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‘Anointed’ Aspirant Of Ekiti First Lady Allegedly Diverts Billions Of Naira Earmarked For APC Council, Ward Executives

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A governorship aspirant and immediate past Secretary to the Ekiti State Government, Biodun Oyebanji, has been accused of diverting billions of naira allocated to his former office by Governor Kayode Fayemi for local government and ward executives of the All Progressives Congress.

Oyebanji is the anointed aspirant of the First Lady, Bisi Fayemi.

Some APC members, who spoke with SaharaReporters, had earlier alleged that Mrs Fayemi was backing the aspiration of Oyebanji against her husband’s wish.

A local government executive member of the party told SaharaReporters that a stipend of N20,000 each was allocated to the office of the Secretary to the State Government monthly to be given to party executives but Oyebanji diverted the funds for three years.

“Can we please ask Oyebanji to account for this huge sum. It’s no hidden facts again that all the ward excos across the 177 ward receive monthly stipend of N10,000 while that of 16 local government area take home N20,000 monthly.

“In a simple arithmetic: There are 26 excos in each ward. Thus, 26 × 177 = 4602 ward excos with cost implications monthly of: 4602 × N10,000 = N46,020,000 (N46m) and annually, 12 × N46,020,000 = N552,240,000 (N552.24m) and in the past 3 years: N552,240,000 × 3 = N1,656,720,000 (N1.656bn).

“Let us also go down to the local government exco: there are 16 LGAs with 26 excos in each of the local government: the arithmetical calculation is therefore as follows: 26 × 16 = 416 with cost implications monthly: 416 × N20,000 = N8,320,000 (N8.3m) and in one year: N8,320,000 × 12 = N99,840,000 (99.84m) and in 3years: N299,520,000 (299.5m)

“Can we therefore ask our annointed candidate to tell us and Ekiti people, irrespective of party affiliation how these tax payers money were distributed and expended totalling N1,956,240,000. (1.956bn). That’s about 2billion.”

Speaking further, the APC chieftain said, “Whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap. He was at different times a different person to different individuals. He was the chief strategist to Michael Opeyemi Bamidele during the Senate struggle in 2010.

“The chief strategist to Oluomo Segun Osunkolu for senatorial contest, chief strategist to Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, but what was the outcome of all these, even same nomenclature to Akinlayo Kolawole.

“We must all remember that all these victims of Mr Strategist are at their various positions of authority at no contribution or participation as Micheal Opeyemi Bamidele currently representing Ekiti Central, while Olubunmi Adetunmbi represents Ekiti North, while several others that have paid to the chief strategist for consultancy are also at their various positions without any contributions of this “perfect strategist”.

“With the above, I will also like to remind one of the All Progressives Congress aspirants in Ekiti, particularly in person of Biodun Oyebanji of the seeds he had sown in the past. Maybe he has forgotten that a day like this will come when he was boasting before aspirants before now, under the guise of “consultancy” to collect huge sum to be their campaign consultant, using a prominent sin of Iyin-Ekiti and a current minister as a ploy to convince the aspirants then to enter his traps.

“Some of his antics can easily come to mind of some of the current aspirants as they have fallen his victims, he is the only person who can give account of how much he had collected, little did they know that he was loading his account to launch attack and political war against them in future and the time is now.

“Of particular note was the over N28million he collected from an aspirant in 2017 to work for him as his campaign consultant, it is no doubt that his conscience would have been kicking in case he had forgotten, but is it even easy to forget a deal of N28million where N18million was released immediately in cash.

“After a lot of threat joined by a serving female House of Representatives members from Ijero-Ekiti axis, he collected the balance of the N10million and the compensation for the female federal lawmaker, I leave them to their conscience.

“As if that was not enough, he simply approach the aspirant that the serving Minister had directed them to work for a particular aspirant, who later became the party candidate and won the election, the tenure is about to end and the compensation is the current chess on the table.

“This convinced me beyond expectation that he does not need the seat, but that some leaders came together to send him on an errand. This brought about another Yoruba adage that: ‘Ti won ba ran ni n’ise eru, a maa nfi ti omo je ni o’. Mr Annointed, can you be generous and kind enough to let us know those who have come to collect any money under any guise for your ambition.

“You have collected money from aspirants like you now before this day, and even vowed not to contest any election, even as low as ordinary councillor, and if anyone sees your poster anywhere, that maybe it’s your obituary, I pray that God did not take your words for your vow, ‘tori wipe, eyin ni ohun, to o ba ti jade, ko see ko pada’. A word is enough for the wise, but it is always good to guide our actions, not for today, but future purposes.”

When contacted, spokesperson for the Biodun Oyebanji Campaign Organisation, Raheem Akingbolu, asked our correspondent to text him.

He, however failed to respond to the question sent to him hours after acknowledging it.

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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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