Category Nigeria News

The groundbreaking ceremony for First Bank’s new, iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, was held on Wednesday.

Governors, senators, ministers, and industry captains were present at the event, along with Vice President Kashim Shettima, billionaire Aliko Dangote, and Femi Otedola.

The 40-storey project is supposed to be Nigeria’s tallest building, according to a bank spokesman, Olayinka Ijabiyi.

Due to its technologically advanced, eco-friendly, and sophisticated construction, which would set a new standard for Africa’s financial services sector, the statement said in part.

The groundbreaking ceremony, in his opinion, marked the start of a transformational journey that affirms the bank’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

According to him, the new corporate headquarters was created with sustainability in mind, with a green-certified building that lowers operating costs and positions FirstBank as a leader in sustainable banking practices.

Olusegun Alebiosu, the bank’s CEO, called the groundbreaking “a significant milestone” in the bank’s pursuit of excellence.

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Our new corporate structure, which embodies our commitment to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability, is envisioned as a world-class structure. We think that this development will be crucial in fostering Africa’s economic growth and development, bringing long-term value to all of our stakeholders, he said.

Femi Otedola, the chairman of FirstHoldCo, remarked, “Today’s gathering highlights the value of collaboration and support from various sectors in bringing our ambitious plans for the new headquarters to life. As we work together to make this vision a reality, we value the unwavering support of our customers and stakeholders.

President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Mukhtar Muhammed and Adeladan Olarinre as new permanent secretaries to fill vacancies in the Federal Civil Service.

Eno Olotu, the director of information and public relations for the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), made this known in a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja.

Olarinre will represent Oyo State, and Muhammad will represent the region’s North-West geopolitical zone.

Olotu emphasized that the appointments were made in accordance with the administration’s commitment to excellence, competence, and meritocracy in the civil service.

She urged the new permanent secretaries to bring a wealth of their expertise and experience to their positions, which will advance the delivery of public services and advance the government’s development goals.

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To fill vacancies in various states and geopolitical zones, the federal government appointed eight new permanent secretaries from Abia, Bayelsa, Ebonyi, Enugu, Gombe, Kebbi, Rivers, and Kaduna.

This builds on the eight permanent secretaries from the Southeast and South-South regions that were appointed in June 2024, including Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Jigawa, Ondo, Zamfara, and.

Didi Walson-Jack, the head of the Federation’s civil service, praised President Tinubu for his commitment to upholding accountability, meritocracy, and professionalism.

She claimed that the appointments show how committed the administration is to providing a competent and results-oriented public service that meets Nigerian standards.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has denied allegations of sexual harassment brought against him by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

He reacted to the allegations on Wednesday at the resumption of plenary in the Senate, after a week’s recess.

Dismissing the allegations, Senator Akpabio said, “At no time did I ever harass any woman. I was raised very well by my late single mother, and I have always upheld respect for women. I was even awarded the most gender-friendly governor in Nigeria”.

The Senate President, who said he had been inundated with calls on the matter since February 25, and that he was aware of the growing social media discourse, urged Nigerians, the media, and social media users to refrain from drawing conclusions and instead await the court’s decision on the matter.

READ ALSO: Senator Natasha Returns To Senate Amid Seat Controversy

However, immediately after his remarks, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan raised a petition under Order 40, accusing the Senate President of sexual harassment and abuse of office.

She requested permission to step forward and formally lay the petition before the chamber.

The Senate subsequently referred the petition to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, directing it to review the matter as soon as practicable.

The Senate was hit by controversy in February when a seat rearrangement escalated into a confrontation between Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan and the Senate President. The dispute over the seat has sparked tensions within the Senate, leading to the allegation of sexual harassment by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, and raising fresh concerns about decorum and conduct within the legislative body.

Senator Natasha, Husband Arrive In Senate Chamberhttps: //t. co/oCwdEsNiLQ pic. twitter.com/pWXRXnCxhp

On Wednesday, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan arrived at the Senate Chamber in the company of her husband amid the controversy.

In a brief but affectionate moment, the Senator shared a kiss with her husband before proceeding into the chamber to take her seat.

On Wednesday, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s supporters stormed the National Assembly complex.

This is when Senator Neda Imaseun’s Senate ethics committee will begin its investigation into Senators Natasha Uduaghan’s inability to follow the Senate’s rules.

Cans of tear gas were reportedly fired as the protesters gathered, but security forces prevented them as they regrouped and regrouped.

As they demanded that President Bola Tinubu step in, the protesters accused Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, of silencing and demonizing women.

They claimed that there are human rights issues with allegations of sexual misconduct.

As plenary resumed after a one-week break, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, and her husband, met in the Senate Chamber today.

Before she entered the chamber, her husband kissed her for a brief but loving moment before taking her place.

In her newly appointable seat, which has been the subject of a heated argument, the Kogi State senator took her place.

She accused Godswill Akpabio, the president of the Senate, of sexual harassment, sparking tensions within the chamber.

The Senate President refuted the claim and denied any wrongdoing. However, the controversy and allegation have prompted new concerns about the legislative body’s standards of conduct.

Senator Natasha’s gaze was on her as the plenary sat down, indicating that despite the ongoing controversy, she was ready to carry on her legislative duties.

Also read: Senate Over Seat Arrangement: Drama Develops

On Wednesday, protesters who supported the Kogi lawmaker stormed the National Assembly in preparation for the Ethics Committee to begin its investigation.

Natasha’s alleged failure to follow the Senate rules is the subject of an investigation by the Committee led by Senator Neda Imaseun.

Cans of tear gas were reportedly fired as the protesters gathered, but security forces prevented them as they regrouped and regrouped.

As they demanded President Bola Tinubu to step in, the protesters accused the president of silencing and demonizing women.

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions has been given a restraining order from the Federal High Court in Abuja, which forbids them from disciplining Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Following an ex parte request made by Akpoti-Uduaghan’s legal team, Justice Obiora Egwuatu made this decision on Tuesday.

The senator’s altercation with Senate President Godswill Akpabio on February 20 likely led to the filing of the application.

The written address and the twenty-five (25) paragraphed Affidavit supporting the Motion Ex-parte and the Affidavit of Urgency, both submitted by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, an adult, female, Christian, and a citizen of Nigerian territory, were all filed at the Registry of this Court.

After hearing the arguments made by M. J. Numa, M. J. Zakari, B. J. Tabai, Tijanni Jimol, and Miss M. C. Bekee, the Court is instructed to grant the requested reliefs.

“And the Court’s reasonings and conclusions are as set forth in the body of the Bench Ruling, having delivered its Bench Ruling in open court.” It is hereby ordered as follows: 1. The Plaintiff/Applicant is authorized by this Honourable Court to serve the 2nd to 4th Defendants/Respondents with the Originating Summons and all other accompanying procedures in this case by substituted means, such as by posting same on the premises of the National Assembly or publishing same in two national newspapers.

” 2. Following the events that occurred at the 2nd Defendant’s plenary on February 20, 2025, pursuant to the referral by the 2nd Defendant on February 25, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction, an Order of Interim Injuction is issued by this Honourable Court.

“3. The First- and Fourth Defendants are instructed by this Honourable Court to file a request for cause within 72 hours after receiving this order from the court, restraining them from carrying out the alleged investigation against the Plaintiff for alleged misconduct without according her privileges as required by the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act, as amended by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As amended), the Senate Standing Order 2023, and the Legislative Houses

According to Persecondnews, the Kogi senator and Senate President Godswill Akpabio squared off on February 20 over seating arrangements in the chamber.