The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Millions

  • Photographer loses cash, items worth millions to robbers

    One of the photographers of the 2015 Akinwumi Ambode Campaign Organisation, Niyi Adeniran, has relived how he was robbed of N200,000 cash and items worth millions of Naira, at his 18, Adeleke Street, Magboro, last April 14.

    Adeniran, a Digital Photography Executive with Chain Reactions Nigeria, said the robbers went away with valuables including a Canon camera 1000D, 2 Canon 70D, Canon 5D Mark3, 70-300mm Canon lens, 25-300mm Canon lens, Canon lens 18-135mm, a hard drive containing all his archive storage of 2TB Seagate, 1TB of Seagate and 2TB of Transcend hard drives.

    He listed other items stolen to include an iPad, Windows phone, Infinix, one mini HP laptop, a normal size HP laptop and N200,000 meant for his children’s school fees.

    Adeniran’s wife, Funmilayo, said the family left home around 7am on April 14 but returned home to see the house scattered and all valuables gone.

    “We all left home around 7am that day; my husband and I left home for work, our children were dropped off in school. It was when I got back home later that day that I discovered the burglary; I saw that everywhere had been ransacked; I was scared, so I rushed out of the house with my children to inform neighbours of what I noticed. They followed me back to our house and I called my husband to inform him about the incident.

    “He was also shocked but told me to call the Estate Security which I did. They came to see what had happened and my husband later reported the case at Ibafo Police Station when he got back from work. I have never experienced something like this in my life; this incident has affected my husband; he is worried about how to care for his family now that all the tools of his trade have been stolen.”

    Adeniran, who is yet to get over the incident, said he is grateful to God that the robbers did not injure anybody.

    “I cannot imagine what would have happened if anyone was at home when the incident happened. I thank God that nobody was hurt, but it is still a bitter experience for some unknown persons to enter my house and steal all my valuables. It is painful and I pray God’s mercy and protection will always be over my family.”

     

  • Task force destroys Indian hemp, drugs worth millions

    •115 held in Mushin, Fadeyi raids

    The Lagos State Environmental Sanitation and Special Offences Unit (Task Force) has destroyed weeds suspected to be Indian hemp worth millions of naira at the Olusosun Dump Site.

    The task force Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Superintendent of Police (SP), burnt the illegal drugs, including codeine, Indian hemp and others.

    A statement by the task force said Magistrate Tosin Ojuromi gave the order on Friday following the prosecution of 36 miscreants and hoodlums arrested during a fracas between Alamutu and Akala-Elegba boys at Idi-oro, Mushin, Lagos.

    Egbeyemi, it said, led his men to arrest another 115 miscreants including two women during an over-night operation around Fadeyi, Akala and Idi-oro between 1:30am and 6am on Friday.

    The statement said preliminary investigation showed that a suspect, ‘Lanre Olowojobi (a.k.aPumpy) allegedly killed and raped women around Mushin.

    In the 115 suspects, 114 were arraigned before Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Oshodi Mobile Court on Friday. They were charged with ‘belonging to unlawful society, conducts likely to cause breach of peace and disorderly manner without visible means of livelihood.

    They pleaded guilty.

    Magistrate Owolabi sentenced them to one year imprisonment each with N70,000 fine option.

    The case of Olowojobi, 37, from Ipoti Ekiti State was transferred to the State Criminal Investigations Department (SCID) at Panti, Yaba, Lagos.

    The task force claimed that Olowojobi said the pump action guns and other dangerous weapons used during any fracas around Idi-Oro, Fadeyi and Akala in Mushin were kept by their leader who he described as a branch Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

  • What becomes of Mayowa’s millions?

    What becomes of Mayowa’s millions?

    THE response rate was unprecedented. A public appeal for funds to treat of a victim of ovarian cancer, Mayowa Ahmed, generated more than N80 million a few days after the campaign was launched through the efforts of Nollywood actress, Toyin Aimakhu, and Miss Aramide Kasumu, the director of Lifestake Foundation, a Lagos-based non governmental organisation (NGO). The idea was to raise funds for a surgery that would be carried out on Mayowa in a hospital in Atlanta, United States of America.

    Nigerians, big and small, rose to the challenge and contributed generously to the #GoFundMe campaign such that about N82 million was raised within a short time But Mayowa’s ugly story would later turn uglier as efforts to save her life was later enmeshed in controversy, following Aimakhu’s alleged declaration in the social media that the fund raiser was a scam.

    The police, who intervened in the matter and froze the account where the sum raised was deposited, after investigating the allegations the two parties levelled against each other, described the controversy as a mere misunderstanding.

    Another widow of opportunity to save Mayowa, who at the time was a stage IV cancer patient, opened when the police lifted the ban on the account, opening the way for her to be transferred to a hospital in South Africa, whcih had allegedly offered to carry out a surgery to save her life.

    However, it turned out an effort too little too late, as Mayowa, who was flown to South Africa for treatment on August 10 died 11 days later. Her death was announced by a family member, Asiwaju Foye, in a series of tweets.

    The tweet had stated: “By Allah, in whose hands our lives is, Mayowa Ahmed has left us in this world. We pray that Jannat becomes her home #RipMayowa. She tried, we tried but God’s will prevailed #RipMayowa.”

    But for most Nigerians, the mourning days appear to have ended and they are now asking what becomes of the millions raised from the #SaveMayowa campaign.

    A representative of the Ahmed family, Tope Adeniran, who spoke with The Nation, said the family was still mourning Mayowa’s loss. Tope, who sounded distraught, said: “I am not ready to talk to any journalist on any story. I just lost someone, can’t you guys sympathise with us?”

    The Police Public Relations Officer, Ms. Dolapo Badmus, who spoke with one of our correspondents, said that the police would brief the media on the matter at the appropriate time on what would be done with the remaining sum realised from the campaign.

    Badmus said: “We are all human beings. When a life is lost, the first thing is to commiserate with the family. Right now, we are condoling with members of Mayowa’s family. I don’t think the issue of money should be the first thing for us to be talking about right now.  So, we want to leave the family for some time to go through their private period of mourning. But at the appropriate time, we will feed the members of the press back on the decisions we have made.  We will still act at the appropriate time.”

    Some leaders of non-governmental organisations involved with women causes and health care also shared their thoughts with The Nation on what can be done with the fund.

    The Executive Director, Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE), Mrs. Betty Abah believes that Mayowa’s family, after they must have mourned her sufficiently, should make a public statement on what they intend to do with the fund.

    Abah said: “As the saying goes, the deed has been done and we cannot question God. It is time to take the next step and that should be fully characterised by transparency in the light of the recent controversy. My thoughts would be that they can donate to a charity organisation having to do with cancer.

    “I really can’t recall hearing much from the family following Mayowa’s death. I think they need to make a statement thanking the supporters, as well as stating the way forward, and that should include the use of the fund.”

    In the opinion of Dr Femi Olaleye, the founder and medical director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, a foremost NGO that offers health services in cancer related ailments for women, the funds generated should be donated to a cancer foundation so that more women can be saved.

    Olaleye said: “There are lots of women to help in cryotherapy, breast cancer surgery and other women related cancer ailments. My foundation offers free breast and cervical screening for women every Friday.

    “So there is a lot of opportunities for them to do great with that money and give back. I will manage it for them.  If not even all of it, they can use some of it and give back to other women who can come here and access treatment. More impact can be made that way.”

    Efforts to speak with Toyin Aimakhu on the latest development were futile. It will be recalled that in the wake of the controversy surrounding the funds after the alarm she raised on her suspicions of Mayowa’s family’s motives, Aimakhu took to her tweeter handle to explain her involvement in the fund raiser.

    In the said tweet, the actress had said: “I want to state for the records that I have never been a fraud and will never partake in one, not even at this stage of my career (which I hold to heart).

    “All my efforts were strictly on humanitarian grounds without recourse to any pecuniary consideration or the resort to cheap fame.

    “That said, whatever discomfort my reactions may have cost anyone from any quarters is highly regretted and I take responsibility.

    “Whilst I wish Mayowa a quick recovery and divine intervention, I want to urge us as a people to continue to exhibit that enviable Nigerian spirit of compassion and generosity and not because of this isolated case cease to be our sister/brother’s keeper.”

    With the death of Mayowa, it is obvious that the last has not been heard of the controversial #GoFundMe campaign funds.

  • Fidelity Bank’s Get Alert in Millions promo begins

    Fidelity Bank’s Get Alert in Millions promo begins

    Fidelity Bank Plc yesterday, launched the Get Alert in Millions promo where some of its lucky savings customers are expected to win N105 million.

    Speaking yesterday at the opening ceremony in Lagos, its  CEO, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said the promo, which  is the sixth in a series, would help to deepen the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) financial inclusion project.

    He said the bank, as a highly reputable financial institution, is committed to satisfying the needs of its customers, with the promo meant to encourage customers and members of the public to imbibe a savings culture.

    “There is a correlation between savings and economic development. Savings serve as a veritable instrument for capital mobilisation to finance aggregate investment required for economic growth. As an active participant in the Nigerian economy, we are supporting the federal government by making savings available for critical infrastructure deployments that would aid socio-economic development,” he said.

    Represented by the its Deputy Managing Director, Mohammed Balarabe, explained that in a tightening economy, bank customers need cash to meet their financial needs. “Basically, this is a promo like no other. It will help lucky winners with cash, which is very important. We are urging our customers and prospective customers to save for projects and qualify for the coming rewards,” he said.

    The bank chief said that three customers will win N5 million each on quarterly basis; cash prizes of N3 million, N2 million and N1 million will be given out as first, second and third prizes respectively, at monthly draws category. Also, more than 138 consolation prize winners will emerge at the during the duration of the promo.

    “In all, over 200 winners will emerge inclusive of consolation prizes such as fridges, generators among others”.

    “It is so easy, just open a savings account and grow it to N20, 000 or top up existing account with N10, 000 or more to qualify for monthly draws to win up to N3 million. You can also grow your account balance by N50, 000 monthly to qualify for quarterly draws to win star prize of N5 million,” he said.

  • Millions gone as fire razes Ashimowu market

    Millions gone as fire razes Ashimowu market

    •Traders seek govt’s help

    Fire swept through the Odo-Ashimowu Market popularly called Babalola Market on Itire Road, Mushin, Lagos, last Saturday, destroying property worth millions of naira.

    The fire, which started around 1:30am of the fateful day, was allegedly caused by power surge following restoration of light.

    The fire started from the auto parts section and spread to other sections of the market.

    The traders are counting their losses, as many of them just restocked for the Ramadan, which begins today.

    Iya Oja Odo Ashimowu Alhaja Fatimoh Sobukola described the damage as extensive because the fire occurred in the night when no one was around.

    She said the neighbouring Celestial Church, which held a vigil that day tried in vain to put out the fire.

    She said emergency workers could not get to the fire scene because most streets were locked.

    “I was at home at Alagbado when I got a call that the market was on fire. By the time I got there, the shops were burnt to ashes. I personally use three shops and I had just bought new provisions, cartons of spaghetti and Indomie because of the Ramadan. In fact, many of us had just restocked our stores; it was fuller than usual before the fire. I lost everything; nothing was saved,” she said.

    She said the Mushin Local Government Executive Secretary Jide Bello and the Iyaloja General, Mrs Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, had visited to commiserate with the traders.

    The leadership has started rebuilding the market.

    Alhaja Sobukola appealed to debtors to pay up as the traders were in “dire” need of cash. She urged the government to come to their aid.

    The market’s General Secretary, Mudashiru Adenla, said nothing was salvaged from the market.

    One of the affected traders, Mrs Balikis Ibrahim said: “I sell clothing materials like Lace, Ankara, Guinea, Atiku in bundles. I went to collect N2.5 million to restock my market. The day I was offloading, the Iya Oja had to wait for me beyond the usual closing time. Apart from that, I kept a sum of N1.5million under the rug in the shop and another N120,000 separately for my customer. Right now, my hope is dashed. I don’t know where to start, help me not to die.”

    Another trader, Mr. Ibrahim who sells livestock, lost 20 rams to the fire. He said each of the rams cost N20,000.

    “The rams were all caged, so they could not escape at all. They died and got burnt,” he said.

    Lagos State Fire Service Director Rasak Fadipe said the fire was contained from spreading to other buildings, particularly the plank section of the market.

    “The distress call came in about 2:30am but we were given the wrong address, so that constrained us a little. The fire was already in full blow but we quickly stopped it from spreading to the sawmill market which might have been a disaster. The market was mainly built with planks and plywood so that aided the fire,” he said.

  • Firm loses millions in inferno

    Firm loses millions in inferno

    a construction company on MCC Road, off Aba-Owerri Expressway, Aba, Abia State, Zerock Construction, lost property worth millions of naira in a mysterious fire that engulfed its premises yesterday.

    Equipments affected were mainly heavy-duty vehicles.

    Though the cause of the fire was yet to be ascertained, sources said the fire was fierce and insufficient water in the compound made it difficult to quench it at the early stage.

    A resident said: “We initially thought the people were burning dry leaves. But it got to a point where the fire became more intense and afterwards, we saw fire service truck drive into the compound and later out, apparently to get a refill.

    “The workers locked their gates and didn’t allow anyone into the compound”.

    Another resident, Felix, said the inferno started at about 5pm and that its cause remains unknown.

    State Fire Service Chief Gbaruko Victor said they were yet to ascertain the cause of the fire, even as he debunked instantaneous fire ignition temperature as the cause.

    According to Victor, they would be moving into the company’s premises to ascertain the cause of the fire and to get an estimation of how much property was lost.

    When The Nation visited the premises, workers were seen trying to evacuate some of their equipments.

  • Millions lost as militants hit community

    •Homes razed

    Armed militants yesterday attacked Odimodi community in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

    They destroyed several homes and other property worth millions of naira.

    The casualty figure, if any, was unkown at last night.

    But it was gathered that some of the embattled residents of the oil-rich community, who ran into the bush, had not returned.

    The homes of the interim chairman of the local government, Chief Alex Pukon, and another community leader, Chief Sunny Gbegha, were among the five the hoodlums reportedly torched.

    The attackers were believed to be members of a gang, the Red Beret.

    Gbegha, who confirmed the report in a telephone chat with our reporter, accused a key player in the community’s leadership crisis as the mastermind of the attack.

    A terse short messaging service (SMS) from Gbegha sent to our reporter at 3:03am, reads: “Militants, led by (the suspected mastermind) just burnt my house and Chief Alex Pukon’s house at Odimodi.”

    Some community leaders, who spoke in confidence, confirmed the report.

    They accused the military, especially the Navy at the nearby Forcados Crude Oil Export Terminal, of ignoring early warnings and the message sent by the community during the invasion.

    A highly respected leader of the community said: “When the shooting and burning started, we contacted the Commanding Officer (Lt.-Col. Bassey Ekong) of the Army (3 Battalion) but he said he could not take action without the governor giving directive.”

    Although the claim could not be independently verified, another source accused the Navy of compromise.

    The source alleged that top officials of the force were on the payroll of the mastermind of the attack.

    There was an uneasy calm in the community yesterday, following the deployment of soldiers in the area.

    The soldiers chased away the hoodlums, although it was not clear if security operatives made any arrest.

  • Peak Reach for Millions promo produces two millionaires

    Two winners have emerged in the ongoing PEAK Reach for Millions promo. Both winners came from Abuja.

    Little known hairdresser, Ms Anthony Comfort Omagwu, 30, is the first to win N1 million in the promo aimed at rewarding consumers for their 60 years of loyalty to Peak milk.

    Minchi Dandoka, 39, is the second winner. A construction worker, he lives in Gwari Local Council in Abuja.

    The first winner, Comfort Omagwu, who claimed to be a ‘doubting Thomas’, said she tried her luck on the advice of a friend, after seeing the promo’s advert on billboards across Abuja. She said she tried her luck several times.

    She was overwhelmed and couldn’t believe she won N1 million.  She said she intended to open a bigger hairdressing salon with her ‘gift’ from PEAK.

    The second winner, Dandoka, had seen two persons winning a car and N1 million in past promos by PEAK in 2007. That was what spurred him to give PEAK Reach for millions promo a trial.

    Dandoka claimed to have prayed before participating in the promo. He expressed gratitude to PEAK.

    His words: “Peak Milk really embarrassed me with blessings, ading that he would invest the money.

    Aside the two star prize winners, 93 consumers, including Keshiro Precious, Kyrian Anamdu, Olusola Adeyemo, Emmanuel Okechukwu, Lukman Babatunde, Ugochukwu Okafor, Danazumi Hassan and Akpocha Timothy, got N15,000 each. Ninety lucky customers received N10,000 each while 60 went away with N5,000 each.

    At the presentation of the chegues, the Regional Sales Manager for Northcentral FrieslandCampina WAMCO in Abuja, Mr. Ikechukwu Okereke, told the audience the promo was designed to show love to the consumers.

    He said: “This promo is aimed at rewarding loyal customers pan Nigeria who have decided to identify with the brand. Peak Milk has been in the market for 60years and we keep adding value to what we do and we appreciate our loyal customers. To this end I say congratulations.”

    Okereke went on: “Consumers must buy any Peak milk range except the Peak 123 baby product and look for a unique bar code starting with ‘BN’ on it and text the code to 55331. You are entitled to unlimited entries. The good thing about the promo is that for the first SMS you send, you get an instant value of N100.”

    He said the response and participation so far is indicative of the positive acceptance of the promo by consumers across the country and urged other consumers who are yet to partake to take advantage of the promo which he claimed will be most rewarding and gratifying.

  • Millions vote in general election

    Millions vote in general election

    After six weeks of campaigning and debate, Britons yesterday cast their ballot at about 50,000 polling stations in the United Kingdom (UK).

    Polls were expected to close at 22:00 BST(10pm Nigerian time) with results from the first constituencies expected before midnight and the final result due by noon today.

    More than 9,000 council seats are being contested across 279 English local authorities in the general election.

    Mayors were to be elected in Bedford, Copeland, Leicester, Mansfield, Middlesbrough and Torbay.

    United Party Independent Party (UKIP) Leader Nigel Farage, Labour leader Ed Miliband, Greens leader Natalie Bennett, Scottish National Party (SNP) Leader Nicola Sturgeon, Conservative leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat (LD) leader Nick Clegg and Plaid Cymru’s Leanne Wood all cast their votes yesterday.

    In Northern Ireland, Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Leader Peter Robinson and Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness in Northern Ireland have voted, as have Social Democratic & Labour Party (SDLP) Leader Alasdair McDonnell, Alliance Party (AP) Leader David Ford and Ulster Unionist Leader Mike Nesbitt.

    A total of 650 Westminster Members of Parliament (MPs) would be elected by about 50 million registered voters.

    The weather was dry and mild across much of the UK, with isolated showers in some parts of north of England.

    The local votes taking place meant that nearly every voter in England – excluding London where there were no local elections – would have been given at least two ballot papers when they entered polling stations.

    Some votes had been cast before Thursday through postal voting, which accounted for 15 per cent of the total electorate at the 2010 general election, when the overall turnout was 65 per cent.

    For the first time, people have been able to register to vote online.

  • How to make millions

    Nations are made by individuals who believe. Mrs. Adenike Obayemi, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Her Excellency, a skills development centre in the Ikeja, Lagos State believes in grooming young entrepreneurs.

    She has just published a book, Make The Millions In New Businesses, an exquisite guide specially put together for children and teenagers in junior and senior secondary schools, students and undergraduates in tertiary institutions and universities, and, indeed, all who want to excel in life. The book is a treasure-trove aimed at enabling the reader to acquire the relevant skills, domestic values and the necessary sense of responsibility to make it through life.

    An English Language Education graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Adenike Obayemi is a teacher, master trainer, mentor, motivational speaker and consultant. In Make The Millions In New Businesses, Adenike puts on the front burner her mission to empower and develop the inner potential of children and youths for positive results. She promotes self-employment and entrepreneurial culture in the wider society. On the practical front, there is the pivotal mission to teach the young female children the art and skills of baking, cookery and the production of drinks.

    The booktakes pride of place as it has been discovered that most of the vices and challenges youths are faced with in terms of gross unemployment, under-employment, prostitution, fraudulent practices, idleness, lack of self-esteem, and self-worth are due to the fact they have not been properly exposed to a complete form of education. Obayemi makes case for a child to fit into the present world, saying there is the need to include in the school curriculum handwork and skills acquisition programmes. She stresses that the best time to do this is from the early years in school.

    Written in simple, straightforward language and unique style with a step-by-step procedure which makes it very practical and easy to follow, Make The Millions In New Businesses is designed to help the students and their parents alike. The author knows that the busy lifestyles of the present-age parents have not helped matters for the young children because a lot of the roles the parents are supposed to play have been neglected or completely transferred to the school. She avers that it will therefore be in the best interest of all concerned for the schools to take the bull by the horn and ensure that this aspect of the child’s development is properly addressed. Adenike knows the heart of the matter through direct personal experience because, in the past few years, several parents have during the long vacations brought their children to Her Excellency centre to be trained in cooking and food preparation, cakes and bread making, pastries and beads making. She feels fulfilled that these acquired skills form an addition to their educational qualification, therefore making these children to have an all-round education.

    Make The Millions In New Businesses is meant to serve several purposes such as wealth creation, youth and women empowerment, poverty eradication and skills acquisition in different areas; and “it is not gender biased”. It smacks of ignorance for supposedly educated people to underestimate handworks because they feel it is only meant for the uneducated and school dropouts. The book makes the crucial point that the days of education for white collar jobs are gone.

    It is meet to adopt the words of Akinniyi I. Sowunmi, Leader/CEO of Popeman, Lagos in his Foreword to Make The Millions In New Businesses, to wit: “Since March 27, 1944, when Asa Griggs Candler registered the Coca Cola patent and used his entrepreneurial skills to launch the Coke, a drink originally meant to be patient medicine by its inventor, John Pemberton, into the most valuable global brand available at all nooks and crannies internationally… the challenge is to get fired by the ideas in the book to launch a business bigger than the Coca Cola onto our tables very soon with the guiding designs here provided.”

    With spiraling unemployment, there is no escape for the young Nigerian who does not embrace the step-by-step methods made for practical use in the book. There is the shining example of Tolani who “graduated from one of the best universities in Southwest region of Nigeria” who was frustrated during years of unemployment and under-employment only to eventually become a very successful employer after undergoing training in Cakes Baking and Decoration at Her Excellency Centre.

    Obayemi undertakes a hands-on step-by-step procedure in Make The Millions In New Businesses. One gets to learn how to prepare Small Chops such as Puff Puff, Vegetable Springroll and Asun (Goat Meat Barbeque). Cocktail Drinks like Chapman, Tropical Sunset, Pineapple on the Rocks, and Strawberry Sensation are ready grist to the author’s mill. Nigerian Indigenous Soups, notably Edikang Ikong, Egusi, Efo Riro, Afang, Banga and Oha Soup, are picturesquely featured. The richly illustrated chapters encompass bread making, snacks and pastries, cake baking, and desserts.

    In all, by studying the recipes adroitly set out in Make The Millions In New Businesses and going ahead to practice and master the productions one will definitely be on the success-laden road of starting a fulfilling business that will help move Nigeria forward economically.

    I recommend that Make The Millions In New Businesses be adopted as a textbook for junior and secondary school pupils across all the states of Nigeria.