News
‘All eyes on the judiciary’: Marketing agency apologises to ARCON over billboards, faces panel
Intercontinental Marketing & Communication Consortium Limited has apologised to the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for the ‘All Eyes On the Judiciary’ billboards.
On August 15, ARCON ordered the destruction of several billboards across the country with the messaging.
ARCON also dissolved the Advertising Standards Panel for approving billboards “targeted at the presidential election petition tribunal”.
In a statement on the decisions, Olalekan Fadolapo, ARCON director-general, said the advertisement failed to follow vetting guidelines and was capable of breaching public peace.
According to Punch, the marketing agency responded to the letter of violation through Stephen Ogboko, its managing director.
“We sincerely apologise for this and state that our action was not intentional,” Ogboko was quoted as saying.
“The truth is that immediately after we received the brief for the said campaign, we sent the artwork to Mr Markus Inji Lukman, an ARCON liaison officer who has helped us vet campaign materials in the past.
“Mr Lukman assured us that the material would be approved, as he had seen a similar one.”
Ogboko added that the company would never do anything capable of threatening the nation’s judiciary.
In his reaction, Fadolapo stated that despite the apology, the company would face the tribunal.
“They’ll be appearing before the Advertising Offences Tribunal and need to explain their position because it is very unfortunate,” he said.
“Verbal or communication of approval through verbal means or text messages doesn’t constitute approval.
“They are professionals; they are sworn to the advertising oath to protect the integrity of the profession.
“So, coming out to say that somebody within the system orally or verbally gave them approval is not acceptable.
“The damage is done already and they will be appearing before the tribunal.”
Fadolapo added that the official who purportedly gave the verbal approval had been queried.
News
Okpebholo, Idahosa sworn in as Edo governor, deputy
Monday Okpebholo has been sworn in as the governor of Edo State after months he was elected to take over from Godwin Obaseki, who has completed his second term in office.
The Chief Justice of the state, Daniel Okungbowa, administered the oath to the governor and deputy governor at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, where they pledged to uphold the constitution and work for the well-being of the people of Edo State.”
Dignitaries including vice president Kashim Shettima, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, Chairman of the Governors’ Forum, Philip Shaibu, the reinstated deputy governor of Edo, and other governors from the APC were in attendance as Okpebholo took the oath of office.
News
Nigerian Defence Academy opens applications for 77th regular course
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) has officially opened online applications for the 77th Regular Course, providing opportunities for both male and female Nigerian candidates to enroll in military and academic training programs.
The application window, which began on November 6, 2024, will remain open until April 30, 2025 and successful applicants will undergo both academic and military training as Officer Cadets at the NDA for a period of five years.
Upon completion, cadets will be awarded a Bachelor’s degree in their field of study and will also receive a Presidential Commission into the Nigerian Armed Forces.
NDA is partnering with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for the admissions process hence applicants must also register for the 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) conducted by JAMB, selecting the NDA as their first-choice institution.
“Candidates applying for admission into NDA must also apply to the year 2025 Joint Admissions and Matriculations Board and select NDA as their first choice institution,” they said.
Only candidates who meet the required UTME scores will be considered for further assessment. A score of 180 for Arts, Social Sciences, and Science programs, and 210 for Engineering courses.
Screening test
The NDA screening test serves as the first phase of the Post-UTME assessment, will be conducted on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Eligible candidates are expected to bring the following documents to the test center:
- Acknowledgment form
- Screening Test Admission Card
- JAMB result slip
- Two passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 5 inches), showing only the chest upwards with essential candidate information written at the back
Candidates can begin the application process by visiting the NDA application portal at ndaapplications.net and selecting the “Purchase Access Code” option. For more enquiries visit the website here.
News
Lagos state government removes 54 illegal shanties, dislodges 84 occupants beneath Eko Bridge
The Lagos State Government on Monday cleared 54 illegal shanties and dislodged 84 occupants from beneath the Eko Bridge in the Ebute-Ero area of the state.
The operation, led by the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), also saw the removal of eight makeshift toilets identified as contributors to open defecation and unsanitary conditions in the area.
This was revealed by Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole (rtd), the Corps Marshal of LAGESC, in a statement shared on the agency’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
“In consolidation of existing efforts aimed at reducing the spate of environmental nuisances to the barest minimum in the metropolis, the Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) popularly known as KAI effected the removal of 54 illegal shanties which harboured 84 illegal occupants and 8 make-shift toilets beneath Eko Bridge at the Ebute-Ero area of the State on Monday,” the statement read in part.
The statement further revealed that Major Olaniyi Olatunbosun Cole, who led the enforcement operation, explained that the action followed the expiration of a 7-day abatement notice, which had been issued but ignored by the occupants.
He noted that the Elegbeta Water Channel beneath the Eko Bridge had become a settlement for miscreants and illegal occupants, creating significant environmental and security concerns.
The area was characterized by indiscriminate dumping of refuse into the lagoon, its use as a criminal hideout, and widespread open defecation.
The operation was deemed necessary to address these issues and restore order and cleanliness to the affected area.
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