Timipre Sylva’s Petroleum Ministry stinks of corruption, prints letterheads with N103m; N718m allegedly ‘diverted’
.......................

The Senate on Wednesday queried the Timipre Sylva - led Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources over alleged multi-million naira financial irregularities.

This came to the fore when the upper chamber considered and adopted the report by it's Committee on Public Accounts.

In the report which was laid by the Chairman of the committee, Senator Matthew Urhoghide (PDP, Edo), during plenary noted that the sums of N46,645,000.00 and N56,418,135.00 were spent on the printing of letter- headed papers by the ministry.

The Senate, while adopting recommendations by the committee demanded that the sum be recovered and paid back to the treasury.

It also called for the sanction of the Permanent Secretary in accordance with Rule 3129 of the Financial Regulations and Public Service Rules 030402 over the diversion of N23,642,000.00 from the Capital Projects Funds for purchase of Sallah/Christians welfare package to staff of the Ministry.

The Chamber also called for the identification of the Project Accountant who authorized the diversion of N32,783,052.00 meant for IPPIS raining and other programmes to bank accounts of staff of Finance and Accounts Department, instead of paying the approved amounts to beneficiaries.

The Senate demanded the refund of the amount to government coffers, including the sum of N718,911,848.00 made in the cashbook as payments to eleven corporate bodies without documentation.

In addition, the chamber called on the Ministry to identify and present for disciplinary actions the officers behind the authorization of N98,400,000.00 in favour of a company for printing of leaflets for the Petroleum Industry Bill awareness campaign Programme, N54,000,000.00 to a company for assessment and documentation of oil Spill sites in ten (10) states of the Niger Delta; and N25,000,000.00 for actualizing e-governance procedure.

MORE: https://witnessngr.com/timipre-sylvas-petroleum-ministry-stinks-of-corruption-prints-letterheads-with-n103m-n718m-allegedly-diverted/

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) has announced the appointment of Miriam Olusanya as Managing Director.

This was disclosed in a notice signed by the company’s secretary, Erhi Obebeduo, to the Nigerian Exchange Group Limited (NGX).

Olusanya, the first female Managing Director in the bank history, succeeds Segun Agbaje.

During the bank’s investor earnings in September, Agbaje had disclosed that GTBank was looking for its next Managing Director.

According to him, five of the bank’s Executive Directors were in line for the top job and were at the concluding stages of the recruitment process

Olusanya, until her appointment was an Executive Director at the bank.

She has over 20 years of banking experience across various units, including Transaction Services, Asset and Liability Management, Financial Markets, Corporate Finance and Investor Relations.

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/breaking-gtbank-appoints-miriam-olusanya-as-first-female-managing-director/

The Senate has rejected the confirmation of Lauretta Onochie as a National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Chairman of the Committee, Kabiru Gaya, in his report on Tuesday, said

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/breaking-senate-rejects-lauretta-onochie-as-inec-commissioner/

Sterling Bank Plc may have turned into a safe haven for fraudulent officials as customers of the bank have continued to lose their hard-earned money to the bank.

This is coming even as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and arraigned four staffers of the bank over various financial crimes within a week.

Osazuwa Obarisiagbon, a 39-year-old staff of the bank, Effurun branch, Delta State, Osazuwa Obarisiagbon, has been arraigned before a Chief Magistrate Court over alleged fraudulent withdrawal of N46.4 million from a customer’s account.

Osazuwa, a Relationship Manager with the lender, was arraigned last Friday on six-count charge bordering on alleged stealing, defrauding, forgery and impersonation.

Some of the charges in charge number: ME/77C/ 2021 read thus: “That you Osazuwa Obarisiagbon between December 31, 2015 and November 30, 2016, at Effurun within this magisterial district, did commit felony to wit: stealing. You hereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the criminal code, Cap C. 21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Osazuwa Obarisiagbon between December 31, 2015, and November 30, 2016, at Effurun, within this magisterial district, did fraudulently convert to your own use or the use of other persons, the sum of N46, 422, 432.64, property of Wellington Hotel Limited. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 ( (b) & (9) of the Criminal Code, Cap C.21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Osazuwa Obarisiagbon between the 31st day of December 31, 2015, and November 30, 2016, at Effurun, within this magisterial district, did conspire to commit felony to wit: forgery. You thereby committed an offence punishable under section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C 21. Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2004.

“That you Osazuwa Obarisiagbon, between December 31, 2015, and November 30, 2016, at Effurun, within this magisterial district, did conspire to commit felony to wit: personation. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap C. 21, Vol. 1, Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.

“That you Osazuwa Obarisiagbon, between December 31, 2015, and November 30, 2016, at Effurun, within this magisterial district did with the intent to defraud Wellington Hotel Limited, falsely represented yourself to be the general manager, chief accountant and cashier respectively of Wellington Hotel Limited. You thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 484 of the Criminal Code, Cap C.21, Vol. 1 Laws of Delta State of Nigeria, 2006.”

The accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges

However, the defence counsel, Sanchez Agumor, sought bail for the accused who he said would not jump bail by his position as the relationship manager of Sterling Bank.

The prosecutor, Vincent Orawumen, did not oppose the bail application, but sought stringent conditions to be attached to the bail.

Chief Magistrate, Ena Odjugo, granted the accused bail in the sum of N15 million with two sureties who must have property within the magisterial district.

Odjugo adjourned the trial to August 4 and 5, 2021.

In same vein, the Lagos Zonal Office of the EFCC, has also arrested three staffers with the bank for an alleged case of conspiracy, stealing, forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/sterling-bank-staffers-swoop-on-customers-accounts-as-efcc-arrests-4-in-one-week/

Ondo State governor, Rotimi Akerodolu, SAN, on Friday, said all lawyers and politicians are liars, THE WITNESS reports.

Akeredolu, a senior lawyer who is a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and a politician, said this in a jovial manner while giving his tributes to late Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as Prophet T. B. Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), at the cleric’s laying-to-rest service in Lagos.

While eulogizing the humanitarian work of Joshua, the governor made the comment to convince the audience that he was telling the truth about the good deeds of the late cleric. The statement, however, aroused great laughter from the large audience who had gathered to pay their last respect to the late prominent Nigerian televangelist.

According to him: “Temitope Joshua is a loss to Christian faithful, to the adherent of the other faith. His humanitarian work touched several lives irrespective of ethnic and religious inclination. He left an unforgettable legacy. He has engraved himself in the heart of people all over the world and we will not forget our brother in a hurry.

“His passing is not only a loss to the people of Ondo, his hometown Ori Agidi Okoko, but a loss to humanity. The indelible prints and impacts of our dear brother, T. B. Joshua are visible not only in Ondo, our state, they’re visible in many parts of Nigeria and in fact, throughout the world.

“If I am lying, please say I am lying. You know lawyers and politicians can lie, but I am not here to tell you any lie. I am here to talk to you as one of you and as a brother.”

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/we-lawyers-politicians-are-liars-ondo-governor-akeredolu/

Tears flowed and tributes continued on Friday as the remains of Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as Prophet T. B. Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), is laid to rest in Lagos.

The body of Prophet T. B. Joshua, who died on Saturday 5th of June 2021, in Lagos, shortly after concluding a programme at his church, was interred at the church premises on Friday – after a week-long programme.

Notable personalities in attendance at the laying-to-rest programme include, the Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Lagos State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mr. Anofiu Elegushi, Ondo State governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, the wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Silekunola Naomi Ogunwusi, representatives of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), diplomats, amongst others.

SEE PHOTOS HERE: https://witnessngr.com/tears-tributes-as-prophet-t-b-joshua-is-laid-to-rest-in-lagos-photos/

The remains of Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as T. B. Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), have arrived his church in Lagos for the lying-in-state service.

The cleric died on Saturday 5th of June 2021, in Lagos, shortly after concluding a programme at his church.

Born on June 12, 1963, Prophet T. B. Joshua died six days to his 58th birthday.

Joshua, who is survived by children and a wife, hailed from Arigidi Akoko, in Ondo State.


SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE: https://witnessngr.com/remains-of-prophet-t-b-joshua-arrive-scoan-for-lying-in-state-photos/

The Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, has appointed some commercial banks as agents to recover the sum of N1.8trn from accounts of MultiChoice Nigeria Limited (MCN) And MultiChoice Africa (MCA).

This was contained in a statement signed by the Executive Chairman, Muhammad Nami and released on Thursday.

The statement confirmed that the decision to appoint the banks as agents and to freeze the accounts was as a result of the group’s continued refusal to grant FIRS access to its servers for audit.

It was discovered that the companies persistently breached all agreements and undertakings with the Service.

The FIRS stated that the companies have failed to promptly respond to correspondences, they lack data integrity and are not transparent as they continually deny FIRS access to their records.

Particularly, it said MCN has avoided giving the FIRS accurate information on the number of its subscribers and income.

“The companies are involved in the under-remittance of taxes which necessitated a critical review of the tax-compliance level of the company,” the statement added.

MORE: https://witnessngr.com/firs-directs-banks-to-freeze-multichoice-accounts-over-n1-8trn-tax-liability/

Gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked the convoy of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State on Tuesday night.

At least three policemen sustained injuries in the attack which happened after the convoy was making its way to Kano from Zamfara State, where a mass All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held on Tuesday.

Ganduje was among the governors, who visited Gusau, Zamfara capital, to welcome Governor Bello Matawalle and key Zamfara politicians who defected into the ruling party.

Government House sources confirmed the attack but said Ganduje was not in the convoy when they encountered the gunmen.

It was gathered that Ganduje joined the convoy of his Jigawa State Counterpart, Abubakar Badaru, after the mega rally in Gusau.

MORE: https://witnessngr.com/breaking-panic-as-gunmen-attack-kano-governor-gandujes-convoy/

Details have emerged on how the federal government of Nigeria apprehended the fugitive leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, over the weekend, THE WITNESS reports.

Following Kanu’s extradition to and arrest in Nigeria, the IPOB leader, has been ordered to be remanded in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). The remand order was sequel to an application by a federal government lawyer, Shuaibu labaran.

Ruling on the request for remand in the custody of the DSS, Justice Nyako, held that the prosecution should inform Kanu’s lawyer of his re-arrest and remand in the custody of the DSS. The Judge subsequently adjourned till July 26 for a continuation of trial.

Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had on Tuesday disclosed during a joint Press Conference with the DSS and Nigeria Police, that Kanu was arrested on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

However, the briefing was silent on where he was arrested.

The arrest was planned and executed by the Nigerian Security and Intelligence agencies. It was coordinated by the Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA).

It was gathered that the NIA, which is the external arm of Nigeria’s security intelligence, lured the separatist campaigner from his base in London to an African country with a promise of cash donation in millions of dollars, from where he was “intercepted” and whisked to Abuja in a chattered jet.

MORE: https://witnessngr.com/details-emerge-on-how-ipob-leader-nnamdi-kanu-was-re-arrested/

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Abuja, has called on the federal government to intervene in the recent price hike of flour by BUA Group – IRS Flour Mill (owned by billionaire Abdulsamad Rabiu), Super Four Mill and Golden Confectionery, stressing that the hike is killing their businesses and may also render many jobless if no action is taken.

In an exclusive chat with THE WITNESS correspondent on Monday, Kabiru Hassan Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary of the association who also doubles as its state secretary, Kano State branch, said that the price of flour was N9,500 not long ago but now it has reached N16,200.

According to Abdullahi:, “The federal government should please come to our aid. The hike is killing our businesses and it’s sad they have refused to do anything about it.

“The increment is over 50 per cent and it’s even more saddening because even with the dollar exchange rate of N1 to over N500, we still bought flour at same N9,500; but why is it now that the rate has dropped that they increasing the price? This is pure wickedness.

“What Abdulsamad Rabiu of BUA Group, IRS, super and golden confectionery are doing is unhealthy for us and the Nigerian economy. In fact, they are planning to increase it again by N7, 000. Can you can imagine?

“One thing they should know is that if we are scrapped out of the market, the rate of unemployment in the country will double up because many in their thousands will lose their jobs.

“We are still meeting and as things stand, we may have no choice than to embark on an indefinite strike.

https://witnessngr.com/save-us-bua-group-others-are-killing-our-businesses-bakers-beg-fg/

The Association of Master Bakers and Caterers of Nigeria (AMBCN), Abuja, has called on the federal government to intervene in the recent price hike of flour by Super Four Mill and Golden Confectionery, stressing that the hike is killing their businesses and may also render many jobless if no action is taken.

In an exclusive chat with THE WITNESS correspondent on Monday, Kabiru Hassan Abdullahi, the national publicity secretary of the association who also doubles as its state secretary, Kano State branch, said that the price of flour was N9,500 not long ago but now it has reached N16,200.

According to Abdullahi:, “The federal government should please come to our aid. The hike is killing our businesses and it’s sad they have refused to do anything about it.

“The increment is over 50 per cent and it’s even more saddening because even with the dollar exchange rate of N1 to over N500, we still bought flour at same N9,500; but why is it now that the rate has dropped that they increasing the price? This is pure wickedness.

“What IRS, super and golden confectionery are doing is unhealthy for us and the Nigerian economy. In fact, they are planning to increase it again by N7, 000. Can you can imagine?

“One thing they should know is that if we are scrapped out of the market, the rate of unemployment in the country will double up because many in their thousands will lose their jobs.

“We are still meeting and as things stand, we may have no choice than to embark on an indefinite strike.

https://witnessngr.com/save-us-bua-group-others-are-killing-our-businesses-bakers-beg-fg/

Aliyu Abdulhameed, the managing director and chief executive officer of the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL), has been nominated as winner of the CEO Today Magazine Global Award 2021.

CEO Today Magazine honours the most-respected companies and their C-Level executives who lead the way for others on a global stage. According to the magazine, the 2021 awards are special because the CEOs selected, delivered despite the Coronavirus pandemic.

The magazine highlights NIRSAL Plc’s innovations, achievements and plans under Abdulhameed’s leadership as exemplary and worthy of recognition.

Some of the innovations introduced to the Nigerian Agriculture sector under Abdulhameed’s leadership at NIRSAL Plc include: the creation of NIRSAL Agro Geo-Cooperative® (AGC) concept which structures farmers, aggregates their farmlands into contiguous stretches of 250 hectares each and links them with training, inputs, mechanization, financing and produce buyers.

They include the creation & mapping of Agricultural Commodity Ecological Areas (ACEAs); the development of the Mapping to Markets (M2M) strategy; the development of innovative index-based agricultural insurance products; the introduction of comprehensive field monitoring by remote sensing satellite systems and granular validation by UAS platforms; and the development of the Secured Agricultural Commodity Transport & Storage Corridor (SATS-C) model to address logistical inefficiencies in the agricultural value chain in Nigeria.

Among NIRSAL’s achievements under Abdulhameed’s watch is the facilitation of over $550 million to various actors across Agricultural Value Chains for mechanisation activities, input distribution, and the production, processing, trading and marketing of agricultural commodities.

Owing to NIRSAL Plc’s solutions, commercial banks have pledged to provide an additional $500 million to fund agriculture in the short to medium-term, provided the NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee (CRG) and its structured Agro Geo-Cooperatives® remain in place. It is an indication that financiers are growing more and more confident in lending to agriculture. This claim is made true by the remarkable growth in the rate of bank lending to agriculture, from 1.4% pre-NIRSAL to 4.8 per cent as of Q3 2020.

Abdulhameed has acknowledged that the award, which came as a surprise, would serve as a motivation in his quest to bring about even more positive change in agriculture in Nigeria through his position as MD/CEO of NIRSAL Plc. He said that NIRSAL’s strict adherence to global best practices had proven to be effective given CEO Today’s recognition and award.

CEO Today collates votes and carries out in-depth sector by sector research to choose the very best among the world’s CEOs to reward and celebrate their leadership style and visionary impetus. Winners of this year’s global awards come from the academia, tech, e-commerce, public administration and more from several countries including the UAE, Germany, USA, Sweden, Bulgaria and China.

https://witnessngr.com/applause-as-nirsal-boss-aliyu-abdulhameed-is-rated-among-best-global-ceos/

Peter Nwaoboshi, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senator representing Delta North District at the National Assembly, has formally defected from the PDP, to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

THE WITNESS reported that the Delta Chapter of the PDP State Working Committee (SWC) on Wednesday slammed a one-month suspension on the senator over alleged anti-party activities.

The suspension notice was contained in a statement from the party’s spokesperson in the state, Ifeanyi Osuoza.

Nwaoboshi had castigated the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa administration on Sunday when he played host to some of his supporters at his country home in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area, saying,

MORE: https://witnessngr.com/breakiing-delta-senator-peter-nwaoboshi-dumps-pdp-joins-apc/

A CCTV footage has emerged of Chidinma Ojukwu and the chief executive officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, in a restaurant before she allegedly killed him in an hotel.

Recall, THE WITNESS reported that Ojukwu, a 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos, allegedly stabbed Ataga to death in the Lekki area of Lagos State.

The UNILAG student spoke at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday after she was paraded as a suspect by the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

Odumosu said Ojukwu was arrested at her parents’ residence in the Yaba area of the state on Wednesday night.

Ojukwu, a 300-level student of Mass Communication, said she had been in a romantic relationship with Ataga for about four months before the ugly incident.

Ojukwu said she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice.

SEE VIDEO HERE: https://witnessngr.com/cctv-footage-of-chidinma-ojukwu-and-super-tv-ceo-before-she-allegedly-killed-him/

Kano bakers threaten indefinite strike over BUA Group, IRS, others flour price hike
..........................................................


Barely one week after they called off a three-day warning strike, bread makers and Gurasa Bakers Association of Kano state has threatened to embark on indefinite strike if BUA Group, IRS, Super and Golden Confectionery fail to reverse the price of flour.

Gurasa is a Kano indigenous local bread made up of flour that serves as one of delicacies used by Hausa people in the state.

The association, through its Chairperson, Fatima Auwalu, on Wednesday said nothing has changed since they called off the warning strike, prompting them to embark on indefinite industrial action until authorities and stakeholders do the needful.

According to Mrs Auwalu, all Gurasa bakers in the state are counting losses due to the recurring increase in the price of flour, which is the major ingredient for making of one of the local staple foods.

The Chairperson pointed out that not long ago, the price of flour was N9,500 but now it has reached N16,200, calling on the companies to reverse the price to N9,000 or shutdown the business.

She further lamented that a part from the increase in the price of flour, the quality of the product has been reduced, saying, “this has negatively impacted our business.”

“Since calling off the warning strike, we thought the price would reduce, but to our dismay, the price is rather going up day by day.

” The three-day strike had inflicted hardship on us and our customers, but we could not do anything to resolve this problem but to take industrial action in order to draw the attention of the authorities concerned to bring lasting solution to the problem.

Mrs Auwalu added that the association had decided to call off the strike because of the intervention of the Kano state Commissioner of Police and other agencies.

“We normally use IRS flour, BUA, Golden Confectionery and Super Flour. These are the only three brands that we used always. But we’re in a difficult situation because our business has become the shadow of its former self due to the hike on the price of the flour.

https://witnessngr.com/kano-bakers-threaten-indefinite-strike-over-bua-group-irs-others-flour-price-hike/

These are not the best of times for famous billionaire and chairman of Doyin Group of Companies, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, as one of his grandsons, Subomi Olabayo, on Tuesday, committed suicide.

The 28-year-old Subomi is the son of Lola Olabayo, a daughter of Prince Adedoyin and Managing Director of Royals Fast Food, Ilorin.

According to First Weekly, the body of Subomi was reportedly discovered around 5pm in the backyard of their Ilorin residence, while he was said to have left the house around 11am.

Sources close to the family revealed that Subomi had been depressed for sometime and ...

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/billionaire-doyin-group-chairman-samuel-adedoyins-grandson-commits-suicide/

Details have emerged on how Temitope Balogun Joshua, popularly known as T.B. Joshua, the founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), died on Saturday. 

According to The Nation, the cleric was conducting a church service when he suddenly felt uncomfortable.

The popular prophet, sources said, passed away around 2am, hours after he walked to his apartment midway into the service, presumably to get some rest.

Born on June 12, 1963, Prophet TB Joshua died six days to his 58th birthday.

It was gathered that Joshua had walked out of the church to his apartment when he felt uncomfortable during the service

FOR MORE: https://witnessngr.com/details-emerge-on-how-prophet-t-b-joshua-died/

The Nigerian Police Force has captured suspected killers of ex-Jonathan political adviser, Ahmed Gulak.

Gulak was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Ngo-Okpala area of Imo state on Saturday evening on his way to the Sam Mbakwe airport.

However, in a statement made available to this newspaper on Sunday night, the Nigerian police said it has neutralised 10 of the culprits.

“On 30/5/2021 Sequel to the killing of Ahmed Gulak by some criminals who suddenly came out to block the Imo Airport road at Obiangwu Junction at Ngor~okpala LGA of Imo state.”

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/police-capture-neutralise-ahmed-gulaks-killers-graphic-pictures/

Over 200 students of an Islamiyya school located at Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been abducted.

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/breaking-gunmen-abduct-over-200-students-in-niger-state-school/

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi ’s alleged 2023 vice presidential ambition is the reason for his recent battles against the suspended managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman, Per Second News is reporting.

Usman was suspended as part of a supposed move to allow independent audit of the accounts and remittance of the agency, but findings have shown the action to have had more to it than meets the eye.

This newspaper further learnt that the minister’s quest for his actualisation of a long-standing political ambition may be responsible for the preference of the restoration of all business relationships between the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Integrated Logistics Nigeria Limited (INTELS) which might have allegedly led to the suspension of the NPA boss.

Sources told this newspaper over the weekend that by working for the restoration of INTELS contracts, the minister may have tried to kill two birds with one stone - building a financial war chest and worming himself back into the heart of former President Atiku Abubakar, who still aspires to contest for the presidency in 2023 and may be disposed to consider Ameachi as running mate, all things being equal. It is curious that the minister who was President Buhari’s two-time campaign director-general is now the main promoter of INTELS, a company owned by Atiku Abubakar, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart. 

Sources further told our correspondent that although Atiku recently announced his divestment from INTELS, it was all a ploy to hoodwink Nigerians.

“I can bet that he is still involved in the company. This was only a gimmick coming from the belief that government wanted to ruin his business interests, but all NPA wanted was just compliance with the laws. Why aren’t there problems on their other businesses for instance? The boat pilotage brings in a lot of money, but the contract has expired after a 15-year period, they were allowed to participate in the tenders, got disqualified for flouting the rules but the minister does not seem to want to hear that, ” a source familiar with the matter said Friday.

Recall that while inaugurating the administrative panel set up to probe the management of the NPA penultimate week, Amaechi had urged the panel to “examine and investigate issues leading to the termination of pilotage and other contracts of Nigerian Ports Authority and confirm compliance with the terms of the respective contracts, court rulings and presidential directives.”

Before the inauguration of the panel, managing director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman was asked to proceed on suspension to pave way for the investigation. Multiple sources in the know of the undercurrents between the minister and the NPA maintained that the main concern of the minister is the multi-million-dollar pilotage contract, which INTELS executed for the NPA since 2005.

The relationship was punctuated by numerous altercations since the Hadiza Bala Usman management took over affairs at the NPA in 2016 until it came to a terminal end in August 2020.

Disagreements between the two parties centred mainly on claims by the NPA that the company failed to comply with Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy of the government. There was also the NPA’s decision to break the monopoly of INTELS as the only oil and gas terminal in the country, a decision, which is believed to have been applauded by operators in the sector.

Our correspondent learnt that the minister had, following a presidential approval sometime earlier this year, requested the restoration of all contracts between the NPA and INTELS, which were hitherto suspended or terminated by the NPA. The agency was also directed to withdraw all court cases involving both parties. Bala Usman was said to have escalated the issue to President Muhammadu Buhari, providing more facts and insisting that the pilotage contract was not terminated but had expired by effluxion of time. which inspired the latter to seek the advice of the attorney-general of the Federation. However, sources close to the minister suggested that his main anger resulted from Ms Bala Usman’s presentation of superior facts to the Presidency without his knowledge or approval.

READ: https://witnessngr.com/amaechi-romances-atiku-with-intels-npa-deal-over-his-vice-presidential-ambition-report/

When great men celebrate, even the stars bow in solemn hallow. As Dr. Victor Alewo Adoji (DVAA), the erudite banker-turned politician celebrates his 50th birthday on Saturday May 29, 2021, the periscope is focused on a man who has given his all to create peace, tranquility and progress for his people in Kogi State and Nigeria as a whole.

It is often said that some were born great, while others attained or achieved greatness. For Adoji, it is a combination of being born great and working hard to attain greatness.

As the former Kogi State governorship and Kogi East Senatorial District aspirants during the last 2019 general elections steps into the golden club, healthy, hearty, resolute and focused, it is never a dull moment for a man who has spent the greater part of his life to render selfless service to humanity.

Victor Alewo Adoji, simply known as DVAA by friends and well-wishers, is a rare gem and a household name across a garland of interests and places.

DVAA’s humanitarian gestures cannot be overemphasized as he has contributed immensely to the growth and development of the Igala Kingdom (Kogi State) in several areas especially around education, empowerment, health care delivery and physical development.

Even before his attainment of fame as a public figure, his humanitarian service started as a pro bono auxiliary teacher at CSCC, Anyigba for a long period of time on a free of charge.

A visit to the Ministry of Mercy orphanage in Otutulu, any of the Doctors at Diagnostics and Reference Hospital Anyigba, the Ogugu Ofante Catholic Community, the bursary department of KSU or any members of Project Igala Education Committee will update you more than the little that I have mentioned of his humanitarian Services to the orphans, widows and the less privileged.

Though he is not directly in any position to employ people in his service sector, he has influenced a number of people into a number of private firms and public parastatals through his contacts.

He singlehandedly built the main Mosque and UEC Church in his village (Okula-Aloma). Added to this, he built a modern classroom block in the only Primary school in Okula and in conjunction with other elites in the village established the secondary school in the village.

For over twelve years, he has been responsible for paying the salaries of all the teachers in his village. He is in the process of building an estate in the village under a 20-year mortgage scheme for people of his village based in states around the country to own houses in the village.

He has sunk several boreholes in several villages and places including the Open University in Idah, the catholic orphanage in Anyigba and for the people of Ogene-Igah his maternal home.

The Zenith Bank branches in Anyigba and Ankpa and the cash office in Idah are all to his credit. This is aside from the numerous people whose employment he influenced and never mentions for professional and strategic reasons.

Victor Adoji

About three decades ago, as an undergraduate, he gained insight into his role as a citizen in the Greek mythological sense of the word. This influenced his commitment to service which culminated in his election as Leader of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the University of Jos in 1993 and national Public Relations Officer of the Igala Students Association (ISA).

As a unionist, economist, banker, professional in politics, educator, resource person and others, he has been exposed to and responsible for an array of tropical and broad spectrum developments in several areas. Since the turn of the millennium, he has applied his experience as an independent consultant to provide support, advice and training to a variety of stakeholders in different roles, working in different institutional and cultural contexts, including the Igala region. Wherefore, he gained admiration for sociopolitical perspicacity, integrity, ethical behavior, passion and commitment to his fellow citizens.

As a consensus builder, he demonstrated proficiency in securing high-impact collaborations, acting decisively to deliver successful outreaches; thereby, gaining a track record of launching interventions related to business strategy and citizenship. For such collaborations, he worked productively as an innovation catalyst, dexterous in structuring alliances across private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. This involved high-profile advocacy, best practice in selling public awareness initiatives, a keen understanding of sustainability issues and relationship-building.

He has been focused on empowerment and capacity building of young Igala people especially in the fields of education (where he has several indigent students on his scholarship) and the creative industry where he partners with an assortment of thespians on an ongoing, evolving and ad hoc basis.

Recently, in partnership with the Kamar Football Academy and Igala-Bassa Nations Cup, he sponsored the establishment of the Igala United Football Club with about forty players and the entire coaching crew on his payroll. His partnership with the cashew farmers association of Nigeria, Kogi East chapter, is another evolving goldmine that is set to particularly impact the economy of the eastern part of Kogi State and by extension, Kogi state and the country at large.

Being uniquely different from others in his silent style of humanitarianism, Dr Victor Alewo Adoji has been a source, a catalyst and instrumental to the growth and development of many groups, individuals and communities in Igala nation for over a decade.

He has been focused on empowerment and capacity building of young Igala people to embark on further studies, particularly in Kogi East and Kogi State at large. Because he hates to have his humanitarian services been mentioned in public, he used individuals and organizations to assist several less privileged people to pay school fees, hospital bills and provision of shelters in times of need.

An infrequently misunderstood fellow who balances neatly along demographic and psychographic grids, you find emblematized in him a personality who has met milestones on the (same) road he took to avoid them. Either by discretion or disposition or both, Victor Adoji furtively but discernibly reckons that most of the greatest things in life revolve around knowing which bridge(s) to burn and which to cross and at what cost.

Highly impressionable, liberal and expressive, he is a man whose calmness even under pressure is rare and enormous. His numerous attributes align with sanctity, empathy and collectivism while his dexterity at balancing views, perceptions and affiliations justify and validate his huge appeal across relationships and interests. He duly fits an array of descriptions, meanings and phraseologies including, but not limited to, one with an excellent mind, an anchor and an enthusiast equipped with a disposition that avails a hybrid perspective (on issues) where/when necessary and imperative.

Often regarded as a patient but an excellent planner with high business acumen, he is intuitively analytical, intellectually sound, reasonably determined, highly efficient, appreciably trustworthy and hugely compassionate. Piety, reverence, attention to details and compassion without frontiers distinguish this noble gentleman who is obviously produced from the finest source-materials of the Master Porter.

By training, Victor wears several hats but would rather be called an economist; a discipline he drifted into after a memorable event at Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto. According to him, he sauntered into studying Economics as a first degree but appreciated it because of its numerate nature that is entrenched in the social sciences with focus on people, society, allocation, preferences, human and social dynamics and interventions/decisions at all levels.

Adoji, a man of peace and a man of the people is married to one of the most unassuming of women and a wife who fits all classifications of “a virtuous woman”, exceptionally accommodating, unusually patient and highly considerate. Their marriage is blessed with two children.

READ MORE: https://witnessngr.com/victor-alewo-adoji-celebrating-a-silent-philanthropist-extraordinaire-at-50/

Delta State government has said it has not received from the £4.2m looted by a former governor of the state, James Ibori, which the Federal Government recently repatriated from the United Kingdom.

The Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Ahmed Idris, had disclosed on Tuesday before the House of Representatives Committee on Recovered Assets, in Abuja, that the funds had been released to the state.

But the state government, in a statement by Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, made available to THE WITNESS, on Wednesday, however noted that the money had not arrived in its coffers,

READ MORE HERE: https://witnessngr.com/were-yet-to-receive-recovered-4-2m-ibori-loot-delta-govt/

In furtherance of its efforts to offer customers endearing experience, Titan Trust Bank Limited, one of the fastest growing financial service providers in Nigeria, has announced the opening of its state-of-the-art branch located at 53, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos for commercial operations.

The Executive Director, Titan Trust Bank, Mrs. Adaeze Udensi, Ph.D, while declaring the new branch open on May 20, 2021, said the move was in line with the bank’s quest to provide financial service to micro, small and medium scale enterprises within Lagos state.

“The opening of this branch would go a long way in ensuring that customers within and around the Ikeja axis can experience the bank’s wide array of services.

“At Titan Trust Bank, our goal is to continue to deliver exceptional banking services by making financial services easy and accessible to our teeming customers.

“Ikeja people and entrepreneurs, we are now in your neighbourhood. Come join the Titan train,” Udensi added.

Also commenting on the feat, Mr. Mudassir Amray, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Titan Trust Bank, noted “This is yet another great milestone for us as a bank.

“I am particularly gratified, because this launch represents a translation into concrete reality of our determination to live by our mission and keeping to our service promise to provide simple, reliable, and quick banking solutions to all our customers..

“The launch of the branch marks for the people in the environ more than just the opening of a new edifice but the beginning of a fresh phase in the development of the region, an expansion of facilities and intensification of our efforts to render financial services to the people of Ikeja – to our businessmen and women, to our agriculturists, and to our industrialists, both large and small.

“We shall continue to strive to remain on an upward trajectory until we get to the top even as we put our customers' satisfaction as top priority, '' the bank’s chief concluded.

Since its inception, the lender has continued to take industry watchers by surprise with its sterling achievements both on the physical and digital banking within a short period.

In addition to its lists of international laurels, the lender recently bagged two awards as the ‘Best New Commercial Banking Brand’ and ‘Fastest Growing Digital Banking Brand in Nigeria for the Year 2021’ at the 2021 annual United Kingdom-based Global Brands Magazine awards. The bank clinched the coveted influential awards in less than two years of its commercial operations.

Titan Trust Bank was established to take advantage of the identified gaps in the banking sector and address the unmet needs of the retail mass market, SMEs and corporates.

READ MORE HERE: https://witnessngr.com/titan-trust-bank-expands-opens-ikeja-lagos-branch/