Okonkwo laments: Multiple taxation, forex pushing air tickets up – ITREALMS

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The chairman of the United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiora Okonkwo, has lamented that multiple taxation coupled with rising foreign exchange regime are some factors pushing up the cost of air tickets in the country, reports ITREALMS.

Stressing that for Nigerians to enjoy lower air travel tickets, the Federal Government must step in to save the aviation sector by moderating the over 20 taxes paid on every ticket purchased by travelers as well as reign in the astronomical rise in the foreign exchange regime.

Police promotion galore: PSC moves 1898 officers up - ITREALMS

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"Galadanci DIG, Longe, Garba, Abass, Adeniyi, Asabi, Okoro, Chuku, Nagoyo others Now AIGs -Ogunlowo, Opara, Musa, Jimoh, Akpanudom, Dung, Ayilara, Uka, others CPs; Aniedy Udoh, Badmos , Ahmadu, Eruogu, Igometi , Chinna Joe-Iruobe others now ACPs"

It was a promotion galore as the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Tuesday, January 23rd 2024 approved the appointment of AIG Dasuki Galadanci, AIG in-charge of Zone 12 Bauchi as a Deputy Inspector General of Police to represent the North West geopolitical zone of the country.

UTME highest scorer: Anambra sets up panel of inquiry - ITREALMS

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The Government of Anambra State has set up a panel of inquiry into the controversy surrounding the highest scorer in the 2023 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination organised by the Joint Admission & Matriculation Board (JAMB), reports ITREALMS.

The Education Commissioner for Anambra State, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh disclosed at a media chat in Awka, regretted that the development was very embarrassing, coming at a time when the Soludo-led administration is repositioning in her avowed determination to get education right in the state.

Loan trap: World Bank accused of setting Nigeria up with $800m funding - ITREALMS

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The World Bank Country office in Nigeria has been accused of engaging on practices considered illegal under Nigeria’s legal regime, in relation to borrowing and loan indebtedness worth $800m, about ₦368,615,712,800.00, reports ITREALMS.

Leading in the accusation, the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Center) said the Bank in its engagement with some Civil Society Organizations regarding the planned $800 million loan to the Nigerian Government though is subject to the approval of the National Assembly of Nigeria before its disbursement will take effect.

How to clean up your WhatsApp storage - ITREALMS

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Many at times, I have been accosted with the question of 'how do I clean up my WhatsApp' with reference to the storage. We have also advocated that at this era of information highway and sharing from various sources, people have to keep pace by ensuring that their devices are kept optimal.

So, in this piece we shall be exploring how to clean up your WhatsApp storage, using the following steps.


1. On the CHATS tab, tap More options > Settings.
2. Tap Storage and data > Manage storage.
3. The amount of space taken up on your device by WhatsApp media and Apps and other items is displayed at the top of the screen.
4. You can free up storage by deleting items that are large or have been forwarded many times.


Specifically, how to free up storage on WhatsApp on your Andriod?
You can view how much space WhatsApp is taking up on your device and free up storage by deleting items.


View storage
1. On the CHATS tab, tap More options > Settings.
2. Tap Storage and data > Manage storage.


The amount of space taken up on your device by WhatsApp media and Apps and other items is displayed at the top of the screen.


First of all, review before pressing delete of any item or items.
You can free up storage by deleting items that are large or have been forwarded many times. You can also delete items per chat.


Review items
1. On the CHATS tab, tap More options > Settings.
2. Tap Storage and data > Manage storage.
3. Tap Forwarded many times, Larger than 5 MB, or select a specific chat.


You can tap the sort icon to sort by Newest, Oldest, or Largest.


The file size of the item is displayed in the top corner of the item.


Tap an item to review. You can also:
View which chat the item is from and when it was sent: Tap More > Show in chat.
Star or unstar the item: Tap Star or Unstar.


Delete items
If you choose to delete an item, it will be deleted from your WhatsApp media. Deleted items might still be saved on your device. If you have multiple copies of an item, you’ll also need to delete all copies in order to free up space.


On the CHATS tab, tap More options > Settings.
1. Tap Storage and data > Manage storage.
2. Tap Forwarded many times, Larger than 5 MB, or select a specific chat.


You can:
Delete all items: Tap Select all if you want to delete all items at once.
Delete individual items: Tap and hold an item you want to delete. Select additional items to delete multiple items at once.


Tap Delete.
Select Delete starred items to delete starred items.
Select Delete any copies to delete duplicates.


Tap DELETE.
Delete items through search
You can also delete individual items by using the search feature.

On the CHATS tab, tap Search.
1. Tap Photos, Videos, or Documents.
2. Tap the item you want to delete.
Tap More > Delete.

Optionally, tap Delete media in this chat.
Tap DELETE.

Low storage alerts
If the amount of available storage on your device reaches critically low levels, WhatsApp might not be able to function properly.

If this happens, WhatsApp might prompt you to free up space in order to continue using the app.

You can also free up space by deleting apps you don’t use or large videos, photos, or files saved on your phone. For more information about how to free up storage on your phone outside of WhatsApp, please contact your phone’s manufacturer.

NB: Delete items: To free up storage, delete any copies of these items from your WhatsApp media. Deleted items may still be saved on your device. Check box to delete any copies by pressing 'delete' and if not too sure, cancel.

*Chuks Egbune/DoP

Yuletide: Transcorp Hilton lits up for Christmas - ITREALMS

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Transcorp Hilton has lit up its environment as part of activities to commence the annual Christmas ceremony for the yuletide celebration.

The event with all the excitement it brings is set to usher in the joy of the season, which comes with giving and kindness, described as the most wonderful time of the year.

N20m: Anambra warms up to dole out phase 3

ITREALMS:

The Anambra State Government has revealed plans to commenced the third phase of its N20 million community infrastructure project under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano, reports ITRealms.

The government has also warned the Presidents-General of towns yet to complete the first and second phases to ensure they meet up with end of February 2018 deadline.

As said by the Hon. Commissioner Information and Communication Strategy, Ogbuefi Tony Nnachetta, the Executive Council of Anambra State Government has observed that a number of Communities have not completed their very first tranche due to environmental and other circumstances.

“Council frowned at this delay and have directed the Presidents General, Traditional institutions and Town organisations to take immediate actions to galvanise the completion of these projects before the end of February 2018,” he warned.

Nnechetta said that some 19 communities across the three senatorial zones of the state are currently on the default list and may not benefit from the third phase of the N20 community infrastructure project grant, with Anambra North Senatorial zone topping defaulters with nine non-compliance communities, whereas others have five each.

He listed the defaulting communities in Anambra South Senatorial Zone to include Ezira (Orumba South LGA), Ihite (Orumba South), Oraifite (Ekwusigo), Awgbu (Orumba North), Nnewi (Nnewi North).

For the Anambra Central Senatorial Zone, Nnachetta said that Awka  in (Awka South) , Oba (Idemili South), Ugbenu (Awka North), Isiagu (Awka South)  and Ebenebe (Awka North) are yet to comply with conditions set out in phase 1 and phase 2.

On Anambra North Senatorial Zone, he said, Obeagwe  in  (Ogbaru), Ifite-Anam  (Anambra West), Ukwalla (Anambra West) , Ogbunike (Oyi), Umueze Anam (Anambra West), Ifite Anam (Anambra West), Ogidi (Ogbaru), Aguleri (Anambra East), and Igbakwu (Ogbaru).

According to him, the Council also noted that  a certain number of communities have not processed the second tranche of the N2Om Community Infrastructure Project.

“These communities are asked to hasten up and conclude this process. Government is set to activate the third tranche shortly by March 2018 and completions of one and second tranches are clear prerequisites for communities to qualify,” he said.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE

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Nigerians, Wake Up From Sleep

WeekendSalvo@ITREALMS:

The maverick entertainer and self-styled area father, Charley Boy coined the phrase, ‘Our Mumu Don Do’ last year. The ideology, according to him, was to galvanize docile Nigerians to rise up from their comfort zone and begin to show more interest in the issues of governance as it affects them. He aired jingles on television and radio and granted several interviews in the newspapers. He and his associates even when on road shows and carried placards to demonstrate against some of the rots in the system! For these he was maligned and bruised, physically and mentally.  Months into that campaign, some may argue that not much have changed.

One may not totally agree with the way and manner Charley Boy goes about his businesses, but one thing you cannot take away from him is the fact that he is bold and courageous. At a time when the morale was at an all-time low, he took the giant step of canvassing for better governance and jolting the presidency even at the risk of his own life and those of his associates. How many of us can do likewise? We complain each day about leadership and yet we do nothing concrete. Can you eat an omelette without first frying an egg? Many of us are not happy with the seeming ineptitude in the system but are just too fearful of doing anything meaningful about it, forgetting that nothing good comes easy.

When you know the truth, then you are free from the shackles of ignorance. Are you passionate about your country? Do you want to see this nation great again? Now is the time for us to wake up from sleep and participate more actively in national affairs. We cannot afford to be lukewarm. There is no better time than this to make the difference. For instance, after over a year of agitation, the government is finally nursing the idea of commencing a sort of ‘restructuring’ the way they deemed it fit. We have always advocated that the process of building our future is a continuum. It cannot be carried out by a single political party in one swoop. All Nigerians have roles and inputs to make as responsible citizens. I want to re-iterate that there is no way the reports of the last confab can just be throw into the bin, all because it was championed by the opposition party. I also have issues with the last administration; but, surely, there are some recommendations in that reports that are very useful to us at this point. Do we really need another committee to fashion out the way forward for us? We are just moving round in circles.

The call for restructuring has been on for some time now. The agitation became so heated last year that the government inaugurated the El-Rufai committee to make recommendations. And now that the committee in its own wisdom has made public its submissions, one wonders how they would be viewed by all, considering that there was no collective bye-in by the major stakeholders like other political parties, civil societies, ethnic nationalities, etc. Would the other groups readily agree to all their submissions? So which is the way forward?

Mediocrity breeds retrogression. Pretence is sheer self-deceit. We all know the problem with Nigeria. Are we honest enough to confront them head-long? Our old brigade politicians know the problems and the solutions. But are they ready and willing to do the needful? Are we ready to compel them to do the needful? No movement, no motion. 

Those who wish well for this nation, beyond selfish interest, know that proper restructuring is the way to go. We will not move forward if we continue to play ethnic and religious cards rather than facing the substance. It is time for us all to be wise and not allow ourselves to be used and dumped like before. It is all about our future, our happiness, our children’s future. 

My fellow countrymen and women rise and be active players in the affairs of your country. Do not just sit and watch. Together we can build a better and truly progressive nation.

*Courtesy: Monsignor Gabriel Osu, is the Director of Communication, Archdiocese of Lagos.

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Catholics warm up for 2018 World Day of Peace

ITREALMS:

Catholic faithful across the world are now warming up for the 2018 World Day of Peace as declared by Pope Francis to hold on New Year Day, Monday, January 1, this year, reports ITRealms.

With the theme ‘Migrants and Refugees: Men and Women in search of Peace’ the Pontiff noted that the World Peace Day is set aside annually by the Holy See to spread the gospel of peaceful co-existence amongst peoples of the world.

ITRealms gathered that in the Archdiocese of Lagos, the event would kick off with a Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral with the Archbishop of Lagos, Most Rev Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins as the Chief Celebrant, to be assisted by the Director of Social Communicators, Msgr. Gabriel Osu by 10.am.

Also, ITRealms reports that the occasion would be graced some members of Catholic Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CAMPAN), Papal Knights/Medalists, top government functionaries and members of the diplomatic corps. The occasion will also afford an opportunity for the reading of the Pope’s New Year message, while the Archbishop of Lagos will also brief the media on his State of the Nation address.

All Catholics and media practitioners are enjoined to be part of this celebration of peace to usher in the New Year.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

 

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Pix: Pope Francis

AfDB sets up PYAG

ITREALMS:

The President, African Development Bank Group (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina, has launched the Presidential Youth Advisory Group (PYAG) to provide insights and innovative solutions for job creation for Africa’s youth, as outlined in the Bank’s Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (JfYA) , reports ITRealms.

The Jobs for Youth in Africa initiative aims at creating 25 million jobs and impacting 50 million youth over the next ten years by equipping them with the right skills to get decent and meaningful jobs. It is currently the largest effort going on for youth employment in Africa today.

The advisory group, inaugurated on the sidelines of the 6^th EU-Africa Business Forum in Abidjan will work with the Bank to create jobs for Africa’s youth.

“This is a huge opportunity for Africa. If we fix the youth unemployment challenge, Africa will gain 10-20% annual growth. That means Africa’s GDP will grow by $500 million per year for the next thirty years. Africa’s per capita income will rise by 55% every year to the year 2050,” Adesina, said at the inauguration of the Group.

Adesina, who identified Africa’s greatest asset as its youth, observed that out of the 13 million youths that enter the labour market each year, only 3 million (about 33% of African youth) are in wage employment, while the rest are underemployed or in vulnerable employment. The annual gap of more than 8 million jobs is going to worsen, with the number of youth expected to double to more than 800 million in the next decades.

“Africa has an unemployment crisis among its youth,” he stressed, noting that unless employment opportunities are created for them, Africa’s rapidly growing population of youths can give rise to serious social, economic, political and security challenges.

Africa’s youths, though strong and dynamic, cross the desert or the Mediterranean sea because they do not find decent jobs in Africa. Graduates are wandering in the streets, jobless. The low level of employment opportunities is also fueling violence and extremism in Africa. “40 per cent of African youths engaged in armed violence join gangs or terrorist groups because of limited opportunities in their countries,” Adesina said.

“66 million African youths earn less than $2 a day, less than the price of a hamburger,” the AfDB President emphasized. “66 million is 8 times the size of Switzerland, 6 times the size of Belgium, the same size as UK, France or Italy, and 80% of Germany’s population,” he added.

The Presidential Youth Advisory Group (PYAG) comprises nine members under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the creation of employment opportunities for African youth.

The PYAG members are: Ashish Thakkar, CEO, Mara Group, Tanzania (Chair); Uzodinma Iweala, award-winning author, Nigeria; Mamadou Toure, Founder / CEO, Africa 2.0 / Ubuntu Capital, Cameroon; Vanessa Moungar, Human and Social Development Director, AfDB and member of President Macron’s Presidential Council for Africa, Chad; Francine Muyumba, President, Panafrican Youth Union, Democratic Republic of Congo; Jeremy Johnson, Co-founder, Andela, USA; Clarisse Iribagiza, CEO, Hehe, Rwanda; Ada Osakwe, CEO, Agrolay Ventures, Nigeria; and Monica Musonda,CEO of Java Foods, Zambia.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Never give up on happiness says Pope Francis

ITRealms:

The Catholic Pontiff, Pope Francisco the Sixth has urged faithful never to give up on self-happiness, reminding them that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments, reports ITRealms.

Pope Francis in a homily on Sunday, June 9, 2017 said that to be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord.

“It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures,” he said.

The Pontiff also noted that as faithful, people could have flaws, be anxious, and ever angry, but cautioned not to forget that their lives is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust.

Many, he said, may appreciate you, admire you and love you, but remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments.

“To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures,” he said.

According to him, it is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity, stressing that being happy is not a fatality of destiny, nonetheless an achievement for those who can travel within themselves.

“To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny's author,” he asserted, emphasizing that it is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of soul.

“It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life. Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It's to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a "no".  It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us,” Pope said.

To be happy, the Holy Father insisted, is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple, in addition to having maturity to be able to say "I made mistakes," to have the courage to say "I am sorry," to have the sensitivity to say "I need you" and further to have the ability to say "I love you".

Urging faithful to have the grace to become a garden of opportunities for happiness ... “That in spring may it be a lover of joy. In winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life. You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life.”

Maintaining that faithful must use their tears to irrigate tolerance; “Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculpture serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. Never give up .... Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show,” Pope Francis submitted.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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