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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