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NCC Orders Telcos To Disconnect Banks, FCMB, Fidelity , Others Over USSD Debt

Published

3 months ago

January 15, 2025

ADMIN

Due to a backlog of unpaid debts, the Nigerian Communications Commission has authorised telecommunications companies to disconnect the Unstructured Supplementary Service Data codes assigned to nine financial institutions.

The directive signed by NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka on Tuesday and obtained by Channels Television, noted that the affected banks are to pay the outstanding debts by January 27, 2025, or risk losing access to their USSD codes.

The regulator did not, however, state the amount of the debt owed by the nine banks.

According to the NCC public notice, nine out of 18 financial institutions had not complied with regulatory directives.

It said while other banks have cleared their debts, the total amount initially owed by the financial institutions was reported to exceed N200 billion.

According to the NCC, some of the unpaid invoices have remained unpaid since 2020.

Part of the notice read, “By the information made available to the commission as at close of business on Tuesday, 14th January 2025, of a total of 18 financial institutions, the nine institutions listed below have failed to comply significantly with the directives in the Second Joint Circular of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the commission dated December 20, 2024, for the settlement of outstanding invoices due to MNOS, some since 2020.”

The affected financial institutions include Fidelity Bank Plc, First City Monument Bank, Jaiz Bank Plc, Polaris Bank Limited, Sterling Bank Limited, United Bank for Africa Plc, Unity Bank Plc, Wema Bank Plc, and Zenith Bank Plc.

The affected USSD codes include 770, 919, and 822, among others, could be reassigned to other applicants if the debts remain unresolved.

The regulator noted that banks’ failure to comply with the CBN-NCC joint circular also means that they are unable to meet the good standing requirements for the renewal of the USSD codes assigned to them by the commission.

It added, “In fulfilment of its consumer protection mandate, the commission wishes to inform consumers that they may be unable to access the USSD platform of the affected financial institutions from January 27, 2025.”

The NCC emphasised that the financial institutions had been duly notified of the need for immediate compliance and warned that consumers may face service disruptions if the issues remain unresolved.

Meanwhile, data from the CBN revealed that 252.06 million transactions worth N2.19 trillion were conducted via USSD between January and June 2024.

Related Topics:CBN NCC Nigeria Nigerian Zenith Bank

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Benue LG chairman gives Fulanis 48hrs to leave all farmlands

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

The chairman of Agatu Local Government Area in Benue State, James Melvin Ejeh, has given Fulani herdsmen a 48-hour notice to leave all agricultural lands.

This announcement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at the council secretariat in Obagaji.

The meeting included traditional leaders, representatives from the Fulani community, youth leaders, and security personnel to discuss the increasing concerns regarding herders’ activities on farmland as the planting season nears.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Agatu LGA Chairman, Obochi Solomon, reported that Ejeh highlighted the importance of safeguarding agricultural activities in Agatu in light of the upcoming planting season.

He remarked that agriculture is essential to the local economy and that farmers should have unhindered access to their lands.

Ejeh also acknowledged the current peace in the region but reiterated that maintaining uninterrupted farming activities is of utmost importance.

“Our farmers must cultivate without disruption. We will do everything necessary to create a safe environment for them,” he said.

The statement further disclosed that during the meeting, the Ado of the Fulani requested a one-week extension to allow the herders to prepare for their relocation, a request that the council approved.

The CPS noted that the General Youth Chairman of Agatu LGA, Oloche Silas, committed on behalf of the Agatu youth to support the peaceful evacuation process and to avoid any acts of violence.

Security personnel, including members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), were reported to have praised the peaceful resolution of the issue and promised to offer necessary assistance during the relocation.

Additionally, representing the Och’Agatu, Chief John Agidani, spoke at the meeting, commending the leadership of the Council Chairman and urging all parties to adhere to the agreement.

News

Five suspected kidnappers eliminated by police in Delta

Published

7 hours ago

April 27, 2025

ADMIN

Five alleged kidnappers have reportedly died after a fierce gun battle with operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team.

The suspects were confirmed dead in a hospital they were rushed to for medical attention.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe who confirmed the development in a statement, stated that the incident occurred on 21st April 2025.

The police image maker disclosed that operatives of the CP-Special Assignment team, acting on intelligence relating to kidnapping in Ubuluku, Isseluku, Issele-Asagba, and environs by one Bello Abubakar and his gang members, stormed one of their hideouts in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra State.

SP Edafe pointed out that during the raid of the suspects hideout in the forest, the operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and one hundred and thirty-two rounds of live ammunition.

He further said the investigation was extended to another of their hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Utulu, where the said Bello Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.

According to the police image maker, the suspected kidnappers attacked the policemen in a fierce gun battle, but the team, who were aware of the battle ahead, reciprocated in like manner.

SP Edafe added that the manhunt for other injured fleeing suspects is ongoing.

News

Francophone Ambassadors, Nigeria Unite To Fight Against Climate Change

Published

12 hours ago

April 27, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The Ambassador of Bulgaria to Nigeria and President of the Francophone Ambassadors Group, Amb. Yanko Yordanov has reaffirmed the commitment of French-speaking countries to work closely with Nigeria in promoting environmental protection, democracy, and cultural exchange.

Speaking during the 2025 Francophonie celebration in Abuja, the Ambassador explained that although the International Day of La Francophonie is usually marked in March, they decided to hold the event in April to accommodate broader participation.

“This is a gathering that encompasses the meaning of La Francophonie. In French-speaking countries, the Francophone countries, we are uniting together to celebrate the diversity, our values, our mission, and, of course, to celebrate together with Nigeria. Because we are partners, we share the same values, and we have the same concerns,” he said.

Addressing the theme of the event, which includes environmental preservation and afforestation, the ambassador stressed that climate change is a shared challenge that must be tackled together.

“I think that it is a very important theme and La Francophonie has a lot to say and a lot to do in cooperation with countries, our partners like Nigeria, which are really equally affected by the climate change. So we want to raise the awareness of the importance of fighting the climate change in a way that benefits all nations, that mitigates really the climate change effect and that benefits the lives of all the citizens of all the worlds on the planet,” he said.

Reflecting on his experience leading the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria, he said he was proud of the progress made in deepening ties between Nigeria and the Francophone community.

“I have been honoured to chair the informal group of the Francophone ambassadors in Nigeria for the past two years and I am proud of what we have achieved together in terms of making La Francophonie much more popular, much more understandable and much more visible in Nigeria,” he said.

He explained that the group, made up of over 25 ambassadors, has not only promoted Francophone culture in Nigeria but has also worked to showcase Nigeria’s rich heritage across Francophone countries Their joint efforts also span areas like trade, investment, political relations, and cultural exchanges.

“I think that the success of our group, which is very visible, is based on the cooperation with Nigeria, which is our partner, which shares our values and our mission, including in the area of the fight against climate change, which affects not only the Francophones, but also all the others, including Nigeria,” he added.

He emphasized that the partnership between Francophone nations and Nigeria is built on shared principles of humanity, democracy, and the rule of law.

“So we are very happy to cooperate with Nigeria in many directions, including the visibility of these problems and the visibility of the decisions and successes that we can achieve together in this area. I would like to say that the Francophones and Nigeria have the same mission. It is humanity. It is the promotion of democracy, of the rule of law. So we are very, very happy and proud to be able to cooperate with Nigeria,” the envoy stated.

Every year, the celebration of “La Francophonie” is an opportunity to highlight the richness of French-speaking cultures and linguistic diversity. It also pro ides an opportunity to promote the French language as a tool for solidarity and cooperation in tackling major challenges such as sustainable development.

This year, the celebrations planned as part of the Month of La Francophonie in Nigeria showcased how the French-speaking countries work together in the service of energy transition, the protection of fauna and flora and the development of new ecosystems.