Connect with us

General

SERAP Takes Buhari, NBC to Court over Threats 

Published

on

SERAP

By Adedapo Adesanya 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against President Muhammadu Buhari and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

The organisation explained that the suit was for “the arbitrary use of the NBC Act and broadcasting code to sanction and threaten to revoke the licences of broadcast stations in the country and shut them down over their legitimate coverage of the 2023 general elections.”

Joined in the suit as the defendant is the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed.

The NBC had last week reportedly sanctioned 25 broadcast stations and issued ‘final warnings’ to 16 others for allegedly violating provisions of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code during the February 25, 2023, presidential and National Assembly elections.

But in the suit number FHC/L/CS/469/2023 filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP is asking the court to determine “whether the broadcasting code used by the NBC to sanction some broadcast stations and threaten to shut down others was not in inconsistent and incompatible with freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.”

SERAP is asking the court for “a declaration that the sanctioning of some broadcast stations and threat by the NBC to revoke the licences and shut down other stations for their lawful coverage of the general elections is unconstitutional and unlawful, as it violates freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom.”

SERAP is seeking “an order of interim injunction restraining President Buhari, NBC and Mr Mohammed from threatening and sanctioning broadcast stations in the country simply for carrying out their constitutional duties, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed contemporaneously in this suit.

In the suit, SERAP argued that: “It is a travesty of justice to punish and threaten broadcast stations seeking to promote election integrity and citizens’ engagement and participation while allowing perpetrators of electoral violence and grave human rights violations escape accountability for their alleged crimes.”

According to SERAP, “Rather than promptly investigating allegations of election-related violence and other infractions of the Electoral Act and the Nigerian Constitution, and going after suspected perpetrators, the Nigerian government is scapegoating the media by targeting and punishing broadcast stations.”

SERAP noted that “the use of NBC Act and Code in this case would open the door to arbitrariness and fundamentally restrict freedom of expression that is an integral part of the public order protected by the Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party.”

The suit filed on behalf of SERAP by its lawyers, Mr Kolawole Oluwadare, Ms Adelanke Aremo, and Ms Valentina Adegoke, pointed out that, “The sanction, ‘last warning’ and threat by the NBC would seem not to meet the strict requirements of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international human rights obligations. In particular, it is unclear the scope or object of what these wordings seek to prohibit.”

“Under the constitutional and international requirement of legality, it is not enough that restrictions on freedom of expression, access to information and media freedom are formally stated in press releases and regulations.

“The requirement of legality also serves to define the scope of legal discretion conferred on implementing authorities in order to provide adequate protection against arbitrary implementation,” it added.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

General

Lagos State Executive Governor Commissions Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi 

Published

on

Lagos State Executive Governor Commissions Babajide Sanwo-Olu International Market Ikosi 

By Adedapo Adesanya

***Constructed By Total Value Integrated Services

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently commissioned the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2, delivering on a promise made to the people of the community.

The Governor speaking at the commissioning, which was held amid fanfare and jubilation on Thursday, May 25, stated that commercial activities in markets have had a great impact on the state’s economy.

He added that building a befitting environment for traders remained a noble initiative to drive grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.

The Governor said, “I commend the vision and leadership which facilitated the delivery of these two ultra-modern markets befitting the status of our state and resonate with the vision of a Greater Lagos.

“The impact the markets have had on the economy of Lagos is invaluable, as they serve as focal points of economic activities in the State. These are the real examples of initiatives of grassroots democracy and socio-economic growth.”

On his part, Mr Chris Onyekachi, the Managing Director (MD) of Total Value Integrated Services, a conglomerate involved in real estate development, construction, and civil engineering contracting works and the brain behind the construction of the ultra-modern markets with structures named after notable personalities including the Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, Mr Busura Alebiosu, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, et al. revealed that it wasn’t easy building a market of the magnitude of the third phase of the Ikosi International Model Market and the Ikosi International Fruits Market Phase 2.

He revealed that the journey to where the market is today began almost two and half years ago when his company came to reconstruct the market, which started from phase one to the third phase.

He said, “It wasn’t an easy journey because convincing market traders that we had good plans for them wasn’t an easy one. In their minds, they thought we wanted to chase them away. Some people felt that we wanted to use the place to build an estate, but we were lucky to have the leaders in the environment intervene. To the glory of God, we completed the first phase, we allocated it, then we started the second phase, and we also completed and allocated that. This is the third phase, and to the glory of God, we are here today. I thank God for His grace and mercy.”

Stating that the shops are affordable, Mr Onyekachi said that Total Value Integrated Services has a timeline for payment for those who can’t afford to finish their payment once, noting that once 60 per cent of the first deposit is paid, the remaining balance can be spread as agreed.

“We have our management team that is going to be on the ground to manage all the facilities here. I can assure you that in the next 10 years, whatever you have seen today is going to be in the same condition because we are going to manage them properly. Everything is properly designed, the landscape included. You can see our car parks. We have about 500 car parks here, and it makes it convenient for every person that is coming to buy and trade.

“We have a 300 KVA generator, a fire hydrant in case of fire; definitely we don’t pray for that, but we have made provision. All of the shops will be metered; we also have our security house here. We have six mobile policemen that are going to be here day and night, and we also have members of the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC)/that are also going to be here to provide security.”

Adding her voice to the narrative, the chairman, Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Bada, noted that the markets were built in the quest to improve the standard of trading and to serve as an alternative to the existing markets.

“The markets were built in phases. The first phase was commissioned last year by Mr Governor, which consisted of key-clamp shops (fruit section) where all old occupants and fruit-market shop owners were conveniently relocated, with more than 3,000 units of spacious key clamps.

“Today, I am delighted that the second phase has been completed and is being commissioned by Mr Governor and will be allocated to old users,” she concluded.

The event attracted several notable personalities, including the Chairman of Ikosi-Isheri LCDA, Mrs Samiat Bada; Commissioner for Wealth Creation, Mrs Rabiat Arobieke; Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, and Mr Aramide Adeyoye, among others.

Continue Reading

General

FG Declares May 29 Public Holiday

Published

on

May 29

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Monday, May 29, 2023, has been declared a public holiday by the federal government to commemorate the inauguration of Mr Bola Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.

Several dignitaries from across the world, including the United States and some African countries, are expected to grace the swearing-in of the country’s 16th democratically elected President.

In a statement on Friday, the Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, commended the citizens for their strident efforts at achieving an unbroken civilian rule and successful change of governments since 1999, appealing for support and cooperation with the coming administration.

“Democracy anywhere is an unfinished business, and the only way it can keep developing and serve its end of being the vehicle to good governance and the welfare of all the people is by adhering to its tenets of the rule of law, support for democratic institutions, promotion of free and responsible press and advancement of the frontiers of freedom for all the people,” he said.

The Minister commended Nigerians for their faith in democracy as expressed in the nationwide elections that produced the President and his Deputy being inaugurated and indeed in all elections across the nation, enjoining Nigerians to continue to support and promote democracy through adherence to the rule of law and uphold all democratic institutions.

In the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Shuaib Belgore, the Minister urged Nigerians also to continue to promote ideals of peaceful coexistence and love for our neighbours, noting that we can only practice democracy and enjoy its dividends in a peaceful environment.

Mr Aregbesola charged Nigerians to shun any form of violence and other untoward acts, saying all hands should be on the deck for the brightness of the future of Nigeria.

Continue Reading

General

Schneider Electric Reinforces Support to Partners in Achieving Energy Management Goals

Published

on

Schneider Electric energy management

By Adedapo Adesanya

Schneider Electric, a global leader in digital energy management solutions, recently held an event for its valued partners with a focus on industry trends, challenges, and the future of energy management.

The event provided a platform for attendees to network and share critical insights, including the latest market trends and Schneider Electric’s newest offerings in energy management.

Present at the event were the Country President, Schneider Electric, West Africa, Mr Ajibola Akindele, official distributors, retail partners, panel builders, Marketing and Communications Manager, Schneider Electric, Omobolanle Omotayo, Channel Sales Director, Schneider Electric, Nurudeen Oyedeji, amongst others.

It featured engaging discussions and presentations that explored the current and future trends in the industry, as well as how Schneider Electric can better serve its customers’ evolving needs while showcasing the company’s latest products and services.

Expressing his gratitude to their partners, Mr Akindele said, “Our partners’ satisfaction is crucial to enhancing our individual efforts, and we are thankful for their unwavering support. Their partnership has been instrumental in our success as an organization, and we remain committed to working collaboratively to achieve our shared goals.”

Speaking further on working collaboratively with partners, he mentioned that Schneider Electric had developed a programme targeted at empowering electricians for the safe installation of energy management solutions.

“At the core of Schneider Electric is a passion for people. To guarantee the safety of our customers, an initiative has been created to equip electricians with products and technical skills for safe installation.”

On his part, Channel Sales Director, Nurudeen Oyedeji highlighted a few of Schneider Electric’s latest offerings in energy management, “We have Electrical Vehicle (EV) Chargers, flexible design switches, circuit breakers, switchboards, Building Management Systems (BMS) and other energy solutions designed for residential and small businesses, buildings, data centres, and industries.

“We look forward to a continuous collaboration with our partners to drive innovation and create sustainable energy solutions for the future.”

Schneider Electric is driving digital transformation by integrating world-leading process and energy technologies, endpoint to cloud connecting products, controls, software, and services across the entire lifecycle, enabling integrated company management for homes, buildings, data centres, infrastructure, and industries.

Continue Reading
%d bloggers like this: