News
Customers in FCT lament tedious bank operations
Customers of different banks in the Federal Capital Territory and environs have lamented the stressful banking operations saying it negated the financial inclusion strategy of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Some customers who spoke to the Our correspondent in Abuja on Tuesday, said bankers were inconsiderate and accused them of capitalising on COVID-19 protocols to cover their inadequacies.
Mr Collins Yastrup, a journalist and an Access Bank Plc customer on the Jikwoyi road, regretted that he stood for more than two hours just to lay a complaint on a failed online transaction.
Yastrup said his account was debited but the recipient had yet to receive the cash.
“If they want to go online with their transactions, they should also perfect it and learn to treat their customers well.
“Without us (the customers), they will not be here. I don’t know why they choose to make us suffer this way.
“You no longer come to the bank and go in freely. You must wait for hours before you are attended to,’’ he explained.
Mrs Onyinye Ibe, a business woman and a customer at Zenith Bank on Check-point junction, Mararaba, described the current situation in banks as pathetic.
“Whenever I have to go to the bank these days, I feel so discouraged because of the stress that one has to pass through before being attended to.
“The number of people struggling to be attended to is mind-blowing. I wonder what the problem is with banks these days.
“The situation is getting worse by the day. Some banks now use the excuse of COVD-19 to cover their short-comings.
“In fact, I am thinking of saving part of my money at home since banking is no longer the best option.
“If I have to go through a lot of stress just to withdraw or transfer money, then I had better do it the piggy bank way,’’ she lamented.
Miss Vera Adoku, a customer at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), near the Mararaba Building Material market, appealed to the bank to make alternative arrangements to serve their numerous customers better.
“The worse is that they alternate the branches that operate every week.
“This has caused the high number in customers that converge at a particular branch and this is not funny at all,’’ she said.
Reacting to the weekly branch rotation strategy of GTB, Oyinade Adegite, the Head, Communication and External Affairs, GTB, said the move was a safety measure taken to curb the spread of COVID-19.
“Following COVID pandemic and the safety measures to curb the spread, we implemented a branch rotation programme.
“This means that we open about 60 per cent of branches at every point in time on a weekly basis.
“So, if we have an incident in a branch during the week, we can close it and operate from another one.
“This was implemented to keep our staff and customers safe and not expose our customers unduly to the risk of COVID,’’ she explained.
NAN reports that the situation was not different at Keystone, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), United Bank for Africa (UBA) and First Bank on the Mararaba axis.
Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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Investigations by Nigerian Concord Newspaper reveal that the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has allegedly misappropriated public funds for a lavish lifestyle.
According to our findings, within months of assuming office, Akutah allegedly purchased a bulletproof SUV valued at approximately N850 million. In addition, he is reported to have acquired over twenty exotic SUVs for use as a convoy.
Akutah is also said to have acquired multiple high-value properties, including three in Abuja’s Maitama and Asokoro districts worth over N2 billion, and two in Lagos’ Banana Island valued at N1.8 billion. These acquisitions appear far beyond the scope of his official salary and allowances.
Further investigation suggests that Akutah may be using public funds to support political ambitions, including allegedly grooming militants across 23 local government areas in Benue State for a potential 2027 gubernatorial bid.
Staff of the Shippers Council reportedly claim that Akutah frequently accesses the council’s treasury without proper authorization. Some insiders have indicated that a petition will soon be filed with the EFCC, ICPC, and the Presidency to report his alleged misconduct.
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I am writing to felicitate with Your Excellency, Atku Abubakar, GCON, former Vice-President of Nigeria (Zege Mule u Tiv & Wazirin Adamawa)
on the occasion of your 79th birthday anniversary.
I join your teeming admirers globally in celebrating you on this special day, an adorable Statesman and my Boss.
I recall with nostalgia, how countless generations have benefited from your generosity, wealth of experience and benevolence including being my key benefactor even as a young lawyer for my professional success.
Your Excellency, may your special day be filled with grandeur befitting your illustrious career.
I wish you continued success, prosperity, and an unending stream of accolades.
It takes a remarkable kind of fortitude to remain active in public life well into one’s golden years. Your dedication and patriotism remain truly exceptional.
May you enjoy a day of reflection on your many years of fruitful service to humanity. It is my prayer that God Almighty grants you many more healthy, fruitful, and fulfilling years ahead, and continues to endow you with wisdom, strength, and the grace to keep contributing to our nation-building.
Happy Birthday, Your Excellency.
Michael Kaase Aondoakaa SAN.
Former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice
TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning
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