Less than a year after Rocket Internet’s Africa Internet Group, AIG was collapsed into Jumia, the company has shut down Jumia Market, its merchant based marketplace formerly called Kaymu.

Sources close to Jumia said over 70 staff on the Jumia Market team were laid off with just about 15 people left in the team.

https://pageone.ng/2017/08/02/rocket-internets-jumia-shuts-jumia-market/

Jumia has not commented on the matter. However, the company is not likely to comment on the matter as it is major controlled from Berlin by Rocket Internet, its holding company which owns about 24% stake in the company.

The company has in the last two years witnessed massive impairments to its bottom line. The crash in global oil prices which plunged Nigeria’s economy into a recession and a subsequent devaluation of the Naira (NGN) was a major blow to Jumia, Konga and many other Internet start-ups who opened shops in 2012 at the height of oil prices surging to all time highs.

In its first quarter result, Rocket Internet disclosed that Jumia Africa (with Nigeria responsible for over 60% of revenue) recorded a net loss of EUR23.7 million. While the result was a slow down in net losses on a year on year basis. The loss reduction was a small shave when compared to its net loss for first quarter of 2016 when the company reported that it suffered EUR24.9 million net loss.

The result raises doubts as to how Jumia will steer its way into profitability by 2019 as predicted by the company’s chief executive in 2016.

On a year on year basis, Jumia saw a decline in net revenue to EUR19.2 million compared to EUR23 million in the previous year. Jumia also saw a dip in its lifetime customer base within the period to 1.6 million from 1.7 million posted last year.

Jumia has not released its result for the second quarter. Analysts polled by PageOne.ng actually concluded that the shut down of Jumia Market was a step towards reporting its second quarter result which is due to be reported on the 28th of September, 2017. It is still a long time, it expected that the early shutdown would allow Rocket Internet to take stock of the impairments in order to further cut its costs.

However, other analysts argued that Jumia should have since consolidated all other units including Jumia Food, Jumia Travel and Jumia House into the Jumia platform instead of only scrapping the Africa Internet Group but the sub units were still be run as semi-autonomous companies.

Some also of the view that given the companies current loss positions, it would need to shut down more units which further see a deep cut down in its staff strengths.

https://pageone.ng/2017/08/02/rocket-internets-jumia-shuts-jumia-market/

A former tax return preparer Paula Anthony, 65, of Phoenix, Ariz., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes to 36 months in prison for her role in a stolen identity and money laundering scheme.

According to findings, most of the money realized by Paula and her team were sent to Nigeria.

https://pageone.ng/2017/08/01/court-tax-preparer-paula-anthony-nigeria/

Anthony was found guilty following trial on multiple counts, including conspiracy, mail fraud, and aggravated identity theft. Anthony was a key participant in the scheme, in which the conspirators stole the identities of dozens of taxpayers and filed fabricated income tax returns to obtain hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax refunds in the victims’ names.

According to reports, she and others obtained the fraudulent refunds through online accounts set up with prepaid debit cards and utilized multiple bank accounts to convert the refund money into cash. Once Anthony obtained the cash, she, or people she recruited, laundered the money out of the United States by wiring most of the funds to Nigeria.

Paula Anthony, owner of FYI Business Services, In early January 2013, Anthony and her co-conspirator, listed in the indictment as T.C., devised a scheme to collect tax refunds by using stolen identities, prepaid debit cards and bank accounts at different financial institutions, according to court documents.

Using the online bill-payment feature, 367 checks totaling more than USD300,000 were issued to Anthony, the indictment said.

The government then sought a judgment of USD341,684, while Anthony denied involvement in the charges against her.

“Someone stole my identity,” Anthony said in an interview with The Republic. “Someone stole my tax-license ID and filed fraudulent tax returns.”

Anthony said the tax returns cited in the indictment were filed with a program other than the ATX commercial tax-reporting software that she used.

According to her business website, Anthony has more than 45 years of tax experience. FYI Business Services focused on small businesses, offering drop-and-go tax service with a 24-hour turnaround.

The Paula Anthony investigation was conducted by the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations. The prosecution was handled by Monica Edelstein and William Voit, Assistant U.S. Attorneys, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

https://pageone.ng/2017/08/01/court-tax-preparer-paula-anthony-nigeria/

Morocco has been adjudged the only country in the “low-risk” category in the short and medium term in North Africa, and one of only three in Africa.

This was contained in a recent report by the Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) in its quarterly survey of 250 countries carried out by a credit risk insurance specialist Euler Hermes.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/26/morocco-lowest-risk-environment-africa/

In its analysis under the heading “It’s oh so quiet,” Euler Hermes lists key “strengths” in the country, including the leadership and popularity of King Mohammed VI; “sound commercial and diplomatic relations with the U.S. and the EU;” the economy’s resilience in the face of last year’s devastating drought; its central geographic location near to very large potential markets; and its debt service management.

The report describes Morocco as “an island of tranquility” with a solid basis for continued growth and progress, benefiting from existing strong trade ties, geographic location, and a growing capacity for regional business leadership.

The survey pointed out that “the prudent policy-mix, as well as good management of foreign exchange reserves” underpinned the economy’s resilience. With good harvests anticipated, Euler Hermes predicts GDP growth of 4.5% in 2017, encouraged by the diversification of the economy, through both better agricultural management and use of fertilizers, and the steady growth of the industrial and services sectors.

“It is no coincidence that Morocco continues to win recognition as a trade and investment platform for Africa,” said former US Ambassador to Morocco Edward M. Gabriel. “King Mohammed VI’s vision and economic diplomacy for the past 16 years and the evolving business-friendly government policies make it ideal for international companies and investors.”

The Moroccan American Center for Policy (MACP) is a non-profit organization whose principal mission is to inform opinion makers, government officials, and interested publics in the United States about political and social developments in Morocco and the role being played by the Kingdom of Morocco in broader strategic developments in North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/26/morocco-lowest-risk-environment-africa/

Confederation of African Football recently amended the continents most prestigious tournament; the cup of nations (AFCON). It was decided at the African Football symposium held in Rabat Morocco that the number of teams have been increased to 24 against the traditional 16 with effect from the Cameroon 2019.

It was also concluded by the executive committee that the competition formally held earlier in the year be staged in June and July.



“Cup of Nations to 24 teams as of the 2019 edition, and the tournament will now be held in the months of June and July. The competition will however remain a biennial event (every two years), odd years and exclusively held on African soil with African national teams.”

Deliberations as to what benefit the organising body (CAF) and the member nations stand to benefit became the discourse among stakeholders. That the tournament is getting bigger is no doubt a welcome idea any day any time should it be commensurate with level of development across board.

For developmental reasons however, the competition affords smaller nations the opportunity to showcase talents who ordinarily would have gone unnoticed if they are unable to qualify for the tournament in the first place.

On the other hand, some have also argued that Africa is yet to make a mark at the global stage especially at senior level, which is really disturbing despite the abundance of talents the continent boasts of. Players from Africa ply their trades for European clubs, China and other parts of the world. They earn fat pay cheques, yet fail to perform optimally at the world stage.

The challenge is not far-fetched. It is obvious that the problem of African football is fundamental, and if nothing is done to savage the situation, the continent may not attain greater heights regardless of the number of teams playing in AFCON.

In terms of the newly proposed date for the tournament which is during summer period, it is all clear. Players would be available to feature for their nations provided there are no carry-over injuries from the season.

Clubs will also be more than happy that this decision is coming as many European club sides have had to deal with releasing their best legs for the Africa cup of nations in January.

President of the Nigeria Football Federation and President of AFCON, Amaju Pinnick who was at the meeting in Rabat put forward his argument as to why the tournament should be expanded.

“This proposal is hinged on sporting, commercial and infrastructural reasons, and we believe that sooner than later, everyone would come to appreciate the position of the proponents of a bigger Africa Cup of Nations.

“George Weah from Liberia became the only African to have been named the World Player of the Year, same year he was voted the African Player of the Year and European Player of the Year. He is from a nation (Liberia) many would consider a minnow in the African game. If we have a bigger AFCON, there will definitely be more talented players coming onto the stage, and we could just discover that the next ‘Weah’ would come from either Djibouti or Botswana.

“For commercial reason, more corporate organizations and stakeholders will be involved and it is certainly a bigger cake for everyone. CAF will be richer and the Member Associations will surely benefit. When UEFA staged the European Championship in 2012, when it was a 16 –team event, they made a profit of $1.5 billion. Last year, when they staged a 24 –team event for the first time, they made $2.1 billion.

“Having a 24 –team AFCON will also compel the development of stadia facilities across the African continent, as CAF will certainly encourage co-hosting, and this will also ginger general infrastructural development in the continent.”

Without doubts, for commercial reasons, the CAF will become more buoyant as stipulated by Mr Amaju Pinnick. In fact, infrastructural development will expectedly be witnessed in member nations. Associations may also get richer and hopefully the largesse from the profit realised after the tournament is expended on solving the core problem.

What shall it profit CAF if an African teams cannot make meaningful impact at the world cup. It is important to begin to think beyond the cup of nations and see how African football clubs can also thrive when matched with their counterparts from other leagues around the world.

http://pageone.ng/2017/07/20/benefits-expanded-afcon/

After changing its name from Etisalat Nigeria to 9Mobile Telecom, Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile carrier said it is open to new investors.

The company had in the last three months faced a tough operating condition after its erstwhile investors- Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat Group and Mubadala Development Company PSJC backed out of the company.

Boye Olusanya, the company’s new chief executive officer, said at the unveiling of the company’s new brand identity that:

“Like any business, we are always available for someone with a good offer. We are prepared to manage this business for the long haul. This brand was not developed with the mindset that it’s a three-month brand.”

He added that: “If at any point in time someone does come in with an offer that is attractive then that person will have the right to do whatever they want to do with the brand.”

Boye’s pitch to local and or foreign investor might not get immediate traction bearing in mind how 9Mobile got to its current condition. It would be recalled that Etisalat Nigeria failed to meet its financial obligations for its USD1.2 billion syndicated loan it borrowed from 13 local banks and other international lenders who have since taken over the equity position of Etisalat UAE, the company’s former shareholder with 40% stake.

An analyst who spoke under anonymity to PageOne.ng said Boye’s pitch might be understating the obvious. There are indications that about 60% stake in 9Mobile must have been acquired by Dangote Industries. A conglomerate owned by Aliko Dangote, Nigeria and Africa’s richest man.

Earlier this month, close sources to Etisalat Nigeria told PageOne.ng that the remaining equity position might be taken over by French and one of the major mobile carriers in Africa, Orange Telecom as well as Vodafone are in high-level discussions to take up the remaining 40% stake in Etisalat Nigeria.

One source with good knowledge of the matter said Boye Olusanya’s pitch statement is a mere official ‘window dressing’ to digress attention from a transaction that has already been finalised. The announcement of Dangote as a majority shareholder will come in later when the dust over its debt burden has settled.

Etisalat Nigeria, now 9Mobile did not refute nor comment on the authenticity of the information. However, for a shareholder to come with over 10% stake, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has to approve the share transfer which further buttressed the perspective of sources that 9Mobile cannot go public with the announcement of Dangote Industries’ position without proper regulatory approval. Since the company is a private concern, it is not under any obligation to discuss such information.

Should 9Mobile be willing to sell out more equity position in the company, analysts suggest the company would not get a good deal going by its current indebtedness and operational challenges. Other sources said the company will get a good deal going by its nearly 20 million subscribers.

Read more https://pageone.ng/2017/07/20/9mobile-looking-investors/

After changing its name from Etisalat Nigeria to 9Mobile Telecom, Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile carrier said it is open to new investors.

The company had in the last three months faced a tough operating condition after its erstwhile investors- Abu Dhabi-based Etisalat Group and Mubadala Development Company PSJC backed out of the company.

Boye Olusanya, the company’s new chief executive officer, said at the unveiling of the company’s new brand identity that:

“Like any business, we are always available for someone with a good offer. We are prepared to manage this business for the long haul. This brand was not developed with the mindset that it’s a three-month brand.”

He added that: “If at any point in time someone does come in with an offer that is attractive then that person will have the right to do whatever they want to do with the brand.”

Boye’s pitch to local and or foreign investor might not get immediate traction bearing in mind how 9Mobile got to its current condition. It would be recalled that Etisalat Nigeria failed to meet its financial obligations for its USD1.2 billion syndicated loan it borrowed from 13 local banks and other international lenders who have since taken over the equity position of Etisalat UAE, the company’s former shareholder with 40% stake.

An analyst who spoke under anonymity to PageOne.ng said Boye’s pitch might be understating the obvious. There are indications that about 60% stake in 9Mobile must have been acquired by Dangote Industries. A conglomerate owned by Aliko Dangote, Nigeria and Africa’s richest man.

Earlier this month, close sources to Etisalat Nigeria told PageOne.ng that the remaining equity position might be taken over by French and one of the major mobile carriers in Africa, Orange Telecom as well as Vodafone are in high-level discussions to take up the remaining 40% stake in Etisalat Nigeria.

One source with good knowledge of the matter said Boye Olusanya’s pitch statement is a mere official ‘window dressing’ to digress attention from a transaction that has already been finalised. The announcement of Dangote as a majority shareholder will come in later when the dust over its debt burden has settled.

Etisalat Nigeria, now 9Mobile did not refute nor comment on the authenticity of the information. However, for a shareholder to come with over 10% stake, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has to approve the share transfer which further buttressed the perspective of sources that 9Mobile cannot go public with the announcement of Dangote Industries’ position without proper regulatory approval. Since the company is a private concern, it is not under any obligation to discuss such information.


Should 9Mobile be willing to sell out more equity position in the company, analysts suggest the company would not get a good deal going by its current indebtedness and operational challenges. Other sources said the company will get a good deal going by its nearly 20 million ubscribers.

Read more https://pageone.ng/2017/07/20/9mobile-looking-investors/

Diamond Bank has confirmed the closure of its branches in Apapa due to current situation situation in the area of Lagos.

The management in a statement issued by its Media Relations officer Ezechinyere Anyanwu, confirmed that the bank was set ablaze during a mob action in Creek road, Apapa which affected its branch.

See statement below:

“PRESS STATEMENT: DIAMOND BANK CONFIRMS APAPA FIRE INCIDENT.
The Management of Diamond Bank Plc on Wednesday confirmed that there was a fire incident as a result of Mob action at its Creek Road, Apapa branch in Lagos State.

In a press release made available to correspondents, Head, Corporate Communications, Chioma Afe, said the bank was set ablaze by an angry mob after a policeman allegedly shot dead a trailer driver outside the bank premises.

“We had a fire incident at our branch office on Creek Road, Apapa which severely damaged branch infrastructure as a result of mob action. While the situation is under control, we are working with the Nigeria Police Force and other law enforcement agencies to investigate actions leading to the fire incident. While these investigations are ongoing, the branch will be closed to customers for their safety and to allow for completion of all repairs”.


“We will continue to provide updates to our customers via our social media platforms and print media and we urge those customers in the Apapa area to use our broad range of alternate delivery channels like the Diamond Mobile app, Diamond Online, Diamond ATMs and Contact Centre to carry out their transactions For those who need to visit a branch location, our closest branches to the Apapa area are situated in Ebute Metta, 1, Market Street,Oyingbo, Opposite Bhojsons Ltd Yaba, Iddo Market Mini, Iddo Ultramodern Market, Surulere, 31, Bode Thomas Street and Amuwo Odofin, Plot Nos 21, 22 & 23 Opposite Abc Transport Terminal are available to process their requests.”

http://pageone.ng/2017/07/19/diamond-bank-shuts-apapa-branch/

Earlier in the year, a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere ruled that the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Plc be ordered by the National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to put a written warning on Fanta and Sprite bottles stating that both soft drinks are poisonous when consumed along with Vitamin C.

A businessman Fijabi Adebo Holdings Company had bought large quantities of Coca-Cola, Fanta Orange, Sprite, Fanta Lemon, Fanta Pineapple and soda water from NBC for export to and subsequent retail in the United Kingdom but on his arrival to the Queens land, the products failed clearance tests.

Mr. Adebo and his company sought the sum of NGN15,119,619.37 as special damages and NGN1,622,000 being the money NBC admitted receiving from the claimants.

In its amended statement of defence, filed before the court by Mr. T. O. Busari, NBC admitted supplying the products but contended that they are meant for local distribution and consumption, as it does not produce for export. It argued that Coca-Cola is manufactured and bottled by various Coca-Cola franchise holders in most countries of the world, including the United Kingdom.

NBC also denied that it was negligent, as it has stringent quality control procedures to ensure that its products are safe for end-user consumption.

Three to four months after, the NBC is yet to obey this court order. The order was to ensure that the company’s drinks were safe for human consumption both in Nigeria and around the world. Meanwhile, it appears that the company is taking steps to change the court sanction on its brand as it recently filed a stay of execution which was rejected by the Lagos High court.

Narrowing down on the claims of NBC shows a lack of sensitivity for consumers of its products in Nigeria. Imagine how many people have consumed the aforementioned products that have been declared injurious to health, a point which also buttressed by the judge who ruled on the stay of execution filings.

On the other hand, the body responsible for checking food and drugs in the country apparently got its finger burnt by failing in the discharge of its duties. The trial judge, Justice Adedayo Oyebanji, however, ordered a conditional stay of execution of NGN2 million cost awarded against NAFDAC.

“It is beyond argument that if the application for stay is granted and human health is consequently adversely affected, it is most unlikely that there can indeed be a return to status quo. It is imperative to add the resultant effect of the order sought to stay is the preservation of human life, the business interest of Nigeria Bottling Company cannot in my respected view take precedence over public health. “Accordingly, Nigeria Bottling Company ‘s application for stay of execution fails and it is hereby dismissed,” Justice Oyebanji held.

According to the NBC, Fanta contains Carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, ascorbic acid, stabilizers, flavourings, sodium benzoate and colouring, while that of Sprite includes Carbonated water, sugar, citric acid, flavourings, sodium salt, sodium benzoate.

More so, it is said that Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is an essential nutrient. Still, it’s possible to have too much vitamin C. It is a water-soluble vitamin that supports normal growth and development. It also helps the body absorb iron in the body.

It is also believed by many that large orange or a cup of strawberries, chopped red pepper or broccoli provide enough vitamin C for the day. Any extra vitamin C will simply be flushed out of your body in your urine.

However, for adults, the recommended dietary reference intake for vitamin C is 65 to 90 milligrammes (mg) a day, and the upper limit is 2,000 mg a day. Although too much dietary vitamin C is unlikely to be harmful, as its megadose may cause a couple of illnesses which include Diarrhea, Nausea, Vomiting, Heartburn, Abdominal bloating and cramps, Headache, Insomnia and Kidney stones.

A recent check on the bottles of the brands mentioned shows that the Nigerian Bottling Company is yet to comply with the court order which may amount to contempt.

The Nigerian Bottling Company is fully-owned by CocaCola Hellenic Bottling Company quoted on the London Stock Exchange. The group has not till date commented on the matter.

According to a court sitting in Houston Texas in the United States, the duo of Kola Aluko, Jide Omokore are being tried for alleged bribery and embezzlement of funds to acquire choice property for the erstwhile minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke.

The court has started the hearing has released the charge sheet.


Read the summary below:

This is an action in rem to forfeit approximately $144 million in assets, and any property traceable thereto, derived from an international conspiracy to obtain lucrative business opportunities in the Nigerian oil and gas sector in return for corruptly offering and giving millions of dollars’ worth of gifts and benefits to the former Nigerian Minister for Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke (“ALISON-MADUEKE”); and to subsequently launder the proceeds of the illicit business opportunities into and through the United States.

From in or about April 2010 until in or about May 2015, ALISON-MADUEKE—who was often referred to as “the Madam” or “Madam D”—was Nigeria’s Minister for Petroleum Resources. In that role, she was responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s state-owned oil company, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (“NNPC”).

As alleged herein, Kolawole Akanni Aluko (“ALUKO”), Olajide Omokore (“OMOKORE”), and others: (i) conspired to and did purchase millions of dollars in real estate in and around London, U.K., for the use and benefit of ALISON-MADUEKE and her family; (ii) conspired to and did provide more than one million dollars in furniture, artwork, and other furnishings purchased within the Southern District of Texas, and shipped, in part, to London and Abuja, Nigeria, for the use and benefit of ALISON-MADUEKE and her family; and (iii) conspired to and did otherwise fund a lavish and privileged lifestyle for ALISON-MADUEKE and her family.

As further alleged herein, ALISON-MADUEKE, in return for such improper inducements, used her influence as the Minister for Petroleum Resources to steer to companies beneficially owned by ALUKO and OMOKORE the award of multiple Strategic Alliance Agreements (“SAAs”) with an NNPC subsidiary.

As further alleged herein, the companies that received these SAAs were unqualified and either improperly performed their obligations or, in some instances, failed entirely to perform. Nevertheless, these companies received more than $1.5 billion in revenues through the sale of Nigerian crude oil.

As further alleged herein, ALUKO and OMOKORE laundered their illicit revenues into and through the United States and, in particular, used these revenues to acquire the Defendants In Rem.

As further alleged herein, ALUKO and OMOKORE used a series of shell companies and layered financial transactions to conceal the nature, location, source, and/or ownership of the proceeds of the unlawful conduct and of the Defendants In Rem purchased with such proceeds.


https://pageone.ng/2017/07/19/how-kola-aluko-jide-omokore-and-oil-traders-allegedly-bribed-diezani/

The domain name registration industry has recorded an increase in the first quarter of the year 2017, according to a report by VeriSign.

Verisign is a global leader in domain names and internet security, has announced that approximately 1.3 million domain name registrations were added to the internet in the first quarter of 2017, bringing the total number of domain name registrations to approximately 330.6 million across all top-level domains (TLDs) as of March 31, 2017.

The increase of approximately 1.3 million registrations globally equates to a growth rate of 0.4 percent over the fourth quarter of 2016. Domain registrations have grown by 11.8 million, or 3.7 percent, year over year.1

The .com and .net TLDs had a combined total of approximately 143.6 million registrations in the domain name base in the first quarter of 2017. This represents a 0.8 percent increase year over year. As of March 31, 2017, the .com base totaled 128.4 million registrations, while the .net base totaled 15.2 million registrations.

New .com and .net registrations totaled 9.5 million during the first quarter of 2017. In the first quarter of 2016, new .com and .net registrations totaled 10 million.

Verisign publishes the Domain Name Industry Brief to provide internet users throughout the world with statistical and analytical research and data on the industry. The first quarter 2017 Domain Name Industry Brief, as well as previous reports, can be obtained at Verisign.com/DNIB.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/19/domain-name-grows-330-6-million-q1-2017/

FIFA vice president and Spanish FA president Angel Maria Villar has just been arrested by the police, accused of corruption.

Villar who was a former Spanish international footballer, was being held on suspicion of abusing his position to embezzle funds from the federation, among other charges, according to reports.

Villar’s son Gorka and another federation official were also detained in the probe which notably focuses on match fixing at international level.

The 67-year is also vice president of football governing bodies FIFA and UEFA.

Read more https://pageone.ng/2017/07/18/spanish-fa-angel-maria-villar-arrested/

Early life stress has been identified reasons why most African Americans are the most vulnerable to Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to a recent at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in London.

One new study in Wisconsin found that a single major stressful event in early life is equal to four years of cognitive aging, and African Americans are most at risk – on average, they experience over 60 percent more of such events than non-Hispanic Whites over their lifetimes.

Another study conducted by a health plan in Northern California found that African Americans born in states with the highest levels of infant mortality had 40 percent increased risk of dementia compared to African Americans not from those states, and 80 percent increased risk compared to Whites not from those states.

“These studies were done with U.S. data, but they add weight to the global body of evidence around disadvantage and dementia risk, which is an issue governments around the world grapple with, and one that requires coordinated action,” said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer.

“For a racially diverse nation like the United States, and to address Alzheimer’s and dementia on a global scale, these findings support the need for targeted interventions, whether preventive or service-driven, to help address the gaps we know exist – and for more research.”

“In addition to research on Alzheimer’s risk factors and biology, the Alzheimer’s Association is particularly interested in increasing understanding of stigma and concern related to Alzheimer’s and other dementias in diverse communities,” Carrillo said.

In younger elderly (65 and older), there are marked differences in rates of dementia by racial/ethnic groups, showing increased rates for African Americans and decreased rates for Asian Americans. The Alzheimer’s Association 2017 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures reported that, for all adults 65 and older, African-Americans are about twice as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older Whites and Hispanics are about one and one-half times as likely to have Alzheimer’s or other dementias as older Whites.

The research also discovered that a greater number of stressful events was associated with poorer late-life cognitive function for all study participants. Even within a relatively small, highly educated sample, African Americans experienced over 60 percent more stressful events than non-Hispanic Whites during their lifetimes, and these experiences were linked to poorer memory and thinking skills in older age. The researchers determined that, in African Americans, each stressful experience was equivalent to approximately four years of cognitive aging.

see more here https://pageone.ng/2017/07/17/african-americans-suffer-dementia/

The wait and intrigues are over, Etisalat Nigeria has rebranded its identity to 9Mobile Telecom. The move finally puts an end to the uncertainty concerning its future.

A clear backtrack


The latest development is a sharp contrast to the earlier stance of the company over the last few days. A statement released by Ibrahim Dikko, spokesperson for Etisalat said:

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Ltd. (EMTS), trading as Etisalat Nigeria hereby assures its customers and other stakeholders that Etisalat Group’s reported withdrawal of the right to the continued use of the Etisalat brand in Nigeria by EMTS does not in any way imply discontinuation of our business as Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile service provider.

Contrary to certain misleading statements in the press about our experience centres and outlets being closed, we wish to state that all Etisalat offices, Experience Centres and outlets across Nigeria are in full operation and are providing services including customer care services on 24/7 basis.

Etisalat Nigeria also reiterates its unwavering commitment to delivery of quality services and commitment to continuously empowering all segments of Nigeria through the development and roll-out of innovative products, services and solutions that help individuals, businesses and organisations solve their everyday problems.

Whilst we are intensifying efforts aimed at reaching full closure on ongoing discussions with regards the transition phase, we want to assure that our customers and stakeholders will be duly informed as soon as these are concluded, including details of a rebranding should that become necessary.

We thank all our customers, stakeholders and the media for their unalloyed support to the company.

Recalled that Etisalat Group had requested for a withdrawal of the right to the continued use of Etisalat brand in Nigeria by EMTS.

The name change finally marks the end of Etisalat UAE and state-owned investment fund, Mubadala Development Company PSJC who formerly held 40% and 45% stake respectively in the company.

What will be the focus of the new company?

There are clear indications on how the company will be conducting its affairs further, Boye Olusanya, the new chief executive heading Nigeria’s fourth largest mobile carrier said Etisalat Nigeria, now 9Mobile Telecom will be focused on making profit and meeting its loan obligations.

Boye Olusanya said “Our mandate is to make sure the business runs as profitably as it can. What is most important now is to … ensure that the business runs and meets its obligations”.

The company has been in the mid of a raging storm after it defaulted in the payment of its loan obligations to 13 local lenders and international banks.

Etisalat is Nigeria’s fourth largest carrier out of four other carriers who are also feeling the impact of NIgeria’s first recession in 20 years. The company was formerly owned by Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Development Company PSJC with 45% stake and Etisalat UAE with 40% stake. The two companies have exited after the repayment negotiations failed.

Boye Olusanya said, “Once we’ve gotten ourselves to where certain decisions are made and the structure and form of the business are formed then maybe we would look at a capital raising structure that would be suitable for the nature of how the business will be run”.

“Obviously if it’s possible to do it tomorrow we will do it, because that enhances the ability of this business to roll-out quickly, to get more subscribers, which is what everybody wants”.

He revealed that “We’re still in negotiations with Etisalat over the use of the brand name”. Earlier this week, Etisalat International, Hatem Dowidar said the company only has about three weeks to phase out the use of the Etisalat brand name and that it has terminated management and technical support with the local unit.

Who owns 9Mobile Telecom?

FIND OUT MORE ON https://pageone.ng/2017/07/13/etisalat-changes-name-9mobile-telecom/

Premier League clubs’ revenues grew by 9% to a record GBP3.6 billion in 2015/16, according to a recent report by Deloitte.

In its annual review of football finance analysis, Delloit stated that in the final year of the Premier League’s broadcast cycle, the 20 Premier League clubs generated more on average (GPB182m) than all 22 top division clubs combined did in 1991/92 (GBP170m), the last season before the competition began.

“Over the three seasons from 2013/14 to 2015/16, Premier League clubs generated combined operating profits of £1.6 billion, more than they managed in total over the previous 16 seasons combined.“

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/13/premier-league-gbp3-6-billion-revenue/

Talking about Europe’s premier league, the report says,-‘Driven by continued growth in broadcast rights values in European football’s biggest leagues, and the impact of UEFA Euro 2016, total European football market revenues reached almost EUR25 billion in 2015/16, a 13% increase on 2014/15.

The ‘big five’ European leagues which includes the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, French Lig 1, Italia Serie A, and the Spanish La Liga, grew collective revenues by EUR1.4 billion (12%) in 2015/16, 59% of which was due to increased broadcast revenues, and 31% due to increased sponsorship and other commercial revenues. In recent years, step-change increases in broadcast revenues have been almost the sole preserve of English Premier League clubs. However, in 2015/16 new broadcast arrangements in Germany, Italy and Spain, coupled with a significant increase in UEFA broadcast distributions under the new three year rights cycle, led to combined broadcast revenue growth among the clubs in the top divisions of those three countries of EUR535m.

Total attendances across the Premier League and Football League increased by 5% to almost 32m in the 2016/17 season. Stadium investment continues, at record levels, to provide more and better quality opportunities to watch live professional football in England. Although Premier League clubs’ attendances fell by 2%, this was due in large part to the relegation of Aston Villa and Newcastle United, who in turn helped boost Championship attendance levels by 15%.

The Chinese revolution: There continues to be a lot of interest in China’s growing investment and influence in football, in both domestic clubs’ in playing squads and infrastructure, and outbound overseas club acquisitions and sponsorships in the global game. However, there have been some significant developments in recent months, which could constrain outbound Chinese investment in the rest of the world’s clubs and players in future seasons.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/13/premier-league-gbp3-6-billion-revenue/

A new data released by GSMA reveals that Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than half of all mobile money deployments worldwide and is pioneering a range of new mobile money use cases.

The latest ‘State of Mobile Money in Sub-Saharan Africa’ presentation, made available by the GSMA in Tanzania this week, reveals that the number of live mobile money schemes in the region had reached 140 across 39 countries at the end of last year, accounting for more than half of the 277 mobile money deployments worldwide.

The new study points to a decade of growth in mobile money services in the region following the launch of M-Pesa in Kenya in 2007. It notes that there are now seven markets in the region where more than 40 per cent of adults are active mobile money users: Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

“Mobile money is now achieving mass-market adoption in all corners of Sub-Saharan Africa, enabling millions of people to access financial services for the first time and contributing to economic growth and social development,” said Mats Granryd, Director General of the GSMA. “Mobile operators in the region today are using mobile money to create new financial ecosystems that can deliver a range of innovative new services across multiple industry sectors, including utilities and agriculture.”

The latest data highlights how the mobile money market in the region has evolved from primarily being used to top-up airtime and make person-to-person (P2P) transfers to becoming a platform that enables additional financial services, including bill payments, merchant payments and international remittances. The volume of these new types of ‘ecosystem payments’ almost quadrupled between 2014 and 2016 and now accounts for about 17 per cent of all mobile money transactions, driven by a significant rise in the number of mobile-based bill payments.

There were 277 million registered mobile money accounts across Sub-Saharan Africa at the end of 2016, plus 1.5 million registered agents. Mobile money users have historically been concentrated in East Africa, home to major mobile money markets such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. However, the latest data suggests that user growth is now being driven by other markets in the region, notably West Africa. Almost 29 per cent of active mobile money accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa are now based in West Africa, compared to just 8 per cent five years earlier.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/12/gsma-sub-saharan-africa-mobile-money/

It has been observed that businesses fall prey to scammers who take advantage of their vulnerability. However, a recent findings has prompted agencies and concerned bodies to come up with necessary guidelines on how to avoid being scammed as a business.

The Federal Trade Commission, an agency responsible for preventing fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the United States has urged businesses to be alert in a bid to avoid being scammed.

In the report by Attorney, Consumer and Business Education, Rosario Méndezthe commission revealed several ways through which the scammer may attempt to attack business.

According to the report, Some scammers specialize in tricking people into paying for things they didn’t order. They often target businesses because they know that, in some businesses, the people who order supplies and the people who pay the invoices might not talk all the time. The scammers bet on the bill-payer assuming the invoices are for things the company actually ordered. And if the scammers are right, they can cash in big.

That’s what happened to businesses that fell prey to two schemes the FTC shut down. The FTC filed these lawsuits in 2016 and 2014. Today, we can tell you that these companies can’t go on tricking business’ employees anymore.

These two companies’ fraud targeted a wide range of businesses and nonprofits: from churches and family-owned small businesses, all the way to hospitals, hotels, and even an airport. Their schemes resulted in businesses paying thousands of dollars for supplies (lightbulbs, hand cleaners, kitchen cleaners) they didn’t order or want. One organization paid over $20,000 before it caught on to the scam and stopped paying for the recurring shipments. And that was the right thing to do – not pay for unordered products.

Here’s how you can protect yourself and your business from unordered merchandise scams:

•If your business or a place where you volunteer receives merchandise no one ordered, the law says the vendor cannot legally collect on it. You don’t have to pay for it, even if someone used the supplies before you realized they were unordered. You don’t have to return it either.
•Make sure your staff – including anyone who answers the phone – knows who has authority to order and pay for supplies. Scammers may target less experienced employees or occasional volunteers.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/11/tips-protect-business-scam/

Hmmmm

In recent weeks, Google, an Alphabet company has intensified a marketing campaign in Nigeria for one of its notable products (or brands) – YouTube. The campaign is not only Nigeria-centric, but a deliberate strategy to further resonate the online video platform in Africa’s most populous country.

Latching on major connection points peculiar to Nigeria’s online audience; the YouTube campaign is a 360-degree campaign across TV, Radio, online (search, social, display and video) as well as out-of-home channels across major cities of Lagos, Port Harcourt Abuja and other emerging Internet cities.

There are various aspects of the campaign that was spot on while the strategic theme of the message missed it playing along with simplistic stereotypes about Nigerians, Internet preferences and reality.

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/09/why-youtube-nigeria-campaign-is-a-simplistic-celebration-of-creative-arts/

First, let us look at the highs of the campaign.

For many years, Nigerians have been major contributors to the YouTube community and everything else that makes the platform thick in Africa. The creative industry of music, film and general entertainment have contributed millions of hours to the platform. The decision to run a campaign for the market is long overdue from a customer retention point of view.

The campaign will also resonate with many young people who consume many hours of music videos, comedy skits and films on YouTube. Many content creators will further benefit from the campaign as the heightened awareness level for YouTube will have a ripple effect on their traction for the short and medium term.

On the flip side, Google missed it with its pedestrian portrayal of YoTube. As a product owner, Google tried to play safe instead of using the campaign as an opportunity to show its audience that they can ‘Be More’ with TouTube. The slogan ‘Be You’ within the context it was used is exactly the opposite of what the campaign seeks to achieve. To pigeon-hole the generality of what Nigerians do on YouTube to hip-pop music videos, make up lessons and football vignettes is a convenient and politically-correct output.

As a matter of fact, Google belittled the rich and unparalleled knowledge-sharing superiority that YouTube stands for. YouTube is many things to Nigerians and anyone for that matter than the norm portrayed in the campaign. To be fair to Google, they have looked at the volume of music, films and entertainment contents on YouTube posted by Nigerians and also viewership data. However, the campaign simply played to the gallery isolating many Nigerians who use YouTube for diverse means out of which entertainment is just a given.

Many Nigerians are very proficient in Java, Php, photography, robotics, mechanical and engineering skills, solar and alternative energy, graphic design and animation, data analytics and mining. Many students watch educating documentaries and historical series that broaden their views of the world. Many geniuses share ideas that solve problems for people on YouTube. To restrict the central focus of a YouTube campaign meant for the wider Nigerian audience to the entertainment and creative arts industry is an average score.

One more drawback of the campaign is its weak competitive strength against the reality in the market. Facebook is waxing stronger in the video side of things, especially with its Facebook Live. With the new preference for real-time content, many Nigerian entertainers are more likely to focus on engaging their audience via live contents, an area YouTube has lost grounds to Facebook and even Twitter’s Periscope.

It will be sensible to say the YouTube was created for the creative arts section. Should Google be ready to talk to the rest of the public, the creative managers in Silicon Valley will need to look beyond the simplistic by looking at the bigger picture that YouTube is many things to Nigerians than entertainment.

Don't get it twisted, United States is not the best country to be an immigrant, neither is it the U.K. Sweden has been adjudge the best Country to be an Immigrant, according to a recent analysis from U.S. News & World Report while Canada, Switzerland, Australia and Germany round out the top five.

Based on the report, the new ranking assesses the international perceptions of 80 countries, their immigration policies and economic data.

“The 2017 Best Countries rankings revealed that more than 40 percent of respondents view immigration as the most important issue for our world to solve,” said Eric Gertler, co-chairman of U.S. News and the New York Daily News, who was recently honored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York as a 2017 Great Immigrant. “With the recent spotlight on immigration in the U.S. and abroad, we wanted to dive into its potential benefits and challenges on a country’s perceived economic status in the world.”

Here are the top 10 Best Countries to be an Immigrant

1. Sweden
2. Canada
3. Switzerland
4. Australia
5. Germany
6. Norway

See full list https://pageone.ng/2017/07/10/sweden-best-country-immigrant-followed-no-2-canada-no-3-switzerland/

The peculiarity of summer period to footballer is nothing to be compared with. It is a season where licensed football agents or representatives as you may prefer to call them go about scouting for quality players on behalf of clubs around the world.

Destinies are changed during this period annually. The summer period is a time footballers across the globe look to make certain moves to desired clubs either due to termination of contracts with present clubs or end of contract. Players also make moves as a result of desire to change environment. In fact, some make moves to other climes based on family or personal reasons best know to them.

However, players in Africa and other developing countries often fall prey of fake or unqualified agents who claim to have links with clubs especially in Europe. It is the dream of every youngster to further his / her career in Europe (greener pastures). It would interest you to know that players in most parts of Africa who also ply their trade in professional football leagues look forward to that moment when the opportunity comes to make the 'big move' to their heaven.

In the past we have heard stories of how players pay 'football agents' who promise to take them abroad, but in the end leave them stranded. It can be likened to Ponzi scheme!

How do you distinguish a real agent from a counterfeit? Simple. Football agents generally have eye for talents. At the sight of a good player, they see a deal already. They will never request for money before getting your invitation from the club they have claimed to have links which makes your visa issuance process smooth, flight bookings will be as easy as bread and butter without the player having to pay a dime, hotel reservation same, and securing a training opportunity will not come with stories.

Funny how you see players who know certainly that they will never be able to secure a contract with a professional team abroad tie themselves to liars who claim to be agents but have no contacts. These set of players are actually desperate to go abroad not exactly for footballing reasons. This is also not to say that the players have no passion for the game, but let us reason together, a player who cannot control and pass well, how will he get a professional contract?

Perhaps you have fallen prey in the past. They showed you many print outs of invitation from clubs. Really! It is time to shine your eyes! In as much as there are quality products and services, there would definitely be counterfeits.

Your opinion is highly welcome!

https://pageone.ng/2017/07/07/still-fake-football-agents-nigeria/

Dangote Industries is said to have acquired 60% stake in Etisalat Nigeria. This is based on unconfirmed but reliable sources in Nigeria’s financial services sector.

Dangote Industries is owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote with investment across various sectors of Nigeria and Africa’s economy.

According to the sources who pleaded not to be named, French and one of the major mobile carriers in Africa, Orange Telecom as well as Vodafone are in high-level discussions to take up the remaining 40% stake in Etisalat Nigeria.

The rumoured acquisition might further lend credence to suspicion about the pedigree of the newly constituted board of directors for Etisalat Nigeria. Funke Ighodaro, the newly appointed CFO of the mobile carrier was Chief Financial Officer of Tiger Brands Limited from 2011 to 2016. Tiger Brands was taken over by Dangote after Tiger Brands South Africa sold their majority stake back to Dangote in 2016.

Another vital suspicion that further give credence to the likelihood of a Dangote takeover of Etisalat Nigeria, is the new CEO of the company, Boye Olusanya. According to his profile as released by Etisalat Nigeria, he has “handled high-level responsibilities at Dangote Industries Limited where he served as Chief Business Transformation Officer responsible for management of all enterprise-wide projects in the Group”.

The source also disclosed that Dangote Industries has always been on the board of Etisalat Nigeria. As a matter of fact, the source disclosed that Etisalat’s 3G license was acquired from Alheri Mobile Services Limited, a Dangote Industries company.

Sources said the acquisition by Dangote will not be disclosed at the moment in order for the new management of the company to focus on restructuring the mobile carrier. Sources were not also sure how much Dangote is paying to take up the 60% equity position.

Neither Dangote Industries nor Etisalat Nigeria can be reached to comment on the matter. Orange and Vodafone have neither denied rumours of their involvement nor confirmed it. However, Orange itself said it was looking at doing more acquisition in Africa.

Read more here https://pageone.ng/2017/07/06/dangote-reportedly-acquires-60-stake-etisalat-nigeria/

A recent survey revealed the global players in tabletop and sachet sweeteners market 2017-2021" which includes Ajinomoto, Cargill, PureCircle, Roquette and Tate & Lyle.

The analysts forecast the brands in the industry to grow at a CAGR of 8.66% during the period 2017-2021, Research and Markets confirm,

According to the research, global Tabletop and Sachet Sweeteners Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

See full report here https://pageone.ng/2017/07/04/ajinomoto-top-5-tabletop-sachet-sweeteners/

A recent survey revealed the global players in tabletop and sachet sweeteners market 2017-2021" which includes Ajinomoto, Cargill, PureCircle, Roquette and Tate & Lyle.

The analysts forecast the brands in the industry to grow at a CAGR of 8.66% during the period 2017-2021, Research and Markets confirm,

According to the research, global Tabletop and Sachet Sweeteners Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

See full report here https://pageone.ng/2017/07/04/ajinomoto-top-5-tabletop-sachet-sweeteners/

Etisalat Nigeria confirms that as a result of the on-going restructuring efforts, a new board has been constituted. It comprises of Dr. Joseph Nnanna – Chairman, Mr. Oluseyi Bickersteth, Mr. Ken Igbokwe, Mr. Boye Olusanya and Mrs. Funke Ighodaro.

Mr. Boye Olusanya has been confirmed as Chief Executive Officer, to replace Mr. Matthew Willsher, while Mrs. Funke Ighodaro takes over from Mr. Olawole Obasunloye as Chief Finance Officer.


Read more https://pageone.ng/2017/07/04/etisalat-nigeria-board-directors/

fter wrecking much damage in Nigeria, South Africa and Zimbabwe, MMM Dubai has been floated to target the United Arab Emirates market.

As usual, MMM Dubai has no product and or service it renders. See below a breakdown of its compensation plan as analysed by BehindMLM:

MMM Dubai affiliates invest bitcoin on the promise of a ROI.

How much of a ROI is paid out is determined by which “package” an MMM Dubai affiliate invests in:

Student Package – invest $10 to $500 and receive a 120% ROI in 7 days
Executive Package – invest $100 to $10,000 and receive a 120% ROI in 30 days
Workers Package – invest $50 to $5000 and receive a 150% ROI in 15 days
After withdrawing a ROI payment, in order to continue an MMM Dubai affiliate must reinvest the same or more than they initially invested.

Referral Commissions
MMM Dubai affiliates receive a 5% referral commission on funds invested by personally recruited affiliates.

Upon qualifying as a “Guidian”, MMM Dubai affiliates earn additional referral commissions via a unilevel compensation structure.

A unilevel compensation structure places an affiliate at the top of a unilevel team, with every personally recruited affiliate placed directly under them (level 1).

If any level 1 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 2 of the original affiliate’s unilevel team.

If any level 2 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 3 and so on and so forth down a theoretical infinite number of levels.

Referral commissions are paid out across unilevel team levels as follows:

3% on levels 1 to 20
2% on levels 21 to 50
1% on levels 51 to 100
0.5% on levels 101 to 200 and
0.25% from level 201 onward
Note that MMM Dubai do not provide Guidian affiliate qualification requirements on their website.

Marketing Bonus
MMM Dubai affiliates qualify for the Marketing Bonus by

investing at least $500
recruiting at least fifteen affiliates who together have active investments of at least $3000 and
record a 90 second promotional video for MMM Dubai
MMM Dubai affiliates who qualify for the Marketing Bonus are paid an additional 3% referral commission on unilevel team investment volume.

Joining MMM Dubai
MMM Dubai affiliate membership is tied to an investment in one of three packages:

Student Package – $10 to $500
Executive Package – $100 to $10,000
Workers Package – $50 to $5000
The primary difference between the packages is ROI amounts paid out and how soon.

The popular Ponzi scheme has been registered in the United Kingdom as MMM Dubai Limited. Circumstances surrounding its registration is also ‘fishy’ as the incorporated with the UK Companies House on October 24th, 2016 which was exactly four days after the domain was registered.

MMM Dubai in all its intent and purposes reeks of fraud. According to an investigative report by BehindMLM, four MMM Dubai Limited Directors live in the same address that belongs to a furniture company.

MMM Nigeria also started in a murky structure but later revealed that the operations was controlled as a franchise with its backers residing in Dubai. One Chuddy Anayo Ugorji and Ernest Chigozie were the major promoters of the scheme in Nigeria before it wen burst.

Nigerians lost more than NGN80 billion to MMM Nigeria after the scheme froze all withdrawals of its over 3 million investors who were later told to forgo their funds invested in 2016. Late last month, MMM Nigeria announced that it will be paying some percentage of invested funds back.

There are no guarantee they will get their funds back. The same fate would likely befall MMM Dubai investors. It is not clear at the moment if the United Arab Emirates will clamp down on the scheme. This might be difficult to do as well because in recent times, Ponzi scheme operators have not come up with exclusively online tools to market their scheme with little or no offline efforts.

Read more interesting reviews https://pageone.ng/2017/07/03/mmm-global-floats-mmm-dubai-ponzi-scheme/

Following the recent scam attempt on GTBank customers, the bank has issued an official statement in a bid to sensitise account holders.

The bank particularly mentioned that customers should be careful with emails sent with links requesting account details.

GtBank stated emphatically that its staff or agents will not request customer personal account details in exchange for rewards.

Below is the email from GTBank to its customers:

Dear Customer,

Scam Alert

This is a reminder that you should never disclose your account or card details to anyone or enter your personal banking details on a website that is sent as a link in an SMS, Email, Online or any Social Media Platform. Exit any page immediately if you are asked to enter your account, card or internet login details.

GTBank, its staff or agents will never call or send you an email asking for your account details, PIN, Card or other Personal Bank details in exchange for monetary or material reward.

You can help us stop these types of scams by following any of the simple steps below:

Fake Online Flyers: take a screenshot that clearly shows the link (website address) and send it to us by email at complaints@gtbank.com so that we can work to block the site.

Scam Calls, SMS, and Emails: Report the phone number to GTConnect (see numbers below) and forward such emails to complaints@gtbank.com

For more visit: https://pageone.ng/2017/07/02/gtbank-fraud-alert-internet-scam/

Internet scammers are on the prowl targeting many banks and financial services company’s customers. However, recent development has shown that GTBank customers are easy targets to these scammers.

Some of the scammers cloned the official website of the bank while some are using phishing tactics to target unsuspecting customers of the bank.

Perhaps you a customer with an account with GTBank or with any other bank at all, this piece of information is for you. Scammers are not relenting in their business as they have gone a step further in the composition of their emails lately.

See below an email a customer received thinking it was from the bank. On getting to the bank, they advised the customer to disregard and never respond to such emails.

Let take a close look at the email. See some of the errors highlighted. How can your bank threaten to deduct automatically, and it is Guarantee not Guaranteed. However, we attempted clicking the site, and see what we discovered below:

Suspicious link
This link leads to an untrusted site. Are you sure you want to proceed to www.batmanguncelgazetesi.com?

Below is the message from the scammers

Dear Customer

According to our records this month, your registration for our GuaranteedTrust Customer Digest monthly bulletin has been processed and this comes with a monthly charge of N16,550:00.
As your opinion is important to us, we would like you to confirm your registration
//ibank.gtbank.com/ ibank3/confirm_customer_ digest_monthly_bulletin/ 7c2c01489b275ea11cc991931e4098 6e75621e473c3c7012ee6b2b514176 57692482fd1cd1db3394e0d67d9756 5a449e9e94e4bce0e9b91ef0f16702 6a138480

If you wish to reject the registration request, follow the cancel reference below
//ibank.gtbank.com/ ibank3/cancel_customer_digest_ monthly_bulletin_request/ 5172b0044fe84408661228b4131d2d 8cd39a8bce71a09622777922f1d764 7d1ecf7ecf6faa966c3cd0480ef447 44d1235fcecedf9753bb7a012f808f 7d9210de?cancel=1

NOTE: If you do not respond within 12 hours of this notice, you would receive a successful debit alert on your account confirming your registration.

You would have to confirm you are an active account holder with us by following the procedures from your GTBank Internet banking account

Really, will your bank ever deduct from your account because you refuse to respond to their funny email?

It just does not add up, please do not fall for any strange message. Ensure to contact your bank as soon as you receive such messages compelling you to subscribe to a plan.

https://pageone.ng/2017/06/30/internet-scammers-are-haunting-gtbank-customers/

The NPFL is LMC's business and the Company can't continue to watch as officiating continues to ruined their business after every matchday.

Yes, the NRA trained the referees while the NFF appoint referees for league matches but the LMC pay their indemnities, without the LMC these referees can't earned money from officiating.

The NRA has successful trained Excellent and Bad referees, while the NFF have got to appoint referees from this poll of Excellent and Bad referees.

LMC have got control of their business and they can actually curb this poison on the league, If they are ready and bold to save the league from bad officiating.

The major problem about this officiating is that we have got large poll of referees. Solution is that we must reduce the numbers. We need top and firm referees for league matches.

LMC should request for the FIFA badge referees and top elites referees to officiate NPFL Matches. With this, it will be easy to track the performance of the referees weekly and the world attention would be on them.

Read more >> https://pageone.ng/2017/06/29/lmc-can-protect-league-bad-officiating/

Reliable sources within the financial services and fintech sector claim Interswitch is in talks to acquire Konga, one of Nigeria’s major eCommerce site.

According to sources, the acquisition has reached an advanced stage with Naspers and Kinnevik AB, two of the major investors in Konga whose investment has not yielded a profit as disclosed by Kinnevik.

Naspers is Africa’s most valuable company with over 60% stake in China’s Tencent Holdings with a worth of USD114 billion which the group said it will not sell. Kinnevik is a Swedish tech investment major with over 40% stake in Konga.

Konga is in direct competition with Jumia, another general merchandise eCommerce site owned by Rocket Internet and a consortium of other local and regional investors.


Read more https://pageone.ng/2017/06/28/interswitch-reportedly-talks-acquire-konga/

Samchi Karate Academy in conjunction with Lagos state Karate Association is staging her 1st edition of Lagos state U-18 Karate championship bankrolled by popular Ponzi scheme MMM.

The event organised with the aim of developing the sport from the grassroots is scheduled to take place at the Rowe park sports complex, Yaba on saturday 1st July, 2017.


Read more http://pageone.ng/2017/06/26/samchi-lagos-host-karate-championship/

Ondo state government has cut down the number of staff at it’s football Agency (ODSFA), down from 639 to 157.

Chairman of the three man committee, set up by the state government on March 27th to look into the four years financial records of the agency, chief Gbenga Elegbeleye made this known while presenting report of the committee to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in Akure


Read more http://pageone.ng/2017/06/27/odsfa-sacks-400-staff/