NDSF 2025: Nigeria ICT stakeholders urged to engage in WSIS review process - ITREALMS

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The stakeholders in Nigeria's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector have been tasked to actively engage in the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) review process, reports ITREALMS.

This call was made by Dr. Jimson Olufuye, Principal Consultant at Kontemporary Konsulting Ltd and Chairman of the 2025 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Africa Forum on Internet Governance for Development.

Alumni urged to close ranks for sake of alma maters - ITREALMS

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Alumni of institutions in the country have been urged to close ranks so as to be a formidable team for the growth of the former institutions, known in Italo as ‘alma mater’ and society at large, reports ITREALMS.

Giving this charge at the weekend during the 2025 ThanksGiving Get Together of Times Journalism Alumni Association (TJAA Class99) held at the Ladi Lawal House, Lagos Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalist in Alausa Ikeja, the Governor-General of TJAA Class99, Ogbuefi Chinenyeze Remmy Nweke, commended members for their continued commitment towards positioning Times Journalism Alumni Association in the journalism industry.

Ogazuma: Government should provide security for students - ITREALMS

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Nigeria's quest at grappling with several security challenges that directly impact on its economy and lives of citizens, Government at all levels have been called to provide profound security for students especially the females.

Edutainment Communicator and Veteran Broadcaster, Ms Debrah Ogazuma made the call Thursday in Lokoja at the 8th Annual Conference of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) with the theme: “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to Digital Economy.”

Groups write Buhari on OPL 245 development, urged FG to join as Injured Party - ITREALMS

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Three Civil Society International and local Groups - ReCommon, Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) and Corner House have jointly written to President Buhari on the recent developments with regards to the various court proceedings relating to the corrupt award in 2011 of the OPL 245 Oil field to Eni and Shell, calling on the government to fight the corruption.

In a letter dated 4th of November 2022 addressed to President Muhammdu Buhari, titled Recent Developments on OPL 245, highlighted some positive developments and also set priorities for the federal government in demanding justice from the OPL245 deal.

Townhall: Lagosians urged to leverage ICT for PVCs - ITREALMS

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Lagosians have been urged to make use of various Information and Communications Technology (ICT) impetus introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) in order to exercise their franchise in the forthcoming 2023 general elections, reports ITREALMS.

The Chairman, Lagos State House Committee on Science and Technology, Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Afinni Olanrewaju Suleiman, representing Lagos Island II, at 8th Annual Constituency Stakeholders TownHall Meeting in Lagos.

Nigerians urged to own FOI Act 2011 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Nigerians have been urged to own the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act signed into law since 2011, says the chairman, board of Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria (FOICN), Dr. Chike Walter Duru, reports ITREALMS.

He spoke at a two-day Capacity Building Roundtable on the Provisions and Use of the Freedom of Information Act 2011, at Genesis Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, as part of the European Union (EU) funded Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (ROLAC) programme with representatives of non-state actors including Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), the Media, private Legal practitioners and mainstream Civil Society actors in the state.

Dwelling on “Freedom of Information Act: An Overview,” Dr. Duru said that FOI as a citizen-driven law should be accepted with two hands by Nigerians and run with it.

According to him until citizens decide the FOI Act will work, only then will it work.

He implore Nigerians who feel strongly about positive change in the country to explore the FOI Act, as it has all it takes to enthrone transparency, accountability and development the country so much desire.

“The only way to make FOI work is for citizens to explore it and ask questions,” he declared.

Duru, who also the Head, Department of Mass Communication, Madonna University, Okija Campus, Nigeria, also lamented on the fact that in the past seven years of this Act only 330 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) have complied with the mandate of FOI for them to give institutional reports annually.

He listed some of the benefits of FOI Act 2011 signed into law on May 28, to enable Nigerians to access certain government information, in order to ensure transparency and accountability.

“FOI Act gives every Nigerian a legal right of access to information, records and documents held by government bodies and private bodies bound by the law,” he enthused, insisting that it applies to all arms and tiers of government.

On who is qualified to seek information, Dr. Duru said that any citizen of Nigeria irrespective of professional discipline.

“Any other person seeking clarification of public issues,” he declared.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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IMF, World Bank, CBN urged to lead Braille sign insertion in currency notes

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The trio of International Monetary Fund (IMF), WorldBank and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), have been urged to lead agitations for the insertion of Braille signs on global currency notes, reports ITRealms.

Braille, ITRealms gathered, is a tactile writing system used by people who are visually impaired and is traditionally written with embossed paper.

ITRealms also gathered Braille users could read computer screens and other electronic supports thanks to refreshable braille displays available nowadays.

The Monitoring Officer, Justice, Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Mr. Abiodun Abacha Adebesin, made this call, pointing out that its high time global financial institutions consider adding Braille signs on our paper currencies in fulfillment of the one of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of not leaving any one behind.

According to him, the blinds have been cheated on so many occasions because they rely on people to determine the denominations of the money they are holding and this is really saddening.

“If this done by all financial institutions in the world with the support of IMF and world bank, this will be in line with agenda 2030 'Leave no one behind'” Adebesin said.

ITRealms, recalls that effort at inclusiveness is at the core of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to SDG experts, inclusiveness speaks to the notion of empowerment and the principle of non-discrimination, which is reflected in the pledge to leave no one behind and in the vision of a “just, equitable, tolerant, open and socially inclusive world in which the needs of the most vulnerable are met” and “a world in which every country enjoys sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.”

In addition,  this reflected both in goals and targets, including Goal 4, which refers to inclusive and equitable quality education; Goal 8, which refers to sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth; Goal 9, which refers to inclusive and sustainable industrialization; Goal 11, which refers to inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable cities and human settlements; and Goal 16, which refers to peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development and to accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

This assertion of ‘leave no one behind’ further refers to the need to include everyone in societal processes, and conveys the notion that people should not only be allowed to thrive, but should have a voice and effective opportunities to shape the course of development. Thus, the Agenda is relevant to all countries and all people, belongs to everyone, and its success will depend on the active implication and engagement of all actors and on reaching the furthest behind first.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Nigeria urged to emulate Malaysia, India – Charles Eke

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The founding Chief Executive Officer, Infotech Systems and founder of Ngor-Okpala Progressive Organization (NOPO) for the Tri-state area in the United States of America (USA), Chief Charles Ugochukwu Eke, has urged Nigeria to emulate Malaysia, India by leveraging diaspora citizens, reports ITRealms.

Speaking exclusively to ITRealms, Chief Eke who is a Computer Engineer by profession, noted that the roles by Nigerians, especially of Igbo extraction leading to recent appointment into the transition team by the New Jersey-elected governor, Mr. Phil Murphy in USA, brings to the fore the need for Nigeria to take a second look on how to relate with her citizens in diaspora.

He also said that by this call for searching inwards would be influenced through engagement of the Nigeria in diaspora.

Eke who holds dual citizenship of Nigeria and United States, said that Nigeria must trust the brain lost and find a way to regain it by leveraging her expertise in diaspora, mostly in the United States.

According to him, Malaysia and India were able to develop because they used their citizens abroad with honest, “so, why can't Nigeria?”

Eke, who is a leading figure in the ‘Africans for Phil Murphy’ campaign team expressed delight over the harnessing of his potentials and opportunities accorded him in US.

He further gave some insights into his membership of Team Murphy for Governor campaign via Rev Derrick Green, who supported his vision to start Africans for Phil Murphy which today played a great roll in mobilizing Africans and Caribbean that contributed greatly in victory of the governor elect, Mr. Phil Murphy.

Eke, a Computer Engineer turn politician, said that he gave his best to the campaign for 18-month none pay crisscrossing New Jersey, organizing and campaigning for the candidate Murphy.

“I became a family member welcomed by him and that ushered in the four appointments and more to come,” he said.

As said by him, the other trio include Dr. Obilor Iwuozo who is a medical doctor; environmental engineer, Dr. Francis Owoh and Chief Sir Polly Ubah, all stood beside me providing all their resources and always available throughout the campaign.

“Chief Sir Polly Ubah to serve in Education, Access and Opportunity; Chief Charles Ugo Eke in Government, Technology and Innovation; Chief Dr. Francis Owoh to serve in Environment and Energy; and Chief Dr. Iwuozo Obilor to serve in Health,” he said.

Eke emphasized that their appointment is an indication that if given chance and opportunities “we can deliver victory” stressing that he rose to senior coordinator in the campaign and have helped bring victory to couple of other elections in New Jersey.

“The zeal and exposures are very high in New Jersey,” he declared.

Eke, whose political career started in United States in 1995, said that persistent, patient and total loyalty and honest.

ITRealms recalls that Eke had contested first level in 1998 and won in his city, then served out is tenure and by 2002 became two-term commissioner before becoming citywide councilman at large completing in 2012, whereas in 2015 he became a county committee member and 2016 joined Murphy for Governor campaign.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Nigeria media urged to create 21st century platforms

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Leadership of Nigerian media industry have been urged to ensure they create 21st century platforms and professional group befitting this era, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote address to the 13th All Nigeria Editors’ Conference (ANEC) at the Presidential Hotel, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the Managing Director cum Editor-in-Chief of The Interview, Mr. Azu Ishiekwene, called on media business leaderships to make certain they create and maintain website and social media platforms befitting a 21st century organisaton to keep afloat in business.

Ishiekwene who dwelt on “Nigerian Media: Balancing Professionalism, Advocacy And Business” also enjoined them to build networks with other professional groups, especially in more developed, open media environments.

“Rejuvenate the Ethics & Disciplinary Committee and let the public know how they may approach it, if they have any complaints … Publish audited accounts,” he declared.

For those wanting to hire a proven executive director, he said, they must ensure having specific, and measurable business targets.

He also advised getting sponsorships from any of the global media giants, with interest in media in developing countries, as well as creation of open, periodic value-driven conversations that will sufficiently interest partnership with corporates.

In addition, he underscored the need to start periodic research-driven solutions for media and allied industries, whilst de-emphasising physical structures, by way of thinking of network and people.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops

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Worldstage Economic Summit'17: Nigerians urged to imbibe innovation culture

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The President and CEO of Worldstage Group, Mr. Segun Adeleye, has urged Nigerians to imbibe the culture of innovation and collective economic development, reports ITRealms.

In his welcome address to the 2017  Worldstage Economic Summit, Adeleye who is the convener said in Lagos, both Nigerians and business owners alike within the country needed to imbibe the culture of innovation for economic development and transformation.

According to him, diversification into non-oil sectors may not be enough to sustain the nation’s economic development without adapting new ways of doing things.

“Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country behind India and China by 2050, any diversification now without innovation by businesses and government may be tantamount to running on the same spot," he said.

Adeleye also explained that the theme ‘”Transforming Business and Economy Through Innovation’ was inspired through a new thinking, stressing that the reality today indicates an economy where the majority is disenfranchised and trapped in irrelevance. 

"Yet we are at a time in history of information explosion when nothing is hidden about where countries are and where they want to be in the future. 

"While we are still lamenting the lost opportunity to have developed with our oil wealth in the past, we can see the future unfolding before us, just as how the internal combustion engine is projected to die and the oil business, the mainstay of our economy is to become obsolete in the very near future."

He said, If we all know the shape the future is taking, we as a nation cannot afford to be stranded with costly obsolete technology or waste valuable time before changing direction, unless we want to remain the dump site of the future.” 

"With the calls for Nigeria to diversify its economy from oil after several missed opportunities in six decades, the new question begging for answer, is how fast and far can diversification solve economic problems in the short, medium and long terms?"

He advised that “We should not make the mistake to think that because the people in government are educated and well-travelled, they will be conversant with the shape of things to come and pursue the right policies in infrastructure development, education, smart grid, clean energy among others. Sometimes, we have to question our sensitivity, sanity and care for fellow human beings and our country.”

Adeleye noted that so much has been read about the support for SMEs or MSMEs by the government from the federal to the local government level, yet in reality they don’t exist. “I will pulse for you to sear your mind for few seconds; where are the so much talked about SMEs that are supposed to be creating millions of job? I personally believe that policies to support entrepreneurs should be such that anyone that have made an attempt at doing anything at all rather than roaming the street looking for unexciting jobs must get one form of support from the government or the established businesses in the private sector”.

Speaking further, he said "The private sector here is as culpable as the government. You know our big corporate businesses have insatiable appetite for foreign products and services and if they must patronize the small local ones at all, they will offer to pay ridiculous prices that they cannot get anywhere in the world. Beggars have no choice. It’s either they take it or die. With this corporate terrorism, it’s not surprising that we have hardly seen any small enterprise that survived and grow in our country like the inspiring cases of Apple, Microsoft, Google, Facebook, Tweeter and recently Uber in the United States.

He said: “We hold it as a duty in this forum and any similar ones to scream until those concerned will hear us. We don’t have any other choice anyway, because it’s about our wellbeing as a people, it’s about our survival, and it’s about the future of our children.”

According to him “WorldStage had made sure that the report of the last year summit with the theme: ‘Addressing Unemployment Crisis in Nigeria’ got to all the relevant government departments from the presidency, National Assembly to the state government. “Today’s summit will not be an exception. The lead paper will come from an expert in Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation Economics, Dr. Ayodele Shittu, of the University of Lagos. After that we shall have presentations on the sub-themes which will serve as guides to the thorough discussion of the main theme by the panelists.”

Adeleye also hinted that the summit this year will recognize outstanding contributions to economic growth during the current year through a “ WorldStage Economic Summit Awards” The awards will feature, Nigerian Development Best Bank of the Year, Nigerian Airport of the Year, Nigerian TV Station of the Year, Nigerian Public Institution of the Year amongst many others.

He said "The winners emerged from the compilation of the responses to our questionnaires by stakeholders adding that the Awards for only one outstanding institution or individual per sector of the economy will be presented after the panel discussion.

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National Assembly urged to pass NIPOST Reform Bill

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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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