The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, the immediate past Minister for State, Petroleum, and the former Governor of the State, Timipre Sylva, are recently juggling over comments made over the killings of 16 soldiers in the Delta community.

The former governor and All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate in the November 11, 2024, governorship election, Timipre Sylva, berated politicians and particularly the state government for arming non-state actors with guns and ammunition during the last election.

The State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, took a swipe at the former governor over the statement, noting that Sylva’s statement was akin to the proverbial pot calling the kettle black when the APC governorship candidate’s antecedents as a politician were like an open book known to everyone.

A statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, while condemning Chief Sylva’s statement, said his introduction of politics into the highly condemnable killing of men in active service to their country smacks of insensitivity at a time when true patriots were mourning the unfortunate incident.

Sylva, in a statement credited to him and circulating on social media, claimed that “the last Bayelsa governorship election featured lots of disheartening state sponsorship of gunmen, which he alluded to as an act of desperation and the unnecessary loss of precious Nigerian lives.”

“I condemn in totality the killing of men of the Joint Task Force in Okuama, Delta State. This again shows why politicians should not arm irresponsible non-state actors.

“The last Bayelsa governorship election featured a lot of disheartening state sponsorship of gunmen. And today, we all see the result of that act of desperation and the unnecessary loss of precious Nigerian lives. My heart goes out to the families of those gallant soldiers who lost their lives,” Sylva stated.

But in a swift reaction, the Bayelsa governor wondered why the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources chose to dance on the graves of the slain soldiers in his false allusion to the use of non-state actors in the governorship poll in the state.

Diri said it is just as ridiculous that the same Sylva was whipping up negative sentiments and spreading falsehoods over the presence of soldiers in Igbomotoru, a Bayelsa community, where the military had reportedly extended its investigation into the Okuama incident.

He said, “The military authorities should be allowed to conduct a thorough investigation into the sordid occurrence in Okuama. Comments should be restrained at this time while efforts are underway to unravel the perpetrators.

“It is therefore very unfortunate and sad that Chief Sylva chose to play politics with the evil act of the killing of Nigerian soldiers at a time when patriots in our country were outraged and mourning.

“Introducing politics into the Okuama killing is insensitive, just as it is condemnable and akin to dancing on their graves. For those who know, this is like the pot calling the kettle black.

“However, Sylva’s unending bellyaching and whining over the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election does not change the fact that it has been won and lost. He and his ilk should embrace this reality and join hands with our government to further the development of our state.”

Zenith Bank Plc has announced the appointment of Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji, OON, as Group Managing Director/Chief Executive with effect from June 1, 2024, subject to approval by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

She takes over from Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose five-year term expires on May 31, 2024, after a very successful tenure. Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMD/CEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within.

Prior to this appointment, Dr. Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to thirty (30) years cognate banking experience of which twenty-six (26) years has been with Zenith Bank.

She is an alumnus of the prestigious Harvard Business School where she attended the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Jos, a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a First-Class honors in Law from Baze University, Abuja. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA.

She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA. She also attended the executive program in Strategic Management, and has a Certificate in Leading Global Business all from Harvard Business School, USA.

She is a fellow of notable professional bodies including the Chartered Banker Institute, UK, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Management, Institute of Credit Administration, Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, and the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria among others.

In 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria honored Dr. Umeoji with Officer of the Order of the Niger, as a recognition of her contributions to nation building. She is a Peace Advocate of the United Nations (UN-POLAC).

She has impacted many lives through her philanthropic and humanitarian activities through her NGOs; Pink Breathe Cancer Foundation and the Adorable Foundation that educates, caters for Cancer patients and indigent children education especially the Girl-Child. Her contribution to humanity was recognized by the Sun Newspaper which recently bestowed on her the Humanitarian Service Icon Award for 2023.

As a result of her passion for promoting professionalism in the banking industry and improving the well-being of the less privileged, Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON founded the Catholic Bankers Association of Nigeria (CBAN), a platform she uses to promote ethical banking and service to humanity.

She is a Lady of the Order of Knights of St. John International (KSJI), and was awarded a Papal Knight of the Order of St. Sylvester by His Holiness Pope Francis.

Elder statesman and leader of the Ijaw Nation, Edwin Clark has condemned the recent killing of soldiers in Delta State, stressing that Nigeria has never witnessed such a tragedy before.

According to Clark, the incident was shocking, barbaric, and wicked.

He also advised that the communities and the military should work together to find the murderer(s).

He made this known on Tuesday while fielding questions on Arise Television’s News programme.

Clark also appealed to soldiers to act with restraint and not take law in their own hands, noting that with modern technology they should be able to fish out very soon those who committed the crime.

“What happened a few days ago is very shocking, very barbaric and wicked. I think what is required really, the military together with the communities, all of us should take that task to look for these people who committed this murder. It is very very important.

“In fact, I was so sad when I heard that Lt Col. Ali was involved because on Thursday, 14 March, I spoke to him. I think about 8:45 about my dead younger brother, Col Bernard Clark (rtd), who died recently and was to be buried on Friday to have a military burial.

“I had to contact him. And he told me he was in a vehicle and that he would speak to me later, only to hear that he was among them. At that time he was speaking to me from Agbor in Delta State.

“There’s another one, Major B. I spoke to him about the same time on Wednesday. So I am indeed very very sad that we should lose such a people at a time, even in the Boko Haram war we have never lost soldiers like that. We all support Mr President when he said the people should be looked for,” he said.

Appealing to the military to act with restraint while going after perpetrators to avoid inflicting more collateral damage Clark said: “Well my appeal to our gallant soldiers is that they should act maturely and not take the law in their own hands. I know they are provoked. We are all provoked. There are innocent children, pregnant women everywhere.

“As far as I am concerned, we should appeal to the military to take it easy. They have all the modern technology. They should be able to fish out very soon those who committed this crime.

“One should not blame the army so much for whatever must have happened. It’s all collateral damages.”

Former Nigeria forward Finidi George will occupy the chief’s corner in the dugout when the Super Eagles confront West African arch-rivals Ghana in an international friendly in Marrakech on Friday.

The 52-year-old former Ajax Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and Real Betis (Spain) winger, who made a scoring debut in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Burkina Faso at the National Stadium, Lagos on 27th July 1991, has been appointed by the NFF to hold the reins in the meantime as a group of 22 players take on Ghana and Mali in this month’s international window.

On his debut in 1991, George, who also featured for Calabar Rovers and Sharks FC in the domestic scene before heading to Europe, scored one and made four assists for legendary ‘goalsfather’ Rashidi Yekini (of blessed memory), and also assisted the latter to score Nigeria’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Bulgaria in Dallas, USA on 19th June 1994.

Actually, George scored the goal that took Nigeria to her first FIFA World Cup finals, when he put Nigeria ahead against hosts Algeria in a crucial qualifier in Algiers on 8th October 1993. The match eventually ended 1-1 and earned Nigeria a ticket to the finals in America.

On Friday, Finidi George, from a family of football stars (elder brother Alari and younger brother Igeniwari of blessed memory were established players), will bellow instructions from the touchline, 21 months after he began to understudy Portuguese José Santos Peseiro, who led the Super Eagles to runner-up position at the 34th Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire earlier in the year.

As at Tuesday lunchtime, 12 of the 22 players expected had arrived in Morocco’s fourth-largest city, with defenders Gabriel Osho and Tyronne Ebuehi, and forwards Victor Osimhen and Taiwo Awoniyi having been knocked out by injury.

At the team’s Adam Park Hotel in Marrakech are goalkeepers Stanley Nwabali and Olorunleke Ojo, defenders Calvin Bassey, Semi Ajayi, Jamilu Collins, Bruno Onyemaechi and Benjamin Tanimo, midfielders Alex Iwobi, Raphael Onyedika and Alhassan Yusuf, and forwards Moses Simon, Nathan Tella, Cyriel Dessers, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Sadiq Umar and Ademola Lookman.

Goalkeeper Francis Uzoho, defender Chidozie Awaziem, midfielders Frank Onyeka and Wilfred Ndidi, and forward Kelechi Iheanacho were being expected in Marrakech by Tuesday. Only Turkey-based defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is being expected on Wednesday.

The African vice champions will also take on the Les Aigles of Mali at the same Grand Stade de Marrakech on Tuesday, 26th March.

The police in Lagos State on Tuesday arraigned a 37-year-old phone repairer, Abdulhafiz Adewale, for allegedly flogging his four-year-old child with a belt and an electric wire.

The defendant, who resides at 4, Alhaji St., Ladega, Ikorodu, Lagos State, is charged with assault and causing grievous harm.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecutor, ASP Raji Akeem, told the court that the defendant committed the offences on February 11 at his residence.

Akeem said the defendant’s neighbour, Mr Babatunde Olowonisaye, brought the child to a police station.

Akeem said that the complainant saw the boy crying, with bruises all over his body, and asked what was the problem.

The prosecutor said that the boy told the complainant that his father flogged him with a belt and an electric wire. The alleged offences, he said, contravened Sections 172 and 173 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Bola Osunsanmi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N300,000 with two sureties in like sum. Osunsanmi adjourned the case until April 17 for mention.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has advised the Nigerians to educate themselves and their children on the activities of fraudsters and scammers, as a means of protecting their money from such criminals.

peaking yesterday in Abuja in a message at the 2024 Global Money Week (GMW) celebration, Deputy Governor in charge of Financial System Stability (FSS), Mr. Philip Ikeazor said that children should be educated on how criminals dupe unsuspecting members of the public of their hard-earned money and that people should take every necessary step to protect their money from fraudsters.

ccording to him, “The theme for this year’s edition ‘Protect your Money, Secure your Future’, captures the importance of learning, from an early age, to always think about your future when making financial decisions and plan accordingly.

“It emphasizes the importance of not only making money, but understanding frauds and scams, saving, and investing for your future. Equipped with such skills at this young age will enable you achieve financial independence and a financially secure future.

“Truth be told, having an income, and making a substantial amount of money does not guarantee financial security. What is important is your ability to develop and hone skills and attitudes to manage your financial resources to have a secure future.

“In addition to this, it is vital to know the types of frauds and scams, how to respond to scammers, and various ways to protect your money online and offline.

“This also implies knowing how to report to a bank if you do have an encounter with scammers or fraudsters. In essence, the financial decisions you make today and the education you acquire today have a huge impact on your future.

“Therefore, when you learn these skills at a young age and with consistent practice, you will have a brighter future. So, be smart about your money while you are still young; save, budget and become educated.

Operatives of the Edo State Police Command have arrested a 22-year-old man, Rukevwe George, in military camouflage for alleged possession of arms.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Funsho Adegboye, who paraded the suspect before newsmen in Benin City on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, said the onslaught against crime and criminality in the state has led to tremendous achievements, including recovery arms and ammunition of different caliber.

According to the Adegboye, the suspect was arrested based on intelligence information in Benin City, where one pump action, a double barrel gun and military camouflage were recovered from him.

The suspect on interrogation confessed that the guns belong to his master, Ralph, who is now at large.

“Our operatives have been on the trail of the suspect and the long arms of the law will soon catch up with him,” the commissioner stated.

“He is yet to give a satisfactory explanation as to what he does in military camouflage.

”But we know that this is the kind of people that will disguise himself as a military personnel and use it to commit some unimaginable crimes under whatever guise.”

The CP while encouraging members of the public to continue to assist the security agencies in the State by giving actionable and accurate information which will be beneficial to all and sundry as fighting against crime and criminality in the state is concern.

Nigerian sprint icon, Tobi Amusan has won the women’s 100m hurdles Round 1 heat at the 13th Africa Games in Ghana.

Amusan won the heat with a time of 13.03s.

By virtue of the victory, Amusan secured a spot in the semis of the women’s 100m hurdles at the ongoing Africa Games.

Meanwhile, Team Nigeria lost the men’s and women’s 100m gold to Cameroon and Gambia respectively, settling for silver and bronze in the events on Tuesday.

Usheoritse Itsekiri returned at a time of 10.23secs to lose the men’s 100m surprisingly to Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme who finished at 10.14secs while Namibia’s Hainuca Gilbert took the bronze with a time of 10.25secs.

Nigeria’s other entrant in the men’s 100m, Emmanuel Ekanem returned at a time of 10.42secs to finish a distant fourth.

In the Africa Games women’s 100m, Olayinka Olajide could only muster a third place finish to win bronze with a time of 11.55secs behind Miriam Bittaye of Gambia who won the gold with 11.36secs and Alyse Miccoy of Liberia whose 11.49secs gave her the silver medal.