FirstBank Investigates N68 Million Missing From Customer’s Account, Apologizes

August 29, 2023

First Bank of Nigeria has commenced investigation into the complaints about the disappearance of N68 million from a customer’s account.
The Italy-based customer, Glory Omokaro had raised the alarm on the radio programme, Brekete Family, where she said that she saved the money in her (First Bank) account until it reached N68 million and was hoping to use it when she finally moved back to Nigeria.
Omokaro said that she opened the bank account in Benin, Edo State when she visited Nigeria from Italy in 2013 and started saving money in the account thereafter.
According to her, she returned to Nigeria in May this year to discover only N3,000 in the account.
Reacting to the incident, the First Bank, whose chief executive is Adesola Adeduntan, said in a statement in social media: “We confirm the report of fraudulent activity on the account of one of our customers. “This incident has been undergoing a very robust investigation since our receipt of the customer’s complaint with the goal of holistically unearthing what transpired and addressing the challenge, including satisfying the customer.
“Unfortunately, this has taken longer than anticipated.”
“While the investigation is ongoing, we have repaired the customer’s account, given the findings so far and our view that this is the best action in consideration for our customer.
“We regret any inconveniences this may have caused the customer and wish to emphasize that this incident is in no way reflective of the principles and ethics of our time-tested operations.”
Source: qed.ng

As Cameroon Releases Water From Lagdo Dam, FG Asks Frontline States To Evacuate Nigerians

Greenbarge Reporters

August 29, 2023

Houses submerged in flood in Kogi State.

THE Federal Government has advised state governments in frontline areas to take necessary measures towards mitigating the potential impact of Lagdo Dam floodgate which has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities.
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Betta Edu, who spoke during the meeting of Presidential Committee on coordination and implementation in Abuja, said the alert has necessary following an alert by the Cameroonian authorities to release the water from the country’s Lagdo Dam.
The minister who spoke at the instance of the Minister of Water Resources and that of Environment, expressed the need for effective implementation of policies and rescue missions aimed at mitigating against the impacts of the flooding.
Edu acknowledged the State Government’s zeal in tackling emergencies, and urged them to ensure immediate evacuation of Nigerians living in flood front areas to safer destinations.
”State Governments have done quite a number of preparedness, we also appeal to the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) on the need to step up actions by ensuring immediate evacuation of Nigerians from various communities to safer destinations.
”Lagdo Dam floodgate has been opened by the Cameroonian authorities and that all the frontline States may experience flooding within the next seven days.”
She pledged the readiness of the Ministry to work with Subnational and Local Governments towards providing shelters for the affected Citizens.
”Because, some of the people living in most of the communities who may be affected are afraid of losing their ancestral homes, despite the warning.”
She assured Nigerians on the resolve of Federal Government to put necessary measures in place to safeguard the lives and properties of Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako said the ministry has already activated the necessary flood warning alerts being release on hourly basis.
”Especially, on the water level of River Benue and River Niger as well as vulnerability level of the affected areas.”
Salako said that the ministry has designed a veritable platform that will provide regular and real time information to Environmental Correspondents on the floor warning alerts without waiting for the Ministry.
He said that recommendations on long term measures and solutions will be presented to the President as part of ongoing efforts towards finding lasting solution to the menace of flooding.
He reiterated the resolve of the present administration towards working with Cameroonian authorities towards ensuring that the impacts of the release of Lagdo Dam floodgate do not result to loss of lives and property as well as ensure that the damages are minimized.
Source: NAN.

House Demolition Begins In Abuja, Multimillion Naira Duplex Goes Down

Greenbarge Reporters

August 29, 2023

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced the demolition of illegal structures, with the demolition of a multimillion naira duplex built on plot 226, in Wuse Zone 6.
The Director in the FCTA’s Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Gidado, said that the building was illegally developed against all warnings.
Gidado said that his team had carried out extensive investigation to ascertain the original owner of the plot, given varying claims that were being put forth by the parties.
He said that investigation revealed that the developer was not the owner of the plot, saying: ”that is why we had to remove the building.”
According to him, the FCT Administration will not consider the status of any defaulting developer once development rules and regulations are violated.
Gidado said: “We demolished the duplex because somebody built on someone else’s land without valid title and building plan approval.
“We allowed the building to this stage before demolishing it because we had to follow all due processes.”
The director said that the supposed owner of the building was served all the notices to stop work, saying, “but being a disobedient developer, he continued without heeding to the notices.
“After our investigation, we have ascertained the rightful allottee of the plot, so we have to remove the building.
“We are going to consult the legal department to know the next action against the developer.”
Source: NAN.

Nigeria Won’t Borrow Again, Finance Minister Vows

Greenbarge Reporters

August 29, 2023

The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, has made it clear Nigeria would no longer borrow from any local or foreign organisation with the removal of subsidy on petrol and exchange rate harmonisation.
Speaking at the end of the inaugural Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting yesterday at the Presidential villa, Abuja, the minister said that the benefit of the subsidy removal would be ploughed back into various sectors aimed at boosting government revenue and improving business environment for local and foreign investment.
Edun said that with the increased revenue from subsidy removal, various palliatives have been made available to cushion its effect on a short, medium and long term basis.
He reiterated the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s desire to bring back the economy from the wood it has found itself overtime.
Similarly, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said investment offers were already coming up in different sectors of the economy, including oil and gas, health, solid minerals and agriculture.
She said that her ministry would collaborate with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies of government to achieve the president’s commitment to creation of jobs for the teeming youthful population of Nigeria.
This was even as the Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Pate said that critical sections of the health value chain would be exploited to improve the economy and create jobs for Nigerians.
He said that the president had advised them to be courageous and innovative in taking decisions that would benefit the country, adding that the president has already taken such moves.
Dr. Pate said that the president was responsive to the need to set the economy on the path of progress with his move to remove subsidy on petrol from the first day on his inauguration.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Malagi, said that the president charged the cabinet members to be transparent in their dealings, especially in disseminating necessary information.
He asked the media to avail themselves of this opportunity through verification and fact checking on their stories, adding that this will reduce the incidence of informing Nigerians out of ignorance.
Source: NAN.

Police Burst Employment Racketeering Syndicate In Katsina

August 28, 2023

A suspected employment racketeer, Abdulrahman Junaidu has been arrested in Funtua, Katsina State for allegedly defrauding and issuing fake employment letters to two unsuspecting young men: Abdullahi Abubakar and Isiya Iliyasu.

A statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, Kaduna Electric, AbdulAzeez Abdullahi, said the bubble bursted when Abdullahi Abubakar and Isiya Iliyasu presented the fake employment letters for documentation as new employees at the Zaria Regional Office of the Company.

The statement said that the Security Division of the Company in collaboration with Police trailed Abdulrahman Junaidu to Funtua where he was eventually arrested by the Funtua Division of the Police.

Preliminary investigation conducted by the Police revealed that the said Abdulrahman Junaidu was working with one Aliyu Sani from Sokoto, who is currently at large, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public of millions of Naira.

The Kaduna Electric spokesman said that the Company would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the suspects face the full weight of the law.

“It has been established that the duo of Aliyu Sani and Abdulrahman Junaidu have been fraudulently issuing fake employment letters and other sensitive documents of Kaduna Electric, a practice that is not only morally reprehensible but also criminal; we shall ensure that the culprits are brought to justice.”

The statement advised members of the public to be weary of fraudsters and report such criminals to the Company.

According to it, the Police are on trail of the second suspect, Aliyu Sani who is the mastermind of the employment racketeering and the duo will soon have their day in court.

“Kaduna Electric has a robust recruitment and security systems that fake employment can hardly go undetected.”

I Have Not Issued Any Statement On My NYSC Issue – Minister Hannatu

Editorial staff

August 28, 2023

The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, has said that she had not issued any statement in respect of the issue surrounding her National Youth Corp (NYSC) status.

A statement by a Deputy Director of Press in the Federal Ministry of Information and Orientation, Suleiman Haruna quoted the Minister as saying that the statement was “inaccurately associated with me in relation to the current NYSC discussion.

‘I wish to state that I have not issued any statement on the current issue.”

She emphasized that she has not released any official statement regarding the aforementioned matter and asked the public to be cautious of unverified information.

“I deeply value and appreciate the support, solidarity, and understanding of Nigerians in these times.”

Yes, I Am Currently Serving My NYSC, But Does Not Affect My Ministerial Position – Hannatu

Editorial staff

August 27, 2023

The Nigeria Minister of Art, Culture & Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa has admitted that she is currently serving her national youth corps, known as National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) but that it does not constitutionally affect her ministerial position.

The minister, in a statement today, August 27, reacting to what she called “barrage of media attacks and misinformation” about her, following her appointment and swearing-in as the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisted that there is no law of Nigeria or any part of the nation’s constitution and NYSC Act that states that a serving Corp member cannot be appointed by the President of Nigeria or any other appointing authority into political positions.

“Equally, no part of our existing laws and NYSC Act says that a corp member must finish service before he/she can be appointed into political office. There is no legal and constitutional limitations whatsoever. I have not broken any law of Nigeria.”

In the statement titled: “My Personal Statement On My NYSC Statue As Serving Minister,” Hannatu, admitted that she is currently on the NYSC national service which she began eight months ago as a matter of duty and devotion to her country, “having been unable to complete the scheme since I was first mobilised in 2001.

“I started the mandatory national service as a Corp member deployed to Akwa-Ibom State (pls confirm state) in 2001 upon the completion of my university education. “I could not complete the service same year after my redeployment to Kaduna State due to family obligations. “Despite this, it has been my personal resolve and commitment that I will always fulfill this national duty whenever I am opportuned to do so.

“I applied to NYSC to be mobilised again for national service last year. “NYSC graciously mobilised and deployed me to serve in Abuja where I have been serving in the last 8 months before my current appointment as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

The minister said that contrary to wrong insinuations and false assumptions in a section of the mainstream media and social media where false accusations have been made, there is no breach of any law or constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, regarding her current position as a Minister and status as serving Corp member.

She cited a decided case before a Federal High Court Abuja in 2021, where Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the Constitution of Nigeria, which is the grundnorm, does not require anyone to even present a first-degree certificate or any other certificate, including the NYSC certificate to be appointed a Minister in Nigeria to buttress her case

“I decided to participate in the current NYSC programme in fulfillment of my own personal commitment and out of sense of duty which I am proud of.

“I will continue to serve my country using every opportunity and platform. My current NYSC status which will end in another 4 months will not in anyway impede the discharge of my duties as Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, which, on its own, is a higher call to national service.

“I use this medium to publicly restate my loyalty and rededicate myself to the service of Nigeria. I will continue to serve faithfully and with all my energy to deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu for a better, greater and more prosperous Nigeria.”

Nigeria Still Losing $4 Million Worth Of Crude Oil Daily To Local, Foreign Thieves – Nuhu Ribadu

Editorial staff

August 27, 2023

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has said that the country is still losing 400,000 barrels of crude oil worth $4 Million per day to local and international thieves, despite efforts to end the menace.

Nuhu Ribadu made this known yesterday when he led a presidential delegation to inspect oil and gas facilities at Owaza in Abia and Odogwa in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said that the activities of oil thieves and pipeline vandals have impacted negatively on the nation’s economy and are partly responsible for the rising cost of living in the country.

“It’s unfortunate that few individuals would steal our common resources, and in the process cause unbelievable loss to both the nation, communities and the people.

“Nigeria has the capacity to produce 2 million barrels of crude daily, but we are currently producing less than 1.6 million barrels due to theft and vandalism of pipelines.

“So, we are talking about 400,000 barrels of crude oil going to waste with few criminals and economic saboteurs not even getting much out of it.”

Nuhu Ribadu said that the operators of artisanal refineries collect a small quantity of crude oil when they broke the pipelines while larger volumes of oil were spilled on the environment.

“The value of 400,000 barrels of oil today is about 4 million dollars, and every day, we lose this amount because of this irresponsible behaviour.

“If you multiply 4 million dollars by 365 days (one year), you will see that it is a lot of money running into billions of dollars.

“Currently, the country is in desperate need of money as the Naira is continuously losing its value because we earn less money.

“If we earn more money, it will not only help strengthen our currency but reflect in everything, including cost of living in the country.”

The NSA said that the President Bola Tinubu administration is concerned about the development and is already taking actionable steps to address the matter.

He said that huge investments made by the government in building infrastructures for the common good of all are being destroyed by few individuals, and in the process, destroying the environment.

Nuhu Ribadu called for a united front to tackle oil theft and end decades of attacks on the nation’s oil and gas infrastructures.

“We are working hard with the security forces and those employed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to secure our facilities and end this madness called oil theft.”

On the presidential delegation with the NSA were the Minister of Defence, Badaru Abubakar and Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa.

Others included the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar; Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle and Minister of State (Oil), Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.

The Minister of State (Gas), Petroleum Resources, Ekperipe Ekpo and senior management officials of the NNPCL as well as other top security personnel were part of tbe team.

Source: NAN.

Prostitutes In Kano Complain Of Low Patronage, Ridiculous Cheaper Services

Editorial staff

August 27, 2023

Prostitutes, otherwise known as commercial sex workers in Kano State, have complained of not only low patronage by their customers but cheaper services.

Fielding questions from a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent in Sabon Gari area of Fagge Local Government Area of the state today, August 27, the sex workers in the ancient commercial city, who hitherto smile home with their pockets full, now resort to lobbying customers to do “business” with them at very ridiculous low charges.

Ms. Mercy Benjamin told NAN that before now, a round of “short time” service could be settled with N5,000 within a time frame of one hour, but that the biting effects of fuel subsidy removal has forced customers to disappear.

Benjamin said that one round of sex now goes for as low as between N500 and N700 for the same service.

“Things are not really going on well with this business for now because of the present economic challenges we are facing,” she said.

Another sex worker ,who identified herself as Jennifer, told NAN that it is no longer business as usual for them, saying: “my brother, business is no longer moving as it used to be.

“Things have become so hard that if you see more than three customers in one day, you will thank God. Customers are hard to come by, and when they come, the offer is nothing to write home about.

“In this very particular room, I pay N5,000 every day; and I must confess to you that I am owing the management three days debt now because of low patronage.

“Before fuel subsidy removal, we were enjoying high patronage with good prices. These days, I used to attend to seven to 10 customers everyday with good prices ranging between N5,000 and N10,000 for short time services.

“This is apart from other incentives like good food, drinks, chicken, Isi-ewu and other goodies that customers provide on their own volition.

“But now, customers hardly come to hang out in the evening, we used to have customers on day-break ready to offer well above N20,000 and also take care of your accommodation, food and drinks. This is really hardtimes for us,” she said.

Jennifer said that most of her colleagues who could not pay for their rooms have returned home with regrets of penury.

“Some of them left without their property as the hotel management seized their cloths and electronics because of the money they are owing. We that are still here are surviving through the grace of God,” she explained.

Narrating her latest experience as a result of the cash crunch, Ms. Helen Ediga at Onitsha Road, said that she is ready to quit the business if given alternative source of livelihood.

Ediga, who only agreed to talk after being offered a token of N1,500 and a bottle of Maltina to cover her time, said:

“Sir, I am not happy being into this kind of business. It is hardship that led me into it. I am a single mother with three children. I am the only one that take care of them.

“My man left us in Kano and relocated to Abuja where he is currently staying with another woman.

“I come out every evening to hassle so that I can put food on the table for my three children and possibly train them.

“Since the fuel subsidy removal, we have been suffering. In most cases, I will spend the whole day without anyone asking me ‘how are you’.

“It has been a very bitter experience. If I have other means of livelihood, I will definitely quit this business!,” Ediga said.

NAN also gathered that the sex hawkers who usually stand along Enugu Road, Aba Road, Onitsha Road and Abbedie Street, among other hotspots within Sabon Gari, are worse hit by the situation as most of them complain of staying throughout the day, scouting for customers without success.

Findings further revealed that night clubs, fun centres and beer drinking joints now record very low patronage as residents hardly come out in the evening for relaxation or to have “good time” due to the cash crunch.

Insurance Reporting: ThisDay Correspondent, Ebere Nwoji, Emerges Reporter Of The Year 2023

Greenbarge Reporters

August 27, 2023

For two years consecutively, an Insurance Sector Correspondent, Ebere Nwoji of THISDAY Newspapers, has won the Print Media Reporter of the year 2023 award instituted by the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) in 2022.
NAICOM, which is the apex regulator of insurance sector and practices in Nigeria, instituted the award to annually recognise Journalists who distinguished themselves in terms of knowledge of the sector, and brought to bear, their wealth of efficiency and understanding to not only report the sector, but also analyse trends, issues and developments in the sector, thereby contributing to promoting, creating understanding of the sector by diverse publics.
It would be recalled that Mrs. Nwoji had in 2022, won the maiden edition of the award out of over 100 journalists focusing on Insurance beat.
The award was conferred on Ebere Nwoji as the winner this year, for the second time in a series at a just concluded retreat for Insurance Journalists with the theme: “Improving Stakeholders Perception, 2023 and Beyond”. The retreat was organised by NAICOM and was declared open by the Commissioner for Insurance and NAICOM’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sunday Thomas, at Uyo, Akwa Ibom state capital.
While announcing Mrs. Nwoji, Assistant Director/Head, Corporate Affairs of NAICOM, Rasaq Salami, said that having scanned through the print media: newspapers, magazines and cartoons, NAICOM found it worthy to award the 2023 Insurance Reporter to Mrs Nwoji.
In his words: “We scanned through the print: the newspapers and magazines for the year 2023 till now.
“We monitored news reports, articles, cartoons and we monitored everything that has to do with insurance in newspapers and magazines and we found it worthy to award the 2023 Insurance Reporter to Mrs. Ebere Nwoji.
The NAICOM Assistant Director, (Compliance Bureau life), Mrs. Augustina Onojake, who present ed a paper on “Re-awakening the Nigeria Insurance industry through Claims Settlement,” cited one of Mrs. Nwoji’s definitions to buttress her points.
Presenting the award to Mrs Nwoji, the Deputy Commissioner for Insurance (Technical), Mallam Abubakar Sabiu said: “we will like to appreciate you for your outstanding performance. Congratulations.”

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