Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Pantami, has waded into the trade dispute between commercial banks and mobile network operator, MTN Nigeria.
Pantami, in a tweet late Friday, wrote, “On the fallout between @MTNNG and some banks on USSD services today, I engaged with both regulators, the Governor of @cenbank and EVC @NgComCommission.
“We have reached an advance stage of resolving the issues, for the services to be restored to our citizens. Many thanks!”
The PUNCH had reported that commercial banks early Friday disconnected MTN customers from banking channels including the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data and banking apps.
MTN customers had lamented being unable to recharge their MTN lines using USSD and other banking channels like the bank apps. MTN, therefore, advised their customers to recharge using physical cards.
The PUNCH gathered that the development was not unconnected to the N42bn debt owed mobile operators by banks.
The telco had also reduced the banks’ commission from an average of 3.5 per cent to 2.5 per cent which predicated the actions of the banks.
The banks had written MTN to revert to the old commission, otherwise, they would block MTN airtime in all their channels.
The banks, except Zenith Bank which was connected directly to MTN, subsequently blocked MTN from their banking channels, leaving many MTN subscribers frustrated as they were unable to recharge airtime via USSD amid the Easter celebrations.
MTN holds the largest share of the mobile market in Nigeria, accounting for about half of the total mobile subscribers in the country.
one of Nigeria’s very own remarkable music maestro, the incredible Swanky Jey decides to thrill the music airwaves with a brand new single tagged “Domina” ( My Sake), an amazing song prepared for you to enjoy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed June 28, for the resumption of its suspended Continuous Voter Registration across the country, with new technology.
The Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, at a news briefing on Thursday said that the exercise would continue until the third quarter of 2022.
Yakubu also announced that the Commission would replace its Direct Data Capture Machine (DDCM) introduced in 2011 for voter registration with a new technology called, INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED).
The registration exercise took place continuously from April 27, 2017 and was suspended on Aug. 31, 2018. The suspension was “to enable the commission to prepare the data for the production of register of voters and printing of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for the 2019 general elections’’.
Yakubu said that INEC could not resume the exercise in 2019 due to litigations that followed the general elections and several off-cycle elections, particularly the Kogi and Bayelsa governorship polls. According to him in both states polls the same the same register of voter for 2019 was.
He added that the CVR could not also come up in 2020 largely due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic.
He said that although the Commission earlier promised to start the exercise before the end of first quarter of 2022, the target could not be met for three reasons.
“The first is the establishment of new systems that would ensure safer CVR exercise in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“In this regard, the Commission is building a new online registration portal that would enable new registrants to commence registration online and subsequently complete the capture of their biometric data at designated registration centres.
“This is designed to reduce crowding. Through the online portal, they can schedule their visits to the registration centres to suit their convenience.
“Above all, a CVR locator is integrated into the new portal which will enable online registrants to locate the nearest registration centre available to them to complete their registration.
“Previously, registered voters who wished to transfer their voting locations, apply for replacement of their PVCs or correct their personal information had to appear physically at the registration centres.
“The development of this portal, which is being done in-house by our engineers, has taken a little more time to complete than the Commission anticipated.”
Yakubu added that the exercise could not start on the targeted quarter due to the commission’s determination to expand voter access to polling units across the country, of which it needed more time.
He added that the Commission had decided to introduce a new voter registration equipment and technology to replace the DDCM introduced in 2011.
Yakubu said that while the DDCMs had served the Commission well over the last 10 years, INEC believed that there were now more compact registration devices that could better serve Nigerians during the CVR exercise.
“The Commission is therefore migrating to the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED), which is based on an Android tablet.
“The procurement of the new devices, the modification of the registration software by our in-house engineers to make it compatible with the Android Operating System, as well as integrating these with the online registration portal require a little more time.
“For instance, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our partners abroad who manufacture the IVED hardware are not operating at full capacity and the pandemic has also made the supply chain and delivery much slower.
“In consideration of these challenges and the measures we have taken to overcome them, the Commission is now in a position to announce Monday June 28 as the date for the recommencement of the CVR exercise nationwide,” Yakubu said.
The chairman, however, said that the Commission would accomplish some critical activities within a timelines leading to the restarting of the exercise.
These according to him include the expansion of voter access to polling units (Pus) by May 11; building and testing the online registration portal – May 15; arrival of the new IVED- May 31.
Other activities listed by him include, the recruitment and training of voter enrolment staff – June 14; and restart of CVR – June 28.
He explained that while the CVR would resume on June 28, emphasis would initially be on Anambra State where more centres would be established in view of the state governorship election scheduled for Nov. 6.
Yakubu said that in order to complete preparations for the governorship election, the CVR exercise in the State would be temporarily suspended in August 2021 to clean up the data for the state and print the PVCs for registrants.
He pledged that the Commission would after the Easter break start consultation with stakeholders on the new innovations.
Yakubu called on all intending registrants, especially those that have turned 18 recently to turn out for the exercise, while urging eligible voters not to register twice.
“The following categories of Nigerians are particularly encouraged to seize the opportunity of the CVR in order to fulfil the important civic responsibility of voting:
“All Nigerians who are 18 years of age and have never been registered to vote;
“Any registered voter who has had any issue during accreditation at previous elections so that the Commission can rectify the problem;
“All registered voters who wish to transfer their voting locations from the present one to another.
“All registered voters who have lost their PVCs or whose PVCs have been defaced or damaged.
“And all registered voters who wish to correct their information such as misspellings of names, dates of birth among others’’.
You can pick up tickets at any outlet near you at N1000 after registering online. Or You can also pay at the venue.
Call: 07060818141, 08035283568 For VIP, seat reservations & tickets
This Conference focuses on the need for the States businesses, organisations, entrepreneurs become more innovative and use innovation to drive sustainable development. The conference encourages Plateau to embrace entrepreneurship and move in the direction of digital transformation through the use of emerging Technologies and Trends, Research and Development, Commercialization and Investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem.
The conference will be a platform and an avenue to expose business owners, CEOs, Startups, innovators, media houses, personal and major stakeholders in the private and public sector aspiring business owners to a world of opportunities for local contents in Nigeria and create a network of professionals for collaboration and exposition in producing and marketing Plateau ideas.
THEME: Entrepreneurship & Business Growth
SPEAKERS:
Amb. YEMI MARTINS (CEO Abegyi Housing Corperative) Topic: Key Investment Areas in Plateau State
Dr. JEMIMAH NBAYA ( Business Consultant & Snr Pst. LHCC) Topic 10X Growth
PAPER PRESENTERS
HAJ. FARIDA Y. ABUBAKAR (Kaduna) (Personal Business Consultant to Aisha Buhari) Intranational Business & Entrepreneur Consultant, Skill Coach & A Philantropist. Topic: Wantrepreneur – Entrepreneur
DR. CYRIL OGBOLI (Chairman/CEO Chartered Institute of Human Capital Development of Nigeria. Topic: Hockey Stick Growth
The event has the following features:
Made in Plateau Exhibition | Pitch Booth | Artifacts | Panelists Sessions | CEOs Hangouts | Awards | Business Networking |
Why attend?
Attending an appropriate conference at an appropriate time may sometimes lead to the great end.
Nigerian award winning Nigerian singer, record producer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Nerat Chuwang has been signed to SonCity Records.
He started music at a very young age and got involved in church and school choir as well as participated in other local music events around; engagements that all helped in building his musicality. He specializes in a range of musical styles, including pop, R&B, hip hop and soul.In 2017, while unsigned, he launched his music career. Nerat has released several singles and featured on many albums and singles, and in 2020, he released his debut album “Stepping Out” which is gaining listener-ship across the world.
Nerat Chuwang has a way of creating hybrid and exceptional sounds by trying out several fusions that often becomes the delight of music lovers. His music is driven by simplicity and clarity of content and this is seen in the quality of his recordings.Recently signed to Son City Records, he hopes to keep thrilling Christians and music lovers in general with uplifting content while spreading love, hope and happiness around.Born in FCT Abuja, Nerat Chuwang is the third of five (5) Children born into the Family of Rev. and Mrs. Moses Chuwang. Source: Son City
As Operation Safe Haven continue to work assiduously to achieve its mandate of restoring peace and security across its Joint Operation Areas of Plateau State, parts of Bauchi State and Southern Kaduna State in line with the directive of the Chief of Defence Staff to sustain tempo and momentum to curb the menace of criminals activities within the country, the Special Taskforce has arrested 17 Suspected kidnappers and 6 other criminal elements who are into armed robbery as well as in possession of dangerous weapons.
The kidnappers were arrested in Jingre Bassa LGA, Plateau State. The Commander Operation Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Dominic Onyemulu said the renewed vigor with which the troops of the outfit have been conducting their operations is yielding positive result.
The Outfit said the stringent measures adopted have incrementally led to curtailing and containing various criminal vices that has the tendency of derailing the achievement actualized so far.
Maj. Gen. Onyemulu lauded the cooperation and support from all security agencies, the citizens of Plateau State and Operation Safe Haven Joint Operation Area towards achieving lasting peace.
Maj. General gave hints of some breakthroughs recorded since he assumed office as Commander Operation Safe Haven.
He said his troops in conjunction with the personnel of National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on routine Patrol along Lafia-Shendam Road in Shendam LGA intercepted Mr. Wisdon Amos Dunyel who was caught with a Harrisburg Pistol with 7 Rounds of 9mm ammunition.
He said troops of Operation Safe Haven again in collaboration with Vigilante Members and locals on 16th March, 2021 after receiving a distress call were able to foil an attempted kidnap of Alh. Gambo Yaauro from his residence at Lishin Village Jingre Bassa LGA, Plateau State which led to the arrest of 17 persons in connection to the foiled kidnap.
Of those arrested 11 are from Kaduna State, 4 are from Bauchi State, 1 from Kano State and 1 from Plateau State. Items recovered from the suspects are 7 Motorcycles, a Fabricated Rifle, 2 Live Cartridges, 13 Cutlasses, 3 Daggers, 15 cellphones and assorted Charms.
Those arrested were Mallam Yunusa Sale, Mallam Ibrahim Usman, Mallam Abdullahi Ya’u, Mallam Yakubu Buba, Mr. Azikwe Ishaya, Mallam Mohammadu Bello, Mallam Inusa Abubakar, Mallam Idi Audu, Alhaji Jeji, Mallam Muhammadu Ishaku, Mallam Rabiu Abdulkadir, Mallam Kabiru Adamu, Mallam Amadu Yunusa, Mallam Alhassan Ibrahim, Mallam Umar Bello, Mallam Alhassan Mato and Mallam Bawa Idi.
Troops of the Outfit on 22nd March, 2021 arrested 4 members of a syndicate along Haske-Lamingo Road Jos North LGA after a distress call. Those arrested were Stephen Fehintola, Michael David, Benjamin Babalola and Ibrahim Umar who had robbed a woman and thrown her out of a moving tricycle. Items recovered were a tricycle, a matchet, a knife, 2 mobile phones and some substances suspected to be cannabis sativa.
Troops of Operation Safe Haven also raided hideout of suspected Sara Suka members in Rikkos Jos North LGA which led to the arrest of Mr. Mohammed Mustapha with a fabricated rifle.
The Outfit reassured the citizens of its determination and commitment towards protecting lives and property of all law-abiding citizens across the Joint Operation Area.
He reiterated the mandate of the outfit which is geared towards the restoration of permanent peace as they continue to operate professionally with other security agencies in a joint environment to eliminate all acts of criminality or acts inimical to the general well-being of law-abiding citizens.
Maj. Gen. Onyemulu said those arrested have been investigated and found guilty as prima facie cases have been established against them and they would be charged to court.
He urged the public to disclose any information that could be inimical to peace and security of lives and property to Operation Safe Haven response numbers 08021212139, 08149000091, 08090498333 & 08074633336.
uspected bandits on Wednesday attacked the residence of Hon. Damishi Tonson Sango, a former Nigerian Minister of Sports, reports say.
The attack reportedly occured at about 9:45pm in Ganawuri, Sango’s home village in Riyom area. Gunmen stormed the house in a guerilla style, shooting sporadically, eyewitnesses say.
Two Policemen attached to the former official, and a civilian steward were badly injured in the attack, it was learnt.
Sources close to the former Minister say he himself was not hurt, but one of the injured Policemen died shortly later. Their rifles were equally carted away, it was gathered.
A family source said surviving casualties were rushed to the Jos University Teaching Hospital unconscious, but as of 4:30am on Thursday, they had started regaining consciousness.
Inquiries sent to Officials, Sango included had yet to be responded to as of the time of publishing this report.
Sango, was Minister of Sports from 1999 to 2000; two-time Governorship aspirant under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP and Alliance for Democracy, AD, as well as PDP Chairman, Plateau State. He hails from Ganawuri Chiefdom in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Aten tribe of Ganawuri are generally reputed among the most peaceful people group in Plateau. No incident of farmer-herder clashes has been recorded in their domain. Why the 71year-old politician was targeted however remains mystery.
