Flexxtern Career Launchpad For Young Nigerians

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September 26, 2024

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven world, landing a job is more challenging than ever for new graduates. Having a degree is no longer enough; employers want a well-rounded candidate with technical skills, communication prowess, adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and digital literacy, all backed by real-world experience.

The First City Monument Bank, FCMB, Flexxtern Programme directly addresses the challenges faced by fresh graduates. It provides them with hands-on experience and opportunities to develop the essential skills for success in the 21st-century workplace.

Remarkably, internships, particularly in the financial sector, have long been recognised as a crucial stepping stone for young professionals. The Harvard Business Review notes that internships offer a mutually beneficial arrangement where companies gain fresh perspectives and young talent gains essential experience. This aligns perfectly with the goal of the Flexxtern Programme, which focuses on preparing Nigerian youth for the workforce by giving them valuable exposure to the corporate world.

Recently, FCMB, in partnership with Insight Publicists, Digiengage Nigeria, TISV Digital, Nairametrics, Olaniwun Ajayi Law Partners, Activedge Technologies, and Signal Alliance Technology Holding, celebrated the graduation of a new cohort of interns from the Flexxtern Programme. This initiative has proven to be a powerful career launchpad for young graduates, helping bridge the gap between academia and the professional world by equipping young people with the skills and competencies they require to succeed.

“The Flexxtern programme is a platform for self-discovery and career progression,” said Yomi Adebanjo, Group Head of Human Resources at Signal Alliance Technology Holding, one of the programme’s long-term partners. “We’ve been part of this since 2021, and our experience has been remarkable. Our first Flexxtern has been employed full-time with us, and the second performed equally well. This initiative is truly an opportunity to celebrate young graduates and set them on the path to achieving their dreams.”

Since its inception in 2016, the Flexxtern programme has provided over 200 young Nigerians with invaluable work experience through internships at reputable organisations. Designed for individuals aged 18 to 30, the initiative has become a gateway for launching careers across diverse industries. With each new season, the programme expands in scope and impact as more companies join the mission to empower Nigeria’s next generation of professionals.

“The Flexxterns deployed to us have significantly impacted our organisation,” said Olawale Ayuba, Vice President of GRC and Enterprise Fraud at ActiveEdge Technologies. “Their contributions have been key to our success, and we are eager to continue this partnership to create more life-changing opportunities for youth.”

The role of financial institutions in this area is crucial. As the Financial Times has noted, “Banks and financial institutions have a unique position in driving youth empowerment through internships, particularly by exposing interns to diverse roles that help build well-rounded professionals.” The Flexxtern Programme leverages this strength by placing interns in various departments and with partner organisations, giving them a comprehensive view of different sectors’ operations.

Also speaking, Ifeoluwa Adeyemo of Insight Publicis said: “The partnership has been a wonderful and impactful experience. The Flexxterns that have come to us are nothing short of great. We have some of them still working with us. We are committed to ensuring this partnership grows and achieves the desired results.”

During the graduation ceremony, Diran Olojo, Group Head of Corporate Affairs, FCMB, highlighted the bank’s ongoing commitment to preparing young Nigerians for the future of work. “At FCMB, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for young people to gain the skills necessary for success. The Flexxtern programme reflects our commitment to shaping the next generation of leaders by offering them mentorship, real-world training, and hands-on experience.”

The programme’s impact is evident in the success stories of the graduates. Many have secured full-time employment, while others have used the skills gained to launch their entrepreneurial ventures. Through such initiatives, Nigeria can address the challenges of youth unemployment, contributing to the broader goal of economic growth.

The importance of initiatives like Flexxtern is also underscored by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs. SDG Goal 8, which promotes “decent work and economic growth,” specifically highlights the need for youth empowerment through education, skill development, and work opportunities such as internships. By providing real-world experience and skill-building opportunities, FCMB’s Flexxtern initiative aligns with this global goal, creating pathways for youth to secure meaningful employment.

As Nigeria continues to navigate the complexities of an evolving job market, partnerships between the private sector and educational institutions are crucial. By collaborating with industry leaders, initiatives like Flexxtern ensure young Nigerians have the skills and experience to compete locally and globally.

In a time when opportunities can feel limited, the Flexxtern initiative proves that with the proper support, mentorship, and experience, the youth of Nigeria can rise to any challenge. As more organisations join forces with educational initiatives, we can hope for a future where Nigeria’s youth are prepared and empowered to lead in their chosen careers.

FG Mulls NIMASA, NPA Revenue Collections In Naira

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James Orji

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September 26, 2024

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Efforts are underway by the federal government to compel the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA to collect their revenue in Naira.

The Special Adviser to the President On Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga made this known on Wednesday while speaking to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Onanuga said the plan is part of the federal government’s efforts to strengthen the national currency.

As part of the plan, the presidential spokesman said, the administration is proposing a bill, the Economic Stabilisation Bill, ESB to the National Assembly.

The development, according to the maritime stakeholders, align with their agitation for years that the two key agencies in the sector should be made to collect their revenues in naira.

If this is done, it will reduce the pressure on naira arising from its fluctuations against major currencies such as the American Dollars and Pound Sterling, according to stakeholders who spoke on the issue.

Apart from NIMASA and NPA not a few Nigerians have objected some local and foreign business organisations for charging dollars for their services.

This, analysts say, is predominant among foreign-owned educational institutions. .

Onanuga however explained that the bill, if passed, will force the NPA and NIMASA to shift from collecting fees, charges, levies, and fines exclusively in dollars to using an applicable naira exchange rate.

He affirms the administration’s readiness to strengthen the local currency. i

“The second part of the bill covers the operation laws guiding NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority. The amendment will ensure that all their fees, charges, levies, fines, and other accruals are now paid in naira at the applicable exchange rate

“Previously, these agencies charged in dollars, but now they can collect in naira.

“This affirms that the government is prioritising our national currency. It’s no longer necessary to make payments in dollars; the government is saying pay in naira,” he said.

“Justice Nyako Told Me Case Against Nnamdi Kanu Difficult To Prove” – Dr. Sam Amadi

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The Source

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September 26, 2024

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By Charles Igbo

Dr. Sam Amadi, a Law Lecturer at the Baze University, prolific commentator on political and current affairs, and Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, has made a shocking disclosure.

Amadi, former Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC, revealed that the Honourable Justice Binta Nyako, told him, about two years ago, that the case against detained Leader of the Indigenous peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, will be difficult to prove. Nyako is the Judge who, for years, has been handling the case against Kanu by the Federal Government.

But on Tuesday, September 24, at the resumption of the case, Nyako, a Federal High Court Judge, recused herself from Kanu’s trial, and said she was returning the case file to the Chief Judge of the Court, the Honourable Justice John Tsoho, for a reassignment to another Judge.

Nyako’s action followed an unprecedented disruption of Court proceedings by Kanu that Tuesday.

In the dock while his Lawyer, Alloy Ejimakor, was addressing the Court, Kanu sprang up and ordered Ejimakor to sit down. He then took the microphone and proceeded to address the Court himself.

In his address to his listeners, most of whom were taken aback, Kanu said he had lost confidence in Justice Nyako’s Court, and asked her Lordship to recuse herself from the case.

After listening to him, a calm Nyako, inspite of appeals from prosecution Lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, to ignore Kanu’s submission, opted to recuse herself. She said she would return the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

Enters, Dr Sam Amadi.

Weighing-in on the incident, Amadi said he was not surprised at the way the Kanu trial is panning out. He submitted that it would be difficult to prove the charges against the IPOB Leader and added that the charges make no sense. He submitted it was a political trial.

But more ominously, Amadi, in his post on X, said it came as no surprise to him that Justice Nyako decided to hands-off the Kanu case.

Amadi: “The charges against Nnamdi Kanu do not make much sense legally speaking, and in my opinion, difficult to prove.

“Justice Binta said something close to that to me two years ago. Not surprised she backed down.

“It is a political trial in the guise of a legal trial. End it.”

The question: If Justice Nyako was of this opinion even two years ago, and even said so to Amadi, what stopped her from discharging and acquitting Kanu of the charges all these years?

The IPOB Leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services, DSS, since 2021, from where he is taken to Justice Nyako’s Court regularly.

Petrol Price War: Why NNPC Stopped Marketers From Buying From Dangote Refinery

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James Orji

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September 26, 2024

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Festus Osifo, President, Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN has revealed why independent petroleum marketers cannot buy directly from the Dangote Refinery.

According to the PENGASSAN president, it will be unprofitable for the marketers to buy from the refinery and make a profit margin when they sell to the consumers.

Osifo, who is also the President, Trade Union Congress, TUC, spoke amidst the controversy surrounding the decision of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL to be the off-taker of the petrol produced from the petro-chemical refinery.

On September 20, the Dangote Refinery said the first load of petrol from the refinery was being loaded by the NNPCL which will then sell directly to the marketers.

The marketers under the aegis of the IPMAN have however kicked against such arrangement describing it as clandestine. Their argument is that NNPCL should not be the middle-man since the sector has been fully deregulated.

As an important stakeholders in the oil and gas sector, they should be allowed to purchase the product directly from Dangote, and sell at market determined price, they insist.

Speaking on the issue yesterday, Usifo said NNPLC decided to be the off-taker of the product from Dangote in other to make it relatively cheap for consumers.

He explained that while the NNPC may purchase petrol at N950, it sells it to independent marketers for around N700.

Recall that the NNPLC had on September 20 disclosed that petrol will be sold for at least N950 per litre in the country.

The price of the product also known as PMS has risen to as high as N1,200 per litre in some parts of country in the last few days, according to checks by the magazine.

Cabinet Reshuffle: Tinubu’s Ministers Afraid To Take “The Bullet” For Him- Bwala

By

James Orji

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September 26, 2024

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Daniel Bwala, a former Spokesman for the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar says some Ministers in the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have failed to advertise his government’s achievements.

According to him, the ministers have also failed to perform in the various ministries in which they had been assigned by the president, and are now afraid of the backlash from Nigerians if they speak glowingly about the administration.

He said the ministers “are afraid to take the bullet” for the president for fears that Nigerians, who have been criticising the administration for non-performance, could visit their anger on them.

The former spokesman for the PDP presidential candidate is among those that have been tipped to succeed Ajuri Ngalale, the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on media and Publicity who resigned from his position recently.

Bwala has been lobbying seriously top chieftain of the APC for him to be appointed to the position,” a source said on Thursday.

Stressing that some ministers have failed to showcase the achievements of the administration, they don’t deserve to occupy their current positions, because they have failed to prove themselves in areas where they have been assigned, he said.

“A lot of us has agreed that a lot of ministers have failed,” Bwala said adding that president Tinubu has the “prerogative” to reshuffle his cabinet by weeding out non-performing ministers based on the key Performance Indicator, KPI.

Bwala spoke on Channels Television on Thursday while reacting to reports that President Tinubu was mulling a reshuffle of his cabinet, soon.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday, informed State House correspondents on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja that the cabinet will be reshuffled soon.

He however refused to say who and when the ministers will be sack or re-assigned, even though sources say this could happen before October 1.

He said, “I don’t have any timeline. The President has expressed his desire to reshuffle his cabinet and will do it. I don’t know whether he wants to do it before October 1, but he will surely do it.”

The administration has come under serious fire from not a few Nigerians for non-performance, particularly in turning the economy around. They blame the Tinubu administration for the current hardship and sufferings in the country.

Akpata: “LP Members Among 300,000 Voters Who Sold Their Votes”

By

Adesina Soyooye

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September 26, 2024

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By Adesina Soyooye

The Edo State Governorship Candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the September 21, 2024 Election, Olumide Akpata, has expressed shock at Edo people who willingly sold their votes and conscience on Election day. Reflecting on the incidents of the day, Akpata said his problem was not that he lost in an exercise that was “more of a business transaction than an election”, but the willingness of the people to sell their votes.

Akpata, a former President of the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, spoke Wednesday night on a Channel Television’s program anchored by Seun Okinbaloye.

He came a distant third in the election behind Senator Monday Okpebholo of the All Progressives Congress, APC, (the winner, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC), and Dr. Asue Ighodalo of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, who came second.

Dismissing the exercise as a no-event, Akpata revealed that over 300,000 Voters sold their votes. One of the things that shocked him most was that even members of his own Party, LP, sold their own votes to the highest bidder.

He lamented that it was so bad it was not hidden. It was a bazar, he noted, and added that the vote- buyers were scandalously brazen about it.

Admitting that what happened was, for him an experience, a kind of baptism of fire, he, however, said that he was more worried about the level of poverty and deprivation which pushed a people to sell their power for a better future, a better Edo State, than his purported loss at the poll that was, allegedly, no poll.

He also revealed that he knew he and LP were out of the race when he saw the obscene amount of money that his opponents were spending to buy votes. He noted that not only did he and his party not have that kind of money to spend, they wouldn’t have taken part in such criminality even if they had the money.

Reminded that he had exuded so much confidence in victory while on the Campaign train, Akpata agreed that he campaigned with his heart, visited all the Wards, was received by mammoth crowds in all places, a crowd which expressed eagerness for a change, but he noted that on election day, the pull to make money, to have some money to eat, was too much for the people.

Akpata, also, expressed shame that the scandalous process that produced a winner was, allegedly, aided by law enforcement agents and INEC officials. “I am ashamed of what happened”, he said.

He, however, emphasized that he would neither leave Labour Party, nor give up on being part of a change process in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Julius Abure-led faction of the LP has congratulated APC’s Okpebholo on his victory at the polls.

LP Clarifies Position on Anambra, Backs Ugochukwu Emeh led Executive

By

The Source

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September 25, 2024

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Nenadi Esther Usman - Labour Party Chairman

The Senator Nenadi Usman-led National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party has thrown its weight behind Chief Ugochukwu Emeh, and Okoli Akrika-led state executive.

The national body has, also, endorsed the position of the executive on staying away from the forthcoming Local Government election in the state as the process violates the Electoral Act.

The National leadership is on the same page with the Anambra that the proposed local Government election

Position of Labour Party concerning “ANAMBRA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION SCHEDULED TO HOLD ON 28TH SEPTEMBER 2024

Following, the full statement signed by Senator Usman.

“The National Leadership of Labour Party hereby clarifies the following:

(1) National Leadership of Labour Party is aware and is in total support of the position of Labour Party Anambra State led by Chief Ugochukwu Emeh(Chairman ) and Okoli Akirika Esq (Secretary) and other stakeholders that LABOUR PARTY IS NOT PARTICIPATING IN THE PROPOSED ANAMBRA STATE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION SCHEDULED TO HOLD ON 28/9/24 based on violations of the Electoral Act and Nigerian Constitution.

(2) The National Leadership of the Labour Party is also aware that the Labour Party is already in Court in Suit No A/265/2024 Labour Party vs Anambra State House of Assembly AND also suit No FHC/CV/AWK/223/2024 Labour Party vs ANSIEC +

&14 others challenging the procedure for the proposed LGA election and never sponsored any Candidate to contest the questioned Anambra State LGA election.

(3) The National Caretaker Committee of the Labour Party hereby confirms that we have not constituted any Caretaker Committee in any state of the Federation including Anambra State and that our Party in Anambra State is presently led by Chief Ugochukwu Emeh(CHAIRMAN) AND C J Okoli Akirika Esq (Secretary)

(4)This is for official and record purposes.

Senator Nenadi Esther Usman,
Chairman Labour Party National Caretaker Committee

APGA Threatens Soludo Over Anti-Party Activities

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Suleiman Anyalewechi

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September 25, 2024

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Charles Soludo - Governor of Anambra State

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, has threatened to wield the big stick on its only Governor professor Charles Soludo.

The Edozie Njoku- led National Working Committee, NWC, has been embroiled in a battle of wits of recent.

The crisis which was a direct consequence of the July Appeal Court ruling recognizing Njoku as the authentic National Chairman of the party has been spiraling in the last few weeks.

The Source reports that even with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officially listing Njoku as the duly recognized National Chairman of APGA ,the Governor, the only elected on the platform of the party, has refused to tag along.

Following a serious disagreement over who between Governor Soludo and the Edozie led NWC will superintendent over the selection of APGA’s candidates for the September 28 scheduled Local Council polls, the Awka Headquarters of the Party was a few weeks ago, sealed by State actors, on the alleged directives of the Governor.

The Anambra State Governor has also gone ahead to sponsor a legal challenge of the Edozie-led NWC at the same Appeal Court.

At a media briefing in Abuja on Wednesday September 25, Chief Edozie accused Governor Soludo of masterminding several moves to truncate the ongoing rebuilding process in the party.

The National Chairman regretted that Professor Soludo has refused to respect the court ruling that confers legitimacy on his leadership.

According to him, the APGA NWC will on Thursday, make public names of persons, including Governor Soludo, who are engaged in various anti-party activities.

“The Local Government Election is going to take place on September 28. But Charles Soludo ought to understand that he is just a Governor and not an Emperor.

“He, Soludo, has gone ahead to get the House of Assembly to make a law whereby the party cannot field their candidates.

“The Governor and his cohorts, rather have gone ahead to field their preferred candidates behind the party.

“They are pushing us to the limit and they are believing that the Governor of Anambra state is bigger than the party”, Edozie stated.

He, however, warned that very soon, the party will prove to everybody including Governor Soludo, that individuals can never be bigger than the party .

Anambra: How Security Agencies Nabbed Supplier Of Arms, Foods To Criminals

By

Suleiman Anyalewechi

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September 25, 2024

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Anambra State Commissioner of Police - Nnaghe Itam

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Following series of attacks on public facilities, including Police formations, and their attendant human and material losses by unknown gunmen, Security Agencies in Anambra state have upped the ante in their manhunt for the suspected criminal elements.

In the last five weeks, suspected hoodlums, had unleashed such brazen and audacious attacks on the Ogbaru Local Government Headquarters, Oba Police Divisional headquarters and Umunze Police formation among others, resulting in the death of some police operatives and the destruction of buildings and other Government properties.

The incessant attacks forced the authorities to establish a multi- agency-security team to take the battle to the criminal dens. This has already started yielding results.

The Police authorities, on Wednesday September, 25, 2024, informed that in the efforts to hunt down the criminal elements, it has arrested a major supply link of the hoodlums.

A statement by the Command’s Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga SP, said a middle aged man suspected of being the major supplier of arms, food and other essential operational and logistical items to the criminals, is now cooling his heels in detention.

He noted that the suspect was apprehended following an intelligence- propelled operation by a detachment of the newly formed Joint Security Force in the Pole area of Aguata on Sunday September 22.

” The suspect ( names withheld) was carrying three bags of garri. Upon searching his belongings, the operatives uncovered a significant quantity of gunpowder hidden beneath the food items.

Preliminary information indicates that the suspect was on his way to a criminal camp to deliver provisions and gunpowder intended for the production of Improvised explosives for the gang.

He is currently in custody and assisting the police in apprehending other gang members.

In a related incident, operatives from the Special Anti-Cultism Squad SPACS, stormed a criminal hideout in Oba, Idemili South LGA, in the early hours of Wednesday, and arrested one Nelson Wisdom ,a male from Etsako East ,Edo state and confiscated a locally fabricated pistol along with two live rounds of ammunition.” the statement noted.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, while appreciating the efforts of the Joint Security team in the battle against criminal elements, also assured that the Police Command will continue to accord priority to actionable intelligence.

The Police spokesman promised that all the suspects will be charged once investigations are completed.

Interior Minister Sets Up Investigative Panel To Unravel Bribery Allegation Against Prison Official, By Bobrisky

By

Ayodele Oni

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September 25, 2024

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By Ayodele Oni

NBA worried, asks NSA, AGF, to take over investigation.
Falana issues 24-hour ultimatum to VDM or …

Reactions like claps of thunder have greeted the purported claims made by Idris Okuneye, popular as Bobrisky that officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission took a-N15m bribe from him to drop the money laundering charges against him. Bobrisky was arrested, prosecuted by the EFCC and sentenced to a six-month jail term.

But in the purported video-note, one of the claims he allegedly made was that he served his jail time in an apartment close to the prisons where she had access to anything he wanted. He had that privilege by allegedly bribing prison officials.

Another allegation he made was that Folarin Falana, popular as FALZ, the Lawyer- musician-son of Femi Falana, SAN, arranged for him to be set free before his prison time expired, and through his father, the SAN, was arranging for a Presidential pardon for him at a cost of N10million.

Bobrisky allegedly made these very serious claims/allegations when he spoke on phone to a blogger, Martins Vincent Otse, popular as VeryDarkMan, VDM. It was VDM who, on the prompting of Musician Seun Kuti, made public Bobrisky’s alleged claims on instagram.

Since then, the post has gone viral, and has been met with shock and disbelief.

**Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior**

The Chairman of the EFCC, Ola Olukoyede, has set up an Investigative Panel to unravel whether his officers were culpable or not.

The Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, through its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, has written a strongly worded letter to both the National Security Adviser, NSA, and the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, expressed its outrage, and asked that both offices set up an independent investigation panel to unravel the veracity of Bobrisky’s claims. The NBA said that while it appreciated the quick action taken by the EFCC Boss in setting up a Panel to investigate the allegations, it insists on an independent panel from the offices of the NSA and the AGF.

Falz in his reaction has written to VDM and issued a 24-hour ultimatum to him to apologize and retract what he dismissed as wicked lies and defamatory allegations against him. He would proceed with a legal action, otherwise.

His father, Falana, SAN, has strongly distanced himself from the allegations.

One of the people at the centre of this scandal, Bobrisky, has denied making any such voice note and dismissed it as fake. He said his voice was faked, and emphasized that not only did he serve his time inside the prison cell, but that he served it out.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in response, has directed an unconditional and comprehensive investigation into the allegations of bribery and corruption within the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).

This was disclosed in a statement signed by his Media Aide, Babatunde Alao, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Tunji-Ojo unequivocally condemned the alleged reprehensible behaviour, emphasizing that any form of indiscipline, unprofessionalis, and corruption in the Service would be met with zero tolerance and severe consequences.

”The Ministry will not tolerate any compromise on its core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.

“We will leave no stone unturned in rooting out corruption and ensuring that those found culpable face the full wrath of the law.

“The Minister has called for a special investigative team headed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, to probe these allegations and submit a comprehensive report.

“The Minister reassured the public that the investigation would be rigorous, transparent, and impartial, adding that appropriate disciplinary actions would be taken against any personnel found guilty.”

Bobrisky, has since reacted to the viral voice recording in an Instagram post on

Bobrisky was released from the Kirikiri Correctional Centre on August 5, 2024, after six months in custody.

A Federal High Court in Lagos had jailed him in April with no option of fine following his guilty plea to the Naira abuse charge preferred against him by the EFCC.

NBA worried, asks NSA, AGF, to take over investigation.

Falana issues 24-hour ultimatum to VDM or …