Vice President Kashim Shettima, on Wednesday, led other eminent Nigerians to the venue of the groundbreaking ceremony of First Bank’s new 40-storey headquarters at Eko Atlantic City in Lagos.

The Vice President was received by Femi Otedola, businessman and chair of the First Holding Company.

Mr Shettima attended the ceremony alongside Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; the founder of Dangote Industries, Aliko Dangote; co-founders of the Chagoury Group, Gilbert and Roland Chagoury; Deji Adeleke; among other dignitaries.

The project, set to become Nigeria’s tallest building, marks a significant milestone for the financial institution.

The bank said that the groundbreaking ceremony signifies the beginning of a transformative journey that reinforces FirstBank’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction.

It added that the new headquarters is designed with sustainability in mind, featuring a green-certified building that reduces operational costs and positions FirstBank as a leader in sustainable banking practices.

Olusegun Alebiosu, CEO, FirstBank Group, said, “We are proud to mark this significant milestone in our journey towards excellence. Our new Head Office is envisioned as a world-class structure that represents our dedication to innovation, customer satisfaction, and sustainability. We believe that this development will play a crucial role in fostering economic growth and development across Africa, creating long-term value for all our stakeholders.”

The vice president, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, expressed the commitment of the Tinubu administration towards industrialisation, innovation, sustainable development, and growth.

One of the civil servants, who was arrested in 2024 for allegedly stealing pension funds belonging to Abia State, Miriam Azubuike, has delivered a baby boy.

The accused person, who has been in prison custody, delivered her baby in a government-owned hospital.

SOCIETY REPORTERS gathered that the Abia State government reportedly took care of the medical bills of her delivery and some other post-delivery needs.

Mrs Azubuike and some other defendants were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Umuahia for various charges but were granted bail in 2025 with different bail conditions.

However, the defendants, including Mrs Azubuike, were unable to meet the bail conditions.

Meanwhile, some friends to the female defendant, who spoke under anonymity, appealed to the Abia State government to release her on bail to take care of the new baby while her trial continues.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing the Kogi Central senatorial district, on Thursday, submitted a new petition to the Senate, accusing Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexual harassment.

This petition, unlike her previous one, was signed and authored by one of her constituents, Suberu Yakubu.

Natasha filed the petition in accordance with Order 40 of the Senate Standing Rules.

Akpabio, who was presiding over the plenary, rebuffed attempts by about three senators to block Natasha from submitting the petition.

The Senate President, however, asked Natasha if the subject of the petition was not already before a court, to which she replied, “No, sir.” She was then asked to submit the report to the Senate.