Connect with us


BIG STORY

Slain Abducted Teenager’s Father Calls For NBA’s Intervention

Published

on

Mr Oladosu Ariyo, the lawyer-father of slain 13-year-old teenager, Folashade, who was killed by kidnappers on Monday, has confirmed the death of his daughter, calling on the Nigeria Bar Association, under the leadership of President Maikyau, to intervene in the rescue of the rest of his family.

Earlier report had it that, Folasade, her mother, and three of her siblings were abducted by kidnappers from the Sagwari Estate Layout in the Dutsen-Alhaji district of the Federal Capital Territory. Three of the eleven occupants of the area were killed.

On Sunday, January 7, about 7:30 p.m., the abductors—disguised as military men—invaded the Sagwari neighbourhood and abducted 11 locals, among them a mother and her four children, as well as a barman and receptionist from a neighbouring hotel.

It was gathered that the corpse of the late Folashade was dumped alongside three others, including that of Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, around a former military checkpoint behind Idah junction along the Bwari-Jere SCC Road in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, was identified as the daughter of Ekiti State-born Chief Legal Officer of the National Universities Commission.

Meanwhile, the kidnappers, who cited delays in paying the demanded N60m ransom for each of the victims, have now reportedly increased their demand for the families of the remaining seven victims to pay N100m ransom, for each one of the victims.

Ariyo’s appeal was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by a user known as @kcuzoka, who tweeted that the message was copied from a lawyers’ WhatsApp group. In the shared post, on Monday night, Ariyo was said to have stated that he was a lawyer, and narrated that the kidnappers killed his 13-year-old daughter, despite having raised N7m of the earlier demanded N60m through the donation of friends and family, which the kidnappers had refused to collect.

He added that the kidnappers were threatening to kill his wife and his three remaining children, who were minors and were still in captivity, and lamented the failure of the government to end the insecurity in the country.

“Dear seniors & colleagues, most respectfully, I’m Oladosu Folorunso Ariyo, a lawyer working in Abuja. On Sunday evening, the 7th of January 2024, around 7:30 pm, a band of kidnappers dressed in full military camon invaded my home located at Sagwari Layout Estate in Dutse, Abuja. They kidnapped my wife (who is also a lawyer) & our four children. The kidnappers called and demanded 60-million-naira ransom, out of which through generous donations of friends and family, I’ve been able to raise the sum of several millions naira which they have vehemently refused to collect.

As of today, they’ve killed my first born Michelle Ariyo (age 13) and dumped her corpse on Kaduna Road while threatening to kill my three remaining children (who are all minors) and wife, who are still in captivity. Please and please sir, I urgently need the intervention of NBA. When will these kidnappings end, when will the government pretend to be serious about this insecurity in our country? God help us all”, he wrote.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of the FCT Public Complaints Commission, Ezekiel Dalhatu, while addressing a press conference on Monday, called on the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in the FCT, due to the rising insecurity, kidnappings, and incessant attacks on the residents.

He also called on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to suspend ongoing projects, to address the issue, as it involves the lives of residents, while also calling for the set-up of a civilian joint task force as an alternative means to combat insecurity in the rural areas.

Dalhatu described the state of insecurity in the FCT as a threat to the peace, and business, adding that the perpetrators were aware of the strategies used by the country’s armed forces, and suggested a change in strategy, to tackle kidnapping and banditry.

“Though we recognise the efforts of our security agencies cut across all levels for the commitment and show of force, we also admit the operational inadequacies these agencies are faced with, ranging from manpower, equipment and irregular payments of operational allowances”, he said.

When our correspondent visited the compound of the Ariyos on Monday afternoon, the security man said the father was not around, while barring the gate and preventing entry into the compound to speak to neighbours. Our correspondent however noted that the community had begun the construction of a fence at the base of the mountain.

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, when contacted, declined to speak on the issue, quoting security reasons. Similarly, efforts to reach the Director of Security in the FCT Administration, Adamu Gwary, proved abortive, as he did not respond to phone calls.

BIG STORY

NNPCL Executes Gas Sale Agreement With Dangote Refinery

Published

on

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Gas Marketing Limited (NGML), a subsidiary of NNPCL, has signed a Gas Sale and Purchase Agreement with Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals, Lagos.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday at the Corporate Head Office of Dangote in Falomo, Lagos, by Justin Ezeala, the Managing Director of NGML, and Aliko Dangote, the President/Chief Executive Officer of the Dangote Group. It outlines the supply of natural gas for power generation and feedstock at the refinery.

“This major milestone is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s policy of utilising Nigeria’s abundant gas resources towards revamping the nation’s industrial growth and kickstarting its economic prosperity.”

“This development, which sees a huge investment of this nature penned with zero capital expenditure outlay, has been described by many as unprecedented in the history of NGML or any gas Local Distribution Company in the country,” stated Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL spokesperson, on Wednesday.

According to Soneye, under the terms of the agreement, NGML will supply 100 million standard cubic feet of gas per day—50MMSCF/D as firm supply and the remaining 50MMSCF/D as interruptible natural gas supply to the refinery. This agreement will last for an initial period of 10 years, with options for renewal and expansion.

“This collaboration is a significant step toward ensuring the operational success of the Dangote Refinery and enhancing Nigeria’s domestic gas utilisation.”

“NNPC Ltd, through NGML, its gas marketing subsidiary, continues to lead efforts in promoting the use of domestic gas to support industries and businesses nationwide.”

“The agreement represents a milestone for both NNPC Ltd and Dangote refinery, aligning with their shared commitment to boosting local production and providing vital products for the benefit of all Nigerians.”

“It is also further proof of NGML’s unwavering commitment to business excellence and fulfilling NNPC Ltd’s core mandate of ensuring Nigeria’s energy security through the execution of strategic gas projects across the country,” the statement concluded.

Reports indicate that the Dangote refinery alone is equipped with a 435MW power plant capable of meeting the total power needs of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

UBA And Mastercard Introduce Debit Card With Benefits And Discounts To Commemorate UBA’s 75th Anniversary

Published

on

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has collaborated with Mastercard to launch a commemorative debit card in celebration of UBA’s 75th anniversary.

This collaboration aims to honor UBA’s long-standing customer relationships and enhance their banking experience with a range of offers and discounts across multiple platforms.

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who spoke at the unveiling, highlighted that the card comes loaded with certain benefits aimed at rewarding customers, including limited 25% off purchases on Jumia and USD75 cashback on transactions made through AliExpress.

He added that this initiative symbolizes the shared vision between UBA and Mastercard towards empowering Africans by enhancing customer experience through secure and convenient transactions.

“This new card represents the deepening of our relationship and our shared mission to empower millions of Nigerians and Africans, by providing them with access to secure transactions and new opportunities across the continent,” Alawuba said.

The GMD also disclosed the bank’s plans to unveil similar products across all its subsidiaries. “We are proud of this collaboration, and we are confident that Mastercard’s role in Africa will only grow stronger in the coming years,” he added.

Mark Elliott, Division President for Africa, Mastercard, expressed his appreciation for the UBA collaboration, emphasising its significance in supporting Africa’s digital economy. “We are excited to collaborate with UBA to celebrate this milestone and bring more value to customers across Africa. This commemorative card is more than just a product; it reflects our commitment to advancing financial inclusion and supporting Africans in accessing secure, convenient and impactful financial solutions.”

Elliott highlighted the immense opportunities within the African payment ecosystem and shared that Mastercard is eager to explore new opportunities with UBA. “Together with UBA, we are focused on delivering innovation that meet the evolving needs of the region, empowering individuals, and promoting digital growth across the continent,” he stated.

The launch of the commemorative debit card represents a significant step in UBA and Mastercard’s shared journey towards financial empowerment and innovation across Africa.

 

About United Bank for Africa

United Bank for Africa Plc is a leading Pan-African financial institution, offering banking services to more than forty-five million customers, across 1,000 business offices and customer touch points in 20 African countries. With presence in New York, London, Paris and Dubai, UBA is connecting people and businesses across Africa through retail, commercial and corporate banking, innovative cross-border payments and remittances, trade finance and ancillary banking services.

 

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we’re building a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.

Continue Reading

BIG STORY

19 Of 38 Directors Fail Permanent Secretary Examination

Published

on

Nineteen Directors have failed the Permanent Secretary written examinations conducted in Abuja on Monday.

They were among the 38 eligible candidates who sat for the three-stage selection process to fill the vacancies for the retiring permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Rivers States.

The Head of Information and Public Relations, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Eno Olotu, said in a statement on Tuesday that the 19 candidates still in the race will on Wednesday proceed to the second stage of the exercise, which will test their competence in the use of “Information Communication and Technology (ICT)” in conducting government business.

The Office of the Head of Service of the Federation usually follows an established tradition of carrying out a rigorous three-stage exercise that ensures that only the very best among the directors on Grade Level 17 are appointed permanent secretaries and equipped with appropriate and relevant skills to improve and sustain effective delivery of services.

The statement further noted that the successful candidates would then proceed to the final stage, where they would be grilled by a carefully constituted panel of top bureaucrats and representatives of the organised private sector, on Friday, November 15.

Olotu extended the goodwill of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs. Esther Didi Walson-Jack, to all the 38 candidates and appreciated the continued support of the Nigerian public in entrenching “meritocracy” in career progression in the Civil Service.

Continue Reading



 

Join Us On Facebook

Most Popular