A top delegation of the Bank of Industry (BOI) last Thursday, September 4, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Managing Director of the Rivers State Microfinance Agency, Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko at the agency’s headquarters in Port Harcourt.

Led by Mr Babatunde Ajala, Regional Manager South~ South (MSME Directorate), accompanied by Mr Pacqueens Irabor, Divisional Head (MSME), and Mr Christopher Omondiagbe, Head Rivers State BOI, the visit was to congratulate the MD on her appointment and renew the collaboration between both institutions.

The visit was to brief the MD/CEO on the existing collaboration between the Rivers state Government and the Bank of Industry (BOI), as it relates to the Four Billion Naira Matching Fund provided by the bank and Rivers State Government.

The BoI delegation during the visit held extensive discussions on existing and future collaborations between both institutions.

In her response the MD/CEO, Ms. Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit, noting that the engagement was fruitful and mutually beneficial to both institutions.

The MD/CEO expressed optimism for more mutual beneficial collaborations between RIMA and BOI, for the overall benefit of the people of Rivers State, especially those that genuinely desire to do business.

She noted that RIMA would strive to support those who genuinely wish to grow MSMEs, but lack the capital to push or finance their businesses, which will in turn create jobs and vibrancy in the economy of Rivers State.

It will be recalled that in 2024, the Rivers State Government released a four billion Naira matching fund with the Bank of Industry to support existing and new MSMEs to grow their businesses to drive economic growth and create jobs and wealth for the citizens.

The Rivers State Secretariat complex was yesterday, September 4, 2025 turned into a theater of the absurd as a Permanent Secretary and a Director in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism were engaged in a brawl which degenerated into fisticuffs.

According to sources and eye witnesses at the Secretariat, the brawl, which took civil servants and visitors by surprise, was said to have attracted attention to Block C, which houses the ministry and others.

Inside sources told The Atlantic Bell that trouble began when the Permanent Secretary (name withheld) allegedly requested the Director of Finance and Accounts (DFA), a lady (name withheld), to transfer the sum of Twenty-two million, two hundred thousand Naira released by the state government to a private account.

The money, sources said, was meant for a special project to be undertaken by three ministries, namely – Culture and Tourism, Agriculture, and Commerce and Industry.

However, the DFA in whose custody the money was domiciled, was said to have turned down the directive of the Permanent Secretary, insisting that only a letter signed by the Permanent Secretaries of the three Ministries involved, would make her transfer the funds to the “special account.”

The Atlantic Bell learnt that the disagreement resulted first in a shouting match before degenerating into a brawl.
Though the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism said to be a pastor of one of the pentecostal churches in Rivers State remained calm and unruffled, in spite alleged “verbal assaults”, other staff, especially a lady Director in charge of Publication, Research and Statistics in the same ministry, rose to his defence, accusing the DFA of “overstepping her bounds”.

It was learnt that thereafter, both female directors were said to have engaged in fisticuffs, throwing the entire Secretariat into pandemonium. One of the directors was alleged to have inflicted bodily harm on the other as a result of the fight.

Efforts to get the reaction of the state Head of Service, Inyingi Brown, to comment on the show of shame, proved abortive.

Inside sources said the bank was experiencing technical glitches, which started since Wednesday, September 2025 and have remained unresolved, as at the time of this report.

While customers could hardly conduct intra- Bank transfer (First Bank to First Bank), unless one went physically to the bank, inter bank transfers were impossible to conduct in almost all the First Bank branches in Port Harcourt, Rivers State visited by The Atlantic Bell.

Customers who thronged bank branches early Thursday morning with the hope of having their transfer issues sorted out were left in utter disappointment as they learnt that transfers, especially to other banks, were impossible.

Though no official statement has been issued by the bank, at least to customer’s phone lines, which is usually the practice, a staff of the bank at the Station Road Branch in Port Harcourt Township, told The Atlantic Bell that, they “were having technical issues “. The female staff who refused to disclose her name and had no name tag on her refused to give further details as to what the technical issues were, but pointedly told customers who besieged the bank, that the “issue will be resolved by next week.”

One customer (name withheld ) said she had visited three branches of FBN in Port Harcourt to carry out an inter bank transfer, but all her efforts were in vain. She said she was expecting her goods from outside, Rivers State, but that the customer was not willing to release the goods without receiving the funds. “Unfortunately, my customer, on the other side, does not have a First Bank account . I am stuck and confused, ” she lamented.

Another FBN customer who spoke with The Atlantic Bell was luckier, as he(name withheld) found a way to navigate the glitch.
According to him, he pleaded with his supplier to help locate anyone with a First Bank account, and they were lucky to get one of her neighbours to receive the money and the business was successfully transacted.

The “technical glitch” has put customers in quantry as frustration and lamentations filled banking halls of First Bank in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Worst still, customers were yet to be notified officially as to the cause of the glitch and when likely they were to be rectified to enable them have seamless transfer. For now, the trauma of the customers continues.

Former President Goodluck Jonathan, on Thursday, said that most Nigerian politicians are not dependable, citing the betrayals he witnessed in 2015.

“You’ll find it difficult to see somebody who will say the same thing in the morning and say the same thing in the afternoon and in the evening.

“They will tell you something this minute and the next one hour, they’ll say another.The next one hour they’ll say another thing. Bu

Jonathan made the remarks at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief Mike Aiyegbeni Oghiadomhe in Benin, Edo State capital.

However, Jonathan said he saw, during his reelection bid in 2015, in Oghiadomhe, a man whose word was his bond. He said he was quite pleased to associate with him.

According to Jonathan, “Oghiadomhe”, who served as Chief of Staff to him between 2010 to 2014, “is one of the few friends I have who can give out their neck for me.

“Politics in the Nigerian standard is about betrayals. I have witnessed a lot of betrayal during 2015 election.”

He added that Oghiadomhe “is one person who will take a bullet on my behalf”.

“For me, he is somebody that you can take his words to the bank. Most politicians, you can not take their words to the bank.”

Among the dignitaries at the event were Senator Adams Oshiomhole, Chief Medical Director (CMD), UBTH, Prof (Mrs) Izia Ize-Iyamu, ex-Governor Lucky Igbinedion, ex-Governor Oserheimen OsunborEx; Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Chief Tom Ikimi, Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN) and others.

In a move aimed at ending persistent protests by retired workers, the Federal Government is seeking nearly the sum of N758 billion to offset pensioners’ arrears.

This was disclosed in Abuja by the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, who was quoted as saying this in a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications Unit of the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD), Olugbenga Ajayi, at the launch of the revised Service Charter.

Speaking at the launch of the revised Service Charter, Uzoka-Anite revealed that plans are underway by the government to issue N758 billion bond to pay off pension arrears.

The relaunched charter, PTAD said, reaffirms its dedication to transparency, accountability, and excellence in delivering services under the Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBS).

Uzoka-Anite commended PTAD for setting new standards in public service delivery.

She emphasised that pensioners deserve an unwavering commitment to their welfare and dignity, noting that the revised Service Charter serves as a vital instrument to strengthen the confidence between pensioners and government institutions.

She further reaffirmed the Ministry’s steadfast commitment to supporting PTAD’s ongoing reforms

The Minister of State also reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to pension reforms, highlighting his understanding of the difficulties pensions are confronting.

She noted that the government’s reforms offer unique opportunities for workers in both the public and private sectors, providing lifetime insurance that ensures financial security after retirement.

She added that the pension scheme had become a vital part of workers’ financial plans, particularly as it offered a reliable alternative when facing economic challenges.

She said: We have been working with Pencom to ensure that pension funds are not only invested securely but also leveraged to drive economic development.”

Giving a ray of hope to retirees, the minister said, “We want pensioners to know that it is now a thing of the past that they have to cry before they see their money.”

Delivering her opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of PTAD, Tolulope Odunaiya, described the revised service charter as more than a document.

She added: “It is a covenant with our pensioners and stakeholders,” while emphasising that the charter embodies PTAD’s determination to set clear standards, adopt innovation, and deliver services with empathy, timeliness, and professionalism.

The Director-General of PenCom, Ms. Omolola Oloworaran, in her goodwill message, praised PTAD’s collaborative spirit within Nigeria’s pension ecosystem.

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday commenced a 10-day vacation as part of his 2025 annual leave, the Presidency announced.

According to a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President will spend the 10-working-day vacation between France and the United Kingdom, after which he will return to Nigeria.

Onanuga said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart Abuja today, September 4, to commence a working vacation in Europe, as part of his 2025 annual leave.

However, the statement made no mention of Tinubu transmitting a formal letter to the National Assembly, as required under Section 145(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), to enable Vice President Kashim Shettima to act in his absence. Both chambers of the Assembly are currently on recess.

In October 2024, he spent over two weeks in the UK and France on a similar “working vacation” without a formal handover.

Tinubu’s departure comes on the back of a busy schedule for the Nigerian leader, marked by key economic reforms, new policy directives, and diplomatic outreach.

Only this week, Tinubu highlighted unprecedented growth in non-oil revenues that has powered Nigeria’s strongest fiscal performance in recent history.

Government figures for January–August 2025 show collections hitting N20.59 trillion, a 40.5% increase over the same period last year, underscoring the impact of reforms aimed at widening the tax net and digitising compliance.

On Wednesday, the President also directed the implementation of mandatory health insurance across all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, insisting that while government workers must be covered under the National Health Insurance Authority, businesses should not be unduly constrained as the Act is enforced.

Beyond domestic policy, Tinubu has been active on the international stage.

Many retired Nigerian soldiers on Thursday blocked the entrance of the Federal Ministry of Finance in Abuja, protesting the alleged delay in releasing funds to the Military Pensions Board, MPB, for the payment of their outstanding entitlements.

They stated that they resolved to protest after officials of the Ministry of Finance failed to honour earlier assurances that their benefits would be paid by August 10.

But reacting to their demonstration, the Director, Defence Media Operations, Markus Kanye, said the aggrieved former soldiers have already been educated.

He explained that the agitation stemmed from the introduction of two separate salary charts for military personnel in 2024, following the implementation of the new minimum wage.

According to him, a “pre-minimum wage chart” was in effect between January 1 and July 28, 2024, while the “minimum wage chart” took effect from July 29, 2024, and remains applicable.

The senior military officer said, “The actions of these protesting soldiers are seriously affecting the smooth conduct of activities at the Ministry of Finance.

“While the Defence Headquarters acknowledges the right to legitimate protest, the veterans are strongly advised to tread with caution and vacate the premises of the Federal Ministry of Finance to allow government functions to continue seamlessly.

“This is the message we have been directed to pass on, so that through your medium, our veterans and the Nigerian public can be properly informed.

“Let me reaffirm that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain fully committed to their constitutional mandate of defending the territorial integrity of our great nation, supporting civil authorities in maintaining internal security, and ensuring peace and stability across all regions,” Kanye added.

Kanye noted that gratuity and security debarment allowance for retired personnel are calculated based on the salary chart in effect on the date of retirement.

“Before the implementation of the new minimum wage, there was a chart on which gratuity and security debarment allowance for soldiers was calculated, and later, the minimum wage chart. Essentially, there were two charts in 2024.

“The first, known as the pre-minimum wage chart, was effective from January 1, 2024, to July 28, 2024. I repeat: January 1, 2024, to July 28, 2024. This was the chart used to calculate the emoluments of retired soldiers and other military personnel.

“The second was the minimum wage chart, which took effect from July 29, 2024, and remains applicable to date. Now, the calculation of gratuity and security debarment allowance for military personnel is based on the salary chart in effect on the date of retirement.

“If a soldier retires today, his entitlements will be calculated using the current chart. If another chart is introduced tomorrow, the same soldier’s entitlements will not be recalculated based on the new chart.

“Unfortunately, the soldiers who retired between January 1 and July 28, 2024, before the implementation of the new minimum wage, want their gratuity and allowances calculated based on the new chart. This cannot be done because the policy only came into effect on July 29.

“Those who fall within the pre-minimum wage chart category are the soldiers who have continued to protest and block access to the Federal Ministry of Finance, despite repeated explanations from the Defence Headquarters,” he said.

The Director Defence Media Operations maintained that the veterans had been adequately educated on the matter but had continued to stage protests and block access to the Ministry of Finance.

Speaking to journalists, one of the protester said the renewed demonstration was prompted by what she described as the government’s failure to act on its commitments.

“We are here because the promises made to us were never fulfilled. We had no choice but to return to the streets. This time around, the protest will be massive,” she said.

The senior citizens have, in recent years, staged several protests in Abuja and other cities, lamenting delays in payment of their pensions and accusing authorities of neglect.

Thursday, 4th September, 2025, marked the end of an era as the Armani Group lost its founder and legendary icon, Giorgio Armani.

Armani, fondly called “Signor Armani,” was widely respected and admired by both employees and collaborators. He was described as a dedicated and hardworking man, committed to his craft until his final days.

Armani founded his fashion house in Milan in 1975, beginning with a men’s ready-to-wear collection that grew into a full fashion empire, including women’s wear, accessories, and fragrances, eventually becoming a red-carpet favorite in Hollywood. He later expanded into a diversified luxury group, encompassing Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani, Armani Exchange, Armani Privé, as well as ventures in beauty, home décor, restaurants, and hotels.

Built with patience and passion, Giorgio Armani’s brand had been in operation for fifty years.

Despite health challenges that kept him away from Milan Fashion Week, he remained relentless and continued to oversee every aspect of his brand.

“In 20 years of Armani Privé, it’s my first time not being in Paris,” Armani said in a statement sent to AFP in July.

To honor his wishes, Armani’s funeral will be private, while the funeral chambers in Milan will be open from Saturday, 6th September, to Sunday, 7th September, for well-wishers to pay their last respects.