TheNewsGuru

Tag: Licence

  • JUST IN: NCAA suspends licences of 3 private jet owners

    JUST IN: NCAA suspends licences of 3 private jet owners

    Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended licences of three Permit for Non-Commercial Flight (PNCF), otherwise known as private jet owners, over alleged failure to comply with regulatory requirements.

    Acting Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, disclosed this to newsmen on Tuesday in Lagos.

    Najomo said that after issuing a stern warning to the PNCFs in March, the authority deployed its men to monitor activities of private jet owners at airport terminals across the country.

    He said that consequent upon the heightened surveillance, three private operators were found to have violated the annexure provisions of their PNCF and Part 9114 of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations, 2023.

    Najomo further stated that NCAA would be carrying out a re-evaluation of regulatory requirements compliance of all PNCFs owners within the next 72 hours.

    This, he said, this was in line with the authority’s zero tolerance for violations of regulations.

    “In line with our zero tolerance for violation of regulations, the authority has suspended the PNCF of these operators.

    “To further sanitise the general aviation sector, I have directed that a re-evaluation of all holders of PNCF be carried out on or before April 19, to ascertain compliance with regulatory requirements.

    “All PNCF holders will be required to submit relevant documents to the authority within the next 72 hours,” he said.

    Najomo recalled that in 2023, the use of private jets for commercial purposes had gotten the attention of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), who issued marching orders for cessation of such acts.

    He said that in March, NCAA issued a stern warning to holders of the permit for non-commercial flights, PNCF, against engaging in the carriage of passenger cargo or mail for hire and reward.

    Najomo said that the riot act was also directed at existing Air Operator Certificate (AOC) holders who utilised aircraft listed on their PNCF for commercial charter operations.

    “It must be emphasised that only the aircraft listed in the Operation Specifications of the AOC are authorised to be used in the provision of such charter services.

    “Any of those AOC holders who wish to use the aircraft for charter operations must apply to the NCAA to delist the affected aircraft from the PNCF and include it into the AOC operations specification.

    “NCAA wishes to reiterate to the travelling public not to patronise any airline charter operator who does not hold a valid AOC issued by the NCAA, when they wish to procure charter operation services,” he said.

    The NCAA boss, thereafter, encouraged legitimate players in the aviation industry to promptly report such illegal activities to the authority for necessary action.

  • NUC presents provisional licenses to 37 new private universities

    NUC presents provisional licenses to 37 new private universities

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has given provisional licences to the newly established 37 universities approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on May 15.

    The Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, at the presentation of provisional licences to the universities, said that the number of private universities in the country now stood at 147.

    Rasheed, who said that the country now has 264 universities, said that investment in tertiary education was a pre-requisite for human capital development in the country.

    He said that access to university education remained a challenge due to the high demand and increasing number of secondary school graduates.

    ”The Nigerian statistics of high demand of tertiary education is grossly inadequate. Statistics put the number of enrollment in tertiary institutions at 2.23 million which is about 12 per cent of the total population of 220 million,” he said.

    Rasheed charged the proprietors of the newly established universities to ensure that the motive for creating the universities were not for money but for a higher and noble goal.

    ”In establishing universities, you don’t expect to get financial rewards. If your main motive is to make money, then you are in a wrong place. You are here to pay back to humanity.

    ”The establishment of private universities is in dire need of passion from people, so that passion should drive you,” he added.

    While charging the proprietors of quality assurance in the universities, the NUC boss assured of the commission’s support and cooperation to grow the university system.

    The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, David Adejo, said the federal government was committed to public private partnership, especially in education sector which gave rise to the new universities.

    Adejo said this was in a bid to increase access for university education system.

    According to him, the gross total enrollment ratio stands at 12 per cent so there is a gap between demand and supply and as long as this gap exists, government will continue to welcome proposals for university’s enrollment by credible group.

    He said the government would ensure that quality assurance and minimum standards in those universities were not compromised.

    In a good will message, the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-shaq Oloyede urged the universities proprietors to start on a good note while following procedures and standards.

    Oloyede also urged them never to outsource their admissions but follow the admission procedures.

    Also, the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Pantami challenged the proprietors on sustainability of the universities.

    ”The 264 universities in Nigeria is encouraging but we need to improve on the quality of what we teach the students in our university.

    ”We should focus more on producing potential employers not employees and producers rather than potential job seekers.

    ”Education is no more about lecturers driving you, it so no more about garbage in and garbage out our students must tackle complex problems which will enable them to be self reliance,” he said.

    Pantami called for the need to review the entire curriculum of university that would focus on ICT.

    Former governor of Cross River State Donald Duke, All Progressives Congress National Chairman, Abdullahi Adamu, former Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, among others graced the occasion.

    The lists of the newly licensed private universities are: Rayhaan University, Kebbi state, Muhammad Kamalu-Deen University, Kwara state, Sam Maris University, Ondo state and Aletheia University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun state.

    Others are Lux Mundi University, Abia state,Maduka University, Enugu state, Peaceland University, Enugu state, Amadeus University, Abia state, Vision University , Ogun state, Azman University, Kano state, Huda University, Zamfara state, Franco British International University, Kanuna and Canadian University of Nigeria, FCT.

    On the list are Miva Open University, FCT, Gerar University of Medical Sciences, Ogun state, British Canadian University, Cross River state, Hensard University, Bayelsa state, Phoenix University, Nasarawa State Wigwe University, Rivers state and Hillside University of Science and Technology, Ekiti state.

    Also, University of the Niger, Anambra state Elrazi University of Medical Sciences, Kano state, Venite University, Ekiti state,Shanahan University, Anambra state, the Duke Medical University, Cross River state, Mercy Medical University, Odun state,Cosmopolitan University, FCT, Iconic Open University, Sokoto state, West Midland Open University, Oyo State and Amaj University, FCT are in the list

    In the list are also Prime University, FCT, El-Amin University, Niger state, College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Kaduna state, Jewel University, Gombe, Nigerian University of Technology and Management, Lagos State, Al-Muhibbah Open University, FCT and Al-Bayan University, Kogi state.

  • Just In: NBC suspends threat to shutdown broadcast stations owing

    Just In: NBC suspends threat to shutdown broadcast stations owing

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has temporarily suspended the shutdown of the indebted broadcast stations across the country.

    The Director-General of NBC, Malam Balarabe Ilelah, made the disclosure in a statement on Friday in Abuja.

    NBC had on Aug. 19 revoked the licences of the AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication L.td., Silverbird TV Network and 50 other stations over N2.6 billion debts.

    The commission ordered the affected stations to shutdown in the next 24 hours and directed NBC offices nationwide to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.

    Consequently, the commission, on Aug. 20, extended the period which all outstanding debts are to be paid from 24 hours to Wednesday.

    It explained that the extension of the enforcement date was due to an appeal by the affected broadcast stations, relevant stakeholders, public spirited individuals and organisations.

    However, the NBC boss said following the ultimatum, the commission received positive responses from the debtor licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.

    ”Sequel to a follow-up meeting held with Executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical Stakeholders in the industry.

    ”The commission has decided to temporarily suspend the shutdown of the indebted broadcast stations all over the country.

    ”We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and broadcast Stakeholders for their responses and interventions.

    ”We specifically thank DAAR Communications Ltd., and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses,” Ilelah said.

    He said that the commission was not unaware of the difficulties the shutdown would have caused the operators and other stakeholders.

    The D-G stated that the commission would always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.

  • NBC’s license revocation ill-timed, ill-advised, in bad faith – MJN

    NBC’s license revocation ill-timed, ill-advised, in bad faith – MJN

    Media Justice Nigeria (MJN) views with alarm the revocation of the licenses of 52 public and private radio and TV stations across the country by government’s regulatory agency, the Nigerian Broadcast Commission (NBC) on August 19, 2022. MJN views the sad and unfortunate development as ill-timed and ill-advised and in bad faith.

    While MJN is not happy that the stations are yet to meet up their statutory obligation of renewing their licenses that amount to N2.26 billion, we at MJN believe that the NBC should have devised other ways of addressing the situation rather than total revocation of licenses at a critical time like this. Not even the one week grace given is good enough.

    While the NBC claimed that the license revocation action has no political motive, MJN sees the action differently. It is no news that open political campaigns will commence in less than two weeks, in September. Revoking radio and TV licenses when political campaigns are about to open is in bad faith. The action will consequently deny the stations avenues of making money from campaign advertorials that would have positioned them financially to pay whatever was being owed the NBC. MJN therefore believes the NBC’s action is needlessly punitive and should be rescinded at once.

    The NBC should be reminded of the dire economic situation and unfavourable business operating environment the All Progressives Congress (APC) government that appointed the current board and management of the NBC plunged Nigerians since its inception over seven years ago. The attendant results of APC’s poor governance are massive job losses, all-time high inflation, high cost of business operations, high cost of fuel to power businesses and many other unfavourable indexes of poor governance that may have made it impossible for the stations to meet their payment obligations.

    The NBC must not be seen as an extension of the Muhammadu Buhari administration that appointed its board and management that failed to create jobs for Nigerians but instead made millions who had jobs to be thrown into the labour market. The NBC should therefore be mindful of not denying hundreds of Nigerians who work in these stations the jobs that feed thousands of their dependants while carrying out its statutory duty. The NBC should also be humane in its duty.

    MJN therefore urges the NBC to rescind its license revocation action on these stations and reschedule the debts in such a manner that the stations are not unnecessarily shut down. The NBC should look at the high cost of owning a TV or radio license and review it downwards. The NBC owes Nigerians the democratic duty of liberalising information that these stations stand for and not just behave as a revenue-generating agency of government. Nigerians cannot afford the information blackout that the NBC’s action will create especially at a time of high insecurity like these where citizens need timely information that can save lives and property.

  • National Carrier License: Lest we forget, By Okoh Aihe

    National Carrier License: Lest we forget, By Okoh Aihe

    By Okoh Aihe

     

    My children still mock me when I tell them the first time I used a phone was when I was in my first year in the University. Like most of their colleagues they may never understand why our world was like that, whether we were some kind of aliens trying to find reason in a world that was moving too fast for us to understand.

     

    What they will be finding out now is that in our kind of country nothing is guaranteed, not even constitutional rights. Even the ones guaranteed under the constitution are willfully taken away by those who play God. A friend who belongs to the profession which says every other profession is unlearned apart from the one they practice, schooled me on Monday morning when he told me that in some countries of the world, like the United States and part of the Scandinavian countries, telecommunications service is a fundamental right which permits the people to take legal action when denied.

     

    In Nigeria it was never so, and it is not so now. So I would only use phone for the first time while in the university and, in fact, the statement that telephone was not for the poor was made at about that time by a certain man who has been frolicking around the seat of power since then.

     

    This is why I feel myself obligated today, as we huddle down the path of 5G, to say something about the National Carrier License operators who are supposed to provide a bouquet of telecommunications services in the country. It is the responsibility of the National Carrier to provide service backbone for other operators and even carry their signals where they don’t have capacity to offer services.

     

    The 5G auction is scheduled to hold in December and entry price is pegged at $197, 400, 000. Meaning that if the country is as welcoming as officials of government trumpet it to be, a Lot of 100MHz in 3.5GHz band, ranging from 3700 to 3800MHz could cost twice that amount. Two lots are being put in the market and obviously a lot of activities are expected in the industry in the days ahead.

     

    So much is expected of 5G. Some say it will help data speed. It will open up new opportunities. It will transform the economy. In fact, it will help fight terrorism. The 5G is being positioned as a silver bullet. But it is not.

     

    A conversation with another friend of mine instigated this story. His question was simple and very direct. What happened to your national carriers, he inquired. He knew the answer but was really just stirring up a conversation that wouldn’t put the nation in good light because of some actions not taken.

     

    Let me pay tributes to those who superintended the industry from year 2000. NITEL was the formal national carrier and monopoly. After the GSM auction, the operator was given a reserved GSM licences without going through the throes of the bid. The regulator actually thought of a special place for NITEL and how to preserve its legacy, and goaded it to use its mammoth facilities to service the industry and make money for its services. But NITEL refused to fly and indeed would not invest fresh funds to play its role as industry bride in the new dawn. One smart thing however, is that NITEL was formally licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and that brought the service provider under the authority of the regulator.

     

    NITEL was a behemoth which among other infrastructure had the mobile (GSM) arm, SAT-3, CDMA network, domestic fixed line telephony, national fibre-optic transmission backbone and Analog System and various switches across the country.

    November 1, 2002, and September 1, 2002, respectively, Nigerian Telecommunications Ltd with offices at Plot 251, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District, Abuja, and Globacom Limited with offices at Mike Adenuga Close, Victoria Island, Lagos, were awarded their National Carrier Licenses. They should build enough infrastructure to support others expand services in the industry and ensure that people have access to fixed services among others.

     

    The National Carrier Licenses held by the two operators will expire by November 1, 2022. This is barely a year away. Are we going to have another ritual of license renewal without looking at the records of achievements so far?

     

    If you permit a return to the matter of 5G, the auction will be done in December except there are intervening factors to decide otherwise. The operators will roll out services but in the cities where their services can be afforded. Investment is going to be heavy. So, services will also be pricey. Beyond the euphoria the ordinary guy will find himself in the margins of relevance and consideration for consumption of niche technology.

     

    Technology should be about deployment and usage. That hasn’t happened. So, it should be a return to the roots where it all began to see why pervasive telecoms services are really not working in Nigeria, at least, not in the manner of involving the ordinary fella in the ecosystem. This is why time has come for the regulator to interrogate its processes and stare at truth forcefully in the eyes.

     

    The NCC should do a health check for the entire telecommunications industry to determine what is working – no shadow boxing, no pretenses about the state of the industry, because from all indications some measures have not yielded fruits. What is the state of the INFRACOS expected to buildout telecom infrastructure in different parts of the country with some subvention from the regulator? What does the industry need to makes services available to the mass of the people? How well are the operators doing and why indeed are some of them not doing well? What further role does the regulator have to play in dressing up the industry for further investments?

     

    There is the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) that has served as some kind of honey to different people in government. The USPF is a global industry practice which money is used mainly to take services to the underserved areas. In Nigeria USPF has had a history but has time not come to review that history and then take a deserving decision to really use the money on behalf of the people?

     

    There are some operators who are able to move into some estates with services that enable their subscribers to have access to phone services, data and TV. Oh, the old triple play. How are they doing it? Should we not study their model for a more expansive use?

     

    The truth is that some things are not working. We need to confess this reality in order to begin to resolve the litany of problems confronting the industry and those who genuinely desire good telecom services. This is the time to lay assumptions to rest and let government and regulator know where they are remiss as critical stakeholders of the industry.

  • Twitter won’t function in Nigeria till it is duly registered, licensed – FG

    Twitter won’t function in Nigeria till it is duly registered, licensed – FG

    The Federal Government says the management of tech giant, Twitter, has reached out for dialogue.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said this on Wednesday while addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council.

    He declared that the ban has so far been very effective following reports of Twitter’s huge financial losses running into billions.

    The Information Minister maintains that Twitter has been a platform of choice for separatists to thrive and would be disallowed from operating until it is duly registered, licensed, and operates within regulations.

    When the Minister was asked about the law under which Nigerians who violate the Twitter ban would be prosecuted, Lai refrained from answering and asked that the Attorney General of the Federation provide answers.

    Speaking concerning the discussion at the FEC meeting chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, Mohammed insisted on the ban and asked politicians to rise beyond various divisions and queue behind the country’s decision to ban the microblogging site.

    Minister Lai Mohammed also spoke concerning the payment of tax by tech giants in the country.

    He explained that most of the OTT and social media platforms operating in Nigeria do not have offices either do they pay taxes for the billions earned.

    Henceforth, the Federal government has resolved to ensure other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram be registered in the country and adverts have been published to this effect.

    The information minister, despite criticism by Human Rights groups, insists that freedom of speech has not been stifled as a result of the ban.

    He maintained that other social media platforms are still available for use.

  • Uber regains licence in London after protracted legal battle

    Uber regains licence in London after protracted legal battle

    Uber has won a legal bid to restore its London operating licence which was taken away over safety concerns, after a judge ruled on Monday that the company was a fit and proper operator in spite of “historical failings”.

    Transport for London (TfL) refused to grant the Silicon Valley-based company a new licence in 2019 due to what it called a “pattern of failures”, including thousands of trips conducted where drivers other than those advertised picked up passengers.

    Uber argued it has since assuaged concerns by improving insurance document verification systems and rolling out real-time identification.

    The U.S. Company was also denied a licence by TfL in 2017, in a major blow in one of its most important markets, before it was restored on a probationary basis.

    “I am satisfied that they are doing what a reasonable business in their sector could be expected to do, perhaps even more,” Judge Tan Ikram said on Monday.

    “In spite of their historical failings, I find them, now, to be a fit and proper person to hold a London… operator’s licence,” he said, granting an 18-month right to take rides.

    Uber, which has apologised for mistakes it has made, has run into backlashes and regulatory challenges elsewhere, including in its home state of California.

    Shares in Uber rose 6 per cent in pre-market U.S. trading after the decision.

    “This decision is a recognition of Uber’s commitment to safety and we will continue to work constructively with TfL,” Jamie Heywood, Uber’s boss for Northern and Eastern Europe, said.

    In London, it faces a number of rivals, including Ola, Freenow and Bolt.

    The city’s traditional black cab drivers have blocked streets in protest at what they see as a threat to their livelihoods.

    London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who also chairs TfL, warned Uber on Monday to stick to its obligations.

    “I can assure Londoners that TfL will continue to closely monitor Uber and will not hesitate to take swift action should they fail to meet the strict standards required to protect passengers,” he said in a statement.

  • No license has been issued for 5G in Nigeria -Minister

    No license has been issued for 5G in Nigeria -Minister

    Amid concerns of Nigeria’s readiness for the Fifth Generation (5G) technology, the minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim in a statement obtained by TheNewsGuru, said Nigeria is yet to get a license for 5G technology.

     

    Ibrahim said: “The attention of my office has been drawn to the public concern about the health implications of the deployment of Fifth Generation Mobile Networks (5G) in Nigeria. Based on available records at my office and the earlier report received from the regulator, I would like to clarify as follows:

    1. The National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), of which I am the Chairman, has not deliberated on or released any bulk frequency spectrum for the deployment of 5G;
    2. No license has been issued for the deployment of 5G in the country;

    iii. A 3-month study trial commenced on the 25th of November, 2019 in order to critically review and study the health and security implications of deploying 5G in Nigeria;

    iiii. As part of the study trial process, I directed the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to ensure that a team of experts, security agencies and other stakeholders fully participate in the trial process and my office also invited these agencies to participate in the trial; and

    1. The trial process has been concluded and the study and reporting process is currently ongoing.

    “His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, places a premium on the welfare, health and security of Nigerians. As such, our desire for technological advancement will never be at the expense of the health and welfare of our citizens.

    Government will not act on the speculations only, but rather we will take an informed decision on 5G after due consultation with experts and the public. I have also directed the NCC to engage citizens on any questions or concerns they may have regarding 5G.

    “I wish to thank the general public for reaching out to us on this issue. We advise you all to remain rest assured that government will always take the welfare, health and security of the public into account while considering the deployment of any technology”.

     

    Industry association, 3GPP, defines any system using ‘5G NR’ software as ‘5G’, a definition that came into general use by late 2018. Others may reserve the term for systems that meet the requirements of the ITU IMT-2020.

    Think virtual realities, augmented realities, streamed Blu-ray quality video, driverless cars, drones and Internet of Things (IoT). All of these technologies require the extremely accurate and near instantaneous transfer of large quantities of data. 5G is programmed to all that.

  • NBC grants fresh 65 radio, television licences

    The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced the issuance of 65 new broadcasting licences.

    The breakdown, according to a statement by the commission, comprises of 43 new FM radio, eight campus FM radio, one community FM and 13 free-view digital terrestrial televisions.

    The Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp were listed among the 43 lucky companies to have been issued radio licenses.

    Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi; Federal Polytechnic Ilaro; Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa; Akwa-Ibom state University; Ambrose Ali University; Temple Gate Polytechnic; Audi Gusau Polytechnic and Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic got the campus FM radio broadcasting licenses.

    The commission said the approval was granted by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The successful companies, institutional and communities listed are advised to collect their letters of grant of provisional operating license(s) from the office of the Secretary to the commission.

  • FRSC commences nationwide clampdown on tricycle, motorcycle operators

    …over 1750 arrested

    The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) said about 1750 tricycle and motorcycle operators have been arrested as the clampdown on operators without class A license and number plates begins nationwide on Wednesday.

    The Corps Public Education Officer Bisi Kazeem, who disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, said 18 states namely Kaduna, Nasarawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Delta, Benue, Oyo, Niger, Kwara, Adamawa, Kogi, Zamfara, Anambra, Sokoto, Osun, Rivers , Kano and Ondo tops list of states where the special patrol recorded massive arrests of offenders.

    Giving the breakdown of the arrests, the Corps Public Education Officer said; ” The highest number of arrests was recorded in Kaduna State, with a total of 430 arrests. Nasarawa state followed suit with a total of 219 arrests comprising of 15 tricycles and 204 motorcycles.

    “In Benue state alone, a total of 147 arrests were made, comprising of 140 motorcycles and 7 tricycles. Other are; Ondo 61, Anambra 41, Kebbi 51, Katsina 110, Delta 92, Zamfara 76, Oyo 178, Kogi 16, Mubi 10, Rivers 11, Kano 132, Niger 28, Osun 66 and Sokoto 10.”

    According to him, this was achieved in friendly collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps and other law enforcement agencies.

    It would be recalled that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi , following the series of consultations with the JTB, agreed to shift the commencement of enforcement from the earlier date of 1 August, 2019 to allow for more sensitisation and awareness, and further consultations with critical stakeholders on the imperatives of the clampdown.

    Speaking on the operation, the Corps Marshal said: “This shift of date was agreed upon to give riders adequate time to comply with the laws and acquire both the class A license and the number plates. We expected that by now, due to the adequate publicity we gave the commencement of enforcement and the consultations that followed, all affected riders would have complied to this demand of the law”

    He continued; “The essence of this operation is to enhance the security of lives and properties of road users. There have been series of reports of pervasive use of these categories of vehicles to perpetrate all manners of crime and we are saying enough is enough. All Tricycles and motorcycles must have an identity so that they can be easily traced”.

    Oyeyemi, therefore, called on all motorists who operate within these categories to endeavour to procure their licenses and also have their tricycles and motorcycles duly registered to avoid arrest.