Gov Ikpeazu backs LG autonomy, flags off Ngwa S’ Mass Transit scheme - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, has supported the agitation for the autonomy of Local Governments in Nigeria, saying he would ensure that the grassroots “feel the impact of the government” reports ITREALMS.

The governor, according to a statement on Friday expressed the view while flagging off the first set of vehicles procured by the Transition Committee (TC) chairman of Isialangwa South LGA, Ike Anyataonwu for the commencement of the Mass Transit Scheme in the LGA.

Governor Ikpeazu, represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Enyinnaya Appolos, flagged off the scheme at the headquarters of Isialangwa South LGA in Umuoba.

Appolos commended Anyataonwu for being prudent in management of resources, executing people oriented programs and for listening to the yearnings of the people of the LGA.

He called on other council chairmen in the state to emulate what Anyataonwu has done and find out the needs of the people in order to effectively contribute to the amelioration of the challenges.

“This is commendable. I would have been disappointed if this is not happening. That this is happening has confirmed the trust we have in the chairman of Isialangwa South, Ike Anyataonwu. I commend him for this laudable project which is first of its kind.

“I call on other chairmen of councils in the state to emulate this and found out what are the needs of their people, that’s the only way the people will feel the impact of the government. Mass transit may not be the challenge of every local government.”

Earlier, Anyataonwu thanked Governor Ikpeazu for the ongoing construction of the Mgboko/Umuene road and called on the contractor handling the project to ensure that quality and timely work is done to enable the people use the road to link up with the rest of the state.

He said the buses will convey people and farm produce from Isialangwa to Aba at a subsidized fare on daily basis.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Nwokoye commends Gov. Obiano over commissioning of oxygen gas plant - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Governor Willie Obiano has been commended for his foresight in ensuring that the Anambra's health sector continues to be at the forefront, reports ITREALMS.

The Hon. John Nwokoye, Member representing Awka North Constituency, said that the historic commissioning of the biggest fully-automated Oxygen gas production plant at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka, Anambra.

Hon. John Nwokoye, also a strong advocate of quality good health and social services, was at the ground breaking event alongside his colleagues from the State House Assembly, respectfully led by the Speaker, Rt Hon Uche Okafor.

The Governor who has said during is speech that plant would have capacity to produce 52 cubic meter of Oxygen Gas per hour, promised the distribution of two oxygen filled cylinders each to all government hospitals, primary health centres as well as other patient care facilities across the state.

According to the lawmaker representing Awka North, such landmark achievement will compliment an already improved health care system in the State.

"The governor in making this possible, a dream come true, has given ndi Anambra the best birthday gift on his day" an happy Nwokoye said.

You may recall that part of the Social Contract or rather 10 point Agenda, Hon. John Nwokoye has promised to pursue diligently include Health & Social Services.

And in line with that objective, the lawmaker has through the Anambra Health Insurance Scheme, given 81 ndi Awka North to opportunity to receive free health care services for free, for a 12 month duration.

Going forward, the assurance is that the Constituency and its people, are set to witness more of such breathtaking services.

Other dignitaries that graced the occasion includes; Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano; Prof Solo Chukwulobelu, SSG; Mr Primus Odili, Chief of Staff; Dr Chukwuemeka Ezife, former Gov; Engr Emeka Sibeudu, former Deputy Gov; Hon. Carter Umeh Dike, Member representing Aguata 1; Prof Greg Nwakobi, the Vice Chancellor of (COOU); Nze Uche Nworah, MD ABS; Comr Obi Modilim Ochije, Right Activist; Chief Jude Amecheta, MD ANSAA; Hon. Pete Ibida, Member representing Njikoka 2; Igwe Alfred Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and the Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; Prof.Kate Omenugha, Commissioner of Education; Dr. Vincent Okpala, Commissioner for Health; Hon. Barr. Rita Maduagwu, Former Speaker ANSHA; Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, Executive Secretary, ASHIA; amongst others.

The highpoint of the event was the commissioning of the gas plant with inspection of the facility and the cutting of cake to celebrate the birthday of the productive and working Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/Editor

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e-Nigeria gets 2019 committee, may transform into AfriTex by 2020 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has inaugurated the Local Organising Committees, (LOCs) for e-Nigeria and Gulf Information Technology Exhibition, (GITEX) 2019, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming ITREALMS gathered that NITDA plans to transform e-Nigeria into African Information Technology Conference and Exhibition (AfriTEX) by next year, 2020

ITREALMS recalls that e-Nigeria Conference, Exhibitions and Awards is NITDA's annual flagship event that brings stakeholders together in the Nigeria IT ecosystem while the GITEX is the biggest technology show in the Middle East and third biggest technology show in the whole world that creates platform for countries to share knowledge and experience and also provides space for start-ups to meet Venture Capitalists and Angle Investors.

Inaugurating the committees at the NITDA Corporate Headquarter, Abuja, the Director General and the CEO of NITDA, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, challenged the committee members to come up with disruptive ideas that will challenge the successes recorded in the previous years.

“I have directed my colleagues at NITDA to look at disruptive ideas; we have to challenge our successes after 365 days and do what will surpass the achievements recorded last year, I therefore hope these two committees will do intensive and extensive works to see to the successes of these national assignments,“ he said.

On e-Nigeria, the DG specifically tasked the LOC to consider it as national assignment and put in their best efforts with the view of ensuring a successful outing at the event.

“e-Nigeria is very dear to us as IT stakeholders and as a nation because of the importance the leadership of the country attached to the development of IT sector. I advise you to see it as a rare opportunity to serve in the committee that has attracted presidential present in two consecutive years within his first term in office,” he said

He added that, “apart from budget presentation that the President attends every year, its only e-Nigeria that can boast of playing host to the president on two successive occasions. 

While briefing the committee members on the theme of this year event-“Leveraging Technology and Indigenous Innovation to Attain Sustainable Development Goals, (SDG),” Dr Pantami advised that members can come up with other suggestions that could address Nigeria’s  IT challenges. “Nothing is casted on the stone, if you have a strong conviction that this theme should be amended please do not hesitate to suggest another one to us.”   

On GITEX, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami charged the committee members to improve on Nigeria’s presence at the annual Technology and Investment gathering of over 200, 000 people from more than 145 countries.

The committee must explore new ways through which the country can leverage the opportunities in GITEX to bring the much desired benefits and goals for participating in GITEX.

He urged members drawn from across sectors to think out new ways of bolstering the country’s image globally and seeking investments in the technology sector where Nigeria and her growing number of startups have demonstrated great potentials.

In the same vein, the Director General has disclosed that by the year 2020, the annual e-Nigeria Conference, Exhibition and Award would metamorphose into African Information Technology Conference and Award with the objective of integrating other African countries to the conference.

Dr Pantami explained that the Management of the Agency is discussing with the NITDA Governing Board to consider the proposal of coopting other African countries to the conference and make it a continental events.

“We have a lot to learn from other African countries that are doing extremely well in IT sector. This will create a platform for peer review between Nigeria and some other selected African countries like Kenya, Rwanda, Morocco, Ghana, Botswana and host of others,’ he said. 

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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2018 9mobile Prize for Literature Winner is Nigerian Writer, Ayobami Adebayo - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A Nigerian writer, Ayobami Adebayo, has emerged winner of the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, the most prestigious literature prize for first time fiction writers of African origin, reports ITREALMS.

For her novel ‘Stay with Me’, Ayobami was named the winner at an event held on Thursday, August 8, 2019 at the 9mobile headquarters in Banana Island, Lagos. She received a prize of £15,000 and a Montblanc Meisterstück pen among several other rewards.

Another Nigerian, Lesley Nneka-Arimah, author of the book, ‘What it Means When a Man Falls Down from the Sky’, and a South African, Marcus Low, author of ‘Asylum’, emerged as runners-up.

Ayobami’s emergence followed the unanimous selection of her book by the judging panel for the 2018 9mobile Prize for Literature chaired by Nigerian academic Professor Harry Garuba and supported by Siphiwo Mahala and Doreen Baingana.

Acting Managing Director, 9mobile, Stephane Beuvelet, congratulated the winner and the runners-up, and restated the company’s commitment to continuously support Nigerians and other Africans with the best platforms to express their passion and creativity.

Beuvelet, who was represented by the Executive Director, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, 9mobile, Abdulrahman Ado, also assured of the company’s commitment to the prize, stating, “we will continue our sponsorship of the prize. It will continue; I assure you it’s not sunset.”


Speaking, Ayobami expressed excitement at emerging the winner of the coveted prize and commended the runners-up.

“It’s unexpected. I’m surprised not just in terms of winning the prize itself because it was a very strong shortlist. The other books were very amazing. Leslie Arimah’s collection of short stories, I think, is one of the best books that was published that year. Marcus Low’s Asylum is also really brilliant. So, it’s surprising to win the prize. I’m shocked,” she said.

Born in Lagos, Nigeria in 1988 and raised in Ilesa and Ile-Ife, Osun State, Ayobami has written for the BBC, LitHub, The Guardian (UK), and has worked as an editor for Saraba magazine since 2009. Her 260-page novel, Stay With Me, set between 1985 and 2008 in Nigeria, revolves around a childless couple – Akin and Yejide. They are young, educated Nigerians with modern sensibilities about work, marriage and children. Everything appears perfect, until Akin’s mother and Aunts begin pressuring them to have children, something they have been unable to do despite years of trying.

In addition to the prize money, other rewards for Adebayo include a 9mobile-sponsored fellowship at the University of East Anglia where she will be mentored by Professor Giles Foden, author of The Last King of Scotland’.

Past winners of the 9mobile Prize for Literature (previously Etisalat Prize for Literature) include Nigeria’s Jowhor Ile, for his novel, And After Many Days; Democratic Republic of Congo’s Fiston Mwanza Mujila, for his novel, Tram 83; South African writer, Songeziwe Mahlangu for his novel, Penumbra and Zimbabwean writer NoViolet Bulawayo for her novel, We Need New Names.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Interconnect debt: NCC reassures telecoms consumers of protection - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has reassured the over 174 million telecoms consumers of their protection from suffering any service disruption as a result of the ongoing regulatory intervention towards resolving the rising interconnectivity debts among telecoms operators in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

The Commission also called on debtor operators to settle interconnect debts owed their creditor networks without further delay to prevent possible revenue drop and customer flight from their networks to competitors.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, gave this assurance in Abuja, said, as a consumer-centric telecoms regulatory authority, the NCC is keen on ensuring that the consumers continue to enjoy uninterrupted service while efforts are being made to address the issue of indebtedness in the industry.

Danbatta stated that the issue of interconnection is a matter that the Commission is handling delicately within the purview of the regulatory provisions to protect consumers by ensuring that their quality of experience (QoE) is not acutely affected.

The EVC said while regulatory approval on permission for disconnection was granted to creditor networks late last year, as a last resort towards resolving the huge interconnection debts threatening the health and sustainability of the industry, the Commission is ensuring that no telecoms subscriber is disconnected.

“Though the Commission granted approval to MTN’s request to disconnect debtor networks from its network in line with Section 100 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, the Guidelines on Procedure for Granting Approval to Disconnect Telecommunications Operators, 2012 and other regulatory instruments, what is happening now is that the creditor networks are restricting certain services to their debtor networks in form of one-way disconnection.

“It is one-way disconnection because, as a Regulator, we prevented total disconnection; not doing that would be frustrating for the consumers. So, we have ensured that subscribers on the affected debtor networks are able to receive calls and text messages from creditor networks. This means they might not be able to make seamless calls or send text messages to the creditor’s network at all times because of restriction of access to debtor networks, pending when satisfactory payment plans are reached with respect to the Interconnect indebtedness. This is to prevent further accumulation of interconnect debt by the debtor networks,” he said.

Danbatta, who frowned at the slow pace at reaching settlement over undisputed interconnect bills among the affected operators, said with over 90 per cent of pre-paid customers on mobile networks, “operators have no reason not to be settling their interconnection bills as and when due.”

Consumers experiencing such difficulty in reaching certain networks could also use alternative lines bearing in mind that Nigeria is a multi-SIMing telecoms market.”

“You will recall that in the Pre-Disconnection Notice issued last year on December 18, 2018, we gave another period of between 10-21 days for the debtors (depending on whether they are service networks or exchange operators) to pay, so as not to lose their interconnection rights. We had expected that as responsible business entities, the debtor companies will either pay up or agree satisfactory payment plans with their creditors. But it appears no agreeable settlements plans have been reached after the expiration of the deadline, leading to the creditor’s decision to go ahead with the execution of the one-way disconnection, as permitted by the NCA Act 2003, which is what some subscribers are currently experiencing.”

Meanwhile, Danbatta while assuring the Nigerian citizens and telecoms consumers that the issue will soon be resolved, expressed the commitment of the Commission to ensure respite comes the way of the consumers soon.

“As regulator, our central role is to protect the consumers and ensure sustainability of the telecom industry through creating a level-playing field for all the licensees such that no operator is allowed to undermine the operations of another licensee in a way that is capable of negatively impacting on the health of the industry.

“The NCC is on top of the situation to ensure measures are taken as soon as possible to address the concerns of the affected telecoms consumers. Allowing interconnect debts among licensees to accumulate without ensuring settlement is dangerous for our industry and for the telecoms consumers. The ongoing regulatory intervention is a consumerist move on our part as a regulator and we appeal to telecoms consumers for their understanding as we work with operators to resolve the matter,” Danbatta said.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Jumia shares fall below IPO price on New York Stock Exchange - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Four months after a landmark launch on the New York Stock Exchange, e-commerce giant, Jumia’s shares has crashed below its IPO price, reports ITREALMS.

Jumia, ITREALMS gathered that after launch its IPO was at $14.50 per share, the mid-point of its initial share price range, witnessed Jumia’s shares reaching an all-time low of $14.02 before recovering to close at $14.57 on Monday, August 5th.

ITREALMS also gathered that by Tuesday, August 7, it continued to fall by 1.7 per cent to $14.31.

The price dip comes after a weak run for most of July which resulted in a downward price trend and several days of consecutive losses.

The trend suggests that the stock price is unlikely to rally with more trades below its IPO launch price imminent.

That outlook contrasts sharply with Jumia’s early-day run on the New York Stock Exchange, given a strong opening fortnight amid the novelty of its listing as the first major Africa-focused tech company on the exchange.

At one point in the period, Jumia’s shares were seen trading at three times its IPO launch price. This matched predictions from investors versed in backing e-commerce companies that Jumia would be subject to high interest.

But, as the stock price trend reflects, the positive run and investor enthusiasm has proved ephemeral.

Ominously, Jumia’s share price slide first came amid claims of fraud by Citron Research, a known short stock seller.

Citron alleged fraud, citing discrepancies in Jumia’s S1 IPO filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and an earlier confidential investor presentation.

In response during its first quarterly earnings call following the IPO, Jumia stood by its prospectus and transparency.

However, the company’s operating loss widened year-on-year with the $51 million (€45.5 million) operating loss recorded in the first quarter of 2019 meaning that, Jumia had accumulated over $1 billion in losses since inception in 2012.

But the company’s stock has not been able to shake off speculation with at least two law firms issuing press releases claiming Jumia is under investigation and trying to organize class-action lawsuits. Neither Jumia nor the SEC has disclosed any investigation in this period.

One obvious way to ensure the long-term health of its stock is for Jumia to show a sustainable path to profitability.

Even though the objective of profits is unlikely to be achieved soon as Jumia maintains expensive operations across 14 different African markets, the company is taking steps towards growing its customer base to impact revenues. Last week, it launched a partnership to set up pick-up stations at Vivo Energy’s over 2,000 fuel station outlets across African countries

The move essentially extends Jumia’s retail network beyond online-only customers by allowing customers to place and pick-up orders through physical stations.

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BREAKING: Meekam Mgbenwelu sworn-in as Imo Commissioner for Technology Development - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Former Senior Management Team of Microsoft Nigeria and Managing Partner, Genika Consulting, Mr. Meekam Mgbenwelu, has been sworn-in as the Imo State Commissioner for Technology Development in Owerri, by the Executive Governor of the State, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, ITREALMS can authoratively report.

Mgbenwelu who confirmed this to ITREALMS said he has been invited by the Imo State governor.

“I have been called to join the cabinet of H.E. Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha (CON), Executive Governor Imo State....and serve the people of Imo State,” he said in his Facebook timeline.

Meekam, ITREALMS reports, has expertise in programme management with competencies in Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Information Systems and Change Management.

His academic background traverses Political Economy, Information Management and Business Administration, even as he had worked in the United Kingdom (UK), Nigeria, Botswana, Ghana, Rwanda and Benin Republic.

Meekam aside being a former senior management team of Microsoft Nigeria, provided change management services to the Botswana Government as an European Union (EU) expert, consulted for the Nigerian Government on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and managed independent consulting and advisory services firm, Genika Consulting at the time of his latest appointment.

Before now, Meekam served as a member of DFID supported Technical Experts (NIAF) to the Power Sector Reform and Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Critical Infrastructure and Social Safety programmes both in the Presidency, Abuja.

Whereas his recent assignments included World Bank funded review and assessment of the institutional capacity of State Ministries of Women Affairs and Federal Ministry of Women and Affairs and National Centre for Women Development.

He conducted Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) and Big Data Strategies for a number of East and Central African Governments and advised on programme management and M&E for an EU financed livelihoods and skills acquisition project for IDPs in North East Nigeria.

Meekam, who is the co-founder of Nzuko Labs, holds Master of Business Administration from the Westminster Business School on Information Systems in 1993, he also Master of Science in Information Science, Information Management from the City University, London, England and Bachelor of Art degree from University of Greenwich, London, England on Political Economy, Economic Development.

He was an alumni of Landsdowne College, Kensington, London with 'A' Levels and St. Finbarr's College, Lagos, Nigeria with ‘O’ Levels.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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FirstBank holds SME Week, reinforces support to economy - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

First Bank of Nigeria Limited, as part of the launch of its specialized SME propositions, has convened a five-day SME Week scheduled which commenced on Monday, August 5, 2019, reports ITREALMS.

Customers and non-customers of First Bank, ITREALMS gathered can expect to participate in a wide range of events and activities designed with the SME in mind. 

ITREALMS reports that the activities range from the SME Masterclass themed “Designing and Implementing a Growth Strategy for your Business” to specialized one on one sessions with renowned business coaches and the launch of seven (7) unique pillars which make up our SME propositions available via SMEConnect – The FirstBank SME portal.

The highlight of the week is the launch of the SME portal, a platform through which SMEs can access our unique propositions that have been designed to equip them with the essential tools needed for the growth of their business. The SME portal is also designed to help SMEs identify various gaps that hinder their business growth leveraging our innovative Business Diagnostics Tool, with a view to proffering tailored solutions and creating opportunities for business improvement, profitability and sustainability.

Following extensive research by the Bank over the years, we identified these seven (7) strategic pillars to be essential for the sustainability and growth of the SMEs. These include – access to infrastructure, access to talent, capacity building, policy and regulation, access to resources, access to market as well as access to finance. This has duly informed our strategy and propositions for our SMEs going forward.

Other activities lined up for the week include; one on one coaching advisory sessions, to be simultaneously held across 6 locations in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, Oyo, Kano and Owerri. The weeklong event will be rounded off with a live webinar on 9 August 2019, to be facilitated by Gbenga Shobo, the Bank’s Deputy Managing Director.

According to the Gbenga Shobo, Deputy Managing Director, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, “FirstBank has over the years, been at the forefront of supporting Businesses, especially the SMEs as we recognise that the SMEs are the engine of the economy. We are committed to ensuring that we leave no stone unturned as we connect with them in their continued contribution to national development in terms of the employment opportunities they create as well as their contribution to the nation’s GDP amongst many economic values.”

“The FirstBank SME Week is driven to promote the Bank’s SME proposition, thereby having SMEs across the country optimally enlightened on how to plug in. We believe this will help SMEs bolster their contribution to the growth and development of the economy” he concluded.

Chuks Egbune/Editor
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Eid El Kabir Special Patrol: FRSC deploys personnel to ensure free-traffic - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has commenced massive mobilisation of its personnel for the Eid El Kabir sallah special patrol aimed at ensuring safer road environment during the festive period and beyond, reports ITREALMS. 

Disclosing this, the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem told ITREALMS that not fewer than 35,000 of the FRSC Regular and Special Marshals, 736 Patrol Vehicles, 120 Ambulances, 25 Tow Truck And 204 Bikes would be on the road during the special operation that would commence from 9th to 16th August, 2019.

The Corps Public education Officer also said in a press statement available to ITREALMS that the special patrol operation has become necessary following the Corps’ commitment to its 2019 Corporate Strategic Goals of reducing Road Traffic crashes (RTC) by 20% and fatality by 25 per cent.

“FRSC has a tradition of always organising special patrols during festive periods as a way of averting the chaos that characterise the road during the celebrations, as such, this year’s Eid el Kabir would not be an exemption. Motorists must endeavour to avoid traffic violations and remain conscious of their safety to avoid not only arrest and prosecution by members of the Corps, but falling prey to avoidable road crashes” he said.

In addition, he said, “the mission of the special operation is to ensure free flow of traffic, provide prompt rescue services and timely clearance of obstructions on all major roads and critical corridors across the country before, during and after the festive period as well as minimizing the occurrence of road traffic crashes on the nation's highways through effective patrol operations and sustained public enlightenment campaigns”.

To ensure the effectiveness of the operations, Kazeem revealed that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi directed commanding officers operating across various formations nationwide to ensure that the 52 corridors are properly manned throughout the period of the operations. He however appealed to motorists to obey all traffic rules and regulations and cooperate fully with the FRSC and other law enforcement agencies that would be deployed for traffic management duties, saying Mobile Courts would be in session across the country for prompt dispensation of justice to recalcitrant traffic violators.

The Corps Marshal, also directed that the operatives pay first-rate focus on Effective Traffic Control, Wrongful Overtaking, Use of Phone while Driving, Drivers Licence Violation, Lane Discipline, Removal of Rickety vehicles on the road, Driving with Expired/ worn out tyre and without spare tyre etc.

To achieve this fit, the Corps has deployed operational equipments in the categories of Radar Guns, Breathalysers to put a check on drunk driving, operational logistics materials are also to be fully deployed for this exercise. More so, the Corps Marshal has equally directed that all Zebras must be active 24/7 and be responsive to calls within the minimum FRSC response time to crashes reported.

Kazeem noted that, among the 52 corridors to be covered are: Akwanga-Lafiya-Makurdi, Jos-Bauchi-Gombe, Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Birnin Kebbi corridor, Katsina-Kano-Wudil-Dutse-Azare-Potiskum corridor, Kaduna-Saminaka-Jos corridor, Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor, Okene-Ogori-Isua-Owo corridor, Makurdi-Otukpo-Obollo Afor-9th Mile corridor, Asaba-Abraka-Ughelli-Warri corridor, Ibadan-Ogere-Sagamu corridor, Sagamu-Mowe-Lagos corridor, amongst others.

In line with the foregoing, the patrol is to run in shifts as follows 0600hrs - 1400hrs, 1400HRS - 2000hrs, 2000hrs - 2200hrs, and Night Rescue teams to be on standby at all operational Commands, stressing that the Corps will go into the exercise with the friendly collaboration of sister agencies.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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FG says August 12th, 13th are public holidays @Eid-El-Kabir - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government has said that Monday, August 12 and Tuesday, August 13 are public holidays to mark the celebration of 2019 Eid-Al-Kabir, reports ITREALMS.

The Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Interior, Georgina Ehuriah, confirmed this in a press statement on Tuesday made available to ITREALMS on behalf of the government.

According to the Director of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Mohammed Manga, she was quoted as congratulating the Muslim faithful on the occasion and called on all Nigerians, at home and in the diaspora, to use the period to embrace the virtues of love, humility, peace and sacrifice as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Mohammed.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor
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10 years of Boko Haram & Buhari administration - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS:

The position of the Nigerian government is that the Boko Haram terrorism has been degraded and defeated. The real Boko Haram we know is defeated.

What we have now is a mixture of remnants of the Boko Haram, fugitive criminals and the Islam in Maghreb together with West African terrorists bonding together. This is a fall out of the collapse of the Libyan State, and from farther away, of the Islamic State in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon. They are taking advantage of our porous Sahelian borders.

As a consequence of these international gangs, we have seen an increase of trans-border crimes and the proliferation of small arms in the Lake Chad Basin area. Outrages are common in Niger, Mali, Chad and Cameroon.

Nigeria is a large country covering nearly one million square kilometres. This is roughly equivalent to the size of France and Germany put together. In addition to our porous borders, in the neighbouring Sahel-Sahara region, a lot of ungoverned areas provide haven for terrorists’ occupation and training.

Without the tremendous efforts of our armed forces and the joint operations by the Nigeria-led Multinational Joint Task Force, MNJTF, formed by the countries of the Lake Chad Basin, this single problem of illegal arms flow would have been much worse.

At the moment, the Nigerian government under President Muhammadu Buhari has made the country safer than it met it. In 2015 when he took power, Boko Haram terrorism was active in nearly half the number of states in the country. They controlled a territory the size of Belgium, with a flag and systems of administration and taxation of their own. Emirs and Chiefs had fled their domains along with hundreds of thousands of ordinary citizens. Such is no more; they have been taken from them.

At present, terrorist activities have been confined to the remote, rural agrarian areas of Borno State and pockets of outrages in Adamawa and Yobe States.

As the situation develops, our fantastic armed forces are changing their tactics. Just recently, they launched “Super Camps.” The essence of this is to act proactively and respond quickly to the changing nature of terrorism.

In addition to the additional support the government of Nigeria is receiving from friendly countries across Europe, United States and the Middle East, the Nigerian government is spending large sums of money in weapons procurement to keep our military in good fighting shape.

While the military arsenal is not something you pay for and get, requiring mostly long-time orders, weapons will come in accordance with the terms of contracts. This country is expecting the commencement of the delivery of Super Tucano fighter jets, very effective in this kind of warfare, beginning next year from the United States.

The administration has embarked on an ambitious electronic/digital border monitoring scheme to curtail the porosity of the borders and, working with the UN agencies, the World Bank, the Islamic Development Bank, donor agencies and friendly countries, has started providing solutions to backwardness in development and poverty in the sub-region because at the very heart of recruitment schemes of the terrorists lies the issue of poverty.

A few weeks ago, the administration inaugurated the Northeast Development Commission, to fast track development and poverty eradication in the affected areas.

The Buhari administration is strongly encouraged by successes recorded so far by our armed forces and the MNJTF, and is optimistic that in the same way as our military defeated the Boko Haram, so would the ISWA terrorism be defeated,

*Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President (Media & Publicity)


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Girl slumps in front of altar during RCCG thanksgiving service - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

A teenager, Miss Treasure Bamgbose was miraculously brought back to life on Sunday after she slumped in front of the altar during the Thanksgiving Service of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Solution Centre Area Headquarters, Ipaja, Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

14-year old Bamgbose who was brought to the church by her aunt, Folashade Aridegbe, was among the children and teenagers that came from the junior church to the adult church for their thanksgiving and pastoral prayer about 11am.

She collapsed on the floor when the pastor- in- charge of the Area, Kayode Olawuyi was rounding off his prayer for them. Some ushers and other church workers quickly rushed to revive her.

One of the Ushers, Mrs. Ann Ibagbamien, who was standing almost close to the girl, said she and another colleague "tried lifting her up from the floor but we couldn't because she was lifeless".

She recounted, "Towards the end of the Pastor's prayers for the Children (after their Thanksgiving), she was actually standing around the place I was, when I saw her moving sideways. I thought she was tired and was trying to sit down on a chair at the back, before I knew it, she fell on the ground. Together with another female Usher, Sister Tope Adebayo we tried lifting her up from the floor but we couldn't really pick her up; as we tried lifting her up, she was going down. We really had issue picking her up, she was battling for life, she was really struggling for breath, so I called on a male Usher, Brother Joshua Oguntoye to join us to carry her. She was at the point of death because her eyes had completely turned white and her legs were stiff. Mummy (Pastor's wife) came and said we should take her to the altar. The Pastor left the pulpit, came to us and instructed that we take her to his office. Miraculously at the Pastor's office, she came back to life."

Mr. Ebunoluwa Oladiran, one of the Church workers who was sitting in front, rushed to assist the ushers, holding her head and arms tightly from the floor. He said, "when I saw that the girl fell on the floor, I stood up to go and help them. I was the one that put my finger in her mouth.The finger is still paining me."

He confirmed that "she was unconscious as her eyes turned white. It's only God that revived her because when I saw her, life was already gone."

Oladiran continued,"She was lifeless.I picked up her hand, it was falling, she couldn't control her hand again. Her eyes had completely turned white. God is really doing wonders in this Church."

When she could not be revived, the pastor's wife, Yemisi left her seat, rushed to the place and instructed that she should be carried to the altar. Noticing the girl had not been revived just before the instruction was about to be carried out , the Pastor immediately left the pulpit, abandoned his ministration and moved to the place where they were battling to revive her. He thereafter instructed that the girl be carried to his office. She was revived in the course of prayer in the office while the church was praising God intensely.

Speaking to the congregation after the revival, Olawuyi disclosed that prior to the service, God had given him three revelations of death at the weekend. He said he and his wife had prayed against it up till the time he left his house for the service. He urged the parishioners to have good relationship with God in order to receive revelations of things before they happen. He presented the girl to the parishioners as they jubilated and danced. He led the congregation to glorify God, returning praises to Him, as he sealed the young her deliverance with the anointing oil, laying of hands and further prayers. He thereafter led the church in prayers for about 20 minutes on preservation of life.

Bamgbose's aunt, Aridegbe was full of smiles as she expressed her gratitude to God by praising Him.

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Pix: Pastor Kayode Olawuyi showing Miss Treasure Bamgbose to the congregation after God miraculously brought her back to life.

Rudman tasks media on understanding DNS industry – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The President of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), Mr. Muhammed Rudman, has called for the understanding of stakeholders on the workability of the Domain Name System (DNS) industry and local hosting, especially the Nigerian media, reports ITREALMS.

Delivering his keynote to the 2019 .NG Media Collage held recently in Lagos, Mr. Rudman who dwell on “Understanding the DNS Industry and Local Hosting” said that this has become imperative for the media stakeholders so as to ensure adequate and correct dissemination of information as far as DNS industry is concerned.

He took participants on what is the Internet, describing it as a network of networks that initially was joining many government, university and private computers together and provided an infrastructure for the use of electronic mail (E-mail), bulletin boards, file archives, hypertext documents, databases and other computational resources  The vast collection of computer networks which form and act as a single huge network for transport of data and messages across distances which can be anywhere from the same office to anywhere in the world.

He traced the history of the internet to the United States-based Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) in 1969, with the first ARPANET link established between the University of California, Los Angeles and the Stanford Research Institute on 22:30 hours on October 29, 1969.

“The early Internet was used by computer experts, engineers, scientists, and librarians,” he said.

While the Network Access Points (NAPs) established at end of the National Science Foundation Network (NSFNET) with the original “exchange points” and early internet ran on the telephone infrastructure.

He also said that the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) was established informally as a reference to various technical functions for the ARPANET.

“IANA is the institution which runs Top Level Domains (TLDs) and deals with assignment of Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and other related attributes,” he said.

Rudman, who is also the chief executive officer, Internet Exchange Point of Nigeria (IXPN), pointed out that IANA was managed mostly by Joh Postel and Joyce Reynolds, whereas the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names Numbers (ICANN) was formed in 25th November, 1988.

On the 14th March, 2014, he said, saw the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) proclaimed intent to Transition Key Internet Domain Name Functions to the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

He summarized that major internet access technologies fixed line narrowband, dialup, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in addition to Fixed Line Broadband using the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) via the Asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) and symmetric digital subscriber line (SDSL), Cable and Hypbrid Fibre (FTTC, G.fast), Fiber Optic through Fiber to the home (FTTH), Fibre to the Building (FTTB) and powerline communications.

Wireless Broadband, Rudman explained, that the Internet could be accessed through Fixed Wireless Access made up of Wireless Fidelity (Wifi) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), as well as via mobile in the range of second generations (2G) upto fifth generation (5G), while the satellite cuts across the C band, KU band, K band , KA band respectively.

He further said that the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) manages the IP address space allocations globally and delegates five regional Internet registries (RIRs) to allocate IP address blocks to local Internet registries (Internet service providers) and other entities.

On the overview of the Domain Name System, Rudman said it’s a system for naming computers and network services that is organized into a hierarchy of domains.

“DNS naming is used in Transmission Control Protocol cum Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networks, such as the Internet, to locate computers and services through user friendly names,” he said, emphasizing that by understanding how DNS works, would be a great path towards media contributions to the industry amongst other stakeholders in the internet ecosystem.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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NCC supports Nigeria Innovation Summit 2019, top speakers unveiled - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The 2019 Nigeria Innovation Summit (NIS) has continued to garner supports and endorsements ahead of the August 20 and 21 event in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

The latest partnership came from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the country’s telecom regulator that has been on the vanguard for innovations, research and developments.

According to NCC, supporting NIS is in line with its commitment to promoting ICT innovation and investment opportunities and facilitating strategic collaboration and partnerships to grow the economy.

NIS is another unique opportunity to bring together key players/actors in the Nigerian technology ecosystem to deliberate and suggest policy, framework/strategy that could further deepen the sectorial contribution to other industries.

The collaborative Summit is a unique annual event that focuses on the need for the country, businesses, organisations, entrepreneurs to become more innovative and use innovation to drive sustainable development.

The Summit which is open to participation and sponsorship by Federal and State Government Agencies, indigenous and international organisations and individuals, helps Nigeria embrace innovation and move in the direction of digital transformation through the use of Emerging Technologies and Trends, Research, Development, Commercialization, Entrepreneurship and Investments as the key drivers of an innovation ecosystem.

This platform creates awareness on the need for Open Innovation in Nigeria, and challenges Nigeria to leverage innovation to become more competitive in the global economy.

The Summit holds Tuesday, August 20 and Wednesday August 21, 2019 at Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria, starting 9am each day. Registration is already on via the event website.

NIS, now in the fourth year, is an initiative led by Emerging Media and Advertising Services, New York, and Emerging Media Nigeria with support from TechEconomy.ng.

Confirmed speakers for the event include Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC); Obinnia Abajue, CEO, Hygeia HMO; Bruno Woeran, European Union Affairs Manager, Merinova Technology Centre (Finland); Tosin Faniro-Dada, Head, Startups (Lagos Innovates), Lagos State Employment Trust Fund; Prof Nii Quaynor, Africa Internet Pioneer

Chairman, Ghana Dot Com; Adesola Alli, Head, Renewable Energy, Strategy and Innovation at Sterling Bank Plc., Prof Wellington Oyibo

Director,Research and Innovation office, University of Lagos, amongst others.

Also, Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF), Lagos State University (LASU), Landmark University, Mountain Top University, Igbinedion University, University of Port Harcourt, have all confirmed attendance with Bauchi, Kano, Edo and Ondo States indicated interest to participate aside other corporate organisations.

“We encourage world’s leading innovation providers from academic community, government and industry to partner with us in order to connect Nigerian businesses and innovators to global innovation ecosystems.

“We feel elated by NCC’s visionary approach in terms of supporting innovation in the country. Just recently, the Commission doled out millions of Nairs to support Universities to conduct R&D. this is what the country needs, especially to lift the economy from the quagmires of yesteryears.

Recall that Nigeria is placed 114th out of 129th in the recent Global Innovation Index. This is not acceptable. So, we call on all stakeholders to emulate NCC’s gestures towards supporting innovation in the country,” said the lead convener and Founder of Emerging Media, Kenneth Omeruo.

The key features of the Nigeria Innovation Summit are the Keynote Presentations and Panel Discussions from Industry/Business Leaders, Government, Investors, International Organisations, Top Entrepreneurs, CEOs and Innovation Managers across the world and across the focus sectors.

The Summit Focus for 2019:

Discussions at the Summit will drive attention to build an Innovation Ecosystem in Nigeria and connect with global innovation opportunities around the world and Exploring Open Innovation in Nigeria such as Innovation in Manufacturing Industry; Innovation through Emerging Technology Trends like Big Data and Data Centers, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things and Wearable Technologies.

Others are Innovation in Power and Energy, Agriculture, Banking, Finance and Investment, Oil and Gas, Education and Entrepreneurship, Health, Media and Entertainment, Women Technology and Entrepreneurship in Nigeria and Youths Technology and Entrepreneurship Development.

Similarly, the Nigeria Innovation Awards is another feature of the Summit, which recognizes and promotes States, Ministries, Companies, Organisations, Institutions, and Innovators that have embraced innovation to move Nigeria forward.

“Great Innovations come out of great Innovation Ecosystems. An innovation Ecosystem is made up of the Government/Public Sector participation, Businesses/Private and Industry participation, the academic/Research and development institutions, Entrepreneurs/Innovators and Startups.

“Each plays key roles and working together towards the goal of innovation and technology development in Nigeria. This is what Nigeria Innovation Summit is fostering.

“This year leading local and international organisations, government agencies, businesses will host workshops to educate, inform and empower Nigerians”, said Mr. Tony Ajah, the National Coordinator of NIS, explained.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Facebook in $5bn fine, ordered on oversight layers for data collection - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United States Federal Trade Commission recently imposed a $5 billion penalty on Facebook, over the violation of consumers’ privacy, reports ITREALMS.

Also, ITREALMS gathered that the penalty handed out in late July, mandated Facebook to undertake a privacy review of every new product or service that must be submitted to the chief executive officer (CEO) and third party assessor every quarter.

On May 15, 2018, it was reported that the US Department of Justice (DoJ) & the Federal Bureau of Investigation had opened an investigation into Cambridge Analytica over alleged misuse of data collected from Facebook. 

ITREALMS also gathered that in April 2018 several countries including Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom launched investigations into Facebook and the alleged data misuse.

On July 24, 2019, Facebook in a blogpost stated that the “agreement will require a fundamental shift in the way we approach our work and it will place additional responsibility on people building our products at every level of the company.” 

Equally ITREALMS noted reports that critics of the settlement argue that the agreement does not impose any meaningful changes to the company’s structure of financial incentives. It is also reported that privacy groups have filed a motion to intervene with a US district court to file comments on the fairness and adequacy of the settlement. 

Chuks Egbune/Editor
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Okere unveils 5 forces for social and global impact - ITREALMS

TuesdayCommentary@ITREALMS:

Being a keynote address by Austin Okere at the ACT 2019 Breakfast Dialogue on the 25th of July, 2019.

With Tunde Falawiyo at 3rd ACT Foundation breakfast dialogue in Lagos,
 where the "Austin's 5 Forces Model for Analyzing Sustainable Growth" was unveiled.

Good Morning distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is indeed an honour and a pleasure to share my thoughts and insights at this third ACT Breakfast Dialogue.

I do commend the ACT for the good work they are doing in the multi-stakeholder platform to build relationships and leverage on core knowledge, skills, resources and assets of all sector players to facilitate the necessary scale needed to drive social development in global progressive order.

The leadership challenge is clear. It will be impossible to achieve true social and economic development without collaborative action by business, government, NGOs and civil society, while Effective governance creates frameworks for stronger institutions, transparency and respect for rule of law.

After Founding and listing CWG as the largest Security in the Technology sector on the NSE, I turned my effort towards enabling shared prosperity through mentoring Businesses to scale geometrically to optimize the jobs they create through the Ausso Leadership Academy.

Being a Consultant at the SDG Africa Centre in Rwanda has opened my eyes to the global framework for economic growth that protects the fundamental pillars of humanity and the planet. The SDGs are about People, Planet, Prosperity and Peace – and about driving development in an inclusive way that leaves no one behind.

I am pleased to announce that I will be using this platform to launch the new model that I have developed called Austin’s five forces model for analyzing sustainable growth (A5F) – You will be the first to see it (of course besides my son, Omimi Okere who helped me with the artwork of the diagram).

I see Five Forces driving sustainable growth as follows – Organisations, Population, Enablers, Infrastructure, Socio-Political Environment. I will use the A5F to talk through my presentation and end with a short video on Champion testimonies at the Ausso Leadership Academy.

Organizations

The more and of scale in the polity, the more jobs they can provide, and the better for social mobility and sustainable growth

Many of those in a society stuck at the wrong end of the Gini-coefficient is majorly locked out of the ‘consumption pool’ for a variety of reasons; including affordability, availability and awareness.

According to Efosa Ojomo, a research fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation, the way we define competition, and the method employed by companies to assess the competitive landscape leaves out the most important competitor of all - non-consumption.

And nowhere is this feisty competitor more prominent than in emerging markets. While companies compete for the few people in the consumption pool, their fiercest competition is the huge segment of society that is not consuming.

Finding ways of including this large demography will not only boost production, sales and distribution but will also provide additional jobs to meet the increased demand. This sets off a self-sustaining cycle of growth and further inclusiveness.

Entrepreneurs, investors, and managers can invest in what Harvard Business School Professor, Clayton Christensen calls ‘market-creating innovation’ to transform complicated and expensive products into simpler and less expensive products, making them accessible to significantly more people in society, for instance, Indomie Noodles

Market-creating innovations pull people from non-consumption into the consumption pool. Companies that engage in these types of innovations are the engines of economic growth in an economy.

A perfect example of a market-creating innovation is Henry Ford’s Model T car. Henry Ford was able to manufacture a car that was inexpensive enough for an American with a modest income to purchase.

He also made the car easier to drive so that owners would not have to hire a driver or need special expertise. Some of Ford’s innovations were the assembly line which reduced the Model T chassis assembly from 12.5 hours to 1.5 hours.

Ford passed on the cost savings to the new class of consumers of automobiles such that by 1925 the price of his car had plummeted from $825 to $260.

Most developed economies are built of the back of the deep entrepreneurial activity

Just imagine if we could mentor each of the 36,994,578, micro-business to scale to the point of adding just one more employee - this will absorb all the 21m unemployed in the working-age population with much more leftover for immigrants

Population

While society in the past was split between the haves and have nots, society today is split more along the lines of those who are included and those left behind. This inequality is most heavily felt in emerging markets, where 80% of the world resides.

Take for instance fast developing India. While globalisation has significantly increased GDP, it has also expanded the already wide chasm between the rich minority and poor majority.

For instance, seven companies on Fortune’s 2016 Unicorn List were in India, mostly in the e-commerce sector. That’s more than South Korea, the Netherlands and Canada combined.

However, the 12.5m employed directly and indirectly by the ICT sector and contributing 25% of India’s export revenue, accounts for only 2.5% of the national labour force.

The bottom line is that India is an agrarian society with more than half the population engaged in agriculture and allied industry. By cutting subsidy on irrigation and other rural needs and switching farm output from food crops to fertiliser intensive cash crops, the poor have gotten poorer.

On the other end of the chasm, dollar billionaires in India have jumped to 110 in 2015; the third-largest after the US and China, while dollar millionaires have crossed the 250,000 marks.

This is what the Canadian political philosopher, Crawford Macpherson describes as the ethic of possessive individualism.

In his book, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, famed author Peter Drucker wrote about an entrepreneurial society and its impact on economic development. An entrepreneurial society is one that it is either prosperous or on a path to prosperity; different from mere growth.

Economies can grow without becoming prosperous. We saw this happen in the 2000s when many African economies, such as Nigeria, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, were the fastest growing in the world but failed to create prosperity for millions of their citizens

A close examination of those left behind shows that they are mostly the youth of our society. For example, while the unemployment/underemployed rate in Nigeria is 32.6%, the rate among the age bracket of 15-24 years is as high as 58.3%.

The sheer size of unemployed youths is surely a time bomb waiting to explode, as they are left to be seduced by terrorist ideals or other antisocial proclivities out of desperation.

A highly engaged Labour Force earn salaries for an expanding stable middle class, that ensures purchasing power, and they pay taxes for Infrastructure development and social welfare

By 2050, Africa’s population will double, reaching 2.5b people – just about the current combined population of India and China. In Nigeria, the working-age population increased from 111.1 million in 2017 to 115.5million in 2018

What is worrisome is that while the population was growing at a rate of 2.6%, the GDP growth rate was just 1.9 %, lower than that of the USA 3.1% in Q1 2019 and 6.9% and 6.6% China and India respectively

Enablers

Enablers refer to Regulators, Technology, Education, Healthcare, Financial Institutions and Social Impact Organisations

While Regulators can either be a source of tailwind or headwind depending on your clime, Technology such as Artificial intelligence, Machine Learning, Virtual, Augmentation, Virtual Reality and Big Data has drastically disrupted the landscape, with the most impact felt in technology platforms

The biggest impact of technology has been in Platforms, such as Facebook, Google, Amazon, Uber and Airbnb. There is hardly an area of economic and social interaction that is left untouched by these Platforms in some way or form.  -Source: BTC Manager.

Two major areas in which the Platform Czars have riled the establishment are in transportation and hospitality; the major ‘culprits’ being Travis Kalanick of UBER and Brian Chesky of Airbnb.

UBER, until recently a relatively unknown company out of Silicon Valley in California, employs 3m drivers and 75m riders globally today. This transport services disrupter is now valued at $82.4b and operates in many major cities across the globe.

Airbnb, a previously obscure company with similar roots, has over 5m listings worldwide and is now valued at $35b.

These Platforms provide a means of significantly extending services at low-cost efficiencies, and as a result draw many people into the consumption pool, while also creating many jobs along the value chain which would otherwise simply not exist

The ubiquity of broadband and the proliferation of smartphones has extended the life of Platforms and made services that were hitherto unavailable to a large section of the population possible.

This heralds an era of unprecedented inclusiveness. For instance MPESA today has more than 60% of Kenya’s 33 million mobile users and in 2015 transacted $28m on her platform – equivalent to a whopping 44% of their GDP. Similar applications have metamorphosed across Africa, and Mobile Money services are today generating 6.7% of Africa’s GDP.

While Platforms will bring inclusiveness and bring a lot of people into the consumption pool, there are major regulatory challenges that have to be surmounted as a result of issues that were not foreseen when the governing statutes and regulations were enacted.

To fill the regulatory gaps these Platform behemoths have resorted to what could be referred to as spontaneous deregulation, which has arisen as a result of Platform disrupters ignoring laws and regulations that appear to preclude their business model.

Believing in the efficacy of their utility model and its appeal to pent-up global demand, these disrupters seem to see many rules and regulations as belonging to the past and impractical for today’s innovative clime.

They therefore simply ignore them, opting for their own version of self-regulation, usually based on a mutual rating system between service providers and consumers. Facebook has had to face Regulators in the US and Europe over this, while it has claimed UBER Founder Travis Kalanick

A bigger dilemma perhaps is the placement of regulation. For instance, who should regulate the plethora of Fintech companies springing up globally and providing Platforms for financial inclusion; should it be Central Banks or the Communications Commissions? The jury is still out on this.

Another major worry is the issue of the Platform provider having an undue advantage by also being players on their Platform. This makes them the judge and jury in their own case. A glaring example will be Facebook and her Libra Cryptocurrency which is threatening to replace the US Dollar as the global reserve currency

Education one area where there is a need to reach far more than our traditional schools can cater to. Here again, leveraging on online learning Platforms to provide Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are coming to the rescue.

Research and Markets forecasts that e-learning will grow to $325 Billion by 2025 from $107b in 2015; perhaps becoming the future of education

Infrastructure

Infrastructure speaks to Power, Ports, Transportation, Communication and Housing. By 2050...the infrastructure needed for the for 2.5b Africans will be unprecedented in the history of humankind.

700m housing units, 300k schools, and 100k health centres. Can you imagine Nigeria without a significant network of Rail or a functional underground transport system in 2050?

The UK has Underground Tube system moves 1.35b people annually and has been operating for about 150 years. African countries such as Ethiopia and Kenya are making strident advances in rail transportation

Socio-Political Environment

Nothing impacts the attraction of Capital and rapid Economic Development like a stable socio-pollical environment. Nigeria is a classic example of a nation rich in-laws but weak in enforcement. The blind application of the law without regard to status, colour or creed is what enshrines deterrence and increases the value of the real estate of the postcode.

There is no doubt that the recent imposition of a hefty $15b fine by the US Government on German carmaker, Volkswagen, for emission results falsification will cause contemporaries to think twice before yielding to any similar yearnings for shortcuts.

It is the pursuit of deterrence that drives developed countries from sparing any high ranking members of the society who fall foul of the law, not least their Presidents, who are held to a higher account. The celebrated case of former American President, Richard Nixon in the Watergate scandal is a good example.

On this score, we have a lot to do to change the negative perception of the Nigerian (and indeed African) postcode. The rule of law is more about enforcing existing rules than creating new laws. Any society that does not abide by some code of conduct whether in public or private matters tend to become chaotic, and virtually ungovernable.

The whole society eventually descends into a macabre dance of impunity. Conscience is thrown out, and justice is on sale to the highest bidder. According to Yury Fedotov, Executive Director, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,

“Corruption represents a major threat to the rule of law and sustainable development the world over. It has a disproportionate, destructive impact on the poor and most vulnerable, but it is also quite simply bad for business”

CONCLUSION

Notice that I have not included natural resources such as Oil and Gas or other commodities as a significant factor in sustainable development. These are a bonus that the state can capitalize on to accelerate growth but are no means a necessity

There are many successful nations with no significant natural resources that have done very well, such as Singapore and Dubai, and some with significant natural resources that have also done well such as Norway

The difference between the poor and rich nation does not depend on the available natural resources, there is, therefore, no substantiation to the notion of substantial natural resources as a curse – otherwise, why is Norway not cursed?

Japan has limited territory, 80% mountainous, unsuitable for agriculture or farming, but is the second in the world's economy. The second example is Switzerland, it does not grow cocoa but produces the best chocolates in the world

Executives from rich countries who interact with their counterparts from poor countries show no significant intellectual differences. The good news is that racial or colour factors also do not evince importance: migrants heavy in laziness in their country of origin are forcefully productive in rich European countries.

What then is the difference? The difference is the attitude of the people, moulded for many years by education and culture.

When we analyse the conduct of the people from the rich and developed countries, it is observed that a majority abide by the following principles of life: Ethics, as basic principles, Integrity, Responsibility, The respect for Laws and Regulations, The respect of the majority of citizens for the rile of law, The love for work and pride in their work, the effort to save and invest, The will to be productive and Punctuality.

In poor countries, a small minority follow these basic principles in their daily life. We are not poor because we lack natural resources or because nature was cruel towards us. We are poor because we lack the right attitude

According to the ancient Greeks, the founders of modern civilization, there are three kinds of people in any society

Idiots - all out for his personal pleasures and his personal treasures

Tribesmen - does not necessarily mean belonging to a certain tribe; which is not bad in itself, but people with a tribalistic mentality; their primary, only and ultimate allegiance is to their tribe. Their tribe is their god and their religion is tribalism

Citizens - the ideal person, they called the citizen; someone who has the skills and the knowledge to live a public life, who is able to live a life of civility.

The citizen recognizes that he or she is a member of a commonwealth and thus strives for the common good. The citizen knows his right in society but also knows his responsibility to society

The citizen can fight for his right but always with an awareness of, and with the respect for the rights and interest of others. Of their neighbours, of the smallest minority and of the worst of his enemies

Indeed, no sovereign can make any significant advancement when the number of idiots and tribesmen far outnumber the number of citizens... take a guess at what percentage of Nigerians behave like idiots, tribespeople and citizens. Do the results shock you?

"Law of Sovereign Advancement"

Nigeria is her people; If we want to see change, we have to start by being citizens of our country.

Let me end with a quote from Maria Robinson that says, "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending."

With initiatives such as this by ACT, we can indeed start today to make a new ending towards engaging for growth for social and global impact.

Thank you and God bless you!

*Austin Okere is the Founder of CWG Plc, the largest ICT Company on the Nigerian Stock Exchange & Entrepreneur in Residence at CBS, New York. Austin also serves on the Advisory Board of the Global Business School Network, and on the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Innovation and Intrapreneurship. Austin is a Consultant to the Sustainable Development Goals Africa Centre in Kigali and now runs the Ausso Leadership Academy focused on Business and Entrepreneurial Mentorship

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