While his peers cut their first teeth in banking, Jim Ovia perfected the money attitude. He was the enthralling magnate, who teased open fortune’s peonies, and unwrapped the seal to the tight bales of bloom in banking’s competitive halls.

Money chants its ornate poetry in Ovia’s treasure chest perhaps because he took the money shot – Cha ching! – time and over again, with the stamina of a warrior, and the agility of the quintessential marksman. 

Now past the glory days of his hustle as a seasoned and foremost banker, Ovia continually looms large as a conqueror of banking and high commerce. Having established his dominance in the cutthroat world of business, where he enjoys repute as banking’s top royalty, the Zenith Bank chairman, is eager to extend the luxury of his conquests and acquisitions to his loved ones.

Just recently, he acquired three units of luxury apartments at 4, Bourdillon, an iconic residential complex in the heart of Ikoyi, Lagos.

The diminutive billionaire who does not shy from aiming high paid a total sum of $10.5m for the apartments, valued at $3.5m per unit. Ovia, it was gathered, gifted two of his sons one unit each while he may have converted the last one to a private guest house.

Located at 4, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, the apartment which provides an infinite luxurious experience to its residents, is a Twin Tower of 25 Floors with 41 Units of 3 and 4 Bedroom Flats and 5-Bedroom Duplex Flats and Duplex Penthouses with lush greenery, water-bodies, swimming pools, tennis court, gym and clubhouse with ample underground parking and breath-taking views.

Targeting Nigeria’s elites, the property offers penthouses that include roof gardens and each has a curved balcony, which creates an attractive curvilinear appearance and is large enough to be used as an external relaxing area. Its glazed balustrade allows uninterrupted 360-degree views of Lagos Island. A joint development between Kaizen Properties (a member of TGI Group, which amongst others owns CHI Ltd – the leading FMCG Company in Nigeria with brands like CHIVITA and HOLLANDIA) and El-Alan Group, a foremost construction company with over 38 years experience working in Nigeria, 4 Bourdillon sets new heights and standards of luxury in Lagos where living becomes a daily bliss of peace of mind.

Ovia is an unabashed lover of properties and he is reputed to own most of the properties in which Zenith Bank operates from. The 68-year-old Forbes-rated billionaire is also known as the Godfather of Banking in Nigeria. (thecapital)

The Bayelsa State Government has described the proposed National Water Resources Bill 2020 as another draconian land use decree in disguise, saying it would join other progressive forces to resist it at all cost.

This was one of the decisions reached by the State Executive Council at its weekly meeting presided over by the State Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo in Government House, Yenagoa, following the unavoidable absence of the governor.

A press release by the Deputy Governor’s Media aide, Mr Doubara Atasi, recalls that, the National Water Resources Bill 2020, which has passed its second reading on the floor of the Senate, has attracted wide condemnation across the country due to its controversial provisions aimed at seizing control of the country’s waterways.

In a joint Press Briefing led by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Hon. Ayibaina Duba, the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of the State, Mr. Biriyai Dambo (SAN), said Council decided to oppose the bill because it negates the rights of Bayelsans, Niger Deltans and several other people in the country to enjoy their God-given resources.

To this end, he expressed the state government’s readiness to apply all necessary legal frameworks to reject any legislation by the National Assembly that would emanate from the bill.

Mr. Dambo, while pointing out some relevant sections of the Bill, noted that Section 62 seeks to deny indigenes especially the Niger Delta people of their ancestral lands and the freedom of fishing for business.

His words “Section 62 of the Bill which states that any person who choose to undertake any of the activities in relation to water resources of this Bill, shall be licensed by the Commission”

“The essence of this is that, this Bill seeks to take away the freedom of not just the Niger Delta people but Nigerians at large, so if they start licensing the waterways activities, then you are encroaching on the freedom of the people and that is unacceptable”

“That is why Exco came to the conclusion that we reject this Bill and secondly, we shall also impress on members of the National Assembly from and outside this region to oppose this Bill with everything they have”

On his part, the State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Mr. Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha, said the recent Citizens Budget Participatory Session organized by the state government enabled Council to approve the Medium Term Expenditure Framework covering Year 2020 to 2023.

This, according to Mr. Alamieyeseigha, will set the tone for the presentation of the 2021 budget by Governor Douye Diri to the State House of Assembly in few weeks from now.

The Nigeria Custom Service (NCS) within the last one month has foiled two attempts to smuggle out 8,228 ATM cards in the last one month raising questions as to why the crime is gaining traction. And how many have slipped them through to Dubai and elsewhere.

The Kano/Jigawa Command arrested a Dubai-bound passenger in possession of 5,342 ATM cards at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

A month earlier, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced it was investigating a suspected fraudster caught concealing 2,886 Automated Teller Machine (ATM) cards and four SIM cards in noodles while on his way to the United Arab Emirate, Dubai.

The Customs Area Comptroller, Mr Nasir Ahmed, stated the arrest of the new culprit while handing over the suspect to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday in Kano.

The Lagos zonal head of the EFCC, AbdulRasheed Bawa, gave an insight into why the new crime is on.while receiving the Lagos airport suspect on behalf of the commission, said, “we have taken over Ishaq and I can assure you that we are going to investigate the matter thoroughly and unveil everybody involved in the syndicate.

“There are a number of possibilities. There is an element of conspiracy, foreign exchange (FOREX) malpractices and money laundering. 

“Indeed, banks and bankers are definitely involved.”

“In recent months, we have observed a trend in which unsuspecting Nigerians are lured into opening accounts to be bought at a fee.

“Most bankers are not carrying out their duties with due diligence, particularly the Know Your Customers, (KYC), procedural check,” he said.

In Kano, the Customs boss, Ahmed said the suspect was arrested while about to board a Dubai-bound Ethiopian Airlines with the ATM cards concealed in two sacks of beans by the personnel of the command at the airport.

”It can be assumed that the suspect can withdraw up to one million dollars in a day, at the detriment of the national economy.

”We handed over the suspect, his passport and other travelling documents to the EFCC for further investigations,” Ahmed said.

Also speaking, Mr Sanusi Aliyu, the Head of the EFCC Zonal Office comprising Kano, Katsina and Jigawa, commended the service for effective surveillance to check crimes and financial crime in the airports and other point of entry in the country.

Aliyu said the commission would conduct thorough investigation.

”Investigation is necessary to establish the reasons behind the acts and other persons involved in the acts.

“The Nigeria Customs Service has been a very good partner of the EFCC in the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country,” he said.

Aliyu pledged continued partnership with the service to check graft practices in the country.

Last September, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the suspect in the Lagos smuggling attempt, Ishaq Abubakar, was arrested by the Nigeria Customs Service at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and handed over to the EFCC Lagos zonal office for investigation and prosecution.

The commission quoted the Customs Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako, as saying the suspect came from Kano State and wanted to travel via an Emirate flight.

“The Customs Deputy Comptroller, Enforcement, Abudulmumuni Bako, who represented the Customs Area Comptroller, A. Ma’aji, said that the suspect, who claimed to have come from Kano to travel to Dubai aboard the Emirate Evacuation flight, was seen with someone who was assigned to facilitate his movement through the airport checks.

“Officers of the Customs service intercepted the suspect with 2,886 ATM cards and four SIM cards, which he carefully concealed in parks of Noodles.

“This raised the suspicion of the officers who insisted he should be physically and thoroughly checked after the scan machine had revealed he was carrying parks (sic) of noodles,” he said.

Eight-year-old Chiamaka Oha is battling for her life at the General Hospital, Uga,  Anambra State, after she was allegedly bathed with hot water by her employer, Ogochukwu Anichukwu, for licking her baby’s milk.

The victim who hails from Ugwueme community in the Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, lived with her employer and the husband at at Nanka community, in the Orumba North LGA of Anambra State.

It was alleged that Anichukwu on September 25, 2020, poured hot water on the victim for licking her baby’s milk and shut the door against her to prevent people from seeing the injuries she sustained from the attack.

A neighbour who visited the family saw the maid’s condition and reported the matter to a non-governmental organisation, Human Rights Legal Aid Initiative. The NGO was said to have rescued and taken the victim to a medical facility in the area.

Aanother group, Awgu Egbeleli Socio-Cultural Development and Unity Forum, transferred the victim to a general hospital.

A member of the forum, Chidi Okoh said the group learnt about the incident through the social media.

He said, “When we saw a video of the girl on social media, we were moved with compassion, and sent one of our members, Chief Sunday Nwankwo, who resides in Onitsha, to investigate the incident. When he got there, he was shocked at the inhuman act meted to the victim by the woman and her husband.

“Chief Nwankwo handled the medical bill at the private hospital where the victim was taken to for resuscitation and moved her to the general hospital.

“We learnt that the girl’s offence was that she licked the milk meant for Anichukwu’s baby. She poured hot water on her and locked her inside so that neighbours won’t see her in that state.

“Neighbours confirmed to have seen the girl eating sand on several occasions because of starvation. When we asked the woman why she poured hot water on the victim, she said she was bathing her baby and didn’t know when the hot water poured on her; her husband admitted to beating and inflicting injuries on Chiamaka in the past.”

The Ekwulobia Zonal Coordinator of Human Rights Legal Aid Initiative, Akaneme Chijioke, who condemned the attack, confirmed the victim was in pains when the group rescued her.

He said, “There were sores all over her body. The woman used a hard object to beat her and damaged her fingernails. Her face and mouth are filled with injuries.

“The girl looked frail, hungry, malnourished and traumatised and when we asked the woman what happened, she said she mistakenly poured hot water on her. When we took the child aside to interrogate her, she said the woman was always beating her and that she never licked any milk. She also said she ate sand sometimes to stay alive.  We then went back to the woman to find out why they had not taken the girl to hospital; she said they did not have money.”

The matter was reported at the Uga police area command and the couple had been arrested.

The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, Haruna Mohammed, said he was not aware of the matter.

SOURCE: Punch

A human rights lawyer and Activist, Mr. Joseph Onu Silas has written the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) seeking cancelation of the purchase of gold worth 5 billion Naira from Zamfara State government by the bank

Silas, in a letter addressed to the CBN Governor, Godwin Omiefele, sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL), said he is surprised by such action taken by the bank. He described the purchase as “illegal” and a waste of “scarce public funds”

“I am worried that Central Bank of Nigeria under your leadership is tending towards becoming a commercial bank and even more worrisome is that the Central Bank of Nigeria has acted in total disregard of Nigerian laws and has displayed its penchant to waste scarce public fund in the placement of this illegal gold purchase order” he said

The human rights lawyer said section 1(4) of the CBN Act, 2007 which permits the bank to acquire, hold and dispose of movable and immovable property does not extend to engaging in a business venture such as the purchase of gold neither does section 2 of the Act which sets out objectives of the bank include “commerce or trading in gold”

He added that the Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act, 2007 makes it clear in section 1(1) and (2) that: (1) the entire property in and control of all mineral resources in, under or upon any land in Nigeria, its contiguous continental shelf and all rivers, streams, and watercourses throughout Nigeria, any area covered by its territorial waters or constituency and the Exclusive Economic Zone is and shall be vested in the Government of the Federation for and on behalf of the people of Nigeria. (2) All lands in which minerals have been found in commercial quantities shall, from the commencement of this Act be acquired by the Government of the Federation in accordance with the provisions of the Land Use Act

“Sir, by sealing this deal with the government of Zamfara State, are you admitting that as the head of Nigeria’s apex Bank, you are unaware of the laws of this nation?” Silas queried

He continued, “I ask this question simply because the news of your action is only possible if the Southern States of this nation can also enjoy such offers from the Central Bank for the purchase of petroleum products.”

Furthermore, Silas said such purchase is “the highest insult on the sensitivities of Nigerians” because Zamfara government has no gold to sell, the gold is for federal government, and CBN is not permitted by its enabling Act to engage in the business of buying goods that are solely commercial in nature

Silas again queried, “Also, are you aware that this singular indiscreet action of yours is capable of throwing this nation’s fragile security into chaos? What will be your response to people from the Southern States if they now begin to insist that all the Mineral resources found within their respective States does not belong to the Federal government and opts to begin selling them directly to anyone?”

He called on the CBN governor to cancel the transaction immediately or face legal action.

“with all patriotic zeal and love for this nation, I am urging you to immediately rescind this transaction as it is not only illegal but also potentially dangerous for the peace and security of our nation. I am not against the CBN providing financial support for the development of Nigeria ln mining Sector, but this is not such support. If this illegality is not discontinued immediately, I will be compelled to Institute a criminal complaint against the Management of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the officials of the Zamfara State government, in addition to a civil action in court.” he said

A resident of the community, who spoke with SaharaReporters, raised the alarm over the increasing repressive activities of the religious police in the region.

Officials of Hisbah in Kaduna State have banned girls and ladies in Kuriga Village under Chikun Local Government Area from using or possessing mobile phones and sunglasses.

A resident of the community, who spoke with SaharaReporters, raised the alarm over the increasing repressive activities of the religious police in the region.

He alleged that Hisbah had been ‘frustrating the lives of youths in Kuriga and often carry out severe punishment for moral failings’. 

“Hisbah is punishing youths for keeping afro hair and sometimes it is accompanied with beating.

“They have also prevented women and girls from using smartphones, claiming that it is used to spread unIslamic behaviours. They are just terrorising us,” he told SaharaReporters.

Another resident of the town also said Hisbah personnel have prohibited women and girls from using sunglasses.

“They also sometimes storm houses where ceremonies are taking place and punish playing of music, dancing and any form of entertainment,” he said.

Hisbah recently made headlines for shaving off stylish haircuts of young men in Kano, arresting people for improper dressing and seizing tricycles from riders for adorning them with pictures considered to be obscene and against the tenents of Islam.

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The agency established to enforce Sharia law in some states in Northern Nigeria, also banned stylish haircuts, sagging of trousers and playing of music at social events by disk jockeys in Kebbi State.

The group also banned commercial motorcycle and tricycle riders from carrying two women at a time.

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This is in addition to other unusual directives reeled out by the Islamic police.

Despite condemnation from Nigerians, the group has continued its push for Islamic agenda in the North.

SaharaReporters

YouTube on Thursday announced that artists and creators from Nigeria could apply for grants from its global 100 million dollar Black Voices Fund.

Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Emerging Markets, YouTube EMEA said in a statement that the global fund would over the next three years offer support to Black artists and creators.

Okosi said that the fund to enable artists and creators could thrive on YouTube.

The managing director said that Black Voices Fund would invest with the intention to present fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power, authenticity, dignity, and joy of Black voices, as well as to educate audiences about racial justice.

He said that the $100m fund was first announced in June and was officially named the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund.

According to him, this year, the fund will be focusing its efforts on creators within the US, Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.

“Our goal is to expand funding to more countries over the course of the next three years,”

“Additionally, we hope to provide a consistent drumbeat of educational training, workshops, and community events to Black creators and artists globally.

‘’The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund is part of the work currently underway to ensure that YouTube is a place where Black artists, creators and users can share their stories and be protected,’’ he said.

According to Okosi, along with our commitment to amplifying marginalised voices on the content side we are also investing in product and policy changes that will continue to advance YouTube’s mission.

He said the mission of giving everyone a voice and showing them the world.

Okosi said that YouTube believes that it is only by taking a stand against those who would try to bully, harass, silence and intimidate others that it truly moves closer to achieving this mission.

He said that YouTube’s new efforts included ramping up enforcement and terminating more accounts that repeatedly post hateful comments.

The MD YouTube was also in the process of rolling out product changes to make creator moderation tools more streamlined.

Okosi said that Interested artists and creators could apply for funding here.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that launched in May 2005, YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing billions of people to discover, watch, and share videos.

(NAN)