General News
SAHCOL’S GM, Corporate Communications Bags NIPR Fellowship
Basil Agboarumi, general manager, Corporate Communications of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), has been conferred with the Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR).
The Fellowship was conferred on him at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference of the Institute held at the Premier Hotel, Ibadan, Oyo state, from 13th to 15th April, 2016, with the theme, “Networking for National Economy: The Synergy of Agriculture and Communications”.
While conferring the NIPR Fellowship Medal and Certificate on Agboarumi, Dr Rotimi Oladele, president of the Institute and Chairman of Council, congratulated him, and enjoined him to continue to be a good ambassador of the Institute in all his endeavours.
He also reminded him of the need to “remember that the status of Fellowship of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is sacred and allows no compromise”.
Basil Agboarumi, who is currently the General Manager of the Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited, joined the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in 1998 as an Associate Member.
Being one of the five recipients of the Institute’s Fellowship award this year, is a testament of his professionalism and recognition of his invaluable contribution to Corporate Communications and Public Relations Management in Nigeria.
Basil holds a National Diploma (OND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Mass Communication from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, a Masters in Communications Studies (Mcs) from the Lagos State University, and a Certificate in Creative Design & Digital Communication from the School of Media & Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos.
Basil joined the Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited in the year 2000, then a subsidiary of the Nigeria Airways Limited, as the Pioneer staff/Head of the Public Affairs Unit.
After the privatization and subsequent takeover of Skypower Aviation Handling Company Limited by the SIFAX Group in 2009, Basil Agboarumi was appointed the Head of Corporate Communications, with a mandate to spearhead the re-branding of the new company (Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited).
Agboarumi is also an Associate Member of the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (arpa), an Aluminous of the School of Media and Communications of the Pan-Atlantic University, as well as a member of the Course 13 of the School of Media & Communication’s Strategies For Optimizing Corporate Communication Skills (SOCCS).
He was one of the Nigerian delegates to the 2014 World Public Relations Forum in Madrid, Spain, and the 2015 World Conference of Public Relations for Emerging Economy, in Nairobi, Kenya. He has also attended trainings, seminars and conferences locally and internationally.
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.
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.
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.
The administration of Donald Trump has frozen $344 million in cryptocurrency allegedly linked to Iran, marking a sharp escalation in financial pressure on Tehran.
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.
NCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues
EFCC Detains Ayeni, Ex-Skye Bank Chairman over Alleged N36.5Bn, $30m Fraud
Bank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
Summit Factory Opens in Ogun, Targets Hygiene Market Expansion
Kaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
NITDA Takes Over National Digital Architecture System
FG to Gift Nigerians over 100 Free TV Channels from May 15
FG Shifting Focus to “Meaningful Connectivity” to Drive Inclusion – Minister
Microsoft Revamps Copilot in Workplace AI Push
Dangote Refinery Debunks Speculations on IPO
Telecom3 days agoNCC Orders Telcos to Give Users Free Airtime for Poor Network Service
Telecom2 days agoNCC Blames Growing Data Demand Network Quality Issues
Telecom3 days agoMTN to Pay Subscribers After NCC Cracks Down on Service Failures
E-Financial2 days agoBank Customers to Pay N1,500 for ATM Card Issuance, Replacement – CBN
E-Financial3 days agoEXPLOSIVE: How Titan Trust Bank Allegedly Used Union Bank’s Own Assets to Fund Its Takeover
E-Financial2 days agoATM Card Fees Jump to ₦1,500 as CBN Scraps Maintenance Charges
E-Business2 days agoKaspersky Discovers Vulnerability in Qualcomm Snapdragon Chips that can Lead to Data Loss & Device Compromise
News2 days agoCADEF, Stakeholders Push for Zero Added Sugar Standards in Infant Foods