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Oshiomhole’s Suspension: Ize-Iyamu Talks Tough, Says ‘We Will Resist Attempt To Rubbish Him’

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A top aspirant in the forthcoming gobernorship election in Edo State, Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Thursday March 5, vowed that members of the All Progressives Congress in Edo State and the good people of the state would resist any attempt to redicule Comrade Adams Oshiomhole.

Ize-Iyamu, who was, in a press briefing, reacting to a court order suspending Oshiomhole as national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Benin, said the people of Edo appreciate and value him (Adams) because he has done very well in the state.

Oshiomhole’s suspension by the court was on the premise that he had been suspended at his ward level, but the suspension has been so far put aside by a Federal High Court sitting in Kano.

READ ALSO: Just In: Court Sets Aside Ruling Suspending Oshiomhole As APC Chairman

According to Ize-Iyamu, Oshiomhole is an asset to the APC in Edo State and Nigeria at large hence it’s rediculous for three out of 27 persons in a ward to sign a letter of suspension and it should be granted.

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He noted that a ward executives cannot sack a local government party chairman let alone national chairman, adding that a ward executives is just a fraction of several wards that made up a local government hence such decision cannot stand.

Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu addressing the press on Thursday in Benin City

He said, “We are aware that some persons from his ward went to court, seeking to remove him. It may be interesting for you to know that the so called letter of suspension from the ward was signed by only three persons in an executive at ward level where we have 27 members. So, you can imagine how rediculous it is to rely on a document signed by only three out of 27 persons.

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“Many of us know here that a ward executives cannot even sack a local government party chairman because the ward is just one among many wards in the local government, the same vein a local government executives cannot dream of sacking a state chairman because the state chairman controls many local governments.

“We want to make it clear that we will resist any attempt by anybody to rubbish him (Oshiomhole). We have said it over and over again that our disposition to peace should not be mistaken for weakness. We want to also say that those who are threatening crushing, demolishing do not have the capacity to sustain it.”

READ ALSO: COVID-19 : Imo Govt Tasks Journalists On Improved Collaboration To Fight Epidemic

Ize-Iyamu, who said he was addressing the press on behalf of other gobernorship aspirants and their supporters, said contrary to insinuations in some quarters, the people of Edo are solidly behind Oshiomhole and that those in his local government, Etsako West, too are solidly behind him and love him so much.

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Commission Probes 400 Cases Of Privacy Breach In Online Loan Apps

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The Nigeria Data Protection Commission has said it is investigating over 400 cases of privacy breaches involving online loan apps.

Cases of data privacy breaches have become prevalent in recent times due to the proliferation of digital lending platforms.

The commission made this known in its 2023 Annual Report made available to The PUNCH on Thursday.

It noted that its ongoing investigations have revealed that “loan apps are overly intrusive.”

NDPC is also seeking a ban or restriction on mobile numbers found to have been used by lenders to breach the privacy of their customers.

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READ ALSO: How 15,000 Ethiopian Bank’s Customers Returned Cash Illegally Withdrawn During Glitch

“They generally violate the principles of Data Protection and Privacy because they have access to contacts, pictures, messages, etc. of data subjects,” the commission stated.

This indicated that despite an April 2023 policy introduced by Google banning loan apps from accessing photos and contacts of users, the practice has continued.

Acknowledging that privacy breaches by loan apps are a systemic problem, the commission said it is also adopting a systemic solution by working with other regulators and third-party platforms being used by the lenders.

A user of a loan app, Haruna Michael, who spoke to The PUNCH on Thursday, said that one of the digital lenders used his photos and tagged him as a fleeing criminal because he defaulted in paying the loan he received within the stipulated time.

READ ALSO: Nine Things To Know About Ship That Collapsed Baltimore Bridge

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He said his contacts were reached and he was reported as a fraudster.

“Over 400 cases of privacy breaches involving shadowy loan sharks are being addressed at the systemic level.

“The commission has now drafted the Nigeria Data Protection Act-General Application and Implementation Directive which addresses the abetment of data breaches, the need for data ethics and privacy by design and by default among others.

“Under abetment, the third-party platforms through which data privacy breaches take place will now be required to deny access to those who use their platforms for privacy breaches.

READ ALSO: Man Slumps, Dies During Fight In Kwara

“Organisations, particularly communication networks should be willing to restrict or ban telephone lines that are implicated in privacy violations,” the commission said.

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The NDPC added that it is also collaborating with regulators under the Joint Enforcement and Regulatory Taskforce to sanitise the digital lending space.

It noted that the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission now requires lending companies to obtain data protection clearance from NDPC before operation.

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JUST IN: Military Yields To Pressure, Frees Abducted Lagos Editor

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Military authorities, on Thursday, yielded to pressure and released the Editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, who was abducted from his home in Lagos State on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The PUNCH can confirm that he was released to some media stakeholders, including Yomi Odunuga of The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspaper in Abuja on Thursday after sustained pressure from the media.

They were asked to guarantee that they would make Olatunji available if needed again.

READ ALSO: Alleged Defamation: Foremost Edo-based Human Rights Activist Granted Bail

The International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had in separate statements, faulted his incarceration, asking authorities to either release the editor or charge him to court.

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Recall that Olatunji, a former Kaduna State correspondent of The PUNCH, was abducted by men in military uniform from his home in the Iyana Odo, Abule Egba area of Lagos State.

The IPI, on Wednesday, said it traced Olatunji to the custody of the Defence Intelligence Agency.

The DIA is an agency under the command of Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye, who reports to the Chief of Defence Staff.

The PUNCH learnt that media stakeholders will address journalists by 11am in Abuja on the development.

 

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Easter: FG Declares Friday, Monday Public Holidays

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The Federal Government has declared Friday, 29th March and Monday, 1st April 2024 as public holidays to mark the 2024 Good Friday and Easter Monday respectively.

Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government urged Christians and all Nigerians in general to emulate the sacrifice and love displayed by Jesus Christ in dying for the redemption of man.

In a statement signed by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Aishetu Gogo Ndayako said the Minister noted that Easter, beyond religious significance, promotes values of love, forgiveness and compassion which are essential for social cohesion and harmony.

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“He calls on Christians to imbibe these virtues as they are capable of impacting positively on the socio-economic development in Nigeria by fostering unity, reducing conflicts and encouraging cooperation among Nigerians.

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“He further urged Nigerians to show acts of charity and generosity to help alleviate the material conditions of the less privileged amongst them.

“This, he said, is in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.”

While wishing Christians at home and abroad a happy and blissful Easter celebration, the Minister also called on Nigerians to join hands with President Tinubu led Administration in its determination to bring sustainable development and usher in prosperity to all”, the statement added.

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