Blog

NAN-H-44

BVN
Lagos, Sept 11,2016 (NAN) Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) plans to extend the Bank Verification Number (BVN) registration project to customers of other Financial Institutions (OFIs), its Director, Banking and Payment Systems Department, Mr Dipo Fatokun, has said.

The OFIs are Microfinance Banks,  Primary Mortgage Institutions  and others.

Fatokun made the disclosure at a bi-monthly forum organised by Finance Correspondents Association of Nigeria (FICAN) in Lagos on Sunday.

The forum  had its theme as “Recent Developments in the Electronic Payments System and Implications for Consumers of Electronic Payment Services.

Fatokun said as the operators of the institutions were already working toward having their customers included in the BVN project.

He said the CBN would have OFIs customers enrol through deposit money banks because of the high cost of procuring the machines.

“We are considering using commercial banks as registration points for the OFIs customers.

“We also expect that many of the OFIs customers, who already have their BVNs, will supply the data to their banks, while those without BVN will register afresh,” he said.

Fatokun said the BVN project, being coordinated by CBN, commercial banks and Nigeria Interbank Settlement System, had helped reduce the number of bank frauds in the industry.

“Any bank customer resident in Nigeria without a BVN would be deemed to have inadequate KYC (Know Your Customer).

“Effort is on-going to ensure that customers of Other Financial Institutions (OFIs), such as Microfinance Banks and Primary Mortgage Institutions  are brought into the system begin to get their BVNs,” he said.

Fatokun said the bank planned to come up with a regular framework that would blacklist fraudulent bank customers or place them on watch-list in the banking industry.

“I want to assure you that the BVN has assisted us a lot in the banking system.

“It has assisted us to check frauds, and we are working on a framework that will enable us, if not  to blacklist customers because of some legal implications, but at least to watch-list.”

Fatokun said  CBN had been at the forefront of the transformation of the payments system in the country.

 He said this was demonstrated through the development of the Payments System Vision 2020 document in 2007 and reviewed in 2013.

Fatokun said the number of BVN linked to customers’ accounts by Aug. 23 was 36.7 million, while the total number of individual customers in the banks was reported as 59.9 million at the same date.

Fatokun said e-payment remained an initiative of CBN under the Payments System Vision 2020 as part of the overall  2020 Strategy.

 He said that one of CBN’s mandates was the promotion of a sound financial system.

According to him, for Nigeria to achieve its Vision 2020 aspiration, it must follow the global best trend and adopt best practices on payment technologies and innovations in its processes and system.

He noted that the CBN was also strengthening its relationship with some agencies on financial crimes.

“Fatokun said the Nigeria Police has agreed to set up a dedicated e-Payment and Card Crime Unit to complement the efforts of Nigerian Electronic Fraud Forum on e-payment related crime.

“In following the global trend, the bank is currently reviewing the implications of cloud computing, virtual currencies like bit coins and data protection.(NAN)
AWA/DE/JCE

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(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Chukwudi Ekezie)

2016 NCC Tennis League Cup: Sylvester Emmanuel beat Michael Moses in men single

NAN-S-2
Match
By Georgina Bode
Abuja, Sept.11, 2016 (NAN) Sylvester Emmanuel, Offikwu Tennis Club, (TC) Kaduna defeated Michael Moses, Tombim Tennis Club (TC), FCT 2-1 in the men single at the ongoing 2016 Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) Tennis League Cup.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that in the second match played at the package B of the National stadium both team displayed brilliant performances in the game.

Emmanuel defeated Moses in the first round 6-3, while he lost 3-6 in the second and fought back to beat Moses 10-5.

Emmanuel told NAN that he was happy that he won the game.

“I played well in today’s game unlike yesterday, I played a lost ball, I want to stay focused in my next game on Oct. 25.

“I will fight to ensure a win in my remaining games,” he said.

On his part, Moses said that it was a good match even though he lost to his opponent.

“I did not bring out my best, so I will continue to train hard so as to win my subsequence game,” he said.

In the first match of the day, Edward Christopher of Tombim TC defeated Emmamuel Idoko of Offikwu 6-2, 6-3 in men single.

In the last game, Henry Atseye and Godwill Donatus of Tombim TC defeated Albert Bikon and Ane Ayegbosi of Offikwu TC 6-3, 6-4 in mixed single.

NAN reports that the second edition of NCC Tennis League Cup is organised by the commission in collaboration with the Nigeria Tennis Federation (NTF).

A total of 10 teams registered for the competition.

The event, which started on Sept. 10 is expected to end in December. (NAN)
BOG/DE/GY
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Grace Yussuf

NAN-F-4
Memorial
New York, Sept. 11, 2016 (Reuters/NAN) Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton fell ill on Sunday as she became “overheated” and had to leave early from a September 11 memorial ceremony in New York City.

Clinton, 68, was taken to her daughter Chelsea’s home in Manhattan, and emerged a few hours later wearing sunglasses and telling reporters that she was “feeling great”.

The news of her overheating on the hot, muggy New York morning comes less than 60 days before the Nov. 8 presidential election and at a time of intense campaigning against Republican rival Donald Trump.

Clinton went as previously planned, to her home in Chappaqua, New York, 30 miles (50 km) north of New York City.

Clinton left the memorial event after about 90 minutes while it was still underway, Nick Merrill, a Clinton spokesman said.

“During the ceremony, she felt overheated so departed to go to her daughter’s apartment, and is feeling much better,” Merrill said in a statement.

As the solemn event began on Sunday at the site of the World Trade Center that was attacked by two hijacked airliners 15 years ago, there was patchy sunlight, with temperatures at about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.6 Celsius).

But the high humidity caused it to feel much hotter in the crowd at times.

Democratic Representative Joe Crowley of New York, a Clinton supporter who attended the event, told Reuters that it was “incredibly, stiflingly hot” during the ceremony.

After some U.S. media reported she had fallen ill, reporters traveling with the candidate did not get an immediate response from the campaign to questions about her whereabouts and her health.

About 90 minutes elapsed before the campaign issued its statement.(Reuters/NAN)

(Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Grace Yussuf)

Demonstrations planned during anthem at NFL opening games

NAN-F-3
Demonstration
New York , Sept 11, (Reuter/NAN) The opening games of the new National Football League season are expected to be marked by peaceful demonstrations during the U.S. national anthem on Sunday.

The demonstration by players was to draw attention to racial disparities in the country’s justice system.

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Colin Kaepernick began the protests when he refused to stand for “The Star-Spangled Banner” during preseason games.

At first choosing to sit on the bench and then later kneeling on one knee in a gesture that has divided fans.

Other players have followed suit, most recently Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall ahead of Thursday’s season opening win against the Carolina Panthers.

The players have been praised as high-profile allies of the Black Lives Matter movement, which grew as a response to a spate of police officers in cities around the country killing unarmed black men.

About two-thirds of NFL players are black.

The protests have also provoked anger in some fans that saw the gesture as disrespecting the U.S. flag and the country in general.

Sunday’s 13 games coincide with the 15th anniversary of the attacks by al Qaeda hijackers that brought down the two largest towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

The league would play videotaped messages from President Barack Obama and his predecessor, George W. Bush, before each game, and a 9/11 decal will be placed on players’ helmets.

The Seattle Seahawks have said they have decided as a team to stand and interlock their arms during the anthem on Sunday.

“Progress can and will be made only if we stand together,” Doug Baldwin, a Seahawks wide receiver, said in a video he posted online announcing the team’s decision.

Kaepernick’s 49ers play their opening game against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday evening.

Obama has defended Kaepernick, saying this week the player was exercising a constitutional right and provoking conversation around some topics that need to be talked about.(Reuter/NAN)
DE/GY
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Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Grace Yussuf

Ogun declares state free of Lassa fever

NAN-H-42
Lassa
By Yetunde Fatungase
Abeokuta, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) The Commissioner for Health in Ogun, Dr Babatunde Ipaye, has declared the state free of Lassa fever following a recent expression of fear at a patient showing signs of the fever.

The commissioner made this known in a statement he issued in Abeokuta on Sunday.

He said that the government immediately swung into action to make sure that the patient, who complained of symptoms related to the fever was treated accordingly.

“Being a proactive government, we don’t want to take chances, so we monitored with series of test carried out on the victim.

“We have activated our disease surveillance and notification structures with a view to detecting any case on time as well as deploying appropriate measures to prevent and control the spread of the disease,” he said.

He, however, assured that the patient had been certified free according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, hence the state was declared free of lassa fever.

Ipaye said that all the state’s 20 Local Government Areas and the 37 Local Government Development Council Areas (LCDAs) had been put on red alert.

“All borders entering the state are well covered by surveillance officers of the ministry to monitor movement in and around the state,” he said.

The commissioner called on citizens of the state not to panic, just as he advised them to maintain high profile hygiene by keeping rodents out of the house and to keep all food items well covered.

He urged the public to watch out for symptoms of malaria fever that had resisted normal malaria drugs treatment, “particularly during this festive period, when movement is high.”

Such cases that had resisted malaria treatment for at least three days, he said, should be reported at the nearest General Hospital.

Residents were also advised to call the “Lassa Fever Hot Lines” on 09099140121 and 09099140122. (NAN)
YAF/MAS/GY
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(Edited by Moses Solanke/Grace Yussuf)

Eight dead in Benin burning waste blast: mayor

NAN-F-2
Explosion
Cotonou, Sept. 11, 2016 (Reuter/NAN) An explosion at a waste dump in Benin earlier this week killed eight people, local mayor Robert Tolegbon said on Sunday.

The blast occurred late on Thursday at a giant trash heap in Tori, a town about 40 km (25 miles) northwest of the capital Cotonous as locals were sifting for food.

Previously, the health ministry said two people had died.

Safety standards for waste management are poor in much of West Africa and debris is rarely filtered to eliminate toxic or flammable materials. (Reuters/NAN)
DE/GY
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 Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Grae Yussuf

NAN-H-39
Security
By Aminu Ahmed Garko
Sokoto, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Hajiya Halima Baba, a woman activist with the Women Empowerment Educational Network based in Sokoto, on Sunday advised Nigerians to be extremely vigilant during and after the Sallah festivities.

Baba told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Sokoto that it was only by so doing that Nigerians would be able to go about their legitimate celebrations without hindrance.

She advised the public to observe strange happenings around them as part of measures needed to deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

The woman activist also called on the members of the public to develop the culture of reporting suspected miscreants in their midst to nearest security agents for thorough investigation.

Such move, she said, would enable security officers come forward with various forms of security strategies in tackling any form of security threats.

She, however, called on the police to extend and strengthen community policing to rural communities to enable them offer intelligence reports about their surroundings. (NAN)
AAG/MAS/AFA
Edited by Moses Solanke/Felix Ajide
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Ed-El-Kabir : Yobe Govt. restricts vehicular movements

NAN-H-38
Restriction
Damaturu, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Yobe government has announced restriction of vehicular movement from 6a.m. to 12p.m. on Monday, Sept. 12 to ensure safety at Eid prayer grounds.

This is contained in statement issued by Abdullahi Bego, Press Secretary to Gov. Ibrahim Gaidam in Damaturu on Sunday.

He said the decision followed a security meeting held by heads of law enforcement agencies in the state.

“The six-hour restriction is placed as part of measures to ensure public safety as we mark the Eid on Monday.

“The public is kindly advised that security agents across the State will not allow any form of vehicular movement for the duration of the restriction on Monday,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that vehicular movements had been restricted in the state during festivals since 2011 following security challenges. (NAN)
MM/JPE/AFA
Edited by Joseph Edeh/Felix Ajide
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Bakers appeal to FG on high cost of bread production

NAN-H-37
Bread
By Akeem Abas/Adeboye Ajayi
Ibadan, Sept. 11, 2016 (NAN) Bakers in Nigeria have appealed to the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the rising cost of bread production just as they ruled out going on strike.

Speaking to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday, Chief Bayo Folarin, the National President of the Association of Master Bakers of Nigeria (AMBCN) said that the situation might soon send the commodity into extinction.

“May be in the nearest future, loaves of bread may go off the streets of Nigeria if the cost of its production continues to rise unabated,” he said.

Folarin, who doubles as the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of the association, said that government needed to intervene fast in stemming the current slide in the exchange rate of the naira.

He said that move was necessary because all the raw materials for baking, except firewood were imported.

 “The Baking Industry in Nigeria is adversely affected by the current crash of the naira in relation with the U.S. dollar and this has made the venture unprofitable to members of the association.

“We are, therefore, appealing to the Federal Government to intervene in the fortunes of the naira against the dollars so that the exchange rate can be favourable to bakers,” he said.

According to him, the price of these raw materials, which include wheat flour, sugar, salt, margarine, edible oil and yeast, are soaring at an astronomical rate.

“For instance, as at December 2015, a bag of flour which was N6,500 now goes for N10, 500.

“Also, a bag of sugar, which sold for N10, 500 in January is now N15, 000 in the South West, while it is being sold for N17, 000 in the East and the North.

“Ditto, a carton of yeast formerly sold for N11, 000 now goes for N16, 000,” he said.

The ABMCN boss expressed worries over the development, adding that the association’s appeal to millers and those involved in the trade had yielded no result.

He said that they had hinged their being adamant on the increased prices of production materials.

The number one baker in Nigeria, who ruled out the possibility of his members going on strike, said that “they will go on strike as employers’’, stressing that a stop in production would render workers jobless.

 He, however, appealed to the business mogul, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, to allow bakers access direct buying of salt and sugar by crashing the prices.

“He has done it before and he can still do it,” he said.

Folarin, who lamented the development, said, “We don’t want to embark on a strike because we are employers, but we can withdraw our services if things don’t change for the better.” (NAN)
TA/AAB/MAS/GY
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(Edited by Moses Solanke/Grace Yussuf)

NAN – H –33

Fraud

By Kola Adeyemi

Lokoja, Sept. 11, 2016 ( NAN) Five top civil servants in Kogi have been arrested for allegedly diverting N230 million pension fund to their private uses.

The Accountant-General of the state, Alhaji Yusuf Okala, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria ( NAN) in Lokoja on Sunday.

Okala, who is also the Chairman of the Staff Screening and Verification Committee, said the alleged fraud was discovered in the course of the committee’s work.

“ Yes, it is true. We have been able to recover N20 million from them through the efforts of the police command in the state,” Okala said.

Also, the state Auditor-General, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, said that the money would be recovered in full from the suspects.

NAN learnt that the money was part of funds released by the administration of Capt. Idris Wada for the payment of pensioners.

Over 9,000 retirees in the state are owed between four and five months pension arrears as a result of the alleged diversion and the lack of funds by the government.

Ododo explained that the suspects would be made to face the law.

He commended the state government for setting up the committee for conducting the verification in the interest of the state.

He said that apart from identifying ghost workers and pensioners, the committee was working to plug loopholes through which public funds were being stolen.

Ododo promised that all genuine workers and pensioners would soon be cleared for the payment of salaries and pensions.

“ The screening of workers and pensioners is going to be a continuous exercise.

‘’No authentic staff or pensioner will have any cause to fear. Gov. Yahaya Bello-led administration in the state has high regard for both workers and pensioners.

“The on-going verification is not aimed at victimising anybody but an effort targeted at saving money for the state to take adequate care of its responsibilities, “ Ododo said. ( NAN)
KKA/JCE
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(Edited by Chukwudi Ekezie)