Category: News

Atiku Trails Wike To London, Meets Rivers Gov Amid Tinubu’s Rumoured Link-Up

 

After months of hostility from Nyesom Wike, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has finally met face-to-face with the Rivers State Governor.

Atiku met Wike on Thursday in London amid rumours that the Rivers governor had travelled to the British capital to meet with the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

A photo shared by former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, showed that Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State; Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and Abia State’s Okezie Ikpeazu witnessed Atiku’s reunion with the Rivers Governor.

Atiku and Wike’s relationship had turned frosty over the PDP presidential candidate’s refusal to pick the Rivers Governor as his vice presidential running mate.

Wike, who came second behind Atiku at the presidential primary election, was said to have lobbied for the VP slot. But Atiku settled for Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, against Wike’s wish.

Meanwhile, ahead of his surprise meeting with Wike, Atiku had urged PDP leaders to shun comments that could jeopardise the party’s unity.

“It has become imperative to appeal to all party members, leaders and everyone related to, connected with or associated with the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar to desist from making comments that potentially reduce the optics of PDP’s image as a united political party,” Atiku’s media aide, Paul Ibe, had said in a statement on Thursday.

“This appeal becomes necessary in order to call the attention of party leaders and members to the diversionary antics of the ruling All Progressives Congress which, in manufacturing a false impression of division within the PDP, aims to hoodwink the Nigerian public to overlook the monumental failures of the ruling party.

“Today, Nigerians look up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to lead the charge in ousting the ruling party. This expectation from the people is the reason why the APC is jittery about their impending fall in next year’s general election. It is also the very reason why the ruling party is manipulating the political process to create a sense of division in the PDP.

“Because they know that there is nothing to campaign with from their records of performance in office, the APC has elected to play the role of the devil’s advocate, regaling in celebration of their imaginary invincibility upon a fraudulent claim that the PDP is divided.

“It is for this reason that appeals to every true member of the PDP and anyone who truly wishes the success of the PDP presidential candidate to not fall for the antics of the APC in making statements that could give credence to the false claim of divisions in the PDP.

“All the leaders of the party, including especially the governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Nyesom Wike and all governors of the PDP are united in working for the victory of the PDP in next year’s general election across the board.

“What is at stake in the next year’s election is the future of Nigeria and all leaders and members of the PDP are on the same page in the mission to rescue Nigeria from the stranglehold of the APC,” he said.

Recruitment tussle reloaded as Police service commission accuses IGP of bias, reveals next line of action

 

The Joint Union Congress of the Police Service Commission (PSC) has informed the management of the commission of its proposed indefinite strike over a breach of agreement.

Strike looming: The union stated in the notice that the strike will commence with effect from Monday, August 29, 2022.

This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Joint Service Union, PSC chapter, Mr Adoyi Adoyi, in an interview with The Punch on Thursday, August 25, 2022.

What caused this: The strike action was conceived amid the ongoing disagreement involving the staff of the commission; the Chairman of the Commission, Mr Musiliu SMith; and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba.

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The bone of the disagreement revolves around whose responsibility it’s to recruit, promote, and appoint constables and officers.

The accusation: Adoyi accused the IGP and other police chiefs of conniving with the Chairman of the PSC to supplant the constitutional duty of the commission.

He added that IGP Alkali now unilaterally carries out the functions of the PSC in flagrant disregard of the Nigeria constitution, a verdict of the Appeal Court, and the authorities of the PSC.

Adoyi’s words: “We’re embarking on an indefinite strike from Monday, August 29, to show how discontent with the way the PSC is being run by the chairman of the commission, and the flagrant disregard for the constitution, the court of law, and the PSC by the IGP, Usman Baba.

ALSO READ: We’re In Final Phase Of Campaign Against Insurgency – Buhari Assures
“The duties of the PSC are spelt out in the constitution, but the IGP has disregarded all of that, and has taken over the duties of the commission. He appoints and promotes at will as opposed to what is stated in the constitution.

“According to the constitution, the appointment, promotion, and recruitment of police officers and constables are the prerogative of the PSC, not the IGP.” Continue reading

Chris Okotie Reveals Reason He Failed To Be President Despite God’s Backing

 

The Senior Pastor of the Household of God Church, Chris Okotie, has disclosed the reason he failed three times to become president despite claiming to have heard the directive from God to run for office.
The clergyman explained during an interview with Arise TV on Thursday that failing to win the presidential elections three times do not invalidate the prophecy that he would lead the country.

It would be recalled that Okotie contested the presidency in 2003, 2007, and 2011 but lost all the elections, thereby steering debates about the genuineness of his ministry.

Okotie also noted that God’s prophecies are futuristic and could take years to materialize.

“The thing about this is that it is difficult to communicate spiritual realities to a mind that is not renewed. The language of faith is totally different from that which we have in ordinary parlance,” he said.

“When God speaks to you, he doesn’t speak futuristically, he speaks in the present. God always says I have made you. He told Abraham ‘I have made you the father of nations’ when he didn’t even have a child. So, sometimes when we communicate spiritual information, people misunderstand. Because faith is beyond that which is cognitive.

 

“So, when I make a statement and when people think ‘Oh, well he didn’t win an election’ and they think that it is immediate.”

God’s Prophecies About Moses And Abraham Took Time To Come To Pass
Okotie referred to instances in the Bible where God made promises to Moses and Abraham and it took years before it came to fruition.

He said: “When the Lord sent Moses to Pharaoh, it took several times of going to Pharaoh before Pharaoh capitulated. When the Lord says he’s going to do something, he says it now but it takes time. It took time for Abraham to beget Isaac. So, we need to understand that it took time for the prophecy concerning the rainfall to take place when Noah started telling the people it was going to rain. It took 100 years before it began to rain and the people thought he was crazy. So, many times when we talk about faith, the unbeliever or infidel who doesn’t understand spiritual things runs into a place of confusion.

“But I can assure you that that which has been spoken will definitely come to pass. What I am doing right now is patriotic. I’m trying to evoke nationalistic sentiments at a time when Nigerians need to come together in a cohesive atmosphere where there is love, understanding, and unity. And we have that nationalistic brotherhood that could help us overcome the situation that we face today.”

 

Insecurity: Lagos Speaker Advocates True Federalism, Implementation of Panel Reports

Insecurity: Lagos Speaker Advocates True Federalism, Implementation of Panel Reports

…Says Lagos Government Proactive On Issues Of Security

– Suggests State, Community Policing Systems

Hon. Victor Akande, representative of Speaker Mudashiru Obasa with members of the academic community.

The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, has described Nigeria as a country that desires true federalism as part of the solutions to the nation’s security crisis.

Dr. Obasa stated this on Wednesday at the 2022 National Congress and Scientific Conference of the Nigerian Psychological Association held at the Lagos State University.

The Speaker, who was awarded Honourary Fellow of the academic body, lamented that insecurity had continued despite the federal government’s deployment of financial and other resources to its fight.

He also urged the federal government muster the political will to implement the recommendations of different panels and committees that have investigated immediate and remote causes of insecurity in the country.

Represented by Hon. Victor Akande, chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC, Obasa further advocated for sincere national mediation, negotiation, arbitration, reconciliation, and broad amnesty as modern conflict resolution strategies where necessary.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Security and National Sustainability’, Obasa described Lagos as one of the safest states in the country owing to the proactive efforts of all the tiers of government in the state.

“Here in Lagos State, we’ve taken preventive steps to ensure that law and order do not collapse for no good reason. We established the Neighbourhood Safety Corps because we are aware of the critical need for quick response from local security officers at the grassroots level.

“The state government’s efforts, led by the Neighbourhood Safety Corps and aided by the other security officers on the ground, have made Lagos a secure place to live for everyone.

“There is, however, reason to believe that the federal government would support the same objective by establishing a state police force. Community preventative policing, as opposed to curative policing, is crucial for maintaining national security in light of the current state of affairs. Constant contact between the security agencies and community people is necessary to get the country out of its current situation.

“At the same time, all three tiers of government should work to significantly cut spending on administration, which includes things like defence and domestic security. As one might expect, this is crucial if we want to see progress in the real sectors of the economy,” Obasa said.

The Speaker, while noting that military action and confrontational approach tend to increase violence rather than decrease tension, added: “to rehabilitate all militants who embrace reconciliation, however, we need to place a greater emphasis on the concepts of mediation, negotiation, arbitration, reconciliation, and broad amnesty as modern conflict resolution strategies.

“The principle of true federalism advocated by militants in the Niger Delta and other groups should be adopted because it guarantees genuine political autonomy and the right to control resources.

“In a similar vein, the federal government and other stakeholders in Nigeria’s violent sociopolitical and ethnically based crisis need to muster the political will to carry out the recommendations of the numerous panels and committees set up to investigate the immediate and remote causes of the crisis.”

He attributed insecurity to a number of factors including the country’s inheritance of a faulty security structure and the failure of successive governments to effectively restructure the system.

Beyond impacting knowledge, the Speaker tasked tertiary institutions to be interested in the affairs of the nation as part of their contributions to the sustenance of national progress.

He commended the NPA and LASU for honouring him as he promised to continue to play roles for the advancement of Nigeria.

Earlier in his address, Prof. Olukayode Afolabi, President of NPA, lamented the security situation of the country saying it now affects every facet of Nigeria’s development and forcing investors away.

Among other suggestions, he said there was an urgent need to bring psychologists into the recruitment and development processes of security personnel.

On her part, Prof Adenike Boyo, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics) of LASU who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, expressed hope that the 5-day conference would add value to Nigeria’s development.

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

ICPC Set To Tackle Fraudulent POS Transactions

 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is planning to curb fraudulent transactions carried out through Point Of Service (POS) operations.

The Commission expressed its readiness to help curb fraudulent transactions faced by Point of Sales (POS) vendors and users within the country.

This was made known through the ICPC Chairman, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye (SAN), through Director, Systems Study and Review Department (SSRD) Mr. Abbia Udofia, when members of the Association of Point of Sales (POS) Users in Nigeria (APOSUN) paid an advocacy visit to the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Prof Bolaji commended APOSUN for creating jobs for the youth through the POS business.

He also urged them to organise periodic programmes that would ensure that operators are upright and encouraged to report suspicious transactions.

Speaking further, he advised the association to put in more effort on sensitising members of the public about their activities.

This development is in response to the earlier call made by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of APOSUN, Barrister Ibrahim Abdullahi, seeking for the collaboration of ICPC.

The main aim of the collaboration is to minimise fraudulent activities and suspicious transactions at POS centres in Nigeria, as well as draw from ICPC’s wealth of experience in fighting corruption.

Abdullahi stressed that the association was willing to provide relevant information to ICPC on new techniques and methods of corrupt practices through POS transactions as well as report intended fraud and the perpetrators.

He said the association was determined to ensure a safe environment for POS transactions for users and operators in these challenging times.

He also hoped that its partnership with ICPC would help create a better space for operations in Nigeria.

Deputy Director, SSRD, Mr. Clement Obaniyi, who also spoke during the visit, urged the association to update their database.

According to him, this is to ensure that all operators were registered so as to make fraudulent transactions traceable.

He added that it is also advisable that they extend their collaborations to relevant financial institutions.

This he said would help them rid their operations of fraudulent acts.

 

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: Aso Rock Chapel Won’t Be Shut Down, Tinubu’s Wife Will Be The Pastor – Keyamo

 

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo has again moved to allay the fears and suspicions of Nigerians over the Muslim-Muslim ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking on Tuesday, Keyamo said the presidential candidate of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu already has a multi-religious home and everyone is allowed to freely practice his/her chosen religion.

The Minister added that the APC candidate’s wife, Senator Remi Tinubu is already a pastor, adding that the Aso Rock Chapel will be put to good use and Mrs Tinubu will lead worship in it if her husband emerges President in 2023.

He made the submission during an interview appearance on Channels Television Political Paradigm, where he defended the decision of Tinubu and the APC to stick with a Muslim-Muslim ticket by picking Senator Kashim Shettima as the vice presidential candidate despite the outcry by many Nigerians, particularly Christians against the move.

Keyamo however said the move is a winning strategy and not in any way designed to spite Christians in the country.

He said; “It has nothing to do with unity, it’s just a winning strategy.

“It’s not a spit on the Christians. Muslims are a minority in the south and Asiwaju is Muslim from the south. Some Muslims are a minority in the north.

 

“Like I said, look at Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a person. Look at his record. He was one that returned all the mission schools to them in Lagos when he was governor.

“For the churches, he returned the mission schools to them. He has a multi-religious home. Some of his children are Christians. His wife is a pastor.

“The chapel in the villa will be overly used because the wife automatically will be the pastor, attending that chapel. So the chapel will not be closed down. He will be using it when he is by the grace of God president of this country.”

Naija News reports that Tinubu’s wife is an ordained assistant pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).

 

ZENITH BANK ADVANCES WITH STRONG DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN GROSS EARNINGS IN H1 2022

ZENITH BANK ADVANCES WITH STRONG DOUBLE-DIGIT GROWTH IN GROSS EARNINGS IN H1 2022

In a clear demonstration of its industry leadership and consistency in providing superior financial returns, Zenith Bank Plc has announced its audited results for the half-year ended 30 June 2022, recording an astounding double-digit growth of 17% in gross earnings from N346 billion reported in H1 2021 to N405 billion in H1 2022.  This is in spite of a very challenging macroeconomic environment.

According to the bank’s audited half-year financial results presented to the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Tuesday, 23rd August 2022, this growth was underpinned by a 19% YoY growth in interest income from NGN204 billion to NGN242 billion and an 18% YoY growth in non-interest income from NGN127 billion to NGN149 billion. The growth in interest income was driven by the modest increase in the loan book and improved interest margins. The increase in non-interest income attests to the Group’s success in its income diversification strategy.

Profit before tax (PBT) grew 11% year-on-year (YoY) from NGN117 billion to NGN130 billion. Earnings per share (EPS) also grew from NGN3.38 to NGN3.55 over the same 6-month period.

The Group also recorded an 11% year-to-date (YtD) increase in total customer deposits to close the period at NGN7.15 trillion. The retail strategy of the Group continues to deliver outstanding results as retail deposits grew by 17% YtD from NGN1.82 trillion to NGN2.13 trillion. Retail activities also supported the growth recorded in fees on electronic products which grew by 45% YoY from NGN17 billion to NGN25 billion.

Despite the elevated yield environment, the cost of funds increased only marginally from 1.3% in June 2021 to 1.4% in June 2022. The increase in the cost of funds was lower than the increase in yields on interest-generating assets, giving rise to an improved Net Interest Margin (NIM) of 7.1% from 6.4% in June 2021.

Total assets rose to NGN10.12 trillion at the end of June 2022 from NGN9.45 trillion at the end of December 2021. Despite the headwinds imposed by the operating environment, the Group grew its risk assets as gross loans grew by 5% YtD, from NGN3.5 trillion to NGN3.7 trillion. This was achieved at a moderate NPL ratio of 4.4% (FYE 2021: 4.2%) and cost of risk of 1.4% (June 2021: 1.3%). Prudential ratios such as liquidity and capital adequacy also remained stable and well-above regulatory thresholds at 60.5% and 21.0% respectively.

The Group is focused on advancing its digital banking strategy anchored on a strong technology base, and intends to consolidate on the gains achieved in prior years across all business segments. Combined with the Group’s industry leadership, we expect this to drive improved performance and deliver enhanced returns to stakeholders.

Zenith Bank’s track record of excellent performance has continued to earn the brand numerous awards, including being recognised as Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022 in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, by the Ethical Boardroom; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.  Also, the Bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and Retail Bank of the year at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BOFI) Awards 2020 and 2021.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was honoured as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020 and emerged winner in four categories at the Sustainability, Enterprise, and Responsibility (SERAS) Awards 2021, carting home the awards for “Best Company in Reporting and Transparency”, “Best Company in Infrastructure Development”, “Best Company in Gender Equality and Women Empowerment”, and the coveted “Most Responsible Organisation in Africa.

Nigerian Celebrities Who Joined Shettima’s Challenge

 

Some Nigerian celebrities joined the #ShettimaChallenge alongside other Nigerians on the micro blogging platform, Twitter.
The challenge was triggered by the outfit worn by the All Progressive Congress, vice presidential candidate, Kashim Shettima to the Nigerian Bar Association conference in Lagos on Monday, August 22.

Young Nigerians decided to create a trend called #ShettimaChallenge with images of several of them, donning various sizes of suit with a red tie, and pairs of gym shoes across Nigerian twitter to mock the APC chieftain over his outfit.

Amongst the celebrities who joined the challenge is, Nollywood actress, Toni Tones.

The actress, like others, donned an oversized coat with a long red tie whilst posturing like the VP.

 

Another celebrity who joined the challenge is, Nigerian singer, Charles Oputa aka Charly Boy.

The controversial singer cum activist joined the challenge on Tuesday, with a photo of himself on social media wearing a similar outfit.

Captioning the photo, he wrote: “Nothing my pikins no go make me do. I was ordered by one of my Area children to do the Shettima Challenge. Wahala for person wey no get tye Even though my shoe no show, but I try naah. Wetin u think?”

Nothing my pikins no go make me do.

I was ordered by one of my Area children to do the Shettima Challenge.

Even though my shoe no show, but I try naah.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: CREATIVE PROPHET ISRAEL OGUNDIPE’S SON, WINNER MAKES EXPLOITS

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON: CREATIVE PROPHET ISRAEL OGUNDIPE’S SON, WINNER MAKES EXPLOITS

News making the rounds confirmed, Winner Ogundipe, the son of Prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe of Genesis Global,is currently smiling to the banks. This is owing to the fact that, the promising young man has learnt to have diversify like his father.

In a recent release by the media aide to Prophet Israel, Oluwaseun Fabiyi, he revealed that, the promising young man is making waves, in an online business networking he delved into.

Aside his football career,Winner is said to have been scooping home at least Sixty Thousand Naira (N60,000) daily, from the business.

Without mincing words, Oluwaseun Fabiyi the media aide to his Dad, prophet Israel Oladele Ogundipe aka Genesis Global emphasized that, Winner has been a goal-getter right from his tender age. He added that, the young man in his unrelenting nature;had aspired to be a footballer. He said,In adhering to his father’s several teachings on hard work and diligence, Winner felt football only; might not put food on his table or allow him to actualize his other dreams,he therefore promptly delved into online networking,for self reliance and actualisation.

In the same vein, prophet Israel has maintained that,his son’s many exploits are not accidental, rather,they are because of his own resolve to adhere to biblical injunction which says; ” train up a child in the way he should go,and when he’s old, he shall not depart from it.”. He explained further that, for a child to give his parents rest on every side, financially,such a child must be shown the ways of Godliness and hard work.

While Winner’s age mates and contemporaries are busy indulging in fraudulent activities and unnecessarily lavishing their parents’ resources and affluence, he has chosen not to be intimidated,but to follow the path of his father’s footsteps, and there’s no gainsaying that, he is a greater version of Prophet Genesis.

Since Winner is never tired of diversifying, one can only watch out for his next breakthrough.

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