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Oluwatomi Somefun @ 60: A Quintessential Woman With Quiet Move, Loud Impact!

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By: SUNDAY ADEBAYO
As it’s the case all over the world, there are few women heading top executive positions in Nigeria corporate space. While this is something to worry about, it became even more worrisome when those few women who manage to climb to the top of the corporate ladder work efficiently as men would rather do.
Oluwatomi Somefun (born October 2) is an award winning Nigeria banker. She is the chief executive officer (CEO)/ Managing Director (MD) of Unity Bank, making her the first in the bank’s history to hold this position.
Named as one of the top 25 most distinguished Chief Executive Officers of quoted Nigerian companies for the 2015 financial year, Oluwatomi Somefun does not have any question mark about her competence.
Somefun is passionate about people especially young adults and helping them to
achieve their God-given potential inspire of their limitations. She mentors and counsel individuals in their professional and social development. She sits on the board of a number of Financial and Educational institutions, and has served on the Advisory board of several Foundations including UBA Foundation.
As one of the female Chief Executives heading banks in Nigeria, Somefun has in her 7 years of leading Unity Bank Plc, proven her mettle, making it possible for other women to find a smoother path into top executive positions.
ACHIEVEMENTS
Too many experts within an industry give the illusion that this is normal and everyone is at the same level of brilliance, vision and breadth of ability. But in the banking and finance sector, there are crouching dragons and tigers. Crouch no more, Oluwatomi Somefun; your genius has been exposed. Unity Bank Plc used to be one of those bank’s in Nigeria that kept a semi-low profile. Such bank did not seek to compete, only to meet their predetermined goal. No more! The brilliance, methods, pursuit and accomplishments of the bank’s MD/CEO, Oluwatomi Somefun, have dragged it to stand on an equal height with the other banking giants of Nigeria.
In recent days, Somefun has consolidated her more than two and a half decades of corporate experience and thrust her high-tier level of expertise into the pool of master managers and CEOs in Nigeria. Taking advantage of trends, Somefun has resorted to tying certain blocks of the Unity Bank customer demography to certain staff teams within the bank. The result of this decision is a new wave of banking services that is tailor-made for and therefore suits everyone of their customers. Talk about customer satisfaction.
Somefun has also managed to reach equilibrium in her integration of traditional and modern banking. In a world where nearly everything is available at the click of a button, Somefun is pushing to have Unity Bank take the lead in these responsive, customer-deterministic services. So far, the digital service corner of the bank has closed in on it’s former objectives of awareness and utilization.
Overall, Oluwatomi Somefun is not a disappointment to her dazzling education or many chattered fellowships. This is what it means to be a visionary leader, a professional banker, and an excellent corporate Paragon. If Unity Bank does not surpass it contemporaries with Somefun at the head of things, it might as well become a book shop.
EDUCATION
Somefun studied English language at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and graduated with her first degree in 1981. Since she had no academic training in accounting, banking or economics, she would later take important professional courses and certifications. She became a Chartered Accountant in 1982 and is currently a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN).
She also did some graduate studies at the Harvard Business School and the University of Columbia, and attended an international training programme with INSEAD Fontainebleau, in France. First degree or not, Somefun has acquired sufficient trainings over the years. She is also a member to professional bodies like the Bank Directors Association of Nigeria (BDAN), the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), the Institute of Directors (IOD), and others.
CAREER
The over three decades’ journey to becoming the formidable banker she is today, started with a role as Senior Audit Assistant with KPMG from 1982 to 1986. She moved on to Arthur Andersen, still in the capacity of Senior Auditor and spent another couple of years there before leaving in 1989 to join Ventures & Trusts Limited as an Associate. This would be the last step before Somefun started her three decades of banking career which would cut across core sectors like Treasury & Investment Banking, Corporate Banking, Retail and Commercial Banking Operations.
Mrs Somefun worked with Credit Bank Limited. Later, she moved to the UBA Group. She headed two of UBA Group’s major subsidiaries; serving as the MD/CEO of UBA Capital & Trustee Limited and the Founding Managing Director of UBA Pension Custodian Limited. She served as a Non-Executive Director on the boards of directors of UBA Foundations, UBA Trustees, UBA Nominees and UBA Registrars.
With Unity Bank Nigeria Plc, Somefun served as the Executive Director overseeing the Lagos and South-West Business Directorates, the Financial Institution Division and Treasury Department of the Bank. This was before August 2015 when she succeeded Mr. Henry James Semenitari in 2015 as Unity Bank’s CEO.
She is a Member of the Board Finance; General Purpose Committee, Board Risk Management Committee, Board Credit Committee, amongst others.
Within the last seven years, she has reordered Unity Bank to the path of growth and profitability; de-risking the balance sheet, introducing products like UniFi (a mobile banking product with robust digital offerings which now stands as a flagship youth banking product); Corpreneurship (a youth banking initiative that targets entrepreneurship-minded fresh graduates completing the compulsory one-year national youth service).
Under her tenure, Unity Bank also became the first Nigerian Bank to offer Multi-lingual USSD Banking in the three major Nigerian languages. Somefun is helping to drive the bank’s vision of being the bank of choice for all Nigerians.
She piloted the bank through the troubled waters it in 2016 and 2017 when its financials were being bugged with a high volume of non-performing loans borrowed mostly by some former board members, which affected the bank’s capitalisation.
RECOGNITIONS AND OTHER POSITIONS
Oluwatomi Somefun won the 2019 Top 25 CEOs Next Bulls award in recognition of the bank’s stellar performance on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The award came to her in recognition of the bank’s sterling performance for the year, as its stock appreciated 101.89% in the year, making it one of the best-performing stocks on the NSE.
Tomi Somefun was also listed among the top 25 most distinguished Chief Executive Officers of quoted Nigerian companies for the 2015 financial year.
She also won the top BusinessDay Top 25 CEOs award in 2019. She was conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration by Redeemer’s University (RUN).
OLUWATOMI SOMEFUN QUOTES
 “We underestimate the value of what each
  one of us can do.”
 “So don’t quit just yet… you’re closer to the
  finishing line of your challenge than you
  think.”
 “A job is a challenge and not an
  achievement!”
 “Greatness is a process and not an event.”
 “Your words weigh 1000 tons… Chose them
  carefully!”
 “The only way to get rid of your past
  mistakes is to learn its lesson for the
  future; God will waste nothing. Make
  every experience count.”
 “Every new person we meet present a new
  opportunity from God, to be blessed or to
  be a blessing. Don’t waste it.”
 “Experience they say is the best teacher,
  but the school fees are high, so save
  yourself fees and copy handout from other
  people’s lessons.”
 “Difficult roads often leads to beautiful
  destinations.”
 “Good is working, though we often don’t
  just how…”

Society

Reactions as Korra Obidi travels to Hawaii for vacation after fans donated $50,000 for legal fee

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Nigerians across social media have begun to slam popular Nigerian-American singer and dancer, Korra Obidi, as she flew immediately to Hawaii in the United States after completing her GoFundMe $50,000 target.

Obidi created GoFundMe on Friday to seek a good lawyer, adding that she wants to overturn the right of her ex-husband, Justin Dean, over their kids.

According to her, she would need money to get a good lawyer, which is why she created the GoFundMe account to meet the target of $100,000.

The account generated over $50,000 raised from over 950 donors worldwide.

“As a mother, it’s time to fight for myself and my kids,” Obidi said. She also shared her GoFundMe account details, seeking the assistance of fans and friends.

However, on Sunday, the dancer, after raising the money, said during a live session on Facebook that she had plans for a vacation in Hawaii.

Her decision has been greeted by outrage from her fans, with many alleging that the main intent of the GoFundMe was never to file a suit against the husband but to lavish on her extravagant lifestyle.

Wanda Johnson, a Facebook user, said, “She got y’all’s money, now she’s at the airport. Some of you are so weak to believe her foolishness. She is always begging, scamming, and manipulating.”

“You are gradually becoming a professional beggar on social media,” one Chigoziri Ohochukwu on Facebook opined.

“Mad that she can’t post pictures because without posting pictures she can’t make money. She needs to post pictures of her kids to make money. But she would rather go to Hawaii than see.Her children sickening and people gave her $.Or whatever was on that go find me.People needs to report the go fund me everybody needs to report to get their money back,” a user who identifies as Jennifer Lynn Russell claimed.

Nene Peters stated, “WTF you was just on here crying about you need a lawyer now, you traveling. I’m done with you wow.”

“Two days ago she was crying for donation now she is traveling,” said Hermi Matilya

Meanwhile, Bridget O’Connell said, “Yeah I’m not gonna lie Traveling to Hawaii is crazy after receiving all that money for Lawyer girl! You shoulda did that in silence.”

Also, Mary Monique Napont said, “It’s none of your business lady. She is an influencer, performer, student, and most importantly a great mother. Leave her be. You are a part of the problem. She’s not hurting you in any way. If you don’t like her, don’t follow her. It’s that simple.”

Recall that the divorce and custody battle between Obidi and Dean has been on the public scene lately. Recent developments have granted Justin the right to restrict their two children from featuring on Obidi’s online content.

She posted a plea online, accusing Dean of abuse and “gaslighting” during their marriage, claiming he is now subjecting their daughters to similar treatment.

 

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Police declare Lagos socialite wanted for murder, cyber-stalking

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The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

The police further described Adeyinka as a married female Yoruba blogger from Ekiti State and Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

She is said to be approximately 1.64m tall with an oval face, tribal marks, pointed nose, wide mouth, full and white dentition, and light-skinned with black eyes.

The police added that she lives in the United Kingdom, and frequently visits Ikeja, Ogudu and Fagba in Lagos State, as well as Otta and Sango in Ogun State.

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which was obtained by our correspondent, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants – Tolulope Adeoye aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi – to appear in persons before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her.

The application partly read, “On March 5, 2022, Abike Jagaban shared the complainant’s nude pictures on YouTube, directing her followers to different online platforms where the complainant’s pictures were/are shared and ridiculed the complainant in the process.

“The video was captioned, ‘Abike Jagaban on Dorcas Adeyinka, aka TMS Blog.’ These actions have exposed the complainant to contempt, hatred and detestation as some people can be seen making disparaging remarks against the person of the complainant in the comment section of the above-referenced post. Abike Jagaban has also bullied the complainant in another video titled, ‘How Abike Jagaban bullied Dorcas Adeyinka,” among others.”

The complainant told the court that the alleged actions of the defendants constituted criminal defamation and contravened Section 391 of the Penal Code.

Meanwhile, in suit number CR/93/2024 with motion number MN/140/2024, Magistrate Iyanna ordered the complainant to serve the defendants with the criminal summons and all other subsequent processes of the court via their social media handles or pages @Tolulope Omolara Ghaba (Facebook) and @Princess Tolulope Ajike Olowosibi (Facebook).

The magistrate adjourned the matter till June 4, 2024, and ordered that the two defendants be present in court on the said date.

 

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Even if arrest warrant was illegally obtained, Bello should’ve appeared in court – Judge

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By Taiye Agbaje

 

Abuja, May 10, 2024 (NAN) A Federal High Court, Abuja on Friday granted the application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the former Governor of Kogi, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, to appear in court for his trial.

 

Justice Emeka Nwite, in a ruling, held that the former governor ought to appeared before the court before making any application.

 

He insisted that even if the arrest warrant was illegally obtained, the defendant (Bello) should have still shown up in court.

 

It would be tracked that the judge had, on April 23, fixed today for the ruling on the former governor’s application to set aside the arrest warrant against him.

 

The EFCC’s lawyer, Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, had, on April 17, moved the ex-parte application for the arrest warrant.

 

But Bello’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe, SAN, on April 23, prayed the court to set aside the arrest warrant against their client

.

He canvassed that the arrest warrant had become unnecessary since their lead counsel, Abdulwahab Mohammed, SAN, had accepted the service of the charge on behalf of the ex-governor.

 

He argued that the arrest warrant order, having been made before the charge ought to be set aside suo motu (on its own accord, without any request by the parties involved).

 

The senior lawyer argued that contrary to the submission of the lawyer who appeared for EFCC, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, that the ex-governor must be in court first before any application could be entertained being a criminal case.

 

He said that the anti-graft agency also made an application on April 18 after the warrant arrest was issued to EFCC on April 17 and that the court granted it.

 

The lawyer submitted that the arrest warrant was issued in favour of the EFCC by the court in violation of fair hearing to their client.

 

He noted that the complainant made an application for substituted service on 18th day of April after the arrest warrant had been issued on 17th day of April and today, my noble lord granted it.

 

“The court must satisfy itself that the defendant (Bello) will not be prejudiced in fairness if the warrant of arrest continues to hang on his neck, having been made before service of the charge contrary to Section 394 of ACJA,” Adeola argued.

 

He argued that justice should be a three-way traffic; that is, justice to the prosecution, the defendant and the public.

 

He said for Bello to appear in court, he must have the notion that he would get justice.

 

Adedipe also argued that the EFCC was an unconstitutional body because its establishment was not ratified by the 36 states of the federation.

 

He said that for the EFCC to become a constitutional body, the 36 states of the federation must ratify the law establishing it as against the current position, that the EFCC Establishment Act was unilaterally ratified by the Federal Government.

 

He, therefore, asked the judge to vacate the arrest warrant against the former governor.

 

But Pinheiro vehemently opposed the application.

 

The senior lawyer argued that for the arrest warrant to be vacated, the former governor must be arraigned and take his plea in compliance with Section 396 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

 

Delivering the ruling on Friday, the judge agreed with the argument of the EFCC.

 

He said that the order of court subsisted until it is set aside, even if there is irregularity.

 

The judge said Yahaya Bello’s staying away amounted to disregard to the sanctity of the court.

 

“Therefore, the application by the counsel for the defendant cannot be moved unless the defendant is present in court.

 

“Bello should come to court in his own not through EFCC for arraignment on the next adjourn date,” the judge declared.

 

Meanwhile, shortly after the ruling, Mohammed, who appeared for the former governor, informed the court of a motion on notice filed on May 9.

 

He said the motion prayed the court to stay further hearing of the alleged money laundering suit filed against Bello until the Court of Appeal decides a pending case relating to same matter.

 

The senior lawyer said the anti-graft agency had, by a motion ex-parte, got an order of the Appeal Court stopping the contempt proceedings filed by the ex-governor against the agency at the High Court sitting in Lokoja.

 

He said the appellate court had already fixed May 20 to hear the case.

 

He said it would be important the Federal High Court, Abuja awaits the outcome before going further with the trial.

 

But the EFCC’s lawyer, Oyedepo, disagreed with Mohammed’s submission.

 

In a short ruling, Justice Nwite refused Mohammed’s application.

 

The judge said that the matter had generated controversy all over the world and was unnecessary.

 

Reacting, Mohammed responded that the former governor was not afraid to come to court but was only afraid of his life.

 

Justice Nwite, however, said that Bello should not be misguided but should be advised to come and answer to the alleged charge.

 

“It is just a charge. It has not been proven. Counsel, it is your duty to bring him and you prepare yourselves.

 

“We thank lordship. We will take your admonition to him because that is just his fear,” Mohammed said.

 

He assured that efforts would be made to contact the former govenor to appear in court in the next adjourned date.

 

Justice Nwite consequently adjourned the matter until June 13 for arraignment.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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