Abuja - The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called on the All
Progressives Congress (APC) to desist from attacking well meaning
individuals, government officials and institutions in the nation`s
interest.
Olisa Metuh, the party's National Publicity Secretary made the call in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
“As
a ruling party, we charge them to show maturity and stop unnecessary
attacks on well meaning individuals, government officials and
institutions.
“On our own part, we remain committed to the national interest and the welfare of all our people,’’ the party spokesman said.
He
maintained that the PDP leadership would continually stand behind
President Goodluck Jonathan as he vigorously pursues his transformation
agenda and efforts to fight terrorism in the country.
He
commended Nigerians for uniting against insurgency in spite efforts by
the opposition to misdirect their energies for political reasons.
Metuh
decried the continuous hauling of insults on President Goodluck
Jonathan by the APC which he said was a direct insult on Nigerians.
Metuh
further said that by constantly criticising every strategy adopted by
the President in the war against terrorism it had exposed its
underlining design to distract government and frustrate the over-all
anti-terrorism efforts.
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Tuesday, 27 May 2014
Organic Cat Litter Chief Suspect In Nuclear Waste Accident
Workers at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant
are still investigating what caused a radioactive release at the site,
but organic cat litter may be the culprit.
Now investigators believe the cause may have been a pet store purchase gone bad.
"It was the wrong kitty litter," says , a geochemist in Richland, Wash., who has spent decades in the nuclear waste business.
It turns out there's more to cat litter than you think. It can soak up urine, but it's just as good at absorbing radioactive material.
"It actually works well both in the home litter box as well as the radiochemistry laboratory," says Conca, who is not directly involved in the current investigation.
Hundreds of drums may contain the wrong cat litter. They are being sealed in larger containers, just to be safe.
And this is what contractors at were doing as they packed Cold War-era waste for shipment to the dump. But at some point, they decided to make a switch, from clay to organic.
"Now that might sound nice, you're trying to be green and all that, but the organic kitty litters are organic," says Conca. Organic litter is made of plant material, which is full of chemical compounds that can react with the nuclear waste.
"They actually are just fuel, and so they're the wrong thing to add," he says. Investigators now believe the litter and waste caused the drum to slowly heat up "sort of like a slow burn charcoal briquette instead of an actual bomb."
After it arrived at the dump, it burst.
"How come nobody caught this and raised a red flag?" asks , New Mexico's secretary of the environment. Flynn says that the cause of the accident still isn't 100 percent clear. Scientists at Los Alamos have yet to find the exact blend of cat litter and nuclear waste that can spark a reaction.
But he says it is clear that the wrong material went into some of the drums. He wants to know why the Department of Energy, which handles the waste, let this happen.
"I'm frustrated," he says.
Flynn says there are more than 500 drums packed with the wrong litter. The majority are relatively safely underground in the dump, but dozens are still at Los Alamos and another . None of these drums have burst so far, but the lab and the company handling the Texas waste have put them in heavy containers for added protection.
Flynn says federal authorities need to come up with a long-term solution and prevent future mix-ups.
"Ultimately [the waste is] the responsibility of the Department of Energy," he says. "It's also now their responsibility to clean it up and fix it."
'There are plans to bring down my government' - President Jonathan
Speaking during the 2014 Democracy Day
Interdenominational Church Service in Abuja yesterday Sunday May 25th,
president Jonathan said there are evil people that are trying to bring
down his government and they are the ones behind the violence in
Nigeria, Punch reports.
"You can imagine if this government had not been facing these distractions within this period, definitely, we would have moved farther than this. All these distractions are planned to bring this government down and since they failed, terror will also fail.
“We have been witnessing terror attacks for two years plus, but the Chibok incident has added a major dent on the security of the country. There is nothing God cannot do. With your prayers, our girls will be seen by our security personnel. Terror will not stop this country from progressing. We know that these terrorists are human and they are evil men. Definitely, they are among those we categorise as evil forces.
Forces of evil will never prevail. Forces of darkness will never prevail. I call on all Nigerians, Christians and non-Christians who pray, to continue to pray and I believe that God is on our side. Forces of evil and darkness will never prevail.” the president said
Saturday, 24 May 2014
Eni Balogun taking her masterclass at MINC
play
The first ever Makeup In Nigeria Conference held in Lagos on 30th April
at The Oriental Hotel. The event recorded a gathering of well over 700
makeup artistes, beauty enthusiasts/influencers and entrepreneurs.
The all-day event which had several beauty brands in Nigeria and Kenya present had over 8 demonstration sessions and with a panel session on "Building Sustainable Businesses within the Nigerian Makeup Industry".
Facilitators and speakers at the event included renowned make-up artist; Bayo Haastrup, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Idy Enang, Bimpe Onakoya, Eni Balogun, Bunmi Oyeniyi, Funmi Irantiola Olurinola, Bolanle Okusanya Feyita, Lola Maja Okojevoh as well as International make-up artists; Buntricia Bastian, Joy Adenuga and Khuraira Musa.
Check out pictures from the event below.
The all-day event which had several beauty brands in Nigeria and Kenya present had over 8 demonstration sessions and with a panel session on "Building Sustainable Businesses within the Nigerian Makeup Industry".
Facilitators and speakers at the event included renowned make-up artist; Bayo Haastrup, Tara Fela-Durotoye, Idy Enang, Bimpe Onakoya, Eni Balogun, Bunmi Oyeniyi, Funmi Irantiola Olurinola, Bolanle Okusanya Feyita, Lola Maja Okojevoh as well as International make-up artists; Buntricia Bastian, Joy Adenuga and Khuraira Musa.
Check out pictures from the event below.
-
Tara Fela Durotoye of House Of Tara International
-
Bayo Haastrup receives his award
Pawpaw Debunks Wedding Tales
Nollywood actor, Osita Iheme popularly known as Pawpaw, has
denied reports making the rounds that he might be getting married soon.
He has since debunked this saying that he won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon. Pawpaw was quoted saying, “Na lie! There’s no such thing; they are just rumours.”
The Mirror Boy actor has been previously linked with Ghanaian actress, Nana Ama McBrown, and London-based model, Brenda Gowon, rumoured to have dumped the actor in 2008 for unknown reasons.
His acting partner, Chinedu Ikedieze, a.k.a Aki, has been married since December 2011.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist
He has since debunked this saying that he won’t be walking down the aisle anytime soon. Pawpaw was quoted saying, “Na lie! There’s no such thing; they are just rumours.”
The Mirror Boy actor has been previously linked with Ghanaian actress, Nana Ama McBrown, and London-based model, Brenda Gowon, rumoured to have dumped the actor in 2008 for unknown reasons.
His acting partner, Chinedu Ikedieze, a.k.a Aki, has been married since December 2011.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist
45 African Countries To Converge On Abuja For Queen Of Peace Pageant
The Messenger of Peace (MP), an NGO, on Monday said 45
African countries would converge on Abuja on Aug. 2 for the maiden
edition of “Queen of peace Africa Pageant”.
Dr Suleiman Adejoh, President, MP, said this at a news conference to unveil the “Queen of Peace Africa pageant” in Abuja.
He said that this was sequel to the desire of the group to see that peace reigned in Nigeria, Africa and the World at large.
He said it would also change the minds of the youths from war and disharmony to pursuit of peace.
` ` Queen of Peace Africa pageant will bring together 45 beautiful and intelligent young ladies between the ages of 18 to 26 years to contest the first edition the pageant, the first of kind in Africa.”
According to him, this will be hosted in Abuja, Nigeria where the winner will take away 30,000 dollars, a brand new car and become the messenger of peace project in the African continent.
He said that the aim of the project was to use young people to propagate peace across Africa.
According to him, it will help to use dialogue and unity in diversity as an instrument to settle disputes, rather than allow bloodshed, and preach religious tolerance as a way to peaceful coexistence.
He said that this initiative would be useful to the youth by helping to spread the message of peace.
Mr Elvis Agukwe, Coordinator South East, MP, said that the involvement of the group in peace move became necessary following the growing insecurity in the country.
He said that a situation where people would turn to a suicide bombers hiding under the guise of religion was unacceptable, and that no religion supported such dastardly act.
Agukwe said that religion should not be imposed on anybody, and called on the youthds to be part of the effort to stop insurgency, and that government could not do it alone.
He said that the Queen of Peace Africa pageant would be used to preach peace,and that all hand must be on deck to restore peace to Nigeria, Africa and the world. (NAN)
Dr Suleiman Adejoh, President, MP, said this at a news conference to unveil the “Queen of Peace Africa pageant” in Abuja.
He said that this was sequel to the desire of the group to see that peace reigned in Nigeria, Africa and the World at large.
He said it would also change the minds of the youths from war and disharmony to pursuit of peace.
` ` Queen of Peace Africa pageant will bring together 45 beautiful and intelligent young ladies between the ages of 18 to 26 years to contest the first edition the pageant, the first of kind in Africa.”
According to him, this will be hosted in Abuja, Nigeria where the winner will take away 30,000 dollars, a brand new car and become the messenger of peace project in the African continent.
He said that the aim of the project was to use young people to propagate peace across Africa.
According to him, it will help to use dialogue and unity in diversity as an instrument to settle disputes, rather than allow bloodshed, and preach religious tolerance as a way to peaceful coexistence.
He said that this initiative would be useful to the youth by helping to spread the message of peace.
Mr Elvis Agukwe, Coordinator South East, MP, said that the involvement of the group in peace move became necessary following the growing insecurity in the country.
He said that a situation where people would turn to a suicide bombers hiding under the guise of religion was unacceptable, and that no religion supported such dastardly act.
Agukwe said that religion should not be imposed on anybody, and called on the youthds to be part of the effort to stop insurgency, and that government could not do it alone.
He said that the Queen of Peace Africa pageant would be used to preach peace,and that all hand must be on deck to restore peace to Nigeria, Africa and the world. (NAN)
Caleb University students asked to pay for damages caused during riot
Well, it seems the school wants to make every student, whether involved in the riot or not to pay for damages caused that day. In a text message sent to students yesterday, Caleb University asked male students to pay N100k and female students to pay N50k. Bit of the text sent out below...
Is the school right to ask students to pay for damages?CUL Parents and Students are hereby notified that school resumes Mon, June 2. Exams start Mon, June 9. Male students are to pay N100,000.00 while the female would pay N50,000.00 by Bank Draft to offset damage to school property. Balance of Sch. fees should be paid into (account details). No student would be allowed into the University premises without evidence of payment of school accompany each student with a letter of undertaking to be of good behavior.
Rihanna Mocks Charlie Sheen By Cozing Up With Fans At Same Cafe She Ignored Him In!
Their word war on Twitter began when Charlie claimed RiRi snubbed him in a Restaurant
Rihanna and Charlie Sheen in heated Twitter rantKim & Kanye step out in style as they attend their pre-wedding bash
Uche Nnaji, Dayo D1, Ibinabo Fiberisima, others made NDLEA ambassadors
'A Northern Affair' starring John Dumelo&Joselyn Dumas exclusively on iROKOtv.com now!
The long awaited Ghanaian romantic
movie “A Northern Affair” starring John Dumelo and Joselyn Dumas, is now
available for you to watch online on iROKOtv.com.
A Northern Affair is about Esaba
Jomo (Joselyn Dumas), a nurse who is sent to a remote village to assist Dr.
Manuel Quagraine (John Dumelo) in providing healthcare to the villagers.
Initially, he is unimpressed to see that she is a very attractive woman who
does not fit into his idea of a nurse. Esaba and Dr Manuel are forced to spend more
time together due to the nature of their work, sparking an attraction that
neither of them can resist. They both, however, harbour secrets from their past
that threatens their new found love.
Written and directed by multiple
award-winning film-maker, Leila Djansi, there’s no surprise that the movie won
8 awards at the 2013 Ghana Movie Awards before its cinema release in Ghana. The
movie was produced by Mabel Germain with the support of iROKOtv and iFactory
Live.
The movie features the talented
actor John Dumelo and the gorgeous Joselyn Dumas along with popular Ghanaian
stars Jon Germain, Kofi Adjorlolo, Beverly Afaglo, Gifty temeng and others
You wouldn’t want to miss the
on-screen chemistry portrayed by John Dumelo and Joselyn Dumas – dubbed the JD
Couple
Watch ‘A Northern Affair’ Here only
on iROKOtv.com
Watch trailer below...
UN blacklists Boko Haram
A statement released by the U.S. Ambassador to the
United Nations, Samantha Power says the move was to help close all avenue
of funding received by Boko Haram members
With this blacklisting, it makes it an offence for any country or individual to provide any form of support to Boko Haram. The group is now subject to an international asset freeze, travel ban and arms embargo."Today, the Security Council took an important step in support of the government of Nigeria’s efforts to defeat Boko Haram and hold its murderous leadership accountable for atrocities. By adding Boko Haram to the U.N.’s 1267 (al Qaeda) sanctions list, the Security Council has helped to close off important avenues of funding, travel and weapons to Boko Haram, and shown global unity against their savage actions,”
Wednesday, 21 May 2014
Schoolgirls: Local Hunters Identify 9 Hostage Camps
Members of the vigilante group in Borno State yesterday
confirmed the identification of about nine Boko Haram camps around
Sambisa, where the abducted girls are currently being held.
The group said their members, who are operating in the neighbourhood of Sambisa, had noticed strange movements in the area that led to the confirmation that the abducted schoolgirls had been split up into tiny groups and shared among different camps in the Sambisa forest.
“We are very sure of our discovery and we have informed the security operatives accordingly,” said the state leader of the vigilante group, Alhaji Adamsi Tar, who spoke to LEADERSHIP alongside the group’s spokesman, Muhammed Gava.
“As we are talking to you now, the girls are being held in forests near Ashigashiya, Dure Tsiradawale, Gwadale, Kirawa, Valangade, Yamatake, Shinagawa, Garinwabi and Sasawa,” he said.
“These are communities surrounding Sambisa forest in the southern part of Borno State. A large number of the girls is being held in the forests of Ashigashiya and Shuwaram, only a few of the girls are in Tsiradawale, Mitele and Alagarno, which is a border town near Boso in Niger Republic.”
The vigilante members, who are also seasoned hunters that know the terrain, said the Boko Haram members were tactically shifting their camps to the edges of Sambisa, because “the Sambisa forest itself becomes a swampy and marshy place during the rainy season and it is usually not very habitable; except during the dry season.”
The group said they get such privileged information, because they are spread across all the local government areas of the state.
“We have over 9000 members in the state and our members operate along the highways and the bushes of their localities. We could do better at complementing the conventional security operatives if we are better equipped,” said Gava.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist
The group said their members, who are operating in the neighbourhood of Sambisa, had noticed strange movements in the area that led to the confirmation that the abducted schoolgirls had been split up into tiny groups and shared among different camps in the Sambisa forest.
“We are very sure of our discovery and we have informed the security operatives accordingly,” said the state leader of the vigilante group, Alhaji Adamsi Tar, who spoke to LEADERSHIP alongside the group’s spokesman, Muhammed Gava.
“As we are talking to you now, the girls are being held in forests near Ashigashiya, Dure Tsiradawale, Gwadale, Kirawa, Valangade, Yamatake, Shinagawa, Garinwabi and Sasawa,” he said.
“These are communities surrounding Sambisa forest in the southern part of Borno State. A large number of the girls is being held in the forests of Ashigashiya and Shuwaram, only a few of the girls are in Tsiradawale, Mitele and Alagarno, which is a border town near Boso in Niger Republic.”
The vigilante members, who are also seasoned hunters that know the terrain, said the Boko Haram members were tactically shifting their camps to the edges of Sambisa, because “the Sambisa forest itself becomes a swampy and marshy place during the rainy season and it is usually not very habitable; except during the dry season.”
The group said they get such privileged information, because they are spread across all the local government areas of the state.
“We have over 9000 members in the state and our members operate along the highways and the bushes of their localities. We could do better at complementing the conventional security operatives if we are better equipped,” said Gava.
Stay up to date, follow us on Twitter; @thundergist
Sani Danja Calls For Restructuring Of Nigerian Movie Industry
— May 19, 2014
Sani Danja, a Nigeria artiste, on Monday in Abuja, called for
the restructuring of the movie industry to enable film makers to
recover their investment and make profit.
Danja, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said if restructured, the movie industry in the country would be able to generate revenue for stakeholders.
He said the industry had the capacity to become the best in the world.
“You cannot just be producing movies and at the end of the day you will be living like a church rat.
“So many of our film-markers, our producers, our actors and actress are not even making anything from the movie.
“So I think the government should come in and restructure the money-making aspect. Let it be something that at the end of the day if you produce just one movie, you are okay for that year.
“We learnt that people from the U.S., people from the Bollywood, were paid more than 20, 30 million per movie, so when will that start in the country.
“Now we are rated number three. Even though it is in terms of production or in terms of quantity, it does not really matter.
“As far as you are number three in anything, you are number three, and I think we need to be number one, and how do we do that? We have to copy, we have to get resource persons.“
Danja urged the Federal Government to include veteran film makers in its decision-making process.
He said that the method of distribution of movies in the country was a major source of concern to film makers.
He said: “we don’t want films produced in Nigeria to sell only in Nigeria or in our neighbouring countries. No!
“Just the way every movie produced in the U.S. is sold worldwide, we want movies produced in Nigeria to be sold in every part of the world.
“The movies should be advertised everywhere and they should be seen and viewed worldwide. That is where the government should come in because we have already made this industry without the help of anybody.
“Now is the time for the government to come in and lend support.“
He also urged the government to intensify effort at curbing piracy in the industry. (NAN)
Danja, who made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), said if restructured, the movie industry in the country would be able to generate revenue for stakeholders.
He said the industry had the capacity to become the best in the world.
“You cannot just be producing movies and at the end of the day you will be living like a church rat.
“So many of our film-markers, our producers, our actors and actress are not even making anything from the movie.
“So I think the government should come in and restructure the money-making aspect. Let it be something that at the end of the day if you produce just one movie, you are okay for that year.
“We learnt that people from the U.S., people from the Bollywood, were paid more than 20, 30 million per movie, so when will that start in the country.
“Now we are rated number three. Even though it is in terms of production or in terms of quantity, it does not really matter.
“As far as you are number three in anything, you are number three, and I think we need to be number one, and how do we do that? We have to copy, we have to get resource persons.“
Danja urged the Federal Government to include veteran film makers in its decision-making process.
He said that the method of distribution of movies in the country was a major source of concern to film makers.
He said: “we don’t want films produced in Nigeria to sell only in Nigeria or in our neighbouring countries. No!
“Just the way every movie produced in the U.S. is sold worldwide, we want movies produced in Nigeria to be sold in every part of the world.
“The movies should be advertised everywhere and they should be seen and viewed worldwide. That is where the government should come in because we have already made this industry without the help of anybody.
“Now is the time for the government to come in and lend support.“
He also urged the government to intensify effort at curbing piracy in the industry. (NAN)
Bank Customers React To Perforation Of Trapped ATM Cards
Mixed reactions have continued to trail the latest policy of
the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) which directs banks to destroy all
trapped ATM cards, as many bank customers said the policy is a step
backward for the cash-lite policy.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP variously, many bank customers condemned the policy, urging the CBN and banks to ensure that all ATMs are functional and well maintained before making such policy which according to them is not only time consuming but would be an additional burden on the customer.
Although the practice of destroying trapped ATM cards by perforation has been ongoing in most banks for months, the CBN last week in its approved “Guidelines for Card Issuance and Usage in Nigeria,” directed that any trapped card in the ATM be rendered unusable (by perforation) by the acquirer and returned to the issuer on the next working day.
According to one customer, “apart from the fact that I will have to pay for the new card, it is time wasting because that means I have to wait for weeks before I get another card. For me I don’t think it makes sense and the message they are sending is that we should start carrying cash around again.”
Another customer who identified himself as Ayo stated that the “policy is against the drive of the apex bank to promote the cashless policy as confiscating trapped cards will only discourage people from using cards and applicable means i.e. POS, ATM, online shopping.
“What happens to folks that are still learning how to use the cards? People like that easily get their cards trapped trying to learn and they should be considered. Even me, on two occasions I left my card unintentionally after getting the cash and had to go retrieve it days after. We understand that CBN is trying to help the banks make money as several streams of their income have been heavily regulated and some totally blocked but this policy is a killer of our cashless vision.”
For one student, Chisom, “they just want to take undue advantage to cheat on the customers. If a card is trapped the owner might not be at fault at all. Many times the service will suddenly go off and before the card owner knows what is happening the card would be swallowed up by the machine. Does this mean that the customers must be penalised for failure of the bank?”
Narrating his ordeal, a trader, Sefiu Adebayo said “last Easter on Good Friday, I withdrew N20, 000, the ATM dispensed the cash brought out the card a bit, I tried to retrieve it but couldn’t. That’s how the ATM swallowed my card in my presence. Thank God for my wife that borrowed me money that I used for the Easter celebration. I went first working the bank on the first working day which was Tuesday and they asked me to apply for another. It took them one month to give me and they were charging each time I used the banking hall to withdraw small amount.”
Reacting to the policy, another bank customer who declined to mention his name noted that “some bank policies are made based on experience. It is possible that whoever came up with it experienced a fraud issue involving releasing trapped cards to non-owners. I would not crucify anyone just yet. We all know policies cannot make everyone happy. It favours a few. So I will advise you use your bank ATM to make withdrawals and/or make a forecast of your cash need and withdraw from the bank ahead of a weekend so you don’t get broke. Alternatively, a lot of shops/vendors now have POS machines so save your liquid cash and pay with a POS.”
The policy was also commended by another customer who described it as a good development. According to the customer, “you certainly would not appreciate it except you have once been a victim of ATM card fraud. Once your card is no longer in your possession, anyone can transact with it by just using your serial number and the three digit code at the back of the card for online transaction, anyone including bank employees. Once the card is trapped and has to go from hand to hand, it is already compromised and it could be used in future long after it’s been returned to you.”
Director, banking and payment system department of the CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun had at the weekend described the policy as a global practice, pointing out that the policy does not only apply to other banks’ ATMs alone, saying that cards trapped in issuing banks’ ATMs would also be perforated.
According to Fatokun, the central bank introduced the policy in order to protect bank customers, adding that the apex bank is collaborating with banks to lessen the burden of the policy on cardholders. “We are working with the banks to ensure that when these cards are trapped, not because the customer did something wrongly, and a new card is to be issued to the customer, we are discussing on how it would be done such that the burden would not fall wholly on the cardholders.
“We have also discussed with the banks to ensure that cards that are trapped can be communicated electronically between the acquirer on which the card was trapped and the issuer of the card. Furthermore, he noted that for cards trapped in issuing banks’ ATMs, if the machine is located within the premises and the cardholder goes into the banking hall to report the situation, the bank may decide to retrieve the card immediately and return same to the customer without perforating it.
However, for trapped issuing banks’ ATMs located off-site, he said the financial institution may decide to invoke the provision of that guideline to issue the customer another card and perforate that one that was trapped.
Speaking with LEADERSHIP variously, many bank customers condemned the policy, urging the CBN and banks to ensure that all ATMs are functional and well maintained before making such policy which according to them is not only time consuming but would be an additional burden on the customer.
Although the practice of destroying trapped ATM cards by perforation has been ongoing in most banks for months, the CBN last week in its approved “Guidelines for Card Issuance and Usage in Nigeria,” directed that any trapped card in the ATM be rendered unusable (by perforation) by the acquirer and returned to the issuer on the next working day.
According to one customer, “apart from the fact that I will have to pay for the new card, it is time wasting because that means I have to wait for weeks before I get another card. For me I don’t think it makes sense and the message they are sending is that we should start carrying cash around again.”
Another customer who identified himself as Ayo stated that the “policy is against the drive of the apex bank to promote the cashless policy as confiscating trapped cards will only discourage people from using cards and applicable means i.e. POS, ATM, online shopping.
“What happens to folks that are still learning how to use the cards? People like that easily get their cards trapped trying to learn and they should be considered. Even me, on two occasions I left my card unintentionally after getting the cash and had to go retrieve it days after. We understand that CBN is trying to help the banks make money as several streams of their income have been heavily regulated and some totally blocked but this policy is a killer of our cashless vision.”
For one student, Chisom, “they just want to take undue advantage to cheat on the customers. If a card is trapped the owner might not be at fault at all. Many times the service will suddenly go off and before the card owner knows what is happening the card would be swallowed up by the machine. Does this mean that the customers must be penalised for failure of the bank?”
Narrating his ordeal, a trader, Sefiu Adebayo said “last Easter on Good Friday, I withdrew N20, 000, the ATM dispensed the cash brought out the card a bit, I tried to retrieve it but couldn’t. That’s how the ATM swallowed my card in my presence. Thank God for my wife that borrowed me money that I used for the Easter celebration. I went first working the bank on the first working day which was Tuesday and they asked me to apply for another. It took them one month to give me and they were charging each time I used the banking hall to withdraw small amount.”
Reacting to the policy, another bank customer who declined to mention his name noted that “some bank policies are made based on experience. It is possible that whoever came up with it experienced a fraud issue involving releasing trapped cards to non-owners. I would not crucify anyone just yet. We all know policies cannot make everyone happy. It favours a few. So I will advise you use your bank ATM to make withdrawals and/or make a forecast of your cash need and withdraw from the bank ahead of a weekend so you don’t get broke. Alternatively, a lot of shops/vendors now have POS machines so save your liquid cash and pay with a POS.”
The policy was also commended by another customer who described it as a good development. According to the customer, “you certainly would not appreciate it except you have once been a victim of ATM card fraud. Once your card is no longer in your possession, anyone can transact with it by just using your serial number and the three digit code at the back of the card for online transaction, anyone including bank employees. Once the card is trapped and has to go from hand to hand, it is already compromised and it could be used in future long after it’s been returned to you.”
Director, banking and payment system department of the CBN, Mr. Dipo Fatokun had at the weekend described the policy as a global practice, pointing out that the policy does not only apply to other banks’ ATMs alone, saying that cards trapped in issuing banks’ ATMs would also be perforated.
According to Fatokun, the central bank introduced the policy in order to protect bank customers, adding that the apex bank is collaborating with banks to lessen the burden of the policy on cardholders. “We are working with the banks to ensure that when these cards are trapped, not because the customer did something wrongly, and a new card is to be issued to the customer, we are discussing on how it would be done such that the burden would not fall wholly on the cardholders.
“We have also discussed with the banks to ensure that cards that are trapped can be communicated electronically between the acquirer on which the card was trapped and the issuer of the card. Furthermore, he noted that for cards trapped in issuing banks’ ATMs, if the machine is located within the premises and the cardholder goes into the banking hall to report the situation, the bank may decide to retrieve the card immediately and return same to the customer without perforating it.
However, for trapped issuing banks’ ATMs located off-site, he said the financial institution may decide to invoke the provision of that guideline to issue the customer another card and perforate that one that was trapped.
Kano Govt Donates 64-Seater Bus To Pillars
— May 21, 2014
The Kano State Government yesterday said the donation of a
new 64-seater Marco Polo bus to Kano Pillars FC would boost the team’s
performance in future national and international competitions.
Dr Rabiu Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, said the donation was also to show appreciation to the players for what they had been able to do at the local scene.
“The gesture is to further encourage them and appreciate the efforts they are making to bring more laurels,’’ he said.
Bichi urged the team to make good use of the bus to actualise the desire of the state government to attain greater heights.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Club, Alhaji Ibrahim Haruna, lauded the governor for the donation.
He said that the gesture was in appreciation of the team’s “back to back’’ victories in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
He assured that the club would retain the victory in the 2014 GLO Premier League.
Dr Rabiu Bichi, the Secretary to the State Government, said the donation was also to show appreciation to the players for what they had been able to do at the local scene.
“The gesture is to further encourage them and appreciate the efforts they are making to bring more laurels,’’ he said.
Bichi urged the team to make good use of the bus to actualise the desire of the state government to attain greater heights.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Club, Alhaji Ibrahim Haruna, lauded the governor for the donation.
He said that the gesture was in appreciation of the team’s “back to back’’ victories in the Nigeria Professional Football League.
He assured that the club would retain the victory in the 2014 GLO Premier League.
Tuesday, 13 May 2014
The real Abubakar Shekau is dead - SSS Spokesperson
"Boko Haram has become a franchise, anybody can assume and lay claim to any name. What I know is that the original Abubakar Shekau is dead; the person claiming to be the national leader now is not the original Abubakar Shekau. If security sources tell you that somebody is dead, you don't have to come out and doubt that" she said.
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