Landmark

Fidelity Bank Plc, one of Nigeria’s top-tier financial institutions, has promoted 376 employees following its recently concluded annual performance review exercise. This represents approximately 12% of the bank’s workforce, underscoring its management’s deep appreciation for the pivotal role played by staff in recoding the highest growth by percentage volumes in the banking industry with  210% increase in its Profit Before Tax (PBT) which grew from N124.3 billion in 2023 to N385.2 billion in 2024. The announcement, which was recently communicated internally, comes on the heels of a 20% across-the-board salary increase implemented in June 2025—a gesture that reflects the bank’s commitment to staff welfare. It is worth noting that this follows a similar salary adjustment carried out in November 2024. Under the leadership of Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, Fidelity Bank has consistently outperformed market expectations. In 2024, the bank recorded the highest share price growth of 116%  i...

Qatar’s largest dairy company, Baladna, has said its recent visit to Ogun State was exploratory. This statement came after the Ogun State Government posted on X that Baladna was “set to establish a multi-million dollar food and dairy facility” in the state. Governor Dapo Abiodun shared photos of the visit on social media, saying the dairy company planned to bring their business to Ogun. The state also said the project would create jobs, help food production, and reduce the billions Nigeria spends every year on importing dairy products. But Baladna later said that the visit was only for fact-finding and that no agreement was made. “We would like to clarify that, at this stage, we are only exploring potential avenues for cooperation and there are no agreements or announced projects regarding a dairy investment in Ogun State, Nigeria,” Baladna said. Baladna explained that it is a public company listed on the Qatar Stock Exchange, and it must follow strict rules. If a deal had been made, i...

In a fresh demonstration of its commitment to local capacity building and sustainable community engagement, Dangote Cement Plc., Ibese Plant, has conducted its 2025 annual capacity development training for leaders and representatives of its host communities in Ogun State. Themed “Engagement and Advocacy Skills: Critical Tools for Community Representatives,” the training was held at the company’s Ibese Plant and drew participants from Yewa North and Ewekoro Local Government Areas. Over 50 community stakeholders including youth and women leaders, as well as government officials, took part in the workshop aimed at equipping them with effective communication, negotiation, and advocacy skills. Declaring the event open, Mr. Aina Olugbenga, General Manager, Human Asset Management and Administration at Dangote Cement, commended the participants for their consistent dedication to peace and progress in their various communities. He urged them to channel the knowledge and strategies acquired into...

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have arrested a former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Umar Isa, over an alleged $7.2 billion fraud linked with the rehabilitation of the Kaduna, Warri and Port Harcourt refineries. Isa, as CFO, was in charge of the release of funds for the turnaround maintenance of the three refineries. Isa and all the key officials involved in the maintenance of the refineries and other NNPCL key projects are being investigated for alleged abuse of office, corruption, diversion of funds and kickbacks from contractors. Other officials involved are the Managing Director of the Warri Refinery, Tunde Bakare; a former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ahmed Dikko; and a former Managing Director of the Port Harcourt Refinery, Ibrahim Onoja. EFCC’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, could not be reached for his comments. Last week, the Senate Committee on Public Accounts, chair...

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, a prominent Abuja-based businesswoman, over her alleged involvement in a high-profile appointment and contract scam involving millions of naira and U.S. dollars. According to the lawyer of one of the victims, Chief Tolu Babaleye, Tejuosho, who claimed to be the founder of Haleems Integrated Services Limited, allegedly collected millions of naira and US dollars from unsuspecting victims by promising to leverage her supposed high-level connections to secure appointments and lucrative contracts. Babalaye alleged that Tejuosho operated a sophisticated scheme, using forged documents and fake appointment letters to convince victims of her legitimacy. He also alleged that she impersonated an aide of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, which the court had previously recommended her for prosecution on charges of Advance Fee Fraud, Criminal Diversion of Funds, Criminal Breach of Trust, and C...

Reports published by Sahara Reporters on June 25 claimed that Fidelity Bank’s MD, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe was a party to an ongoing case involving fraud on Woobs Resources account with the bank. This is however not true. The charge sheet dated 12 May 2025 (sighted by this reporter) stated that the Defendants in the suit were Victor Ukutt, Esq, Fidelity Bank Plc, Whoba Ugwunna Ogo and Safiya Whoba. It will be recalled that the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice issued a press release on 9 June 2025 explaining that Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe’s name was struck off the charge as she was neither the account officer nor the Managing Director of the Bank when the account used in the alleged scheme of fraud was opened.

The convener, The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has called on Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to deepen the framework of the Lagos masterplan for better environmental revolution. Otunba Showunmi stated this on Wednesday in his birthday message to the governor. Showunmi said it is imperative for the state government to enforce compliance on the clean Lagos State project embarked upon by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab. “The achievements are undeniable as you begin the last lap towards the completion of your 2nd term in office. “I encourage you to take off the gloves and fix the environmental issues. Let the work of Tokunbo Wahab be front and centre and top priority. “We know our history of Lagos and we thank God for the development so far. The time is now to force compliance with the master plan in such a way that whoever comes after you will not need to apologise for trying to build a modern city. “What must be pulled down shou...