Dr Fasehun mobilises OPC members for installation of Gani Adams as the 15th A are Onakakanfo of Yorubaland

All members of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC) have been directed to troop out in their large numbers to honour Otunba Gani Adams who will be formally installed as the 15th Aare Ona Kakanfo by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi.

The call was made by the Founder & President of OPC, Dr Frederick Fasehun in a press statement issued on his behalf by the Vice President (Administration) of the Congress, Alhaj Lateef Lawal yesterday, in Lagos.

Dr Fasehun who expressed his delight on the choice of Otunba Adams for the exalted position by Oba Adeyemi said he would personally be present and also lead all members of OPC both at home and in diaspora to the installation ceremony scheduled for 13,January,2018 in Oyo in the palace of the Alaafin.

The OPC President noted that his personal presence at the ceremony 'would seal the "coffin" of rumour mongers that kept saying Gani Adams and myself are at loggerheads. Loggerheads for what ? We speak from time to time.'

"In fact, Gani is my son and in addition to his leverage, I am now the Baba Aare. The title is not only for Otunba Adams, but also an honour to all members of OPC in general".

He commended the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi for zeroing in on OPC out of various socio-cultural groups in Yorubaland to pick Otunba Adams for the position.

AFFINITY FRAUD: How bond of Trust turns bond of Fraud

White-Collar Criminals Use Bonds of Trust to Prey on Investors 

Financial fraudsters are known to be an unscrupulous lot, but it is particularly loathsome when these white-collar criminals exploit trusting members of their own church or social circle to line their pockets.

Financial crimes based on bonds of trust—known as affinity fraud—occur throughout the United States but are especially prevalent in Utah, where members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints too often are victimized by savvy fraudsters who claim to be just like them.

“These are greedy individuals who will stop at nothing,” said John Huber, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, a lifelong resident of the state and member of the Mormon Church. “What’s so disconcerting is that these criminals approach us at church or through associations at our work or referrals from friends. They are silver-tongued devils—wolves in sheep’s clothing who will take our money and we’ll never see it again.”

So serious is the problem of affinity fraud in Utah that in 2015 the state legislature passed a law establishing an online white-collar crime registry—similar to sex-offender registries—which publishes the names, photographs, and criminal details of individuals convicted of financial fraud crimes in the state going back a decade. Currently, there are 231 individuals listed on the registry.

In addition, a collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement partners has resulted in the Stop Fraud Utah campaign, which aims to educate the public about affinity fraud—what people can do to avoid it and how best to report it if they have been victimized.

In Their Words

A Utah woman who believed she had done her homework on retirement investments later discovered she was part of an elaborate scam that cost her thousands.

John Huber, U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, describes how affinity fraud takes advantage of established "relationships of trust."

Michael Pickett, supervisor of the white-collar crime squad in the FBI's Salt Lake City office, describes tactics fraudsters use to prey on potential affinity fraud victims.

Richard Best, regional director of the Securities and Exchange Commission's Salt Lake office, describes taking precautions against affinity fraud.

“Within the Mormon population, there is a well-known sense of trust,” said Special Agent Michael Pickett, a veteran white-collar crime investigator in the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division. “Unfortunately, that trust can sometimes take the place of due diligence, and that’s when individuals are more susceptible to being victimized.”

Affinity fraudsters are expert manipulators. “They are great salesmen,” Pickett explained. They will approach members of their social or religious circle with a promising investment opportunity—one that pays a high rate of return—and then use a variety of high-pressure tactics to get their victims’ money.

Pickett described some of the fraudsters’ ploys: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. You don’t want to be the one who passed up buying Amazon when it was first offered. You don’t want to be the one that blows that opportunity, but you have to do it now. If you wait, the opportunity is gone. And by the way, you are one of the few people I am making this offer to, so let’s just keep it between ourselves.”

“This type of fraud is significant,” Pickett said. “Within the Utah area, we are investigating more than $2 billion worth of fraud. In the last four months, we’ve opened 10 new cases.” He added that Utah consistently ranks among the top five states for the FBI’s most significant white-collar crime cases.

Too often, individuals dreaming about getting the great deal promised to them by a trusted friend or associate fail to see the red flags. “A key to this is communication,” Pickett said. “You have to do your due diligence. Talk to a neighbor or a family member. Add a little common sense to the equation, and try to separate truth from fiction.”

That’s where the Stop Fraud Utah campaign comes in. “The strategy for law enforcement is not to deal with fraud as a reaction, but to deal with it on the front end,” said Richard Best, regional director of the Salt Lake City office of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), a partner in the campaign. “The best way to stop fraud is to avoid fraud, and the best way to do that is to educate the community so that when they are confronted with situations—opportunities, as fraudsters would say—they know to ask the right questions.”

Established earlier this year, the Stop Fraud Utah campaign has sponsored several fraud seminars around the state, which are free and open to the public. And because victims of affinity fraud typically call their local police departments to report these crimes, there is also an effort to train local law enforcement personnel on how to identify white-collar fraud, what evidence to collect, and the proper state and federal agencies to report it to for further investigation.

The high level of collaboration among Stop Fraud Utah campaign partners is “crucial to our success here,” Best said. “I cannot stress that enough. The SEC’s relationship with the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office is one of the best I have ever seen.” Other members of the campaign include the Utah Attorney General’s Office, the Internal Revenue Service, and the state’s Consumer Protection Division.

“In Utah, we have to do something to stop fraudsters from exploiting people who trust them,” said U.S. Attorney Huber. That’s why the state’s top law enforcement official has personally attended fraud seminars to caution the public about affinity fraud. “I know Utah very well,” he said. “It troubles me to see good people who have worked very hard to set aside retirement funds and nest eggs lose that to people who seemingly have no conscience.”

Unlike a drug addict who might rob a bank out of desperation, Huber added, financial fraudsters’ crimes are ruthlessly premeditated. “These perpetrators, with a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eye, approach with a handshake and a hug, with intent and with persistence, to violate the trust of their victims and to take their life’s earnings.”

Avoid Becoming a Victim of Affinity Fraud

Law enforcement officials advise that before investing money, there are a few important points to keep in mind:

Do your homework. Understand the investment and do research about the person you are investing with—even if you have an existing relationship with that individual. “Trust is fine,” said Special Agent Michael Pickett, “but it does not replace due diligence.”

Don’t make investments behind closed doors. Talk to friends, family members, or financial professionals about the possible investment, and be wary if an individual tells you not to mention the investment opportunity to others.

If an investment sounds too good to be true—with returns that greatly outweigh the risk—be suspicious. Also beware of high-pressure tactics that pressure you to act quickly.

Be an informed consumer. Financial fraudsters are savvy salesmen and expert manipulators. They have an answer for everything. Verify their pronouncements through independent sources.

If any red flags are raised about a potential investment or investment advisor, call your local regulatory agency and speak to someone. If you live in or near Utah, you can also consult the White Collar Crime Offender Registry online.

If someone tries to use their affiliation with a church or social organization to entice you to make an investment, you have every right to be suspicious, no matter what your relationship is with that person. 

Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing

The white-collar criminals who commit affinity fraud are often charismatic salesmen capable of deceiving even sophisticated investors.

Special Agent Michael Pickett, a veteran financial fraud investigator in the FBI’s Salt Lake City Division, offers a case in point:

His team was investigating a scam artist who had fraudulently collected approximately $5 million from investors—and who would later go to jail for his crimes.

“We talked with one of his victims, an elderly lady, who knew this gentleman very well,” Pickett said. “She had been associated with him for years. Her husband, who had recently passed away, had been good friends with him as well.”

The woman had invested and lost more than $100,000 with the individual. Investigators spoke to her and made her understand that she had been the victim of a fraud. “Ultimately, she agreed to wear a wire for us and talk with the individual to get his sales pitch so we could use that in court against him,” Pickett explained. “She knew it was fraud and agreed to help us.” Wearing the wire, the victim spoke with the man who had taken her money. “She came back about two hours later,” Pickett said, “ready to invest more money with this individual.”

FBI agents were able to talk her out of investing more funds, Pickett said, “but that’s how good a salesman he was—and it was all based on that relationship of trust.”

source: FBI

FAAN INVESTIGATES ALLEGED POACHING OF CREW BAGGAGE.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has commenced investigations into the case of a burgled aircraft, alleged to have occurred on the night of 12th December, 2017.

The incident was reported to have occurred on a Vista Jet aircraft with Call Sign VJT 584, while taxiing on the night the said date.

A combined team of Faan's Aviation Security Department, Airport Police Command and other relevant security agencies have swung into action to reveal the perpetrators of this act and to prevent future reoccurrence of such.

Nigerian, Ghanaian Edge Closer to 2018 Rhodes Scholarship

As the 2018 Scholar Selection Process of the newly reinstated Rhodes Scholarships for West Africa reaches advanced stages, the dream of post-graduate studies at the University of Oxford, United Kingdom, will soon become reality for one remarkably brilliant student from Nigeria, Ghana or any other country in the sub-region.

The selected candidate will join other scholars from around the world to commence studies at the prestigious university in the October 2018 academic session.

Rhodes National Secretary for West Africa, Ike Chioke, reaffirmed this while providing update to the media on the progress of the scheme. According to him: “Following the formal re-launch of the West Africa Scholarships in May this year, and the call for applications which opened on 1^st June, the scholarship application portal officially closed on September 30, 2017 while the timeline for submission of references elapsed on October 15, 2017.”

“A total of 2,948 applications were received from intending scholars across West Africa. However, only 505 completed the Scholarship information requirements. Of this number, a total of 244 candidates who graduated with a First Class degree or its equivalent made it to the next round, and we subsequently scaled down to 65 candidates based on other selection criteria including moral force of character, commitment to service and instinct to lead. 

Further screening and in-person interviews were conducted between November 17 and 19 in Lagos and Accra while the final round of interviews for a shortlist of 15 persons is scheduled for December 1 and 2.  This is where the 2018 ‘Scholar-Elect’ for West Africa will be decided.”

Chioke also revealed that the scholarship would cover all university and college fees, a personal stipend for room and board, health insurance and travel, as well as the costs of the Rhodes Leadership Development Programme at Rhodes House. 

“Depending on the course of study, the total value of the scholarship could range from £50,000 to £60,000 per annum, with the average tenure for a Rhodes Scholar being 3 years. Over time, up to three scholars in residence will be supported under each scholarship at a total of approximately £170,000 each year per Scholarship”, he noted.

The Rhodes Trust – the preeminent international scholarship programme established at Oxford University in 1903 – selects creative young leaders with a commitment to serving others. In the century since the establishment of the Rhodes Scholarships, the Trust has convened a community of extraordinary people who share a history of enriching their communities, pioneering in their chosen fields, and applying the knowledge and experience acquired as Scholars to the betterment of society. 

The new West Africa scholarships are part of a wider geographic expansion of the Rhodes Scholarships. The total number of Scholarships awarded each year will increase from 83 to 95, including new Scholarships in China, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Palestine, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and West Africa. 

This increases the number of Rhodes Scholars studying at the University of Oxford at any one time to approximately 250. The expansion into these regions marks a historic moment for the Rhodes Trust, and further strengthens the international Rhodes community.  

Oba Ogunleye appeals to Akinale indigenes in diaspora to return home for development of the town

The Traditional ruler of Akinale in Ewekoro local government of Ogun State,  Oba Olufemi Ogunleye, has appealed to sons and daughters of the ancient town, now scattered in various locations in the world, to come home and rebuild their ancestral homes in Akinale. 

Oba Ogunleye, who was speaking during the township environmental exercise last Saturday regretted that despite the expansion of the town with modern structures in New layouts,  the ancient site still habours derelict ancestral buildings,  without which unfortunately,  the history of the owners could not complete. 

Akinale,  some 25 kilometres,  South of Abeokuta on the Abeokuta -Lagos road,  is one of the Owu towns established by late Akanni Lapeleke, an arrow head of the Egba allied peace keeping force that checkmated the activities of interloping marauders, disturbing the peace of Abeokuta in early centuries. 

Today, the town has graduated from a dreary slum into an economically productive center for food and cash crops. 

Prominent personalities whose pedigrees were rooted in Akinale include former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, former Inspector General of Police,  Alhaji Musiliu Smith,  late Bernard Babatunde Sotade,  the first Nigerian Commissioner of Scouts and acclaimed accountant with the Nigerian Railway Corporation,  the foremost produce merchant in Ifo and Sarumi Egbaland,  Chief Motayo,  Premier Paint fame and educationist,  Chief OgoOluwa Bankole and a host of others in Europe, America and other locations in the universe. 

Oba Ogunleye directed the youths in the town to clear all the bush surrounding the dilapidated buildings with a view to preventing them becoming hide-out for criminals and reptiles. 

Meanwhile the Monarch had sent special letters to all indigenes of the town resident in several parts of Nigeria and abroad to come and rehabilitate their ancestral homes in Akinale before March next year when Kabiyesi will celebrate 12th year coronation. 

Oba Ogunleye standing by the ancestral relics of Akinale town.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS: Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke Discusses Shared Efforts to Combat Terrorism with Foreign Leaders

ISCHIA, ITALY – Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke this week traveled to meet with foreign leaders to advance efforts to combat terrorism. The Acting Secretary traveled first to the United Kingdom for high-level bilateral meetings and then to Italy for a gathering of senior officials from G7 nations. She reached agreements with key partners to step up the fight against terrorists online, to improve information sharing, and to raise the baseline of global aviation security.

In London, Acting Secretary Duke met with UK Home Secretary Amber Rudd and top officials from the UK Home Office to discuss persistent and emerging threats. Acting Secretary Duke and Home Secretary Rudd agreed to enhance transatlantic cooperation in a number of actionable ways. The two leaders vowed to pursue sustained, constructive engagement with technology companies on the frontlines of the digital fight against terrorists, and they agreed to conduct joint threat assessments and briefings to help non-governmental partners better counter terrorist trends and tactics, especially online.

Acting Secretary Duke and UK Home Secretary Rudd also agreed to collaborate on raising the baseline of aviation security worldwide.  In July, DHS announced new “seen” and “unseen” security enhancements to protect U.S.-bound flights as part of a wider Global Aviation Security Plan. DHS and the Home Office pledged to work together on additional measures to detect concealed explosive threats, defend against insider attacks, identify known or suspected terrorist travel, and enhance cargo security.

Acting Secretary Duke then traveled to Ischia, Italy, for a G7 Interior Ministers’ Meeting. There, she participated in plenary sessions with her counterparts, focused on information sharing, confronting the challenge of foreign fighters, and stopping terrorist recruitment and radicalization online. Ministers were joined by representatives from leading technology companies, including Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Twitter. Acting Secretary Duke and her counterparts conferred with the companies on their recently established Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT). The Acting Secretary applauded the progress companies are making in removing terrorist content, urged more forward-leaning action, and welcomed new commitments by the companies that will help make their platforms more hostile to nefarious actors.

In a press conference with the G7 ministers, Acting Secretary Duke said: “We live in a networked world. And this year it has really become clear how much terrorists are exploiting those networks…But I can assure you that we are not standing on the sidelines while dangers gather. Today we discussed concrete efforts to fight back.”

She added: “Our enemies are moving at the speed of a tweet, so we have to counter them just as quickly…While there is no doubt [they] are adapting, terrorist groups should know this:  they are no match for the alliances you see here today. We will destroy their safe havens. We will break their networks. And we will expose their hateful ideology for what it really is.”

Acting Secretary Duke also had the opportunity to participate in several bilateral meetings:

Acting Secretary Duke and Italian Minister of the Interior Marco Minniti signed the Secure Real Time Platform (SRTP) Implementing Arrangement, which enhances the ability of both countries to identify known or suspected terrorists, irregular migrants, and other persons of interest through the exchange of fingerprints. Acting Secretary Duke and Minister Minniti discussed raising global aviation security standards, continued cooperation between the United States and Italy on counterterrorism and migration management, initiating bilateral preclearance negotiations, and the importance of maintaining the flow of passenger screening data between the European Union and the United States in observance of existing international agreements.

Acting Secretary Duke met with Canadian Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale to discuss the U.S.-Canadian relationship in combatting terrorism, as well as their interests in increased information sharing with European partners. They also addressed joint steps to take to address illegal migration across their shared border. Canada is scheduled to host a G7 meeting in 2018.

Acting Secretary Duke met with French Minister of the Interior Gérard Collomb and discussed ways to deepen the already close partnership between DHS and the French Ministry of Interior, including the importance of maintaining the flow of passenger screening data between the European Union and the United States in observance of existing international agreements, and working together to raise global aviation security standards.

At the end of the Summit, Acting Secretary Duke met with European Union Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos and European Union Commissioner for the Security Union Julian King at the meeting of the G7 Interior Ministers. They discussed the value of the Passenger Name Record (PNR) Agreement between the United States and the European Union as an essential law enforcement and counterterrorism tool that must be preserved by all parties.

 

ULC Challenges status of NLC; Urges Labour Minister for clarification

Posted by Lateef Lawal

The United Labour Congress(ULC) has called on the Minister of Labour for clarification on the status of the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC).

According to the President of ULC, Joe Ajaero in a memo dated 10th October,2017 to the Minister, it is an abberation for NLC to continue to operate as a federating labour center without being duely registered by the Registeral of Trade Unions in the Ministry of Labour.

The memo specifically noted:
"ULC in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) makes the following request from your Ministry:
1.That your Ministry provides us with the Registration number of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
2.That your Ministry provides us the Law under which the Registration was accorded the NLC
3.That the Ministry also provides for us duplicates of the consent forms duly signed by the federating unions as the basis for such registration as voluntarism remains the basis for membership of unions both at Industry level and at level of Federations."

The full text of the memo is reproduced below:

10th of October, 2017
The Honourable Minister,
Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity,
Federal Secretariat Complex,
Abuja – FCT.

Dear Sir,

THE STATUS OF THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS (NLC): NEED FOR CLARIFICATION

In view of evolving issues within the nation’s Industrial Relations space, it has become urgent that we seek from your Ministry, clarification on the status of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). This has become crucial given the seeming confusion which surrounds its status thus operations within the context of its history both practical and statutory. We wish to state as follows:
1.that the ULC, LUF, NTUC and NWC were four prominent Labour Centres that were in existence and which were forcefully merged by fiat to give room for the emergence of the NLC by decree in 1978 as the sole CENTRAL LABOUR ORGANISATION in Nigeria.

2.that before this involuntary merger, the United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) was the only Trade Union Centre then recognised by the federal Government.

3.that the Senior Staff Associations were not legally allowed to form a Labour Centre of their choice under this Law thus forcing them to form an amorphous body then known as Federation of Senior Staff Associations of Nigeria (FESSAN) which later became SESCAN and then the present TUC.
.
4.that in 2004, the 1978 Act was amended creating room for plurality or multiplicity of Labour Centres in the Country.

5.that this amendment in Section 30 amongst others, created room for the formation of FEDERATION OF TRADE UNIONS in Nigeria.

6.that the provision for the creation of Federation of Trade Unions abolished the right of the NLC as the sole Labour Centre in Nigeria.

7.that the provision for the creation of a Federation of Trade Unions extinguished the NLC as the sole Trade Union Centre. In the case of Nigerian Nurses Association & Anor vs. AG of Federation & Ors, (1981) 1 FNR 55, the Nigerian Nurses Association had applied, apparently for the re-registration of their Union following the regrouping of Trade unions under the new 1978 Trade Union Act as amended. The Registrar of Trade Unions refused their application. On appeal, the Supreme Court confirmed the decision that the formation of the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives by the Trade Union Amendment Act 1978 extinguished the Nigerian Nurses Association.

8.that By analogy, the creation of the Federation of Trade Unions under the Trade Union Act, Laws of the Federation 2004, extinguished or abolished the NLC as the Sole Labour Centre in Nigeria.

9.that if the NLC was never registered as a Federation of Trade Unions after the coming into force of the Trade Union Amendment Act 2004 then, the NLC has always existed as an illegal organisation or now exists as an illegal federation of Trade Unions.

10.that NLC therefore needed to be re-registered as a Federation of Trade Unions to be able to operate within the new statutes.

11.that you should remember that the TUC which was then (NTUC) and which was part of the original four Labour Centres that were forcefully subsumed under the present NLC sought re-registration and was accorded registration certificate 001.

12.that this singularly shows that the NLC was never registered or re-registered as an organisation of Trade Unions or Federation of Trade Unions thereafter.

13.that It is on record that since after the registration of the TUC, no other Union has been registered as a Federation of Trade Unions in Nigeria.

14.that it is also important that we recall the Ruling of Honourable Justice Roseline Ukeje on this matter which held that the NLC was not a body known to the Law within the context of the 2004 Trade Union Amendment Act. That is the only known and standing judgment concerning the legal status of the NLC and this has not been challenged.

ULC in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) makes the following request from your Ministry:
1.That your Ministry provides us with the Registration number of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
2.That your Ministry provides us the Law under which the Registration was accorded the NLC
3.That the Ministry also provides for us duplicates of the consent forms duly signed by the federating unions as the basis for such registration as voluntarism remains the basis for membership of unions both at Industry level and at level of Federations

This is to lay to rest the various arguments and counter arguments currently renting the air over the status of the NLC.

We want to state finally that if the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) whose existence has been abrogated by the 2004 Trade Union Amendment Act is still being assumed to be legally registered then the United Labour Congress of Nigeria (ULC) which was registered before being abrogated in 1978 should be accorded the same recognition.

ULC on this premise above would kindly request the federal Ministry of Labour to cause the Registrar of Trade Unions to re-issue it with its original certificate of registration so that the present process of seeking registration will be brought to an end immediately.

Do please be assured of our very warm regards even as you take steps to furnish us the necessary information as requested by us.

Fraternally yours,

Comrade Joe Ajaero
(President – ULC)

Buhari Campaign Organization to hold mega nationwide rally for peace

- The Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation has disclosed its palns to hold a mega unity campaign all across the country

- The rally is being organized in order to address issues arising from the agitation for a sovereign state by the outlawed IPOB group, and the rescinded October 1 quit notice issued to Igbos by Arewa youths

- The national president of the organization described IPOB’s agitation as being a case of misplaced priorities, and stated that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens

The Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation (BOCO) is currently perfecting plans to hold a nationwide mega unity campaign to promote peace and unity among all Nigerians.

According to reports, the development was made public by the organisation’s national president, Isa Aminu Bayero.

NAIJ.com gathers that Bayero stated that the rally was being organized in order to address issues arising from the agitation for a sovereign state by the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and the rescinded quite notice issued by Arewa youths to Igbos residing in the north.

He also disclosed that the organization had expanded its network to include the person of the vice president, stating: “We have decided to have an expanded campaign network to now include the person of the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. We shall henceforth be known as Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation (BOCO).”

Bayero stressed that Nigeria belongs to all its citizens, and that no group had the right to send another away from any part of the country.

He further described IPOB’s agitation as ‘misplaced priorities’; and lauded President Buhari for his efforts so far at putting an end to “the boiling issue of corruption, insecurity, ethnic violence and herdsmen/farmers clashes.”

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com previously reported that members of the Buhari Campaign Organisation have begun strategising for the 2019 elections.

Their aim is to ensure President Muhammadu Buhari continues to pilot the affairs of the country up till 2023; and the group has started holding meetings to ensure their plans are perfected ahead of the 2019 polls.

CBN Governor wins 2017 Forbes Best of Africa Innovative Banking Award

According to the President of Forbes Customs Emerging Markets, Mark Furlong, the apex bank under Emefiele has shown transparency.

The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has won the 2017 Forbes Best of Africa Innovative Banking Award.

The award, which is sponsored by Forbes Magazine, was given to the CBN boss during the World Bank/International Monetary Fund meeting in Washington DC, in the United States of America.

According to the President of Forbes Customs Emerging Markets, Mark Furlong, the apex bank under Emefiele has shown transparency.

Furlong also said that the ward was given to the CBN boss because of his determination to come up with policies that will revive Nigeria’s economy.

Emefiele also dedicated the award to the management and staff of CBN.

The CBN boss also thanked Forbes Magazine for honouring him with the award.

He said “But, I think, what is most important here is to thank Nigerians for standing with us, particularly during the very difficult times. I say difficult times then, although I make bold now to say we are out now.

“Like you all know, the last three years has been tumultuous, not just for Nigeria, but the global economy; arising largely from the external shocks that hit particularly the commodity exporting countries.”

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has auctioned $418 million at a marginal rate of N310 to a dollar, to airlines, agriculture, petroleum and raw materials sub sectors so as to achieve exchange rate stability in the Nigerian market.

Over 4,000 Nigerians repatriated from foreign countries

4,281 Nigerians have been repatriated through various countries in Europe, America and some African countries through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos alone in the first half of 2017.

Also, a total number of 691,934 travellers departed through the airport while another 560,988 travellers arrived the country within the period under review.

A document made available to our correspondent through the Ministry of Interior, indicated that the deportees were divided into two namely; chartered and regular flights.

According to the document, between January and June, 2017, 2,251 Nigerians were deported through chartered flights majorly from Libya and a trickle of European countries.

The breakdown of the chartered flights deportees indicated that 1,321 of them were males while the other 930 deportees were females.

Besides, those deported through regular flights, which were mainly from Europe, South Africa and a few African countries were 2,030 Nigerians.

The composition of the deportees revealed that just like in the chartered flights, majority of them were males.

According to the document, males deported in the first half of the year were 1,502 while 528 others were female.

Out of these numbers, those who were involved in criminal activities in their host countries were handed over to the Nigeria Police for further prosecution, some who involved in drug related matters were handed over to the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the airport while others were returned to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Traffic in Persons (NAPTIP).

The document further revealed that in the first of the year, 691,954 passengers both Nigerians and foreigners used the facilities at MMIA to depart to various destinations from the country.

Out of these numbers, 519,215 were Nigerians and majorly males while another 179,739 were foreigners departing the country.

Also, within the period, 550,988 passengers arrived Nigeria through the international wing of the Lagos Airport.

The breakdown revealed that 392,237 of them were Nigerians while the other 158,751 were foreigners from various countries.

A source close to the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) speaking on the issue said that the statistics were important for the Nigerian government to know the numbers of people entering or exiting the country, adding that this would enable the government to monitor and plan adequately.

ELEGY TO OUR HEROES

By Femi Ogunleye

Lest we forget and we concern them to the oblivion in the character of our society, I hasten to put on records, the remarkable labour of our heroes who have just passed on.

Ebenezer Balogun was a veteran Newspaper and Magazine Sales Manager with the defunct Daily Times in Jos and Kaduna in the sixties through decades before he retired.  While he was in control of Daily Times sales offices in Jos and Kaduna, he was ‘father’ of all reporters of the then most influential and powerful print media in Nigeria. My strength in being ubiquitous at every reportorial  beat -  from our “Oremson Building” on Ahmadu Bello Road, Kaduna to the Kaduna Airport, Police Headquarters, the Courts, Government Secretariat, Ahmadu Bello Stadium, and other sundry news sources in Kaduna and Zaria between 1970 and 1973, was courtesy of this guru sales manager who would grant me IOU (recoverable through approved editorial expenses or emolument at a later date) to enhance my mobility through my Suzuky Motor-cycle.

At that time, after Lagos, Kaduna was the second source of “Hot News” either on Government policies, crimes or social events. The crème de la crème of reporters in the newspaper world were in Kaduna, the headquarters of the New Nigerian Newspapers and the outstanding success of the Daily Times crew, comprising yours truly, Victor Izekor, diminutive but uniquely brilliant Duro Iroja and Sam Akanmode, the last two of blessed memory, led at different times by Bayo Joseph and David Attah, was a manifestation of the cooperation between the editorial and circulation management, of which Mr. Balogun was the arrow head. His managerial skill to keep reporters moving and his dexterity to meander effectively through the labyrinth of newspapers vendors contributed to the growth of circulation for the Times publications in the Northern states and in Nigeria as a whole.

When he retired from the Daily Times, Mr. Balogun became an executive vendor by taking the agency for newspapers and magazines circulation, the job he did until he was installed the first traditional ruler of Ajura in Owode Egba local government of Ogun State in 2011.
Ajura is an historic Egba boundary town with Iperu in Remo land and it was where the British colonialists exhibited their power drunkenness by letting inhuman treatment on a community leader in Ajura which led to the Ijemo Massacre of 1914. The consequence of the war was the loss of Egba independence administered by the Egba United Government since 1893, to the British colony in 1914.  Oba Ebenezer Balogun has joined his ancestors.

Stephen O. Bamigbele, veteran journalist of New Nigerian Newspaper fame has recently passed on. The Ogori man from Kogi State, lived in Lokoja, where he was relocated to following his displacement from Kaduna during a civil disorder.  Stephen under whose tutelage I passed through as a newspaper reporter in Jos in mid sixty, was a nucleus staff of the New Nigerian Newspapers since 1966.
He and I synergized to produce landmark stories in Jos including the celebrated Bala Abashe versus Andrew Obeya sex scandal stories which rocked the Benue Plateau State government and the social life in Jos in 1968. 45 Rwang Pam street in Jos was our local Fleet Street where all dramas and comedies of news reporting were exhibited in our times. The likes of late Pa M.B.J. Ferreira (a close friend and contemporary of newspaper magnate, Alhaji Babatunde Jose) as Morning Post correspondent, Femi Onayemi (Daily Times), Diran Latona (Daily Sketch), Yahuza Makongiji and a host of other stringers, made every day worth witnessing.  

Stephen was also a war reporter during the Nigeria/Biafra confrontation from where he was later transferred to the Broad Street, Lagos’ office of the New Nigerian Newspaper where another doyen of journalism at that time, late Mike Pearse, was the Lagos Editor. Stephen was the anchor man receiving wired stories from a Nigerian itinerant journalist based in Sweden, late Bisi Magregor (later Oluwo Ilawo, Abeokuta and Lisa Egba) about the famous Scanian Bus scandal in Lagos.  While in Lagos, Stephen was a socialite in the midst of heavyweight members of the Moderates at their rendezvous named “10 Downing” on a street off Broad Street.

Between 1973 and 1974, He and I once again met in Kano as Correspondents of Daily Times and New Nigerian respectively.  
Kano is a metropolitan city full of activities that provide topical news 24 hours in a day for any enterprising reporter with nose for news. Stephen Bamigbele (New Nigerian Newspaper), Biodun Famojuro (Daily Sketch), Bayo Adesina (Nigerian Observer) and myself from the Daily Times, were regularly atop of beats for the delight of our readers but the Daily Times often incurred the unpleasantness of the authority when correct but incisive short-comings in government activities and social life were published.  
Striking and undeniable investigative stories of the Daily Times from Kano earned yours truly a ‘quit notice’ by the Audu Bako led government of Kano State which immediately caused my redeployment by the Daily Times to the Lagos Airport in 1974.

The death has also been announced of a friend and one-time boss, David Attah. David was one of the young University graduates that Alhaji Babatunde Jose, recruited into the Daily Times in early 70s as a design to invest in skill acquisition for successful management to sustain the standard of the leading tabloid in Nigeria and widen the business  environment of the Daily Times conglomerate.
David was first made the Head of the Northern Region Editorial team with office in Kaduna. Here we interacted very well and learned from his managerial capacity. He was upright and thorough.
David an ABU graduate was later made the Group Manpower Development Manager of Daily Times in Lagos. After his stint in the Daily Times, he became the Managing Director of the Benue Plateau Publishing Corporation (publishers of Nigerian Standard Newspapers) in Jos and later Commissioner for Information in Benue State.
David who was chief press secretary to the late military Head of State, Sanni Abacha, once, expressed his disgust about whatever perception held about him and his principal. He was quoted in an interview “You don’t have to like this man called Abacha but I am involved…I had come as a bird of passage….and somebody you gave an assignment and you could go to sleep”. Lovable and kind person, David was aged 72.

The fourth in the list of my heroes just passed on is the sage, detribalized frontline nationalist, Alhaji Yusuf Maitama Sule, Dan Masamin of Kano. Acclaimed orator, diplomat, elder-statesman and a devout politician from the first republic, (Nigeria’s Minister of Mines and Power, 1954-1966), Chief Whip of the Federal House of Representatives (1955-1956) who became the first Ombudsman – Federal Commissioner of Public Complaints in 1976.
He was Nigeria’s Representative to the United Nations in 1979 and Minister for National Guidance in 1983 among other national positions. Besides all these qualities, Alhaji Maitama Sule was a great mentor who stood by me during my ordeal of misgivings in Police Commissioner Audu Bako’s government as a  Daily Times reporter in Kano. At every orchestrated misinterpretation of my published stories about Kano and its governance, I was adopted as Alhaji Maitama Sule’s protégé as he remained my guide and defender in all accusations.

May the souls of all the departed rest in peace.