Nigeria’s financial sector faces Gamarue threats, mobile devices remain high priority - CheckPoint

ITRealms:

The top malware in Nigeria in the month of May has been revealed to be on financial sector, known as Gamarue, just as attacks on mobile devices remain high-priority, reports ITRealms.

The Check Point Software Technoogies latest report, the malware, Gamarue, is a modular bot that hides in trusted processes and could be used to harvest financial information.

According to the Area Manager for East and West Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, Mr. Rick Rogers, attacks against mobile devices also remained a high priority as Android malware HummingBad persisted in the overall top 10 of malware attacks across all platforms during the period.

“In both Kenya and Nigeria, Hummingbad ranks as the fifth most common malware form,” the checklist revealed, pointing out that this is happening despite only being discovered by Check Point researchers in February.

“It has rapidly become commonly used; indicating hackers view Android mobile devices as weak spots in enterprise security and as potentially high reward targets,” Rogers said.

He further believes that both of these threats are significant in the African context as Android phone sales and banking inclusion continue to move up the ladder.

“As Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) continues to be a trend and smartphone penetration on the continent grows, companies are at an increased risk from Hummingbad in particular, and other malware. Combined with the growth in malware family numbers overall, this represents a significant business risk. Enterprises of all sizes must educate themselves on the security threats they face and invest in solid measures to protect their networks and corporate data,” Rogers said.

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Buy, sell on traffic in Lagos, face six months jail

ITRealms:

The Lagos State government has said that both buyers and sellers on traffic may be heading to jail, reports ITRealms.

The state governor, Mr. Akin Ambode, while speaking on Television Continental (TV-C) monitored in Lagos, Friday, said that the laws on Street Trading in Lagos State will be strictly enforced from  July 1, 2016.

“_Both Seller and Buyer are equally guilty and the penalty is N90,000 or 6 months imprisonment or both. Please note and abstain from buying from Street Hawkers,” he said.

The strict implementation of this law was not unconnected to the fracas that took place on Wednesday at Maryland, Lagos following the killing of hawker in effort to cross the Ikorodu-Ikeja-Ojota Road, which resulted in shattering of a Lagos State Government Bus (LAGBUS) which left some Lagosians injured.

 

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NCC issues MTN Nigeria with 2.6GHz spectrum

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued the 2.6 GHz spectrum to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this in a public notice endorsed personally by the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, the Commission said Thursday, it is important to inform stakeholders and the general public of this development.

As said by Danbatta, MTN Nigeria emerged sole preferred bidder in the licensing process of the 2.6 Gega Hertz spectrum auction held recently.

He also said MTN has been issued a provisional letter of award having met the conditions of payment of the specified fees for the spectrum.

Additionally, he said that in line with the provisions of the Information Memorandum (IM), guiding the auction process, MTN Communications Nigeria Limited has fully paid the specified fees for Six Slots of 2 x 30 Mega Hertz (MHz) in the 2.6 GHz spectrum band.

Following the above, he said, the Commission has awarded the license to MTN Nigeria Communications Limited.

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FRSC alerts motorists on Lagos, Ibadan Expressway jam

Autos@ITRealms:

The Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos Sector Command has alerted motorists who intend plying the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway between Friday 1^st to Sunday 3^rd July, 2016 to either move early or take alternative route, reports ITRealms.

FRSC Sector Commander, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, gave this warning on Thursday, saying that it has become imperative to avoid being trapped in traffic as a result of the various religious activities that will take place along the corridor.

Omeje explained in a press statement made available to ITRealms and signed by himself, that the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Holy Ghost Service) and NASFAT Annual Ramadan Vigil would hold simultaneously on Friday 1^st July, 2016 while Mountain of Fire Ministry would also hold its monthly power must change hands programme on Saturday 2^nd July, 2016.

These, he said, coupled with the on-going rehabilitation work of the road makes it inevitable that there will be heavy volume of traffic considering the number of worshippers that will be participating in these programmes.

“The Corps therefore advices motorists who do not wish to attend the programme to seek alternate routes in and out of Lagos,” he said.

Omeje went on to suggest some alternative routes to include Lekki – Epe – Ijebu Ode to link Sagamu or Ibadan; Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway through Sango Otta – Owode  – Sagamu Interchange; and Ikorodu – Odogunyan – Sagamu – Ibadan.

He also cautioned motorists corporate with FRSC officials as well as other traffic management agencies that have been deployed to control traffic during the programmes.

He further revealed that already the Corps has deployed 20 patrol vehicles, 5 Ambulances, 2 heavy duty tow truck and 200 officers and men to control traffic during the three days programme.

“In the case of any emergency, motorists are advised to call FRSC toll free line 122,” Omeje said.

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IFIP president, Hinchey leads diaspora participation to NCS 26th confab

ITRealms:

The President-elect of the International Federation for Information Processing (IFIP), Prof. Mike Hinchey, has been confirmed to lead the international participation to the 26^th national conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this, President, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Prof. Adesola Aderounmu, said that Mike Hinchey will deliver the goodwill message during the opening ceremony and serve as keynote speaker during a plenary session on "Innovation in National Safety and Security."

He also said that IFIP, established in 1960 under the auspices of UNESCO, is the leading global organization in Information and Communications Technologies and Sciences, thus is recognized by the UN, as the body representing IT societies from all over the world, of which NCS is a member of IFIP.

NCS, he said, is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with over 17,000 members and major interest groups namely the Institute of Software Professional of Nigeria (ISPON), IT Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigeria Women in IT (NiWIIT), Nigeria IT Professionals in Civil Service (NITPCS) among others, in addition to one hundred thousand Student body, the National Association Computer Science Students (NACOSS).

Therefore, he said, NCS is preparing for the best and has assembled impressive leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub themes.

“Attendees will benefit greatly from their knowledge and insights,” he said.

The conference, Aderounmu further said, would focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as national database – Integral to National Security, Information Technology and the National Security Strategy, Universal Broadband Access – the Security Imperative, Information Technology as an Indispensable Security Tool – Terrorism in Focus, Smart Governance and Anti-Corruption through Information Technology, National Security Dimension of Youth Innovation and Software Development, Cybercrime, Cyberwarfare and CyberSecurity, Digital Human Capital Requirements in the 21st Century and Social, Mobile, Analytics (Big Data) and Cloud Computing (SMAC).

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Pix: Prof. Hinchey

CheckPoint cyber-threat index ranks Nigeria 19th

ITRealms:

The latest threat index by CheckPoint Software Technologies, has ranked Nigeria 19^th, showing that most African countries are volatile in threat ranking, just as the number of active global malware families increased by 15 per cent  by the end of May 2016, reports ITRealms.

The company also said May Threat Index presents a mixed view of Africa, with several countries making quite strong moves up and down the index - the higher their relative ranking in the index, the greater the threat of cyber-attack.

The Area Manager for East and West Africa at Check Point Software Technologies, Mr. Rick Rogers, said there are four African countries in the top ten of the index, including Malawi who currently sits at third thereby improving by one position from the previous month.

“The others include Djibouti, Namibia and Angola. Just outside of the top ten, at eleventh, sits Botswana. There are 112 countries on the overall Index,” he said.

The West African technology and economic hub, Nigeria, Rogers said, is currently ranked 19^th; a significant improvement on April’s 11th position.  Stressing that in a reversal of fortunes of sorts, east African powerhouse, Kenya shifted a massive 46 positions to sit at just 37th.

He also said, globally, Check Point detected 2,300 unique and active malware families attacking business networks in May, pointing out that it was the second month running that Check Point observed an increase in the number of unique malware families, having previously reported a 50 per cent increase from March to April.

“The continued rise in the number of active malware variants highlights the wide range of threats and scale of challenges security teams face in preventing an attack on their business critical information,” he said.

Precisely, the May checklist by CheckPoint noted that banking malware Tinba became the fourth most prevalent form of infection last month in Kenya, and ninth in Nigeria.

“This Trojan allows hackers to steal victims’ credentials using web-injects, activated as users try to log-in to their banking website. Tinba ranked second in the overall international threat list,” he said.

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Abia Governorship Crisis: Justice Ahuchaogu stops Uche Ogah's swearing-in

ITRealms:

A High Court of Abia State presided over by Justice Ahuchaogu, has stopped the Chief Judge of Abia State, President of the Customary Court of Appeal and any other judiciary officer, from swearing-in Mr. Uche Oga as governor, reports ITRealms.

The order made Thursday reads: "Upon this motion ex-parte pursuant to section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice, after hearing O.O Nkume, counsel to the applicant.

"It is  ordered that an order of injunction is hereby made restraining the 2nd defendant (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with  section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.

"It is further ordered that the 3rd defendant (chief judge of Abia State) or any other judge of the court or any judiciary officer are hereby restricted from swearing-in the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.

"It is also ordered that this order is hereby made to last for 10 days from today. The returnable date is fixed for the 8th day of July, 2016.

"Furthermore, the condition attached to this order is that the enrolled order must be served along with the motion on notice on respondents, else he order automatically lapses on 8th July, 2016."

Also, in a motion of ex-parte order the court also restricted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to Oga.

The order reads: "an order of injunction restraining the 2nd defendant (INEC) from issuing a certificate of return to the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice.

"An order of injunction restraining the 3rd defendant (Chief Judge of Abia State) or any other judge of the court, or any judiciary officer from swearing in the 1st defendant (Ogah) while the claimant (Ikpeazu) remains in office in accordance with section 143 (1) & (2) of the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) and pending the determination of the motion on notice."

Meanwhile, the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has advised Abians to remain calm and law abiding, stressing that he is still their Governor.

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July 5, 6 are Eid-ul-Fitri public holidays says FG

ITRealms:

The Federal Government (FG) of Nigeria has said that Tuesday, July 5 and Wednesday, July 6, 2016 is public holidays to mark Eid-ul-Fitri celebrations, reports ITRealms.

Eid-ul-Fitri, ITRealms gathered, is an annual event which marks the end of the 29 0r 30 days Ramadan fast by Muslims all over the world.

The minister of interior, retired Lt Gen Abdulrahman Dambazau, while announcing the Eid-ul-Fitri public holidays on behalf of the government of the federation on Thursday, June 30 at Abuja, advised all followers of the religion of Islam as well as Nigerians in general to spread the spiritual benefits of Ramadan.

Dambazau also said that some of these benefits include love, peace and justice, urging Nigerians to apply these benefits to their every day by doing this, “they will contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria.”

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Abia crisis: Gov. Ikpeazu dares INEC, insists 'I'm still in charge'

ITRealms:

Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu on Thursday dared the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on the issuance of Certificate of Return (CoR) to Mr. Uche Ogah, despite a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

The governor in a press statement personally signed by him and made available to ITRealms, told his supporters and Abians to remain calm because he remained the governor. 

"I have received with concern report of the purported issuance of Certificate of Return to Mr. Uche Ogah by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as governor of Abia State, despite dependency of a notice of appeal and motion for stay of the orders made by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

"Our laws are clear on this matter. No one may be issued with a certificate of return let alone be sworn in as governor, when there is a subsisting appeal and application for stay.

"I want to appeal to Abians to remain calm and law abiding in the face of this provocation, unless and until the appellant courts have conclusively resolve the appeal, the status remains, I am still the Governor of Abia State" Dr Okezie Ikpeazu said.

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Pix: Gov. Ikpeazu

iSON extends African reach with call center revolution

ITRealms:

African emerging Information Technology (IT) leader, iSON Group is extending its reach with build out of call centers across Africa countries, ITRealms reports.

Currently, iSON boost of presence in 29 countries spanning 4 continents including Africa, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Middle East, iSON Group is inarguably a market leader in its niche.

ITRealms gathered that iSON Group consists of three operating companies, namely the iSON BPO which provides outsourcing services specifically in customer service experience management, iSON Technologies the systems integrator arm and iSON Innovation and Investment (i3), which is a recent initiative launched by the Group to drive consumer internet business in Africa.

The Chairman of iSON Group, Mr Ramesh Awtaney, was quoted in a press statement made available to ITRealms by Ope Alebiosu, as saying that in Africa alone, iSON operates in 25 countries with over 10,000 employees operating in its call centers including Nigeria, Zambia, Ghana, South Sudan, Liberia, Uganda and Tanzania, with plans to build more facilities in the coming years.

“With the global awakening to more cost effective solutions, Business Process Outsourcing, with specific regard to call center management has become a cost effective solution to most customer centric organizations with the twin benefit of this being a ready-made platform for employment generation for the rising number of employable youths, with basic IT training to steer them onto a gainful career path.  

“We are responding simply to the law of demand and supply but in such a way that ‘supply’  in turn organically grows macro economies rapidly in all our host communities,” Chairman and Founder of iSON groups asserts.

“This of course has a ripple effect on not just providing a much needed service to our clients and engendering youth development and capacity but also building and sustaining our communities while encouraging urban to semi urban job shift,” he concludes.

As of 2016, Nigeria accounts for over half the call center staff working for iSON across Africa. Due to the rigorous training the company offers its staff, they are highly valuable in other verticals they migrate to, thus reinforcing iSON as a strong platform for capacity engagement and building.

iSON Group services a growing list of market leaders in their various niches i.e. Banking, Insurance Financial Services (BFSI), Telecom, Hospitality, Retail, Government, Health care, FMCG and DTH, Media and Entertainment.

  

The company offers its teeming customers all over the world various services such as analytics, customer experience management, voice process solution and CRM process solution.

Since its inception, iSON Group has amassed numerous awards for its BPO efforts some of which include the 2016 Great Place to Work award for ‘Best Practices’ and ‘CSR’, CIO top 100 Companies, Champions of Governance award, World Class Cup Team award from Standard Chartered Kenya, Distinguished Achievement in IT & ITES, Best Technology Vendor Top 100 Organizations Supplier Award – Zimbabwe Customer Service Week and the Global Business Excellence Awards - Outstanding IT Team.

The company continues to expand its services around Africa with new call center facilities recently launched in Ilorin and Abeokuta in Nigeria.

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CBN CardExpo Africa: Remita wins most efficient e-revenue service award

ITRealms:

Integrated electronic payments and collections platform developed by SystemSpecs, the Remita, has been adjudged the “Most Efficient e-Revenue Service” at the recently concluded CBN CardExpo Africa Awards 2016, reports ITRealms.

The recognition reinforces Remita’s position as a strong emerging leader in the innovative financial technology and services space in Nigeria and the larger African landscape.

According to the organisers, Remita is the most viable electronic revenue collection platform among many other options available in the market today. 

The CBN CardExpo is an annual 3-day conference organised by Intermarc Consulting in partnership with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to showcase the most exciting developments within Africa’s payment industry. 

The award, presented by the Director General of Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation, Mrs Sally Mbanefo, follows other recent honours accorded the financial technology brand at home and abroad.

Managing Director/CEO of SystemSpecs, Mr. John Obaro, said that the company is inspired by the recognition and would continue to "extend the frontiers of financial technology innovation which Remita has now come to be known for.” 

According to him, the firm believe there are grounds to be covered in the revenue collections and payments space, adding that the company is  committed to working with individuals, businesses and governments in Nigeria and other African countries to "take advantage of our innovative technology to achieve their objectives.”

Remita is the technology behind the highly successful Treasury Single Account (TSA) initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and has enabled the government to take full control of over N3 trillion of its cash assets as at the end of the first quarter of 2016. 

Flowing from the huge success recorded on the TSA initiative riding on revenue collection technology provided by Remita, the Federal Government has recently recommended TSA implementation as a pre-condition by state governments seeking to take advantage of bailout funds to be provided by the Federal Government. 

Remita is the flagship product of SystemSpecs, the 24-year-old software company widely regarded as Nigeria’s leading software house and home to many of Nigeria’s exceptional software talents.

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FG set to block illegal broadcast, cautions on IRMS property

ITRealms:

In effort block illegal broadcast by rebellious groups across the country, the Federal Government said it has resolved to rehabilitate all International Radio Monitoring Stations (IRMS), warning land speculators to steer clear of IRMS property in the country, reports ITRealms.

The IRMS facility at Ipaja, Lagos covering the South-West geo-political zone is one of such stations strategically located in various parts of the country as security surveillance to monitor radio broadcast activities, so as to guide against illegal use of the radio frequency airspace for unauthorized broadcast by proscribed groups, political and ethnic motivated dissidents.

Special Assistant on Media to the Hon. Minister of Communications, Mr.  Victor  Oluwadamilare, said the Federal Ministry of Communications, has adequately appropriated for rehabilitation works on the IRMS facilities across the country in the 2016 Federal Government budget and has consequently warned against any illegal occupation and acquisition of any fraction of land on which these infrastructures are located.

“Because of the strategic importance of these infrastructures, the general public is warned against purchase or acquisition of any part of the monitoring stations”. The IRMS facilities are located in Azare, Gusau, Ipaja and Ogoja, to monitor broadcast activities across the country and its borders.

This warning, he said, is coming at the heel of what the Federal Government considered as unauthorized acquisition of part of the land on which the IRMS at Ipaja,  Lagos is situated, which is currently a subject of litigation in a suit No ID5764/14 between Oguntoyinbo Abiola, Falola and Illo families of Ipaja, Lagos  Vs the Hon. Minister of Lands and Hon. Minister of Communications

The Ministry unequivocally stated that the title of the land on which the Ipaja IRMS is situated is still under litigation and pending before a competent court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, thereby forestalling anybody, group or family from encroaching upon the land acquired by the Federal Government since 1971.

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Zinox boss urges Nigerian youths to explore disruptive ICT tools positively

ITRealms:

The Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh has urged Nigerian to explore their youthful disruption at this era of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) positively, reports ITRealms.

Zinox, ITRealms notes prides itself as the Sub-Saharan Africa’s most integrated Information and Communications Technology (ICT) conglomerate.

Ekeh told participants at the 12^th graduation ceremony of Bridge House College held at the Muson Centre, Onikan - Lagos on Tuesday, June 28^th 2016, that the nation is in dire need of a next generation of digitally advanced, entrepreneurially-minded youth who will question the status quo.

He said at the event which had in attendance the former Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Sarah Adebisi Sosan, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ray Kyles and Ms. Ngozi Edozien, among others.

Nigeria, he said needs urgently someone who has the capacity to lead the nation out of the woods and urged the graduating students to leverage on the privileged education they had been exposed to at the college in pushing the boundaries, stressing that the second half of the 21^st Century was a pivotal one as it would usher in a lot of changes in the global order.

“Today, you are privileged to be armed with a sound educational background from Bridge House College. Many of us were not as lucky as we barely finished our studies. The quality of education you have received here equips you with common-sense and practical situational references which will aid many of you build successful businesses. It is not available in Europe as their circumstances differ from ours,” he said.

Ekeh who was the chairman of the occasion, also said that the internet has today given every one an open space or a level playing field to create wealth.

He foresees among the graduating students, a generation that has the potential to alter Nigeria’s destiny, pointing out that many of them will achieve in one year what some of the most successful entrepreneurs in his generation took over 30 years to put together.

“You have the exposure, the platforms, the energy and, most importantly, certified intelligence to deliver the new Nigeria mandate of a successful economy. Things are changing in the global system,” he said.

In the second half of the 21^st century, Ekeh reputed for his entrepreneurial acumen in ICT, said it will make more sense to have just one kid, with a nanny earning possibly as much as a medical doctor then.

“It is a reality because the world is transitioning and will reward skill, style and content. For the males among you, you will marry a woman and not keep her as a slave but as an equal partner in progress. And as for the ladies here, I don’t see women who will aspire to become First Ladies but female Presidents.

“I believe so much in Nigeria. Although I have offices in Dubai and other foreign countries in which we retain digital hubs to roll out to other nations of the world that appreciate our capacities, Nigeria still remains the biggest market for us. Many years ago when I returned to the country and encountered the analogue system of publishing, I embarked on the task of transitioning the country from analogue to digital with the introduction of Desktop Publishing and Computer Graphics. Since then, we have continued to transition from one platform to another and it is up to your generation to cause the positive disruption that this country needs to take its rightful place in the global order.”

Counselling the graduating students to step forward with boldness and a mind-sent to make a difference, Ekeh declared his support for those students who are knowledge-hungry as, according to him, everyone in the current century must invent something that adds value to the society and enhance the profile of his or her family.

“You only require quality education like you have started with and humility, and you become a global citizen,” Ekeh advised.

In line with this, multiple award winner and best student in Physics and Biology, Ms. Serena Omo-Lamai was asked to name any laptop of her choice in the world – a device which the Zinox Chairman made a commitment to source and have delivered to her. College Ambassador, Olu Muyiwa Yusuf also received a gift of a laptop from Ekeh for his efforts as the representative of the students.

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Pix: Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, Zinox chairman.

Etisalat Prize for Literature book tour excites Nairobi

ITRealms:

The Etisalat Prize for Literature held a series of public literary events in Nairobi, Kenyan capital throughout last week in promotion of African literature and celebration of the winner and shortlisted writers of the 2015 prize, reports ITRealms.

The literary programme featured a public panel discussion with the winner of the 2015 edition of the Etisalat Prize, Congolese Poet and Writer, Fiston Mwanza Mujila the author of Tram 83; as well as Etisalat Prize for Literature Shortlisted Writers, Penny Busetto author of The Story of Anna P, as Told by Herself and Rehana Rossouw author of What Will People Say?.

Also, the authors visited the University of Nairobi and Daystar University and had book reading sessions at Goethe-Institute Nairobi and PAWA254, in addition to donating books to the institutions during the tour.

Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Ogiemwanye said the programme is aimed at putting African literature in more hands across the world. He expressed the hope that the tour will help encourage more Africans to embrace African literature, adding that Africa is rich in literary talent.

ITRealms recalled that on June 1st, 2016, Etisalat invited entries to the 2016 edition of the Etisalat Prize for Literature.

Chief Executive Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Matthew Willsher, who made this disclosure, recently said the Judging Panel for the 2016 Etisalat Prize comprises Nigerian novelist and poet, Helon Habila, as the Chair of Judges, South African writer and activist Elinor Sisulu and Ivorian writer, Edwige-Renée Dro as members.

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Pix: (l-r)-- Manager, High Value Sponsorship & Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Opeyemi Lawal; Winner, 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Fiston Mujila; Shortlisted Author, 2015 Etisalat Prize for Literature, Penny Busetto and Judge, 2015 Etisalat Prize for literature, Zikiswa Wanner at the Etisalat Prize for Literature Book Reading held in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend.

Olashore celebrates Falz on 2016 BET awards

Art@ITRealms:

An uprising Nigerian star, Mr Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz, is being celebrated by his former school, Olashore International School for winning the 2016 Best New International Act at BET Awards under the Viewers’ Choice category, reports ITRealms.

The award presented at the weekend ahead of the main event which holds at the Microsoft Theatre in Los Angeles, the United States of America.

ITRealms gathered that Falz was nominated earlier in the month of June, amongst peers in South-Africa, France, Australia, and United Kingdom (UK), even as the Nigerian Comic Rapper and fast rising entertainer slugged it out with other talented up and coming artists around the world to emerge the best.

Falz was nominated at award shows winning Best Actor in a Comedy Movie cum Series at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for his role as ‘Segun’ in Funke Akindele’s TV series ‘Jenifa’s Diary’. The 2016 BETS Award was hosted by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross. The BET Awards recognizes artists, entertainers, and athletes across 20 categories.

The nominations are selected by BET’s Voting Academy, which is comprised of fans and an esteemed group of entertainment professionals in the fields of television, film, music, social media, digital marketing, sports journalism, public relations, and the creative arts.

ITRealms also gathered that while at Olashore International School, Falz started out with a music group by friends and released a compilation mixtape titled ‘Shakara’ in 2009. By 2011, he released another album titled ‘Waz Up Guy’, ‘High Class’ and ‘Currency’ which gained him grounds in the Nigerian Music Industry. Later in 2015, Falz released ‘Stories that touch’.

Recently, Falz also won the award of the ‘Most Influential Personality’ at the Friends of Olashore Event organized by the Alumni of the school and concerned personalities. 

He got this award based on the fact that he had shown exemplary strides in his profession and in life generality, and has been able to shape how people act or how things occur in their sphere of influence and beyond. 

Receiving the award on his behalf, recently by his father, a legal luminary and Human Rights Activist, Femi Falana (SAN) spoke, “We are glad our son has carved a niche for himself on the sands of time through passion. We actually sent him to school to study Law but he went ahead to marry his passion with his course having been nurtured to his full potential by the Olashore International School which he attended then. He chose to go into music and today he is doing well for himself. I’m proud of him. I also appreciate Friends Of Olashore for giving him this award.”

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: Falz

Prof. Rothwell to take-over from Donald as BSA President

ITRealms:

The President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, is to take over the leadership of the British Science Association (BSA) from the incumbent, Professor Dame Athene Donald, reports ITRealms.

This change of guide would be consummated in September 2016, just as BSA, established in 1831, is a registered charity that organises major initiatives across the United Kingdom (UK) including British Science Week, the British Science Festival, regional and local events, the CREST Awards and other programmes for young people in schools and colleges.

ITRealms gathered that BSA programmes encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with science, become ambassadors for science, and ultimately to be empowered to challenge and influence British science – whether they work in science or not.

Prof. Rothwell’s year-long term will begin at the British Science Festival 2016, hosted by Swansea University and supported by Siemens, where she is billed to deliver the annual Presidential Address and host the Festival dinner, on Thursday 8 September.

“I am delighted and honoured to be asked to take up Presidency of the British Science Association for the coming year. I’m looking forward to helping the Association with its goals of making science a fundamental part of society and culture, which is something I feel particularly passionate about," she said.

Nancy is a Professor of Physiology, and is President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester – the first woman appointed to the role. She is a Fellow of the Royal Society and a former non-executive director of AstraZeneca.

In 2009, she became the first president of the Society of Biology (now the Royal Society of Biology), and gave the 1998 Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on The Secrets of Life, which were broadcast on the BBC. Currently, Nancy is Chair of the EuroScience Open Forum 2016 (ESOF) Steering Committee. ESOF takes place in Manchester between 23 – 27 July.

In 2012, Nancy was appointed co-chair of the Prime Minister’s Council for Science and Technology. In 2013, BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour named Nancy as the 15th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom. She has worked tirelessly to further the public's awareness of science, and in particular, encourage women to pursue careers in science.

Imran Khan, CEO of the British Science Association said: “Nancy Rothwell's scientific record and public service alone make her one of the UK's foremost scientists, but she has also consistently championed the importance of public engagement with science. She is an excellent communicator in her own right, and also supports and enables others to work with the public. We're delighted that she's chosen to serve as our President for the coming year."

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Saraki, Ekweremadu docked: Nigeria's democracy on trial says Deputy Senate President

ITRealms:

The Deputy President of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ike Ekweremadu has described his trial alongside the Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and two other senior members of the National Assembly (NASS) staff over an alleged forgery of document to facilitate their emergence of current leadership of the Red Chamber as democracy on trial, reports ITRealms.

Reacting after appearing and pleading not guilty amongst others, the deputy president of Senate said he presented myself to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday, June 27, 2016, as an ordinary citizen of this great nation to plead ‘not guilty’ to charges he did not and could not have committed.

As said by him in a press statement sighted by ITRealms, there is deeply troubling to note that people in high places who swore to uphold the law, have dwindled into purveyors of falsehood and rumours who seek to smear and tarnish the reputation of law abiding and responsible citizens as well as cripple the hallowed institutions of democracy.

“It is all the more disheartening that people who should know better use the colour of their office to pursue private vendetta against people they disagree with,” he said.

Ekweremadu said this grotesque display of vindictiveness, arrogance, and mindless targeting of innocent citizens should find no sanctuary in Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that using the machinery of justice to create disorder is a dangerous and invidious scheme that ultimately will lead Nigeria down the road to perdition.

“It is Senator Bukola Saraki and Senator Ike Ekweremadu today, who knows whose turn it will be next?,” he asked, wondering that as a law-abiding citizen and believer in the rule of law and all the rights and privileges it advertises, that its only in his place not to commit crime, but way out of his reach not to be accused of one, especially when instruments of power become apparatuses for oppression of the innocent and voices of opposition.

Senator Ekweremadu pointed out that he does not claim to be above the law, just that he believes that the law should not be used as an instrument to bludgeon innocent citizens into submitting to the untamed wishes and caprices of witch-hunters.

“However, I put my trust in God, the court, and the overwhelming solidarity of the good people of Nigeria. When the dust settles, Nigerians will see clearly that this charge is nothing but meretricious thrash. Time, occasions, and provocations like this will teach their own lessons. I hope that one chief lesson will be that democracy differs markedly from military rule and that public officer should never subvert the foundations of democracy by prioritizing the rule of man over the rule of law,” he said.

The Deputy Senate President warned that Nigerias that to make no mistake about this trail, because it is not Senator Ike Ekweremadu or Senator Bukola Saraki or the other accused persons that are on trial; rather the hallowed democratic principles of separation of powers, rule of law, the legislature, and indeed democracy itself are on a ridiculous trial.

Mere anarchy is unleashed upon the land, but our courage must not fall apart. No condition is permanent and nothing lasts forever.

“For me, I find great comfort in the immortal words of late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe who said that history will vindicate the just and the wicked will not go unpunished,” Ekweremadu said.

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Pix: Senate Deputy President, Ekweremadu