Author: Gbenga Oluranti Olaleye

Customers of various banks in the country have decried the consistent failure in the online network of financial institutions. Some of the customers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday said that the situation was becoming recurring, frustrating and worrisome. Mrs Bukola Attah, a customer of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), said that the bank’s online transactions had been constantly fluctuating, making it difficult for businesses to thrive. Attah said that the development could lead to instability in the system. She also said that her online transfer from her GTB application to a FirstBank Plc customer…

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has disclosed why he prefers traditional Orisa worshipping to Christianity and Islam. He said the deepness of faith in Islam and Christianity doesn’t match that of Orisa worshipping for him, adding that Orisa fascinated him a lot more. According to him, Orisa worshipping is one of the African religions that eschews violence and is more creative. “I was fortunate to be born in two worlds – the Christian world and traditional Orisa worshippers. My grandfather, until he – poor man – also got converted – he was an Orisa person and a chief, and his…

The Senate has confirmed Professor Abdullahi Usman as the Executive Chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria, nominated by President Bola Tinubu. The confirmation of Usman’s nomination followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Senator Abubakar Bello (APC-Niger North) on Thursday. Tinubu nominated Usman for the position on August 19, 2024, through a statement by his former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale. After that, he transmitted the request in a letter to the Senate for confirmation. According to the statement, Usman is a renowned scholar and…

The Federal Government has pledged its support for the Mansion of Blessedness, a women’s group that recently inaugurated the Mother Elizabeth Multipurpose Factory in Asiak Obufa Ayanganse village. The factory, which has an investment of over N85 million, was officially commissioned on October 4-5, 2024. At the commissioning ceremony, the Minister of Women Affairs, Barrister Uju Kennedy, expressed enthusiasm for the initiative, highlighting the importance of women’s collective efforts in driving economic growth. Represented by Mrs. Angeleen Nkwocha from the Ministry’s Child Department, Kennedy praised the group’s commitment and resourcefulness in raising funds to establish the factory. “We highly commend…

Governor Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti State expressed deep concern over Nigeria’s ongoing “gamble” with leadership selection, describing it as a precarious “try-by-error” system. Speaking at the 11th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church, titled “Leadership in Nigeria and its Impact on the Next Generation,” Oyebanji advocated for integrating leadership training and mentorship into the national education curriculum. In his address, Oyebanji emphasized that leadership should be considered a fundamental skill for all citizens, on par with basic education in literacy and numeracy. He argued for a future-oriented curriculum that embeds leadership principles and practical skills from early education…

The Police Command in Lagos State says it has arrested three suspects for allegedly defiling a 15-year-old girl in the Festac area of the state. The command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of the suspects to journalists on Wednesday in Lagos. Hundeyin identified the suspects as Vincent Omar, 22; Leonard Nwodo, 30; and Henry Chiokwe, 17. He said that a complainant reported the case at Area ‘E’ Festac Command on Sept. 26 on behalf of the teenager. “The survivor alleged that she met Omar sometime in 2022 when she was 13 years old and they exchanged phone numbers…

The Federal Government is taking steps to resolve the ongoing conflict between the Osun State Government and Segilola Resources Operating Limited, a gold mining company. Dr. Dele Alake, the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, announced the inauguration on Wednesday, October 9, of a fact-finding team aimed at investigating the dispute’s root causes. This announcement follows the Osun State Government’s decision on September 30 to seal the mining company’s premises, citing allegations of tax evasion and other operational infractions amounting to approximately $1.9 million. The state accused Segilola Resources of engaging in unethical business practices. In response to the state’s actions,…

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom has expressed optimism that the Niger Delta Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Trade, Mines & Agriculture (NDCCITMA) will play a crucial role in transforming the region’s economy. Eno made the remarks on Wednesday, October 9, during a one-day sensitisation event in Uyo aimed at introducing the NDCCITMA initiative to the people of the state. Represented by the Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. John Etim, Eno highlighted the misconception that the Niger Delta is solely a mono-economy reliant on crude oil. He stated, “For too long, the Niger Delta has been erroneously portrayed as a…

In a surprising development, the Federal Government has directed Nigerians to seek official permission before using the national anthem in any public or private setting. This announcement was made today, stressing the importance of respecting the anthem as a national symbol. “Individuals, organizations, and institutions must seek approval from the relevant authorities before using the national anthem at events or in productions,” the government stated. The directive is aimed at ensuring proper usage and maintaining the integrity of the anthem. This move has raised questions among the public, as the national anthem has traditionally been used at various gatherings without…

Kogi State has taken the lead in a coalition of 15 Nigerian governors seeking a court order to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from investigating them after their terms in office end. The states involved in the legal move include Kogi, Ondo, Edo, Oyo, Ogun, Nasarawa, Kebbi, Katsina, Sokoto, Jigawa, Enugu, Benue, Anambra, Plateau, Cross River, and Niger. The governors have approached the courts, seeking protection from post-office probes by the EFCC, Nigeria’s anti-graft agency. The move is aimed at blocking potential investigations into their financial dealings during their time in office, sparking widespread debate on the…