A Productive Rant About Electricity Bills

When do rants get productive? Well, this is a productive rant about electricity in Nigeria. Electricity shortages are a reality in Nigeria, and this rant has highlighted the need for sustainable and reliable power solutions.

I AM SCREAMINGGGGGGG!!!!

“How did I spend this much on electricity in January?” I have other bills to pay too. “How did this happen?”

Okay, let’s stop here for a while and smile a bit. That is the agony of every adult Nigerian at some point in their life. You can’t imagine how much you spend on bills, the most important one being electricity. 

Electricity bills are hefty. They tend to run the pocket dry when they are not regulated. Against all the other bills we pay as adults, the electricity bill is perhaps the biggest. We heard of people who spend over 35% of their monthly income on electricity bills alone. This is not surprising considering the rate of inflation in the country.

As a Nigerian, having a monthly budget is often laughable because we tend to overspend that budget at some point. If we don’t overspend on transportation, the tariff on electricity will increase at some point. The prices of commodities and utilities are never fixed. This severely cripples the effects of budgeting. Back to our rant, guys. 

Major blackout,

One major event that kept recurring in 2022 was the power grid that kept collapsing. The government blamed the repeated grid outages on poor management and insufficient gas supplies. The grid collapsed approximately seven times last year, causing total blackouts every time. The government’s explanations for the grid outages were backed up by reports from energy experts who found that the outages were caused by a combination of insufficient gas supplies and issues with the way the grid was being managed. Poor maintenance, aging infrastructure, and inadequate staffing were all identified as contributing factors.

Electricity bills increment,

The steady rise in the bill is very uncomfortable in a country where the rate of inflation rises without a commensurate rise in income.  This is the backbone of our rant today. The electricity tariff went up by 18.5% in the last quarter of 2022. The implications of this are by no means minuscule. Its impact was harder than that of the Titanic against the iceberg that sank it. Monthly financial plan in the mud. . Just sit tight, and let’s unravel what works and what does not work in this Nigerian context. Since it isn’t possible to change tariffs, we can change what we can. To continue this productive rant about electricity in Nigeria,

We all started with post-paid meters. That sorta type where ‘NEPA” (we don’t call them that anymore) officials bring a bill to show how much electricity you have spent and how much you had to pay. Those bills were outrageous. If you couldn’t afford them, your power would be disconnected. The prepaid meters came along many years after. This has its own advantages and disadvantages. Ask an average Nigerian, and they will tell you their preferred choice.

Remember when you would stand outside begging NEPA officials not to disconnect you while someone ran to the nearest NEPA office to help you pay your bill? Those are stories now. Just like with Prepaid Meters, disconnection is unnecessary, with VTpass, going out to pay bills is unnecessary. Simply log on to www.vtpass.com or download the mobile app to buy airtime or data, pay electricity or education bills, Pay DStv, GOtv, or Startimes subscription, or buy insurance cover.

Experience seamless payments and get immediate value when you pay your electricity bills and more with VTpass.


Paying Electricity Bills Online: Expectations vs. Reality.

Paying electricity bills online can be a convenient and cost-effective way to manage your bills. However, it can also be unreliable and difficult to navigate. Issues can arise with logging in, payments not going through, and not receiving confirmation emails.

Paying bills online has come to stay. Paying bills online is becoming increasingly popular as it is a convenient, time-saving way to manage your finances. It is a trend that is gaining more and more traction as technology advances. This is because more people are getting comfortable using internet services to make payments for various goods and services. With the added security features available, it is not surprising that paying bills online has now become the new normal. 

Paying electricity bills online on Vtpass just got more convenient.

For instance, many financial institutions offer their customers the ability to set up automatic payments. This allows their customers to ensure that bills are paid on time without having to manually submit payment every time.

EXPECTATIONS

Customers have come to expect fast and reliable online bill payment options that are easy to set up and use. These technologies have made it possible for consumers process payments quickly and securely. And they also have helped to build trust between financial institutions and their customers. 

Online billing platforms have made it much easier for customers to pay their bills on time and with confidence. Customers can get electricity tokens easily by going online, which eliminates the need to travel to a payment point. This has made it much more convenient for customers to pay their bills without any disruption.

The reality of paying electricity bills online is that it has made it much simpler and more secure. Customers can now pay their bills with just a few clicks, without having to worry about dealing with cash. Plus, they can be sure that their transactions are secure and their money is safe. Additionally, customers can take advantage of discounts, promotions, and other offers that are available for those paying their bills online.

FURTHER ADO,

The experience is similar to ordering groceries online. It’s a convenient and secure way to get the things you need without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Plus, customers can shop from anywhere, anytime, and have their order delivered within days – or sometimes even hours. It also eliminates the need to wait in line at a store or worry about parking or other hassles.

The advantage of paying electricity bills online is that it is quick, easy, and secure. Customers can view their bills and make payments from the comfort of their homes. Plus, the online payment process is often more secure as it uses encryption technology to protect customer data.

The disadvantage of paying electricity bills online is that not everyone has access to the internet. Which makes it difficult for some customers to pay their bills. Additionally, customers may not be comfortable making payments online due to security concerns. 

Security concerns about online payments include the risk of identity theft, the use of malicious software, and the possibility of hackers accessing financial information. These risks can deter customers from making payments online, especially if they are not familiar with the process.

They should also be able to verify the legitimacy of the website they are using before entering their financial information. Furthermore, customers should check for signs of security such as a lock icon and ‘https’ in the website address when paying for services online.

REALITY,

In Nigeria, paying electricity bills online is becoming a reality, with several websites offering customers the ability to buy their bills digitally. To help customers feel secure when paying their bills online, legitimate websites often feature encryption and other security measures.

To ensure customers feel safe, Vtpass has invested in a range of encryption and other security measures to ensure their payments are made securely. Not only this, but our customers can be sure to get value for whatever they pay for. Tokens are delivered immediately payment is confirmed, and can be reserved for up to 90 days. To top it all off, Vtpass provides a 24/7 customer service team on hand to answer any queries and provide a helping hand, so customers can be sure that their needs are taken care of.

As always, VTpass remains the number 1 bills payment platform that offers you seamless payment and swift delivery of the value for which you pay for. This is one of the tools we have built in place to aid you always get prompt value, irrespective of any irregularities that may arise.

In conclusion, bills payment with www.vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. Just a few clicks and you’re done. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

Movies Weekend – Excellent movies to catch on Dstv M-net this weekend.

Not to lie, weekends are for fun and enjoyment. What better way can we enjoy the weekend if not with some good movies and popcorn. It’s not that this is a tradition, or somewhat. It is as a matter of necessity that one catches fun after a long week of work. 

Mondays to Fridays are really not our friends, so if you are the party all weekend person. Who can blame you? If you are an introvert, who loves the serene atmosphere of their bedroom, and the aesthetic nature of their television. We are all in for you. Then a movies weekend is the best for you.

A lot of movies are going down this Saturday on DStv M Movies channels, and making choices on what to watch can be a little overwhelming. Luckily for you, we’ve selected a mix of our favorite movies to look out for on DStv Channels 104, 106, 107, and 108. Check out our exciting list below!

Weekend starts today.

THE PROTEGE

Okay, to some of us, the weekend starts on friday. So let viewing proceed.  The protege will be showing on friday at 20:30 at your favorite M2 channel 106. 

Where’s the popcorn at? 

DEATH OF A TELEMARKETER– FRIDAY 20 – M1 104 – 22:45

One more movie for the night. And we promise, it is worth your time. A thriller comedy drama. How did the telemarketer die, or did he even die at all? Watch and get all your answers. It’s showing on M1 channel 104 at 22:45. 

NO TIME TO DIE – 5:50 – SATURDAY 21, 106 M2. 

James Bond has retired from active duty. Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond on the trail of a mysterious villain with dangerous science tech. 

Catch James Bond on Saturday on M2 channel 106. Time is 17:50. 

At night, before sleep comes

The survivalist

SURVIVALIST_HS_0615___DSC9627.jpg

Who minds an action thriller movie on a saturday night. Definitely, no one. And don’t bother about not being able to sleep at night, because you will go to bed fulfilled and happy.  This movie will show at 22:30 on M2 channel 106. 

Kandasamy: The Wedding – 11: 50, 107 M2, saturday

Kandasamys: The wedding. Enjoy a perfect movies weekend.

An Indian South African wedding weaves the story and Jodi and Prishen’s love is tested once more by their mothers, who claim to love them most. Shanthi and Jennifer must learn how to let go of their children so that they can be happy. In turn, they must realize that ultimately, their children’s happiness is the source of their own.

HOW ELSE SHOULD WE CONVINCE YOU THAT YOU MUST WATCH THIS MOVIE? Catch it on Saturday 11:50, on M2 channel 107. 

On Sunday,

Captain Sabertooth and the magic diamond 

Okay, this is on a sunday morning. For the non-church goers, it would be an amazing time with Captain Sabertooth. What adventure did Captain Sabertooth and his pirate crew go on?? Watch this on M3 captain 107 on Sunday morning.

Tower Heist – 18:45, 22/01/23, M4 108. 

Since when do crime and comedy go together? But this movie defied all odds, as Eddie Murphy and Ben Stiller come together to create this fantastic crime comedy, (this sounds funny). 

So grab your popcorn and your favorite duvet. The movie is showing at 18:45, at M4 channel 108.  

TOP GUN MAVERICK – 101 M, 20:000, 22/01/23,  

Perfect movies weekend with Tog Gun Maverick

Finally, we are here. End the weekend on a high note with TOP GUN MAVERICK. It is a blockbuster, so you must have seen this. It’s not a bad idea to rewatch this movie. It’s not too late to see it also. 

Yet to subscribe to your DStv? 

Renew your DStv subscription on VTpass easily, without breaking a sweat. Pay other Tv subscriptions on Vtpass. 

 Don’t forget to prepare for the amazing weekdays that follow. 

Cheers to an amazing movies weekend. 

Messi, France, and the FIFA World Cup Final

18-12-2022 – An outlandish display of euphoria. Emotions rose high in the Asian weather, and the splendid Qatari ambiance. The excitement. The nervousness. A game of 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each. This particular one has wiggled out of its standard definition, and it has taken on sensational attributes. This FIFA world cup final has defied imagination. It has exceeded expectations. Crackling. Sparkling. Dazzling. Nerve-racking display of soaring footballing competence. It will take off into its own life, becoming unusually lively and perhaps even delighted by its own whim. THE FIFA WORLD CUP FINAL!!! 

In pubs, classrooms, and offices, people will talk forever about that night- that stellar night in Lusail, Qatar.  People will talk about how Messi- in all magnificence and distinction propelled Argentina to their 3rd world cup triumph. Folks will laud Kylian “the bold” Mbappe for how he changed the contest so that you had to commend the loser as well. And children will forever talk about the final that produced 6 goals- more than any final in history. Argentines will praise Martinez, the hero, who stood tall in goal, keeping goals out in service to the Argentines’ grand conquest.  Men will talk about Scaloni, people will praise Deschamps, and people will say ‘truly, this is a contest worth the hype’. 

and it continues

Among the technically savvy fans, there would be arguments about tactics and nifty managerial decisions. They would talk of Scaloni’s technical brilliance starting Angel Di Maria, who constantly created havoc on the left side of the french defense. He caused a penalty, which Messi converted while he himself got on the scoresheet minutes later. Or perhaps they will discuss the substitutes made by France in the 41st minute, which included the tremendous energy of 24-year-old Randal Kolo Muani and 25-year-old Marcus Thuram. The game included a sliver of justice, as Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel, whose play of the ball with his arm in the 118th minute led to a penalty and a goal from Mbappé that tied the score and delayed a victory 10 minutes after Messi had scored and appeared to have just gotten one, ended up securing that victory with the final penalty kick.

Messi holding the fifa world cup trophy and the golden ball award after Argentina defeated France on penalty kicks
LUSAIL CITY, QATAR – DECEMBER 18: Lionel Messi of Argentina admires the FIFA World Cup Trophy at the awards ceremony during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Final match between Argentina and France at Lusail Stadium on December 18, 2022, in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Matthew Ashton – AMA/Getty Images)

“Montiel… Argentina, champions of the world. Again. At last. And the nation will tango all night long. 36 years ago since Maradona and Mexico, here finally is a nation’s new throng of immortals. Scaloni will be fated, Messi will be sainted” – Peter Drury.

Messi, Argentina, and the World Cup Final

This is not just about Messi. This is about every believer, every fan, every supporter, every fan-boy, and also, the fan girl who dreamt of this day.  The sweat of football gladiators, who wear jerseys instead of armor, and kick balls instead of drawing swords.

All eyes will now turn to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the hosts of the 2026 world cup. A different ambiance, another culture, same sport. Pressure will now mount upon these countries to replicate Qatar’s achievements. We will talk about this in 2026. Meanwhile, Argentina, the WORLD CHAMPIONS will savor the next 4 years. These events will have a huge place in their history.
More footballing action will continue around the world. Don’t miss any bit of it. Pay your TV Subscriptionbuy electricity units now with VTpass, and stay connected.

BBNaija Shine Ya Eye Reunion

BBNaija Shine Ya Eye Reunion is underway and making waves. Some right, some can be better. But the show we waited for is back on our screens. The show premiered on Thursday, 2nd June 2022 and the gbas gbos has already begun.

Angel vs Maria

As early as Friday, Angel and Maria were already trading words. During the show, a clip was shown where Maria accused Angel of kissing almost all the guys in the house. Spicy! Maria, in defence, noted that what she said was simply her opinion of Angel. And the drama took off from there. Angel called Maria out, saying Maria did the same thing, except kiss, which she (Angel) did only while playing the Truth or Dare games. These clips that get played during the show always causes wahala.

Arin vs Nini

The show aired again on Monday, and we had Arin and Nini at loggerheads next. They were close friends in house, but here traded words over disloyalty in their friendship. Nini’s grouse was over an Instagram comment Arin (or her handler, like she claimed) made on Cross’ Instagram page about the fight. To be honest, this particular matter, even I don’t understand it. Ladies, it’s not by force to be friends, really. Lol.

Boma vs Queen and Beatrice

Subsequently, the show aired again on Tuesday, and this time around, the spotlight was on Boma. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu stirred the hornet’s nest when he brought up the comment Boma made about Tega’s private part. If you remember, during a question game in Biggie’s house, Pere had thrown a question at Boma, wanting to know why he said Tega’s Veejay smelt like fish. In response to Ebuka, Boma stated that he heard from Tega that Queen told her that he, Boma, told Pere that Tega’s veejay smelled like fish. Queen flared up at this point and it was no small matter. Too many “I heard, somebody said, they heard, someone else say” if you ask me.

The Boma and Beatrice moment is definitely what fans of the show signed up for. Yas. Finally. The show had some believing it was boring before now. Both housemates traded words over a comment Boma made describing her as ‘irritating’ while in the house. And then Beatrice went all in. She certainly took no prisoners, attacking Boma’s looks and his behaviour while in the house. Boma reciprocated describing Beatrice as ‘local’ and “be like man” to which Beatrice asserted that his girlfriend couldn’t compare. She told him to keep her name out of his mouth “Mr Madman Boma” Yam pepper scatter scatter! Going by reactions on Twitter, Beatrice on the Reunion show is everything fans expected and more from the BBNaija Shine Ya Eye Reunion.

What’s Next?

We can’t wait for the next episode of the show, airing Wednesday night at 10pm on AM Urban (DStv channel 153 and GOtv channel 6) and 10:30pm on AM Family (DStv channel 154 and GOtv channel 2). We know you can’t wait also.

This is where we come in. Pay your TV Subscription, buy electricity units now with VTpass so you do not miss out on any of the BBNaija ShineYaEye Reunion drama as it unfolds.

How To Have A Detty December

Welcome to Detty December! It’s the final and most anticipated month of the year because everyone gets a chance to reset and recharge for the new year. The way your #DettyDecember goes will however go a long way in determining how the new year starts for you.

We put together a list to help you have the best of this December. Let’s go!

To Have A Detty December, You Should…

  • Have a budget.

I know “na wetin pass your power you wan dey do now” but January is not anybody’s mate. Remember that month has 365 days in it. The time to plan your spending is before you begin spending.

  • Pay For Electricity

You should ensure that you have light troubles out of the way before the partying starts. You can even buy units for January in advance. The peace this gives is underrated. You don’t want to run out of units when you have spent all your money. Take my advice, and buy electricity units now.

  • Renew TV Subscription

It’s December. Your TV screen will be filled with loads and loads of content to keep you entertained this festive period. You definitely don’t want to miss out on any. Remember, you will also have guests this month and will need to keep them entertained. Renew your TV subscription now.

  • Connect With Friends and Family

It’s that time of the year where everything seems to wind down a bit. You get to unwind, and take a slower pace than normal. It’s the best time to connect/reconnect with friends and family. You won’t be able to go out to see everyone, so you want to stock up on airtime and data.

  • Give Your Tailor Close-Marking

Take what your tailor says at face value at your own peril. Those guys are dangerous! To avoid hearing stories that touch, or your tailor being swallowed by a fish and reappearing in the new year, visit their shop o. That your cloth that they said is remaining just button might not have made it out of the nylon you dropped it in yet o.

Want to pay bills? VTpass gives you superfast payments, immediate value and a 24/7 dedicated customer support system. What are you waiting for, really?

What To Do When You Don’t Receive Token

All things being equal, every time you pay bills using VTpass, you should receive your token immediately; some peculiar cases may arise though, so here’s what to do when you don’t receive token.

At VTpass, our utmost priority is making sure you get immediate value for the services you pay for when you need it. By logging on to www.vtpass.com, you get to conveniently pay for everyday services. These services range from airtime and data subscriptions. to electricity bills, cable tv subscriptions, insurance bills and education bills. Upon using some of these services like electricity, you may need to receive a token. In rare cases, you may not receive this token immediately due to service breakdown or poor network issues. To better understand the reasons why you may not receive your token immediately, please click here.

In cases where you do not receive the token at all however after making a payment and you need it urgently, there’s a way to get it. We have built in a tool on the VTpass dashboard where you can regenerate your token by yourself when you do not receive it, due to certain hindrances

What To Do

In a case where you have made payment for a service and are yet to receive your token, simply log in to your VTpass dashboard from a Chrome browser. At the top of your dashboard, you’ll see an icon saying “find my token.”

Click on the “find my token” icon or visit the unique url https://vtpass.com/find-my-token.

Next, input your meter number and the phone number linked to your transaction, then click on the “search” button.

Our system immediately helps you pull out your token and displays it to you. You also get the option to download your transaction receipt and see all the necessary details. That’s what to do when you don’t receive token. Should you have lost any of your tokens and wish to recover it, you can use this tool to get it back.

As always, VTpass remains the number 1 bills payment platform that offers you seamless payment and swift delivery of the value for which you pay for. This is one of the tools we have built in place to aid you always get prompt value, irrespective of any irregularities that may arise.

In conclusion, bills payment with www.vtpass.com is superfast, easy and very convenient. Just a few clicks and you’re done. In addition, you get 24/7 access to our support team to help you through any glitch you might have. Why don’t you try us today?

Gulder Ultimate Search Is Back!

The Gulder Ultimate Search is coming back to our television screens and we can’t believe it. Can’t wait to hear the famous tune once again. Can’t wait to see contestant battle nature, hurdles, and themselves. We definitely can’t wait to see them search for clues to help them win the ultimate prize. Who are we? “We” are most probably the 90’s kids and those that came before us.

The Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) is one of the fond highlights of our childhood memories. I remember how we would gather round the TV once it was time. How we would swear for NEPA if they dared interrupt power supply while the show was on. Special shout out to all the neighbours who put on their generators so we could watch the show at their apartment. What if the antennae disrupts while the show is ongoing? Problem!

Whichever way you look at it, The news that GUS is coming back has been met with wide public acclaim, and if the memories we have are anything to go by, it will be one of the hottest and widely followed shows on tv in the months for which it will air. The show, which started in 2004 and went on to become one of the most-watched reality TV series in Nigeria before it ended seven years ago in 2014, is making its comeback with “The Age of Craftsmanship” as the theme for the 2021 edition

How to Register

To submit an application, head over to the GUS website www.gulderultimatesearch.ng. Here, applicants must enter their personal details, upload a photograph and answer a few questions.

Where and When Will it Air

What more? The reality series will be making its comeback being broadcasted on DSTV and GOTV, after announcing a partnership with Africa’s leading entertainment company, MultiChoice Nigeria. Fans and viewers of DSTV and GOTV will get to enjoy all the action and thrills of GUS from Saturday, October 16, to Sunday, December 19, 2021. A whooping 3 months! The rest of 2021 is set to be lit! Come on!

Channels to view and Time

GUS will air on the following channels on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 pm till 9 pm.

  1. Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151)
  2. Africa Magic Urban (DStv channel 153)
  3. Also, Africa Magic Family (DStv channel 154 & GOtv channel 2)

What to expect

Adventure, drama, clues, danger, test of willpower, perseverance and lots more! We’re already wondering what forest they will use, who the favs will be, and what hurdles they might have to face. You’ll be able to watch your favourite survival show on the go with Multichoice so that’s a huge plus already! The show promoters also confirm that the show will have weekly episode recaps and special commentary editions on Thursdays.

What does this mean?

Really? You really need us to spell it out for you? It means you can’t afford to be disconnected from your DStv and GOtv for the next 3 months! You also need to settle your electricity bills. Experience seamless bills payment when you pay tv bills, electricity bills and lots more on VTpass. With VTpass, it’s as easy as click, pay, go!

Happy Customer Service Week!

Servicing customers can be hard; it’s customer service week so we thought, what better time to let you in on this secret than now? We have one of the best customer support teams this part of the continent! Don’t believe? We’ll not just tell, we’ll show also. See below

Customer Service Week: Our “why”

You see, at VTpass, we do not believe customer service is just a department, but an organizational culture, with every interaction carefully designed to not just meet, but exceed the expectations of our customers.

We know we’re not perfect yet, but that’s where we’re headed, and we want to say thank you for staying with us on our journey from here to there. It’s customer service week, but we celebrate our customers everyday for helping us keep the lights on.

We would like to use this medium to reassure you of our continued dedication to bringing you the best of service, our endless cycles of upgrades to optimize your experience while using our platform, and team brainstorming sessions on “what more can we give to you”

Whenever you experience any issues, you can be rest assured that we will help resolve them. You can always send an email to support@vtpass.com, call our active support line on 08138752358, use the live chat feature on the website, or contact us via our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram.) We’re currently not active on Twitter due to the ban by the government.

As we have grown steadily through the years, you’ve always and will always remain our number one priority.

Happy Customer Service Week. Happy “you” Week!

– Lanre Ogunya,

CEO, VTpass

Customer Service Week

My Prepaid Meter Tragedy

The Prepaid Meter is fast becoming popular, but this wasn’t always the case. When introduced, many were excited at the prospect of paying for the exact electricity units used. No more estimated bills. No more inaccurate readings. Also, an end to paying for electricity you were not supplied.

Another group of people didn’t react as well to this. Those who had tampered with their meters so they would have reduced bills to pay. I was one of such people. Yes. Corruption is everywhere. I didn’t even register for the prepaid meter, yet it was brought. That’s how I knew that my village people wanted to start writing final year project on my head.

The prepaid meter came with free units and for a while, I was in heaven. All was well in paradise until barely two weeks later, the units finished. I needed to make payment. I “shaparly” logged on to www.vtpass.com where a friend had told me I can make my electricity bill payments. In less than a minute, my IKEDC payment was done. Seamless, just the way I like it!

I still did not have light! How come? I contacted VTpass 24-hour support, chatted with Laolu, and He told me that there was debt on my meter. New meter? That’s when I discovered that the free units are not actually free! I paid and got more units. Now there’s light almost all through the day, great! 4 days later, my units were depleted. I could not cry. Please coman take this prepaid meter back, I don’t want. Bring back awa postpaid, I’m in severe pains.

I have learnt my lesson. Every thing is deducted from your units. Now, even my wall sockets go off if I am not using it, because this prepaid life is difficult!