Tribunal nullifies Wike’s election, calls for re-run

ITRealms:

The electoral tribunal sitting in Abuja, Saturday, October 24, nullified the election of Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State, even as it ordered that a re-run be conducted in the state, ITRealms reports.

Wike’s election was being challenged at the tribunal in a petition filed by Dakubu Peterside, the gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The APC alongside its gubernatorial candidate had been contesting the declaration of Governor Wike by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the winner of the Rivers state governorship poll in the April 11 gubernatorial election.

ITRealms learnt that Governor Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had asked the tribunal to dismiss the petition for lacking in substance and merit.

INEC had declared Wike who contested on the platform of the PDP as the winner of the election having scored a total of 1,029,102 votes as against Peterside’s 124,896.

However, the APC and Peterside in their petition filed on May 3, had urged the tribunal to nullify the election in the entire 23 local government areas of the state and order fresh one on the account of alleged substantial non-compliance with provisions of the Electoral Act and Manual for Election Officers 2015, ITRealms gathered.

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Okere @ CBS to share economic breakthroughs in emerging markets

 ITRealms:

Founder, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) Plc and member of the World Economic Forum Business Council on Intrapreneurship and Innovation, Mr. Austin Okere would be returning to the Columbia Business School (CBS) in New York on October 27, 2015, reports ITRealms.

In a public statement endorsed by CWG, ITRealms gathered that Mr. Okere would be teach at the Eugene Lang Entrepreneurship Center at CBS on “Riding on the Sharing Economy to break into Emerging Markets.”

For what has been tagged the CWG 2.0, Mr. Okere would be using the platform to draw attention to partnership opportunities in the sub-Saharan Africa.

ITRealms also reports that Mr. Okere’s engagement would open on October 27 by 12:30pm till 2pm at Uris Hall 326 with a refreshment of pizza available for participants.

Okere was quoted as underscoring the fact that shifting consumer behavior and the penetration of broadband and mobile technology has given rise to a new sharing economy aptly referred to as the On-Demand economy.

He also pointed out that this has created platform for partnerships to break into the high growth emerging economies with innovative products and services.

“Come and explore and engage,” he invited.

ITRealms recalls that Mr. Okere with his experience as the founder of CWG since 23 years ago is indicative of the growth that the company has made as it records a $130 million revenue, listed as the largest ICT security on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (NSE).

Recently, ITRealms recollects, the World Economic Forum recognized CWG as a WEF Global Growth Company in addition to several other recognition across the continent of Africa.

Interested participants are urged to register at http://bit.ly/EIROKERESPR15, while appointment could be scheduled via Chris Bustamante.

 +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

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TCL says Alcatel Onetouch sales rose by 20%

ITRealms:

TCL Communication has revealed that its mobile brand Alcatel OneTouch sales volume rose by 20 per cent, year on year, reports ITRealms.

The company made this revelation in an unaudited results for the third quarter of 2015, saying that in the period ending September 30, 2015, an increase in sales of smart devices met the group’s overall revenue grew of 1 per cent over the same nine-month period in 2014 to reach HK$20.3 billion, with net profit up by 4 per cent year on year to reach HK$772 million.

According to the Chief Executive Officer, TCL Communication, Dr. Guo Aiping, despite a sluggish world economy and other factors, the Group’s gross profit margin rose slightly to a healthy 20.2 per cent.

He said that during the period under review, the total sales volume of handsets and other products grew 14 per cent year-on-year to 55.4 million units, with 50.5 million units sold overseas and 4.9 million units sold in China.

“Sales volume of smart devices increased by 20 per cent year on year to 31.1 million units, accounting for 56 per cent of the Group’s total shipments,” he said.

Also, Aiping noted that the Group continues to take advantage of the growing market demand for cost-effective and multifunctional smartphones to broaden its worldwide market share.

On the third quarter launches and fourth quarter plans, the CEO said the group unveiling of varieties of innovative products including the shockproof, waterproof and dustproof GO PLAY smartphone and GO WATCH smartwatch, which supports both Android and iOS operating systems, as well as the launch of Xess, an extra-large, 17.3-inch-screen tablet.

“In the coming quarter, the Group will build on the strengths of different markets and adopt targeted strategies for each of its six designated business regions, which include deepening relationships with operators and launching more entry-level 4G smartphones, tablets and wearable devices,” he assured.

Aiping stressed that the Group would also strengthen its open-market channels and e-commerce platforms in order to be well prepared for upcoming peak seasons, such as Christmas.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA +Alcatel-Lucent LA
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Buhari appoints Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita as Acting Head, CSF

ITRealms:

The Nigerian President,Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd), has approved the appointment of Mrs. Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita, FCA, as the Acting Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (CSF), ITRealms reports. 

The appointment took effect from Wednesday, October21, 2015.  

Mrs. Oyo-Ita, who until her appointment was the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, hails from Odukpani Local Government, Cross River State. 

 A press statement bythe Director, Press, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Bolaji Adebiyi, made available to ITRealms said the appointment is “a testimony of Mr. President’s implicit confidence and trust” in her ability to discharge the responsibilities of the office of Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
 
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Senate finally screens Amaechi, 4 others

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Senate has finally screened the former Governor of Rivers State, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as a ministerial nominee, ITRealms reports.

Amaechi who was led into the chamber by his party Chairman Chief Odigie Oyegun and Special Adviser to the President on National Assembly (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, has been on the waiting list since the commencement of the screening exercise in the senate.

ITRealms gathered that the other senators screened, Thursday, include Heineken Lokpobiri form Bayelsa, Cladius Omoleye Daramola from Ondo, Mustapha Baba Shehuri and James E. Ocholi from Kogi State.

Amaechi’s screening became possible following the formal receipt by the Senate of report of the Senator Samuel Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition, over a petition bordering on allegations of fraudulent practices during his tenure as the governor of the state.

Although the screening did not go without some interlude in form of interruptions.: Senators of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by Sen. Godswill Akpabio raised a point of order, stating that content of the report of the Senator Anyanwu-led committee should have been made known to the Senate, before Amaechi’s screening. Akpabio noted that the PDP-caucus in the Senate had reached a resolution not to ask Amaechi questions.

According to Vanguard , another dramatic scene unfolded in the upper chamber with fierce opposition from PDP Senators, when Senate Leader, Ali Ndume, pointed that that the report on Amaechi had already been laid before the Senate by Senator Anyanwu, adding that copies will be handed to senators shortly. Ndume, however noted that being a former lawmaker, Amaechi should be allowed to take a bow.

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Chairman Zinox Group urges Buhari on free wireless Internet

ITRealms:

 

The Chairman/CEO, Zinox Group, Mr Stan Leo Ekeh, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari, to make available about N1billion to the telecommunications companies in Nigeria in order to provide free internet service for Nigerians, ITRealms reports.

Ekeh was speaking at the formal launch of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos. He stated that the President would have succeeded in writing his name in gold if he could provide wireless internet access to millions of Nigerians that voted for him during the election, adding that free internet access will ameliorate the high degree unemployment and suffering currently ravaging the nation.

Stan who said he played key role in transforming Nigerian Newspapers from analogue to digital, added:

 “I have a long history with GOCOP as someone who began his career online. Future wealth belongs to online platform because it provides veritable opportunity for the poorest man to become super rich. Online can help one alter existing equation whereby the rich becomes richer,” Ekeh stated.

He added that with the present state of the economy which is affecting the youth adversely, there should be a window for temporary measure to cushion such effects and that was the reason Yudala went into collaboration with Airtel to offer thousands of online marketing job opportunities to Nigerian youths under Yudala which currently boasts of 14 outlets in the country, saying that online will soon become the highest employer of labour in the country.

He cautioned those who go outside the ethics of the profession to destroy people’s characters and reputations

On his part, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, Femi Adeshina, in his keynote titled “Let your light shine” said online publishing can no longer be ignored, it can make or mar government as witnessed in Nigeria in the recent past. He said association of online publishers will bring credibility to the platform even as he assured government support to the group.

Adeshina said that in the past the public hardly believe what is posted online until they verify and confirm such story from the traditional newspapers but with the coming of GOCOP on board there will be sanity in the industry.

The President, GOCOP, Malachy Agbo , ITRealms gathered, had earlier welcomed the guests to the event, saying the role of the media in information dissemination cannot be overemphasized, adding that among other factors GOCOP was formed to bring sanity to the online platform even though he said self regulation may pose a difficult challenge, the group will do its best. He added that the association will leverage on the Cyber-law that was signed at the twilight of the immediate past administration to ensure stakeholders play according to rule of online publishing..

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Pix: from left,Special Assistant to President Buhari on Media, Femi Adeshina, Former Chaiman of The Punch Newspapers & Chairman of the  occasion, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola and Cairman/CEO, Zinox Group & Guest Speaker, Stan Leo Ekeh

IWA warns on detention of Nnamdi Kanu, demands unconditional release

ITRealms:

The Igbo World Assembly (IWA) has asked the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to free unconditionally the Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, describing him as the first political prisoner of the President Mohammadu Buhari administration, reports ITRealms.

The group in a press statement made available to ITRealms, IWA Chairman, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze and Secretary General, Mr. Oliver Nwankwor, said that Kanu is part of the Mass Media and should not be arrested or detained because of expressed opinions.

They noted that freedom of speech is guaranteed by Section 22 and Section 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution as amended and such right is also enshrined in the Geneva Convention Universal Human Right Declaration Article 19 when it stated that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression.”

IWA also said that the detention and harassment of Mr. Kanu, is an affront to a free press and speech of all Nigerians.

“Radio Biafra of which Nnamdi Kanu serves as the Managing Editor is part of the Mass Media and should not be arrested or detained because of their expressed opinions,” IWA said.

Insisting that effort at suppressing press freedom was associated with the dictatorship of the past military rule in the country.

They therefore, invited “All Igbo and indeed all Nigerians should defend press freedom and the right of Radio Biafra to express its views on Nigeria publicly. Igbos must not be subjected to a different treatment from other Nigerians.

“This incessant harassment and in some cases killing of members of Igbo organizations must be put to an end. MASSOB or Radio Biafra have not picked up arms against or challenged the Nigerian Government by force.

“Arrests and harassment of Igbo leaders is sending a wrong signal and message to young and newer generation of Igbos under 45 who did not witness the genocide war against people in the east,” IWA warned, emphasizing that elsewhere in the world, peaceful freedom movements are going on in Western Cameroon, Scotland; Quebec in Canada, Texas in the United States and nobody has been arrested or detained by the governments of these countries”, IWA noted.

The group further stated that all Nigerians of goodwill should join in the campaign to restore freedom of speech and movement in Nigeria which has been abridged by the arrest and detention of Kanu.

 

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Pix: IWA Chairman, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze