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Fayose sacks Ekiti LG chairmen, boards …shuns government house………..

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Ekiti Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Saturday sacked all the Caretaker Chairmen of the 16 Local Government Areas and the 19 newly created Local Council Development Areas in the state.

Also dissolved are all boards of government corporations, agencies and parastatals constituted by the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Fayose, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, directed all the caretaker chairmen to immediately hand over to the Director of Administration of their respective council.

“The dissolution takes immediate effect.

“All the local government and local council development areas’ caretaker chairmen are to hand over to the Directors of Administration of the existing local government areas.

“The Directors of Administration are to take inventory of the property handed over to them,” the statement read.

Caretaker chairmen were in control of the 16 constitutionally recognised LGAs during the administration of Fayemi.

Caretaker committees were also appointed for the 19 LCDAs inaugurated shortly after the June 21 governorship election.

An attempt by the Fayemi to hold council election in the 16 councils on February 4, 2011, was stopped by the state High Court, following a suit filed by the PDP in the state that some of the members of the State Independent Electoral Commission were members of the then ruling party, APC.

Fayemi, who had promised to hold council election before the end of the year was defeated by Fayose in the June 21 election.

Fayose had his inaugural speech on Thursday vowed not to fund the LCDAs with the Federal Allocations for the 16 councils listed in the 1999 Constitution.

He said “Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) clearly spells the authorities and procedures for the creation of local government.

“The sudden and shoddy balkanisation of the existing 16 local government areas by the immediate past administration under the guise of creating local council development areas is being challenged in the court of law.

“Our party considers the hurried creation of the 19 LCDAs, after incumbent (Fayemi) lost the June election, as gratuitous afterthought of a bad loser. It smacks of political subterfuge masterminded in utmost bad faith.

“But at the moment, the matter is sub judice, and as law abiding citizens, our government will not do anything that will render the decision of the court nugatory.

“However, pending the pronouncement of the court, our administration shall be guided by the provisions of Section 3, Part 1, First Schedule of 1999 Constitution on the list of local governments in Nigeria in the allocation of resources to that tier of government.”

Meanwhile, Fayose, has yet to move into the new Government House, Oke Ayoba, Ado-Ekiti, just completed by the immediate past Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

Investigations by us revealed that Fayose is still governing the state from his campaign office in the Government Reservation Area, Ado-Ekiti.

Fayose had on Tuesday, in a live interview monitored in Ado-Ekiti, invited the prophets in Ekiti, both Islamic and Christian, for the cleansing of the Government House.

Also on Thursday in his inaugural speech, the governor threw open the gates of the government lodge, asking people to go and enjoy themselves there as it was built with their collective wealth.

At a thanksgiving service held the Central Mosque, Ado-Ekiti, on Friday,

Fayose told the congregation that he was not in a hurry to occupy the Government House.

He said, “I am for the masses. I’m not in a hurry to go to the Government House. Those who want to go there can go there and enjoy themselves.

“How will a governor put electricity in his house and the whole town is in darkness,” he queried.

In a related development, Governor Fayose, and the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adewale Omirin, have engaged themselves in war of words over a one-month recess declared by the lawmaker.

Fayose had faulted the recess, saying it was declared in bad faith.

Omirin had in a statement by his media aide, Wole Olujobi, said the recess was to allow possible change of guide by the personnel of the Assembly.

However, in a statement made issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, the governor said the reason given by the Speaker for his action was a “lame excuse.”

Fayose accused Omirin of making a move to make the present government unpopular among lawmakers, urging him to purge himself of destructive tendencies and chart a new course.

Omirin, however, denied plotting to frustrate Fayose, describing the governor as a “rabble-rouser.”

Speaking through his Special Adviser (Media), Mr. Wole Olujobi, he said the allegations made by the governor against him were baseless.

He said, “They had been busy monitoring constituency projects to ensure their completion for inauguration by the former Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

“Even if Fayemi were still the governor, they would have still gone on the recess.”

@ Sunday Punch

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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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