Flowerbud News

Month: February 2024

  • Borrowers Mission: FG team hails ATASP-1 over Project Quality, Economic Impacts

    Borrowers Mission: FG team hails ATASP-1 over Project Quality, Economic Impacts

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The 2024 edition of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase One (ATASP-1) Borrowers Mission team has expressed satisfaction with the quality and impacts of economic and social infrastructure projects undertaken under ATASP-1 in Adani-Omor Zone.

     

     

     

    The commendation was made on Tuesday when the team concluded visitation to some project sites executed under ATASP-1 in Adani-Omor Staple Crops Processing Zone for some days recently.

     

     

    The delegation that visited the sites was composed of top officials of the Federal Ministry of Finance led by Dr Oyebola Akande, and Bukar Musa, Director of Project Coordinating Unit, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

     

     

    Others in the delegation included: ATASP-1 National Program Coordinating (NPC) Team led by Dr. Ibrahim Arabi and Adani-Omor Zonal Team led by Dr. Romanus Egba as well as project consultants and contractors.

     

     

    Project sites visited in Enugu State included: the Two-Span Obinna Bridge, Canal Lining Project sites inside Ada Rice Irrigation Scheme as well as Community Health Clinic, Asaba, all in Uzo-Uwani Local Government Area of the state.

     

    At Obinna Bridge, the team also interacted with a group of farmers in the area who trouped out to appreciate the impact of ATASP-1 projects, Good Agronomic Practices (GAPs) training and other supports in their farming business.

     

     

    The farmers speaking through their leader, Mr. Bernard Idu, expressed their readiness for the commencement of dry season farming in the area.

     

     

    Dr Oyebola Akande, an Assistant Director. African Financial Institutions (ABER Division), International Economic Relations Department of the Federal Ministry of Finance who addressed the farmers, disclosed that the objective of the visit was to ascertain the state of the projects and their impacts on the lives of people.

     

    Akande assured of the Federal Government’s commitment towards completing the projects.

     

     

    At Asaba, the team inspected the newly commissioned health facility as well as showered financial gifts to the first baby successfully delivered at the center.

     

     

    The team also commended the management of the facility for a good job and stressed the need for the state and local government authorities to put in place measures for regular supply of drugs as well as employment of qualified health officials at the center instead of relying on volunteer staff.

     

    In the Anambra State axis of the ATASP-1 project, the team visited the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project (LAIP) Pumping Station at Ifite-Ogwari, and after inspection of the facility interacted with the contractor and farmers in the area.

     

     

    Also visited were the West Main canal lining project sites at Omor, Ayamelum Local Government, Anambra State.

     

     

    The team later paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, at Awka, Anambra State, outlining the need for the state government to fulfil its counterpart funding commitment to ATASP-1.

     

    The team also appealed to the Anambra government to ensure provision of a 5,000KVA transformer and line to the Ifite-Ogwari pumping station ahead of its completion in March 2024.

     

     

    The ATASP-1 National Programme Coordinating (NPC), Dr Ibrahim Arabi, thanked the commissioner for supporting ATASP-1.

     

     

    Arabi also stressed the need for the state government to emulate its Enugu state counterpart that had paid its own counterpart funding to enable the programme to deliver on its mandate.

     

    Mr Bukar Musa, Director, Project Coordinating Unit (PCU), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, had earlier explained that the mission was to compare what was in the books with what was on ground.

     

     

    Bukar said that this was to ensure there was value for the money that the Federal Government was borrowing for the projects.

    He stressed the need for the participating state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government through their counterpart funding. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Breaking: Emefiele demands apology, N25bn from Akpabio over alleged defamation

    Breaking: Emefiele demands apology, N25bn from Akpabio over alleged defamation

    The accusations stem from comments purportedly made by the Senate President at an event, which Emefiele claims have unjustly maligned his character and portrayed him as the root cause of Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

    In a dramatic turn of events, Godwin Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has accused the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, of making defamatory statements against him.

     

    accusations stem from comments purportedly made by the Senate President at an event, which Emefiele claims have unjustly maligned his character and portrayed him as the root cause of Nigeria’s current economic challenges.

     

    During the televised remarks, the Senate President suggested that the government was at a loss for what charges to bring against Emefiele, citing potential accusations ranging from causing economic turmoil to illegal possession of firearms and unauthorised printing of currency.

     

    These remarks have sparked controversy and drawn attention to the former CBN governor’s ongoing legal battles, where he has pleaded not guilty and is actively defending his innocence.

     

    Matthew Burkaa, SAN, legal representative for Emefiele, stated in a letter addressed to the Senate President, a copy of which was obtained by Vanguard in Abuja on Wednesday, that the former CBN governor considers these statements false, distorted, and made in bad faith. The statements were deemed to be aimed at disparaging his character.

     

    The letter demanded an immediate retraction of the statement, a written apology, and the payment of twenty-five billion naira (N25,000,000,000) as compensation for the alleged defamation.

     

    The legal team argued that the Senate President’s comments not only undermine the integrity of the judiciary by commenting on a matter currently under legal review but also fail to acknowledge Emefiele’s contributions to the Nigerian economy.

     

    They highlighted his role in introducing banking sector innovations and his efforts in addressing the P&ID Saga, which had positive outcomes for Nigeria.

     

    Furthermore, the letter emphasised that no policy was enacted under Emefiele’s tenure without the approval or directive of the President and the Federal Executive Council, of which Akpabio was a key member. This point underscored the complexity of attributing the country’s economic woes solely to Emefiele.

     

    letter read in full: “We are Solicitors to Dr. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele, the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (hereinafter referred to as “Our Client”), on whose brief and instruction, we write this letter to you as follows:

     

    “Our Client’s attention has been drawn to a widely circulated statement made by you against him on Channels Television on or about the 18th February, 2024 which he considers false, distorted and clearly aimed at disparaging his character and indeed made in bad faith. The said statement is contained in a video and was made by you to a large gathering of persons and circulated globally via uncountable online media. The statement which has now gone viral had this heading attached to its preface ”we don’t know what crime to charge emefiele with” in the video, you stated clearly and unequivocally, among other things, as follows:

     

    ‘So the kind of debt and the kind of economic mess that we are in, a lot of people do not understand, I remember President Obama saying you cannot know Washington until you get to Washington. So by the time we went in to look at the economic state of the country it was terrible, so the Former Governor of Central of Bank of Nigeria we didn’t even know what to charge him, whether to charge him for putting foam on the … or to charge him for illegal possession of Fire Arms or to Charge him for printing notes without income, I don’t know what we are going to charge him with. But, what I know is that, yes there is hunger today because of the policies that they took.’

     

    “The above statement, whether taken in their ordinary, figurative or literal meaning portrayed Our Client as:

     

    The cause of the entire hardship in Nigeria today is as a result of the policies of the previous administration.

     

    “A serial offender whose action is responsible for all the hardship experienced by Nigerians today.

     

    “A person who has committed offences that are so numerous that the government is confused as to which of the offences to prefer a charge against him.

     

    “Your Excellency, as the President of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you certainly know, or have reasons to know that the Federal Government of Nigeria had since the 14th August, 2023 preferred Charges against Our Client to which he had long pleaded not guilty and is presently defending same to exonerate himself and show that he is not guilty of the said allegations.

     

    “It is therefore disturbing, that such a statement would be made by the Head of the Legislature of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on a matter that is clearly subjudice. Your statement, with the greatest respect, clearly undermines the honour and integrity of the Court and its independence and indeed has the propensity of prejudicing the case against Our Client. Having submitted to the jurisdiction of the Court, it is only fair and proper that the Court should be allowed to determine the issues submitted to it without unnecessary pressure from any other arm of Government.

     

    Secondly Sir, as a Senior member of the Bar, a former Governor of a State, A Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Minister under the immediate past Administration, Your statement attributing the present economic woes of the country solely on Our Client is most appalling and exposes the inaccuracies in Your assertions, especially, as you were a major player in the immediate Past Administration and worked closely with Our Client and indeed witnessed the innovations he introduced in the banking sector and its impact on the economy whilst in office, as well as the role he played despite all odds in salvaging Nigeria in the P & ID Saga and the positive result it brought for Nigeria.

     

    “You are also aware that no single policy was carried out by Our Client without the approval, directive or authorization of the President and/or the Federal Executive Council of which you were a key and powerful member.

     

    “It is pursuant to the above and without delving into the matter presently pending in Court that Our Client has instructed that we write to Your good offices and demand the immediate retraction of Your statement which has gone viral and are considered clearly defamatory of Our Client

     

    “These baseless and false allegations clearly defames the character of Our Client and has also caused him great pains and embarrassment as it has lowered his esteem before the right thinking members of the Society in addition to the obvious odium and opprobrium from the unsuspecting members of the Society as a result of the falsity contained in that statement.

     

    “We therefore have Our Client’s further instruction to demand from you an unreserved apology in writing, published and circulated by the same medium with which you have defamed his character and the sum of Twenty-Five Billion Naira (N25,000,000,000) as reasonable compensation for the willful and unjustifiable denigration of his hard earned reputation. In the event that you fail, refuse or neglect to comply with this legitimate demand, Our Client will be at liberty to seek the appropriate redress available to him under the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Whilst anticipating your compliance with the above, kindly accept the assurances of our best regards.”

     

    The demand for a retraction and apology, coupled with the substantial compensation claim, has raised eyebrows across the nation, putting the spotlight on the role of past and present high-ranking officials in Nigeria’s economic health.

     

  • Viksit Bharat 2047: Indians in Nigeria reiterate commitment toward vision

    Viksit Bharat 2047: Indians in Nigeria reiterate commitment toward vision

    By Taiye Olayemi

    Indians in Nigeria have reiterated commitment toward the actualisation of their country’s ‘Viksit Bharat at 2047’, a vision to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of independence.

    This vision encompasses various facets of development, such as economic growth, environmental sustainability, social progress and good governance, to make India a developed nation by 2047.

    Mr Sanjay Srivastava, a Social Entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of AI Ticks Nigeria, during a webinar session with some other Indian nationals highlighted India’s remarkable progress in the global economic landscape.

    Srivastava said the meeting was centered around the theme: “Indian Economy and Viksit Bharat”.

    He emphasised Bharat’s ascent to the status of the world’s fourth-largest economy and projected its trajectory toward becoming the third-largest economy by 2027.

    He underscored key factors contributing to this growth, notably the significant improvements in India’s ease of doing business ranking and the proactive measures taken to attract foreign investment.

    Srivastava highlighted Nigeria’s burgeoning economy driven by its sizable population, particularly its youthful demographic.

    He juxtaposed this with India’s superior positioning, emphasising the nation’s conducive business environment and enhanced global reputation.

    Also, Prof. Anil Kumar of Sri Ram College of Commerce, Delhi University, shed light on the economic landscape preceding 2014, characterising it as a period of policy paralysis and potential fragility for India’s economy.

    Kumar commended Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s administration for implementing robust measures that revitalised the economy.

    He highlighted key initiatives such as the Jan Dhan Account-based Direct Benefit Transfer system, the Swachh Bharat Mission, and the Make in India campaign.

    He emphasised the distinctive feature of the Modi government: its commitment to translating policies into tangible outcomes.

    He also argued that this commitment, coupled with effective policy implementation, had positioned India on the path to becoming the world’s third-largest economy.

    He underscored the government’s focus on transforming Bharat into a global manufacturing and supply chain hub, supported by the establishment of world-class infrastructure, including highways and roads.

    Kumar emphasised the importance of these initiatives in generating employment opportunities, particularly in the unskilled and unorganised sectors, thus triggering a multiplier effect on the economy.

    Mr Pravin Kumar, Chief Finance Officer of Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company in Nigeria, provided insights into India’s path toward attaining developed nation status based on purchasing power.

    He said that India currently boasts a purchasing power of 9,000 dollars per month, while the United States stands at 25,000 dollars per month.

    According to him, once India achieves parity with the United States in terms of purchasing power, it will transition into a developed nation.

    He applauded India’s efforts in simplifying visa and passport procedures, making it easier for Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to address their concerns at embassies.

    He emphasised the significance of this streamlined process in fostering a conducive environment for NRIs and enhancing their engagement with Bharat’s affairs.

    He also discussed the nation’s s strides in improving its export scenario, particularly by enhancing the export clearance system.

    “This focus on facilitating trade and expediting export processes contributes to bolstering India’s global competitiveness and expanding its presence in international markets,” he said. (NAN) (nannews.ng)

    Edited by Folasade Adeniran

  • Hafsat Bakari nominated to replace Modibbo at NFIU

    Hafsat Bakari nominated to replace Modibbo at NFIU

     

    By Flowerbudnews

     

     

     

    Abuja (Flowerbudnews)President Bola Tinubu has nominated Ms. Hafsat Abubakar Bakari as the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU).

    Her nomination is subject to confirmation by the Senate. If confirmed, she will replace Modibbo Tukur, who was sacked in July 2023.

    Ms. Bakari, a lawyer has garnered many years of experience in anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing.

    She was the deputy director at the NFIU before her nomination by the President. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Police arrest 83 suspects, rescue 20 kidnapped victims in Enugu

    Police arrest 83 suspects, rescue 20 kidnapped victims in Enugu

     

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The Police Command in Enugu State says it arrested 83 criminal suspects and rescued 20 kidnapped victims within the state between Jan. 1, 2024 till date.

     

     

    The offences for which the suspects were arrested included: abduction, kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, defilement and vandalism among other criminals committed within the state in the period under review.

     

     

    The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen on the successes of the Command since the beginning of the year.

     

    Uzuegbu noted that 46 firearms of different calibers were recovered as well as 125 ammunition of different calibres were recovered within the period under review.

     

     

    According to him, 36 motor vehicles were recovered; six tricycles were recovered and 15 motorcycles were also recovered by gallant and eagle-eyed crime fighting officers and men of the Command.

     

     

    He said many of the arrested suspects had been arraigned in court and remanded in the Nigerian Correctional Service Custodial Centre, while others would be prosecuted accordingly once investigations are concluded.

     

    The commissioner said that proactive and people’s centred policing approaches of the Command had started yielding the expected results.

     

     

    “I wish to specially thank the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Dr Peter Mbah, for the immense support his Administration has continued to extend to the police in the state.

     

     

    “In the same vein, I profoundly thank and appreciate the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for his visionary and pragmatic leadership style, which have brought about the policing strides recorded in Enugu State and Nigeria as a whole.

     

    “Additionally, I express my immense gratitude to my colleagues in sister security agencies and the entire security stakeholders in Enugu State, for all the collaborative support we enjoyed in 2023, and which has continued into 2024.

     

     

    “I also want to thank and appreciate my officers and men for their diligence, hard work and dedication to duty, which have resulted in the operational successes recorded.

     

     

    “I urge them to remain focused and committed to actualizing the mandates of the Nigeria Police Force in Enugu State,” he said.

     

    The commissioner maintained that discipline remained the bedrock of the Nigeria Police, adding: “ I caution officers and men to shun acts of corruption, unprofessionalism and moral debasements, which bring with them severe disciplinary consequences”.

     

     

    According to him, officers and men must remain professional, firm, upright and diligent in the performance of their duties.

     

     

    He warned unrepentant criminals to turn over a new leaf, as “we shall more than ever, turn up the heat and make Enugu State more uncomfortable for them and their activities.”

     

    He said: “And if they fail to repent, then we shall stop at nothing to ruthlessly deal with them.

     

    “I also want to strongly caution rumour mongers, rabble-rousers and peddlers of fake, misinformative and disinformative news in Enugu State to desist forthwith, as the Police would not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found wanting, in accordance with extant laws, particularly the Cybercrime Act.

     

    “There is no doubt that the task of tackling the increasing security challenges in our society is daily becoming daunting.

    “Nonetheless, the assurance I bring to the good people of Enugu State is that we will remain focused and unflinching in our commitment to enthrone a crime-free and peaceful environment for all and sundry to thrive in their legitimate enterprises.”

     

    Uzuegbu urged the citizenry to remain law-abiding, security conscious and continue to support the police, through the provision of credible and actionable security information; while also reporting suspected criminals and their activities to the nearest police station. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Navy uncovers illegal refining site in Port Harcourt, confiscates 750,000 litres of AGO

    Navy uncovers illegal refining site in Port Harcourt, confiscates 750,000 litres of AGO

     

    By Flowerbudnews

    The Nigerian Navy have busted an illegal oil refining site in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, capital city of Rivers State.

    About Seven hundred and fifty thousand (750,000) litres of illegally refined Automated Gas Oil, AGO, popularly known as diesel was discovered and confiscated during the raid at Abonema Wharf area of the city.

     

    The exercise was carried out on Tuesday by Officers and operatives of Nigerian Navy Ship, NNS, Pathfinder, led by the Commander, Commodore Desmond Igbo.

    Addressing Journalists after the exercise, Commodore Desmond Igbo said the raid which was carried out after a tip off, was in continuation of the mandate of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla to end illegal oil bunkering activities and crude oil theft in the Niger Delta and other parts of the nation.

    Commodore Igbo, who described illegal oil bunkering and crude oil theft as an act of sabotaging the nation’s economy said, he and his team are fully determined to end the menace in their area of operation.

    He said, “This is another illegal oil bunkering site in Port Harcourt. As you can see, we have lots of drums fully loaded with this illegally refined products. We also have some loaded in the bags too. Here, we have not less than Seven hundred and fifty thousand (750,000) litres of AGO stolen by criminals stocked here.

     

    Vn”Last time, we were at the creeks, but these oil thieves have devised a new means to even come to the town. This is Abonema Wharf, a community right inside the city of Port Harcourt, the state capital.”

    The Commander, NNS Pathfinder, said the illegal refining site poses a great danger to residents and those doing business in the area.

    “Apart from being saboteurs of the nation’s economy by stealing these oil, it is also an act of environmental degradation. They also constitute danger to the citizens and properties of people around here because, if there is any form of fire outbreak, it will burn down the entire community. We will not allow this to continue.

    “The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogala has given us this mandate to go to the creeks, the water and the land to make sure that crude oil theft in Niger Delta is put to an end. We will not relent and we won’t be deterred even with all form of sabotage and blackmails, we will continue to do the right thing both day and night to ensure this act of economic sabotage stops.”

    Mr. Igbo advised all those involved in the act of sabotaging the nation’s economy to refrain and engage in legal business to earn a living.

    “I have always advised them. They must refrain from this act of economic sabotage, it is not good for our country and our economy, as well the environment. So we advice them to look for other legal means of survival.”

    He however, noted that the confiscated products would be handed over to the appropriate authority for necessary action. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Kogi governorship poll: Court strikes out APP’s petition challenging Ododo’s election victory

    Kogi governorship poll: Court strikes out APP’s petition challenging Ododo’s election victory

    Flowerbudnews
    The Kogi State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, struck out the petition filed by the Action Peoples Party (APP) against the election victory of Gov. Ahmed Ododo of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Nov. 11 governorship poll in the state.

    The three-member panel chaired by Justice Ado Birnin–Kudu struck out the petition following its withdrawal by counsel for APP, Daniel Edeachi.

    The application, seeking the withdrawal of the petition was not opposed by lawyer to Gov. Ododo, Ibrahim Muhammed, SAN; counsel to APC, DC Denwigwe, SAN, and that of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Kanu Agabi, SAN.

    The tribunal, in a ruling upon review of the affidavit of no objection filed by lawyers to the respondents, consequently, struck out the APP petition.

    Hearing in the remaining three petitions continues.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that APP had, in the petition number: EPR/KG/GOV/02/2023 filed on Dec. 1, 2023, before the tribunal, challenged the declaration of Ododo as the validly elected governor of Kogi in the Nov. 11, 2023 governorship poll conducted by INEC.

    The party had sued Ododo, APC and INEC as 1st to 3rd respondents respectively.

    However, in its motion on notice dated and filed on Feb. 15, the party sought two orders, including an order granting leave to the petitioner/applicant to withdraw the Petition No: EPT/KG/GOV/01/2023 and an order striking out or dismissing the petition, having been withdrawn by the petitioner.

    Giving eight-ground of argument, APP said though it filed the petition to challenge Ododo’s victory, the party said upon the re-evaluation of the grounds and facts of the petition, it “is not reasonably convinced about the sustainability of the grounds of the petition as presently constituted before this honourable tribunal.

    According to the party, the withdrawal of the petition is based on the perceived unsustainability of the grounds of the petition and to avoid overburdening this honourable tribunal with numerous petitions.

    “The petitioner or its officers have not connived nor colluded with any party or person for the withdrawal of this petition but based on the overriding interest of justice.

    “The petitioner or its officer have not made or entered into any undertaking or agreement with any party or person for the withdrawal of this petition.

    “It will be in the interest of justice to grant leave to the petitioner to withdraw this petition and to strike out same in view of the withdrawal,” it averred.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng) / Flowerbudnews

  • NYSC swears in 1,503 corps members in Enugu

    NYSC swears in 1,503 corps members in Enugu

     

    By Flowerbudnews
    The National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has sworn in 1,503 corps members of the 2024 Batch ‘A’ Stream one set, deployed to Enugu State for the one-year mandatory national service.

    The state Coordinator, NYSC, Mrs Christiana Salmwang, disclosed this on Tuesday during the swearing-in ceremony at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Awgu Local Government Area, Enugu.

    Salmwang said that the corps members comprised 764 males and 739 females.

    She said that the corps members would undergo vocational and entrepreneurship training through the skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) which was recently revamped to align with the prevailing socio- economic realities.

    The coordinator thanked Gov. Peter Mbah for his keen interest in the overall revamping of facilities in the orientation camp, adding that the governor had commenced massive renovation of the camp.

    “The drilling of a second borehole which will greatly cushion the effect of water scarcity is ongoing. We have been assured that before long the orientation camp will be transformed into a modern camp,” she said.

    She appealed to the state governor for the construction of a parade ground within the camp, construction of access road to the camp as vehicles find it difficult to ascend the camp especially during the rainy season due to its deplorable state.

    Salmwang also appealed for the installation of solar panels within the camp so as to help in illuminating the camp at night as the issue if light has been a perennial problem in Awgu.

    According to her, the NYSC, Enugu needs operational vehicles in order to help the scheme to carry out effective inspection and monitoring of the corps members as many of them are posted to rural communities in the state.

    Meanwhile, governor Mbah, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidebere Onyia said that his administration had already connected the camp to the national grid which was energized but due to vandalism of the facilities by some miscreants, the light to the camp went off.

    He promised that his administration would as a matter of urgency meet with the authority in charge of power to fix and bring back light to the camp.

    According to him, the access road leading to the camp ground has been completed, the new overhead tanks, renovation of 13 hostel buildings and renovation of 79 toilets facilities for the corps members in the orientation camp.

    He urged the corps members to key into Enugu State Government’s transformative agenda of continuity, collaboration, transparency, accessibility and accountability.

    He advised them to build bridges across their cultural and religious backgrounds and live peacefully with their fellow compatriots while working with one purpose to uplift the present dwindling economy.

    Administering the oath of allegiance, the Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Raymond Ozoemena urged the corps members to be obedient to rules, regulations, laws and the country.

    Ozoemena, who was represented by Justice A. O. Onovo, said that the oath taken by the corps members was biding, that any activity against it would be liable to criminal offence under Nigerian law. (Flowerbudnews)

  • Late Wigwe’s Business Partner in Dubious Move to Acquire Wigwe’s Share of Access Bank

    Late Wigwe’s Business Partner in Dubious Move to Acquire Wigwe’s Share of Access Bank

    Late Wigwe’s Business Partner in Dubious Move to Acquire Wigwe’s Share of Access Bank

     

    By Adewale Owoade

     

    Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, the business partner of Late Herbert Wigwe, former Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc., is making frantic efforts at all means to acquire Late Wigwe’s shares of Access Bank.

     

    Aig-Imoukhuede is the Chairman, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation; Founder, Coronation Group & Affiliates; Founder, Tengen Family Office; Former General Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank.

     

    Aig-Imokhuede has commenced a process to sideline the late Wigwe’s family, and in particular, the younger brother of the deceased, (name withheld), through proxies in the family in order to acquire his former partner’s share of Access Bank.

     

    This is, as the bodies haven’t even been returned to Nigeria and the funerals planned.

     

    Our sources within the family reported that clandestine meetings were held outside of the family, including control of the bodies by Aig-Imoukhuede’s wife, Madam Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, who traveled to the United States to ensure that their family controls the bodies.

     

    The family has further been frustrated by the photographed visits by a long list of personalities that should’ve been done privately, all to showcase Aig-Imoukhuede.  Those not aware didn’t see the progression of guests from the parents’ house to Aig-Imoukhuede’s office.

     

    Family members continue to express fears for the lives of the innocent young children who would’ve been protected by family members.

    Late Wigwe, the co-founder of Access Bank, who hailed from Isiokpo in Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, died on Friday, February 9, 2024, in a helicopter crash in the United States of America, alongside his wife, Chizoba; son, Chizi; and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former group chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

     

    All six people onboard were confirmed dead.

     

    He is survived by an 89-year-old father, Shyngle Wigwe; Mother, Stella; and three children, Tochi, Hannah and David.