The Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, re-affirmed this at the annual African Tech Alliance Forum held in Lagos.

This is according to a statement titled ‘NCC Upbeat on Plans for 5G Deployment’ signed by the NCC’s Deputy Manager of Public Affairs, Kunle Azeez.

The statement read, “The NCC’s plan for 5G technology deployment in the country continues to gather momentum with the Commission confirming that its readiness to begin full implementation is at 97 per cent.”

He said, “Consistent with our mandate as enshrined in the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 and other guiding legislations, we have been working to ensure the penetration of broadband services in line with Federal Government’s targets, as contained in Nigerian National Broadband Plan, 2020 to 2025.

“Already, we are set for the auction of some spectrum slots in the 3.5GHz band. The other day I was at the National assembly, I informed the Senate that we were 95 per cent ready for 5G. Today as we speak, I am delighted to tell you that we are already at 97 per cent completion.”

Punch

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation/Chairman Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha announced the new policy decision on Wednesday at the PSC briefing.

He said alternatively, public servants will have to present a negative COVID-19 PCR test result done within 72 hours, to gain access to their offices, in all locations within Nigeria and the country’s foreign Missions.

Thisday

The Senate has passed a bill to rescind its decision which subjected the Independent National Electoral Commission to seek approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission before it could transmit elections results electronically.

The Bill is titled, “Recommittal of amended clauses of a bill for an Act to repeal the Electoral Bill 2021 and enact the Electoral Act 2021.”

Clause 52: has to do with the conduct of poll by open secret ballot.

Sub section (2) now reads, “Subject to section 63 of this Bill, voting at an election and transmission of results under this Bill shall be in accordance with the procedure determined by the Commission, (INEC) which may include electronic voting.”

The Senate in approving direct primary for political parties amended clause 87 which allowed for either direct or indirect primaries.

Clause 87 has to do with nomination of candidates by parties.

It now reads, “Clause 87. (1) “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Bill shall hold direct primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.”

Punch

The 22-year-old Chidinma Ojukwu, a 300-level Mass Communication student of the University of Lagos, pleaded not guilty to the crime alongside one Adedapo Quadri as they are the key suspects in the murder case.

They were arraigned before Justice Yetunde Adesanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square.

They both pleaded not guilty to the eight counts bordering on the offences of murder, forgery and stealing.

The pair were also arraigned alongside Chidinma’s sister, Egbuchu Chioma from whom the late Ataga’s iPhone 7, was said to have been recovered.

Chioma, however, pleaded not guilty to the 9th count of being in possession of the stolen property.

They are being prosecuted by the Lagos State Department of Public Prosecution, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi.

Definite trial resumes in November.

Punch

The minister stated this in a documentary titled, ‘The Buhari Effect: Undeniable Achievements’, which was aired on Channels Television.

Speaking during the documentary, Fashola, a former two-term Lagos governor, said, “The best way to under the Buhari effect is to understand the man himself and appreciate his connection in a simple way to the most vulnerable members of our society.

“It is also to understand his education and his training.

“When you go back to his previous enterprise in government, whether as a much young officer, as GOC (General Officer Commanding) or as military governor or as Minister for Petroleum or as Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund, you will understand what the man is all about,” he said.

Punch

This was contained in the 2022 appropriation budget obtained on the website of the budget office of Nigeria.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had over time said that the country has constantly been in the war against perpetrators of fake news and hate speech.

The minister in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria had also stated that Nigeria had graduated from ordinary fake news to “deep” fake news which according to him was being used to wage war against the government and its officials.

He had also said that at the beginning, purveyors of deep fake news were largely unknown online publications, adding that it was, however, unfortunate that otherwise reputable publications and some mainstream media had joined the bandwagon while adding that citizens found guilty would be sanctioned.

Recently, the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission, a Commission under the ministry of information and culture had issued a circular to Television Stations across the country to avoid glorifying activities of bandits.

In the budget which was analyzed by our correspondent, it was realized that N55,642,215 would be used for “Special enlightenment campaign on Government’s Programmes and policies, testimonial series to gauge impact of government policies on the citizenry.

“Advocacy against fake news, hate speech,Farmers- herders clashes, banditry, rape e.t.c

The budget further stated that the sum of N48,890,490 would be used for “quarterly interaction with foreign media, PR lobby”.

Punch

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, arrived in Lagos barely 24 hours after the incumbent Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, inaugurated the South-West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA ‘23), a group rooting for Tinubu as the APC presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

A statement from the Tinubu Media Office, titled, ‘Asiwaju is back’, said the ex-governor underwent surgery on his right knee as well as rigorous post-surgery physiotherapy, adding that he was now fully healed.

The statement read in part, “Contrary to unfounded rumour, he underwent no other surgical procedures and contemplates none in the future. His recuperation has been without complication and ahead of the schedule by the attending surgeon.

“He has returned fully healed from the knee surgery and fully committed to doing his modest part of advancing the cause of progressive democratic good governance throughout our beloved nation.

“Asiwaju, first and foremost, would like to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for taking the time to visit him in London to express his wishes for a speedy recovery from the knee operation.

“He is also not forgetting others who would have loved to visit him but couldn’t make it and his numerous friends, associates, supporters and well-wishers who have been with him in prayers and supplications to Allah.”

Punch