Exclusive: NASA denies report on 15-days darkness

Exclusive@ITRealms:

The United States (US) National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has denied confirmation of a 15-day straight darkness in the month of November 2015, ITRealms can authoritatively report.

NASA told ITRealms that no such confirmation was earlier issued to anybody of such darkness prediction, insisting that the report being peddled by some online platforms was not entirely correct.

ITRealms recalls that on July 14, 2015, a web site known as Newswatch33 published an article titled “NASA Confirms Earth Will Experience 15 Days of Complete Darkness in November 2015,” and claimed that NASA has confirmed that the Earth will experience 15 days of total darkness between November 15 and November 29, 2015. 

“The event, according to NASA, hasn’t occurred in over 1 Million years.

“Astronomers from NASA have indicated that the world will remain in complete darkness starting on Sunday, November 15, 2015 at 3 a.m. and will end on Monday, November 30, 2015 at 4:15 p.m. 

“According to officials, the “November Black Out” event will be caused by another astronomical event between Venus and Jupiter. 

“Charles Bolden, who was appointed to head of NASA by President Obama, issued a 1000 page document explaining the event to the White House.

“While Charles Bolden is a real NASA official, the Newswatch33 web site is not a legitimate news outlet. Newswatch33 is a fake news site began darkening the doorstep of social media networks shortly after the nearly identical NewsWatch28 fake news site shut down in mid-2015. “Moreover, the “15 days of darkness” yarn was lifted from an older (debunked) viral rumor that has been around the online block several times before. 

“Newswatch33 has hoaxed social media users a number of times since its inception, falsely claiming that supporters raised $4 million for the defense of Charleston shooting suspect Dylann Roof, that a girl was electrocuted by her iPhone’s earbuds, that Jay-Z and Beyonce purchased the rights to the Confederate flag, and that the federal government had impregnated inexpensive cigars with listening devices.

But responding to ITRealms exclusive inquiries, NASA through the media earth science officer Mr. Stephen Cole, said that the report was not accurate.

“NASA has not stated there will be any long periods of darkness,” he asserted.

NASA's vision, ITRealms recollects, is to “reach for new heights and reveal the unknown so that what we do and learn will benefit all humankind.”  

 +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)  with additional reports from m.snopes.com

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Donu Kogbara regains freedom

The Vanguard columnist, Ms Donu Kogbara, abducted by gunmen on August 30, 2015, has been released reports ITRealms.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, according to Elombah.com and Vanguard .com, confirmed Ms Kogbara’s release and regaining of her freedom.

This, ITRealms gathered was via a press statement on Saturday morning, indicating that  the Vanguard columnist held for 11 days has reunited with her family.

Part of the press statement read: “Donu Kogbara has been freed by her abductors in the early hours of today, 4:00 am.”

Although it was not certain at the press time whether a ransom was paid.  

“We can confirm she has been reunited with her family,” the Mohammad pointed out in his press statement.

ITRealms gathered that kidnapping for ransom has become a common way of life in the Nigeria’s oil-rich region.

 

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ANEEJ accuses NNPC, Swiss partners of shortchangin...

Naija AgroNet: ANEEJ accuses NNPC, Swiss partners of shortchangin...: NaijaAgroNet : The Executive Director, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor, has revealed tha... ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Airtel football clinic boosts Rising Stars with confidence, skills

ITRealms:

 

The Managing Director, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya has said the company’s football clinic is a platform to further develop the confidence and skills of the players discovered at the Airtel Rising Stars tournament, ITRealms reports.

He said: “The football clinic is an additional support that the Airtel Rising Stars platform offers exceptional talent who are discovered at the finals. Through the clinic, these young boys are nurtured and exposed to international football techniques and standard, thereby creating a window of opportunities to help them realize their dreams.”

The five-day Airtel football clinic, which is scheduled to run till Sunday, September 13^, 2015, in Lagos, ITRealms learnt, is facilitated by two experienced international coaches from PSV Holland, Lekatompessy Jerino and Rob Ernst, assisted by Coach Ifeoluwa Idowu of Youth Sports Foundation of Nigeria (YSFON), and Yisa Sofoluwe, ex Nigerian International.

The two coaches, Jerino and Rob, both UEFA trained coaches, will mentor and engage the young players in intensive training during the clinic as part of efforts to help the players hone their football skills and also prepare them for professional football career. The youngsters will also be exposed to developmental football techniques, which border on positional play, how to play shots on targets as well as health and fitness sessions

Sequel to the successful conclusion of the fifth edition of Airtel Rising Stars (ARS) U-17 tournament, the clinic organized for the most outstanding male and female players from the tournament, commenced at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos.

  

The participants, comprising 10 male and 10 female players, include Nnandozie Chiamaka, Favour Emmanuel, Chinwe Akabike, Seun Anani, Angela Mosindi, Ekun Folashade, Oyelade Oyebola, Uduakobong Rita, Juliet Bassey and Taibat Odueke

Others are Simon Precious, Etiti Solomon, Eshu Columba, Jayeoba Olaoluwakitan, Isa Saheed, Olubode Hassan, Oyekola Michael, Jacob Ballah, Evo Christopher and Aliyu Yahu Adam.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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15m Nigerians active on Facebook monthly via mobile

ITRealms:
 

Facebook  has released new statistics indicating that about 7.1 million Nigerians use Facebook daily while 15 million are active every month, ITRealms reports.
 
The new statistics also revealed that 2.2 million Kenyans use Facebook every day and 4.5 million each month, just as it showed that almost all these people are coming to Facebook on a mobile device: 100 per cent of Nigerian monthly users are active on mobile as are 95 per cent of Kenya’s monthly users.
 
This, ITRealms gathered, followed the recent announcement that Facebook’s active user population in Africa has grown by 20 per cent to 120 million in June 2015 from 100 million in September 2014. More than 80 per cent of these people access Facebook from their mobile phones. Now, 60 per cent of all Internet users in Africa are active on Facebook.
 
The newly appointed Head of Africa at Facebook, Nunu Ntshingila, in a press release noted that “At Facebook, we have a saying that we’re only 1 per cent done, and this couldn’t be truer for Facebook in Africa. I’m only beginning this journey, and I’m already incredibly inspired by the power of connection - from the smallest moments to fostering global conversations. Everyone on Facebook has a story, and I can’t wait to hear the stories from Kenya and Nigeria firsthand.”
 
Ntshingila went further to say, “Mobile is not a trend; it’s the fastest adoption of disruptive technology in history of communication. It’s also an incredibly personal device regardless of where a person lives or how they connect, and businesses need to reach people where they are, not where they were, in an authentic, personal and relevant way. I look forward to spending time with businesses across Africa to understand how we can work together.”
 
Facebook recently opened its first office in Africa to further the company’s commitment to help businesses connect with people and grow locally and regionally. The new office, ITRealms reports,  is the next step in furthering Facebook’s investment in Africa and its people. The team in Africa will focus initially on Kenya (East Africa), Nigeria (West Africa), and South Africa (Southern Africa).
 
Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Pix: Nunu Ntshingila,

Etisalat doles out N4.61m prize for Literature

ITRealms:

This year’s winner of the prestigious Etisalat Prize for Literature will receive £15,000, about N4.61 million along with a high-end device and trip on an Etisalat-sponsored book tour in three major cities, ITRealms gathered.

ITRealms learnt this much when the Nigeria’s leading innovative telecommunications operator, Etisalat Nigeria announced the closing of entries for its 2015 Prize for Literature. The annual literary prize, which is in its third year, is the first ever pan-African prize that celebrates first time writers of published fiction and aims at discovering and promoting the teeming creative talents spread across the African continent.

The Head, Events and Sponsorship, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani, who spoke about the entries which opened on June 18 and closed on August 27, expressed satisfaction with the exercise and the growing cognizance of the prize among literary buffs, even as this year’s winner will also be awarded a fellowship at the prestigious University of East Anglia and mentored by Professor Giles Foden.

 ITRealms reports.

“Judging from the volume and quality of entries received this year, there is no doubt that Africa is blessed with talented and inspiring writers who are challenged to tell their stories and influence their world through literature. Lovers of literary works will be thrilled by the long list of books to be released in November, this year”, she said.

In just 6 years of operations, ITRealms reports, Etisalat Nigeria has become a major industry player with a growing subscriber base of over 22 million in a highly competitive market. Its portfolio of voice and data-centric products include – easy starter, easycliq, easybusiness, and easyblaze; all tailor-made to meet the needs of its customers.

Etisalat Nigeria is one of the 19 operations of the Etisalat Group that spans across Africa, Middle East and Asia serving over 182 million subscribers; and it is committed to delivering innovative and quality services to its growing subscribers. 

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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NCS invites members to GITEX 2015

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has beckon on members nationwide to key into the 2015 edition of the Nigerian delegation to the GiTEX Technology show, slated for Dubia between 18 and 22 October, this year, reports ITRealms.

NCS made this call in one of its newsletters, describing GITEX as the biggest technology show in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA).

Officials of NCS also recalled that Nigeria was the official country partner for GITEX for its 2014 edition held at the Dubai World Trade Center.

According to NCS, some of the benefits for its members taking place in GITEX 2015 include the opportunities to connect with over 139,000 Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals anticipated to come from 144 countries.

In addition, NCS said members are likely to benefit by way of working with the over 3,567 ICT companies from 54 countries, interaction with over 80% of the top ICT brand worldwide, stressing that there are direct business opportunities with decision markers around the world.

Equally, members of the Nigerian delegation, NCS pointed out would pave the way for the promotion and attraction of Nigeria's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) opportunities to would-be investors across the globe, as well as showcasing the Nigeria brand to watch in the global ICT sector. 

NCS also invited members to participate by reaching out to be part of the sponsorship cum exhibitor as trade visitors to GITEX 2015.

They were encouraged to contact the chairman, Local Organising Committee for GITEX 2015, Dr. Vincent Olatunji or Segun Oruame, who represents the media trade partners in the country.

Even as more details could be received from NCS, NITDA and ITEdge websites respectively.

The call by NCS was in follows the earlier invite extended to stakeholders by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to join the Nigerian Delegation to GITEX Technology show 2015.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 
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PDP criticizes Alaibe, says dredging as major policy selfish

ITRealms:

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State has said that Timi Alaibe, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant is interested in dredging because he owns the biggest dredging machines in Nigeria, ITRealms reports.

The PDP on Thursday made mockery of the idea of dredging as a major policy thrust whichAlaibehad in a recent electronic media advertisement stated that he would favour dredging as a major means of economic development and empowerment if he wins.

As a result, ITRealms gathered, the PDP Secretary in Bayelsa State,KekuGodspower, in a press statement in Yenagoa, said such proposal was bereft of “clear thinking” on the challenge of empowerment and development in the state.The party wondered what significant economic value and benefit dredging would bring to the people of the state as proposed by Alaibe.

He said, “Frankly speaking, the PDP is surprised by Alaibe’s thought process on issues of governance and development. By making dredging a core policy thrust of his administration, if elected, obviously exposes his shallowness; it shows that the man lacks strategic thinking and bereft of clear cut ideas on how to advance the course of governance and development of the state. In a 21^{st century} where deep knowledge and big ideas are shaping public policies and development issues, Alaibe is talking about dredging. It’s ridiculous."

Keku berated the governorship aspirant for entering into the race, adding that given the shallowness of his ideas, he has “nothing fantastic” to offer the people of the state, ITRealms learnt.

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Pix: Timi Alaibe,

Delta: Absence of statistics, database bane of unemployment

ITRealms:

The absence of comprehensive statistics and database has been identified as reason there is dearth of job creation in Delta State, ITRealms reports.

The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, said such factors mitigate against effective job creation initiatives and past youth empowerment programmes in the state.

In addressing the challenge, ITRealms gathered, the governor said the state government has launched a database of unemployed youths in the state through the job and wealth creation scheme, which promises to keep the youths off the streets.

 “By the next six months when the next phase begins, we will simply pull out the next set of participants from the database, so, there is opportunity for as many as are qualified to be enlisted in subsequent phases of the scheme,” he stated.

The governor was speaking at the Songhai-Delta, Amukpe in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State recently, where he flagged off the training of1,645 young men and women who were part of the agricultural programme of the state government.

The gathering included young school leavers, graduates and others who are among a batch of 6,000 youths targeted in one of the state government wealth creation programme tagged Youth Agricultural Entrepreneurs Programme (YAGEP) and Skills Training and Entrepreneurship Programme (STEP).

“Today’s event is undeniable proof that our administration’s S.M.A.R.T agenda is well and truly on course; it goes without saying that job and wealth creation are the bedrock of the S.M.A.R.T agenda, with YAGEP and STEP as the flagship programmes and other programmes under the Job and Wealth Creation Scheme are Production and Processing Support Programme (PPSP), Development of Agro-Industries, and Extension of Microcredit,” the governor said.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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