Huawei signs strategic partnership with Fidelity Bank

ITRealms:

Fidelity Bank, has signed a strategic partnership with Huawei, the global Information and Communications Technology (ICT) solutions provider, to end the banks storage challenges, ITRealms reports.

The bank’s storage system was increasingly and steadily stretched by its sheer volume of business as it serves millions of customers daily across the West African sub region, thereby risking a potential drop in the bank’s service delivery. In addition, the bank’s backup system required optimization to ensure an even more stable and effective ICT system.

Prologue to the partnership, ITRealms gathered from the bank’s site, commenced in March 2014 at the CeBIT event where the Huawei’s financial solutions unit met officials of Fidelity Bank who were attending the conference in search of internationally reputable companies to partner with for their ICT needs. Then the two parties agreed to work together, with Huawei mandated to enhance the bank’s storage capacity and resolve the performance bottlenecks in the system.

According to the information, in September 2014, after three months of rigorous POC testing, Huawei`s S6800 and DR solutions achieved excellent results, with all pre-agreed indicators exceeding the bank’s expectations by more than 20 per cent minimum, while IOPS reached about 300K to meet the daily business requirement, and the RTO time came down to minutes level. This project has been designed to support the accelerated growth rate of Fidelity bank’s business expansion over the next 3 year.

 ITRealms learnt, Huawei’s solutions have gained a high rating from the client. “Based on its industry-leading hardware specifications, the S6800T integrates the advanced technologies of high-density disk design, Turbo Module (high-density and hot-swappable I/O modules), and Turbo Boost (three-level performance boost), and multi-level data protection, satisfying the application requirements of large OLTP/OLAP databases, Internet operation, centralized storage, backup, disaster recovery, and data migration.

“The S6800 is widely used in the international finance industry, with ICBC being the biggest user, utilizing the device to carry 16 forms of business data, including A / Class B business 5, C / Class D business 11.The A class of applications contain ICBC’s front and pedestrian front as the most critical business applications; it is worthy of note that the ICBC provides high reliability yet low TCO”.

Fidelity Bank, ITRealms also reports, is currently ranked amongst the top 10 banks in Nigeria, with a network of over 220 branches nationwide, and a presence in all the 36 states and major cities around the country.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

 
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Mokuro Idisi emerges presidential candidate in Spain

ITRealms

Helen Mokuro Idisi , a Delta State born Nigerian has emerged the presidential candidate of a popular opposition party in the forthcoming elections in Spain, ITRealms reports.

 Idisi, an achiever, a lawyer and forensic expert is following the example of Barack Obama, the Kenyan-born who became America’s first black President, she set a new record as the first immigrant – and first woman – to be the presidential flag bearer of a political party in Spain.

Idisi says, “I went into politics because we have to become more involved in decisions that affect us as citizens and we have an obligation to ensure the legacy we leave to future generations… I saw the need to go into politics as a means to making my explanation of political leadership that suits the interest of the people and I’m ready to listen and care for the needs of constituents.”

Helen, who is also a criminologist and author of many books, ITRealms gathered, gained prominence in Spanish politics when she founded a political party, Union De Todos, and became the first Nigerian-Spanish to contest for the position of Mayor of Denia in May this year. Although she lost the election, she became even more popular as endorsements came in from several people for the Presidency. She will be running on the platform of the party she founded.

ITRealms  gathered that Idisi worked briefly at the Ministry of Agriculture before working in the Governor’s office until 1992 when she travelled to Spain. A law graduate, she holds several academic qualifications which include two masters’ degrees and three postgraduate certificates in diverse fields. She has worked for the Red Cross, was CEO and President at the African Europe Chamber of Commerce and at the National Agency of Forensic Experts, Mediators and Technical Professionals of Spain and Europe. She currently owns and runs a law firm in Spain.

The 2015 Spanish general election would be held on or before Sunday, December 20, 2015. She will contest against the incumbency seeking a second term and a candidate from a powerful opposition party. Meanwhile, she is the daughter of Mr. Anthony Mukoro, the late Director General of the Defunct Bendel State Government Treasury’s Cash Office, and Mrs. Mary Mukoro.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE with additional report from ministry of Agriculture website.
 
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IPOB condemns Onitsha killings

ITRealms:

The Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the recent killings of some Biafrans who were on peaceful protest for the Independence of Biafra in Onitsha, reports ITRealms.

In a petition to the Federal Government of Nigeria, IPOB in a press statement made available to ITRealms endorsed by the Secretary-General, Brig Gen Joe Achuzia (rtd) and Public Relations Officer, Eze Iheanyi Nwokenna, said protesters were killed and massacred by the agents of the Nigerian Government, the Defendants in the on-going case in Suit No FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 between Biafra and Nigeria in the Federal High Court Owerri.

IPOB quoted an eye-witness who survived the massacre who testified as follows: “As we were walking towards the bridge, giving people our flyers, we heard gunshots and people started falling down. That was when I realised they were shooting at us. Many of us ran for our lives, and when the sound of the gunshots subsided, we went back to help those that sustained serious bullet wounds. Three of our comrades were confirmed dead on the spot and over thirty people sustained serious wounds. This morning I woke up to hear that four more have died in the hospital”. 

IPOB, therefore, strongly condemned the gruesome murder of the unarmed children of Biafra by the Nigerian Government.

“We are surprised that the Defendants could exhibit such barbaric and despicable act of human rights violation against the children of the Claimants. We have noted that the children were misguided by the operators of the pirate Radio Biafra into protesting on the street for secession of Biafra without the approval of the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra instead of following the due process of law for self-determination going on in the Federal High Court Owerri,” they group said.

They also asserted strongly, that the Defendants had no right to take the laws into their hands and kill the children of the Claimants even if misguided by the Director of Radio Biafra whom we have ostracised from the Biafra Independence Movement.

“As the Governing Council constituting the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), we now put the Defendants on NOTICE that we hold them responsible for the murder and or the extrajudicial killing of our children and shall in due course commence proceedings in the appropriate Court against the Nigerian Government for redress,” IPOB said.

Recalling that the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) are in Court with Nigeria in a representative capacity by the agency of a human rights organization called Bilie Human Rights Initiative seeking to exercise their rights to self-determination as guaranteed by law. 

As said by IPOB, the law protects them to seek for independence by the rule of law based on both the Nigerian law and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 2007.They insisted that the legal right to self-determination is different from the call for secession by violence being preached by the operators of Radio Biafra. 

The Leader of Indigenous People of Biafra is His Royal Majesty, His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu OFR, while the Deputy Leader is Dr Dozie Ikedife OON, JP, both of whom were Past Presidents of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

 
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Gov. Dickson sets Abuja agog, submits nomination form, insists PDP 'll get victory

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, accompanied by opinion leaders and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in the State, on Friday in Abuja submitted his PDP nomination and forms for his expression at the party’s national headquarters, reports ITRealms.

The Governor, who was accompanied by the first elected Governor of the State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former Deputy Governor, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, present and past members of the National and State Legislature as well as women and youth groups, created a carnival atmosphere in most parts of Abuja and the PDP national secretariat.

Hon. Dickson while speaking expressed confidence in the ability of the PDP to win the December 5th governorship election in the State, noting that, the PDP remains the only party with realistic ideologies and notable presence at the grassroots level.

He stated that Bayelsans would remain eternally grateful to the PDP for creating the platform for a son of the State to occupy the highest leadership position in the country, pointing out that, the All Progressives Congress, APC in Bayelsa State, is a party of governorship candidates, without followers.

According to him, the PDP has delivered on its mandate like it has never done before, with its achievements visible for all Bayelsans to see for themselves, pointing out that, what the opposition is known for is propaganda in the pages of newspapers.

The countriman Governor expressed gratitude to the elders and political leaders, who accompanied him to the ceremony, stressing that, with the level of support and commitment being demonstrated by persons of their caliber, who are the authentic leaders of their local governments, wards and units, the PDP is assured of a resounding victory at the polls.

Governor Dickson also used the occasion to call on agencies of the government, who would be involved in the elections to act professionally and in line with democratic tenets, as anything short could spell doom for the Nation’s growing democracy.

Earlier, welcoming the governor to the party secretariat, the National Organising Secretary of the PDP, Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha, extolled the leadership qualities of Governor Dickson, noting that, the he has faithfully delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of the State in all sectors.

He commended the leaders of the party in the State for their unity of purpose and support for the governor, who has made the party proud by his actions.

Also speaking when the Bayelsa State Governor paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Wadata Plaza, the PDP Acting National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, stressed with satisfaction the Governor’s commitment to the development of the State and assured him that, the national secretariat will put all the necessary machinery in place towards the organization of a credible, free and fair governorship primaries in the State, after which it will collaborate with the state branch to work for the eventual candidate of the PDP for the December 5th election.

Correspondent:

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Woman disrupts bank service over alert

ITRealms:

A woman in her early 70s, Friday, brought bank service to an abrupt halt for not receiving bank alert, ITRealms reports.

The woman simply addressed as Alhaja, lamented inability of her business partner to receive confirmation for payment she (Alhaja) made early in the morning for supply of goods by the intended recipient of the money.

After waiting endlessly for her goods and discovering it was 3pm, and that the bank was the problem, she decided to pay unsolicited visit to bank.

Trouble started when the banking hall of  one of the first generation bank at Bolade, Oshodi, was thrown into pandemonium as the woman, the size of Yokozona  the wrestler, was wailing and climbing the first floor, location of the banking hall, shouting that her money was collected from her and inserted into a “casket” (basket).

According to her, “N30,000 is not a small money, they take my money and put into a casket.” 

That was the translation ITRealms received from other customers who could decode  the deep Yoruba accent of the elderly woman.

This revelation, ITRealms reports, threw customers into uncontrollable laughter even as the bank manager and other high echelons of the bank rallied round to post the money with alacrity because the woman refused to leave the banking hall unless her money was posted instantly.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

 

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UNICEF raises alarm as Europe refugee crisis deepens

ITRealms:

The Executive Director, United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) Anthony Lake, has raised alarm over the increasing refugee challenges in Europe, ITRealms reports.

Lake expressed his bewilderment and worry in the following words: “Heart-breaking images of children’s bodies washing up on the shores of Europe … lying suffocated in the backs of trucks crossing borders … being passed over barbed wire fences by desperate parents.

“As the migrant and refugee crisis in Europe deepens, these will not be the last shocking images to ricochet around the world on social media, on our televisions screens and on the front pages of our newspapers.But it is not enough for the world to be shocked by these images. Shock must be matched by action. For the plight of these children is neither by their choice nor within their control. They need protection. They have a right to protection.

“We urge that the following measures be taken:Protect these children through the provision of essential services at all times – including health care, food, emotional support, and education – and adequate shelter for migrants and refugees that keep families together, Deploy adequate numbers of trained child welfare experts to support children and their families.

“Continue search and rescue operations – not only at sea, but also on land, as families move across countries – and make every effort to prevent the abuse and exploitation of migrant and refugee children.Put the best interests of children first in all decisions made regarding these children – including in asylum cases.

“Our hearts go out today to the families who have lost children – off the coasts, on the shores, and along the roadsides of Europe. As the debates on policies proceed, we must never lose sight of the deeply human nature of this crisis. 

 At least a quarter of those seeking refuge in Europe are children – in the first six months of this year, more than 106,000 children claimed asylum in Europe, ITRealms learnt.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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RedStar Express reiterates commitment to CSR

 ITRealms

The Chairman, RedStar Express Plc, Dr. Mohammed H. Koguna, has reiterated the company’s commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), ITRealms reports.

He said that 11 additional scholarships were awarded to students from different schools in the Western and Eastern Regions of Nigeria under the Red Star Foundation Scheme, adding that under the poverty alleviation arm of the Foundation, various items were given to missionary hospitals – Saint Catherine Hospital; Ahmadiyya Clinic Apapa and SOS Children Village as well as Nigerian Red Cross Society, ITRealms gathered..

Koguna was speaking at the company’s 22^ndAnnual General Meeting (AGM) held in Lagos. He noted that, despite the challenging business environment, depreciation of the Naira, slides in crude oil prices resulting in reduction in government revenue, dearth of infrastructure and other macro dynamics of the economy, the company was able to not just remain in business but returned some profit.

Red Star Express  at the AGM, announced N6.7billion turnover  for the financial year ended March 31, 2015 and a profit after tax of N611million representing one percent increase in profit over 603.9 million profit for last year.

In keeping with the company’s commitment in the creation of wealth for shareholders and in appreciation of their support at all times, the company has declared dividend of 35 kobo per 50 kobo share, amounting to N206.3 million, a gesture commended by shareholders.

ITRealms reports.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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