Benin

African operations contribute 50% to UBA’s earnings – CEO

admin — Sun, 04 Jun 2023 12:00:01 +0000

African operations contribute 50% to UBA’s earnings – CEO

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admin Sun, 06/04/2023 - 12:00

Friday, May 26, 2023

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Business Archives | Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

African operations contribute 50% to UBA’s earnings – CEO

The United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc on Thursday announced that all its African subsidiaries are now on firm footing as they have been contributing maximally to the group’s profit margin.

The bank said its African operations, specifically, have contributed close to 50 per cent of the group’s earnings, leveraging on digital offerings and products across the board to gain large market shares across the different regions of operations in Africa.

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of UBA Africa, Abiola Bawuah, disclosed this while addressing journalists from across Africa during a hybrid media parley on Thursday.

She also highlighted the impact of devaluation and double digit inflation in Nigeria and a number of other African countries where the bank operates, adding that the subsidiaries have been performing well, contributing significantly to the growth and development of trade, infrastructure and finance on the continent.

“As of last month, none of our African subsidiaries is making a loss. They have all been turning in profits, this is a testament to the fact that they have navigated successfully and have all found their footing.

“And this extends to each and every one of them, even the ones in war-torn countries. Of course, we are aware that there is always room for improvement, but for now, we are glad that our 19 subsidiaries are out of the red zone,” Mrs Bawuah said.

Infrastructure Financing

In the area of infrastructure financing, she noted that the bank has been bullish in financing projects across Africa, which according to her is based on the conviction that the continent needs to bridge the infrastructural gap necessary for economic growth.

“UBA has proven expertise and capacity in key sectors of economies across Africa, especially in oil and gas, infrastructure finance, agriculture and commodity/export, and these have positioned it as a preferred partner for structured solutions to key governments and corporates operating in/into Africa,” she said.

She noted that in the last few years, the bank has invested heavily and supported key governments of various African countries with over $1 billion in infrastructural development, especially in roads, hospitals, health, power and other critical sectors.

READ ALSO: Reps summon NNPC subsidiaries over auditor general report

According to her, the bank has contributed massively in promoting trade in Africa and has partnered with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“At UBA, we believe that our customers should be able to trade conveniently among themselves, and so we have been partnering with them in this area.

“We have made it easy for our customers across countries to trade easily within themselves, without having to bother about all the hassles that have to do with forex,” she said.

Earlier in the year, Mrs Bawuah, a Ghanaian national, was appointed as the first female CEO of UBA Africa.

Her appointment, according to the bank, further demonstrates UBA’s commitment to diversity. The UBA Group Board now includes eight female Directors.

Before her appointment, Mrs Bawuah was Regional CEO, West Africa, supervising the Group’s operations in nine subsidiaries, including Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Senegal, and Sierra Leone.

Africa

Business

EU Supports Sierra Leone School Green Club in Poetry and Arts Competition

admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2022 14:50:01 +0000

EU Supports Sierra Leone School Green Club in Poetry and Arts Competition admin Sun, 06/19/2022 - 14:50

Friday, June 3, 2022

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Local – Sierra Leone Concord Times

Original Article

EU Supports Sierra Leone School Green Club in Poetry and Arts Competition

The Delegation of the European Union to Sierra Leone in collaboration with the Sierra Leone School Green Club (SLSGC) will on Monday 6th June 2022, organise a youth climate poetry and arts competition for Senior Secondary Schools, to raise awareness on the impact of climate change and environmental degradation in Sierra Leone, as part of celebrations marking World Environment Day 2022.

The presentation of poems and artwork produced by the students will take place at the Freetown City Council Auditorium during which the winning entries will be announced and prizes presented. Ten Senior Secondary schools in Freetown will take part in the competition, which will be judged by a panel of accomplished Sierra Leonean artists.

Fighting climate change and promoting environmental sustainability is one of the priorities of the European Union. In Sierra Leone, many of the natural ecosystems are losing their ability to provide the livelihood services required by the population, hence the urgent need for halting and reversing environmental degradation in all the key ecosystems (forest, coastal, maritime) in the country.

For this reason, the European Union (EU) is supporting Sierra Leone School Green Club to highlight the importance of everyone actively contributing to the protection of the environment and to raise awareness on the consequences of environmental degradation and climate change on the population, as the schoolchildren who will participate in the competition are doing. This demonstrates that youth have a critical role to play in the climate discourse by not only raising their voices but also actively engaging in awareness raising to foster the policy changes required to mitigate climate change and develop climate resilience.

“EU strongly believes that the future of our planet is in young people’s hands – and many are taking action to tackle the impacts of climate change and environmental challenges. Young people are finding their voice in demanding more climate action from decision-makers to protect their future,” says Ambassador Manuel Müller, Head of EU Delegation to Sierra Leone.

The EU will continue to work with the Government and people of Sierra Leone to tackle the climate, biodiversity, environment and pollution challenges, with a strong focus on nature protection and restoration, in line with the European Green Deal, which is one of the main pillars of EU partnership with Sierra Leone, as reflected in the Multi Annual Indicative Programme (MIP) for cooperation between the European Union and Sierra Leone for the period 2021/2027.

The EU is currently supporting different environmental and biodiversity initiatives from national and regional programmes, targeting more than 80% of all protected areas of Sierra Leone in the following geographical areas:

– Kambui Hills National Park;

– Outamba-Kilimi National Park;

– Management of Mangrove Forests (coastal landscapes from Senegal to Benin);

– Conservation of the Gola Forest Landscape (Sierra Leone and Liberia);

– Revision of National Determined Contribution (NDC);

– Blue carbon project in the mangrove forest of the Sherbro River.

The EU is also involved in a wide range of projects promoting green and sustainable agriculture, associated with fair trade and organic certification. The Arts and Poetry competition, which has as part of its objectives, creating artwork that will convey strong messages about climate change and its negative impact on the environment and the people, will be an occasion to showcase once again the EU’s commitment to fight climate change and promote environmental sustainability in Sierra Leone and across the world.

Africa

News

Yul Edochie’s second marriage, Madam Social’s passing, other top entertainment stories from last week

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:50:01 +0000

Yul Edochie’s second marriage, Madam Social’s passing, other top entertainment stories from last week

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admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 17:50

Monday, June 13, 2022

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Arts & Entertainment - Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

Yul Edochie’s second marriage, Madam Social’s passing, other top entertainment …

1. Marrying a second wife, a blessing – Yul Edochie

Famous Nigerian actor Yul Edochie has revealed how marrying a second wife brought him blessings.

The 40-year-old movie star said this on his Instagram page on Thursday while talking about his new life as a polygamist.

He said: ‘‘God works in mysterious ways. Marrying a 2nd wife has brought me blessings and elevated my two lovely wives. Sometimes it takes the things we see as disappointments to happen for elevation to come,” he wrote. It happened many times in the bible, just like the case of Joseph. I’m a man after God’s heart. I’m like King David in the bible. I communicate with my God, and He guides me every day.”

The father-of-five said that he may not have initially handled the situation well with his first wife but has since resolved the issues.

“I wronged my wife May from how I went about it, and I have apologised to her sincerely from the bottom of my heart, but in the eyes of God, things are different. God blesses differently. His ways are not our ways,” he added.

“Our destinies are different. Don’t be deceived by the white man’s culture. Same White people who condemn polygamy encourage men to marry their fellow men. In the end, judgment is for God. Even white people don’t understand God fully. Nobody does. That’s why He remains God.”

This is coming after his second wife; actress Judy Austin celebrated their son Dike on the latter’s first birthday.

The actor posted his son’s photos on Instagram and prayed for him.

Yul has been on the news since April 27, after he unveiled his new family on social media. This feat stirred various reactions on social media and set the internet agog.

2. Mr Eazi and Temi Otedola share wedding plans

Nigerian singer Oluwatosin Ajibade, known as Mr Eazi, is set to marry billionaire heiress Temioluwa Otedola.

As the couple set to walk down the aisle, Nigerian music star Mr Eazi and his fiancee Temi Otedola speak about their wedding plans.

In the latest episode of their podcast, ‘How Far’, the celebrity couple said they plan to have a private wedding ceremony.

According to the billionaire heiress, she has always been a private person, deciding to have a small wedding ceremony. Eazi agreed with his wife-to-be as he gave reasons many people won’t be attending their wedding.

The lovebirds said they expect nothing less than ten close family and friends at their wedding ceremony.

The 26-year-old actress, while teasing her listeners on her podcast, said that anyone who wants them to have a big wedding should be ready to pay ten thousand dollars per person or one million dollars for a table.

Eazi also revealed he would love to have an after-party with twenty guests after the wedding ceremony.

The 30-year-old singer proposed to Temi in April 2022.

Mr Eazi and Temi have had one of the most beautiful and exciting relationships in the entertainment space.

In 2018, the music star recounted how he met the billionaire heiress.

In an interview in 2018, Mr Eazi said he met Temi through Cuppy. He revealed that he met his fiancée when her sister, Cuppy, also a friend, invited him to one of her many gigs in London, the United Kingdom. According to him, they were seated at the same table and began chatting when Cuppy left the table to take the stage.

Mr Eazi is a pioneer of Banku Music, a fusion of sound he describes as a mixture of Ghanaian highlife and Nigerian chord progressions and patterns. At the same time, Temi is one of the daughters of Nigerian billionaire Femi Otedola.

Why I may never get married – Timaya

Famous Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer Timaya Odon has said why he may not get married.

In a tweet on Wednesday, he said Jesus never married when he came to live on earth, suggesting that he wanted to emulate Jesus Christ. “JESUS never got married. I’m Christ-like,” he tweeted.

Timaya may not be married, but he has been romantically linked with several women.

The Bayelsa State-born singer made headlines in the early stages of his career over his romantic relationship with actress Empress Njamah. Their relationship, however, ended after she accused him of cheating, a claim he denied.

He is the founder of DM Records Limited. His solo career began in 2005 with the release of “Dem Mama”, which also appeared on his debut album, True Story, released the following year.

Despite a successful music career, it appears his relationship with ladies has not been successful. No wonder his resolve to emulate Jesus Christ for not marrying.

However, Timaya already has four children, Emma, Gracey, Emmanuel and Maya, from three relationships.

His first baby mama and mother of Emma and Gracey is his ex-girlfriend, Barbara Nwokolo, a graduate of the Benson Idahosa University whom he dated earlier in his career.

While his second baby mama is Tamar, an interior decorator whom he dated for a while and spoiled with expensive gifts after she gave birth to his son in 2018.

The singer’s third baby mama is American-based artist, Dunnie.

Octogenarian comedienne Madam Social is dead

Octogenarian comedienne Roseline Onwujekwe, better known as Mama Social, died Tuesday after a brief illness. Her death was announced on her Instagram page. She was 81.

She hailed from Nibo in Awka South, Anambra State.

At age 80, Mrs Onwujekwe was an internet sensation after her grandson posted a hilarious video of her on social media that gained the attention of many and earned her the name ‘Madam Social’. This feat changed her fortunes until she passed away on Tuesday.

Africa

Entertainment

Nollywood actor Moses Armstrong, arrested for allegedly raping minor, to appear in court

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 17:30:01 +0000

Nollywood actor Moses Armstrong, arrested for allegedly raping minor, to appear in court

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admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 17:30

Friday, June 17, 2022

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Arts & Entertainment - Premium Times Nigeria

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Nollywood actor Moses Armstrong, arrested for allegedly raping minor, to appear…

Famous Nollywood actor, Moses Armstrong, arrested for allegedly raping a minor, is expected to appear in court on Friday.

Like his colleague, James Olanrewaju, also known as Baba Ijesha, Armstrong is the second Nigerian actor to be entangled in an alleged rape case with a minor.

The President of the Akwa Ibom State chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Prince Uduak, confirmed to PREMIUM TIMES that the actor was arrested for allegedly raping a 16-year-old earlier in the week.

He said: “ I have received a confirmed report that he was arrested, although the reason for his arrest is under investigation. However, he was taken to court on Thursday, and the court would determine what played out.

“I only heard that he was arrested for an alleged rape case, but I cannot independently verify how true the rape case is until proven otherwise by the court. As it stands now, it is an allegation levelled at him until the court finds him guilty or not.”

Mr Uduak also said the actor is currently facing trial at a High court at FULGA Street off Ikot Epene road, Akwa Ibom state, and he was supposed to appear in court on Thursday

However, findings by this newspaper, as provided by the court clerk, show that the actor is to appear in court on Friday.

ALSO READ: Pastor gets life imprisonment for raping 12-year-olds

This newspaper also spoke with the Akwa Ibom State Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, who confirmed the actor’s arrest and detention, saying an investigation is ongoing.

Mr Macdon said: “ Armstrong is in police custody, and we are investigating the matter. He has been charged to court for trial.”

Profile

Armstrong is a special assistant to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel.

The Akwa Ibom State-born actor, who started his career 23 years ago, lost his wife, Rita, in 2018.

The mother-of-two was returning to her husband’s residence in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, from Lagos when the Akwa Ibom Transport Company (AKTC) bus conveying her was involved in a crash at the Ugbogui axis of Benin Ore Lagos Expressway.

The deceased, a Nollywood actress, died from spinal cord injuries sustained during the accident.

Africa

Entertainment

As POS agents reach millions in Nigeria, users lament fraud

admin — Sat, 18 Jun 2022 03:30:01 +0000

As POS agents reach millions in Nigeria, users lament fraud

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admin Sat, 06/18/2022 - 03:30

Thursday, June 16, 2022

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Business - Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

As POS agents reach millions in Nigeria, users lament fraud

Mustapha Taofeek said he stopped using PoS – points of sale vendors that have significantly changed how Nigerians conduct daily financial transactions – two years ago.

In August 2020, a week after making cash withdrawal from a vendor, Mr Taofeek said he received a N10,000 debit notification he never authorised. While trying to confirm details of the transfer, he received another notification on his phone, then another, and some more. His bank reported total debit of N486,000 that day.

“I was confused and suddenly began sweating,” said Mr Taofeek, an Abuja-based sales representative. He managed to transfer his balance – mostly sales proceeds belonging to the baby care company he works with – to another account before blocking his ATM card.

His bank, Guarantee Trust Bank, said the card details had been stolen and used for online purchases and there was nothing it could do, Mr Taofeek said. The bank did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES inquiries. A spokesperson did not keep a promise to discuss the case.

Mr Taofeek said he completed repaying the money to his company in April 2022. “I was always teary whenever I received my monthly salary during this period, because I was paying a debt I never used for something in my life,” he said.

Nigeria has made efforts in the last decade to increase the number of citizens who have access to financial services, counting on expanded financial inclusion as a tool for creating wealth and tackling widespread poverty. The Central Bank of Nigeria, which coordinates the effort, aimed to see adult Nigerians with access to financial services rise from 21.6 per cent to 70 per cent by 2020.

Banks turned to agency banking, which predominantly uses PoS, to bring the unbanked and underbanked into the pool. While Nigeria missed 2020 target, the number of adults using financial service agents increased from about 4 million in 2018 to 26 million using agents in 2020, according to EfInA, a development-focused organisation that promotes financial inclusion in the country.

The rise in agency banking in the country has enabled easier and quicker payment services to millions of customers, including in rural communities. But it has also set up a challenge: customers say fraudsters have taken advantage of widespread use of their bank details to steal from them.

Ben Olakunle said he had a similar experience with Mr Taofeek and he lost almost a million naira.

“Just using a POS dealership point. My ATM information was extracted and used to order products. Indicated below are the details of the transaction. Please, Nigerians, help me raise your voices for KONGAPAY to declare the recipient of this purchased item,” Mr Olakunle narrated on Twitter in April.

Funmike Afolabomi, who commented under Mr Olakunle’s tweet said, “Happened to me before but it was used to order on wish .com. I sent (wish) an email explaining how the transaction was fraudulent. Mine was with First Bank; they couldn’t help me.”

“The bank’s customer care insisted that the transaction was initiated by me…,” she added.

Points of Sale terminals were introduced in the country in 2012 to promote the CBN’s cashless policy. Its popularity rose after the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns that stopped people from going to the banks.

With PoS machines, customers are able to withdraw money, make transfers and make deposits without visiting their banks. The number of POS terminals in Nigeria grew from 150,000 in 2017 to 543,000 in April 2021, according to Statista.

Reports of fraudulent activities have made some wonder how customers’ details are obtained for theft. A financial analyst and banker, Olumide Balogun, said he did not believe PoS machines were used to extract customers’ card details after transactions.

“I am not sure it is possible and I don’t think it happens because the designs and configuration of the digital PoS machines and ATM cards changes configuration after every usage such that it is difficult for onlookers nearby to master the entering of pins by customers,” he said.

Confidence Richard, a POS agent who operates at Abak market of Akwa Ibom State, also said it was unlikely customers’ data were extracted.

“The POS machine I am using cannot download a customer’s card details. It will only show the last digits of the card after the transaction, but it’s not possible to download everything on the customer’s card,” Mr Richard said.

Abdulrahman Muslim, an operator at New Benin market in Edo State, said he had heard of how a PoS operator colluded with another person to take photos of customers’ card details.

Mr Muslim said a common problem operators face is that when a transaction is declined and the customer is debited nonetheless, a problem called dispense error, most customers find it difficult to believe it is a network issue. They would suspect fraud.

But an assistant branch manager who did not want his name in print because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said data can be downloaded from customers’ ATM cards if a chip is planted in the machine to read and copy card information.

He advised customers not to expose information such as Card Verification Value(CVV), Permanent Account Number(PAN) and expiration date of their debit card to POS operators.

Africa

Business

TRIBUTE: Rest In Peace Brother

admin — Mon, 21 Feb 2022 18:10:01 +0000

TRIBUTE: Rest In Peace Brother

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admin Mon, 02/21/2022 - 18:10

Monday, January 24, 2022

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Local – Sierra Leone Concord Times

Original Article

TRIBUTE: Rest In Peace Brother

January 24, 2022

By Anthony Eghobor

Ehichioya Eghobor, commonly called Ehis, was my first cousin. We grew up under the same circumstances, values and tradition. While he lived in Benin, I lived in Ekpoma, towns 30mins apart. But we often met during school holidays when our parents took us travelling to visit relatives. The common attributes Ehis and I quickly discovered were the love for academics and God. He was an extremely clever boy – somewhat a geek.

Ehis passed his WASCE with distinctions but never applied to any university before he left for Sierra Leone. I had no doubt he would exhibit what he knew how to do best wherever he went. It is no news he was the best graduating student at IPAM in his graduating year, with first class hons.

We reunited a few years later in Sierra Leone, and he showed me the ropes to everything. For that I am grateful. He continued with his unapologetic commitment to God’s work, and he soon became a household name at the Sanctuary Praise Church. He managed the business – Concord Times Newspaper – with all his heart. He was first to leave in the morning and last to come back home. He had a heart of gold; humility was his second name.

Last time we spoke, we reflected on childhood, reminding ourselves of how academic he was and how that background helped secure his academic excellence at IPAM. He showed me his back on camera and said he was healing fast. We were all looking forward to what the future held for him; little did we know the painful hand of death was on its way to snatch him. It was devastating news, but after 48 hours, having reflected on the life he lived, I was consoled because I know he now sits with God in heaven.

Brother, I can never forget your humility, diligence, hard work, steadfastness in Christ, generosity, intelligence, the “fry fry”, bread, roasted cassava and peanuts you fed us with every night after work.

When the business looked like it was drowning, we looked up to you and you never disappointed. You were out on the streets countless times till early hours of the morning, just to make sure Concord Times didn’t drown. You made friends and foes as long as the business thrived.

I remember the big altercation with Foday of CJFE when he refused to print our paper. You were pure in heart, no wonder you are with God this minute. In your sick bed you carried on the works of the father – relentlessly sharing daily devotional every morning. I will miss you! You were a beautiful soul that should never have gone so soon. Rest on brother, till we meet again.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” Matthew 5:8

Africa

News

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize 2022: Organisers call for entries

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 22:40:01 +0000

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize 2022: Organisers call for entries

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admin Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:40

Thursday, February 3, 2022

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Arts & Entertainment – Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize 2022: Organisers call for entries

Nigerian Students Poetry Prize, an initiative of Poets in Nigeria (PIN), is accepting submissions for the 2022 edition.

The Nigerian Students Poetry Prize aimed at stimulating literary creativity and encouraging critical thinking invites Nigerian undergraduates studying in recognised Nigeria and international tertiary institutions to submit their entries for consideration.

The seventh edition of the Nigerian Students Poetry Prize (NSPP) opens for submission between January 15 and March 7, 2022.

Interested Nigerian undergraduates are expected to submit a 30-line poem on any theme of their choice.

An entrant is entitled to a single entry of 30 lines maximum, which must be previously unpublished and written in English. Native terminologies must be translated into English as footnotes.

The organisers say any submission discovered to have defaulted on this rule will be automatically voided.

All entrants are expected to purchase a minimum of one of the six NSPP anthologies uploaded on the submission portal between May 1, 2021, and April 31, 2022 (the last day of submission).

Submissions are to be made at http://nspp.poetsinnigeria.org.ng, strictly adhering to the instructions thereon.

Entrants should write on any theme of their choice while considering its topicality, just as the poems must be the original intellectual property of the entrants.

Reward

Aside from rewarding the prize winners with a total cash prize of ₦500,000, exceptional entrants will each receive a certificate of excellence and a complimentary copy of the NSPP anthology, which features their works.

The statement said: ‘‘The first Prize – ₦200,000, second Prize – ₦150,000, third Prize – ₦75,000. Consolation Prize – ₦25,000 each for fourth, fifth, and sixth-best entrants’’.

Since its inception in 2016 at the University of Ibadan, the organisers have received about 3500 entries from students representing over 100 tertiary institutions (including universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, nursing, and seminary schools).

Reputed as the top poetry prize for Nigerian students, the NSPP has awarded N2 million to winning entrants and published 541 poems authored by selected entrants in six anthologies.

They include The Sun Will Rise Again (2016), Mixed History (2017), Deep Dreams (2018, Micah (2019), The House That Built Me (2020), and Portrait of Water (2021).

Notable winners

Notably, tertiary institutions such as the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu and Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa hosted the NSPP Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019 respectively. The award was held at the University of Ibadan in 2021 while a cash prize of N400,000 was shared among the winners.

Previous grand prize winners of the NSPP include Noah Oladele (Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife; 2016), Bakre Fadil Adedamola (University of Ibadan; 2017), Godstime Tamunofiri Iberiyenari (Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island, Yenagoa; 2018), Ogugua Micah Okoye (Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu; 2019), Okwubi Godwin Adah (University of Benin; 2020) and Samuel A. Adeyemi (Federal University, Lokoja; 2021).

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Entertainment

Why some Nigerian men keep ‘side-chicks’ – Benin residents

admin — Sun, 20 Feb 2022 22:30:01 +0000

Why some Nigerian men keep ‘side-chicks’ – Benin residents

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admin Sun, 02/20/2022 - 22:30

Friday, February 4, 2022

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Arts & Entertainment – Premium Times Nigeria

Original Article

Why some Nigerian men keep ‘side-chicks’ – Benin residents

Some residents in Benin, the Edo capital, have said that some Nigerian men would continue to keep mistresses, popularly called ‘side chicks,’ due to their perceived benefits.

The respondents’ submissions arise from the growing reports of infidelity in the lives of men, especially the highly placed celebrities in society.

Some men who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Benin claim that wives might never be able to compete with the side-chicks in terms of allure, attention to detail, and penchant for romance.

Mr Ojefia King, a businessman, revealed that most men had side-chicks for the fun of it.

According to him, side-chicks usually do not expect anything except “trips and sex from a man, whether married or single”.

“Some side-chicks go after men because they are wealthy, while some others do it to meet their needs,” he said.

Also, Larry Sideso, a Disc Jockey (DJ), said that men are attracted to the side-chicks because they had less stress and were always obedient and understand their needs and desires.

“I am married, and I have a side-chick; she knows her place, no crossing of boundaries.

“My wife is aware of my side-chick.

“As I said earlier, everybody knows their place. I don’t carry different ladies. I have my wife and a side-chick.

“I love my wife so much. I won’t trade her for anything else, but my side-chick is only ‘assisting,’” he said.

Other reasons

Similarly, Ivie Idolor, a teacher, said that side-chicks “were always answering the call of nature for men”.

“If you study the creation of men critically, you will notice men have more extended reproductive period than women.

“A man can still impregnate a woman even at 75 years of age, but a woman can’t give birth at such age.

“Thus, the sperms in a man can produce many children, which means when God said dominate and replenish the earth specifically means men’s duty to reproduce double.

“Men cannot help it. That’s what hormones have programmed them to do. So, when a guy has had enough of his main chick, he moves on and forgets about loving his main chick again,” she said.

READ ALSO: How Nigerians can live in peace with bandits – Gumi

On his part, Richard Amekpa, a fashion designer, said men had side-chicks to get sexual satisfaction.

“Love, care, romance, and sex are essential in a relationship or marriage.

“If a wife cannot satisfy the husband with that, he will have someone else that will take her role.

“Total attention is very vital to see the natural beauty of a relationship.

“If a wife refuses to give the husband full attention, she is opening the door for a side-chick,” he said.

Advice

However, Isreal Osamuyi, a cleric, advised men to ‘upgrade’ their wives to the standard they admire in other women.

Mr Osamuyi said that most women hardly cared for themselves because they had one need or the other to take care of.

UNIBEN’s Best Graduating Student Gets N250,000 Award

admin — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 16:50:01 +0000

UNIBEN’s Best Graduating Student Gets N250,000 Award admin Fri, 12/10/2021 - 16:50

Wednesday, December 1, 2021

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THISDAYLIVE

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UNIBEN’s Best Graduating Student Gets N250,000 Award

Adibe Emenyonu in Benin-city

The overall best graduating student in the just concluded 46th and 47th convocation of the University of Benin, Mr. Henry Ogorchukwu Abanum, has been honoured with the ‘Osasere Osifo Prize for Academic Excellence’ award.

The Academic Excellence Prize is an initiative of Osasere Favour Osifo, a former President of the UNIBEN Students’ Union, who is currently the vice-president of the University of Benin Alumni Association North America (UBAANA) chapter, and also a member of the United States Airforce.

The award presentation ceremony took place at the University of Benin Students’ Affairs Division, and Abanum, who graduated with a First Class (4.97 GPA), from the Faculty of Pharmacy, was honoured with the sum of N250,000 by Osifo in recognition of his academic excellence.

Speaking at the award ceremony, Osifo declared that celebrating mediocrity and shunning excellence was fast becoming a norm in today’s society, hence, the coming on board of the Osasere Osifo Prize for Academic Excellence to change the narrative.

Represented by a former Public Relations Officer of the UNIBEN SUG, Oguche Divine Omale, Osifo said the academic feat achieved by Abanum should be applauded by all lovers of excellence, hard work, and diligence.

In honouring Abanum, Osifo said the Osasere Osifo Prize for Academic Excellence hopes to inspire other Nigerian students to make excellence their cardinal objective as they go through the university.

He expressed confidence that the award was the beginning of every good thing to come the way of the awardee by graduating top of his class and as overall best in the University of Benin.

Osifo said Abanum had proven that quality is never an accident, but the result of intelligent effort, adding that the effort of Abanum is what is being rewarded today.

Those present at the Award ceremony held at the Ugbowo Campus of the university included the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Patrick Igbinaduwa, and the Dean of Faculty of Pharmacy, the awardee’s faculty, Prof. Mike Uhumwangho.

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Tanzania tops in cases submitted before the AfCHPR

admin — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:20:01 +0000

Tanzania tops in cases submitted before the AfCHPR

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admin Thu, 12/09/2021 - 23:20

Saturday, December 4, 2021

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The Citizen

Original Article

Tanzania tops in cases submitted before the AfCHPR

Dar es Salaam. Eighty percent of the cases filed and decided at the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights (AfCHPR) are by Tanzanians, it has been revealed.

A total of 14 cases from five member states of the African Union, including Tanzania, have been reviewed and adjudicated by the continent’s tribunal in Dar es Salaam in the past one month, with eight of them being from Tanzanian individuals.

Other countries with appeals in the Court include Rwanda, Mali, Benin and Malawi.

The cases were heard during the 63rd session of the tribunal and reached climax on Thursday December 3, 2021.

The president of the tribunal, Lady Justice Imani Aboud, read out a review of the cases in collaboration with a panel of 11 other judges from 11 African nations, a process held for the first time in Dar es Salaam.

Even though Tanzania leads in the verdicts, the country has been hesitant to implement decisions of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Tanzania has withdrawn from the Declaration made under Article 34 (6) of the Protocol on the African Charter for the Establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which allows individuals and non-governmental organisations to directly file cases before the court.

"People have been submitting their cases to the court because they are sure of justice which they do not get in the local courts. As it is, Tanzanians will not stop filling their cases in the African Court until Tanzania agrees to the protocol,” said Yusuf Mpanji, a lawyer based in Dar es Salaam.

Commenting on the verdicts, the Tanzania Human Rights Defender’s Coordinator, Onesmo Olengurumwa said all the Tanzanian cases filed in the court were from individuals.

Mr Olengurumwa, who is a lawyer by profession, said the eight cases involved human rights, including a case of deprivation of Tanzanian citizenship by a suspected Kenyan national.

"Many cases have been opened by Tanzanians because the presence of this court in the country has reduced the costs of opening a case because if this body was in another country it would have been more expensive," said Olengurumwa.

He explained the various procedures for filing a case in the court, including the defendant's submission of the case, to the African Human Rights Commission, which will refer the case to the African Court of Human and Peoples' Rights.

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