Hello and welcome! In today’s trending news stories;
1. Chief Nicholas Ukachukwu, Chairman and CEO of SNECOU Group Limited, has condemned the demolition of his investment on 214 hectares of land in Abuja’s Asokoro district. He accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of ordering the demolition without a court order, despite two pending court orders restraining such action. Ukachukwu claims the property was demolished because it belonged to an Igbo man, not due to any legal violation. He also alleged that Wike expressed resentment towards giving land to an Igbo man during a meeting before the demolition. Despite having obtained all necessary legal titles for the property, including ministerial approvals, Ukachukwu insists that no official notice was given before the demolition. He called for President Bola Tinubu’s intervention to protect the rights of genuine investors and prevent further actions by Wike.
3. The Kaduna State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has suspended its state Women Leader for defending former governor Nasir El-Rufai amid a controversy over the state’s debt. Governor Uba Sani expressed concern over the high debt inherited from El-Rufai’s administration, stating it makes it challenging to pay workers. In response, the APC Women Leader criticized Sani, accusing him of ingratitude and involvement in securing the loans during El-Rufai’s tenure. Subsequently, the APC suspended the Women Leader for allegedly defaming the character of Governor Sani.
4. Zenith Bank Plc has been awarded the Best Bank in Nigeria in the Global Finance Best Banks Awards 2024, marking the fourth time the bank has won this accolade since 2019. The award recognized Zenith Bank among other banks from 36 countries in Africa. Selections were made based on consultations with financial executives, bankers, and analysts, and subjective and objective criteria, including growth in assets, profitability, geographic reach, strategic relationships, new business development, and innovation. Outgoing Group Managing Director/Chief Executive of Zenith Bank, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, expressed gratitude for the award and attributed it to the bank’s resilience and dedication to delivering value. Joseph D. Giarraputo, publisher of Global Finance, highlighted the significance of the Best Bank Awards in recognizing institutions that offer a broad range of services, reliability, and technological innovation. Zenith Bank’s track record of excellence has earned it numerous awards, including being recognized as the Best Bank for Digital Solutions in Nigeria in the Euromoney Awards 2023, among others.
5. Allen Onyema, CEO of Air Peace Airlines, has revealed plans for more international destinations in 2024 following the launch of the Lagos-London service. He announced intentions to start flights to New York and Houston by the end of the year, with plans to purchase additional aircraft for expansion. Onyema highlighted Air Peace’s readiness for increased flights and disclosed ongoing inspections of three 777 aircraft in California. He also shared the challenges faced by the airline in achieving the Lagos-London flights, citing internal and external conspiracies and bureaucratic hurdles. Onyema emphasized the need for support from the Federal Government for Nigerian airlines to thrive.
6. Marco Materazzi, former defender of Inter Milan, voiced his belief that Jose Mourinho could have achieved even greater success if he had remained at the club. Though brief, Mourinho’s tenure at Inter was marked by memorable achievements, including winning the Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, and the Champions League in his second season. Materazzi expressed nostalgia for the team’s camaraderie and labeled Mourinho as the best coach he ever had, despite feeling less important under his management. Materazzi regretted Mourinho’s departure to Real Madrid after their Champions League triumph and speculated that more trophies could have been won if Mourinho stayed. Additionally, Materazzi reflected on the infamous headbutt incident involving Zinedine Zidane during the 2006 World Cup final, expressing remorse over the incident. In another context, Marouane Fellaini, who played under Mourinho at Manchester United, praised Mourinho’s managerial style and highlighted their successful collaboration during Mourinho’s tenure at the club.
7. Rubi Rose, a well-known American model and rapper, has announced her much-anticipated visit to the University of Lagos (Unilag) in December, generating excitement among her fans and followers. Her post on her official X page, formerly Twitter, stating “Unilag in December,” has sparked interest, especially considering her large social media following. While the purpose of her visit remains unknown, fans speculate it could involve a concert, meet-and-greet session, or a special event or performance at the university.
