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USSD debt: Six banks fail to meet payment deadline, risk disconnection

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1 month ago

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About six out of the nine Nigerian banks owing telecommunications companies for Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) services failed to meet the Monday January 27 payment deadline.

Recall, we reported that in a notice on January 15, the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, had stated that it would cut off the USSD access of nine banks over their inability to settle a N160 billion debt that had accumulated since 2019.

The telecom regulator said affected banks must settle their outstanding obligations by January 27, 2025, or risk losing access to their USSD codes.

Confirming the development to PUNCH on Monday, Gbenga Adebayo, chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ATCON), said as at Friday, the number of banks in arrears had dropped from nine to seven.

According to him “One of these seven has reached out to confirm that they will settle their debt today (Monday), which will leave about five or six banks still outstanding,” he said.

On whether if there would be an extension to the deadline, Adebayo said “There will be no extension. If there is to be one, it would require joint approval from the NCC and CBN, but I doubt that either regulator would act without consulting the other.”

The ATCON chairman added that this current enforcement is part of the first phase of a structured payment plan outlined in a December 20 memo from the NCC and the CBN.

“This is just the first phase of the directive. We hope that banks who have complied with this phase will continue to meet their obligations in subsequent ones,” he said.

“The second phase will see banks required to complete full payment of all pre-API invoices by July 2, 2025. Following that, the third phase mandates the settlement of 85 per cent of post-API invoices by December 31, 2025.

“When it comes to the second and third phases, we expect full compliance,” Adebayo noted. “Non-compliance at any stage will have consequences, and we hope to avoid any disruption of services.”

“It’s crucial for non-compliant banks to settle their debts to ensure we don’t disrupt the economy and the digital services subscribers depend on,” Adebayo added.

In his comments, Reuben Mouka, Director of Public Affairs at the NCC, reiterated that that the Monday deadline as outlined in the commission’s January 15 directive stands.

“We have clearly stated in our publications that disconnection will occur if banks fail to meet the payment deadline,” Mouka said. “It is now up to the telecom operators to decide whether or not to disconnect the services,” he said.

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Flight Disruptions Due to Multiple Bird Strikes – Your Safety Comes First

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1 day ago

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February 28, 2025

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Air Peace regrets to inform the flying public of an unexpected disruption to our flight operations caused by multiple bird strike incidents affecting three of our aircraft within the last 24 hours.

The first incident happened yesterday, necessitating an air return. Additionally, earlier today, two of our aircraft also suffered bird strike incidents, resulting in the grounding of the affected aircraft for safety checks and necessary maintenance.

As a safety-conscious airline, Air Peace prioritizes the well-being of our passengers and crew above all else. In line with our strict safety protocols, we have immediately commenced the requisite inspections and maintenance procedures to ensure that the aircraft meet the highest safety standards before returning to service.

We sincerely apologize to our esteemed customers for the inconvenience these disruptions may cause to their travel plans. While we work to resolve the situation as swiftly as possible, we kindly seek your patience and understanding. Our team is actively reaching out to affected passengers to provide necessary assistance, including rescheduling and alternative travel arrangements where possible.

Please rest assured that every decision we make is with your safety in mind. We appreciate your trust in Air Peace and thank you for standing with us.

Air Peace remains committed to providing safe, seamless, and efficient flight services. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we navigate this unexpected situation.

For more information on flight schedules or any other customer concerns, please reach out to us at callcenter@flyairpeace.com. or visit our website and social media channels for updates.

Thank you for your continued trust in Air Peace.

Signed,

Dr. Ejike Ndiulo

Head of Corporate Communications

Air Peace Limited

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Natasha Akpoti accuses Akpabio of punishing her for refusing to sleep with him (Video)

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1 day ago

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February 28, 2025

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of punishing her in the senate for refusing his adances.

 

 

The Kogi Central Senator revealed this while speaking on Arise TV’s morning show on Friday, February 28, 2024.

 

“When we were at his house in Uyo for his birthday, he held my hand and offered to show me around his house. My husband was there, walking behind us.

 

 

 

When we got to a particular sitting room, he asked, ‘Do you like my house?’ I replied, ‘Of course, sir, every room, every living room.’ Then he said, ‘Now that you are a senator, I want us to come here at your convenience to spend time. You will enjoy it,” she said.

 

 

When asked to clarify her claims, she said, ‘My case is a case of a student being punished by a lecturer for refusing to sleep with him.”

 

 

On February 20, the lawmaker disrupted plenary by rejecting her assigned seat, defying Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s order, and repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled.

 

 

On Tuesday, the upper chamber referred her to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.

 

 

In a statement on her X page on Thursday, the Kogi senator said she was ready to face the panel, but would not allow the matter to be handled behind closed doors.

 

Earlier, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio.

 

In the suit filed at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio and Mfon Patrick, his legislative aide, made defamatory comments against her.

 

 

The lawmaker asked the court to compel the respondents to withdraw the defamatory comments and apologise to her in a national newspaper.

 

 

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Lagos Speaker, Mojisola Meranda’s security Details  Restored— Lagos CP

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2 days ago

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February 27, 2025

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The Lagos State Police Command has announced that the security details of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, have been reinstated.

 

Earlier report had it that the security escorts assigned to the Speaker’s office and her residence were withdrawn earlier on Thursday.

 

 

This raised questions, especially after the security details of impeached speaker, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, were restored, leading him to storm the assembly complex and declare himself as speaker.

 

 

Obasa even chaired a plenary session with a small number of assembly members present.

 

However, in a press briefing on Thursday, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Moshood Jimoh, confirmed that four security personnel who were previously withdrawn from the Speaker have now been restored.

 

 

He explained that the removal of security details from the Speaker and other Very Important Personalities (VIPs) in the state was part of an ongoing audit of Police personnel and firearms.

 

Jimoh also mentioned that this audit is not exclusive to Lagos, as similar operations are being conducted in other states’ Police Commands.

 

 

 

More to come…

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