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Kaduna insecurity: Dangers of dwindling nightlife, social, business activities

Published

2 years ago

September 5, 2022

By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna

The dwindling nightlife, social and business activities amongst residents of Kaduna metropolis may be counterproductive and dangerous. Without a doubt, nightlife, social and night business have advantages in area of checkmating insecurity indirectly.

Aside giving rooms and more space for the thriving insurgence, the trends also de-escalate business growth and development in the affected areas in terms of income generation and revenue derived from night life by the businessmen and owners who also pay their taxes.

Kaduna state metropolis known for twenty-four hour sound nightlife, business and social activities is gradually scaling down on daily basis for fear of bandits and terror attacks in town.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that some parts of Kaduna main town, where day breaks at 12:00a.m. in time past now, record little or no social activities anymore. In fact, from 9:00p.m. most major streets where night activities thrived are closed owing to what many have attributed to fear of bandits attacks.

Areas worst hit include Barnawa, Sobon Tasha, Narayi, Gonin Gora, Romi, Maraban Rido, Mafuta, Yakowa Road, Kawo and Magajin Gari axis of the metropolis to mention a few. Night business owners and managers like Clubs, hotels and other social joints and centres in these areas are already facing severe challenges of hardship and how to settle utility bills and paying taxes.

Long before 2015, hardly people went to sleep till daybreak in most of the aforementioned areas including Kaduna urban centres, especially the areas popularly known and addressed as ‘Obalende,’ in Kaduna.

Although before the Boko Harram incidents, the All Progressive Party (APC) led El-rufai administration reportedly frowned at the nightlife and social activities in the some areas, sighting criminal activities associated with such nocturnal activities. Some hotels were demolished in the processes. The fear might however been overtaken as the state now witnesses more insecurity than ever before owing to insurgency.

The insecurity situation has worsened and deteriorated more upon the heat of Bandits and terrorists attacks in the state and Nigeria in general, coupled with COVID-19 pandemic invasion.

Findings, however, revealed that crimes and security challenges heightened and widened more in cities that go to sleep too early as absence of nightlife, business and social activities signifies invitation for crimes. The bandits, it’s strongly believed, also fear crowded areas and places, and thus strike more in night in local government areas and community than cities whether in daytime or night.

Insecurity situation therefore not only worsened in the absence of nightlife and social activities but thrived as complete absence of it engendered crimes and social vices providing opportunity for Bandits to advance their cause of abduction by taking over towns and cities.

Our correspondent who monitored the situation in Kaduna metropolis reported that commercial and business activities have completely dwindled to almost near zero level with virtually no soul venturing outside their premises any moment from 9:30p.m. And those seen beyond this hours are portrayed as rascals or even criminals.

Even where social activities were recorded in some Christian dominated areas like Kaduna South especially Barnawa, Sabon Tasha and few others, they’re not consistent and sustainable.

Nightlife such as clubbing, birthday parties, disco night and social joints also occurred in this areas but with limited time frame and with heavy self secured security protection for fear of insurgence with heavy pay package for government security operatives who take advantage of the situation to also exploit organizers.

Some of the victims mostly DJs and business owners who spoke to our correspondent in anonymity regretted putting their everything into nightlife business of hotels and tourism, clubbing, night joints amongst other social activities that thrives more in the night.

News

How Palmpay overcame trust deficit in 12 months- MD Nwosu

Published

56 mins ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Nigerians’ trust in Palmpay, a Central Bank of Nigeria’s fintech licensed bank, has grown tremendously in the last 12 months.

The Managing Director of Palmpay Nigeria, Chika Nwosu, disclosed this recently when he appeared on Channels TV Business Roundtable.

Recall that the CBN recently restricted Palmpay and four fintech banks from onboarding new customers.

However, Nwosu gave insights into regulatory concerns surrounding the FinTech ecosystem and said that Palmpay has come to stay within Nigeria’s banking sector.

“Whatever happens with regulation is for the good of the FinTech space in Nigeria. Initially, when we started, there was an issue of trust. However, I can tell you now that the last 1 year after the cashless policy has seen the trust start to grow”.

The Managing Director emphasized PalmPay’s unwavering support for regulators in regulating the FinTech ecosystem, underscoring that regulators want to improve the services of strong players in the FinTech space, such as PalmPay.

On the ease of doing business and how it affects PalmPay, he said:

“Doing business in Nigeria for us is difficult, but Nigerians are embracing our App and digital payment”.

When asked about the problem of failed transfers, he stressed,

“Every institution has its business strategy and infrastructure. For us and most fintechs, we have a structure that makes transactions seamless”.

Regarding the regulator’s recent onboarding policy, he stated that PalmPay agreed with the regulators on some grey areas that must be addressed.

Reassuring customers that there was no issue with using PalmPay, he emphasized, “If PalmPay completes their own today, we will start onboarding today”.

On the issue of trust and the security of the PalmPay app, he said,

“There is no day you won’t see on our app boldly written that we are licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and our deposits are insured by the Nigeria Deposits Insurance Corporation (NDIC). PalmPay is here to stay”.

News

Mushin LG Chairman flags off construction of Yusuf Street road, promises solar lighting

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

The Mushin Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye on Wednesday flagged off the construction of Yusuf Street road in Papa Ajao.

The project is expected to bring relief to residents and traders in the area and is set to be completed within six months.

According to Bamigboye, the project is a fulfillment of his campaign promise to the people of Mushin, and he expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to execute the project.

He urged residents to cooperate with the contractor and the local government to ensure the successful completion of the project.

The councillor representing the ward, Ayomide Abioye, expressed his joy and appreciation for the project, stating that it is the longest street in Papa Ajao and will bring immense benefit to the community.

Also, the Baba Oloja of Ladipo International Market, Eze Monday, also commended the Executive Chairman for the project, stating that it will make a significant impact on the development of the area.

The project includes the construction of the road and the installation of solar lighting, which is expected to enhance security and facilitate economic activities in the area.

Residents and traders in the area have been warned not to disturb the contractor or disrupt the project in any way.

Meanwhile, the traders applauded Hon. Bamigboye for demonstrating its commitment to infrastructural development and the welfare of its citizens.

News

Giving back to community — Prof Oyedokun speaks on motives

Published

4 hours ago

May 17, 2024

NewsDirect

Lead Facilitator Professor of Accounting & Financial Development Founder OGE, Prof. Godwin Emmanuel Oyedokun, has disclosed that giving back to society community is his motive for pursuing his career.

He made the disclosure in an article titled “My motive for running a free professional diploma course in Forensic Accounting and Fraud Investigation is of several folds.”

He said, “Running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is also motivated by my desire to give back to the community.

“By sharing my expertise and knowledge without any financial barriers, I am helping individuals from diverse backgrounds and financial situations to acquire valuable skills and advance their careers.”

The academic reiterated that the motive for running a free professional diploma course in forensic accounting and fraud investigation is centred around education, skill development, community service, and professional growth.

It is a way to contribute to the accounting profession, address a skill gap, and empower individuals in their pursuit of knowledge and career advancement.

According to him, “Promoting Education and Professional Development to contribute to the growth and development of the accounting profession by providing individuals with an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in the specialised field of forensic accounting and fraud investigation.

“By offering this free course, i am enabling aspiring professionals to access valuable education that might otherwise be costly or inaccessible.”

The Don addressing the need for expertise in Forensic Accounting said, “In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for professionals skilled in forensic accounting and fraud investigation due to the rise in financial crimes and fraudulent activities. By offering this free course, I am helping to address this skill gap and aiding in the fight against financial fraud.”