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IPOB Threatens Fresh Sit-At-Home From Aug. 23; Banks, Others Shut Despite Suspension

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Despite the suspension of the sit-at-home order in the South-East by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, activities were grounded in some parts of the region.

This was as the IPOB made a U-turn and threatened to recommence the ‘every Monday’ sit-at-home protest starting from August 23.

Banks, schools, shops, and other businesses did not open for work in many parts of Abia, Ebonyi, Imo and Anambra states, while traders and other business concerns opened in Enugu State.

Though one of the reasons for the absence of normal activities in four out of the five southeastern states was that many were not aware of the suspension of the sit-at-home order, others genuinely closed shops in solidarity with the IPOB leader.

In Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital, commercial banks, and other businesses remained shut as the sit-at-home order was observed irrespective of the suspension of the directive.

One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation, gathered that banks, motor parks, filling stations, eateries, major shops, and supermarkets remained closed in the state capital.

Also affected were shops at the Abakaliki International market and Ophoke-Abba market in Kpiri-Kpiri, where shop owners shut down businesses.

Major roads including the Abakaliki/Enugu; Abakaliki/Afikpo highways and other major busy internal roads like Afikpo and Ogoja roads were scanty with human and vehicular movements.

A trader, Mr Simon Ngaji at Ophoke-Abba Market, Kpiri-Kpiri explained that people, especially shop owners in the market did not receive the news of the suspension, while some doubted its authenticity.

In Umuahia, the Abia State capital, there was no visible movement of security operatives, as schools were closed, except for those conducting NECO and WASC examinations.

In Aba, a middle-aged man was shot dead at Gas Line by Express.

This was confirmed in a statement by the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders.

The coalition condemned “the gruesome killing of an unarmed innocent youth at Gas Line by Nigerian soldiers”.

In the statement by Goodluck Ibem, the President General, and Kanice Igwe, the Secretary-General, the body further stated, “We call on Nigeria authorities to order a prompt, independent and impartial inquiry into the killing by the army, identify suspected perpetrators and ensure that they are brought to justice without delay.”

Similarly, banks, business centers, eateries failed to open on Monday in Owerri, the Imo state capital, despite the cancellation of the weekly sit-at-home order by IPOB.

We monitored activities on Monday morning in the state capital and observed that streets and roads were deserted.

Few persons, who came out, found it difficult to get vehicles that could convey them to their destinations.

Major markets like Nkwo-Orji, Alana international market, Ekeukwu Owerri, Amakaohia, and Akwakuma markets were almost empty.

The ever-busy Imo State University Roundabout, Government House Roundabout, Cherubim junction, Control Post Roundabout, Warehouse Roundabout, Emmanuel College Roundabout, and Fire service Roundabout all in Owerri were also deserted.

Also, Owerri to Orlu, Onitsha, Port Harcourt, Okigwe, Mbaise, and Aba roads were all deserted by motorists and passersby, while shops and motor parks were closed.

An artisan, who spoke with The PUNCH, said, “I am not going anywhere; I will stay at home today because my life is more important to me. They may be telling us that the sit-at-home order has been cancelled so that we will come out and be harmed. One day with my family will not kill me.”

Nothing changed in Anambra despite the suspension of the exercise, as socio-economic activities were grounded in Awka, Onitsha, Nnewi and other major towns in the state.

One of our correspondents, who monitored the situation in the state, observed that banks, markets, shops, government establishments and other businesses were shut down.

A resident, who gave his name as Okechukwu Madu, said, “I heard on the Radio Biafra that there was nothing like suspension of the sit-at-home. We want the exercise to continue till Kanu is released.”

In a related development, the IPOB has threatened to recommence the ‘every Monday’ sit-at-home protest, starting from August 23.

The group had suspended the weekly protest meant to prevail on the Federal Government to release their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who is in detention over allegations bordering on treasonable felony.

IPOB, while suspending the protest last week, said the exercise would only hold on the days Kanu would appear in court.

But the Media and Publicity Secretary of the secessionist group, Emma Powerful, said the group might recommence the exercise, starting from next Monday.

He said, “IPOB is no longer forcing anyone to stay at home, but our people are voluntarily doing so to show how they feel and value our leader. That will make us to continue with the exercise from next week.

“If we begin again, even an ant will not be allowed to be seen on any road or street in Biafra land in any of the protest days, unless that idiot (defaulter) has written his or her will.”

BIG STORY

Hydrogen, CCHub Partner To Encourage Fintech Startup Success

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As the country faces economic challenges, the need for adaptive strategies in the fintech industry becomes paramount. In line with this, leading fintech startup Hydrogen Payment Services Limited (‘Hydrogen’) has teamed up with Co-creation Hub (‘CcHub’) to host an insightful event themed ‘Adapting Fintech Business Models to Economic Climates’.

The event is set to take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, from 12:00 a.m. WAT at the CCHub office in Sabo, Lagos, will delve deep into the intricacies of Nigerian economic challenges and how these influence the fintech ecosystem. Participants will gain actionable insights on how to adapt fintech business models to volatile economic conditions by prioritising flexibility, agility, and customer-centricity.

This collaboration underscores the shared commitment of both entities to empower aspiring founders venturing into the fintech space amidst economic uncertainties. By leveraging their respective expertise and resources, Hydrogen and CcHub aim to equip
emerging entrepreneurs with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to thrive in today’s dynamic economic conditions.

Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer at Hydrogen, commented on the strategic partnership with CcHUB: “Our alliance with CcHUB amplifies our shared commitment to pioneering transformative solutions in the Nigerian fintech sector. By leveraging Hydrogen’s technological expertise alongside CcHU’s innovative approach, we are primed to set a new standard for fintech excellence and drive impactful change across the industry.”

The event will feature a distinguished panel of industry experts and thought leaders. including Ina Alogwu, Group Director, Digital Transformation, ARM HoldCo; Emeka Awagu, Chief Technology Officer, Hydrogen; and Miracle Ezechi, Digital Marketing Manager, Hydrogen.

The panel discussion will be moderated to encourage an engaging and insightful conversation on the strategies and innovations required to thrive in the Nigerian fintech landscape amidst economic challenges.

Interested attendees are encouraged to register here and reserve a spot.

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BIG STORY

Ooni Of Ife Extends Business Frontier With Audacious Takeover Of TINGO! [PHOTOS]

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Coca Cola, Pepsi, American Cola & all other popular brands in the soft drink sector & energy drink sector should get set for an immense battle royale, which would be to the great advantage of the consumers, as the newest brand to come into that sector arrived with a massive bang yesterday! And to the admiration of all.

Tingo set of drinks launched on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at their expansive HQ, to the admiration of all to loads of unprecedented razzmatazz/fanfare with consumers greatly giving kudos for a good job well done.

Only 2 out of 9 variants were launched yesterday. The Tingo Cola & Tingo Electric Energy drink. And already people are anticipating the other variants with bated breaths! As they were quite impressed with what they have experienced already!

To state a fact without mincing words, the taste was amazing, as was the international style packaging, too, in reusable cans, with health considerations playing a major part in the production. Sugar content was exact without affecting the taste!

Even the name of the brand Tingo is also titillating, to say the least.

All of the 9 varieties of impressive drinks are set to be unleashed powerfully into the market pretty soon like a takeover by the company now captained by none other than his imperial majesty, Alaiyeluwa Oba Adeyeye Babatunde Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ojaja II, Ooni-Orisa Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife.

The astute businessman cum royal father is said to have bought off the company from the former owner and has deliberately kept the fascinating name of the brand.

The amiable monarch, who is a youth advocate/encourager in all ramifications, who believes fervently that the sky is the beginning, and not a limit as it concerns any endeavour one finds in his/her hand to do, spoke at the launch, thus:

‘Nigeria can lead the entire continent of Africa to compete favourably in the global market with standard goods and services, particularly when it comes to carbonated drinks, beverages, and the likes’.

Ooni went further to say that Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric; a Flavoured Carbonated and Energy drinks, respectively, produced by Tingo B.V PLC is a spin-off company from Ojaja Pan Africa Limited, explaining that Nigeria has a lot to offer the world.

“It has been my dream from childhood to have a homegrown brand that will satisfactorily produce international quality drinks that will serve Nigerians, and present the country as a leader in the African market and on the global stage.

“Currently, we have the license under which we are producing Tingo Cola, Tingo Electra, Tingo Twist (Cucumber and Cranberry) and Tingo Booze Fruit mix. All of which are produced and packaged in Nigeria with recourse to our values and standards. All to be properly integrated with Ojaja bitters, Orange, Lemon/Ginger/Orange drinks. Also, most importantly, we should all work towards elevating our homegrown brands instead of demarketing them.”

Speaking further on his involvement in the commercial activities through these products, Ooni Ogunwusi said, “I have taken it upon myself to step into the market not as businessman but as a pathfinder who will show our people how to add value for international standard in production to distribution and consumption. It is a new model that will be a win- win for everyone.

“With this, I am targeting a total of five million direct and indirect jobs for the youths, particularly through retailing, recycling, and other forms of distributorship fully driven by technology. The youths are drivers of this initiative, and we are determined to achieve this purpose through a unique, proven technology and innovation. Under our Unified ecosystem of “the more we are together, the happier we shall be”

 

 

 

 

 

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BIG STORY

Dangote Crashes Diesel Price To N1,000 Per Litre

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In an unprecedented move, Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced further reduction of the price of diesel to from 1200 to 1,000 naira per litre.

While rolling out the products, the refinery supplied at a substantially reduced price of N1,200 per litre three weeks ago, representing over 30 per cent reduction from the previous market price of about N1,600 per litre.

This significant reduction in the price of diesel, at Dangote Petroleum Refinery, is expected to positively affect all the spheres of the economy and ultimately reduce the high inflation rate in the country.

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