The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerian Newspaper

  • Black Friday: A festival of dark and shoddy deals?

    Black Friday: A festival of dark and shoddy deals?

    By Moses Emorinken

    The recent frenzy that permeated and circulated every space – from social, terrestrial and print media is simply amazing…all in the name of Black Friday.

    Online buyers impulsively cherry-pick items such as home appliances, groceries, electronics, phones and laptops, and other similar appurtenances; they do so with the hope of getting the best deals in prices for the year.

    However, their already wide and bright grins sagged as their expectations were dashed to the ground in an epic humpty dumpty style.

    According to research in Consumer Psychology, humans are known to be the most impulsive creatures in this massive terraqueous globe we call earth.

    Our excessive desire to satisfy our insatiable wants have become a major preoccupation making us hustle and toil day and night or even borrow money that we do not have, to purchase things we do not need, in order to impress people who really do not care about us.

    What a wasteful expedition!

    In Nigeria, e-commerce sites like Jumia, Konga, DealDey etc., are amongst some of the major players in the Black Friday saga.

    Black Friday have wrapped its thick dark sheets around us just like the heavens wrap the horizons of the sky with “black” clouds before sending down the rain; the rain in our case is the purported discount promised us by a lot of these sites.

    Little wonder it is called Black Friday because of the surreptitious hoax deployed to legitimately defraud customers of their hard-earned mazuma without them knowing.

    Customers have been wooed and lured to believe they would have a blast and slash in the prices of their favourite items. However, just like the majority of gullible teenage girls who get deflowered before they clock 18, Nigerian customers have had their hearts broken, hopes dashed, and expectations dulled and lulled by the failed promissory love notes from these Casanovas called e-commerce stores. This is reminiscent to “daylight” rape and robbery.

    How do you explain the rationale behind a product being sold during the discount period, which is more expensive than it was a few weeks ago?

    They even have the effrontery to paste a former price against a discounted price and percentage off – we should be grateful…shey!?

    This is the case of Sharon: A customer who found a product on one of our popular e-commerce website. She identified the product, saw the price and took note of it; only to wait till black Friday to find that the product which she saw barely 2 weeks ago at N3,000 is now N4,000 at a “supposed” discounted price. This is absurd!

    Sometimes, what is most personal is most general; it’s almost certain that Sharon’s pitiable Black Friday story is the same narrative for so many Nigerian customers.

    Please, somebody help me…why call it ‘Black Friday’ when the promo lasts from a certain date to end on another date very distant from the start date; why call it Black Friday, why not Black Weekend?

    How do you call a bonanza period which lasts for days “Black Friday”? Meaning it was designed to start and end on that day (Friday) – not a second more. What we find today is a twisted narrated and semantics for a day of the week to be equivalent to the entire week or even more.

    Is someone trying to play on our intelligence?

    Haven’t we suffered enough from sleazy and corrupt politicians and government officials whose job description is to loot our collective patrimony all in the name of giving us the dividends of democracy?

    I think the new narrative should be that they (politicians) have promised to give us a Black Friday (instead of dividends of democracy) because Black Friday in Nigeria is reminiscent to exploitation.

    No wonder my friend’s grandmother never liked the idea of Black Friday (not because she is old-school), because regardless of the many good that comes with the day as practiced internationally, here in Nigerian, it is merely a show and a bauble.

    Locally, especially in the Yoruba parlance, one can literally translate it to – “Oja Ale”; meaning night market.

    A well-grounded and cultural person knows that nothing good really comes from Oja Ale.

    For those that are already primed to mould and throw balls of accusations at the writer, did you know that e-commerce websites in Nigeria usually rake in billions of Naira in turnover this period than they normally would in a quarter (three months) of their business year?

    It is certainly a festival of dark, black and shoddy transactions at the expense of the majority of the Nigerian people.

    It is high time the Consumer Protection Council ( CPC ) stepped up its game and live up to its mandate of protecting the people from heartless and unscrupulous bourgeoisies who are wolves in sheep’s clothing.

    Dear Nigerians, please think twice before picking those items from your favourite e-commerce stores; it is sometimes advisable to walk into a physical store to price and pick the items of your choice that you need and not being manipulated online to impulsively pick items that you don’t need, at a very exploitative price.

    Be wise!

  • Man in court over N90,000 fraud

    Man in court over N90,000 fraud

    A 40-year-old man, Olajide Isaac, on Tuesday appeared before  an Osun Magistrates’ Court in Modakeke-Ife over alleged N90, 000 fraud.

    Isaac is facing two-count charge of fraud and stealing to which he pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate Bose Awosan granted the accused bail in the sum of N50, 000 with one surety in like sum.

    The court directed the surety to swear to affidavit of means, reside within the court’s jurisdiction and produce two recent passport photographs as well as be a landed property owner.

    Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sergent Ona Glory, had told the court that the accused committed the offence on January 14 at about 2.00 p.m. at Itaasin Street in Modakeke-Ife.

    Read also: Court remands man for alleged theft

    Glory said the accused fraudulently obtained the sum of N90, 000 from one Funmilayo Ademiluyi on the pretence that he had a shop to let.

    Glory said that it was under that pretence that the accused stole the sum of N90, 000 belonging to Ademiluyi.

    He said that the offence contravened Sections 383 ( 1 ) 390 ( 9 ) and 419 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Osun, 2002.

    The case was adjourned until Jan. 1, 2018 for hearing.

    NAN

  • UK lifts ban on sex workers donating blood

    UK lifts ban on sex workers donating blood

    The UK on Tuesday lifted a ban on commercial sex workers donating blood, an official said.

    The Department of Health ( DOH ) announced new changes to rules on blood donation, saying it will maintain the safety of the blood supply and will enable more people to donate.

    The lifting of ban followed recommendations from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO).

    New groups of people now able to donate after three months have passed since the last sexual activity include commercial sex workers and men who have had sex with another man.

    People, who have had sex with a partner at high risk of having a sexually transmitted infection, will also be able to donate blood.

    Until now commercial sex workers were permanently excluded from blood donation, and the other groups had to wait until 12 months had passed before they could donate.

    The rules are now consistent for all groups that are deferred due to sexual behaviours.

    A spokesman for the DOH said: The new rules will allow more people to donate blood, without affecting the safety of the blood supply.

    Dr Gail Miflin, Medical and Research Director at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “The SaBTO review took into account the latest available medical and scientific evidence.

    This included more information about the risk of acquiring infections that can be passed on in blood, more evidence on how well donors comply with our guidelines and also more evidence that supports the reliability of the blood screening tests we use.

    “We have one of the safest blood supplies in the world.

    “Anyone may require a blood transfusion in the future and so it’s in all our interests to ensure that we work hard to keep blood safe for patients.”

    Before every donation, all donors must complete a donor health check and have a private health screening where they may be asked confidential questions.

    Xinhua/NAN

  • Gombe trains 3,000 health workers for measles vaccination

    Gombe trains 3,000 health workers for measles vaccination

    Gombe State Government has trained no fewer than 3,000 health personnel for measles vaccination scheduled for Nov. 30.

    Alhaji Sallau Malami, the state Health Educator, Primary Healthcare Development Agency, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday in Gombe.

    He said that arrangements had been put in place for the success of the exercise.

    “We have trained not less than 3,000 personnel who are going to conduct that activity; they were all properly trained and qualified for the exercise,” he said.

    Malami said that campaigns were underway to enlighten people in their respective communities, especially through the use of traditional rulers, on the need to immunise their children.

    According to him, the campaign, which is in two phases, will cover six local government areas of Nafada, Funakaye, Dukku, Balanga, Billiri and Kaltungo in the first phase.

    The official said that the first phase would take place from Nov. 30. to Dec. 5.

    He said that the second phase to take place from Dec. 7 to Dec. 12 will cover the remaining council areas – Shongom, Kwami, Akko, Yamaltu/Deba and Gombe.

    Malami said that the exercise would be conducted in all health facilities, district head palaces and schools across the state.

    He called on parents to take advantage of the opportunity to immunise their children and wards against measles to reduce child mortality.

    “The vaccine is very important for every child to take, from nine months to 59 months; the vaccine is 100 per cent safe; it doesn’t have any problem.”

    NAN

  • Woman seeks divorce over husband’s constant battery

    Woman seeks divorce over husband’s constant battery

    A housewife, Basira Musa, on Tuesday pleaded with a Kubwa Grade 1 Area Court‎ in Abuja for the divorce over alleged battery.

    Musa said that her 10-year-old marriage to one Tasiu Miko had been characterised by constant battery.

    She told court that Miko was also accusing her of stealing his money and that he had no respect for her parents.

    The petitioner said that the union, which had produced two kids, had been a nightmare for her due, to constant beating by her husband.

    Read also: ‘My husband tied me to tree’

    She, therefore, prayed the court to dissolve the marriage forthwith.

    Miko, however, pleaded not guilty to Musa’s allegations, saying that ‎he was still in love with his wife, whom he described as his cousin.

    He said also that he had never insulted Musa, pointing out however, that she tore his clothes because he brought a second wife to their matrimonial home.

    The Judge, Mr Mohammed Marafa, gave the couple two weeks to reconcile their differences “since the respondent is still in love with his wife.’’‎

    He adjourned the matter until December 8 ‎ and told the parties to come to court with their parents.

    NAN

  • Kano Hisbah Board arrests 65 beggars in one month

    Kano Hisbah Board arrests 65 beggars in one month

    Kano State Hisbah Board said it had arrested about 65 suspected beggars for violating the law banning street begging in the state.

    Malam Dahiru Muhammed, an official of the Hisbah Anti Begging Unit, disclosed this while speaking in the state on Tuesday.

    Muhammed said that the suspects were arrested in different raids in the Kano metropolis in November, adding that eight of the arrested were children, while 57 were adults.

    According to him, 47 of them were from Kano, while 18 were from Bauchi, Jigawa, Gombe, Kogi and Zamfara States.

    Muhammed said the arrests were carried out in areas around Bata, Bompai, Bank and Kabuga roads, all in the metropolis.

    Read also: Street begging: Hisbah arrests 166 beggars

    He said that the Hisbah Board decided to release some of the suspects who were identified as first offenders, as well as those suffering from mental disorder.

    Muhammed said those from neighbouring states were also taken back to their respective states.

    NAN

  • Court docks three for allegedly stealing goats

    Court docks three for allegedly stealing goats

    Three men who allegedly stole seven goats valued at N70,000 were on Tuesday brought before an Okitipupa Magistrates’ Court in Ondo State.

    The accused — China Lawrence, 23; Rapheal Toriola, 21; and Eniola Amoo, 33,  — of no fixed addresses and without specific occupations, are facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, felony and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Zedekiah Orogbemi, said that the accused committed the offences at Igodan, Okitipupa around 12:00 a.m.  on October 15.

    He said that the goats, property of one Grace Badru, were later recovered from the house of one of the accused.

    Read also:  21-year-old arraigned for theft

    The offences are punishable under Sections 390 (9), 430 and 516 of the Criminal Code, Cap.37, Vol.1, Laws of Ondo State, 2006.

    The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The Magistrate, Mr Banji Ayeomoni, granted the accused bail in the sum of N30,000 each, with a surety each in like sum.

    Aiyemomi said that the sureties must  show evidence of of tax payment for one year.

    He adjourned the case until December 8 for further hearing.

    NAN

    Read:Man in court for theft of vehicle worth N4.5m

  • FCT residents to pay for infrastructure – Minister

    FCT residents to pay for infrastructure – Minister

    FCT Minister Malam Bello Muhammad has said that residents of the territory may have to pay for infrastructure as government could no longer continue to fund it.

    Muhammad said this while on an inspection tour of ongoing road projects by the FCT, being executed by Gilmort Engineering Ltd. on Tuesday in Abuja.

    He said, tremendous amounts are needed for the provision of infrastructure in many of the districts of the FCT.

    According to him, while it was possible in the past to develop the FCT, the reality now is that to develop each plot now requires tremendous amount of resources.

    “I think it is just a matter of time, we will have no option but to ensure that every plot has to pay for itself.

    “If you look at it on a plot to plot basis the cost of infrastructure for a plot is so high and if you look at what people pay to government it is so negligible,” he said.

    According to him, 30 years ago when Abuja was created and people were encouraged to come in, it made a lot of sense for government to provide infrastructure.

    Muhammad said this was because infrastructure had not matched the level of development, adding that this had to be so because government could no longer fund infrastructure, while allocating plot for free.

    Read Also: Minister woos light rail investors

    According to him, this is something that requires “all of us to really sit down as stakeholders and not just the FCT administration”.

    He stated that if residents of FCT craved for first class infrastructure, they have to be willing to pay for it.

    “That is why the development of the city without given due cognisance to funding and providing for infrastructure does not help the city.

    “That is why you see that the city has so many districts with 100 per cent houses without infrastructure,” he said.

    He commended the contractor for doing a good job based on the level of work on ground.

    Mr Ben Simon, Chief Engineer, Gilmor Engineering Ltd said the company is determined to complete the project in 20 months.

    He said that Phase I Guzape District HD has been completed and the company was working hard to ensure the completion of Phase II.

    NAN

  • Meter: Don’t blame manufacturers for shortage – Nwangwu

    Meter: Don’t blame manufacturers for shortage – Nwangwu

    The Managing Director of Sebrud Consortiums, Mr Chisom Nwangwu, an indigenous Meter Manufacturing Company, says the prepaid meter producers in Nigeria were not to be blamed for the shortage of the product for electricity consumers in Nigeria.

    Reports said that Nigerians have continued to decry the inability of Electricity Distribution Companies ( DISCOS ) to provide enough prepaid electricity meters for consumers.

    He said that the prepaid meter manufacturing firms had the capacity to meet the demands for the product.

    He also revealed that the Awka-based firm with its 400, 000 installed capacity was ready to work with the 11 electricity distribution companies in Nigeria to help to realise the Federal Government’s objective of having all customers metered.

    “Capacity is not the problem, we are producing and the products are there, we have the capacity to supply whatever is demanded by the distribution companies.

    “All that is needed is for them to contact us and place orders and they will get the meters, we are ready to work with the 11 electricity distribution companies,’’ he said.

    Nwangwu assured Nigerians that the products were of international standard having been approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission ( NERC ) and certified by the Standard Organisation of Nigeria ( SON ).

    According to him, the meters are of high quality and they have passed the Mandatory Conformity Assessment Programme ( MANCAP ) test of SON.

    “They are 100 per cent quality assured with 10-year warranty period, our customer service department is effective,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Five things to know about Lineker – 2018 world cup draw host

    Five things to know about Lineker – 2018 world cup draw host

    Gary Lineker, who won the Golden Boot at the 1986 World Cup, was announced last week as the host and will be partnered by Russian Sports Journalists, Maria Komandnaya to coordinate together the 2018 World Cup final draw billed for Friday, December 1, 2017.

    It is less than a week for the draws that will determine the groupings of the 32 countries that had booked a ticket at next year’s World Cup in Russia, and it is pertinent to have an insight of who Lineker, the main conductor of the Draw Ceremony is.

    These 5 things about Lineker, starting with the more astonishing ones to the most jaw-dropping, are guaranteed to keep your head swirling. Carefully go through them.

    1. Was predicted not to make a living out of football:

    After leaving school with just four O’ Levels, one of Lineker’s teachers predicted that he would never make it as a footballer.

    The teacher attributed the failure to his passion for football, and he wrote on his report card that “he concentrates too much on football and that he would never make a living at that.”

    1. England’s highest goal scorer at the World Cup:

    The former striker who was capped 80 times by England is the Three Lions’ all-time scorer at the World Cup with 10 goals.

    With six goals at the 1986 World Cup, Lineker emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, one that had the likes of Jorge Valdano, Socrates and Diego Maradona as participants.

    No English player has yet to win a World Cup Golden Boot even after seven World Cups.

    1. Highest goal scorer with three different English clubs:

    The former Barcelona forward is the only player to have been the top scorer with three different clubs in England. In 1984 for Leiceser City, Lineker emerged as the joint top scorer with Chelsea’s Kerry Dixon. The duo recorded 24 goals apiece.

    In 1985, Lineker moved to Everton in a deal worth around £800,000. He scored 30 goals for Everton in his debut season and finished the season as the league’s top scorer for the second time in a row.

    In the 1989 season, he emerged again as the English league’s top division highest scorer– scoring 24 goals for Tottenham Hotspur.

    1. Presented a show in 2016 with shorts:

    Lineker, who is BT Sport’s lead presenter for Champions League back in 2016, appeared in the first BBC Match of the Day for the 2016/2017 season in boxer shorts.

    The 57-year-old had promised in a tweet in 2015 that, if his former club, Leicester, should win the 2015/2016 Premier League, he would appear on the BBC match of the day in his undies. And appear he did!

    1. Had zero yellow card in his entire playing career:

    With a 16-year playing career that saw him had spells with the likes of Barcelona, Tottenham, Leicester City, Everton and Nagoya Grampus Eight, Lineker went his entire career without receiving neither a yellow card nor a red. This feat earned him the FIFA Fair Play Award in 1990.

    Hope Lineker has a great day on Friday like he did during his playing days.