Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has attributed the success of payment processing, saving and investment platforms such as Flutterwave and PiggyVest to providence and good government policies.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Jos on Saturday, Osinbajo said the recently approved 2021 – 2025 National Development Plan would usher a new season of accelerated growth in Nigeria due to its focus on value addition as a major pivot to boost productivity in all sectors.

According to a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo said if the country was to inaugurate a new age of accelerated growth, it must adopt a new strategic direction and policy orientation.

He said, “This is precisely what the Federal Government seeks to do through the National Development Plan 2021-2025, which was recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.”

The Vice President cited the emergence of Unicorns from Nigeria, stating that “six of those companies started in 2016 in the middle of two recessions and the global health crisis.”

A Unicorn is a company that is worth over $1bn.

He affirmed that some of the successes recorded by those Unicorn-Nigerian start-ups owned by young men and women could be attributed to providence and good policies.

According to him, such companies, named Unicorns in Nigeria, emerged between 2016 and 2021. They include Opay, Paystack, Flutterwave, Andela, Piggyvest and Jumia.

He said, “What is responsible for some of these successes? Providence and good policies. Providence because COVID-19 was a boom period for online payment systems.

“Policy, because Mr President approved the establishment of a Technology and Creativity Advisory Group that helped to formulate new banking policies to accommodate new tech-enabled payment systems, such that these tech companies could process payments without being full-scale banks.”

The Vice President then disclosed that, in terms of strategic direction, the cornerstone of the country’s strategy was boosting productivity by focusing on value addition as the guiding principle for all sectors, especially agriculture, manufacturing, solid minerals, digital services, tourism, hospitality and entertainment.

He noted how the plan aimed to boost productivity in some key sectors such as agriculture and mining, saying, “In agriculture, for example, just as we seek to increase the production of rice, we are paying equal attention to other parts of the value chain such as storage, transportation, processing and marketing.”

“Similarly, in the mining sector, we recognise that exploitation and extraction will not create jobs. We aim to focus on resource beneficiation, local industries, thereby creating wealth along the mineral value chain.” Punchng

The Senior Pastor of Commonwealth of Zion Assembly, COZA, Biodun Fatoyinbo, has commended the newly elected Vice President West Africa, Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), Oladele Nihi for making Nigeria and Africa proud amid an election at the Union’s congress in Niger Republic.

The cleric who played host to Ambassador Nihi received the latter and his entourage at his office on Sunday, according to the statement signed by the Head, Media and Publicity, Kelvin Eleta.

Pastor Fatoyinbo who was delighted to know that a Nigerian (Oladele Nihi) recently won an election at the Union’s congress in Niger Republic, to become the Vice President West Africa of the union congratulated the youth leader and Nigeria, for the success recorded at Niger Republic.

He equally charged him to be of good representative of Nigeria in the discharge of his duties across the continent and the world at large.

Pastor Fatoyinbo assured Amb. Nihi of his readiness to work closely with his office, and to be available whenever the need arises.

Reacting, Amb. Nihi appreciated Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo for receiving him and his team warmly as a family in Christ; which stands as “proof that the man of God is not only a teacher of the word, but a doer and mentor in Christ”.

Amb. Nihi who described Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo as “the most urbane man of God”, seized the opportunity to immediately enroll as “a spiritual son to the Man of God” noting it will be “a privilege to be so identified with the cleric”.

Present at the service were; SSAs to Kogi State Governor, Hon. Tade Oshaloto and Hon. Eleoja Aba, Pst. Timothy Ademola, Erelu Yemisi Oshaloto, and Senior Staff members of the office of the Vice President. Vanguardngr

Muslim Community of Oyo State has threatened public schools that are barring the usage of Hijab by students with legal action.

Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, made this disclosure while speaking at a programme organised by the community “Unity of Muslims in Oyo state: An inevitable option” held at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque on Sunday.

Present at the event included Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta states, Alhaji Daud Akinola; Executive Secretary, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), Professor Muslih Yahya; Chief Imam, University of Ibadan, Professor Abdulrahman Oloyede; and representatives of various Muslim organisations in the state.

Recall that some public primary, secondary and tertiary education institutions have been barring female Muslim students from wearing Hijab.

The latest incident of the Hijab crisis was the one that occurred at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, where a female Muslim student was reportedly humiliated in public.

The community has however said that it will no longer tolerate the incidents of ‘harassment’ of female Muslim students by public schools.

The Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Kunle Sanni, who spoke on behalf of the organisation, said that the organisation will go back to court to seek legal action for the enforcement of the usage of Hijab for Muslim women.

He said, “With this persecution of our children in the so-called Christian schools where they even remove Hijab from their head we are no more comfortable with the situation.

“What section 32:2 of the constitution says “is that a Muslim is entitled not only to freedom of religion but freedom to manifest his religion” The use of the Hijab is a manifestation of Islam.

“No state Muslim communities have lost the case of the use of Hijab because the constitution is clear about it.

“When my friend Christopher Alao Akala was the Governor, some Muslim teachers started using Niqab in Kishi and they were dismissed, they went to court.

“The Christian judge not only adjudicated that the teachers have right to put on their Niqab as their religious right, but she also said their three years backlog of salaries should be paid.

“We would Insha Allah go back to court because we want Hijab for all women in Oyo State”.  Dailypost

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who was sacked as Manchester United manager early today, has revealed his next move.

Solskjaer said he would spend some time with his family following his dismissal as Man United manager.

Daily post reports that Man United sacked Solskjaer on Sunday morning following the club’s away English Premier League 4-1 defeat to Watford on Saturday evening.

When asked what is next for him after his sack, Solskjaer told Man United’s official website on Sunday, “I’ll spend some time with my family.

“That’s been probably the most difficult part, through the pandemic, with Norway being open and here being closed, my family moved back to Norway and the young one, he loves it back there, so we’ve lived apart.

“So, I’ll spend some time with them. Then, I’ll watch the team, of course, and hopefully, the next manager comes in and I want to support him.”

He added, “I’m one hundred percent sure to create a football environment. That’s where I’m good at and at some point, I’ll probably be back [working in football].” Dailypost

A combined team of policemen and vigilantes in Ozoro Community in Delta State, led by CSP Ogedengbe Areguamen, have arrested a 77-year-old gun runner, Michael Enipozi, with one 28-year-old Emma Ighodalo in the state.

The police said Ighodalo was arrested with one live cartridge while two other members of his criminal gang escaped.

The Delta State Police Command confirmed the report in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe.

He said, “Upon interrogation, the suspect confessed that he threw his gun away somewhere in the bush as he was running and that he bought the said gun from One Michael Enipozi for the sum of #30,000.”

According to DSP Edafe, “The suspect led the Police to Irri village where the said Michael Enipozi ‘m’ of Irri in Isoko south LGA aged 77yrs was arrested.

“Three double-barrel guns, two single barrel guns, and other tools used in producing guns were recovered from him.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the 77yrs old suspect is a welder who produces guns for criminals and he admitted that he sold the gun to the suspect and that he has been in the business of producing guns for the past twenty years.

“Manhunt for the other two fleeing suspects is ongoing.” Dailypost

The Chairman of Geregu Power Plc and renowned philanthropist, Mr Femi Otedola, has been invited by the Save the Children to join the group of the organisation’s Vice Presidents, in recognition of his philanthropic efforts to better the lives of children in Nigeria.

This was disclosed in a statement on Sunday.

The Save the Children’s Vice Presidents are high-level supporters and friends of the organisation actively involved in advancing its work through advocacy, volunteerism, introductions, and philanthropy.

Save the Children works in 117 countries around the world in both humanitarian and development settings.

The statement read, “Mr Femi Otedola’s addition to the Vice Presidents group is a testament to his long-standing support to the organisation.

“Since 2019, Mr Femi Otedola has supported Save the Children’s programmes on the prevention and treatment of malnutrition and on advocating for access to quality education for Nigerian children, impacting over 6,000 children in the states of Adamawa, Borno, and Katsina.

“In November 2019, Mr Otedola hosted a Gala in Abuja where he made a personal donation of N5 billion.”

In reaction to the appointment, Otedola said, “I am elated to be associated with the organisation.

“We have to save our children from all manner of challenges and deprivations. And giving to the needy, particularly children is the greatest love of all.” Punchng

The Kogi State government on Sunday accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of implementing a hatchet job allegedly conceived by unnamed politicians with its latest statement that the government has returned N19.3 billion bail-out funds allegedly “hidden” by the state to the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The government gave the EFCC 48 hours ultimatum to retract the statement or be prepared for a court action.

The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, made the state government’s position known at a press conference in Lagos.

Fanwo claimed that the plan is to tarnish what he described as the rising political image of state governor, Yahaya Bello, adding describing it as “a hatchet job conceived by politicians and implemented by an irresponsible EFCC headed by Abdulrasheed Bawa.”

He said, “Let it be known that the Kogi State government refutes every bit of these false allegations being peddled by the EFCC.

“The Kogi State government had disbursed its bailout loans for the purpose of which it was granted as of October 2019.

“There is therefore no ‘hidden bailout funds/loan’ belonging to Kogi State that is capable of being returned to the CBN or frozen by an order of court.

“The EFCC knows this. The fear of exposure of its lies in court and the attendant sanctions informed its decision to hurriedly withdraw the sham suit it filed in court.

“Consequently, the Kogi State government demands a retraction of this most malicious press release and of all allegations of crimes levied against the government and its governor.

“We further demand an apology published within 48 hours from today in one national daily and on all EFCC official and social media platforms addressed to His Excellency, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the entire government and people of Kogi State.” Punchng

Manchester United forward, Cristiano Ronaldo, feels his teammates want things “too easy” and is shocked about the club’s drop in standards that he has experienced since his return.

Ronaldo was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s last signing, with the Norwegian dismissed on Sunday morning after a 4-1 defeat to Watford.

The 36-year-old has been one of the few players that has performed well so far this term and he urged members of the squad to stick by Solskjaer in recent weeks.

But with Solskjaer gone, the players no longer have another figure to blame for their poor performances and the UK Telegraph reports Ronaldo is concerned by the lack of winning mentality at Old Trafford.

Ronaldo spent six years at Old Trafford during his first stint and he’s concerned about the drop in standards.

United’s defeat at Vicarage Road, means they have won just one of their last seven Premier League matches and they sit in the seventh position in the league table.

Michael Carrick is set to take charge for the crucial Champions League clash against Villarreal this week, where United can ill-afford to lose if they wish to qualify for the last-16. Dailypost

ON Thursday at a ceremony in Ibadan, the 59th Annual Meeting of the Nigeria National Committee of the West African Examination Council, WAEC, let the world into a little secret about Total Educational Development Academy, TEDA – it is the winner of the Augustus Bandele Oyediran prize/trophy for producing the best overall results in WASSCE for school candidates in 2020.

In the National Distinction/Merit category, Miss Nwaozuzu Confidence Chinaza, one of the five TEDA students who made nine straight As in the 2020 WASSCE was awarded the third prize.

The journey to the Ibadan coronations began years ago with all the challenges of founding a school in Aba, then moving it to Eke-Owerri in Obingwa Local Government Area of Abia State, recounted Dr. Godson Dinneya, TEDA founder, who was elated at the performance of the students. He gave the students, teachers and management credit for what TEDA had accomplished in eight years.

“We have had good results in WASSCE and competitions like the National Olympiad Competition organised by the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja, but this was a pleasant surprise to us and I will tell you why,” he said after the award. “The year in question was the Covid-19 year. Schools were shut. We struggled with how to give our students the best preparations for the examination.

“The TEDA spirit kicked in. We teach our students to seek solutions to changing situations. COVID-19 was our chance to demonstrate to the students that we can tackle challenges. Our IT department developed the facilities for online delivery of our classes. The target was not to go below the100 per cent pass rate TEDA had with 55 per cent distinction in the 2019 examinations.

“You can then imagine our excitement that our best result is in the most challenging year for the world. Though our internal assessments of the students predicted a good outcome, we, however, limited our optimism because of the initial disruptions of COVID-19,” Dr. Dinneya said. “We are happy for the recognition for the work TEDA teachers, parents, students, and the administrators have done over the years.

WAEC had in a letter informed TEDA that, “the Augustus Bandele Oyediran Trophy will be presented to your school for producing the Overall Best Aggregate Results in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020 in Nigeria”.

Miss Nwaozuzu Confidence Chinaza, “going by WAEC’s criteria for its National Distinction/Merit Awards, emerged as the third best prize winner in the WASSCE for School Candidates, 2020 in Nigeria”. Miss Nwaozuzu had nine straight As in her examinations.

TEDA’s 2020 WASSCE result – out of the 79 students TEDA presented, five made nine straight As, five got eight As while 22 others made seven As. More analysis shows general performance of 71 per cent A grades; 24 per cent B grades; 3 per cent C grades; and, 2 per cent Pass grade. In the 2020 Basic Education Certificate Examination, BECE, TEDA also, recorded 100 per cent pass with no re-sit in any subjects.

In the same 2020, TEDA was the only flag bearer/representative of Abia State at the National Olympiad Competition held at the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja. TEDA won four prizes:

First position as the Best School in the Junior Science category

Overall, first position in the Junior Sciences category

Overall, third position in the Junior Science category; and,

Best Girl in Female category of the Junior Science.

Abia State Governor Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu handsomely rewarded TEDA students who participated in the competitions and awarded scholarships to the five students who made nine straight As in the 2020 WASSCE to any University of their choice in Nigeria.

In TEDA’s five attempts at the WASSCE, no TEDA candidate has recorded less than five credits. In 2016 TEDA scored 13 per cent A grades; 35 per cent B grades; 37 per cent C grades and 15 per cent Pass grades. In 2017 the performance improved to 49 per cent A grades; 48 per cent B grades and 3 per cent C grades. By 2018, the performance eased to 41 per cent A grades; 42 per cent B grades; 16 per cent C grades; and 1 per cent failure.

“The awards come with their own challenges to do more. The Class of 2020 has raised the threshold at TEDA for the teachers for the students, for all of us,” Dr. Dinneya said. Vanguardngr

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has released the sum of N500 million as a grant for the take-off of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso, Iseyin Campus.

Chairman, Governing Council of the institution, Professor Deji Omole made this disclosure on Sunday.

DAILY POST recalls that the institution was formerly owned by both Oyo and Osun states.

Our correspondent recalls that Oyo State became the sole owner of the institution on 20th November 2020.

Makinde, a few months ago announced the establishment of the LAUTECH Iseyin campus of the institution.

Iseyin, which is one of the towns in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone is in Oyo North senatorial district.

Omole, in a statement made available to DAILY POST, maintained Makinde has released the money for the take-off of the campus.

He said that the money has been released by Makinde as a grant for the smooth take-off of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Renewable Natural Resources in Iseyin Campus.

He further revealed that Makinde has concluded plans to pay Osun State Government another N1 billion on or before the first week of December.

Omole while speaking further stated that Makinde has paid five out of eight months of salaries owed to workers of the institution.

“In addition, the Oyo State Government had released the sum of N500 million to the institution as take-off grant for the smooth running of the school.

“Indeed the capital expenditure for infrastructure development of the school has been budgeted for in the 2022 appropriation Bill. This is happening for the first time in the history of the institution.

“Oyo state had already paid N1 billion to Osun State and earmarked another one billion to be paid on or before the first week of December 2021. Oyo State has liquidated five out of the eight months salary arrears being owed workers of the University,” he said. Dailypost

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has said it was “a pleasure” to play against Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer has been axed as Manchester United manager on Sunday, following a dismal 4-1 defeat at Watford.

The 48-year-old leaves after five defeats in seven Premier League fixtures.

Guardiola has expressed his sympathy with Solskjaer and admitted the Norwegian often got the better of him.

When pressed for his thoughts on the situation, Guardiola explained: “I wish him all the best. It was a pleasure to face him. He beat us more than I wanted.”

The City manager also noted the United job comes with pressure.

“He knows that when you are in charge of a team like United you have to win, otherwise you are in trouble.

“I am still sitting here because we won. Otherwise, it would be another person sitting here.” Dailypost

The family of an Ogun-based businessman, Leye Ibiwoye, has been thrown into confusion after he went missing on Friday while travelling on the Ilesha-Akure Expressway.

It was gathered that Leye was travelling to Akure, Ondo State, for a church outreach, when the incident happened.

Our correspondent learnt that the victim had a stopover at the Ikire area of Osun State.

However, the vehicle he boarded from Ikire to Akure developed a fault around Erin-Oke, where he last spoke to his family.

His brother, Tobi, told PUNCH Metro that the family tracked his phone, adding that all efforts to find him proved abortive.

He said, “He travelled from Ibafo, Ogun State, on Friday around 1pm, but he didn’t go through a straight bus. He took a bus to Ikire and later boarded another vehicle from there to Akure.

“On their way to Akure, their vehicle broke down at Erin-Oke; he called to inform people he wanted to stay within Akure and he later boarded another vehicle from Erin-Oke around 9pm. He called to inform them again.

“A few hours later, his in-laws called his phone; it rang out several times before it stopped ringing. We were alerted on Saturday that he didn’t get to Akure and that was how the whole search for him started.

“The church programme started two weeks ago; he wanted to attend the round-up of the programme slated for Saturday and Sunday. It was postponed till Monday, but he still decided to travel anyway to stay with his in-laws.

“We as a family have been trying to stay in the gap for his wife and his daughter till we find him. We just hope he returns because we don’t know what happened to him between Erin-Oke and Akure.”

The 35-year-old told our correspondent that the family reported the incident at different police formations, including offices of the Federal Road Safety Corps and the Amotekun Corps.

“We reported to most police stations around the area like the Ipetu Police Station, Ilesha Police Station, and his in-laws also reported at a police station in Akure. We reported to the police station in Ibafo, we also reported to the police at every checkpoint along the expressway; we reported to the FRSC officials, and Amotekun around there; they collected his information and pictures.

“We tracked his number to Erinoke, but we didn’t get the exact place. We contacted the bank to check if any transactions took place on his account because he was with his ATM card, but we were told that there was no transaction. We tracked his last call to his mother-in-law around 10pm,” he added.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said she was not aware of the incident and promised to find out and get back to our correspondent.

She had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

The Corps Commander of the Osun State Amotekun Corps, Basir Adewinbi, could not be reached on his telephone line. Punchng

Prophet Jeremiah Fufeyin of the Mercyland Deliverance Ministry, Warri, Delta State on Sunday, received a group of prostitutes during one of his church meetings.

The sex workers, who confessed publicly to have repented of their sins, were also given N6m by the pastor to start a new life.

Some of the repentant prostitutes also narrated their ordeal, including encounters with kidnappers.

The sex workers, numbering about six cried uncontrollably in a viral video as they were gifted N6 million by the pastor.

It all started when one of the sex workers came out to testify of how God delivered her from the grip of kidnappers, who disguised for patronage.

According to her, she ended in the bush after the man had enticed her with a promise of N200, 000 but was saved by God.

“It was when I got to the bush that I realised what was going on. The man carried a long knife and wanted to cut through my throat but the knife fell off repeatedly. He started calling me a witch and later ran. I managed to find my way to the road before some people helped me,” she said.

Fufeyin had called out other ladies, who were addicted to smoking, drinking and prostitution, delivering them and offering them six million naira.

The prophet described the prostitutes as God’s children, stressing that only spiritual minds understand spiritual things.

At the same church, in August, about 15 sex workers were gifted N15m to share among themselves as they confessed to have repented. Dailypost

The Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III has said that it is only God that will decide who will be the next governor of Delta State.

The foremost Itsekiri monarch made the assertion in his palace in Warri while hosting a high powered delegation of the Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team led by former Police Affairs Minister, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo who paid him a courtesy visit.

The traditional ruler, however, advised the Ijaw nation to prepare their best and bring forth their strong arguments in their quest to produce the next governor of the state in the next political dispensation.

The Olu of Warri said, “Bring your strong arguments. Prepare your best.  But once you see God moving, as much as you can, embrace it.  And it will be well with you. You are our brothers.

He said, “Delta State is in the hands of God, He is interested in who becomes governor.  I believe that the cycle has come to an end as all the three senatorial zones have produced governors.

“My prayer for you is that we cooperate with God as He is doing the shaking, sieving and the refining because once that individual emerges, I am convinced that the entire state will simply accept.  And in our acceptance, it will make our journey, our rise better.”

Giving further exhortation to the visiting Ijaw team, the Olu of Warri said, “My appeal to every single one of you as we go into 2022 and 2023 is to open your hearts and align your hearts to what God is doing.”

While noting that Delta State is key to the success of Nigeria, the monarch stated that “if Delta State gets it right, Nigeria will get it right so effortlessly.”

Speaking earlier, the Leader of the Delta Ijaw for Governor 2023 Lobby Team, Alaowei Broderick Bozimo explained that the visit was to seek the prayers of the monarch as the Ijaw nation has indicated interest in producing the next governor of Delta State come 2023.

He also congratulated Ogiame Atuwatse III on his successful ascension to the throne of his forefathers. Punchng