Category: News

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has commended the United States government for repatriating $52.88 million in assets linked to Nigeria’s former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The organization also praised the collaboration between the Nigerian and US governments, describing the milestone as a significant victory in the fight against corruption.

In a statement released by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC urged the Federal Government to ensure the transparent and accountable utilization of the recovered funds. Rafsanjani emphasized the need for these funds to be directed toward development projects that directly benefit the Nigerian populace.

“According to the Minister of Justice, the majority of the funds will be allocated to rural electrification projects through the World Bank,” Rafsanjani stated. “However, more details are needed about how these funds will be managed. Will government agencies play a role, and how much will genuinely reach the citizens?”

He expressed concerns about the proposed 2025 budget, which allocates substantial sums to what he described as frivolous expenses, including luxury cars. Rafsanjani noted that such allocations fail to reflect Nigeria’s economic challenges and the urgent need to address widespread hunger.

CISLAC called for adherence to the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act 2022 to ensure openness in managing recovered assets. The organization underscored that transparent and impactful use of the funds would restore public trust in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.

Rafsanjani warned against the potential re-looting of recovered assets, urging the government to end the era of mismanagement. “If these funds are not used transparently for the benefit of Nigerians, public confidence will erode, and suspicions of re-looting will emerge,” he cautioned.

CISLAC reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the recovery of looted assets and their proper utilization for national development. Rafsanjani highlighted the organization’s global advocacy efforts in achieving this recovery and pledged continued support for initiatives promoting justice, accountability, and socio-economic progress.

The organization also urged the government to pursue other pending asset recovery cases and to ensure that all proceeds are channeled toward improving the lives of Nigerians.

In the heart of Benue State, Gabriel Orpin, a humble farmer, spends his days tending to rice, cassava, and yam on his small farm. But this Christmas season, Gabriel’s life took an extraordinary turn when he hit the ₦5 million jackpot on BetKing Virtuals.

“I’ve always loved farming,” Gabriel shared, his voice brimming with pride. “It’s my own farm, and things have been moving well. But honestly, I never imagined something like this would happen to me.”

Gabriel’s journey with BetKing started earlier this year. “It was in June when I tried their Virtuals for the first time,” he recalled. “I liked it immediately because I kept winning small amounts, ₦5,000 here, ₦18,000 there. But this ₦5 million jackpot? That one blew my mind”

When Gabriel got the call confirming his win, he could hardly believe it. “I thought, ‘Maybe this is a mistake.’ But they explained that I played the minimum amount every day of the promotion period, and everything became real. My family couldn’t believe it either”

Traveling to Lagos to claim his prize was a leap of faith for Gabriel. “People told me Lagos is a risky place, but I said, ‘This is my chance. I have to go.’ And when I got there, I saw it was true. BetKing really came through for me.”

This life-changing moment is part of BetKing’s Christmas Jingle Bets festivities campaign, which also include the BetKing Danfo Santa initiative. Danfo Santa spread joy across Lagos by surprising individuals and communities with essential food items and cheer, adding to the festive spirit. She concluded.

Gabriel already has big plans for his winnings. “First, I’ll buy land to expand my farm. I’ll also build a small house for myself and my family. Farming is my passion, and this money will help me grow it even more. I also want to start a small business to keep the money flowing.”

But Gabriel’s excitement isn’t just about himself. “I’ll be sharing this opportunity with my friends. I’ll show them how to bet on BetKing Virtuals because you never know, one of them might win big like I did.”

As he wrapped up his story, Gabriel had one final message: “Thank you, BetKing. May God bless you for what you’ve done for me. I pray you keep bringing joy to others just like this.” Gabriel’s win is a shining example of how BetKing is transforming lives this holiday season, creating opportunities for customers to dream big and achieve even bigger.

Nengi Akinola, Head of Marketing at BetKing, shared her excitement about Gabriel’s story. “Gabriel’s win represents everything BetKing stands for, transforming lives and creating memorable experiences for our customers” she said.

“We are thrilled to see how this jackpot will help him achieve his dreams and inspire others in his community. At BetKing, our goal is to ensure that Every Bet is an Adventure, and Gabriel’s story is a proof of that.”

To start your journey with BetKing, visit https://m.betking.com/virtual to play today.

A leading provider of high-speed 4G LTE broadband, Smile Communications has announced its exciting new promotion, Buy & Win with Smile, set to run from December 2024 into January 2025.

This festive campaign promises unbeatable rewards for customers who make purchases across all Smile Customer Centers nationwide.

As part of the promotion, customers who spend ₦50,000 and above on any Smile product will automatically qualify for the top-tier prizes. Additionally, those who make purchases in the range of ₦5,500 to ₦49,999 will also walk away with exciting gifts.

The Head of Marketing Operations, Mr. ‘Goke Olaleye, while commenting on the promotion said “In this promotion, every customer wins — there are no “try again” outcomes, making it one of the most inclusive and rewarding promos of the year.”

The gift lineup includes a variety of exciting items such as Bluetooth speakers, power banks, and many more surprises, ensuring that every participant gets something fun and valuable this holiday season.
To take part, customers can visit any Smile Customer Center across the country. For the nearest center, customers can visit Smile’s website at www.smile.com.ng, call customer care on 07020444444, or follow Smile across all social media platforms for updates.

This festive period promises to be full of rewards with Smile Communications. Do not miss out on the opportunity to enjoy amazing gifts while staying connected with Nigeria’s leading broadband provider.
For more information, visit www.smile.com.ng.

The Tony Elumelu family has extended its philanthropic efforts to support vulnerable children by donating ₦30 million and essential food items to three orphanages in Lagos. The donations, flagged off by Dr. Awele Elumelu, Chairperson of Avon Healthcare Limited and wife of Tony Elumelu, Chairman of the UBA Group, began at the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, Surulere.

The outreach also included donations to the Open Arms of Mercy Orphanage Home in Okota and the Atunda Olu Home, with each orphanage receiving:
– 33 cartons of Indomie Noodles
– 20 bags of rice
– 20 bags of beans
– 10 bags of sugar
– 10 cartons of milk
– 10 cartons of Milo
– ₦10 million

The financial contributions are intended to address specific needs identified by the homes, such as rent payments, surgeries, medical care, and other pressing requirements.

During the event, Dr. Awele Elumelu emphasized the family’s dedication to assisting vulnerable children across Nigeria.

“We recognize the ongoing needs of children in these homes. This initiative is part of our effort to provide both immediate relief and long-term support. Everyone has a role to play—whether through cash, kind, or time—to make a difference in the lives of these children.”

Mrs. Laja Adedoyin, Founder of the Hearts of Gold Children’s Hospice, expressed deep gratitude for the significant donations, describing the gesture as unprecedented in the hospice’s history.

“The magnitude of the foodstuff and financial support we received today is extraordinary. Food is life, and in today’s Nigeria, having food means having everything. This is the largest donation we have ever received, and we are overwhelmed with joy. We sincerely thank Dr. Awele Elumelu and the family for their generosity.”

Alero Ladipo, the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications for UBA Bank, while highlighting the thoughtful planning behind the initiative, said: “We conducted surveys to understand the specific needs of each home. Beyond the food items, the ₦10 million for each orphanage is intended to address medical needs, rent, and other requirements such as diapers for the children.”

“We conducted surveys to understand the specific needs of each home. Beyond the food items, the ₦10 million for each orphanage is intended to address medical needs, rent, and other requirements such as diapers for the children.”

The donations to Lagos orphanages are part of a larger pan-Nigerian initiative, with seven more homes set to benefit from similar support in the coming weeks. This follows the family’s recent donation of 1,800 bags of rice to their community in Onicha Uku, Delta State, during the festive season, with seven more homes set to benefit from similar support of N10 million, 20 bags of rice, 20 bags of beans, 10 bags of sugar, 33 cartons of Indomie, 10 cartons of milk and 10 cartons of Milo, each.

The Elumelu family’s commitment to philanthropy continues to make a tangible impact, reflecting their dedication to fostering sustainability, community support, and care for society’s most vulnerable.