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ACP Simon Lough Makes History, Becomes First Nigerian Cop to Bag SAN

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History was made on Thursday, October 21, 2021 as an Assistant Commissioner of Police,Simon Lough became the first Nigerian Police Officer to be elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Simon Lough

The elevation of the highly decorated senior cop to the coveted rank was communicated by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC).

In a statement by the Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, HajoSarki Bello on Thursday, the LPPC disclosed that it took the decision to elevate 72 lawyers to the prestigious SAN rank at its 149th plenary session held on Wednesday, October 21. Further, it revealed that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Tanko Muhammad would swear in the new SANs on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at the Supreme Court premisesto mark the commencement of the 2022 legal year of the apex court.

ACP Simon Lough is presently serving at the Force Legal Department of the Nigeria Police, Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Born in 1969, Simon Lough is one of the shining lights in the Nigeria Police Force. The Benue-born lawyer has represented the Force as a prosecution counsel in many high-profile cases in which he has secured some daring convictions, distinguishing himself as a thorough-bred, outstanding and dogged crusader for justice and a firm upholder of human rights.

Despite the corruption-tainted profile which some bad eggs have foisted on the Nigeria Police, the overwhelming feedback from many who have crossed the path of the cerebral Simon Lough either in the courtroom or in other areas of discharging his professional duties is that of a policeman with a huge dose of integrity who acts in good faith to everyone he encounters. His elevation to the rank of SAN comes as further testimony of the fact that, in spite of the often badly portrayed image of the Force, there are still men and women of good standing within its fold.

Equally important, the 52-year-old Simon Lough has enjoyed a stellar, largely scandal-free career in the Nigeria Police Force. On Monday, March 5, 2018, the erudite cop was one of the 61 Chief Superintendents of Police (CSP) promoted to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) during the 26th Plenary Meeting of the Police Service Commission (PSC), presided over by the Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Mike MbamaOkiro, a retired Inspector General of Police.

His elevation to the prestigious rank of SAN – a first in the history of the Nigeria Police Force – comes as fitting reward for his years of meritorious representation of the legal profession in his chosen field of endeavour, even as it is believed that the development would further open the door for other outstanding lawyer-cops to achieve the exalted rank.

Simon Lough was elevated alongside 71 other lawyers comprising 10 academics and 62 advocates.

Among other recipients of the 2021 SAN award is a 91-year-old Professor of Law, AjagbeToriolaOyewo; Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Mr. Tony Ojukwu; a former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiogie West-Idahosa; a former Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Emeka Obegolu andEkoEjembiEko, son of a Supreme Court Justice, among others.

The SAN rank is awarded as a mark of excellence to members of the legal profession who have distinguished themselves as advocates and academics.

The position of SAN confers a few privileges on the awardee. This includes a higher order of precedence as a SAN sits in the inner bar by occupying the front row of the seats available for legal practitioners in courts. This also extends to the right of a SAN to mention his cases ahead of other lawyers, no matter their age of professional qualification.

Also, a SAN must always appear in court with a junior lawyer. Appearing with a junior lawyer may, however, be waived where the matter is a criminal one.

Further, SANs dress differently from other lawyers. Their gowns are sown more stylishly and made of silk materials which makes the appearance also more elegant.SANs are also called “the Silk” because of the clothing materials they use.

 

 

 


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MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

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MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


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IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


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NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


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