GTB Wins Euromoney Awards, Becomes Best Digital Bank In Africa

July 12, 2016

Foremost African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank plc has reaffirmed its position as a leading global brand with its recent recognition as the Best Bank in Nigeria and Best Digital Bank in Africa’ at the 2016 Euromoney Awards. The award ceremony was held in London last week Wednesday, at the prestigious Tower of London.

Now in its 25^th year, the Euromoney Awards for Excellence covers more than 20 global product categories, best-in-class awards and the best Banks in over 100 countries around the world by recognizing institutions that have demonstrated leadership, innovation, and momentum in the markets they operate.

In selecting its recipients, Euromoney combines quantitative and qualitative data to honor institutions that have brought the highest levels of service, innovation and expertise to their customers.

According to Mr. Clive Horwood, Euromoney Magazine’s Editor, “Competition for the awards this year was tough, arguably the toughest it has been since the start of the global financial crisis. In winning these awards, GTBank stands out not only because of its stellar performance but by its ability to define what its core strengths are, abide by these strengths and build its business around them. According to him, banking in the future will be about what you do, as well as what you don’t do. GTBank stands out as Euromoneys’ best bank in Nigeria & Africa’s Best Digital Bank for its ability to adapt to local situations while maintaining international standards of best practice.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Managing Director/CEO of GTBank, Segun Agbaje, said: “We are humbled and proud to emerge double award winners for Best Bank in Nigeria & Best Digital Bank in Africa. Winning these awards is an acknowledgement of the hard work and dedication of our staff, management and Board. It also represents our commitment to serving our customers and making banking simpler and more accessible for them.

He said that winning the “Best Bank in Nigeria” award a record nine times is a reflection of the loyalty of our stakeholders which enables us consistently deliver superior performance.

GTBank has consistently played a leading role in Africa’s banking industry. The GTBank brand is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation. [myad]

See Ya Later, Outgoing US Ambassador Seems To Be Saying To Buhari

Greenbarge Reporters

July 12, 2016

The outgoing United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James F. Entwistle in a handshake with President Muhammadu Buhari, who received him and US Embassy Deputy Head of Mission, Mrs. Maria Brewer on Tuesday at the Presidential Aso Villa, Abuja when the envoy paid him a farewell visit. Mrs. Aisha Buhari, wife of the President was there to add her voice to a goodbye to the Ambassador. Photo: Sunday Aghaeze. [myad]

Niger Delta Commission Owes Contractors N450 Billion

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

The Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, has said that the commission is currentlyowing contractors about N450 billion.

Semenitari, who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday, promised that the NDDC would clear the debt as soon as funds are made available to the commission by the Federal Government.

She maintained that the NDDC would not deliberately refuse to pay contractors who have completed contracted awarded to them, adding that the paucity of fund is responsible for the delay in payment.

Semenitari, who spoke ahead of Tuesday’s commissioning of the Rivers State Secretariat of the NDDC, pointed out that some contractors within the category were not paid because they could not provide their Tax Identification Number.

“The NDDC is owing contractors about N450 billion, but if we get that money, we will clear the debt we are owing contractors. The commission cannot refuse to pay for the jobs done.

“When we came on board, there was debt as far back as 2009. We have cleared the debt of N10 million and below, which we were owing some of the contractors.”

Semenitari, however, disclosed that the NDDC is planning to decentralise the commission so that the commission at the state level would have more powers, and that the headquarters of the NDDC will only be for policy making.

“We are strengthening the NDDC at the state level to make them stronger. The centre should be for policy making. Based on this, we are going to have more competent hands at the state level.”

She said that that the NDDC has not received a dime as ecological funds, even as she called on multinational oil companies operating in the country to always remit three percent of their annual budget to the commission as stipulated by law.

The NDDC boss stated that the failure of the oil firms to remit such funds was making it difficult for the commission to carry out their objectives.

She noted that the NDDC was taking a look at the records to know the level of compliance of the oil companies in remitting such funds to the commission within the past 16 years.

“Payment from the oil firms, which is three percent of their budget is also an issue. The challenge with this is that when the funds are not remitted by the oil companies, the region suffers because the commission will not be able to fund some projects.

“Again, the destruction that is going on in the region means that we cannot go on with all our plans. When we sell oil, we get more funding; if we don’t get oil, we don’t get funding,” Semenitari added.

On contractors, who abandon projects after collecting mobilisation funds, the acting managing director of the NDDC explained that the commission had decided to give zero mobilisation in order to eradicate the abandonment of projects.

Source– PUNCH. [myad]

Buhari’s Government Considering Special Tariffs On Agric Sector – Osinbajo

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has announced move by the federal government under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari to create special tariff regime for the growth of the agricultural sector in the country.

Osinbajo, who had a meeting on Monday with a group of Nigerian and Mexican agro-business interests at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, made it clear that agric sector remains an integral part of the country’s plan for sustainable economic growth and development.

“President Buhari has said it repeatedly that agriculture and solid minerals, especially agriculture is our economic way out. This is the president’s vision, and our job is to look for ways to get that dream actualized.”

The Vice President emphasized that President Buhari is ready to support the agricultural plans “in any way necessary,” adding that the federal government will ensure conducive customs and immigration policies including tariffs in order to attain the vision.

He added that this is why the President set-up the Presidential Council on the Ease of Doing Business to attract local and foreign investors.

“There is no doubt in which direction we should go, agriculture is in the forefront and we do realize the urgency of the moment and the importance of getting things done quickly.”

He said that with the experience of the Mexican company-Carlos, he is optimistic that the plans and projections tabled at the meeting would be attained.

He said that under the plan, Wells Farm would partner with Carlos in several agricultural business initiatives and employ a total of about 85,000 Nigerians.

A suggestion to replicate the partnership with Carlos in the other geopolitical zones just like Wells Farm which is based in the South-South was also discussed.

Farms are being opened and talks are already on with a number of other states in the federation to ensure this. Carlos, the Mexican agro-business interest is said to be one of the biggest concerns in the South American country and is part of the story of how Mexico raised its foreign earnings from Agriculture in the last few decades to about $398B.

Those who attended the meeting were the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri Lokpobiri, a Mexican agro-business concern, the San Carlos Group and their Nigerian partner, Wells Farm, from Edo State as well as the CEO of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), Segun Awolowo, Jnr. [myad]

Presidency frowns At BringBackOurGirls Group Over ‘Collateral Damage’ Statement

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

The Presidency has expressed disappointment with the BringBackOurGirls group, over its recent statement that President Muhammadu Buhari has “broken all promises” made to the group about rescuing the missing Chibok girls and that the government had been “lackadaisical” in the rescue mission.

“The Presidency will like to appeal to the officials and members of the Bring Back Our Girls (BBOG) campaign group, not to waver in their support for the government in the war against terrorism and in the ongoing effort to free all Nigerian citizens taken captive by the Boko Haram terrorist group.”

A statement by the senior special assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said that President Buhari had never made bogus promises or played to the gallery.

“It is misleading of anyone to preach that the Chibok girls are within an easy grasp. If the military under the President knew where they are held, they will bring the Chibok girls home today.

“While their intentions are honourable, perhaps the BBOG leadership have not considered the collateral damage which inevitably follow its riveting and dispiriting claim that the President has “broken all promises” allegedly made to the group on this issue. Or that he has been “lackadaisical” in rescuing the Chibok girls. The Federal Government’s focus has always been to free the Chibok girls alive and unharmed.”

The statement recalled that the past year of President Buhari’s administration has seen the Nigerian military step up bombardment of the Sambisa Forest, a stronghold of the Boko Haram terrorist group, leading to the capture of hundreds of insurgents.

It also placed on record the fact that so far, according to the Army, no fewer than 15,000 captives, mostly women and children have been rescued from the terrorists from February to date.

“In addition, dozens of communities that were previously under the control of the terrorists have been liberated, allowing thousands of previously displaced citizens to return home and resume their normal lives.

“Thousands of these women and children freed from captivity have also been reunited with their families.

“This huge number of rescued women and children may not be prominent names, and their disappearance may not have generated any massive media attention and campaign.

“However, their liberation is just as important as that of every other missing woman and child, and a testament to the devotion of our military personnel who daily risk life and limb in the effort to bring back every Nigerian citizen kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists.

“Along with these ongoing efforts to rid our country of terrorists and terrorism, the Nigerian government is focused on the welfare and rehabilitation of rescued Nigerians, many of whom were found in a state of severe malnutrition and illness.

“The President is conscious always about the fact that terrorism in Nigeria is part of a global phenomenon. Since coming to office, his response to it has been firm and well considered.

“The Presidency is open to renew cooperation with the BBOG group, international bodies, religious groups, social workers, and all others who are assisting in the field to ensure that those who have so far been rescued from Boko Haram captivity are given the support they need to make a full recovery and be reintegrated fully into society.

Groups such as the BBOG can also lend a helping hand to military families whose losses need to be appreciated and focused upon.

“The life of every single Nigerian matters to this government and the security agencies, under the command of President Buhari, will continue to exert all its powers to ensure that every Nigerian is safe from the brutality of terrorists and terrorism.” [myad]

50 Year Old Teacher Packs Out Of Matrimonial Home Because His Wife Used To Beat Him

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

A 50 year old teacher, Musiliu Yusuf, has narrated how he packed out of his matrimonial home because his wife used to beat him at slightest provocation even as he complained that his wife has been in the habit of sleeping with neighbours.

Musiliu told an Igando Customary Court in Lagos that his wife was impregnated by one of her lovers in their matrimonial home: “my wife committed adultery; she got pregnant for one of her lovers in our matrimonial home.”

Musilu, who was testifying in a divorce suit instituted by his wife, Hassana, said: “my wife is promiscuous; my fellow landlords are her boyfriends. She got pregnant for one of them, they mock and make jest of me whenever they see me.

“I stopped making love to her in June 2014 due to her infidelity and in 2015 she told me she was pregnant. I rejected the pregnancy and even after delivery of the baby, I refused to care for her because the baby is not mine,” the estranged husband said.

The respondent tendered the list of hotels visited by his wife and some of her lover as exhibits.

“I packed out from the house I built on four different occasions because I fear for my life as my wife always beat me on any slight provocation.

“I finally ran out on June 14, 2015 and refused to go back just to save my life because I don’t want to die.”

Musiliu said that contrary to his wife’s claim that they both built the house and school, he never collected any money from her.

The respondent also presented as exhibits all the title documents of the properties which were in his name.

But, his wife, 39 year old Hassana, a teacher, who filed the suit to end her 13-year-old marriage, said that her husband threatened to kill her in order to inherit what they both acquired.

“He threatened to kill me so that he can take over what we both laboured for. He always boasts that nobody will question him if he kills me.

“We jointly bought a coaster bus and two plots of land. We used a plot to build a house, the other a school.”

The petitioner said that her husband was in the habit of accusing her of infidelity.

“My husband is suspicious of my moves; every man I talk to is my boyfriend.

He has no trust, whatsoever in me,” the estranged wife said.

Hassana said that her husband packed out of their home without any notice to an unknown destination.

“On many occasions, he had abandoned me and the children. He once left the house for a year.”

The mother of four said because she refused to grant her husband loan, he rejected her fourth child.

Delivering his judgment, the President of the court, Adegboyega Omilola, said that it appeared that the estranged couple was tired of the marriage and all efforts to reconcile both parties had failed.

“Since both parties consented to the dissolution of their marriage, this court has no choice than to dissolve the marriage.

“The court pronounces the marriage between Hassana Yusuf and Musiliu Yusuf dissolved today; both parties henceforth cease to be husband and wife.

“Both are free to go their separate ways without any hindrances and molestation,” Omilola ruled. (NAN). [myad]

Buhari Assures AU Of Nigeria’s Commitment To Fulfilling Its Financial Obligations

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

President Muhammadu Buhari has assured the African Union (AU) that Nigeria will fulfill its financial obligation, particularly on programmes and operations aimed at ensuring durable peace, stability and security on the continent.

Receiving the AU Envoy on the Peace Fund, Dr. Donald Kaberuka, President Buhari said that supporting peace operations, under the auspices of the AU, in several countries affected by conflict remains a foreign policy priority for his administration.

Despite competing priorities on security and the economic downturn in the country, the President assured the AU envoy that Nigeria will also play a central role in seeking the EU and the UN to strengthen their support for crisis-prone African countries.

The President used the occasion of the visit of the AU envoy to weigh-in on the situation in South Sudan and appeal for peace and calm in the country.

“What is happening in South Sudan is extremely disturbing and it is a very dicey situation. The AU leadership has a crucial role in stabilizing the country and other African countries on the brink.

“What we can do urgently to stabilize South-Sudan is very important as African leaders meet in Kigali, Rwanda this month and later in September at the UN.”

In his remarks, Kaberuka said funding AU-led peace support operations, which had remained a challenge for member-countries, was further compounded early this year with the EU cut in its allocation to the AU Mission in Somalia by 20 per cent.

Kaberuka said the AU summit in Kigali is expected to agree on a roadmap of alternative financing for AU-led peace support operations, including a proposal for African nations to fund 25 per cent of the Fund’s budget while UN contributes the balance. [myad]

Man Confesses That He Stole N5,000 Worth Of Yam

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

A 42-year-old Abdulahi Mumuni has pleaded guilty, before Iyaganku Chief Magistrates’ Court in Ibadan, to have stolen yam flour worth N5, 000. The yam belonged to one Alhaja Rafatu Kareem.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mumuni was arraigned in the court on a one-count charge of theft. The prosecutor, Sgt. Omilana Olufemi, told the court that the accused on Saturday at 8.30 a.m. stole the yam flour from a shop at Bodija Market in Ibadan.

Olufemi said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Cap 38 Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State of Nigeria, 2000.

The Magistrate, Taiwo Oladiran, ordered the convict to be remanded until Tuesday for sentencing. [myad]

Presidency Debunks Insinuations Of Crack In Security Apparatus

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

The Presidency has declared the loyalty and commitments of security chiefs to President Muhamadu Buhari in their collective responsibilities of fighting organized crimes and decimating the Boko Haram in the country.

A top Presidency source who spoke to our correspondents, said the successes recorded by the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and other organized crimes in the country is an indication of loyalty and unity in the nation’s security apparatus and they should therefore be encouraged to continue in that line.

The source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the level of sacrifices and commitments on the parts of the military and security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram and organised crimes in the country; all that they need is encouragement and praises so that they will be encouraged to do more for the overall protection of our country Nigeria. The talk about division and fight among security chiefs is uncalled for at this time that Nigeria has decimated insurgency and organised crimes.”

“As it is today, the NSA always holds the regular meetings with all the security chiefs or their representatives in attendance. There is no discord in the nation’s intelligence community and there will never be. Anyone alleging that is only concocting something immaginary” a top Presidency source said.

Anybody who is trying to create problem where there is none is attempting to create disaffection in the cohesive security apparatus of the President as there is no friction between them.

The Source appealed to “Nigerians and the international community to disregard any false information” and reaffirmed the loyalty and cohesion of the security apparatus and the will to continue to work to protect and defend the institutions that make up Nigeria,” the Presidency source said. [myad]

Despite His 62 Days In Detention, Fani Kayode Is Still Strong, Healthy – Aide

Greenbarge Reporters

July 11, 2016

Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, who is said to have so far spent 62 days in detention for alleged looting of the nation’s treasury, according to his spokesman, Jude Ndukwe, is still strong, healthy and in good spirit.

Jude, who sadi that his boss would soon go back home to be with his family, having met all the bail conditions for release by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), remarked: “Despite the fact that he has been locked up for the last 62 days, he remains confident, strong, healthy and in very high spirits.

He misses his family very badly, especially his five month old son Aragon, and he looks forward to coming home to be with his family, friends and loved ones.”
In a statement, Jude said that any moment from now, the former director of media and publicity for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Council, would be released after the EFCC has verified the documents containing the bail conditions. [myad]

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