Solomon's Column

Defendant extradited from the United Kingdom BOSTON – A Nigerian man has been sentenced in federal court in Boston for his role in online fraud schemes. Happy Chukwuma, 30, was sentenced on May 5, 2023 by U.S. Senior District Court Judge Douglas P. Woodlock to eight months in prison (time served). On April 10, 2023, Chukwuma pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud conspiracy. Chukwuma was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2019. He was arrested and detained in the United Kingdom in September 2022 and extradited to the United States in March 2023. Between November 2015 and January 2019, Chukwuma and his co-conspirators participated in a variety of online fraud schemes, including “phishing” and romance scams. They exchanged victims’ personally identifiable information, including identification and financial documents, and engaged in financial transactions with that information. Several of the victims whose information was compromised were from Massachusetts. Phishing s

When drawing out your business plan, let the actions of customers influence your decision. Make your business plan simple, straightforward and workable. Adjust your plans to be in line with market feedback.

Banks in Nigeria have now opted for electricity/DSTV bills, community security payment receipts and building plans as means of identification of their customers rather than the National Identification Number(NIN). Customers argue that this has defeated the Federal Government's original purpose of introducing the NIN, while the Central Bank of Nigeria(CBN) seems to have lost a firm grip on the banks. This action of the banks coupled with a number of unwholesome practices have made it impossible for Nigerians to salvage their money from the affected banks. Just last week, a customer with Access bank account No.-9993577288 was shocked when he was told by the customer service officers in the three branches of the bank he visited-Agodi/UCH 1 AND 2, Challenge, Ibadan, Nigeria, that he would need to present the latest electricity or DSTV bill or community security payment receipt for documentation for him to withdraw money from his account. As a result of this development and the issue

Nigerians have been called upon to be vigilant by watching out for those with criminal intentions residing in communities across the country. This call was made by a cleric, Pastor Opeyemi Ajayi. ''Nigerians must always be security conscious and vigilant wherever they live because criminals are moving into communities in droves with the intent of committing crime and only pretend to be neighbors while they seek information and observe communities for criminal purposes,'' Pastor Ajayi disclosed. Watch Out Joshua is a Junior Secondary School student(JSS) of the Royal Seed College, Irepo Street, Idi-Odo, Challenge, Ibadan, Nigeria. Influenced by his parents, Joshua always scales a neighbor's fence to steal at Olorunsogo, Molete,. Be vigilant, watch out for the ''Joshuas'' in your community.

Nigerians have reacted divergently over the just concluded registration exercise of unemployed citizens by the National Directorate of Employment(NDE) across the nation, days to the expiration of the life span of the present administration. Indeed, the exercise was characterized by allegations of corruption, favoritism, influence peddling and political patronage. A cross section of unemployed Nigerians alleged that some unscrupulous staff of the directorate took advantage of the exercise to enrich themselves. They also alleged that those who were fortunate to be registered were supporters of politically exposed people, while stressing that the registration was not for full-time paid employment, but rather were registered for training programs for the unskilled. Sadly, the beneficiaries are insignificant compared to the millions of jobless Nigerians. Nigerians express disappointment over the negotiations by some staff members of the government agency with politicians, while lamenting t

The process of development of a national vision has never been participatory and holistic in approach. This has resulted in the sidelining of critical sectors of the economy. Nigeria's quest for economic growth and national development, has overtime, been impeded by the absence of broad policy objectives and strategies for achieving the country's vision statement. Policy choices all the while have impacted negatively on the economy, which has brought about social and political instability, declining welfare and economic stagnation. Of worry is the long term effects of the huge debts of governments at all levels and the weak Naira on the economy. This is compounded by the challenges the perpetual absence of credible and focused leadership will bring in its stride. Indeed, the possibility of Nigeria translating its acclaimed potential to reality remains foggy, even as the government struggles to improve education and health systems to enhance human capital for development. Asse

When we listen carefully with the ears of faith, God reveals His presence in awe inspiring ways that are unmistakable. Psalm 29 1 (A Psalm of David.) Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. 3 The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. 4 The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. 5 The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. 6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. 7 The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. 8 The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. 9 The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. 10 The LORD sitteth upon the flood; ye