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By Emmanuel Elebeke The Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, has shared his experiences on some of the regulatory models, approaches, and best practices being implemented by the Commission in promoting a stable telecoms sector and accelerating digital inclusion in Nigeria. Danbatta shared these experiences while receiving a delegation from Autoridade Reguladora Nacional (ARN), the Telecom National Regulatory Authority of Guinea-Bissau who were on a week-long benchmarking visit to the Commission in Abuja on Wednesday, May 26, 2021. The delegation was in the Commission to gain insights into NCC’s regulatory template as part of the exchange to build stronger bilateral relations with the Commission in the area of telecommunications regulation. According to Danbatta, who is also the Chairman of the West African Telecommunication Regulatory Assembly (WATRA), the Nigerian Communications Commission has been recognised by

Abdulrasheed Bawa By Segun Ige PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari could actually be whitewashing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission through the approval of Abdulrasheed Bawa. The EFCC is crucially a formative organ in the Nigerian justice system. Buhari could, ideologically speaking, be making the gesture that this ‘born-again’ EFCC would demonstrate unflinching conversion and redemption of lost years. It would be a sheer ignominy and impunity to overlook how, even at 60, we still can’t manage ‘small matters’. I’m extremely appalled by the fact that the Ibrahim Magu case had to be presided over by the U.K. Business and Property Courts of England and Wales. To be sure, certain constitutional scholars and legal practitioners were glad that Magu eventually won the case – but have indeed forgotten that unless the commercial court intervened, we could still be perennially grappling with one Magu case, or worse still, just wrap it away in a nolle prosequi or dead-end sine die . Perh

The Commissioner of Police in Osun, Olawale Olokode, on Tuesday said the EndSARS protest in 2020 had emboldened hoodlums to attack police formations and officers across the country Olokode, who spoke on a radio interview programme in Osogbo, said hoodlums and criminal elements are now emboldened and dare security officers, whether or not the officers are in uniform or they carry arms. “There is a kind of hatred for the police, and many false reports and allegations had been leveled against officers and men of the force. “Some members of the public that are bad (hoodlums) are now emboldened to face any uniform agent , be it military or police, irrespective, whether they are carrying arms or not. “The action of these hoodlums is at the expense of their lives because the Inspector General of Police has given directive that police officers should also protect their own lives when under attack. ALSO READ:  Shot with Federal Riot Gun at close range – Sowore alleges “Look at the EndSA

By ‘Yemi Adamolekun Of all the institutions of a democratic society, there’s none as formidable as an awakened and conscious citizenry — Shehu Sani WHEN I started actively working on governance issues 10 years ago, it seemed that there would be a rational sequence of actions leading to holding public office holders accountable. People put themselves forward to serve and when they fail to deliver on their promises, refuse to serve or serve in ways that are destructive, we bring this to their attention, expecting them to realign. If they do not comply, we vote them out of office or use other legal processes to enforce accountability, including protests! It was very straightforward to me. I would get so frustrated when talking to people about demanding better governance, because there was just very little or no interest in taking any action. Some did not know their rights, while others had the general understanding that government should serve them. Nevertheless, both groups felt he

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State Sector Command, has began clamp down on drivers plying roads with expired vehicle documents, old number plates and without drivers licence. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exercise which began in Kaduna, Zaria and Kafanchan Local Government areas of the state was a joint operation with some key government agencies. They include the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service, Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and Kaduna State Traffic Law Enforcement Authority. Briefing newsmen on , Tuesday on the exercise, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kaduna, Hafiz Muhammed, said the joint operation was aimed at enforcing registration of old number plates, and unlicensed drivers. He explained that having registered vehicles and licenced number plates was of critical importance to national security especially at such trying time. “Up till this moment a lot of unregistered vehicles including

Babatunde Fashola A total of 75 companies are bidding for 12  federal roads to be concession under the first phase of the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI). Mrs Abimbola Asein, Head Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit of the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, disclosed this at the opening of Request For Qualification (RFQ) bid on Tuesday in Abuja. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the HDMI was created by Federal Government to develop and manage the federal Road network through sustainable Private-Sector investment. The 12 roads to be concession under the first phase of the HDMI are: Benin – Asaba, Abuja – Lokoja; Kaduna – Kano; Onitsha – Owerri – Aba; Sagamu – Benin; Abuja – Keffi – Akwanga; Lokoja – Benin; Enugu – Port Harcourt; Ilorin – Jebba; Lagos – Ota – Abeokuta; Lagos – Badagry; and Kano – Shuari – Potiskum – Damaturu. The initiative is aimed at creating alternative sources of financing road development and management in the country whil

……Warns against keeping youths on streets By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, Abuja The Federal Government, Monday, said that it was working on the artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta area and that the project would soon be launched. Senior Special Assistant to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Ita Enang, disclosed this at the inauguration of Francis Olabode Johnson Foundation in Abuja. Comrade Francis Olabode Johnson popularly known as FOJ was the President of Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, PENGASSAN before his death two years ago at the National Hospital, Abuja. Senator Enang, who explained that work was in an advanced stage on the policy, said, “We are still working on the artisanal refineries in the Niger Delta. It will soon launch off.” ALSO READ:  Gulak’s Murder: Ndigbo can’t afford to be linked to senseless murder ― Ngige He described the late Johnson as a reliable and practical labour union leader before his death two years ago. Spe

By Tayo Ogunbiyi THERE is a saying that “a wealthy nation is a healthy nation”. This assertion is anchored on the belief that a healthy population contributes immensely to the socio-economic growth of any society. This is why one can only but commend the Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State for making health and environment one of its cardinal programmes as captured in  T.H.E.M.E.S(an acronym for the administration’s strategic development agenda, namely: Traffic Management and Transportation, Health and Environment, Education and Technology, Making Lagos a 21st Century Economy, Entertainment and Tourism and Security and Governance) developmental Agenda. In the last two years, the administration has invested immensely in the upgrade of public health facilities to enhance access to quality healthcare. At the centre of the state’s public health policy is the provision of unhindered access to healthcare delivery without financial constraint to the residents. The com

By Kayode Ojewale Th e truly healthy environment is not merely safe but stimulating – William H. Stewart (1921- 2008), American pediatrician and epidemiologist MAN and his environment can hardly be separated when human health is being discussed. The environment of a man is a true reflection of his health condition and status because it largely tells his hygiene level. Man’s environment is his immediate surroundings and this includes the living and non-living things around him. Man cannot live in isolation and as such he is bound to constantly interact with his environment. This interaction with the environment tells a lot about the wellbeing of man. In relation to health, the World HealthOrganisation, WHO, defines environment as “all the physical, chemical and biological factors external to a person, and all the related behaviours”. About five decades ago, WHO also defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or

Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State By Rotimi Ojomoyela, Ado Ekiti The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, on Monday called on the judiciary to accord special attention to issues of rape and sexual assault. Fayemi said critical and decisive action on the social malaise has become necessary as a result of the increasing cases of rape and defilement flooding the courts in recent times. Fayemi spoke in Ado Ekiti on Monday while swearing-in Justice John Oyewole Adeyeye as the Acting Chief Judge of the state to replace Justice Ayodeji Daramola, who bowed out from the bench last week. The governor also called for the review of salaries and allowances of judicial workers to protect the sanctity of the judiciary, saying he was jolted that the negotiations on judicial autonomy seem to have left out the issue of salaries and allowances of judicial officers. ALSO READ:  Delta 2023: APC’s Omo-Agege pledges better service delivery to Delta Ijaw Expressing disgust at the increasin

Fred Kafeero, the Country Representative of Food and Agriculture (FAO), says Africa’s milk consumption is lower than 40 litres per person yearly. Kafeero said this while delivering a keynote address at an event on Tuesday in Abuja to commemorate the World Milk Day (WMD). The WMD with the theme: “Sustainability in the dairy sector,” was organised by the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria. The World Milk Day is observed every year on June 1 to recognise the importance of milk as a global food. He said lower consumption of milk could result to stunted growth of children under five and malnutrition in women. ALSO READ:   Attacks on INEC offices won’t stop 2023 polls – Buhari “The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends milk consumption of 210 litres per person per annum but Africa’s average is lower than 40 litres per person. “Nigeria varies significantly especially with the North where over 90 per cent of the cattle are kept, and where they have about eight litre

Okorocha By Chinonso Alozie The former governor of Imo state and the Senator who is representing Imo West Senatorial district, Rochas Okorocha, Tuesday described the assassinated All Progressives Congress, APC, chieftain Ahmed Gulak, as a brilliant politician, even as he called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to investigate how Gulak was killed in Imo state. Okorocha spoke to newsmen in Owerri, through his Special Adviser on media, Sam Onwuemeodo, while responding to Gulak’s murder. According to Okorocha, investigation would unravel the motive behind those who murdered Gulak. In the statement, “Former governor of Imo State and Senator representing Imo West Senatorial Zone, Senator Rochas Okorocha has outrightly condemned the unfortunate murder of one of the front row politicians in this country, Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, describing his death, as unfortunate and disheartening. READ ALSO: GULAK: I phoned to wish him safe journey home — Son “Senator Okorocha has also sent his

By Cynthia Alo Universal Insurance Plc has taken its ‘Keke Pass’ campaign to Abuja as part of efforts to safeguard the lives of tricycle (popularly called Keke in Nigeria) riders and their passengers in Abuja. Speaking at the event, the Managing Director/ CEO, Universal Insurance, Mr. Benedict Ujoatuonu, said the product became necessary because conventional insurance products do not take into account the peculiarities of ordinary Nigerians. READ ALSO:  FG inaugurates project steering committee for Stage II of HPMP Ujoatuonu said: “Keke Pass is Keke Passenger Assurance Safety Scheme and it is intended to provide some personal accident cover for the riders and their passengers in terms of injury, death and third party liability while riding their Keke. Beyond the unique benefits this product provides for the riders, it makes it affordable because it is cheaper. It is also very flexible. This is because we are dealing with people in the lower cadre. The product is technologically d

  File photo of Ngwa market, Aba, Abia state By Ugochukwu Alaribe, Umuahia Traders at the Ngwa Road Market, Aba, Abia State, have decried the action of a construction company in demolishing parts of the market and called for intervention from the State’s House of Assembly. Narrating the ordeal of the traders, one of their leaders, who simply gave his name as Ngene, said sometime ago, traders in the market were given notices that a construction firm, Messrs Peacock Urban Regeneration Limited would demolish and rebuild stalls in the market. Ngene said that no formal discussions were held between officials of the firm and the traders, but instead the company a fortnight ago, told the traders that the demolition of the stalls would commence by the end of May. ALSO READ:  New AIG Zone 2 warns criminals to vacate Lagos, Ogun Not satisfied with the arrangement, traders took the matter to the State House of Assembly. He said, unfortunately, officials of the company failed to show up

By Kayode Ojewale THE reckless and lawless behaviours of commercial tricycle and motorcycle riders on the roads in Lagos would make one conclude that they are either highhanded or above the law. They operate as if traffic laws were made for other road users and not for them. They now ply routes where they have been prohibited from without fear of arrest. They compete with heavy-duty trucks, high-capacity vehicles on the highways and even on Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, lanes. One major challenge the BRT drivers face daily when on their dedicated lanes is the problem created by the motorcyclists riding recklessly on BRT corridors. These motorcycle riders appear uncontrollable and above the law. They overspeed and even overtake BRT buses on the lanes assigned for BRT. They flout the laws; in fact, some uniformed security personnel who also ride motorcycles disobey traffic laws. On March 22, 2021, at about 8.00 pm, a nursing mother with her baby escaped death by the whiskers while on a mot

Great Nigeria Insurance has reiterated its commitment to exceptional service delivery to ensure the achievement of its goal of becoming one of the five insurance firms in the country. Speaking during a media parley at the company’s head office in Lagos, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Cecilia Osipitan said that the company shall remain committed to its vision, mission and shared values. She said: “We are out to reshape the industry, we are also aware that we cannot attain the top five position in the industry if our service delivery is questionable. We will at the same time strive to imbibe global best practice in all facets of our operation to ensure we remain front-liners in the industry”. READ ALSO:  NDDC: why Buhari should appoint an Itsekiri as chairman – IIG According to her, the management has put in place modalities that will ensure effective coordination of the company’s repositioning and restructuring strategies as well as the formulation of strategies t

NSIA Insurance has launched a radio advertisement campaign, NSIA Value Campaign, nationwide. The company said that the Value Campaign offers the opportunity to deliver a simple yet powerful message to a targeted group of consumers in an effort to increase awareness about the organization, and also to communicate effectively the value of their product offerings and tailor-made services. The campaign has two directions: “Insurance is” and “Insurance has a new look”. ‘Insurance is’ showcases insurance as a safety net, ensuring one does not have to pay out-of-pocket when an eventuality occurs. ‘Insurance has a new look’ focuses on changing the perception about insurance in Nigeria. This direction speaks to the fact that NSIA Insurance is committed to providing its stakeholders with excellent customer experience, throughout their journey. READ ALSO:  FG inaugurates project steering committee for Stage II of HPMP The campaign will run for five weeks on various radio stations in Lagos,

The Federal Government says it has unveiled “an all-encompassing and unprecedented documentary’’ showcasing achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in order to prove naysayers wrong. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this in Abuja on Tuesday at a media briefing to present the mid-term report of the second tenure of Buhari’s administration. “In spite of our best efforts, the naysayers have continued to say they have not seen what this administration has achieved. “They have continued to deny the obvious by pretending that these achievements are not real. “Even when they have travelled on the new standard gauge rail from Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan, and Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri, they still deny that any progress has been made in modernising the country’s rail infrastructure. “They travel through the ultra-modern airport terminals in Abuja and Enugu, yet they deny any progress has been made in modernising our airports. “This ye