Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya, has stated that she contemplated quitting her acting career because a blog damaged her self-esteem.

The 34-year-old decried that the post made by the blog almost made her give up her career.

According to her, the blog post “Nollywood, Can We Please Stop Making Beverly Naya Happen!”

She said, “It really got to me and it damaged my self-esteem and it made me doubt myself like I really don’t feel like I want to continue in this industry, I wanted to quit on several occasions.”

She added that since then she had won an international award and the blog no longer exists.

[Thisnigeria]

Tinuade Sanda has been removed as the managing director of the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC).

Naija News reports that this action was confirmed through an official statement signed and made available to newsmen on Tuesday by the chairman of the DisCo, Dere Otubu.

The letter, dated March 21, 2024, and titled Implementation of NERC directive on seconded staff, was specifically directed to Sanda.

It outlined the directive from the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) instructing EKEDC to ensure that the utility and subject directly employ all employees to the utility’s service conditions.

The letter further noted that the staff must be compensated through the utility’s payroll system. Otubu reiterated in the letter that EKEDC had no choice but to comply with this directive as mandated by NERC’s authority under the Electricity Act of 2023.

The letter stated: “In compliance with the above directive, all seconded staff of WPG Ltd are being released by EKEDC and returned to WPG Ltd.

“You are hereby relieved of your role, office, and position at EKEDC, effective immediately, and returned to your employer, WPG Ltd.”

Naija News understands that Sanda was further directed to hand over to the highest-ranking staff of EKEDC under her.

“We hereby record our appreciation of your valuable services and contribution to the growth and success achieved by EKEDC over the years as a seconded staff from WPG,” the statement added.

[NaijaNews]

The exchange rate used for calculating customs import duties and cargo clearance has decreased for the fifth time in under two weeks, moving from N1,612 per dollar on March 15th to N1,405.46 per dollar currently.

Previously, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) had declared that the exchange rate for duty collection and cargo clearance would be determined by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), based on the official market rate.

A breakdown of the decline in the past few days

• 15th  March 2024- N1,612/$
• 16th  March 2024- N1,593/$
• 19th  March 2024- N1,572/$
• 23rd  March 2024- N1,448/$
• 27th  March 2024- N1,405/$

Recent observations indicate a steady depreciation in value, evidencing the naira’s strengthening against other currencies in both the parallel and official foreign exchange markets. Over the last two weeks, there has been a notable improvement in the naira’s value, climbing from N1,615 per dollar on March 13th to N1,382 per dollar by March 26th.

Recent reforms by the CBN

The Nigerian Naira (NGN) has seen improvements recently, which are largely due to the strategic measures and reforms implemented by the central bank aimed at curbing inflation and stabilizing the foreign exchange (FX) market.

Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed its success in settling an over $4 billion backlog in foreign exchange forwards, benefiting businesses both within and internationally.

Additionally, it has imposed restrictions on International Oil Companies (IOCs), allowing them to only transfer 50% of their foreign exchange earnings immediately and requiring a 90-day wait to transfer the remaining 50%.

Further, the central bank has prevented commercial banks from allocating foreign exchange sales profits towards operational costs and dividend payments. Recently, it began selling dollars to Bureau de Change operators at a rate of N1,251 per dollar.

At its latest Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the CBN declared an interest rate increase from 22.75% to 24.75%, marking a 200-basis point rise. Mr. Yemi Cardoso, the committee’s chairman, explained that this adjustment aims to control inflation, currently at 31.7%, and to manage the foreign exchange market effectively.

[Nairametrics]

The Gombe State Executive Council on Tuesday approved the sum of N43.130 billion for the construction of a new ultra-modern governor’s residence, High Court and House of Assembly complexes.

The decision was made during the 37th SEC meeting presided over by Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, held at the executive chamber of the Government House.

Our correspondent reports that since 2003 when former Governor Abubakar Habu Hashidu vacated the residence after his defeat, all the subsequent governors of the state, Danjuma Goje, Ibrahim Dankwambo did not stay at the official governor’s residence located at the Government House, despite several renovations to the edifice.

Governor Yahaya is also staying at his private residence located at the New GRA.

Briefing journalists shortly after the meeting, Commissioner for Information, Mijinyawa Ardo Tilde, said the council after scrutiny had approved the total sum of N43.130bn for an ultra-modern governor’s residence and befitting High Court and House of Assembly Complexes.

He added that the council had also approved the sum of N10bn for the construction of roads in four local government areas of the state, and construction of Gombe State Security, Traffic and Environmental Corps (GOSTEC) office accommodations.

Shedding more light on the projects, Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport, Dr Usman Maijama’a Kallamu, said the ultra modern high court complex would be constructed at N14bn, while N14.23bn and N14.9bn would be earmarked for the House of Assembly Complex and the ultra-modern governor’s residence.

He said following the approval, contractors would be mobilised to site and work would commence in earnest.

The commissioner added that the council also approved N10.4bn for construction of 77 kilometres roads in Kwami, Funakaye Nafada, Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Areas of the state.

Daily Trust reports that the projects, especially the ultra modern governor’s residence and the complexes, were approved amidst the current economic hardship occasioned by removal of fuel subsidy.

Our correspondent reports that workers under the local government service in the state are yet to start receiving the new minimum wage, being enjoyed by the state civil servants since 2020.

However, following the removal of the subsidy, Governor Yahaya had introduced N10,000 as palliative for both the state and local government employees.

Pensioners were left out in the ‘palliative,’ as some retirees still collect the sum of N7,000 as their monthly pension.

However, after much outcry, Governor Yahaya had on Tuesday launched the distribution of foodstuffs as palliatives to the underprivileged and physically challenged residents of the state.

The food items consists of a 5kg bag of rice, maize and sugar each and carton of spaghetti.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Education, Dr Aishatu Umar Maigari, said the council had approved N549m for payment of registration fees for the West African Examination Council (WAEC), the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB) and the National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (MBAIS) for 19,840 indigent students.

She said the students were in 151 senior secondary schools in the state, including those on exchange programmes.

The commissioner added that 19,000 out of the 23,000 students passed a mock examination conducted by the ministry.

Maigari said, “In 2019 when Governor Inuwa Yahaya assumed office, only 22 per cent of students were getting five credits and above. In 2023, we had had 67.8 percent who passed with five credits, including Mathematics and English.”

[DailyTrust]

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, the two modern-day legends of football, have been ranked in the top 10 of Daily Mail’s top 50 footballers all-time list.

Messi grabbed the number one spot, while Ronaldo is in tenth place.

The rankings highlight a significant gap between Messi and Ronaldo according to the publication.

Notably, Brazilian forward Neymar did not make the list.

The top 10 rankings also featured other iconic players such as Pele, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane, Johann Cryuff, Alfredo Di Stefano, Ronaldo Nazario, Garrincha and Zico.

Messi has won eight Ballon d’Or awards so far in his career, while Ronaldo has won five.

[DailyPost]

Popular socialite, Pascal Chibuike better known as Cubana Chief Priest has unveiled his son’s multimillionaire project.

He shared via his Instagram, a video of a hotel under construction taking pride in his son, Obinna.

He stated that it is a great pleasure for him to watch his son become a hotelier at 6, assuring that his son would do well just like his elder brother, who opened a restaurant.

Cubana Chief Priest stated that he plans to make Owerri, the capital of Imo State, look like Lagos.

“My Son Obinna Is Working On An Amazing Project, It’s My Pleasure Watching My Son Become A Hotelier At 6, I Know He Will Do Well Just Like His Big Brother Is Doing With His 24hrs @donaldsfastfood The Plan Is To Make Owerri Look Amazing Like Lagos. Any Good Thing We See On The Island We Copy It & Paste It In My Beautiful New Owerri. 70%…. Our Harvest Season Is Near,” he wrote. 

[TheNation]

Matthew Kukah, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto diocese, has asked the federal government to interrogate “key Nigerians” who claim to have close ties with bandits.

On March 20, the federal government said it uncovered the identity of 15 entities, including nine individuals and six Bureau De Change operators and firms, allegedly involved in terrorism financing.

In an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, Kukah said it is clear that the government, through intelligence, knows what is going on.

He added that those who have publicly claimed ties with the bandits should be interrogated. 

“There are key Nigerians who are saying openly that they know more than they think the rest of us know, and I think that it is the business of the federal government to find out those who claim to know where the bandits are; those who are collaborating and cooperating with the bandits.

“It is the greatest humiliation of our nation. The security agencies in collaboration with those who have said openly that they know what is going on… I think the federal government has the capacity to go after those people.” 

More than ever before women are bringing their A-Game to the table of their career. While distinguishing themselves in diverse sectors, they are breaking records in fields formerly the exclusive preserved of men. One of such sectors is banking.

Currently, Nigeria has 25 major banks with the number of female chief executives soaring from just one in 2019 to 10 in 2024. This represents 36 per cent of Nigerian major banks’ chief executive officers. Welcome to the age of the banking Amazons.

Women are taking over

Happily, over the past two decades, the Nigerian banking landscape has undergone a remarkable transformation, catapulting many industry players onto the global stage. Amidst this dynamic shift, marked by two recapitalisation exercises and a surge in foreign investments, one of the most profound changes has been the recalibration of human capital. This transformation has opened doors for female bankers to assume leadership roles, steering banks to unprecedented success.

At a time when the notion of a female bank CEO was but a distant dream, pioneers such as Cecilia Ibru of then Oceanic Bank shattered the glass ceiling. Since then, a wave of exceptional women, including Funke Osibodu, Sola David-Borha and Bola Adesola, have followed suit, ascending to the helm of some of some leading banks.

It is now becoming appealing and commendable to have more women in top management positions. The sector is sure to see more women in top management positions in banks, giving gender-mandated regulations by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), which recognised the positive impact of gender parity on the economy.

However, experts have maintained that advancement towards gender equality and inclusivity in corporate governance in the sector mark a welcomed exodus towards an improved balanced and diverse leadership landscape.

Meet women steering the wheels in banking sector

Currently, 10 of the country’s top banks are led by visionary women, embodying strong leadership qualities and driving exceptional financial performances. Among them are Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity Bank, Yemisi Edun of FCMB, and Miriam Olusanya of GT Bank, each leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe of Fidelity

Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, a lawyer-turned-banker who was appointed as the CEO of Fidelity in 2021, has steered Fidelity Bank towards unprecedented heights. Under her leadership, the bank has maintained high asset quality and a robust balance sheet, consistently earning accolades from leading rating agencies. Fidelity Bank’s financial statement for 2023 was nothing short of impressive. This remarkable growth is a testament to Onyeali-Ikpe’s strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Fidelity Bank’s recently released condensed unaudited financial statement for 2023 was very impressive. The bank has expressed its desire to play in the international market. And most notably, in 2023, it acquired the United Kingdom subsidiary of Union Bank to show its intent, even as it reiterated plans for further acquisitions on the Continent.

Hear what Onyeali-Ikpe told Bloomberg: “The strategy is for us to move our footprint outside Nigeria and compete favourably with our peers. In the next three years, we should be able to be in six countries by doing at least two yearly.”

This strong financial performance has endeared the bank to capital market investors as reflected in the sustained interest in its shares on the NGX.

Yemisi Edun of of FCMB Group

 Following her appointment in 2021, Yemisi Edun wasted no time in making her mark as the leader of FCMB Group. She has a background in finance and extensive experience in the banking sector. With a staggering 72 per cent growth in Profit before Tax in 2022, Edun’s strategic acumen has propelled FCMB towards unprecedented success. In the 2023 financial year, the group achieved gross earnings of N516.8 billion, representing an 82.6 per cent growth over the previous year.

Edun’s leadership has not only consolidated the bank’s liquidity position but has also created new avenues for growth and expansion. FCMB recorded a 206.9 per cent growth in net income in the 2023 financial year to N95.52 billion as against the N31.13 billion recorded in 2022. Total assets grew by over 48 per cent to N4.41 trillion from N2.98 trillion. Edun has consolidated the bank’s liquidity position and exploit growth opportunities.

Miriam Olusanya of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB)

In July 2021, Miriam Olusanya made history as the first female to direct Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), ushering in a new era of innovation and growth. Olusanya’s leadership prowess was on full display as GT Bank posted remarkable financial performances in Q3 2023, reporting a 155.2 per cent Profit before Taxation of N433.2 billion. With a dual listing on the Nigerian Exchange Group and the London Stock Exchange, GT Group’s metrics speak volumes about Olusanya’s foresight and operational excellence.

Bolaji Agbede of Access Holdings

Bolaji Agbede, acting group CEO of Access Holdings, took over on February 13, following the death of Herbert Wigwe, the company’s former GCEO. Agbede has worked in banking operations, customer relationship management, and human resources management departments for over 27 years. Beginning her career in 1992 as an executive trainee, she worked her way up to manager in 2001 at Guaranty Trust Bank, where she also held various positions such as vault custodian and relationship manager. She subsequently served as CEO of JKG Limited, a business consulting firm, in 2003. Agbede joined Access Bank in 2003 as an assistant general manager and was responsible for managing the bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies. She also headed the bank’s human resources department between 2010 and 2022 and was appointed the company’s founding executive director, business support, in 2022. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990); and obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Cranfield University in 2002.

Adaora Umeoji of Zenith Bank

In a more recent indication that women are inching steadily toward achieving gender equality in Nigeria, another female from Zenith Bank, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, is the latest to shatter the glass ceiling as she assumes the role of Zenith Bank’s first female Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Those who have close contact with her have said that her journey showcases the strength and capability of the girl-child, urging for their rightful inclusion in every sphere of society.

Adaora’s ascent within Zenith Bank is said to be evidence of her unwavering determination and exceptional abilities. From her humble beginnings as a youth corps member in the 90s, she showcased unparalleled prowess by securing significant business deals that propelled Zenith Bank’s growth. Her achievements, which surpassed the expectations of her peers and superiors alike, underscored the indispensable value of talent and merit, regardless of gender.

These women CEOs, alongside their male counterparts, exemplify the transformative power of inclusive leadership. As Nigerian banks continue to harness the full potential of their human capital, irrespective of gender, they pave the way for a more equitable and prosperous future for all.

Ireti Samuel-Ogbu of Citibank Nigeria

 Ireti Samuel-Ogbu, appointed in September 2020, doubles as the CEO of Citibank Nigeria and Citibank’s country officer for Nigeria and Ghana. Before being appointed CEO of Citibank Nigeria, Samuel-Ogbu was the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) head, payments and receivables, treasury and trade solutions (TTS) under Citi’s institutional clients group (ICG) based in London, UK. She has also served as a non-executive director on the board of Citibank Nigeria Limited. For the past 32 years, Samuel-Ogbu has held various posts across Citi’s businesses in the UK, Nigeria and South Africa – having worked in each of the countries twice.

Samuel-Ogbu obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Finance from Middlesex University, UK, and has an MBA from the University of Bradford, UK.

Halima Buba of SunTrust Bank

Halima Buba, MD/CEO, SunTrust Bank, was appointed the MD/CEO of SunTrust Bank in January  2020. Halima Buba, is a seasoned banker with over 22 years of cognate experience obtained from working in All States Trust Bank, Zenith Bank, Inland Bank Plc, Oceanic Bank Plc, and Ecobank Nigeria Limited. Buba was co-founder and former executive director at Taj Consortium — an organisation of young dynamic technocrats and financial advisory experts, from 2017 until 2020 — before her appointment to SunTrust Bank. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from the University of Maiduguri and an MBA from the same university.

Yetunde Oni of Union Bank

Yetunde Oni, in January 2024, was appointed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as the MD/CEO of Union Bank of Nigeria. Until her appointment with the bank, Oni was a financial services leader with a successful career spanning over 30 years, holding senior positions in international and local banks, and focusing on emerging markets. Before she made it to the top, Oni had an 11-year stint at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated as a relationship manager, from 1994 to 2005.

In September 2014, Oni held the position of pioneer head of commercial clients at Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, before becoming the lender’s MD and country head of commercial banking in West Africa in 2017. In January 2021, Oni achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first female MD/CEO of Standard Chartered Bank in Sierra Leone. Oni is a University of Ibadan graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and has an MBA from Bangor University, Wales.

Kafilat Araoye of Lotus Bank

Kafilat Araoye was appointed in 2020 as the MD/CEO of Lotus Bank. She started her career in 1988 at National Oil and Chemicals Marketing Company Plc (now Conoil Nigeria Plc), and moved in 1990 to GTBank, as the pioneer head of HR.

Her last position at the firm was general manager and group head, human resource group — a position she exited in 2015. Subsequently, Araoye moved to XYZ Outsourcing and Management Consulting Limited, from 2015 to 2020. Araoye holds a first degree in history from the Obafemi Awolowo University and a master’s degree in industrial relations and personnel management from the University of Lagos — graduating as the best student in her class.

Tomi Somefun of Unity Bank

 Tomi Somefun was appointed MD/CEO of Unity Bank Plc in August 2015. Before her appointment, she served as the executive director overseeing the Lagos and south-west business directorates, and the treasury department of the bank. She has 35 years of experience in the private sector, 26 of which are in the banking industry.

From 1982 to 1986, she worked as a senior audit assistant for KPMG, which was the beginning of her nearly 40-year journey to become the formidable banker she is today.

After working for a few more years as a senior auditor at Arthur Andersen, she left in 1989 to become an associate at Ventures & Trusts Limited.  Veering into the banking sector, she began working with Credit Bank Limited, before joining UBA Group, where she served as the MD/CEO of two significant UBA subsidiaries, including UBA Pensions Custodian, a start-up company, which was founded with her as the pioneer.

 She graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University in 1981 with a bachelor of education in English language.

[TheNation]

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, has warned against what he termed as deliberate efforts by some individuals to drag his name in the mud, saying his silence should not be taken for cowardice.

Adams, while speaking on the controversy generated by an audio clip, said he was ready to set the records straight on the various questions hanging in the balance on the alleged defamation contained in the clips which he said was “concocted, distorted, and disjointed.”

The PUNCH had reported Tuesday that Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Adeyemo, alias Sunday Igboho; and the Chief of Staff to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Mr Tayo Ayinde, had both threatened to drag the Aare Ona Kakanfo, Iba Gani Adams, to court for allegedly accusing them of plotting an assassination.

Igboho and Ayinde, in separate pre-action letters by their lawyers, demanded that Adams should retract the said assassination claim against them or they would drag him to court.

In a March 20, 2024 pre-action letter, Ayinde, through his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), complained about a viral note, in which Adams was allegedly heard saying in Yoruba language: “So, be careful associating with Igboho. Just last night, he was with Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff. He was heavily paid. You know that I have an extensive intelligence network as Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. Until about 2:45 am, he was with Tayo Ayinde, the Lagos State Governor’s Chief of Staff, who Tinubu also uses in Lagos to coordinate the execution of his evil machinations. He has been doing work of that nature for Tinubu since his days in the SSS.

“He resigned from the SSS, Ibadan to concentrate fully on such work for Tinubu, who compensated him with the office of Chief of Staff to the Lagos State Governor. It was at his hotel somewhere in Ikeja, Lagos, that Igboho visited him to collect money for logistics to confront me. Igboho left lbadan at about midnight to attend this meeting which ended at about 2:45am.

“Tayo Ayinde gave N45m in cash to Igboho for the operation, thus shortchanging Igboho to the tune of N5m out of the N50m purse provided by Tinubu. The discovery of this has brewed disenchantment in their midst.”

However, in a statement on Tuesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Aderemi, Adams described the voice note as distorted.

He also described the threat of lawsuits by Igboho and Ayinde as “a grand conspiracy” to discredit his person, saying he was ready to do everything to protect his hard-earned name and the office he represented.

In the statement titled ‘Don’t take my silence for cowardice, Gani Adams speaks on alleged defamation of character,’ he said his reaction became pertinent as it had become evident “that Igboho and Ayinde were not ready to toe the line of peace as initiated by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.”

Adams therefore in a rejoinder to Olumide-Fusika’s pre-action letter, written by his lawyers, Oluwole Kehinde and Rosemary Thompson, dated Monday but obtained by The PUNCH on Tuesday, denied the content and inferences drawn by Ayinde’s lawyer in the audio clip.

The letter partly read, “Firstly, our client denies the content and inferences drawn by you in your letter under reference regarding the alleged audio clip you attributed to our client. As stated in your letter, the content of the alleged video clip, which is a concocted, distorted, and disjointed part of a private conversation between our client and another person in 2021, was published and widely circulated by one Chief Sunday Adeyemo (Alias ‘Sunday Ighoho’) and not our client.”

It also said, “Furthermore, it is obvious from the alleged defamatory remarks that our client mentioned that it was a ‘rumoured and unconfirmed information that he found difficult to believe’ and could not be shared publicly. Thus, there is no element of malice on the part of our client pertaining to the alleged statement attributed to him in the said video clip.”

Adams was further quoted in the statement by his media aide as saying “The reason for my silence in the midst of the various legal and media infractions by Igboho and Ayinde, was not because I am a coward, but because of the initial interventions of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, other prominent Obas and several other important personalities in Yorubaland.

“But with the ongoing lies and aspersions against my person, I think it is time for me to come out open and set the record straight.

“Though my legal team has done what was required of them, I need to state clearly that the audio clip generating the squabbles was a distorted and disjointed content of a private conversation which held way back in 2021 with a US-based younger brother of a friend.

“The conversation was initiated by the young man who claimed he wanted a reconciliation between myself, Igboho and some other people.

“It was while responding on reasons for reconciliation at the time that he mentioned the names of the two people.”

Adams noted that in the circulating audio, he said it repeatedly that though it was very difficult to believe, there was an unconfirmed rumour allegedly linking Igboho to the murder of the late Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige.

“My statement was not done in bad faith and it was purely a private conversation,” he added.

He stressed that “However, on the issue of my brother, Tayo Ayinde, let me make it clear here that I repeatedly said that whatever was said was a rumour that couldn’t be substantiated or made public.”

[Punch]