Broadcasting
Biola Alabi Media Launches New TV Series At Private Screening
Biola Alabi Media (BAM) held a launch event of its newly produced TV series, ‘Bukas & Joints’, hosted by award winning media personality, Olisa Adibua at a private screening in Lagos.
Speaking at the event, Biola Alabi, managing director, BAM Productions during her welcome address said “this is an exciting time for us at BAM and we are not only thrilled about our show but are equally excited to announce our esteemed sponsors, who believed in our vision of this show and went on this amazing journey with us in bringing it to life” adding “as we forge ahead with our content development for Africa, we believe these partnerships with all of our valued sponsors, is representative of where we are headed as a television entertainment brand”.
The show, will premiere on Sunday 20th March on AIT at 7pm – is proudly sponsored by; Heritage Bank, Coca Cola, UAC’s Grand Pure Soya Oil and global leading electronics company, Samsung.
The show, which follows Olisa on a journey of remarkable food adventure across fifty eateries in the cosmopolitan city of Lagos, will explore the history of these places, and their amazing cuisines.
This much anticipated TV series will air on DAAR Communications’ Africa Independent Television (AIT), the foremost independent broadcast organization in the federal republic of Nigeria, with a wide reach to a global audience.
“AIT’s support for this show is as a result of the unique nature of the show, which captures the African food culture, promoting and projecting Africa from an African perspective and offering the world a new insight into the African Experience”.
Speaking on its support for the show, Mrs. Olusola Longe-Okenimkpe, divisional head, Corporate Communications, Heritage Bank, said, “We are more than happy to be a part of this exciting yet authentic TV show out of Nigeria, as it captures the very colourful heritage of the Nigerian people through food and creating publicity for small businesses”.
The Brand Manager, UAC’s Grand Pure Soya Oil, Tope Banjo stated, “As one of the makers of cooking oil in Nigeria, we are aware that our product plays a major role in many cooking experiences, and while it is an essential component of meals, cooking oil also adds flavor and a unique taste to many of our rich Nigerian dishes. Grand Pure Soya Oil in addition, pushes for the consumption of healthy cooking oil and we believe this show is a good opportunity for us to reiterate our message about healthy cooking.”
The Nigerian Spokesperson for the world’s largest beverage company, Coca-Cola, Marketing Director, Patricia Jemibewon, had this to say about its sponsorship, “Bukas and Joints fit perfectly with our brand’s identity and message, as the show captures the essence and culture of food, which is a core of our brand. Our product as it is well-know, provides refreshment and goes hand in hand with food, so who better to be a part of this wonderfully crafted show than the largest beverage company, Coca-Cola”.
Mr. Koye Sowemimo, Head of Corporate Marketing at Samsung Electronics West Africa, a global leading electronics company, makers of TVs, mobile devices, home appliances and digital solutions said “Samsung is proud of its affiliation with this new TV show as it captures the varying culture of Nigerians with one semblance of similarity, food”.
The show promises not only to whet our appetites and awaken our taste buds as we are teased with several mouth-watering delicacies, but also give us insight into the history of the places and the food they serve.
Bukas and Joints will air every Sunday night at 7pm on AIT and available on; channel 128 on StarTimes and on DSTV channel 253.
Bright Echefu, chief executive officer, Telecom Satellites Limited (TStv), and three co‑defendants appeared before the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday on an amended twelve‑count indictment brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges allege money laundering, tax evasion, and investment fraud involving approximately ₦1 billion and $1.3 million.
Bright Echefu, chief executive officer, TStv
In addition to Echefu, the defendants are TStv Executive Director, Felix Igboanuga, Telecom Satellites Limited itself, and Briechberg Investment Ltd.
According to the April 5, 2025, amended charge sheet the EFCC accuses the quartet of defrauding Mr. Tanimu Turaki, Managing Director of Kalsiyam Global and former Minister of Special Duties, alongside BYI General Limited, out of a combined investment of ₦1 billion and $1.3 million. The commission has also included a ₦66 million alleged tax default.
The revised indictment lists:
Count 2: ₦33,909,542.47 in unremitted Company Income Tax
Count 3: ₦13,519,382.00 in unremitted VAT
Count 4: ₦19,488,860.00 in unremitted PAYE
Counts 5–12: Various fraud‑related transactions, including ₦380 million from Kalsiyam Farm, ₦400 million from BYI General Ltd and $1.35 million in loans secured under false pretences.
All defendants pleaded not guilty once again. At the hearing before Justice Mohammed Umar, Echefu’s lead counsel, Senior Advocate Eyitayo Fatogun, informed the court of ongoing settlement discussions with the complainants.
“There are moves to settle this matter and there was a meeting on Saturday between myself and the Nominal Complainant as it is about investment,” Fatogun stated.
“The Defendants have paid some money and I was thinking that the matter be adjourned for report of settlement.”
EFCC counsel A.S. Tomwell confirmed receipt of those payments but emphasized the necessity of entering a plea before considering any adjournment. The court thus ordered the formal reading of the charges and adjourned the trial to October 15, 2025.
The government of Ghana has ordered MultiChoice Ghana to reduce DSTV subscription costs by 30%, noting the significant appreciation of local currency and growing dissatisfaction with current rates.
This comes as Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
According to Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
MultiChoice, which operates across Africa, continues to lose revenue and subscribers.
Ghana’s minister of communication, digital technology, and innovation, Samuel Nartey George, made the call last week during a meeting with a DSTV team led by Dr. Keabetswe Modimoeng, group executive for regulatory and corporate affairs.
According to a ministry statement, George said the government’s responsibility is to respond to Ghanaians’ concerns over high DSTV pricing and outdated content offers.
The Minister pointed out that despite a 30% increase in the cedi’s value over the past five months; DSTV prices have not reflected the positive economic trend.
The statement went on to say the minister is therefore calling for a 30% price reduction to match the cedi’s appreciation and to pass on economic benefits to consumers.
According to the statement, while MultiChoice has implemented promotional packages, people prefer a direct price reduction over temporary discounts.
George said feedback from public engagements revealed that many users are dissatisfied with DSTV’s content, describing it as outdated save for Premier League football. They also believe that the current cost is not justified.
”To address the concerns, he said MultiChoice Ghana has until July 21 to formally respond to the government’s request. The Minister expects a concrete proposal by this date, allowing time for further engagement before the end of July,” the statement said.
In response, Dr. Modimoeng acknowledged the government’s concerns and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to dialogue.
The MultiChoice team reacted positively to the minister’s request and committed to provide input by July 21st. They emphasised the need of balancing public interest and business sustainability.
This is the continent’s latest pricing conundrum for the pan-African pay-TV business, following fee disputes with Nigerian and Malawian authorities.
In Ghana, the demand for price cuts comes as MultiChoice is under pressure, having lost revenue and subscribers in the financial year that ended March 31, 2025. Last month, the company announced its financial year-end results.
In a statement to shareholders last month on the Stock Exchange News Service, the company said the past two financial years have been a period of significant financial disruption for economies, corporates and consumers across Sub-Saharan Africa due to challenging macro-economic factors.
Combined with the impact of structural industry changes in video entertainment, such as the rise of piracy, streaming services and social media, this has materially affected the overall performance of the MultiChoice Group, it noted.
Over this period, MultiChoice said the group lost 2.8 million active linear subscribers and had to absorb a R10.2 billion negative impact on its top line due to local currency depreciation against the US dollar.
For the year, the company reveals that linear subscribers were down 1.2 million, or 8% year-on-year, to 14.5 million active subscribers, with the loss evenly split between South African (600 000) and rest of Africa (600 000).
Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria ₦766,242,500 for breaching the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA).
NDPC is a public institution that processes data in furtherance of its mandate as Nigeria’s data protection authority and relies on recognised lawful bases for data processing, such as consent, legal obligation, and contract.
The fine was contained in a statement signed by Mr Babatunde Bamigboye, head Legal, Enforcement & Regulations, NDPC.
According to him, the investigation, which commenced in the second quarter of 2024, was triggered by suspected breach of privacy rights of Multichoice subscribers and illegal cross-border transfer of personal data of Nigerians.
“The NDPC found, among others, that Multichoice violated the data privacy rights of subscribers and their friends who are not necessarily subscribers.
The Commission also found that Multichoice carries out illegal cross-border transfer of personal data relating to data subjects in Nigeria.
The depth of data processing by Multichoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate.
This is a grave affront to fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
In line with its standard remediation procedure, the Commission directed Multichoice to carry out appropriate remedial measures.
However, the Commission found the measures undertaken by Multichoice in this regard unsatisfactory.
For want of cooperation, the Commission has directed Multichoice to pay ₦766,242,500 for violating the Nigerian Data Protection Act.
“Nigeria is entitled to protect her citizens and data sovereignty under both international and extant municipal laws, as these have far-reaching implication for rule of law, national security, and economic growth.” the statement said.
Babatunde also revealed that, Vincent Olatunji, national Commissioner, NDPC, has directed that all outlets through which Multichoice is collecting personal data of Nigerian citizens should be investigated for non-compliance.
He added that any outlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDP Act is liable to penalty under the Act.
EFCC Says Corrupt Politicians are Using Crypto Wallets to Launder Money
UBA Expands to More African Cities, Stamps Footprint in Saudi Arabia
NCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide
Africa’s Lawmakers Commit to Strengthening AI, Digital Health and Smart Manufacturing Frameworks
Ecobank Plans to Raise $250m Capital Through Private Placement
News2 days agoCheck Point Report Finds Africa as Top Target for Cyber-attacks
News2 days agoJAMB Accuses Student of Securing Admission through Identity Fraud
E-Financial2 days agoEFCC Recovers Funds Lost to CBEX Fraud
Telecom1 day agoNCC Speaks of Plans to Secure Telecom Infrastructure Nationwide
E-Financial2 days agoFinancial Fraud in Nigeria Surges by 45 Percent, 70 Percent of Losses Linked to Digital Platforms – CBN
General News1 day agoAirtel Nigeria Drives BFSI and Utility Sector Innovation with Industry-wide Workshop
E-Business2 days agoFirm Uncovers $500K Crypto Heist Through Malicious Packages
Telecom2 days agoMTN MUSON Music Scholars Graduate in Style at Lagos Ceremony