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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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EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over “419”

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Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC,) has declared Halimat Adenike Tejuosho, a women leader of the City Boys Movement, wanted.

EFCC Declares Tejuosho, City Boys Movement’s Women Leader Wanted over "419"

Halimat Adenike Tejuosho,

A notice issued by the EFCC on Monday via X said Tejuosho has been declared wanted over an alleged case of obtaining money by false pretence.

The notice was signed by Dele Oyewale, head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC.

The anti-graft agency called on members of the public with useful information about her whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide.

The Commission also urged the members of the public to reach out via its official phone lines or email, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Recall that the City Boy Movement recently appointed Tejuosho as the South-West Zonal Women Leader.

According to a statement signed by the Movement, Tejuosho is to provide strategic leadership and coordination for women-focused activities in the zone, driving political mobilization, civic engagement, and advocacy.

 


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Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

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African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has disclosed plans to finance three additional refineries in Nigeria as part of a broader push to reduce the country’s reliance on imported petroleum products and strengthen local refining capacity.

 Afreximbank to Fund 3 New Refineries in Nigeria

Denys Denya, senior executive vice president of the bank, made the disclosure on Monday during a virtual media briefing focused on the institution’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and long-term industrialisation strategy.

“We are also financing refining on the continent, which will alleviate the importation of refined products. We are not only supporting Dangote; we’re supporting three other refineries in Nigeria,” Denya said.

The briefing, which focused on the bank’s 2025 financial performance, crisis response initiatives, and industrialisation strategy, also featured a question-and-answer session with journalists across Africa.

Denya explained that the push into refining is driven by recent disruptions in global supply chains, particularly linked to tensions in the Middle East, which have raised the cost and complexity of fuel imports for African economies.

According to him, Afreximbank has adopted a dual approach of supporting immediate trade finance needs while investing in long-term productive capacity to reduce structural import dependence.

He said, “For import-dependent economies, the cost of import is very high… so we have taken a proactive approach of engaging with financial institutions on the continent to increase their facilities so they can issue high-value letters of credit.”

The bank’s intervention is backed by a $10bn Gulf Crisis Response Programme, designed to stabilise access to essential imports such as fuel, food, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals, while also supporting sectors exposed to global shocks.

Denya noted that the facility is already seeing uptake from countries including Kenya, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, warning that demand could accelerate if geopolitical tensions persist.

Beyond short-term interventions, the Afreximbank executive stressed that financing refining projects across Nigeria and other African countries remains central to the bank’s long-term strategy of industrialisation and export development.

He said the bank’s support for large-scale industrial projects, including the Dangote Group refinery, reflects its commitment to reducing Africa’s reliance on imported refined products and strengthening regional value chains.

“Our support for industrialists who are making a difference on the continent is testimony to this approach. We will continue to champion projects that reduce Africa’s reliance on imported refined products,” he added.

Denya further disclosed that the bank is financing similar refining projects in Angola as part of a continent-wide push to achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum products.

The shift towards local refining, he explained, is also expected to improve macroeconomic stability by reducing foreign exchange pressures associated with fuel imports.

 


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MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

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The Gathering on 100 has officially concluded its pilot edition, closing out 100 continuous hours of culture, creativity, and community engagement at the National Stadium, Surulere. At the climax of the five-day immersive youth experience, MTN Nigeria and the gatherers of the event unveiled the defining message of the movement: “Live It 100.”

MTN Powers the Ultimate Youth Link-Up with the Launch of Live It 100 Youth Campaign

The event brought together thousands of young Nigerians in a massive convergence of music, sports, gaming, and creative sessions. From watching the sunrise for four consecutive mornings to actively shaping culture in real-time, attendees experienced a shared journey rooted in endurance and expression.

Operating under a partnership model rather than a traditional corporate sponsorship, MTN stepped back to let the youth lead. The techo embraced the primary narrative that “The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen”.

Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, said: “The energy we have witnessed here in Surulere over the past 100 hours is proof of the unstoppable spirit of the Nigerian youth. Our strategic intent was to position MTN as the critical engine behind this vibrant youth movement, ensuring the brand is seen as an enabler, not an intruder. The Gathering is the fire; MTN is the oxygen. ‘Live It 100’ is our commitment to powering the platform where the conversation happens. We are giving them the autonomy to lead, while we listen.”

A focal point of the event was the high-stakes Pitchathon segment, which provided a structured arena for startups to showcase working products. Rather than a traditional, heavily branded corporate event, the space felt authentic, unscripted, and transparent, allowing founders to interact directly with expert judges, potential investors, and a live audience.

Onyinye Ikenna-Emeka, Chief Marketing Officer, MTN Nigeria, shared: “The ideas and partnerships formed over these 100 hours show exactly what happens when corporate Nigeria is finally listening to young Nigerians. We recognise that traditional business engagement doesn’t always work for this generation, which is why we empowered the youth to lead. By supporting The Gathering, we are not just celebrating culture; we are fueling the young Nigerian through youth-led innovation and actively investing in their economic potential.”

Beyond business activity, the event recorded consistent engagement across its programming, providing deep insight into the evolving role of youth within Nigeria’s economy. The sustained 100-hour activity highlighted a growing, resilient base of digitally engaged participants who own their lanes and actively create their own opportunities.

As the event closed, MTN reaffirmed their commitment to expanding the platform, ensuring that The Gathering on 100 will continue to evolve as a vital space for both cultural expression and youth-led economic opportunity.


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