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Friday, 29 November 2024 07:14

Misuse Of Social Media Fueling Insecurity In Nigeria - Army

The Nigerian Army has warned against the use of social media to fuel insecurity in the country.

The commander of the Nigeria Army Cyber Warfare Command, Major General A.A. Ayanuga, gave the warning in Lokoja during the 38th edition of the Nigerian Army Social Media Seminar themed “Cultivating a Culture of Security Awareness Through Social Media.”

According to him, the reckless sharing of harmful messages, videos and voice notes through social media is jeopardising Nigeria’s peaceful coexistence.

"Social media has evolved into a powerful tool that profoundly influences the security landscape of societies worldwide. As we navigate the vast expanse of social media, we must recognise the transformative power.

“Social media has democratised information, connected us across borders, and provided unparalleled opportunities for self-expression. However, this freedom comes with immense responsibility and challenges such as misinformation and disinformation, cyberbullying, online harassment, hate speech and divisive rhetoric, impersonation and identity theft, with their effects on national security.

“It is critical to understand that misuse of social media to propagate damaging narratives has severe consequences for national security,” he said.

The Chief of Civil Military Affairs of the Nigerian Army, Major General N.C. Ugbo, who was represented by B.S. Keji, maintained that social media is a critical aspect of asymmetric warfare being fought in contemporary times.

He said: “The Nigerian Army recognises the importance of social media in shaping public perception and influencing national security. It presents an invaluable opportunity for those who recognise the transformative capabilities of social media to connect and collaborate.

"That is why we are here to explore ways to harness social media’s potential, counter misinformation, and promote national unity. As we delve into the world of social media, let us remember that our actions online have far-reaching consequences for national security. Therefore, we must use social media responsibly, preserving truth, respect, and national interest.”

In his address, the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Commodore Jerry Omodara, argued that, as much as social media has the potential to be a force for good, its misuse cannot be ignored.

Continuing, he said: “We must acknowledge the ever-growing role social media plays in shaping perceptions, guiding public discourse, and driving action on important issues like national security.

"The same platforms that enable the rapid spread of life-saving information can also be harnessed to propagate falsehoods, fuel divisions, and escalate tensions. This, as we all know, can have dire consequences for the stability of our communities and our nation as a whole.

"Security awareness is a collective responsibility, one that requires constant engagement, education, and collaboration across all sectors of society. We must understand that social media is not just a space for personal interactions but a global stage for conversations that influence real-world outcomes.

” This makes it imperative for us to cultivate a culture of security awareness that equips our citizens, especially the youth, with the right knowledge to distinguish between fact and fiction, to recognise credible sources, and to understand their role in maintaining peace and security within their communities.”

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Friday, 29 November 2024 06:59

Asisat Oshoala, Paul Onuachu Nominated For 2024 FIFA Best Awards - See Full List

The Best FIFA Football Awards 2024 nominees announced

Published
29 Nov 2024

Football fans from across the globe can now cast their votes in a host of categories, including The Best FIFA Men's 11 and The Best FIFA Women's 11.

?Voting is now open for the ninth edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards™

?Fans can vote for The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and The Best FIFA Women’s 11 for first time

?New FIFA Marta Award added to celebrate the best goal in women’s football

FIFA has announced the shortlist of nominees for The Best FIFA Football Awards™ 2024, which will recognise the leading lights in another thrilling year of women’s and men’s football at both club and national-team levels.

Voting is now open on FIFA.com across a number of award categories, with fans set to play a key role in choosing the winners. Voting for The Best FIFA Men’s Player, The Best FIFA Women’s Player, The Best FIFA Men’s Coach, The Best FIFA Women’s Coach, The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper and The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper will be equally weighted between fans, the current captains and coaches of all women’s/men’s national teams, and media representatives.

The winner of the FIFA Fan Award will be chosen entirely by fans, while the recipient of the FIFA Fair Play Award will be decided by an expert panel. Voting for the new FIFA Marta Award and the FIFA Puskás Award will be split equally between fans and a panel of FIFA Legends.

The biggest change in terms of voting for this year’s edition of The Best FIFA Football Awards is that fans will have their say in selecting The Best FIFA Men’s 11 and The Best FIFA Women’s 11. They will be able to choose from a list of 77 nominated players – 22 defenders, midfielders and forwards apiece, plus 11 goalkeepers – slotting them into one of several preset tactical formations to build their team. Votes will be weighted equally between fans and an expert panel.

The FIFA Puskás Award has been redefined as being bestowed on the scorer of the best goal in men’s football regardless of championship or nationality. To honour the best goal scored in women’s football in any league around the world, the FIFA Marta Award, named after the Brazilian legend, will be presented for the very first time.

Voting is open on FIFA.com until 23:59 CET on Tuesday, 10 December 2024. The rules of allocation for all awards are available at the FIFA Digital Hub.

The Best FIFA Women’s Player nominees

Aitana Bonmati (Spain), Barcelona

Barbra Banda (Zambia), Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride

Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Barcelona

Keira Walsh (England), Barcelona

Khadija Shaw (Jamaica), Manchester City

Lauren Hemp (England), Manchester City

Lindsey Horan (USA), Olympique Lyonnais

Lucy Bronze (England), Barcelona/Chelsea

Mallory Swanson (USA), Chicago Red Stars

Mariona Caldentey (Spain), Barcelona/Arsenal

Naomi Girma (USA), San Diego Wave

Ona Batlle (Spain), Barcelona

Salma Paralluelo (Spain), Barcelona

Sophia Smith (USA), Portland Thorns

Tabitha Chawinga (Malawi), Paris Saint-Germain/Olympique Lyonnais

Trinity Rodman (USA), Washington Spirit

The Best FIFA Men’s Player nominees

Dani Carvajal (Spain), Real Madrid

Erling Haaland (Norway), Manchester City

Federico Valverde (Uruguay), Real Madrid

Florian Wirtz (Germany), Bayer Leverkusen

Jude Bellingham (England), Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe (France), Paris Saint-Germain/Real Madrid

Lamine Yamal (Spain), Barcelona

Lionel Messi (Argentina), Inter Miami

Rodri (Spain), Manchester City

Toni Kroos (Germany), Real Madrid (now retired)

Vinicius Jr (Brazil), Real Madrid

The Best FIFA Women’s Coach nominees

Arthur Elias (Brazil), Brazil

Elena Sadiku (Sweden), Celtic

Emma Hayes (England), Chelsea/USA

Futoshi Ikeda (Japan), Japan

Gareth Taylor (England), Manchester City

Jonatan Giraldez (Spain), Barcelona/Washington Spirit

Sandrine Soubeyrand (France), Paris FC

Sonia Bompastor (France), Olympique Lyonnais/Chelsea

The Best FIFA Men’s Coach nominees

Carlo Ancelotti (Italy), Real Madrid

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina), Argentina

Luis de la Fuente (Spain), Spain

Pep Guardiola (Spain), Manchester City

Xabi Alonso (Spain), Bayer Leverkusen

The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper nominees

Alyssa Naeher (USA), Chicago Red Stars

Ann-Katrin Berger (Germany), Chelsea/NJ/NY Gotham

Ayaka Yamashita (Japan), INAC Kobe Leonessa/Manchester City

Cata Coll (Spain), Barcelona

Mary Earps (England), Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain

The Best FIFA Men’s Goalkeeper nominees

Andriy Lunin (Ukraine), Real Madrid

David Raya (Spain), Arsenal

Ederson (Brazil), Manchester City

Emiliano Martinez (Argentina), Aston Villa

Gianluigi Donnarumma (Italy), Paris Saint-Germain

Mike Maignan (France), AC Milan

Unai Simon (Spain), Athletic Club

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Friday, 29 November 2024 06:51

Tax Reform Bills: I’m Not Ignorant – Ndume

Ndume said he taught in the polytechnic for 20 years before joining politics.

He spoke on Channels TV’s Politics Today while faulting those against his stance on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills.

Ndume said people see him as ignorant because he wears Agbada.

The lawmaker said despite schooling in Nigeria and the United States, while two of his daughters are married to Yoruba men, some people still consider him ignorant.

He said: “I’m 65 years old. I schooled in Nigeria and in America. Because I’m wearing Agbada and because I’m from Borno State, some people call me ignorant. I taught in polytechnics for 20 years before I joined politics. I married two of my daughters to Yoruba men.”

On Thursday, there was an uproar and a shouting match on the floor of the Senate over the tax reform bills.

Ndume had kicked against the bills, identifying timing as one of the elements drawing antagonism to the proposed bills.

He said introducing such a bill at the moment was bad timing, noting the current perception of the present administration by the populace.

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Friday, 29 November 2024 06:43

FG Approves Licence For 27,000 Barrels Refinery In Gombe

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, has announced the approval of a licence for the construction of a new refinery.

The approval given to a company named Process Design and Development Limited is to establish and construct a new 27,000 barrels per day refinery.

It said the facility will be located in Dole-Wure, Akko area of Gombe State.

The authority in a post on its official X handle on Thursday, said, “Authority Chief Executive presented a Licence to Establish a 27,000 BPSD Refinery to the Managing Director/ CEO of Process Design and Development Limited.

“The refinery is to be located in Dole-Wure, Akko, Gombe State.”

The latest development signifies that Nigeria now officially has about 10 modular and regular refineries, adding to the nation’s refining capacity.

However, despite this increase in the number of refineries, most of them remain moribund, with many not functioning at full capacity or efficiently.

A background check using NG.Checks showed that the company is located in Kano with registration number 487883.

Its directors are Adamu U. Sanda, Abdulkadir Umar, Umar S. Umar and Bashir Umar.

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Friday, 29 November 2024 06:37

Port Harcourt Refinery: Oil business not selling cement, sugar – Fani-Kayode tackles Dangote

The former Nigerian Minister of Tourism, Femi Fani-Kayode, has tackled critics of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited upon the recent revival of Port Harcourt Refinery.

This comes as he alleged that some elements within the private sector in the oil and gas industry want to undermine and understate the revitalisation of the Port Harcourt Refinery.

Fani-Kayode made this known in a statement on his official X handle on Thursday, noting that the oil business is not the same thing as selling sugar, spaghetti, and cement, tackling Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Refinery.

His comments come amid claims against the viability of Port Harcourt Refinery after NNPCL announced that the plant has begun trucking out petroleum products on Tuesday.

Recall that Timothy Mgbere, Secretary of the Alesa community stakeholders, in an interview on Arise Television on Thursday alleged that Port Harcourt Refinery trucked out old stock, not freshly refined petroleum products.

However, Fani-Kayode fingered some elements in the private sector of the industry as responsible for the campaign of calumny to discredit the Group Managing Director of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery after years of being in comatose.

He stressed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is a great victory for Nigeria.

According to him, what Nigerians need is for NNPCL refineries to flourish, and the same for Dangote Refinery and others.

He said, “The resurrection of the PH refinery is one of the most encouraging things that has happened in the petroleum sector for many years, and the credit for this must go to the President and the GMD of NNPC.

“It is a pity that some elements in the private sector who are new in the field are doing all they can to undermine and understate this great victory for Nigeria.

“The oil business is not the same as selling sugar, spaghetti, cement, or rice, and no matter how hard you try, you cannot muscle your way and create a monopoly on the sale of refined products as you did for other commodities over the years.”.

He added: “NNPC will go from strength to strength, and once its other refineries are working as well, Nigerians will have cause to smile again. Let the new kid on the block flourish, but let the NNPC refineries flourish too. That should be our goal and not a squalid attempt to discredit NNPC and its leadership.

“Every optimistic and true lover of Nigeria’s progress and President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda must be proud of the GMD Mele Kyari. His tenacity, bravery, ingenuity, and forthrightness have been rewarded with this great feat. Surely this is hope renewed for Nigerians.”.

DAILY POST recalls that on Tuesday the NNPCL announced the commencement of petroleum product production at the Port Harcourt Refinery.

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Thursday, 28 November 2024 16:33

Protests alone won’t bring change, youths must engage in politics — Osinbajo

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says political action for social change in developing countries must go beyond protests.

Osinbajo spoke on Thursday during the technology, new media, citizens and governance conference, which took place in Gbagada, Lagos.

The conference, with the theme: ‘Technology: The Present and Future of Political Action in Africa’, was organised by Enough is Enough (EiE) in partnership with BudgIT.

In his keynote address titled: ‘Technology as a Catalyst for Political Action in Africa’, Osinbajo underlined how young Africans deployed social media to organise protests in Nigeria, Kenya, and Zambia.

Osinbajo said it is important for social media platforms to regulate themselves, as any government-imposed regulation could be seen as an attempt to suppress free speech.

“Social media is really empowering for all and it is non-discriminatory — the weak, the strong, the treacherous, the mischievous and haters of every kind — have cover to speak their minds, speak truth to power, and insult,” he said.

“I think it is a critical medium but we must find ways of self regulation. In developing countries with fragile economies and widespread poverty, we don’t have the luxury of political action for its own sake.

“There is a sense of power and excitement that comes with protest. Political action must go beyond protests and the euphoria that it brings.

“It must lead to some measurable and tangible results otherwise it becomes counter-productive.

“In poor societies, every day of protest is valuable. It means that millions of informal workers and traders make a huge sacrifice because they earn on a daily basis.

“Political action must lead somewhere. It must move a step closer to resolving the issue that cripples our society.”

‘POLITICAL POWER NECESSARY FOR LASTING CHANGE’

Osinbajo added that political participation is necessary for the kind of holistic change required in developing societies.

The former vice-president said meaningful change cannot be achieved if the popular notion of “don’t get your hands dirty in politics” is maintained.

“In a democratic society where the objective of political action is to make substantial and structural change, this may only be possible within the context of partisan politics,” he said.

“I’m sure there are many people who may not agree with that. Yes, we can be effective as pressure groups and some level of change is possible by advocacy action.

“But the truth is that for the depth of change that is required in developing countries, political power is required.

“The puritan stance of the elite, which of course includes those in the civil societies, is that we should not get our hands dirty in politics. This will not achieve change at a scale in any important area of concern.

“If we take the position of don’t get your hands dirty or don’t get into politics, we can’t achieve change at the scale that is required, especially in our society.”

Osinbajo added that he was able to carry out far-reaching reforms in the justice system after his appointment as attorney-general of Lagos in 1999.

He said before the Alliance for Democracy (AD) won the 1999 election in Lagos, he made little progress in his clamour for justice reforms as a university lecturer.

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Thursday, 28 November 2024 16:30

UK earned over N68bn in visa fees from Nigerians between 2023-2024

The British government earned over N68 billion processing visas for Nigerian nationals between June 2023 to the same month in 2024.

According to Marc Owen, director of visa, status and information services at UK visas and immigration, at least 225,000 UK visa applications from Nigeria were processed in the period under review.

Owen spoke at the launch of Africa’s biggest UK visa application centre (VAC) in Lagos.

“In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225k UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories and this new partnership demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all applicants,” the British High Commission in Lagos quoted Owen as saying in a statement.

“I’m delighted to be here in person as we celebrate this important moment together with our customers and partners.”

Although Owen did not specify if certain classes of visas had more applications, a standard UK visitor visa for six months costs $150.

This means the UK realised over $34 million from the 225,000 Nigerian applicants. In naira, this would amount to N68 billion.

Visa application fees are non-refundable even if processing turns out unsuccessful.

NIGERIA RECORDED HIGH REJECTIONS

Earlier this year, data from the British government showed that Nigeria was among five countries that saw a rise in study visa rejection rates in the second half of 2023.

In Q4 2022, Nigeria saw one in 31 applications rejected, while in Q4 2023, around one in eight were declined.

Vietnam, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia also saw high visa rejection rates, albeit at smaller accruals.

India was the only country where declined application numbers trumped Nigeria’s.

The data showed that issuances to Nigerians were down by 63 percent when juxtaposed with the last three months of 2022.

The increase in rejections came amid tightened visa restrictions for immigrants in the UK.

The British government said changes to policies on dependent visas stirred negative sentiments in both countries, following tweaks to the graduate route post-study work visa.

Many Nigerians are now turning to the United States for succour.

In the 2023/2024 academic year, Nigeria was the seventh largest source of international students globally and the highest in Africa, with 20,029 enrollees in the US.

The enrolment figures for Nigeria amounted to a 13.5 percent increase from the previous year for the country.

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Thursday, 28 November 2024 16:28

‘24 killed, 1,200 arrested’ — Amnesty International releases report on #EndBadGovernance protest

Amnesty International says at least 24 protesters were killed during the #EndBadGovernance protest in Nigeria.

Nigerians held a 10-day nationwide protest from August 1, against the pervasive hardship in the country.

The protest turned violent in some parts of the country with police shooting teargas at demonstrators and journalists.

There were also reported cases of looting and vandalism of public and private properties in some northern states.

In its recent report titled ‘Bloody August: Nigerian government’s violent crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protests’ released on Thursday, Amnesty International said about 1,200 protesters were arrested during the demonstration.

The human rights organisation said the Nigerian authorities perpetrated “acts of torture and other ill-treatment against protesters”.

It added that the crackdown on the protesters “shows Nigerian authorities’ failure to respect and facilitate the right to freedom of expression”.

The organisation called on the federal government to reverse the “recurrent cycle of impunity” and ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice in fair trial.

“Amnesty International has found that Nigerian authorities killed at least 24 protesters and arrested 1,200 hundreds of protesters during the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests between 1-10 August,” the report said.

“The organization also found that several #EndBadGovernance protesters have been arraigned nationwide and put through trials based on bogus charges, in a clear manifestation of the government’s unrelenting efforts to punish protesters and demonize protests.”

Speaking during the presentation of the report in Kano, Isa Sanusi, Amnesty International’s country director, said two children and 20 young persons were among those killed during the protest.

Sanusi explained that Nigerians witnessed “high level of lawlessness” with police firing live ammunition at close range at protesters.

He called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate the human rights allegation, and ensure effective remedies for victims and their families.

“Two survivors suffered injuries after being shot by police in the arm and legs, others were suffocated by the indiscriminate use of tear gas,” Sanusi said.

“The death toll could be higher than 24 because of the authorities’ apparent desperate efforts to cover up the atrocities. Peaceful protest over government policies is now a matter of life and death in Nigeria.

“President Bola Tinubu and his government must conduct prompt, thorough, independent, impartial, transparent and effective investigations into the allegations of human rights violations during the #EndBadGovernance protests, and ensure that those suspected to be responsible are identified and brought to justice in fair trials.”

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Thursday, 28 November 2024 16:25

TETFund suspends foreign scholarships over cost and abscondment

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has announced the suspension of the foreign component of its TETFund Scholarship for Academic Staff (TSAS) Intervention, effective January 1, 2025.

This decision, outlined in a letter dated November 25, 2024, and signed by TETFund's Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, cites the escalating cost of overseas training and an increasing number of scholars absconding as reasons for the suspension. The letter was addressed to heads of beneficiary institutions, including vice chancellors, rectors, and provosts.

"In response to the current excessive cost of training in foreign institutions, coupled with the high rate of abscondment of scholars, the Board of Trustees of the Fund has approved the suspension of the foreign component of the TSAS Intervention," the letter stated.

TETFund has directed beneficiary institutions to prioritize local training within Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. This shift, according to Echono, is aimed at reducing pressure on foreign exchange, enhancing local capacity, and significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries.

“It is expected that this will conserve and reduce pressure on the foreign exchange rate, boost investment and local capacity in our institutions while significantly increasing the number of beneficiaries of the intervention,” Echono wrote.

However, scholars already enrolled in foreign institutions under the TSAS programme will continue to receive sponsorship until they complete their studies, ensuring a smooth transition for ongoing commitments.

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Thursday, 28 November 2024 16:19

Man Convicted For Selling Stepson In Ritual Sacrifice

A 37-year-old Zimbabwean national identified as Lovemore Sithole has been convicted in Botswana for selling his six-year-old stepson for ritual purposes.

Sithole, who reportedly received $15,000 USD (approximately 200,000 Botswana Pula) in exchange for the child, now faces the death penalty in a case that has sparked widespread outrage.

Earlier this year, Sithole orchestrated a grim deal, trafficking his stepson to individuals allegedly involved in ritual sacrifices. According to investigators, Sithole negotiated the transaction, handing over the boy in exchange for the significant sum. The horrific crime culminated in the young boy’s disappearance and death, leaving a devastating impact on his family and communities in both Botswana and Zimbabwe.

The boy was reported missing, and a month later, Botswana authorities discovered human remains in an area linked to suspected ritualistic activities. DNA analysis confirmed the remains belonged to the missing child, cementing Sithole’s involvement in the heinous act.

The revelation has left the boy’s family and the public reeling. Citizens in both countries have condemned the crime, expressing anger and sorrow over the inhumanity of the act. Many are demanding the harshest penalties for Sithole, whose actions have been described as barbaric and unforgivable.

Botswana authorities acted swiftly, arresting Sithole after the remains were found and uncovering evidence linking him to the sale of the boy. The case has reignited debates over capital punishment in Botswana, a country that maintains the death penalty and enforces it in cases of severe crimes.

As Sithole awaits sentencing, the tragedy has drawn attention to the persistent issue of ritualistic killings in the region and the need for stronger measures to protect vulnerable children. The execution of justice in this case has become a focal point for communities seeking closure and a deterrent against such atrocities.