News
NBC /YEMI SONDE BROADCAST MEDIA FORUM TO HOLD SOON
A forum for all the broadcast media stakeholders in Nigeria, tagged NBC/Yemi Sonde Broadcast Media Stakeholders’ Forum, the fifth edition, is set to take place on Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The forum is a biennial programme jointly organised by National Broadcasting Commission, a national regulatory body for broadcasting stations and practitioners in Nigeria and Yemi Sonde Entertainment Limited, a Nigeria-based media outfit owned by Yemi Sonde, a broadcasting veteran in Nigeria.
The forum which has the theme “Quality Content In Digital Era: A Regulator’s Perspective” will be declared open by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi while the forum’s keynote address will be delivered by Alhaji Lai Muhammed, the Hon. Minister for Information, Culture & Tourism.
The forum which has become a hub of intellectual discus between broadcast media practitioners and regulators in Nigeria for the past ten years will have four different papers, apart from this year’s theme (Quality Content In Digital Era: A regulator’s Perspective) delivered by different resource persons in the broadcast media industry.
While Mallam Is’haq Modibo Kawu, the Director General of NBC is expected to be the speaker on the forum’s theme, Mrs. Bunmi Cole, the former NBC Director will speak on a paper titled “The Family: Content Production and Challenges”.
According to the Convener of the forum who is also the chairman of Yemi Sonde Entertainment Limited, Mr. Yemi Sonde, the need to improve the sector in all its ramifications as well as bridging the gap between the media umpires in Nigeria and the practitioners are some of the reasons why he has shouldered, along with the NBC, the organisation of the forum since ten years ago when the first one was staged.
“I derive a lot of joy from this forum not only because it is the first of its kind (partnership between government agency and a private citizen) in the broadcast media industry but because it has improved greatly the quality of content being produced by the practitioners compared to what we experienced a decade ago.
“I am this kind of a person that always want to give back to the society and since Yemi Sonde has become a household name throughout the country and even beyond through broadcasting, it will not augur well folding one’s arms when one can actually add values to the profession and to the practitioners.
“Since Yemi Sonde brand is synonymous with broadcasting development in Nigeria, I will not rest until there is total adherence to broadcasting codes and ethics by the practitioners in Nigeria and I will make sure I use every platform available to achieve this purpose, thus, very soon, I will be launching a book that bothers on broadcasting development in Nigeria.
“I want to sincerely appreciate Nigerian government as well as the leadership of National Broadcasting Commission in Nigeria over their willingness to this partnership”, he concluded.
The Managing Director, Radio Service Daar Communication, Ambrose Somide; the Head Public Affairs, NBC, Hajiyya Maimuna Jimada; and Director Broadcast Monitoring, Dr. Armstrong Idachaba are other resource persons who will, respectively, deliver papers on, “Broadcast As A Tool for Language Development In A Digital Era”, “Digitization, Benefits and Pubic Expectations: Your right to Quality Broadcasting”and “Sustainability of Broadcast Ethics in Digital Era: The Way Forward”.
The programme is scheduled to start at 10: 00 am prompt.
News
Customs Surpasses Revenue Target with N5.7 tn Collection
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a record revenue collection of N5.7 trillion as of November 12, 2024, surpassing its yearly target by 10 percent.
This was disclosed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, at the ongoing 2024 Comptroller-General of Customs Conference in Abuja.
Themed “Nigeria Customs Service: Engaging Traditional and New Partners with Purpose,” the conference showcased the Customs Service’s progress in modernizing its operations and fostering collaborative partnerships.
“Today, I stand before you to demonstrate how our commitments in 2023 have evolved into tangible achievements,” Adeniyi stated.
He attributed the revenue growth to a series of reforms, including the implementation of a one-stop solution for cargo alerts, a revamped ICT infrastructure, streamlined inspection procedures, and enhanced automation.
Adeniyi explained that these changes reflect the agency’s commitment to elevating operational transparency and efficiency.
“We pledged to re-align our free trade operations, elevate cargo integrity standards, and expand our scanning capacities,” he said.
“Above all, we promised to usher in a new era of customs operations—one built on transparency, efficiency, and genuine collaborations with our partners.”
As of Tuesday, November 12, Adeniyi confirmed that the NCS collected N5.07 trillion, achieving the anticipated 10 percent revenue surplus.
“This performance validates our partnership-driven approach to revenue collection and trade facilitation,” he added.
Adeniyi also highlighted recent strides in trade facilitation, revealing that six companies have been selected to benefit from the Authorised Economic Operators programme, which provides fast-tracked customs clearance and other trade facilitation benefits.
Similarly, the NCS has processed 21 requests under an advance ruling programme, designed to expedite customs decisions on import and export cargoes before they reach Nigerian ports.
The Comptroller-General expressed optimism about the NCS’s potential to drive further economic growth, citing the agency’s commitment to fostering partnerships and advancing innovative practices within the customs sector.
News
Half of Shortlisted Directors Fail Federal Permanent Secretary Exam
Nineteen out of the thirty-eight directors who were shortlisted to fill permanent secretary vacancies within the Federal Civil Service have failed the qualifying examination, a memo from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) revealed on Tuesday.
The memo, signed by Dr. Emmanuel Meribole on behalf of the examination committee, disclosed that the qualifying exam was conducted on Monday, November 11, 2024.
The Federal Government, through the OHCSF, launched the recruitment drive in October to fill permanent secretary vacancies in eight states.
Providing insights into the progress, Eno Olotu, Director of Press at OHCSF, stated, “Of the 38 eligible directors who sat for the exam, 19 have passed the first stage and will move on to the second stage, which will assess their competency in using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in government operations on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.”
Olotu highlighted the rigorous three-stage selection process, designed to ensure that only the most capable individuals are appointed to these high-ranking civil service roles.
This comprehensive approach, according to OHCSF, aims to elevate the quality of leadership across federal ministries.
The directors who advance beyond the ICT proficiency test will face a final stage on Friday, November 15, 2024, where a panel of senior government officials and private sector experts will conduct a final evaluation to determine their suitability for the permanent secretary positions.
News
Rep Oseni Rallies Support for Ikogosi Development Projects, Calls for Resilience, Unity
The Chairman of the House Committee on the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) and representative of Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, on Saturday urged the community to unite in advancing key development projects aimed at transforming Ikogosi.
Speaking at this year’s Ikogosi Day celebration and the launch of a N1 billion development project in Ekiti, the lawmaker, who served as the Chairman of the occasion, emphasised the importance of unity and collective action.
He encouraged attendees to approach the celebration as a call to action for the betterment of their community.
“As we all know, Ikogosi is not merely a town; it is a treasured gem in the heart of Ekiti State and Nigeria as a whole,” he said. “Ikogosi, a historic and vibrant town, plays a vital role in the tourism and economic landscape of Ekiti State. Its rich cultural heritage and unique resources draw visitors and stimulate economic activities that benefit us all.”
“Today is not just a celebration; it is a call to action,” he continued. “Let us come together, united in purpose, to support these transformative projects that promise to uplift the Ikogosi community. I urge everyone here to invest their time, resources, and energy in this endeavor. Together, we can build a legacy of self-help and development that future generations will cherish.”
Reflecting on the broader challenges facing the country, Oseni encouraged the people of Ikogosi and all Nigerians to remain hopeful and resilient, assuring them of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to a brighter future for the nation.
“To the good people of Ikogosi and all citizens of Nigeria, I urge you to remain steadfast and hopeful. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu means well for all Nigerians. The APC-led administration’s Renewed Hope agenda holds the promise of a brighter future. Though the beginnings may be challenging, perseverance will guide us toward a prosperous new Nigeria,” he stated.
In a statement released by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker lauded the Ekiti State government under Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s leadership for its transformative efforts in governance and development.
He acknowledged the strides made by the governor and praised his impactful initiatives, which have set Ekiti on a progressive path.
“First and foremost, let me commend the Ekiti State government under the leadership of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji. The trailblazing development initiatives and effective governance during your tenure have not gone unnoticed,” Oseni remarked.
“Under your stewardship, we have witnessed remarkable progress and commendable governance that have undoubtedly made Ekiti State a shining example of peace and development,” he added.
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