Author: Val Kosi

  • Chelsea Complete €14m Signing of Veiga from Basel

    Chelsea Complete €14m Signing of Veiga from Basel

    Chelsea has completed the signing of Renato Veiga for a fee in the region of 14 million euros (€14 million).

    Veiga, 20, joined the Blues from the Swiss side, Basel on a seven-year deal with an option for another season.

    “I’m buzzing to be here at Chelsea, this is one of the biggest clubs in England, the biggest for me.

    “I’m excited to get started,” he was quoted as saying by sports journalist, Fabrizio Romano.

    He made 26 appearances for Basel across all competitions last season and scored two goals.

    The versatile player (defender and midfielder) will be the sixth signing of the west London club in this summer transfer window after Tosin Adarabioyo joined on a free transfer, penning a four-year deal.

    1Other signings are Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Estevao Willian who will join the club next summer.

  • DecemberIssAVybe: FirstBank Sponsors Kakadu the Musical

    DecemberIssAVybe: FirstBank Sponsors Kakadu the Musical

    Head, Branch Services, Marina Branch, FirstBank, Abosede Ajewole (left); Head, Retail Mass Market In-branch and Digital Enhancement, Adeyemi O. Asolo; Winner, FirstBank Win Big promo, Nsikan Grace; Head, Other Asset & Liability Products, Personal Banking, FirstBank, Chukwuka Okonkwo; Winner, FirstBank Win Big promo, Balogun Jelili Adekunle and Business Manager, Retail Banking, Marina Branch, Adewale Bello at the recent official presentation of 100,000.00 naira to winners of the ongoing FirstBank Win Big Promo in which 310 customers won N100,000 each in the maiden draw 

    First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced its sponsorship of Kakadu the Musical, a theatre production from the stables of Playhouse Initiative.

    The play, which is set to return to stage from 28 to 30 December 2023 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre, Lagos, is among the activities lined up in the 2023 edition of FirstBank’s annual DecemberIssAVybe.

    Written and produced by Uche Nwokedi, Kakadu the Musical is a reverberating drama of survival and hope that trails the journey of four friends from different tribes-Emeka, Kola, Osahon and Dapo alongside their female counterparts -Bisi, Amonia, Enoh and Hassana as they navigate a crisis that would change their lives forever.

    Set in the 1960s Lagos against the backdrop of a famous club Kakadu, the award-winning play will run from December 27 to 30, 2023 at the Shell Hall, MUSON Centre in Lagos. On the heels of its successful performances at the Nelson Mandela Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2017, Kakadu the Musical will thrill the Lagos audience with this nostalgic story that raises consciousness about friendship, humanity, love and nationalism.

    Crafted with an emotional plot, Kakadu the Musical is a pulsating theatrical spectacle that blends Anglo-American soul, pop music with highlife, Afrobeat and Nigerian folk music. Although Kakadu, as a nightclub, is a metaphor for Nigeria’s social reality between 1965 and 1972, the story still resonates with present-day realities.

    Kakadu the Musical fuels our collective memory with the truth about the consequences of ethnic bigotry, corruption and abuse of power. Through the plot structure, the playwright seeks to interrogate aspects of Nigeria’s history that obscures national unity.

    While announcing the return of this box-office hit, the producer of Kakadu the Musical, Nwokedi remarks that musical promises to be exciting, reviving theatre patronage in the fast-paced city.

    “Kakadu the Musical is like fine wine at 10. With the synergy of new and old cast members, the audience will enjoy a most exhilarating fusion of music, drama, fashion and dance.

    At Playhouse Initiative, we are keen on using these elements of arts to entertain and educate as well as to empower talented youths in the creative industry.

    We are excited to announce the return of Kakadu the Musical as the first of several activities lined up in our DecemmberIssaVybe bouquet this year. Kakadu the Musical is a successful export from Nigeria’s growing, admirable and globally renowned arts and entertainment industry.

    In a statement, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, FirstBank of Nigeria Limited, Folake Ani-Mumuney, the bank said: “As a Bank woven into fabric of society for over 129 years, our First@arts initiative has played a pivotal role in the recognition of the abundant talents that abound in the country and we remain committed to being at the forefront of nation building; supporting through resourceful partnerships to build the Nigerian creative industry value chain which contributes to Nigeria’s GDP.”

    The FirstBank DecemberIssaVybe is a yearly campaign implemented to support the arts and entertainment sector in the country. During the month, the Bank provides more opportunities and platforms for yet another eventful Homecoming Experience for Nigerians.

    Foreigners are not left out as fun seekers are granted premium access to witness their favourite acts – live on stage and attend in-demand concerts and shows. DecemberIssaVybe is all about memories.

    To participate, all that is required is to register on FirstBank’s website https://www.firstbanknigeria.com/home/impact/sponsorships/events/decemberissavybe/ and follow the Bank’s social media pages – Facebook: First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Instagram: @firstbanknigeria.

     

  • Campaigns After Election

    Campaigns After Election

    The pre-election campaign mood that enveloped Nigeria before the February 25 and March 18 elections has shaken national unity, reconciliation, and cohesion. Three Sides Claiming Victory

    Like every other election in Nigeria, the 2023 polls featured dissenting lines at houses of assembly, governorships national assembly, and presidential elections.

    As the president-elect, Bola Tinubu prepares to assume office late next month, he faces the hurdle of retaining the office through a second victory at the Presidential Election Petition Court.

    Aside from Tinubu who is validly declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), 2 other contestants claim to have won the election.

    Former vice president, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) and a former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi are approaching the courts praying to be declared winners of the same election.

    There has been an unprecedented sharp divide among citizens supporting different parties causing schism on social media and fanning embers of division.

    Spokesmen of political gladiators have been discovered to be at the forefront of encouraging bigotry, especially on social media. This has attracted undue international attention to the country with various sides struggling for foreign endorsement of their interests.

    Tasking The Judiciary

    Knowing that the judiciary holds the final vote after the general election, politicians and their sympathizers have shifted campaigns to the courts.

    Opinion leaders and clergymen are not left out in appealing to the judges to dispense justice in the election matters before them, especially in the presidential election.

    Speaking to the nation’s judiciary in his 2023 Easter message, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah told the judges that their reputation is threatened.

    The cleric told them that the future of the country is in the hands of the judges in a message most Nigerian politicians won’t find interesting

    “You face difficult challenges ahead and you are mortals. The future of our country hangs on your deliberations. I will not judge you. I can only pray that God gives you grace. It will be up to you to decide how you use that gift which no amount of influence or power can buy.

    “Nigerians are saddened that your sacred temples have been invaded by the political class leaving the toxic fumes that now threaten your reputation as the last hope for all citizens. Sadly, your hard-earned reputation is undergoing very severe stress and pressure from those who want justice on their terms. Nigerians are looking up to you to reclaim their trust in you as the interpreters of the spirit of our laws.

    “The future of our country is in your hands. You have only your consciences and your God to answer to when you listen to the claims and counterclaims of Nigerian lawyers you have to decide the future of our country.

    “We pray that God gives you the wisdom to see what is right and the strength of character and conscience to stand by the truth. You have no obligation to please anyone. Our future depends on how you arrive at your much-awaited judgment” the cleric said

     

    “Nigerians are saddened that your sacred temples have been invaded by the political class leaving the toxic fumes that now threaten your reputation as the last hope for all citizens. Sadly, your hard-earned reputation is undergoing very severe stress and pressure from those who want justice on their terms. Nigerians are looking up to you to reclaim their trust in you as the interpreters of the spirit of our laws.

    Drumming For International Attention

    Many believe the growth of Nigerian democracy is stunted and despite being a sovereign state, the country’s politicians, who have alternative homes abroad can best be policed by governments of their second homes.

    The incoming government and supporters of the APC have been quick to celebrate every congratulatory message from foreign governments like such messages place a stamp of legitimacy on the yet-to-be inaugurated administration.

    Chimamanda Adichie, a United States-based Nigerian writer had written to President Joe Biden faulting the election and declaration of Bola Tinubu as president-elect.

    While Adiche’s letter was greeted with mixed feelings from pro and anti-Tinubu camps, a counter letter addressed to Biden and the Canadian government has been written by a Nigerian Professor of Law.

    Prof Yemi Oke said “Chimamanda’s letter is most unbecoming” and she went below expectations to pen down a “seditious letter against the Government and people of Nigeria.”

    The teacher said he found it “most bewildering” that Ms Adichie, a “privileged Nigerian-born writer, has decided to paint her country of origin black.”

    “Chimamanda’s letter was against entire Nigeria’s Democracy that was fought and procured with patriotic blood and undeterred resolve of democrats, chief among them being Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

    With every camp attracting foreign attention to Nigeria, the 2023 Nigerian presidential election has become an international blockbuster eliciting anxiety ahead of the judicial process and its outcome.

    Closing Ranks

    Typical of Nigerian elections, the 2023 rounds came with the prejudices of ethnic, religious, and other divides setting the country backward.

    Unfortunately, a unique feature of this year’s polls is that the country got more divided and set on a dangerous path.

    Aside from the harsh economy and unabating insecurity facing the country, the incoming government is faced with the burden of knitting the Nigerian state together as ought to be.

    A dangerous trend of disenfranchising voters suspected to be from an ethnic group, attacking them and chasing them away from voting happened in Lagos.

    This has created a deep-seated anger further weakening Nigeria’s unity. More worrying is the perceived complicity of the police institutions feigning neutrality in the face of obvious crime.

    While expressing worries that the 2023 elections proved that Nigeria has gotten more divided than he thought, a former president of the country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo called for national reconciliation and a three-pronged solution.

    Obasanjo said “One, given what we saw during the election, Nigeria is now even more divided and more corroded than we thought. This places a deep onus on any administration following the current one to urgently facilitate the process of national moral rearmament and national reconciliation that will assuage the youths.

    “This must be done in sync with the imperative of national value orientation that Nigeria requires to build a collective sense of enduring and local values and national belonging.

    “Two, governance in Nigeria now calls for thinking outside the box, in terms of development financing, this has become inevitable in the face of Nigeria’s dwindling fortune, in oil revenue, Nigeria’s huge foreign indebtedness, and the urgency of diversifying Nigeria’s neo cultural economy.

    “My experience and understanding, however, is that the money to develop and grow our economy is out there if we provide a conducive environment for it to come and stay.

    “Three, political will: Political action and administrative efforts must be invested in reforming the public service into a capability-ready institution that could enable Nigeria’s development agenda beyond 2023”

    Joshua Okoria is a Lagos-based multi-skilled journalist covering the maritime industry. His ICT and graphic design skills make him a resourceful person in any modern newsroom. He read mass communication at the Olabisi Onabanjo University and has sharpened his knowledge in media practice from several other short courses
  • How We Made N1.1tr Collection in 2023- Comptroller Jaiyeoba

    How We Made N1.1tr Collection in 2023- Comptroller Jaiyeoba

    L-R: Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command; Assistant Comptroller Nura Miko and a representative of the Army Commander where a presentation was made to Miko in Apapa on Wednesday

    Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Command has explained that it took extra efforts and concerted team work for the command to collect N1tr revenue in 2023.

    Speaking at a decoration ceremony for newly promoted officers of the command on Wednesday in Lagos, Jaiyeoba said the revenue profile of the command was not impressive as at August 2023 when he assumed office as Controller of the area

    The Customs Controller who described 2023 as a year that came with many challenges which affected port activities adversly, deployed team work, tact and unrelenting pursuit of the service goal to achieve a leap in revenue collection

    He disclosed that the command under his watch veered into strategic consultations and continually held revenue meetings weekly to proffer solutions to the situation.

    While commending 6 newly decorated and promoted Comptrollers in the command who had served with him as Deputy Comptrollers, Jaiyeoba said their invaluable individual and collective support and ideas were helpful in the journey towards increasing revenue collection

    He described newly promoted Assistant Comptroller Nura Miko as an officer with great ideas whose advise helped him upon assumption of office in understanding how best to administer the command

    Jaiyeoba said Miko’s deployment back to the command after his recent promotion to AC gladden his heart as the officer has distinguished himself in revenue collection, trade facilitation and all aspects of modern customs operation.

    He said Miko’s drive and dedication to duty is what every junior and middle level officer should emulate as they rise in their career as customs officers who have critical roles to play in national security and economic development.

    He reminded newly promoted officers that their elevation comes with ia blend of celebration and additional challenges that could be overcome.

    The Area Controller urged the officers to brace up to improved performance in 2024 as the Comptroller General looks up to them towards achieving the overall target of the service this year.

     

  • Labour Party Raises Alarm Over Plot to Disrupt Supplementary Poll in Edo

    Labour Party Raises Alarm Over Plot to Disrupt Supplementary Poll in Edo

    By Gloria Afajagbe

    The Labour Party (LP) has raised the alarm over plans by opposition parties to destabilize the conduct of the national and state assembly supplementary elections scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 15 across various wards in Edo State.

    A statement signed by the publicity secretary of the Labour Party, Sam Uroupa, urged relevant agencies to be at alert and use their offices to forestall the purported disruption.

    “We have to sound the alarm on behalf of the Edo State Labour Party and all peace-loving people of the State to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) boss, the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police Edo State, the Brigade commander, 4 Brigade Benin City, Director State Security Services (DSS) Edo State Command and all lovers of democracy across the world that plans have reached an advanced stage by some parties to compile and smuggle in fake results at the various affected polling units and collation centers.

    “We are equally aware of the plans of some actors to mobilize violence against our candidates and the electorate to disrupt the smooth conduct of the election specifically in Orhionmwon (ward nine and 10) /Uhunmwonde (some units) Federal Constituency supplementary elections; Oredo East (ward one, two, three and 12) and Egor (Ward four and three other units) for the Houses of Assembly supplementary elections.

    “In view of the above, we sincerely request that INEC in collaboration with the security agencies should ensure free, fair and peaceful conduct of the supplementary elections in Edo State,” It stated.

    JournalNG had reported that the supplementary elections will be held in some wards and units in Orhionmwon/Uhunmwonde federal constituency;
    Oredo East, Ovia South West, and Egor for the state house of assembly.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a post-graduate diploma in Journalism

  • Ecobank, EPAC Studios Partners Photo Artists, Explores Contemporary Photography Scenes

    Ecobank, EPAC Studios Partners Photo Artists, Explores Contemporary Photography Scenes

    Ecobank Nigeria’s flagship media outfit, EPAC Studios is partnering with Nigerian photographers to explore contemporary photography scenes.

    The immersive photo experience which takes place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue in Victoria Island, between January and February is set to feature photography experts such as Kelechi Amadi, Emmanuel Oyeleke, Jokotade Shonowo, Yemi Kings and Okeffect, among others.

    These ace creatives will take participants on a thrilling visual journey that spans professional headshots, family shoots, valentine theme shoots, as well as lifestyle and fashion.

    Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Jide Sipe, who announced the EPAC Photo Experience, said the initiative is geared towards helping customers, creatives and everyone to start the year on a visually buoyant note, freezing memories in time and creating picture perfect moments.

    He stressed that it would be a highly engaging and interesting time for all stakeholders in the photography space and members of the public, adding: “At Ecobank, our passion for supporting Nigerian creatives is only matched by our desire to create signature experiences built around our customer’s lifestyles.”

    Speaking further, he stated: “This is why through our flagship media outfit; EPAC Studios, we are bringing everyone together to savor the beauty and thrill of visual arts with added opportunities for learning and networking with some of the finest minds in the industry.

    Sipe further said: “We are not stopping at just photography. We have gone beyond to include videography and podcasts which we understand is rapidly becoming an integral part of our customers’ lives. We have themed and customised booths for customers to take all kinds of pictures with different backgrounds.

    “These booths are reflective of some of the things people are passionate about i.e. our culture, nature, family, among others as well as a booth filled with inspirational quotes designed to galvanize people for the new year. Furthermore, we have also provided and optimized a recording booth for interested persons to “do their thing” whether in audio or video format.”

    Ecobank Nigeria is a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group with operations in 33 African countries and an international presence in four locations (London, Paris, Beijing and Dubai).

    The financial institution is a major player in the distribution of financial services in Nigeria, leveraging digital platforms including Ecobank Mobile App and USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, Ecobank OmniPlus, Ecobank Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank RapidTransfer, ATMs, POSs and an extensive distribution network of over 250 branches and over 50,000 agency banking locations.

     

  • INEC Suspends Collation of Adamawa Guber Election Result

    INEC Suspends Collation of Adamawa Guber Election Result

    By Gloria Afajagbe

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Collation of Results in Adamawa state Governorship Election and voided the declaration of Senator Aisha Dahiru Binani as Governor-elect.

    In a statement signed by Festus Okoye, the National Commissioner, Information and Voter’s Education Committee, the commission summons the Resident Electoral Commissioner of the state, Hudu Yunusa over the controversial declaration.

    “The attention of the Commission has been drawn to a purported declaration of winner in the Adamawa Governorship election by the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) even when the process has clearly not been concluded.

    “The action of the REC is a usurpation of the power of the Returning Officer. It is null, void, and of no effect.

    “Consequently, the collation of the result of the supplementary election held yesterday 15th April 2023 is suspended forthwith.

    “The REC for Adamawa State and all other officials involved in the process are hereby directed to report immediately to INEC headquarters in Abuja,” the statement read in part.

    The electoral body, however, said it was deeply disturbed by the harassment of two Commissioners deployed to the state to ensure a peaceful and credible supplementary election.

    It urged the security agencies to provide the officials with necessary security and ensure that nothing untoward befalls them.

    “The two National Commissioners, the Returning Officer, and other staff of the Commission must be allowed to perform their duties without let or hindrance. The Commission will not condone any act of lawlessness or brigandage targeted at our officials or the process,” the INEC’s statement concluded.

    Senator Binani of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are the two main candidates in the election with Fintiri leading before Saturday’s rerun election in 69 polling units.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias toward logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
  • Marine & Blue Economy, N9.9tr Allocation for Infrastructure, Others to Drive Growth in 2024

    Marine & Blue Economy, N9.9tr Allocation for Infrastructure, Others to Drive Growth in 2024

    Executive Director, Retail Banking South, FirstBank, Oluseyi Oyefeso (left); Head, Strategy & Corporate Development, Chike Uzoma; Group Executive, Transaction Banking, Olaitan Martins; Executive Director, Corporate Banking, Tosin Adewuyi; Special Assistant to the President on PEBEC and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole; Founder and Chief Consultant, B. Adedipe Associates Limited (BAA Consult), Dr. ‘Biodun Adedipe; Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney; Founder, The FactBox Company and Leadership-By-Data, Babajide Ogunsanwo and Executive Director, Investment Management and Oversight, FBNHoldings, Oyewale Ariyibi, at the FirstBank Nigeria Economic Outlook 2024 in Lagos

    Policy and data analysts, as well as economic experts have declared that the creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry and the allocation of N9.99 trillion for capital expenditure and infrastructure development in the 2024 Budget will be major drivers of growth in fiscal 2024.

    They also posited that Nigeria’s large population of 223.8 million comprising mostly youth of an average age of 17.2 years and the sixth largest populace in the world presents a positive outlook for the nation’s economy since a youthful and vibrant population is capable of buying and consuming anything.

    Speaking at FirstBank of Nigeria’s Economic Outlook 2024: Current Realities and Prospects, the pundits argued that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s policy thrust in critical sectors as captured in the 2024 budget point to a positive outlook for the nation’s economy in the year.

    Chief Executive Officer of Biodun Adedipe and Associates (BAA Consult), Dr. ‘Biodun Adedipe, who presented the keynote address at the summit, said the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and allocation of N9.99 trillion for capital expenditure (infrastructure development) represent a positive outlook for the nation’s economy.

    He said the way President Tibunu has handled national issues since assuming office shows that he listens to people’s opinions and that given that disposition, Nigerians should continue to speak up for the government of the day to take more proactive steps in moving the nation forward.

    “The President knows the value of money in a sustainable economy and he is poised to look for the money in all the critical sectors and one of his strategies is to appoint experienced and competent people into such key sectors to deliver on his administration’s mandate. Another area of strength is the Federal Government’s focus on capital expenditure last seen in the 1980s,” he said.

    In his overview of the 2024 budget, he stressed that other interesting indices for positive economic outlook are rapid urbanisation at 51.96 percent in 2020 and 53.96 percent in June 2023, up from 47.84 percent in 2015 and deepening internet penetration at 45.57 percent in August 2023, rising from 31.48 percent in December 2018.

    “The nation’s teledensity at 116.6 percent in December 2022 and 115.63 percent in August 2023, a drop from 123.48 percent in December 2018 (91 percent in March 2019) and Internet users for which Nigeria ranks 11th globally are also good pointers to a better and resilient economy projected to grow at 3.5 percent this year.

    “On exchange and interest rates, the Federal Government benchmarked the budget assumption at N800/$; significant utterance N650-N750/$, while JP Morgan pegged it at N850/$. The Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 18.75 percent is expected to be raised to reduce negative interest rate by closing the domestic inflationary gap of 26.72 percent and respond to rate differentials with dollar interest of 4.58 percent yield on 10-year treasury bonds and inflation of 3.7 percent,” he said.

    He further explained that money supply and imports have maintained a relentless uptick on inflation rate, while local oil refining, revived manufacturing and focused export promotion will support stability to the Naira exchange rate, just as improvement in infrastructure would begin to positively impact the cost of doing business.

    Adedipe, who urged the Federal Government to create a friendlier business environment for more businesses to thrive, pointed out that Switzerland, Japan, Germany and other countries have been making enquiries on investment opportunities in the Nigerian economy in 2024 and beyond.

    He stressed that the government should strive to attract and retain manufacturers, adding that big manufacturing companies like GSK, P&G and Nestle, among others exiting in recent times, was not about Nigeria, but they were doing so to align with their global business strategies.

    “Most of the companies exiting Nigeria are still producing and shipping to countries from which they exit, but still export from. It is global shift of international trade post-COVID 19 pandemic. But essentially, China, India and Lebanon are dominant countries in terms of trade with Nigeria,” he added.

    Speaking during the panel session, Founder of FactBox Company and Leadership-By-Data, Babajide Ogunsanwo, who said security remains crucial to agriculture and food production, lamented that across the 45 sectors of the economy, crop production was growing at only 1.65 percent, while post-harvest losses in the country was still high at 60 percent.

    He said the Federal Government should leverage the country’s youthful population and ensure availability and affordability of food by engaging in all-year faming, as well as provide facilities for improved processing, storage and preservation of farm produce with a view to attaining a sustained agricultural production and entire food chain.

     

  • INEC Suspends Adamawa REC for Declaring Binani Winner

    INEC Suspends Adamawa REC for Declaring Binani Winner

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has suspended the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa, Hudu Yunusa Ari over his controversial pronouncement of Aisha Binani as the winner of the state’s governorship election.

    The governorship poll was declared inconclusive last month with the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri in the lead, and a supplementary election was conducted last Saturday.

    However, with collation still ongoing on Sunday, Ari declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Binani winner, despite only Returning Officers having the responsibility of announcing results.

    INEC in a letter dated April 17, 2023, ordered Ari to stay away from the commission’s office in Yola, the state capital.

    The letter signed by the electoral umpire’s Secretary, Rose Oriaran-Anthony, directed the Administrative Secretary in Adamawa to take charge.

    “I hereby convey the Commission’s decision that you (Barr. Hudu Yunusa Ari), Resident Electoral Commissioner, Adamawa State should stay away from the Commission’s office immediately until further notice.

     

    “The Administrative Secretary has been directed to take full charge of INEC, Adamawa State, with immediate effect”, it further read.

    Ismail Aniemu, Publisher of JournalNG and ghostwriter, is a maritime journalist with over two decades of practice with a multidisciplinary background. He holds a master’s degree in Transport Management from Ladoke Akintola University of Technology(LAUTECH) with a bias for logistics. He is also an alumnus of the Times Journalism Institute where he obtained a postgraduate diploma in Journalism

     

  • Ecobank Offers 9% Interest Rate to SuperSavers Account Holders

    Ecobank Offers 9% Interest Rate to SuperSavers Account Holders

    Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of the Ecobank Group, the leading pan-African banking group has announced an interest rate of up to 9 percent to its SuperSavers Account holders.

    A statement by the financial institution explained that the SuperSavers Account is a high-yield savings account type tailored for customers who wish to maximise their returns on savings, while benefiting from a customer-focused banking experience, adding that the six-month reward package will run from January to June 2024

    Head of Premier Banking and Wealth Management, Ayodele Osolake, said the programme is part of the bank’s strategic initiatives to continuously encourage a savings culture that would enable its customers to earn more money to safeguard a better financial future.

    “At Ecobank, we make it easy for our customers by providing a special high-yield account type to warehouse their funds securely instead of them falling prey to speculative and windy investment windows.  Beyond the high yield and financial safety, our clients retain the flexibility to access their funds when required,” she said.

    Speaking further, she said: “Ecobank is mindful of the economic challenges and will constantly encourage our customers to hedge against possible future financial downturn enabling them to meet demands like tra

    The SuperSavers Account, which comes in local and foreign currency variants, encourages them to save and build their wealth simultaneously. It is packaged in such a way that customers would benefit immensely. I want to encourage our new and existing customers to make the best of this opportunity.”

    Osolake also explained that to qualify for the additional interest rate, customers need to open and fund their SuperSavers Naira Account, with a minimum deposit of N500,000, while building the account up gradually, adding that customers could still retain access to their funds being entitled to two  withdrawals per month without losing the benefit of the SuperSavers interest rate.