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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

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 13^th 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

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.

Illegal Sales of Polaris Bank May Further Destroy the Image of APC Group tells Buhari

A civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, not to allow plot to sell a Commercial Bank (Polaris Bank) has reported in a section of the media.

A news platform had reported that the CBN had allegedly proceeded with the secret sale of the distressed bank.

The group said if the Commercial Bank is sold it will not only compound the harsh economy Nigerians were going through but negatively affect the electoral fortune of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023 general elections.

Although the management of Polaris Bank Limited had debunked reports, describing it as a “fake news report”, urging the public to disregard it.

The Bank through a statement described the report as speculative and deliberately intended to create panic.

But a statement of caution released by Tuesday in Abuja by the national coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticised the alleged lack of transparency and the shadiness in the reported sale of Polaris Bank allegedly by the CBN.

While calling on the President to avoid negative effect of such move against the APC, HURIWA said: “President Buhari should stop the illegal sale of the bank immediately. The CBN governor has apparently been misinforming the President to approve ridiculous sales just as he wrongly advised the President to approve the sale Exoon Mobil to Seplat and the attendant bank and forth.

“Recall that Emefiele was also allegedly fingered in the ridiculous sale of 104-year-old Union Bank by two-year-old Titan Trust Bank. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission should have probed the CBN governor over this allegation which is contrary to Sections 9 and 11 of the CBN ACT 2007 but as usual, the former presidential aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, is an untouchable cabinet member of President Muhammadu Buhari.

“The CBN should be stopped from allegedly selling off banks in the country to cronies and friends as end-of-tenure benefits.”

The statement also called on the apex bank to issue a statement statement on the position of the bank on the matter in order to douse tension among the customers and stakeholders of the Bank.

According to HURIWA, “It is concerning that the so-called sale lacks transparency and is shrouded in so much darkness as no due diligence was not carried out, no tender, no advertisement to create public awareness, nothing, just some kangaroo and arrangee sale.

“To be exact, selling a bank which over N1.2 trillion was used to rescue at an alleged N40 billion is highly ridiculous and scandalous.”

How Kwankwaso’s Camp Dared Shekarau For Control Of NNPP

The camps of two former governors of Kano State, Ibrahim Shekarau and Rabiu Kwankwaso have apparently thrown the New Nigeria People’s Party into crisis.

Kwankwaso, who apparently has the upper hand in the contest to control the party’s machinery, appear not to feel disturbed about threats to decamp by the Shekarau camp.

Kwankwaso had said through his spokesperson, Ladipo Johnson, that whatever Shekarau intends to do will not affect NNPP’s chances come 2023 general elections.

On Monday, Shekarau told his supporters in Kano that Kwankwaso failed to honor his agreement with him implying that he would quit the NNPP as a result.

He said, “All the agreements we had with him were betrayed by Kwankwaso and his boys and they did not accommodate one single person from my camp.

“We reached an agreement to accommodate my supporters into various elective positions in the party, but until now, the committee set up could not accommodate one single person apart from the senatorial slot given to me.

“I will never be a party to injustice. My integrity is utmost and not any political position that will make me compromise it and that of my people. Nobody will use position or money against my integrity.”

Meanwhile, prior to Shekarau’s outburst, Johnson appeared on Arise News Night on August 18 explaining what Shekarau wanted , which to him, was practically impossible.

“Senator Kwankwaso and the NNPP have not failed to keep any promises.

“When the Shekarau camp came, they came at a time whereby primaries and other things had virtually been over and it’s not easy when you have other people who have paid for their nomination forms, who have followed due process, it’s not an arbitrary thing , you cannot just simply tell them oh, you are stepping down,” Johnson said.

He opined that Shekarau had the right to leave the NNPP, adding that it’s what democracy is all about.

He said,”We in the NNPP, revere and are happy to have Senator Shekarau with us , the decision is left to him and his people. The NNPP is not in crisis, we are building blocks, if unfortunately one seems to go out , others are coming in on daily basis round the country.”

He added that NNPP has its path to political victory irrespective of who leaves.

Davido Meets Wike, Seyi Makinde, Ortom, Ikpeazu In Paris

Nigerian award-winning singer David Adeleke, popularly called Davido, has met with some Governors of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Paris, France.
Naija News reports that photos of the ‘If’ crooner alongside Governor Nyesom Wike, Seyi Makinde, Okezie Ikpazu and Samuel Ortom emerged online on Monday night, 22nd August.

However, the exact date of the meeting with the politicians and musician was not made known.

In one of the photos, they were captured having a dinner and it is uncertain if the meeting was a coincidence or something that has to do with the 2023 election.

Davido’s uncle, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was recently elected Osun State Governor on the platform of the PDP and it might be difficult for him to openly back the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, like other youths.

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