Ramadan fasting month was relatively made easy for many in Lagos because Seyi and Layal Tinubu founded Noella Foundation in partnership with Bolajoko Fadipe owned Food Clique and BUA group are doing a wonderful job. The team is helping in no small way the their collaboration which has gone a long way in reducing the impact of the hardship in town on those fasting by lessening the burden of looking for what to break with on faithfuls by providing free daily Iftar meals (the evening meal with which Muslims end daily Ramadan fast at sunset) at selected locations across the State.
The idea which was announced by Noella Foundation in partnership with Food Clique at the beginning of the fast was later supported by Abdul-Samad Rabiu owned BUA Group is currently at the last count feeding over 6,000 faithful who are likely to have been finding it difficult to conveniently provide both Sahur (the meal consumed daily early in the morning by Muslims before fasting, during the Islamic month of Ramadan. The meal is eaten before fajr prayer) and Iftar because of the effect of COVID-19 forced lockdown on individuals’ economy.
At the moment processed daily Iftar meals being distributed by the team is in excess of 6,000 in different locations across Lagos State. This is also not stopping the continuous distribution of the COVID-19 Emergency FoodBox Initiative support which is to give palliatives to those who are finding it difficult during the Corona Virus forced lockdown and are still not on the list of essential service providers the later partial lockdown opening order of the government granted right to go back to work. They have till date been able to give more than 700,000 meals to more than 23,000 persons across the State.
It is also important to know that Noella Foundation’s relationship with Food Clique has been dated back to late 2018 when the Bolajoko Fadipe owned NGO won Seyi Tinubu’s Christmas Cash Prize giveaway for their effort towards eradicating hunger and they has since then work together on several activities long before their recent one on the Covid-19 ordered lockdown which has increased the numbers of residents of Lagos State exposed to the pang of hunger. The team had worked and likely still working together on the monthly community kitchen project. The idea which will see their team visit various communities in Lagos State every last Saturday of the month to erect a their kitchen where they feeds the needy in the area good, sumptuous and nutritious food in hygiene and clean environments.
The daily Iftar meal project is however a month specialized project aimed to cushion the effect of the economic hardship caused by the outbreak of the pandemic on the fasting faithful during this Ramadan period and it is currently restricted to people in Èbúté Mẹtta, Oshodi, Surulere, Awoyokun community of Onipanu, Onikoyi Road Ikoyi, and Parkview, with the possibility of extending it to other areas before the fasting ends.
Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief when the president recently partially lifted the lockdown placed on activities in the country over the outbreak of the pandemic Corona Virus. Little did the government know that this may likely end up exposing Nigerians more to the dreaded disease by the reckless decision of an organization that should know more like the Guaranty Trust Bank.
It is however disappointing how GTBank, an organization that is probably the first amongst the private sector to contribute towards the treatment of the Covid-19 disease with their construction and equipping of a one hundred and ten (110) bed isolation center, which was handed over to the Lagos State government with a further donation to the Federal government to expectedly fight the spread will be involved in an action that is probably going to see more Nigerians getting infected than stop the spread.
The bank’s decision to however expose their customers to the virus with their decision to restrict the numbers of branches they will be opening when the government decided to ease the lockdown is like giving silent approval for the spread of the virus they are also campaigning against at the same time.
Pictures and videos revealed that the bank did not think through about their decision to open very limited branches. Though they made sure the number of customers entering the banking hall is few but the population of their customers waiting outside the banking hall would have seen to it that the effort to reduce customers inside the banking hall to maintain social distancing has little or no impact in checkmating the spread.
Information made available by the bank on their social media shows it was a management decision to make sure it is only eleven (11) branches of the bank that is made operational in the whole of Lagos while Abuja only has four (4) branches active and this we gathered led to the mammoth crowd of customers that besieged the active branches.
Though the number of working branches has since been increased but pictures and videos shows the irresponsible decision is having the capacity to have exposed many of their customers to the virus and thereby increasing the spread of the disease Nigerians are trying so hard to reduce.
Pictures & Videos of GTBank Social Irresponsibility below;
Nigerian Pastor TB Joshua has revealed his position regarding asking for monetary offerings through his popular Christian television channel Emmanuel TV.
Although Joshua was not physically present during the broadcast of Sunday 3rd Mary 2020, his ministers responded to a question posed by a viewer about how the cleric raises funds as he is never heard preaching on the subject of tithes and offerings.
The cleric described giving offerings as “Scriptural” but emphasised that people should give as “God prompts their conscience”.
“They may not be many but people of conscience are giving – I mean, the right people are giving genuinely, for the salvation of their soul—and their giving is blessed of God,” he conceded.
“Wrong people have to be reminded many times before they can give because it is not from their heart,” he explained, clarifying that wrong people referred to “dubious” or “corrupt” individuals who “who got their money, their things from the wrong source.”
He elucidated that such people would give “to be seen, to be heard and to be praised here”, adding that if they later hit hard times, they would often write letters to the church reminding them of the money they had previously given.
He described that such people misguidedly felt their offerings were a form of “bargaining with God to get what they want” or a way of manipulating Him “to give approval to their selfish motives.”
“Giving is like serving. Both should be done with joy – without being reminded, because you don’t need to be reminded to do that which gives you joy,” he continued, adding that believers should ask for the Holy Spirit’s help in giving, receiving and asking.
“The force behind the money given determines the kind of money it is,” Joshua thoughtfully expanded. “When we inherit stolen wealth, we would live under a stolen future, thereby mortgaging our future. Remember, what comes from God goes to Him.”
The cleric stated he was “very careful” when it came to receiving offerings from congregants. “If I receive something from you, the source and the manner you give will determine whether it’s a blessing or a curse that I receive from you,” he posited.
Relating the question to the current situation in which churches have been shut worldwide due to the coronavirus pandemic, Joshua explained such a period “demands conscience”.
“If you give something from your heart, it will bless you that gives it and also bless the person or ministry that receives it,” the cleric concluded in the interactive program, citing Apostle Paul’s admonishment in 2 Corinthians to give as “each one proposes in his heart, not grudgingly, for God loves a cheerful giver”.
Joshua has gained a reputation for not focusing on money during his sermons, asking for offerings during his broadcasts or selling merchandise during his large overseas crusades.
With nearly 1.7 million YouTube subscribers, he is also one of the platform’s largest users who doesn’t monetise his videos with the placement of third-party advertisements.
During the global lockdown, his ministry has engaged in extensive humanitarian programs, assisting vulnerable citizens most affected by the economic impact of the crisis in nations spanning Europe, Africa, South America and USA.
There are different types of givers, some only give when there is excess and in other to avoid wastage they will give it out to those in need, some gives once in a while out of what they have with the believe that God will repay them one way or the other, while some are compulsive givers, and these set gives almost every time not minding their own economy. It will be right to say Seyi Tinubu, the Executive Chairman of Loatsad Promomedia and his regular partner are in this category since their actions has distinguished them as ceaseless givers.
Ramadan is a special period for the Muslim faithful to fast, and this year’s process would have been bleak for many owning to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria that has led to government imposed lockdown to stop the spread of the disease, a situation that has led to the emergency shut-down of the country’s economy and this has exposed the needy in Lagos State to untold hardship in provision of food for families.
In other to reduce the burden and make sure the Ramadan is observed by families in the lower cadre of economy, Seyi and Layal Tinubu founded Noella Foundation decided to be providing free daily Iftar (Iftar is the evening meal with which Muslims end daily Ramadan fast at sunset) for Muslims at designated locations within the State. This is in addition to the COVID-19 Emergency FoodBox Initiative which is ongoing to give palliatives to those who are finding it difficult during the Corona Virus forced lockdown, where more than 600,000 meals has been given to more than 20,000 persons across the State.
The young, energetic and enterprising man who through the Noella Foundation has been working in partnership Bolajoko Fadipe owned Food Clique to feed and give food to poor people in the State during this trying times, is never short of the will power to give back to the society even when he’s not getting or expecting any physical benefit than the happiness of the people back in returns.
Oba Dr. Frederick Obateru Akinrutan, (Okoro Ajiga 1), the paramount ruler and prescribed authority, the Olugbo of Ugbo Land has sent his condolence message to President Buhari, over the death of his Chief of Staff; Mallam Abba Kyari who was buried last week.
In the condolence letter, on behalf of the good people of Ugbo kingdom, Ilaje, Ondo State, Kabiyesi extolled the life and times of the deceased; stating he is an asset that will be greatly missed in the President Buhari’s administration. He further sent condolence to the immediate family of the deceased as he prayed for Allah’s guidance and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
Heritage Bank Plc has joined the world to commemorate the 2020 World Malaria Day, amid fears that paying much emphasis on the novel Coronavirus Pandemic could reinforce progress on the mosquito-borne disease, especially in Africa.
The theme of the World Malaria Day 2020, is entitled, “Zero Malaria Starts with Me,” which is a grassroots campaign, first launched in Senegal in 2014.
In canvassing for fight against the malaria scourge and calling on all stakeholders to take proactive action in renewing their focus on eliminating malaria by 2030 as targeted by World Health Organisation, the MD/CEO of the bank, Ifie Sekibo said that zero malaria starts with every one of us working together for a more prosperous and healthy future for all.
Mr Ifie Sekibo
This call is coming against the backdrop of the global rise in malaria cases with the recent warning by WHO that the number of deaths caused by malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa could double to 769,000 this year, as efforts to curb the disease are disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to WHO, in 2018, there were 213 million malaria cases and 360,000 related deaths in the African region, accounting for over 90 per cent of global cases. The WHO said if the focus on slowing the spread of the new virus leads to a reduction by three quarters of access to anti-malaria medicines, deaths could double to 769,000.
“Countries across the region have a critical window of opportunity to minimise disruptions in malaria prevention and treatment and save lives at this stage of the COVID-19 outbreak,” the WHO said in a statement. It further alarmed that the doubling of the number of deaths represents the worst case scenario, which also assumes the suspension of all distribution of treated mosquito nets due to the pandemic.
However, Sekibo stated that malaria in Nigeria and Africa as a whole has been an unceasing prevalence and dilemma for communities, posing a challenge that has made eradication seem almost impossible.
In his call for collaboration to eliminate the disease in various society, Sekibo emphasized that to attain the global targets on malaria and the goals of Nigeria’s national malaria tactical plan would only be feasible through greater investment and expanded coverage of core tools to prevent, diagnose and treat malaria.
Sekibo stated that as part of the bank drive to support the fight against malaria, Heritage Bank proposes to focus on how malaria makes people susceptible to the present pandemic (COVID-19) in the world, whilst sensitizating the public on its social media platforms on COVID-19 as it relates to malaria. He further hinted that the overly concerns of exposure to COVID-19, as malaria and the virus have some symptoms in common which includes fever, headache and body pain, hence measures normally taken for malaria interventions have been suspended, which leaves vulnerable population (pregnant women and children) at a greater risk of contracting it. Sekibo stressed that early detection of malaria and proper management will reduce the mortality risk associated with COVID-19, whilst noting that community sensitization and mobilization around the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of malaria is of great importance.
FirstBank mourns as we confirm the loss of our staff, Abdullahi Lawal who until his passing worked at our Kano Main Branch.
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time as we do all that is necessary to support them. We ask that all necessary courtesies be extended to the family so they can grieve privately.
As a responsible corporate organization, FirstBank has been at the fore-front of the concerted efforts against the coronavirus pandemic alongside others.
We have robust protocols in place including practicing social distancing, frequently disinfecting our buildings and locations even whilst ensuring services are available through our alternative channels such as our ATMs and other digital platforms.
We have immediately therefore, shut down access to the premises as we disinfect the entire location and ask all staff and customers who may have been in contact with our late colleague to follow the NCDC guidelines and self-isolate. We will, as a matter of course, extend all possible support to staff and customers at this difficult time.
Our thoughts are with the family he left behind and indeed with the wider FirstBank family who mourn this loss deeply at this time.
We remain committed to protecting the health and safety of all staff, customers and host communities, as together the fight against coronavirus will be won.
The attention of Olugbo’s palace has been drawn to a false publication making the round on the media space fuelled by Adebanjo Mafimisebi; published by Sahara reporter against His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan, the Olugbo of Ugbo, Ilaje, Ondo State.
HRM. Dr. FEO Akinruntan CON, the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom
It is pertinent to note that; Kabiyesi Oba (Dr) FEO Akinruntan CON, the Olugbo of the Ugbo Kingdom, who is the chairman of Ondo State Council of Obas and chairman of the Yoruba Obas Conflict Resolution Council, is a promoter and lover of peace, it is very disheartening for anyone to link Kabiyesi to such absurdity. Every claim made in the said publication was targeted to rub the reputation Kabiyesi has built over the years in the mud.
Kabiyesi condemned in totality and entirety the attack on his people. He said; “I have urged all relevant security agencies to investigate deeply. Anyone found culpable during the process of investigation must be charged to court and be allowed face the wrath of the law. I was also briefed that the prime suspect, who shot the gun has been apprehended by security agency.”
For over eleven years on the throne as King, Kabiyesi has maintained peace and tranquility within the kingdom. As a father and guardian, ordering an attack on resident of his community as falsely reported should be discarded. Moreover, the said house was not occupied by any of the victims and not even a private residence or palace of the deposed Olugbo Adebanjo Mafimisebi, former Olugbo who was deposed on the order of Nigeria’s apex court; Supreme Court in 2007.
Setting the records stright; the said residence is an ancestral home/residence of any reigning and incumbent Olugbo of Ugboland, where necessary traditional rites are performed. Ever since Kabiyesi Oba (Dr.) Obateru Akinruntan ascended the throne in 2009, he has been performing his traditional rites in the said residence. Recently, Kabiyesi used the ancestral home/ residence as the venue for the distribution of food items and cash worth millions of naira as palliatives to the sons and daughters of Ugboland as a result of lockdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the said residence has been in existence long before the short reign of the deposed monarch. How then can this same residence be claimed to have been owned and occupied by the deposed monarch?
It is worthy to note that Kabiyesi has been using his wide network and influence to further concentrate on the development of Ugboland for more development and modernization. “It is important to let you know that the people of Ugboland are at home with the monarch and cannot be painted as being at war with his subjects as falsely claimed. He is always at peace with his people. Kabiyesi has warned that nobody will be allowed to cause breakdown of law and order in the Ugbo Kingdom, most especially, during this critical time. Kabiyesi urges sons and daughters of Ugbo to continue supporting the Kingdom and the government to ensure peace and development in the land.” Olugbo-in-Council disclosed.
Heritage Bank Plc has disclosed that the safety and wellbeing of its customers and employees are amongst the most pressing business needs, as the world grapple with the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic on human lives, businesses and economies.
In view of this development, the MD/CEO of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo in his message to customers, explained that the bank has adapted to the changing environment swiftly to offer more seamless services that is usable and accessible without interruption.
According to him, the bank adopted a systemic business continuity management strategy, as a crisis response measures in place to minimise and manage the risk arising from the disease and ensure that the payment infrastructure and logistics to maintain seamless operations are readily available.
Mr Ifie Sekibo
He stated that despite the cessation movement by the Federal Government to contain the spread, “Heritage Bank remains resolute to continually serve you seamlessly despite prohibitions imposed on physical contact through our bouquet of electronic products which have been made available on notable mobile stores and our website (www.hbng.com).
Sekibo, who reiterated that Heritage Bank is people focused, noted that a percentage of its workforce work from the business offices to carryout duties which cannot be executed remotely, whilst others work remotely from home for safety.
He further stated that efforts were ongoing via the bank’s intranet and other channels to keep staff and customers up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 information and provide clear direction and guidance expected of workers and customers.
“All Heritage Bank staff have been trained in safety and protection measures and I will make it a responsibility that our organization continues to practice goof hygiene, through frequent hand washing, use of sanitizers, and practicing social distancing during and beyond the pandemic.
“We have setup a COVID-19 Support Centre to offer COVID-19 safety tips to all our customers during this period, in support of the efforts of the Government and relevant bodies. Please send any information relating to the COVID-19 pandemic via these channels: E-mail: HeritageBankCovid19Support@hbng.com and contact number: 01-2369099,” the bank’s helmsman stated.
Sekibo, who said, “we are in this together,” noted that the world are inspired by the selfless health workers on the frontlines; whilst commending them for their self-sacrificing and bravery in the fight to contain the spread of the virus to keep the world safe and inhabitable.
Meanwhile, the MD, who expressed his heartfelt wish for full recovery of those affected directly or indirectly by the virus, stated, “it is my supreme hope that the global halt comes to an end and that its cause, the virus, is vanquished sooner than later. I know that when this happens, we will rise from it all, stronger, as we started together.”
It was a bloody Thursday for the family members of Kuje Amuwo Orofin a community at Whitesand, between Festac and Amuwo Odofin as popular Mushin elder statesman who has since relocated to Isheri-Oshun, Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi popularly known as Alado has been fingered in breach of public peace.
It was a big shock to many people when investigated and discovered that the whole attack was masterminded by Alado, a Chieftain of APC in Mushin and who always preach against violence each time there is election.
Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi (Alado)
The whole saga started on Thursday March 19, 2020, investigation revealed that over 50 hoodlums attacked members of Kuje Amuwo Orofin’s family, the members are: Monsuru Akande, Surveyor Bayo Benson (Whose security details was seriously wounded and attacked) , Alhaji Akande’s Vehicles windscreen was broken and vandalised, his Techno LA 7 Phone was forcefully taken and confiscated by the hoodlums who are said to be from Alado.
The sad part of the scenario or what can be termed as Alado’s boys reign of terror is that they killed two of the boys working for Kuje’s family on the land, the boys are Oluwoyo Debo (a labourer) his dead body was taken to Festac Police station, we gathered that he had multiple deep machete cuts.
The other person who was unlucky in the hands of death was Daniel Chibuzor, a recharge card seller , he was severally stabbed, taken to Ikoyi hospital where he later gave up the ghost.
This menace was properly monitored by Alhaji Taoreed Farounbi ‘Alado’ , Segun Akinde (A.k.a Segun Echo), Ayokunle Fakiyesi, Ikechukwu (a.ka Ik), a police officer Inspector Nureni Agoro, Musiliu Idowu, Inspector Adewale Olopa from SARS among others.
According to investigation conducted in the neighborhood they confirmed to us that they have to run for cover because the attack was much on the Kuje’s family.
Who is Taoreed Farounbi on the land ?
According to our investigation, we gathered that Fagbile Isheri-Oshun employed the service Alhaji Taoreed Farombi also known as Alado as their agent on the land.
It will be worthy or constructive to also mention that there had in the past been misgivings and allegation of trespass unto the land between Kuje Amuwo royal family and Fagbile Isheri-Oshun.
Cause of Attack
According to investigation and a report by Vanguard Crime Guard, The Cable and Daily Independent, we gathered that the attack was as a result of a misunderstanding between two families from Amuwo Odofin and Isheri –Oshun, over land boundary.
We also learned that those attacked were invited to Whitesand on the pretext of a peace meeting on the disputed boundary, only to meet the unexpected.
Narrating what transpired that fateful day, head of the Kuje Amuwo Royal family, Chief Ligali Suabu Hassan, said, “For some time now, we have been having issues with the Fagbile family in Isheri Oshun over boundary issues on our land but we have never experienced anything like what happened on Thursday.
“We have our surveyor and they have their surveyor too but they hired an agent to be selling the land for them.
“The two families met and agreed to invite a neutral surveyor, who has a vast knowledge of the boundaries of all the communities in Amuwo-Odofin, Isheri Oshun and other parts.
“Before the agreed date for the boundary resolution, we wrote a letter to the police at FESTAC division to give us policemen who would serve as witnesses.
“When our people got there, they saw policemen and soldiers around and they felt assured that there wouldn’t be any problem.”
“But to our surprise, there were hoodlums there too and before our people could think of what to do, the hoodlums descended on them and began to use different weapons on them, right in the presence of the policeman who accompanied our surveyor to the site.
“A member of the family who escaped death by the whiskers, Alhaji Monsuru Akande, said ‘despite the fact that I told them that I had come to buy land there, they kept attacking me with charms and machetes’.
“There were over 50 hoodlums, soldiers and policemen around, who watched them unleash mayhem on us.
“We went there in two vehicles and were expecting policemen whom we had earlier written letter to, to join us when the hoodlums approached our vehicles and ordered us to come down.
“I told the driver to wind up all the glasses in the vehicle but they showed us guns which were carefully tucked under their shirts. Others came out from where they were hiding and there was nothing we could do.
“I told the driver to escape but they caught up with us and descended on us. We ran into different directions but they still caught up with us.”
Police delay
“To my surprise, the same policemen who were watching us from a distance still came to pick those of us who were injured, to Isheri Oshun police station, instead of taking us to the hospital. Policemen from Alagbon came to pick us from Isheri Oshun, to their command.
“It was when they saw the degree of injuries on Daniel and Debo, that they allowed them to be taken to the hospital. But first, they took them to FESTAC police station for medical report before they were taken to the hospital.
“Unfortunately, Debo died later that day while Daniel died on Saturday”.
Call on IGP
Determined to get justice for those killed, Counsel to the Kuje Amuwo family, Bayo Omoniyi in a petition to the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Mohammed, dated March 19, 2020 demanded an investigation to be carried out to know why there was no response from the Police in spite of previous report on the attack.
Part of the letter read: “Recall that we had recently cried out over the menace of armed bandit attacks, which had become a recurring decimal in the area and sought the deployment of armed personnel to ensure safety of lives and property in the area in respect of which your office has graciously approved the deployment of mobile policemen to secure the area”.
Some alleged principal actors in the attack were mentioned in the letter, with a call to the IGP to investigate their culpability.
We are not responsible
But a member of the Fagbile clan who spoke to Crime Guard on the condition of anonymity, said his party did not have a hand in the attack.
Though he admitted there was supposed to be a meeting between both parties that day, he maintained that “we were preparing to come when we heard that some hoodlums were attacking some persons there. Perhaps we were their targets”.
All the letters written shown below;
Police arrest two
Meanwhile, Lagos State Police Command said it had begun investigation into the attack with a view to bringing the perpetrators to book.
Already, two persons, according to the command spokesman, DSP Elkana Bala, had been arrested in connection with the attack.
He said, “There was an attack on some people but the police at FESTAC division was only contacted when there was an issue and they quickly deployed officers to the scene.
“Two injured persons were rescued and were rushed to the hospital by the police. One of them died that day and the other died later. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the attack and investigations are ongoing.
Two persons, whose names the police in Lagos would not disclose yet, are being detained at the Homicide section of the State Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department (SCIID), Yaba, over the murder of two persons in a land dispute between two families in Amuwo-Odofin and Isheri Oshun communities in the state. The slain men, Oluwoyo Debo and Daniel Chibuzor, were hacked to death penultimate Friday by some thugs allegedly contracted by some unknown persons during a peace meeting said to have been called to settle the dispute. It was gathered that five other persons sustained injuries during the meeting. SCIID detectives were understood to have begun a manhunt for other fleeing members of the gang of hoodlums that invaded the venue of the meeting.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident and the death of the two persons. Elkana said policemen at the FESTAC Town Division responded to a distress call that hoodlums were invading the venue of a peace meeting. “The Division quickly deployed officers to the scene. The officers rescued two injured persons, who they rushed to the hospital. One of them died that day and the other died later. “Two persons have been arrested in connection with the attack and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
