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  • Where is Ooni’s ex-wife, Olori Wuraola?

    Royalty laced with affluence is sweet, most especially when it’s blessed with opulence and splendor. It soothes body and soul. But for Zaynab Otiti Obanor, the ex wife of HIM Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, she is indeed an epitome of royalty with blue blood flowing in her veins.

    During her days as the heartthrob of stylish Ife monarch, she commanded respect at all strata of life. Her gait, composure, charming smile and endearing persona, earned her public acceptance. At the sight of her at any public function, paparazzi flashed just to catch a glimpse of her ravishing beauty.

    When she announced her breakup with the Ooni of Ife, it generated mixed reactions as different tongue wagged at her over such decision. Many wondered why she decided to leave such glitz and glamour in the house of Oduduwa.

    READ ALSO: I am no longer with Ooni – Olori Wuraola

    Ever since her divorce from the royal union, the Edo- born Queen has since recoiled into her shell. She has left the societal cynosure with her pet project and foundation abandoned.

    Her whereabouts have generated mixed reactions as close associates divulged that “She now shuttle between Dubai, Qatar, Lebanon and Nigeria”.

    Some are of the opinion that she left the shores of Nigeria to start a new life. All these are mere speculations as her whereabouts remain a mystery to her fans and well-wishers across the country.

  • Buhari meets Ag. Head of Civil Service, Yemi-Esan

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the Acting Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Dr Folashade Yemi-Esan, at the State House, Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Yemi-Esan took over from Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, who was asked to proceed on indefinite leave to allow conclusion of the investigation being carried out by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Read Also: Eight things you should know about Yemi-Esan new Head of Service

    NAN reports that the agenda of the meeting between the president and the new acting HoS was unknown as at the time of filing this report.

    However, NAN learnt that Yemi-Esan, who was in the Presidential Villa for the first time since her appointment on Wednesday, might have used the opportunity of the visit to formally introduce herself to the president.

  • Troops eliminate seven top commanders of Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists

    Troops of the Multinational Joint Task Force and Nigerian Armed Forces have eliminated not less than seven commanders of Boko Haram terrorists in Tumbus of Lake Chad region, Army Headquarters says.

    The Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.

    Musa said that the neutralised commanders were Abba Mainok, Bukar Dunokaube, Abu kololo, Abor Kime, said to be of Arab origin and likely their ISIS trainer.

    Others according to him are, Mann Chari, Dawoud Abdoulaye from Mali and Abu Hamza.

    “All these were said to be commanders of various Tumbus controlling fighters before they were decisively dealt with l by the military bombardment.

    “Although these names may not be real and may likely nicknames.

    Read Also; Boko Haram: Army assures Maiduguri residents of safety

    “Nonetheless, it is an unprecedented feat to our quest of clearing the remnants of these criminals in the area.

    “Consequently, efforts are ongoing to get more information on their true identities,” he said.

    Musa disclosed that the troops were in celebration mood as a result of successes of their combined efforts of artillery and air bombardments of suspected hideouts of the terrorists.

    He added that it was mourning and a monumental set back to the erstwhile Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters hibernating at the triangular area of the region.

    Musa said information coming from the criminal group’s enclave escaping to Sudan and CAR, indicates that at least not fewer than seven of their key commanders have been wasted by the superior forces of the MNJTF.

    Army spokesperson said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai had commended the troops for this great efforts and enjoined them to do more.

  • Implementation of cashless policy is in public interest, says Emefiele

    Mr Godwin Emefiele the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) says the implementation of cashless policy in six states of the federation is in public interest to promote efficient payment system.

    Emefiele stated this while fielding questions from journalists after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting held in Abuja on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that CBN on Tuesday issued a circular to deposit banks to commence the implementation of the cashless policy in six pilot states across the country.

    The apex bank directed that implementation should commence from Sept 18 in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra, and Rivers States, as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    It, however, stated that the nationwide implementation of the cashless policy would take effect from March 31, 2020.

    The CBN explained that transactions will attract three per cent processing fees for withdrawal and two per cent processing fees for lodgement of amounts above N500, 000 for individual accounts.

    Similarly, corporate accounts will attract five per cent processing fees for withdrawal and three per cent processing fee for lodgement of amounts above N3 million.

    Reacting, Emefiele said the policy was not new as it was inaugurated in the country in 2012 and implementation began in 2014 while several engagements were held across multiple stakeholders before its commencement.

    He said withdrawal charges had been in place since then, only deposit charges were new now to some people though it was part of it from beginning but later withdrawn.

    “The policy says if you deposit money in the bank above a particular threshold which for individual is N500,000 and N3 million for corporate bodies, then you will be charged, same for withdrawal.

    “It has been like this but after stakeholders engagement, we agreed that it was too early to begin to charge people who want to deposit money in banks.

    “We agreed at that time that they were a lot of cash outside the bank industry and there is no need to penalise the people who want to bring in their money to the banks and then we relaxed the essence of charging on deposit.

    “We expected that after five years, that is from 2015 to 2019, all cash kept in peoples’ houses should have been brought to the banks,” he explained.

    He announced that full cashless policy would commence all over the country by March, 2020.

    READ ALSO: We’re sorry for cashless policy inconvenience but… -CBN

    He stated that the policy was not designed to de franchise hard working Nigerians as perceived by some categories of people.

    According to him, a data conducted, revealed that close to 95 per cent of cash deposited and withdrawn fall bellow this threshold.

    Emefiele said already, Nigerians had embraced electronic channels and online transaction in market places.

    He added that Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises now had various options and channels available to them to collect a legitimate payment for good and services, like POS, banks transfer using ATM, USD code among others.

    He said that the cashless policy increases transparency in financial dealings and reduce crimes such as ransom payment and extortion among others.

    The governor said the bank had the mandate under the CBN Act 2007 as amended to promote a sound and stable financial system through credible efficient payment system.

    (NAN)

  • Video: Tanker falls, spills fuel on Otedola bridge

    A truck laden with diesel fell off while driving inward Berger shortly after the Otedola bridge Lagos.

    The truck has been spilling Its contents since the accident and a Physical assessment is being conducted in order to avert the occurrence of fire incident.

     

    Details shortly

  • Police arraign 15 for attempting to kill Patience Jonathan

    The Bayelsa State Police Command has dragged 15 persons to the state High Court sitting in Yenagoa for robbing former First Lady, Patience Jonathan of jewellery worth N200m and plotting to kill her.

    The 15 suspects were slammed with a 17-count of conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit felony with armed robbery, malicious injury to property, conspiracy to commit a felony with stealing and burglary.

    The suspects were identified as Golden Vivian,40; Erama Deborah, 45; Precious Kingsley, 20; Vincent Olabiyi, 28; Ebuka Cosmos, 25; Williams Alamo, 29; Tamunokuro Abaku, 32 and Boma Oba, 42.

    Others are Emmanuel Aginwa, 42; Emeka Benson, 33; Tamunosiki Achese Frisberesima, 30; Wariboko Salome, 28; Sahabi Lima, 35; Reginald Sunday, 20; and John Dashe, 39.

    Read Also: Jonathan’s absence delays decision on PDP’s running mate

    The charge sheet was signed by S. A. Ofoegbu of the Legal State Criminal Investigation Department, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.

    The lawyers listed as defendants to the accused persons are Stanley Damabide, Padiowei P.P. Tamuno, E. Samuel and Chuks Momoh.

    But they all pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    One of the counts accused the arraigned persons of conspiring to commit murder which is an offence punishable under section 252 of the Criminal code law cap.C14 laws of Bayelsa State.

    Others are: “All the accused and some at large, sometime in the month of June,2019 at Otuoke community in Ogbia local government within the Ogbia Judicial Division of the state High Court did conspire to kill Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan, former First Lady.

    “That you and some other persons at large, on the same date and place aforementioned Judicial Division of Bayelsa did steal seven gold bangles and jewellery, five Samsung Air Conditioner,Two sets of upholstery chairs, six Samsung flat-screen television stands at two hundred Million naira (N200,000,000). These are property of Dame Patience Jonathan”.

  • 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.