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Twitter…the Assault on Free Speech!

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“Business is ‘just business’: a scramble for profit,” wrote Richard Branson, the British international entrepreneur in his 2008 book, Business Stripped Bare (Virgin Books).

Although Branson talks about corporate social investment projects of his businesses in their operational environments, it is evident that even for him; ‘profit’ comes before social investments.

Whether it involves his Virgin Nigeria misadventure which left an acerbic taste in his mouth; his India foray and to the iconic ‘David vs. Goliath’ battle as he took on Coca Cola in their backyard with an audacious Virgin Cola launch.

It was all about ‘profit’…and if there was no profit in an environment, moves on elsewhere where the pasture is greener.

Like Branson’s Nigerian adventure, twitter last week left behind sour taste following its decision to suspend the twitter account of British journalist, Guy Adams for breaking its rules-of-engagements. Adams angered twitters’ business partners, the American TV network, NBC for divulging one of its executives’ email address in a tweet. The network filed a complaint with twitter leading to Adams suspension.

This incident has thrown up new challenges faced by journalists in their pursuit of news against the protection of commercial interest by entrepreneurs who provide the platforms for journalists to operate. This portents a new threat against the journalists right to freedom of information.

 It conjures commercial interest over the right to inform and be informed.

Fair enough, twitter has restored Adams account following the international outcry against its initial decision to protect a business-partner’s interest.

“Twitter has a business relationship with NBC. If Twitter acts in a way to favour that business relationship over the freedom of its platform for its users, then Twitter risks losing the trust of those users,” Bloomberg Businessweek.com quotes Jeff Jarvis, a professor at City University of New York Graduate School of Journalism as saying.

Adams, a Los Angeles based writer for the London Daily Independent newspaper, said he didn’t do anything wrong with his post in an interview before twitter restored his account. “I don’t think I have done anything wrong, and I don’t think any reasonable person would think I’ve done something wrong. I’m surprised because I always thought Twitter was a company dedicated to the flow of information.”

The BBC reports that NBC paid $1.18 billion for Olympics broadcast rights over the United States territory. It subsequently worked out delay broadcast schedule (due to time differentials) in some states – but apparently, didn’t explain this to the viewers. “As a result its broadcast of the opening ceremony was shown on the US’s east coast with a three-and-a-half hour delay, and with a gap of up to six-and-a-half hours on the west coast.”

Adams’ suspension drew several tweet criticisms.

“Twitter’s suspension of @guyadams jars with company’s claim to be the free speech wing of the free speech party,” wrote the Guardian’s special projects editor Paul Lewis.

“I wouldn’t have posted the email address. But Twitter’s removing his account was outrageous,” added Dan Gillmor, from the Arizona State University’s school of journalism.

In the wake Hilary Clinton, US Secretary of State’s African tour where she is pontificating on need for Africa’s maximum rulers to do more to encourage democracy, this latest stunt from twitter is bad copy for the West’s freedom of expression as democracy dividend.

Nigeria’s elite ruling class frets over activities of citizens on social media, and some have lately muted the idea of censoring platforms like twitter and facebook. Last January, the Nigerian government discovered its state broadcast media propaganda apparatus couldn’t match the power of the social media platforms as citizens seizing up on the Arab Spring revolutions across the Middle East and North Africa effectively galvanized mass protests against unannounced fuel subsidy removal by President Goodluck Jonathan.

The result was mass protests against the government in cities across the country. The government backed down and reverted on the fuel prize, although not to its original price. But Nigerians saw that as a window of opportunity to free speech and association. No government would take them for granted anymore!

The Chinese effectively censors these social media platforms and if African governments also think they could do same without repercussions, then the citizens would have lost their last platforms to express their discontent with nonperforming governments.

Dr. Emovon Biokolo, Dean of the School of Media and Communications, Pan Africa University, Lagos noted that the social media platform(s) is a new media that enable citizens to express their views unhindered. He stated that their usage could checkmate arbitrariness among the ruling class over those they lord over without regards. Previous (military) governments resort to closing down erring media to bring them in line.

But incidents like the Adams case would provide a fertile ground upon which dictators could sow a new doctrine of ‘state security’ over citizens’ rights to free speech.

I am afraid that in this youth age of near absolute abandonment of age-old societal norms and beliefs, any attempt to gag the media of self expression could lead to total anarchy, the type never before experienced!

 


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Shareholders of MTN Nigeria Okay N152Bn Fintech Restructuring

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Shareholders of MTN Nigeria have approved a major restructuring of the company’s digital financial services arm, clearing the way for a N152.06 billion transaction that will see the telecom giant relinquish majority control of its fintech subsidiaries.

Shareholders of MTN Nigeria Okay N152Bn Fintech Restructuring

The approval, granted at the company’s Annual General Meeting on April 30, endorses Resolution 9, which transfers a 60 per cent stake in MoMo Payment Service Bank Limited and Y’ello Digital Financial Services Limited to MTN Group Fintech B.V.

Under the arrangement, the group’s fintech arm will inject fresh capital into the businesses while also acquiring shares from MTN Nigeria through a hybrid structure combining primary and secondary investments.

Following the transaction, both parties will consolidate their interests into a newly created holding company to be registered with the Central Bank of Nigeria, a move designed to streamline oversight and position the fintech operations for future investment.

The restructuring marks a significant shift in MTN Nigeria’s strategy, effectively transferring a larger share of the financial and operational responsibility for the fintech business to the parent company, while allowing the local entity to refocus on its core telecommunications operations.

Industry observers say the move aligns with the broader “Ambition 2030” roadmap of the MTN Group, which prioritises scaling digital and financial services across its markets.

The company acknowledged that its fintech subsidiaries are currently loss-making, reflecting the capital-intensive nature of building digital payment platforms.

By reducing its direct exposure, MTN Nigeria is expected to free up resources to strengthen its connectivity infrastructure, while the fintech arm gains the financial backing required to accelerate expansion.

The planned holding company structure is also expected to enhance investment flexibility, enabling the business to attract strategic partners and scale operations in areas such as rural penetration, merchant acquisition and digital payments.


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Guinness Nigeria Celebrates 76 Years of Brewing Greatness

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Guinness Nigeria Plc is set to mark 76 years of operations on April 29, a milestone for one of the country’s most enduring corporate institutions and widely regarded as Nigeria’s foremost total beverage alcohol business.

Established in 1950 and with its first brewery commissioned in Ikeja in 1962, Guinness Nigeria holds a distinct place in industrial history as the first Guinness brewery built outside Ireland and the United Kingdom. What began as an imported stout has evolved into a deeply rooted local enterprise, growing alongside the country through decades of change, expansion, and reinvention.

From its early years to its listing on the Nigerian Exchange in 1965, the company steadily expanded its footprint, building a nationwide network of brewing and distribution operations, alongside a diversified portfolio that reflects both heritage and shifting consumer tastes.

Guinness Stout remains its most iconic brand, long associated with depth and character, while Malta Guinness has become a household staple across generations. Complementing these are spirits and contemporary offerings including  Orijin, Gordon’s, Don Royale and Smirnoff, each firmly embedded within Nigeria’s evolving consumer culture.

Today, Nigeria ranks among the most important markets for Guinness globally, underscoring a relationship that extends well beyond consumption into culture, identity, and shared moments of celebration.

This connection has been reinforced by a long-standing commitment to social impact. As far back as 1962, the company established the Guinness Eye Centre at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, setting a precedent for healthcare interventions that continues today with a second eye centre in Onitsha. Its Water of Life initiative continues to deliver clean water to underserved communities, while sustained campaigns around responsible drinking and road safety reflect an ongoing commitment to societal well-being.

These efforts have shaped Guinness Nigeria’s identity, not just as a manufacturer, but as an active and consistent partner in the development of its host communities.

This interplay between enterprise and impact has been central to the company’s longevity, enabling it to remain both relevant and trusted, even as it evolves.

The 76th anniversary comes at a moment of renewed financial strength and transformation, following a return to profitability and the restoration of shareholder payouts after an extended period of consolidation.

Managing Director and CEO, Girish Sharma, described the milestone as the result of decades of deliberate choices. “In Nigeria, Guinness is part of the national story. The progress we have made reflects discipline, continuity, and a commitment to remaining a business that Nigerians trust, while growing in step with the communities around us,” he said.

Looking ahead, the company’s ambition is captured in its ‘Build for More’ agenda to become Nigeria’s premier and most celebrated total beverage alcohol company by the end of the decade. With a modernised portfolio, a strengthened balance sheet, and a sharper understanding of evolving consumer needs, that ambition is already in motion.

The mission, however, remains simple: to help Nigerians celebrate life, every day, everywhere.


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Glo Commends Nigerian Workers on May Day

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Digital solutions powerhouse, Globacom, has paid tribute to Nigerian workers, whose steadfast industry and enduring commitment continue to propel NIgeria’s march towards development.

As the world observes the 2026 International Workers’ Day, the company acknowledged the indispensable role of labour as the unseen engine that keeps the machinery of national advancement in measured, purposeful motion.

Globacom, in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, appreciated the role of labour in oiling Nigeria’s wheel of development and also affirmed their importance in the progress of the country.

Glo urged employees across both public and private sectors to remain resolute in their pursuit of excellence, emphasizing that the collective discipline of the workforce is central to realizing Nigeria’s aspirations for sustainable growth and prosperity.

“We encourage all workers not to relent in their noble task of advancing the nation through conscientious service and professional dedication,” the statement affirmed.

The International Workers’ Day, commemorated annually on 1 May, celebrates the dignity of labour and the enduring significance of workers in shaping the fortunes of societies across the world.

 

 


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