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Failed Micro Finance Banks: Depositors Storm NDIC |The Source

By
Bayo Bernard
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Godwin-Emefiele-CBN-Governor

By Fola James

Depositors of the now liquidated micro finance banks, MFBs will today, storm all the zonal offices of the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation, NDIC for the verification exercise to ascertain their claims.

42 micro finance banks were recently liquidated by the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN which also withdrew their licences.

According to a statement released last week, NDIC directed depositors of the now failed MFBs to contact the representatives of the director, Claims Resolution Department of the NDIC in any of the zonal offices in Abuja, Lagos, Enugu, Benin, Kano, Ilorin, Bauchi, Sokoto, Yola and Port Harcourt.

NDIC further directed depositors provide all necessary information as it commences the process of closing the listed banks and paying their insured depositors.

The corporation stated that , “This is to inform the depositors, creditors, shareholders and the general public that the operating licences of the under listed 42 Microfinance Banks (MFBs) have been revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) effective from 12th of November, 2020.

“The Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), the official liquidator of the banks whose licences were recently revoked, is in the process of closing the listed banks and paying their insured depositors.

“We therefore request that all depositors of these banks should visit the closed banks’ addresses and meet NDIC officials for the verification of their claims, commencing from Monday, 21st December, 2020 till Thursday, 24th December, 2020.”

.The liquidated banks include Hedgeworth MFB, Utako, Abuja; Future Growth MFB, Utako, Abuja;  Bagwai MFB, Bagwai LGA, Kano; Ere City MFB, Oriade LGA, Osun State; Cafon MFB, Garki II, Abuja; Akcofed MFB, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State; Gufax MFB, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Partnership  MFB, Onitsha, Anambra State;  ICB MFB, Ilah, Delta State; Onima MFB, Ezinihite Mbaise LGA, Imo State; and Hometrust (NATIONS) MFB, Nkwere, Imo State.

Others are Ringim MFB, Ringim, Jigawa State; Bigthana MFB, Ali Akilu Road, Kaduna; Rogo MFB, Rogo LGA, Kano State; Makoda MFB, Makoda LGA, Kano; Takai MFB, Takai LGA, Kano State; Bebeji MFB, Bebeji  L.G.A., Kano State; Ajingi MFB and Ajingi LGA, Kano State.

Others are Garko MFB, Garko, Kano; Kangiwa MFB, Kangiwa LGA, Kebbi State; Augie MFB, Augie LGA, Kebbi State; Mopa MFB, Mopa, Kogi State; Solid Base MFB, Ijumu  LGA, Kogi State; Ultimate Benefit MFB, Lokoja, Kogi State; Ovidi MFB, Okene, Kogi State; Kirfi MFB, Kirfi LGA, Bauchi and Credit  Express MFB, Kakawa Street, Lagos.

They also include King Solomon MFB, Western Avenue, Iponri, Lagos; Riggs MFB, Victoria Island, Lagos; Billionaire Blue Bricks MFB, Ajah, Lagos; Susu MFB, Yaba, Lagos; Wealthstream MFB, Apapa, Lagos; Aguda Titun MFB, Ogba, Lagos and Sapphire MFB, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The rest are Metro MFB, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, Mountain Top MFB, Trade Fair Complex, Lagos; Unyogba MFB, Ofu LGA, Kogi State; Wapo MFB, Okene, Kogi State; Ibogun MFB, Ifo LGA, Ogun State;  Korede MFB, Igbotako, Ondo State;  Ahetou  MFB, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, Rivers State and Fufore MFB, Yola, Adamawa State.

Why Obiano Dethroned Three Traditional Rulers |The Source

By
The Source
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Suspeded Anambra Traditional Rulers

By Gideon Njoku

The cold war between the Governor of Anambra State and some Traditional Rulers in the State has reached a boiling point.

The problem started a few months ago when an Anambra Businessman, and a-President Muhammadu Buhari friend, Chief Arthur Eze, organised and took 11 Traditional Rulers to Abuja for what they termed a “Thank You Visit.”

The visit was without the knowledge or permission of the State Government.

On their return, the Governor suspended them for an initial period of one year.

The suspension caused a big spat between the Governor and Eze

However in a statement dated December 17, 2020, and signed by the Commissioner  for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Greg Obi, the Government took three decisions – Pardoned five of them, insisted on the one year suspension of three of them, and dethroned three others.

Willie Obiano
Willie Obiano

Those dethroned are:

*Igwe Chijoke Nwankwo of Nawfia.

*Igwe Anthony Onyekwere of Owelle

*Igwe G.B.C. Mbakwe of Abacha.

The statement ordered the Traditional Rulers to hand over their certificates of recognition to the Secretary to the Local Government of their Communities within one month..

Those whose suspension continues are:

*Igwe Kelly N. Nkeli of Igbariam.

*Igwe Dr Emeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu.

*Igwe Peter A. Uyanwa of Ukwulu.

But five of them were lucky after the Governor considered the passionate pleas of the Traditional Rulers Council and other stakeholders.

They are:

*Igwe Simon Ikechukwu Chidubem of Umumbo

*Igwe A.N. Onwuneme of Ikenga.

*Igwe Mark Anthony Okonkwo of Alor

*Igwe Chukwuma Bob Vincent Orji of Ezinifite

*Igwe S.O. Uche of Ezira.

The lifting of the suspension  on the Igwe of Alor is bound to overheat the polity. Between the Igwe and the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, there is no love lost. Ngige is from Alor, and had had issues with his Traditional ruler. Ngige does not recognise him as the Igwe.

With the lifting of the suspension, it does seem that the Traditional Ruler is back to the winning ways.

Nigeria Loses Bid As ICC Judge |The Source

By
Uche Mbah
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International Criminal Court

By Uche Mbah

Nigeria has lost an election bid as a judge at the international Court of Justice, known as the International Criminal Court, ICC The  Source has learnt.

The Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Ishaq Bello, who was the Nigerian nominee, lost his election bid.

The ICC was established to prosecute crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide, and aggression by nationals who are member countries.

It is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands, and comprises of 123-member countries.

Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari nominated Bello on June 20 for the position amid reservations over his qualifications to be admitted into such an International Court made up of erudite scholars. 

His failure does not quite come as a suprise, as earlier reports said assessors had  initially complained about the depth of his legal knowledge after his nomination, thereby setting the pace for his eventual rejection. 

He was ranked very  low among the twenty Judges  nominated for the position. They claimed the judge lacked knowledge of ICC’s activities. 

The results of the poll released by the International Court indicates that, Bello polled 12 votes out of a total of  117 votes in the first round of the election, becoming the second lowest votes got during the election after Milandou Prosper of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

After the second round, he was reported to have polled only five votes out of 110 votes, representing 4.5 per cent of the total votes cast.

Every three years, the Assembly elects six new Judges to replace one-third of its 18 judge for non-renewable terms of nine years. Elected members must have got two thirds of votes cast by the member states, and Bello performed below par in this regard

This paved way for Korner Joanna and Lordkipanidze Gocha, nominees of the United Kingdom and Georgia respectively, to emerge victorious out of the 18 candidates.

Professor Galadima, DG, NIPPS, Dies |The Source

By
The Source
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Habu Galadima

The Director General of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, NIPSS, Kuru, Jos,  Professor Habu Galadima is dead.

Professor Galadima died Sunday afternoon at the Gwagwalada Specialist Hospital, Abuja.

He was a Professor of International Relations and Strategic Studies.

A native of Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa  State, Galadima was born in 1963.

Nothing has been heard of the cause of death.

COVID-19: Uzodimma Shuts Imo Secretariat; Civil Servants Say It’s Meant To Abort Strike Action |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State

By Adesina Soyooye

Following in the footsteps of his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma has shut down the State Secretariat over rising cases of COVID-19.

Sanwo-Olu had on Thursday shut-down schools, public and private,  Night Clubs, restricted the number of people in Churches and Mosques, and imposed a curfew from 12 midnight to 4.00am. He also asked civil servants from the levels of 01 to 14 to keep off work.

In a Press Release signed by Governor Uzodimma’s Special Assistant/Chief Press Secretary, Oguwuike Nwachuku, the Governor in a broadcast to Imo people said he took the decision because of the resurgence of COVID-19  pandemic in the country in general and Imo State in particular. For that, Uzodinma  ordered the closure of Imo State Secretariat effective Monday, December 21 as part of measures to check the menace.

In  the state broadcast on Sunday, December 20, 2020 where he outlined the dangers of the fresh spike in Covid-19 pandemic, Uzodimma directed that all Government workers, except Permanent Secretaries and political appointees to stay away from office till further notice.

The governor said the wearing of face masks has become critical and compulsory for every Imo indigene as Mobile Courts have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone found without wearing a face mask.

Also, the Governor directed that no social gathering in Imo State during this Christmas should have more than 100 persons in attendance just as the attendees must observe social distancing and all the Covid-19 safety protocols.

Markets and public places, the Governor noted, must also put in place wash hand facilities, sanitizers and other Covid-19 pandemic safety measures as recommended by the Nigetia Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC).

Following, the full text of Governor Uzodinma’s broadcast:

“My dear good people of Imo State, it is with a great sense responsibility that I address you on this auspicious season of Christmas.In normal times, with just a few days to Christmas, I should be saying a very happy Christmas in advance to you. But the times are far from normal.  The dreaded Coronavirus pandamic, otherwise known as Covid 19, is back in  town at full speed.

“While I truly wish all of us a happy Christmas celebration in advance, I am duty bound to ensure that this should not be the last Christmas any of us will celebrate with his loved ones. This may sound scary but it is a grim possibility if we do  not take urgent protective steps to stop Coronavirus on its tracks.

“There is a  great global resurgence of the dreaded virus. With the reopening of international flights, movement of people across the globe is back on full stream. This has aided  further spread of the virus. It is usual that at this Christmas season, our relations and friends from across the world and Nigeria will be coming home. Expectedly there is bound to be a great human traffic surge in Imo State. This ofcourse comes with its full implications for the spread of Covid 19.

“Already the effect of this frightful global resurgence and spike in Covid 19 infections is manifest in the country and Imo State.

“Since October the number of cases in the country, which hitherto seemed to be reducing, has been on a rapid rise. From 225 confirmed new cases in October, the number has risen to a frightful level of 77,933 in December. Yesterday,19th December alone 920 new confirmed cases were recorded in the country, with 6 deaths .In Imo State the situation is no less frightening. Recent PCR-Based tests carried out in the state in accordance with the guidelines of the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), reveal a frightful upward surge in the confirmed cases curve. As of last week, no less than 32 persons were confirmed positive with Covid 19.

“Sadly, while the grim realities of increasing Covid 19 infections continues to confront us every day, a general complecency and false sense of safety amongst our people to Covid 19 safety protocols remain the order of the day.  This trend must be reversed in the interest of everyone. The time to do so is NOW. The imminent danger posed by the  human traffic surge occasioned by the season,  makes immediate and drastic steps in this direction both cogent and urgent.

” In this respect I want to emphasise that there is absolute need to avoid gathering of crowds of more than 100 people anywhere in the state. Where such crowds must gather, those involved MUST wear face masks.

“There should be wash hand stands readily available with alcohol based sanitisers at such gatherings.

“To further strengthen safety measures, all government workers are to stay at home from tomorrow, Monday, December 21, till further notice, except for permanent secretaries and political appointees. This means that the state secretariat, which is a major crowd puller,  will remain closed, from tomorrow, to the public until further notice.

“In addition, wearing of face masks in public is henceforth absolutely compulsory. Mobile courts have been deployed all over the state to try  any person caught without wearing face masks.

“Equally, all Covid 19 safety protocols will henceforth be strictly enforced. These include  provision of wash hand stands and sanitisers in markets and worship places. Any person or persons caught not observing these safety protocols will be summarily prosecuted in the Mobile courts.

“As we enforce the safety protocols and monitor the situation, we shall regularly review developments to determine further measures that may be necessary.

“My beloved Imo people, as I earlier said, I will not want this Christmas to be the last for any of us. Let us take these safety protocols serious and observe them tenaciously. It is in the interest of all of us to do so.

“I wish you a happy and safe Christmas celebration. Please do all you must to remain safe. Your life is important to Imo State.”

However, while the Civil Servants are happy that they would save transportation money, they fault the reason behind the shut down. They allege it is because of the eight-day warning strike they had planned to embark upon beginning Monday. By shutting down the Secretariat, the Governor, they say, has effectively taken the wind out of the planned warning strike.

Edo Head of Service Abducted, Driver Killed |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0
Anthony Okungbowa

By Adesina Soyooye

Gunmen have abducted the Edo State Head of Service, Anthony Okungbowa. They also killed his driver in the process. He was abducted, it is reported, along the Oza Road, in the Orhiomwon Local Government Area of the state.

A lawyer, the HoS was on his way back to Benin after attending an event in Oza Saturday evening.

No demands have been made, as his abductors have made no contacts.

Edo State Command of Police has yet to issue a statement.

Nigerian, UI Graduate, Heads American Board Of Internal Medicine |The Source

By
The Source
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Olakunle Akinboboye

Dr. Olakunle Akinboboye, a Nigerian, has been appointed by the  American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to head its Management Board of Cardiovascular Disease.

It is the first time a Black man would be appointed to  head the Cardiovascular Disease Board.

In that capacity, Akinboboye will be responsible for certifying all deserving cardiologists in the United States. He will also be heading the 12 members of the Board from across the country and  carry out periodic knowledge assessments of all practising cardiologists in the US.

Reacting to his appointment, his appointment, Akinboboye said he is “proud to have the opportunity to chair this very important Board.

“Unfortunately I am taking over the mantle of leadership at a point in time in which many cardiologists are openly revolting because of what they perceive as high handedness of the Board over the years.”

He, however, said his goal as the Head of the Board is “to work with other board members to come up with assessments for practicing cardiologists that are fair, and not unduly burdensome”.

Richard Baron, president and CEO of ABIM, in a press release, welcomed  Akinboboye on behalf of the Board.

“We are honored to have Dr. Berns, Dr. Akinboboye and Dr. Udden—three highly regarded physicians with significant Clinical experience to serve the Community in their disciplines and across specialties to offer more choice, relevance and convenience as they help to set the standards for excellent patient care”.

Akinboboye read  medicine at the College of Medicine at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.  And did  internal medicine residency and part of his cardiology fellowship at the Nassau County Medical Center, State University of Stony Brook.

He has masters degrees in public health from Columbia University, And Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

Insecurity: Why Buhari Should Resign – Secondus |The Source

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Uche Secondus

By Adesina Soyooye

For admitting that he has not done his best to secure the people, the National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has asked President Muhammadu Buhari to resign from office  Secondus  charged Buhari to do the honourable thing and resign after he admitted failure of his administration on insecurity.

Prince Secondus was reacting to the President’s admittance that his administration has failed in providing adequate security to Nigeria citizens.

As the buck stops on the table of the Commander in Chief, the President should accept his failure and stop looking for excuses

The PDP boss said in statement from his media office that rather than the belated lamentations after 67 months in power that he has been unable to perform, he should do the honourable thing by resigning and giving way for fresh ideas and new vitality.

Prince Secondus recalls the advice of President Buhari while in opposition in 2013 to the then President Goodluck Jonathan saying ‘Jonathan should vacate and give way to competent hand to govern the country’

According to Prince Secondus, this competent hand happened to be President Buhari whose five and years in office have left the country comatose in all ramifications.

“I find it extremely unacceptable that after the President disregarded all wise counsels to rejig the nation’s security architecture for effectiveness, he is now turning round to admit their failure and blame operatives whom he kept even in their apparent inefficiency.

Prince Secondus, however, noted the honesty of the President in admitting the obvious failure of his government’s responsibilities to secure the nation, but noted that he should do the needful by give way for competent person to come in.

Kankara: Group Slams Garba Shehu For Blaming, Mocking Victims Of Crime |The Source

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Femi Falana

By Akinwale Kasali

The Federal Government through its utterances compounded the prospects  of the early release of over 300 students abducted in Katsina State, Alliance for the Survival of Covid 19 and Beyond, (ASCAB) said on Friday.

ASCAB welcomed the release of the students but cautioned against feeding Nigerians with fake news.

In a statement signed by the coalition’s Chairman,  Mr Femi Falana, (SAN), the group said President Mohammadu Buhari’s spokespersons, Shehu Garba appeared to relish in harvesting political capital out of the misery of the kidnapped students.

ASCAB asks the Federal Government to provide adequate security for all private and public institutions in troubled areas.

The group said the release of the students does not mean it will not happen again, urging the Presidential spokesperson to learn to be honest and reflect the truth in all situations.

“Each time there is a national tragedy, the Presidential spokesperson, by his utterances injure the psyche of grief-stricken families and hurt the conscience of the country” ASCAB said, adding that  Garba Shehu has reduced the Presidency to butts of jokes and public ridicule in the social media.

ASCAB said statements from the Presidential spokesperson focus more on defending the image of the government, albeit poorly, rather than sharing the grief of victims, their troubled relatives and restoring hope in a despairing population citing the recent response of Shehu Garba immediately after hundreds of students were kidnapped in Katsina State.

The group said the local and international communities have taken such tactless statements as the official position of the President adding that the position merely adds salt to the festering wound of the depressed families.

“The release of the students has exposed the hypocricy of the Presidency and its penchant for spreading fake news. Even in the face of figures given by Governor Aminu Masari, the Katsina State Governor, Garba for instance keeps quoting numbers far less than the well known facts. He started by saying escaped students claimed 10 students were in the kidnapper’s den. But the official figures from the Katsina state Government who should know better puts the figure at no fewer than 333 students.”

Shehu has since apologised for the misinformation.

The students of Government Science Secondary School were kidnapped last weekend at Kankara in Katsina State fueling public outrage. They were  freed on Thursday, after six gruelling days in the hands of Kidnappers.

Earlier, over 70 farmers were slaughtered by the extremist group Boko Haram in Zabamari Community in Jere Local Government of Bornu State. On Monday, 19 people were said to have been kidnapped in Niger State after killing at least one person. This occurred two days after the Katsina incidence.

ASCAB said the Spokesperson is always desperate to defend the President in the most inconsistent, self-defeatist and sometimes ridiculous manners.

“Nigerians are accepting the fact that President Buhari’s image makers are more interested in twisting facts and presenting fake news to Nigerians than presenting the narrative of every event with utmost sense of responsibility to good conscience and to the Nigerian public.”

ASCAB made reference to the killing of more than 78 farmers in Bornu State when Garba Shehu’s first response was to accuse the farmers of failing to take permission from the military as if farming is illegal and that citizens ought to seek the right of protection from security insitutions before going to their work places.

“We expect the President and Commander-in-Chief to know that Nigerians irrespective of the work they do should be protected by security operatives. It is even more important to know that farmers deserve special protection in troubled zones” ASCAB said.

Industrial Court Reinstates Sacked Ekiti Varsity Workers |The Source

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Ekiti State University

By Ayodele Oni

After about ten months of legal tussle and anguish, 32 workers of the Ekiti State University, (EKSU) whose appointments were terminated, have cause to smile.

The Akure division of the National Industrial Court has ordered Ekiti State University, (EKSU) Ado Ekiti, to reinstate the 32 workers, who are technologists whose appointments were terminated last year.

The technologists were among those employed during the tenure of the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof Bandele.

In a suit, NICN/AD/03/2020, filed on behalf of the workers  by P.P. Monde and J.S. Balogun, Justice K.D. Damulake ruled that their disengagement was null and void, illegal, unlawful.

In the suit, Ogundipe Joshua Oluwafemi & 31 others, the Claimants had urged the Court to declare their sack as illegal and of no effect.

They also prayed the Court to order their reinstatement back to the former positions as well as pay their salaries and allowances.

Joined in the suit are Ekiti State University, the Governing Council and the Vice Chancellor.

Counsels for the defendants were Dayo Akinlaja, SAN, Genevieve Okoye, Oluwatosin Olanipekun and Adesola Edungola.

Justice Damulate also ordered  that the University  should pay three months salary owed the workers before the unlawful disengagement as well as salaries, emoluments and allowances from the date of their unlawful sack till their retirement.

The Judge pointed out that the Court orders should be carried out by the University within 30 days from the date of the judgement.

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