A FALSE RUMOUR ABOUT OPay IS NOT JUST “SOCIAL MEDIA NOISE” — IT CAN BECOME AN ECONOMIC THREAT

By someone who has spent years inside the banking system There is a disturbing development currently making the rounds on social media concerning OPay. A message purporting to be an official communication from OPay claimed that the company would go on an indefinite break from September 1, 2026, and advised customers to withdraw their funds. OPay has categorically dismissed the publication as false and malicious and has assured customers that its operations continue. Independent reports have also identified the circulating notice as fabricated. But I believe Nigerians need to look beyond the immediate denial. This is not merely about OPay. It is about the danger of deliberately manufacturing panic around a financial institution. Having spent years in the banking industry, I understand something that many people outside the financial system may not appreciate: Confidence is one of the most important assets of any financial institution. When people believe that their money may no longer be safe, they don't wait for a forensic investigation. They react. They withdraw. They transfer. They rush to convert their balances. And when thousands or millions of people respond simultaneously to the same false information, what began as a lie on social media can acquire real economic consequences. THE MOST DANGEROUS PART OF THE MESSAGE Notice what the alleged announcement did. It did not merely claim that OPay was experiencing a problem. It specifically instructed customers to remove their funds as soon as possible. That is an extremely important detail. A rumour that says, “OPay is having problems” creates uncertainty. A rumour that says, “Withdraw your money now” attempts to create behaviour. That is the difference between misinformation and potentially dangerous financial misinformation. The objective effect of such a message, whether or not that was the original intention of its creator, is to encourage customers to act collectively against the institution. And that is where Nigerians need to be very careful. WHO IS BEHIND IT? There will naturally be speculation. Could it be a disgruntled customer? Could it be an individual seeking attention or influence? Could it be someone pursuing a personal agenda? Could it be an attempt to damage a competitor? Could it have originated from commercial interests? Could it even be an attempt by someone to create an opportunity for fraud? All these questions may legitimately be investigated. But let us be responsible enough not to accuse any particular person, bank, fintech company or organisation without evidence. At the moment, there is no publicly established evidence that commercial banks or competing payment platforms originated the rumour. The important question is therefore not, “Who do we hate enough to blame?” The important question is: Who benefits when Nigerians lose confidence in a major financial institution? That question deserves a serious investigation. NIGERIA CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CRISIS OF CONFIDENCE Nigeria is already dealing with enormous economic pressures. Millions of Nigerians now depend on digital financial platforms for transfers, payments, business transactions, salaries, bills and everyday commerce. A major platform such as OPay is therefore no longer simply a technology company in the eyes of its users. It is part of the financial infrastructure through which Nigerians conduct economic activity. That is why deliberately spreading a false shutdown notice is potentially much more serious than ordinary internet gossip. If enough people believe the lie and simultaneously attempt to move their money, the resulting pressure can affect not only the institution being targeted but also other financial institutions and payment channels. A financial panic does not always begin with a financial problem. Sometimes it begins with a story. TO OPay CUSTOMERS: PLEASE DON'T PANIC If you are an OPay customer, do not empty your account merely because somebody forwarded a screenshot to you. Do not make a financial decision because “someone said.” Do not assume that because a message has been forwarded hundreds of times it has suddenly become true. Verify. Look for communication from the company's authenticated channels. Check credible news sources. Where necessary, seek clarification directly from the institution. And above all, don't become an unwitting distributor of information that you have not verified. OPay itself has asked customers to rely on its verified communication channels and has warned against the circulation of the fabricated publication. TO SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS Influence comes with responsibility. When you have thousands or millions of followers, your post is no longer simply your personal opinion. People act on it. If your unverified financial claim causes somebody to move their life savings, who carries the responsibility when the information turns out to be false? Speed is not a substitute for accuracy. Being the first person to publish something is not more important than being correct. TO THE REGULATORS AND SECURITY AUTHORITIES This matter should not simply disappear after the rumour dies down. Where a false publication is deliberately designed to cause panic around a financial institution, the origin, distribution network and motivation deserve appropriate investigation. The purpose should not be persecution. It should be deterrence. Nigerians need to know that while freedom of expression is important, deliberately manufacturing information capable of destabilising confidence in financial institutions is a different matter. AND TO THE BANKING COMMUNITY This is bigger than competition. Commercial banks, fintechs, mobile money operators and payment platforms may compete vigorously for customers. That is normal. But there is one thing that should unite the entire financial industry: The stability and confidence of the Nigerian financial system. If one institution is deliberately destabilised through false information today, the lesson may eventually return to another institution tomorrow. Nobody wins when public confidence in the financial system collapses. LET US NOT TURN NIGERIA'S FINANCIAL SYSTEM INTO A PLAYGROUND FOR PROPAGANDA I am not writing this because OPay is incapable of defending itself. I am writing because Nigerians need to understand the ramifications of what we share. A fake political story may produce arguments. A fake celebrity story may produce embarrassment. But a fake financial story can cause people to move money. And when millions of people move money because of the same false information, the consequences can become much larger than the original lie. Before you forward that financial “breaking news”, pause. Ask: Who published it? Where did it originate? Is it on the institution's official channel? Has a credible regulator or reputable news organisation confirmed it? And most importantly: Am I about to cause someone to make a financial decision based on information I have not verified? Nigeria needs more than financial technology. Nigeria needs financial responsibility. Let us compete in business. Let us criticise institutions when they genuinely deserve criticism. Let customers demand accountability. Let regulators do their jobs. Let journalists investigate. But let us not manufacture financial panic for whatever personal, political or commercial objective may be hiding behind it. The stability of Nigeria's financial ecosystem is bigger than any individual, bank, fintech or influencer. Don't let a forwarded message become an economic weapon.

THE DANGEROUS POLITICS OF OVERGROWN ADVISERS IN NIGERIA

In every democracy, advisers are meant to support leadership, not replace it. They are meant to offer insight—not overshadow the people’s mandate. Yet, across Nigeria’s political landscape, a worrying trend has matured into a culture: the elected figure seems to step back, while advisers quietly step forward. What started as technical support has evolved into a system where unelected individuals control the levers of decision-making. Policies are drafted without public accountability, national positions are defended by people who never appeared on the ballot, and the voice of the electorate is filtered through layers of personal interests. The result is a dangerous picture: a leader who looks like a figurehead, and advisers who behave like power brokers. This is not democracy. This is delegated sovereignty, where the people’s trust is passed from the one they voted for to the one they never chose. Nigeria has suffered for it. When advisers grow bigger than the office they are meant to serve, governance becomes distorted. Decisions lose moral clarity. Responsibility becomes vague. And when things go wrong—as they inevitably do—no one knows who to hold accountable. The elected leader appears distant, the advisers remain invisible, and the citizens are left with confusion, frustration, and distrust. But true leadership does not hide behind committees. It does not whisper through intermediaries. It stands in front of the people, carries the weight of its office, and owns the consequences of its choices. Nigeria does not need rulers behind the throne. Nigeria needs leaders who lead. Advisers should inform decisions, not form a parallel government. They should contribute expertise, not control the executive. They should empower leadership, not overshadow it. The future of Nigeria requires transparency—where the president, the governor, the minister, the local chairman, speaks for himself, decides for himself, and stands accountable by himself. Because that is what democracy demands. And that is what the Nigerian people deserve.

CRISTIANO RONALDO - A Truly Killer Player

Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Born in Funchal, Madeira, Portugal, Ronaldo began his professional career with Sporting Lisbon before signing with Manchester United in 2003. During his time with Manchester United, Ronaldo won three Premier League titles, the UEFA Champions League, and the FIFA Club World Cup. In 2009, Ronaldo signed with Real Madrid, where he spent the next nine seasons. With Real Madrid, Ronaldo won four Champions League titles, two La Liga titles, and numerous other domestic and international accolades. He also won the Ballon d'Or, given to the best soccer player in the world, a record-tying five times during his career.

In addition to his club success, Ronaldo has also had a storied international career with the Portuguese national team. He has scored a record-breaking 118 goals for Portugal, helping the team win the UEFA European Championship in 2016 and reach the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup in 2018. Ronaldo is known for his impressive skill and technique on the field, as well as his physical fitness and dedication to training. His speed, dribbling ability, and powerful shot have made him a threat to any defense, and he has scored a staggering 725 goals in his career. Off the field, Ronaldo is also known for his philanthropy and charitable work, including his work with UNICEF and his own charitable organization, the Cristiano Ronaldo Foundation. In short, Cristiano Ronaldo is a soccer legend, with a career filled with accolades and achievements. His talent, hard work, and dedication have made him a fan favorite and a role model for aspiring soccer players around the world.

Why Websites Like ClickBank, Digistore24, Etsy, PayPal etc Exclude African Countries?

It is unfair and unjust that third world countries are often excluded from accessing the most lucrative websites due to alleged fraud. While it is true that some individuals in these countries may engage in fraudulent activity, it is important to recognize that this is not unique to third world countries. In fact, developed countries often perpetrate fraud at an even larger scale, with large corporations and financial institutions committing fraud on a regular basis. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that many third world countries do not have the same resources and infrastructure as developed countries, which can make it more difficult for them to detect and prevent fraud. Excluding these countries from accessing lucrative websites only further exacerbates the economic divide and reinforces the notion that individuals in these countries are somehow less trustworthy or deserving of access. It is important for websites and companies to have measures in place to prevent fraud, but these measures should be applied evenly and fairly to all countries, regardless of their economic status. Instead of excluding third world countries, we should work towards finding solutions that address the root causes of fraud and work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive global economy.

FASHEK MAJEK let righteousness cover the earth 1989

O Goodness, This Unreasoned Rambling Over Social Media Use Gives Me Headache!

The Nigerian public office holders, whether elected or appointed, have in the main shown that they are self-serving. Each government from history has adopted the strategy of divide-and-rule. Today, as perfected by the players in our current democratic venture, government has invested heavily on distraction to now make it Distract-And-Rule!

From generation to generation, we have fast become a nation of talkers. Easily falling for it, we never pass off a chance to say our own on any flying talk thread, especially if it originates from a person we figure has weight.

So, the government all over the land is busy dozing off having thrown a few talking baits to the nation of talkers. The only thing the government does without prompt is getting their allowances paid and taking holidays abroad.

Now, who should really be ashamed in this nation more than our President reputed to be a strong man once upon a time?! He relishes going abroad for holidays on official and private trips at our expense. He also goes to foreign hospitals for his health concerns unashamedly ignoring the fact that he is directly indicted for not working our health system.

Our government has in it some opportunist loafers who hold sway over most others who might mean well for the land and they prey on the backwardness they have continually fostered by their negligence to spend and execute development projects in Education, in Health, in Power, in Roads, in Water, in Industry and the likes.

For the fact that they only have tenure of 8 years at most, they get on board without a sense of mission. Bent on just killing time until the next Administration comes, they pocket as much of the budgeted funds for growing our various impactful sectors and shoo away the majority of us who have become addicted to attempting to talk the universe into correction, by systematically and regularly sponsoring controversial conversation baits.

Baits such as Social Media Control, Hate Speech and now, Election Violence Punishment bills have been flown to us lately. Moreover, our sworn TALKERS jump on them all raving like wildfire, while government dozes on doing nothing significant about the real issues in the land to the despair of the voiceless few who know the deal going down.

The truth and the only truth is that the State of Nigeria already has statutes and laws to deal with all these known infractions. It is a big shame that our Lawmakers are showing themselves not to know the laws in the land. They might be thinking it is smart and probably easier to reinvent the law. We have generally seen that the bane of this generation is assuming that everything started with them, before them there was nothing! A nation that has Lawmakers most of whom do not want to be bothered to study and research is doomed. The rabbles have made it into the engine room of the nation; will there ever be smooth sailing at this?

Please, Baba Obasanjo, Baba Badamosi Babangida, Baba President Mohammadu Buhari, Professor Wole Soyinka, Mr Olisa Agbakoba, Mr Femi Falana what will become of our land when the dust settles? Look well well, my esteemed sirs, even I can see the handwriting in the air! 

May God be glorified and may Nigeria live long!

I have often wondered if the hell let loose on Nigeria internally from all spheres has nothing to do with our rejecting the Gay Marriage Bill under the Senate Presidency of Hon David Mark? Am just wondering! The Gay Nations will stop at nothing to let one know that they run the world! Nigerians, who are we today? Do we have the guts to stand for our beliefs?

Transforming Nigeria?

Do We Have The Courage For National Re-invention?

It seems to me that the things we need to do in this country are the things we would never have the courage to do. Still, we dared to take a chance on some people who are ruling us today. Why not really go all out and experiment? The flame of taking chances is burning so, why not really dare? How much worse can it get? We've had non-starters manipulated upon us as rulers, and in spite of their idiosyncrasies we are still standing and occupying our space. What have we to be afraid of?

You know I never really came to terms with the reason Mr Ben Bruce was not allowed to run for the governorship of Bayelsa State in the last election. I think it was said the man had a dual citizenship status. So what? So do many really black Nigerians who vote and who have run for and held offices.

I have known Ben Bruce as a teenager through their Domino Stores on the then Commercial Avenue, Yaba, Lagos. Now if, through the years, Nigeria's electoral system has permitted the man to vote people into our offices; then I think it is a terrible act of segregation to not allow him to run for office, whether in Bayelsa or on a national platform. Who is afraid of his color? Is all this not because he is an half-cast?

Well, Jerry Rawlings is an half-cast, and he redeemed Ghana. Lets face it, it takes black and white to get some major or fundamental things right in Africa. Mr Ben Bruce is a Nigerian, born and bred. When he stood to run for office in Bayelsa, I wished he was from my state because of what my gut feeling told me he would accomplish if he got in. But alas! PDP did not allow him. Sadly, when we look at Bayelsa since then, one's heart aches for what could have been!

Well, we still have Mr Ben Bruce with us even today. And I see a Nigeria where Mr Ben Bruce is President, and Mr Aliko Dangote as Deputy thriving and really transformed beyond what the failures of today's government has disillusioned us from imagining. I see a new Nigeria where we'd stop in our tracks and wonder that we could become so pleasant a place, even in our days.

There is a clamoring for a return of a Niger Delta origin President. Mr Ben Bruce is a Niger Delta man. And Mr Aliko Dangote is a northern man. Surely, we the people of Nigeria - North and South and East and West - for the need to get our country working can bury the hatchet and do this one last experiment; for the love of Nigeria.

I think the Bruce / Dangote Presidential pair is just what this country needs. But do we have the courage to allow it? Well, we should. Time is over for doing the government of sharing money into personal accounts and pockets.

As we have allowed some faceless greenhorns from nowhere to gamble away our time in recent years, merely going through the motion of governance; what have we to lose if we gave these two gladiators a chance? I am sure that we, the teeming masses of this great nation so extravagantly blessed by God, will finally be truly satisfied as we eat the good of our land.