NGO bill debate: Umar Jibril alleges some collected IDPs funds, disappeared

ITRealms:

The Deputy Majority Leader, House of Representatives, Hon. Umar Buba Jibril has alleged that Non-Governmental Organisation (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have collected funds meant for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the North East and disappear, reports ITRealms.

This, he said, was a core reason for the introduction of the NGO Regulation Bill before the National Assembly, aside the allegation of sponsoring or financing terrorism in the country.

Jubril, “...Some people registered NGOs, solicited for funds and disappeared. That happened recently in the North East,” just as he said, “...Churches, Mosques, Esusu, Market Women Associations not affected.“

According ot him, religious bodies and organizations are “NOT NGOs” stressing that quasi financial institutions at local levels are not NGOs.

“These organizations have existed for centuries to serve businesses and commerce of our market women and traders.

Pointing out that NGOs and CSOs are voluntary organizations that are registered to partner Government at all levels to fill gaps wherever they exist, thus partners in progress with the Government; hence the need for a commission to serve this purpose arises

“Secondly and naturally for them to carry out their activities, the NGOs and CSOs solicit for funds from all over the world and collect billions of naira on behalf of Nigerians. Thirdly they recruit expatriates to help them run their activities in the country with lots of abuses,” he said.

He also “Some NGOs are used to fund the activities of terrorist and insurgents.”

Jubril attempted to explain that the NGOs bill is primarily to set up a commission to regulate their activities and provide a platform for robust relationships between them and the government for the interests of Nigerians.

In addition it is to ensure transparency and accountability in the ways and manners the NGOs collect moneys and use them for Nigerians.

Jubril maintained that the NGOs bill is not new or peculiar to Nigeria. It exists in many countries particularly in the ECOWAS sub- region and all over Africa and other continents. In Europe, Israel passed theirs last year! Kenya has a similar law since 1990.

“Nigeria is and should not be a banana republic where anything goes,” he said.

Emphasising that finally, the way the NGOs are reacting to this wonderful and well packaged bill particularly SERAP is not only shameful, but condemnable.

The Nigerian parliament is an institution governed by rules and traditions, he said, noting, that when a bill is for public hearing you go there and present your views like other interested Nigerians and invited cooperate bodies and government agencies for the standing committee to do justice to the bill.

“Going on cheap propaganda and blackmail and even calling on world bodies including the United Nation to help you withdraw a bill from our National Assembly will not help you,” he insisted

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Nigeria media urged to create 21st century platforms

ITRealms:

Leadership of Nigerian media industry have been urged to ensure they create 21st century platforms and professional group befitting this era, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote address to the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Managing Director cum Editor-in-Chief of The Interview, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, called on media business leaderships to make certain they create and maintain website and social media platforms befitting a 21st century organisaton to keep afloat in business.

Ishiekwene who dwelt on “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy And Business” also enjoined them to build networks with other professional groups, especially in more developed, open media environments.

“Rejuvenate the Ethics & Disciplinary Committee and let the public know how they may approach it, if they have any complaints … Publish audited accounts,” he declared.

For those wanting to hire a proven executive director, he said, they must ensure having specific, and measurable business targets.

He also advised getting sponsorships from any of the global media giants, with interest in media in developing countries, as well as creation of open, periodic value-driven conversations that will sufficiently interest partnership with corporates.

In addition, he underscored the need to start periodic research-driven solutions for media and allied industries, whilst de-emphasising physical structures, by way of thinking of network and people.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops

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Nigeria to increase data centres - Shittu

ITRealms:

Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has said efforts are on to expand the number of Data Centres in the country as part of government’s plan to expand its presence on a digital platform, 1-gov.net, reports ITRealms.

The platform, apart from consolidating existing government ICT infrastructure, it also enables MDAs to exchange data in a seamless manner while allowing each other to remain independent and maintain its privacy and the security of its operatives.

The Special Assistant to the Minister on Media, Victor Oluwadamilare in a press release said Barr. Shittu stated this in a keynote address titled Empowering Digital Governments to share latest innovative technology trends and government solutions with emphasis on Microsoft’s Technology platform to improve the capabilities of government within Nigeria”.which he delivered at the 2017 Microsoft Digital Government Conference held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

The minister said through the 1-gov.net, government has become more participative and accessible where citizens can participate in policy process through discussions, suggestions and online-polls.

“Various Government Departments are using this platform for seeking inputs on a wide range of issues. Using the 1-gov.netPlatform, Government has been able to save 30% of what it would have expended on a unit per unit cost. As at date 90% of all MDAs within Abuja are linked with fiber backbone and 3,500 locations of different MDAs have been touched across the country. 

"About 270 MDAs websites and applications are being hosted on the network, adding that“Government has recorded success in 1-gov.net, we now focus on some services that have direct bearing on the present administration’s priorities, and we determined to continue with the shared ICT infrastructure and services initiative in the MDAs. The1-gov.net is promoting Whole-of-Government approaches in the information Age based on shared services," he said.

In addition, he said, this approach will enhance productivity of government officials, increase experience of patrons of government services, enhance security and drive out the menace of corruption.

He said the government recognizes the urgent need to increase efficiency and transparency, improve and align processes, smart government and smart cities, attract new investors, bridge the digital divide, transform government transaction services, data-driven government, better access to and management of information, thereby enhancing citizen satisfaction and trust, meeting the needs of rapidly changing demographics and balancing costs while optimizing efficiency.

According to him, digital government is a vision statement that seeks to bring about citizen empowerment by harnessing the potentials of ICTs as well as seeking to transform government into digitally empowered society and knowledge economy in a manner that government is available on the palm of every citizen, where - The Government is open and the Governance Transparent.

Digital Government, he said, does not comprise the digital architecture alone, but it encompasses digital delivery of citizen-centric services, and ultimately, digital empowerment of the people.

He said, “Internet users in Nigeria have crossed 90 million. The mobile users have also crossed 156million mark. The smart phone users are more than 60 million. Today, from booking of train tickets to payment of fees and taxes, from post office and banking transactions to issue of digital documents, online registrations to online applications and e-services, Digital Revolution is seen everywhere and touches almost every aspect of life of a common citizen.

Barr. Shittu disclosed that government invests in shared ICT Infrastructure to secure the benefits of lower cost, increased security, increased innovation and faster service delivery, adding that government is supporting the development and sustenance of ICT applications that are driving cost effectiveness and transparency in Government Service Delivery. He added that applications supporting the Treasury Single Accounts (TSA), IPPIS, Budget Portal and BVN verifications among others are already resulting in huge savings.

The Ministry of Communications, he said,has expanded the Open Government Data Portal which is a part of the Federal Government Open Data Initiative, stressing that many civil servants have been trained across MDAs on the use of the portal.

He said government would appreciate the opportunity for Microsoft to help train our local ICT savvy youth and key into our local content policy on current projects and priorities to ensure a smooth transition, while he emphasized that Nigeria is the new bride in empowering Digital Governments to share latest innovative technology trends and Government solutions to improve the capabilities of government within Nigeria.

Commending the digital giant, he said,“I take this opportunity to applaud Microsoft and its contributions in the development and growth of the country through this noble initiative. The Ministry of Communications will continue to partner with the organized Private sector, and other stakeholders, in its bid to move the digitization efforts of the country forward. I would like once again to congratulate the Microsoft team for organizing this timely and commendable conference.

“I am aware that Microsoft in collaboration with the Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) & Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) are committed to supporting the government's transformation by leveraging technology to drive productivity and empower citizens to do more regardless of location and time. Citizens’ engagement is a key performance indicator of any government and Microsoft, NITDA & NCC can provide robust platforms that help citizens provide feedback and queries to their leaders. Ultimately, digitally transforming government leads to good governance, accountability to citizens and builds trust between the government and its citizenry.”

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Sold out! Google-powered Freetel ICE 2 smartphone

Sponsored@ITRealms:

Just a few days after its debut, the Freetel ICE 2 revolutionary smartphone launched in partnership with Google, MTN and TD Mobile has been sold out, reports ITRealms

The Google-backed Android^, smartphone, ITRealms gathered, sold out for N13,000, even as thousands of enthusiastic Nigerians anticipating to have high-quality, pocket-friendly smartphone were rushing to MTN in order to pre-order for the next shipment which is expected in the country soon. 

Solely distributed by Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest mobile devices distributor, TD Mobile, the ICE 2 smartphone is one of many devices from the stable of Freetel, Japan’s largest selling smart phone brand in open market.

The attractive price-point of the ICE 2 smartphone is seen by analysts and industry experts as a major factor, that will not only make it one of the fastest selling devices in the market, but a significant selling point that will boost the pace of smartphone penetration in the country.

ITRealms equally reports that being Google GMS certified, confirmation that it meets Google’s performance requirements and properly runs the Google Apps; the Freetel ICE 2 also comes pre-loaded with some of the latest software and security updates from Google including Google Play Protect: a newly-developed software which continuously works to keep one’s device, data and apps safe; Google Street View and Google G-Board, an app which allows the user type in the local Nigerian languages.

Powered by Google’s most recent Android operating system – Android 7.0, the device also comes pre-loaded with Worldreader’s free e-library of over 40,000 e-books, which enables Nigerians to read their favourite book at no cost.

The smartphone, ITRealms further gathered is pre-loaded with MTN’s latest apps including MTN Music Plus while all customers who buy the device also get to enjoy double data bonus on every data bundle they buy for three months, courtesy of MTN.

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Nigeria to rake in USD452m in 4 years

ITRealms:

Nigeria will rake in revenue to the tune of US$452 million from Internet access in the next four years, reports ITRealms.

Making this prediction, experts in entertainment and media said this figure will be part of the USD$ 2.8 billion to be made in the next four years.

This position was contained in the latest ‘Entertainment and Media Outlook: 2017 – 2021: An African perspective’ by the PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and made available to ITRealms.

Disclosing this to ITRealms, the Entertainment and Media Industry Leader for PwC Southern Afric, Vicki Myburgh, noted that in terms of total E&M revenue, Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing countries in the Outlook.

“… But this figure must be treated with caution, as a huge proportion of that growth comes from Internet access revenue alone–specifically mobile Internet access revenue.”

Of the US$2.8 billion, the Outlook revealed that the Nigerian market will add between 2016 and 2021, all but US$452 million will come from Internet access revenue.

The combined elements of TV and video, the Outlook indicated will add nearly US$200 million in revenue growth to 2021.

The Outlook, ITRealms gathered, is a comprehensive source of analyses and five-year forecasts of consumer and advertising spending across five countries, namely South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Tanzania; and 14 segments: including the Internet, data consumption, television, cinema, video games, e-sports, virtual reality, newspaper publishing, magazine publishing, book publishing, business-to-business publishing, music, out-of-home, and radio.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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ACF unveils brand ambassadors, resource persons

ITRealms:

The Africa Cinematography Festival (ACF) has presented its brand ambassadors and resource persons for the 2017 Festival, reports ITRealms.

The six-day event, ITRealms gathered has been scheduled to hold between November 5 and 11 this year across six venues in Lagos, the nation’s entertainment capital.

Among those unveiled are Nigerian actor, Ramsey Nouah, British-Ghanaian multi-talented actress, Ama Konadu Abebrese, Actress Sandra Seghers Mushid from the DRC, the Cameroonian duo of Lizzette Benz and Ayuk Thambi Atem-Ebai and Beninoir actor, singer and model, Serge Parick Laleye and Guinean Model, Bintu Sylla. Others are Liberian actor, Major Owusu Danshaw, Nollywood actress, Oghenekaro Itene,  Vanessa Swert from South Africa and Nollywood actor and Rycardo Agbor.

The resource persons include Dr. Iyabo Ajibola, Adeniran Makinde, Akin Lewis, Kingsley Nwosu, Prof. Hygeniu Ekwuazi, Prof. Chukwuma Okoye, Dr. Tunde Bakare, Alex Gansallo, Yinka Smart Babalola, Prince Kojo Hilton, Dr. Alphonsus Orisayemi, Michael Mulutombo, Frank Adekunle Macaulay and Nwendamutswu Maanda

Speaking at the unveiling, the founding matron, Africa Cinematography Festival (ACF), Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija described the ACF as “a roadmap into the future of the film industry cum economy” of both Nigeria and the African continent”.

Mrs. Alakija noted that the ACF shares a “common optimism which speaks to our collective desire for a better future guaranteed under a system run by a new generation of stakeholders whose distinctive qualities are not primarily tied to age but rather bother on their commitment to professionalism, promotion of industry growth over self-gratification and in their ability to harness potentials to drive the economic growth of country and continent.“

Mrs. Alakija also revealed that the ACF will feature training in such areas as sound production, light design and lighting, script writing, production design, make-up artistry, costume design, directing, motion and still camera, lens handling, editing and film-making among others.

Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Nigerian Films Corporation, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe while lauding the initiative assured on the commitment of his agency to providing the enabling environment that will enhance the development of the industry.

“The NFC has and shall continue to initiate, provide and champion the required policy environment that will support the accelerated growth of the industry. The increased film production activities within the industry across the country, its acceptance by the citizens of Nigeria, and lately, its contribution to the growth of the nation’s economy are indication that there are opportunities that are yet untapped,” he said.

Meanwhile, the National Films and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) has pledged to rid the industry of piracy and all other forms of rights infringements that hinder adequate returns on investment for stakeholders.

The Executive Director of the NFVCB, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, who stated this at the Unveiling said that the board was not only committed to providing an enabling environment which will facilitate global film content production but also ensure that film and video investment is guaranteed through structured distribution and right protection.

“This is why we took the fight against unlicensed distribution, distribution of unclassified films and video works, the unapproved release of film and video works and illegal export and import of film and video works to Alaba in August and we were able to rid the market of films and video works worth over 100 Million Naira,” he said.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Dangote gets hotline, email for monitoring, reporting unscrupulous truck drivers

ITRealms:

The management of Dangote Industries Limited has set up hotlines and electronic mail (email) for the public to call in and report truck drivers, for recklessness and illegal haulage of contraband goods with a promise to appropriately compensate whistleblowers that lead to arrest of errant drivers, reports ITRealms.

A press statement available to ITRealms, Dangote management, noted that the trucks belonging to Dangote Cement are only allowed to carry cement, high grade gypsum and coal, those belonging to Dangote Sugar (NASCON) are authorized to carry only salt and Dan Q seasoning.

Also, the company disclosed that trucks belonging to Agro Sacks, the bags producing arm of Dangote Group, can only carry bags, belonging to Dangote flour Mills, Wheat, Flour and Danvita.

“The Management of Dangote Industries Limited hereby alerts the public to report any suspected Dangote truck driver involved in illegal haulage. Please call Dangote Industries Management hotline on all information regarding illegal haulage activities on 08070188000, 01-2123567, 08170023846, 08152093133 and or email us at CustomerCare@Dangote.com”.

Dangote Management also issued a stern warning to those illegally transporting unauthorized goods through its trucks. “Dangote Industries Limited also wishes to warn those that illegally transport materials on Dangote trucks that such unauthorized goods, when found, shall be confiscated and such owners prosecuted to the full extent of the law”.

It would be recalled that the company recently intercepted one of the company’s truck loaded with contrabands in Ibadan, arrested the drivers and handed them over the Nigerian customs for further investigations and prosecutions.

The arrest was effected by a crack team of the Company’s security personnel led by its Chief Security Officer who acted on intelligence, bordering on misconduct by some of its drivers.

While handing over the drivers and his motorboy to the Customs Authority, Assistant General Manager, in charge of Security Services, CSP Ali Garba explained that the company has a surveillance section that monitors all his trucks and drivers’ activities.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Enugu LG Election: Groups demand replacement of PDP candidate

ITRealms;

An amalgamation of civil society and socio-political groups in Nsukka local Government Area of Enugu State, under the aegis of Nsukka Democratic Movement (NDM), has rejected the candidature of Mr. Patrick Omeje as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmanship flag bearer, urging the party to replace him, reports ITRealms.

The coalition, comprising Independent Nsukka Solidary Agenda Worldwide, United Nsukka Indigenes for Good Governance, Nsukka Arise for Change, Nsukka Youths Empowerment Initiative, Greater Nsukka Congress, Alliance for Democratic Governance, among others, insisted that if the PDP candidate was not replaced, they would mobilise opposition against the party in the council come November 4, 2017.  

The NDM in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Comrade James Ezema and its Secretary, Dr. Joseph Idoko, accused the candidate of intimidating and harassing Nsukka indigenes with siren even before the election, saying “if he can intimidate people with conveys and siren when election has not taken place, we are not safe if he wins the election”.

The groups maintained that “Beyond doubts about his competence and academic qualification, which is currently under investigation by our coalition, he has so far shown that he lacks qualities of a good leader. Worst of all, he seems not to be disposed to learning.

“We see the emergence Mr. Patrick Omeje as a fulfilment of a policy of marginalisation of Nsukka by political godfathers in Enugu state.

“We advise Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to carry out a secret popularity and acceptance test of the PDP candidate in Nsukka as a whole to understand the danger in retaining him as a candidate for the election.

“We will resist, through every democratic means, the replay of the tenure of Prof. Mrs Rose Onah, which was characterised by underperformance in the council if the PDP insists on foisting an incompetent and irresponsible leadership on the people of Nsukka at this time.

“We learnt that the party ensured that only the candidate purchased form for the primary that produced him by those who want to rubbish the good works of the incumbent state government.

“The people’s Governor, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has recorded giant strides, which we cannot fold our hands while a man who, obviously, would erode all his legacies emerges as chairman and take us back to the dark days of non-performance in the council.

“We call on opposition forces in Nsukka to produce a credible candidate for our endorsement and mobilisation of support ahead of the November 2017 local government election to defeat the ruling party in event that the PDP upholds the process that produced Mr. Omeje as its flag bearer,” the coalition vowed.

Odoh Odoh/GEE

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Pix: Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State.

Nigerians in Atlanta protest @CNN centre against Buhari govt, insist on genocide plot

ITRealms:

Nigerians in the city of Atlanta, United States of America Tuesday noon hosted a rally against the militarisation and killings in South-East Nigeria at the CNN headquarters in Atlanta, reports ITRealms.

The convener of the rally, Mr. Pat Okpala, on behalf of  the larger Nigerian Community in Georgia, said all was set for the rally to address the alleged injustices meted against Christians in Nigeria and South-East East particularly.

The rally, he also said is taking place nationwide and at the United Nations (UN) to co-inside with President Buhari's appearance at the UN.

According to Okpala,  a the rally has been duly permitted by the Special Events Office of the City of Atlanta.

Some of the placards, ITRealms gathered will have inscriptions like "brutality and massacre of Christians southerners.

The rally slated for today, Tuesday, September 19, by noon, has been planned to be largely peaceful and urged Nigerians in the US and Atlanta to also invite their friends.

"Rally is planned peaceful, non-violent, and must be orderly. No Road blocks or clusters; side walk rally, only," the convener assured.

Pointing out that it's up to Nigerians to stop the Buhari government ethnic cleansing and alleged attempt to Islamise Nigeria.

In addition, Okpala said the rally tends to drum support to stop the Nigerian army from killing southern Christians, encourage the co-existence of Christians and Muslims in Nigeria.

Further, he said the rally would harp on the demands to disarm the Hausa Fulani herdsmen; for the southern governors to protect their citizens, as well as a referendum on the future of Nigeria; restructuring of the country among others.

While insisting that army is not the Police and urged those who believe in Nigeria of peace and equity to join the rally.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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Official! Zinox GTX Notebook, Kids Legacy Tab make debut

ITRealms:

Unrelenting foremost Information and Communication Technology (ICT) entity, Zinox Technologies Limited, has officially launched the GTX Notebook and Kids Legacy Tab, the latest tech products under its Future Visions roadmap in Lagos, reports ITRealms.

The products launched simultaneously at the company’s branches in Port Harcourt, Abuja and Ghana via telepresence, had in attendance teachers and students from over 10 schools in Lagos, while students from schools in aforementioned locations also participated.

ITRealms gathered that these products were designed in partnership with foreign tech firms, namely the Intel Corp., Ashour Corporation, Tecsync Technology Co. Ltd. and Microsoft; which stood the Kids Legacy Tab and ultra-slim GTX Notebooks as cutting-edge devices from Zinox, both of which have been widely embraced by users and recording huge sales in the market.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, disclosed that the products were the outcome of painstaking research targeted at meeting the future needs of a dynamic consumer base, as captured in the company’s Future Visions roadmap.

“The two products being launched today are revolutionary products. They took years to develop and fine-tune and are part of the most recent creations in the Zinox Future Visions. The Zinox Future Visions mandate is to anticipate where the world is headed and be ready with the right products and solutions. It is an ambitious project underpinned by research and development that will see the various companies in the Zinox Group diversify into new business areas with products in critical emerging sectors including Robotics, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Healthy Living, Core ICT, Internet of Things, Medicine, FMCG, Entertainment and Education, among others.

“Today, technology has become the currency of the 21^st Century. We are already in the Fourth Industrial Revolution or Industry 4.0, as it is described – a period that will be dominated by new and emerging technologies, some of which are already here with us. Examples are driverless cars, Big Data and drones, among others. As a continent, Africa must prepare for this future or stand the risk of being disrupted. This is what the Zinox Future Visions is all about and we are determined to lead in this race to equip the continent for the future that is already upon us,” he said.

Built to meet the computing needs of a dynamic audience, the ultra-slim GTX Notebook is a powerful tool. Available in two models, GTX 100 and GTX 200; the device runs on Intel Cherry Trail OS with 1.9GHz computing power and a durable 10,000mAh battery which offers users up to 10 hours’ average use. Boasting a 2GB RAM and 32GB internal storage expandable to 120GB, the 14-inch GTX weighs a paltry 1.5kg thus making it a light-weight companion for work, travel and leisure.

The Kids Legacy Tab, on the other hand, is a device which parents and care-givers will find fitting to introduce their children to technology and new vistas of learning. The device is designed as a critical foundational tool targeted at children from the ages of 3 – 13. In addition to a device manager to enable parents monitor content, the tablet is pre-loaded with over 50 educational and fun games and rated as knowledge luxury platform for kids. Available in red, blue and fuchsia colours, the Wi-Fi enabled Kids Legacy Tab assures 1.2GHz computing power and extended use with a 2500mAh battery.

Both products will complement the new 8-inch Zpad and will see an expansion of the scope of offerings in Zinox’s mobile devices products suite. The Zpad which offers high speed voice and data services has been widely accepted in the market, a factor that is expected to weigh in favour of the new devices being rolled out.

The new products with global certifications are designed in the company’s long-standing tradition of durability and equipped with surge protectors in consideration of the peculiar power challenges on the continent.

The GTX Notebook and Kids Legacy Tab which have already gone on sale in Africa, Europe and the Middle East are available nationwide at all major online and offline retail stores, with one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Pix: L-R: Media entrepreneur and founder CFA Tech, Mr. Chukwuemeka Agbata; Head Teacher, St. Saviour’s School, Mrs. Ailsa Griffiths; Zonal Head of Commercial Banking Division - Island Zone and Deputy General Manager, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Adebayo Adesina; Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh; ICT Correspondent, The Sun Newspapers, Mrs. Bisi Olaleye and General Manager of Western African Region, Shenzhen Kstar Science & Technology Co. Ltd, Mr. Kyle along with pupils from invited schools displaying the new Kids Legacy Tab during the launch of the device and the GTX Notebook held at the Corporate Headquarters of Zinox Technologies Ltd. in Gbagada, Lagos on Tuesday September 19^th, 2017.

Nigerian Immigration Service joins ‘FOI Hall of Shame’

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has joined the notorious Freedom of Information (FOI) Hall of Shame by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) for “egregious acts of non-compliance with the FOI Act” over the last six years, joining 11 other previous recipients of the “award” launched in July this year, reports ITRealms.

Mr. Ridwan Sulaimon, MRA’s Freedom of Information Programme Manager, informed ITRealms noted that as an agency that has firsthand experience of the devastating consequences of lack of transparency and accountability in its practices and operations, the Immigration Service ought not to require any convincing to mend its ways.

“The management of the Nigerian Immigration Service, an institution whose questionable recruitment process led to an avoidable tragedy in March 2014, should be eager to do more to ensure transparency and accountability in the institution rather than shrouding its activities in secrecy. Such an institution should make the extra effort to provide the public with information on its activities and operations, especially as it is required by law and in the face of its involvement in a tragedy arising from allegations of job racketeering and fraud, which led to arrests, dismissals and court cases,” he said.

Mr. Sulaimon observed that despite having a functioning website and other resources at its disposal, the NIS failed to comply with its obligation to proactively disclose some classes of information in accordance with Section 2(3), (4) and (5) of the FOI Act in what appears to be a deliberate decision to disregard or violate the provisions of the Act.

“There is no discernible reason why the institution has not been able to proactively publish the various categories of information required and ensure that the information is widely disseminated and made readily available to members of the public through various means as required by the Act or at the very least, at its offices across the country and on its website,” he said.

Mr. Sulaimon also noted that in the six years since the enactment of the FOI Act, the Immigration Service has not submitted any annual report to the Attorney-General of the Federation as required by Section 29 (1) of the Act.

“The institution’s failure to submit its annual reports to the Attorney-General of the Federation does it no good. Besides being a violation of the law in itself, this also makes it difficult to ascertain how responsive the institution has been to requests for information from members of the public.

“These reports would have provided the relevant information about the number of applications for information that it has received annually over the last six years and the number of such applications that it processed, granted or refused, alongside other details that it is required by the Act to provide in its report to the Attorney-General. Instead, there is no information available on its handling of FOI requests including those sent to it in the wake of the aforementioned tragedy,” MRA said.

Mr. Sulaimon contended that the position of the NIS was made even more untenable by the fact of its non-compliance with Section 2(3)(f) of the Act which requires the agency to designate an appropriate officer to whom applications for information under the Act should be sent and to proactively publish the title and address of the officer.

Equally, he said, “despite the provisions of Section 13 of the Act, there is also no indication that the Immigration Service has provided the required training for its officials on the public’s right of access to information at any time in the last six years.”

MRA explained that these egregious acts of non-compliance with the FOI Act over the last six years, which amount to a flagrant disregard for the law, demonstrated by the NIS has earned it a place in the FOI Hall of Shame and urged the NIS and other public institutions like it, to urgently take necessary steps to ensure the implementation of the FOI Act not only to ensure public access to information but also to improve their image, ensure transparency and accountability of their institutions, and contribute to creating public confidence in them.

MRA launched the “FOI Hall of Shame” on July 3 to draw attention to public officials and institutions that are undermining the effectiveness of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 through their actions, inactions, utterances and decisions.

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Africa launches 5% agenda to bridge $68bn infrastructure finance gap

ITRealms:

The African Union’s economic development programme, the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) gathered international investors and CEO-level business leaders at the NASDAQ Stock Market on Monday, September 18, for the launch of its 5 per cent Agenda campaign to bridge the $68 billion infrastructure finance gap, reports ITRealms.

This is coming five years after a January 2012 African Union Summit adopted the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) which sets out 51 cross-border infrastructure programmes and more than 400 actionable projects in four sectors.

According to the World Bank, the continent needs to spend $93 billion annually (44% for energy; 23% for water and sanitation; 20% for transport; 10% for ICTs; and 3% for irrigation) until 2020 to bridge its infrastructure gap, which is currently removing an estimated 2% of GDP growth every year. On the other hand, Africa only managed to close 158 project finance deals with debt totalling $59 billion over the decade 2004-2013, which represents only 5 percent of infrastructure investment needs and 12 percent of the actual financial flows.

The 5% Agenda campaign highlights that only a collaborative public-private approach can efficiently tackle these issues and calls for allocations of institutional investors to African infrastructure to be increased to the declared 5% mark.

Speaking at the launch event in New York, Ibrahim Assane Mayaki, NEPAD Chief Executive Officer, commented: “Infrastructure plays a leading role in supporting growth on the continent. At the same time, it can represent an innovative and attractive asset class for institutional investors with long-term liabilities. By launching the 5% campaign in New York today, we invite investors to take advantage of the wide-ranging opportunities Africa has to offer and to move forward with what can only be a win-win partnership”.

The launch of the campaign gathered high-level international investors and business leaders, including members of the PIDA Continental Business Network (CBN) which is spearheaded by NEPAD and constitutes a CEO-level private sector infrastructure leaders dialogue platform on PIDA.

Tony O. Elumelu, one of Africa’s most prominent entrepreneurs and active participant in the CBN said: “Africa is getting stronger every day with new business opportunities and innovative ideas but what is still crucially missing is project implementation. A coherent and coordinated approach is needed to mobilize institutional investors while limiting their risk exposure. African governments need to work on creating conducive environments to attract these investments which are so vital for the continent's growth and development.”

According to a 2016 McKinsey report, institutional investors and banks have $120 trillion in assets that could partially support infrastructure projects.

Now more than ever, Africa needs to tap into this available. As banks face additional regulatory challenges and as governments have limited fiscal space, it is becoming increasingly urgent to unlock additional flows from long-term institutional investors such as insurers, pension funds, and sovereign wealth funds.

For pension and sovereign wealth funds to be able to invest in large-scale infrastructure projects in Africa, a variety of issues need to be addressed to strategically and intentionally facilitate long-term allocations. Chief amongst these matters is the need to reform national and regional regulatory frameworks that guide institutional investment in Africa. Likewise, new capital market products need to be developed that can effectively de-risk credit and hence, allow these African asset owners to allocate finance to African infrastructure as an investable asset class to their portfolio.

All these issues are at the heart of the 5% Agenda roadmap, which is the backbone of NEPAD’s campaign and is foreseen to have the following impact:

1.            Unlocking notable and measurable pools of needed capital to implement regional and domestic infrastructure projects on the continent.

2.            Broadening and deepening the currently very shallow African capital markets, whilst at the same time contributing significantly to regional integration and job creation.

3.            Promoting the development of innovative capital market products that are specific to the continent’s challenges and potential in regards to infrastructure development.

4.            Raising the investment interest of other institutional and non-institutional financiers that so far have been hesitant to include African infrastructure projects as an asset to their investment portfolio based on specific, concrete next steps and project suggestions.

Ayo Midele/GEE 

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