Zenith Bank’s CFO Emerges Winner At All African Business Leaders Awards

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June 26, 2023

The Chief Financial Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mukhtar Adam has been named ‘Chief Financial Officer of the Year’ at the 11th All Africa Business Leaders Awards, AABLA, in partnership with CNBC Africa. The award ceremony took place at the King’s Ballroom, Sun City, South Africa, on June 23, 2023. This honour places Dr. Mukhtar alongside other celebrated professionals across Africa.

Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Mukhtar thanked the judges and organisers of the award, expressing his appreciation for being deemed a fitting recipient of the ‘Chief Financial Officer of the Year’ for 2023. He dedicated the award to the Founder and Chairman of Zenith Bank Plc, Jim Ovia, CFR. Additionally, he expressed his gratitude to the management of Zenith Bank, his colleagues in Nigeria and the bank’s subsidiaries for fostering a positive work environment. Dr. Mukhtar also extended his thanks to the bank’s many customers.

AABLA in partnership with CNBC Africa, represents Africa’s largest single-business awards, celebrating the pinnacle of African business achievement. The AABLA has consistently narrated an African story of perseverance, success, innovation, and accountability. It has become synonymous with recognising the finest in business leadership on the African continent.

Dr. Mukhtar Adam is a distinguished finance professional with over two decades of cognate experience. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Finance from Leeds Beckett University, an M.Sc. in Finance – Financial Sector Management from the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, an MBA in Finance from the University of Leicester, and a B.Ed. in Social Sciences, specialising in Economics and Management, from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Dr. Mukhtar Adam also holds a Diploma in International Financial Reporting Standards, IFRS, from the esteemed Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, ICAEW, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Insurance from the Institute of Islamic Banking and Insurance in the UK.

Dr. Mukhtar Adam has participated in several executive programmes at world-leading institutions, including the General Management Program, GMP, at Wharton Business School in the USA, Harvard Business School, INSEAD Business School in Paris, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, ICAN, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Ghana, ICAG, and the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, CITN.

Prior to his current role as the Chief Financial Officer, CFO, of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Mukhtar Adam served as the bank’s Deputy CFO, leading the Financial Reporting, Tax Management and Strategic Planning Groups and supervising the Zenith Group’s entire financial reporting function. Before joining Zenith Bank in 2007, he honed his skills as a Senior Consultant in the Financial Services Group of PricewaterhouseCoopers, PwC.

His vast expertise spans numerous financial areas, from financial sector management and policy analysis to financial reporting and analysis, tax management, audit management, strategy development and execution, enterprise risk management, credit risk management, and financial advisory. He is also accomplished in capacity building and training. Dr. Mukhtar Adam is a prolific researcher with several professional and academic publications.

Buhari Was Afraid To Remove Fuel Subsidy, At The “Expense Of His Life”

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 26, 2023

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Isa Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi state has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to go after those involved in the fuel subsidy scam, saying that former President Muhammadu Buhari could not surmount the courage to end subsidy on petroleum products because of fear for his life.

President Tinubu recently ended the multi-billion fuel subsidy regime that has been well criticized by not a few Nigerians as a fraud.

President Tinubu said last week in France that he only acted with courage to remove the subsidy even though it was not written in his inaugural speech on May 29 when he came to power.

For instance, former President Muhammadu Buhari before he came into office in 2015 described the petrol subsidy as a scam, but like his predecessors, he failed to end it for the eight years that he was in power.

Yuguda, who is the chairman, of the Board of Trustees of the All Progressives Congress, APC Professional Forum, said the former president did not have the political will to remove the subsidy despite abundant evidence that the country was hemorrhaging as a result of the scam.

Yuguda blamed the former president for not “defending’ the country he had sworn by “the Quran” to defend.

He said President Buhari cannot claim ignorance of the scam and should take responsibility as the Minister of Petroleum.

He said President Buhari could not end subsidy at the expense of his life, adding that he should have bitten the “bullet” because he was well-defended as the commander-in-chief.

According to him, one of those that benefitted from the scam once told him during an international forum that “he’s tired of making money” from the subsidy scam, and that President Buhari should end it.

The former governor who spoke on Channels Television Sunrise Daily on Monday described subsidy as a gang-up against the country by those that do not want her progress.

He said all those involved in the scam should be arrested immediately, and stolen funds recovered to run the country, adding that the country cannot borrow again from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, through the “ways and means’ window.

Recall that Ben Akabueze, the Director General, The Budget Office, said early this year that over 97 percent of the country’s revenue is being used to service loans.

Arewa Group Says Tinubu’s Appointments of Service Chiefs, Others Based On Federal Character

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 26, 2023

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The Arewa Economic Forum, AEC, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to shun mediocrity and other political considerations in making appointments into public offices.

President Tinubu’s recent appointments have come under criticism in some quarters for being lopsided.

The president, last week, sacked former Service Chiefs and appointed new ones. His action was commended by not a few Nigerians who said the appointments cut across the nation’s geo-political zones.

The new Service Chiefs are Maj. Gen. C.G Musa, Chief of Defence Staff

Maj. Gen. T. A Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Rear Admiral E. A Ogalla Chief of Naval Staff, AVM H.B Abubakar Chief of Air Staff, DIG Kayode Egbetokun Acting Inspector-General of Police, and Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye Chief of Defense Intelligence.

The AEC said any further appointment by the president for the positions of ministers, advisers, and heads of government agencies should be based on merit rather than other primordial considerations.

The group Chairman, Ibrahim Yahaya Dandakata who spoke to journalists at a press conference in Abuja, the nation’s capital, commended President Tinubu for following federal character in his appointment of service chiefs.

The same model should be followed in other appointments soon to be made by the president, he said, adding that the country needs competent hands for economic turnaround.

Dandakata said, “The appointment of individuals who possess the necessary competence, track record of probity, diligence, and capabilities is a crucial step toward effective leadership and governance. Nigeria finds itself at a critical juncture and the leadership must be guided by these qualities rather than political patronage and expediency.

“The President, elected on the strength of his track record as a public administrator and an accomplished businessman, has demonstrated an unblemished integrity. His reputation as one of the most investigated politicians, having been scrutinized by anti-corruption agencies and found not wanting, is a testament to his commitment to transparency and accountability.

“We urge him to continue preserving this legacy and projecting a positive image of his administration and the nation. As subsequent appointments, including those for ministers and other positions, are considered, we encourage the President to prioritize competence, track record, and merit above any other considerations.

“The Arewa Economic Forum remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote good governance, accountability, and the welfare of the Nigerian people. We stand ready to work alongside the government in its efforts to build a prosperous and inclusive Nigeria.”

Edo Goes Digital: “‘I Will Be Last Governor To Treat Files Manually” – Obaseki

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Ayodele Oni

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June 25, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

As part of efforts to boost health and education services in Edo State, the State Government has embarked on linking local Governments to the State with uninterrupted internet service.

Moreso, as the state government recently directed public servants to work from home following astronomical rise in transport fares. It reduced working days to three per week.

Governor Godwin Obaseki, disclosed in Benin City that the ongoing fibre connectivity across the State’s 18 Local Government Areas, as well as other digital infrastructure development projects in the State, will improve access to quality healthcare services and positively impact the State’s education sector.

The Governor explained that in the past six years, there has been sustained reforms and programmes to guarantee the right physical and digital infrastructure to drive sustainable growth and development in the state, leveraging technology.

According to him, the fibre connectivity project is aimed at bolstering the government’s efforts at expanding its digital space and pushing up the commerce potential of all Edo local councils, thereby improving the livelihoods of the people and reducing rural-urban drift.

Apart from this, the government recently introduced 24-hour free Wi-Fi service in various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and other public places within the Benin metropolis to provide unlimited Internet access to workers and other members of the public.

This is in the wake of the three-day weekly work schedule for civil and public servants, as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government.

The free Wi-Fi service is being expanded to other local government areas in the State, in line with its digital economy drive.

Obaseki reinstated his government’s commitment to leveraging technology to improve the delivery of quality services to Edo people.

“We are building a solid digital backbone for Edo people as this is a project that the future of Edo State would rest on.

“We are connecting fibres across every local government area to ensure connectivity and promote digital services as I would be the last governor to work on files manually.

“All the local government offices are linked as the project is going to link all our schools. Our students don’t need to buy books because, with their digital devices, they can assess their books.

“All our primary health care centers would be linked to enable us to improve our patients’ record, increase telemedicine service, job and training center services as we would deliver services to our people at their place of residence.”

“Don’t Attack Tinubu Based On Lies” – Reno Omokri Warns Atiku, PDP

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The Source

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June 25, 2023

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By Gideon Njoku

Reno Omokri, a socio- political critic and strong loyalist and defender of Atiku Abubakar, Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the February 25th Presidential Election, has warned Atiku and the Party to refrain from attacking President Bola Tinubu, based on lies. If Tinubu is attacked based on lies, Omokri said, “God will appoint him greater.”

Omokri, in a post, was reacting to the strong allegation presented by Atiku, at the Presidential Election Petition Court, that President Tinubu, who was the Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, did not graduate from the Chicago State University. The papers presented to the PEPC, claimed that the name on the graduation list at the University, is that of a female, not a male.

However, Omokri disputed the claim with documents.

He said he travelled to Chicago, and went to the University, with the aim to disgrace Tinubu, but found out that not only did he attend the University, Tinubu, actually, graduated with honours.

His tweet reads: “I worked for Waziri Atiku Abubakar to win. I pray he unseats Tinubu at the Presidential Election Petition Court. And I am not pursuing any political appointment or job offer from Tinubu.

However, it is false to assert that Bola Tinubu did not attend Chicago State University. I went there physically. I did a video broadcast from their campus. I met their officials. Tinubu attended and graduated from the Chicago State University with honours, and they even have a photo of him in their alumni office as one of their most accomplished alumni.

“Not only did I go there physically to expose Tinubu (only to find out that he attended), I also asked their registry to put what they told me in writing.

“Attached is the letter they gave me. You can also go there physically as I did, or email or phone them if you doubt this letter given to me.

“The man is no saint. His past cartel links indelibly taint him. But let us be fair, honest and transparent as we oppose him. If we attack Tinubu based om lies, God will just disappoint us further, and appoint him greater.”

Imo: “I suffered Moral Burden Attacking Uzodinma’s Government” – Opurozor, Former PDP Spokesman

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The Source

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June 25, 2023

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By Charles Igbo

“While in office as Imo PDP Spokesman, I was confronted with the moral burden of defending a system that I knew was unjust, decayed, and dysfunctional, and, by far, worse than the system which I ought to oppose”

The immediate past Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Collins Opurozor, has revealed the moral burden he carried defending his former Party and attacking the Government of Governor Hope Uzodinma. The moral burden, he said, stemmed from the fact that he knew very well that the Government which he was attacking, was better than the system he was defending and speaking for.

Opurozor: …”while in office as Imo PDP Spokesman, I was confronted with the moral burden of defending a system that I knew was unjust, decayed and dysfunctional, and, by far, worse than the system which I ought to oppose. Pretence is not an index of integrity, but sincerity is.”

Opurozor and six members of the State Working Committee of the Imo PDP, including the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, Women Leader, Youth Leader, Treasurer, resigned from their positions in the Party on Sunday, June 18, 2023, and dumped it. They said they left the Party, among other reasons, because of the good work the Governor is doing in tye State.

On Monday, June 19, they announced their defection to the All Progressives Congress, APC, with a courtesy call on Governor Uzodinma in his office.

He disclosed the battle he fought with his conscience in a statement he issued in Owerri on Sunday, June 25, 2023, in response to the alleged pressure being put on him to return to the PDP, and the barrage of attacks coming his way and those of his six colleagues from the PDP since they dumped it.

To the alleged pressure on him to return to the PDP, his response was that his departure is “irreversible”. He dismissed such talks of ever returning to the Party as “idle talks.”

He said: “I totally dissociate myself from such idle talks. If there were actually persons championing such an impossible task, the task remains impossible, and their motive remains known to them alone.

“To be clear, my decision to exit the PDP is unyielding and irreversible.”

He, also, revealed that “over ninety percent of PDP members in the State are getting set to sabotage their party at the polls in November. There is no leadership, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu has no capacity to provide one.”

Opurozor mocked Anyanwu, the PDP Governorship Candidate, for still believing he could sustain his Campaign after the departure of seven members of the SWC.

His words: “It is curious that precisely seven days after seven key members of the State Working Committee of Imo PDP resigned, Senator Anyanwu still believes that he can sustain his campaign through raw propaganda.”

Part of his statement reads:

“There is no cohesion. There is no more political party in the real sense. And the situation cannot be remedied, because everyone knows that Senator Anyanwu is the greatest kingpin of party sabotage and brazen anti-party activities.

“I totally dissociate myself from such idle talks. If there were actually persons championing such an impossible task, the task remains impossible and their motive remains known to themselves alone.

“To be clear, my decision to exit the PDP is unyielding and irreversible. It was reached after a dispassionate analysis of the situation in Imo PDP and the state at large. And far from being driven by immediate personal gains, the ultimate goal is to contribute to building the Imo of my dreams through direct participation in the process of governance.

“Moreover, while in office as Imo PDP Spokesman, I was confronted with the moral burden of defending a system that I knew was unjust, decayed, and dysfunctional, and by far worse than the system which I ought to oppose. Pretence is not an index of integrity, but sincerity is. I had to walk away. And I am glad I did.

“Today, over ninety percent of PDP members in Imo State are getting set to sabotage their party at the polls in November. There is no leadership, and Senator Samuel Anyanwu has no capacity to provide one.

“Preliminary report of the party’s reconciliation committee has shown that the internal contradictions within the party are irreconcilable and that the law of sowing and reaping is still effective in the affairs of men.

“It is curious that precisely seven days after seven key members of the State Working Committee of Imo PDP resigned, Senator Anyanwu still believes that he can sustain his campaign through raw propaganda.

”What is even absurd is that the pretender-in-chief has now derailed completely, and now believes that sponsoring his attack dogs against some of us can help him salvage the situation. Just like a man that is jinxed, Senator Anyanwu got the governorship ticket and lost the party.

”He has abandoned the governorship election to pursue a few individuals. He will soon abandon everything to seek to protect his office as National Secretary. And at last, he will lose the ticket and his office before the election.”

Opuruozor is the third PDP Media Person with acidic pens to dump the Party for the APC after they had heaped unsubstantiated damaging libelous attacks on Uzodinma. The others were Ambrose Nwaogwugwu and Ogubundu M.A. The three, literally, went back to their vomit and embraced the Governor.

The Imo State Governorship election is slated for 11th November, 2023.

Ogene Felicitates Gbajabiamila At 61

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Tosin Olatokunbo

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June 25, 2023

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– Urges him to ensure even developments across ethnic and geo-political divides.

Member representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has felicitated the Chief-of-Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, as he turns 61, on Sunday.

In a statement in Abuja, Ogene, who is the Labour Party caucus leader in the House, also congratulated the former Speaker on his recent appointment as the Chief-of-Staff, describing him as an important representative of the legislature in the executive arm of the government, whose wealth of experience would potentially add value to democratic engagements between the two arms, for the overall good of Nigeria.

He said further: “I rejoice with you on this special day, as you become 61 years wiser, in good health and a sound mind, ready to invest more of your energy and intellect, in contribution to the development of Nigeria and advancement of our democracy.

“It is important, my Speaker, to also remind you, that your new age and important office, come with higher expectations and scrutiny from the people, including your immediate past constituency, the legislature.

“On your shoulders lie the critical art and responsibilities of robust engagements and balancing between the executive and the legislature, which would either nurture or stifle people-oriented governance and democratic ideals, which Nigerians yearn for.

“I implore you, therefore, to offer your services, experience and knowledge of democratic principles, in your new position, as a veritable oil that will continually grease the wheels of effective, responsible and responsive governance, that would embrace every sector and diversities of the nation as a unified unit deserving of equitable attention, especially as it concerns even developments across ethnic and geo-political divides.

“I wish you God’s special blessings and direction, today and always.”

Aka Ikenga Tasks DIG Mba On South-east Security, Rues Number Of Police Checkpoints In Zone, Congratulates Him

By

The Source

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June 25, 2023

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Prominent Igbo Global Think Tank, Aka Ikenga has congratulated to the recently promoted Frank Mba on his promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG. In that position, Mba will be incharge of the South-east.

In a release sigbed by the Director of Communications of the Think Tank, Mr Collins Steve Ugwu, the Executive Committee of Aka Ikenga led by its President, Agbalanze Chike Madueke appreciated the process that saw “his attaining this height in public service on account of exemplary professionalism and commitment to duty.”

It continued:

“We are happy not just because it happened deservedly, but moreso, for the critical implications of his assigned duty as the supervising officer for South East policing on security, law, and order.

“The grave challenges of insecurities to lives and businesses in your area of primary supervision, the South East, is one that will surely put you to test, to put them at rest, we clearly point out.

“As you settle down to the burden of this responsibility, we charge you to draw deeply from your extensive competences that mark your elevation, an urgent call for more work. We are confident that with your service resume and career traction, your knowledge of the environment will stand you firm to bring the invasive criminal mutations in the South East, with vicious disruptions to their social and economic activities to a decisive end. We emphasize that at no time than now, does this region famed for commerce and industry, deserve secured peace to focus on the challenges of development and livelihoods in their homeland.

“We draw your attention too, to the dimensions of multiple checkpoints curiously peculiar to that region, and hope that a definite reset by extant service discipline, will leverage it for better security, than unedifying resentments for opportunism.

“We believe the tireless synergy between you and an Inspector General of Police with the zeal of a lion will restore safety in our homestead, and assure you our collaborative supports to make it happen with other pertinent stakeholders, because South East should come back as the region of reference in security for low criminality.”

Driver Escapes As NDLEA Demobilizes Truck With Drug

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Ayodele Oni

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June 25, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

A driver of a truck conveying bags of substance suspected to be drugs jumped out and escaped along with others after the vehicle was intercepted by officials of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA).

The incident happened along Epe – Lekki corridor at Alfa beach, in Lagos state.

A statement on Sunday by the NDLEA said its Operatives intercepted two imported consignments of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 5,344.1 kilograms along the Epe-Lekki corridor and at the Alfa beach, Lekki area of Lagos state.

The statement signed by the spokesman of the anti-narcotics agency, Femi Babafemi, revealed that the first interception was based on credible intelligence, adding that NDLEA operatives laid ambush for a white truck conveying 50 jumbo bags of the illicit substance weighing 2,434.1 kilogrammes along the Epe-Lekki expressway in the early hours of last Monday.

It explained that based on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives ambushed a white truck conveying 50 jumbo bags of the illicit substance weighing 2, 434.1kg along the Epe-Lekki expressway in the early hours of Monday 19th June.

The truck driver, however, jumped out of the vehicle and escaped in a security hilux van escorting the truck, after the anti-narcotics officers successfully demobilized the truck conveying the drug exhibits.

Babafemi said, in the second interception around Alfa Beach in Lekki, officers of the Marine Command of the Agency, last Tuesday, acting on intelligence, intercepted a boat loaded with the same imported substance weighing 2,910 kilogrammes upon arrival from Ghana.

Two Ghanaians, Monday Saba, 30, and Hakeem Kwana, 27, found with the consignments were promptly arrested.

VCs, JAMB Agree On Admission Requirements For 2023

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Ayodele Oni

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June 24, 2023

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By Ayodele Oni

Barring last minutes changes, Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities have agreed that 140 is the minimum benchmark for the admissions of 2023/2024 academic session.

The VCs took the decision at the 2023 policy meeting of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB).

However, universities are at liberty to decide individual cut-off marks, but no university will be allowed to admit any candidate who scores below the 140 benchmark.

JAMB registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, who spoke during the 2023 policy meeting ongoing in Abuja, explained that the board has determined that the minimum cut-off marks for Polytechnics and Colleges of Education will be 100 points.

These decisions were made during the 2023 Policy Meeting on Admissions to Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria, held at the National Judicial Institute, Abuja.

Oloyede explained that the aforementioned points were the minimum, but that does not mean that institutions must comply with it.

JAMB also proposed the use of mobile phone for 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Andrew Adejoh, said, “We have heard the voices of the majority. Most of the universities have agreed and the decision stands that 140 is the minimum benchmark for university admissions.”

For the polytechnics, the minimum benchmark score was 100 for admissions, while Colleges of Education adopted the benchmark of 100 for admissions.