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Godwin Emefiele And The Not So Exclusive Audio Tapes

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2 years ago

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Nigeria, must we always kill our illustrious sons? It is a question that several persons of repute, including activist, had asked in the past and the question again took on relevance in recent days as the hyenas hemmed in what they thought was their prey and tried to snuff life out of his career. The intended dinner of the human hyenas was the Governor of the Central Bank, Mr Godwin Emefiele.

The hunting ground of choice was the web pages of Sahara Reporters, which went to town with the screamer, “CAUGHT ON TAPE: How Central Bank Governor Emefiele, Deputy Adamu And Top Officials Discussed How To Cover-Up N500bn Which They Stole From The CBN”. But it turned out the hyenas were not meant to have Emefiele for dinner, they went hungry. Contrary to the envisaged endgame, President Muhammadu Buhari handed him another five years in office. And who would not, considering the superlative outing he had in his first term? It must be this performance that made his confirmation by the Senate to be as fast as lightning.

Beyond being re-appointed and being expeditiously confirmed to continue leading Nigeria’s apex bank, it turned out that the report carried by Sahara Reporters was the usual hatchet job. The best the report was able to do was to twist a routine telephone conversation out of context to allege a theft that never took place while further exposing the shallowness of the folks behind the news blog and those who contracted them to do the hit job.

The story they put out has been spectacularly rubbished by the statement issued by Mr. Isaac Okoroafor, CBN’s Director of Corporate Communications. There is no need to rehash the explanation offered in that statement but suffice to say the statement exposed the lack of understanding on the part of those who thought they had caught Mr Emefiele in a compromised position worthy of breaking news and embarrassing enough to the government to not reappoint him. The reality, however, is that they only succeeded in convincing the rest of us how ignorant they are about the way reserve banks work.

There is the outside chance that these hyenas are not so ignorant; they know there is no substance in their claim but they were deluded to expect that Nigerians and their leaders are naïve to the point where they will rush to crucify Emefiele without first weighing the substance of the supposed allegations implied by leaking the tape.

Three things stand out in this ugly saga of a failed blackmail attempt. The first is that the recording points to the existence of deeply political operatives in all branches and agencies of government. Those who made the audio went to great length to procure their tainted produce

Whether they bugged or hacked the telephone sets in the CBN Governor’s office, compromise the internal switch at the apex bank, or deployed eavesdropping technology to intercept the calls, this is a red flag that public officials are now persistently under threat from political operatives that are out to garner information for their own end.

To the extent that Mr Emefiele’s telephone conversation was in pursuit of legitimate duty, as we now know, the perpetrators of this act have breached several of the laws of the land and their action can be likened to an attack on the country.

A second observation is that the kind of concern one can surmise from the CBN Governor’s discomfort and expressions in the course of the call showed a man that is passionate about getting his country out of an economic mess that took long in making. That people connected with the making of the mess are the ones now trying to make its resolution appear like a crime in progress is the height of travesty.

Mr Emefiele could have simply act indifferently and cited the approvals from the Ministry of Finance as a basis to be unconcerned. But true to his credential as a man that has done much to reduce and now on the verge of eradicating the famed black hole that swallows national resources at the CBN, the audio depicted him as greatly agitated about recovery of the funds that were released to bail out states that failed to be fiscally prudent to the point of becoming insolvent.

A note must be made of the fact that the irresponsible behaviour on the part of state governors, which led to this situation, was the hallmark of the governments that preceded that of President Buhari. State governors of now, even those that do not belong to the ruling party at the centre, have learned that there is no longer room for kleptocratic frivolity.

Furthermore, it is one thing to criminally breach the security of an institution as pivotal as the CBN, publishing the proceeds of that crime amounts to daring the state. It is like someone stealing clothes from a neighbourhood and then parading the streets dressed in the stolen items. Such arrogance comes from the erroneous impression that the state is incapable of visiting the requisite sanction on the offenders or that the criminal in this instance is above the law.

With these observations come the steps that must be taken to prevent blackmailers and criminals from arrogating legitimacy to themselves should they wrongly surmise that society condones their wrong-doings. It is, therefore, necessary to clearly define what constitutes desirable whistleblowing and what amounts to espionage against the interests of the Nigerian state.

A situation where Chief Executives of government agencies and other government functionaries are illegitimately wiretapped cannot be allowed to continue unabated. Today, it is Emefiele, what happens when these criminally minded people turn to bug the Inspector General of Police and his key staff while making the recordings available to bandits and kidnappers? Or how much of this wiretapping have been deployed for insider trading or machination towards the collapse of the banks regulated by the CBN?

Also, the government must make it a priority to get to the bottom of this breach at the CBN. The breach and other actions carried out in its aftermath should be subjected to review by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation such that those found culpable – individual or corporate – would be made to face the law, of which there are adequate provisions.

This piece will conclude on the note of urging Mr Emefiele not to be daunted by the antics of those that feel pained that the CBN is no longer the ATM pool for corruption because of the reforms he has instituted there. Nigerians, who are his actual employers, are happy with his work, which made them greet his re-appointment with accolades. It’s the views of these employers that matter and not the perverted indulgence of a criminal few.

The Capital

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Society

Build a fabulous, all-year round wardrobe without breaking the bank – By Kunle Bakare (KB)

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1 day ago

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April 19, 2024

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Let’s begin with Brioni today. And learn from the hugely successful Italian brand established in 1945 by two friends. The fashion house coveted by style cognoscenti has one of the most apt slogans we know: ‘to be one of a kind’.

 

‘To be one of a kind,’ unique and uncommon are the attributes of all human beings (when we deploy the traits that differentiate us, like our fingerprints prove).

 

And for style, those who constantly upgrade and elevate their duds and accessories acknowledge the importance of creating an exceptional, distinctive (but not flamboyant and loud) dress sense.

 

They fill their wardrobes with extraordinary winners that give them immeasurable pleasure. Their garments and all the pieces that elevate them heavenwards are objects of desire that amplify the best version of themselves.

 

So, to build a wardrobe that fits your personae, presents your best version, credits your account with regular dividends and high returns on investment is a meticulous and painstaking process. Forever appearing well-put-together—at work and at play, at home or out and about—demands a lot of smart thinking and action. Like the elongated shadow behind the luxury label Sofisticat, Mr Lanre Ogunlesi—whose role as a forerunner who cleared, toiled and paved the path legions are proud to prance on—constantly proclaims, ‘dressing well requires a lot of preparations.’

 

And here are some of the ways you can build a remarkable wardrobe without spending a fortune:

 

1. First, acknowledge and note the activities that are important to you.

a. How and where do you spend your week?

b. What’s the dress code at work?

c. How do your most successful partners, associates and colleagues dress?

d. How do you spend your evenings and weekends?

e. Which other activities dominate your calendar?

 

2. Priotise these activities.

Which engagements are crucial, that are important and improve your earnings (in the long run), dispense the greatest pleasure, boost your well-being and promote your mental health?

 

3. Analyse the one that takes up the most time.

Which engagement takes up the highest percentage of your time?

 

4. Now list the apparels that should populate the most engaging activities that improve your earnings and multiply your pleasure.

 

To build a special wardrobe demands enormous time, energy and resources. And the passion and will that surpass distraction and disappointment.

 

What you do—your profession and how you dress to earn your living—is paramount when you are building a wondrous wardrobe. The uniform of your occupation, the dress code permitted for your livelihood takes the prime spot. Since this engagement dominates your week (from five to six days), your wardrobe should be mostly filled with work clothes that should last for two weeks, at least—far more if your means permits—without repetition. If you master how to mix and match and coordinate, it’s possible to stretch the same items for many more days.

 

Also consider engagements that litter your evenings and weekends. The events you attend and places you worship, socialize and unwind. For these activities, start with a dozen ensembles, which you build gradually, and then expand later.

For these solemn moments, lively soirées and exciting shindigs you will require top notch attires that best represent who you are. More so, your worship ensembles—whatever faith you profess or conviction you cherish—should be the best you can afford in formal mode tilting to high elegance in consonance with what your leaders recommend.

 

For very special occasions, it might be best to make (get) new attires.

 

Before you begin assembling these togs, you should also:

 

*Decide where you want to perch on the style ladder: of course, towards the top of the Richter scale of elegance!

 

*Decide the style that warms your bosom, agrees with your persona and fits your pocket: from minimalist to the exuberantly joyful (without the gaudy factor)!

 

*Carefully pick tailors, designers and outlets that serve your style best. Take time to research and locate them in your town or farther afield.

 

Once you are clear about where you are going, do an audit of your current wardrobe and retain only items that fit your plans and aspirations. Discard everything else!

 

Choose clothes and accessories that work together (as interchangeable separates), complimentary colours and styles—and acquire heartwarming and exciting pieces for the wardrobe that will serve you for years.

 

Your wardrobe—to serve your objectives and take you far—should represent the slow fashion ethos. Classic, durable, ethically produced and sustainable fabrics in modes devoid of trends and what’s in vogue. And Brunello Cucinelli—the 70 year-old flag bearer of quiet luxury whose restoration efforts in Solomeo (Italy) is a ‘tribute to human dignity’—readily comes to mind.

 

Note: it takes time to build anything worthwhile (even if money was no object). Test what works unhurriedly, step by step and settle for what fits your future self. Upgrade as your knowledge increases and your pocket swells.

 

What’s more, you should take good care of your apparels. They will serve you better and longer. For example, don’t iron wool and delicate fabrics directly. Buy the most functional steam iron you can afford. You should also own a garment steamer. Don’t wear shoes two days in a row. Rotate! Stock shoe care products and use them.

 

Get a good, dependable and experienced dry cleaner and laundryman. Your clothes will thank you and serve you for years.

 

And don’t forget: dry clean your garments occasionally. The chemicals used in dry cleaning damage clothes. Instead, rotate, air, iron, steam, buff and polish your clothes and shoes— and keep them in breathable bags in cool spots.

 

You may also consider stylists or wardrobe consultants (they will save you time, energy and money eventually).

 

-Kunle Bakare for Omoluwabi by KB (19.04.2024)

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Society

Boosting Health Access: Lasaco Assurance Supports NYSC Corps Members’ Health Mission”

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2 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Insurance underwriter, Lasaco Assurance Plc, has donated health recovery items to support the Health Initiative Programme of the National Youth Service Corps members serving in the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government area of Lagos State.

A statement from the firm said that the donation was to boost health development in the country.

 

Some Corps members, under the aegis of Local Government Initiative, for their first quarter Health Initiative, embarked on a project to provide health services to rural dwellers, whose access to quality health services was limited due to poverty, ignorance and superstition.

 

Lasaco Assurance supported the corps members to reach the target audience and help them overcome their difficulties in accessing quality health.

10 corps members head to India for youth exchange programme

Group trains youths to solve environmental challenges

NYSC confirms release of abducted corpers

The company’s Head of Corporate Communications, Seye Smart, who represented the Head of Strategy, Research and Communications, Dayo Adetokun, at the presentation of the gift items to the corps members, emphasised the importance of exposing the citizens to quality health and safety as that would improve their capacity, make them function well and prolong their life expectancy.

 

A healthy citizen, she explained, would contribute meaningfully to the growth of society and be useful for the development of humanity.

Leader of the LGI team, Bose Ojimi, said the programme was the group’s modest contribution to the country’s quest for improved health and safety for Nigerians and hoped that other corporate organisations would follow in the footsteps of Lasaco Assurance to offer necessary assistance to the people.

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Society

Yahaya Bello absent as court adjourns, EFCC mulls military’s help to fish him out 

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2 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja has adjourned the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, to April 23rd.

 

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84bn money laundering. At the resumed sitting, Counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that the immediate past governor of Kogi State was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

 

Phinro said the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity. Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment. Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

 

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor. He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter. He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from

the EFCC.

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