Daybreak, Politics, Entertainment, Sport

Author: Alpha Maidawa

Cybercrime, e-fraud, major challenges facing telecommunication users — NCC
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has attributed cybercrime and e-fraud as one of the major challenges facing telecommunications users in the country.
NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this during the commission’s special day in Enugu on Sunday at the ongoing 31st Enugu International Trade Fair.
Danbatta, represented by a Director in the Commission, Reuben Mmuoka, said NCC recently hosted a cyber security enlightenment conference where telecoms stakeholders were enlightened on dangers associated with cybercrimes.
He advised telecom consumers not to open unknown emails or post Personal Identification Number (PIN) online as bank would never ask them for their personal detail via internet or over the phone.
Danbatta disclosed that the commission had also educated parents on their roles regarding child online protection.
“The sensitisation programmes are targeted at parents, aimed at equipping them with the right knowledge they need to limit the exposure of their children to the negative aspects of internet use.
“To protect subscribers from unsolicited text messages or voice calls, the commission evolved “do not disturb” (DNB), directing all mobile network operators to dedicate a short code to enable subscribers to take informed but independent decisions on what messages they wish to receive.”
He pointed out that NCC as regulator had come with initiatives to enable consumers lodge their complaints when dissatisfied with the services provided by their operators.
“The Commission will apply appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions against such service provider.
“NCC identifies consumer as a very important stakeholder in the telecoms industry, which is evident in our 8-point agenda where empowerment and protection is properly captured,” he added.
The Vice Chairman said that the NCC Special Day was aimed at educating and informing subscribers on the use of communication services and their rights as telecoms consumers.
In his address, the President of the Enugu Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Mr Emma Nwandu, said that the role of NCC as a regulatory agency in the telecommunication sector was commendable.
According to him, telecommunication industry has witnessed a great revolution in the socio-economic life, which has equally accentuated the pace of socio-economic life as individuals and as a nation.(NAN)
March 23, 2020
FIRS collects N338.1bn revenue in January
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS ) has collected the sum of N338.1 billion revenue for January 2020 as a against N620.2 billion tax target for the month.
According to an FIRS document obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday, he figure represents the aggregate collection by states’ coordinating units on monthly basis.
The new Executive Chairman of FIRS, Mr Muhammad Nami, was given a tax collection target of N8.5 trillion for 2020 fiscal year.
The document indicated that the state coordinating units of Adamawa, Gombe and Taraba had January target of N1,496,937,795.22 but collected N2,237,217,349.37 represented 149.45 per cent collection.
It disclosed that Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Cross River had a monthly target of N2,175,116,159.19 but their actual collection in January was N2,010,374,940.81 which represented 92.43 per cent.
Lagos Mainland East had January target of N50,272,057,644.57 but its actual collection of N39,177,218,569.19 amounted to 77.93 percent.
Jigawa, Kano and Katsina had collection target of N5,203,823,553.44. Their actual collection was N3,606,224,711.59 representing 77.93 percent. Ogun, Osun and Oyo had target of N6,268,435,732.91 while their actual collection during the period stood at N4,167,880,594.20, indicating 66.49 per cent collection.
According to the document, Lagos Mainland West was given a January target of N4,988,901,182.24 but collected N3,033,847,030.11 representing 60.81 per cent.
It added that Abia, Ebonyi and Enugu had a target of N2,503,697,840.31 but they were able to collect N1,356,428,894.51, which represented 54.18 per cent.
“Benue, Kaduna and Niger had tax collection target of N3,848,560,125.77, they made actual collection of N2,003,203,450.93 indicating 52.05 per cent. Delta, Edo and Rivers collectively had January target of N17,790,368,169.50 but recorded actual collection of N9,251,413, 039.13 indicating 52 percent.
“Lagos Island was given a target of N459,548,646,637.50 in January, but it collected the sum of N238,708,658,042.72 translating to 51.94 per cent. Bauchi, Plateau, Borno and Yobe had a collection target of N2,793,435,123,22, but their actual collection was N1,446,670,932.56 indicating 51.79 per cent.
“The FCT, Nasarawa and Kogi had the target sum of N61,680,175,079.81, but collected a total of N30,248,678,333.46 representing 49.04 per cent. Ekiti, Kwara and Ondo had tax collection target of N1,726,864,502.79, but ended up with actual collection of N757,471,765.95 representing 43.86 per cent.
“Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara were mandated to collect N1,457,022,041.29 tax, their actual collection was N532,837,594.78 indicating 36.57 per cent while Anambra and Imo had target sum of N1,457,022,041.29, actual collection sum of N384, 986,673.78 reflecting 26.42 per cent” it explained. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
Coronavirus: We’re not shutting down operations – Union Bank
The Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, on Sunday, denied social media report that it would shut down its daily operations, beginning from March 23 due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The Head, Corporate Communication and Marketing of the bank, Ogochukwu Ekezie-Ekaidem, said in Lagos on Sunday that the financial institution would be opened and fully operational.
“Union Bank branches will remain open and fully operational to serve customers during these Covid-19 crises.
“In addition, with the exception of customers serving employees and critical operations and technology functions, most other employees will be required to work remotely from home.
“However, we have adopted safety protocols to protect our customers and employees during this period,” she said.
Ekezie-Ekaidem added also that the bank had essentially activated its flexi-work policy for those employees who could still perform their duties remotely.
She gave the assurance that the bank would continue to assess the situation and make necessary adjustments as events unfolded.
Besides, she said that the bank branches were now operating under a heightened hygiene protocol, all in a bid to ensuring safe banking halls for all. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
BUA Group acquires majority holding in construction company
BUA Group has acquired majority shareholding in P.W. Nigeria Ltd., one of Nigeria’s largest construction, engineering and mining companies.
Abdul Samad Rabiu, Executive Chairman of BUA Group said in a statement on Sunday that the acquisition was necessary to further deepen its investments in the infrastructure business in sub-saharan Africa.
“This acquisition marks the beginning of the next phase of our medium term strategy for our infrastructure business following the completion of the consolidation of our cement arm, BUA Cement, in January 2020.
“BUA’s acquisition of majority holdings in P.W. Nigeria Ltd provides a prime opportunity to increase our investments in the entire value chain of the cement, mining and construction industry where we already have BUA Cement Plc.
“We believe P.W. Nigeria Ltd with its solid experience in building dams, roads, airports, water projects and other infrastructure projects in Nigeria provided a strong value proposition too difficult to ignore,” he said.
Rabiu said it became imperative for BUA to position itself strategically to support critical investments and government effort and unlock latent opportunities in the infrastructure development space.
He noted that the acquisition of P.W. Nigeria extends BUA’s investments, leadership and capacity in the infrastructure space and projects were expected to benefit from a tight integration of BUA’s cement business and PW Nigeria’s construction business.
P.W. Nigeria Ltd., originally founded in 1948 in Ireland, later began operations in Nigeria in 1974.
It has over 45 years of experience working in Nigeria, and throughout the West Africa region.
P.W. Nigeria Ltd. has an extensive modern fleet of construction equipment and a team of highly trained and professional staff.
BUA Group, established in 1988, has grown over the years to entrench its place as a leading player in the foods, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure space in Africa, with major investments in cement, mining, real estate, steel, port operations, sugar and agribusiness.
With key operations spread across Nigeria and an international presence in London, BUA Group has firmly established a reputation as one of the largest contributors to Nigeria’s GDP.
Its key cement holding, BUA Cement, is the second largest producer of Cement in Nigeria and is listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange.(NAN)
March 23, 2020
COVID-19: UBA, Transcorp postpone 2019 AGMs
United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Transcorp have announced the cancellation of their 2019 Annual General Maeetings (AGMs) to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The companies stated this a statement to their shareholders and stakeholders posted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) web site.
UBA’s 58th ATM was initially slated for March 27, at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, while Transcorp was supposed to hold on March 25.
“The Board of Directors of United Bank for Africa Plc hereby announces the cancellation of the Notice of Meeting of the 58th Annual General Meeting dated March 2, 2020.
“Consequently, the 58th Annual General Meeting which was previously scheduled to be held on Friday, March 27, 2020 at the Eko Hotels & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos is hereby postponed.
“The cancellation of the notice and postponement of the AGM are hinged on part of UBA’s measures, as a good Corporate Citizen, to avoid the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).
“A new Notice of Annual General Meeting of the Bank will be published in due course.
“In this trying and uncertain period, the Board of United Bank for Africa Plc would like to assure all our customers, shareholders and other stakeholders that we are here for you throughout the crisis and beyond,” said Bill Odum, the bank’s Group Company Secretary.
In a related development, Transcorp in a statement signed by Chike Anikwe, its Group acting Company Secretary, said the posponement of the meeting was due to novel COVID-19.
Anikwe stated that the meeting earlier scheduled for March 25, had been postponed till further notice.
He noted that the recent developments on COVID-19 and the need to follow the guidelines provided by the World Health Organisation, the National Centre for Disease Control and the Federal Government amongst others, led to the postponement. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
Canada withdraws from 2020 Games as Japan, IOC consider postponement
Canada became the first country to boycott the Tokyo Games due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Australia also told its athletes to prepare for an Olympics next year as Japan and the IOC flagged the prospect of a postponement for the first time.
Opposition to holding the Games in July rose sharply over the weekend with major stakeholders such as U.S. Track and Field and UK Athletics, along with some national Olympic committees, calling for a delay because of the pandemic.
Canada’s Olympic and Paralympics Committees raised the ante considerably, however, when they said they would not be sending athletes to Tokyo if the Games went ahead as scheduled.
Under mounting pressure to postpone the Games, the IOC and Japanese government had on Sunday and Monday had only partially shifted their position that the Games would go ahead as planned.
Martin Richard, communications chief for the Canadian Paralympics Committee, said the Canadians had been watching for a decision from the IOC on Sunday about postponing the Games and decided to withdraw when none came.
“The world is facing a crisis and this is more important than any other sport event,” Richard told Reuters from Ottawa.
“We decided that was the right thing to do.”
Richard said for Paralympics athletes, some of whom had underlying conditions, it would be risky to expose them if the virus was not contained.
“We felt it was unethical to have them be put in that position,” he said, adding that Canada had not been alone in applying pressure on the IOC to postpone.
More than 14,600 people have died globally since the coronavirus outbreak began.
On Sunday, the IOC said it would hold discussions over the next four weeks that would include an option of putting back the July 24 start date or even moving the Games by a year or more.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told parliament on Monday postponing the Olympics may become an option if holding the Games in its “complete form” became impossible.
“If that becomes difficult, we may have no option but to consider postponing the Games, given the Olympic principle of putting the health of athletes first,” he said.
Abe also said calling off the Games entirely was not an option, echoing the IOC position in its statement that cancellation “was not on the agenda”.
Tokyo 2020 Olympics Chief Yoshiro Mori later said organisers would consider postponement as one of many scenarios they aim to have ready in the next four weeks.
There were no plans to change the start of the Olympic torch relay on March 26, organisers said. (Reuters/NAN)
March 23, 2020
NLO condoles Enugu Rangers over player’s death
The Nigeria Nationwide League One (NLO) on Monday condoled with the management and players of Rangers International FC, Enugu over the death of its star-player, Ifeanyi George.
The South-East Director of NLO, Ebere Amaraizu, gave the condolence in statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu.
George died in a ghastly motor accident in the early hours of Sunday on Benin-Lagos Road.
Amaraizu described the incident that brought about the death of the prolific striker, George, and injury of two others as “unfortunate’’.
“This is painful and a big blow to the football family.
“It is so sad considering the fact that we are still nursing the pain occasioned by the death of Chineme Martins of Nasarawa United FC and now it is Ifeanyi George through a ghastly motor accident.
“These are Nigerian youths that have taken a positive direction of channeling their energy to soccer development devoid of involvement in crime to impact on the society but having this sad end,’’ he said.
Amaraizu said that George was a disciplined player and a fighter in the attack and would have a lot to contribute to Rangers continual positive ranking.
“But we cannot question God. We need to continue with our prayers for his family, Rangers family and the entire Nigerian soccer family to have that fortitude to bear the loss,’’ he added. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
Japan soccer player Kawasumi pulls out of torch relay
Japanese soccer international Nahomi Kawasumi said on Monday she was withdrawing from the Tokyo 2020 torch relay, citing worry about the risk of being infected with the coronavirus, or infecting others, if she travelled back from the U.S.
Kawasumi, a high-profile athlete in Japan known for helping her country win its first World Cup in 2011, plays for Sky Blue FC in New Jersey, near New York City which has seen a surge in coronavirus infections.
“Because of the new coronavirus, I am withdrawing from the torch replay,” she said on Twitter.
“I have made the decision so I don’t cause trouble for my team and my fans.”
Kawasumi is the latest from the sporting world to voice fears about participating in the Summer Olympics or related events because of the coronavirus epidemic.
Team Canada announced it would not send its athletes to Tokyo 2020, after the International Olympic Committee said it would reach a decision within four weeks on whether to postpone the Games. (Reuters/NAN)
March 23, 2020
Enyimba FC confirms player Ojo’s abduction
Enyimba International Football Club of Aba has confirmed the abduction of one of its players, Ekundayo Ojo.
A statement by the club on Monday, Ojo was abducted by gunmen on Sunday.
“Enyimba Football Club can announce that midfielder, Ekundayo Ojo has been abducted by gunmen along the Benin-Owo expressway.
“The incident occurred on Sunday as the player journeyed to Akure to observe a break following suspension of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) amid concerns over the global pandemic, Covid-19.
“Ojo was in company of Enyimba teammate, Emmanuel James and Benjamin Iluyomade, also a professional footballer who escaped the attack, while Iluyomade was captured alongside Ojo,” the statement said.
It also noted that the club was working tirelessly to secure the player’s release from his abductors.
“Enyimba FC has since maintained close contact with Ojo’s family, as efforts are already in place to ensure the player’s release from his abductors.
“At this time, and considering the sensitivity of the incident, Enyimba FC wishes to call on the media to refrain from reports or speculations capable of jeopardising the player’s safety.
“Ojo’s family also wishes to appeal for privacy while enjoining the general public to pray for the safety and freedom of the player, ” it said. (NAN)
March 23, 2020
Japan says Tokyo Olympics may be postponed due to coronavirus
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said for the first time on Monday that the Tokyo Olympic Games may be postponed if the event cannot be held in its “complete form” due to the coronavirus pandemic.
NAN reports that the flame was transported by a special aircraft “Tokyo 2020 Go” from Athens, Greece, and arrived at Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) Matsushima Air Base in Miyagi Prefecture on March 20.
The flame was originally lit in front of the ruins of the Temple of Hera in Ancient Olympia on 12 March, and after its week-long stay in Greece was handed over to Tokyo at Tokyo at a ceremony at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Sunday after an emergency meeting that it is stepping up its “scenario planning” for the 2020 Games due to start on July 24, including a possible postponement.
Abe said while cancelling the Games was not an option, a delay was now on the cards if the event could not be held in its complete form.
“If that becomes difficult, we may have no option but to consider postponing the Games,” he told parliament.
He said he had conveyed his views to Tokyo Games chief Yoshiro Mori on Sunday evening, who then discussed the issue with IOC President Thomas Bach.
Under mounting pressure from athletes, federations and national committees to postpone the Games, the IOC did a partial U-turn on Sunday after long insisting, with Tokyo organisers, that the Games would go ahead as planned.
Tokyo 2020 organisers have started drafting alternative dates for the Olympics, sources have told Reuters.
At the current speed, the number of patients with coronavirus in Tokyo is expected grow by 530 through April 8, according to experts advising the city.
As of March 22, the number of confirmed cases in Tokyo was 130, with four dead, the Tokyo government said.
Prime Minister Abe said all travellers from the U.S., including Japanese citizens, would be asked to go into quarantine for 14 days after their arrival in Japan.
In the U. S. nearly one in three residents has been ordered to stay at home to slow the spread of the flu-like virus as cases nationwide topped 32,000, with more than 415 dead, according to a Reuters tally.
Japan’s foreign ministry has advised citizens to avoid non-essential and non-urgent travel to the U. S. (Reuters/NAN)
March 23, 2020