Month: July 2024

WORLD PR DAY: APRA calls for ethical, responsible use of AI

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has called on its members to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and associated technologies for insights towards transformation of lives, the Public Relations industry and contemporary life, with a caveat for ethical and responsible use of AI.   This advice came in a message sent to members of the continental body by its President, Mr. Arik Karani. The message which came in commemoration of the 2024 World Public Relations Day (World PR Day) and resonated with the theme of this year’s celebration, “The Future…

Let the Third Tier Breathe: Implications of the Supreme Court Verdict By Bayo Onanuga

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Supreme Court judgement on July 11, granting financial autonomy to the 774 local councils and recognising them as the third tier of Nigeria’s governance architecture, was truly historic. It was perhaps the most remarkable judgement ever delivered by the apex court in recent times, as it used its power to interpret the law to give a different meaning to Section 162 of the Constitution. Since 1999, governors have used this section to withhold and tamper with the funds federally allocated to the councils, using a joint account that has…

Kano Assembly passes bill to create Second Class Emirates

Emporium Reporters

The Kano State House of Assembly has passed a bill into law for the creation of second-class Emirates in the state.   The house gave an expeditious hearing to the bill on Tuesday when it resumed plenary.   After the second and third reading of the bill, the Deputy speaker, Muhammad Bello Butubutu, moved for the adoption and passage.   The Speaker of the House, Hon. Jibril Ismail Falgore, who presided over the plenary hailed the bill.   The new second-class emirates to be created include:   Rano Emirate: Rano-…

Tinubu’s aide appoints Hausa skit maker, Umar Bush as SA on Entertainment

Emporium Reporters

Popular Hausa skit maker, Umar Dan Kawu, who is popularly known as ‘Umar Bush,’ has been appointed as the Special Assistant on Entertainment to Hon. Mohammed Abba Isa.   The Honourable Isa serves as the Senior Special Assistant to President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Special Needs and Equal Opportunities.   The official appointment was confirmed through a letter with reference number SSAP/SNEO/24/VOL.1/464, addressed to Umar Dan Kawu, also known as Umar Mariri Tsamiya, in Kano State.     The letter, titled “Appointment As Special Assistant On Entertainment,” conveyed the…

NOA raises alarm over impersonation of Director General,says agency’s operations not run on social media

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The National Orientation Agency NOA has alerted members of the public on the increasing activities of fraudsters who are using the name of our Director General to prey on unsuspecting members of the public, especially on social media, with claims and services not within the core mandate of the Agency.   NOA in a release said in the last three months, several telephone numbers including +2347032586076, Whatsapp accounts, social media profiles have been used to contact members of the public claiming to belong to the Director General, Mallam lanre Issa-Onilu.…

ENSURING GLOBAL BEST PRACTICES IN NIGERIA’S OIL INDUSTRY: Key To National Security By Nelson Ekujumi

Emporium Reporters

The Nigeria oil industry is without doubt the mainstay of its economy and has also acted as a stabilizing factor for national security, peace and development. In view of this indisputable fact, successive governments always placed premium on the industry with a view to making it, a global player in line with global best practices in order to attract local and international investors into the industry with a view to achieving its maximum potentials for our collective good and national security.   The prime interest of the Nigerian government to…

Adeola Odutola College@40: 79/84 set donate multi-million Naira Solar street light to school

Lukman Laleye Babalola

All is now set for the commissioning of multi-million naira installed solar street light by Adeola Odutola College 1979-1984 set as part of the activities lined up to commemorate the 40 years of leaving the school on Friday July 19.   In a statement, the 79/84 set said the celebration which had earlier been kicked off with a thanksgiving in the Church on Sunday June 16, to mark the 75 years Founder’s Day, will witness a special Jumat service for the commemoration in the school.   The President of Adeola…

House of Reps announces passing of Rep Ekene Abubakar Adams

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The House of Representatives has announced the passing of a member of the 10th Assembly, Rep. Ekene Abubakar Adams (LP, Kaduna), who died early Tuesday, at the age of 39. According to the House Spokesman and Chairman, House Committee on Media and Public Affairs,Rep. Akin Rotimi Jr,Rep.Adams was a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist who, until his demise, chaired the House Committee on Sports. He was a first-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the good people of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State. He…

Ndume’s position on Tinubu is self serving blackmail – IMPI

Lukman Laleye Babalola

The Independent Media and Policy Initiative (IMPI) has described the position of Senate Whip Senator Ali Ndume on President Bola Tinubu and his administration as a self-serving blackmail to whip up public sentiment. Ndume had recently described the administration as a kakistocracy but the policy analysis group said the Senate Whip’s comment was not fact-based. In a policy statement signed by its Chairman Niyi Akinsiju, the policy analysis group argued that policies and programmes introduced by the government since assuming office have been well thought out contrary to what Ndume…

Jalal Arabi: An Administrator Per Excellence, BY ABUBAKAR YUSUF

Abubakar Yusuf

The appointment of Jalal Ahmed Arabi who combined technocrat and bureaucrat ideas to navigate the public service as Chairman, National Hajj Commission of Nigeria NAHCON was not only timely , but a right step in the right direction, and to also right the wrongs bedeviling the religious agency.   Soon after his appointment was the preparation of 2024 Hajj operations and the granting of 80B subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mitigate the performance of this years pilgrimage by Nigeria contingents.   Coming from a well groomed public service…