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Federal Government Dissolves ASP Secretariat Amidst Controversial Billboard Scandal

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All Eyes on The Judiciary Billboard

The Secretariat of the Advertising Standard Panel (ASP) has been dissolved by the Federal Government following its authorization of billboards that have been characterized as attempts to exert pressure on the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. The billboards bore the caption: ‘All Eyes on The Judiciary.’

Dr. Olalekan Fadoləpo, the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), conveyed the dissolution of the Panel through an official statement issued on Tuesday.

Fadolapo elaborated that, in light of the situation, the Council has also taken the step of suspending its Director and Deputy Director responsible for Regulations.

While acknowledging that certain advertisements had not received the ASP’s approval, Fadolapo pointed out a particular lapse in the Panel’s judgment. One of the concepts had been erroneously sanctioned despite failing to meet the stipulated vetting guidelines.

The ASP, a body mandated by the Council, has the essential responsibility of ensuring that advertisements adhere to both the prevailing laws of the Federation and the Code of advertising ethics governing the advertising profession.

“The attention of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has been drawn to the “All Eyes on the Judiciary” advertisements exposed on some billboards across the country. The concepts exposed were not approved by the Advertising Standərds Panel, hence, the Council has directed that all the materials being exposed be brought down immediately and the violators sanctioned.

“The Advertising Standards Panel of the Council also erred in the approval of one of the concepts as the advertisement failed to vet guidelines on the following grounds:

“The cause forming the central theme of the campaign in the advertisement is a matter pending before the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal. Hence, it’s jus pendis.

“A matter being jus pendis and awaiting judicial pronouncement is, by virtue of the Nigerian legal system, precluded from being a subject of public statement, debate, discussion, advertisement, etc.
“The advertisement is controversial and capable of instigating public unrest and breach of public peace.

“The advertisement is considered blackmail against the Nigerian Judiciary, the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, and particularly the Honourable Justices of the Tribunal who are expected to discharge their judicial functions without fear or favour over a matter that is currently jus pendis.”

The ARCON DG said the Council would set up a committee to investigate the circumstances leading to the “erroneous approval” of one of the concepts of the advert and the breach of the vetting guidelines.

“Consequently, the Director and Deputy Director, Regulations have also been suspended. The suspension is to enable an unprejudiced investigation of the issue. The Advertising Standards Panel (ASP) Secretariat failing to diligently exercise its function as the gatekeeper of advertising, advertisement, and marketing communications is hereby dissolved,” he said.

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Gen Z Baddie, Ilebaye Crowned Winner of Big Brother All-star Season

Ilebaye the Gen Z Baddie., evicted 3rd week of Big Brother Level-Up season, emerged winner Of All-Star season.

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In a thrilling finale that had fans on the edge of their seats, Gen Z sensation Ilebaye emerged as the winner of Big Brother All-Star Season with 30.08% of the votes, Investor King reports.

The 23-year-old Kogi-born captivated viewers with her intelligence, wit, charisma, and strategic gameplay.

The Big Brother All-Star Season was a battleground of the best, bringing together fan-favorite contestants from previous seasons. Cross, Pere, Adekunle, Ceec, Mercy, and Ilebaye were the 6 housemates who made it to the finals.

Ilebaye’s victory comes with a grand prize of 120 million naira, a weekend getaway for two, and an SUV, a year’s supply of Pepsi, among other rewards.

In her final speech, Ilebaye thanked her fans for their support and said she was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the BBNaija All-Stars season. She also promised to use their platform to impact the world positively.

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Controversial Lagos Socialite Sam Larry Arrested in Connection with Mohbad’s Death

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Sam Larry

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Balogun Eletu, popularly known as Sam Larry, a prominent Lagos socialite, in connection with the ongoing investigation into the tragic demise of Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad, the late singer who passed away under mysterious circumstances.

Sam Larry’s arrest took place at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday evening as he arrived from Kenya.

A police source, requesting anonymity due to a lack of authorization to speak on the matter, revealed that Sam Larry was promptly taken to the state police headquarters for questioning.

Sam Larry’s name has been in the spotlight since the demand for justice surrounding Mohbad’s untimely death gained momentum.

The arrest follows the police’s previous invitation of both Sam Larry and Mohbad’s former music label boss, Azeez Fashola, popularly known as Naira Marley, for questioning regarding the singer’s demise.

In a significant development, pathologists have recently completed the autopsy on Mohbad, with the police now awaiting the results.

This development followed the exhumation of Mohbad’s remains, conducted collaboratively by the Nigeria Police Force and health officials.

Also, the nurse who administered the injection to the late singer before his tragic passing on September 12 has also been arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.

As the investigation continues, the Lagos State Police Command is determined to unravel the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death and ensure justice is served.

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Minister Betta Edu Vows to Overhaul NPower Program and Eradicate Poverty

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Npower

Nigeria’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, has revealed a series of challenges plaguing the NPower program, vowing to overhaul the initiative to ensure it fulfills its mission of alleviating poverty for millions of Nigerians.

During the Arise TV interview, Minister Edu expressed her commitment to transforming the NPower program and addressing its longstanding issues.

She explained that the NPower payment list contains the names of individuals who should not be part of the program, revealing the gravity of the problems that her ministry is actively working to rectify.

“First of all, when we came onboard, we found lots of issues with the NPower program that made us re-engage the entire plan,” Edu stated. “One of the things was that there were persons registered on the NPower beyond the envelope that was provided for the program.”

The revelation of individuals beyond the program’s intended scope raises questions about the program’s effectiveness in targeting those most in need of assistance.

Edu further highlighted financial mismanagement as a critical issue affecting NPower beneficiaries. “Funds were released for payment for people under NPower, and they were not paid in a timely manner by the managers of the funds of the NPower beneficiaries,” she declared.

This mismanagement of funds not only hinders the program’s ability to provide timely support but also undermines the trust of beneficiaries in the system.

Perhaps the most concerning aspect disclosed by the minister is the inclusion of individuals on the payment list who should not be there and those who do not contribute to the program despite receiving payments.

Edu said, “There were also people who were on the payment list who are not supposed to be there, and there are persons who are there but are not providing any services but have been enrolled to have payment.”

Such irregularities in the program’s implementation not only waste resources but also deprive those genuinely in need of the support they require.

Also, Edu acknowledged the issue of individuals who had surpassed their allotted time with the NPower program but still expected to receive payments. She referred to this as an “exit plan,” which has led to continued financial obligations that the program may not be able to sustain.

To address these pressing concerns, Minister Edu disclosed that a committee has been established to scrutinize and provide recommendations for improving the NPower program. The committee, headed by the secretary of the ministry, is expected to propose reforms based on its findings.

Minister Edu’s commitment to reforming the NPower program aligns with the broader goal of President Tinubu’s administration to uplift 133 million Nigerians out of poverty by 2030, in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She declared, “For poverty alleviation, we are targeting at least 133 million Nigerians between now and 2030, which is in line with the SDGs that we signed at the United Nations.”

However, Edu emphasized that the government is not content with maintaining the status quo.

“The difference here is that we are not going to continue doing things the same way and expect different results,” she affirmed.

“There are different plans we are working on, and we believe very strongly that by the next one year, we should be able to say that at least we have removed 20 million Nigerians out of poverty.”

The commitment to addressing the NPower program’s flaws and the ambitious goal of poverty eradication signal a new direction in the fight against poverty in Nigeria, one that aims to be more efficient, transparent, and impactful for the nation’s most vulnerable citizens.

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