Hunger: Beyond the numbers - ITREALMS

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The world is run by numbers. With numbers, we measure, rank and position. In many parts of the world, numbers decide elections, determine the distribution of economic resources and serve as a yardstick for measuring progress. Understanding numbers, therefore, is an important way to appreciate issues. 

 

Today, there is a number for nearly everything. The most impressive ones are those that show trends. 

Fayemi appoints PermSecs, GM & Executive Secretaries of MDAs - ITREALMS

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The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has appointed some new Permanent Secretaries including four PS and other chief executive of some Ministries, Departments and Agencies, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement available to ITREALMS by the chief press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Yinka Oyebode noted that in furtherance of his drive to reposition the administration for effective service delivery.

He confirmed that Governor Fayemi, has approved the appointment of four Permanent Secretaries in the state’s civil service.

The Governor also approved the appointment of one General Manager and two Executive Secretaries.

The new Permanent Secretaries are:

1.         Mr. Samson Tayo Olauyi

2.         Engr. Olugbenga Omoniyi Odesanmi

3.         Dr. Michael Ayodele Ibikunle

4.         Mrs. Titilayo Olariike Olayinka

 General Manager:

1.         Mr. Ayodele Oluwafemi Elegbeleye

Executive Secretaries

1.         Mrs. Omotola Kikelomo Faseluka

2.         Mr. Francis Johnson Adunmo

“The appointments take immediate effect,” he asserted.

Ayo Midele/Editor

Niger Delta leaders, ICPC set for showdown over NDDC staff - ITREALMS

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The Niger Delta leaders and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) may be heading for showdown over the interrogation of senior management staff of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), reports ITREALMS.

Leaders in the region, under the aegis of the Niger Delta Leaders Forum (NDLF) on Friday described the action of ICPC as a distraction.

Speaking in Port-Harcourt, the spokesperson of NDLF, Chief John Harry, described the invitation of NDDC officials by ICPC as unnecessary and ill-motivated.

FirstBank graduates 3rd set of SMDP, promotes career development - ITREALMS

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Leading financial inclusion services provider in the country, the First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has graduated 12 successful candidates in the third edition of its Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP), reports ITREALMS.

The graduation ceremony, ITREALMS gathered, held via the Zoom video conferencing platform on Wednesday, 2 September, 2020.

The Senior Management Development Programme (SMDP) is FirstBank’s intensive modular programme for a select group of senior managers to principal managers who are proven leaders in their respective functions and have been identified as central to the Bank’s succession plan.

Prior to the 2020 programme, 40 exemplary staff had successfully participated in the SMDP. 23 staff graduated in the inaugural edition that held in 2017 and the 2018 programme had 17 graduands.

According to Dr. Adesola Adeduntan, CEO, First Bank of Nigeria Limited; “I am delighted with the performance of the third set of the Senior Management Development Program (SMDP) graduands. The set’s performance and response to the various trainings and initiatives have been very impressive and exemplary. The set has demonstrated the gold standard of value and excellence in banking services which FirstBank stands for. The SMDP has been an insightful and impactful journey for the Bank and the participants.”

“I encourage each graduand to maximise the experience and knowledge garnered from the program as they build on their individual and collective contribution to the Bank’s continued growth as well as its efforts in enabling and impacting Nigeria, and the Africa continent at large,” the CEO said.

COVID-19: How not to seek ICANN reimbursement - ITREALMS

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has recently launched the Pandemic Internet Access Programme Pilot for ICANN69, reports ITREALMS.

This follows the ICANN Board's resolution in support of the pilot programme to facilitate participation during the remote Public Meeting.

The pilot programme, ITREALMS gathered, offers community members who have limited Internet capacity financial assistance to increase their Internet bandwidth during ICANN69.

Reimbursement amounts of up to USD 60 will be provided to eligible applicants who purchase additional Internet bandwidth (capacity or data limits) for the duration of the month or billing cycle for October 2020. The services must be rendered by a business entity or Internet service provider, specifically for Internet or cellular data service. The provider must also provide digital or paper documentation of the upgrade costs.

"It is important that we continue to find new, innovative ways of lowering the barriers to participation, so that community members have an opportunity to contribute and have their voices heard," said Maarten Botterman, Chair of the ICANN Board of Directors. "This pilot programme is an important step towards that goal."

He also said that interested community members must apply in advance of ICANN69, and those who meet the eligibility requirements will be selected to participate.

ITREALMS equally gathered that the application deadline is Friday, 2 October 2020 at 23:59 Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

However, ICANN enthusiasts were speaking bitterly about the conditions, which for them is uncalled for after all, ICANN often has records of participants, so why labour them to provide all manner of conditions for the $60 reimbursement.

And for some, the amount is very meagre considering the cost of processing USD by banks especially in developing countries including Africa.

Yet for others, considering the ware and tear of their devices, for instance, in a state where they have to still provide energy to be able to join ICANN meetings, the criteria did not cover those, let alone time individual participants commit to such meetings to name a few.

For instance, they noted that according to ICANN, reimbursements will be a maximum of USD 60.00 per each participant who meets the programme criteria.

The organisation went on to outline the eligibility requirements to include that applicants must be active members of an ICANN community Supporting Organization or Advisory Committee and have been an ICANN funded traveler within 18 months prior to ICANN69 or must be selected to participate in the current ICANN69 Fellowship or the NextGen programmes.

In addition, ICANN said, “Applicants must be registered to attend, and participate in ICANN69. Participation will be validated by the support staff of the primary membership group of applicants.

“Applicants must require additional bandwidth at home to facilitate their active participation in ICANN69.

“Applicants must have a valid personal bank account for ICANN org to wire the reimbursement funds.

“Applicants must apply for this program in advance of the meeting. The deadline to apply is 02 October 2020. Apply here.

“In addition to the above qualifications, eligibility for participation is subject to all applicable laws and regulations.”

ITREALMS gathered reliably that allowable expenses, as stipulated by ICANN for this refund, showed that expenses are for Internet bandwidth increases (capacity or data limits) for the duration of the month or billing cycle for October 2020.

“The services must be rendered by a business entity, Internet Service Provider, specifically for Internet or cellular data service. The provider must also provide digital or paper documentation (proof of purchase) of the upgrade costs.”

Also, “Participants of the ICANN Pandemic Internet Access Reimbursement Program Pilot will be required to submit service provider-issued receipts in order to be eligible for reimbursement of allowable expenses. Receipts must be submitted no later than 15 days after ICANN69. The 15-day deadline is 13 November 2020. Submissions after the deadline will not be processed for reimbursement.”

ITREALMS reports that funds may not be applied to “Services outside of bandwidth or data cap increases; Any other expenses related to the recipient's virtual participation in ICANN69 that would already be incurred by the recipient attending the meeting; and Any other expenses not specified under allowable expenses.”

Nenye Dom/Editor

AIG Aisha Abubakar seeks partnership with FCT NAWOJ - ITREALMS

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The Assistant Inspector General of Police, Dr Aisha Abubakar, has called for more formidable force among womenfolks towards effective participation in governance as well as contributing their quotas in national development, reports ITREALMS.

Dr Abubakar who currently is the most senior female police officer, made the call during a courtesy visit by the Executives of FCT Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, (NAWOJ) at Police Force headquarters, Abuja.

Indiscipline: FRSC dismisses 8, terminates 10 officers - ITREALMS

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In a deliberate attempt to rid the Federal Road Safety Corps of indiscipline and corrupt elements, the Board, Federal Road Safety Commission has granted approval for the award of various degrees of punishment to 28 officers of the Corps in accordance with the provisions of the FRSC Regulation on Discipline, reports ITREALMS.

The officers had been found culpable for desertion, forgery, number plate racketeering, bribery, scandalous behaviour, drivers license racketeering, patrol misconduct, among others.

Post COVID-19: ITU targets Africa with Connect2Recover - ITREALMS

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As part of its post COVID-19 recovery plans, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched Connect2R​ecover​ with the support of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan and the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre of Saudi Arabia to help countries recover from COVID-19 by expanding access to affordable and reliable connectivity, reports ITREALMS.

Connect2Recover will initially focus on selected countries in Africa which are some of the least well connected countries and likely to be hit hard by the pandemic in socio-economic terms.

Emirates, Huawei partner for enhanced mobile app - ITREALMS

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Emirates is partnering Huawei to promote the Emirates app via phone users and build a more convenient and rewarding experience for passengers as travel demand recovers in the post-pandemic era, reports ITREALMS.

Since January 2020, Emirates passengers have been downloading the Emirates app (Android version) at AppGallery and benefiting from its rich range of functions. 

COVID-19 response: African Union gets $27.33m - ITREALMS

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The Board of Directors of the African Development Bank has approved the sum of $27.33 million in grants to boost the African Union’s (AU) efforts to mobilize a continental response to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, reports ITREALMS.

The approval follows a meeting of the extended Bureau of the Conference of Heads of State and Government with Africa’s private sector on 22 April 2020, chaired by H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa and chairperson of the AU, at which the Bank’s President, Akinwumi Adesina, pledged strong support for the AU’s COVID-19 initiative. 

Epazz's DeskFlex increases growth in booking - ITREALMS

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A mission-critical cloud business software provider, the Epazz Inc. has revealed that DeskFlex desk booking software is hiring more account managers due to its high demand of product requests, virtual demonstrations, and employee training on software navigation in Europe, reports ITREALMS.

DeskFlex is receiving calls from companies based in Germany, Spain and the UK. Epazz will soon open its Dublin office as overseas expansion efforts intensify.

PIN x-rays Nigeria's data protection bill, launches Report on Digital Rights - ITREALMS

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Pan-African Digital Rights and Inclusion organisation, Paradigm Initiative has hosted a civil society webinar on Nigeria’s draft data protection bill and launched a new report on Digital Rights and Privacy in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

The report which explores the state of digital rights and privacy in Nigeria details the political and policy environment, practices, and stakeholders around digital rights and privacy in Nigeria.

Ohealth Odoctor telemedicine app debuts - ITREALMS

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The Online Health Company Limited has launched a one-stop hospital for all through a telemedicine app called “Ohealth Odoctor" that bridges the gap between health consultants and the public bringing both parties together on-air for effective health delivery, reports ITREALMS.

The recent and sudden effect of the COVID 19 pandemic has again brought the world to the reality of how vulnerable human beings could be if there are no functional health facilities that are void of too many layers of protocols and bottlenecks. It is not a gainsaying that at this critical moment of human life, there is an ultimate and immediate need to bring health solutions closer to people where most needed to keep hope alive and preserve the human race as much as possible.

Silverbird TV to broadcast English Premier League matches, enters deal with Integral - ITREALMS

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Nigeria’s most entertaining TV stations, Silverbird Television has signed on to broadcast one live English Premier League match per week over the course of the 2020 – 2021 season, reports ITREALMS.

This deal was agreed with Integral, the current free-to-air rights holder for the Premier League matches in Nigeria.

Reactions on pump prices, electricity hike, mischievous says Lai Mohammed - ITREALMS

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has explained the reasons behind the recent increases in petrol and electricity prices, declaring reactions as mischievous, reports ITREALMS.

Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Monday, he said, the price hike in fuel for instance was necessitated by the long-drawn fuel subsidy regime which ended in March 2020, when the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA)
announced that it had begun fuel price modulation, in accordance with prevailing market dynamics, and would respond appropriately to any further oil market development.

UN to Nigeria: Prioritise school safety, learners’ protection - ITREALMS

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The United Nations in Nigeria has said safeguarding education from attack is urgently needed to restore confidence in schools as places of protection for children and teachers, reports ITREALMS.

This, UN said is particularly pressing in light of COVID-19, which affected 46 million primary and secondary learners across Nigeria due to pandemic-related school closures.

SPDC dismisses Angiama 45,000 barrel oil spill report, NOSDRA admits error - ITREALMS

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The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has dismissed a report that it spilled 45,000 barrels of oil from an incident at its facility in Nun River in Angiama area of Bayelsa State in March 2020, reports ITREALMS.

“The outcome of the government regulator-led Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) into the spill incident of 27th March 2020 was published in a report that is available on the publicly accessible SPDC spill website and the volume of oil spilled from the regrettable operational incident was 43 barrels,” SPDC’s Media Relations Manager, Bamidele Odugbesan, said in a statement on Monday.

ILD2020: WGI, GE aim to bring literacy to millions - ITREALMS

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Lyra, a mobile application has debut teach users how to read and write for free in English, to aid literacy skills, reports ITREALMS.

Co-developed by the duo of WGI and GE, as part of their ongoing partnership; 20-year-old WGI CEO Chance Wilson and GE seek to expand literacy in many underserved communities around the world.

Literacy Day 2020: FirstBank sets pace with e-learning solutions - ITREALMS

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The Coronavirus also known as (COVID-19) brought a huge challenge to education and literacy, First Bank of Nigeria Limited responded with a Rosetta stone of innovative e-learning initiatives that have far-reaching effects, reports ITREALMS.

Since 1967 that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have been celebrating International Literacy Day to promote the importance of literacy and education, every September 8 had witnessed book gifting, book reading and related activities are undertaken by the UN body and its coalition of partners.

PwC mourns Tola Ogundipe, says a thoroughbred pro is gone - ITREALMS

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The PwC Nigeria is mourning now due to the passage of a senior member of its management, Mr. Tola Ogundipe on Monday, September 7, 2020, reports ITREALMS.

Confirming this to ITREALMS, the Country Senior Partner, PwC Nigeria, Uyi Akpata, said that "It is with a deep sense of loss that we received the sad news of the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, Tola Ogundipe, yesterday, 7 September 2020.

vNIGF 2020 begins count down - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Internet Governance Forum Multistakholder Advisory Group (NIGF-MAG) has commenced count down for the 2020 edition to be held virtually, reports ITREALMS.

The vNIGF 2020 is coming with the theme “Achieving Inclusive Digital Economic Development in the Post-COVID 19 Era.”

ETSI endorses FutureNet World 2020 Virtual - ITREALMS

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The European Telecommunication Standards Institute (ETSI) has endorsed the FutureNet World virtual conference slated for 22-23 September, reports ITREALMS.

The event, ITREALMS gathered would afford participants the comfort and convenience of to own desk and engage with the global community without the cost and hassle of travel and accommodation. 

NNPC: Allegation of AKK contract inflation is baseless, malicious - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has dismissed in its entirety, the allegation that the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project was inflated to the tune of $1.527billion, describing the accusation by an online medium against the National Oil Company as false, baseless and unfounded, reports ITREALMS.

A release today in Abuja by the Corporation’s Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs, Dr. Kennie Obateru, stated that the NNPC was considering instituting legal actions against the medium and her collaborators.

APICoRP posts $54.8m profit in first-half 2020 - ITREALMS

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Gross operating income at USD144.7 million and net income at USD54.8 million despite adverse global conditions; Balance sheet grew by 10 per cent to reach USD8.1 billion; APICORP launched a USD500 million countercyclical support package towards easing the financial pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price fluctuations in the region.

The Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation (APICORP), a multilateral development financial institution, announced its half-year results for the six months ended 30 June, 2020. Gross operating income for the period stood at USD144.7 million while net profit reached USD54.8 million. While down from the corresponding period last year at 20% and 22%, respectively, the net profit results are notable under the current market conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and oil price fluctuations. The revenue was mainly affected by the decrease in dividends from portfolio companies as well as revaluations in the equity investments portfolio due to the pandemic.

Income from APICORP’s Treasury and Capital Markets rose to USD60.4 million, a 38% increase compared to the corresponding period of last year. Income over LIBOR from Corporate Banking for the period remained the same as compared to the first half of last year, reaching USD50.3 million. Moreover, the Corporation maintained its annualized efficiency ratio at 25.6% for the period, the same as for the 2019 financial year.

Over the period, APICORP’s balance sheet grew 10% to reach USD 8.1 billion, due in large part to the growth in the size of its Treasury and Capital Markets portfolio which was funded mainly by the issuance of a benchmark USD750 million bond in June 2020. This has contributed to APICORP’s readiness to fund its future business needs. APICORP also further bolstered its financial sustainability by increasing the share of its liabilities whose maturity is beyond two years to 45% of its total liabilities and shareholders’ equity, up from 40% in December 2019.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Ahmed Ali Attiga, Chief Executive Officer, APICORP, said: “The results in the first six months of 2020 are a testament to the resilience of APICORP in the face of a tough global business environment. Notwithstanding the triple crisis of COVID-19, oil price volatility and economic downturn, APICORP continued to go from strength to strength, further bolstering its financial position and diversifying its portfolio as it continues its drive to support the energy transition in the region. This includes a historic callable capital increase, a highly successful benchmark bond issuance, a USD500 million countercyclical support package, being assigned a second rating of ‘AA’ with a stable outlook from Fitch, as well as forging new partnerships with other leaders in key projects within the energy space.”

“We are looking forward to the coming period for a gradual recovery in our operating environment and the new opportunities it will bring. As the trusted financial partner to the MENA region’s energy industry, we will continue to support our Member Countries and partners to alleviate the impact of COVID-19, with a focus on sustainable impact-driven energy projects and activities in the region,” Dr. Attiga added.

Dr. Sherif Ayoub, Chief Financial Officer, APICORP, said: “The robust financial and risk metrics, as well as profit-generating ability during challenging times of the first half of 2020, demonstrate APICORP’s ability to navigate unprecedented economic challenges. In particular, the liquidity metrics have shown tremendous resilience to withstand market shocks due, in part, to our deep and diverse funding base, while the capital adequacy ratio of 29.2% reflects the high-quality nature of our portfolio.”

'Nwebonyi's reelection prelude to usher PDP to Aso Rock' - ITREALMS

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A vibrant grassroots non-governmental organisation (NGO)-based in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, the David Umahi Nweze Akubaraoha Ebonyi Transformation Agenda (DUNAETA), has described the relection of Barr. Nwebonyi as prelude to usher the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Aso Rock come 2023, reports ITREALMS.

Founder and President DUNAETA, Lady Monica Chidinma Eze, made this description at the weekend in Ebonyi, also asserted that the performing Governor of the State, Dr. David Nweze Umahi, is a divine tool, adequately stocked with the requisite leadership traits to proffer workable solutions to the myriad of challenges currently facing Nigeria. 

Dino's case: Malami writes group, demands for more time to release corruption file - ITREALMS

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The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, has requested for more time before he could release files containing corruption charges against former Senator, Dino Melaye, reports ITREALMS.

The Civil Society Network Against Corruption, (CSNAC) had tackled the Justice Minister accused of scuttling the trial of the former Senator linked with a string of sleaze both at home and abroad.

ATCON gets new date for 'Harnessing Digital Resources' - ITREALMS

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The Association of Telecommunications Companies (ATCON) has approved a new date for its National Dialogue on Telecoms and ICT Sector with the theme: “Harnessing the Digital Resources for the building of our National Economy” scheduled for Abuja on Thursday, October 15, 2020, reports ITREALMS.

This event was to hold on March 26, 2020 at NAF Conference Centre, Abuja, but due to COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns.

Security systems are successful as those behind them - ITREALMS

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May 2020 stands out as month personal records of over 24 million South Africans and nearly 794,000 companies were handed over to someone impersonating a client, reports ITREALMS. 

The personal records, identity numbers and addresses of millions of people and thousands of businesses were given to this person because they had fooled the system. It’s a hard lesson in how important it is to embed security not just into the technology and the devices of a company, but into its people. 

Eze celebrates his wife, Evang. Ada on her birthday - ITREALMS

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Preamble
Today, 5th September, 2020 marks another great, epochal and historical day in the life of the entire family of Chief and Mrs Eze Chukwuemeka Eze as their matriarch and unifying force, Evangelist Mrs. Ada Chioma Henrietta Eze celebrates another birthday of God's grace and mercy.

This treatise is to honour and celebrate my wife of over 28years on her birthday through whom, God has blessed me with six wonderful and unique children, five graduates with the last child about to gain admission to the University. She stands out as the embodiment of true womanhood & true definition of a virtuous Woman as explained in the Holy Book, Proverbs Chapter 31.

Don't institutionalize wickedness, Fr. Ebido urges - ITREALMS

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23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (September 6/20) 

Your Daily Blessing: May the Lord keep you far from all wickedness and surround you with his goodness. Amen.

Narration: I saw video clips of people caught in the act of committing wicked acts – one, for eating another’s shit (understood as a ‘ritual act’ for money making), one for collecting female underwears (also for money making). 

In each case, there was mob justice - wickedness was used to correct wickedness. How do we stop this culture of evil? First, we need to understand it.