He described the press as an “indispensable partner” in the nation’s journey towards economic stability, press freedom, and social cohesion.

At a meeting at the State House on Friday, the president said his government would help dismantle the fiscal hurdles and “digital cannibalisation” currently threatening the survival of the press.

He gave this assurance during an interfaith dinner with a high-level delegation from the Nigerian Press Organisation (NPO), led by the NPO President and Publisher of The Guardian, Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru.

The delegation also included industry leaders and patrons, among them Aremo Olusegun Osoba, publisher of Vanguard; Mr Sam Amuka, Chairman of THISDAY/ARISE News Channel; Prince Nduka Obaigbena; Chairman of Channels Television, Dr John Momoh; Director-General of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Alhaji Saliu Abdulhamid Dembos; former NPAN President and veteran journalist, Mr Ray Ekpu; President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Eze Anaba; President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, Mr Danlami Nmodu, and President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, among others.

Also present were all executive members of NPAN, managing directors of media houses, top media practitioners across all platforms, and representatives of civil society.

President Tinubu said his government was already reviewing the tariff exemption list and would consider the inclusion of the items used by the media, such as newsprint, plates, chemicals, and radio and television broadcast equipment, which currently attract tariffs of 5 to 10 per cent.

If this happens, these items would enjoy a status similar to that of educational and research materials.

With the media industry reeling from skyrocketing newsprint and equipment costs, President Tinubu signalled his administration’s readiness to intervene by reviewing tariffs.

“You have the government’s full support, because we know how important your work is to the sustenance of democracy,” the president said.

Earlier, the Deputy President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, and Publisher of BusinessDay, Mr Frank Aigbogun, in a speech delivered on behalf of the NPO, accused some tech companies of increasingly “scraping” proprietary creative content to train AI models, often by breaching digital paywalls.

Aigbogun requested the president to direct the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, to work with the media to investigate complaints that Big Tech dominance and anti-competitive practices were costing local media at least 70 per cent of its legitimate income, estimated by some sources at hundreds of millions of dollars, in addition to the loss of jobs and opportunities.

Before the president’s response, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said the government had already begun “engaging Big Tech,” companies including Meta and Google.

“The government will not allow anybody to come here, reap from our economy, and go away without giving back,” he said.

Among other dignitaries present at the meeting were Vice President Kashim Shettima, as well as senior aides and special advisers to President Tinubu.

It would be recalled that the NPO had, in January, written to the government and also published a statement complaining about the existential threat Big Tech operations pose to local media.

READ ALSO: 

Erratic power supply: Adelabu’s peculiar mess

UK visit: Disgruntled mining company plotting against Tinubu -FG

Four dead, four injured in Lekki–Epe Expressway crash

ADC releases timetable for congresses ahead of convention

Atiku loses media aide, mourns

Cocaine in balloons: UK-bound 74-year-old grandpa arrested

Strait of Hormuz: Trump warns of more strikes on Kharg Island

Gowon praises Tinubu’s economic efforts, urges support for govt

Nigeria football mourns again as 1980 AFCON winner, Henry Nwosu, dies at 62

The Tinubu enigma: Power, strategy and the Nigerian state

A country without earthquakes — yet shaken by itself

Troops eliminate 10 terrorists, thwart ISWAP infiltration in Borno

Soludo’s second inauguration: Police, others beef up security

Six cashew farmers killed in Benue, police confirm

The post Tinubu backs Nigerian media’s fight for fair revenue from big tech appeared first on Frontpageng.

The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

Founded on January 22, 1995, by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, the media organisation has earned a reputation as a newspaper of record in Nigeria, delivering in-depth coverage of national and global events.

READ ALSO: Tax reform bill: TUC wants VAT rate at 7.5%

He said the president commended the newspaper for its commitment to the ideals of free enterprise, democracy, and innovative use of technology and for nurturing many notable names in the media industry.

President Tinubu stated that the numerous awards the publication, its editors, and writers had received over the years were an eloquent testament to the newspaper’s creativity.

President Tinubu wished ThisDay Newspapers continued progress in the years to come.

The post ThisDay at 30: You are a newspaper of record -Tinubu appeared first on Frontpageng.

Justice Deinde Dipeolu had on December 30, 2024 granted an ex-parte order brought before him by First Bank Nigeria Limited.

He restricted all commercial banks from releasing or dealing with any assets or monies belonging to General Hydrocarbons Limited, its agents, subsidiaries, or sister companies and its shareholder up to the amount claimed by the plaintiffs.

The judge also issued Mareva orders against the bank accounts of Nduka Obaigbena, Efe Damilola Obaigbena, and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena, all Directors of General Hydrocarbons Limited, who are shareholders and Directors of GHL.

Other respondents in the suit include GHL 121 Limited, Aimonte Nigeria Limited, Calidin Global Resources Limited, CESL Oyo Production BBC Limited (owner of FPSO Tamara Tokoni), CESL Oyo Production O&M Limited, and VITOL SA.

Other respondents are Mercuria Energy Trading SA, Trafigura PTE Limited, Glencore Energy UK Limited, Schlumberger Nigeria Limited, Schlumberger Overseas SA, and Baker Hughes Oilfield Services.

While arguing for the lifting of the order, GHL’s attorney, Abiodun Layonu (SAN), claimed that the bank’s suit represents an abuse of the court process.

READ ALSO: Xi, Trump hold maiden telephone conversation

Layonu also claimed that the bank had failed to disclose an earlier order granted by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa that restrained the bank from taking further action to recover the loan until the parties subjected themselves to arbitration.

Layonu urged the court to dismiss the Mareva injunction, arguing that the court was misled into granting it and that it has caused significant financial harm to GHL.

Similarly, Olumide Aju (SAN), representing the 2nd to 5th defendants in the matter, also prayed the court to dismiss the entire the suit on grounds that it constitutes a gross abuse of court process.

He said in the alternative the court should discharge the Mareva orders against the 2nd to 5th defendants because it was obtained without a full and frank disclosure of the fact that there is an ongoing arbitration between FBN and GHL in respect of the alleged indebtedness.

He argued that the same Federal High Court had earlier restrained FBN from filing any action or commencing any enforcement proceedings against GHL pending the outcome of that arbitration.

Aju argued that irrespective of the restyling and the addition of new parties to this new suit, FBN and its counsel failed to disclose the existence of this order, which is related to the loan dispute between FBN and GHL when they sought and obtained the Mareva order on an exparte basis.

He submitted that the court would not have granted the order if FBN had disclosed and exhibited Justice Allagoa’s restraining order against FBN when they sought the Mareva orders.

He further argued that apart from a mere allegation that funds of GHL was being diverted, there is no evidence presented by FBN to show any diversion of funds before sweeping Mareva orders were made against the assets of the 2nd to 4th defendant who are shareholders and directors of the company and who did not execute any personal guarantees in respect of the of the said loan

In response, Victor Ogude (SAN) from the law firm of Babajide Koku asserted that First Bank provided all relevant facts in its affidavit supporting the suit.

Ogude pointed out that the parties involved in Justice Lewis-Allagoa’s case and those before Justice Dipeolu are different and that nothing in the earlier order prevents First Bank from pursuing the current matter under different agreements.

He also noted that no law restricts their constitutional right to seek judicial redress for disputes.

The lawyers further stated that Nduka Obaigbena, Efe Damilola Obaigbena, and Olabisi Eka Obaigbena are named in the suit in their capacities as directors of GHL.

Ogude urged the court to dismiss GHL’s suit as incompetent and set a date for the hearing of the substantive suit.

After considering the arguments presented, the judge reserved the ruling for a later date, which will be communicated to both parties.

The post GHL, others to court: Lift freezing orders irregularly obtained by First Bank appeared first on Frontpageng.

They spoke at the Lateef Jakande Annual Memorial Lecture 2024 organised by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, in Lagos on Tuesday.

The theme of the lecture is: “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Media Survival Strategies”.

Speaking at the lecture, the Chairman, ThisDay/Arise Media Media Group, Mr Nduka Obaigbena, called for a change in the law for media to survive in the current landscape.

Obaigbena suggested a situation where Intellectual Property, IP, would be regarded as an asset, and “what we do must be paid for”.

“Let us pass a law that those who use our works online must pay for it. If we get payment for all our works used by online users, journalism will be better for it,” he said.

Calling on media owners to be prepared for Artificial Intelligence, AI, the publisher said there was need for education and good governance for media to survive.

Highlighting that the world was being driven by technologies and AI, Obaigbena said phones and computers remained the means of distributing news and had changed things.

He said: “The information in the print media has also been consumed by the people at night before the hard copies will surface, hence the need for the media to engage the future.

“Means of distribution is changing but good journalism is not changing. What is not changing is old fashioned truth, telling the story as it is and engaging the audience.

READ ALSO: Hunger protest is invitation to Mother of all Hungers, MURIC warns

“Newspapers and Magazines are in the battle of survival. We are confronted and challenged by the Artificial Intelligence now.

“The threat we face is AI. Are we ready for a world that is being changed by AI?”

Obaigbena said that AI had also been promoting journalism and making the society a better place, hence media entrepreneurs had to benefit for its advantages.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of The Punch, Joseph Adeyeye, urged media practitioners not to be lost or trapped in the past.

According to him, AI should not be a threat to journalism but a tool that can be used positively to advance the cause of the profession.

Adeyeye advocated re-education, rediscovery and realisation of the current media landscape to stay afloat.

He said: “We need to re-educate ourselves about the nature of the business. We all agreed that things have changed.

“We need to understand that change, we need to address it in a very robust manner. We need also to rediscover our craft.

“We need to deepen our offerings, we need to be more creative in our approach.”

Adeyeye urged media professionals to also comply with the ethics of the profession.

The Father of the Day and Publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Mr Sam Amuka, said; “Things have changed but the time and practitioners cannot stop time.’’

Amuka said: “This mobile phone has changed the way and for most of the media, it is a lot of work to produce a newspaper.

“Most people don’t buy newspapers on the streets anymore because by the time newspapers come out, people have read the story online.

“It is our responsibility as media people to do more things because time waits for no man. If we want to survive, we must engage our minds and brain.”

Decrying inflation and cost of publishing, he, however, said there was need for newspapers to continue to publish hard copies.

A former NGE President, Mrs Funke Egbemode, said if media owners must improve their lot, they must go deeper in reports and analysis.

“Let us court the young. Do a lot more to make more money,’’ Egbemode said.

Many eminent journalists, professionals and media owners took turns to proffer solutions and the way forward for the survival of media in the ever-changing landscape.

Appreciating the NGE on behalf of the family, Jakande’s first son, Deji, said that their father’s name had always become a challenge to them, assuring that the children would not disappoint Nigerians.

Source: NAN

The post How media can survive changing landscape –Obaigbena, others appeared first on Frontpageng.

With a theme “Rapidly Changing Media Landscape: Survival Strategies”, the  lecture, which is slated for 10am at Radisson Blu Hotel, Isaac John Street, Ikeja, Lagos, will be chaired by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris; while Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State will be the Special Guest of Honour.

In a statement issued on Sunday and signed by the Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, President, Mr. Eze Anaba, and the General Secretary, Dr Iyobosa Uwugiaren, the publisher of Vanguard Media Group, Uncle Sam Amuka; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Segun Osoba and Former Minister of Information and Culture, Gen. Ike Nwachukwu (retired), will be Fathers of the Day.

The annual lecture, which was instituted last year by the NGE in honour of its Founding President, late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, according to the professional body of Editors and media executives, is both a testament to the cherished service rendered by Alhaji Jakande, and an acknowledgement of the significance of having such a conversation for the overall good of the media and the country, Nigeria.

“The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) was formed on May 20, 1961 to serve as an elite organisation of editors, through which editors as professional heads of their publications, could enhance their professional interests by networking to discuss/address common challenges and developing relationships with their various audiences in the media itself, governments, professional and trade associations.

READ ALSO: Boko Haram plans to infiltrate nationwide protest –Police

“Originally named the Guild of Newspaper Editors of Nigeria, it was later renamed Nigerian Guild of Editors to accommodate colleagues in the broadcast/online media.

“The NGE’s founding president was Alhaji Lateef Jakande (1929-2021). He had rallied his professional colleagues to form the body that was conceived to occupy the strategic middle ground of editorial senior managers between media owners and the general workforce of journalists”, the NGE added.

The Guild said that after discharging “uncommon duties” to the Nigerian media, Alhaji Jakande went on to render appreciable service as the first civilian governor of Lagos State, and as a federal Minister of Works and Housing.

According to the NGE, “Sixty-three years after, the NGE,  the professional body of editors and Media executives, remains a respected organization among professional associations, and a leader in the media landscape.

“And Alhaji Lateef Jakande’s name remains treasured – whenever committed service is mentioned in the media and public service.

“Consequently, as part of nurturing a culture of appreciation, the NGE, in 2023, instituted an Annual Lecture in honour of its late pioneer president, Alhaji Jakande – to continue to interrogate developments affecting the media and society.”

The Guild said that the event, which would provide a huge opportunity for media stakeholders to interrogate issues affecting the media sector, woule be attended by media executives, scholars from the academic, policy makers, politicians, students of Mass Communication and others.

The post NGE: Jakande annual memorial lecture holds in Lagos Tuesday appeared first on Frontpageng.

Governor Sanwo-Olu described Obaigbena as a steadfast media investor and contributor to the growth and development of Lagos State.

The governor said the celebrant had, through his various media platforms, provided employment for thousands of journalists, writers and broadcasters in the country.

Sanwo-Olu joined family, friends, associates and colleagues especially at the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, Broadcasting Organizations of Nigeria, BON, the Thisday and Arise Television Network to felicitate the media mogul on his special day.

He wished Obaigbena long life in good health and prosperity.

READ ALSO: Bridge House College ex-student, Cherish Markson, shines in UK varsity

The post Obaigbena at 65: He’s a steadfast media investor -Sanwo-Olu appeared first on Frontpageng.

Chief Obaigbena, the Duke of Owa Kingdom, clocks 65 years on Saturday.

Abiodun, in his congratulatory message praised the remarkable contribution of the business mogul to the media industry, noting that since he started his journey with ThisWeek, years ago, he had left an indelible mark on the Nigerian press landscape.

“As a visionary leader, he has demonstrated unwavering commitment to journalistic excellence, innovation, and the pursuit of truth. His dedication to delivering accurate, reliable, and impactful news has served as an inspiration to many in the industry.

READ ALSO: Nigerian dancer, Kaffy, unveils plans for 25th anniversary

“Under Mr. Obaigbena’s stewardship, ThisDay newspapers, and Arise Television have consistently provided valuable insights, thought-provoking articles, and comprehensive coverage of national and international affairs. His relentless efforts in promoting freedom of speech, press freedom, and responsible journalism have significantly contributed to the growth and development of the Nigerian media.

“His dedication to the industry also saw the birth of Arise Television, which is currently making waves all over the world.

“Beyond his achievements in the media sector, Mr. Obaigbena has also made substantial contributions to society through his philanthropic endeavours. His support for various social causes, including education, healthcare, and youth empowerment, has positively impacted the lives of many Nigerians.

“On this milestone birthday, we celebrate Mr. Nduka Obaigbena’s remarkable journey and commend his remarkable achievements. We wish him good health, happiness, and continued success in all his future endeavours,” the governor said.

The post Dapo Abiodun rejoices with Nduka Obaigbena on 65th birthday appeared first on Frontpageng.

The message is contained in a statement issued by the president’s media aide, Mr. Ajuri Ngelale.

The president, he said, noted the enterprising spirit of the former President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, NPAN, who founded ThisWeek Magazine, and later, THISDAY Newspapers, Arise Magazine, and The Arise News Channel.

The president prayed for greater achievements for the renowned publisher, whose philanthropic efforts, especially in education, had demonstrated his passion for human development.

READ ALSO: Osoba, a nationalist -Tinubu

The post Tinubu congratulates Thisday publisher, Obaigbena, on birthday appeared first on Frontpageng.

In a statement authored by the Director of Media and Publicity, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, and Adviser, Media and Communication, Mr. Dele Alake, the campaign council described the accusation as baseless.

The campaign council said it was laughable that the chairman and Editor-in-Chief of ThisDay and Arise Television, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena, had the temerity “to pretend to be a guardian of public morality in contemporary Nigerian media practice.”

According to the council, Obaigbena had allegedly “done tremendous damage to the journalism profession in the country,” hence not fit to accuse Tinubu of attempting to silence independent media.

The statement reads in part: “The statement published on the front page of THISDAY  is illustrative of the penchant of  the two media houses under Obaigbena’s corrupting influence to peddle falsehood and engage in brazen political partisanship, contrary to the ethics of journalism practice.

“It is instructive that Obaigbena’s media group is isolated in making this frivolous allegation against the duo. Not only does THISDAY newspaper publish unfounded rumours masquerading as truth, many of its columnists substitute vile and vulgar abuse for sound logic and informed analyses while its television anchors heckle and harass their guests, particularly those of the APC in their jaundiced, flagrantly unprofessional programmes.

READ ALSO: Tinubu: NBC imposes N2m penalty on Arise TV for alleged breach

“We recall that both THISDAY and ARISE Television sought to bully and compel the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, into attending its Town Hall meetings with presidential candidates, despite the media team’s explanation that it would not attend such programmes organised in a haphazard and uncoordinated manner by individual media houses.

Each candidate’s campaign team has the right to adopt its own strategies for reaching out to and interacting with Nigerians. As we have repeatedly said, the Tinubu campaign will not succumb to the blackmail, intimidation and harassment of Obaigbena and his media group.

“THISDAY’s attempt in the said statement to justify its false news report on the purported death of one Mueez Adegboyega Akande and the attempt to insinuate mischievously that he died in suspicious circumstances failed abysmally. Rather than apologise for this professional lapse, it resorts to tendentious rationalisations. Its futile attempt to link Asiwaju Tinubu to a drug case in the United States, even when as far back as 2003, the United States government had categorically stated that the candidate has no criminal records in that country, shows the depths of mischief the newspaper is willing to descend in its bid to bring down the APC candidate at all costs. This campaign of calumny is doomed to fail as it always has.

“Our candidate is focused and will not be distracted by this diversionary tactics to throw mud at him simply because he is the obvious front runner in this race and some believe that the only way to stop him is to peddle falsehood against him.”

The post APC-PCC lambasts ThisDay, Arise over allegation against Tinubu appeared first on Frontpageng.

Saraki, in a press statement signed on his behalf by Yusuph Olaniyonu, the head of his Media Office, said though Mama Obaigbena attained a ripe age before she transitioned to glory, she would be sorely missed by all those who came in contact with her during her lifetime.

“Mama Obaigbena was a good woman who saw all the friends and associates of her children, particularly, Nduka’s friends as her children and always prayed for their progress and safety.

“My family and I commiserate with the whole of the Owa Kingdom which has lost a great Princess and mother, the government and people of Delta State who Mama served as a nursing officer and Special Adviser to three different governors as well as the Obaigbena family who have lost a matriarch.

“We urge them to take solace in the fact that Princess Obaigbena lived a good life and made a substantial impact in the lives of many people as a royalty, professional, community leader, and public servant,” Saraki stated.

The post Saraki: Princess Obaigbena was a great woman appeared first on Frontpageng.