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Alake seeks stiffer regulations for Nigerian media

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***Akpabo shields him from sensitive questions at ministerial screening

The Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategies who was also nominated as ministerial nominee, Mr Dele Alake has indicated that while he is an advocate of the freedom of the press, he will not support absolute freedom without responsibility.
This was just as President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, on Wednesday, shielded him from responding to some sensitive and critical questions by some senators.

Alake who appeared before the Senate on Wednesday in continuation of the ongoing screening of President Bola Tinubu’s nominees categorically stated that under his watch as Information Minister, if so appointed, Nigerian press will be regulated to avoid abuse and distability.

He told the senators that he would ensure that the government strengthened the rule of law and adequately regulated the media.

Alake said that even though social media has advantages, its downside had become highly detrimental to a decent society like Nigeria.

He said regulations must be strengthened and tested to ensure that social media is not used in a manner that threatens the internal security of Nigeria.

His words: “The downside of social media is that it is detrimental to a good and decent society. What I would support is the strengthening of regulations. There are laws that guide our conduct in every area of human endeavour, but the application of these laws has been shut.

“Even victims of libel, aspersions, defamation and all kinds of negative things in the media, hesitate to also apply the law against the culprits. I will recommend the strengthening of our regulations and the applications of those laws. The laws must be tested so we can know the proficiency of those regulations.

“I will support anything that comes from this hallowed chamber that promotes that course of action. If there are laws, bills, and motions in line with this, please be sure of our full cooperation.”

Acknowledging that misapplication of social media could be detrimental to society, Alake said he would encourage the government to strictly apply laws regulating both the mainstream and social media.

He also said sanity can be achieved with a re- orientation of social values, ensuring executive obedience to legislative oversight, strict adherence to the rule of law, and separation of powers.

“Members of the executive must be sensitive to summons by the legislature to explain or answer questions on issues of national interest,” he added.

On what he will do to advance the tourism sector, he said he will recommend to President Tinubu to ensure good governance , adding that this will attract foreign investments in tourism into the nation’s many tourist centers.

“We do not need image laundering. Our domestic policy must be right.

However, the Senate President , Godswill Akpabio, protected the nominee on two occasions during the screening exercise.

First, efforts by the Minority Leader, Senator Simon Davou Mwadkwon, and the Minority Whip, Darlington Nwokocha , question Alake on a seeming intolerance to opposition parties view.

Nwadkwon referred him to his reaction on his social media to the opposition party’s comment by calling them “wild dogs.””” He was asked how he would manage such a situation as a public office holder without betraying political sentimental emotion.

Senator Adamu Aliero frowned at the rowdy reaction to the question, citing Order 55 to ask for protection for the Minority Leader.

But in a swift reaction, the Majority Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, referred to section 12 of the same Order 55, which pointed out why a senator may be interrupted while speaking

Bamidele said the Minority Leader shouldn’t have asked Alake about what happened some months ago, adding that the issue the nominee reacted to wash political.

The Majority Leader also faulted Nwadkwon for not limiting his question to the issue of discussion on the floor of the Senate. He said the Minority Leader “has brought politics into the matter.

Also the Darlington Nwokocha was faulted for asking Alake to recite the second stanza of the national anthem.

Akpabio said that though any adult in Nigeria should be able to recite the national anthem, nominees are not mandatory and requested to recite the national anthem during screening.

Thereafter, the Senate President, before letting Alake off the hook, said, “I have no doubt you can handle the portfolio.We are delighted with your response to questions asked you. You can take a bow and leave this hallowed chamber.

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Veteran Broadcaster Reuben Okala is new head of Abuja station of Kaftan TV

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Kaftan TV has engaged the professional services of a veteran broadcaster, Reuben Okala, to lead the Abuja office as head of station.
The move by the station is to reposition the quality of news reportage, current affairs and other interesting programs for satisfaction of it’s viewers

Reuben Okala, who is expected to resume with emmidiate effect, is bringing on board his wealth of experience that spans close to thirty years, as a multitasking professional in journalism trenches at Nigeria’s premier television station, the Nigeria Television Authority-NTA.

Chief Executive Officer of Kaftan tv, Waheed Odusule, unveiled the new station helmsman, on Tuesday, at a general meeting with staff of the fast rising television station.
He admonished them to continue to work hard, while promising to look into their welfare and other emoluments. Odusule who said that their is no room for laziness at Kaftan tv, as hard work will be rewarded just as any staff that engages in professional misconduct will be shown the way out.

In his brief remark, representative of the founder of Kaftan tv, who also doubles as it’s consultant, noted that the founder, Prince Adewale Adebayo, places greater premium on professionalism for the overall success of the station, and that was why the decision to bring Reuben Okala becomes more than imperative.

In his bief remark, the new head of Abuja station, Reuben Okala, expressed satisfaction with the facilities he’s seen at the station when he was conducted round on a facility tour.

He urged them to be creative by carving a nitch for themselves, noting that collectively Kaftan tv can be taken to greater hieghts.
The new head of station admonished them to believe in themselves and their creator if they must achieve individual success, promoting that hard work will be rewarded under his watch as head of station in Anuja.

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Senate to tell its own story as it births in-house magazine

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The Senate has officially unveilled its in-house publication, “10th Senate,” to the public as it expressed the believe that its story can’t be better told by the third party

Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu who unveiled the magazine on the floor of the upper Chamber said the new publication”is an embodiment of the Senate’s commitment to open dialogue and effective communication with Nigerian people within and outside. “Within its pages, you will find a tapestry of stories, insights, and ideas that reflect the rich chronicle of our nation. It will serve as a platform for the Senate to share its legislative achievements, initiatives, and aspirations, while also providing a voice to the diverse voices of our citizenry. ”
“As we embark on this journey together, let us embrace the power of knowledge and dialogue. Let us seize this opportunity to strengthen the bond between the Senate and the people, as we work hand in hand towards a brighter future for our beloved nation. ”
Addressing newsmen shortly after plenary, Senator Adaramodu, who incidentally is the Editor-in-Chief of the magazine said the lawmakers are anxious to drive their own narrative in the public, conscious of the space constraints in the traditional media.
He said:” It will be a quarterly magazine to chronicle activities of the Senate which the traditional media may not give attention.
“Today, at the chamber, the Media Committee birthed a magazine to show the other areas that you our partners haven’t been able to showcase.
“We know that in the newsrooms there are deluge of news items fighting for space. You pick the ones that are immediate. That’s why we come up with this quarterly magazine , Tenth Senate.
Our story can’t be better told by the third party, we want to tell it ourselves
“We want the people of Nigeria to know that we are representing them adequately. We don’t want to restrict ourselves to just the hallowed chamber.”
Asked by journalists, if fund for publication of the magazine would be from public fund appropriated for the National Assembly, Adaramodu clarified that individual lawmakers would finance the publication.
“It is to be financed by Senators, we are contributing to run it to shore up our image, we aren’t going to take money either through Appropriation or other sources.”.

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Kogi Governor’s media adviser condemns attack on Akoni TV

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The Special Adviser on Media to Kogi State Governor, Ismaila Isah has expressed sympathy with the Chief Executive Officer of an online television channel in the state, Akoni TV, Deborah Agbonika, over the robbery attack and vandalisation of the Online Television Studio in Lokoja.
Some yet to be identified hoodlums were reported to have gained access to the property of Akoni TV by 200 unit housing estate junction in Lokoja on Sunday night, vandalized the studio and carted away equipments worth millions of Naira.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Lokoja, the Special Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo condemned the act describing it as an affront on journalism in the state.

He urged the management of the online TV channel not to be deterred by the incident as it is only a set back which is incapable of retarding its effort to disseminate factual and timely information to its audience and teeming followers within and outside the state

While calling on security agencies to investigate the attack and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice, the Media adviser restated that the administration of Governor Ododo would not condone criminal elements and their nefarious activities especially where it tramples on the symbol of freedom of expression any where in the state.

Ismaila assured that the organization would be given needed support to ameliorate immediate challenges faced as a result of the robbery and damage to its facilities.

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