Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 series: Konga kicks off exclusive pre-orders with ₦1m bonus offer - ITREALMS

Global technology leader Samsung has launched its most advanced foldable smartphone lineup yet; comprising the flagship Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, and Galaxy Z Flip8; setting a new benchmark for premium mobile innovation, hardware engineering, and artificial intelligence in Africa's largest smartphone market, reports ITREALMS.

Coinciding with the nationwide rollout, Nigerian e-commerce giant Konga has opened official pre-orders across its digital platform and retail network. To mark the launch, early subscribers purchasing through Samsung's official store on Konga stand a chance to receive exclusive Samsung gift bundles valued at up to ₦1 million, making it one of the most rewarding mobile launch offers of the year.

Afinni Unity Cup: Massey/Branco Thrash Foes 4-0 as Under-19 Tournament Kicks Off in Lagos - ITREALMS

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The 4th season of the Afinni Unity Cup (Under-19), tagged 'The Price before the Prize,' roared to life at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Arena, Onikan, with four electrifying matches on the opening day. The Massey/Branco football team made an immediate statement, emerging as the top-scoring side after a dominant 4-0 victory over Phase 3 & 4, reports Sport@ITREALMS.

The tournament's first day saw a mix of high-scoring action and thrilling upsets as Massey/Branco secured the biggest win of the day, netting four unanswered goals against Phase 3 & 4 (4-0).

In a major shocker, the defending champions, Ricca/Odunfa, were knocked out of the competition after falling to PikeForsythe following a decisive penalty shootout.

Faji/Evans put up a strong offensive display, outshining Tinubu/Luther with a 3-0 win.

Ebuteelefun/Sura also showed their dominance, scoring two goals to thrash Anikantamo/Swamp (2-0).

Kicking off the tournament, the Director General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Lekan Fatodu, expressed great optimism about the initiative, noting its critical role in fostering community cohesion.

Fatodu strongly emphasized the evolving status of sports, stating, "Sports is no longer a hobby but a 'Global Currency'."

He highlighted the power of sports in engaging youth: "Sports has helped in community engagements, a powerful tool in engaging young people to direct their energy and focus into something more positive, as Sports is very useful in shaping one ideology and curb social ills in the society."

The DG commended the tournament’s organizer, Hon. Afinni, and his corporate supporters for investing in the young participants' future.

Addressing the young athletes, Fatodu urged them to look beyond the field, emphasizing the intersection of sports and education.

"I know some of these young people are drawn from schools, as we know that there is a strong intersection between Sport and Education. So, if you are not going to have a career in football, you can also have a career in many areas of Sports," he advised.

He listed several lucrative career paths in the industry, including Sports Medicine, Sports Psychology, Sport Marketing, and Sport Public Relations (PR), encouraging the youth to tap into the broad opportunities available.

The organiser of the event, Hon. Suleiman 'Lanre Afinni, a member of the Lagos House of Assembly representing Lagos Island II, stressed that the tournament successfully attracts people across the Islands, thereby "forging community engagements."

Disclosing the core rationale behind the tournament, Hon. Afinni confirmed its paramount goal is to promote talented players by providing them a platform to be seen by scouts.

"It is good to promote the talented ones among them, so this is the platform for them to be seen. We have International agents and local agents that are scouts here to watch their football performance, see if they can pick them to the next level to boost their career," he disclosed.

Hon. Afinni concluded by urging the young athletes to fully utilize the tournament opportunities, reiterating, "Sport is a big one, a worldwide currency, at Lagos Island, we are glad to tap into it."

The Afinni Unity Cup was initiated in 2021 with the dual aim of engaging youths desirous of a football career and curbing social vices within the community.


Gbemi Omotoso/Editor

Konga kicks off 2025 with ‘Jara’ promo - ITREALMS

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Nigeria’s foremost composite e-commerce giant, Konga, has announced its first major sales event of 2025—Konga Jara. This exciting campaign offers shoppers massive discounts of up to 70%, providing a perfect opportunity to save big and kickstart the year with unbeatable deals.

The 2025 edition of Konga Jara, themed “Confam New Year Deals,” commenced on Wednesday, January 1, and is set to run through Friday, January 31. The promotion is accessible across all of Konga’s platforms, including its online store at www.konga.com and retail outlets nationwide.

Breaking: Routine malaria vaccinations kicks off in Africa - ITREALMS

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Consequent upon a successful pilot programme, the world’s first World Health Organisation (WHO)-recommended malaria vaccines, a routine exercise would hold on Monday, January 22 commence across Africa, reports ITREALMS.

The current exercise, ITREALMS gathered would begin with Cameroon on Monday, 22 January 2024.

FirstBank DecemberIsSaVybe'23 kicks off with Asake on stage - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria's premier financial institution, FirstBank, is set to ignite the annual DecemberIssaVybe fun time energy with the sponsorship of heavyweight sensational Nigerian singer, Asake's super star musical concerts in Abuja and Lagos.

Asake also known as Mr Money, an award-winning singer and the rave of the moment, famed for his monster global Afrobeat hit songs, will be performing in Abuja on Friday, 15th December at Harrow Park.

Fayemi's free health programme kicks off, 50,000 residents to benefit from medicare outreach - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has said that his administration has begun the process of reversing the poor health indices of the State’s in order to produce good health outcomes for the citizenry, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking in Ikere -Ekiti at the flag off of the quarterly free health mission, the Governor said he would provide the leadership required to stop the “sobering decline in Ekiti State health indices from 2016 to 2018”.

No fewer than 50,000 residents are expected to benefit from medical attention, including corrective surgeries, eye treatment in the first phase of the programme which is designed to hold on quarterly basis.

Fayemi who expressed determination to ensure that the state does not lag behind in the delivery of quality and effective health care service, said the goal of his government is to ensure that Ekiti State “regains its place in the comity of states by reworking our health system to deliver improved health indices as marker of a healthy society”.

“In Ekiti State as at 2018, mortality rate among children was 49 deaths per 1000 population in the first month of life. 69 deaths per 1000 in the first year of life while it is 86 deaths in the first five years of life of the children. Ekiti State skilled birth attendants also dropped from being the first in the southwest region in 2015 now to being the 5th in position among the southwest States”, Fayemi said.

While speaking on the free health mission, the Governor said the programme is a vehicle to expand access to basic health interventions that have been proven to improve the health of women of reproductive age and children.

Fayemi who administered immunization to some babies at the programme said no fewer than 50,000 Ekiti residents would have received free healthcare services in the first phase of the programme; noting that over 500,000 people participated in the mission during his first tenure as governor between 2010 and 2014.

“By the account from the first 2 days of this mission, we believe that by the end of this first phase, we would have been able to serve over 50,000 residents of Ekiti State.  This mission is a first instalment of a revolutionary health programme portfolio that will ensure that healthcare can be delivered quantitatively and sustainably”, he said.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Folake Olomojobi had said that 10,246 people had received free treatment in general outpatient cases, dental surgeries, HIV/AIDS test, family planning and other health issues within the first two days of the mission.

Olomojobi noted that the Basic Healthcare Fund recently launched by the President is an endorsement of Fayemi’s “Facility based free health programme” funded and implemented between 2011 and 2014.

Also speaking at the flag off ceremony, the Ogoga of Ikere Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu commended Governor Fayemi for initiating the programme; calling on Ekiti residents to troop out and benefit from the health mission.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, presenting an eye glasses to an elderly citizen, Madam Maria Ajayi, at the flag off of the quarterly Free Medical Mission of the state government in Iker-Ekiti…on Wednesday

Cameroon Presidential campaign kicks off without Paul Biya - ITREALMS

FocusAfrica@ITREALMS:

Campaigns have commenced in the African country of Cameroon, without the incumbent President, Mr. Paul Biya, who also is running for the 7^th time in office, reports ITREALMS.

The Constitutional Council, ITREALMS recalled had recently validated nine (9) candidates out of about 27 who filed-in for the 7th October presidential election in Cameroon, to seek mandate to rule the country for the next seven (7) years.

The nine presidential candidates, include the incumbent 86-year President, Paul Biya, who has been at the state house for 36 years and is vying for his 7th mandate in office.

Other presidential hopefuls include former minister for justice, Prof Maurice Kamto, and lawyer association président and founder of Cameroon chapter of Transparency International Akere Muna; First vice président of SDF, Joshua Osih among others have commenced campaign, while Président, Mr. Biya, reportedly left the country for over 10 days to an unknown destination in Europe.

A statement by his private cabinet just read, "President Biya and first lady Chantal Biya left the country for a short private visit in Europe." No date or duration of absence was indicated.

But unofficial sources hinted that he may be in Geneva, Switzerland, for some health concern.  There has not been any confirmation of dismissal by the government spokesperson Issa Tchiroma Bakary, who is also the minister in charge of communication.

In Cameroon, government does not communicate on government personnel's health even though they stay absent for months.

Recently, the vice prime minister in charge of relations with assemblies, Amadou Ali, spent more than 3 months out of duties.

It is only when National Assembly went into session that Cameroonians noted the minister was not the one they know.

He was replaced provisionally by his colleague in charge of work and social assistance Grégoire Owona.                 

Alex Gustave AZEBAZE/GEE

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5th Africa DNS Forum kicks off in Tanzania

ITRealms:

The fifth Africa Domain Names System (DNS) Forum has kicked off Wednesday, in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, reports ITRealms.

The forum, taking place till July 28, 2017, ITRealms reports, follows on the success of previous fora that have taken place in Africa over the past few years - namely (South Africa-2013, Nigeria-2014, Kenya-2015 and Morocco-2016). Organized by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), the Internet Society (ISOC) and Africa Top Level Domains Organization (AFTLD), this year’s Forum is hosted by the Tanzania Network Information Centre (tzNIC).

Abibu Rashid Ntahigiye, CEO of .tz Registry (tzNIC) and host for the event stated “Most African countries have managed their ccTLDs locally so far. However, significant improvements have been made through the support of regional and global organizations. African Registries are now receiving not only local, but also global support in technical matters as well as problems in marketing and governance issues. With these collaborations, the competition in African domain business is growing.”

Pierre Dandjinou (ICANN), Michuki Mwangi (ISOC), Ali Hadji Mmadi (AfTLD) and Abibu Rashid Ntahigiye (tzNIC) spoke at the opening ceremony of the event. In line with Africa's growing Internet presence, the Forum will cover and open to discussion various topics from regional domain name industry to Internet security.

“Africa is rising with respect to its digital potential and it must make its influence felt at the global Internet governance table to protect its interests” stressed Pierre Dandjinou, VP of Global Stakeholder Engagement in Africa at ICANN. “With this in mind, ICANN is committed to providing equal opportunity to inform the region’s different communities about the domain industry and engaging with them on how best to not only strengthen Africa’s online presence, but also improve their participation within ICANN.” 

Speaking on behalf of Dawit Bekele, Africa Region Bureau Director of Internet Society, Michuki Mwangi said “With less than 2 million domain names currently registered by registries in Africa, there is clear potential for growth in this industry. As Internet access expands throughout the region, there will be a demand for more services online which can contribute to the growth of the Domain Name System industry.” He further added: “ This forum provides a platform for the exchange of ideas, best practices and technical expertise in order to grow the African domain name industry together with the number of Internet users.”

Ali Hadji Mmadi, speaking on behalf of Alex Corenthin, President of AFTLD, stated that “The Africa Top Level Domains Organization, the home of African country code top level domain registries, is committed to working with all stakeholders in the African Internet ecosystem in ensuring sustainable development of the  domain name industry in Africa.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE
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CSEAN kicks off 2017 video, poster competition

ITRealms:

The Cyber Security Experts Association of Nigeria (CSEAN) has kicked off the 2017 National Cyber Security Awareness Video and Poster Competition reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this to ITRealms, CSEAN President, Mr. Remi Afon, said the competition would run from July 10th to September 1, this year.

He explained that this was introduced in pursuit of CSEAN grassroots cyber security awareness campaign, which seeks creative and innovative videos and posters with local content to be used for National Cyber Security Awareness Campaigns (NCSAC).

Winners, he told ITRealms would be announced during October 2017 Cyber Security Awareness Month at CSEAN’s National Cyber Security Awareness Symposium slated for Lagos.

“Selection of the best videos and posters will be used for CSEAN’s national cyber security awareness campaign to compliment already existing Stop Think Connect materials,” he said.

On the Cyber Security Awareness Video Category, he said, must be original work and maximum of 60 seconds with local content, focusing on either cyber bullying or how to stay safe using social media with highlight on the associated risks and using hash tag #CyberAwareNG.

For the Poster Category, Afon explained that the poster must be A4 size original work with local content focusing on either phishing; malware, credential harvesting etc or need for strong password and two factor authentication using hash tag #CyberAwareNG.

Afon pointed out that the prizes for winners would include brand new Laptop, Android Tablets and Smartphones.

ITRealms recalled that CSEAN is a non-profit organisation made up of Information security professionals, centred on a collective purpose and vision of championing the cause and awareness of cyber security in Nigeria, acting as an agent of change to address cybercrime phenomena through engaging intellectual minds, business and political leaders.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Paradigm Initiative unveils new identity, … IFF 2017 kicks off

ITRealms:

Paradigm Initiative, formally known as Paradigm Initiative Nigeria unveiled a new identity in line with its new aspirations and focus, reports ITRealms.

This is coming as the Internet Freedom Forum (IFF) 2017 kicked off in Lagos, Wednesday.

Confirming this, the Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative ‘Gbenga Sesan said that although PIN is an indigenous social enterprise, registered corporately in Nigeria, and has programmes completely across several states in all geopolitical zones in Nigeria.

“We currently operate out of 5 offices in Kano, Lagos, Abuja and Aba. The removal of ‘Nigeria’ from our name reflects the on-going expansion of our work to the rest of Africa,” he disclosed.

According to him, “Paradigm Initiative is a social enterprise that builds an ICT-enabled support system and advocates digital rights in order to improve livelihoods for under-served youth. Its programs include digital inclusion programs – such as the LIFE training Program (LIFE is an acronym for Life Skills. ICT. Financial Readiness. Entrepreneurship) and the Techtiary program. Paradigm Initiative’s digital rights program, is called ‘Magoyi.’ ‘Magoyi’ means ‘Advocate’ in Hausa, an indigenous Nigerian language.Paradigm Initiative works to connect under-served youth with improved livelihoods through digital inclusion and digital rights programs.”

Equally speaking, Paradigm Initiative’s Director of Programmes, Tope Ogundipe said, the new Pan-African focus means that Magoyi programme will be expanding to Anglophone West Africa, Francophone West Africa, Central Africa as well as East & Southern Africa.

In addition, the Magoyi Programme Manager, Boye Adegoke said, “our expansion work to the rest of Africa affords us the opportunity to take the impact of our advocacy work in Nigeria – exemplified by the Digital Rights and Freedom Bill, to other regions of Africa.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE
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ICANN58 kicks off in Denmark with 2500 participants

ITRealms:

The 58th public meeting of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) took off in Copenhagen, Denmark, has attracted more than 2500 registered participants, reports ITRealms.

The meeting, hosted by the Danish Business Authority and the Danish Internet Forum, is being held six months after the IANA Stewardship Transition, a milestone in the history of ICANN’s multistakeholder community. Stakeholders from around the world, including people from businesses, governments, academia, and civil society, have convened in Denmark to discuss various topics such as the next steps after the IANA Stewardship Transition, enhancements to ICANN’s accountability and the new generic top level domain (gTLD) programme.

At the opening ceremony, Denmark’s Minister of Culture, Mette Bock, commented on the IANA Stewardship Transition and ICANN’s multistakeholder model, stating “The IANA Stewardship Transition only happened because the whole ICANN community, and that is you, was able to work together and to develop proposals that received a very broad support. It was, indeed, a masterpiece and showcase for how the multistakeholder model can function and deliver sustainable results.”

Chairman of DIFO and DK-Hostmaster, Professor Henrik Udsen, also commented on the importance of this model. “Like ICANN, DIFO is based on a multistakeholder model, ensuring that all interest of the Danish Internet society is represented in the continuing efforts to make the .dk zone attractive and security,” said Udsen. “We believe that this multistakeholder model both at a national and international level is a vital component in creating robust solutions to the many challenges we face.”

ICANN’s President and CEO, Göran Marby, stressed the importance of diversity with respect to the future Internet users, saying “To be able to support the next generation of Internet users, we need to be diverse enough to understand the nodes going forward.”

ICANN Board Chair, Dr. Stephen Crocker, remarked on the importance of working together globally to maintain the Internet. “We're all different parts of one entity united by a common purpose to help maintain an amazing global network of networks,” said Crocker. “If we do our mission well, we will facilitate communication and the flow of information around the globe, but the only way that we can do that is if we work together and the work that we do together is framed by compassion and respect.”

At the ceremony, ICANN’s Chief Technology Officer David Conrad announced the launch of a test bed for the upcoming Key Signing Key (KSK) Rollover. “On 11 October 2017, relatively soon, we are going to be changing the root key signing key. Before that time, DNS operators, who have enabled DNSSEC validation, must update their configurations. So what we're announcing today is a test bed for DNS operators to determine the readiness to support automatic updates.”

ICANN is in the process of performing a Root Zone DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) Key Signing Key (KSK) rollover. The KSK is used to cryptographically sign the Zone Signing Key (ZSK), which is used by the Root Zone Maintainer to DNSSEC-sign the root zone of the Internet's DNS. Maintaining an up-to-date KSK is essential to ensuring DNSSEC-signed domain names continue to validate following the rollover. Internet service providers, enterprise network operators and others who operate DNSSEC validation must update their systems with the public part of the new key signing key.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Season 6: GTBank, Lagos State Principals Cup kicks off

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The Quarter Finals of the GTBank – Lagos State Principals Cup - Season 6 “Smash all Barriers”, kicks off on Monday the 23rd February, 2015 at the Agege Stadium, Lagos with 16 Lagos state secondary schools competing for the cup in both the male and female categories.

The prestigious secondary school football tournament, currently in its 6th season, is an annual football competition geared towards the development of grassroots football, the discovery of young football talents and fostering camaraderie amongst secondary school students. It also provides a platform for identifying, nurturing, grooming young and talented players as well as helping students actualize their dream of becoming professional footballers.

This stage of the competition promises to be very exciting as schools that made it to the semi-final stage of the competition in the last year’s edition are still in contention and intend to slug it out to retain their title whilst the other schools will be gunning for glory. The schools contesting at the quarter final stage include: Ikorodu Senior Grammar School, Ikorodu, Iju Senior Grammar School, Iju, Dr. Lucas Memorial College, Kirikiri, Keke High School, Ijaye, Isolo Senior High School, Isolo, Birrel Avenue Senior High School, Sabo, Ifako Compehensive Senior Secondary School, Ifako and Dairy Farm Senior Secondary School, Agege for the male category. 

The quarter finalist in the female Category are; CMS Girls Senior Secondary School, Bariga, Girls Senior High School, Agege, Alakoto Senior High School, Ajegunle, Ikotun Senior High School, Ikotun, Government. Senior College, Agege, Ilado Community High School, Ikoyi, Queen’s College, Yaba and Oriwu Senior Model College, Ikorodu.

The star prize of N1,000,000 will be won by the winning male and female teams while the 1st, 2nd, 3rd runners up will receive N750,000, N500,000 and N250,000 respectively. GTBank will also upgrade the existing sports infrastructure in all participating schools as well football sporting equipment’s such as football goal posts nets, balls and corner flags for schools throughout the duration of the competition.

Commenting on the tournament, Segun Agbaje, Managing Director, Guaranty Trust Bank plc, stated that “over the years this tournament has helped participating students work towards actualizing their dream of becoming professional footballers and some of them are already making a career out of football. It has also helped them grow in personal confidence and become better team players”. “GTBank will continue to invest massively in youth development through education and sports”, he added.

The Bank compliments the Principals Cup tournament with an annual residential coaching programme known as “Camp GTBank”. Camp GTBank is a football developmental programme designed to discover, sharpen and cultivate the skills of outstanding talents of the GTBank Lagos State Principals Cup and Master’s Cup, drawing on the experience of top coaches from European clubs.

Guaranty Trust Bank plc is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions that have maintained a defined Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy since its inception in 1990. The Bank actively supports in-classroom and out-of-classroom educational programmes, infrastructure development, scholarship and teachers training across Africa.

 

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