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Gombe Govt Moves Against Firewood Business

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6 years ago

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The Gombe State Government is waging war against indiscriminate tree felling and booming sales of firewood which is threatening the environment and depleting forest in the state.

An investigation by one of our correspondent  revealed that more than 20 truck-load of firewood are unloaded daily at Tashan Dukku Junction in Gombe between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m.

The investigation also showed other countless roadside dealers of firewood across major streets of Gombe metropolis and suburbs of Tumfure and Yelenguruza quarters.

A cross section of the dealers told our correspondent  that the cost of kerosene and cooking gas was responsible for the high demand for firewood in the state.

A major dealer who spoke with premier  on condition of anonymity, said that firewood business was a good business with huge patronage, saying that he had been in the business for more than six years.

“I built my house in the village and I am now building another one here in Tumfure. I am taking up my responsibilities as a man.

“The business is offering me more than what some civil servants in the state get. So I am comfortable as long as I am doing my business without hitches,’’ he said.

He noted that the state government task force had made supplies of firewood from various villages difficult as they often arrest some trucks but said he was never deterred by their activities since he had evolved ways of evading arrest.

Another firewood seller, Hajiya Zainab Abubakar, said: “The business is booming because many of us are farmers and there is no money to get gas and even kerosene.

“If money is available, we will be using gas like every other person too. It is with the proceeds I get from here that I use in feeding and supporting my family.’’

Malam Yahaya Usman of Tumfure, said he was aware of the negative impact of tree felling to the forest in Gombe but noted he had no means of feeding his household than selling firewood and charcoal.

“ Many residents in the area prefer firewood to kerosene because it is cheaper. With N200 one can cook for the day and still have woods to cook by the next day.

“For a man that has a large household, how many litres of kerosene do you think will be enough to cook in a day? This is the major reason most of us go for firewood.

“It’s a matter of what is available based on the situation on ground and not what they really want,’’ Usman said.

He said the act of tree felling could affect the environment negatively, saying that if massive tree-planting exercises were carried out, the dangers would be averted.

Reacting to the development, Alhaji Sa’ad Hashidu, Director of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Gombe State Ministry of Environment, said deforestation was a serious challenge in the state.

Hashidu explained that the government was aware of the activities of firewood merchants and had taken steps to curb the menace to avoid desertification.

He said the governor of the state, Ibrahim Dankwambo, inaugurated a task force to handle cases of deforestation within the state.

“We are aware of the activities of wood dealers that can lead to deforestation in the state. The government has taken series of measures to arrest the menace in the state.

“The task force has impounded over 40 trucks of firewood and charcoal so far. In addition, the government also distributed over 50,000 tree seedlings, free of charge to the public.

“We are also building our capacities to reverse the trend of deforestation in the state by re-stocking our tree nurseries,’’ the commissioner said.

He, however, attributed the increasing acts of deforestation to the inadequacies of the existing forest laws, saying that the law was being reviewed and when signed, would assist in addressing the menace.

The premier reports that Mr Bala-Dozen Nayaya, the State Project Coordinator of Nigeria Erosion and Watershed Management Project (NEWMAP), had on June 6, 2018, decried the increasing wave of indiscriminate tree felling in the state.

Nayaya had warned that over 80 per cent of 25 gazetted forests in Gombe had been depleted, adding that a research by NEWMAP showed that over 200 truckloads of firewood were being transported from Gombe forests daily.

He warned that if urgent steps were not taken to address the growing firewood and charcoal business, it could have dire consequences in the nearest future.

Nayaya said that deforestation had resulted to increase in desertification.

 

 

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Zenith Bank Says It Now Has best IT infrastructure After Successful Upgrade, Commends Customers

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24 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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Zenith Bank Says It Now Has best IT infrastructure After Successful Upgrade, Commends Customers

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Zenith Bank Plc has announced that it now boasts the best technology infrastructure in the banking industry, positioning itself to provide an exceptional customer experience and superior service delivery moving forward.

This upgrade follows a recent comprehensive technology enhancement.

The bank expressed its heartfelt gratitude to customers for their support and patience throughout the upgrade process, while also extending apologies for any inconveniences experienced during this time.

This announcement was made in a social media post on Wednesday, signed by Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, the Group Managing Director/CEO. 

In her message, the GMD/CEO emphasized the bank’s commitment to delivering an unparalleled service experience, stating, “We undertook this upgrade to ensure we can offer our customers the best possible service.”

Umeoji pledged that Zenith Bank will continue to innovate, ensuring that customer needs are met swiftly, safely, and conveniently.

The post read in part: “On behalf of the Board, Management, and Staff of Zenith Bank PLC, I would like to thank you for your patience and support during our IT infrastructure migration to a new and more robust operating system. 

“We are truly grateful for the trust and confidence you have placed in us. The primary reason for undertaking this extensive endeavor was to better position Zenith Bank PLC for improved service delivery to all our valued customers and to create memorable banking experiences at all our touchpoints.

“While I regret the inconveniences and challenges you faced during and immediately after our migration, I am pleased to inform you that Zenith Bank PLC now has the best technology infrastructure in the industry. We are committed to ensuring you experience superior service delivery going forward.

“Rest assured, you remain our top priority, and Zenith Bank will continue to innovate and offer value-added products and services to meet all your banking needs quickly, safely, and conveniently.”

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Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

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2 days ago

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November 5, 2024

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Polaris Bank Clinches “Best Mobile App” Award at Digital Jurist Awards 2024

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Polaris Bank’s commitment to digital innovation and excellence has once again been recognized, as the Bank was awarded the prestigious “Best Mobile App” award for its renowned digital banking platform, VULTe, at the Digital Jurist Awards held October 31 at Eko Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.

This honor comes less than a week after Polaris Bank was named Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year for the fourth consecutive year, further solidifying its status as a leader in Nigeria’s digital banking landscape.

At the event, attended by representatives from all nominated companies, Polaris Bank’s VULTe app stood out among its peers, winning the hearts of users and the recognition of industry experts.

The Digital Jurist Awards Committee had nominated Polaris Bank in three categories: Best Website, Best Web Portal, and Best Mobile App.

The Bank’s innovative approach and customer-centric digital solutions have made it a formidable contender in each category, with VULTe’s win affirming the Bank’s continued drive to redefine digital banking in Nigeria.

Commenting on the the award, Polaris Bank’s Managing Director/CEO, Kayode Lawal expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the Bank’s commitment to providing seamless, reliable, and secure digital solutions.

“This award continuously shows our dedication to delivering the best digital experiences to our customers. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation to ensure that our platforms remain intuitive, accessible, and impactful,” he said.

Polaris Bank’s VULTe app has gained widespread acclaim for its user-friendly design, robust security features, and diverse functionalities, enabling customers to manage their banking needs from the comfort of their devices.

Winning the “Best Mobile App” award is yet another milestone in the Bank’s digital journey, reinforcing its position as a digital pioneer in Nigeria’s banking sector.

The Bank extends its gratitude to the Digital Jurist Awards Committee and its loyal customers for their continued trust and support.

Polaris Bank is committed to advancing digital banking in Nigeria, creating convenient, modern, and secure solutions that cater to the evolving needs of its customers.

Polaris Bank was adjudged Nigeria’s Digital Bank of the Year in 2024,2023, 2022 and 2021 and MSME Bank of the Year 2022, 2023 and 2024 in Business Day’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.

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Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards

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2 days ago

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November 5, 2024

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Access Bank Wins Best Digital, Best Website at 2024 Digital Jurist Awards

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Access Bank PLC has been named the 2024 Best Digital Award Winner in the Commercial Banks Category at the Digital Jurist Awards, organized by Phillips Consulting (pcl.).

L-R: Adebowale Shonekan, Head, Network Communications (Group & Subsidiaries), Access Bank Plc; Chukwudi Amadi, Team Lead, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc; Ezinne Nwene, Team Member, Digital Communications, Access Holdings Plc, receiving the Best Digital Commercial Bank award from Abbas Babagana, Chief Technical Officer, Federal Ministry of Communications & Digital Economy at the Digital Jurist Awards held in Lagos… recently.

In addition to this top honour, the Bank also secured the Best Website Award, achieving an impressive score of 201 points for its engaging and user-friendly digital experience. Access Bank’s cumulative score of 380 points reflects its excellence across digital touchpoints, including its website, web portal, mobile app, and social media.Commenting on the recognition, Amaechi Okobi, Chief Communications Officer of Access Holdings PLC, said, “We are honoured to receive the Best Digital and Best Website Awards at this year’s Digital Jurist Awards.

At Access, our focus on digital innovation is driven by our commitment to deliver seamless, secure, and customer-centric solutions across all touchpoints.

This recognition validates our ongoing efforts to enhance our digital platforms, making financial services more accessible and efficient for our customers.

We thank Phillips Consulting for recognising our efforts and will continue to raise the bar in digital excellence.”Phillips Consulting has long served as a development partner to Nigerian financial institutions and other organisations with an online presence.

Leveraging its proprietary Digital Jurist platform, the firm has conducted assessments of digital touchpoints in various sectors, from financial services and insurance to telecommunications and government agencies, over the past 17 years.

Originally established as Web Jurist®, the platform was reimagined as Digital Jurist to assess new and diversified digital channels in the evolving digital economy. Digital Jurist’s evaluation framework examines a range of factors, including user experience, accessibility, performance, functionality, security, customer service, support, marketing, and content engagement across digital platforms.

These awards reinforce Access Bank’s leadership in digital banking, adding to recent accolades including 2024 Best Digital Bank and Best Mobile Banking App by World Finance, Best Mobile Banking App and Best Digital Bank by The Digital Banker Awards, and Best Digital Banking Initiative at the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2024.

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