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General News

APC Dumps Amaechi, Picks Fashola as Buhari’s Running Mate

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Babatunde Fashola,General Muhammadu Buhari,Rotimi Amaechi....Pic Credit, Nigerian Tribune
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Babatunde Fashola, Lagos state governor has been reportedly endorsed by the South-West caucus of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the vice-presidential candidate to whoever emerges as the presidential standard-bearer of the party, according to the  Nigerian Tribune.

The zone is also strongly working for the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari, former head of state, as the presidential candidate for 2015 election.

According to the newspaper, following its earlier exclusive report that a new power-sharing formula favoured Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers State governor, as Buhari’s running-mate, the South-West caucus of the party reportedly launched a lobby on why the zone, and not the South-South, should be on the expected northern presidential ticket.

The party leadership and elders reportedly bought the argument that South-West would be the battleground in the presidential contest and it was just politically correct that a viable south-westerner should be on the ticket.

Amaechi was said to be aware of the move to dump him and had not been folding his arms.

A national officer of the party told the Nigerian Tribune that making a choice between Amaechi and Fashola was asking the party at large to choose between picking Amaechi and winning just a state with less than two million votes and picking Fashola and sweeping an entire geopolitical zone.

The source noted that while Amaechi was an asset to the party, the arithmetic of the presidential election and the candidates expected to be involved demanded that someone with capacity to win more votes should be picked as the running-mate

The APC national officer conceded that South-South and South-East were for Jonathan, but expected that the likes of Amaechi would not only significantly reduce the president’s votes, but should be able to prevent the usual alleged rigging in the zones that accounted for the high number of votes in the past elections.

When reminded that it might be difficult persuading Amaechi to go empty-handed, after his many sacrifices to the party, the national officer said it would be in Amaechi’s interest to work for the victory of the party in Rivers State, whether he was picked as running mate or not, considering that his failure at the poll would hurt him more in the state.

“We will first appeal to him, but it is in his own interest to win Rivers for us, both in governorship and presidential elections. If (Nyesom) Wike becomes governor and PDP wins Rivers for Jonathan, Amaechi would suffer more personal loss than the party,” the source said.

It was further learnt that the party leadership, both at the national level and South-West, was being pragmatic with the choice of Fashola, with those who would not even readily agree with him now supporting the push for his candidacy.

“Fashola is a game-changer. He complements Buhari. Buhari is old, Fashola is young. Buhari is conservative, Fashola is dynamic. Are you saying South-West would leave its own and support Jonathan and Sambo? Every politics is local. South-West will first consider which party brings it closer to Aso Rock.

“Because we had been considering him all this while, that is why we didn’t go on air, disclaiming the possibility of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. Fashola’s wife is a strong Christian. Nigerians want good governance, not religious sentiments. Would you, in good conscience, call Fashola a religious bigot?” the source asked rhetorically.

Nigerian Tribune also reliably gathered that former Attorney General of Lagos State, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, earlier considered for the job, was no longer on the radar of the party leadership.

A member of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party from the South-West disclosed that it was reasoned that he had been too politically-quiet to be marketed nationally within the time-frame for the election.

The party caucus was said to have reasoned that his involvement in the Buhari ticket might present the Buhari/Pastor Tunde Bakare’s 2011 ticket scenario, which reportedly failed mainly because the VP candidate could not deliver votes in his zone.

Fashola’s involvement, according to the party’s blue-print, was primed to deliver votes across Yorubaland and, at the same time, deny Jonathan the possibility of 25 per cent constitutional requirement.

APC also believed that Buhari/Fashola’s ticket would sweep Ondo and Ekiti states, currently governed by PDP governors, though the party was not that optimistic on the governorship elections.

In Lagos, Fashola would be expected to back the candidate of the party’s caucus which the national officer said was Akinwunmi Ambode.

When asked if Fashola had been officially informed, Nigerian Tribune was told “politics is not played that way.”

Nigerian Tribune was also told that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, would not be begged to concede the presidential ticket to Buhari, because it could backfire if he decided to go public with the claim.


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Union Bank’s alpher Initiative Empowers SMEs, Strengthens Nigerian Economy

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Union Bank of Nigeria has reiterated its commitment to entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment through its alpher initiative by sponsoring the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) Women and Youth Entrepreneurship Development Centre (WYEDC) Cohort 2 Programme, which has graduated 125 entrepreneurs who have benefited from firsthand entrepreneurship training and business grants.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria account for more than 50% of industrial employment and contribute approximately 48% to the country’s GDP.

This makes entrepreneurship one of the economy’s building blocks and is a testament to Union Bank’s unwavering dedication to national development in partnership with NBCC.

In her welcome speech, the Director General of NBCC, Dr. Ebere Njoku, reiterated NBCC’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment, and youth empowerment, citing these as catalysts for economic development and sustainability.

She appreciated the sponsors, partners and facilitators who devoted their resources and time to upskilling the participants.

The entrepreneurship initiative stemmed from the visionary goal of Mr. Ray Atelly, President and Chairman of the Council, NBCC, FRPA, to provide entrepreneurship and grant opportunities to Nigerian women and youths.

Mr. Atelly told the graduates in his speech, “This is your chance, make sure you take it. Don’t let any obstacle stop you because there will be many; if you let it stop you, your dreams are not strong enough. You need to keep pushing, someday you will sit at the top of a conglomerate and people will aspire to be like you.”

Also in attendance was the NBCC’s Patron, Senator Akin Odunsi, FRPA, who congratulated the Cohort 2 graduates.

He said, “I encourage all of you not to take the training you have received for granted. Use it as a landmark opportunity to be a beacon of hope to others who look up to you.”

He also urged the Chamber to provide internship opportunities after the six-month entrepreneurship training in organisations for the incoming Cohort 3 and beyond.

He added that the internship experience will give trainees the unique chance to practice what they learned and, in return, benefit the organisations from their acquired skills.

The goodwill message at the graduation ceremony was delivered on behalf of Mrs. Yetunde Oni, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Union Bank of Nigeria, by Mrs. Vivian Imoh-Ita, the Bank’s Head of Retail and SME Business, who appreciated NBCC for the life-transforming training they are providing to the youth and women entrepreneurs.

She further stated, “As a Bank, we understand that when we invest in women and youth entrepreneurs, we are investing in the most powerful catalysts of economic transformation. Through the Bank’s alpher initiative, we have enabled success for women-led businesses. In a volatile economy like Nigeria, the challenges facing entrepreneurs are dynamic and significant. As a Bank, we intend to prove that these barriers are not unconquerable and are growth opportunities.”

Three entrepreneurs, namely Evelyn Ekene Ani of Evani.Ng (First place), Martha Padonu of Beyond Photography (Second place), and Therietta Vershima of La Teriz (Third place) were declared winners of the Union Bank Business Pitch competition held during the graduation ceremony and were rewarded with funding for their businesses.

The Bank’s sponsorship of the training demonstrates its commitment to fostering a vibrant, innovative, and inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem for women and all individuals.


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Wema Bank Workers, Others Arraigned over Alleged N8.9Bn Cybercrime

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The trial of three employees of Wema Bank Plc and four others accused of orchestrating N8.9 billion cyber heist has been stalled due to the Eid-el-Kabir public holiday.

Wema Bank Workers, Others Arraigned over Alleged N8.9Bn Cybercrime

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned the bank staff—Samuel Asiegbu, Fabian Onyeimachi, and Kingsley Kejim—alongside four alleged accomplices: Hannah Okunlola Adesokan, Hamza Zakariya, Achionu Ubaku, and Sunday Osademe, before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court in Lagos on May 25, 2025.

The seven defendants face an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, cybercrime, and obtaining money under false pretences. They were accused of hacking into Wema Bank’s computer systems in January 2025 and unlawfully transferring N8,568,090,500 to various accounts.

According  S.O. Larry Peters,  counsel, EFCC, the defendants acted in concert with two other suspects—Nurudeen Ibrahim and Alhaji Sulaiman—who are currently at large. The syndicate allegedly manipulated the bank’s data using sophisticated digital tools to cause financial loss and confer illegal economic gains on themselves.

Peters further revealed that two of the defendants—Hannah Okunlola and Sunday Osademe—provided personal bank accounts for the illicit proceeds. Investigators traced N199 million to Okunlola’s UBA account registered under Search Light Media Concept, and N2.25 million to Osademe’s Union Bank account.

The offences, according to the charge sheet, violate Sections 6(2), 8, 14(1), 14(5), and 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, as well as Sections 17(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004.

All seven defendants pleaded not guilty. Following their plea, the court remanded five of the accused in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services, while Kingsley Kejim continued on existing bail terms.

The court granted a special request by defence counsel to remand Hannah Okunlola in EFCC custody due to medical concerns.

Justice Aneke had adjourned the matter to June 6, 2025, for commencement of trial. However, due to the nationwide Sallah holiday declared by the federal government, the proceedings could not go ahead as scheduled.

A charge reads: “That you, Samuel Ihechukwu Asiegbu, Ejim Kingsley Kelechi, and others now at large, in January 2025, conspired to alter Wema Bank data to cause the loss of N8.568 billion in order to benefit economically, thereby committing an offence under Section 27(1)(a) of the Cybercrimes Act, 2015.”

The case has drawn significant attention as one of the most audacious cybercrime cases involving bank insiders in Nigeria’s recent history.


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Music Stars, Comedians Light Up “Evening with Glo” in Ijebu Ode

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The 2025 Ojude Oba celebrations kicked off on Friday evening with “Evening with Glo,” a special event organized by Globacom and headlined by Juju music legend Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and Fuji maestro Wasiu Ayinde Marshall (KWAM 1)

This year marks a significant milestone: Globacom’s 20th anniversary as sponsors of the Ojude Oba festival, an event it has helped transform into a globally recognized cultural spectacle.

The “Evening with Glo” was a vibrant mix of live music, delicious food, and captivating comedy from Gbenga Adeyinka, Bash, and Kiekie. The Conference Hall venue was packed as guests enjoyed more than two hours of Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi’s timeless hits, with the audience singing along and dancing.

Globacom organized the event as a gesture of appreciation to the Ijebu community for their unwavering support over the past two decades of the Ojude Oba festival. “We decided to bring together great sons and daughters of Ijebuland to celebrate our shared heritage, and indulge in the melodious rhythms that resonate deeply throughout Yorubaland,” the company stated.

The company explained their choice of musical icons, noting that the “ageless icon and Juju music maestro, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, has contributed decades of good, sonorous and philosophical songs to our society. His songs are still as fresh and full of inspirational messages as they were yesterday.”

Regarding KWAM 1, the company highlighted that “For decades, King of Fuji, K1 De Ultimate, the Fuji master, has been a great part of the music firmament in Nigeria, with his unique brand of Fuji that has elicited huge interest.”

The event saw a strong turnout of prominent Ijebu figures, including the Olori of Oba Awujale, Chief Mrs. Olukemi Adetona; the Coordinator of Ojude Oba Festival Planning Committee, Professor Fassy Yusuff; and a committee member and Iyalode of Ijebuland, Chief Mrs. Bisi Osibogun.


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