Home Blog Page 2451

ThisDay Asks Security Agencies To Unmask Cloned Story On Uzodimma

By
The Source
-
0
ThisDay Logo

The Management of ThisDay Newspapers has invited Security Agencies to unmask those behind a counterfeit edition of its Digital Edition of Friday, August 27.

Nigerians woke up on Saturday to a cloned edition of ThisDay, with a lead story where Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, asked Imo Girls to marry Fulani Herdsmen in the State, promising to foot the bill of the wedding. He was also quoted to have placed a fine of One Million Naira on any parent who rejected such marriage.

In a statement dated August 28, 2021, and signed by its Managing Director, Eniola Bello, the ThisDay Management condemned the criminal act in very strong terms, saying it never had such a story on any of its editions.

It reads:

PRESS STATEMENT

Fake Digital Edition of THISDAY Friday, 27 August 2021 in Circulation on Social Media

“The attention of the Management of THISDAY has been drawn to a fake version of our digital edition making the rounds on some social media platforms.

With the headline: “Shocking: Uzodinma declares Free Marriage Between Fulani Settlers and Imo Ladies”, this fake version of our digital edition is being circulated on WhatsApp, Facebook and other social media platforms.

“We wish to state that THISDAY at no time published the said story. Our lead story on Friday, August 27 was, “Buhari Elated as NNPC Breaks Jinx, Declares N287bn Profit, First in 44 Years”.

“Sadly, these merchants of fake news have chosen to leverage on the credibility and integrity of THISDAY to ply their trade.

“We completely reject this poor attempt by some unscrupulous people at impersonating our brand and identity in pursuit of whatever agenda they may have, by seeking to disseminate fake news to members of the public as emanating from THISDAY.

“For the avoidance of doubt, readers can easily verify our Friday publication from the print edition, or online (www.thisdaylive.com). We, therefore, call on members of the public who may have unwittingly fallen for the cloned digital copy to disregard it and treat it with the utmost contempt it deserves.

“We also use this opportunity to call on security agencies to help unmask the counterfeiters behind this forgery and bring them to book.”

PDP Crisis: Secondus Has Not Stepped Down; Obeying Calabar Court Interim Order

By
The Source
-
0
Uche Secondus

Contrary to reports making the rounds, the embattled National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has not stepped down from office. In a release, his Media Office, in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Ike Abonyi, said he was absent from the National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting held on Saturday, in obedience to the Order of a Calabar High Court.

That was the second order suspending him from office. The first was from a Rivers State High Court. He got a counter from a Kebbi High Court which again was countered by A Calabar High Court.

The Statement reads:

“The media office of Prince Uche Secondus wishes to correct erroneous news circulating that he has stepped down as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

“Prince Secondus, by his unavoidable absence at the party’s National Executive Committee, NEC, meeting on Saturday was merely obeying an interim order from Cross River state High Court.

“As a law abiding citizen who has been an adherent of rule of law as a basis for democracy, he stayed away in respect for the courts.

“Prince Secondus’ four year mandate to lead the party given on December 10, 2017 ends by December, 2021.

“By this release, the Media Office wishes to urge Media houses and members of the public, particularly, beloved members of PDP to disregard any news suggesting that he has stepped down.”

Earlier, not that he had a choice, Secondus had written to the Deputy Chairman, South, Elder Yemi Akinwonmi  to preside over Saturday’s meeting.

He wrote: “I hereby request you to President over the National Executive Committee meeting of the Party, taking place today, 28th August, 2021, @ 12 noon, in my absence.”

British-Nigeria Footballer, Samuel Oji Dies

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Samuel Oji

By Akinwale Kasali

The death of British-Nigeria born footballer, Samuel Oji, came as a rude shock to his non league team, Highgate United and Arsenal Football Club where he started his footballing career.

The 35-Year Old former Arsenal youth player and League of Ireland footballer was said to have been battling an undisclosed ‘illness’, leading to his demise.

Oji kicked off his career at the Gunners as a teenager in 2000, but failed to make the grade and joined Birmingham in 2004.

The defender, the cousin of English singer, Lemar – also turned out for Doncaster Rovers, Leyton Orient, Bristol Rovers, and Hereford United during his career.

Oji was most recently working as assistant manager at non-league outfit Highgate United which play in the Midland League Premier Division – the ninth tier of English football.

Tributes have been pouring in for the centre-back since the shock news of his passing.

In a statement, Highgate United revealed: “All, it is with a very heavy heart that I am deeply saddened to inform you, that our beloved Captain, Leader and Legend Samuel Oji has sadly passed away.

“The thoughts of all at Highgate United FC are with Sam’s wife, children and family at this very sad time. RIP Oji.”

In another tweet, they wrote: “There has been various comments posted across social media throughout the day with regards the welfare of Samuel Oji.

“Sam is extremely ill but still fighting like the warrior that he is.”

After hearing of his death, Leyton Orient tweeted: “We’re deeply saddened to learn the news that former player Sam Oji has passed away.

“Our thoughts are with Sam’s nearest and dearest in this difficult time. Rest in peace, Sam.”

Former Galway United team-mate Vinny O’Connor added: “Infectious smile, bubbly personality, always friendly and accommodating.

“I only got to work with Sam Oji for one season at GUFC, but he left a lasting impression on me and many others.

“The news this morning is so terribly sad. Condolences to his family and friends. RIP Sam.”

Birmingham City tweeted: “The club is devastated to hear of the passing of former player Sam Oji, aged 35.

“The thoughts of everyone at #BCFC are with Sam’s family and friends at this extremely difficult time.”

Guitar Boy, Sir Victor Uwaifo, Is Dead

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0
Victor Uwaifo

By Akinwale Kasali

‘Mammy Water’ and ‘Joromi’ crooner, Sir Victor Uwaifo, is dead. By his death, Nigeria has lost one of its cultural ambassadors.

The circumstances surrounding the death of the highlife musician is still sketchy, but this news medium can confirm that he passed on Saturday afternoon.

The Member of the Niger, MON, was a close ally of the late Victor Victor Olaiya, another highlife musician, who died few years back.

Born on 1st March, 1941, he was a multi talented musician, writer, sculptor, and musical instrument inventor, University lecturer.

A music legend, first Honorable Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism in Nigeria, he was the winner of the first gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 and seven other gold discs in Guitar boy, Arabade, Ekassa series and Akwete music. He recorded under the name Victor Uwaifo and His TItibitis. He was recognized as the most educated performing music legend, musical instrument inventor, artist, worldwide with a B.A Honors (first class valedictorian), Masters degree and Ph.D in Architectural Sculpture, (University of Benin, Nigeria).

After leaving Benin, Uwaifo continued playing music at St Gregory’s, Lagos. He was a contemporary of Segun Bucknor, and they were both among the leading Lagos high school bandleaders. During school holidays and weekends, he jammed with Olaiya’s All Stars Band.

After completing secondary school studies, he played with E.C. Arinze’s highlife during late hours. Uwaifo also briefly worked with Stephen Osadebe and Fred Coker before he formed Melody Maestros in 1965.

The band released “Joromi” which became a hit in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. Uwaifo made history in Nigeria when he won the first Golden record in Nigeria, West Africa and Africa (presented by Philips, West Africa) for his song “Joromi” in 1996.

Between 1965 and 1968, he developed the Akwete rhythm sound. In 1969, he launched a new beat called Shadow accompanied by a new dance also called shadow, a mixture of Akwete and twist. The sound was released when soul music was popular in Lagos and lasted a few years. After the launch of Shadow, the Melody Maestros went on tour of various Nigerian cities. Uwaifo later experimented with a new rhythm that was similar to soul but soon left it for Ekassa, an interpretation of a traditional Benin sound.

In 1971, Uwaifo opened the Joromo Hotel in Benin City, and within ten years established his own television studio. From there he produced a national weekly music and culture programme.

Uwaifo, who has a total of 12 golden records to date, had travelled to many countries, including the United States, Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, Romania, Germany, France, Hungary, Rome, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin Republic, Spain, and Canada.

In 1995, Uwaifo was invited by the United Nations Staff Day International Committee to perform during the UN Golden Jubilee celebration. He is cited in the Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1983 edition, documented in the “Who’s Who in Nigeria”, “Who’s Who in Africa”, “Who’s Who in the Commonwealth”, and “Men and Women of Distinction in the Commonwealth” sections. He is was an Honorary Member of the Biographical Advisory Council, Cambridge, England, a member of both the Performing Right Society, and of the Advisory Board of American Heritage University, California, US. He was the first to win a gold disc in Africa (Joromi) released in 1965 at the age of 24 years old.

Uwaifo’s hobbies included swimming, body-building, gaming, reading and writing. He was a Christian, and was married with children.

He also was a lecturer at the Department of Fine and Applied Arts at the University of Benin, Benin City.

“Cloned THISDAY Publication On Uzodimma: Hand Work Of Desperate Elements” – IMSG

By
The Source
-
0
ThisDay Publication on Uzodimma

The Media Office of Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has reacted to a fabricated mischief meant to deceive the people, purported to be the lead front page story of ThisDay Newspaper of Friday, August 27.

In the childish, cloned, front page lead story, the Governor was quoted as asking Imo girls to marry Fulani Herdsmen, promising he would sponsor such marriages. He was, also, said to have imposed a fine to the tune of One Million Naira, on any parent who would be against such a relationship.

The story, which had since gone viral, is not only fake, a product of a deceased mind, but meant to embarrass the Governor,  and demarket the ThisDay Newspaper brand.

A Press Release signed by the Governor’s Media Adviser/Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, attributed the mischief to desperate politicians who would stoop so low to clone the front page of a National newspaper without a thought to the implications.

The release reads:

“Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has nothing to do with the purported report on a cloned publication of THISDAY of Friday, August 27, 2021 with headline: Shocking: Uzodimma Declares Free Marriage Between Fulani Settlers and Imo Ladies …Promises to pay bride price for herders who choose to marry Imo ladies… Imposes N1m fine to any father who refuses to give consent.

“The originators of the fake publication had two things in mind: to tarnish the image of the Governor, and to destroy the credibility of THISDAY as a brand.

“The ill conceived publication shows how desperate individuals and groups can get in trying to destroy the society, thinking that Governor Uzodimma is the issue.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the real headline of THISDAY the same Friday, August 27 reads:  Buhari Elated as NNPC Breaks Jinx,  Declares N287bn Profit First In 44 Years.

“It is pertinent to note that THISDAY Management confirmed that the publication was cloned and we are confident that they will not allow their hard earned brand and efforts of many years to be bastardised by criminal minded fellows.

“Governor Uzodimma is conscious of the efforts being made by some individuals and groups to tarnish his image and discredit his government but will not be deterred in his determination to provide good governance to the good people of Imo State.

“He is mindful of the enormity of work to do in Imo State after many years of neglect of critical infrastructure due to poor governance, and will stop at nothing to change the narrative for good in the interest of the people.

“The public is, therefore, advised to disregard the cloned publication as coming from depraved minds and enemies of the people and the society.”

Since the advent of Uzodimma as Governor, Imo State has been notorious for fabricated Press Releases in the name of the State Government.  But the cloning of the front page of a National Newspaper is a new low.

Such cloning of News magazines’ covers by Government agents was last witnessed during the late General Sani Abacha’s Regime.

Pastor Bakare Clears Air On Rift With Bishop Oyedepo

By
Akinwale Kasali
-
0

By Akinwale Kasali

Founder, and General Overseer of Citadel Global Community Church, popularly known as Latter Rain Assembly, Tunde Bakare, has cleared the air on his alleged rift with the founder of Living Faith  Church Worldwide, also known as Winners Chapel, Bishop David Oyedepo.

Bakare, in an interview with Sam Omatseye, during a Television Continental, TVC, Programme, tagged, ‘The Big Talk’, on Saturday 28th August, 2021, said he is no enemy of Oyedepo, although they share different doctrines and beliefs.

The former Vice Presidential Candidate of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, said he has a good and cordial relationship with fellow Pentecostal Pastors in the country.

“Oyedepo and I are contemporaries. We were born in the same year,” he said.

“Oyedepo was born in August, 1954, and I was born in September. We are contemporaries, God has really blessed him and used him.

“We have differences in doctrines, what we believe, but that does not make us enemies,” he said.

Bakare went down memory lane and spoke on how he and Oyedepo were on a plane one time and another brother was coming over to greet him, but on seeing them together, he froze.

“There is (a) difference between issues and persons. We can defend the Gospel but those who do not and destroy it will die before their time. I have nothing personal against any man of God but I will always defend the truth that I know and I will always make it plain.”

Speaking on his differences with Oyedepo, the renowned Clergyman said the Gospel and truth are one but when someone “begins to twist the truth to make it funny,” he will speak out.

“It is a true friend that speaks true to his friend. Mantras will die before their time.

“When you speak truth, eventually when the truth begins to rule, there will be no element of falsehood,” he said.

Bakare also referenced an incident where he tore a book written by Oyedepo in the open and when he was confronted, he said the book was full of errors.

“How can someone say the anointing oil is not a symbol of the Holy Spirit? It is the release of God in the bottle. If it is told to few people so, it is okay. If anointing oil is the Holy Spirit, then Jesus is a lamb walking on four legs. They are symbols, and symbols are not as important,” he said.

Speaking about politics in Nigeria, corruption and other national matters, he said Nigeria cannot stem the tide of corruption until the sons emerge and to tell Churches not to do what they are doing, is calling for a blackout.

The Clergyman said there are different types of Churches including the compromising Church, the corrupt Church and the lukewarm Church, but it is important not to confuse the crowd with the Church.

He added that he is not a controversial Pastor and the controversies are not by him but engineered by God.

Bakare went further to air his view about the purchasing of Private Jets by Pastors, especially by his perceived enemy and contemporary. He said, “By the way, when he makes noise about his private jet of a thing, do you know that I once acquired a 1707 with the logo of our church on it? Are you aware of that? But we use it for business. I don’t buy a plane to be spending money on it, that I can jump quickly on another and pay little money to where I’m going.

“We can afford it; we are not envious of them at all,” he added.

The former Muslim turned Christian said Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Church of Christ, signed his wedding certificate as his father and he built his first house on the camp ground being a favoured son.

“It is only bastards that use (the) left hand to point to the house of his father,” he said.

He added that he was at Deeper Life Church for about five years before he went to the Redeemed Church.

“I don’t call those men my colleagues. They are my fathers,” he said, speaking of Adeboye and William Kumuyi of the Deeper Life Bible Church.

Hisbah Police Says It Reports Wealthy People To God, Punishes The Poor

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By James Orji

Kano State Hisbah Board has admitted that it cherry-picks while applying Shari law on the citizens of the state. The Islamic police has been trenchantly criticized for applying the Islamic law on the poor while the rich in the society are never apprehended nor punished for breaking the law.

During the recent wedding Fathia of president Muhammadu Buhari’s son, Yusuf in Kano, many Nigerians had demanded that his bride, Zarah Ado Bayero be arrested and punished by Hisbah Police, for wearing an “unIslamic dress during the ceremony.

A Sharia court sitting Kano state had earlier in the week, sentenced Kannywood actress and blogger, Sadiya Haruna, to six months in Islamic school for “uploading sexual contents on her social media handles.”

Yusuf’s bride and her guests also shared and uploaded contents, including guests at the party dancing to the vulgar song of Naira Marley, which are deemed to be against Islamic religion on various social media platforms. But nothing has happened to her.

The Hisbah Board’s Director, Dr. Aliyu Musa Aliyu Kibiya, while speaking with a Kano based Freedom Radio, said the board is very careful when handling matters relating to the rich, adding that such matters will be referred to ‘Allah’ to judge.

Kibiya said, “We see things differently. If a leader errs it is against the teaching of Islam for us to go to the mosque and publicise it.”

“We have ways to reach out to leaders and preach to them, and our job is to deliver a message, but it is Allah that guides,” he said, adding that, “the way and manner in which you will call reprimand a common man and a leader differs.”

On his part the Commander General of the Board, Sheikh Muhammad Haruna Ibn Sina, argued that his organisation on different accounts had arrested the children of very influential people in the state. The Board is yet to publicise the names of wealthy people it has punished for breaking the Sharia law.

Soyinka Demands Igboho’s Immediate Release

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By James Orji

Professor Wole Soyinka says the government of the Republic of Benin has no reason to continue to keep Sunday Adeyemo, aka Sunday Igboho in prison in perpetuity.

The Yoruba Nation activist has been in prison in the West African nation where he’s standing trial over immigration related issues.

He was arrested last month by immigration officials while he was trying to flee to Germany alongside his wife. The embattled activist had been declared wanted by the Department of State Services, DSS in Nigeria over his secessionist agitation and allege gun running.

Prominent South West leaders have demanded his unconditional release by the Beninois authority.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Friday during an interactive session titled, “Sanctions on the loose: Chasing the gnat with a sledgehammer,” the Nobel Laureate said the activist committed no crime.

Soyinka stated, “He is against Fulani herdsmen tyranny and threw out criminal herdsmen terrorising his neighbourhood.  That’s his real crime. I refuse to accept that Igboho is being chased because he peacefully demonstrated his position vis-a-vis the destiny of this nation which is a fundamental human right of anybody.

“Somebody called for secession or a separate state, I don’t consider that (a criminal act) and nowhere is that declared a criminal act as long as it’s done peacefully and collectively within the law. You don’t criminalise the action and in addition commit a criminal act against such an individual.

“That was what the security services did by raiding Igboho’s home at 2am, killing two of his people and claiming, without a warrant or anything, that they found weapons in his house. Who is going to believe that cock and bull story?

“This is an appeal to the government of the Republic of Benin. Why are you keeping the victim in your prison? What crime did he commit against your state that you are holding him in prison, instead of letting him continue his journey? Igboho has not committed any crime against any known law in this nation. Thus, to ask for his repatriation is adding insult to injury.

You invaded his house, destroyed his property, chased him into the wilderness and you are pursuing him. We ask the government of the Republic of Benin to release the man to continue his business which was interrupted unjustly.  Please, rectify this error and don’t compound t any further by holding Sunday Igboho in prison one day long,’ Soyinka said.

PDP Crisis: More Trouble For Secondus

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0
Uche Secondus

By James Orji

For the second time in less than two weeks, another court has stopped the National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, Uche Secondus from assuming his position, thus worsening the protracted crisis in the party.

The embattled chairman was restored back to his position on Friday by a High court in Kebbi state. He was supposed to preside over the National Executive Council Meeting, NEC of the party on Saturday, before a counter order was issued by a Calabar, Cross Rivers High Court.

Justice Edem Kooffreh, a vacation judge in Cross Rivers upheld the order by the Rivers High Court. He gave the order on Friday, while ruling on a motion ex parte marked HC/240/2021 which was filed by Enang Wani.

Justice Kooffresh while ruling on the matter issued an order banning Secondus from resuming or visiting the party’s office as chairman.

According to the Judge, “An order of interim injunction restraining the first defendant (Secondus) from presiding over the national executive committee meeting of the 2nd defendant scheduled to hold on Saturday, the 28th of August, 2012 or any subsequent meeting of the national executive committee of the second defendant and from presiding over any meeting of any organ of the second defendant or attending any of such meetings of functions in the capacity of national chairman of the party or in any other manner or form attempting to forcefully gain entrance into any such meetings or into the premises of the second defendant as national chairman of the party pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the second defendant, its members, officers and agents from recognising the first defendant as its national chairman or from according him any of the powers, rights or privileges due to the holder of the office of the national chairman of the 2nd defendant pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the judge said.

Zenith Bank’s Boss Applauds ZIVA; Bank Makes More Inroad Into Retail Banking

By
Bayo Bernard
-
0

By Fola James

The managing Director/ chief executive officer of Zenith Bank Plc Ebenezer Onyeagwu has disclosed that the introduction of ZIVA (Zenith Intelligent Virtual Assistant is another way of creating value for the bank’s teeming customers.

Onyeagwu, while commenting on the new banking solution, said: “The launch of ZIVA is driven by the need for additional secured channels of communication with our customers as we deepen our retail penetration.

According to him that “since the behavioural pattern of the modern customer dictates that they want to engage with brands over the channel of their choice, it was really important for us as a leading financial services institution and a pioneer of several technological innovations in the financial services industry to implement this solution in order to continue to create value for our teeming customers who incidentally were already using WhatsApp as a primary channel of communication”.

Zenith Bank, Nigeria’s leading financial institution has recently launched  ZIVA, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered Chatbot on WhatsApp, which enables customers to perform financial transactions and enjoy real-time customer service from their mobile phones.

The bank said customers can enroll by simply adding the bank’s verified WhatsApp mobile number 07040004422 on their mobile devices, agree to the legal terms of use and then initiate a conversation.

This product provides the convenience for the bank’s customers to interact and transact on a 24 hours basis on the encrypted WhatsApp platform.

“With this capability to respond to chats/queries anchored on the existing WhatsApp platform,” the Onyeagwu-led bank said “customers will be able to open new accounts, receive instant transaction notifications, check their balances on the go, transfer funds and top up airtime. They will also be able to confirm cheques, pay bills, apply for loans, block their accounts, and request mini statements, amongst other banking services”.

The tier 1 bank has continued to distinguish itself in the Nigerian financial services industry through superior service offerings, unique customer experience and sound financial indices.

It has also maintained its position as a clear leader in the digital space with several firsts in the deployment of innovative products, solutions and an assortment of alternative channels that ensure convenience, speed and safety of transactions.

The bank’s commitment to world-class service standards has led to several product innovations, including the “Zenith Timeless Account”, which allows Nigerians aged 60 years and above bank for free, the “Zenith Save4me”, a high-interest target savings account and the deployment of contactless payments and QR on ATM points, amongst others.

Zenith Bank places a premium on its core business strategy anchored on People, Technology and Service, to create value for its numerous clientele. With a team of dedicated professionals, the bank leverages its robust Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure to provide cutting-edge solutions and products through its network of branches and electronic/digital channels.

In recognition of its track record of excellent performance and commitment to best-in-class service, Zenith Bank was voted as Best Commercial Bank in Nigeria in the World Finance Banking Awards 2021, Bank of the Year (Nigeria) in The Banker’s Bank of the Year Awards 2020, Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance World’s Best Banks Awards 2020 and 2021, and Best in Corporate Governance ‘Financial Services’ Africa 2020 and 2021 by the Ethical Boardroom.

Also, the bank emerged the Most Valuable Banking Brand in Nigeria in the Banker Magazine Top 500 Banking Brands 2020 and 2021, and Number One Bank in Nigeria by Tier-1 Capital in the “2021 Top 1000 World Banks” Ranking by The Banker Magazine.

The bank was also recognised as Bank of the Decade (People’s Choice) at the ThisDay Awards 2020, Retail Bank of the year at the 2020 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions , BOFI  Awards, and Best Company in Promotion of Good Health and Well-Being as well as Best Company in Promotion of Gender Equality and Women Empowerment at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility, SERAS Awards 2020.

1...2,4502,4512,452...3,075Page 2,451 of 3,075