So on the faithful Thursday being 24th September, 2020, we set out for the journey to katsina to witness the wedding of Bashir Ahmad and Naeema Junaid Bindawa and it was a journey I will not forget in a hurry. We passed through the state of kaduna through Zaria before landing in katsina at about 6:00 pm, a journey which started around 8:00am of same day. Thanks to the convoy of so many friends and well wishers and the associated slowness in movement and stoppages.

I, Usman Muhammad Ismail and Usman Turaki were in our car and we had several conversations that was capable of improving IQ and awareness. We passed through some of the towns that have been touted to be part of the insecurity problems in Katsina state and the presence of the thick forests by the sides of the road could make one understand such terrains better. Farming activities were however very much on course with almost all the stretches bearing green crops less for the built up areas. This was impressive and more comforting than the much negative and very hyped stories you hear that present a sort of an Armageddon situation.

We then arrived to the very serene city that was filled with quiet and peace but hot because of the season we are in. We settled in and set out for the traditional event of ‘Kamu’ where the pageantry of the event started to showcase itself, the bride and groom looked awesome while friends from both sides turned up appropriately with no disappointments, this was expected considering the caliber of the couple. There was meet and greet and celebrations until it was time to go and have some rest in preparation for the main day being Friday 24th September, 2020 when the wedding Fatiha proper will take place.

By the way, we had received the news of the arrival of the Honorable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami alongside the GMD of NNPC and his main ally DG, NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi. They were due to arrive Friday afternoon to witness the wedding and everyone was indicating interest to receive them at the airport just so they can have a wave or glance at the Honorable Minister. This got me keen to observe the entire process of the ministers coming knowing fully well that weddings are usually political arenas in this climes and you all perhaps may remember my past analysis about PANTAMI’S political potentials.

The day has come and we’re off to the airport to pick up the Honorable Minister and his entourage alongside the groom of-course. The display of the white garments with matching caps was so colorful I have not seen in a while. Camera clicks became the prominent sounds at the airport and the groom appeared so elated as expected. The cars that came for this activity were uncountable to me and everyone was simply waiting and eager to witness the arrival of the Honorable Minister with his entourage. While waiting a different aircraft landed carrying the Honorable Minister of Defence alongside Garba Shehu and Barrister Ismaeel Ahmed. There was greetings between them and the grooms crew before they left and attention resumed to awaiting arrival of the fathers of the day being Dr Pantami and crew.

Shortly after, behold the arrival of the aircraft carrying the man we had all been waiting for and all roads led to the tarmac to receive the Honorable Minster and crew as they alighted from the aircraft. The place immediately got agog with attempts to grab a selfie or two with the Dr. I have witnessed several encounters with celebrities like Davido and I can tell about how the buzz could look like and what I saw was much more than that you can trust me. There was competition over who to grab a selfie or greet and as usual Pantami was busy displaying his elegance and smile as he waved.

The long convoy of aides, fans and well wishers then proceeded to the Government House in Katsina for courtesy call before finally arriving at the wedding venue and my mouth was wide open in surprise for how the whole crowd got Gaga on sighting the arrival of the Sheikh. Pantami and entourage proceeded directly into the mosque for the Jumaat Prayers after which the wedding took place and Bashir and Naaemah have finally become Man and Wife, Congratulations to them.

Once the wedding Fatiha was over and it was time to depart, I couldn’t stop looking with amazement at how the crowd was all over Sheikh Pantami which even got the security details overwhelmed and if this is not a very much needed political capital, what could ever be.

Scenarios like these require to be put out at a such a time when the APC requires so much political capital for the actualization of their aspirations. Nigeria’s democracy has advanced as much that political capital such as Dr Pantami’s is golden and must be showcased with a view to attracting us all to utilize it for national and political party development. What makes his case peculiar is his intellect and demonstrated capacity.

Finally, congratulations to Bashir Ahmad for attracting such very important personalities at the event and also creating an avenue for bonding and friendships. Dr Isa Pantami has become a leader who attracts credible followers which are mostly youthful with so much energy, loyalty and intellect to cap it. The entire team is a formidable one that is capable to becoming something worthy of admiration in times to come.

Happy Married Life Bashir and Naeema.

Hashim Suleiman
oneheartnaija@yahoo.com

After six weeks of being locked down in the house, five finalists are waiting with bated breath, anticipating who among them will eventually becomes the winner come tomorrow Sunday, 27 September 2020.

This feature article by Segun Kasali takes a look at how The Voice Nigeria Season 3 is discovering raw music talent in the country and nurturing them into music superstars in the nearest future.

The challenges of cost of production, cost of promotions and especially identification with renowned music record label, amongst others, have been identified as among the many challenges confronting upcoming artistes while making efforts at showcasing their talents. Asides the talent showcase of the craft, music plays a pivotal role at providing employment opportunities for key players in the industry – especially musicians – at making ends meet, whilst contributing their quota to the growth of the industry and the national economy as a whole.

These challenges undoubtedly handicap the young talents from realizing their potentials which invariably translate to debarring them from making meaningful contributions to the country’s Gross Domestic Product  as it had been said that the entertainment sector contributed 2.3% (NGN239 billion) to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2016 and has been one of the priority sectors identified in the Economic Recovery and Growth plan of the Federal Government of Nigeria with a planned $1billion in export revenue by 2020.

In contributing to the growth of the music industry in the country, The Voice Nigeria was launched on the 10th April, 2016. The Voice Nigeria has since refined and helped unleash the brightest of Nigerian musical talents for the global stage as the country’s music industry continues to enjoy international attention. The Voice is a multinational singing competition with a television franchise in over 50 countries around the world.

The winner of the maiden edition of the music reality show, Agharese Emokpae was awarded a recording contract, an SUV worth N7 million and a 4-night all-expense paid ticket to Abu Dhabi, courtesy Etihad Airways. Sharing her experience, she noted that that they (participants in the competition) were on a different journey in terms of attention to detail, mentorship by the coaches and the incredible training sessions. All the contestants showed incredible growth personally and professionally with gratitude for the experience, the exposure and the platform which attests to discovering, nurturing and empowering musical talents.

Also, in Season 2 of The Voice Nigeria, Daniel Diongoli, popularly known as Idyl, was announced the winner beating finalists Ebube, Syemca, Wow, Chris Rio, J’Dess, Jahtell and Yimika to win the grand prize of a record deal with Universal Music Africa, a GAC car and an all-expense paid trip to Dubai.

One of the sponsors of this year’s edition, First Bank of Nigeria Limited has expressed its delight over the partnership with UN1TY Limited, organisers of The Voice Nigeria Season 3, as it is poised to empowering and investing in the Nigerian youths and demonstrating its contribution to the projected revenue of 86 million dollars by 2021 from the Nigerian music industry aimed at promoting a diversified economy in line with the federal government of Nigeria’s economic diversification policy.

Interested participants are to register via the link www.thevoicenigeria.com with their FirstBank account number as a requirement. Should one not have an account with the Bank, then dial the Bank’s USSD code, *894*0# to be a FirstBank account holder. The audition is open to individuals within the age of 18 -50 years who are have been residing in Nigeria for 12 consecutive months. The registration for audition closes at 11:59pm on Saturday, 19 September 2020.

The financial institution also stated its unrelenting passion for giving voice to the young and indeed all Nigerians, which would translate to creating employment, economic empowerment in the country.

Expressing her delight on the partnership, Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communication, FirstBank said; “FirstBank has given voice to Nigerians for the past 126 years, and will continue to give voice to Nigerians by creating employment, economic empowerment in the country through its products, services and initiatives and it remains committed to strengthening the creative industry which is fast growing into a multibillion-dollar business, with potential to be a leading contributor to Nigeria’s GDP in the near future.”

She concluded that supporting The Voice Season 3 means a lot to the Bank, especially as “it is a demonstration of the bank’s commitment to contributing to the projected revenue of USD86 million by 2021 from Nigeria’s music industry aimed at promoting a diversified economy in line with the Federal Government’s diversification policy.”

Sunday Tribune gathered that the registration for The Voice Season 3, which is open to both female and male contestants who are Nigerians and have a government-issued means of Identification, is free. Further to registering, talents are to have a one-minute video singing without a sound track, upload and fill the form on the website.

Talents and fans will go home with over 100million naira in prizes as The Winning Talent of The Voice Nigeria Season 3 will go home with monetary reward, a brand-new car and an international recording contract. The Voice Nigeria will take an interesting twist this year with many virtual engagements with fans, talents and the general public.

Nnamdi Obanya, a sports broadcaster, has said the new broadcasting code recently announced by the Narsenal Broadcasting Commission (NBC) carries the potential to hurt local sports in the country.

Obanya,  a media enterprise consultant,  made his view known in a chat with ThisDay.

He noted that the section of the Code that seeks to compel content providers airing foreign sport content to spend a percentage of what they spend on such on a local equivalent may not be practicable in Nigeria.

Obanya explained that Nigeria lacks the equivalent of popular foreign sports to compete for sponsorship with their foreign counterparts.

He said local sport bodies will have to come up with events that can be sponsored or risk losing out completely.

Using the Mobil track and field tournament, which last held almost a decade ago, as an example, Obanya queried the possibility of getting corresponding sponsorship for an event like the IAAF Diamond League.

He also said Nigeria offers only one league while content providers buy rights for up to five foreign leagues, explaining that it would be improper to ask them to pay 30 per cent to the Nigerian league.

He concluded that advertisers would rather not spend money on local sponsorship at all than waste 30 per cent of their advert spend on poor quality.

“What mileage can be obtained from spending so much on so little. You are literally making the advertiser spend a good deal of his advert spend, just to ensure he sponsors the foreign content.

“A lot of advertisers would rather not sponsor anything than put an extra 30 per cent into what they do not want.

“Realistically, The Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) and some basketball are really all the content available. What is our category equivalent of Formula 1? Is an advertiser going to pay 30 per cent of the rights of every single league right purchased to the NPFL?

“We have only one league and we watch La Liga, Serie A, EPL, Ligue 1 and so on. Each set of rights is independent. It means that if you have EPL and La Liga rights, you will be paying more for the Nigerian league than for Ligue 1 or the Serie A which, honestly, are both more valuable properties. Much more!”

Reacting to the anti-exclusivity provisions in the Code, Obama urged the NBC to differentiate between premium content and free to air content.

He stated that premium content cost more and asked the NBC to grant a bit more freedom to those buying very expensive content.

“My only worry is that we may need to differentiate how we handle premium content as against cheaper content and free to air content. Premium content costs more to purchase, market and transmit.

“There is a need for HD equipment, need to target top brands, premium salaries for support staff and local broadcast team.

“The NBC may need to allow a bit more freedom to those purchasing very expensive content. It’s a heavy investment and forcing them to sub-license at unrealistic prices is not good for business,” he said.

Obanyan, however, praised the Code for wading into the timely payment of media houses by clients for advertisement.

He said the new code has reduced waiting periods for payment from 90 days to 45 days after the conclusion of advert campaigns.

“Currently, and in the absence of alternative agreements, the current practice is a case of media houses waiting for a minimum of 90 days from the termination of media campaigns, before they can expect payments.

“This greatly affects the cash flow of these organizations, which have wage, power generation and logistics costs that cannot wait for 90 days. What you then find are crippling debts, unpaid wages, epileptic service and a long line of creditors,” he said.

“Article 7.9.1 (a), as seen in the amendments to the 6th edition of the broadcast code, halves this to 45 days maximum. Even more importantly, in the same article, it states the punitive measures that will be taken to encourage prompt payment.

“The agency will instruct all other licensees not to take jobs from the defaulter.

“To ensure that the other media houses take note and cannot be manipulated or to prevent divide and conquer, article 7.9.1 (b) & (c) give sanctions for erring media houses.”

Movie producer and director, Cas Chidiebere Obidike, has asked the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos to perpetually restrain the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) from enforcing the sixth edition of the National Broadcasting Code.

The amended code, which has continued to generate controversy, was unveiled last month in Lagos by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

In a fundamental human rights suit (No. FHC/L/CS/1211/2020) filed before the court on his behalf by his counsel, Mr. Emeka Okpoko (SAN) of Straddle Partners, Obidike said paragraphs 6.2.11, 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.17 of the code constitute gross violations of his fundamental human rights and freedom of expression enshrined in sections 37 and 39 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).

In the suit filed on September 4, Obidike is seeking an order of perpetual injunction restraining the NBC, the sole respondent in the suit, and any of its agents or proxies from enforcing the aforementioned sections of the code.

In the affidavit in support of the originating motion, Obidike said paragraphs 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.17 breach his right to privacy or have a likelihood of infringing upon his fundamental human rights.

According to him, the provision of the National Broadcasting Code requiring that broadcast rights to sporting events be submitted to the NBC for ratification within two weeks, as stipulated in paragraph 6.2.3, and the revocation of the rights in the event of non-compliance, as noted in paragraph 6.2.4, will force him to divulge business secrets contained in contracts of sale/acquisition of broadcasting rights to movies and other media production.

He also argued that confidentiality clauses inserted in business contracts in which contracted parties are bound to comply with will be breached as a result of the code.

Obidike stated that paragraph 6.2.17, which mandates a broadcaster to, within 14 days, provide the original or certified true copy of agreements and other documents by which such contents have been duly acquired, prevents him as a private Nigerian citizen from engaging in the business of film making and business production and contravenes his fundamental human rights as enshrined in the 1999 constitution (as amended).

Citing Order ii, Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009, the applicant insisted that any individual who deems that there is a contravention of fundamental human rights can institute legal action against such person or entity.

The affidavit partly read: “In the course of my business in the industry, I enter into contracts of sale/acquisition of broadcasting rights to movies and other media productions in which terms such as “confidentiality” are agreed upon in order to protect the parties’ interest such as privacy to business secrets against outsiders.

“In view of the above paragraphs of the 6th edition to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, I risk protection of my privacy to my business secrets usually contained in contracts of sale/acquisition of broadcasting rights to movies and other media productions which I enter into in the industry.

“That a contract of sale/acquisition of broadcasting rights described above once submitted to the Respondent, the contractual document becomes a public document which members of the public are entitled to apply for and obtain certified true copies of thereby creating a likelihood of my constitutionally guaranteed right to privacy being jeopardised.”

Obidike also argued that paragraph 6.2.11, which prohibits the broadcast of advertisement of products and services during prime foreign sporting contents if such advertiser does not equally sponsor such product and services of prime local sports content in the same category, infringes or has a likelihood of infringing his fundamental human right to freedom of expression.

The affidavit read: “In order to promote, impart ideas and information regarding my products which consist in released movies, upcoming movies and other media productions to a larger audience, I often advertise these products in prime foreign sports contents at costs within his financial capacity.

“I believe from Counsel’s information that by virtue of paragraph 6.2.11 of the 6th edition to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, I am likely to suffer a limitation to my freedom to express information and ideas about my products as the said paragraph now imposes an advertisement platform as well as an increased cost of advertisement which I may not be able to meet up with, on me.”

The document further stated: “Your lordship, the provisions of paragraph 6.2.11, 6.2.3, 6.2.4 and 6.2.17 of the Respondent’s 6th edition to the Nigeria Broadcasting Code offend the letters and spirit of the provisions of sections 37 and 39 of the Constitution, in that they contravene or have a likelihood of contravening the Applicant’s fundamental human rights thereunder.”

A film production company, Oakfil Productions Limited, has dragged the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, before a Federal High Court in Lagos over the recent amendment of the broadcasting code.

In its deposition before the court, the company contended that the NBC lacks the statutory powers to make amendments or sign the NBC code.

 Insisting that the recently reported amendment to the broadcasting code was an act of illegality, the company asked the court to compel NBC to comply with the procedure prescribed by the National Broadcasting Commission Act in making amendments to the code.

 It also wants the court to declare that NBC acted ultra vires improperly, in bad faith, and in gross abuse of the powers vested in it by the National Broadcasting Commission Act when it allowed its management to make the sixth edition of the National Broadcasting Code.

Amongst the company’s numerous prayers before the court is an order restraining the NBC from acting on the code or giving effect in any manner whatsoever to the said sixth edition of the National Broadcasting Code.

The NBC, in the new regulation, states that every broadcaster must license its broadcast and/or signal rights in any genre of programming to another broadcaster in Nigeria if the genre of programme enjoys compelling viewership by Nigerians, relates to a product or service that is objectively necessary to be able to compete effectively on a downstream market; or if it is likely to lead to the elimination of effective competition on the downstream markets.

The new subsidiary legislation also stipulates the imposition of a N10 million fine for operators who refuse to comply. No date has been fixed for hearing of the suit.

A nurse, Shukurat Adewumi, on Monday sought the dissolution of her 17-year-old marraige to husband, Adewale, in a Customary Court sitting at Mapo in Ibadan on grounds that he forced her to have 15 abortions.

Shukurat, a mother of three, made the claim in her counter argument before Chief Ademola Odunade, the court’s President .

”He forced me to have  abortion 15 times, putting my life at risk. He denied paternity of my three children.
“Some years ago when he left me to live with his concubine, Adewale returned home very ill and I took care of him.

“For the past two years, he declined paternity of our last child and recently came home to steal the only gas cooker we have.

“Adewale smashed the cylinder on my forehead because I tried to prevent him from taking it away.

“I fainted and was hospitalised, his parents and relatives are all aware of his evil against me.

“Adewale has married two wives elsewhere,” Shukurat said.

In his earlier account, Adewale, a factory worker said that he filed the suit due to his wife’s constant threat on his life.

“Never did I know that she was a hooligan and street fighter when I got married to her.

“She has caused me so much embarrassement and I can no longer withstand it.

“I want custody of my children if she remarries,” Adewale stated.

Delivering judgement, Odunade who was represented by Alhaji Suleiman Apanpa, dissolved the marriage in the interest of peace.

He awarded custody of the three children to the respondent and ordered the petitioner to pay N15,000 as their monthly feeding allowance.

He also directed Adewale to be responsible for their education and other welfare.

Copyright law experts, Dr Nkem Itanyi and Dr Jade Kouletakis, have stated that sections of the new National Broadcasting Code which compels broadcasters to sub-licence broadcast content are in conflict with Nigeria’s copyright laws. The new code was launched in July by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).

Both experts made their observations known on Saturday at the third edition of the IPR Talk Series webinar  with the theme “Exclusivity in the Media Industry in Nigeria: Decoding NBC Broadcasting Code”.  Itanyi, who teaches Law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, explained that the sections of the code seeking to compel broadcast content sub-licensing are at variance with the exclusive protection that the country’s copyright legislation offers.

According to her, Section 10 of the Copyright Act allows content producers to license their products either partially or exclusively to any producer or distributor of their choice and the NBC has no legal right to determine who should acquire rights to such content..

Itanyi, who is  who is a reputable Intellectual Property and Commercial Lawyer, urged the NBC to enable broadcasters reap adequately from their investments by creating an enabling environment for them. Dr. Kouletakis, who teaches at the School of Business, Law and Social Sciences, Abertay University in the United Kingdom, said the NBC, through the exclusivity-prohibiting provisions, has moved from regulation to outright denial of ownership rights.

“By limiting the ability to exclusively license your content, it is beyond question that what the NBC code is doing is taking away that ownership right,” she said.

Other speakers at the webinar were Dr. Babatunde Irukera, CEO, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC); Mr Guy Murray Bruce, Chairman, Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria (IBAN) and President, Silverbird Group; Mr Emeka Mba, former NBC Director-General; and Professor Awoyemi Lawal-Arowolo of Babcock University.

Prince Adesina Adebiyi, chairman of Unique Motors, has been awarded the ECOWAS Youth Ambassador of Peace. This happened on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. However, images confirming his award spilled onto Unique Motors’s Instagram page on Friday, September 4, 2020, where Prince Adebiyi was spotted in a native attire, a medal of victory slung on his neck and a framed congratulatory message from the Presidency of ECOWAS held between his hands.

Adebiyi’s company, Unique Motors, is one of the top Nigerian auto dealers, thriving in the sale of luxury cars. His recognition by ECOWAS came as a result of his dedication to uplifting the economic productivity of Nigeria, both on a national and an international level. “In lieu of your great works in business and entrepreneurship contributions to the development and empowerment of young people we recognize your commendable works for humanity and as a philanthropist par excellence,” this was part of the released statement by the organizers of the award.

Also, from the office of the Presidency, ECOWAS Youth Council, there were commendation for his laudable commitment to excellence, “The achievements of Prince Adesina cannot be over-emphasized, he has achieved gainfully as a vibrant entrepreneur, business magnate, and a great philanthropist.”

Adesina Adebiyi established Unique Motors in September 2011 and, through tenacity and razor-sharp focus, turned the baby company into a titan in the luxury car sale business. Although his operations till date has been limited to the boundaries of Lagos but it has, over the years, expanded within the state, stretching to Lekki, FESTAC, Abule, and Omole Estate. And all the offices in those areas are fully functional. Except retailing brand new cars, Unique Motors also handles maintenance, car upgrade, and reselling of used cars. Prince Adesina’s business acumen has been praised by many. ThisDay reported: “Since coming onto the corporate scene as a young and visionary entrepreneur, Adebiyi Adesina has received several awards, most of which are in recognition of his grasp of enterprise, business character and productivity.”

The business magnate was praised for his strides and accomplishments, and complimented that he merited the award for ECOWAS Youth Ambassador of Peace. Adebiyi’s philanthropy and charity gestures, his support for social creativity and innovations, his passion for youth empowerment and development, did not go unnoticed. These were the things that caught the attention of ECOWAS.