Access Pensions Surpasses N1tn Assets Under Mgt. Milestone

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August 30, 2023

Access Pensions Limited, a subsidiary of Access Corporation, has successfully surpassed the N1 trillion mark in assets under management, AUM.

Emerging from the business combination of Sigma Pensions and First Guarantee Pension in December 2022, in an impressive trajectory, the Company has scaled up its assets under management to surpass the N1 trillion threshold in just six months.

This feat firmly establishes Access Pensions position as the fourth largest Pension Fund Administrator, PFA, measured by AUM and the second largest PFA, overseeing a portfolio of over 1 million Retirement Savings Accounts, RSAs.

Commenting on this feat in a statement, the Managing Director, Access Pensions, Dave Uduanu said: “Our journey to N1trillion has been guided by a strong commitment to partnering with clients to shape their future.”

While technology served as a cornerstone, Uduanu also attributed Access Pensions’ success to a disciplined investment management approach and a resolute client-centric philosophy.

He said, “Leveraging on technology in service delivery to improve user experience, following a disciplined approach to investment management, and being a member of the largest financial ecosystem in Nigeria, we can offer clients a superior retirement planning experience. Having a client-centric approach has played a significant role as we look to match our client’s needs and aspirations, building trust along the way.”

He added that Access Pensions is committed to delivering consistent results, even in challenging times, which has been the cornerstone of its credibility and client promise.

He noted that Access Pensions has brought forth innovative products that cater to a wide range of risk preferences, effectively staying ahead of changing demands.

He added: “Our vision is clear – to provide our clients with the financial tools needed to shape their retirement future. We are dedicated to raising the bar in service, performance, and client satisfaction. As we expand, responsible and sustainable investing will remain our priority.”

He added that with its range of innovative products and remarkable achievements like this, Access Pensions is unquestionably charting a new course for success in the pensions industry and playing a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of Nigerians.

Ondo: When Mere LG Poll Turned To Keg Of Gunpowder – PDP

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Ayodele Oni

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August 30, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ondo State has observed that some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State have turned themselves to election umpire by picking candidates for Local Government election due to hold in the State next year.

PDP particularly fingered wife of the governor, Betty, and APC chairman, Ade Adetimehin for being behind hand picking of councilorship and chairmanship candidates for the election.

Spokesman of the PDP in the state, Kennedy Peretei, in a statement on Wednesday said “Lately, State Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Mr Ade Adetimehin has been dancing around town with those he claimed defected from opposition parties to the APC, but it is clear now that, Adetimehin and his co-travellers are comfortably seated on a keg of gun powder.

“A couple of months ago, the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC) announced its readiness to conduct Local Government Elections into the eighteen Local Government Areas in December, 2023.

“However, the electoral body rescheduled the polls for February, 2024. While preparations were on top gear, the State Government announced the creation of 33 LCDAs.

“The confusion and protests that greeted the mere political rascality of the Akeredolu administration tagged LCDA creation is yet to settle.

“ODIEC is yet to clear the air on whether or not elections will hold in the newly created LCDAs. Amidst all of these, APC leaders mobilized themselves to ODIEC headquarters in Oba-Ile, Akure to physically destroy the list of “supposed” APC Candidates for the LG elections, claiming that, there was nowhere primary elections were held to nominate candidates.

“Across the State, there are protests of imposition of candidates by wife of the Governor, Mrs Betty Akeredolu. There are reports that, some of the candidates are not even card carrying members of the APC. Their only qualification is being Betty’s kinsmen.

“The Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) Ondo State Chapter urges ODIEC to clear the air on whether or not they are sincere about the conduct of the Local Government elections instead of allowing our party candidates to waste their resources on a phantom LG polls.

“Our party also wishes to advise Adetimehin, Betty Akeredolu and APC to allow due process in nominating candidates for the elections instead of courting trouble as that will amount to sitting on a keg of gun powder.”

Foreign: Soldiers End Bongo’s 14-year Dictatorship In Gabon

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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August 30, 2023

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Army officers have appeared on national television in Gabon to say they have taken power.

They said they were annulling the results of Saturday’s election, in which President Ali Bongo was declared the winner.

The electoral commission said Bongo had won just under two-thirds of the votes in an election the opposition argued was fraudulent.

His overthrow would end his family’s 53-year hold on power in Gabon.

Gabon is one of Africa’s major oil producers, while nearly 90 percent of the country is covered by forests.

Twelve soldiers appeared on television early on Wednesday morning, announcing they were cancelling the results of the election and dissolving “all the institutions of the republic”.

They added that the country’s borders had been closed “until further notice”.

If confirmed, this would be the eighth coup in former French colonies in Africa in the past three years.

However, most of the others have been further north, in the Sahel region where an Islamist insurgency has led to rising complaints that the democratically elected governments were failing to protect the civilian populations.

The soldiers said they were from the Committee of Transition and the Restoration of Institutions and represent security and defence forces in the country.

One of the soldiers said on TV channel Gabon 24: “We have decided to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime.”

This, he added, was down to “irresponsible, unpredictable governance resulting in a continuing deterioration in social cohesion that risks leading the country into chaos”.

The sounds of loud gunfire could be heard in the country’s capital, Libreville, following the broadcast.

BBC Africa editor Will Ross says this suggests the coup is perhaps not “done and dusted” and there will be some resistance.

There was no immediate response by the government to the soldiers’ announcement and the whereabouts of Mr Bongo are unknown.

Internet access was suspended following Saturday’s election for security reasons, however this was restored shortly after the apparent takeover. A curfew is also in place.

As in previous general elections in Gabon, there were serious concerns about the process in Saturday’s vote.

Main opposition candidate Albert Ondo Ossa complained that many polling stations lacked ballot papers bearing his name, while the coalition he represents said the names of some of those who had withdrawn from the presidential race had still been on the ballot sheet.

Campaign group Reporters Without Borders said foreign media had been banned from setting foot in the country to cover the vote.

Ali Bongo was declared the winner of Saturday’s election, which the opposition argued was fraudulent

Both of Bongo’s previous wins were disputed as fraudulent by opponents. This time, controversial changes were made to voting papers just weeks before election day.

Bongo came to power when his father Omar died in 2009.

In 2018, he suffered a stroke which sidelined him for almost a year and led to calls for him to step aside.

The following year, a failed coup attempt saw mutinying soldiers sent to prison.

BBC

Zenith Bank Appoints Dr Juliet Ehimuan As Non-Executive Director

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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August 30, 2023

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The Board of Directors of Zenith Bank Plc has appointed Dr. Juliet Ehimuan as a Non-Executive Director of the bank effective August 29, 2023.

The appointment, which was announced in a statement to the Nigerian Exchange, NGX Limited on Tuesday, August 29, 2023, has also be confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Ehimuan is the Founder and CEO of Beyond Limits and the immediate past Director of Google West Africa. She was named by Forbes as one of the top 20 power women in Africa, by the London Business School as one of 30 people changing the world, and as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD). She was also featured in the BBC Africa Power Women series, and on CNN Innovate Africa.

With over 25 years experience primarily in Technology, Oil & Gas, and New Media industries across Europe, Middle East and Africa; Juliet is a leading voice on Innovation, Transformation, and Leadership.

During her remarkable 12-year tenure at Google, Juliet played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence in Nigeria and the wider West Africa region. She championed initiatives to increase digital access, local content development, skills acquisition, entrepreneurial growth, innovation, and fostered strategic partnerships with leading private sector and government institutions.

Ehimuan has made significant contributions to the tech ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa at large. She served on committees that developed the national broadband plan and ICT incubation strategy in Nigeria, and has been involved in national strategic advisory groups focused on economic growth.

These engagements demonstrate her commitment to shaping the future of tech in Africa. She has received numerous awards for outstanding contribution to the digital landscape in Africa.

She holds board positions across multiple industries including Finance, FMCG, Oil & Gas, Education and social enterprises.

Her education includes a Doctoral degree in Business from Walden University in Minneapolis, an Executive MBA from the London Business School, a Postgraduate degree in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge; and a BSc in Computer Engineering (1st class honours) from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

She is a recipient of the London Business School Global Women’s Scholarship, and at Cambridge University was awarded Selwyn College Scholar and Malaysian Commonwealth Scholar. She is a Fellow of the Cambridge Commonwealth Society.

She was awarded IT Personality of the Year in 2012 by the Nigeria Computer Society, Digital Personality of the year 2016 by Marketing World; and received a 2015 Titans of Technology award from Technology Africa. She is a published Author, Executive Coach, and a member of the Forbes Coaches’ Council.

Nigerians Shot Down Chicago State University’s X Account Over Backlash On President

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 29, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

The Chicago State University has blocked its X Account (Former Twitter) following the storming of its site by Nigerians over alleged Certificate Scandal rocking President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Some Nigerians had stormed the X Page of the School to verify whether the Nigerian President actually graduated from the Institution or not.

This came in the wake of a petition filed by the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, in a United States court to obtain information about Tinubu’s academic records at the Chicago State University.

A check on the page which was earlier Public, on Tuesday, showed it has now been put on Private with a message – “These posts are protected. Only confirmed followers have access to @ChicagoState’s posts and complete profiles. Tap a Follow button to send a follow request.”

It would be recalled that Social Commentator and Bayelsa State Born Activist, Timi Frank had also challenged the Institution to react to the call on the verification of President Tinubu’s Certificate from the institution.

He had petitioned the Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI and the Criminal Investigation Authority of the United States of America to compel the institution to respond.

Before now, Beverly Poindexter, who is in charge of official transcript requests, enrolment, and degree verification at the Office of the Registrar, CSU, in a terse email response had said, “Mr Tinubu did attend our university, however, if further information is needed, go to studentclearinghouse.org website to make a formal request.”

In an earlier letter dated August 20, 1999, and signed by then Registrar, Lois Davis, the university stated that Tinubu was its student between 1977 and 1979.

He wrote, “Please be advised that Bola A. Tinubu did indeed attend Chicago State University from August 1977 through June 1979. He was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and Administration with honours on June 22, 1979. His major was Accounting.”

Also attached to Tinubu’s form CF004 submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission during his governorship re-election bid in 2003 was a commendation letter from CSU recognising his performance and “high scholastic achievement”.

But over the years, controversy had trailed his educational backgrounds and certificates.

President Tinubu Has Not Done Anything New – Cleric

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Ayodele Oni

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August 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

“Let the truth be told, this ‘ground’ is not ‘running’ Mr. President. It has been three months of extreme hardship and suffering for Nigerians. And it is virtually becoming unbearable.”

This was the remark of an Osun-based right activist and cleric, Bishop Seun Adeoye, in a statement on Tuesday, expressing his displeasure at the current situation in the country.

He described President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s three months in charge as a period of extreme hardship and untold suffering for the majority of Nigerians.

“Today, 29th of August, marks three months of Tinubu’s government. But within these three months, businesses are collapsing, people are becoming jobless, hunger now pervades the land, and many who appear to be alive are just walking corpses.

“You and your family are up there in a secured Aso Rock. Those who surround you are big men. They can’t feel the pains the way we, the people, do. ‘Igboro o rerin Sir’. I mean, people are not happy at all. We cannot pretend that there is sadness everywhere.

“Is there anything new done by this administration that has never been done? None. Our ‘City Boy’ almost dragged us into war with Niger Republic, while terrorists, bandits and kidnappers are still having their field days in our own country.

“The other day, soldiers were slaughtered in Niger state, and some intending youth corpers were kidnapped in Zamfara.

“A new government ought to have even shown some signs of strength, but killings in Plateau, Niger and Benue States and other places were manifestations of ‘continuity’ of the past.

“‘Subsidy is gone’ but the so-called palliatives are mere political statements. A N5 billion largesse to a state with 5 million population is just N1,000 per person. Yet, prices of foodstuffs and transportations have gone up astronomically and the masses are crying.

“Mr. President, your 100,000 bags of rice per state is a huge joke. It can’t go one ‘kongo or mudu’ each per family. I don’t trade in foreign currency but how’s the dollar market today compared to when you took over?

“Soon, very soon, we’ll be overwhelmed by propaganda and sponsored performance statistics. But the fact remains that this government has not only taken food off the tables of the masses but has successfully taken smiles off their checks.”

However, Bishop Adeoye urged Nigerians not to stop praying for the country and her leaders.

FCT Minister, Wike, Breaks Record, Makes Campaign Council Members Of PDP, APC For Bayelsa Election

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Ayodele Oni

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August 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The All Progressives Congress (APC) and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) have released names of Campaign Council members for the governorship election coming up in Bayelsa state on November 11.

The two lists released on Tuesday in Abuja featured the name of the former governor of Rivers state, Nyesome Wike, now minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).

Wike’s name is on number 12 on the PDP 72 members list, while he is on number six on APC 123 members list.

Governor Mohammed Inuwa Bawa is chairman of APC council, while Governor Kefas Agbu, heads PDP Council.

President Tinubu Approves New NDDC Board

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Ayodele Oni

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August 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Board and Management team of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The new board members and management team were announced in a statement on Tuesday by presidential spokesman, Chief Ajuri Ngelale.

The board will be headed by Mr. Chiedu Ebie, from Delta, and Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, Managing Director / CEO, Bayelsa.

Executive directors are Mr. Boma Iyaye, Finance and Admin, Rivers; Victor Antai, Projects, Akwa-Ibom; Ifedayo Abegunde, Executive Director (Corporate Services, Ondo.

Others as states Representatives are:

Sen. Dimaro Denyanbofa – State Representative – Bayelsa

Mr. Abasi Ndikan Nkono – State Representative – Akwa Ibom

Rt. Hon. Monday Igbuya – State Representative – Delta

Chief Tony Okocha – State Representative – Rivers

Hon Patrick Aisowieren – State Representative – Edo

Mr. Kyrian Uchegbu – State Representative – Imo

Victor Kolade Akinjo – State Representative – Ondo

Chief Dimgba Eruba – State Representative – Abia

Mr. Asu Oku Okang – State Representative – Cross River

Hon. Nick Wende – Zonal Representative – North Central

Hon. Namdas Abdulrazak – Zonal Representative – North East

Sen. Dr. Ibrahim Abdullahi Gobir – Zonal Representative – North West

The President expects that the new Board and Management team will ensure a new era of successful administration in the NDDC, in line with his Renewed Hope agenda.

APC National Chairman, Ganduje Mocks Kwankwaso Over Alleged Failed Ministerial Ambition

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Ayodele Oni

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August 29, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

The bitterness generated by his defeat in Kano state during the last general election is yet to abate, as the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, tackled the presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing him of lobbying to be the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.

Ganduje lost his second term bid to the candidate of NNPP on the election, a party which Kwankwaso co founded and contested for the presidential election.

At the early stage of the administration, Ganduje and Kwankwaso almost clashed at the seat of government when both of them met at Aso Rock during individuals visit to President Tinubu.

Ganduje, claimed that Kwankwaso supported the demolition of buildings in Kano to portray himself as a minister who will revive the master plan of Abuja.

The former governor of Kano State made the remarks at a meeting with some of his loyalists and party supporters from the state at the APC secretariat in Abuja.

According to him, his predecessor was desperate to become FCT Minister, but was denied the position by President Tinubu.

Ganduje added that the demolition of buildings approved by his administration was the only way Kwankwaso and Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, could express their frustration under the guise of sanitizing Kano’s master plan.

The APC chairman said: “Is it not the FCT minister position that he wanted? That was why he demolished buildings in Kano under the guise that he wanted to defend the master plan. If you ask him what the master plan is, he can’t tell you.

“All you will hear is, ‘We will reset the Kano master plan. We have promised Kano people that we will demolish houses even if they are 1,000-storey buildings’. Look, if an illiterate person does not know he is one, he is certainly blind. That is what befell him.”

NNPP Suspends Rabiu Kwankwaso As National Leader

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Akinwale Kasali

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August 29, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso, Presidential Candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, has been suspended by the Party as its National Leader.

The Party’s Board of Trustees, BOT, announced his suspension of Kwankwaso for Six Months due to alleged Anti-Party Activities.

Crisis has been brewing in the Party following the romance between Kwankwaso and the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, which did not sit well with the Party leadership.

The Crisis has now reached to a head with the suspension clamped down on its Presidential Candidate and National Leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

This follows the suspension of its national Publicity Secretary and Some Others earlier, a move rejected by its Board of Trustees.

The BoT also suspended the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party and appointed new national officers headed by Dr Agbo Major as acting National Chairman and Mr Ogini Olaposi as acting National Secretary alongside others.

It was gathered that the suspensions were put to a voice vote by members of the party at its Special General Assembly, held at the Rockview Hotels in Apapa, Lagos.

It would be recalled that the NWC of the party on Thursday, Aug. 24, announced the suspension of the founder of the party, Dr Boniface Aniebonam and the National Publicity Secretary.

Addressing newsmen at the end of the meeting in Lagos on Tuesday, Secretary of the BoT, Babayo Muhammed Abdulahi, accused Kwankwaso of hobnobbing with President Bola Tinubu, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party LP, Peter Obi, without the Board’s authorisation.

Abdullahi announced that Kwankwaso had been stripped of the NNPP National Leader status by the Board.

The Secretary of the BoT said the purported suspension of the NNPP founder was a flagrant gross violation of the party’s constitution.

He pointed out that Aniebonam had resigned as the BoT chairman and a new BoT Chairman, Dr Chief Tope Aluko was elected with Abdulahi as new BoT Secretary, while High Chief Tony Obioha was elected as BoT spokesperson.

Abdulahi said the pre-election Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Kwankwasia Movement, The National Movement (TNM) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had been rendered void by the actions of the NWC.

Abdulahi said: “The purported suspension of the founder is a flagrant gross violation of the NNPP constitution such that it is tantamount to recklessness and irresponsibility on the part of the incompetent NWC.

“The BoT decided that material evidence in the public sector affirmed that Kwankwaso was involved in anti-party activities in various meetings, suggest political discussions with the President, Atiku and Obi without authorisation from the board.

”This has earned him six months suspension pending the outcome of investigation by the Disciplinary Committee.

“The BOT insisted that the avoidable violation of MoU between NNPP on the one part and Kwankwasia, TNM and NAGAFF on the other has no other choice than to withdraw from the partnership.

“It is therefore to state clearly that the MOU have been rendered void.”

Also speaking, the acting chairman said his team would hit the ground running by healing the wounds created by the suspended NWC members.

“It also stated that the party would remain the most ordinary friendly party in the country and urged other members that are displaced for one reason or the other to return to its fold.

“We don’t intend to shut anybody out or censor anybody but we want to ensure that we remain on track and maintain our people oriented ideology,” he said.