News
Shock as orphan recounts how he was picked from Abuja street to school by Ambassador’s son
It was a moment of joy and excitement for helpless and hopeless orphan, Musa Muhammad who divinely met with Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande that decided out of his love for the vulnerable and humanity sponsored his education from the primary to tertiary level.
Muhammed met with Yusuf Kwande, son of former Ambassador of Nigeria to Switzerland in 2008 at a traffic light in Wuse 2, Abuja selling plastic water under the bitting sun.
Yusuf Kwande gave Muhammad N1,000 note that fateful day and after few hours, God cross their path again and he extended some money again to him to enable him feed himself.
Few hours after the last encounter that same day, Muhammad ran into Yahaya-Kwande at Big Bites which he considered very strange and extended his business card with clear instruction that he should call him when he got home.
Muhammad yielded to the instruction and called the line and behold, Yusuf Kwande picked the call and decided to speak with his mother.
Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande asked the mother, why was Muhammad selling plastic water under the sun while his peers are in school; she replied with a low tune that his father was dead and she has no money to send him to school.
Months after then, Muhammad was arrested by Environmental Task Force for selling water on the streets of Abuja and a call was put across to Yahaya-Kwande, he gladly rushed to the office and rescued him with his friends.
He took Muhammad home where he saw his mother for the first time and decided to give her some money to set up a small business, sadly, she eventually died after illness.
Yahaya-Kwande also pledged to sponsor Muhammad’s education and that of his siblings; he extended some goodwill to their neighbours who witnessed the divine intervention.
He equally sponsored Ibrahim Rahj to Serbia and Turkey for football trial after he came to squat with Muhammad when he lost his parents.
At the moment, Muhammad is filled with joy and excitement as he has completed his National Diploma which has changed positively the living condition of the family.
Muhammad who narrated his chilling story said, “I was helpless and God bless me with a helper; I was hopeless but now hopeful. God used Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande to change my status in life.
“I was selling plastic water at Wuse 2 Abuja and met with Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande at the traffic, he didn’t know me, but out of pity he gave me N1000 and after few hours, we met again and he gave me some money.
“After some time, the Environmental Task Force arrested me and my friends for selling plastic water on the streets, I became helpless with no help coming my way. I decided to call Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande and he responded swiftly and came to the scene where he bailed us.
“He took me home that fateful day and met with my mother. He gave her money to start a business and took the responsibility of my education and my siblings, since then, he has not fail us.
“My friend, Ibrahim Rahj who came to stay with us when his father died, Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande sponsored him to Turkey for football trial. As we speak today 23 August, 2021 I have completed my National Diploma and all this came from a man who I met on the road.
“I will ever remain grateful to him for changing my life positively. May God keep him in good health and bless the work of his hands. My life has never remain the same since the day I had encounter with him, I am very grateful.”
The good gesture has continued to elicit commendation from members of the public who reacted on LinkedIn urged other citizens to emulate Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande’s approach to life and humanity.
Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Shamsuna Ahmed described the gesture as a step in the right direction, “This is awesome, a bold step. If we can all emulate and apply it where much is deserves, the better for us.”
An Ambassador at the Nigerian Embassy, Ali Magashi applauded the gesture and described it as a step towards empowering and liberating humanity.
“The silent things godly people do to impact humanity, this is wealth at its best. Well done and keep up the good things you are doing silently; may Allah continue to bless , guide and protect you.”
Yet, another reaction came from a Financial Advisor, Michael Akhigbe who encouraged Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande to carry on with the good work of helping the poor. “Well done Yusuf, It’s obvious that is the stuff you are made of, full of human kindness. Please keep doing what you know how to do best.”
Philomena Desmond re-echoed the position of Akhigbe and described him as God’s send into the life of the young orphans.
“Yusuf, you are a guardian angel. God directed you that day to help Musa and you listened to God till date. God bless you and your generation, may you never lack and he will multiply in millions.”
A Shipping operations and Business, Habila Theck, said “Your passion for helping and developing people is a rare gift. You have mentored and helped with career development for a lot of young people in the industry, myself inclusive. Reading this piece gives credence to your love for people and passion to help others.”
A senior subcontract Manager, Tunde Adekunle was also elated with the healthy development, noted, “Yusuf Yahaya-Kwande as you have been a blessing to Musa and surprised him, the Lord would reward you and bless you beyond your imagination. You will never lack, as you have raised this boy up, the Lord will also promote you to greater heights, your children will never be stranded.”
A Chief Executive Officer at the Trinity healthcare, Obiora Onowu said, ” very proud of you. I knew the entire Kwande family is like that…very very kind people. Everyone that passed through the University of Jos in the 80s and 90s definitely experienced that warmth from at Least one Baba’s son. I did as well.”
Abdullraman Akawu, who was happy with the laudable intervention of Yahaya-Kwande wrote, “Thank you very much Mallam Yusuf. I don’t know if you are the son of the famous Yahaya-Kwande at the Hill Station Junction in Jos. I knew that family growing up in Jos. You picked up total strangers from the streets and turned their life around, only God will reward you”.
Micheal Ajayi, a concerned citizen also applauded Yahaya-Kwande for the assistance rendered to the middle age young men. “Your sowing seeds to someone life isn’t by your power but gifts of God nature which many people have but fail woefully to practice.
“It’s always good to be kind to others because your kindness will return to you in immeasurable. May God grace continue to be sufficient for you and family. I was touched by the story of the young man and hope every good Samaritan will keep helping the poor in our communities.” He said.
Ahmed Abdul also comment, “How I wish the people in your capacity will also do the same as you are doing, helping one another irrespective of our religious and ethnic differences. We could have build a better tomorrow. Indeed, you are from a good family sir, may your pocket never go dry, may Almighty give us the heart to help one another.” He submitted.
…Declares a total dividend of N2.10 per share
Lagos, Nigeria, March 29, 2025: Leading financial institution, Fidelity Bank Plc, released its 2024 full-year Audited Financial Statements, reporting a 210% growth in Profit Before Tax to N385.2 billion.
According to the Bank’s results released on the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) on Friday, 28 March 2025, Gross Earnings increased by 87.7% to N1,043.4bn, driven by 106.9% growth in interest and similar income to N950.6bn. The increase in Interest Income was led by a combination of improved yield on earnings assets and 51.6% expansion in earnings base to N6.3tn. This led to a Profit After Tax of N278.1 billion, representing a 179.6% annual growth.
Commenting on the results, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc said, “We are delighted with our 2024 full-year (FY) performance, which showed strong growth across key revenue lines, improved asset quality, and significant traction in our strategic business segments. Our impressive results led to a triple-digit increase (210.0%) in Profit Before Tax (PBT), rising from N124.3bn in 2023 to N385.2bn in 2024.”
A further review of the financial performance revealed that the bank’s net interest income increased by 127.1% to N629.8 billion, driven by a high-yield environment in 2024. To optimize its margin, the bank sustained its asset yields above funding cost by maintaining a high low-cost deposit profile at 92.6%. This led to an increase in its Net Interest Margin from 8.1% in 2023 FY to 12.0%.
Similarly, the bank continued to deepen its market share in both the corporate and retail segments, with customer deposits increasing by 47.9% from N4.0trn in 2023FY to N5.9trn. The increase was driven by strong double-digit growth across all deposit types. The Retail Banking Business gained significant traction with savings deposits increasing by 28.8% to N1.1trn, marking the 10th consecutive year of double-digit annual growth in savings deposits.
Despite the difficult economic terrain in 2024, the bank has continued to support the real sector of the economy by increasing its Net Loans & Advances from N3.1tn in 2023FY to N4.4tn in 2024FY.
“This remarkable performance demonstrates our capacity to deliver superior returns to our shareholders. In line with our commitment to them, we have declared a final dividend of N1.25 per share, bringing our total dividend for the 2024 financial year to N2.10 per share”, explained Onyeali-Ikpe.
Having consistently paid dividends since 2006, Fidelity Bank will pay investors a total dividend of N2.10 per share for the 2024 financial year, subject to shareholders’ approval at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 29 April 2024. The dividend will be paid on 29 April 2025 to shareholders whose names appear on the register of members as of 15 April 2025.
It will be recalled that the bank successfully completed the first phase of its capital raising exercise through a Public Offer and Rights Issue in 2024, which were oversubscribed by 237.92% and 137.73%, respectively. The positive result is a testament to the strength of the Bank’s franchise in the capital market. A total of N175.9bn was recognized as fresh capital in 2024 financial year from the exercise, which had a positive impact on its Capital Adequacy Ratio (CAR) at 23.5%. The bank plans to conclude the second phase by Q3 2025, ahead of the Central Bank of Nigeria’s deadline, which will further strengthen its capital base and reaffirm its attainment of Tier 1 Bank status in the Nigerian Banking Industry.
Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged commercial bank with over 9.1 million customers who are serviced across its 251 business offices and various digital banking channels in Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
The Bank is the 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.
By Sunday James
The gruesome killing of 16 innocent northern hunters in Uromi, Edo State, over false accusations of kidnapping is yet another damning indictment of the failure of law and order in Nigeria.
Time and again, innocent lives have been lost to the mindless brutality of mob justice, a savage and inexcusable act that has become far too common across the country.
This is not an isolated incident. Nigeria has witnessed several tragic cases of jungle justice where angry mobs, fueled by misinformation and misplaced aggression, have taken the law into their own hands.
The Aluu Four incident in 2012, where four young university students in Rivers State were falsely accused of robbery, beaten, and burned to death in a horrific public spectacle, remains one of the most chilling examples.
In 2022, Deborah Samuel, a young student in Sokoto State, was lynched by fellow students over alleged blasphemy, an incident that sparked outrage but yielded little justice. In Lagos, several suspected petty thieves were set ablaze by mobs in broad daylight without any fair trial.
Across the country, from Anambra to Kano, Port Harcourt to Abuja, numerous cases of public executions by mobs continue to surface, often with little to no legal consequences for perpetrators.
The rise of mob justice is fueled by a cocktail of systemic failures that have left Nigerians disillusioned with formal justice mechanisms.
The breakdown of law and order, where the Nigerian police fail to deliver swift and transparent justice, has led to public distrust, encouraging citizens to take matters into their own hands. Rising insecurity, including the surge in kidnappings, banditry, and violent crimes, has left many communities in perpetual fear, triggering knee-jerk reactions to perceived threats. Ethnic and religious tensions have also played a major role, with deep-seated biases making certain groups more vulnerable to targeted attacks.
The proliferation of unregulated local vigilante groups and security outfits has further emboldened extrajudicial actions against innocent civilians. Additionally, the slow pace of criminal trials and the failure to punish perpetrators of jungle justice have normalized impunity.The Edo killings, like many before them, must not be swept under the rug.
The government must ensure immediate arrest, prosecution, and conviction of all those involved in this heinous act. Strengthening law enforcement agencies to curb vigilante excesses and restore public trust is paramount.
There must be massive public enlightenment campaigns to educate citizens on legal redress rather than mob action. Strict penalties must be enforced against communities and groups involved in jungle justice to deter future occurrences.The Nigerian government must wake up to its responsibility of protecting lives and ensuring justice for all.
If mob justice continues unchecked, no one is truly safe. This latest atrocity in Edo should be the final warning: justice delayed is justice denied. The killers must be held accountable, and a nationwide crackdown on jungle justice must begin immediately. Enough is enough. The rule of law must prevail.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has congratulated the Muslim Ummah across the country on the occasion of Eid-el-Fitr.
The celebration marks the successful completion of the holy month of Ramadan.
In a message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Ganduje rejoiced with Muslims for the spiritual renewal and discipline attained during the sacred month of fasting, prayer and devotion to Almighty Allah.
He urged the faithful to uphold the virtues of piety, selflessness, and compassion that Ramadan represents while also extending love and kindness to one another, especially to the less privileged in society.
The APC National Chairman further called on Muslims and all citizens to remain steadfast in promoting unity, peace, and national progress in the country.
He emphasized that the lessons of Ramadan—patience, sacrifice, and perseverance—are essential in fostering harmony and strengthening the nation’s democratic institutions.
The two-term Kano State Governor also urged the Muslim Ummah and Nigerians to pray for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to succeed in his efforts to lift the country from economic doldrums and resolve lingering security challenges.
He assured Nigerians of the APC-led government’s commitment to improving the welfare and well-being of all citizens, noting that Nigerians will not regret voting for President Tinubu after his first tenure.
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