Beyond the Pitch: Didier Drogba on leadership, legacy, and building a dignified Africa by Ramata Soré - ITREALMS

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Didier Drogba, born 11 March 1978 in Abidjan, is far more than a footballer: he is a conscience in motion, a profound voice resonating well beyond stadiums, a beating heart for Africa. From 2004 to 2012, and again in 2014-2015, he authored one of Chelsea FC’s greatest sagas, scoring 164 goals, among them the unforgettable equaliser on 19 May 2012 in the UEFA Champions League final, followed by the decisive penalty that delivered Chelsea its first European crown.

As captain of Côte d’Ivoire’s Elephants, he bore the hopes of a nation through three World Cups; 2006, 2010, 2014; and was crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2006. Yet it was in October 2005 that his aura transcended sport: after Côte d’Ivoire’s historic World Cup qualification, while his homeland stood divided, Drogba fell to his knees, imploring the combatants to lay down their arms, a rare gesture that, if only for a time, suspended civil conflict.

In 2007, he founded the Didier Drogba Foundation, with offices in both Abidjan and London, extending his influence on education, healthcare, and the empowerment of African communities.

Since his retirement in 2018, Drogba has embodied unity, commitment, and peace, remaining one of the most beloved figures on the continent. Drogba is not merely a name: he is living memory, a pulse of hope, a vigilant star. In his eyes burn both the fire of a people and the tenderness of a father. He scored goals, yes, but above all, he marked souls. This interview is not about football. It is a pilgrimage into what a man may become when he dares to heed his deepest truth. Thus, Didier Drogba is far more than a legend: he is a presence, a gentle force, an inward voice that whispers without noise.

Today, he no longer plays on grass. He plays for peace, justice, and love. And here, from London where he now resides, he speaks with candour, wholly and unreservedly, in this encounter with Ramata Soré. Excerpts:

Nigeria's tech evolution: Senator Natasha's drones redefine capacity building by Remmy Nweke - ITREALMS

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In this edition of Telecoms Clinic@ITREALMS, veteran tech journalist REMMY NWEKE vividly details how Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan's pioneering drone and digital skills program is revolutionizing capacity building across Nigeria, illuminating its potential to foster self-reliance, advance environmental sustainability, and usher in new era of tech-driven entrepreneurship nationwide.

 

Preamble:

In a nation where technological innovation is rapidly reshaping industries and empowering communities, a notable shift in capacity building is taking flight, quite literally.

Nigerian Army Kicks Off 2025 Study Period, Focuses on Capacity Building - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC NA) has kicked off its 2025 study period, with a focus on capacity building and effective training for joint military operations, reports 

ITREALMS.

The event, which took place at the TRADOC NA Auditorium in Minna, brought together top military officers, experts, and stakeholders to discuss pressing security challenges and strategies for improving training.

NNPC committed to building huge oil, gas infrastructure - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd (NNPC Ltd) will continue to invest in the development of huge oil and gas infrastructure to make it easy for operators and prospective investors to carry out their business in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

The Executive Vice President, Upstream, Mrs. Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, disclosed this at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC), on Tuesday in Houston, Texas, United States of America.

Building resilience in tough times by Elvis Eromosele - ITREALMS

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Two sisters, year 5 and 3 were playing behind my resident. The younger one who was drinking pure water started pouring some away, like children are prone to do. And I heard the older sister rebuke her, “Stop it, don’t you know Nigeria is hard?” it was startling and unsettling to realise that children are no longer immune from inflationary pressure.

It is no longer news that Nigerians are facing tough economic times. Recent government decisions like removing fuel subsidies, devaluing the Naira, and now eliminating electricity power subsidies have caused a lot of stress for businesses and citizens. 

Building collapse: HEDA urges Sanwo-Olu to probe reinstatement of dismissed LASBCA staff - ITREALMS

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The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has kicked against the purported reinstatement of staff from the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) who were previously dismissed following the tragic incident of a collapsed 6-storey building within Lekki Gardens Estate at Ikate Elegushi, Lekki in March 2016, reports ITREALMS. 

The accountability group in a press statement available to ITREALMS, therefore urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to promptly investigate this reinstatement for necessary action.

Danbatta: NCC committed to promoting organizational efficiency, capacity building - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has once again reiterated its stance on professionalizing its workforce and strengthening collaborations with strategic partners such as the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) in order to enhance operational efficiency.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC Prof. Umar Danbatta, stated this while receiving a delegation led by the Acting Registrar and CEO of NIM, Jude Iheanacho, who paid a courtesy visit to the NCC Head Office recently.

NCC, LBS to overhaul courses, partner on capacity building - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Lagos Business School of Pan-Atlantic University are considering forging a partnership that will result in developing customised capacity building interventions and overhauling of existing training courses offered by the LBS to address critical areas of needs of the Commission’s human capital development.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, emphasized the imperative of such collaboration during a visit of an LBS delegation led by the School’s Director, Executive Education, Victor Banji, to the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja recently.

NCC, LBS mull collaboration on capacity building - ITREALMS

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The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the Lagos Business School of Pan-Atlantic University are considering forging a partnership that will result in developing customised capacity building interventions and overhauling of existing training courses offered by the LBS to address critical areas of needs of the Commission’s human capital development.

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, emphasized the imperative of such collaboration during a visit of an LBS delegation led by the School’s Director, Executive Education, Victor Banji, to the Commission’s Head Office in Abuja recently.

Data Journalism: Code for Africa partners Lagos NAWOJ on capacity building - ITREALMS

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The Lagos state chapter of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with acclaimed Africa's biggest data journalism and civic tech platform, Code For Africa (CfA) to train her members on data literacy training and development, reports ITREALMS. 

CfA, ITREALMS gathered, works as a non-partisan ‘change agent’ that offers engineering and editorial support, skills development, seed-funding, and business development services designed to strengthen digital democracy by empowering citizens with actionable information and by amplifying citizens’ voices, while also strengthening civic engagement for improved public governance and accountability. 

COVID-19: World must review priorities, technology governance says Ajijola - ITREALMS

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The Executive Chairman, Consultancy Support Services (CS2) Limited, Alhaji Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola, has declared that Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic, provided the world with the opportunity to review priorities towards building all-inclusive society and technology governance, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN68) Nigerian preparatory virtual meeting held recently on subtheme: ICANN Security and Stability Advisory Committee (SSAC) noted that although the Internet may seem not to be broken, according to Vinton Cerf, “but its inequalities need to be fixed.”

He also said that some 81 per cent of the global workforce of some 3.3 billion, have had their workplace fully or partly close and described this as COVID-19 helping to accelerate “migration to online interactions.”

ITREALMS gathered he cited an instance of a security challenge with the relief for registrants in response to COVID-19, which prompted ICANN org to invoke Section 3.7.5.1 of the 2013 Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) for a record second time.

Ajijola who also is Chair, African Union Cyber Security Expert Group (AUCSEG) advised that based on the contemporary Internet state due to COVID-19, that society must take a human-centred and inclusive approach to technology governance.

“Covid-19 has provided our society an opportunity to review our priorities and focus,” he asserted, stressing that with the evolution of today, “We should not seek to go back to normal but to move forward to what is better.”

As said by Ajijola “We need to develop and implement trusted, inclusive and equitable educational, social, financial and related systems.”

He posited that responsibility to factor in “our virtual development plans the underserved, unserved and unborn as they must live, in the future, with the precedents and decisions we make now.”

Further, Ajijola outlined some of SSAC’s responsibilities to include “Review incidents, issues, and topics that are broadly related to the security and stability of the Internet's naming and address allocation systems; Chartered by the ICANN Board of Directors- However, SSAC often studies issues and topics originating from the community at large in addition to issues or questions requested by the Board.

Also, he said, “Many of the SSAC's efforts are prompted by a security event involving the domain name system (DNS) or an abuse of domain name registration services. The multiple origins of activities reveal that the SSAC's role, like other security groups, is both proactive and reactive.”

In addition, Ajijola said, “Other criminals register domain names to lure victims to web sites to trick users into downloading spyware or malware. “

SSAC, he pointed out, issues reports and advisories recommending ways domain name registration service providers could reduce the number of malicious domain name registrations, consult with security, DNS, and law enforcement communities as need arises.

This clause, he said, permits registrars to be temporarily forbidden from cancelling domain name registrations that were unable to be renewed as a result of a natural disaster.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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MRA urges Nigerians to use radio for peace building - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on Nigerians to use radio as a tool for building peace across political, economic, religious and ethnic divides particularly at this period when Nigeria is holding general elections to elect a new set of leaders, reports ITREALMS.

MRA made the call in a statement issued in Lagos by Mr. Ayode Longe, MRA’s Programme Director, to commemorate the eighth edition of the World Radio Day, a Day celebrated every year on February 13, and in line with the theme of the celebration: Dialogue, Tolerance and Peace.

World Radio Day was proclaimed at the 36^th session of UNESCO’s General Conference in 2011 to take place on February 13 each year. It was then unanimously endorsed by the United Nations General Assembly on January 14, 2013 at its 67^th session as a UN Day. 

The Day commemorates the establishment of the UN R on February 13, 1946 and is now set aside as the day to celebrate radio as a medium to improve international cooperation between broadcasters and to encourage networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves.

Mr Longe said “Radio has touched billions of lives around the world positively and made a lot of impact; and with the convergence of technology, this impact is expanding. The world needs to explore every avenue to strengthen radio and make it a tool for dialogue, tolerance and peace, in line with the theme for the 2019 celebration of the World Radio Day.”

Saying that the world, including Nigeria, has witnessed so many crises, he added “The world needs peace through tolerance and dialogue and radio being the cheapest and farthest reaching means of communication is so much suited to bring peace to the world and technological advancement has made radio portable and its signals accessible from remote areas using different gadgets and devices, including even the most basic mobile phones available today.”

Mr. Longe identified the importance of radio in many different ways and how it can be used to promote peace, noting that it is a medium that is being used to foster participation and engagement in local languages; it is the first medium people turn to for information and updates about just anything including during natural disasters, wars, as well as communal, national and political activities of all hues.

He said: “Radio is unarguably the widest reaching medium of communication in Nigeria, as it is in most other parts of the world. It has become cheap to acquire and maintain, very portable and is a highly ubiquitous means of receiving real time information, entertainment and education.”

Mr. Longe described this year’s theme as very appropriate, saying it is coming at about the time of Nigeria’s general elections which have frequently been characterized by violence in the past. He stressed that for free, fair and peaceful elections in Nigeria, there is need for tolerance from everybody, especially the political actors and their most ardent supporters, adding that dialogue will enhance understanding and tolerance which will ultimately bring about peace, and that the radio is best positioned to facilitate this.

He called on all Nigerians, particularly broadcasters, to use radio to douse tension and ensure peace, reminding them that radio has the potential to stoke violence and as well as to be an instrument for building peace.

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Airtel CEO says, we're building largest 4G network in Nigeria – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya, has said the telco is currently building the largest and most reliable 4G network in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

 

Ogunsanya who was speaking  during a courtesy call to the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike Thursday, said Airtel is currently rolling out its 4G technology in major cities and towns across Nigeria, making it the largest 4G network in the country.

 

“We bring our 4G Network to you and the people of Rivers State! I make bold to say we have the best and largest 4G Network in Nigeria and it is a sign of our regard for and commitment to the government and people of Rivers State that we have chosen this state and indeed this city as one of the early and biggest beneficiaries of this innovative system of mobile telecommunications.

 

“And we are not resting on our laurels as we are still connecting more cities and towns in Nigeria to our 4G network,” said Ogunsanya.

 

Executive Governor of Rivers State, Bar. Nyesom Wike, commended Airtel for its 4G roll out in the state and in other key locations across the country, assuring that Rivers State will continue to provide a conducive environment for investors and corporate organizations.

 

“We want to partner with you (Airtel) and give you all the necessary support. Rivers State abhors multiple taxation and we will do everything to protect investors, corporate organizations and business men and women,” he said.

 

After the courtesy call on the governor, the Airtel team and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, proceeded to Golden Tulip Hotel, the venue where Airtel formally launched its 4G services to an audience consisting of corporate bigwigs, government functionaries and key stakeholders across the state.

 

Speaking at the event, the Airtel CEO, Ogunsanya, noted that the deployment of 4G in Port Harcourt serves as a glowing testimony of the telco’s commitment to partner and empower the good people of Rivers State.

 

“4G comes with tons of benefits: it will accelerate economic and commercial activities; it will boost personal and professional productivity; it will help in creating more entrepreneurs; it will offer the youth a big leverage to express their creativity and talent; it will improve the overall quality of life and connect more people to their dreams. With 4G, Airtel will also power people, businesses and aid governance through Technology,” he said.

 

The colourful event was attended by King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Treaty King Amanyanabo & Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom; King Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom and Mrs. Tonye Oniyide, Commissioner of Culture in Rivers State, amongst several others.

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L-R: King Dr. Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Treaty King Amanyanabo & Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom; Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, Deputy Governor of River State; Segun Ogunsanya, CEO & MD, Airtel Nigeria and King Leslie Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom during Airtel 4G LTE Launch in River State on Thursday, September 27, 2018. 

ICANN to host first capacity building workshop for GAC members @UAE

ITRealms:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to host the first capacity building workshop for the Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Middle East members and GAC newcomers, reports ITRealms.

The workshop organized by ICANN is in cooperation with the ICANN Governmental Advisory Committee (GAC) Under-served Regions Working Group.

ITRealms gathered the workshop would be held on 28 October, on the first day of ICANN’s 60th Public Meeting (ICANN60), in Abu Dhabi, United Arabic Emirates (UAE) with the support of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) of the UAE.

This is the first capacity building workshop targeting GAC members in the Middle East.

ITRealms reports that ICANN President and CEO, Mr. Göran Marby, and GAC Chair, Mr. Thomas Schneider, are billed to present at the workshop along with executives, alongside the regional ICANN team, and community members.

The workshop will focus on raising awareness about ICANN policy making processes and assisting the GAC members and governments in the Middle East on how to effectively participate and contribute to ICANN. It will also introduce policy topics and working groups relevant to the work of the GAC members. The workshop will seek feedback from the participants on how ICANN can help them foster and boost their participation.

In addition, ITRealms reports that the workshop would cover wide a range of topics including: Introduction to ICANN and its role and work in the Middle East region, Role of ICANN in the global Internet Governance Ecosystem, Update on ICANN constituencies and cross community work at ICANN60.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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NITDA, World Bank's GEMS enter pact on ICT capacity building

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The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and a World Bank subsidiary, Growth and Employment in States (GEMS) met at the weekend culminating in signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the building of capacity on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills of Nigerians, reports ITRealms.

Head, Corporate Affairs, NITDA, Mrs. Hadiza Umar, disclosing this to ITRealms that the ‘draft’ MoU will include the rights and obligations of the parties for the purpose of implementing GEMS Programme that will cover areas such as Software testing, Professional Certification Programmes, Software Apps, e-Commerce mobile Apps, Business Process Outsourcing among others.

She also said that at the end of a meeting session at NITDA headquarter, Abuja, the Acting Director General of the Agency, Dr. Vincent Olatunji informed the World Bank team that the present administration has the political will to drive the successful implementation of the programme to fruition.

Olatunji was quoted as saying the political will of this administration is working for us in the ICT sector in the country because the government is looking for means of diversifying the economy and ICT sector has been identified as one of the area that could tap into.

“There is assurance from the government on this. The minister with supervision from the office of the Vice president is committed to ensure that ICT drives the country's economy,” Dr. Olatunji assured.

He also said that now the government is more focused to reposition ICT as the next cash cow of the country which informed her decision to establish of 12 innovation hubs across the six geo political zones.

Leader of World Bank delegation, Mr. Andrew Gartside said that the programmes are dynamic in nurturing of ICT especially the Software sub sector, stressing both parties will ensure the sustainability of these programmes, which will eventually add value to NITDA.

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Pix: Ag. DG of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji and Mr. Andrew Gartside of World Bank's GEMS.

NCS congratulates Buhari, tasks on building digital economy

ITRealms:

Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has joined other Nigerians in congratulating General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on his emergence as the winner in the 2015 Presidential election, tasking him on building a digital economy, ITRealms reports.

In a press release made available to  ITRealms, Professor David  Adewumi, President of NCS on behalf of the group stated that the victory on Saturday, March 28, 2015 was not only hard earned, but historic.

ITRealms also reports that the group commended President Goodluck Jonathan for placing the nation’s interest first by conceding the election and congratulating the President-elect, Buhari on his victory.

“We hail the indomitable spirit of the Nigerian people who have again demonstrated their commitment to democracy through their participation in a peaceful and keenly contested election process that has been commended globally,” he said.

NCS, Adewumi said, counts on President-elect Buhari to lead Nigeria by enthroning innovation, productivity, merit, transparency and good governance in addressing the nation’s numerous developmental challenges.

ITRealms further reports that NCS looks forward to working with President-elect and his team in shaping the future of Nigeria by building a digital economy that is inclusive, innovative and prosperous.

 Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Pix:Prof. David Adewumi,NCS president 

CS2 to present framework on knowledge-base to NITDA

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Plans have been advanced for the presentation of a Framework for building a knowledge-based nation by Consultancy Support Services (CS2) on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), ITRealms can now report.

Confirming this development to  ITRealms, the executive chairman, CS2, Alhaji Abdulkarem Ajijola, said that all is now set for the presentation, which is expected to herald a new agenda in electronic education in the country.

He also stressed that the presentation would centre on the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), focusing on women and youths.

“We are presenting a Framework for Building a Knowledge-Based Nation through ICT focusing on women and youths, to National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on Tuesday 23 December 2014,” he declared.

ITRealms recalls that NITDA, was established to create a framework for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology (IT) practices, activities and systems in the country.

 

While Consultancy Support Services (CS2) Limited, is an organisational development, support, management and Information Communications Technology (ICT) consulting firm that provides solutions that help client's to confidently investigate, explore, establish and capitalise on business and other opportunities in West Africa, especially among public, private and civil society. 

@Remmy Nweke #NITDA +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms)
 
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