Author: starconnect
By SCM Reporter LAGOS — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented two key prosecution witnesses before a Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, in the ongoing trial of Ifoma Immanuel and his company, Intermediate Investment Holdings Limited, over an alleged $1.5 million fraud. The witnesses, Babatunde Adebayo (PW1), a financial adviser, and Paul Olufemi (PW2), a compliance officer with Providus Bank, gave their testimonies on Tuesday, June 23, and Wednesday, June 24, 2026, respectively, before Justice Mojisola Dada. The defendants are facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery involving…
Titus Eleweke, Editor, Southeast AWKA, Anambra – The Anambra State House of Assembly Committee on Health on Wednesday expressed deep appreciation for the purposeful leadership and innovative reforms introduced by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Amaku, Awka, Dr. Maureen Uche Umeakuewulu. The member representing Aguata II Constituency and Chairman of the House Committee on Health, Hon. Tony Mobike , led other members of the committee on a visit to the CMD in her office. He stated that the committee was highly impressed by the innovations and positive changes she has brought to…
Titus Eleweke, Editor, South East AWKA, Anambra – The First Lady of Anambra State, Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, has expressed delight over the remarkable recovery of 10-year-old Chiziterem Franklin Ozuligbo, who was abused and maltreated by his guardian and is currently receiving medical treatment in the hospital. The Governor’s wife made this known during another visit to the young boy on Tuesday to assess his condition and offer support to him and his family. Dr. Mrs. Nonye Soludo, founder of Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo, said: “I paid another visit to young Chiziterem today to monitor his recovery and…
Titus Eleweke, Editor, SouthEast I Wednesday, June 24, 2026 AWKA, Anambra – Human rights lawyer and lead counsel for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has advised Ndigbo to take precautionary measures to protect themselves and their communities amid the country’s worsening security situation. In a statement titled, “Wednesday Musings: Ndigbo, the Time to Think Home Is Now – History Never Forgives a People Who Ignore the Signs of Danger; The Storm Is No Longer Coming: Ndigbo Must Think Home, Prepare Home, and Protect Home,” Ejiofor urged the Igbo people to emulate efforts being made by…
Admin I Wednesday, June 24. 2026 LONDON – The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the energy transition process in Nigeria as the most critical phase in the country’s drive toward advancing energy security. He said the recent unbundling of the energy sector, which has given sub-national governments powers to generate and distribute, will help in no small measure to mitigate the effects of energy crises currently experienced by citizens. Governor Sanwo-Olu spoke on Tuesday during the Under2 States and Regions Dialogue at the ongoing London Climate Summit, titled “Advancing Energy Security in a volatile world,”…
Admin I Wednesday, June 24.2026 ABUJA, Nigeria – President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau MON, has reaffirmed the Federation’s commitment to grassroots development and accessible coaching education pathways, following the conclusion on Wednesday evening of the CAF B-License Refresher Course organized by the nation’s football-ruling body. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Gusau thanked participants and stakeholders for their dedication to the programme. He noted that the football landscape, including coaching education, has improved significantly since his administration took office a few years ago. “When we came in, the situation was not particularly great with…
By THE SCM SPORT DESK IN A STUNNING world first, every single athlete who competes at the Olympic Games is to be handed a whopping $10,000 (£7,900) cash injection to help fund their sporting dreams and life after the track, SCM can reveal. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has today torn up the history books by unveiling the jaw-dropping “Fit for the Future Olympian Grant.” For decades, athletes have complained about the brutal financial realities of elite sport, with many working second jobs or relying on the ‘Bank of Mum and Dad’ just to make it to the starting line.…
Admin I Thursday, june 24.2026 LONDON, United Kingdom – On Saturday, July 4, Access Bank will host its annual UK Polo Day in Windsor, an event when judged by past editions, promises to be one of the season’s most captivating social experiences. The guest list is a true global roll call, bringing together investors, entrepreneurs, public sector leaders, and cultural influencers, from around the world. It is the kind of setting where a brief exchange over lunch can swiftly evolve into a strategic partnership by day’s end. But beyond the prominence of those in attendance lies a deeper significance:…
By Seun Oyediran, Director, Merchant Lending LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian economic landscape is defined by the resilience of its micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). From the high-traffic supermarkets of Lagos to the critical distribution hubs supporting the hinterlands, millions of entrepreneurs drive our domestic commerce. Yet, a recurring theme persists in our boardroom discussions and macroeconomic reviews: the “missing middle.” While demand remains robust across various sectors, limited access to financing remains one of the several constraints affecting SME growth, effectively putting a limit on how much the country’s economy can grow. The data provided by the…
Admin I Wednesday, June 24, 2026 LAGOS, Nigeria – The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) will this week commence a series of empowerment and capacity-building programmes in Kano State aimed at equipping women, youths, and students with practical skills for economic advancement and self-reliance. The programmes, to be led by the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NASENI, Mr. Khalil Suleiman Halilu, form part of the Agency’s commitment to promoting innovation, renewable energy adoption, entrepreneurship, STEM education, and sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria. The first event, the Closing Ceremony of the NASENI She-Powers Energy Initiative, will hold…