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Strength in Unity: NUSA Kempton Park Ward Inauguration Sets Standard for Nigerian Diaspora Leadership.
Strength in Unity: NUSA Kempton Park Ward Inauguration Sets Standard for Nigerian Diaspora Leadership.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
Introduction.
On Saturday, the 23rd of August 2025, Nigerians in Kempton Park, Gauteng, witnessed a landmark moment as the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) successfully conducted the election and inauguration of its Kempton Park Ward executives. Held at the prestigious Friedman Stad Hotel, the event was not only calm and peaceful but also entertaining and filled with optimism for the future.
The ceremony drew an impressive presence of national and provincial leaders of NUSA, including the President General, Adv. Smart I. Nwobi, the BoT Chairman, Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen, the Grand Patron, Hon. Ikechukwu Anyene, the Secretary General/Acting Gauteng Chairperson, Mr. Yomi Jola-Michael, his assistant secretary, Hon. Coker, the Deputy Organising Secretary, Hon. Emeka Dibie, and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President General, Hon. George O. Sylvester.
Their presence underscored the seriousness of the moment, proving once again that NUSA is a union of structure, discipline, and grassroots accountability.
Why the Kempton Park Ward Election Matters.
NUSA is not merely a social association; it is the umbrella body representing Nigerians across South Africa. It advocates for Nigerian rights, mediates in times of crisis, engages South African authorities on issues of police, and fosters unity among Nigerians.
The inauguration of the Kempton Park Ward executives was therefore not just another election. It was a strategic expansion of NUSA’s grassroots structures, a bold statement that Nigerians in Kempton Park will now have direct representation, a closer support system, and a structured pathway to engage with both NUSA leadership and South African authorities.
Kempton Park is home to thousands of Nigerians engaged in trade, academia, business, religious ministry, and the arts. Having a recognized ward structure here is a reassurance that NUSA is present where its people are most active.
Presence of Leaders: A Testament to Unity
The caliber of leaders who graced the event revealed its historical importance.
Adv. Smart I. Nwobi, President General of NUSA, delivered the keynote remarks. He congratulated the newly elected executives and urged them to prioritize service above self. His words reminded everyone that leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege.
Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen, BoT Chairman, one of the most respected financial minds in the Nigerian diaspora, highlighted the importance of accountability, stressing that leadership without integrity is leadership bound to collapse.
Hon. Ikechukwu Anyene, Grand Patron of NUSA, represented the moral conscience of the union. His symbolic role as patron brought a sense of tradition and stability.
Mr. Yomi Jola-Michael, Secretary General/Acting Gauteng Chairperson, along with Hon. Coker and Hon. Emeka Dibie, underscored the administrative strength of NUSA. Their presence confirmed that the Kempton Park Ward is fully integrated into the provincial and national hierarchy.
Hon. George O. Sylvester, Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President General, reminded the gathering of the importance of media visibility. Through his work, NUSA ensures transparency, documentation, and a positive narrative about Nigerians in South Africa.
This unity of leadership at all levels (national, provincial, and ward) gave the inauguration a seal of legitimacy and inspiration.
A Peaceful and Democratic Process.
Elections often come with tension, but the Kempton Park Ward election defied that trend. It was orderly, transparent, and peaceful. This calm atmosphere sends a powerful message (not only to Nigerians but also to South African observers) that Nigerians are capable of conducting democratic processes with dignity and respect.
In an environment where migrant communities are often stereotyped or misrepresented, such peaceful processes are crucial in reshaping narratives. It shows Nigerians as builders of democracy, not disruptors of order.
The Role of Ward Structures in NUSA.
Ward structures like Kempton Park are the heartbeat of NUSA’s mission. While the national leadership provides vision and advocacy, ward structures provide direct connection to the people.
The functions of the Kempton Park Ward will include:
Community Representation ~ Serving as the mouthpiece of Nigerians in Kempton Park.
Conflict Resolution ~ Mediating disputes among community members before they escalate.
Advocacy & Protection ~ Standing against xenophobic threats, policeharassmentt and immigration challenges.
Empowerment Programs ~ Organizing workshops, training, and youth initiatives for Nigerians.
Cultural Promotion ~ Hosting cultural festivals that showcase Nigerian heritage, strengthening identity while fostering integration with South Africans.
By empowering grassroots voices, NUSA ensures that no Nigerian feels abandoned in South Africa.
The Challenges Ahead.
While the event was a success, the new ward executives inherited enormous challenges. Nigerians in South Africa continue to face pressing issues such as:
Immigration hurdles and documentation delays.
Police profiling and harassment, often based on nationality.
Xenophobic tensions in some communities.
Economic instability is affecting migrant businesses.
The need for youth mentorship to prevent involvement in crime.
The task before the new leadership is therefore not ceremonial but deeply practical. They must be proactive, innovative, and courageous in tackling these realities.
A Call to Leadership.
In his charge to the new executives, President General Adv. Smart I. Nwobi reminded them:
“Leadership is not about titles or recognition; it is about service, sacrifice, and the courage to act when others remain silent.”
This statement encapsulated the vision of NUSA to raise leaders who are accountable, compassionate, and resilient in protecting Nigerian dignity abroad.
NUSA’s Broader Mission.
The Kempton Park Ward inauguration fits into the broader vision of NUSA, which includes:
Advocating for Nigerian rights across South Africa.
Building strong diplomatic bridges between Nigeria and South Africa.
Promoting unity in diversity among Nigerians, irrespective of tribe, religion, or social status.
Coordinating emergency response for Nigerians in distress.
Enhancing Nigeria’s image abroad by encouraging law-abiding conduct and excellence among Nigerians.
Over the years (since 2008), NUSA has been the first responder during crises, whether in xenophobic outbreaks, legal battles, or welfare cases. The addition of stronger ward structures ensures this mission continues at a faster and more efficient pace.
Summing Up: Unity as a Way Forward.
The Kempton Park Ward election and inauguration marked a new dawn for Nigerians in Gauteng Province. It was not just a gathering; it was a statement of unity, democracy, and progress. With respected leaders in attendance and newly elected executives ready to serve, Nigerians in Kempton Park can now look to the future with confidence.
As NUSA continues to strengthen its grassroots structures, the union stands taller as the legitimate voice of Nigerians in South Africa. The message is clear: Nigerians are UNITED, ORGANIZED, and READY to CONTRIBUTE POSITIVELY to their host country while never forgetting their homeland.
The inauguration of the Kempton Park Ward will be remembered not just as an election but as a milestone in the journey of Nigerian diaspora leadership; a reminder that when Nigerians come together in peace and unity, no challenge is insurmountable.
Published by saharaweeklyng.com
More than ₦3 billion was targeted, but about ₦677 million reached the culprits, with recovery and prosecutions underway, reflecting how banks are responding to more sophisticated fraud risks.
Nigeria’s expanding digital banking sector is facing increasingly sophisticated fraud attempts, as financial institutions adapt to faster transactions and broader online services.
A recent case involving First City Monument Bank (FCMB), linked to fraudulent activity detected in December 2025, has drawn attention to how banks are responding to such incidents, with a focus on limiting exposure, recovering funds and working with law enforcement.
According to findings referenced in proceedings before the Lagos State Special Offences Court, the incident involved unauthorised transactions tied to a digital product. Early reports erroneously suggested more than ₦3 billion was lost. Subsequent clarification shows that over ₦3 billion was targeted, ₦2.4 billion was blocked and recovered, while ₦677 million got into the possession of the culprits. This outcome reflects the bank’s cyber security and monitoring capabilities, as well as improved collaboration among regulated financial institutions and with law enforcement agencies. Several suspects and beneficiaries have been apprehended, while recovery and prosecution efforts are ongoing, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Proceedings at the Lagos State Special Offences Court have resulted in convictions, including that of a repeat offender, with restitution orders issued. Related matters are also being handled at the Federal High Court in Lagos, where additional suspects are being tried in connection with the scheme. This process is aimed at ensuring that bad actors are identified and permanently blacklisted from the financial system.
Authorities say recovery efforts are continuing as additional funds are traced.
Analysts note that the pace of legal action reflects closer coordination between financial institutions and enforcement agencies in addressing cyber-related financial crime.
The case comes as banks contend with more complex fraud methods, including social engineering and automated exploitation of system processes.
As digital products and platforms expand, so too does the risk associated with cyber-crime and related fraud.
“The scale of digital banking means risks are evolving alongside the systems,” said a Lagos-based financial analyst. “Institutions are now judged by how they manage these events.”
Observers say the sector is moving toward a stronger focus on response and recovery, rather than prevention alone.
This includes improving monitoring capabilities, strengthening transaction controls and enhancing collaboration with regulators and law enforcement. The FCMB case, with limited exposure relative to the amount targeted and ongoing recovery, reflects that shift.
For customers, the primary concern is the safety of their funds. In this case, there has been no indication of losses affecting customer deposits. Maintaining that level of protection remains central to sustaining trust in the financial system.
Nigeria’s financial sector continues to grow, supported by digital innovation and expanding access to banking services.
However, analysts say fraud attempts are likely to persist as systems become more complex and interconnected.
They say institutions will increasingly be judged not only on their ability to prevent incidents, but on how effectively they respond and recover when they occur.
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Ex-APC Deputy Guber flag bearer, Joshua MacIver backs Tinubu, express fears over implosion in Bayelsa APC
….congratulates new State Party Chairman, Warman Ogoriba
APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in the 2023 general elections in Bayelsa State, Great Joshua MacIver has declared his total commitment to the re-election of President Bola Tinubu come 2027, declaring that the Tinubu re-election project is non-negotiable.
Great Joshua MacIver, in his statement titled ” BAYELSA APC CONGRESSES: GOING FORWARD, A CALL TO LOOK INWARDS” and made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, warned APC leaders in the state to look Inward and take note of certain factors which may hinder or cut short our victory.
According to Great Joshua MacIver, such noticeable pitfalls include the imbalance in the united front being put up by the State Governor,Senator Douye Diri among various political blocs in the state.
In the statement issued at the weekend. Great Joshua MacIver stated that “First, before His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, joined the APC in the state, there were clearly two political blocs that made up the party, with the approximate population ratios of the blocs standing at 95% to 5%.”
“After the entrance of His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, ONLY THE SMALLER BLOC IS BEING CARRIED ALONG IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE PARTY, leaving the greater percentage to their fate, and this situation has the potential to build anger and dissatisfaction in our dear party.”
” The consequence of this has been the high level defection we have witnessed in the party recently and we believe more may likely follow, if we do not put our house in order.”
” If we do not pull together as a party, we may witness a situation where we will lose key stakeholders, especially after the State and National Assembly Primaries as well the Gubernatorial Primaries.”
“Finally, while it is very clear that we are the party to beat in the 2027 elections and that our loyalty to Mr. President IS NON-NEGOTIABLE, we must make haste to say that we cannot afford to create situations or loopholes in our unity which will be exploited by other political interests in the state. We cannot afford to under-rate anyone.”
“Our core interest remains the re-election of Mr. President, a project to which we have committed our all. We also pledge our total loyalty to the party as we have no alternative to the APC. However, our concern is that we must, as a party, look inwards and ensure that we do not create loopholes that can impede our common goal.”
Great Joshua MacIver, however congratulated the newly elected State Executives of the APC in Bayelsà State led by Hon. Warman Ogoriba, saying their emergence is welcomed at this critical time in our national history.
At least 23 people were killed in a series of suspected suicide bombings, police in Nigeria’s northeastern city of Maiduguri said on Tuesday.
https://www.stanbicibtcbank.com/nigeriabank/personal/products-and-services/all-loans/stanbic-ibtc-mreif-home-loans
More than 100 other people were injured in the blasts that took place on Monday evening in the capital of Nigeria’s restive Borno state.
No group has claimed responsibility for the suspected attacks.
The deadly blasts come after a military post was attacked overnight Sunday to Monday, which authorities blamed on suspected Islamist militants.
This sad incident is coming barely two weeks after Primate Elijah Ayodele, the Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church specifically warned against attacks in some states. He mentioned these states while calling on security operatives to pay close attention to them.
These were his words:
“Another attack is coming up in these following states where the military must watch carefully and intelligently; Kano, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi, Niger, Borno, Kwara and Kogi state. They want to do a deadly attack, it’s preventable but it depends on how they will handle it. I have told you about the danger coming up.”
@primateayodele
Unfortunately, some of our military agencies don’t believe spiritual intelligence can save the country from so much danger hence, their neglect of this prophetic warning but now, it has been fulfilled with the miliary losing credibility by the day while Primate Ayodele continues to gain momentum.
Likewise, At least 26 passengers and crew sustained varying degrees of injuries on Monday following an accident involving the Kaduna–Abuja train, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Opeifa explained that the train departed Rigasa in Kaduna at 7:15 a.m. and was approaching Asham station around 9:16 a.m. when a loud bang was heard after the power car and trailing locomotive collided with one of the passenger coaches.
In July 2025, Primate Ayodele asked nigerians to pray not to see train mishap on the Kaduna-Abuja route.
@primateayodele #nigeriantiktok🇳🇬 #fulfillment #train #abuja #primateayodele
“Let’s pray not to see train mishap in Abuja-Kaduna, Kaduna-Abuja route.”
This has also been fulfilled.
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