ICANN proposes updates on .COM registry agreement renewal, opens comments - ITREALMS

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The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has opened a public comment on the proposed renewal of the .COM Registry Agreement (RA), reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this, the Senior Vice President, Global Domains & Strategy at ICANN, Theresa Swinehart said there are some updates on the process.

Nokia, Apple sign long-term patent license agreement - ITREALMS

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Nokia has entered into a new deal with Apple which has been tagged a long-term patent license agreement, reports ITREALMS.

The new licensing, ITREALMS gathered, is expected to recognize the revenue related to this new patent license agreement starting in January 2024.

NSML signs construction supervision agreement with EA Temile for new LPG vessel - ITREALMS

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NLNG Ship Management Limited (NSML) and EA Temile & Sons Development Company Limited on 25th May 2022 signed an agreement for supervision of the construction of a new-build 23,000 cubic metre LPG vessel at the Hyundai Mipo shipyard in South Korea.

Nigeria, 43 African countries sign Free Trade Area agreement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nigeria alongside 43 other African countries have signed the landmark African Continental Free Trade agreement earlier this year, just as 12 nations have already ratified the accord, reports ITREALMS.

For ratification, ITREALMS gathered that a total of 22 countries is required for this accord, but policy makers say there is time enough - and practical solutions - to move the process ahead, as agreed at the African Economic Conference (AEC2018) in Rwanda.

The African Continental Free Trade (AfCFTA) area aims to create a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments, and thus pave the way for accelerating the establishment of the Continental Customs Union and the African customs union.

African countries could use the time in the run up to March 2019, the deadline for ratification, to strengthen their capacity in the legislative and tariff instruments required for the process and other “low hanging fruit” measures, presenters at a panel session during the African Economic Conference, currently underway in Kigali Rwanda, told delegates.

“We have learned a lot of lessons,” Dr. Trudi Hartzenberg, Executive Director of the Trade Law Centre said. “We have a window to build capacity… most implementation is done at national level…there is lot that existing (free-trade areas) can bring,” she said.

The signing of AfCFTA, with its potential to create the largest free-trade area in the world – uniting fifty-four African countries with a combined population of more than one billion people and a combined gross domestic product of more than US $3.4 trillion - has also engendered much debate about the challenges of harmonizing disparate tax, fiscal and regulatory regimes as well as the varied socio-political make-up of nations on the continent.

But Rwanda, which has taken bold leadership of the integrate Africa agenda, argues that the benefits outweigh the losses.

Noting that Rwanda was one of the first countries to sign AfCFTA, the country’s Minister of Trade and Industry Soraya Hakuziyaremye, one of the panelists, said it was imperative for the country to champion regional integration and African integration.

“We understand the benefit,” she said, adding that she preferred using the term “land-linked,” rather than landlocked, to describe her native Rwanda.

“Africa cannot afford not to be part of a larger bloc advocating for a common market,” she said

The Minister and Hartzenberg were part of a panel entitled “What next after the Launch of AfCFTA?”.

The session, moderated by African Development Bank Director of Regional Integration Moona Mupotola, also included Prof. Ademola Oyejide, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Ibadan and Professor Olu Ajakaiye, Executive Chairman, African Center for Shared Development and Capacity Building.

The experts looked at the costs of integration: the downside for smaller economies and the absence of Nigeria – Africa’s largest economy.

“Nigeria is the big elephant in the room,” Oyidije said. According to the professor, although Nigeria had always led Africa in regional integration, in the case of AfCFTA, “the costs are too high relative to the benefits.”

Returning to the topic of the March 2019 ratification deadline, Hartzenburg said it would serve as a good time for countries to “take advantage and prepare a comprehensive implementation strategy with detailed work plans.”

“Expectations are high the private sector is waiting,” she said. “We should not hold back in terms of preparatory work for implementation.”

Raising the issue of freedom of movement, Hakuziyaremye said it was a vital
African countries currently attracting the most Foreign Direct Investment, including Rwanda, have a robust visa openness policy, the Minister said. Rwanda announced at the beginning of this year, an entry visa on arrival for travelers from all African countries.

Prior to the panel session, there was a short presentation of the Africa Visa Openness Index 2018, which measures how open African countries are when it comes to visas by looking at what they ask of citizens from other countries in Africa when they travel.

This year’s report, authored by the African Development Bank and the Africa Union Commission, has already been published via an online launch on 27 November.

Thousands of African youths yearning to study, tour and travel across the continent, can only do so if they can move freely, Jean-Guy Afrika, a Principal Policy Expert at the African Development Bank said.

Highlights of the 2018 Visa Openness Index, revealed improvement in the ease of movement across the continent.

The Visa Openness Index website is accessible at www.VisaOpenness.org

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Nokia, China's OPPO sign patent license agreement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nokia has signed a patent license agreement with OPPO, reports ITREALMS.

Under the agreement, OPPO will make payments to Nokia for a multi-year license period.

"OPPO is one of the leaders in the smartphone industry and we are pleased to welcome them as a Nokia licensee," said Maria Varsellona, Nokia Chief Legal Officer and President of Nokia Technologies. "This agreement further validates our global licensing program."

The terms of the agreement remain confidential between the parties.

However, ITREALMS gathered that Nokia creates the technology to connect the world, powered by the research and innovation of Nokia Bell Labs, and serves communications service providers, governments, large enterprises and consumers, with the industry's most complete, end-to-end portfolio of products, services and licensing.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Buharis signs accession to cocoa agreement - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Sequel to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for Nigeria to accede to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, President Muhammadu Buhari, Monday, at the State House, Abuja, signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Cocoa Agreement, 2010, ITREALMS.

Disclosing this, Senior Special Assistant to the President, (Media & Publicity), Mr. Garba Shehu on Monday said that following the execution of the instrument of accession, Nigeria undertakes “faithfully to abide by all the stipulations therein contained” in the Agreement.

Among other benefits, he said, the agreement is expected to strengthen cooperation between exporting and importing member countries; improve their cocoa economies through active and better focused project development and strategies for capacity-building.

ITREALMS recalls that the 2010 Agreement is also expected to build on the successes of the 2001 Agreement by “implementing measures leading to an increase in the income of cocoa farmers and by supporting cocoa producers in improving the functioning of their cocoa economies.”

For Shehu, it will also “deliver cocoa of better quality, take effective account of food-safety issues and help establish social, economic and environmental sustainability, so that farmers are rewarded for producing cocoa that meets ethical and environmental considerations.”

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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University strikes: FG inaugurates C'ttee on 2009 agreement

ITRealms:

The Federal Government (FG) on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a 14-man committee chaired by Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) to end incessant and protracted strikes in Nigerian tertiary institutions, with a declaration that it does not see the unions as an enemy, reports ITRealms.

The committee is expected to re-negotiate the 2009 agreement between government, Academic Staff Union of Universities; Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities; National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union of Associated and Allied Institutions.

Members of the committee include Prof. Munzali Jibril, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Lafia; Prof. Nimi Briggs, Pro. Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja; Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Otuoke; Arc. Lawrence Ngbale, Pro chancellor, Federal University, Birnin Kebbi; Prince Alex Mbata, Pro chancellor, Imo State University, Owerri and Prof. Olufemi Bamiro, Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun.

While inaugurating the the committee, the Minister of Education, Malami Adamu Adamu, said the re-negotiation team was significant government was committed to keeping to its promise and ensure an environment that is conducive for learning, teaching, research and community service "engendered through lasting industrial harmony."

He encouraged the team to undertake the responsibility with patriotism, dedication, mutual trust and selflessness because the future and stake of the university system will be affected by its successes or otherwise.

"Today’s inauguration kick-starts our drive for re-negotiation across the three segments of the tertiary education sub-sector-universities, polytechnics and colleges of education, starting with universities.. Subsequently, the teams of the re-negotiation with the polytechnics and colleges of education, would be constituted as soon as their respective governing councils are put in place", he said.

"The inauguration of the re-negotiation team is significant as it confirms to the unions that government is committed to keeping its own side of the promise. It wants to ensure that an environment that is conducive for teaching, learning, research and community service is engendered through lasting industrial harmony in all our tertiary institutions.

Babalakin, assured the unions of its commitment towards ensuring that there would be no stalemate between the two parties and pledged that the committee's objective will be in creating a better educational system.

He said, "A conducive environment in the tertiary institution is the bedrock for the development of a nation's intelligentsia. A nation's development can be seriously enhanced by the active participation of the intelligence in the pursuit of the country' developmental goals.

"We also want to assure you that we intend to rise beyond your expectations for the fourth realms of tertiary education‎ in Nigeria. This task should not be underestimated and with the commitment of all, it could provide a serious enhancement for education in Nigeria."

Uj. N. Dom/GEE

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Core Group cautions Nigerians on fake Apple products

ITRealms:

Core group Africa, the Apple’s official value added distributors for sub-Saharan Africa has cautioned Nigerian consumers to avoid buying grey Apple products from unauthorized resellers, as these products do not honour warranty agreement.

Chairman, Core Group Africa, Mr. Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk, gave this caution in Lagos, in an exclusive interview with ITRealms, a publication of DigitalSENSE Business News, lamenting that this kind of patronage by some Nigerians deny them of full buyer’s benefits.

He explained to ITRealms that countless technology consumers and buyers of Apple products in Nigeria who fail to purchase the devices through official channels like the Apple iStore, Ikeja Mall and other authorized resellers are denied of the full Apple experience like outright product replacement in cases of factory fault, authentic two-year warranty, after sales support, access to well trained personnel, device set-up training and others.

Mr. Spaandonk also noted that Apple products such as the iPhone, iPad and MacBook are the most desired in emerging markets especially in the smartphones segment because Apple has revolutionized the mobile computing industry and delivers the most amazing experience consumers have ever had with technology.

“For our customers, Apple devices are investments and we’re always striving to ensure they get great value for money. Because we understand this, we want Apple customers to purchase our devices with guaranteed peace of mind and access technology that truly impacts lives,” Spaandonk asserted.

He elucidated that grey products are rampant in which marketers smuggle non-counterfeit, but mostly refurbished products into the country without the permission of the intellectual property owners or paying all necessary taxes and customs duties.

Though a grey product tends to be cheaper, it is not in the customer’s best interest. It is usually not the standard version, has no record with manufacturer’s exports, neither are there provisions for warranty, spare parts, consumer education, product set-up and after sales support. The sellers do not pay custom duties or make false declarations at entry point.  

“Though the combination of economy strapped consumers seeking very low prices and unauthorized traders eager for huge profits present this compound problem to both brands owners and the government at large, the undiscerning consumers are the worst hit,” he said.

“We appeal to Nigerians to patronize the iStore and the authorized resellers to get the best value for their hard earned money, enjoy authentic warranty documentation and experience and help generate genuine revenue for government. We are already in talks with relevant officials and agencies towards collaborating to check the issue of grey and fake.

“Quality conscious Nigerian consumers should enjoy the amazing Apple store experience as well as obtain full peace of mind. With the full two years warranty offered by Apple iStore and the world class sales and technical team, Nigerians should resist the temptation of buying grey products from unauthorized resellers,” Spaandonk said.

ITRealms recalls that Core Group Africa is the official Value Added Distributor (VAD) for Nigeria, Ghana and Angola and acts as the dedicated full-service brand custodians, managing a brand’s presence from end-to-end, taking care of logistics, distribution, sales, marketing and support. iStore, Ikeja Mall is the home of all official Apple devices and accessories offering customers with world class Apple products with genuine warranty, after sales support, spare parts, and training.

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Pix: Chairman, Core Group Africa, Mr. Rutger-Jan van Spaandonk