CPC: Nigeria’s Trial or Triumph in U.S. Religious Freedom Politics? Asks Remmy Nweke - WeekendDigits@ITREALMS

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As Washington weighs Nigeria’s Country of Particular Concern (CPC) fate, WeekendDigits@ITREALMS with REMMY NWEKE reports that Abuja, the seat of the federal government, appears to be doubling down on faith diplomacy, brandishing the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council’s (NIREC) interfaith bridges and moral voices as proof that unity, not persecution, defines its religious freedom posture.

When the United States designates a nation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), it is not mere diplomatic labeling, it is a signal to the global community that a government has allegedly tolerated or engaged in “particularly severe violations” of religious freedom.

Under the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998, this label ranks among the most serious rebukes Washington can issue against a sovereign state.

Beclouding eWaste recycling in Nigeria - ITREALMS

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This report showcases some of the key challenges faced by stakeholders determined to be advocates of e-waste in the country, writes REMMY NWEKE.

E-waste advocate emerges:
Just few months ago, Akin Lade, a resident of Canoe axis near Ajao Estate in Lagos was invited to attend a day free public forum on electronic waste hosted under the aegis of ITREALMS E-Waste Dialogue.

Galaxy on connectivity: We've almost covered the country -ITREALMS

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Galaxy Backbone, an information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria, has said that it has almost covered the 36 states of the federation and the FCT Abuja, with its infrastructure backbone connectivity rollout.

Prof. Muhammed Bello Abubakar, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of Galaxy Backbone Limited, made this known at the Africa Tech Alliance Forum (AfriTECH 2.0) held in Lagos recently.

Capt. Owen, Nigerian Navy, and the shame of a country - ITREALMS

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To say it wasn’t foreseen would be for one an absurd indulgence in self-denial. Last month’s compulsory retirement of Captain Emmanuel Ekpe Owen of the Nigerian Navy marked yet another act of horrendous injustice that has become more of a permanent feature in both public and private sector governance in the country. The wicked behaviour manifests in various forms but none comes close in its egregiousness than the impunity enjoyed by top government officials in the workplace.

More often when such officials are caught in one form of barefaced wrongdoing or another, they get away unpunished using their privileged status to browbeat those trying to hold them accountable, then finagle their way to total freedom. 

Faulty sunglasses, fake news shut down a country - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Fake news about the dangers to Serbians from being outside during the 1999 solar eclipse resulted in the Government advising the country  to stay indoors, according to new research, reports ITREALMS.

Historian Dr Vladimir Jankovic from The University of Manchester says that virtually all Serbians hid in basements, air raid shelters and darkened rooms, while the rest of Europe celebrated the celestial event.

The fake news was also triggered by the reporting of the dangers of wearing faulty solar-eclipse sunglasses.

The media frenzy led to the release of an official health warning, warning the public they might experience severe itching, hypertension, palpitations and the need to urinate frequently if they stayed outside during the eclipse.

According to Dr Jankovic, one of the reasons for the doom mongering was an article in a small Serbian newspaper, which reported that faulty eclipse viewing sunglasses risked eye damage.

The newspaper discouraged the public from viewing the eclipse.

Other newspapers also suggested that the eclipse would be dangerous to the health of Serbians and even political fate of the worn torn country , says Dr Jankovic.

The reporting led to a Serbian media storm in the days leading up to the eclipse presenting the eclipse as a direct threat to human health.

The government controlled newspaper Politika urged everyone to stay indoors using sensationalist headlines such as ‘The Eclipse and the Apocalypse’.

Dr Jankovic’s paper is published in Social Studies of Science.

He said: “Although it seems absurd that the solar eclipse caused such panic, it’s quite understandable that Serbians, who had endured a decade of 'fear', 'terror' and 'non- normality' were particularly sensitive to the perception of risk.

“The Milošević government’s decision to release this false warning was, in part, a result of opinions formed by the behavior and beliefs of others, while paying limited or no attention to scientific evidence.

“It’s a salutary lesson for us all: the circulation of information today is more complex than ever with the ever-increasing numbers of news outlets and the appearance of social media.

“Fake news created a collective display of risk over-compensation in Serbia 1999, and ‘fake news’ continues to affect the decisions of people today.

“The circulation of information throughout modern day society is more complex than ever with the ever-increasing bounty of news outlets and the appearance of social media.

‘Understanding how information is propagated and received by society is critical to understanding collective decision making and an awareness of the trustworthiness of news sources could lead to a more honest, democratic society.”

He added: “The real risk of retinal damage caused by the eclipse was amplified through media hearsay and word of mouth to a point where the government felt compelled to take direct action.

“And that happened because of an atmosphere of fear and the heightened state of cautiousness of the Serbian people and its government at the time.”

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Still on Nigeria @57: A country with stunted growth

Commentary@ITRealms: 

Nigeria has clocked 57, but what is there to celebrate? At Independence in 1960, who would have thought that liars, criminals, crooks and charlatans would have been the ones running the affairs of the country. It is harmful and dangerous that Nigeria has been led by leaders without vision and conviction.

Are their cogent views for celebrating Nigeria at 57?

Nigeria's existence has been faced by the crass and almost irredeemable foolishness of her leaders. I know Rome was not built in a day, but there was a systematic, sincere and conscious effort to build Rome. Malaysia, Cyprus, Singapore have by far surpassed Nigeria when it comes to political, economic, educational, technological, institutional indices, where are we today? Be the judge.

Nigerians go to bed without food. Ask me what we are celebrating, and I say it is sheer-mediocrity. Why should I celebrate when people go to bed with one eye widely-opened? Why should I celebrate when the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer? Why should I celebrate when our hospitals are death traps? Why should I celebrate when we are more divided than ever? Why should I celebrate when corruption is a way of life? Why should I celebrate when strike has remained a national convention? Why should I celebrate when people are killed and kidnapped with reckless abandon?

So far, it has been a tortuous journey. Many analysts have described Nigeria as a big contract up for grabs. For me, I am not happy and cannot say "Happy Independence" to you, rather it is a time to pause and ponder, pray for the state of things to change in Nigeria.

Nigeria at 57 is a nation bedeviled by a plethora of challenges.  Despite the abundance of human, material and natural resources, Nigerians are still suffering.

Nigeria at 57 and I say that the country has lost her moral compass. A country enmeshed with wrong doings. If we keep eulogising wrong doings, we would create a cloudy environment that would make it extremely difficult for the next set of generation leaders. Bad leadership bordering on ethnicity, religion have been the deceptive problem of this country and we should not allow it to continue. The country is 57, but we have failed as a people to lay the necessary foundation for the country's developmental progress. The country in yearning for change needs political integrity coupled with effective leadership style and to ensure that anyone in the corridor of power has a clean state of selflessness and integrity to run the affairs of the country.

Nigeria at 57, the country has been raped, bruised and sapped. We are just drifting like a balloon in the ocean without an anchor chain. For me, I am not in any way carried away by the chants of change. Indeed, it is all sound and fury, signifying nothing - apologies to Shakespeare. True change will come when we have fresh brains, fresh ideas and for now, we have to wait for a true change. The promoters of change can only shout change to pay lip service to the attitudinal change required to bring about the real and enduring change. They sold dummy to Nigerians and we need the true face of change to move forward. Since our return to democracy, to us it is still nascent; we have continued to move at the speed of millipedes while the rest of the world has gone supersonic.

Today, economic and social lives are decrepit and a larger percentage of the populace are faced with grinding and excruciating poverty. A school of thought believes that 57 years is but a short time in the life of a nation. Do you  agree?

We have to move forward because sycophancy rules the public space in Nigeria. It is obvious that Nigeria remains a hopeless orphan with no one to salvage her from the jaws of killer whales called politicians.

Whether we restructure, re-strategise, redirect, re-process or rearrange the country, we can't look away from the fact Nigeria is today suffering from the symptoms of misrule of bad breeds, deficient in moral and good characters.

Conclusively, Nigeria is living dangerously with the state of her affairs and the auguries for the future are not in any way encouraging. Just saying it the way it is. GOD Bless Nigeria!

*Chris Uruakpa contributed this from Lagos

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Parable of a country: The Victors & Vanquished

Tribute@ITRealms:

And when the war ended, the victors sat down to share the spoils. One region got the oil wells and the other region got the foreign companies.

The vanquished region got two sets of gifts. While some got £20 each, others got to keep the houses in their own part of the vanquished region belonging to those who got only £20.

After six years, those who got £20 started, once more, to build multistorey residential homes in their part of the vanquished region. One town in the region cornered the pharmaceutical industry, another transportation and automotive spare parts, another town took the electronics and electrical market, yet another took the textiles market and another the building materials market. Now, the vanquished control all these markets in the entire sub-region and beyond. God indeed blessed his own people and they prospered.

Those who got oil wells and the foreign companies accused those who lost their houses and got £20 of being ritualists. As for those who got the houses belonging to those who got only £20, one protested vehemently and was hanged by those who got the oil wells, as most of the oil wells are in that region of the vanquished who got the houses belonging to the vanquished who got only £20.

Those who got the oil wells also got to keep power and government, inviting those who got the foreign companies to share the privileges and appurtenances thereof from time to time. They shared the revenue from the oil wells to the exclusion of those who got £20 and those who got the houses belonging to those who got only £20.

Because the victors got the government and power, they also created all forms of schemes and devices to enrich themselves and slow the growth and development of the vanquished. They even made these schemes important provisions in the current Nigerian constitution.

However, the vanquished who got only £20 still continue to prosper, producing many billionaires, authors, artists, scientists, sportspeople, distinguished professors, erudite jurists, medical professionals, lawyers and stubborn agitators. Whatsoever those who got £20 touched prospered. Like the Hebrews in Egypt, the vanquished are like the Army of Locusts.

Now, those who got £20 want to leave the country. Even the agitation has prospered in its vehemence. But those who got the oil wells and the foreign companies are opposing them.

Remember that the victors have the oil wells and the foreign companies. The victors also got the government and power. The vanquished got only £20 and lost their houses.

Now, what does the victors want? Probably human blood. They drank from over 2 million bodies of the vanquished before the war ended, and they have been drinking periodically even since. They recently drank from over 150 of the vanquished.

And that is the Parable of a country.

*First published by Emeka Maduewusi in Lower Niger Congress USA

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CBN to adopt single window on forex in August

ITRealms:

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), has adopted a single window corridor for all foreign exchange transaction in the country beginning from August 1, 2016, reports ITRealms.

A circular to this effect to banks and endorsed by Director, Financial Market Department (FMD), Dr. Alvan Ikoku, said the CBN’s action will engender transparency and professionalism in the Nigerian foreign exchange market.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria hereby directs that all FX related trades by Authorised Dealers (Banks) and Corporate Institutions in the Nigerian FX market, with effect from Monday, August 1, 2016 must be executed through the FMDQ-advised FX trading Auction and Surveillance Systems,” part of the circular read.

ITRealms also gathered that this was in a bid to stabilize the naira, CBN had in June adopted a flexible foreign exchange policy.

Ikoku explained that in adopting the new policy, CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele assured that the policy would guarantee improved access to foreign exchange for businesses.

Emefiele was quoted as saying, “After assessing the various risk profiles available, the committee resolved to adopt the least risky option by adopting a flexible foreign exchange policy to restore the automatic adjustment properties of the exchange rate. It is time to introduce greater flexibility in the management of FOREX market.”

Further, ITRealms reports that the circular insisted that deployment of the FMDQ-advised FX systems will only be to those corporates that have been screened and pre-approved by FMDQ in line with its on-boarding eligibility criteria.

“Therefore, all Authorised Dealers (i.e banks) are to execute all FX trades among themselves and with their clients (Corporate Institutions) through the FMDQ-advised FX systems,” CBN insisted.

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Econet refuses to ban What’s app in Zimbabwe despite govt tactics

ITRealms:

Leading mobile operator in Zimbabwe, Econet Wireless has refused to ban What’s app in the country despite pressures from the government, reports ITRealms.

Econet Chairman, Strive Masiyiwa gave this indication Friday morning when state security agents went to Econet headquarters in Harare, when he refused to become a puppet of President Robert Mugabe. 

ITRealms gathered that ZimEye reported that the government agents wanted Econet to ban WhatsApp platform and secondly, they need names of people who were complaining about Mugabe's dictatorship.   

The report noted that on arrival, the security operatives were referred to Masiyiwa by Econet spokesperson Alfred Nyambira, who in turn spoke to the agents via video call from Denmark.

ZimEye also report that the Econet chairman was precise in his chat with them and was quoted as saying telling them off. 

"... Your Potraz laws cannot be allowed to destroy my business ..." he said, stressing that concerning the issue of phone numbers and details of network users.

“I cannot give you because the international satellite laws state that user privacy is of key importance", said Masiyiwa. 

The unshaken Masiyiwa maintained his stand on the issue of banning WhatsApp.

According him, "My company (Econet Wireless) is going to lose billions of dollars if I agree to ban the social media platform ... so go and arrange with your boss (Mugabe) on how to compensate my money before you talk to me …."

Meanwhile, Econet Wireless has assured Zimbabweans that the security agents from the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) lack the capacity to read people’s messages on What’s App, one of the agents was quoted as saying.

Chuks Egbuna/ZimEye/GEE

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Nigeria power crisis: Yudala offers 2-day discount on iPowerPlus

ITRealms:

As part of efforts at remedying the power supply situation in the Nigeria, pioneer composite e-commerce outfit in the country, Yudala, has offered a cost-effective two-day special discount sale of iPowerPlus inverters, reports ITRealms.

This offer, ITRealms gathered comes with free deliveries for prospective shoppers in Lagos and Abuja respectively.

The promotion which commenced on Thursday May 12^th till Friday May 13^th 2016 offers interested buyers a chance to enjoy up to 15 per cent discount off iPowerPlus range of inverters, solar and hybrid options available in 1KVA to 20KVVA as well as certified long-life batteries.

The special discount sale is exclusive to shoppers on the Yudala website and its chain of Experience Stores nationwide.

ITRealms recalls that the nation has had to contend with near-total black out after last Wednesday’s bombing of Chevron’s major valve platform around Escravos in Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State. A militant group, the Niger Delta Avengers (NDA), had claimed responsibility for the sabotage of the crude oil and gas production facility. The attack is coming when work is being rounded off on the  250,000 barrel-a-day Forcados export terminal which was bombed in February.

Although ITRealms also reports that some of nation’s power plants run on gas, the federal government as if acting out of the moon, Wednesday proclaimed the deregulation of the petroleum sector with hike in pump price of petrol to N145 per litre.

A move, industry observers said has seemingly increased the hardship on millions of Nigerians who rely on petrol-generators to power their homes, offices and businesses.

Speaking on this offer, the Marketing Communications Manager, Yudala, Afam Anyika, said, the two-day special discount sales allows Nigerians a leeway out of the power situation.

“With this two-day promotion, we are offering all classes of Nigerians a cost-effective way out of the current power crisis. Discounts up to 15% are available on iPowerPlus inverters which are available in 1KVA to 20KVA. We are also offering free deliveries for buyers in Lagos and Abuja while shoppers can also take advantage of the pick-up option in Yudala Experience Stores nationwide.”

Anyika also affirmed that iPowerPlus inverters possess unique characteristics that sets them apart from other inverters.

“With iPowerPlus, you are guaranteed a world class hybrid inverter with an in-built solar charge controller and fuse which helps in safeguarding equipment in the event of any short circuit. Furthermore, iPowerPlus are the only certified inverters in Nigeria with SNMP capability and pure sine wave output which can power all electrical/electronic devices to 100% efficiency.”

ITRealms recollects that Yudala took the continent by storm with its bold entry and has successfully expanded the nation’s e-commerce and offline retail space with several innovative strategies including the first ever drone delivery in Africa, Neighbour to Neighbour Mega Deals, Monthly Mid-Day Madness and Yu-jara – Nigeria’s biggest festive season’s sales, and Yudala Mobile Monday among others. Yudala prides itself for genuine products and for being the fastest pay-on-delivery composite e-commerce company in the country.

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World Communications Day 2016: Adewale Martins advises media, FG on security, herdsmen

ITRealms:           

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale-Martins has counseled the Nigeria media practitioners and the Federal Government (FG) on advancing the security of the country, just as FG should take control of the situation, reports ITRealms.

Speaking both at the Holy Mass to celebrate the 2016 World Communications Day marked May 8, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Onikan, Lagos and a press conference thereafter, Archbishop Adewale-Martins admonished media practitioners in line Pope Fraancis message, using media to be mindful of the words they use in conveying information to the public, especially in Nigeria.

“Words can build connecting bridges, words can also create wars” he asserted, saying that the media should also communicate the mercy of God to the people.

On the recent carnage by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country including Agatu in Benue State and Nimbo in Enugu State, the Archbishop implored the Federal Government to take control of the situation, advising that in trying to solve the problem, another problem should not be created.

“The peace and unity of the nation must be protected at all times. We cannot allow what is good for one side of a nation to affect what is good for the other side of the nation. Yes of course, we know that the herdsmen need to have grazing land for their cattle, but at the same time, people who are settled in their homelands also need their lands to farm and earn a living,” he warned.

Government, the Archbishop said, must ensure that impunity is not allowed to go unpunished, insisting that “If there are people who have attacked others, they should face the wrath of the law.”

He stressed that the needs of the herdsmen should be addressed as well, suggesting that the solution Government was proposing which has been frowned upon by the people will only be a source of more problems.

“As in many other countries, ranches should be built by the Government where they are needed,” he advised, emphasising that with the use of irrigation method, it would be possible to have grass all the year round in any part of the country for the purpose of grazing.

Pointing out on the need for adequate communication between the leaders and the led, saying “our leaders need to communicate a lot more than they are doing presently.”

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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Why private sector needs to support creative industry – Lai Mohammed

ITRealms:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has given reasons why the support of the private sector is utmost needed for the ongoing efforts to re-position the creative industries in the country, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote address to the Creative Industries Conference and Expo, organised by the British Council in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister reiterated the importance of supporting this industry for the sake of contributing more to national development.

''We are calling on the private sector to partner with us to sponsor, in a more holistic manner, our arts and festivals,'' he said, stressing that his office is to name some creative centres after corporate sponsors in these areas in order to make it a win-win situation.

Mohammed also said the Ministry of Information and Culture is partnering with the British Council and the Tony Elumelu Foundation to map out the nation's creative industries and build the capacity of practitioners.

''We will work with our partners to train festival managers in order to bring them at par with their counterparts elsewhere in the world, including those who organise the popular Brazil Carnivals in Rio and Copacabana as well as the Edinburgh festivals,'' he said.

He commended the British Council for organising the conference, and noted that the timing could not have been better, ''considering that it is coming just a day before we kick-start our own National Summit on Culture and Tourism''.

''This conference will not only enrich the summit, but will play a major role in our ongoing efforts to leverage on the Culture and Tourism Sectors to further the government's economic diversification agenda,'' he said, pointing out that the Arts, Culture and Tourism sectors are among those whose potentials are being harnessed ''as we move to diversify our economy away from oil.”

'The Creative Industries alone, he said, offers incredible opportunities in terms of job creation, stability in the polity, moving millions of people out of poverty, addressing the issue of crime, stopping rural-urban migration and creating a local economy.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: Lai Mohammed

Etisalat boosts primary education in North East with kits

ITRealms:

In efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education in the country, Etisalat Nigeria, has partnered with a non-governmental organisation, Abuja Global Shapers Community and the Governments of North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to provide free educational support to primary school pupils in the states, reports ITRealms.

The initiative tagged, “Community School Support Programme (CSSP)” features donation of Back-to-School kits, including school uniforms and bags, to pupils drawn from 10 primary schools in the states.

This, ITRealms gathered, is part of the company’s multi-faceted CSR programme that is committed to giving value to communities through various intervention programmes covering education, health, among others.

The benefiting schools are Yerwa Practising Primary School, Abbaganaram Primary School and Bulumkutu Primary School all in Borno State; Katuzu Community School, Gashua, Central Primary School, Potiskum and Lawan Kawuri Primary School, Geidam, all in Yobe State; and, Wuro Hausa Primary School, Yola Town, Community School, Demsa and Tudun Wada Primary School, Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the kits to these schools in Maiduguri, Borno state on Monday, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the partnership is intended to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at making basic education available and sustainable.

Mr. Dikko, who was represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, reiterated the commitment of the telecommunications giant to sustainable development initiatives that impact on the wellbeing of the populace across various sectors.

“Etisalat Nigeria is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes that will complement public services and extend benefits to the grassroots across Nigeria. We are proud to be able to contribute positively to achieving the objective of improving our partner states especially in the area of Education. We will continue to collaborate to move the states and indeed the nation forward,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kobo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, commended Etisalat for pursuing causes that serve the interest of the societies in which it operates. He identified investment in education as one fundamental way to secure a progressive future while advancing the cause of the larger society.

“Today, if we are not mindful of the education sector, tomorrow, we will have incompetent lawyers and as a result, people will lose their liberty, we are going to have incompetent doctors, and as a result, people will lose their lives, we are going to have incompetent engineers  and as result, bridges will collapse, roads will fail. If we are to be called a civilized society, we should take time and make sacrifices for the future. This is the lesson Etisalat is teaching us. Etisalat as a corporate organisation is mindful of its social responsibility,” he said.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: (L-R) Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf; Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education and Member, Borno State Education Board, Engr. Mohammed Gamboni presenting to a pupil of Yerwa Practising Primary School, Borno, one of the Back-to-School kits donated by Etisalat Nigeria in Maiduguri on Monday.

UNWTO partners Nigeria to boost tourism

ITRealms:

The UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is partnering with the government of Nigeria to boost tourism in the country, says the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, ITRealms reports.

Special Assistant to the Minister, Segun Adeyemi quoted his principal as saying that he met with the UNWTO Secretary-General Taleb Rifai on the sidelines of the UNWTO Commission for Africa meeting in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire on Wednesday, said the global tourism agency agreed to design a two-year Plan of Action to promote tourism in Nigeria.

He said the Secretary-General, had invited the Minister to the organisation's headquarters in Spain, to explore further this partnership with UNWTO, private sector investors and Spanish government officials.

The visit, Alhaji Mohammed said, would be followed by that of the Secretary-General to Nigeria for on-the-spot assessment of the challenges mitigating against the development of tourism in Africa's largest economy.

He quoted Mr. Rifai as saying the UNWTO is delighted to have Nigeria fully back in the fold, following the attendance of the Commission for Africa meeting in Abidjan by the Minister of Information and Culture.

''We are happy Nigeria is here. Nigeria is too significant to disconnect from UNWTO. Happily, the new government in Nigeria has a good reputation,'' the Secretary-General said.

The Minister also briefed the Secretary-General and his team on the efforts being made by the Nigerian government to ensure the security of lives and property, especially the successes recorded against Boko Haram, as well as the upgrading of infrastructure.

The UNWTO is the leading international organization in the field of tourism, promoting tourism as a driver of economic growth, inclusive development and environmental sustainability, while providing leadership and support to the sector in advancing knowledge and tourism policies globally.

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Microsoft Lumia 650, now available in Nigeria

ITRealms:

Microsoft Nigeria, has proclaimed the availability of the Lumia 650 in designated retail outlet in the country, reports ITRealms.

The latest in shelf of smartphone brands, ITRealms gathered is coming from the Lumia portfolio and runs on Windows 10, which has been designed specifically to help work smarter, better and more efficiently.

ITRealms also reports that the Lumia 650 was built for people on the move and is packed with features to help individuals be more productive throughout the day.

ITRealms equally reports that some of the top four Lumia 650 tips to assist users achieve more by doing less include separating work from personal life, peace of mind, work from anywhere and never miss a thing.

Lumia experts at Microsoft suggest that separating work and personal life, involves a work-life balance that is important. “So, by simply setting up individual work and personal accounts, you can ensure that you remain focused in the office, and aren’t distracted by work in your free time.”

“Peace of mind: Modern day security threats are always a worry when it comes to personal and company data, but the new Lumia 650 protects you and your company with built-in security.

“Work from anywhere: Specially designed features for the Lumia 650 mean you can work from pretty much anywhere, armed with nothing but your smartphone; super-long battery life of up to 16 hours talk time, two microphones for crystal clear conference calling, a wide-angle front facing camera for high-definition video calls, and all the latest Microsoft Office apps available straight out of the box.

“Never miss a thing: Long gone are the days of having to input appointments on separate devices or copy notes and pictures from your mobile to your laptop. Now, you can save time by seamlessly synching your smartphone with your Windows 10 PC, and accessing your work from anywhere on your phone using OneDrive.”

+ITRealms DSA  

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Connect Britain: Vaizey to reveal UK’s digital future

ITRealms:

The United Kingdom Culture and Digital Economy minister, Ed Vaizey will outline the government’s latest projections for the UK’s digital future at Connected Britain – a two-day conference and exhibition dedicated to the country’s current state of connectivity, reports ITRealms.

The event taking place at the Jumeirah Carlton Hotel, in London, on Wednesday, June 15 and Thursday, June 16, Vaizey, ITRealms gathered would headline the event, which features a packed agenda of key speakers from the service provider and vendor communities, as well as government bodies, regulators and analysts.

Other leading names confirmed by event organizer, Total Telecom include Mike Galvin, Managing Director of Strategy Service and Operations at BT, Broadband Delivery UK CEO Chris Townsend and 02 Telefonica’s Chief Technology OfficerBrendan O’Reilly.

Total Telecom’s Managing Director Rob Chambers  said the digital revolution is bringing huge opportunities for the UK, adding “These range from new, more efficient and profitable business models to more effective social services, smart cities and communities inside an ultrafast broadband environment. To realise these opportunities, the UK telecoms industry faces a range of challenges and Connected Britain is the ideal platform for industry leaders to come together and address them.”

ITRealms further reports that subjects to be covered during the two-day conference will include connectivity and the economy, technical futures, infrastructure investment, regulation, digital inclusion and future cities. This is in addition to a conference presentations, the event will include roundtables and networking opportunities.

+Remmy  

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