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Campaigning Against Fake News is Major Way of Supporting Govt – Kawugana

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…calls on media to sensitize Nigerians to be productive citizens

The Commander, 9 Brigade Nigerian Army, Ikeja Cantonment, Brigadier General Sale Kawugana has said that fake news is the major source of insecurity in the country and the citizens are the major victims.

Gen. Kawugana stated this on Wednesday during a courtesy visit by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) led by its President, Mr. Samson Oki and other Executive members.

He expressed joy and satisfaction with the visit especially at a time the country is going through enormous security hiatus coupled with the need to give balanced reportage of events as it happened without biase or sentiment.

The Commander noted that as an Army, they are always ready to discharge its responsibilities adding that there are some people with different mindset whose motives are inimical to the peace and progress of the country.

“I am excited to receive you today and most importantly, your visit is timely due to the security situation of the country. As the fourth estate of the realm, I want to solicit for more supports in covering so many areas especially regulating the relationship between journalists and the society; giving clear and unbiased reportage and setting agenda for the society.

“I appreciate your support and solicits for more from you ranging from rededicating yourself to sensitizing Nigerians to be productive with a view to giving positive reorientation that would make responsible citizens.

“As journalists, I urge you to help in exposing illegal online outlets that generate and spread fake news,” he emphasized.

While tasking members of the Association further, the Commander averred that “In your capacity of advising the government and the governed, also support the government to campaign against fake news as fake News is a major source of insecurity and the governed is the victim,” he reiterated.

Appreciating the contribution of the media to nation building, Brig Gen Kawugana promised to “build robust as well as sustain Civil-Military relationships; work with the grassroots as intelligence comes from the society.

“One of my cardinal agenda is to release hotlines for people to call and report what’s happening in their domain and the army would investigate and take action accordingly. Nigerian Army has proven to be the pride of the nation, because government comes and go, but the Army remains the government of the people.

“Where there are negative things, check on us for clarification. We would be responsible partners in progress. At this point, collaboration is not optional but a necessity. Nigerian Army and the press must work together for the benefit of our country,” Brig Gen Kawugana emphasized.

On his part, the President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Mr Samson Oki observed that as security news publishers, there is the need to collaborate with the brigade considering its strategic position at managing security architecture in Lagos State.

He observed that as reputable online publishers, emphasis is placed on standards, balanced and credible reportage of events as it happens rather than engaging in sensationalism or cooked up stories that are not factual or without sources.

“We assure you that we would always do comprehensive reports of your activities and other military activities. We are conscious of balanced reports hence we seek for your mutual cooperation to have access to confirm developing stories. We are grateful for the kind of cooperation our members have had from the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Kolawole Bello.

Oki, however, cautioned the youths to respect constituted authorities considering that what played out during the #EndSARS protest that was hijacked by hoodlums and inflicted the state and other parts of the country with huge destruction of both private and government properties was an unfortunate development in our history as a nation.

Similarly, NAOSNP President used the opportunity to call on his colleagues in the media to shun and refrain from sensational stories that could heat up the polity especially at this time Nigerian military is battling with terrorist sects, bandits, Kidnappers and other Organised Crimes.

While commending the Nigerian Army for dismantling, overwhelming the terrorists despite their ferociousiness, a member of the Advisory Board of NAOSNP, Okosun Dennis emphasized the need to support the Army vigorously to conquer every enemy that has stood against the peace of the nation.

Reiterating that there has never been a time in history apart from the years of Nigerian Civil War that the Nigerian Army was stressed beyond its elasticity, adding that the dexterity and commitments of officers and men, collectively has galvanised to the enduring peace we are still enjoying as a people.

Principal Staff officers of the Command present during the visit were the Chief of Staff, 9 Brigade, Ikeja Cantonment, Colonel I.O Amah, the Intelligence Officer, Major A.A Akinola, the Assitant Director Army Public Relations, (ADAPR), Major Kolawole Bello, the Operations Officer, Major T. Emuren and the Provost, Captain A Lawal

On the part of NAOSNP were the Deputy Public Relations Officer, Theresa Moses, Eric Elezuo, Mrs Olushola Okunlade and Mr Friday Etim.

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Personality in Focus

Kenneth Udo Emerges As Immigration Service’s New Spokesperson

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The Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Kemi Nanna Nandap, has approved the appointment of Kenneth Tyoapine Udo, as Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO).

A statement issued by the NIS Public Relations unit, said Udo, a Deputy Comptroller of Immigration, succeeds Adedotun Aridegbe, a Comptroller of Immigration, who now serves as the Principal Staff Officer (PSO), to the Comptroller-General.

The new NIS Spokesman hails from Konshisha LGA of Benue State and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology, from the University of Abuja.

His professional development included the completion of various courses within and outside the country, including the 30th Superintendent Basic Course at the Immigration Training School in Kano.

Others include the Round-table on Sudan Crises and Regional Security by the National Defence College, Return Counseling tool kit training, promoting migration protection and Decision Making, organised by IOM, UN Migration and the European Union.

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Adaora Umeoji Emerges Zenith Bank’s First Female GMD

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Zenith Bank Plc has appointed Dr. Adaora Umeoji as its new Group Managing Director, effective June 1, 2024.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Company Secretary, Michael Otu, which was filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited on Tuesday.

Umeoji will take over from the current GMD, Dr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, whose time in office expires May 31.

“Dame (Dr.) Adaora Umeoji is the first female GMDCEO since the inception of the bank, and her appointment is  consistent with the bank’s executive transition tradition, succession plan, and strategy of grooming leaders from within,” part of the statement read.

Before this appointment, Umeoji has been the Deputy Managing Director of the bank since October 28, 2016 and has close to 30 years of banking experience of which  26 years has been with Zenith Bank.

According to her profile, Umeoji is an alumnus of Harvard Business School, where she attended the  Advanced Management Programme, and an alumnus of Columbia Business School with a Certificate in the Global Banking Program. She holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Jos, a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and a first-class honours degree in law from Baze University, Abuja.

She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Salford, United Kingdom, a Master in Business Administration from the University of Calabar, and also has a doctorate in business administration from Apollos University, USA. She holds a Certificate in Economics for Business from the prestigious MIT Sloan School of Management, USA, and has attended various management programmes in renowned Universities around the world including the strategic thinking and Management programme at Wharton Business School, USA.

With this appointment, Umeoji will join the ranks of female bank MDs in Nigeria and make her the first female MD of the bank.

Zenith Bank is one of the banks in Nigeria that has large asset banks and belongs to the elite club of banks with a market value of over N1tn.

At the close of trading on Tuesday, Zenith Bank was worth N 1.19tn, and its shares were priced at N38.1 per unit.

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Olubadan Dies Days after Two Years Coronation Anniversary

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Barely 72 hours after his two years on the throne as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Dr. Mohood Olalekan Ishola Balogun, CFR, Alli Okunmade II bowed out gracefully this evening at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan after a brief illness.

Aged 81, the late monarch was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning having stayed indoor throughout Tuesday on account of slight malaria fever, though, he was hail and hearty on Monday during which he personally received few guests that paid him congratulatory visits on his second year anniversary on that day.

Making this announcement was the Baba-Kekere Olubadan and his younger brother, Dr. Sen. Kola Balogun through a press statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by the Personal Assistant (Media) to the late monarch, Oladele Ogunsola.

According to the statement, Dr. Balogun disclosed that Oba Balogun would be buried at his Aliiwo ancestral home by 4.00pm on Friday according to Islamic rites just as he said that the State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, though already verbally informed would be formally notified early in the morning.

The late Olubadan was the first most educated to have emerged as Ibadan monarch, a British trained P.hd holder, a former university lecturer, former member of management staff of Shell British Petroleum, former gubernatorial candidate of the defunct Nigeria People’s Party (NPP), former Senator and a successful business man.

His last official outing was the Olubadan Advisory Council’s meeting which he presided over last Saturday where the decision to derobed Mogaji Akinsola, Olawale Oladoja was taken. He however, on Tuesday instructed the Ekerin Olubadan, Oba Hamidu Ajibade to midwife a small committee to deliberate on last Friday’s decision on what should be the position of Ibadan Zone in the proposed newly reconstituted Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs.

The decision of the small committee was earlier on Thursday ratified by the Olubadan Advisory Council at a meeting presided over by Otun Olubadan and the former governor of Oyo State, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja and was to be taken to the late Oba Balogun for his signature Friday morning so as to meet the deadline for submission to the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters later in the day.

The late Olubadan is survived by wives, children and grandchildren.

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