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Nigeria Incurs N247.61bn Loss in 100 Days of Twitter Ban

13Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Nigeria Incurs N247.61bn Loss in 100 Days of Twitter Ban

The ban of Twitter by the federal government in Nigeria has resulted in the loss of N247.61bn after 100 days of the ban. Recall that the Federal Government had on June 4 suspended Twitter after the social media platform deleted a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari. Consequently, telcos on June 5 blocked access to Twitter after receiving a directive by the Nigerian Communications Commission. On this, the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria had said, “We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission, the industry regulator, to suspend access to Twitter. “ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the directive in accorda...

NAS Kicks AS INEC Insists on Electronic Result Transmission

8Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Elections, News, Nigeria

NAS Kicks AS INEC Insists on Electronic Result Transmission

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has insisted it did not require the approval of the Nigerian Communication Commission to transmit election results electronically. This was as the National Assembly told the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mahmood Yakubu, to seek proper legal advice instead of misinforming Nigerians on the independence of INEC to conduct elections. INEC also said that the decision of the National Assembly to subject its constitutional power to conduct elections to the NCC was absolutely unconstitutional. The PUNCH reported that during the debate on section 52 (3) of the Electoral Amendment Act Bill, dealing with electronic transmission by lawmakers, they had asked INEC to seek the approval of the NCC before going on wi...

Insecurity: GSM Operators Comply With FG’s Order, Shut Over 240 Zamfara Base Stations

5Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Security

Insecurity: GSM Operators Comply With FG’s Order, Shut Over 240 Zamfara Base Stations

GSM operators in Zamfara State have shut down their base stations in state in compliance with the order of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, that all telecom sites in Zamfara State be shut down due to the “pervading security situation” in the state. A source in the Association of Licensed Telecoms Operators of Nigeria told Sunday Punch that all the telcos had complied with the directive. Recall that a leaked memo signed by the Executive Vice-Chairman of the NCC, Prof Umar Danbatta, which was addressed to one of the telecom operators on Friday, stated that the immediate shutdown of all telecommunications services had become necessary due to the insecurity in the state. In the letter titled, ‘Re: Shutdown of all telecom sites in Zamfara State’, the NCC boss stated that th...

Drive With Earphone, Face Six Months Jail Term, FRSC Warns

4Sep

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Transportation

Drive With Earphone, Face Six Months Jail Term, FRSC Warns

The Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, has warned that any driver who receives or makes telephone calls while driving, regardless of any wireless gadgets used risk prosecution. The FRSC also said drivers who make or receive calls behind the wheels with AirPods, EarPods or any form wired or wireless earphones and handsfree mode risk six months in jail. FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, in an interview with Saturday PUNCH, said driving requires total concentration and road users should not take any risk on their lives. He said it is illegal to make calls or receive the same while driving, according to the National Road Traffic Regulations, 2012. Kazeem said, “It is illegal. Driving entails 100 per cent concentration so you cannot be distracted. It is there in th...

JUST IN: FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline Again

25Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

JUST IN: FG Extends NIN-SIM Verification Deadline Again

The Federal Government has once more postponed the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to October 31, 2021. This was contained in a joint statement by the Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke, titled ‘FG Extends NIN-SIM verification deadline to 31st October, 2021′. Before now, FG had approved the extension of the deadline for NIN-SIM data verification to July 26, 2021. The statement noted that the registration focus is now expected to shift to remote and hard-to-reach areas, schools and health centres. The Director, Public Affairs Nigerian Communications Commission, Ikechukwu Adinde; and the Head, Corporate Communications, Nigeria Identity ...

Twitter Still Being Used to Criticise Us – FG

23Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Human Rights, Judiciary, Justice, News, Nigeria

Twitter Still Being Used to Criticise Us – FG

The Federal Government of Nigeria has told a Federal High Court in Lagos that Nigerians are still making use of Twitter to criticise government policies despite its ban. This was disclosed in a counter-affidavit deposed by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and the Federal Government in response to an originating motion filed by human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, according to PUNCH. Recall that the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had in June 2021 suspended Twitter, saying it threatened its corporate existence. The platform was suspended after Twitter deleted a statement tweeted by President Muhammadu Buhari, which many Nigerians found distasteful. But since the ban, many Nigerians have bypassed the Twitter suspension by using Virtual Private N...

SERAP Issues Buhari 24 Hours Ultimatum To Withdraw NBC Order On Reporting of Terrorism

18Jul

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, News, Nigeria, Terrorism

SERAP Issues Buhari 24 Hours Ultimatum To Withdraw NBC Order On Reporting of Terrorism

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has issued an open letter to President Muhammadu Buhari asking him to use his office “to urgently instruct Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture, and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to withdraw the directive containing a gag order banning journalists and broadcast stations from reporting details of terrorist attacks and victims across the country.” Recall that NBC had in a letter dated July 7, 2021 ordered journalists, television, and radio stations in Nigeria to stop “glamourizing and giving too many details on the nefarious activities of terrorists and kidnappers” during their daily newspaper reviews. SERAP in its reaction in a letter dated 17 July 2021 and signed by its deputy director, Kolawole Ol...

FG Extends NIN-SIM Linkage Exercise Deadline As Pantami Lauds Compliance

29Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

FG Extends NIN-SIM Linkage Exercise Deadline As Pantami Lauds Compliance

The Federal Government has ratified the extension of the deadline for the National Identification Number, NIN, and SIM linkage exercise to July 26. The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Patami, thanked Nigerians for their patience and compliance with the directive by FG on the NIN-SIM registration exercise. This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, jointly signed by the Public Affairs Director, National Communications Commission, NCC, Ikechukwu Adinde and Head, Corporate Affairs, National Identity Management Commission, Kayode Adegoke. According to the statement, the federal government approved the extension as part of its efforts to make it easier for its citizens and residents to obtain the NIN. The extension affords Nigerians more time to link th...

Twitter Ban: SERAP Sues FG, Lai Mohammed Over Directive to Broadcasters

20Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, Judiciary, News, Nigeria

Twitter Ban: SERAP Sues FG, Lai Mohammed Over Directive to Broadcasters

Following a directive to all TV and radio stations not to use Twitter, and to delete their accounts, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has filed a lawsuit soliciting for an order from the Federal High Court Abuja to stop the Federal Government and the Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Muhammed from using “patently unlawful directive” as a pretext to harass, intimidate, suspend or impose criminal punishment on journalists and broadcast stations simply for using social media platforms. The development comes after a directive by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, asking TV and radio stations to “suspend the patronage of Twitter immediately” after the microblogging platform was indefinitely suspended in the country for deleting tweets of Presiden...

Adamu Garba Decries Instagram’s Suspension of his Account

16Jun

By Obiajulu Joel NwoluNo Comments

Communication, Information Technology, News, Nigeria

Adamu Garba Decries Instagram’s Suspension of his Account

Former presidential candidate and owner of malfunctional Cowwe app, Adamu Garba has decried the suspension of his Instagram account on Wednesday. The CEO of IPI solutions disclosed this on Wednesday morning on his Facebook handle. Garba posted, “They’ve taken down my Instagram account too. This could happen to anyone for voicing out contrary opinions. More reasons why we should work excellently on Crowwe.” Reports say Garba's Instagram account was suspended for violation of an Instagram policy. The development comes shortly after his novel Crowwe app was flagged down by Google Play Store for copyright violation and poor ratings by Nigerians. He still insists Nigerians should dump all foreign social media platforms for his Crowwe app. Source: SaharaReporters