General
SERAP Challenges Buhari to Provide Agreement With Twitter
By Adedapo Adesanya
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to provide a copy of the agreement the federal government had with the social media company, Twitter.
On Wednesday, January 12, the FG announced that it has reached an arrangement with the micro-blogging site to lift the ban it placed on its use in Nigeria on June 4, 2021.
Now, the organisation is calling on the President to use his good offices and leadership position to direct the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, to provide it with a copy of the agreement recently signed with Twitter, and to widely publish the details of any such agreement.
SERAP also urged him to “direct Alhaji Lai Mohammed to clarify the manner and scope in which the agreement with Twitter will be enforced, including whether the agreement incorporates respect for human rights, consistent with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 [as amended] and international obligations.”
In a letter dated January 15, 2022, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization said: “Publishing the agreement would enable Nigerians to scrutinize it, seek legal remedies as appropriate, and ensure that the conditions for lifting the suspension of Twitter are not used as pretexts to suppress legitimate discourse.”
SERAP said: “Publishing the agreement with Twitter would also promote transparency, accountability, and help to mitigate threats to Nigerians’ rights online, as well as any interference with online privacy in ways that deter the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression.”
According to SERAP, “Nigerians are entitled to their constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights, such as the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, privacy, peaceful assembly, and association, as well as public participation both offline and online.”
“Any agreement with social media companies must meet constitutional and international requirements, including legality, necessity, proportionality, and legitimacy.
“This means that any conditions for lifting the suspension of Twitter must meet the requirements of regular legal processes and limit government discretion. Secretly agreed conditions will fail these fundamental requirements.
“The government has a duty to demonstrate that the conditions for lifting the suspension of Twitter would not threaten or violate the enjoyment of Nigerians’ human rights online and that the conditions are in pursuit of a legitimate goal in a democratic society.
“SERAP is concerned that the operation and enforcement of the agreement may be based on broadly worded restrictive laws, which may be used as pretexts to suppress legitimate discourse, interfere with online privacy, and deter the exercise of freedom of opinion and expression,” it also stated.
It added: “For example, the statement by the government announcing the lifting of the suspension of Twitter used overly broad terms and phrases like ‘prohibited publication’, ‘Nigerian laws’, ‘national culture and history’. These open-ended terms and phrases may be used to suppress the legitimate exercise of human rights online.
“Any agreement with social media companies must not be used as a ploy to tighten governmental control over access to the internet, monitor internet activity, or to increase online censorship and the capacity of the government to restrict legitimate online content, contrary to standards on freedom of expression and privacy.
“SERAP notes the interdependence of human rights, such as the importance of privacy as a gateway to freedom of expression.
“Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantee the right to hold opinions without interference, and the right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers and through any medium.
“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties impose duties on your government to ensure enabling environments for freedom of expression, privacy rights, and other human rights, and to protect their exercise.”
SERAP noted that “While human rights law requires States to prohibit ‘advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence’, States must still satisfy the cumulative conditions of legality, necessity, proportionality and legitimacy in any agreement with social media companies.
“Your government has a legal obligation to promote universal Internet access, media diversity, and independence, as well as ensure that any agreements with Twitter and other social media companies are not used to impermissibly restrict these fundamental human rights.
“By the combined reading of the provisions of the Constitution of Nigeria, the Freedom of Information Act 2011, and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party, there are transparency obligations imposed on your government to widely publish the agreement and details of the conditions upon which the suspension of Twitter was lifted.
“It is stated in the statement by the Federal Government that Twitter has reached an agreement with the government ‘to manage prohibited publication in line with Nigerian laws.’ We would be grateful for clarifications on the definition of ‘prohibited information,’ and the specific applicable Nigerian laws in the context of the agreement.
“It is also stated in the statement by the Federal Government that Twitter has agreed to ‘act with a respectful acknowledgement of Nigerian laws and the national culture and history on which such legislation has been built.’ We would be grateful for clarifications on the specific and applicable Nigerian laws, national culture, and history upon which the operation and enforcement of the agreement will be based.
“We would be grateful if the requested information and details are provided to us within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall take all appropriate legal action in the public interest to compel your government to comply with our request.
“According to our information, the approval was given to lift the suspension of Twitter operation in Nigeria effective from 12 am 13th January 2022 following the memo sent to you by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof Isa Ali Ibrahim. The decision to lift the suspension was reportedly based on the recommendations by the Technical Committee on Nigeria-Twitter Engagement.
“SERAP notes that Alhaji Lai Mohammed on 5th June 2021, announced the suspension of operation of Twitter by the Federal Government, following which a seven-man Presidential Committee was set up to engage Twitter Inc. The Presidential Committee, in turn, established a 20-member Technical Committee, which reportedly directly worked with the Twitter team.”
The letter was copied to Mr Lai Mohammed and Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, Attorney General of the Federation, and Minister of Justice.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
It was a day of joy for facility managers in Nigeria as they rolled out drums to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Nigerian chapter of the International Facility Management Association (IFMA).
The celebrants converged on MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos on Thursday, May 12, 2022, to mark the day, which coincided with World Facility Management Day.
At the event themed Leading a Sustainable Future, aimed at strengthening goals to achieve an improved facility maintenance culture in Nigeria, five students each from five Government Technical Colleges in Lagos, including Government Technical College, Ikotun; Government Technical College, Ikorodu; Government Technical College, Epe; Government Technical College Agidingbi, were equipped with toolboxes, safety jackets and safety helmets as their discipline of learning falls within facility management. The 25 students were promised employment upon completion of their education by some industry operators in attendance.
In his welcome address, the President of IFMA, Nigeria Chapter, Mr Segun Adebayo, applauded the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing under Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, for a commendable job in ensuring the assent of Executive Order 11 on National Public Buildings Maintenance.
“The effort of the Ministry of Works & Housing on this laudable achievement has indeed renewed our hope of providing professional attention to the country’s numerous facilities and her growing infrastructure. In fact with this feat, I am delighted to say that maintenance culture has fully resurrected in our nation,” the President of IFMA Nigeria said.
While speaking on the future goals of the association, Mr Adebayo revealed their readiness to continue to provide leadership and direction in the built environment through innovative initiatives, use of technology, specialized trainings and strategic collaboration that translate to the actualization of a transformative future in the built environment.
According to him, the theme of the event clearly validates the leadership of the association in the industry and also confirms them as a forward-thinking association, noting that, “This you can see in our endless advocacy and strategic collaborations with credible public and private institutions.”
He urged everyone present to be steadfast in the practice of facility management in order to lead a sustainable future.
In his keynote address, Mr Fashola reiterated the relevance of facility management, saying, “It is important to mention that facility management is a very expansive area of human activity that involves a diversity of skills whose impact will remain with us for a long time.”
He admonished the private sector to take ownership and responsibility for facility management because, according to him, the private sector accounts for the majority of buildings and infrastructure in Nigeria.
Present at the event were professionals across the construction industry, real estate and facility management professionals including Ms Nike Adekanbi, the General Manager, Lagos State Infrastructure and Asset Management Agency; Engr Femi Akintunde, Group Managing Director/CEO, Alpha Mead Group; Professor Modupe Omirin, Dean of Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University of Lagos; Arc. Tina Onokwai, Director of Federal Public asset Maintenance in the Ministry of Works & Housing and other members of the association.
IFMA Nigeria was founded in 1995 by a special group of professionals drawn across the industries within the built environment including Architects, Civil Engineers, Electrical Engineers, and Builders, amongst others who had a burning desire to provide Nigeria with the opportunity of developing a maintenance culture that will shape the future of the country.
The association, in collaboration with the University of Lagos, has pioneered a professional master’s degree programme in Facility Management.
Despite the fact that many consider black and white logos to be old-fashioned and too simple, experience with their use shows their high efficiency and the presence of a large number of advantages. In any case, history knows many cases when black and white logos became super recognizable and turned into a real brand.
You can develop a black and white logo in the logo maker Turbologo for a couple of mipnuts.
What is a logo
A logo is a symbol (containing a picture, an inscription, or both of these elements in any proportions). Its main purpose is to make the company recognizable and distinguishable from firms engaged in similar activities.
A company with a unique and attractive brand name attracts customers. In addition, such brands inspire more trust among the potential audience.
The logo is not just a stylish picture – it has several significant “missions”:
- Creation of brand image. A brand name can convey a lot of information about a company. In addition to the specialization of the brand, the logo tells potential customers and the strengths of the products sold and the services provided. A high-quality logo will show the audience that you are responsible for your business;
- Advertising. The emblem presents the brand on the market, increases its significance. With the help of the logo, customers can find out the necessary information about the company and, if they wish, apply for services or goods. It is also effective to use the logo in business correspondence;
- Market identification. The logo helps customers who are already familiar with the brand to recognize it among other companies;
- Protection from unfair competition. Some firms copy products that belong to another (often promoted) brand. And the logo helps to show customers which of the goods is really genuine;
- Reputation building. If a consumer once used the services of your organization and was satisfied, then he is more likely to contact you again;
- Good quality guarantee. Products marked with the brand name are genuine. This protects customers from buying fakes.
Black and white logos are quite popular in the modern world. They have both advantages and disadvantages. They are economical (they do not require large development and printing costs to use), are minimalist, unobtrusive, are associated with luxury service companies (as large companies choose simple logos), and stand out against the background of the color emblems of competitors.
While the combination of different shades in a logo can look great, sometimes a black and white theme gets the point across better.
These colors are powerful in their simplicity, and they are suitable for almost any platform.
It can be printed on a T-shirt.
It can be pasted on a wall, pictured on a billboard, or even printed on a car window.
Instagram profile , or used as a Facebook cover.
It can be printed on the athlete’s equipment to promote the brand.
If you want a logo that can fit into any setting, go for the black and white option.
Printing in other colors can be expensive, but binary colors such as black and white are cost effective.
Black and white paints are readily available compared to other colors.
In addition, a binary logo is likely to use less power than a color logo.
Famous black and white logos
Today, dozens of extremely successful black and white brand logos are familiar. This color scheme has significantly increased recognition and has become a real “highlight” of companies such as:
- Nissan is a famous car manufacturer from Japan.
- Sony is a company engaged in the creation of technology, as well as the production of films and video games.
- Bentley is a popular automotive giant from the UK.
- BBC is the most famous news agency in the world, headquartered in London.
- Nike is a giant in the sportswear and footwear industry;
- Wikipedia is an international scientific and educational project known to every person who has ever sat down at a computer and used the Internet.
- Walt Disney is a company familiar from childhood that produces animated films, as well as feature films such as Pirates of the Caribbean.
- Gillette is a world-famous brand that produces blades, razors, creams and other shaving accessories.
- Playboy is a legendary adult magazine.
These are just some of the options for black and white logos that have become famous throughout the world and are known to almost every consumer on Earth. As can be seen from the examples presented, many world-famous brands prefer the combination of black and white to color versions of the logo.
Conclusion
Reducing the color gamut can be a key choice to bring your symbol to high standards, versatility and modernity.
Now is the time to make a black and white symbol that will exalt the brand that has appeared on the market. You can make a black and white logo yourself or by ordering it. The first option is much cheaper, and thanks to the emergence of numerous resources, the logo can be made by yourself, using special designers for this. It doesn’t take much time, but the result is amazing.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Over 1,000 houses would be delivered to Nigerians by the end of the second quarter of 2022, the managing director of Landwey Investment Limited, Ms Shola Bello, has disclosed.
This is part of the efforts being made by Landwey, which is one of Nigeria’s largest residential developers, in reducing the housing deficit in the country.
Ms Bello, in a chat with newsmen on Monday, noted that the company has been able to deploy measures to mitigate the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant economic recession in the real estate sector in Nigeria.
“2022 began on a rough note for most real estate developers in Nigeria. This has been made obvious by the growing apprehension amongst some clients over the viability of their investment owing to delayed delivery of housing units and some publications addressing these issues.
“Many developers in Nigeria have openly addressed some of the challenges experienced in the course of construction and delivery of housing projects, a challenge which is largely attributed to the impact of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic and the resultant economic recession.
“In the past few years, many developers have had to navigate the harsh economy and its severe impact on all businesses across many industries. While it may appear that many of these businesses have recovered from the impact, the story is not quite the same for the real estate industry.
“The industry has felt its huge blow from resultant factors ranging from scarcity of labour, a challenge we have since overcome, scarcity of building materials, unfavourable importation policies, long project approval timelines as well as other environmental limitations.
“However, our clients are always at the forefront of everything that we do, therefore, we have had no other choice but to unearth new and creative solutions in order to mitigate the rippling effects of the pandemic and the harsh realities of the global economy,” she told journalists.
The real estate guru lamented that most real estate development companies had to reassess and adjust their operations to acclimate to the “new atmosphere by working and negotiating potential changes in project completion timelines and the management of their internal and external workforce, communicating challenges and progress updates routinely with investors and reviewing supply agreements with suppliers while also determining the impacts of delays in our delivery obligations as well as other potential risk factors.”
She added that after what appeared to be a challenging Q1, the company is now making a headway on housing project delivery with a mass delivery of homes scheduled to take place at the end of the second quarter.
“I can assure you, by the third quarter of 2022, we would be well on our way to completing at least 1000 homes,” Ms Bello concluded.
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