Key families in Okere-Urhobo on Monday took steps to foil the divisive and land grabbing plan of one Louis Okumagba.

They also urged the good people of Delta State and the general public to completely discountenance the false publication by Louis Okumagba.

‘’Louis Okumagba does not represent the interests of the families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu of Okere-Urhobo’’

Heads and members of the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Okere-Urhobo of Warri South spoke on prejudices of some local and foreign publishers on the land opposite Don Domingo College, Warri Monday morning.

Chief Gideon Okumagba, a representative of the three families, read the statement of the royal families aloud to newsmen.

The families accused Louis Okumagba of distortion and inciting fear in Delta State.

‘’The families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu collectively owned landed properties in Warri’’

The Okere-Urhobo leaders said the land was acquired by the defunct Bendel State Government.

‘’The families are represented by Heads of the Kindred family and are the original owners of the land until it was acquired by the then Bendel State Government. The families currently have their administrative office at No 60 Okumagba Avenue Warri where they meet frequently to deal with issues. on family lands and other related family matters’’

They offered an itemized and caustic indictment of Louis Okumagba’s behavior in Warri South.

‘’As one of the elders in the family, specifically as related to the false claims by Louis Okumagba, I am well abreast of the issues raised in that publication. The good people of Warri are not in any war or in a battle over the landed property opposite Don Domingo College, Warri, and it is very shameful that the said Louis is trying to incite tribal/ethnic battle in that publication’’.

They promised to file a libel suit against individuals and organizations publishing Louis Okumagba’s false narrative.

‘’It is not true that the Alema of Warri Kingdom, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, used officials of the Delta State Government to intimidate and arrest Louis Okumagba. To be candid, it was Chief Gideon Okumagba that reported his criminal extortion of money from developers to the Police Area Commander Office in Warri’’.

The statement emphasized how the matter was dragged to the office of the Inspector General of Police Abuja.

‘’While the case was being deliberated on in Abuja, Louis Okumagba jumped bail and hurriedly filed a fundamental Human Rights Application against me, the Inspector General of Police and Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan at Warri High Court just to shield himself from being prosecuted for his criminal act. I equally filed a Counter application in that case and at the end the Judgment was resolved in my favour while his Fundamental Human Rights Application was dismissed with cost. Louis has been a fugitive. Since that judgment, he has not been seen within Warri’’.

Particularly, the families accused Louis Okumagba of trying to sow discord amongst Deltans through falsehood.

‘’Louis Okumagba claimed that he has been in the forefront of the land in dispute is false and misrepresentation of facts. And the alleged grabbing of over 30 hectares of land by the Okowa Government led by High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan is equally false. The land was acquired by the then Bendel state for public purposes. The Delta State government has since done the needful by releasing/returning parts of the land to the Olodi, Oki and lghogbadu families who are the rightful owners. 4.6 hectares of land was released to the family on the 26 day of June 1988 and another part of the unused land was released to the Olodi,. Oki and 1ghogbadu families on the 14 of January 2000. Also, the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families have an agreement with the Government of Delta State over the remaining parts of the land’’

The families told news men there was zero evidence for Louis Okumagba claims of land grabbing.

‘To be more specific, the remaining portion of the land was released to Seriviri Nigeria Limited wherein Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan is one of the directors of that company and the said company also have an agreement with the families and half of the land was released to the families. Indeed, the three families benefited from the land including Louis Okumagba ’’.

They scolded Louis Okumagba for rendering a real disservice.

‘’There was never any consultation by Louis Okumagba with the well-known families of Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu before that Publication was made by him. It’s a futile attempt to incite the Urhobo and Itsekiri into a needless bickering. There is no dispute as far as the land in this narrative is concerned. The said Louis should avail himself to enable the police conclude their investigation in the crime levied against him. The land in question belongs to the Olodi, Oki and lghogbadu families of Okere-Urhobo and he should stop spreading false claims and division among the families and tribes in Delta State. If there are disputes in any land owned by these families, it is the heads and members of the family who will collectively decide to institute an action in court’’,

Last week, the  families condemned the role of Chief Louis Okumagba in the 30 plots released to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State.

They described it as a negative development and a minus for peace and development in Delta State.

In a letter titled: ‘’Attempt / efforts to cause communal war, fanning embers of communal dispute, conduct likely to cause breach of peace and criminal defamation of characters of our clients; Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo kingdom of Delta State, all committed by Mr. Louis Okumagba – a call to investigate the allegation herein, the families urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good office to investigate allegations against Louis Okumagba, so as to prevent a monumental communal war/crisis between Itsekiri and the Urhobo of Okere Urhobo Kingdom.

’’God forbid a repetition of what happened in 1997/98 in Okere-Urhobo Kingdom’’

Counsel to the Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri in the Okere – Urhobo Kingdom, L O. Egboyi & CO said in the 1974/76, the then government  acquired a part or portion of our client’s land for public purpose.

‘’In 2017, the Delta State government gave part of this acquired land to Messrs. Seriviri Nig. Ltd. for the purpose of partnership (Leisure Park) with the state government, covered by a certificate of Occupancy. Considering the size of the land given to Seriviri Nig. Ltd, for the partnership, it could not utilize the entire land. So, it entered into agreement with our client family, wherein, it released 30 plots thereof back to the family – our clients’’

The Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families of Warri are made up of the popular Okumagba family of Warri, Okere- Urhobo kingdom.

‘’Our clients are the owners of all the land in the entire Okere-Urhobo kingdom Warri. Certain Mr. Louis Okumagba who is the black sheep of the family started to foment trouble, disturbing and threatening Seriviri Nig. Ltd, with thugs and dangerous weapons which led to his arrest in 2019 to the Police Force Headquarters’, Abuja. After being granted bail by the police, the suspect (Mr. Louis Okumagba) rushed to file a fundamental Human Rights action against the Police, at the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri. The action stalled the prosecution of the suspect (Mr. Louis) by the Police’’.

The families said the suit of the suspect against the Police was dismissed by the Delta State High Court, sitting in Warri, with a specific order of the Court directing the police to arrest and prosecute the suspect (Mr Louis Okumagba).

‘’While the Police were looking for the suspect for arrest and prosecution as directed by the Court, the same suspect went to social media (Opera news) to declare that “there will be looming danger of war/crisis between the Itsekiri and Urhobos”, thereby inciting, promoting and instigating communal war between the two peaceful co-existing communities of Itsekiri and Urhobo’’.

This incitement, according to the families, created several apprehensions in the minds of locals, which has affected the hitherto peace that reigned and pervaded the two communities.

‘’Furthermore, the suspect posted on the same social media that some named members of our clients namely, Chief Gideon Okumagba, Stanley Oki, Chief Victor Okumagba, Engr. Prince Ojuvwu Okumagba and others, sent assassins to his house to kill him, but he escaped by the whiskers. He confirmed that he had a one-on-one confrontation with the assassins, who confirmed the named members of our clients above, as the people who commissioned them to eliminate him’’.

The legal practitioners described Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu as bunch of responsible families

‘’Olodi, Oki and Ighogbadu families are known throughout Nigeria for their peaceful disposition. The named individuals are distinguished and respected members of the Okumagba family and the Nigeria Society. Our clients therefore take the allegation of hiring assassins by its members very seriously, especially in this era of Security challenges in the country’’.

The families also deplored the actions of Louis Okumagba and urged the Inspector General of Police to use his good offices to investigate the allegations and anyone found culpable to be brought to book.

‘’So, if investigation reveal the named individuals as assassins or connected to the attempt assassination of the suspect, as he alleged, they should be so indicted and prosecuted. But otherwise, the law on criminal defamation as enshrined in the Criminal Code and status in Nigeria are still very potent and alive. We assure you of our client’s co-operation with your men in the investigation of this petition’’.

PRESS RELEASE

TINUBU’S LEADERSHIP ANTECEDENT VERIFIABLE, MARKETABLE – SANWO-OLU

…Advocacy Group Holds Talks, Targets Grassroots Voters For APC Victory In Lagos

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has endorsed a grassroots movement targeting two million votes in the State for the victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.

Sanwo-Olu personally led members of his cabinet, including the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, to a conference organised by Asiwaju Grassroots Talk (AGT), where the Governor drummed support for group’s political advocacy and its voter mobilisation strategy across local communities in Lagos.

The event with the theme: “Political Evangelism: Raising Active Voters Above 50 Percent”, was held at 10 Degrees Event Centre in Oregun, Ikeja, and had 5,000 mobilisers working with the group in attendance.

The group is mobilising for the electoral victory of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the presidential polls, while also working with APC for the continuity of progressive government in Lagos.

Sanwo-Olu said his endorsement of the AGT advocacy project stemmed from the proven ability of the group to influence and mobilise real voters, noting that AGT had a strong presence across communities in Lagos.

The Governor said Tinubu remained the most qualified and marketable candidate for the top job, pointing out that the APC’s presidential standard bearer possessed verifiable records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers could use to sell him to voters.

He said: “We are ready to take the gospel out to the electorate and canvass for their support for the Tinubu presidency. Asiwaju has verifiable track records in good governance and service delivery, which canvassers can use to engage and win the support of potential voters. We must talk about the transformative leadership, progressive ideals and vision possessed by Asiwaju to take this country to another level of meaningful development.

“Tinubu is coming to bring hope, bring about change that will translate to real prosperity. He is coming to address the challenges facing the youth, women and the vulnerable in our country. His programmes will touch the lives of traders, artisans and those in search of legitimate means of livelihood. It is because of our strong belief in Asiwaju’s leadership that we are all coming together to endorse this grassroots movement to ensure Lagos is delivered for APC.

“With Tinubu in charge of the country, not only would Lagos get due attention, the Southwest and the entire nation would feel the impact of his progressive vision. The result of his leadership in Lagos is for everyone to see. There is no better candidate to lead the country from next year than Tinubu. All hands must be on deck to work and achieve this objective; we must show the opposition parties how we are better than them on election day.”

Sanwo-Olu dismissed the notion that Tinubu’s candidacy was to advance ethnic agenda, stressing that the APC presidential candidate belonged to the rank of the most detribalised Nigerians.

The Governor said the fulfillment of his promises to the electorate in Lagos would make the residents vote for continuity in the State, noting that his Government touched all parts of the State in projects and service delivery.

He urged AGT members not to be intimidated by the propaganda of the opposition in the course of engaging voters at the community level. He charged them to show commitment to deliver their pledge to the party.

“This movement should not be limited to the 5,000 mobilisers who are gathered for this event. You must show the commitment to deliver the highest votes which you have pledged. I believe you have the spread and ability to achieve it,” Sanwo-Olu said.

AGT Director-General, Dr. AbdulHakeem Tugbobo, said the group was formed in 2018 to drive community advocacy and educate voters at the grassroots level about Tinubu’s vision and political philosophy.

He said the group aligned itself with the progressive ideals of APC, given various development goals achieved by the party, especially in Lagos.

He said: “We are ready to complement the party’s campaign council and get many people to join the Tinubu-Shettima ticket and make it realisable. We have our tentacles spread across the State and we are targeting the 4,156 CDAs in Lagos to realise 2,000,000 votes from farmers, artisans and others for Tinubu to become the president.”

Lagos APC chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, hailed members of the group for the initiative, saying the party faced an “important election” that would further strengthen it to deliver more dividends of good governance to Lagosians and Nigerians.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

06 OCTOBER 2022

PRESS RELEASE

WHY COWLSO IS INVESTING IN EDUCATION, WELFARE OF THE VULNERABLE, BY SANWO-OLU

…Says All Is Set For 22^nd National Women’s Conference

…Aisha Buhari, Wike, Ganduje, Zulum, Others To Grace 2022 NWC

Lagos State First Lady and Chairman of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Dr Ibjioke Sanwo-Olu on Thursday explained the rationale behind the massive investment of the Committee in education and welfare of the vulnerable.

Sanwo-Olu, who spoke at a Press Conference held at Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja to unveil activities for the 22^nd National Women’s Conference (NWC) of COWLSO, said as a community-based gender organization, the Committee was established primarily to complement efforts of government officials in bringing about exponential development and generally improving the welfare of Lagosians.

According to her, “Since we came on board, we have worked in line with the founding vision of COWLSO to invest in the education of our children. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we donated 5,000 transistor radios to support the education of children in the riverine communities.

“The donation was part of efforts to ensure that no child is left behind in the access to quality education in the state on account of the challenges thrown up by the pandemic, while we equally factored in electricity challenges as the radios are such that can function with batteries.

“We have equally invested in the welfare of vulnerable children and elders, particularly those in orphanages and elderly care homes across the five administrative divisions of the state namely Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe.

“As we speak, we are also constructing a senior secondary school in Ogombo Community, Ajah in collaboration with the Lagos State Special Committee on Rehabilitation of Public Schools (SCRPS). The school is the first public school with a ramp specifically designed to facilitate the ease of movement of physically challenged students within the school.”

She said COWLSO also holds quarterly seminars for market men and women on sanitation, security and safety, among other projects.

Speaking on activities lined up for the 2022 COWLSO NWC, the First Lady said as a purpose-driven international conference through which women are positively galvanized, the event will hold from October 18 to 20, 2022 at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, with the theme: “Spring Forth, Stand Out.”

Explaining the reason for the theme, she said: “In 2019 when we came on board, our theme was: “UNLEARN, LEARN AND RELEARN: 21ST CENTURY WOMEN’S T.H.E.M.E.S PERSPECTIVES/APPROACH.” In 2020, we discussed “EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES IN A NEW WORLD”. In 2021, our theme was “AWAKE!”, while this year, our theme is: “Spring Forth, Stand Out.”

“Haven extensively dealt with issues around awakening last year, what naturally follows an awakening is to emerge into something more beautiful and into something better. You emerge into a better version of yourself and keep pushing forward to make a positive difference. This is the message we are passing across to women this year.”

Aside from the main theme, other topics to be extensively discussed by seasoned facilitators and speakers, according to the First Lady, are: “Our Health: A Challenge and a call to reference; Mastering Performance Parenting in a Gen-z World; Insecurity: A threat to National Development; My Civic Responsibility: My Power; Smart Investment Options for the Forward Thinking Woman; Roles of women in Educational Development in Nigeria; Overcoming Adversity with Confidence; and Utilizing Technology to Manage Business and Market Changes,” among others.

“We have made adequate preparations to ensure that we have more plenary sessions this year to extensively deliberate on the highlighted topics and associated issues, while on Day 3 of the Conference, there will be a Recap and Communiqué to state the position of COWLSO on the Conference and developments in the nation, particularly as regarding women and children,” she said.

On the expected guests, she said Nigeria’s First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Aisha Muhammadu Buhari will serve as the Mother of the day and would declare the Conference Open, while His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State is the Special Guest of Honour at the Opening Ceremony.

She added that the Special Guest of Honour for the Gala Night is His Excellency, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, while the Special Guest of Honour at the Closing Ceremony is His Excellency, Prof. Babagana Zulum, Governor of Borno State.

OLUBUKONLA NWONAH

DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS

OFFICE OF LAGOS STATE FIRST LADY

OCTOBER 6, 2022

PARAMOUNT AFRICA ANNOUNCES BET AFRICA CHANNEL NOW PERMANENTLY AVAILABLE TO DSTV FAMILY VIEWERS  

THE HOME OF BLACK EXCELLENCE COMES TO DSTV FAMILY VIEWERS 

As of 7 October 2022, Paramount Africa’s channel brand, BET Africa will be permanently available to all DStv Family viewers. This follows an initial announcement by the business, informing audiences that BET Africa (channel 129) would only be available to DStv Family viewers during the DStv open window, which commenced on 26 September 2022.

The move is a testament to Paramount Africa adhering to audience demands for new, relatable content that resonates with audiences and speaks to the impact and global channel currency of the BET brand.

In addition, the decision also implies that Paramount Africa will now be able to continue to execute its commitment to providing access to relevant stories and extending the authentic storytelling mantra by providing exclusive premium local and international content.

“As the home of black excellence, the BET Africa channel is synonymous with showcasing the best African and African American stories. We are excited to be extending our audience reach as this means the stories will reach new and more viewers. This is not only good news for viewers but for the black entertainment industry as well, putting our work in the spotlight and growing our industry.” said Monde Twala, Senior Vice President and General Manager Paramount Africa and Peer Lead, BET International.

“MultiChoice has embraced ‘Africa to the world’ and ‘the world to Africa’ as a business philosophy, as such we strive to continually review our packages so as to continually curate a quality viewing experience of both quality local and international and content. We are proud to expand the number of our customers that can enjoy the great BET experience and look forward to the continuation of a great partnership between the Paramount team and the MultiChoice Group.” said Georginah Machiridza, Executive Head: Content Strategy & 3rd Party Channels at MultiChoice Group.

BET Africa is the leading provider of black entertainment on the globe and provides a plethora of diverse programmes, including reality, entertainment, docu-series, and recently launched weekly original drama, Redemption, BET Africa’s biggest production of the year.

Viewers will also have access to a slate of new and exclusive international programming, including the premiere of the scripted anthology music series Tales: Every Song Has A Story, the new family drama Carl Weber’s: The Black Hampton, and the highly anticipated celebration of hip hop culture, the 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards, all premiering this October. 

BET Africa will be available to DStv Family viewers from 7 October 2022 on channel 129 across all African countries excluding Ethiopia.

“One day, I am going to win the Grammys”, WhiteMoney shares on #WithChude

Reality TV star and Singer, WhiteMoney sits with Chude Jideonwo on #WithChude to discuss winning BBN in 2021, his music career and his ultimate goal of inevitably winning the Grammys.

On the show, WhiteMoney discussed not having a degree and how watching foreign films and observing people has helped him improve himself. “The biggest teacher any man can have is experience. The second teacher anyone can have is life, and the third is people, not even your parents. You need life, people and experience to become a better person in life. School won’t give you that experience you need. The school will give you theory; life will give you practical. For example, the highest educational qualification I have is O’ level, National Examination Council (NECO), that’s all I wrote. I didn’t write WAEC, JAMB or anything, but I still speak good English. I hate reading, but I love to listen, so I watch a lot of movies and emulate the way they talk and it impacted me. If I am to act the role of someone with an American accent, I have to watch five Black American movies. By the time I’m done with them, it automatically programs in my head against the shoot the next day. It helps fine-tune my English, and how to read contracts and sign them. I stopped at NECO because that was where the money stopped. It was my uncle who sent the 3,500 for the form. It was like two days before it closed that I got it, and I passed very well.

He also shared how poverty helps him remain tenacious in spite of rejections “The biggest motivation for me is poverty. If you love your situation and the way you are, then don’t work. But if you are tired of begging for handouts, not being recognized, or tired of Grammys. Poverty will motivate you to go out there and do something for yourself. So, poverty pushed me to audition four times in a row, and I won the fourth time.

On handling vicious feedback from the audience on his song, ‘Selense’, he shared, “it didn’t affect me like that, to be very honest. If you really watch the show, or if you ask people, they’ll tell you that WhiteMoney has zero impulses, my emotions are zero. If you talk, it hardly gets to me because once I do what I am satisfied with, any other thing is Jara. The thing is that the song that I drop if you give it to one of the A-List artists, it will get more buzz than what it is now, but of course, I was known for cooking in the Big Brother house, if it’s not cooking nobody wants to hear it. And I’m in a position where I have to constantly prove myself that I can do this and actually cook and be successful at both of them. But I won’t be the guy that gets old and regrets doing what he didn’t love. I’ll keep dropping it and I know that one day, White Money is going to get the Grammys.

“Even the big celebrities get criticized. In fact, the criticism I got for Selense, is not up to what I got for Na We We, the one I featured Zoro, but it helped the music to enter Apple’s chart in two days. Up till now, I am still promoting the song, and the comments on YouTube now are positive”, he added.

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS STRIKES DEAL WITH PRIVATE FIRM TO MANAGE, OPERATE 32-METRIC TONS IMOTA RICE MILL

• Sanwo-Olu presides over MoU signing with WACOT Rice Ltd

Ahead of the commissioning and operation of the 32-metric tons per hour Rice Mill in Imota, Ikorodu, Lagos State Government has handed over the management of the facility to private investor for efficient running.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, presided over the ceremony where officials of the State Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with WACOT Rice Limited, a subsidiary of TGI Group.

The private firm is to provide operational support and manage the mill for nine months in the first instance through Joint Venture. The partnership is subject to renewal subsequently.

Sanwo-Olu is expected to hand over the rice mill in the next few months, after which it would commence commercial operation.

Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms. Abisola Olusanya, said the privatisation of the rice mill’s operations was to ensure efficiency in the output of the facility, noting that the idea was initiated in 2019 when the State Government started the discussion with the firm.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture (Rice Initiative), Dr. Rotimi Fashola, said the Governor believed the mill would be optimised if it had a respectable private brand behind it and a technical support team that could provide intervention towards making the mill sustainable and functional to its capacity.

He said: “There is a need for the Government to put the rice mill on the path of sustainability and give it to a handling that will project quality. We sourced to have a partnership in rice production business that has a stable brand and eye for efficiency. This brings forth this Joint Venture and technical support agreement with WACOT.

“In Nigeria today, this is a brand consumers want to purchase in the market. We are delighted that we are able to bring WACOT to the table for technical support, managerial and quality assurance skills. The partnership agreement being signed today will be for nine months in the first instance and subsequently can be renewed. All i’s have been dotted and all t’s have been crossed.”

Group Managing Director of TGI Group, Rahul Savara, said Lagos Government found a great partner in the firm, pledging that the company would be deploying standard technology and services in managing the rice mill.

He said the private firm shared the Sanwo-Olu administration’s conviction to meet high demand for rice and make Lagos self-sufficient in rice production and processing.

“We are ready to work with Lagos State to make the facility run at its best. We will be deploying the best expertise, technique and training to make the Government proud of this investment,”

Savara said.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, provided the legal instruments backing the MoU.

Other top management staff of TGI Group at the ceremony included the Group’s Executive Director, Jerome Shogbon, Company Secretary, Omowumi Fajemiroye, Head Corporate Communication, Rafiat Gawat, and representative of Banwo & Ighodalo Partner, Azeezah Muse-Sadiq.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

05 OCTOBER 2022

Access Bank to acquire 51% majority equity stake in Angola-based Finibanco S.A    

Access Holdings Plc. has announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Access Bank Plc., has entered into a binding agreement with Montepio Holding SGPS S.A to acquire a  51% majority shareholding in Finibanco Angola S.A.

Finibanco Angola S.A. is a profitable, well-capitalised full-service commercial bank with over 20 branches and around US$300 million in total assets that has operated in Angola since 2008. The Transaction will be effected via the purchase of existing shares owned by Montepio, the holding company for Banco Montepio, one of Portugal’s well-established commercial banks.

The Angolan market is the 6^th largest economy in Africa and the 7^th largest country overall, with a vast and diversified natural resource base and a growing population representing a strong potential for the Bank’s growth aspiration.

The  Transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals in Nigeria and Angola is expected to close in the first half of 2023  following fulfillment of customary conditions precedents. It will be consummated at 1.0x tangible book value less pre-agreed adjustments to be determined by a customary completion audit. Upon completion of the Transaction, the Bank is expected to increase its shareholding in Finibanco S.A and has reached certain conditional agreements in this regard.

Commenting on the transaction, Dr. Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive Officer, Access Holdings Plc., said “At Access, our vision remains clear as ever and our determination to harness accretive opportunities within and outside Nigeria is our core strategic focus. Angola represents an opportunity for our shareholders to participate in what we believe will engender stronger value upside as Africa fully emerges. We remain committed to making these disciplined and well-structured investments towards creating a strong, holistic platform that will be competitive, diversified, and compelling for years to come.”

The Transaction furthers the Bank’s strategy to be Africa’s payment gateway to the world whilst working with other Africa-focused multilateral to provide robust and efficient payment platforms and ecosystems to serve the continent. The prospective operation is  expected  to contribute strongly to the Bank’s overall growth path and financial results over the long term.

PRESS RELEASE

LAGOS TEACHERS ENDORSE SANWO-OLU FOR SECOND TERM

…You’ve Made Teaching Rewarding For Us, ‘Cheerful’ Teachers Tell Governor

The event marking the World Teachers’ Day in Lagos State turned into a platform to share testimonies of the positive transformation recorded in State’s teaching service by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Teachers cheerfully shared their experiences in the last three years, giving Sanwo-Olu a pass mark in raising the standards of education through investment in infrastructure and capacity building.

At the symposium organised by the Lagos wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the NUT Pavilion in Ikeja, Lagos teachers unanimously threw their weight behind Sanwo-Olu, endorsing the Governor’s re-election bid.

Comrade Hassan Akintoye, NUT Lagos chairman, who spoke on behalf of the teachers, said the Sanwo-Olu administration prioritised teachers’ welfare and committed unprecedented investment in education and teaching.

Akintoye said not only had the teaching environment been made more conducive for teachers, he noted that there had also been improvement in the performance of pupils in national examinations.

The NUT chief said the Governor met and fulfilled majority of demands of the teachers without any confrontation, thereby limiting the prospect of disagreement between NUT and the Government.

Lagos, he said, pioneered the creation of the Permanent Secretary/Tutor General position, which is the apex cadre in teaching career, and designated six slots for teachers across the six Education Districts in the State.

Akintoye added that Sanwo-Olu’s approval of career harmonisation in teaching service placed thousands of Lagos teachers on grade Level 17 – the highest level. This, he said, made Lagos the pace-setting State in the transformation of the teaching profession.

He said: “In Lagos, teachers have not had any major demands which the Government has not prioritised. It is only in Lagos teachers are promoted and get salaries of the new grade level before the promotion letters get to them. It is in Lagos that thousands of teachers are on Grade Level 17 when their colleagues in other states are either stagnant at Level 14 or demoted.

“On occasion of World Teachers’ Day in Lagos, it is about showing appreciation to the leadership of the State. We are using this opportunity to tell our Governor that we have a large number in the teaching service, and this has never been a burden to the system. Come February 2023, we will mobilise not only ourselves, but also our families and relatives to make the election work in your favour.”

NUT National President, Comrade Audu Titus Amba, sent a note of appreciation to Sanwo-Olu on behalf of Lagos teachers, stressing that Lagos Government had lifted the teaching profession and set enviable standards in the State.

Represented by Comrade Titi Adebanjo, NUT National Secretary, Amba said: “In some states, apart from the Governors being afraid to meet with teachers, Sanwo-Olu can walk confidently among teachers because he has raised not only the standards of teaching in Lagos, the Governor has also improved on the welfare package for teachers to make teaching rewarding.”

Sanwo-Olu described teachers as “important stakeholders” in moulding behaviour and creating a functional society. He said his administration’s efforts towards boosting teachers’ capacity through capacity building led to over 10,000 teachers benefiting from various initiatives to refresh their teaching skills.

The Governor said priorities were placed on career progression of teachers in Lagos, making their promotion an annual exercise while ensuring prompt implementation of benefits and earnings due to them.

He said: “Today, I join our resilient and outstanding teachers in celebrating a legacy of excellence, dedication and commitment built on the foundation of a unique profession that involves the promotion of the complex personal development of young minds in preparation for future roles as responsible citizens. No Society can deliver quality education without placing premium value on its teachers. While many only expect the Almighty God to reward teachers, it is our firm resolve that our teachers must receive and enjoy the rewards for their labour, first here on earth and then, later in Heaven.

“As a teacher-friendly Government, we developed various initiatives to enhance teaching and further motivate our teachers. Our commitment to increasing the capacity of our teaching staff is visible through local and international training. Over 10,000 teachers have been exposed to various training programmes to hone and refresh their teaching skills. To ensure that we don’t lack teachers in any subjects, we introduced an Exit-Replacement Policy, which ensures prompt recruitment of qualified teachers to replace the ones that retire. This has created employment for over 6, 000 qualified teachers in the last three years.”

Sanwo-Olu urged teachers to always uphold the ethics of their profession and continue to show uncommon sense of responsibility and greater commitment to duty.

He pledged his administration would continue to accord priority to investment in education, while also improving the capacity and welfare of teaching personnel. The Governor said Lagos schools would further become more ICT-compliant, as he promised to expose teachers to international best practices.

“I urge you not to relent in your effort to impart quality knowledge in our children. You are the diamonds set in gold rings for this noble profession. As partners, we will appreciate your continued commitment and support in achieving an effective and efficient education system for the benefit of our dear citizens,” the Governor said.

In a show of appreciation, the teachers honoured Sanwo-Olu with an Education-friendly Award.

SIGNED

GBOYEGA AKOSILE

CHIEF PRESS SECRETARY

05 OCTOBER 2022

Run for the Coal City: Amstel Malta Ultra rewards winners with cash prizes

Winners of the just-concluded ‘Run for the Coal City’- the 20km Ultra marathon race organized by Amstel Malta Ultra, in conjunction with Enugu State Ministry of sports have been rewarded with cash prizes.

Held on Saturday, October 1 2022, the Ultra marathon kicked off by 7 am after registration.

Flagging off the Ultra marathon, Honorable Commissioner for Youths and sports, Enugu state, Hon. Manfred Nzekwe, welcomed all participants and urged them to have fun and run for more than the prize. According to him, the essence of the marathon is to support healthy living and fitness.

Participants commenced at Okpara square, Enugu and covered the mapped-out route spanning eleven vantage points from Okpara square to the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium gate. The participants were given color-coded wristbands at every point to ensure that they followed the mapped route exactly.

Finishing first, Chinecherem Kingsley Onyia, breasted the tape and won the marathon, as well as the grand prize of 500,000 naira for the male category, Okechukwu Donatus and Egu Kenechi, followed closely, winning 250,000 and 150,000 naira respectively.

For the female categories, 20-year-old, Affigbo Esther from Lagos state came first place, followed by 35-year-old Helen Mammah from Abuja and 14-year-old Patience Joseph, from Imo state, winning 500,000, 250,000 and 150,000 naira respectively.

Expressing joy, the winner of the male category, Chinecherem Kingsley Onyia said “I am so happy and excited that I got to compete and win. I am especially grateful to Amstel Malta Ultra and the Enugu state government for organizing this competition.”

Also, expressing her delight, winner of the female category, Affigbo Esther, said, “I feel great, coming first place for the females in this marathon. I am grateful to Amstel Malta Ultra for organizing this competition as it is a great way to help the youths.”

“This is the beginning of new things for the people of Enugu,” said Chidi Egwu, Senior Marketing Manager, Amstel Malta, while speaking on the success of the event. “Amstel Malta is a brand that encourages people to choose the best way to live and will continue to support the good people of Enugu state in their journey to a healthy and better living.”

Further commenting on the turnout of the event he said, “I am very impressed with the turnout, seeing lots of very promising talents both in the male and female category. It was a fantastic outing, the first for Amstel Malta in Enugu.”

In addition to the prizes won by the first three finishers in both categories, participants that came in 4^th to 20^th place in the marathon in the male and female categories were also rewarded with 10,000 naira each.

The Ultra Marathon race is the second event in the 3-week long fitness lineup of activities scheduled to be held between September 24 to October 8 in the coal city.