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Land Use Charge: Stakeholders express support for Government at Public Hearing

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The Lagos State Government in its bid to demonstrate an inclusive, responsive and responsible government, conducted a public hearing today, Tuesday, March 27, 2018, at the Lateef Jakande Auditorium, inside the Lagos State Assembly complex.

It will be recalled that the re-enacted Land Use Charge Law had gone through a second reading, and a downward review was announced by the Lagos state government, various reactions have trailed the law, thereby prompting the government to call for a public hearing.

A six-man committee was set up weeks ago to look into the repealed law in order to identify the grey arrears of the law. The committee extracted from the 37 sections of the law 8 sections identified to tally with the peoples’ concerns and demands, these 8 sections have now been put forward for amendment.

 

Addressing the hearing, Speaker, House of Assembly, Honourable Obasa who gave a keynote address mentioned that this will be the first time since 2003 the house will witness such an outpour of the crowd in any bill passing process, which simply indicates that the Land Use Charge issue concerns the majority of Lagos residents. ‘It has been said that the Lagos state population will increase over the next years and so the state needs to look inward for means of revenue generation as we cannot solely rely on federal allocation alone’, said Hon Obasa. He also noted that it is the contribution we make as citizens that will pave way for the future generation.

Stakeholders in various fields in the state came with their observations and recommendations, which led to a robust argument on the Land Use Charge Law 2018.

Mr. Okpabio, who represented Organized Private Sector (OPS) after submitting their memorandum, recommended that assessment of properties for valuation should be carried out by professional bodies alone, and the process should carry on for about 3 to 5 years, this is to give room for an accurate valuation. He further advised that empty properties should be exempted from taxation. Also, that pensioners, as represented in the law, should not be limited to Lagos State pensioners alone, it should cut across other retirees in the state as well. He further went ahead to express support for Government proposition on further reduction of rates as stated earlier by the Hon. Commissioner for Finance in Lagos state, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade.

Chukwuka Ikwuazom, Chairman Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos Branch thanked the house for letting them air their views on the controversial law, He suggested that regulations that provide for reliefs and grand concessions are made a part of the principal law, this will inspire more confidence in the people, and also avoid being altered in the process. He also appealed for more time in order to enable his branch to study the amended law and send in a memorandum.

Furthermore, Mr. Olurogba Orinmalade, Chairman of The Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) commended the adoption of Market Value as the basis for determining property assessment, he also noted that a lot of ignorance has surrounded the issue of Market Value and Reliefs as presented in the Land Use Charge Law, and advised that it should be addressed. He, however, requested that the House grants his association extra period in order to put up a technical report on the debated Law.

Godwin Alenka, Chairman, Estate Agent Commission Association, Lagos branch advised that Government should engage estate agents in the state to ensure remittance of tax, as they are the ones closer to property owners and can hold them accountable.

Abiola Sanni, a property owner and a professor of law of taxation added that valuation process should be made robust and inclusive, he advised that adequate provisions be made for the process in order to be a successful one.

Hon. S. O. P Agunbiade, Speaker, majority leader of the House of Assembly, who reiterated that the Law making process is a continuous one, commended all stakeholders who came forward with their contributions. He assured that the House will look into all concerns and memorandum submitted by professional bodies across the state. He also advised that bodies who are yet to submit their memorandum can do so in the next two weeks.

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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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