society
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest
Gunmen Abduct Catholic Priest
Unknown gunmen have kidnapped a Catholic Priest of Abakaliki Diocese, Ebonyi State, Rev. Father Joseph Azubuike in the state.
The Catholic Priest was kidnapped on Monday, alongside three other persons.
In a statement issued by the Chancellor of the Diocese, Rev. Father Mathew Opoke, the victim was kidnapped on his way to St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, on his way back from duties.
In the statement titled, “Call for Prayers,” the Diocesan Chancellor disclosed that the abductors were making financial demands.
The statement read in part: “Kindly pray for the unconditional release of Very Rev. Fr. Joseph Azubuike who was abducted yesterday Monday, 10th of July, 2023, close to his parish on his way back from pastoral duties.
“Fr. Joseph is the Parish Priest of St. Charles Parish, Mgbaleze Isu in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“The abductors are making financial demands but with your prayers, we are going to have them back unconditionally. May Mary, the Mother of priests, intercede for us. Amen.”
Contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Ebonyi State Police Command, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, said her office was yet to be furnished about the development.
“Am still making contact with our Divisional Police in the area of the incident. Let’s me find out if the matter has been reported,” the Police spokesman said.
Meanwhile, gunmen suspected to be enforcers of the sit-at-home order wrecked havoc in the state, thereby heightening tensions and fear among residents.
But the State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, has declared that there was nothing like sit-at-home in the state.
In a statement issued by his spokesman, Dr. Monday Uzor, the governor who spoke to newsmen shortly after participating in a meeting of Ohaneze Ndigbo with Governors, House of Assembly Speakers National Assembly Members, and other Leaders from the South East zone at Imo State Governor’s Lodge Asokoro, Abuja, explained that what played out a week ago in the state was a case of miscreants who attempted to put fear in residents and disrupt businesses.
“I am surprised to hear sit-at-home from you because there is nothing like sit- at home in Ebonyi. We never for one day observed sit–at–home and I know you are aware.
“Some people only wanted to know if they can start putting tension on people and we said no, they don’t have such powers, they can’t do that and it didn’t happen,” Nwifuru said.
Alake, others Lauds Fatgbems Foundation Food Support Initiative
The Paramount Ruler of Egba-Land, His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, has lauded Fatgbems Foundation, a non-profit and corporate social responsibility of Arm of Fatgbems Group, for the Food Support initiative distributed to five thousand people in Abeokuta, Lagos and Oyo States.
Speaking through the Amona of Egba-Land, High Chief Tajudeen Oladehinde, disclosed that the initiative is well commendable, especially at this time when majority of the household struggles to feed for three square meals. It has also given huge support to the government and the traditional system’s efforts in ensuring the economic downturn is drastically minimized.
Chief Tajudeen further noted that the composition of the food bags and the items is a huge investment that the foundation has committed, which has also created a lasting impression on the minds of the beneficiaries and will never be forgotten for a long time.
‘We express our profound gratitude to the board and management of Fatgbems Group for displaying a responsible corporate attitude for the laudable initiative and others will have witnessed’.
In his own statement, Board Chairman Fatgbems Foundation, Adebayo Gbemisola, disclosed that, the foundation was set-up mainly for humanitarian activities and has been in the fore front of promoting the tripod idea which is include education, health and entrepreneurial development for over ten years.
He added that, the food palliative idea is an appendage to what the foundation stands for and such the campaign is in line with supporting government and other institutions in ensuring Nigerians do not feel the impact of the economic issues.
Mr. Gbemisola added that we also reached communities withing our operational areas not only in Abeokuta, but Lagos and Oyo States also benefited. And we will continue to improve our efforts not just to give back but create a lasting impact within and outside of our catchments.
In her comments, The Iya-Loja of Egba-Land, Chief Mrs. Oluwakemi Oloyede, commended the initiative and thanked the foundation on behalf of the entire market community in Abeokuta and entire Egba-land for the food palliative that was spread across markets.
The food bags were distributed to various places including, mosques, churches, palaces, various communities and public were also distributed to at the Ake Place and Owu Baptish Church Play field.
Fatgbems Group is a Nigerian indeginous conglomerate with interest in Petroleum Marketing, Automobile Tyre Trade & Marketing, Agro-Allied, and Real Estate.
society
Dr Nicky Okoye drives the adoption of Digital Asset MARKETS for Nigeria’s Digital economic revolution
Dr Nicky Okoye drives the adoption of Digital Asset MARKETS for Nigeria’s Digital economic revolution.
Nigeria’s financial and capital markets took a significant leap into the future of digital finance at a landmark strategy session and masterclass hosted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in Lagos, in partnership with the Global Investment Advisory (GIA) community.
The highlight of the event was a keynote address by Dr. Nicky Okoye, founder and Chairman of GIA and a renowned global investment advisor, who provided a comprehensive outlook on Nigeria’s emerging digital asset markets. The session drew an overflowing audience of key stakeholders, including financial institutions, capital market professionals, technology experts, and investors.
Dr. Okoye underscored the transformative potential of the new Investment and Securities Act 2025 (ISA 2025), recently signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The act provides a regulatory framework for digital assets, authorizes the use of cryptocurrencies, and establishes a legal foundation for token issuance in Nigeria.
“The digital asset markets in Nigeria, and our ability to position for their full adoption across Africa, will redefine the continent’s economic future,” Dr. Okoye stated. “These markets will reflect a true measure of Nigeria’s wealth, and will be built on blockchain infrastructure tied to physical assets—making them less volatile and truly revolutionary.”
The event also featured strategic contributions from several high-profile figures:
Joseph Tegbe, Director General of the Nigeria–China Strategic Partnership, provided insights into China’s global investment efforts and opportunities for Nigeria to tap into Chinese institutional capital through digital assets.
Bola Ajomale, representing SEC’s Director General Dr. Timi Agama, assured attendees that SEC had laid the groundwork for a transparent, investor-friendly digital asset ecosystem.
Senator Osita Izunaso, Chairman of the Nigerian Senate Committee on Capital Markets, pledged continued legislative collaboration to deepen Nigeria’s digital and capital markets.
Mr. Yomi Oluyomi, Lagos State Commissioner of Finance, representing Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, reaffirmed Lagos State’s readiness to lead the charge in adopting digital asset frameworks, noting the state’s history of innovation in structured government-backed bonds.
Notable members of the Global Investment Advisory community present included MERISTEM Group, CardinalStone, Constant Capital, Anabel Capital, and VFD Group.
To cap off the event, the Global Investment Advisory community announced plans for an international digital asset markets roadshow, where select members will explore best practices from global cryptocurrency exchanges. In partnership with the African Enterprise Institute, GIA also launched executive education programs in Digital Asset Markets Strategy. These programs aim to equip financial executives with tools, roadmaps, and strategies for profitably navigating the digital asset space.
The executive certifications will also offer pathways for the establishment of Digital Asset Professional Services, corporate digital asset desks, and tokenization models for wealth creation—targeted at institutional investors, asset managers, and subnational entities.
The session marks a bold step toward aligning Nigeria with global trends in digital finance, with stakeholders expressing optimism about the country’s potential to become a continental hub for digital asset innovation.
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