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Removal of billboards is not removal of all eyes on judiciary – Atiku’s Aide

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***They know that all eyes are on them on the historic assignment

The destruction of billboards which put up adverts that read, “All Eyes on The Judiciary” was clear evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s authoritarianism and assault on freedom of speech, Phrank Shaibu, who is a Special Assistant on Public Communications to Atiku Abubakar has indicated

Shaibu said this while reacting to the directive by the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) to pull down all billboards carrying the advert across Nigeria.

ARCON also dissolved the Advertising Standard Panel which is the statutory panel under the Council charged with the duty of ensuring that advertisements conform to the prevailing laws of the Federation as well as the Code of advertising ethics of the advertising profession.

Shaibu said the entire incident reinforced the argument that election cases in court ought to be completed before beneficiaries of questionable elections are inaugurated.

He further wondered how a message like : “All Eyes on the Judiciary” would translate to a threat to society.

“The basic principle of social justice is about the people. The advertisers of the bill boards only did what the norm is in civilized climes. It was the agents working to impress an interest that read meanings to that innocuous advert.
“Otherwise, it is a basic principle that eyes must be on the wheel of justice. Eyes must naturally be on the wheel of justice because when justice is delivered, it must be ‘seen’ to have been just! In any case, both Tinubu and the APC are before the same court.
“It is curious how they find this particular message upsetting. Anyway, even if they pull down the billboards, they can never stop all eyes from being on the judiciary at this historic time.”

He said ARCON had already begun acting like the Lagos State Signage and Advertising Agency (LASAA) which had built a reputation of denying Nigerians the right to carry adverts which the Lagos State government deemed “unfavourable”.

Atiku’s aide said, “Tinubu has, once again, put his dictatorial tendency on public display. How has a simple message that says “all eyes are on the judiciary” suddenly become offensive? This is a clear case of abuse of office and reinforces the argument that court cases ought to be concluded before inauguration so that beneficiaries of fraudulent elections would not be able to manipulate the system in their favour.

“Billboards are used in displaying educational messages. Is there any offence in alerting Nigerians to the fact that all eyes should indeed be on the judiciary? In any case, is there any Nigerian that does not know that the judiciary is hearing the case challenging Tinubu’s fraudulent victory? Even the justices themselves are aware that all eyes are on them because of the historic assignment that they are saddled with. If Tinubu had nothing to hide, why would he be afraid of such a message?

“Nigerians can now see what the people of Lagos have been facing all these years where LASAA denies the opposition the use of billboards just to please their master.
“It has become so bad that Tinubu’s son is the one that has exclusive rights to billboards on the Lekki axis. Who can forget that the company where Tinubu’s son enjoys commanding heights admitted to turning off the billboard lights during the #ENDSARS protests? And the only ridiculous explanation for such a dastardly act is that it wasn’t in bad faith.”

Shaibu said it was ironic that Tinubu claimed to be a democrat and even boasted of funding the June 12 struggle only for him to transform into an intolerant authoritarian after the election.

Atiku’s aide added that it was hypocritical for the same man to be championing democracy in Niger while at the same time denying Nigerians the most basic form of democracy which includes freedom of speech and expression. He needs to be reminded that charity begins at home.

He said the statement at the Senate screening by Dele Alake, that ‘social media would be regulated soon’ was just another evidence that Tinubu had no regard for democratic norms.

Shaibu added, “While we keep calling on the judiciary to restore the mandate of the people, we cannot but ask the citizens to be vigilant as the corn-man tries to undermine our democracy.

“Having failed in his last 70 days in office, which has increased Nigeria’s inflation and destroyed the value of the naira, systematically denied Nigerians the right to protest or go on strike. “Under the watch of this administration, inflation had climbed to an 18-year high.

“He wants to regulate social media so that his failures would not be amplified. You can’t flog Nigerians, and expect them not to cry. This will never happen.”

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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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