Wednesday 31 August 2016

FCMB Supports 2016 Ojude Oba Festival to Boost Tourism, Felicitates with Ijebuland

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited has explained that its continuous support of the Ojude Oba Festival is borne out of its commitment to celebrate and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, while also boosting the tourism sector in line with the government’s ongoing drive to diversify the country’s economy.

Consequently, the Bank has assured that its participation in this year’s edition of the Festival, which holds in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 will be grand, exciting and rewarding for the thousands of people within and outside the country that would grace the fiesta. FCMB has in the past 10 years continued to play a significant role in ensuring the success of the Festival.

The Group Head, Corporate Affairs of FCMB, Mr. Diran Olojo, reiterated this at a press conference organised by the Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee held at Ijebu-Ode on August 29, 2016.

Mark Zuckerberg in Lagos!

Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg, arrived Lagos early part of today on his first visit to sub-Saharan Africa.
Zuckerberg, who was at the Co-Creation Hub in Yaba Tuesday evening, said he was in Nigeria to learn about the startup ecosystem in the country.
“I am learning about the startup ecosystem in Nigeria. The energy here is amazing and I’m excited to learn as much as I can,” he said in a post on his Facebook page.

“Our first stop is the Co-creation Hub Nigeria (CcHUB) in Yaba. I got to talk to kids at a summer coding camp and entrepreneurs who come to CcHub to build and launch their apps.”

N2bn fraud: lawyer tells court “My Client Orubebe is hypertensive”

A former Minister of Niger Delta, Godsday Orubebe, was on Tuesday absent from a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Maitama, where he was scheduled to be arraigned alongside others on charges of diversion of about N2bn meant for for the dualisation of Section IV of the East West Road.

Orubebe’s lawyer, Mr. F. Zimhuan, apologised to the trial judge, Justice Olukayode Adeniyi, for the absence of his client, whom he said suddenly took ill after a domestic accident and rushed to the hospital.

Zimhuan said the ex-minister’s health was complicated his hypertensive condition.

The lawyer said, “The first defendant is in the hospital.

“His absence in court today is not deliberate. He suddenly took ill. He had domestic accident affecting his ankle and wrist. He is hypertensive and the cumulative effect was that they had to rush him to the hospital.

“We want to give the assurance that the first accused will be ready to face his trial anytime he is discharged from the hospital and we pray that it won’t be long from today.”

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England captain Wayne Rooney announced on Tuesday that the 2018 World Cup in Russia will be his final tournament as an international footballer.
“Realistically, I know myself that Russia will be my last opportunity to do anything with England,” Rooney told a press conference at St George’s Park in Burton, central England.
“My mind is made up. Russia will be my last tournament.”

New England manager Sam Allardyce announced on Monday that Manchester United striker Rooney, 30, will be kept on as captain for the World Cup qualifying campaign, which begins in Slovakia on Sunday.

Why It Is Unethical And Unhealthy For PR Agencies To Mark Their Own Homework - Philip Odiakose

First Independent Communications/PR measurement agency in Nigeria, P+ Measurement Services recently set a new feat by becoming the first member of the International Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication (AMEC) in the country. Philip Odiakose, Lead Consultant of the firm spoke on the benefit of being AMEC member and why it is unethical, unhealthy and unprofessional for PR agencies to mark their own homework.

Excerpt:

Communications/PR measurement is very key to the growth of any business. How well is this practice in Nigeria?

I will begin by stating the meaning of AMEC, AMEC is the International “Association for Measurement and Evaluation of Communication”. The PR measurement practice is a budding industry in Nigeria. Brands are gradually warming up to the idea that value measurement is a core aspect of every marketing communications campaign. Benchmarking has become more important, PR measurement is gradually taking center stage and definitely trend setting will complete the revolution for future performances of businesses and brands and we are glad that P+ is at the forefront of this evolution in the Nigerian business space.

Floods, Windstorm Wreak Havoc In Lagos, Ogun

Thousands of Lagos and Ogun residents have been displaced and property estimated at billions of naira destroyed after downpours on Saturday and Sunday left many streets and homes flooded.
it was learnt that many Christians could not hold their Sunday service as their churches were flooded.
Worst of the rainstorm hit in Lagos were residents of Oworonshoki, Bariga, Ketu, Ikorodu, Lekki areas, while more than 50 houses were affected in the Ita Oluwo area of Ogun State alone.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, has submitted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission an email correspondence between him and a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih.
Falae tendered the email as an evidence in the probe linking him to N100m election funds
It was learnt that Anenih, in the email, mentioned that he was acting on the instruction of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A source claimed that in the email dated March 2015, Anenih, who played a supervisory role in the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, informed Falae that N100m had been approved by Jonathan and would be handed over to him (Falae).
A source at the EFCC said, “In the email, Anenih told Chief Falae, who is the Chairman of the SDP that N100m had been approved by President Jonathan as part of the agreement between the PDP and the SDP ahead of the presidential election.
“He further urged Falae to provide an account which the money would be paid into.”
The N100m, which was given to Falae by Anenih, was said to have emanated from the imprest account of the Office of the National Security Adviser in the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The Nigeria Football Federation officials have stated that they are not expecting any letter of resignation from the national U23 coach, Samson Siasia, as his contract ended with the Rio Olympics.
Siasia also acknowledged the NFF statement of his contract having ended but demanded that his outstanding salary be paid him.
Siasia said, “This is not really resignation; my contract was arranged to end with the Olympics. And so the contract has ended.
“What is very important is that I get every kobo that I am owed. I need the money now than ever and I believe I have really endured and I have been cooperative.”
The coach who just won the Olympic bronze in Rio this month did not however completely deny the resignation story that made the headlines by the weekend.

UBA SUSTAINS STRONG ASSET QUALITY AND PROFITABILITY; PROPOSES N0.20 INTERIM DIVIDEND

United Bank for Africa Plc (“UBA” or “the Bank”), announced its Audited 2016 Half Year Financial Results for the period ended 30 June 2016 showing the bank recorded gross earnings of N166 billion, net operating income of N109 billion and profit before tax of N40 billion.

The bank also recorded a significant growth in total assets, rising 20% to N3.3 trillion, crossing the three trillion mark. Following the sterling performance, the bank’s Board recommended the payment of N0.20 interim dividend on every ordinary share of N0.50 each.

Speaking on the results, Kennedy Uzoka, the GMD/CEO, UBA Plc said; the results have been achieved amidst waning economic fundamentals.

“We delivered profit in excess of N40 billion and grew balance sheet by 20%, with our on-balance sheet total assets crossing the N3 trillion mark. Even as Naira depreciation and inflationary pressure increased the cost of doing business in Nigeria, we leveraged our economics of scale, enhanced operational efficiency and Group shared service structure to moderate our cost-to-income ratio by 90bps.”

Tony O. Elumelu, Chairman of Heirs Holdings and UBA Plc. has advocated entrepreneurship as a veritable solution to achieving poverty reduction in the country.

Elumelu who is also the Founder of The Tony Elumelu Foundation delivered a paper themed: “Entrepreneurship, Corporate Social Responsibility and Africapitalism: The Role of The Private Sector In Fighting Poverty in Nigeria”, at the nation’s think-tank, the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Kuru, Plateau State.

There, he addressed a distinguished guest list of 67 participants from top government constituencies including the police, the military, national planning, works, and the presidency, debating ways to move the country forward in light of the present economic challenges.

“WHY ADD MORE” CAMPAIGN BREAKS

Amstel Malta, one of the leading malt brands from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc (the foremost brewing company), recently launched a new credential campaign tagged Why Add More.

The Campaign which is currently storming the airwaves and billboards across the country was introduced to re-inforce the brand’s positioning as the Premium Malt Drink, with an Original Formulation that contains Less Sugar and is enriched with essential vitamins and minerals.

The campaign leverages relatable metaphors and humor to portray the idea that adding more unnecessarily, could spoil the balance.

The TV commercial shows a wedding reception scenario, where the best man gives an eloquent speech which should have ended with a toast to the bride and groom but instead decides to add more, unnecessary entertainment, which did not go well with the celebrants and guests.

Nigeria’s tourism and hospitality industry might overtake the downstream sector by 2021 if the recently launched African Union (AU) passport is adopted by the country’s legislators. This is according to Mr. Kushal Dutta, the managing director of Africa’s number one hotel booking portal Jumia Travel Nigeria, who further said the Pan-African Passport will allow free movement of domestic tourists into the country.

Kushal made the remark last weekend while fielding questions from journalists on the potential of the Nigerian tourism and hospitality industry as an alternative to boosting the country’s economy. According to him, the opportunities presented by the unified African passport supersede the threats, especially now that Nigeria’s mainstay which is oil might not be sufficient to grow the economy; if the country’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are to be achieved.

Diamond Bank Plc has reassured its customers of enhanced quality service delivery and commitment to meet its banking obligations despite the announcement by the CBN that nine commercial banks (inclusive of Diamond Bank) have been barred from foreign exchange transactions for alleged infringement on the Treasury Single Account (TSA) directive last year.

The Bank stated that as a financial institution built on a foundation of sound corporate governance, full disclosure of the outstanding TSA funds were made to the CBN. We are currently engaging with relevant stakeholders, with the support of the Regulator, to resolve this industry-wide issue quickly.

Our primary responsibility is to our customers. This development does not affect customers own deposits, both local and those in foreign currency.  It also means that services such as payments – local and international, will go through as normal whenever our customers need to make them.  Remittance service will continue as normal and customers can transact anywhere in the world, any time of the day, on their mobile application or internet banking.

Fidelity Bank To Create 30 Millionaires With New Promo

Fidelity Bank Plc, one of the country’s highly diversified financial institutions has commenced yet another exhilarating consumer promotion aimed specifically at transforming 30 lucky customer into instant millionaires. Dubbed ‘Get Alert in Millions’, the savings promo is a clear demonstration of its steadfast commitment to support initiatives that enrich the lives of its loyal customers even in times of economic uncertainties. In all, Fidelity Bank plans to give away N105 million in cash to potential winners. Aside cash prizes, 138 customers will smile home with fridges and generating sets as consolation prizes in the planned nine-month promotions which kicked off last week.

To participate in the ‘Get Alert in Millions’ savings promo, customers should simply open a savings account and grow it to N20, 000 or top up existing account with N10, 000 or more to qualify for monthly draws to win up to N1 million, N2 million and N3 million. Furthermore, customers can also grow their account balance by N50, 000 monthly to qualify for quarterly draws to win the star prize of N5 million. Speaking at a press conference held at the Bank’s corporate head office in Lagos to mark the commencement of the highly anticipated promotion, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, said this new promo marked the sixth in nine years.

A Year Into Operation, Government To Shut Ibadan Top Event Centre, Mauve 21

There are strong indications that the Federal Government is set to descend hard on people alleged on financial misconduct by seizing their properties.

A source revealed to us that the newly built multimillion naira event centre in Ibadan is one of the listed properties that the EFCC forwarded to the Federal Government as part of proceeds of misappropriation.

The popular event centre where top functions are staged in Ibadan, Mauve 21 has been traced to the former Chief of Account and Budget of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Abdulai Iyanda Muraina.

The ex Military Chief was part of the retired service men that the EFCC sent their names to President Muhammadu Buhari with allegations that they were part of the arms procurement scam masterminded by the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki.

The Mauve event centre located at the ring road axis of Ibadan was said to have been valued over a billion naira.

Cancer Patient, Mayowa, Dies In South African Hospital

After battling with ovarian cancer for months, Mayowa Ahmed has been confirmed dead at a hospital in South Africa, where she was flown to for surgery.
Mayowa’s cousin, Habeeb Odufuye, broke the news of her death on his Twitter account around 1.23pm on Sunday, saying, “Ahmed has left us in this world.
“On behalf of the entire Ahmed’s family, we say thank you to everyone that was part of #SaveMayowa – RTs, donations. God bless you all. She tried, we tried, but God’s will prevailed. By Allah, in whose hands our lives are, Mayowa Ahmed has left us in this world. We pray that Jannat (paradise) becomes her home,” the tweet read.

Labour leaders and other stakeholders have condemned the move by Imo, Benue and Sokoto to reduce the working hours and days in the states.
They said, in separate interviews, that the development was illegal, unconstitutional and a fundamental breach of the International Labour Organisation Convention.
Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue had directed civil servants to use Fridays for farming, while Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo pushed for a law that provides for three days for work and two days for farming.
The Nigeria Labour Congress President, Ayuba Wabba, said that “the policy is against all know labour laws and international treaties of the International Labour Organisation.

A benefactor has handed a reward of $390,000 to the Nigerian Olympic football team in Brazil after they won won bronze on Saturday, BBC Sport reports.
Japanese plastic surgeon Katsuya Takasu had promised to reward the team after hearing about their financial difficulties before and during the tournament.
Takasu fulfilled his promise by presenting cheques of $200,000 and $190,000 to coach Samson Siasia and captain Mikel Obi respectively on behalf of the team.
He met with them two hours after Nigeria defeated Honduras 3-2 in the bronze medal play-off.
“The $200,000 covers the bonuses and allowances as promised and the $190,000 is for the bronze medal,” Takasu told BBC Sport.

Members of a syndicate, which specialised in confirming fake prophecies for pastors, have been arrested by the police in Enugu State.
Our correspondent gathered that the group also faked healings for some men of God, who contracted and paid them for their services.
The suspected fraudsters were identified as Obi Ejike from Ubaho Okija in Anambra State; Mary Kuku from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State; Joy Oluwakemi from Ojo, Lagos State; Nwosu Chizoba from Umunze, Anambra State; and Peter Uchechi from Ebonyi State.
They were reportedly apprehended while on their way to Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, where they were contracted to stage phoney miracles and healings for an unnamed pastor in the state.

Barely 20 days to the September 10 governorship election in Edo State, the two factions of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have engaged in war of words over who is the authentic candidate of the party. The Ahmed Makarfi faction of the PDP produced Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu as its governorship candidate while that of Ali Modu Sheriff produced Matthew Iduoriyekemwen. Iduoriyekemwen is from Ikpoba Okhai, one of the largest local government areas in the state, while Ize-Iyamu is from Orhiomwon.
The factional crisis has allowed the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Mr Godwin Obaseki, to harvest more of the PDP leaders across the 192 wards of the state.

The name Tunde Osinibosi might not ring a bell to some people, but Laface will surely do, especially for those conversant with the showbiz industry in Africa.

This Ogun State-born man has contributed immensely to the growth of the entertainment industry in Africa and that is why he is highly respected.

He was the bridge most artistes in Nigeria used to penetrate into the American music industry, which many believe is the world capital of the industry.

The likes of 2Baba, Sound Sultan and many others can never forget the role this easygoing man called Laface played in their careers.

In the Yoruba movie industry, nothing has matched the prestigious Yoruba Movie Academy Awards, YMAA, a platform that made most of the actors to be treated like kings and queens.

Despite these achievements, Laface, for those who know him too well, is a go-getter. He is not resting and now, he is planning a big show for the Hausa movie industry fondly called Kannywood.

Laface spoke with members of the press based in the north recently, when he sealed a deal to stage the Arewa Film Festival & Awards.

For the records and for those who don’t know you kindly introduce yourself

I was born Babatunde Oshinibosi, but popularly known by my brand name Laface. I am from a family of 5 and hails from Ijebu Ode in Ogun State. I attended St Bernadettes Private School, Abeokuta; the great Baptist Academy Lagos; and the Ogun State Polytechnic, Abeokuta, where what has become one of the biggest entertainment brands in Nigeria today started like a common dream.

At Ogun Poly, now known as Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, I became the Social Director of the school unopposed.

I initiated and created Royals Classy Club to rival the legendary Gentlemen’s Club and created a healthy club rivalry. I won several awards for my social exploits and ultimately won the Mr Polytechnic contest. My service year was in Ilorin Kwara State where the show continued with several landmark events as a young serving corper. I later travelled to the UK on another chapter of my growth process.

While in London, I delved straight into the showbiz world bringing back the popular Jeans Carnival Revolution, which went on for years and played a major role in revolutionizing the London club scene before heading back home to Nigeria, the motherland.