StallionTV

• 

Wema Bank Plc has gone into partnership with several fintechs and start-ups within the tech-space.

Following the launch of its experiential banking platform ALAT, the bank completed Hackaholics, a hackathon that attracted over 200 entries from various start-ups.

The 3-day competitive event eventually had 19 shortlisted contestants focused on solving specific problems across the bank.

According to a statement, among several front-line solutions from the participating teams, EazyChange, a solution that solves the problem of lower denominations for public transportation won top honours, receiving a $10,000 funding.

“Riding on that wave, Wema Bank has continually engaged other start-ups as it gradually repositions itself in the mind of the public as a disruptor and collaborator in the fintech and start-ups space.

“With Team Lendse, the bank is working on an alternative credit scoring algorithm that rides on data science and machine learning to profile lenders and make credible credit decisions more efficient.

“A betting solution which helps agents remit risk-free funds conveniently using mobile app and USSD is currently being developed by Cashy,” the statement added.

According to the statement, to offer customers better and convenient services with ALAT, Wema Bank’s Innovation Unit and internal tech team are working with Team Ace, another start-up to build an offline version of its app such that users will leverage on alternate technology to use the app without requiring data.

It further noted that as part of its post-Hackaholics activities, the bank would work with other five start-ups in a 10-week incubation and acceleration Bootcamp.

“The program is designed to thoroughly explore the potentials of the solutions from these start-ups using innovative tools to make their solution scale from a raw idea state to a robust and market-ready product/service.

“The program will be hosted at the bank’s innovation lab, Wema Codeville, in August 2019. For Wema Bank, the Bootcamp is a strategic partnership that will help stimulate and promote the in and outflow of new ideas, staying ahead of the curve and multiplying revenue streams in the long run,” it stated.

Beyond solving problems within the financial industry, the bank explained that it would be partnering academic institutions by training students on market, industry and field relevant skills that the school curriculum(s) do not cover and most importantly providing an environment to help them translate their ideas into reality.

• 

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has released guidelines for the disbursement of lower denominations of the naira through microfinance banks (MFBs) across the country.

A circular issued by the Director, Currency Operations Department of the Bank, Mrs. Patricia Eleje in Abuja Thursday, indicated that all microfinance banks must have a composite risk rating (CRR) of above average in the most recent Risk Based Supervision (RBS) target examination before they are considered for the scheme. This, according to the CBN, was to ensure that only MFBs with good corporate governance practices take part.

Meanwhile, the participating MFBs must be willing to accept a mixture of new and other banknotes, and that the MFBs shall give 20 per cent of any withdrawal in lower denomination notes subject to a maximum of N50,000.

“Where beneficiaries withdraw more than once in a day, the circular said that disbursement will only apply to one transaction per day. Similarly, the MFBs are allowed to exchange notes subject to a maximum of N50,000 for customers with bank accounts and N10,000 for customers without bank accounts. In that situation, the banks must not exchange for same beneficiaries more than once a week.

“Also, MFBs are to maintain a register of amounts received from the CBN through their correspondent commercial banks. The MFB must also maintain another register of the beneficiaries of the lower denomination notes as well as ensure that withdrawal teller slips contain breakdown of the denomination of the currency to customers with accounts,” the circular stated.

It, however, warned MFBs against hawking, hoarding or using of funds obtained under the intervention for any other purpose. It also instructed the banks to put in place effective control measures that will ensure that banknotes disbursed to customers with or without accounts are not sold.

Furthermore, the circular directed the banks to render weekly and monthly disbursement return to CBN branches where the intervention would be monitored periodically, and appropriate sanctions applied to erring MFBs

ThisDay

• 

It’s the ultimate stain — that the University of Ibadan campus is fast becoming a growth area for robbers wanting to make a few bucks and mug a few heads.

Or what can you call three robberies, around the same area, in practically two months?

That is absolutely unacceptable and the university’s vice chancellor had better sit up. Otherwise he might just pass as a chancellor of vice — or how do you excuse all these vices, the regular robbing and mugging of students, under his charge, in a campus that should be a sanctuary from the vice outside?

For many alumni and alumna, it’s a stain you can’t ever live down. How can a university that gave you everything — the very best in learning and in character, not to talk of cultivated bragging rights (no contradiction, Hardball can assure you!) — and on which campus you could trudge, throughout its length and breadth, in those halcyon days and nights, suddenly become so porous students now learn to sleep with only one eye closed? Abomination!

That porosity bucks about everything that suggests the university is a model for the outside world. That is the hallmark of the university providing solutions, to about every challenge the environment faces — the classical gown leading the town, to the proverbial promise land.

But this embarrassing siege bucks everything. If UI, the citadel, is under siege for common robberies, how can its faculty egg heads proffer solutions to the crisis outside its walls — or are universities no longer the society’s brain boxes again? Shame, especially for the Premier University, touted as first and best.

Yeah, the university authorities, it would appear, are at last waking up to the challenge. News reports talk of a partial curfew, between 12 midnight and 5 am, within which time-belt movements would be scrutinized.

They have also imposed restrictions on movements, particularly in the female halls of residence, temporarily controlling male access.

As a temporary measure, these are fine; and should be rigorously implemented. But curbing movements can’t be a permanent solution. It can’t make up for imposing a security shield that though allows unfettered movement 24-7, still sieves criminal elements from infiltrating the campus.

Besides, the Idia-Awolowo-new sports centre-Awba Dam sector, its proximity to The Polytechnic, Ibadan/UI common fence and its notorious porosity, need to be tackled fast, as most of those breaches happen along that corridor.

Give us back our old UI, where you could leave your room at any hour, no matter how late, saunter to your classroom in the Faculty complex; or even your departmental library if you had access, study to your heart’s content and return to your room, without breaking any sweat.

Indeed, security was the last thing on your mind, whether venturing outside or swotting in the sanctuary of your room; visiting the Arts Theatre to see a film or watch a play; or even partying anywhere you so decided.

Give us back our UI — the serene haven of safety and security, 24-7.

TheNation

• 

Gunmen suspected to be cultists have shot dead the leader of a vigilance group in Rivers State.

The victim, identified as Emmanuel Ikechukwu, who was said to be the leader of Choba community security outfit in Obio/Akpor Local Government, was allegedly killed in his Rumuchuakara home town, about 10pm on Wednesday by the armed men.

Besides the security leader, two other persons allegedly sustained gunshot injuries in the hands of the hoodlums.

The incident, according to the community source, caused tension among residents of Rumuchuakara and their neighbouring community.

The source, who claimed to be a member of the bereaved family, who preferred anonymity, told reporters in Port Harcourt on Thursday that the victim, who he referred to as his uncle, was killed by suspected cultists, who were in the community on a different mission.

He said the victim, who was also the youth leader of the community, had confronted and interrogated his killers to disclose their identity and mission in the community, as he did not recognise them as residents of the community. The source suspected that his killers might have shot him in anger for trying to unveil their identity and mission in the area.

Police spokesman Nnamdi Omoni, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, confirmed the incident, but noted that the victims was killed by yet to be identified individuals.

He said Police Commissioner Mustapha Dandaura had ordered investigation into the killing, adding that peace had been restored.

Two persons were yesterday reportedly shot in a clash at Lewe community in Gokana Local Government.

An eyewitness, who broke the news, said: “There was heavy shooting at Lewe community today (yesterday). Two persons sustained bullet injuries, but survived.

“The victims are receiving treatment. The reason for the attack is not clear to us. Most of the villagers, who are afraid, have started moving out of the community to avoid being attacked.”

• 

Barely 96 hours after landing in New Delhi for medical treatment, leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, Sheikh Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, has reportedly discharged himself from the Medenta Hospital and is now on his way back to Nigeria.

The President, Media Forum of IMN, Ibrahim Musa, said that El-Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenat, who were airborne as of the time of speaking with our Correspondent on Thursday evening, left New Delhi around 5:00 p.m. Nigerian time, heading back to the country.

Musa, in a statement, blamed the Federal Government for scuttling the IMN leader’s planned treatment.

Musa said, “Following lack of a breakthrough in the impasse that ensued in the treatment in New Delhi of Sheikh Ibraheem Zakzaky, it is now confirmed that the Sheikh is on his way back to Abuja.

“In a video message sent through his office, the Sheikh said it was decided that they will be taken to the airport to be flown back to Nigeria.

“He has left Delhi by 17:00 Nigerian time.” He prayed that “may that be the best option in the circumstances.”

The group added, “The Nigerian government’s interference and scuttling of the whole process rather than supervision as ordered by the court is the direct cause of the impasse.

“The government never wanted the medical leave in the first place, and did whatever to stop it by all means possible,” Musa alleged.

The FG had earlier refuted El-Zakzaky’s allegations, stating that he attempted to violate the conditions of his treatment by making unreasonable demands, including insisting on lodging in a five-star hotel in New Delhi with free access to “all manner of visitors.”

• 

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said there is the need for the Federal Government to collaborate with the state to explore the potential of Badagry.

Sanwo-Olu said opening up the area could boost the commerce and tourism potentials of Badagry.

He spoke on Thursday when the Chairman, Nigeria Diaspora Commission, Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, led members of the organising committee of Door of Return, an annual cultural event, to pay him a courtesy visit at the State House, Marina.

The governor said Badagry had become a global brand recognised as a tourism destination in Nigeria.

He said, “The potentials in the tourism sector is enormous and that is why we have included it as part of our agenda to take Lagos to an enviable height.

“That is why we have continued to tell the Federal Government that we need to open that corridor for commerce, business and tourism.”

Sanwo-Olu said the government would provide both operational and logistic supports for the event scheduled for October to assist Africans in diaspora reunite with their ancestral home.

Earlier, Dabiri-Erewa hinted that this year’s event was to mark the 400th year since slave trade ended in Africa.

She noted that the event would afford participants the opportunity to reunite with their ancestral root, adding that at the inception of the programme three years ago, 25 returnees from Brazil, Jamaica and others attended.

“From the point of no return which was the practice over 400 years ago, we open the door of return to the continent of their ancestors. And Lagos serves as the door that has helped them to return to their ancestral root. There is a spiritual and emotional connection attached to the exercise; many that have passed through the process often come with tears,” she added

Punch

• 

Barely 24-hours of arriving India for medical treatment, leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) Ibrahim El-Zakzaky Thursday said he did not trust the doctors assign to treat him in India.

El-Zakzaky said his supposed medical trip has been worse than times he had been in prison detention.

“All what we have seen here, have shown us that there is no trust, they just brought us here for another detention,” El-Zakzaky said.

El-Zakzaky and his wife Zeenat Monday left Nigeria for India for medical check-up aboard Emirate flight EK786 at about 6:45 pm en route Dubai to Mumbai, India.

Before his departure, operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) the Nigeria Police laid siege to the International wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja from 1:30 pm to about 3:30 pm.

The Shiites leader and his wife Zeenat arrived in India on Tuesday afternoon for medical treatment as ordered by a state high court.

El-Zakzaky, however, expressed displeasure at the presence of heavily armed security operatives at every part of the Medanta Hospital where he was admitted.

“They didn’t even allow me to go to the next room, I started asking myself, all these while I’ve been in detention, I’ve never seen this type,” El-Zakzaky said

The Shiites leader said he will not submit himself to people he does not trust for medical treatment.

El-Zakzaky said three countries – Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey – have volunteered to treat him and his wife. He said India was not his choice country for medical treatment.

“There is a need for us to go back home since it has been agreed that we should travel out to get medical attention and India is not a place we can trust.”

El-Zakzaky said there was an agreement with the Nigerian government not to take him to any other hospital aside from the hospital of his choice.

The Shiites leader said he and Zeenat cannot “allow a stranger to treat us, lest not what couldn’t be done with bullets be carried out in a different way.”

El-Zakzaky and his wife have been in the detention of the Nigeria government since 2015.

He faces an eight-count of culpable homicide, unlawful assembly and disturbance of public peace.

• 

Barcelona officials have headed to France on Tuesday for talks with Paris Saint-Germain to seal a return to the Spanish club for Brazilian star Neymar, reports said.

The club’s director for football and retired French international, Eric Abidal, and two other top club officials flew to Paris to meet with their Paris Saint-Germain counterparts, Catalan radio Rac1 and Catalan television TV3 reported.

“The breakthrough is significant as PSG had up until now refused to meet with Barcelona emissaries but it does not mean that the deal is close,” Rac1 wrote on its website.

The deal which the Barcelona officials will propose could include other players such as Philippe Coutinho or Ivan Rakitic, it added.

Paris Saint-Germain revealed on Saturday that Neymar transfer talks are “more advanced than before” after the Brazilian was dropped for the French champion’s opening Ligue 1 match.

Sporting director Leonardo confirmed to reporters that the Brazilian was near the exit door but that PSG was “not yet ready to give their approval” for the transfer.

Real Madrid or a return to Barcelona are the most likely destinations for the world’s most expensive footballer, won two La Liga titles and the 2015 Champions League in four years with the Catalan side.

Sports newspaper AS has reported that Neymar has been offered to Madrid by PSG, which is open to selling if it can either recoup the €222 million ($249 million) it spent on him in 2017 or receive half that amount with players included in the deal.

But Barcelona-based Mundo Deportivo said that he would prefer a move back to Catalonia to play alongside former teammates Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez

• 

Ibrahim Abubakar, Flying Eagles captain, has promised a winning start for the team in their group game of the 12 African Games in Morocco.

They will play Burkina Faso on Friday, August 16, 2019 in their first match at this year’s Africa Games billed Morocco, before taking on South Africa on Tuesday, August 20 and hosts Morocco on Friday, August 23 at the same venue.

“We want to start on a winning note so as to put fears in our opponents and enhance our chances of winning the gold medal in the football event,” he said.

Abubakar stressed that the team would do its best to put Nigeria on the podium at the continental Games.

“We have been preparing and the coaches have also been talking to us and telling us about the importance of the competition,” he said.

“I know Nigerians want us to do well and we want to make sure we make them proud by doing all we can to go as far as we can at the Games. This is a great opportunity for me and my teammates to make the nation proud and we are determined to do so,” Abubakar added.

Meanwhile, the team will travel out from Lagos today to Morocco for the Games which will officially begin on Tuesday, August 19.

Already, Coach Paul Aigbogun has released his final list of 18 players for the Games with the likes of Success Makanjuola, Chinonso Emeka, Peter Eletu, Collins Sor and Rabiu Mohammed, who all featured at the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Poland, returning to the team.

The duo of Detan Ogundare and Matthew Yakubu are the goalkeepers, with Rabiu Mohammed leading the defenders that included, Mike Zaruma, Habibu Sadiq Yakubu, Victor Arikpo Eteng and Sanusi Abdulmutallif.

• 

The Lagos State Waterways Authority has confirmed the death of three, while two others are still missing in a boat mishap that happened at Irewe community in Ojo.

3 die in Lagos boat mishap, 2 missing/Illustrative image [NAN]
3 die in Lagos boat mishap, 2 missing/Illustrative image [NAN]
Mr Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, the General Manager of LASWA, made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, August 13, 2019, claiming that 13 people were rescued in the incident.

“At about 6:10 p.m. today, Aug. 13, two passenger speed boats had a head-on collision along the creek in Ojo local Govt Area of Lagos State.

“There were 10 passengers in a boat coming from Ojo jetty and eight passengers in another coming from Irewe community when the incident occurred.

“Eighteen passengers in total were involved with 13 rescued alive with three fatalities and two still missing–an adult and a child.

“Search and rescue operation is ongoing by relevant state agencies and the local community who were the first responders.

“Preliminary investigations by LASWA and LASEMA revealed that the incident was caused, due to reckless driving and over-speeding on the part of boat captains as one of them wasn’t in his right of way.”

Emmanuel revealed that further investigations would be carried out by the authority and that those found wanting would be sanctioned accordingly.

He advised waterways users to always adhere to safety rules and regulations to avert untoward incidents.