" ITREALMS: 2018-07-01

Friday, July 06, 2018

‘Nation without well-prepared children is doomed,' applause for ReapVille Schools - ITREALMS Online

Renowned education consultant, Mr. Daramola Ibukun, has said that value-based education is best for Nigerian children at this era, insisting that a nation without good value and well-prepared children is doomed, and commended ReapVille Schools for imbibing this on its pupils, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote at the first valedictory and prize giving ceremony of ReapVille Schools, Oshodi-Lagos held Friday, entitled “The Future Is Here,” Mr. Ibukun noted it has become a common saying that “… the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Wondering how long will these young ones be before they are given the opportunities to display and implement the special abilities and grace upon them from the Almighty God, moreso, when the older ones are not giving them the opportunities.

“These special grace and skills are needed to help these children lead our nation and community in the future,” he declared, stressing that “any nation without her younger ones well-prepared to take over from the older ones is definitely doomed.”

He posited that for Nigerian children to make anticipated impact in the society, they must be taught values, culture, norms and ethos of this vibrant generation, because societies are run through the survival of these values to be carried later by these young generation.

Ibukun identified two main classes of change makers in a dynamic society, namely the working class and dependent class, usually made of the aged and the children.

“Operationally, the sustainability of this nation rests in the hands of the working class between the ages of 19 and 60,” he said, pointing out that these factor is linked to the strength and skills already deposited in them as they were growing up.

Values, he said, are coded in form of philosophy and national curriculum approved for use in schools, which are to be taught in form of class subjects in schools.

“They are graded and prescribed so that our children in schools could imbibe the right way of life and also be ready to pass it on to their children,” he said.

Mr. Ibukun gave three classifications for the custodians of these values and cultural heritage, namely the homes, places of worship and the schools.

He maintained that in order to ensure the future is here and children are the future leaders, parents must do their work at home to bring up their children with good manners in line with the society, while the places of worship will help in shaping the spirituality of those children, whereas the schools will assist with the teaching of those values based on structure and curriculum.

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, Mr. Lawrence Amadi applauded ReapVille Schools for its achievement within a short period, saying that parents have more responsibility in raising their children and by supporting the teachers via the school authorities.

“Our children are ready to learn but the burdens are more on parents, especially by paying school fees promptly,” he urged.

Equally, he gave the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of the school kudos for always supporting the school and by extension their children and prayed God to give them the grace to continue to provide for their children.

Earlier in her address, the Director, ReapVille School, Mrs. Philomena Ugwuoke recognized that the celebration of the first valedictory ceremony and prize giving day was actually the celebration of the foresight and commitment of parents in the choice of good education for their children.

She promised that ReapVille will ensure that her pupils become great leaders of tomorrow and take charge of their future through imbibing the right values.


ReapVille School, she recollects, commenced operations as a citadel of learning in September 2017 based on the drive and purpose to dedicatedly produce innovative and globally competitive children with high standards, by using effective methodologies in teaching and building up a complete leader, capable of standing out in a crowd.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Chris Obasi is new MD, Zeta Web - ITREALMS Online

Former General Manager, Information Technology and Facilities at MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Chris Obasi has been named the new Managing Director of Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited, with effect from July 1, 2018, reports ITRealms.

Mr. Obasi, ITRealms recalls, brings with him 20 years of industry leadership experience and knowledge of provisioning Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services and solutions.

The outgoing Managing Director for Zeta-Web, Mrs. Jumoke Ogunmodede said while welcoming Mr. Obasi said, his appointment brings immeasurable value to Zeta-Web due to his experience with providing strategic IT solutions across a variety of disciplines.

“With his track record, experience and exposure, I have no doubt that this organization will be led to even greater successes and exploits” he said.

Responding, Mr. Obasi noted that Zeta-Web has a tremendous potential for further growth and to diversify into new sectors while bringing sound business values and service delivery to match the demands and high expectations of our clients.

“I have always respected Zeta-Web’s brand, values and proven delivery models, and I am excited to be on board and part of the great team that will take these to the next level,” he said.

Obasi also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Ogunmodede for providing leadership to the company since 2013, despite operating in a highly competitive environment, stressing the company has consistently crested many milestones and done so in a sustainable manner – achievements which she should be proud of.

He reiterated that the core values of the company remain the customer focus, innovation, mutual respect, learning and development, as well as performance driven, high quality of service and inclusive participation will continue to be the business focus.


Chuks Egbune/GEE

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N275m fraud: AFRICMIL petitions IGP, NBA over conduct of police lawyer - ITREALMS Online

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what it called ‘unethical conduct’ of a police prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Joseph Nwadike, reports ITRealms.

The petition signed by Chido Onumah, Coordinator of the Centre, AFRCMIL is seeking the urgent intervention of these institutions to investigate and call to order, Mr. Nwadike of the Force Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force and a prosecuting counsel for the police in a dubious allegation leveled against Aaron Kaase, a whistleblower in the Police Service Commission.

Mr. Kaase was suspended in May 2015 for reporting fraud amounting to N275.5m allegedly perpetrated by Mr. Mike Okiro, the outgone Chairman of the Police Service Commission.

“For this patriotic act, the whistleblower has been further visited with a series of reprisals, including threats, intimidation and a false allegation of visa scam in which Mr. Nwadike, is actively involved as prosecutor,” he said.

According to the petition, after a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory struck out the fraudulent case against Kaase, his persecutors took it to the High Court where the defendant was also victorious as the court discharged and acquitted him for “lack of diligent persecution.” But his persecutors would not relent.

“In a flagrant abuse of court process and display of unprofessional practice, Nwadike has been moving from one court to another in the FCT in a bid to ensure that the whistleblower is found guilty on a charge that is obviously trumped-up, and for which he had been discharged and acquitted by a competent court of jurisdiction,” Onumah said.

He noted that lawyers are stakeholders in the fight against corruption, and as officers in the temple of justice they are duty bound to help ensure justice at all times, including guaranteeing the safety and protection of whistleblowers.

The statement therefore urged the police authorities and the NBA to launch immediate investigation into the scandal with a view to reining in Mr Nwadike.

“This once again underscores the point we at the AFRICMIL have been making; you cannot have a policy that encourages public interest disclosures and at the same time allows those who make such disclosures to be unnecessarily persecuted” Mr Onumah said.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Thursday, July 05, 2018

Tinubu mourns Ciroma, he played politics commitment - ITREALMS Online

All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has said with the demise of former Finance Minister, Mallam Adamu Ciroma, the country has lost an illustrious leader, consummate politician and accomplished public servant, reports ITRealms.

Reacting to the death of the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader on Thursday in Abuja, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “Mallam Adamu Ciroma was one of the illustrious leaders this country has produced. He was a politician of note. 

You cannot but recall his days in the Second Republic National Party of Nigeria and in the Peoples Democratic Party where he was one of the party’s founding fathers.

“He also made name as an experienced technocrat and skilful public servant particularly as Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor and in later years as Minister of Finance.

“He was a fine man who played politics with a commitment to serve the people and change society. This did not come as a surprise given his background honed by sound education at the popular Barewa College and University and his nationalistic worldview.

“My condolences go the Ciroma family and the people of government of Yobe State. May his soul rest in peace”.


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Neil the Cyborg storms Lagos with sounds of colours, paint - ITREALMS Online

A cybernetic organism or “cyborg” is an organism with both biological and technological component. A lot of people remember Cyborg from Arnold Schwarzenegger who played the role in the epic blockbuster, The Terminator, reports ITRealms.

Born colour-blind, Neil Harbisson, referred to as the world’s first “officially” recognized Cyborg visited Africa for the first time and was received with curious and rapt attention. With a fully-functioning antenna installed in his skull to help him “hear” colour and paint sounds, Neil "decided to merge with technology in order to sense more realities with the natural world. Neil can only see in the grayscale with no ability to perceive colour.

SAS, a leading global analytics firm and a technological partner across various industry verticals and public sector that has always played a proactive role in fostering innovation and transformation has brought a cyborg to Nigeria as part of its Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence, AI Showcase in Lagos.

 “Humans have limited number of sensors, but if we merge with technology, we could have more sensors that will enable us understand and unfold the real beauty of nature. We can add new senses and additional organs to extend our bodies’ capacity to experience the world. 

"We can, in effect, redesign ourselves. Our current evolutionary step is to merge with technology and take an active part in the birth of our future selves. I work with artificial senses, which I call AS,” Neil said.  “My antenna allows me to detect not only colour visible to the human eye, but also beyond,” he adds. “I can sense infrared and ultraviolet light from my camera, but also from cameras owned by friends across the world who send information to it.


Uj. N. Dominic/ED, Ops

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Buhari, Ajimobi to lead delegates to NCS 27th confab - ITREALMS Online

President Mohammadu Buhari, has been confirmed to lead guests at the 27th National Conference of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) scheduled for Ibadan, capital of Oyo State, reports ITRealms.

He would also be joined by the State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi as chief host and Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu and Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) Dr. Isa Pantami.

Confirming this to ITRealms, NCS president, Prof Adesola Aderounmu, said the conference is regarded as the Nigeria’s largest event for the IT Industry and profession, with the theme “Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies.

Equally he said the event would gather participants from IT academia, industry and thought leaders to address challenges and highlight opportunities related to building a digital, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria that leverages on information technology to achieve sustainable development.

“NCS is preparing for the best ever conference and has assembled an impressive line-up of leading researchers, entrepreneurs, educators, industry experts, thought leaders, international scholars and subject matter experts as speakers and resource persons to share their extensive knowledge and experience on the theme and sub themes. Their experiences and expert opinions will be of immense benefit to attendees,” he said.

In addition, he said, the conference will focus on important issues related to the theme and sub themes such as: Poverty Eradication and Job Creation in the rural Economy.

“Internet and Broadband for All, e-agriculture, e-health, e-education for inclusion: Software and Local Content. Digital Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. Tech Startup, SME and Youth Enterpreneurship. E-Voting and Election Management. New Technologies for Economic Growth and Diversification. Digital Literacy, Knowledge Culture and Human Capital Development. Policy and Regulatory Framework. E-government, Citizen Engagement and Open Government. Fintech, e-Commerce and Financial Inclusion. Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. Innovative Collaboration and partnership. Cyber security: Awareness, Threat, Protection and Digital Rights. Innovation for the Elderly, Internally Displaced Persons and the Vulnerable,” he said.

Other confirmed guests include Ms Funke Opeke, Founder and CEO of MainOne, Mr. Oluwafunminiyi Ajao, Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on ICT, Mr. Adedayo P. S. Arogundade, Managing Director, Sidmach Technologies Nigeria Limited, and Mr. Ezekiel Oyeniyi Ajao, Executive Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS).

Also confirmed, he said, include Professor Charles Korede Ayo, former Vice Chancellor, Covenant University, Professor Patience Akpan-Obong, Faculty of Leadership and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Arizona State University, Tejumade Afonja, Intel Software Innovator.


“Specifically, topics such as Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Fintech, Financial Inclusion, eGovernment, Broadband, Disruptive Technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution and e-Voting will be covered as they relate to the conference theme,” he said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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MRA charges NASS on effective FOI implementation, marks 1-year of ‘FOI Hall of Shame’ - ITREALMS Online

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the National Assembly to institute measures to enforce compliance with the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act in its capacity as the ultimate oversight body in the implementation of the Law, as the organization marked the first year anniversary of the launch of the “FOI Hall of Shame” reports ITRealms.
“The National Assembly itself apparently recognized this role, which was why in making the Law, it included Section 29 (7) and (8), requiring the Attorney-General of the Federation to report to the National Assembly annually details regarding the implementation of the Act during the preceding year.”
According to him, “We consider these provisions to be consistent with international best practice in the implementation of FOI Laws as they can give the National Assembly a good picture of the status of compliance by the relevant public institutions with the FOI Act and enable it to determine whether additional measures are required to improve the implementation of the Law.”
Section 29(7) of the Act provides that “The Attorney-General shall submit to the National Assembly an annual report on or before April 1 of each calendar year which shall include for the prior calendar year a listing of the number of cases arising under this Act, the exemption involved in each case, the disposition of such cases, and the cost, fees, and penalties assessed” while Section 29(8) stipulates that "Such report shall also include detailed description of the efforts taken by the Ministry of Justice to encourage all government or public institutions to comply with this Act.”
Mr. Ojo noted that “Although the two Attorneys-General of the Federation who have held the position since the FOI Act was enacted in 2011 have religiously submitted their annual reports to the National Assembly without fail, members of the National Assembly have not acted on any of these reports over the last seven years and there is no indication that the reports are even being read by them.”
He explained that widespread violation of the Act led to the initiation of the FOI Hall of Shame in July 2017 to shine the spotlight on public officials and institutions that are undermining the effectiveness of the FOI Act through their actions, inactions, utterances and decisions, noting that 49 inductees have so far been named into the Hall of Shame from all the three arms of government, namely the Legislature, the Judiciary, and the Executive.
Mr. Ojo said “most of the  inductees bagged the ‘FOI Hall of Shame’ Award owing to their obvious disregard for their duties and obligations under the FOI Act, including their failure to submit their annual FOI implementation reports to the Attorney-General of the Federation on or before  February 1 of each year, and failing to publish such reports proactively either on their websites or anywhere else; their failure to respond to requests for information made by members of the public; their failure to train their officials on the public’s right of access to information and equipping them with relevant skills to ensure the effective implementation of the Act; as well as their failure to designate appropriate officers and to publish the titles and addresses of such officer to whom applications for information by members of the public can be sent.”
He expressed concern that even one year after the launch of the Hall of Shame, the 2017 Annual Report on the Implementation of the FOI Act, submitted to the National Assembly on March 27, 2018 by the Attorney-General of the Federation still indicated that 90 per cent of public institutions are not complying with their reporting obligations.
Mr. Ojo called on the Attorney-General of the Federation to explore administrative sanctions to ensure that public institutions to which the FOI Act applies take their duties and obligations under the Act seriously and respect the rights of Nigerians to information, which is also a fundamental right of citizens of all countries as established under international law.
By so doing, he said, the Attorney-General of the Federation will be giving effect to the provisions of Section 29(6) of the FOI Act which stipulates that “the Attorney General shall in his oversight responsibility under this Act ensure that all institutions to which this Act applies comply with the provisions of the Act.”
Mr. Ojo urged the Attorney-General of the Federation to solicit the assistance of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and the National Assembly in applying appropriate pressure on all public institutions to fully implement the Act.


Nenye Dom/GEE

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Pix: Saraki, Senate President

Wednesday, July 04, 2018

Bako joins House of Reps race in Taraba - ITREALMS Online

Friends and family members of Chief Benjamin Bako, longtime National President of Jukun Development Association of Nigeria (JDAN) converge in Ikeja GRA, Lagos State, in show of solidarity and support for his political ambition, reports  ITREALMS.
Bako is running for the Federal House of Representatives, representing Takum, Donga, Ussa and Yanktu (development area) of Taraba State.
Spokesman of the group, Barrister Sopiya Danlami who eulogized Chief Benjamin Bako for his tremendous selfless service to humanity and the Jukun people, described him as  the best thing that has ever happened to Jukun nation and  urged the people to support him.
He said Bako has been able to prove, that he is reliable, dependable, trustworthy and accountable, a pedigree he said is very rare.
"Chief Bako is a champion of the causes of the common man and this is the right time to rally round him, ensure that he secures not only the ticket, but the vote that would qualify him to represent the people."
Chief Bako who said he was overwhelmed by the unprecedented show of love and solidarity from his people, said the presidency of Jukun Development Association of Nigeria has exposed him first hand to all the crisis facing his people and has developed for him, a deliberate roadmap towards solutions.
Bako said he was forced into running for the office by the abysmal failure of certain individuals occupying the position over the years to defend, protect and influence succour to his long suffering people using their exalted positions.
He pointed out that the loud cry of help from his people attracted his attention to come to the rescue and replicate what he has used the Presidency of the association to achieve at the national level and reposition his people for the new challenges confronting his people in a democratised and transformed Nigeria.
He concluded that his track records has singled him out as the individual with the zeal and burning passion to unite his people across tribal and religious divide ,using development and opportunities.
Uboshe Uboshe/GEE
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US committed to inclusive women @workplace - ITREALMS Online



The United States Consul General F. John Bray has reiterated the commitment of the US government to inclusive women at the work place, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Lagos on “Transforming the Future:  Women Mentoring Women in the Workplace” Tuesday, Mr. John Bray said they are committed to advocating for and including women in the workplace both in the United States and abroad.

He pointed out that the first female diplomat was hired in the 1920s but she had to resign when she married.

“The ‘marriage rule’ was not abolished until the late 1970s,” he said.

John Bray recalled that when he joined the Department, the State Department workforce was 27 per cent, were most of these people doing clerical work. 

“It is now 40 percent, but still not the 50 percent we are committed to achieving,” he said, stressing that the number of female diplomats has remained steady at 30 per cent for the past decade. 

“The percentage of senior positions held by women at the State Department is at an all-time high – 30 per cent,” he declared.

Pointing for instance, that through structured mentoring programmes run by Executive Women at State and our Human Resources bureau, the United States has been working to increase the number of women in line with our goal of having a workforce that reflects the makeup of U.S. society.

“To support women internationally, we established the office of Global Women’s affairs in 1995.  We have identified assisting women to achieve senior positions in both the private and public sector as a priority. One of the many programs that we have includes the Global Women’s Mentoring programme,” he said..


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NCS goes to Ibadan for 2018 national confab - ITREALMS Online

The premier professional association in Nigeria’s technology sector, Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), said all is set for its three-day 27th National Conference slated for the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Oyo State, reports ITRealms.

NCS president, Prof Adesola Aderounmu, affirmed this to ITRealms in Lagos, noting that the conference is the Nigeria’s largest event for the IT Industry and profession.

He also noted that NCS is the umbrella body of all IT professionals and organizations in Nigeria, with over 20,000 members and some eight major interest groups including the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigerian Women in Information Technology (NiWIIT) as well as over 100,000 National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS), among others.

ITRealms reports that 2018 conference has the theme “Digital Inclusion: Opportunities, Challenges, and Strategies” and has been planned to attract IT academia, industry and thought leaders to address challenges and highlight opportunities related to building a digital, prosperous and inclusive Nigeria that leverages on information technology to achieve sustainable development.


The high profile dignitaries, ITRealms reports, are expected to grace the event from government, private and educational sectors, as well as from the international and global IT environment, including President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and Communication Minister, Mr. Adebayo Shittu.

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Tuesday, July 03, 2018

SEED to improve financial access to education, hosts clinic | ITREALMS Online

The Sustainable Education and Enterprise Development (SEED) has reiterated resolve to improve financial access to the education sector, as it hosted a clinic, reports ITRealms.

ITRealms reports from the maiden edition of the SEED Access to Finance Clinic recently in Lagos, founders of SEED, the W-Holistic Business Solutions, revealed this resolve.

According W-Holistic it planned to leverage the network of 723 Affordable Private Schools in the six education districts of Lagos State, insisted that the aim of SEED Access to Finance is to improve access to finance for SEED beneficiary schools.

“…And serve as a platform for the schools to understand the requirements for financing, get further information on various finance options, and commence the access to finance process(-es) for their preferred option(s),” the organisers declared.

The theme of the Maiden Edition of the SEED Access to Finance Clinic was “Financial Inclusion for Affordable Private Schools” with presentations by the SEED Access to Finance Partners including Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Sterling Bank, Jessefield Microfinance Bank, Lotus Capital and FINT. The Maiden Edition of the SEED Access to Finance Clinic had 307 Affordable Private Schools out of its network of 723 Affordable Private Schools in attendance.

The Maiden Edition of the SEED Access to Finance Clinic also featured a Keynote Presentation by Nigeria's first licensed credit bureau, FirstCentral Credit Bureau, represented by the bureau’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Mr. Olanrewaju Agbede. Other features of the SEED Access to Finance Clinic included messages from Heads of School Associations, which are SEED Acquisition Partners, and messages from one of the partners of SEED, Developing Effective Private Education in Nigeria (DEEPEN). The SEED Access to Finance Clinic also had a Panel Discussion session, Updates on SEED Project session and Breakout Sessions which contained Visits to the SEED Access to Finance Partners’ desks by the SEED Alumni for Contact and Registration on Various Finance/Loan Products.

According to the CEO of W-Holistic Business Solutions and Project Director of SEED, Mrs. Olanrewaju Oniyitan, in her Welcome Address, the SEED Access to Finance Clinic was initiated to bridge the gap between Affordable Private Schools and Finance. 

She reiterated the history of the SEED Project which was started as a result of the desire and interest to change current status of education in Nigeria and positively affect the future incomes and livelihoods of today’s school-aged children through a multipronged business development support approach which impacts major stakeholders in the school business sector including school owners, school administrators, teachers, parents, communities, and most importantly, the school children. 

Stressing that the SEED Alumni in attendance should be open minded towards the opportunities which the SEED Access to Finance Clinic was going to afford them including the opportunities to interact with the SEED Access to Finance Partners one-on-one. 

She urged the schools to take full advantage of the platform for accessing funds for aspects of their School Transformation Plans which required external financing for their schools’ growth and sustainability.

During his message on behalf of one of the SEED Funders, Developing Effective Private Education in Nigeria (DEEPEN), the National Program Manager, Dr. Gboyega Ilusanya, stated that there was an essential need for partnership and support for low-cost private education in Nigeria as these private educational institutions contribute to provision of services to children from low-income households. 

He opined that despite the increasing debate across the world on the UKAid’s funding of low-cost private education as against channeling such funding to the underserved and underfunded government-owned public education, it remains critical that funding should also focus on low-cost schools as enabling environment including access to finance should be provided to them to support their sustainability towards education of children from economically-disadvantaged households. 

Further, he stated that partners seeking to support low-cost education should focus on ensuring regulations leading to enabling environment for service providers, access to finance, school improvement services and access to information for their growth and continued existence. He added that the approach adopted by SEED for Affordable Private Schools provided a sustainability platform for low-cost schools while lauding the SEED Project including the SEED Access to Finance Clinic.


In attendance at the clinic were representatives of school associations including the President of Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Mrs. Ifejola Dada, and the Chairman of Association of Model Islamic Schools (AMIS), Lagos State Chapter, Alhaji Misbaudeen Zakariyah, took turns to describe the SEED Project was a laudable and impact intervention by W-Holistic Business Solutions towards changing the narrative and landscape of Affordable Private Education in Nigeria as the SEED Project has been able to address critical challenges faced by Affordable Private Schools in Nigeria.

Uj. N. Dominic/ED, Ops

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Andrew Sullivan emerges new ISOC President, takes over Sept. 1 | ITREALMS Online

The Internet Society (ISOC) has named the chairman of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC), Mr. Andrew Sullivan as its latest global President and chief executive officer (CEO), reports ITRealms.

Mr. Sullivan, ITRealms gathered, was selected by ISOC Board of Trustees to become the Internet Society’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, with effect from September 1, 2018.

Chairman, ISOC Board of Trustees, Gonzalo Camarillo, disclosed this to ITRealms, describing Mr. Sullivan, as someone whose work in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) speak for him.

Andrew, Camarillo noted brings with him a wealth of Internet industry and technology experience, having served in a number of past roles, including time at Oracle Dyn managing Doman Name System (DNS) development and architecture departments and as the Internet Architecture Board (IAB) Chair for two consecutive years, 2015 and 2016.

Also, ITRealms gathered that Andrew played an instrumental role in the IANA Transition as many of you may remember, encouraging members to read his testimony on the IAB Website adding that Andrew is currently serving as chair of the IETF Administrative Oversight Committee (IAOC), where he leads involvement with discussionsaround updating the relationship between the IETF and the Internet Society.

Most importantly for us as a global community of members, organizations and individuals that care deeply about the Internet, he embodies the core values of openness, transparency, inclusion and diversity that lie at the very heart of the Internet Society. He is committed to the ISOC vision of an Internet that works for all of us, and believes fervently in the struggle to bring an Internet that is open, globally-connected,
trusted and secure to everyone.

Not only that, but he is also committed to strengthening and growing our global community. Together, we have built this global technical infrastructure, this resource to enrich people's lives, and this force for good in society. Because it is a challenging time for the Internet, he knows that it’s also a challenging time for the Internet Society, but he firmly believes in the power of this community to realize its shared vision for the Internet.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kathy Brown for her strong leadership over the past four and a half years. She has been pivotal in the organization’s transformation and I believe that we have never been in a stronger position, not just to face the challenges ahead of us, but to emerge as a true world leader in shaping the path and future direction of the Internet for the good of all humanity,” he said.

Kathy, he further said, will continue in her current role as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Internet Society until September 1.


“On assuming his new role, Andrew will work with Kathy during a period of transition to ensure a smooth handover of responsibilities,” he said and congratulated Andrew as “we prepare to welcome him into the growing ISOC family as our new President and CEO.

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MDXI achieves TCCF becomes most certified data center in Nigeria - ITREALMS Online

MDXI’s 600 rack facility in Lekki is the premier commercial Data Center in West Africa built to meet the rapidly growing demand for colocation, managed hosting and cloud services within the region, reports ITRealms.

MDXI is MainOne’s  data centre subsidiary, which ITRealms reported, recently received its Tier III Constructed Facility certification (TCCF) from the Uptime Institute.

With this new milestone, MDXI becomes the leading Data center in West Africa with the top 5 certifications in the industry, being the Tier III Constructed Facility certification, TCCF, the PCI-DSS certification which certifies the Data center to process payment card information, the SAP Infrastructure Services license which certifies the Data Center as ideal for running SAP applications and infrastructure, and ISO 27001 and 9001 certifications.

This TCCF certification is awarded by the Uptime Institute as a performance-based evaluation of a data centre’s concurrently maintainable site infrastructure. Tier Certification of Constructed Facility is a progression from Tier Certification of Design Documents (TCDD) and goes beyond the review of paper designs to rigorous on-site testing to root out discrepancies between the actual installation and design.

The multiple certifications of MainOne’s MDXI demonstrate compliance to globally accepted standards on high availability, commitment towards the security and protection of the information assets of the company and its customers, and provides assurance of the quality of the Data Centre’s infrastructure and ability to react to disruptions due to unplanned activities.

MDXI’s 600 rack facility in Lekki is the premier commercial Data Center in West Africa built to meet the rapidly growing demand for Colocation, Managed Hosting and Cloud services within the region. General Manager of MDXI, Gbenga Adegbiji announced that the certification further validates the company’s investment in critical infrastructure to grow West Africa’s Digital Economy.

“With the increased recognition of Africa as home of fast growing economies, it is important that we have the infrastructure required to establish, enhance and sustain effective business performance in today’s global digital economy. Outsourcing of Data Center services to a reputable provider such as MDXI ensures businesses can adopt more cost effective models of consuming technology to allow increased focus on business development and growth. As we build a data centre ecosystem spanning facilities across West Africa, we plan to launch new Tier III data centres in Sagamu, by Q4 2018, Ghana in 2019 and Cote I’voire in 2020.”

On presentation of the Tier III Constructed Facility certification (TCCF) award, President of Uptime Institute, Lee Kirby said “We congratulate MainOne’s Data Centre Company, MDXI on receiving their Tier III Constructed Facility Certification Documents. This is indeed a significant step for the region and we look forward to working with them as they build multiple facilities across West Africa”.

MDXI is West Africa’s largest full scale data centre provider offering colocation, interconnection and cloud services to OTTs and major network, content and financial providers, as well as access to multiple Internet exchange points in Nigeria, Ghana, Amsterdam, and London.

Nenye Dom/GEE


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LEPCMON visits Archbishop Martins ahead of October confab | ITREALMS Online

The newly elected officers and ex-officio members of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria (LEPCMON) visits Archbishop Martins ahead of its National Conference of Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria (CMON) in October, 2018, reports ITRealms.

LEPCMON, ITRealms gathered, comprises Abeokuta, Ijebu Ode Dioceses and Lagos Archdiocese paid a courtesy visit to the Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Most Rev. Alfred Adewale Martins.

The visit saw incumbent Provincial President of the LEPCMON who was formally introduced to the Chief shepherd by Mr. John Aigbokhaiode – President, Lagos Archdiocesan Catholic Men Organisation (LACMO) who led the delegation.

Also, the Provincial President introduced his colleagues to the Archbishop, and expressed optimism that his team is ready to ensure successful piloting of the affairs of LEPCMON in the next four years.

Responding, His Grace congratulated the officers and prayed that grace of God will lead them through as they serve Him and humanity.

He also advised the faithful to officiate with fear of the Heavenly Father and think of new ideas to help them improve the structures in place.

He thanked the past executives that directed the affairs of LEPCMON before now, and lamented that Christians were under pressure and treats, especially in the northern Nigeria.
He cautioned that everybody ought to be aware of the security situation and should pray for God’s intervention.

Further, through the Provincial President, LEPCMON, Mr. Remigius L. Nwokoroku, used the visit to remind the Archbishop about the hosting of the National Conference of Catholic Men Organisation Nigeria (CMON) by the LEPCMON in October, 2018, adding that details of the proposed conference including the theme; scriptural quotations and proposed date of activities had been forwarded to the National Chaplain of the CMON for his endorsement.

The conference slated for Thursday 25th October, 2018, he said, has been tentatively scheduled for the National Executive Council Meeting of the body for ratification. While Friday 26thOctober, 2018; being the date for arrival of all participating delegates has been chosen for the Executive Council to meet with the Archbishop of Lagos.

“The opening Mass before the conference will be said on Saturday 27th October, 2018, after that the meeting will formerly commence,” he said, stressing that on Sunday 28th October, 2018 after Mass, the delegates would depart to their different geographical locations.

Romanus Egbulefu/GEE



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Monday, July 02, 2018

Commission for Mass literacy joins ‘FOI Hall of Shame’ - ITREALMS Online

The National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult andNon-Formal Education (NMEC) has joined dozens of other public institutions in the “Freedom of Information (FOI) Hall of Shame” as Media Rights Agenda (MRA)accused it of failing to comply with virtually all its duties and obligations under the FOI Act, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing the induction of NMEC into the FOI Hall of Shame in Lagos on Monday, MRA’s Programme Manager for Freedom of Information, Mr Ridwan Sulaimon, in a press statement made available to ITRealms, said the attitude of the Commission towards the FOI Act was illogical for an institution whose primary mandate is “the eradication of illiteracy for national development” and whose activities and spheres of operation cut across the entire social strata.

“It should be obvious to the management of NMEC that the institution cannot hope to succeed in its task of combating the problems of illiteracy and ignorance within its client population if it does not support and implement a framework such as the FOI Act, which is designed to enhance the free flow of information and to make information freely available to citizens,” he said

NMEC is a statutory Federal Government parastatal charged with the ‘responsibility of making literate all those who for one reason or the other did not or cannot benefit from the formal school system. These include out-of-school youths, children in the street, women in purdah, victims of teenage motherhood (VVF), Nomadic illiterate people, Almajiris and other migrant fishing folks.’

Noting that since its establishment in 1990, NMEC has received funding from different sources including from the federation budget and local governments, Mr. Sulaimon contended that the institution has a burden of accountability which will be easily discharged if it implements its commitments under the FOI Act.

According to him, “Unfortunately, in the last seven years since the enactment of the FOI Act, NMEC has not submitted any annual implementation report to the Attorney General of the Federation, as it is required to do by Section 29 of the Act; and there is no indication whatsoever that the organisation has designated an officer to whom requests for information may be sent, as required by the FOI Act and the Implementation Guidelines for the Act issued by the Attorney-General.”

He noted that as a direct result of the institution’s failure to submit its annual implementation reports for the past seven years and to make such reports public in utter disregard for the Law, there is no information available anywhere about the institution’s handling of its obligations under the FOI Act, especially its level of responsiveness to requests for information from members of the public.”

Ayo Midele/GEE

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