16-day activism: Ekiti first lady leads CSO walk - ITREALMS

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The first lady of Ekiti State, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, on Monday led state officials and members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), on Advocacy Walk to mark the end of 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence in Ado-Ekiti, reports ITREALMS.

She was accompany by the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs Peju Babafemi; Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye; Deputy Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Bolaji Olagbaju among others.

Missing $8.07bn: CSO invokes FOI Act on CBN, MTN over out-of-court settlement – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A Civil Society Organisation (CSO), Human and Environmental Development Agenda Resource Centre (HEDA) has invoked the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act on the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria Communications to make the out-of-court settlement of $8.13 billion sanction open for consumption of Nigerians, reports ITREALMS.

The invocation of FOI Act 2015, HEDA request signed by its chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, sought to know what becomes the difference of about $8,077,400,000 billion in the alleged resolution based on the out-of-court settlement.

According to HEDA, the wide margin between the reported final payment and the alleged charged sum has left the public puzzled as to the procedure and steps taken to arrive at the resolution.

In part the FOI request reads: “On the 4th day of September, 2018, the online platform of the Business Day Newspaper reported that the Central Bank of Nigeria sometimes in 2018 revealed that MTN Nigeria illegally repatriated foreign exchange of about $8.13 billion with irregularly issued Certificates of Capital Importation (CCIs) by some commercial banks namely; Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank, Diamond bank and Stanbic IBTC bank and also converted its shareholders’ loan to Preference shares without fulfilling the requisite conditions.

“It was reported by Sahara Reporters, an online newspaper on the 6th September, 2018 that the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami gave a 14-day ultimatum to the affected banks and the telecommunication company to pay the fine awarded against them by the Central Bank of Nigeria vide a letter that originated from the Attorney General of Federation’s office dated the 3rd of September, 2018.

“Sequel to this, the affected banks were sanctioned by the Federal Government and appropriate fines were paid by the banks.

“In furtherance of the above paragraph, the Nigeria Lawyer Online legal newspaper reported on the 24th day of December, 2018 that the alleged charge of improper repatriation leveled against MTN Nigeria has been resolved to the tune of $52.6 million as against $8.13 Billion earlier reported as the fine to be paid by the telecommunication company.

“There seems to be a wide margin between the reported final payment and the alleged charged sum which has left the public puzzled as to the procedure and steps taken to arrive at the resolution.

“It is on the above basis that we are making this request, as we believe that the records and details of the said resolution made available will aid the investigations of our organisation, thus this application is brought pursuant to the provisions of Section 2, 3, and 4 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

“We look forward to your utmost cooperation and the prompt response to this requested information and in any event, within seven (7) days of the receipt of this application as provided for under the Freedom of Information Act,” HEDA insisted.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Tanzania’s CSO battle government on Internet regulation - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Tanzania are now at the battle ground with the government of the country over the introduction of Internet regulations, reports ITRealms.

On the Monday of 11th June 2018, ITRealms recalls, the Tanzanian government tightened its grip on free speech by ordering the immediate suspension of unregistered blogging sites and other online fora.

Failure to suspend, ITRealms gathered, would lead to prosecution under Tanzania’s criminal law, forewarned the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA). The authority went ahead to explain that this move was in a bid to solve computer misuses such as hate speech, pornography, and online bullying.

According to Human and Digital Rights advocates, violators of the regulation will find themselves liable to paying a fine of at least five million Tanzania Shillings (2200 USD), serving a 12-month jail term or to both. 

This is in a bid to enforce the March Electronic and Postal Communications Regulations 2018 that requires bloggers and any other Internet-based service to reveal the names of their shareholders, their details, their approximate cost of investment, tax clearance certifications, pay slightly more than 900 USD in fees that includes an initial application fee, a licence fee and a renewable licence fee after 3 years and a lot more.

It is evident that this regulation only aims further stifle the already tight freedom of expression of the Internet in Tanzania. A popular site Jamiiforums that is known to be used to expose unethical information on matters concerning the country continues to fight it out in court on grounds on infringement of the right to privacy of the freedom of expression. The appellate court is to rule on the freedom of expression in Tanzania but the most recent ruling was in the government’s favor.

Tanzania’s civil society organizations have argued that “The law is part of a crackdown on dissent and free speech by the government of President John Magufuli, who was elected in 2015."

The government of Tanzania is defying International, regional and national regulation with the legislation. It is evident that they have forgotten that, “ the same rights people have offline must also be protected online," as provided in  Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-In this case the universal freedom of expression.

The exorbitant fees will only seek to ensure that bloggers from the lower end of the economic spectrum are off the net, taking away their source of livelihood and freedom of speech.

We urge that the government of Tanzania and president Magufuli recall this legislation as it grossly contributes towards the abuse of numerous human rights. We are calling on Tanzania to keep the Internet open and free.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Xenophobia attacks: Nigerians protest against MTN investment in Edo State

ITRealms:

An Edo State-based Civil Society Organisations (CSO) known as 'The Flagship', Monday stopped business at the Benin City office of MTN Nigeria to register its displeasure over the killings of African origin and looting of their properties in South Africa in the name of xenophobia, reports ITRealms.

Correspondent quoted Elombah.com as reporting that the group took to the street in display of xenophobic grievances to MTN which brought about closure of businesses in the process.

“The group were seen protesting the lootings and killings of Nigerians and other African citizens in South Africa, calling all Nigerians to boycott the products and services of South African companies in Nigeria.

“Some of the protesters were seen carrying placards that read:

“Nigerians Boycott South African Companies”

“South Africa Against Africa”

“South Africa Can’t be Making From Us And Killing Us”, etc.

Some Nigerians, however, have shown apprehension over the protest saying that it might throw more Nigerian employees in MTN into the labour market considering that South Africans working in those outfits are quite insignificant compared to their Nigerian counterparts.

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Pix: courtesy: Elombah.com

US Ambassador, Entwistle enjoins Nigeria Civil Society on peaceful election 2015

ITRealms:

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James F. Entwistle, has enjoined the Civil Society Organisation (CSO) in the country to ensure and work towards peaceful elections, reports ITRealms.

In a message to the members of CSO in Nigeria as the country prepares for the 2015 general elections, slated for March 28 and April 11, this year and made available to ITRealms, the Ambassador reiterated President Barrack Obama’s position that Nigeria is a great nation and Nigerians, especially the CSOs should be proud of the progress made so far.

“With elections across Nigeria right around the corner, I’d like to share with each of you a personal message from President Obama to the Nigerian people,” Entwistle said.  

As leaders, he charged, “so many of you are already doing your part to ensure that all who want to vote, can vote, without fear.  The President and the American people appreciate the great work you’re doing in your communities to help support democracy and peace—and to build a stronger, more prosperous Nigeria.”

Further, he recalled that Secretary John Kerry recently visited Nigeria and met with party candidates to stress how important it is that this election be free, fair, and peaceful. 

“How you participate in this election—and how your leaders respect its outcome—is important not just for Nigerians, but also for the entire continent of Africa and the global community,” he said.

Stressing that America would love to hear from members of CSO, as civil society leaders. 

“What do these elections mean to you?  How will you contribute to a successful election as a leader in your community?  What do you hope to see for the future of Nigeria?  Share your thoughts with us on Facebook or Twitter,” he tasked.

“....  Let’s make it a good one,” he asserted.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @USembassy
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