Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State on Friday declared that the state’s local government must hold as scheduled.

Fubara further declared that the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun can’t stop him from accessing the premises of the state’s Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

Addressing a gathering in Port Harcourt, the governor declared that the IGP would have to shoot him to prevent his entrance into the RSIEC premises.

The governor said: “When it comes to the issue of Rivers State it becomes different, you are not ashamed to call yourself Inspector General of Police. Enough is enough, I will be here and if I go back and if I hear anybody complain, I will come here because this is my property.

“You don’t have any power whatsoever to bar me from entering.

“Try it and part of your history as a wicked IGP would include shooting Fubara. I think that I have given you enough respect and to all Rivers indigenes, elections must hold; anything that wants to happen should happen.”

The Rivers State Police Command had vowed not to allow the Local Government Election scheduled for Saturday to go on.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko titled ‘Proposed October 5th, 2024 Local Government Chairman Election’, the Command confirmed being in receipt of a restraining order preventing the police from providing security during the LGA elections.

The Command also said it is aware of the 30th September 2024 judgement of an Abuja Federal High Court which barred the Police Force from participating in the election.

The statement further added that the Force Legal Department has advised that the court ruling takes precedence.

[DailyPost]

As I was saying…Artificial Intelligence more known as AI is stumping confidently like a conqueror through all lands. And I begin to wonder: Is this not the Orwellian world we were warned as far back as 1954 would come. When the Soviet Union, that unnatural union of a nation, disintegrated, thanks to Gorbachev, we thought the prophecy of George Orwell had been fulfilled. There was not going to be any longer a Mr. Big Brother intruding into our lives. No more thought police. It was an end to newspeak. No more Hate Week when Adebayo Adelabu would just command a power outage and electricity supply would be cut off such that you miss an early morning presidential broadcast. The terminal date was supposed to be 1984. How mistaken we all were. The emissary of the Ministry of Truth is here. He is Mr. AI. It is advancing technology to undreamt of dizzy heights. 

The modern man is dazed and he cannot wait to see Mr. AI achieve its goal of totally overhauling our lives, of breaking down and rebuilding, of discarding old beliefs and practices and replacing them with the new. It can pick your thoughts and prepare a seminal paper for you, according to Isa Ali Pantami. Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Pantami, is in his elements when he talks about technology and the AI its offspring. He is the chief salesman and the seer, looking into what my colleague, Martins Oloja, is wont to describe as the seed of time. Pantami is asking us to fix our gaze onto the future and what technology has in store for us. For him it is leading to Eldorado. Although many see Mr. AI as attempting to even take the Creator out of our lives. Is there anything AI cannot dare and do as of now? Pantami does not share such concerns, predictably, knowing as Nigerians do, how unwavering, indeed bordering on fanaticism, his hold on the spiritual values he professes. 

AI is transforming lives. Technology, its father, is showing the way. It is facilitating life. In my reflection on the subject with friends, to demonstrate how wonderful the arrival of Mr. AI has meant to human societies, the question was posed: When last were you at the post office? Does it still exist?  The days of Money Order are long gone.  In the newsroom, there are no news takers any more: “A for Aba.” “K. for Kotangora!” All that is over. Within split seconds, reports reach the newsroom! When last were you in your bank if it is not to renew your credit card? Where are typewriters? Technology has packed them off to archival halls of non-retrievable materials. What of gramophone in these days of audio videos? Artistes are struggling hard to keep arts theatre alive for the sake of the Davidos of this world. For instance, Wole Soyinka Arts Theatre at Iganmu has just been given a wonderful facelift. But many would still prefer to watch Richard Mofe Damijo, Kosoko, Joke Silva, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Mercy Johnson, Desmond Elliott, now the Honourable, Omotola Jolade Ekeinde, Funke Akindele, Ini Edo, Rita Dominic, Ireti Doyle and many more, from the comfort of their closets. No unpleasant thoughts and stress about the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit alias petrol. The impact of AI is mind-blowing, in fact, more on the financial system. There is hardly anything that cannot be done online today. Mr. AI has been seen directing traffic. 

There is pressure directed at education authorities to begin to look at school curriculum from primary to secondary up to the university with a view to focusing more on acquisition of skills and self-employment goals. Pantami has spoken to NUC by his own admission. And he went on: “I have always stressed that practical skills –not just degrees –drive success. There is a need for personal development, continuous learning, and upskilling to remain competitive in today’s rapidly changing job market. Essential skills include social abilities rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence, and communication alongside digital skills such as AI, programming and critical thinking. Staying updated on industry trends and technologies is crucial.” 

Pantami did add: “While degrees are valuable, skills are equally important. Pursue formal education, but prioritize practical experience and continuous learning to succeed. In the coming years, millions may face job losses as AI takes on various roles. However, it’s important to understand that it won’t be AI itself eliminating jobs, rather individuals proficient in utilizing AI technologies. AI is ultimately a product of human innovation: it doesn’t function or evolve autonomously. Mentoring bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. While education provides the foundation, applying theoretical concepts effectively demands hands-on experience.”He said while tertiary/university education provides theoretical framework, practical skills are acquired in the private sector in most cases. In his familiar revolutionary thoughts, Pantami said expertise in technology does not require formal education in computer science. “Similarly, you don’t need a Mass Communication degree to become an award-winning journalist or an accomplished public relations expert. This revolution focuses on personal development and continuous learning.” Pantami would like to see only Ahmadu Bello University, University of Ibadan and University of Nigeria. Nsukka continue with every aspect of learning. The remaining higher institutions which are more than 200 should point the gaze of their students towards the future by placing emphasis on technological trends and imparting to them practical skills to make them self-employed and also employers of labour. He spoke while receiving participants in Young Communication Fellowship in his office last week.

My friend, a revered Professor finds the prospect of ubiquitous presence of Mr. AI in our lives and in nearly every direction one turns “quite frightening”. “Honestly”, he says, “I do not know how humanity can confront it. AI is a technology that will impact everyone in the future whether we like it or not.” Professor Pantami’s points on the trends of technology are unassailable; they were well delivered. And Nigerians in particular should be prepared for it. 

My take, however, is that much as we lay emphasis on the new trends, we cannot afford to downplay the place of humanities. The new trend and humanities are not mutually exclusive. While the quest and drive for skill acquisition may be crucial, it does not prevent grounding first in humanities. Exposure to humanities expands the horizon which helps outlook on life, and helps to form character. It lends the way to critical thinking. Technology and AI and nothing else will be too restrictive in the future, driving mankind on the path of straight-jacketedness. The art touches the soul. If there is no character solidity, technology will do harm. It may be tantamount in certain cases to arming a mentally challenged man with a loaded gun.

 In a debate on the humanities and science, history and religious studies are usually the first casualty. Literature is only tolerated.  Come to think of it: Hardly is it known or remembered that Professor Wole Soyinka, the first African Nobel Laureate in Literature had a younger brother who was a Professor of Medicine at OAU Teaching Hospital in Ilesha. While Soyinka’s rays beam to the whole world, his younger brother, a scientist was hardly known. Soyinka also had a first cousin, also a professor of medicine, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti. Fela Anikulapo Kuti was a musician and social critic, and more renowned than Olikoye his elder brother. Professor Bolaji Akinyemi read Political Science and International Relations. His brother was a Paediatrician. When he was once asked if he realised that he was a split-image of his brother, he retorted that Bolaji looked like him and not he looking like Bolaji, because he was the elder brother. But who of them was better known within and without the shores of Nigeria?  

Something settles on the soul when the pictures of Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, T. M. Aluko, little known as Lagos City Council Engineer of old, but a novelist; Vincent Ike and Cyprian Ekwensi, flash through the mind. Could our world have done without them? How would I have known about Ijaiye War without Ola Rotimi, about Lagos history without Prof. Banji Akintoye, Prof. Mabogunje, Prof. Jide Osuntokun, Akinsemoyin, Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, Jacob F. Ade Ajayi that the Aworis, led by Olofin Ogunfunminire founded Lagos?  All mankind could not have faced only one direction in their application to the development of our world. All have different talents and abilities they seek to unfold for the enrichment of life. 

Without history how would we have known that by 1901, there was heavy vehicular traffic on Lagos Island which necessitated the building of Cater Bridge by the colonial governor of Lagos? Reno Omokri wrote: “As of 1901 there were more cars in Lagos than in the rest of Nigeria put together. When Carter Bridge was completed only Lagos, Ibadan, Lokoja, Kano and Benin had sufficient municipal administration, population density and infrastructural development to be called cities. Almost everywhere except for Sokoto, Ile-Ife, Port Harcourt, Warri and Abeokuta were little more than large villages.” Without Professor Ayo Ojeniyi setting the record straight, how many could have remembered that the first storey building was in Badagry.”By 1848, Madam Efunroye Tinubu was a politically and economically influential figure in Lagos. The landmark Tinubu Square in Lagos was named after her and it also has a statue.” 

Professor Ojeniyi adds: “In 1852, a Post Office was established in Lagos. In 1856, the Cable and Wireless Company of the UK commissioned a submarine cable link between Lagos and London. In 1859, the oldest secondary school in what became Nigeria –CMS Grammar School, Bariga Lagos—was founded by the Church Missionary Society. In 1872, Lagos was a cosmopolitan trading centre with a population of over 62, 000 inhabitants.  In 1876, imports were valued at #476, 813 and exports at #619, 260. In 1886, telecommunications started. By 1893, offices in Lagos, Jebba and Ilorin had been provided with telephone services. In 1886, electricity generation began in Lagos. In 1894, Standard Bank which after indigenization became First Bank, in what became Nigeria’s first bank, was established in Lagos. In 1898, there was electric street lighting in Lagos, with the use of generators to provide 60kw. In 1903, the first set of films shown in what became Nigerian theatres was Glover Memorial Hall in Lagos.  A Lagosian named Thomas Jones, famously known as Tom Jones, became the first Nigerian to drive an automobile before 1913. In 1913, Olayinka Herbert Adeyinka Macaulay, another Lagosian, was the first to own a car—all these before the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914. 

“In 1913, Tom Jones donated the first public library to Lagos. In 1923, what became the Nigerian Electricity Supply Company was established as the Electricity Utility Company for the commissioned electricity power station at Ijora, Lagos. At its commencement, the power plant had a generating capacity of 20 Megawatts. In the same year, Olayinka Herbert Macaulay formed what became Nigeria’s first political party, the Nigerian national Party (NNDP). In 1930, Onikan Stadium, Lagos, was built which is why it is the oldest stadium in Nigeria. In 2019, it was renamed Mobolaji Johnson Arena. In 1930, Abibu Oluwa was one of the first music performers in Lagos. In 1946, the father of what became the Nigerian theatre, Herbert Ogunde, featured at Tiger’s Empire in Lagos Theatre. 

“In 1947, Yaba College of Technology, popularly known as YABATECH, was founded at Yaba, Lagos. In the 1950s, popular music was flourishing in a wide range of styles with Tunde Nightingale, Bobby Benson, Victor Olaiya, Rex Lawson, J.O. Araba, C.A. Balogun, etc; while Ayinla Omowura started playing a form of Apala different from that of Haruna Isola. It was called Olalomi. Later in 1971, Omowura came with a high tempo Apala and became extremely popular. 

“By the 1950s, Olabisi Ajala, a Lagos socialite and a globe trotter who saw the world, had toured about 87 countries on a motorcycle but died back home at the age of 65 years. In 1952, Akintola Williams was the first Nigerian chartered accountant. He founded Akintola Williams &Co., Nigeria’s first indigenous accountancy firm. The point is: Lagos was a prosperous city-state long before Nigeria came into being…”  Such a refreshing historical account can’t but give psychic satisfaction and boost. How is Mr. AI to fit in here regurgitating with the same enthralling human touch and ambiance? Yet it is coming with unrelenting sweep. The account could equally trigger salient questions that should lead to an awakening to rebuild. Peter C. Lloyd, writer and explorer had long written that the Yoruba were the most urbanized in the whole of Africa when he came visiting, and even more than many places in Europe. Given the nature of man, where there is urbanization there will be market and where there is market there will be attendant pull leading to further rise in population and crowding! What led to the slumber and the obvious decline in the hitherto giant strides and in crucial areas of their life? That is what history does, for example. 

There could be dry education which has its origin in humanities, too, and which leads to nowhere and even in science as well. Of what use, for instance, is a research into when a wall gecko or fly came into existence and when they are likely to be extinct! There could be over-cultivation stuffing the brain, the frontal brain with what it does not need and in consequent tilting of the balance between the two brains, the cerebrum and the cerebellum. The latter which is the spiritually receptive part of the brains gets paralyzed. When that happens man relies solely on the frontal brain, the seat of the intellect which being material cannot go beyond time and space. It is lacking the radiating influence of the spiritually receptive hind brain. The man would be sharp and erudite, yet hollow!

Above all, when all is said and done, for me, it is only when we connect education to the Holy Will of the Almighty Creator will we be correct. Artificial Intelligence (Mr. AI) may soon be seeking to seize control of free will and initiatives from human beings! It will seek to severe man’s connection with what is high and noble, with that which is lofty. Yet, as The Grail Message states: “So inadequate is the activity of a brain, the basis and instrument of science, and this limitation naturally also affects what it produces, hence all science itself. Thus, science does indeed subsequently help to elucidate, classify and arrange all that it receives ready-made from the creative power which precedes it; but when it seeks to assume leadership or offer criticism, it must inevitably fail so long as it binds itself firmly to the intellect, that is to the perceptive capacity of the brain, as it has done hitherto.” It is in this mankind is inexonarably placing their destiny! Pray that in the very near future we do not have a population without content! Without character!!

A Tunisian court has confirmed an imprisonment sentence earlier handed down to a presidential contender ahead of elections scheduled for Sunday in the North African country.

The appeals court in the city of Jendouba in western Tunisia had upheld the 20-month jail sentence against detained presidential candidate Ayachi Zammel, his lawyer said.

The ruling can be appealed and will not affect Zammel’s candidacy, his lawyer said.

Last month, a lower court issued the sentence against Zammel, a businessman and the head of the liberal Azimoun party, on charges of falsifying electoral endorsements.

The Oct. 6 polls are pitting incumbent President Kais Saied against Zammel and Zouhair Maghzaoui of the leftist nationalist People’s Movement.

Serious challengers to Saied, who is seeking a second term in office, have been excluded, according to observers.

The election commission has recently refused to reinstate three more presidential hopefuls who won court appeals to run for president.

Critics have accused the panel of lacking in independence and clearing the way for Saied to win, accusations that the panel has denied.

The vote will take place “against a backdrop of increased repression of dissent, muzzling of the media, and continued attacks on judicial independence,” Human Rights Watch said last month.

Since 2021, Saied has consolidated his power by dissolving the parliament and calling early elections, steps that the opposition called a “coup.”

(dpa/NAN)

IT was stunning. If it were a football match, it would have been said to be against the run of play. Nicaraguan youths who had risen against the brutal regime of Anastazio Somoza Debayle, on July 17, 1979, rode into Managua putting an end to the reign of the United States-backed butcher. Somoza was so bestial that even his main backer had to publicly distance itself from him.

Somoza fled to Asuncion, Paraguay, but the unrelenting Nicaraguan youths sent a seven-person commando team of three ladies and four men after him. On September 17, 1980, the commandos in the “Operation Reptile” shot a RPG-7 rocket launcher into his car. The former dictator was burned beyond recognition and forensics had to identify him through his feet.

It was also the height of the Cold War, and these youths who called themselves Sandinistas made it clear they were carrying out a peoples revolution like was done 20 years earlier in Cuba by revolutionaries like Fidel Castro, Ernesto Che Guevera, Celia Sanchez, Haydee Santamaria and Camilo Cienfuegos.

The Sandinistas took their name from Augusto Ceaser Sandina, the Nicaraguan patriot who led the rebellion against the United States invasion of the country from 1922 – 1934.

The US would not tolerate youths in what it regarded as its backyard not just to defeat a pro-American regime, but also to be pro-East. It decided to crush the revolution, and had the means to do so, except that the Nicaraguan population were in full support of these patriotic youths.

Since Nicaraugua relied a lot on American donations, the US decided on three strategies. First, was to starve the Nicaraguan population into submission by stopping all American aid and imposing punitive sanctions that would not allow the country to trade. Secondly, it decided on outright terrorism by laying mines in Nicaraguan civilian ports and blowing up anchored ships. Thirdly, it established a mercenary force which included counter- revolutionaries. This force, established by 1981, was called the Contras. 

Since the Regan administration could not legitimately use US resources to fund the Contra terrorists, it decided to illegally sell arms to Iran which itself was under sanction, and use the proceeds to fund the Contras. This racket, run by US Colonel Oliver North, became known as the Iran-Contra Scandal.

Given the multiple attacks by the US, a starving population which was unable to farm due to the banditry activities of the Contras, the Sandinistas made a call to the world to come to Nicaragua’s aid. There was a world-wide response with people making various donations but Nicaragua needed more. It needed its youth population to be free to battle the Contras, but they were also needed on the farms and, to carry out rural community development. So, the Sandinistas directly appealed to the youths of the world to come over to Nicaragua and assist.

Youths from various countries formed International Brigades and began making their way to Nicaragua to defend the popular revolution. It was reminiscent of the International Youth Brigades that poured into Spain to fight for the Spanish Revolution of 1936 against fascists and extreme right forces. The latter were supported by Hitler’s Germany, Musolini’s Italy with US, Britain and their allies claiming neutrality. That war was the dress rehearsal for the Second World War and the victory of the fascists in 1939 led to that war.

This time, the Nicaraguans were not asking the international youths to pick up the gun, but naturally, they would need to defend themselves if attacked.

The Sandinistas were quite popular in Africa, particularly Nigeria. In fact, one of the then leading student leaders, Femi Ahmed, later Pastor Femi Israel, adopted the sobriquet, Sandinista. There were many Nigerians youths ready to travel and defend the Sandinista Revolution. But Nicaragua was quite far and there were no ready funds to pay for flight tickets. 

So, two youths were picked to go represent Nigerian youths. One of them was Miss Ngozi Ojidoh, later Mrs Iwere. She was a French Language student of the Bayero University, Kano. She had been the Public Relations Officer of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS. 

The other was the ‘indestructible’ Shola Mic Olorunyomi who had been President of the University of Ilorin Students Union. They joined other international youths in Nicaragua, and gave a good account of the resilience and commitment of Nigerian youths.

The Nicaraguan Revolution produced some of the most romantic revolutionaries of the 20th Century. There was Tomas Borge who in 1961 had, along with Carlos Fonseca and Silvio Mayorga, formed the Sandinista National Liberation Front. Fonseca and Mayorga died in combat, but Borge witnessed the revolution and became the Interior Minister. On April 30, 2012, he marched on at 81.

There was Nora Astorga, whose captivating story I told in my March16, 2018 tribute titled, “Nora Astorga: A Woman Like No Other.” In 1978, as a successful 30-year-old lawyer, she lured the Deputy Commander of the Nicaraguan National Guard, General Reynaldo Perez Vega, to a secret rendezvous where he died trying to resist arrest by a Sandinista commando unit.

When after the revolution she was appointed Ambassador to the US, the Americans rejected her appointment. So, the Nicaraguans appointed her their Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at which point the Americans had no choice but issue her a visa. On February 14, 1988, she fell to cervical cancer.

One of the most romantic Sandinista revolutionaries was the Catholic Priest, Miguel d’Escoto, who rose to become President of the United Nations General Assembly in the 2008/2009 Session, and significantly, the Libyan Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 2011.

He had revealed he was a Sandista rebel in 1977. Two years later, when the revolution was carried out, he became the Foreign Minister, a position he held for eleven years. Pope John Paul II had, in 1985, suspended him and two other priests, the brothers Ernesto and Fernando Cardenal, for serving in the revolutionary government. The suspension was lifted 29 years later by Pope Francis. Father d’Escoto passed on June 8, 2017 at 84.

Another set of brothers the revolution threw up were Daniel Ortega, who became President, and Humberto Ortega who was Chief of Army Staff. They reminded me of the Cuban brothers, Fidel and Raul Castro who held similar positions in their county.

However, unlike the Castro brothers whose comradeship was life-long, the Ortega brothers later split. Daniel led the country from 1979 -1990. Lost elections but was re-elected in 2006, and, again in 2021. Humberto felt that his brother should unite the entire country through tolerance and dialogue. On September 30, 2024, Humberto took his leave; his passage came at a time the Sandinista Revolution had cooled off.

President Bola Tinubu has sent condolences to the Government and people of Niger State over a boat accident which occurred Tuesday night at Mokwa Local Government Area.

The boat, which was said to be carrying about 300 people, primarily women and children, was sailing on the Gbajibo River from the Mundi community when it capsized.

While at least 150 people were rescued from the scene, 25 bodies have so far been recovered.

President Tinubu commiserates with the families of the victims and prays for the repose of the souls of the dead.

The President directs the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to investigate the spate of boat accidents in Niger state and across the country and devise modalities to check the trend.

He orders NIWA to expand the scope of its surveillance of inland waters to ensure our people's safety and prosecute boat operators violating the ban on night sailing.

President Tinubu thanked emergency workers and local divers who were working to find the remaining people.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information and Strategy)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu congratulates Leadership Newspaper Group on its 20th anniversary and commends the media organisation for its enduring contribution to informed journalism and good governance.  

President Tinubu fondly remembers Sam Nda-Isaiah, pharmacist, businessman, columnist, and politician, who was the visionary founder and chairman of the newspaper group.    

The President recalls Nda-Isaiah’s invaluable contributions to Nigeria's vibrant media landscape, from his time as a weekly columnist at Daily Trust newspaper to founding Leadership Confidential and later establishing the Leadership group of newspapers.  

The group began as a weekly newspaper on October 1, 2004, before transitioning to a daily national newspaper on February 1, 2006. The group also publishes LEADERSHIP Hausa and National Economy.  

President Tinubu commends the newspaper's board, management, and staff for upholding the founder’s vision of producing a flagship national newspaper that promotes good governance, defends the interests of the Nigerian state and its people, and adheres to the highest ethical standards of journalism.  

The President also acknowledges the role of Nda-Isaiah's wife, Zainab, who epitomises the ideal African woman. Following her husband’s passing in 2020, she took over as chairman and has successfully led the company to greater heights.   

President Tinubu further recognises the critical contributions of a dedicated team, including media icon Azubuike Ishiekwene, the editor-in-chief.  

As friends, readers, and well-wishers celebrate Leadership Newspapers' two-decade milestone, President Tinubu reaffirms that his administration will continue to support journalists in performing their duties unhindered, free from threats, intimidation, or any form of inhibition, in accordance with the constitution.   

President Tinubu hopes that the Leadership Newspapers will continue to churn out balanced stories that future generations will treasure as newspapers of untainted record.  

Bayo Onanuga  

Special Adviser to the President  

(Information & Strategy)  

The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has issued a landmark ruling declaring that the Directorate of Road Services, commonly known as the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), must immediately cease confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians for road traffic violations.

Delivering the judgment in case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha stated that the VIO is not legally empowered to seize vehicles or impose harsh sanctions on motorists.

This ruling follows a lawsuit brought by rights attorney Abubakar Marshal from Falana and Falana Chambers, which aimed to challenge the authority of one of the country’s most notorious road traffic enforcement agencies.

The decision significantly curtails the powers of the VIO, offering relief to millions of motorists who have long faced the threat of vehicle confiscation and fines.

However, it is important to note that the ruling does not extend to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), which has operated for decades as Nigeria’s largest body of road traffic marshals.

In her judgment, Justice Maha emphasized that VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fines on motorists.”

The court subsequently issued a perpetual injunction against the VIO and its agents, forbidding them from infringing upon the rights of Nigerians, including their freedom of movement and right to own property, without lawful justification.

As of Thursday afternoon, it remained unclear whether the VIO would comply with the ruling, as a spokesperson for the directorate had not responded to requests for comments regarding the judgment.

[NaijaNews]

Zenith Bank, one of Nigeria’s largest financial institutions, has come under fire from customers on social media platforms due to ongoing network failures that have left many unable to complete transactions. The frustration spilled onto Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, where customers have been venting their anger and sharing stories of how the bank’s unreliable network has disrupted their day-to-day activities.

For weeks, customers have complained about delays in processing payments, failed transactions, and inaccessibility to the bank’s mobile and online platforms. Many have expressed concern over the fact that these issues have not been adequately addressed by the bank, leading to widespread dissatisfaction.

One X user, Najib@Rilwannajib, posted, “Zenith bank has been down for more than 24 hrs. That means if you had any emergency or need for your money the card will fail & you won’t access your bank app. Remove every penny you have with them once the network is back. Don’t let them embarrass you.

Another user, Chika Agina@chikaagina01, posted, “This should be the height of disregard for your customer! While will @ZenithBank choose today, in other to make life miserable for its customer’s? It’s been over 8 hours they promised to restore their service and it’s still not working”.

In the same vein, Real Fidel Okeke with X handle, @RealFidelOkeke Replying to @ZenithBank excuse on the platform that the bank’s system is under maintenance posted, “Are you sure the Zenith Bank App has not been compromised? If not, how can you explain that at 4pm, internet services has not been restored? This is poor service. If 5 million Nigerians move from Zenith to other banks, they’ll probably learn to relearn.”

In fact, the bank’s social media pages have been flooded with complaints, with many customers expressing frustration at the lack of communication or resolution. A Facebook user wrote, “I’ve been trying to use my Zenith app for days without success. If you can’t fix the network, at least inform us. We deserve better.”

The network failure has not only caused personal inconveniences but has also affected businesses that rely on the bank’s services for daily transactions. Small business owners, in particular, have voiced their concerns. One such business owner, who sells groceries at Ogba, in Lagos, lamented, “My business has been affected badly. Most of my customers pay via transfer, and since Zenith Bank’s network keeps failing, I’ve lost customers and money. It’s unacceptable.”

Several other small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have echoed similar frustrations, explaining that they are losing business opportunities because their Zenith Bank POS devices and mobile applications are not functioning as expected.

In fact, it is not a misnomer to opine that observations from unarguably frustrated customers at various Zenith Bank’s ATM Galleries and POS Operators show that the bank’s reassurances have done little to pacify the aggrieved customers. Many feel that the bank is not taking the situation seriously enough and that their promises of swift resolution have been unfulfilled.

In the digital age, where financial institutions rely heavily on technology to serve their customers, network reliability is crucial. This latest incident has highlighted the importance of consistent and dependable banking services, especially in an economy where digital transactions are becoming the norm. Customers have called for greater accountability from Zenith Bank and for the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to intervene to ensure that customers are not continually subjected to such disruptions.

A customer who this writer parleyed with today, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, in his comment on the issue, said:  “Banks must understand that customer experience is key in today’s competitive financial industry. When there is a pattern of network failures like this, it can result in the loss of customer trust. Financial institutions should invest more in improving their infrastructure to prevent recurrent failures.”

As the complaints continue to pour in, Zenith Bank must take swift and transparent action to restore its services and regain the trust of its customers. In today’s interconnected world, a seamless banking experience is no longer a luxury. It is an expectation. Failure to address these issues could lead to customers seeking more reliable alternatives, especially as competitors offer similar services with fewer disruptions.

For now, many customers are left in the lurch, hoping that Zenith Bank resolves the issue before more damage is done to its reputation and customer base.

Moreover, Zenith Bank should find a lasting solution to its persistent network issues in order to retain its existing customers. Consistently unreliable services can drive away loyal customers, and the bank risks losing its standing in a competitive market if these problems persist. To avoid further reputational damage, Zenith Bank must prioritize investments in technology infrastructure and customer support, ensuring they deliver the reliable banking services their customers deserve.