Senator Annie Okonkwo, 63, Dies

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June 8, 2023

Zenith Bank Plc has launched the third season of its hugely successful “Zenith Beta Life Promo” to reward its customers with gifts from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024.

Within this period, twenty bank customers of Zenith Bank will be chosen through a bimonthly raffle draw, each receiving gifts valued at NGN150,000. Five lucky customers will also win a cash prize of NGN500,000 during the quarterly draws.

The promo is open to both existing and new Zenith Bank customers, who can qualify with the following criteria:

* Open a Zenith Bank account and maintain a minimum deposit of NGN5,000 throughout the promotional period;

* Apply for and collect a Zenith Bank Card, which can either be virtual or physical; and

* Download and register on the Zenith Bank Mobile App, or sign up for *966# EazyBanking.

Commenting on the promo, the Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank Plc, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, said, “The Zenith Bank Beta Life Promo, now in its third season since it began in 2020, is our way of giving back to our customers and expressing our gratitude for their steadfast loyalty and support for the Zenith brand. It’s also a testament to our reputation as one of the most customer-centric financial institutions in the country, as this promo has allowed us to reward our customers throughout the federation with gifts over the past two seasons.”

During the Zenith Bank Beta Life Season 2 Promo, 480 customers of Zenith Bank received gifts worth NGN150,000 in the bimonthly draws. Furthermore, 20 customers received gifts valued at NGN500,000 each in the quarterly draws. Cumulatively, the gifts distributed during this season amounted to an impressive total of NGN82 million.

Zenith Bank continues to set itself apart within the Nigerian financial services sector through outstanding service offerings, unique customer experiences, and robust financial indicators. The bank remains a dominant player in the digital realm, consistently pioneering the deployment of innovative products, solutions, and a variety of alternative channels that ensure transactions are convenient, quick, and secure.

Among a plethora of awards, Zenith Bank was named Best Commercial Bank, Nigeria and Best Innovation in Retail Banking, Nigeria in the International Banker 2022 Banking Awards, Retail Bank of the year, for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, at the BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards and Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020.

N85bn Nigeria Air: Rights Group Calls For Sirika’s Arrest

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June 8, 2023

Hadi Sirika, the immediate past Minister of Aviation should be arrested for alleged fraudulent practices regarding the Nigeria Air, a human rights body, has said.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, described the handling of the Nigeria Air as a total fraud by the former minister.

HURIWA’s position comes after the House of Representatives and the Senate said the manner the former minister handled the deal amounted to a fraud.

The National Assembly took the position after the Managing Director of the airline told lawmakers earlier this week that due process was not followed with the establishment of the airline.

Reacting to the controversy, HURIWA the manner the Ministry hurriedly unveiled the airline few days to the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was very suspicious.

According to the group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, in Owerri yesterday and made available to journalists, the former minister should be investigated and arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

HURIWA said the revelation by Capt. Dapo Oluimde, the Managing Director of Nigerian Air, that the deal between Ethiopian Airline and the former Minister was handled in an untransparent manner is enough for the anti-graft agency to swing to action, describing the Airline as “the fraud of the highest order”.

The statement: “The Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, told legislators on Tuesday that the aircraft paraded as Nigeria Air plane belonged to Ethiopian Airlines and not Nigeria whereas Sirika paraded the aircraft as being owned by Nigeria.

“This is fraud of the highest order and the lawmakers have labelled it so, including the suspension of all activities regarding the sham called national carrier.

“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) must swing into action now that both the upper and lower chambers have declared the project as a fraud. The anti-graft agency must swiftly arrest, investigate and prosecute the ex-minister if found culpable.

“There are a lot of questions that Sirika must be made to answer, including the whereabouts of the N85 billion splurged on the project.

“In fact, aside from that the so-called national carrier has not secured a single aircraft for its operations, it has also failed to secure Air Operating Certificate (AOC) from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) “, he said.

The Federal Government had in July 2018 unveiled the national carrier during the Farnborough Air Show in London.

According to the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Over N85 billion has been allocated for its take off between 2016 and 2018.

Tinubu Directs NEC To Release Palliatives To Cushion Subsidy Withdrawal Hardship

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June 7, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Nigerians will soon be relieved from burden occasioned by withdrawal of petroleum subsidy as President Bola Tinubu directed the National Economic Council (NEC) to kickstart the process of working on interventions to ameliorate the impact of subsidy removal on the people.

The Economic Council is led by the Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The subsidy withdrawal has caused hike in transport fares, food items and other commodities, which prompted some states government to reduce working days for public servants.

Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents after leading some major oil marketers on a courtesy call on President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Wednesday.

According to him, the marketers were in the presidential villa to express solidarity with the president for his bold decision to end subsidy payment.

Tinubu’s action, he said, showed his determination and courage to remove the hemorrhage that had bedevilled the country for decades.

Abiodun admitted that while there would be some discomfort on the part of the people, the move would eventually pay off. He said that there could be no gains without pains.

The marketers announced their intention to donate 50 to 100 50-seater mass transit, at the cost of about N10 billion, Compressed Natural Gas, (CNG) buses as a way to support the initiative to succeed, calling on other well meaning corporate bodies to do the same.

Gbajabiamila Dissolves House, Set To Resume As COS To President

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June 7, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Glitz and emotions enveloped the hallowed Chamber of the House of Representatives on Wednesday at the Valedictory Session during which Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila officially dissolved the 9th Assembly.

With the dissolution, Gbajabiamila, who was last week appointed as Chief of Staff by President Bola Tinubu, is set to officially resume at his new duty post.

Alhassan Ado-Doguwa, the Majority Leader of the House, had moved a motion to commence the Valedictory Session, while Ndudi Elumelu, the Minority Leader seconded the motion.

Gbajabiamila, in his Valedictory speech, said: “I will miss all of you and miss this House. You you have enriched my life and I cannot express how much you have impacted the House.

In the emotion-laden speech, Gbajabiamila said the joint efforts in nation-building by members were to ensure that the dreams of the Nation’s founding fathers did not die.

“We have worked to take advantage of social and economic transformation that benefit us; we have left our mark on every sector of our national life.”

He said the House was able to introduce discipline on the Appropriation Act that now commenced from January to December of every year.

He emphasized that the 9th House of Representatives has ended and the 10th will commence.

“I urge you to ensure that you are not found wanting by man or God in the final judgment.”

Also, Rep. Julius Ihovbehre (APC-Edo), said he would forever cherish the friendship he made in the 9th Assembly, adding that such a relationship would last forever.

He commended the Speaker for leading the House well and perfectly and demonstrating that he could manage a diverse group of people.

“In your new roles as the Chief of Staff to the President, the challenges you will face are more than here, we plead with you not to abandon the spirit of excellence.”

Various speakers at the session could not hide their feelings as they lauded the leadership quality of the Speaker, urging him to display such in his new assignment.

In attendance at the Valedictory session of the 9th assembly were former Speakers and House Leaders – Ghali Na’abba, Patricia Etteh, Mulikat Akande and some former Clerks of NASS.

CAN Descends On Fmr. Gov El Rufai, Says “He’s Unfit To Be Leader”

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June 7, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

Kaduna State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria, (CAN) has described former Governor of the State, Nasir El Rufai, as seeking relevance over his comment on the Islamization of the State.

Chairman of State CAN, Reverend Joseph Hayab, said on Wednesday that Nigerians should ignore the immediate past Governor, over the alleged Islamization claims.

The religious leader, reacting to a trending video on social media claimed that the ex-governor’s recent statement on the Muslim/Muslim ticket and that the victory of President Bola Tinubu silenced his critics and CAN was a ploy and divisive tendency aimed to further his alleged presidential ambition.

El-Rufai was alleged to have said that the Muslim-Muslim ticket in the Kaduna governorship election would be sustained beyond 20 years in the state.

In the video, the former governor, who spoke in Hausa, also claimed that Muslim domination was being replicated at the national level.

While featuring on Arise TV’s Morning Show, Hayab said Nigerians should not be bothered about El-Rufai’s comment as he was just seeking relevance and playing to the gallery to rile up unsuspecting Nigerians.

According to him, El-Rufai is living in that dream that he could play these religious games, and possibly tomorrow he can become the president of Nigeria.

“You know, since he is up to something, he is playing a game and what he would do is to confuse people and set up Christians against Muslims; set up Christians against the present government, and then he would stand to benefit from it tomorrow. Unfortunately, I will say to him, he has failed from the onset.

“With this, he has actually proved to Nigerians that he is not in the first place fit to be a leader and I think that is one of the problems in Nigeria.

“We give people power without testing their emotional stability whether they are mentally alright to lead.

“Our simple response is that ignores the madman. Ignore the man who is calling for attention and ignore the man who is up to a gimmick and ignore the man who is up to an agenda, don’t even take him seriously.

“If his Muslim/Muslim ticket has actually succeeded, we wouldn’t have had the killings, the division, and the problems we have in Kaduna. So, there was not even success to record this in his administration.

“El-Rufai is just trying to play games and we don’t even want to glorify his game, we simply see him as someone whose era, influence, and power are over, but he wants to still be relevant and he wants to bring up something that will give him relevance.

“He knows that there are so many ignorant people around who may think that he is defending faith, but I can tell you so many Imams will remind him how he demolished their mosque; how he maltreated them and never respected them as people of faith, so he is just playing politics and trying to take advantage of the situation.”

President Tinubu Pleads With EU To Address Poverty, Insecurity In Nigeria

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June 7, 2023

Bola Ahmed Tinubu At Arewa Joint Committee Forum

By Ayodele Oni

President Bola Tinubu is extending his administration’s consultation to international agencies and bodies.

The President has just called on the European Union, (EU) to assist Nigeria and Africa in strengthening security and economic development to alleviate poverty in the Continent.

A statement on Wednesday by the director, Information at the villa, Abiodun Oladunjoye, stated that the President spoke during a telephone conversation with the President of the European Council, Mr. Charles Michel.

The European Council is the EU institution that defines the general political direction and priorities of the European Union.

According to President Tinubu, Nigeria and the whole of Africa would require the help and partnership of her friends and development partners like the EU to address the excruciating poverty in the continent.

While requesting the EU to look at specific areas of security challenge like the Lake Chad and coastal areas, the Nigerian leader promised to remain in contact with the European Union and other member states.

He said poverty and insecurity were priority areas for his administration and he would do all that is required to address them.

The Council president used the opportunity of the telephone conversation to once again congratulate President Tinubu over his election.

He pledged the commitment of the Council towards a stronger cooperation and partnership with Nigeria based on mutual respect and common interests.

He maintained that Nigeria is important to the EU and the International Community.

Mr Michel urged the Nigerian leader to continue to work with the EU in all relevant areas.

Senate President: 67 Senators Plot Akpabio’s Fall

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June 7, 2023

The ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has a good reason to worry following the revelation that some senators across party lines are planning to thwart its plan to ensure that Godswill Akpabio becomes the next Senate President.

No fewer than 67 senators are believed to be supporting a former Governor of Zamfara state, Abdulaziz Yari for the top job.

To emerge as Senate President, a contestant only requires two-thirds of the 109 senators.

Yari’s support base, according to Abdul Ningi, a former deputy majority leader cuts across party lines.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his party had endorsed Akpabio to take over from incumbent Ahmad Lawan, as the Chairman of the National Assembly for the incoming 10^th Senate.

But as it seems, the ruling party cannot count on the support of majority senators, including from its own fold to vote for Akpabio on June 13 when the new NASS leadership is expected to emerge.

According to Ningi, senators who are angry that the ruling party is trying to impose on them, have now lined behind Yari who has vowed to contest against Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom state next week.

Speaking on the capacity of Yari to emerge the Senate President, Ningi said “Our latest count, we had 67 as of yesterday (Tuesday) night, and more are coming by the grace of God.

“I’m not a member of the APC, I don’t know how the working committee of the APC works, but over 20 years we have seen consistent friction where people are imposed on the national assembly beginning with Enwerem and Chuba.

“Allow the senators, in my opinion, to choose whoever they want. The PDP had also made similar mistakes and I thought the APC should not have followed suit. Just as the party chooses its chairman, allow the senators to also choose their leader.

“Yes, Yari can lead the senate, and that is why we are following him, that is why we are backing him. We have also been leaders in the senate. We were not only in the senate, but we held principal positions.

“You need experienced hands like us to be able to guide you to achieve what is required. If we make a mistake in choosing our leader, we have every right to remove him,” Ningi said.

Meanwhile, those watching what is happening in the NASS insist that the ruling APC is doing all to ensure that more senators vote for the former Akwa Ibom governor.

Osun Moves To Dump Oyetola’s Legacies; Assembly To Revisit Laws Passed By Predecessor

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June 7, 2023

By Ayodele Oni

With the full take over of Osun State Executive and Legislature, by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), all is set to review and upturn some of the actions and policies of the immediate past Government of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Already, immediately he won at the Supreme Court, Governor Ademola Adeleke embarked on review of some of these policies with the change of the name ‘State of Osun’, to Osun State.

He was, however, immediately reminded by the immediate past House of Assembly that the name was backed by law and could not be altered by mere executive pronouncement.

With the inauguration of the State House of Assembly on Tuesday, some of the laws perceived not to be in tandem with the policy direction of the State Government stand expunged from the statute.

The new Speaker of the Eight Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has said the legislature would collate and review all the bills passed into law and assented to by the immediate past parliament and executive administration in the state.

In his inaugural address, Speaker Egbedun pointed out that there were some obnoxious laws that were made after the July 16 governorship election in the state.

Egbedun, of the ruling PDP stated that the Assembly would review the bills passed and assented to between August and November, 2022, stressing that the obnoxious provisions and clauses may not be in the best interest of the state.

Itemizing some of the legislative agenda, the 38-year-old speaker said the 8th assembly will focus on legislation for workers’welfare.

Other areas of focus according to Egbedun are legislation for infrastructural development, social sector health agenda and age legislation.

The speaker, who called on his fellow contestants to join hands with him in leading a truly new age house, also promised the only opposition member of the house of his due privileges.

“Legislature is what makes a difference between the military and democracy. We are the people’s representatives; this is the hallowed chamber of the people.

“Our job is made easy and our task is lessened because we have an Executive that is overwhelmingly pro-people and we will key into this template that is clearly acceptable and satisfactory to the people of Osun state. I charge us to join hands in the building of a new Osun state.”

He, therefore, directed the Clerk of the House to furnish him with all the affected bills for immediate action.

“I also use this opportunity to announce that our leadership will collate and review all last minute bills passed and assented by the outgoing administration.

“We have reports and records of many bills assented into laws which contain obnoxious provisions and clauses that may not be in the best interest of the state.

“I therefore direct the Clerk of the House to furnish my office with all bills passed and assented to between August and November 2022.”

Nigeria Air: Group Faults House Comm Chair On Aviation, Nnaji Comment, Labels Him Unpatriotic

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June 7, 2023