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IT’S TIME FOR LAGOSIANS TO BE FREE FROM POLITICAL DOMINATION – Comrade Mark Adebayo

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The Press Conference has been necessitated by the urgent need to stop Lagos State from continuing to be a pawn on the chessboard of an individual to be pushed around at will for the purpose of “self-centred pedestrianism”.

Democracy is a concept of collectivity for the greater number of the people to have a voice and a choice to freely choose who they wish to govern them. Democracy was never a conceptualisation of domination to be merchandised by a few powerful individuals in the society who choose to arrogate to themselves the power of life and death over a people.

The political atmosphere in Lagos State is currently but unnecessarily overcharged due to the shenanigans of one individual desperate to maintain a political stranglehold on the state. It is common knowledge that for the past eleven years it has become a tradition for the political pendulum of the state to swing according to the whims and dictates of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is an expert in the politics of imposition. The situation in Lagos State is beyond what well-meaning Lagosians should leave to the internal intrigues of the ruling Party. It is not about what Party we belong or don’t belong, or which ideological tendency you believe in or don’t believe in. It is a collective responsibility of all to ensure that Lagos State is liberated from “a circle of certainty” that seeks to perpetually determine the political destiny and destination of the state without recourse.

It is public knowledge that recently both the traditional and social media have been awash with the rift between the incumbent governor of Lagos State and Asiwaju Tinubu due to the former’s second term bid and the alleged disapproval of the latter. Our main concern here is how that rift is overheating the Lagos polity and is sure to negatively impact on governance in the state. Although both sides are still struggling to live in denial, but it has blown into the open that there is a tangible credence to the political hiatus between the duo.

The fundamental reasons why committed democrats, activists and regular Lagosians must rise up to the occasion are;

1. If it is true that the cause of the current brouhaha was due to the refusal of the governor to avail the state’s political sharks access to the state’s treasury, then it calls for serious concerns by all Lagosians. We’ve asked the question for the umpteenth time what caused the current witch-hunt of the governor, mostly what we have garnered from independent findings was that the governor is allegedly being tormented because he did not dance to the tune of some powerful political forces in the state who allegedly demanded that the funds being used for developments in the state be shared among them. An issue like this is beyond Intra-Party matter because it is the very soul of the state that is at stake. It is generally acknowledged that Governor Ambode has done tremendously well in the area of infrastructural development, security, workers’ welfare, and so on. Many erstwhile inaccessible areas of the state have been opened up due to persistent road construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation. Vehicular and pedestrian bridges crisscross the state. Lagos tax payers are witnesses to the good uses to which their commonwealth is being put. If that is the sin of Governor Ambode, then we urge him to continue sinning.

2. We find it not only preposterous but also reprehensible to hear that the governor is allegedly being threatened with impeachment by the state Assembly should he continue to pursue his second term bid. This is a blatant bastardization of democratic norms and practices. The security implications of such a threat is better imagined if happens or allowed to happen. For instance, in three years as governor, we are not saying he has been perfect or did not commit errors, but his achievements far supersede his failings which has endeared him to many Lagosians who are rooting for him. Therefore, should the alleged threat to impeach the governor be executed, this may lead to an intractable and prolonged breakdown of law and order should Lagosians choose to resist the injustice. This is the larger picture that we all must see and act decisively to end the culture of political impunity, domination and imposition in Lagos State.
Today, whereas in Lagos East and West, Senatorial aspirants are fighting for tickets while in Lagos Central nobody can dare contest the seat apparently reserved for the wife of Senator Ahmed Tinubu – ie Pastor Senator Oluremi Tinubu – who is going for third term consecutively. What legislative prowess can be adduced to the latter to merit a perpetual relay between Lagos Central and the upper legislative chamber? That is what politics of imposition, domination and intimidation engenders. It is being alleged that it is Senator Remi Tinubu who masterminded the sudden emergence of Mr Sanwoolu as the anointed governorship candidate of the Lagos powers that be. It is being alleged that he is a mere decoy for the real power game that is unfolding. We have it on good authority that he is being imposed to be governor for one term and thereafter pave the way for Senator Oluremi Tinubu to become governor. That is the level of disdain to which the hegemonic political dynasty of Lagos State holds Lagosians.

Lagos State cannot continue to be in the pocket of Asiwaju Tinubu. 2019 provides an auspicious opportunity for a mass political revolution by Lagosians to liberate the state from continued political and economic enslavement. Lagos State with a population of almost 30 million people is a mini Nigeria and cannot continue to pay homage to the insatiable appetite of a political tarantula.

We shall kick-start a process of the political revolution in the state immediately. The first stage of the revolution is to mobilise a minimum of fifty political Parties in Lagos State to adopt Governor Ambode as their governorship candidate. A contact and liaison committee has been set up to actualise that project.

However, fortunately names of some credible Lagosians are being mentioned as being interested in throwing their hats into the ring of the governorship race in Lagos State notable among of whom is Mr Femi Otedola. Lagosians will be presented with a constellation of formidable, credible and resourceful Lagosians who will help generate not only a fresh political atmosphere but new ideas to move Lagos State forward from the old order. Having been a successful businessman and a political virgin, so to speak, Femi Otedola might just be the Messiah to break the almost twenty years of the tarantula’s stranglehold on Lagos and Lagosians. The “baba sópé” political malaise that has bedevilled Lagos State for so long has to be permanently disabled to enable Lagosians freely choose their political leaders, not only at governorship level, but also National Assembly, the state Assembly, LGAs and LCDAs. From councilorship to governorship, it’s time for Lagosians to refresh our political leadership. Various young people in different political Parties like KOWA Party, PPA, AA, Accord, et cetera are coming out with young, intelligent and patriotic Lagosians who are full of new and productive ideas that will help Lagos State. Kindly identify them and vote them in order to vote out this moribund political order. Lagos is not a family heritage bequeathed to any individual and, therefore, cannot and should not be treated as such.

We are confident that more credible Lagosians untainted by corruption and maladministration will still join the race to Alausa, it provides the most auspicious opportunity for us all to remove the political albatross of Lagos State for good. This is a collective responsibility of all Lagosians and a sacred project to which we must unidirectionally commit ourselves.

Moreover, LADFOCE as an umbrella organization for the five organisation that formed this coalition will effectively utilize its structures in all the Wards, LGAs and LCDAs of Lagos State as effective machinery of mobilising Lagosians for the mother of all sociopolitical revolutions in Lagos State. The crowd you see here today are a few of our cadres drawn from all the Wards and local government areas of Lagos State. If Nigeria must experience real and positive change, it would start in Lagos with the 2019 general elections. The Lagos behemoth shall be dethroned and Lagosians shall be set free. It is a non-negotiable process to which we have committed ourselves and there is no going back.
There has to be time when the people must rise and say “enough is enough” and stand their ground. That time is long overdue in Lagos State but never late. The time is now!
Together, let’s do it!

Comrade Mark Adebayo,
Convener, LADFOCE.

News and Report

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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