Ethnic

Leadership Crisis: Arewa Group Accuses Sanwo-Olu’s Commissioner Of Plot To Cause Chaos Among Hausas

Published

5 years ago

December 31, 2020

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The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYCF) has called on the governor of Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to call his Commissioner for Waterfront, Kabir Ahmed, to order.
AYCF, in a statement by its national president, Alhaji Yerima Shettima, accused Ahmed, a northerner in the cabinet, of hijacking the traditional institution of the Hausa community in Lagos and thus usurping the roles of the ministry of local government and chieftaincy affairs.
The group also said the silence of the state government to the commissioner’s recent actions and interference in what is strictly the roles of the Arewa Council of Chiefs gives the impression that he is acting a script given him by the government.

Read the full statement below:
MEDIA STATEMENT BY THE AREWA YOUTH CONSULTATIVE FORUM(AYCF) ON THE SUSPICIOUS GANG-UP DESIGNED TO SPLIT THE AREWA COMMUNITY IN LAGOS, UNDER THE WATCH OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT

Our attention has been drawn to the subtle attempt to deliberately create division amongst the Arewa Community in Lagos, through the backdoor, using the office of the controversial Kabiru Ahmed, the half-forgotten Waterfront Commissioner for Lagos State.

This avoidable friction amongst the Arewa Community is obviously engineered by anti-peace and unity elements under the supervision of the Lagos State Commissioner for Waterfront Kabiru Ahmed, while the State Government pretends all is well. Indeed, the silence of the Lagos State Government over this brewing crisis has created widespread suspicion that Kabir Ahmed, the Waterfront Commissioner was acting out the script of the Lagos State Government in disguise.

Pursuant to this dangerous move against the unity and brotherhood that has held the Arewa Community together for decades, we would like to state as follows:

The AYCF condemns in the strongest terms this conspiracy to create bad blood and destabilize the Arewa Community by creating wrong impression about Arewa Council of Chiefs’ established succession process.
We cannot fathom what is the business of a Waterfront Commissioner with the unity, recognition and respect of the monarchs in the Arewa Community in Lagos. It is evident that the Arewa Community has no business with a Waterfront Commissioner who means nothing to our people and even less relevant to Lagos itself. We take exception to this senseless meddlesomeness of a Commissioner who is always anxious in crossing the lines, on matters affecting the Arewa Community. However, he is free to seek relevance elsewhere, since it I’d obvious his office has no project ideas and he is desperate for relevance.
We are worried that the Arewa Community has been asking questions about why the Lagos State Government has allowed a Waterfront Commissioner to dominate or hijack what should ordinarily be the role of a Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. It begs the question whether the Lagos State Government has an organized administrative structure or not. In a modern world governed by strategic communication, it is ridiculous that a Waterfront Commissioner would have the temerity to interfere with a matter strictly concerning the monarchy.
We would like to categorically state that this subtle attempt to disunite and destabilize the unity of the Arewa Community in Lagos would be met with legitimate resistance from northerners of good conscience within and outside Lagos. We will no longer fold our arms and watch the desecration of our traditional heritage in Lagos by a confused and desperate Commissioner, aided and abetted by a nonchalant State Government.
We say no to this sinister move in its entirety and wish to stress that enough of this deliberate and senseless interference with the affairs of the Arewa Community in Lagos. We have warned, whoever has ear let him hear. Our position is unequivocal this time and we are prepared for massive legitimate resistance to this unending, undue interference. Signed
Alh. Yerima Shettima
National President

Business and Brand

Fidelity Bank Extends Food Bank Initiative to Anambra

Published

7 months ago

September 9, 2025

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Provides Essential Food Items to 2,000 Residents

Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, has extended its flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program, the Fidelity Food Bank Initiative, to Anambra State, providing essential food supplies to over 2,000 vulnerable residents in Awka, the state’s capital.

The two-day outreach, which held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Catholic Diocese, Awka and at Emmaus House, the Anglican Diocese of Awka, saw the distribution of relief materials to the elderly, widows and other vulnerable members of the community.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Dr. Nosa Orumwense, Regional Bank Head -Awka, Fidelity Bank Plc, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to fighting hunger and improving the welfare of communities across Nigeria.
“The Fidelity Food Bank was launched as part of our commitment to the well-being of our host communities. We are delighted to bring this initiative to Anambra State, in collaboration with our partners to ensure the most vulnerable among us receive support during these difficult times,” Orumwense said.

L-R: Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, Chinedu Okafor; Chancellor, Catholic Diocese of Awka, Reverend Charles Ndubuisi; Regional Bank Head, Awka, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nosa Orumwense; and Team Lead, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Fidelity Bank Plc, Victoria Abuka; at the Fidelity Food Bank distribution event held in Awka, Anambra State recently.

The initiative received great commendations from the community and leaders alike. Appreciating the bank’s efforts, Rev. Father Levi Ukor, Director of the Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Awka, highlighted the importance of collaborations in tackling hunger.
“We are truly excited to partner with Fidelity Bank on this noble cause. Hunger remains a pressing issue for many households, and the bank’s decision to provide food support to this large number of vulnerable people shows genuine compassion and social responsibility,” Rev. Father Ukor said.

The Most Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, described food as a basic necessity of life and urged other corporate organizations to emulate Fidelity Bank in addressing the plight of the poor.

Similarly, Chinedu Okafor, Chairman, Awka South Local Government Area, also applauded the bank’s intervention and support to the community.
“Fidelity Bank’s intervention could not have come at a better time for the people of Awka. Many of our residents are facing difficult economic realities, and this gesture brings real relief to families in need. We deeply appreciate the bank’s commitment to our community and pledge our administration’s continued support for initiatives that improve the welfare of our people,” Okafor said.

Beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the bank’s gesture. “The foodstuff will go a long way in supporting my family. Thank you, Fidelity Bank, this just came at the perfect time,” said Mrs. Adanma Mbah, one of the recipients. Likewise, Mrs. Nnenna Okeke, another beneficiary, urged other organizations to follow Fidelity Bank’s lead, emphasizing the importance of food interventions in tackling hunger and restoring hope.

The Fidelity Food Bank Initiative is one of several community-focused programs through which the bank demonstrates its commitment to improving the quality of life for Nigerians, while fostering sustainable development in its host communities. Since its launch in April 2023, the initiative has witnessed the distribution of over 250,000 food packs across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, reaching more than 300 communities nationwide.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a recipient of multiple local and international Awards, including the 2024 Excellence in Digital Transformation & MSME Banking Award by BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards; the 2024 Most Innovative Mobile Banking Application award for its Fidelity Mobile App by Global Business Outlook, and the 2024 Most Innovative Investment Banking Service Provider award by Global Brands Magazine. Additionally, the Bank was recognized as the Best Bank for SMEs in Nigeria by the Euromoney Awards for Excellence and as the Export Financing Bank of the Year by the BusinessDay Banks and Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.