The Nigerian Telecommunications sector witnessed a 0.8 per cent marginal decline in the first quarter of 2015. In the latest quarterly report released by the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, the sector contributed N1,344,489.25 million (8.38%) to total economic output for the opening quarter of 2015, in real terms, as against 8.46 per cent recorded in 2014.

It would definitely be out of place to say that the just concluded Card, ATM and Mobile Expo 2015 which held in Lagos recently did not live up to its name. However, a mere observer would wonder why for a three-day event called the ‘Card Expo,’ the emphasis was not just on the physical, plastic cards but also on contactless, cardless payments as well. One major theme that seemed to run through the programme from the opening ceremony down to the various forums and payment pitches is this: the future of the card just might be cardless.

There are a number of companies with significant total capital employed but which companies are not listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange, NSE. Besides their registration under the Companies and Allied Matters Act, these companies operate in areas such as banking, telecommunications, crude oil exploration and the electric power sector in which areas the companies require the grant of licences from government agencies before the companies can operate. Some of these companies are offering very important services to the public but there is very little information available to the public relating their charges to the efficiency of the services they offer.

RAMADAN is a month of reflection, giving and devotion. It is not a month for the gluttons. There are traditions, values and objectives of the blessed month. We have earlier discussed sahur but in order to elucidate on a question on sahur, I found it necessary to share it in this column.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State yesterday paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Usman Oyibe Jibrin, harping on the need for the Navy to assist the state in the fight against crime.

THE recent outbreak of deaths of over 60 persons arising from the consumption of local gin (Ogogoro) is outrageous and scaring, noting that local gin has been in consumption in years without such detrimental effect.

The Nigeria Customs Service, NCS will this week end the use of Direct Traders Input (DTI) cafes following high level of abuse the system has been subjected to.

Some terminal operators that have fallen short of the requirement of the implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security, (ISPS) Code have escaped the sledge hammer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA).

To gain access to critical information technology solutions needed to control and manage operations efficiently and effectively, Beta Computers Limited has reiterated its commitment to offer flexible payment options and outsourcing for companies and organizations acquiring Point of Sale and Accounting (POSACTS) management solutions. Beta Computers is a leading provider of accounting and Point of Sales management solutions to both SMEs and large enterprises.

Following the leadership crisis rocking the National Assembly and the call by some governors of All Progressives Congress, APC, on the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, to resign his position over bribery allegation, Assembly of Benin Aborigines has called on the leadership of the party to resist any attempt to force Oyegun to resign, just a month after the inauguration of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government

Rivers State House of Assembly, yesterday, gave approval to the state governor, Mr Nyesom Wike, to borrow another N20 billion from Access Bank, thus bringing the total money so far borrowed by the state government to N30 billion.

SOLDIERS, Tuesday, arrested four persons and disrupted a peaceful protest by the people of Oghara in Ethiope-West Local Government Area, Delta State, over alleged extra-judicial killing of the chairman of the town’s vigilante group, late Mr. Benson Ogedegbe.

Property worth millions of naira have reportedly disappeared from Imo State House of Assembly complex during the recent renovation carried out in the legislature by the state government.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Burutu Local Government Area, Delta State, Mr. Tam Odogwu, has expressed confidence in the administration of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, assuring Deltans that they would not be disappointed by the governor.

The Benue State Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal, presided over by Justice Elizabeth Karatu, yesterday, dismissed the motion raised by Governor Samuel Ortom, challenging the jurisdiction of the tribunal to entertain the suit.