D'CEM Awards 2022 Honours 64 Top Personalities

 

 

Penultimate Saturday, July 16th 2022 precisely was indeed a remarkable day as top personalities from all walks of life gathered in Atlanta Georgia USA for D’CEM Awards 2022.

 

The event that had top business mogul, political gladiators and showbiz stars honoured  64 personalities and brands.

 

The red carpet was hosted by Mimi MALA who traveled all the way from Orlando to Atlanta. 

 

It was an amazing hosting opportunity for Mimi, a radio presenter at The Peace on the Street Radio in Orlando according to information gathered.

 

Some of the dignitaries that graced the event includes; Mr OLU Maintain, Javon Johnson of Tyler Perry, Mr Patrick, Dauda, Daniel K Daniel, Omalicha, Daniel Lloyd, Ambassador Dr. Amina of Nigerian Consulate, Florence ONUMA, Chief Tony Okpara, Prof & Mrs Lloyd Onyirinmba, Lillie Mae CEO of 104 radio Atlanta, Robert Peters. Wifey Baby, Erica Duchess, Mahogany, And many more.

 

When Dr. Debby Goodnews Silas was asked how she felt on the success of the event, she said "I want to thank all Americans and Africans for showing up and making D’cem awards 2022 an absolute outstanding classy event.  The award show was completely mind blowing."

 

While sharing the vision and mission of the award, she said that D'cem Awards nominated and awarded influential individual's making a change in their communities saying "This is based on bringing Africans and Americans together, recognizing the veterans in the entertainment industry, super stars, up and coming entertainers, humanitarian, philanthropist, entrepreneurs, business brands, and talent awards."

 

“This is my passion! Surrounded by greatness!! I had such an amazing time, the energy, the vibe, their outfits were absolutely phenomenal! Everyone was so humble, extremely down to earth and so eager to be together as we are all making a change in this. I have interviewed celebrities from Africa to Americans and it's a complete honor to have been a part of this amazing journey"  Mimi MALA D’cem red carpet host said this while commending the organisers. 

The founder and CEO of D’CEM Awards Dr DebbyGoodnews Silas also the CEO and publisher of Debby Classique Magazines, she is truly a great humanitarian, like they said it takes a beautiful soul to selflessly celebrate others in such a prestigious way as she does it.

Billionaire Industrialist, Abdulsamad Rabiu's ASR Africa Donates $3m to Niger Republic for Development Initiative

 

 

Billionaire industrialist and Africa’s foremost philanthropist, ABDUL Samad RABIU has donated 3million Dollars development grant to the Republic of Niger.

The presentation of the Grant was done personally by the Billionaire philanthropist himself at the Nigerien State House in the country’s capital, Niamey this weekend.

Speaking at the presentation, Abdul Samad Rabiu disclosed that himself and his conglomerate has a long standing relationship with the country. He also revealed that he was indeed very pleased to come and visit the Nigerien President who he described as his brother. He also added that the President has been a close family friend for many years and he was therefore gladdened by the warm reception he was given in the nation’s seat of government.

Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative was established by the Billionaire industrialist and Africa’s foremost philanthropist to ginger development across the continent.

The ASR AFRICA was established in 2021by the BUA Group Chairman and is dedicated to solving development issues in areas of Health, Education and Social Development on the African continent.

Over the years it has intervened largely and at various levels in Nigeria, Ghana and now Niger Republic.

Tinubu's Ally, Tayo Ayinde, Fingered in Land Grabbing Mess

 

The incessant issue of Lagos State officials meddling in the affairs of landowners and their wanton and indiscriminate destruction of properties among other vices was brought to the fore following an unauthorised demolition and sealing off of a property, belonging to Chief Adetunji Omisore and one Tajudeen Mohammed, at No. 4, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday July 19, 2022. #4Ladoke

Fingered in this allegation and alleged to be playing prominently in this saga is the Chief of Staff to the Lagos State governor, Tayo Ayinde, the owner of Watercrest Hotel and numerous choice properties around the Lagos metropolis, who lives opposite the above-mentioned address, precisely occupying No.5, Ladoke Akintola Street, GRA Ikeja.

According to an information available to the press, the Lagos State Building Control Agency, LSBCA, served the owner and developer of the said property a 7 day demolition notice on Friday, July 15, 2022.

On Monday, July 18, the developer approached the general manager of LSBCA, Gbolahan Oki, who was recently reinstated after he was suspended by the governor, for clarification on the illegal action. Note that the property in question is under the authorisation and jurisdiction of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Oki was temporarily booted out when a high-rise block of luxury flats under construction in the neighbourhood of Ikoyi collapsed, killing at least 42 people in November 2021.

The owners' efforts to prove to the agency that they have the approved documents on the said land fell on deaf ears as the owner was kicked out of the office of the general manager and ordered to send the document through official channel channel the following day.

However, without waiting for the 7 day notice to lapse, on Tuesday, July 19, the agency moved caterpillar and black maria to the site to begin demolition of the over N500million investment as early as 6:00am in the morning, barricading the property while the workers were assaulted.

Not only were those who made attempts to record the illegal activities of the policemen attached to the governor's office beaten, their gadgets were also confiscated.

It took the intervention of the Presidential Committee on Lease in Abuja to put a stop to the demolition after frantic calls were made to them. By then, a new six-bedroom bungalow, a penthouse, the reception of the hotel building among other things had been leveled down on the 3800 square metres property.

An official at the Lagos State Building Control, who craved anonymity, informed the media that Tayo Ayinde gave Oki directive for the demolition of the structure.

It was also alleged that after the sealing of the property when demotion was halted by the federal government, the Chief of Staff, who is also a close ally of the leading presidential candidate of All Progressives Party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, allocated a portion of the property to a construction company awarded the contract of reconstructing the road covering the whole stretch of Ladoke Akintola Street, as site office.

From all indications, it is becoming glaring that Tayo Ayinde's activities is allegedly adding to the long list of nefarious state-backed land-grabbing nightmares.

Wale Mogaji's Many Sins: How He Fell as Lagos Assembly Commission Chairman

Wale Mogaji; sacked

 

 

On Tuesday, July 14, 2022, the Lagos State House of Assembly, at its plenary for that day, made some appointments and elevations in accordance with the law guiding its operations. One of such appointments was that of the Clerk, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko. Mrs. Folashade Latona was elevated and named the new Secretary of the Lagos House of Assembly Commission (LAHASCOM). Three others were approved as Deputy Clerks.

 

Until that day, Onafeko had been carrying out the duties of the Clerk in acting capacity.

 

Then, the axe fell on Chief Wale Mogaji, Chairman of the Commission. With a unanimous voice by every lawmaker present at the sitting, the House removed Mogaji taking cognisance of the section of the LAHASCOM law which stipulates how he should be removed or cease to be recognised as Chairman.

 

Mogaji had been appointed for an initial four-year term. With the expiration of the term, the House leadership led by Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, had magnanimously secured him one extra year before renewing his appointment for a second term.

 

However, the House had decided to play down the actual reasons for the unanimous decision to send Mogaji packing, maybe to keep what remained of his integrity.

 

Findings have now shown that Mogaji was to face two panels over some infractions. He arrogantly dishonoured the first panel and instigated other commissioners in LAHASCOM not to honour same. A WhatsApp message he sent to the commissioners read: "Pls, not under any pretext must any commission member who knows his onion attend any committee set up by House of Assembly. We must not relegate ourselves to a group that is supposed to be our employee. Let us protect the dignity of the commission and also protect our own dignity."

 

Unfortunately, this position of his, gave him up as one who had no understanding of the very law setting up and regulating LAHASCOM and stipulating how the commission is under the Assembly (the lawmakers), which has the power to appoint the Chairman and members of the Commission as well as oversight and authority over its operations.

 

Realising his error, it was learnt that he tendered a written apology. Then he decided to honour a new committee headed by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Noheem Adams.

 

His Sins
The committee set up, was to consider the allegations against Mogaji following series of petitions by staff of LAHASCOM, some of whom threatened to resign if nothing was done.

 

Mogaji, according to some of the petitions, singlehandedly employed workers without recourse to the Assembly or in accordance to with the LAHASCOM law.

 

He had often made personal decisions without recourse to extant laws and against the collective decision of other Commission members. In a particular instance a staff was suspended for six months which is contrary to the maximum three months stipulated in the Public Service Rules. When confronted with this allegation, a video of one of the sessions by the committee saw him admitting and saying he was not aware that he had no such powers.

 

Mogaji was further alleged to have converted one of the official vehicles meant for senior officers to his son's personal use and still went ahead to use the resources of the Commission to maintain it against the rules. This, he also admitted to when he faced the panel.

 

Among other allegations, he was accused of sitting on the welfare and promotion of some staff.

 

On several occasions, other Commission members had lodged complaints that he ran the Commission like a personal estate and never involved them in any official matters and even when decisions are to be made, he overruled them at will and took vital decisions unilaterally.
Beyond these was his failure to hold meetings with the commissioners till the day he left office.

 

The Decision
Admitting to the allegations, the committee, which sat at least three times, was able to extract evidences from staff, commission members and others.

 

With the amount of evidence before the committee, Mogaji was found guilty and recommended for removal, a decision the House acted upon saying this was in the best interest of the Commission and the State.

IBEDC Rolls Out Mobile Map for Customers to Get Meters in 24 Hours

 

Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), on Wednesday, rolled out a Mobile Map for its customers to get meters in 24 hours.

The event, flagged off by the company at its headquarters in Ibadan, was followed by road walk within the metropolis.

Business manager, IBEDC, Ojoo Business Hub, Mr Joel Orjiakor, said that IBEDC customers within Ibadan metropolis could now get pre-payment meters easily.

“This is a ground breaking achievement for the company, the contractor, the customers and the economy.

“We have enough meters that can go round every area covered by IBEDC. As customers buy, we restock.

“We have shortened the time to access pre-payment meters to 24 hours.

“Customers can now approach our offices with their bills. Our staffers will follow such customer to evaluate the house or office to ascertain the type of meter to be deployed and also ensure that there are no illegal connections.

“Once that is done, the customer will then be advised to pay and we will meter such customer within 24 hours,” he said.

A customer, Mr Solomon Oladeji, who resides at Apete area of Ibadan, commended the IBEDC initiative.

“We have been longing for such an initiative that will make customers get meters with no hassle and we are glad this is happening now.

“Getting meters used to be a major challenge in time past but now, we are relieved that within some days, one can get a pre-payment meter installed.

“Some anxious customers had fallen victims of some dubious elements who would promise to help them get meters without any result.

Mr Samuel Ojeabu, a businessman at Ojoo area, said that he was very happy to get a pre-payment meter, saying that it would enhance the smooth running of his business.

“This is good because I will only pay for the light I use; no more estimated billing. The process of getting the meter has been simplified; within two days, you can get it.

“If this can go round, people’s problems would be solved to some extent, because when they have, light they can work and make money and this will invariably make the economy of the country to grow.

Kehinde Aramide, who represented Prodigy Global Services Limited, a vendor of IBEDC, said that the new meter was made to be durable, as it had passed through quality assurance tests from the Federal Government, the manufacturers and the users

Big Brother Naija, 6 Other Reasons to Stay Connected to GOtv

Are you a lover of quality entertainment? Then you can’t afford your GOtv subscription running out at this time of the year. The home of entertainment is adding more fun for customers with exciting local and foreign contents. Here are some interesting picks from the pack for this week. 

BBN SEASON 7: The anticipated seventh season of the most watched reality TV show in Nigeria returns with a bang. The season comes with some of the excitement that we all missed during the last season, like the live audience and the Ninjas. The show will premiere with a double launch on Saturday July 23 and Sunday July 24 on Channel 29 at 7pm. 

I’M ON EDGE: There’s hardly a household without someone with the Zeeworld bug. I’m on edge follows the life of Devi, a young orphan who leaves the city to settle down in her hometown. On getting to her village, she has a terrible encounter with a wealthy man who retaliates by marrying and maltreating her. This show airs daily on Zeeworld (Channel 25) at 10pm.

 

DEAD MAN DOWN: If you are a big fan of crime/thriller movies, then this is for you. The plot is set in NYC and revolves around two strangers, Victor and Beatrice who are both seeking vengeance against a common enemy. The film stars Colin Ferrell, Dominic Cooper and Terrence Howard. It airs this Friday July 22 on M-net Movies 4 (Channel 3) at 9:45pm.

IFUNAYA: This local entertainment follows the story of a troubled teen who is adopted by a generous woman. However, it doesn’t take long before things take a turn for the worst. Find out what happens next this Saturday on ROK 2 (Channel 17) at 6:30pm. 

TEARS IN MY EYES: We all fondly remember this classic for the tears we shed while watching it. It's a good time to relive the tragic love story of Kate Henshaw and Ramsey Nouah, defying all odds, even their parent's warning. The movie airs July 24, at 2 PM on Africa Magic Urban (Channel 6).

Tribunal to Rule on MultiChoice Price Increase Monday

 

  

 

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Tribunal sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned ruling in the matter between an Abuja-based lawyer, Festus Onifade, Coalition of Nigerian Consumers, and pay TV service provider,  MultiChoice Nigeria, Limited, till Monday.

 

 

 

This was the outcome at a sitting, which dragged till late on Thursday

 

 

 

At the hearing, MultiChoice asked the tribunal to decline to hear the suit challenging the increase of the subscription fees for its television services on grounds of jurisdiction. 

Onifade and the Coalition of Nigeria Consumers had dragged  MultiChoice, the operators of DStv and GOtv platforms, to the Tribunal following the announcement by the company in March 2022 that the subscription rates for the various bouquets on its platforms will go up on 1 April 2022.    

 

 

 

In the suit in which the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Council is the second defendant, Onifade prayed the tribunal for an order restraining MultiChoice from increasing the subscription rates for its services and other products pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated and filed on March 30.

 

 

 

The claimant also asked the Tribunal to make an order directing MultiChoice to adopt pay -as- you -the view subscription model for its pay-TV services. 

 

 

 

The Tribunal had in its ruling on the ex-parte application on 30 March directed the parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the whole suit.

 

 

 

Onifade had during the hearing of the suit on  April 11, indicated that he had filed a written address and contempt proceedings against MultiChoice for allegedly disregarding the tribunal's order not to increase its subscription rates made on March 30. 

 

 

 

At the resumed hearing of the suit on Thursday, the tribunal took all pending applications.

 

 

 

Key was the application by MultiChoice challenging the jurisdiction of the Tribunal to hear the suit. 

 

 

 

Barrister Jamiu Agoro, counsel to the pay television service provider, argued that the Tribunal cannot hear the suit because, by Section 47 of its Act, it can only listen to appeals on matters that have been decided on by the FCCPC. 

 

 

 

Agoro argued that if the claimant feels aggrieved by the decision of MultiChoice, he should have approached the FCCPC with his grievance. He added that it is after the Commission has ruled on the matter that he can approach the Tribunal if he is not satisfied with the ruling. 

 

 

 

Agoro also argued that the application for contempt filed against it by Onifade is incompetent because it was not personally served on the company. 

 

 

 

The company also argued that while the preservative order was made on  30 March 2022 when the order it ought to preserve had already been perfected and completed. 

 

 

 

It, therefore, said "granting the application will set a dangerous precedent that a party could be penalized for an order already completed."

 

 

 

The company also argued that it cannot be held in contempt for an order which it has already asked the Tribunal to set aside." 

 

 

 

While disagreeing with the submissions of MultiChoice lawyer, Onifade urged the Tribunal to grant requests of the claimants to preserve its integrity and engender confidence in consumers across the country about its capability to protect them.  

 

 

 

However, the Tribunal was forced to adjourn as the MultiChoice lawyer said he is not ready to reply to the originating summons filed by the claimant. Agoro had told the Tribunal that he thought only the various applications were scheduled for hearing on Thursday.

 

 

 

But the three-member tribunal headed by Thomas Okosun said there was an order for counsels to the parties to argue on all the applications and the originating summons at Thursday's hearing.

 

 

Consequently, the Tribunal said its ruling/decision on the applications taken on Thursday, will be contained in the judgment to be delivered in the case after an argument on the originating summons that was adjourned to Monday, 25 July.