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Edo Govt To Lay Fibre Optic Cable Across 18 LGAs To Boost Digital Drive

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In a bid to support Benin Digital drive of the Edo State Government, the state Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Mr Chris Nehikhare, on Friday announced the Obaseki-led government’s plans to extend the innovative telecommunication bandwidth service of Fibre Optic to all the 18 local government areas of the state.

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Nehikhare, who disclosed this at a press brief, however, clarified that the state government would not be laying an independent Fibre Optic cable, but would ensure that all telecommunications companies operating in the state extend their Fibre Optic beyond Benin City.

He ades “They are encouraged to extend their Fibre Optic services to all the nooks and crannies of the state, especially, the 18 local government headquarters and not within the Benin metropolis as we have now”.

The gesture, Nehikhare added, became necessary in view of the envisaged growth the state would experience as the state government continued with its plans of making the state industrial hubs, one that would compete with the digital innovation across the globe.

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According to him, to ensure that the dream of building a new mega city that would accommodate the industrial development that the various efforts of the government would bring about, the state government would not relent in its war against land grabbers and other undesirable elements working to frustrate the efforts of the government.

Speaking ob protest by some persons against the state government, during which some rituals were performed, the Commissioner condemned Thursday’s invasion of the State Secretariat by protesters from Irhirhi Community, whom he claimed threatened civil servants and “performed rituals by slaughtering animals at the secretariat.

“Six people were arrested and by Monday, they will be charged in court. Government is resolute and nobody is shaking. We know the land grabbers are fighting back. Government directives must be obeyed and the government is going to carry on as long as it is beneficial to the people.”

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READ ALSO: Edo: Masquerades, Traditionalists, Other Land Owners Protest Demolition, Security Operatives Arrest Five

On the New Town proposal, the commissioner said that the Ministry of Physical Planning, Housing, Urban and Regional Development (MPPHU&RD) “organised one day Stakeholders engagement on the New Town acquisition with the members of the affected communities on the 8th of November, 2022. As an offshoot of that engagement the Hon Commissioner (MPPHU&RD) Promised members who were not captured during the 1st phase of the enumeration that another will hold in the preceding week. The enumeration is currently ongoing, it started on the 14th of November, 2022 and will conclude on the 18th of November, 2022.

“The impact of this enumeration is that members of those affected communities who weren’t captured previously now have an opportunity to be captured which also gives the State a broader view of those persons affected, which will inform the preparation for restitution.

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“On the New Town Development Agency, sufficed to mention that on the 16th of November, 2022, the State signed the agreement with Siraj Nigeria Limited for the preparation of a detailed master plan of the “New Town” layout and the design of roads and infrastructure in ward 9 of the Ikpoba Okha local government area of the State.”

 

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SERAP, NGE Drag Niger Gov, NBC To Court Over Radio Station Closure Threat

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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and the Nigerian Guild of Editors have filed a lawsuit against Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, and the National Broadcasting Commission over what they described as “the ongoing intimidation” of Badeggi FM Radio, Minna, and the threat to shut down the station.

This was contained in a statement on Sunday by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, accusing NBC of failing to stand in defence of the local station.

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Recall that Bago ordered the closure and the revocation of the licence of Badeggi Radio 90.1 FM in Minna over alleged public incitement.

However, in suit number FHC/L/CS/1587/2025, filed last Friday at the Federal High Court, Lagos, SERAP and NGE are seeking to determine “whether by Section 22 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended) and section 2(1)(t) of the NBC Act, the NBC has the legal duty to protect Badeggi FM from the ongoing intimidation from the governor.”

READ ALSO:Falana Slams South-West Governors, Criticises Makinde’s N63bn Renovation

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They are also seeking “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the Niger state governor and NBC from further harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to shut down Badeggi FM radio, revoke its licence and profile the station’s owner.”

The groups argued, “The ongoing intimidation and threat by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its licence, further threat to demolish the station’s premises and profile its owner is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.”

They described allegations of inciting violence against the station and its owner as “vague, unfounded and unsubstantiated and apparently made to silence the radio station.”

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The suit, filed on behalf of SERAP and NGE by lawyers Kolawole Oluwadare, Oluwakemi Agunbiade, and Andrew Nwankwo, read in part, “The media plays an essential role as a vehicle or instrument for the exercise of freedom of expression and information – in its individual and collective aspects – in a democratic society.

READ ALSO:Falana Slams Government Over Failure To Prosecute Suspected Killers In Benue

Intimidating, harassing and silencing critical or dissenting voices under the guise of vague and unsubstantiated national security concerns is a fundamental breach of the Nigerian Constitution and Nigeria’s international human rights obligations.

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“The ongoing intimidation and harassment of Badeggi FM and its owner is capable of discouraging participation of the press in debates over matters of legitimate public concern ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

SERAP and NGE are therefore asking the court for the following reliefs, “A declaration that by the combined provisions of Section 22 Nigerian Constitution and section 2(1)(t) of the National Broadcasting Act, the NBC is obligated by law to protect Badeggi FM station and other broadcasting outlets in Nigeria from undue interference from unauthorised persons or entity.

“A declaration that the failure and/or neglect of the NBC to protect and defend the independence of the radio station against arbitrary executive interference constitutes a breach of its statutory duty to ensure fair, independent, and lawful broadcasting practices in Nigeria.

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READ ALSO:NGE Reacts As Govt Closes Radio Station In Niger

A declaration that the ongoing intimidation and threat issued by Mr Bago to strip Badeggi FM station of its operational licence and further threat to demolish the station’s premises is unlawful and a violation of the rights to freedom of expression, access to information, and media freedom.

“A declaration that the threat issued by the Bago to strip Badeggi FM radio station of its operational licence encroaches upon the statutory powers of the NBC as provided for under section 2 of the National Broadcasting Commission Act.

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“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the governor and NBC, its agents and privies from harassing, intimidating and/or threatening to revoke the operating licence of Badeggi FM station or any other broadcasting outlet in Niger State.”

It was said that no date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

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Radio Station Suspends GM For Criticising Ebonyi Gov

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A privately-owned radio station in Ebonyi State, Legacy FM (The Sound of Now), has suspended its acting General Manager, Mr Godfrey Chikwere.

His suspension, it was gathered, followed his alleged persistent “negative” projection of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, and his policies during radio broadcasts and on social media.

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Announcing his suspension on Saturday, the management of Legacy FM claimed the ousted official acted in a manner contrary to the station’s code of conduct.

It said, “The management of Legacy FM 95.1, The Sound of Now, hereby suspends the acting General Manager, Godfrey Chikwere, with immediate effect, till further notice.

READ ALSO:Drama As Ebonyi Politician Declares Self ADC National VC South-East

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This is due to unruly behaviour and disobedience to the code of conduct guiding the Legacy FM.

“With such effect, he is hereby directed to hand over all the company property in his position to the next senior officer.”

The PUNCH gathered that the radio personality, in a post on his Facebook page on Friday, called on the governor to be stringent in his handling of state matters.

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He alleged that public perception of the governor’s administration was being cajoled, while also claiming Nwifuru’s administration was marred by poor communication, underperformance by his appointees, and lack of clear-cut policy direction.

Chikwere also advised the governor to “step on toes” to achieve results, adding that the current state of affairs weakened his support base.

READ ALSO:Panic As Armed Robbers Kill 2 In Ebonyi

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Reacting, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Monday Uzor, criticised the suspended radio staff member over what he described as undue criticisms of his boss’ administration.

In a statement on Friday, Uzor described the criticisms as baseless and unfounded, accusing the former of ingratitude for attacking the governor despite what the state government had done for them.

He said, “It is regrettable that despite the radio station thriving only on government support, the supposed helmsman dedicates a greater percentage of the station’s airtime to attack and run down the government whose support has kept his medium afloat.

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“For the avoidance of doubt, the governor gifted the medium a brand new Changan SUV, donated a brand new transformer that powers the station, constructed the road leading to the broadcasting house.

READ ALSO:NBA Slams Niger Gov Over Shutting Down Of Radio Station

But rather than give at least balanced coverage of government activities, it has been turned into a slaughter house of the governor’s genuine development efforts and goodwill, what a way to be ungrateful to good deeds.”

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On his part, the state Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, Ikeuwa Omebeh, also condemned Chikwere’s criticisms of Nwifuru, describing them as “derogatory and inciting.”

In a statement on Saturday, the commissioner accused him of “overstepping his bounds.”

He said his remarks against the governor were unacceptable and an affront to the collective identity of all the people of the state.

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Lagos Orders Mandatory Inspection Of All E-hailing Vehicles

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The Lagos State Government has ordered a comprehensive inspection of all vehicles operated by licensed e-hailing platforms in the state, citing safety risks and poor service delivery.

In a statement on Sunday titled “LASG to Roll Out Inspection Schedule for E-Hailing Operators”, the state Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said the move is aimed at improving safety, service quality, and regulatory compliance across the sector.

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He added that the ministry had observed “the deplorable condition of some vehicles operated by drivers under licensed e-hailing platforms within the state, necessitating a comprehensive audit of all vehicles in use,” warning that “any vehicle found unsuitable will not be allowed to operate on Lagos roads.”

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Osiyemi also raised concerns over inadequate databases among some operators, saying this hindered the tracking of crimes committed through their services.

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Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Olawale Musa, said the use of vehicles not registered with the state “will no longer be tolerated,” stressing that such practices “pose significant security risks.”

He added that all drivers must be certified by the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute and urged residents to avoid offline bookings to maintain safety and accountability.

The meeting at the Ministry of Transportation, Alausa, Ikeja, was attended by representatives from Uber, Bolt, Lagride, Laurie, Vas Acquico, InDrive, Folti Tech, and EDryv, who presented updates on safety upgrades, including panic buttons and enhanced driver verification systems.

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