One of India’s largest news agencies, Asian News International (ANI), has filed a lawsuit against an American artificial intelligence company, OpenAI, for alleged unauthorised and storage of its copyrighted content to train the company’s Large Language Models (LLMs).

The lawsuit marks the first of its kind against OpenAI in India, highlighting the increasing scrutiny of artificial intelligence technologies and their compliance with local copyright laws.

According to a report by Bloomberg, the case was presented in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

Represented by lawyer Sidhant Kumar, ANI is seeking initial damages of 20 million rupees ($236,910).

The agency also claimed that OpenAI used its data to enhance the training of its LLMs.

OpenAI’s lawyer, Amit Sibal, argued that the lawsuit lacked jurisdiction since OpenAI does not operate servers or conduct model training in India.

Silbal also informed the court that ANI’s content is currently blocked on OpenAI’s platform, asserting that this undermines ANI’s claims.

He disclosed that OpenAI was facing similar lawsuits in other jurisdictions, including 13 cases in the United States and one in Germany.

However, Silbal clarified that no injunctions have been issued against OpenAI globally.

The Delhi High Court admitted the case, emphasising the complexities surrounding LLM training and intellectual property.

The court acknowledged the need for expert assistance in addressing the issues and scheduled the next hearing for January 28, 2025.

[Leadership]

Group Chairman of NGX Group Plc, Alhaji Umaru Kwairanga, visited the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange (DGCX) and the Dubai Financial Markets (DFM) to discuss potential areas of collaboration with the two Exchanges in the areas of dual listings, technology and knowledge sharing and training.

At the DFM, he was received by Hamed Ahmed Ali, the MD/Chief Executive Officer, Aysha Al Falasi, Vice President and Maitha Yousif Almaazmi, Senior Specialist in the Listing Affairs Operations Division.

Alhaji Kwairanga extolled Nigeria as the next frontier for discerning investors given its young vibrant population, huge natural resources and business minded political leadership. He commended the two Dubai Exchanges for their leadership in the Middle East capital markets and their efforts to deepen the market with a diverse array of products ranging from Commodities to shariah compliant financial assets.

Alhaji Kwairanga stated that Nigeria and the NGX Group was looking for strategic partners who will invest in and develop areas such as power, oil and gas and technology in Nigeria and the sub-Saharan market.

[DailyTrust]

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum has expressed concern over the situation in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the state, where some individuals have taken multiple wives despite being unable to adequately provide for their families.

In a viral video shared on social media, particularly on TikTok by Kawu Garba, Zulum criticized politicians at both the state and national levels for hesitating to address the issue due to fears of losing votes during elections.

“The question is, which Islamic teacher has spoken out against this? Which member has kicked against this situation?” the Governor asked.

“All they (politicians) say is, ‘Ha, I will not talk.’ Rather, they are concerned with contesting and winning their elections. They refuse to speak out so that the IDPs will not vote against them.”

Zulum cited an example of an individual who arrived at the camp in 2011 or 2012 with one wife but now has four, underscoring the economic strain this behavior places on the state.

The Governor’s statement has sparked varied reactions from TikTok users:

Ken Musa Ehi: “You guys need to start educating them.”

Truth Matters: “Finally, we have a true leader in Prof Zulum who is not afraid to tell the truth regardless of political costs.”

B-B: “And you allowed him to remain in the camp?”

Whale V: “If everyone in that region can speak up like him, the people would begin to realize they are on the wrong path.”

Capt Imran: “If you have the capacity, go ahead without adding unnecessary expenses and responsibilities to your society. No issues—marry as you want, but this Almajiri stuff… I’m a northerner, to be honest, I don’t like it. If I have the power, I will fight to stop it.”

[DailyPost]

President Bola Tinubu has addressed world leaders at the ongoing 19th Heads of State and Government Summit of the Group of 20 (G20) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

The President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, is hosting the 2024 G20 summit, having held the group’s rotating presidency since December 21, 2023. His tenure ends on November 30.

The summit, with the theme: “Building a just world and a sustainable Planet,” will focus on three dimensions of sustainable development – economic, social, and environmental – and the reform of global governance. 

In a post on his verified “X” handle (formerly Twitter, Tinubu said: “In my address to fellow world leaders at the G20 Summit in Brazil, I endorsed the creation of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, championed by President Lula. 

“This bold initiative aligns with my administration’s renewed hope agenda and our commitment to eradicating poverty and fostering sustainable development. 

“This Global Alliance unites governments, international organizations, and civil society, to address both immediate needs and structural causes of hunger and poverty. 

“Nigeria is ready to leverage international cooperation to meet Sustainable Development Goals, particularly zero hunger and poverty eradication while improving citizens’ lives. 

“I also emphasised the urgent need for UN Security Council reform to reflect global diversity and reiterated Nigeria’s readiness to represent Africa. 

“Furthermore, we must prioritise reforming global taxation for equitable development to bridge the North-South global divide and create a fairer global financial system.”

[TheNation]

Thomas Tuchel is taking over an England side with “all of the tools” to win the 2026 World Cup, says departing interim manager Lee Carsley.

Former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Tuchel begins his new role on January 1 after being given an 18-month
contract by the Football Association.

The German’s primary mission is to win the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico in 2026 and end England’s long and painful wait for a major trophy.

Carsley, who took over on a temporary basis after Gareth Southgate resigned in July, secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with five wins from his six games.
He believes England have the talent to win the World Cup for the first time since 1966 after several agonising near misses under Southgate.

“We have all of the tools,” he said. “We just need to play them in the (right) order.”

Carsley will hand over to Tuchel after Sunday’s 5-0 send-off against Ireland at Wembley, having given debuts to eight players during his temporary spell in charge.

“Thomas’s pool of players has increased, so we’ve left the squad in a fantastic position,” he said.

“We’ll collate our thoughts, along with the rest of the players, in terms of handing over something valuable he can read and look through. Then we’ll step back and support him.”

Carsley, who returns to his role as England Under-21 manager, said the challenge is achieving balance by using the best talent, with fierce competition for places.

“One thing you don’t get with international camps is time, so we just have to find that balance,” he said.
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is also upbeat about the future, believing Tuchel could be the man to get the team over the line.

Pickford has been part of the England team that has lost the past two European Championship finals and reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the World Cup.
“There’s definitely new energy, and there’s going to be a lot of competition for places,” he said.

“But that’s what it’s about. You want the best players for England at the right moment, and hopefully, going forward next year, we’ll have that squad ready to win.”

Four students of Nigerian descent have been sentenced for their involvement in a violent disorder that took place in Leicester during the early hours of November 4, 2021.

The confrontation, involving knives and a baseball bat, escalated into a large fight on New Park Street, leaving an 18-year-old man with four stab wounds requiring hospital treatment.

After a complex investigation involving CCTV analysis, phone tracking, and public appeals, the suspects were identified and charged.

A six-week trial concluded in October, with the following sentences handed down on November 14.

Destiny Ojo, 21, of Plumstead, London: seven years for violent disorder, attempted grievous bodily harm (GBH), and GBH with intent.

Habib Lawal, 21, of Bexley, London: five years for violent disorder, attempted GBH, and GBH with intent.
Ridwanulahi Raheem, 21, of Lambeth, London: three years for violent disorder and possession of a bladed article.

Joshua Davies-Ero, 21, of Bexley, London: two years for violent disorder.

A fifth defendant, Justin Asamoah, 22, of Merton, previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article and will be sentenced on November 22.

Detective Constable Sean Downey emphasised the severity of the incident, saying: “This incident highlights the serious danger of violent disorder. It is extremely fortunate that further injury was not caused to the people involved or to other members of the public who witnessed the incident. This could have been a very different investigation.”

He added: “Thank you to everyone who assisted us throughout this investigation. As a force, our priority is to keep the public safe. We will not tolerate violent disorder in our communities and will take action against those responsible.”

Vanguard News

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday, forwarded the medium-term expenditure framework (MTEF) and the fiscal strategy paper (FSP) to the national assembly for consideration and approval.

Tinubu is also seeking the approval of the senate and house of representatives for a fresh $2.2 billion.

The president’s request was contained in letters read on the floor of the house of representatives and senate on Tuesday.

More to follow…

[TheCable]

Root cause of Nigeria’s problem is, unarguably, inappropriate system of government.  Bad governance, poor economy, insecurity and corruption are just offshoots.  It is absurd to pool people characterized by ethnic nationalism with diverse regional allegiance, culture, interest and vision together under a central government, and expect to make progress.  Nigeria’s political structure is incompatible with its plural composition. 

As a multiethnic society, Nigeria has been struggling under a political framework that is unsuitable, anomalous, and inimical to its future, resulting in discordant policies and delivery setbacks.  And until the political structure veiled in unitary configuration is discarded and replaced with federalism or, in the alternative, confederation, Nigeria risks collapse.  

Nigeria is a hypothesis that has been undergoing experiment, which can now be confirmed to be unworkable due to improper political system.  After careful evaluation of its complex diversity, nothing suggestive that the country can ever overcome its challenges with the current system.  It is like using palm oil as substitute for aviation fuel to power an aircraft, and expect it to fly.  The country is on a wrong trajectory, and incapable of producing any form of prospects, except there is a change of system.  

The 1999 Nigerian Constitution is in structure, content, spirit and intent, a unitary constitution when viewed against the backdrop of the Exclusive list which has 67 items and the Concurrent list with 13 items, an indication of strong centre, weak states.  The constitution is incompetent to resolve Nigeria’s unending woes.  It is antithetical to the essence of the country’s amalgamation, where hitherto different independent nations, now have their destinies determined and centrally regulated against their vision and values.  

What Nigeria needs is a completely new Constitution with features of federalism, characterized by decentralization or devolution of powers to the federating units or regions, with authority over control of natural resources in their domains, together with liberty to pursue their dreams and aspirations in line with their peculiar potentials, values and needs.  This will enable them develop at their paces independently without any statutory interference from the centre.  

Otherwise, the country can be restructured into a confederal system where the regions or federating nationalities should have obligation to wholly manage their affairs, except for responsibilities relating strictly to army, foreign affairs, currency, and perhaps, internal trade, which should be ceded to the central government to administer with full power and authority.  These options are the only way Nigeria can be saved from a looming catastrophe, as elasticity of endurance is waning fast.

Self-determination by agitators of Biafra Republic, Oduduwa Republic/Yoruba Nation, Niger-Delta Republic, Arewa Republic, and even the recent display and hoisting of Russian flags during the “End-Bad Governance Nationwide Protest” that was held from August 1 -10, 2024 in northern parts of the country, are evidence of widespread discontent arising from the current system of government.  

Besides, as a consequence of the unitary system, there is a growing feeling of ethnic and regional subjugation among ethnic nationalities, resulting in system disloyalty.  Policies enunciated by government designed to reposition the economy, reform the political system, eradicate profligacies, and even eliminate terrorists’ organisations in the country are covertly frustrated with complicities of persons from aggrieved regions or sections.  

Put differently, differences in values, culture, heritage, tradition, history, language, geography and belief system, have led to clash of visions, interests, goals and priorities among federating units or regions, which have further thrown up centrifugal forces that have held the country hostage.  This is a complex inherent challenge and source of division in the country.  

This portends danger, and a signal of emerging trouble, particularly within the context of young generation of persons in the various ethnic nationalities whose opportunities, talents and creativity are repressed by quota system and intrinsic flaws in the unitary structure.  Running a country with people working clandestinely at cross-purposes to advance ethnic and regional agenda, offers no hope of achieving any deliverables beyond cosmetic progress.  

Also, the unitary system breeds economic injustice among federating states or regions.  By allowing some states or individuals to freely harness, harvest and utilise mineral resources and cash crops, including groundnuts, cocoa, rubber, palm oil and solid minerals n their domains, while depriving other regions like Niger Delta of resources in their territories, is a major flaw in the system.  It is not only unjust; it is a trigger for insurrection.

Specifically, to single out the oil and gas resources in the Niger Delta Region for expropriation through obnoxious Petroleum Act of 1966 which now forms part of Section 44(3) of the 1999 Constitution, is tantamount to robbing Niger Delta people to service other regions.  Government has used the law to legalise ownership, with proceeds shared among federating units or states, implicitly depriving the Niger Delta people of control over their resources. 

Regrettably, the people of the region alone suffer from hazardous effect of oil exploration.  The ecosystem of the region has been destroyed, as agricultural and fishery activities are no longer generative.  This is further compounded by depletion of their lands which have been constantly acquired by government and allocated as oil blocks to individuals and organisations.

Unitary system in a plural society like Nigeria encourages high-stakes investments in politics induced by unhealthy ethnic and regional competition among politicians in an effort to grab power at the centre or federal level, and in turn, use it to control and distribute resources and appointments for ethnic and regional advantage.  Such unwholesome quest for power has no place in federalism, where power is decentralized to federating units.  

Under the unitary system, states and local governments are appendages and dependants of the federal government.  They rely on monthly revenue allocation from federal government for survival, which encourages laziness and docility with weak creative capacities for revenue generation.  This promotes subservient corporatism and inefficiency.

Besides, system contradictions inherent in the unitary system put a wide gap between the people and the central government, and this makes it difficult to hold leaders at the federal level accountable, particularly over breach in governance ethics.  But a regionalized or decentralized system will bring people closer to power, and leaders can be held accountable for their actions and inactions.  

Nigeria’s stunted growth as reflected in the country’s continued decline in general indices, including misery index, is direct consequence of the centralized system, which has caged destinies, and by extension, capacities of the federating nations to develop independently. Therefore, political leaders must be courageous enough to think beyond personal interests and deep-rooted prejudices to support a system that will give the federating units freedom to drive and manage their aspirations.  

After all, a pluralistic country like India with diverse cultural differences are able to co-exist in peace because of suitable system of government - Cooperative Federalism.  Besides, Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland that make up the United Kingdom, separately pursue their dreams and even compete for laurels at Olympics and World Cup, while maintaining their status as members of the United Kingdom.  Why can’t Nigeria be unbundled and recreated to make it work, so that federating regions can achieve their goals within the context of their distinct cultural aspirations.  

The current Nigeria’s system is a catalyst for division, unable to foster unity, a necessity required to drive the country in one direction.  The four attributes of Unity, Faith, Peace, and Progress as contained in the country’s coat of arms, have failed to inspire confidence and loyalty, as they barely exist in the minds of Nigerians.  

In the absence of impaired vision, those opposed to change in status quo (unitary system) are doing so because of entrenched interests arising from benefits their regions or ethnic groups derive from the subsisting configuration.  Nigeria’s political structure as encapsulated in the 1999 Constitution (as amended) cannot deliver on the country’s dream of prosperity, other than unending insecurity, ethnic rivalry, strife, nepotism, poverty, stunted development and corruption, which sadly, have become part of Nigeria’s trade mark and identity.  

Therefore, until the country is unbundled and reconstructed, using a new constitution that devolves powers to regions, which allows them to run independently within the context of their separate cultural and economic aspirations, Nigeria risks dismemberment.  

Dr. Mike Owhoko, Lagos-based public policy analyst, author, and journalist, can be reached at www.mikeowhoko.com, and followed on X {formerly Twitter} @michaelowhoko.

The recent restructuring of President Ahmed Tinubu’s media and communications team introduces an unconventional approach. It dispenses with the traditional singular spokesperson for the Presidency and instead delegates this role to a team of three special advisers. While the stated objective is to enhance efficiency and ensure consistent messaging, this strategy raises critical questions about its practicality and potential pitfalls.

The primary risk of a decentralised communication model is the lack of a unified voice. Effective public communication requires coherence and clarity, especially at the presidential level. Multiple spokespersons increase the likelihood of conflicting narratives, especially on sensitive national issues. Such discrepancies could undermine public trust and create confusion about the administration’s position on critical matters.

The re-designated roles— public communications, policy communication, and information and strategy—appear to overlap, with no clear demarcation of responsibilities. Without well-defined boundaries, turf wars or duplication of efforts could emerge, hampering the efficiency this restructuring seeks to achieve.

A singular spokesperson serves as a recognisable point of contact for the media, fostering relationships built on trust and familiarity. The Presidency risks diluting this dynamic by distributing this responsibility among three officials. Journalists and media houses may struggle with whom to approach for clarity or official statements, potentially slowing the news cycle and reducing responsiveness.
Effective governance requires a delicate balance between communicating policies and managing public perception. While this model may excel in conveying technical aspects of policies through different channels, it could falter in responding swiftly to public backlash or misinformation. The absence of a singular, authoritative voice in moments of crisis could exacerbate negative sentiments.

In modern governance, the role of a singular presidential spokesperson extends beyond information dissemination. It involves crafting a consistent narrative, shaping public discourse, and serving as a symbolic extension of the President. The absence of such a figure might hinder efforts to build a relatable and personable government image.

To mitigate these challenges, the Presidency could delineate the roles and responsibilities of each special adviser to prevent overlap and establish a formal coordination mechanism among the advisers to ensure consistency. One of the three advisers should be designated as the “lead spokesperson” for specific high-stakes or crises. Mr. Bayo Onanuga seems to be playing this role.
While the “no single individual spokesperson” model is innovative, its effectiveness will depend on the character of the advisers, disciplined execution and strategic coordination. Without these, it risks becoming a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.