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Interior Minister lauds retired DCM Bisi Kazeem for projecting FRSC’s image
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has commended retired Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM) Bisi Kazeem for positively projecting the image of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) for 12 years.
Tunji-Ojo gave the commendation during the 11th valedictory lecture series and Pull out Parade organised in honour of Kazeem, on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kazeem, who joined the Corps on August 7, 1989, served as the FRSC Spokesman, Corps Public Education Officer (CPEO) of the FRSC for over 12 years before he was appointed DCM Training on January 22.
The minister praised Kazeem for his dedication, hard work, and commitment to road safety in Nigeria, describing him as a true patriot, who gave his all to the service of the nation.
He described Kazeem as a shining example of what it means to serve with integrity, passion, and dedication, adding that his contributions to the FRSC have been immense, and his legacy would be remembered for years to come.
Tunji-Ojo, who was the chairman of the occassion, noted that Kazeem’s contributions to the FRSC went beyond his public relations responsibilities, as he also played a key role in mentoring and inspiring younger officers to strive for excellence.
He said, “You have opened the door for better participation in the future. That is a legacy you have created, you might think you are retired, but you are not tired.
“I’m proud to call myself his brother because he has done well. When you see somebody, who is your sibling, but has not done well, even if they say, oh brother, you will run away, but today, we can associate with you for what you have done.
“Thank you so much for making FRSC better than the way you met it. And I’m so grateful to God that we have fine officers in FRSC to obviously continue from where you have stopped.
“And for FRSC, I sincerely believe you have a bigger role to play even within the internal security architecture of Nigeria.
“Road safety Corps is very important to the internal security architecture of Nigeria. The country should be able to make the best use of this.”
In his remarks, FRSC Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, congratulated Kazeem on his unblemished career record and outstanding achievements in service to the FRSC and the nation.
Mohammed praised Kazeem for his unwavering commitment to road safety and his dedication to the FRSC describing him as a true leader and a mentor to many officers in the corps
“Kazeem’s unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the FRSC, his leadership, expertise, and passion for road safety has left an indelible mark on the organisation and the nation.
“Your contributions to road safety in Nigeria will never be forgotten,”he said.
He expressed hope that Kazeem’s experiences in the FRSC would be brought to bear on his future engagements with greater impact.
Responding, Kazeem thanked the minister and the corps marshal for their kind words and praised the FRSC for providing him with the opportunity to serve the nation.
Kazeem, who delivered a lecture on Resilience, Loyalty and Grace: How I thrived working closely with three Corps Marshals in the FRSC, said that loyalty earned him the trust and respect for his leaders.
Kazeem said that he consistently enjoyed the grace of God throughout his career, adding that success does not depend on talent, brilliance, luck and charm.
He however, urged those still in service to remain loyal and committed to the country, FRSC and their superiors, adding that it would foster strong bonds and a reputation for reliability and dedication.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the FRSC and the nation. I am proud of what we have achieved, and I am confident that the FRSC will continue to grow from strength to strength.
“I firmly believe God’s benevolence is what has kept me going and made me successful this far. No matter how talented, brilliant and hardworking we are, we need God’s favour for success and progress in life careers.
“My loyalty to Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed is also one of the assets that has endeared me to him. For those of you still in service, if you are considered disloyal or found to undermine your superiors, you may not go far.
“The law of Karma may catch up with you as you climb up the ladder, your own subordinates may also undermine you,”he said.
Present at the Pull out Parade were important dignitaries, including NAN Managing Director, Ali Muhammed Ali, NTA Executive Director, Training and Special Duties, Adamu Sambo.
FCT Commander, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr Shola Odumosu and other representatives from sister security agencies, family and Friends. (NAN)
The Oodua Integrity Group, a Nigerian civil society organisation, has called on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to investigate and arrest an alleged gun runner, land grabber,popularly called then insert Lucky Blessings Abuah aka bullets of Achala Ibusa village operating in Asaba and Ibuzor, Delta State, accusing him of orchestrating criminal activities with the aid of rogue police officers.
Tosin Olaoluwa, the group’s South-South coordinator, made the appeal following intelligence gathered from concerned residents.
The suspect, identified as Achala Ibusa but popularly known as “Bullet,” is accused of running a network involving illegal arms trafficking, land grabbing, and cult-related activities.
Olaoluwa claimed Bullet operates with the protection of police officers from Rivers State, in violation of regulations prohibiting officers from working outside their command without approval.
According to the group, four AK-47 rifles were recently discovered hidden in a house in Ibuzor.
Two mobile police officers guarding the property reportedly distanced themselves from the find, raising suspicions of their involvement with Bullet, who is allegedly a leader of the Viking cult.
The Oodua Integrity Group further alleged that an assistant commissioner of police is complicit in Bullet’s activities.
The group highlighted that up to 10 mobile police officers are attached to Bullet, despite IGP Egbetokun’s recent directive to withdraw such personnel from individuals not legally entitled to their services.
“We urge the IGP to take immediate action to arrest the culprit in the interest of the general public,” Olaoluwa said, describing Bullet as a miscreant exploiting government security agents to perpetrate crimes.
In a separate incident, the group claimed that security agents from an agency in Abuja, acting on intelligence, were prevented from arresting Bullet by his police escorts.
The officers, reportedly from Rivers State, allegedly used tear gas and fired shots to obstruct the operation.
The Oodua Integrity Group warned that Bullet’s activities, including stockpiling AK-47s and other weapons in Asaba and Ibuzor, pose a significant threat to public safety.
They called for a thorough investigation into the allegations and the immediate apprehension of those involved.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to the allegations. Efforts to reach a spokesperson for comment were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
The competition and consumer protection tribunal has upheld the $220 million fine imposed on Meta Platforms Incorporated by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
In a statement on Friday by Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency’s director for corporate affairs, FCCPC said the tribunal also awarded $35,000 to the commission as the cost of investigation.
On July 19, 2024, FCCPC imposed a fine of $220 million on Meta, the parent company of WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, for multiple data privacy violations.
However, Meta said it would appeal the fine.
The case stemmed from a 38-month joint investigation by the FCCPC and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) into the privacy practices and consumer data policies of WhatsApp and Meta.
Delivering judgment on Thursday in Abuja, the tribunal led by Thomas Okosun ruled that the FCCPC acted within its constitutional and statutory powers in investigating and sanctioning the companies for alleged anti-competitive and exploitative practices.
The tribunal dismissed the appeals filed by Meta and WhatsApp, which challenged the legal basis of the commission’s findings and orders.
Instead, it upheld the commission’s position on nearly all contested issues.
Gbolahan Elias (SAN) led WhatsApp and Meta’s legal teams, while Babatunde Irukera led the FCCPC’s legal team.
According to the statement, both teams had made their final arguments on behalf of their respective clients on January 28.
‘FCCPC ADHERED TO DUE PROCESS’
The tribunal, in its ruling, found that the FCCPC adhered to due process and acted within the law.
It resolved issues one to seven primarily in favour of the commission.
“The Tribunal resolved Issues 1 to 7 largely in favour of the FCCPC, dismissing the appellants’ objections to the Commission’s findings, orders, and legal competence,” the statement reads.
“One of the central issues (Issue 3), which alleged a breach of fair hearing, was decided in favour of the Commission, with the Tribunal affirming that the FCCPC fully discharged its quasi-judicial responsibilities by affording the appellants ample opportunity to respond.
“The Tribunal found no violation of constitutional due process.
“On Issue 4, which questioned the Commission’s powers in data protection and privacy, the Tribunal held that the FCCPC acted within its statutory mandate, reaffirming its authority under Section 104 of the FCCPA to regulate competition and consumer protection even in regulated industries.
“On Issue 5, which challenged the Commission’s findings regarding Meta’s privacy policies, the tribunal also resolved in the FCCPC’s favour.
“The Tribunal found no error in the Commission’s conclusions and held that the privacy policy in question did, in fact, offend Nigerian law.
“While issue 7 was largely resolved in favour of the commission, the tribunal set aside Order 7 of the commission’s final order, stating that it lacked sufficient legal basis.”
Commenting on the judgment, Tunji Bello, executive vice chairman (EVC) and chief executive officer (CEO) of the FCCPC, welcomed the ruling, describing it as a landmark judgment reinforcing the commission’s mandate to protect consumers and ensure fair market practices.
He commended the commission’s legal team for their diligence.
Bello reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to enforcing the provisions of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) in line with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
A group known as the Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership has strongly condemned the escalating crisis in Zamfara State, calling for a state of emergency to be declared due to Governor Dauda Lawal’s alleged disregard for the rule of law and inaction on insecurity.
The group cited the ongoing power tussle between the governor and the Zamfara State House of Assembly, which has resulted in two parallel leaderships and a breakdown in governance.
The group’s executive director, Patriot Abel Adams, expressed deep concern over the state’s worsening security situation, with 14 local government councils experiencing rampant insecurity, killings, and destruction of properties.
Adams accused Governor Lawal of being one of the worst-performing governors in the country, lacking the capacity to govern and engaging in frivolous spending while the people suffered.
According to Adams, the governor’s actions have emboldened bandits and kidnappers, who have sacked whole communities and made life unbearable for the people of the state.
“Rather than strenuously work at eliminating the hydra-headed challenges of poverty, kidnapping, and banditry, the governor would rather engage in frivolous spending, make hypocritical sympathy visits to victims of the almost daily attacks and the families of the dead,” Adams said.
The group also criticised Lawal for presenting the state’s 2025 budget to an illegitimate assembly leadership, further exacerbating the crisis.
They pointed out that the governor’s actions are a clear disregard for the rule of law and the principles of separation of powers, which are fundamental to democracy.
“The governor should know that the same election that brought him to office and grants legitimacy to him as the governor is the same election that guarantees constitutional powers to the members of the State House of Assembly to act and represent their constituencies,” Adams said.
“No authority confers on him a more deserving priority order than that he is the governor of the State and must act within the constitutional allowance of his office.
“He is required to observe the principles of the rule of law, the principles of separation of powers and the observance of Checks and Balance, tenets without which democracy is no longer democracy but authoritarianism.
“The governor in failing to truly understand the tenets of democracy and uphold same, has also failed to take a cursory look at the House Standing Rules, but instead has gone on a miserable sightseeing, thinking that as a governor he has total tyrannical control and that the State Legislators are stooges and thus intends to turn them to effective rubber stamps.
“He failed woefully and has mis-constructed and misconstrued our democracy and the separation of powers, undermining it and insulting our collective sensibilities. He also underestimated the resilience of the 24 gallant patriots of democracy.
“Unfortunately, he is left with no option but must obey the new leadership of the House of Assembly or face the wrath of the people in an escalating crisis, which will make the State completely ungovernable for him and directly compel a declaration of the State of Emergency.
“We believe that the governor’s actions are a recipe for chaos and anarchy, and it’s only a matter of time before the situation becomes ungovernable. We call on the authorities to intervene and restore order in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.”
The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership also commended the 10 lawmakers who have been fighting for their rights and the rights of their constituents, despite facing intimidation and harassment from the governor’s camp.
“These lawmakers have shown courage and conviction in standing up for what is right, and we urge them to continue to defend the interests of their constituents,” Adams said.
The group’s call for a state of emergency in Zamfara State is based on Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended), which empowers the president to declare a state of emergency in a state where the structure of government has broken down.
“We believe that the situation in Zamfara State meets this criteria, and it’s imperative that the authorities take swift action to restore order and stability,” Adams said.
The group warned that if the situation is not addressed, it could lead to further escalation of violence, displacement of people, and humanitarian crisis.
They urged the authorities to take immediate action to address the security challenges and ensure that the government is accountable to the people.
The Guardians of Justice and Democratic Leadership urged the authorities to take immediate action to restore order and stability in Zamfara State, ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.