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To address infrastructural challenges at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Anambra State, former Governor Peter Obi has launched a N5 billion development fund for the institution. It was at the university’s 60th Founders’ Day where he was the guest lecturer. Obi decried the pace of development at the university, stating its alumni had done very little or nothing to help their alma mater. He said the fund-raiser would run for five years with a target of N1 billion yearly from the alumni from next year. “If about 10,000 alumni of the university can come together and make annual contribution of N100,000 each, we should be able to raise N1 billion yearly to help our alma mater,” he said. Obi, who promised to pay two per cent of annual fund mobilisation, said he would make funds available to the university to furnish the office apartment where the fund drive would be coordinated. “I will be fully involved and will supervise activities of the office,” he promised. The Vice-Chance...

Dr. Thomas W. Ikubese Former Presidential Aspirant, Dr Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has written President Muhammadu Buhari, suggesting 10 solutions to the ongoing protest by Nigerian youths against police brutality, tagged, #EndSARS. Dr. Ikubese, in the letter, also alerted the president of what he described as a looming danger if the demands of the protesters are not met. Dr. Ikubese, who is also the Convener, YesWeFit Revolutionary Movement, however, urged the president to take expedient action in meeting the demands by the youths as well as many other solutions he suggested. The statement reads thus: President Muhammadu Buhari Presidential Complex, Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Abuja, Nigeria. “Dear President (Muhammadu Buhari) 10 THINGS YOU MUST DO URGENTLY! Your Excellency, permit me to skip felicitations, as happenings around Nigeria at the moment does not call for such. I consider it expedient to write you this open letter in order to avoid the looming disaster that may alter your pla...

After two days of cautious trading, the nation’s bourse on Friday recorded N164 billion growth following renewed investors interest. Specifically, the market capitalisation which opened at N14.815 trillion rose by N164 billion or 1.11 per cent to close at N14.979 trillion. Also, the All-Share Index rose by 315.41 points or 1.11 per cent to close at 28,659.45, from 28,344.04 on Thursday. Total led the gainers’ table growing by N10.20 to close at N112.20 per share. Presco followed with N5.40 to close at N65.90, while Zenith Bank garnered N1.55 to close at N21.55 per share. NASCO gained 90k to close at N13, while Guaranty Trust Bank added 85k to close at N30.35 per share. On the other hand, Eterna topped the losers’ chart, dropping 39k to close at N4.90 per share. Cutix trailed with 18k to close at N1.62, e Transact also dipped 18k to close at N1.73 per share. Fidson Healthcare was down by 6k to close at N3.50, Red Star Express lost 5k to close at N3.25 per share. In the same vein, the v...

The drums of war between the two main towns of Isokoland, Oleh and Ozoro, are beating feverishly as I write and I call on President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Ifeanyi Okowa to act swiftly to prevent a needless bloodbath, an unmanageable refugee situation and the general horrors associated with wars and civil unrest. Nigeria, as the world, is currently reeling from the global coronavirus pandemic; we cannot afford to add to our troubles here at home by inaction. Yesterday, Friday, 16 October 2020, the town of Oleh, headquarters of the old Isoko Division and now of Isoko South LGA, was thrown into deep mourning by the news of the murder of 9 of its inhabitants (among them a child) by persons reasonably suspected to be from Ozoro. A full 24 hours after, there has been no denial that the murderers are from Ozoro. For some years now, Ozoro has been disputing ownership of lands at its border with Oleh. The Delta State government is very much aware of the dispute and had set up a conflict...

The Federal Government has promised to pay N40 billion, being the pending Earned Academic Allowance, EAA, of University teachers. This is as the ongoing dialogue between the government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, will continue on Wednesday, 21st October to enable the leadership to consult their organs on the conclusions reached at this last meeting. The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, disclosed this while presenting the outcome of the meeting between the government and the university teachers. According to a statement issued by Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director/Head Press, the Minister stated that out of the N40 billion pending Earned Academic Allowance, N30 billion would be paid on or before 6th November, while the remaining N10 billion would be spread equally over two tranches to be paid on May 2021 and February 2022. He said that the government’s commitment to pay was in response to “the demand by ASUU for the payment of two tranches o...

First Bank CEO, Adeduntan First Bank of Nigeria Limited has announced that its Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Dr. Adesola Adeduntan has been honoured with membership of Bretton Woods Committee (BWC). FirstBank has also joined Bretton Woods Committee as an Organisational Supporter in line with the commitment to demonstrate cooperation and foster global well-being. The membership, which is by invitation only, is in recognition of Dr. Adeduntan’s sterling leadership qualities including efforts in ensuring that FirstBank remains at the forefront in promoting financial inclusion in Africa. According Bretton Woods, ‘’committee members are leaders at the top of business, academic, and nonprofit sectors. Influencers from every region of the world – including industry CEOs, international policymakers, and former U.S. officials – we champion efforts to spur economic growth, alleviate poverty, and advance global financial stability. Given your leadership and background, we believe you would be a...

Abubakar Suleiman, CEO, Sterling Bank PLC The CEO of Sterling bank PLC, Abubakar Suleiman, has announced that the Bank has obtained the Central Bank’s approval in principle to enable it restructure as a Holding Company. The Bank’s desire to operate as a Holding Company was driven by its plan to spin off its Non-Interest Banking window which became operational in January 2014 into an autonomous entity. The Bank believes that the proposed structure incorporates efficiencies around operations and financing efforts that will support the individual businesses in reaching full potential through: • Increased portfolio diversification – The Holding Company structure enables the Non Interest Bank and other non-core businesses achieve greater results based on focused management of the distinct businesses • Improved efficiency resulting from the consolidation of key functions such as Compliance, Risk Management and other support functions, yielding improved prospects for individual business grow...