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CONFUSION IN GOV. AMOSUN’S CAMP AS ALL HIS ANOINTED SONS FOR GOVERNOR FAIL DSS SCREENING

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When a leopard produces its own kind it is seen as a normal occurrence, however, when a tree or an animal produces an offspring that is not its replica then it calls for serious concern. This is the exact drama that played out in Ogun state as the sitting governor Ibikunle Amosun has proven his fatherhood by presenting successors who are his exact replica and having his DNA in his recent succession plan ahead of the 2019 general elections. In Nigerian polity, it is a recurring decimal for governors and political office holders alike to pick individuals they feel are capable of covering their criminal and fraudulent escapades during their tenure in office, this is as we gathered that in trending events in Ogun State, Gov. Amosun appears to have shot himself on the foot as it was revealed that all five names of purported successors submitted by the governor to the Department of State Services (DSS) for vetting were found wanting of one fraudulent activity or the other.

In an information made available to SOCIETY REPORTERS, earlier this year, Gov. Amosun forwarded the names of some of his begotten sons from the state to the DSS in a view of making one of them his successor but was hit with serious blows of confusion when he received the report from the Security agency that none of his favorites passed security checks conducted on them. It was alleged that the governor forwarded the names of his current Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the State Assembly Hon. Suraj Adekunbi, a current House of Representatives member for Yewa South/Ipokia, his immediate predecessor and a yet to be identified commissioner, all of whom after an exhaustive security check by the DSS were discovered to have various levels of fraudulent records both national and international. According to an extract from the report submitted by the DSS, it was alleged that one of the begotten sons of the governor was involved in a criminal case of forgery and impersonation which necessitated his return back to Nigeria from a foreign Country. It also stated that he and a former legislator were involved in a multimillion Naira scandal involving padded constituency projects which was orchestrated by his predecessor and added to the budget that eventually became a bone of contention when he succeeded him, a dispute which was eventually settled by a high ranking principal officer in the lower house after both parties pocketed hundreds of millions to the detriment of their constituents.

We also gathered that the DSS report showed that the other proposed successor on the list who is a current top legislator in the State was alleged to own and had invested in multiple downstream depots around the city, not to mention other choice properties which he acquired by scheming off the state legislative budget and allowances of his colleagues in the state assembly for the past 8 years. It would be near impossible for the legislator to explain how he acquired all his investments which are not commiserate to his remuneration if he was to be brought before a code of conduct tribunal as he is purported to have also been involved in illegal bunkering activities as well as tampering with fuel pump meters at his depots, a practice the Department of Petroleum Resources was alleged to be aware of. To further display a breed of people whose major hubby is to perpetuate fraudulent activities and were unfortunate to be raised under the special tutelage of the governor, sources disclosed that a current top aide of the Governor who had committed a heinous crime against a lady years ago was also included in the list as even if an attempt was made to make the charges disappear and give him a clean slate it will still be there. Our source disclosed that it was the Former President Obasanjo who stepped in to resolve the matter owing to his “closeness” to the mother of the aide. The report also went further to allege that the Commissioner in question is a fugitive from the law with educational credentials which cannot be verified. More so, the Commissioner is purported to also be involved in a credit card scam while abroad which led to his return to Nigeria. As days roll by, it is becoming evident that the electorates in Ogun state are beginning to lose their trust in the credibility of the outgoing governor as the opposition is fast gaining momentum owing to what appears to be the lack of a clear-cut path for the ruling APC in the state and its inability to present a candidate who has a clean sheet ahead of the fast approaching 2019 elections.

@ SECRETS REPORTER

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Organiser unveils speakers, panelists for the 2024 Industry Summit

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The organiser of the Industry Summit, an annual gathering for professionals and experts in brand marketing, finance, sustainability, and entertainment, has announced the speakers for the fifth edition of the summit in Lagos.

 

 

 

The event themed: Sustainable Marketing for Growth would feature the marketing director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi as keynote speaker while the head of unit, sustainability at Access Bank, Mrs. Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan and manager brand, strategy & communications at Stanbic IBTC, Ms. Rita Akao would feature as guest speakers.

 

 

 

The summit, which is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 3rd, 2024 at the Marcelina’s Place Ikeja GRA, Lagos would feature some exhilarating panel sessions with some of the contemporary professionals in the Nigerian brand and marketing industry.

 

 

 

The panelists include; Ms. Chioma Mbanugo, Head of Marketing PZWILMAR, Mr. Abiodun Coker, Team Member Media, UBA, Mrs. Mabel Adeteye, Head, Brand & Marketing Communications, Wema Bank PLC, Mr. Kevin Olumese, Marketing Communications Specialist, and Mr. Adeola Kayode, Head, Brands & Creative Services, 9mobile Nigeria.

 

 

 

Others who have confirmed participation are Ms. Aisha Anaekwe, Head, Brands & Comms, Coronation Group, Mrs. Victoria N’dee Uwadoka, Public Relations, Public Affairs & Sustainability Lead, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mr. Samson Adeoye, Public Relations Manager, Airtel Nigeria, Mrs. Oluwatosin Odiagbe, Marketing Manager, Simba Solar and Ms. Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax.

 

 

 

While Oriakhi would be speaking to the topic, ““New Age Marketing – Catalyzing Transformation Through Value Chain Innovation, Technology, Analytics & Sustainability”, Victor-Laniyan and Akao would present papers on the topics; “Aligning organizational objectives with sustainable marketing for the good of the people, society and business, and “Reimagining Sustainable Growth Through Green Marketing” respectively.

 

 

 

In the press statement signed by the Publisher of The Industry Newspaper/Convener of The Industry Summit/Awards (TIES), Mr. Goddie Ofose, he said that “The 5th edition of the Industry Summit is focusing on sustainable marketing, which is a purpose-driven practice that works to orientate businesses, brands and society towards a sustainable future, influencing appropriate awareness, aspiration, adoption and action across economic and sociocultural systems by taking necessary accountability for its impacts and opportunities.”

 

 

 

“In today’s ever-evolving world, debating whether to incorporate sustainability into business strategy is no longer an option. Considering a values-driven approach when developing business strategies can be vital to long-term success” he said.

 

 

 

Therefore, we have carefully selected these professionals and experts to deliberate on the subject matter, highlight challenges and proffer solutions where private and public sectors could take lessons from and improve upon whatever they have been doing,’ Ofose added.

 

 

 

The Industry Summit/Awards is a brainchild of The Industry Newspaper Limited, publishers of The Industry Newspaper (theindustry.ng) and 789marketing.ng.

 

 

 

The summit is designed to bring together industry leaders across the continent in all sectors in the quest to rev up conversations that will move the Nigeria business, economy and communication industry forward.

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IBEDC records 1,459 energy theft cases in January, February

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The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company said it has recorded 1,459 cases of energy theft by its subscribers between January and February 2024.

This was disclosed in a press statement signed by the firm’s Chief Key Accounts Officer, Mr. Johnson Tinuoye, on Tuesday.

IBEDC added that it is actively pursuing investigations and legal actions against individuals and businesses involved in the theft in collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences.

Identifying the cases, IBEDC said they included various offences such as meter bypass and illegal meter tampering, which resulted in significant financial losses amounting to hundreds of millions of naira for the company.

The statement read, “We want to send a clear message to our customers that energy theft will not be tolerated. Our collaboration with the Federal Government Special Investigation and Prosecution Task Force on Electricity Offences underscores our commitment to ensuring a fair and just electricity distribution system.

“Energy theft not only undermines the integrity of our operations but also deprives IBEDC of the revenue necessary to provide quality services to our customers.”

Tinuoye emphasised that under the Electricity Act, energy theft is now recognised as a criminal offense, carrying severe penalties including imprisonment stressing, “In the Osun region, two individuals were apprehended for stealing energy through meter bypass and illegal connections. Their cases have been formally charged in court for prosecution.”

IBEDC further urged customers to refrain from engaging in any form of energy theft, emphasising that the consequences can be severe, as there is no room for negotiation with the SIPTEO Task Force team, which is actively patrolling and investigating instances of energy theft for prosecution.

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Copyright Breach: NCC Drags MTN, Others To Court Over Musician’s Works

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The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has filed criminal charges against MTN Nigeria Communications Ltd. and four others over alleged copyright infringement.

The charge with number FHC/ABJ/CR/111/2024 filed in the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court was obtained by journalists on Monday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the four other defendants in the case include the chief executive officer of MTN Nigeria, Karl Toriola; Nkeakam Abhulimen, Fun Mobile Ltd.; and Yahaya Maibe.

In the three-count charge, NCC alleged that the defendants, between 2010 and 2017, “offered for sale, sold and traded for business’’, infringed the musical works of an artiste, Maleke Idowu Moye, without his consent and authorisation.

The commission alleged that the defendants used musical works and sound recordings of Mr Maleke with subsisting copyright as caller ringback tunes without the authorisation of the artiste.

The musician’s musical works and sound recordings allegedly infringed upon included 911, Minimini-wanawana, Stop Racism, Ewole, 911 instrumental, Radio, Low Waist, and No Bother.

The defendants were also alleged to have distributed the musical works to their subscribers without authorisation, thereby infringing on the rights of the artiste.

In the third count, the defendants were alleged to have in their possession, other than for their private or domestic use, the artiste’s musical works and sound recordings.

According to NCC, the alleged offences are contrary to and punishable under section 20 (2) (a) (b) and (c) of the Copyright Act, Cap. C28, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

The case has yet to be assigned to any judge, and no date has been fixed for the mention.

Meanwhile, no official statement has been released by any of the defendants as at the time of filing this report, while all efforts to get reactions from MTN by New Telegraph proved abortive.

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