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How to Redeem the VBank Promise

Published

5 years ago

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If you live in Nigeria, you’ve probably heard some stories about how difficult it is to get anything done at a government agency. Those stories are so popular that they have made their way into popular culture through “oga is not on seat” jokes.

When you’re going to a government agency, you brace yourself for the reality that no matter how small the task you want to accomplish, it could take all day. It’s not unusual for simple processes to be complicated by ridiculous demands.

It’s the sort of thing we’ve come to expect from Nigeria’s public sector. Yet, in the private sector, Nigeria’s legacy banks will give any government institution a run for their money.

A few weeks ago, I read this interesting rant by a Nigerian in the UK Guardian on how it took him 15 trips to the banking hall to withdraw money. We all have these experiences. The Nigerian banking system throws up the kind of processes that can test the patience of the Pope. Sometimes you apply to get a debit card and you wait for weeks to get. Then you begin another process to get the PIN for the same debit card.

Some other issues that rankle are the unending debits for card maintenance, SMS alerts, the list is endless. Yet, these would be such small trade offs if Nigerian banks actually provide service that work and are reliable.
Bank transfers in Nigeria are like Russian roulette. Sometimes you can transfer money without hassles, the next time, you may get debited thrice for a failed transaction.

Frankly, I’m not sure which I would rather visit: a banking hall or a government parastatal. If banking is this difficult for me, what’s it like for a lot of the people in the informal sector?
I got the clearest answer last week when my friend shared an article about how many of the artisans who work for him often do not have bank accounts.

It’s hard to fault them because banks and banking have come to represent stressors for the average person.
Digital banks are promising freedom This is why the digital alternative to banking is interesting. The counterbalance to the wahala of legacy banking is a bank that exists almost entirely in your phone.

They have no physical branches so you don’t have to spend hours in a banking hall trying to explain to a frazzled customer rep that you can no longer reproduce your signature from when you first opened the account seven years ago.

Beyond the branchless structure of digital banks, one of the things digital banks like VBank say that works for me is their promise of banking without a ton of bank charges.I can be free from those pesky little card maintenance charges from that second generation bank.

I can make a request for a debit card from an app and get the card delivered to my address in one week.

It’s not often that a bank says all the right things.. Yet, there are lingering questions like, “can I put my money in a bank that doesn’t have a branch that I know?,” “Whose shirt will I hold when they debit my account wrongly?”

There are also big questions like; many of the promises of ease the digital banks make will appeal to the carpenter down your street who still doesn’t have a bank account. How will the digital banks reach people like this?

Can the segment of the population who find these promises of freedom attractive- young millennials – form the basis for a sustainable business?

These are questions that remain up in the air, but here’s what I know; V Bank makes really good promises, but the real argument for them is time. Will they still send my debit card in 4 business days in 2027? Will my free transfers still go through and will their customer reps still be as attentive?

I don’t have a crystal ball; but it doesn’t hurt to live in the moment and enjoy all these perks right away.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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Comedian IGOSAVE lavish over £10,000 pounds Popping Bottles Of Champagne in London

Published

4 days ago

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August 14, 2025

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Comedian IGOSAVE lavishes over £10,000 pounds Popping Bottles Of Champagne in London

 

 

Legendary comedian Igosave who has been on a European tour since last month, was recently spotted on a spending spree in London.

 

Comedian IGOSAVE lavish over £10,000 pounds Popping Bottles Of Champagne in London

 

According to an eyewitness, the entertainer spent over £10,000 popping premium bottles of champagne, which has got everyone talking.

 

Comedian IGOSAVE lavish over £10,000 pounds Popping Bottles Of Champagne in London

 

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Entertainment

‎Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup

Published

1 week ago

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August 11, 2025

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‎Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup

‎Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup

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‎Nigeria’s premier entertainment brand, Laffmattazz with Gbenga Adeyinka and Friends, is delighted to unveil its highly anticipated 2025 UK tour as Gbenga Adeyinka lands in London for the shows scheduled to run across six major cities in August.

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‎Africa’s Largest Comedy Show, Laffmattazz, Announces 2025 UK Tour Featuring Gbenga Adeyinka and a Star-Studded Lineup

 

‎Headlined by the legendary African comedian Gbenga Adeyinka, the tour promises a spectacular display of comedy, music, and cultural celebration, featuring some of Africa’s most celebrated performers and entertainers.

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‎Gbenga Adeyinka: A Legend of African Comedy:

‎Hailed as one of the most influential comedians on the continent, Gbenga Adeyinka’s wit, charisma, and comedic mastery have earned him a revered status in African entertainment. His presence ensures an extraordinary experience for all attendees.

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‎A star-studded lineup of performers:

‎The tour will showcase an impressive lineup of entertainers, including:

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‎- King of Comedy Alibaba

‎- MC Abbey Da Prof

‎- MC Larry J

‎- MC OJB

‎- Arkbishop

‎- Aridunnu

‎- MC Obete 1 of Manchester

‎- Toastmaster

‎- Cris Da Enteratainer

‎- Okikiade

‎- Bidemi Alaran

‎- MC Questionnaire

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‎This diverse ensemble guarantees a night filled with side-splitting comedy, captivating performances, and lively music.

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‎The tour is supported by industry leaders, including FIRS, Air Peace, and TMS UK Properties Ltd. The tour underscores their ongoing support of African entertainment and cultural diplomacy.

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‎Tour Schedule & Venues

‎- Cambridge – August 22, 2025

‎ Venue: Arbury Hall, The Centre, Campkin Road, Cambridge, CB4 2LD

‎ Tickets & Info: 07787427862 | @moneevents

‎- Nottingham – August 23, 2025

‎ Venue: St Jude Hall, Mapperley, 405 Woodborough Rd, Nottingham, NG3 5HE

‎ Tickets & Info: +44 7706 655327 | @olubadanoneproductions

 

Oxford – August 24, 2025

‎ Venue: Comies Caribbean Grill, 202A Garsinton Road, Oxford, OX4 6NQ

‎ Tickets & Info: +44 7300 205911 | @dncmusicgroup

 

‎- London – August 25, 2025

‎ Venue: Unit 3-4, Blenheim Business Centre, 18-20 Locks Lane, Mitcham, CR4 2JX

 

‎ Tickets & Info: 07787427862 | @moneevents

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‎-Manchester – August 29, 2025

Venue: 137 Cheetham Road, Manchester, M8 8LY

‎ Tickets & Info: +44 7877 587857 | @kinshowproductions

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‎-Northampton – August 31, 2025

‎ Venue: The Black Diamond, Lower Harding Street, Northampton, NN1 2JL

‎ Tickets & Info: +44 7534 212192 | @SilhouettePromotions, @DACPromotions, @ChristianMent, @IvoryTopazEvents

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Entertainment

Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK-Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT

Published

2 weeks ago

on

August 6, 2025

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Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT

Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT

 

 

There’s a hot gossip in town involving an alleged secret romance between star Fuji musician, Abass Akande Obesere and UK based popular talkshow host, Oluyinka Ayanda a.k.a. Yinka TNT.

 

Fuji Music Star, Abass Obesere Allegedly In Secret Romance With UK Based Relationship Expert, Yinka TNT

 

According to insiders, friends of Obesere are worried about the potential consequences of the alleged secret affair for his marriage; the associated scandal, heartbreak and the impact on his reputation as his wife was already in the know and reportedly spoiling for a showdown.

 

Sources said the clandestine nature of the saga makes it difficult to know how long their affair has been going on and how often the lovebirds meet or interact.

 

Speaking on the rumour, an ally of Yinka who didn’t want to be named for confidential reasons, said “it is not impossible”, adding that though it wasn’t a public topic yet.

 

“A single lady romancing a married man is part of socializing, especially if both of them have always known and supportive of each other,” the source quipped.

 

Yinka is a single, career woman with kids while Obesere is married. Thus, a close relationship between such high-profile celebrities who interestingly are also showbiz aficionados, is bound to attract intense media attention and public speculation.

 

Calls made to both Yinka and Obesere to confirm the authenticity of this information went unanswered while text messages sent to their known mobile telephone numbers were not replied as at press time.

 

 

_More details in due course…_

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