Author: Festus Adeloye

Access Bank Plc has entered into a binding agreement with South African-based Bidest Group Limited for the acquisition of a 100 per cent equity stake in Bidvest Bank. A statement by Head, Media Relations, Access Holdings Plc, Olakunle Aderinokun on Thursday, said the agreement reflects the bank’s commitment to strengthening its footprint in South Africa, and consolidating its position as the continent’s gateway to global markets as it seeks to optimise the benefits of recent acquisitions and accelerate its transition towards a greater focus on efficiencies. Founded in 2000, Bidvest Bank is a South African financial institution providing a diverse…

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Resources Authority has commenced clampdown on illegal LPG retail outlets in Akwa Ibom State. The state Coordinator Ikechukwu Eseka, disclosed this when he received the state commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps Bakshar Hussaini, in his office on a courtesy visit on Thursday. “We have started enforcement of LPG retailers embarking on illegal decanting of LPG, filling stations, LPG refilling plants, and other illegal downstream operations in the state. “We are currently working on the illegal proliferation of decanting of LPG in the state, Eseka stated, adding that gas is very…

Georgian ex-footballer turned far-right politician Mikheil Kavelashvili is set to become Tbilisi’s next figurehead president in an indirect election denounced as “illegitimate” by the current pro-EU leader. Picked by the governing Georgian Dream party as a loyalist, the former forward for the English Premier League’s Manchester City is known for his expletive-laden parliament speeches and tirades against government critics and LGBTQ people. He is expected to be voted into the role by an electoral college controlled by Georgian Dream, after the party abolished the use of popular votes to elect the president under controversial constitutional changes passed in 2017. Kavelashvili…

Nigerian music star Crown Uzama, popularly known as Shallipopi, has opened up on the reason for separating from his record label Dapper Music, citing broken trust. The singer who left the record label following earlier speculations about his departure via his official Instagram page on Wednesday, shared a statement detailing how his record label boss, Damilola Akinwunmi aka Dapper mishandled his finances, betrayed and exploited him. According to the singer, Hilda Baci’s boyfriend, Dapper, prioritised their profit instead of his growth, thereby risking his career. He added that there had been no transparency about his money even though he had…

Justice M. A. Adegbola of an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan on Wednesday granted an interim order restraining, human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi, his publishers, and their re-publishers from further publication and sale of the book titled: “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.” The order specifically named publishers and their re-publishers including Amazon Online Bookstore, Rovingheights Bookstore, Booksellers Bookstore, Jazzhole Lagos Bookstore, Glendora Bookshop, Quintessence Lagos Bookstore, and Patabah Books Limited. Additionally, it stated that the publication, whether hard or soft copy must be stopped from further publication and sale through any mainstream or social media platform or…

The Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved ₦214.15m for the reconstruction of the official residence of the state Head of Service. The project, which has been abandoned for years, is expected to be completed within six months. This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, following the 14th State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday. According to Oyelade, the project underscores the administration’s commitment to the civil service and its leadership. He explained that the dilapidated quarters, which had been uninhabitable for years, would be transformed into a…

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has assured his colleagues in the 10th Senate that he will remain an ambassador of the Senate as he transitions to driving governance from the executive branch. Speaking during a valedictory session held in his honor in Abuja on Thursday, Governor Okpebholo reflected on his journey, beginning as a Senator in June 2023 and transitioning to Governor following his victory in the September 21 Edo State gubernatorial election declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In an emotional speech, Okpebholo expressed gratitude for the support and camaraderie he experienced during his time in…

A Kano State High Court has adjourned the hearing of preliminary objections in the high-profile bribery and misappropriation case involving the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and seven others to February 13, 2025. The case, instituted by the Kano State Government, involves an eight-count charge of bribery, misappropriation, and diversion of public funds allegedly amounting to billions of naira. Alongside Ganduje, the defendants include his wife, Hafsat Umar, and others: Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Limited, Safari Textiles Limited, and Lasage General Enterprises Limited. At Wednesday’s hearing, legal representatives for…

The national grid has collapsed for the 12th time in 2024. A tweet via the official handle of Nigeria’s National Grid confirmed that the grid collapsed at about 2:09 pm on Wednesday. “The major grid setback has occurred and the restoration is to commence,” the handler wrote. The development was also confirmed in a statement by Jos Disco to its customers. The utility company, however, said the grid collapsed around 1: 33 PM today, leading to the loss of power supply to its feeders. “We hope to restore normal power supply to our esteemed customers as soon as the grid…

The German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived at the State House on a visit to President Bola Tinubu Wednesday, after landing in the country on Tuesday. Upon arrival yesterday, he was received at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. Steinmeier, whose visit to Nigeria is scheduled to span through to December 12, 2024, is expected to engage in a series of activities such as a meeting with President Bola Tinubu, as well as the President of the Commission of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Alieu…