Tag: David Lawal
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Uber reduces Lagos fares by 40%, see new prices
The United State transportation giant, Uber has announced a 40% reduction in Lagos rates effective from Thursday 4th May 2017.
This is in response to the latest price rate reduction by Taxify, an Estonian international transportation network company, which means individuals can travel for business or explore cities for less than ever before.
According to the management in a statement, “we want to make sure that Uber is an affordable way to move around your city, so we’re dropping rates in Lagos by 40% from Thursday 4th May 2017.
“Therefore you can now request a high-quality ride for the same price as small chops!” Whether you’re running a quick errand, visiting friends or commuting to work, Uber has got you covered for less.
Uber Technologies Inc. is a transportation network company headquartered in San Francisco, California, United States, operating in 570 cities worldwide.
It develops, markets and operates the Uber car transportation and food delivery mobile apps.
In furtherance, the management stated that decreasing the fares should get more people requesting more rides with Uber, which leads to drivers spending more time with paying riders and standing a chance to earn the same or more. We aren’t asking drivers to just take our word for it, we are providing temporary earning guarantees until it is clear that this will be the case. These earning guarantees help to ensure driver-partners, who put in the time, don’t lose out. So get riding with Uber and experience the same rides but now at a more affordable price.
New fares for Lagos mainland:
Sample Locations Formerly Now
Magodo to Gbagada From N1,100 From N600
Yaba to Ilupeju From N1,300 From N800
Surulere to Ikeja From N2,000 From N1,200 -
Trump signs executive order on religious freedom
President of the United State, Donald Trump on Thursday marked the National Day of Prayer by signing an executive order aimed at boosting religious freedom by easing IRS restrictions against political activities by tax-exempt religious organisations, including churches.
Declaring “no one should be censoring sermons,” Trump announced the order, which fulfilled a campaign pledge, during a Rose Garden ceremony attended by religious leaders, activists and Vice President Pence.
We will not allow people of faith to be targeted, bullied or silenced again and we will never stand for religious discrimination – Trump said before signing the order, which states it is now administration policy is “to protect and vigorously promote religious liberty”.
The ban on political speech from the pulpit is rooted in an amendment introduced in 1954 by then-Democratic Sen. Lyndon Johnson that gave the IRS authority to punish tax-exempt charitable organisations, including churches, for making political endorsements or getting involved in political campaigns.
The order directs the IRS to exercise maximum enforcement discretion to alleviate the burden of the so-called Johnson Amendment.
However, the Deputy Legal Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Louise Melling, issued a statement in response to reports that President Trump will sign an executive order before this week ended, that creates religious exemptions that open the door to discrimination.
The ACLU sees the order as a matter of discrimination against gays and lesbians in America and not just an issue of religious freedom.
The statement reads: “The ACLU fights every day to defend religious freedom, but religious freedom does not mean the right to discriminate against or harm others. If President Trump signs an executive order that attempts to provide a license to discriminate against women or LGBT people, we will see him in court.”
In furtherance, the executive order signed by President trump instructs the Treasury Department not to target the tax-exempt status of churches and other institutions if they express support for political candidates.
The order also directs the Department of Justice to ensure religious protections are afforded to individuals and groups, such as Little Sisters of the Poor, a group of nuns who take a vow of poverty in serving the elderly.
In his introductory remarks, Vice President Mike Pence said the National Day of Prayer is a time to reaffirm “the vital role people of faith play in American society” and praised the president for marking the day in such a public manner.
The signing represents a major triumph for Vice President Pence—whose push for religious-freedom legislation backfired mightily when he served as governor of Indiana—and his allies in the conservative movement.
Trump campaigned against the ban and pledged in his address to the Republican National Convention that he would “work very hard to repeal that language and to protect free speech for all Americans.”
Trump called up several of the Little Sisters of the Poor members and congratulated them on their landmark victory in the Supreme Court over the issue of the contraceptive mandate included in ObamaCare.
According to Trump, more than 50 religious groups filed lawsuits against the Obama administration for violating their religious liberty.
Before the final order was released, several religious liberty groups expressed support for the administration’s actions.
The first freedom in the Bill of Rights is religious freedom. America was born on the foundation of religious freedom and it is one of our most cherished liberties. There could be no better day to sign an executive order on religious freedom than the National Day of Prayer – Mat Staver, chairman of Liberty Counsel.
Mark Rienzi, counsel for The Becket Fund, said on Twitter he was encouraged by the “promise of the protection” coming from the White House and looked forward to seeing the final language.
The Becket Fund is the public interest law firm which has represented the Little Sisters of the Poor in their fight to be exempted from ObamaCare’s contraceptive mandate.
The executive order drew critics from the left and the right.
“If the … EO on religious liberty ends up being what media outlets are currently reporting, then it’ll be woefully inadequate,” tweeted Ryan Anderson, a senior research fellow at the conservative Heritage Foundation.
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Ethiopian journalist 2017 ‘World Press Freedom Hero’
Jailed Ethiopian journalist and blogger, Eskinder Nega, has been named the winner of a top press freedom award despite being in jail since 2011.
The International Press Institute (IPI) on Tuesday (April 25) named him as the winner of the ‘World Press Freedom Hero for this year.
Nega was reportedly imprisoned after criticising his country’s abuse of anti-terror laws to silence the press. He becomes the IPI’s 69th World Press Freedom Hero.
Nega has spent over 2,000 days behind bars since his arrest on September 14, 2011, when Ethiopian authorities accused him of “leading a plan to throw the country into serious political chaos through a series of terrorist acts” and linked him to a banned opposition group.
‘‘His jailing came shortly after Nega, a persistent critic of Ethiopia’s former long-time ruler and then-Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, published a column questioning the government’s abuse of anti-terror laws to punish journalistic scrutiny,’‘ the IPI said in a press statement.
Photo from AfricaNews Following his arrest in 2011, a court subsequently convicted him in June 2012 on charges of “participation in a terrorist organisation” and “planning, preparation, conspiracy, incitement and attempt of (a) terrorist act”.
IPI Executive Director Barbara Trionfi said the award was in recognition of Nega’s “unflinching dedication to the free exchange of ideas and information and his determination – at the expense of his freedom and separation from his family – not to remain silent in the face of the Ethiopian government’s cynical attempt to use the fight against terrorism to crush legitimate dissent.”
The journalist and his wife are not new to arrest and charges. He was arrested in 2005 along with his wife, journalist Serkalem Fasil, they were charged with treason over their coverage of government crackdown after legislative polls in the country.
This is not the first international award he has received. In 2014, the World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers (WAN-IFRA) honoured Nega with its Golden Pen of Freedom Award. In 2012, he also received the PEN American Center/Barbara Goldsmith Freedom to Write Award.
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+Infographic: African journalists not safe on social media – Report
Follow @davidblawal
On the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day 2017, it has been discovered that Journalists in Nigeria often suffer harassments of different sorts but mostly political, a report has said.
The report noted that Social media offers journalists new ways to engage with their audiences, but also opens up new avenues for harassment, including trolling, threats and sexual harassment. This is as a result of a survey on African journalists’ use of social media.
Initial results of the survey carried out by frayintermedia, released for 2017 World Media Freedom Day, indicated that almost half of African journalists had been harassed on social media.
frayintermedia conducted the online survey on African journalists’ experiences of social media and recorded 307 responses from journalists across 36 countries. The study found that journalists from almost all countries regularly engaged on social media platforms, and 95% did so for professional purposes. The overwhelming majority (89%) of journalists were required to be on social media as part of their job. Two-thirds who used social media had both personal and professional accounts, but many of these used a corporate account.
Of all journalists, 48% had been harassed on social media. More Zimbabwean journalists had suffered harassment (67%) than those in other countries, while fewer from the Democratic Republic of Congo had (this is not surprising given the low rate of internet access). Although slightly more men had been harassed on social media, both sexes were likely to experience trolling, but more women had been sexually harassed and more men threatened.
In measuring Social Media harassment, it is important to note that Country contexts differ, but it seems that a significant proportion of journalists (29%), believed that there were political motives behind the harassment.
Cameroonian journalists were often harassed and in 88% of cases felt that it was based on the political environment in the country. Nigerian and Mozambican journalists also often believed the harassment was political.
“On World Press Freedom Day, we remember the challenges that journalists face in reporting the news. Social media, which offers new avenues to share media, also means more ways they can be trolled, threatened, and sexually harassed. Social media may not be a place for free engagement with audiences but serve to silence journalists,” frayintermedia summed.
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You shall not labour in vain – Aregbesola tells workers
The Governor of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola on Monday promised workers in the state their sacrifice and commitment to stability of the state even in the face of economic challenges would not be in vain.
Aregbesola stated this in Osogbo in a statement where he also saluted the umbrella body of the workers for being sensitive enough to put off the May Day celebration as a mark of honour for the late first civilian governor of the state Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke.
In the statement admonishing workers, which was signed by the Director Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr Semiu Okanlawon, the governor said the government is well-acquainted with the sacrifices they have made under the gruelling economic condition the country is going through.
According to him, the government had at the inception taken care of workers’ welfare because of its belief that it is through this and the cooperation of the workers that a virile state can be jointly built.
The Governor commended the workers for the resilience and understanding they have displayed with the government in this crucial times, saying his administration is “sentistive enough to recognise their contributions especially in the face of the economic crisis foisted on us certain modalities for the payment of salaries, pensions and other welfare packages.”
He averred that the economic impasse the country and the world is going through affected the majority of the states’ capacity to fulfill some of their statutory responsibilities.
We must express appreciation for the rare sensitivity of the umbrella body of the workers, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), in putting off this year’s celebration in our state as a mark of honour for the memory of the first civilan governor of the state, our own brother, Senator Isiaka Adetunji Adeleke, who unfortunately and suddenly exited this world on Sunday April, 23, 2017.
“The Labour Day has coincided with the state burial. The pains and pangs of his sudden death are still with us. May the peace of Allah be with him in his final abode of rest.
“We remember with nostalgia, how this administration, at inception, showed ample commitment to the welfare of its workforce.
“We could not have done less for we hold tenaciously to the belief that it is only through the commitment and cooperation of our workers that we can realise the very noble objectives for which we are here as government.
“More than six years, we have no reason to doubt that our workers have been dependable partners in our development journey so far,” he said.
He stated that with the glory of God and the unflinching support of the workers in the state, he has been able to pilot the affairs of the state effectively.
Aregbesola therefore, sought for the continued understanding and support of workers and the people in government’s determination to take the state to enviable height
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Photo: Fayose’s outfit on May day
The Workers’ Day in Ekiti State which took place inside the main bowl of Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti recorded poor attendance as many workers stayed away from the event.
Related Post: Hunger in Ekiti Civil service: I will pay if… – Governor
A side attraction was Governor Ayodele Fayose’s appearance at the annual gathering of civil servants.
See photo below:
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APC Scandinavia hails Buhari’s anti-corruption Drive
Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Scandinavia have commended the President Muhammadu Buhari-anti corruption campaign which has exposed several public office holders.
This is contained in a statement issued on Wednesday and signed by the Chairman, APC Scandinavia, Ayoola Lawal, in which he also commended the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Department of State Security (DSS) as well as the Ministry of Finance for the whistleblowing policy which has smoked out some of the biggest evil acts of corruption by our so-called leaders and politicians.
According to Lawal in the statement, the huge amounts of money that are being recovered from different parts of the country is disappointing for any developing country like Nigeria.
“Lawmakers ought to have come up with a concrete policy that will strictly convict offenders of public offices and for misappropriation of funds meant for public good. Also, anyone accused of corrupt practice should be made to step aside to allow investigation take place, properly.
“No doubt that this country needs a lot of funding and investment to get it to where citizens desire for it to be, which is for it to favourably compete with western worlds. Sadly, elected and appointed opportunists have decided to fend for selfish selves at the expense of the general population.
“It is rather unfortunate that such a potentially great nation like Nigeria has been left at the mercy of clueless, wicked and heartless individuals who care less about the suffering of the masses whose taxes they feed on and greedily syphon.
“It is no more news that so many brave, intelligent and industrious men and women in Nigeria have been wallowing in abject poverty due to lack of employment, underemployment and or poor infrastructures that could enable entrepreneurial initiatives.
“Now that the battle against corruption is real and ongoing, it is a call on the judiciary and the lawmakers to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by giving the appropriate support to the war against corruption declared by the Buhari-led administration.
“The sentiments of affected colleagues should not stop lawmakers and members of the judiciary from dispensing fair judgments when the need be,” he said.
The APC Scandinavia leader further urged Nigerians to support the fight by patiently following the revelations and exposing those that they know are part of the misappropriation of public funds or abuse of office.
“Let the whistleblowing continue,” he said.
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Brazilian army honour Buratai with highest military award
The Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army, Lt General TY Buratai has been conferred with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit Award, at Brasilia, Brazil.
Lt General Buratai who arrived Brasilia in a rousing welcome was honoured with the Highest Military award in Brazil, an award given to military officers that have distinguished themselves in various military endeavours.
Lieutenant General Buratai is one of the few foreign dignitaries to be so honoured with such an award by the country.
The prestigious award and its presentation to Lieutenant General TY Buratai was based on the approval of President Michel Temer, on the recommendation of the Brazilian Army Commander, General Eduardo Villas Boas.
According to the citation at the occasion, the award was in recognition of his exemplary and world’s recognised leadership qualities and the Nigerian Army’s effort in the fight against terrorism and insurgency.
In his vote of thanks at the occasion, the visibly elated Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai, expressed appreciation for the honour, which he described is not only to him personally but to the entire officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army and indeed,
Nigeria.His words: “I had never imagined that I was going to be given such recognition when I was planning to visit the Brazilian Army. It is no doubt a great honour to me, the Nigerian Army and the Federal Republic of Nigeria to be bestowed with the Brazilian Military Order of Merit which is the highest and most prestigious award in the Brazilian Army.”
He went further to state that the award was a clear manifestation of the long-standing relationship between Brazil and Nigeria, which also portrays the recognition of Nigerian Army’s effort in the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in Nigeria.
He thanked the Government and the people of Brazil, as well as the Commander of Brazilian Army and his staff for finding him worthy of such award and recognition and for the hospitality given to him and his entourage.
He further expressed hope that his visit would serve as the needed fulcrum for more strengthened relationship between the Nigerian Army and the Brazilian Army.
“You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium. Thank you for your kind cooperation,” Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman, Director Army Public Relations.
More Photos:
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‘Reasons they attacked me at Adeleke’s funeral’
An aide to Governor Rauf Aregbesola who was attacked at the burial of late Senator Isiaka Adeleke on Monday, Hon Idiat Babalola, on Wednesday said her attackers picked on her simply over unfounded rumours that she wants to be Deputy Governor after the current tenure of the governor.
Babalola, who was attacked shortly after arriving the venue of the burial, said she sensed trouble when some of the hoodlums started to make utterances which suggested that her rumoured deputy governorship ambition was to checkmate the governorship ambition of the late Senator, who had openly declared his intention to succeed Governor Aregbesola.
Explaining further, Babalola, who served in the last cabinet as Special Adviser to the Governor on Federal Matters, said her attackers could not have been acting over anything against Governor Aregbesola but simply on the local politics of Ede, where she also hails from just as the late Senator Adeleke.
“I am a proud daughter of Ede and Uncle Isiaka has been a mentor and we never had any disagreement till the news of his death was broken to me while in Lagos on Sunday morning. I was heartbroken and immediately cut all my other engagements and came down to Ede from Lagos.
“We worked together with Uncle for the re-election of Governor Aregbesola in 2014 and for his own election to the Senate in 2015.
“Those who masterminded the attacks on me are people with poor understanding of the relationship between us and who act based on their own political permutations only,” Babalola said.
She explained that she was at the burial in company with her father, Chief SOB Babalola, a prominent industrialist who is also a friend to the later father of now late Senator Adeleke.
Babalola “Not long after we sat down for the prayers, I sensed some hoodlums saying some things like I wanting to be deputy governor while Uncle (Senator Adeleke) has declared his ambition to be governor from the same Ede.
I heard them talking about the new caretaker committee members being more of my loyalists than those of Senator Adeleke. And before we knew it, they grew more daring and unruly and brought down the canopy on the dignitaries present. It was the most unruly and irresponsible act I have seen in our land in history,” Babalola said
She said it was unfortunate that the unruly behaviours of the miscreants robbed a prominent son of Ede, the state burial that he deserved and which state government planned for him.
“That cannot be the best way to honour the memory of Uncle Adeleke. Senator Adeleke was a man of his people; a lover of peace and a political associate of Governor Aregbesola. Senator Adeleke could not have countenanced such misconduct in his lifetime,” she added.
She said there is no reason for the people of Ede, in spite of their political differences, to have any misgiving against Aregbesola saying that the city has benefitted immensely under the Aregbesola administration. She said with Ede being a beneficiary of the some of the best schools, roads, industrialisation, youth employment and others, the city owes the administration appreciation.
Babalola expressed appreciation to Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, whom she said dropped the honour of being a governor to practically engage the hoodlums not to carry out their more dastardly plots.
