The FCTA also sealed the Chinese Cultural Centre, Wuse, belonging to Jade Garden Restaurants, for non-payment of ground rent for 19 years.

The Director of Land, FCTA, Mr. Chijoke Nwankwoeze, explained during the exercise in Abuja on Monday that the properties had reverted to the FCTA.

Nwankwoeze said that the exercise marked the commencement of taking possession of more than 4,794 revoked properties by the FCTA, over unpaid ground rent amounting to more than N6 billion.

He explained that the FIRS building on Plot 627, Wuse Zone 5, owed the FCTA ground rent for 25 years.

He also said that Access Bank building, on Plot No. 2456, Wuse I, Cadastral Zone A02, Abuja, belonging to Rana Tahir Furniture Nig. Ltd, had also not paid ground rent for 34 years.

He said that the property had thus reverted to the FCTA who had taken possession thereof.

Earlier, the enforcement team sealed Total Energy Petrol Station on plot 534 cadastral zone A02 Wuse Zone 1, belonging to Total Plc, over unpaid ground rent for more than 10 years.

READ ALSO: Assessing Tinubu’s second year in office, By Kazeem Akintunde

The Director, Development Control, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, who led the tasks force, said that the action was to take possession of the property which had been revoked in March.

Galadima recalled that the FCTA had announced its decision to take possession of the more than 4,000 revoked properties in the territory for non-payment of ground rent for more than 10 years.

“So, today is just to comply with what we have said that we are going to take over all the revoked properties and we are starting with a plot 534 cadastral zone A02 that Wuse Zone 1, owned by Total PLC,” he said.

Also sealed is the office premises of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons on Plot 2028, Dalaba Street, Wuse, belonging to Nigeria Sugar Company Ltd for the same offence.

Grand Ibro Hotel, on Plot 2359, Wuse Zone 5, whose land title belong to Dubabi and Company was also sealed over 26-year unpaid ground rent, including Mamuda Group Warehouse.

However, shortly after FIRS premises was sealed, the seals were removed, which Galadima described as criminal offence, adding that the FCTA would take a legal action.

Source: NAN

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The organisations include the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL; the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board, NCDMB; the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; Shell Nigeria; the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas, NLNG; the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Zenith Bank and Access Bank Plc.

Expressing Realnews’ appreciation to the organisations, Maureen Chigbo, its publisher, prayed to God to bless them and give their management the wisdom to lift their organisations to greater heights and prosperity.

Chigbo also expressed her deep appreciation to all the banks, institutions, companies, and other organisations that have placed online advertisements on the Realnews website in the last 12 years.

“Without their support, we would not have remained in business all through the years to do what we love best – investigative journalism,” she said.

The theme of Realnews 12th Anniversary Lecture is “Africa in World Shifting Geopolitics: Matters Arising on Democracy, Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Resources”.

The lecture which will be chaired by Ms. Beatrice Eyong, Country Chair, UN Women, will be delivered by Ambassador Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Chief of Staff of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Dr. Karim El Aynaoui, Executive President of Policy Center for New South, Rabat, Morocco, will keynote the conference.

READ ALSO: Police confirm 10 dead, one injured in Jigawa auto crash

The lecture, which will be held at the Sheraton Hotel by 10 am will feature Mrs Hadiza Bala Usman as the Special Guest/discussant along with Engr. Shehu Tijjani, Managing Director, Amal Technology Ltd.

Chigbo, the publisher of Realnews, said there would be an investiture of all the speakers into The Realnews Hall of Fame immediately after the lecture.

Chigbo explained that the Realnews Hall of Fame was established to honour only those who played key roles during the anniversary lectures.

Realnews, a general interest magazine, is an online publication that thrives on investigative journalism.

Chigbo stated: “We have expertise in reporting the oil and gas sector with its attendant environmental challenges. We aim to unearth exclusive stories about real people and the challenges they face in their day-to-day activities. We do this bearing in mind that government can only act to influence the lives of people positively if they are aware of their true situation. Hence, our objective is to use our investigative skills to ferret out information in the sectors we focus on and produce an unbiased report that will influence the government and decision-makers to take actions that will make society better.

“Realnews is populated by seasoned journalists who believe strongly in the tenets and ethics of the profession. The online publication believes that journalism as the fourth Estate of the Realm can contribute its quota towards building a fair and just society where fundamental human rights are respected and citizens have the freedom to pursue their interests anywhere in the world without hindrance. Its editors have a combined experience of several decades in active journalism practice and are highly dedicated to serving humanity. Hence its motto: “For God and Humanity.””

The Realnews Anniversary Lecture Series was established to commemorate our society’s best minds and tap into them to enrich the discourse on national development.

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The order also affected the Accountant-General of the Federation, AGF, Zenith Bank and Access Bank where the state government also banks.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, in a judgment, held that the receipt and disbursement of monthly allocations since January 2024 by Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers was a constitutional somersault and aberration that must not be allowed to continue.

READ ALSO: Tinubu assures of more stability in oil sector with Naira for crude

Justice Abdulmalik held that the presentation of the 2024 Budget by Fubara before a 4-member Rivers House of Assembly was an affront to the constitutional provision.

The judge said that Fubara’s action in implementing unlawful budget had smacked gross violations of the 1999 Constitution he swore to protect.

She, consequently, ordered the CBN, AGF, Zenith Bank and Access Bank from further allowing Fubara to access money from the Consolidated Revenue and Federation Account.

Source: NAN

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The latest report of the Top 50 Brands Nigeria rankings, an annual celebration of the most influential and valuable brands in the country, revealed this.

Dangote is immediately followed by MTN Nigeria, which not only ranks second overall but also emerged as the Most Popular Brand in the country for the year, according to the Top-of-Mind (TOM) survey.

MTN’s strong consumer connection and widespread recognition highlight its significant impact on the telecommunications sector and beyond.

At the third place this year is Globacom Nigeria, a leading Nigerian multinational telecommunications company known for its innovative solutions and commitment to progress.

Globacom’s consistent ranking among the top brands indicate its significant role in Nigeria’s digital and technological advancement.

Airtel Nigeria, another key player in the telecommunications sector, secured the fourth position. Access Bank ranked in the fifth position, topping the Banking & Financial Services sector.

The organisers stated that: “This year’s list is a testament to the resilience, innovation, and enduring relevance of brands that continue to shape Nigeria’s economic, particularly in challenging times.

A significant highlight this year is that seven of the first 10 brands out of the 50 are Nigerian, emphasizing the resilience and global competitiveness of home-grown brands, most of which had spread abroad.

Additionally, it is impressive to note the consistency among the top brands, with seven of them maintaining their positions from last year. This stability reflects their continued relevance, strong market presence, and ability to navigate the complexities of the Nigerian business environment.

READ ALSO: NLC demands immediate reversal of new pump price of petrol

Nigerian brands account for 24 spots on the top brands list this year, while international brands hold 26 positions, representing 52% of the total.

The 2024 list also witnessed the entry of two new brands, these are Opay Nigeria and Flutterwave, which made their debut in the annual Top 50 evaluation.

These new entrants highlight the growing influence of fintech and digital payment platforms in shaping Nigeria’s economic future.

Notably, 14 brands maintained their positions from the previous year, reflecting their consistent performance and consumer trust.

Another set of notes in the presentation are the 10 Brands to Watch – These are vibrant and upcoming brands, who, though not among the 50 Top Brands yet, but with significant visibility and promises.

This year, nine of the 10 Brands to Watch are Nigerian.

During the public presentation, Taiwo Oluboyede, CEO of Top 50 Brands Nigeria, commended the brands for their exceptional performance resilience, particularly in the face of the present economic challenges.

“These brands deserve commendation, really, especially in times like this. The past year has been tough for many businesses, with some relocating out of Nigeria and others barely holding on. However, the majority of these brands have shown the resilient Naija spirit by weathering the storms and standing strong with positive projections into the future.”

He stated further: “As the saying goes, tough times never last, but tough people do. It’s in times like this that you differentiate between the boys and the men, as these brands have shown.

“The 2024 Top 50 Brands Nigeria list is a celebration of excellence, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of growth. As these brands continue to innovate and adapt, they set the standard for what it means to be a top brand in Nigeria.

“We look forward to witnessing their continued success and contribution to Nigeria’s economic development in the years to come.”

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Adegoke’s position is contained in a fresh document filed by one of the state’s bankers before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, in a garnishee proceeding initiated by the ex-council chiefs.

The garnishee proceeding was initiated against Makinde, Oyo State and others, following the December 8, 2023 judgment of the Abuja Court of Appeal, ordering the governor to pay the debt, which now stood at N3,425,300,000.

In the court document, the Oyo Accountant General revealed that there were sufficient funds in the state’s account with First Bank of Nigeria Limited and that the bank had been directed to set aside the  N3,425,300,000 for the settlement of the outstanding judgment debt.

The Supreme Court had, in a judgement on May 7, 2021, declared Makinde’s sack of the council officials, before the end of their three-year tenure, as unlawful.

The apex court also ordered him to pay them the salaries and allowances they ought to have earned for the tenure, which the Oyo State government later estimated at N4,874,889,425.60.

The governor authorised the payment of N1.5 billion in 2022, leaving an outstanding sum of N3,374,889,425.60 (about N3.4 billion).

Makinde later applied to the High Court of the FCT, via a motion filed on April 3, 2023, praying to be allowed to pay the outstanding debt in instalment of N300 million every six months, a request Justice Anote Ebong rejected.

He had, in the motion, claimed among others, that Oyo State had no resources to pay the judgment debt and that the state would be unable to meet its obligations should the debt be paid in a manner deferent from what he proposed.

Justice Ebong, in a ruling on April 27, 2023, ordered one of the state’s bankers, First Bank of Nigeria, to immediately pay the ex-council chiefs N1,374,889,425.60 and directed Makinde to pay the remaining balance of N2 billion in instalment of N500 million every six months, with the first instalment payable on July 31, 2023.

But Makinde appealed Justice Ebong’s decision at the Court of Appeal, Abuja and repeated his claim that his state was broke and would be unable to meet its obligations should it comply with the order by the FCT High Court.

READ ALSO: Tinubu approves N12bn outstanding payment for S’Eagles, others

In a judgement on December 8, 2023, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal dismissed Makinde’s appeal; ordered him to comply with Justice Ebong’s order and awarded N50 million cost against him.

Armed with the December 8 judgment of the Court of Appeal, the ex-council chiefs led by Bashorun Mojeed Ajuwon, went back to Justice Ebong’s court for an order attaching Oyo State government’s accounts in 10 banks in a fresh garnishee proceeding.

It is in response to the court’s order for the banks to show cause why the garnishee order nisi should not be made absolute against them that one of the banks tendered the letter by the Oyo State Accountant General.

In the letter, Mrs Adegoke said: “We wish to inform you that First Bank of Nigeria Ltd has already set aside the sum of N3,425,300,000.00 on Oyo State Joint Local Government Allocation Account,” in respect of the garnishee order by Justice Ebong.

First Bank, in its response to the garnishee order, confirmed that it had sufficient funds in Oyo State’s account to cover the judgment debt.

It added that “Oyo State has an account with the bank with funds sufficient to cover the judgment sum of N2,050,300,000.00.”

At the resumed hearing in the garnishee proceedings on January 5, Makinde’s lawyer, Alfred Akinjo-Nelson, told the court that his client was unhappy with the Court of Appeal decision and has appealed to the Supreme Court.

When asked by Justice Ebong what his client’s grievance was with the judgment debt, Akinjo-Nelson said Makinde and the other judgment debtors were not contesting the judgment debt, but were uncomfortable with the mode of payment ordered by the judge.

The lawyer also faulted the suggestion by Solomon Umoh, SAN, a lawyer to Access Bank Plc, one of Oyo State ‘s bankers, that other banks affected by the garnishee order nisi should be excused in view of the revelation that sufficient funds had been reserved with First Bank to defray the judgment debt.

Although lawyer to the judgment creditors (the ex-council chiefs), Musibau Adetunbi, SAN, agreed that the other nine garnishee banks be excused, except First Bank, Akinjo-Nelson disagreed with the submission.

Akinjo-Nelson, therefore, sought time to respond to some applications filed by the judgment creditors, including one in which they are seeking to play a recording of an alleged media chat by Makinde, where he was said to have commented on the decisions by the various courts on the case.

Justice Ebong adjourned the matter until January 18 for  hearing in the pending applications and possibly continuation of the garnishee proceedings.

Source: NAN

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Kibet joined the league of winners of Kenya-dominated 42km Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon, as they won in 2016, 2017, 2020 and 2021.

The Ethiopians who have been sharing the stage as winners are two-time winners as they won in 2019 and 2022 while French runner, Abraham Kiprotich, won in 2018.

The 2023 Gold-Label Access Bank Lagos City Marathon would have been gone to David Bamassai, the 2020 winner and the race record holder in 2:10:23, but he collapsed during the race to pave the way for Kibet to emerge champions.

Ethiopian runner, Dekeba Tafa, however, came second in 2:14:54, while another Kenyan, Bernard Sang, came third in 2:17:14.

In the women’s category, it was an all-Ethiopian affair as Alemenesh Guta won the race for the second time in 2:40:42 to follow her feat in 2018.

Guta, a regular participant in the race, however, came second in the 2021 edition.

Urisa Kebene Chala also from Ethiopia came second in 2:40:42 while Naomi Maiyo who came third at the 2022 edition maintained her spot in the position with 2:40:56.

East Africans Gyan Boyi, who emerged winner with 2:48:33, shared the podium with Adamu Shehu, in second position with 21:30:52, while Friday Yohanna came third with 2:33:02 for the male category.

In the female category, veteran runner, Deborah Pam, led the pack in 2:48:33, Elizabeth Nuhu came second in 3:00:20 and Dinatu Yahanna came third in 3:02:12.

The 2023 marathon was a delight in Sports City, Lagos, as residents stood on the streets to cheer the 50,000 runners from the National Stadium, Surulere, to the finish point at Eko Atlantic, Victoria Island.

The winners of the 2023 edition on the sidelines of the marathon said he was elated to emerge winner of the race.

Source: NAN

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The women were screened at the FRSC office, Ojodu Berger, Lagos State.

October every year is marked worldwide as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

In October, all efforts are devoted to increasing attention and support for the awareness, early detection and treatment as well as palliative care of the disease.

Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells divide uncontrollably and destroy body tissue.

READ ALSO: Juris Law honours Access Bank chief, Wigwe, at judges’ conference

The Group Head of W Initiative, Mrs Abiodun Olubitan, said that early screening and detection were still the best approaches to tackling cancers and that the Initiative would be screening no fewer than 5,000 women in October 2022.

“October is declared the breast and cervical cancer month and of course, we have also dedicated the month as our W Health Month which we do every year.

“W Initiative is all about inspiring, connecting and empowering women to improve their lifetsyle, that is why we are screening the women for breast and cervical cancer.

“I encourage you to follow us on our social platform on ‘@ the W community’ and you will see all the exciting things we have for this month,” she said.

Olubitan said that Access Bank partnered with FRSC knowing that women in uniform did not really have time for themselves because of the nature of their jobs.

“So, we have partnered with them to ensure they can get this screening in their location and to ensure they can know their status and know the next step to take,” she said.

The Deputy Corps Commander, Logistics RS 2.1 Lagos, Corps Commander Tajudeen Mafe, said that the partnership would help enhance innovative initiatives.

He represented the Sector Commander RS 2.1, Lagos, Corp Commander Olusegun Ogungbemide.

Mafe said that the issue of breast cancer was germaine to the female staff and that they had been enlightened on how to examine themselves for lumps in the breast.

“This effort coming from W Initiative Access Bank also goes in line with our sustainable development goals which deal with healthy living and the wellbeing of an individual.

“We appreciate your efforts and are grateful for counting us worthy.

“FRSC is an elite corps and we pay paramount attention to the wellbeing of our staff because we believe that health is wealth,” he said.

Mr Opeyemi Ologun, a co-founder of Beacon Health Diagnostics, said that Access Bank partnered Beacon to help carry out the screening tests during the month of the cancer awareness programme.

According to Ologun, screenings like Papsmear are to be carried out randomly by older women while girls from ages  10 to 26 should get the Human Papilloma Vaccine, HPV, as preventive measures against cervical cancer.

“I also advise women to quit smoking if they do.

“They should also regularly use condom if they have multiple sexual partners as protective measures against cervical cancer,” he said.

Source: NAN

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The chairman, 2022 Conference Committee, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, revealed on Monday that the latest partners comprised of Delta State and Lagos State, in addition the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Chevron Nigeria Limited, and Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

A press statement by GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Remmy Nweke, also quoted Ugbechie as saying that others are the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Access Bank Plc, Unity Bank plc and Globacom.

This year’s theme, Ugbechie noted would focus on “2023 Elections: Managing the Process for Credible Outcome,” with the keynote speaker being the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, while the chairman of the day would be the Founder, Centre for Alternative Policy Perspectives and Strategy, CAPPS, Dr. Umar Ardo.

Whereas the panelists, he said could include the lawyer-activist cum Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, former Inspector General of Police, Dr. Solomon E. Arase, and Dr. Chichi Aniagolu-Okoye of Ford Foundation.

Before now, GOCOP 2022 conference has announced earlier partnerships with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending, NIRSAL Plc., Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC; Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board, NCDMB, and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as well as the First Bank Plc; Nigeria Liquefied National Gas, NLNG, Limited; The Presidency, Wema Bank, Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, etcetra.

READ ALSO: GOCOP annual conference holds October 6, theme unveiled

Further, Ugbechie assured that this year’s conference slated to hold barely five months to the 2023 general elections provides a roadmap for political actors and the various publics on the need to play by the rules and conform to acceptable electoral behaviour.

Highlight expected at this year’s conference, he said, is a business luncheon with GOCOP partners on Wednesday, October 5, at the same venue.

Former speakers at GOCOP conferences include Rev. Matthew Hassan Kukah, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto who took to the podium in 2019 to lecture on “Economy, Security and National Development: The Way Forward”.

In 2021, Mr. Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation keynoted the Conference in his capacity as Chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19. He spoke on: “Post Covid-19 Pandemic: Recovery and Reconstruction in Nigeria.”

“The Guild was established to ensure that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism in doing their jobs and our membership is a constellation of Editors and senior journalists who, having distinguished themselves in their various stations, ventured into online publishing which is both the present and future of journalism globally,” Ugbechie recollected.

Stressing that the conference is therefore a fitting platform for the distillation and sharing of ideas from a carefully chosen array of resource persons cutting across the entire socio-political ecosystem. GOCOP intends to use the opportunity of the conference to moderate the already tense political climate as well as to proffer solutions to current and anticipated challenges arising from the elections.”

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The Group Head, Communications and External Affairs of the bank, Mr Amaechi Okobi, made the announcement in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

The statement said that the beneficiaries of this whole scale performance review exercise spanned the bank’s senior, middle, and junior management levels.

It said that their promotion came as the financial giant shored up its transition to a Holding Company (Holdco) effective May 1, 2022.

The statement said the employees’ immeasurable efforts and sacrifices saw the bank’s consistent growth over the years.

The statement assured employees of management’s continuous efforts to put employees in best position to grow and be successful in today’s highly competitive work environment.

It also said the bank had over the years, demonstrated that employee performance and rewards remained a critical pillar of its business operations.

“The bank has consistently provided adequate resources to deepen core job skills while entrenching a culture of high performance amongst employees.

“The bank’s penchant for rewarding high performance is particularly highlighted by the annual CEO Awards, one of the programmes under it’s ‘We Clap Initiative’ which is designed to support the development of a culture of excellence as well as motivate employees and teams for superior performance.

“Recently, Access Bank was named the best institution to work in Nigeria by global professional network company, LinkedIn, having assessed data across seven pillars that serve as identifiers of career progression.

“They are, the ability to advance, skills growth, company stability, external opportunity, company affinity, gender diversity and spread of educational backgrounds,” said the statement.

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The State Commissioner of Police, Idris Dauda Babban, who confirmed the incident to newsmen in Lokoja, said, however, that he was waiting to get details from the area commander.

The attack on the commercial banks, according to eye-witnesses, started at about 3.00 pm on Tuesday and lasted about two hours as the police operatives tried to repel the robbers.

It was learnt that the hoodlums drove to Egbe town in a Toyota Highlander SUV and other vehicles suspected to have been snatched from their owners along with three Bajaj motorcycles for the operation.

The sources said that the armed robbers in large numbers started their onslaught at about 3 p.m. on Tuesday when they stormed Egbe Divisional Police Station and started shooting sporadically.

They were said to have consequently bombed the police station with Improvised Explosive Devices causing the residents to scamper to safety.

Sources further said that in the operation that lasted about two hours, the robbers were said to have left the Divisional Police Headquarters and proceeded to a branch of the Access Bank Plc in the town.

There, they were said to have killed the security man on duty along with one other person and injured several others who were rushed to ECWA hospital in Egbe.

It was also gathered that the heavily armed robbers then descended heavily on a branch of First Bank in Egbe which had been out of business for more than two years due to incessant robbery attacks.

After the successful operation in Egbe, the robbers were said to have moved towards Odo-Ere, headquarters of Yagba-West local government.

They were said to have had a field day at the UBA branch in the town after attacking the police station as residents ran for their lives.

However, it learnt that a security staff of the bank was killed in the bank premises and a lady in her 20s was killed by stray bullets as the robbers, after a successful operation, started shooting indiscriminately.

Source: NAN

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