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Nigerians in Diaspora comes hard on Buhari with harsh tag ”NigeriansAreNotCriminal”

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10 years ago

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Pres. Buhari on his visit to London last week made some statements during an interview with British Journalist which some Nigerians, Home and abroad found absurd.
They accused him of labelling them as criminals.
He added that because of the number of Nigerians imprisoned for law-breaking in Britain and elsewhere, they were also unlikely to get much sympathy.

Reacting to this, Some Nigerians have launched a Harshtag on social media; ”#NigeriansAreNotCriminals”.

One of the angry citizens,Tony Osborg wrote on Facebook:
My name is Ossai Tony Osborg. I am a Nigerian from Aboh Kingdom of Delta State. I am a graduate of Philosophy. I am a fellow at the Chartered Institute of Management. I am a Project Manager, Website Designer, Bid Documentation Expert, Public Relations Consultant and an Author. I have contributed in my little way to the development of my community and Nigeria and I have equally contributed to the field of knowledge in the world stage. I am a Nigerian and I love Nigeria even though Nigeria does not seem to love me. I am not a criminal. ‪#‎NigeriansAreNotCriminals‬

Other Nigerians resident in the United Kingdom have launched a hashtag attacking the president for labeling them criminals.

My name is Obinna D. Ogbuagu. I am a Legal Practitioner practicing in Nigeria for over sixteen years now. I pay my tax regularly and have contributed in my own way to national development. I am not a criminal. ‪#‎NigeriansAreNotCriminals‬

Reacting to the statement Portia Emilia Anthony wrote: “My name is PMB (Portia Means Business) not the PMB that said we all are criminals. I am a business lady. I sell Vessels, refined products (downstream). I am a hardworking, honest, compassionate Nigerian, I must add I have integrity. I am a decent Nigerian that has Nigeria first and foremost as paramount in my heart in all I do. I live both in Nigeria and UK. I am not a criminal and would never be. I stand with Nigerians to say ‪#‎WeAreNotCriminals‬.”

When President Muhammadu Buhari took over power in May 2015, many Nigerians expected him to wave a wand and bring about change. They felt that their votes had hired the right man who would immediately fix all that was wrong with our country.

But now Buhari has formed the habit of denigrating his fellow countrymen.

For example, while delivering a speech to commemorate Nigeria’s 55 years of independence from the UK on 1 October, President Buhari made clear his view of the citizens calling them “unruly”.

While he invited every Nigerian to share the burden of change with him he said, “We must change our lawless habits… We must change our unruly behaviour… To bring about change, we must change ourselves.”

Two days ago in the United Kingdom Nigeria’s president again warned his fellow citizens to stop trying to make asylum claims in Britain, saying that their reputation for criminality has made it hard for them to be “accepted” abroad.

Muhammadu Buhari, the tough ex-general elected last year, said those who had joined the migrant exodus to Europe were doing so purely for economic reasons rather than because they were in danger.

Someone did rebrand Nigeria as “Good people great nation”. That is how it should be. A good CEO promotes his brand no matter what, a good president should promote his country no matter what too. ‪#‎NigeriansAreNotCriminals‬

Mr Buhari, 73, made his remarks in a wide-ranging interview during a three-day trip to London, where he was among world leaders attending Thursday’s international conference on the Syrian crisis and the ongoing war on terror.

“We have an image problem abroad and we are on our way to salvage that”

“Some Nigerians claim is that life is too difficult back home, but they have also made it difficult for Europeans and Americans to accept them because of the number of Nigerians in prisons all over the world accused of drug trafficking or human trafficking,” he told The Telegraph.

“I don’t think Nigerians have anybody to blame. They can remain at home, where their services are required to rebuild the country.”

But according to Okey Okpala; “I am a lawyer, A serious lawyer at that. I work my ass out and keep calling another fellow My Lord on daily basis in other to make a living. I make a living standing on my feet and solving other people’s problems. I have no criminal record. I am a Nigerian. ‪#‎IAmNotACriminal”‬

A UK based solicitor told Elombah.com, “Nearly one in ten of the 11,000 foreign prisoners ­clogging up our overcrowded jails are from one country. An official figure shows that 989 are from Poland. The next worst offenders are Ireland, Jamaica and Romania followed by Pakistan, Lithuania and Nigeria. Further down the list are Somalia, India, Albania and Bangladesh. Yet none of these countries leaders have come to this place to label their nationals CRIMINALS”.

Indeed, a UK Home office publication stated that 11,719 foreign criminals are either in jail, in immigration detention centres or at large. In total, 177 nations are represented on the list, entitled the Foreign National Offender Caseload.

When ordered by nationality, Jamaica comes out on top: 1,026 Jamaicans from a total population in Britain of 47,000 Jamaican nationals have been convicted of crimes. Nigerians and Polish are next on the list, accounting for 832 and 679 convicted criminals of those nationalities respectively, but from much larger immigrant populations.

Eze Eluchie’s reaction was more acidic. He wrote on Facebook: “The President of a Republic of Criminals is certainly a Presidential Criminal! Mr. President in the same interview with the British Daily Telegraph asked Nigerians to stay back in Nigeria whilst his children all schooled in the UK and have residency there. Mr. President, sir, the Nigerians I know living abroad, are not criminals. But you, ‘saint’ Muhammadu Buhari, are a hypocrite!

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Bank

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

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4 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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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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5 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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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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Business

ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION’S FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK

Published

7 hours ago

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May 12, 2026

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ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION’S FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK

ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION’S FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK

 

 

 

Ms. Zouera Youssoufou, Managing Director & CEO of Aliko Dangote Foundation (ADF) in company with Mr. Ahmed Iya, Head of Community Engagement & Polio Eradication of ADF visited Dr. Rami Ahmad, Vice President (Operations) of the Islamic Development Bank at IsDB Headquarters in Jeddah.

 

The delegation used the occasion to highlight the activities of the Foundation so far which made great impact on people of all races by enhancing opportunities for social change through strategic investments that improve health and wellbeing, promote quality education, and broaden empowerment opportunities for individuals and communities.

 

 

 

Dr. Rami also expressed his expectation of a good and rewarding partnership between the two organisations, as many member countries of the IsDB face pressing debt challenges that constrain their investments in people and livelihoods.

 

ALIKO DANGOTE FOUNDATION’S FORGES PARTNERSHIP WITH ISLAMIC DEVELOPMENT BANK

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