News
Senator Sani visits Kaduna Church bomb victims, appeals for government assistance
Several years after the bomb blast which claimed lives of people and left so many others injured, victims of Boko-Haram bomb blast in St. Monica Catholic Church, Malali Area of Kaduna that survived the attack have lamented of being abandoned to cater for themselves since 2012.
It would be recalled that a suicide bomber drove a vehicle packed with explosives into the Catholic church where worshippers gathered and the attack led to the killing of about 8 persons and 100 others injured.
While receiving the former Senator that represented Kaduna Central in the 8th assembly, Comrade Shehu Sani who visited the scene of the attack on Saturday, the survivors called for assistance from government and good citizens of the country while narrated their ordeals and hardships they faced on daily basis to make ends meet.
Polycap Lawrence, a member of the church who lost an eye in the attack said he has been paying for his medical bills with the little support from the church which has not been enough. He said “since the bomb blast of 2012, I have not found my rythm. Life has been so difficult for me and my family. Their has been alot of empty promises from government and some individuals,” he lamented.
Lawrence continued saying he was caught in the middle of the attack, as he was on duty “that faithful day the suicide bomber rammed in the the fence of the church. I risked my life to save alot of people and I found my self unconscious in the hospital.”
Another survivor of the bomb blast identified only as Jonathan complained of lack of support from government, saying while he was admitted at st. Gerald hospital in Sabo after suffering from the attack, he barely get assistance from government.
A nursing mother identified as Mrs Galadima, who was severely injured in the attack also called for support also said her life has not remained thesame since the attack. ” I’m facing alot of hardship. The church really helped us because we have no money to spend for emergency operations,” she said.
In his reaction, Senator Shehu Sani promised to render assistance to the victims of the attack, saying it is unfortunate that such people are left to cater for themselves after going through trauma.
He said it is the duty of state and Federal government to keep the victims of violence and terror under their custody, as they are law abiding and obedient citizens that unfortunately suffered attack from enemies of the country.
According to the lawmaker, “When a tragedy happens it is on the front pages of the newspaper , years after, the victims of such violence will be left to fend for themselves.
“Victims violence, victims of banditry are supposed to be in the custody of the states and federal government. They should be seen as people who died in the service to their country.
“Those People suffered prosecution. people who lost part of their body simply for being peaceful, respectful and obedient citizens of this country,” he said.
He urged the victims of the bombblast not to “grief that you have lost your eyes or limbs, the mark you see that you are not born with singles you out even in the year after. Even if your scars have been there more than eight years, the nation is still indebted to you.
“We always say we thank God that there are no bombings in this country, but we cannot say there is an end to killings in this country.
“Churches and mosques are not bombed, it is a fact today,We are Grateful to God for that and appreciate the effort of the FG and President Buhari in that respect,but people are still killed in large number and people are kidnapped in large number;Just today in Southern Kaduna,Apostle Emmanuel Bako and his wife Cindy were abducted from prayer ground”
“A spade is a spade and not a spoon,the insurgents and the bandits claim to be Muslims and are targeting Churches and Christians but they are also attacking Mosques and Muslims;that supposed to unite Christians and Muslims against intolerance,extremism and violence”
“If churches or mosques are attacked and you are silent or neutral or try to rationalize,that is sympathy or finding justification for Teror”
“We are in a multi religious state in a multi religious country,the national flag,the national anthem and the national pledge cannot keep Muslims and Christians in peace but the entrenchment of justice,equality,equity by leaders.When leaders swore by the constitution and promised to be fair and only favour people from their ethnic group or faith,the nation under such leaders will be in permanent turbulence and ceaseless storms”
“Our political leaders past and present thought they were God,and Our people believed and Worshiped them as gods and now the nation is stuck in violence and kidnappings;and both the leaders and the led are seeking away out from the real God.They told you to vote for them that they can do it,now they are telling you only God can do it”
“You can’t even go some kilometers away from Kaduna without falling into the hand of kidnappers. People sell their farms and homes to.pay ransoms. No body is safe now.Your leaders thought they were magicians and infallible messiahs now you have seen that they are politicians and mortals”
“So I’m here today to identify with you and to assure you that wherever I go l, I am going to be an ambassador that will speak for you.
“And it is still not too late for the government to look back and look at the plight of those orphans and widows that were meant as such by violence. it is not too late for government to look back at those who lost their eyes, limbs as a result of this kind of violence.
“Violence cannot make people change their religion and those who want to use violence to acheive their hidden objectives are making a big mistake. Islam and christianity has come to stay. Sani said
The Education Ministry said it is in contact with security and education officials and is coordinating with admins and parents.
A plane carrying a group of 150 Israeli students on a trip to Poland made an intermediate landing in Antalya, Turkey, the Education Ministry said on Monday.
The landing was made following concerns about a technical malfunction, and for reasons of caution, a decision was made to stop in accordance with aviation rules.
N12 reported that a bird had entered the plane’s engine during the flight.
The high school student delegation – from Ein Kerem High School in Jerusalem – was en route to Poland on a standard school trip to learn about the events of the Holocaust. They were accompanied by security personnel from the Shin Bet, as is customary for any delegation to Poland.
The Education Ministry said that they are in continuous contact with security and education officials and are in coordination with school administrations and parents.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. September 19, 2021. (credit: NATI SHOHAT/FLASH90)
It was reported that all the students “are feeling well, staying in a safe and protected area within the airport, and are closely accompanied by the teaching staff who are with them at all times.”
In addition, the ministry was informed that a replacement plane is on its way to them, and it is estimated that at 3:00 p.m., they will take off for Krakow to continue their educational journey.
Holocaust learning
Israeli school trips to Poland typically take place in the winter and the summer, and, according to Education Minister Yoav Kisch, aim to allow “students to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust, to be exposed to the atrocities that took place, and to prove the victory and resurrection over the attempt to destroy the Jewish people.”
In November 2023, the ministry announced it would cancel the winter Poland trips due to the rise of antisemitism worldwide in the aftermath of the Israel-Hamas war.
…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.
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