I strongly suspect that the finance minister may be among those who were given appointments without portfolio. She has been totally silent ever since her appointment.
JohnNgene: I can give you guys one mbembe each. Mbembe is what we call the velvet tamarind (Didn't even know it had an English name. I learnt it on Nairaland last week. Lol) icheleku (Igbo), awin (yoruba), licky licky (pidgin) here in Amurri.
I wish all of you a happy Easter holiday in advance.
Tsamiyan biri (Hausa). First time I'd know what the English name is. Make I cram am.
JohnNgene: Your comment is not belated sir. I haven't paid yet. I checked the back of the document that same day and rigorously searched for my business type under the "description of business" column there.
These are the ones I found to be nearest to the description of my own shop amongst the 238 business types listed:
Second hand cloth (small) Registration 4,000 Renewal 2,000
I don't sell only okirika. Lol. So I ticked the boutiques (small) description of course and confronted the man with his document the next time he came.
He: Iji di two thousand kita? (Are you with the N2,000 now?) Me: Mba! Mgbe ozo ibiara (No! Next time you come)
So you see? The man was probably just hoping that I'll be ignorant enough to call him to plead and negotiate with him without checking the back of the document. God don catch am. Lol.
Kk. You try.
But that as it may, do not give him that cash, else you'd have just thrown your money away. All such demand notices are supposed to be paid at the bank. Then take your bank deposit slip copy with the payment e-receipt (Paydirect printout) to the genuine tax official to be issued your demand notice receipt. That dep slip copy and printout can cover you though.
Nna I like what you are doing at your place. It takes a brave heart and persistent spirit. Keep it up. That pic of you sitting in your shop touched me deeply. How do you intend to manage the 2 (abi 3?) shops by the time they are all running?
Did you finish from ESUT? If you did I'd be shocked O. Cos you write waaaaay better than some ESUT graduate acquaintances of mine who work in the bank (apologies to ESUT alumni in the house o bikokwa. Na the ones wey I see).
More power to your elbow brother.
P. S. By the time you'd have saved some coins, give a thought to trying your hand at fish farming if there is still space in your daddy's compound (are you the first son? ) I believe there are joints in that area and female students are bound to patronize the stuff. Well you know best.
JohnNgene: I asked for a surprise and I just got an unpleasant one. Lol.
While I was uploading my previous post, a man from the Enugu State Ministry of Commerce and Industry walked up to my shop and served me this demand notice (see the paper in the picture).
He had come with another man about two weeks ago. That time they said I'll pay N4,000 for registration instead of only N2,000 for renewal. This time around, this man has written N7,000 and disappeared before I could even protest or question him. Nawa o! Lol.
It's not funny though. I had to meet my landlord to put me through.
Landlord: Call Friday (Friday's the former owner of my container), ask for his business premises receipt and continue the payment from where he stopped.
Me: Ok. Thank you sir.
I really hope I don't pay more than N2,000 for this business premises thing. The next people to show up will be the Enugu State Waste Management Authority. Oh no!
Meanwhile, my business neighbour just told me that the landlord's suggestion won't work.
Me: Why na?
Him: Friday was doing a different business (phone accessories and repairs) and they have an association. When these people come, they meet as an association and contribute N200 each.
Me: Chai! What do I do now?
Him: Don't worry! I'll talk to somebody into this your kind of business so that you can join their own association.
Me: Thanks bro.
Him: How you go pay them 7thousand? Them dey craze?
Association of Clothes Sellers, here I come. Lol.
Whoever issued you that demand notice has fraudulent intent. Check behind that document and see if your kind of shop is listed there (which I strongly doubt). There is no way you'll be asked to pay N7,000. And then those payments are supposed to be made through bank deposits (I think through PayDirect) but the wicked evil spirit struck them out and wrote his phone number there so that you'd have to do it through him.
Sorry if my comment is belated o. I stumbled upon your thread few minutes ago.
Why would any individual choose not to pay his / her fare, but also argue with Transport Police when apprehended? If he'd at least admitted his offence, say he forgot to purchase a valid ticket due to him rushing, ignorance etc. All that would have happened is he would have probably gotten a caution, and be made to purchase a ticket valid for his journey on the spot, or worse case scenario, a fine.
He opted instead to make a public spectacle, and disgrace himself. I have seen fare dodgers of all colour and race, but I'm yet to see any grappled with in this way, simply because they admitted their wrong, and offered to pay. Even those without funds on them to pay have either been allowed to go with a caution, or had their details taken. Then they have so many days' grace to pay. This guy chose the hard route. If it goes to court (as it most likely will) he'll have resisting arrest added to his offense, and most likely end up with a criminal record.
He will definitely be remembered - but for the wrong reasons.
ElDaIllest: His brain was illegally removed from his body and then lost for 50 years.:
Dr. Thomas Stolz Harvey was the doctor who carried out the autopsy of Einstein, but no paperwork was ever found assigning Harvey to the procedure. The autopsy was performed illegal.
Seven hours after Einstein's death, Harvey set about removing Einstein's brain -- despite his final wishes stating to be cremated with his brain intact -- and kept it for himself, but no one knows why.
Whether or not Einstein's brain was preserved with his prior consent is a matter of dispute. Ronald Clark's 1979 biography of Einstein states, "he had insisted that his brain should be used for research and that he be cremated", but more recent research has suggested that this may not be true, and that the brain was removed and preserved without the permission of either Einstein or his close relatives. Hans Albert Einstein, the physicist's elder son, endorsed the removal after the event, but insisted that his father's brain should be used only for research to be published in scientific journals of high standing.[3]
edoborn2014: Boko Haram: PMB Gets Accolades At Uk House Of Lords, As Troops Nab Sect Leader Abdulkareem Haruna, Agbo-Paul Augustine — Mar 12, 2016 3:14 am | Leave a comment President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in London got resounding accolades at the United Kingdom’s House of Lords for sustaining the war against Boko Haram and degrading their ability to attack and abduct children.
Presenting a speech at the House of Lords under the headship of Lord David Ramsbotham, President of Jose Foundation, Prince Martins Abhulimhen, who on the invitation of the Lords to brief the parliament on the role of non governmental organisation in helping the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and children in Nigeria, told the parliamentarian that the ability of the federal government to equip the Nigerian military with the right equipment has help in turning the heat on the insurgents.
Abhulimhen, while expressing gratitude to the British Parliament for the rare invitation, said the 10 months old government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been able to repeal the insurgents and create safe camps for internally displaced people, a majority of whom he said are children.
He informed the Lords that the save environment created by the federal government in recent days has provided the opportunity for nongovernmental organisations to move into the various IDP camps to provide the much needed humanitarian services.
He emphasised the need to critically look at the conditions of the people living in the various camps all over the northeast with the aim of rehabilitating them and prepare them for a new life after the crisis.
“We now can show our zeal as it is safe to work in such camps. The internally displaced people is part of what I have come here to sensitise your Lordships about. For the first time in the history of Nigeria, we have a discipline, corrupt free leadership under the impeccable person of President Muhammadu Buhari, which without any doubt will make our tasks a lot easier,” he said.
The Jose Foundation also frowned at the wave of abduction of young girls, forced into marriages and conversion of their religion by some Nigerians in recent times.
Abhulimhen cited the recent case of the abduction of Delta State born teenager Miss Ese Oruru from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State to Kano State by one Yunusa Bala (Yellow) condemning the act and pledge his foundation’s commitment to rehabilitate the teenager.
He noted that the Jose Foundation is partnering with Save the Children Organisation UK, Nepal Child Rescue Foundation, the Wellbeing Foundation and other like-minded nongovernmental organisations to help the Nigerian government ease this burden and end “this crisis and humanitarian catastrophe”.
He reminded the parliamentarians that over 200 children from the Chibok village in Borno State are still missing, “though the government is also making tremendous efforts to bring back the girls. Many children need expert care and counselling to help them return to normal life”.
The Jose Foundation was established in 2003, inspired by the visit of her Majesty the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when she challenged the Government and People of Nigeria to address and eradicate the circumstances that led to the pitiful state of the displaced children in Nigeria vis-a-vis Africa.
Over the past decades however, the Jose Foundation has reached out to the less privileged and made progress through contributions and financial assistance in relevant sectors of the Nigerian polity through government institutions such as hospitals, motherless babies homes and institutions that protect the disabled.
However, in recent times, there have been insurgence and ethnic upheavals leading to high levels of violence and kidnappings in the Niger Delta areas and much more recently Islamic fundamentalism by the Boko Haram group in the North East of Nigeria unleashing violence on an unprecedented level using bombs, ambush, guerrilla warfare and military and para military suicide bombers including children especially young females that have been kidnapped and brain washed into suicide bombing.
Meanwhile, the Boko Haram sect has suffered another defeat, as troops yesterday accosted a gang of the insurgents at a border community in Borno state, Northeast Nigeria, arrested one of their leaders who has been on the list of ‘100-wanted terrorists’, army officials said.
A gang of Boko Haram were intercepted at a fishing community known as Daban-Masara in Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno while trying to ferry over 200 litres of Petrol to an unknown destination.
The insurgents, led by their shot and later arrested leader, who was labelled Number “95” on the first published list of ‘100 Wanted Terrorists’ attempted to resist the Troops of 7 Multinational Joint Task Force Brigade’s Quick Response Group (QRG) stationed in Baga and 118 Task Force Battalion, but were effectively overwhelmed.
Spokesman of the Nigeria Army, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, who confirmed the development in a statement said the troops “sprang an ambush along Daban Masara axis usually used by Boko Haram terrorists’ elements to convey logistics on Thursday.
“At the encounter, one of the suspected wanted Boko Haram terrorists leaders who is serial number 95 on the first Nigerian Army wanted list of 100 Boko Haram terrorists leaders, was fatally wounded in the exchange of fire.
“He later gave up while receiving medical attention at the base, while other members of his team escaped with gunshot wounds. The troops recovered 7 Jerri cans of 30 litres containing 210 liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), motorcycles and food stuff in addition to arms and ammunitions”.
It was gathered that the dead leader of the Boko Haram had been a major motivational sub-leader of the insurgents in that axis of Borno.
I had a reason for reproducing the entire article.
I could not find a single quote from the British parliament. Besides the first paragraph of the article, which reported the British parliament in the third person, every other line was about Prince Martin and Jose Foundation.
osamaBUSH: Stayed away from girls throughout my undergraduate years. Shiit doesn't exactly sound lyk an achievement but sometimes it feels lyk it
Mine was all through first degree, NYSC, and the first 2 years of working.
Not that there was any lack of opportunity. I'd say lack of motivation. Why start something that I knew was going to end eventually? And end badly probably.
chimere66: The man identified as C J Bishop Egbucha, was involved in fatal accident which saw his car summersault several times in FCT, Abuja. The car went aflame but Egbucha was able to break the rearmirror, grab the fire extinguisher and put off the fire. He is presently in a hospital in Abuja for internal bleeding.
maximunimpact: The banking system in Nigeria has in nearly a decade been revolutionized and has since then joined the committee of other nations in rendering acceptable services and products to customers. It is also true to say the industry effectively earned the trust of their loyal customers as a result of the capitalization of 2009 as well as various mergers and acquisition that took place in 2011/2012.
The confidence financial institutions enjoyed over the past couple of years can also be attributed to the strong control and compliance the Central Bank Of Nigeria (CBN) wielded over commercial banks in order to ensure the safety of customers deposits and investment. This is true in regards to the harmonization of bank charges the CBN effectively imposed on banks in 2012.
Prior to the harmonization of bank charges, between 2011 downwards, commercial banks had the responsibility of initiating and deducting charges at will from customers account, this especially created a loophole for obnoxious and roguish deductions. Customers were placed at a disadvantage because of various charges commercial banks introduced such as monthly account maintenance fees, SMS alert charges as high as ten naira per alert, requests such as reference letter, bank statements, verification of signature and other such requests were charged at the various bank’s discretion thereby creating a room for overcharging the process.
In the face of the above circumstance customers bitterly complained about the charges and a lot of partitions were written against some commercial banks to the CBN which gave rise to the apex bank intervening.
How the CBN Intervened On Bank Charges In 2012
Following the outcry of bank customers, the CBN rolled out some policies to checkmate charges on customers account. Some of the policies are:
1. Harmonization of bank charges, which means that bank charges will now be set by the central bank. 2. Review of CoT which stipulated that it should stand at N3.00 per mile for 2013, N2.00 per mile for 2014, and N1.00 per mile in 2015, meaning that when 2016 dawns, CoT will be zero naira. 3. All dispensed and online banking errors must be resolved within 48hours 4. SMS alert became N4.00 across all banks 5. Elimination of N100.00 interbank ATM withdrawal 6. Elimination of monthly account maintenance charges.
The above are just a summary of some of the laudable policies that once again returned confidence to commercial banks in Nigeria. Customers became aware of what they are to be charged across all banks as a result of the laudable policies by the CBN in 2012.
The End Of CoT Marked Another Era Of Inflated Bank Charges
With the CoT regime billed to end in 2016, it appeared as though customers can now transact without charges, at least that was the original plan as per the policy of 2012, but soon enough the CBN dived into what could be described as a step forward and two step backward. The CBN indirectly reintroduced a negotiable Commission on Turnover (CoT) as a current account maintenance fee across all commercial banks.
According to a circular sent by the CBN on Wednesday, January 20th, banks are to charge nothing more than N1 per every N1,000 as CoT for every current account transaction, “in respect of all customer-induced debit transactions.”
The reintroduction of the CoT adds to the unclear monetary strategy of the CBN following the earlier imposition of a compulsory stamp duty of N50 on all non-self-current account transactions. Last year, the CBN announced, in a circular titled “Implementation of Revised Guide to Bank Charges –Commission on Turnover,” that a zero-commission on turnover would commence in January 2016 stating, affirmatively, that there was no going back on the implementation of the policy. However, it appears the CBN failed to take into consideration how much banks could lose from the implementation of this policy.
Despite strong protest by banks following this decision, the CBN remained adamant on the zero CoT policy which would see banks lose about N100 billion (out of N550 billion) in annual revenue. The reintroduction of the CoT as current account maintenance shows a confused CBN which probably needs a minister that can foretell the future in its policy implementation.
The CBN further complicated the issue by insinuating a “negotiable charge’” thereby handing commercial banks once again the right to fix bank charges, taking customers back to the era of obnoxious and roguish deductions. Commercial banks are profit oriented institutions, just like every other business, they are constantly looking for loopholes in the system to explore in order to maximize profit, and this they have always done to the letter.
Bank Customers React
Fresh off from the imposition of N50 stamp duties by the federal government on credit transactions up to N1,000 from third parties, the stage is now set for chaos. To add salt to injury, commercial banks simultaneously capitalized on their newly bestowed authority for “negotiable charges” cashing in on it leading to excess charges on customers account.
Earlier this month, bank customers staged a “no banking day protest” to register their displeasure towards excess bank charges by commercial banks. The protest was led by Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria (CAFON) under the leadership of Mikail who spoke in support of the protest against Excessive Bank Charges. Mikail said that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) directed all commercial banks to charge customers N50 on deposits from N1, 000 and above, as part of Nigeria’s stamp duties law on financial transactions.
“Apart from this, there are other silent charges administered by Nigerian banks” he said.
He said there was need to alert the Federal Government on these excessive charges by Nigerians banks.
Mikail suggested that government should come up with a good economic blue print on how to restructure the economy.
He described the charges as another way of imposing extra tax on the masses, adding that the policy would discourage people from banking.
Mikail said that at present, “Nigeria is largely under-banked especially in rural areas’’.
“So, this type of policy will worsen the situation; in particular for traders doing business in the rural areas.
“It will have negative effects on the cashless monetary policy that is already in place as it is also another way of imposing extra tax on the masses.
“It would discourage people from keeping money in the banks as Nigeria is largely under-banked, especially the rural areas.
‘So, this type of policy will worsen the situation, in particular for traders doing business in the rural areas
“It will have negative effect on the cashless monetary policy that is already in place.
“The CBN should jettison this method of taxation and come up with a monetary policy that will strengthen the naira to grow the economy, instead of putting another tax burden on the people.
He said that in order to put the CBN and banks on the right track, I plead with all banks users not to carry out any banking transactions on March 1, 2016.
“All bank users should not visit banks to transact any business; we should not use our ATM from 12 am to 12 midnight on March 1.
Although the impact of the protest is yet to be seen, but the fact remains we are yet to see the end of this.
The Way Forward
Recounting the ramifications surrounding the present challenge of excess bank charges, this can be attributed to a matter of making binding and sustainable policies by the apex bank. The CBN needs to understand one fact, that the moment they hand commercial banks the right to fix bank charges through “negotiable charges” as they call it, the right is bound to be abused as a result of the insatiable desire for more profits by commercial banks even if it is at the expense of their most beloved customers.
The CBN need to act decisively by taking over their responsibility of micro-managing the administration of all bank charges as done previously, as we all know that as it stands now the integrity of our commercial banks cannot be trusted and as such lack the moral right to handle “negotiable bank charges” as they will always cash in on it to reap customers off their hard earned money.
Rather than making new policies that are not sustainable, the CBN should up their game in following due diligence in the process of implementing existing laws and policies, considering the fact that the blue print set by the same apex bank which restored sanity in the system was abandoned.
An extremely lopsided and imbalanced reportage which only pushes its own views which, sure may reflect the views of the customer, but fails to also present the opinions of the operators who may have had reasons for utilizing the concessions granted them by the regulator to charge COT.
These COT policy reversals we've experienced are fallout of policies instituted and subsequently removed by different CBN heads.
On one hand, you have a CBN governor heavily influenced by religion attempting to replicate Islamic-styled banking in the industry. What does he do? He introduces gradual removal of COT and anything related to interests, blocking most of the income streams of the banks. Hence the common question: how are the banks expected to run their operations, meet up with expenses and other obligations? The industry is not yet matured to the point of relying on retail credits for income. What is the proportion of the banking populace who are truly credit worthy? When customers talk about savings, how many of them truly save for the banks to utilize the float on such savings?
Enter another CBN governor who came in directly from heading a bank having co-found that bank from scratch. He knew the operating environment created by his predecessor was extremely unhealthy and would spell doom for most banks. Hence the amendment of some policies (reintroduced ATM charges applying only to customers who used other bank's machines, account maintenance charges, etc). These incomes are what keep the banks running and motivate them to improve on their services. I recall the situation of things during the heat of Sanusi's reign. In some banks I observed that if their offsite ATMs broke down, there was no urgency to have them fixed, after all there was absolutely no income but rather loss (rent, diesel and connectivity charges) to be incurred. So why bother? I made bold to state that even as a bank MD, Sanusi may have not known the cost of acquiring an ATM not to talk of installing and running it.
A lot of weird things went on during Sanusi's tenure that made me wonder how he rose to become a bank MD (at least I know how he got to be CBN governor) with just a BSc Econs acquired 1983 and another degree in Sharia studies from Khartoum. Wow! If it's not nepotism at its best, I don't know what else to call it.
Please from my little understanding, banks need some income to pay rent, salaries, purchase some equipments, diesel, settle suppliers, pay for network connections, pay state and Local governments tax collectors, etc. They can't do it with your money deposited with them in trust for safekeeping. They derive income from the movement of funds and that's what they use to survive and still declare profits (which if it doesn't meet expectations, shareholders will still complain about) at the end of the day.
zthree: Hello guys, please if a banker is summarily dismissed for gross misconduct, what hope is there for him to secure another gainful employment? Candid advise needed please.
Thanks.
The problem here is dismissal due to gross misconduct, as against dismissal due to downsizing, company restructuring or similar reasons.
A Code of Conduct document was distributed to all staff in my company some time back and we were requested to digest and acknowledge receipt of the documents.
Part of what I read is that if you feel that you have a grievance with your bank, you are obliged to approach the CIBN for arbitration before heading to court. But they also said that where a staff has been dismissed on the grounds of gross misconduct, they'll forward the person's name to CBN to be entered in one register (I've forgotten the name) to ensure that the person can't be hired by any bank again.
LOKOJA – Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has appointed Barrister Moses Okezie as Senior Special Assistant on Speech Writing, Research and Documentary.
Barrister Okezie who hailed from Imo State was part of the five new political appointees by the Governor. Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade in a statement Wednesday in Lokoja, listed others appointees as; Barr. Justina Abanida from Yagba West Local government area, Chairman, Kogi State Universal Basic Education, SUBEB, and Alhaji Yakubu Oseni from Okene Local government area as Chairman, Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue.
ItsMeAboki: Didn't you read where the Emir directed for the matter to be handed over to the state police AIG; including a copy of the same orders released to the press as evidence of his non complicity; how does that amount to shielding of any body - why must you and your ilk continue to expose your ignorance and embarrassingly mental laziness to comprehend?
Letter indeed. I didn't read it. What did the Emir write in the letter? Tell me. Remember that liars will go to hell.
irunooboo: I thinks it's time for the national assembly to ammend the constitution and declare seccession an act of treason punishable by firing squad Any one supporting biafra should be sentenced to death or fed to lions. This will gradually kill the evil ideology called Biafra. We hate biafra and it shall never come. The buratai military should invade the east and do the needful
isbish: The simple reason why PMB's picture is removed from the candidates posters is beyond the haters comprehension. You guys because of hatred and vile on the President have lost all your sane sense of reasoning. His images on the posters are removed because even bad candidates use the Presidents good aura, personality and popularity to get votes. Buhari is a gem and larger percentage of good Nigerians know that, hence, the reason why bad politicians use his image to sale themselves.
Haven't any of you seen other parties using Buhari's image to even get votes. I have seen in my Village a Labour party Chairmanship aspirant use Buhari's pics in his Poster. What has Buhari got to do with Labour party? I guess sensible people will now see the reason better. They aren't removing PMB's pics because he is unpopular as you guys want to portray it. His pics are removed for the above stated reason.
LOL. You so much remind me of Squealer in Animal Farm. Licking Napoleon's arse.
slowbreeze: Ur nt a Dr bt u knw wat ALL d consultants in d hospital are saying..#smh#..My brother,u shuld focus more on ur career & stop tarnishing d image of an institution dat has produced sound Drs over here and at home....Success in one's life / career is largely dependent on one's self determination/hardwork....I should know.
driyke007: l could take you through our alumni page and show you a lot of absu trained doctors excelling all over the world.
Agreed. Kindly oblige me.
I did my Industrial Attachment at FMC Umuahia, my mother retired as a Deputy Director there, my wife finished her school of Nursing from the same institution, I've interacted with so many senior doctors in several hospitals here in the South East, many of whom are acquaintances of mine and their opinions formed the basis for that comment of mine.
I'll still stand by what I said. ABSU medical school graduates still have a veery long way to go before fitting into competitive medical practice (public or private). Don't let the school deceive you. Don't rely on achievements of your alumni. You do not know what they eventually did or go to after their first degree, to get to where they are now.
Study hard and graduate to be a good practitioner. Sorry what I said sounded offensive. Bitter pill. But that's the truth.
slowbreeze: Shut up ur smelling mouth..must u guys always show urselves?? jst cos u probably graduated frm a med skl (living in its past glory), makes other Drs inferior to u.,.Same license, its a parrallel world out here.Continue living in ur past glory & quoting ur "good consultants @ fmc warreva" and dont struggle & read hard to be one urself..u will watch dose same absu med graduates bcome ur oga...silly.
Sorry sir. I'm not a medical doctor. As per the read hard etc, I should be the one advising you o. Believe me.
I listed 7 names , I gave you the option to chose who the thief is , so get off my case
As a matter of fact , Fcck off completely
Mumu monkey.
Your myopic stvpidity was pointed out to you. You realized your error and now claim you gave me 7 names. Why was a particular name highlighted and in bold print?
How old are you by the way sef? All these useless children that lack integrity and can't man up to their mistakes for once. Is Liar Mohammed your father?
Politics › Re: Economy Has Stopped Working, Labour Tells Buhari by Tinyemeka(m): 5:10pm On Mar 21, 2016
