Day: May 29, 2024

The Electoral Commission in KwaZulu-Natal has encouraged registered voters who have yet to cast their votes, to do so ahead of the closing of voting stations at 9pm.

The call comes as voters in various parts of the country continue to cast their votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) has assured citizens that no eligible voter will be turned away and that every voter in a queue by 9pm will be assisted.

Giving a progress report on voting in the province on Wednesday, the provincial electoral commission said 96% of the 4 974 voting stations in the province opened at 7am, while some stations opened late due to some incidents in some parts of the province.

Among the reasons behind the late opening included the non-availability of police to escort staff carrying sensitive materials, service delivery protests, the blocking of voting stations by some political parties, and voter management devices (VDMs) with Apps that were not updated, amongst others.

The commission
has reassured the voters that any technical glitch encountered on the VMD should not delay the voting process in voting stations.

‘Voting is a manual process. If the hard copy of the voters and a list of preapproved Section 24A cases is at the voting station, voting can proceed unhindered,’ the Commission said.

On the approved special votes, which took place on Monday and Tuesday in the province, the commission reported that of the approved special votes a total of 110 280 out of the 238 235 voting station visits were administered, including 101 161 out of 128 053 approved home visits were administered.

‘We got reports of area managers being followed into our storage sites where we kept materials overnight, by people claiming to be representing political parties and demanding to camp within the precinct of our storage facilities. Such situations were also diffused by the SAPS [South African Police Service],’ the commission said.

Voting stations will close at 9pm tonight while Home Affairs Offices are also
open for the processing of Temporary Identity Certificates and issuing of Identity Documents ready for collection.

Source: South African Government News Agency

As voting continues, Parliament has reminded eligible voters that the right to vote is an important political right enshrined in the Bill of Rights.

‘It is a key component of our democratic society as it allows citizens to participate in the political process and have a say in who governs them,’ acting Speaker of the National Assembly, Lechesa Tsenoli and National Council of Provinces (NCOP) Chairperson, Amos Masondo said.

Voting in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections started at 7am and is expected to close at 9pm.

The Presiding Officers encouraged South Africans who are eligible to vote, to cast their votes in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections, noting this year’s elections comes as South Africa celebrates 30 years of democracy and a democratic Parliament.

‘Over the last 30 years, Parliament has repealed apartheid laws and passed progressive laws to improve the lives of all South Africans. We encourage all registered voters to exercise their right to vote, as it is crucial for shaping the
future of our nation.

‘By participating in the electoral process, you ensure that our democracy continues to evolve and address the needs and aspirations of all citizens. Your vote is your voice-use it to secure a brighter future for yourself and generations to come. Your vote is your only opportunity to choose who will represent you. Do not let others decide your future for you. Be part of the decision,” the Presiding Officers said.

As the legislative authority of a democratic republic, the Presiding Officers said Parliament must ensure a government by the people, under the Constitution.

Tsenoli and Masondo added that preparations are well underway to seamlessly integrate newly elected members, ensuring a smooth transition to the seventh parliamentary term.

Meanwhile, government has commended the inspiring smooth start to Wednesday’s 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

READ | Government commends smooth start to elections

Earlier in the day, the Electoral Commission said that the elections got off t
o a steady start with 93% of voting stations reported to have opened at 7am on Wednesday.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Wema Bank, on Tuesday, said it is set to raise N200 billion capital within the 24-month timeline issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Mr Moruf Oseni, Wema Bank Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, said this at the 2023 Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the bank in Lagos.

Oseni said that the preparedness followed the approval of the bank’s shareholders and Board.

According to him, the bank will achieve the aim through public placements and a public offering.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the CBN on March 29 directed commercial banks in the country with international authorisation to shore up their capital base to N500 billion and national banks to N200 billion.

Similarly, non-interest banks with national and regional authorisation will increase their capital to N20 billion and N10 billion respectively.

The recapitalisation exercise, expected to commence from April 1 through March 31, 2026, is to help the country to attain its one trillion-dollar economy target.

Oseni explaine
d that the CBN had done its due diligence and approved the bank’s N40 billion rights issue, which is currently undergoing the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) approval to be listed on the Nigerian Exchange.

He said: ‘Our capital base now stands not at the current N15 billion, but with the rights issue, at N55 billion, which is a significant headway towards N200 billion.

‘We are confident that we will achieve this before the timeline expires.

‘We have shared our plans with the CBN, and working assiduously to meet the balance of our capital base in the nearest future.’

According to him, at a minimum, Wema Bank will remain a national bank but will keep working tenaciously to become a ‘Systematically Important Bank’ and re-attain Tier-one status.

The managing director said that the bank would continue providing optimum value for its shareholders and stakeholders.

On the bank’s financials for the year 2023,

Oseni said the Bank reported a 196 per cent increase in Profit Before Tax (PBT) from N14.75
billion in the previous year to N43.59 billion in year 2023.

He mentioned that the bank also posted 220.4 per cent increase in its Profit After Tax (PAT) from N11.21 billion in year 2022 to N33.66 billion in the year under review.

The managing director stated that the bank reported 70.63 per cent increase in its gross earnings from N132.30 billion in the previous year to N225.75 billion in year 2023.

According to him, the bank also posted 53.64 per cent increase in loans disbursed in 2022, from N521.43 billion to N801.10 billion.

Wema Bank also recorded a remarkable 220.53 per cent increase in earnings per share from N87.2 to N279.5, among other successful upturns.

Oseni noted that the bank’s performance has been stellar throughout the year and the figures testify to that.

‘As a bank, we feel privileged and lucky to have enjoyed the support of our shareholders and stakeholders, especially in the past year.

‘None of it could have been possible without the support of the Board, my colleagues in Executive
Management, and our customers who are extremely loyal and committed to helping us improve,’ he said.

Meanwhile, the bank’s shareholders unanimously approved 50k dividend for the year ended Dec. 31, 2023.

They also approved the appointment of two new non-executive directors of the bank, namely: Ms Yewande Zaccheaus and Mr Yusuf Kazaure, and the new Executive Director, Mr Segun Opeke, as new additions to the Wema Bank Board of Directors.

Commending the exceptional results, Mr Badmus Tunde, a shareholder of the Bank descibed the performance as overwhelming, adding that profitability has been maintained.

Tunde welcomed the new chairman on board, as well as the managing director, noting that they are very capable of steering the ship.

‘I want to congratulate the Bank for coming this far, 79 years is not child’s play and I pray God grants us long life.

‘Since 1945, Wema Bank has seen the good, bad, beautiful and the ugly, and through thick and thin, it has gotten to where it is today,’ he said.

Source: News
Agency of Nigeria

The Nigeria Cricket Federation (NCF) has announced a 14-player squad that will represent the nation at the Kwibuka Women’s T20 International Tournament in Rwanda0.

The Federation made the announcement via its verified social media handle on Tuesday.

A 20-man contingent made of 14 players and 6 officials departed this afternoon from Lagos for the tournament via RwandAir.

The squad is a blend of experienced and youth with a youngster Anointed Akhigbe, who makes her maiden call up to the side.

Following the retirement of former captain Blessing Etim, after the African Games in Ghana, Vice Captain Favour Eseigbe leads the team to Kigali, to be assisted by wicket-kepper Abigai Igbobie.

THE SQUAD

1. FAVOUR ESEIGBE (C)

2. CHRISTABEL CHUKWUONYE

3. SALOME SUNDAY

4. LILIAN UDE

5. ABIGAIL IGBOBIE (WK)

6. SARAH ETIM (WK)

7. SHOLA ADEKUNLE

8. PECULIAR AGBOYA

9. PIETY LUCKY

10. ESTHER SANDY

11. VICTORY IGBINEDION

12. RACHAEL SAMSON

13. ANNOINTED AKHIGBE

14. PEACE USEN

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

A media practitioner and public relations expert, Alhaji Kehinde Olaosebikan, has lauded the various interventions of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration toward repositioning Nigeria.

Olaosebikan, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Wednesday, noted that the various measures would result in generating common wealth for all.

According to him, any serious effort or programme aimed at fighting poverty and want must first all reduce the burden on the common man.

‘The first major one is the Students’ Loan Scheme recently launched by the Federal Government, aimed at providing financial assistance to qualified Nigerian students.

‘This covers tuitions, other fees and upkeep during their studies, while vocational skills acquisition would ease the burden on the parents and guardians.

‘It is the most visible and reasonable way to combat poverty. The policy must make education, health, power and employment accessible,’ he said.

Olaosebikan stated that the yoke on the masses’
necks must be made light by the government.

According to him, the new students’ loan scheme initiative is laudable and must be supported to make it work.

He also commended the efforts being made by government to improve electricity supply across the country.

‘Also commendable is the concerted effort being made toward steady electricity supply; it will generate more employment and enhance development in both the urban and rural areas.

‘The government has also come up with implementable programmes on health, housing and small-scale business development,’ he said.

The public affairs analyst, while speaking on the one year in office of Tinubu, described the administration as a strong and well-focused one.

‘Being a very strong leader himself, the president has brought strength, vigour and a great deal of pragmatism into governance, especially against the lackluster and inertia style of his predecessor.

‘Without any equivocation, I will say that President Tinubu is running the precise type of government we r
equire at this point in time in Nigeria,’ he said.

On the removal of subsidy, Olaosebikan said that whether it was removed by Tinubu on his inauguration day or any other day, the subsidy needed to go, though not without some unpalatable consequences.

‘Like most Nigerians, personally I am feeling the pain of the removal, but I am very optimistic that Nigeria and Nigerians will be better for it. It is just the normal experience in growth.

‘The truth is that, it is difficult to see the impact of palliatives in big societies and countries like ours. For a nation of over 250 million people, gauging the impacts of palliatives is usually very tough,’ he said.

Olaosebikan stated that palliatives were introduced to bring immediate relief to those worst hit by the adverse effects of the removal.

‘But, are they really feeling the impact? The answer is ‘No’. The president did well by increasing allocations to states and direct allocations of essential items to them.

‘However, what the states are doing to the increa
sed allocations is another thing entirely. The responsibility of the government is to create a common wealth that will be enjoyed seamlessly by all.

‘The president has come out with measures that will lead to generation of common wealth for all,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

The Nigerian Ambassador to Libya, Mohammed Mohammed, has cautioned Nigerians against seeking irregular migration to foreign countries.

Muhammed, the newly-posted Charge’ d’Affaires en-titre to Libya, gave the advice in a statement on Wednesday during the repatriation of 122 stranded Nigerians in Libya.

In the statement, which was issued in Tripoli, a copy of which was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, the ambassador emphasised due process as key to any migration process.

According to him, most irregular migrations usually end up in slavery and sexual exploitation in some countries in Europe and other parts of the world.

He urged Nigerians to always ponder well before embarking on irregular migration through the desert and Mediterranean sea.

He lauded the Libyan authorities and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for facilitating the release of some Nigerian migrants in detention facilities in the country, as well as aiding their repatriation to Nigeria.

He said
that the 122 evacuees comprised 52 males, 39 females, seven of whom were rescued victims of human trafficking.

Others were 21 children, as well as 10 infants.

He explained that they were transported from Mitiga International Airport aboard a chartered flight, expected at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

He added that the evacuees would thereafter, be handed over to the appropriate government agencies that would re-unite them with their families.

According to him, it is the ninth repatriation carried out by the Nigerian Mission in Libya this year.

‘This remains part of the 4-D foreign policy thrust of the present administration and also the directives of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb.Yusuf Tuggar.

‘In 2023, a total of 2,041 stranded Nigerian migrants were returned by the IOM.

‘Within this year alone, about 1,350 stranded Nigerian nationals have been safely assisted to return home,’ he said.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria