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Ogun Police Launch Full Security Measures for Festive Season

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Ogun Police Command Marks One Year of CP Lanre Ogunlowo’s Leadership

Ahead the 2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Ogun State Police Command has announced comprehensive security operations across the state to safeguard lives and property.

In a statement by the Police Public Relations, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Command reiterated that the ban on fireworks, knockouts, and bangers remains in effect, warning that their use can trigger panic as the loud noises are often mistaken for gunshots or explosions.

Parents and guardians have been advised to caution children against handling these items, with offenders liable to arrest and prosecution.

Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and tactical units have been directed to intensify patrols and maintain heightened visibility in residential areas, markets, motor parks, places of worship, hospitals, and major highways.

The Commissioner of Police, Lanre Ogunlowo urges residents to celebrate responsibly, cooperate with law enforcement, and adhere to all safety directives.

He also encourages members of the public to report suspicious activities via the Ogun State Police emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line and other dedicated numbers.

Ogunlowo assured that the Command is committed to ensuring adequate security throughout the festive period and beyond.

Sterling Bank Convenes Stakeholders to Accelerate Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Transition

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blacktalker
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Sterling Bank Convenes Stakeholders to Accelerate Nigeria’s Renewable Energy Transition

Sterling Bank Limited has brought together key stakeholders in Nigeria’s renewable energy ecosystem to chart actionable pathways for expanding energy access and supporting economic growth.

The engagement, a high-level colloquium held in Lagos, focused on accelerating Nigeria’s transition to renewable energy as part of efforts to unlock inclusive growth and support the country’s ambition of building a one-trillion-dollar economy. The event was themed “Beyond the Grid: Unlocking New Frontiers in Renewable Energy.”

Speaking at the forum, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman, said the bank is prioritising policy engagement in critical areas such as regulation and financing to help scale renewable energy solutions. Represented by the Group Executive, Corporate and Investment Banking, Dele Faseemo, Suleiman noted that improved energy access is central to economic development and national productivity.

A keynote address on “Scaling Electrification in Nigeria: The REA Impact” was delivered by the Managing Director and CEO of the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Dr. Abba Aliyu.

He disclosed that Nigeria requires an estimated $26 billion to close its energy access gap and stressed that the country’s energy transition strategy integrates grid, mini-grid and off-grid solutions in alignment with climate and development goals.

Represented by a senior adviser, Aliyu said the REA is expanding funding windows, strengthening regulation and developing renewable energy value chains nationwide.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, commended Sterling Bank for convening the dialogue, noting that renewable energy and rural electrification remain core pillars of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Represented by Engineer Samuel Ayangeaor, the minister said ongoing efforts to electrify underserved communities are aimed at driving economic activity, job creation and industrial growth.

In a goodwill message, Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, highlighted the state’s renewable energy initiatives, including its planned two-gigawatt grid-scale solar project, describing them as part of the most ambitious energy transformation undertaken by the state.

Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, urged participants to move beyond dialogue to concrete action, stressing that collective effort and intentional partnerships are required to deliver measurable impact in the renewable energy sector.

The colloquium featured panel discussions on financing renewable energy and scaling green solutions across Africa, reinforcing calls for stronger collaboration between government, financial institutions and private sector players to drive Nigeria’s energy transition.

Polaris Bank, Evolve Charity Trust Equip 1,000 Students in Five States With School Essentials

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blacktalker
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Polaris Bank, Evolve Charity Trust Equip 1,000 Students in Five States With School Essentials

Polaris Bank, in partnership with Evolve Charity Trust, has empowered 1,000 students in public secondary schools across five states and the Federal Capital Territory with school essentials.

The 2025 distribution, which covered ten schools nationwide, provided beneficiaries with uniforms, school bags, sandals, exercise books and pens. The initiative targets students from low-income households, where the lack of basic learning materials often contributes to poor attendance and dropouts.

According to Polaris Bank, the intervention forms part of its long-term Corporate Social Responsibility strategy focused on education and gender inclusion. Since 2021, the programme has supported over 24,000 students in 49 locations nationwide.

Beyond education support, the bank said the programme also stimulated local economies, as uniforms were produced by local tailors, while books, bags and sandals were sourced from community traders in beneficiary states.

Speaking on the initiative, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to advancing girl-child education, describing the materials as an investment in the future of young Nigerians.

School administrators across the states said the intervention addressed urgent needs, eased financial pressure on families and boosted students’ confidence and academic engagement. Principals and vice principals from Kano, Abuja, Lokoja, Imo and Lagos noted that many beneficiaries would otherwise struggle to remain in school.

Evolve Charity Trust’s Project Manager, Godwin Ejeh, described education support as a catalyst for wider community development, stressing that investments in children have long-term social impact.

The initiative aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on Quality Education (SDG 4) and Gender Equality (SDG 5), reinforcing Polaris Bank’s pledge to partner with credible organisations to deliver sustainable educational outcomes across Nigeria.

Supreme Court Ends Two-Decade Sagecom Dispute, Rules in Favour of Fidelity Bank

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Supreme Court Ends Two-Decade Sagecom Dispute, Rules in Favour of Fidelity Bank

The Supreme Court has brought final closure to a long-running legal battle between Fidelity Bank Plc and Sagecom Concepts Limited, ruling in favour of the bank and significantly limiting its financial exposure in the case.

In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday by a five-member panel led by Justice Lawal Garba, the apex court upheld Fidelity Bank’s appeal and clarified key aspects of the judgment debt arising from a legacy transaction dating back over 20 years.

At the core of the dispute was a credit facility granted in 2002 by the defunct FSB International Bank—later merged into Fidelity Bank—to G. Cappa Plc, which subsequently became entangled in prolonged litigation over collateral and debt obligations.

Fidelity Bank had approached the Supreme Court seeking clarification on how the judgment debt should be calculated, specifically requesting payment in naira rather than foreign currency, a simple annual interest rate instead of daily compounding, and the application of the exchange rate prevailing at the time of the High Court judgment.

In the ruling delivered by Justice Adamu Jauro, the court granted the bank’s key requests, ordering that the judgment sum be paid in naira, with interest fixed at 19.5 per cent per annum. The court also affirmed that the applicable exchange rate should be that which was in force at the time of the High Court’s decision, relying on its earlier judgment in Anibaba v. Dana Airlines.

However, the court declined to fix a final monetary figure for the judgment debt, leaving room for computation based on the clarified parameters.

The decision effectively dismantles earlier public speculation that Fidelity Bank could face liabilities running into ₦225 billion, instead affirming a substantially lower obligation consistent with the bank’s longstanding position.

Market analysts say the ruling reinforces confidence in the banking sector’s legal certainty and underscores the importance of judicial clarity in resolving legacy financial disputes. Fidelity Bank’s shares remained stable throughout the litigation, reflecting sustained investor confidence in its governance and risk management structures.

The judgment marks the definitive end of one of Nigeria’s most protracted banking-related court cases, setting an important precedent on judgment debt computation and interest application in commercial disputes.

Ansar-ud-Deen Foundation Inaugurates Board, Targets ₦20bn for Education, Welfare

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blacktalker
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Ansar-ud-Deen Foundation Inaugurates Board, Targets ₦20bn for Education, Welfare

Prominent Nigerians were on Saturday inaugurated as members of the Board of Trustees of the newly established Ansar-ud-Deen Foundation.

This is as the organisation unveiled plans to raise a ₦20 billion endowment fund to strengthen education, welfare and community development.

The inauguration, held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos, marked what the Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria and Overseas described as a critical step in institutionalising transparent and sustainable funding for its religious and social interventions.

The trustees include banker and philanthropist Alhaji Abdulfatai Akin Kekere-Ekun, OFR, who chairs the board, alongside Alhaji Sulaimon Adedokun, CFA; Alhaja Kafilat Araoye; Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN, OFR; Dr. Mosun Belo-Olusoga; Alhaji Abdulfatah Bank-Anthony; and Alhaji Rabiu Isyaku Rabiu.

Addressing stakeholders, President of the Society, Prince Mosediq Adeniji Kazeem, SAN, said the Foundation was created to address long-standing funding gaps affecting Ansar-ud-Deen mosques, schools, Summit University, Offa, and health and empowerment programmes nationwide.

He stressed that the initiative would operate on strict principles of transparency, accountability and halal investment.

Kazeem charged the trustees to treat their roles as a sacred trust, warning that public confidence would depend on ethical fund management and clear reporting.

Chief Missioner of the Society, Sheikh Abdulrahman Olanrewaju Ahmad, reinforced the need for strict adherence to Islamic principles, describing the Foundation as a waqf-based intervention aimed at sustaining dawah, education and community development across generations.

Accepting the responsibility on behalf of the board, Kekere-Ekun pledged that the Foundation would prioritise integrity, discipline and accountability, with a clear focus on approved projects in education, health and social welfare.

Ogun Police to Conduct Shooting Range Exercise in Abeokuta

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blacktalker
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Ogun Police Dismiss Curfew Rumours, Assure Residents of Safety

The Ogun State Police Command has announced plans to conduct a shooting range exercise for its officers on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the 35 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta.

The exercise, according to the Command, is part of its routine training programme aimed at enhancing officers’ operational readiness and improving marksmanship skills.

Residents and commuters within and around the Alamala axis have been advised to exercise caution and avoid the designated area during the period of the exercise. The Police assured the public that adequate safety measures have been put in place and that sounds of gunfire during the training should not cause panic.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, the Command appealed for the cooperation and understanding of residents to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the exercise.

Members of the public were also encouraged to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines, including the Gateway Shield toll-free line and other dedicated emergency numbers.

The Command reiterated its commitment to maintaining public safety while strengthening the capacity of its officers to respond effectively to security challenges across the state.

DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi Assumes Office as Ogun State Police PRO

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blacktalker
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DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi Assumes Office as Ogun State Police PRO

The Ogun State Police Command has announced the appointment of DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi as the new Police Public Relations Officer, PRO, following a transfer of officers by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun.

He succeeds CSP Omolola Odutola, who has been transferred to Lagos State Police Command.

A Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, DSP Babaseyi holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Nigeria Police Academy, Wudil, and a Diploma in Law from Osun State University.

He has served in multiple operational, investigative, and administrative capacities, including Divisional Crime Officer at Monatan and Kajorepo Divisions, Officer-in-Charge of Ilaji and Lagelu Police Posts, and Unit Commander with the Police Mobile Force.

His experience also spans strategic communications and administration, having previously served as Deputy Public Relations Officer and Secretary to the Commissioner of Police in Lagos State. DSP Babaseyi has led personnel in joint military operations under Operation Hadin Kai and trained at the Nigeria Army School of Special Forces.

The Command highlighted his wealth of operational, investigative, and media experience as critical to advancing transparency, professionalism, and effective public engagement in Ogun State. DSP Babaseyi is married with children and can be reached via 0816 238 2281.

Union Bank Earns Best in Workplace Practice Recognition at SERAS Awards

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blacktalker
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Union Bank Earns Best in Workplace Practice Recognition at SERAS Awards

Union Bank of Nigeria has been named Best Company in Workplace Practice at the Sustainability, Enterprise and Responsibility Awards, SERAS, held on November 29, 2025, at the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The award followed a rigorous evaluation by independent SERAS judges assessing corporate social responsibility and sustainability initiatives.

Union Bank was nominated in four categories and emerged winner in Workplace Practice, while also securing first runner-up positions in Gender Equity and Women Empowerment and Education Intervention.

The Bank’s recognition reflects its people-first approach, highlighted by progressive initiatives such as five months fully paid maternity leave, an onsite crèche at its head office, a 24 per cent promotion rate, and a 40 per cent salary increase aimed at improving staff welfare and productivity.

Judges commended Union Bank for advancing gender inclusion, enhancing employee wellbeing through wellness and flexible work programmes, and aligning its workplace policies with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 5.

Commenting on the award, Olufunmilola Aluko, Chief Brand and Marketing Officer, said the Bank’s workplace initiatives are anchored on its Citizenship, Sustainability and Innovation framework, delivering measurable outcomes in employee satisfaction, productivity, and gender equity.

Now in its 19th year, SERAS remains Nigeria’s benchmark for corporate responsibility and sustainability excellence. Union Bank’s workplace practices were described as a model for responsible corporate citizenship across the financial sector.

LASEPA TO HOLD WORKSHOP FOR HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES, ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES

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blacktalker
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LASEPA TO HOLD WORKSHOP FOR HOSPITALITY BUSINESSES, ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRIES

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA is set to organise a one-day workshop for all hospitality businesses and entertainment industries in Lagos as part of the measures to regulate noise and protect the environment during the yuletide.

The Workshop, which is scheduled for Friday, 19th December 2025, is designed to engage key players in the hospitality and entertainment sectors on the need for moderate noise during the yuletide because of its negative impact on human health.

LASEPA’s General Manager, Dr Tunde Ajayi, who disclosed this during a media interview held recently hinted that The Workshop with the titled: “Harmonizing Hospitality Industry with the Environment” and themed: “Effective Noise Control and Compliance” is expected to be attended by operators and owners of Nightlife, Events Centres, Restaurants, Bars, Hotels, Lounges, Disc Jockey (DJs), Entertainment industry and other similar businesses in the sector.

Ajayi revealed that the event will take place at the State Treasury Office Resource Centre, Assbifi Road, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos on Friday, 19th December from 8am.

The General Manager further explained that the workshop will help hospitality businesses understand and meet required environmental standards, avoid penalties, and operate successfully within the Lagos State Environmental Laws and regulations before, during and after the yuletide.

He averred that the workshop would also attract the presence of top government officials, including the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab; Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo Olu on Environment, Engr Olakunle Rotimi and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr Omobolaji Tajudeen Gaji.

Other expected dignitaries include Heads of Ministries, Parastatals, and agencies, among other personalities.

According to him, participants will receive practical guidance on responsible operations, noise management, and environmental best practices essential for sustaining a safe and harmonious urban environment.

While encouraging relevant operators in the hospitality and entertainment industry to fully participate in this important engagement, Ajayi stated that the workshop is aimed at improving compliance, fostering sustainability, and supporting the continued growth of the hospitality and entertainment industry in Lagos State.

Wishing Lagosians a Merry Xmas in advance, the General Manager revealed that his agency is working around the clock to ensure that Lagos residents enjoy a quiet, noiseless, and peaceful moment during the yuletide.

He urged all the residents, irrespective of their languages, origin or tribes, to continue to support the State government in its drive to deliver a cleaner, safer and pollution-free Lagos that everyone can be proud of.

VON’s Evelyn Nyam Wins Radio Production of the Year at NMMA 2024

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VON’s Evelyn Nyam Wins Radio Production of the Year at NMMA 2024

Evelyn Nyam of Voice of Nigeria, VON has been awarded Radio Production of the Year at the 2024 Nigeria Media Merit Awards, NMMA, held on Saturday at the Lagos Continental Hotel.

Nyam was nominated in two categories: Radio Programme of the Year and Radio Production of the Year, underscoring her influence in the media landscape. She triumphed in the Radio Production of the Year category, beating strong contenders Destiny Onyemihia (VON) and Sunday Igoche (FRCN).

Her programme, “Women and Development: Women Empowerment from Margins to Mainstream”, was lauded for its powerful storytelling and focus on empowering women, earning her the prestigious recognition.

In her acceptance speech, Nyam dedicated the award to God Almighty and expressed gratitude to Voice of Nigeria for providing a platform for her success. She encouraged fellow media professionals to remain dedicated, sharing her personal journey of seven nominations before finally winning.

Nyam’s victory is seen as a significant milestone in her career and a source of inspiration for journalists striving for excellence in the face of challenges.

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