Insecurity: Oyo Takes Delivery Of Surveillance Aircraft

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February 4, 2026

By Ayodele Oni

As part of measures to tackle insecurity, the Oyo State government is set to take delivery of a surveillance aircraft.

Governor, Seyi Makinde, gave clarifications on the purchase of a surveillance aircraft by the State to combat terror attack and criminal activities within and at its borders, revealed that the facility is awaiting clearance at Lagos Port.

He stated this in his address at the ground finale of the celebration of Oyo State’s 50th anniversary, which held at the State House, Agodi, Ibadan, on Tuesday.

The governor disclosed that he spoke with the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Governor AbdlRahman AbdulRasaq of Kwara state on Sunday over the issue and according to him, as at Tuesday, the vessel that brought the aircraft has landed at Apapa in Lagos.

“I spoke with my Chairman, I believe yesterday, or maybe the day before, the Chairman of Nigeria’s Governor’s Forum, we spoke about the surveillance aircraft that we ordered.

“Well, as we speak, we are tracking the vessel, three days ago, it was at Lome, now the vessel is at the Port in Lagos.

“So that is also being delivered, and it will help both Oyo and Kwara to ensure that we can have surveillance across our common areas and into our States.

The issue surrounding the aircraft became rife some weeks ago after a bloody attack on some forest guards at Oloka village at Oriire local government area by people suspected to be armed bandits.

Ondo Police Confirms Death Of Two Students After Pool Party

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Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2026

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Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy - Akungba Akoko

By Ayodele Oni

A swimming pool party, organized by an hotel for matriculating students of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko, (AAUA) ended in disaster as two of the students died.

Ondo State Police Command, which disclosed this on Wednesday, explained that the two students died after they were rescued out of the hotel’s swimming pool unconscious.

The command’s spokesman Abayomi Jimoh, in a statement stated that a tragic case of drowning was reported at Akungba, Akoko South West Local Government Area of Ondo State.

“On the 29th of January, 2026, a report was received at the Akungba Divisional Police Headquarters from one Shittu, male, the pool manager of Unibercity Lounge and Hotel, Akungba-Akoko, regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred during a swimming pool party organized by the hotel for newly matriculated students.

“According to the report, at about 2000hrs on the same date, one Adegbola Blessing, male, aged 19 years, was discovered unconscious inside the hotel’s swimming pool.

“He was immediately rescued by the pool manager and administered first aid. The victim reportedly regained consciousness, was able to stand, and was subsequently taken home by his friends.

“Shortly thereafter, another individual, Oludere Opeyemi, male, aged 22 years, was also discovered unconscious in the swimming pool.

“He was promptly rescued and rushed to the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko, where he was later confirmed dead by medical personnel.

“Following the report, operatives of the Akungba Divisional Police Station were promptly deployed to the scene on the night of the incident to commence investigation.

“Meanwhile, the hotel manager, Ayomide Badejo, female, alongside the pool manager, were invited for questioning as part of preliminary investigation.

“Further developments occurred in the early hours of 30th January, 2026, at about 0700hrs, when the first victim, Adegbola Blessing, was reported to have also passed on.

“Consequently, the case was transferred to the Command’s Monitoring Unit for discreet, thorough, and comprehensive investigation.

“The remains of the deceased persons have been deposited at the State Hospital, Ikare-Akoko morgue for preservation and autopsy, as part of the ongoing investigation process.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, psc+, mnips, has assured members of the public that the incident is being thoroughly investigated to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the deaths, establish any form of culpability, and ensure that justice is served.”

Terrorists Kill Over 40 Residents In Latest Kwara Attack

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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February 4, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Kwara state Government on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, expressed serious shock and sadness over the gruesome attack and killings of several innocent residents of Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Council of the State.

No fewer than 40 people were reportedly killed following the invasion of the communities by suspected terrorist elements late Tuesday evening February 3, 2026 .

According to local witness accounts, over 40 casualties had been confirmed as at Wednesday morning, with several hundreds said to have taken refuge inside nearby bushes.

AbdulRahman-AbdulRazaq — **Governor Abdulraham AbdulRazaq: Vows to track down the perpetrators.**

Several others equally said sustained varying degrees of injuries from the attacks and while trying to escape the onslaught.

According to sources, the attackers are believed to have crossed over from neighbouring communities of Niger State

Locals further revealed that the attackers, before carrying out the attack,were spotted moving around, and even mingling with residents at the border communities in neighbouring Niger State where they were allegedly preaching to and persuading locals on the need to shun the Nigerian Constitution and State and embrace Islamic laws and Government.

It was however reported that residents of Woro and Nuku not only resisted the separatist and Islamist arrangements when introduced to them ,but also challenged the preachers .

The open disagreement shown by the people infuriated the attackers who then decided to descend on them, leading to the instant death of many, and the escape of others into the bushes.

A statement on Wednesday from Rafiu Ajakaye, the media aide to Governor Abdulraham AbdulRazaq, while vowing to track down the perpetrators, sympathized with families, relations and friends of the victims.

“The Governor is saddened by the cowardly attack on civilians in Woro and Nuku communities of Kaiama Local Government Area”, Ajakaye stated.

The Governor also described the heinous attack as the handiwork of desperate terrorist elements who are jittery over the intensified operations by security agencies to hunt them down.

According to the Governor, the attack on the unsuspecting and vulnerable residents of Woro and Nuku communities is a deliberate ploy by the terrorists to divert the attention of security operatives who are on the verge of annihilating them from the State.

NUJ Decries Brutality Of Journalists, Protesters In Lagos

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Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

The National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) has announced that Journalists and some protesters were molested by security operatives in Lagos last week Wednesday.

The union, in a statement signed by the national secretary, Achike Chude stated that “Reports and video evidence confirm that security forces deployed tear gas against a defenseless crowd that remained non-violent throughout their march.

“Such actions are a flagrant violation of Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees every citizen the right to assemble freely and associate with others.

”We strongly condemn the violent dispersal of peaceful protesters and the targeted harassment of journalists by security operatives at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Alausa, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.

”Reports indicate that the demonstration was a response by some affected citizens to the demolition of their homes and properties and their forced evictions from their communities in parts of the state.

“As is their responsibility, journalists from different media houses were on ground to witness and report the unfolding events.

“What eventually formed the fulcrum of the reports from the media was the attack perpetrated by the police on both the fourth estate of the realm and citizens who had gathered peacefully to express their frustration and despair at the demolition carried out on their communities by, or at the behest and authorization of the government.

“In a thriving democracy, protest is not a favor granted by the state; it is a fundamental right.

“When the government uses the machinery of the state to silence those it has already displaced, it undermines the very social contract upon which its authority rests.

”Furthermore, the deliberate targeting of journalists during this incident is a grave threat to press freedom. Media professionals were tear-gassed and harassed despite clearly identifying themselves as press.”

The union reminded the Lagos State Government and the Police Command that Journalists have a constitutional duty under Section 22 to hold the government accountable and report the truth to the public stressing that an attack on a journalist is an attack on the public’s right to know.

”The use of force to prevent the documentation of state actions by the media is a hallmark of autocracy, not the “Center of Excellence.”

It demanded an investigation into the conduct of the officers deployed to Alausa on January 28 adding that those who gave the orders to fire tear gas canisters on a crowd containing children must be held responsible.

“The various reports from the media at the scene indicate a peaceful, orderly conduct from aggrieved citizens which did not necessitate the use of force and high-handedness under the circumstances.

“But if the authorities have evidence of a wilful act of lawlessness and violence against anyone involved in the protest, the court is the right place for adjudication.”

Former Benue State Governor, Suswam Dumps PDP

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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February 4, 2026

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By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Former Governor of Benue state, Gabriel Suswam has resigned his membership of the troubled Peoples Democratic party PDP.

The resignation of Suswam, who presided over the affairs of Benue state between 2007 and 2015 ,was contained in a letter dated February 4, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of Mbagber Council Ward of Logo Local Council of Benue state.

Expectedly, Suswam cited the festering leadership and internal crises bedeviling the PDP at all levels as a major reason for his action.

This is as he also insisted that his decision remains the most politically appropriate in the present circumstances.

While appreciating the PDP for offering him the platform for his political journey so far ,the two term member of the House of Representatives , however, expressed the hope that the party may in future summon the needed courage , to find a solution to its festering crisis.

” I consider it honourable and necessary to step aside while wishing the party well, should it one day find the courage and consensus to resolve its long-standing issues”, he stated

Although he did not reveal his next destination, speculations are strong that Suswam, alongside his supporters and sympathizers may be joining forces with the emerging opposition Coalition platform the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in the days ahead.

Bandits Kill ASP, Four Others In Benue Attack

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Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2026

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By Ayodele Oni

Benue State Police Command has confirmed the death of four persons – a Special duty-bound Assistant Superintendent of Police and four civilians after armed bandits launched another fatal attack on Abande Community Kwande Local Government Area of the State.

The incident occurred on 3rd February, Tuesday evening. A Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had stormed and attacked police personnel stationed at Abande Community and members of the area.

Spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Command in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet said on Wednesday in a statement that the unnamed police officer, attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, died during the ensuing confrontation, while police operatives were responding to the distress call.

“During the ensuing confrontation while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured during the attack, according to the statement.

“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack by the bandits”, according to the statement, which also revealed that deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at an undisclosed mortuary.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilized to the area to secure the Community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest,” the statement said.

The Benue State Police Command has commiserated with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community, and assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area, as investigations and operations continue.

Insecurity: Gov. Ododo Shuts Down Schools In Kogi Indefinitely

By

Ayodele Oni

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February 4, 2026

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Usman Ahmed Ododo - Governor of Kogi State — Governor Usman Ahmed Ododo.

By Ayodele Oni

Citing unfavourable security report, Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has directed all schools – public and private, in the State to go on indefinite midterm break beginning from Wednesday 4th February, 2026.

The announcement, conveyed through an urgent notice from the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) in Kogi State, emphasized strict compliance and warned of severe consequences for non-adherence.

The statement, signed by Pastor Reuben Jimoh, State Chairman of NAPPS, reads: “This is an important information and announcement from the Executive Governor of Kogi State.

“All schools in Kogi State must go on emergency midterm break Wednesday, being 4th/02/2026. Don’t announce the resumption because we don’t know yet what will happen before Monday.

“Pls strictly comply with this directive if not your approval will be revoked from you.”

It further clarifies: “This is still due to security issues.” The directive comes as an emergency measure, with no specified resumption date provided.

Authorities have advised school administrators against announcing any return dates, as the situation remains fluid and unpredictable ahead of Monday.

Parents and guardians are urged to monitor official channels for further updates on resumption.

“School proprietors have been instructed to adhere fully to avoid revocation of operating approvals.” It concludes.

Kogi’s neighbour, Kwara, has been confronted with series of kidnappings in churches and private homes for quite sometime.

Kogi goo has not been spared as there have been reported cases of Monarch’s being kidnapped in their places, while travelers along highways in the state have not been either lucky.

Lagos 2027: JANDOR Joins Governorship Race

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Akinwale Kasali

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February 4, 2026

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By Akinwale Kasali

Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popular as JANDOR, Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, during the 2023 General Election has declared his intention to contest for the office in 2027 under the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

In 2023, he decamped from the APC to the PDP, ran for the office, but performed abysmally. A few months ago, quit the PDP and rejoined the APC, and now, he says he would run for same office again.

JANDOR’s Governorship aspiration, for whatever it is worth, has received got a boost as Eko United, a Coalition of Lagos Professionals, Innovators, and thought-leaders, has called on professionals, elites, and the working population to actively engage in the political process ahead of the 2027 general elections, and declared its adoption of Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, JANDOR as its preferred Candidate for the Lagos State Governorship race.

The Coalition made this known at the Strategic Convergence of Ideas Meeting held in Lagos under the Progressive Lagos Initiative, where participants examined pathways to inclusive, forward-looking, and effective governance for Lagos State.

Wole Olagundoye, Convener, Eko United, expressed concern over the long-standing disengagement of professionals and elites from active politics and electioneering in Nigeria.

His statement reads: “Available data shows that elite participation in electoral processes remains consistently low.

“Many professionals view politics as dirty or incompatible with career advancement, while others remain spectators without even basic instruments of participation such as voter registration,” Olagundoye said.

He noted that this disengagement has weakened governance outcomes and reduced the quality of leadership, stressing that informed citizens with global exposure and technical competence must take responsibility for shaping public policy and political leadership.

According to him, Eko United was formed to mobilise professionals, workers, and innovators around practical ideas capable of positioning Lagos as Africa’s leading sub-national economy.

In the same vein, Seun Soyinka, a member of Eko United, described professionals as the intellectual backbone of Lagos, whose involvement would significantly enrich political discourse and governance outcomes.

He disclosed that following extensive engagement and alignment of values, Eko United has adopted Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran JANDOR as its preferred candidate for the 2027 Lagos State Governorship election.

“Dr. Adediran embodies fresh ideas, progressive energy, and the capacity to translate sound ideas into effective governance. We believe he represents the kind of leadership Lagos urgently requires,” Soyinka stated.

Eko United reaffirmed its commitment to sustained civic mobilisation, issue-based engagement, and elite participation in politics, declaring its readiness to play a strategic role in shaping a progressive and prosperous Lagos ahead of 2027.

ABHA Pay Fiasco: You Either Tell The Whole Truth Or Shut Up

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The Source

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February 4, 2026

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By John Okiyi Kalu

I was hoping to avoid the drama of Abia State House of Assembly (ABHA) members and how much they get as monthly remuneration because I firmly believed the Speaker, Emmanue Emeruwa, spoke on a lighter note; the same way HE Okezie Ikpeazu jokingly said “flyover ogbasara unu” and a certain Alex Otti made opposition meal out of it.

To the best of my observation, Speaker Emeruwa never intended to convey that Governor Otti actually was not taking good care of them yet his light hearted banter was needlessly taken out of context, as opposition Leader Alex Otti would have wrongly done.

Karma is a bitch!!

Sadly, the executive branch of Abia State Government couldn’t stay out of what was purely a legislative affair, as they still don’t know when to keep quiet to allow trivial things evolve and possibly peter away, and now I must state what I verifiably know.

In the spirit of public revelations started by Abia State Government let me help them tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth by sharing what I was reliably informed by someone within the legislative establishment, in the hope the government will also hasten to clarify if I am wrong:

Alex Otti - Governor of Abia State — **Governor Alex Otti of Abia State**

Each elected Abia State House of Assembly member (24 in total) currently receives N7,664,000.00 every month as total wage package, including salary and allowances, though the Speaker and his Deputy do not receive housing and related allowances because they are accommodated in official lodges.

In addition, the Speaker gets about N50m as security vote every month from where he gives his Deputy a yet to be dislosed amount. My source asserted that the Speaker is also given a list of those to pay allowances to outside the legislative structure by the executive branch thereby using him wrongly to move money here and there. He probably goes home with about N7m monthly while N43m enters executive voice mail.

Note that these payments are not given as hard cash but through bank transfers and we can use that to verify, if in doubt.

In December 2025 Otti’s government paid each member of the house N10m for Christmas gift and N25m as last tranche of the constituency project fund. That made it N35m that each of them received in one month. But the leadership of the house deducted N300k from each member’s N25m project fund claiming it was used to facilitate the release of the money from the Accountant General’s office thereby paying only N24.7m. Bank transfer evidence will speak to this glaring rot within the system.

In June 2025 each member also received N25m as constituency projects fund from the state government. If you add nos 4 and 5 it means they got at least N60m each to take care of those they represent, outside their personal wages highlighted (1) above.

In addition, the members were allocated N10m each for the trip to London ostensibly to understudy parliamentary system of government that we do not practice in Nigeria. Of course those who managed the trip shortchanged members by N6m as they were each given N4m while claiming that they used the rest to procure Airpeace Flight ticket and other “logistics”. Verifiable data from Airpeace showed that the ticket cost was N1.88m for each person while hotel accommodation for 4 nights cost £200 (N400k) for each of them.

The state government had released N300m to the 24 elected legislators to cover the trip (6) including additional fund for a senior legislative staff and a coordinating aide of the Governor with the executive branch. At least N40m remaining from the N300m could have been used to cover the “logistics” etc yet the house members were apparently fleeced of N6m each. That was why they protested in London.

Emanuel Emeruwa - Abia State Speaker — **Emanuel Emeruwa, Abia State Speaker**

I am not interested in calling that London trip a jamboree because I actually like the fact they traveled, bearing in mind that traveling alone is a form of education.

After reviewing the above, ask yourself why it is only PDP members of the house like Hon Solomon Akpulonu, Hon Mandela Obasi and Honorable Erondu Uchenna Erondu that elaborately empowered their constituents from the money they all got?

What did Labour Party members do with their share?

The house is probably right to officialy state in their statement that the Governor is taking good care of them because he sure is, on the balance of evidence, even though Governor Alex Otti ought not to be the one doing so. There is a legislative branch service commision that is in place which ought to be the agency receiving and disbursing funds budgeted for the operations of that arm of government. Members of that commision are drawing very heavy remunerations from public funds yet doing nothing we know of whereas the leader of the executive branch (Governor Alex Otti) is doing what they were set up by law to do. It is called systemic corruption!

So, while Governor Otti is reportedly taking good care of the lawmakers are they also taking good care of their constituents? I leave that for the house spokesman to answer or the executive busybodies can also weign in, as usual, with half-truths and outright falsehood.

By the way, while the government of Alex Otti rushed to tell the world that Abia house members are the “highest earners in the south east” when will they also rush to state that Abia State Civil Servants are currently the least paid in the same south east region? In case they want to debate this self-evident fact let me “verifiably” state as follows:

For A Level 14 Worker:

Abia 118k

Imo 340k

Enugu 314.

Minimum wage

Abia 70k

Imo 104k

Enugu 80k

Ebonyi 90k

**Some workers in Abia State government’s employment earn N35k or less every month.

Note carefully that those shortchanged workers are the “employers” of the governor and the members of the legislative branch. Governor settles himself with huge security vote in excess of N1b/month, elected lawmakers collect in tens of millions monthly and their “employer” (the workers & other voters) get N35k after screaming “nwere weight” in the scorching sun and standing at polling stations to protect right to be used and dumped by their employees. Uwa di egwu o!

Again, note carefully that Labour Party of NLC is in power in Abia State. In the south east region it is also on record that only Abia State, under Labour Party, forced retirees to forfeit earned pensions and gratuities. All other south east states have cleared inherited arrears which actually were mostly more than what Abia State Labour Party Government of Alex Otti declared they inherited as arrears in 2023. (Go and verify!!)

Is that not an “uwa ntorr” situation for a LABOUR PARTY state and those who believed their lies?

Access Bank Gets New Board Chairman

By

James Orji

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February 4, 2026

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Access Holdings Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chairman of the board of Directors of Access Bank Plc.

Osime was appointed following the exit of Paul Usoro, who completed his term past January, the bank said in a statement on Tuesday, signed the Company’s secretary, Sunday Ekwochi.

According to the statement, Osime, is bringing on board vast experience as a lawyer and corporate governance strategist.

Before her current appointment, she was first appointed to the board of Access Bank in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director, the company said.

Part of the statement read: “Prior to her recent appointment, she served as chairman of the board human resources and sustainability committee, as well as the board governance nomination and remuneration committee, making significant contributions to governance, leadership development, and sustainability.

“She also served on several other board committees.

“In addition, she is a director at Ebudo Trust Limited and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial legal matters, and contributes to the firm’s leadership and strategic direction.

“Her previous board experience includes serving as an independent non-executive director of Coronation Insurance Plc, board chairman of Coronation Life Insurance Company Ltd and non-executive director, Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Limited).”

Osime’s CV

According to the statement, Osime is a law graduate of the University of Benin and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1987.

She began her career at Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and later joined African Development Insurance Company Limited (now NSIA Insurance) as company secretary and assistant general manager, administration and legal.

“She holds a Master of Laws in Commercial and Corporate Law from the London School of Economics and has attended executive education programmes at INSEAD, IMD, Harvard Business School, MIT, and Stanford, among others, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development and global best practices,” the bank said.

Commenting on the appointment, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, group chairman of Access Holdings, described Osime as “a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the bank’s strategy and values”.