Shell says bright future awaits Nigerian companies @offshore developments - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) says Nigerian companies have a lot to benefit if they are prepared to take advantage of more opportunities in its offshore and shallow water oil and gas projects.

Speaking at the 5th Nigerian Oil and Gas Opportunity Fair (NOGOF) in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, today, SNEPCo MD, Ronald Adams said projects such as Bonga Southwest Aparo, Bonga North and Bonga Main Life extension could grow Nigerian businesses and improve their expertise if they applied themselves seriously to executing higher value contracts.

May 2024: Key developments in domestic and global economies by Yemi Cardoso - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Excerpts from communique 152 of the Monetary Policy Committee. 

Domestic headline inflation rose further to 33.69 per cent in April 2024, from 33.20 per cent in March, driven by both the food and core components. On a month-on-month basis, however, headline inflation declined significantly to 2.29 per cent in April 2024, from 3.02 per cent in March.

Steering Growth: Developments Behind Partner Success in the Channel Ecosystem by Emma Asika - ITREALMS

ITREALMS ... making leadership SENSE with digital news!

Over time, we have seen that growth and success in the channel ecosystem have been mainly aided by collaborations or partnerships. 

As businesses steer through the intricacies of today’s competitive environment, it is impossible not to appreciate the significance of the contributions of partners. This partner growth has been aided by some crucial developments, namely: purpose-driven business models, enhanced insights, as well as the ability to scale up capabilities relevant to future competition. 

Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin & Developments - ITREALMS

BookReview@ITREALMS: 

Agbalanze! Ogbuevi Ogbuevi nu o!

Onye na nk’ie, Onye na nk’ie o!

Nke onye chi, nya ze kw’oo!


[PROTOCOLS]

Title: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and

Developments

Published: 2019

Publishers: Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association

Consultant/Author: Chinyelugo Osita Anionwu

Research Assistant: Ugokwe Tobechukwu Etukokwu

Editors: Zelugo Joe Bel-Molokwu & Nnabuenyi Chiedu Ofodile

Contents: 211 pages; 17 chapters



This seminal work is at once many things rolled into one – an educative narrative, a historical record, an academically authoritative output, an essential routine reading material, and a cultural vade mecum for every Onitsha person, and for all who have interest in the essence of Onitsha, this enigmatic city on the eastern bank of the Niger. It is also eloquent testimony to the intellectual potency and cultural depth of Agbalanze Onitsha, a unique component of Onitsha society, and its membership. Agbalanze Onitsha has drawn its membership over time from the crème de la crème of Onitsha. From Zik to Professor Chike Obi. From Justice Louis Mbanefo to Chief Modebe. From Engr. Willie Achukwu to P. N. C. Molokwu, MBE. From Justice Emmanuel Araka to Justice Omenye Nwokedi. From R. M. C. Chukwurah to Ajie Ukpabi Asika. From the lowest to the highest.



Conceived, planned, researched, written, edited, proof read and produced by components of Agbalanze Onitsha, this book is one to be proud of. That it took time in coming is well justified by its presentation to the world today. It answers virtually all questions there are about the mystique of Agbalanze Onitsha as a revered institution, misunderstood by many, viewed with suspicion by some, reviled by others – but respected by ALL.



Prior to this book, there have been numerous works that touched – albeit tangentially - on Agbalanze Onitsha and what is stands for. Indeed, there is hardly any work that has ever been written about Onitsha that does not talk about Agbalanze Onitsha and Ichi Ozo Onitsha. But none has dwelt on the institution as its sole theme; none has been as well researched as this; none has traced the history of Agbalanze Onitsha in as much painstaking depth; and, above all, none has had the imprimatur of Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association. This feat is to the credit of the leadership of Nnabuenyi Uchenna Mbanefo, under whose presidency this initiative was actualized. It is also to the credit of Chinyelugo Dr. Osita Anionwu that he was able to put so much time and energy into bringing forth this legacy of a book.



Prior to this, there was the production of a video documentary under the presidency of Nwakibie Dr. Henry Molokwu, a project directed by Akunnia Col. George Molokwu. There have also been individual efforts here and there to unravel the innards of Agbalanze Onitsha, so to say.



The positioning of the book under review today is elevated with the inspiring Foreword by none other than the Obi of Onitsha himself, His Majesty Alfred N. Achebe, mni, cfr, whose voice captured the all-importance of a book of this seriousness and breadth. This is in line with his vision of the emergence of a neo-modern society out of the rich traditional setting of Onitsha. The Agbalanze President, Nnabuenyi Mbanefo, also highlights the critical purpose of this work in his Preface, with the words: “…that the values and integrity of Ozo and Agbalanze in Onitsha will continue to rise to greater levels.”



Agbalanze Onitsha Cultural Association: Origin and Developments is a blend of quite a rich repertoire. It is well written and is complete with referencing, making it as useful for scholarly work, as it is for casual or inquiring reading. It seamlessly migrates from its deep effort to locate the origin of Ozo title taking in Onitsha, to identification of landmarks in Ozo title taking, to detailed description of sequences, paraphernalia, processes, songs and chants, protocols, ceremonies, regalia and the structure of the association.



Works of scholars like anthropologist Dr. Richard Henderson, who did and continues to research into Onitsha and its people since 1961, his wife and fellow researcher Helen, Ojinnaka R. I. Chukwurah, Jerry Orakwue, Dr. Chudi Okwechime, Onuora Nzekwu are among the sources of back-grounding.



This work traces the growth of Agbalanze Onitsha from its roots that date to the 16th Century exodus from the Benin Kingdom (or maybe even earlier) when it had no specific name beyond the description of “ichi Ozo”, through to the beginning of the 20th Century wherein it is captured from research that there were “about 200” members, on to modern times. Indeed, today, Agbalanze, now well structured as a registered trustee association, has between 800 and 900 members in all parts of the world. From the primordial ichi Ozo within small family units, there are today 37 Agbalanze Ozo kindred units, and the number most likely could have exceeded that, but for initiatives to minimize further splintering of Ozo units.



In 211 pages broken into 17 chapters, the book does a jolly good job in marshaling out the significance of Ozo and its spirituality, as it does with its treatment of the meaning of Agbalanze, Ozo titles and names, rites of passage, administration of the association through a seven-man Executive Council, the processes leading to the development of a Constitution, interviews, and the opening of a befitting headquarters. The book is also well illustrated with photographs, which apparently took great effort to assemble. It also has a chapter on suggestions!



One high point of the book is the rich essay on Ugo, the Eagle, the regal bird, around which Ozo title taking revolves. The eagle’s feather is a sine qua non in the entire process and significance of Agbalanze Onitsha. There is a nostalgic reference to the early days when the Ugo (the feather) was daintily stuck into a specially grown tuft of hair on an initiate’s head. This with time gave way to sticking the Ugo in gold or silver wire thread embroidered caps that we know today.



In all, this work has done justice to the concept of Ichi Ozo Onitsha, something that has continued to confound non-members and non-Onitsha indigenes at large.



Is Agbalanze Onitsha a cult? Is it a cabal? Is it a religious sect? Is it a coven (okwu alusi)? Is it an exclusive club for millionaires? Is it a segregated society? Is it a political pressure group? Is it a power bloc?



Or, is Agbalanze Onitsha a sacred institution founded and operating on lofty principles of honour, dignity, pride and incorruptibility? Is it a deep-rooted ancestral institution that promotes high values and moral principles? Is it an organization that dwells on the elevation of moral standards, social ethics and clean living?



Will the “outside” find answers to these posers in this rich book?



My answer is:



Icho ima ife di n’Ozo, bia chi e l’anyi Ozo!







Dr. Joe Bel-Molokwu

Zelugo

November 16, 2019





*JOIN our alert's group | Share stories with us | Advert placement: WhatsApp | SMS: +2348033592762 *Twitter: @ITREALMS *Email: itrealms.dsa@gmail.com*

GVE to examine socio-economic development

PR@ITRealms:

Global Village Extra (GVE), in its effort to examine the current socio-economic and political developments in Nigeria, and  Africa, cordially invites you to a three-day event from 28-30 October, 2016.

The event, the inaugural edition, will open with a seminar on 28 October, titled: Africa Rising: Myth or Reality? 

On the second day (29th October, 2016), there will be a speech and group discussions on: “How to Grow a Nation’s Economy”, with emphasis on Agriculture as a viable sector to Developing Africa's Economy. This would be  followed by a question and answer segment.

The second day will close with light music and dinner, followed by awards night and fund raising for Global Village Extra office building in Milwaukee.

The final day will start with interaction between Nigerian business executives and Nigerian professionals in the diaspora. Remarks by participants will follow.

Next up will be a trip to Chicago where other Nigerian professionals will be introduced to guests by the GVE team. Program ends!

The venue of the event is the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and the swanky Pfister Hotel and WELL Spa, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. The venue has a theater, shopping, shows, and museums, holds sporting events, has a 24-hour concierge, evening maid turn-down service, massage therapy, valet, and new rooftop state-of-the-art fitness center and lounge with stunning views of Lake Michigan.

Participants: Captains of Industry, Executives of banks and financial institutions, Journalists, Media executives, Mass Communication and Political science students, Head of departments, Policy analysts, Presidential Adviser on Political Matters, Investors, State Governments. Press secretaries, lecturers, writers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

ACSIS launches web presence @ www.acsis.scasi.org

ITRealms:

The Africa Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSIS) has announced the launch of its official web platform aimed at keeping members and the continent of Africa abreast of developments within the Information Society (IS), reports ITRealms.

ACSIS president, Dr. Cisse Kane disclosed this saying the platform would avail lots of African civil societies to be actively involved on the issues surrounding the Internet and Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) community at the continental level.

President of the pan-African network also said that the new site would serve as an observatory to spur sharing of developmental information and monitor systems on everything that is happening in the ICTs ecosystem in Africa.

According to him, ACSIS focus would cover topics and developments on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) processes, follow up as it may concern and affect 54-member states of Africa.

In addition, Mr. Kane said ACSIS is interested in the inventory and monitoring of WSIS activities, as well as defend Africa's interests in the field of ICT, creating and strengthening ACSIS-SCASI national coordination.

Equally, ACSIS Platform, he said would work to improve organization and communication of African ICT entities and resource persons including Africans in Diaspora; provide training for African ICT community and people, while structuring partnerships with all stakeholders, not limited to the governments, private sector, civil society, academia, local and regional authorities, international organizations, to name a few.

ACSIS Platform, he further said, would provide advocacy on current issues such as access, costs, linguistic diversity, local content, IANA transition, openness, unicity, interoperability, accountability, monitoring the implementation of the resolutions of the WSIS, electronic waste, human rights, cyber security, and privacy among others.

The pan African network president went on to state that their interest filters on best practices, information on ICT events, observatory of ICT in Africa, country-based profiling of the continent and national, sub-regional, regional, Internet Governance Forums (IGF). ACSIS thus offers its various partners a communication tool (events, initiatives, projects, etc.).

Hence, he said, the African Civil Society on the Information Society is the dedicated to promoting a sustainable information society open and inclusive. 

He pointed out that ACSIS was launched during the first phase of the WSIS by the will of the representatives of the African Civil Society that participated at the Geneva Summit process in 2003. This idea was confirmed with the support of the Economic Commission for United Nations Africa (ECA), the people and the republic of Tunisia during a meeting in April 2004 in Tunisia. The meeting also marked the official launch of ACSIS. 

Therefore, he said, ACSIS is a platform through which African civil society could influence policy and guidelines and ensure that strategies and programmes that promote ICT development, poverty reduction, appropriation of ICT for sustainable and equitable development, community participation in policy and strategy development and implementation, etc. meets expectations and needs of African people.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA  
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Tech on Wheels with CFA debuts on Family Love FM Radio Network

PR@​ITRealms:

The city of Lagos is no doubt the hub for most economic and entrepreneurial activities within the country including innovations and developments in and around the Tech ecosystem.

But, the truth is that Lagos State only has a population of about 20 million people out of a total population of about 170 million Nigerians, who also have rights to receive tech-related knowledge which can help them become more productive and possible direct players in this growing worldwide industry.

In order to ensure that other parts of Nigeria are not excluded, Tech on Wheels with CFA will hit the airwaves from the first of July, 2015 on the Family Love FM radio network which has the potential of reaching millions of Nigerians weekly across the following cities; Port Harcourt and environs, Abuja and Environs as well as Umuahia and Environs.

Tech on Wheels with CFA, is a 15 minutes Tech program hosted by Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata Jnr. "CFA" who is the Presenter of Tech Trends on Channels Television and would air every Wednesday as follows:

• 5.15-5.30pm on 97.7 Love FM Port Harcourt

• 6:30-6:45pm on 104.5 Love FM Abuja

• 7:30-7:45pm on 103.9 Love FM Umuahia

All editions of the show will be uploaded on http://www.CFA.ng/radio to cater for those who miss any episode and for those residing in other parts of the world.

The program will feature interesting, educative and inspiring segments such as:

1. Digital Tips: which will focus of content around Productivity Mobile Apps, Internet tips, Internet of things, blogging, making money online and lots more

2. Safety Alert: the biggest challenge with technology today is security, so this segment deals with security, privacy, online scam, phishing, password management and general safety alerts.

3. Everything Tech: A lot is happening in our Tech Ecosystem and this is the segment that deals with Innovation, gadgets, interesting new developments, breakthrough stories, upcoming events etc.  

The show is designed to be unique and inspiring and in line with the CFA style of not being extremely techy – it’s the kind of show anyone, geeks and non-geeks, can tune in to and enjoy.

It is our belief that this new program designed to complement Tech Trends on Channels TV will add more value and further deepen IT knowledge in Nigeria. Stay tuned to Tech on Wheels with CFA and receive knowledge and inspiration tech-wise!

Family Love FM is is the digital radio broadcasting arm of Multimesh Broadcasting Company. A family oriented station with qualitative programming that cuts across all age brackets providing entertainment, Information and education for the entire family.

CFA co-produces and presents Tech Trends, a weekly Tech show on Channels Television. He is the Founder of TECHwithCFA.com and a regular columnist with the Punch Newspaper and DigitalSENSE Business News.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!