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Thousands of bank customers across the country are expected to boycott banking services on Tuesday (today) to express their grievances against alleged “arbitrary, illegal and excessive charges” by the Deposit Money Banks. The Consumer Advocacy Foundation of Nigeria, a non-profit-making organisation, had a few weeks ago, declared March 1 a ‘No banking day’ to protest the continued imposition of alleged arbitrary charges on bank customers. CAFON said its members would mobilise bank customers across the country to boycott banking services nationwide. The campaign is meant to force banks to stop the regime of arbitrary charges imposed on their customers. The move will involve a peaceful demonstration across major town and cities in the country. Customers have made complaints of several illegal and arbitrary charges imposed on them by commercial banks. Last week, the Central Bank of Nigeria said the DMBs refunded N6.2bn in excess and illegal charges to bank customers in

Nigerians have expressed outrage over the alleged abduction of 14-year-old Ese Oruru by one Yinusa, aka Yellow, who also forced her into marriage. Nigerians, who read the story of the helpless minor on The PUNCH’s website on Sunday, took a swipe at the inactions of the authorities, saying the girl was abandoned to wallow in captivity. Yinusa, a tricycle driver, took away the minor to Kano on August 12, 2015, from her mother’s shop in Opolo Yenagoa Local Government Area, Bayelsa State. The mother, Mrs. Rose Oruru, had gone out on the day leaving Ese and her siblings in the shop. Yinusa seized the girl in her absence. Rose’s attempts to seek the release of the girl at the Emir of Kano’s (Sanusi Lamido’s) palace, where she was reportedly kept met a stiff resistance. An online reader, who identified himself only as Seagols, wrote, “I feel so ashamed of the Bayelsa State Police Command for saying it’s not abduction, but elopement of a 13-year-old? Shame on the Bayelsa State G

Defence pact marks an increased level of co-operation between Japan and the Philippines, who are both concerned over China’s aggressive territorial claims. Japan is planning to supply military equipment to the Philippines as part of a new defence pact between the two nations due to be signed on Monday. The new accord will reportedly pave the way for Japan to sell new military hardware, transfer defence technology, donate used military equipment and provide defence training to forces in the Philippines. Tokyo has signed similar pacts with the United States and Australia in the past, but the Philippines deal marks the first occasion that Tokyo has forged such a tie with a Southeast Asian country. The pact taps into an increased level of defence co-operation between Japan and the Philippines, two nations united in their concern over China’s aggressive territorial claims and maritime build-up in the region. Confirming that the new accord would be signed by the Japanese ambassador

Hosting the Oscars is always a high-pressure job. For Chris Rock, who emceed the 2016 ceremony, there was more at stake then whether his jokes would land. Rock, one of the most famous black comedians in the world, was hosting during a year when race - specifically, the lack of diverse talent nominated for awards - was at the forefront. For the second year in a row, no black actors or actresses received nominations. Films showcasing black actors, directors and screenwriters were largely ignored - despite what many critics saw as award-worthy efforts in films like Beasts of No Nation, Straight Outta Compton and Creed. The nominations spurred a viral hashtag - #OscarsSoWhite - in which activists and moviegoers took to social media to bemoan the lack of diversity. It also lead to controversial internal reforms within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that oversees the Oscars. The group has changed voting standards to include younger, more racially diverse me

The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, says the country is in a difficult but encouraging situation. Tinubu said although the journey to economic recovery would not be easy, there was hope for the country. This was contained in a speech he delivered on Saturday after receiving a honourary Doctor of Business degree at the 15th- 20th convocation ceremony of the University of Abuja. He said, “Nigeria stands in the corridor between greatness and failure; between progress and collapse; between hope and despair. Our fate depends on whether we would summon the courage to take the bold steps and move in the direction. We must turn our present challenges into opportunities for the reengineering of our nation’s economic challenges.” The APC leader, however, noted that Nigeria needed some fundamental restructuring, both politically and economically, in order to actualise the desired change. Tinubu advocated a return to agriculture, noting that a

Despite the bombings still being carried out in parts of the country by members of the Boko Haram sect, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday said the sect is no longer in a position to cause serious threat to his administration’s development programmes. While admitting that the sect’s activities had led to loss of many lives and displacement of innocent people in the country, the President boasted that since his assumption of office in May 2015, Boko Haram has been systematically decimated. According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President spoke at a bilateral meeting he had with the Emir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hammad Al-Thani, on Sunday. Buhari was also said to have talked on the situation in the Middle East and commended the role Qatar is playing in resolving the present Syrian crisis, the Palestinian cause and efforts in reconstructing Gaza. He said, “The conflicts in Yemen and Syria, with their atten

The phrase “never won an Oscar” can no longer apply to Leonardo DiCaprio. The actor, who was famously snubbed by the Academy five times, was awarded best actor for his performance in “The Revenant.” DiCaprio was heavily favored to win, with many a fan and critic declaring he “deserves” it now more than ever. One created the website HasLeoWonAnOscar.com, which was promptly updated with a “Yes :).” DiCaprio been waiting since 1994, when he received his first nomination, for his role in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape.” Then came “The Aviator,” “Blood Diamond” and “The Wolf of Wall Street” (as both an actor and producer): all losses. Skeptics say he’s never been good enough to win – it only seems he’s been treated unfairly because he is so universally beloved and swoon-worthy. But DiCaprio seemed to know tonight was his night, and after thanking the people who made “The Revenant” and his career possible, he used his platform to spread a message he’s been advocating for a long time:

Houston (CNN)Marco Rubio was on fire Thursday night. For months, the Florida senator resisted taking on Republican front-runner and expert attack dog Donald Trump, much to the chagrin of the GOP establishment. That reluctance evaporated during the final GOP presidential debate before Super Tuesday. Standing to the right of Trump, Rubio delivered one blow after another at the billionaire businessman, attacking him on everything from immigration to foreign policy and health care to the businessman's hiring practices. And to Trump's left, Ted Cruz delighted in joining in the pile-on. In the middle of a debate filled with fireworks and filled with barely audible exchanges in which the three candidates furiously talked over one another, Trump pointed to the two men flanking him and lashed out: "This guy is a choke artist," he said, turning to Rubio, "and this guy's a liar," he said of Cruz. CNN Podcast: GOP Republican debate in Houston, hour 1

The former Nigerian International announced his decision to end his increasingly controversial tenure on Twitter early this morning. He attributed the decision to lack of support and contract violations by the Nigerian Football Federation. The 41-year-old, who was appointed as the Super Eagles Head Coach in July 2015, has had a tough time leading the National team with a poor run of results recently. He had recently had to apologise to the NFF and Nigerians after posting a video in which he attacked his critics. Earlier in his tenure he had fallen out with former Super Eagles goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama, leading to the latter’s decision to quit the team. Oliseh noted that he was, however, grateful for the opportunity to lead the Super Eagles.

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Black voters are the linchpin of Hillary Clinton's strategy for winning the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, and as a result, her campaign has put racial justice issues at the forefront of her agenda. But at an event on Wednesday night, Clinton was vocally confronted by an activist questioning her past support for policies that had a disproportionately negative effect on African Americans. Ashley Williams, a 23-year-old activist from Charlotte, interrupted Clinton during a private fundraiser in Charleston on Wednesday night. Williams stood and demanded an apology from Clinton for the high incarceration rate for black Americans, and confronted her with the words of a speech Clinton delivered 20 years ago voicing support for the now-debunked theory of "super-predators." "They are often the kinds of kids that are called 'super-predators,' " Clinton said in 1996, at the height of anxiety during her husband's adminis

(CNN)It's over. Donald Trump is the Republican nominee. He just added Nevada to the growing list of caucus primary wins, and while he needs more delegates to clinch it, who the heck can stop him now? He is leading in national polls and in many state polls; he's succeeded in upending rivals such as Ted Cruz, Jeb Bush and Ben Carson; and there's no one in sight who can stop him. The only question is when will the GOP embrace him? The answer: no time soon. The establishment doesn't like him because it can't control him. Yet he's the only conservative candidate who stands a chance against Hillary Clinton. The polls may reflect Marco Rubio doing well as a conservative uniter, but no one will hammer Clinton's biggest weakness better than Trump, and that's Clinton fatigue. Sorry, Bernie fans, the Democratic nomination is hers to lose. Bush has limped away from the race in a manner that validates almost every insult Trump had flung at him (these are

It was no secret that Mohandas Gandhi had an unusual sex life. He spoke constantly of sex and gave detailed, often provocative, instructions to his followers as to how to they might best observe chastity. And his views were not always popular; "abnormal and unnatural" was how the first Prime Minister of independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru, described Gandhi's advice to newlyweds to stay celibate for the sake of their souls. But was there something more complex than a pious plea for chastity at play in Gandhi's beliefs, preachings and even his unusual personal practices (which included, alongside his famed chastity, sleeping naked next to nubile, naked women to test his restraint)? In the course of researching my new book on Gandhi, going through a hundred volumes of his complete works and many tomes of eye-witness material, details became apparent which add up to a more bizarre sexual history. Much of this material was known during his lifetime, but was distort

On  Tuesday, a federal judge ruled that several top aides to Hillary Clinton during her time at the State Department were required to testify under oath about whether exclusively using a private email server while serving as secretary of state amounted to a deliberate attempt to shield information from the public. This is the latest in a series of developments regarding Clinton’s email server — and her decision to exclusively use it during her time as the nation’s top diplomat. (Clinton is the first and only secretary of state to only use a private server for her correspondence.) Almost weekly now, there is some news in one of the three ongoing investigations — two at State, one by the FBI — into Clinton. And the drip, drip, drip effect of these now-regular revelations continues to have a major impact on how Clinton is viewed by the voting public. Gallup released a fascinating bit of data Tuesday that speaks to Clinton’s trust problem. They asked people to offer up the first wor

MTN Group had withdrew its lawsuit against Nigeria’s National Communications Commission, over a N780 billion fine, and paid N50 billion toward a possible settlement. A judge in Lagos last month gave both parties until March 18 to reach a settlement. The settlement was opted for after MTN had asked the court to arbitrate over the dispute, saying the NCC had no legal grounds to order the fine. MTN said it would withdraw its court challenge in an effort to reach an amicable settlement and make a “good faith payment” of N50 billion toward a possible settlement. The group makes most of its sales in Nigeria. “This is a sign that the fine could be reduced much further. “There is some sort of negotiation taking place and the parties are migrating toward a common ground,” said Dobek Pater, Managing Director of Africa Analysis. Nigeria has been trying to halt the widespread use of unregistered SIM cards amid worries they are being used for criminal activity, including by the Islamist

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has easily won the US state of Nevada, cementing his lead in the race for the party's nomination. The billionaire now has three wins in a row, after victories in New Hampshire and South Carolina. Senators Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz, who have been trading barbs this week, came second and third respectively. Party officials said they were checking reports of double voting and insufficient ballots at one site. Some volunteers also wore clothing in support of Mr Trump, but officials said this was not against the rules. In his victory speech, Mr Trump told a roaring crowd: "We're winning, winning, winning the country, and soon the country is going to start winning, winning, winning." He also celebrated getting the support of the "poorly educated" and Latinos. Some 45% of Nevada's Republican voters of Latino origin backed Mr Trump, according to entrance polls. Nevada, typically a swing state with a subst

Ecobank Nigeria Plc has sacked 50 top personnel  as it struggles to stay afloat in the midst of biting economic hardship in the country. It was gathered that the rank of those sacked ranged from Assistant General Manager, Deputy General Manager and above whose monthly salaries range between N1 million and N2 million. The affected top management staff of the bank were handed their sack letters from the bank’s head office in Victoria Island, Lagos, Southwest Nigeria on Tuesday. A source in the bank said that the bank has been going through tough time as a result of crippling economy, occasioned by dwindling oil prices and the crumbling of the naira to dollar. Our source said the bank has been undergoing restructuring in recent times in trying to survive in a fast collapsing Nigeria economy. According to our source, the source of revenue to the bank had trimmed since the hardship is biting hard on all Nigerian banks.  Since Ecobank has not been making money, there was no w

A federal judge on Tuesday ruled that State Department officials and top aides to Hillary Clinton should be questioned under oath about whether they intentionally thwarted federal open records laws by using or allowing the use of a private email server throughout Clinton’s tenure as secretary of state from 2009 to 2013. The decision by U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan of Washington came in a lawsuit over public records brought by Judicial Watch, a conservative legal watchdog group, regarding its May 2013 request, for information about the employment arrangement of Huma Abedin, a longtime Clinton aide. A State Department official said that the department is aware of the order and that it is reviewing it but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing litigation. Discovery orders are not readily appealable. An attorney for Abedin declined to comment. Sullivan set an April deadline for parties to work out a detailed investigative plan--subject to court approval--that woul

Ghana’s former President, Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has in a meeting with the new American Ambassador to Ghana, Robert Porter Jackson, called on all stakeholders in the forthcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections to ensure the highest levels of transparency to guarantee a peaceful process. It appears people have reached a saturation point, nevertheless what is important is for all stakeholders to ensure the highest level of vigilance is maintained to guarantee peaceful elections, the former President said. Flt Lt Rawlings also called for the United States¹ support in ensuring an impartial and credible electoral process during the courtesy call by Ambassador Porter Jackson last Wednesday. On Africa, former President Rawlings asked the United States and other nations to help check the spread of extremist tendencies. He intimated that there was the need to do justice to the Tuareg people in Mali, stating that, it is imperative and important that the rights of the Tuareg

In January 2017, the most powerful nation on earth will have a new leader, after a drawn out and expensive campaign - but how does a US presidential election work? When the US picks its president, it is not only choosing a head of state but a head of government and a commander-in-chief of the largest military on the planet. It's a big responsibility. So how does the process work? Who can be president? Technically, to run for president, you only need to be "a natural born" US citizen, at least 35 years old, and have been a resident for 14 years. Sounds easy, right? In reality, however, every president since 1933 has been a governor, senator, or five-star military general. And that's before you even consider getting a party nomination and securing national media attention. In this 2016 election, at one stage there were 10 governors or former governors and 10 who are or were senators, although many have since dropped out. One person is nominated to represen