There are indications that Nigerians are fast relegating cash transaction to the background as the value of electronic payment transactions skyrockets.
According to the latest report released by the Nigerian Interbank Settlement System (NIBSS) yesterday, value of electronic payment transactions (EPT) grew year-on-year (YoY) by 89 percent to N257.73 trillion in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1’24) from N136.2 trillion in Q1’23.
The data also showed that the value of NIBSS Instant Payment (NIP) recorded high value of transactions, growing YoY by 90.8 percent to N236.46 trillion in Q1’24 from N123.9 trillion in Q1’23.
According to the report the value of Mobile Money Operations (MMO) transactions grew by 87.8 percent to N17.11 trillion in Q1’24 from N9.11 trillion in Q1’23.
The value of Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions grew by 127.9 percent to N10.1 billion in Q1’24 from N4.43 billion in Q1’23, while its volume increased by 6.7 percent to 6.46 million in Q1’24 from 6.05 million in Q1’23.
The growths signify Nigerians’ increased adoption of electronic payment channels for transactions.
Meanwhile, The value of Cheque transactions grew by 22 percent to N935.24 billion in Q1’24 from N765.9 billion in Q1’23.
But its volume of transactions fell by 16.6 percent to 900.3 million in Q1’24 from 1.08 billion in Q1’23.
However, the value of Point of Sale (PoS) transactions, the grass cash option, fell YoY by 8.09.percent to N2.61 trillion in Q1’24 from N2.84 trillion in Q1’23.
This came against the backdrop of a similar decline of 5.29 percent month-on-month recorded in February to N805 billion from N850 billion in January.
But the volume of PoS transactions increased by 4.09 percent to 313.98 million in Q1’24 from 327.4 million in Q1’23.
AI Robots are now set to enter the beauty pageant world as a new artificial intelligence pageant is set to dole out thousands of dollars to the best chatbot babes.
“‘Miss AI’ is the world’s first beauty pageant for AI-generated models,” announced Fanvue, a subscription-based social media platform, of its forthcoming event slated for May.
“Contestants will be judged on their beauty, tech, and clout for the chance to earn the Miss AI crown.”
The event, an offshoot of the World AI Creator Awards (WAICAs), which recognizes artificial intelligence content creators across the globe will welcome digital divas who’ve been designed to dazzle the eye, mind and internet.
A panel of human judges such as beauty pageant historian Sally-Ann Fawcett, as well as AI influencers Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini, will select the best and sexiest robots.
“Each judge will use their wealth of expertise to assess contestants across three core categories,” said pageant organizers. “A points-based system will be used to score each creator across the three categories with each entrant given an overall score.”
The top bot will log out with a whopping $13,000 reward, including a $5,000 check, a $3,000 mentorship scholarship and $5,000 in public relations support.
The second and third runners-up will receive grand totals of $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.
AI photos competing for the titles must be “100% AI-generated” to be considered for the money. The creators of the masterpieces must be at least age 18.
“Contestants will be judged on some of the classic aspects of pageantry including their beauty, poise and their unique answers to a series of questions like, ‘If you could have one dream to make the world a better place what would it be?,’” per Fanvue.
“Contestants will earn points for their skill and implementation of AI tools used to create their digital masterpieces, including the use of prompts and their output, and visual detailing around hands, eyes, and backgrounds.”
“AI Creators’ social clout will be assessed based on their engagement numbers with fans, rate of growth of audience,” Fanvue explained, “and [their] utilization of other platforms such as Instagram.”
A recent research carried out by market research company GitNux has uncovered that women in South Africa possess the widest average hip size, implying they may have the biggest backsides.
South Africa clinched the top spot with an average hip size of 41.73 inches, as per data from the report titled “Statistics About The Average Hip Size For Women,” which measured hip sizes in Nigeria and 16 other nations.
The ranking indicates that South Africa outperforms Brazil, which is commonly associated with wide hips and ample backsides, even though Brazil was not part of the dataset.
Argentina, renowned for its flourishing plastic surgery industry, particularly Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), closely followed in second place at 41 inches.
Sweden, breaking the mold of tall and slender stereotypes, earned the third rank with an average hip measurement of 40.9 inches.
Greece and Germany secured the fourth and fifth positions on the list, with average hip sizes of 40.74 and 40.6 inches, correspondingly, while the US ranked sixth, with an average hip measurement of 40.2 inches.
The report pointed out that Nigerian women averaged a hip circumference of about 38.56 inches, measured at the widest point, serving as a gauge for pelvic size.
The researchers clarified that this average is derived from a sample group and may not accurately represent the size of every Nigerian woman.
India, ranking second-lowest in global obesity rates, maintained the record for the smallest average hip size at 36.1 inches.
While the study does not offer insights into the underlying reasons for the rankings, it hints that multiple factors like obesity rates, prevalence of plastic surgery, and inherent bone structure could be contributing factors.
The woman who was accused of lying while giving testimony at the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, Vera Anyim, has said she bears no grudge against the church.
This followed the controversy that trailed the treatment that was meted out to her by the church’s Senior Pastor, Dr Paul Enenche, on Sunday.
In a video that emerged online, Anyim, during her testimony in the church, said she graduated with a “Bsc in Law” from the National Open University of Nigeria.
She was however interrupted by Enenche who said she was lying. The pastor also questioned the credibility of the woman’s testimony while he chided her on how she spoke.
Enenche who said there was nothing like “Bsc in Law” immediately asked her to leave the pulpit.
The action however generated a flurry of reactions as netizens demanded an apology from the cleric.
But Anyim, in a post on her Facebook page on Monday, said she had put the situation behind her.
She made the statement after meeting Enenche and his wife, Becky.
Sharing photos from the meeting, she wrote, “I want to inform the whole world that I just had a warm meeting with my spiritual father and mother, Dr Paul Enenche, and Dr Becky Enenche.
“I don’t have any grudge against the church or them. I remain committed to serving God as a member of Dunamis Church.
“I am thankful for the concern of the public.
“I have put the situation at my back, and I have moved forward, and I want everybody to do the same. Peace.”
The church in a statement on Monday said it reached out to Anyim over the issue, while it explained that concerns arose during her testimony at the Glory Dome on April 14, 2024, regarding her language proficiency and the clarity of her academic credentials.
It stated that her speech suggested a level of English proficiency below what might be expected of a university graduate, particularly one with a Law degree, while noting that discrepancies also emerged regarding the nature and duration of her academic pursuit, raising doubts about the legitimacy of her qualifications.
The statement added that the Senior Pastor’s actions stemmed from a commitment to upholding standards of excellence and integrity within the church community.
The statement read, “A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the university, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.
“These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario: First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met.
“Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.
“Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally.
“These prompted the Senior Pastor. Dr. Paul Enenche, to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a ‘lie.’ However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university.
“It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.”
The church disclosed further that the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
“While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica. The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and had already reached out to her.
“As a commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt, and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna. We remain committed to her physical welfare as well as her spiritual growth. God bless us all,” the statement added.
Some photos confirming that the woman graduated from NOUN were discovered on her Facebook page and shared online.
Reacting earlier to the treatment meted out to her, Vera lamented that she was disgraced and labelled a liar by her spiritual leader because she couldn’t speak English and mistakenly said B.Sc instead of LLB.
In a post on her Facebook page on Monday, she stated that she graduated with a 3rd class from NOUN and was no. 2262 on the list of graduates from the school.
She wrote: “It’s disheartened because I couldn’t speak English like lawyers. I was labelled a liar for mistakenly saying B.Sc instead of LLB. Actually, I graduated with a Third Class at NOUN. The rejected stone can become the cornerstone. We’re reminded not to look down on anyone.
“You can’t imagine what I endured throughout the service. How shattered I must have felt to be disgraced by my spiritual leader in such a manner? I am no. 2262 on the list. I, Vera, deserve better now.
“The Devil came to steal my testimony but Jesus said NO!,” she stated in a separate post.
A masseur has been arrested for allegedly raping a 71-year-old woman in Portugal.
The 71-year-old British pensioner went to police after allegedly being sexually attacked following a 47-year-old massage session in the Algarve town of Quarteira.
A spokesman for Portugal's Policia Judiciaria police force, confirming the arrest in the Algarve municipality of Loule which Quarteira forms part of, said: 'Last Friday the Polícia Judiciaria arrested a 47-year-old man strongly suspected of raping a 71-year-old foreign national at a massage center in the municipality of Loule.
'The alleged victim reported the incident which the police found out had allegedly occurred after a massage session.
'As a result of the investigation, conducted by the PJ's Southern Directorate, officers were able to gather some very relevant evidence.'
A source close to the ongoing investigation added: 'We are waiting for the medical reports to build up a full picture of what happened.
'Police are also looking into the arrested man's background to see if there have been prior cases involving this individual.
'In these kinds of cases, victims very often don't go to police out of shame or trauma although for now the information police have been able to gather on the detainee don't point to him having previous arrests or convictions in Portugal for any sex crimes.'
The unnamed man has already appeared in court and been bailed with the obligation to sign on every week and agree to a ban on contacting his alleged victim or her family.
The senior Pastor of dunamis International gospel centre, Paul Enenche on Monday opened up on the controversy surrounding a lady who testified about being a “B.SC graduate of law” from the Open University of Nigeria, NOUN.
Pastor Enenche said he never intended to disgrace the testifier, Vera Ayim when he interjected while she was testifying on Sunday.
On Sunday, Vera came on the altar of Dunamis Church to share her testimony of how God made her the “only graduate in her family.”
During the testimony, Vera said she graduated with a “BSc in Law” from NOUN.
Pastor Enenche asked what kind of degree she graduated with and she said ‘’B.Sc in Law.”
Aggrieved, the clergyman accused the Vera of lying.
The issued had irked much frenzy on social Media with Nigerians asking Enenche to apologize.
Responding, Enenche said his action was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
Speaking through Sylvester Edoh, his Personal Assistant, Enenche assured that he has reached out to the Vera personally.
A statement signed by Edoh reads: “A scenario was created on Sunday the 14th April, 2024 at the Glory Dome, the Global Headquarters of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, when Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna came out to testify of how God helped her graduate from the University, thus making her the first person to attain that feat in her family.
“These were the immediate triggers for the said scenario:First, listening to the testifier’s expressions as it borders on basic spoken English, conveys the impression that the minimum standard expectation of a graduate, especially a graduate of Law was not met. Second, stating that she studied Law for 10 years begged the question of what her degree actually was.
“Third, she was unable to state exactly what the correct degree was for Law which is LLB, rather she said it was a BSc in Law which is largely unknown as a Law degree in Nigeria and possibly globally.These prompted the Senior Pastor, Dr. Paul Enenche to stop the testimony immediately as a product of a “lie.”
“However, relief came when it was later confirmed that she actually graduated from a university. It must be pointed out clearly here that embarrassing the testifier publicly with the attendant media frenzy was never intended; whatever happened was under the spur of the moment.
“The action of the Senior Pastor was rather based on his and the church’s aversion to seeming mediocrity and any appearance of untruth.
“While we remain resolute in our passion for excellence, intolerance of mediocrity and falsehood, we wish to reiterate the fact that no harm or hurt was ever intended by the Senior Pastor against Ms. Anyim Veronica.
“The Senior Pastor feels deeply concerned and had already reached out to her. As a Commission, we regret every inconvenience, hurt and embarrassment this unfortunate scenario has caused to Ms Anyim Veronica Nnenna.”
Enenche assured of his commitment towards Vera’s physical welfare as well as her spiritual growth.
A Nigerian woman accused of giving a false prophecy has taken to Facebook to break her silence.
The law graduate, Anyim Veronica said the incident involving Pastor Paul Enenche left her embarrassed and shattered.
She acknowledged that her limited English proficiency led to Pastor Paul Enenche branding her as a liar.
The deeply saddened Anyim Veronica disclosed her academic achievement of graduating with a third-class degree and expressed disbelief at the challenges she overcame to attain her graduation.
She wrote:
“It’s disheartened because I couldn’t speak English like lawyers.i was labeled a liar for mistakenly saying B.Sc instead of LLB. Actually i graduated with a Third Class at NOUN.
“The rejected stone can become the cornerstone. We’re reminded not to look down on anyone. U can’t imagine what i endured throughout the service. How shattered I must have felt to be disgraced by my spiritual leader in such a manner?”
While pointing out her name on a published graduate’s list, she added, “I am no. 2262 on the list. I Vera deserves better now.”
The immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai has revealed that he doesn't want to be a godfather.
He disclosed this while speaking at a Capacity-Enhancement Workshop for Senior Government Officials in Borno State, on Monday.
El-Rufai said he has only visited Kaduna five times since he left office almost a year ago.
“I don’t want to be a godfather and that’s why I don’t interfere in what is happening in Kaduna, I want him (the governor) to learn and get the job by himself.
“What we lack is good leadership, the majors aspects of good quality of leadership.
“The leader should get good people to get the job done.
“Only God can do everything by himself, no matter how good you are as a leader, you can be as effective as people around you and that’s why the saying that no country get better than the quality of his civil services,” he said.
The naira strengthened against major currencies on Monday the greenback saw an increased safe-haven demand, in the wake of an Iranian strike on Israel, putting it at more than five-month highs.
Naira breaks key resistance
Goldman Sachs projection became a reality when the local currency exchanged at below N1000 at some segments of the parallel market as of late Sunday.
The American investment bank’s economists stated that the Naira’s bullish momentum on the foreign exchange market will likely cause it to trade for less than N1,000 per US dollar in the coming months.
The tier 1 investment bank claimed that the rally in Nigerian currency helped recover from large losses after two devaluations since last June by being bolstered by capital inflows and successive interest rate hikes.
Recall in March, Goldman Sachs earlier projected that the Naira would appreciate to N1,200 per Dollar in 2024. The top bank has implemented several policy initiatives in recent months to bring stability to the foreign exchange market.
The CBN increased interest rates to 24.75% at the most recent meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), which helped it recover losses from the two devaluations that occurred since June of last year.
Further gains for the naira result from the CBN’s ongoing intervention, which involves selling foreign exchange to Bureau De Change operators at a revised rate.
The market anticipates higher inflows of US dollars from the sale of foreign currency bonds in the second quarter as revealed by Finance Minister Wale Edun. This came when the government offered high-yield short-term debt products at a premium to entice overseas capital into the economy.
Nigeria’s gross foreign reserves have decreased despite a persistent increase in the world commodities market. The Middle East’s geopolitical unrest and the anticipation of an Iranian government strike on Israel caused oil prices to soar.
Crude oil prices have risen beyond $90, and Nigerian grades are trading at a premium to the ICE Brent benchmark despite a drop in production volume that had a detrimental effect on fiscal performance.
Fears over rates have sent the dollar to a five-and-a-half-month high
Israel and Iran conflict bolstered the dollar index as it steadied in London trade after surging to 5-½ month highs on Friday. Demand for haven after Iran’s massive missile and drone strike against Israel strengthened the US dollar.
However, it seemed that the hit had little effect, and Iran also gave the impression that it had finished attacking Israel. According to reports, Israeli ministers also stated that they had no plans to retaliate immediately after the strike.
In addition, the expectation of higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates supported the dollar in the wake of last week’s hawkish Federal Reserve signals and high inflation figures. Weak economic prints from China further drained public sentiment toward Asia. March saw a decline in China’s disinflation as well as lower-than-expected export and import data.
Rapidly falling wagers that the Fed will lower interest rates in the first half of 2024 also helped to support the dollar. This was followed by high March inflation figures.
Another stabbing has been captured on camera in Sydney, Australia.
A prominent Orthodox Bishop was stabbed while preaching at Christ The Good Shepherd Church in Wakeley in Sydney's west on Monday, April 15, just after 7pm.
Mass was underway and Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel was at the altar when a knifeman walked up to him and began stabbing him repeatedly in the neck and shoulder.
Church members screamed in terror as the knifeman carried out the attack, which was viewed by those watching via live stream.
Members quickly rushed to the altar to hold back the attacker and some members were attacked in the process.
The bishop was later pictured being taken to an ambulance in a stretcher.
Sydney Bishop repeatedly stabbed during service in front of congregation and live-stream viewers (video)
This comes less than 48 hours after the stabbing in the Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday afternoon, April 13.
Watch the video of the attack on the Bishop below
Media
????#Breaking A bishop and several worshippers have been attacked in another mass stabbing in Wakeley, Sydney Australia
— Javeria Sultan (@javeria_sultan1) April 15, 2024
pic.twitter.com/U1TMjIXqKE
More...
Police Arrest Abuja ‘One-Chance’ Robbery Kingpin Who Hit Pregnant Woman With Wheel Spanner Until She Lost Her Baby
AFOLABIThe Nigeria Police Force has apprehended the leader of a 'one-chance' robbery gang responsible for assaulting a pregnant woman to the extent that she suffered a miscarriage in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.
The Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi announced the arrest on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday.
‘One-chance' is commonly used in Nigeria to refer to fraud or scam in Nigeria, especially when a group of criminals picks up passengers waiting for a taxi or bus, to rob or defraud them.
He explained that the woman, a victim of a ‘one-chance’ robbery in Abuja had been trying for a baby for more than eight years before the incident happened.
Adejobi, who described the attack as "wickedness", disclosed that the suspect was facing a trial in court and had been arrested for the same offence again.
The police spokesman who shared the pictures of the suspect and a wheel spanner he allegedly used to hit the pregnant woman vowed that he would be brought to justice.
He wrote: "This is a ring leader of one chance robbery gang in Abuja. He used this wheel spanner to beat a pregnant woman (one chance victim) until she had a miscarriage.
"The woman had been waiting for the fruit of the womb for more than 8 years. This is wickedness. Anyway, he's having a trial in the court and has been arrested for the same offence again."
Popular singer and half of P-Square, Paul Okoye, aka Rudeboy, has hinted at remarrying.
The ‘Reason With Me’ crooner dropped the hint while scolding fans for wishing his divorce from his ex-wife to be toxic.
He stated that he would not succumb to their wishes, urging them to accept the reality that he is with his new partner, Ivy Ifeoma.
He went on to unveil hashtag options for himself and his partner, Ifeoma.
On his Instagram story, Rudeboy wrote: “Some of y’all wish and think all divorces must be toxic, looking for someone to blame so that y’all can be entertained… lol
“#Ifeomanonso Or #Ifynonso. Choose one.”
DAILY POST recalls that Rudeboy, 41, unveiled Ifeoma, then 22, as his new girlfriend in December 2022, one year after his divorce from his ex-wife Anita Okoye.
Nigeria’s inflation rate rose to 33.20 per cent in March 2024 from 31.70 per cent in February 2024.
This was disclosed in the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, March Consumer Price Index and Inflation report.
The March 2024 headline inflation rate increased by 1.50 per cent compared to the February 2024 headline inflation rate.
On a year-on-year basis, the headline inflation rate was 11.16 per cent, higher than the 22.04 per cent recorded in March 2023.
This shows that the headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in March 2024 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., March 2023).
Furthermore, on a month-on-month basis, the headline inflation rate in March 2024 was 3.02 per cent, which was 0.10 per cent lower than the rate recorded in February 2024 (3.12 per cent).
The implication means that in March 2024, the rate of increase in the average price level is less than the rate of increase in the average price level in February 2024.
This is the eighth time the inflation rate is rising since the commencement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration on May 29, 2023.
One of the 276 abducted schoolgirls of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Chibok, in Borno State, Amina Ali Nkeki has revealed that some of her mates, in the captivity of Boko Haram, have four children each.
Amina made this revelation in an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday.
Recall the 276 Chibok girls were abducted by Boko Haram terrorists on April 14, 2014.
Meanwhile, 271 students were kidnapped on that unfortunate day but 57 girls escaped shortly in 2014, 103 were released through the intervention of the Federal Government, 20 others freed by the efforts of the state government but 92 students are still in captivity, according to parents of the abducted schoolgirls.
But, Amina regained freedom in 2016 with a baby and a Boko Haram fighter who claimed to be her husband.
Narrating her ordeal, Amina said, “Some of them are mothers of three children, four children. It’s not easy for them,” adding that 92 of her colleagues still in captivity.
“She said they will be going through hunger and sicknesses and other challenges of motherhood in the forest.”
Amina, who is currenty a 200-level student of Mass Communication at a university in Yola, said “I feel so sad because that place is not a good place for anyone.”
The freed Chibok girl expressed hope that her mates would “be released one day.”
When asked about the welfare of her baby, Amina said, “She is fine, she is living here in Yola.”
On how she escaped in 2016, Aminasaid, “I escaped when soldiers were in the forest to fight those Boko Haram people. They (insurgents) were running to the bush to hide and we (the hostages) also ran.
“After that, we went our own way. That was how we escaped but because of how big the bush was, and we didn’t know our way, it took us one month plus before we came out (of the forest).”
Nkeki said she agreed to marry a Boko Haram fighter while in captivity because she viewed the path as a route of escape from her abductors.
“For me, I married so that I will get freedom to go where I wanted and from there, I will escape.”
She said the insurgents threatened them to marry them or became their slaves for life.
“They told us that if we didn’t agree to marry them, we are going to be their slaves. So, because of that fear, some of us thought instead of being slaves, let’s get married.
“That’s how some people decided to get married. And some people took all the risk. Some of us got married that may be it will be a way for of escape, most especially a person like me,” she said.