Telecoms Clinic: Bat journalism, Sam Omatseye and new media - ITREALMS

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In this piece, REMMY NWEKE examines the African folklore of 'bat the bird' as it filters into journalism lexicon in Nigeria, since Sam Omatseye’s Obi-tuary debut in the age of new media.

 "We can hear and feel the cacophony. The chants and caterwauling are everywhere, especially on the phones. The Twitter bees, the Instagram grimes, the Facebook freaks," Sam Omatseye, August 1, 2022.

NCC restates commitment to fund research - ITREALMS

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Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Adeolu Akande, has restated the commitment of the Commission to commit more funds to research and prototypes resulting from grants from the Commission to the academia.

This is coming at the backdrop of the recent revelation that the Commission has committed more than N500 million in funding research across the Nigerian universities.

Ekomhen Glory says good wedding cake can't be produced in a hurry - ITREALMS

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The Chief executive officer, Glory cakes 'n' treat, Benin City, Ekomhen Glory told ITREALMS' GBEMI OMOTOSO that she takes her time to produce any wedding cake and believes in teamwork.

Excerpts:

What led you into the cakes industry?

I've always wanted to be a baker because I have so much passion for it.

FirstBank branch, head office, not sealed - ITREALMS

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FirstBank Nigeria plc has said that none if its branches or head office was sealed by anybody or organisation, reports ITREALMS.

The bank in a press statement available to 
ITREALMS stated that their attention have been drawn to the news reports online with the conflicting claims that FirstBank branch or/head office has been sealed.

Polaris Bank denies plan to sale bank - ITREALMS

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The management of Polaris Bank has denied any purported plane to sale the bank, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement from the bank's top management made available to ITREALMS denied any such plan.

South African Marwala is next rector of UNU - ITREALMS

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The United Nations University (UNU) is pleased to announce that Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala of South Africa, currently Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University of Johannesburg, has been appointed as the next Rector of UNU.

Prof. Marwala will take office as Rector of the United Nations University on 1 March 2023 for a five-year term, succeeding current Rector Dr David Malone (2013‒2023). In the role of UNU Rector, Prof. Marwala will hold the rank of Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations. He will be based at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo.

Oyebanji hails court on his candidacy, extends olive branch to petitioner - ITREALMS

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The Ekiti State Governor-elect, Mr Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, has hailed the judgement of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti affirming him as the validly elected candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the June 18, governorship election in the state.

Oyebanji in a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, shortly after the High Court judgement, described the ruling, which threw out the petition of one of the aspirants, Mr Kayode Ojo, as a landmark judgement which will put to rest the controversies surrounding the January 27 APC primaries.

FG demands Facebook ban on IPOB, check subversive YouTube channels - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government has demanded that Facebook ban the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), from using its platform, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as FG seeks to collaborate with Google to curb the excesses of subversive YouTube channels which it claimed are used to spread hate and disinformation against the country.

Nigeria ID4D partners NCPWD - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria Digital Identification for Development (ID4D) initiative, has reiterated commitment to partnering with the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD) in the implementation of the project, reports ITREALMS.

Project Coordinator of Nigeria Digital ID4D, Musa Odole Solomon disclosed this at a courtesy call on the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Wednesday, describing them as a constituency that the Nigeria Digital ID4D project is very particular about.

Pantami reaffirms FG’s commitment to Indigenous Telecom Content, Danbatta applauds - ITREALMS

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The Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has reaffirmed Federal Government’s determination to reverse the trend of importation of all types of telecommunications products, especially where production in Nigeria is possible.

Pantami, who spoke at the first Nigerian Telecommunications Indigenous Content Expo (NTICE), 2022 held at the Landmark Centre in Lagos, got immediate commendation from the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta, who told the audience that the Minister’s efforts and support have spurred the Commission to take certain steps that have yielded immediate results that were being showcased at the expo.

Konga Kares, Med-Direct Africa partner on free delivery nationwide - ITREALMS

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Konga, Nigeria’s leading e-commerce giant and Med-Direct Community Pharmacy, a 21st Century online retail pharmacy have announced a partnership to support the free delivery of highly discounted, quality drugs and medications to millions of Nigerians nationwide starting from Monday, August 15, 2022.

The project, a humanitarian initiative will be executed under the auspices of Konga Kares, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) arm of the Konga Group, through which it has identified with and empowered critical segments of the population in need of a helping hand.

Valentine Obienyem: On Omatseye's Obituary - ITREALMS

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The other day, Mr. Sam Omatseye – a writer many used to have respect for due to some reasons, including the fluidity of his prose – wrote an article entitled “Obi-nomics”. In the said article, clearly embittered by resentment, he hurled obloquies at Mr. Peter Obi. He saw Obi as a rising sun that must be totally eclipsed. 

I did a rejoinder to that piece as part of the respected “right to reply”, which readers are supposed to enjoy. I appropriately sent the rejoinder to Mr. Sam Omatseye, who, contrary to the liberality of “The Nation” newspaper refused to present it for publication. Of course, I felt bad. Omatseye may not know that I have come a long way with “The Nation”Newspaper not to be denied such a right. In any case, I was privileged to have written the first letter to the Editor at the birth of “The Nation” (then Comet) Newspaper entitled “The Comet Cometh”. Am I not qualified to be a stakeholder?

Chuks Iloegbunam replies Sam Omatseye's BAT journalism: Everyone’s obituary is inevitable - ITREALMS

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Some have called you foolish, dear Sam Omatseye. Others insist that you are plain stupid. There are those who hold you to be beneath contempt. Their howls of execration upon you are in reaction to your August 1, 2022 article entitled Obi-tuary (https://thenationonlineng.net/obi-tuary/). 

For me, however, you are a dear friend. Our friendship started in the 1980s at Newswatch magazine where both of us practiced journalism before you travelled to the United States for further studies. It continued upon your return and strengthened to the point that, sometimes, you get the producers of your TV Continental programme to connect me to field questions live. Besides, living in different states, we often chat by telephone. I demonstrated our amity again last May when I was in Nigeria’s commercial capital for the Lagos International Book Fair. I phoned you and, within the hour, you were at my stand where we spent quality time reminiscing about the good old days and prognosticating on the future of our dear fatherland.

MRA drags NITDA to court over failure on details of proposed regulation of online platforms - ITREALMS

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The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) over its failure to provide details requested by the organization on its proposed regulatory framework for social media and other online platforms through a “Code of Practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms/Internet Intermediaries” reports ITREALMS.

In the suit, ITREALMS gathered that MRA is asking the Court to order NITDA to provide it with all the information it requested in its letter dated June 15, 2022, including a copy of the letter containing the directive given by President Muhammadu Buhari to NITDA to develop a code of practice for Interactive Computer Service Platforms as well as copies of documents containing inputs made by stakeholders such as the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp, Tik Tok, Instagram, Google and other interactive computer service platforms, civil society organizations and expert groups in the development of the draft code of practice.

Miracle rain @Pastor Chris' Healing Streams Live Services - ITREALMS

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Though the July edition of the Healing Streams Live Healing Services of a monthly programme organised by Pastor Chris, the charismatic spiritual steward of the Christ Embassy might have come and gone, yet the impact, for those who got healed at the event, would remain with them forever.

The programme that saw the mighty powers of God move among the people unfolded in glory, faith, and was rich in the miraculous.

Corruption: HEDA urges ICAN to protect image now - ITREALMS

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Worried like every other Nigerian over the ugly trends surrounding the office of the Accountant General of the Federation in recent time, the Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has written to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to swiftly redeem its image by investigating the alleged corruption case against one of its members- Mr. Nwabuoke Anamekwe Chukwunyere.

Recall that Mr. Nwabuoke Anamekwe Chukwunyere was appointed as the acting Accountant-General of the Federation, to oversee the management of the Federation’s Accounts in the absence of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Idris Ahmed who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegation of embezzlement to the tune of over #109Billion.

R&D: NCC doles out N500m for Nigerian Universities - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has committed over N500 million to the Nigerian universities and other tertiary institutions across the country to facilitate research and innovations to promote developments in the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Prof. Umar Danbatta who disclosed this at a two-day Regional Roundtable with Academia, Industry and Other Stakeholders which ended in Kano at the weekend, said the funds have been committed to research grants to universities and tertiary institutions, including professorial chairs in the universities in salient areas to drive technology development.

Makinde: We'll continue to be fair, just to all religion - ITREALMS

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde said on Sunday that his administration will continue to be fair and just to all religious beliefs in the State.

The governor, while speaking at the grand rally to mark new Islamic year, Hijrah1444 AH, organized by the National Council of Muslim Youth Organizations (NACOMYO), Oyo state Chapter, held at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium (formerly Liberty Stadium Ibadan) , appealed to Muslim Clerics to continue to pray for the success of his administration.

Business case against proposed two-Wheeler ban - ITREALMS

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Transportation, the movement of people and goods from one place to another, is a significant driver of human progress. In Nigeria, the three key means of transportation are road, air, and water. 

Road transport however dominates the means of transportation, especially in urban and suburban areas. Reports indicate that road transport makes up about 90 per cent of the movement of goods and passengers in the country.

NAICOM Chief, Thomas, to chair Business Journal public presentation Sept 16 - ITREALMS

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The Commissioner for Insurance and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Mr. Olorundare Sunday Thomas, will chair the public presentation of Business Journal newspaper on Friday, September 16, 2022 at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

The NAICOM letter to Business Journal dated July 18, 2022 and signed by Mr. Rasaaq Salami, NAICOM’s Head of Corporate Communications and Market Development read in part: “Accordingly, the Commission wishes to convey the Commissioner for Insurance/CEO acceptance to Chair the public presentation ceremony of Business Journal Newspaper with theme: “The Media in National Development: Successes, Challenges and Prospects.”

Unity Bank posts N27b gross earnings in H1’22 - ITREALMS

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The Unity Bank Plc, has posted gross earnings of N27.6 billion for its 2022 half-year results, representing a growth of 17% year-on-year.

In its unaudited half-year financials submitted to the Nigeria Exchange Group Limited, the Bank also made significant improvements across key performance indicators.

EU, British Council train CSOs on tax compliance - ITREALMS

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The European Union and the British Council in conjunction with the Nigerian regulatory agencies have trained Edo-based Civil Society Organizations on tax compliance and the roles of regulatory agencies.

The two days Agencies Citizenship Driven Transformation (ACT) programme drew facilitators from the Economic and Financial Crime Commission(EFCC), Federal Inland Revenue Services( FIRS) and Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) who engaged civil society and non-governmental organizations in capacity-building, roles of regulatory agencies and tax compliance.

Why old students must support Alma maters says Makinde - ITREALMS

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The Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde on Saturday, declared that Old Students Associations must support government's efforts in lifting the standards of education by giving back to their alma maters.

He said that the education sector must not be left in the hands of government alone adding by providing support and assistance to their former schools, the standards would be lifted.

Paradigm Initiative rolls out drums @15 - ITREALMS

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PhotoSpeaks@ITREALMS Sunday, July 31, 2022 - Paradigm Initiative rolls out drums @15 - ITREALMS