EXCELLENT TRAJECTORY FOR EDWARD ADAMU OF GOMBE AS THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR CBN REPLACES MUIZ BANIRE AT AMCON

Edward Lametek Adamu

Muiz BANIRE, SAN

Seems like there's a wind of change blowing right now across the Government agencies and appointees and all those not well founded, whose roots are not well structured in its path are getting swept away, thrown away, removed or shut out.

Only just yesterday the Federal Government against all the lobbying that was mounted on her, refused to reinstate the former Executive Chairman of FIRS, in the person of Babatunde Fowler, who did all that was humanly possible so as to retain his seat for another 4 year tenure which would have lapsed in 2023, same year that this government/administration of PMB would have also finished her 2nd term too. Fowler's 1st term actually elapsed on Monday, December 9, 2019. He was appointed as the Executive Chairman of the FIRS on August 20, 2015, but his appointment was later confirmed by the Senate on December 9, 2015 hence the date his tenure finished. He had shown his readiness to do a 2nd term so as to be able to consolidate on the results of his 1st term in office, where he had supposedly led the service to raise what was presumed a record breaking revenue over a 4 year span.

Just as Mr. Fowler who is a school mate of the current Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at Igbobi College has left office now without any visible stain on his person and records yet, one only prays that the mud splashing going about in the same service he has just left behind and that has splashed & stained some of those top officials who used to work with him, who have been accused of monumental fraud to the tune of billions of Naira, would not in anyway splash on him too, to the extent that he could be called by the EFCC to come explain certain actions of his and Co.

Just as many were still grappling with the non renewal of Fowler's tenure and his immediate replacement by a thorough-bred tax guru by the name Muhammad M. Hami, the same wind of change has blown again now over another Government agency and it has removed, unseated the erstwhile Chairman of that agency in the person of Mr. Muiz Banire, SAN a former top chieftain of the ruling APC, who probably has only just spent one year at the most as the boss of the agency. Reason why he might have been removed was not stated in the communique that announced his removal.

But his replacement was immediately named and he is none other than a Deputy Governor of Nigeria's Apex Bank, the CBN in the person of Edward Lametek Adamu, who is an indigene of Gombe state. Mr. Adamu from all indications has had a meteoric rise since the advent of this administration not undeserving though. He only became a Deputy Governor at the CBN in 2018 & after just a year as the Deputy Governor of the apex bank he has now being given more responsibilities as the boss of AMCON, that's the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. 

Mr. Edward L. Adamu is a Quantity Surveyor by training. He graduated from ABU Zaria. He is a business Consultant and leadership Strategist also. He has been at the CBN for 27 years since 1992 when he was employed there. He became CBN's Director of Strategy in 2012, then he became the apex bank's Director of Human Resources in 2016. He was nominated as Deputy Governor on February 1, 2018 and was unanimously confirmed on Marc 22, 2018.

His resume reads ABU Zaria, Bachelors in Quantity Survey, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors, Institute of Credit Administrators of Nigeria, Wharton Business School, INSEAD, Booth School of Business, IMD Switzerland.

He is a father of 4. 

TO BE OR NOT TO BE, THAT'S THE QUESTION AS CHAIRMAN WAITS WITH APPREHENSION TO HIS FATE

It is only until after Friday, that's talking about this upcoming Friday of December 6, 2019 when the apprehension, the palpable fear or better still the unprecedented jitters would have subsided one way or the other, that there would have been that sharp intake of breath as relief or otherwise would have set in. By that Friday, the die would have been casted and then, for or against, the somewhat unchangeable deed would have been done as by then there wouldn't be no going back again on the decision to either retain the man known to most as the Chairman, as the boss over that parastatal that he has made one of our best cash cows for a few years or by then, he would have been removed to go begin pasture's anew. Friday is the D-day.

Under normal circumstances starting and ending any endeavor or assignment given one is nothing new. The excitement normally comes from the fact that after doing what one is given to do and that one has now done to the best of one's abilities and with the end of such activity coming near, there is always a mixture of feelings. One can be happy that finally, the end of the assignment is coming, so a kind of great relief is expected as a mighty burden is going to be lifted off one's shoulder, but with such an impending transition also comes a bit of sadness too, especially as it sets in that one would have to move on to some other things that would or could need some readjusting or readjustment to get used to.

For our person here, it seems like to move on or better still for another to be chosen to replace him in his position, would or could be tantamount to a disaster.

That's not only for him though, for he can just dust himself, readjust and move on, but for so many, in fact very many people running into hundreds at that. For these his many dependants who he has been like God sent to, it would be some kind of disaster, in fact a big time disappointment.

One excellent thing though, which no one can never ever take away from him & which allows for many to overlook his so called excesses without looking back at all, is the fact that his generosity, unbelievable generosity at that, is frankly adjudged and acknowledged to be unparalleled. It has been well said and often reiterated by many that, you cannot see him, that's if God allows you and you are able to have access to him and go away empty handed. He has fans, followers, people, friends that he has helped out in very many ways, that have since become his die-hards, vociferous and unrepentant supporters. Who are willing to do just about anything for him.

Truth be told, he has done extremely well, in fact extraordinarily well in his assignment. He has broken every available record in the course of delivering on his assignment too. Never before in the history of that sector, has someone brought in the kind of astronomical figures h,e has delivered consistently. His parastatal and another have been the major sources of revenue in the last many years in the country, taking away our total dependency from another sector that has been so sapped, that's its nearly comatose now.

And because of how extraordinarily he was adjudged to have done, many had thought that without a doubt, that he was going to be elevated to another much bigger assignment which would have been some sort of crowning and a major stamp of approval. But alas no, the one in charge at the other assignment was actually returned against all odds, which was in fact a shock! Thereby shutting down that door on him. So what is now left, is for him to either retain this particular seat or nothing.

Some had even predicted in the aftermath of that other snub, that he could be chosen to man a ministry, but nothing like that came to fruition, though it could still happen as there is still a few years to go.

Whilst some have predicted that he is a goner, meaning he wouldn't be retained and that's because they feel that he has lost the support of his supposed now former godfather, some are of the opinion that, that might not actually be totally true as they are claiming that he has the backing of some anonymous, but equally very strong and important element(s), so they are too sure he would retain his position and remain on his seat.

If he should retain his seat like many are already predicting, then we must expect a mother of all celebration at that his regular place by the water, where he and friends with their various handbags of all types likes to frequent a whole lot.

Would he be retained? Very likely.
We would actually love it though,  if he is retained.
Would he be removed? That's a big question only the top gun alone can answer. 

EKITI'S STATE GOVERNOR DR. KAYODE FAYEMI EMERGES AS THE NEW NGF'S PRESIDENT.

Dr. John Kayode Fayemi

His profile has continued to soar high since he came back for his 2nd term as the Executive Governor of Ekiti State after taking over from rabble-rouser extraordinaire, Peter "the rock" Ayodele Fayose.

At least Ekiti is not just in the news for just about anything anymore, peace and normalcy had since taken over and people are seemingly just moving about doing their things quietly.

And now the very calm, highly cerebral Executive Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has added another feather to his enviable cap after emerging unanimously as the new chairman of the quite influential Nigeria's Governors Forum (NGF). The news of his emergence  wouldn't have been anything extraordinary had it not being that its the "first time in the history of the NGF that a Governor from the SW would be occupying such a position". And with Dr. Kayode Fayemi being an expert in war & conflict resolution, he would bring that expertise to bear on his colleagues as the Governors would engage all other arms of Government. So it's a very very positive and very welcomed development. The days of unnecessary confrontations without necessarily achieving anything, might just be long gone afterall.

The new NGF chairman is known to be a very good ally of the President of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, who he served meritoriously as a Minister for Solid Minerals. before he resigned to vie again for the Governorship of his state.

The new chairman was nominated for the post by the Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, who was seconded by the Governor of DELTA state, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa. He would be leading the NGF for the next 2years till 2021.

Also elected as the Vice-chairman of the forum was the Governor of Sokoto state, Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who was nominated by the outgoing Governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode who was seconded by the Governor of Ondo state, Rotimi Akeredolu.

In his acceptance remark, Dr. Fayemi expressed his gratitude for the confidence reposed on him by his colleagues.

He then pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessors and success stories of the forum.

“We will build on commitments with strong partnership with the Federal Government as federating unit and trash out issues as amicably as possible, in the over all interest of the country,” he said.

He then pledged that they would represent the interests of Nigeria irrespective of their political affiliations.

“Whatever we are going to do will be in overall interest of the nation in ensuring that our states are continuously strengthened,”

“Our country derives the benefit of strong, dedicated states to our citizens and the partnership with all arms of government, development partners working with us in the over all interest of Nigeria.

He commended the outgoing chairman of the forum and the secretariat for their commitment to states and Nigeria at large.

Kudos to Dr. Kayode Fayemi on a well deserved appointment. And some have even begun to look forward and ahead already as far as 2023 & are believing the calm mien of the Ekiti state Governor might just be leading him towards the presidency.

Would it happen or wouldn't it happen? Let's just wait and see, for like they say, time is the judge.

What is more curious though is that a coalition that's not too favorable inclined towards Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is gradually day by day gaining more and more access to power and influence. 

Ecobank fails in bid to stop Otudeko’s testimony; as he confirms payment of N3.5 billion

Obafoluke Otudeko

The Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, yesterday, Wednesday, February 14, 2018 confirmed that Honeywell companies are not indebted to Ecobank Nigeria Limited.

He also confirmed that Honeywell paid the sum of N3.5 billion in full and final settlement of its obligations to the bank.
It should be recalled that at the hearing of 8th February, 2018, Ecobank’s lawyer, having asked preliminary questions, stated that he was no longer interested in examining the witness and sought to prevent Oba Otudeko from giving further evidence.

However, Honeywell’s Counsel, Bode Olanipekun, objected, and requested that the witness be cross-examined, having been invited by the Court at Ecobank’s instance.

At the hearing yesterday, 14th February, 2018, Ecobank’s counsel, O.A. Divine raised several objections in a bid to stall Otudeko from giving his testimony. He also informed the Court that Ecobank had filed yet another appeal and an application for stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal. In responding to the objections, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, stated that Ecobank had reached the point of no return and could not prevent Otudeko from giving testimony as he was called at the instance of the bank.

In his ruling, Justice Idris stated that he was unable to place any value on the application to stay proceedings because the copy presented to the court by Ecobank’s counsel was not a certified-true-copy. He further ruled that that Oba Otudeko be allowed to give his evidence in the matter and directed that cross-examination should proceed. Led in cross-examination by Honeywell’s counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, Otudeko affirmed that the Honeywell companies, following an agreement reached with the MD of Ecobank, Jibril Aku and other executives of the bank on July 22nd 2013, paid a total sum of N3.5 billion as full and final settlement of Honeywell’s obligations to the bank.

Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN concluded the cross examination of Dr. Oba Otudeko. Despite being the party that invited the witness, Ecobank’s counsel however declined to re-examine him. It should be recalled that Ecobank had last week refused to proceed with its examination-in-chief after asking the witness some preliminary questions. It seems that Ecobank’s strategy to call Otudeko as its star witness boomeranged hence its abrupt decision not to allow him give his testimony. From reactions in court, there was a palpable sense of bewilderment as to why Ecobank would choose to call Otudeko, the Plaintiffs’ Chairman, as its chief witness.

Following Ecobank’s refusal to re-examine the witness, the court discharged Oba Otudeko. The matter was adjourned till 12th March, 2018.

DEWUNMI OGUNSANYA IS GETTING SET FOR DAUGHTER'S TRADITIONAL WEDDING/ENGAGEMENT CEREMONY. WE TRUST IT WOUKD BE 1ST CLASS ALL THE WAY!

Come next week Sunday, December 17, 2017 to be more precise, all roads would be leading to the expansive compound of the home of top lawyer cum successful businessman, Chief Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya, as he hosts family and friends for his daughter's traditional wedding and engagement reception.

Dewunmi Ogunsanya, is the super rich lawyer, an SAN at that, who is the chairman of MultiChoice Nigeria (MNET) the owners of DSTV, GOTV, etc, he is also a director at Heritage Bank.

The chairman as he is famously called is known to be a perfect host. His Ikoyi Lagos Nigeria home located on Queen's Drive overlooking the lagoon is also believed to be one of the most beautiful and most techy homes in Lagos if not NIGERIA, which when it was finished a few years back, was said to have consumed a few of the man's billions in Naira. It is this same expansive compound, where the edifice is located that would host all and sundry on Sunday.

One person that would be greatly missed on the day of the occasion though, is the gorgeous late wife of the top businessman and well to do lawyer; madam passed on a few years ago after a resilient battle with cancer. Just imagine if she was around? As she would most definitely have been the perfect hostess at her daughter's traditional wedding and engagement making sure it is the bomb!

But not to worry though, Dewunmi Ogunsanya is known to be more than capable, he would make sure his wife's memory would be kept intact as he does the needful to host a great ceremony for their daughter.

We expect that the who-is-who of the corporate world, the top celebrities and stars of the entertainment world and so many others to grace the occasion.

We hope to give you an updated report on the event afterwards.