Bode George urges online publishers to tackle fake news and uphold journalism ethics - ITREALMS

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has charged members of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to take the lead in clearing the obstacles facing journalism, particularly the menace of fake news and unprofessional conduct among impostors in the industry.

Chief George gave this charge during the 9th Annual Conference of GOCOP, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: “Reconciling Campaign Promises with Governance Realities: Challenges and Prospects.”

Nigeria Prize for Science 2025: No winner, but standards and hope endure by Remmy Nweke

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The 2025 edition of the Nigeria Prize for Science closed without a winner, as the Advisory Board and judges concluded that none of the 112 entries submitted met the rigorous benchmarks of excellence demanded by Africa’s most prestigious scientific award.

At a press conference in Lagos, Professor Barth Nnaji, Chairman of the Advisory Board, said the decision was not taken lightly but was necessary to protect the credibility of the Prize, which is sponsored by Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG).

From Flight Mode to Full-Blown Trauma, a question for Ibom Air by Remmy Nweke - ITREALMS4GenZee

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So I'm scrolling, right? And I see this video that just breaks me. It's about Comfort Emmanson, and honestly, her story is a whole mood, but the one you never wanna feel. 

A faulty phone button led to her being dragged and shamed. And for what? For a "5 minutes of madness" moment? Nah, the airline's got some explaining to do. This isn't just a drama-filled clip; it's a deep dive into how messed up the system is.

Can we talk about how a simple trip to Lagos became a whole saga? 🤯 Comfort was literally just trying to get off her flight. She said she had a faulty phone, and the flight attendant, Juliana, was just not having it. 

If Kemi Badenoch were Igbo - ITREALMS

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If Kemi Badenoch were Igbo


Her actions would have affected the entire Igbo race

Her private decision to disparage Nigeria daily

Editorial@ITREALMS: Applause for OAU for wiping Gen-Z into line - ITREALMS

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In an age where digital trends often dictate societal norms and unbridled self-expression is glorified, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has done what many institutions shy away from: it has decisively moved to instill discipline and wipe the excesses of the 'Generation Z' into line.

The recent "Decision Extract" from June 13, 2025, detailing strict dress codes and behavioural mandates, is not merely a set of guidelines; it is a clear, unambiguous declaration that OAU will not compromise on standards, even if it means confronting the prevailing youth culture head-on. This bold stance deserves not just recognition, but a full-throated applause.

NGE'25: Enugu State, Agulu & Amichi lead digital security innovation - ITREALMS

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The 2025 Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) biennial national convention ended at the coal city, Enugu. REMMY NWEKE who was there writes that Enugu's Command and Control Centre, equipped with AI-enabled cameras, enhances crime-fighting capabilities. Agulu and Amichi's CCTV initiatives showcase community-led security; these innovations set a precedent for digital security in the South East.

Prelude:
A few days ago, this year's biennial national convention, 2025 get the coal city agog with the assemblage of exclusive members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), on the theme “Building A Secure and Cohesive Nigeria: The Role of Dialogue, Inclusion and the Media” at the International Conference Centre, Enugu.

Anambra refutes arrest of half-naked women, says its fake news - ITREALMS

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The Anambra State government led by Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has refuted fake news making a round on alleged arrest of half-naked women in the state, reports ITREALMS.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Christian Aburime, in a press statement available to ITREALMS, described the news as malicious and entirely falsehood on social media, which claimed that “Anambra State Government begins arrest of girls who walk around without bras and pants before they start walking naked.”

iPower: Empowering Nigeria’s renewable energy future - ITREALMS

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For decades, Nigeria’s power sector has been on shaky ground — struggling with unreliable electricity supply, aging infrastructure, and an overdependence on fossil fuels. Grid collapse has become a recurrent experience, forcing households and businesses to rely on expensive and polluting generators. Amid these challenges, past and present governments always paint a hopeful picture of reforms and investments aimed at improving the grid. Yet, in a world rapidly shifting towards renewable energy, true progress will not come from patching up a failing system but from embracing a sustainable, green energy future. Indigenous brands like iPower are already leading the way, proving that Nigeria does not have to be left behind.

The global energy landscape is undergoing a transformation. In fact, with the Paris Agreement, more than 110 countries have committed to a net zero emissions target by 2050. Renewable energy has become the new frontier as nations race to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Solar farms are stretching across the Sahara, wind turbines are rising along coastlines, and battery technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace. Countries like China, Japan, and the US, which once relied on coal and crude oil, are now investing heavily in clean energy solutions — not just for environmental reasons but because renewables are proving to be more economically viable in the long run.

Technically: Before roofing your dream house, consider this - ITREALMS

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It's alarming that despite the health implications of asbestos roofing sheets, many house builders in Nigeria still consider it fashionable against zinc, which is much cheaper. REMMY NWEKE in this piece compared the technology of asbestos and zinc roofing sheets, x-raying the pros and cons, as we enter 2025 in an attempt to reduce housing deficit in Nigeria.

Graduating from a higher institution in the North West Nigeria, Amin, 23, journeyed to the South-West in search of a job and better life. He settled down at Okokomaiko and was able to acquire land in nearby Agbara, few years later.

Clarity between AI companies and news publishers latest deal by Felix Simon - ITREALMS

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“What might be good for the parties involved isn’t necessarily beneficial to either industry, let alone society at large,” argues Reuter's researcher Dr Felix Simon.

2024 has been deal-making time for AI companies and news publishers. The Financial Times, Conde Nast, the Texas Tribune, Der Spiegel – according to data from the Tow Center at Columbia University at least 26 international publishers (depending on how you count) have struck licensing deals with (at times several) AI companies such as OpenAI, Microsoft and Perplexity since the start of the year. 

Road Safety: Between Ejidike, seat belt and Korope driver - ITREALMS

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REMMY NWEKE reminds Nigerian motorists and commuters that the ‘Mber months' are here again, stressing the importance of using seat belt for our safety.

 “… The use of the belt is not for the driver or Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), but for his own safety.”

Preface:
After waiting for over half an hour, penultimate Friday, the driver of the mini-bus known as Korope, entered behind the steering, with hope of taking the passengers from the National Stadium Gate at Surulere to Oshodi both in Lagos State.


Given his early bird boarding, Ejidike took the first passenger only seat in front and waited for others or the bus to be loaded.


As soon as the bus was filled, the driver switched on the engine, only then Ejidike reached out for the seat-belt. Initially, his efforts to reach the seat-belt was met by resisting comments from the driver, who actually advised that Ejidike literally forget about the seat belt.


In his usual self, Ejidike ignored him, knowing fully what he wanted by way of safety and at over 50 years, which half has been spent in Lagos, he went ahead to put on the seat-belt while the driver continued to rant; reaching out for his brand of sachet gin drink from one of his ankra dress pockets.

Nobody uses that belt here:
One message stood out, that after the fuming, he declare that ‘no body uses that belt in his bus, which Ejidike retorted that the use of the belt is not for the driver or Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), but for his own safety.


This brings to mind, that a few weeks ago, Ejidike was on transit to Enugu State and obviously encountered same character in a driver that took him from Oji River to Four Corner. To cut the long story short, the driver, supposed elderly who should knew the need for seat belt advised him to leave that when he attempted putting it on, after all, no one in form of FRSC also known as road safety, will disturb them on the route.


Whose duty to use seat belt in commercial vehicle?
Telecoms Clinic then went to social media and Facebook to be precise asking “Whose duty is it to use seat belt in commercial vehicle; Driver or passenger?” Most respondents agreed that both the driver and passenger should use their seat belts always. Then a follow-up question was “what happens when you board a bus and driver commands you not to use the belt? Whereas Prince Abiodun Bayo was skeptic about a ‘trained’ driver dishing out such a command, posited that “most drivers will insist that you should use your belt. It will be strange for a driver to stop you from using the belt even when he doesn’t insist.”


And for a digital right advocate, @Nnenna Nwakanma, “The law in Côte d'Ivoire says that UNTIL both are belted, (especially in the front seats) the driver CANNOT turn on the ignition.” While @Tunde Omis described seat belt as a “utility not a possession in a car.”

And the Minister died:
Telecoms Clinic recalled after the death of a serving Federal Minister of State for Labour, Mr. James Ocholi, wife and son, who all reportedly died recently due to non-usage of seat belt at the back, that the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) had resolved to enforce speed limit device and rear seat belt usage.

The immediate past Corp Marshal, Mr. Boboye Oyeyemi had warned that most Nigerians, especially those who are described as ‘car-owners’ and who usually seat at the rear should imbibe the habit of wearing their seat belts among rear passengers, stressing that if they do, and even have a company at the rear, definitely such a passenger should wear theirs as well.

Globally, about 50% of those killed in vehicular accidents died for non-usage of seat belt.

For instance, in 2022, estimated 25,420 passenger vehicle occupants killed, while seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and which could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone.

As stated by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in 2022, Telecoms Clinic gathered that data showed seat belt use was at 91.6 per cent, and unrestrained occupant deaths accounted for 49.8 per cent.


Use your seat belt, save a life:
Experts at the United States-based NIH informed that passenger’s seat belt is crucial to surviving a crash, enjoining that they make it a habit to always buckle up every time. Pointing out that in 2022, half of passenger vehicle occupants who died in crashes were unrestrained, noting that from 1975 through 2017, seat belts have saved an estimated 374,276 lives, even as they advised “Wear your seat belt every time—no matter how uncomfortable it feels or how far you're going.”


Olumuyiwa Joshua Ogundele et al in a 2013 study available to Telecoms Clinic on “The impact of seat-belts in limiting the severity of injuries in patients presenting to a university hospital in the developing world” published by NIH revealed, that about 1.2 million people were killed each year in road crashes worldwide, with up to 50 million more injured. Over 95% of these deaths and injuries occur in the low- and middle-income countries of the world.


The study, Telecoms Clinic also gathered, evaluated the impact of the use of seat-belts in reducing the severity of injuries from road traffic crashes, determine compliance and awareness of the importance of the use of seat-belts among 140 Nigerian motorists; which outcome showed that a total of 81 (57%) patients used seat-belts, while 59 (42.1%) did not. Nineteen (13.6%) patients died as a result of their injuries; 4 (21.1%) of these had used seat-belts, while 15 (79%) had not (P = 0.001). The mortality rate of 79% for patients who did not use seat-belt was statistically significant.


Lack of information:
Telecoms Clinic equally gathered that there was no much information about how many vehicle accidents in Nigeria who were due to non-use of seat belts, but Naija Vibes reported existence of some related information about seat belt use in Nigeria, such as seat belt use in Makurdi, citing a study of 500 vehicles in Makurdi, Nigeria, where some 5% of vehicles had no seat belts at all. Noting that in overall analysis, seat belt compliance was 57%. Compliance was highest among car occupants and private vehicles, and lowest among commercial vehicle occupants.

For instance, efforts to get any update on seat belt usage from Road Safety spokesman and Corps Public Education, Assistant Corps Marshal, Jonas Agwu, proved abortive.


Submissions:
Though, according to study, Nigeria has one of the highest death rates across the African continent, with 33.7 per cent deaths per 100,000 population per year and considering that Nigerian motorists and commuters have some factors affecting their use of seat belt, which include socio-cultural, law enforcement, and availability of seat belts in vehicles especially on Tokunbos; imported used car, which have become often first own-driven cars by a huge middle class in Nigeria.

Whereas it has become crucial at last quarter of the year also known as ‘Mber months, namely October, November and December; in Nigeria for people to wear seat belts these festive season, which could reduce the risk of fatalities in road traffic accidents by 40-50% among front seat occupants and by 25-75% among rear seat car passengers, according to experts.


Hence, there is no doubt that seat-belt is an effective safety tool that not only saves lives, but also reduces significantly the severity of the injury associated with a vehicle occupant in the event of any accident, even as more public enlightenment cannot be over-emphasised to increase the awareness and compliance of use of seat-belts among Nigerian automobilist, moreso the drivers like the one encountered by Ejidike.

Digital News Report'24 by Reuters excites Legit.NG, emerges top online - ITREALMS

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The Legit.ng, has emerged the most popular digital media company in Nigeria by reach and readership in the newly published Reuters Institute of Journalism Report’s Digital News Report 2024, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking about the rise of digital media organisations and how players in this space are taking over the newsroom, Reuters reported that media organisations like Legit.ng are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance content personalisation, assist with fact-checking, and for customer support.

May-hem: EFCC arrests 193 suspects on Internet fraud in 20 days - ITREALMS

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Since the beginning of the fifth month of 2024, May, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has made a total of 193 arrests related to cyber crimes and internet fraud across various cities in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

Also, ITREALMS investigations on the number of convictions by the EFCC in 2021 showed that there were some 35 cases, just as 54 cases were mentioned on cyber crimes, even as cybercrime as compound word appeared 339 in the 174 page document.

How BrandXchange is empowering Nigerian consumers by Elvis Eromosele - ITREALMS

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In today’s fast-paced world, consumers are the driving force behind any successful business. They invest their hard-earned money in goods and services with the expectation of a satisfactory experience. However, not all brands live up to their promises, leaving consumers disappointed and disheartened.

Addressing this issue, BrandXchange, an innovative platform, has taken the bold step of empowering Nigerian consumers to give feedback on brands across various categories. Through their Consumer Value Awards (CVA) program, consumers now have a voice in determining the value of brands in 2023.

The world needs visionary, courageous leaders by Austin Okere - ITREALMS

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Today’s leaders must be effective communicators who embrace depolarization, paradox, and compassion—and who take action without fear.

• As society faces a range of global challenges, it looks for leaders who can create positive change and share responsibility across sectors.

Azuh denies fake news by Opera, Anchor, says both are two of a kind - ITREALMS

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The publisher and editor-in-chief of YES International Magazine, Mr. Azuh Arinze has described the duo of Opera News, and Anchor Network as den of fake news, over reports that he granted an interview with Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, reports ITREALMS

Refuting a recent publication by Opera News and Anchor Network, Mr. Azuh said his attention was drawn to the "silly and unfounded publications by Opera News and Anchor Network about His Excellency, Mr. Peter Obi, which they attributed to me."

Telecoms Clinic: Harvest of layoffs & Tech governance - ITREALMS

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Since the last quarter of 2022, the technology industry globally has witnessed series of layoffs. REMMY NWEKE now asked about the impact of good corporate governance, inclusion and expulsion in this seasons of layoffs.

In the beginning:

A 25-year old lady, Minat, until January 20, literally worked in what nowadays is famed as one of the technology industry companies as a ‘design engineer’ and during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, she got serious with her relationship and took it to the next level. Today, she has a daughter, about two years old and she just delivered a baby son during the last quarter of 2022. In fact, she was on maternity leave till this moment.

Wakeup call! Nigeria must lead by creative technoligical development - ITREALMS

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"It’s amazing how you all sit there and watch yourselves die; the man next to me said 'Get up and do something about it.'"

Brawny Walter, fully bald-headed, with intense, steely eyes, he was as cold as they come. When I first discovered, I was going to spend my New Year’s Eve next to him on a non-stop JetBlue flight from Los Angeles to Boston, I was angst-ridden. I associate marble-shaven Caucasians with iconoclastic skin-heads, most of who are racist.

When Supreme Court Justices turn whistleblowers - ITREALMS

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It was an unprecedented dramatic exploit, an unforced disclosure least expected from the unlikeliest of quarters. 

Inside the court at the apex of courts, the presumed fortress of judicial rectitude and the last bastion of cryptic conservatism, the Pandora’s box that has been well preserved for decades was prised open. And the stench was overpowering with allegations of missing funds and gross incompetence.  

Latifah: I'm a professional butter cream queen - ITREALMS

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The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Exclusive House of Cakes and Catering Services Limited; Exclusive Plus Events & Exclusive Kitchen, Oyedokun Latifah Oluseyi (Mrs), described herself to ITREALMS’ GBEMI OMOTOSO as the professional butter cream queen, noting that social media is a new heaven for all small-scale businesses.

Excerpts:

What are you into?

I'm a certified baker, a Caterer with class, an outstanding Cake Instructor and unique events planner cum decorator.