WhatsApp disrupted in many countries
Mobile messenger service WhatsApp experienced widespread technical disruptions on Tuesday.
Users of the service in many countries reported on Twitter and other channels that they could no longer send messages.
In Germany, many also reported a breakdown of the WhatsApp platform on the portal Allestörungen.de, which collected
information on internet service breakdowns.
The reason for the disruption in several countries was not known.
The service, which belongs to the Facebook group Meta and is widely used around the world, did not initially comment
on the outage.…
Rita Dominic denies welcoming twins
There had been several reports flying on social media that the actress and her hubby, Fidelis Anosike.
The movie star made this known via her Twitter page on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.
She shared a gif with the caption ‘Fake News.’
— Rita Dominic (@ritaUdominic) September 21, 2022
There had been several reports flying on social media that the actress and her hubby, Fidelis Anosike.
According to the reports, the movie star welcomed a set of twins far away in the United Kingdom. This is coming months after the actress had a star-studded wedding.
The wedding ceremony which took place in Owerri was attended by several celebrities including Joke Silva, Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Hilda Dokubo, Lilian Bach and Shan George.
Others were veteran comedians and actors Julius Agwu and Okey Bakassi.
Some other A-list celebrities who graced the wedding ceremony were Queen Nwokoye, Uche Elendu, Ese Eriata, BBNaija’s TolaniBaj, Mercy Eke and Idia Aisien.
The movie star and her partner Fidelis Anosike got engaged earlier in April.
It would be recalled that on Boxing Day, 2020, Dominic sent social media into a frenzy when she shared some cosy photos with her partner, Anosike.
Dominic’s partner, Anosike, is the founder of Folio Media Group, a multi-media company that owns Daily Times Nigeria (founded 1926), the country’s oldest newspaper.
DJ Switch reacts to Lagos panel report indicting the Nigerian Army
Nigerian disc jockey, DJ Switch has reacted to the report presented by the Lagos judicial panel of inquiry into the Lekki tollgate shooting of October 20, 2020.
DJ Switch claimed that at least 15 persons died in the Lekki Tollgate gun attack on peaceful protesters on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.
In a tweet shared via her Twitter page on Monday, November 15, the activist slammed the government after it was indicted. “Shattered so many lives, tried to destroy mine. Only for what you desperately tried to hide to be made public… by you! The truth needs no defense! #EndSARS,” she tweeted.
DJ Switch was among the 100s of protesters that were shot at by security forces at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.
It would be recalled that the celebrity disc jockey stream lived the shooting of innocent Nigerians by security operatives. During her interview with CNN’s Becky Anderson, she revealed how the government has openly bullied and attacked some of the protesters since the protest by seizing their international passports or illegally detaining them.
Patrice Evra says social media allows people to ‘spread racism’ after online abuse of England trio
It only took a matter of minutes after England’s defeat by Italy in the Euro 2020 final to remind everyone of the ugly side of football.
Many came out to condemn the racist abuse Rashford, Sancho and Saka received after missing penalties but very few have been in their boots.
Former Manchester United and France defender Evra, who enjoyed a successful club and international career, says his toughest competition has been racism in the game he loves.
“Football, you know, is a joy to watch and you bring a lot of emotion. And when people are disappointed, you can feel the hate. The hate comes out really strongly,” Evra told Sky News.
“Then people and I don’t know why, instead of saying things like, ‘Oh, he’s such a bad player, he shouldn’t miss a penalty’, they involve your religion, your color.”
Asked how he felt when he heard about the abuse the England trio had received, Evra added: “I wasn’t surprised. I feel it is disgusting. And those people have to be ashamed of themselves because they brought so much shame to the country of England.
“It was painful to watch. Especially because those kids (Rashford, Sancho, Saka) may not be as strong as other people. And it’s not fair because we should be proud of it. “I’m not an English person. But trust me, I was so proud of the way England did this tournament.”
‘Social media companies must do more’
Evra was also on the receiving end of racism on and off the pitch but believes this kind of discrimination in English football is the worst it has ever been.
“Of course, we can delay the comment. They can block people and everything, but I’m sorry, when it’s Covid19 news, straight away you get the flag in any social media, Twitter,” Evra said.
“And when it is about nudity, Instagram, they can ban it straight away. So don’t tell me those platforms can do nothing about the racists.
“I feel like those platforms, they allow those people …
5 things Ebuka said about BBNaija in his Beat FM interview
During his interview, Toolz‘s Midday Show on Beat FM cleared up many misconceptions about the show and the recent reunion show.
These are five things he said in the interview.
1. Twitter ban and BB Naija
Ebuka said the ongoing Twitter ban in Nigeria has affected the show because they are not getting instant feedback.
“Oh yes, it has, because people are still watching because Multichoice has the viewers but what is missing is the instant feedback,” he said.
2. Lucy and Kaisha ruined his shoes
In one of the highlights of the just-concluded reunion episodes, Lockdown housemates Lucy and Kaisha got into a fight.
Although the fight was not air, Ebuka confirmed that it did happen and that the girls ruined his shoes during the scuffle.
“They ruined my shoe that day; I’m actually upset,” the host said.
“I’m actually happy they didn’t air the fight. I actually fell on the floor trying to avoid it.”
3. The last reunion show had the least reconciliation
At the reunion, there was a lot of carry-over beef from the show, and Ebuka believes that this edition had the least reconciliation.
“This year, a lot of people came and vented and still left probably even angry,” Ebuka said.
“Just Erica and Wathoni, I can’t remember any other one (who reconciled). There were very few moments and I think it was only Ozo and Prince who had some conversation off air. there was a handshake at some point.”
4. Lockdown fans were the most intense so far
“In the past you would have one or two or have those very intense fanbases who would go back and forth at each other on social media, this year there are probably five or six,” Ebuka said.
Ebuka is frustrated with his family-wife and children-being attacked by fans.
5. Ebuka does not influence the outcome of the show
As the host of BB Naija, fans have often accused Ebuka of influencing some decisions. Even more
Why Social Media must be regulated – Gbajabiamila
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said social media must be regulated to prevent its “evil’ from taking root in the country.
He said the National Assembly had been considering regulating social media for a long time, but that it was reluctant due to outcries by Nigerians.
While acknowledging the good of the platforms, he noted that social media is “the most potent weapon for good and evil.”
Mr Gbajabimaila disclosed this on Sunday at the “Mr Speaker Chat with young Nigerians,” a program on Channels TV.
Mr Gbajabiamila’s position puts a question mark on the investigation by the House into the Twitter ban.
On the 4th of June, the federal government announced the suspension of the operation of Twitter in Nigeria. The move by the government came some few days after the microblogging site pulled down a tweet by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Consequently, the lower legislative chamber had set up a joint committee to look into the ban.
The joint committee of the House, last Tuesday, held a public hearing into the matter.
PREMIUM TIMES reported how some members of the committee openly endorsed the ban.
Fatuhu Mahammad, the lawmaker representing Daura Federal Constituency of Katsina State where Mr Buhari hails from, openly canvassed the regulation of social media at the hearing.
The Minister of information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, appeared before the joint committee, during which he gave the laws backing the action of the government to suspend Twitter.
The joint committee is expected to present its report on Tuesday.
“Weapon for good and evil”
“Social media is the most potent weapon for good and for evil. While we welcome the good, we must prepare over the evil. You cannot use the idea of free speech to destroy me,” Mr Gbajabiamila said.
“Most democracies in the world today are making efforts to regulate social media and the National Assembly has been considering regulating social media for a long time. But each time the issue comes up, Nigerians kick against it.
“It is something we …
FG Insists Twitter’s operation is illegal despite ECOWAS court ruling
Eighteen days after the micro-blogging platform, Twitter, was suspended in Nigeria, the Federal Government insists operation of Twitter in the country’s social media space “is not legally permissible.”
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, disclosed this yesterday when he appeared before a House of Representatives investigative hearing. He said Twitter was used to disseminate information “that endangers the life and security” of Nigerians and cause disunity in the country.
Following the suspension, the green chamber had mandated its committees on communication, justice, information and culture, and national security and intelligence to investigate the circumstances behind the decision.
Speaking at the investigative hearing, Mohammed said the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2020 does not permit foreign companies to do business in Nigeria if not registered. He said Twitter cannot be given the legitimate rights to operate until it is incorporated in Nigeria.
“As it regards operation of foreign companies in Nigeria, the law provides that a foreign company, which fails to take necessary steps to obtain incorporation as a separate entity in Nigeria for that purpose, but until so incorporated, the foreign company shall not carry on business in Nigeria or exercise any powers of a registered company,” he said.
“Hence, flowing from this background a foreign company as Twitter cannot be clothed with the legitimate rights to operate as a company registered in Nigeria, as they are not licensed, accordingly.
“Notwithstanding the foregoing, it is also observed that the operations of Twitter in the Nigerian social space is not legally permissible when it is used in airing of information that endangers the life and security of the majority of citizens of Nigeria.”
Mohammed said Twitter’s suspension is backed by international laws including articles 24, 25 and 26 of the African Union on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection (CCPR).
He said the government would not hesitate to suspend other social platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Google hangout, and others if they are found to be promoting posts or statements capable of destabilizing the country.
There was a …
Twitter, Facebook, others must register in Nigeria, says FG
As part of its new move to regulate social media, the Federal Government has said Twitter, Facebook and other social media giants doing business in Nigeria must register in the country before being allowed to operate unhindered.
Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, yesterday also disclosed that Twitter, which was last week suspended, has called for a ‘high-level’ discussion.
Mohammed made this known in Abuja while briefing journalists after the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting.
Mohammed said he got the message yesterday morning and repeated government’s stance that Twitter was suspended because it provided an avenue for people threatening the corporate existence of Nigeria. He claimed that the owner of Twitter helped to fund the recent #EndSARS protest and is also allowing the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, to use the platform to call for the killing of security operatives. He added that Twitter failed to take down Kanu’s tweets despite repeated requests to do so.
The minister said he has already directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to commence the process of licensing all OTT and social media operations in the country. The NBC as part of implementing the directive has also asked all broadcast stations to suspend usage of their Twitter accounts with immediate effect.
Mohammed listed conditions that must be met even if there is a discussion with Twitter, including that it must now be registered in Nigeria as a business concern. According to the government spokesman, freedom of speech has not been stifled by the suspension of Twitter as he maintained that Nigerians can still use other platforms such as Facebook and Instagram.
“We found out that Twitter is actually the platform of choice for a particular separatist leader who resides outside the country and issues directives to its members to attack symbols of government authority, such as the police, military, electoral commission offices, correctional centers, etc. And this is being done willfully and consistently without any consequences from Twitter.
“No country worth its name will tolerate that. …
Nigerians launch legal action against government’s Twitter ban
Dozens of Nigerians and a local rights group have filed a lawsuit at a regional court seeking to lift the government’s ban on Twitter, describing the decision to suspend the hugely popular social media platform’s operations as an attempt to silence criticism of the government.
Authorities announced the ban on Friday, two days after Twitter removed a post from President Muhammadu Buhari that threatened to punish regional secessionists.…
Twitter ban is Indefinite says FG
Despite widespread anger over the ban on Twitter use in the country, indications emerged, yesterday, that the Federal Government is not ready to shift grounds.
Coming a day after the government met with some envoys, which ended in both parties sticking to their guns and some very influential clerics continuing the use of the popular micro-blogging platform, a top government functionary, last night, told The Guardian that the ban remains indefinite for now as the administration insists ongoing tough on social media regulation.
“In fact, there will be a public communication today or tomorrow asking all foreign social media companies to register before they can be allowed to operate in the country.”
The source further confided that the outcome of Monday’s meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs with envoys of the United State, United Kingdom, European Union, Canada and Ireland may not have the blessing of the presidency.
“The government may have regretted the meeting with envoys, giving the impression the Minister may have acted without the full backing of the full house, that is the Presidency. This is because it is believed Twitter has two standards; one for Nigeria and one for other countries. So, for now, the government is not backing down.”
The inkling of the government’s hard stance on maintaining its position despite public criticism emerged when the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), restated his stand on the ban of Twitter by deactivating his account yesterday.
Only the President’s wife, Aisha Buhari, had similarly deactivated her Twitter account as soon as the ban was announced on Friday. Many top government functionaries and institutions are still maintaining their Twitter accounts. Many have described the ban as an attempt to gag the media, an attack on press freedom, freedom of expression and an attempt to pass the controversial Social Media Bill.
Malami had on Saturday ordered the prosecution of Nigerians defying the Federal Government’s last Friday’s ban on Twitter as a result of the platform’s deletion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tweet even …
Trump hails Nigeria for banning Twitter
Former US President Donald Trump has congratulated Nigeria for suspending the operations of Twitter in the country.
Trump, in a statement on Tuesday night, commended Nigeria for the action, calling on more countries to “ban Twitter and Facebook for not allowing free and open speech.”
He said: “Congratulations to the country of Nigeria, who just banned Twitter because they banned their President.
“More COUNTRIES should ban Twitter and Facebook for not allowing free and open speech – all voices should be heard.”
The Federal Government had on Friday suspended the operations of Twitter indefinitely due to its use for activities that were capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The Federal Government had on Friday suspended the operations of Twitter indefinitely due to its use for activities that were capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence.
The former US leader also expressed regrets for not taking action against them while he was president.
He said: “In the meantime, competitors will emerge and take hold. Who are they to dictate good and evil if they themselves are evil?
“Perhaps, I should have done it while I was President. But Zuckerberg kept calling me and coming to the White House for dinner telling me how great I was.”
Trump also made a veiled reference to his speculated 2024 presidential ambition by simply saying: “2024?”
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Twitter and Facebook had in January suspended Trump’s accounts indefinitely.
The two social networking sites claimed that he used the platforms to mobilise his followers to invade Capitol Hill over the outcome of the November 2020 presidential election after he lost.
Facebook had also on Friday announced that it had banned Trump from its two platforms – Facebook and Instagram – for two years, effective January 7, 2021.
Facebook, in a statement by Nick Clegg, Vice-President of Global Affairs, cited “severe violation” after Capitol Hill riots of January 6 and that Trump’s accounts would only be reinstated if conditions permitted.…
$12b e-commerce suffers as Twitter ban costs N7.5 billion in three days
• FG in talks with China, considers Internet firewall to block VPN access
• A4AI Nigeria says situation creates $1.2b loss for MSMEs
• Raises questions of our readiness for investors, says ALTON
The suspension of Twitter, a leading micro-blogging platform, has begun to take its toll on struggling Nigeria’s economy, leading to a loss of N7.5 billion in the past three days.
Nigeria’s decision to suspend Twitter, at first indefinitely but later temporarily, could backfire for the government and cost the country economically in terms of new investment into its technology sector. The ban may threaten Nigeria’s status as one of the best-performing African countries in attracting investment for technology start-up businesses.
According to Net Blocks, a watchdog organization that monitors cyber-security and governance of the Internet, each hour of the social media gagging costs Nigeria about $250,000 (N102.5 million), bringing the daily loss to N2.5 billion. It means the economy would have lost approximately N7.5 billion in the past three days.
The suspension has already created a market access gap for millions of small and medium scale enterprises (SMSEs) that use the platform to reach their customers. This could potentially complicate the challenges COVID-19 and other structural defects had imposed on businesses. Also hit is the e-commerce market in the country, estimated at $12 billion.
But within hours of the ban, internet searches for ‘VPNs’ – virtual private networks, which allow users to disguise their online identity and evade country-specific limits, surged across the country. Multiple videos appeared on YouTube explaining the ins and outs of VPNs to Twitter-hungry Nigerians. Nigerians also have plenty of other digital options to share opinions and information, from the popular WhatsApp to the Indian micro-blogging service, Koo, which has quickly announced plans to expand into the country.…