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Twitter Ban: Nigerians Lose N150.46bn in Two Months

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By Orkula Shaagee, Abuja

Nigeria businesses may have lost N150.46bn ($366.88m) since the

Federal Government’s ban on Twitter took effect in the country on June

5.

This figure was calculated based on the NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown

Tool.

According to the tool, it costs Nigeria’s economy N102.

77m ($250,600) every hour to the ban Twitter.

It has been 1,464 hours (61 days) since the ban. In that time period, Nigeria may have lost N150.46bn.

The NetBlocks Cost of Shutdown Tool estimates the economic impact of an internet disruption, mobile data blackout or app restriction in a nation using indicators from the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union, Eurostat and US Census.

The Federal Government had on June 4 announced the suspension of

Twitter in Nigeria.

Telecommunication companies started blocking access to Twitter on June 5, after they received a directive from the

Nigerian Communications Commission to block access to Twitter.

The government had cited the persistent use of the platform for

activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence as the

reason for the suspension.

Following the ban, groups including the Socio-Economic Rights and

Accountability Project, had dragged the federal government to the

ECOWAS court.

The federal government told a Federal High Court in Lagos that it had

not stopped Nigerians from using Twitter, adding that many Nigerians

still used it every day.

This was in a counter-affidavit the government deposed to in response

to an originating motion filed by human rights lawyer, Inibehe

Effiong.

The affidavit said, “The applicant (Effiong) and the class he seeks to

represent can still operate those Twitter accounts from anywhere in the world and even from Nigeria.

“Nigerians are still tweeting, even at this moment as the ban on

Twitter is not aimed at intimidating Nigerians or an infringement on  the rights of Nigerians to express their opinion.”

According to a report by Statista, Nigeria has about 33 million active social media users, with about 26 per cent on Twitter.

Since the ban, some Nigerians have migrated to the use of Virtual

Private Networks (VPN).

Express VPN said in June that it recorded an increase of over 200 per cent in web traffic from Nigeria since the federal government banned

Twitter.

VPN works by changing the location of devices they run on. Small and

Medium-sized Enterprises have said this has not been good for their

businesses.

Olanregun Ayodele who sells women’s and men’s clothing on Twitter

Said: “Twitter was very important to my business. I got a lot of customers from Twitter.

“I can’t put an amount to it. But I have made money to sustain myself and my family from Twitter. Since the ban began, business has been stressful and tiring.

Business is dry. Normally the end of the month is always booming but since the ban, it’s been so slow.

“People coming to my DM have reduced a lot; VPN has reduced lots of

people and followers on Twitter.”

Another SME entrepreneur, Babatunde Motunrayo, who sells female

accessories on Twitter said, “Twitter was very helpful. I got 75 per

cent sales here, compared to other apps I sell on. I use Instagram too

but make more sales from Twitter.

“It’s not been the same. Sales have been poor. Having to turn on and

off your VPN most times makes you reply to clients late and before you

know it, you’ve lost the client because some say they’ve got it from

another vendor. Sometimes you won’t get messages early. Some people

stopped using Twitter outright.”

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NCS Strengths Ties with China Customs

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By Tony Obiechina Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has deepened its strategic engagement with the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) through a high-level meeting held in Beijing on July 25.According to NCS Spokesman, Abdullahi Maiwada in a statement on Sunday, Assistant Comptroller of Customs, the meeting aimed to explore bilateral knowledge exchange and capacity development in customs administration.

The NCS delegation, led by Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs Oluyomi Adebakin, discussed customs training methodologies, modernization models, and technology-driven solutions with GACC officials.
The Chinese Customs authorities shared their structured training system, which incorporates virtual reality, 5G-enabled systems, and blended e-learning approaches.
The meeting highlighted Nigeria’s active participation in China-led customs development initiatives, with over 200 African customs officers trained since 2023. The Chinese Customs officials commended Nigeria’s growing leadership in international customs platforms and appreciated the election of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, as Chairperson of the World Customs Organisation (WCO) Council.Both parties expressed mutual interest in exploring technical exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and officer exchange schemes. The NCS aims to strengthen its human capital, advance intergovernmental partnerships, and modernize customs operations in accordance with global standards.The engagement aligns with promoting knowledge sharing, harmonizing customs procedures, and building an integrated trade infrastructure for sustainable development, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

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Kaigama Cautions against Rising Religious Intolerance, Marginalization

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From Sylvia Udegbunam, Enugu

The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Most Rev. Ignatius Kaigama, has called for religious tolerance among religious groups in Nigeria.Kaigama made the call during the 25 years Priestly Celebration of the Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev.

Ernest Obodo, held at St. Mary Catholic Church, Udi Council Area of Enugu State at the weekend.
The celebration began with Holy Mass officiated by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Onitsha, His Grace, Most Rev.
Valerian Okeke.In his homily, Kaigama decried what he described as ‘very severe’, the existence of religious intolerance in the country, warning that, “if we do not get rid of it, we shall continue to make three steps forward and five steps backward.
“Professor Chinua Achebe did identify the problems of Nigeria as bad leadership, corruption, and tribalism, and I wish to add religious intolerance and fanaticism.He expressed the need for more solidarity of the Catholic Church in Eastern Nigeria with the Church in Northern Nigeria in view of the present socio-economic, cultural and religious circumstances in the world.The clergyman equally called on those in political leadership to ensure that the resources of the nation were equitably distributed and also to ensure a fair representation in government.He advised them not to let any section of the nation become marginalised for whatever reason but to ensure honesty, transparency, and accountability in the leadership of the country.“My village was once captured, destroyed, and our chief was subordinated to the religious leaders. Since then, it was only some three years ago that we received a government response.“Nigerians expect from political leaders a corporal work of mercy to feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, care for the sick and wounded, educate the school children, care for prisoners and the poor.“Build and maintain the roads, keep our schools and hospitals open, and not only when there are casualties, then we rush to open them and be concerned,” he stressed.The Archbishop added that while we demand good governance from those voted in authority, we demand equally a changing mentality on the part of those Nigerians who saw government resources as available to be used with reckless abandonment.To the celebrant and his class of 2000, Kaigama said, “25 years ago, they answered the Lord’s call to serve the church as shepherds of God’s people.“Today we give thanks to God for the gift of their vocation, perseverance in ministry, and for the grace that has sustained them through joys and trials alike,” he said.In his remark, Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, described Obodo as an embodiment of initiatives geared towards lifting people out of poverty through his agricultural project.“So I want to join your well-wishers and indeed your congregation here to congratulate and to celebrate with you. There is something that you represent, which I would also love that we continue to imbibe, that is, the true spirit of service.“But your humility is also something very disarming,” Mbah said.Commending the participants, Obodo announced that 33 bishops all over Nigeria attended the event, saying that 20 of them were present while 13 were represented.He thanked God for sparing 10 of them who were ordained priest in 2000, disclosing that, “10 of us are healthy and hearty today and we give gratitude to God”.Many priests, laity, traditional rulers and government officials graced the celebration.

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Niger Boat Mishap: NSEMA Recovers 13 Bodies, Rescues 26

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From Dan Amasingha, Minna, Attah Ede, Makurdi

The Niger Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), said 13 dead bodies have been recovered while 26 people were rescued from the recent boat mishap in Gini village, Shiroro Local Government Area.This is contained in a statement by Alhaji Abdullahi Arah, the Director- General of the agency on Sunday in Minna.

The incident occurred at about 11:45am on Saturday around Kwata, as the boat was heading to Zumba market.
According to the agency, the boat, which was fully loaded with goods and passengers capsized while conveying them to the weekly market.“We have confirmed a boat mishap incident with 13 bodies recovered while 26 were rescued bringing the total number of people in the boat to 39.
”“Those that were recovered had since been buried and among them were eight women, three men and two children,” he said.NSENI’s Director of Information and Special Duties, Dr. Ibrahim Hussaini confirmed in a statement that the boat driver and few passengers were rescued.Hussaini said that one of the victims was admitted at the General Hospital Kuta, and had been discharged.The Niger Government through NSEMA, National Hydro Electric Power Producing Areas Development Commission N-HYPPADEC and NIWA have distributed life jackets to various riverine communities.Abductors of Six Nigerian Law School Students Opens Discussions, Demands N20M RansomThe kidnappers of the six Nigerian Law School students, have contacted and opened discussions with the families of their victims, demanding N20 million as ransom for their release.The six Nigerian Law School Students were reportedly abducted by suspected armed bandits while on their way to resume at the school’s Yola campus in Adamawa State on Saturday.It was gathered that the incident took place in the late hours of Saturday, along the ‘deadly’ federal highway between Wukari in Taraba State and parts of Benue State.According to a fellow student of the Yola campus, who identified himself as Johnson, said the kidnappers have contacted families of the victims and are demanding a ransom of N20 million for their release.The abducted students were on their way back to campus after completing their mandatory court externship, ahead of the resumption of academic activities scheduled for Monday.Those confirmed to be abducted includes; Rev. Ernest Okafor, Ogbuka Fabian, Nwamma Philip, Okechukwu Obadiegwu, Obalem Emmanuel, and Obiorah David.They were reportedly travelling in a vehicle operated by AJ Dan Pullo Transport Company, a commercial operator based in Onitsha, Anambra State.Authorities have yet to release an official statement.The Wukari-Benue axis, where the kidnapping is suspected to have taken place, has long been flagged as a high-risk corridor due to recurring incidents of abduction and violent crime.

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