CBN Directive On Bank Customers’ Social Media Handles Illegal — Nigeria Data Protection Commission
AdminTHE Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has faulted the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) recent directive that banks should obtain and verify customers’ social media handles.
The Commission described the directive as illegal, noting that it violated privacy laws.
The apex bank had on June 26, directed banks to obtain the social media handles of customers as part of enhanced Customer Due Diligence (CDD) regulations.
It explained that the move was geared towards bolstering bank customers’ compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CFT) provisions, while aligning with international best practices.
However, in a statement on Thursday, June 29, the NDPC said it was currently engaging with the CBN on the directive, stressing that there is need to adhere to fundamental principles when collecting citizens’ data.
NDPC national commissioner Vincent Olatunji, who reacted to the directive in the statement, highlighted the significance of the Nigerian Data Protection Act (NDPA), which was enacted on June 12, in ensuring the responsible handling of citizens’ data by Data Controller Organisations.
Olatunji said the Act outlines guidelines for the processing of personal data, emphasising fairness, lawfulness, transparency, minimal data collection, and limited retention periods.
He explained that there were prerequisite steps any Data Controller must take prior to the collection of data from data subjects.
The NDPC official added that any organisation that defaulted was going against the law and causing a data breach, noting that such would attract a fine.
“We are already engaging with the CBN to let them know that what they have done is against the law because there are basic principles you must meet when you want to collect citizens’ data,” he said.
“There is data minimisation, meaning you don’t collect data beyond the purpose for which it was intended, purpose limitation, what purpose it is for.”
Olatunji stressed that the NDPC’s role is to protect the rights and interests of Nigerian citizens, making it applicable to all data controllers, including private and government offices, NGOs, and hotels.
“The purpose of this law is to safeguard the rights and interests of Nigerians who are data subjects.”
He highlighted key principles, such as data minimization, which mandates that data should only be collected for its intended purpose, and purpose limitation, which specifies the purpose for which data is collected.
Olatunji further argued that requesting social media handles from bank customers was unnecessary.
However, he acknowledged that if the collection of social media handles served a public interest, such as transaction monitoring, customers should be properly informed.
2023 Election: Buhari’s Selection Of Mahmood Yakubu, Others Made INEC Vulnerable To Partiality – EU Observers Say In Final Report
AdminThe European Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) to Nigeria has alleged that the appointment of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, and other electoral officials by the immediate past president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, left the electoral umpire vulnerable to perception of partiality during the conduct of the 2023 elections.
The EU Observers made this known in its final report on the 25 February and 18 March elections, published on its official website on June 27.
Mahmood was appointed as INEC Chairman by former President Buhari on 21 October 2015 and reappointed in 2020.
But the EU mission claimed that the public perception of INEC’s alleged partiality was as a result of the “presidential selection” that produced them.
“Weak points include a lack of INEC independent structures and capacities to enforce sanctions for electoral offences and breaches of campaign finance rules.
“Furthermore, the presidential selection of INEC leadership at federal and state level leaves the electoral institution vulnerable to the perception of partiality,” the observers stated.
The observers added that the conduct of 2023 federal and state elections by INEC exposed enduring systemic weaknesses thereby damaging public trust in the electoral umpire.
THE WHISTLER reports that during the counting of the February 25 presidential and National Assembly results, the EU Observer Mission chaired by Barry Andrews, cited “lack of transparency” on the part of INEC, particularly regarding INEC’s failure to transmit presidential poll results on its INEC Results Viewing Portal in real time.
In its final report, the EU maintained that the shortcomings associated with the election were glaring.
“Following a three-month-long observation across Nigeria, and in accordance with its usual practice, the EU EOM is now pleased to present its findings and recommendations.
“Shortcomings in law and electoral administration hindered the conduct of well-run and inclusive elections and damaged trust in INEC.
“With the aim of contributing to the improvement of future elections, the EU EOM is offering 23 recommendations for consideration by the Nigerian authorities,” the EU mission stated.
According to Andrews, Nigerians demonstrated a clear commitment to the democratic process but the election exposed enduring systemic weaknesses and therefore signals a need for further legal and operational reforms to enhance transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability.
“We are particularly concerned about the need for reform in six areas which we have identified as priority recommendations, and we believe, if implemented, could contribute to improvements for the conduct of elections,” said Barry Andrews.
Andrews added that “Importantly, there is a need for political will to achieve improved democratic practices in Nigeria. Inclusive dialogue between all stakeholders on electoral reform remains crucial.”
Listing its recommendations, the EU suggested clarity and plainness in Nigeria’s electoral laws, real-time transmission of results, among other recommendations.
“The six priority recommendations point to the need to (1) remove ambiguities in the law, (2) establish a publicly accountable selection process for INEC members, (3) ensure real-time publication of and access to election results, (4) provide greater protection for media practitioners, address (5) discrimination against women in political life, and (6) impunity regarding electoral offenses,” it stated.
The EU assured it will support stakeholders in the implementation of its recommendations.
The EU final report published on its website as on Tuesday comes amid the ongoing sittings of the Presidential Election Petitions Court in Abuja.
Three petitioners, namely, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar and Allied Peoples Movement are challenging the electoral umpire’s declaration of Bola Tinubu as winner of the election.
Meanwhile, the Election Observation Missions made it clear that it operates independent from the institutions of the European Union, adding “The views and opinions expressed in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy and position of the European Union.”
Spokesperson to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, denied that the former leader asked his successor not to investigate some ministers under the previous government.
He also said Buhari had left Daura for London to get some needed rest which, constant visits from well-wishers, had denied him.
“If social media is to be believed, former President Muhammadu Buhari is requesting his successor, President Bola Tinubu not to investigate some former officials of his government…this is fake news, and nothing more,” Shehu said in a statement he signed on Thursday evening titled ‘What Buhari didn’t say to President Tinubu.’
On Tuesday, an online news outlet reported that Tinubu assured his predecessor that he and his close aides will be spared in any anti-corruption war his government embarks upon following the suspension of the EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.
“It is fake, let us not discuss it or give it energy or air of publicity,” said Shehu.
He noted that there was no one other than the two leaders in the room in which they met on Monday night.
“So, no one was there to report their conversation,” he added.
According to him, the former President wishes to remain outside the spotlight so as not to distract the new administration.
Shehu revealed that “He (Buhari) chose to go home in Daura hoping to find the type of quiet he wished for himself but realising that this was not the case, visitors trooping in morning, day and night, he moved out to a more distant place.”
He said it remains Buhari’s wish to be allowed to have his needed rest, and for the Tinubu administration to have the right atmosphere to work on the realisation of the promises it made to Nigerians.
Former Acting Governor and one-time Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, His Excellency Rt. Hon Nestor Binabo, has passed away.
Binabo died in the early hours of Thursday at an undisclosed hospital in Abuja.
Confirming his death in a WhatsApp post, one of his sons, Mr Binabo Momos, wrote, “I thought you’d pull through, Dad. But God knows best.”
It was revealed that the late Binabo had been battling an undisclosed ailment for the past year.
Binabo served as the governor of Bayelsa State from January 27, 2012, to February 14, 2012. He also held positions as Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly during Chief Timiore Sylva’s administration. He was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The deceased hailed from Okumbiri in Sagbama Local Government Area
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has urged Nigerians to exercise patience with President Bola Tinubu on his decision to remove fuel subsidy,
The monarch stated this while speaking with Vanguard on the current economic crisis caused by the removal of the subsidy
The Ooni insisted that Tinubu is a decisive leader ready to serve the country with his depth of knowledge and experience.
He maintained that Tinubu would turn out to be the best president Nigeria has ever produced.
He said: “Tinubu is a very decisive leader. I want to implore everybody, especially the youths of this country, to be patient with him. He is very focused; God has blessed him.
“In everything that he has been doing, he has been very consistent over the last 30 years and it is now for him to give back to the country.
“We should keep praying for him everyday. The President is getting stronger, wiser and his public rating keeps going up.
“I am very positive his going to be the best president ever produced in Nigeria.”
He advised the President not to waste time in tackling the challenges confronting the country as a man of action that he was known to be.
The Ooni also averred that as the country just transited to another civilian government, it’s best for all hands to be on deck regardless of affiliations, as the election had gone and governance and putting Nigeria on the right path to greatness should be a collective effort.
The Ogun State Government has presented scholarship documents to the state contingents that won the Overall 1st and 3rd out of 148 participants, during the 25th edition of the Junior Engineers Technicians and Scientist Competition (JETS) that would cover them throughout their tertiary education in any government-owned institutions in Nigeria.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Mrs. Abosede Ogunleye, while presenting the documents to the Winner of 1st Position, Enoch Afenisumen of Great Grace Science Secondary School, Owode-Yewa and the 3rd Best, Orebiyi Emmanuel of African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta, noted that the State contingents won eighteen out of the available awards.
Mrs. Ogunleye, according to the Press Officer, Mr. Ayoola Obadimu, said since the resuscitation of the State participation in JETS in 2019 by the present administration, the State has been maintaining the overall best position, commending the Governor for his continuous and result-oriented investment in the education sector.
She said, "the excellent performance of the State learners in all competitions was the feedback of unrelenting efforts of the Principals, Teachers and Proprietors of both public and private schools to ensure students’ lives up to their potentials".
Speaking, the Principals, African Church Grammar School, Ita-Eko, Abeokuta and Great Grace Science Secondary School, Owode-Yewa, Mrs. Abosede Egbetokun said that the State was famous for academic excellence, appreciating the present government for providing platform where teachers and learners could come together to revitalise the excellent performance the State is known for.
In his appreciation note, Master Afenisumen commended the Ministry’s officials for giving learners in the State the opportunity to strive, regardless of whether they are from either public or private schools, urging the present administration not to relent on its oars to ensure the State maintain its position as number one in qualitative education.
Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was sworn in as Nigeria’s 16th president on May 29, 2023, and has wasted no time in implementing his economic agenda for the country.
In his first 30 days in office, he has taken some bold and controversial decisions that have shaken up the status quo and generated mixed reactions from Nigerians and the international community.
During his inauguration speech on the 29th of May 2023, President Tinubu shocked analysts and observers when he announced the removal of fuel subsidies.
Here are 10 of the most significant economic decisions he has made so far:
10. Unification of the naira
In a significant policy shift, President Tinubu announced his government’s decision to unify the exchange rate, replacing the previous multiple exchange rate regime implemented during the administration of former President Buhari by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
- The move is expected to enhance transparency, reduce distortions, and boost confidence in the naira.
- The unified exchange rate is now determined by market forces, with the CBN intervening only to smooth out volatility.
9. Inauguration of the economic council
On June 14th, 2023, President Tinubu inaugurated a new economic council to advise him on economic policies and reforms, coinciding with the Central Bank of Nigeria’s announcement of the unification of the forex market, merging all segments into a single window.
- The council, typically consisting of 36 state governors, the CBN governor, and other officials, aims to foster collaboration among governments at all levels. The Vice-President chairs the council.
- The council is expected to provide independent and evidence-based advice to the president on how to achieve his vision of transforming Nigeria into a prosperous and inclusive economy.
8. Removal of CBN Governor
On June 9, 2023, President Tinubu ordered the suspension of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.
- The reasons for Emefiele’s suspension are believed to be related to issues including the handling of the naira redesign policy, a failed presidential bid, and policy mishandlings such as mismanagement of foreign exchange reserves and ineffective monetary policies.
- The Central Bank Act does not explicitly allow for the suspension of the CBN Governor during an ongoing investigation, raising concerns about the independence of the central bank.
- Mr Emefiele was also directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), Mr Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi, who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of the investigation and the reforms.
7. Managed float of the naira
On June 20, 2023, The Central Bank of Nigeria disclosed that the recent monetary policy decision implemented is not a free float but a managed float.
- In a Bloomberg in Rabat, Morocco, Deputy Governor Kingsley Obiora revealed that the Central Bank of Nigeria clarified its recent monetary policy decision.
- The deputy governor also expressed caution in determining whether the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar has reached its lowest point, suggesting that it may still be too early to make such a determination.
- The decision to move to a managed float exchange rate policy is in line with the president’s decision to pursue a more market-driven forex policy.
6. Removal of fuel subsidy
President Tinubu abolished the fuel subsidy, which had been a source of corruption, inefficiency, and fiscal burden for decades.
- The subsidy had cost the government over N1 trillion annually while benefiting mainly the wealthy and the smugglers.
- The removal of the subsidy is expected to free up resources for infrastructure, health, education, and social welfare programs, as well as encourage private investment in the downstream sector of the oil industry.
- The price of fuel has since more than doubled from an average of about N185/litre to an average of about N495/Litre depending on where you are buying from.
5. Dissolution of governing boards of FG parastatals
On the 16th of June, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the immediate dissolution of the Governing Boards of all Federal Government Parastatals, Agencies, Institutions, and Government-Owned Companies in the exercise of its Constitutional Powers and in the Public interest.
- The dissolution does not affect Boards, Commissions, and Councils listed in the Third Schedule, Part 1, Section 153 (i) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
- The permanent secretaries were also mandated to act as chief executive officers accordingly.
4. Suspension of EFCC chair
On June 14, 2023, President Tinubu approved the removal of the chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abdulrasheed Bawa, who had been appointed by former President Buhari in February 2021.
- Mr Bawa was accused of being compromised, ineffective, and partisan in his fight against corruption.
- He was also directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Director, Operations in the Commission.
3. Appointment of national security adviser
On June 19, 2023, President Tinubu announced the appointment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as the national security adviser (NSA).
- He said he chose Ribadu because of his integrity, experience and expertise in security matters.
- He is also expected to coordinate all aspects of national security.
2. Retirement of service chiefs and appointment of new ones
On June 19, 2023, the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), announced the retirement of all service chiefs and their replacements.
1. The signing of electricity, student loan and data protection acts respectively
[Nairametrics]
In bid to fulfill his promise of helping to renovate the Awka and Onitsha mosques and also to celebrate with the Anambra Muslim community in Onitsha on the auspicious occasion of this year’s Eid-el-Kabir, Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) Presidential candidate in the 2023 election has presented the former with cheques worth millions of naira to commence with the renovation projects.
It be recalled that during Obi’s visit to Awka and Onitsha Muslim communities in April, he promised to support them in renovating their places of worship, which was no longer in good condition.
He equally called on Nigerians to embrace peace, unity and brotherly love.
Obi gave the donation when he played host to leaders of the Anambra Muslim Community in Anambra capital, Akwa, on Wednesday.
According to him, he decided to celebrate the Eid Al-Adha with the Muslim community in Anambra, to show the brotherly love and unity that should exist among Nigerians, irrespective of tribal, political or religious belief.
Obi presented both Awka and Onitsha Muslim communities
Speaking at the event, Obi said, “We are all Nigerians, and we will continue to live as one irrespective of our religious or political beliefs. What we owe each other is brotherly love and care, so we can live in peace and unity as a nation. We have no other nation but Nigeria and we must make it work.
“I know that times are difficult for everybody in the country, but if we rise above our religious, political and ethnic divisions, we will be able to surmount our challenges in unity. We will not give up on our nation, but continue to work for a New Nigeria that will be beneficial to every Nigerian.”
Earlier today, I hosted the Anambra Muslim Community at my residence in Onitsha, to celebrate the Eid al Adha. In also presented cheques to the leaders of Onitsha and Awka Muslim Communities, in fulfilment if my earlier promise of helping to renovate their respective mosques. pic.twitter.com/RHONsGbOAu
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 28, 2023
In his remarks, the Sarki of the Awka Muslim Community, Alhaji Garba Haruna, said they were thrilled by Obi’s simplicity and consistency.
According to him, Obi has demonstrated that he is a “truly detribalised Nigerian”, by making out time to mark their Sallah celebration with them.
[Tribune]
A chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, Buba Galadima said the presidential candidate of the party, Rabiu Kwankwaso has not informed the party faithful that he is defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Galadima stated this while speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
The NNPP chieftain, however, noted that Kwankwaso was ready to work with President Bola Tinubu.
He said, “Kwankwaso has not told anybody he is joining the APC; people are just talking, but what we have before is winner take all. If Tinubu is calling for a unity government, it is not a bad thing.”
Recall that Kwankwaso had met with Tinubu after he won the presidential election in February.
After their meeting, however, there have been speculations that Tinubu might be considering Kwankwaso for a political appointment.
…Says Nigeria under state capture
Former Minister for Education and Health respectively, Professor Ihechukwu Madubuike, has said it was time for the Federal Government to expose all those who benefited from the fuel subsidy regime.
The former Commissioner for Finance in the Old Imo State who took the position in an exclusive chat with Vanguard, said it was not enough for Government to claim it stopped fuel subsidy because it served the interest of few individuals without disclosing the said beneficiaries.
He further advocated the interrogation of a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, who recently confessed that his friend once told him that he was tired of making money from fuel subsidy.
Professor Madubuike said that Yuguda should disclose the said friend for investigation.
” Who are these people who have gained from fuel subsidy all these years? There was a statement credited to a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, that his friend told him that he was tired of making money from fuel subsidy.
” That’s the place to start with if this country wants to be saved. He should be asked who that his friend is. Who are the other beneficiaries? Take them to tribunal and recover the money first and use it to build roads, hospitals, schools and health centres.
” That’s where to start if they are serious so we can know who their patrons are. Were they using the money to provide the guns being used in killing people in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and South East?
” These things have continued because we are in a state capture. Everything goes even though we have a leadership, the leadership is in autopilot. It doesn’t hold anybody accountable “.
The former Minister further said it was not enough to arrest and detain the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Godwin Emefiele, while those who authorised his actions were walking freely.
He insisted that Emefiele should be made to disclose all those who gave approval to his actions considered illegal, and such people also put on trial if the country were sincere about sanitizing the CBN.
” Now they have arrested the former CBN Governor, Emefiele. But he didn’t act alone. So, a country that is sincere should find out the truth from him, and all those who are implicated will be punished. The problem with Nigeria Government is that it does media trial, and it stops there”.
Professor Madubuike decried the harsh policies of the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC, saying they have further impoverished Nigerians.
“Having removed the fuel subsidy, how is the Government going to provide for the underserved who are now bearing the brunt of the removal? This is happening at a time the foreign exchange rate was also floated.
” About 7.2 million Nigerians are being added to the poverty list simply because of the wrong policies of the ruling party.
Both the fuel subsidy removal and forex floating have created serious impacts on the cost of living.
” We expect that whatever they have gained from subsidy removal should be ploughed back to the people of Nigeria this month. But we haven’t seen anything done.
” Banditry is increasing, cost of food is increasing, crime wave is on the increase. So, they have to work very fast to ensure Nigeria is workable”.
More...
The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona said God spoke through President Bola Tinubu when the latter said ‘Emi Lokan’ (It’s my turn) during his campaign in Ogun state, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
Awujale stated this while speaking during Tinubu’s visit to his palace in Ijebu-Ode on Thursday.
The Paramount ruler of Ijebuland said, “God spoke through you when you said it is your turn. (Emi Lekan). With this feat, you are still going to do one more term.
“Me and Asiwaju have been together for a very long time. We both did NADECO – the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) together. Asiwaju, our President was the one, who gave me the titled, ‘Baba NADECO.’
“Many of you may not know where we were both from, but the most important thing is that we are grateful for where we all started; where we are currently; and where Got is taking us to. This is the first stage of where we’re going, another stage is coming,” he said.
In his address, President Tinubu said the Awujale of Ijebuland is not the Baba of President and no longer Baba of NADECO.
Tinubu commended the monarch for supporting his presidential bid, saying, “Thank you for being there for me and for there for the country. You’ve demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment.
“Baba, this is your President. This is your son Thank you. Thank you for everything. I thank God for you being alive to witness today, to witness the result of the election that you prayed for us your children.
“You have an uncommon courage and you passed it to us. We utilised it to serve and to invoke the spirit of who we are a people, very proud and honourable people, people of great character. Our diversity for prosperity will never be forgotten,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tinubu said he invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan (It’s my turn) from the Oba Adetona.
He said, “I invoked the spirit of Emi Lokan from Baba (The Awujale of Ijebuland). That’s the spirit of freedom and that’s who we are as a people.
“I came to Ogun state to invoke the spirit of freedom from which we are noted for. I invoked that spirit thrice – the spirit of Baba (Awujale) is Emi Lokan. That’s Baba, being blunt, being incisive, that’s him, he will tell you,” he added.
Recalling the naira swap crises that rocked the country prior to the 2023 general elections, President Tinubu noted that Nigerians voted at a very crucial time when “our monies were confiscated. The cash swap didn’t work. It was terrible then, I realised that.
He said, “And the second spirit is that money or no money, ‘A ma dibo’ (We will vote) A ma wole (We will win). Bi ko sowo (Whether there’s no money). And ever since, it’s been the spirit that’s driving me to serve. I’m honoured Baba. I am honoured. I’ve just come to respond to whom calling, saying I need to see you.”
THE presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the February 25 election, Mr Peter Obi has said that the situation in the country requires that those in authority must lead by example.
Obi, who spoke at St Faith’s Anglican Cathedral, Awka during the funeral service of the late Dean of Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev Maxwell Anikwenwa, said the behavior, character and conduct of public officers must be in consonance with what society requires today.
“We can’t continue to preach for people to make sacrifice without sacrificing. The sacrifice must start from the leaders, visibly and measurably because the people are suffering and we must now be at the forefront of the suffering”, the former Anambra State governor said..
Obi described the late Anikwenwa as not only a man of God, but a great Nigerian who contributed meaningfully beyond his pastoral work, but also contributed immensely in building a better Nigeria.
“Those who know him well, must testify that he was involved in advocating for a better Nigeria, good governance and everything,” Obi said.
The Primate , Church of Nigeria, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, who presided at the ceremony said . Anikwenwa truly lived by the principles the Anglican Church is known for.
According to him, having done his work successfully on earth, the renowned cleric had gone home to rest.
The Prelate said: “Death comes to all as leveler. The Lord has called home one of the Patriots of the Anglican Church.
” He was the pioneer Bishop of Awka and Dean of Church of Nigeria. He lived on the principle of service to God and was a true servant of God who loves his people”
No fewer than 100 Archbishops, Bishops and priests from all parts of the country participated at the service.
The deputy governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim represented the governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo. Others at the service were the Senator representing Anambra Central, Chief Victor Umeh, House of Representatives member for Awka North and South, Professor Lilian Orogbu, Chief Judge of Anambra State, Justice Anyachebelu, chairman of Dozy Group, Dr. Dan Chukwudozie, as well as traditional and community leaders.
The body of Anikwenwa was received at his home town. Awkuzu by Ndukuba and later visited Anikwenwa’s home in Awka.
The body of Anikwenwa was received at his home town. Awkuzu by Ndukuba and later visited Anikwenwa’s home in Awka.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari has paid Sallah homage to President Bola Tinubu.
Kyari who stated this in a post on his Twitter page visited the President with the Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Folashodun Shonubi.
He expressed joy for the privilege to pay the homage to the President, adding that that Sallah is a day of reaffirmation by the faithfuls to sacrifice or give off the most coveted of possessions to please Allah.
He wrote, “Privileged to pay Sallah homage to Mr President alongside Ag Gov CBN. A day of reaffirmation by the faithfuls to sacrifice or give off the most coveted of possessions to please Allah and by implication for the common good… and to ultimately be grateful for all the favours of Allah and secure the infinite mercy of Allah. Eid Mubarak.”
'I Invoked Spirit Of Freedom In Ogun To Win' - Tinubu Visit Ogun, Recounts Failed CBN Cash Swap Policy
AdminPresident Bola Tinubu on Thursday recounted the hardship the failed cash swap policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exposed Nigerians to.
Tinubu said that realizing what Nigerians were passing through, he visited Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom.
The president spoke at the palace of Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, in Ijebu Ode.
He said: “It is a homecoming and I owe so much to all of you and there is so much to thank you for. Because of the way you have taken me and the way you’ve responded to me, all I can say is thank you.
“To many of you, thank you for being there for me and being there for the country. You demonstrated so much loyalty, so much commitment and voted at a very crucial time.
“Your monies were confiscated. The cash swap didn’t work. It was terrible then. I realised that and I came to Ogun State to invoke the spirit of freedom for which we are noted for.
“I invoked that spirit twice. The spirit of Baba (referring to Awujale). The spirit of Baba – Emi l’okan (it’s my turn), that’s Baba. The spirit for being blunt and that is him.
“And the second spirit is that of money (Naira scarcity), ‘ama dibo ama wole’ (we will vote and we will win) even if there is no money. And that, ever since, has been the spirit that is driving me to serve.”
THE WHISTLER recalls that the CBN had redesigned the N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations, and set January 31 as deadline for their legal tender status. But had to extend the deadline by 10 days (February 10) to allow for circulation of the new notes and mop up the old ones.
However, the implementation of the policy subjected Nigerians to excruciating pains and torture, as it was difficult to access cash across the country.
While expressing frustration during his electioneering campaigns, Tinubu at a rally, which held at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abeokuta, had said the redesign of Naira would not stop his victory at the polls.