General
Ambode Honoured As Best Governor In New York
By Dipo Olowookere
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State has received an award for Best Performing Governor in Nigeria at an event organised by the African Leadership Magazine and held at the Regis Hotel, New York, USA.
Mr Ambode, while speaking at the 2016 International Forum on African Leadership, said since he assumed office on May 29, 2015, efforts have been geared towards creating a conducive and friendly environment for investors and for businesses to thrive.
He noted that the State was gradually emerging as the choice destination for investors, assuring that his administration would continue to work round the clock not only to become a shining example for Africans in Diaspora but retain the State as investors’ haven.
Mr Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mr Babatunde Durosinmi-Etti, apologised for his absence to receive the award, but said that he acknowledged the importance of the event hence his decision to send a powerful delegation including Durosinmi-Etti; the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde; his Special Adviser on Overseas Affairs and Investment, Professor Ademola Abass; and his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Habib Aruna, to represent him.
The Governor, in his remarks shortly after receiving the award, said the security and judicial reforms which he initiated at the commencement of his administration and the creation of the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment were part of efforts to reduce the burden of bureaucracy and security concerns for would-be investors.
While stating that the State is open for business, Governor Ambode assured would-be investors that government would continue to invest in security, job opportunity and infrastructure which are the tripod upon which his administration was built.
He said that Lagos is also playing a leading role in the Nigeria economy, and as such must not shy away in ensuring that it takes the lead as Nigeria re-strategises to restructure its economy for greater prosperity.
“Lagos as the fifth largest economy in Africa is like a country and with the momentum with which the State is moving, it might soon emerge as the biggest economy in Africa. It is home to almost every religion, tribe and colour and accommodates the largest pool of black people all over the world, including Africa’s richest man, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, who is from Nigeria and has a home in Lagos,” Mr Ambode said.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Publisher and Chief Executive Officer of African Leadership Magazine, Mr Ken Giami while thanking participants for finding time to honour the occasion, said the focus of the Forum was for good governance and how it could impact on the African continent.
“We have to connect, build bridges and cultivate both intra and inter African interests and connection, continue discussion and conversation on how to move Africa forward.
“A continent that has all the natural resources but still at the lowest ebb in the rank of other continents, needs trade and investment because there are many opportunities that abound in Africa. This is the time for countries all over the world to explore the resources that abound in the continent to make the world a better place for us,” Mr Giami said.
Other recipients of the African Leadership Awards at the event include the President of Malawi, Prof. Arthur Peter Mutharika; President of Burkina Faso, Mr Roch Marc Christian Kabore; Vice President of South Sudan, Mr Taban Deng Gai, among others.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
President Bola Tinubu has promised to protect the country and work very hard to ensure every form of terrorism in Nigeria is defeated.
Mr Tinubu gave this assurance during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja on Thursday.
He disclosed that Nigeria remains on a steady growth trajectory, with more promise of stability and prosperity as economic reforms continue to yield results and gain national and international acceptance.
Speaking in reaction to the threats by President Donald Trump of United States to raid terrorists’ camps in Nigeria, Mr Tinubu asked, “Do we have problems? Yes. Are we challenged by terrorism? Yes. But we will defeat terrorism. We will overcome the CPC designation.
“Nigeria is one happy family, and we shall spare no effort until we eliminate all criminals from our society. We want our friends to help us as we step up our fight against terrorism, and we will eliminate it.”
The President also disclosed that the federal government was engaging with the world diplomatically, noting, “The most important thing is the fact that despite the political headwinds and the fear of our people, we will continue to engage with partners.”
Commenting on the economy, he said, “The success of the $2.3 billion Eurobond that was oversubscribed by 400 per cent is the most assuring. So, the task ahead is immense; we are engaging the world diplomatically, and we assure all of you that we will defeat terrorism in this country.
“The task ahead is immense, but it is our resolve to move forward with unity and purpose, guided by the Renewed Hope Agenda to build a prosperous, inclusive and resilient Nigeria.”
Mr Tinubu directed the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, to brief the council on the nation’s economic performance, stated that the government will continue to sustain and consolidate the gains.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
One Captain Nuhu Haruna has been brought before Justice Darius Khobo of the Kaduna State High Court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for an alleged foreign exchange (FX) fraud.
The suspect was accused of duping his victim of about N1.02 billion under a false pretence sometime in December 2023 in Kaduna.
At his arraignment on Wednesday, the EFCC informed Justice Khobo that Mr Haruna, while being the Managing Director of Maphutha Oil and Gas Limited, obtained about N782.3 million from one Mr Sheriff Zailani Shanono, promising to provide him an equivalent in United States Dollars but failed to deliver as promised.
According to the anti-money laundering agency, his action contravenes Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
He was also accused of getting another N125.0 million from the same victim.
When the two-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud and obtaining money under false pretence were read to him, Mr Haruna pleaded “not guilty,” following which the prosecution counsel, M.E. Eimonye urged the court for a trial date, while the defence counsel, M.T Mohammed informed the court of the defendant’s bail application, already before the court.
Justice Khobo, after listening to both counsels adjourned the case till November 19, 2025, for the hearing of the bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in a Correctional Centre.
The EFCC revealed that Mr Haruna was arrested following a petition from Mr Shanono in which he alleged that he was introduced to the defendant sometime in December 2023, having claimed that he could provide him with a dollar equivalent of a sum of N1.02 billion in two instalments of $600,000 and $400,000.
Following the agreement, he alleged that he then provided the defendant with a foreign bank account into which he would pay the dollar sums and proceeded to transfer the funds into accounts provided by the defendant.
The petitioner further claimed that shortly after his transfer of the sum, the defendant provided him with evidence of payment of the dollar equivalent he claimed to have made into his foreign bank account, only for him to discover that the payment evidence was not real as the money never dropped.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The payment solutions platform of Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc, Zest, scored a brace at the recently-concluded 2025 MSME Finance and CEO Awards.
The MSME Finance and CEO Awards celebrate organizations and leaders driving meaningful progress in financial services, technology, and enterprise support across Africa.
At the event organised by the Africa Global Economic Forum, Zest was honoured as the MSME Fintech Payment Platform of the Year and its chief executive, Mr Stanley Jacob, emerged as the MSME Digital Finance CEO of the Year.
The first was in recognition of its innovation, reliability, and impact in driving seamless payments for businesses of every size across Nigeria and beyond, while the second was for Mr Jacob’s visionary leadership, strategic excellence, and commitment to advancing digital transformation in Africa’s financial ecosystem.
These recognitions reaffirm Zest’s unwavering dedication to excellence, payment innovation, and customer-focused solutions that empower entrepreneurs and MSMEs to thrive in an increasingly digital economy.
“This honour underscores the collective effort of our incredible team and partners who share our mission of redefining payments for MSMEs.
“At Zest, we remain committed to building inclusive, technology-driven solutions that simplify business growth and strengthen the digital economy,” Mr Jacob stated.
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