Quit holding your breath, this is for real! It’s not a clickbait. Verve, Naija’s Agba and Odogwu card, understands the challenges of not having the right card to seamlessly transact across borders, all from the comfort of your home. That’s why it focuses on breaking barriers and redefining convenience for its loyal customers.

The latest in its series of groundbreaking achievements is the acceptance of Verve cards on AliExpress, one of the world’s largest online retail platforms, unlocking new possibilities for cardholders. Abeg comot for road, Verve don enter AliExpress way!

This isn’t just a win for Verve; it’s a win for millions of its cardholders who can now explore a vast array of products on AliExpress while enjoying the security and reliability they’ve come to trust in Verve. This partnership marks another giant leap in Verve’s mission to establish itself as a global payment powerhouse.

Over the years, Verve has forged strong alliances with renowned global brands such as Google, YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Uber, Facebook, Spotify, among others, enabling Verve cardholders to make seamless payments for subscriptions in Naira.

This partnership with AliExpress further demonstrates Verve’s commitment to empowering its customers with access to seamless digital payments and world-class services to meet their evolving needs. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your tech gadgets, refresh your wardrobe, or find unique items for your home, AliExpress offers diverse possibilities, and Verve has made it easier than ever to shop and pay! 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to shop on AliExpress using your Verve card:

• Sign in to your AliExpress account.
• Select your desired items and click ‘Buy Now.’
• Add a new card and input your Verve card details.
• Save and confirm your details (You can also opt to save the card for future payments).

The Naija’s Agba and Odogwu card is a perfect example of the saying, ‘the light that shines farthest shines brightest at its base!’ While Verve is making waves and securing global wins, it’s also spreading joy right here at home!

Through the ongoing Verve GoodLife Promo 5.0, Verve is offering incredible rewards and benefits to its cardholders. Verve cardholders are enjoying up to 10 per cent cashback or discount for every transaction made at participating outlets, including Google, NNPC Retail, Addide, The Place Restaurants, Sweet Sensation, Chowdeck, BuyPower, and Market Square.

With Verve, the world is truly at your fingertips. From exploring global markets like AliExpress to enjoying rewards and discounts with local favourites, every swipe of your Verve card opens the door to endless possibilities. So why settle for less when you can have it all? Why stand on the sideline awwwing and shouting “God abeg, barb me this style” when you can be part of the action?

Take advantage of these incredible opportunities today. Experience the freedom to shop globally at your convenience, and unlock endless possibilities with Verve. The future is here, and with Verve, you’re already a part of it!

 By Adedapo Adesanya

After years of laying fallow, the Port Harcourt Refinery began producing and distribute petroleum products Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or petrol, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel and Household Kerosene (HHK) or Kerosene.

This development has raised expectations regarding Nigeria’s other three refineries not yet operational. These include the second refinery in Port Harcourt as well as the Warri and Kaduna Refinery.

The reactivation of these facilities, according to energy analysts, will help push out more supply of petroleum products, which may help cut down high prices that Nigerians pay while also making the country self-sufficient.

The newly operational refinery was built in 1965 and Port Harcourt II was added in 1989, increasing capacity by 150,000 barrels per day, making the total capacity of the Port Harcourt complex 210,000 barrels per day.

The Warri Refinery was built in in 1978 and is supposed to have an upgraded capacity up to 125,000 barrels per day and the Kaduna Refinery, which was commissioned in 1980, was designed with a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day.

Speaking during a brief ceremony to mark the commencement of products loading at the refinery on Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the Group CEO, Mr Mele Kyari described the commencement of the loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.

The GCEO further thanked Nigerians for their patience and for the legitimate expectations on the Company to deliver on the other refineries.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday extended his heartfelt congratulations to the NNPC on the successful revitalization of the Port Harcourt refinery and charged the NNPC Limited to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

He said these efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.

The President underscores his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

Some stakeholders in Oyo State, including the state government, have called for a speedy passage of the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill, submitting that it would ensure accountability and transparency in governance.

At a stakeholder engagement meeting on the National Digital Economy and eGovernance Bill in Ibadan on Tuesday, participants agreed that the e-governance bill would smoothen government activities and boost government-citizen engagement.

The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Olatunbosun Tijani, appealed to Nigerians to give the bill the needed support for passage.

Mr Tinubu, speaking at the event through Banke Ajagunna, noted that the importance of the bill cannot be underestimated as it will enhance the digital economy and build trust between the government and the people.

According to him, the consultative engagement is going on in all the states of the federation to seek the input of stakeholders on the bill, and submitting it is a significant step forward in Nigeria’s digital transformation journey.

This bill, according to him, aims to drive economic growth through digital technology, improve public service delivery, and create a competitive environment for the Nigerian digital economy.

He noted that in a bid to migrate Nigeria into a smart country, the federal government through his ministry proposed the National Digital Economy and e-Governance Bill.

The Minister said the bill offers numerous opportunities for businesses to innovate and expand, with improved digital infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment. Individuals will also benefit from improved access to digital services and better governance through e-governance initiatives.

He highlighted the advantages of the E-governance bill to include Economic Transformation and Establishment of a regulatory foundation to encourage digital commerce, cross-border trade, and innovation, positioning Nigeria as a major player in Africa’s digital landscape.

“It will facilitate the digital transformation of government services to make them more transparent, accessible, and responsive to citizens,” Mr Tijani stated.

He also said the bill will ensure Digital Access for All, saying, “it will promote infrastructure and digital literacy programs to make digital services accessible across Nigeria, including underserved regions.”

Speaking earlier, the Senior Special Assistant on ICT and E-Governance to the Governor, Mr Bayo Akande hailed the federal government’s National Digital Economy and E-Governance Bill.

Mr Akande, who observed that the nation is overdue for a digital economy, which is the order of the day, added that this bill will drive economic growth through digital technology.

“Despite advances in technology, Nigeria’s digital economy faces critical challenges, Nigeria lags behind countries with robust e-governance frameworks that empower citizens and protect consumer data. Without intervention, Nigeria risks losing economic opportunities in an increasingly digital world,” he stated.

“Though Oyo has already started to introduce digital methods in the governance space of the state, as the state recently deployed Business Process Automation, in a bid to make Oyo state government services go paperless, the bill is a step in the right direction,” the aide to Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State noted.