Int'l writers association mourns Ngugi Wa Thiong'o - ITREALMS

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The International Writers Association (IWA) has expressed profound grief over the passing of globally celebrated Kenyan writer and thinker, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o. 

The revered literary icon, whose works spanned decades of intellectual, cultural, and political resistance, passed away leaving behind an unmatched legacy of courage, creativity, and commitment to African liberation through literature.

Olowookere leads new exco @Mortgage Banking Association - ITREALMS

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The Mortgage Banking Association of Nigeria (MBAN), has elected new executives led by Mr Ayo Olowookere elected as President, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement issued by the MBAN and made available to ITREALMS had disclosed.

FirstBank hosts inaugural China-Africa Interbank Association Forum - ITREALMS

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FirstBank, the premier West African financial institution and financial inclusion service provider has announced its hosting of the first-ever China-Africa Interbank Association (CAIBA) Forum to strengthen economic ties and investments between China and Africa.

The forum, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Strengthening China-Africa Trade, Industrialization and Economic Diversification,” will take place on November 27, 2024, at the Fraiser Suites Abuja.

Shell, Okunbor receive indigenous PETAN award for excellence - ITREALMS

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The Managing Director, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and Country Chair, Shell Companies in Nigeria (SCiN), Osagie Okunbor, has received an “Award of Excellence to an Astute and Visionary Technocrat” from the newly instituted executive leadership of the Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN).

Okunbor received the award in a short ceremony in Lagos, recently, where the PETAN executive, led by its chairman, Engineer Wole Ogunsanya, said “The award is to acknowledge Country Chair’s leadership of Shell and the long running relationship between PETAN, PETAN member companies and Shell.”

ANLCA Eastern Zone congratulates Mustapha, others elected to BoT - ITREALMS

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The Eastern Zonal Executive, Chapter Chairmen, Executives, and all esteemed members of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Eastern Zone have extended their heartfelt congratulations to the National President, Mr. Emenike Kingsley Nwokeoji, and his National Executive Committee (NECOM) on the successful conduct of the Board of Trustees (BoT) election.

This was contained in a press statement issued and signed by the Zonal Coordinator East, Sir Joshua I. Ahuama and the Zonal Secretary East Mrs Chinyere Okere (Ph.D) on behalf of the Association and made available to our correspondent Friday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital.

Ibietan emerges Secretary-General @APRA - ITREALMS

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Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and African Public Relations Association (APRA), who doubles as the Head, Media Relations at the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Omoniyi Ibietan, has emerged as the elected Secretary-General of APRA, reports ITREALMS.

Ibietan's emergence into a three-man Executive Council came at the ongoing 35th Annual Conference and Annual General Meeting taking place in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. He was elected alongside two others namely Arik Karani (Kenya), President, and Dr. Michele Mekeme (Cameroon), Vice President.

Inter'l writers mourn passage of folklorist Jim Solanke - ITREALMS

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The International Writers Association (IWA) said its deeply saddened by the loss of the beloved folklorist, Jimi Solanke, who passed away in the early hours of Monday, February 5, after a brief illness. Solanke, affectionately known as 'Uncle Jimi', departed while en route to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital. His passing marks the end of an era for Nigeria's cultural landscape.

In a heartfelt statement issued by the Acting President of the International Writers Association, Wole Adedoyin, Jimi Solanke was celebrated as a multifaceted artist whose talents spanned songwriting, acting, performance, visual art, poetry, and storytelling. His distinctive style, characterized by a resonant, golden voice accompanied by guitar melodies, captivated audiences of all ages across generations.

COWA commissions projects @Onne, donates food items to widows - ITREALMS

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The Customs Officers' Wives Association (COWA) Onne Area 11 Command has commissioned a Secretariat, Canteen and unisex Salon, donates food items to widows of the Command, reports ITREALMS.

The association, ITREALMS gathered that the measure was part of efforts to improve the welfare of officers’ wives at the Port Harcourt Area 11 Customs Command, Onne Rivers State.

Appointment: BUMWAN congratulates CGC Wale Adeniyi - ITREALMS

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A group under the aegis of Business and Maritime Writers’ Association of Nigeria, (BUMWAN), has congratulated the newly appointed Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Mr. Bashir Wale Adeniyi, reports ITREALMS.

Adeniyi, ITREALMS gathered, has been saddled with steering the stewardship of the revenue, anti- smuggling and trade facilitation of the federal government parastatal, under the supervision of the Federal ministry of Finance.

Remmy Nweke elected to NIRA BoT - ITREALMS

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The Lead Consulting Strategist and Group Executive Editor of ITREALMS Media group, Mr. Remmy Nweke has been elected to the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA) alongside four others, reports ITREALMS.

NIRA, founded on 23 March 2005, oversees Nigeria's country code top-level domain, .ng, just as registration of domain names are handled by NIRA certified registrars, under its Registry–Registrar–Registrant model in operating and managing the top-level domain.

NLNG's Nwokedi emerges president-elect @Nigerian Gas Association - ITREALMS

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The General Counsel/ Company Secretary of Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and former MD of NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML), Mr. Akachukwu Nwokedi, has emerged the President-elect of the Nigerian Gas Association (NGA), reports ITREALMS.

This, ITREALMS gathered, would see Nwokedi leading the Executive Council to pilot and steer the affairs of the gas industry association for the next two years.

AASDU Presidency: Ebeledike takes over from Osakwe, promises prudence, peaceful co-existence - ITREALMS

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Sir Amechi Ebeledike (Omemgboji n'Adazi-Ani
New President, AASDU

The newly elected Executive Committee of the Association of Anambra State Development Unions (AASDU) led by Sir Amechi Ebeledike as president, has been inaugurated, reports ITREALMS.

L-R Immediate past-president, Chief Vin Osakwe with new president, Sir Amechi Ebeledike

Sir Ebeledike took over from the immediate past president, Chief Barrister Vincent Osakwe after a presentation of certificate of returns and swearing of new exco on Sunday in Lagos.

Agugoesi emerges Chairman, Times Journalism Alumni Association - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Times Journalism Alumni Association (TJAA) has elected a seven-man new executive committee to be led by Mr. Clifford Agugoesi, the Editor-in-Chief of Cyber Era Magazine, reports ITREALMS.

Agugoesi, ITREALMS gathered, takes over from the erstwhile chairman and Group Executive Editor, DigitalSENSE Africa Media group, Mr. Remmy Nweke, who assumed his latest position as chair, Board of Trustees of TJAA, after an election conducted recently.

The TJAA new chairman was elected alongside Mr. Adelaja Bisi as Vice Chairman; Mr. Adeniran Odufayo, General Secretary; Mr. Abraham Akpabio as Assistant-General Secretary; Mrs. Itunu Olamiotan Ola as Treasurer, Chief Mrs. Folashade Azeez, Welfare Officer, and Mr. Emmanuel Udodinma as the Public Relations Officer (PRO).

A press statement available to ITREALMS, and endorsed by Emma Udodinma, Public Relations Officer, Agugoesi was quoted in his acceptance speech, after the online voting exercise, expressed thanks to all those who made their emergence possible, especially the Electoral Committee, headed by Mr. Fabian Anawo of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and his predecessor, Mr. Nweke. He also called on all past students of Times Journalism Institute Lagos to identify with the association and support programmes targeted at moving TJAA forward through active participation.

“Great TJItes, thank you all for voting us to serve you. We will do just that, God helping us. We thank God Almighty for sustaining us and express our gratitude to Remmy Nweke and all who have worked exceedingly hard to bring us to where we currently are. Ours is going to be a Government of Continuity & Innovation. We promise to continue with some good foundations already led by our predecessors, but will not hesitate to effect changes when and where necessary to our structure, processes and procedures.

“Welfare of our members will be a key pillar of our dispensation. We will serve you truthfully and energetically and will be accountable. Our comprehensive agenda have been properly articulated and will be circulated in due course. We heartily solicit your cooperation and understanding as we individually and collectively strive to taking our alumni association to higher pedestals.”

The newly elected officers will pilot the affairs of the association for the next three years and have since taken over the administration of Times Journalism Alumni Association, at a brief ceremony in Lagos, recently. TJAA, a registered organization, promises to extend valuable programmes and activities to promote connections between all alumni for their benefits.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin & Developments - ITREALMS

BookReview@ITREALMS: 

Agbalanze! Ogbuevi Ogbuevi nu o!

Onye na nk’ie, Onye na nk’ie o!

Nke onye chi, nya ze kw’oo!


[PROTOCOLS]

Title: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and

Developments

Published: 2019

Publishers: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association

Consultant/Author: Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu

Research Assistant: Ugokwe Tobechukwu Etukokwu

Editors: Zelugo Joe Bel-Molokwu & Nnabuenyi Chiedu Ofodile

Contents: 211 pages; 17 chapters



This seminal work is at once many things rolled into one – an educative narrative, a historical record, an academically authoritative output, an essential routine reading material, and a cultural vade mecum for every Onitsha person, and for all who have interest in the essence of Onitsha, this enigmatic city on the eastern bank of the Niger. It is also eloquent testimony to the intellectual potency and cultural depth of Agbalanze Onitsha, a unique component of Onitsha society, and its membership. Agbalanze Onitsha has drawn its membership over time from the crème de la crème of Onitsha. From Zik to Professor Chike Obi. From Justice Louis Mbanefo to Chief Modebe. From Engr. Willie Achukwu to P. N. C. Molokwu, MBE. From Justice Emmanuel Araka to Justice Omenye Nwokedi. From R. M. C. Chukwurah to Ajie Ukpabi Asika. From the lowest to the highest.



Conceived, planned, researched, written, edited, proof read and produced by components of Agbalanze Onitsha, this book is one to be proud of. That it took time in coming is well justified by its presentation to the world today. It answers virtually all questions there are about the mystique of Agbalanze Onitsha as a revered institution, misunderstood by many, viewed with suspicion by some, reviled by others – but respected by ALL.



Prior to this book, there have been numerous works that touched – albeit tangentially - on Agbalanze Onitsha and what is stands for. Indeed, there is hardly any work that has ever been written about Onitsha that does not talk about Agbalanze Onitsha and Ichi Ozo Onitsha. But none has dwelt on the institution as its sole theme; none has been as well researched as this; none has traced the history of Agbalanze Onitsha in as much painstaking depth; and, above all, none has had the imprimatur of Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association. This feat is to the credit of the leadership of Nnabuenyi Uchenna Mbanefo, under whose presidency this initiative was actualized. It is also to the credit of Chinyelugo Dr. Osita Anionwu that he was able to put so much time and energy into bringing forth this legacy of a book.



Prior to this, there was the production of a video documentary under the presidency of Nwakibie Dr. Henry Molokwu, a project directed by Akunnia Col. George Molokwu. There have also been individual efforts here and there to unravel the innards of Agbalanze Onitsha, so to say.



The positioning of the book under review today is elevated with the inspiring Foreword by none other than the Obi of Onitsha himself, His Majesty Alfred N. Achebe, mni, cfr, whose voice captured the all-importance of a book of this seriousness and breadth. This is in line with his vision of the emergence of a neo-modern society out of the rich traditional setting of Onitsha. The Agbalanze President, Nnabuenyi Mbanefo, also highlights the critical purpose of this work in his Preface, with the words: “…that the values and integrity of Ozo and Agbalanze in Onitsha will continue to rise to greater levels.”



Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and Developments is a blend of quite a rich repertoire. It is well written and is complete with referencing, making it as useful for scholarly work, as it is for casual or inquiring reading. It seamlessly migrates from its deep effort to locate the origin of Ozo title taking in Onitsha, to identification of landmarks in Ozo title taking, to detailed description of sequences, paraphernalia, processes, songs and chants, protocols, ceremonies, regalia and the structure of the association.



Works of scholars like anthropologist Dr. Richard Henderson, who did and continues to research into Onitsha and its people since 1961, his wife and fellow researcher Helen, Ojinnaka R. I. Chukwurah, Jerry Orakwue, Dr. Chudi Okwechime, Onuora Nzekwu are among the sources of back-grounding.



This work traces the growth of Agbalanze Onitsha from its roots that date to the 16th Century exodus from the Benin Kingdom (or maybe even earlier) when it had no specific name beyond the description of “ichi Ozo”, through to the beginning of the 20th Century wherein it is captured from research that there were “about 200” members, on to modern times. Indeed, today, Agbalanze, now well structured as a registered trustee association, has between 800 and 900 members in all parts of the world. From the primordial ichi Ozo within small family units, there are today 37 Agbalanze Ozo kindred units, and the number most likely could have exceeded that, but for initiatives to minimize further splintering of Ozo units.



In 211 pages broken into 17 chapters, the book does a jolly good job in marshaling out the significance of Ozo and its spirituality, as it does with its treatment of the meaning of Agbalanze, Ozo titles and names, rites of passage, administration of the association through a seven-man Executive Council, the processes leading to the development of a Constitution, interviews, and the opening of a befitting headquarters. The book is also well illustrated with photographs, which apparently took great effort to assemble. It also has a chapter on suggestions!



One high point of the book is the rich essay on Ugo, the Eagle, the regal bird, around which Ozo title taking revolves. The eagle’s feather is a sine qua non in the entire process and significance of Agbalanze Onitsha. There is a nostalgic reference to the early days when the Ugo (the feather) was daintily stuck into a specially grown tuft of hair on an initiate’s head. This with time gave way to sticking the Ugo in gold or silver wire thread embroidered caps that we know today.



In all, this work has done justice to the concept of Ichi Ozo Onitsha, something that has continued to confound non-members and non-Onitsha indigenes at large.



Is Agbalanze Onitsha a cult? Is it a cabal? Is it a religious sect? Is it a coven (okwu alusi)? Is it an exclusive club for millionaires? Is it a segregated society? Is it a political pressure group? Is it a power bloc?



Or, is Agbalanze Onitsha a sacred institution founded and operating on lofty principles of honour, dignity, pride and incorruptibility? Is it a deep-rooted ancestral institution that promotes high values and moral principles? Is it an organization that dwells on the elevation of moral standards, social ethics and clean living?



Will the “outside” find answers to these posers in this rich book?



My answer is:



Icho ima ife di n’Ozo, bia chi e l’anyi Ozo!







Dr. Joe Bel-Molokwu

Zelugo

November 16, 2019





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Bank Customers Association of Nigeria holds summit - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Bank Customers Association of Nigeria (BCAN) would hold its 3^rd Biennial Summit on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

Founder/Chief Executive Officer, Bank Customers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Uju Ogubunka, in a press statement issued in Lagos made available to ITREALMS, said the  theme of the Summit is “Rights and Obligations of Bank Customers.”

According to her the summit would be chaired by Mr. Victor Odozi, former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, while the Special Guest of Honour will be Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria.

Expected participants at the summit include bank customers, policy makers, regulators, representatives of government departments and agencies, officials of inter-governmental organizations, businessmen and women, leaders of the organized private sector in Nigeria and members of the public.

Bank Customers Association of Nigeria Biennial Summit is a platform for reviewing the challenges facing bank customers and the evolving banking system.

ITREALMS recalls BCAN is also an interactive platform for exchanging views between banks’ chief executives and their customers with the sole aim of resolving lingering issues between the two major parties within the intervention frameworks of regulatory agencies. 

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Nigeria must take advantage of 58m Internet users - Ajayi

ITRealms

The National President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Engr. Lanre Ajayi, has called for the optimization of the 58 million Internet users in the country, reports ITRealms.

He said even though Nigeria has more than 58 million active internet users which is more that the population of many African countries, stressing that with availability of infrastructure little content is being placed in there.

Currently, he said, what is seen online are a few e-commerce and government services,adding that every business should be online, declaring, “it is time to rise up for everybody to benefit from the internet.”

Ajayi, ITRealms gathered,made this known in  a goodwill message at the 2015 Edition of the annual Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) Conference and Exhibition whichhad the theme: “Internet Penetration, the Way Forward” and held at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos at the weekend.

He revealed that the evolution of NIG began in 1995 when the internet usage was still at its infancy and acknowledged the contributions of Engr. Olawale Ige, the then Minister of Communication for his contributions to the growth and development of NIG. He said that while the internet use in Nigeria has been upbeat, only 50 per cent of the job has just been concluded, calling on Nigerians to support NIG to achieve better internet penetration.

Engr.Ajayi pointed out that even though Nigeria internet awareness began late the coming on board of NIG brought great impetus to the development and promotion of the internet through advocacy, conferences and exhibitions, ITRealms learnt.

The immediate past NIG president, Engr Adebayo George Banjo,had earlier welcomed guests to the occasion stating that the Conference and Exhibition has been with the group since inception and called for support.

ITRealms informs that this year’s conference and exhibition is germane because of the theme which aims to achieve internet penetration and  an improved internet service.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Pix: Lanre Ajayi