Category: News

Zedcrest Group Celebrates Customer Service Week

…Rewards Customers and Staff

New-age financial solutions powerhouse, Zedcrest Group celebrated the 2020 Customer Service Week with series of customer reward and staff recognition activities as a show of appreciation for their unalloyed loyalty to the group.

According the company, it decided to celebrate the theme of this year’s Customer Service Week – ‘Dream Team’ in line with Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary as the strength of Zedcrest Group lies in the diversity of her people who share  common aspirations for a better Nigeria.

In a statement issued to journalists at the company’s head office in Lagos, Group Managing Director of Zedcrest, Mr. Adedayo Amzat said “joining the global community in commemorating Customer Service Week has become a cherished tradition for Zedcrest Group, as it provides the company with an invaluable opportunity to specially thank its esteemed customers for the privilege of being their preferred financial solutions partner”.

“As a Group, we are building inter-connected financial solutions across Africa.   We are demonstrating the beauty of our diversity through a show of our culture during this year’s event”, he said.

“Our people are the key drivers of our success. Even though, all our employees come from diverse backgrounds, we share a few aspirations in common: a hunger for exploration, willingness to challenge conventional thinking and desire to provide one-of-a-kind financial solutions to our clients. This is a special week we are also using to appreciate our staff for their contributions to our vision of being a leading African investment firm with enviable track record in building wealth across the productive sectors of the economy.

 

“For our customers, we have series of engaging activities lined up for them across all our social media platforms (Zedcrest Capital, Zedvance Finance, Zimvest & Zedcap Partners). All our customers and even prospects stand a chance to win lots of mouth-watering prizes throughout the week.

“For our staff, we have different dress code for each day in celebration of our culture and we have also designed other activities such as customer experience training, games, treasure hunt, trivia and reward and recognition awards for them”, he explained.

This year’s Customer Service Week holds from October 5 – 9, 2020 across the world. The theme for this year – Dream Team – is colorfully illustrated in a red, blue, and gold logo and is imprinted on a wide-range of exclusive decorations, gifts, rewards, stress relievers, puzzles, handouts, and more for use during the Week. The theme reflects the importance of teamwork in providing outstanding service to all customers.

ERA/FoEN Trustees Disown Godwin Ojo

…No longer a member of organisation

The Board of Trustees and Governing Board of the Environmental Rights Development Foundation (ERDF)/Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria have learnt of a purported General Assembly called on October 7, 2020 by recently disengaged executive director of ERA/FoEN, Dr. Godwin Uyi Ojo in Benin City.

The Board would not have considered the illegal convening worth being given any attention but for the stakeholders of ERA/FoEN who might be scandalized if the Board remains silent.

To put the records straight, Godwin Uyi Ojo was removed from the Trusteeship of the ERA/FoEN in 2015 following allegations of gross misconduct and actions inimical to peace and progress of the organisation.

Similarly, the Board had on October 3, 2020 held an Emergency meeting where the decision to relieve Godwin Ojo of his appointment as executive director was taken. The decision followed the report of an independent evaluation of the organisation commissioned by the Board. The evaluation concluded that: “The current ED who is by nature of the position ultimately responsible for the day to day functioning of the organization and staff management appears to be out of his depth, lacking both leadership and management sufficient to the task”. 

Members of the Board who signed Ojo’s Ouster are Nnimmo Bassey, Dr. Ike Okonta, Dr. Joe-Okei Odumakin, Professor Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara, Akinbode Oluwafemi and Daphne Wysham.

Instead of abiding by the decision of the Board, Ojo has been involving himself in illegalities including the purported General Assembly Meeting where he brought together faceless civil society groups.

The Board uses this medium to restate that Ojo is no longer a member of ERA/FoEN and does not in any way represent the organisation in any capacity. The public should take note.

Dr Ike Okonta

Secretary, BOT

Press Release: ERA/FoEN Gets Acting Executive Director

The Board of Trustees of the Environmental Rights Development Foundation (ERDF) has announced the appointment of Chima Williams Esq as Acting Executive Director of Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) following the disengagement of Godwin Uyi Ojo’s executive directorship effective from 3rd October 2020.

The Board took the decision at an emergency meeting held on October 3, 2020. Chima William’s appointment takes effect from October 5, 2020.

In a statement by the Board Chairman of ERDF, Nnimmo Bassey, “the Board appreciates the work that the former executive director did while in the organization and wishes him well in his future endeavors. We remain hopeful and excited for the next chapter of ERA/FoEN”.

Until his appointment, Chima Williams was Head of Legal Resources/Democracy Outreach of ERA/FoEN.  Williams is a consummate legislative and policy change advocate who believes in globally enforceable environmental and human rights standards by all business operators to ensure respect for the environmental and human rights of local communities.

A lawyer, Williams is President, Green Alliance Nigeria and is in his second term as an Editorial Board Member of Business and Human Rights Journal published by Cambridge University Press, London. He is Country Focal Person and Regional Chairman, Publicity Committee of Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa, among other positions he holds.

Williams has utilized campaigns, advocacy, mobilization, policy and legislative interventions and litigation at both national and trans-national spheres to contribute towards the protection of citizens’ rights, especially against the destructive practices of the extractive industry.

He was the Nigerian Lawyer to the Ikebiri Kingdom in their case against the Multi-National Oil Company ENI/NAOC in Milan, Italy where the King of Ikebiri Community is suing NAOC-ENI for environmental disaster in his community. The case was settled out of Court with the Ikebiri people gaining enormous benefits from the company.

He is currently involved in monitoring the implementation of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Complaint Process following the successful outcome in the complaint of Egbema Voice of Freedom & 2 Others Vs. ENI/NAOC in Aggah Community of Rivers State. This process involves the removal of perennial flooding occurrences that have ravaged the community for over 40 years.

He is the Principal Partner of CHIMA WILLIAMS & ASSOCIATES – a Nigerian Law Firm. He is a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria with over 19 years of litigation experience in the areas of human/environmental rights, livelihoods protection/defence, land rights, property rights, criminal and civil litigations.

Akinbode Oluwafemi

Secretary,

ERDF Board

STATEMENT BY CAPTAIN (DR) IDAHOSA WELLS OKUNBO

My attention has been drawn to a rash of social media posts concerning my health and the inhuman manner in which it is being orchestrated to look as if it was as a result of the outcome of the September 19, 2020 Edo State Governorship election in which I publicly supported Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

It is evidently ungodly for people to gloat over the fact that I am not feeling well.  God does not approve of such disposition and those who engage in that pastime are only mocking and playing God.

I have never claimed to be a superhuman being.  I do not deny the fact that I am not well.  I am outside the country for my medicals, which were delayed because of the lockdown occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic.

After a series of tests, my doctors confirmed that I have some health issues.

It is, therefore, ill-advised and inhuman for those who are not comfortable with the position I took in the Edo election to joyfully circulate in the social media that I have health issues and that I have slid into coma. Well, I leave them all to God.

I am over 60 years.  I thank God who gave me the gift of life, an opportunity to live a good life, the grace to build a legacy of achievements and, most importantly, a good name, which is better than silver and gold.

I hold dearly to heart the words of the scriptures that there is a time to be born; and a time to die.  But what is most important in life is what I have done with my life.  And, this applies to every mortal being.

Edo election, which is the reason they are doing this, has come and gone.  Those who are opposed to me for taking a position in the election, which they won, should leave me alone and get busy with their life.

I have moved on with life. I advise them to do the same instead of dwelling in the past. Nevertheless, I wish them well in all they do.

God is on His throne and to Him be all glory, honour and adoration.

Captain (Dr) Idahosa Wells Okunbo, JP
Tuesday, October 6, 2020

LAGOS CP, ODUMOSU READ RIOT-ACT TO INDISCIPLINE OFFICERS…VOWS TO JAIL ERRING POLICE

Odumosu Hakeen, Lagos Commissioner of Police has gone tough on prevailing indiscipline amongst officers under his command.

The Lagos Commissioner’s renewed vow to stamp out indiscipline follows public outcry over seeming unethical operational modes amongst officers. The development had prompted Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu’s directive on strict compliance to ethical standards.

The IGP’s directive was contained in a press statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba. In the statement, IG frowns at officers’ disobedience to the rules of engagements in some units.

In compliance with the IG’s directive, Odumosu, on Sunday, through a statement by Superintendent Olumuyiwa Adejobi vows to arrest erring officers. “Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has vowed to arrest, dismiss and prosecute any erring police officers and men who disobey the directives in Lagos State.”

According to Adejobi, the Commissioner of Police re-echoed the IGP’s directive in his Ikeja office on Sunday 4th October, 2020. In the statement, Odumosu ordered his monitoring teams to go after, arrest and prosecute any personnel of police tactical squads, including Federal Special Anti Robbery Squad(FSARS), SARS, Special Tactical Squad (STS), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Anti Kidnapping, Anti Cultism, or Anti Robbery teams or under any nomenclature from Lagos command or any formations within Lagos State, engaging in Stop and Search and any other low-risk operations like patrol; and operating on mufti, against the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.

CP Hakeem Odumosu reinstated that any police officer who wants to embark on patrol, Stop and Search, checking of information etc must be on official police uniform with identification cards conspicuously hanged on his or her chest.

He further ordered that the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers in Lagos State must discourage and kick against the use of commercial buses or unbranded vehicles for such operations, except on surveillance or decoy, which must be approved personally by the Commisioner of Police.
The police chief also vowed to hold any Area commander and Divisional Police Officer where police harassment, brutality or extortion occurs, vicariously accountable and shall accordingly be disciplined.

While encouraging members of the public to report any ugly and unprofessional conducts of the police to the command via the Public Complaint Bureau phone digits: 09057597931, 09010512350, 09010512348 and 09090003792, he affirmed his commitment to sanitize policing system in Lagos Command and achieve people-oriented Nigeria Police Force in Nigeria.

Kano Police arrest mother for hacking her 2 children to death

The police command in Kano State has arrested a 26-year-old woman, Hauwa Habibu, for allegedly killing her two children at Diso Quarters in Gwale LGA of the state.

The command spokesman, DSP Abdullahi Haruna, stated this in a statement sent to National Association of Security Reporters (NAOSRE).

He said, “The Kano State Police Command under the leadership of CP Habu A. Sani, psc wishes to inform the general public that on the 03/10/2020 at about 1130hrs, information received revealed that one Hauwa’u Habibu ‘f’ 26 years old of Diso Quarters, Gwale LGA, Kano State attacked and killed her two biological children by name Irfan Ibrahim ‘m’ 6 years oldand Zuhura Ibrahim ‘f’ 3 years old and wounded one Aisha Sadiq ‘f’ 10 years old, her nephew of the same address, and fled to unknown destination.”

Haruna said that on receiving the information, men of the Kano Police force led by SP Nasiru Gusau, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Gwale Division were sent to the scene and found the victims stabbed.

On preliminary investigations, the suspect confessed to have locked up their dwelling house, used machete and aluminium made pestle to attack the three helpless children, causing severe injuries on different parts of their bodies where the quick intervention of the Police saved Aisha to live and give the horrific story.

He affirmed that the first two victims were rushed to the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano and were confirmed dead by doctors on duty.

The third victim, Aisha Sadiq identified as her nephew was rushed to the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital, Kano for treatment.

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Habu Ahmad, has ordered the case to be transferred to the Homicide Section, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for discrete investigation.

Extortion: NAOSRE Commends Lagos CP For Prompt Response

The National Association of Security Reporters (NAOSRE) has commended the Lagos State Commissioner for Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu for coming to the people’s aid by rolling out complaint phone numbers in order to allow people lodge complaints against police harassment, brutality and extortion.

In a statement in Lagos, signed by its Acting President Favour Benson, the group said the step was a vindication of the Lagos CP as a purposeful leader that believes more in action than getting involved in rhetoric.

“We commend CP Hakeem Odumosu for charging and checkmating units in the command, including provost, X-Squad, CP Monitoring Team and Public Complaint Bureau (PCB), to wake up to their duties and responsibilities as officers,” it added.

NAOSRE called on other media agencies and platforms to put more effort in publicising the phone numbers, help the Nigeria Police Force, especially the citizens considering the efforts of the Lagos State Command of the NPF.

According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi,, the numbers to contact at the command (Public Complaint Bureau) against police unethical behaviors are: 09057597931 (WhatsApp), 09010512350 (OC PCB), 09010512348 and 09090003792, adding that Odumosu has restated his zero tolerance for unethical and inhuman conducts by police officers.

In the same vein, Two operatives of the FSARS and their civilian accomplice operating in Lagos State, Inspector Sale James, Inspector Monday Uchiola and Okechukwu Ogbonna, have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command, for acts of professional misconduct including extortion and intimidation of innocent citizens.

Favour Benson onbehalf of NAOSRE passed a vote of confidence on the Lagos State Command for impounding and disciplinary procedure against the defaulters, according to police source.

National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE celebrates Nigeria @ 60, tasks Buhari on security challenges

Worried by the unending attacks on military personnel who are saddled with the responsibilities of providing security for Nigerians, the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to retool his security strategies for safer Nigeria.

Speaking at its monthly meeting in Lagos on Thursday, October 1, the association’s Acting President, Favour Benson said, “We congratulate Nigerians on the 60th Independence anniversary of our country. But much as we feel obligated to do so, it must be stated that the daily impact of terrorism and insecurity on economic development in Nigeria is worrisome. NAOSRE condemns the recent attack on Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State who was on a mission to move Internally Displaced People to their ancestral homes. We also condemn the endless attacks on our military personnel by insurgents. We therefore call on President Muhammadu Buhari to re evaluate his security strategies in a manner that will guarantee safety and security to citizens” Benson said.

The Acting President however reaffirmed NAOSRE’s commitment to providing medium for citizen’s enlightenment on co operation with security operatives including duties and obligation.

“NAOSRE as an association is alive to its responsibility in providing the needed media campaigns and supports for military operations in Nigeria. You can always count on us,” she promised.

Signed
Favour Benson {Mrs}
Acting President
NAOSRE

Heritage Bank joins in celebration of Nigeria @60

…Rewards Nigerians for “National Pledge” pidgin recitation

Heritage bank Plc, Nigeria’s Most Innovative Banking Service provider joins the nation to celebrate Nigeria’s 60th independence anniversary.

In a bid to commemorate the independence and inculcate patriotic spirit in the citizens on the importance to reflect on the past, what led them here and the bright future that awaits Nigerians, Heritage Bank has rolled out couple of activities in achieving this feat.

The bank slated an online competition for customers to make videos recitation of them presenting the “National Pledge” in Pidgin English and the four best videos will be rewarded with total cash prize of N1million. Also, staff of the bank was not left out in the celebration; they are expected to recite the pledge in all their different units and Experience Centres, doing it in front of the national flag, whilst they wear clothes with touch of green to office for certain period of time.

In a statement confirming the significance of reciting the National Pledge in Pidgin English and the need to reward loyalty to the country, the Divisional Head, Corporate Communications, Fela Ibidapo affirmed that as a bank that places much importance and value on our national heritage, “we want to remind Nigerians of their loyalty and commitment to the nation; thereby imbibe the patriotic spirit in citizens that despite the challenges, it has been 60years of dignity and pride as individuals, who together, make up this great country called Nigeria.”

According to him, reciting the National Pledge in pidgin language will help invoke in every individual their national pride of love, devotion and sense of attachment to our fathers’ land and alliance with every citizen who share same sentiment. This attachment could be combination of different feelings relating to the country in terms of socio-cultural, ethnic, political and historical interests.

He reiterated, “We are not just excited, but we are also reflecting on what our commitment as individuals has been to our great country Nigeria. Looking inwards at our journey over the last 60years, we believe as an institution that this is the best time to reflect on the National Pledge and what it means to us as a Nation.

To this end, Heritage Bank is championing the movement to keep our commitment as a nation by reciting the National Pledge.”

 He further explained, “In a bid to achieve this, we require Nigerians, including customers and non-customers to make one-minute videos for cash rewards, whilst staff to make a one-minute video of their teams reciting the National Pledge in either English language or any of the Nigerian languages.”

FG Prioritises Security in Railway Transport Sector, Introduces Scanners

With the inauguration of the Warri Itakpe rail station in Agbor, Delta State, due in a few days, President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Transport, Honorable Rotimi Chibuke Amaechi have prioritised the security of passengers and others with the introduction of top notch security baggage scanners in railway transportation across the country.

The Warri Itakpe station, connecting Kogi, Edo and Delta States, has been slated for inauguration on Tuesday, September 29, in fulfillment of the promises of the administration to deliver on some of its big projects in infrastructure before the end of the year.

To complement the initiative, the Nigerian Railway has successfully installed world class security baggage scanners with super high speed electronic digital passenger screening point and notification sign across the railway station IDU terminal and more.

Identified as the first of its kind with a unique design technology worldwide, the ASNL TB 100/100 has the capacity to scan through baggage and luggage at same speed, processing and breaking down all contents packed at the fastest advanced inbuilt technology.

These scanners also have inbuilt display detection system for safety and suspected dangerous substance.

Also, its high-speed detection system is at five seconds per luggage with video image CT of detecting objects for analysing and tracing, assisted by an easy wheel for movement with programmed lock for and against vandals.

With this development, it is safe to say the authorities in the transportation ministry have made the safety of Nigerians in the railway system as important to the government.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Eng. Fidet Ohikira, while praising President Buhari and Amaechi for making the initiative come through, has encouraged Nigerians to be patient so they could see more of the transformation already taking place in the railway sector of the economy.

According to him, “We will not stop until all the railway stations are fully equipped with security gadgets. Our passengers are of great value. We want to ensure lives and properties are safe, while not forgetting the great boost this brings to our economy through interstate transport logistics.”

On his part, the CEO of Advonics Group Ltd, the company overseeing the project, Mr. Emmanuel Egboh, said, “It’s my desire and joy to see this project come to life, while ensuring that the safety needs of the people are inline with the requisite security measures that are fully in place.”

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