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  • Rotary club donates to PHC, orphanage

    Rotary Club of Akowonjo District 9110, has donated items to Akowonjo Primary Health Centre (PHC) and Little Saints Orphanage in Alimosho Local Government in Lagos State.

    Items donated included weighing scale, mosquito treated nets and mattresses at the PHC, while food items including rice, beans, garri, noodles, salt, detergents, toiletries and a water tank was donated at the Orphanage.

    These donation are part of activities to mark the official visit of the District Governor of Rotary International Distract 9110, covering Lagos and Ogun state, Jide Akeredolu.

    The event also featured Akeredolu’s visit to Alimosho Local Government, in company of his entourage, the club President, AdbaulKareem Musa as well as other executives and members of the club.

    Akeredolu said the donations were part of the fulfillment of achieving the mission of Rotary which is helping humanity.

    He said his visit to the club is one of his duties to all the clubs in the District which covers Lagos and Ogun states, with about 104 clubs.

    He added; “Rotary is a non-governmental organisation that is committed to serving humanity. It gladdens our heart to give to the less privileged in the society; it is a yearly ritual and we will continue to do so.

    “We do need assessment at where we go to donate and we have given what they need at the Orphanage and the PHC, which is our own support to them, in line with our mandate as a service organisation.”

    He explained that the adult literacy programme, of which certificates were presented to participants at the Alimisho Local Government, is a 10 months free programme by the club, which seeks to enable everyone to be able to read and write.

    READ ALSO: Rotary Club of Ikeja gets new president

    He said parts of their project for the year is to furnish a two story building of ten classrooms in Rauf Aregbesola Primary School at Shasha road in Alimosho, adding that 15 desks and chairs for 45 pupils will also be provided.

    “We will also give 50 market women micro credit which is part of efforts to fulfill our corporate social responsibility to the community. We also plan to make donations based on needs assessment to some technical colleges in the stare. We do everything freely and willingly,” he said.

    A past District Governor, of the club, Otunba Bola Onabadejo, said the club is one to reckon with, nothing that it has made various impacts over the years in Alimosho community and beyond.

    “This is a community based club and our signature is written all over the community we operate and beyond. We are doing so much in developing the community in terms of scholarship and developments of our youths, among other things and the community is feeling our impact. Rotary is a global network of community, business and professional leaders and we will continue to do more,” he said.

  • Tokunbo Abiru: A resilient and innovative banker

    The name Adetokunbo Mukhail Abiru is synonymous with excellence. His dogged nature has helped him weather all the typhoon and Tsunami directed at him. Right from the early days of his banking career, his sterling qualities and brilliant ideas, showed that he is a man destined for greatness.

    A popular axiom states that; “A smooth sea does not make a skillful sailor”. For the Havard trained banker to have successfully paddled the ship of defunct Skye Bank now Polaris bank, is a clear indication of his skillfulness as a banker with vast experience in the sector.

    For students wanting to bag a degree in any finance related field of study, Tokunbo’s Banking Odyssey, should be cited as a case study and reference point.

    READ ALSO: Abiru stresses importance of SMEs to economic growth

    The Economics graduate from Lagos State University, is well known for hardwork, intelligence, innovation, excellence, finesse, and discipline. These qualities earned him a job as the commissioner for Finance, under former Governor of Lagos, now Minister, Babatunde Fashola. During Abiru’s time as Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State floated a successful N80 billion bond. He further instigated discussions on taxation in Lagos State after the discovery of over 5.5 million tax evaders in 2013. His frantic efforts also led to increased Land Use Charge revenue generations.

    Interestingly, under Abiru’s watch, the bank recently unveiled its new Mobile Banking App, available to users on both Google Play for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS devices.The launch of the new product is in line with the bank’s digital transformation plan which is to further ensure a future-determining bank aligned with global trends of intelligent automation. We gathered that; the innovation, was created out of evolving customer preferences enabled by new technology, seeking innovative solutions to delight customers.

  • We’re sorry for cashless policy inconvenience but… -CBN

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has apologised to bank customers for the inconveniences the newly introduced cashless policy will cause.

    CBN governor Godwin Emefiele rendered the apology at the end of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in Abuja when he was asked of his reaction to the push back from Nigerians over the return of charges on deposits and withdrawals beyond certain threshold.

    According to him: “I sympathize and regret inconvenience cashless policy will cause bank customers.”

    Despite the apology, he insisted that the policy will progress as announced and gave reasons why it will continue.

    Read Also: Suspend cashless policy, Reps tell CBN

    Speaking on the controversial judgement debt of $9.6 billion awarded to P&ID, the CBN governor maintained that “by the grace of God there is no treat to the reserves…..and we have received presidential approval that those indicted should be prosecuted.”

    At the end of the meeting, the MPC retained interest rates at 13.5% as well as other parameters.

    Details shortly…

  • AbdulRazaq floors PDP, Atunwa at tribunal

    Kwara State Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Ilorin, the state capital on Friday dismissed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s petition seeking the nullification of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s election on the ground that he lacked the academic qualification to run.

    PDP and its candidate Razak Atunwa had approached the tribunal to order for a rerun of the March 9th, 2019 governorship election on the ground that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq presented forged West African Examinations (WAEC) certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    The petitioners also alleged that AbdulRazaq presented affidavit to INEC containing false information to contest for the election.

    The tribunal said the PDP and its candidate Razaq Atunwa failed to prove the allegations, holding instead that “all evidence before us show that (AbdulRazaq) sat for the examination and was, therefore, qualified to run for the office of governor.

    “From all the evidence before us, we hold that the petition lacks merit and is hereby dismissed,” Justice Bassey Effiong, chairman of the three-person panel.

    He added that “from the evidences before us, we hold that the petition lacks merit.”

    Read Also: Tribunal judgement: I won’t give up until I get justice, says Atiku

    Effiong said the law is that where a petitioner makes the commission of a crime the kernel of their petition, then they must prove it beyond reasonable doubt.

    He asked “has the petitioner discharged the burden of proof expecte of them? From the evidence in this case, the answer is a resounding no. The petitioners have not discharged their burden of proof that the APC candidate (2nd respondent) presented a forged certificate.

    “We hold that all the evidences presented by the West African Examination Council (WAEC) — which the petitioners had relied upon and subpoenaed —were at variance with the pleadings of the petitioners.

    He insisted that the petitioners failed to prove that the governor forged a certificate or presented a forged certificate in support of his candidature as alleged in their petition.

    The judge said WAEC confirmed to the tribunal that AbdulRazaq’s certificate was “genuine and authentic”, adding that a classmate of the Governor also told the panel that the latter sat in front of him in the secondary school leaving certificate examination of June 1976.

    Effiong said WAEC, which is the only statutory body to issue such a certificate, had made it clear that AbdulRazaq’s credential with all the relevant security details had emanated from it and that no other person ca make contrary claim.

  • Enyo oil & Gas top shot, Abayomi Awobokun, celebrates birthday

    Today, 20th of September, should be tagged “World Surprise Day” for Abayomi Awobokun, Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Enyo Retails and Supply, one of the fast growing downstream oil and gas supply chains in the country.

    Today marks the 41st birthday anniversary of the Ibadan -born stylish businessman. In celebration mood, his staff took him unawares by staging a surprise office reception party for him.

    At the early hours of today, the usual Yomi sauntered gleefully into his office complex at the Enyo Headquarters, Lekki, bubbling with life, looking sharp, fitted in a dark native kaftan with a white piece of hands free tucked in one of his ears, wearing an endearing smile.

    He was accosted by his staffs, all dressed in white native attire as they welcomed him warmly with birthday songs accompanied with tunes from a saxophonist.

    In an elated mood, the Non-Executive director at Anchoria Asset Management Limited, was caught up in the awe of the surprise office reception party. He was showered encomium accompanied with gigantic birthday cakes, gifts and cards from well-wishers.

    Interestingly, his sojourn into the oil and gas business started at Oando Plc where he spent eight years, moving positions from Head of Investor Relations to COO and then CEO of Oando Marketing PLC and finally, Divisional CEO (International Trading & Marketing Company).

    READ ALSO: Enyo, Bosch strengthen pact for automotive parts, services

    With over thirteen years’ experience in the Oil & gas industry. Abayomi has a great deal of financial acumen with expertise in Risk management, Corporate Governance, Entrepreneurship, Organization development & Human Resource, Divestments, Mergers & Acquisition management.

    Abayomi holds a B.Sc. in Pure & Applied Mathematics and an MSc in International Business Management. He is a member of the Institute of Directors and the founder of “The September 20 Foundation” (TS20F).

    He was nominated for Young Global Leader (YGL)at the World Economic Forum in 2016 and the Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu (Tutu Fellow) in 2017.

  • Furore over Edo new roads washed away by flood

    There is furore in Edo State over new roads washed away by flood after Wednesday’s heavy downpour that lasted several hours.

    Some roads like Apostolic Street in Bénin City that were just asphalted and others constructed few months ago were washed away.

    Mr. Kola Edokpaiye had blamed Governor Godwin Obaseki for executing poor jobs across the state.

    He said the roads were poorly executed.

    Speaking to journalists after inspection of some affected areas by flood, Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Hon. Yakubu Gowon, attributed damage to properties at Apostolic Street, Off Sokponba Road on the bad job done by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    “NDDC did a bad job while asphalting the road in the area, as the manhole that ought to take water out of the area was blocked while constructing the road.

    READ ALSO: Furore in ATBU over students’death, infrastructure

    “I call on them to collaborate with the Ministry of Infrastructure to ensure that a good job is done when constructing roads in the state.

    “This will help us develop the state and the people will enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

    Commissioner for Infrastructure, John Inegbedion, who was also part of the inspection team, said the bad work done by the NDDC caused flooding in some areas of the state.

    “The NDDC engineer in charge of the road constructed at Apostolic Street off Sokponba Road did a poor engineering job; it was a poor project.

    “The flooding is man-made as natural waterways and the moat were blocked. Water, naturally, will find its way hence the destruction we saw on Wednesday.”

  • AEDC secures $1.06m for off grid areas projects study

    The United States Trade Department Administration (USTDA) has signed an agreement for the provision of $1.06million grant to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).

    The fund, according to the power from Managing Director, Engr. Ernest Mupwaya, is for the a feasibility study on the extension of off-grid energy to underserved urban and areas far from grid network.

    Speaking with reporters after signing the pact in Abuja, he noted that “the grant will facilitate some feasibility study so that we can package these areas into bankable projects. Bankable projects implies that we can now partner with our investors to accelerate electrification by rolling out grid that are supplying power.”

    Asked to give an estimate of the capacity expected from the feasibility study, he added that “our catchment area has a population of 10 million.We project that if we are to have 100 percent electrification our current amount would have to triple. But by augmenting it with renewable sources, it means that they would have to come from solar.”

    According to him, the study is expected to be completed in the next six months for the company to start working on sources and partners for the projects.

    He expressed gratitude to the USTDA that has committed funding to help the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company provide electricity to under-served communities through the implementation of up to 1,370 solar-powered mini-grids with energy storage systems.

    He revealed that Colorado’s Rocky Mountain Institute will carry out the study.

    READ ALSO: AEDC declares state of emergency in Niger

    The AEDC Chief Financial Officer, Ijeoma Okeke revealed that the company is partnering with the Rural Electrification Agency on energizing economies.

    She said “we have identified four places we are working with them on.”

    On the payment plan, she said that on a monthly basis, the AEDC will assess the project for payment.

    Meanwhile, the US Charge’ d’ Affaires, Kathleen FitzGibbon confirmed that the USTDA is committing funding to help the AEDC provide electricity to underserved communities through the implementation of up to 1,370 solar-powered min-grids with energy storage systems.

    She said that the agency is funding a study to help Havenhill Nigeria Ltd develop off-grid solar and storage mini grid sites in up to 110 Nigerian communities. She added that Colorado-based US firm Odyssey Energy Solutions Inc will carry out the study.

    FitzGibbon revealed that USTDA has now funded more than 70 projects in Nigeria focused on energy, telecommunications, transportation, healthcare and agribusiness.

  • Closure of borders yielding positive results -Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari says the closure of Nigerian land borders for a limited period due to massive smuggling is already yielding positive result for the economy.

    The president stated this when he received a delegation from the Nigerian Association for Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) at the State House, Abuja, on Friday.

    The delegation also comprised of the Federation of West African Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FEWACCI) and representatives of the Organised Private Sector (OPS).

    Buhari said that the closure was necessitated by the lack of adherence to the business ideals by various stakeholders which was detrimental to the country and its people.

    ”After many years of diplomacy and aggressive regulatory oversight which yielded few results, we decided to close our land borders for a limited time to assess the impact of this measure.

    ”Within a few short weeks, we are already seeing a decline in the volumes of counterfeit smuggled goods in some of our major markets across the country.

    ”This validates our action as a Government when we insist that the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) must not only promote free trade, but legal trade of quality made in Africa goods and services,” he said.

    Buhari says everyone must play by the rules when it comes to trade and business activities that are central to Nigeria’s economic development.

    He added that his administration would ensure that the trade and business sector continues to flourish in job creation.

    He said: ”Unfortunately, in recent times, many traders simply do not play by the rules.

    ”Our markets are flooded with smuggled and counterfeit goods. By these selfish practices, we help keep foreign factories working while closing ours.

    ”From medicines to electronics to food items, our potential to manufacture and create jobs locally is severely hindered by a handful of Nigerians who choose profits over patriotism.

    ”We have all heard stories about the dangerous and sometimes, fatal impact of fake drugs and foods on our citizens.

    ”We have also seen how fake electrical items have led to fires in homes and markets thereby destroying lives and properties.

    ”Most of these substandard and illegal items are smuggled through our land borders.’’

    According to the president, his administration will continue to solicit the support of the organised private sector, both in Nigeria and across West Africa, to bring an end to the dumping of substandard items.

    He urged the Association to continue its ‘‘positive and patriotic contribution’’ towards achieving a free trade area that employs Africans to produce quality made in Africa products.

    Read Also: Buhari orders security chiefs to end crude oil theft

    ”We will soon finalise the National Action Committee on the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. Your Association is a member of this committee.

    ”I expect you to continue your positive and patriotic contribution to support us in achieving a free trade area that employs Africans to produce quality made in Africa products,’’ the President said.

    In her remarks, Hajiya Saratu Aliyu, President FEWACCI, NACCIMA and OPS, commended the recent decision by the President to constitute a new economic team to steer the Nigerian economy on the path of sustainable growth.

    On the Economic Advisory Council (EAC), she said: ”NACCIMA, FEWACCI and indeed the OPS are full of hope that a new era is on the horizon with the calibre of persons on the team which reassures us at the OPS that Government is ready to turn around the story of Nigeria.”

    Aliyu also hailed significant accomplishments recorded in all sectors of the economy including but not limited to reduced corruption, foreign exchange stability, bottom of the pyramid programmes, increased ease of doing business, increased capital expenditures, among others.

    The president of NACCIMA appealed for the President’s intervention in the provision of property within Abuja for the location of FEWACCI headquarters.

    She also briefed the President about the 21-point NACCIMA programme, tagged ‘‘Unleash the Giant’’.

    She added that the association intended to engage the Federal Government on 16 of those stated points with the goal of ensuring business growth and socioeconomic advancement through public and private sector collaboration.

     

    (NAN)

  • Barcelona’s prodigy Fati granted Spanish citizenship

    Barcelona’s 16-year-old forward Ansu Fati is eligible to join the Spanish national football team after he was given the country’s citizenship.
    Having lived in Spain since 2009, Fati was born in Guinea-Bissau in 2002.

    Fati’s citizenship application was processed by the Spain’s Interior Ministry before the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup squad deadline ends.

    The tournament will begin in Brazil on Oct. 26th.

    Read Also: Barcelona held to surprise draw at Osasuna

    Fati, who became the youngest player in the Champions League, is expected to be called to the squad of the Spanish national team for the 2019 FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

    He also became the youngest scorer for Barcelona, making a great start in his career with two goals and one assist in four games so far.

  • Livid Gbajabiamila vows to report Security Chiefs to Buhari over snub

    Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila on Friday vowed to report Security Chiefs personally to President Muhammadu Buhari for snubbing a security meeting convened by the House of Representatives.

    The House had summoned the meeting with the Security Chiefs for briefing on the anti-terrorism war.

    But the Security Chiefs, including Chief of Defence Staff, General Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant-General Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Ibok Ete- Ekwe and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshall Sadiq Abubakar snubbed the summon.

    Instead, they sent representatives, a development the Speaker considered a slight on the House leadership.

    The Chief of Defense Staff was represented by Chief of Defense Training and Operations, Army Headquarters, Major General Leo Irabor while Chief of Account and Budget Army, Major General Kola Bakare accompanied him.

    Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun (Chief of Policy and Plans, Army), represented the Chief of Army Staff while the Chief of Naval Staff was represented by Rear Admiral Tariworio Dick (Chief of Training and Operations) and the Chief of Air Staff was represented by Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao (Chief of Training and Operations).

    Read Also: Gbajabiamila visits Katsina over security challenges

    However, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, the Director General of Department of State Service, Yusuf Bichi and the Comptroller of Nigeria Immigration service, Mohammed Babandede were present

    The House had on Thursday stepped down a motion by Ifeanyi Momah titled: “Review of the Military strategy of ‘Super Camps’ in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East Zone.”

    A visibly upset Gbajabiamila expressed his disappointment with their absence.

    He said: “Let me commend President Muhammadu Buhari for the commitment he has shown to stem the tide and to put a handle and lead on the security situation in Nigeria today.

    “Unfortunately, Mr President cannot work alone. He has to have people to delegate those powers to as the Commander in Chief as directed by our constitution.

    “But because Mr President has delegated those powers to the Service Chiefs, we decided to call this meeting as representatives of the people.

    “This meeting was not called by a Committee of the House. It was called by the highest level of the legislature, personally by me as the speaker of the house.

    “Let me commend the IGP, DG DSS and Nigerian Immigration for coming here.

    “Let me say that as a House and institution, I cannot understate my disappointment or our disappointment for the service chiefs that are not here.

    “We called this meeting because it was important, you can see member from Borno here. There is crisis in Borno State right now.

    “We wanted to hear from the Service Chiefs to know what is going on, to know how the House can help.

    “What are the problems, what are the challenges, to talk about strategy and what we need to do?

    “I am sure you do not expect the House to fold its arms over what is going on in Maidugiri and other parts.

    “There is a migration now from Local Government to Maidugiri but here we are we called the Armed Forces coordinated by Chief of Defence Staff who is not here, Service Chiefs being represented by their accountants.

    “I am actually at a loss. For me, I believe are in tandem with this, the absence of the Service Chiefs, the Navy is not represented as far as I am concerned, Air Force is not represented, ditto the Chief off Army Staff.

    “I know one or two of these Service Chiefs were somewhere yesterday night. I can almost say that it showed the disdain for this institution.”

    He added: “The budget is on its way, we need to talk about it, what do you need? What is required? I am almost embarrassed to tell the truth.

    “There was no call placed to my office to explain why. I am just seeing accountants and Representatives.

    “I am not sure how to handle this. I do not think this happens anywhere. Any parliament in the world where the Head of Parliament will call the Service Chiefs for a nagging problem on how to resolve it and will not show.

    “I think it is important to postpone this meeting to Monday morning. I will personally see the President myself because we are supposed to work as one, to work together as a body.”