Where is Ooni’s ex- wife, Olori Wuraola?

Royalty laced with affluence is sweet, most especially when it’s blessed with opulence and splendor. It soothes body and soul. But for Zaynab Otiti Obanor, the ex wife of HIM Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, she is indeed an epitome of royalty with blue blood flowing in her veins.

During her days as the heartthrob of stylish Ife monarch, she commanded respect at all strata of life. Her gait, composure, charming smile and endearing persona, earned her public acceptance. At the sight of her at any public function, paparazzi flashed just to catch a glimpse of her ravishing beauty.

When she announced her breakup with the Ooni of Ife, it generated mixed reactions as different tongue wagged at her over such decision. Many wondered why she decided to leave such glitz and glamour in the house of Oduduwa.

Ever since her divorce from the royal union, the Edo- born Queen has since recoiled into her shell. She has left the societal cynosure with her pet project and foundation abandoned.

Her whereabouts have generated mixed reactions as close associates divulged that “She now shuttle between Dubai, Qatar, Lebanon and Nigeria”.

Some are of the opinion that she left the shores of Nigeria to start a new life. All these are mere speculations as her whereabouts remain a mystery to her fans and well-wishers across the country.

CBN increases charges on withdrawals, deposits

The Central Bank of Nigeria, in a circular to all deposit money banks, yesterday announced the commencement of charges on deposits in addition to already existing charges on withdrawals. According to the circular, the charges, which take effect from today, will attract three percent processing fees for withdrawals and two percent processing fees for lodgements of amounts above N500,000 for individual accounts.

Corporate accounts will attract five percent processing fees for withdrawals and three percent processing fee for lodgements of amounts above N3,000,000.
In a statement by the Director, Payments System Management Department at the bank, Sam Okojere, the CBN said the charges on deposits shall apply in Lagos, Ogun, Kano, Abia, Anambra and Rivers States as well as the Federal Capital Territory. It also stated that the implementation of the cashless policy would take effect from March 31, 2020 nationwide. The statement added: “with effect from September 17, 2019, the CBN has approved for banks to unbundle merchant settlement amounts and charge applicable taxes and duties on individual transactions as stipulated by regulations.”

South African court rules that Spanking children is unconstitutional

The Constitutional Court has upheld a South Gauteng High Court ruling in 2017 to eliminate the common-law defence of reasonable chastisement when spanking a child, TimesLive reports.

The court said that there are effective ways to discipline a child without needing to resort to corporal punishment. The case arrived at the Constitutional Court after the South Gauteng High Court ruled that reasonable chastisement was unconstitutional in a matter related to a father who was found guilty of assaulting his 13-year old son for watching pornography.

According to IOL, civil society group Freedom of Religion SA (FOR SA), sought to have the high court ruling set aside during, claiming parents should be allowed to practice “reasonable” and “moderate” chastisement on their children, and that there was a difference between administering discipline and abuse.

The ruling now opens the possibility of making spanking illega

MTN plans to raise N100 billion from commercial paper

There are strong indications that MTN Nigeria is planning to raise N100 billion through Commercial Paper (CP).

Although the telco giant is yet to officially announce the plan, an official suggested on Tuesday that the firm would issue the commercial paper through the Nigerian Stock Exchange shortly.

Reacting to reports of the proposed plan on Tuesday, Utoh Ukpanah, the company secretary, said that MTN is exploring every financing option, including the issuance of commercial paper to boost its operations.

Earlier, the Head of Frontier Research at EFG Hermes, Kato Mukuru, had told CNBC in an interview that the company will issue commercial paper through the NSE.

Mr Mukuru said he got reliable information from a staff member of the Nigerian Stock Exchange that MTN was about to issue the N100 billion commercial paper.

On the reason for the plan, Mr Mukuru noted that the company may have opted for the commercial paper because “either it is cheaper than getting bank finances or the banks don’t want to finance it.”

The EFG staff added, however, that that form type of borrowing should ordinarily be secured from the bank.

Commercial paper is an unsecured, short-term debt instrument issued by a corporation, typically for the financing of accounts payable and inventories and meeting short-term liabilities. Commercial paper is usually traded among large institutions, but individual investors can participate by buying from a broker.

In its statement Tuesday, MTN said that in its Listing by Introduction Memorandum, it already indicated that in the past, MTN financed its expenditure through syndicated banking facilities but it would henceforth explore other financing opportunities, including the issuance of commercial papers.

The company said it will announce the development through the Nigerian Stock Exchange at the appropriate time.

“Shareholders are reminded to exercise caution when reacting to information which has not been released by the company,” the statement said.

EPL: Lampard gives update on Mount’s injury ahead of Chelsea, Liverpool clash

Chelsea manager, Frank Lampard, has provided the latest update on midfielder, Mason Mount’s injury ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against Liverpool this weekend.

Mount sustained an ankle injury on his right leg during Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League 1-0 defeat to Valencia on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge.

The England international was forced off after just 16 minutes following a strong challenge from former Arsenal star, Francis Coquelin.

“He has got an ankle injury which we don’t know how bad it is,” Lampard told reporters after Chelsea’s defeat against Valencia.

“We are going to have to assess it in the next 24-48 hours to see the scale of the injury, to see how the injury is.

“It’s too soon to say, obviously it was a shame because he was playing so well and started well and we had to make the change early.”

River govt finally reacts to serial killing of young women

The Rivers Security Council is working round the clock to ensure that the recent killings of young women in the state was stopped.

Dr Tammy Danagogo, the Secretary to the State Government, who gave the assurance in a statement on Wednesday, also warned that perpetrators would be made to face the full weight of the law.

He stated that the State Security Council led by Gov. Nyesom Wike had put measures in place to secure the lives of young women targeted by the serial killers.

Danagogo said that security agencies had been mandated to work with the management of hotels to implement security measures to “end the ugly trend.”

The Rivers government, he said, remained committed to security of lives and property.

He gave an assurance that the Wike administration, through relevant agencies, would be embarking on mass sensitisation of the people on security measures.

Young Nigerian artist, Kareem to meet Taiwanese President

Eleven-year-old Nigerian artist, Waris Kareem, has emerged the recipient of the Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation 22nd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award for 2019.

The Representative of Taiwan in Nigeria, Amb. Vincent Yang, made this known in Lagos on Wednesday.

Yang noted that Kareem stood out among other 2,723 recommended candidates across the world.

He said that Waris Kareem, who had gained global recognition for his incredible drawings would meet the Taiwanese President, Tsai Ing-wen, among other laureates.

“Nigerian child Artist, Waris Olamilekan Kareem has gained global recognition for his incredible drawings.

“Waris Olamilekan Kareem will attend Charity Events with other laureates and meet Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen.

“Famous Nigerian Internet Bitty Artist – Waris Olamilekan Kareem stood out among 2,723 recommended candidates from all over the world earning the `22nd Fervent Global Love of Lives Award 2019’ from Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation.

‘’He sketched a stunning portrait of French President, Emmanuel Macron, on the spot in just two hours, which amazed the global media. He has now become a famous Internet artist,’’ he said.

According to him, Kareem will attend, with other laureates, the charity events scheduled to hold in Taipei from Sept. 20 to Sept. 28, during which he will meet the Taiwanese President.

Yang said that his office and the Head of Taipei Trade Office in Nigeria had hosted and congratulated Kareem on his feat.

‘’The poverty-stricken children all call him the little artist Robin Hood. He uses his drawing talent to produce beautiful works in exchange for some food to fight hunger and also to feed the hungry companions in the slum.

‘’The works of Michelangelo motivate him and his goal is to surpass the standard set by the great artist. He intends to use drawings to depict Africa vividly and flip a new life to change Africa.

‘’Taiwan’s Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation promotes `Global Love of Lives movement’ and recognises that `Everyone is Good at Something’.

“Many people refer to the event as `the Nobel Prize of Life’, ” he said.

(NAN)

Femi Otedola Pays Reggae Icon, Majek Fashek's Medical Expenses in a London Hospital

Magnanimity is seldom a strong suit of Nigerian billionaires. But nature does not use a one-size fits all approach which is why billionaire businessman, Femi Otedola, is widely perceived as one of the rarest and kindest of money men.

Giving, without looking back, is a second skin to him. Whilst he would rather do this without making a song and a dance of it, many a beneficiary, out of sheer happiness and relief, has always rushed to the media. And he has done it again.

The benevolent billionaire has taken up the medical expenses of the famous reggae icon, Majek Fashek, who is terribly sick and stranded in London.

Confirming the story and sounding the alarm of the critical state of the 'Rainmaker', who is currently receiving treatment in a London hospital, his manager, Uzoma Day Omenka, painted a pathetic picture of the dire situation the musician is in.

Thankfully, Mr Otedola is taking care of the hospital bill fully and this has thrown Nigerians across the world into fits of joy.

Apparently, they have not forgotten so soon how the businessman extraordinaire spent N36,635,000 for the medical bills of former captain and coach of the Super Eagles, Christian Chukwu.

Chukwu had a major surgery and treatment at the Wellington Hospital, London, courtesy Otedola

In May, Otedola also came to the aid of Peter Fregene, a former Green Eagles goalkeeper, who had been bedridden since 2001, after a SUNDAY PUNCH report last May.

He is currently also footing the medical bills of popular actor, Victor Olaotan, a lead character in the popular TV soap opera series, Tinsel, in a Turkish hospital.

Otedola has also reportedly taken up the medical expenses of ailing Nollywood actor, Sadiq Daba.

In 2017, Sadiq Daba, who had been battling leukaemia and prostate cancer for the past few years, returned to Nigeria from the UK where he went for medical treatment. The ace broadcaster also revealed that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in November 2017. This was barely months after he was hospitalised due to leukaemia.

Meet Triumph Moses, model representing Nigeria at Mister Global 2019

Triumph Moses, a self-acclaimed writer; model; and film producer, is all geared up to represent Nigeria at the 2019 Mister Global contest, an annual male beauty pageant founded in 2014.

Moses would be joining a league of other contestants from around the world to slug it out at the election which has been billed to hold in Bangkok, Thailand, on September 26.

The contest, which is themed ‘Inspiring Gentlemen’, promises to select an individual who would be an inspirational role model to young men all around the world and champion environmental and charitable projects as a global goodwill ambassador.

For a model and pageantry star, the Nigerian contestant, whose full name is Triumph Moses Chukwuma Okpara, comports himself as a man who knows his onions and this has severally been portrayed in the manner in which he carries himself.

Moses identifies as a native of Onuimo LGA in Imo; a graduate of International Relations; a one-time winner at Mr Nigeria International 2017; the first Mr Nigeria International to represent Nigeria worldwide; and the first Nigerian candidate at Mr Global 2019.

Although, he had registered his past failures and how he had embarked on many projects and dreams that never came to fruition, the young model said he is confident he could win, as long as he has the support of Nigerians.

He will be needing a minimum of 2 million votes to emerge winner at the 2019 Mister Global contest.

“I have failed many times. I have embarked on projects and failed. I have set aside dreams that never came to pass. People ask me, ‘what is the secret’ and I reply ‘failure’. The number of failures you encounter is equivalent to your level of knowledge,” he wrote in a series of tweets.

“Those who have made it for good are people who failed the most, those who have failed for good are people who were bewildered by prosperity and never regarded failure as medicine for knowledge.

Triumph Moses@triumph43

I have failed many times. I have embarked on projects and failed, I have set aside dreams that never came to pass, people ask me, "what is the secrete" and I reply "failure", failure is the secrete. The number of failure you encounter is equivalent to your level of knowledge.

1:16 AM - Sep 10, 2019

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Triumph Moses@triumph43

MY THOUGHTS ON GETTING TO THE FINISHING LINE -

Those who have made it for good are people who failed the most, those who have failed for good are people who were bewildered by prosperity and never regarded failure as medicine for knowledge. #TriumphMoses #TM

11:18 PM - Sep 1, 2019

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“No matter how high the standard is, be determined to set your goals above the initial standard. My goal is to attain a minimum of 2 million votes at this year’s Mister Global. I believe that, together, we can make it happen. If every Nigerian stands in solidarity, we can achieve the impossible.

“I believe in the collective efforts of society. For men to trespass the limits to success and break barriers to achieve the unbelievable, we must be bound in total communion with each other. For the naysayers and doubting Thomases, the only way to prove them wrong is to come together under one umbrella.”

While the young model appears to clearly recognize the potential threats of rivalry, Moses had taken his fans by surprise when he took to his social media handle to commiserate with the families of contestants who were evicted.

Triumph Moses@triumph43

My condolence goes out to the family and friends of the 50 Mr Global contestants that were evicted, I am saddened at their dismissal from the competition. However, I recommend that they subscribe their DSTV, GOTV to enable them view the finals from their respective countries.

12:01 AM - Aug 28, 2019

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Triumph Moses@triumph43

Every contestant is expected to showcase their talent at a particular time. I want to publicly bring to the notice of my supporters and every Nigerian that I will juggle the ball on stage as my talent, during the talent showcase at Mr Global 2019.#MrGlobal2019 #TriumphMoses #TM

1:00 PM - Aug 23, 2019

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On her part, Merian Axelgaard, president of CDN Production and chair of the host committee, said the finals would see the remaining contestants explore the Thai culture in detail.

“Pageant activities will mostly be carried out in the Krabi Province. All the contestants will explore the most beautiful beaches in Thailand, learn Thai culture; and experience famous Thai extreme sport. They will go back home with some of their fondest memories in life,” she said.

I was told to join APC to be forgiven –Mailafia

The presidential candidate of African Democratic Congress in the 2019 election and former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Obadiah Mailafia, on Tuesday, said he was told to join the All Progressives Congress so that he could be forgiven of an offence he did not commit.

According to him, members of the APC had a wrong impression that he was negotiating to join the party after the elections.

 He also faulted the judgment by a United Kingdom Court in favour of Process and Industrial Development Ltd to take over the assets of Nigeria estimated at $9.6bn, describing it as “a judicial scam of the highest order and judicial tsunami.

 Mailafia stated these in an interview with journalists during a meeting of stakeholders at the national secretariat of ADC in Abuja.

During the event, the National Chairman of the ADC, Chief Ralph Nwosu, said the National Working Committee of the party had resolved to adopt “a policy of radical transparency” and ensure that members know all issues concerning the party, especially its finances.

He said, “As a result, there would be a regular interface between all state executives and their colleagues at the national level. Henceforth, apart from the monthly National Executive Council meetings, there would be conference of party Treasurers, Financial Secretaries, and Auditors.”

But Mailafia said, “Just before the elections, there were pressures on me and I was even interrogated by security agencies over something that happened in the CBN about 10 years ago which was not even in my department.

“They blackmailed me that if I join APC, I would be forgiven. I told them, why can’t  they join me?I even asked them why can’t President Muhammadu Buhari come and join my party, ACD? What does he have that I don’t have more than him?  Is it their analogue generation that will save Nigeria? Somebody that has never even used a computer. What have they to offer Nigeria again?”

Speaking on the P&ID court verdict, Mailafia warned that if care was not taken, it would put Nigeria in a big mess.

He said, “The P&ID is a judicial scam of the highest order and it has been orchestrated by international forces that want to destroy our country. They did it in conspiracy with some high-powered Nigerians and it is very shameful.”