Kunle Awosika

Online sports betting platform, SportyBet, has been accused of withholding payment of some of its customers’ winnings totaling N960,550,000 (nine hundred and sixty million, five hundred and fifty thousand naira), and deactivated their accounts without explanation.

MTN Nigeria Communications Plc has commissioned an investigation into the activities of its Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), Ms. Adia Sowho, who has been accused of misappropriating part of the N5 billion budgeted for the commercial launch of its 5G Network in 2022.

In a move aimed at enhancing its brand communications, Airtel Nigeria has appointed three marketing communications consulting agencies to collaborate with its internal teams.

The Senate leadership yesterday described the 650,000bpd Dangote Petroleum Refinery as the 9th wonder of the world but came hard on those who are skeptical of the completion of Dangote Petroleum Refinery describing them as dream killers.
Indeed, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who led the leadership of the 10th Senate on a tour of the Refinery in Lagos said detractors of the refinery have all been silenced and that indeed, previous governments have been put to shame with the completion of the project.
He assured that the National Assembly will give it what it takes to protect the project because its one project that Nigeria and indeed Africa should take the ownership and must be protected jealously.
Commending Alhaji Aliko Dangote for completing the construction of the largest single train refinery in the world in a record time, the Senate President said Dangote deserved all the accolades for this feat noting that ordinary residence of Nigeria’s Vice-President could not be completed until after 14 years.
Said he: “They told us in Abuja that Dangote Refinery is farce but we have come here and see for ourselves that the refinery is alive and running. Dangote has put to shame a lot of people. They are wondering how it will be possible for a single individual to accomplish what a whole nation could not accomplish; what 240 million people could not maintain; what a continent could not do and then one person will build 650,000bpd project.
“They keep wondering how one person can succeed where nations have failed; where continent has failed. But Dangote has done it. It is highly commendable. We came to see the refinery because we in the current senate believe in the Nigerian dream. We didn’t come as a doubting Thomas but we came because we believe the project, we came to rekindle the hope of Nigerians and the Nigerian’s can do spirit.”
Senator Akpabio stated that the whole Nigeria couldn't make refineries function in Kaduna, Pot Harcourt, Warri, but that Dangote and his team have proven that it is possible to dream and achieve it in Nigeria.”
Akpabio said the shame that came with the discovery of oil in Nigeria in 1958 has been removed by Dangote alluding to a report that India does not have oil but his refineries from where the country exports refined products. The inability of the nation to refine its oil has brought untold hardship on Nigerians so much so that Belgian government recently ban the exportation of dirty and condemned fuel to the country to West African country just because we can’t refine our own products.
Describing the refinery as quite unbelievable, Senator Akpabio who was sandwiched by other senators comprising of the Deputy Senate President, Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and a host of others said the Senate and the entire National Assembly would come up with a robust legislation that would protect the project and others like it.
He stated: “Mr. Dangote, I pity you a lot because even your friends will envy you simply because they will keep wondering how can you succeed when nations, and continents have failed? Now that we have seen for ourselves, we are here to announce our own endorsement of this major project. It is also shocking to see that we produce sufficient fertilisers for Nigeria and enough to be exported.
"As I said we will do our report and we will speak to Mr President to put a stop to fertisliser import to Nigeria. You will hear from us soon.”
Also speaking, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, enthused that it is a privilege that the refinery happened in "our time, our state and our country. People talk about dreams, but only few can make it happen. Dangote has put Lagos State and the whole of Nigeria on the world map of excellence.
"I am happy the senate came to see for themselves; Dangote was not ready to rest after successfully building the largest cement factory chain in Africa, second largest sugar refinery in the world. With investment like this, I can assure you that we are on the right path to meet the projected GDP of $1trn by 2030.
"You have the key to city, I have given you long time ago and I am happy you are using it very well," Governor Sanwo-Olu stated.
In his remark, Mr. Dangote explained that the "visit could not have come at a more auspicious time than now just as the organization is in the process of bringing the various units of this complex integrated refining processes on stream, an eagerly awaited move."
He stated further that the Dangote Refinery "produces a wide range of high-quality petroleum products, including premium motor spirit (petrol), diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel, all meeting the highest international standards (Euro V Grade). The Refinery apart from adding value to our crude oil, will yield 900,000 KTPA of Polypropylene and 36,000 KTPA of Sulphur and carbon black as by products.
"The Refinery will help boost Nigeria’s economic growth, with the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs. During the construction stage, it supported over 150,000 jobs, made up of mostly Nigerians. These Nigerians in the process acquired various skills that are still useful in other construction projects.
"The capacity of the refinery is enough to satisfy domestic demands for refined products. The Refinery will export about 50 per cent of its production thereby generating foreign exchange for the country. It will lead to growth in adjacent sectors such as logistics, shipping, engineering, and servicing.
"The Refinery has the requisite capacity to provide energy security both by providing a ready home for our crude and in ensuring steady availability of petroleum products for all. Nigerians will also get to partake in the financial returns once we list the Refinery on the NGX.
"We are thus making an important contribution to this administration’s plan to grow our GDP to $1 trillion.
"Our Group is at the vanguard of job creation and employment generation in Nigeria. We are the biggest employer of labour after the Federal Government. Dangote Cement sustains about 70,000 (Seventy thousand) direct and indirect jobs across Africa, while the Refinery, Petroleum Chemical Complex and Fertiliser will be able to create over 150,000 (One hundred and fifty thousand) direct and indirect jobs.
"We have remained one of the biggest contributors to government coffers as our three subsidiaries, Dangote Cement, Dangote Sugar Refinery and NASCON Allied Industries paid a total of N788.98 billion as tax and N276 billion in VAT in three years.
"We envision in Nigeria the equivalent of Jamnagar in India where crude oil refining is the backbone of specialised industrial zones, transportation networks, and ancillary industries, contributing to the overall industrialisation of the region. Or Saudi Arabia’s Jubail Industrial City, which is also undergirded by large scale petrochemical complexes.
"The Legislature has a great role to play in this. Globally, the Legislature plays a great role in protecting and supporting domestic industry. I am sure that the members of the 10th National Assembly are more than equal to the task. Supporting the Refinery secures the benefits. It will ensure energy security. As co-creators of value, we appreciate and acknowledge your consistent efforts in ensuring the enactment of vital laws promoting a conducive business environment in the nation," he said.

In the bustling city of Lagos, where the Atlantic breeze meets the relentless energy of its people, Honourable Tokunbo Wahab stands as a testament of visionary leadership and environmental stewardship.

The 2024 World Environment Day celebration held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, on Friday, June 7, 2024, brought together esteemed guests and dedicated advocates of environmental sustainability. Honourable Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, delivered a keynote address highlighting the critical challenges of land degradation, desertification, and drought issues that threaten our existence and the future of our planet.

Dupe Olusola, Managing Director and CEO of Transcorp Hotels Plc, will be honored with the Leadership Award at the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) in June 2024. This recognition comes on the heels of her remarkable leadership, which has seen the company thrive despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The foremost political group in Lagos State, Justice Forum, showcased its grassroots strength on Wednesday, 5 June, 2024, when its members converged on Macaulay Street in Mushin for the inaugural meeting of joint Mushin LG and Odiolowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area of the group, reports thegazellenews.com.

Africa's Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, joined the rest of the world to commemorate the 2024 Children's Day, by hosting a fun-filled event at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Monday for the children.

In a shocking turn of events, Heritage Bank's licence was revoked by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on June 3, 2024, due to financial instability, despite being led by acclaimed financial expert Akinola George-Taylor as MD/CEO for one year and ten months. George-Taylor's inability to salvage the bank from bankruptcy raises questions about his leadership and competence.