AfriTECH 2.0: Agada underline factors against startups - ITREALMS

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The immediate past Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc and founder, Lxzdorelabs, an innovation hub and consultancy focused company, Mr. James Agada, has underlined some factors militating against startup and could lead to premature death, reports ITREALMS.

Agada, who spoke to the theme: Sustainability and the company of the future, at Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 2.0) held in Lagos on Wednesday, listed the factors to include non-reporting of sales figures, issues around corporate governance, Court or Government interference, and inability to create new business.

ALERT! What NCC-CSIRT discovered on Cisco products, warns of multiple vulnerabilities - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission's Computer Security Incident Response Team (NCC-CSIRT) has issued an advisory for users to frequently review alerts for Cisco products to assess their exposure and find a comprehensive update solution.

The advisory, which also recommended using the appropriate software updates that are accessible from the vendor website, followed the identification of multiple vulnerabilities in Cisco Products, especially the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for Windows, which enables employees to access company servers from anywhere without compromising security.

Apple appoints TD Africa, first indigenous distributor for Nigeria - ITREALMS

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After a painstaking study of the Nigerian market and search for an indigenous distribution company with proven capacity and sound ethical standards, world’s leading technology company Apple Inc. has appointed TD Africa the first authorised indigenous distributor of the company’s products in Nigeria.

The landmark development, which is regarded as a demonstration of faith in Nigeria and in line with Apple’s focus on Inclusion & Diversity, will see TD Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa’s biggest distributor of technology, services and lifestyle products add Apple to an impressive list of globally renowned Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) on its portfolio.

INEC sets up ELoC for 2023 general election - ITREALMS

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has set up an adhoc Electoral Logistics Committee (ELoC) in preparation for the 2023 general elections, reports ITREALMS.

Inaugurating this adhoc committee in Abuja, the INEC chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu at the weekend, said Electoral Logistics Committee (ELoC) is an inter-agency committee established close to a General Election for a specific objective only.

Pantami leads software players to TestNigeria conference - ITREALMS

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The Federal Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Professor Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) is set to lead stakeholders in the country’s software industry to the first Software Testing Conference tagged ‘TestNigeria Conference 1.0’, organized by Nigeria Software Testing Qualification Board (NGSTQB).

Since assumption of office in August of 2019, Professor Pantami’s aggressive initiatives and reforms towards digital transformation have received recognitions within and outside the country.

WhatsApp introduces ‘Communities’ - ITREALMS

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WhatsApp Messenger has introduced ‘Communities’ on its platform, ITREALMS reports.

Disclosing this to ITREALMS on Thursday, November 3, 2022, the founder of Meta, owners of WhatsApp, Mr. Mark Zuckerberg, said the latest in the shelf of WhatsApp, the ‘Communities’ makes groups better.

Alleged N170m fraud: Benjamin Joseph presents controversial medical report to dodge court appearance - ITREALMS

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The alleged blackmailer and owner of Citadel Oracle Concepts Limited, an Ibadan-based ICT retail firm, Mr. Benjamin Joseph, has failed to appear in court to defend a case of malicious falsehood and false petitioning filed against him by the Federal Government by presenting a controversial medical report, claiming he is unwell, reports ITREALMS.

The Enugu-born businessman is standing trial for falsely petitioning the Federal Government, alleging that Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh and others colluded in defrauding it and his company in executing a N170m contract from the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Polaris to hold draw for save & win promo Friday - ITREALMS

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The first draw of the ongoing Polaris Save & Win promo is scheduled to hold on Friday, November 4, 2022 in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

The draw which would be conducted electronically, holds at the Bank's Victoria Island, Lagos headquarters, and would be broadcast live on all the bank’s social media channels where winners that emerged would be contacted and rewarded in instant.

Obadare wins CSEAN’s first Cybersecurity Outstanding Individual Award - ITREALMS

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The Co-Founder and the Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Digital Encode Limited, Dr. Obadare Peter Adewale, has emerged the first recipient of Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN’s) ‘Outstanding Individual of the Year Award’, reports ITREALMS.

Peter, ITREALMS gathered is arguably the most “Credentialed” PAN-African CyberSecurity Influencer, Thought Leader & GRC Technopreneur.

More trouble for Benjamin Joseph as FG clears Ekeh, wife, others, over alleged N170m fraud, orders full prosecution of blackmailer - ITREALMS

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The Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered the withdrawal of the charges purportedly filed by Femi Falana (SAN) against the Chairman, Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, his wife and few others based on false information over an alleged N170m contract fraud with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) which has seen Mr. Benjamin Joseph, owner of Citadel Oracle Concepts Limited, an Ibadan-based ICT retail firm, standing trial for falsely petitioning the Federal Government, alleging that Ekeh and others colluded in defrauding it and his company in executing the contract.

The directive was issued via the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) and communicated in a letter dated October 28, 2022, from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of the Federation, to the law firm of Falana and Falana.

Impunity! Killings journalists is unacceptably high at 86% says UNESCO - ITREALMS

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The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has released a damning figure of impunity against journalist, lamenting that killings have reached unacceptably high at 86 per cent, reports ITREALMS.

UNESCO, a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) has published its latest figures on the global impunity rate for journalists’ killings.

Tinubu: Let's secure Nigeria's future together - ITREALMS

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All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has again restated his administration’s resolve to hit a double figure Gross Domestic Product (GDP) if he wins the 2023 presidential election.

Tinubu stated this on Tuesday during his townhall meeting with the Business Community and Organised Private Sector at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.


The town hall session had in attendance the Vice Presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, Governors Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Simon Bako Lalong who is also the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, Atiku Bagudu, Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq, Abubakar Badaru, Dapo Abiodun, Adegboyega Oyetola, Nasir El-Rufai and Abdullahi Ganduje as well as other party leaders and chieftains.


The business community was fully represented with President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, Jim Ovia, Chairman of Zenith Bank, Tony Elumelu, Chairman of UBA, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, former Chief Executive of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, Group Chief Executive of Access Bank and other business leaders representing sectoral groups such as agriculture, Oil and Gas, Trade, Manufacturing, creative Sector among others.


The APC presidential candidate laid out his Action Plan before the business leaders. Tinubu said having achieved similar economic success as Lagos State governor, he has the capacity to repeat the same in the country as president.


He said, "Lagos is an appropriate venue for this meeting.


"You may have heard that I was once governor of this dynamic economic force. However, may I remind you that when I first entered office, Lagos was a different story.


"My team and I developed a blueprint, a master plan, for Lagos. I can say that plan has been largely successful.


"We turned this state into a safer, more prosperous place where people can go about any legitimate vocation or venture regardless of their ethnicity, religion, region or prior social station.


"We did more than open Lagos for business. We opened the door for all Nigeria to join and experience the decent things progressive democratic governance can bring.


"We were not perfect but we did a lot.


"In doing so, we worked hand in hand with the business community as partners sharing the same goals of prosperity and renewed hope.


"Well, as you might have heard at some point recently, I now stand before you, seeking a bigger yet similar job."


He therefore called on the Lagos Business Community to join hands with him to achieve this, stating that a viable economy requires collaboration between the political and business communities.


"Nigeria stands at the threshold between indifference and greatness, prosperity and poverty, the future and the past.


"The door is ajar. Together, let us open it so that we may cross over to the better side and secure for this beloved nation its finer destiny.


"The productive and beneficial things we seek do not lie in the sole domain of one sector. They reside in the cooperation between government and the private sector.


"I see no conflict between the business community and government. Yet, with equal conviction, I believe the private sector and government should constantly be at war.


"But they wage this battle not as enemies. They must stand as inseparable allies combating the mutual enemies of scarcity, underdevelopment, joblessness and the fear these bad things breed.


"The pragmatic problem solving and teamwork that improved Lagos, I want to bring to this nation.


"I ask your help as the task ahead is doable but also difficult," he added.


He empathised that the nation needed to move from dependence on exporting its raw materials to nations who sell the finished products to us at exorbitant prices to one that refines its raw materials for upward export itself.


Praising the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration for its patriotism and commitment, he itemised his administration plans to build on their achievements.


These, he said include reviving dead industries, promote agriculture, provide power, produce and use made in Nigeria goods, build infrastructure and most importantly improve the country's security.


“From its very inception, our political economy has been imbalanced and in need of major reform. Our political economy is much too dependent on the export of raw material or unfinished goods and the import of increasingly expensive finished products. Over the course of the time, gains from natural resource exports will prove largely insufficient to meet the rising costs of imports let alone support even the most basic demands of modern democratic governance.


"The time is now to cure this lapse. And time is of the essence for it does not wait for man or nation.


"We commend the work of prior administrations, especially the present government. This government has performed with patriotism and commitment during trying times.


"We simply must go farther and faster. My experiences in both the private sector and elective office afford me a special appreciation of the economic potency that close collaboration between government and the business community can bring.


"Allow me to share a few ideas that provide some insight into my vision for a more prosperous and secure nation where hope is renewed and despair rebuffed.


1. Regular Dialogue – All Nigerians must be invested in our better future. We must maintain the channels and spirit of respectful and productive dialogue. At times what I say may help you. Other times, what you say may enlighten me. We must always talk and confer with the best of intentions. Just as this open door policy is with me before the election, I shall continue to honor it after the election.


2. GDP Growth Rate: We must target double digit GDP to begin to reduce the poverty rate and I am determined to accomplish thua


3. Revive Industry: We shall bring the nation’s industrial policy to life. Key to this is our aim to create major and minor industrial hubs in each geopolitical zone. We shall not be satisfied by bolstering traditional sectors. We will foster productive excellence in new areas such as light manufacturing and the Nollywood entertainment sector. Through active participation in the digital economy, we shall make Nigeria a leader, instead of a bystander, in the fourth industrial revolution.


4. Promote Agriculture: We shall continue to press reforms in the sector that will increase productivity, improve farm incomes while lowering food prices and bringing enough food to the tables of ordinary people.


5. Power Nigeria: I am determined to give you the affordable and reliable power you need to drive your businesses in a way that lifts the entire economy.


6. Produce and buy Nigerian: We seek a consumer credit revolution, working in concert with the banking industry lead by the CBN. Credit at affordable rates enables the purchase of more cars and the construction of more homes. The standard of living shall rise and the strength of the business sector shall increase in similar measure.


7. Build Nigeria: We must continue with the expansion of infrastructure commenced by the current government From our roads and ports that will path the way to more commerce, to improvement in irrigation and water management/catchment systems to stem the humanitarian and economic tragedy visited on us by seasonal flooding.


8. I have saved the single most important point for last. May I conclude with my thoughts on security.


"We shall continue the fight against insecurity by redefining our counterinsurgency doctrine and practice. Our response to terror, kidnapping and violent criminality will be defined by the following elements:


a. We shall enlist more people in the armed forces, security services and the police.


b. Our forces will be given better tactical communications, mobility as well as improved aerial and ground surveillance capacity.


"Through these and other measures, we shall better identify, monitor, track, and defeat these evil groups where they are. They shall have no respite until they surrender or are utterly defeated," he added.

AUDA hosts 2-day workshop for African Biosafety Communication Network - ITREALMS

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The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has hosted a two-day workshop on biotechnology, gene editing, gene drive and synthetic biology for the African Biosafety Communication Network, from 25-26 October 2022 in Accra, Ghana, reports ITREALMS.

“Dealing with complex domains like biotechnology and related emerging technologies is a big challenge, in particular when these technologies seem beyond the understanding of the layman. Media experts play a key role in helping fill the knowledge gap with well-balanced and fact-based information,” Mr Eric Okoree, CEO of the National Biosafety Authority of Ghana and Chair of the meeting said. He welcomed participants and thanked AUDA-NEPAD for the capacity-building initiative.

COP27: Role of digital technologies in achieving zero-carbon economy by Aveva - ITREALMS

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Global leader in industrial software, driving digital transformation and sustainability, AVEVA, will highlight how digital technologies can support public-private partnerships and unlock innovation to close the implementation gap on climate change at COP27.

The United Nations Climate Change Conference 2022 is being held on November 6-18 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt. A sponsor of the parallel Climate Action Innovation Zone, AVEVA believes trusted data-led technologies are essential to decarbonization, driving responsible use of the world’s resources and delivering innovative, climate-forward products in the net-zero economy. 

Court to determine powers of NITDA - ITREALMS

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A social enterprise and advocates for digital rights in Africans, Paradigm Initiative (PIN) has dragged the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) to court for the determination of the agency powers, reports ITREALMS.

This, PIN said, has become necessary due to growing number of people with access to the internet and the increasing usage of digital technology in business, healthcare, commerce, banking, and other parts of the economy has created the need to develop more laws and policies around these issues.