Presidency on why Magu was suspended - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Finally, the presidency has disclosed why the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, was suspended from his office, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement from Presidency and endorsed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity) Malam Garba Shehu, available to ITREALMS, indicated that a series of documented allegations were made against the Ag. Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

"Following a preliminary review of the allegations leveled against the Ag. Chairman and several other members of his staff, there were grounds for a detailed investigation to be conducted.

"Hence, an investigative panel was constituted in compliance with the extant laws governing the convening of such a body.

"As is the proper procedure, when allegations are made against the Chief Executive of an institution, and in this case an institution that ought to be seen as beyond reproach, the Chief Executive has to step down from his post and allow for a transparent and unhindered investigation.

"The EFCC does not revolve around the personality of an individual, and as such cannot be seen through the prism of any individual.

"Therefore, the suspension of Mr. Ibrahim Magu, allows the institution to continue carrying out its mandate without the cloud of investigation hanging over its head.

"The EFCC has many good, hardworking men and women who are committed to its ideal and ensuring that the wealth of our country isn’t plundered and wherein there is an act of misappropriation such person(s) are brought to justice.

"Meanwhile, Mr. Magu is being availed the opportunity to defend himself and answer the allegations against him. This is how it should be, as is the fact that under the Laws of Nigeria every citizen is presumed and remains innocent until proven guilty.

"We must realize that the fight against corruption is not a static event, but a dynamic and ever evolving process, in which the EFCC is just one actor; and as we continue to work towards improving our democratic process so shall every institution of ours also embark on that journey of evolution.

"What is however important is that there must be accountability and transparency and our people must realize that they would be held to account. This is the building block in the fight against corruption, the establishment of the concept of Accountability and the recognition of the Rule of Law.

"Those who see Mr. Magu’s investigation, as a signal that the fight against corruption is failing, have unfortunately, missed the boat.

"There is no better indication that the fight is real and active than the will to investigate allegations in an open and transparent manner against those who have been charged to be custodians of this very system.

"Under this President and Government, this is our mantra and guiding principle. There are no sacred cows, and for those who think they have a halo over their heads, their days are also numbered.

"Mr. Magu was not immune – and regardless of the obvious embarrassment that potential acts of wrongdoing by him, given the office he held, may appear for the government.

"No other administration in the history of Nigeria would have moved to bring into the light and public domain such an allegation," he said.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Crisis looms @Lagos APC: Party vows to sanction members behind court action - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Lagos State branch of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has warned members that anyone found behind the court case against the National Caretaker Committee will face sanctions, reports ITREALMS.

“We have seen a report in a national newspaper that a purported APC member in Lagos State had instituted a case at a Federal High Court, against the party’s National Caretaker Committee,” a press statement from the party available to ITREALMS read.

They also believed the person who instituted the suit is not a member of their party because it is highly doubtful that a bonafide member of the APC in Lagos in good standing would initiate such an action.

“we will, however, investigate the matter,” Lagos APC Chairman, Hon Tunde Balogun, was quoted as saying.

He reiterated the stance of the APC in Lagos that “No party member should file a court action regarding the recent National Executive Committee meeting of the party in Abuja particularly if that person has not even sought to initiate internal conflict resolution processes to resolve any dispute they may have with the NEC decisions.”

He said that filing any such legal action is clearly against the spirit and letter of the party constitution, which prohibits legal action before a member exhausts all internal resolution mechanisms.

“Our resolve against institution of any court case by any member is in consonance with the constitution of the party,” he said.

Balogun insisted that Lagos APC will not turn a blind eye to the flouting of the constitution in this manner.

“We are trying to restore order and decorum to the party and thus no member should seek to sow confusion. Any party member involved in the institution of any such case should withdraw the case from court forthwith. Failure to do so, will subject that party member to sanctions enumerated in the constitution, which may include suspension or expulsion.

“No party can flourish when members engage in instituting frivolous court cases for the sole purpose of causing disunity and turmoil. This is an act of gross indiscipline which cannot be sustained and which we will not allow.”

Ayo Midele/Editor

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NDDC N40b Probe: No kobo is missing, misapplied by IMC says Ojougboh - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

THE Acting Executive Director, Projects, Interim Management Committee, IMC of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh has said that no single Kobo has been misapplied by the Committee since it came on board, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking Thursday in Abuja when he appeared before the Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi ( APC, Ekiti North) led Ad-hoc Committee probing into alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion by the IMC, Ojougboh said that since the interim management came on board, it has not awarded any contract, except the recent one of the Coronavirus, COVID-19 Pandemic where Palliatives were given to people.

Ojougboh who is presently addressing the Committee has accused both the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Peter Nwaoboshi and his House of Representatives counterpart as the problem of the interventionist agency.

According to him, if they remain as chairmen of the Committees, Niger Delta region will never develop.

Meanwhile, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris has told the Ad- hoc Committee that a total of N281 billion has so far been released to the NDDC from 2016 to May this year.

Giving a breakdown, he said that in 2016, N41billion was released; in 2017, N64 billion was released; in 2018, a total of N71 billion was released; in 2019, N71 billion was released and from January to May this year, N34 billion was released.

Recall that the Senate is probing alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion by the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Against this backdrop, the Senate had set up six-man Ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation into all issues relating to but not limited to the alleged misapplication and misappropriation of the sum of N40billion by the commission.

The Committee, which had four weeks to report back at plenary, was asked to look into all procurement and financial transactions of the commission in this fiscal year (2020) and any other matter that is not in accordance with the provision of the NDDC Establishment Act, 2000 or any other extant law.

In a related development, the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Senator Godswill Akpabio has assured the National Assembly of his utmost cooperation in the ongoing probe of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Recall once again that the Senate is probing alleged financial recklessness to the tune of N40 billion by the Interim Management Committee, IMC, of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC.

Against this backdrop, the Senate had set up a six-man Ad-hoc Committee to carry out a holistic investigation into all issues relating to but not limited to the alleged misapplication and misappropriation of the sum of N40billion by the commission.

Appearing before the Senate ad-hoc Committee on Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, Mr. Olusade Adesola who stood in for the Minister regretted the absence of the Minister due to circumstances beyond his control.

Mr Adesola assured the Committee that the Minister held the Panel in high repute and would appear on any other date that the Committee would extend an invitation to him.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pix: Cairo Ojougboh

ARC pays out $1,755,890 to Zimbabwe - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African Risk Capacity Insurance Company Limited (ARC Ltd) Thursday paidout the sum of USD 1.4 million to the Government of Zimbabwe and another US$ 290,288 to UN World Food Programme (WFP), in parametric drought risk insurance payouts to support the extensive drought response efforts in Zimbabwe, reports ITREALMS. 

The payouts announced via a virtual ceremony were the result of drought insurance policies bought by Zimbabwe’s National Treasury and UN World Food Programme (WFP) to cover the 2019/20 rainfall season.

These payouts will contribute in funding the early response measures put in place by Government and WFP through the ARC Operational Plan mechanism. The payout to the Government will be used to support over 155 000 families in the highly vulnerable districts of Buhera, UMP, Chivi, Binga and Bulilima, through direct mobile cash disbursements during the month of August 2020. 8. WFP will use the ARC payout to support around 33,550 beneficiaries with unconditional food assistance in prioritized wards during Sept/Oct’20 and complement the Government’s response efforts through the Food Deficit Mitigation Strategy.

Speaking after the official notification of the ARC payout, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Honorable Prof. Mthuli Ncube, said; “This is evidence that the Government of Zimbabwe is taking measures of cushioning its fiscus against natural disasters, in Zimbabwe. The payout will complement existing social safety nets that Government has structured to counter droughts but also to respond to the emergence of the COVID 19 pandemic.”

Zimbabwe is increasingly vulnerable to severe drought events, and other calamities such as floods and tropical cyclones. Given the unpredictable nature of occurrence of these disasters, Government has had to resort to National Budget reallocations to cushion vulnerable populations against their impacts. In that sense the Government of Zimbabwe has moved to revamp its disaster risk financing systems.

The ARC parametric risk insurance facility has been identified as a low hanging opportunity. With adequate insurance coverage against droughts, floods and outbreaks and epidemics at sovereign level, Government stands a better chance to cushion its fiscus against natural disasters now and in the future.

Speaking on the ARC payout to Zimbabwe, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Chairperson of African Risk Capacity (ARC) Agency said, “it is helpful that this payout is coming at a time when there is a compounded effect of COVID 19 pandemic; and we hope that in addition to assisting the population affected by the drought, it will enable the Government in easing the financial pressure of supporting affected communities. Although disasters are not to be celebrated, when a Government takes steps of hedging its investments in food security against natural risk to broaden fiscus flexibility when a disaster strike, it should be commended. “The payout signifies the policy direction that Zimbabwe and other Governments across the continent are taking towards a transformative culture to disaster risk management and financing for the benefit of the population that is vulnerable to climate change’, Dr. Okonjo-Iweala concluded.

The Government has also called upon Development Partners to complement its efforts to increase insurance coverage at sovereign level. This support can either be direct or indirect. The ARC insurance products can be accessed by non-government entities such as UN Agencies, INGOs and private sector entities.

Mr. Niels Balzer, the (a.i) UN World Food Programme Country Director and Representative for Zimbabwe, said, “The ARC payout to the Government of Zimbabwe and WFP through the Replica initiative is proof that the concept works as an innovative instrument to finance early response and lifesaving actions in the aftermath of extreme droughts. When combined with other instruments such as micro-insurance for smallholder farmers and Forecast-based Anticipatory Action, it provides powerful combined approach that has the potential to accelerate progress towards zero hunger in Zimbabwe.” He urged other Governments and Development Partners especially in the SADC region to capitalise on this instrument for enhancing climate resilience and food security in the region.

Development Partners running resilience projects in disaster prone regions of Zimbabwe can directly secure their investments by purchasing insurance coverage from ARC, whilst micro-insurance companies can either act as insurance aggregators of small-holder farmers to allow bulk purchase of crop insurance from ARC or can purchase re-insurance products from ARC on specific terms and conditionalities. The ARC insurance products are highly competitive given that they capitalise on pooling risk across the risk diverse African continent, thus attracting favorable rates on the international re-insurance market.

Over and above insurance products, these entities can also capitalise on ARC early warning, risk analytics, operational planning for early response and knowledge on disaster risk financing products and capabilities.

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Pix: Representatives of ARC, Government of Zimbabwe, and other partners during the virtual ceremony

Adeyipo: How we piloted affairs @CWG on five strategic pillars – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Chief Executive Officer of CWG Plc, Nigeria’s largest system integration company, Mr. Adewale Adeyipo, has adduced reasons why the company initiated five strategic pillars when he took up the role about two years ago, reports ITREALMS.

He said the five operating strategic pillars, which include Growth, Profits, Liquidity, Brand and Dividend, have become an the essential guide on what CWG will be doing and how it would be done.

“We evaluate every decision and predetermine the contribution to all or any of these pillars. The pillars have created focus and clarity. They have helped us to know what business to take seriously and what we should cease doing. Not every opportunity is considered to be a 'Must Have". “It mostly depends on its contribution to the pillars,” he declared.

According to Mr. Adewale, the implementation and strict adherence to these pillars have contributed to the growth of CWG Place in the last one year, leading to the re-introduction of some valuable IT services and an increase in customized services businesses.

For instance, the five pillars helped the CWG to record a transaction volume of over N12 billion on its BillsnPay presentment platform. This record is a major chunk of over 3000 percent of what the company had in 2018, 2017 and 2016 combined.

“I can tell you that the underlining principles that have kept us focused are these five pillars,” he stressed.

According to the Audited Financial Statements, the Company declared a Profit after tax of N73million and Net Asset growth of 67.4%, from N115million to N192m. Other key highlights are the revenue growth of 23.4 percent, from N7.8billion in the previous quarter to N9.6bn. Profit before tax stood at N634million.

This audit report was presented to the shareholders at the company’s Annual General Meeting held at CWG’s headquarters on June 25th, 2020.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Dealboku, e-commerce platform by SundiataPost opens - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

Latest e-commerce entrant in Nigeria, the Dealboku has opened for business today, Thursday, 9 July 2020, reports ITREALMS.

Promoted by Sundiata Post Media Ltd, publishers of Sundiata Post, prides itself as Nigeria's fast growing multimedia news platform.
Founder/CEO of Sundiata Post Media, Mr. Max Amuchie,  told ITREALMS that Dealboku is an idea whose time has come.

Also, he said, unlike the conventional online shops where goods are sold at shelf prices, Dealboku is an online deals marketplace, where merchants are made to sell same products and offer same services at discounted prices.

"We have built a robust platform that is unique in its approach to e-commerce. Both buyers and sellers are assured of excellent customer care and quality products and services at discounted prices," he said.
Amuchie equally said, with the establishment of Dealboku, Sundiata Post has made history as the first media platform in Nigeria to go into full e-commerce business.

"Its symbolic that Dealboku is opening business on same day (Thursday) in July 2020 that Sundiata Post was officially unveiled in Abuja five years earlier," he said.

ITREALMS recalled that Sundiata Post was unveiled at an impressive ceremony in Abuja on Thursday, 7 July 2015.

The project consultant, Mrs Hannah Atomode, said:

"When you hear the word, deal, the first thing that comes to mind is reduction in price while maintaining the product or service quality.

"The goal of DEALBOKU is to get good discounted deals to you at your doorstep. A team of people agreed to build an e-commerce site using their bargaining power to get good price and get it delivered to you.

"The team has been working very hard to build a beautiful and a user-friendly website. This is a platform that comprises various products and services from fashion, automobile, furniture, foods, beauty, food, Spa and wellness, hotels, online trainings etc.

"The payment system is not cumbersome, it is so simple and easy to use.

"There are three payment options namely payment using credit card, payment using wallet and payment by bank transfer."

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor
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What happens when girls say 'No'?

Commentary@ITREALMS:

A recent United Nations report finds that one-in-four women globally feel powerless to refuse sex with a husband or partner. Yet, the problem could be even worse, as the report does not consider girls under 17. In Nigeria, where masculinity is too often weaponized, girls may be even more vulnerable. Especially now, during the stress of a pandemic and intermittent lockdowns, girls and women need the power to say no.

I was once among those girls who could never say no. When my high school boyfriend repeatedly insisted on sexual intercourse and I was in physical pain, I would not refuse his proposal. Although I was generally a confident and assertive person, when it came to sex, I deferred to his desires and demands. I lacked sexual agency—the ability to define myself as a sexual being and assert my needs and desires- and as a result, for years I was trapped in a cycle of voluntary but unwanted sex.

Twelve years later, I teach comprehensive sexual education as a consultant in my hometown of Lagos, Nigeria. In every class, I see myself in those young girls as they ask: “How do I tell my boyfriend I don’t want sex without him getting angry?”

Society—and our educational system in particular—has failed these girls by failing to teach comprehensive sexual education that broadly emphasizes young people’s rights, gender norms, consent, power dynamics and responsibility.

Now, as Covid-19 has closed schools around the world, and thrust many girls and young women into lockdowns with potentially abusive adults, a highly vulnerable generation of young women lack the most basic tool to protect themselves: the ability to say no.

The exercise of sexual agency is a deep-rooted human right that must be recognized and institutionalized through how we teach our young people and the standards to which we hold ourselves.

Now is the perfect time for the Ministry of Education to re-evaluate how we approach sex education in schools. In many countries, this will mean stepping away from abstinence-based programs that utilize fear as a tactic while linking girls’ sexual expression with immorality, violence, and victimization.

Instead, schools should rapidly adopt comprehensive sex-ed that guides teenagers to analyse how power dynamics and gender roles affect relationships; teaches girls that they can choose if and when to have sex. We need girls to learn that they can stop any sexual advances no matter how aroused their partners are, without feeling guilty for not fulfilling their socially conditioned “girlfriend duties.”

Many governments have veered away from adopting comprehensive sexual education, choosing instead to teach abstinence-based education. This is dangerous.

The differences between these two approaches are most evident when comparing the United States of America and the Netherlands. In the USA, half of states require sex education to stress abstinence. In the Netherlands, by law, all schools must start comprehensive sex-ed programs from primary school and address core principles like sexual diversity and sexual assertiveness.

Both countries report a similar age of sexual debut. But in the Netherlands, most teens had a positive sexual experience, whereas in the US, 66 percent of teenagers expressed regret. The pregnancy rate of Dutch teens is also eight times lower than the USA. Furthermore, abstinence-based education gives more room for teenage intimate partner violence. US data show that 1 in 9 high school girls experience sexual dating violence and 26 percent of women experience intimate partner violence before they turn 18.

For school systems unsure how to proceed with comprehensive sexual education, there are roadmaps and resources. These include AMAZE and Australia’s Government Sexuality Teachers Guide.

The curriculum that I have developed, MyBodyIsMine (MYBIM) is a rights-based and gender-focused approach to sexual education. It provides scientifically accurate information and helps young people to explore positive values regarding their sexual and reproductive health. This removes the shame imposed on victims of sexual violence; aims to change the gender expectations of boys and young men, and helps to empower a new generation of girls with sexual agency.

And, until schools reopen, parents and elders can also use these resources to stalk with their daughters about power dynamics in intimate relationships. Parents can model courage by being brave enough to initiate these difficult conversations with kindness and clarity.

Until we change the patriarchal social norms that dictate sexual agency, women will continue to be vulnerable. Comprehensive sexual education is one crucial step in that direction. Giving our girls the ability to say no may not stop the most aggressive perpetrators, but it is a first defense.

*Contributed by Lolo Cynthia Ihesie is a Nigerian Sexuality and Reproductive educator who also is the founder of LoloTalks, a community development enterprise creating awareness and sustainable solutions to social and health issues.

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CP Bala Ciroma replaces Magu @EFCC - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Bala Ciroma has been appointed to replace the embattled acting chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Ibrahim Magu, reports ITREALMS.

Magu, ITREALMS recalls was grilled for over six hours by a presidential panel led by the former President of the appeal court, Justice Ayo Salami, before he was detained at the FCID and got suspended on July 7.
ITREALMS gathered that Mr. Magu was accused of corruption, insubordination and abuse of office by the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, which led to his unceremonious removal.

Mr. Bala Ciroma, prior to becoming FCT CP was described as a shrewd crack detective. He also served as Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (CIID) of the FCT Police Command.

Also, Ciroma was at a time the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Welfare) in the Finance and Administration Department at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.

He is said to have demonstrated a penchant for diligence in the over 25 years in the police. 

Ciroma was between 2012 and 2013, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, FCT Command, and Assistant Commissioner of Police, IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters.

He equally spent time between 2011 and 2012 as Assistant Commissioner of Police, CID, Kano State Command, and from 2004 to 2008; he was Head of Operations at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Meanwhile, Magu has been leading the EFCC in an acting capacity since 2016, where he oversaw numerous high-profile corruption cases with many undergoing trials and others being sentenced.

Magu has strongly denied any wrongdoing and his aides have argued that he handled the position diligently without having anything to do with corrupt practices.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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FirstBank upgrades mobile banking application, reinforces eBanking edge - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

First Bank of Nigeria Limited has upgraded its FirstMobile banking application, with new and improved features to promote safe and convenient mobile banking experience for customers, reports ITREALMS.

The Bank’s award-winning and dynamic mobile banking application has been redesigned with improved security and self-service features to ease the navigation capability and proficiency of customers.

Its unique cool blue colour background gives it a more appealing interface for customers to enjoy a unified and streamlined banking experience whilst going about their day to day activities.

FirstMobile is now embedded with a card protection service for customers to enable and disable cards on channels, account switch off as well as second-factor authentication and device registration. With the upgraded FirstMobile, customers can remotely initiate the request for a new debit card as well as the replacement of a lost or damaged one, whilst managing activities on their card and account, thus balance enquiry and statement, amongst others.

The biometrics for transactions is another innovative security upgrade on the application to validate transactions. This feature includes fingerprint for transactions, allowing the customer to use his or her fingerprint to consummate all transactions.

Other added features include frequent transaction; dashboard flexibility and personalisation; smoother transaction experience and improved beneficiary management.

With the frequent transaction feature, the user is able to easily access his or her frequently completed transactions – airtime, transfers and bill payments – and re-initiate such with the clicks of a button. This is an additional menu which can easily be accessed from the dashboard. Airtime top-up and data purchase have also been improved, as customers are able to select phone numbers directly from their phone contacts.

The application has been upgraded with a smoother experience on funds transfer, bill payments and airtime transactions as customers can add and delete beneficiary without having to repeatedly enter the recipients’ details over and over again. Users can also take a photo or select from the Avatar (available icons) to personalize their dashboard and beneficiaries for Transfers, Bills Payment & Airtime Transactions by uploading a picture to associate with their beneficiary, especially the more frequent ones.

The dashboard has been designed to reflect the lifestyle and social pattern of the user as it can be customized by adding any profile picture of choice. The dashboard also enables users to monitor their spending patterns over a period. It shows the inflow and outflow of funds on their account.

In need of a loan to meet that pressing need, FirstMobile has you covered and puts you at an advantage with the FirstAdvance and Nano Loan features.

Keen on watching the next blockbuster in your favourite cinema, with FirstMobile, you can book for movie ticket(s) ahead of time, thereby averting the risk of being told the movie is sold-out upon getting to the movie theatre. You can also book for flights at your earliest convenience on FirstMobile.

“The upgraded FirstMobile is built to reflect FirstBank’s resolve at reinforcing the digitisation of our payment systems, whilst putting our customers at an edge to conveniently meet their everyday needs at any time, irrespective of where they are. Indeed, this upgrade makes the application new, as it is designed to suit the social pattern and lifestyle of our customers.” said Chuma Ezirim, Group Executive, e-Business & Retail Products.

“With over 3.7million active users on FirstMobile across android and ios devices, we remain steadfast at regularly reinventing our services on the App with dynamic and innovative capabilities to resonate our focus to deliver state of the art digital solutions to all our customers at all times, irrespective of where they are” he concluded.

Only recently, FirstMobile was awarded the “Best Mobile Banking App” in the country at the Global Business Outlook Awards.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Guyuk Cement Plant to jack BUA investment to 14m tonnes annually - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

One of the West Africa’s largest cement companies, the BUA Cement, is expected to jack up output with 14m tonnes with the investment in the Guyuk Cement Plant in Adamawa, reports ITREALMS.

Also BUA Cement says its set to establish Ultramodern 3million Cement Plant, 50mw Power Plant in Adamawa

These were revealed when the Chairman of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu led the BUA Cement Management team on a courtesy call to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.

The company said that it has advanced plans to establish a three million metric tonnes cement plant and 50 megawatts power plant in Guyuk and Lamurde local governments of Adamawa state in the North Easter region of Nigeria. This was revealed when the Chairman of BUA, Abdul Samad Rabiu led the BUA Cement Management team on a courtesy call to the Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri in the Government House, Yola.

Speaking during the visit, Abdul Samad Rabiu said preliminary findings show that the two local governments of Guyuk and Lamurde are reputed to have good quality of limestone deposits and BUA Cement is ready to begin the investment in the state. He added that the BUA will use new technologies to supply power to the proposed cement plant and communities of Guyuk and Lamurde in addition to providing three thousand direct and five thousand indirect jobs.

The Chairman stressed that the Guyuk Cement Plant will be the major investment in the North East by BUA and solicited for support of Governor Umaru Fintiri to set up the factory in Guyuk. Rabiu said the company made a decision to source its raw materials locally and it has invested billions of dollars in various sectors across Nigeria and therefore urged the state government to support BUA to actualize the Guyuk Cement project. In addition, he praised the commitment of the governor within one year in office in many sectors of development despite the economic challenges in Adamawa.

Responding, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said his administration's effort in exploring local contents has started yielding results and thanked BUA for showing interest in establishing the cement plant in Guyuk. He further assured the management team of BUA that government will make whatever is needed and provide the necessary support which will create enabling environment so that the BUA Cement company in Guyuk will become a reality.

He also expressed readiness of the government to protect the investment once it is established and told them that his administration will maintain the good relationship with the company for the benefit of the state.

BUA is Nigeria’s second largest Cement Producer by volume with cement plants in Sokoto and Edo States. The Company’s newest plant in Sokoto is expected to be operational in 2021. When completed, the Guyuk Cement Plant will bring BUA’s total capacity to 14million metric tonnes per annum.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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ISOPADEC: Irona not afraid of probe - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The immediate past Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona has expressed availability for probe over any of his actions while in office as number two citizen of the state, reports ITREALMS.

The former Deputy Governor made this known while reacting to a call by one of the factions of the National Union of Local Government Employees-NULGE in Imo State, demanding his arrest and prosecution.

Engr. Irona’s position was made known in a statement signed by his Communications Adviser, Dr. Walter Duru and made available to newsmen in Owerri, weekend.

The Statement reads in part:

“Our attention has been drawn to a sponsored Press Briefing by a faction of the National Union of Local Government Employees-NULGE in Imo State, where they called for the arrest and prosecution of the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, Engr. Gerald Irona. Shortly after the call, former member of the House of Representatives and Special Adviser to Governor Hope Uzodinma on Oil and Gas, Hon. Goodluck Opiah added his voice.”

“We are not in doubt, as to the sponsors of the blackmail against Engr. Irona. The fact that NULGE, whose members- local government employees in Imo State have not been paid several months of salary arrears refused to say a word in solidarity with their suffering members, some of whom are dying of hunger and different ailments leaves much to be desired. It is also shameful that they have not seen anything wrong with the fact that five months into the present administration in the state, the Board of Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission- ISOPADEC is yet to be reconstituted. Six months of the Commission’s statutory allocation, as at today, amounting to billions of Naira cannot be accounted for. Hundreds of millions of Naira left in the Commission’s account with the United Bank for Africa and other commercial banks have developed wings. The One Hundred and Fourteen Million Naira (N114m) counterpart fund paid by Waltersmith Petroleum, as part of their commitment to the Awarra Court Area electrification project in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of the state has disappeared from the UBA account, where it was kept. Staff of ISOPADEC are presently being owed about four months arrears of salary and other entitlements. No one, including Hon. Goodluck Opiah and others that claim to be stakeholders has said a word. The same former Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona that staked his neck to ensure that ISOPADEC was sanitized, with the approval of his boss, the then Governor, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is the one they want to vilify. While he was Deputy Governor, he supervised the activities of ISOPADEC leadership. Staff were paid as and when due; ISOPADEC funds were used in working for the people. Today, Imo people can see the difference. Who can account for ISOPADEC funds at the moment?”

“By the way, it is insulting to reduce the former Deputy Governor of the state, Engr. Gerald Irona to mere head of a state parastatal in an attempt to score a cheap political goal. Let it be on record that Engr. Gerald Irona was not the head of ISOPADEC between May 29, 2019 and January 14, 2020, while he was Deputy Governor of the state. Those describing him as such are simply being mischievous. While Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha was at the helms of affairs in the state, civil/public servants were never owed. Today, the story is different. Imo people are not fools.”

“NULGE should rediscover itself and concentrate on its primary role of championing the cause, welfare and interest of all workers employed in local government areas, instead of doing hatchet jobs for politicians. Presently, local government employees in Imo are suffering, as they have not been paid for months. The fate of Pensioners at the local government level is hanging in the balance, just like their state counterparts, with street protests a daily occurrence. Many have died of starvation and sicknesses, as a result of lack of funds. Those should be the primary concern of NULGE and not politics.”

Continuing, Duru stressed that “for the avoidance of doubt, former Deputy Governor, Engr. Gerald Irona is ready for probe. He is not afraid of probe. He is ready to give account of his stewardship, anytime, any day.”

On transparency, he maintained that the administration of Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha took steps to mainstream transparency in governance in Imo, through the implementation of relevant good governance initiatives.

According to him, “initiatives such as the Open Government Partnership, Open Contracting, among others must not be abandoned by the present administration, in the interest of the state.”

He however called on the APC-led administration in the state to focus on the business of governance, instead of witch-hunting perceived political enemies, adding that “by August 14, 2020, the present administration in the state will be seven months old and Imo people will be able to compare its performance with former Governor Ihedioha’s seven months in office.”

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Suspected COVID-19: Abeg pray for me, asks Don Jazzy - ITREALMS

Art&Fashion@ITREALMS:
The cerebral Nigerian philanthropist record producer, Don Jazzy, has urged Nigerians and his millions of followers to pray for him, reports Art&Fashion@ITREALMS.

Don Jazzy in about 1 minute video on Twitter pleaded passionately for prayers.

Based on his elementary complaints of throat he is suspected to have been infected with some COVID-19 attributes.

Don Jazzy said he is not feeling comfortably and has taken lots of water estimated to be about three kegs of water without getting better.

He also said that he took some palm oil all to no avail and for prayers.

His eyes, has turned red he lamented.

“Even now I no know what I go do, I have taken three keg of water, all my eyes don dey red, my body don dey shake, I don take 1000 palm oil. I dont know what I would do now. Abeg make una pray for me. he has prayed ceaselessly.”

Don Jazzy, Art&Fashion@ITREALMS gathered at the time of going to press follows over 70,500 while some 4.8 million followers hangs out with him on Twitter.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Paxful enters strategic partnership with OKEx - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Paxful, a leading peer-to-peer bitcoin marketplace that aims to bring financial inclusion and access to the underbanked and unbanked in developing countries, has joined forces with OKEx, one of the world’s largest and most diverse cryptocurrency spot and derivatives exchanges, rpeorts ITREALMS.

The strategic partnership will offer several payment methods for new and existing OKEx users to buy bitcoin with over 160 fiat currencies through Paxful’s Kiosk. Users will have access to in-demand payment methods such as bank transfer, gift cards, online wallets, and many more. Overall, the partnership will integrate over 100 million users allowing them the freedom to utilize Paxful’s existing infrastructure and payment options while enjoying the benefits of OKEx’s advanced technology and diversified product suite.

“To help grow the crypto community, industry businesses are increasingly collaborating to uplift each other in providing more options for their users. We admire OKEx’s work and know that our values and strategy are aligned. With this partnership, not only do we open new opportunities for customers on both platforms and increase functionality, but we jointly contribute towards strengthening the overall ecosystem and help make crypto more accessible as a real-world payment method by expanding to different geographic markets,” commented Ray Youssef, CEO, and co-founder of Paxful.

As a result of the new integration, Paxful and OKEx provide easier access to the global cryptocurrency market specifically in the regions of South Africa, and Nigeria, but also in Kenya, Vietnam, Russia, Indonesia, Thailand, UK, India, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Korea, Germany, France, Japan, Poland, Turkey, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

“We’re delighted to partner with Paxful and share very similar goals about onboarding more people to cryptocurrency. Through this partnership, we can reach more users in developing regions using Paxful’s existing infrastructure and payment options and give them exposure to the benefits of OKEx’s advanced technology and diversified product suite. This is a great step forward for us and the crypto space in general,” said Jay Hao, CEO of OKEx.

Removing borders and limitations

With an unbanked population of more than 60%, Africa is a major focus for both Paxful and OKEx. In addition, the continent is also spearheading cryptocurrency adoption around the globe with key drivers being high inflation rates, weak national currencies, inadequate financial infrastructures, and growing economic uncertainty stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. All these conditions are combined with a growing population that is largely young and digital-oriented.

As bitcoin offers more convenient, and fast alternatives for financial transactions, use, and ownership of the cryptocurrency are significantly increasing amongst African consumers.

“Aside from being a decentralized, efficient, and a borderless payment method, one of the most striking features of bitcoin is that it’s considered to be an excellent means of preserving wealth in many countries, especially in uncertain times. It’s often compared to precious metals, specifically gold, in terms of storing value,” Youssef added.

A recent report identifies that bitcoin is of keen interest to many in Africa. Kenya topped the list with 94.7% of all cryptocurrency-related searches attributed to bitcoin, while Nigeria and South Africa had high percentages of 89.4% and 89%, respectively.

Nigeria and South Africa increasing trade volumes:

Nigeria and South Africa are emerging as key hubs of the crypto economy on the continent. Nigeria’s use of bitcoin has surged exponentially with recent statistics showing that between May and June this year, the country recorded more than $35 million (R604 136 750) in peer-to-peer bitcoin trades, while rival South Africa saw a transactional value of $7 million (R120 827 350).

The surge in trade volume is attributed to various elements, including uncertainty in the ‘traditional’ economy, increasing education about the crypto-economy, and the emergence of various virtual currency marketplaces in Africa yielding more income-generating opportunities through bitcoin.

For South Africa, Africa’s most advanced economy: overall, the year-on-year increase in trading volume for bitcoin currently stands at 994%. The trading volume for bitcoin was approximately $14 483.48 (R250 000) for the week of June 22, 2019, compared to the trading volume of almost $434 504.27 (R7.5 million) recorded for the same period this year, equating to a year-on-year increase of more than 2800% trading volume for the week.
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COVID-19: NIRA donates to SOS Children, Modupe Cole

ITREALMS:

The Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) has donated some items to the SOS Children’s Village Isolo-Lagos State, reports ITREALMS.

The donation which was made last Saturday, ITREALMS gathered, was to encourage the Village in catering for the children, especially the homeless and less privileged in the society in cushioning effect at this period of Coronavirus pandemic.

In his comment, NIRA President, Muhammed Rudman accompanied by one of the Executive Directors, Mrs. Nkem Nweke and Executive Secretary, Mrs. Edith Udeagu among other personnel, commended the leadership of the Village for the good work they are doing in uplifting the society.

NiRA, Rudman said, is a non-governmental organisation with the responsibilities of managing the ‘dot ng’ country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD).

He also said they had earlier visited Modupe Cole in the same vein and pledged that NIRA will be happy to welcome any of their children who major in Information Technology (IT) for internship.

Pointing out that the work of the village is most appreciated at this time of COVID-19 pandemic, which motivated NIRA leadership and staff to visit them with a number of essential communities.

Receiving the visitors and donations, the National Donation in Kind Coordinator for Fund Development and Communication at the Village, Mr. Lawrence Agbaegbu, appreciated NIRA for remembering the them.

He also gave a brief background of the SOS Children’s Village in Nigeria, saying that they cater for children without parental care and take seriously issues concerning children who are at risk of losing parental care.

He recalled that the perseverance of the founder, Hermann Gmeiner was built on what he saw at the World War II of 1949, and at the end of civil war in Nigeria when he visited in 1970, stressing that he discovered the society was in shambles, and worse hit were children, hence he stood up for children and created the legacy of SOS Children’s Villages of today along some well-meaning Nigerians led by Mrs. Awoliyi.

Aside upholding international guidelines for the alternative care of children, he disclosed that SOS Children’s Village follows strictly the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child for children deprived of their family environment in execution of activities.

SOS Children’s Village, he also said, offers quality care and is a caregiver centre grounded on community-based care, offering equally foster care and kinship as well as providing counselling and training alongside the government for those in need.

Agbaegbu further said, they offer support to community of families for children who cannot live with their parents and all they do are backed with expertise and available resources.

ITREALMS gathered that SOS Children’s Village currently are located in various parts of the country including Lagos, Owu-Ijebu, Gwagwalada, Jos, Ibada and Kaduna.

Some of essential communities donated at the SOS Children’s Village include some 10 bags of rice, cartons of milo, Dettol anti-bacterial soaps, Three Crown milk, some ceiling fans, canoe bar soaps, tubers of yam to name a few.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Africa Domain Name System Forum 2020 goes virtual - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The eight edition of the Africa Domain Name System (DNS) Forum for this year has gone virtual, reports ITREALMS.

This, ITREALMS gathered, follows norms occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

ITREALMS also gathered that the forum earlier scheduled to hold in Dakar Senegal under the auspices of Senegal Network Information Centre with the support of the government of Senegal, will now be held virtually. 

Scheduled for two days between July 27 and 28, 2020, officials confirmed to ITREALMS is an annual open event for stakeholders in the domain name industry in the continent organized by Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD), the Africa Registrar Association (AfRegistrar), and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
ITREALMS reports that this year, the Africa DNS Forum has been restructured to adapt to the virtual platform, with a total of four sessions that will be spread over a two-day period. 

"Each session will be two hours long and will cover thematic topics focused on policy, technical, and marketing, as well as emerging issues under the current pandemic and other emergencies," the organisers disclosed in a press statement available to ITREALMS.

This virtual edition, ITREALMS equally gathered will provide the opportunity to test the resilience of the infrastructure in the region, event as remote participation will be available on Zoom and live streamed on YouTube and Facebook. 

They urged intending participants to register and learn more about the Africa DNS Forum.
ITREALMS recalls that the first edition of the Forum was held in Durban, South Africa in 2013 and ever since the model has been replicated in the Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East, Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific regions. 

The Forum has also been held in Abuja, Nigeria (2014); Nairobi Kenya (2015); Marrakech, Morocco (2016); Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (2017); Cotonou, Benin (2018); and Gaborone, Botswana (2019).

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Oyeyemi applauds Gov Matawalle for donating 2 rangers to command - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi has commended the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency, Bello Muhammad Matawalle for his magnanimity and commitment towards the eradication of road traffic crashes in the State, as he donates 2 Ford Rangers to the Zamfara State Sector Command of the Corps, reports ITREALMS.

According to the Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the Corps Marshal who expressed his warmest appreciation said that the donation is a demonstration of the Governor's love and passion for the safety of all road users, not only in the state, but the country at large and the donation will definitely motivate the Corps Personnel to put in their very best in saving lives on the road.

While thanking the Governor for his unending support to the Corps, Oyeyemi enjoined him not to relent in availing the Corps any necessary assistance whenever the need arises.

Expectedly, he assured him that the Corps will put the vehicles to the best of use as he called on the Corps Personnel to reciprocate the Governor's kind gesture with adequate maintenance of the vehicles and effective utilisation in the area of patrol operations and rescue services.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Ekiti: Stiffer penalty awaits defaults of Gender Based Laws - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi has said his administration remains resolute in the commitment to curb gender based violence in the state, especially the rising cases of defilement of children, adding that the state is set to enforce stiffer penalties violators of its gender based laws.

The Governor said the commitment of his administration to battling Gender Based Violence (GBV) in the State is a clear demonstration of his commitment to upholding his campaign mantra on values reorientation and restoration.

Dr Fayemi stated this on Monday while receiving the annual report on the management of gender based violence and the State GBV Strategic Plan from the Chairperson of the Ekiti GBV Management Committee, Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the Governor's office Ado Ekiti.

The Governor said the state government would provide institutional and other forms of support for the works of the GBV management committee, adding that sexual violence and other irresponsible acts are alien to the values which Ekiti people hold dear.

“That is the very essence of our values restoration, values reorientation campaign in the State. And this is one area we are going to be consistently remain unapologetical in the firm manner we deal with those who run fouls of the law on gender based violence and the violation of children” the governor said.

Dr Fayemi also agreed to include gender based violence on the agenda the State Security Council meetings as requested by the management committee.

Fayemi who said the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), which he leads, had also taken a firm stand against sexual violence and abuse, a development which culminated in the Forum’s declaration of a state of emergency on Gender Based Violence.

Making the presentation, Erelu Fayemi disclosed that Ekiti State government, through the 2019 GBV law which makes provision for survivors' fund, has provided succour for no fewer than 133 survivors of GBV between December 2 018 till date.

The Ekiti First Lady added that a permanent shelter for the GBV survivor "is underway and would soon be ready for commissioning.

The GBV Management Committee which was reconstituted in July 2019, according to Erelu Fayemi, has been able to facilitate the provision of several legal frameworks to protect GBV survivors, including the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Sexually Abused Minors Law 2020.

She disclosed that the Committee through the Office of the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, activated the 2013 Sex Offender Register in consonance with the "name and shame policy" which provides for the publication of the names and photographs of convicted sex offenders in the State.

Other achievements of the Committee, according to her, include the launch of the Ekiti State Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) known as Moremi Clinic at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH); establishment of a functional platform for civil society organisations working on GBV issues, advocacy engagement with relevant agencies including religious organisations and security agencies.

Erelu Fayemi said: “On June 5th 2020, Dr Kayode Fayemi challenged the GBV management Committee to come up with a State of Emergency Action Plan on GBV. Today, we are here not only to present our Annual reports, we are presenting our GBV Strategic Framework 2020-2022, which has a range of short-medium term intervention."

Present at the event were the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Olawale Fapohunda; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Chief Mrs Mojisola Fafure; Head of Service, Mrs Peju Babfemi; Commissioner for Information and Values Orientation, Aare Muyiwa Olumilua; local government affairs Commissioner, Prof Adio Afolayan and members of the GBV Management Committee.

Ayo Midele/Editor
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