News Easter: Don’t give up on your country – Jonathan tells Nigerians

Former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, on Friday encouraged Nigerians not to give up on the country despite its present challenges.
In an Easter message posted on his official Facebook page, Jonathan said he still expects Nigeria to overcome its challenges no matter what evil forces may do.

“Easter is a time when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who died for the sin of the world. In this season where we mark renaissance, I believe and expect Nigeria to rise and overcome her national challenges because our shared experiences are bringing us to the conclusion that no matter what the forces of evil can do, we as Nigerians, united in doing good, can and will prevail.
“I urge all Nigerians, even if we feel that we are not in a position to do much to help Nigeria to overcome, let us at least believe that she will overcome. That is a lot. That is a lot. Happy Easter,” he wrote.

OONI OF IFE SHOWERS MULTIMILLION NAIRA SCHOLARSHIP ON 270 SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN SOUTH WEST

270 students shortlisted from 37 secondary schools selected across the six states of the South West have become beneficiaries of a South West Educational Scholarship scheme by The Arole Oduduwa and Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

Coordinator of the Ooni's Save Education Project Adeyanju Olaoluwa when some of the beneficiaries and their parents paid a "thank you" visit to Ooni Ogunwusi on Wednesday, at his Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife.

Olaoluwa said that the project was entirely sponsored by Ooni, as part of his landmark achievements in the last two years on the throne of his forefathers, adding that the monarch had been paying the school fees of these less privileged.

According to him, the Ooni of Ife asked him to shortlist students that were financially constraint and they were able to shortlist students from 37 schools.

The Coordinator added that 68 students had their WAEC fees paid in 23 of the schools already visited, while 14 others would be visited soon, saying Ooni should be commended for his fatherly role in the lives of these children.

He said that so many times, the royal father had compelled some politicians to come to the aids of these students with no positive result till date.

The coordinator urged NGOs, philanthropists, politicians and meaningful Nigerians to emulate Ooni in assisting the less privileged in the society.

Responding, the Ooni returned all the glory unto Almighty God, who he said gave him the opportunity to care for the needy.

The Supreme Head of Yoruba Race worldwide called on the students to be orderly, humble and respectful, adding that they should ensure that they face their studies squarely for brighter future.

The monarch recalled that he learnt shoe making when things were tough and boasted of making his shoes by himself.

He urged them never to lose hope and advised them to be ambitious, discipline, prayerful and focus for them to get to their promised land.

Mr Yemi Opawoye-Adeagbo, the Vice-Principal, Ilobu High School, Ilobu, Osun, acknowledged the traditional ruler for assisting all and sundry including the less privileged students.

Mrs. Paulina Nwachukwu, of Saint Paulina Missionary School, Lagos, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, applauded Ooni for his good gesture towards the less privileged.

N605M Scam: EFCC DRAGS AJIMOBI’S IN-LAW, HERITAGE BANK BOSS TO COURT

It’s a persistent scandal that refused to die! In what led credence to months of denial and counter denial by the parties involved, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today Wednesday 29th March, 2018 dragged the Managing Director of Heritage Bank, Ifie Sekibo before the  Federal High Court in Lagos over an alleged fraud of N605,321,051.05.



It was alleged that the banker violated section 7(1) of the Bank employees laws of the Federation of Nigeria and is liable to be punished under the law.



Also joined in the charge sheet marked FHC/C/95C/18 is a son-in-law to the Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Kolapo Kola-Daisi.



The Commission alleged that Sekibo committed the crime as the Managing Director of Heritage Bank  when he acquired the sum of N180M beyond his legitimate income through Greame Properties Limited, a company he owns.



Other charges also read that the Bank Chief committed other financial misdemeanour in connivance with Mr Kolapo Kola Daisi.



Sekibo was alleged to have conspired with the Governor’s son-in-law to transfer a N300M proceeds of unlawful activityinto the accounts of Hiltrans Global Investment Limited when he knew that the fund was fraudulently withdrawn from the account of Heritage Bank in Access Bank plc.



Some months ago there was a report linking the Heritage bank, Oyo State Government and Kolapo Kola Daisi in a fraudulent financial case which the bank hurriedly dismissed.



The case in court today threw light on the financial misappropriation that links the Bank MD and the Governor’s son in-law.



It was revealed that when the EFCC first picked up Kolapo Kola Daisi, the Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi called back his ex Commissioner of Finance who was holidaying in Dubai to come back home and defend the young man before he talks himself into problem.



The case was adjourned.

Ayo Adebanjo to reveal all in new autobiography, ‘Telling It As It Is"

Elder statesman and one of Nigeria’s leading voices, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, is set to unveil his thought-provoking autobiography titled ‘Telling It As It Is’.

The 24-chapter book which will be launched at a symposium on Tuesday, 3 April, 2018 at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos is the expression of Chief Adebanjo’s inner thoughts, experiences and the aspirations and challenges of the ‘Awoist’ philosophy.

It represents the 90th birthday celebration of the political activist and close associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

The symposium will also feature a panel session with the former chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Attahiru Jega; the chief executive officer of RED, Adebola Williams, and group company secretary, Bank of Industry, Saadat Aliyu.

In a statement, Chief Ayo Adebanjo explains that the book reflects stories that have been told in response to pressures and requests by contemporaries, friends, and younger Nigerians – a narrative about growing up in a world of struggles, determination, perseverance and persistence.

“I have had the grace and privilege of experiences from the past 89 years and those years have taught me lessons worth sharing. These years have taught me significant lessons; chief of which are loyalty to a leader and commitment to a cause. And for me, loyalty is not blind, even though it has been total and undiluted. The book is about a life of travails and triumphs; an admixture of failures and successes –  so no embellishments, no cover-ups, no exaggerations and superlatives, and no concoctions,” he said.

The author also explained that the book traverses several phases in the evolution and development of Nigeria, the political infrastructure in a nation struggling to establish itself, and the roles of several individuals and leaders who have been part of the country’s historic evolution.

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, one of Nigeria’s great nationalists, has been actively involved in politics since 1951 with the formation of the Action Group Youth Wing. He has dedicated his life to fighting for a better Nigeria, establishment of true federalism, and national restructuring.

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About Chief Ayo Adebanjo

Chief Ayo Adebanjo, 89, is a renowned lawyer and politician. He was born in Ijebu Ogbu Oke in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State on April 10, 1928. His parents were Chief Joel Adedairo Adebanjo and Salawatu Anomo Adebanjo. He started his education at Saint Saviours Primary School, Elegbaata in Lagos, between 1934 and 1935. From there, proceeded to Holy Trinity School, Ebute Ero in 1937. He was there till 1941 when he proceeded to Cathedral School in Lagos till 1943.



He worked in the Ministry of Health in Lagos briefly before his appointment was terminated. He also worked briefly in Ikorodu trading company under the employment of late Chief S.E Gbadamosi. From there he joined the Nigerian Tribune as a journalist under the late Olabisi Onabanjo. It was there that he was recruited into the Action Group as pioneer organizing secretary. He held the position from 1947 to 1953 when I proceeded to the United Kingdom to read Law.



He entered the Council of Legal Education and was called to the Bar in Lincocin City in 1961. He then joined Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s chambers as a practicing lawyer until the crisis of the Action Group in 1966



He then went to Ghana on exile from 1966 to 1967. Thereafter, he was released by the General Yakubu Gowon government. He then joined Chief Awolowo again to form the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). After which, he went into full legal practice. He was in the UPN mobilization group as a professional. He was made to stay in Borno State for a whole year to campaign for the party. His candidate then was Paul Bassey, who is still alive. They were together in the 2014 National Conference because he belongs to minority in the North.