tiswell: forget what they wrote here,I have on-ground witness account of what transpired there.
Obiano's wife was exchanging pleasantries when she arrived,(late though ). Whwn she got to Biancas,she asked her what she was doing there,after working against her hubby's(obiano's )2nd term campaign.
Bianca couldn't hold herself as she got up and slapped ebelechukwu obiano.
If you're sure, no problem...but we are speaking based on evidence before this dishonourable nairaland court.
Check the history of female political appointees and sociopolitical female critics in Nigeria and check how many of Igbo extraction has truly really bitten off more than was necessary
Rickmann: For me, these loan company operations should cease hence fourth. They are just bunch of thieves and complete nuisance to the country.
If they must continue , they must be trimmed, scrutinized and regulated fully by the CBN to provide professional financial services.
On the contrary, I think the loan companies have been really helpful. Despite the high interest rate, which is definitely optional, they have really come thru for some of us...especially the working class.
However, this modus of loan recovery is the major problem.
Even if people default, there should be a professional way to guarantee a loan, aside naming and shaming.
On Friday, March 11, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) raided at least seven digital loan companies operating in Lagos over “possible violation” of consumer rights.
The operation led by the commission’s boss, Babatunde Irukera, was in response to several complaints of malpractices on the part of the lenders.
Babatunde Irukera, the head of the FCCPC said some digital money lenders were shut down over violation of consumers' rights. Photo credit: @fccpcnigeria Source: Twitter
Legit.ng gathers that the lending companies offer short-term loans to help subscribers meet urgent needs.
However, they resort to unprofessional measures of harassment, cyberbullying, and breach of data privacy of their customers who may have defaulted in loan repayment.
Here's the list of the affected loan companies:
1. GoCash
GoCash is listed under Finance on Google Play Store. It loans Nigerians up to N300,000, and charges from 20% to 30% service interest, according to the information available on the Andriod apps store.
2. OKash
OKash is owned by Blue Ridge Microfinance Bank Limited. The company said on its profile on Play Store that its loan amount ranges from NGN 3,000 to NGN 500,000.
Okash added that its interest rate is calculated on a daily basis and has an Annual Percentage Rate(APR) ranging from 36.5% to 360%.
3. EasyCredit
EasyCredit says its lending amount ranges between 3,000 NGN and 100,000 NGN and has the Maximum Annual Percentage Rate(APR) of 40%.
4. Kashkash
KashKash says its loan ranges from ₦3,000 to ₦200,000 while its annual percentage rate(APR) ranges from 36.5% to 300%.
5. Speedy Choice
Legit.ng cannot find any loan app with the name Speedy Choice on the Google Playstore. The loan app that shows when the name Speedy Choice is typed is Speedy loan.
Legit.ng cannot confirm if the two are the same.
Speedy loan’s feature is similar to others. Loan amount ranges from ₦3,000 to ₦150,000 and those eligible for the loans are Nigerian residents (20-55 years old) with monthly income source.
No office address was provided.
6. Easy Moni
Easy Moni in its profile on Google Playstore claims its "loan-products approved by Microfinance Banking Business registered with CBN and communicated to users during online loan application."
Its loans amounts range from NGN1,500 to NGN80,000 with the Annual Percentage Rate (APR) of 48%.
7. Sokoloan]
Sokoloan says its own interest ranges from 4.5% to 34% and collects no collateral.
Interested clients can get loans ranging from ₦5,000 to ₦100,000 with terms from 91 to 180 days.
Meanwhile, a report by Premium Times states that six of the seven listed companies, GoCash, Okash, EasyCredit, Kashkash, Speedy Choice, Easy Moni, were owned by Blue Ridge Microfinance Bank Limited.
Why FG shut down the loan apps
Babatunde Irukera, the head of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) said the reason for the shutdown was the naming and shaming of borrowers and violation of their privacy with respect to how the loans are recovered.
He added:
“Secondly the interest factor seems to be a violation of the ethics on how lending is done. So those were the two things that we set out to look for."
How we will deal with digital money lending companies - Irukera
Irukera said lives and reputation of vulnerable Nigerians are threatened or damage by oppressive loan terms & outrageous collection practices.
He vowed that the FCCPC "will hit them in their offices, cloud storage, banks & App Stores", adding that ethical lending is a must.
Giving an update in a statement on Monday, March 14, Irukera said Google LLC and Apple Inc have been directed to take down the apps, among other measures taken by his commission alongside other government agencies.
However, checks by Legit.ng indicates that the apps are still active on Google Play Store at the time of filing this report.
Many Nigerians have also commented that the lending firms have not stopped the harassment despite the FCCPC's action.
Jersey0107, @ajaneakan, said:
"Lcredit, sokoloan these ones are still sending messages threatening victims, I've seen a lot today."
Hirofunshi, @Hirofunshi, said:
"LCredit is the worst of them all. Infact worse than Sokoloan. Special interest should be given to them @lcreditNg."
Royalty favour, @favourroyalty1, said:
"They are still calling and sending threat message even as this operation is going on."
How online loan sharks raided by FG resumed work 6 hours later
Meanwhile, insider information obtained exclusively by Legit.ng says that the digital money lenders raided by the Task Force went back to work six hours later.
According to a source who craved anonymity because she does not want to risk her life and job, immediately the raid happened the management of two of two loan apps, Kash Kash and Okash ‘settled’ those who came to do the raid and started work six hours later.
She said:
“We went back to work immediately. I work in customer service and among those calling debtors and defaulters. I think the management settled those who came to do the raid and allowed us to resume operations.
"As I am talking to you, I have called about 12 people today. The job does not even require onsite activity. We work remotely sometimes and report to the office a few days a week."
Maxymilliano: DEFECTION to another Party INVALIDATES a Certificate of Return.
Any sane person with a sense of law and order, knows Umahi and his Deputy don't have a case
Cert of Return is issued in the name of the persons elected, under the party.
Not to a party, in the care of the the candidate.
We operate a party system, so every contestant must stand on a party, and not independent candidacy. In essence, we vote by party system, but we do not vote a party.
The votes belong first to the candidate before the party.
If not, the winner becomes the leader of his electorates, not leader of a constituency.
The Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria says Nigerians who are willing to travel to Ukraine to fight Russian forces must be willing to provide $1,000 for ticket and visa.
The embassy stated this when scores of Nigerian men converged on its premises in Abuja on Thursday to express their readiness to join the Ukrainian side.
In an interview with our correspondent, the Second Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy to Nigeria, Bohdan Soltys, confirmed that $1,000 would be needed by Nigerian volunteers.
The announcement did not go down well with the Nigerians who lamented that the price was too high.
“The $1,000 requirement is too high,” said Monday Adikwu, with number 96NA/41/2808, who was dismissed from the Nigerian Army for leaving his duty post to visit his pregnant wife without permission.
“They said we should provide evidence of military experience, passports and $1,000 for tickets and others. When I asked what the salary is, the guy first said $7,000 and later changed it to $3,300 per month. I showed him my military and training certificates.”
When asked why he wants to go to Ukraine, Adikwu said he needed money to take care of his family including six children
He said, “I want to go to Ukraine because I am a military man. I fought in Liberia. I fought in Sierra Leone. I was part of the 33 Battalion. I was trained by Ukrainian soldiers when I was in the United Nations in Kosovo on how to shoot and drive APC tanks. I can drive it very well.
“So, when I heard about Ukraine and the way people are trooping in… I am a farmer. I don’t have anything. I am a fighter. They said they will pay us so I am ready to fight so that I can get paid and take care of my family. I will also bring glory to the name of Nigeria as a worthy ambassador.”
Adikwu, who was accompanied by other dismissed soldiers, said they were not afraid of Russian forces.
“We are not scared. It was David that killed Goliath with only a tool. So, I believe my going to Ukraine will give them victory
Another applicant, Nkem Ndueche, who is from Anambra State, said he was fluent in Russian having attended a Russian military academy in 2007, said he was willing to fight on the side of Ukraine.
He said, “I want to go to Ukraine because I am a military man. I fought in Liberia. I fought in Sierra Leone. I was part of the 33 Battalion. I was trained by Ukrainian soldiers when I was in the United Nations in Kosovo on how to shoot and drive APC tanks. I can drive it very well.
“So, when I heard about Ukraine and the way people are trooping in… I am a farmer. I don’t have anything. I am a fighter. They said they will pay us so I am ready to fight so that I can get paid and take care of my family. I will also bring glory to the name of Nigeria as a worthy ambassador.”
Adikwu, who was accompanied by other dismissed soldiers, said they were not afraid of Russian forces.
“We are not scared. It was David that killed Goliath with only a tool. So, I believe my going to Ukraine will give them victory
Another applicant, Nkem Ndueche, who is from Anambra State, said he was fluent in Russian having attended a Russian military academy in 2007, said he was willing to fight on the side of Ukraine.
Ndueche added that his wife was against him travelling to fight for Ukraine but he would travel nonetheless for the sake of honour.
“I am 101 per cent to fight for Ukraine. It is wrong for someone to invade another person’s land. That is what Putin is doing and we want to defend Ukraine. I was in the military academy in Russia. I have what it takes. I even served the Nigerian Army briefly too,” he said.
In an interview with The PUNCH, the Second Secretary at the Ukrainian Embassy to Nigeria, Bohdan Soltys, said it would be difficult for Nigerians to travel to Ukraine now since the airspace had been shut due to the war.
He said since Nigerians needed visas to visit Romania and Poland, it would be difficult for them to use the land borders.
“It is normal practice when people want to volunteer and join the army of another country. It is a normal international practice. Of course, for us, it is an expression of support which we really appreciate. For now, no one has gone. We have received hundreds of applications from people who said they are willing. We have sent lists to the government but I cannot tell you what will happen next.
“In this particular case, you cannot fly to Ukraine. The only way you can fly is to countries that border Ukraine. All these countries are part of the EU and Nigerians will need visas to visit these countries. So, it is a big obstacle. You cannot fly directly to Ukraine. You will have to go to Poland or Hungary,” Soltys said.
The diplomat said Ukraine was not recruiting mercenaries but volunteers. He, therefore, advised Nigerians not to focus on the money. He, however, promised that Nigerian volunteers would be paid the same as Ukrainian soldiers.
“If a person wants to fight for Ukraine or any other country, only volunteers can do it. If Ukraine pays these people, they will be mercenaries and it violates international law… In general, when a person joins another country’s army, they pay the normal price that their soldiers are paid. This is how it works across the world. You come to fight because an injustice has been done,” he said
On why $1,000 was being demanded from Nigerian volunteers, the Ukrainian diplomat said, “Yes, $1,000. That is what I paid the last time I visited Ukraine.”
While thanking Nigeria for siding with Ukraine at the United Nations General Assembly, he pleaded with Nigerian citizens who may have been victims of racism during the evacuation in Ukraine not to feel offended, adding that war situations sometimes force people to act out of character.
He, however, advised Nigerians also not to fall for Russian propaganda.
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majesticguy: Letting go of those 2 regions would be a bad move. In fact that'd be the end of Ukraine. If those 2 regions succeeds in breaking free, many other regions who feel marginalized would also spring up & would want to be on their own too.
Ukraine ends up breaking into pieces, and at the end of the day Russia assumes control of those regions and what is left of Ukraine might be wiped out or might willing join Russia out of coercion of being attacked by some of it's "brothers" or the recently broken out regions. And for those regions that broke out, it's either you bend the knee to mother Russia or you're wiped out.
Exactly what Nigeria is facing with Biafran agitators.
Letting everyone go is not the problem. But it will definitely lead to more insurrection. Take South Sudan as an instance. The same broken-away people are now demanding further breaking away.
Ifesinachi22: The Russian and Ukrainian "wahala" has been the most important news lately and just yesterday morning Russian military entered some part of Ukraine's eastern territory in what so many people have termed "the absolute declaration of war" by President Vladimir Putin.
Well, if you are lost on the gist. Let me quickly bring you up to speed.
Let's start from the beginning.
So, many years ago, Russia, Ukraine and some other countries in Eastern Europe were all siblings from the same mother- "Soviet Union"
With Russia being the appointed elder brother.
But after the sudden death of their parents on "26 December 1991", all their parents landed properties including kitchen stuff like Armour cars, drones, nuclear weapons and vegetables like biological weapons, etc was shared between all the siblings.
As per elder brother, Russia received the largest of them all.
Now, keep that in mind because we will come back to it.
As years roll by, Russia has been very prudent with its gifts and has grown so massive that it is now rated as the second most powerful country in the world.
His siblings?
Lol...most of them are broke.
But there is an even bigger problem.
Other Russian siblings except Belarus are not in love with Russia.
They say he is a bully and so they are going outside their zone to fall in love and romance with countries like the USA, France, UK, etc.
Russia is not happy with this and in fact, even wants the family to come together again in other to preserve their family legacy.
Even if it is to eat their favourite "Solyanka" again.
Now, remember when I told you that Russia received the largest share of their properties?
Well, it helps Russia in raising millions of children and even enough to trains millions as soldiers.
So, Russia is not only one of the most largest countries in the world, but it also has one of the most powerful military power in the world.
According to global firepower rankings, Russia is number 2.
Now, you might not understand how powerful Russia is when compare to Ukraine until you know, for every Ukraine soldier, there is like 4.5 Russian military man.
That is like 5-1
Ukraine thinks this is scary stuff because even though, they don't want to go back to their family, Russia has the power and can force them to come back home.
" Remember when your Daddy forced you to eat?" Lol
So because of this fear, Ukraine wants to join NATO.
NATO = The North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
It is a military organisation that comprises many countries with the USA as their most powerful member.
Their MOTTO is "Injury to one, injury to all"
So if one country is having wahala, other member countries will come together to help their "cartel man"
But Russia doesn't want to have any of that.
They say, "Taa! if you can not come back home, you can not marry that wife-join NATO"
And they are kind of justified.
If Ukraine joins NATO, it means countries like the USA-an an arch-rival and sworn enemy of RUSSIA can bring their weapons and spying equipment to Ukraine and peep at Russia while their main man is doing something with his babes.
And that is not fair.
Not to smaller countries like Mali or Austria or Ghana though, but to powerful countries like RUSSIA, that is a no-no.
In fact, the US know this self, they will never agree for Russia to come close to Mexico but they just want to try their luck.
So, to prevent this from happening and to show how serious they are about it, Russia started bringing together thousands of army people around the Ukraine border.
They wanted to enter the country "codedly" until Ukraine found out on time and shouted to other countries to come to their aid.
Other countries stood up immediately because they know what Russia can do.
Some countries sent weapons to Ukraine to help them, some sent motivational speakers(military advisers), others like Germany even sent helmets. Lol
They hoped that, if Russia see all of these, they will fear and turn back.
But not Russians, their heart is as iced as the many snow that dots around Moscow.
So, today, Russia still entered Ukraine and declared military operations.
Russia first started entering Ukraine officially, when they recognise two rebel regions in Ukraine as independent republics.
These two regions have been fighting the Ukraine government for years for independent.
Russian recognition of this region means they can officially go in other to protect this region militarily and that is exactly what Russia is doing right now.
Or at least claiming to do
Ukraine and other countries think this is a scam. That Russia is only looking for a pretext to invade Ukraine.
It may be true. It may be wrong
The thing is that, there is an easy way to quickly end this issue.
Ukraine must show their willingness never to enter NATO. QED
Anything other than that is a no-no
The funniest part of this matter for me now, is that Russia is currently the President of the United Nations Security Council.
So, UN can not do anything right now.
Any agreement UNSC will make this month can and will be veto by RUSSIA.
Great piece.
I've copied and pasted on personal WhatsApp group...acknowledging you.
However, I have a thought.
Why can't Ukraine let go of the two Eastern States. Let them go join their desired Russia. The only thing you lose is your territorial integrity. It is much better than the annihilation that awaits
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The way you guys blow these things, as if it's not what we all do as guys.
Dah year, my ex was telling me bout how she fell in love with her ex, just because he took off his jacket to cover her when they were returning from Fresher's night.
In my mind, I was like...this is same thing any sane guy would have done in that situation. Do you know how many ladies I've covered with mine That's a damn cheap tactics.
My point is, what he did, is the same thing most sensible men would have done.
Chill with the trips...There are good men are everywhere!