Wema Bank, Nigeria’s innovative leader in banking and pioneer of Africa’s first fully digital bank, ALAT, is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Deputy Managing Director and an Executive Director. These strategic appointments, approved by the Board, come as part of the bank’s commitment to ensuring strong leadership succession. The new roles will take effect on December 1, 2024, following the retirement of Mr. Oluwole Akinleye, the current Deputy Managing Director.

Mr. Akinleye, whose retirement will be effective November 30, 2024, has been a vital pillar of Wema Bank’s growth and transformation. Over the past decade, he has demonstrated exemplary leadership across various capacities, including overseeing the Southwest Business, Corporate Banking Division, Customer Experience Management, and Corporate Sustainability. His tenure has been marked by significant contributions to the bank’s strategic objectives and market positioning.

In expressing gratitude for his service, the Board of Directors and management of the Bank disclosed that Mr. Akinleye’s dedication and strategic foresight have been instrumental to Wema Bank’s transformation journey. He is deeply appreciated for his invaluable contributions and they wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

As part of its robust succession planning, Wema Bank has appointed Mr. Oluwole Ajimisinmi as Deputy Managing Director. Mr. Ajimisinmi, who joined Wema Bank in 2009 as Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, was appointed as an Executive Director in 2020. With years of experience in corporate governance, strategic leadership, and banking, he is well-positioned to steer the bank towards its next phase of growth and innovation.

The bank has also named Mr. Olukayode Bakare as Executive Director, effective the same date. A seasoned finance and treasury expert with years of industry experience, Mr. Bakare has been a key driver of Wema Bank’s Treasury, Wholesale Funding, and Global Trade Business. His extensive expertise and leadership will further bolster the bank’s commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions.

Commenting on these appointments, the Board of Directors and management of the Bank said these appointments underscore Wema Bank’s commitment to building a future-ready leadership team. According to the Bank, Mr. Ajimisinmi and Mr. Bakare bring a wealth of expertise, passion, and a clear vision to their new roles. The Bank is confident that their leadership will propel Wema Bank to new heights, ensuring sustained innovation and value creation for its stakeholders.

Wema Bank remains committed to its mission of delivering cutting-edge banking solutions through technology and innovation. With these leadership changes, the Bank is poised to maintain its position as a trailblazer in Nigeria’s financial services sector.

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have thwarted attempts by drug syndicates to export large consignments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and opioids through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, to the United Kingdom, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar.

A total of 13 parcels of cocaine weighing 4.40kg, destined for the United Kingdom via Frankfurt on a Lufthansa Airlines flight, were intercepted by NDLEA officers at the export shed of the Lagos airport on November 5, 2024.

A statement issued on Sunday by the agency’s spokesperson, Femi Babafemi, revealed that a businessman linked to the consignment, Ekeocha Nelson, was tracked and arrested on November 8.

Babafemi also reported the arrest of another businessman, Adegbite Solomon, who attempted to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, among other drugs.

He said, “The bid by another businessman, Adegbite Solomon (aka Obama), to export 7,800 pills of tramadol, 180 tablets of Rohypnol, and 60 bottles of codeine to Italy was also foiled at the departure hall of the Lagos airport on Monday, November 11, when the NDLEA operatives arrested him after recovering the opioids concealed in food and other items while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Italy. He claimed to have travelled to Europe through the Mediterranean Sea and earned a living as a street beggar before delving into the logistics business.”

Babafemi further mentioned the arrest of another businessman, Anoke Roomy, who was caught with 1,100 pills of tramadol 225mg hidden in his luggage while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Istanbul, Turkey, at the Lagos airport on November 15.

He added, “Following credible intelligence, the NDLEA officers of the Directorate of Operations and General Investigation, and their counterparts from the FCT Command of the agency on Friday, November 15, raided a hotel room at the Federal Housing Authority estate, Lugbe, Abuja, where they arrested two suspects: Omeh Uchenna Jude, 36, and Anene Valentine Chigozie, 34. Recovered from them was 1.8kg methamphetamine, which they were preparing to travel with to Qatar.”

In another intelligence-led operation, Babafemi said a trans-border drug trafficker, Emmanuel Okeke, was arrested during an attempt to smuggle drugs to Ghana.

He said, “Officers of an NDLEA task force on Saturday, November 16, foiled the attempt by a trans-border trafficker, Emmanuel Okechukwu Okeke, to smuggle 50,000 pills of tramadol 225mg from Ghana into Lagos. The pills were concealed in the body compartments of a Toyota Hummer Bus belonging to the GUO Transport Company, driven by the suspect. The vehicle was intercepted at the Ijanikin area of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway while coming from Ghana.”

In Edo State, Babafemi reported the recovery of no fewer than 997kg of cannabis during raids in various parts of the state.

“While 680kg of cannabis and a Sienna bus marked FST-320 AE were seized at a bush path to the Oghada forest in Oghada, Orhionmwan LGA, 180.5kg of the same substance was recovered from a suspect, Cecilia Ibe, 31, at the Ofosu forest, Ovia South West LGA, and 136.5kg evacuated from a building in Otuo community, Owan East LGA on Thursday, November 14,” he added.

In Kwara State, Babafemi mentioned that NDLEA operatives arrested a suspect, Adio Sulaiman, with 120.8kg of cannabis and some litres of codeine at Gaa Odota in Ilorin West LGA.

“While Kelechi Obichere, 42, was nabbed with 75kg of cannabis at Eziobodo, Owerri West LGA, Imo State on Thursday, November 14, a total of 563.74 kilograms of the same psychoactive substance were recovered from a 60-year-old suspect, Anthony Anakabi, following his arrest at Iyalode, Iyana Church area of Ibadan, the Oyo State capital,” he concluded.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the result of the Ondo state governorship election.

Lucky Aiyedatiwa, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was declared the winner of the Ondo state governorship election held on Saturday.

Aiyedatiwa, the incumbent governor of Ondo state, won the election in all 18 LGAs, securing 366,781 votes to defeat his closest rival, Agboola Ajayi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who received 117,845 votes.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Debo Ologunagba, PDP spokesperson, said the poll “runs short of all expectations and requirements of a free, fair and credible election.”

“The Peoples Democratic Party and indeed all lovers of democracy in Nigeria and across the world have just witnessed the worst election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” the statement reads.

Ologunagba further claimed that the election “witnessed the height of electoral swindle, deceit and manipulation” allegedly perpetrated by the APC.

He added that the poll “witnessed widespread election merchandising, monetisation and barefaced vote buying” and voter suppression.

Ologunagba called on Nigerians and the international community to take “serious action” to address all forms of election manipulation and protect the nation’s democracy.

The PDP spokesman concluded by stating that the party will “take appropriate action” after reviewing the election outcome.