“I Am Traumatized”, Mmesoma, Teenager Accused Of Forging JAMB Result Cries Out

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July 4, 2023

By Charles Igbo

The 16-year old Anambra student, Mmesoma Ejikeme, accused of allegedly forging her Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) result has cried out over her fate.

In a video where she told her story and narrated her ordeal, the 16-year old student of Anglican Girls Secondary School Nnewi, Anambra State, said the controversy which has surrounded her JAMB score has left her traumatized. “I am traumatized”, she lamented in the video.

Miss Ejikeme’s trouble started when it was announced, not by JAMB, that she had the highest score in the recently released JAMB result, having scored, allegedly, 362 out of the maximum score of 400 marks.

Congratulations came in like claps of thunder. And so was the excitement, especially, when her poor family background became public.

A daughter of a motorcyclist (Okada) rider, it was very difficult for her parents to pay her school fees, WASSCE and NECO, and even JAMB fees.

Becoming the highest JAMB scorer was like manna falling for her and her family from Heaven. She was sure of sponsorship for her University education from JAMB, her State Government and kind individuals.

First to take appreciate her was Chief Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Motors Manufacturing Company. He hosted the teenager, and offered her a scholarship through University, worth the sum of three million Naira.

This was followed by an excited Anambra State Government which saw her feat as a confirmation of the attention Governor Chukwuma Soludo is, according to it, paying to the Education Sector.

But all that came crashing when JAMB poured ice on the excitement by dismissing Ejikeme’s score as fake. In a statement JAMB said she forged her JAMB score. It said she scored 249 marks, and inflated it to 362. JAMB, instead, announced another Anambra teenager, Nkechinyere Umeh, who scored 360 as the owner of the trophy. It did not stop at that. JAMB withdrew Ejikeme’s result, and declared her an impostor who would be prosecuted. By doing that, JAMB has put a stop to her ever securing admission in any University in Nigeria, now or in future.

But Ejikeme in the video where she flaunted her JAMB result slip insisted she forged no result, and is not capable of doing that. She said the result is hers, that it is no fake, and that there was no forgery of any result on her part.

She said, showing her result: “My name is Ejikeme Mmesoma. I am the owner of this result. I went to the JAMB portal to print this result, and this is what they gave me. This is my aggregate, 362. This is exactly how I printed it from their site. They are now saying I forged the result. This what I don’t know. I am traumatized that they accused me of forging my own result. I am nor capable of forging results.”

Showing her result, she said: “This is the evidence.”

She, also, said that any problem was JAMB’s, not hers, and gave an example. She said: “Okay, they said that I forged the result. They scanned this OR Code. It showed another name, a Yoruba name, Omotola Afolabi. She got 138. They checked again and saw that the girl got 338, meaning that there is a problem.”

The Principal of her school stands by her. Meanwhile, the result of an investigation carried out by the Department of State Services, DSS, is being awaited.

NSA Says Service Chiefs Will Not Fail, After Meeting With Tinubu

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James Orji

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July 3, 2023

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The National Security Adviser, NSA Nuhu Ribadu, has assured Nigerians that the new service chiefs will not fail. The NSA gave the assertion on Monday after the military commanders met President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The meeting was the first since they were appointed on June 19 by the president.

The Service Chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, and the Acting IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

Speaking after the meeting with the president the NSA said service chiefs understand the enormous task before them of keeping the country safe, and are “not going to fail you, they’ll certainly deliver.”

Ribadu said military chiefs were appointed because “they are probably some of the best” in the country, adding that President Tinubu told them during the meeting to work together to combat the nation’s insecurity.

He explained that the service chiefs also pledged their loyalty to the commander-in-chief and the country during the meeting with the president in Aso Rock, Presidential villa, Abuja.

According to him, “We also pledged our loyalty to him, Nigeria and Nigerians. We believe the choice he made is the right one, the correct one, and we know what he wants for this country.

“We’re going to work tirelessly to ensure that we accomplish that objective of securing our country, establishing peace, stability and let’s get our lives back.

“He gave us the assurance that he’s with us hundred percent. He told us that we must work as a team and that there’s work to be done, he’ll expect us to deliver and we’re grateful for the opportunity. That’s why we are here.

“Where we are today and you can see already things are improving in our country. You see the record of crimes and activities of criminals are going down, it will continue to go down. We’ll secure this place.

“Nigerians have seen the quality of the people that are given opportunity, they are probably some of the best we have and they are not going to fail you, they’ll certainly deliver,” Ribadu said.

Recall that Ribadu, a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, was first appointed Special Adviser on Security to the president, and later elevated to the position of NSA.

Court Orders PSC To Pay Rtd AIG Mbu N40 Million Damages For Wrongful Retirement

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Joseph Mbu, has had his pride and integrity restored.

The Honourable Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki- Osaghae of the National Industrial Court has ordered the Police Service Commission, PSC, to pay him the sum of N40 Million as general damages.

Mbu was unlawfully retired by the PSC before he attained the mandatory age of 60 years.

Justice Obaseki-Osaghae in her ruling said: “I hold that the claimant’s premature retirement through a press release on July 2, 2016, is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void, and of no effect”.

The Judge also set aside the purported retirement and declared that the claimant remained an officer of the Nigeria Police Force until he attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 on May 10, 2018.

In addition, it also ordered the defendant to pay Mbu his salaries, allowances, and entitlement from July 2, 2016, when he was retired until May 10, 2018, when he ought to have retired having attained 60 years.

The Judge while delivering the judgment ordered that the sum of N750,000 be paid to the claimant as the cost of the suit, stating that failure of the defendant to comply with the orders of the Court within 30 days will attract a 10 percent interest per annum.

The Court, however, declined the relief of promotion to the position of a DIG and reinstatement sought by the claimant.

This, the Court explained cannot be sustained as the claimant had reached the mandatory retirement age on May 10, 2018, when the suit was pending.

From facts, the claimant, Mbu instituted the suit against the Commission over his alleged compulsory retirement on July 2, 2016, when he was the Commandant of the Police Staff College.

In his statement of facts, he stated that he was born May 10, 1958, and joined the police on Dec. 11, 1985, and had not reached the mandatory retirement age of 60, nor had he spent 35 years in service before he was retired in 2016.

The claimant had, therefore, sought, amongst other reliefs, an order of the court to invalidate his retirement, which he claimed was done via a press release as he was never served statutory notice of retirement.

He also sought an order from the Court directing the defendant to pay his salaries, allowances, and other entitlements from July 2016 to 2018, when he would have been due for retirement.

He also sought payment of his terminal benefits, N500 million as general damages, and N20 million as the cost of the suit.

The defendant on its part through processes stated that the claimant was not retired through a press release, but that he was pulled out from the force in a ceremonial event.

The defendant equally averred that promotion in the force is not automatic and that the claimant did not meet some of the requirements for promotion.

According to the defendant, the reorganisation in NPF at the time of the claimant’s retirement followed due process and the claimant was not the only person affected.

The Court in its judgment stated that although the defendant abandoned its case by failing to show up in Court to conduct its defence, the action did not exonerate the claimant from the burden to prove his case.

The Judge submitted that pleadings are not synonymous with evidence as the defendant was never in Court regardless of several hearing notices served.

Obaseki-Osaghae in addition stated that the defendant was deemed to have abandoned its case as the claimant’s submissions were not contested.

She said that the claimant having proven his case on its strength through credible evidence without relying on the weakness of the defendant, was entitled to some of the reliefs he sought.

Mbu, while in service was adjudged as a brilliant, courageous and a no-,nonsense officer who upheld the ethics of his profession to the hilt.

Nigerians Lament Hike In Price Of Tomatoes, As Housewives Opt For Tomato Paste

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Prices of Tomatoes have skyrocketed in the market, and Nigerians are lamenting the present situation.

Many had thought that the hike in the price of tomatoes and pepper was as a result of the Sallah Festival, but this isn’t the situation, as the prices have further skyrocketed.

Ile Epo Market in Oke Odo Local Council Development Area in Alimosho Local Government play host to the Market where edibles are sold in large quantities.

As early as 4:30am on daily basis, the Market is a beehive of activities, as people stroll in to purchase food items which early in the morning is cheaper.

Sadly, this isn’t the present situation as there is scarcity in tomatoes and pepper.

This has prompted housewives to ditch tomatoes.

Three small pieces of tomatoes is been sell for N200 while three big ones sell for N500.

Most housewives to opt for Tin Tomatoes.

In a chat with some women in the market, they said they are disheartened with the situation of things, saying that they now resort to the use of dried pepper and tin tomatoes to make stew.

The Home of Affordable Edible Foods in Lagos, Mile 12 Markets, where people go to purchase the edibles is also the same situation as people who were interviewed said they have opted for tin Tomatoes in place of fresh ones.

In Abuja, the nation’s Capital, it is also the same situation.

Some housewives said they have resorted to using garden egg plants and carrots in their stew.

They said garden egg, called ganyen gauta in Hausa, igba in Yoruba and anara in Igbo, could blend very well with rice in the same manner as tomatoes.

Others said they were exploring pumpkin, pawpaw or traditional soups like white soup and palm fruit soup popularly called banga soup in place of tomatoes stew.

Lamidi Jummai, a housewife and mother of three said that this present situation has made her resort to using Pumpkin, Pawpaw and traditional soup as stew.

“We like Rice in my house and we need to use stew, with the scarcity and high cost of tomatoes, her family was exploring garden egg stew.

“Since tomatoes became very expensive, we decided to use garden egg for stew and it is as sweet as tomato stew.

“The only major difference between garden egg stew and tomatoes stew is the colour.

“We also use pumpkin stew with rice sometimes and although it has its unique taste, it blends well with rice.”

It is also reported that a sizeable basket of tomatoes which hitherto sold for about N10,000 now sells for about N35,000 while big baskets cost more.

Seun Kuti’s Trial Stalled Following Chief Magistrate‘s Absence

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Seun Kuti, Son of Afrobeat Legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s ongoing trial at the Yaba Magistrate Court, Lagos, for assaulting a Police Officer an offence contrary to Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, was stalled on Monday following the absence of Chief Magistrate Olatunbosun.

Kuti was arraigned before the Magistrate Court by the Lagos State Police Command on May 16, 2023.

Confirming the absence of the Magistrate, the Registrar of the Court, Babalola gave a new date, September 27, 2023, for the continuation of the proceeding.

It would be recalled that on May 24, Magistrate Olatunbosun in her ruling stated that the police cannot be the complainant and also the prosecutor in the case, prompting her to, therefore, request the Department of Public Prosecution’s advice to continue the prosecution.

She said, “I need the advice of the DPP to know whether he should be prosecuted or not.”

She thus adjourned the case till July 3, 2023, for the DPP’s advice, but her absence has stalled the trial, which has been adjourned to September 27, 2023.

Ekiti Assembly Goes Tough On Commissioner-Nominees, Insists On Tax Clearance, Declaration Of Assets Certificates

By

Ayodele Oni

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July 3, 2023

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Adeoye Aribasoye - Ekiti State House of Assemlby Speaker

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti State House of Assembly, in compliance with the recommendation of Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has set hurdles before commissioners nominees, whose screening commenced on Monday.

In a departure from the old order where appointees would just be requested to take a bow before the Assembly, the nominees were ordered to present their tax clearance certificate, and declare their assets before presenting themselves for screening.

The Speaker of the Assembly, Adeoye Aribasoye, warned the Commissioner-nominees against treating the Legislature with disrespect after they might have been cleared and confirmed for their positions.

Aribasoye warned that henceforth the Assembly will not take it lightly with any Commissioner who fails to make available the report of his ministry’s activities on how public funds appropriated for are expended before the next Budget.

The Speaker, who handed down the warning on Monday at the commencement of the screening of the commissioner-nominees said the Assembly is empowered by the Constitution and its Standing Order to perform oversight functions and ensure that returns on how public funds are expended are rendered as and when due.

Three commissioner-nominees: Dr. (Mrs.) Kofoworola Aderiye, Mr. Oyeniyi Adebayo, both from Ido/Osi Local Government and Mr. Oluwaseun Fakuade, from Oye Local Government, appeared before the state legislators for screening for the office they were nominated by Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

The Speaker pointed out that the exercise was conducted pursuant to the provisions of Section 192(1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 to pave the way for the smooth running of the government and implementation of policies and programmes that will have impact on the lives of the citizens of the state.

The three nominees were grilled by the Assembly members, who asked them questions ranging from their personality, educational background, pedigree, competence, past experiences in public and private sectors, where they had been privileged to serve and values they will add to governance when eventually confirmed.

As part of measures to ensure a stricter screening procedure, the nominees were compelled to produce Tax Clearance Certificates issued and verified by the Ekiti State Internal Revenue Service in line with Section 38 of the Board of Internal Revenue Law.

The nominees’ Tax Clearance Certificates were personally confirmed and authenticated by the Speaker and the Majority Leader, Tolu Ige, before the nominees addressed the Assembly and respond to questions posed to them by the legislators.

The Speaker further added that each of the nominees screened by the Assembly must declare their assets and produce completed Asset Declaration Forms from the Code of Conduct Bureau before they are confirmed at a later date.

Laying emphasis on the need for commissioners and other officers of government to honour invitations from the Assembly on issues that require legislative scrutiny, the Speaker warned that the legislature will use the instrumentality of the law to compel the appearance of any officer invited.

“This House will not take it lightly with any Commissioner that fails to honour invitations to appear before it on issues of governance and areas the House has oversight on.

“We will not tolerate any failure to make available report of your activities which must be available before the next Budget.

“You must bring it to explain what you have done with the funds appropriated by the legislature. The returns must be rendered as and when due.

“When you are summoned, you must appear before the House. I want to say that this House of Assembly will take its rightful position and do what is assigned to it as an arm of government.

“We will use the instrumentality of the law because we are empowered by the Constitution, we are also empowered by the Standing Order to do the needful.

“I am going to repeat this to other commissioner-nominees that will still appear before us in case this House finds you worthy of our confirmation, that the House of Assembly which is saddled with the responsibility of oversight (functions) on the Executive will take its rightful position to do what has been assigned to it as an arm of government.

“We are screening you today and we will confirm you if we find you worthy. Please let all commissioners respect this House.

“The appointment of commissioners is a significant step in the administration of our government as it paves the way for the implementation of policies and programmes that will directly impact on the lives of our citizens.

“It is therefore imperative that we approach this exercise with utmost diligence, transparency and fairness.

“Our primary objective is to thoroughly examine the qualifications, experience and suitability of nominees. We will evaluate their knowledge, competence and commitment to our state development agenda.

“It is crucial that we select individuals who possess the necessary leadership qualities, integrity and dedication to public service.

“I will like to emphasize that this screening exercise is not an opportunity for witch-hunting or personal vendetta. Instead, it is an occasion for us to collaborate, question and deliberate in the spirit of good governance.”

The Speaker urged his colleagues to approach the constitutional assignment with highest level of professionalism, impartiality and objectivity, stressing that their collective duty is to safeguard the interests of their constituents and ensure that the individuals nominated for commissioners’ seats are capable to represent their interests.

Tinubu Allays Fears Over Doing Business In Nigeria

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The Source

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July 3, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has assured the business community that it should not exercise any fears as the present administration is committed to policy consistency and better business climate to attract investment.

A statement by Special Adviser, Communications, Dele Alake, stated that the President spoke Monday while receiving the delegation of the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) led by the Global Upstream Director, Ms Zoe Yujnovic at the State House, Abuja.

President Tinubu welcomed the SPDC’s offer for more investments in the Nigerian oil and gas sector, adding that such investments are needed now more than ever, to enable Government meet its obligations.

The President recalled that attracting fresh investment was “a promise I made personally to Nigerians. Whatever it takes, I will fulfill that promise to Nigerians.”

President Tinubu reiterated that Nigeria is ready for business, assuring the Shell management and other investors of his administration’s willingness to maintain an open-door policy and address their concerns.

“We are open for business. We are serious. I give you the assurance of consistency in policy.”

The President also assured that his government was removing all forms of bottlenecks in order to ensure Nigeria becomes an attractive investment destination.

Addressing the President earlier, Ms Yujnock applauded what she described as “incredibly strong start” of the Tinubu presidency and expressed optimism that the “bold” steps taken by the government would renew Nigeria’s pride of place as an investment destination.

Yujnock said SPDC was willing to ramp up investment in the country especially in the areas of gas and deep-water assets by pumping in billions of dollars.

She said Nigeria remains a strategic investment country for the company in view of the long history between the two entities and the prospects held by the county’s oil and gas sector.

Taraba: Governor Kefas Imposes 24-Hour Curfew As Communal Clash Escalates; Group Condemns Crisis

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Akinwale Kasali

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July 3, 2023

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By Akinwale Kasali

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on the Karim Lamido Local Government Area of the State, following Saturday’s crisis between Karimjo and Wurkun people which has claimed the lives of several people.

The communal clash in the said area has left many displaced, and several persons missing.

It was gathered that the crisis escalated over the weekend prompting the Taraba State Government to deploy more Security Agents.

A statement signed by Yusuf Sanda, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Kefas directed all security agencies to ensure strict compliance with the order.

“Gov. Kefas has declared an immediate 24-hour curfew in Karim town and its environs effective from July 2.

“The curfew follows renewed communal conflicts in some parts of Karim Lamido LGA of the state.

“Security agencies have been mandated to ensure strict compliance and any person or group of persons found violating the order shall be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“All ward heads, village heads, traditional rulers, and stakeholders in Karim Lamido LGA are to take note of this development” the statement read in parts.

Confirming the crisis, the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Usman Abdulahi said the violence started in the early hours of Saturday, stressing that lives were lost, but he couldn’t ascertain the number of casualties yet.

In his words, “In the last few days, there have been pockets of guerilla attacks between Karimjo and the Wurkun people in the area.”

He noted that the Command is on top of the situation, and that normalcy would soon return to the two communities and the Council at large.

However, a Group under the auspices of Wurkun Youth Ambassadors World Wide has condemned the violent clash between the Wurkun and Karimjo people of the Karim-Lamido local Government area of Taraba State.

The Group in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Seth Sule, appealed to Governor Kefas to deploy more security personnel to restore normalcy in the area.

Sule urged the warring factions to shun violence and embrace peace to attract development to the community.

He also called on the Government to collaborate with Security Agencies to deploy more security personnel to the communities and the council.

“No fewer than 3,000 people have been displaced while properties, farm crops, and animals worth millions of naira have been destroyed,” he said.

Zenith Bank Retains Position As Nigeria’s No 1 In Top 1000 Global Banks’ Ranking

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 3, 2023

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Zenith Bank Plc has retained its ranking as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the 2023 Top 1000 World Banks’ Rankings, published by The Banker Magazine.

For the fourteenth year in a row, the Bank has held its position as the number one Tier-1 bank in Nigeria, emerging as the 467th Bank globally with a Tier-1 Capital of $2.54 billion.

The rankings, published in the July 2023 edition of The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group, United Kingdom, were based on the 2022 year-end Tier-1 capital of banks globally. The rankings continue to be the primary source for global bank financials and are used by most international organisations in their assessments of banks.

Zenith Bank’s financial performance for the year was bolstered by an impressive double-digit growth of 24% in gross earnings, leading to an improved market share in both the retail and corporate segments of the market. This occurred despite a persistently challenging macroeconomic environment and headwinds.

Commenting on the ranking, the Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said, “Being ranked as the Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital for the fourteenth consecutive year attests to our resilience as an institution despite a very challenging macroeconomic environment and global headwinds. It is also an affirmation of our best-in-class service and commitment to value creation for our highly esteemed customers.”

He thanked the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his foundational role in building the structures and setting the institution on the path to continued success; the Board for their vision and outstanding leadership; the staff for their unwavering commitment and dedication; and the Bank’s customers for their unflinching loyal support of the Zenith brand.

Tier 1 Capital describes capital adequacy, which is the core measure of a bank’s financial strength from a regulator’s point of view. According to the ranking, Tier 1 Capital, as defined by the latest Bank for International Settlements (BIS) guidelines, includes loss-absorbing capital, i.e., common stock, disclosed reserves, retained earnings, and minority interests in the equity of subsidiaries that are less than wholly owned.

Zenith Bank became one of the latest companies to join the exclusive group of stocks worth over one trillion, as its market capitalisation on the Nigerian Exchange, NGX, crossed the N1 trillion mark in the third week of June 2023. This followed the appreciation of its share price by 3.23% to close at N32 per share, taking its market capitalisation above a trillion to close at N1.004 trillion.

The bank’s track record of excellent performances has continued to earn it numerous awards including being recognised as Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020 and 2022; Best Bank in Nigeria, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria 2021 and 2022, in the World Finance Banking Awards; Best Corporate Governance Bank, Nigeria in the World Finance Corporate Governance Awards 2022; Best in Corporate Governance’ Financial Services’ Africa, for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023, by the Ethical Boardroom; Most Sustainable Bank, Nigeria in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards; Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation In Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards.

Also, the bank emerged as the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Similarly, Zenith Bank was named as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Bank of the Year 2021 by Champion Newspaper, Bank of the Year 2022 by New Telegraph Newspaper, and Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

Tinubu Says EU Report On 2023 Presidential Election “Jaundiced”

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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July 2, 2023

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The major benefactor of the 2023 Presidential Election, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has described the European Union Electoral Observer Mission, EUEOM Report on the election as “jaundiced” meant to validate an earlier report by the union in March.

Following the February 29 election, the EU released a scathing report against its validation by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The election won by Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress, APC candidate is still being contested in the election tribunal by two other candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, AP, as largely flawed.

The two candidates are asking the court to overturn the results declared by INEC, and be declared winner.

But in a statement issued by Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Tinubu said he “reject European Union’s conclusions on 2023 general elections,” saying that other monitoring groups have commended the outcome of the election.

He said the EU is trying to manipulate Nigerians, and discredit its credibility, adding that the union have no substantial evidence to prove its claim that the election was not free, fair and credible.

The president said the EU did not monitor elections in all the 176, 000 polling centres across the country, noting that it only interviewed few persons to validate its position that the election was flawed.

Part of the statement reads, “Sometimes in May, we alerted the nation, through a press statement, to the plan by a continental multi-lateral institution to discredit the 2023 general elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“The main target was the presidential election, clearly and fairly won by the then candidate of All Progressives Congress, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“While we did not mention the name of the organisation in the said statement, we made it abundantly clear to Nigerians how this foreign institution had been unrelenting in its assault on the credibility of the electoral process, the sovereignty of our country and on our ability as a people to organise ourselves.

“We find it preposterous and unconscionable that in this day and age, any foreign organisation of whatever hue can continue to insist on its own yardstick and assessment as the only way to determine the credibility and transparency of our elections.

“Now that the organisation has submitted what it claimed to be its final report on the elections, we can now categorically let Nigerians and the entire world know that we were not unaware of the machinations of the European Union to sustain its, largely, unfounded bias and claims on the election outcomes.

“For emphasis, we want to reiterate that the 2023 general elections, most especially the presidential election, won by President Bola Tinubu/All Progressives Congress, were credible, peaceful, free, fair and the best organised general elections in Nigeria since 1999.”

“There is no substantial evidence provided by the European Union or any foreign and local organisation that is viable enough to impeach the integrity of the 2023 election outcomes.

“It is worth restating that the limitation of EU final assessment and conclusions on our elections was made very bare in the text of the press conference addressed by the Head of its Electoral Observation Mission, Barry Andrews.

“While addressing journalists in Abuja on the so-called final report, Andrews noted that EU-EOM monitored the pre-election and post-election processes in Nigeria from January 11 to April 11, 2023 as an INEC accredited election monitoring group.

“Within this period, EU-EOM observed the elections through 11 Abuja-based analysts, and 40 election observers spread across 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. With the level of personnel deployed, which was barely an average of one person per state, we wonder how EU-EOM independently monitored election in over 176,000 polling units across Nigeria.

“We would like to know and even ask EU, how it reached the conclusions in the submitted final report with the very limited coverage of the elections by their observers who, without doubt, relied more on rumours, hearsay, cocktails of prejudiced and uninformed social media commentaries and opposition talking heads.

“We are convinced that what EU-EOM called final report on our recent elections is a product of a poorly done desk job that relied heavily on few instances of skirmishes in less than 1000 polling units out of over 176,000 where Nigerians voted on election day.

“We have many reasons to believe the jaundiced report, based on the views of fewer than 50 observers, was to merely sustain the same premature denunciatory stance contained in EU’s preliminary report released in March.

“We strongly reject, in its entirety, any notion and idea from any organisation, group and individual remotely suggesting that the 2023 election was fraudulent.