AfIGF’24: Stop Internet shut downs, PIN boss advises African government - ITREALMS

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The 54 members of the African Union governments have been advised to stop shutting down the Internet due to its attendant havoc and demerits, reports ITREALMS.

The Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, gave this advice at the just concluded 2024 African Internet Governance Forum (AfIGF) during a high-level session held at African Hall, UNCC- ECA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while speaking on the theme: "Building our Multistakeholder Digital Future for Africa."

Alleged network shutdown: NCC warns on fraudulent messages - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged Nigerians to ignore any message on fraudulent network shut down, declaring it as fraudulent, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement available to ITREALMS and endorsed by the Director, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Reuben Muoka, said the attention of NCC, has been drawn to fraudulent and misleading information circulating in some social media platforms, insinuating there is a planned shutdown of all telecom networks and relevant ICT Units, including online transfer facilities of the banks, with effect from Thursday, February 23, 2023.

Showdown looms with ONSA over shut of 9mobile by River State - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and Rivers State Government may be gearing up for a showdown following the violation of ONSA directive that no government agency should seal any Base Transceiver Station (BTS) site as they are designated Critical National Infrastructure, reports ITRealms.

Base Transceiver Station (BTS) denotes a base station in Global System for Mobile (GSM) communication terminology and which consists of an antenna and the radio equipment.

Rivers State through its Inland Revenue Service (RIRS) allegedly shut a regional office and hub site of 9mobile in the state since June 26, 2018.

ITRealms reports that the shutdown is in clear violation of ONSA recent directive by RIRS in sealing 9Mobile Premises where a Critical Site is also situated, which has become inaccessible with the attendant security implications.

Also, ITRealms reports that EMTS has suffered incalculable financial loss as the sales outlet which is within the premises has remained closed, preventing it from serving its esteemed customers.

Additionally, ITRealms gathered,  EMTS suffered severe reputational damage from the bold display of the sealing order on EMTS premises, creating the perception that EMTS is a tax defaulter, whereas EMTS employees have suffered untold hardship due to this wanton act, as its employees have been unable to resume at their duty posts for over two weeks.  

Reacting to this development, the umbrella body of telecom operators in the country, the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), also berated the sealing of 9mobile office.

According to ALTON in a letter to the chairman of RIRS sighted by ITRealms and endorsed by both its chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, and Executive Secretary, Kazeem Oladepo, “All entreaties to meet with the RIRS for a reconciliation was rebuffed; rather, the RIRS has compelled EMTS to make a payment of 30 per cent of the alleged sum amounting to N32,387,561.088 as a pre-condition to unsealing EMTS regional office.

“EMTS has been severely prejudiced by the refusal of the RIRS to give EMTS an opportunity for a Reconciliation Meeting, despite several requests for the same,” ALTON lamented.

Further, ALTON requested RIRS and the State Government to desist from any acts inimical to the normal operations of its members in the State and to unseal EMTS Premises immediately to enable it to continue its operations to offer Rivers State its usual world class services, while granting EMTS audience for a reconciliation meeting at which the matter is expected to be finally resolved.

The ALTON letter was also copied to the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the National Security Adviser, (NSA), Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade & Industry and Secretary, Joint Task Board (JTB).

Chuks Egbune/GEE

  

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Pix: National Security Adviser, Babagana Mongonu and Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers State.

Computer Village shut over Buhari visit to Lagos

ITREALMS:

The popular Computer Village, would on Thursday be on lockdown due to the planned two-day visit of the President, Mohammad Buhari to Lagos, reports ITRealms.

According to information reaching our news room, the Police authorities are pleading for understanding as all the market operators in Computer Village may not have access to the market and its environ in Ikeja.

This, ITRealms gathered, is more evident with the planned commissioning of the Ikeja Bus Terminus, which is located along Simbiat Abiola Road and Computer Village is just neighbor to the terminus.

ITRealms further gathered that all the roads leading to the Computer Village and environ would be closed to both human and vehicular movement.

These roads include Kodesoh Road, Simbiat Abiola Road, Awolowo Way, Bank Anthony Way, along Airport Road.

ITRealms further gathered that only Otigba Gate by Awolowo Way through Anifowose would be opened for business.

“You are advised not to bring in your cars to Computer Village, Thursday 29^th March, 2018,” our source declared.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Avaaz alleges plans by Trump to shut down service

ITRealms:

An online global social campaign organization known as Avaaz, has alleged that the elected controversial president of the United States of America (USA), Mr. Donald Trump may shut down its services, reports ITRealms.

According to Ricken, Danny, Mia, Spyro and the Avaaz team in a press statement made available to ITRealms, said that they are worried Mr. Trump has a way to kill Avaaz, stressing that like much of the internet, Avaaz servers, data, email list and website, are all housed in the United State 'President Trump' could shut us down in a heartbeat.

The Avaaz team also wondered if Trump would do it, “We campaigned hard against him, we even filed a criminal case against his top advisor for voter fraud. And if we've learned anything about Trump, it's that he holds a grudge.”

They posited that Avaaz team intends to move countries and fast.

“This won't be easy. Shifting all our technology will be costly. But if just 0.1% of us donate the price of a drink or a meal by Jan 1st, we can make Avaaz safe before Trump takes office. Let's trump-proof Avaaz,” they said.

Further, they noted that when the US government wanted to kill Wikileaks, they simply told companies like Visa, MasterCard and Paypal to stop processing their online donations. “It shut them down for over a year. Trump could go even further to target firms that house our servers and email list. We might never recover.“

Avaaz said they are particularly at risk because “we're a global organization. Far-right nationalists everywhere rail against Avaaz and "foreign" organizations who challenge their hate and ignorance. We can't afford to be unprepared for this assault, let's Trump-proof our movement.”

The great beauty and legitimacy and strength of Avaaz, the team said is that all their power flows and comes from people, hence, they are so hard to intimidate “because you won't be. But our fearlessness has made us many enemies, and we need to be smart. Let's get ahead of what they'll do next.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Militant group, JRC, targets NigComSAT, promises shut down

ITRealms:

The latest information reaching our newsmen from the Joint Revolutionary Council (JRC) says the current has now focused on the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NigComSAT) with a threat to bring down its orbit by JRC, reports ITRealms.

A press statement made available to ITRealms the group said that at its final meeting resolved that the Nigerian Communication Satellite Orbit should be shut down so that it will avoid the cause of electronic radiation to human lives.

Also, the group said, occupants of some 15 public building should evacuate with immediate effect, stressing that these buildings should as a matter of urgency be vacated “In their own interest” to save their lives because the Joint Revolutionary Council’s fight is not for any human blood, but to destroy all those infrastructures that were built with “our oil and gas monies in this country.”

JRC, they said, will make federal government and oil companies to suffer as they have made the people of Niger Delta region suffers over the years from environmental degradation, and environmental pollution.

They include:

1.      STATE HOUSE, VILLA- ABUJA

2.      DEFENCE HEADQUARTERS

3.      DSS HEADQUARTERS

4.      POLICE HEADQUARTERS

5.      NATIONAL ASSENBLY

6.      NNPC TOWERS

7.      CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA

8.      SUPREME COURT/APPEAL COURT

9.      AGIP HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA

10.     SHELL HEADQUARERS, LAGOS

11.     CHEVRON HEADQUARTERS, LAGOS

12.     EXXON MOBIL, LAGOS

13.     NLNG, LAGOS & ABUJA OFFICES

14.     KADUNA REFINERY

15.     ALL MILITARY FORMATIONS IN ABUJA, LAGOS, KADUNA, BENUE, ETC.

JRC also revealed that they shall fire these intended Missiles’ simultaneously at night, as this will enable every Nigerians to see the movement of the Missiles and equally to believe JRC seriousness attached to the final breakup as predicted by the United States of America (USA).

“We equally advise the Diplomatic Community to be neutral on this issue as wrong comments against us will be seen as saboteurs. Where they are staying presently will not be affected which is not part of our targeted areas of destruction in the country.

“We shall embarrass the self-acclaimed Nigerian Air Force with their recent deployment of fighter aircraft, helicopter gunship and surveillance aircraft when at this digital age, countries are talking about Missile development, and they still condescend so low of their present obsolete equipment. This is sad indeed!”

They noted, JRC is going to destroy the ones they have deployed to Escravos, Forcados in Delta State; Bonga oil field, Agbami offshore and Brass in Bayelsa; Bony in Rivers; Qua Iboe Terminal in Akwa Ibom State, and Opuekeba in Ondo State if they fails to remove them before time.

“Our crack team has taken inventory of their equipments. Even the present suffering from a rare ear disease known as Meniere’s disease by President Muhammadu Buhari will not win any sympathy to save our action against the federal government. The name Nigeria as a country will come to an end this week,” they assured.

They described as 'so called' the military operations code named “OPERATION PULO SHIELD” in the Niger Delta region who our partners in the oil bunkering activities, because presently without been told the former JTF Commander, Major-General Emmanuel Atewe who was arrested by the EFCC last week over pipelines surveillance contract amounts to #8.2billion in the region, is an eye opener to the federal government that the military are fully involved in illegal bunkering in the area. They only destroy those who could not afford their bidding and further lobby to come to the Niger Delta region because of what they are gaining from the area.

“Imagine, an Army private’s and corporals from the North could build business plaza of 3 storeys with several estate and other buildings including exotic cars to the detriment of the region? The Pharaoh of Nigeria (Buhari) should take the counsel of sycophants and jesters around him of the region especially Mr. Ayiri Emami and Professor Ita Sagey who are presently in our searchlight. The founder of the Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, Israel Akpodoro, is a dead man and that he should not hide for linking former President, Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson with the Avengers. We are not in ANY community, the Military can’t locate Tompolo but we have identified where he is now.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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NESREA reshut MTN’s base station at EFAB Estate, Abuja

The last may not have been heard of the MTN’s base station at EFAB Estate, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, as it has been reshut by the operatives of National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

This is coming four days after the apex telecommunications regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulator, unsealed the same base station last Monday.

ITRealms Online recalls that MTN’s base transceiver station (BTS) located at EFAB Estate, Mbora District in Abuja was shut by NESREA, has shut the BTS for the second time in two weeks.

Corroborating this to ITRealms Online, the Corporate Services Executive at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Wale Goodluck, said Thursday in Lagos that MTN’s base transceiver station initially shut about two weeks ago by the officials of NESREA, citing non-compliance with setback requirements for BTS has been reshut.

He noted that NCC was convinced that the BTS indeed met all requirements set by the regulator for setting up base transceiver stations in Nigeria.

He also said that officials of NESREA however returned to reseal the site on Thursday, again plunging subscribers covered by the base station in Abuja into service difficulties.  

Mr. Goodluck restated MTN’s commitment as a responsible corporate citizen abides by the rules and regulations governing the provision of telecommunications services in Nigeria.

He stressed that they have painstakingly observed the guidelines listed by NCC for setting up base transceiver stations in Nigeria.

He lamented the increasing incidence of arbitrary shut-down of telecom facilities by diverse government departments and agencies could compromise the gains recorded in the sector in the last ten years.

Goodluck recalls that MTN’s services were disrupted in the eastern part of the country last year when the Abia State Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) sealed off MTN sites, a number of which were hub sites, in Abia State.

“Our customers were needlessly plunged into service difficulties by this action before normalcy was restored. Our facilities across the country have been pointlessly shut down by all manner of government agencies in the last few years,” he said.

He said, this has compounded the problem, even as criminal elements also wantonly damage the company’s facilities across the country.

On the latest shut-down, he said, is engaging all relevant authorities, including the industry regulator, to resolve the issue as soon as possible so that the subscribers affected by the action could enjoy relief.

He, therefore apologised to MTN’s customers covered by this base transceiver station, and indeed, all subscribers in the entire Federal Capital Territory, who may have experienced congestion as a result of the loss of capacity on the affected site,” said Goodluck.

He further appealed for customers’ understanding and assured that efforts would be intensified to expediently resolve the issues and restore normal services.

Remmy Nweke
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