Breaking News: GEJ signs cyber crime bill into law

ITRealms:

In what seems like a pathing gift for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector in Nigeria, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) has signed the long-awaited Cybercrime bill into law, reports ITRealms.

Reports exclusively reaching ITRealms indicated that Mr. President signed this Act on Friday, May 15 at Aso Villa late afternoon.

This is a much clamoured cybercrime law has suffered set back in scaling through the National Assembly since early days of return of democracy in the country.

Our source, also told ITRealms that this is commendable and passes as another demonstration of political goodwill by the outgoing president, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

 
ITRealms recalled that the first was the conceding defeat to an opposition party at the just concluded presidential election by a sitting president, which earned President Jonathan acclaimed global statesman. 

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
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2015 polls: President Jonathan congratulates Buhari

ITRealms:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Tuesday evening conceded defeat and congratulated the Presidential candidate of the opposition party, General Muhammed Buhari (rtd), reports ITRealms.

According to ITRealms resource, President Jonathan extended his congratulation via a telephone conversation at 5:50pm, analysts said the immediacy with which President Jonathan conceded was to avert any form of violence in the country.

ITRealms recalls that Jonathan was the Presidential candidate of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) while Gen. Buhari stood in for the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the March 28, 2015 Presidential elections held across Nigeria, the most populous black nation.

Although ITRealms gathered that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is yet to declare any of the 14 presidential candidates a winner based on the final result, at the time of filing this report, political and public analysts alluded the conceding by President Jonathan to the fact that most of the results up to 30 states out of the 36 states have been released by the INEC State Collation Officers, who are mainly Vice Chancellors of various universities in the country.

Also, analysts posited, President Jonathan is living out his words that no Nigerian blood is worth his political ambition, hence, he quickly conceded to avert any political upheavals.

Political commentators have started already to also eulogise President Jonathan for conceding, saying that is the mark of a good leader, even as it could be read that Nigerians have conducted themselves during the 2015 elections.

ITRealms reports that with this action by Mr. President, has not silenced any form of rejection of the electoral results, which lured its presence earlier in the day when PDP stalwart, Mr. Godsdey Orubebe openly challenged the INEC leadership on allegation of favouritism and ethnically bias in support of APC.

Also, the president-elect, General Buhari has called on his supporters to see the outcome of the election as victory for all Nigerians.

Speaking through the APC publicity secretary, Alhaji Lia Mohammed, urged supporters to remain calm and peaceful, warning they must not destroy properties or lives, especially those belonging to the PDP supporters.

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I’ve given INEC support to deliver free, fair, credible elections – Jonathan

ITRealms:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has revealed his administration gave the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all the necessary support to deliver free, fair and credible elections in the forthcoming coming 2015 general elections beginning tomorrow, Saturday, March 28 through April 11.

“I made a commitment on assumption of office to progressively deliver freer, fairer and more credible elections in our country,” Jonathan asserted.

ITRealms reports that President Jonathan made this assertion in his national broadcast delivered today Friday on the eve of the general elections 2015.

“In keeping with that commitment, the Federal Government has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it conducts very successful elections tomorrow and on April 11,” President Jonathan assures.

On the other hand, he said that INEC has assured on its readiness for the elections, and he believe Nigerians trust they are certainly ready than ever before, especially prior to the rescheduling of 2015 general elections.

He expressed hope that millions of Nigerians who were yet to receive their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as at February 14, and would have been unfairly disenfranchised if the polls had gone ahead  on that date, seized the opportunity of the re-scheduling to collect their cards and could now exercise their right to vote tomorrow.

He also commended the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces have successfully stemmed the seizure of Nigerian territories in the North-East by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. 

“They have recaptured most of the communities and territories formerly occupied by the insurgents, making it possible for thousands of internally-displaced Nigerians to begin returning to their homes and communities,” he noted.

President Jonathan further warned those who may be planning to ferment troubles, during and after the elections to rethink.

“Let me warn, however, that as President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times. I will never abdicate my responsibilities in that regard,” he said.

Democracy, he insisted allows dissent, but it encourages differences and even fervent disagreements, yet elections must never be mistaken for war or an opportunity to set fellow citizens against each other and tear a beloved nation apart.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) 

Full text of President’s address:

Dear Compatriots,

1.            As we prepare to go to the polls tomorrow, I have come before you this morning to express my immense appreciation for the opportunity you gave me to lead this great nation of ours in the past four years.

2.           I also wish to place on record, once again, my sincere gratitude for the support you have given my administration without which the significant progress we have made in recent years would not have been possible.

3.           In spite of the many challenges we have had to contend with since 1999, our present democratic dispensation continues to endure and grow stronger in keeping with the yearnings and aspirations of our people.

4.           We have all worked very hard to nurture and strengthen our democratic institutions and promote the good governance practices which they were designed to deliver for the better well-being of our people.

5.           I believe I can say without fear of contradiction that we all clearly cherish the democracy we now have and will never willingly give it up for any other form of governance. 

6.           This much-cherished democracy of ours is about to be put to the test once again. 

7.           I urge you all to troop out en-masse to peacefully perform your civic duty of voting for leaders of your choice tomorrow.

8.          As we do so, let us all - political party leaders, contestants, party members, party agents, supporters and ordinary voters alike, be very conscious of the fact that the eyes of the entire world are on us. 

9.           We must therefore comport ourselves in a manner that will further strengthen our democracy and consolidate our place in the comity of truly democratic nations.

10.       I made a commitment on assumption of office to progressively deliver freer, fairer and more credible elections in our country. In keeping with that commitment, the Federal Government has given the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) all necessary support to ensure that it conducts very successful elections tomorrow and on April 11.

11.        We have all been assured that INEC is fully ready for the elections. I believe that we can all trust that they are certainly more ready now than they may have been before security issues and other concerns necessitated a re-scheduling of the dates for the 2015 general elections. 

12.       As an administration, we welcome the fact that millions of Nigerians who were yet to receive their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) as at February 14, and would therefore have been unfairly disenfranchised if the polls had gone ahead  on that date, have seized the opportunity of the re-scheduling to collect their cards and can now exercise their right to vote tomorrow.

13.       We are also glad that our gallant Armed Forces have successfully stemmed the seizure of Nigerian territories in the North-East by the terrorist group, Boko Haram. 

14.       They have recaptured most of the communities and territories formerly occupied by the insurgents, making it possible for thousands of internally-displaced Nigerians to begin returning to their homes and communities. 

15.       I heartily commend the very courageous men and women of our Armed Forces for the immense sacrifices which they continue to make in defending the nation and protecting its citizens. 

16.       I also thank all Nigerians for keeping faith with us over the past six weeks.

17.       I call on all political parties and politicians in the country to allow the free, unfettered will of our people to be expressed without any hindrance in the coming elections in keeping with the hallowed principles and tenets of democratic governance which we all profess.

18.      The will of the people freely expressed through the ballot is the bedrock of all democracies and ours cannot be an exception. 

19.       Let us all therefore be prepared, as true democrats, to graciously accept the outcome of the elections as the rightful choice of our people from whom all political powers in our democracy must emanate.

20.     My administration has done its utmost best in the past four years to deliver on our promise to positively transform our country. 

21.       Tomorrow’s election is another very important milestone as we continue our march towards the fulfillment of our God-given potential for greatness.

22.      The election offers us another opportunity to empower leaders of our choice once again, and to show the world that genuine democracy is alive and well in our beloved nation.

23.      I will like to restate my belief that no political ambition can justify violence or the shedding of the blood of our people.

24.      I reaffirm once again, my personal preparedness to ensure fair play during the elections and to deploy the resources and institutions of state only in the manner prescribed by our laws.

25.      Let me warn, however, that as President, Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, I am under oath to protect the lives of all Nigerians and the security of our country at all times. I will never abdicate my responsibilities in that regard.

26.      Democracy allows dissent. It encourages differences and even fervent disagreements. But elections must never be mistaken for war or an opportunity to set fellow citizens against each other and tear our beloved nation apart.

27.       Those who may harbor any intentions of testing our will by unleashing violence during the elections in order to advance their political ambitions should think again as all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure that any persons who breach the peace or cause public disorder during or after the elections are speedily apprehended and summarily dealt with according to our laws.

28.     The nation’s security agencies are also fully prepared and ready to deal decisively with any group or persons who attempt to disrupt the peaceful conduct of the elections or cause any form of public disorder.

29.       Our dear country, Nigeria is the largest democracy amongst black nations of the world. We are a nation of great accomplishments, with a proud history of evolving affinities.

30.     Let us go out tomorrow to vote peacefully and set a fitting example of political maturity for other emerging democracies to follow.

31.       I wish you all and our dear nation, very peaceful and successful elections.

32.      May God Almighty continue to bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

33.      I thank you all. 

*NATIONAL BROADCAST BY PRESIDENT GOODLUCK EBELE JONATHAN, GCFR ON THE 2015 GENERAL ELECTIONS, FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015.

 
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Pres. Goodluck Jonathan unveils new N100 note

DigitalSENSE Business News:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Wednesday, November 12 in Abuja unveiled a new N100 note, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

The new banknote, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered was produced by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in commemoration of the nation’s centenary celebration since its amalgamation in 1914.

DigitalSENSE Business News also gathred that the new N100 note was officially unveiled at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja by President Goodluck Jonathan.

CBN Governor Mr. Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who made a presentation to FEC before the unveiling noted that the new N100 note was produced with the most advanced technology in the world pointing out that it still retained the picture of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo on the front side.

According to him, the new N100 note has security features against counterfeiting and with special durability and tolerance.

He explained that the Zuma Rock at the back of the current note was substituted for quick response (QR) code, among other pictures.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Mr. Emeifele emphasised that with telephone set and iPad having QR code scanner and the application to be released by the bank, will facilitate scan and read historical facts about the country.

Also speaking, as learnt by DigitalSENSE Business News, the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said that the Q.R. code features will be useful for students to catch up with the history of Nigeria.

The new N100 note, DigitalSENSE Business News further gathered, would Friday 19, December 2014, commence the circulation of the new note.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +Central Bank of Nigeria +President GoodLuck Jonathan
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Pix: Specimen of new N100 note, courtesy of CBN.

Jonathan receives ICTs Highest Award during FEC Meeting

ITRealms:

The Minister of Communications Technology, Dr (Mrs) Omobola Johnson formally presented the ICTs highest award to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on Wednesday during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The President had been conferred with the “Grand Commander of ICT promoters” by the ICT Media Initiative, a non-governmental organisation which organised the ICT Centenary Conference and Awards in commemoration of Nigeria’s 100 years.

Dr Johnson who had earlier received the award on behalf of the President at the event held at the Musa Yar’ Adua Centre, Abuja last week informed the FEC which comprised of the President, Vice President, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Head of Service, Ministers and other top ranking government officials that the award was presented to Mr President because of his attributes as a user of ICTs in citizens’ interactions and policy initiation and execution in every aspects of governance in the Nigerian nation.

At the Presentation of the award, the chairman of the ICT Media Initiative, Mr Aaron Ukodie while justifying the award to the President stated that President Goodluck Jonathan’s catalytic impact on ICT development in the past five years has dwarfed achievements of his predecessors. 

Firstly, the creation of the Ministry of Communication Technology was a master stroke in the pursuit of his administration’s strategic focus on ICT as the fulcrum of the nation’s evolvement as a digital economy.  This is the first dedicated ministry for the development of the sector. The icing on the cake was when President Jonathan appointed a technocrat. It was the first time for an ICT technocrat to head such dedicated ministry.

He stated that the President Jonathan has further confounded critics and admirers by showing leadership in the use of ICT for social interaction and engagement. “The ICT Media Initiative recalls that in 2011,the global news network, CNN reported that President Jonathan was one of the most popular people on Social Media. The International news organization also noted that with over 246,000 Facebook fans, in that year alone, the Nigerian president surpassed the combined tally of British Prime Minister David Cameron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and South African President Jacob Zuma. The use of this tool in social, political and economic engagements by the President has spurred so much enthusiasm by the citizenry who are increasingly engaging on the social networks,” he said.

According to him, “it is not only that the president has a Facebook presence; he has used the medium to engage the citizenry, providing them with information about what the government is doing and fielding questions from them. No Nigerian president in the past 100 years has been this open and transparent in his approach to governance.”

Mr Ukodie stressed that this gesture positioned the President on the dais as an epitome of e-governance. It is this direct and personal form of interaction that has endeared him to the growing army of young and web-savvy Nigerians.

Besides, he noted that the President’s use of Internet has brought about a catalytic impact on the growth of Internet users in Nigeria making the country Africa's biggest Internet market, as well as the continent's largest Facebook user base.

By 2012 Nigeria ranked number one in Internet and Face book usage in Africa with 48 million Internet users and 6.6 million Facebook users and number 11 in Internet usage globally. This was due to the impact of the various ICT policies that the Jonathan government has put in place.

The chairman also highlighted the President’s timely approval of the Freedom of Information Bill, which partly encourage citizen journalism and access to information, most of whom use social media platforms, to thrive is another testimony of his openness and transparency.

He said as well that the timeliness demonstrated by the President in the approval of the Nigerian Broadband Policy, and the setting up of a National Broadband Council, which is in sync with best practices and requirements by the International Telecommunication Union, was unmatched. According to him, such profound timely decision speaks glowingly of his understanding of the catalytic role broadband development plays in national development.

In his first term in office, Nigeria’s e-government rating by the United Nation has improved tremendously, moving 21 points, from 162 in 2012 to 141 in 2014 out of 193 countries rated in the recent UN Global e-Government Development Index for 2014. Nigeria’s e-Participation index has also improved by 22 points, ranking 97, up from 75 in 2012. Under his watch the National Identity Management Scheme has taken off.

This was a project that past presidents were unable to deliver. It is for these achievements and many others not captured here that we have decided to award the president the Grand Commander of ICT Promoters.

Other prominent personalities, who have contributed in upping the ante of the ICT industry as the greatest driver of the Nigerian economy, within the century, were equally rewarded with garlands of honour, at the first ever ICT Centenary Conference and Awards. They included the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, an agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for ICT, Dr. Hammadoun Toure who was decorated with “Africa’s ICT Ambassador”, Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Omobola  Johnson took away the trophy as the “Premier ICT Officer of the Federation” and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission was honoured as “The Consolidator” of the growth in the Nigerian telecom ecosystem.

On the night of glitz, colour, music and cultural dances, spiced with integrated African percussion, the chairman of OpenMedia and former EVC NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe was also decorated with “The Pathfinder” award for setting the pace for the revolution in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem. Others similarly honoured were: The Group Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr. Leo-stan Ekeh, “The ICT Visioner”, Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga “The Grand ICT Investor”, and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for using ICT to transform agribusiness in Nigeria.

 Also on the honours list were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Ibukun Abimbola Odusote - “The Nigeria Internet Amazon”; the founder and CEO of the CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere; CEO of MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke; Managing Director, Edo State Information Communications and Technology Agency (ICTA), Mrs Olayemi Wonuola Keri, and the founder of Visafone, Mr Jim Ovia were also honoured.

Also brought to the podium for honours were the CEO of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem who was also former President of both ATCON and the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG). He alongside Chris Uwaje who also led several industry  fraternal bodies such as ITAN, NCS, Computer Professionals Registration Council and the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) were both decorated as “The ICT Evangelist” for the their advocacy roles in the industry.

Three state governors; Chief Willie Obiano (Anambra State), Comrade Adams Oshiomole (Edo State) and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (State of Osun) were also decorated for their roles in lifting ICT usage in their states. Corporate organisations honoured included MTN, NCC, GalaxyBackbone, NITDA, NIGCOMSAT, NIMC, CNSSL, Systemspecs and Remita.

Dr. Toure who gave the keynote address focussed on the theme: ICT in the Nigerian Centenary: Matching towards a Connected Nigeria, noted that ICT has become an inseparable tool for individual and corporate existence in the increasingly connected world.

He commended the Nigerian government for the purposeful pursuit of the broadband initiative and strategic action plan.

While also commending Dr Johnson of deserving the award as the Premier ICT Officer of the Federation, Mr. Ukodie commended her for carrying out several innovative strategies, action plans and policies that are unparalleled in Nigeria.

“She has identified the need for increase in rural telephone penetration in her digital inclusion policy; development of incubation centres; new Right of Way guidelines; launch of student PC ownership scheme; drive for local content among others as some of her major focus in the ICT industry. Under her watch Nigeria’s ICT growth indices are on a constant rise,” he noted.

+Remmy Nweke @DigitalSENSEng @NaijaAgroNet @GEJ

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