Broadcasting
Top Journalists Converging in Lagos to Unveil Book on the Making of the Guardian
At least 100 top journalists, media entrepreneurs, opinion molders, and managers shall be among over 200 others expected in Lagos to unveil the epochal book that vividly, and in graphic narration tells how The Guardian was made and became the Flagship of the Nigerian media, especially in its first 10 years, from 1982 to 1993.
The top media men, once worked at the Guardian, contributed to the making of the Guardian, from where they sprang to become leaders in various media houses and reputable talk shows in the broadcast media arena.
Some have been, and are currently information commissioners, media owners and reputable public relations models. A few have made their names in the political space, where they had brought their journalistic experience, especially, at the Guardian, to bear in their works. One has not only become a governor, but current chairman of the Nigerian governors’ forum.
Among former The Guardian staff, who are making impact in the political space are Dr. Fayemi Kayode, governor of Ekiti state and current chairman of Nigeria governors’ forum. Others are Senator Ayogu Eze, who had two-term in the red chambers and was one of the outstanding chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media.
Other former staff who were senators, expected at the event are Emmanuel Aguariavwodo, Femi Ojudu, who is now Special Adviser Political Matters to President Muhammadu Buhari and Abdul Oroh, former member, House of Representative.
Some of the information commissioners and chief press secretaries expected at the event are Gbenga Omotosho of Lagos State, Pastor Laolu Akande, Special Assistant on Media to Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Kelvin Ebiri, chief press secretary to Rivers State governor, Nyesom Wike.
Among top media men attending the event are Dr. Patrick Dele Cole, and Lade Bonuola,:Members of Editorial Board and founding members of The Guardian, Professor Femi Osofisan, pioneer editorial board member of The Guardian, Kingsley Osadolor, anchor of Good Morning Nigeria, broadcast by the Nigerian Television Authority.
One of them, Dr Yemi Ogunbiyi, who later became Managing Director of Daily Times, is current Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University.
Others are Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of Premium Times, Segun Adeniyi, Chairman, Editorial Board, Thisday, Kayode Komolafe, Deputy Managing Director, Thisday Newspaper, Onuoha Ukeh, Managing Director, Sun Newspapers and current Editor-in- Chief of The Guardian, Martins Oloja.
Many of these top media men have very interesting stories, which are documented in the oncoming book, of their days at Rutam House, the headquarters of The Guardian Newspapers.
According to one of the authors of the book, Aaron Ukodie, most of the top editors and media men were involved in the making of the book are looking forward to the event. Seun Ogunseitan is one of the authors.
Ukodie said the event shall be one for reunion and reconnection to the memorable Guardian newsroom days, which sirred and sent them forth.
The event which holds on April 7, 2021 in Lagos shall be attended by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, as special guest of honour, while Lagos State governor is chief host, and his Delta Sate co8unterpart, Ifeanyi Okowa is co-host.
Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja has dismissed a class action suit filed by one Uche Diala and 961 other DStv and GOtv subscribers against MultiChoice Nigeria and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), citing lack of jurisdiction.
The suit challenged MultiChoice’s subscription price increases in November 2023 and May 2024, which the claimants described as arbitrary, exploitative, and unfair.
Diala and others sought to reverse the hikes and compel the company to adopt a more flexible billing model, such as a pay-as-you-view system used in other countries like South Africa.
They also accused MultiChoice of price discrimination against Nigerian consumers.
MultiChoice, through its counsel, raised a preliminary objection, arguing that pricing decisions do not fall within the tribunal’s remit and that the suit was improperly filed as a class action without first seeking the tribunal’s leave.
In its ruling on Thursday, the tribunal’s three-member panel led by Justice Thomas Okosun held that the core issues raised, which were pricing and tariff regulation, fall under the exclusive purview of the executive branch, particularly the President, as stipulated under the Price Control Act.
“The issue of price regulation is a matter that falls within the exclusive purview of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okosun stated.
While the tribunal acknowledged it holds both original and appellate jurisdiction under the FCCPC Act, it emphasized that such authority does not cover general price control unless abuse of market dominance is established—a point the claimants failed to prove.
On the procedural matter of filing a class action without prior approval, the tribunal noted that although it is ideal to obtain leave, failure to do so was not fatal in this instance since the claimants demonstrated a shared grievance and common interest.
Nonetheless, the tribunal upheld MultiChoice’s objection, ruling that it lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate the matter.
“The preliminary objection of the first defendant succeeds,” the panel held. “This suit is accordingly struck out for want of jurisdiction.”
This ruling follows a similar outcome on May 8, when a Federal High Court in Abuja upheld MultiChoice’s price increases after the company sued the FCCPC.
In that judgment, Justice James Omotoso declared that the FCCPC lacked the authority to fix or suspend subscription rates.
MultiChoice Nigeria has slashed the price of its DStv decoder from N20,000 to N10,000, representing a 50 percent drop, in a aim at attracting attract more customers and curb declining subscriptions.
The campaign, titled “We’ve Got You,” was launched on June 16 and will continue until July 31.
Also, as part of its efforts to ease economic pressure on households and improve access to digital TV services, the campaign offers a free upgrade for both active and returning customers.
Speaking on the campaign, John Ugbe, chief executive officer (CEO) of MultiChoice Nigeria, said the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to rewarding loyalty and enhancing daily viewing experiences.
“We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day,” Ugbe said.
“The ‘We’veGot You’ campaign is about making premium content more accessible and showing that DStv offers something for everyone, not just football fans.
“By repositioning itself as a platform for daily value, DStv aims to encourage content discovery across a wider array of genres, including movies, drama, kids’ programming, and news.
“This means more channels, more shows, and more reasons to tune in every day.”
The development comes amid MultiChoice Nigeria’s legal battle with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) over price hike.
Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will, on Oct. 7, arraigned the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Qatar Airways, Mr Temi Birdzell, alongside the company and its top officers, over allegations bordering on breach of FCCPC Act, 2018.
The defendants will be arraigned before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Others to be arraigned with Birdzell are Stella Ihediwa, the Account Manager of the airline; Kennedy Chirchir, the Country Manager and Eva Ojeje, who is the Sales Manager of the company.
Although the arraignment was scheduled for Tuesday, the matter could not proceed.
Upon resumed hearing, none of the defendants was in court.
When the matter was called on Tuesday, none of the defendants was in court due to improper service of the court documents, including the hearing notice, on them.
FCCPC.’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, told the court of their inability to serve four of the defendants, although the company was served.
Nsitem then sought an adjournment to enable them do the needful and the judge adjourned the matter until Oct. 7 for the defendants to take their plea.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the commission, in the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/200/2025, dragged Qatar Airways, Birdzell, Ihediwa, Chirchir and Ojeje to court as 1st to 5th defendants respectively.
FCCPC, in the application dated May 26 but filed May 27, had preferred a two-count charge against the defendants.
The defendants were alleged to have failed to appear before FCCPC in compliance with a lawful summons of the commission dated Sept. 6, 2024, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection (FCCPC) Act, 2018.
They were also accused to have on Sept. 18, 2024, intentionally withheld the production of documents in compliance wth a lawful summons of the commission, thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 111 of FCCP Act, 2018.
In count three, they were alleged to have on Sept. 18, 2024, engaged in the contravention of the consumer rights, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 124(1) and punishable under Section 155 of the same Act.
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