Obiano rescues accident victim @ Adazi-Enu

ITRealms:

The Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano at the weekend rescued a woman accident victim by stopping his convey along Adazi-Enu axis of Awka-Nnew Road, reports ITRealms.

The woman in her 40s who was knocked into gutter by a Toyota Corolla car was found lying inside the water channel with the car on her with no one to help lift the vehicle until the governor’s convoy pulled over.

Obiano immediately jumped out of his car and walked towards the victim to effect the rescue, ordering his men to lend a hand.

The Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to Gov Willie Obiano on Social Media, Mr. Ifeanyi Aniagoh, in a press statement made available to ITRealms, noted that since Obiano’s decision to have an ambulance as part of his convoy, a lot of lives have been saved thus justifying the governor’s order that an ambulance be installed as part of his convoy.

“What happened today, which left many passersby amazed at how compassionate a leader could be, has shown once again that Obiano is a man clearly ahead of his time,” he said.

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NCC shines as African regulator award in Accra

ITRealms:

The apex telecommunications regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) at the weekend shined as the award for the African Regulator Award was handed over to the commission in the city of Accra, capital of Ghana, reports ITRealms.

According to the chief executive officer and publisher of London-based MobileWorld magazine and United Kingdom (UK) registered Instinct Wave Incorporate, Mr. Akin Naphtal, the Africa Information Technology and Telecoms Award (AITTA) happened at Kempinski Hotel, Gold Coast City, Accra, Ghana was the climax of a two-day 3rd West Africa Telecom Summit and Expo 2016.

He also disclosed that the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo who represented the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar G. Danbatta received the award presented by Ghana’s Chief Regulator and Director-General, National Communications Authority (NCA), Mr. William Tevie.

The MobileWorld boss explained that the choice of NCC as the winner of the award based on the U.K. firm’s Intelligence Unit gathering of data across the African continent. Stressing, “NCC’s strong and committed effort to enhance competitiveness and innovation as factors of economic growth” made it the winner of the award.

He further said that NCC’s transparent regulatory activities, prudent management of spectrum and human resources made the Commission, a regulator of choice.

Besides these, the NCC remains the pathfinder and first among equals as far as telecommunications activities are concerned that is why it remains a shining example of how the sector should be regulated.

Today, Nigeria is the investors’ first choice for telecommunications investments in Africa.

The organisers also said, that Nigeria by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) assessment recorded the highest and fastest growth in numbers connected by five years consecutively and so got global nods for that and coming home to Africa, the continent has continued to benefit from NCC’s experience and expertise.

In addition, he said, the active subscriber base of Nigeria surpasses those of several countries combined in Africa and Africa’s largest networks reside in Nigeria, all thanks to the robust regulatory activities of Commission.

Responding, Ojobo dedicated the award to the Almighty God, asserting it is “a motivation for the Commission to do more, in protecting both the consumers and operators.”

Nigeria delegation to the award returned with National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) carting award for Local content promotion in Africa), President of Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Adesola Aderounmu (for promoting advancement of IT professionalism in Africa), Main One Cable Company (for Africa wholesale Telecom Company of the year), IHS Towers (for Africa Telecom Infrastructure Company of the year) and Mr. Stanley Jegede of Phase 3 Telecom (for Africa Telecom Entrepreneur of the year).

Some of the Nigeria delegation to the award ceremony in Accra comprised the acting Director General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji; Director, Public Affairs NCC, Tony Ojobo, President, Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, ATCON, Olusola Teniola, his NCS counterpart, Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, Cyber Security Expert, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola and Kazeem Oladepo among others.

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Bayelsa arrests LGEA scribe over bloated wage bill

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State has arrested the Secretary to the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) in the area over alleged falsification of nominal roll and over bloated wage bill, just as the monthly wage bill for Sagbama Local Government in Bayelsa state dropped from N200 million to N30 million reports ITRealms.

Chairman, caretaker committee of the council, Mr. Michael Magbisa, told news men at a press conference in Yenagoa that over eleven fictitious names were discovered on the wage bill.

While attributing the delay in the payment of workers’ salaries to fraudulent practices, he said this necessitated the council’s decision to embark on staff verification audit from 2007 to 2016.

Magbisa recalled that the last time the LG carried out employment was in 2007, adding that he was shocked to discover fictitious names and backdated employment on the payment vouchers and nominal roll from 2007 to 2016.

Speaking on the staff strength of the education authority, the council boss pointed out that, the education board alone has over 200 staff, with a wage bill of N13.1m in 2012, which has risen to N60.1m in 2016.

He also spoke on the discovery of the anomalies in the payment vouchers, the nominal roll and the huge wage bill, adding that on assumption of office, he decided to audit the number of staff to reduce the huge wage bill.
Magbisa said he was shocked when he demanded for the 2007 to 2016 payment vouchers and nominal roll from the secretary of the education authority, who told him that, the 2012 flood had destroyed all the documents.

According to Mgbisa, he was not convinced, which prompted him to write a memo to the SUBEB secretary concerning the missing documents, adding that, the documents were released to him where he discovered the monumental fraud and anomalies.

On the payment of teachers’ salary, Magbisa explained that, by next week Friday, 3rd of June, the audit exercise would have been concluded for the teachers’ salaries to be paid.

Already, council workers have been paid their one month salary and the balance of seven months would be paid as soon as the verification exercise is concluded, promising to take drastic action against anyone involved in the fraud discovered, as all the workers are complaining the hardship in the delay in the payment of salaries.

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Melaye, Binta @ JAMB mock Computer-Based Test

Campus Pavilion@ITRealms:

THE Chairman, Senate Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Otunba Dino Melaye, on Friday wrote and ‘passed’ the mock computer based test organised by the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to mark the 2016 Children’s Day celebration in Abuja.

He came to the JAMB stand in the company of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Women Affairs, Hajia Binta Adamu and the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of JAMB, Prof. ‘Dibu Ojerinde and other top officials of the Board led round the various facilities used by JAMB for the exercise.

The test was a continuation of the demonstration of the new unified tertiary matriculation examination techniques which has replaced the traditional paper-pencil test that became a rich substrate for growth and maturation of all forms examination malpractice by candidates.

The demonstration exercise started on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at the Board’s CBT Centre in Kogo, Bwari Area Council with over 13 secondary schools drawn from the public and private schools presenting 301 students of the Secondary School 1 and 2 levels. 

Melaye who ‘passed’ the demonstration exercise commended the Board for the digital initiative, insisting that the National Assembly should prevailed on the federal government to provide adequate fund for the running of the technology.

He said JAMB did well to bring Nigeria at par with advanced economies through the introduction of the digital technology which is already in use in those climes. 

According to the Head of Public Relations of the Board, Dr Fabian Benjamin, the choice of the students was informed by the fact that they form a majority of the next set of candidates to write the next UTME.

He said the Board considered the Children’s Day celebration as an opportunity to bring the children together to demonstrate the CBT as a way to get them acquainted with the testing mode and to prepare their mind towards writing the real exam without fear or fright.

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Right activists call for renew efforts to end violence against children

ITRealms:

As the world marks the 2016 Children's Day celebration, human right activists are calling for renewed efforts to end violence against children, reports ITRealms.

They noted that with the theme of this year’s Children’s Day, “Protect the rights of the child in the face of violence and insecurity: End child marriage” helps to shed a much needed light on the unprecedented levels of violence against children in Nigeria in the recent past and present.

In the North East, they acknowledged witnessing and continued to witness grave violations of children’s rights - killings, abductions, sexual violence and use in suicide bombings by Boko Haram. More than 1.2 million children have been displaced - more than half of them below the age of 5.

"However, children living away from the crisis in the northeast are also at risk of violence," UNICEF in a press statement said.

The  Nigeria  Violence Against Children Survey (carried out by the National Population Commission, with the support of UNICEF and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), launched by Government of Nigeria in September 2015, highlighted the  prevalence of sexual, physical, and emotional violence suffered by  children in Nigeria. The survey estimates that half of all children in Nigeria experience physical violence, one in four girls and one in ten boys experience sexual violence and one in six girls and one in five boys experience emotional violence before they reach the age of 18 years.  Less than 4% get the help they need to recover.

In response, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari launched the Year of Action to End Violence Against Children on 15 September 2015, in conjunction with the National Priority Actions, which not only set out the key actions of national Ministries and Agencies, but also of NGOs, religious groups and the media. He called upon all States to launch their own campaigns and every Nigerian to play their part in ending violence against children.

Progress has been made. Lagos was the first State to heed the President’s call, launching their own campaign and priority actions in February 2016. Cross River will be the second in June 2016. Bayelsa State domesticated the Child Rights Act. Nine States, with funding from USAID and the European Union, have joined together to develop a model child protection system in order to translate this essential Act into reality. 12 States will hold #iMarch4Children marches today to raise societal awareness on the prevalence and impact of violence against children.

“This year’s Children’s Day offers the opportunity to highlight the significant pledges made  by the Federal Government, NGOs, religious groups and the media last September to join hands to end violence against children, and call for renewed efforts by all stakeholders to turn the commitments they made into action for children”, said Jean Gough, Representative UNICEF Nigeria. 

There is no better time than today to take action. Together, let’s end violence against children.

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Why Innovectives partnered MasterCard, UBA, Konga on e-Commerce - Agha

ITRealms:

The certified mobile point of sale [mPOS] service provider, Innovectives has explained why the firm is collaborating with the trio of MasterCard, United Bank for Africa (UBA) and Konga on e-commerce, reports ITRealms.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive officer, Innovectives, Mr. Emmanuel Agha, gave this explanation, saying the company was created as a seamless delivery and payment system by integrating mPOS solution into Konga's services. 

“Payments on mPOS are 100 per cent secure. It is accepted on all local and international cards,” he said, stressing that Kesh mPOS, powered by Innovectives and supported by MasterCard and UBA will make it easier for Konga customers to pay for their orders and enhance payment acceptance while making reconciliation easy for Konga customers and sales agents.

The new mPOS, he also said, accepts MasterCard, Visa and Verve cards from all banks, and it enables Konga delivery agents to easily capture sales. Just as other cards accepted on mPOS are UnionPay, Freedom Card and Genesis cards.

“Customers can also confirm payments on the spot thus improving accountability in e-commerce transactions,” Agha assured.

Emphasising that the level of e-commerce transactions conducted in Nigeria in the past three years has increased exponentially but the challenge is that 95 per cent of the transactions are pay-on-delivery, which largely involve settling with cash.

“Our mPOS solution is designed to improve the delivery process and reduce cash handling in the entire order fulfilment process as well as make reconciliation seamless" he said, adding that the company has partnered with Konga and integrated the innovative payment solution because it offers Nigerians who are increasingly shopping online sheer convenience. MPOS offers a significant improvement in transparency in the way customers pay for their goods.

Konga has adopted convenient, cutting edge and secure payment solutions to reduce cash handling and enhance the shopping experience for its customers.

For the Divisional Head, Digital Banking, UBA, Dr. Yinka Adedeji explained that Konga delivery would be able to accept payments from a phone like POS terminal. “UBA is powering this with its advanced digital payments technology.”

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Former Communications Minister, Gen. Tanko is dead, Shittu mourns

ITRealms:

The former Minister of Communications to President Ibrahim Babangida military regime, retired Gen. Tanko Ayuba, has passed to the great beyond at a Lagos hospital on Wednesday, May 25, 2016, at the age of 71, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to Ayuba’s demise, the current Honourable Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, while commiserating with the family, described late General as a gentleman officer and politician.

Also, the Special Assistant on Media to Communications Minister, Mr. Victor Oluwadamilare, said, the Minister condoled the family of the former minister who served during the Babangida military regime, urging the family to find solace in the quality of service rendered by the former minister to his fatherland in various formations of the Nigerian Army, as a Military Governor of Kaduna State and a Senator representing Kebbi State.

He eulogized late Gen Ayuba, saying the former military top brass gave an enviable direction to the Communication sector when he served as minister between 1985 and 1987.

Shittu also sympathized with the people of Kebbi State, where he hailed from, the people of Kaduna State where he served as a military governor and Nigerians in general, adding that the contributions of the late Gen. Ayuba to communications cannot be over-emphasized.

“It is indeed the traceable footprints left behind by Gen. Ayuba in the Communications ministry that subsequent ministers have been building upon and this will spur someone like me to work harder to  leave more indelible marks on the sand of time in the ministry”, he said.

Barr. Shittu said the death of Gen. Ayuba was a great and irreparable loss to the nation at such a crucial time when his immeasurable wealth of experience could count as well as monumental loss to the military which he served diligently.

He prayed that Almighty Allah grant the soul of the departed former minister Al-janah Firdaws and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

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Intra-regional trade in Africa needs to increase – Heymans

ITRealms: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa, Hennie Heymans, has said that greater regional integration in Africa is needed to capitalize on the continents growth potential, as growth in developed markets such as Europe, China and North Africa continue to stagnate, ITRealms reports. Mr. Heymans noted that when comparing intra-regional trade statistics, Africa’s rates are amongst the lowest in the world, with less than 20% of what is produced in the region, remaining on the continent. Which means that over “80% of what is produced in Africa is exported, mainly to the European Union, China and the United States, while, over 65% of Europe’s trade occurs on its own continent and in North America, the figure is around 50%”. “Sub-Saharan Africa’s dwindling growth is influenced by factors such as slowed, moderate growth in advanced markets such as China, as well as the downward revision of growth for the region’s oil-exporting countries.” The CEO also said that intra-African trade has vast potential to aid investment and foster growth on the continent. “To ensure that Africa is equipped to maintain and exceed its growth trajectory of 4% in 2017, business leaders, the government and the community need to work together towards making Africa an easier place to do business and to stimulate trade between the various African countries.” Another issue is the varying de minimis values across the region. A new law in the United States has simplified shipping to the U.S. by raising the import de minimis limit from USD 200 to USD 800, which means that goods below USD 800 will not require formal customs procedures and will not be liable for duties or taxes.  According to Heymans, in light of greater odds being against Africa’s growth, the biggest game changer for Africa will be its ability to boost connectivity and intra-Africa trade. “The government and the private sectors need to continue to work together to create a sustainable and inclusive environment, and work on solutions to make it easier for African businesses to conduct business within their local and regional environment” he said. Okoli Vincent/GEE

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Oil price increase as crude hits $50 per barrel

ITRealms:

For the first time this year, oil prices have risen above $50 per barrel, which is almost doubling of prices since 12 year lows in January and a return to levels seen in November last year. This happened as a result of supply disruptions and a decline in crude inventories in the United States, ITRealms reports.
Canada experienced a decline in output of about 1 million barrels a day this month, after wildfires hit production, while, militant activity in Nigeria has also reduced output by 40 per cent to 1.4 million bpd.

However, OPEC’s meeting, which is to be held on  the 2^nd of June, remains to be the key risk factor in the short term as markets are enthusiastic to know whether an agreement on a possible oil freeze will see the light.

However, analysts have said that higher prices could mean some producers increase supplies and make more expensive production methods, like shale, viable again.

According to Citibank, “The return of US oil production on the back of higher oil prices, cost deflation across the sector, and Saudi Arabia’s intentions to raise crude production and exports are headwinds to a price rally,” Last year, prices rallied from January to May before collapsing again.

Okoli Vincent/GEE


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Dana pilots go on strike, flights cancelled

ITRealms:

For non-payment of their salaries, the pilots in the employ of Dana Airlines have embarked on an indefinite strike, leading to cancellation of flights, reports ITRealms.
As a result of the strike which began on Thursday, the airline’s operations have come to a halt, leading to suspension of flights, and passengers stranded at various airports across the country.

At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, announcements were made occasionally to communicate the development to customers waiting to board flights, especially on Dana.

ITRealms gathered that the spokesperson of the airline, Kingsley Ezenwa, said that the management was working hard to resolve the crisis and restore normal operations.

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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Etisalat sponsored kiddies show returns for season 2

ITRealms:

The Etisalat Nigeria supported children television show series ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’ powered by Cliqlite, has returned for season 2, reports ITRealms.

The Season 2 auditions, ITRealms gathered would hold on Saturday, 28th May 2016 at the Ultima Studios, Lekki, Lagos.

Head, Events & Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani, the company’s association with the show for a second season is a platform for children to express themselves and give them a voice.  This season, the focus is to encourage parents to allow their talented children to shine as stars. 

“At Etisalat are committed to reaching different segments of our customer base using relevant channels and initiatives. With Kids Say the Darndest Things, we are connecting with Nigerian children and their parents and providing a platform to see life from the eye of the Nigerian child.  The intelligence of children in this digital era is beyond what we had in the past, and as an innovative brand, we want to work together with these children and their parents to help discover their smart, witty and humorous sides as well as enable them shine. “

The maiden edition of the show was hosted by actor, producer, Disc Jockey and America's favorite sidekick on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Tony Okungbowa. Okungbowa starred in, and produced the film, "Mother of George", "Restless City" and the soon to be released, “Echo Park” which was an official selection at the Los Angeles Film fest 2014.

The television show, which has enjoyed popularity and rave reviews in various markets like Australia, Singapore, India and Italy, was launched in Nigeria during the first quarter of 2015, with the original format adapted to the Nigerian market. The theme of the show is “Let Your Little Star Shine Bright”.

Parents are required to register by sending their child’s full name and age to 39603 using their Etisalat lines.

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Nimbo attack: Police arrests five suspected Fulani...

Naija AgroNet: Nimbo attack: Police arrests five suspected Fulani...: NaijaAgroNet : The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said it has arrested five suspected Fulani herdsmen implicated in the recent invasion of ... ... Linking agrobiz, sustainable environs, people & technology

FG names Okechukwu, Kawu, Liman, Abari, others DGs under Ministry of Information and Culture

ITRealms:

The Federal Government has named six new Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of parastatals under the Ministry of Information and Culture, with immediate effect, reports ITRealms.

Those favoured by this appointment include Mr. Osita Okechukwu was named the Director-General, Voice of Nigeria (VON); Mr. Ishaq Modibo Kawu - Director-General, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC); Mr. Mansur Liman - Director-General, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Mr. Yakubu Mohammed - Director-General, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA); Dr. Garba Abari, Director-General, National Orientation Agency (NOA); and the CEO of TheNews, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, as the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Special Assistant to Hon Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi, in a press statement said the appointments were made by the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed on Wednesday in Abuja.

Adeyemi also said that the new appointees replace the Chief Executives of the parastatals who were disengaged on February 15th 2016.

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Nigeria plans visa-free pact with 8 African countries–Onyeama

ITRealms:

The Federal Government of Nigeria may have concluded plans to sign visa-free pact with eight African countries, according to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, reports ITRealms.

The Minister revealed this at a press conference in Abuja, Tuesday, saying the plan would promote economic partnership on the continent, even though he did not disclose these countries yet.

“Africa is the centerpiece of our foreign policy but it is a paradox that as a Nigerian, you cannot go to an African country without a visa unlike what is obtainable in Western Europe,” he lamented.

Onyeama also said Nigeria was trying to come up with an initiative, like the one in Western Europe where one could enter any sister country without a visa, pointing out that the new idea should bring about an upsurge in economic activities.

“We want to start with about eight countries or see if they come up as a group of eight countries. At the presidential level, they agreed to that, and signed up to free movement. If we can achieve that within a year, then other countries may want to join and we believe that this is a better way to go than institutional ECOWAS etc, as countries take so long to ratify agreements,” he said.

The minister further said that the ministry was working with the immigration to see rise in the number of visa issued to businessmen and investors as well as reduce the time it took to register companies.

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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