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DAYLIGHT ROBBERY AT FCMB LEKKI: NATIONAL ENQUIRER PUBLISHER’S EYE WITNESS ACCOUNT

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The publisher of National Enquirer Magazine, Mr. Tunde Moshood has detailed his own account of what transpired at the robbery incident which took place yesterday at FCMB Lekki Laagos. The incident left to dead four Policemen, a 14 years old fish hawker and many injuries were recorded. Here is a reproduction of the account.

I give God the glory for the rare privilege of being able to tell this story, it was indeed a one in a million kind of armed robbery operation-the much talked about robbery incident of today, Thursday, March 12th, 2015 at the Waterfront Plaza branch of the First City Monument Bank on Admiralty Way, Lekki, Lagos that left 4 policemen, an innocent 14years old fish-hawker dead and about 5 others injured from stray bullet wounds.

I have read stories of day light robbery incident but never thought it could be this weighty, for me and one of my staff that witnessed it live, it was a case of close shave with death. We thank God for making His GRACE sufficient for us on this fateful day. It was like one of those Nollywood’s unrealistic movies that normally takes off like a joke.

We still can’t come out of the shock that, the operation which was sadly successful was led by a woman, yes a woman, very agile and daring. We were on our way from the studio of Mattson Photography who we had agreed to work together on the next MissGlobalNigeria project. The celebrity photographer and I met through my friend, Barrister Festus Keyamo on Tuesday, March 10th, 2015 while we were having lunch on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

Shortly after we left Mattson’s Studio, we saw one of our colleagues, Ola Mohammed of Islanders Magazine, we had a brief chat and proceeded on our journey. In a minute or thereabout to the journey, we began to hear a reverberated sound of gun shots, though we never believed it could be gun shots anyway owing to the fact that, it was a broad day light.

The gun shots persisted and the long queue of vehicles further confused us on what could be happening, in a jiffy, a couple of thoughts came to mind: could they be political thugs trying to harass rival party or are these bad boys trying to abduct someone?

At a point, just in the spate of maybe 10 to 20 seconds, the journalistic instincts in me asked me to open the door; “who knows I could have access to some exclusives.” Alas! It was an eye ball to eye ball with a daring gun wielding lanky man on full mobile police uniform who had obviously taken possession of the area with his other gangs. That time, the deafening sound of the gun shots got me numbed leaving me to take a decision between saying my last prayers or scamper for safety.

In a flicker, I resorted to laying with my face down but I had a premonition he will pull the trigger and blast my skull, so I decided to take to crawling but very fast as if it were an ordered punishment. I fell into the ditch and did a few more crawl before I remembered the fate of the person in the car with me, Faith,  then I started to say prayers.

Miraculously, the GRACE covered her, she witnessed all the sporadic shootings, how the innocent 14years old girl was wasted whilst scampering for safety, the torrents of bullets that penetrated the police escorts vehicle and killed 4 of the 5 policemen inside and how the armed bandits eventually escaped via an expanse of land behind the bank with a speed boat.

We give God the glory. This is one time one regrets being a Nigerian, just while the innocent poor masses are praying for smooth transition of the tension-soaked political process, the thoughts of daylight safety is next on agenda. May the spirits of our forefathers deliver us.

Tunde Moshood is the editor of NationalEnquirer

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Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

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Union Bank Honoured by ASBON at Nigeria National SME Business Awards

 

 

Lagos, Nigeria – Union Bank of Nigeria has reaffirmed its reputation as a strong supporter of Nigerian businesses, receiving the Best SME Growth Banking Initiatives Award for 2025 from the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) at the Nigeria National SME Business Awards, held recently in Lagos.

The award was presented to the Bank in recognition of its strategic leadership in advancing the growth and resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises, through a differentiated suite of solutions designed to enable business expansion and long-term value creation.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Bank, Ayokunnumi Abraham, Head of SME Segment at Union Bank, described the recognition as a strong endorsement of the Bank’s commitment to supporting small and medium-sized businesses. He said:

“We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects Union Bank’s continued commitment to helping SMEs grow by making banking simpler, faster, and more accessible. Through enhancements to our specialised platforms such as Union360, we have meaningfully reduced the time it takes for businesses to come on board and begin transacting. These improvements have shortened onboarding, increased digital adoption among our SME customers, and supported the acquisition of new business clients. Our focus remains on delivering practical solutions that help Nigerian businesses thrive.”

Organised by ASBON in partnership with the Lagos State Government through the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, the event convened stakeholders from the public and private sectors to recognise individuals and organisations driving meaningful impact across Nigeria’s SME ecosystem.

Union Bank remains focused on deepening its support for SMEs through customer-led solutions and processes that strengthen business growth across the ecosystem.

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Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion 

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*Atlantian Crown Bank Rebrands as Arizona Global Bank LLC, Begins Licensing for Global Expansion* 

_By AGP News 

 

*UNITED KINGDOM OF ATLANTIS* — In a move signaling a push into international markets, the Royal Throne of the United Kingdom of Atlantis on Sunday announced the corporate transformation of Atlantian Crown Bank LLC into *Arizona Global Bank LLC*, as part of a wider restructuring to position the institution for global banking and financial innovation.

 

The announcement was made at a press conference in the UKA capital by *HRM Queen Amb. Cletus C. Leaticia*, Chief Executive Officer of the newly named bank. She told reporters the rebranding marks _“more than a name change”_ and reflects a strategic pivot toward digital finance, cross-border investment, and modern banking standards.

 

_“This transformation represents our commitment to innovation-driven banking and our vision to become a globally competitive financial institution,”_ Queen Leaticia said.

 

*Licensing Process Underway*

According to the Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, which issued the official communication, Arizona Global Bank LLC has formally begun the process of applying for a *Banking Operational Licence* under UKA’s financial regulatory framework.

 

Once licensed, the bank plans to operate as a modern financial enterprise focused on four pillars:

1. Innovation-driven banking and digital financial solutions

2. Corporate financing and structured investment services

3. International financial partnerships and cross-border trade facilitation

4. Financial inclusion initiatives

 

Bank officials stressed that the institution will _“maintain strict compliance with all banking regulations and supervisory standards”_ set by UKA financial authorities.

 

*Strategic Shift Amid Global Ambitions*

Management described the rebranding as part of a broader restructuring initiative to _“strengthen the bank’s international identity, expand its global financial footprint, and align operations with contemporary banking standards.”_

 

Representatives called the licensing and rebranding process a _“major milestone”_ aimed at supporting economic growth, international trade, and cross-border investment initiatives.

 

*No Disruption to Existing Commitments*

Addressing potential concerns from clients and partners, management reassured stakeholders that _“all existing institutional commitments, operational objectives, and long-term strategic plans remain fully intact throughout the transition process.”_

 

The Royal Throne indicated that further updates on the licence approval, commencement of operations, corporate partnerships, and investment programmes will be released through official UKA and Arizona Global Bank LLC channels.

 

_The Department of Financial Administration and Corporate Affairs, Royal Throne of United Kingdom of Atlantis, issued the official statement._

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Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025 

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Fidelity Bank grows Gross Earnings by 45.6% for FY 2025 

 

Lagos, Nigeria – Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading Nigerian financial institution, has announced its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2025, reporting Gross Earnings growth of 45.6% from N1.04 trillion in 2024 to N1.52 trillion in FY 2025, reflecting stronger topline momentum across core business segments.

 

 

The Group recorded a Profit Before Tax of N347.7 billion.  This performance was underpinned by a 38.7% year-on-year increase in interest income to N1.11 trillion (FY 2024: N803.1 billion) and a 44.7% year-on-year rise in fees and commission income to N113.4 billion (FY 2024: N78.4 billion).

 

 

On the balance sheet, total assets grew by 18.6% year-on-year to N10.46 trillion (FY 2024: N8.82 trillion), while customer deposits increased by 16.1% year on year to N6.89 trillion (FY 2024: N5.94 trillion), reflecting continued franchise strength and growing customer confidence in the brand. Net loans and advances declined by 2.4% year-on-year to N4.28 trillion (FY 2024: N4.39 trillion) as customers paid down on their mature obligations.

 

 

The Bank also strengthened its capital position during the period, with eligible capital rising to N561 billion, above the regulatory minimum of N500 billion for banks with international authorisation. In addition, capital adequacy remained robust, with Capital Adequacy Ratio of 30.94 percent as at 31 December 2025 (FY 2024: 23.47 percent).

 

 

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

 

 

The Bank is the recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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