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AFCON 2023: Super Eagles Disappoint Nigerians, Not Good Enough For Gold

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Super Eagles of Nigeria

By Akinwale Kasali

Millions of Nigerians are devastated following an abysmal performance by the Super Eagles in the final of the African Cup of Nations championship. The team lost to host, the Elephants of Côte d’Ivoire 2-1.

The host Country dominated the game all through the match, dictating the pace and creating good scoring chances.

The Super Eagles took the lead courtesy of a header from Captain, William Troost Ekong.

At the beginning of the second half, the host continued where they started from, shooting from all cylinders, and posing threats from the wings, forcing Goalkeeper, Stanley Nwabali  to make several saves.

The breakthrough however came for the host through Frank Kessie who nodded in for the deserved equalizer from a Simon Adingra cross.

The host never rested on their oars as they pushed for the  second goal, and got it courtesy of Sebastian Haller.

The Super Eagles had just one shot on goal all through the entire match, making it their poorest outing at the AFCON 2023 tournament.

As expected, Coach Jose Peseiro started the game with his usual first eleven, with only Samuel Chukwueze coming in for Moses Simon.

Nigerians were left disappointed with the outcome of the match, as tears flowed freely on the faces of football fans and enthusiast, who are yet to come to terms with the loss.

William Troost Ekong was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, while Equatorial Guinea player, Emilio Nsue won the Golden Boot, and a South Africa Goalkeeper, Romwen Williams was the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament.

Uzodimma In Shock Over Wigwe, Ogunbanjo’s Death

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State is in shock over the unfortunate fatal plane crash involving the Chief Executive Officer/ Group Managing Director of Access  Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, his son, and Chief Abimbola Ogunbanjo, among others.

The report was not just shocking to Governor Uzodimma but has devastated him.

Wigwe, his wife, son, Chief Ogunbanjo who is the Group Chairman, Nigerian Exchange Group ( NGX Group) and the crew members of Eurocopter EC130 died in a crash Friday when the helicopter went down near Baker, a town of 700 people about 153 kilometers South west of Las Vagas in the United States.

A statement by Oguwike Nwachuku, Chief Press Secretary and Media Adviser to Governor Uzodimma said his Principal is still in shock over the ugly incident and yet to come to terms with the reality that Wigwe, his wife , his son and Ogunbanjo are no more.

He said the death of the Wigwes and Chief Ogunbanjo becomes more devastating to the Governor as he recalls his close relationship with them.

The statement said while the Governor will miss the deceased sorely, it is his prayer that God will grant their families, friends and associates the grace to bear the huge loss.

Tinubu Shouldn’t Be Blamed For Nigeria’s Economic Hardship – Sanusi Lamido

By
Ayodele Oni
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0

By Ayodele Oni

Former Emir of Kano,  Sanusi, Lamido has said that Nigerians lived a fake lifestyle during eight years of the immediate past administration with huge debt from foreign and domestic debts.

The deposed Emir noted that it would be unfair  to criticize or blame President Bola Tinubu over the country’s present economic hardship.

Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), who spoke during a virtual religious event on Sunday, said Nigerians who expected him to speak about the economic hardship deliberately wanted him to oppose the President.

He explained that he had to deviate from the religious theme of the event to remind Nigerians on his stand on the badly managed economic policies of the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.

He stated that the Buhari administration ignored his advice on how to take Nigeria out of its economic woes.

Mr Sanusi pointed out that economists with a fair sense of reasoning know that the current administration has made the right decision on fuel subsidy removal to save Nigeria from the bondage of debts dug by the past administration.

“I have been, over the years, talking about the pending crisis ahead of the current economic hardship. Any economist who has studied monetary policy in the last eight years knows that Nigerians will fall into this difficult situation.

“The difficult situation Nigerians are facing is just the beginning (if the right decision is not put in place) because Nigeria is not exceptional; such situations happened in Germany, Zimbabwe, Uganda, and Venezuela.

“The previous administration turned adamant about our appeal for corrective measures on the economic policy.

“I have said in the presence of the now sitting president in Kaduna state, any politician who tells you that things will be easy, don’t vote for him because he is lying. People merely dismissed my advisory as a political statement.

“If I am to be fair and just to President Bola Tinubu, he is not to blame for the current hardship; for eight years, we were living on a fake lifestyle with huge debt from foreign and domestic debts.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria owes over N30 trillion, which resulted in debt service surpassing 100 per cent.

“I can’t join other Nigerians criticising Tinubu on the current economic hardship, and I am not saying he is a saint free from wrongdoing.

“But in this current economic situation, President Tinubu is not to be blamed. I will also speak if I see any wrong economic policy of the Tinubu administration in the future.

“It’s injustice for anyone to blame the Tinubu administration for the current economic hardship because there is no other alternative than the removal of the fuel subsidy. After all, Nigeria cannot even afford to pay the subsidy.

“In the last eight years, the Central Bank continues to print more money, and the Naira continue to depreciate. There is too much naira in circulation because the CBN is printing the currency without restraint.

“The economy was poorly managed, and they are not willing to take advice; in the last eight years, apart from sycophancy, nothing has been done; those sycophants are those buying the dollar at the rate of N400 and selling it at the rate of N600 to N700.

“A boy who has no record of service has a private jet and owns houses in Dubai and England just because he is buying Dollar at so so a rate and selling them.

“I can only plead with the people to endure the hardship, and those who have the means to help the downtrodden should do so.

“I am also pleading with commoners to live according to their earnings; we must not peg our lives above our earnings in this difficult situation where people are looking for what to eat.

Access Holdings Mourns Wigwe’s

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Herbert Wigwe - Access Bank MD arrested by EFCC

Access Holdings Plc Board has announced the passing of its Group Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe.

The Groups chief executive died alongside his wife, and son in a fatal helicopter crash that occurred near the Nevada-California border on Friday.

The magazine reports that all the six occupants of the crashed helicopter died immediately, but US aviation authorities has yet to identify other passengers who died in  the ill-fated crash.

According to a statement released on Sunday, and made available to the Magazine the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc confirmed the demise of the founding Group Chief Executive Officer and former Group Managing Director of its flagship subsidiary Access Bank Plc.

The group said it will ensure that the legacy left by its demised GMD is not destroyed.

The statement signed by the company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi, Access Holdings said Wigwe’s death is painful and a big loss to the group.

It said: “The entire Access Family mourns the loss of Herbert, Doreen, and Chizi. We extend our deep and sincere sympathies to his family and loved ones,” the statement said.

“Dr. Wigwe was a key driving force and a larger-than-life personality who brought his remarkable passion, energy, and experience to the transformation of the Access franchise since joining the Bank in 2002.”

Speaking on Wigwe’s legacy, Abubakar Jimoh, Chairman of Access Holdings, said, “The Access Family has suffered a major loss with the passing of Dr Wigwe, who was a great friend and fine gentleman.

“He had a prodigious intellect, admirable personal qualities, and vast business experience, which he brought to bear on the Access Family, and for which we owe him a debt of gratitude.

“In line with the Company’s policy, the Board will soon announce the appointment of an Acting Group Chief Executive Officer. However, we remain confident that the Access Group will build further on Dr Wigwe’s legacy of growth and operational excellence.”

Wigwe’s Profile

Dr. Wigwe was instrumental in the growth of Access Bank, which he co-founded with his friend and business partner Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede. He took over as Access Bank Group CEO in 2014, focusing on the Bank’s expansion in Nigeria and Africa before taking the helm at Access Holdings in 2022. Under his leadership, Access Bank drove its African strategy to become Sub Saharan Africa’s largest retail bank by customer base.

Dr. Wigwe was a member of the Access Bank UK board as well as the board of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NiBUCAA). He has long been an advocate for the eradication of malaria in Africa, working with the Corporate Alliance on Malaria to support this objective. He also sat on the board of the Nigerian Mortgage Refinance Company and Friends Africa and was an honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and Institute of Credit Administration.

A two-time winner of the African Banker of the Year award from the African Banker Awards, Dr. Wigwe was a passionate advocate of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which form the bedrock of Access Holdings’ growth strategy.

His academic credentials include a degree in Accounting from the University of Nigeria, an MA in Banking and Finance from the University College of North Wales (now Bangor University), and an MSc in Financial Economics from the University of London. He also completed the Harvard Business School Executive Management Program.

Dr. Wigwe recently founded Wigwe University, Africa’s first ivy league institution dedicated to providing a world-class education and raising the next generation of fearless leaders.

Meanwhile, Access Bank said on Sunday that it is cooperating with US authorities which are currently investigating the fatal crash to ascertain what led to it.

Wigwe: Blow By Blow Details of How He Died

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The chief executive of one of Nigeria’s largest banks was among the six people killed when the helicopter they were on crashed Friday night in California.

The chartered helicopter departed Palm Springs at 8:45 p.m. en route to Boulder City, Nevada, but “impacted the ground” near Halloran Springs, California, at 10:08 p.m., National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham said at a news conference Saturday night.

All six people on board —  the pilot-in-command, a safety pilot and four passengers — were killed, Graham said.

Authorities have not publicly identified the victims.

A fourth passenger, Bimbo Ogunbanjo, also known as Abimbola Ogunbanjo, was among the dead, she said. He is the former chair of NGX Group, the Nigerian stock exchange.

Graham said the aircraft, an Airbus Helicopters H130, was operated and chartered by Orbic Air. The California-based company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Multiple motorists on nearby Interstate 15, which runs from near the U.S.-Mexico border to Las Vegas en route to Canada, reported seeing either the crash or its resulting fire Friday night, he said.

“There was fire when the aircraft did contact the terrain,” Graham said, citing witness accounts.

Halloran Springs, the name for a natural springs site in the Mojave Desert and its surrounding community, is about 80 miles south of Las Vegas, where the Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs is set to be held Sunday.

Boulder Springs is about 25 miles outside Las Vegas

Graham said witnesses reported rain and “a wintry mix” of weather at the time of the crash, and NTSB investigators will further investigate the weather conditions.

Temperatures in the area were in the high 20s at the time of the crash, according to National Weather Service data. Winds were fairly light, at around 10 mph, but gusts were starting to move in, and some were measured at 29 mph before the sun rose Saturday, according to the weather service.

The California Highway Patrol reported shortly after the crash that a “large band of snow” was moving through Halloran Springs, according to a log of traffic incidents. It said the snow was moderate and mixed with rain.

The cause of the crash has not been determined.

Wigwe was being mourned as an influential banker who had grand ambitions for his native Nigeria and beyond.

“The death of Roosevelt Herbert Wigwe is a terrible blow for Nigeria and Africa’s banking industry,” Bayo Onanuga, spokesperson and special adviser to President Bola Ahmed Adekunle Tinubu of Nigeria, said on X.

“Wigwe had a big vision to make Access Holdings Africa’s biggest, with all the unquenchable thirst for acquisitions,” he continued, referring to Access Bank’s parent company.

Nigerian journalist and celebrity Modele Sarafa-Yusuf said on her social media accounts Saturday that Wigwe was a friend, and that his loss is profound.

“He had such amazing impact in banking and finance, art, education, and philanthropy,” she said. “Cerebral and quick-witted, he was always a joy to be around.”

Culled From NBC UNIVERSAL

Bandits In Zamfara Siphon Petrol In Bread, Jerry Cans – Govt Alleges

By
Ayodele Oni
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Dauda Lawal - Zamfra State Governor
Governor Dauda Lawal

By Ayodele Oni

The Zamfara State Government has botched activities of bandits in the state that are using bread and Jerry cans to buy petrol from filling stations.

The state government has therefore announced ban on selling petroleum products in Jerry cans to motorists by filling stations, bakeries and bread sellers.

Briefing newsmen at the end of the State Security Council meeting held at Government House Chamber Gusau, Commissioner of Information and Culture, Mannir Haidara said the council resolution was taken as a result of the nefarious activities of some filling stations who sell petroleum in Jerry cans and breads to some  suspected armed bandits in rural communities in the state.

According to the Commissioner, the sale of petroleum products in Jerry cans and breads to suspected bandits has become very rampant in almost all the communities in the state and government would not continue to fold its arms and watch these nefarious acts.

He advised the affected filling stations, bakeries and bread sellers on vehicles and motorcycles to desist from the acts, and called on the security agencies to apprehend any defaulter found breaching the law and order.

“The Council observed with dismay  the attitudes of some filling stations, bakeries and bread sellers in some rural area of the state who are using vehicles, motorcycle and bread to buy petroleum products for some suspected armed bandits, we advised them to desist from the acts.”

In the same vein, as part of the commitments to again address the lingering security challenges in the state, Haidara further informed that the use of tinted glass, closing of plate numbers and mounting of siren by some individual on unauthorized vehicles has been banned by the council and directed the security agencies to arrest and prosecute the offenders.

The commissioner advised motorists who are yet to register their vehicle plate Number with relevant government authority to do so with immediate effect as law enforcement agents have been mandated to arrest and prosecute defaulters.

The Commissioner disclosed that some rustled cows have been recovered from bandits and called on the general public whose cattles were stolen to come along with supporting evidence to reclaim their animals after completing the due process.

While calling on the general public to be law abiding citizens by supporting government programmes and policies, Haidara further reiterated Governor Dauda Lawal led administration’s determination in tackling insecurity in the state.

Oyebanji Tasks Universities On Quality Of Graduates

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji - Ekiti State Governor

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has called on Universities in the country to prioritize research efforts aimed at tackling critical challenges confronting this nation as well as producing graduates who are solution providers.

Governor Oyebanji, made the call on Saturday at the 8th convocation ceremony of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, (FUOYE) stressing the need for institutions to produce graduates equipped with the skills and mindset to tackle the pressing problems of the country head-on.

The Governor, at the event, which was attended by Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, and other eminent personalities, justified the importance of nurturing a generation of problem solvers poised to drive sustainable development.

He urged universities to revamp their curricula to emphasize critical thinking, creativity, and entrepreneurship that could provide solution to the problems of this country.

Emphasizing the urgent need for homegrown solution to Nigeria’s divers challenges, Oyebanji stressed the importance of equipping students with practical skills and a real-world experience through hands-on learning and industry partnership.

The governor commended the University for its numerous achievement in about eight years of establishment.

He said “I have watched with keen interest the phenomenal growth of this university from 5,041 students to 51,000 in less than eight years as well as the quality of scholarship in the institution.

The governor congratulated the graduands and charged them to take the advantage of the training and learning they have acquired to contribute their quota to the society.

Oyebanji assured that his government will continue to collaborate with the institution for greater development and growth of the school.

“As a government, we will continue to collaborate with this institution but I plead with you sir, university must put a lot of emphasis on research, we must produces solution providers, people that will help to solve the problem of this country.”

Highpoint of the event was the conferment of honourary degree of the university on three eminent personalities which include Senate Leader, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele; Senator Solomon Adeola, and Rt Hon Yusuf Adamu.

While Senator Opeyemi Bamidele was conferred with the degree of Doctor of Public laws, Senator Solomon Adeola was conferred with Doctor of Accounting and Rt Hon Yusul Adamu, Doctor of Political science.

Wigwe’s Death: Obi Cancels AFCON Final Trip, Mourns Friend, Devastated

By
The Source
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Peter Obi and Wigwe

The Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 General Elections, Peter Obi, will be conspicuously absent in Abidjan, Cote Ivoire today (Sunday) when Super Eagles of Nigeria take on the Elephants. of Cote d’Ivoire in an epoch final of the Africa Football  Cup of Nations, AFCON.

Obi, a staunch supporter of the Super Eagles from his days as Governor of Anambra state (2006-2014) who was in Abidjan to cheer the Eagles to victory during the quarter-final match against Angola has already purchased a return ticket and was to depart Nigeria by 1 pm today to the West African country before tragedy struck in the United States and devastated the LP standard bearer.

Obi’s love for football dates back to his days as a student at Christ the King College, CKC, Onitsha during which he was also an ardent supporter of Rangers International of Enugu and the old Green Eagles. As a Governor, he further demonstrated his love for the game when he renamed the Onitsha township stadium in Fagge, Onitsha after the first National team Captain, Godwin Achebe.

But he will not watch the epic match today following a helicopter crash in California, USA on Saturday that killed two Nigerian seasoned bankers, a sector Obi professionally belongs, the Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, his wife and son, and Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of Nigerian Exchange Group Plc (NGX Group).

As a result, Obi is in shock, and mourning and can no longer travel to Abidjan as already scheduled but his heart remains with the boys as he wishes them victory to bring home the trophy.

Writing about the deceased on his X handle, Obi said:

“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic news of the passing of my dear friend, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, CEO of Access Holdings, along with his wife and son, and another close friend, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former Group Chairman of NGX Group.

“This loss is profoundly felt across the nation.

“I first met Herbert during his early days, on the brink of starting his marital journey. I vividly remember assisting him in preparing for his traditional wedding and being there for the ceremony with his wife, Chizoba, from Achina, Anambra State.

‘Since then, I’ve maintained a connection to his endeavors in my own modest ways.

“Herbert, a determined and forward-thinking individual, led Access Bank to new heights following his brother Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede.

“His noteworthy contributions extended beyond the professional realm, with commendable philanthropic efforts in health and education, exemplified by the establishment of Wigwe University, showcasing his deep commitment to education as a driver of development.

“The loss of such an exceptional individual reminds us of life’s fleeting nature, encouraging us to live with a purpose that contributes to the betterment of humanity.

“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with Herbert, his beloved wife, his son, and all those who lost their lives in the tragic plane crash.

‘May God grant them eternal rest and provide strength to Herbert’s family, Access Holdings, and all of us mourning this irreplaceable loss.

-PO”

Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba, son, Ogunbanjo and two crew members -Pilot and co-Pilot, died in a fatal helicopter crash on their way from California, United States to Las Vegas. The helicopter crashed, apparently, in bad weather, and killed everybody on board.

High Cost Of Living: Kwankwaso Cautions Opposition, Absolves Tinubu

By
The Source
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Iliayasu Kwankwaso

By Daniel Maduka

The escalating prices of essential commodities and its negative impacts on Nigerians should not be blamed on President Bola Tinubu, according to Dr Iliayasu Kwankwaso.

The opposition parties, particularly the peoples Democratic Party PDP, he posited, are misdirected and misinformed on their scathing criticisms of the performance of  the All Progressive Congress APC  led Federal Government.

These were the highpoints  Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the APC in Kano, during an interview with a section of the media in Kano on Saturday ,February 10 2024

Kwankwaso, immediate past Kano State Commissioner for Rural Development,and cousin to the Presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party NNPP Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, said prices of all items are being determined by market forces as a result of the liberalization of the foreign exchange rate and the bold and patriotic steps taken by the president in abolishing the much abused petroleum subsidy regime ,.

The arch political rival of his cousin and former Governor of Kano state Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, said the present difficult situation is but fleeting,as the federal government is doing everything humanly possible to stabilize the economy.

He lauded the recent directive for the release of about 102 metric tons of grains ,espressing optimism that the measure will go a long way in crashing prices of essential commodities.

According to him , the plan is for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to make available an initial 42,000 metric tonnes of maize, garri, milet and other related food items, while Rice Farmers and Millers across the country ,through the instrumentality of their umbrella body will provide about 62 000 metric tonnes .

In an apparent reaction to an alleged leaked memo on the purported approval of an initial N500m out of a budgeted one billion Naira for the inauguration of a 37 man Tripartite Committee on the New minimum wage alleged to have been circulated by the PDP National Spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, Dr Iliayusi Kwankwaso while dismissing the allegations as  empty ,called on the opposition to engage in constructive criticisms.

“The opposition should criticize constructively and strive to give positive advice to the federal government on how to move the country forward.

“They should desist from casting aspersions on the government of the day ,as well as creating unnecessary tensions and anxiety in the country. Not everything should be politicized”

Dr Kwankwaso ,also, appealed to all those hoarding essential commodities to have a rethink, as their actions are inflicting unnecessary hardship on the hapless masses of the country.

“Look, Government knows where the major distributors and dealers are . If they refuse to heed the calls for the commodities to be released in to the markets, Government will take a decisive action to ensure that these products are made available to the people. Dr Iliaysu Kwankwaso stated.

World Bank Says Kaduna, Borno, Some Other Northern States Risk Food Crisis

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

The pathetic state of food insecurity in Nigeria has led to the projection by the World Bank that Kaduna, Borno and five other Northern States in the country are at the risk of food crisis in 2024.

According to the World Bank in its latest food security report, insecurity and armed conflicts would plunge three north-eastern states and four north-western states into a food crisis.

The states highlighted by Bretton Woods Institution are Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara states.

Apart from Nigeria, the report revealed that other countries in the West African region such as Burkina Faso, Chad, and Niger will experience varying degrees of food insecurity.

It stated, “It is projected that most areas in West and Central Africa will remain minimally food insecure (IPC Phase 1) until May 2024, with some being categorized as Stressed IPC 2.

“Nigeria (far north of Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Yobe, Zamfara states) will be at crisis food security levels (IPC Phase 3), mostly because of persistent insecurity and armed conflict and deteriorating livelihoods.”

It further noted that areas in North-eastern states such Abadam, Bama, Guzamala, Marte and others will experience Emergency food security levels (IPC Phase 4) as a result of limited household food stock and access to market and humanitarian aid.

The report also noted that over 63.2% of low-income countries experienced inflation levels surpassing 5%, marking a 1.3%-point increase compared to the previous food update on January 17, 2023.

Meanwhile, Nigeria has been battling with a food crisis leading to the high cost of food items in the market, due to the inability of farmers to go to farms in the north as a result of banditry ravaging people.

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