Sterling, Aké Festival, Transform Lagos into Dazzling Fusion of Culture, Art, Magic

The Aké Arts and Books Festival has kicked off with a bang, bringing together literature lovers, artists, and creatives from across Africa and beyond. At the heart of this vibrant celebration is Sterling Bank, which has served as a dedicated headline sponsor for eight consecutive years, playing a key role in elevating Africa’s creativity and culture to global prominence.

Opening the festival, Lola Shoneyin, the dynamic and visionary director of Aké, captivated the audience with her reflections on the theme, “Finding Freedom.” Shoneyin addressed pressing global issues with a sense of urgency and candor.

“I’ve seen too many structures fail us—systems that were supposed to keep us curious and informed have crumbled, leaving people dehumanized and hopeless,” Shoneyin said. “But here, at Aké Festival, we don’t shy away from those hard truths. We embrace them, knowing our stories hold the power to heal, to inspire, and yes, to set us free.”

Her words resonated deeply with the crowd. “Freedom may feel harder to grasp these days, but through creativity—through art, literature, and music—we can spark hope and reimagine what’s possible,” she added, drawing a wave of applause that set the tone for an event brimming with promise and inspiration.

The festival buzzes with activity, offering a diverse lineup that includes book chats, panel discussions, poetry, music, and film screenings. Each event is thoughtfully designed to provoke reflection and foster connection, creating a space where attendees can celebrate the richness of Africa’s storytelling.

In a recent press briefing, Sterling Bank’s Chief Marketing Officer, Maurice Igugu, spoke about why the bank remains deeply involved with Aké. “Platforms like Aké are essential for fostering creativity and preserving culture,” Igugu explained. “It’s more than just an event—it’s a celebration of who we are and what makes us unique. It showcases the richness of African heritage and amplifies our voices on a global stage.”

He also emphasized Sterling’s role in supporting the arts. “When we invest in initiatives like Aké, we’re not just funding a festival; we’re supporting a movement that nurtures creativity and encourages intellectual and cultural growth,” Igugu said.

Sterling’s contributions have ensured that Aké remains a space where ideas thrive, and stories travel far beyond Africa’s borders. While Shoneyin’s leadership has shaped the festival’s soul, Sterling’s support has provided the foundation for it to flourish.

As the festival unfolds, its vibrant energy is a testament to the power of collaboration between visionaries like Shoneyin and supporters like Sterling Bank. Together, they are showcasing Africa’s creativity and paving the way for its future.

Olori Naomi, Seven Others Arrested Over Ibadan Children Stampede In Ibadan

The Oyo state police command have arrested estranged wife of Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Silekunila and seven others in connection with the stampede that took place at he Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm.

A statement from the command’s spokesperson, SP Adewale Osifeso said the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola and others including Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs, were arrested today December 19.

The statement in part reads

‘’Sequel to the Stampede incident recorded on Wednesday 18/12/2024   at the Islamic High School, Basorun, Ibadan venue of the family event Organized by Wings Foundation and Media partners Agidigbo Fm, the Oyo State Police Command wishes to inform the good people of the State that (8) Persons have since been arrested for their various involvements. 

These persons include the main event sponsor, Prophetess Naomi Silekunola ’f’ age 31yrs, Fasasi Abdulahi, ’m’ age 56yrs (School Principal Islamic High School, Ibadan), Genesis Christopher, ’m’ age 24yrs, Tanimowo Moruf,’m’ age 52yrs, Anisolaja Olabode, ‘m’ age 42yrs, Idowu Ibrahim, ‘m’ age 35yrs and Abiola Oluwatimilehin, ’m’ age 25yrs.

So far (35) Thirty-Five Minors have been documented Dead while (6) Six others are critically injured and on various Medical Interventions.

In furtherance of the above, the case has since been transferred to the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department, Iyaganku with the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge leading the investigations.’

Polaris Bank Champions Financial Literacy for Students in Commemoration of World Savings Day 2024

Polaris Bank concluded its nationwide financial literacy initiative with an impactful session at the MD/CEO’s designated school, Government Day Secondary School, Pantami, Gombe State, marking the culmination of its activities to commemorate World Savings Day 2024. This program, aimed at promoting a culture of saving and financial responsibility among young Nigerians, the Bank’s team reached out to schools across all the 36 states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The financial literacy program focused on equipping students with knowledge about savings and personal finance. The final session, held on November 14, 2024, featured interactive discussions and practical lessons designed to inspire the next generation to adopt prudent financial habits early in life.

Representing the MD/CEO, Group Head, North East, Aliyu Baba Adamu highlighted the significance of financial literacy in building a more informed and financially responsible society. “Through this program, we aim to empower young Nigerians with the knowledge and skills needed to make sound financial decisions. Our commitment is to bridge the financial literacy gap and support Nigeria’s journey toward financial inclusion, economic growth and sustainability,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mal. Muhammad Saje Daudu, Principal of Government Day Secondary School, praised Polaris Bank’s efforts, stating, “This initiative has given our students invaluable insights into the importance of savings and financial discipline. We are deeply grateful to Polaris Bank for investing in the financial education of our youth and shaping their future positively.”

The initiative, which began on October 28, 2024, engaged thousands of students nationwide, emphasizing the role of education in driving financial inclusion. 

The program reinforced Polaris Bank’s dedication to impactful social initiatives, particularly in empowering young Nigerians with the tools they need to navigate an ever-evolving financial landscape.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2024, 2023, 2022 and 2021 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

Nursing Mother Arrested For Throwing 10-Month-Old Baby Into Delta River

 

The Delta State Police Command has arrested a woman, Blessing Ibuku, who is accused of murdering her 10-month-old child, Prevail Jonathan, by throwing the baby into a river.

It was gathered that she confessed to the crime, telling the police that she threw her child into the river on November 31, 2024, after being mocked by her friends.

The disappearance of the child was initially reported to the police on December 4, 2024.

However, during the investigation, the police received a tip-off about a child’s body being found floating in the Aviara community river.

Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, confirmed the arrest of the suspect to journalists in Asaba on Tuesday.

Olufemi explained that when the dead child was brought to the station, it was discovered that it was the body of the same missing child.

He said, "The suspect confessed during investigation that she threw the baby away because her friends and other girls were making jest of her that the child did not have a father."

Olufemi added that the suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as possible.

I Didn’t Send Anybody To Beg Afe Babalola — Farotimi

 

Human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has stated that he did not ask anyone to plead with Afe Babalola (SAN), who took him to court for defamation.

Farotimi is currently standing trial in Ekiti State following a petition by Babalola regarding his book, ‘Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System.’

Recall that the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, recently paid a visit to Afe Babalola, with sources suggesting that the visit was to make a plea on behalf of Farotimi.

Speaking on the Sunday edition of Inside Sources with Laolu Akande, Temokun, a lawyer for Dele Farotimi, stated that during a prison visit on Friday, Farotimi denied asking Peter Obi to appeal to Afe Babalola or seek an out-of-court settlement.

He said, “I visited Mr Dele Farotimi in a correctional service in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, yesterday afternoon.

“The events of the recent days; the visit of Mr Peter Obi, the (2023) presidential candidate of the Labour Party, to Aare Afe Babalola; his visit to Mr Dele Farotimi, created some lack of clarity; people are not so clear about some things; people are not clear about what is going on. It is based on this that I had to visit him yesterday, and we sat together and had a good discussion.

“After Peter Obi left Ekiti, the news that filtered through the town to the issue of the conditions for release, the issue of apology, the issue of whether Mr Dele Farotimi can do this or that to come out.

“I told him (Farotimi): the reason why I am here is to confirm from you, ‘What do you think should be done?’ The visit of Mr Peter Obi to you in person and the subsequent visit to Aare Afe Babalola: What do you know about it? What is your message to Aare Afe Babalola? What is your message to the people outside? What is also your message to me as part of your legal team?

“He (Farotimi) said if anybody who is very familiar with his antecedents, with his principles, with his philosophy over time should join anybody to believe that in a matter where he had written a book that he had published and that had been in circulation, that if anybody, somebody who has a brain should join others to believe that he has sent anybody to beg anybody, he said he will be so disappointed in that person.

“He told me categorically that even you, Tope, if you join anybody to believe that I could beg anybody or that I have sent anybody to beg anybody, I will be so disappointed in you.”

Temokun stated that Farotimi remains in high spirits and views the truth as his only weapon in the struggle.

Yoruba, Igbo Should Separate – Sunday Igboho

Yoruba Nation war-lord, Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, has expressed that if Nigeria is unable to function as a united country, the different ethnic groups should be permitted to go their separate ways.

In a video shared on Thursday, Igboho, seen at a UK airport, blamed corruption and insecurity for why many Nigerians no longer take pride in their citizenship.

He added that Yoruba youths, enriched by global exposure, are eager to transform the Yoruba nation into a modern, prosperous society like those in Europe.

His words: “Even inside the airport, there is no security. They can steal your belongings inside your bag (in Nigerian airports). All these are the things dissuading people from being proud of the country, Nigeria.

“Things like that make us sad to identify ourselves as Nigerians. This is why we advocate for separation. If Nigeria is not working as a country, it is better we go our separate ways.

“Our (Yoruba) youths will transform Yoruba nation. Most of them have travelled across the world and they have learned a lot. If they come back to Yoruba land, the knowledge will help them build it and transform the nation like those in Europe.”

This is not the first time Igboho has called for the breakaway of Yoruba people from Nigeria.

In April 2024, Igboho, alongside Pro Banji Akintoye and Ola Ademola from the Yoruba Self-Determination Movement, wrote a letter to President Tinubu, urging him to establish a negotiation team to discuss the Yoruba people’s exit from Nigeria.

The letter reads in part: “We are acting for and on behalf of our 60 million Yoruba people of the Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States, respectively, plus the Yoruba Local Government Areas of Kogi and Kwara State, and plus the Itshekiri homeland of Delta State, all together constituting the Yorubaland in Nigeria, hereby most humbly place our crowning request before Your Excellency as follows:

“That the Nigerian Federal Government shall, within the next two months, but not later than June 15, 2024, inform us Yoruba Self-determination Movement that the Nigerian Federal Government has graciously agreed to our proposal for negotiation and that they have set up a negotiation team that will meet and have a dialogue with our Yoruba Nation’s negotiation team.

“That the Nigerian Federal Government shall invite the United Nations, African Union and the Economic Community of West African States, to send observers to the negotiation meetings.”

Polaris Bank Clinches "Best Mobile App" Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

Polaris bank's commitment to digital innovation and excellence has once again been recognized, as the Bank was awarded the prestigious "Best Mobile App" award for its renowned digital banking platform, VULTe, at the Digital Jurist Awards held October 31 at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

This honor comes less than a week after Polaris Bank was named Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, further solidifying its status as a leader in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape. 

At the event, attended by representatives from all nominated companies, Polaris Bank’s VULTe app stood out among its peers, winning the hearts of users and the recognition of industry experts.

The Digital Jurist Awards Committee had nominated Polaris Bank in three categories: Best Website, Best Web Portal, and Best Mobile App. The Bank's innovative approach and customer-centric digital solutions have made it a formidable contender in each category, with VULTe's win affirming the Bank’s continued drive to redefine digital banking in Nigeria.

Commenting on the the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital solutions. "This award continuously shows our dedication to delivering the best digital experiences to our customers. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure that our platforms remain intuitive, accessible, and impactful," he said.

Polaris Bank’s VULTe app has gained widespread acclaim for its user-friendly design, robust security features, and diverse functionalities, enabling customers to manage their banking needs from the comfort of their devices. Winning the "Best Mobile App" award is yet another milestone in the Bank’s digital journey, reinforcing its position as a digital pioneer in Nigeria's banking sector.

The Bank extends its gratitude to the Digital Jurist Awards Committee and its loyal customers for their continued trust and support. Polaris Bank is committed to advancing digital banking in Nigeria, creating convenient, modern, and secure solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2024,2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022, 2023 and 2024 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.