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President Donald Trump of US has said it all – A respond to the CPC Against Nigeria

Published

1 month ago

November 4, 2025

A Headline on the Punch Newspaper on Monday, the 3rd of November, 2025 “CPC blacklist: 12 Nigerian governors, other officials may face US sanctions” has really captured my attention.

On Friday, Trump, in a post on Truth, lamented that thousands of Christians were being killed in Nigeria and asked Congressman Riley Moore, together with Chairman Tom Cole and the House Appropriations Committee, to immediately look into the matter and report back to him.

The Nigeria Religious Freedom Accountability Act of 2025, sponsored by Republican Senator Ted Cruz, designates Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” for religious persecution.

The bill proposes direct sanctions against public officials and religious authorities accused of promoting or tolerating violence against Christians and other religious minorities

Trump is simply saying there are killings in Nigeria, which is true.

Stop it, and that ends it.

Under whatever bill it may be, Trump is right and it is long overdue.

For quite some time now, the people of Nigeria, particularly the vulnerable, have series of attacks, killings, kidnappings, raping, maiming and their cattle rustled due to negligence of our leaders, especially the governors who deceive people during their electioneering campaigns to bring an end to the massacre of their citizens, but without any tangible efforts or evidence to show the fulfillment of these campaign promises.

Rather, these governors concentrate on looting the public Treasurys purchasing mansions in various locations both within and outside our fatherland, leaving the citizens in abject poverty, hunger, diseases, illiteracy and inaccessible clean drinking water

I am so much delighted by the Trump’s action in sanctioning these types of governors and officials of government perpetrating these crimes, while bandits and terrorists continue to massacre their people in their hundreds.

These Twelve northern governors, prominent traditional rulers, and senior judges are at the centre of a looming diplomatic storm as the United States Congress considers a bill that could impose far-reaching sanctions on them over alleged complicity in what American lawmakers describe as a “Christian genocide” and systemic persecution under Nigeria’s sharia and blasphemy laws.

It is against this background the I strongly call on the US President Donald Trump to focus his mission on those governors, particularly in northern Nigeria where insecurity is in its highest peak.

I will also want to draw Trump’s attention to reality on ground, as it is not religious persecution, but rather neglect and carelessness of these governors, amidst high level corruption.

Zamfara state for instance, the Gov, Dauda Lawal promised the people that he would tackle insecurity bedivelling the state, immediately he assumed office if elected as governor of the state, but two years on, the situation became the worst ever.

Gov Dauda Lawal who was a brother In-laws to the US Christmas bomber now serving 4 live improvement sentences should be put under watch by the Trump administration. Several None- governmental organisations and human rights agencies had severally called on the US government to investigate Dauda Lawal, as he was accused of helping the Christmas bomber to escape legal action after he was arrested for the terrorism offence in the US.

Now that he is a Gov in one the northern Nigerian states with high magnitude of banditry, he is also being accused of hiring repentant Boko Haram terrorists and equips them with sophisticated weapons, killing innocent citizens should be sanctioned by the United States government.

How long will we continue to pretend not to see? How long will we bury our heads in the sand while innocent lives are snuffed out in broad daylight?

This conspiracy of silence is not just dangerous, also deadly. The blood of our fellow Nigerians cries out from the soil, in Zamfara, Katsina, Borno, Plateau, Benue, Ondo, Madalla, the figure and facts are on record, yet we continue to act like all is well.

Every Nigerian regardless of tribe, religion, or region deserves equal protection, equal dignity, and the fundamental right to exist. These are not privileges, but are non-negotiable rights.

Now that we have the attention of the United States government, It is time for the Nigerian government to stop the charade. No more empty speeches. No more denial. No more games.

The massacre of citizens must end. The people must not be displaced from their ancestral homes for any guise whatsoever.

Leadership is not about optics, it is about action. Rise to your responsibility. Protect your people. Silence the guns, not the truth.

The sanctions, to be implemented under Executive Order 13818, the US government’s Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability framework, could result in visa bans, asset freezes, and financial restrictions for those found culpable.

The affected states include Zamfara, Kano, Sokoto, Katsina, Bauchi, Borno, Jigawa, Kebbi, Yobe, Kaduna, Niger, and Gombe.

The Nigerian government should just take advantage of this opportunity and stamp its foot to correct where there is wrong; stamp its foot to speak the language of unity, stamp its foot to tell those who have been hiding under religion to torment fellow citizens that they no longer have a space in Nigeria.

“Boko Haram and ISWAP remain proscribed under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act, with thousands of arrests, prosecutions, and deradicalisation programmes underway,” it added.

The government said many attacks often framed internationally as “religious” were instead rooted in terrorism, organised crime, resource conflict, and climate stress, adding that federal and state authorities deployed joint operations without bias to faith identity.

“Nigerian authorities consistently condemn sectarian violence, open investigations, and prosecute offenders where evidence meets the legal threshold,” the document stressed.

Nigeria reaffirmed its adherence to international human rights obligations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, domesticated and enforceable in Nigerian courts.

The government emphasised that all domestic laws, federal or state, must conform to these superior guarantees, and Nigerian courts have consistently upheld that principle in their judgments.

The government criticised the US draft legislation proposing a CPC designation for Nigeria, describing it as “legally and factually flawed.”

In designating Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” Trump cited alleged severe violations of religious freedom, particularly the persecution of Christians. He claimed that Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria, with thousands of Christians being killed by radical Islamists.

Trump warned that the US would take action, including potential military intervention, if Nigeria didn’t address the issue.

The US President also threatened to halt all aid and assistance to Nigeria should the Tinubu administration fail to end the alleged persecution and killing of Christians.

Daniel Kingsley is a Public and Security Affairs Commentator, based in Lagos – Nigeria

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Fidelity Bank Receives Customs Service Award for Pioneering Role in UCMS Implementation

Published

3 days ago

December 3, 2025

Olumide Ojo

Fidelity Bank’s leadership in digital innovation and public sector collaboration has once again been spotlighted as the tier-one lender was honoured at the Comptroller General of Customs Award Night 2025.

At the ceremony, which took place at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel Grand Ballroom, Abuja, on Friday, 21 November 2025, Fidelity Bank was presented with a prestigious award by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) for being the first bank to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS).

The award, presented under the leadership of the Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi (MFR), serves as a formal recognition of the bank’s “Distinctive Performance and Commitment to the Ideals and Vision of the Nigeria Customs Service.”

Receiving the award on behalf of the bank, the Executive Director, FCT & North, Mr. Sufiyanu Garba, stated, “This award is a testament to our commitment to operational excellence and our resolve to support the digital transformation of Nigeria’s trade and customs ecosystem. We are proud to be at the forefront of this historic milestone and remain dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that drive Nigeria’s economic development.”

The bank’s quick adoption of the UCMS stems from its vision for a truly seamless and borderless African trade. Earlier this year, the bank officially launched the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS), following a successful onboarding and over N46 billion in early transactions. PAPSS enables instant, local currency cross-border payments across Africa, particularly benefiting SMEs. By integrating PAPSS into its core operations, Fidelity Bank continues to dismantle trade barriers, empower businesses, and expand its impact across the continent.

This latest recognition by the Nigeria Customs Service adds to Fidelity Bank’s impressive streak of achievements in 2025, including its double win as “Best Bank for Export & Trade Finance” and “Most Innovative Bank of the Year” at the BusinessDay Bank and Other Financial Institutions’ (BAFI) Awards. These accolades underscore the bank’s commitment to empowering businesses, driving innovation, and supporting Nigeria’s economic advancement. The Comptroller General of Customs Award further affirms Fidelity Bank’s pivotal role in modernizing trade processes and aligning with the Federal Government’s digital transformation agenda.

Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

The Bank is a 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.

L – R: Head, Central Collections Unit, Olaide Adeyemo; Executive Director -FCT & North, Sufiyanu Garba; and Regional Bank Head, Abuja 3 Regional Bank, Martin Ayodele (all of Fidelity Bank Plc); at the Comptroller General of Customs Award Night 2025 in Abuja where Fidelity Bank PLC was recognized as the first bank to successfully process Customs Duty and the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) on the Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) recently.

Business

Fidelity Bank Reaffirms Support for Indigenous Oil, Gas Development

Published

2 weeks ago

November 25, 2025

Olumide Ojo

Fidelity Bank Plc has restated its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, with a strong focus on supporting indigenous operators. This was highlighted by the bank’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON, during a first oil presentation event for Emadeb Energy at Fidelity Place, the bank’s corporate headquarters in Lagos.

At the event, Emadeb Energy’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi, expressed appreciation for the bank’s role in enabling the company’s progress.

“What makes Fidelity Bank unique is its willingness to take calculated risks. Many banks prefer to work with companies only after they have achieved first oil because they want already-established customers. Fidelity Bank reviewed our proposal thoroughly, including legal, technical, financial and character assessments. We met these requirements and that is why they supported us,” Olujimi said.

Dr. Onyeali-Ikpe congratulated Emadeb Energy on its milestone and reaffirmed Fidelity Bank’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy sector.

“At Fidelity Bank, we are dedicated to supporting indigenous companies in developing oil and gas assets that enhance energy security and promote sustainable growth. Our interventions include financing Nigeria’s first privately built and operated onshore crude export terminal in over fifty years at the Otakikpo Marginal Field in Rivers State.

“We also led funding for the Pinnacle Oil and Gas Terminal in Lekki, Lagos, which improves petroleum product distribution and reduces costs. In addition, we part-financed the production of a 23,000-cubic-meter Liquefied Petroleum Gas carrier for Temile Development Company Limited, which supports cleaner energy use and strengthens local maritime participation,” she said.

Emadeb Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, operator of Petroleum Prospecting License (PPL) 236, recently achieved first oil from the Ibom Field, a milestone regarded as a significant breakthrough in Nigeria’s upstream sector.

“Our next phase will be exciting. We plan to drill two additional wells and increase production to 12,000 barrels per day by the end of 2026. After that, we aim to expand our gas business and raise oil output to 30,000 barrels per day,” Olujimi added.

L – R: Executive Director -South, Mrs. Pamela Shodipo; Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe,OON (both of Fidelity Bank Plc); Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Adebowale Olujimi; Group Executive Director, Mrs. Olugbesoye Olujimi (both of Emadeb Energy); Executive Director -Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Ken Opara; and Group Executive Director, Finance/Strategy, Emadeb Energy, Mr. Tosin Adewuyi; at the First Oil presentation event by Emadeb Energy at the Fidelity Bank headoffice in Lagos recently.

Business

Q3 2025: Fidelity Bank Grows Interest Income by 33%, Fee Income by 47%

Published

2 weeks ago

November 22, 2025

Olumide Ojo

Fidelity Bank Plc, a leading financial institution, has released its unaudited financial statements for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025. The results show impressive performance across key income lines and operational metrics.

According to the statements published on the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX) portal on November 21, 2025, the Bank reported Gross Earnings of ₦366.1 billion for Q3 2025. This represents an 8 percent increase from the ₦338.9 billion recorded in Q3 2024. The growth was driven by strong interest income and sustained momentum in fee-based revenues.

Interest Income, calculated using the effective interest rate method, rose by 33 percent to ₦285.6 billion in Q3 2025, compared to ₦214.7 billion in Q3 2024. Other Interest Income more than doubled, rising from ₦13.0 billion in the corresponding period of 2024 to ₦34.2 billion. This underscores significantly improved returns from non-core lending activities.

Year-to-date, the Bank achieved a major milestone with Gross Earnings surpassing ₦1.1 trillion, the highest in its history. This is an increase from ₦772.5 billion in Q3 2024. The Bank’s total assets also crossed the ₦10 trillion mark, driven by robust growth in cash, customer loans, and investment securities; this compares to ₦8.8 trillion in Q3 2024. Net Interest Income for the nine-month period reached ₦565.3 billion, while fee and commission income totaled ₦84.5 billion. The respective figures for Q3 2024 were ₦470.5 billion and ₦56.3 billion.

Credit Loss Expenses moved to ₦900 million from ₦32.8 billion in Q3 2024; however, Net Interest Income remained flat at ₦144.8 billion, compared to ₦143.7 billion in Q3 2024. This reflects improved asset quality and effective risk management practices. Fee and Commission Income grew by 47.2 percent to ₦31.1 billion, up from ₦21.1 billion in Q3 2024, driven by increased transaction volumes and digital banking adoption. Foreign currency revaluation gains contributed ₦14.1 billion to Non-Interest Revenue, while other Operating Income rose to ₦1.1 billion from ₦447 million in Q3 2024.