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The chairman of Nigerian Breweries has stepped down, and the company has appointed a successor

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Nigerian Breweries Plc has announced a restructuring of its board of directors, marked by the resignation of Chairman Mr. Asue Ighodalo.

The company’s secretary, Mr. Uaboi Agbebaku, conveyed this information to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd on Friday in Lagos.

Agbebaku revealed that Ighodalo, citing a commitment to public service, tendered his resignation effective December 31, 2023, adhering to corporate governance standards.

Ighodalo expressed mixed emotions, characterizing his decision as a painful sacrifice to fully dedicate himself to this new endeavor.

In his words, “It is with heartfelt regret that I announce my resignation as the Chairman of the Board of Nigerian Breweries Plc effective Dec. 31, 2023.

After extensive deliberations, I have decided to offer myself for public service to our dear country.

It is my pride to have been part of such a formidable organization well-positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges in Nigeria’s ever-changing business environment.”

Furthermore, Agbebaku disclosed the appointment of Sijbe Hiemstra, the longest-serving director, as the interim chairman from January 1, 2024, until the selection of a permanent chairman.

He also announced the conclusion of Ndidi Nwuneli’s tenure as an independent non-executive director and the appointment of Stella Ojekwe-Onyejeli as a Non-Executive Director, effective January 1, 2023.

Ojekwe-Onyejeli brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in risk management, having served on the boards of Coronation Insurance Plc and Rand Merchant Bank, among others.

 

Orezi’s Home Fire Update

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Recently, social media buzzed with reports of a fire engulfing the residence of Orezi, the singer also known as Esegine Allen.

Expressing his dismay, Orezi revealed that he wasn’t home when the incident occurred, but witnessing the extensive damage left him filled with anger and sorrow.

Reflecting on the devastation, he commented, “If fire were a person, I would have confronted it.”

Despite the loss of belongings, he expressed gratitude that no lives were lost, emphasizing the importance of life and hope.

Facing the challenges of dealing with a burned-down house, Orezi acknowledged the mental and financial toll, especially as he is currently promoting his EP.

He shared, “It’s not the ideal time to be without a home, but I’m resilient.

Work has commenced, and crucial aspects are being addressed. With God’s grace, things will return to, if not surpass, their previous state.”

Addressing the inspiration behind his new EP, titled ‘Chocolate Daddy,’ Orezi explained that it captures a range of emotions.

While he has a full album ready, he decided to release the EP first to set the stage.

The album, he revealed, delves into his diverse relationships with different women, expressing aspects of love and showcasing his affectionate and adventurous sides.

 

Mercy Aigbe reflects on nearly leaving the acting profession due to experiences of sexual harassment

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Renowned actress Mercy Aigbe has shared a poignant experience where she contemplated leaving the entertainment industry due to sexual harassment.

Recounting the incident on the talk show ‘Your Views’ on TVC, she revealed encountering a producer in Surulere who initially seemed supportive of her acting aspirations.

Despite successfully navigating three audition stages, she was unexpectedly offered a minor role.

Protestingly, she confronted the producer about the mismatch, only to be informed that the director didn’t recognize her and suggested she get close to the producer.

Prior to this revelation, the producer had been making advances, but it was only on that occasion that he explicitly expressed his intentions and attempted to touch her.

Disturbed and offended, she vehemently rejected his advances, asserting her right to the role she had earned. Feeling insulted and disillusioned, she tore the script and walked away.

Reflecting on her journey, she disclosed the emotional toll of abandoning a stable job to pursue a career in Nollywood, especially as a single mother at the time.

Despite facing various challenges in the industry, Mercy Aigbe emphasized that her persistence ultimately propelled her to the pinnacle of success.

 

Flutterwave secures money transfer licenses for 13 U.S. states

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Flutterwave, having recently introduced the Send App for cross-border money transfers, has successfully obtained money transfer licenses for 13 U.S. states. This strategic move aims to facilitate faster, more affordable, and secure money transfers between the United States and Africa.

The acquired licenses span various states, including Arizona, Arkansas, Maryland, Michigan, Delaware, Georgia, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, Iowa, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

This development, combined with Flutterwave’s existing partnerships and licensed affiliations, positions the company to serve customers in 29 U.S. states.

It also empowers platforms like Send App and other enterprises utilizing Flutterwave for global final-stage payouts.

Stephen Cheng, Executive Vice President of Global Expansion and Partnership at Flutterwave, emphasized that this license acquisition broadens the company’s regulatory reach, showcasing its commitment to delivering services securely and fostering trust among regulators, partners, and customers.

Cheng reiterated Flutterwave’s dedication to meeting customer needs across diverse geographies, particularly those with a significant African diaspora.

The acquired licenses underscore the company’s collaboration with regulators, adherence to market requirements, and the assurance of customer fund safety.

The recently launched Send App, formerly known as $end, has expanded its services to include money transfers from the United States and Canada to new recipient countries such as Senegal and Egypt.

Additionally, the appointment of Jimmy Ku as the Head of U.S. Growth reflects Flutterwave’s plans to offer payment services to U.S.-based clients, following a successful $170 million Series C funding round in March 2021.

For both users and Flutterwave, this development in cross-border payments signifies a mutually beneficial scenario.

The company’s expanded regulatory footprint ensures broader coverage, reaching more destinations and states.

Simultaneously, users gain increased choices for global money transfers, with the ability to send and receive money across more than 35 countries.

In September 2023, Flutterwave received approval from the Reserve Bank of Malawi to operate as an International Money Transfer Operator (IMTO) in Malawi.

As the company gears up for an impending IPO, it has also secured a switching and processing license from the Central Bank of Nigeria, further solidifying its position in the financial landscape.

 

The Power Minister, Adelabu, switches allegiance from the Accord Party and reverts to the APC

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Minister Bayo Adelabu, previously aligned with the Accord Party ahead of the 2023 Oyo State governorship elections, has declared his intention to rejoin the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a letter dated December 6, addressed to the state APC leaders, Adelabu announced that his formal return would be officially disclosed at the APC Secretariat in Oke Ado on December 15, 2023.

Expressing his commitment to the APC’s goals, he highlighted consultations with National Leaders and a visit to the Party National Chairman, emphasizing his dedication to collaborative efforts for the success of the Renewed Hope Agenda and the establishment of an APC-led Government in Oyo State by 2027.

 

Oyedepo prayed for Betta Edu’s ministerial journey

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The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, shared that Bishop David Oyedepo of the Living Faith Church, also known as Winners’ Chapel, prayed for her to become a minister in Nigeria.

Recounting her experience at the Shiloh program in 2022, she expressed gratitude, stating that she had prayed at the event to become a minister by the next year’s Shiloh.

After approaching Bishop Oyedepo and requesting his prayer for her aspiration, she received his blessing, and now, as she stands as one of the youngest ministers in the Fourth Republic, she attributes her success to God.

 

Counterfeit Nigerian currency circulating, CBN cautions the public

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The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a cautionary alert urging Nigerians to exercise caution due to the circulation of counterfeit naira notes amid reports of a currency shortage.

In a Friday statement titled ‘Beware of Counterfeit Naira Banknotes in Circulation,’ the apex bank advised financial institutions, including Deposit Money Banks, Bureau de Change, and the public, to heighten their vigilance and implement necessary precautions.

The Central Bank affirms its commitment to collaborating with law enforcement agencies to apprehend those responsible for distributing fake currency.

The statement highlights the prevalence of counterfeit banknotes, particularly in higher denominations, being used in transactions across major cities.

Quoting Section 20(4) of the CBN Act (2007), the statement emphasizes that falsifying or counterfeiting banknotes is a punishable offence with a minimum imprisonment term of five years.

The CBN is actively working with relevant security and financial agencies to seize counterfeit Naira notes and prosecute those involved.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicion of counterfeit notes to the nearest police station or the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Meanwhile, all financial institutions and the general public are urged to exercise increased vigilance and implement necessary precautionary measures to mitigate the acceptance and circulation of counterfeit currency.

In a separate development, the Supreme Court’s recent ruling stipulates that the old Naira denominations of N200, N500, and N1,000 notes will coexist with the new notes until further notice.

The court emphasized that both old and new notes will remain legal tender beyond December 31, pending the Federal Government’s establishment of a process for their replacement or redesign in consultation with relevant stakeholders.

The apex court had earlier restrained the Central Bank from enforcing the deadline on the use of old notes, and on November 14, the CBN extended the validity of the old N200, N500, and N1,000 notes indefinitely.

 

I extended invitations to Pasuma and Portable with the purpose of winning souls, stated the Lagos cleric

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The founder of a Celestial Church of Christ branch in Lagos, Aderemi Dabiri, explains that inviting secular artists like Alabi Pasuma and Portable is a strategic move to attract new converts.

In a video addressing the church’s task force, Dabiri defends the decision, citing the need to reach out to those outside the conventional church setting, including notorious individuals in the community.

He emphasizes the success of this approach in growing church membership over the years. Dabiri criticizes some gospel ministers for being disrespectful and expresses a preference for secular musicians who show respect.

In response to concerns raised by the task force, he indicates that while the invitation won’t be canceled, measures will be taken to moderate the artists’ behavior at the event, including advising Portable to focus on gospel music and follow certain guidelines.

Dabiri appeals for support from the Celestial Church globally, emphasizing his commitment to using his unique style of evangelism to bring pride to the church.

Having reached a breaking point, Diddy responds to the fourth rape accusation with a firm declaration: ‘Enough is enough

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Music mogul Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, has responded to a series of sexual assault accusations recently raised against him.

The latest lawsuit, filed on Wednesday by a fourth woman, claims that Diddy and others gang-raped her at the age of 17.

Allegedly, Combs met the unnamed woman in 2003 through his associate Harve Pierre, who singled her out at a Detroit lounge and persuaded her to fly on a private jet to New York to meet the rapper.

Before the flight, Pierre allegedly coerced the then 17-year-old into performing oral sex on him.

Subsequently, they crossed state lines to reach Combs’ studio, where the group, including Combs, allegedly drugged and assaulted her.

This lawsuit marks the fourth against Combs, accusing him of similar abuse and rape.

Diddy vehemently denied all allegations on his Twitter page, attributing them to “individuals looking for a quick payday” and expressing determination to defend his name, family, and the truth.

 

I never claimed to rediscover love,” stated Actor Bolanle Ninalowo

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Renowned actor Bolanle Ninalowo has refuted claims that he has discovered love anew.

Amidst circulating rumors linking him romantically with actress Damilola Adegbite, this speculation arose a few months after the actor publicly declared his separation from his wife, Bunmi.

In a recent interview with TVC, Ninalowo, responding to inquiries during a playful “drink and answer” game, clarified that he never explicitly stated he found love again.

Instead, he expressed interest in someone and emphasized uncertainty about where it might lead, asserting, “I never told you guys that.

Who told you that? That I found love again… No, I said I was peeping somebody.”

“You Nigerian ‘e de jo tori Olorun’ (I beg you in the Name of God). Peeping… Love, Peeping… Love, two different things. Peeping, marked her. You never know, Maka is a lover,” he said.