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2019: Top presidential candidates who have visited Obasanjo recently

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With the 2019 general elections coming closer, top presidential candidates have been taking turns to seek supports from statesmen across the country.

Recently, former president Olusegun Obasanjo have been receiving visitors.

Obasanjo ruled the nation for 12 years, first as a military Head of State for four years and eight years as civilian president.

Here are some prominent candidates who have met with the former president:

Atiku Abubakar

The former vice president of Nigeria, who has been at loggerhead with Obasanjo was seen with his former boss recently.

The PDP chieftain had earlier declared his intention of running for the presidential seat at Abuja.

On the 27th of July 2018 during an event by the Gusau Institute on “A New Era for China-Africa Cooperation”, he was seen exchanging pleasantries with Obasanjo which has been interpreted to be an endorsement by the former president of his former vice’s candidacy.

Sule Lamido

The former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, on the 7th of August held a two hours closed-door meeting with former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Presidential Library, in Abeokuta, seeking support for his 2019 presidential ambition.

Bukola Saraki

Following the recent defection of the Senate President Bukola Saraki to PDP, there have been rumour that he will be declaring for the presidency formally soon.

He too has joined in paying the former president visit in Abeokuta. He met with Obasanjo at his presidential library on the 14th of August from 5.27pm to 7.12pm.

Saraki however, refused to disclose the subject of discussion during the closed-door meeting.

Ibrahim Dankwambo

Also, the Presidential aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Ibrahim Dankwambo on Tuesday met behind closed door with the former president in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Dankwambo, Governor of Gombe State, arrived the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential library complex at exactly 1.10pm with his entourage.

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Zenith Bank Customers Fume Over Disruptions in Online Services

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Customers of Zenith Bank have taken to social media to voice their frustration over difficulties encountered during online banking transactions.

Reports emerged on Tuesday of challenges related to payments and various features, leading to widespread discontent among users on social media platforms like X.

In a statement shared on X on Saturday, Zenith Bank announced that routine maintenance would commence on September 29 and conclude on October 1, running from 12:01 AM to 5:00 AM. The notice, titled ‘Notice of Routine Maintenance,’ stated, “Please be informed that we are currently undertaking routine maintenance of our Information Technology Infrastructure to enable us to significantly improve the quality of service rendered to you.”

However, customers reported that the maintenance did not begin as scheduled, causing considerable inconvenience.

On Tuesday, October 1, 2024, the bank’s Mobile Banking App, USSD Service, Internet Banking, and Corporate Internet Banking platforms remained unavailable for an extended period, specifically between 12:01 AM and 2:30 PM WAT.

One dissatisfied customer, Adetunji Akeem, expressed his frustration, sharing that he was unable to withdraw money for food and transportation to work, which forced him to borrow from colleagues.

“It is frustrating. I haven’t eaten all day because I wasn’t able to withdraw money today. Zenith said they would be undergoing maintenance on Saturday through a pop-up message on the bank app, but they didn’t start until this morning,” he lamented.

Another customer, Adeleye A. P., known on X as #deji4ever, criticised the bank for not scheduling maintenance during the night, especially at the end of the month when many employees are expecting their salaries.

He tweeted, “The worst bank award should be given to Zenith. Why deny customers transfer privileges to other banks on the last day of the month? It’s a bad business strategy to ensure money doesn’t leave its coffers.”

Dave Oriss, tweeting under the handle #orissonline, echoed similar sentiments, adding, “#ZenithBank, you should keep frustrating your customers. Some have emergencies, and you are busy shifting the time for maintenance.”

 

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Iran Claims to Have Fired 200 Missiles at Israel — State Media Reports

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Palestinian youths inspect a fallen projectile after Iran launched a barrage of missiles at Israel in response to the killings of Lebanese Hezbollah leader Nasrallah and other Iran-backed militants, in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Zain JAAFAR / AFP)

Iran fired 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, at Israel in a major escalation of the ongoing conflict, state television reported on Wednesday.

The barrage, which Iran claims targeted military bases near Tel Aviv, came as retaliation for the recent killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah by Israeli forces.

This picture shows a projectile flying above the Jordanian capital Amman towards Israel, on October 1, 2024. – Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a missile attack under way against Israel on October 1 was in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of the Hamas leader. (Photo by Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP)

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile launches, stating that “90 percent” of the projectiles hit their intended targets, which included three military bases.

The footage of the missile strikes was broadcast on Iranian media, showing a significant show of force by Tehran.

This picture taken from the West Bank city of Hebron shows projectiles above the Israeli city of Ashdod on October 1, 2024. (Photo by HAZEM BADER / AFP)

The Israeli military countered that 180 missiles had been fired into their territory, with most being intercepted by Israel’s advanced defense systems.

Despite the intercepts, the attack marks the first reported use of hypersonic missiles by Iran against Israel.

This picture shows projectiles being intercepted by Israel above Jerusalem on October 1, 2024. (Photo by Menahem Kahana / AFP)

Hypersonic missiles, capable of traveling at speeds of up to 15 times the speed of sound, pose a unique threat due to their low-altitude flight path and ability to evade conventional missile defenses.

Iran unveiled this advanced missile technology in June 2023, with then-president Ebrahim Raisi proclaiming it as a cornerstone of Iran’s deterrence capabilities, designed to maintain peace and stability in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded swiftly to the attack, warning that Tehran had made a “big mistake.” He vowed to make Iran “pay” for the strikes, further raising tensions in an already volatile situation.

Fire erupts between Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv and the city of Modiin following an Iranian missile attack, on October 1, 2024. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said a missile attack under way against Israel on October 1 was in response to the killing of Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah last week as well as that of the Hamas leader. (Photo by Ahmad GHARABLI / AFP)

In Washington, the United States indicated that it was discussing a joint response with Israel.

Meanwhile, Iran’s chief of staff issued a stern warning that Tehran would strike key Israeli infrastructure if Iran’s territory were attacked in retaliation. The region now braces for potential further escalation amid growing fears of a broader conflict.

 

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Tragedy Strikes as 60 Bodies Recovered in Niger Boat Accident

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No fewer than 60 bodies have been recovered following a tragic boat accident in Niger State, officials confirmed.

According to a statement released by Abubakar Dakani, Press Secretary to the Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, the boat was carrying over 300 passengers when it capsised at the notorious Gbajibo River in Mokwa Local Government Area yesterday evening.

Dakani disclosed that the ill-fated boat was en route from Mundi to Gbajibo for the Annual Maulud celebration when the disaster occurred.

The Chairman of Mokwa Local Government, Abdullahi Muregi, acknowledged the recovery of about 60 bodies and confirmed that 10 survivors have been found so far. Rescue operations, involving the State Emergency Management Agency and local volunteers, are ongoing in a bid to recover the missing passengers.

This incident brings painful memories of a similar boat tragedy in September 2023, when a boat carrying over 50 passengers capsized, killing 24 people who were traveling to their farms for harvest.

Authorities have expressed concerns about the recurring boat accidents in the region, calling for urgent measures to improve safety on the waterways.

 

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