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Stranded customers panic over Zenith Bank’s network breakdown

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Stranded customers panic over Zenith Bank’s network breakdown

One of Nigeria’s foremost new generation banks Zenith Bank PLC has been under fire for days over the bank’s inability to resolve network issues with its mobile applications and other internet services.

Our correspondent observe that many panicked customers besieged the bank Friday, with queries ranging from outrageous deductions, to errors in ATM dispensing and inability to make withdrawals but were promised all issues will be resolved within 24 hours of which as at press time from our findings have not been effected.

Point of Sale (POS) vendors around the FCT have also lend their concerns over the issue as they are unable to transact businesses with their customers using the Zenith Bank’s debit cards.

As the Easter holidays kick in, many Zenith Bank customers have been left stranded as most of them could not access cash to celebrate the holidays or travel to be with their families.

Some customers have however taken to their social media handles to express their disappointment.

See some of the reactions below.

Although the bank has yet to make any public statement to reassure its customers, but many have expressed the desire to embark on mass action against it.

Niger President Bazoum sworn-in after ‘attempted coup’

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Niger President Bazoum sworn-in after ‘attempted coup’

Niger’s newly-elected president, Mohamed Bazoum, is set to be sworn into office on Friday, a democratic watershed overshadowed by jihadist violence and alleged coup bid two days ago.

The inauguration will mark the first-ever transition between elected presidents in Niger’s six decades of independence from France — a historic moment that has been widely praised.

But the Sahel country’s instability and insecurity have been deeply underscored in the runup to Friday’s ceremony.

In the early hours of Wednesday, after gunfire broke out near the presidency in the capital Niamey, the government announced an “attempted coup” had been thwarted — a “cowardly and regressive act which sought to threaten democracy and the state of law”.

The alleged coup leader is an air force officer in charge of security at Niamey’s airbase and is being “actively sought”, a source within Niger’s security services told AFP on Wednesday.

Another security source said “a few members of the army” had been behind the coup but had been prevented from approaching the presidential palace by the elite Presidential Guard.

“Some arrests” were made, the source said.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was among worried foreign leaders, calling the armed forces “to strictly abide by their constitutional obligations”.

President Muhammadu Buhari also condemned the attempted coup, saying “any illegal effort to depose a democratically elected government was not only despicable but also unacceptable to democratic governments around the world.”

Bazoum, 60,  is a former interior minister and right-hand man of outgoing president Mahamadou Issoufou, 68, who has voluntarily stepped down after two five-year terms.

But his most formidable rival, former premier Hama Amadou, was banned from running because of a conviction for baby trafficking — a charge he has branded politically motivated.

Niger is the poorest country in the world, according to the benchmark of the UN’s 189-nation Human Development Index (HDI).

Bazoum won a runoff vote for the presidency in February with 55.6 percent of the ballot, according to official results contested by his opponent, Mahamane Ousmane.

The country has suffered four coups in its history, most recently a February 2010 putsch which toppled then-president Mamadou Tandja.

It has also been ravaged by repeated jihadist attacks, from insurgents who have advanced from Mali in the west and Nigeria in the southeast.

More than 300 people have been killed in three attacks in the west since the start of the year.

Easter: Gov Fintiri harps on tolerance, peaceful coexistence

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Easter: Gov Fintiri harps on tolerance, peaceful coexistence

Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State has renewed his calls for harmony and peace before during and after the Easter festivity.

A statement by Humwashi Wonosikou, Governor Fintiri’s press secretary said, the governor urged the people to imbibe the lessons of sacrifice and tolerance embedded in the festivity.

The governor urged citizens of the state to tolerate each other despite their differences.

“The holy day marks that moment in time when good conquered evil, hope overcame despair and life triumphed over death,” the statement added.

Fintiri stressed that in this age of great challenges of insecurity and coronavirus pandemic, Easter’s timeless message strengthens the people for the tasks before them.

“As we celebrate, let us remember that our lives have great purpose and value, and therefore we must never give up hope of a better Nigeria.

”As citizens of Adamawa State, let us play our roles as true citizens through love and sacrifice for the general good of the society,” the governor noted.

The governor said, the greatest legacy that Jesus Christ left for the people are the legacy of love and sacrifice noting that,

“I believe the best way we can carry on that legacy is to fulfil our obligations to our society.”

He challenged the people to show love and make sacrifices in order to maintain the harmonious and peaceful co-existence amongst them for which the Adamawa people have come to be known.

APC Extends Registration As Matawalle Set To Join Party

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APC Extends Registration As Matawalle Set To Join Party

Fresh moves are on for Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara State to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), Daily Trust has gathered.

This is just as the party yesterday announced the extension of its on-going membership revalidation and registration exercise to accommodate new members.

There have been talks about the planned defection of Matawalle, who became governor of the state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the judgement of the Supreme Court on the crisis that trailed the primaries of APC in Zamfara.

Matawalle’s moves to join the APC predated the defection of the Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi to the ruling party in November last year.

A former governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani Yarima, had last year told Daily Trust that plans are on for Matawalle to join APC.

The crisis rocking the APC in the state, a source said, was one of the factors that delayed the defection of the governor. The two warring camps in the state chapter of the party — Abdulaziz Yari and Senator Kabir Garba Marafa factions — had in February reconciled.

A source close to the chairman of the national caretaker committee of the APC, Mai Mala Buni, confirmed the defection moves. “The talks on Matawalle’s defection have gone far but wait for him to formally announce it,” the source said, pleading not to be named.

Also, a former governor of the state said a governor who is a member of the APC in the North West is spearheading the defection.

Another source said former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari and other chieftains of the party in Zamfara State have been notified.

“We were told that he will join our party this month. They also told us that the defection is sanctioned by the presidency. Nocturnal meetings to finalise the arrangement are being held,” he said.

Ahead of the defection, it was gathered that the governor met with top officials of his administration in Zamfara State.

Out of the seven states in the North West, five are governed by APC while Sokoto and Zamfara are of the PDP.

In a chat with Daily Trust on Thursday, the Publicity Secretary of the ruling PDP in the state, Alhaji Farouk Ahmad, said no one had officially informed their party that Matawalle is planning to defect to APC.

“We are just hearing it from the grapevine as you do but I can tell you that PDP as a party is not informed about the decision, so I can’t confirm anything to you,” he said.

In the same vein, the vice chairman of the opposition APC in the state, Alhaji Sani Gwamna Mayanchi, said they were not officially contacted and that APC has nothing to say about it.

On his part, the state Commissioner of Information Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara said “I haven’t discussed anything like that with the executive governor.”

Meanwhile, Secretary of the APC Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Senator John James Akpanudoedehe, in a statement on Thursday, said the extension became necessary because of the number of people willing to join the party.

However, the PDP has asked the APC to end what it called ‘’ dance of shame in the name of membership registration.’’

The party, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, said: “Our party urges the APC leadership to listen to voice of reasons coming from elders of their party like former Governor Bisi Akande and end this dance of shame.

“In any case, our party will, at the appropriate time, expose all the shenanigans of the APC, including the roles played by desperate individual APC leaders in this attempt to beguile Nigerians with a fictitious membership register.”

-Daily Trust

Protesters besiege Abuja House London, demand Buhari’s return home

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Protesters besiege Abuja House London, demand Buhari’s return home

Nigerians in the United Kingdom are protesting President Muhammadu Buhari’s medical attention in London and are asking him to return home immediately.

They stormed Abuja house located at number 2, Campden Hill, Kensington, London on Friday, insisting that President Muhammadu Buhari should be repatriated.

A key face in the group, who is also a former presidential aide during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri said in the video that he is proud of Nigeria as a country but he is not proud of the country’s leaders.

He also shared a video clip of the protest, promising that they would remain peaceful as they understand they have a right to peaceful protest.

He wrote in different tweets on his Twitter page about the incident that: “The Police came but the #HarassBuhariOutOfLondon went on.

It is recalled that Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday afternoon, departed the shores of Nigeria for London, the United Kingdom through the Abuja International Airport.

The President departed the country in one of the jets available in the presidential fleet.

Buhari is not expected back in the country until the second week in April according to an earlier statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina on Monday when he announced the president’s trip to Nigerians.

Meanwhile, his failure to hand over to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been a subject of public debates and commentaries in the media.

The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu insisted Buhari could rule Nigeria from London, saying that “he is social media savy.”

“President Muhammadu Buhari is social media savy. He can contact anyone in government, if he wants.”

Missing Fighter Jet: NAF Releases Names of Pilots

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Missing Fighter Jet: NAF Releases Names of Pilots

 

The Nigerian Air Force has given the names of the two in the missing Alpha jet that in Borno just as it noted the aircraft may have crashed.

An update on the search and rescue efforts by Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet gave the names as Flight Lt. John Abolarinwa & Flight. Lt. Ebiakpo Chapelle

Gabkwet said, “Intelligence report gathered by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) indicates that the Alpha Jet aircraft (NAF475) that went off the radar with 2 crew members on board on 31 March 2021 might have crashed.

“The cause of the crash as well as the whereabouts of the 2 pilots remain unknown.

“The pilots are Flight Lieutenant John Abolarinwa and Flight Lieutenant Ebiakpo Chapele.

“Extensive search and rescue efforts are still ongoing by NAF surveillance aircraft as well as NAF Special Forces and Nigerian Army troops on ground.

“At this point, the NAF is not ruling out anything regarding the incident. It however remains hopeful that the crew would soon be found and rescued.”

Lekki Massacre: Group wants Amnesty International, others sanctioned after US vindicates Nigerian Army

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Lekki Massacre: Group wants Amnesty International, others sanctioned after US vindicates Nigerian Army

Following a report by the United States Department of State on the alleged killing of protesters at the Lekki toll gate, the Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights (CALSER) has called for sanctions on Amnesty International, Cable News Network (CNN) and others for misleading the world.

The group said the US has vindicated the Nigerian Army of any wrongdoing during the protest in Lagos, exposing the conspiracy by Amnesty and its cohorts.

The report tagged ‘2020 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: Nigeria’ released on March 30, 2021, said claims that Nigerian forces killed protesters were “unverified”.

It explained that accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at the end of the year.

And speaking on behalf of CALSER, Executive Director, Ayima Aluor, welcomed the U.S’ report as it emphasises that the “bulk of the information in the public space was meant for mischief purposes and not a reflection of the events that transpired at the Lekki Tollgate”.

According to Aluor, AI acted in malaise and must be sanctioned to serve as a deterrent to others notorious for spreading fake news to the detriment of peace and unity in Nigeria.

The group further called on the United States to identify and blacklist staff of AI behind the mischievous report, denying an entry visa to the country for the next 10 years.

While demanding an unreserved apology from the supposed human rights group to the Nigerian Army, CALSER warned sponsors of acts of political violence in Nigeria to desist from their nefarious activities.

Read the full statement below:

The leadership of the Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights welcomes you all to the critical press conference in light of the United States Department of State’s recent statement in its 2020 Reports on Human Rights Practices in Nigeria.

It is instructive to state that the events that led to the infamous #EndSARS protests across Nigeria indeed opened a Pandora’s Box on the various conspiracies against the Nigeria Army’s efforts in protecting and preserving the nascent democracy in Nigeria.

The Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights views the statement as a welcome development for all lovers of democracy because it has indeed exposed the conspiracy against the Nigerian Army by Amnesty International and its cohorts.

The report was quite elaborate and explicit. It stated that the claims made by some organizations such as Amnesty International regarding the number of casualties at the Lekki Tollgate could not be verified.

It is thus our considered view that the Nigerian Army has been vindicated, which by and large reinforces the fact that the bulk of the information in the public space was meant for mischief purposes and not a reflection of the events that transpired at the Lekki Tollgate.

It is said that the likes of Amnesty International indeed went to town with a disjointed narrative meant to mislead the members of the unsuspecting general public towards wiping up sentiments and discrediting the invaluable role towards addressing the mayhem that was unleashed in the polity by some vested interest.

This is on the heels that the report explicitly stated that there is no evidence to back up the claims that, indeed, the Nigerian Army fired live bullets into the crowd of protesters at the Lekki Tollgate. We also wish to state that the conflicting numbers of casualties are the handiwork of paid political distractors hiding under human rights groups’ nomenclature.

The statement further highlighted that accurate information on fatalities resulting from the shooting was not available at year’s end. Amnesty International reported ten persons died during the event, but the government disputed Amnesty’s report, and no other organization was able to verify the claim.

The implication of the above stated is that Amnesty International acted in malaise and a reason why we are demanding an unreserved apology from Amnesty International and other unscrupulous groups for attempting to cause a crisis of unimaginable proportion.

The Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights uses this medium to call on the relevant authorities to impose sanctions on Amnesty International to deter other individuals and groups that are notorious for spreading fake news at the detriment of peace and unity in Nigeria.

The likes of Amnesty International must be blacklisted for its mischievous narrative of a massacre at the Lekki Tollgate against the Nigerian Army. We are consequently demanding that Amnesty International and her staff and all persons behind the mischievous campaign against the Nigerian Army regarding the EndSARS protest in Nigeria be denied an entry visa to the United States of America for the next ten years.

This is especially important in light of the new revelation that has exposed the various conspiracies against the Nigerian authorities’ efforts towards the preservation of nascent democracy in the country.

The Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights is also conscious that if such anomaly is allowed to thrive, the larger consequences might be too big for Nigeria to bear given the spate of politically motivated tension in the country.

We also wish to use this medium to sound a note of warning to the sponsors of acts of political violence to desist from their nefarious activities as we shall not hesitate to mobilized Nigerians in their numbers to take to the street in a peaceful protest demanding an end to the activities of Amnesty International and other individuals and groups that are spreading fake news and misleading members of the unsuspecting general public.

Thus, our desire that the United States Department of State’s statement should indeed reawaken the consciousness in Nigerians that certainly Amnesty International does not mean well for the country. As such, all must be done to ensure that its highly misleading campaign against Nigeria is nipped in the bud.

This message is also intended for all those acting as proxies for Amnesty International in the country to desist from any further campaign of deceit and illogical conclusions, as Nigerians are now more enlightened on issues of national interest.

The Centre for African Liberation and Socio-Economic Rights would remain at the vanguard of ensuring that individuals and groups with ulterior motives are exposed in the quest for peace and sustainable growth and development.

We thank you all for your time and attention. We desire that Nigeria shall overcome its adversaries within the shortest possible time.

God bless Nigeria.

Chief of Air Staff arrives Borno as search for missing jet continues

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Chief of Air Staff arrives Borno as search for missing jet continues

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, has arrived in the state to keep abreast of development on how to recover a Nigerian Air Force Alpha Jet which went missing last night after it lost contact with the radar.

Amao has since been briefed on the progress made so far in the efforts to locate the missing jet.

The missing jet was involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province when it lost radar contact in the north-east state.

It was specifically on a reconnaissance mission for the troops on land in their efforts to rid the state of insurgency.

The radar is the main air traffic control system for the airspace around airports. Air traffic controllers monitor aircraft within the airspace from the radar.

NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, in a statement, said the CAS “arrived Maiduguri this morning and was briefed on ongoing search and rescue efforts in connection with the missing Alpha Jet aircraft.

Gabkwet said Amao “urged pilots, engineers and technicians to remain undeterred and resolute in their commitment to ensuring that peace returns to the North East.”

The NAF spokesman, however, did not disclose the number of officers onboard the yet-to-be-found jet.

 

 

Resident doctors commence nationwide strike despite FG’s plea

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Resident doctors commence nationwide strike despite FG’s plea

Members of the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors commenced a nationwide strike today despite Federal Government’s last-ditch attempt to stop the action.

The resident doctors, however, assured Nigerians that their action was not meant to hurt them.

They gave the explanation in a message posted on the association’s Twitter handle, @nard_nigeria, this morning.

The message read, “Nigerians must understand that we love them and the strike is not intended to hurt them but to challenge the Nigerian government @MBuhari @Fmohnigeria @LabourMinNG whose responsibilities amongst others is to care for her citizens and labour force to do the needful.”

The union’s President, Dr Uyilawa Okhuaihesuyi, also confirmed to Channels TV that the strike had commenced by 8am today

NARD had cited poor working condition, demeaning renumeration among other reasons for embarking on strike.

Legend of Buratai: How former Army Chief is inspiring young Nigerians

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Legend of Buratai: How former Army Chief is inspiring young Nigerians

Lt. Gen Tukur Buratai (rtd) may no longer be Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, yet the now retired gallant soldier’s patriotism, gallantry and selflessness is inspiring the next generation of Nigerians.

Hailed as his country’s finest Army Chief, Buratai stepped aside from the military on January 26th 2021 – marking a meritorious end to a distinguished career.

His meteoric rise and exploits as COAS was aptly captured in two volumes of the book, ‘The Legend of Buratai’.

The books, co-authored by a seasoned journalist and essayist, Dr Abubakar Sani, is a true-life story of the former military chief.

During the unveiling of the first edition in 2019, Sani said he was inspired by Buratai’s legendary and therefore wanted the younger generation to read his incredible life and draw inspiration.

Furthering, he stated that the heroics of the former Army Chief is unrivalled and is something that would be a guide for the younger generation if recorded for them to read.

Just as forecasted by Sani, young Nigerians have began to draw lessons from Buratai, who is set to begin a new career path in diplomacy.

Some children displayed zeal to follow the former Army Chief’s example when a non-governmental organisation, PLAY it DREAM it,  on, Sunday, brought copies of the book to an Internally Displaced Persons camp in Abuja.

The initiator, Erelu Aderonke Ogunleye-Bello, and her team were on the ground to coordinate the excited children who were very attentive as chapters of these books were read to them.

“Reading from these passages left all the children spellbound,” the organisers said.

“They wanted more. There were also members of the team that translated from English to Hausa, for those who needed an in-depth understanding of the passages.

“Even as they were there to listen to some awesome stories, they also had time to happily run around, playing football and engaging in other healthy exercises”.

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