The Chairman of Polaris Bank, Dr. Kassim Gidado, has called on newly inducted banking professionals to uphold integrity, embrace continuous learning, and demonstrate ethical leadership as they navigate the rapidly evolving financial services landscape.

Dr. Gidado, made the call while delivering his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN).

The ceremony which held in Lagos at the weekend, celebrated the induction of 2,037 professionals into the prestigious Chartered Banker and Microfinance Certified Banker cadre of the Institute, marking a significant milestone in their professional journeys.

According to the Institute, the inductees emerged through various certification routes including 9 candidates through the Chartered Banker/MBA route, 816 through the Chartered Banker Regular Route, 25 through the MSc/Chartered Banker pathway, 262 through the SMP/AMP/Chartered Banker pathway, and 435 Microfinance Certified Professionals.

The candidates comprise executives, senior and middle management staff of Deposit Money Banks, Microfinance Banks and other financial institutions, as well as professionals from the public and private sectors, self-employed members of the Institute, and graduates from linked tertiary institutions.

In his address, Dr. Gidado described the induction ceremony as more than a formal event, noting that it represents a celebration of excellence, perseverance, and professional discipline within the banking industry.

“Banking today is evolving at an unprecedented pace. Digital transformation, financial inclusion, regulatory reforms and emerging technologies are redefining how financial institutions operate and deliver value to society,” he said.

He emphasized that while technology continues to transform the banking sector, trust remains the most valuable currency in banking, stressing that the credibility of the financial system ultimately depends on the integrity and professionalism of banking professionals.

Dr. Gidado commended the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria for its continued commitment to strengthening professional standards, developing industry capacity, and nurturing the next generation of banking leaders in Nigeria.

He also reiterated the importance of investing in human capital within the financial services industry.

“At Polaris Bank, we firmly believe that human capital is the most strategic asset within financial institutions. The future of banking will not be defined only by technology or capital, but by the quality of professionals who steward these resources responsibly,” he stated. 

Dr. Gidado, an accomplished academic further encouraged the newly inducted Chartered Bankers to be guided by three key principles throughout their careers: upholding integrity, committing to lifelong learning, and leading with purpose.

The 2026 Stream 1 Chartered Banker Induction Ceremony brought together industry leaders, regulators, banking professionals, and stakeholders to celebrate professional excellence and reinforce the role of certification in strengthening Nigeria’s financial system.

The Federal Government has uncovered a plot by a foreign mining firm, Jupiter Ltd, to orchestrate a “campaign of calumny” and blackmail during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit to the United Kingdom, scheduled for March 18–19, 2026.

According to the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Jupiter Ltd allegedly intends to sponsor protests and media campaigns to discredit Nigeria’s mining reforms, driven by a dispute over the revocation of mineral titles formerly held by Basin Mining Ltd due to ₦2.49 billion in unpaid fees.

The ministry alleged that the company was orchestrating the “campaign of calumny” to embarrass the President during the historic two day state visit in the company of his wife, First Lady Oluremi.

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host the president and the First Lady at Windsor Castle On Wednesday and Thursday.

The visit is Nigeria’s first state visit in 37 years to Windsor Castle.

But in a statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Mr. Segun Tomori, the ministry alleged that the company planed to sponsor a protest and media campaign targeted at discrediting the government over the enforcement of mining regulations.

Tomori described the firm’s claims as a “tissue of falsehoods” designed to distract from the government’s efforts to sanitize the mining sector.

According to the statement, the controversy stems from the revocation of mineral titles previously held by Basin Mining Ltd, a Nigerian company reportedly fronted by Australian national Steve Davis.

The ministry said the licenses were revoked after the company failed to pay statutory annual service fees totaling N2,494,000,000 for mineral titles 45454ML, 45117ML, 45118ML, 40532ML, and 40533ML for the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.

The statement noted that the government has no direct legal relationship with “Jupiter Lithium,” as Nigerian law prohibits granting mining licenses directly to foreign entities.

The statement said: “The Federal Government, through the Ministry and the Nigeria Mining Cadastral Office (NMCO), has no legal or contractual relationship with any company known as Jupiter Lithium. The Nigerian Minerals and Mining Act (NMMA 2007) expressly prohibits the granting of mining licenses to foreign companies.”

The ministry further accused Mr. Davis of being a “mining speculator who manages a web of six different companies to acquire titles without conducting actual operations.

“This practice, the government argues, prevents genuine investors from entering the market and contributes to the rise of illegal mining.

On the rumor that the titles were seized to favor a Chinese firm, the ministry dismissed the claim as a “complete fabrication.”

Tomori further said: “Instead of adhering to Nigerian mining laws, Davis would rather operate surreptitiously as a mining speculator who sets up companies to acquire mineral titles and shortchange the nation.

“Unfortunately for him, the government’s strict application of the regulations caught up with him.”

Insisting that the ongoing reforms are intended to transform the mining sector into a major contributor to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the ministry maintained that federal government would not be intimidated by international pressure or “shows of shame” organised abroad.

“The Federal Government of Nigeria cannot and will not be intimidated or blackmailed into abandoning reforms by the antics of any individual or company.

“The nefarious activities of the past that stunted the growth of the mining sector will no longer be tolerated,” the statement warned.

Despite the crackdown, the ministry reiterated that Nigeria remains open for business, highlighting incentives such as tax waivers on imported equipment and the full repatriation of profits for those who follow the law.

The government urged the international community to disregard the planned protests in the UK, characterising the move as a desperate attempt by discredited individuals to circumvent transparency.

At the weekend, Special Adviser to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Kehinde Bamigbetan, reacted to the falsehoods sponsored by Jupiter Ltd in a publication titled “Nigeria seizes British Lithium project under armed guard.”

In his response titled: “In Nigeria’s mining sector, the law is no respecter of persons”, Bamgbetan exposed the antics of one Steve Davis and Hamish MacDonald, whose deceitful enterprise in the mining sector eventually met the full weight of the law.

The Asoro family has issued a formal public apology following a viral video of a bullying incident at Igbinedion Education Centre in Benin City, Edo State.

The video, which sparked widespread outrage, showed several students—specifically identified as seniors—beating and kicking a fellow student on the ground while another recorded the assault.

The school management had earlier announced that all students involved had been expelled.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by Tim Asoro on behalf of the Asoro family, the parents expressed shock and deep embarrassment over the incident.

“Watching the video has been one of the most distressing and heartbreaking experiences of our lives as parents. We have watched it with shock, sadness, and deep embarrassment,” the statement read.

“As a family, we are ashamed that our child was involved in conduct that caused pain and distress to another student,” it added.

The family apologised directly to the victim and his relatives, noting that no child deserves to be treated in such a manner.

“To the student who was affected, we want to say from the depths of our hearts that we are truly sorry. No child deserves to be treated that way. As parents, we cannot begin to imagine how frightening and hurtful the moment must have been for him. Our hearts go out to him and his family,” the statement said.

While the family expressed relief that medical reports confirmed the victim was physically unharmed, they acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and the emotional distress it may have caused.

Describing the episode as a painful moment of reflection, they said they had held serious discussions with their son, who expressed deep remorse for his actions.

“He understands that what happened has consequences not only for himself but also for another child, the school, and our entire family. We do not excuse what happened. It was wrong, and we are determined that our son must learn from this moment,” the statement read.

The parents added that steps were being taken to ensure their son receives guidance and counselling to help him develop into a more responsible and compassionate person.

They also reiterated their respect for the disciplinary measures taken by the school and extended another apology to the victim, his family, and the wider school community.

“Our family hopes that healing will come to everyone affected by this painful incident and that our son will learn the lessons needed to become a better person,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, the Edo State Police Command said it had summoned the school management to hand over the students involved for investigation and possible prosecution. The Edo State Government also promised sanctions for anyone found culpable.

The state Ministry of Education has set up a five-member investigative committee to determine the circumstances of the incident and identify all students involved. The police confirmed that investigations were ongoing and that those found culpable could face prosecution.

This is not the first Nigerian secondary school bullying case to attract national attention. In 2024, a video surfaced showing the brutal bullying of a female student at Lead British International School in Gwarinpa, Abuja. The victim, Namtira Bwala, was repeatedly slapped by fellow students, sparking widespread outrage across the country.