" ITREALMS: February 2022

Monday, February 28, 2022

NCC reiterates commitment on AOL administration - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) is unwavering in its commitment to deploy a Revenue Assurance Solution (RAS) in the telecommunication sector to ensure a more robust Annual Operating Levy (AOL) administration in the telecom industry.

This subject matter was the focus of an industry stakeholder consultative engagement organized by the Commission at its Head Office in Abuja on Friday, February 25, 2022, which is in congruence with the NCC’s renowned commitment to inclusive participation and consultative stakeholder engagement as part of its regulatory practice.

Electoral Act 2022: EiE applauds citizens resilience - ITREALMS

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Enough Is Enough (EiE) has applauded Nigerians for their resilience to get the Electoral Amendment Bill 2022 signed into law by President of Nigeria, General Mohammadu Buhari, reports ITREALMS.
'Yemi Adamolekun, Executive Director, EiE Nigeria and Mary Ikoku,
#FixPolitics member at the CSO Protest last Tuesday.
The bill, ITREALMS reports was signed into law on Friday, February 25, EiE said, showed that voices of Nigerians do count.

ITU Secretary-General receives GSMA award - ITREALMS

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​​The Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Houlin Zhao, has accepted an award for his role in promoting mobile telecommunications as a key driver for sustainable development and improving people's lives.

Zhao received the GLOMO (Global Mobile) award from the GSMA – representing the worldwide mobile communications industry – at the opening of the association's prestigious Ministerial Programme at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

Complete Sports founder, Sunny Ojeagbase is dead @71 - ITREALMS

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Famous journalist, founder and publisher of popular sports newspaper, Complete Sports newspaper, Dr. Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase, is dead at the age of 71, reports 
ITREALMS
Sunny Ojeagbase
Ojeagbase, ITREALMS died on Saturday, 26 February, 2022 in Atlanta, United States of America (USA) after a brief illness.

3rd CAADP Biennial Review Report for launch in March – ITREALMS

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A date has been proclaimed for the formal launch of the much awaited 3rd CAADP Biennial Review (BR) Report to be virtually held on 10th March 2022, at 15h00 East Africa Time (EAT), reports ITREALMS.

The Biennial Review Report, ITREALMS gathered, is a powerful instrument for advocacy at the continental, regional and national levels for triggering the necessary policy actions for agricultural transformation in Africa by 2025.

ITU publishes new specifications radio interface technology - ITREALMS

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The United Nations agency entrusted with coordinating radio-frequency spectrum worldwide, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has  published the specifications for the new technology as Recommendation ITU-R M.2150-1, reports ITREALMS.
The technology is designed to provide a slim but strong technical foundation for wireless applications deployed in a range of use cases, from cordless telephony to audio streaming, and from professional audio applications to the industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications, such as building automation and monitoring.

Sunday, February 27, 2022

SpeedChecker: Airtel is 'Fastest Network Provider in Nigeria' - ITREALMS

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Telecommunications service provider, Airtel Nigeria, has been rated the fastest network provider in Nigeria according to Crowdsourcing firm, SpeedChecker.
In its 2021 report for Africa’s Mobile Network Champions, SpeedChecker said Airtel Nigeria recorded an average country mobile download speed of 11.55Mbit/s.

3SC gets Sole Administrator - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Rt. Hon. Olaniyan Babatunde David, a former Deputy Speaker of the State’s House of Assembly, as the Sole Administrator of the 
Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC), Ibadan.
Makinde, in an appointment letter signed on his behalf by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun, congratulated Hon. Olaniyan, urging him to discharge his duties with “absolute loyalty, dedication, and diligence.”

5G standards adds fourth radio interface technology - ITREALMS

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The m​​​​​​​embers of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) have approved a fourth technology as part of ongoing standards development for 5G mobile services, reports ITREALMS.
Known as “DECT 5G-SRIT", the new technology supports a range of uses, from wireless telephony and audio streaming to industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly in smart cities.

Dark Saturday @Ebenebe as suspected cultists kill mourners - ITREALMS [viewers discretion pls]

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Some 20 mourners were killed by suspected cultists at Umuogbuefi Village Ebenebe with many others left critically injured during the burial rites of late Ozo Chibuike Joseph Chukwuka on Saturday, February 26, reports 
ITREALMS.
Late Ozo Chibuike Joseph Chukwuka
Late Ozo Chibuike, a suspected cultist died at the age of 34 after a gun shot at the Amansea Produce Checkpoint, Anambra State on December 30, 2021 by suspected rival gang.

Friday, February 25, 2022

‘Marketplace: FinTechNGR targets accelerated startup growth - ITREALMS

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The FinTech Association of Nigeria (FintechNGR) has launched the 'Start-Up Marketplace' reports ITREALMS.
The start-up market place, ITREALMS gathered is an innovative platform designed to provide start-ups playing in the fintech ecosystem with access to free and heavily discounted services in funding, legal, infrastructure, cybersecurity, data privacy, business development, and a variety of other areas, to accelerate their growth.

Money rituals: FG to launch campaign against growing scourge - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government will soon launch a national sensitization campaign against the growing scourge of money rituals, which has already claimed many lives, especially of women and girls, in the country.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, announced this in Abuja on Monday when he paid a working visit to the corporate headquarters of the Media Trust Limited, owners of Daily Trust group of newspapers and Trust Television.

Government can make difference in SME industry says 'Magic Finger' - ITREALMS

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Abubakar Nurudeen is a multi-talented Artist, Visual storyteller, Cake decorator and sculptor with a distinct touch is also known as 'Magic Finger.' He shared with ITREALMS' GBEMI OMOTOSO the difference between Nigeria and UAE in cake industry.

Excerpts:

How did you come about the name "Magic Finger"?

Waoh! I got the unique name when I was still working with "Cake by Tosan" as an artist and sculptor.

There was a lady that came to learn then, anytime I work, she will call me Magic Finger, that's how I got my name (smiles).

Embracing embedded financing by Nigerian telecom consumers – ITREALMS

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Having lost his two phones and a HP laptop to ‘break and enter’ thieves recently, Femi, a resident of Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, headed to the Computer Village, Ikeja. REMMY NWEKE writes on Femi’s encounter and embrace of the embedded financing package to replace his lost devices with ease.
Devastated penultimate morning, Femi walked into one of the mobile phone shops, SLOT, at the Ikeja Computer Village, Lagos, to replace his stolen mobile phones and HP laptop, upon realizing they got missing from his window at his residence in Ipaja, a suburb of the commercial city.
*Some embedded finance service providers
Considering Femi just finished paying the school fees of his two children in a nearby private school and now faced with replacement of his work tool mobile devices as a content creator in upcoming firm, he was at first confused when approached by a sales girl, Nkiru, with an offer that he can actually pick a mobile phone or two and pay later.

Thursday, February 24, 2022

Official: MTN, Mafab paid for full licences - ITREALMS

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Duo of the provisional winners of the 3.5 Gigahertz (GHz) spectrum licence, the MTN Communications Nigeria Plc and Mafab Communications Limited, have made their full payment of $273.6 million each for the 5G Spectrum license to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), reports 
ITREALMS.
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Danbatta, has officially confirmed the payment status, Thursday, February 24, 2022, just as the deadline set for the two winners of the spectrum auction elapsed.

Writing Challenge: OnePipe dangles N3m for top 3 - ITREALMS

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Foremost fintech Application Programming Interface (API) company, the OnePipe, has launched a press writing challenge to recognize finance-focused journalism and reward press reportage, 
ITREALMS reports.
 The prized challenge, 
ITREALMS gathered, is part of the company’s efforts to promote and inspire more educational reporting and writing with particular emphasis on enhancing the awareness and understanding of embedded finance.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

PMB swears-in 6 national commissioners - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian President, General Mohammadu Buhari has sworn-in some seven national commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), reports 
ITREALMS.
Prof. Yakubu, INEC chairman
Disclosing this on Wednesday, INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu said at the event held in the Commission’s Conference Room, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, that President had sworn-in six National Commissioners, even as a new Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) has also been sworn-in.

Pantami to startups: Take ownership of policies for ecosystem consolidation - ITR

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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (MoCDE), Dr. Isa Pantami,  has urged innovative startups in the Nigeria ecosystem to take ownership of existing policies to further consolidate and enhance the success of the ecosystem, reports ITREALMS.
Speaking at a meeting with indigenous innovators in Lagos, Pantami charged them to explore avenues of developing the ecosystem to further drive the digital economy agenda.

Police after MTN executive over attempted murder - ITREALMS

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The Zone 2 Command of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced hunt for a top executive of MTN Nigeria in fulfillment of a court order, arising from a failed marriage suit, reports 
ITREALMS.
Lynda Amobi 
The telecom chieftain and former Lynda Saint-Nwafor (Ms Lynda Amobi) is a board member and Chief Enterprise Business Officer,

 MTN Nigeria Plc.

Troop recovers 'hidden' armoured vehicle, bombs in North east - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian troops have recorded another success against Boko Haram and Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists operating in the North-east, reports ITREALMS.
The latest against the terrorists was the recovery of an armoured fighting vehicles suspected to have been hidden under trees.

Meta extends Facebook Reels to Nigeria, 19 other countries in SSA - ITREALMS

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The Meta, formally known as Facebook has expanded the availability of Facebook Reels for iOS and Android to more than 20 countries across sub-Saharan Africa including Nigeria, reports 
ITREALMS.
Meta is also introducing better ways to help creators to earn money, new creation tools and more places to watch and create Facebook Reels.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Shell reiterates commitment to lower Nigeria's carbon emission - ITREALMS

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Leading energy company in Nigeria, Shell, has reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to help the country meet its lower carbon emission target.
Mr. Osagie Okunbor, MD Shell
“Apart from this being the right thing to do, it is also good for our business in Nigeria,” Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCo), Mrs. Eloho Aiboni, said on Tuesday in Lagos at the opening session of the 2022 edition of the Sub-Saharan African International Petroleum Exhibition and Conference (SAIPEC).

Phase3: Partnership of ICT to accelerate national development – ITREALMS

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Leading independent aerial fibre optic network infrastructure and telecommunications services provider, Phase3 Telecom has called for enhanced partnership of stakeholders in Information Communication Technology for infrastructural growth. This, the company believes, will accelerate development on the Continent. 
This call was made recently at the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) “ICT Growth Conference” in Lagos.

Niger Delta Women applauds Akpabio for exceptional commitment, performance - ITREALMS

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Women in the Niger Delta region on Wednesday praised Senator Godswill Akpabio for contributing immensely to the social, economic and political development of the country.
Senator Godswill Akpabio

“The picture in the Niger Delta region is different. It has been thirty months of development and clear evidence of competence.”

Makinde is committed to quality infrastructure says Sangodoyin - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State's Commissioner for Works, Public Infrastructure and Transport, Prof. Daud Sangodoyin, on Monday, declared that the administration of Governor 'Seyi Makinde is determined to deliver quality infrastructure projects that will stand the test of time.
Gov. Seyi Makinde
The Commissioner made this disclosure when he embarked on an inspection tour of the Ajia-Airport Road with spur to Amuloko with the Quality Assurance Team of the Ministry and site engineers of the Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.

NCDMB, ITF train 100 youths on vocational skills - ITREALMS

Hundred of Nigerian youths have commenced training in the vocational skills programme sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and facilitated by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF). 

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The training covers eight skills areas, and they include Information and Communication Technology; Electrical/Electronic Technology; Industrial Automation and Mechatronics; Instrumentation and Process Control; Mechanical Services and Maintenance; Mobile Phone Repairs and Troubleshooting; Residential Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Maintenance and Building Technology.

Monday, February 21, 2022

Leo Stan@66: Africa’s technology miracle child comes full circle - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!
Rarely in this part of the world would you find a man like Leonard Nnamdi Stanley Ekeh, better known as Leo Stan Ekeh.
For starters, Leo Stan, as he is fondly addressed, is not your regular fellow. He ranks well and truly as an unusual entrepreneur, one who is not only absolutely outstanding at what he does, but a man who also stands head and shoulders apart from his peers.

Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh
The story of technology in Africa and in his native Nigeria would decidedly be incomplete without a mention of the many pioneering roles Ekeh played in this domain. But it is in chronicling his amazing journey of well over three decades in the field of technology that some of the exciting qualities that make Ekeh outstanding align in sharp contrast.

Refusing ICPC appearance attracks 25-month jail term for ex-Delta Poly Rector - ITREALMS

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A former Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Delta State, Dr. Edna Mogekwu, has been sentenced to jail for refusing to honour invitations on allegations of corruption from the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Pix: L-R : Director of works, Joseph Idabor; Bursar, Andy Ughusuena;
Rector, Edna Mogekwu and Registrar Collins Onyenwenu
Dr. Mogekwu, who was sentenced to a two-year, one-month jail term, as well as three principal officers of the institution who were also convicted, were charged before Justice Marshal Umukoro, of the Delta State High Court, Asaba, by ICPC over their failure to appear before investigators to clear themselves of allegations of corruption.

9mobile advocates technology adoption for Multilingual Learning - ITREALMS

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Nigeria’s telecoms service provider and caring brand, 9mobile, has lent its voice to the global call to adopt technology for multilingual learning. The telco provider made the call to mark this year’s International Mother Language Day with the theme, Using Technology for Multilingual Learning: Challenges and Opportunities”.
The year’s theme underscores the vital role of technology in advancing multilingual education and supports the development of quality teaching and learning for all.

Konga, beautiful bride of African e-commerce says Forbes - ITREALMS

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading omnichannel e-commerce group has been identified as a strong player on the verge of dominating the African e-commerce scene.
Forbes, a globally renowned media company, focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle, revealed this in a special feature published in its Forbes Africa edition late last week.

9PSB boss calls for targeted content to accelerate Nigeria’s financial inclusion - ITREALMS

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The Chief Executive Officer, 9PSB, Branka Mracajac has emphasized the need to pay close attention to content creation as an important factor in driving and accelerating financial inclusion in the country, stating that it is capable of enhancing the future of digital banking in the long-term.
Mracajac made this assertion, while presenting a keynote address, themed “Content Creation and Financial Inclusion; The Future of Digital Banking” at the Tech Summit Ogun 2022, which held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta, Ogun State on Thursday February 17, 2022.

Official! FG handsover 5G spectrum to NCC - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government (FG) has officially handed over the spectrum allocation for the Fifth Generation (5G) deployment in the country to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) reports ITREALMS.
Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, who also wears the hat of the Chairman, National Frequency Management Council (NFMC), presented the official document on the 3.5GHz spectrum allocation to the Commission at a public event which took place at the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja on Thursday, February 17, 2022.

NOGICD Act not about ‘Nigerianisation’ of oil & gas industry – ITREALMS

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The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi K. Wabote has said that the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act was not about ‘Nigerianisation’ of the sector, reports ITREALMS.

 
Engr. Wabote of NCDMB
“The focus of the NOGICD Act is not “Nigerianization” of the oil & gas industry, but “Domiciliation” and “Domestication” of value-adding activities,” he asserted.

Sunday, February 20, 2022

ICPC secures conviction of former Local Government Chairman - ITREALMS

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A High Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State, presided over by Justice M. AbdulGarfa has sentenced Alhassan Yahaya Bagudu, a former Chairman of Kaiama Local Government Area of the state to one-year imprisonment for making false statement to an investigator.
*Bagudu
Spokesperson, ICPC, Mrs. Azuka Ogugua in a press statement available to 
ITREALMS said that Bagudu was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a 2-count charge bordering on making false statement to an investigator of the Commission.

ICANN nominates 7-man for IRP omnibus standing panel slate - ITREALMS

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) organization, in consultation with the Supporting Organizations (SOs) and Advisory Committees (ACs), has nominated a seven-man standing panel for the Independent Review Process (IRP) Community Representatives Group, reports ITREALMS.
The group is responsible for supporting the SOs and ACs in proposing a slate of nominees, for confirmation by the ICANN Board of Directors, to constitute an omnibus standing panel that will hear and resolve disputes filed under the IRP described in the ICANN Bylaws.

Saturday, February 19, 2022

Makinde: Oyo to immortalise Alao-Akala - ITREALMS

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Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Friday, hailed the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as a great man, who recognised and lived his life in accordance with the Biblical teaching that there is a time and a season for everything under the sun.
Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State
Makinde, who declared that the state government would immortalise the late former governor, said a committee headed by his Chief of Staff, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi, has been put in place to work on how best to honour the late Chief Alao-Akala.

Friday, February 18, 2022

If you dream it, you can achieve it says ComfyEvent boss - ITREALMS

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Iyin-Ekiti-born OMOSEHINDE COMFORT is the CEO of ComfyEvents ‘n’ Ushers. She brings ‘Chemistry’ of if you dream it you can achieve it into Eventpreneurship. She spoke to ITREALMS correspondent GBEMI OMOTOSO.
Omosehinde Comfort, CEO of ComfyEvents
Who is Comfy Events ‘n’ Usher's?
My name is Omosehinde Comfort, CEO of ComfyEvents ‘n’ Ushers. I'm an Eventpreneur who deals with carrying out all the event activities like event planning, coordinating etc.

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Wabote to GOCOP: Help weed out bad eggs in journalism - ITREALMS

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The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Engr. Simbi K. Wabote has urged the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to help the nation in weeding out bad eggs in the journalism profession.
Engr. Wabote, Executive Secretary, NCDMB

Speaking at a breakfast meeting with GOCOP members at Lagos Sheraton, Ikeja, Engr. Wabote noted that GOCOP as a professional body has a huge responsibility to condemn and weed out the bag eggs in the profession and Nigeria’s society generally.

Standard-setting guides tech for sustainable development

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Industry and governments aim to help shape global digital transformation agenda ahead of ITU standardization assembly

Industry leaders and policy makers will gather at the end of the month to share ambitions for technical standards to drive sustainable development worldwide.

Intersputnik sponsors ITU cafe - ITREALMS

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The Intersputnik International Organization of Space Communications has decided to become a sponsor of the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) headquarters project in Geneva, Switzerland, reports ITREALMS.

Intersputnik – an international satellite communications services organization and active ITU member – will sponsor a cafeteria in the new ITU building, whose construction is scheduled to start in 2023 and finish in 2026.

70 Lagos youths gain digital management skills - ITREALMS

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The United States (U.S.) government is committed to supporting economic and human development initiatives that help create job opportunities and facilitate improved sustainable economic growth and development.
The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) under its Employability Support Project in partnership with the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) has supported a 2019 alumna of the U.S. Consulate Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, Funke Medun, to train 70 young Nigerians on a digital and employability skills program.

The employability training program is aimed at creating more job opportunities for youths in the state, reducing unemployment and improving economic growth, and will also equip participants with digital and management skills that will enable them contribute to the growth of various organizations.

After an intensive six weeks training, more than 70 youths participated in the first cohort graduation ceremony, which was held at the American Space in Ikeja, Lagos. American Spaces are opened to young Nigerians looking to develop ideas, as well as leadership and entrepreneurship skills through programs and workshops designed especially for them.

Speaking at the event, U.S. Consulate Public Affairs Officer Stephen Ibelli highlighted the importance of small businesses in spurring economic growth and boosting shared prosperity.

“For Nigeria to succeed, the men and women who create businesses or hope to develop new businesses and job opportunities must succeed. Ideas for new products or improved services will produce the growth, jobs and incomes that will lead to a more prosperous and stable Nigeria,” Ibelli said.

Ibelli explained that the U.S. Mission in Nigeria supports a variety of exchange programs each year focused on promoting entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

They include: the International Visitors Leadership Program, the African Women's Entrepreneurship Program, the Global Innovation through Science and Technology Program, the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, TechWomen and the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

“Through these programs, the United States government will continue to help create a more peaceful, stable, and prosperous future for Nigeria,” Ibelli added.

In her remarks, Medun acknowledged the commitment of the first set of participants to the successful completion of the six weeks capacity building program and noted that the second batch of the training will commence in the next few weeks.

“We hope that they are able to leverage the skills they have acquired from their participation in this program to contribute to the growth of small businesses in their local communities,” Medun said.

The U.S African Development Foundation is an independent U.S. government agency established by Congress to invest directly in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs. USADF creates pathways to prosperity for marginalized populations and undeserved communities across the continent.

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Airtel's red data plan offers data bonus - ITREALMS

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Consistent with its positioning as the smartphone network, leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has announced a new value offering that will instantly reward customers with newly activated smartphones with Airtel SIM cards.

Under the new plan which is dubbed ‘Red Data Plan’, Airtel is offering every customer with newly activated smartphones with Airtel SIM cards double the value of data bundle purchased (between N500 and N5000) for a 3-month period. 

Tinubu hails néw Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Lekan Balogun - ITREALMS

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All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has congratulated the Otun-Olubadan of Ibadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, over his appointment as the new Olubadan of Ibadanland and elevation to the zenith of leadership institution in the land.
Olubadan Lekan Balogun
While praying for a long and eventful reign for the new Olubadan, Asiwaju Tinubu expressed the hope that the new monarch would deploy his tremendous skills and rich understanding of traditional institution to promote peace and stability in Ibadanland, Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole.

NIEEE applauds NCC for setting pace on 5G deployment in Africa - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (NIEEE) has applauded the leadership of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for setting the pace of 5G deployment in Africa, reports 
ITREALMS.
The Engineering body in a statement signed by its outgoing National Chairman, Engr. Kings Adeyemi, and made available to ITREALMS, he singled out Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Garba Danbatta and the entire management staff of the Commission for accolades.

Tuesday, February 15, 2022

Bill Gates gifts African medicines regulators 100m Euros - ITREALMS

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In a strong endorsement of the work of the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) to strengthen medicines regulators and improve health security on the African continent, the European Union (EU) — including the European Commission, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and EU Member States Belgium, France and Germany — and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) will mobilise more than 100 million euros over the next five years to support the recently established African Medicines Agency (AMA) and other African medicines regulatory initiatives at regional and national levels. 
This support to strengthening regulatory capacity will improve health security in Africa, including through the expansion of local manufacturing of quality, safe, efficacious, and affordable medicines, vaccines, and other health tools.

Makinde appoints 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland - ITREALMS

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has approved the appointment of Senator Lekan Balogun as the 42nd Olubadan of Ibadanland.
Gov Seyi Makinde of Oyo State

The approval follows a recommendation to that effect made by the Olubadan-in-Council and which was communicated to the governor.

Drug Cartel Throwback: Police urges NDLEA to arrest, prosecute own officers - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) may be spoiling for war with a throwback at the National Drug Laws Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to immediately arrest and investigation its own officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who were implicated in the drug leak that exposed suspended DCP Abba Kyari, reports ITREALMS.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba was quoted in a press statement available to 
ITREALMS and electronically signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday requested General Buba Marwa to ensure that agency’s officers who have been colluding with the international drug cartel involved in this case are brought to book.

Monday, February 14, 2022

AASDU sets for 2022, inaugurates new committees - ITREALMS

The Association of Anambra State Development Unions (AASDU) Lagos, has show readiness for actions this year as it inaugurated additional  committees to  drive her 2022 activities, reports ITREALMS.

AASDU President,  Chief Sir Amechi Ebeledike  made this disclosure on Sunday and said the committees are also to facilitate the alignment of the group's activities with the socio-economic policy  of the incoming administration of Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo.         

A press statement endorsed by Publicity Secretary Mazi Chidi Abajue and made available to ITREALMS, informed that the new committees with their respective Chairmen are: Elders Committee  - Chief Dr. Jossy Egwuatu, Commerce & Market Committee  - Chief Chris Eze, Inter-Group Relations Committee  - Engr. Ben Egwuda. 

Statutory committees earlier inaugurated, he said were the Activities Planning & Implementation Committee  - Engr. T. C. Madu, Budget & Finance Committee - Chief Ikenna Okwuma, and Strategic Committee - Chief Fidel Umeh.    

Chief Ebeledike therefore charged the committees to come up with action plans and tactics that will be  executed in order to reposition AASDU on the track set by her founding fathers.

2023: Who'll go for Ndigbo? – Our best 3 candidates - ITREALMS

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With 2023 just around the corner, the race to determine who succeeds incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari as the holder of the top job in Nigeria is beginning to gather steam.
Already, several candidates have thrown their hats into the ring, with some of them, like the former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu not hiding their clear interest in the presidency.

Abba Kyari, 4 others arrested over drug trafficking - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has arrested the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari and four other police officers for their involvement in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy, reports ITREALMS.

DCP Abba Kyari, arrested over drug deals

NPF also described their involvement in the tampering with narcotic exhibits, official corruption and sundry unprofessional infractions as discreditable, unethical, and unprofessional conduct.


NPF in a press statement available to ITREALMS and electronically signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer (DPPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday afternoon, said the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Usman Alkali Baba had ordered immediate transfer of case to NDLEA, urging NDLEA to investigate indicted officers of the agency.


IGP also decried official corruption and tampering with exhibits in a case of illicit drug trafficking involving a perpetual transnational drug cartel.


As said by Adejobi, the arrest of the officers was sequel to pieces of information received from the leadership of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 10th February, 2022.


In line with standard administrative procedure of the Force, he said IGP ordered a high-level, discreet, and in-house investigation into the allegations.


According to him, “The interim investigations report revealed that two (2) international drug couriers identified as Chibunna Patrick Umeibe and Emeka Alphonsus, both males, were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu on the 19th of January, 2022 upon their arrival from Addis Ababa aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight ET917.


“The arrest led to the recovery of substantial quantity of powdery substance suspected to be cocaine from the two narcotic couriers. The operation which was intelligence-driven, was undertaken by a Unit of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT),” he said.


Equally, he said, that though the case and the two suspects were subsequently transferred to the NDLEA on the 25th January, 2022, the findings of the in-house investigation ordered by the Inspector General of Police established reasonable grounds for strong suspicion that the IRT officers involved in the operation could have been involved in some underhand and unprofessional dealings as well as official corruption which compromised ethical standards in their dealings with the suspects and exhibits recovered.


“Beyond this, the Police investigation also established that the international narcotics cartel involved in this case have strong ties with some officers of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu who are on their pay roll. The two arrested drug couriers confirmed that the modus is for the transnational drug barons to conspire with the NDLEA officers on duty and send them their pre-boarding photographs for identification, seamless clearance, and unhindered passage out of the airport with the narcotics being trafficked.


“The two arrested drug couriers also confirmed that they have been enjoying this relationship with the NDLEA officers at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport since 2021 and had in this instant case of 19th January, 2022, been identified and cleared by the NDLEA officers as customary, having received their pre-departure photographs and other details prior to their arrival in Enugu, and were on their way out with the narcotics when they were apprehended by the Police.


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“The Police investigations report also indicted DCP Abba Kyari, who had been on suspension for his alleged involvement in a different fraud case being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), for complicity in the allegation of official corruption, tampering with narcotics exhibit and sundry unprofessional conducts that negate the standard administrative and investigative protocols of the Force as well as extant criminal laws. It is to be emphasised that DCP Abba Kyari’s involvement in these allegation occurred while his suspension from service was subsisting.


“On the strength of the findings of the in-house Police Investigation Panel, the Inspector-General of Police has ordered the immediate arrest and transfer of all the indicted police officers to the NDLEA authorities for conclusive investigation, while appropriate disciplinary actions are also being initiated against them by the Force leadership. 


"The concerned officers include DCP Abba Kyari, ACP Sunday Ubuah, ASP Bawa James, ASP John Umoru (at large), Inspectors Simon Agrigba and John Nuhu. They have all been, accordingly, handed over today 14th February, 2022 to the NDLEA authorities.


“In so doing, IGP also formally requested that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency should ensure the identification, arrest and investigation of the agency’s officers who have also been found to be colluding with the international drug cartel involved in this case towards advancing the anti-narcotics agenda of the federal Government.”


IGP, Adejobi said assured the public of his administration’s commitment to upholding the tenets and values of policing in line with the agenda of ethical regeneration, restoration of professional standard, enhancement of the anti-corruption drive, respect for the rule of law and inter-agency collaboration in the drive to stabilise the internal security order of the country.


Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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