Entertainment
‘Gbenga Sesan Calls for End to Social Media, Blogging Taxes
A digital rights expert and the Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative, ‘Gbenga Sesan has called for an end to attempts by governments in Africa to impose taxes on the digital platforms, saying such attempts are dangerous to the economic and democratic development on the continent.
Sesan made this call on Thursday at the 2018 Tanzania School of Internet Governance where he was a faculty member.
It would be recalled that Tanzanian government recently imposed a license fee of $900 on bloggers in the country, while Uganda also imposed daily tax on the use of social media and mobile money.
“The levy imposed on digital content creators in Tanzania is not an isolated violation of digital rights but the manifestation of a trend across the continent.
“From Uganda’s social media tax to Cameroon’s shutdowns and Nigeria’s clampdown incidents, among others, freedom of expression online is under threat for many reasons, including the fact that digital platforms have become a major channel for citizens’ expression around governments’ poor service delivery to citizens. It is important to see these issues from the pan-African perspective as we engage with the context of our varied experiences” Sesan said.
Sesan was a member of Nigeria’s Presidential committees on Harmonization of Information Technology, Telecommunications and Broadcasting Sectors (2006) and Roadmap for the Achievement of Accelerated Universal Broadband Infrastructure and Services Provision (2013), and is a vocal advocate for digital rights and inclusion in Africa. He took participants on “Advocacy Communications,” walking participants through the process of effective advocacy.
By Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji
Precisely 365 days today at about 6. 45am, a telephone call I first received came from the home of Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson.
My heart skipped…and listening to the voice from other end of the phone, It was sad news… Mama has gone to the Lord.
Honestly, I was immediately confused and still on my Jalamia, (Pyjamas) I drove straight to her private residence at Quarry Road in Abeokuta. Reality dawned on me on arrival and I couldn’t hold back tears which rolled down my face and I became speechless.
It was a Saturday I used to appear on live radio program on fresh F.M between 9-11am. When I regained my consciousness, I put a call across to management of the station, that I can’t make it because I was bereaved. As I was still trying to comport myself and further regain my strength as a man, there were torrential phone calls from my colleagues in the pen profession, knowing that I was her media adviser, trying to confirm authenticity of the sad news.
I had no choice I had to issue a press statement early enough to avoid speculations and wrong news dissemination. I must confess in my career as journalist of over three decades that was my first time I will be writing a press statement on a demise of any individual.
I must again openly say this, late Iyalode Alaba Lawson, Iyalode of Yorubaland, I knew for over 30 years was my great benefactor and I will continue to appreciate her even in death. She was there for me all time, a reliable mother, a sister and aunty from another womb.
I have no regret knowing her, if there is opportunity to keep relationship in heaven, I will keep that relationship with Alaba Oluwaseun Lawson (Omo Jiboku Tanatana). Its exactly a year today you left this sinful world to rest in the arms of the Lord. The legacies you left behind speak volume. I pray you continue to rest in perfect peace. Adieu
Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is founder of Penpushing Media and Media Adviser to late Iyalode of Yorubland, Iyalode Alaba Lawson
Grammy Award-winning singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has revealed why he is not yet ready to have children.
He made this known during an Instagram live session on his page on Wednesday.
Burna Boy claimed that his desire to provide the same level of love and dedication his parents gave him is the reason why he is not having kids.
Explaining further, Burna Boy said, “Why haven’t I had kids yet? Bro, it’s because I don’t want to have kids. Like, have you seen my operation? Have you seen my mom the way she loves me? Have you seen my dad the way he loves me?
“Bro, I know I can’t give that to anyone right now with the life I live. So until I am settled and can be there for my children every day, every minute of every day, I am not having any kids.”
The singer was arrested or rather dramatically dragged into the police van while he was trying to run away from the arrest on May 14 following a petition from a car dealer.
Portable allegedly purchased a G-Wagon worth N27 million from the car dealer, made a down payment and took the vehicle away with the promise to pay the balance.
After waiting for a while without any word concerning his balance, the dealer reached out to the singer who claimed the car he purchased had faults. The dealer then asked the singer to return the car or pay the balance but Portable allegedly refused.
Following a petition from the dealer, the police moved in and arrested the singer who is currently in their custody.
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the arrest of the singer.
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