Nigeria Government introduces high-tech System to measure media audience for the first time

AFRICA NEWS

June 7th, 2024

By Oyenike

Nigeria Government introduces high-tech System to measure media audience for the first time

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, launched the Audience Measurement System for the broadcasting sector in Nigeria. This system will provide accurate and reliable data on television viewers in the country. It helps broadcasters understand the preferences and needs of the audience.

The system replaces the old Diary Method of collecting data, which wasn’t giving an accurate picture of viewership. This launch aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a more technologically advanced Nigeria. The Minister mentioned that the current measurement system was outdated and didn’t benefit the entire entertainment and media ecosystem in Nigeria.

By introducing this new system, it is expected to attract more investment into the media sector, drive economic growth, and create job opportunities. The project itself will generate around 500 direct employment and 2,500 indirect jobs. It’s all part of the plan to reposition and financially revive Nigeria’s broadcasting industry, especially with the upcoming Digital Switch Over.

President Tinubu has shown his commitment to developing the media landscape in Nigeria by giving directives to provide financial facilities to the media industry at a lower interest rate. The Minister also emphasised the importance of public sensitisation and advocacy to make the most of the Audience Measurement System.

Overall, this launch is seen as a significant step towards a more transparent and reliable media analytics system in Nigeria.

The event was attended by the Minister of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, Chairman Senate Committee on Information; Chairman, Senate Committee on Information and National Orientation, Senator Eze Kenneth Emeka; Chairman, House Committee on Information, National Orientation, Ethics and Values, Hon. Steve Fatoba; Bulgarian Ambassador to Nigeria, Yanko Yordanov, former Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.

The Nigeria Minister for information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris and some dignitaries at the launching

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The Nigeria Senate approves an increase in pay for the Chief Justice of Nigeria and judicial officers

The Nigeria Senate passed a bill to increase the salaries and benefits of judicial officers. If the President signs it, the Chief Justice of Nigeria could earn N64m annually. The President of the Court of Appeal and Justices of the Supreme Court would also see a raise. The bill takes into account the administrative structure and operational mechanism of the judiciary.

The Chairman of the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Mohammed Monguno (APC Borno North), stated that “the proposed bill Legislation is apt and timely, as the increase in remuneration of judicial office holders is long overdue in the light of the present economic realities and high inflation in the country.”

According to the lawmaker, the bill is “quite innovative” because apart from an increment in the basic salary, it also takes into consideration certain peculiarities of the administrative structure and operational mechanism of the judiciary.

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and the Nigeria Bar Association has supported the call for the increase in the salaries of the judges in Nigeria. It was stated that the salaries of judicial officers was last reviewed 17 years ago.

The Attorney-General of the Federation AGF, the Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN and others gave support on May 20 during the Senate’s public hearing of “A Bill for an Act to Prescribe the Salaries and Allowances and Fringe Benefits of Judicial Officeholders in Nigeria and Related Matters Bill, 2024,” organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola

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“Former Governor of Central Bank Nigeria linked to N11b property: Court orders forfeiture”

The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos granted the Federal Government an order to temporarily take over properties worth a staggering N11,140,000,000.00 that are allegedly linked to the former CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele born August 4, 1961, is a Nigerian politician, economist and banker who served as governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from June 4, 2014, until his suspension by President Bola Tinubu, on June 9, 2023.

The Former Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Ifeanyi Emefiele

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) suspects that Emefiele bought these properties through a proxy, using funds that are believed to be proceeds of fraud. These properties are located in fancy areas of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

The EFCC also identified some individuals, including former and current CBN workers, as Emefiele’s alleged accomplices in this fraudulent activity. The court has ordered the EFCC to publish the order in a national newspaper, giving interested parties a chance to challenge the final forfeiture.

The next hearing is scheduled for June 21. By the way, another Federal High Court in Lagos had previously ordered the interim forfeiture of $1,426,175.14 linked to Emefiele. The judge gave interested parties 14 days to appear and explain why the funds should not be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government.

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Federal Government of Nigeria plans to move Ikoyi prison and other correctional centres to new locations

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to relocate Ikoyi prison and other correctional centres from urban areas to different locations. The Nigeria Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, shared this information during an interview. The Minister explained that urbanisation has encroached upon the required setbacks around correctional centres, posing safety concerns.

Tunji-Ojo highlighted that the Suleja correctional centre, which recently experienced a collapse, was built in 1914 and was only 7 meters away from the nearest house, instead of the mandated 100-meter buffer space. He emphasised the need to address the issue of correctional centres located in urban areas, such as the Ikoyi Correctional Center, which shares a fence with a neighbouring house.

To address these challenges, the government plans to initiate the process of relocating some correctional centres. Additionally, an “inmate audit” will be conducted across the 256 correctional centres in the country to evaluate the situation and ensure that only those who should be there remain. The government has already started renovating and rebuilding some prisons, with over 10 correctional centres being renovated so far.

Minister Tunji-Ojo acknowledged the inherited state of the correctional centres, stating that President Bola Tinubu inherited numerous old facilities that require attention. However, the government has made progress in renovating and improving the conditions of these centres. The minister expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts to address the challenges and create safer and more suitable environments for inmates and correctional staff.

The Federal Government of Nigeria plans to relocate correctional canters, including Ikoyi prison, from urban areas to different locations due to safety concerns caused by urbanisation. The government aims to conduct an inmate audit, renovate existing facilities, and ensure that only those who should be in the correctional centres remain. Efforts are underway to address the inherited challenges and improve the overall conditions of the correctional centres across the country.

The Nigeria Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

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The Nigeria Presidency dismisses leaked documents on ‘Inflation Reduction and Price Stability’ ‘Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan’ (ASAP) stating that the documents are “unofficial”.

The Federal Government of Nigeria has clarified that the trending documents titled “Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure) Order 2024” and “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP)” are still proposals and haven’t been approved by President Tinubu. They also reiterated that the fuel subsidy regime has ended and there’s no provision of N5.4 trillion for it in 2024, as some rumours suggest.

According to the statement from the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, these documents titled “Inflation Reduction and Price Stability (Fiscal Policy Measure etc) Order 2024” and “Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan (ASAP)” are not official and are still subject to reviews at the highest level of government.

The Special Adviser to President further said Onanuga, therefore, called on the media to always confirm documents that do not emanate from official channels so that the members of the public are properly informed on government policies and programmes.

The coordinating Minister of the Economy also clarified that the fuel subsidy program, which was announced to be discontinued last year by President Tinubu, is still in effect. The government is committed to minimising the impact of this removal and easing the financial burden on Nigerians.

To address the rising cost of living, the government has developed a strategy that focuses on key factors like food inflation, which is influenced by transportation expenses. They are implementing the CNG initiative, which aims to reduce the reliance on expensive PMS and AGO fuels, thereby lowering transportation costs.

The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu

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