Former Kogi lawmaker, Ahmed Ogembe Ahmed Salau Ogembe
A former Kogi lawmaker, who represented Kogi Central Senatorial District, Ahmed Ogembe, has dismissed his suspension by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
The PDP in Kogi state reportedly suspended Ogembe on grounds of alleged anti-party activities.
The party accused the former lawmaker of boasting of collapsing the party’s structure in Okene LGA into the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
According to the PDP, Ogembe’s action was “gross misconduct, betrayal of trust and deliberate acts capable of undermining the interest and survival” of the party in the state.
Reacting in a statement on Saturday, Ogembe said he had left the PDP for the ADC before his suspension was announced.
“You cannot suspend someone who is no longer under your platform,” he said.
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has declared that he would back anyone that emerges winner of the African Democratic Congress, ADC primary in 2026.
Atiku said it would not matter whether he wins the party’s ticket or not.
Atiku, one of the top leaders of the coalition movement, addressed members of the party during the welcome ceremony of the new defectors to the coalition party in Lagos State on Saturday.
ADC received top members of the ADC and LP into its fold.
The defectors were welcomed into the ADC folds by the National Secretary, Rauf Aregbesola; Senator Kolawole Ogunwale; and the State ADC Chairman, Mr. George Ashiru.
Atiku, represented by Prof. Ola Olateju was the guest speaker at the ceremony.
On the question of who would emerged as the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku said only the party would determine that.
“It is not a thing we can predetermine. Whoever emerges through free and fair contests, we are all going to support,” Atiku said.
According to him, he all the aspirants are expected to get a level playing field while the door is open to everyone to contest.
“We are not imposing anyone on the people,” he added.
Atiku pointed out that whoever wins the party’s primary would be representative of all Nigerians in the election.
The three frontrunners for the ADC presidential ticket include former governors, presidential aspirants and candidates, Chibuike Amaechi, Peter Obi and Atiku Abubakar himself.
The EFCC posted photos of the foreigners being deported
Nigeria has deported dozens of foreigners, including 50 Chinese nationals, in a major crackdown over the last week on one of the “largest foreign-led cybercrime syndicates”, the country’s anti-graft agency has said.
“This brings the total repatriated convicted foreign nationals to 102 in the ongoing exercise,” it said, adding they had been found guilty of “cyberterrorism and internet fraud”.
They are among the 192 foreigners arrested during a sting operation in Lagos last Friday.
Nigeria is notorious for internet fraud and romance scamming is rife. Cybercrime cases were amongst the most prevalent offences in Nigeria last year, according to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC).
In recent years, the EFCC has successfully busted several hideouts where young cybercriminals, locally known as “Yahoo Boys”, learn their scamming skills.
There have also been several high-profile cyber-fraud cases linked to Nigerians living outside the country – some uncovered by the US’s Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
On Thursday, the EFCC posted photos on X of the foreigners it was deporting that day. They were shown in long lines at an airport, wearing facemasks and with their luggage.
“Further deportations are scheduled in the coming days,” the agency said.
The operation, dubbed “Eagle Flush”, was prompted after “actionable intelligence” was received, the EFCC said.
Of the 192 arrested in the sting, 148 were Chinese, it added.
It is the second swoop on foreigners suspected of involvement in cybercrime over the last year.
Nearly 800 suspects, including 148 Chinese and 40 Filipino nationals, were arrested last December in what authorities called an organised network in which foreigners collaborated with Nigerian recruits to carry out romance and cryptocurrency investment scams.
The EFCC has linked the surging cybercrime cases in Nigeria to rising unemployment, the quest for quick wealth among youths, a large informal economy and weak regulatory frameworks.
Nigeria's security forces are struggling to contain numerous conflicts across the West African state
Nigeria’s military has killed 35 jihadists in a series of air strikes near its north-eastern border with Cameroon, it said in a statement.
The strikes were carried out in four areas to thwart an attempt by the jihadists to attack ground troops, the military added.
Nigeria has been battling jihadist groups for more than a decade, as well as violent criminal gangs, sectarian conflict and widespread kidnappings for ransom.
On Saturday, a group of prominent Nigerians, including ex-government ministers, business persons and civil society activists, issued a statement, raising concern that parts of Nigeria were enduring “war-time levels of slaughter”, while the country was officially at peace.
The group cited a report released in May by rights group Amnesty International, which said that at least 10,217 people had been killed since President Bola Tinubu took office two years ago.
It called for the formation of a Presidential Task Force with wide-ranging powers to end the numerous conflicts – including the resurgence of the militant Islamist group Boko Haram and the breakaway Islamic State West Africa Province (Iswap) in the north-east.
Last week, the army reported killing nearly 600 militants in eight months in the region. There is no independent confirmation of the claim.
The Nigerian Air Force said it would continue to provide air cover to ground troops dismantling jihadist bases in the north-east.
More than 35,000 people have been killed and two million displaced in the conflict, according to the UN.
The Institute for Security Studies think-tank said that at least 15 jihadist attacks had been recorded so far this year in areas near Nigeria’s border with Cameroon and Niger.
The jihadists were using modified commercial drones to strike at army bases, and were making it difficult for the military to send reinforcements, it added.
Earlier this month, the US State Department approved the sale of weapons worth $346m (£256m) to Nigeria.
Stanbic Bank Ghana has donated 50 laptops at an average cost of GHC10,000 each to the Kwame Nkrumah University Science and Technology (KNUST), in support of the Vice-Chancellor’s ‘Support One Needy Student with One Laptop’ (SONSOL) initiative.
It brings to 350, the total number of laptops donated by the bank to KNUST, since the initiative was introduced in 2020.
It is part of the bank’s commitment to education and Ghana’s digital transformation and youth development agenda to empower more students with the tools to thrive.
SONSOL initiated in 2020 by the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof. Mrs. Rita Akosua Dickson, provides laptops to financially disadvantaged students to bridge the digital divide and enhance their access to education and online resources. It also aims to equip students with essential digital tools for their academic success.
Mawuko Afadzinu addressing the media
Mr. Kwamina Asomaning, Managing-Director, Stanbic Bank Ghana, disclosed that as one thinks of Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) at the tertiary level, there is no other university than KNUST, hence the donation.
He stressed that the bank had benefitted from the products of the collaboration between the bank and KNUST, envisaging many more years of fruitful collaboration.
The Managing-Director announced that Stanbic Bank would sponsor the Women in STEM (WiSTEM) initiative, which seeks to increase female enrolment by KNUST upon the instance of the Vice-Chancellor.
The sponsorship has been christened: “Stanbic Bank Women in STEM”.
Receiving the donations, Prof. Mrs. Dickson disclosed that KNUST and Stanbic Bank have come a long way, citing that when her outfit’s E-infrastructure needed evolution in 2020, without leaving any student behind to make sure students are hooked up on the E-Teaching and Learning research, Stanbic Bank came in handy.
According to her, the bank had “walked and worked” with her outfit and that the profound impact of Stanbic’s generosity was overwhelming.
Bridging the digital divide, The VC disclosed that KNUST’s management could not have bridged the digital divide with the over 80,000 “needy but brilliant” students without the “commitment, dedication, assistance and support” of the bank.
Mr. Mawuko Afadzinu, Head of Brand and Marketing, Stanbic Bank Ghana, noted that the project had seen palpable progress and impacting lives, noting that the bank was very proud and would continue to support the initiative.
He said the donation was not a conventional one, but a way of making “transformational impact” in the lives of the most productive segmented part of our community, and also finding ways to impact the lives in “the right space and way.”
According to him, STEM for Girls was important to the Bank because of the gender-imbalance in distribution vis-a-vis STEM.
Mr Afadzinu explained that the partnership with KNUST facilitated the space for Stanbic to be able to influence WiSTEM over the period of five years, for girls who had demonstrated ability to perform.
He stressed that once that was done, it would create a “dynamic pool” of talents, who would influence future generations, making it a “virtuous circle” and self-enforcing.
Anthony Asare interacting with the media
Mr. Anthony Asare, Regional Manager, Ashanti and Brong Ahafo, Stanbic Bank Ghana, noted that the objective of the project was to bridge the gap between theoretical and practicality of what students are learning, hence the Bank’s believe in “how to develop skills” and nurture adeptness of students to be ready for the job market.
The Manager said the Bank’s continuous donation over a five-year period, indicated their readiness and preparedness to ensure that beneficiaries receive the best to prepare them for the job market as well as aid in the economic growth of the nation.
Fidelity Bank Ghana has reaffirmed its leadership in financial inclusion by training and certifying 892 agents across six regions of the country, as part of the 2025 edition of its Agent Certification and Engagement Programme.
The comprehensive initiative, held between late June and early August, 2025 brought together agents from Greater Accra, Ashanti, Bono, Western, Eastern and Northern regions.
The programme was designed to enhance service delivery, operational efficiency and compliance within the bank’s agent banking network, which currently spans over 8,000 nationwide.
The 2025 programme featured a two-pronged approach: a certification track for Bronze-tier agents and an engagement series for top-tier agents.
Both groups underwent extensive training in critical areas such as Operational Risk, Compliance, Physical Security and Agency Quality Assurance.
Upon completion, agents were examined and awarded certificates, signifying their readiness to deliver reliable and secure banking services across both urban centres and remote communities.
“Our agents are the backbone of our financial inclusion strategy and their professionalism and knowledge are paramount,” said Godfred Attafuah, Divisional Director of Retail Banking at Fidelity Bank.
“This certification program is a testament to our commitment to not only empower our agents, but also ensure a secure and reliable banking experience for every Ghanaian, regardless of their location. It’s about building trust and great customer experience every transaction.”
In addition to training, the engagement sessions served as a platform for Fidelity Bank to share upcoming strategic developments within its Agency Banking Department.
These updates aim to streamline operations, improve service delivery and reinforce agent support mechanisms.
Dr David Okyere, Head of Agency Banking at Fidelity Bank, emphasised the forward-looking nature of the initiative.
“This isn’t just about certification; it’s about a partnership for the future. By equipping our agents with advanced tools and training, we are enabling them to become even more efficient and effective,” he said, adding “The innovations we have shared, from mobile withdrawals to enhanced systems, show that we’re committed to giving our agents the very best resources to thrive and serve our customers better.”
Training sessions were conducted in key cities including Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Takoradi, Koforidua, Tamale and Wa, ensuring broad geographic coverage and accessibility.
The initiative aligns with Fidelity Bank’s broader mission to promote financial inclusion at scale by extending formal banking services to underserved and remote areas of Ghana, thereby contributing to the strengthening of the country’s real economy.
With this year’s programme successfully completed, Fidelity Bank continues to cement its reputation as Ghana’s leading agent banking provider, driving inclusive finance through innovation, accessibility and capacity building.
Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has undergone a spiritual cleansing at the Teshie Next Door Beach, days after his release from the custody of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
The cleansing ritual, led by the Teshie Gbuglah Mantse, Original Nii Martey Laryea I, is believed to be a symbolic act to rid the musician of any negative energy or spiritual burden following his legal troubles.
Shatta Wale, born Charles Nii Armah Mensah, was granted bail on Thursday August 21 after being held in EOCO custody in connection with a luxury Lamborghini Urus linked to a $4 million fraud case currently under investigation by U.S. authorities.
According to his legal team, the original GHS 10 million bail was reduced to GHC5 million with two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, the artiste is required to report to EOCO three times a week while investigations continue.
The vehicle at the center of the controversy was traced by EOCO to Shatta Wale after being flagged by the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). It was originally associated with Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian serving a prison sentence in the United States for his role in the massive fraud operation.
American rapper, businessman, and Roc Nation founder Shawn Corey Carter, better known as Jay-Z, has been named the world’s richest musician by Forbes.
With a net worth of $2.5 billion (approximately Sh323 billion), Jay-Z has doubled his fortune since becoming a billionaire in 2019.
His wealth goes beyond music, spanning diverse investments and businesses. Assets such as a fine art collection, music catalog, and shares in companies including Uber have propelled him to the top of the global rankings.
The 55-year-old became the first hip-hop billionaire in 2019, largely through his business ventures. With over 140 million records sold, Jay-Z is also among the world’s best-selling music artists.
Forbes notes that he is followed by American pop star Taylor Swift, whose fortune is estimated at $1.6 billion. Rihanna, the first female artist to reach billionaire status, ranks third with a $1 billion net worth, driven by the global success of her Fenty Beauty brand.
Jay-Z, who is married to singer-songwriter Beyoncé, forms one of entertainment’s most powerful couples. Together, the pair boast an estimated combined net worth of $3.5 billion. They also share a record 88 Grammy nominations each the most in history.
Across his career spanning more than 35 years, Jay-Z has become one of the most decorated artistes of all time. He has won 25 Grammy Awards, the eighth-most ever, along with three Emmy Awards. In 2023, Vibe and Billboard ranked him the greatest rapper of all time.
Beyond entertainment, Jay-Z’s impact has been recognized in civil rights advocacy. He received the prestigious President’s Award from the NAACP, underscoring his influence both on and off stage.
With music, business, and influence intertwined, Jay-Z’s $2.5 billion empire cements his legacy as a global icon.
Ghanaian screen icons Gloria Sarfo and Adjetey Anang have demonstrated their commitment to uplifting the Ghanaian community.
They participated in the launch of the RNAQ Foundation food banks in Madina and Odorkor by serving hot meals to those in need. This act of service highlights the power of celebrity influence when channeled toward positive social impact.
This initiative, spearheaded by Mr. Richard Nii Armah Quaye, founder of the RNAQ Foundation, is a direct response to the pressing issue of food insecurity in Ghana. The food banks aim to provide free, nutritious meals to thousands of Ghanaians, embodying a vision where no one goes to bed hungry.
This commitment extends to supporting vulnerable populations, including homeless children, underprivileged parents struggling to make ends meet, and individuals facing temporary food insecurity due to unforeseen circumstances. The project’s core principle is rooted in the belief that access to basic necessities, such as food, is a fundamental human right.
During the launch event on August 1, 2025, held at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra, Mr. Quaye shared his vision and the driving force behind the RNAQ Foundation food bank.
He pledged to sustain the Food Bank Project by committing 90% of the dividends from his diverse business ventures to ensure its longevity and expansion across Ghana.
The “One Celebrity, One Ladle” theme highlights the involvement of figures like Gloria Sarfo and Adjetey Anang and serves as a powerful symbol. It is a reminder that even small acts of kindness, when amplified by the reach and influence of public figures, can create a ripple effect of positive change.
Rex Owusu Marfo, Coordinator of the Black Star Experience and Samuel Agyemang, a broadcaster.
Ghana will host the maiden edition of Creatives Connect Afrika from 25th to 30th November 2025 at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
The event, which forms part of the Blackstar Experience initiative, is being organised in partnership with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Africa Tourism Partners (ATP).
It was officially launched on 22nd August 2025 at the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra.
The programme is expected to bring together participants from across Africa’s tourism, culture and creative arts sectors.
Key figures present at the launch included Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade at the AfCFTA Secretariat; Francis Doku, West Africa Representative for ATP, Rex Owusu Marfo, Coordinator of the Black Star Experience; and the MC, Samuel Agyemang, a broadcaster.
Ghana has secured the right to host the event for three years, after which it will rotate to another African country.
The objectives of Creatives Connect Afrika include advancing continental integration in the creative and cultural industries, promoting intra-African collaboration and trade in film, music and fashion, building capacity for industry growth by equipping creatives and entrepreneurs with skills and tools to leverage AfCFTA opportunities and celebrating Africa’s rich heritage through the arts.
According to organisers, Creatives Connect Afrika builds on the success of the AfCFTA Tourism, Creative and Cultural Industries Forum, which has been held in Gaborone, Botswana over the past three years under the African Tourism Leadership Forum. The new platform expands its scope to integrate tourism with the wider creative and cultural industries.
Highlights of the programme will include masterclasses in film, music and fashion, with sessions focusing on trade rules, market access, intra-African opportunities, content development, financing, production, distribution, and the regulatory environment for creative industries.
