Creative Sector: AccessDiamond commences loan disbursement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

In line with the Creative Sector Loan, under the Creative Industry Financing Initiative of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), AccessDiamond Bank Plc, has commenced disbursement of loans to beneficiaries in the technology and innovation sector, reports ITREALMS.

The bank disclosed this Wednesday in Lagos at a forum aimed at capacity building and employment creation for individuals and businesses currently into fashion, Information Technology, movie production and distribution, music and student software engineering.

On essence of the initiative, Zonal Head Banking of the  bank at Lekki, Mr. Abidemi Adeboye, said the loan allows for low cost-single digit funding for businesses, flexible structure and repayment plans, opportunity to achieve long term business goals, and excellent financial advisory service.

“The CBN wants to create jobs, develop local capacity, build tech-hubs. We need to bring shared facility to Nigerians. It must be creative jobs for you to secure the loan. If you are planning for the loan, it must be for creative jobs. And you don’t need to be an existing customer of Access Bank to access the loan,” he said.

He noted that the loan is open to tech Start-ups as the aim is to finance tech hubs that will contribute to building the country’s economy, adding that all a loan applicant needs to do is to ensure that they keep record of their business transactions.

Adeboye further explained that those who would access the loans should come up with business plan or statement, must be registered and should be doing what had economic benefits. Such people he said, must have ideas and must have registered business name of their company.

He said that students are free to access the loan for the building of tech Startups and noted that the forum was organized to get more ideas from stakeholders in the technology sector on how best they could disburse the funds to them, and the documents they would need to access the loan.

“Prepare your business plan or statement on how much you want for your business. Go to any Access bank branch with the required document or apply online through Access Bank Creative sector loan portal. Our Relationship officers will contact you for further discussion and process your loan request,” Adeboye said.

Also on the loan repayment structure, he said beneficiaries of the loan have a 3 to 10-year repayment plan to choose from, stressing that the loan comes with zero collateral.

"There is a repayment period of three years for Software Engineering Student Loans, and 10 years for those in Movie Production and Distribution, Fashion, Information Technology and Music," he said.

Adeboye noted that the maximum interest rate of 9 per cent per annum (all charges inclusive) is applicable on all loans in the Creative Sector.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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N2.5bn DSO trial: Court says Lai Mohammed must appear in witness box - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A Federal High Court Abuja on Thursday granted an application to list former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed as prosecution witness in a trial of alleged misapplication of N2.5 billion Federal Government Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa, granted the application by the prosecution, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC following the withdrawal of the objection earlier raised by the defendants.

ICPC is prosecuting the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Ishaq Kawu in the court, for alleged abuse of office and money laundering

The Commission had filed a 12-count charge against Kawu, Lucky Omoluwa and Dipo Onifade, the Chairman and Chief Operating Officer of Pinnacle Communications Limited respectively.

NAN reports that after calling two witnesses, the ICPC filed the application seeking to add the former minister and Shuaibu Sabo, a Bureau de Change operator as additional witnesses in the trial.

Dr Alex Izinyon, SAN, Counsel to Omoluwa and Onifade, had filed a motion prohibiting the prosecution from listing Mohammed and Sabo as additional witnesses.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the resumed hearing of the trial on Thursday, Mr Abayomi Oyelola who held the brief of Iziyon, said they were withdrawing the motion opposing the list of additional witnesses by the ICPC.

Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa, thereafter struck out the motion by the defendants.

The judge has also granted the applications by the defendants seeking the release of their international passports to enable them travel abroad for official functions.

The court’s decision was also sequel to the withdrawal of the counter affidavit of the ICPC challenging the release of the traveling documents.

ICPC lawyer, E. A. Shogunle said he was withdrawing the counter affidavit because the period the applicants would be travelling fell within the court’s vacation.

The lawyer also informed the court that the prosecution had complied with the directive of the court to verify the addresses of the sureties to the second and third defendants as given in the bail bonds and filed same.

Shogunle, however said the prosecution could not verify the address of the surety to the first defendant (Kawu) because there was an error in the house number provided in the bail bond.

He said the lawyer to the first defendant would have to correct the error in the house address at the court registry before he could file a verifying affidavit.

The judge, however, held that since the prosecution had withdrawn the counter affidavit to the motion, the travel documents of all the defendants should be released to them.

She ordered that the defendants should be given their international passports in the custody of the Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) and be allowed to travel within the time they stipulated in their motions

The judge, however, ordered that the defendants should return the traveling documents to the custody of the DCR upon their return not later than Sept. 25.

She directed the sureties to the defendants to swear respective affidavit to the effect that they would surrender themselves for trial in case the defendants abscond.

Specifically, she said the sureties would take the place of the defendants and would remain in detention until the defendants surrender themselves for trial.

Justice Oginbanjo-Giwa adjourned the case until Oct. 2 for continuation of hearing.




NAN/MoIC

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Fidelity Bank unveils SME Funding Connect - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Fidelity Bank Plc has unveiled a funders meet founders programme tagged 'Entrepreneurship meet capital' to be held in some locations across the country, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this Wednesday in Lagos, the Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, said this is affirmation that Fidelity bank is a friendly bank to SMEs.

She said that currently Nigeria has over forty SMEs registered with SMEDAN, noting that  poor capacity has been the bane of their growth, along side multiple taxation, and lack of adequate infrastructure like electricity to name a few.

She pointed out that venture capital and angel funders are the best options to navigate some of these challenges of SMEs and noted excitedly that Fidelity Bank was able to bring these two together under this SME Funding Connect.

"Today, we are bringing both SMEs and venture capital firms for a handshake at this event," she said.

Also she said the train for the Fidelity Bank SME Funding connect will take off in Lagos and stop over in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt commencing on August 7, this year.

Revealing that some 3000 participants have registered for this event, even as Fidelity Bank had done some capacity building for SMEs on export and now joining forces with funders for a one day programme.

Equally speaking, the Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Mr Osaigbovo Omorogbe, said this Fidelity Bank SME Funding Connect would provide both funders and founders a seamless ground to leverage and that top five SMEs will be selected after a pitch.

Winners, he said would go home with N5 million to support their businesses.

In addition, he said there would be a plenary session and breakout session plus networking events.

He explained that it's a pre-registered event focusing on manufacturing, technology, lifestyle, healthcare, agriculture and value chain.

"This will be the first of its class, a platform for SMEs to connect with funders," he said, stressing that the process of selection and awards of funds will be managed via auditing by PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

In his remarks, chief Economist at PwC, Dr. Andrew Nevin commended Fidelity Bank for this noble step and assured that PwC will do its best based on professional best practices to ensure transparency in the process.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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L-R: Divisional Head, Brand and Communications, Fidelity Bank Plc, Charles Aigbe; Divisional Head, Managed SMEs, Fidelity Bank Plc., Osaigbovo Omorogbe;  Executive Director, Lagos and South West, Fidelity Bank Plc,  Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe; Advisory Partner & Chief Economist, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), Dr Andrew Nevin; Senior Manager, Advisory – Deals, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), at a press conference in Lagos to unveil the forthcoming  Fidelity SME Funding Connect – Lagos themed: Entrepreneurship meets Capital…..Wednesday. 

Vertiv visits 21stCentury Technologies, explores partnership - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Leadership team of Vertiv is exploring partnership options with the recent visit to the 21st Century Technologies Limited to advance roll out of distinct data centre in Nigeria, report ITREALMS.

The American, Ohio-based, provider of equipment and services for datacenters, Vertiv brings together hardware, software, analytics and ongoing services to ensure its customers’ vital applications run continuously perform optimally and grow with their business needs.

Vertiv’s team on the visit included Noureddine Aouda regional director, North West Africa; Pierre Havenga, managing director, Middle East and Africa; and Gbenga Adebowale, country sales manager Nigeria Vertiv



The chairman/CEO, 21st Century Technologies Limited, Chief Wale Ajisebutu, while receiving the team, took them on tour of the company’s state-of-the-art ICT complex.

Noting that 21st Century Technologies Limited is already offering a complete suite of fully managed hosting services from its own data centres in Lagos, Nigeria, providing an array of strategic, financial, and operational benefits.



Only recently, the company obtained a Tier IV certification from Uptime Institute, the first time for any telecommunications company in Africa.



Also by the certification, 21st Century Technologies has become the most certified ICT firm in the country



Uptime Institute provides standards globally for the design, construction and operations of data centres in the IT industry.



With its data centre tier standard & certifications, management & operations reviews, efficient IT stamp of approval, and accredited educational curriculum for data centre professionals; Uptime Institute helps organizations optimize critical IT assets while managing costs, resources and efficiency.



By this certification, 21st Century Technologies’ data centre cannot go down for more than 23 minutes in a year.




*Editor




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L-r: Gbenga Adebowale country sales manager Nigeria Vertiv; Wale Ajisebutu, chairman/CEO 21st Century Technologies Limited; Noureddine Aouda, reginal director, North West Africa, Vertiv; and Pierre Havenga, managing director, Middle East and Africa, Vertiv during a visit to 21st Century Technologies Limited

Orin murder: Fayemi commiserates with community - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has commiserated with the people of Orin Ekiti on the murder of Mr. Sunday Ilori, a hunter who was reportedly killed by some herdsmen in the town over the weekend, assuring that the state government would provide adequate security in all communities in the State.

The governor who visited the community early on Monday morning to condole with the people also assured that nobody would take over their land for any reason.

Dr Fayemi who addressed the community leaders as well as the protesting women and youth, urged the people to collaborate with government and security agencies by providing information on suspicious movements and activities in their areas. He added that a collaborative efforts by all security stakeholders in the state would help rid the state of banditry and other forms of criminal activities.

The Governor also directed that a police post be provided near the farm settlement and that security patrol be stepped up in the town to forestall any form of insecurity in the area. He also tasked security agencies to fish out the culprits and ensure that they face the maximum wrath of the law.

“Whoever violates the law and is caught in the act will face the wrath of the law whether he is Yoruba, Fulani, Tiv or whichever tribe the person may come from. Anybody who commits crime will not go scot free. If we don’t give the security agents around us adequate information, it will be difficult to arrest and prosecute such an offender. That is why there is need for us all to collaborate. We must play our own roles too and inform the appropriate security personnel.” Fayemi said.

“We have youths, hunters and Peace Corps who should collaborate with security agents. We cannot relocate Orin to another place for any reason. Government will provide adequate security in this community so that everyone can ply their trades without fear.

“This is your land. As the governor, I have authority over all the land in the state and I am assuring you that no one will take your land from you for any purpose.”, he said.

While reacting to a revelation that the murder culprits were bandits who tried to cart away with some government property at the farm settlement, Governor Fayemi said the settlement had become an abode for the bandits because it was left untended since 2014.

The governor disclosed plans to revive the farm settlement and construct a road linking the farm settlement with the College of Agric and Technology, Isan Ekiti as a way of making the settlement active and useful to the College.

Earlier, the daughter of the deceased, Mrs Olanike Akinwumi had narrated how the incident happened; maintaining that her father did not go hunting when he was killed in the farm.

According to her, the deceased went to the farm early in the morning in response to a call that some bandits were in the farm settlement and was thereafter killed there.

During the condolence visit, community leaders tabled a number of requests before the governor ranging from the resuscitation of the farm settlement to setting up a police post in the community.

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Atiku decries video involving Senator Elisha Abbo, demands action from PDP - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

PDP Presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has decried a video involving Senator Elisha Abbo over his molestation of a saleslady in a toy-sex shop in Abuja, reports ITREALMS.

"I have seen the alleged assault video involving Sen. Elisha Abbo. The video is sad, inexcusable. I know the Senator quite well. But the law is clear and leaders must lead by example.

‪‪"I advise him to publicly apologize, voluntarily go to the police and show a good example expected of a young leader. I also call on our party, the PDP to take necessary disciplinary action and the Nigerian Police to ensure the law takes its full course," he concluded.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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US seeks Gani Adams’ view on Nigeria’s insecurity - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United States of America has sought the views of the Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, on the security situation in the country.

A two-man team of officials from the US Embassy in Lagos, led by the Political Officer, Shashank Iyer, met with Adams on Monday in his Lagos home on the issue.

Accompanied by the Embassy’s Political Specialist, Arnold Abulime, Iyer told Adams and some members of the Aare-in-Council who joined him in receiving them, that the US was concerned about the tension in the country, especially now heightened with the introduction of Ruga.

Ruga is the policy of the Federal Government establishing settlements for herders in the States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Iyer said the concern of the US is how all ethnic groups in the country can live peacefully.

He said it has been observed that the people of the country have the capacity to pull through hard times economically, but some touchy issues such as Ruga have the tendency to make them drift apart.

“It is tricky getting all to live together, so that is why there is the need to meet and share perspectives.

“We need to be able to move the needle forward together in Nigeria, deal with ethnic issues capable of destabilising the country. 

“Nigerians will always find a way around economic issues, but ethnic issues have a way of destabilising the country.”

In his response, Adams said the solution to all the crises bedevilling the country lies in restructuring the polity.

He said he believes that the country’s numerous problems will be resolved within four years if the President Muhammadu Buhari Administration agrees to restructuring.

The Aare Onakakanfo said: “It is not in the world’s interest for Nigeria to go to war.
“The world will be affected. 

“With a population of over 200 million, every part of the world will feel the disintegration of Nigeria.

“So what we are seeking for is for your government to prevail on Nigeria’s government to restructure. 

“Most of our problems will be solved in four years once restructuring takes place. 

“Our system is going to a state of collapse, especially with the Buhari Government in the last four years. 

“And it can only get worse.
“If Buhari does not restructure, it will get worse. 

“To save this country, the only way is to accept the report of the Constitutional Conference of 2014 or revert to the 1963 Constitution.

“As it now, no zone is peaceful anymore.
“Even in Katsina, the President’s state, two traditional rulers were kidnapped without trace till today.”

Aare Adams said the US had indeed helped Nigeria before now with the restoration of democratic rule in 1999, hailing the former US Ambassador to Nigeria, Walter Carrington, for the role he played.

He said without such intervention now, a revolution is imminent in Nigeria, adding: “Lessons from Ilorin and Lokoja in the past when the Fulanis came to require for land for their cattle are imperative. 

“They gradually took the place over.
“The same happened in Plateau and Southern Kaduna.

“The history and antecedents of the Fulanis do not make it possible for any sane Yoruba man to accept Ruga.”

Adams also presented some documents, which he said contained part of his position, to the team from the Embassy before the closed door meeting began.

Others present at the meeting included a former Minister of Defence, Dupe Adelaja; Dr. Akin Sonaiya; former Political Adviser to the President, Akin Osuntokun; Publicity Secretary of the Oodua Peoples Congress, Yinka Oguntimehin; and prominent businessman and politician, Kole Omololu.
They all spoke in support of the restructuring of the country and opposed the Ruga policy of the Federal Government.

They also questioned the spending of money on the Ruga initiative when several other Nigerians running their private businesses have not benefitted in any form from the Federal Government and with many going hungry.


Nenye Dom/Editor

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L-R: Political Specialist, Embassy of the United States of America in Lagos, Nigeria, Arnold Abulime; Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams; and Political Officer, US Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria, Shashank Iyer, during a visit to Adams in his Lagos home on Monday on the insecurity in the country.

FirstBank promotes kindness, commences CR&S week globally - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, Nigeria’s premier and leading financial institution has announced that the third edition of its Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CR&S) week is billed for 1 – 6 July 2019 in the six geopolitical zones of the country and the Bank’s business locations in Ghana, Gambia, Guinea, Senegal, Sierra Leone, DR Congo and The United Kingdom. The 2019 edition is themed Ripples of Kindness, Putting You First.

The CR&S week is driven to amplify the Bank’s culture of “Employee Giving & Volunteering Programme” with a focus on reinforcing the values of the Bank’s SPARK (Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness) initiative through a wide range of strategically designed activities. SPARK is a values-based initiative designed to raise consciousness that promote kindness to one another.

Amongst the activities to be carried out in the course of the week is the Nice Comments Day; a day set aside to foster words of encouragement, support and kindness to people around you, regardless of ones’ familiarity or close ties. The Bank recognises that kind words are largely instrumental to lighting up one’s day and also bringing out the best in one.

Other activities in the course of the FirstBank CR&S week are visits to the less privileged homes as well as the promotion of the SPARK initiative in schools. The objective of the SPARK initiative in schools is to embed the values of SPARK amongst school children at a young age so it becomes part and parcel of them, forming a habit and nature as they develop into adulthood.

Through the values of the SPARK initiative – Compassion, Civility, Charity and Connection – , the Bank believes that every act of kindness is critical to promoting a peaceful co-existence amongst everyone in the society and building a prosperous society and nation at large.

Speaking on the Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability (CR&S) Week 2019, the Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Communications of FirstBank, Folake Ani-Mumuney, said the week is aimed at reinforcing FirstBank’s corporate culture of encouraging giving and volunteering among its employees and the larger society. 

"We believe that every act of kindness goes a long way in leaving an indelible impact in the life of people which indeed underscores why it is important for everyone to Start Performing Act of Random Kindness. No matter how little, every act of kindness indeed makes the world a better place," she said.

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Standard Chartered accelerates momentum of its digital strategy across Africa - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Standard Chartered has unveiled yet another multi-market digital bank in Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe as part of its digital transformation strategy in Africa, reports ITREALMS.

The next wave of digital-only banks, ITREALMS gathered follows launches in Uganda, Tanzania, Ghana and Kenya in the first quarter of the year and Côte d'Ivoire in 2018.

The expansion in Africa comes at a time when the continent, with a growing economy and population, is demanding wider access to digital services. The digital banking solution provides Standard Chartered customers across the eight markets with affordable, convenient, fast and easily accessible banking services. The first-of-its-kind digital bank in Botswana and Zambia offers a truly end-to-end digital account opening experience which has been developed following client feedback to offer a convenient platform to service all their banking needs.

Commenting on the launch, Sunil Kaushal, Regional CEO, Africa and Middle East said: “This is a significant achievement for the Bank having now launched digital banks in 8 markets in 15 months of our initial launch in Côte d'Ivoire. The growing population of Africa is demanding faster and more convenient banking and it has been very rewarding to witness increased acceptance and a growing demand for our digital products across the continent. We have an exciting pipeline of product launches on this platform which will position us as the premier digital bank in our markets of choice.”

By digitalising the entire banking experience, customers will be able to enjoy simple, secure, and affordable banking anytime, anywhere. Active customers of the digital bank will also be eligible to receive loyalty benefits and promotions.

In just under 15 months, Standard Chartered has launched its digital banks in eight markets across Sub-Saharan Africa with impressive results. In Côte d’Ivoire the digital bank has exceeded initial expectations with 18,000 new account openings, in Uganda the Bank has seen an eight-fold increase in new account openings, whilst in Tanzania the Bank has signed up more new customers since launching in March this year than in the whole of 2018.

The Bank is expected to continue its digital expansion in African markets with another launch planned in September for Nigeria.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Okonkwo @NU Colloquium: Tasks media, FG on national integration - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Entrepreneur and Chairman of The Dome Entertainment Limited, Dr. Obiora Okonkwo has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and leadership of the National Assembly to work towards a more integrated country so as to take advantage of its diversity.

Okonkwo made the call in Enugu, weekend, during a Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) colloquium on ‘Media and National Integration”.

He noted that in the light of Nigeria’s enormous challenge with national integration, efforts must start with the recognition that despite the country’s many differences, Nigerians have no other country they can call theirs and must therefore do everything they can to live together.

“It therefore, behoves on the media to strive to promote those things that unite the nation while constructively addressing the more divisive issues”, he stated.

He said that in performing other roles, the media must at all times live up to its watchdog role of holding the government’s feet to the fire, stressing that the moment the media fails in such core responsibility, it loses its relevance especially with the citizens and then becomes a lapdog.

“You may not be aware of this, but most Nigerians in their despondency, still look up to the media as the only group that can help save them from Nigeria’s political leadership. This is a trust you must never take for granted. Today, we have very powerful online radio personalities whose intervention with powerful government officials have become the last hope of the common man. They have lost hope in our legal system and look up to the likes of Ordinary Ahmed of Human Rights Radio Abuja for help,” Okonkwo said.

He urged the media to be encouraged in the task of promoting national integration, insisting that Nigeria’s situation was not unique as many countries remain work in progress.

“We cannot abandon the task of building ours even in the face of daunting challenges. That is the task for the mass media and all of us. It was a group of brave young journalists who defied all odds and used their pen to defeat the British colonial empire. Today’s journalists can again lead the charge for a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria. It may sound impossible, but as the master of political miracles, the great Nelson Mandela once said, it always seems impossible until it is done,” Okonkwo charged.

The Colloquium which was chaired by Senator Anyim Ude, also had former Nigerian envoy to Spain, Amb. Bianca Ojukwu, Chairman of Enugu Traditional Rulers council, HRH Lawrence Agubuzu and a representative of the state governor, in attendance.

Speaking further, Okonkwo, whose lecture was punctuated with rounds of applause, noted that for the country to achieve its vision of full integration, the media must be firm to its role and also use its powers to build the country rather than destroy it.

He noted that present challenges in the country can be surmounted if the media pushed a positive narrative that would encourage investments and partnerships.

He said: “It took the genius and labour of people to build so many of the world’s greatest countries, many of which remain work in progress as Americans often speak of still working towards a more perfect union.

“We cannot abandon the task of building ours even in the face of daunting challenges. That is the task for the mass media and all of us. It was a group of brave young journalists who defied all odds and used their pen to defeat the British colonial empire.

“Today’s journalists can again lead the charge for a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria. It may sound impossible, but as the master of political miracles, the great Nelson Mandela once said, ‘it always seems impossible until it is done’”.

Okonkwo also tasked the media to hold the government accountable in defining regime interest and national interest, which he said must be clearly defined and separated.

“In playing this watchdog role, the media must make a distinction between regime interest and national interest and between regime security and national Security. The tendency is for people in government to conflate both. But what is in the regimes’ interest may not necessarily be in the national interest. Same applies to regime security. It is never the case that those in government have a monopoly of patriotism.

“While media owners, as part of the ruling political and economic elites, would sometimes want to use their media to further their personal interests, it is incumbent on the journalists not to be willing tools to subvert the unity of the country. The patriot in every journalist should eschew divisive and hateful rhetoric that could foster animosity among segments of the country, especially with respect to ethnic and religious matters which are two of the most problematic identities in Nigeria.

“Journalists and the mass media wield enormous power and influence and with that, must come responsibilities and deep introspection. Media must at all time promote national citizenship over other more parochial and divisive identities.

“As a large country with complex diversity challenges, many of which remain unresolved breeding frustration among citizens, media must be in the vanguard of efforts to create a new imaginary; by showcasing the immense possibilities of this country which if well harnessed, can lead to a restoration of hope.
“It starts with striking a somewhat optimistic tone in reporting of what is, and what can be. This can help Nigerians rise beyond their differences. But it starts with staying true to your calling by holding the leadership accountable and not trying to hob-nob with them as is sometimes the case”, he stated.



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Guild of Editors mourn DP Tudun Wada - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) is devastated at the news of the death of its Deputy President, Malam Umar SaiduTudun Wada, who died in car crash Sunday june 30, 2019, along Abuja-Kano road, reports ITREALMS.

Mallam Umar Saidu was the immediate past Managing Director of Kano State Radio Corporation and was at one time a Principal Editor at the then CTV, now Abubakar Rimi Television (ARTV).

He was a broadcaster with Voice of America, freelance correspondent with Hausa and English services of Deutsche-Welle and also Editor, Concern Magazine.

The deceased served twice as Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

He also served as Secretary, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kano State Council.

The Guild wishes to condole with the family of Malam Umar SaiduTudun Wada, especially his wife, Aisha, who was a former Deputy President of the NGE and the management and staff of Radio Kano.

Malam Umar Saidu would be greatly missed by his family, professional colleagues and friends around the globe.
The condolence letter made available to ITREALMS signed by the NGE president Mrs. Funke Egbemode and Geneeral Secretary, Mrs. Mary Atolagbe, described late Tudun Wada as committed family man.

"We pray that almighty Allah console the family of our departed colleague and grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

"May the soul of Malam Umar SaiduTudun Wada find Aljannafridaus. Amen" they prayed.

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Vanuatu to host ITU's Global Symposium for Regulators - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has advanced plans to host its annual Global Symposium for Regulators (GSR) 2019, in Port Vila, Vanuatu, reports ITREALMS.

GSR is acclaimed wo​rld's pre-eminent gathering of the global information and communication technology (ICT) regulatory and policy-making community.

With the theme of "Inclusive connectivity: The future of regulation,' this year's event, ITREALMS gathered would be held from 9 to 12 July in Port Vila at the invitation of the Government of Vanuatu. 

The symposium features specialist speakers and a dynamic programme focused around some of the most challenging topics facing today's tech regulators.

A highlight of the official opening on Wednesday, 10 July will be a Leadership Debate led by Commissioners from the United Nations (UN) Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development focused on 'Getting the Next 3.7 Billion Online'.

The Global Symposium for Regulators is open to regulators, policy-makers and members of ITU's Development Sector. Only the morning session on Wednesday, 10 July is open to media participation.

Slated for Warwick Le Lagon Resort, Port Vila, Vanuatu, ITREALMS reports that it would attract regulatory agency leaders and top government policy-makers from around the world to debate the challenges and opportunities of a rapidly evolving ICT environment.

This, would including ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao and the Director of ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau, Doreen Bogdan-Martin, to be chaired by Mr John Obed Alilee, CEO/Regulator, Telecommunications, Radiocommunications and Broadcasting Regulator of Vanuatu.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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1stNews goes live - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ist News, an authoritative and credible online news platform, has formally gone live on Monday July 1,2019, reports ITREALMS.

The launch will, however, be a soft one in view of the fact that the platform has been operational since August 2018 as Sabinews which was later migrated to 1st News in April 2019.

Making the announcement, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Gideon Ayogu, stated that the online medium will stand out for its unique style of journalism.

“With 1stNews.com,we are bringing back the glory days of journalism in Nigeria. Beyond just reporting credible news, Ist News is all about insightful journalism and in-depth analysis of socio-economic issues bordering on our national development. It is also a platform which will focus on topical global issues and events. We will cover the world passionately.”

Continuing, he disclosed that the platform will bring online some of the legendary names in Nigerian journalism including Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade.

The quartet, all former Directors of Newswatch are contemporaries of the late maverick journalist, Dele Giwa. Giwa co-founded Newswatch Magazine alongside Ekpu, Agbese and Mohammed in 1984. He was killed by a mail bomb in his Lagos home on 19 October 1986. The assassination occurred two days after he had been interviewed by State Security Service (SSS) officials.

Also on board is Chris Uwaje, Africa Chair for IEEE-World Forum on Internet of Things (IoTs).

Uwaje, a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society and Past-President of the Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN)is an Information Technology (IT) veteran. He commands a senior leadership position in the IT professional and industry domain with over four decades of on-the-job IT Practice as Computer Scientist across four continents, namely Europe, Africa, Asia and North America.

“Among the contributors we have on board are four of the household names in Nigerian journalism: Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed and Soji Akinrinade. These gentlemen have a lot to offer in view of their privileged status in the Nigerian journalism landscape,” Ayogu affirmed.

“Also writing for 1st News is Chris Uwaje, who is widely known as the Oracle of the Nigerian IT Industry. His weekly interventions will enrich the discourse of Nigeria’s technology roadmap and collective narrative.

“Further lending a sense of excitement is the presence of Ozinna Anumudu. Ozinna is a renowned fashion connoisseur who will liven up the fashion and entertainment fare on 1st News.

“With this platform, we are using a multimedia approach to tell our stories in a captivating and accurate manner. Ours is a convergence of bold and audacious news reporting that caters to all lovers of credible news, irrespective of gender and age. We are going to be objective, accurate, balanced and fair in our news presentation,” Ayogu said.

1stNews.com will cover a variety of interesting contents and categories including news, politics, technology, business, entrepreneurship, investment, lifestyle and sports, among others.

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