Nigerian music star, Tiwa Savage, has revealed that she attempted to kill herself twice.
Tiwa Savage in a Black Box interview with media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, on Monday, said the incident happened while studying in London.
The ‘Koroba’ crooner said she almost took her own life due to bullying she received as a black kid in London.
She narrated that her strong Nigerian accent was mocked by her classmates and she had to get a Police escort.
“I moved to London with my mum at age 10. I was teased so badly. They used to call me ‘African girl’, ‘Foo foo’, ‘Your food smells’ and so on. It was terrible. It was so bad that I literally tried to kill myself two times. I was really depressed.
“I was really bullied; they will flush my head down the toilet during lunch break. I had to have a police escort me sometimes because after school they would rush me on the bus.
“These were gangs of girls, it was really bad. I wanted to bleach to be lighter and was growing my hair. The bullying went on for three to four years.”
Last week will go down as one of the most challenging weeks, if not the most challenging, Nigeria has faced in 2020. What started out weeks before as very well-organised peaceful protests by young Nigerians campaigning to #EndSARS, was supplanted by hoodlums engaging in wanton looting, arson and destruction of public and private properties across many states at an unprecedented scale. By the end of the week, many lives had been lost, many properties and businesses completely destroyed and Nigeria has been left reeling from a shock that dwarfs any the country felt even at the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak.
In keeping with the Nigerian spirit of being one’s brother’s keeper, equally unprecedented efforts by individuals, groups and corporate organisations to try to provide assistance for people and businesses affected by the crises of the past week, have followed. Individuals and groups have announced donations of cash and materials, set up helplines to offer psychological counselling and support, and started online crowd-funding efforts in support of victims. Among corporate organisations, we have seen banks take a leading role. Some banks, such as Access Bank and Stanbic IBTC, have announced funds or desks they have set up to receive requests from, and process assistance for, affected individuals and businesses. One of these banks’ efforts include pledged interest-free loans and grants that affected businesses and individuals can access.
Another bank has seen thousands of requests for assistance pour in through the online channel it set up for the purpose. The requests have flowed in, not only because of the victims’ desperation for help, but also because of the humane approach to banking that this institution adopts. Always putting the customer at the heart of its business, FirstBank has been showing empathy with all those who have experienced one loss or the other as a result of the crises. Since last week, the bank has been seeking every opportunity to identify with people who are currently grieving and hurting.
Although the largest and most prominent member of Nigeria’s leading financial powerhouse, the FBNHoldings Group that is a one-stop shop for financial services ranging from commercial and investment banking to financial advisory, insurance brokerage and pensions custodianship, FirstBank is neither immune nor removed from the challenges people face. It is a human institution with thousands of humans working as employees to provide bespoke banking products and services to millions of other humans whose pulse the bank feels through its employees. Being part of a group with expertise across the broad spectrum of financial services, makes FirstBank the banking partner with the broadest shoulders to assist SMEs buffeted by the wave of violence witnessed across the nation last week.
Given the interconnectivity between Nigeria and FirstBank’s history, it is no surprise that a tumultuous week in Nigeria is giving way to one with stories of hope and optimism by Nigerians badly affected by the crises of the past week, who are looking to FirstBank for assistance. These Nigerians have been encouraged by the strides FirstBank has made over the years in the SME space as the bank of first choice for small businesses. Built around seven strategic pillars – of connect to infrastructure, connect to talent, capacity building, policy and regulation, connect to resources, connect to market as well as connect to finance – considered essential for the sustainability and growth of SMEs and intended to promote a healthy business interaction and adaptability of the SMEs with their immediate environment, FirstBank’s involvement with SMEs, through SMEConnect (the bank’s branded bouquet of empowerment initiatives, products and services tailor-made for SMEs), has been one that has sought to facilitate their growth into future economic powerhouses playing ever-increasing roles in Nigeria’s economic development.
Since its maiden SME National Conference in 2014, FirstBank has annually engaged small businesses and SME owners in series of empowerment seminars and workshops designed to improve their business capacity. Only this year, FirstBank held its inaugural SME Business Clinic in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja with many SMEs in attendance. The SME Business Clinic featured Abayomi Adewumi, CEO of the Global Leadership Institute and an industry expert and business growth consultant with vast experience working with SMEs. He engaged participants on the FirstBank SME diagnostic tool designed for SMEs to check the health of their business, better understand it and drive profitability.
In 2019, FirstBank organised a weeklong SME event which had owners of SMEs in different sectors mentored across multiple states in the country. It was the first of its kind in the industry. Organised in partnership with SME Traction, a leading business coaching platform, it was aimed at empowering SMEs to make informed choices about their businesses, thereby facilitating growth and bolstering their contribution to the development of the economy. At the event, FirstBank’s Deputy Managing Director, Gbenga Shobo, underlined the importance the bank attaches to SMEs. He said: “At FirstBank, we recognise the impact SMEs have in promoting growth of the economy and are excited at the opportunity to continue to enable them prosper by strategically contributing to the sustainability of their business. We remain the trusted financial partner of SMEs and reiterate our resolve to be known as the brand that enables their success; much the same way that we have for over 125 years enabled Nigerians and the economy at large.”
This same point was elaborated at another FirstBank SME event, “Food Souk”, convened in 2019 in partnership with Eventful Limited, an events management firm, where the bank restated its commitment to the Federal Government’s diversification drive, promising to continue to support the agricultural value chain from production to consumption to create opportunities for SMEs in the food sector so they could in turn create job opportunities. The bank also extended its hand of partnership to all small businesses involved in organising different trade fairs and exhibitions. A food vendor at the event, Ms Ijeoma Ebeneme, the Chief Executive Officer, JEM N Iris, commended FirstBank for putting the event together. Ebeneme said she was at the food fair to make profit, meet new clients as well as create the needed publicity for her brand. It is for people like Ebeneme that FirstBank maintains an SME website (https://smeconnect.firstbanknigeria.com) with rich resources to help SMEs build capacity and improve how they run their business. On the website is a blog featuring business articles and tips, SME business toolkit, SME products, Microsoft 365 Business Basic and a whole lot more.
In support of owners of SMEs operating in the education sector, FirstBank, in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), set up a matching fund scheme of ₦5 billion LSETF-FirstEdu Loan. Officially launched in September by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State and Dr Adesola Adeduntan, Managing Director/CEO of FirstBank, the scheme aims to cushion the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on low-cost private schools by ensuring lending at an attractive interest rate. Speaking at the launch, Dr Adeduntan said: “At FirstBank we recognise the indelible role played by the education sector in the growth of any economy and this underscores our partnership with Lagos State Government for continuous development of the education services in Lagos State and the nation as a whole. The commitment by the Lagos State Government – including this partnership – to enable schools is quite commendable as this will mitigate the challenges caused by the lockdown on the education sector following the COVID-19 pandemic.”
It is for efforts like all those highlighted above and many more that the 2019 edition of KPMG’s Annual Banking Industry customer Satisfaction Survey named FirstBank as the biggest mover in the SME space. The 2014 edition of the Survey had named the bank as the most popular bank among MSMEs for both deposit transactions and credit/loan facilities with 26 per cent of the SMEs surveyed identifying the bank as one where they had an ongoing loan facility or had obtained one in the recent past. It is also for the same reason that the unfortunate events of the last week have reignited the bond between Nigerians and FirstBank, a partner that they can bank on in times of need. The bank’s track record leaves no one in any doubt of its unwavering commitment to continue to weather all storms with Nigeria and Nigerian SMEs with whom it shares a common destiny.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, today Sunday 1st November, 2020, visited some police formations and vehicles that were burnt by the hoodlums during the recent EndSARS unrest in the State.
The stations/formations visited included Ebutte Ero, Makinde, Layeni, Ilasamaja, defunct SARS Office at Ajegunle, Amukoko, Orile, Defunct Anti Kidnapping Unit, Surulere, Onipanu, Alade, Pen Cinema, Isokoko, Igando and Ikotun.
The inspection was initiated to embark on on-the-spot assessment and having first hand information about the burnt stations/formations and vehicles, both official and personal, across the state; and put in place strategies of returning policemen to the affected stations for routine police duties with a view to providing adequate security for lives and property of the people in the communities where the hoodlums wrecked havocs.
The Lagos CP reiterated that despite the trauma and challenges the policemen in the command experienced, the police will leave no stone unturned in maintaining law and order and projecting public safety within the state, particularly, during the ember months which is usually characterized by security challenges.
The Commissioner of Police was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, DCP Mohammed Ali, Area Commanders Area F, ACP Ali Zongo, Area B, ACP Soji Akinbayo, Area C, ACP Fatai Tijani, Area G, ACP Ibrahim Zungura, Area M, Ifaeyin Ohuruzor, Officer In-chrage of the State Intelligence Bureau and some affected Divisional Police Officers.
During the tour of inspection, CP Hakeem Odumosu ordered that the Divisional Police Officers and men attached to the burnt stations return back to their duties since the government as well as some concerned communities have provided temporary office accommodations pending the general reconstruction of the burnt stations across the state. He said “wherever there is temporarily office accommodation, take over and continue your duties”.
The Police Chief, emphatically, reassured the general public of adequate visibility policing and regular patrols across the length and breadth of Lagos State to curtail any security challenges in the state. Similarly, the Commissioner of Police encouraged members of the public to relate with the police and support them to discharge thier duties as expected.
SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
IKEJA.
This is inform the general public that the Directorate of Army Physical Training (DAPT) is set for a 2 days Officers Training Conference from 2- 4 November 2020. The Conference with the theme” – Repositioning the Nigerian Army Physical Training Corps through Effective Training in Support of the Nigerian Army Operations and Excellence in Sports” will take place at Ogundeko Hall, Nigerian Military School Zaria by 8:00am daily. The Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai is expected to be the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion.
The Conference is aimed at exploring options for repositioning the DAPT to meet contemporary fitness challenges in the Nigerian Army in support of the Nigerian Army’s operations and exercises. The occasion will witness series of lectures which will be delivered by seasoned academicians and professionals.
Consequently, invited members of the public are welcomed, please.
Colonel SAGIR MUSA
Acting Director Army Public Relations
The long-awaited Nollywood movie “SON OF MERCY” sets to hit the cinema in December 2020 after much anticipation. The buzz that followed the forthcoming premiere of the movie explains a lot about the thrills and suspense that the long-awaited movie will entail.
The good book had stated ‘I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy’ but how can you explain Efe, a young man growing up, scared of poverty, stole his father’s pension money to travel abroad and was duped along the way, he must not return home except he makes it. This is not your regular prodigal son story.
Son of Mercy portrays the desperation of the regular African youths who are tired of the usual comfort zone and seek a better life that the economy and polity of the country evidently will not offer. It’s a must-watch for all youths and parents.
The cast of the movie also captures the direction of the message in the project. The producer MOSCO IMOBHIO ensures the cast for every role reflects the true face and feel of the people’s perception and look. Mosco Imobhio is an International based Entrepreneur, Producer, Founder of Mosco Imobhio Foundation and CEO St.Moscomee LTD
The movie feature Alex Ekubo, Linda Osifo and Kevin Ikeduba and many more. Award-winning cinematographer Amen Imasuen directed the movie and going by the cast and production team, the flick is totally different from the norm as put together by St Moscomee limited Production and Kada film Entertainment.
Come 2nd November 2020 by 11 am all roads shall lead to Kada cinema in Benin City, Edo State, where the movie will be previewed by major players in the media.
This is surely not the best of times for Maureen Badejo who has consistently fabricated lies against Dr. D.K Olukoya led Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries. Just like we have been updating you from the beginning, with our scrupulous investigation and ear to the ground on MUAREEN BADEJO’s issues with MFM ministries and the General overseer, Dr. D.K. Olukoya, on her Social media escapades, all her gimmicks, lies, fabrications, drama’s to gain followers and make money from her live streams are finally grooming to an unpleasant end.
Continuing with her lies for a few days now, she has stated that she had won the case filed against her by MFM on some of her latest YouTube and Facebook streams, but like you know her as the mother of lies and deceit, she is nowhere close to that. As a matter of fact, we believe her troubles are just about to start.
Maureen took more than she can chew this time, and we will advise that those of you donating money to her course should wise up and see her for the scammer that she truly is. Maureen Badejo has since August 20, 2020 been consistently broadcasting video programs maligning Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries and her General Overseer – Dr. Olukoya.
Rather than be provoked, the Man of God and the Church have been patiently engaging her legally while she has always boasted that she could only be sued in the UK. We have very reliable scoop that after protracted efforts at pre-action engagement by the Church’s Solicitors in London were scorned by Maureen, she has finally gotten what she had been screaming for – A LEGAL ACTION IN THE UK!.
Although ALL THE LEGAL PAPERS WERE SERVED TO HER IN GOOD TIME as confirmed by the court, Maureen has FILED HER FIRST STATEMENT IN THE CASE BEFORE THE QUEEN’S BENCH DIVISION OF THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE IN LONDON, in which SHE CLAIMED SHE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME AND COULD NOT GET A LAWYER TO HELP HER. This is someone claiming to have won a case!
Based on the need to give her a fair opportunity to engage a counsel, THE JUDGE ADJOURNED THE CASE TO A LATER DATE. MFM and Dr. Olukoya, by taking the matter to court have not only shown THAT THEY HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE but have also afforded Maureen Badejo an opportunity to either prove all her scandalous statements against the Church and the Man of God or face the legal consequences of Social Media grand standing.
Meanwhile, three other suits are pending against her in Austria by Pastor Kayode whom she claimed committed Fraud in the United States, Violation of Logo, an authorized usage of the Trademark and Copyright materials and in Nigeria for Libel. We will keep you informed of developments as they occur.
The National Association of Online Security Reporters (NAOSRE) has felicitated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, the Police Service Commission, PSC, Ministry of Police Affairs, MPA, on the selection of Catherine Ugorji, a Nigerian and Chief Superintendent of Police for an award as the 2020 UN Woman Police Officer of the Year.
Mr Femi Oyewale, National President of NAOSRE on behalf of the association commended the global organisation Under-Secretary General for Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UN Police Advisor, Luis Carrilho for attesting to the excellent behaviour of the Nigerian trained Police Officer.
Oyewale stressed that despite youths’ dissatisfaction in a unit of the Nigeria Police Force which resulted to the EndSARS protests, Nigerians have something to be proud of.
“This is gratifying, to say the least. Catherine Ugorji has registered Nigeria’s name in gold in global police space. As an association, we have always believed that with the right tools, officers of the Nigeria Police Force are capable.
“Apparently, she has demonstrated the breadth and depth of women’s contributions to nation building worldwide and underscores the essential role women play in advancing policing.
“This is partly the reason NAOSRE has been unrelenting in giving unbiased media supports to the Nigeria Police Force as a modest contribution to boosting their morale.
“As an association, NAOSRE will be steadfast on the part of truth by apportioning blames when necessary and commending when it is right to do so.
“However, we call on President Buhari, IGP, Police Service Commission and the National Assembly to consider upward review of the Nigeria Police 2021 budget in a manner that it can accommodate most of its essential needs for diligent policing of the country,” Oyewale requested.
CSP Catherine Ugorji is among the 1,300 UN policewomen deployed in UN peacekeeping operations serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).
She is also among the 21 officers nominated for the award and has been selected by the United Nations as one of the two runners-up for the prestigious UN award.
The UN is expected to announce the winner of the 2020 award before the end of the year. Ugorji was said to have joined the NPF in 2003 and served as Criminal Investigator from the local to regional level, Child Protection Officer, Divisional Crime Officer up to Acting Deputy Commander of the Ogudu Police Division in Lagos.
While we are mourning our departed comrades and strategizing on how to make sure their effort will never be in vain it will be wise to open our eyes so that those who have their own sinister agenda will not be playing on our emotions to use us to fight their perceived enemies.
I have listen to and read the recent outburst of former military Governor of Ondo State who is also a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George, who is tapping into the recent happenings to attract cheap publicity and try to resuscitate his moribund political voice.
There is a popular saying that “he who comes into equity must come with clean hands”. This and many more is the reason I have decided to list some of the things he ignored in the struggle before his diatribe on his perceived enemy and to this we will appreciate answers to the following burning questions;
• Where is Bode George when the protest lasted for 2 weeks and he did not make a sound about it?
• Why has he not condemned the decision of the President a fellow General who chose not to talk to us when we are demanding it?
• Why is he not condemning the military’s use of live ammunition around helpless protesters or is it an issue of once a military always a military?
• Why is he showing little or no concern about the lost lives?
• Is it true you made “Eko e ree” a term that means ‘you’ve been dupe’, popular in Ondo State when you empty their treasury as their military Governor between 1988 to 1990?
It is sacrilegious for Bode George who was a major part of the ruling PDP for 16 years to now jump on the train of numerous of the Nigerian youths he has over the years turned blind eye to their plight to campaign against that has made sure he’s not close to showing the good people of Lagos the hoodoo that comes with his administration of things.
Desmond Elliot, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, apologised and allegedly broke down in tears on live TV for addressing #EndSARS protesters as “Children.”
The lawmaker disclosed this in a statement he issued via his Twitter handle and on a live TV interview on Thursday.
Elliot explained that he was carried away by his emotions, which was the reason he used such a word to describe the protesters on the floor of the house.
He tweeted, “I have read your honest feedback& suggestions& [sic] I sincerely apologize for addressing the youths as ‘Children.’
“I did not mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction&looting [sic] of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency.
“I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damages inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House.
“I allowed my emotions get the better of me and for this I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt.”
1. I have read your honest feedback& suggestions& I sincerely apologize for addressing the youth as “Children”
I did not mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction&looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency
— Desmond Elliot (@DesmondOElliot) October 29, 2020
The lawmaker, who is also a film maker, in his submission at the House on Thursday, allegedly pushed for the passing of a social media regulation bill.
His controversial statement received lots of criticisms, as many Nigerian youths attacked him for referring to youths as “children” and for also pushing for the regulation of social media.
The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, on Thursday in Lagos, elected Mr. Oyewale Femi as its new President.
Femi, an experienced journalist who is the publisher–Editor-in-Chief of Sahara Weekly and Sahara TV, is to preside over the association’s affairs in the next two years.
In his acceptance speech, the new President thanked the electoral body, NAOSREC, for conducting a hitch free election. He also thanked the former executives led by Mrs Favour Benson, Board of Trustees and members for the unprecedented confidence reposed in him through their votes, promising “Not to disappoint.”
In reference to the poignant #EndSARS protests that upturned and unbalanced the country’s security bearings, Oyewale called for redoubled media efforts in the promotion of peace and harmony in Nigeria.
“Understandably, NAOSRE members must prepare to undertake the stressful yet inexorable push to enthrone balanced security reportage for a better and secured Nigeria.”
Continuing, he admonished members“ To always stand on the path of truth and avoid illogical assertions capable of twisting the wheels of secured nation.
“I, therefore, call on members for more dedication. Let us strive to make NAOSRE the association to beat as well as set the pace for security reportage in Nigeria,” he requested.
Earlier in her remarks, the association’s former President, Favour Benson, thanked members for their cooperation during her tenure. She however sued for unity and commitment to attain NAOSRE’s objectives.
Ugbechie Francis, an Information Technology expert who observed the election described it as free, fair and credible.
“From what I see today, NAOSRE’s credibility is not in doubt. Members are full of enthusiasm to take frontline roles in security reportage not only in Nigeria but across the Continent,” he stated.
Those who emerged as elected executive members are Mrs. Love Ikuku Oyedokun, Vice President, Dayo Bamgbala, Secretary, Mrs. Azuh Lilian, Financial Secretary, Gbenga Shaba, Registrar.
Others are Adetogun Olakunle, Treasurer, Edwin Usoboh, Provost and Abiona Adenike, Welfare.
The newly elected executives include Abayomi Obatinuadeyo, Online Director and Idumonza Isidahomhen, Public Relations Officer.
