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Access Bank speaks on Herbert Wigwe’s death
Access Bank Plc has reacted to reports of death of its Group CEO, Herbert Wigwe, in a helicopter crash in California, USA.
Wigwe, who has been feared killed in a helicopter crash was said to be with his wife, son, and a former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc, Abimbola Ogunbanjo.
The bank in a statement posted on its X handle on Sunday said it has received numerous inquiries concerning the crash and is working with the US authorities for updates.
“We have received numerous inquiries concerning an airplane crash in the USA. Presently, we lack specific information; however, we are actively collaborating with US authorities who will furnish updates.
“Your understanding and support are valued, and we commit to keeping you informed promptly as we receive updates on the situation.”
Wigwe, his wife and others onboard the ill-fated helicopter are reported to have been en route to Boulder City, Nevada from Palm Springs, California, on Friday night when it crashed at about 10 pm, near a small town in California’s Mojave Desert.
This development has dashed the hope of many Nigerians who planned to fly to the country to watch the final match.
There has been an outcry over the high airfare to Abidjan, which is less than one hour, 30 minutes from Lagos.
Nigeria’s Air Peace, Asky and Air Côte d’Ivoire, are few of the airlines flying to Abidjan.
Checks by our correspondent revealed that a one-way ticket from the Murtala Muhammad International Airport (MMIA) costs between N890,000 to N1.2million, while a return ticket costs over N2m, depending on the airline.
Checks on the website of Asky on Saturday indicated that a one-way fare is 1,229,811 for Sunday’s flight when the final match would be played, while the same flight costs N890,000.
On Air Côte d’Ivoire, the flight was priced at $913, which is over N1.3m at N1,450 to a dollar.
Yesterday, a Professor of Law, Joy Ezeilo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), decried the price of flight ticket to Abidjan, saying she dreamt of watching the AFCON match live but was shocked with the price of the return ticket, which is estimated at over N2.1m.
She wrote, “I am dreaming of watching AFCON 2024 live and I enquired about flights to Abidjan to watch our Super Eagles play in the final. I believed that Ivory Coast, being so close (an hour and 35 minutes) wouldn’t cost me too much. However, my travel agent of over 20 years sent me a price quotation of N2,183,000.00, which was a huge shock. I did the math and realised that I would need to save my five months’ salary as a Professor of Law on the last professional step to buy one return ticket to a West African country.
“This is a sad reflection of our current economic realities. Please refrain from attempting to convert to US dollars, it is extremely depressing and demystifying of a full professor position. This will push the resolve of brilliant young ones we are training and mentoring to take over from us farther away from the classrooms to becoming political aspirants/election delegates.
She, however, pointed out that she had made an alternative plan which includes recharging her DSTV at N19,800, and to buy 20 litres of fuel to generate power because they didn’t have electricity during the semifinal match.
“The struggle continues! Good luck to our Super Eagles! You are in my thoughts and prayers,” she stated.
However, an aviation management consultant, Babatunde Adeniji, said with the huge demand for flight to Abidjan, the value of a seat on the route also increased.
“Demand and supply of must-watch mean that each seat becomes so much more valuable. The demand and supply principle states that because of this final match, which is coming up just once, the value of your seat has gone up. If you throw a bid now on a 120-seat aircraft for all Nigerians to bid for seats, you know some people would bid much more than this amount you are even talking about, and that’s what is happening with ticketing,” he said.
Nollywood actor and comedian Ijoba Lande has made terrible disclosures about his troubled marriage, alleging that his wife has been unfaithful with multiple men, including powerful figures in the entertainment industry.
In a heartbreaking outburst, Lande claimed that his marriage has been in turmoil for months, with his wife allegedly engaging in extramarital affairs with at least 21 men in the industry. He further revealed that their intimacy had ceased for over eight months, fueling his suspicions.
The actor recalled a painful incident during his child’s naming ceremony when his wife’s male friend openly danced with her and even tapped her on the backside in front of guests.
“I have evidence, but if I mention their names, I might not make it home alive because powerful men are involved,” he lamented.
The Islamic police in Kano, Hisbah has nabbed Muslims seen eating and drinking publicly, as well as those selling food during Ramadan when Muslims are expected to fast from dawn until dusk.
According to the deputy commander of the Hisbah, Mujahid Aminudeen, twenty people have now been arrested for not fasting and five others for selling food. He further stated that the operations which began on Saturday, will stretch till the end of the month.
Aminudeen also stated that “we don’t concern ourselves with non-Muslims” and that any “disrespect” for Ramadan would not be condoned.
“It’s heart-breaking that in such a holy month meant for fasting, adult Muslims would be seen eating and drinking publicly. We won’t condone that and that’s why we went out to make arrests,” he said.
The Hisbah official revealed that all 25 arrested offenders had been charged in a Sharia court and would be punished accordingly.
He further highlighted that they sometimes get tip-offs when people are seen eating.
“We do get calls from people who are enraged after seeing people eating in public and we act fast by going to the area to make arrests.”
Last year, those arrested for not fasting were freed after promising to fast, while the relatives or guardians of some of them were summoned and ordered to monitor them to make sure they fast.
Those arrested this year were not so lucky as they will have to face the court.
Ramadan has a special significance in Islam. It is usually observed during daylight hours and lasts 29 or 30 days each year. This year, it is expected to end on Sunday 30 March.
GI’s Legal Corner
Sharia law was introduced to work alongside secular law in 12 of Nigeria’s northern states just a little more than two decades ago.
Under the Sharia Law, fasting during Ramadan is considered one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is obligatory for all Muslims who are physically and mentally capable. This ruling is based on Quran 2:183:
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous.”
It is also based on the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad:
“Whoever does not fast (in Ramadan) without a valid excuse, will not be able to compensate for it, even if he fasts for the rest of his life.”
In Nigeria, the Sharia law ruling on fasting during Ramadan is widely observed by Muslims, particularly in the northern regions where Sharia law is more prevalent. Muslims in Nigeria are expected to refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to sunset during the month of Ramadan.
President Bola Tinubu has endorsed the provisional licenses for eleven new private universities in Nigeria.
The approvals were given at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held on Monday, 3rd March, 2025.
The approvals were granted based on President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding the frontiers of educational opportunities and infrastructures in the county.
Below is the full list of the universities granted provisional licenses and their locations.
1. New City University, Ayetoro Ogun State
2. University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State
3. Eranova University, Mabushi
4. Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex
5. Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara State
6. Southern Atlantic University Uyo, Akwa Ibom State
7. Lens University, ilemona, Kwara State
8. Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun State
9. Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City
10. Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos
11. Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
“My wife has tasted over 21 men in the movie industry-Comedian Ijoba laments
Kano Hisbah nabs Muslims for eating in public during Ramadan
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