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🏍️ Chowdeck Covers 20,000 Riders with Accident Insurance

🏍️ Chowdeck Covers 20,000 Riders with Accident Insurance

Plus: ✈️ FAAN Cashless System Causes Airport Gridlock

Innovation Village
March 03, 2026

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Good Morning Valued Subscribers👋

Hackers have targeted Iranian apps and websites in a coordinated cyber offensive that coincided with recent U.S.–Israeli military strikes on Iranian targets, highlighting how modern conflict increasingly plays out in both physical and digital domains. According to cybersecurity experts and observers, multiple news portals and services were breached, and even a widely used religious calendar app with millions of users was manipulated to display politically charged messages — an unusual fusion of psychological, information, and cyber warfare at scale.

The disruption to Iran’s digital infrastructure occurred amid precipitous drops in internet connectivity, intensifying concerns about the impact on civilians’ access to information and government communication channels during a period of heightened tensions. Analysts warn that this digital front could extend beyond the immediate strikes, with hacktivist groups and state-aligned actors potentially escalating operations against U.S. and Israeli military, commercial, or civilian targets in the region.

Let’s dive in👇

Today’s Menu ☕️

✈️ FAAN Cashless System Causes Airport Gridlock
🏍️ Chowdeck Covers 20,000 Riders with Accident Insurance
🔐 Hackers Hit Iranian Apps, Websites After US-Israeli Strikes
🏦 Bidvest Restarts Sale of Bidvest Bank
📺City Press Closes After 44 Years

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✈️TRAVEL

FAAN Cashless System Causes Airport Gridlock

The enforcement of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s (FAAN) mandatory cashless toll system triggered severe traffic congestion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on March 1. Motorists were required to use prepaid contactless “Go Cashless” cards to access airport gates, but many arrived without activated cards and attempted last-minute registration, creating major bottlenecks. Some passengers reportedly missed flights due to the delays.

FAAN attributed the disruption to poor compliance despite months of prior notice and announced corrective measures, including deploying additional toll staff and expanding registration points......….continue reading

🏍️DELIVERY SERVICES

Chowdeck Covers 20,000 Riders with Accident Insurance

Chowdeck has partnered with MyCoverGenius to provide personal accident insurance to over 20,000 delivery riders nationwide. Effective since November 2024, the policy automatically covers all active riders, including medical expenses, temporary disability benefits, and other accident-related financial protections.

The insurance is fully embedded into Chowdeck’s platform, requiring no separate registration from riders. The initiative addresses safety and income risks within Nigeria’s fast-growing gig economy, where delivery workers often operate without formal protections................….continue reading

🔐CYBERCRIME

Hackers Hit Iranian Apps, Websites After US-Israeli Strikes

A coordinated wave of cyberattacks struck Iranian military and civilian digital infrastructure following the joint U.S.–Israeli operation dubbed “Operation Epic Fury.” The attacks reportedly disrupted Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) command networks, public websites, energy grids, and aviation systems, leading to power outages and grounded flights.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that national connectivity dropped to about 1% of normal levels after two major traffic collapses, effectively isolating Iran digitally.

The cyber campaign appeared to have three objectives: disabling IRGC coordination capabilities, paralyzing critical infrastructure, and conducting psychological operations..................….continue reading

🏦 BANKING

Bidvest Restarts Sale of Bidvest Bank

The Bidvest Group has relaunched the sale of Bidvest Bank after its R2.8 billion agreement with Access Bank Plc collapsed. The deal was terminated because Access Bank failed to secure required regulatory approvals before the long-stop date.

Bidvest has reinstated itself as sole shareholder and will continue supporting the bank operationally and financially while seeking a new buyer. The disposal aligns with the group’s broader strategy to exit financial services and focus on higher-growth sectors. Bidvest Life has already attracted a binding offer, and the group previously sold FinGlobal Migration as part of this restructuring.....….continue reading

📺MEDIA

City Press Closes After 44 Years

City Press is shutting down after 44 years, as parent company Media24 begins consultations with staff to close the newsroom. Founded in 1982 by Jim Bailey in partnership with the South African Associated Newspapers, City Press was created to serve black readers during apartheid and became a prominent voice of independent journalism.

Acquired in 1984 by Naspers, the paper grew into a major Sunday title. However, declining print circulation led to the closure of its print edition in December 2024, after which it operated as a digital-only brand within News24..............….continue reading