Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers, says he is leaving office as a “fulfilled” public servant.

Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of the Rumuigbo internal road network in the Obio-Akpor LGA of the state, Wike said he is not afraid of being investigated by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after leaving office on May 29.

Wike said he won’t run away from the state to evade any probe by the anti-graft agency, adding that his administration has done several projects to justify how public funds were spent.

“I’m happy that I am leaving office fulfilled. I’m leaving office with my shoulders high. I am leaving office very well,” Wike said.

“I’m not leaving office to run away so that EFCC would not come (to probe me). I’m leaving office and I will stay here (Rivers). I am not going anywhere.”

Wike asked Siminialayi Fubara, the governor-elect, to show EFCC the projects completed by his administration if the commission visits the state.

Wike’s comment comes days after Abdulrasheed Bawa, chairman of the EFCC, reportedly said the commission will go after some outgoing governors and other public officials after May 29.

Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp) has released its financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2022, demonstrating significant improvements in its major income lines. The conglomerate with investments in the Hospitality, Power, and Oil & Gas sectors, recorded growth in its profit before tax, which rose by 8% to N30.3 billion compared to N27.9 billion in December 2021.

The conglomerate saw a 7% increase in its Power investments, despite the challenges faced in the year from the issues with gas supply, off the diminished Oil & Gas production in the country in 2022. The hospitality sector showed a very strong performance, achieving a record revenue of 31.4 billion and profit before tax of N4.5billion. These achievements have been made within a challenging operating environment characterized by foreign exchange volatility, high cost of production and rising inflation.

It’s worth noting that the Group’s total revenue and operating profit also experienced significant growth, rising by 21% from N111.2 billion in December 2021 to N134.7 billion in the period under review, and from N38.5 billion in December 2021 to N46.7 billion in December 2022, respectively. Operating expenses for the year ended December 2022 stood at N23.4 billion, representing an increase of 24% compared to N18.8 billion recorded in the same period of 2021.

The results showed that total assets increased by 6% from N416 billion in December 2021 to N442.7 billion in December 2022, primarily due to additional investment in the recovery of the power plants and investment in financial assets. Shareholders’ Funds rose to N154.8 billion, representing a 6% year-on-year increase from N146.3 billion recorded in the same period of 2021.

Commenting on the results, the President/Group Chief Executive Officer, Dr. (Mrs.) Owen Omogiafo attributed the success of the results to the robustness of the company’s business model, which remains prudent and nimble across its operations. She said “As we reflect on our achievements, we take pride in the improved performance of our Group. Looking to the future, we will continue to focus on efficiency and cost optimisation, ensuring that we remain agile and responsive to the market while delivering value to our stakeholders.”

Transcorp remains committed to its transformation agenda whilst sustaining growth and a continuous drive to deliver long-term value to its shareholders.

About Transnational Corporation Plc

Transnational Corporation Plc (Transcorp Group) is a publicly quoted Conglomerate, with a shareholder base of approximately 300,000. Our portfolio comprises strategic investments in the power, hospitality, and oil and gas sectors. Our businesses include Transcorp Hilton Abuja, Transcorp Hotels Calabar, Transcorp Power, Transafam Power, and Transcorp Energy.

Visit www.transcorpgroup.com for more.

Reuben Fasoranti, former leader of Afenifere, says the organisation recognises Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s president-elect.

In a statement on Wednesday, the elder statesman also reacted to the suspension of two national officers of the Yoruba socio-political group, describing it as “null and void”.

Earlier report had it that Afenifere led by Ayo Adebanjo suspended Jare Ajayi, the group’s national publicity secretary, and Abagun Kole Omololu, national organising secretary.

The officers were suspended for issuing an “unauthorised statement” against Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, chairman of the council of elders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The suspension of the duo was announced in a communiqué released at the end of the Afenifere monthly general meeting, on Tuesday.

The former Afenifere leader said Ajayi and Omololu were suspended for issuing a statement on behalf of Afenifere in which the president-elect was congratulated.

“My attention has been drawn to the Communique purportedly issued after a meeting that held on Tuesday, March 27, at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State. This statement is being issued because of the content of the said document,” the statement reads.

“Section 2.02 of the document claims that “the results of the lawful votes at the Presidential election available to the Afenifere through credible sources confirm that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, won the said election.

“Afenifere could not have asserted that someone, other than the person declared by the body duly authorized by the Constitution and other extant laws of the land, is the winner of the presidential election held on February 25, 2023 in Nigeria.

“The body mandated to conduct elections in Nigeria, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), after the completion of this year’s presidential election on February 25th, has declared the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu as the winner of the said election.

“Our national publicity secretary of Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, issued a congratulatory message to the president-elect after he had been issued a certificate of return by INEC.

“This was cited as an “uncouth activity” by the communique mentioned above which further stated that Abagun and Ajayi were suspended sine die pending further decisions after their appearance before and recommendations by the disciplinary committee.

“Meaning that the two were pronounced guilty and consequently sanctioned even before their appearance before a disciplinary committee.

‘This type of position is alien to us in Afenifere which does not conduct itself as an agent of the state let alone as an electoral umpire.

“We accept the results of the elections at all levels as declared by INEC until otherwise decided by competent courts in the land.

“At no time was any of these officials reported to me as doing anything against what Afenifere stands for or doing anything against the interests of our race, the Yoruba.

“Thus, at no time was I informed that they were queried, warned, or sanctioned for conducting themselves in a manner contrary to what Afenifere or the Yoruba stand for.

“Being an organisation that believes in justice and fairness, being an organisation that always maintains that those at the helms of affairs should follow the rule of law, Afenifere, our organisation, cannot just wake up and pronounce some officials removed and suspended without telling them what their offences are and without giving them the opportunities to defend themselves.

“Such a step is not only against natural justice; it is also in clear defiance of the law of the land. Afenifere believes in the rule of law and in the fundamental rights of all, including the right to a fair hearing. For these and other reasons, the purported removal and suspension are null and void.”

Since the emergence of Adebanjo as the new leader of Afenifere, the position of the socio-political group on national issues has always been contrary to the stance of Fasoranti, the erstwhile leader of the group.

While Afenifere endorsed Peter Obi of the Labour Party for the presidential election, Fasoranti backed Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC).