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Arise TV Accepts NBC Sanction, Pays N2m Fine Over ‘Fake News’ On Tinubu [PHOTO]

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Arise TV has accepted and paid the N2million fine slammed on it by the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) for airing fake news on the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

 

The TV station ran a story that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was investigating Tinubu over a court case in the US, a claim which was later denied by the electoral body.

 

This caused the NBC to slam a fine of N2 million on the TV station for breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code.

 

In a letter to the Director General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah by Arise TV General Counsel and Legal Adviser Ebunoluwa Awosika, the station said it accepted the fine for its error.

 

It also said all erring officers had already been punished, while also attaching the evidence of the payment of the N2million fine.

 

We are in receipt of your letter on the Breach of the Nigerian Broadcasting Code dated 13th of November 2022 but delivered to us today the 14th of November 2022 at midday.

 

There is no excuse for such a professional glitch. The purported press release aired in error on Saturday the 12th of November 2022 should not have been aired and it was gross negligence that it was allowed to air. In realizing the error, the Managing Editor immediately withdrew the content and issued an unreserved apology for the unfortunate incident.

 

“At Arise News Channel, we have the highest standards of professional conduct, ethics, and excellence with a painstaking process for news verification and authentication. This process was breached last Saturday when most editorial personnel were not on duty.

 

“The Ombudsman of the Arise News Channel was called in by the Board to investigate the breach and appropriate sanctions have been meted out to all concerned, including the suspension of a Deputy Director of News, for flouting our very stringent news gathering and broadcasting process.

 

“At Arise News Channel, we have zero tolerance for unverified reports and we assure you and our audiences that we have reviewed and tightened all the processes through which the error slipped through on a weekend.

 

“We take no sides with any political party or candidate and will continue to give equal access and coverage to all contestants.

 

“Please find attached, a bank draft for N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira) in fulfilment of your sanction.

 

“We will continue to work with you to uphold all standards of professional excellence in journalism and broadcasting for the greater good of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the letter read.

 

 

BIG STORY

US Agency To Probe Tesla’s ‘Full Self-Driving’ System After Pedestrian’s Death

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The US government is set to launch an investigation into Tesla’s “full self-driving” system following reports of four crashes in low-visibility conditions and the death of a pedestrian.

According to international media, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made the announcement on Thursday, citing incidents where multiple Tesla vehicles encountered poor visibility environments, including sun glare, fog, and airborne dust.

In addition to the pedestrian’s death, another crash resulted in an injury, the agency stated.

Investigators will examine the capability of “full self-driving” to “detect and respond appropriately to reduced roadway visibility conditions, and if so, the contributing circumstances for these crashes.”

The NHTSA said the probe will cover approximately 2.4 million Tesla vehicles from the 2016 to 2024 model years.

The agency also plans to determine whether any other similar crashes involving “full self-driving” have occurred under low visibility conditions.

The NHTSA is also seeking information from Tesla regarding any updates to the system that may have influenced its performance in these environments.

“In particular, his review will assess the timing, purpose and capabilities of any such updates, as well as Tesla’s assessment of their safety impact,” the agency said.

Tesla has already recalled “full self-driving” twice following investigations by the NHTSA, which in July gathered information from law enforcement and the company after a motorcyclist was struck and killed by a Tesla using the system near Seattle.

Reports from the Associated Press indicated the recalls were due to the system being programmed to run stop signs at low speeds and other violations of traffic laws.

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Students Set Kebbi College Provost’s Residence Ablaze Over Alleged Extortion

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Students at the College of Health Sciences and Technology in Jega, Kebbi State, have “set the residence of the Provost, Alhaji Haruna Saidu-Sauwa, on fire” and “vandalised his vehicle.”

The protest began due to allegations that the college management “extorted N23m from the students” for “index registration for 250 graduating students.”

According to a source, the controversy started with a newly introduced Public Health programme initially affiliated with the Reproductive Health and the Public Health Association of Nigeria.

The college then merged the programme with the Department of Environmental Health, leading to a demand for an additional “N65,000 from each student for index registration,” on top of the “N30,000 already paid.”

In response to the allegations of extortion, the students resorted to violent actions, including “stoning vehicles and setting the provost’s residence on fire.”

Several staff members fled before security personnel arrived.

The provost, Saidu-Sauwa, described the allegations as “fictitious, baseless and mischievous,” denying any involvement in extorting students.

He stated that the college uses a “Single Treasury Account” where all funds are deposited, and “no one has access to the account, including me.”

He further claimed that the protest was fueled by an anonymous source attempting to discredit the college, urging students and staff to “exercise restraint” while the cause of the unrest is fully investigated.

Following the intervention of security agencies, normalcy has returned to the college.

The Kebbi State Police Command indicated that more details will be provided after a report from the Divisional Police Officer in Jega is available.

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Army Seeks Nigerians’ Support In War Against Terrorism, Says “We Can’t Do It Alone”

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The Nigerian army has urged the public to provide support in the fight against terrorism. Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, noted that Nigeria is facing “asymmetric warfare” with non-state actors operating in various parts of the country.

In a video message on Friday, Musa emphasized that while the army is dedicated to restoring peace, success requires a “whole-of-society approach.”

He mentioned that Nigeria has a significant history of peacekeeping efforts both in Africa and internationally. Musa outlined the country’s current security challenges, including “Boko Haram and ISWAP in the northeast,” “banditry in the northwest,” “pipeline vandalism and sea piracy in the south-south,” and IPOB’s push for “secession” in the southeast.

Despite these ongoing issues, the armed forces are fully committed to ensuring peace across the nation. Musa also highlighted efforts to enhance “troop welfare” and training, aimed at creating a sense of normalcy in markets, schools, and the economy, especially in affected regions.

He reassured Nigerians that the military is a professional force focused on fulfilling its mission to restore “peace and security.” Musa urged the public to continue supporting the “government, the armed forces, and other security agencies” in this effort.

He concluded by stating, “We cannot do it alone… Together, we will succeed.”

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