of marketing the transaction, the issue was over 3 times oversubscribed, with significant interest from international investors. The transaction opened with Initial Price Thoughts (‘IPT’s’) of 7.75% and finally tightened to close at 7.125% on the back of robust demand. The strength and depth of the book demonstrated global investors’ strong appetite for the Ecobank franchise in Nigeria, a testament to the strength of the Ecobank Group. This transaction is the first non-sovereign bond from Africa in 2021 and is milestone capital raise for the banking sector in Nigeria, giving Ecobank access to global debt capital markets, and more favorable credit terms, commensurate with its strong financial position and robust capital structure. For international investors, it represented an attractive option to gain exposure to Nigeria.

This transaction followed a series of virtual global investor calls, with a number of blue-chip local, regional and international financial institutions, led by Citi, Mashreq, Renaissance Capital and Standard Chartered Bank as Joint Lead Managers and Bookrunners.

Commenting on the issuance, Mr. Patrick Akinwuntan, Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, said: “Despite the challenging global environment owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on the back of a successful NGN 50bn Tier 2 issuance in December 2020, ENG was able to successfully issue and price Nigeria’s first 2021 senior unsecured 5 year bond transaction. Ecobank Nigeria, through this issuance, is being proactive in optimizing its capital structure as it continues to drive its medium term growth strategy of establishing itself as a leading facilitator of pan-Africa and international trade and payments.”

Mr. Akinwuntan continued, “I would like to extend my appreciation to our regulators, the Central Bank of Nigeria, for their timely support and continuous guidance, in granting necessary regulatory approvals.”

He further added: “We believe that our capital raising activities are key steps forward towards strengthening ENG beyond the regulatory ratios in addition to diversifying ENG’s medium-term financing sources. ENG is poised for continued growth in the Nigerian financial services industry.”

Osun Command Begins Covid-19 Protocols Sensitization February 11

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, in compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, NPM, and the government of Osun State, to enforce the federal government order on COVID-19 safety protocols, has put all necessary mechanism in place to sensitize members of the public to comply with the COVID-19 safety protocols.

In a Police public service announcement signed by Superintendent Opalola Yemisi Olawoyin, Police Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Command, Osogbo, the Police emphasized that the COVID-19 law sensitization exercise will be a joint exercise between Police, Sister Security agencies and Vigilante groups.
The exercise, the statement stated, will be in two phases.

The sensitization phase is set to take-off on 11th February, 2021 till the end of February, 2021 and during this exercise, there will be no arrest of person(s). Thereafter, there will be a review of the level of compliance with the safety protocols. The aim is to educate the public on the need to use their facemasks to contain the spread of the pandemic.

The monitoring team will be stationed at strategic places/junctions like Market places, Motor parks, Schools, Hospital and other public places. Also, the monitoring team will be stationed at Mosques on Friday and Churches on Sundays.

The Commissioner of Police urged members of the public not to panic but to collaborate and cooperate with security agencies deployed for this special assignment to ensure effective compliance.

Obasa, Lagos lawmakers mourn, eulogise late ex-Governor Jakande

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday observed a one-minute silence in honour of a former governor of the state, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, who passed away in the early hours of the day.

At a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, the members also resolved to write a letter of condolence to the family of the deceased.

The House further urged the Federal Government to look into the proposed Metro Line by the Jakande administration which was stopped by the military regime of that period.

Speaker Obasa, who described Jakande’s achievements as inexhaustible, noted that the Lagos State Univeristy, which the former governor established, has produced a lot of successful people in the society.

He also recalled Jakande’s free education and free book policies as well as the his success in the infrastructure sector in the state.

“He crowned his achievements with free education and free books,” Obasa said.

“We can only imagine how many people have become successful after passing through LASU. God gave him the wisdom,” Obasa added.

The representative of Mushin Constituency 1, Nureni Akinsanya, who earlier raised issue on the floor of the House, described the late Jakande as one who achieved a lot for the state.

His position was supported by Hon. Abdulsubur Olayiwola (Mushin 2).

On his part, Hon. Richard Kasunmu (Ikeja 2) said that the deceased scored grade ‘A’ in mentorship and was very visionary.

Kasunmu added that the younger generations are witnesses to the deceased’s infrastructural development adding that this was highly commendable.

“Baba scores ‘A’ in mentorship. He is visionary. We thank the Lord that the younger generations are able to see the infrastructural development done by the late ex-governor. I wish we give him a standing ovation for the departed soul.” Kasunmu said.

For Hon. Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), the deceased was a lover of the poor and he attended to issues with wisdom.

Femi said that Jakande turned around the state with hardwork, adding: “If you look at waste management-incinerating plants in the state are all credited to Lateef Jakande.

“These are things that have made Lagos to be known for what it is today. The ferry service of today can be credited to Baba Jakande.”

Hon. Fatai Oluwa (Ajeromi Ifelodun 2) recalled how the late Jakande wrote a book in honour of Pa Obafemi Awolowo.

He urged the House to send a delegation team to Jakande’s house for condolences.

“He was a journalist. He wrote The Trial of Obafemi Awolowo in 1966. We have all spoken well about the late former governor.

“We are able to see what he had done. I want to implore us all to delegate some members to visit the house of Baba Jakande,” Oluwa said.

Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu (Eti Osa 2) eulogised the late Jakande for developing Lagos.

The Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, also praised the late Jakande adding: “If we could have the opportunity not to die in this world, we could have said the late former governor should not die.

“Papa had done a lot for the state; hence, I express my condolences to the Family, House and the people of lagos state.”