Digital Visionary: Uwaje pays tribute to late Prof. G.O. Ajayi, pushes for inclusive IT history - ITREALMS

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Former President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Chief Chris Uwaje, has paid a profound tribute to the late Professor Gabriel Olalere Ajayi, hailing him as a "true cerebral digital enigma" whose vision was instrumental in institutionalizing Nigeria's National IT policy, reports ITREALMS.

The tribute was delivered at the lecture and launch of the Prof. G.O. Ajayi Foundation, an initiative established to honor and "reincarnate the overwhelming vision" of the late Professor.

Tribute to ex-president, late Muhammadu Buhari by Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo - ITREALMS

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With a deeply saddened heart and total submission to the will of Almighty Allah (SWT), I pay tribute to a towering figure in our national history, our beloved father, leader and elder statesman, His Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR. His passing is not only a monumental loss to his immediate family, but to the entire Nigerian nation, which he served with unmatched devotion and dignity.

As a soldier, General Buhari stood tall with courage, unwavering discipline and an incorruptible spirit. As a statesman and former President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he embodied the highest ideals of public service, personal sacrifice and national commitment. His journey through Nigeria’s turbulent political and security landscape remains a testament to his resilience, fortitude and selfless patriotism.

Late Prof. Wale Olaitan for burial Friday - ITREALMS

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The remains of former Vice Chancellor, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Prof. Wale Are Olaitan, would be interred on Friday, April 4, 2025, in his hometown, Ijebu-Igbo, reports ITREALMS. 

According to Kemi Olaitan in a press statement available to ITREALMS, on behalf of the Olaitan-Gbolade family, Ijebu-Igbo, the burial arrangements of the late educationist icon, would commence on Friday.

From ₦20 to Destiny: A Tribute to late Gen Jerry Useni by Osita Chidoka - ITREALMS

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I arrived in Abuja with my friend Jeff Okoli at about 8 p.m. on the last night of NYSC registration. We arrived at Kubwa camp for registration barely two hours before closing time. With just ₦20 in my pocket—my last card, as they say—I stepped into Kubwa camp with a cloud of uncertainty about how I would survive. I looked around the NYSC camp and decided there was no going back. This was my dream, and I had made it this far.

I arrived in Abuja, my dream NYSC location (I was posted to Abuja without any man know man) full of hope. My hope was to be a public servant, and my ambition was to retire as a Permanent Secretary. Fueled by this ambition, I started inquiring about how to join the public service. I learnt that Gen Abacha, then Head of State, had placed an embargo on employment. Undeterred, I made further enquiries and learnt of a small window; the NYSC Award led to automatic employment. 

Tribute to late Hajara Mohammed by Haruna Mohammed Salisu - ITREALMS

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This week is the 13th week since I lost my beloved mother Hajara Mohammed. I have tried several times to write this tribute but failed. I found myself struggling—unable to muster the emotional stability to pen down my thoughts. I am never the same again after her death, and there isn’t one bit of her life I could share. She wasn’t just my mom – she was my hero, the basis of all that I stand for as a person and a journalist.

The news of her passing reached me when I was in London for the ACOS Alliance Workshop, where more than 120 journalists and media organisations from across the globe had been meeting. It was great to be able to talk about the journey of WikkiTimes, and the challenges accountability journalists faced in Nigeria.

Committee unveils dates for late Prof Bene Madunagu burial - ITREALMS

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The funeral planning committee for the late Professor Bene Madunagu, a distinguished scholar, revolutionary activist, and feminist, has officially unveiled the details of her burial programme.

Professor Madunagu, who passed away on November 26, 2024, will be laid to rest on Friday, January 17, 2025.

IPI Nigeria mourns late treasurer, Rafatu Salami - ITREALMS

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The International Press Institute, Nigeria, is sad to announce the sudden death of its treasurer and erudite journalist, Hajiya Rafatu Salami, reports ITREALMS.

In a statement released Friday in Abuja, signed by Secretary, Mallam Ahmed I. Shekarau, the organisation described the late Rafatu Salami, as a journalist that made her mark in the profession and rose to the position of Assistant Director, Digital Media, at the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Late Ogbuefi Dominic Nweke’s funeral rites commences October 24 - ITREALMS

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The funeral rites of renowned community leader, late Ogbuefi Dominic Udegbunem Nweke, have been announced by the family in memory and celebration of his life after 91 years sojourn on earth.

A public statement by the family endorsed by the son and Group Executive Editor, ITREALMS Media group, Sir Remmy Nweke, indicated that his late father’s final funeral rites would commence on Thursday, October 24, 2024, with a wake at the family compound, Umuokpe village, Awba-Ofemili in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Neptune Prime publisher unveil cancer clinic, school, foundation for late journalists’ families - ITREALMS

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... As son weds in Yobe

The publisher of Neptune Prime newspapers, Dr Hassan Gimba, has announced plans to commission three major projects in his home state, Yobe State.

In an invitation letter sent to newsmen on Wednesday, the publisher disclosed that the event, which is scheduled to take place on August 31, is coinciding with the wedding Fatiha of his son, Barrister Suleiman Gimba.

CJN, Makinde, lawyers, associates pay glowing tributes to late Justice Gbolagunte - ITREALMS

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kayode Ariwoola; Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Senior Advocates of Nigeria, led by Chief Folake Solanke; lawyers; Judges of various courts; as well as associates on Monday converged on the premises of the Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, pouring encomiums and tributes on late Justice Adegboye Ayinla Gbolagunte, who died on June 24, 2024 at 64.

Justice Gbolagunte, of the Oyo State Judiciary, is survived by his widow, Wuraola Ayoola, and three children.

EK Clark mourns late Kalabari monarch - ITREALMS

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A former Minister in the first republic and convener of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), Chief EK Clark has described the late Kalabari Monarch, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill as a a perfect gentle man, imbued with dignity, reports ITREALMS.

He made this declaration during a visit by the members of the Central Working Committee on the burial programme for the Kalabari Monarch led by Prince Tonye Princewill as chairman.

Prof Quaynor: Africa needs open internet as late comers - ITREALMS

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Leading father of African Internet, and Ghanaian scientist, Prof. Nii Narku Quaynor has declared that the continent needs an open internet to catch up with development in the digital ecosystem, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking as a special guest at the 2023 African Peering and Interconnection Forum (AfPIF) in Accra-Ghana, Prof. Quaynor decried the incessant shutdowns of the Internet on the continent.

According to him, Africa as a late comer to the adoption of the Internet should not take any action capable of retarding the progress made in the Internet ecosystem since 1992.

Internet, he said has been in insistence 29 October 1969 when the first ARPANET message was sent from the site of the University of Carlifornia, Los Angeles (UCLA) to the Stanford Research Institute.

Stressing that based on packet switching and dynamic resource allocation, the sharing of information digitally from this first node of ARPANET launched the Internet revolution.

The Ghanaian born scientist and engineer who has played an important role in the introduction and development of the Internet throughout Africa.

“The Internet shut down in Africa should stop. Any potential for shutdown should be avoided,” he charged.

Prof. Quaynor also urged African Internet stakeholders, especially the government to promote affordable access to the internet and stop creating additional digital divide on the continent by shutting down the networks.




“We should have the goal of having one internet that is affordable. So, let us stop creating additional internet or digital divide in Africa by shutting down,” he appealed.

Africa, he maintained, was late to the Internet ecosytem, because it started in the 60s and as late comers must avoid anything to set the continent back.

In addition, Prof. Quaynor said that Internet should be included in any development project in Africa.

He cited an instance with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying that it will not succeed without the Internet component.

This is because, there is “No amount of online training that will replace handson” he said.

Much, he pointed out, have been done but more are expected by focusing on more critical resources through Internet Protocol (IP) resources.

While bemoaning the state of the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC), he called for more involvement of all African especially the Internet stakeholders on what goes on at AFRINIC which is a continental project.

ITREALMS gathered that AfPIF held between August 22 and 24, at the Movenpick Ambassadors Hotels, Accra-Ghana.

Remmy Nweke in Accra, Ghana/DoP

African Internet community mourns late Pierre Ouedraogo - ITREALMS

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The African Internet community has been thrown into mourning following the demise of its champions, late Mr. Pierre Ouedraogo, whose sad event occurred on Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Burkina Faso, reports ITREALMS.

For members of the African At-Large Regional Organisation (AFRALO) at its 5th General Assembly in Accra-Ghana, participants observed a minute silence in honour of the late Pierre Ouedraogo.

Family of late King T.J.T Princewill announces burial date - ITREALMS

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The family of the longest reigning monarch in Rivers State, His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom, has fixed the official date for the commencement of activities for the burial of the late king, reports ITREALMS.

According to the son, Prince Tonye Princewill, said, “The official date for the commencement of activities for the burial of the longest reigning monarch in Rivers State, His Serene Majesty, King Prof. T.J.T Princewill, Amachree the XI and Amanyanabo of the Kalabari Kingdom has been fixed for the 29th and the 30th of November."

TJAA mourns late Prof. Olayiwola Oso passage - ITREALMS

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The Times Journalism Alumni Association (TJAA) has received with shock the demise of one of the nation’s mass communications icons, late Prof. Olayiwola Oso, reports ITREALMS.

TJAA, a group of old students of Times Journalism Institute (TJI) Lagos, recalled that Prof Oso was in the academic faculty of TJI in the 1990s.

Bashir Kehinde Soliu passage: CSOs, Kwara Govt mourn late activist for impactful life - ITREALMS

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The Civil Society Organisations' (CSO) stakeholders in Nigeria are currently in pains due to the untimely death of one of their advocates, Mr. Bashir Kehinde Soliu, of the Ilorin-based Meadows Community Development Outreach (MCDO), describing him as someone who led an impactful life, reports ITREALMS.

This is coming as the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, has commiserated with the civil society community on the death of Mr. Soliu, describing it as shocking and painful.

Adesina eulogizes late Kofi Annan - ITREALMS

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The President of the African Development Bank, Akinwumi Adesina has eulogized the late former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi A. Annan, saying he will greatly miss his words of wisdom, reports ITREALMS.

A tribute made available to ITREALMS, Adesina said, "It is with much sadness that I learnt of the death of Mr. Kofi A. Annan, the former Secretary General of the United Nations.

"He was a great personal mentor and father to me. His simplicity, decency, uncommon humility, selflessness and compassion made him a gem for humanity.

"A distinguished gentleman. He was a global icon and a man of peace who stood firmly in support of good governance and accountability for leaders.

"He was my boss as Chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), when I was the Vice President for AGRA. He had an infectious passion for ending hunger and poverty in Africa. He greatly supported me when I was Minister of Agriculture in Nigeria, when he served as a member of the Eminent Persons Group that helped to support the transformation of agriculture in Nigeria.

“He energetically co-Chaired the High-level Panel of global leaders to support the African Development Bank in its efforts to accelerate Africa's development.

"As U.N. Secretary General and throughout a distinguished career, Mr. Annan made Africa stand tall globally. Africa has lost a great gem.

“I will greatly miss him and his rich words of wisdom. May his soul rest in peace.”

Chuks Egbune/ED, Ops.

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ICANN honours late Stephane Van Gelder with 2018 Multistakeholder Ethos prize – ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) would on Monday honor Stéphane Van Gelder, posthumously as the recipient of the 2018 Multistakeholder Ethos Award, reports ITRealms.

Late Stéphane Van Gelder, ITRealms gathered, died at the age of 51 years old, following a motorbike accident of which he and wife, Julie, were hit by a car on March 23, while on a stop at a traffic light. His wife, however, who was also injured, survived.

The community selection panel, ITRealms also gathered, decided to recognize, late Van Gelder, a long-time member of the ICANN community for his role and services over the years.

The prize presentation of the Multistakeholder Ethos Award, would take place this Monday morning, 25 June at ICANN62, which holds in Panama City by 8:30am local time, at the Convention Center Foyer, Megapolis Convention Center, Panama City, Panama.

ITRealms further gathered that the award would be presented to late Stéphane Van Gelder’s wife, Julie Talfournier Van Gelder on behalf of the community selection panel and the ICANN community.

Remmy Nweke in Panama City

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UN to honour late Osotimehin

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The United Nations (UN) would Friday, July 14, 2017 hold a memorial service for the late Professor Babatunde Osotimehin, reports ITRealms.

The memorial service, ITRealms gathered is in honour of the late Professor, who was passed away on June 4, 2017 in New York.

Information reaching ITRealms news desk affirmed that UN sees this honour as an important and solemn event to be held at Green Lawn, Front Yard of the UN House, Plot 617/618 Diplomatic Drive in central business district, Abuja.

ITRealms recalls that until his death, Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin was the Executive Director of United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) since 2011.

Osotimehin was a Nigerian physician, who served as Minister of Health, and later became the Executive Director of the United Nations Population Fund, holding the rank of Under-Secretary-General.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE 

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Late Madam Obiano goes home on July 19

ITRealms:

Late Mrs Christiana Obiano, nee Adinije is due to go home on Wednesday July 19, for final burial rites on Thursday, July 20, 2017, reports ITRealms.

Madam Obiano is the mother of the Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

According to Gov. Obiano, the family of Phillip Obiano of Eziagulu Aguleri in Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra, regretfully announced the passing of their Matriarch.

He also told ITRealms that late Mrs Obiano who died a few weeks back at the age of 90 was in born 1927.

The governor in a burial programme endorsed by himself and made available to ITRealms showed that Mama is survived by four children.

These he said include himself, Chief Cyril Obiano, Mrs. Queen Ihene, nee Obiano and Chief Evaristus Obiano as well as many grandchildren, relatives, friends and well-wishers.

Gov. Obiano equally revealed that mama would be buried on Thursday, July 20, this year after a requiem mass at Saint Joseph Catholic Church Podium, Aguleri.

On Wednesday, he said, there would be a vigil mass at Getchy Auditorium, Chief Willie Obiano compound, Aguleri by 5pm.

In addition, he confirmed to ITRealms that after the requiem mass follows the interment as well as the reception of guests at various designated locations.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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ITREALMS: Gov. Obiano's mother passes to glory