ON THAT CHIOMA GOOD HAIR BEAUTIFUL 5 BEDROOM EXQUISITE PENTHOUSE IN IKOYI

You can be making all the money in the world and be foolish. You can have all the opportunities in the world to advance yourself and still be foolish enough not to take advantage of it. You can be surrounded by grace, and still be wallowing in abject poverty. It is the wisdom to take advantage of the not too many opportunities around one or that comes ones way, that separates the smart from the stupid, the knowledgeable from the knuckleheads. So like they say, always do your best to make hay while the sun is still shining. For your future could depend on it.

Maybe the assertion above most likely, may be the guiding principle by which Chioma Ikokwu, that's Kika's other very stylish partner seem to be living by. Instead of just only designer bags, shoes and clothes alone, which are good, at least temporarily that is, she has gone a step further and has thought to invest and in fact invest very well too to secure her future. Or why would a young lady, still single at that, get for herself a 5 bedroom, fully fitted penthouse?

From our little understanding of real estate, it has been said by so many experts to be a good way to invest for the future, as the value of such an investment more often than not, increases substantially over time.

So there was the mild astonishment not too long ago when it was revealed that Chioma had gotten a house for herself in Ikoyi, Lagos. While some were somewhat skeptical about the purchase, others just thought maybe it was just another PR stunt. We can tell you categorically well that, o yes she got a penthouse for herself.
And it's a 5-bedroom, well appointed (fully fitted) place at that.

And according to our Intel, the place was in fact paid for in [full], without any kobo being owed anyone anywhere. According to the verifiable available gist, the bulk of the money for the penthouse was actually provided for by Chioma herself, while her dad is reportedly said to have supported her with the remaining. How anyone would have thought that a highly cerebral Chioma Ikokwu, a barrister-at-law from a good university abroad, who also has her Masters, that's (LLM) in International Environmental Law and Commercial Arbitration wouldn't be smart to handle her business(es) baffles one.

To know whether it is actually possible for the duo to have made money or are still making  money from their hair business we did a little digging. Theirs actually, is a growing lifestyle conglomerate that's into hair, a business we hear people make good money from, have made crazy money from and still making making money from. Hair goes from as low as N100,000 upwards depending. And they seem to have a large number of customers too. Their tentacles from what we hear is not just limited to Lagos, Nigeria alone but they were existing in London earning Pounds, before they came to Nigeria too. So it's a combination of Naira and Pounds.

From just selling hair, a virtual goldmine at that, ask Akunna & others doing the same lucrative business and making good millions from it. And the duo have done this hair business since 2009 meaning a whole decade of reaping. So if they were smart enough, they should have a sizeable amount in savings that can afford them good luxury at any time, if they want. But not just relenting with just selling hair, they also opened allied businesses too to add value as multiple income stream. They have a hair salon, a restaurant & lounge and to add to it, they are landlords too, as they have tenants in their complex (building) who pays them rents too. If they have invested wisely, smartly and well over the years, especially because of good patronage mennnnnn!!! they sure might be rolling in dough already!

So buying just one penthouse isn't strange or is it?? 

THAT 15000 CANAAN CITY ESTATE HOUSING PROJECT. ANOTHER 1ST FROM BISHOP DAVID OYEDEPO OF WINNERS.

The fact of the matter is that, Bishop David Oyedepo, the Presiding Bishop of one of the 3 biggest churches in Africa and most probably one of the biggest in the world, in terms of spread around the world (that is branches), congregations (that is members), is also a top 5 wealthiest pastors (men of God) in the world. While it has been estimated that he is valued at about $150 million good dollars, some have had to snigger at the amount mentioned, like it is chicken feed for the man. That he should either be worth a double or in fact triple or more of that.

While the man of God himself unlike another who is also a very popular, but younger pastor who doesn't mind saying it loud, the Bishop or Papa like his people love to call him, doesn't boast outrightly about his net worth or value, but it is also a known fact too that, he doesn't deny that he is awesomely very well to do, in fact stupendously rich like many of his followers would love for one to know. To them, being rich and making others rich too, is actually one of the callings of the man of God.

The 64 going 65 in September of 2019 man of God, sits atop some very outstanding investments too, a few of the more public ones being the 2 private Universities he is the chancellor and founder of. One of which is the more popular 'Covenant University' in Lagos, acclaimed to be one of the best private higher institutions in Nigeria and the other being, the Landmark University which is in the Bishop's home state. Some have wondered quite curiously at that, as to how the man of God was able to amass his staggering wealth.

A major part of from what we are made to believe is said to be because the orator par excellence, whose followership is cult like, is a prolific and best selling author. His books according to our Intel is said to be la must buy or own and they sell like pure water. His congregants in fact and admirers, buy these books like, their very life and existence depends on it. Like a famished soul craves water and needs it to quench the nagging thirst, is how these books are said to be for them. Not just that alone though, even his audios and other teaching, preaching, evangelical aids/materials etcetera are said to be best sellers and are like the commandments. So from that alone, money is said to pour in effortlessly like torrential rain. Let's not even go in any way towards, the tithe situation, that some have tagged and considered controversial.

There are those who are continuosly and have been supposedly watered graciously by the man of God and who considers not paying their tithes in plenty of zeros and giving hefty offerings, as transgressions. The combinations of these many different streams are pointers to how the man at the helm of the Living Faith Church Worldwide aka Winners Chapel became a super wealthy man.

His well appointed gigantic church auditorium at a point, used to gather the single largest number of worshippers at a go in Africa. And because of how far-flung his church branches are and the need to capture the world for Christ it was said was why at a point, the church or is it the Bishop himself was said to have owned or acquired as many as between 4 & 5 private jets at one point.

Away from the past and unto the moment. The man of God is at it again! And he seems to like breaking records continually. This time around the project he has embarked upon and is in fact now opened, which is actually going to become one of the biggest of its kind when finished, in fact is claimed to be the biggest privately owned housing estate of its kind in Africa. No doubt it is a humongous housing project, sitting on a super large expanse of land and it was first announced sometime ago, few years back, at one of the church's annual miss not program, Shiloh!

The Canaan City Project is a 15000 housing  project dream. It would be a self-sustaining, self-subsisting project. It would have its own independent power, police station, fire station, malls/markets, Sport centers, parks and gardens amongst several standard facilities that would be made available. It would be like a mini town, city of its own. Well planned, very good roads, fantastic facilities and the whole works. From a standard one bedroom apartment to as much as a house are what would be available.

Those who are interested in owning a property or properties, would get such for very affordable rates and then would enjoy mortgages of 30 years to pay back! Astonishing, to say the least. Proviso though, the opportunities to own are only opened for the church members only!!!! 

FATIMA GANDUJE AJIMOBI LAMBASTS HER DAD'S UNRELENTING CRITIQUES. SAYS SHE HAS THEIR TIME NOW

The gorgeous and very brilliant daughter of the newly re-elected Governor of Kano State, that's Fatima Ganduje-Ajimobi in the euphoria of her dad's miraculous victory at the just concluded Kano State Gubernatorial Election 2019 is holding no punch as she descends in her dad's critics, who had had a field day, abusing and mocking her family prior to Dr. Umar Ganduje finally emerging victorious at the very controversial election.

Just like their so called enemies gloated believing that Ganduje was already a goner & would be defeated, his adorable daughter, a 1st class graduate of Atiku's private university -AUN, Yola. Who is married to the only son of the outgoing Governor of Oyo state-Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who had failed in his bid to become a Senator, has come in her dad's defense after all, lambasting all comers and taking them all to the cleaners. Heckling them all and chewing them on Twitter before spitting them out.

Hear her-

I am on my lunch break so have a bit of extra time, where are you guys? Some of the red guys here are at govt house collecting rice,” she said.

“I will respond to you as a single group so pls designate a representative. You guys are like zombies and I don’t have the time for you all. So pls get in line as I address your grievances.

“You see the issue is that when the results were inconclusive, you guys were so quick to insult us, we didn’t respond, even the ones playing both sides showed themselves, yanzu kuma murna ta koma ciki we can gloat too.

“You cannot insult someone’s mother and think you will not get a response, I have enough Data and when it finishes my Idris will add.

“You think it’s on Twitter you win election, our votes came from the villages because we are villagers. Dan kauye shine Gwamna.

“The main reason you lost is because Atiku refused to give you money this time around so unloyal that you cheated him during the presidential elections. Atiku bawan Allah I respect that man!

“During the PDP presidential campaign in Kano, you hired people from Niger and Chad to deceive Atiku all to collect his money. Toh wallahi better return his money. Atiku trusted you but you were too selfish. Now see yourselves.

“I ignored you during my wedding because my honeymoon was too sweet so no time for commentary.

“Painting the picture that no one in Kano loves Ganduje, Takai of the PRP who had almost a hundred thousand votes told all his supporters to vote for us not you. We played our part right and you’re angry.

“Yes we were with Kwankwaso until when he disrespected our late grandmother. Came for her burial in Ganduje and insulted us, that was when the line was drawn.”

ALAAFIN OF OYO. 80 AND STILL A STRIKER PAR EXCELLENCE. WELCOMES NEW BABY!

Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi III

The new prince & Olori Moji

His Royal Majesty is one of the most revered Royal Father from Africa in the entire world. In fact in the hey days of the Oyo Empire which reigned for a staggering 600 hundred years, the ALAAFIN which literally translates to mean the Palace Owner or better still the "owner of the palace" or the lord of the palace", was the numero uno Yoruba king without compare. Do vast was his reach, and so absolute was his authority or power, hence he earned the sobriquet-Iku baba Yeye, which translates to mean "the one who commands/authorises death". To be the ALAAFIN of Oyo actually meant, the king was like a diety, hence one of his descriptions as "alashe igbakeji orisa", roughly put as the "the authority and assistant" or much better, the authority & 2nd in command to the gods or ancients".

Though the days of that fearsomeness is long gone, it hasn't taken away from the fact that the Alaafin is still the very embodiment of the Yoruba culture and heritage, so he is still feared and held in high esteem.

The current Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Atanda Adeyemi the III, has been on the throne now for many decades and at 80 now (he was born October 15, 1938, that's all of 4 scores and would be 81 come October of 2019. Just imagine that, the very young at heart highly reverred "kabiyesi" is still shooting and hitting targets like he is still in his 20s. In fact, you can liken the ALAAFIN, to a combo of Ronaldo, Mbappe, Rashford, Messi and the likes, who are exceptional at what they do, scoring goals.

All of those mentioned above are super fantastic football stars, strikers of impressive resume, who scores goals like its nothing. But our sport loving King, who used to be a boxer in his heyday, is not a footballer though, but just like those mentioned are legendary strikers, Kabiyesi at 80 going 81 years old, just 2 decades short of a century, is still hitting his much younger wives, one is just in her 20s very well with might and vigor, and they are either dropping twins,.... not too far from each other or just a single baby.

Just last year alone, kabiyesi as a prolific striker of international repute, welcomed back to back, at least 3 set of twins into the family and that good striking rate has continued into 2019. Though not a twin this time around, but a bouncing baby boy (prince) has been added to the continually expanding family.

The king has 4 wives in all. The eldest has been married to the king for about 5 decades or more now, the youngest of the wives is in her 20s. This new baby came from Olori Moji, who had excitedly welcomed the new addition on her instagram page thus-

“Welcome to the world my Charming prince, I thank God for safe delivery u shall Excel in life God will guide and protect you#royalbaby”

Congratulations to the ALAAFIN & also to Olori Moji on their new baby and then most especially the new Prince himself. 

APC'S OFFICIAL SPOKESPERSON FESTUS KEYAMO PETITIONS THE IG & DG DSS OVER PDP HACKING OF INEC SERVER

Festus KEYAMO, SAN

The PDP had said that they had information from the back end of the INEC server that they won last month's Presidential election. Due to that information, which if true is tantamount to illegal hacking or illegal penetration, the APC has since cried foul and have now have written officially to the law enforcement agencies, the Police and the DSS asking them to invite and interrogate the leadership of the opposition party immediately. Find below the letter as written by the Chief Spokesperson of the ruling party, Mr. Festus KEYAMO.


1. The Inspector-General of Police,
Police Force Headquarters,
Louis Edet House,
Abuja.

2. The Director-General,
Department of State Services,
Aso Drive,
Abuja.

Dear sirs,

PETITION TO INVITE, INTERROGATE AND INVESTIGATE THE PDP LEADERSHIP OVER ITS ADMITTANCE OF ILLEGAL ACCESS TO INEC’S ELECTION SERVER

BACKGROUND

1. It would be recalled that an Electoral (Amendment) Bill containing the provision for electronic transmission of results to INEC’s central computer system (otherwise called “server”) was sent to President Muhammadu Buhari by the National Assembly for assent late in the year 2018.

2. Despite the shortness of time before the Presidential/National Assembly Elections, and the lack of time to first simulate the process to ensure its effectiveness in a country like ours with problems of effective networks in many rural areas and constant failure of technological devices, together with its violation of the time frame of such laws as provided for in regional and continental Protocols in terms of the length of time required for the passage of such laws before any major election, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party was hell-bent that the President should sign the Bill into law. That was the first indication that the main opposition was up to something sinister regarding the electronic transmission of the results.

3. Upon the last-minute postponement of the February 16, 2019 Presidential/
National Assembly Elections, the nation was shocked to see already prepared presidential elections results floating around in the cyber space just less than 24 hours after the postponed election was originally billed to hold! The fake results had details of the scores of the candidates of the major parties. Of course, the fake results gave victory to the candidate of the PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, even when elections did not hold.

4. The only conclusion one can draw from the above is that the PDP had prepared those results which were to be smuggled into the INEC Server. However, the sudden postponement of the election scuttled that evil plan, but it was too late to restrain the release of the fake results.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

5. The proper elections were held on February 23, 2019 and President Muhammadu Buhari declared the winner. Despite the approval of the elections as credible by nearly all local and international observers (except some few known PDP acolytes masquerading as local observers), the PDP cried foul and made a shocking claim: it claimed that from purported results it obtained from INEC’s server, it has so-called proof that its candidate won the election by about 1.6million votes!

6. Shockingly and coincidentally, this margin was about the same margin by which it also purportedly “won” by the fake results released just hours after the postponement of the February 16, 2019 Presidential/National Assembly Elections.

7. As if this expensive joke was not enough, the PDP and its Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, have gone ahead to file an Election Petition against the clear victory of President Muhammadu Buhari and have repeated the same outlandish claim of having access to INEC’s server which shows that they have some purported results at their disposal giving “victory” to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar.

8. Sirs, we wish you to note that INEC’s server is the back end of electronic records of INEC. This is not INEC’s website but its server! Although, the purported results have been conclusively shown by public engagements to be false and even ridiculous, especially as the total number of accredited voters is exactly equivalent to the purported votes of the APC and PDP candidates, this criminal claim of the PDP has revealed a few things:

(a) It is now clear that some criminally-minded PDP operatives have access to the INEC server to be able to smuggle in fake results into that server.

(b) The only means by which they could have access to the INEC server is by the criminal hacking of the server or through the criminal conspiracy of some INEC officials.

PRAYERS

The APC Presidential Campaign Council hereby prays that the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services use your good offices to investigate the hacking of and/or illegal tampering with the INEC server by the PDP. The leadership of the PDP must be invited, interrogated and investigated and those identified as perpetrators must be arrested and prosecuted.
Opposition is healthy in a democracy but it is not a license for criminality and illegality. A country governed by laws cannot be blackmailed or cowed into indolence by the perceived underdog status of the opposition so as to condone such a blatant criminal claim by the PDP of having illegal access to INEC’s server.
We trust you will act with alacrity.
Thank you.

FESTUS KEYAMO, SAN, FCIArb (UK)
Director, Strategic Communications,
APC Presidential Campaign Council.

Monday, 25th March, 2019.

GIST CAFE 1. THAT 1 MILLION NAIRA SHAG HMMMMMM!!!! MAESTRO'S EXCLUSIVE!

Just imagine that the arranger (pimp) of this arrangee is the same loudmouth or should we say motor mouth, blabbing about the whole matter.

Are you all trying to guess who the dude is??? Hmmmmmmm!!!! OK let's try to describe him. He is tall, not that tall though, in the hey days he used to favour a Mohawk hairstyle. Young dude, somewhat light skinned, normal complexion. Loves clothes, especially the designer brands that he gets gifted by many of his friends, both male and female. They have tried to classify him as one who favors the other side, by that we mean his own kind. But he has denied it though, but many still feels he is too much in touch with his feminine side.

He loves to be seen at all the right spots and with all the right peeps, having fun galore. He loves champagne to a fault, Rose is it, but you can't blame him though as it always comes free.He knows all kinds, male and female. He knows the secrets of many too, in fact if he were to divulge what he knows, hmmmmmmm many would like they say in pidgin- tear pant & run under the rock", to hide themselves. He was at a point outside the country, which really helped his stock as he too came back as one that had been abroad, though where he went to is also in Africa, though a lot better in so many ways than Nigeria.

Who is this lady? She is supposedly currently single (?) and a mother, but was married before, but before she got married and even while married she was an unrepentant cheerful giver. Her list of those that have shared the her cave or is it Bermuda Triangle is stupendous to say the least. Tall, light, in fact very light now as she has really cleaned up loads, with new backside (bionic booty) and somewhat well constructed body to boast of. She loves to show off the body on the social media-insta & snapchat. Whoever her main man is, seems to be trying his best as she looks well sorted. A well known dude with extraordinary gift of the garb is a man Friday. But alas, these sort of people are never satisfied or is it content, they must carry the latest Chanel bag, Gucci, Hermes Birkin, Celine etc, they must wear Louboutin, Charlotte Olympia, Manolos and the likes shoes etc. As long as it is the it bag, shoe or dress. They are our so called celebrities, they have mad followers on the gram, though it is also speculated that she bought part of her though.

So the gist is that, just for 1M, that's 1 (one) million NAIRA (1,000,000), a yahoo-yahoo rich young dude, contracted the dude we earlier spoke about above, who is always at all the fun Hotspot to arrange for him to shag this mother of 1!!! But that's good now we hear you saying, one million Naira for how many minutes of bedmatics, that's good value for money nowwwww, when people are giving it for 10k and slightly more, we think many might be exclaiming under their breath!!! If na me, I go throway my pant sef, forget to retrieve it, if na me. Seriously!!!

What about the indignity of such? '
Indiwetin' my foot! (with full sarcasm). Abeg don't come here to act as a puritanical Mother Theresa abeg! Man must hustle. The end justifies the means!!!

I go or for do worst, for less oooo.

Hmmmmm. OK oooooo!!!!

But seriously! What's 1million Naira, if another could get N10 million for the same thing!!!!!! Whatttttttttt!!!!! 10 wetin!!!!!

Yes another very well known lady based here in Lagos who drives a...... , in fact quite popular............, who owns a...... With account nos....... She flew to........ Wait for it, in the "Gist Cafe series 2019" coming on this blog near you. Praaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!

Stranger than fiction, yesssss!

But absolutely TRUE!

SEEMS LIKE THE CAT BEHIND THE MASK IN OGUN STATE IS OIL AND GAS BILLIONAIRE, ALHAJI ABDUL WASIU OLATUNDE SOWAMI OF PRUDENT OIL

Abdulwasiu Olatunde Sowami 2nd from left. 

Abdulwasiu Olatunde Sowami, 2nd from right in white

It is very interesting that in the last few months the name of this very quiet and under the radar, big fish but filthy rich oil and gas czar has sprung up. Prior to a few months ago when it was discovered that he was the one buying out Femi Otedola many had not known him, except maybe those very conversant with the oil and gas dealings in Nigeria. That Femi Otedola billionaire owner of Forte Oil had decided to divest totally his investment in the downstream sector of the oil and gas business had caught every one napping. Though the announcement was surprising, but what was more surprising was that it was a Nigerian Company-Prudent Energy Services owned by a Nigerian--Alhaji AbdulWasiu Olatunde Sowami, who many had not known prior to that time, was the brain behind the brand.

The truth is that, it's not as if he was a neophyte who had only just barged in into the very lucrative oil and gas business, far from it. It was just that unlike many of his colleagues in the business who loved the notoriety and fame that big money brings, as a practicing moslem he just preferred to be under the radar. Not for him the Banana Island or Parkview Ikoyi gigantic home, not even a house yet at the famous Billionaire's row in Ikoyi (he apparently lives in Ogba, Ikeja), not for him the private jets, not for him the many humongous cars that are tagged the super automobile of the rich and famous, or even the luxury yacht, that became the separator of the rich and wealthy sometime ago.

Apart from the time a few years back, when he was one of the 6 bigwigs who were arrested then in 2012 and interrogated for their alleged involvement in the fuel scarcity scam, he was just another businessman in that sector doing his business without unnecessary attention. The others arrested then were Odjegba Onoriode of Eurafrica Coastal Services, Ejiofor Innoma Chikadibia of Caades Oil and Gas, Gladys Amaefula of Somerset Oil and Gas, Mallam Bashir Adamu Gusau of Imad Oil and Gas and Sir Daniel Chikwudozie of Dozzy Oil and Gas limited. They had all been recommended by the then Presidential Committee on Oil Subsidy.

Sowami's company, Prudent Energy had been paid a total of N1.3 billion based on a single importation of 18,316,767 million litres of PMS. They were supposed to have been arranged at the end of investigation but nothing ever came out of it. Fast forward to 2017, Prudent Energy Services was still one of the 50 companies that got approved to lift a total of 1.3mbd oil amongst 50 companies to have gotten the approval then for 2017/2018 meaning they either must have scaled through the allegations of past or that the allegations against them didn't hold no water. What Prudent Energy Services got with the approval of their bid was a crude oil term contract to lift 32,000 barrels of crude per day.

So from the above one would have been able to deduce that the graduate of the University of Maiduguri, didn't just stumble on money today and him or his company emerging on the scene and buying Femi Otedola's 75 % stake in Forte Oil is not a flight of fancy or a bolt out of the blue. For you to better understand the level at which Sowami plays, maybe you should all know the condition attached to being one of those successful to lift crude oil in Nigeria. The potential off-takers must have a minimum annual turnover of $500 million dollars for 2016 & a networth of at least $250 million Dollars for 2016, that's apart from having audited their 2015/2016 accounts.

So when somehow you begin to hear that the man behind PRUDENT ENERGY Services is a close, very close friend of the outgoing Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun and that the quiet man in his personal capacity was in fact, the big boy sponsor of APM's Adekunle Akinlade's Gubernatorial ambition with the full support of Senator Amosun, then one must take notice. Not until after the election was over and Hon. Akinlade lost to another oil and gas Czar in the person of Prince Dapo Abiodun who owns Heyden Oil, before the cat behind the mask was actually discovered, to be Alhaji Abdulwasiu Olatunde Sowami. Now at least one can understand the reason behind the confidence that Hon. Adekunle Akinlade showed throughout. You can not have men of timber and caliber likes of an influencial Governor & a man of extraordinary means and not be over filled with confidence. 

HAS PMB FINALLY MADE HIS CHOICE FOR SENATE PRESIDENT PUBLIC? WOULD IT BE SENATOR AHMAD LAWAN FOR THE SENATE & HON. FEMI GBAJABIAMILA FOR THE SPEAKER SHIP?

Senator Ahmad Lawan

Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila 

The ruling party are doing all they can to prevent thunder from striking twice at the National Assembly over the choice of leadership for the next session of the house, at both the upper and the lower houses.

The sting of the manuevres, which some have likened to a coup that had installed the outgoing leadership of both Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and Speaker, Hon. Yakubu Dogara wouldn't be forgotten in a hurry and most likely can never ever be forgotten. In 2015 while the APC was still dragging their feet thinking they had all the time in the world to pick and install their anoited as leaders of the Houses, members of their own party led by wily Senator Saraki and Hon. Dogara like thieves in the night, with the active connivance of the opposition party, gave everyone a rude shock, that nearly gave many heart attacks, when those not slated to lead the house were voted in as leaders of the assembly and from that moment onward the schism that nearly tore the party and the NASS apart began.

Much as the APC on the other side, tried to scheme out, the APC that operated the so called coup in connivance with the PDP, they met a super smart opponent(s), who embarrassed them at each move and turn,  and in fact outsmarted them all the way. So now to avoid falling in to the same pit twice, they seem to have resolved to make hay, while the sun is still shining properly.

The leadership of the APC led by the Chairman of the party in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, former Governor of Edo State met with the APC house of assembly elects only yesterday and advised that all the leadership positions available in the houses must be filled by members of the party alone except for the ones that the opposition should occupy by right. He especially emphasized that those to be elected also must be loyal party members alone. For the Federal House of Representatives, it seems that the preferred candidate, in fact the anointed one for the Speakership position again is the brilliant lawyer and lawmaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who is the current house majority leader of the outgoing lower house. For the post of who would become the 3rd most powerful man in the country, it seems like everything is again pointing at the same man, that the party had proposed to make the Senate President in 2015, in the person of distinguished gentleman Senator Ahmad LAWAN. But he would have a battle at hand as he must contend with a fellow party man, Senator Ali Ndume.

Senator Ahmad Lawan himself has finally come out to show interest in occupying the post and to lead the 9th session of the National Assembly starting from June 2019. For Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, he has never hidden the fact that he wants to lead the House of Representatives as her speaker. He had thought he was coasting home to victory in 2015, only to be blindsided and beaten by an 8 votes margin the last time, when Hon. Yakubu Dogara and cohorts outsmarted him winning by 182 to 174  votes.

Though the Chairman of the APC at a meeting with all the APC elected Assembly members yesterday, Monday, March 25, 2019 had come out to show his personal support for Senator Ahmad Lawan from Yobe, that endorsement by Comrade Adams Oshiomhole might not have gone well with everyone, especially another Senator, in the person of distinguished Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, who has come out to kick against Oshiomhole's endorsement of the former. Senator Ali Ndume is in fact a fellow member of the ruling party the APC from Borno. The APC have the numerical advantage in both HOUSES on the coming 9th Assembly and want to use the advantage well. Senator Ali Ndume was the former House Majority Leader whom Ahmad Lawan took over from after he was suspended at upper house for 6 months and was removed as Majority leader. He would be 59 come November 20, 2019. He had his OND & HND from Kaduna Poly in 1980 & 82 respectively. He got his B.Ed & M.Ed from the University of Toledo Ohio in 1990, Magna Cum Laude. He has been at the National Assembly for 16 years now, since 2003 as a member of the House of representatives then as a Senator since 2011. So he has the requisite experience needed too. He was formerly of the ANPP then the PDP & now the APC.  From the ensuing scenario, the ruling party had better handle their situation well or they might just allow the same situation that messed them up in 2015 to rear up its ugly head all over again. A house already divided against itself like they say, cannot stand the wiles, schemes, trickery and moves of an opposition/enemy that is very smart too but with its back already to the wall. So they are desperate and wouldn't mind to scatter everything. In fact they can even begin to preach that the House of Assembly is not about party affiliations, but about men and woman who can pick whomsoever they want as leaders.

Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, 60, was born January 12, 1959. He is currently the Senate majority leader and an APC Member from Yobe North in Yobe State. He has been a member of the National Assembly since 1999 till date, that's 20 years straight. He is a graduate of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State with a B.Sc in Geography 1984, he has a Masters in Remote Sensing from the ABU, Zaria 1990, then he also has a Doctorate in Remote Sensing from Cranfield University, UK 1996. He moved from the House of representatives to the Upper house.

For Hon. Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, 56, he was born June 25, 1962 so would be 57 come this June just around the time the 9th Assembly would commence. This would be his 5th term in the House, where he has done exemplarily and commendably well. He has represented his Surulere 1 Federal Constituency super well and by extension his party. The trained lawyer, who owns law chambers in both Nigeria and America has had a great 2 decades of experience in the House, where at a point he sponsored the highest number of bills by any legislator. He is always a delight a hear. Were he to become the Speaker of the 9th house, then the House would he the good for it.

NOT THE BEST OF SEASON FOR JIMOH IBRAHIM AS FATHER DIES NOT LONG AFTER MOM'S DEATH

Jimoh Ibrahim 

For so called loud mouth billionaire businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, who has disappeared off the scene of recent, this is not the very best of season. For the man who clocked 52 years on Earth just in February of 2019 the loss of his father not too long after losing his mother to death in an unfortunate fire incidence must be one tragedy just too much to handle.

The father, a bricklayer by profession, who is estranged from his super wealthy son is said to have passed on after a brief illness, on Sunday, March 24, 2019 in the village, Igbotako in Ikale area of Ondo State just 2 months after his wife's demise in Lagos. It's been speculated that the man's death might be connected to the attendant trauma of the accidental death of his wife via the fire incidence at their son's residence at the VGC 2 months ago.

The well connected businessman who seem to have given Nigeria a wide berth for sometime now, wasn't even in attendance as his dad, Alhaji Yakubu Jimoh was buried according to Islamic rites.

May the soul of the departed find rest. 

GTBank Dominates CBN E-Payments Awards, Wins 8 out of 12 Banking Honours

Segun Agbaje, MD/CEO GTBank 

Guaranty Trust Bank plc continued its dominance of Nigeria's most qualitative digital financial service awards for the fourth year in a row, winning eight of the twelve honours available to Banks in the 2019 edition of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme (EPIS) Efficiency Awards.

The foremost African financial institution, renowned for its innovative products and services, won awards for efficiency and excellent service delivery in virtually every E-payment channel.

The CBN EPIS Efficiency Awards is organized to celebrate financial institutions, merchants and other stakeholders at the forefront of driving electronic payment in Nigeria. Now in its fourth year, the awards are based on objective analysis of all E-payments data collated by the Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS) over a full calendar year. With eight awards, GTBank took home two more honours than the six awards the Bank won the previous year and the highest number of awards presented to financial institutions, Fin-techs, merchants and other stakeholders in the Electronic Payment Incentive Scheme.

The eight awards won by GTBank include:

·         Best Customer Experience Award: for having the highest level of overall customer satisfaction rating in the delivery of electronic payment services to customers in2018.



·         Real-Time PaymentsTransaction Efficiency: for achieving the lowest failure rate in the processing of InstantPayments transactions in 2018.



·         Cashless Driver, USSD Channel Champion: for achieving the highest number of instant Payments transactions via the USSD channel in2018.



·         Cashless Driver, Point of Sale (POS)Transactions: for achieving the highest transaction count on Point of Sale(POS) Terminals in 2018.



·         Cashless Driver, Card Usageon Point of Sales (POS) Terminals: for authorizing the highest card transaction count on thePoint of Sale (POS) Central Terminal Management System in2018.



·         Direct Debit Driver Award: for processing the highest volume of successful debit mandates across all Payment Service Provider platforms in 2018.



·         E-Reference Operations Efficiency: for the Bank's outstanding performance
in the processing of customers references received from other Banks for account opening purposes on the industry E-reference Platform in 2018.



·         ID Services Driver: for achieving the highest volume in the use of the BVN, e-Passport and NIN customer verification platforms in 2018.


Commenting on the Bank’s EPIS awards, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr Segun Agbaje, said; “We are proud to be recognised by the CBN EPIS Efficiency Awards for our efforts in driving excellence in electronic payments and providing customers with a superior banking experience across all digital touchpoints. These awards serve as extra motivation for us and we continue to find new and exciting ways to reduce our customers’ pain points and offer them benefits beyond banking.

He further stated that; “At GTBank we are passionate about building the bank of the future that connects our customers directly to all the everyday things that matter to them. That is why we are constantly leveraging the best of technology to, not only make financial services cheaper, more personal and readily accessible, but also to create amazing digital experiences in a way that adds real value to our customers’ lives.”

Guaranty Trust Bank plc is a foremost African Financial Institution with Total Assets of ₦3.287trillion and Shareholders’ Funds of ₦575.6Billion. With banking operations across 10 African countries and the United Kingdom, GTBank is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions in the countries in which it operates and serves as a role model in Africa’s financial service industry due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service delivery, and innovation.

UNBELIEVABLE MIRACLE IN KANO AS GANDUJE AGAINST ALL ODDS OFFSETS THE DEFICIT & STILL WON BY AS MUCH AS CLOSE TO 9000 VOTES

Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, OFR

One of the greatest electoral miracles in Nigeria might have occurred on Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the supplementary election that took place in Kano to finally conclude the formerly inconclusive Gubernatorial election 2019 in Kano.

As at the time that the election was declared as inconclusive the opponent from the opposition party the PDP, by name Eng. Abba Kabir Yusuf was leading and coasting home to victory having polled 1,014,474 votes against the incumbent who had only managed 987,819 votes. So with the number of canceled votes far more than the margin of victory a rerun election in 28 LGAs was called for. Amidst so much tension and fear, the supplementary election finally held on Saturday.

At the end of it, Alhaji Ganduje the incumbent who carried the APC flag is said to have gotten 45,876 votes against Abba K. Yusuf's 10,239 votes, which is quite astonishing! From the records of INEC as stated by the returning officer, there were 131,073 registered voters in that 28 LGAs where the rerun occurred. Out of the number, only 57777 were accreditated, out of this number only 56407 were the total valid votes, with 1100 votes rejected. So total votes casted was 57507.

With the addition of the rerun votes to the former total votes casted, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje got a total votes of 1,033,695 against Abba Kabir Yusuf's 1,024,713 votes meaning APC's Ganduje got victory from the Jaws of defeat with a margin of 8,982 votes in all.

In saner climes how Alhaji Dr. Umar Ganduje, the incumbent, won a 2nd term by snatching victory from the jaws of starring defeat would have become a research project or topic to analyze and evaluate. The fact that the Governor was already behind by a good deficit, which he was able to offset so gallantly and then still went on to win by a good margin was totally outstanding. Many had predicted somewhat jokingly, that Governor Ganduje's in-law, in the person of Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State who had lost all the elections in his own state, including the one he ran for himself, might have infested him with the defeating virus, but alas, he was able to find a solution to what had starred him in the face and came out tops at the end of the day.

If Ganduje had lost the election, one of the immediate issues he might have had to face would have been that nuisance bribery scandal that has refused to be swept under the carpet. In fact, it seems like it is one of the factors that nearly made him lose the election. It might not yet by uhuru though for the re-elected Governor as he might yet still face the Osun State's experience where the rerun election that swept in Governor Gboyega Oyetola was declared as illegal, null and void and therefore his opponent who had had more votes prior to the rerun, same like it was in Kano was now declared the Governor! Can thunder strike twice? We are waiting with bated breathe to see,

As it, the PDP are disputing the so called victory of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. 

MAGISTRATE TEMITOPE ADEBUTU-OBASANJO STILL AS GORGEOUS AS EVER AS SHE CLOCKS 35

Her dad is the one and only billionaire Lotto King, Sir Kessington Adebutu. He elder brothers are Ladi Adebutu, who recently failed in his quest to become the executive Governor of Ogun State. Her other brother is the moneybag, oil and gas dude, Segun Adebutu, whose birthday many many months back was a signpost to how the nouveau rich celebrates such events. Temitope Adebutu-Obasanjo herself is a brilliant magistrate of the court in Ogun State.

The gorgeous and super humble lady was formerly married to one of the sons of the former President of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in the person of Jonwo Obasanjo. Though both are separated now, as Tope won a case her husband had instituted against her at the court earlier this year, when his submission against her was thrown out by the Court. We hear that in the aftermath of that victory, Tope is now planning on instituting a divorce case against her husband, who she claims to be very cruel in every way.

The hardworking lady is in a very good, joyous in fact happy mood in gratitude to God and she has every reason to be. One of the reason being that the last one year wasn't too palatable for a person like her that doesn't like too much public attention which her failed marriage brought to her. The way that what normally should have been private was celebrated in the news was a bit stressful. But since she was able to sort the whole mess out finally, it makes her hitting another birthday a great one.
So come Tuesday, March 26, 2019 Temitope would be celebrating her 35th birthday 🎂. Hip hip hip hooray!!!!! 

WOULD DINO MELAYE TRULY DEFEAT YAHAYA BELLO FOR GOVERNORSHIP WERE ELECTION TO BE CONNECTED NOW?

Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye

Yahaya Bello, Governor Kogi State

Some would liken this story as the story of the absurd, but what we hear or are hearing from some quarters is the above as stated as a question above in tbe title. It is been said that if an election, Gubernatorial Election for that matter were to be arranged today or better still conducted today, with the incumbent governor of Kogi State on one side repping the APC on one side and the enfant terrible of the house of assembly in the person of, the very flamboyant motor mouth, distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dino Melaye on the other side, that the latter-Dino Melaye would win the said election hands down!!! What?????

According to those making the assertion, they claim that the notorious loudmouth lawmaker, who loves to sing as well as dance even with all his antics and so called shenanigans is far more popular than the Executive Governor of the state gbam! We wonder why though. It might just be the same way that the dancing new Governor Elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke mesmerized the people of Osun State. People seem to be fed up with hard face stoicness and just wanna have fun, as popularized by Cyndi Lauper.

Part of why those saying Dino would win have pointed at the fact that much as the Governor seem to have tried to remove or dislodge the lawmaker, he hasn't succeeded at all. First was the recall process, which failed despite all that was done. Second now was the recent election which many had thought was a deep hole that Dino would fall into or for Dino, a re-election for another term which Senator Dino Melaye contested against a said to be formidable opponent, in the person of Smart Adeyemi of the APC, who despite all he did, still lost to Dino Melaye.

So what those who are in support of Dino Melaye are saying is, despite how people from outside the state see the Senator, whether as a cantankerous person, a clown or what have you, when it comes to the politics of his domain, he knows the heart of his people and he is well loved and well liked and would sweep the votes in his state of Kogi, any day, any time.

For Yahaya Bello, the Governor who is probably the youngest executive Governor of any state in Nigeria, maybe his issue might just have been the burden of expectations. Being a young man that such leadership position came to, he is expected to have performed extraordinarily well. But some have claimed he hasn't done so. Though the perception in the last few months seem to have begun to change, as pointers to some major achievements have begun to spring up here and there all over the state. The rice mill and the road constructions going on around are just 2 of those things. 

IN SALUTE OF THE SEEMINGLY ENDLESS DEEP POCKET OF SIR KESSINGTON ADEBUTU, THE BILLIONAIRE LOTTO KING

Sir Kessington Adebutu 

DONATED HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS TO BOTH BOS & DAPO ABIODUN'S CAMPAIGN.

If what we have heard is truly anything to go by, then the King of Lotto in Nigeria, known to most as Baba Ijebu, Sir Kessington Adebutu is surely one generous man whose type might be hard to find again in this our clime. That the man is probably a billionaire is not in doubt, what the people might not really know about is how deep, a deep pocket the great man of Ijebu extraction is.

According to the gist, the super liquid man, who must have contributed a cast amount of money, which couldn't have been less than N500 million towards the failed Gubernatorial ambition of his son, Hon. Ladi Adebutu in Ogun State didn't just keep the largesse in house, but also embraced the ambition of both Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu and that of Prince Dapo Abiodun.

According to the unconfirmed gist, Sir Kessington Adebutu, who is said to have spent between N200m to N300m to host his daughter-Temitope's superlative wedding a while ago, contributed not less than N600M, towards the ambitions of the new Governor-Elects. If that staggering amount is not massive, then we don't know nothing then. The truth is, what is N600 Million not including how much he must have contributed towards his own blood son's ambition, to a man who once confessed to have lost over 1 billion Naira in a single game in one day!

The renowned octogenarian, he would be 84 come October of 2019 as he was born in October of 1935 is probably one of the most generous Nigerians alive. He is the "king of Lotto" business having been at it now for several decades, it is in fact the business that made him colossally wealthy. He rose from a very humble beginning from his homestead in Iperu-Remo, in Ikenne LGA of Ogun State. He attended Wesley School in Iperu, before coming to Lagos to attend the famous Baptist Academy, Lagos, he went back to Ogun State, Sagamu to be more precise to finish his Secondary School education. After that he began work as a Sales Person and rose to become a Sales Manager, from then he began to think of what to do for himself after stumbling on a book where he read that having a business of his one was the way forward. But without capital, the future looked uncertain but grace worked for him and from that beginning to where he is today.

To really understand how well to do Sir Adebutu is, then you look at how wealthy some of his kids l, likes of Segun Adebutu is. Years back to celebrate his birthday then, the young moneybag flew his family and friends in good number, all expenses paid, nothing spared to have a colossal party and time. That party was a talk of the time at that time.

We hear that all Papa's kids no matter how already made they are, still collect a very generous monthly allowance from their very loving dad. What a way to go. The gentleman of means dotes so much on all his kids and wouldn't allow them make a misstep that could be costly, evidence of that was shown in how he became a guardian angel for Ladi Adebutu who had gambled on the wrong side during the Ogun State Gubernatorial Election 2019, who when he had failed to dislodge Buruji Kashamu to get his party's flag to contest, decided to disrupt the apple cart any way he could, when he placed all his bets on Senator Ibikunle Amosun's candidate, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade, who later lost the election to the now Governor Elect, Prince Adedapo Abiodun, the multimillionaire owner & CEO of Heyden Oil. It was Sir Kessington Adebutu, that engineered the peace move between his son, Ladi and Prince Abiodun, making the 2 men to bury the hatchet or whatever they had between them.

BABAJIDE SANWOOLU AND DAPO ABIODUN ABROAD AS WE SPEAK! ARE THEY HOLDING A QUICK STRATEGY SESSION AWAY FROM THE PLENTY NOISE OR IS IT TO JUST HAVE A QUICK MUCH NEEDED REST?

Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu 

Prince Dapo Abiodun 

In the aftermath of their electoral victories at the Gubernatorial election 2019, that was attended by a very grueling, quite energy sapping campaign schedule, the 2 Governor elects of both Lagos and Ogun State might have gone abroad very quickly to have a quick rest and maybe, maybe a bit of time to themselves away from the cacophony and demand that has surrounded them since.

From the little we could gather, it has not been easy since both men were declared winners of their respective elections. If they used to get a thousand calls and messages per day before, those calls and messages have since increased explosively to another level since after their victories and one can understand that most of the calls were subtle ways of positioning and jostling for those who wants to be involved in the incoming administration of the 2 gentlemen. So just like they say, "uneasy lies the head that wears the crown"  so also too, "all work and no play leaves jack a dull boy".

While we know for a fact that the incoming Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu is right now in London, that is as at last night Saturday, March 23, 2019, we also know for a fact that Prince Dapo Abiodun, the winner of the Gubernatorial election in Ogun State was in Dubai, the UAE a couple of days ago, but should also have landed in London already by yesterday too, if not earlier.

Then there is also "the speculation" too that the National Leader of the APC, in the person of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu might also be in London too or might do a whistle stop in the queen's land too and this might be an opportunity for a few hours of strategy session with these men, to plan on loads of things that would or could mold the administration of the 2 states-Lagos & Ogun in the next 4 years.

These 2 men, are expected to hit the ground running, as so much, in fact loads much is expected from these 2 formidable men, who like we have already said before that all things being equal, should be the poster boys of the APC for the next 4 years. From our available Intel, we hear that the deluge of requests that have come the way of these 2 men since after their victories have been wondrously stupendous! All of a sudden now, everyone is a friend, a family member, a supporter or what have you! We can bet that much disappointments would most definitely come the way of many people, at the end of the day. 

FINALLY THE INCUMBENT, SIMON LALONG WINS 2ND TERM IN PLATEAU STATE

Simon Bako Lalong, GOVERNOR, Plateau

Thank God that finally the election in Plateau State has finally come to an end as the supplementary election that was to determine the winner finally held and at the end of the day, the ruling party's candidate and incumbent, Simon Lalong was finally declared winner after polling a final sum total of votes of 595,582 against 546,813 for PDP's Jeremiah Useni a retired General in the Army.

The beauty of this supplementary election was that, there was no violence. The election took place in 40 polling units in 9 local government areas of the state. The reason for the supplementary election in the 1st place was because the margin of victory for Lalong which was 44,929 was less than the total nos of canceled votes which was 49,377, hence the need to go for the supplementary so that all avenues for excuses would have been shut down.

At the end of the day, Lalong won in 6 of the LGAs contested for, polling a total of 12,327 while Useni won in the remaining 3 LGAs polling a total votes of 8,487. The final margin of victory came to 48,769. So having fulfilled the requirements of the law, the incumbent was declared the winner of the Plateau state Gubernatorial election 2019. And he would be doing another 4 years term.

The result of the election was announced by the returning officer, Richard Kimbir, who is the Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue State. Total valid votes 1,159,954, total votes cast 1,176,142, total rejected votes 16,188. 

MAJOR SET BACK FOR APC OSUN AS THE HAPPIEST NIGERIAN ALIVE, SENATOR ADELEKE AKA DANCING LAWMAKER IS DECLARED OSUN LEGIT GOVERNOR.

Governor Elect, State of Osun, Senator Ademola Adeleke 

In what has come as a major shocker of the most unbelievable kind to the ruling party the APC, the Gubernatorial election tribunal that sat in Abuja, the FCT just today 22nd of March 2019, declared the most ebullient dancing Senator from Ede and sibling of moneyman father of entertainer Davido, Adedeji Adeleke in the person of distinguished Senator Ademola "the hotstepper" Adeleke as the legitimate winner of the Osun State 2018 Gubernatorial election and by that declaration and extension, he becomes the Governor Elect of the state of Osun.

The declaration by the tribunal immediately puts the Governor of the state, Governor Gboyega Oyetola in limbo, as he ceases to be the State chief executive immediately by the tribunal ruling except another court of competent jurisdiction gives an order of stay of execution and maintenance of status quo.

The tribunal in its ruling averred that the Governor who was returned, was not validly returned. The tribunal then went further to say that the supplementary election that was conducted by the INEC, to conclude the Gubernatorial election was illegal, therefore null and void. So in view of the tribunal, the INEC should withdraw the certificate of return given to the Governor, in the person of Gboyega Oyetola and immediately issue a fresh certificate to the valid winner of the election, Senator Ademola Adeleke.

With the declaration by the tribunal favoring the PDP candidate, the said declaration answered all that the PDP had prayed for, The PDP and Senator Ademola Adeleke had filed their petition then, urging the tribunal to declare that Adeleke polled the highest lawful votes at the election and should therefore be declared the winner.

Adeleke had polled 254,698 votes at the election while, Oyetola got 254,345 votes with just (353 votes difference), most probably thr smallest margin ever to win an election, before the poll was declared inconclusive and a supplementary election was called by INEC. 

GTBank Builds Nigeria’s First Digital Play Centre for Children

Banks only build branches, or so the story goes. Except for Guaranty Trust Bank Plc; the foremost African financial institution, which has been at the forefront of several innovative products and services, recently completed and opened the first digital playground for children in Nigeria.

Located in Lekki, Lagos State, the GTBank Play Centre is equipped with a wide range of interactive games that will give kids a fun and immersive digital experience whilst aiding their mental and intellectual development. Open from 10am to 3pm on Weekdays, and 10am to 1pm on Saturdays, some of the features of the Play Centre include the Sketch Town, where kids can design cars, launch rockets, and bring all their sketches to life. At the playground, children can also use the wide range of bricks available to build whatever excites their curiosity and also express themselves creatively by scribbling, writing and drawing on a digital chalkboard.

GTBank is renowned for designing innovative and personalized products and services that are tailored to customers’ unique needs and which fit seamlessly with their lifestyles. Recently, the Bank launched Habari, a digital platform that gives customers unlimited access to local and international music, and at the same time, allows them to shop online, split bills with friends and take care of their everyday needs, in one place. Habari, like the GTBank Play Centre, is the first of its kind in Nigeria, reflecting the Bank’s digital drive as well as its focus on creating unique experiences for all segments of its customer base.

Commenting on the launch of the Play Centre, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Guaranty Trust Bank plc, Mr Segun Agbaje said; “How and where children play contributes significantly to their cognitive and intellectual development, helping them build better communication and problem-solving skills. Our new Play Centre will give children a tension-free space to build these critical developmental skills, expose them to new and emerging digital technologies, and, most importantly, give them a wonderful time out.”

He further stated that “At GTBank we are passionate about building the bank of the future, and for us, this means constantly leveraging the best of technology to create amazing digital experiences for all of our customers, in a way that adds real value to their lives.”

Guaranty Trust Bank is one of the best run African financial institutions and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality, and innovation. The Bank is also renowned for driving youth empowerment initiatives alongside its business, as seen with the GTCrea8 Account package, which doubles up as a platform for empowering young undergraduates with the resources and networking that they need to develop their skills and talents and build capacity in their careers of choice.

ROCHAS VS IHEDIOHA AND THAT IRRESPONSIBLE & MEDDLING DIRECTIVE BY THE GOVERNOR ELECT.

Hon. Sir Emeka Ihedioha 

One doesn't know for certain if the so called directive allegedly given by the new Imo State Governor Elect, Sir Emeka Ihedioha is true. But if in actual fact such a directive was given by him, then one would be very disappointed at him and then one would tag such a directive as irresponsible, meddling and very foolish, that's because as a former Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives of Nigeria, a lawmaker at that he should have known better.

Not only is the directive irresponsible, but also hasty. The fact that one is a Governor Elect, first and foremost under law does not make you the Governor yet. You were only elected to take over at a specific time. As long as the time appointed by law for the incumbent has not yet expired, as long as you have not taken your oath of office and not sworn in yet, then under the law you are still just a winner of an election and the incumbent still remains the Governor he leaves. There cannot be 2 Governors to a state in a country, at the same time, one would be the legitimate one and the other then the illegitimate one. As long as one is still in charge by law, the elect cannot for any reason or under any circumstances, usurp the incumbent's position to give any type of directive to any organization whatsoever, be it a bank, a parastatal or an individual for that matter. To utter such a directive amounts to usurpation and it is therefore an illegalilty of the highest order.

So one is rather disappointed that such an illegalilty could in any way, be connected to former ranking lawmaker like Ihedioha. No matter how any one views Owelle Rochas Okorocha, no matter how anyone dislikes him and wants him to disappear from the public space quickly, the unfortunate thing is, he remains the Governor, boss of Imo State till May 29, 2019 which is still more than 2 months away. Until that date and at a specific time of that day, when the change of baton should have happened, he cannot be wished away.

So, Hon Sir Emeka Ihedioha, Governor Elect of Imo State, abeg take a chill pill. If there are things noticed once you have let the general public know, you wait till you come into power to deal with it, unfortunately that's how you can deal with such according to the law!

And to the outgoing Governor, any stealing done in disguise in the next 2 months would be a crime against the people of Imo State. So prepare yourself and your administration for a probe too. 

The 2019 GTBank Food and Drink Festival! Get Ready For The Biggest Food Festival in Africa

After three stellar exposés of the biggest culinary experience in Africa, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival is getting bigger for the 4th edition, which will hold for 4 days from Sunday, 28th April, to Wednesday 1st May 2019 at the GTCentre, Plot 1, Water Corporation Drive, Oniru, Lagos.

Created in 2016 by leading African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival has become the premier culinary event in Africa, bringing together tens of thousands of people from across the continent and beyond to support and celebrate Nigeria’s vibrant and burgeoning small businesses in the food retail sector. Over the last three years, the event has hosted more than 450,000 people, featured dozens of entrepreneurial masterclasses by international chefs and food business experts and launched or propelled the businesses of hundreds of entrepreneurs in the food retail industry. To watch some of the testimonials of these small business owners, please visit
https://foodanddrink.gtbank.com/testimonial/

This year, alongside adding an extra day to the event, the GTBank Food and Drink Festival will offer free Retail Stalls to over 300 small businesses, more than double the number from the previous year.  The event will also feature a series of masterclasses and cookery classes facilitated by renowned food and drink experts from around the world. In addition, there will be a farmers’ market for the sale of fresh and organic produce as well as a showcase of some of the finest street foods in Africa’s largest city. In line with its family theme, the 4-day event will also feature exciting games and fun exercises designed to thrill and entertain children all day long.

Commenting on the 2019 GTBank Food and Drink Festival, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Office or Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Segun Agbaje, said; "We are delighted to bring to our customers, small business owners and food lovers across the continent and beyond, another edition of an event that is second to none in delivering the finest culinary experience in Africa. This year, we are taking our commitment to promoting enterprise in the SME sector further by giving small businesses more opportunities to connect with consumers and business experts from around the world."

He further stated that, "At GTBank, we will continue to focus on promoting enterprise in food and fashion, because we know that by investing in both sectors, we are propelling local entrepreneurs to dominate two critical sectors of our economy."

Guaranty Trust Bank Plc is regarded by industry watchers as one of the best run financial institutions across its subsidiary countries and serves as a role model within the financial service industry due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality, and innovation. The Bank is also intervening in key economic sectors to strengthen small businesses and recently launched the GTBank Food Industry Credit and Fashion Industry Credit, unique loan products designed specifically for small businesses in the food and fashion industry, and offered at a repayment rate of 9 percent per annum.