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Ekeh Charges S/East Govs to Work for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group, has charged the five Governors of the South-East to take up the release of Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) as a one-point agenda to President Bola Tinubu, noting that a positive outcome will quell the restiveness in the region and usher in sustainable prosperity.
Leo Stan Ekeh
Ekeh made the call on Thursday, September 28 at the 2023 South-East Summit on Economy and Security in Owerri, the Imo State capital.
In what was the highlight of the day’s session, Ekeh, a Forbes Best of Africa Leading Tech Icon and major investor in the South-East and other regions across Nigeria, disclosed that no concrete investment or development can take place in an atmosphere of tension and insecurity. Consequently, he urged the governors to put aside party affiliations and forge a common front to press for the release of the pro-Biafra agitator, Kanu. Ekeh, whose speech drew a standing ovation and a rapturous reaction from the audience, submitted that the South-East is a huge economy waiting to happen, added that the region is blessed with an abundance of human capital, a new breed of outstand leaders and willing investors ready to turn its fortunes around for good.
‘‘The average Igbo youth is smart, energetic and imbued with a dose of spirituality. Equipped with the necessary tools in an enabling environment, these qualities can transform our youths into world beaters and global champions. We also have quality leaders as Governors in the five South East states with the confidence to transform the region, an example of which I witnessed yesterday with the unprecedented gesture of the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma to youths in the state. Working together, I believe we can site a centralized digital hub in the region which will produce certified billionaires in the next few years.
‘‘However, we must first take steps to secure the release of Nnamdi Kanu as this will instantly bring about a measure of calm and sanity in the region. Kanu is a critical factor in the security issues of the South-East. President Bola Tinubu is not a stubborn or inconsiderate leader. I am sure he will listen. When he was Governor of Lagos State, he took the advice of some of us to include deserving Igbos in his cabinet and this was how Ben Akabueze emerged,’’ he counselled.
The well-attended summit had in attendance notable Igbo sons and daughters from various spheres of endeavour, including the five South East Governors, serving Ministers and Members of the House of Representatives, captains of industries, top ranking officers from the military and other security services, academic dons and corporate eggheads, representatives of women and youth leaders, among others.
In his welcome address, Imo State Governor Uzodimma, who doubles as Chairman, South-East Governor’s Forum, harped on the need for unity and oneness among people from the zone to rescue it from implosion. Uzodinma cited the spate of insecurity and the antics of non-state actors in the region. Nevertheless, he promised that the Governors of South-East are working together to ensure that Igboland returns to its previous glorious era.
‘‘Participants must rise from the summit with a clear road map that our people will follow to regain the lost freedom and businesses without molestations and harassments. We must stop the senseless sit-at-home,” he stated.
Uzodinma suggested the floating of South-East Development Fund to fund development research. He also hailed the planned dredging of Oguta Lake to Atlantic Ocean as a step in the right direction, while also commending the Nnewi, Aba and Onitsha businessmen and women for exhibiting and sustaining the business spirit of Ndigbo.
On his part, Anambra State Governor, Chukuma Soludo called for a 100-year development plan for the region. Soludo said the region must make all efforts to thrive despite the ongoing insecurity, adding that the South-East zone is not the most insecure place in the world.
‘‘It is very good to lament but I would rather like to see a glass as half full than half empty. The South-East is ready for business. We must all believe in our ability to turn things around and get the South-East going again. We need not just ourselves, we need Nigeria. Ndigbo needs Nigeria and Nigeria needs Ndigbo. Ndigbo needs Africa and the world and the world and Africa need Ndigbo. As an itinerant people, we cannot be an intolerant people. We need the partnership of everybody, partnership of the rest of the country, partnership of the diaspora and partnership with the international community.”
For Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, dialogue represents the way forward in addressing the insecurity in the zone. He called for an understanding of the anger in the land, adding that leaders in the region must pursue justice, stamp out all forms of violence and stop the extortion of the poor by the rich.
Also speaking at the summit, Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah talked up the need for a connecting road to all South-East states and a unified market to aid the region enjoy comparative advantage for specific products. He also encouraged the need for regular meetings between all stakeholders in the states.
The Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Onyemechi also buttressed some of the points raised by the other speakers, while also recommending closer monitoring of children to nip nefarious associations in the bud and the need for the people of the South-East to believe in themselves.
Equally important, the keynote speaker and Director General of the World Trade Organization, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala lamented the regressing fortunes of the South-East and the negative impacts of the insecurity in the zone on potential investment.
Nevertheless, Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke via Zoom, referenced the rich human capital of the region. Among her recommendations to the Governors is the convening of an investment forum, the creation of an apprenticeship scheme from which talented youths can secure gainful employment, set-up of a digital infrastructural centre in the region, leveraging the connections and competencies of professionals of South-East technocrats in the Diaspora to come back home and help in developing the region, establishment of a financial bond by the governors and optimization of the opportunities in Agriculture, Oil and Gas and other sectors.
Earlier, Anyim Pius Anyim, a former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has also lent his voice to the call calling for a review of the Biafra agitation. He also emphasized the need for better strategies to rid the region of the prevailing insecurity which he described as brutal.
The summit also witnessed goodwill messages from the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, with its President Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu calling for more investment by the Federal Government in the South-East. There were also goodwill messages from other key stakeholders including traditional rulers and other establishments, while the Summit Planning Committee, led by its Chairman Sen. Chris Anyanwu also received praises from virtually all the speakers for the professional organization of the event.
Tigran Gambaryan, top official of Binance, at the weekend, maintained his stance on the bribery allegations against some Nigerian government officials and House of Representatives members.
Tigran Gambaryan
Gambaryan insisted Nigerian officials demanded bribes from him despite the denial of the Federal Government.
Recall that Gambaryan, who is Binance’s head of financial crime compliance, was detained in Nigeria from February to October 2024.
Nigerian government said his arrest was part of a broader investigation into alleged money laundering and economic destabilisation attributed to Binance’s activities in Nigeria.
On Friday, while recounting his initial experience on the issue on Twitter, Gambaryan accused some Nigerian lawmakers of demanding substantial bribes in cryptocurrency.
He specifically accused three lawmakers of soliciting a $150 million bribe from him, naming Philip Agbese, Ginger Onwusibe and Peter Akpanke as the three federal legislators who demanded the huge bribe from him to allegedly forestall his arrest and prosecution.
He further alleged that Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, sought significant payouts from Binance for his political ambition.
But in a swift response, Mohammed Idris, minister of Information and National Orientation, dismissed Gambaryan’s allegations as “outrageous” and “defamatory”.
Idris explained that the Nigerian government had rejected a $5 million offer from Binance intended to secure Gambaryan’s release, opting instead for a more favourable settlement with the US government.
He said Gambaryan’s claims lacked credibility and appeared to be an attempt to discredit Nigerian officials.
But Gambaryan in his latest post on the development on Saturday on his X, said the Federal Government used him as leverage to negotiate a beneficial settlement with the US government.
He wrote, “I was invited by the Nigerian FIU to a meeting in January. Last time I checked, they are part of the Nigerian government. House members also invited us to the meeting. Last time I checked, the legislative branch is also part of the Nigerian government.
“You said the second part was part of a probe? Lol. So when you invited us to a friendly meeting, you even lied about that. I was in a safe house for a month, watching TV, while you were trying to use me as leverage. You then panicked and knowingly charged me with blatantly false accusations.
“So I was released on humanitarian grounds? At least you’re finally admitting the need to release me. Last time you posted, you claimed my health was fine and that there was nothing wrong with me”.
The crypto expert further stated, “You investigated? Yet you didn’t take a statement from me? A person with direct knowledge. What a joke.
“You dragged my name through the mud for the past year with zero evidence against me, nearly killed me, and caused trauma to my family. And now you have the nerve to talk about defamation?
“I’ll put my credibility on the line anytime. In court? You mean like last time, when your attorneys didn’t even show up to the human rights suit in Abuja?
“Get your facts straight. I am done with this foolishness. I said my part. I’ll be off Twitter now since it’s pointless to argue with evil.”
While insisting that his claim was factual despite the denials, Gambaryan added, “What I shared was factual, based on my personal experiences and conversations with those who have direct knowledge of the events I discussed; information that was shared with both Nigerian and US law enforcement.
“So please, allow me to leave this behind and find peace”.
The Binance executive said it was the responsibility of law enforcement agents in both Nigeria and the US to see the investigation into the matter through.
He said he is no longer in law enforcement, adding that the responsibility of seeing this through to a logical conclusion now falls on those still serving in the United States and Nigeria.
He added, “Many requested that I stay on and provide further commentary on the issues I posted about yesterday (Friday). Here’s the hard truth: what I shared was meant to fill in the gaps left by Wired and NPR’s reporting.
“The reality is that last year was incredibly painful for me and my family. I dedicated my life to fighting crime as a Special Agent with the United States Department of the Treasury and as a compliance professional. It was an honour to serve my country and it was a blessing that they came to my rescue and mobilised the full force of the US Government when I was in need.
“Being dragged through court on “outrageous, baseless, and trumped-up charges”, he posited, “didn’t just hurt me but also brought immense pain to my family.
“I don’t want to see my kids cry because I’m not around. I don’t want to see videos of my 75-year-old mother on television in tears. I don’t want to see my wife crying on TV. I want to put this nightmare behind me and move on.”
inDrive, a global ride-hailing platform operating in nine African countries, has introduced “Light Cashless,” an innovative new payment feature in Nigeria designed to enhance safety and convenience for both riders and drivers.
This solution allows drivers to display their preferred bank details within the app, enabling passengers to copy and paste the information for seamless direct bank transfers—eliminating the need for a traditional payment gateway integration.
By launching “Light Cashless,” inDrive becomes the first ride-hailing platform in Nigeria to adopt this model, reinforcing bank transfers as one of the most trusted and widely accepted payment methods in the country. This feature is now available via the latest inDrive app update and is being rolled out in seven key cities.
This launch brings multiple benefits, including enhanced security by reducing the risks associated with carrying physical cash, greater convenience as passengers can complete payments with just a few taps, and increased financial flexibility for drivers who receive payments directly into their bank accounts without delays or transaction fees.
Additionally, direct bank transfers ensure increased payment transparency, allowing both passengers and drivers to track transactions easily within their banking apps, reducing disputes and ensuring clear financial records.
The introduction of “Light Cashless” aligns with inDrive’s mission to challenge injustice and create a fairer, more flexible ride-hailing ecosystem. The platform remains committed to user-driven innovation, continuously empowering both drivers and passengers with greater control over their ride-hailing experience.
“This new feature is a game-changer for the Nigerian market, where bank transfers are already a trusted and widely used form of payment,” said Timothy, Country Representative at inDrive in Nigeria.
“By eliminating the reliance on cash while avoiding the complexities of integrated payment gateways, we are providing a simple yet effective solution that enhances safety, convenience, and financial efficiency for all users.”
The “Light Cashless” feature is now live in seven major Nigerian cities and will continue expanding across the country. Users are encouraged to update their inDrive app to access this new functionality.
TikTok returned to the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday as President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app and assured the tech giants they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining it.
The popular short video app used by nearly half of all Americans went dark briefly last month, before a law took effect on January 19 that requires its Chinese owner ByteDance either to sell it on national security grounds or face a ban.
The following day, Trump signed an executive order seeking to delay the enforcement of the ban by 75 days, allowing TikTok to continue its operations in the U.S. temporarily.
Although TikTok resumed service after Trump’s assurances, Google and Apple kept the app removed from their U.S. app stores.
TikTok, the second-most downloaded app in the U.S. last year, said on Thursday that its latest app was now available for download.
The delay could have been because Google and Apple were awaiting assurances that they would not be prosecuted for hosting or distributing the app, according to analysts.
Trump’s directive said the companies, which run mobile application stores or digital marketplaces where users can browse, download and update apps, would not face penalties for keeping the TikTok app up and running.
TikTok had more than 52 million downloads in 2024, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.
About 52% of its total downloads were from Apple App Store, while 48% were from Google Play in the U.S. last year, Sensor Tower said.
The law that requires ByteDance to sell TikTok’s U.S. assets or ultimately face a ban was signed by then President Joe Biden last April, triggered by national security concerns and fears that China could use the video-sharing app to spy on American users.
The U.S. has never banned a major social media platform and the law that passed last year gives the government sweeping authority to ban or seek the sale of other Chinese-owned apps. Trump said on Thursday that his 75-day deadline on TikTok could be extended.
The turmoil at TikTok attracted several potential buyers, including former Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, who have expressed interest in the fast-growing business that analysts estimate could be worth as much as $50 billion.
Trump has said that he was in talks with multiple people over TikTok’s purchase and would likely have a decision on the app’s future in February.
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