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FASHOLA DEDICATES STEPHEN J. SOLARZ AWARD TO TEAM WORK

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·         As Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, commends the former Lagos State Governor for good governance
·         “It’s for commitment to resolving social, economic and security challenges in the world’s most challenging urbanenvironments”, says ICG

Immediate past Governor of Lagos State and Minister Designate, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, in faraway New York, dedicated the honour of the prestigious annual Stephen J. Solarz Award presented to him by the International Crisis Group (ICG) to team work saying he was only privileged to be head of a dedicated team of men and women who devoted their lives to a chosen cause.

 

Fashola, who becomes the seventh recipient worldwide, got the award during the 2oth Anniversary Dinner Award of the global conflict
resolution organization in New York “for commitment to resolving
social, economic and security challenges” in Lagos, considered by the
world body as “one of the world’s most challenging urban
environments.”

 

In his short remark after receiving the award presented on behalf of
ICG by founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr Mo Ibrahim, Mr. Fashola
insisted that what happened in the eight years he governed Lagos State
happened only because he was privileged to lead “a team of dedicated
men and women who devoted their lives to the same cause”.
While thanking the organization for the honour of the award, Fashola
noted, “When you talked of Ebola, when you talked of security, it was
the health workers and the Police who did the work and as leader of
the team, I was only blessed with the men and women who really were
ready to serve in the place we call home”.

 

The Minister Designate, who said he would have brought the whole team
to New York for the award if it were possible, added, “For me it is an
honour and it is on their behalf that I accept this award. Let me say
that such honour will continue to inspire us to make our State and our
country a better place to live for our people”.

Describing himself as lucky to be blessed with such a team, Fashola
declared, “In all our life’s journey we encounter, we meet people who
lend a hand, we meet people who inspire, we meet people who support
and all of the things that happened throughout the eight years I
served as Governor of Lagos State did not happen because of me”.
He congratulated the International Crisis Group for the work it has
been doing in the past two decades which he described as remarkable
and also thanked the Group for the honour accorded him in presenting
the award adding that the works of Stephen J. Solarz in whose memory
he was receiving the honour has continued to inspire good leadership
especially across Africa.

 

Fashola, who expressed his delight to have received the award from Mo
Ibrahim who he described as “my brother”, praised the Founder of Mo
Ibrahim Foundation for his commitment to the development of good
governance and the eradication of poverty in the Continent of Africa.
Earlier in his remarks before presenting the prestigious award, Mo
Ibrahim described former Governor Fashola as “a wonderful man” who,
for eight years, exhibited good governance in Nigeria, “a country
which suffered for many years from bad governance”.
According to Mo Ibrahim, the former Governor came and gave a new face
of governance to Nigeria and showed in his eight years in office that
he understood what he was sent to do, which according to him, “is to
deliver service to the people”.

 

Pointing out some of the remarkable landmarks of service by the former
Governor and his team, Mo Ibrahim declared, “For instance, before he
came into office, transport from the airport to the city was a
nightmare. But when he came he did a wonderful job and things began to
move”.

He recalled that before Fashola came into governance security was a
major challenge in in the country and the State with the Police in bad
shape due to lack of institutional support adding that with the coming
of the Governor, a new initiative was introduced into security
management whereby he invited the private sector and other major stakeholders to support.

 

According to him, the police were equipped with vehicles decent uniforms and other security gadgets and equipment and Lagos became safe again through the initiative adding that the former Lagos State Helmsman also did the same in the Education and Health sectors.
He recalled that in the area of Education, which according to him is a major challenge in Africa, Fashola invited the Private Sector and they supported in building new schools and equipping them with modern learning aids adding that in the area of Health his most prominent Achievement was the eradication of Ebola.

 

“I can keep going on and on about all his achievements but the important thing here is that all these happened in Nigeria where governance was a major issue. That is why I am happy today to offer this award to a man who has provided good governance in Nigeria”, he said.

 

The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit,
non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflicts across the globe with Mission and Method which include Field Work, Analysis and Advocacy in crisis locations based on seriousness of a situation, value to international understanding and response, availability of fund and safety of operation.

 

Former Governor Fashola was accompanied to the high profile event by several prominent members of the Class of 2011 – 2015 of the Lagos State Executive Council including former Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, his Works and Infrastructure, Finance and Commerce and Industry counterparts, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat,
Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi and Mrs. Olusola Oworu respectively.

 

Also in the entourage were former Special Adviser on Public Health, Dr. Yewande Adeshina, and former General Manager of the Lagos State Pensions Commission, Mr. Kunle Hussien, as well as a Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos, Pastor Akintola Daramola, among others.

 

And present at the impressive ceremony were Nigerian members of the Board of Trustees of ICG including the Vice Chairman and prominent legal practitioner, Mr. Ayo Obe and Founder of Fate Foundation, Mr. Fola Adeola, President & CEO of ICG, Mr. Jean-Marie Guehenno, fellow honorees including President Emeritus of the Group and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Australia, Mr. Gareth Evans, who received the Founder’s Award and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Ms Emma Bonino as well as Founder of Mo Ibrahim Foundation, Dr. Mo Ibrahim, who presented the Stephen J. Solarz Award on behalf ICG to

Mr. Fashola, among others.

 

 

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Zero Processing Fee; GTBank Removes POS Processing Fees to Support Businesses

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Zero Processing Fee; GTBank Removes POS Processing Fees to Support Businesses

 

Lagos, Nigeria – Wednesday, 12 February 2025 – Guaranty Trust Bank Ltd has announced the removal of processing fees on all GTBank POS terminals, reinforcing its commitment to supporting businesses with cost-effective payment solutions.

 

This initiative, which took effect Tuesday, 11 February 2025, communicates that merchants using GTBank POS terminals will no longer incur Merchant Service Charges (MSC) when receiving payments from customers.

 

With this initiative, all qualifying SME Merchants can now receive payments at zero cost, allowing them to reduce operational expenses, whilst promoting the merchant’s enterprise, and enhancing customer experience.
Speaking on the initiative, Miriam Olusanya, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank Nigeria, said: “At Guaranty Trust Bank, we are always looking for ways to add value to our financial ecosystem. By implementing the zero processing fees on POS transactions, we are empowering businesses to get the full value of every payment they receive, whilst also ensuring a more seamless and efficient payment experience.”
The Zero Processing Charge campaign aligns with GTBank’s ongoing efforts to empower businesses with innovative financial solutions that drive growth and efficiency.

 

For more information, merchants are encouraged to contact their Relationship Managers or reach out to the Digital Banking Support Team at [email protected].
About GTBank

 

Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank) is a leading financial institution committed to delivering innovative banking solutions that empower businesses and individuals. With a strong focus on technology and customer satisfaction, GTBank continues to redefine the banking experience across Africa and beyond.

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Nigerian Officials Condemn Canada’s Visa Denial to Military Leaders

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Nigerian Officials Condemn Canada’s Visa Denial to Military Leaders

Nigerian Officials Condemn Canada’s Visa Denial to Military Leaders

 

The Federal Government and former diplomats have condemned Canada’s decision to deny visas to top Nigerian military officials, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, and other senior officers. The controversy arose after Gen. Musa revealed that several high-ranking officials were barred from attending a Canadian event honoring war veterans, leaving some delegation members stranded.

 

National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu expressed outrage at the development during the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in Abuja on Thursday. Ribadu described the visa denial as “disrespectful” and declared, “Canada can go to hell.” He applauded Musa for addressing the issue publicly and emphasized the need for Nigeria to strengthen its internal capacity.

 

“Even though it’s painful and disrespectful, we are peaceful, we are strong, and I agree with you—it is time to fix our country. This is yet another reason we must work hard to make Nigeria work,” Ribadu stated.

 

Gen. Musa called the incident a “wake-up call” for Nigeria to stand firm against being taken for granted by foreign nations. “This is a reminder that we must stand on our own, stand strong as a nation, and refuse to be taken for granted,” he urged.

An official from the Canadian High Commission, speaking anonymously, indicated that an official response would be provided on Friday.

Former Nigerian Ambassador to Cameroon, Ambassador Rasheed Akinkuolie, criticized the visa denial as inconceivable and proposed a reciprocal delay in processing Canadian visa applications. He also recommended summoning the Canadian High Commissioner for an explanation.

“High officials of the rank of the CDS, COAS, and Service Chiefs should normally hold diplomatic passports. Application for visas of such top officials should be routed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and forwarded with a Note Verbale,” Akinkuolie explained. “If such a denial occurs, the Nigerian mission in Canada should delay all diplomatic, official, and private applications of Canadians visiting Nigeria as a reciprocal measure.”

Ambassador Akinkuolie also emphasized the importance of limiting delegations to official personnel to avoid unnecessary complications.

Similarly, retired Ambassador to Algeria, Amb. Mohammed Mabdul, described the visa denial as “highly undiplomatic” and urged the Canadian High Commission to reconsider. “The issue of security should not be taken for granted,” Mabdul warned, stressing that diplomatic relations should not be jeopardized by such actions.

However, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Yemi Farounbi, criticized Ribadu’s language, calling it undiplomatic.

“I don’t think the NSA handled the matter in the best possible way, and the language used cannot be considered diplomatic,” Farounbi said. He suggested that the issue should have been referred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Every sovereign nation has the right to grant or deny visas to any applicant. Considering the bilateral relationship, the matter could have been addressed through diplomatic channels. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the best agency for handling such matters, and they would have used appropriate language,” he added.

Farounbi further warned against ministries and agencies taking on roles that fall under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“There are instances where top officials visit foreign countries without informing the Nigerian Embassy in those countries. This is not how such matters should be handled,” he said.

As diplomatic tensions rise, all eyes are on Canada’s official response and any potential actions Nigeria may take to address the issue.

 

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Elon Musk’s Team Accuses FEMA of Misusing $59 Million to House Illegal Migrants in Luxury Hotels

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Elon Musk’s Team Accuses FEMA of Misusing $59 Million to House Illegal Migrants in Luxury Hotels

Elon Musk’s Team Accuses FEMA of Misusing $59 Million to House Illegal Migrants in Luxury Hotels

Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has made serious allegations against the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), claiming that the agency misused $59 million to accommodate illegal migrants in luxurious hotels.

 

The billionaire entrepreneur revealed this in a tweet on Monday morning, stating that the discovery was made last week. According to Musk, the funds were intended for American disaster relief but were instead diverted in violation of national regulations.

 

He wrote: “The @DOGE team just discovered that FEMA sent $59M LAST WEEK to luxury hotels in New York City to house illegal migrants. Sending this money violated the law and is in gross insubordination to the President’s executive order. That money is meant for American disaster relief and instead is being spent on high-end hotels for illegals! A clawback demand will be made today to recoup those funds.”

 

The revelation has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that FEMA’s allocation of funds should prioritize American citizens affected by disasters. The allegations have also intensified scrutiny on FEMA, which has faced previous accusations of financial mismanagement.

 

An inspector general audit recently revealed that FEMA mishandled nearly $10 billion in COVID-19 relief funds. The audit stated that $8.1 billion in costs remained questionable, while $1.5 billion was allocated prematurely and could have been better utilized for other emergencies.

 

As scrutiny mounts, former President Donald Trump has reportedly considered abolishing FEMA, describing the agency as “a disaster.” To address these concerns, Trump has established a council, led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, to review FEMA’s operations and propose necessary reforms by late June.

 

The allegations against FEMA have triggered a broader debate on the proper allocation of taxpayer funds and the government’s role in disaster management. More updates are expected as the situation develops.

 

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