Telecom operators in Nigeria suspend access to Twitter

The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has suspended access to Twitter. A statement jointly signed by ALTON chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and executive secretary, Gbolahan Awonuga, and released this morning June 5, stated that the suspension was based on a directive by the telecommunications industry regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). The statement titled ‘Order to Suspend Access to Twitter’, reads “We, The Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) wish to confirm that our members have received formal instructions from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the industry regulator to suspend access to Twitter. ALTON has conducted a robust assessment of the request in accordance with internationally accepted principles. Based on national interest provisions in the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and within the licence terms under which the industry operates; our members have acted in compliance with the directives of the Nigerian Communications Commisison (NCC) the industry regulator. We remain committed to supporting the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and upholding the rights of citizens. As an industry, we endorse the position of the United Nations that the rights held by people offline must also be protected online. This includes respecting and protecting the rights of all people to communicate, to share information freely and responsibly, and to enjoy privacy and security regarding their data and their use of digital communications'' The Federal government on Friday, June 4, announced the indefinite suspension of Twitter's operations in Nigeria. The suspension came days after the micro-blogging site deleted President Buhari's tweet referencing the civil war.

Twitter supports IPOB more than it supports the government- politician Adamu Garba

Former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba has alleged that Twitter is an “online machine” of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and that the social media platform supports the secessionist group more than it supports the Federal government. Adamu said this while reacting to the decision of the Federal government to suspend the operation of Twitter in Nigeria. In an interview with Channels TV on Friday evening, June 4, Garba, who in October 2020 sued the social media platform for ''supporting'' the #ENDSARS protest (read here), said the Federal government's decision is a welcomed development. “Yes, I’m happy. Seriously. It is clearly showing that actions cannot just happen without consequences. Twitter, if you studied their move for the last two years, they have been more of an anti-Nigerian force, for the destruction of Nigeria than actually a platform that’s supposed to advocate for freedom of expression of Nigeria. “Because if you look at what happened with the removal of some of the tweets of the president, I can’t see very strong or vile word than that of Nnamdi Kanu that was left to still be available on Twitter. “We have a very serious crisis in the south-east, where these guys are destroying fundamental institutions of Nigerian democracy, INEC offices, police institutions and courts. “They are killing people on the streets, destroying people’s properties, and then Twitter is behind them. “I think Twitter is like a kind of IPOB online machine because what they do more is to support IPOB much more than the government. IPOB, everyone knows, they are anti-Nigeria. Their target is to destroy Nigeria.”

UK aims to regulate social media firms over content removal - The Times

REUTERS (Reuters) - The British government will announce plans for a new law next week under which social media companies will have a duty to be impartial and be barred from "arbitrarily" removing comments because they are controversial, The Times newspaper reported. UK ministers will announce plans on Tuesday for a statutory duty of care, which will be enforced by Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, the newspaper reported, without citing a source. Firms that fail to meet the obligations may face multimillion-pound fines or be blocked from operating in Britain, according to the report. The newspaper cited a source as saying that the British government was concerned that social media companies were removing legitimate content on grounds that it was controversial rather than because it was harmful or inaccurate. A government representative was not immediately available for comment. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonya Hepinstall)

This seems like a reasonable decision - Portuguese politician, Bruno Maçães, reacts to FG's Twitter suspension

Portuguese politician, Bruno Maçães, is of the opinion that the suspension of Twitter operations in Nigeria is a reasonable decision. Reacting to the decision via his Twitter handle, he wrote ''This seems like a reasonable decision. No sovereign country should be inclined to place Twitter above the head of state or head of government. It was perhaps tolerable for a US internet platform to determine what can or cannot be said by the US president, but how did anyone ever think the model could apply globally?'' he wrote This seems like a reasonable decision - Portuguese politician, Bruno Maçaes, reacts to FG -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *COMMENT*: This guy would instantly be hated by anti Buhari hordes and troublemakers. Whoever has a contrary opinion to their thoughts is usually regarded as the enemy. UGM kills innocent people including northerners under the guise of secessionist struggles and their admirers clap loudly and call them heroes. An Igbo guy residing in Kano was kidnapped by bandits yesterday and this same people are crying for revenge. Isn't this hypocrisy in technicolor? Whoever kills others shouldn't be afraid of the sword. What exactly did Buhari say that's making a lot of people to convulse? He reminded anarchists burning public buildings and setting dangerous prisoners free to not forget that this type of lawlessness was the cause of the civil war in 1967. History is a teacher; it brings back into human memory those things we've chosen to forget. He was part of the federal soldiers who fought for 30 months to keep the Nigerian nation indissoluble and witnessed horrendous human and material wastes. Those who want war to actualize their Biafran and Oduduwa republics today weren't even born when Buhari was head of state between 1983-1985. If you haven't experienced war, it's very normal to think it's a walk in the park. Buhari may be hated for breathing by IPOB and their followers but he's right to sound a note of warning to warmongers looking to destroy this beautiful and blessed nation for their own political ambitions. Twitter is assuming a dangerous power that's superceding the sovereignty of independent nations. It's a tool of misbehavior for the misfits and the malcontents. It promotes alternative lifestyles that are inimical to societal harmony. It allowed IPOB an unfettered access to propagate falsehoods on its app. Every serious leader would be alarmed at these excesses that could damage us as a nation. Twitter needs to be checked once in a while and be reminded that it exists on the goodwill and exigencies of its users. It's simply an app used by all sorts of propagandists and influencers to keep their motives alive and feel good about themselves. Buhari did nothing wrong in banning it especially now that fake news peddlers, mischievous bedroom journalists, anarchists and secessionists are on the prowl. We all need to calm down and take a deep breath from the onslaughts of real and imaginary bad news. And soon enough, we'd all realize that it's a miniscule part of our individual existences. It's just a bloody app for crying out loud.

Catholic Church bans Mbaka from commenting on ‘partisan politics’

Catholic Church bans Mbaka from commenting on ‘partisan politics’ June 4, 2021 in Featured, News, News Update 0 Mbaka’s action shakes Enugu Catholic diocese FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedInWhatsAppEmail By Alao Abiodun The Catholic Church has banned Spiritual Director of Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) Rev Fr Ejike Mbaka from commenting on partisan politics. The Nation learnt this ban is coming after the controversy surrounding the recent disappearance and appearance of the fiery Catholic Priest, which also led to the shutdown of his Adoration Ministry. ADVERTISEMENT In a copy of the letter to Mbaka obtained by The Nation, the Catholic bishop of Enugu Diocese Callistus Onaga announced the conversion of the Adoration Ministry to ‘chaplaincy’. Read Also: The trials of Fr. Mbaka The letter dated June 3 contains the diocesan directives and guidelines for the conduct of the adoration ministry. It also explained that Mbaka still leads the chaplaincy but the bishop (Onaga) can appoint any ministerial officer “to assist the chaplains to oversee the pastoral activities of the ministry.” FacebookTwitterPinterestLinkedInWhatsAppEmail

Akpabio-i-will-fast-track-board-inauguration By Mike Odiegwu, Port Harcourt and Elo Edremoda, Warri

Niger Delta Affairs Minister Godswill Akpabio yesterday said the process of constituting a substantive Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) board will be fast-tracked. He spoke after an emergency consultative visit to Oporoza, headquarters of Gbaramatu Kingdom in Warri Southwest of Delta State. It was over the seven-day ultimatum issued by ex-militant leader, Chief Government Ekpemupolo (alias Tompolo) on Sunday. Akpabio stormed the creeks in the company of the NDDC sole administrator, Mr Akwa Effiong, Deputy Governor Deacon Kingsley Otuaro and top military officers. Traditional rulers from Bayelsa, Edo and Ondo states joined the Pere of Gbaramatu kingdom to receive the minister. The minister said: “We had a robust discussion and consultation. The meetings have been fruitful. The consensus of stakeholders is that there is a need for more representation in the NDDC and so a board needs to be constituted. “I have also assured them that as soon as I get back, I will commence the process and fast track the process. “We have agreed that my office will fast-track the process of the constitution of the new board. We have also looked at what is affecting the region. The youths applauded, but they want to see more progress, more employment opportunities.” Asked about the fears surrounding the ultimatum, he said: “It is not a function of the ultimatum; it is a function of the fact that it was a call for the government to react to the aspirations of the people. “The issue of ultimatum is not something I can speak on because there is a process and it has to start with the minister. The major thing is that we have committed to work together to make sure that we give what the people want”. Otuaro added that the processes for the constitution of the board are to commence today. “We must not allow our region to boil. There has been a process set in place. The process is such that a critical set of people are meant to work very closely with him to ensure that the processes are expedited almost immediately by tomorrow, as soon as he gets to Abuja”. He said a communiqué on the consultation would be issued in due course. Akpabio arrived in Delta three days before the expiration of Tompolo’s ultimatum to inaugurate a substantive NDDC board. INC calls for calm as IYC insists on protest Also yesterday, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide rejected the appeal by its parent body, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) to call off the protest. Rising from their meeting in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the elders called for the suspension of the ongoing mass action by the IYC and other Niger Delta agitators. The INC said its appeal was to enable it to interface with stakeholders to avert renewed hostilities in the region. The INC called on the Federal Government to immediately inaugurate the NDDC board to reduce the brewing tension in the region. A statement by the INC after its meeting was signed by its President Benjamin Okaba; National Secretary Ebipamowei Wodu and Publicity Secretary Ezonebi Oyakemeagbegha. The statement reads: “The INC expresses concern about the growing tension in Ijawland and the Niger Delta region arising from the protests by Ijaw youths and the ultimatum issued by High Chief Government Ekpemupolo and some Niger Delta agitators over the non-constitution of the board of the NDDC. “The INC recalls that governors of the Niger Delta region had months ago reviewed the matter and called for the constitution of the board of the NDDC, which indeed reflects the position of the vast majority of the people of the region. “There is currently overwhelming anger over the state of affairs in the NDDC and except President Buhari takes proactive steps, things may go out of hand. “The INC, as the apex Ijaw organisation, worried by the brewing tension in the region, has commenced the process of engagement with critical stakeholders to prevent hostilities in Ijaw land and the Niger Delta region. “However, the INC repeats its earlier demand during the inauguration of the current national leadership on May 14, 2021, for the board of the NDDC to be constituted as a matter of urgency with a Bayelsan as Managing Director and a Deltan as Chairman in line with the NDDC Establishment Act 2000. “The INC leadership calls on Ijaw youths to be calm, while a committee has been set up to investigate the issues arising from the IYC protest and will continue with the engagement of relevant stakeholders to address the issue of constitution of the board of the NDDC and the award of new marginal oil fields”. But the IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa, praised the elders for their intervention but said the youths would continue with the protest pending the inauguration of the NDDC board. He said the youths had given the Federal Government and Akpabio a reasonable time to address the injustice and unfairness in the management of the NDDC, insisting that there was no going back on the protest. Igbifa called on all the youths to remain resolute in their agitation for a board that would drive the development of the region. He said: “The only thing that will stop further protest is the immediate inauguration of the NDDC board. In the absence of the board, our protest continues. Our elders have tried and we appreciate their intervention. “We appeal to them to prevail on Akpabio and the Federal Government to quickly inaugurate this board. Our agitation is for justice, equity and fairness. “Nobody should tell us that it is the forensic audit that is delaying the inauguration of the board. It is a big lie.” The youth wing of the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) yesterday shut down the Delta State office of the NDDC in Edjeba, Warri South. The youths, who are protesting the failure to inaugurate the NDDC board, vowed that the office would remain shut until their demand is met. Tompolo, in a statement Sunday, warned that the ongoing protests by the IYC and other groups would be child’s play compared to what will happen in the region should the Federal Government fail to inaugurate a substantive board within seven days. The ultimatum, which has received backing from other groups like the Egbesu Brotherhood, has since caused tension in the already volatile region.

PUNCH Diaspora: Nigerian emerges first African student rep in Scottish varsity’s 438-year history by Victoria Edeme

Sokoto-born Aisha Akinola, has broken records as the first African to become a Sabbatical Officer at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. A sabbatical officer is a students representative. Akinola currently serves as the Vice President, Welfare in the Scottish University’s Student Association. While chatting with our correspondent, Akinola said her mother motivated her to run for the role at a point when she felt discouraged. “After giving my manifesto, I felt so down and depressed because I was the only person of colour. I called my Mum and she encouraged me to continue,” she said. “During my campaign, I gave it my all and I was determined that even if I fail, I would fail gloriously but lo and behold, I won,” she said. Akinola emerged the first African sabbatical officer and the first African to hold the role of the Vice President Welfare in her University’s 438 years history. Akinola revealed that she became aware of the sabbatical officer role while she was getting her visa to travel to Edinburgh. “When I was preparing my visa at the airport, they asked me if I wanted to go on sabbatical. So, I was intrigued and checked out the meaning of the word. From that moment, I started looking forward to it,” she said. As a sabbatical officer in her University’s Student Association, Akinola hopes to carry out campaigns on her campus to solve issues relating to racial segregation and students support. She is also passionate about embedding equality, diversity, and inclusion into the experience of students at the University of Edinburgh. According to her, she hopes that the University embraces diversity and inclusion under her tenure, as these factors are personal to her. She revealed that during her meetings with other officials, people always get to notice her as she is the only person of colour and that her religion makes her stand out too. Being a person of colour and a Muslim, Akinola sees herself as a person of complexities. Asides being a sabbatical officer at the University of Edinburgh, Akinola is also a model, hair stylist, and henna artist. For her, modelling is a passion while hair styling and henna artistry are side hustles. She said, “As a child, I was making toffee and ‘chin chin’ to sell at school. I have always had that entrepreneurial spirit and that’s how I’ve been able to manage my passion, role and side hustles.”