Interswitch partners with BlackBerry to integrate payments through BBM in Nigeria

Interswitch, Africa's leading digital payments and commerce provider, has announced the integration of its Quickteller services with BlackBerry's BBM. Through the use of the new app called Quickteller Mini, BBM users with a Nigerian bank account can make a request for money, airtime and payment for services from one of their BBM contacts. In much the same way as PayPal through BBM works, you simply select the attachment option, choose Quickteller, enter the amount and make a request.

"BBM is one of the most popular messaging applications in Nigeria," said Matthew Talbot, SVP Emerging Solutions at BlackBerry. "This new mobile payment service demonstrates how we have effectively evolved BBM from the best real-time chat experience to a true social engagement and e-commerce platform. By combining the strengths of BlackBerry and Interswitch, we have developed a service that puts Nigeria at the forefront of mobile payments and commerce innovations."

Interswitch, Group Managing Director, Mitchell Elegbe commented on this new service stating 'Person-to-Person transfers and electronic airtime recharge presents a growing market opportunity in Nigeria. We are delighted to bring our secure payment services to BBM users in Nigeria. This partnership demonstrates how Interswitch continues to innovate and push the boundaries in African payments whilst enhancing the customer experience.' The Quickteller Mini App is now available via free download from BlackBerry World, Google Play Store and Apple's App Store or users can also visit bbm.quickteller.com

Salami to captain Eagles against Burkina Faso

For the first time in his Nigeria career, forward Gbolahan Salami is expected to captain the Super Eagles when they face Burkina Faso in Saturday’s African Nations Championship qualifier.

Gbolahan Salami

The powerful forward was named skipper owing to his wealth of experience with the senior national team.
“Gbolahan will wear the armband when Nigeria host Burkina Faso on Saturday,” the source told Goal.
“He has experience and the ability to lead the rest of the squad now that the team is without a skipper.”
Sharks’ Chima Akas was named assistant captain for the game billed for the Adokiye Amiesi maka Stadium, Port Harcourt.
Salami has won 13 caps and scored three goals for Nigeria since making his debut in 2014.
The winner between Nigeria and Burkina Faso will qualify for the 2016 CHAN billed for Rwanda in January.

USA coach talks tough

U.S. Under-17s head coach Richie Williams has boasted that his wards were prepared to match the world champions, the Golden Eaglets when both sides clash in the group opener at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup, tomorrow in Chile.
Their opening fixture comes up at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Santiago De Chile before battling hosts Chile and Croatia at the Estadio Sausalito in Vina Del Mar and Estadio Francisco Sanchez Rumoroso Coquimbo respectively.

Richie Williams

Williams also added that his players were not intimidated by the frightening record of their Nigerian counterparts.
“I think it’s a great challenge and I think the guys will be excited. It’s a great opportunity to compete against the champions of the last World Cup and I think our guys are going to have a lot of energy, they’re going to be excited and they’re going to be ready to play, so we’re looking forward to it,” he told ussoccer.com
“I think every World Cup game is important. You can’t say one is any more important than the other. You can’t overlook any team. It’s a World Cup game and everybody’s got to be ready to go.
“Whether you think they’re the strongest opponent or the weakest opponent, it’s the World Cup and all the games are very important and very competitive and anything could happen, especially if you’re not ready to play.”
“We had four good days of training there before we open up against Nigeria.”
“When you look over the two-plus years we’ve been together, we’ve had the ability to push forward and score goals with a lot of talented attacking players, but also on the defensive end we’ve had a lot of great games where we’ve defended well.
We were able to play a good amount of international matches and domestic matches and we hope through all of those experiences we have a really balanced team of 21 players that comes together and gets positive results.”

Ministerial Appointment: Why Senate shifted Amaechi, Shittu’s screening

THE Senate has, for the second time this week, deferred the screening of former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi. Also deffered is that of the nominee from Oyo state, Mr. Adebayo Shittu. They will be screened next Tuesday alongside seven other nominees. The remaining nine nominees will be screened next Wednesday and thereafter, the 18 of them are expected to be approved and confirmed for appointment.
On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed 18 of the 36 nominees, for which Senate President Bukola Saraki wrote President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday, to officially inform him of the outcome of the exercise.
Meanwhile, the Senate received a petition against a nominee from Sokoto State, Aisha Abubakar.
Senator Ibrahim Gobir, APC, Sokoto East, who presented the petition, demanded replacement with a more competent person, saying the people of Sokoto State were yearning for a more competent person.
Saraki writes Buhari
Formally communicating President Buhari on the confirmation of 18 nominees for ministerial appointments, Senator Saraki, according to a statement by Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), sent an official letter through Senator Ita Enang, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative Matters (Senate).
He informed the President that the Senate had found the 18 nominees, who have gone through its confirmation hearing, suitable to occupy the office of ministers as provided for in Section 147 (2) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Cleared
The nominees, whose appointment by the President have been confirmed are Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Lt. Gen. Bello Danbazau (retd), Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Hajiya Amina Mohammed, Engr. Suleiman Adamu and Alhaji Ibrahim Usman Jibril.
Others are Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Dr. Ibe Kachikwu, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Dr. Chris Ngige, Senator Aishat Al-Hassan, Mr. Solomon Dalong, Mrs Kemi Adeosun and Senator Hadi Sirika.
… on Amaechi
Amaechi, who was among the first batch of 21 ministerial nominees President Buhari sent to the Red Chamber could not face the exercise on Tuesday and Wednesday due largely to non-submission of the report on petitions against him by the Senate Committee on Ethics and Petitions.
Chairman, Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Media and Publicity, Dino Melaye, told newsmen, yesterday that the former Director-General of Buhari Presidential Campaign Organization, would be screened with eight other nominees on Tuesday, when the Senate reconvenes.
He said:”Further screening and confirmation of the remaining ministerial nominees has been slated for Tuesday, next week.
“We are going to screen nine of them on Tuesday and the remaining nine would be taken on Wednesday. The confirmation of all the nominees would be taken on Wednesday.”
Speaking on Amaechi’s case, Senator Melaye said: “The committee has a one-line report that the matter is in court and that in compliance with our laid down rules and regulations, any case that is undergoing judicial remedy cannot be discussed.
“We have distanced ourselves from it and the report will be presented on Tuesday by the grace of God. I assure Nigerians that former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, by the grace of God, will be screened on Tuesday.”
The Order Paper of yesterday, which ought to have contained the names of Amaechi, Shittu and the remaining ministerial nominees, did not have them.
At the close of plenary on Wednesday, it was announced that Mr. Amaechi and Mr. Shittu would be screened yesterday but on resumption yesterday, the Senate postponed further screening of ministerial nominees to next week.
It would be recalled that the petition against Amaechi, bordering on corruption was not attended to by the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges because the case was still in court.

Falae identifies kidnappers, 5 docked

AKURE — Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, who was kidnapped by Fulani herdsmen on his 77th birthday and released after paying N5m ransom four days after, has identified his abductors who were paraded before him by the police.  Falae on Tuesday, identified three of the suspects as those who kidnapped him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay the ransom. Chief Falae, according to a police source, also identified one of the kidnappers who was kind to him.
This came as the Police, Wednesday evening, recovered N137m from robbers who raided a new generation bank on Trans-Amadi Road in Port Harcourt.

Suspected kidnappers of Chief Falae with their leader Abubakar Auta holding N823,900 of the ransom in Akure

Falae’s abductors
Five of Falae’s kidnappers were arraigned, yesterday, before an Akure High Court, Ondo and Chief Falae will be a star witness when the trial commences November 10.
The suspects, who were docked for kidnapping, conspiracy and armed robbery 24 days after abduction were Abubakar Auta, Bello Jannu, Umaru Ibrahim, Masahudu Muhammed and Idris Lawal.
Three of the kidnappers admitted that their share from the N5m ransom collected was N100,000 each. The accused persons could not speak English and were ordered to be remanded in prison custody by the high court judge, Justice Rotimi Olamide till November 10 when the case would be heard.
The service of an interpreter, Bassey Victor who is a security operative was sought by the court.
Another leader of the gang, Abubakar Auta was also arrested in Niger State with N823,900 cash, part  of the ransom money by Police Special Intelligence Response team put up by the Inspector-General of Police.
The cash with the wrappers of a commercial bank in Akure, the Ondo State capital paid as ransom for the release of the former Finance Minister was discovered in the booth of the vehicle being driven by the suspect before his arrest.
The accused person, who spoke with newsmen before his arraignment, confessed that they kidnapped the septuagenarian politician.
They were arraigned on a five-count charge of procuring or counseling another for the purpose of kidnapping and abducting, aiding and abetting, contrary to Section 2 of Anti-kidnapping and Anti-Abduction Law of Ondo State, 2010.

What the Shape of Your Lips Says About You

"The most important thing your lips speak to is [what you're like] in relationships and how giving you are," says ​Jean Haner, an expert in face reading and author of The Wisdom of Your Face. ​"You were born with the features you have for a reason—every feature is linked to a part of your personality and they all work together to represent who you are." Here, Haner lays out what your lip shape says about you based on her studies in face reading derived from Chinese medicine. ​

"Goldilocks" Lips

Your lips aren't thick or thin, but medium-size, and your cupid's bow doesn't have super-defined peaks, nor does it lack definition. If you have lips like this, it means you're pretty even-keel in relationships. You'll do just fine and won't go overboard when it comes to drama or giving too much. You're not needy or clingy, but you do crave a sense of connection in relationships.​

An Injected Fuller Upper Lip

In Chinese face reading, if you change your face, you throw off your system, thereby changing your destiny. So, if you mess with your natural features, you mess with the path you're meant to have. And since every feature represents a part of your personality and they all work together to represent who you are, altering a physical feature is like altering your being.

According to Haner, if you mess with your lips, you can become needier, more selfish, and more out of control emotionally. And the more you plump them up, the more you welcome drama. Watch out if your upper lip is filled larger than your lower lip—that means you're someone who loves to create drama in relationships. 

However, if your upper lip is naturally fuller than your lower lip, it means you're a giving person and you're concerned about the other person's needs in the relationship as well as your own. 

An Injected Fuller Lower Lip 

This means you're someone who wants to be pampered. You can also be a pleasure seeker. The upside to this altered lip shape is that you're also someone who really wants to enjoy life. ​

Naturally Full Top and Bottom Lips

This lip shape correlates with a strong desire to be a mother and shows how much you care about others. It represents someone who is giving, will put others first, and finds great joy in doing that. This person is also someone who wants to have a good circle of friends and a good connection with others. They really value relationships.​

Thin Top and Bottom Lips

This person can be a loner and be OK with it; they don't need to be attached at someone's hip. They also don't naturally speak the language of relationships as well as someone with fuller lips, but it doesn't mean they're not good in a relationship. ​

Lips With a Peaked Cupid's Bow

This lip shape tends to mean the person is a good communicator, is quick-minded, and very creative. Because they're so quick-minded, they can also be highly reactive and often not think before speaking, whether what they're saying is kind or mean-spirited. ​

Lips With a Rounded Cupid's Bow

This lip shape points to a person who is extra kind. They're generally more compassionate, take more time with people, and are considerate of others. ​

Lips With an Undefined Cupid's Bow

This is a sign of someone who can actually lack emotional boundaries. They can over-give and be too much of a nurturer and not practice self care. They're often responsible people, but they have to realize it's not always their job to take care of the problem.​

Lips That Are Naturally Plumper in the Center of the Upper and Lower Lip

This is a natural performer and someone who is likely to end up in the spotlight. They generally like attention, don't like to be alone, and can be dramatic in relationships. The plumpness in the center also can be linked to someone who tends to be more self-indulgent and the thinness at the corners means someone who is fun-loving and excitable emotionally.​

Small Mouth With Full Natural Lips

People with this lip and mouth shape tend to be more about themselves in relationships at first, but once they feel like their partner has paid attention to their needs, they'll begin to think about their partner more. Someone with a small mouth with thin lips, on the other hand, has the hardest time in relationships because they don't have a strong need for a connection with others. They'll come around eventually, but it will take time.​

No Upper Lip and a Normal Lower Lip 

This person values work and achievement over relationships and they have a Type A personality. They may have difficulty in relationships and they don't relax very well, because to them, life is about getting somewhere. Sixty percent of men have a mouth like this, Haner says. ​

Large Mouth, Normal to Full Lips

They're generous and always thinking about what they can do to help. A person with a large mouth and thin lips, on the other hand, isn't as giving or always thinking about others.​

As a side note: In general, Haner says it's important to think about what is happening with your mouth through your day, because if you're holding tension, it's a reflection of difficulties in your relationships.

8 Signs He's Totally Into You

Unfortunately, after a first date, it's rarely as simple as: "I like you, I had fun, let's get together again."

I'm coy after a first date because:

I don't want to look too eager/desperate. I won't ignore my attraction, but I'll at least try to temper it.

I want to look like I have a life. Even though I don't have a life, I might try to look a little aloof.

I'm not sure if you like me. It's scary to take the dive and show I'm interested when I'm not sure if the girl is interested.

Despite attempts to look calm, cool, and collected, there are a number a things I'll do around an initial date that clue you in that I'm interested. Here are a few:

1. Completing the Date

It may not indicate that you're the apple of my eye, but it does indicate that you're not a total disaster. Most people are courteous enough to do the absolute minimum on a date: finish whatever activity you're doing together and devote sufficient time out of respect for the other person.

I once went out with a girl who spewed embarrassingly stupid things I couldn't respond to. Finally, I suggested changing plans to meet up with my buddies. Once a date is officially a bust, I'll look for any way out.

2. One on One

If I'm into you, and comfortable, I won't want to "share" you. A common tactic to combat a boring date is calling in "reinforcement" friends to "dilute" you. I'm naturally talkative with those around me, but if I invite everyone else around us into our party, I might be looking for a more interesting outlet.

3. Extending the Date

Suggesting something (other than going back to someone's place) after dinner like taking a walk, grabbing a drink, going for dessert, catching a movie, etc., indicates I'm asking for an encore. Although a masochist like myself might ask a girl to spend more time with me if I'm not enjoying her company.

4. Suggesting Another Date

Sometimes I get so excited during a first date I play my cards by suggesting other things we should do together. A common time to suggest another date is at the end of the date, though some guys just say this to be friendly. But it can't be bad if the guy is enthusiastic enough to suggest a second date. He just has to make good on his word.

5. Friendly Follow-Up Right After You Say Good-bye

Sometimes after a date, I'll text the girl telling her I had a great time, out of sheer giddiness. If I'm not interested after the date, I'll head straight home and begin my process of fading out of this girl's life (following up is not part of that process).

6. Striking While the Iron's Hot

I'll appear to be flaky or uninterested if I wait too long. If I enjoyed the date I'll contact her within a few days. This doesn't necessarily mean I'm asking her out again just yet. I'm just keeping the conversation going. If I'm not interested, I won't ever contact her again. Regardless of how great you thought things went, if he doesn't contact you again he's clearly not interested.

7. Consistency

Hold me to a higher standard than one extra date, or one call back after the initial date. How many times have you gone on a few dates only to have it fizzle out? You can't be sure I'm interested until we've gone out consistently for more than a month.

8. Non-Cliché Dates/Spontaneity

Take notice when I ask you to do random little things: run errands, go to the park. It's that next step when I'm getting to know you and showing you I want you around whenever, wherever. Spending this "informal" time with you indicates I'm interested.

Remember, guys sometimes act interested just to get laid, and there are guys who feel guilty cutting a date short when it's not going well. "Trying to be nice" actually sends the wrong signals if a guy is not interested.

My advice: Use these indicators as guidelines (they usually build on each other as things progress). Be vigilant, because reading the signals incorrectly will get you hurt. Hopefully you'll meet a good guy who is sending honest signals.

How do you show you're interested after a first date? Do you wait for a guy to make the next move after a first date? What signals are you looking for in guys after a first date? Do you agree with my signals, and that it's tough to read them in the beginning?