All Posts in "Day: July 11, 2024"

Coalition Launches #DontPoliceMySpeech# Campaign To Stop Journalists’ Arrest

Mohammed Shosanya

A coalition of Nigerian journalists and civic space defenders,Wednesday  launched the #DontPoliceMySpeech campaign a public demand for an end to the abuse of power and the criminalization of free speech by Nigerian authorities.

The campaign highlighted the misuse and weaponization of the Cybercrimes Act in a bid to silence and prevent journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens from exercising their constitutionally guaranteed rights to free speech and expression.

The civil society organizations that signed on the campaign include; Accountability Lab Nigeria, Paradigm Initiative, SERAP, CJID, Dataphyte Foundation, Humangle Media, Tap Initiative, DigiCivic Initiative, Follow Taxes, Document Women, More Branches, Femme Mag, LightRay Media, Invictus Africa, Marie Claire, Document Women and Gatefield.

The group said the cases of journalists’ arrest during this administration send a disturbing message that no one is safe for expressing their opinion.

The Cybercrimes Act, originally designed to combat online criminal activity, has morphed into a tool for silencing dissent. Despite its recent amendment, Section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, continues to be misused by Nigerian security agencies in violation of the Nigerian constitution.

The campaign has released a public service announcement (PSA) video and a set of posters that depict the several ways in which Nigerian security authorities have violated the rights of journalists and citizens in a bid to silence them.

Besides,a peaceful march involving approximately 200 journalists, civil society organizations, and citizens was held at the Ministry of Justice, demanding an end to infringements on freedom of expression and unlawful arrests.

“Freedom of expression is entrenched in the Nigerian Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Nigeria is a signatory,” affirmed the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists during the march. Shirley Ewang, Advocacy Lead at Gatefield emphasized, “The stifling of the press and public discourse is authoritarian and undermines citizens’ rights to demand accountability. Nigerians are weary of these abuses under what is supposed to be a democratic government. We call on the Ministry of Justice to cease using taxpayers’ money to prosecute journalists for exercising their right to freedom of expression.”

 The key demands of the coalition include: immediate end to police abuse of power, Ensure justice is properly ordered, and Protection of fundamental rights for all Nigerians.

admin by — July 11, 2024 in Media 0
Shell’s Delegation Visits Dangote Refinery

L-R: Head of Business Development, Shell Trading and Shipping Company (STASCO), Filippo Bof; Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria, Osagie Okunbor; President, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote; Managing Director, Shell Western Supply and Trading, Rodrigo Teixeira de Abreu; and STASCO’s Business Development Manager (Nigeria), Bridget Ehime, after a Shell delegation’s facility visit to Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals Plant in Lagos… on Thursday July 4, 2024.
admin by — July 11, 2024 in News 0
ASCSN Urges Calm As Union Appeals Court Ruling

Mohammed Shosanya

​The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN),has implored its members to remain calm, resolute, steadfast and law-abiding as arrangement has been concluded to appeal the Judgment of the National Industrial Court in respect of the leadership of the Union.

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Its scribe,Comrade Joshua Apebo,who conveyed this in a statement on Wednesday,emphasized that the ASCSN would ensure that justice was done on the matter.

​He recalled that on Monday, 22nd February 2021, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) arrested and detained Bola-Audu Innocent for alleged case of human trafficking and exploitation of vulnerable persons.

According to him,​the union later resolved that given the enormity of the case and to save the image of the Association and protect his job that Bola-Audu should step aside so that informal channels could be explored by the National Leadership of the Association with the authorities to give him soft landing.

He added:”Instead of abiding by this wise counsel, Bola-Audu elected to recruit thugs to be invading the headquarters of the Association in Lagos and the Annex office in Abuja and also dragged the Union to Court in violation of the Constitution of the Association.

“​He also wrote letters to the banks of the union to put a lien on the bank accounts of the association to cripple its activities.​Against the background of these anti-union activities, the association expelled Bola-Audu from the body in line with the union’s constitution”.

He revealed that the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation also barred him from entering the Treasury House, Abuja,while the Federal Civil Service Commission also suspended him from service but he later smuggled himself back to the Civil Service.

admin by — July 11, 2024 in Labour/Human Resources 0
FG Moves To Review Public Procurement Act

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Government has initiated steps to review the existing public procurement act as part of measures to instil discipline in fiscal expenditures.

President Bola Tinubu has since appointed Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi to drive the process of review in combination with a special committee raised at the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

He directed that all Ministries Department and Agencies MDAs should review their intended procurements as provided for in the appropriation act.

The directive is to ensure that where there are gaps between appropriated sums and actual amount required to execute the projects, it can be brought to the attention of both the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Federal Ministry of Finance.

The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu who disclosed the information said, “The President Bola Tinubu today in line with the desire to enhance more fiscal discipline and further demonstrate to Nigerians our commitment to serving them better, raised the issue of the reconciliation between the appropriation act, public procurement law and the fiscal responsibility act.

“FEC has set up a committee under the chairmanship of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to review the public procurement act.

“After a robust discussion, the President directed that all ministries department and agencies should review their intended procurement as provided for in the appropriation such that where there are gaps between appropriated sums and amounts required to execute the projects, it can be brought to the attention of both the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning and Federal Ministry of Finance, such that the memo that the cabinet secretariat will provide to the FEC, will have clarity of where funding is expected to come from and recommendations, so as to guide effectively the Federal Executive Council decisions.

“Mr. President directed that the report of the public procurement committee be provided to him so that he can take decisions accordingly”

admin by — July 11, 2024 in News 0
Shareholders Pledge Support For Access Holdings’ Rights Issue

Mohammed Shosanya

Shareholders of Access Holdings Plc have expressed overwhelming confidence in the company’s growth strategy and pledged their support for the ongoing N351 billion rights issue.

They conveyed this at the recent “Facts Behind the Rights Issue” presentation held at the Nigerian Exchange (NGX) office in Lagos.

The shareholders commended Access Holdings for its impressive track record and consistent dividend payments, which have reinforced their trust in the company’s leadership.

“Since Access Bank first started trading on the stock exchange at N0.65, we shareholders have witnessed its incredible growth and accrued immense value, with the stock now trading at N19.35 as of June 9,” remarked Bisi Bakare, National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria.

“Be confident that as the consolidation phase of the Group’s expansion fully takes shape and the brand’s profitability continues to increase, those of us who have been on this journey from the beginning are not about to jump off now. We fully back the capitalisation plans, starting with the Rights Issue, and are excited for the future that lies ahead for Access Holdings.”

This position expressed by this group of shareholders, represented by Bakare, was corroborated by four other groups of shareholders.

Speaking at the event, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings, also expressed confidence in the success of the rights issue, emphasising that it would propel Access Holdings towards its goal of becoming one of the top five financial institutions in Africa by 2027. The rights issue, offering 17,772,612,811 ordinary shares at N19.75 per share, is the first part of a capital raising programme expected to raise up to US$1.5 billion. The funds will be used to strengthen the company’s financial position, support working capital needs, and drive organic growth in its banking and non-banking subsidiaries.

“We are grateful for the solid support of our shareholders,” said Aig-Imoukhuede. “Since Access Bank was recapitalised in 2002, we have consistently kept all promises made to the investing public and actualised all the cyclical milestones we set out to achieve. I have unwavering confidence in the management of the group, led by Bolaji Agbede and Roosevelt Ogbonna, to see through on targets we have for the current five-year strategic cycle. As we progress towards 2027, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our shareholders and solidifying our position as a leading global financial institution,” he added.

Roosevelt Ogbonna, Chief Executive Officer, Access Bank, highlighted the company’s commitment to becoming a global banking leader. He noted that the bank aims to grow its customer base to 125 million by 2027 and establish itself as one of the top five banks globally.

“Our journey from a handful of branches to a global presence showcases our dedication to sustainable growth,” Ogbonna said. “By 2027, we aim to be one of the top five African banks, powering trade across the continent and providing superior services to our customers.”

The Rights Issue offer opened on July 8 and will close on August 14, 2024. Shareholders and potential investors are encouraged to participate actively by taking up their rights.

admin by — July 11, 2024 in Aviation 0