A former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir el-Rufai has visited former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State. The spokesman of the former president, Mallam Garba Shehu, made this known on his X handle today, December 11. Shehu said: “This afternoon, I had the privilege of being with the former President, Muhammadu Buhari as he received my old school mate, Nasir El-Rufa’i who came on a goodwill visit in Daura. “The former President had a joyous moment with the visiting former Governor.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has made it clear that the Nigerian banking industry is sound, strong and resilient and that it has no problem of any kind with the banks.
In a statement today, December 11, the apex bank Acting Director of Corporate Communications, Mrs. Hakama Sidi Ali, stressed that banks are meeting up with the different regulatory requirements. She stressed: “CBN assures that Nigerian Banks remain resilient,” debunking some media reports which floated the story that some Nigerian banks had failed the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stress test for international authorisation should be ignored. “The attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has been drawn to reports in some media outlets suggesting that some licensed commercial banks in the country had failed the CBN’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) for international authorisation. We wish to clarify that the Nigerian banking industry remains resilient as key financial soundness indicators were within the regulatory thresholds as captured in the CBN’s most recent Economic Report of 2023 Furthermore, the CBN is engaging with various critical stakeholders to sustain the level of confidence in the Nigerian financial sector. “We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians to disregard the media reports listing banks as failing the Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) stress test for international authorisation as the report did note emanate from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).” This came even as the apex bank issued a new directive to all banks, other financial institutions and non-bank financial institutions, suspending the processing charges previously imposed on large cash deposits. This change, referenced under the “Guide to Charges by Banks, Other Financial Institutions, and Non-Bank Financial Institutions” dated December 20, 2019 (FPR/DIR/GEN/CIR/07/042), affects deposits over N500,000 for individual accounts and N3,000,000 for corporate accounts. Previously, these deposits attracted processing fees of 2% and 3%, respectively. Effective immediately, the CBN has put a hold on these charges. This suspension is a significant shift in policy and will remain in effect until the end of April 2024. The move is seen as a response to the evolving financial landscape and the needs of depositors across Nigeria. The directive mandates all financial institutions regulated by the CBN to comply by not imposing any charges on cash deposits that meet or exceed these thresholds. This development is expected to encourage more significant cash deposits, enhance liquidity, and possibly impact various sectors positively, including small and large businesses.
Napoli forward, Victor Osimhen has been named 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year. Osimhen beat Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Mohamed Salah of Egypt to the award. He is the first Nigerian to win the award since Nwankwo Kanu Kanu claimed the prestigious gong in 1999. This is even as Asisat Oshoala won the Women’s Player of the Year for the sixth time running. Oshoala won ahead of South Africa’s Thembi Klagtlana and Zambia’s Barbara Banda. Oshoala’s Super Falcons teammate, Chiamaka Nnadozie won the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award. The Super Falcons won the National Team of the Year award. Source: Promotnews online.
The Kogi State Government has commenced the process of selecting the next Ohinoyi, first class King of Ebiraland, two days after the 40th day prayer (Fidau) of Alhaji Dr. Ado Ibrahim who died at the age of 94 on October 29 this year. A statement today, December 11 by Enero Rufai Sule, spokesman to the State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister S.M Ozigi Deedat, said that relevant government officials have met with stakeholders on the matter. According to the statement, the commissioner, with the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Tijjani Habibat and the Director of Chieftaincy Affairs, Enimola Eniola interfaced with the Ebira Area Traditional Council at the Palace of the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland today. It said that after reading out the edict that guides the Stool, the commissioner constituted and inaugurated the committee of King Makers to commence an immediate work of receiving and scrutinizing application letters from interested and eligible Sons of Ebiraland, as prescribed my the law. The committee, according to the commissioner, is expected to turn in its recommendations to his office for action before or on Friday, December 15, 2023.
Fresh facts have emerged on how a wanted terrorist and kidnapping kingpin, Yellow Jambros was eliminated by the Nigerian military last week Wednesday. The spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement that an airstrike undertaken by the Air Component of “Operation Whirl Punch” on December 6, 2023 in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killed scores of terrorists, including Jambros. Jambros was once quoted to have said that he would “deal with Almighty God” should He come down to the earth to question his heinous activities. Jambros and his group were believed to have been responsible for several kidnappings and killings along the Abuja-Kaduna Expressway and in several communities in Kaduna, Niger, Katsina and Zamfara States. In October 2020, another kidnapping kingpin, Mohammed Sani, arrested by the police in Zamfara State for murdering over 50 of his victims due to their inability to mobilise ransom, claimed that he worked for Jambros, who supplied him with fake military and police uniforms, guns and other weapons needed to execute his operations. It was gathered that Jambros and other terrorists bombarded by a NAF jet in Niger State met their waterloo while attempting to cross Jikudna River in Galadima Kogo District. A defence intelligence source, with full knowledge of how the NAF raid said that before their strike, Jambros and his group were trailed from Zamfara State into Niger State. The military source said that the airstrike was authorised after observing precautionary measures and identifying the target’s precise location to avoid unnecessary collateral damages. “The Air Component successfully carried out the operation while the ground troops also succeeded in eliminating fleeing members from the other side of the river after the airstrike.” One of the survivors, who was forced to guide the bandits on a tour of the route, confirmed that the terrorists abducted members of their families as “insurance” to ensure safety while crossing the river. The survivor said: “They abducted some of our members as a guarantee that if anything happened to them (bandits) while crossing the river, they would be summarily executed. “While we don’t know their mission in the area, we were forced to convey them in batches, mostly between 40 to 50 armed men on each shuttle. “Though I could not recognise if Kachala or Dogon Gide were in the previous batches we ferried across the river, there were indeed big people in the boats because of how they were guarding and protecting them during the shuttle. “The last boat, which carried Jambros, had 56 passengers, which included foreigners from neighbouring countries due to their accent, but only nine survived the attacks with various degrees of injuries after the airstrike. “There were three bombs that were dropped. “One on the boat and the other on both sides of the river at Lokon Baganta in Zumba, a border area between Kaduna State and Niger State. “Surprisingly, two top leaders of the groups attended the burial the following day after the recovery of the bodies from the river.” The Nigerian military had confirmed that the terrorists rode on motorcycles along the Kaduna-Niger States borders, precisely heading towards Kusasu in Shiroro LGA of Niger State. At Kusasu, other motorcycle-riding terrorists joined Jambros’s convoy, increasing the number of motorcycles which then headed to the bank of River Jikudna. At the river bank, the terrorists and their motorcycles boarded a large motor-powered canoe in an attempt to cross and link up with other terrorists across the river. At that point, the authorisation to undertake a strike was given. The precision strike was judged effective as it neutralised Jambros and his colleagues, destroyed their motorcycles and sank the boat. Source: PRNigeria.
Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has presented a total budget estimate of N258.27 billion to the State House of Assembly with a pledge that the government will Mobilize private sector investments in the state. The governor described the budget as “The budget of consolidation and continuity for inclusive growth,” with the Recurrent Expenditure of N145,736,429,609:00 representing 56.43% and Capital Expenditure of N112,542,071,730:00 representing 43.57%. While presenting the 2024 draft Budget to the State House of Assembly for consideration and approval at the hallow chamber of the Assembly in Lokoja, Governor Yahaya Bello said that the total Budget package for year 2024 is N258,278,501,339:00 with an increment of N60,678,826,427:00 which represented 30.71% when compared with the approved reviewed Budget for year 2023 which was N197,599,674,912:00. Speaking on the total estimated recurrent revenue for the 2024 Budget, the Governor said “The recurrent Revenue for the year 2024 stands at N168,406,138,861:00 consisting of N30,235,332,685:00 from internal sources while N85,650,179,027 will come from statutory allocation from the Federation Account among others. “The estimated Personnel Cost, Overhead Cost and Public Debt Charges for the same period stand at N65,071,493,479:00, N56,693,794,550:00, N8,871,141,580:00 and N15,100,000,000:00 respectively, putting the total recurrent expenditure for 2024 at N145,736,429,609:00.” Governor Yahaya Bello who presented his last budget as the Executive Governor of Kogi State, stated that the 2024 draft budget was drafted to enhance Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), aggressive pursuit of repayment of debt owed the state by the federal government. He said that the budget would also provide more conducive environment for the state’s development partners across the world to enable them contribute to the state economy. “The 2024 is also expected to mobilize private sector investments to the state, encourage Public – Private – Partnership (PPP) and also blocked all wastages and leakages in our revenue as well as completion of all ongoing projects/programmes while new ones will be provided in line with the priorities of the New Direction Administration. “The budget will focus on continued provision of physical infrastructure, human capital development, job creation, wealth creation and poverty reduction in Kogi State. These will be achieved through prudent use of resources and scaling up of our expenditures in the areas of health, education, agriculture, water resources, environment, housing and support for women and youth empowerment programmes.” The Speaker of Kogi State House of Assembly, Aliyu Umar Yusuf, in his welcome address, applauded the effort of Governor Yahaya Bello for been able to developed a comprehensive blueprint for the new phase of the state’s development. He assured the people of the state that the executive would enjoy the necessary legislative support to ensure the strategic objectives of the new administration are achieved in the interest and benefits of the State. “The parliament, without any shred of doubt, plays critical roles in shaping the fiscal curve of the state and I want to further assure you that this Assembly is committed to supporting the executive arm to achieve improved economy for Kogi State in the years to come.”
Former veteran newscaster at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Aisha Bello Mustapha is dead. She died in the early hours of today, December 11, after a brief illness in Abuja. A friend of the bereaved family, Zainab Sabo, confirmed the news to BBC Pidgin today,. “It’s true that Mama (Aisha) has died and her funeral prayer will be held at 1:00 pm (December 11). We will really miss her and pray for God to bless her soul,” Sabo said. Aisha Bello Mustapha, born in the early 80’s, was a familiar face on NTA Network News in the 90’s and early 2000’s. During her 35-year period at NTA, Aisha Bello Mustapha rose from Assistant Director of News to General Manager of NTA Parliament. She retired from NTA in May 2022. Aisha Bello Mustapha earned a bachelor’s Degree in Mass Communications/Media Studies from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria inKaduna State.
All the 109 Nigerian Senators have resolved to donate their December salaries, amounting to N109 million to victims of the December 3 military drone mishap in Tudun Biri, Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The military drone operation mistakenly killed 85 civilians who gathered for a religious celebration in the community. Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Deputy President of Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, in the person of Ismail Mudashir, announced the donation today, December 10, in Abuja. He said that Senator Barau announced the donation at the Kaduna State Government House when he led a Senate delegation to commiserate with the state government and the people of the State. Mudashir quoted Barau as saying that the money would be sent to Governors Uba Sani, who received the delegation, for onward delivery to the victims. He said that Governor Sani thanked the senators for their kind gesture. Mudashir listed the delegation to include the Majority leader, Senator Micheal Bamidele; the Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro and the Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Kamorudeen Olalere. Others were Senator Abdulhamid Malam-Madori, Senator Aliyu Bilbis, Senator Ibrahim Bomoi, Senator Ibrahim Lamido, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, Senator Victor Umeh, Senator Muntari Dandutse, Senator Lawal Usman and Senator Emmanuel Udende. Mudashir said that the senators also visited the Barau Dikko Hospital where survivors of the accident were receiving treatment. Source: NAN.
The chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on University Education, Abubakar Hassan Fulata, has said that it was not the House Speaker that spoke, and he did not speak on behalf of him or his colleagues on the issue of removal of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) in the nation’s tertiary institutions. He said that he simply expressed a personal opinion on the matter when he spoke at the 3rd International Conference of the Gender Policy Unit, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, on Wednesday, December 6, 2023. “Unfortunately, the media attributed my opinion on the need to remove tertiary institutions from IPPIS to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D. “I want to make it categorically clear that I spoke in my personal capacity as a member of the House of Representatives. “Therefore, my opinion on IPPIS remains mine and not that of the Speaker or any other member of the House for that matter. “Let me restate that as a member of the House, I am determined to work with my colleagues to improve the welfare of teachers in our tertiary institutions through additional budgetary allocations. “I shall also work with my colleagues to make sure that education receives a substantial portion of the national budget to meet the United Nations requirement of 26 percent of the national budget. “Let the media be guided and always attribute comments to appropriate sources.”
In an era of rapid digitalization where organizations worldwide are heavily investing in digital assets, the persistent threat of cybersecurity breaches has underscored the critical need for robust cybersecurity partners. Rising to meet this demand is Zoracom, a technology company for cybersecurity, observability and infrastructure management based in Lagos that has achieved significant milestones since the establishment of its Network and Security Operations Center (NSOC), touted as one of the most sophisticated in both Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Zoracom’s NSOC has made remarkable advancements in capacity building for cybersecurity experts and the mitigation of digital breaches. Speaking at a media parley, John Nwachukwu, Chief Strategy/Executive Officer – CSEO of Zoracom, emphasized the evolving nature of the digital landscape, stating, “As the digital landscape is constantly changing, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to protect against the various forms of cyberattacks that are targeting organizations of all sizes.” Zoracom has strategically invested in state-of-the-art technologies and strategies within its NSOC (Network & Security Operation Centers) to stay one step ahead of cyber attackers. The facility specializes in providing cybersecurity solutions and network monitoring capabilities to public and private organizations, offering services such as network security monitoring, security incident response, vulnerability management, compliance management, security analytics, and security training and education. Furthermore, Zoracom operates as a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), offering services such as threat analyses, ransomware detection, 24/7 expert-led threat monitoring and response, compliance monitoring, and forensic analyses. The company is committed to empowering businesses with the right technology to secure their digital footprint, gain flexibility, and achieve agility in connecting, securing, managing, and analyzing data. Highlighting their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Nwachukwu emphasized Zoracom’s engagement in Young Talent training within the community where they operate. He stated, “We proudly underscore our unwavering commitment to nurturing and empowering interns, fostering talent specializing in cybersecurity, network management, and software development.” In the realm of cybersecurity training and awareness, Zoracom has achieved ISO27001 certification and provides training and programs to keep businesses informed about the latest cybersecurity best practices. Expanding their impact, Zoracom has played a pivotal role in maintaining a reliable and efficient network and service management, enhancing the digital service and cybersecurity defenses in the telecom industry. The company proactively manage, monitors and maintains networks, including broadband access networks, mobile networks, LoRa Access Networks, Radio Networks, Optical/SDH, Ethernet, IP/MLS Aggregation, Optical, IP/MPLS Backbones, Security/Firewalls, Voice/Soft Switch, Change and Config management for MNOs In response to the booming fintech sector in Nigeria, Zoracom has seamlessly integrated its services, offering data analytics, enhanced customer engagement through Miro – Service Management solutions, regulatory compliance, risk management, and innovations in payments. The company’s advanced data analytics services enable swift decision-making, while AI-powered solutions assist fintech companies in resolving complex queries. Zoracom’s risk assessment capabilities identify potential risks, while its automated network and service management solutions save time and reduce operational costs. The cornerstone of Zoracom’s success is its cutting-edge NSOC facility, which is equipped with tools and resources to monitor network service and cyber threats in real-time. Launched in December 2022, the facility has brought a proactive approach to network monitoring and cybersecurity, resulting in various achievements and awards for the organization. Looking ahead, John Nwachukwu outlined Zoracom’s vision, stating, “We envision an exciting chapter marked by strategic international partnerships that will propel us to new heights. With a focus on global collaboration, we anticipate forging key alliances with organizations from diverse countries to deliver excellent digital observability.
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