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Outrage over Suspension of Twitter Operations in Nigeria, Firm Reacts

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Some Nigerians have taken to Twitter to condemn the federal government following the suspension of the microblogging and social networking service operations in the country.

Outrage over Suspension of Twitter Operations in Nigeria, Firm Reacts

Lai Mohammed, minister of Information and Culture, had Friday announced that the federal government has suspended, indefinitely, the operations of Twitter in Nigeria.

Twitter has also expressed “deep concern” over the decision to suspend its operations in Nigeria.

Sarah Hart, Twitter’s Senior Policy Communications Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa, who made this known in a statement, said the company is investigating the development.

“The announcement made by the Nigerian Government that they have suspended Twitter’s operations in Nigeria is deeply concerning.

Twitter had come into the crosshairs of the Buhari government after its police deleted two tweets and a video, in which President Buhari threatened to invoke civil war treatment to arsonists, separatists and insurrectionists destroying public assets.

Reacting, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Nobel Laureate, said he just heard the news of Buhari’s ban on Twitter an hour or so after sending off TO SHOCK AND AWE to the print media.

He said he lacked surprise at this petulant gesture, unbecoming of a democratically elected president.

According to Soyinka, “if Buhari has a problem with Twitter, he is advised to sort it out between them personally, the way Donald Trump did, not rope in the right to free expression of the Nigerian citizen as collateral damage.

“In any case, this is a technical problem Nigerians should be able to work their way around. The field of free expression remains wide open, free of any dictatorial spasms!”

Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also said that the directive to the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to begin the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in Nigeria, “is another disguised attempt to regulate social media, restrict freedom of speech and shrink civic space.”

The legal body also threatened to challenge the decision in court.

In a series of tweet on Friday, Olumide Akpata, President of NBA, noted that Nigeria is operating a democracy, which stipulates that every action of the government must be backed by the law

Also, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned the illegal and unconstitutional suspension of Twitter’s Operations in Nigeria.

It called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately rescind the suspension within 48 hours or face legal action.

But SERAP in a statement by Kolawole Oluwadare, deputy director, said: “The suspension of Twitter in Nigeria is a blatant violation of Nigerians’ rights to freedom of expression and access to information.

“The suspension has the character of collective punishment and is contrary to Nigeria’s international obligations. President Buhari must immediately rescind this unconstitutional suspension. We will see in court if the suspension is not rescinded within 48 hours.”

The statement, read in part: “Suspending Twitter in Nigeria would deny Nigerians’ access to information, and disrupt the free exchange of ideas and the ability of individuals to connect with one another and associate peacefully on matters of shared concern. It would also seriously undermine the ability of Nigerians to promote transparency and accountability in the country, and to participate in their own government.”

“We call on the Nigerian authorities to guarantee the constitutionally and internationally recognized human rights of Nigerians including online. Deletion of President Buhari’s tweets should never be used as a pretext to suppress the civic space and undermine Nigerians’ fundamental human rights.”

Elsewhere, some Nigerians described the move as madness and obnoxious.

According to Adetutu Balogun, “FG announces suspension of Twitter in Nigeria via Twitter… awon werey.”

Danny Walter said “The problem with this News of Federal Government banning Twitter in Nigeria is that they’ve given these Police Men another Avenue for extortion. “Park” “Open your Phone” “Oh you dey use Twitter, enter Van criminal.”

According to JP, “Guess which app Federal Government uses to announce the suspension of Twitter in Nigeria.”

Nappy Blaze said “They sent the military to protesters and we trended #EndSARS. The President made a genocide tweet and twitter deleted it. The Government got angry and went to suspend Twitter in Nigeria and we are already downloading VPNs. Una too stubborn ffs.”

According to Kabiyesi, The King, “Crashing economy, Kidnappings, Banditry and killings everywhere but your priority is to ban Twitter in Nigeria ?? We’re ruled by absolutely terrible people.”

Somto Onuchukwu added: “The coward Gen. Buhari has gone from turning off his comment section to banning twitter in Nigeria. This is not time for bants, we should occupy Nigeria on #June12Protest #OccupyNigeria2 #BuhariMustGo.”

Nielda said “The federal government intention to suspend Twitter in Nigeria is a clear view of how cranky they think. If they take such action in fighting insecurity in the country, Nigeria will be a better place.”

 

 


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E-Business

Hisense Electronics Unveils Flagship Showroom in Abuja

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By Fabian Tarpael, Abuja

Hisense electronics unveiled a flagship showroom in Abuja over the weekend. Speaking at the event, Mr. Mustapha Khries, the Abuja Branch Manager of the Fouani Group, highlighted the significance of the flagship store, describing it as the first of its kind in the entire West African region.

He also addressed the challenges facing businesses in Nigeria, particularly the high exchange rates and transportation costs.

“The Fouani Group remains resilient and ready to overcome challenges, unlike others who often exit the market when faced with similar issues.”

Ms. Haifa Du, Senior Sales Manager for Hisense Electronics, emphasized the brand’s commitment to affordability and innovation, stating that Hisense offers the most cost-effective and advanced solutions in the market.

The event underscored Hisense’s dedication to technological innovation and sustainability while reaffirming its leadership position in the consumer electronics market.

Mr. Robbin Wei, Senior Sales Manager of Hisense Group, supported by Mr. Greg and Ms. Haifa Du, showcased various innovative products from the new flagship store.

Among the standout products showcased include; The Hisense 110″ Smart Ultra AMOLED TV, featuring unique capabilities such as a solar-powered remote control and a “locate remote” function to find misplaced remotes easily.


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PalmPay, Jumia Partner to Launch Integration for Shoppers in Nigeria

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PalmPay, Africa-focused fintech operating Nigeria’s most used mobile wallet, and Jumia, Africa’s e-commerce giant, today announce a strategic partnership to enhance the digital payment ecosystem on the continent, starting with payment integrations and co-marketing efforts in Nigeria.

This partnership underscores both parties’ commitment to developing the digital payment ecosystem in Nigeria and grow the use of the cashless economy.

WIth PalmPay now available as a payment method, shoppers on Jumia will now be able to pay for their purchases with the option to check out with their PalmPay wallet, ensuring a seamless user experience and transaction reliability through the direct integration.

“We are proud to partner with Jumia as we bring together the best of fintech and e-commerce to redefine the online shopping experience,” said Sofia Zab, Chief Marketing Officer, PalmPay. “This strategic alliance aligns perfectly with our shared commitment to delivering a superior user experience and exceptional value to our customers.”

Speaking on the partnership, Sunil Natraj, CEO, Jumia Nigeria added: “At Jumia, we are dedicated to creating value for our customers by ensuring a convenient, reliable, and secure shopping experience.

“This partnership with PalmPay strengthens our commitment to enhancing the digital payments within our platform. By integrating PalmPay, we are providing more options for customers to access affordable and quality goods with the convenience of cashless transactions.”

This alliance marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration between two industry giants, aiming to drive innovation, increase convenience for consumers, and foster the adoption of digital payments across Africa.

To celebrate the launch of the partnership, PalmPay and Jumia are launching a special Christmas campaign, running from December 11th to 30th. During this period, customers who make purchases on Jumia using the PalmPay payment method will stand a chance to win exciting cash rewards. More details can be found on the brands’ respective social media pages. @palmpay_ng and @JumiaNigeria.


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Aero Contractors Launches “12 Days of Christmas” Campaign

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Aero Contractors is thrilled to announce the launch of its “12 Days of Christmas” campaign, a festive and engaging social media initiative designed to spread holiday cheer and reward loyal customers.

Running from December 13 to December 24, 2024, this exciting campaign underscores Aero Contractors’ commitment to connecting families, friends, and communities during the holidays.

The “12 Days of Christmas” campaign invites travel enthusiasts, loyal customers, and holiday travelers to participate in fun and interactive activities on Aero Contractors’ social media platforms, including Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter). Each day will feature engaging posts such as trivia, puzzles, and challenges designed to ignite the festive spirit and encourage community participation.

Participants are encouraged to follow Aero Contractors’ social media pages, engage with the daily posts by liking, commenting, or sharing, and follow the specific instructions for each day’s activity.

Winners will be selected daily and announced on the respective platforms. Exciting prizes await participants, with the grand reward of a free return economy class ticket—a perfect gift for reconnecting with loved ones or exploring new destinations this holiday season.

“At Aero Contractors, we believe in the power of togetherness, especially during the holidays,” said Capt. Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors.

“Our ‘12 Days of Christmas’ campaign is our way of giving back to the community that has supported us throughout the year. It’s an opportunity to engage, celebrate, and reward our customers while spreading joy and festive cheer.”

This campaign targets travel enthusiasts, loyal Aero Contractors customers, and families looking to make the most of the holiday season. Through this initiative, Aero Contractors reaffirms its dedication to safe, reliable, and efficient air travel, bringing people closer when it matters most.

Follow Aero Contractors on Instagram, Facebook, and X to join the “12 Days of Christmas” campaign. Engage daily for a chance to win a free return economy class ticket and other exciting offers.


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