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Biden affirmed winner by Congress as four die and 52 arrested after Trump supporters storm US Capitol

The Congress presided over by Vice President Mike Pence this morning has affirmed the election of former Vice President Joe Biden, while President Donald Trump has promised an orderly transition, though he continued to maintain he was defrauded.

Four people died and 52 were arrested, Washington D.C.’s police chief said, after supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday to stop Congress from certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s election victory.

In a late night news conference, Metropolitan Police Department Chief Robert J. Contee said 47 of the 52 arrests to date were related to violations of Mayor Muriel Bowser’s 6 p.m. curfew, with 26 of those involving people arrested on U.S. Capitol grounds.

Several others were arrested on charges related to carrying unlicensed or prohibited firearms.

In addition, Contee said, two pipe bombs were recovered from the headquarters of the Republican and Democratic national committees, as well as a cooler from a vehicle on U.S. Capitol grounds that contained Molotov cocktails.

Contee declined to identify the woman a Capitol Police officer shot and killed, saying next of kin notification was still pending.

Three other people also died on Wednesday because of medical emergencies, he added, and 14 police officers were injured – two of whom remain hospitalized.

It was not clear if other federal or local police agencies, including the Capitol Police, had made additional arrests.

Security forces ask public for help

While the number of people arrested is expected to grow, the initial number pales in comparison to the more than 300 people who were arrested by police following the June 1 protests in the district related to the police killing of George Floyd.

In that incident, baton-swinging police and federal agents fired smoke canisters, flashbang grenades and rubber bullets to drive protesters farther from the White House, enabling President Donald Trump to walk across Lafayette Park and hold up a Bible in front of St. John’s Church.

While police faced staunch criticism for being too aggressive at Lafayette Square, however, the Capitol Police are now facing questions about why they did not do more to secure the Capitol and let many of the rioters later exit the building without arrests.

Bowser, the mayor, said police intend to ask the public for help in identifying rioters, many of whom posed for photos inside the Capitol and can be seen in viral videos on social media without face masks.

“We will be on the lookout,” she said. “Some of them, we think … have to be held accountable for the carnage.”

Late on Wednesday, the FBI also asked the public to submit tips, such as images, videos and other information to help agents identify people were “actively instigating violence.”

Bowser also extended a public emergency declaration for 15 days, an action she said will allow her to restrict peoples’ movements around the city if necessary.

▪︎ Additional report by France 24

FG to borrow dormant account balances, unclaimed dividends

Unclaimed dividends and bank account balances unattended to for at least six years will be available as special credit to the federal government through the Unclaimed Funds Trust Fund.

According to the Finance Act 2020 recently signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari, the trust fund will be a sub-fund of the Crisis Intervention Fund.

“Any unclaimed dividend of a public limited liability company quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange and any unutilised amounts in a dormant bank account maintained in or by a deposit money bank which has remained unclaimed or unutilised for a period of not less than six years from the date of declaring the dividend or domiciling the funds in a bank account shall be transferred immediately to the trust fund,” the act read.

The act exempts official bank accounts owned by the federal government, state government or local governments or any of their ministries, departments or agencies.

According to the act, the monies transferred to the trust fund will be a “special debt owed by the federal government to shareholders and dormant bank account holders”.

It also states that the original owners of the money can claim it at any time.

The operation of the trust fund will be supervised by the Debt Management Office (DMO) and governed by a governing council chaired by the finance minister and a co-chairperson from the private sector appointed by the president.

Other members of the governing council shall include the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), director-general of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), managing director of the National Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), a representative of the registrars of companies, two representatives of the shareholders’ association, a representative of the Bankers’ Committee and the director-general of the Debt Management Office as the secretary of the trust fund.

This move will make needed funds available to the federal government without foreign exchange worries or conditions attached to loans from multilateral lenders.

According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria owed $31.98 billion to multilateral lenders like the World Bank Group, International Monetary Fund (IMF) and African Development Bank (AfDB) Group as of September 2020.

Featured image: Zainab Ahmed, minister of finance, budget and national planning

TheCable

This is America, where thugs had a field day

everyday

LAGOS LAND GRAB: ‘MY LIFE IN DANGER,’ CRIES EX NBA VP

• ASKS GOV. SANWO-OLU TO INTERVENE
• ACCUSES LAGOS AGENCIES OF AIDING LAND GRABBERS

Former Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Vice President, Mr. Monday Ubani has expressed concern over his safety following attempts by alleged land grabbers to take-over his client’s property.

In an SOS to Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the fiery human rights activist alleged that there are frenzied attempts by some land grabbers to use Lagos State Government agencies to take over the property, urging Sanwo-Olu to intervene in the matter.

He said in a statement made available to CITY LAWYER that one “Engr. Ariori,” an alleged land grabber, boasted that “they” not only “installed” the present government in Lagos State, but that they “killed a popular doctor that stood (in) their way” concerning an adjoining land.

Said Ubani: “At the police station Engr Ariori boasted to me how powerful he is and how they installed this present government and will use them to take over that land from me. He even implicated himself while talking to me at the Police Station how they killed a popular doctor that stood their way over the opposite land in the estate. I do not know whether he was serious about this claim or he was trying to use that to scare me. I have petitioned Area F over threat to my life after that story.”

Below is the full text of the statement.

UPDATE ON THE LAND GRABBING EPISODE BY LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES ON NO 1 FOLURUNSHO KUKU STREET, OFF OPEBI VILLAGE.

On the 31st of December, 2020 I raised alarm and sought the help of Nigerians to reach His Excellency Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu over an unbridled attempt by the agencies of Lagos State Government to disposses a private citizen of his land he acquired legitimately and had been in possession for over 20 years with a certificate of occupancy of about 31 years. My Nigerian brothers and sisters, especially those of my friends who are close to the governor reached out to him with my pathetic cry for help. Dutifully and as a listening governor, His Excellency immediately ordered many of his aides especially the Commissioners to investigate the story including the wanton destruction of a place popularly called ‘Monkey Village’ which is close to the land in question.

Some of these aides some of who I know personally and have relationship with, have reached out to me and I have supplied some information and promised to give fuller details of the land matter in question upon resumption from my short holiday I took outside the State.

Despite the fact that I have received very vital information from numerous sources of how and who instigated the operation, I decided to keep quiet until I see what the State Government is up to with this land in question. I know how lawless we can be in this part of this world but I also know that there is always a limitation to state of anomie in our country, especially over certain matters that are very clear, unambiguous and straightforward.

However the various Press Releases and denials by the various Ministries that were clearly implicated and involved in the land grabbing scandal is becoming provoking that I feel compelled to cry out once again as there clear ominous signs in place that there is a larger sinister motive by these State officials over this land grabbing episode which the governor of the State may not be aware of.

As at yesterday, Ministry of Transport and Ministry of Environment have denied knowledge of the invasion, destruction and towing of the vehicles from the site to Alausa even when there is evidence that the “Notice to Remove” the vehicles was pasted by the Ministry of Transport and the said vehicles were towed to the Ministry of Transport Premises where the Mechanics who are legitimate tenants on the premises were asked to pay some amount of money before they can secure the release of their vehicles. So if Ministry of Transport is claiming not to have knowledge of the invasion, destruction of the site and towing of the vans to Alausa, the question will be what are the towed vehicles doing on their premises in Alausa? Who towed them there?

Today I read the Press Release of the Ministry of Physical Planning owning up to the invasion, destruction of the fences and structures on site and taking over of the property in question. They made several claims among which is that they acted on an approval by the Ministry of Justice of a faceless and nameless petition written to Special Task Force on Land Grabbers in Lagos State.

Secondly, they alleged clearing the site of shanties used for criminal activities and of mechanics who are constituting a nuisance to the neighbourhood. The site in question is completely fenced with a high gate. No one can see the mechanics(tenants) from outside unless, the gate is opened for you. No alleged criminals are harboured in an environment that is completely fenced off and have legitimate tenants that are known to the land owner.

They also allege breach of planning laws. The decent question will be which planning laws was breached? Assuming but not conceding that there is alleged breach, where is the Notice of any breach of the alleged planning laws by the owner of the property from the Ministry of Physical Planning before now? Are they saying that the “Notice to Remove” cars within 48 hours issued by Ministry of Transport has now become the Notice of breach of Planning laws of the State warranting invasion and taking over of a private property by them?

The second critical question will be which petition was written to the Special TaskForce on Land Grabbers and who were the writers of the petition? Could the writers be the same persons who invaded the same land few months ago and were sued with an injunction, and who up till now have refused to respond to the legal suit? Can we be availed of the petition and approval by the Ministry of Justice to take over a private land by the said Special Task Force on Land Grabbers?

Further and better question will be whether someone who has a certificate of occupancy over his land with effective occupation including payment of Land Charges up to date can be termed a Land Grabber of his own property in LAGOS STATE?

As at the evening of the invasion and destruction of the structures including the fences on the property on the 31st of December, 2020, the information at my disposal which I have even confirmed from Special Taskforce on Land Grabbers Unit in the Ministry of Justice is that they are the ones that led the operation to the land as a result of a complaint by the persons who purportedly obtained the Supreme Court judgement. The “beneficiaries” of the judgement were said to have alleged that they have executed the said judgement many years ago but that some people have repossessed the land and so they came to enforce the judgemrnt on their behalf.

It is confirmed to me that when the governor demanded explanation about the invasion, he was told by a high ranking officer of the Ministry of Justice that it was an enforcement of judgement that was carried out by the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the beneficiaries. At least the Press Release of Ministry of Physical Planning has further corroborated this fact.

What compounds all these stories and denials that are being spewed here and there is the questionable role of one Engr Omotosho who allegedly led the Government Officials to the site for the operation. Who is Engr Omotosho? Is he in which Ministry presently? Is he in the Ministry of Physical Planning or Ministry of Justice that have owned up being the Ministries that engaged in this illegal invasion and locking up a private property that has a certificate of occupancy given by the same Lagos State Government? He was alleged to be the one that led the operation of 31st December, 2020. Who is him in all this plans to take over this property?

Why these questions are germane is because a lawyer who was representing the family at the police station when the family first invaded the land some months ago sent me a text this evening informing me that the family has terminated the contract of one Engr Abiodun Ariori whom they contracted to help grab the land from my client at that time. The said Engr Ariori whom I sued along with others, according to him is no longer acting for the family.

My conjecture from this information is that they have contracted this Engr Omotosho who perhaps is more “powerful” and more “connected” to be their consultant for the “recovery of the land” . The intimidating and frightening mobilisation of men and materials for the destruction of the site and its environs can only be the work of a very “powerful”, “fearless”, “tough”, “intimidating consultant and contractor” who are part of the people that own and determine what happens and who can own anything in Lagos State!

PLEASE KEEP THESE FACTS IN PERSPECTIVES.

1. The Land has a certificate of occupancy of over 30 years. The owner of the property has fenced the property round with gate and has been in effective occupation with tenants, tenancy agreement of over 20 years and evidence of payment of Land Use Charge up to date.

2. Some land grabbers led by one Engr Abiodun Ariori led the invasion of the land some months ago and he is not a member of the family but hired by the family because they know his antecedent in “this business”, and they claimed they have a supreme Court judgement which was delivered over 25 years ago.

3. They refused to use court bailiffs to enforce the said judgement but illegal mopol and thugs and now Special TaskForce on Land Grabbers after many years of having obtained the said supreme Court judgement.

4. At the Police station, they tendered warrant of possession that showed an address different from the present land in dispute. They also tendered several survey plans different from the one used in the case at the High Court.

5. When I sued them at the High Court to come and prove the validity of the supreme Court judgement with regards to the land in question, they declined appearance and defence up till date.

6. The High at Court Ikeja granted an injunction against them and they were served, yet they refused to respond or file any response till date.

7. At the police station Engr Ariori boasted to me how powerful he is and how they installed this present government and will use them to take over that land from me. He even implicated himself while talking to me at the Police Station how they killed a popular doctor that stood their way over the opposite land in the estate. I do not know whether he was serious about this claim or he was trying to use that to scare me. I have petitioned Area F over threat to my life after that story.

In one meeting before the police, Mr Ariori even said that my client was dead but was reprimanded by the officer from the IG Monitoring Unit whom they brought from Abuja to come and meddle into the land matter. Those ones withdrew from the matter when they discovered their inconsistencies and moreover the matter was already in court.

8. Worthy of note is the desperation of this group of people when they invaded the land by bringing surveyors from God knows where to come and start re-surveying the land. It was shocking because this is the land they said they had judgement on. Why re-survey a land you purportedly have judgement on? That to me was the turning point in my belief that these men are just unfortunate land grabbers using raw power to take by force what does not belong them.

9. Despite the court injunction, they did not stop parading the land regularly and threatening the tenants therein that they should remove their cars as they will start work on the property very soon on the property. I have a video of when they first invaded the land and had started to commence building until I was able to stop them using the police and the law court.

10. Before this invasion, destruction and locking up of a private property with an inscription on the wall that it is in respect of an unknown judgement, Ministry of Transport pasted a “notice of removal” of vehicles on the site within 48 hours. I raised an alarm and called on the Commissioner of Transport who denied knowledge of the Notice. Their press release still say so, however I have stated it earlier that the vehicles at the site were towed to Ministry of Transport Premises at Alausa with an instruction to the mechanics from the said Ministry officials to collect their vehicles on payment of fees.

11. Special TaskForce Unit in the Ministry of Justice signed a document which was sent to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State that the Unit was the one involved in the operation of the 31st of December 2020 in enforcement of judgement of the said Supreme court.

12. The police that I sent to the site on the day in question interviewed the people demolishing structures on the land and taking over possession, and they informed the police that they are from the Enforcement Unit in the Governor’s office. I have the video of the confirmation of where they said they came from.

13. The Ministry of Physical Planning is now claiming to be the Ministry that carried out the invasion, demolition and towing of the vans that were on the site on the grounds of approval from the Ministry of Justice and breach of an unknown planning laws without any prior notice of such breach to the owner.

14. Presently Area Boys and thugs have taken over site and some hanging around the site smoking dangerous weeds day and night, keeping vigil on the property with intention to have commenced building on the site the following day after the invasion but for my cry and shout that got the godly attention of His Excellency Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu who i believe will give me a listening ear over this matter that his officials want to use to embarrass him and the Centre of Excellence.

MY PRAYERS:

1. That His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State should not allow these desperate land grabbers to start any work on that site as that will mean that “might is right”. Our clients who have been in possession were chased out of the premises and the place taken over with an inscription that this is in respect of a judgemrnt of a court even though the Ministry of Physical Planning is claiming some other things in addition and to the contrary.

2. That the matter is presently in court and as a State that respects rule of law, we have a court injunction to which the defendants have not responded to up till now. Possession of a property is 9/10 of the law. No contrary court order has asked our client to be driven out of possession of the property in question. Justice must not only be done but be seen to have been done in this matter.

3.Since the State Government has asked his aides(Commissioners) to investigate this case and report back to him, I request that I should be given an opportunity to present my case in an unbiased atmosphere in order to hear me out concerning what is playing out in this case.

It is a pathetic case that the Lagos State Government should not have been involved in the first place.

LAST LINE:

1. Those governing us and presiding over state agencies should have this at the back of their minds that power is TRANSIENT AND EHPEMERAL; THAT NOTHING LASTS FOR EVER.

2. I have absolute faith in the government of His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to resolve this matter in favour of JUSTICE, NO MATTER THE PRESSURE/S FROM ANY QUARTER THAT BELIEVE THAT THEY OWN LAGOS AND BY EXTENSION THIS WORLD.
Our client should be restored back to his property after the truth is established that we are in lawful occupation before the unlawful invasion and ejection.

“CONSCIENCE IS AN OPEN WOUND, ONLY TRUTH HEALS IT”.

Mr M.O. Ubani Esq,
Legal Practitioner
4th of January, 2021.
[email protected].

citylawyermag

Like the military, tension mounts over tenure of para-military heads

Aregbesola and overstayed heads of para-military agencies

▪︎ Aregbesola’s actions unlawful, bad precedence – Lawyer, stakeholders

There is confusion and unease over the expiration of the extended tenures of som heads of paramilitary outfits under the Ministry of Interior, PRNigeria reports.

A growing concern in the regular armed forces has been the extended stay of the Army, Navy, and Air Force chiefs long after their due retirement dates, leading to recurrent calls for their replacement.

However, they continue to serve at the pleasure of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, who often, through his spokespersons, has defended their retention.

The stay of the heads of the three heads of the para-military agencies in the Ministry of Interior has been pinned to strings being pulled from the Presidency, but all attention has been beamed on the Ministry”s head, Rauf Aregbesola, who appears not to mind being held responsible.

The minister has, however, been warned that the continuous tenure elongation by him for the heads of the nation’s paramilitary agencies are not only illegal, but detrimental to the overall development and career progression of the personnel.

The CEOs have exceeded the mandatory ages and years in the services and had their tenures extended last year by the Minister of Interior.

PRNigeria gathered that Aregbesola, who is also Chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), endorsed the extension of tenures of the Controller-General of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Jaafaru Ahmed; the Commandant-General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Muhammadu Gana, and the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muhammad Babandede.

Ahmed, Gana and Babandede, courtesy of the Interior Minister, had their lapsed tenures extended for six months last year.

The initial extension of the tenure of Ahmed as NCoS boss, by President Muhammadu Buhari for one year from July 21, 2019 to July 21, 2020, PRNigeria gathered, was due to his track record of pioneering innovative reforms in the prison service.

The tenure of Jaafaru Ahmed, who clocked 60 years of age in 2019, and mandatory 35 years in service in 2020, was later extended by the Minister of Interior, for an additional six months to consolidate and implement some key programmes and policies, especially on human rights compliance, infrastructural development and welfare of staff and inmates.

His extended second extension will now end on January 21, 2021. Born in Birnin Kebbi, the Correctional Service helmsman, obtained B.A (Hons) in History from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, in 1984. He began his working career as an Education officer at the Sokoto Ministry of Education in October 1985, before transferring his service to the Nigerian Prisons Service in 1989, as a Superintendent of Prisons. He subsequently rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Comptroller-General of Prisons in 2008, and was appointed Comptroller-General, on May 17, 2016.

The initial extension of the tenure of Ahmed as NCoS boss, by President Muhammadu Buhari for one year from July 21, 2019 to July 21, 2020, PRNigeria gathered, was due to his track record of pioneering innovative reforms in the prison service.

The tenure of Jaafaru Ahmed, who clocked 60 years of age in 2019, and mandatory 35 years in service in 2020, was later extended by the Minister of Interior, for an additional six months to consolidate and implement some key programmes and policies, especially on human rights compliance, infrastructural development and welfare of staff and inmates.

His extended second extension will now end on January 21, 2021. Born in Birnin Kebbi, the Correctional Service helmsman, obtained B.A (Hons) in History from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, in 1984. He began his working career as an Education officer at the Sokoto Ministry of Education in October 1985, before transferring his service to the Nigerian Prisons Service in 1989, as a Superintendent of Prisons. He subsequently rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Comptroller-General of Prisons in 2008, and was appointed Comptroller-General, on May 17, 2016.

Meanwhile, Muhammadu Gana, was appointed as the second substantive Commandant–General of NSCDC in July 2015, by President Buhari. His tenure expired in July 2020, and was granted a six-month extension, which will end this January 2021.

Born in Lapai, Niger State, Gana obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from University of Sokoto 1986, (now Usmanu Dan-Fodio University (UDUS)), and a Master ’s degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from ABU Zaria.

He worked in the private sector for over a decade before transferring his service to NSCDC in 2000.

On his part, Babandede, the Comptroller-General of NIS, is currently the longest-serving top officer of the agency, after joining the service in June 1985, and has spent 35 years in service. He hails from Jigawa State.

The Immigration Service boss holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Islamic Studies; together with a Master’s degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, from ABU Zaria.

In the meantime, PRNigeria gathered that Aregbesola, who has the final say on the expired but extended tenures of the NIS, NCoS and NSCDC bosses, being the Chairman of CDCFIB, is believed to be planning to recommend a further extension of the tenures of these officers.

Meanwhile, some concerned retired and serving officers, as well stakeholders in this sector speaking on the condition of anonymity, have expressed concerns over what they described as “detrimental policy of tenure elongation” for heads of paramilitary agencies.

Some of them expressed the fear that the practice of extending the tenure of any public officer is counterproductive, demoralising and detrimental to the career progression of officers in public service and could set bad precedents with dangerous consequences.

A retired Immigration Officer and human right lawyer, Barrister Daniel Makolo last year in a petition pointed out that the Minister of Interior lacked the power to extend the tenure of Mohammed Babandede, comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS).

In a letter addressed to the minister, a former Governor of Osun State, Makolo said the CDFIPB chaired by Aregbesola had no legal power “to recommend or extend the statutory tenure of any public servant in the same capacity, no matter and however industrious such officer may be.”

He said the Public Service of Nigeria is statutorily designed with specific provisions for entry and exit lawfully and that once a tenure comes to an end, a further stay in the office is arbitrary, immoral, wrongful and unlawful.

“The practice of arbitrary, illegal elongation of the statutory tenure of public office occupants sets a dangerous precedent for bureaucracy and national security.”

▪︎ Major report and investigations by PRNigeria

everyday

BREAKING: US Congress Goes Into Lockdown As Pro-Trump Protesters Storm Capitol

The US Capitol locked down today with lawmakers inside as violent clashes broke out between supporters of President Donald Trump and police.

An announcement was played inside the Capitol as lawmakers were meeting and expected to vote to affirm Joe Biden’s victory. Due to an “external security threat,” no one could enter or exit the Capitol complex, the recording said.

Both chambers abruptly went into recess.

The skirmishes occurred outside in the very spot where president-elect Biden will be inaugurated in just two weeks.

Protesters tore down metal barricades at the bottom of the Capitol’s steps and were met by officers in riot gear.

Some tried to push past the officers who held shields and officers could be seen firing pepper spray into the crowd to keep them back.

Some in the crowd were shouting “traitors” as officers tried to keep them back.

A suspicious package was also reported in the area, Capitol Police said.

The skirmishes came just shortly after Trump addressed thousands of his supporters, riling up the crowd with his baseless claims of election fraud at a rally near the White House on Wednesday ahead of Congress’ vote.

“We will not let them silence your voices,” Trump told the protesters, who had lined up before sunrise to get a prime position to hear the president.

thepledge

Feature- The Corporate Governance and Crisis Communication web at FCMB

By Chido Nwakanma

Two matters stand out in the FCMB saga. One is the issue of ethics and corporate governance. The other is the collateral damage to the bank’s corporate reputation and image.

Memes and videos are mocking the institution. Others have spoofs of their pay-off, turning it from “FCMB, My Bank and I”, to “FCMB, Your Wife and I.”

There is also the matter of the integrity of the trending narrative. What happened really? Persons claiming affinity to the parties involved say the blow out happened five years ago. At issue now is the power of the internet and social media in constructing narratives.

Someone or a group of persons used the unfortunate demise of Mr Thomas as the peg for spinning a salacious web that ropes in the bank through its primus inter pares. It is a deft and calculated sting filled from poisonous darts.

Mr Adam Nuru and his friends finally stepped out to debunk aspects of the story. They stated that Nuru is not the father of Moyo’s two children; Nuru was friend with the late Thomas; the story is a fabrication made for social age; the alleged petition is anonymous. Note that none of the statements denied the alleged dalliance.
Nevertheless, the following stand out.

  1. The narrative has provided room for sundry operatives to sully the image of the bank.
  2. FCMB has issued a holding statement, acknowledging the issue, and assuring stakeholders that the bank is on top of the situation.
  3. There are issues of corporate governance, ethics, HR management and corporate reputation.
  4. Discussions of the matter must go beyond the sensual to examining issues of professional and ethical conduct.
  5. The FCMB Relationship Scandal straddles corporate reputation and HR management. It is not “a personal matter” of the MD, as the bank wrongly stated. Both parties were in the employ of the bank, and the relationship played out therein.
  6. The MD is the Chief Reputation Officer of every institution. He cannot effectively carry the corporate banner if his banner has horrible stains.
  7. The reputation of the bank is critical. They should work to ensure no one besmirches it further.
    Adam Nuru and his paramour contravened the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018. Section 4.6 of the Code demands the following of the MD: “4.3 The MD/CEO should establish a culture of integrity, conformance and performance, which should be assimilated by personnel at all levels of the Company”.
    It further states:
    4.6 The MD/CEO should declare any conflict of interest on appointment and annually thereafter. In the event that he becomes aware of any potential conflict of interest at any other point, he should disclose this to the Board at the first possible opportunity. Actions following disclosure should be subject to the Company’s Conflict of Interest Policy.

The relationship of the MD with a subordinate female staff presented a clear case of conflict of interest. Most organisations frown at superior-subordinate relationships across gender. The parties engaged in a relationship with a potentially harmful effect on the boss’s ability to supervise the subordinate. It would also make it difficult for harmonious relationships at various levels of management. Her mates or superiors would find it difficult to relate with or censure her where necessary.

In claiming the issue, the bank stated:
“We are aware of several stories circulating across several media platforms about our bank’s Managing Director Adam Nuru, a former employee Ms Moyo Thomas and her deceased ex-husband, Mr Tunde Thomas.
“While this is a personal matter, the tragedy of the death of Mr Tunde Thomas and the allegations of unethical conduct, require the Board to conduct a review of what transpired, any violations of our Code of ethics and the adequacy of these Code of conduct ethics. This will be done immediately.
“We enjoin all our stakeholders to bear with us as we conduct this review and to please respect the various families involved.”

FCMB confirms in the statement that there was an affair. FCMB wonders if such a relationship amounted to “violations of our Code of ethics” and if the Code is adequate to tackle emerging issues.

Many other issues arise from the FCMB saga. They are branding, reputation management, the strength of the personal versus corporate brand, ethics and corporate governance. There is also HR management.

The bank needs to look beyond its Code and reference the Nigerian Code of Corporate Governance 2018. The Securities and Exchange Commission also has a Code for quoted firms.

The MD should step aside. The claim of an investigation is not credible while the MD sits unless the investigators report directly to the Board or the Chairman.

Before this saga, the MD of FCMB was one of the silent ones in media exposure. He had a very insignificant Top of Mind Awareness (TOMA) among bank CEOs. His affair is the excuse for “enemies”, mischief-makers or fun-seekers to attack the corporate brand. What a way to trend!
The challenge, therefore, is ensuring minimal damage to the corporate brand.
• FCMB should issue a second statement no later than 8 January 2021 or the end of the first business week of the year.
• They should assure customers of the safety of their funds and other stakeholders of the bank’s health.
• They should commission a dipstick of stakeholders’ perception and a Perception Audit in the next three months to check any lingering negatives. It is an opportunity to do this audit that most firms fail to do in Nigeria. For instance, the dipstick will tell if this is a mere storm in a teacup or has a deeper reach and potentially more significance.
• Monitor. Monitor. Monitor. Media and non-media.
• FCMB should change the agenda as soon as possible. They could announce a major initiative that engages customers, primarily, or what their dipstick reveals.
• Create new and engaging content. Word of mouth is critical.

Members of NIPR Lagos had a mini-workshop on this matter on Sunday, 3 January through 4 January. Engaging and highly professional. Thanks to Toni Kan, Jide Benson, Nkechi Alli-Balogun, Emeka Maduegbuna, Olutayo Irantiola, Dotun Adekanmbi, Temitope Oguntokun, Eniola Mayowa, Taiwo Tunkarimu and Blessing Nwobodo-Itua.

The ball is in the court of FCMB. Massive fires spring from little triggers.

Chido Benedict Nwakanma is a communications strategist and marketer with extensive media and industry experience consulting in Nigeria and Africa. He has 30 years communication management experience covering roles in media, industry and consulting

newswings

Saying the right thing

‘Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!’
Proverbs 15:23 NLT

William Penn, founder of the British colony of Pennsylvania in 1677 (the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is named in his honour), formulated six principles for conversation: ‘1) Avoid company where it is not profitable or necessary, and on those occasions, speak little, and last. 2) Silence is wisdom, where speaking is folly; and always safe. 3) Some are so foolish as to interrupt and anticipate those that speak, instead of hearing and thinking before they answer, which is uncivil, as well as silly. 4) If you think twice before you speak once, you will speak twice the better for it. 5) Better to say nothing, than not to the purpose. And to speak pertinently, consider both what is fit, and when it is fit to speak. 6) In all debates, let truth be your aim, not victory or unjust interest; endeavour to gain, rather than to expose your critic.’ In short: never speak without thinking! Give yourself time to incorporate wisdom into your words, avoiding those that make others feel intimidated or inferior. One of the best ways to persuade others is by listening to them. A gossip talks about others and a bore talks about himself, but a good conversationalist talks about what interests you, and listens attentively to what you have to say. The truth is, sometimes the more you speak, the less people remember. And they’re more likely to remember your words if they feel like you care enough to listen to their thoughts and concerns. The Bible says, ‘Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!’
Credit: The Word for Today

Zimbabwe, A True African Jewel

An African Jewel located in the heart of Southern Region of Africa, Zimbabwe is bordered by Botswana to the West, Mozam­bique to the east, South Africa to the south and Zambia to the north. It is renowned for its numerous internationally acclaimed tourist destinations that offer site seeing, game and bird viewing, camping, sporting such as white-water rafting and bungie jumping, hunting, fishing and boat cruising. Wildlife in Zimbabwe flourishes and the country offers unforgettable moments as it provides some of the finest safaris and hotels in Af­rica.

Over and above the unique flora and fauna, the ancient historical monuments, the scenic views, Zimbabwe’s na­tional treasures are reputed to be its hospitable and friend­ly people.A few of the world-class tourist destinations include:

Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls, known as the “Smoke that Thun­ders” in the local Tonga language, is the largest single cur­tain of falling water in the world and one of Africa’s most scenic and enchanting sites. On seeing the falls for the first time, the great British explorer, David Livingstone wrote “No one can imagine the beauty of the view from any­thing witnessed in England. It had never been seen before by European eyes, but scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight” (Livingstone 1857).

Victoria Falls town is surrounded by National Parks and wildlife areas. This is what makes it such a unique and wonderful place, man and animal do co-exist here.

Hwange National Park

Wildlife is the very essence of Zimbabwe’s tourism. Hwange National Park south of the Victoria Falls is Zim­babwe’s largest game reserve with over 100 animal species and more than 400 types of birds. In this vast game are some of the largest herds of African elephants and buffa­lo on the continent. Hwange National Park is also home to other members of the Big Five, namely, Lions, Rhino and Leopard.

Zimbabwe also hosts more than 10 other smaller but equally significant National Parks that include a World Heritage Site, Mana Pools.

Lake Kariba

Lake Kariba is the Largest man-made lake in Africa and one of the largest in the world. The Kariba dam wall is an impressive unit built across the Zambezi River, provid­ing a bridge between Zimbabwe and Zambia. Kariba is a small and spread-out resort town which is the starting point for tourism activities centred on the lake.

Eastern Highlands

The Eastern Highlands, along the Zimbabwe border with Mozambique, is noted for its scenic beauty. The main gateway to the region is Mutare, a city that lies cupped within the mountains. A short drive away is the scenic Vumba, an area of ancient forest, sub-tropic plants and arrays of ferns and flower gardens at the Vumba Botanic Gardens. North of Mutare is Nyanga, a region of moun­tains, waterfalls and trout streams. To the south of the city beyond the Vumba mountains are the Chimanimani Mountains and waterfalls as well.Cool temperatures are usual in Nyanga with summer temperature around 26 de­grees Celsius and winter cold temperatures of -3 degrees Celsius.These are complimented by a wet summer.

Great Zimbabwe Ruins

Twenty-eight (28) kilometres south of Masvingo is a national monument of renown, The Great Zimbabwe Ruins. The Great Zimbabwe Ruins are the largest ancient buildings in Africa outside the Egyptian pyramids. They were declared a World Heritage site in 1986. Great Zim­babwe was the heart of a thriving trading empire know as the Kingdom of Mutapa or the Mutapa Empire from the 11th to the 15th centuries. The country’s name Zimbabwe, was in fact derived from the ruins who’s name “Dzimba Dzemahwe” is a literal Shona term meaning “Houses of Stone.”

The following airlines fly direct into Zimbabwe: Ethi­opian Airlines, Rwanda Air, South African Airways and Emirates.

For more details on tourism in Zimbabwe please visit https://www.zimbabwetourism.net/

You can also consult via the Embassy’s email address: [email protected]

Who’s your friend?

When Ronaldino was arrested alongside his brother Roberto Assis over fake Passport issue in Paraguay and detained at Agrupacion Especializida Maximum security prison for 32 days, only two players visited him; that is Samuel E’too and Paraguay International Nelson Cuevas.
Later, E’too would call every evening to know how he was faring and gave him hope that things would be okay. Not even his mom, wife or siblings would do that.
After pleading guilty to the charges, the two were fined £200,000 plus legal charges totalling to £270,000.
When He informed E’too, Etoo responded “Don’t worry bro, I will take care of everything” and he wired the money so that Ronaldino could be released.
Of all prominent friends Ronaldino made at the peak of his career, only that African that was once called a “monkey” by racist Spanish and Italian fans was there for him.
Ideally, the big friends that we make today might not be there for us tomorrow, but there will always be one that will be more than a family to us.
Friendship is tested by ability to stand by each other at the hour of need.

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