Katsina seeks AfDB support on agriculture, renewable energy

Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda of Katsina is seeking the support of the African Development Bank (AfDB) to develop abundant agricultural and renewable energy resources in the State. The governor, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Kaula Ibrahim, sought the bank’s support when he visited the Director-General, AfDB Nigeria Country Department, Mr Lamin Barrow, in Abuja. Radda also sought AfDB’s support to develop the Northwest geo-political region of the country. According to him, the purpose of the visit is to discuss investment and intervention support to boost job creation and enhance the livelihoods of the people of Katsina State, as well as the North West Geo-political region, which comprises seven states – Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. “We particularly need the Bank’s help to address the State’s infrastructural deficit, such as power. ”Also, we recognise the fact that renewable energy remains a critical infrastructure necessary for achieving higher economic growth in Katsina state, and across the North West geo-political region. ”That is what necessitated my visit to the Nigeria Country Office of the AfDB, to seek their support and strengthen the existing partnership,” he said. Radda said the northwest governors unanimously agreed to collaborate with AfDB in the areas of agriculture and power which required a regional approach. The governor also requested the bank’s support for the development of key agricultural value chains. He listed them to include cotton, rice, wheat, and agricultural extension services that would help create jobs for the youth. Radda thanked the AfDB management for the audience and looked forward to a cordial relationship with the bank. In his remarks, the Director-General, AfDB Nigeria Country Department, Mr Lamin Barrow, thanked the governor for his engagement with the AfDB early in his mandate. Barrow expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and vision for transforming the fortunes of Katsina state. He assured the governor of the bank’s support in the identified areas, particularly in the context of the ongoing and planned new operations. Barrow said: “On behalf of the AfDB, I want to congratulate Dr Radda on his election as the Executive Governor of Katsina State. ”And to commend him for the clear vision he has articulated for the State during our meeting, prioritising regional approaches and interventions that will drive inclusive growth.“ Accompanying the governor was his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Jabiru Tsauri; Principal Private Secretary, Alhaji Abdullahi Turaji, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Kaula Ibrahim, and Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Digital Media, Isah Miqdad, among others. 

Sterling Bank’s CEO, Abubakar Suleiman tipped for CBN Governor

There are indications that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may appoint the Managing Director/CEO of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman as the next Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, NIGERIAN ANCHOR can report.  This newspaper learned that the decision followed Abubakar’s achievements since he was appointed in 2018, as Sterling Banks’ helmsman.  In his official Twitter handle seen on Monday in Abuja, Imran Muhammed said President Bola Tinubu was considering Abubakar, among several other names.  “According to a source, President Tinubu is also considering Abubakar Suleiman as CBN Governor,” Muhammed tweeted.  Several names are being touted in the past week following the inaugural speech of the President and subsequent suspension Godwin Emefiele.  Tinubu has stated that his administration will reform the financial sector of the economy and unify the country’s exchange rate, which analysts say is a disincentive to investments. Names that have been making the rounds concerning the Apex Bank appointment include former Governors, Abubakar Badaru and Nasir el-Rufai, former CBN Governor under President Goodluck Jonathan, and Wale Edu, just to name a few. Analysts have said that the Sterling Bank CEO fits the bill considering his pedigree and what he has achieved since assuming the helm of affairs at the Bank.  Since his assumption of office in March 2018, as Sterling Banks’ Managing Director/CEO, Abu as he is fondly called, has been able to move the Bank to new heights.  Abubakar, in his five years as CEO, has brought a lot of innovations that have positioned the Bank among one of the most financially strong banks.  A look at the bank’s balance sheet would reveal the work that is being put into making Sterling Bank a leading light in the banking sector  Under his leadership, Sterling Bank has posted record profits with figures more than doubling the previous financial year’s returns.  From 2019 till date, the bank continue to show a strong financial position. For instance, in 2019, in his first year as head of the Bank posted a net interest income growth of N47.53 billion for the third quarter ended September 30, 2019, representing 19.3 percent when compared with N39.83 billion recorded in the corresponding period.  In 2020, which was a very difficult year globally due to the adverse effect of the Covid-19, Sterling Bank Plc reported a N12.4 billion profit before tax (PBT) representing a 15.9 percent growth compared to 2019. In 2021, the Bank reported its highest nine-month profits in seven years as profit rose to N13.4 billion in September 2022, up 41.6 percent from N9.46 billion in September 2021. According to the bank, it recorded an interest income of N90 billion in September 2022, up 8.8 percent from N82.7 billion in September 2021. In 2022, the Abubakar-led management ensured that the Group’s Gross Earnings were up 16.64% to N175.14 billion from 150.15 billion posted in 2021. This was driven by strong growth in interest income. Profit before Tax grew by 29.26% to N20.76 billion as against N16.06 billion posted in 2021. According to the bank’s financial report, Net Interest Income rose by 12.65% to N76.39 billion from N67.39 billion in 2021. He has held various positions such as the Institute of Directors, governing council of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, member of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group committee for Agriculture and Food Security, and also serves on the advisory council of the Lagos Business School. As one of that rose through the ranks in the bank, Abubakar recently became the first CEO in Nigeria to virtually ring the closing gong for the trading day at the Nigerian Stock Exchange. The Bank was named one of the top 100 places to work in Nigeria for 2018, also winning the Best Quality of Life Award for her human resource management practices under his leadership. Abubakar was also named one of the Top CEOs in Nigeria at the BusinessDay Annual Top CEO and Next Bulls Awards 2020.

Hackers sweep Globus Bank of N1.7bn

Bank seeks court order to retrieve stolen funds Globus Bank Limited has filed an application before a Lagos High Court seeking an order to recover the sum of N962,019,843.35 fraudulently transferred electronically from its vault into accounts domiciled in eight commercial banks. Globus Bank, one of the new entrants into Nigeria’s banking sector, was incorporated by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in 2019. The N962m is part of the total N1,755,376,156.34 transferred from the bank between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th of June 2022. The bank has already recovered the sum of N817,998,969.85 from the accounts of the fraudsters. In an affidavit sworn to by its legal officer, Kosisochukwu Ngene, the bank said fraudsters took advantage of a system glitch in its USSD application between Monday 6th and Saturday 11th of June 2022 to process several fraudulent and unauthorized electronic transfers totaling N1,755,376,156.34.  The bank said 709 people who were its customers were involved in the fraudulent transfers of the funds to accounts domiciled in eight commercial banks. It added that immediately it discovered the glitch, it instantaneously notified all the banks involved and requested that the beneficiary accounts be restricted. This, the Bank said was in line with Central bank of Nigeria regulation to avoid dissipation of the funds fraudulently transferred into the accounts domiciled with the banks. “Subsequently, Globus Bank immediately approached the Magistrate Court in the Yaba Magisterial District and obtained an order directing the banks to freeze and reverse the amount fraudulently transferred into various accounts domiciled in the banks. “That in response to the order served on the respondents some of the respondents were able to salvage certain sum wherein the total sum of N817,998,969.85 were returned to the bank while the total sum of N962,019,843.35 is still outstanding and yet to be returned to the bank by the respondents banks. The Bank said it still requires the order of the High Court to enable the other banks reverse and remit the salvaged funds to it. “An Order of the Court directing all the eight banks to immediately reverse and remit, Globus bank Limited the total sum of N962,019,843.35 (Nine hundred and sixty two million, nineteen thousand , eight hundred and forty three naira, thirty five kobo), being the outstanding sum yet to be salvaged from the fraudulent transfer into several accounts domiciled with the eight Respondents from the Globus bank 709 customers’ accounts, less depleted sum. “An order directing the eight commercial banks to release all account information in respect of the destination accounts and the beneficiaries of the transfer funds And for such further order(s) as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”

Tinubu signs Students’ Loan Bill into Law

President Bola Tinubu has signed the Students’ Loan Bill into Law. ⁣⁣⁣An aide to the president, Dele Alake, disclosed this to State House Correspondents on Monday evening.⁣⁣⁣The bill will enable Nigerian students to access loans at interest-free rates. ⁣⁣⁣The legislation passed second reading at the House of Representatives on May 25, 2023. ⁣⁣⁣Details shortly…⁣⁣

Negris Assets Sale: HEDA tasks AMCON on transparency

In a move towards greater transparency, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), has taken a significant step by submitting a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON). The FOI request seeks to obtain crucial information concerning the sale of assets belonging to Negris Holding Limited. HEDA is a foremost Nigerian anti-corruption organization, Under the provisions of the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act of 2011, the anti-corruption organization invoked Sections 2, 3, and 4 to request specific details regarding the sale process. Negris Holding Limited had its assets seized by AMCON as collateral for outstanding debts owed the company’s bankers. Consequently, AMCON assumed ownership of the assets on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The assets are located on Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja, Lagos. The FOI request document signed by Olanrewaju Suraju, HEDA’s Chairman, underscores the organization’s unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability in public affairs. The anti-corruption organization aims to acquire information pertaining to the two public advertisements that preceded the private treaty allowance; the accurate valuation conducted on the property; the identities of the beneficial owners associated with the purchasing company; as well as the payment methods employed by the beneficiary to obtain the assets. HEDA anticipates a response from AMCON within a seven-day timeframe following the receipt of the FOI request. The organization firmly believes that the disclosure of this information is crucial for upholding transparency and accountability in public affairs. By pursuing this FOI request, the CSO hopes to shed light on the intricate details surrounding the sale of Negris Limited assets. They remain committed to their core principles of transparency, accountability, and justice in public affairs.

Anthrax: FG alerts of outbreaks in Ghana, Togo, others

The Federal Government has alerted the public on the outbreak of Anthrax disease in some neighbouring countries within the West African sub-region. The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe, announced this in a statement in Abuja on Monday. According to him, the affected countries are Northern Ghana which borders Burkina Faso and Togo. Umakhihe said that the disease, which had claimed some lives, is bacterial and affects both animals and man. He said that Anthrax spores are naturally found in the soil and commonly affect domestic and wild animals. Umakhihe said that people could get infected with Anthrax spores if they come in contact with infected animals or contaminated animal products. He said that the disease is not contagious but one cannot get it by coming in close contact with an infected person. ”Signs of anthrax are, flu-like symptoms, such as cough, fever, and muscle aches,“ he said. He said further that if not diagnosed and treated early, it could lead to pneumonia, severe lung problems, difficulty in breathing, shock, and ultimately, death. He added, however, that anthrax responds to treatment with antibiotics and supportive therapy. ”It is primarily a disease of animals but because of man’s closeness to animals, non-vaccinated animals with anthrax can easily be transmitted to man through the inhalation of anthrax spores. ”It could also be through consumption of contaminated or infected animal products, such as hides and skin (known in Nigeria as ‘Pomo’), meat or milk,” he said. He said annual vaccinations with anthrax spores are available at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau Staten, and that it is the cheapest and easiest means of prevention and control of the disease in animals, adding that infected animals cannot be vaccinated, but animals at risk can be vaccinated. ”There is a  need to intensify animal vaccinations along border States of Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos States, because of their proximity to Burkina Faso, Togo and Ghana,” he said. Umakhihe urged other states in Nigeria to join in the exercise to prevent the spread of the disease. He advised that infected dead animals should be buried deep into the soil, with equipment used in the burial after applying chemicals that would kill the anthrax spores. “The public is strongly advised to desist from the consumption of hides (pomo), smoked meat, and bush meat as they pose a serious risk until the situation is brought under control,” he said. Umakhihe urged the public to remain calm and vigilant as the Federal Government has resuscitated a Standing Committee on the control of Anthrax. He said that relevant institutions and collaborators have been contacted with the aim of controlling the outbreak.

Police confirm one killed, 2 community leaders abducted in Bauchi 

The Police Command in Bauch State has confirmed that gunmen killed one person and abducted three others, including two community leaders in the Ningi Local Government Area of the state.  The Spokesman of the command, SP. Ahmed Wakil, confirmed the development on Monday in Bauchi. He said that the gunmen attacked a community known as Balma, killing one person and abducting three others, including two community leaders late on Saturday. Wakil said the two community leaders were a village head in Balma community and a ward head in Bakutunbe community as well as one other person who was also abducted. The spokesman said that the command had on Sunday received a report from its Balma outpost that gunmen had attacked the village. “They shot sporadically and took away the village head, Alhaji Hussaini Saleh, who is 48 years old. Wakil said that the village head was abducted alongside one Idris Mai Unguwa and another man named Ya’u Gandu Maliya, who is 45 years old. “One Haruna Jibrin was however, shot in the head by the gunmen. “When the police received a distress call, a team was drafted to the scene, they rescued the victim and rushed him to General Hospital, Ningi where he was receiving treatment but he was later confirmed dead. “At present, the police in Ningi Division are combing the bush, trying to see how they can rescue the two abducted community leaders alive.” The spokesman appealed to citizens to always provide information on suspicious movements of people to security agencies for immediate action. 

Gov Bago pardons 80 inmates to mark June 12

Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago has pardoned 80 inmates in various correctional centres in the state to commemorate the 2023 Democracy Day. The governor also approved the immediate payment of their fines, to enable the inmates to rejoin their families. A statement by Alhaji Abubakar Usman, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), in Minna on Monday, said that the gesture was to mark the 2023 Democracy Day. He explained that the release of the inmates was in line with the power of prerogative of mercy granted to the governor by the Constitution. Usman said that the State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy recommended the release of the 80 inmates based on old age, ill health and good behaviour. Usman appealed to the inmates to make use of the opportunity to engage in useful ventures and shun any act that could lead them back to prison. He also admonished them to be law-abiding and engage in legitimate endeavours by taking advantage of various empowerment windows. The SSG called on the people of the state to use the period to reflect on their roles in peace building and support for good governance. He also enjoined them to support programmes and policies of the administration designed to bring rapid development to the state. Usman reassured that government would ensure that dividends of democracy were felt in all the nooks and crannies of the state. He urged people of the state not to allow despondency to replace hope, adding that they should renew their commitment to strengthening democratic institutions and imbibing tolerance, patriotism and discipline. The SSG said the government was very concerned about the security challenges in the state and fully prepared to tackle the situation.

Nigeria Air: Hon Nnaji asked for 5% bribe, Sirika alleges

*Says N3bn Nigeria Air fund not completely spent *You’re a drowning man, Nnaji replies Sirika Embattled former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Senator Hadi Sirika, has said that the House Committee Chairman on Aviation, Hon. Pharmacist Nnolim Nnaji asked for five percent equity shares of Nigeria Air for himself and his people. Sirika, who has been on fire following the hurried launch on May 26, said that the N3 billion released by the Federal Government towards establishing Nigeria Air has not been completely spent. Sirika made this known in Abuja while speaking to newsmen on the issue of the national airline. According to him, from 2016 to 2023, the budget for Nigeria Air is N5 billion, but only N3 billion was released, and up till today, the money has not been completely spent. He said the government of Nigeria did not pay a dime for the unveiling of Nigeria Air on May 26. “It is ridiculous to think that we’ll hire and paint an aircraft for N138 billion, which could get us five new Boeing 777 Max. “We are responsible people and the general public should approach the Ministry of Information and apply for the right of information to see for themselves.  “The House Committee Chairman on Aviation asked for 5 percent of Nigeria Air for himself and his people. I asked him to approach the owners of the airline,” he said. According to him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed Nigeria Airways to his friend company, Arik Air, which is indebted to the tune of over N300bn, of which Nigeria taxpayers’ money is N250bn via AMCON. “So, do we hand it over to Arik?” he asked, rhetorically.  Meanwhile, House of Representatives member, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji has reacted to the allegation by former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika regarding Nigeria Air. At a public hearing, Nnaji described the controversial project as a fraud and condemned the use of an Ethiopian Airlines’ registered aircraft during the launch in May. In response, Nnaji called Sirika a drowning man and advised him to tell citizens “the truth about the contraption he sold to us as Nigeria Air”. Nnaji recalled that his committee was inundated with petitions from stakeholders after the announcement of Ethiopian Airlines as the core investor. The committee, he noted, requested for the evidence of the bid process and the business case prepared by the Nigerian Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). Nnaji said Sirika told them the document was being worked out by the ICRC and they would make it available but failed to do so before Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) sued the Ministry and got an order stopping the project. “On May 20th 2023, l received reports of threats of mass resignations by key personnel of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),” he said. The threat, according to him, followed pressures from the Ministry to give waivers to Nigeria Air to enable it secure Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) so that it could take off before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office. Nnaji said he issued a statement warning the former Minister against subverting the authority of NCAA because of its severe consequences on the air transport sector. “It is also common knowledge that the Nigerian institutional investors he mentioned as participants have all denied him. “It is not strange that Sirika came up with these spurious allegations against my person because l remained consistent in demanding that he followed due process. He should not deviate from the subject-matter”, Nnaji added.

Democracy still best option for development- Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has warned against truncating or abridging of democracy through unnecessary illegal orders, saying democracy remains the best option for development. In a broadcast to the nation on the occasion of the Democracy Day celebration on Monday in Abuja, Tinubu said that only the rule of law and a vibrant judiciary would ensure justice and strong institutions. He said that the democratic system was already taking a firm grip on Nigeria’s political landscape with the outcome of the 2023 elections and the resort to the court by aggrieved parties. “That the polls were intensely contested is in itself positive evidence that democracy is well and alive in our land. “It is only natural that even as those who won and experienced victory in the various elections are elated and fulfilled, those who lost are disenchanted and disappointed. ‘’But the beauty of democracy is that those who win today can lose tomorrow and those who lose today will have an opportunity to compete and win in the next round of elections. ‘’Those who cannot endure and accept the pain of defeat in elections do not deserve the joy of victory when it is their turn to triumph. ‘’Above all, those who disagree with the outcome of the elections are taking full advantage of the constitutional provisions to seek redress in court,’’ he said. The president said that such actions by aggrieved persons or groups was a pointer that “democracy is still the best form of government invented by man’’. ‘’We have traversed the dark, thorny path of dictatorship before and those who experienced it can readily testify to the unbridgeable gap between the dignity of freedom and the humiliation and degradation of tyranny. ‘’True, rancorous debates, interminable wrangling, ceaseless quarrels, bitter electoral contests may be perceived by some as unattractive features of democracy. But they also testify to its merit and value,’’ he said. June 12 was declared a public holiday in Nigeria in recognition of the democratic sacrifices of Nigerians by outgone President, Muhammadu Buhari. The day is marked to celebrate the end of military rule in Nigeria and the beginning of uninterrupted civilian rule since Nigeria’s independence from colonialists in 1960