Internet access restored in North West, South-West regions

ITRealms:

After some 94 days without access to the Internet, the government of Cameroun has restored connection to about 5 million people living in the anglophone regions of the country, reports ITRealms.

The Camerounian government, in an official statement available to ITRealms by the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, said that the Northwest and Southwest Regions have been restored with Internet Connections due to the social situation in linked to the demands expressed by English-speaking lawyers' associations, extremist activists, driven by secessionist intrigues, took the opportunity to disseminate hate messages and incite violence and abuses of all sorts.

According to the Minister, at their instigation, children were molested and prevented from returning to school, men and women saw their daily activities disrupted, public and private buildings were burned, order were attacked etc.

These criminal activities, the Minister said, fall within the scope of the law, notably the one relating to the repression of acts of terrorists, have been perpetrated for the most part via social networks.

“These information and communication technologies, essential tools of economic and social progress which benefit from the constant solicitude of the Head of State, have thus unfortunately been detoured by the enemies of the republic,” Bakary said.

Also, the minister said that in such circumstances, the public authorities had an imperative duty to restore order, to ensure the security of citizens and their property, and to guarantee the functioning of administrative services.

Insisting that the government of the Republic, had to, among other security measures, to suspend Internet connections in the Northwest and Southwest Regions.

“Since then, the government has not stopped constantly assessing the situation on the ground. The current situation is that the North-West and South-West Regions have been living in remarkable calm for several weeks,” part of the press statement read.

The Cameroonian people, Bakary said, is attached to the unity of the country and living together, has once again shown its great maturity.

“The important steps taken by the Government to respond favorably to the legitimate concerns of English-speaking lawyers and teachers, as well as the creation of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism, of the national territory,” Bakary pointed out.

While Cameroon's friendly countries and international partners, the minister said, have rightly welcomed these efforts by the public authorities towards the settlement and easing of the crisis in the North-West and South-West Regions.

“It therefore appears that the conditions underlying the provisional suspension of the Internet in this part of the national territory have changed considerably,” Bakary said.

So, the Head of State, Mr. Paul Biya, therefore instructed the Minister in charge of Posts and Telecommunications to ask mobile operators to re-establish Internet connections in the Northwest and Southwest regions.

Also, the government urged the populations of these regions to be vigilant in order to continue to block the way for the extremists, secessionists and enemies of the Republic, emphasizing that the government of the Republic reserves the right to take, as necessary, appropriate measures to prevent the Internet from being used again to incite hatred and discord between Cameroonians or to create public disorder.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Ambode commissions AfriOne smart devices assembly plant

ITRealms:

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode has commissioned an assembly plant belonging to AfriOne Limited, makers of mobile phones and other consumer devices, reports ITRealms.

In his address to the occasion, Gov. Ambode who was represented by his Commissioner for Science and Technology, Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi commended the management and staff of AfriOne Nigeria.

The governor was particular on the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between AfriOne and Lagos State government which aims at training students of Lagos State Polytechnic.

This partnership, he said, has given birth to some 5,000 students of LASPOTECH.

Responding to questions, the Commissioner told ITRealms that the partnership also has room for the building of a competence centre in the state by AfriOne and plan has been advanced for the acquisition of land for such a structure.

He pointed out that Lagos will leverage on its Employment Trust Fund (ETF) to ensure that more Lagosians benefit from investment such as this one from AfriOne in the state.

Equally in a chat with ITRealms, the founder and chief executive officer of AfriOne, Mr. Sahir Berry said that the company with the commissioning of its assembly plant is determined to launch consumer devices in the state.

He described it as a technological breakthrough and precedent for the enterprise and Nigeria’s over 170 million strong population, which will herald the availability of the first in-country produced smartphones for sale in the Nigeria marketplace.

According to him, AfriOne is championing corporate socio-economic development while wholly supporting the ‘Made in Nigeria’ mantra.

The CEO, who was accompanied at the occasion by the Managing Director, Contec Global, Mr. Roheen Berry, AfriOne co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Hemang Kapur, Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Lekan Akinjide, as well as Mr. Jailesh Shah of Gontec Global among others, promises to model their products to utilize cutting-edge technology, reflet a modern, sleek design and integrate the latest and arguably necessary financial technology.

As part of AfriOne strategy to checkmate fake products, Mr. Berry assured on the affordability and availability of their products.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Making IoT networks tech-agnostic tops LPWA agenda

ITRealms:

The ability to make Internet of Things (IoT) networks comprehensive and technology-agnostic is topping the agenda at the 2017 LPWA World, reports ITRealms.

The event slated for May, ITRealms reports is aimed at helping public and private operators make sense of the many different technology and deployment choices for IoT networks. 

With support from partners Wi-SUN Alliance, Weightless SIG, LoRA Alliance and GSMA, LPWA World will help operators capitalise on the opportunity IoT signifies through discussions on cellular and non-cellular solutions.

ITRealms also reports that the event taking place at the InterContinental O2 in London, UK from 23 –24 May 2017, would see LPWA World helping operators and end users navigate different technologies, such as LPWAN, LTE-M, NB-IoT and Sigfox, and develop a strategy to achieve tangible ROI on IoT network investments.

Founder and CTO of Aeris Communications, Syed Zaeem Hosain, who will discuss the technological and business considerations of a future LPWA player said the event would pave the way for understanding the range of use cases and applications will also be high on the agenda, with presentations on applications covering a wide range of industry verticals such as transport, smart cities, utilities, healthcare and automotive.

Over the last twelve months, Hosain said, there have been a growing number of proprietary networks, competing standards, and initiatives for cellular and non-cellular networks.

ITRealms gathered that later, representatives from Telekom Austria and Etisalat Digital will join a panel to discuss the challenges and opportunities surrounding global LPWA live trials. On day two, there will be several regional-specific spotlights, including a focus on South America, Australia, Asia and the USA.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

20 African digital start-ups to benefit from World Bank

ITRealms:

Twenty African digital start-ups will benefit from the World Bank Group under its XL Africa initiative attracting early stage capital between $250,000 and $1.5 million, reports ITRealms.

The programme, ITRealms gathered is a five-month business acceleration scheme designed to support the 20 most promising digital start-ups from Sub-Saharan Africa.

Start-ups, ITRealms also gathered will receive mentoring from global and local experts, learn through a tailor-made curriculum, increase their regional visibility, and get access to potential corporate partners and investors.

Vice President, Africa Region at the World Bank, Makhtar Diop, said that digital start-ups are important drivers of innovation in Africa.

“To scale and spread new technologies and services beyond borders, they need an integrated ecosystem that provides access to regional markets and global finance; pan-African initiatives like XL Africa play a critical role by linking local start-ups with corporations and investors across the continent,” he said.

In addition, ITRealms gathered that the programme, comes at a time of increasing interest in the African digital sector.

According to a recent report by Disrupt Africa, in 2016, the number of tech start-ups that secured funding increased by 16.8 per cent compared to 2015.

Director of the Trade & Competitiveness Global Practice at the World Bank Group, Klaus Tilmes, said that XL Africa aims to put a spotlight on the continent’s growing digital economy by scouting for and supporting the most innovative tech start-ups.

“The success of these ventures will create a demonstration effect that can attract much-needed growth investment in the sector and catalyze scaling of transnational businesses in the region,” he said.

Further, ITRealms reports that the programme’s flagship activity includes a two-week residency in Cape Town, South Africa, where the ventures will have the opportunity to interact with and learn from their mentors, peers, and local partners. The Cape Town residency will conclude with the Venture Showcase, a regional event in which the entrepreneurs will present their business models to a select audience of corporations and investors. 

“The program’s unique combination of targeted mentorship and access to investors represents a vital resource for digital ventures ready to grow,” said Lexi Novitske, Principal Investment Officer for Singularity Investments, a venture group based in Lagos, Nigeria. “By connecting innovative business ideas with the knowledge and resources available in the ecosystem, XL Africa will create a pipeline of investment-ready companies, unlocking better investment opportunities for regional and global investors,” he said.

The program will collaborate with prominent African investment groups, including the African Business Angel Network (ABAN), AngelHub Ventures, Goodwell Investments, Knife Capital, Nest Africa, Silvertree Capital, Singularity Investments, South African Business Angel Network (SABAN), TLcom Capital, Zephyr Acorn and 4Di Capital, and corporate partners, such as Orange, .Eco, Ringier, and Thomson Reuters.

ITRealms reveals that interested companies can apply online on the XL Africa website www.XL-Africa.com by Monday, June 12, 2017.

XL Africa is funded by the governments of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, and administered by the World Bank Group with implementation support from IMC Worldwide, VC4A, and Koltai & Co.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Whistleblower policy: AFRICMIL applauds FG over suspension of NIA D-G

ITRealms:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), a civil society organization currently engaged in a project (Corruption Anonymous) to support the Nigerian government’s whistleblower policy, has applauded the momentum the policy has brought to the war against corruption and the suspension of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) over the N13billion seized by the EFCC in a Lagos apartment, reports ITRealms.

The Coordinator of AFRICMIL, Chido Onumah, in a press statement made available to ITRealms, expressed delight that the success so far recorded was a pointer to the fact that the policy was proving to be an effective tool in checking widespread corruption in the polity.

“Within so short a period the whistleblower policy has transformed the anti-corruption landscape to the extent that hitherto lukewarm citizens, the bulk of whom are direct victims of corruption, have started showing in the war against corruption by exposing hiding places of looted funds” he said.

AFRICMIL noted that there was no doubt that the aim of the policy was steadily being achieved with the involvement of Nigerians. It praised the government for its realization that without getting citizens to play a key role in the fight against corruption, there was no way the war would be successfully prosecuted.   

    

Also AFRICMIL stated that only corrupt persons and beneficiaries of the proceeds of corruption would not be happy with the positive impact of whistleblowing since it was launched four months ago.

“We are all witnesses to the long years of orchestrated stealing and stashing away of public funds in our country. While a majority of Nigerians have been jubilating over the gradual recovery of these funds through whistleblowing, we hope that the perpetrators of this heinous crime and their accomplices would be exposed in due course,” Onumah said.

While commending government for the vision that led to the policy, the organization called for decisive action on the recent seizure by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of about N13billion from a flat in Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos. 

AFRICMIL called on government to be honest and transparent on the issue as the case had the potential of totally dismantling the whistleblower policy.

“The case has presented itself as the litmus test for the effective implementation of the policy going forward. We appeal to government to treat it objectively so as not to erode the support and confidence of the people in the policy,” Onumah said.

AFRICMIL reiterated continued support and readiness to partner with government in promoting and strengthening the policy for effective implementation.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

NEPAD, SANSA sign MoU on satellite services, signals new African focus

ITRealms:

The NEPAD Agency and South African National Space Agency (SANSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on satellite based remote sensing products and services which they say is a new focus for Africa, reports ITRealms.

A press statement made available to ITRealms by the Senior Communications Officer at NEPAD Agency, Mwanja Ng'anjo, revealed that the MoU was signed at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa’s Gauteng province.

According to her, during the ceremony, the importance of Africa as a continent to find and implement its own solutions to address its challenges was stressed.

In addition, she said, with the MoU the two institutions have signed an important step that signals the new focus for Africa that is emerging, one that places confidence in African institutions and capacity to find solutions to the continent’s challenges.

Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency, was quoted as commending the collaboration between the two institutions and stated that, “Gaps in policy-making and implementation can, from now on, be filled will real time data and evidence from Africa itself.”

South Africa plays a central role in the international space community with an established reputation for accuracy and reliability, of which SANSA is using the benefits of space science and technology to help grow and develop the African region.

“The South African National Space Agency is revisiting its strategic position in leading innovations for space solutions, not only for South Africa, but for the rest of the continent to enable us to make informed decisions,” Dr Val Munsami, SANSA’s CEO said.

Dr Munsami also reiterated that Africa is starting to look inward for its own solutions, and added that the MoU signed with the NEPAD Agency will go a long way in redressing challenges in various sectors including agriculture, food security and disaster management.

Other areas of collaboration between SANSA and the NEPAD Agency include: Integrated water resources management; sustainable forestry management; infrastructure; geospatial visualisation and web mapping services, as well as capacity building and knowledge transfer.

ITRealms reports that the satellite based remote sensing products and services provided by SANSA will play a fundamental role in aiding spatial decision support systems that are required for the implementation of NEPAD’s 2025 Vision on the Comprehensive African Agricultural Development Programme (CAADP), which is Africa’s policy framework for agricultural transformation, wealth creation, food security and nutrition, economic growth and prosperity for all. The products and services will also play a key role in NEPAD’s Action Plan for the Environment Initiative and the Presidential Infrastructure Champion Initiative.

“The achievement of Agenda 2063 requires innovative partnerships that enhance evidence based planning and implementation for real transformation on the continent,” Dr Mayaki said.

The space-based solutions will also enable the NEPAD Agency to support the African Union in the monitoring the Sustainable Development Goals, which are aligned with the implementation of the first ten year plan of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Abuja runway: Is Nigeria Can-do Spirit - Minister

ITRealms:

The timely completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, runway that paved the way for the re-opening of the airport, after a six-week closure, has shown the ability of the Buhari Administration to rise up to any occasion, irrespective of how daunting the challenge may be.

In a statement issued in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Wednesday, April 19 the Minister described as a remarkable achievement the ability of the government to complete the total reconstruction of the runway within the stipulated time, despite doomsday predictions.

He said the clock-work precision with which everything concerning the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the temporary relocation to the Kaduna Airport was handled by the relevant ministries and the security agencies is the clearest indication yet that Nigeria can tackle any challenge.

Alhaji Mohammed noted that the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road by the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the provision of non-invasive but effective security along the highway by the security agencies and the perfect handling, by the Ministry of Transportation, of the massive logistics involved in ensuring that the Kaduna Airport was able to handle such a large number of flights, all showed that Nigerians have what it takes to make the country a proud member of the comity of nations.

''It is to the credit of the security agencies and the Federal Road Safety Corps that passengers travelling along the ever-busy Abuja-Kaduna highway were largely kept safe while the closure of the Abuja airport lasted. There was no known security scare while accidents on the road were kept at the barest minimum, despite the increased vehicular traffic. Who can forget the timely departure and arrival of the Abuja-Kaduna train that ferried thousands of passengers back and forth during the Abuja airport closure?

''Indeed, the closure of the Abuja airport runway and the logistic nightmare it triggered must rank among the most intimidating challenges faced by this Administration. It's ability to live up to expectation by delivering the project even before the scheduled date has further confirmed that Nigerians elected a responsive, responsible and capable federal government in 2015,'' he said.

The Minister reminded those who might want to trivialize the feat that what could not be done, in the over 30 years that the Abuja airport runway was left to deteriorate to the level of near failure, was achieved in just six weeks by a determined Administration even under an economic recession.

He also recalled that the Port Harcourt International Airport was closed for almost two years, a shameful development, at a time the country was witnessing a more favourable economic situation.

Alhaji Mohammed thanked Nigerians for enduring the inconveniences that came with the relocation of Abuja flights to Kaduna, the Ethiopian Airline that operated its scheduled Abuja flights to Kaduna when other international carriers turned their back, and the Julius Berger construction company that worked day and night to deliver the project before schedule.

''The success recorded in the timely reconstruction of the Abuja airport runway can only rank next to the determined effort with which the federal government contained the Boko Haram insurgency. We assure Nigerians that this Administration is employing the same uncommon determination to tackle all the challenges facing the country, including pervasive corruption, insecurity, unemployment, infrastructural decay as well as the general economy,'' he said.

Segun Adeyemi/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

SGF Suspension: Who’s the presidency asked Babachir Lawal

ITRealms:

The suspended Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr. Babachi Lawal, has told reporters to ask the “presidency” why he was suspended, retorting ‘Who’s the presidency’ reports ITRealms.

Obviously reacting to his suspension after a closed door meeting with Vice President, Yemi Osibanjo at the state house, Mr. Lawal was caught on tape, Wednesday shortly after his suspension was announced.

However, correspondent informed him that his suspension was announced by the presidency, he retorted: “Who is the presidency?”

Detail transcription of that encounter is here:

Reporters: Your suspension has just been announced. How will you react to the development?

Lawal: Who announced it?

Reporters: The presidency

Lawal: Then ask them. Why are you asking me? Who is the presidency?

Reporters: Have you been informed of the suspension?

Lawal: By who? About what. What about you? Have you been informed?

Reporters: Yes sir.

Lawal: By who?

Reporters: By the Presidency sir.

Lawal: I have not seen it. I should have been given… I have not seen the press release so I cannot comment on it.

Reporters: It is currently trending online. Are you doubting the authenticity of the statement?

Lawal: I have not seen it.

Reporters: Tell us the outcome of your meeting with the vice-president.

Lawal: I am always here. I always meet the vice-president. I used to come here even before I was made SGF.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Six Nollywood tricky lessons for girls on femininity

Gender ICT@ITRealms:

If you are a fan of Nollywood movies, you probably already have certain impressions about Nigerians and their women especially. The female characters in Nollywood movies are almost always cast in similar roles.

The young girls are often portrayed as damsels in distress who eventually find their purpose after they meet a man; or they are cast as gossips and home breakers driven by jealousy and bitterness. Other times they are money-conscious and beauty obsessed simpletons e.t.c;

The older women are usually depicted as wives whose lives are centered around their husbands; they are over-religious mothers who control their daughters, and mothers-in-law, whose purpose is to antagonize the daughters-in-law.

In general, the movies fail to portray Nigerian females in their diversity and complexity. Of course, there are exceptions where the female character is portrayed differently and given non-traditional roles, but how often do we see those kinds of Nollywood films?

While these movies entertain the viewers, it also serves as a medium through which the cultures and norms of the Nigerian society are disseminated to inform and mold the behavior of the masses. As such, they have the potential to shape young minds in a lot of ways.

Without realizing it, young girls in Nigeria who are exposed to these Nollywood films, learn what it means to “be a woman”. Unfortunately, not all of the lessons Nollywood teaches these girls about feminism are good.

Here are some of the problematic lessons:

Marriage is the end game
From as old as the movie “Taboo” to as recent as the blockbuster “Wedding Party”, a number of Nigerian movies tend to subtly or even strongly pass the message that marriage is a woman’s highest achievement, thus should be the highlight of her existence. Most times disguised as a love story or just plain comedy, it essentially portrays the heroine as someone who is all about getting a man to love and marry her. Some of these movies even portray women as men-mad idiots who will go to great lengths to get a man: betray friends, disown their families, and change their religion e.t.c.

Girls, when they absorb this message, start to believe that they must have a man to eventually lead a complete life. This is possibly why the marriage fever is unending and most women in our society today would rather chase a man than chase their dreams…even when they do not even feel attracted to a man.

Nollywood should strive to diversify their plot to include heroines who are able to achieve their life’s purpose without necessarily being married or being depressed they achieved the success without a man by their side.

Being Feminist means being tough, domineering and acting like a man 
Among the myriad Nollywood movies that have been produced over the years, some movies have tried to foster the ‘feminist’ agenda. Some of these movies like “Black Bra” or “women in power”, however, end up giving these female characters “male” attributes while trying to achieve their aim. 

They make them tough, domineering and even get them do certain things that have been stereotyped as ‘male’ behavior. This defeats the purpose, as the idea of feminism is not that men be removed from earth or be hated.

It should not in any way either suggest that the world will be better run by females.

Feminism basically just suggests that the female is of the same status as the male, not less, not better…and this message is what these Nollywood movies should strive to pass across.

This is so that the girls, who are influenced by these movies, are not deluded to think that to be empowered, they have to feel better than men or even despise them.

Women are weak and need rescuing
A classic example is the movie “First lady”. The Heroine already on her own was hoping to be rescued by a Prince Charming. This is a mentality most girls have these days, as a result of the numerous Nollywood movies they have seen on African Magic.

They are unwilling to put in the hard work they need to upgrade their status, or take them out of whatever situation they find themselves entrapped in. They wait to meet a man who will rescue them from an abusive father, or change their lives and take them out of poverty.

This mentality is the reason a lot of our Nigerian girls are still not self-made and not rising up to their full potential.

Nollywood movies that highlight this damsel in distress/knight in a shining amor theme, should be regulated so that we have more girls who are confident and willing to chart their own course.
Being girly is what makes you beautiful, attractive and most of all “normal”

The heroines who get the happy ending are usually costumed and molded to look and behave a certain way. They wear dresses and adorn themselves with jewelry. They also put on make-up and wear hair extensions. They also tend to show a lot of emotion (they cry and throw tantrums). The few times a female character is shown, perhaps without makeup or flashy girly clothes, she is really poor, and usually, she will have to upgrade to or adopt the “girly” image, in order to get her happy ending. Even more, if is she is dressed in certain clothes that have been tagged “male”, automatically she is a lesbian or a thug who probably will not have a happy ending.

The young girls who get these messages become image-obsessed, as they now believe how they look is everything. Perhaps Nollywood movies need to place less emphasis on the outward appearance of the girl focus more on highlighting the qualities in a female character that makes her uniquely female.

As a woman, you have to wait for love to find you
It is really hard to see any romantic Nollywood movie where the girl took the bull by the horn, and went in search of love. The love stories are always written in such a way that boy meets girl, boy pursues girl, and love conquers all.

In these movies, these girls- even ones that are clearly self-centered and narcissistic- do not need to work on themselves or do anything …love finds them any way.

This is not the case in our real world today. Love does not come easy. At least, not genuine love. It is important that girls know it is alright for them to make the first move sometimes, and go for what they want as opposed to waiting to be pursued.

Also, it is important that they understand that love requires emotional maturity; they may need to work on themselves to attract the kind of love they desire. Nollywood movies should try to reflect that.

Women are destined for subservient roles in the society
In a large number of Nollywood movies, men are depicted as leaders, rulers and successful business men. Women, on the other hand, are mostly captured in domestic settings, their roles constrained to being mothers, daughter, brides, housewives and other related roles. Even in a few movies where the woman is given a sort of ‘masculine’ role or place in a position of power, it is still orchestrated such that she has to submit to a higher boss who is male, or submit to a domineering husband.

This gives the girl the impression that this is all the future holds for her. Her mind is conditioned to accept and even look forward to it. Modern day Nollywood movies should consider the direct and remote messages their moving may be passing across and not ignore them. They can start by ensuring women are not always cast in traditional roles.

What are your thoughts on these points?

*Nkem Ndem contributed this from Lagos.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Why Buhari suspended SGF Lawal, DG NIA, Ayo Oke

ITRealms:

The President, Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the allegations of violations of law and due process made against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr David Babachir Lawal, in the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE), reports ITRealms.

Also, ITRealms reports that the President has also directed the suspension of the SGF from office pending the outcome of the investigations.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, confirmed to ITRealms that in a related development, the President has ordered a full scale investigation into the discovery of large amounts of foreign and local currencies by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos, over which the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) has made a claim.

The investigation is also to enquire into the circumstances in which the NIA came into possession of the funds, how and by whose or which authority the funds were made available to the NIA, and to establish whether or not there has been a breach of the law or security procedure in obtaining custody and use of the funds.

The President has also directed the suspension of the Director General of the NIA, Ambassador Ayo Oke, pending the outcome of the investigation.

A three-man Committee comprising the Hon. Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the National Security Adviser, headed by the Vice President, is to conduct both investigations.

The Committee is to submit its report to the President within 14 days.

The most senior Permanent Secretary in the SGF's office, and the most senior officer in the NIA, are to act, respectively, during the period of investigation.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Abuja Airport reopens: Overland Airways resumes flight services

ITRealms:

The Overland Airways, Nigeria’s frontline airline, has resumed flight services at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja reports ITRealms.

The Federal Government, ITRealms reports had closed the Abuja airport for repairs since March 8, 2017 but resumption of services followed the reopening of the airport on April 19.

In line with this, Overland Airways said flight services to and from Abuja Airport commened from Wednesday, April 19, 2017, according to the Capt. Edward Boyo, Managing Director.

He also commended the Hon. Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, noting that the Airline will operate flights from its key destinations including Ibadan, Ilorin, Jalingo, Akure and Asaba to the Abuja Airport. Overland Airways assures its customers and the general public of reliable, efficient and comfortable flight services to and from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. 

“The sustenance of economic activities is topmost priority for both the private sector and government, and air transport as a key driver of economic activities has these past weeks proven its indispensability in supporting Nigeria’s economic activities and development. We thank our passengers for their patronage and assure you all of excellent services ahead from Overland Airways," he said.

Overland, he said, salutes government’s commitment which has largely ensured the successful movement of people and goods to Abuja through Kaduna International Airport these past weeks. Overland Airways is a dedicated partner in the current efforts to rebuild Nigeria’s economy. We also congratulate the Kaduna State government for being the resourceful host and supporting the achievement of successful flight operations. ”

“And that is why we have been available to support the swift, comfortable and seamless movement of our passengers during the relocation of Abuja flights to Kaduna. Our joy is in the realization that our customers have been able to carry on with their business and leisure activities through our dedicated flight services.”

Mrs. Aanu Benson, Chief Operating Officer of Overland Airways, says: “Our priority is to get our passengers to their destinations in comfort and convenience irrespective of challenges in the operating environment.

“We appreciate our customers for their steadfast support over the past weeks and indeed over the 15 years of Overland Airways existence. We assure our customers of improved services and increased-value offerings. Overland Airways is the longest-serving, most consistent airline that has provided uninterrupted flight services in Nigeria over these past 15 years, with a passion for economic development.”

Overland Airways will, however, maintain flight operations to Kaduna International Airport to support economic activities in Kaduna State and its environs.

Ayo Midele/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

South-south ranks lowest in Nigerians clamour for open NASS

ITRealms:

The people of the South-south Nigeria has emerged the lowest in the location of signatories for the Nigerians clamour for an open government and particularly the National Assembly (NASS), reports ITRealms.

This is coming as six (6) per cent of the indigenes appending their signature for an OpenNASS, while the North Western Nigeria scored top of the survey with 19 per cent.

ITRealms reports that the latest survey made available to correspondent by Enough-is-Enough group in Lagos, showed that among other regions within the six geographic political zone in Nigeria, the people of North West came top including Kaduna.

According to a recent signature collection on #OpenNASS, ITRealms gathered that details of the information from the signatures gathered showed that the South-South was followed the South-Eastern part of Nigeria by a margin of additional 1 per cent, hence scoring 7 in total.

The South-Western Nigeria came third with 9 per cent, North-East got 14 per cent, while North Central also known as Middle Belt region got 15 per cent, just as 30 per cent abstained from identifying their region.

Also in the use of language for signatories collected, the Hausa topped with some 45 per cent followed by the use of English which raked 29 per cent, Yoruba got 11 per cent, Igbo got 10 per cent and Pidgin was 5 per cent.

Further, ITRealms gathered that the gender of signatories showed that men still dominate when it comes to the online survey with 53 per cent, whereas female were 20 per cent, even as 27 per cent did not indicate their gender.

Nonye Dom/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Adeosun goes to World Bank spring meeting with reform agenda

ITRealms:

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, is in Washington DC, United States, this week for the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings with reform agenda of the federal government, reports ITRealms.

The Minister is participating in a range of events focused on different aspects of the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda, calling Calls for greater African and international collaboration on illicit financial flows to drive accelerated revenue growth and improved government efficiency.

At her opening event on Monday, she gave an address to the Global Parliamentary Conference, alongside parliamentarians from around the world, focused on Nigeria’s economic reform agenda and the need for strong executive and legislative collaboration.

In her address to senior representatives from the World Bank and IMF, as well as over 150 parliamentarians the Minister called for greater focus on collaboration in illicit financial flows from Africa as a core pillar of the government’s strategy to significantly enhance domestic government revenue and deliver sustainable economic growth.

“The government is focused on resetting the Nigerian economy by addressing our traditional over-reliance on oil revenues and establishing the basis for sustainable non-oil revenue growth. To improve non-oil revenues, we have to address illicit capital flows. When stolen money is transferred from Nigeria, or other African countries, there are too few questions asked by those countries that receive the funds, but when we identify those funds as stolen and seek to recover them, there are too many questions being asked,” she said.

According to her, “There is money sitting in foreign bank accounts that we have spent over a decade trying to recover. That is money that could deliver significant value for Nigeria as we seek to increase spending on critical infrastructure and establish a basis for long term sustainable growth. I hope that the Automatic Exchange of Information scheme coming into force next year will be a step towards achieving greater transparency, but we need more collaboration amongst parliamentarians in Africa, and across the World to ensure that this situation improves and that recipient countries are held to account.”

Commenting further, she said that FG is going after those who have stolen money. 

"We have put in place a very successful whistle blower programme that is delivering results, and allows those who report illicit activity to receive up to 5% of any funds that we recover. We are also significantly improving our financial management controls to ensure that it is considerably more difficult for public funds to be diverted. We have to do more though and that means collaboration with the legislature. We need tighter tax and financial reporting legislation and to ratify bilateral agreements so that our enforcement agencies are empowered to deliver the results that we need” she declared.

Ayo Midele/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

African Independent Forum confirms speakers

ITRealms:

The ITE Group plc, the organisers of the Africa Independents Forum, said it has finalised the programme and confirmed the speakers for the 16^thedition of the forum, which will take place on 24^th and 25^th May in London, reports ITRealms.

A press statement made available to ITRealms, the organisers noted that as one of the foremost events on the international Oil and Gas calendar, the 16^th Africa Independents Forum brings together all stakeholders in Africa’s upstream oil and gas to review the state of the industry and exchange ideas on game-changing opportunities for the future.  

The two-day programme, designed around the theme “Shaping the Continent's Future in Upstream Oil & Gas”, will kick off with keynote speaker David Fassom, Director of Stellar Energy Advisors Ltd in London, delivering an overview of Africa’s Oil & Gas affairs.

Broken down into six sessions, the subjects explored during the two days will cover crucial aspects of the industry and current and future challenges such as exploration, development and production, oil and gas assets in emerging, undervalued Sub-Saharan Africa and untapped potential in Africa, E&P strategy and corporate investment, finance, risk and contracts. (See full programme) (https://goo.gl/HeSnGZ)

During the two days, delegates will benefit from invaluable insights from senior-level international speakers involved in Africa’s upstream industry. These include James Phillips, President & CEO, Africa Energy Corp, Cape Town; Maggy Shino, Petroleum Commissioner, Ministry of Mines & Energy, Namibia; Carlos Zacarias, Chairman, Instituto Nacional de Petroleo, Moçambique; and Jim Baban, Managing Director, Heritage Oil, St. Helier, amongst others (see full speaker list) (http://APO.af/cRCZgr).

During Session Five, on Day 2, Anthony Gilby, CEO & Managing Director of Brisbane’s Tlou Energy, will present the company’s gas development projects. “We believe that Tlou is extremely well-positioned to progress with plans for the Lesedi gas-to-power project to achieve first power in 2019, after receiving a request for proposal from the Botswana government to deliver 100MW of power, plus having Independent Power Corporation signed as a development partner.”

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Communication Managers warned to take social media seriously over fake news

ITRealms:

Communication Managers under the aegis of World Communications Forum (WCF) have been cautioned to be cautious of social media by taking this industry subsector seriously due prevalent of fake news, reports ITRealms.

Giving this caution, at the 2017 World Communications Forum held in Geneva, Switzerland and Development Expert, Mr Michael Bociurkiw, said that its high time chief executive officers of communication outfits across the world have to take social media seriously by way of helping to monitor their clientele reputations.

“CEOs of companies, who refuse to spend on social media, social media strategy, and crisis communications, do so at their own peril,” he declared, stressing that monitoring is required 24/7.

He pointed out that at this era, company's reputation is everything because it takes years to build a trusted brand but minutes and even seconds to bring it down.

“Don't allow a gap in communications to allow others to do the speaking for you” he said.

Bociurkiw pointed out that the challenge of fake news has become a subject of communications front burner, reiterating that in the current communications environment clients expect their consultants to be decision-makers.

“However, social media now requires quick decisions in the middle of the night, thus encouraging Communications practitioners and Chief Executive Officers to embrace Social Media as much as they can,” he said.

According to him, information is fast food, because today people consume 87 per cent more information than 30 years ago.

“In the past 4 months the communications environment has changed completely, now communications wags the tail of diplomacy,” he said.

Also, he admitted that fake news is a danger to democracy and could easily become hate speech, and that large new media companies such as FaceBook have been slow to introduce policies/tools to combat. Just as he highlighted this as one of the challenges of the social media, in spite of its numerous advantages, and hopes there will be a solution to this, as he upholds the use of social media in the 21st century.

Nonye Dom/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!