Headlines
ARCON gives Turkish firm seven-day ultimatum to pay N481m debt
The Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON) has given a Turkish firm, Hayat Kimya, a seven-day ultimatum to pay the N481 million debt it owes a Nigerian media planning and buying agency, Mainsail Media Limited.
The Director General of ARCON, Dr Olalekan Fadolapo, issued the ultimatum in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Fadolapo said the ultimatum followed several efforts made by stakeholders in the advertising industry to resolve the debt dispute between Hayat Kimya and Mainsail Limited.
He said that Hayat Kimya had been reluctant in paying its debt despite the intervention by the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON), the precursor to ARCON, and the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN).
It was gathered that Hayat Kimya Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of Hayat Holding, a Turkish enterprise with a strong presence in several countries including Nigeria.
The company is also a player in the FMCG sector and a member of the Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN).
Mainsail Media Limited, on the other hand, is a member of the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN).
The ARCON director general, in the statement, recalled that Kimya Head Office in Turkey had engaged Mainsail as its media independent agency to coordinate media buying and placement, working with Hayat Kimya Nigeria Limited.
He said the contract was initially for 12 months and renewable every December.
Fadolapo said sometime in June 2021, Hayat Kimya alleged that a whistle-blower sent information that Mainsail was fraudulent in executing media contract in connivance with a media monitoring service provider.
According to him, Hayat Kimya Head Office instituted investigation into the matter without the knowledge or involvement of its Nigeria office.
Fadolapo said that, notwithstanding the whistle-blowing, Hayat Kimya continued to conduct business with Mainsail until sometime in September 2021.
“Hayat Kimya disengaged Mainsail in November, 2021; the outstanding invoice as at the time was N481,349,854.45 (Four Hundred and Eighty -One Million, Three Hundred and Forty-Nine Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Four Naira, Forty-Five Kobo only).
“Hayat Kimya did not inform the management of Mainsail of the whistleblowing up until the meeting called by the advertising industry regulator – the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) now the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON),” he said.
Fadolapo said Hayat Kimya offices had ignored all correspondence from Mainsail and failed to liquidate the outstanding debt even though the investigation of the allegation had been ongoing for 12 months as of the time of the meeting.
He insisted that where the debt is not resolved within seven days, ARCON would be constrained to revoke all approvals to advertise issued to Hayat Kimya until the issue is resolved.
Fadolapo also said the regulator may decline further approval of all advertisement materials of Hayat Kimya until the issue is resolved.
He also said ARCON may enter the company’s name in the black book of the Nigerian Advertising Register.
Fadolapo further threatened that the regulator may petition other relevant government regulatory agencies to investigate the business and economic activities of Hayat Kimya in Nigeria.
This, he said, will be to determine whether such activities were carried out in an unethical manner and disregard government regulations.
The director general said that ARCON may also initiate the prosecution of Hayat Kimya or its officers where violation of any provision of the law was observed.
He gave an assurance that ARCON would continue to ensure ethical advertising and marketing communications practice in Nigeria.
(NAN)
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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