Kyari: Rising Oil Prices Will Create Problems for Nigeria IMF laments re-emergence of fuel subsidy Welcomes CBN’s measures to unify exchange rates Obinna Chima in Lagos, Petroleum Corporation cause major challenges for the re-emergence of fuel recent moves by the Central Energy Congress, tagged: Francis Ndubuisi and (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari, resource-dependent nations subsidy in Nigeria in the face Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to unify “Securing a Sustainable Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja has warned that rather than like Nigeria. of the country’s low revenue exchange rates, certifying Future Energy System through being a positive development, He spoke just as the mobilisation. Nigerian banks as being liquid Strategy, Collaboration and Group Managing Director the rising prices of crude oil in International Monetary Fund The Washington-based and well-capitalised. of the Nigerian National the international market could (IMF) expressed concern over institution, however, welcomed Kyari, at the virtual Citizens Continued on page 12 Drop Press Regulation Bill, Media Leaders Tell House... Page 5 Friday 18 June, 2021 Vol 26. No 9566. Price: N250 www.thisdaylive.com T RU N TH & REASO STRAIGHT FROM THE FACTORY... Air Peace congratulates Nigeria as the third of the 13 brand new planes the company ordered arrives Lagos…yesterday Buhari in Maiduguri, Vows Not to Rest Until Peace is Restored Urges military to ramp up fight against insurgency Deji Elumoye and Michael Olugbode in Abuja President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday assured residents of Borno State of the federal government's readiness to fight terrorism to the end, telling the military not to give criminals a breathing space to undermine Nigeria’s interests. The president, during a visit to Borno State, commended troops for their loyalty and selfless service to Nigeria and urged them not to relent in their efforts to end the insurgency in the North-east. He promised support for the families of fallen security personnel, saying he would ensure all Internally Displaced BOOST FOR YOUNG ATHLETES... Persons (IDPs) return to their L-R: National Trade Marketing Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc., Mr. Funso Ayeni; President, Nigeria School Sports Federation, Ms. Olabisi Joseph; Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare; Overall Best Athlete, Demilade Ajayi; and Corporate Affairs Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Ms. Sade Continued on page 12 Morgan, at the celebratory breakfast for all Lagos State gold medalists from the just concluded 2021 Maltina School Games in Lagos…yesterday 2 FRIDAY JUNE 18, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY JUNE 18, 2021 • THISDAY 3 4 FRIDAY JUNE 18, 2021 •THISDAY FRIDAY, ͹΀˜ͺ͸ͺ͹˾THISDAY 5 Group News Editor Ejiofor Alike NEWS Email [email protected], 08066066268 Drop Press Regulation Bill, Media Leaders Tell House No court can stop us, lawmakers reply Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja Ishiekwene added: expectations of the type of done like the Cybercrimes can be made to pay a fine committee to treat it by "Of course, the federal legislative paths Nigeria Acts which Sections 24 and of N250,000, saying that it rejection. The Nigerian Press government has appealed would pursue to expand the 38, which in no fewer than is punitive. He suggested that the Organisation (NPO), the ruling and the matter frontiers of press freedom. 10 instances have been used He decried that Section provision relating to comprising the Newspaper is currently before the Presenting a joint to clamp down on bloggers 33 (3) and (4) does not revocation of licence for Proprietors’ Association Supreme Court. So, I will memorandum on behalf or journalists for expressing give room for retraction or alleged publication of fake of Nigeria (NPAN), the rest my case by appealing to of various organisations, opinion antagonistic to apology where fake news news should be removed Nigerian Guild of Editors the honourable members of including International Press politically or economically is mistakenly published from the Act, adding that (NGE) and the Nigeria this committee to refer to the Centre (IPC), Media Rights powerful elites. but recommends a blanket decisions for appropriate Union of Journalists (NUJ), conversation that was had on Agenda (MRA), Centre for He stated that bodies sanction of up to N10 million sanctions in relation to such yesterday called on the a similar matter in 2018 when Media Law and Advocacy, like Amnesty International or closure for a period of offences should be vested House of Representatives this matter came up before and Premium Times Centre have documented 50 cases one year or both. in the court. to step down a bill seeking the Senate and the pendency for Investigative Journalism, where the law had targeted, Arogundade recommended In his presentation, the to amend the Nigerian Press of this matter before the court the Executive Director, IPC, not cybercrime suspects, but that the committee should Executive Secretary, Nigeria Council Act as the matter is was canvassed and the 8th Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said bloggers and journalists for take a cue from the Press Council, Mr. Francis sub judice. National Assembly at that it was not that regulation was writing on what they “know Ghanaian constitution by Nwosu, commended the The media organisations time agreed that the prudent not necessary, especially in to be false, for the purpose recommending the inclusion section of the bill that seeks and other groups also thing to do was to step it this age of fake news and of causing annoyance, of the provision for press to empower the executive criticised the various clauses down. I urge this House to hate speech. inconvenience danger, freedom in the constitution secretary of the council to in the bill, saying that they also, consider a similar step." He stated that regulations obstruction, insult, injury, while it should also issue a summons, saying it will discourage freedom of However, Odebunmi must not erode media criminal intimidation, enmity, recommend that government would enhance the council's speech and the press. said the committee had the independence or freedom hatred, ill will or needless should not appoint managers effectiveness and efficiency The representative of mandate of Nigerians to and are not unduly punitive. anxiety to another." of the public (state) media. in handling complaints. the NPO, Mr. Azubuike amend any law. According to him, the He described the penalties He added that the He suggested that the Ishiekwene, who is also the He added: "And that is regulator must also be free for offences as stipulated board should have name executive secretary Editor-in-chief of Leadership what we are doing. It is of the stranglehold of the in Section (3) i & ii of the management control over should be changed to Newspapers, said at a public not about the matter being powers that be, political proposed amendment, the commission, including director-general to be in hearing on the Bill for an in court or not. or other interests, so that it including a fine of N5 million the executive secretary and tandem with other agencies Act to Amend the NPC Act, "To the best of my can judiciously adjudicate or three years imprisonment, the appointment should under the supervision of the organised by the House knowledge, constitutionally, in matters bordering on the as being too punitive, saying be made by the President Ministry of Information and Committee on Information, we are doing our own job infringement of the code of it will threaten media through the confirmation Culture. National Orientation, Ethics and I am very sure no court ethics of journalism. independence and freedom. of the National Assembly He added that the and Values, in Abuja, that will restrain us from doing He added that the Arogundade also criticised Arogundade said the inclusion of fake News was there is a matter before the the job." amendment seeks to restrict Section 17 (3)( a & b), which composition and functions a welcome development but Supreme Court on the Act. He stated that the freedom of expression. provides that a journalist of the Council and the that the proposed amendment But the Chairman of the amendment does not prevent Arogundade added that could be held liable for philosophy of the bill all should define what will Committee, Hon. Olusegun the parties involved from the amendment attempted the offence committed by run counter to international constitute fake news for Odebunmi, said no court pursuing the case in court, to do what other laws have his or her organisation and best practice and urged the easy interpretation. could stop the National adding: "This is the position Assembly from performing of the National Assembly." its constitutional role. Earlier in his opening Ishiekwene said: "There is a remark, Odebunmi had said matter, and I am sure as the the committee tried its best to stewards of the people and get all stakeholders to attend stewards of the law you are the public hearing of the bills. aware that there is a pending He said: "I want to matter between NPO and categorically state that some parties being called we tried to do our best in in this legislation. getting all the stakeholders "There is a matter pending invited, but some said before the Supreme Court we couldn’t reach them. between NPAN and some Notwithstanding, we are all parties involved in this bill human beings and we are that is being amended. And bound to make mistakes. It as stewards of the law, I'm was published in the daily sure you are constrained news and announced on just as I am to make any Radio Nigeria that cut across further conversation on this all the federation and even matter because it is a pending on social media platforms. matter and it is before the And I’m sure that’s why we Supreme Court." have this kind of audience.