Registrar warns candidates, parents, guardians over post UTME

ITRealms:

The Registrar, University of Uyo (UNIUYO), Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Edak U. Umondak, has warned candidates, parents and guardians to be vigilant as impostors and criminals may try to defraud them in the oncoming Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Aptitude Test, ITRealms learnt.

The warning came on the heels of alarm raised by parents as the August 21, 2015 date for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) –based UTME test for admission into UNIUYO, is days away.

The parents who said syndicates have hijacked the process, ITRealms gathered, decided to register their anger when they stormed the Correspondent Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Uyo, on Wednesday, claiming that the ICT section of the institution had put the admission up for sale to the highest bidder.

An anonymous parent who spoke on behalf of the protesters said that he was asked to pay N250, 000 for his son who wanted to study Law in the institution and that another parent was asked to pay N300, 000 for her daughter who intended to study Medicine.

"They called me that August 17, 2015 is the deadline to pay N250, 000 for my son who is applying to read Law in the institution; that I should pay the amount for the score to be allocated before the examination date, or else my son would write the test alone at the risk of not entering the institution this year," he added.

Another parent, according to All Africa.com,  Mrs. Namso Ekanem, said "even before this ICT-based examination, the scam was already in the system, my daughter had beat the required score to read Law, but was refused admission for those who were able to pay the prescribed fee for the Course"

The Management of the institution, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Ekpo, ITRealms reports,  however denied the scam, explaining that such allegation is to dent the image of the institution, while the Director of Information and Public Relations Mr. Godfrey Essien, in an interview, said that the practice of examination fraud and agent of malpractices had given the School an image problem, adding that UNIUYO has put a "water tight security" to curtail such problem in the forthcoming test.

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NIG conference platform for broadband penetration strategy

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The President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG),Engr. Adebayo Banjo said the organization’s conference and exhibition which is an annual event is designed as a platform for industry stakeholders and the public to gather and strategize on contemporary industry issues, ITRealms reports.

NIG, which is a non-governmental organization that promotes Internet usage in Nigeria has announced plans to host her Annual Conference and Exhibition 2015 edition slated for August 27 and 28, 2015 in Lagos, with the theme 'Internet Penetration: The Way Forward'.

Banjo, ITRealms gathered, hinted that among issues lined up for discussion include issues of critical success factors to the infrastructure provision, improved broadband penetration, appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks and political-will of the government to implement right policies.

The NIG boss said the conference has plans to invite Nigerian and international experts to address key issues especially as it regards the theme of the conference just as Thisday’s report, said the conference will serve as a vehicle for corporate bodies and organizations to display their products and services before stakeholders and guests.

The former Honourable Minister of Communication, Engr. Olawale Ige will serve as the Chairman of the occasion while the Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Peter Jack will present keynote address.

The NIG president said there will be the NIG Annual General Meeting on the second day of the conference even as he thanked the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the MTN Nigeria for their supports,  ITRealms also reports.

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Pix:,Engr. Adebayo Banjo

Anambrarians, inheritors of extra-ordinary legacies – Gov. Obiano

ITRealms:

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has described Anambrarians as inheritors of extra-ordinary legacies, reports ITRealms.

Gov. Obiano made this declaration at a lecture delivered at the Distinguished Lecture Series of the Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, yesterday, asserting that Anambrarians are known for trail-blazing and not second fiddle.

“So, right from the outset, we set out to reign in the hearts and minds of Ndi Anambra by evoking the great epics and folklores of our ancestors,” he said.

Obiano also said that his administration is deploying what he defined as ‘The Software of Governance”, which he reminded the citizens of the Anambra State, that they have come a long way as pioneers and cannot settle for anything less.

He recalled that on assumption of office in Anambra State, hence, his administration was quick to realize that it was not enough to win election with the physical structures because there is need to build in the state.

“We recognised the fact that actual victory would be won in the psychology of the people. So, right from the outset, we set out to reign in the hearts and minds of Ndi Anambra by evoking the great epics and folklores of our ancestors,” he said.

As said by Gov. Obiano, his earliest speeches were laced with echoes of “who we are and the great ancestry we have.”

Pointing out that its crucial to remind Anambrarians that they are the inheritors of extra-ordinary legacies and we have an obligation to leave worthier legacies for our children.

In pursuit of this, his administration conceptualised and introduced a new logo for the state that would serve as a subtle reminder of this heritage.

“We also introduced a most inspiring piece of song as the Anambra Anthem,” he said, stressing that it swept through the schools and colleges like a forest fire and offered Anambra children a fresh set of mental pictures of who they are.

“We also sought to win by giving governance a human face; clearing pensions owed senior citizens and responding to the cries of the civil servants with a 15 per cent increase in salaries at a time that oil prices were crashing and states were grappling with the reality of shrinking revenues. These gestures are the software of governance,” he said.

In addition, Gov. Obiano said his administration sees aforementioned as important as building roads and bridges, which are not left out of achievements in the state.

“We made sure that Ndi Anambra could visualise themselves in the New Anambra of our dream and that they liked the picture they saw. That is the software of leadership,” Gov. Obiano said.

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Pix: Gov. Obiano

Adesina advises media to learn from 2015 general elections reportage

PR@ITRealms:

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina Thursday formally presented the report of the media coverage of the 2015 general elections to the public with a call on the media practitioners to digest and learn from the recommendations.

 

Mr Adesina who spoke in Abuja while presenting the book, “Reportage of 2015 Elections: Monitoring Scorecard of Print and Online Media”, enjoined the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) to ensure that it is widely circulated.

The project jointly undertaken by the International Press Council (IPC) and the Nigerian Press Council (NPC) was funded by donors- EU, UKAid, the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development under the Democratic Governance fore Development (DGD) Project managed by the UNDP.

According to the Presidential Media Adviser, it was good that the 2015 electoral process was measured and evaluated, saying it would guide media practitioners in the coverage of future elections.

While noting that there were lapses in the media reportage of the last general elections, Mr Adesina however, posited that "the negatives and positives are work in progress”.

The UNDP’s Media Advisor, Mrs Toyin Gabriel, who also represented the DGD Project Director, expressed delight that after a long process, the IPC and NPC were able to produce a world class report that can stand the test of time.

She said the project was undertaken meticulously with a view to proving that there are Nigerian institutions that can deliver high value project. 

Mrs Gabriel said the stake was very high to deliver a product that the sponsors can be proud of and thanked the contributors for a job well done.

In his review prior to the presentation, the Director, International Press Centre, Mr Lanre Arogundade, said the scope of the project covered six-month period from November 2014 to April 2015.

He said 12 national newspapers were monitored during the period. They were- Daily Sun, The Nation, National Mirror, Vanguard, The Punch, ThisDay, Daily Independent, The Guardian, Nigerian Tribune, Daily Champion, Leadership and Daily Trust.

Also monitored were 10 regional newspapers - Nigerian Chronicle, Daily Star, Nigerian Observer, Nigerian Pilot, Abuja Inquirer, Peoples’ Daily, Blueprint, The Gleaner, Desert Herald, and Fresh Facts.

In addition, four online newspapers- The Tide, The Cable, Sahara Reporters and Premium Times as well as three social media platforms - Enough-is-Enough Nigeria, Reclaim Naija and INEC were monitored.

Mr Arogundade said “The period covered meant that it was possible to assess the performance of the concerned media outlets, prior to, during and immediately after the elections in the five topical areas of use of sources, conflict sensitivity, language use, coverage of issues and coverage of the election management body”.

 

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Lagos helicopter crash: two missing passengers found dead

ITRealms

 

The two remaining persons in the helicopter crash which occurred on Wednesday in the Lagos lagoon were on Thursday found dead, ITRealms reports.

Out of a total of twelve passengers, six were rescued alive and four dead until Thursday, when the remaining two people were found dead by a combined team of National Emergency Management Agency, its Lagos State counterpart, marine police, naval officers and local divers.

The two bodies recovered from the crash site, ITRealms gathered, were identified as that of the pilot and co-pilot.

Twelve passengers were on board the Bristow Helicopter which was said to have taken off from South-South and billed to arrive in Lagos about 3.35 p.m but plunged into Lagos lagoon in Owonroshoki before its arrival time

The National Emergency Management Agency said the wreckage is yet to be recovered and cause of the accident will be made known as soon as the plane recorder is recovered and played just as the  chopper’s manifest is also still being expected.

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Nigeria’s ICT better with BICSI standard

ITRealms

The Building Industry Consulting Service International (BICSI), Middle East and Africa District Chair, Ayman Aboslema, has stated that Nigeria’s economic potential will be better enhanced when the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry stakeholders embrace BICSI standards which will further reinforce her global positioning as one of the fastest growing economies.

ITRealms reports that this statement which is coming as a prelude to BICSI Nigeria’s one-day conference and exhibition for ICT industry stakeholders with the theme: “IT/Telecoms for National Growth and Development” has its focal point on how industry standardization and best practices can assist in Nation building.

The event slated for Thursday, August 20th, 2015 from 8 am at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos,  is expected to play host to industry giants, BICSI members and non-members in the ICT industry with the aim to chart a renewed course for ICT practice in Nigeria, ITRealms gathered.

The BICSI Nigeria Country Chair, Boye Oyerinde, in his remarks stated that “BICSI Nigeria in line with other global affiliates is drawing up a timely evaluation that will reposition the industry. We are set to impart industry stakeholders with standard requirement knowledge that are germane for the development of both private and public sectors of the economy.”

 BICSI conferences, Business Day report said, provide amazing benefits and resources to help increase your knowledge, build your career and also provide growth for your business. This event brings together attendees, exhibitors, Exhibit Hall visitors and guests from around the world seeking to enhance their knowledge of the information and communications technology (ICT) industry.

BICSI, ITRealms reports, is a global professional, non-profit association that supports the advancement of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) through knowledge and skill advancement for individuals and businesses. BICSI’s worldwide membership spans nearly 100 countries with nearly 23,000 ICT professionals, including designers, installers and technicians. These individuals provide the fundamental infrastructure for telecommunications, audio/video, life safety and automation systems.

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Pix:Ayman Aboslema

SIM card deactivation, not total withdrawal - NCC

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reacted to a spate of complaints following the deactivation of unregistered Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards by operators, as directed recently by the regulator, reports ITRealms.

NCC also said that only those subscribers who registered their SIM cards properly will have them reactivated.

NCC Director, Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo made this clarification, saying that the Commission has been saturated with inquiries, some of which alluded to the impression that their SIM cards have been withdrawn permanently. 

“This is not the situation,” he declared, adding that “the deactivation exercise and decision was a result of a meeting with the office of National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of State Service (DSS), the NCC and operators “after which the operators were given one-week to deactivate those unregistered and improperly registered SIM cards.”

The operators were specifically told that those subscribers whose lines were not registered and have not made any effort to register them should be communicated before deactivation.

“So the deactivation of these SIM cards is in line with that meeting. Subscribers who fail to register properly will have their lines deactivated but those who comply will have them reactivated,”Ojobo said.

“Proper registration means a subscriber’s facial pictures properly captured, biometrics/finger prints, valid means of identification, address, among others,” he explained.

Further, Ojobo said that these are part of the security measures to check incessant cases of crimes with the use of the telephone.

“People hide under anonymity to commit crimes because their lines are not registered, but all that has to change as the network operators have been told what to do,” he emphasized.

ITRealms reports that the ultimatum to deactivate unregistered SIM card expired on Tuesday this week.

The operators, he said, were told among others to ensure compliance of all registration with the Data Dictionary, Technical Specifications on Finger prints and facial images and the business rules agreed by all stakeholder.

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