Coroner issues 14-day ultimatum to LASUTH CMD over "Body 1385" in Pelumi Onifade death inquiry - ITREALMS

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The Coroner’s Court investigating the 2020 death of journalist Pelumi Onifade has issued a stern 14-day ultimatum to the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), reports ITREALMS.

The court demands a definitive report on the location of an unidentified body, officially tagged "Body 1385."

NCDMB issues new NCEC guidance, says 'No to third party agents' - ITREALMS

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In a strategic move to accelerate oil and gas industry contracting processes and reduce the national cost of production, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has officially issued the "NCEC Application Guidance Notes," effective December 2025, reports ITREALMS.

This comprehensive document, now available on the Board’s website and application portal, represents a key component of the Board’s mission to operationalize Presidential Directives (PDs) aimed at weeding out intermediaries who lack demonstrable technical capacity.

GOCOP, IPC sign MoU to advance inclusive reporting of gender issues in democratic process - ITREALMS

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The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) and the International Press Centre (IPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote inclusive reporting of gender issues in Nigeria's democratic and electoral process, reports ITREALMS.

This partnership, signed on November 3, 2025, aims to ensure women and minority groups, such as Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), have a platform to participate in politics and governance.

AfCTS @Abidjan: Dangote Cement to tackle Africa’s waste, climate change issues - ITREALMS

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The 12th Africa Cement Trade Summit has kicked off in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, with the Group Managing Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Mr. Arvind Pathak enlightening industry players on how the cement giant is leading the campaign for save the environment through sustainable production of cement with the utilisation of Alternative Fuels (AF).

Mr. Pathak said cement production is an energy-intensive process which consumes thermal energy of about 3.3GJ/tonne of clinker produced, and its electrical energy consumption is in the region of about 90 – 120kWh /tonne of cement.

Moniepoint Boss: Fighting fraud related issues in financial ecosystem requires collaboration – ITREALMS

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Nigeria’s financial system has come under renewed scrutiny against the backdrop of the increase in the value of electronic payment transactions in Q1 2023 and the challenges posed by bad faith actors who exploit gaps in the payment systems even as Nigerian financial institutions have reported ₦159 billion ($201.5 million) lost to fraud since 2020. There is a need for all players in the financial services sector to come together in tackling these challenges.

Group CEO, Moniepoint Inc., Tosin Eniolorunda during a courtesy visit to the Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe in Lagos. 

WATISE 2023 tackles critical telecoms infrastructure issues, assembles stakeholders - ITREALMS

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The maiden edition of the West Africa Telecoms Infrastructure Summit and Exhibition (WATISE) would be tackling the critical telecoms infrastructure issues, just as the organisers have assembled relevant stakeholders, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement available to ITREALMS from the organisers of WATISE, noted that respite beckons for telecoms consumers in West Africa over poor network issues as critical stakeholders in the industry converge in Lagos, Southwest Nigeria to proffer solutions on the challenges of telecoms Infrastructure which is affecting the growth of the region’s digital economy.

StepCraft Books unveils ‘The Conversation,' addresses family issues - ITREALMS

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StepCraft Books, the publishing arm of StepCraft Nigeria Limited, has unveiled a new book targeted at addressing common issues in family and marital relationships. The conversational master piece is authored by a renowned financial journalist and writer, Oludare Mayowa.

The book, the fourth by the author, explores his proficiency in writing to address major issues afflicting homes and families and how he offers practicable solutions to many of the challenges.

NCC-CSIRT issues advisories to protect Nigerians against threat actors - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission's Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT), in line with its mandate, has rolled out some advisories in the first few weeks of the year 2023 as cyber threat actors continue to devise means of compromising their targets.

The latest of such advisories urged users to be mindful after attackers use Microsoft OneNote attachments in phishing emails that infect victims with remote access malware, which may allow hackers to remotely access vital information on victims' devices.

FG issues code of practice for computer-related platforms in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) through the collaboration of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has issued a code of practice for computer-related platforms in the country, reports ITREALMS.

This, NITDA said, is in line with its mandated as contained in the Section 6 of NITDA Act 2007; to standardize, coordinate and develop regulatory frameworks for all Information Technology (IT) practices in Nigeria. 

National Roaming: NCC issues regulatory framework, says duration ‘must not exceed 3 years' - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued regulatory guidelines on national roaming services, reports ITREALMS.

NCC also stated in the guidelines available to 
ITREALMS that only certified roaming providers would have their request attended to under the National Roaming Agreement (NRA), for a duration of 3 years.

Emerging issues in oversight functions of MDAs

Commentary@ITREALMS: 

Background

The legislature is an institution which represents the common and collective interests of the citizens through the enactment of laws and the exercise of oversight functions on the activities of the executive arm of government.

Therefore, the major interest of a legislator is representation and presentation of the common interest of its citizens. These interests are domiciled in the various executive functions in the MDA’s. it will then be wise to say that; economic activities and growth of the nation are dependent on the relationship between the appropriation and implementation through oversight activities.

The power of oversight is conferred on the Nigerian legislature by the Constitution to enable the National Assembly to expose corruption, inefficiency, or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement and administration of funds appropriated by the Acts

Therefore, Legislative Oversight, one of the cornerstones of democracy, refers to the legislature’s review and evaluation of the selected activities of the executive arm of government. It is a means for holding the executive accountable for its actions and for ensuring that policies are implemented in an effective manner.

All these powers to legislate is vested in the National Assembly through the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria

“4(1) The Legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested in a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.”

The constitution further vested the power to control public funds to the Legislatures as contained in the Section 80 (3)

“No money shall be withdrawn from any public fund of the Federation, other than the Consolidated of the Federation unless the issue of that money has been authorized by an Act of the National Assembly”

Oversight functions serve a variety of purposes:

·         It creates investors’ confidence and attracts more private sector participation.

·         to keep the executive establishment responsible and accountable,

·         to promote rationality and efficiency in the formulation and administration of public policy,

·         to reap party advantage and to advance the causes of individual legislators’ interest groups and other stakeholders in the polity.

·         It involves the responsibility of legislative committees to review, study and evaluate on a continual basis

Through an effective exercise of oversight functions, the legislature can exercise adequate checks and balances, transparency and political legitimacy and better enforce financial regulations and policies and ensure wide participation, ownership and sustainable democracy. The legislature can create a responsible and accountable environment that facilitates the achievement of development goals

Power to Conduct Investigations

Section 88 of the constitution vests the National Assembly with the power to conduct investigations into any matter or thing with respect to which it has powers to make laws. It also has the power to conduct investigations into the conduct or affairs of any person, authority, ministry, or government department charged, or intended to be charged with the duty or responsibility of executing or administering laws enacted by it and the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated or to be appropriated by the legislature.

These powers are meant to expose corruption, inefficiency or waste in the execution or administration of laws within its legislative competence and in the disbursement or administration of funds appropriated by the legislature.

Emerging issues and Barriers to Oversight Functions

 Inspite of the important role that oversight functions play in nation building, there are various factors that contribute to diminish the legislature’s capacity to engage in steady and resourceful oversight of the executive. They include;

i.              Conflict of Interest (COI)-this is a serious issue that pose a barrier to a legislative functions and oversights leading to corrupt decision making by members due to vested interest.

ii.            Lack of Democratic Culture The presence of amateur legislators in great number and the shortage of staff aides due to the lack of continuity in legislative membership accounts for the lapses of the legislature in the discharge of its functions. The vast majority of new democracies lack a democratic culture, dialogue, tolerance and respect for each other’s opinion. These are relatively new concepts. This constitutes a serious handicap for the development of parliamentary democracy which is founded on the virtues of robust debate and compromise on major issues of national interest.

iii.           Personal Ambition, Interest, and Agenda of Legislators. The leadership of the National Assembly or State Houses of Assembly often demonstrate propensity for confrontation with the executive without reflecting on the negative impact on the national or public interest.

iv.           Adverse Legislative Environment The large number of legislators tend to induce the members into compromising stands in order to be noticed or to get the projects for their constituency noticed by the executives.

v.            vi. Undermining Legislative Oversight Functions by the Executive.

vi.            Other barriers to effective exercise of oversight functions especially in Nigeria can be summarized as follows; the politically charged environment of conflicting interests, antagonism between the majority and opposition parties often resulting in a stalemate; antagonism between the legislature and the government with the latter often reluctant.

*Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, @Interactive session organised by the Senate Committee on Communication in Lagos.

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Security, humanitarian issues top Buhari’s visit to Germany

ITRealms:

Top on the President Muhammadu Buhari’s official three-day visit to the Federal Republic of Germany which commenced Thursday, reports ITRealms.

In Berlin, ITRealms gathered that President Buhari, would confer with Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel on issues of shared interests between Nigeria and Germany, including further cooperation on security, the humanitarian situation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and rehabilitation of the North-East, as well as trade and economic relations between both countries.

Thereafter, the President, who will be accompanied by Governors Kashim Shettima of Borno State and Rochas Okorocha of Imo respectively and representatives of the National Assembly, to meet with Federal President Joachim Gauck.

According to the Special Adviser to the President, Media & Publicity, Femi Adesina, the visit was in furtherance of the administration’s objective to attract more foreign investment and create economic opportunities in the country, President Buhari will participate in a Business Forum in Berlin with leading German companies already active in Nigeria and other prospective investors.

Before returning to Abuja, the President is expected to meet with representatives of the Nigerian community in Germany.

President Buhari is committed to deepening relations with Germany and building on the very cordial relations both countries enjoy in several areas of bilateral cooperation including the fight against terrorism, economic relations, rebuilding of the North east, support for IDPs, vocational training, energy partnership and cultural relations.

Shortly after his inauguration on May 29, 2015, President Buhari, on the invitation of Chancellor Merkel, attended the G7 summit in Elmau, Germany - the trip was his first to a non-African country after his assumption of office.

From February 8 to 12 this year, President Gauck, accompanied by a delegation of German business community, was on an official visit to Nigeria, where they had fruitful discussions on trade and investments with representatives of government and the private sector in Abuja and Lagos.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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