Category: General News

According to NTA on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ahmad was arrested and detained over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank.

 

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arrested and detained the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria in charge of Financial System Stability, Aishah Ahmad.

 

According to NTA on its X (formerly Twitter) handle, Ahmad was arrested and detained over the alleged fraudulent acquisition of shares in Polaris Bank, Titan Bank/Union Bank.

The report added that the CBN Deputy Governor is currently being interrogated on how the $300 million to complete the acquisition of Union Bank was raised by Titan Bank.

 

Her arrest and grilling followed the arrest and detention of the suspended Governor of the CBN, Godwin Emefiele, also by the DSS.

 

Ahmad was appointed Deputy Governor at the CBN on March 23, 2018. As Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability, she is responsible for leading the effort to promote a sound financial system in Nigeria; one of the principal objects of the Bank as specified within the CBN Act. In this role, Ahmad is a member of the CBN’s Governing Board and Committee of Governors and Chairman of the Financial Institutions Training Centre (FITC)

SaharaReporters had reported how Emefiele had perfected plans to cover up his corruption records when Muhammadu Buhari was Nigeria’s president.

 

Multiple sources told SaharaReporters how Emefiele secretly sent the names of Mrs. Aishah N, Ahmad, Deputy Governor, Financial System Stability Directorate and Mr. Edward L. Adamu Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Directorate to President Muhammadu Buhari for renewal.

 

The move by Emefiele to nominate his stooges for re-appointment was part of plans to cover his corruption records in the bank, it was learnt.

 

“Emefiele has secretly sent Aisha and Edward’s names for renewal months before time to stop the next government from appointing their own candidate and to allow them to cover his back,” a source in the bank had told SaharaReporters.

 

“He has paid the villa cabals millions in dollars to get the renewals approved. Edward was that one on the audio SaharaReporters exclusively leaked.

 

“Aisha is that deputy governor Samaila Isa Funtua and his son brought.”

 

SaharaReporters had reported that Emefiele; the President of African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), and Prof. Benedict Oramah; among others were under investigation over the $300 million the pan-African multilateral financial institution gave to Titan Trust Bank Limited to acquire 93.4 per cent stake in the Union Bank of Nigeria Plc.

 

Others being investigated were Aminu Yaro, a Northern business mogul and one Farouk Gumel.

 

Sources had told SaharaReporters that the EFCC, DSS, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) were all investigating Oramah, Emefiele and others.

 

In December 2022, the Peoples Gazette reported that Ahmad helped facilitate the sale of Polaris Bank at a favourable price in order to be considered for the position of CBN Governor.

 

The CBN denied these allegations and described the sale of Polaris Bank aas an institutional decision supervised by a committee of senior representatives of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) and the CBN.

 

The CBN stated that no other party made a higher purchase offer as alleged by the newspaper.

It’s high time to start being deliberate about our environment and what we eat and inhale daily. That little sand portion in your compound or environment can be useful in nurturing flowers. Flowers are beneficial in the following ways:

 

 

 

1. Flowers brighten and beautify the environment with their range of colours. Planting flowers has a positive impact on the physical well-being of gardeners. It improves the flexibility of the muscle and helps to burn calories.

2. Flowers remove pollutants from the air. Instead of spending so much on air purifiers and diffusers, flowers are a natural way to purify the air around your home. Flower plants take in Carbon Dioxide and release oxygen during photosynthesis. More so, flowerbeds retain soil, evading erosion and flooding. These are natural ways to maintain fresh air and a more balanced earth around your home.

 

 

3. Working around the soil exposes the human body to beneficial bacteria and microbes. Through this, the body’s immune system is built and creates antibodies.

 

 

4. The beautiful colours and enchanting smell of flowers improve cognitive and emotional well-being. Waking up to the sight of beautiful colours and blossoming flowers improves one’s mood and appreciation for nature and life. If you want to be more thankful or have a brightened mood when in your home, flowers are a good source of inspiration to look out for when you are laid back and relaxed.

 

5. Flowers attract pollinators like butterflies, bees and moths, which are crucial to our survival. Insects are also beneficial to our human existence. According to the Federation of Wild Life, insects pollinate our crops and wild plants, providing one-third of our food and allowing wild plants to reproduce and produce the berries, fruits, seeds, and other plant foods that form the base of the natural food web. You just might be saving humanity from hunger by planting flowers.

Ogun Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), on Sunday said, two persons lost their lives, while another one sustained injuries in an accident involving a Mazda bus and a Mazda car at Ayedere , on the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

Spokesperson of Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi of TRACE, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

Akinbiyi said, the accident occured at 7:10am at Ayedere village in Ewekoro local government area of the state.

 

He noted that the accident was caused by the driver of the unregistered Mazda car who drove against traffic and had a head on collision with the Mazda bus marked SEY 311 ZY.

 

Akinbiyi added that the drivers of the two vehicles died while a motor boy sustained injuries

 

He explained that the injured motor boy was rescued to a nearby hospital before the arrival of TRACE, saying that the driver of the car had been taking away by his family for burial.

 

He said, the driver of the bus was deposited at Ifo General Hospital morgue.

 

” According to eyewitness , the white Mazda bus, loaded with foodstuffs was on its rightful lane, outbound Abeokuta.

 

“The unregistered Mazda car, driving in a direction prohibited by traffic law collided with the bus, leaving the drivers of both vehicles dead on the spot due to the impact of the collision.

The motor boy of the white Mazda bus sustained varying degrees of injuries and has been taken to a private clinic for medical attention,” he said.

Akinbiyi warned drivers to desist from commiting route violation, saying that there are lot of dangers associated with route violation.

 

 

 

 

Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, also posted the pictures she took with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the summit.

US President Joe Biden took many by surprise after snapping photos of the Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on the sidelines of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India.

After posing with some of her team members, President Biden took photos of Okonjo-Iweala with the US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan.

 

 

 

Describing the moment as great, Okonjo-Iweala posted the pictures on her X (formerly called Twitter) page.

 

“At the G20 leaders Summit. Some great moments with President Joe Biden @POTUS and also with @JakeSullivan46 National Security Advisor, discussing @WTO reform especially reform of the Dispute Settlement System. President Biden surprised us by taking a photo of me, my staff and @JakeSullivan46,” Okonjo-Iweala wrote.

Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, also posted the pictures she took with President Bola Tinubu on the sidelines of the summit.

G20 summit ends on September 10. On Saturday, the African Union (AU) formally joined the Group of 20 top global economies on Saturday.

 

See photos below:

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has authorised the demolition of DATKEM Plaza, a property owned by Olufunke Daniel, the wife of former governor now senator, Gbenga Daniel.

The building, located at Folagbade Street in Ijebu Ode, was set to be commissioned at the end of this month.

Though, it was gathered that Ogun State government had issued contravention notice to contractors working on the building about three days ago.

 

According to the project manager, Olusegun Lawal, some of the contravention, according to the notice by government included; inadequate parking space, inadequate muster point, and inadequate airspace.

 

Lawal said construction of the five-story building began in 2009 with full approval from the relevant authorities.

 

Lawal added that “the building boasted a ground floor and mezzanine equipped with a fully-fledged banking hall, complete with bank trap doors and a CHUBB Strong Room.

 

Other features included a Kone Elevator installed by Kresta Laurel Ltd, brand new split air conditioners from Holomicool Nig Ltd, a 150kVA generator set, and a transformer.

 

The plaza also had a fire-fighting system installed by Flory Ltd, with external cladding completed by Vertex Nig Ltd. Building supervision was entrusted to qualified and certified engineers, Engr. A Lawal and Engr. Ibraheem Shonde, among others.

 

Speaking on the development, an aide to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, Steve Oliyide said the building was not demolished, but it was vandalized.

According to Oliyide, the vandalization, which lasted from 2am till 5am was carried out by thugs loyal to the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, and were given police protection by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles.

Oliyide added that Town Planners refused to sign the Order of demolition because it cannot be justified.

 

“Dapo Abiodun was said to be in Ijebu Ode yesterday with Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Femi Gbajabiamila to see the Awujale and Paramount ruler of Ijebu land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

 

“Town planners that were contacted say they don’t work at night and not even on Sunday. One of Dapo Abiodun’s thugs, Efele was said to be patrolling the area all through yesterday.

 

“The operation was led by ACP Edward Omosoyin with seven armed policemen in twenty vehicles and personally supervised the destruction.

He called the DPOs that they have a special operation by 2am. The destruction was done by thugs headed by Efele and other thugs.

 

“So, it is logical that Dapo Abiodun’s thugs are the one who attacked the building to enforce an illegal order and they are being protected by the Police. It is also true that the Town Planners who refused to sign the Order because the demolition cannot be justified were threatened and the one who collected a response letter from the builder has been placed on suspension.

 

 

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Sept 10, 2023

Gov. Umar Bago of Niger has urged the  stakeholders in the state to remain ambitious and key into his “New Niger Agenda” to enhance the required growth and development.

Bago gave the advice during a grand reception in honour of the newly elected and appointed Ministers, National and State Assembly members held at the Justiće Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna on Saturday.

He said that the gathering was aimed at fostering unity, collaboration, among all and sundry to be on the same page in achieving steady progress.

The governor added that the event was adopted as a policy to be observed every quarter to provide a platform for meaningful discussions on issues that affect the state.

“It will also be used to show how best to address these issues,” Bago said, even as he directed the 25 Local Government Areas to replicate same in their respective councils.

He advised the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris-Malagi, whom he described as an elder brother to use his good offices to fast-track the growth and development of the state and the county.

He appealed to the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Sabi-Abdullahi, to ensure that the state was considered for the pilot scheme of Federal Government’s agricultural initiatives based on its size and abundant untapped natural resources.

In their separate goodwill messages,   Idris-Malagi and Sabi-Abdullahi, both lauded the governor for his foresight and acknowledged that a ‘New Niger’ was achievable.

Idris-Malagi said:”No need for acrimony, It is time to come together, make sacrifices and synergise for a new Niger as governor Bago is not only building a #NewNiger, but also unifying the people.”

The Senator representing Niger South, Sen. Peter Jiya, spoke on behalf of the members of the National Assembly from the state.

Mr Abdulmalik Muhammad, who also spoke on behalf of the members of the state assembly, assured that they would work collectively for the growth and development of the state.

The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, on behalf of the Judiciary pledged its support to the realisation of the ‘New Niger’ agenda of the governor.

The Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora, Muhammadu Mu’azu II, who spoke on behalf of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, urged elected and appointed leaders to serve with the fear of God and do their best in addressing the challenges bedevilling the state.

Earlier, the Secretary to the Niger Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman said: “The maoden event is to usher in the new development agenda of the governor.

NAN

By Mohammed Baba Busu

Sept 10, 2023

Alhaji Mohammed Idris-Malagi, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, says President Bola Tinubu is fully committed to restore the economic prosperity of Nigeria.

Idtis-Malagi disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Minna, Niger on the sidelines of a civic reception organised for elected and appointed officials by Gov. Umar Bago.

According to the minister, Tinubu is working round the clock to robustly initiate policies and programmes, internally and externally, to revive the economy.

Idris-Malagi said: “As we speak, the president is attending the G-20 Summit of the world’s strongest economies in India to attract more foreign investors.

“Tinubu is now in India attracting the best of Industries to come to Nigeria in the bid to have tangible economic prosperity for Nigerians in the nearest future.

“The president is aware of some of the hardships that Nigerians are encountering as a result of the very strong, powerful steps he has taken to restore the economy, especially the fuel subsidy removal.

“This is a temporary step and Nigerians will soon smile in the nearest future as the Federal Government has taken the right steps to cushion the effects.”

Idris-Malagi further recalled that large sums of money and assorted grains had since been released to all the sub nationals in this direction.

The minister stated that this was in the bid to complement their efforts to minimize the sufferings of Nigerians.

Idris-Malagi added: “Tinubu hopes that these modest steps will go a long way in ensuring that Nigerians come out of this crisis.

“More steps will be taken by the Federal Government to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.”

According to the minister, all the state governments are now getting more revenues that can be ploughed back to bolster the economy as envisaged by Tinubu.

He averred that these steps would bring back jobs to the teeming youths in the country, adding, “this will restore the confidence that we all need for national development to occur.”

Idris-Malagi solicited the understanding of Nigerians with a view to being patient as Tinubu brings back Nigeria on the real growth trajectory.

On the event, the minister described the gesture by Bago as the first of its kind, saying, “you have indeed sent a message of unity.

“We do hope that the symbolism that this grand occasion symbolizes will be taken down and be take to heart by all the people of Niger.

“There is no need for acrimony. All of us need to come together in the spirit of brotherliness, in the spirit of nation building.”

NAN

The Office of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has denied any plan by the minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, to in invite the nation’s anti-graft agencies to investigate his predecessor, Malam Muhammad Bello.

 

The Director of Press, Mr Anthony Ogunleye, made the rebuttal in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.

 

Ogunleye said that the rebuttal was in response to a claim by an online media platform that Wike plans to invite EFCC and ICPC to investigate Bello.

 

He said that the false media publication alleged that Bello would be investigated for alleged irregularities in the award of contracts and other matters.

 

“We categorically and unequivocally state that these reports are entirely baseless and without any merit whatsoever.

 

“The FCT minister, during his routine inspections of various projects within the FCT, has indeed expressed concerns and frustrations regarding irregularities observed in the procurement and execution of certain projects, amongst other observations.

 

“However, at no point did he contemplate or authorize any action by anyone within or outside the FCT Administration to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate the former FCT minister in connection with these or any other matters.

 

“The online story in question is nothing more than a product of the imagination of its authors and is clearly designed to mischievously sow discord and confusion among the general public,” the director said.

 

Ogunleye said that the FCT Administration viewed such misinformation with great concern and urged the public to exercise caution when in contact with the unfounded reports.

 

The director of press added that the FCT minister remained focused on his responsibilities to ensure the efficient and transparent administration of the Federal Capital Territory.

 

“Any actions or decisions taken by the FCTA in this regard will be communicated through official channels and in accordance with due process.

 

“We, hereby, advise the public to disregard the story in its entirety, as it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to spread fake news and create unnecessary tensions.

 

“Wike remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the discharge of his duties and remains committed to building the FCT of our collective dreams,” Ogunleye said. (NAN)

The Ukrainian government says it killed 600 members of Russian forces in one day.

 

It also announced that Conservative party headquarters located in Ukraine was destroyed on Friday.

 

The general staff of Ukraine’s armed forces said it is estimating that 600 of Russian personnel were killed on Friday.

 

This brings the total loss since February 2022 to 268,140.

The Mayor of Melitopol, Ivan Fedorov, said the headquarters of the United Russia Political Party in Polohy, Ukraine was also destroyed in an attack on Friday, according to the Kyiv Independent.

 

Fedorov said on the Telegram messaging app that local residents described Russians as “burned out” of the headquarters amid the “hellish pseudo-elections”.

 

Alluding to casualties, he said: “Some went to the hospital and some went straight to the morgue.”