Diamond Bank, Women's World Banking host Global discussion on Digital Financial Services for Women

L – R : Ann Gincherman, Chief Product Dev. Officer, Women World Banking; Caroline Anyanwu, Deputy Managing Director, Diamond Bank Plc; Hassan Mahbuh, Manager, Mobile Wallets, JazzCash; Usoro Usoro, General Manager, MTN Financial Services, MTN; Puay Lim Yeo, Regional Manager Southeast Asia, BIMA and Uzoma Dozie, CEO, Diamond Bank Plc at the “Making Digital Financial Services Work for Women” Workshop held in Lagos recently.

Diamond Bank today joins Women's World Banking to host a global discussion on the role of digital financial services in empowering low-income women who do not have access to formal financial products. During a three-day workshop, participants from the Central Bank of Nigeria, MTN Nigeria, Diamond Bank Plc, Jazz of Pakistan, BIMA of Cambodia and Women's World Banking will examine the best practices in developing, enhancing and delivering world-class digital financial services to women. The outcome of the discussion will help in developing and aligning financial products and services that can be adopted in markets around the world. 

Nigeria Immigration Service Bans Cash Payments At Passport Offices

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) has banned cash payments for passport processing as part of efforts to eliminate corruption at all passport offices nationwide.‎ Sunday James, NIS spokesperson, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

Muhammad Babandede, the Comptroller General of the NIS, had directed that henceforth all passport processing payments must be done online and through designated banks‎.‎ He said the NIS boss had, in a circular, directed‎ all passport control officers not to allow cash payments in any of the passport premises.

“All payments in respect to passport processing are to be done by applicants through banks to generate application ID and reference number on the NIS portal and not through an individual or touts,” Mr. James said.

President Buhari Meets APC, PDP Leaders

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday met behind closed doors with the leaderships of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting, which started around 11.10a.m., was still ongoing as of the time of filing this report.

It is being attended by the Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, chairman of the APC, Mr John Odigie-Oyegun and the caretaker chairman of the PDP, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

Bayelsa State Ranks among Best Six for the Second Time in 2017 WASC Exams

Bayelsa State again maintained it’s sixth position in the annual West African Examinations Council (WAEC) remaining consistent in the last four years at the leading best six states in country.

Making this know in Yenagoa, the state capital, through the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obuebite, the state government said the state had consistently remained among the six best states in the country, since 2013.

The state government therefore reaffirmed its commitment to the education sub sector by initiating policies and programmes to sustain and improve on the massive gains already made in the sector

DBanj Drops "El Chapo" Video Ft. Wande Coal, and Rapper Gucci Mane

DBanj just released the music video for “El Chapo” in which he featured Nigerian musician Wande Coal and rapper Gucci Mane. The video was directed by American production company, Eif Rivera.

This song is off his recently released studio album “King Don Come” and features the entertainer in a mafia setting. He is seen living large with expensive things and the finest girls. It is a common feature in The Entertainers videos.

Watch the video after the cut...

Mystikal Arrested for Alleged Rape

Mystikal is wanted by Shreveport Police in connection to an alleged sexual assault.

Police say a woman was raped on October 22, 2016 in downtown Shreveport, according to a report by KSLA. An investigation matched evidence to Mystikal, whose real name is Michael Tyler, and 26-year-old Averweone Holman. Warrants were issued for both men, who were each charged with one count of first-degree rape.

Rodents forced the President to work from home – Aide

Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari will work from home after rodents damaged his official office during a more than 100-day overseas medical absence, a presidential spokesman told AFP Tuesday.

The animals damaged furniture and air conditioning fittings in the president’s official Abuja office while he was in London receiving treatment, his media adviser Garba Shehu confirmed.

“These are also general works and it is not uncommon for Nigerian presidents to also work from the presidential villa. He has used the residential office for many years,” said Shehu.

Factory Worker Followers moved from 200 to 500,000 after Kim K replied him on Twitter

25-year-old  factory worker Jerome Billingham, who packs laundry for a living is now earning £5,000 from social media work, after Kim Kardashian replied to his tweet.

His 2013 tweet reads: “Do you notice your fans? I love you loads! #hotlove.” “Love you too,” Kim replied and Jerome’s followers skyrocketed from 200 to 20,000 in a week. Now with over half a million followers on his two Twitter accounts, with his main account getting six million views a month, Clothing companies now send him free clothes at his family home in Louth, Lincolnshire, and dozens of other businesses send him free samples while begging him to promote their goods.

ExtraOrdinary Draws: Diamond Bank Creates 13 Millionaires in 2 Weeks

L - R: Osita Ede, Head, Mass market; Aishah Ahmad, Head, Consumer Banking, all of Diamond Bank Plc; Mamiska Kanayochukwu, N1million Winner, Diamond Xtraordinary  Wins; and Chioma Omeruah aka Chigul, DiamondXtra Season 9 Ambassador, at the cheque presentation ceremony for Winners of  the Diamond Xtraordinary Wins Reward Scheme held in Lagos recently.

Diamond Bank Plc, Nigeria’s leading retail bank, has created additional 13 millionaires in its daily extraordinary draws across the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria’s economy.

With these newly created millionaires, the Bank has fulfilled the promise made by the management to make one customer a millionaire every working day in the month of August.

According to the Bank, 18 more Nigerians will become millionaires before the end of September, adding that the daily xtraordinary draws are not just only meant to reward its loyal customers and potential customers but also to show appreciation to Nigerians for the trust and confidence in its array of financial products and services.

See chigul interview with winners after the cut....

Chelsea fine Costa Two Weeks wages for not returning to Training

EPL title defending champions, Chelsea football club  fined Diego Costa two weeks’ wages for failing to return to training as the dispute over his future rumbles on, according to reports.

Costa, who remains in his home town of Lagarto in Brazil, claimed in an interview with the Daily Mail on Sunday that Chelsea are treating him “like a criminal” and that he has lost all personal respect for head coach Antonio Conte over the Italian’s handling of the situation.

Nigeria squandered $201.2bn in 10 years – NEITI

In 10 years, Nigeria accumulated a total of $201.2bn in Excess Crude Account, which it squandered within the same period.

The Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative stated this in its Occasional Paper (Issue 2) made available to our correspondent in Abuja on Monday.

The publication, which focused on ‘The case for a robust oil savings fund for Nigeria’, said despite current efforts to pull Nigeria out of recession, the economy remained vulnerable to one of the conditions that created the problem in the first place – lack of adequate and prudently managed savings in a period of plenty.

Another Ritualists Den Uncovered in Lagos Manhole, 5 Arrested

Another suspected ritualists’ den was uncovered, yesterday, at Ile Zik Bus Stop, along Lagos/Abeokuta expressway, barely 24 hours after a similar discovery was made along same axis, during which two persons suspected to be operating in the den were set ablaze.

But for the swift arrival of policemen, led by the Commander, Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Assistant Commissioner Olatunji Disu, and his Operations counterpart from Lagos State Police Command, and other security agents, five persons suspected to be operating in the den would have been lynched.

Like the first discovery, yesterday’s den was said to be located in a manhole.

Nokia Returns to Nigeria with Android Phones

With the exit of Microsoft from Nokia and the acquisition of the brand by HMD Global, the globally acknowledged mobile phone brand has made a return to Nigeria with its first Nokia smartphone range – comprising of the Nokia 3, Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 –all three available for purchase from selected operator and retail stores.

For Nigerian phone users who have relished their old strong reliable and strong Nokia, the new devices combine superior craftsmanship, distinctive design and powerful entertainment features with a pure Android experience, giving you the ability to use your phone, your way. For those who don’t know, it was in Nigeria that Nokia sold its one billionth handset a little over a decade ago after shipping millions of phones worldwide over a period of decades.

Super Cup: Real Madrid, Man United Set For Supremacy Battle

Real Madrid and Manchester United will duel for European supremacy in tonight’s UEFA Super Cup clash at the Philip II Arena in Skopje, Macedonia, on the back of two contrasting pre-season campaigns.

While UEFA Champions League winners Real have failed to seal a pre-season victory in 90 minutes, UEFA Europa League victors United have won all but one of their friendlies—a 1-0 loss to Barcelona at FedEx Field in Maryland.

The Red Devils also have an advantage in morale over Los Blancos after they defeated the Spanish titans on penalties at Levi’s Stadium in California last month, having drawn 1-1 in normal time.

LAGOS State to fix more than 43 Roads by Dec

The Lagos State Government has confirmed that it would rehabilitate 43 link roads and other major highways, as well as carry out comprehensive maintenance on drainage channels between August and December 2017.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Works and Drainages, Temidayo Erinle, who stated this at a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, said the government was aware of the poor state of some roads in the state, adding that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had repositioned the Lagos State Public Works Corporation to address issues relating to potholes and drains in the state.

Air Peace to begin Akure flight Operations on August 11

Top local Nigerian carrier, Air Peace will on Aug. 11 begin scheduled commercial flight operations to the Akure Airport in Ondo.

The airline made the announcement in a statement issued by its Corporate Communications Manager, Mr Chris Iwarah in Lagos on Monday.

AKONUCHE BLOG gathered that the carrier was collaborating with the Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu administration to guarantee easy access to Ondo State by investors, tourists and other categories of air travellers.

Arsenal Defeats Chelsea to win Community Shield

Chelsea head coach, Antonio Conte was frustrated after yesterday’s Community Shield loss to Arsenal at Wembley, reports belfasttelegraph.co.uk.

Arsenal won the season-opener 4-1 on penalties as the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, substitute Sead Kolasinac cancelling out Victor Moses’ opener for Chelsea.

Conte was denied a double in his first season as Chelsea boss as Arsene Wenger’s Gunners won May’s FA Cup final in controversial fashion. An offside dispute and Moses’ dismissal for diving was the reason for his angst on that occasion and on yesterday Conte felt aggrieved once again.

Anambra: Government Officials Condemn Gunmen attack on St. Philips Catholic Church Members

President Muhammadu Buhari, the President of the Senate, Bukola Saraki; the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State; the All Progressives Congress; the Peoples Democratic Party; and the South-East Governors’ Forum have  condemn the Sunday attack by some gunmen on St. Philips Catholic Church, Ozubulu, in the Ekwusigo Local Government Area of Anambra State, during which no fewer than 11 worshippers were killed. The top governmant officials said the act was sacrilegious, calling for prompt action to bring the culprits to book.

The gunmen attacked St. Philips Catholic Church at about 6am.

No fewer than 11 persons were said to have been killed, while over 18 people were reportedly injured.

AKONUCHE BLOG gathered that two sons of the community, who were based in South Africa, had a business transaction that went sour.

I will Win Trophies for PSG - Neymar

Brazilian superstar Neymar has pledged to spark a trophy glut at Paris Saint Germain after agreeing a five-year deal on a world record 222 million euro ($264 million) transfer from Barcelona.

The 25-year-old will earn a mind-boggling 30 million euros ($35.5 million) a year in Paris but insists he will prove value for money for the ambitious but under-performing Qatari-owned French side.

“I am extremely happy to join Paris Saint-Germain,” said Neymar.

“Since I arrived in Europe, the club has always been one of the most competitive and most ambitious. And the biggest challenge, what most motivated me to join my new teammates is to help the club to conquer the titles that their fans want.

Prodigy Died from a Choking Accident

The Clark County Medical Examiner has reportedly that Prodigy didn’t die from sickle cell anemia, a condition the Queensbridge native had battled since he was a kid. After completing the investigation into the Mobb Deep MC’s June 20 death, the coroner ruled he died from an accidental choking.

Prodigy was in a Las Vegas hospital when he reportedly choked on an egg. He was being treated for a sickle cell flare-up after performing in the sweltering Nevada heat during the Art Of Rap music festival alongside acts such as KRS-One and EPMD.

Banks to Stabilise Business of 9Mobile before Sale

Nigerian banks have agreed to stabilise the business of 9mobile until they can find new investors, Managing Director of FirstBank Plc, Mr. Adesola Adeduntan, has said.

According to Adeduntan, there was no need to impair loans made to the company because of its cash flows. Adeduntan said: “On the part of lenders, we are trying to reposition the company till we find new investors. With the level of cash flow, we believe there will be no need for impairment.” 

Barclays Bank asks Expatriates with Less than £100,000 to Close their Accounts

Barclays Bank has asked expatriates, including Nigerians, with less than £100,000 deposit to close their accounts.

In a letter dated June 12, 2017, the bank informed the customers that would be affected by the policy of its decision to raise the minimum client balance requirement for international banking service.

“The new minimum level will now be £100,000. Top up your savings and investments to £100,000 or more before 1 August 2017, to continue with the service, or close your account and transfer your monies to another provider without charge,” the letter read.

Breaking : La Liga Rejects Payment of Neymar buyout Clause

Spain’s La Liga refused to accept the payment of Neymar’s 222 million euro ($260 million) buyout clause, a league spokesperson confirmed on Thursday, potentially delaying the Brazilian’s world record move from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain. “We can confirm that the legal representatives of the player attended La Liga to pay the clause and this has been rejected,” the spokesperson told AFP. 

Neymar World record PSG move Imminent

Neymar could be presented as a Paris Saint-Germain player as early as this weekend for a world record fee as Barcelona admitted defeat in convincing the Brazilian to stay at the Camp Nou on Wednesday.

Wagner Ribeiro, an advisor to the player, claimed PSG would pay his 222 million euro ($260 million) buyout clause in the “coming hours” to more than double the current transfer record set by Paul Pogba’s £89.3 million ($111 million, 105.2 million euros) move to Manchester United last year.

Earlier, Barcelona ended weeks of speculation by publicly confirming for the first time the 25-year-old’s wish to leave after four years at the Camp Nou.

“Neymar Jr, accompanied by his father and representative, communicated to FC Barcelona this morning his decision to leave the club,” Barca said in a statement.

No ID number, No Passport from Year 2018 — NIS

The Nigeria Immigration Service says from January 1, 2018, anybody without the National Identification Number, issued by the National Identity Management Commission, will not be able to procure Nigerian passport.

It added that the condition applied to both first-time applicants and those renewing their expired document.

 The Comptroller-General of the NIS, Mr. Mohammed Babandede, disclosed this to State House correspondents after a meeting of database harmonisation committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo Protests his innocence, denies Tax Fraud

Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo protested his innocence after testifying in court on Monday against charges of evading €14.7m in taxes, Reuters reports.

The 32-year-old Portuguese, who was in the Pozuelo de Alarcon court for about 90 minutes, declined to speak to reporters afterwards, but he released a statement through his agency Gestifute.

Olufemi Olukayode, EFCC Twitter Handler Resigns...Commission Issues a Statement

According to a statement released on the EFCC Facebook page  yesterday, the former Twitter handler of the organization, Olufemi Olukayode Adeyemi, left because he had to go and pursue his personal dreams.

Aluu Four - Court Sentences Ex-police Sergeant, 2 Others to Death

A Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has sentenced three persons to death for the murder of four undergraduate students of the University of Port Harcourt on October 5, 2012.

The court also discharged and acquitted four other persons, whose cases were not proved “beyond all reasonable doubt” by the prosecution.

The four students, popularly referred to as the UNIPORT or Aluu Four — Lloyd Toku Mike, Ugonna Obuzor, Tekena Elkanah and Chiadaka Biringa — were murdered by a mob, said to be a vigilante group in Omuokiri Village in Aluu, a neighbouring community to the university on Friday, October 5, 2012.

Neymar May Head to Paris Today for PSG Medical ahead of £196 Million Move

Brazil star Neymar will not head to Doha for a medical before completing a £196 million transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, but is instead likely to arrive in the French capital today, according to reports in France, writes dailymail.co.uk.

Le Parisien reported yesterday that ‘everything suggests’ Neymar will return to France from China, where he is visiting for promotional events, instead of heading to the middle east where PSG’s owners, Qatar Sports Investments, are based.