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GTBank Gives Hope to Young Football Talents

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 Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, sponsors of the prestigious Principals Cup tournament, went a step further to help realise the dreams of the young male and female football talents through Camp GTBank.
Camp GTBank is a one-week summer football camping exercise organised for 25 youngsters at the serene surroundings of the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Ibadan, under the instructions of David Penney, a foreign coach from Fulham FC of England and four Nigerian coaches- Yisa Sofoluwe, Waidi Akanni, Ann Agumanu-Chiejine and Bankole Olowookere.
Speaking on the creation of the Camp, Lola Odedina, Group Head, Communication & External Affairs GTBank explained that it was bank’s way of ensuring that players discovered through the tournament proper are holistically developed in all areas of the game for their benefit.
David Penney, the chief coach at the camp also had words of commendation for the four local coaches and the players. He said, “This camp can only be the beginning of greater things. We need to carry on with this kind of program and make sure that Nigerian players have well developed football brains.”
Yinka Sofoluwe, an ex-international and also a coach at camp GTBank was of the view that the programme will revive the dwindling fortunes of the national team. “We have lost all the foundations of our game. The skills needed to get the ball under immediate control, make runs off and on the ball – these are the attributes that are missing in our players and they are letting us down. If we can get it right from this point then the future can be brighter again,” said Sofoluwe.
One major distinction of the 2009/10 season of the GTBank sponsored tournament is call-up of four players to the new Nigerian U-17 team under John Odigie, and two players to the Lagos state football team.
Camp GTBank is the Players’ Development Programme of the Guaranty Trust Bank sponsored Lagos State Principals Cup.
Jamiu Ibrahim, a student of Gaskiya Senior College in Lagos, one of the players has been invited into the U-17 national camp on account of his exploits at the2010 Principals Cup.
“It has been a worthy experience and I thank Coach Odigie for allowing me to make the trip. The training has been very nice; the surroundings have been a welcome change from the Lagos scene. The coaching has been great and what I have learnt in the days that I have been here will benefit me in the national team. As a striker, I need to know more about positioning to help me get the goals for my team and that is one of the things that I have learnt here and I will be a better player when I get back to the national camp,” Ibrahim said


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EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has detained Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc, for alleged fraud involving N36.5 billion and $30 million.

EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud

Tunde Ayeni, former chairman of defunct Skye Bank Plc,

This follows the probe of alleged diversion of N36.5 billion and $30 million secured as loans from Polaris Bank Plc through companies linked to Ayeni.

He was arrested by EFCC operatives in Abuja on April 23, 2026, and is still been held in custody as at the time of filling the report.

Dele Oyewale, spokesperson, EFCC, confirmed the arrest on Friday but declined to provide further details.

Ayeni is under investigation for diverting funds obtained for marine security, electricity distribution, and real estate projects into other unknown projects.

Investigators allege the loans were instead channelled into telecom investments tied to NITEL/MTEL assets via a NATCOM account.

About 12 firms believed to be connected to Ayeni are also under investigation for their role in securing the loans.

The EFCC is expected to file charges once the investigation is concluded.


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Summit Factory Opens in Ogun, Targets Hygiene Market Expansion

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L-r: Sadiq Ali, General Manager, Summit Household Solutions Limited; Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, Onikotun of Otun, Ota; Hon. Wasiu Adewale Lawal (FCA), Executive Chairman of Ado-Odo/Ota LGA; Mr Kehinde Akintomide, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Ogun State; and Mojeed Maaradesa, Manufacturing Manager, during the commissioning of the ultra-modern factory by Summit Household Solutions Limited in Ota on Thursday.
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Summit Household Solutions Limited has opened its ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Ota, Ogun State, as part of its efforts to scale production of home and personal care products in Nigeria.

The plant, which started operations in April 2025, produces items such as dishwashing liquids, handwash, sanitisers and multipurpose liquid soaps, with an annual capacity estimated at 7,000 tonnes.

Commissioning the facility on behalf of Governor Dapo Abiodun, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Investment, Mr Kehinde Akintomide, said the investment reflects growing confidence in Ogun State’s business environment.

He noted that the state hosts over 6,000 manufacturing firms and described the development as consistent with ongoing efforts to promote industrialisation, attract investment and reduce reliance on imports under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiative.

Akintomide disclosed that the factory has already employed more than 50 Nigerians, with projections to exceed 250 jobs as operations expand.

In his remarks, the General Manager of the company, Mr Sadiq Ali, said the facility represents a major step in Summit’s growth plans, adding that its flagship brand, 2Sure, currently leads production at the plant.

He also revealed that the company is preparing to introduce new home and personal care products later this year.

Summit Household Solutions manufactures the 2Sure brand and has expanded into the personal care segment with Lewar, a premium beauty soap line positioned for quality and affordability.

Among dignitaries present were the Onikotun of Otun, Ota, Oba Abdulakeem Odunaro, representing the Olota of Ota, Prof. Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalanlege; the Agba Akin of Ota, Chief Dada Olusola; Director of Investment, Ms Yemisi Folarin; Director of Industrial Promotion, Mr Femi Adeboye; former Managing Director of 7Up Bottling Company, Mr Ziad Maalouf; and the Chief Executive Officer of OmniRetail, Mr Deepanker Rustagi.

Speaking at the event, Maalouf, who conceived the 2Sure brand during his time at 7Up Bottling Company, expressed satisfaction with its growth and commended Summit Solutions Limited for advancing the brand.

The special guests were conducted around the facility, and the programme was concluded with a luncheon.

 


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US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

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The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.

US Freezes $344m in Crypto Linked to Iran in Major Crackdown

The move comes amid stalled diplomatic efforts and a fragile ceasefire in the region.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that authorities are sanctioning multiple crypto wallets tied to Iran. “We will follow the money that Tehran is desperately attempting to move outside of the country and target all financial lifelines tied to the regime,” he said.

Tether, which facilitated the transactions, said it worked with U.S. authorities to freeze the funds across two wallet addresses after receiving intelligence linked to unlawful activity.

A U.S. official said blockchain analysis revealed “material links” to the Iranian regime, including transactions routed through intermediary addresses connected to wallets associated with the Central Bank of Iran.

Responding to the development, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said the company does not tolerate illicit use of its stablecoin. “USD₮ is not a safe haven for illegal activity. When there is credible linkage to sanctioned entities or criminal networks, we act immediately,” he stated.

The crackdown underscores the growing reliance of sanctioned states on digital assets to bypass traditional banking restrictions. Data from Chainalysis shows Iran’s cryptocurrency holdings reached $7.8 billion in 2025, with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reportedly controlling about half.

Analysts say while the freeze is significant, Iran has historically adapted to sanctions. Daniel Tannebaum of the Atlantic Council noted that targeting third-party actors enabling such transactions may be key to increasing pressure.


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