@59: Irona celebrated as steadfast, trusted leader - ITREALMS

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It was a moment of heartfelt tributes and celebration on Friday, as family, friends, political allies, and well-wishers gathered at the Abuja residence of former Deputy Governor of Imo State, Engr. Gerald Irona, to mark his 59th birthday.

Speakers hailed Irona as a principled, dependable, and courageous leader whose legacy continues to inspire trust and admiration.

Oluatuegwu @65: Celebrating A Visionary Leader, Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo by CFA - ITREALMS

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Today, we celebrate a leader whose unwavering commitment to “Everything Technology, Technology Everywhere” is turning bold ideas into real impact for Ndi Anambra.

As someone privileged to lead the Anambra State ICT Agency, driving e-governance initiatives, and now the Geeks & Founders Alliance for Soludo (GEFAS), a coalition of tech professionals, founders, and enthusiasts advancing technology and championing the re-election of Governor Soludo, I see first-hand how Mr. Governor’s vision keeps challenging us to push boundaries: from digitizing government operations to expanding free Solution WiFi, deploying smart solutions, and driving public-private partnerships that create jobs and make Anambra truly work for the people.

Sophos is leader in 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms - ITREALMS

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Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced that it has been named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP), marking the 16th consecutive time the company has received this recognition. 

Sophos has been recognized in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Endpoint Protection Platforms (EPP) since the inaugural publication for this category in 2007.

IPOB separatist leader, Simon Ekpa, 4 others arrested in Finland - ITREALMS

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The troubled Finnish-Nigerian separatist and leader of the Auto-Pilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Simon Njoku Ekpa and four others, have been arrested in Finland on terrorism-related charges, reports ITREALMS.

A Finnish local media reported that Ekpa, the self-styled Prime Minister of Biafra Republic Government In-Exile, was remanded in custody by the district court of Päijät-Häme on suspicion of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.

Check Point: A leader in enterprise firewall solutions evaluation - ITREALMS

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Leading cyber security platform provider of AI-powered, cloud delivered solutions, the Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. has been named a leader in The Forrester Wave: Enterprise Firewalls, Q4 2024 report. 

Forrester, a leading global research and advisory firm, states in its report that, “Check Point excels with collaborative tools,” which we believe further validates our platform approach to offer enterprises a full suite of top-tier cyber security products.

Akpabio: Tinubu, a transformational leader, development democrat - ITREALMS

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The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, CON has congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of his 72nd birthday hailing him as a transformational leader.

Akpabio, in a congratulatory message released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Hon. Eseme Eyiboh also described President Tinubu as a developmental democrat and bridge builder.

Sophos: Global leader in IDC MarketScape for endpoint security - ITREALMS

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Sophos, a global leader in innovating and delivering cybersecurity as a service, has announced its recognition as a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Modern Endpoint Security for Midsize Businesses 2024 Vendor Assessment, which evaluates the solutions and business strategies of 16 modern endpoint security (MES) vendors.

Sophos Endpoint defends more than 300,000 organizations worldwide against advanced attacks with anti-ransomware, anti-exploitation, behavioral analysis, and other technologies that stop threats before they escalate. In the report, IDC applauds Sophos Endpoint for including “a more expansive set of protection technologies (host-based firewall and IDS/IPS, device control, DLP, and encryption) as standard features in its endpoint security offering.” In addition, “in the discipline of systematically strengthening customers’ security posture, Sophos has a strong set of features in customer security advisory recently enhanced with an account health-checking feature (detecting and remediating security configuration drift).” The report also praises Sophos for adding “several new capabilities: adaptive attack protection, critical attack warning and data protection and recovery” to further mitigate risks.

Alema: Uduaghan, a perfect gentleman and leader par excellence - ITREALMS

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The former Delta State Governor, Dr Emmanuel Eweta Uduaghan, has been hailed as an extraordinary leader, an epitome of humility, selflessness, patriotism, a perfect gentleman and a leader par excellence.

In a congratulatory message on Uduaghan’s 69th birthday, the Alema of Warri and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Webster Group of Companies, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, expressed his admiration for the former governor’s wisdom, humility and courage.

500,000 hectares: IDA president, Fanawopo urges FG on mechanised farming - ITREALMS

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The President of Igbajo Development Association (IDA), Mr. Sola Fanawopo, has urged the Federal Government to optimise technology via mechanised farming to achieve its proposed 500,000 hectares farmland policy, reports ITREALMS.

Reacting to the recent pronouncement by the Federal Government’s agriculture revolution policy geared at cultivating 500 hectares of farmland to tackle food shortages in the country, he said assured of his community open arms to boost output based on Igbajo landmass.

Redeemers Men’s Fellowship Business Summit: RCCG leader explains why Christians are poor - ITREALMS

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As millions of Nigerians are groaning under harsh economic climate, a Professor and Pastor at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Prof. Solomon Adekunle Bello has explained the reasons behind poverty within the Christians community and the steps to take to escape poverty.

Prof. Bello, Pastor in Charge of Lagos province 71 (LP71) who delivered the lead paper at the Business Summit of the Redemeers Men's Fellowship of the LP71, Divine Connection Zone with the theme: 'For Christians Not Be Poor, To Avoid Conflicts And Financial Crises' said, “poverty is not for any true child of God. As long as men continue to sin against God, they will continue to struggle.”

Ebenebe massacre: Police kills cultist gang leader - ITREALMS

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The Police in the Anambra State command has killed the gang leader of cultist who a fortnight ago orchestrated the Ebenebe massacre at a burial party, reports ITREALMS.

Some of the victims of the gang at Ebenebe

Confirming this at a press briefing in Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday, the state Commissioner of Police, Echeng Echeng identified the cultist gang leader as Uchenna Nwobu alias 'Anali'.

Tinubu condoles Nigeria on Anenih: A resolute leader for unity - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The former governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress national stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has described the former Minister of Works, Chief Tony Anenih, who died on Sunday as a leader who was resolutely committed to the unity and cohesion of the country, reports ITREALMS.

He said in a statement last night by his Media Office and endorsed by Tunde Rahman, saying "Chief Anenih was a foremost politician and elder-stateman. He was resolutely committed to the unity and cohesion of this country. He worked for the upliftment of his Uromi hometown and Edo State, as he worked for the growth and development of Nigeria.

"A politician of immense repute. He gave so much to party politics and democracy in the country.

As one of the founding fathers of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he played a key role in the country's resurgent democracy. It was no surprise that he later emerged the Chairman, Board of Trustees of PDP.

"Our path crossed in the Social Democratic Party where he was our national chairman. I recall that he was an energetic politician who played politics with all that he was imbued with.

"I commiserate with his family. I pray that they find the strength and courage to live without their patriarch. I also commiserate with Governor Godwin Obaseki and the government and people of Edo State".

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: Late Chief Tony Anineh

FG rejects appointment of new Boko Haram leader

ITRealms:

The Federal Government of Nigeria has rejected the alleged appointment of a new Boko Haram leader, describing it as a cheap propaganda, reports ITRealms.

Reports have it that the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has appointed a new leader for Boko Haram in the name of Abu Musab Al-Barnawi.

Reacting to the announcement, the Federal Government through the Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, dismissed the appointment, saying it is too late to employ such tactics to revive the defeated Nigerian terrorist organization.

He told members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) attending the 2016 Annual Conference of Editors (ANEC) in Port Harcourt, on Thursday during the opening ceremony.

''By the way, don't believe the cheap propaganda by the global terrorist group ISIS, which has reportedly named a new leader for Boko Haram. Our gallant military has put Boko Haram on the run and nothing will bring back the terrorists, not even the wishful thinking by ISIS,'' the Minister said in his remarks at the ongoing All Nigerian.

According to reports, ISIS, to which Boko Haram is affiliated, has named Abu Musab Al-Barnawi as the new leader of Boko Haram.

He also urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reach out to the security agencies if they suspect any security breach in their environment.

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Globalstar unveils SmartOne C for satellite asset management

ITRealms:

Leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, Globalstar Incorporated has unveiled its latest simplex asset manager, tagged SmartOne C, reports ITRealms.

Director of Marketing, Globalstar Europe Satellite Services Ltd, Gavan Murphy confirmed this to ITRealms, saying this new offering ‘SmartOne C’ complements Globalstar’s existing SmartOne B model while opening up new opportunities for a wide range of businesses to monitor and manage their fixed and portable assets including shipping containers, transport trailers, construction machinery and vehicle fleets.

In a press statement made available to ITRealms, Murphy noted that at the core of the SmartOne C is an accelerometer that alerts owners to any unexpected motion, such as attempts of theft. The device can dynamically report asset status and monitor faults, both of which can significantly enhance operating efficiency across numerous metrics. 

“Since the launch of the original SmartOne in 2012, over 150,000 units have been shipped and used across multiple industry sectors including multimodal, aviation, alternative energy and military customers,” Murphy said.

He stressed that this enhanced model expands Globalstar’s Simplex solutions portfolio set and offers commercial and governmental customers the opportunity to benefit from the smallest simplex asset manager in the marketplace.

Murphy also quoted the chairman and CEO of Globalstar, Jay Monroe, as saying that harnessing the power of the Internet of Things has the potential to help businesses and governments realize numerous operational efficiency benefits. 

“The reliability and reach of our global LEO satellite network allows us to offer a superior M2M management service and with the launch of SmartOne C, we can continue to provide compact, feature-rich, cost-effective solutions,” the chairman said. 

Further, he said, evidence of the robustness of SmartOne, showed that should the line power be interrupted or fail, the SmartOne B and SmartOne C both automatically switch to battery back-up to provide uninterrupted transmissions. 

“The SmartOne C uses four AAA 1.5V lithium batteries that provide over 1.5 years of battery life. Using line-power enables shorter messaging intervals for more frequent monitoring of an asset’s location or reporting of external sensor state,” he pointed out.

The CEO went on to explain that the SmartOne C uses motion sensors, comparative GPS positions and custom configured sensors to gather and transmit asset status information. 

“It is designed for easy installation, without requiring external antennas or power. Customers can choose from a variety of software applications from Globalstar’s network of Value Added Resellers allowing the device to be custom-configured for each asset’s specific management needs, providing remote access to asset data, and providing alerts to managers/authorities via customized Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), by email or text,” he said.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

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Cisco names Siyabonga Madyibi GAD for Africa

Worldwide leader in Information Technology (IT), Cisco Africa, has named Mr Siyabonga Madyibi as its first-ever Government Affairs Director (GAD) for Africa, reports ITRealms.

In his new role, ITRealms reports that Siyabonga, who has over 14 years’ experience in telecom policy, will lead Cisco's government affairs and public policy strategy in Africa, engaging with top government officials and key policy makers in Africa. 

ITRealms also reports that he would be focusing initially on South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria by working in close partnership and alignment with Cisco’s Africa Leadership team, led by David Meads, the Vice President for Africa at Cisco, on policies and relationships that will advance Cisco’s businesses on the continent. 

Reacting to his appointment, Mr. Madyibi said, he looks forward to leading Cisco’s Government Affairs programme in Africa given its important and integral role in Cisco’s strategy for growth in Africa.

“With the technology market currently growing at an exponential rate and governments playing an important role helping to develop the opportunities that are being created, Cisco aims to actively partner with government departments to help drive this growth and build on these opportunities,” he said.

Cisco, ITRealms gathered noted that as the home to nine of the world’s fifteen fastest growing economies, Africa is ripe for transformation making it an increasingly attractive environment for global business investments.

Technology, Cisco officials asserted to ITRealms, is at an inflection point, in which it can transform African economies and create many new opportunities, with the increased digitization of countries.  Subsequently, governments throughout the continent are now increasingly becoming aware of the importance of growth in ICT and the benefits it can offer. 

Cisco projects that 50 billion devices - or “things” - will be connected to the internet by 2020, offering a platform for African countries to use this to achieve greater broadband penetration across the continent leading to improvements that will better social and economic prosperity for its citizens.

For the past decade Siyabonga has led the government and regulatory strategy for Dimension Data in Africa. Before that, he worked with the South African Regulator, ICASA, and for MTN, one of the leading mobile operators in the telecoms sector in Africa. Siyabonga holds a BA Law degree from the University of Cape Town and an LLB degree from the University of Natal.

Equally speaking, Pastora Valero, Senior Director, Government Affairs, Cisco Europe, Middle East & Africa and Russia CIS (EMEAR) said they are delighted to have Siyabonga on board especially at a time when they are witnessing considerable growth and investment in ICT throughout Africa which makes proactive engagement with governments a vital strategic imperative for us at Cisco.

“I look forward to working with him as a key contributor to our global Government Affairs team as we actively support African governments in the drive to increase access to affordable, reliable technology,” Valero said.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +Cisco  @CiscoNigeria
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MasterCard’s Priceless Africa lands in Nigeria

 

 ITRealms:

Leader in electronic payment system, MasterCard, Monday, launched its Priceless Africa campaign in Lagos, Nigeria.

Divisional President, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Mr. Daniel Monehin, told ITRealms at a media launch, said that the initiative is a part of the global Priceless Cities campaign, which aims at rewarding consumers in Nigeria for their loyalty and to enhance their journey towards embracing cashless transactions.

Nigeria, he said, would join other 26 MasterCard Priceless destinations across the globe in this campaign, as consumers get to enjoy the best in travel, attractions, sports, dining, shopping and entertainment.

“Nigeria has been making great strides in the transition towards becoming a cashless economy, owing to the drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Through the Priceless Africa campaign, MasterCard aims to reward consumers who have adopted cashless transactions and are already benefiting from the security and convenience they bring. The campaign incorporates all MasterCard debit, prepaid and credit card users in Nigeria,” he said.

Monehin, also noted that Nigeria already appreciates the immense benefits that cashless transactions have to offer and the Priceless Africa launch could not have come at a better time, when more and more consumers are adopting electronic payments.

“As we make strides towards a world beyond cash in Nigeria and across Africa, we create opportunities like these to reward our valued consumers with unrivalled experiences that help them pursue their passions and encourage a continual shift from cash to electronic payments,” he said.

The Priceless Africa campaign, he explained, also aims to make Nigeria an attractive destination for visitors travelling to the country for business or leisure. It will also give Nigerian cardholders access to a plethora of experiences and offers in their preferred travel destinations around the world.

“We understand that many international visitors are coming to Nigeria for business and leisure so we want to create a conducive environment to experience all that this great country has to offer. According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Lagos was in the top 5 of the most visited cities in Middle East and Africa and registered 2.2 million international overnight visitors in the second quarter of 2013. Nigeria is a strategic country for MasterCard and through the priceless opportunities we create for residents and overseas visitors, we aim to bring out the depth of African warmth and hospitality,” Monehin said.

In his remarks, Tarek Abdelnabi, Vice-President Marketing, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, said that MasterCard is delighted to introduce the Priceless Cities platform to consumers across the region, as an appreciation of their loyalty and engagement.

“We are working closely with our local partners to enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a global destination, by creating unique experiences for residents and tourists. MasterCard places its consumers at the core of all it does; and by making their experiences in Nigeria or around the world unforgettable and priceless, we are doing just that,” Abdelnabi said.

Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head for MasterCard in West Africa, said that some of the experiences and offers that consumers would enjoy in Nigeria vary from luxurious beach retreats, food and dining discount offers at selected restaurants, unforgettable entertainment experiences, travel and shopping experiences from around the world, and access to exciting sporting events.

She reiterated that Priceless Africa is part of MasterCard’s Priceless Cities platform, which was initiated in New York City in July 2011. This campaign, she said, would be extended to other countries in Africa, with the aim of connecting consumers through Priceless experiences across the continent. The launch of Priceless Africa follows the launch of Priceless Arabia in Dubai in September 2013.
 

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Pix: L-R: Daniel Lanre Monehin, Division President, Sub-Saharan Africa at MasterCard;  Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head for MasterCard in West Africa and Tarek Abdelnabi, Vice-President Marketing, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, during the MasterCard Priceless Africa launch to the media at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday, September 30, 2013