Now @Konga: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 and Flip7 series - ITREALMS

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Samsung has once again pushed the boundaries of innovation with the launch of its latest foldable smartphones, the Galaxy Z Fold7, Galaxy Z Flip7, and Galaxy Z Flip7 FE. These cutting-edge devices boast ultra-slim designs, advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, and impressive camera systems.

The Galaxy Z Fold7 is a marvel of engineering, weighing less than the Samsung S25 Ultra and featuring a stunning 6.5-inch cover screen and an expansive 8-inch main display. Powered by the custom-engineered Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy chip, this device delivers peak performance and boasts a remarkable 200-megapixel wide-angle main camera.

Nigeria: Why ‘Beautiful Ones’ are needed now by Dolapo Otegbayi - ITREALMS

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It all began with an afternoon of catching up. My old university friend and I started with light banter, sharing laughs over our campus memories, late-night study sessions, and the endless inside jokes. But, as conversations often do, ours shifted, taking us back even further—to our secondary school literature classes. We found ourselves talking about the impact of those books, the lessons hidden in pages we once read just to pass exams. Little did we know then how much they’d come to mean.

One book we discussed, The Beautiful Ones Are Not Yet Born by Ayi Kwei Armah, struck a chord. Though written years ago, its message still speaks to the realities we see around us today. The novel explores life in post-colonial Ghana, where the dream of freedom from colonial rule clashes with the harshness of everyday struggles, a place where corruption is the norm, and honest people feel isolated. Ghana’s story back then feels all too familiar for us in Nigeria today.

ALTON, ATCON cry out to FG: Address our challenges now – ITREALMS

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The Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and Association of Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have cried out to the Federal Government (FG) to quickly address their challenges before it gets out of hand completely, reports ITREALMS.

ALTON and ATCON represent the Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and telecommunications companies in Nigeria, as they called upon the government to take decisive action in addressing the numerous challenges confronting the telecommunications industry.

A joint statement available to ITREALMS endorsed by the ALTON chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo and ATCON president, Engr. Tony Izuagbe Emoekpere, they underscored the urgent need for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors to overcome obstacles hindering the sector's growth and development.

They outlined some of these challenges to include but not limited to infrastructure deficits, cost-reflective tariff of services, protection of assets and network infrastructure, as well as the regulatory independence, among others.

On infrastructure deficits the two associations noted that their members still lack access to essential telecommunication services due to a myriad of challenges, including multiple taxation and regulations and prohibitive Right of Way (RoW) charges, inadequate electric power supply and vandalism of telecommunications infrastructure.

They pointed out that on ‘Protection of Assets and Network Infrastructure’ it has become imperative to advocate for legislation that designates telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI), expressing deep concern over the escalating security threats facing telecommunications infrastructure in Nigeria.

“Telecommunications infrastructure undisputedly plays a pivotal role in Nigeria's national security and socioeconomic growth, especially as the country currently contends with multiple security challenges that require urgent and immediate actions in response to these threats. Attacks on cell towers, fibre optic cables, and other critical assets disrupt telecommunications services and result in significant financial losses for operators,” they declared.

Urging the federal government to prioritize the security of telecommunications infrastructure and collaborate with law enforcement agencies to enhance protective measures and combat vandalism and sabotage effectively.

On the cost-reflective tariff of services, ALTON and ATCON reiterated that telecommunications infrastructure development requires substantial investments in network expansion, maintenance, and technology upgrades. Despite the adverse economic headwinds, the telecommunications industry remains the only industry yet to review its general service pricing framework upward in the last 11 years, primarily due to regulatory constraints.

“For a fully liberalized and deregulated sector, the current price control mechanism, which is not aligned with economic realities, threatens the industry's sustainability and can erode investors’ confidence. ATCON and ALTON call upon the government to facilitate a constructive dialogue with industry stakeholders to address pricing challenges and establish a framework that balances consumers' affordability with operators' financial viability,” they demanded.

For the regulatory independence, ALTON and ATCON advocated for the sustenance of a culture of independence in the regulatory landscape to safeguard against undue influence and unwholesome incursion into the Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) domain, which will inspire trust in the telecommunications sector and encourage investment.

Regulatory neutrality and independence, the said, are crucial to ensuring a thriving telecommunications sector. Statutory provisions lend credence to this notion, as a lack of an impartial regulator will lead to a failure to maintain public confidence in the objectivity and independence of its decisions.

The two industry associations, therefore, reaffirmed its commitment to working collaboratively with the government to address the challenges facing the telecommunications industry in Nigeria.

By fostering a conducive regulatory environment, prioritizing infrastructure development, enhancing security measures, and facilitating pricing adjustments, the government can unlock the full potential of Nigeria's telecommunications sector, driving economic growth and societal development.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

Its official! Ken Ugbechie’s Nigeria Heroes and Sheroes now on Amazon.com - ITREALMS

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It’s now official that Nigeria’s foremost book on development, the 'Nigeria Heroes and Sheroes: Diary of a Journalist of Courage,' authored by Mr. Ken Ugbechie, has been listed on Amazon.com and already attracting global patronage, reports ITREALMS.

The author, Ken Ugbechie is also the publisher of Political Economist NG, and public analysts on national and development.

AFRICMIL to Tinubu: Declare your assets now - ITREALMS

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The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) wishes to call on President Bola Tinubu to declare his assets in accordance with Paragraph 11 of Part I of the Fifth Schedule to the Constitution and make it public as a way of committing to the genuine fresh beginning he promised Nigerians. 

AFRICMIL in a press statement available to ITREALMS and endorsed by its coordinator, Dr. Chidi Onumah, believes that declaring his assets and making it public would place Mr Tinubu on a much higher moral pedestal than his predecessors who were not on record to have taken any significant action regarding this constitutional obligation.

Boko Haram now uses drones - ITREALMS

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Boko Haram, a Nigerian-based dominant terrorist group, is now using drones in its violence attacks, reports ITREALMS.

Drones are known as unmanned aircrafts and is formerly known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs).

Atiku is now Nigeria's public enemy No. 1 - ITREALMS

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The current sabotage of the Naira notes swap and fuel scarcity that have caused untold hardship to millions of Nigerians across the country revealed the true character of Peoples Democratic Party Presidential Candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar as public enemy number one.


Nigerians will recall that since the Central Bank introduced its current cash-limit and new Naira notes swap policies, Atiku Abubakar and PDP maintained opportunistic silence with the hope they will benefit from the discomfort the policies will create for Nigerians and the resentment they will generate for the ruling APC.

While Atiku and PDP were in bed with the saboteurs and fifth columnists among the operators of Money Deposit Banks and oil marketers who created the current logjam to force the outcome of the February 25 Presidential election in favour of the former Vice President, our candidate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu courageously pitched his tent with the poor masses who have been most negatively impacted by the antics of these evil doers.

Corruption: HEDA urges ICAN to protect image now - ITREALMS

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Worried like every other Nigerian over the ugly trends surrounding the office of the Accountant General of the Federation in recent time, the Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has written to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) to swiftly redeem its image by investigating the alleged corruption case against one of its members- Mr. Nwabuoke Anamekwe Chukwunyere.

Recall that Mr. Nwabuoke Anamekwe Chukwunyere was appointed as the acting Accountant-General of the Federation, to oversee the management of the Federation’s Accounts in the absence of the suspended Accountant-General of the Federation, Mr Idris Ahmed who was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on allegation of embezzlement to the tune of over #109Billion.

Why Labour Party must redesign its logo now - ITREALMS

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The Nigeria’s much talked about third force, the Labour Party (LP) may mess up the chances its opportunity in the forthcoming general elections if it fails to redesign its official logo.

EDITORIAL

A section of political watchers, informed ITREALMS that inability to redesign Labour Party logo formally for the 2023 general elections may cause the party to loose the elections and therefore cause the current ‘OBIdient and be Yusuful’ movement to the presidency and untold setback.

Zinox not ready for Jumia acquisition now - ITREALMS

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While there may been some substance to the rumoured acquisition of pan-African e-commerce brand, Jumia by Sub-Saharan Africa’s leading tech conglomerate, the Zinox Group and to possibly merge it with Konga, there is currently no concrete interest.

This was revealed by Gideon Ayogu, Head of Corporate Communications, Zinox Group, in a virtual chat with newsmen on Saturday, May 21, 2022.

IM revolution: Give us NIMDA now says forum - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Stakeholders in Nigeria may be gearing up for a revolution in the Information Management (IM) industry with their strong demand for the creation of National Information Management Development Agency (NIMDA), reports ITREALMS.

This call was made at the weekend by the body of the National Information Management Stakeholders’ Forum (NIMSF) who spoke through the founder, Records and Information Management Awareness (RIMA) Foundation, Amb. (Dr) Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole in Lagos.

NIMSF also called for the breakout of Information and Archives departments from the current Ministry of Information and Culture by creating NIMDA to enable transformation and repositioning, especially on data and information governance in the country.

In addition, NIMDA, he said, for instance, will be setting the standards and ensuring that qualified and certified personnel are assigned to the management of government data and information.

Also, he said, developing and promoting best practices in government business processes and providing adequate training and monitoring for data and information management personnel in government, will be part of the proposed agency mandate.

NIMDA, he noted that when set up will ensure all government’s Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) comply with standards, processes, procedures, and specifications as it applies to data, information, records, content, and archives use, classification, storage, collaboration, retention, and disposition.

Further, NIMDA, he told ITREALMS, will work with other relevant government agencies in ensuring appropriate information management and technology tools are deployed at all government MDAs for effective information security and governance and so on.

He insisted that for an effective National Digital Economy Policy implementation, there is a need for the industry to effectively and consistently engage the Ministry of Information and Culture, stressing that “effective data and information governance will go a long way in ensuring the success of the initiative.”

NIMDA, he said, will be tasked with managing the “Information Lifecycle of data, information, documents, contents and archives generated by all government agencies, ensuring enabling standards, specifications, processes, laws, and policies are in place for a good data and information governance regime in the country.”

NIMSF, he told ITREALMS was developed by the RIMA Foundation to advance sustainable development at all levels in the information management industry.

“Our activity aims to enhance open, accountable and participatory decision-making and governance on sustainable development through enhancing the involvement of all industry stakeholders. We focus particularly on the effective engagement of stakeholders on information management related policy processes,” he said.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Pix: L-r: Protocol Officer, Span Kitiya James; Monsurat Amina; President/Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Oyedokun Ayodeji Oyewole; Member, Governing Council and Director of Training, Dr. Kolawole Oseni and Head of HR, Merit Emmanuel, all members of Institute of Information Management (IIM-Africa) during the press conference by National Information Management Stakeholders’ forum held at IIM-Africa’s secretariat last Friday in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Zinox now Intel Platinum

ITREALMS:

Foremost ICT solutions company, Zinox Technologies Limited, has been named the the region’s first local Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) to achieve the status of Platinum Technology Partner by Intel Corporation, the world’s leading makers of computer processors and technology solutions, reports ITRealms.

Zinox has successfully passed through all technological trainings by Intel to gain the points necessary for the highest rating awarded by the technology giants, having demonstrated technical and business leadership with strong financial capability needed to attain this position by investing in joint research and development with Intel Corporation to produce worldwide industry rated products powered by Intel’s advanced processors.

By attaining the status of Platinum Technology Provider, Zinox will enjoy enhanced technical support from Intel which will further strengthen its leadership position in Sub-Saharan Africa’s ICT landscape.

Furthermore, Zinox will expectedly work more closely in joint collaboration with Intel on latest technology in line with its Future Visions mandate to anticipate the future of technology and create products for the future consumer in areas such as Internet of Things (IOTs), Robotics, Artificial Intelligence etc.

Zinox’s recognition as an Intel Platinum Technology Partner continues a long tradition of leading the ICT industry with a series of firsts including its status as manufacturers of Nigeria’s first internationally certified computer brand, the first OEM in West Africa to receive the WHQL (Windows Hardware Quality Labs) certification and the first computer hardware manufacturing and ICT integration company in Nigeria to receive the ISO 9001-2000, among other certifications.

This is in addition to being responsible for salvaging the 2006 voters’ registration exercise by deploying 13,000 data capture machines under four weeks, the deployment of over 84,000 Direct Data Capture (DDC) machines in 2010 to register voters and create a credible database for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) which has helped in stabilizing democracy in Nigeria  - a feat it equally achieved in another West African country, Guinea-Bissau and its sterling work with the INEC in transiting the nation to electronic voting, among others.

With its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria and branches all over the country in addition to research hubs in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East; the Zinox Group boasts a 360-degree spectrum orientation as an integrated ICT solutions group with advanced competencies in manufacturing, distribution, e-commerce and after-sales support, among others.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Confirmd! FG says 101 freed Dapchi schoolgirls now documented

ITREALMS:

The number of the Dapchi schoolgirls who were released on Wednesday morning has increased from 76 to 101, according to the FederalGovernment of Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

Confirmed this to ITRealms, the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a press statement by Senior Assistant to Honourable Minister of Information and Culture, Segun Adeyemi.

Mohammed also said, the documentation of more of the freed girls by the security agencies proved that Dapchi schoolgirls who were released on Wednesday have increased from 76 to 101.

The number could still increase, as the documentation of the freed girls is ongoing, stressing that the release of the schoolgirls is the outcome of the directive by President Muhammadu Buhari to all security agencies to do everything possible to secure the release of the 110 Dapchi schoolgirls, who were abducted 19 February 2018.

In addition, the minister said the girls were released around 3 a.m. through back-channel efforts and with the help of some friends of the country, and that it was unconditional.

''For the release to work, the government had a clear understanding that violence and confrontation would not be the way out as it could endanger the lives of the girls, hence a non-violent approach was the preferred option.

''Within the period when the girls were being brought back, operational pause was observed in certain areas to ensure free passage and also that lives were not lost,'' he said.

Meanwhile, a Federal Government Delegation comprising Ministers of Information and Culture; Interior as well as Minister of State for Foreign Affairs are on their way to Maiduguri to meet with the freed girls.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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MIIVOC urges Buhari to assent to NFIA Bill now

ITREALMS:

A civil society organization, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption -MIIVOC has called on Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari to take urgent steps to avert Nigeria’s imminent expulsion from the Egmont group of Financial Intelligence Units by assenting to the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Agency (NFIA) Bill immediately, reports ITRealms.

MIIVOC’s Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru, who made the call at the weekdn, in Abuja commended the leadership of the National Assembly for promptly resolving the impasse that arose over where to domicile the proposed Agency, describing their action as patriotic.

He however retained his earlier fears over the imminent expulsion of Nigeria from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, if a clean copy of the NFIA Bill is not immediately transmitted and the President assenting immediately, stressing that it portends grave danger for the nation, if allowed to happen. 

According to him, the National Assembly deserves commendations for doing what he described as the needful, reiterating the grave danger facing Nigeria if expelled by the Egmont Group of FIUs.

“If expelled, Nigeria will be listed as a high-risk jurisdiction country, with far reaching implications.”

Duru blamed Nigeria’s present suspension from the group on the absence of operational autonomy for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit, as well as the absence of confidentiality in the handling of financial intelligence, commending the National Assembly for harmonizing its report, even as he called on her to quickly transmit same to the President for his immediate assent.

“Nigeria was suspended by the Egmont Group of FIUs in July, 2017, following the absence of operational autonomy for the NFIU, among other related concerns. The failure of Nigeria to pass a law making the NFIU independent is the main issue. Today, the main discrepancy, which was where the agency would be domiciled is resolved in favour of the Central bank of Nigeria. This is indeed, a step in the right direction. Now, even if the bill is not perfect, let it be finalized and transmitted immediately, while amendments come later. We must avert this imminent danger.”

“The Egmont group will be meeting from the 11^th to the 16^th of March, 2018 and If Nigeria fails to comply with the group’s demand for a legal framework granting autonomy to the NFIU in the next few days, the country may be expelled from the global body, which provides the backbone for monitoring international money laundering and terrorist financing activities.”

Continuing, he stressed, “when expelled, Nigeria will no longer benefit from financial intelligence shared by the other one hundred and fifty-six member-countries, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, while the country’s ability to recover stolen funds abroad will be hampered.”

“Another major consequence will be the blacklisting of Nigeria in international finance, and this could affect the use of credit cards, as the credit lines offered by corresponding banks would be cut off. In fact, financial instruments from Nigeria may not be honoured abroad.”

“It could also affect the international rating of Nigerian financial institutions, restricting their access to some major international transactions. Do not forget that Nigeria’s membership of the Egmont Group ensured the removal of Nigerian banks from the blacklist of international finance. The blacklisting of Nigeria in 2001, for instance, prevented the banks from engaging in correspondent banking with foreign institutions and also denied Nigerians access and ability to use foreign credit cards.”

“The last Egmont group statement about Nigeria is very clear on what the issues are. The issue of autonomy for Nigeria FIU is the crux of the matter. The statement reads in part: “the heads of FIU made a decision, by consensus to suspend the membership status of the NFIU, Nigeria following repeated failures on the part of the FIU to address concerns regarding the protection of confidential information, specifically related to the status of suspicious transaction report (STR) details and information derived from international exchanges, as well as concerns on the legal basis and clarity of the NFIU’s independence from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. The measure will remain in force until immediate corrective actions are implemented. The NFIU Nigeria is now excluded from all Egmont group events and activities. The Egmont Group expressed its hope that the Nigerian authorities will address these concerns to enable the Egmont Group to lift the suspension as soon as possible.”

He further disclosed that the suspension of Nigeria by the global body has stalled the process of Nigeria’s application to join the Financial Action Task Force.

He called on the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari to act quickly, even as he made a case for a fit and proper person to be appointed to head the proposed agency, in the interest of the nation.

Destiny Ugoji/GEE

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Call EFCC to order now - Group tells FG

ITREALMS:

A civil society organization, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption -MIIVOC has warned Nigeria’s Federal Government to immediately act on the report of the Committee to harmonize issues around the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Agency Bill, to save the nation from imminent expulsion from the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence Units, reports ITRealms.

Executive Director of MIIVOC, Dr. Walter Duru, who gave the warning while speaking to ITRealms in Abuja, Tuesday, expressed shock at what he described as the desperation of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to retain control of the NFIU, against the interest of the country and international best practice.

He called on the Federal Government to call the anti-graft agency to order, before it throws Nigeria back to the dark days of being on the list of high risk jurisdictions in the world.

“The crux of the matter is the absence of autonomy for the Nigeria Financial Intelligence Unit-NFIU. Nigeria was suspended at the Egmont Group meeting held in China in July, 2017, following the refusal of Nigeria to make NFIU autonomous in its funding, operations and management of financial intelligence. The failure of Nigeria to pass a law making the NFIU independent is the main issue.”

“If Nigeria fails to comply with the group’s demand for a legal framework granting autonomy to the NFIU by March, 2018, the country may be expelled from the global body, which provides the backbone for monitoring international money laundering and terrorist financing activities.”

“When expelled, Nigeria will no longer benefit from financial intelligence shared by the other over one hundred and fifty member-countries, including the United States of America and the United Kingdom, while the country’s ability to recover stolen funds abroad will be hampered.”

“Another major consequence will be the blacklisting of Nigeria in international finance, and this could affect the issuance of Mastercard and Visa credit and debit cards by Nigerian banks. In fact, financial instruments from Nigeria may not be honoured abroad.”

“It could also affect the international rating of Nigerian financial institutions, restricting their access to some major international transactions. Nigeria’s membership of the Egmont Group ensured the removal of Nigerian banks from the blacklist of international finance. The blacklisting had prevented the banks from engaging in correspondent banking with foreign institutions and also denied Nigerians access to foreign credit cards.”

“Now, the situation is that the 8^th Senate has passed a version of the NFIA Bill, which wants the Agency domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, with full autonomy. The House of Representatives passed a different version, proposing that it remains in the EFCC. A Committee was set up by the Federal Government to harmonize the differences. The Committee submitted its report late last year and till today, nothing has been done about it. Nigeria is at the verge of being expelled from the Egmont group of Financial Intelligence Units. Specifically, in March, 2018, it will take a miracle for Nigeria to escape expulsion from the Egmont Group.”

“The controversy over where it should be domiciled is needless, as we already have a clear guide. The version passed by the present Senate can save the situation. The surest way forward is to adopt the Senate version, produce a clean copy and present for immediate assent by the President. Anything outside this will fall short of the Egmont standard and place Nigeria in a disadvantaged position. The politics of wanting to continue to control the NFIU by the EFCC is self-serving and will land the country in a deeper mess.”

 “The last Egmont group statement about Nigeria is very clear. The issue of autonomy for Nigeria FIU is the crux of the matter. The statement reads in part: “……. Nigeria shall remain excommunicated until its commitments to the international community on the fight against money laundering and terrorist financing are met, including the specific issues related to the autonomy of the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.” At this stage, we are talking about outright expulsion of the country from the group.  This will spell doom for the country.”

“The Federal Government must call the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission-EFCC to order now, before it is too late. The implications of expelling Nigeria from the Egmont Group are far-reaching. Nigeria will fully return to the list of high risk jurisdiction countries of the world, if the EFCC is not called to order.”

“The argument that if the FIU is removed from EFCC, Nigeria will be expelled is the direct opposite of the situation and amounts to outright misrepresentation of facts. Countries like the United Kingdom have had reasons to move their FIU from Serious and Organized Crime Agency- SOCA to National Crime Agency- NCA. Just the same way Nigeria desperately needs to move its FIU away from the EFCC. We need an FIU that enjoys autonomy. The Egmont Group of FIUs and Financial Action Task Force-FATF shall never dictate for any country, where to situate its FIU. There is no such precedence and they have always made this clear. There is no alternative to NFIU autonomy. The surest way out of the looming humiliating expulsion of Nigeria is that the authorities call the EFCC to order. They must stop spewing falsehood and steer clear the FIU.”

Destiny Ugorji/GEE

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WSIS prize 2018 now up for grabs, deadline January 2

ITREALMS:

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has continued to grow and develop towards the WSIS Forum 2018, with WSIS prize now up for grabs until January 2, reports ITRealms.

The prize, ITRealms gathered would form part of the 2018 WSIS Forum slated to hold in Geneva, Switzerland from 19-23 March 2018.

Vladimir Stankovic of WSIS, CSD, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said that the annual Forum serves as a platform to discuss how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can accelerate progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Forum hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and co-organized by ITU, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); provides an opportunity to exchange information and share best practices. It represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community.

The annual WSIS Prizes have emerged as a popular and integral part of the WSIS stocktaking process, because they recognize individuals, governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research institutions and private-sector companies for their success in leveraging the power of ICTs as an enabler of development.

ITRealms further reports that deadline for submission of applications is January 2, 2018.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Ojobo now AFAC fellow

ITREALMS:

 

The Director Public Affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr. Tony Ojobo, has been honoured with a distinguished Fellowship award by the African Festival of Art and Culture (AFAC) reports ITRealms.

AFAC led by its Director-General, Mr. Joseph Ibe, presented the award to Ojobo at the NCC Head Office in Abuja, recently.

He informed that the award was conferred on Ojobo for his exemplary public service delivery and the professionalism he has brought to bear on Public Sector Communication as the Spokesperson of NCC.

In response, Mr. Ojobo expressed thanks to the delegation and for the award which he said is not just an honour to him alone but most importantly to the Commission stating clearly that the honour and several others would not have been possible without the diligence and team spirit of the staff of his department as well as the support and understanding of the Management of the Commission.

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Pix 1; Tony Ojobo, Director Public Affairs Department at NCC receives award from Joseph Ibeh, DG AFAC.

Pix 2: L-R: Sonny Aragba Akpore, Head Media Management; Uke Claudia, Director Creative/Children Department; Joseph Ibeh, DG AFAC; Tony Ojobo, Director Public Affairs NCC; Dr. Aloefuna Ekene, Secretary AFAC; Reuben Muoka, Head Public Relations and Robert Okoneukure, Logistics AFAC.

Lai Mohammed now Vice President

ITRealms:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has been named Vice President of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly, reports ITRealms.

This follows his election by acclamation to represent Africa as a Nigerian candidate, alongside Cape Verde, at the 22nd General Assembly of the UNWTO, which opened in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday. China was elected President of the Assembly.

Nigeria's election followed the country's unopposed nomination by the UNWTO Commission on Africa (CAF), which met a day earlier.

Reacting to Nigeria's election, the Minister said: ''To be called upon to serve as a Vice President of the General Assembly of the UNWTO is a very big honour to Nigeria.

''It has proven one thing, that in the last two years, we have succeeded in pushing tourism and the Creative Industry as a whole from the back burner to the front burner. from a side issue to the main issue. This has also been noticed by the global community and I feel highly gratified by it.''

Nigeria, which will serve on the UNWTO General Assembly until 2019, will host the 61st edition of the UNWTO CAF Meeting in Abuja 4th-6th June 2018.

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Pix: The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle), after his election as Vice President of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) General Assembly in Chengdu, China, on Wednesday

ICANN now requires email validation system

ITRealms:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has introduced electronic email verification for registration on its website, reports ITRealms.

This, ICANN said is part of an ongoing process to improve the security of its web applications and this new verification process takes effect form Saturday 20 May 2017.

“The ICANN Registration website will now require that all potential meeting participants verify their email address to complete the registration process,” officials told ITRealms.

This, ICANN said added another  layer of security designed to ensure the validity of user email addresses and reduce the amount of malicious and spam email accounts currently being utilized.

Once a user has verified their email address, they will not need to re-verify for future meeting registrations, unless they update their email address or use a new one. Unverified email accounts will be unable to complete the registration process, nor will they be able to receive printed credentials at the meeting.

Users are encouraged to log into https://registration.icann.org after 20 May 2017 to receive a prompt to validate their email address. Users can then utilize the validation link sent to their email address, or they can enter the emailed confirmation code into the registration site confirmation code prompt.

ICANN explained that if users have pre-registered for upcoming meetings, and are unable to visit https://registration.icann.org before the meeting, they will be prompted on-site at the registration kiosks to validate their registration account email address.

“They can simply enter the email confirmation code at the kiosk prompt,” ICANN official said.

ITRealms gathered that registration email validation links and confirmation codes are only valid for 24 hours after they are requested.

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NBA says DSS action unconstitutional, demands release of arrested judges now

ITRealms:

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) may be spoiling for war over the arrest of some three judges across the country at the weekend, describing it as unconstitutional since the country is not under military rule, reports ITRealms.

NBA also warned it will do everything possible to maintain sanctity of judiciary and called on President Muhammadu Buhari to call the Department of State Security (DSS) to order and for them to immediately release the judges arrest in a few in the early hours of Saturday.

The NBA President, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, ITRealms gathered made this calls while addressing the media, on Saturday, noting that even within the judiciary, there are processes of handling such issues as corruption and indiscipline and not the duty of DSS.

Mahmoud, who was accompanied by some senior members of the bar at the press conference, included past presidents of NBA, and comprised Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Olisa Agbakoba SAN, JB Daudu SAN, Others are former Secretary, Dele Adesina SAN, Kemi Pinheirro SAN, Kanyinsola Ajayi SAN, Yusuf Ali SAN, Monday Ubani, and others.

Mahmoud confirmed that several judges including justices of the Supreme Court Okoro and Nkwocha were arrested by men of DSS between Friday and Saturday.

He said that the information reaching his office, the raid still continued and that those arrested have been moved to Abuja.

NBA insisted that President caution the security agencies by directing them aright with the release of those judges without further delays or strings attached.

The NBA, he said, will go to any length to protect the sanctity of the judiciary.

"There will be grave consequences if the judges are not released immediately,” he said.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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