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NCC, ALTON, MainOne back Oketola’s book on tech evolution    …set to grace book launch, lecture

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4 months ago

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The Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida,  has confirmed his participation as the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola,  launches a book on Information and Communications Technology evolution.

 

 

The book,  ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens,’ will be launched on September 17, 2024, at an exaugural lecture to mark the end of Oketola’s time as Editor, The PUNCH and celebrate his nearly 20 years in journalism and leadership practice.

 

The Head, Media Relations at the NCC, Dr Omoniyi Ibietan, who communicated NCC’s support to the author, said, “It is a consequential work. Congratulations.”

 

 

Similarly, the Chairman of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Engr. Gbenga Adebayo, and the CEO, MainOne, an Equinix Company, Ms. Funke Opeke, have also thrown their weight behind the book launch and exaugural lecture while congratulating the author.

 

“We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the invitation to your upcoming exaugural lecture and book launch. Congratulations on reaching this significant milestone,” MainOne said in a letter.

 

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, will be the Special Guest Speaker at the event.

 

Oketola said the evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which began with the introduction of GSM in 2001 by Obasanjo, had attracted over $70bn in investments and created over 500,000 jobs in the country.

 

He highlighted the bold initiatives that opened the sector to private investment, from 450,000 telephone lines before 2001 to a vibrant market today, and also charts a path through which Nigeria can maximise its digital economic potential.

 

Oketola, now a senior member of the PUNCH Editorial Board, left as Editor of The PUNCH  in June.

 

While serving as editor, he won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in December 2023. He also led the organisation to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same award ceremony. Oketola, a consistent journalism prizeman, also won  Editor of the Year Award at The Industry Awards 2022. He is a two-time winner of the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg 2015 and Nairobi 2016, among numerous awards during his illustrious journalism career.

 

In a statement, Oketola said, “I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of my book, The Catalyst: Nigerian Tech Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens, scheduled for September 17, 2024.

 

“On the same day, I will also be hosting an exaugural lecture to celebrate my tenure as Editor of The PUNCH and nearly 20 years in journalism.”

 

Speaking further, the former editor described his years in journalism as one that had driven advocacy and impacted different sectors of the economy.

 

“My 20 remarkable years of stewardship to the nation via media and leadership practices have driven advocacy and impacted areas such as business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building, a testament to the power of journalism in shaping our society,” Oketola remarked.

 

 

Other influential guests hosted at the media event are a former Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki, who will chair the occasion, and the Convener of the Centre for Social Media Research, Dr Akin Olaniyan, who will be the book reviewer.  The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, will grace the occasion as the Chief Host.

 

Similarly, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, is the host, while the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba,  is the co-host.

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Sanwo-Olu has no hand in Obasa’s impeachment – Gboyega Akosile

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2 hours ago

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January 14, 2025

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The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, says the governor has no hand in the impeachment of the immediate past Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa.

Akosile refuted viral rumour that Sanwo-Olu was responsible for the removal of Obasa, over a rumoured rift between the legislative arm and Sanwo-Olu.

Akosile made the clarification on Tuesday in Lagos, saying, “No, no, no. There is absolutely nothing true about that. I mean, no, the Governor does not have a hand in it. It was purely a legislative matter.

“The Governor is busy with serious matters, busy with taking care of the over 20 million Lagos population.

“What happened in the Hallowed Chamber of the House of Assembly was purely the prerogative of the legislators.

“I mean, we saw on the media, just like you, that the legislators removed the Speaker. We watched like every other person. The Governor must have watched it like any other person.

“I don’t think there is anything more to it other than that. So, absolutely, there is no hand of the governor in the impeachment of the Speaker,” Akosile told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN.

Society Reporters recalls that members of the Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday, impeached Obasa, a sixth-term lawmaker, serving his third term as Speaker.

The Assembly subsequently elected and swore in Deputy Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Meranda, APC-Apapa I, to replace Obasa while Mr Fatai Adebola, APC- Ibeji-Lekki I, was elected as the Deputy Speaker.

The House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Olalekan Onafeko, indefinitely during the plenary and dissolved all principal positions and standing committees.

 

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Society

Whoever collected bribe for Alaafin stool will be prosecuted – Makinde

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7 hours ago

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January 14, 2025

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Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says those who received bribes for the selection of the Alaafin of Oyo designate would be prosecuted.

Makinde made this statement on Monday when he presented the staff of the office to Abimbola Owoade, the new Alaafin of Oyo.

Society Reporters reports that the presentation of the staff and certificate of recognition took place at the Oyo state government house in Ibadan, the capital city.

Recall that Makinde announced Owoade as the Alaafin-designate on Friday despite pushback from a five-member faction of the Oyomesi (kingmakers).

Those in the faction insisted on Lukman Gbadegesin as their preferred choice for Alaafin.

The other two members of the Oyomesi, in July 2024, told the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, that Gbadegesin offered each of the five kingmakers N15 million during the Alaafin selection process.

Makinde, while presenting the instruments of office to the monarch, emphasized that the Alaafin stool would not be for sale under his watch.

The governor reiterated that those who sought to destabilise the traditional institution in the state will be prosecuted.

“The government is not letting down. We will prosecute them. The money they collected, they will still be prosecuted.

“Except they go to Kabiyesi and apologise, if he forgives them, then I will also forgive them,” he said.

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Naira Abuse: EFCC invites Okoya’s sons

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3 days ago

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January 11, 2025

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has summoned Subomi and Wahab Okoya, sons of billionaire industrialist Razaq Okoya, for questioning over alleged naira abuse.

 

The invitation followed a viral video which shows the duo appearing to throw naira notes into the air last week, while a police officer held stacks of the currency.

 

The incident reignited concerns over the abuse of Nigeria’s currency and the involvement of law enforcement officers in private activities.

 

 

In his response to the backlash, Subomi Okoya, also known as Sirheem, issued an apology via X, describing his actions in the viral video as naive and unintentional.

 

The Nigerian Police subsequently identified and detained the policeman captured in the video.

 

But there have been calls from Nigerians especially on social media for the arrest of the Okoya’s sons as well.

 

 

In an invitation signed by Michael Wetkas, the acting director of the Lagos directorate of the EFCC, the brothers have been directed to appear at the commission’s office at 15A Awolowo Road, Lagos, on Monday, January

13 by 10:00 am.

 

 

 

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