Romance scam: 19 in EFCC net, underwears, ATM cards recovered - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan Zonal Office, have arrested 19 suspected internet-based romance scammers at Ologuneru Area of Ibadan and at Akobo, Ibadan, Oyo State, reports ITREALMS.

Some of the recovered items include SIM cards, one exotic car, laptops, telephones, female underwears and four bags of fetish objects (juju).

The suspects, four of whom were arrested early hours of Friday, February 1, 2019 at Akobo, Ibadan included Moshod Richard, Babatunde Afeez, Adeleye Damilola and Akorede Ahmed Olalekan.

Confirming this to ITREALMS, acting Head, Media and Publicity at EFCC, Tony Orilade, said the operation was led by the Ibadan Zonal Head, Friday Ebelo, whereas suspects were between the ages of 21 and 35 years.

Five of the suspects, EFCC said, allegedly claimed to be undergraduates while 10 others claimed to be self-employed in varied vocations.

“The Commission got wind of their activities following series of intelligence report, alleging that they engaged in various fraudulent activities ranging from obtaining money by false pretenses through sending of scam emails to unsuspecting victims mostly in the United States of America, while others were engaged in romance scam on several dating sites.

“At the point of arrest, EFCC operatives recovered four different models and brands of exotic cars, five laptops, 20 telephones (10 iPhones) and one small bag containing items suspected to be fetish objects (juju) from them.

“Several documents, including international passports, and ATM cards were recovered from them” the EFCC spokesman said, stressing that the suspects were Bamidele Ayodele Samson, Bamidele Philip, Tunji Oladapo Sowale, Bololaji Olalekan and Abdulrauf Abiodun.

Others, EFCC said were Olaleye Pelumi, Anuokuwapo Olanrewaju, Paul Damilola, Olateye David Tobi, Arewa Adekunle Ibrahim, Oyesanmi Ayomikun Oluwaseun, Olaleye Israel, Adediran Kemisola, Omobolade Alarape and Olowolusi Oluwatomisin.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

Innovectives Roadmap for Financial Inclusion for 2019 - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

As a third generation and last mile FinTech Company, 2018 was an interesting and affirmative year for us at Innovectives. We reflected on our journey in this recent past year and feel we should share our experience and learning with you.

2018 was the year we travelled far and wide to many of the rural and semi-rural communities in our country where more than half of our population still reside, in order to better understand the distinct peculiarities affecting consumption of organized financial services.

On these trips we came face to face with the gaping needs and how they have crippled the micro economy. We identified the lack of fit-for-purpose and sustainable initiatives to stimulate the demand side of digital financial services. The disproportionately higher number of financially excluded, economically active adults and non-existent access to credit to the productive segment of our society, were indicators that we had to raise our game.

These gaps are not new but the scale and impact on the micro economy calls for intentional and systematic interventions.

Back home, within the organization, 2018 was the year we were able to affirm the agility of our integrated and aggregative strategy for agency banking business through our participation in the Shared Agent Network Expansion Facility (SANEF), a project powered by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Bankers Committee and NIBSS.

We opted to build an integrated shared agent banking platform that is Financial Institution agnostic because we believe a financial super highway would serve the interest of the customers and service the people better.

In 2018, we wereable to increase the number of FIs and NFIs connected toKesh Express, our agency banking platform, from four to seventeen. Today, Kesh Express is connected toZenith, GTBank, Access Bank, Stanbic IBTC, UBA, Ecobank and Cowries Microfinance Bank. Wema, Sterling and Jaiz Banks will be live in two weeks. We also connected to NIPOST IFS, Angaza, Masterpass, mVisa, Quickteller, NIBSS and Remita platforms.

Our target for 2019 is to achieve 100% connection to all retail-focused deposit money banks, major micro-finance banks and international remittance platforms.

Yes! Remittance platforms…. We want our agents to be able to pay out Western Union and MoneyGram money transfers from their shops in 2019.

We have been able to recruit over 25,000 agents across the 36 states, out of which over 10,000 agents are connected and actively carrying out financial transactions for customers on our platform. Our plan for 2019 is to speed up agents onboarding process and therefore increase the number of activated agents from 10,000 to 50,000.

Amongst several other services, our agents have been able to open over 750,000 bank accounts for various banks connected to our aggregated, integrated and shared Kesh Express agent platform.

Our minimum target in 2019 is for our agents to open over 5 million accounts for our bank partners and recruit over 50,000 new merchants.

To address the challenges of inadequate floats, we commenced a micro-credit scheme for our agents in Q4 of 2018. We have supported our agents with over N30,000,000 and recorded zero default. Our plan in 2019 is to support our agents with N1.5 billion flexible interest loans.

Last year, we recorded over 1.2 million transactions and were able to drive transactions worth over N800,000,000 on our agency banking platform. Our target for 2019 is to record 10 million transactions worth N10 billion.

At the end of 2019 we believe we will have many more insights to share as we drive the mission to the next level. I encourage you to stay with us on what promises to be an exciting journey. Please keep an eye on our blog for new quarterly updates.




Very best wishes in 2019.

*Emmanuel Agha is the Chief Executive




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Cars45, Kia trade over 300 vehicles in 1yr - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Leveraging the partnership with KIA Motors, the leading online marketplace to buy, sell or swap a car in Nigeria, Cars45, has concluded over 300 transactions on KIA vehicles since the partnership in January 2018, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this in Lagos where both companies proclaimed expansion of the partnership to accommodate more car brands which enables consumers to have more choices when they want to buy, sell or swap their cars through Cars45 at any KIA location across the country, the Chief Financial Officer, Cars45, Jide Adamolekun noted that the partnership has improved car ownership in Nigeria. 

"We launched this partnership January last year and at the end of the year, we reassessed how far we have gone and examined the opportunities that we have created in the Nigerian market. Cars 45 carried out over 300 transactions via this relationship last year and we have seen the future where by making more brands available to consumers we will help unlock more value in the nation's automotive space”, Adamolekun said. 

He added that “we are proud that we have enabled consumers on their journey irrespective of whatever side of the economic spectrum they fall. We hope to move with KIA beyond our current operations in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja to new cities and territories across the country making cars affordable to the Nigerian populace.”

On the value of the partnership, Olawale Jimoh, Marketing Manager, KIA averred that it has been a very wonderful and rewarding experience which has seen both parties record so many gains. We have seen the sale of used KIA cars rise as Cars45's structured arrangement of buying and selling used cars has brought transparency and credibility, taking away the associated stress with selling locally used vehicles,” Jimoh stated.

Furthermore, he said, “it is against the backdrop of the successes recorded that we are now expanding this relationship to a more robust arrangement such that regardless of the car brand that you are driving, you can experience the rich range of value offerings provided by Cars45.”

Vice President, Trading, Cars45, Mohammed Iyamu expressed his happiness that the progress made on this journey has been impressive by all standards. "We did about three hundred cars last year, we are looking to triple that volume, go to other cities and grow in leaps and bounds this year. A missing link in Nigeria's automotive industry is financing. If you look at a market like say South Africa, 70 percent of the cars on the road are financed one way or another. Cars45's trade-in/ swap scheme has served as a means of financing for many and so we would be looking at adding more value to this partnership end to end.

On next steps, Iyamu said that, "we are looking to provide new services to our customers that include repairs and workshop services, we are also looking to partner with other service providers in the automobile industry especially those who deal in accessories and also partner with financial institutions to provide financing for certified Cars45 car purchases."

The event also provided an opportunity for Cars45 to showcase the achievements of its sister brand, Carsbazr which provides a stress-free experience for Nigerians to buy verified locally used cars that they can trust at the best prices.

According to John Egwu, Head of Operations, Carsbazr, “affordability is at the heart of what we do. Whatever car you are looking to buy at your individual price point, we’ve got you covered. All our cars have a standard report and there are no hidden details about any cars. Our weekly live auctions, which have become a game changer within the automobile community in Nigeria, also provide a great opportunity where people are able to go home with vehicles that they can afford in a convivial and fun environment.”

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Pix: L-R Vice President, Trading, Cars45, Mohammed Iyamu; Vice President, Business Development, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olu Tikolo; Chief Financial Officer, Car45, Olajide Adamolekun; Marketing Manager, Kia Motors Nigeria, Olawale Jimoh; and Head of Operations, Carsbazr, John Egwu at the Car45 and Kia Motors parley which held in Lagos.

ICANN releases 3rd Report on Global Legislative and Regulatory Developments - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has released its third report on global legislative and regulatory developments, (GLRD) reports ITREALMS.

This report, ITREALMS gathered, highlighted a limited list of recent and pending legislative and regulatory initiatives on privacy/data protection and cybersecurity across the world.

Also, the report, ICANN said, is a continuation of the initiative launched last year to identify legislative efforts across the globe early-on, to raise awareness within ICANN, and consider potential impacts.

Moving forward, the global legislative and regulatory developments reports will be published three times a year, parallel to the publishing of the ICANN Organization Report to the Board.

ICANN further appreciated everyone who has provided feedback on the previous two reports.

“We look forward to hearing from you about any high-impact developments in the e-privacy and cybersecurity ecosystem that should be tracked in future reports. You can send your comments and/or information about new developments in your region to trackingfeedback@icann.org,” official statement from ICANN and made available to ITREALMS read.

ITREALMS recalls that ICANN's mission is to help ensure a stable, secure, and unified global Internet. To reach another person on the Internet, you have to type an address into your computer - a name or a number. That address has to be unique, so computers know where to find each other. ICANN helps coordinate and support these unique identifiers across the world. ICANN was formed in 1998 as a not-for-profit public-benefit corporation and a community with participants from all over the world.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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GW4AO preaches violent-free campaigns @2019 elections - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Obviously worried by the increasing spate of politically-motivated violence in parts of the country in the build up to the forthcoming general elections, the Grassroots Women for Atiku/Obi (GW4AO), has called on political actors to eschew violence and embrace peace in their campaigns, reports ITREALMS.

The group in a presentation made along with the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki, at the recent UN Women, the United Nations entity dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women, said it rose from a PDP National Women's Conference held in Abuja “with a new hope for women's political and democratic engagement.”

GW4AO also said, “We feel compelled to raise awareness of the urgent need to stem the apparently rising rate of politically-motivated violence. In the last couple of weeks alone, we have seen reports of campaign violence occurring in Lagos State, Imo State, Kogi State, and Kwara State, with many cases of grievous injuries and deaths.”

UN Women was established by the United Nations as the global champion for women and girls to accelerate progress on meeting their needs worldwide. Its cardinal areas of focus include women’s economic empowerment, ending violence against women, the pursuit of peace and security as well as promoting and supporting youth leadership, among others.

On the backdrop of those goals, the Grassroots Women for Atiku/Obi in a statement by its Director-General, Ms Amina Jambo and made available to ITREALMS, expressed concern over what it described as “the growing level of violence during and at campaigns venue,” and warned that unless politicians preach peace and encourage their followers to focus on issue-based campaigns, such growing spate of violence was capable of impacting the outcome of the elections negatively.”

“This gives us great concern for the safety and security, and indeed the human right to democratic suffrage of civilian citizens,” it stated, adding that such acts “of wilful impunity” are capable of affecting voter-turnout “particularly for women and youth.”

The GW4AO stated further: “As Nigeria prepares to choose its next leaders, gender-based violence and election violence should be firmly condemned by all, citizens and observers alike.

“We have thus encouraged members of the Grassroots Women Campaign, which we support and advise, to immediately adopt an ‘End Election Violence Advocacy,’ as a prerequisite to free and fair elections, and to guarantee citizens’ rights to live and choose their leaders, in dignity, safety and security without fear of intimidation, suppression or retribution from desperate power-seekers.”

The Grassroots Women for Atiku/Obi’s mission is “to empower individual citizens to take a more active role” in the governance and the political processes.

“These individuals are commonly referred to as ‘the grassroots’ made up of largely women and young people living in the rural and semi-urban areas, and they represent 65-70 per cent of the electorate,” GW4AO explained, adding “We know that there is a critical need to activate this group of voters in order to obtain success.”

But while mobilisation of voters at the grassroots is its primary focus, GW4AO said it is disturbed that as the days roll by for the general elections “there has been an unusual increase in the violence happening on campaign venues, around politicians and political actors in a growing number of areas across the country.

“This disturbing trend calls for concern because we are still at the campaign level, it is not yet the election day proper, and we are witnessing this. What then are we to expect on election days and on election grounds proper?” the group wondered.

“We are even more worried when considered that when violence is perpetrated, it is the women and children – the core of our membership target - that suffer the most. Consider the direct impact of violence on women and children, be it psychological or physical, the results are unpalatable.

“We therefore call on politicians, their supporters and political actors across the country to exercise caution, preach peace and engage in issue-based campaign so that Nigeria can have free, fair, credible and violent-free elections,” GW4AO implored.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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2019 election: INEC seeks collaboration with FRSC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Towards the success of the forthcoming 2019 general elections, the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Mahmoud Yakubu today addressed the Commanding Officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) with plea for collaboration. 

Speaking as a guest speaker at the FRSC Commanding Officers' Strategy Session held at the FRSC National Headquarters Abuja, Professor Yakubu explained the safety and security challenges of the elections, saying security agencies must collaborate with INEC in order to secure lives and property of the voters and voting materials to ensure the credibility of the process.

According to a statement issued by the FRSC spokesman, Bisi Kazeem, INEC Chairman commended the FRSC for its consistent support to the Commission, which led to the successes recorded in the past elections.

He assured that the commission has put all necessary measures in place to deliver a free, fair and credible election in the coming general elections, noting that all hands must remain on the deck to sustain people's trust and confidence in the Commission.

He enumerated the measures so far taken by the Commission to ensure the credibility of the electoral process.

These includes authentication of the numbers of the registered voters and political parties, the collation of the total numbers of constituencies nationwide, collation of the positions being contested for at the federal and state levels and the challenges which court cases poses to the Corps, but which are being tackled head-on as well as prompt release of the election timetable since January last year.

The Chairman further assured the nation that INEC is very much ready for the forthcoming elections expected to commence on 16 February, 2019 with the Presidential and National Assembly positions, culminating in gubernatorial and State Houses of Assembly elections in March which would be followed by Area Councils elections in the case of FCT.

He particularly tasked the FRSC to assist the Commission in specific areas of security including the screening of the selected drivers that would drive the vehicles to convey the election materials as well as inspection of the vehicles; deployment of the FRSC patrol teams on the election day to guide against violation of restriction order on movement people and vehicles and providing easy access to vehicles conveying INEC materials, liaising with the Police and other law enforcement pp for orderly and secured electoral process.

Others were appeal to the Corps for the utilisation of its call centre for prompt report of distress messages on election day as well as ensuring free movement of traffic for voters and passage of electoral materials.

In his own remarks, the Corps Marshal of the FRSC, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi commended the INEC Chairman for taking time out of his tight schedules to address the Commanding Officers and sharing with them the Commission's expectations of their roles in the forthcoming general elections. He assured the Commission that like before, the FRSC will live up to expectations by playing its own roles in the elections most diligently.

He further stressed that towards ensuring active participation of the FRSC personnel in the nation's electoral system, the participating staff have been properly enlightened and trained at the various levels, while collaboration with the Nigeria Police and office of the National Security adviser for necessary synergy is ongoing. Oyeyemi added that FRSC as a non partisan organisation will continue to work closely with relevant security agencies on how to discharge its responsibilities through provision of safe and secured environment for voting.

He assured that FRSC will continue to work with INEC at all levels to provide necessary enlightenment on the expectations of their roles.

Furthermore, the Corps Marshal commended the Commanding Officers on the successes recorded by the FRSC in the last end of year special patrol which recorded minimal cases of casualties, and called on them to sustain the tempo of activities in the new year.

He outlined a number of areas where the Corps would emphasise in its operational strategies for the new year to include campaigns again overloading, speeding and violation against use of speed limiting devices and thanked the President, Comnader-In-Chief of the Armed Forces for his consistent support for the Corps.

The ommanding Officers Strategy Session is a platform which the Corps Marshal, members of his Management team and Commanding Officers use to set the FRSC strategic goals for the new year and take time within the year to review in order to time to determine its successes and failures with a view to modifying them towards achieving the Corps' set goals.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Arewa community promises to give Sanwo-Olu 3 million votes - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Arewa community in Lagos State has endorsed the state’s All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to be elected as the next governor, reports ITREALMS.

Members of the Hausa community who trooped out in solidarity in thousands made the pledge to deliver over 1 million votes out of the over 6million registered voters in Lagos at an endorsement rally on Wednesday at the National Stadium in Surulere.

Sanwo-Olu assured members of the Arewa community that his administration would not marginalise any ethnic group in the state, reiterating that his resolve to lead an all-inclusive government if elected.

The APC candidate, accompanied by his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said all the concerns raised by the Arewa community would be addressed, promising that his government would upgrade markets in the state to an enviable standard.

He said: “The Arewa community has been part of our journey since we started campaign. We will continue to value your support. I want to assure you that all of us in Lagos are together. We will not discriminate against any ethnic group.

“We embarked on wide consultations across the state to meet with stakeholders. During our consultative meeting with the Arewa leadership, we have listened to your concerns and we are ready to address them. The concern about markets will be addressed. We will upgrade all the markets to meet the standards you want,” Sanwo-Olu promised.

Sanwo-Olu urged members of the Arewa community to extend the same support to candidates of the party vying for various positions in the state and federal government.

While also addressing the crowd, Dr. Hamzat urged members of the group to reject the candidates of the main opposition party- Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - which, he said, destroyed the country for 16 years.

The chairman of Arewa Community in Lagos, Alhaji Mohammad Dandamma Yabo, who spoke in Hausa, said members endorsed the candidacy of Sanwo-Olu because of the resolves to address the marginalization of the Arewa people in Lagos.

He also said the Arewa community would mobilise members to vote for President Muhammadu Buhari and other APC candidates.

Chairman of Amalgamated Foodstuff Seller in Lagos, Alhaji Shehu Usman, said: ”The votes of Arewa people will be significant in the coming election. We want the incoming governor to keep to his promise of upgrading the Mile 12 Market and other markets to meet the international standards.”

Alhaji Jubril Magaji, the Wakilu Nupe in the state, was also at the event.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Pix: L-R: Former Minister of Interior and Leader, All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Senator Demola Seriki; APC Gubernatorial Candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his Running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and Chairman, Arewa Community in Lagos State, Alhaji Mohammad Dandama Yabo and Seriki Hausa in Lagos, Alhaji Abdullahi Gafar, during a campaign rally and formal endorsement of Mr Sanwo-Olu, by the Arewa Community in Lagos, at National Stadium, Surulere.

Declare your assets now, CSO tells Tanko Mohammed - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), has requested the acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed to declare his assets with immediate effect, reports ITREALMS.

AFRICMIL, a non-governmental organization focused on good governance and the promotion of accountability has applied to the Code of conduct Bureau (CCB) for the asset declaration of the new Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC.

In a letter to the Chairman of the CCB and signed by its coordinator, Chido Onumah, AFRICMIL stated that in making the request, it relied on Paragraph 11, Part 1 of the Fifth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution as amended, which states that “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, every public officer shall within three months of the coming into force of this Code of Conduct and immediately after taking office and thereafter – (a) at the end of the every four years; and (b) at the end of his term of office, submit to the Code of Conduct Bureau a written declaration of all his properties, assets, and liabilities and those of his unmarried children under the age of eighteen years.”

“Pursuant to the aforementioned provision of the 1999 constitution, as amended, and Section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011 which states that, “Notwithstanding anything contained in any other Act, law or regulation, the right of any person to access and request information, whether or not contained in any written form, which is in the custody or possession of any public official, agency or institution howsoever described, is hereby established,” we humbly request to be allowed to inspect and obtain copies of the following documents, the letter noted:

The asset declaration of Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC on his elevation as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria; The asset declaration of the Honourable Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammed JSC on his appointment as Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In its concerted effort at advocating for increased transparent and accountable governance in Nigeria’s public service, AFRICMIL, on July 28, 2011, sent a Freedom of Information request to the CCB asking “to be allowed to inspect and obtain copies of the 2007 asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan; the asset declaration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan after the end of his tenure on May 28, 2011; and his asset declaration when he assumed office on May 29, 2011.”

On January 17, 2017, AFRICMIL in partnership with the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) submitted Freedom of Information requests to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) for the declaration of assets of certain elected and appointed political office holders, including the current president and vice president, their immediate predecessors, past and current principal officers of the National Assembly, past and current governors of the 36 states of the country as well as past and current ministers since May 2011.

Although both organizations made these requests under the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the CCB failed to respond to any of these requests within the time stipulated in the Act, thereby leading to the filing of cases before the Federal High Court requesting judicial action aimed at getting the Code of Conduct to do the needful, in relation to the aforementioned FoI requests of both institutions.

It is the sole responsibility of the Code of Conduct Bureau to ensure that all public officers declare their assets at the beginning and the end of their tenure in office. It is also their responsibility to ensure that the assets declared are verified to ensure compliance with the provisions of the law and also to establish possible cases of misconduct or corrupt enrichment, with a view to ensuring such culprits face the full wrath of the law.

The CCB has the constitutional responsibility to retain custody of such asset declaration forms and make them available and accessible for inspection by any citizen of Nigeria on such terms and conditions as the National Assembly may prescribe.

By enacting The Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the 7th National Assembly gave effect to the constitutionally guaranteed right of the public to access public documents held by public institutions and relevant private entities in Nigeria and this includes asset declaration forms of public officials, which are public documents within the meaning of the FoI Act, 2011.

On April 3, 2017, Justice Abdu Kafarati, sitting in Court 2, Federal High Court, Abuja granted the two civil society organizations leave to bring substantive suits against the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB). The grant of leave followed the hearing of the Motion Ex-parte filed by AFRICMIL and PPDC on the failure of the CCB to provide information on the asset declaration of elected and appointed office holders in the Jonathan and Buhari administrations under the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

Justice Kafarati eventually gave judgement declining the reliefs sought by the applicants in the respective cases.AFRICMIL and PPDC appealed the judgement and the cases have been slated for hearing at the Court of Appeal on February 20 and 21, 2019.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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FRSC restricts Trailers, Tankers from entering Lagos - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has mounted a four-day restriction of movement of trailers, tankers and other articulated vehicles into the centre of excellence, Lagos, beginning from tomorrow, Friday, February 1, 2019, reports ITREALMS.

The Lagos state Sector Commander, FRSC, Hyginus Omeje confirmed this to ITREALMS saying there will be restrictions of movement for trailers, tankers and other articulated vehicles into Lagos State on "1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th February, 2019."

He also said in a press statement made available to ITREALMS that the decision was reached at the end of the meeting of heads of security and traffic management agencies in the state held on 29 January, 2019 at Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

Omeje adduced reasons for such decision and urged for compliance, saying that Lagos State is playing host to 2019 Access Bank International Marathon scheduled to hold on 1st and 2nd, February, 2019. As a result, the road will be busier than usual.

"This decision is in the general interest of the motoring public and also targeted at ensuring free flow of traffic and forestall security breaches on the highways and other roads on the stated days".

Accordingly, a joint team of traffic and security agencies have been set up to ensure strict compliance with this directive and the affected motorists found wanting will be severely reprimanded.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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LGA Rally: 10,000 match for Ihedioha @Oguta - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

No Fewer than ten thousand (10,000) anxious voters are expected to receive the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party-PDP, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha as he visits Oguta Local Government Area on Friday, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming the development, Oguta-born Deputy Governorship candidate of the PDP in Imo State, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona described the visit as a “triumphant entry” to the Local Government.

Irona, who is also a former member of the House of Representatives representing Ohaji/Egbema/Oguta/Oru West Federal Constituency, expressed confidence that the PDP will coast to victory in the forthcoming elections.

“Yes! I can confirm to you that the campaign train of Rt. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nkem Ihedioha will hit Oguta Local Government Area on Friday, 1^st February, 2019. The visit can best be likened to a triumphant entry, as Oguta LGA is PDP. You can be sure that no fewer than ten thousand (10,000) persons will be on ground to receive the PDP delegation. Our incoming Governor, Rt. Hon. Ihedioha is coming to interact with people of the LGA. He wants to discuss with our people on how best to make life more meaningful for the people. Oguta is PDP. We love Hon. Ihedioha. He is a listening leader. He is visionary. He is courageous and has capacity to implement the blueprint to take Imo to the promised land.”

Highlights of the visit shall include: boundary reception, meeting with Traditional Rulers, Town Hall meeting at Oguta Civic Center, Campaign Rally at Trinity High School, Oguta, special traditional dances, among others.   

It would be recalled that the choice of Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona as the PDP Deputy Governorship candidate in Imo was greeted with excitement from many parts of the state, particularly, Orlu Senatorial zone of the state.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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More OPS to be involved for better Lagos says Sanwo-Olu - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his resolve to allow private sector participation in the provision of infrastructure and other programmes that will make life better for Lagosians when he wins the coming governorship election in March, reports ITREALMS.

Sanwo-Olu stated this Sunday night during the interactive session of the Grand House Reception, GHR, held in his honour at the upscale Niteshift Coliseum in Lagos.

Addressing the distinguished audience comprised captains of industry, policy makers, key entertainment stakeholders and Lagosians from all walks of life, the Lagos APC standard bearer said his administration will involve more of the private sector in achieving their vision of taking Lagos to a greater height.

Sanwo-Olu, who highlighted his significant exposure to diverse assignments and responsibilities in the governance process, leading to his various appointments as three-time commissioner and immediate managing director of LSPDC among others, gave insight into is planned articulated solutions to traffic gridlocks around Lagos, and on housing, tourism, health and infrastructure.

He explained how his T.H.E.M.E Agenda will bring new jobs and wealth creation opportunities that would benefit entire Lagosians with no one left behind.

According to the three time commissioner in Lagos State, the T.H.E.ME. agenda stands for Traffic management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and technology, Making Lagos a 21st century economy as well as Entertainment and tourism.

Speaking earlier, the Chief host and Guv’nor of Niteshift Coliseum, Mr. Ken Calebs-Olumese, appreciated the APC candidate and his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamsat, for their sincere desire to serve the people of Lagos.

He wished them all the very best in the forthcoming election, while hoping to host him again as an elected Governor of Lagos State.

At the well attended event, Mr Sanwo-Olu was treated to the Niteshift Coliseum renowned hospitality started with a one-hour lavish reception on an almost 500-square meter red carpet spreading around the courtyard of the event venue, while the Lagos APC candidate mingled with high profile guests present.

In a message after the event, elated Sanwo-Olu tweeted: “Tonight,@drobafemihamzat & I were honoured by Mr. Ken Calebs-Olumese & The Niteshift Coliseum team at a Grand House Reception. The event was a good opportunity to share my experience & plans #ForAGreaterLagos with distinguished patrons and invited guests.”

Ayo Midele/DoP

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Fayemi tasks newly reconstituted councils to reposition institutions - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has tasked the newly reconstituted governing councils in the state to reposition the institutions, reports ITREALMS.

Inaugurating the governing councils on Tuesday, for the state’s tertiary institutions and the Broadcasting Corporation, with a charge to the council members to reposition the institutions to their pride of place.

The institutions are the Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti; College of Education Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), College of Health Sciences and Technology and the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES).

Governor Fayemi said the inauguration is to complete the circle and ensure successful implementation of the recommendations of the panels set up last year on the affected institutions.

The Governor stated that the new governing councils are expected to give direction to the institutions in line with the vision of his administration; adding that their appointment is not a “call to come and chop”.

“The restoration agenda of this administration is a task that must be achieved. You are expected to key in to the programmes and make your own positive impact at value restoration for our people. Our people deserve the best. You were chosen to enhance the performance of your various sectors and make working, learning and information dissemination more responsive, interesting and encouraging for all and sundry”, he said.

While explaining the rationale behind the reconstitution of the governing councils, the governor said there was an urgent need for “each of the reports to be implemented verbatim to quickly address the rot and the decadence pervading the various institutions”.

Fayemi noted that similar panels had been set up in the past for the affected institutions but their reports were “nowhere to be found” let alone being implemented; adding that the essence of the various panels “would have been defeated if the recommendations were tucked somewhere to gather dust”.

In his remarks, the chairman of the governing council of Ekiti State University, Ado Ekiti, Prof. Tale Omole promised on behalf of the other governing councils that the affairs of the institutions will be run with probity, integrity and accountability.

Omole, a former Vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University stated that Fayemi had got workers who would complement his efforts in the “unfinished business” which he had returned to do in Ekiti to reposition the State.

Nenye Dom/DoP

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ALTON, NCC advised MTN to pay disputed taxes, seek legal redress - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) have advised the MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, to pay the revised N50,000,000 (Fifty million naira) Social Services Contribution Levy (SSCL) to the Kogi State revenue agency and seek legal redress in court afterwards, reports ITREALMS.

This, ITREALMS is in a bid to resolve the current impasse between MTN and the Kogi State Government over disputed taxes, which led to the shutdown of MTN base stations across the state.

Disclosing this, ALTON chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo told ITREALMS in Lagos, urging both parties to prioritize national interest and always explore dialogue or seek legal resolution of contentious matters.

He stressed that NCC had similarly advised MTN to pay the revised sum and seek legal redress.

In a press statement also made available to ITREALMS, ALTON recalled that Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KGIRS) had sealed MTN sites in the state capital and other locations on Tuesday last week over claims that MTN has refused to pay the N120,000,000 Social Services Contribution Levy (SSCL) due to the state in 2017 and 2018. The state government further reviewed the total figure down to N50million during the course of discussions with MTN.

On the other hand, MTN repeatedly claimed that the levy was illegal because it was arbitrarily fixed by the State Government even though the powers to determine such rates reside with the Hon. Minister of Finance, as contained in the Taxes and Levies Act.

ALTON Chairman further called on both parties to remain law abiding and thread with caution in the interest to security and socio-political stability of the country.

“We would like to remind all stakeholders that telecommunications facilities play very important roles in security and economy, hence their classification as, Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).

“As the general elections approach the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will rely on telecommunications facilities of all GSM Operators to transmit election results across the country for collation. The nation cannot afford to have running disputes between telecommunications operators and state governments.

“ALTON is glad that MTN and other operators are up to date on all other undisputed taxes and levies due to State Governments. We therefore advise our members to continue to remain law abiding as they have been.

“We commend the Kogi State Government for agreeing to hold further dialogue in a bid to resolve this issue. We humbly advise State Governments across the country to work closely with telecommunications operators and build strong partnerships for the mutual benefit of all stakeholders,” he submitted.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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MAPinAfrica calls on African leaders to stop pedophiles - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Media Against Pedophiles in Africa (MAPinAfrica) has made its debut campaign on social with a call on African leader to stop the increasing worrisome pedophile enclave on the continent, reports ITREALMS.

Pedophilia also spelt paedophilia is a psychiatric disorder in which an adult or older adolescent experiences a primary or exclusive sexual attraction to prepubescent children. Prepubescent relates to or in the period preceding puberty for either boy or girl.

@MAPinAfrica, an African media response to rise in pedophilia threats on the continent, said in a press statement made available to newsmen that its worried over the rise of pedophiles and demanded tangile steps from African leaders under the auspices of African Union (AU).

The press statement endorsed by the duo of the @MAPinAfrica’s Admin Faculty, Ms Onneile Setlalekgosi and Mr. Remmy Nweke, described the frequency of pedophilia in Africa a big threat that demands urgent and consistent attention both from the media and African leaders.

They noted that nowadays, paedophiles target children in poor countries for online abuse, outside the socio-cultural encumbrances.

According to them, a situation where some African kings and rich individuals across gender use their privilege positions to marry an underage girl child is not acceptable.

Pointing out that there have been cases of female pedophiles tormenting children and girl-child in particular, stressing that this act has to stop.

Where the culture abrogates that to certain king, as in some parts of Africa, MAPinAfrica wants that abolished immediately as pedophilia is anti-development and anti-people especially children which it endangers.

The main aim of MAPinAfrica campaign, the group said, is to advocate for policies and programmes to help meet basic needs of children and families who are victims of pedophilia.

In addition, MAPinAfrica tends to collaborate with other organisations of similar objectives to provide trainings and public education to young girls and ensuring that Africans know that stopping child sexual abuse is everyone’s responsibility.

“With all the efforts children will be able to resist abusive behaviour directed at them by any offenders, both online or offline,” the faculty said.

Equally, MAPinAfrica said they realises that reducing sexual abuse of children also begins with training caregivers, parents and other professionals to guide their mind-set in responding to sexually reactive behaviour.

Further, the duo said that MAPinAfrica will work towards ensuring that counselling services are available to needy families affected by child sexual abuse and pedophilia. While enjoining media practitioners in Africa to join hands with them start with following MAPinAfrica on twitter among other social media handles.

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NJC to Onnoghen, Tanko Muhammad: You have 7 days to respond - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has told the duo of Hon. Justices Walter Nkanu Onnoghen, and Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, they have seven (7) days to make their responses on the petitions against them before the council, reports ITREALMS.

Rising from emergency session Wednesday, NJC through the Director, Information, Soji Oye, Esq in a press statement made availble to ITREALMS, said that both have 7 days to respond instead of the usual 14 days in the bid to resolve the judicial quagmire occasioned by the suspension of Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday.

The suspension has been largely critised by both members of the bar and bench as well as the international community.

According to Oye, the Council refered the petition against Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) Chairman, Danladi Yakubu Umar to the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC).

NJC, he said, would reconvene on 11th February, 2019 on the two petitions and should have received responses from Onnoghen and Tanko Muhammad.

At the emergency meeting Oye said, they considered four (4) petitions filed at its Secretariat, including the petition against Hon. Mr. Justice W.S.N. Onnoghen, GCON by Zikhrillahi Ibrahim of Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civil Education; Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative;

Petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, CFR by Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, OON; and Petition against Hon. Danladi Yakubu Umar, Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal by Centre for Justice and Peace Initiative.

"In view of the gravity of the matters involved, Council abridged the usual response period from fourteen (14) to seven (7) working days for the Hon. Justices to respond," Oye said, while the duo involved recused themselves from the meeting.

Consequently, Council elected Hon. Mr. Justice Umaru Abdullahi, former President of the Court of Appeal as Interim Chairman to preside over the meeting.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pix: Justices Tanko and Onnoghen

Anglican Centenary: TY Danjuma unveils logo, advocates housing, transport system - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The former Chief of Army Staff, General Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma (Rtd.) has unveiled the logo of the Anglican centenary, advocated for good housing and transportation system as most important needs of urban residents, reports ITREALMS,

Speaking at the unveiling and inauguration of Divine Mandate Partners of the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) Centenary anniversary celebration held in Lagos, at the weekend, Danjuma applauded the church for taking care of the spiritual well-being, and the physical needs of the people.

Danjuma, who is the Grand Patron of the Centenary Anniversary celebration also said he was deeply humbled and grateful for the honour done to him by the appointment

He appreciated the Centenary City that would be built by the Diocese of Lagos (Anglican Communion) at Ibeju Lekki Area of Lagos for accommodating low income housing that would solve the housing problem of the poor and needy in the society.

“Among other facilities, I observe that the proposed Centenary City will have low income housing estate. In fact, that is very good because housing and transportation are the most important needs for urbanization. People wake up as early as 5am to go to work in Lagos due to transportation challenges” he said.

Commending the leaders of the Diocese, especially, the Diocesan and Bishop, Rt. Rev Humphrey Olumakaiye for efforts in ensuring that peace and progress are achieved among members, Danjuma said “Bishop Olumakaiye is on the right track. May God bless your ministry and give you the grace to achieve all the aims and objectives of the centenary celebrations.”

Pledging his support for the project, Danjuma advised the Diocese to ensure that funds for the project are raised and used judiciously.

Also speaking on the occasion, Bishop Emeritus, Most Rev. (Dr.) Ephraim A. Ademowo commended the Grand Patron, Rtd. Gen. Danjuma for his spirit of magnanimity.

He said the progress made so far by the Lagos Diocese (Anglican Communion) was a tip of the iceberg.

“I pray for progress galore for all. Calamity will never be our portion. The boats of our lives in this new year will not capsize”, he prayed.

The Bishop, Lagos Diocese, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Olumakaiye expressed gratitude to God for the grace he gave to the diocese to attain a hundred years.

He said the centenary celebration has wide and interesting activities for the physical and spiritual needs of the church and Lagos residents at large.

“Our mandate for the Diocese is Priestly, Pastoral, Prophetic, Prayer and Praise Ministries. And we shall exist to glorify God, edify believers and multiply disciples for our Lord Jesus Christ”, he stated.

Olumakaiye further hinted that the centenary city would have empowerment and youth development centre, rehabilitation centre, games village and sporting centre, convention ground, garden of Gethsemane, retreat centre, St. Luke’s Global Hospital, Women empowerment centre, resorts, amusement park and low income housing estate.

“By the grace of God, our Diocese will continue to impact the society and influence our nation for good as we pray that the forthcoming election in Nigeria will be free and credible leaders will be elected”, he said.

In her address, Chairman of the Centenary Anniversary Committee, Hon Justice Adedayo Oyebanji explained that the above projects will be executed in phases and will commence by end of 2019. “The first phase will cost N5billion,” she said.

She also highlighted activities lined up for the Centenary anniversary to include children’s camp, memorial 21 days fasting and prayers, mega prayer convocation, choir festival/ competition, Bishop’s cup / football competition, Health walk, , gallery, Lagos City wide unity crusade, cultural day anniversary lecture, festival of faith, thanksgiving, gala nite/ celebration of Heroes and legends of the diocese, thanksgiving, synod, among other things.

Hinting that the programmes would run from January- December 2019, Oyebanji called on all to key into the laudable objective.

"The grand finale of the centenary anniversary will be on 10th December, 2019. So, all are encouraged to attend all the events," she said.

Kayode Ajiboye/Editor

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Pix: L-R: Grand Patron, Centenary Anniversary, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd.); his wife, Senator Daisy Danjuma; Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev’d. (Dr.) Humphrey Olumakaiye; his wife, Prof. Motunrayo Olumakaiye; and Immediate past Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev’d Prof. Adebola Ademowo: his wife, Mrs. Oluranti Ademowo, during the unveiling of centenary logo of the Anglican Communion in Lagos at the Weekend.

Sanwo-Olu assures workers of labour friendly govt - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured labour in the state that they will be on priority list of his government if elected, reports ITREALMS.

Sanwo-Olu said no worker in the state would be denied his lawful benefits, promising that the proposed minimum wage of N30,000 would be fully implemented by his administration.

The APC candidate spoke at an interactive session held by the organised labour union, including Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and United Labour Congress (ULC), National Union of Teachers (NUT), and Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), among others.

Sanwo-Olu, who was accompanied to the meeting by his running mate, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said his government would not be harsh on workers. He said his ambition to govern the state was anchored on the objective to deliver a Lagos that would be greater than the current level of development.

While answering questions posed to him by the workers, Sanwo-Olu spoke on how his government would solve the notorious Apapa gridlock, which the workers said had contributed to low productivity and ill-health. The APC candidate explained that work had been ongoing on the construction of a parking lot by the Federal Government for the heavy trucks that ply the route, pointing out that his government would re-visit the plan to create state-controlled parking lot for the trucks.

He said: “My running mate and I have met with the Minister for Power, Works and Housing, who assured that the ministry is meeting with Dangote Group that took up the construction of the Apapa Highway. As a way of proffering lasting solution to the gridlock; when we form the next government, by the grace of God , we will bring back the idea of industrial park for these trucks. Rather than obstructing the road while waiting for their turn, the truck drivers can go there and park their vehicles.”

Sanwo-Olu said his government would consider introducing a housing scheme in partnership with the organised labour, noting that the scheme would be beneficial to both the government and the workers. He stressed that all workers, irrespective of level, deserved better welfare and living condition.

Responding to the workers’ concern raised on the difficulty in getting Certificate of Occupancy from the government, Sanwo-Olu promised that his administration, if elected, would review the process of the issuance of the Certicate of Occupancy, with the aim to remove the red tape that is slowing down the process.

He assured the workers that his government would improve transportation in the state, noting that the capacity of ferry service plying the waterways would be strengthened to complement that road transportation and reduce travel time.

His government, Sanwo-Olu said, will not discontinue the quarterly meeting which the governor usually has with a joint workers’ congress, while also promising that he would sustain the Office of Special Adviser on Labour Matters.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: L-R: APC Deputy Governorship Candidate in Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; his wife Dr. Ibijoke and the Board of Trustee Member, Nitechift Colliseum, Olorogun Dr. Sunny Kuku, during a grand house reception in honour of Mr. Sanwo-Olu, by the Coliseum board of Trustees, in Lagos…

Ambode faces impeachment from LSHA - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

At the end of business on Monday, ITREALMS reports that the Lagos State House of Assembly (LSHA) has commenced the impeachment process against the State governor, Mr. Akin Ambode.

ITREALMS also gathered that LSHA is alleging gross misconduct, misappropriation of fund and abuse of office.

The lawmakers according to live stream monitored in Lagos, the Lagos lawmakers outlined some of the Ambode’s alleged offences to include misappropriation of public fund.

Stay tuned for details …

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FG says threat of mass action will not deter course of justice - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government (FG) has declared that the threat of mass action will not deter it or undermine the course of justice over the impromptu sack of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Nkanu Onnoghen at the weekend, reports ITREALMS.

FG made this position known through the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed during a press conference in Abuja, Monday.

ITREALMS recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday purported complied with the order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, directing the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Walter Onnoghen, pending the determination of the cases against him at the Code of Conduct Tribunal and several fora relating to his alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

Reacting to the outcry over the suspension, FG said the threat of mass action by some groups cannot undermine the course of justice, stressing that more Nigerians are with them than are with the opposition on this issue, going by the feelers that they are getting from across the country.

“Those who want to protest against the suspension of the CJN should feel free to exercise their rights, within the limits of the law,” he said.

According to him, contrary to the cacophony of voices that have been muddying the waters, the CCT was acting within its powers in ordering the suspension of Justice Onnoghen as Chief Justice of Nigeria, and President Muhammadu Buhari was right in carrying out the order.

“The suspension of Justice Onnoghen is a consequence of his breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers and has nothing to do with the forthcoming elections, neither does it signify the onset of dictatorship or tyranny as some have insinuated. It amounts to irresponsible extrapolation to say that the suspension of Justice Onnoghen is the onset of dictatorship,” he said.

The minister blamed the media, alleging “a section of the media shirked their agenda-setting role by failing to objectively lead the discourse on the issue of the allegation facing Justice Onnoghen and his subsequent suspension.”

He pointed out that certain editorials crossed the acceptable limit of decent discourse, and did little or nothing to enlighten the public on the issue at stake.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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