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“Nigerian billionaires, international oil companies and other operators have been identified as owners of the 49 oil block licences some of which expired since 2010.” Is how Punch started the interesting report. And continues “Our correspondent gathered that nine Oil Mining Leases (six of which are currently producing) and 40 Oil Prospecting Licences, many of which were awarded during the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo, had expired. OPL 204, owned by Africoil & Marketing Company Limited, expired in 2010, and OPLs 236 while 244 operated by Mr. Wale Tinubu’s Oando Plc and Nigeria Agip Exploration respectively expired in 2011. Similarly, OPL 320, operated by billionaire Prince Arthur Eze’s Oranto Petroleum Limited, expired in 2012. The Department of Petroleum Resources said the owners applied for extension to compensate for the time lost to militancy and insecurity in the Niger Delta, and the request had been forwarded to the minister. The process of renewin...

Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has said Nigeria is on a terminal nose-dive and that its pilot, who he noted is missing, must cry for international help as many had advised. Soyinka, who stated this in a statement he issued on Sunday titled, “May Day! May Day!! May Day!!!,” in commemoration of the 2018 Workers’ Day described the ongoing killings in the country as “ethic cleansing.” The critic, who said May Day,  that he uttered thrice, signified a distress call, adding that long before its adoption for that function, however, and more traditionally, there did exist Labour (or Workers’) Day, dedicated to the entitlement of workers to  the value and dignity of their labour. He noted that the Nigerian constituency was left to determine which attribution – or both, or none – was deafeningly clamorous on May 1, 2018. Soyinka stated, “No matter, one feels it a duty to call the attention to the painful convergence of both appropriations. Could such a co-option serve e...

Grange School, Ikeja on Saturday emerged overall winners of the Secondary School category of the 3rd Zenith Bank/Ikoyi Club Swimming Gala. Grange, which had a week earlier also took first position in the Primary School category, was steered to victory by Kishi Deji-Roberts who amassed four gold medals to bag the MVP award for the girls. American International School (AIS) placed second while British International School (BIS) came third out of nine schools/teams that featured. Tosan Obatoyinbo of BIS also had a great impact on the tournament which had about 30 events as he was voted the MVP for the boys after scooping four gold and two silver medals. The Group Managing Director of Zenith Bank, Peter Amangbo, thanked Ikoyi Club for the opportunity to sponsor the tournament, saying it has helped to identify and nurture future swimming stars. “Zenith Bank identifies sports as a very key component of our unity as a nation. We also acknowledge that Nigerians love sports and th...

By Olabode Opeseitan It was around mid-day on June 29, 2012. I was neck-deep in work when the call I dreaded most came through. The pleasantry was unusual, very curt. The voice at the other end advised me to be strong and take it like a man. Even without saying it, I knew instantly I had lost my dad who had been on admission at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ill-Ife. When I visited him one week before his demise, I had a morbid fear he might not make it but I shrugged the thought off and cast my burden on God, hoping that by some strokes of luck, he could pull through.  He never did. I was completely rattled. The macho man in me melted like a bowl of ice cream under a scorching sun. I wept uncontrollably in the private rest room in my office. Our office assistant, Tosin (who later acquired a university degree and became our receptionist), coincidentally came to my office while I was sobbing. Alarmed, having never seen me in that cond...

There is a new talk of the town, especially in Ekiti state. And it is Cyril Fasuyi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Legacy Foods. Checks revealed the international business man is making the rounds on the lips of high society because of his good deeds. According to a source ‘’ this international businessman of repute is well loved by his people in Ekiti due to his kindness and humility. He has been a great pillar of support to several orphans, widows and physically challenged, many of whom have been through school/vocation in Ekiti as a result of his kindheartedness. Cyril can go to any length to stand by and support his friends and this has endeared him to many of his kinsmen’’ Societynow.ng further gathered that Cyril’s penchant for providing a helping hand has roots in his background. An insider divulged that ‘’ Cyril will always tell his friends and those around him that having tasted poverty, he does not wish or pray that anybody...

Skye Bank has announced plans to recruit fresh graduates into its employment at entry level. The recruitment exercise aims to create employment opportunities for young employees into the organization whilst positioning  the bank for improved competition in retail banking services across the country. Candidates wishing to apply are expected to visit the bank’s website at www.skyebankng.com, fill the form and submit online. Speaking on the recruitment exercise,  the Group Head, Human Capital Management of the bank, Mr. Taiwo Olupeka, stated: “We remain an employer of choice and as a responsible corporate citizen, we are poised to create fair opportunities for young Nigerians to  attain their career aspirations in one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions. This step also enables us address in some measure the menace of youth unemployment in Nigeria”. The recruitment process involves the selection of qualified candidates from a pool of applicants across the co...

The CIBN auditorium in Lagos last week played host to Nigerians from all works of life as A banker and Mr Nduneche Ezurike, a Marketing Communication professional and employee with one of the leading commercial banks delivered the report of his research report titled: ‘Employee MarketPlace’ a study on employee engagement and workplace innovation in the Millennial age. The report showed how leaders can take advantage of the creative energies and talents of the millennials to achieve innovation within the organization. The three-part Presentation include: a video documentary of professional perspectives on employee engagement, theoretical reviews of the subsisting practices of employee engagement as well as quantitative survey report which the convener conducted in partnership with the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria(CIBN) titled “The Millennial Voice’ Undertaking a review of the current practice of employee engagement, Mr. Ezurike questioned the practical relevance o...

Coralpay is partnering Alipay, the world’s largest online and offline payment platform operated by Ant Financial Services Group, to ease transactions on e-channels in Africa. The partnership further expands Alipay footprints in Africa and opens the door for its more than 600 million active users in China to make purchases in the continent using the CoralPay platform. By the ground-breaking agreement, millions of Alipay users can now conduct seamless transactions in Africa at CoralPay affiliated merchant locations, beginning with the Nigerian market. Alipay, regarded by many as Asia’s PayPal, is supported in 24 countries and regions and works with over 250 overseas financial institutions and payment solution providers to enable cross-border payments for Chinese travelling overseas and overseas customers who purchase products from Chinese e-commerce sites. In signing this agreement, CoralPay, a payment solution and transaction processing company, has broken new grounds as this...

For Ibidun, the former beauty queen and wife of Pastor Ituah Ighodalo her in-laws are incomparable. The pastor’s wife labels her in laws “the best ever” and declared if she has to walk the marriage route again, she would thread the same path that brought her into the fold of the Ighodalo’s. What are Ibidun’s reason for this uncommon testimony about “in laws”. She provided her reasons in the social media post that reads “The depth of their kindness is like none other. A rare kind of love called unconditional. Despite my challenges with infertility, I have never been discriminated against. If I had to do it again, I would choose this family in every life because they are simply awesome. I celebrate the best In-laws ever…the Ighodalos.” Source: Societynow

The Africa America Institute (AAI) just signed an MoU with Covenant University, making the prestigious institution the second university partner for the Jim Ovia Foundation Leaders Scholarship (JOFLS). Both Covenant University, Nigeria and Ashesi University, Ghana – AAI’s initial university partner - are set to oversee the admissions of the JOFLS applicants according to the universities’ admission criteria. The JOFLS is a definitive partnership between the Jim Ovia Foundation and the Africa-America Institute that will have an exponential impact in creating a better, brighter future for young Africans. According to the Founder/Chairman of the Jim Ovia Foundation, Mr. Jim Ovia, “… we need to collectively empower young people and create a network of future leaders and game changers that can propel our continent.  This JOFLS Fund and partnership with AAI are part of my continued dedication; and I am pleased that the prestigious Covenant University is now a part of the p...

This is the first picture of Monica Osagie, the student at the centre of the sex for mark scandal rocking the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She has equally broken her silence, albeit by proxy. Monica, a postgraduate student recorded her conversation with her lecturer, Prof Richard Akindele of the Department of Management and Accounting, on phone, demanding from her five rounds of sex in exchange for exam marks, the audio, which went viral. The audio drew mixed reaction, and provoked the school authority into setting up a panel, which investigated the matter and recommended the suspension of Prof. Akindele. Speaking to The Sun, Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, Founder, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre,  a non-profit organization, who has the mandate of Monica to speak on her behalf on the matter, denied suggestion that the latter leaked the audio. ‘She didn’t release the audio. She got the evidence and it was given to one or two people when she was see...

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the emir of Kano, has expressed displeasure with the absence of government officials at a meeting with investors in Washington DC. Speaking to journalists at an investment programme organised by the Nigerian embassy, Sanusi said Nigeria might lose investors because of tardiness and lackadaisical attitude. The ministers who did not attend the event were Audu Ogbeh (agriculture), Ogbonnaya Onu (science and technology), Lai Mohammed (information) Babatunde Fashola (power), Ibe Kachikwu (state for petroleum resources), Kemi Adeosun (finance) and Kayode Fayemi (solid minerals). They all had sessions at the IMF meeting. Godwin Emefiele, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yewande Sadiku, executive secretary of Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and the expected governors were also absent. “For the person sitting in London and who has a billion dollars to invest, he’s got Nigeria, he’s got Ghana, he’s got Rwa...

Saadu Alanamu, former chairman of the governing council of Kwara State Polytechnic, says he was never sent to prison. Alanamu was recently  nominated  by President Muhammadu Buhari as a commissioner of the National Population Commission (NPC). He  was said to have been remanded  in prison by a Kwara state high court sitting in Ilorin over his alleged involvement in a fraud to the tune of N182m and abuse of bail conditions. But in a statement issued on Saturday, Muhammad Adeoye, his spokesperson, said Alanamu has never been convicted by any court of law let alone remanded for any offence. “For the avoidance of doubt, Alanamu was in Abuja on Wednesday, April 18 for official assignment and was in Ilorin on Thursday, April 19 and was publicly cited (seen) within the metropolis pursuing his legitimate means of livelihood,” he said. “Alanamu remains a law abiding and patriotic citizen of our great nation. Even in the countenance of media propagand...

Details floating into public space from the corridors of the Niger Delta Development Commission has it that there are two main bosses at the place. There is said to be the official Managing Director and the off the book decision maker. And they both come from the same home. Ironically the unofficial boss is being touted as more powerful in the scheme of things than the person given the official mandate. This is said to be the situation with Nsima Ekere the Managing Director of NDDC and his wife, Ese. Ese is decorated with the title unofficial decision maker at the commission. Nsima is said to have allowed the togetherness of his home front to seep into his business place. And the development has taken root to such an extent that his wife now has strong input about happenings at the commission he heads. According to news platform thecapital.ng “Sources within the NDDC lament that the affairs of the Organization are currently under the control of two people namely, Ns...

There is a change of baton at the Ogun Area Command of the Nigerian Customs. Performer Sani Madugu just handed over to acting Area Controller DC Agbara Ojobo Michael. The handover was officially effected via a touching farewell speech which welcomes the new head man with a very warm embrace. To do justice to inspiring speech it is reproduced as made available by maiwada .a.a, the public relations officer for customs area controller, Ogun Area Command. ‘’ It is a great pleasure to welcome you to Idiroko Axis of Ogun Area Command and once again inform you on the tremendous successes recorded in revenue generation and anti-smuggling drive of the Command. It is pertinent to inform you that, we have reinvigorated our efforts not only to sustain the tempo we have achieved in the previous year (810 seizures with DPV of N1,581,410,058.00 and total revenue of N6,162,559,790.13 from January to December, 2017), but rather strategies have been put in place to improve our performanc...

The drumbeats of war resound across the nooks and crannies of the Lagos socio-political and economic milieu, like the stirrings of medieval blood-fests between warring ethnic giants. But unlike the carnages of old that shaped and malformed the histories of great icons and civilisations, the alleged ongoing spat between two brothers, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the powerful politician and APC leader, and his brother, Wale Tinubu, the head honcho of Oando Group, may incite no bloodbath. Its no longer news that the brazen perfidy and deep-seated hatred run through the rift narrative between Wale Tinubu and Volpi. Despite concerted efforts by  some well-meaning Nigerians and the Minister of Finance to thaw the ice between the two estranged partners in the wake of a business gone bad, recent revelations have proven however that there is no end in sight to their long-drawn face off. Sources in the mafia-esque oil sector contend strongly that Volpi particularly has spat into ...

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, is presently attending a meeting of the Osun State Traditional Rulers Council Meeting at the palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. Oluwo has never attended the meeting since he ascended the throne almost the same time as the Ooni in 2015. It was gathered that some Obas had, during the last meeting held on July 4, 2017, raised the issue of the Oluwo and they resolved to go to Iwo to prevail on him to attend this meeting. The Olojuo of Ido Osun, Oba Aderemi Adedapo, who is the secretary to the Council of Obas and about 40 other traditional rulers were in attendance. The Ooni of Ife, who arrived at the venue of the meeting last, went round and greeted all the traditional rulers one after the other. All the traditional rulers stood up to acknowledge his greetings. The Ooni, who presided over the meeting, prayed for the monarchs and the towns each of them presides over. Oba Ogunwusi said, “It has been long since we held this meeting. The m...

The All Progressives Congress has said it will not force anyone on President Muhammadu Buhari as his running mate if he wins the party’s presidential ticket. Consequently, the ruling party said it would not compel the President, who recently told the APC leadership of his intention to seek a second term in office, to pick his incumbent deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), as his running mate. But while informing the National Executive Committee of the APC of his interest to seek re-election in 2019 in Abuja on Monday, Buhari was silent on who would be his running mate in his bid to get a second term as President. Buhari did not, however, indicate, at the meeting, that he would pick any other candidate apart from Osinbajo, whom he had previously described in glowing terms. But the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who spoke to SUNDAY PUNCH on the issue, believed it would be unfair to impose anyone on the party’s presidential candidate. Abdulla...

A front-runner on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC) in the on-coming governorship election in Osun State, Kunle Rasheed Adegoke (K-Rad), has expressed condolences to the government of Kwara State, the Olofa of Ofa, the entire people of Ofa and Kwara State and the families of the victims of the recent robbery that took so many lives in Ofa, Kwara State of Nigeria. In a release personally issued by the frontline aspirant from Mecca where he is currently observing the lesser hajj, Adegoke condemned the merchants of deaths and deprivations together with their dare-devilry. He prayed for the repose of the souls of the innocent victims of the unfortunate and soulless attacks. "While I commiserate with the government of Kwara State, the Olofa of Ofa, the entire people of Ofa and Kwara State in general and the distraught families of the victims of this heinous incident, I call on the government to step up in its sacred duty of protection of lives and property by sett...