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Gbajabiamila: In the face of the campaign of calumny and lies

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Sixty-one-year-old Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila CFR is one man whose political and life story makes a long-lasting – if not a lifelong – impression.

 

Truth be told, Gbajabiamila’s trajectory in life and politics can be intimidating but should not be enough for many of his peers in politics, and even technocrats, to covertly abhor his person, office, success and consistently seek his downfall.

 

Though his antecedents and emergence in the world of politics, and governance may seem like only a lofty idea to many of his peers, who are yet to phantom the secret to his continued rise, a good number of Nigerian youths look up to him as a role model, one in whom a new Nigeria can lay her foundation.

 

Sadly, in the realm of public discourse, politics, and sometimes governance, the lines between truth and deception can be blurry, hence, giving rise to ‘false positives,’ ‘false negatives,’ and ‘false analyses.’

 

Since he was appointed the Chief of Staff to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in June 2023, tons of baseless allegations and claims have been made against the person and office of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

 

For a man of stature, who has traversed the corridors of power as Minority Leader of the House of Representatives of Nigeria in the 7th Assembly, House Leader of the House of Representatives of Nigeria in the 8th Assembly, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria in the 9th Assembly, and yet remains unblemished, one begins to wonder why the campaign of calumny and lies?

 

From the accusations of transgressions with an air of certitude to claims of monetary inducements to shielding select individuals and altering the fate of others, the campaign of calumny and lies keeps rearing an ugly head like that of Medusa, the most famous of the monster figures in Greek mythology.

 

At some point in 2023, it was alleged that Gbajabiamila formed and headed a cabal in Aso Rock, at other times, individuals seeking board appointments allegedly bribed him to have their way, and recently, he’s alleged to be interfering in the job of the Special Investigator appointed by his principal, so much so that he allegedly diverted a whopping sum of $30billion refund of loot and largesse to his private coffers.

 

Yet, these allegations stand unsupported by the pillars of evidence since his appointment over seven months ago.

 

The claims and allegations have been, categorically, found to be nothing more than malevolent fabrications orchestrated with the intent of tarnishing the reputation of a steadfast public servant.

 

A quick look into Gbajabiamila’s emergence and 16-year service in the House of Representatives shows no record of blemished or corrupt practices. In the house, he held the position of Minority Leader in the 7th assembly between June 2007 and June 2015, and House Leader in the 8th assembly, Gbajabiamila was not for once found wanting neither was he accused nor indicted for fraud or corruption practices.

 

Even as a Speaker of the House of Representatives, where he reigned for four years and controlled over 800 agencies, not for once was he found culpable of any corrupt or fraudulent practices.

 

Then, one begins to wonder why the campaign of calumny and lies against Gbajabiamila for accepting to continue to serve Nigeria alongside his godfather and principal, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

 

Despite being instrumental to the emergence of the current speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, he has neither instigated the administrative arm of the government against the judiciary nor vice versa. Aside from meditating on issues of national interest as directed by his principal, Gbajabiamila has stayed clear of turfs that are not within his jurisdiction. Hence, many begin to wonder, who is after Gbajabiamila so desperately that flawed claims and allegations keep rearing their heads and consistently meeting a brick wall of fact and proof.

 

The road to Gbajabiamila’s emergence, as Chief of Staff to the 16th President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has been filled with dignity, integrity, steadfastness, and unblemished records yet some corrupt individuals with ulterior motives to cause unrest and discomfort in the relationship that exists between Tinubu and Gbajabiamila to evade justice or their fate keeps throwing a spanner in the cogwheels of progress and patriotism.

 

On the recent claim and allegation of diversion of a whopping $30 billion, again, it is a figment of the imagination of individuals filled with bile against Gbajabiamila just as the Chief of Staff to the President has proven over time that he will neither interfere nor get involved in the process of any investigation, either instituted by his principal or security agencies.

 

With nothing in his cupboard to hide other than his good-looking attires, it is so obvious that many people are trying to come in between Gbajabiamila and Tinubu because he enjoys the audience of his boss and is publicly known to have the eyes and ears of the president.

 

By seun oloketuyi

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UBA Announces Appointment of Henrietta Ugboh as Non-Executive Director 

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As Owanari Duke Retires from Group Board

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Henrietta Ngozi Ugboh as a Non-Executive Director on the Group’s Board.

 

 

The appointment has been duly approved by the relevant regulatory bodies including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) whose approval was granted last Friday.

 

 

 

UBA’s Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, who commented on the appointment, said, “Henrietta Ngozi Ugboh exemplifies the qualities of a seasoned banker and professional, with decades in her banking career.”

 

 

 

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Ugboh holds a degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Benin, an MBA from ESUT Business School, and is an alumnus of the Harvard Business School. She has over 30 years experience in banking and is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA).

 

 

 

Elumelu added that with her considerable experience and expertise which spans Commercial Banking, Credit, and Risk Management, amongst others, the Board is excited about the positive accomplishment she will bring to the bank, adding, “We look forward to her invaluable contributions to the Group.”

 

 

 

The Board also announced the retirement of Mrs. Owanari Duke, an Independent Non-Executive Director, who joined the UBA Group Board in October 2012.

 

 

 

During her tenure, Mrs. Owanari Duke provided distinguished leadership, serving on numerous Committees of the Bank such as the Board Governance Committee, Board Audit, Governance, Nomination & Remuneration Committee, Board Credit Committee, Finance & General Purpose Committee and Statutory Audit Committee.

 

 

 

On behalf of the board, Elumelu expressed deep appreciation to Mrs. Duke for her dedication and significant contributions to the Group, wishing her the best in her future endeavour.

 

 

 

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

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Kano Socialite, Hafsat Gold In Trouble As EFCC Invites Her Niger Republic In-laws For Abusing Naira Notes.

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The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to a viral video where the nation’s currency, Naira, was freely sprayed at a wedding ceremony in Kano, Kano State on Friday, October 24, 2024.

 

 

Allegations of the abuse of the Naira were imputed to Mrs Fauziya Danjuma Goje, daughter of Senator Danjuma Goje, by Nigerians from all walks of life, including an Editorial by a leading and respected National Newspaper.

 

As a responsible and accountable anti-corruption agency campaigning against currency mutilation and dollarization of the economy, the EFCC swung into action by analysing the video and findings showed that the alleged naira abuse actually happened but not at the wedding of Goje’s daughter but at the wedding dinner of Amina Babagana Zannah held on the afore-mentioned date.

 

 

Zannah is the daughter of Hajara Seidu Haruna (a.ka. Hafsat Gold Nigeria) who is the Chief Executive Officer of Hafsat Jewellery Enterprise with offices in Abuja, Kano and Dubai (United Arab Emirate).

 

Haruna confirmed the viral video. She admitted that the alleged naira abuse took place at the wedding dinner of her daughter on October 24, 2024. The bridegroom, Ibrahim Mohammad hails from Niger Republic and those that allegedly sprayed naira notes and dollar bills were from the groom’s family in Niger Republic.

 

The Commission has invited the Nigerien groom, Mohammad, to report at its national headquarters in Abuja, with everyone that sprayed naira notes at his wedding with Zannah.

 

 

While the EFCC appreciates the consciousness its campaigns against naira abuse is building across the country, it will not move against anyone wrongly accused of an alleged crime. The Commission remains steadfast in this crusade and would spare no offender , no matter how highly placed.

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Godwin Obaseki inherited N55 billion debt in 2016, leaving N410 billion in 2024: Transition Report…..

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The Transition Committee of the All Progressives Congress has recommended a probe into more than N410 billion in local and foreign debts allegedly owed by the Edo government.

 

 

The committee made the recommendation on Monday in its report presented to Monday Okpebholo ahead of his inauguration on Tuesday as Edo’s fifth democratically elected governor.

 

Presenting the document, Pius Odubu, the chairman of the committee, said the committee was presented with N410 billion in debts as against the N55 billion inherited by the outgoing government in 2016.

 

“For those of you who have the capability to fact-check, you will find out that the indebtedness today is much more. It is over N500billion,” he said.

 

 

Mr Odubu, an erstwhile deputy governor, said the committee also recommended a review of memoranda of understanding on the management of Central and Stella Obasanjo hospitals.

 

“All employment carried out in the recent past should be cancelled, while the governor should investigate the true ownership of the Ossiomo power plant and Radisson Blu Hotel.

 

“The same with the Museum of West Africa Arts-MOWAA. We deserve to know the state’s equity in these companies as the outgoing government went blank on these enquiries.

 

“We also demanded a comprehensive review of the World Bank-funded EdoBest programme, and a probe should be instituted to uncover its rather opaque operations,” Mr Odubu explained.

 

 

“Mr Odubu added, “All major contracts issued by the state government under the Ministry of Roads and Bridges should be reviewed as they appear not to have followed due process, including the payment advance awarded to the contractors.

 

“The procurement agency indicted the government in its own report to the transition committee. Hence, we have advised the incoming governor to take a critical review.”

 

 

The committee chairman also called for streamlining the ICT ecosystem in the state, which he said appeared to be a duplication of duties.

 

“The outgoing government didn’t provide audited financial statements published or unpublished. Hence, the committee is advising the government to institute an inquiry into this.

 

 

“The government couldn’t account for the number of teachers in the state. Hence, we demand a proper teacher headcount,” Mr Odubu said.

 

The committee chairman said the document, comprised of a 24-page report and 800 annexures, was a product of three weeks of rigorous assignments, meetings, interactions, engagements and analyses of the documents presented to the committee.

 

(NAN)

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