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Real Reason Babafemi Ojudu withdraws from Ekiti 2018 Guber Race

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Being speech delivered by Senator Babafemi Ojudu to announce his
withdrawal from the Ekiti 2018 Guber Race.

We are in this battle to win it…

My dear Compatriots,
For the past two years we have transversed Ekiti state, knocking on doors,
engaging our people and canvassing for support for our programmes. During
that period, we learned a lot more about this state: the goodness of our
people, the pureness of their intentions, and the tenacity of their
courage. We have worked very hard, but like you all know, hard work is
never the sole prerequisite for success in politics.

Through the embarrassing events of last weekend’s botched Ekiti
governorship primary election, its aftermath in the state, and the efforts
of our revered leaders from the Southwest this week to save our dear party
from ruination in Ekiti State, I have learned many lessons. Key among the
lessons is that you never can tell the man who will attempt to destroy
what many others have built from one who will aspire to elevate that which
is thrust into his hands.

From what has happened since May 5 to date, it goes without saying that
this is an unfair contest where the NWC Chairman has clearly demonstrated
that he does not care what happens to our dear party now and in the
nearest future. We saw a Chairman who has conspired with one of the
aspirants in the race to unleash mayhem on others, wreak havoc and
violence on ordinary citizens and exposed the state to great embarrassment
on national television. We saw an aspirant so unpopular to the extent that
delegates called him unprintable names at the voting arena now being
imposed on our people, not minding if this means we lose this state
forever.
We do not believe in engaging in an unfair contest and I am not ready to
step on blood to get to power. As I have reiterated at different times in
the course of the campaign, this was never about me. It was not about an
ambition but a mission to give a new lease of life to Ekiti State and the
people. It was about safeguarding the future of our children, our
grandchildren, great grandchildren and even generations yet unborn. There
is no doubt that we all love this land, that every one of you had best
hopes and aspiration for this beautiful state we call ours and that above
all, this state should wear a new look, be adorned with a new reputation
and have a new image of itself.
One other important lesson I learnt in the last one week is that one can
only truly appreciate the true intent of one’s co-travellers on a journey
when the chips are down. At this point, I would like to appreciate the
co-aspirants who were open to discussions aimed at resolving the
imbroglio. I must not fail to mention in particular my dear brother,
Congressman Bimbo Daramola who worked assiduously with me in the attempt
to find a solution albeit unsuccessfully, to what appeared as a stalemate
– pushing for the Option A4 method of primary election, which the NWC
Chairman opposed vehemently; pruning the numbers of aspirants by getting a
consensus candidate from among the aspirants from the Ekiti South
Senatorial district, to bring to fruition the agitation of our brothers
and sisters from the zone to have an opportunity to provide political
leadership just like the other zones always had, with none of them ready
to shift ground. I appreciate his courage and optimism. Despite the
seeming lack of results, we forged on. Similarly, my sister, Dr (Mrs)
Mojisola Yaya-Kolade deserves an ovation for her sagacity and boldness.
And many others who demonstrated their love for our state and the people
through their actions. We also appreciate our southwest leaders for their
intervention in the crisis. We thank them for their sage counsel. I want
to especially thank Baba Bisi Akande and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for
trying to help untangle the web that the Ekiti governorship primary
election has become.
All my life, I have fought injustice and sought the good of the whole.
Therefore, this injustice perpetrated against Ekiti people by the NWC
Chairman cannot be allowed to stand. This is why the fight will continue,
not as an aspirant but as a party reformer. As a leader and party
chieftain, I will inspire a new generation of leaders – of young
professionals, businessmen and technocrats to re-enter our politics and
change this state. Only then can we have men and women of honour who will
take Ekiti out of the wilderness and restore her to her pride of place. At
the national level, I will continue to support Mr. President in ensuring
party reforms. I will work hard to ensure that never again is our party
thrown to desperate men who feed on monetary inducements and undermine
their own party.
This movement continues but I would be stepping down immediately as a
governorship aspirant to focus on this new mission.
I thank the members of the Ekiti Rebirth Organisation (ERO) movement led
by the Director-General, Chief Ranti Adebisi (Opomulero). You stood by me
firmly over the years and I will never forget that. You all occupy a
special place in the future of this state and must never give up. Ours is
a battle for the soul of Ekiti that just and we are going to win! Let’s
get going. Ekiti will never forget. To this end, I urge you all to hold
steadfast. To not give up on the future of Ekiti. Sincere appreciation to
my wife, Omotola, for being a pillar of support and to my children, other
family members and my friends, for believing in me. Yours has been a
labour of love. The future is bright, our sights are certain and our gaze
is steadfast on the future. We won’t relent because the struggle
continues.

Let us move forward! Let us keep steadfast!! Ekiti will be great again!!!

God bless you all. God bless the All Progressives Congress. God Bless
Ekiti State

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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News and Report

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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