Ten states and parts of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) may soon face telecommunications services blackout following tax disputes between Kogi Government and mobile network operators.
Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators (ALTON), made this known on Monday in Lagos while briefing newsmen on issues affecting the nation’s telecommunications industry.
The ALTON chief said Kogi State Government had allegedly shut down 150 telecoms base transceiver stations belonging to mobile telecoms operators as a result of disputes arising from taxes and levies.
“The operators, comprising MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9Mobile and Ntel, said that 150 base stations have been shut by the state’s revenue agency, warning that if nothing is done, the effect would lead to blackout in nine other neighbouring states to Kogi and parts of Abuja.
“The states to be affected include, Nassarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Niger,” he said.
Adebayo said that the tax and levies being demanded by Kogi was ‘unusual’ as they had nothing to do with telecommunications services.
“As a result of these actions by Kogi State Government, our members are unable to refuel power generators in these sites, a situation which has led to the outage of over 150 sites including hub sites across parts of Kogi State.
“This will definitely affect nine states surrounding Kogi namely:- Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger States. These are States sharing borders with Kogi State), and Abuja the FCT inclusive.
“ALTON is worried that the action by Kogi will jeopardize communication services provided by us to security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces in addition and to other emergency and social services in Kogi and other neighbouring states.
“This will include affecting communication links to bank automated teller machines (ATM) across those states.
“The outage currently being experienced is already affecting the ability of our members to provide uninterrupted service delivery to commercial banks, Central Bank of Nigeria, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and other critical agencies of government in the aforementioned locations,” he said.
Adebayo said that telecommunications sites were Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) which should be safeguarded against any form of disruption.
He said that the action followed an ex-parte court order obtained by the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) over unsubstantiated allegations that the telecom operators were in default of tax payments to the state government.
According to him, ALTON members had settled all statutory levies and taxes due to the Kogi State Government and have taken the necessary steps to comply with local laws that govern business activities within Kogi State.
He said that state governments were encouraged to explore other means of resolving tax-related disputes rather than sealing telecommunications sites.
Adebayo noted that operators had made several overtures to Kogi State Internal Revenue Service (KIRS) in the past months in a bid to resolve the disputed issues amicably but the agency had remained adamant.
He added that rather than resort to the Tax Arbitration Tribunal for intervention as is expected of a government agency, KIRS resorted to subtle intimidation by getting the site's shutdown in a bid to coerce the operators into accepting the “illegal” taxes and levies.
Wesley University Post-UTME Screening for 2018/2019 academic session has been published by the management of the university.
Applications are therefore invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into various programmes available for the 2018/2019 academic session in Wesley University, Ondo.
REGULAR UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES
Available Programmes:
Natural and Applied Sciences:
Biochemistry
Microbiology
Industrial Chemistry
Industrial Mathematics
Physics with Electronics
Geophysics
Computer Science.
Agriculture, Food Science & Technology:
Food Science & Technology
Nutrition and Dietetics
Hospitality Management & Tourism
Agriculture
Aquaculture & Fisheries Management
Social and Management Sciences
Accounting
Banking and Finance
Business Administration
Economics
Mass Communication
Political Science
Environmental Design & Management
Urban & Regional Planning
Estate Management
Eligibility:
a) Candidates who selected Wesley University as first or second choice
b) Candidates who did not choose Wesley University in JAMB UTME registration but scored the official pass mark.
c) Direct Entry Candidates
d) Candidates seeking change of institution.
Screening Requirements:
i) 2018 JAMB-UTME Result Slip
ii) Completed Wesley University’s Application Form
iii) O’Level Result(s), Birth Certificate, 3 Recent Passport Photographs
v) 2 Reference Letters and Testimonial from last school attended.
vi) Duly completed Request for Change of University (for transfer students)
Qualifications:
i) UTME Candidates: Five O’Level credit passes
(WASSCE/NECO/NABTEB/SSCE/GCE) in not more than two sittings.
ii) Direct Entry Candidates: NABTEB, IJMB, JUPEB, or GCE A/L or National Diploma, NCE.
iii) Higher National Diploma or Professional Diploma or Certificate
Screening Fee for Regular Students:
Candidates should pay the sum of two thousand, five hundred Naira (N2,500) to Skye Bank Current Account No. 1770793957. The Post-UTME Past questions of the school is currently not available.
Method of Application:
Application forms can be obtained online at http://www.wustomis.com/apply/application_home.php or at the University Campus.
Accommodation:
The University runs full residency policy for regular students.
There is provision for the accommodation of all categories of students at affordable prices and terms.
FOR MORE ENQUIRIES:
Call - Kelly: 08069801463; Toyin: 07057006658; Shade: 07087654830.
Email - registry@wesleyuni.edu.ng; info@wesleyuni.edu.ng
Signed:
Mrs. Chioma C. Obasi
Registrar
The comedy show, which held at The Dome, Akure, witnessed the presence of notable personalities including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade, representatives of the state Governor, popular actors, with performances from artistes like Small Doctor, Faze, Sound Siltan, Reminisce and lots more.
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| The Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade enjoying the show |
It was non-stop laughter as talented comedians like Woli Arole, Woli Agba, Kenny Blaq, Odogwu, Short Family, Gbenga Adeyinka, Koffi and lots more treated guests to the best of comedy.
The event was sold out, with the hall filled to capacity with happy guests that remained seated all through the night
Maltina made it an even more fun night by celebrating married couples. Husbands were asked to dedicate short poems to their wives, declaring their love for them right there on stage.
Newly married couple, Mr & Mrs Raymond won the game, walking away with a brand new generator and a pack of Maltina, courtesy Maltina.
The winnings did not stop there, as more guests got the chance to spin the wheel, winning exciting prizes like a TV, rechargeable fan and lots more.
Assistant Brand Manager, Maltina, Chinwe Greg-Egu presented the winners with their gifts.
It was indeed an unforgettable night, thanks to Maltina.
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The Ondo State Government has disclosed that the home-grown school feeding programme organised for primary school pupils has resumed after weeks of suspension.
Special Adviser to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu on Public and Intergovernmental Relations, Mrs. Olubunmi Ademosu, who dropped the hint during a chat with newsmen, in Akure, said the scheme was suspended due to some logistic reasons.
She hinted that the programme was carefully designed in a way that resources allocated for its success are not diverted, hence the direct crediting of the accounts of the over 1,000 cooks engaged for the programme.
Mrs. Odumosu, whose office coordinates the school feeding programme said over 78,000 pupils were already being fed in the state with the target to touch over 100,000 pupils across the three senatorial districts before the end of the year.
She added that the agency discovered that about 95 percent of pupils in Akoko area of the state were not benefitting from the programme when it took off in the state, adding that the state government does not politicise the programme.
She assured that the teething challenges being witnessed are already being rectified as a team of government officials are already working with the monitoring agency in Abuja to improve on the programme.
The Special Adviser noted that “Over 80 percent of the vendors have now complied fully and their details uploaded now.The slight hitch is not only peculiar to Ondo State but other states.”
She reiterated that the laudable federal government social intervention programme has been ably supported with all the necessary human capital and logistics requirement by Governor Akeredolu for the overall benefit of all and sundry.
The Senator representing Ondo North senatorial district in the National Assembly, Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, has called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris to investigate last Saturday’s attack on some journalists in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
Sen. Boroffice, who is the Chairman, Senate committee on Science and Technology also tasked the Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Gbenga Adeyanju, to ensure that necessary machinery are put in motion to ensure the arrest of the hoodlums who attacked the journalists while performing their lawful duties.
The Senator, who paid a solidarity visit to the secretariat of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in Akure, on Monday, expressed worry over the spate of violence in the state.
Boroffice who tasked the Police and other security agencies in the state to ensure that the hoodlums who perpetrated the devilish act do not go unpunished, stressed that “the hoodlums who attacked innocent journalists should be brought to justice. This is when Nigerians can restore their confidence in our security agencies.’
He continued,
“Violence has returned to the state unlike before. We now witness violent clash almost every day since Governor Rotimi Akeredolu took over the affairs of the state. This is unfortunate and those sponsoring violence in the state must be called to order in the interest of peace.”
The senator, who condemned the attack, sympathised with the injured journalists and wish them quick recovery as they recuperate.
However, he assured that
“days of impunity and tyranny are numbered in Ondo State. Peace will soon return to the state by the grace of God.
Those who believe in thugery will soon leave and men of peace will take over the reins of government. Very soon, Journalists will be able to operate freely in Ondo State without hindrance or attack from any quarter.”
It would be recalled that some Journalists including Damisi Ojo of The Nation, Bamigbola Gbolagunte of The Sun, Olumide Abudu of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and James Sowole of This Day were attacked and injured during the parallel congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) held in Akure on Saturday.
The arrest and destruction of the plantation at Ala forest was carried out by a Special Enforcement Team(SET) led by the Controller of Operations(CN) of the Agency Sunday Zirange. Those arrested include both men and women.
The led by the NDLEA’s Chairman/Chief Executive Officer(CEO) Col.Mustapha Abdallah(Rtd) were on a two day operation to the state. Also, two suspected cultivators of the substance had to abandon what they were cooking on fire inside their hut when they saw the team but were later arrested in a nearby farm where they were hiding.
Hundreds of labourers were engaged by the agency to cut all the substance before they were set on fire. Speaking on behalf of the NDLEA Chairman, Zirange lamented the rate of deforestation in the southwest especially Ondo state.
He said that “in the next 10 years if care is not taken, the thick forest in the west would have disappeared. “The Northern part is a desert region, with fast encroachment while the south which is suppose to be the hope of the nation is being used for cannabis cultivation and the destruction of economic trees.
“This development is affecting this country, all hands must be on deck, because the situation will affect the whole world with the issue of global warning as a result of environmental degradation”.
“Last year about 72 tonnes of cannabis were seized in Ondo forest zone, now we decided to be on the plantation site for us to see things for ourselves, you can see, there is no standing trees again, we will bring those arrested to justice.
Overland Airways, Nigeria’s frontline scheduled and charter airline, has increased its flight frequency on the Akure-Abuja route from three times a week to six times a week. This is to enable Overland Airways passengers travelling from Akure, Ondo State, as well as Ekiti State and environs to Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to enjoy more flight options which will enhance their business activities, and provide them with the flexibility to visit and bond with loved ones and enjoy other forms of leisure.
With effect from October 3, 2017, Overland Airways will fly from Akure Airport to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) six days every week from Sunday to Friday. The Akure-Abuja flights shall operate by 11:30hrs, while the Abuja-Akure flights will operate at 10:00hrs. This demonstrates the airline’s responsiveness to the needs of its customers. More investors now have flexible travel options as they can fly to Akure from Abuja every day except on Saturdays.
The Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Capt. Edward Boyo, notes that the increased flights services on the Akure-Abuja route would help to reposition the State for greater economic development.
“Overland Airways now offers increased first-rate flight services from Akure to Abuja and Abuja to Akure. Our satisfaction comes from fulfilling the travel needs of our customers. That is our vision and commitment. Akure is a choice destination because of its rich agricultural and mineral resources as well historical sites and nature’s wonders that are a tourist’s delight,” says Capt. Boyo.
“For the past 15 years, Overland Airways has provided easy access to hinterland economies and secondary airports in Nigeria with top-notch flight services. Overland is committed to opening up under-served airports. Akure is just one of the key destinations where Overland Airways plays a vital role in its economic development through air transport. Ondo State’s economy is important to our existence as a devoted corporate citizen.
Overland Airways is here for the long-term, as we are partners in the growth and development of Ondo State. We want to see the cocoa farms and associated investments flourish. We want to see the rich art and craft heritage of Ondo State excel. We are in Ondo State to provide the platform that gives investors, tourists, and economic development partners easy access to Ondo State.”
In 2016, Overland Airways opened its City Ticketing Offices in Ado- Ekiti in a bid to stay closer to the people and provide prompt solution to their ticketing and related needs in the comfort of their localities.
Says Mrs. Aanu Benson, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways: “Ondo State is fondly called the Sunshine State, which symbolizes light, life and vibrancy; and naturally Ondo has a gamut of natural resources including mineral deposits and fertile agricultural land, and impressive hills, etc. The State also offers some of the country’s most iconic tourism sites, as well as a rich blend of culture and tradition which makes Ondo State a attactive destination for investors.
“Overland Airways’ launch of additional flights is timely, in line with the Government’s renewed efforts to fast-track economic rejuvenation in the State through air transport. We have introduced these additional frequencies so you can see the sun shine brighter in Ondo State.”
Ondo state Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu on Sunday appointed caretaker chairmen for the 18 local councils. According to Mr Olusegun Ajiboye, his Chief Press Secretary, Sixteen of the appointees are men and two women.
The caretaker chairmen are: Mr Aworetan Fayowole (Ilaje), Prince Odimayo Gbadebo( Irele), Mrs Morenike Alaka ( Okitipupa), Prince George Adenikinju ( Odigbo), Mr Temidayo Akinsuroju( Ile Oluji/Oke Igbo), and Mr Bekewe Olowu (Ese-Odo).
Others are: Mr Ebenezer Akinsulie (Ondo West), Mr Rafiu Akinkuolie (Ondo East), Mr Biyi Ayinnuola (Idanre), Mrs Atere Margaret (Akure South), Mr Segun Oluyede (Akure North), Mr Dipo Ajibola (Ifedore), Mr Gani Omoluka (Owo), Mr Agboola Ajike ( Ose) Mr Adeyemi Akinniyi ( Akoko South/East), Mr Augustine Oloruntogbe (Akoko South/West), Mr Rafiu Eniayewu (Akoko North/East), and Arc. Moradeyo Ajayi ( Akoko North/West) .
He also added that the caretaker chairmen will be sworn in by the governor on Monday, Ajiboye said.
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