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NAOSRE Inaugurated CDHR Media Arm During Beko Kuti Posthumous Birthday Lecture

The National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, a media union dedicated to swift and unbiased security and human rights issues reportage, has become the media arm of the Lagos State chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, a civil society.

NAOSRE was inducted in Lagos on Saturday, August 7, as part of the activities to mark the 81st Posthumous Birthday celebrations of Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti , who was one of the founding pillars of the foremost human rights organization.

Inaugurating the Comrade Femi Oyewale led NAOSRE, Comrade Kehinde Adeoye, Lagos State CDHR chairman and Barrister Malachy Ugwummadu, former CDHR President urged NAOSRE to live up to its billing as the fourth estate of the realm adding that as a constitutionally recognized institution, the media association must redouble its efforts in internalizing and externalizing the patriotic activities of CDHR through quality publicity to birth the desired Nigeria where the rule of law and respect for human rights would define the fabrics of governance.

In his welcome address, Comrade Adeoye called on journalists “To use the pen to expose all forms of human degeneration, corruption, oppression, suppression and repression until bad governance is completely eradicated.”

He described the Beko Kuti posthumous birthday lecture themed “Any Hope For Good Governance In Nigeria?” as “Highly significant because it is in honour of a foremost, uncompromising, altruistic, irrepressible and indefatigable human rights icon who fought for the emancipation of the Nigerian people from misrule, bad governance and abuse of human rights.”

Making his remarks at the public lecture, chairman of the occasion and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Mr. Femi Falana enthused that all hope is not lost but stressed that all hands must be on deck to steer the Nigerian ship to safe berthing for economic prosperity, political stability and social harmony.

He pointed out the “military junta” derailed Nigeria’s growth and steady progress during the first republic.

Therefore, he questioned the impudence of former President Ibrahim Babangida who claimed to be a saint in the face of the overwhelming corrupting that has enveloped Nigeria when he planted and nurtured the seed of corruption in the country.

Falana emphasized that one of the best ways to honour late Beko Ransome Kuti is to keep the struggle for the respect of human dignity alive which Beko lived and died for.

He reminded CDHR members and all human rights advocates, including the media, that the struggle is far from over until transparency and accountability are enthroned in democratic governance.

Highlighting the litany of Beko’s struggle for democracy, Falana disclosed that during the secret trial of Olusegun Obasanjo, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and many others by late General Sanni Abacha “One of the convicted lawyers smuggled a small note through one of the lawyers, alerting the CDHR President of government’s plans to kill them any moment from now.

“Beko Ransome Kuti immediately organized a press conference, though it was stated that no local media published it. But BBC did.

“It was on that note, Beko Ransome Kuti was arrested and taken to a military tribunal. The only question Beko was asked was whether he owned telephone number 963-9534 and he said, I own it.

“Beko had called the BBC with that number and it was on that basis that he was sentenced to life in prison,” Falana stated.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria further enlightened members on their rights including bail which he said is free.

Barrister Affiong L. Affiong, Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye including Comrade Funmi Kuti who represented the Ransome-Kuti’s family added their voices as guest speakers and sued for commitment to the goals of CDHR so that Nigeria can be liberated from the grips of political buccaneers.

CDHR was incorporated in April 1989 during military rule and has, since then, provided invaluable supports to citizens in the defence and protection of their rights home and abroad.

8TH LAGOS PUBLIC RELATIONS STAKEHOLDERS’ CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS IN NIGERIA

The Lagos State Chapter, the flagship branch of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), today announced that the Eighth Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference will address Healthcare and Wellness in Nigeria at the MUSON Centre, Lagos on Thursday, August 26, 2021.

The Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference is a bridge-building initiative to interact and proffer solutions to the social, political and economic challenges plaguing our nation.

This edition, themed: Policy Communication for Sustainable Healthcare and Wellness in Nigeria, is expected to feature distinguished speakers including the; Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire and the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu among others.

Speaking on the conference, the Chairman, Lagos NIPR, Mrs. Comfort Nwankwo explained that all efforts must be made by stakeholders to achieve sustainable healthcare in the country.

“Health and wellness was given special focus in the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Envision2030, due to its strategic importance to human sustainability. However, evidence from the recent pandemic that ravaged lives and businesses across the globe have shown that much still need to be done by government, Individuals, and corporate organizations” she said.

According to the conference convener, Lead Consultant, Addefort Limited, Mr Olabamiji Adeleye, “Participants at the conference will include, representatives from Government, Corporate Organisations, NGOs, Insurance, Health Institutions, Health Consultants, Nutritionists, Fitness Educators, HODs of relevant Agencies, the media and other stakeholders.”

Previous editions featured distinguished speakers including the President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote; former Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Fashola, Founder/Chairman, Silverbird Group, Senator Ben Murray Bruce; Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu; Founder/Chairman, Chrisland Schools and Chrisland University, High Chief Dr. (Mrs) Winifred Awosika (OON); Founder, Centre for Value in Leadership, Prof Pat Utomi; Chairman, National Executive Council, Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Chief Ede Dafinone, and the Managing Director Ecobank Nigeria, Mr Patrick Akinwuntan amongst others.

The Lagos Public Relations Stakeholders’ Conference is the brainchild of Addefort Limited; a public relations and concept development firm.

FIRSTBANK IMPACTS ITS FIRSTMONIE AGENTS WITH A 100 BILLION NAIRA LOAN

The Bank has been at the forefront of promoting financial inclusion in the country, impacting Nigerians, regardless of their locations nationwide.
The Bank currently has over 120,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across 772 Local Government Areas in Nigeria
The Agent Credit scheme was launched a year ago to empower its Firstmonie Agents to grow their businesses, whilst being at an advantage to contribute to national development.

Barely a year after the launch of its Agent Credit scheme, FirstBank of Nigeria PLC, Nigeria’s leading financial inclusion services provider, has announced that it has economically empowered its Firstmonie Agents with the sum of N100 billion. The Bank currently has over 120,000 Firstmonie Agents, spread across 772 Local Government Areas in the country.

The Agent Credit scheme was created by the FirstBank to promote and expand the business activities of its foremost agent banking platform – Firstmonie Agents – whilst putting them at an advantage to positively impact their immediate environment.

Firstmonie Agents have been integral to bridging the financial exclusion gap, providing convenient banking services that are easily accessible, thereby saving time and travel costs for individuals in the suburbs and remote environments that have no access to financial services.

FirstBank’s financial inclusion activities are in line with the mandate of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure the availability of affordable financial products and services to all individuals and groups of people in the country, irrespective of location, literacy levels, familiarity with technology and accessibility to modern infrastructural facilities. The Firstmonie Agent channel is amongst the Bank’s many initiatives to expand financial access in the country.

Reiterating the FirstBank’s role in deepening financial inclusion in the country, Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products, said “we are truly excited about the tremendous impact of the Agent Credit on the performance of our Firstmonie Agents nationwide. Since the introduction of the Agent Credit to support our ‘Human ATMs’ as we fondly call our Firstmonie Agents, they have recorded immense growth in their businesses, at levels they never envisaged in such a short period.

Our key goal is to continue to deliver financial services to the underserved and unbanked populations, employing modern technology for processing real-time transactions and in doing so, contribute to building capacities and learning new skills in information technology, cash management and relationship management for our FirstMonie agents.

We encourage our Firstmonie Agents to keep being exemplary in setting the pace to promote financial inclusion as we collectively work towards the continuous growth and development of the national economy.”

ACG Of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Talabi, Sues For Efficiency As She Visits Lagos State Command

The Assistant Comptroller General of Immigration, Zone A, Oluremi Ajoke Talabi, during the week, visited the Lagos Command of the Immigration Service.
Lagos Command is part of Zone A which has under it Ogun State Command, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA Command, Seme Border Command, Lagos Border Patrol Command, Idiroko Border Command, Lagos Seaport and Marine Command as well as the Passport Control Command.

In a statement signed by Jide Ogungbe, Lagos Command spokesman and made available to NAOSRE, Talabi was received on arrival by the Command’s Comptroller of Immigration Service, CIS, Bauchi Aliyu.
Addressing officers and men of the Command, Talabi commended the Aliyu led team for carrying out their duties without attracting complaints from the public.
She warned officers against revealing any official information that is meant to be treated as confidential.

She advised officers to adopt “a need to know basis principle” in managing information.

In addition, Talabi pointed out that Lagos Command has the highest number of personnel in the country, a fact that calls for utmost professionalism in the overall interest of Nigeria in line with the administrative policies of President Muhammadu Buhari and Comptroller General of Customs, Colonel Hammed Alli, ret’d.

The ACG mandated officers to be watchful for fraudulent documents and revealed that the Service is currently implementing electronic-powered mechanisms that’ll make it easier to identify fraudulent documents.

Earlier, the Lagos Command CIS, in his address, dutifully gave a detailed account to the Zonal Coordinator with specific regards to the challenges and developments in the Command.

He revealed that his first project from the moment he arrived was to improve the condition of LSC’s Provisional and Annex offices, a task he disclosed has been accomplished strictly through Corporate Social Responsibility, CRS, supports from friends of the Service. The CIS also revealed that he was able to construct both the Quarter Guard and Parade Ground through the same donations.

Aliyu further disclosed that there is an imminent plan of the International Organization for Migration to fully fund and oversee the construction of a Personnel Training and Resource Centre for the Lagos Command.

He unveiled plans to build additional toilet and bathroom facilities to augment the existing ones.

CIS Aliyu informed the Zonal Coordinator that he has formed a committee that is presently working on the development of a compendium that would offer a concise interpretative collection of the most frequently violated Immigration laws for the sensitization of stakeholders.

He noted that the outcome of his visit to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has birth the governor’s generous heart of donating land that can accommodate the construction of the Service Headquarters structure in Lagos.

He revealed that his persistent verbal and written requests have resulted in the setting up of a Security Forum headed by the Secretary to the State Government for Intel and ideas sharing amongst security agencies in the state.

He stated the proposal he submitted to the Governor’s Office for the planned mop-up and repatriation operation of irregular migrants residing in the state.

“The proposal is a direct response to the concern raised by stakeholders during the meeting chaired by the Governor to address the menace of motorbike riders operating in the state,” he said.

However, he stated that despite the positive results of his efforts, more still needs to be done.

The CIS, therefore, tabled a number of requests for the ACG’s attention to improve the service delivery capacity of the Command.

He requested the facilitation of the deployment of junior officers and drivers as well as follow-up by her office to facilitate the completion of the Command building project.

He also requested support for the proposed inclusion of the E-Migrant registration slip as a checklist for resident permit applications; the setting up of a Music Band and the renovation of the Command Holding Centre.

The ACG however, promised to support within available resources and called for more commitment to duties.

Lagos Assembly Scrap Houses for Ex-Governors, Others in Pension Reform Law

Lagos Assembly Scrap Houses for Rx-Governors, Others in Pension Reform Law

The Lagos State House of Assembly (Lagos Assembly) on Thursday approved the report of its committee on establishment which recommended the reduction of pensions to former governors and other affected officials by 50 percent.

The Lagos Assembly is committee also expunged the provision of houses in Abuja and Lagos for former governors as stipulated in an earlier law operated by the state.

The report further showed a reduction in the number of vehicles to be made available to former governors and their deputies.

The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa, suggested that former governors should get two vehicles (a car and a van) instead of three as recommended by the committee.

He also suggested that the amended bill should provide that the cars be changed every four years instead of the three years recommended by the report.

While some of the lawmakers, at plenary, had suggested for an upward review of the pension for the affected public office holders by 75 percent, others urged that the pension remain as stipulated in the old law.

However, Obasa argued that it should be left at 50 percent, especially as the report had recommended the removal of houses and reduced other benefits.

While recalling the recent murder of the president of Haiti, Obasa said it was necessary to also secure the lives of the former office holders.

“By virtue of my office, I have seen former Speakers who we just had to intervene in their lives because of the situations they found themselves outside office. We have also seen former governors in a very bad situation,” he said.

Obasa noted the argument of his colleagues that the projected downward review of the pension for the former governors and others could also be affected by inflation and other economic considerations, but reminded that the House must meet the wishes of the people one of which is a cut in the cost of governance.

“There is no argument, we must realise that this is democracy and it is all about the people. We are here because of the people. When we represent people, it is good for us to listen to them as well.

“We must realise that we would always go back to the people for support. So when we hearken to their agitations and reduce what existed, it shows that we listen,” Obasa told his colleagues adding that his suggestion for further reduction of the number of cars was because “as you age, your needs continue to decrease.”

Earlier some of the lawmakers of the Lagos Assembly had supported the report of the committee saying it would have a positive impact on the internally generated revenue of the state.

Breaking! Barcelona To Let Messi Go For Lack Of Money

Lionel Messi will leave Barcelona after the La Liga club were unable to fulfil a new contract that had been agreed with the player due to “financial and structural obstacles”.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has officially been a free agent since July 1 after he failed to agree terms over a renewal before his previous Barcelona contract expired on June 30.

However, the 34-year-old had been expected to sign a new five-year contract with the Catalan club, which would have seen his salary reduced by 50 per cent.

Messi has spent his entire career at Barcelona, coming through the club’s academy before going on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances after making his senior debut in 2003.

A club statement said: “Despite FC Barcelona and Lionel Messi having reached an agreement and the clear intention of both parties to sign a new contract today, this cannot happen because of financial and structural obstacles (Spanish Liga regulations).

“As a result of this situation, Messi shall not be staying on at FC Barcelona. Both parties deeply regret that the wishes of the player and the club will ultimately not be fulfilled.

“FC Barcelona wholeheartedly expresses its gratitude to the player for his contribution to the aggrandisement of the club and wishes him all the very best for the future in his personal and professional life.”

Unveiling! How Government Allegedly Killed Oriental Foods for Dangote Takeover… His Interest in Dairy Industry may Force Peak Milk others out of Nigeria

Africa’s richest man Alhaji Aliko Dangote is without doubt a very influential man in Nigeria, his influence has seen governments formulate policies to accommodate his interest. It is therefore a regular and consistent occurrence for him to be accuse of using his acquired influence especially among the government to curry favorable advantage for him and his company to the disadvantages of others unfortunate to venture into a business he’s having interest, this has worked adversely as his alleged business interest was fingered as the reason a thriving business suddenly go bankrupt.

Sources revealed the whole issue stated in 2019 when the Group Executive Director of the Dangote Group, Engr. Mansur Ahmed announced during an African Development Bank (AfDB) Investment Forum for the New Special Agro-Processing Zones in Abuja that the company will be going into dairy farming and that the company will be going into large-scale dairy farming. Which invariably means Dangote Group will be rubbing shoulders with companies producing milk and other dairy products in the country.

This announcement the source revealed was just like the proverbial witch that howled the preceding night and a healthy child dying at day-break, as a couple of months after the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) immediately in the first quarter of 2020 making a policy banning some companies from dairy product industry from importing milk, dairy products into the country with immediate effect. This brought in its wake the shutdown of Oriental Foods Ibadan the makers of ‘Luna Milk’ forcing the company to layoff its staffs and thereby adding more to the already huge unemployed Nigerians.

According to sources within the company the decision of the CBN means our employer and others that are excluded from the 5 companies that can still import can no longer compete in the dairy industry and thereby leading to the shutting down of the operations, though unconfirmed report says the said Oriental Foods has been acquired by the Dangote Group, thereby giving it the necessary equipment to launch its dairy lines anytime it so chose.

It is important to note that the Aliko Dangote led organisation has always being facing criticism for his ruthless use of government influence to crush competitors in nearly all the industry its operates, this industry watchers claimed is being put in motion when the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Sabo Nanono at a press briefing to commemorate 2020 World Food Day celebration, said that any form of importation of milk and dairy products will be banned completely by 2022, a time sources claimed will have seen the promised Dangote dairy farm investment announced in 2019 reach its maturity stage since cattle growth to lactation take about 18months.

It is important to note that Aliko Dangote’s younger brother Sani who also serves as the Vice President of Dangote Group had at a time through his Dansa Group tried his hands on dairy business with his Ziza Milk, though all attempt by his elder brother controlled bigger company to acquire his products and production which includes Dansa Juice and Mowa waters was rebuffed, the new investment in the dairy industry may be a signal to relaunch Ziza and other dairy products.

Dangote Group has been at one time or the other at the receiving end of accusation of using unethical practices in their many running battles with companies in different sectors of the economy, they are at different times being accused of using government and its agencies to stifle competition, a practices that will be detrimental to the growth of national economy in the nearest future.

Most prominent among their fight for total dominance is the fight for market price control in the cement industry with the Abdul Samad Rabiu led BUA Cement, there has been accusations of sponsored attacks among the two over who controls the price of the product in the market.

The Africa’s Richest man’s company had also had silent battles in the past over dominance with companies in the sugar business against BUA Group, pasta and many more, his recent interest in the milk and dairy industry may be the death of more companies and a very long battle with others who had been in the industry as far back as independence.

Lagos State, industry stakeholders, mourn BJAN chairman Ekwujuru, to be buried September 2nd in Njaba

As the entire Brand and Marketing landscape in Nigeria continued to mourn the unexpected demise of the late Princewill Ekwujuru, who until his death, was the Chairman of the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), the association has continued to receive letter of condolences from state government and other sectorial bodies.

For instance, in a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile, and made available to the association in Lagos recently, Akosile said; “I received with shock the news of the unexpected and painful demise of Princewill Ekwujuru, Chairman Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), a thorough bred professional, veteran brand reporter, personal friend and colleague.”

According to him, “I was actually devastated by the news of his death despite efforts by BJAN and the Marketing Industry to save his life.”

“my heartfelt condolences to his wife and children as I extend prayer of comfort and relief to them at this trying moment.” He added.

He also disclosed that, “may the good Lord ease the pain and Grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”

“to the Executive and entire members of BJAN, I pray that the association is strengthened at this moment of grief.” He said.

Also, the management and staff of the Chenist United said that, they received with shock the painful exit of Princewill Ekwujuru, Chairman Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN), a senior Brands and Marketing correspondent with Vanguard Newspapers and a friend of the Chenist family.

In a statement signed by Adebayo Sowemimo, Executive Director, Media Communications, Chenist United, and made available to BJAN, Sowemimo disclosed that, “we carefully monitored the events in the past two weeks when the unfortunate accident happened hoping that he will survive it. Therefore, we are saddened that, despite all the efforts put together to help him stay alive he could not make it.”

According to him, “our heart goes out to the Exco and the entire members of the association, and it’s our prayer that God will grant the association the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

“in the same vain, we convey our condolences to his wife and children and also pray that God strengthened them at this trying times.” He said

In addition, the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) expressed shock over the unexpected death of Princewill Ekwujuru.

In a condolence card, the advertising regulatory body pray that God should comfort members of BJAN, wife, children and friends of late Princewill Ekwujuru.

On their part, the Executive Council and members of ADVAN sent their sincere condolences to members of BJAN, family and friends of late Princewill Ekwujuru, noting that God grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Also, the British America Tobacco (BAT) sent in their condolences praying God to grant members of BJAN and the Ekwujurus the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

In addition to condolences letter, the Executive Officer of FoodCo, Nigeria Lmited, Ade Sun-Bashorun

said, “on behalf of the board and entire staff of FoodCo Nigeria Limited, I write to commiserate with the the

Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria (BJAN) on the death of your Chairman, Mr. Princewill Ekwujuru.”

According to, “we will always remember Mr. Ekwujuru as a remarkable journalist who exemplified the virtues of

professionalism and integrity and whose robust reportage helped elevate the discourse in Nige-ria’s

consumer goods and retail space.”

“he was also the rallying point of our engagement with BJAN, an Association he was clearly passionate

about. Through his efforts, FoodCo was able to forge a strong symbiotic relation-ship with the body.” He added.

Meanwhile, he body of the late Princewill Ekwujuru’s body will be interned in his home town, Njaba, Imo State on the 2nd of September, 2021.

Speaking on this development in a statement made available to newsmen recently in Lagos, the chairman of the burial committee, Chief Goddie Ofose said; “Mr. Princewill Ekwujuru, chairman, Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria, will be committed to mother earth on September 2nd, 2021 in his native home, Njaba, Imo State.”

According to him, “his family needs all your support, noting that, details of funeral rites will be made available in subsequent days.”

Signed:

Goddie Ofoseh

Chairman, Burial Committee

Godwin Anyebe

Secretary, Burial Committee

NDLEA Recovers Cocaine From Lady’s Underwear At Lagos Airport, Intercepts Drugs Going To Italy, Turkey

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday 31st July 2021, recovered 35 wraps of cocaine from the underwear of a lady, Okafor Ebere Edith during the outward clearance of passengers on Air Cotevoire, to Monrovia, Liberia from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos.

This is contained in a statement signed by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA Director, Media & Advocacy which was made available to NAOSRE on August 1.

According to the statement, the suspect who tucked the pellets of cocaine in her underwear to beat security checks at the Airport was picked up for search and questioning. The wraps of the illicit drug were found on her.

During a preliminary interview, she claimed her desire to make money pushed her into drug trafficking.

Another suspect, Echendu Jerry Maduakolam, an intending male passenger going to Istanbul was arrested at Gate A departure hall of the MMIA on Tuesday 27th July during outward clearance of Egypt airline to Turkey with 78grams of cannabis mixed with dried bitter leaves.

On the same day, another intending male passenger, Egbon Osarodion going to Milan, Italy was arrested at the airport’s Gate A departure hall during outward clearance of passengers on Egypt airline with different quantities of 225mg Tramadol and Rohypnol concealed in foil papers wrapped in a polyethylene bag.

Meanwhile, acting on credible intelligence, NDLEA operatives from Kontagora Area command of the Agency in the early hours of Thursday 29th July 2021 raided a warehouse at Mailefe village in Kontagora Local Government Area of Niger state, where drug supplies for bandits operating in parts of the state were stored.

After a thorough search of the warehouse, 125 bags of Cannabis Sativa were recovered while a man seen praying in front of the house fled into the forest when he sighted the narcotic officers from afar.

Chairman/ Chief Executive of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended the commanders, officers, and men of the MMIA and Niger state commands of the Agency to track down traffickers of illicit drugs in their areas of responsibility. He charged them and their counterparts in other commands to remain focused and resolute in pursuit of the goal to rid Nigeria of illicit substances and drug-related criminalities.

NAOSRE Inaugurated CDHR Media Arm During Beko Kuti Posthumous Birthday Lecture

8TH LAGOS PUBLIC RELATIONS STAKEHOLDERS’ CONFERENCE TO ADDRESS HEALTHCARE AND WELLNESS IN NIGERIA

FIRSTBANK IMPACTS ITS FIRSTMONIE AGENTS WITH A 100 BILLION NAIRA LOAN

The Bank has been at the forefront of promoting financial inclusion in the country, impacting Nigerians, regardless of their locations nationwide.

The Bank currently has over 120,000 Firstmonie Agents spread across 772 Local Government Areas in Nigeria

The Agent Credit scheme was launched a year ago to empower its Firstmonie Agents to grow their businesses, whilst being at an advantage to contribute to national development.