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President Tinubu Tours NSA’s Office; Says Security Paramount To Economic Revival – Tinubu

June 5, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu has tasked Security and Intelligence Agencies in the country on the importance of sharing information and intelligence among themselves.

According to him, hoarding such resources could be counterproductive in the fight against terrorism.

Director of information at the state house, Abiodun Oladunjoye, in a statement, stated that the President spoke on Monday, after undertaking a tour of the new Office of National Security Adviser, (NSA) and facilities at the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), in Abuja.

While noting the efforts demonstrated in countering terrorism and the state-of-the-art facilities at the two facilities, President Tinubu highlighted the importance of backing such efforts with knowledge.

He said his administration recognized that in order to achieve economic revival, prosperity, and development, security should be of optimum priority.

“It is a great joy to see that we are getting proactive resources to prepare ourselves.

“Terrorism is not unique to Nigeria alone. It is across the world and we have to fight it. We have to eliminate it completely.

“If we as Nigerians are looking for economic revival, prosperity and development, then we have to give priority to security.

“What I have seen here is a demonstration of intelligence efforts to counter-terrorism. This must be backed by knowledge.

“Counter terrorism that is not backed by knowledge and intelligence is not going to be of any service to any nation. We are going to work on that together.

“The effort of the entire armed forces of this country must be put together in a way that there will be one single focus on securing the country.

“You can’t have disharmony in an orchestra. We must focus on one tunnel; coordinate, share information, share intelligence and work harder.

“You cannot hoard information. You cannot hoard intelligence. I am glad that Nigeria is on the path to succeed. We will, I assure you.

“We will make it a priority and that is why I am here this morning.”

President Tinubu, who described the tour of facilities at the new ONSA building as very important, expressed his willingness to do whatever necessary to support the nation’s security architecture.

In his remarks, the NSA, Major-General Babagana Monguno (Rtd), thanked the President for making the visit his first engagement outside the Villa.

“It reinforces your commitment, dedication and inflexible rigidity to ensuring that the security misfortunes of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and by extension the sub-region are overcome within the shortest possible time.”

Monguno pledged the total commitment and dedication of ONSA to ensuring that President Tinubu realizes the promises he made to the Nigerian people on security.

Ekiti Group Claims Responsibility For Petitioning EFCC Against Former Governor Fayemi

Ayodele Oni

June 5, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, has advised former Governor Kayode Fayemi, to face reality and account for over N100 billion, allegedly, squandered by his administration.

The Group, on Monday, claimed responsibility for the petition which spurred the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to invite the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi on allegations of over N100 billion fraud.

Fayemi in a release had refuted allegations of probe by EFCC, saying that he was only invited over a petition written by a faceless group.

The release signed by his media aide, Ahmad Sajoh stated that all the former governor did while with EFCC was “respond to a frivolous petition from a faceless group, the so-called Ekiti Patriotic Coalition, which we strongly believed is a front for some anti-Fayemi politicians, who are trying to soil the former governor’s good name and image.”

The Group’s secretary, Mr Gbenga Babawibe, said the group “comprises of individuals who share a common vision and commitment towards the development and growth of Ekiti State to fulfil the aspirations of her founding fathers.

“While we understand that labels can sometimes be used in a descriptive manner, referring to our group as “faceless” creates a perception that fails to capture the essence of who we are and what we stand for.

“We believe it is crucial to emphasize the core values and principles that define our group rather than focus on superficial characteristics.

“Firstly, the petition against Dr. Fayemi was signed by the secretary of our group, Gbenga Babawibe, Esq. A practicing lawyer, known by the majority of the elite class and people of Ekiti State.

“Such a group cannot be considered a faceless group because the name and signature of the Secretary have given face to the group, if at all the former Governor does not know the group.

“Also, the readiness of the group to stand by their petition is another angle on the identity of the group. However, the gaffe can be pardoned owing to the fact that Ahmad Sajoh is not from Ekiti, and he would not have known our group or the secretary of the group who signed the petition.

“We would like to emphasize that our group comprised of individuals who share a common vision and commitment towards the development and growth of Ekiti State to fulfill the aspirations of her founding fathers.

“We are patriots and technocrats, driven by a shared passion for our home state, from various villages, towns, and professions, all working together towards a common goal, which is the development of Ekiti State.

“Part of the hallmark of leadership is the ability to render accounts transparently when called to do so and being bold enough to answer any question about every kobo spent while in the saddle without necessarily rushing to the media for damage control or image.”

Imo PDP Governorship Candidate, Anyanwu, Is A Stranded Candidate – Government House

The Source

June 5, 2023

By Charles Igbo

Government House Owerri, Imo State, has described the Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the upcoming 11th November, 2023, Election, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, popular as SamDaddy, as a stranded Candidate who is of no consequence.

In a statement signed by the Media Adviser/Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Oguwuike Nwachuku, Anyanwu was dismissed as a baby politician, usually carried by godfathers, and fed with Lactogen, which cost he hardly knew.

The statement is in response to Anyanwu’s attack on the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, at the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Mbaise, held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Owutu Parish,Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area over the weekend. At the Synod, Anyanwu had described Governor Uzodinma as “greedy and desperate.”

Surprised at the attack, the Governor’s Spokesperson said the PDP Candidate “is suffering from infantile mindset and appears a stranded politician who neither knows where the rain started beating him nor when it will stop.”

The statement, also, mocked Anyanwu’s capacity.

It noted: “Whether as Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Are, member representing Ikeduru House of Assembly, Senator representing Owerri zone or the National Secretary of the PDP, the records are there to show that Sen.Anyanwu has always been delivered like a baby to the positions of responsibility he occupied.”

Anyanwu was, also, chided for not learning anything even when he found his voice “for the first time” in his political history. Said the statement: “So, finding his voice for the first time as a man of his own, his infantile mindset indicating that he has not learnt anything or better still, incapable of taking advantage of the tutelage period from his godfathers, has unfortunately manifested.”

Following is the full response to Anyanwu as signed by Nwachuku.

“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Imo State candidate of the People’s Democratic Party for the November 11, 2023 governorship election, Sen Samuel Anyanwu, accusing the performing Governor of the State, Dist. Sen Hope Uzodimma of greed and desperation.

“Ordinarily, we would have ignored Sen. Anyanwu going by our convinction that he is suffering from infantile mindset and appears a stranded politician who neither knows where the rain started beating him nor when it will stop, but for the gullible he would want to deceive.

“At the first Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Mbaise held at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Owutu Parish, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area of the State at the weekend, Sen. Anyanwu, rather than addressing the audience on what programmes he has that would be better than what Governor Uzodimma has offered, went on a weeping spree in a manner reminiscent of a lactating baby, an indication he obviously has nothing to offer the people.

“But we are not surprised because this is a man who, all through his political career, has been fed by godfathers with Lactogen (milk) he probably does not know the cost.

“Whether as Chairman of Ikeduru Local Government Area, member representing Ikeduru House of Assembly, Senator representing Owerri zone or the National Secretary of the PDP, the records are there to show that Sen. Anyanwu has always been delivered like a baby to the positions of responsibility he occupied.

“So, finding his voice for the first time as a man of his own, his infantile mindset indicating that he has not learnt anything or better still, incapable of taking advantage of the tutelage period from his godfathers, has unfortunately manifested.

“The question is, who will take Sen. Anyanwu and the statement credited to him at the Synod on Governor Uzodimma seriously?

“Reason: Sen. Anyanwu has demonstrated, time and over again, that he is incapable of learning, not even the basic things of life, that qualify people to be regarded as responsible.

“How come Sen. Anyanwu who claims to have passed through the hallowed Chambers of the State and National Assemblies as well as laying claim to being the National Secretary of the PDP accuse Governor Uzodimma of greed and desperation? On what basis? On what grounds?

“At the risk of sounding immodest, the reverse of what Sen. Anyanwu was credited to have said is rather the case given that the PDP he is flying it’s flag has been torn to shreds based on his inherent greed and rabid desperation to be the standard bearer of the Party against popular wish.

“The audience that Sen. Anyanwu went to address at Owutu already knows that his greed and desperation to fly the PDP flag were instrumental to key members of the Party in Imo State stepping aside for him and his handful of cheer leaders and rabble rousers.

“For the avoidance of doubt, both the clergy, the laity and in fact, the entire Anglican Communion in Mbaise in particular and Imo State in general, are aware that Governor Uzodimma has demonstrated uncommon capacity for governance in Imo State as could be seen in the infrastructural renewal across the length and breadth of the State.

“They are aware that the road to Sen. Anyanwu’s place, particularly the Ekemele spot on the newly reconstructed Owerri-Okigwe expressway, has been made motorable for the PDP governorship candidate who stood by helplessly for years and watched the place decayed and became a death trap.

“We are almost certain that because Sen. Anyanwu’s kinsmen have been asking him questions regarding the Ekemele spot and his failure to offer reasonable answers, he found it convenient to shamelessly rush to Mbaise where the Synod took place, to seek support which, obviously he will not get because the people are aware that he is not just incompetent but a serial betrayer.

“Sen. Anyanwu needs to be reminded that his person and his Party are culpable of the so-called thuggery, violence and election malpractices in Imo State he alluded to. Otherwise, why do they celebrate such ills anywhere they occur in Imo State if they do not approve of them?

“How come Sen. Anyanwu and his Party celebrate insecurity in Imo State instead of joining hands with Governor Uzodimma and his government to fight the monster if they are not convinced that the whole idea of insecurity in the State is politically contrived to distract the government of Sen. Uzodimma?

“Truth is that Governor Uzodimma does not and will not lose sleep over the November 11 governorship election because of a baby politician called Sen. Anyanwu flying the PDP flag.

“The reasons why Governor Uzodimma cannot be desperate over the November 11 governorship election are legion.

“First, the governor’s candidacy unlike Sen. Anyanwu, is popular and not mired in the controversy that was the emergence of the PDP candidate’s. Secondly, Governor Uzodimma has a track record of performance and verifiable achievements on display while the PDP candidate has nothing to show for the many years he has been around in politics except propaganda, blackmail, character assassination, among other negative tendencies.

Thirdly, Sen. Anyanwu and his Party are barely surviving because the PDP candidate connived with other like minds to put the fortunes of the Party in harm’s way such that what is left of it is nothing but a carcass.

“Governor Uzodimma recognises more than Sen. Anyanwu that power can only come from God and his has been ordained by God hence the track record of performance despite the evil wishes of characters like the PDP candidate. Therefore, it does not pay Sen. Anyanwu to resort to his usual ways of character assassination as the basis upon which he wants to market his unpopular candidacy.

“Imo people are not blind to good governance. They have experienced one under Governor Uzodimma and can attest to what he has done in the past three and half years of being in the saddle in lmo and do not need a biased and treacherous mind like that of Sen. Anyanwu to point the way to them.

“Imo people have seen major roads linking their communities constructed by Governor Uzodimma. They have seen improved healthcare facilities dotting the nooks and crannies of their communities. They have seen massive rural roads reconstruction across the local government areas of the State. They have seen Governor Uzodimma’s performance in the area of Education, youth empowerment, agriculture, transportation, civil service reforms, women empowerment, to name but a few. These and more will count during the electioneering and not the lies Sen. Anyanwu went to the Synod at Owutu to tell his unsuspecting audience.

“We doubt that Sen. Anyanwu has got anything tangible to campaign with other than to run Governor Uzodimma down with falsehood, propaganda, blackmail, et al. But he needs be reminded that Imo people are wiser.”

Not a few PDP members falsely accuse Anyanwu of working for Uzodinma. He picked the PDP Candidate as a sole Candidate at Primary held in Owerri, after the preferred Candidate of many PDP members, the Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, suddenly withdrew from the race.

Ihedioha was the Governor of the State until he was removed by the Supreme Court after about eight months in office, in favour of Uzodinma.

How Dr Acholonu, Former Deputy Governor, Imo State, Died

The Source

June 5, 2023

By Charles Igbo

A former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Dr Douglas Acholonu, is dead.

Acholonu, an accomplished Medical Doctor -turned Politician, and a Prince of the prominent Acholonu Royal Family, Orlu, Imo State, according to reports, passed on Friday June 2, 2023. He, allegedly, passed after a surgery carried out by specialists at a referral hospital in Mgbirichi, Imo State. He had, reportedly been ill for about a month.

Dr Acholonu was the Deputy Governor of the State under the short-lived 18-month (1991, 1992) Government of Chief Evan Enwerem. It was during the diarchial regime of Military President, Ibrahim Babangida.

Dr. Acholonu was married to the late Professor Catherine Acholonu who ruffled feathers when, as the wife of the Deputy Governor, made an attempt to run for the office of the President. She was to raise an alarm that she was, allegedly, locked up inside the Government House in a bid to stop her aspiration.

Dr Acholonu was also the younger brother to late Justice P. Acholonu of the Supreme Court.

His death has neither been officially announced by the State Government nor the Acholonu Royal Family. He was aged 78 years.

Fuel Subsidy: Kwara Gov Reduces Working Days For Civil Servants

James Orji

June 5, 2023

As part of its efforts to cushion the effects of the skyrocketing transport fare caused by the recent removal of petrol subsidy, on the state civil servant the Kwara State government has reduced the number of working days to three.

The state government said this is a temporary measures.

The State Head of Service, HOS, Susan Modupe Oluwole, announced on Monday that Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazak has directed a reduction in work days from five to three days per week for all state-employed workers.

The directive, aimed at mitigating the hardships caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the Federal Government, was conveyed through a statement signed by Murtala Atoyebi, the Chief Press Secretary in the office of the HOS, and made available to The Guardian.

Oluwole emphasized that the purpose of this measure is to provide relief to the workers who have been grappling with the skyrocketing cost of transportation. By reducing the number of work days, the government aims to ease the financial burden on employees and help them cope with the increased transport expenses resulting from the fuel subsidy removal.

To ensure effective implementation, the Head of Service instructed all Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state to promptly devise a format indicating the alternating work days for each employee under their purview. This arrangement will enable a smooth transition to the new schedule and ensure that all workers are aware of their designated work days.

While the government has shown compassion towards the workers, Mrs. Oluwole cautioned against abusing the governor’s generosity. She stressed that the Head of Service’s office would intensify its monitoring of MDAs to ensure strict compliance with the new directive.

The government expects employees to adhere to the revised work schedule diligently and demonstrate professionalism in their duties.

SERAP Urges President Tinubu To Probe $2.1bn, N3.1tn Subsidy Fraud

Akinwale Kasali

June 5, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

Rights Group, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently begin action as regards his promise to fight corruption by probing the $2.1 billion and N3.1 trillion Subsidy Payment allegedly missing and unaccounted for between 2017 and 2019.

SERAP in a statement through its Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, urged President Tinubu to set up a Presidential panel of enquiry to promptly probe the grim allegations that $2.1bn and N3.1tn public funds of oil revenue, budgeted as fuel subsidy payments, are missing and unaccounted between 2016 and 2019, as documented by the Auditor-General of the Federation.

The organisation told the President to “name and shame anyone suspected to be responsible for the alleged widespread and systemic corruption in the use of oil revenues and the management of public funds budgeted as fuel subsidy, and to ensure their effective prosecution as well as the full recovery of any proceeds of crime.”

It also urged the President “to promptly, thoroughly, independently, transparently and effectively probe all fuel subsidies paid by successive governments since the return of democracy in 1999, and to use any recovered proceeds of crime as palliatives to address the impact of any subsidy removal on poor Nigerians.”

It would be recalled that SERAP’s Deputy Director had in a letter dated June 3, 2023, said, “There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for these serious allegations. There will be no economic growth or sustainability without accountability for these human rights crimes.”

The organisation urged Tinubu to urgently act to follow due process of law in any policy to remove fuel subsidy, ensure that suspected perpetrators of these crimes against Nigerians are brought to justice and full recovery of any missing public funds.

IPOB Applauds Governor Mbah’s Move To End-Sit-At Home Order; Warns Him

Akinwale Kasali

June 5, 2023

By Akinwale Kasali

In a twist of irony, pro-Biafra Group, Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has applauded Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah, on his move to bring an end to the Sit-At-Home order in the State and other South Eastern State imposed on the people.

Readers would recall that the ill-thought out order was imposed on the South-east in 2021 by IPOB to protest the detention and prosecution of its Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the Federal Government and force his freedom. At the time it was declared, IPOB made it an every Monday affair and on any day Kanu was billed to appear in Court. To enforce it, people’s businesses were ruined, the economy of the Zone was brought to its knees, violence as never witnessed before in the Zone was the order of the day and the people wept.

Many months later, after much pressure from a number of people, and seeing that its order had no effect on Kanu’s fate, and that on the contrary, it was the nasser of the South-east who were bearing the brunt, and that neither the FG nor other Regions in Nigeria cared a hoot whether the Group shot down South-east or not, IPOB reduced the order to only the days Kanu would appear in Court. It was to finally cancel it, and declared anybody enforcing it as an enemy.

However, at the time it cancelled it, it was late. It had gotten out of its hands, and taken over by all kinds of gangs, who were making financial gains out of enforcing it.

The worst culprit was, still is, an estranged IPOB member, Finland-based Simon Ekpa, a self-proclaimed disciple of Kanu. Still claiming IPOB membership, even though he has been denied by the Group, Ekpa and his own group which, allegedly, goes by the name, Autopilot, have kept the sit-at-home order alive, inspite of warnings to the contrary by Kanu whose disciple Ekpa proclaims he is.

In applauding Governor Mbah, the Biafran agitators claimed that they had put an end to the siege, alleging that some unscrupulous elements of the State, hiding under the guise of IPOB had continued the siege.

Cautioning the Enugu State Governor against the use of force on the people, IPOB claimed the police know the criminals enforcing the “non-existent sit-at-home.”

Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman, in a statement on Monday said that criminal elements hijacked the Sit-At-Home order from IPOB, as the Group had suspended the exercise long before now.

“After our leadership initiated the Monday sit-at-home order to demand for the release of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leadership has long directed stoppage of the exercise to avoid criminals capitalising on that to harm our people.

“Though some Biafrans continued with Monday sit-at-home voluntarily, as our leader predicted, after the suspension order, some criminals and infiltrators hijacked it and started committing crimes and enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home.

“The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mba should be made aware that IPOB has already suspended Monday sit-at-home. For him to publicly associate IPOB with Monday sit-at-home is obnoxious. If Mba wants to return normalcy on Mondays, he has the support of IPOB because those enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home are criminals.

“Anybody enforcing non-existent Monday sit-at-home order is not helping IPOB and our leader Mazi Kanu. Every member of IPOB and Biafrans should be coming out on Mondays for their business.”

It, however, stated that while the exercise is gradually winding down across the South-East, Mba should avoid the use of force to clamp down on the people as this would create anarchy.

It said the security agents can stop the enforcers of sit-at-home and their sponsor because they know themselves, adding that “their leader in Europe are behind these criminalities going on in the South-East.”

“The governor must know that the Nigeria Police know the criminals and the hideout of the criminals who enforce sit-at-home in some communites but are claiming to be IPOB but they are not.

“We are calling on Mba never to allow a single person die because of this exercise because we don’t know anything about it.

“Calling on the Nigeria murderous security agents to stop Monday sit-at- home is a call that will be used as a license to target and kill IPOB members and innocent Biafra citizens. So, Mba should be careful not to be used by enemies to target and attack IPOB members and ESN operatives.

“Mba should never make the same mistake, Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo made by using the Nigeria compromised security to stop Monday sit-at-home . Any attempt to use murderous Fulani controlled security to stop the sit-at-home is an indirect way of killing our people.

“Such moves will always be counterproductive. Such measures failed in Ebonyi, Imo, and Anambra, and it will fail in Enugu if it is applied. We support him to stop the Monday sit-at-home, as we have stopped the sit-at-home. Allow the Monday sit-at-home to die off naturally by engaging our people,” the group added.

Don’t Be Rubber Stamp, Be Advocates For The People – SDP Charges New Ondo Assembly Members

Ayodele Oni

June 5, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Ondo State Chapter, has charged members of the 10th House of Assembly to chart a new course and refuse to be rubber stamps of the executive arm like their predecessors.

In a congratulatory message to the members, who were inaugurated last Saturday, the opposition party, advised that “As the 10th Assembly begins, we challenge them to forge ahead on a new route that will solidify their legacy in the State’s annals of history.”

The message, signed by chairman of the party, Stephen Adewale “congratulated the newly inaugurated members of the 10th Ondo State House of Assembly. We call on them to ensure that they work for the people of Ondo State that elected them, and not for any other interest.

“It is regrettable that Ondo State is yet to experience a genuinely independent House of Assembly since 1999 as the previous members of hallowed chambers regarded themselves as nothing more than pawns who rubber-stamped the whims and caprices of the Executive.

“As the first institution of democracy in Ondo State, their duty is to work with the executive and the judiciary. They were never designed to work for the executive or work for the judiciary.

“Since no one speaks just because they enjoy the sound of their own voice, a legislature that encourages constructive criticism and healthy debates will likely be a responsive legislature; and such will be advantageous for the newly inaugurated 10th Assembly.

“In this kettle resides the strategy of how the 10th Assembly can deliver dividends of democracy to the people as anything short of that is a signpost to instability and a recipe for catastrophe.

“As another legislative journey begins, expectations are high that the lawmakers will diligently implement their legislative duties and attend to several unfinished businesses.

“A cursory look at the 9th Assembly with the eye of history would suggest that they left a lot to be desired in the State. To insist that the 9th Assembly was flawless is to play God. To say that mistakes were not made while they were in the saddle is to stretch the truth.

“Therefore, the 10th Assembly members have their work cut out for them. Their predecessors in the 9th Assembly passed 63 bills into law, a number of these bills were passed at the twilight of the legislative session and have not yet been properly implemented.

“Therefore, the 10th Assembly must pay diligent attention to their oversight functions. 10th Assembly begins at the time when the country and the State is undergoing a financial trying times and their legislative contributions must reflect this changing reality.

“On this note, we implore the 10th Assembly to work on legislation that will improve the ease of doing business in Ondo State. Laws that will enhance the revenue of the State and increase what we generate internally

“A time like this also presents the 10th Assembly with unique opportunity to give the Ondo people what they ask for, reward them with what they look forward to, and surprise them with what they are yet to ask for, but considered expedient.

“In order to deepen a people-oriented legislature, the immediate task before the 10th Assembly is to consciously design a template to debate and pass people-oriented law as much as necessary, fine-tune strategies where feasible, make adjustments where achievable, tamper with the existing narratives where such is needed, and encourage participations in the legislative affairs wherever practicable.

“Finally, the good people of Ondo State will undoubtedly demand nothing less than excellent performance because one good turn deserves another.

“The fact that the nation is transitioning from one form of civilian government to another is a wonderful thing; nonetheless, the state’s legislators need to realize that they have a job to do. Instead of acting as a rubber stamp, they should all be prepared to serve and vigorously advocate for their constituency.”

Zenith Bank’s Onyeagwu Emerges Africa’s Best Banking CEO

James Orji

June 5, 2023

The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, has been named ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ in the International Banker 2023 Banking Awards. The award, published in the Spring 2023 Issue of the International Banker Magazine, sees Dr Onyeagwu honoured alongside other individuals and banks from the Middle East and Africa.

Expressing gratitude for the recognition, Dr. Onyeagwu commended the Publishers of the International Banker for considering him a fitting recipient of the ‘Best Banking CEO of the Year in Africa’ award. He stated,

“This award reflects the bank’s position as a leading financial institution in Nigeria and the African continent. It also attests to our commitment to principles of sustainability and high ethical standards, which have become integral to our overall strategy as an institution”.

He dedicated the award to the Founder and Chairman, Jim Ovia, CFR, for his guidance and mentorship; the bank’s management team and staff, for being the shoulder upon which his achievements and success as CEO rests; and the bank’s customers for making Zenith Bank their bank of choice.

Dr Onyeagwu’s outstanding career has led to him receiving multiple awards, including Bank CEO of the Year (2019) by Champion Newspaper, Bank CEO of the Year (2020, 2021 & 2022) by BusinessDay Newspaper, CEO of the Year (2020 and 2021) – SERAS Awards, and CEO of the Year (2022) – Leadership Newspaper.

As Group Managing Director/CEO, Dr Onyeagwu has led Zenith Bank to achieve tremendous feats and milestones in financial performance (including 47 per cent growth in the bank’s market capitalisation in four years), financial inclusion, corporate governance and sustainability. These efforts have culminated in several local and international awards and recognitions including being recognised as Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital, for the 13th consecutive year, in the 2022 Top 1000 World Banks Ranking published by The Banker Magazine; 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; and the Most Responsible Organisation in Africa 2021 by SERAS Awards.

On March 25, 2023, he was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria’s first indigenous University, in recognition of his immense achievements as Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank as well as his contributions to the growth of the financial services sector in Nigeria and across the African continent. The award was given during the 50th convocation ceremony of the University.

Published by Finance Publishing Limited, the International Banker is a leading global source of authoritative analysis and opinion on banking, finance and world affairs. Its influence, integrity, accuracy and objective opinion have earned it global recognition.

The International Banker Awards strive to recognise the most worthy financial institutions around the world – those not just doing their jobs well but exceptionally well – those operating at the industry’s cutting edge and setting new performance levels to which others will aspire.

The 2023 Banking Awards focused on various criteria, including the provision of much-needed capital for economic growth, cutting-edge innovation to enhance security and efficiency, commitment to sustainability and ESG principles, as well as intelligent investing to maximise profits and shareholder value.

Unity Bank CEO Says Performance Proof of Focused Mgt; Lender Grosses N57bn

Tosin Olatokunbo

June 5, 2023

Tomi Somefun, the chief executive of Unity Bank Plc has disclosed that the commercial bank’s quest to deliver in key metric areas despite the 2022 economic challenges has paid off looking at its 2022 Financial statement submitted to the Nigerian Exchange, NGX Limited.

She spoke on the back of the lender’s announcement of a Profit Before Tax, PBT, of over N1 billion during the Financial year, noting that the “high and lows” in key performing areas point to the serious economic headwinds in the country within the period.

Somefun said, ” There are highs and lows as we look at the gross earnings, with 13.7% growth, increase in liquid assets by 7.5% and deposits recording moderate growth of 1.6%, while maintaining steady growth in profitability,

“Overall, the financial statement thus threw up both strong and less optimal points which inform the outlook for our business.”

She reassures that going into the new financial year, the Bank will remain laser-focused on our strategic choices and key growth drivers to push all the indices and elevate growth to double-digit territory. “The performance posted for Q1’23 in terms of the PBT, gross earnings, and other key indicators are strong reinforcement of adequate measures being adopted and a testament of our resolve to sustain and equally improve upon the fundamental initiatives adopted to strengthen growth throughout the course of the financial year”, Mrs. Somefun stated.

She further said: “Since late 2022, the Bank has begun significant investment in technology and innovation in line with its strategic pursuits to win in the retail space with our focus on digital and lifestyle banking, dynamic product development, and accelerated onboarding. As part of our transformation journey, we will double down on these investments in the coming months in order to achieve our aspirations of (1) significantly reducing customer pain points and simplifying customer experience; (2) increasing the rate of customer acquisition; (3) expanding the frontiers of partnerships; and (4) ultimately developing new and sustainable income lines for the Bank.”

According to her, the Bank will further give attention to fast-paced process automation, cost and resource efficiency, targeted value chain relationships, and brand visibility as it expands the range of products and services to meet the evolving needs of its esteemed customers.

Analysts are of the view that the growing retail footprint driving the repositioning strategy of the Bank aligns with the market expectations, which is also reflected in the increasing uptake of the Bank’s offering.

According to the full-year financial statement submitted to the regulators, the bank also noted that gross earnings rose by 13.1 per cent to N57 billion from N50.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2021, adding that the performance is reflected in the bank’s interest income, loans and advances to customers, customer deposits, and profits.

The bank stated in its report to NGX that the major highlight of the financial year, is the growth in total comprehensive income, which rose by 262.1 percent to N1.2 billion from N744 million in the corresponding period of 2021. The Bank grew Profit Before Tax (PBT) by N1.1 billion, while Profit After Tax stood at N941.4 million.

With the loan book sustaining an expansion by 7.5 percent to N289.4 billion from N269.3 billion within the period under review, the interest and similar income consequently witnessed significant growth rising 7.5 percent to close at N48.9 billion compared to N43.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2021.

Similarly, income from fees and commissions recorded significant growth, rising by 25.7% to N7.68 billion from N6.1 billion within the period under review.

More so, deposits from customers saw marginal growth, increasing by 1.6 percent to N327.4 billion from N322.2 billion in the corresponding period of 2021 as the Bank pushes for deeper penetration of its retail footprint with the rollout of products targeting different segments of the market.

Meanwhile, the Bank also released its unaudited financials for Q1, 2023, in which it sustained improved performance, posting a 21 percent growth in Profit After Tax, PAT to N1.04 billion from N869.2 million in the corresponding period of 2022. Its gross earnings for the quarter also rose by 17 percent to N15.9 billion compared to N13.6 billion in the corresponding period of 2022.

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