CLD warms up for Media Lawyers’ Network - ITREALMS

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The Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD), with support from the Global Media Defence Fund run by UNESCO, is running the project on “Promoting the Establishment of Networks of Media Lawyers Globally” reports ITREALMS.

The goal, ITREALMS gathered is to help lawyers working on freedom of expression and media law to create formal professional media lawyers’ networks at the national level.

Ntel set to launch recharge cards, warms up for national roaming

ITREALMS:

The Nigeria Telecommunications Company (NatCom) trading with the name ntel has concluded plans to launch its brand of recharge cards into the nation's telecommunication market, reports ITRealms.

Ntel, ITRealms gathered is gearing up for the formal launch of its national roaming services to boost customers’ ability to optimize experiences.

This is coming barely three years since it commenced operation after the acquisition of NITEL from the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).

Disclosing this in Lagos at the weekend during the month of March breakfast with CEO hosted by the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) at Ladi Lawal House, Alausa Ikeja, the chief executive officer of ntel, Mr. Ernest ‘Dabo Akinlola, said the mobile company is introducing the physical recharge card to boost its brand visibility which does not any way stop the virtual recharge the operator debut with.

He also said that ntel is keen in launch its national roaming service by next month of April 2018.

Akinlola, accompanied by director of external relations Mr. Osondu Nwokolo among others, head marketing, Mr. Jide Mafolabomi and Chief Finance Officer, Mr. Ernest Obhulime, assured ntel subscribers which he said have been doubled in the last six months due to new vigor, that they are leveraging their NITEL assets especially the SAT 3.

He equally affirmed the plan by ntel to launch a national roaming service on the network to afford subscribers on its network to optimize the offerings.

According to him, ntel has advanced national roaming agreement with 9mobile while MTN deal is already on the table and is receiving adequate attention as stated the time of going to the press.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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N20m: Anambra warms up to dole out phase 3

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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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Pantami warns sycophants to stay off NITDA: ‘I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody'

ITRealms:

The newly appointed Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami has warned sycophants to stay off the agency and precisely his office as he belongs to everybody as much as he belongs to nobody, insisting that he came to serve his fatherland, Nigeria with success as his priority, reports ITRealms.

Declaring his averse to sycophancy, Dr. Pantami declared during his inaugural meeting with members of staff of NITDA on Tuesday in Abuja that “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody” in a similar fashion like Mr. President, Mohammadu Buhari during his May 29, 2015 inaugural speech.

He also told those who care to listen “Don’t approach me with gossip. Don’t come to me with malicious, ill-natured reports about other people. But I welcome any suggestion or information you have that will help grow this agency we all love and work for. Remember, too, that you are welcome to call my attention to where you think I am going astray. 

Although I have a PhD in Computer Information Systems, I don’t know it all; nobody does. I came here to serve Nigeria, and success is my priority.”

Pantami also outlined three qualities, he said would make people successful, especially working with him, namely “integrity, expertise and professionalism; and commitment to your duty.“

He pointed that his nature is allergic to corruption both in practices and favouritism, warning that he will not tolerate these twin vices.

“So let us join hands and say ‘No to corrupt practices and favouritism’” he said.

The new DG also said that in order to encourage productivity and motivate honest, ethical, hardworking members of staff, he plans to put staff welfare to the front burner, and introduce special awards for best performing staff.

For him, contractors with NITDA should not loss sleep as long as projects are good and within the confines of due process.

“I am glad to continue with all the good projects of the agency as long as they meet irreducible minimums in due process, and conform to the law that established the agency. Where projects violate due process or impose needless burdens on the core mission of the agency, they will be reviewed in the interest of the nation,” Dr. Pantami assured.

Emphasising that his doors are open to all staff members, including messengers and cleaners and urged them to come forward with suggestions, ideas and observations, although official communications, he said, should follow “official routine channels.”

He further commended the acting DG, Dr. Vincent Olatunji for holding forth and for the handover note made available to him last week Friday.

Remmy Nweke with additional report from Doris Minimah/ED,Ops

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Pix: Dr. Pantami, new DG, NITDA

Young Professionals warms of blackmailers using its name

ITRealms:

A socio-political group, Nigerian Young Professionals, has raised an alarm over plots to use its name to blackmail top government officials, reports ITRealms.

The organisation specially said it has decided to place the public and top government agencies on notice, saying as a responsible group, it would not be a party to blackmail. 

The YP in terse statement by its Director of Publicity, Abdul Umar, warned that anybody or organisation who relates with the blackmailers does so in his or her own risk.

"We want to put Nigerians and top government agencies on notice that we are not party to any blackmail and threat on spurious and unfounded allegations. We are a responsible body of young Nigerians from different ethnic backgrounds but committed to contributing our quota to national development. Our motive is to stand for justice and accountability in Nigeria.

"While we have anti-corruption as a major pillar of our mandate, we frown at attempt to extort and blackmail top government officials in key agencies such as the NNPC, NAPTIN, CBN, UBEC, PTDF, TETFUND, among others. It is not in our character to engage in such acts and conducts.

"Consequently, we call on top government officials to be wary of false petitions and extortionist ploys. We are also calling on anti-graft and security agencies to take note and take appropriate measures to put an end to this menace."

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