Nigeria: Case for electronic voting and electoral reform before 2027 by Abajue, Chidi - Commentary@ITREALMS

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Executive Summary.
Nigeria’s democratic destiny stands at crossroads.
Despite two decades of continuous civilian rule, the question remains: Have our elections truly reflected the will of the people?

This paper calls on the National Assembly of Nigeria to enact the legislative will and moral courage required to institutionalize electronic voting (e-voting) and comprehensive electoral reform before 2027.

WAEC’s new subject combination is confusion masquerading as reform by Elvis Eromosele - ITREALMS

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

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has once again stirred public outcry, this time over its newly released subject combinations for the 2026 examination. 

In what appears to be a hurried and poorly thought-out reform, WAEC has reordered subjects in a manner that defies logic, stifles student choice, and risks undermining years of learning.

FG plans to license WebTv - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) may have concluded plans once again to regulate the Internet with the proposed licensing of Web Television (WebTV), reports ITREALMS.

WebTV, ITREALMS gathered, was originally a brand owned by Microsoft as one of the first entries in the much publicized convergence of the World Wide Web with television. Unlike in cable TV, which entails users to buy a set-top box, Web TV requires just sign up with the WebTV access service and browse Web pages using a WebTV's browser and a hand-held control as long as one has Internet access.

With the growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) WebTV has since assumed an international dimension with advance of Internet as as a marketing tool and outlet for independent creators to display their work, thereby has shown improvement in Web television via quality, thus rivaling network television.

According to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lia Mohammed during the inauguration of the National Broadcasting Commission Reform Implementation in Abuja on Thursday, which has some six weeks to submit its report.

The Committee is to upgrade list of breaches of political comments relating to hate speeches and divisive comments to ''Class A'' offence in the Broadcasting Code.

“Amendment of the NBC Act to enable NBC license WebTv and radio stations, including foreign broadcasters beaming signals into Nigeria,” he asserted.

Other highlights of his speech underscored the fact that FG planned to among other things, “establish and publish a new regulation for the licensing of web and Internet broadcasters/International broadcasters in Nigeria.”

Also, he said the Committee is to work out modalities for immediate establishment and “publicize a new sanctioning, fines and penalty regime that is in line with international best practice, promote professionalism and serve as a deterrent to erring practitioners against misconduct, especially hate speech, violence and spread of fake news.”

Further, he said, the Committee is to work on finally putting an end to all forms of monopoly detrimental to the actualization of the immense potential of the broadcast industry.

The Committee has six weeks to submit its report and is made up of seven wisemen and a woman, including: Prof. Armstrong Idachaba, Director of Monitoring of the NBC; Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa, Acting Chairman of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON); J.K. Ehicheoya, Esq, Director, Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture; Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, Secretary, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON); Mr. Ibrahim Jimoh, Director of Administration, FRCN; Hon. Agbo Kingsley Ndubuisi, Board Member, NBC, and Mr. Joe Mutah, Chief Press Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

Chuks Egbuna/Editor

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Pix: The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (fourth from left); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu-Gekpe (third left); Prof. Armstrong Idachaba (fifth from left); Mr. Ibrahim Jimoh (extreme left); J.K. Ehicheoya Esq. (second left); Hajia Binta Adamu Bello (fourth from right); Sir Godfrey Ohuabunwa (third from right); Hon. Kingsley Agbo Ndubisi (second from right) and Joe Mutah (extreme right) when the Minister inaugurated the Committee on the Implementation of Reforms in the National Broadcasting Commission in Abuja on Thursday.

Ositelu promises to scrap EFCC, ICPC, reform Police - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The operations of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) would be collapsed into a reformed Police Force to be established under the Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Isaac Babatunde Ositelu, reports ITREALMS.

The Accord Party flag bearer, also promises radical restructuring of the internal security apparatus of the country would give birth to an efficient and effective police service that would be technology driven and people oriented. He said that the reformed Police service would be made accountable, decent, responsive and responsible to the Nigerian nation and not to the few elites who seemed to undermine the discipline required in the police as an institution of the state. 

 
In a statement released to the media on Saturday, 24 November 2018, Ositelu said that when he is voted into office as the next President and Commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the federal Republic of Nigeria, his government would embark on effective and efficient management of the nation’s resources. He said that the cost of governance would be significantly reduced under his watch. While saying that the executive arm of government would lead by example, he said that the cost cutting initiative will include the streamlining of the security agencies involved in the management of corruption and fraud.

He said emphatically that his government would scrap the EFCC and ICPC and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force to perform its constitutional responsibilities of curbing crimes and criminalities. Justifying the need for the harmonisation of the work of the EFCC and ICPC with that of the Police, he said that the creation of these agencies had led to needless envy, corruption and even insubordination among the rank and file deployed from the Police to EFCC and ICPC which are considered ‘juicy’ agency to work for because of the special incentives available to the operatives.

Rather than create room for animosity among the security operatives, Ositelu said that a well incentivised Police will live up to its responsibility of curbing criminalities across the country. He pondered if the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Police cannot effectively and efficiently carry out its legal mandates if properly mobilised. According to him, the Police would be given all the needed supports in its human capital development to enable it come out sharper and materially ready to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality in the public and private institutions across the country.

The party standard bearer said that the reformed Police will be restructured into a police service that would be intelligent driven. He stressed that the move would consequently make the police service a collective responsibility of the citizens and other state apparatus for a better society. He posits as well that by creating a police service with infallible national crime database, the call for community policing would be seamlessly persuasive and integrated into the nation’s internal security architecture. According to him, this is the panacea for achieving drastic reduction in criminal activities. 

Speaking also on the planned far-reaching revitalisation of the education sector, he said that the retooling of the nation’s education sector would make the unionisation of the institutions less attractive to the academic staff of the nation’s citadel of learning. According to him, market driven forces would incentivise the academic staff to focus more attention on research based commitments to the institutions.

Taken aback at a recent revelation that the tertiary institutions in Nigeria had been on a cumulative four years strike since 1999 to 2018, he said, no nation can afford such luxury of wastefulness in its human capital development schedule. Noting the needless disruptions to the education sector, going by the incessant strikes arising from disputes between the federal and state government, he said that Nigeria would derive more benefits from strategic restructuring of its education sector. Drawing a parallel from the incentives available to the tertiary institutions in America and other developed nations, he said that the higher institutions of learning in Nigeria would be made true centres of learning that would serve as the pillar of support for commerce and industry.

On the source of funding for the institutions, since he planned to make them less dependent on statutory allocations, the Presidential candidate of Accord Party said that the schools would be refocused to produce quality research works that the private sector would be interested in buying. Aside from attracting private sector funding for research experiences, he said that the schools can also market some of their unique products that compete with international best offers.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Swype Global seeks strategic partnerships to reform continental music talent discovery - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

As a technology market hub continues to attract attention from international organizations. Swype Global Ltd, a United Kingdom (UK)-based digital startup, has made a strategic entry into Nigeria with a 50 per cent investment in SGL-Swypatune Nig. Ltd, reports ITRealms.

This entry, ITRealms gathered, is in a bid to properly harness the potential of music talents in Africa using digital technologies.

Also, ITRealms reports that the entrance will serve as a catalyst for strategic partnerships with relevant stakeholders who are poised to embrace the vision of leveraging digital technology, primarily focused on eliminating the barriers impeding the growth of upcoming artistes in Nigeria.

Music talent discovery in Nigeria still hinges on a traditional media model, a situation which creates limited access, ambiguous criteria and lack of transparency, as opposed to a digital based platform which provides more transparency, equal access to contestants and eliminates stage fright.

Having developed an intuitive digital platform dubbed SWYPATUNE - an App which will be available on the Google Play and Apple Stores by 2019 - Swype Global Limited has laid out a strategic roadmap to solving the common problems faced by many upcoming artistes before,during and after a music talent show.

With the likes of established financial houses like Fidelity Bank and Zenith Bank, and entertainment figures like Ice Prince, Ade Bantu, Chopstiks and others already in conversation with Peter Atorough, a professor and CEO, Swype Global, believes that having the right strategic partnership is a critical aspect of SGL-Swypatune’s business model.

"We have developed partnerships internationally with key technology and monetization content developers, but we are interested and actively searching for local business partnersand sponsors who will key into this vision and help transform the economic landscape of Nigeria. We have had interesting discussions with established artists like Ice Prince and major potential sponsors like Zenith Bank and Fidelity Bank."

“As a specialist in Digital Consumer Behaviour and Supply Chain Management, I think of the 360-degree business model:the whole idea is to eliminate multiple intermediaries through a digital based concept, and to bridge all the barriers encountered during the process of a talent show while offering value to all partners, sponsors and App users.”

Peter isn't ignorant of the fact that some developers are already building quick fix Apps which do not address local needs.

But he explains that while the likes of international app publishers like Facebook and Snapchat do not put the Africancultural orientations, environmental factors, as well as perspectives into consideration, Swype Global Ltd is founded on the philosophy that digital mobile technology represents the biggest and boldest opportunity to transform the economies of Africa. This is particularly relevant to Nigeria where Swype Global is looking to create new employment opportunities in the digital mobile technology space.

"If you visit Spotify for instance, no Nigerian music content is listed in the top 100 songs. That is a huge gap and Swype Global Ltd is bridging that by seeking the right stakeholders who will come on board and help us “drive a local digital platform built specifically with a deep understanding of Africa’s economic and social realities."

“During my visit to Nigeria, I have had the opportunity to meet and observe many aspiring artists performing or rehearsing their acts. I have met the likes of Queen Xand Malyna, all excellent performers with huge potential but poor exposure due to limited opportunities to showcase their talent at a national level. This is where Swypatune will make a huge difference.”

Peter remains optimistic that Nigeria has a huge potential to overcome the issue of being so much reliant on Apps developed for Americans and Europeans. Providing more insight on the 360 Degree model, he said everybody who gets involved directly or indirectly with the digital platform, either as partners, sponsors or users, gets rewarded one way or the other. 

“This is how we do things in Africa; we share the rewards for the benefit of all stakeholders. Every day, international App publishers make huge money from your use of their apps. You think it’s free; but in reality, you are giving them a whole lot and getting nothing in tangible rewards from their profits. Swype Global wants to do things differently.”

Active users of the Swypatune App get credits in the form of Swypa Coins when they engage in different activities, and can use their credits to redeem fantastic offers on the app; vendor partners from different sectors, including hotels, cinemas, travel agents and retailers, can directly create and advertise their best offers on the platform for free; while sponsors or partners get a revenue share or advertisement exposure to the millions of Swypatune users.

"Users can use their Swypa Coins to redeem offers from food vendors, travel agencies etc. In a situation where an offer is worth £12 and a user has £8 Swypa Coins, such a user can borrow Swypa Coins from friends or top up their credit through their network’s airtime or bank card.”

The SWYPATUNE App will serve as a contest platform for music talents in Nigeria. There would be a crowd source entry (anybody can upload their music content on the Swypatune App). With the help of an efficient algorithm built in the App, 100 entries would be shortlisted after a review.

According to Frank Fotso, an engineer and director, Swype Global, "There will be three series in a year with each series producing 1 winner. The members of the public will have the opportunity to vote and determine their No 1 tune, thereby directly deciding the winner of each series. The winner will get N10 Million towards recording and establishment, including post contest management and mentoring. There will also be weekly prizes presented on a Weekly TV slot showcasing the week’s No 1 song and Swypatune users.”

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Pix: From Left to Right: Nnam Uche, Country Manager, Swype Global Limited Nigeria, Dr. Peter Atorough, CEO, Swype Global Limited 

National Assembly urged to pass NIPOST Reform Bill

ITRealms:

The Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has urged the National Assembly to expedite action in deliberating and subsequently passing the Postal Reform Bill and other related bills pending before the legislators aiming at restructuring the nation’s postal flagship, the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), reports ITRealms.

Barr. Shittu made this call while launching two documents, namely, the “Restructuring and Modernising Nigerian Postal Service and NIPOST Vision 2020” as well as inaugurating a steering committee for NIPOST reformation in his office Monday.

He said the present administration need the collaboration and synergy of the National Assembly to deliver on its campaign promises to Nigerians by expediting actions on bills targeted at social reformation of the Nigerian society, one of which is the services provided by NIPOST.

The minister charged the law makers upon resumption from their current recess to give the bill serious attention, saying, “we will appreciate that the bill is considered expeditiously important to the socio-economic policy thrust of the Muhammadu Buhari administration”.

He stated further that the Bill seek the amendment of all the existing postal services laws to give effect to the recommendations of the NethPost Consultancy of The Netherlands and all other interest groups that worked with the Ministry, NIPOST and other stakeholders in the postal services.

 According to him, though NIPOST reformation was not part of the APC campaign promises, but he initiated moves to reposition NIPOST, one of the oldest public institutions to be widely accepted in terms of efficient and effective postal services delivery, to be socially relevant, economically viable and internationally acceptable.

Objectives of the Postal Sector Reform Plan, he said, is premised on; establishing a low cost universal postal service that provides a solid communication medium and link nationwide; providing a safe and efficient postal service that is sustainable and keep space with developments in the rest of the world; introducing private sector participation and the development of the postal service into a commercially viable entrepreneurial conglomerate and creating a convenient means of savings mobilization and payment/ funds transfer system for the entire country through the postal network.

To operate on a commercial driven orientation, Shittu said the reform will unbundle NPOST to profit –driven subsidiaries such as; NIPOST Digital Financial Services Limited (PostBank); NIPOST Property &Development Company Limited; NIPOST Transport and Logistics Limited; NIPOST Merchandizing Limited (e-Commerce); and NIPOST General Services Support Limited (e-Government).

The Post Master General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Barr. Bisi Adegbuyi in his remark commended the present administration for its determination to drive the reformation process to a logical conclusion and particularly Barr. Shittu for his concerted efforts to change the trajectory of NIPOST, adding that the management of NIPOST has in the interim took a step at tinkering with reformation through certain restructuring steps taken so far.

“It is in this spirit, therefore, that the new management of Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) crafted this four- year strategic plan (NIPOST Vision 2020, from 2017 -2020) to guide the implementation. In considering the contents of the various documents, however, it is obvious that there are programmes that can be implemented in the short term in accordance with government policy, while others can only be implemented in the long-run after the passage of the Postal Sector Reform Bill into law”, he said.

After launching the two documents, the minister inaugurated a steering committee that will lay the foundation for the reformation process with the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Arc Sonny Echono as chairman, the Post Mast General and Chief Executive Officer of NIPOST, Barr. Bisi Adegbuyi as vice-chairman and the Special Adviser, Digital Resources, to the Minister, Mr.Akeem Yusuf as secretary. Others include, two members each from the ministry (Directors of ICT and Telecoms & Postal Services) and NIPOST; one representative each from the Central Bank of Nigeria, Bureau of Public Enterprises and Special Assistant, NPOST, to the Honorable Minister.

The committee chairman, Arc. Echono promised that members of the committee will give the assignment all necessary attention and seriousness it deserves and deliver on the mandate of its task in due time.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Adeosun goes to World Bank spring meeting with reform agenda

ITRealms:

The Honourable Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun, is in Washington DC, United States, this week for the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings with reform agenda of the federal government, reports ITRealms.

The Minister is participating in a range of events focused on different aspects of the Federal Government’s economic reform agenda, calling Calls for greater African and international collaboration on illicit financial flows to drive accelerated revenue growth and improved government efficiency.

At her opening event on Monday, she gave an address to the Global Parliamentary Conference, alongside parliamentarians from around the world, focused on Nigeria’s economic reform agenda and the need for strong executive and legislative collaboration.

In her address to senior representatives from the World Bank and IMF, as well as over 150 parliamentarians the Minister called for greater focus on collaboration in illicit financial flows from Africa as a core pillar of the government’s strategy to significantly enhance domestic government revenue and deliver sustainable economic growth.

“The government is focused on resetting the Nigerian economy by addressing our traditional over-reliance on oil revenues and establishing the basis for sustainable non-oil revenue growth. To improve non-oil revenues, we have to address illicit capital flows. When stolen money is transferred from Nigeria, or other African countries, there are too few questions asked by those countries that receive the funds, but when we identify those funds as stolen and seek to recover them, there are too many questions being asked,” she said.

According to her, “There is money sitting in foreign bank accounts that we have spent over a decade trying to recover. That is money that could deliver significant value for Nigeria as we seek to increase spending on critical infrastructure and establish a basis for long term sustainable growth. I hope that the Automatic Exchange of Information scheme coming into force next year will be a step towards achieving greater transparency, but we need more collaboration amongst parliamentarians in Africa, and across the World to ensure that this situation improves and that recipient countries are held to account.”

Commenting further, she said that FG is going after those who have stolen money. 

"We have put in place a very successful whistle blower programme that is delivering results, and allows those who report illicit activity to receive up to 5% of any funds that we recover. We are also significantly improving our financial management controls to ensure that it is considerably more difficult for public funds to be diverted. We have to do more though and that means collaboration with the legislature. We need tighter tax and financial reporting legislation and to ratify bilateral agreements so that our enforcement agencies are empowered to deliver the results that we need” she declared.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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