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It has come to our notice that a well coordinated campaign of calumny against the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, founded on outright lies and despicable distortions is being executed by cowardly persons hiding behind the ongoing controversy over the government’s decision to deregulate the petroleum sector.   For obvious reasons, the faceless campaigners have elected to tell their lies online because the normal journalistic principles of facts and balanced reporting are generally absent there.   For instance, we have received numerous enquiries regarding an alleged threat by the Coordinating Minister to resign if the government goes back on its decision to end the fuel subsidies. The threat was supposedly made during the emergency Federal Executive Council meeting which held yesterday.   This speculation, like numerous others is absolutely false. DR OKONJO-IWEALA WAS NOT AT THE MEETING BECAUSE SHE WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY WHEN IT WAS GOING ON. In other word

Shoprite has finally opened in Alausa , Ikeja, Lagos. The opening ceremony took place today 14 December 2011.Now, we can have a Silverbird cinema in Ikeja.Yes, they are one of the new tenants inside the Shoprite in Alausa. Other people are there too.Stanbic IBTC Bank,kenturky Fried Chicken (KFC) and others would be there too. Tayo Amusan and his South African partners are changing the face of shopping in Nigeria.  

 This is really a bank-customer relationship gone sour.HITV informed gistmaster that the closure of their office in Lagos yesterday is nothing but invasion despite a pending court case.  A statement issued in Lagos today by HiTV reads "On Monday, November 21 at about noon, heavily armed mobile policemen alongside men in suit invaded in a commando style, simultaneously, all HiTV offices in Lagos purportedly acting on some court order instituted by Guarantee Trust Bank Plc over a relationship/financial dispute between HiTV and the bank. The invading team brandishing a court order sealed HiTV offices thereby partially paralysing activities and causing disruption in its services which has resulted to the loss of signals in some of its Hi channels locally and to its international partners. For records purposes, we wish to state here that the invasion on HiTV property by agents of GT Bank was a total breach of the rights of HiTV as there is a pending case in court o

 President Goodluck Jonathan woke Nigerians up with a shocker this morning with the sack of Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) boss Mrs. Farida Waziri. According to announcement made by the government through the president's spokesperson, Dr. Reuben Abati, Waziri was relieved of her job and an acting chairman in the person of Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde has been appointed acting chairman of the anti-graft agency. Gistmaster gathered that the sack of Waziri and appointment of Lamorde as EFCC acting Chairman takes immediate effect.  Lamorde's profile in efcc started durning the time of former chairman of the commission, Malam Nuhu Ribadu. He was the director of operations. He was later appointed the acting chairman shortly before the appointment of Mrs. Waziri by the Umaru Yar'Dua's administration in 2008.  Lamorde a police office was tranfered from the EFCC after the appointment of Mrs. Waziri but he was re-appointed director of operations after sometime. Mrs. Waziri was a

 Spin doctors of Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede the group managing director/ceo of Access Bank are already pushing his ambition as next Governor of Central Bank to limelight. The tenure of the incumbent governor of CBN,Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will expire next year.   Gistmaster gathered that the Access Bank boss is silently running a campaign that would get him the job through his connection with Nigeria president, Mr. Goodluck Jonathan.   He is considered as one of the closest economy drivers to the president. So he is doing all within reach to ensure that he is considered for the job.  One of his highest selling point is also condered his weakest. According to a source, Aig-Imokhuede and his deputy, Wigwe are jollificating over the aquisition of Intercontinental Bank, yet they have not answered the question of how they managed to acquire a bank  they are indebted to.   Going by recent comments of President Goodluck Jonathan on the achievement of CBN governor, Malam Sanusi Lamido

In Nigeria, there are banks and there are BANKS. I am sure that you guys will agree that despite the recapitalization and confidence reposed in bank customers by the Malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the Governor of Central Bank, Nigerians still want government to do more.   The other time, gistmaster asked some friends "Which Nigerian bank appeal to you the least and why?" Some of them were quick to mention Fidelity Bank, Unity Bank, Wema Bank and guess what? Most people don't even know that Afribank has changed name to Mainstreet Bank???  You can hardly find Wema Bank or their ATM anywhere near you, one said.  

Channel Director, Huawei Technnologies Co. Nigeria Ltd, Mr Osita Akabueze Managing Director, Terminnal (West Africa), Mr Jacky Lee, Managing Director/CEO, Telec, Mr Tolu Ojo : and Head of Business Development & Strategy, Telec, Mr Peter Lee, at a Media Briefing on Huawei Technnologies entry into Nigeria Mobile Phone Market, held at Protea Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday.   Huawei Technologies Ltd, world’s biggest telecom service providers, has announced its entry into the highly competitive Nigerian mobile phone market, saying it will be making mobile phones accessible to Nigerians across different socio-economic classes .Click here to read more and see more photos

Abisoye Fagade of Sodium Brands Solution, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House and Deji Popoola the ceo of Fina Trust Microfinance Bank Mr. Afolabi Oke, Executive director Global Swift, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinity House and Mr. Deji Popoola of Fina Trust micro Finance Bank Deji Popoola of Fina Trust Micro Finance Bank, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo and Mr. Feyi Akinbile, human resources practitioner Tolu Omoniyi MD Bobo Clothing, Pastor Ituah and Mr. Deji Popoola Pastor Ighodalo and Mr. Deji Popoola Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Mrs. Yemi Oladunni of Eco Bank and Mr.Popoola As part of plans to celebrate the second anniversary of Finatrust MFB, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo of Trinty House joined members of staff and customers of the micro finance bank, for an early morning thanksgiving service held of the bank's head office in Ikeja, Lagos. - gistmaster

Sunil Bharti Mittal, the billionaire owner of Airtel  Many would remember that over the past few months, there have remained several disagreements between staff of Airtel, Nigeria and the company’s management over several issues; issues which have led two 2 strike actions within the past 5 months. It should be noted that before now, Airtel’s Call Centre had been run by the subcontracted Nigerian firms: CCSNL, HR Index and Bezaleel.  Barely three months after the Indians took over from ZAIN, they introduced their own Subcontracting firms: Tech Mahindra and Spanco BPO to ultimately take over from the Nigerians that have until now run the Abuja and Lagos call centre and the shops as well. Fast forward: June, 2011. The Indians decided to make some organizational ‘adjustments’. Adjustments that led to the first strike action by the Abuja Call Centre agents. It was decided by the Company’s management that all staff who had gone on leave would be unpaid for those days not worked for; preg

 Rotimi Onadipe,a Nigerian businessman is very bitter that the western union transaction he went to do at Skye Bank about two years ago is still the source of his problem till today. Onadipe who is already seeking every legal means to get his money back disclosed that he went to collect $3,300 dollars at one of the Skye Bank branches in Ibadan, Oyo State.   gistmaster.com gathered that after concluding all the necessary formalities,he was told told that the money had already been withdrawn 10 minutes after he released his secret number.  After investigation, two female staff of the bank were arrested and arraigned before magistrate court in Ibadan.They discharged in circumstances Onadipe as controversial.The magistrate also ordered a re-investigation into the matter. Two years later, Onadipe is still fighting hard to get his money.Already he had petitioned the Nigeria Bar Association and the Chief Judge of Oyo State so that they can investigate the magistrate who gave the controves

Larry Page and Sergey Brin- Google Founders IT companies and technology entrepreneurs in Nigeria have been provided the opportunity to become authorized resellers of Google Nigeria. This announcement was made by the Business Development Manager for English speaking West Africa, Mrs Lola Masha. According to Google Nigeria, as authorized resellers, IT entrepreneurs will be able to sell, customize and provide technical support services for Google Apps for businesses.This opportunity provided by Google Nigeria will ensure that young IT entrepreneurs in Nigeria will create new streams of revenue for their businesses as well as become promoters of cloud computing in Nigeria. Lola Masha explained, “Google is looking to partner with upwardly mobile IT companies and entrepreneurs with a passion for technology and a strong interest in evangelizing IT solutions to Nigerian businesses. Cloud computing solutions make collaboration and information sharing easy, helping people conn

 Aigboje Aig- Imokhuede the group managing director of Access Bank Nigeria Plc is ecstatic about buying Intercontinental Bank off the shelf! Today in Lagos, the latest news reaching gistmaster indicates that Access Bank is coughing out 50 billion Naira to acquire 75 per cent of Intercontinental bank.  Aig-Imokhuede confirmed today in Lagos that Access bank has concluded all it needed to do to take over Intercontinental Bank. According to him, the merger would have a strong network of about 500 branches when it finally take off. Shareholders of both banks are also expected to vote at the end of September 2011 on the merger. It would be recalled that Intercontinental Bank, formerly managed by Mr. Erastus Akingbola was ' diagnosed'  of having serious toxic debt problem, amongst other several issues detected by the malam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi led Central Bank of Nigeria. -By Niyi Tabiti  

By Niyi Tabiti  Most people love to own their own magazine publishing company but many fail to plan well from the start. Just like every business, the media has its vast opportunities but it comes with a lot of commitment.   gistmaster know a lot of people who want to be publishers just because they saw Ovation magazine. Instead of bringing new things, they just want to copy what Dele Momodu has done with Ovation. Unknown to them, the reason Ovation magazine became an household name was because Dele Momodu was very creative.I see a lot of 'Jagbajantis' on vendors stand and i can tell that they are imitations. This is what is happening on Nigeria blog ville too! Most people want to do what you do. My question is-do we all have to write about entertainment? The answer is NO! There are other lucrative areas and no one is looking there. Contact - Any newspaper or magazine publication depend on contacts. Whether weekly, monthly or daily publication, you need a network of informe

 When Emeka Ohazurike, the manager of Spring Bank, Ebute-Metta branch in Lagos  resumed for work on Friday he  never knew that would be his last day at work. The bank manager was killed this weekend when he went to Agboju area to recover debt owned his bank .   Gistmaster gathered that one Kenneth, said to be an in law of the debtor became so overzealous and he engaged the Bank manager in a confrontation.Kenneth stabbed the bank manager and he died. The police spokesman for Lagos State, Samuel Jinadu confirmed the story. He also said that the debtor and the 'killer' in-law, kenneth have already been arrested .  So pathetic! Photo- Spring Bank MD, Mrs. Olusola Ayodele

 GTBANK staff within and outside Nigeria set today aside as a special day of prayer for Mr. Tayo Aderinokun, the Managing Director of GTBANK who is presently recuperating from illness.  Today, 8 May 2011 is the 57th  birthday anniversary of the bank chief.  At the moment, Mr. Segun Agbaje, one of GTBank executive directors is now acting managing director. Aderinokun is regarded as one of Nigeria's most brilliant bank executives Nigeria has ever produced.Most of those gistmaster.com spoke with wish Aderinokun soonest recovery.A source told gistmaster. that people should pray for the man who has made invaluable contributions to the economy instead of wishing him dead by peddling rumours. -Story by Niyi Tabiti Related links Lekki International airport to take off soon in Lagos How Rochas Okorocha won Imo State Governorship seat former Miss World, Agbani Darego and supermodel, Oluchi Onweagba-Orlandi talks about nature gentle touch Seun Olubukola and Niyi Adewunmi's weddi

 A  new international airport in Nigeria is on the way. The new international airport is a project of the Lagos State government and it would be situated in Lekki area of Lagos State. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, according to what Gistmaster.com gathered, is bent on ensuring that the airport is completed within 2 years.This is good news for individuals taking air traffic controller training as new jobs will become available in the near future .   Lagos State Commissioner for commerce and industry, Adeniyi Oyemade said Lekki International airport is expected to gulp about $650 million (US Dollars) . The government is working with some private investors on the airport project. Related Links Omotola Jolade rubbished 'Mr. too forward' at Silverbird Galleria 10 reasons female celebrities find it hard to settle down Rochas Okorocha elected governor of Imo State Leila Fowler Opens new boutique

Nigeria Leadership Initiative (NLI)’s ‘CHAMPIONS OF VALUES FUNDRAISING DINNER’ sponsored by First Bank of Nigeria Plc is coming up at 6pm on the 23rd of October 2010 at the Landmark Village in Victoria Island, Lagos. Since inception, NLI has made remarkable progress in promoting initiatives focused on developing and sustaining values-based leadership amongst Nigerians based home and in the Diaspora. These initiatives have been carried out in various forms such as Seminars, Ethics and Leadership Projects and Entrepreneurial Competitions which have helped to increase engagement between the citizenry and the leadership. The theme of this year’s dinner celebrates NLI’s achievements in the last 4 years as well as appreciates all individuals and corporate partners that have contributed to the success of its programs and initiatives. Special guest of honor at the event are Gov. Raji Fashola and Mr. Oba Otudeko, the Chairman of First Bank Plc A dire need for re-orientation birthed a ren

By Niyi Tabiti/News editor Joan Elumelu Okorodudu, the Founder of Isis Modeling agency in Nigeria and South Africa,is set to retire from active service soon. Sources very close to the 52 year old Okorodudu told gistmaster.com that she has already made up her mind to retire as the boss of Isis after this year's edition of Nigeria Next Supermodel. "This would be the fourth season and she is willing to move to other business areas" disclosed the source.   Impeccable sources within the four walls of her Ikoyi home also told gistmaster.com that Joan would be handing over the company to Bunmi Ademokoya, someone she considered competent, experience and loyal. Bunmi is a director of the company right from inception and she would be there to manage the workloads of company. She would be expected to represent the company at various levels. Last week at the casting of this year's Nigeria Next Supermodel, Bunmi was actively engaged, while Joan sat within the audience with le

Zain, the leading mobile telecommunications provider in Africa and the Middle East, has announced the introduction of ‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business, a unique package that is specially designed to assist and improve the efficiency of mobile usage for business owners and their workforce. ‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business is a result of extensive research conducted across several Zain markets to uncover what entrepreneurs require from their mobile service provider to support their day to day commercial activities, so they have the peace of mind and more time to grow their businesses. ‘OgaLine’ from Zain My Business comes with several ground-breaking features that will, for the first time in Africa, allow business owners to manage mobile communication costs throughout their commercial enterprise by controlling both budget and airtime usage, as well as being able to transfer airtime to those who are part of their ‘OgaLine’ mobile network. Business owners may have up to 50 people on th

Niyi Tabiti News Editor As parts of efforts to promote consumer satisfaction, Zain Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s leading telecom companies recently unveiled a state of the art consumer contact point in Lagos. Gistmaster gathered that Zain is committed to serving its numerous consumers and provide them with unique mobile services experience. Photo Caption : 1. Babatunde Williams, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Corporate Matters; Khaled Khorshid, Chief Operating Officer, Zain Nigeria; Shamel Hanafi, Chief Commercial Officer, Zain Nigeria; and Tamer Halbouny, Director of Sales, Zain Nigeria, during the commissioning of Zain’s new state-of-the-art Consumer Contact Point in Lagos at the weekend 2. Susan Onuigbo, Sales Support Team Member showing the guest of Honour, Babatunde Williams, Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Corporate Matters and Khaled Khorshid, Chief Operating Officer, Zain Nigeria how to operate one of the gadgets a visual di