82 Chibok girls freed by Boko Haram

ITRealms:

A total of 82 Chibok girls have been reportedly freed by the leadership of Boko Haram, late Saturday according to the Cable News Network (CNN), reports ITRealms.

Boko Haram, ITRealms gathered refers to by themselves as al-Wilāyat al-Islāmiyya Gharb Afrīqiyyah, and Jamā'at Ahl as-Sunnah lid-Da'wah wa'l-Jihād meaning "Group of the People of Sunnah for Preaching and Jihad"), is an Islamic extremist group based in northeastern Nigeria, also active in Chad, Niger and northern Cameroon.^”

According to CNN monitored in Lagos, the Chibok girls were freed following the successful negotiations between Boko Haram and the Nigerian government, a government official close to the negotiations confirmed to the cable TV station.

The source said the freed Chibok girls were presently in military custody in Banki, in northeastern Nigeria.

The Theater Commander of North-East has also confirmed that 82 Chibok girls were freed.

Equally, it was gathered they are on transfer to the capital, Abuja, where they will undergo medical checks and definitely reunite with their families.

ITRealms recalls that a total of 276 girls were allegedly kidnapped from the village of Chibok in April 2014.

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For stealing: DSS arrests Ifeanyi Ubah of Capital Oil

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Secret Police, otherwise known as the Departmentof State Services (DSS) has explained the arrested of the Managing Director of Capital Oil, Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, for alleged stealing, reports ITRealms.

Ifeanyi Ubah, ITRealms gathered was arrested on Friday for "economic crimes of national security dimension". 

DSS in a press statement by one Mr. Tony Opuiyo, explained that Ubah's arrest was specifically on acts of economic sabotage, which comprised stealing, diversion and illegal sale of petroleum products stored in his tank farm by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).       

"So far, it has been established that the products stolen amount to over N11billion. There is no doubt that Ubah’s acts have the capacity to negatively impact on national economy," DSS said, stressing that he also engaged in other activities inimical to national security and public order.

In addition, DSS claimed that Ifeanyi Ubah has incited members of the Petroleum Tanker Drivers to refuse/stop the lifting of petroleum products, which amounts to undermining of the Federal Government.

"This is part of his plans to curry their sentiments and cause them to embark on strike and also stage protests in his favor with the ulterior motive of arm-twisting the NNPC to abandon the cause of recovering the stolen products. The implications of this on law and order is, in fact, a common knowledge. It is consequent upon this that the Service arrested and will prosecute him forthwith," Opuiyo explained.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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41 items policy remains in place - CBN

ITRealms:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has denied any changes in its 41 items policy, declaring the guideline remain unchanged, reports ITRealms.

According to the acting director, Corporate Communications at CBN, Mr. Isaac Okorafor, in a press statement made available to ITRealms, said the attention of the Central Bank of Nigeria has been drawn to some media reports to the effect that the CBN has reversed part of its policy on some import items ineligible for foreign exchange (forex).

“We wish to state that these reports and their interpretations are wrong. The CBN has not reversed its policy on the 41 items ineligible for forex through the Nigerian forex market,” he said.

Okorafor said that the reports appeared to be a misinterpretation of CBN circular titled “Revised Documentation Requirements for Allocation of Foreign Exchange for Small-Scale Importation” dated May 03, 2017, to the effect that importers of items classified as "ineligible for Forex" with transactions value of $20,000 and below per quarter shall now qualify for allocation of foreign exchange subject to the completion of form Q".

This provision, Okorafor explained, does not refer to the 41 items that remain ineligible for forex sale in the Nigerian Forex market.

“We therefore urge the media and the general public to take note,” he insisted.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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SystemSpecs emerges most innovative e-payment company

ITRealms:

SystemSpecs, the owner and operator of Remita, the e-payment platform that has generated over N7 trillion for the Federal Government has emerged as the most innovative for creating the payment platform, edging out Interswitch, Paystack and Konga Pay, reports ITRealms.

Organized by West Africa’s most authoritative business medium, Businessday newspaper, the award seeks to honour companies that have contributed to the sustainability of their customer-base, bottomline, overall organisational growth, and development of the country. Over 125 organsiation made the final list.

Addressing journalists after receiving the award, SystemSpecs’ Chief Marketing Officer, David Okeme, said that the award has shown that the company is winning on the kind of innovation the organisation is introducing into the electronic payment space.

“We see payment as an activity that is a must for everybody. Our mantra is that we are going out of our way to create innovations to simplify payment processes for Nigerians. What we have done is that we have marked about ten payment points for consumers and we are innovating around those payments points to make sure that they are delivered seamlessly”.

Publisher of Businessday, Frank Aigbogun, said the newspaper seeks to advance the philosophy and culture of innovation in our nation space, and to recognize the people and companies that are driving it.

“Today, innovation is a key driver of organic growth for all companies, regardless of sector or geography. Recognising the organization, agencies, and individuals that are driving and advancing the culture of innovation, the award brings together industry leaders across all sectors”, he said.

Special adviser to the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN], Emmanuel Ukeje, acknowledged that 2016 was particularly a tough year for many of the companies. He said the CBN’s response to the economic recession was supported by most of the private sector.

“In response to the recession, these companies looked for ways of going round the recession and remain profitable. We are witnesses to what happened”, he added.  

  

Remita has been adopted by the Central Bank of Nigeria [CBN] for the payment and collections of funds on behalf of the Federal Government of Nigeria, and it is used by all commercial banks and over 400 micro finance banks. The platform has helped to revolutionalize the e-payment industry in Nigeria.

Okeme explained that SystemSpecs is wholly owned and run by Nigerian with Nigerian software engineers, meaning that the “energy we talked about is being created by Nigerians”.

According to him, “Remita is the system that is powering the Treasury Single Account [TSA] and it has helped the country to save over N7 trillion. The benefits of this innovation is that Nigeria now has full visibility of its cash asset so there is a lot more security in terms of her assets and deploy its resources better”, he said.

He maintained that Remita app combines the functions of several applications, saying that, it is an app that allows users to connect to all the banks applications with one click. He added that with the app, user can respond to payment requests from restaurants, shopping outlets, schools, family, friends, or other billers by quickly snapping, a QR code from his smartphone or tapping his device against the biller’s to complete transactions.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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NCAC, BoI deal targets 200,000 Jobs – Minister

ITRealms:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Bank of Industry (BoI), which makes available 300 million Naira loan for stakeholders in the Creative Industry, will create 200,000 jobs in the sector, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Abuja on Friday when the Director General of the Council, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, presented to him the MoU, which was signed earlier in the day.

"I have been reliably informed that top on the list of the benefits that will accrue from this landmark MoU is that it will create over 200,000 jobs for the sector. This is epochal, and it is in line with one of the cardinal programmes of this administration, which is job creation and empowerment.

''The MoU will also act as a catalyst for the development of the country's craft industries, create a financing window and make available loanable funds to be accessed by all NCAC stakeholders, as well as assist the stakeholders in capacity building," he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the MoU will equally enhance the capacity of producers of cultural products and services to work towards attaining the standard of modern practice in the packaging of their cultural products, to enable them compete favourably at the global markets and earn the nation's Artists a decent living.

The Minister commended Otunba Runsewe for putting together ''this momentous event'' just a few days after assuming office as the NCAC DG, and also thanked the Acting MD of BoI, Mr Waheed Olagunju, for his support for the Creative Industry.

"As you may all be aware, one of the factors militating against the promotion of the Nigerian creative industries has been lack of access to funding for the Artists to develop their creative works as well as weak access to international markets, due to poor packaging and standard. I am therefore happy to say that with the signing of this MoU, Nigerian Artists can heave a sigh of relief," he said.

In his remarks, Otunba Runsewe described the MOU as a milestone in the creative sector, being the first time in history that the sector will access funds from a financial institution with a single digit interest rate.

"Today, we have come to make a history-making presentation to the Honourable Minister. Today happens to be a day that will create a change and we are going to tell our story the way it should have been told some few years ago," he said.

The NCAC DG acknowledged the leadership role of the Minister, particularly in leveraging on the unique potential of the Creative Industry to drive the diversification of the economy away from oil.

The Minister used the occasion to decorate some journalists with a special pin with the inscription: "Our Culture, Our Pride", as part of a conscious strategy to mobilise the media to promote the nation's creative industry.

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Pix: The Director General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, presenting a Memorandum of Understanding between the Council and the Bank of Industry to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in Abuja on Friday.

Cameroun Internet Shutdown: Before we leap for joy!

Commentary@ITRealms:

Five months ago, We at the Afrika Youth Movement (AYM) with the aid of our members on the ground from the English speaking regions of Cameroon, released exclusive interviews and video to project the strike from the youth voices in Cameroon,  a country that has seen just one president since 1986.

As a resulted, we have partnered with other human rights organizations addressing an Open Letter To Cameroonian Government On Internet Connectivity In Anglophone Regions in English and French.  

We also condemned human rights abuses in Cameroon, our member Molinge Henry spoke out for justice in Cameroon on local newspapers. 

But should we leap for joy?

With the restoration of the internet by Paul Biya, in these regions after 94 days of deprivation, euphoria has greeted not only nationals, but also activists and the diasporas as a revival of the negative impact on the populace which highlighted the international trending of #BringBackOurInternet. The legendary question hovers, should we genuinely leap for joy?

Biya has asserted that he is no different from other African leaders in Gabon, Ethiopia, Chad, Uganda, the Gambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and others who have used internet restriction to oppress the voices of the marginalized. Their major vices toward their people have been to eliminate those who stand against their ways of power clinching despite their unpopularity and their incompetence toward thought leadership and honest governance. Their strategies to maintain their grip are no doubt tantamount to the violation of people's rights and freedom.

Before celebrating the return of citizens’ deserved internet, let us go back to the core matter; did they take to the street because of the internet cut? Or was it as a side effect to the action taken by the marginalized against their marginalization? With this established, does the internet restoration solve the anglophones’ problem?

In a series of interviews recently carried out as we commune with young leaders, activists and citizens in different fields across Cameroon on this issue.  Their only excitement that floated stemmed from the reinstallation of the ‘lazy’ internet as the guarantee to reconnect to their loved ones has been rekindled. 

Our source from Buea, whose identity would not be disclose for security reasons, says “the biggest sufferer are tech entrepreneurs whose businesses survive solely on the internet because customers can only assess them digitally through social medias and websites.” In a global system where economies of countries are driven by young tech entrepreneurs, and Buea being the tech hub of Cameroon, President Biya’s clamp down took “a great leap” backward for Cameroon with serious damage on the economy. The economic losses are estimated at a minimum of $4.5 million according to Access Now.

This shutdown disrupted access to vital information, e-financing and emergency services; not minimizing the interrupted remittances from the diaspora to Cameroon. In fact, according to the Brookings Institution, a similar decision in Ethiopia that lasted for just 30days, that is from June to July, cost the country the sum of $8 million.

Before we leap for joy on Cameroon, we have to ask questions like; what about the activists held illegally in police custody?

It should be noted that what gyrated into the internet ban was a result of protest from teachers and lawyers which degenerated to the students and the man on the street who all have been complaining against unequal laws and the biased educational policies and implementation toward the Anglophone sub system. This led to many youth being assaulted and dozens more arrested. The height of trying to control the protest from spilling over was internet shutdown. So what happens to these young activists facing trial for simply exercising their freedom of expression and association besides schools shutdown and loss of vital access to education?

Before we leap for joy on Cameroon, we must ensure it is a safe place for youth advocates, activists, academics, entrepreneurs and citizens. Thus President Paul Biya has to address the concerns of Anglophone Cameroon. A referendum should not be a bad idea except that President Biya knows his support is at an all-time low in Southern Cameroon and whatever policies he comes up with be countered. So his only way will be to manipulate results as this is what dictators are known for.

It is becoming a trend among African leaders to disconnect their people from the world and promote a façade of the real issues in the country for the benefit of a selected few whose time has gone.

It is problematic to see the international community’s reactions to issues of the Internet shutdown, notably with the statement  by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and the statement by the UN envoy for Central Africa. Apart from these statements, there has not been international reaction or action  on the core issues and demands of English Speaking Cameroonians whose rights have been violated.

Human rights approach to the problem should not lay much weight on Digital Rights and disregard the discriminatory practices and policies by the Cameroonian government against Anglophone regions.

In the midst of  global challenges, it seems this issue is not perceived to be a priority. 

Therefore, we demand to:

1.    The Immediate release of all arrested (who are mostly Cameroonian youth) by the government 

2.    A compensation plan for businesses that have lost huge profits due to the deliberate act of the government in an era where internet is key to survival for business.

3.    The African Union to act and call on the Cameroon government to stop Human Rights violations and encourage a National Dialogue

*Contributed by Daniel Nwaeze, Media and Communications Lead, Afrika Youth Movement, email: info@afrikayouthmovement.org

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Ngozi: Another feather adorns the cap

Commentary@ITRealms:

Last week, Fortune, a part of the TIME network released a list of 34 World Leaders who are changing health care globally, and surprise! surprise! Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Chair of Gavi as well as CEO Seth Berkley, made the list.

While receiving awards and recognitions may seem like second nature to Dr Okonjo-Iweala, one is forced to admit that she is the recipient of countless awards because of her contributions to humanity, particularly to Africans where she has shown, time and again, her heart truly lies.

The African continent has fewer voices who remain consistent and constant in their advocacy than Mrs Iweala. In her pursuit for a better life for the African people, she has maintained a consistent stand whether as Gavi Chair, or as a member of the Asian Advisory Board, or as Finance Minister, or in any of the other capacities she has served or continues to serve. Small wonder, the world stops to listen when she speaks. Her achievements, no matter which side of the divide you fall, are evident to all and only a mind that is so totally biased would say that Okonjo-Iweala is not an Ace performer.

Small wonder former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his memoirs acknowledges that one of the high points of his administration would not have been achieved without the hard work of Okonjo-Iweala. And just as the Paris Club 30-billion-dollar debt relief has gone down in Nigeria’s history, no attempt to rewrite history can wipe her name off the page that she led the team that secured and delivered that relief to our dear country.

But that was not the only achievement that earned her the name “Mama Naija”. As minister under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Okonjo-Iweala advocated and set up the Sovereign Wealth Fund against the backlash of opposition from state governors. Thankfully, she achieved her aim. If she did not, would we have been able to read that Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Investment almost doubled in 2016, thus encouraging the present government to infuse more funds into the account?

Following on the heels of the Sovereign Wealth Fund came other phenomenal and laudable achievements such as the institutionalisation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and the Treasury Single Account (TSA). A strong advocate for system as a means to achieving sustainable development, madam Iweala also started the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC), Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN), and pushed Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).

Interestingly, Chief Obasanjo was not the only president she worked with who lavished her with exuberant praise. After her service to Nigeria as Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala was appointed Chair of GAVI and Senior Adviser, Lazard. Former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his congratulatory message, described her as an achiever whose leadership, as the head of his economic management team, brought about the successful implementation of far-reaching reforms in many sectors including power, telecoms, agriculture, financial services and infrastructural development.

The saying goes, “The reward for hard work is more work”, so it came as no surprise when almost immediately her term as minister ended, she was snapped up by leading global orgnisations like Gavi, Lazard, African Risk Capacity and then the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Even before she had warmed her seat in those positions, more appointments came calling, followed closely by more awards. 

And like the phenomenal woman, mother and leader that she is, she takes on each appointment, each assignment, each accolade with humility and a sense of responsibility towards the people who have always held her heart, whose battles she has fought, and whose victories she relishes, Africans.

*Dan Osofisan contributed this from University of Jos where he works and resides. danosofisan@gmail.com

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Court adjourns till May 18 on David Aiyedogbon vs Emeka Ugwuonye

ITRealms:

A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo, Abuja, Thursday, adjourned to May 18th, 2017, the Ten Billion Naira (N10b) defamation suit filed by ex-husband of missing Abuja business woman, Charity Aiyedogbon, Mr. David Aiyedogbon against controversial Lagos lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, reports ITRealms.

The adjournment followed a motion filed by the defendant, Mr. Ugwuonye, challenging the twenty thousand Naira (20,000.00) fine earlier slammed on him by the Court for refusing to move an earlier motion he filed challenging the jurisdiction of the Court to hear the matter.

He also prayed the Court to reinstate the motion, which was earlier struck out, saying his absence in previous Court sittings was not deliberate.

Counsel to the Plaintiff, Tony Ogbulafor told the Court that the fresh motion was served on him same morning in the Court hall, but still expressed readiness to address all the issues raised in Ugwuonye’s motion orally, from points of law.

When called upon to formally move the motion in Court, Ugwuonye asked for an adjournment, to enable him prepare to move his motion, a development that surprised both the plaintiff’s team and observers.

Ogbulafor had earlier told the court that the defendant, Ugwuonye’s conducts were unethical and an abuse of court process, even as he accused him of wasting the time of the court, with a view to delaying the road to justice.

After a heated debate, the presiding Judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke adjourned the matter to May 18, 2017, amidst protest by Ugwuonye, who argued that the date of next adjournment was too near.

It would be recalled that for falsely accusing him of having a hand in the sudden disappearance of his estranged wife, Charity Aiyedogbon, David Aiyedogbon, the ex-husband of the missing woman instituted a defamation of character suit of Ten Billion Naira (N10b) against Lagos Lawyer, Emeka Ephraim Ugwuonye.

The Suit, with number CV/2750/16, between David Aiyedogbon (Plaintiff) and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant) on defamation of character, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14, Apo Abuja; also prays that the defendant be ordered to pay for the cost of the suit.

The Plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Defendant, his Agents, Privies, Associates or whosoever called” from making further defamatory publications against him and his family members.

At the resumed hearing of the matter, the Court earlier granted a request brought before it by way of Motion Ex-parte, for service outside its jurisdiction by the lead prosecution Counsel, Tony Ogbulafor.

Mr. Ugwuonye is accused of posting severally on the Due Process Advocates (DPA), a Facebook group, claiming to have evidence of the involvement of the missing Charity Aiyedogbon’s ex-husband, David Aiyedogbon in her sudden disappearance.  
“I now have overwhelming evidence that Mr. David Aiyedogbon killed his wife, Chacha. David has an idea of the kind of evidence at my disposal.”
In another post, Ugwuonye is quoted as posting: “this is the headless and dismembered body of Charity Aiyedogbon (posting a corpse on his DPA Facebook page). DPA has been able to identify this as her body within the limits of resources at our disposal.”
Continuing, on the 28th of June, 2016, he is quoted as posting: “To reciprocate the gesture, I will describe David as a low-life and cold-blooded murderer of his own wife. The only reason I would not go further to describe David in the most despicable language that he rightly deserves is that I would rather focus my argument on points that would lead to justice for Chacha.”
In an earlier reaction to Ugwuonye’s allegation, Mr. Aiyedogbon washed his hands over the disappearance of the woman and wrote his accuser, through his lawyers, demanding an apology, failure which he would institute a suit against him for defamation of character.
The letter titled: “Defamation of the character of David Aiyedogbon; demand for apology,” signed by his lawyer, Obiora Ilo and made available to newsmen, expressly states: “It is our instruction to demand an unqualified apology from you to our client through our chambers for the defamatory publications you have made of and concerning our client.”
Investigations reveal that Mr. Ugwuonye is yet to produce any evidence to substantiate his claims. He has also not responded to the Writ of Summons served on him on the 16th of November, 2016 on the matter.
Enquiry at the National Secretariat of the Nigerian Bar Association also show that he is yet to respond to a query earlier issued him by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the matter, in respect of Mr. Aiyedogbon’s Petition to the NBA, dated 26th September, 2016.  

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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ITU set for Artificial Intelligence summit

ITRealms:

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has said that all is set for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit driven by the rapid progress in research, intelligent machines are gaining the ability to learn, improve and make calculated decisions in ways that will enable them to perform tasks previously thought to rely solely on human experience, creativity, and ingenuit​y, reports ITRealms.

As a result, ITRealms gathered that in the near future will see large parts of lives influenced by AI,

AI innovation, ITRealms also gathered will also be central to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and will help solving humanity's grand challenges by capitalizing on the unprecedented quantities of data now being generated on sentiment behavior, human health, commerce, communications, migration and more.

Official confirmed to ITRealms that with large parts of lives being influenced by AI, it is critical that government, industry, academia and civil society work together to evaluate the opportunities presented by AI, ensuring that AI benefits all of humanity.

Responding to this critical issue, ITU and the XPRIZE Foundation are organizing the first AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, 7-9 June, 2017 in partnership with a number of UN sister agencies.

The Summit aims to accelerate and advance the development and democratization of AI solutions that can address specific global challenges related to poverty, hunger, health, education, the environment, and others.

The Summit provides a neutral platform for government officials, UN agencies, NGO's, industry leaders, and AI experts to discuss the ethical, technical, societal and policy issues related to AI, offer reccommendations and guidance,​ and promote international dialogue and cooperation in support of AI innovation.

A number of distinguished speakers and organizations have committed to participating in the Summit.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Nigeria ready for business, urges Japanese to set up plants

ITRealms: 

The Federal Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun has declared to a Japanese Trade and Investment Mission to Nigeria that the country is open and ready to continue to do business with the rest of the world, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as she urged the big Japanese companies to invest in the country by setting up manufacturing plants, instead of shipping-in finished products.

Making this call in a discussion with a Japanese Public and Private Joint Mission in promoting Trade and Investment in Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, Adeosun said, the Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs led the 32 private sector and government organisations to the Ministry of Finance for the engagement.

She said that Nigeria welcomes Japanese investors in banking, insurance, manufacturing and other sectors adding that: “We will assist you to do well. Many companies came into Nigeria and are doing very well and there is nothing to stop Japanese firms from doing very well.”

She said that the Government is vigorously working to improve the country’s business environment by investing in transportation infrastructure and has made doing business in Nigeria easier.  “Specific reforms by removing lots of impediments, fiscal incentives to facilitate your coming into Nigeria to invest and drive your businesses, are being put in place,” she assured.

Mrs. Adeosun said that Africa’s biggest economy is now out of recession and wants to grow again, adding that the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) articulated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari was designed to stabilize the economy and propel it into growth.

The Minister told the Trade and Investment Mission that the Plan envisages stabilising the macroeconomic environment, boosting agricultural production for food security, ensuring energy sufficiency, improving transportation infrastructure and driving industrialization through manufacturing.

She stated that there are opportunities for the Japanese private sector investors, especially through Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the development of transportation infrastructure, hydropower and ports

Mrs. Adeosun expressed appreciation to the Japanese Government for supporting and executing many projects through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of the Mission, the Japanese Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shunsuke Takei, said that they were on a Mission to in Nigeria as part of the efforts by the Japanese Government to actualize the US$30 billion Public and Private investment pledge made in August 2016 during the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in Nairobi, Kenya, which was attended by President Muhammadu Buhari.

He said that given the size of the Nigerian population and market as well as its economic recovery and potential for growth, Japanese investors were  desirous of investing in Nigeria, while noting challenges in the areas of security, legal and  power environments.

He praised the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of the Federal Government and expressed optimism that the foreign exchange situation would improve further.

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Pic: The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun and leader of the Japanese Trade and Investment Mission led by the Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Shunsuke Takei.

Siemens signs MoU with Uganda, Sudan for closer ties

ITRealms:

The global technology powerhouse reputed for engineering excellence, innovation, quality, reliability and internationality for over 165 years, Siemens has entered a Memorandum of Understanding to work more closely with two African countries of Uganda and Sudan in the areas of power supply, industry, transportation and healthcare, reports ITRealms.

Siemens and the two African states signed the corresponding Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) at the World Economic Forum 2017 in the South African city of Durban.

The documents were signed in the presence of Brigitte Zypries, German Federal Minister for Economics and Energy, Joe Kaeser, President and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens AG and further high-ranking personalities.

“Africa’s economies are gaining ground and can develop their full potential with the right partner. Siemens wants to support their sustainable development – with solutions and projects in Africa, for Africa. The agreements with our African partners are important steps along this path,” said Joe Kaeser, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “Our goal is to double our order intake in Africa to more than €3 billion by the year 2020.”

Brigitte Zypries, German Federal Minister for Economics and Energy, said: “Africa is a continent with economic opportunities and the German industry is an outstanding partner for the countries of Africa to realize these opportunities. I am very pleased that with the agreements signed today, good progress is being made towards the goal of better infrastructure and thus more growth and employment. I particularly welcome the training program because well-trained skilled workers are a key pillar of prosperity and development. And it is precisely these elements that I also support with the ‘Pro! Africa’ plan.”

“Siemens is a company that invests for the long term, and we are interested in the long-term fundamentals of these markets and the diversification of their economies,” said Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO of Siemens Southern and Eastern Africa. “The opportunity for industrialization in Africa is now. It is estimated that Africa imports one-third of the food, beverages and other similar processed goods it consumers. The potential exists for Africa-based companies to meet this domestic demand and in so doing create sustainable revenue streams and opportunities for job creation.”

Under these agreements, Siemens and its partners will develop solutions in the areas of power supply, transportation, industry and healthcare. Another key point in the agreements relates to continuing training programs for various technical fields in order to create a pool of well-trained local workers. Furthermore, Siemens is joining the “Make IT Alliance” of the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development to promote start-ups and technology companies across the African continent. The agreement was signed in the presence of Guenter Nooke, German Chancellor's Personal Representative for Africa in the ministry.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Defamation: Zinox may drag Premium Times, Citadel Oracle to court

ITRealms:

Zinox Technologies Limited has given a seven-day deadline to the publishers of Premium Times, a local online publication to retract a series of defamatory publications against the company and its officials or face a legal action, reports ITRealms.

Head, Corporate Communications at Zinox, Gideon Ayogu, disclosed this to ITRealms quoting the Zinox Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh as saying insisting he never met with Mr. Benjamin Joseph, the Managing Director of Citadel Oracle Concepts and that neither Ekeh or any other official of Zinox has had any form of business transaction with the said company. According to him, this raises questions on the motive behind Premium Times’ continued campaign of calumny against Ekeh which appears a cheap attempt at extortion.

Challenging Premium Times to publish any proof of transactions between Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd. and Zinox or proof of any criminal charge against Ekeh, Zinox or any officials of the company in relation to the said stories, Ayogu further disclosed that there is no evidence of an indictment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), FIRS, the Nigerian Police or any law enforcement agency against Ekeh or Zinox Technologies.

Ayogu stated that Premium Times had enjoyed a holiday-of-sorts in their on-going smear campaign against Ekeh chiefly because Joseph’s prosecution is pending before a competent court of law and as a law-abiding corporate citizen, the management of Zinox wishes the law to have its course and does not intend to interfere with the course of justice. 

Also, Ekeh's well-known soft spot for the media as a pioneer of digital publishing in West Africa with his first company, Task Systems, which Premium Times seems to have mistaken for weakness. In his view, Zinox would rather focus on its mission of digital innovation than be distracted by blackmail.

“Upon reading the first story written by Premium Times, the management of Zinox wanted to sue the medium and Citadel Oracle Concepts but the Chairman cautioned that there was hunger in the land and that his checks on Mr. Joseph showed a man desperate to make ends meet.  Hence, we were advised not to waste our time. Every other media organization in Nigeria whom Joseph approached had investigated his claims and found no iota of truth in them and as a result, had refused to publish except Premium Times, a medium that is apparently in partnership with him possibly for a destructive intent.

“I personally called the writer, Bassey Udo on two occasions and requested him to verify his clams at the EFCC or Police Headquarters Abuja, or the Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Ikoyi, but he was not interested and instead chose to keep putting out one defamatory article after another based on fabricated stories handed down to him by Mr. Joseph.  I made it clear to him that Ekeh will never part with a kobo so he should stop wasting his time and degrading his publication. 

"As a civilized corporate citizen, we have taken this as a final responsible step for Premium Times to make public any agreement, transaction or link between Citadel Computers and Zinox Computers or any staff of Zinox computers since Zinox was launched in 2010. For instance, in their first publication, Premium Times claimed that they saw bank documents which ‘showed transfers of monies between FIRS account at CBN and the fake account as well as approvals by top officials of Zinox Technologies for disbursements from the account to Zinox bank account and those of the suspects.’

“We want to make it clear that Zinox did not receive any such amount in any of its accounts, and hereby challenge Premium Times to produce such document showing or bearing the name of Zinox or the Zinox account.   

“The on-going case for which Joseph is currently being prosecuted is between Citadel Oracle Concepts and another company which our Chairman has shares in. That company is Technology Distributions (TD), the biggest ICT products distributor in Sub-Saharan African representing major IT brands like HP, Lenovo, Dell, Microsoft and many others. TD is a totally different company from Zinox with different directors, shareholders, management team and a different line of business and Zinox was not in any way involved in the transaction.

“It is important to note that in the entire transaction leading up to this case, in all the above investigations and reports, Zinox Technologies Ltd. was not in any way involved. The transaction only involved Technology Distributions Ltd. and its staff. Also, Leo Stan Ekeh was not involved in the said transaction and the investigations. It was only in the last petition to the EFCC that he was asked to come because Benjamin Joseph mischievously mentioned his name in the petition to the Vice President. But in all his subsequent sponsored publications in the media (print and online), Benjamin Joseph targeted only Zinox and Ekeh. Why? The answer is clear.

“Following from the foregoing, it is clear that the purpose and objective of Joseph and Citadel Oracle Concepts Ltd. is to attempt to persecute, harass and blackmail us into agreeing with their unfounded claims, relying on the false information that the Board Resolution was forged. This intention is proved by the robust publicity they have given this case and castigating the person of our Chairman, Leo Stan Ekeh, OFR.

“This is why in the online publications, the photographs of Ekeh and no other person is displayed and Zinox is used as the caption, even when the company has no bearing with the story. This is blackmail. There is no other explanation for this other than blackmail.

“Citadel Oracle Concept Limited was one of the many IT resellers awarded a contract to supply HP laptops at FIRS in 2012 but had no funds to execute it and like few  others, had approached TD who are authorized HP distributors in Nigeria with the help of his consultant Princess Kama whose Uncle, Chief Onny Igbokwe has been a long term reseller of TD to assist in supplying the laptops at a pre-agreed invoice value. Our investigations showed that his representative, Princess Kama had previously executed several other bids on his behalf. We also have a copy of a Letter of Authority which Joseph issued to FIRS with copies of his international passport accepting the contract and appointing Princess Kama as his authorized representative to handle the transaction. This is verifiable at FIRS.

“In view of previous bad experience and in order to avoid exposing the business to bad loans, TD had nominated its staff – Mr. Chris Eze Ozims and Mrs. Shade Oyebode – to be signatories to an account opened for the purpose of disbursement of funds as regards the contract, solely as security for the laptops supplied on credit.  Upon payment of the sum for the contract, TD had gone ahead to deduct the invoiced sum of the supplied laptops and had its staff resigned as signatories to the account.”

Continuing, Ayogu disclosed that after a disagreement between Joseph and his representative, Princess Kama over the sharing of the proceeds, Mr. Joseph reported to Chief Afe Babalola Chambers that his company was used to defraud the FIRS by Princess Kama and her allies and that the laptops were not supplied. When the lady narrated the true story with documentary proof including a letter of authority signed by him, he withdrew from Afe Babalola Chambers and petitioned the EFCC, Lagos who investigated and saw no merit in his complaint. He then lodged another complaint with Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigerian Police, Ikoyi and told same lies, alleging that his signature on the board resolution to open the account at Access Bank was forged.  

The SFU launched an investigation at FIRS offices and confirmed that the laptops were supplied with serial numbers intact. However, since the crux of the matter was the denial by Joseph of not signing the Board Resolution to open the account with which the FIRS remitted payment for the supplied HP laptops, of which Mr. Ozims and Mrs. Oyebode were signatories on behalf of TD, the Police sent the documents for forensic analysis to determine its veracity. The evidence proved that the documents were not forged, and were actually signed by him. Hence, the warrants of arrest the Police had issued against Mr. Ozims (a First Class lawyer and Company Secretary of TD) and Mrs. Oyebode (a Chartered Accountant and Executive Director of TD) based on Joseph’s complaints were made on misleading information and ought not to have been issued.

“After a few months, he wrote the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) laying same claims against Princess Kama and TD without informing the DIG that he had earlier reported to the EFCC and SFU, Lagos. The Police again launched a nationwide investigation which confirmed all items supplied with serial numbers. When the Police Headquarters discovered that Joseph has wasted their time and limited resources on a false claim, the Inspector General of Police arraigned him for deceit and false petitioning at an Abuja court under Charge Number CR/216/16 at the FCT High Court.

“Upon inauguration of the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, Joseph again wrote the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) that his company was used to defraud the Federal Government of over N200m, and that no laptops were supplied to the FIRS. The VP minuted to the EFCC Chairman. The Procurement Fraud Unit of the EFCC again investigated and found every item supplied and FIRS showed all products supplied with serial numbers nationwide. It was at this point that he partnered with Premium Times to launch a media blackmail against our Chairman, Ekeh and Zinox which had no links to the matter on ground, probably with an intent at extortion.

“What we found funny while this prolonged attempt at extortion was going on were several calls by faceless numbers to our Chairman requesting him to try and resolve this issue with huge sums of money to save his hard-earned name and that of Zinox. These calls only ceased after he warned the callers that he will track and unearth their identity with digital satellites and report them to the appropriate authorities.

“In conclusion, why is Premium Times which is headquartered in Abuja not able to walk into the offices of the EFCC, Police Headquarters, Abuja, the FIRS and Attorney General’s Office and confirm the claim of their partner, Joseph. We have received several appeals from some industry practitioners to discontinue the criminal prosecution of Joseph at an Abuja court under Charge Number CR/216/16, we wish to inform them that we did not sue Mr. Joseph as it was the Police that charged him for misleading them, and we would not wish to waste our resources on a man that we do not know. It is for the court to determine if he is innocent or not, and not for Premium Times to embark on a media trial of the case.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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