Picketing of MTN, vandalisation, ALTON may order network shutdown - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) has decried the attempts by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to disrupt network operations via picketing and vandalisation of critical network facilities, warning of likely shutdown if activities are not checked, reports ITRealms.

ALTON through its chairman, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo made this known in reaction to the picketing of MTN office saying ALTON is very concerned about this unfortunate development.

According to him, picketing of such nature as reported to ALTON which led to injury to persons and damage to properties creates an unfortunate situation where employees are coerced to join unions and associations without respect for their individual rights of voluntary association.

“Damage to any telecom facilities will lead to the disruption of critical national security and economic services which will expose innocent citizens to great danger,” he said, declaring that employees of ALTON members are able to join or form associations and unions if they so desire.

Also, ALTON said, the practice is that membership of any associations and unions are voluntary.

They insisted that in line with fundamental human rights regarding freedom of association as guaranteed by the constitution, “individuals must not be compelled to join an association or union if they do not choose to do so.”

ALTON further urged the government and its law enforcement agencies to intervene expeditiously, otherwise “we will advise our members to consider preventive shut down in order to avoid further damage to network facilities.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

NEPAD now African Union Development Agency – ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

African Union (AU) has renamed the NEPAD Planning and Coordination Agency into the African Union Development Agency (AUDA), reports ITRealms.

This follows the outcome of the recent 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of African Union Heads of State and Government in Nouakchott, Mauritania, which saw African Heads of State and Government receiving several reports, including the status of the implementation of the AU Institutional Reforms presented by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda. President Kagame is the current chair of the African Union and the champion for the AU Institutional Reforms process.

Also, the Assembly approved the establishment of African Union Development Agency as the technical body of the African Union with its own legal identity, defined by its own statute.  The statue will be developed and presented for adoption at the next AU Summit in January 2019.

The Assembly commended the leadership of Senegalese President, H.E Macky Sall, current Chairperson of the NEPAD Heads of State and Government Orientation Committee, for reinforcing the credibility of NEPAD that has been acknowledged in the international community, including the G20 and the G7.

The current reforms at the AU are an affirmation by member states of their commitment to the NEPAD Agency as the Union’s own instrument established to champion catalytic support to countries and regional bodies in advancing the implementation of the continent’s development vision – as articulated in the seven aspirations and 20 goals of Agenda 2063.

Dr Ibrahim Mayaki, CEO of the NEPAD Agency, stated that, “A core aspect of the current reforms is to streamline and improve effectiveness and efficiency in delivery in the implementation of AU decisions, policies and programmes across all AU organs and institutions. In this sense, as the NEPAD Agency is the technical implementation agency of the AU, one specific recommendation in the Kagame report is to transform it into the AU Development Agency. We are enthusiastic about this transformation, which will make it possible to deploy our programmes even more effectively in the service of our continent’s development.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

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

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

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

Af Proxy Services relaunches, boosts .Africa resellership - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The AF Proxy Services Limited has declared its readiness to provision .africa domain names and grow the African digital economy with the relaunch of its resellership programme, reports ITRealms.

According to company, Registrars and/or Resellers (RaRs) that are not ICANN-accredited but wish to provision dotAfrica (.africa) domain names could now do so by simply becoming a reseller on the AF Proxy Domain Name Registration Platform.

ITRealms reports that African RaRs do not have to undergo the expensive and time-consuming ICANN accreditation process in order to sell dotAfrica domain names. 

Chief executive officer of AF Proxy Services Ltd Lucky Masilela, said, the registration services allows non ICANN-accredited RaR/Resellers to seamlessly integrate with its relaunched AF Proxy Services Ltd platform to provision .africa domain names and to participate in growing the African digital economy.

“AF Proxy Services Ltd is itself accredited by ICANN, making its relaunched proxy platform a true plug-and-play solution for African RaRs wanting a low-cost retail route without the need for complicated development work,” he said.

This exciting and enabling domain name registration outlet was relaunched at the Africa DNS Forum organised by AfTLD in Cotonou, Benin, this week. This is an annual forum attended by leading African domain name industry stakeholders.

“Our dynamic and intuitive registrar website and reseller-based administrative portal was developed/designed to improve the reseller experience,” Masilela said.

Delegates attending the DNS Forum in Cotonou also noted that the dotAfrica extension, which is Africa’s new home on the World Wide Web, recently passed the 16 000 domain name registration milestone.

“No doubt, AF Proxy has opened up a whole new reseller market, which is expected to deliver more excellent results over the coming years following this most recent upgrade,” he said.

The benefits of the .africa domain name for brand owners and other .africa domain name holders include showcasing the brand and its commitment to the continent. In addition, .africa can help brands to establish a home for Africa-specific products and services while expanding the brand's regional influence. The acquisition of valuable online real-estate in a fast-growing and high-potential market can also be achieved with a .africa domain name.

Masilela added that the AF Proxy platform will also enable RaRs/Resellers to provision the ZAdotCity domain names of dotjoburg, dotcapetown and dotdurban.

 “All users of the AF Proxy service become resellers of AF Proxy Registrar which is a smart solution aimed at boosting new dotAfrica gTLD domain name registrations,” he submitted.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

LiveU brings you Ballito Pro - ITREALMS Online

ITRealms:

Ballito Pro, and its production team White Hot Media, have partnered with LiveU to provide dynamic live coverage of the world’s longest professional surfing event taking place annually on the KwaDukuza coast in South Africa, reports ITRealms.

LiveU’s portable LU600 HEVC units were used to provide comprehensive coverage of the main surfing competition and different aspects of the event, including extreme sports and music concerts, soaking up the 14-day event’s unique festival atmosphere. The event, presented by Billabong, was streamed live every day to the World Surf League web site and Facebook page, which has over six million followers.

Roaming cameras with LiveU units were used on the beach, around the different venues, and even on a jet ski to capture the surfers riding the waves close up. LiveU facilitated more layers to the production with various multiple shots streamed live every day.

Greg Kitto, Producer, Ballito Pro, said, “In the past, we were limited by fiber connectivity which meant we weren’t free to roam around. In this 50th edition celebratory year, we were determined to bring more of the event to our followers around the world. LiveU’s bonded cellular technology has offered us greater portability and reliability, enabling us to stream high quality video from new angles.

The images, he said, have been amazing, enabling viewers to experience all aspects of the festival online.

“We took the production to the water for the first time ever in a World Surf League QS 10 000 event and were able to show the beauty of Ballito from the surfers point of view. 2018 saw us increase our online viewers and attracted new TV audiences, with live feeds used by the international media,” he said.

Nenye Dom/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Konga compliance debuts, raises bar on customer satisfaction - ITREALMS Online

Sponsored@ITRealms:

In its bid to uplift ethical standards in the African e-commerce space and raise the bar in customer satisfaction, e-commerce giants Konga has pioneered the launch of Konga Compliance – compliance@konga.com –  a feedback/compliance mechanism through which customers can directly reach out to the Chairman of the Board and executive management at Konga on issues affecting various aspects of its business relationship with the consumer.

Konga Compliance, which will also incorporate a dedicated phone line for calls/SMS, is set to go live immediately.

Feelers from within the company indicate that feedback, complaints or enquiries generated on the email platform – compliance@konga.com  will be monitored directly by the Chairman and other management executives for immediate resolution.

As such, the platform will present a useful mechanism for customers to report errant drivers and delivery men who over-speed or flout traffic rules in the course of duty, wrong or improperly delivered items, product quality concerns, instances of poor customer service online or at any Konga retail store, collection centre or touch-point, late deliveries, pass comments/suggestions on new product lines/innovations or likely improvements they would like to see and other issues affecting stipulated service level agreements or areas of compliance.

Bearing in mind the need to lay a framework for its game-changing ideas and innovations for the e-commerce market, the new management at Konga has decided to institute a high level of ethical standards and compliance within the company which will not only boost user experience and satisfaction, but help create a closer bond between the company and its ever-increasing customer base.

Konga, widely renowned for genuine products and swift delivery, is keen to revolutionize the e-commerce space in Nigeria and beyond - a factor that has seen the new management of the company work round the clock behind the scenes to put in the requisite structures and infrastructure needed to elevate standards in the sector.

According to sources within the organization, these initiatives which are set to be unveiled from early August will see the new Konga, which emerged after the merger with Yudala in May 2018, leverage its composite structure and fusion of online and offline to ensure an unprecedented level of world class customer experience, improved standards and growth in the Nigerian and African e-commerce eco-system.

A business model that is hard to replicate in view of its considerable human and material resources requirements, Konga’s bold fusion of online and offline is one that has set it apart and contributed to its widespread and growing reputation as a trusted name for genuine products, secure payment options and unmatched speedy delivery timelines.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Set progressive agenda, Utomi tasks media - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership Prof Pat Utomi has tasked the Nigerian media to drive nation’s development through setting agenda on progressive issues, reports ITRealms. 

Utomi said the media “must set an agenda for society to travel in the direction of elevating the dignity of citizens by reducing infant mortality, maternal mortality at childbirth, build capacity to adapt to the pace of a changing world and have infrastructure that enables and sustains economic competitiveness”.

Utomi made the call as he delivered the 11^th Jackson Annual Lecture of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Utomi is an alumnus of the school. He spoke on “The media and the development challenge in Nigeria at a time of crisis”.

The noted political economist and professor of entrepreneurship asserted that it is imperative for the media to play this role as Nigeria confronts crisis on various fronts. To do so, however, media organisations must strengthen their institutional structures and strategies.

Utomi asserted that for the media to deploy the agenda-setting theory to its duties, “the media has to understand what shapes human progress and speeds up economic growth”. He suggested the application of the Growth Drivers Framework of six interdependent variables. The variables are policy choice, institutions, human capital, entrepreneurship, culture and leadership.

Agenda setting tasks for the media include helping to enhance rigour in policy choice, encouraging a culture of reasoned public conversation on policy matters and playing up the activities of civil society that results in stronger institutions with more effective investment in human capital, Utomi stated. He said these would lead to “more virile entrepreneurship and economic growth resulting therefrom”.  

Noting the presence of strong private media in Nigeria, Utomi said the Nigeria media should play a role similar to their counterparts elsewhere. “Private media played an enormous role in the evolution of the American free enterprise system and the shared values that define nation-building there. America’s success comes significantly from how the media helps build the legitimacy of American institutions.”

A noted columnist, Utomi is also a director on the Africa Practice of Deloitte Consulting and served as Director of the Centre for Applied Economics at the Lagos Business School. 

He believes  “the media can make a major contribution to the healing of many wounds that currently define Nigeria, and help construct a melting pot in which recruiting, quality of political actors, prospecting a strong sense of the mission of the generation, powers a new consciousness for progress. But it will take the new vision of the business models of media enterprise and journalists who understand how the media exerts influence and who see the Nehemiah in themselves to make things happen.”

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

‘Nation without well-prepared children is doomed,' applause for ReapVille Schools - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

Renowned education consultant, Mr. Daramola Ibukun, has said that value-based education is best for Nigerian children at this era, insisting that a nation without good value and well-prepared children is doomed, and commended ReapVille Schools for imbibing this on its pupils, reports ITRealms.

In a keynote at the first valedictory and prize giving ceremony of ReapVille Schools, Oshodi-Lagos held Friday, entitled “The Future Is Here,” Mr. Ibukun noted it has become a common saying that “… the children of today are the leaders of tomorrow.”

Wondering how long will these young ones be before they are given the opportunities to display and implement the special abilities and grace upon them from the Almighty God, moreso, when the older ones are not giving them the opportunities.

“These special grace and skills are needed to help these children lead our nation and community in the future,” he declared, stressing that “any nation without her younger ones well-prepared to take over from the older ones is definitely doomed.”

He posited that for Nigerian children to make anticipated impact in the society, they must be taught values, culture, norms and ethos of this vibrant generation, because societies are run through the survival of these values to be carried later by these young generation.

Ibukun identified two main classes of change makers in a dynamic society, namely the working class and dependent class, usually made of the aged and the children.

“Operationally, the sustainability of this nation rests in the hands of the working class between the ages of 19 and 60,” he said, pointing out that these factor is linked to the strength and skills already deposited in them as they were growing up.

Values, he said, are coded in form of philosophy and national curriculum approved for use in schools, which are to be taught in form of class subjects in schools.

“They are graded and prescribed so that our children in schools could imbibe the right way of life and also be ready to pass it on to their children,” he said.

Mr. Ibukun gave three classifications for the custodians of these values and cultural heritage, namely the homes, places of worship and the schools.

He maintained that in order to ensure the future is here and children are the future leaders, parents must do their work at home to bring up their children with good manners in line with the society, while the places of worship will help in shaping the spirituality of those children, whereas the schools will assist with the teaching of those values based on structure and curriculum.

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, Mr. Lawrence Amadi applauded ReapVille Schools for its achievement within a short period, saying that parents have more responsibility in raising their children and by supporting the teachers via the school authorities.

“Our children are ready to learn but the burdens are more on parents, especially by paying school fees promptly,” he urged.

Equally, he gave the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of the school kudos for always supporting the school and by extension their children and prayed God to give them the grace to continue to provide for their children.

Earlier in her address, the Director, ReapVille School, Mrs. Philomena Ugwuoke recognized that the celebration of the first valedictory ceremony and prize giving day was actually the celebration of the foresight and commitment of parents in the choice of good education for their children.

She promised that ReapVille will ensure that her pupils become great leaders of tomorrow and take charge of their future through imbibing the right values.

ReapVille School, she recollects, commenced operations as a citadel of learning in September 2017 based on the drive and purpose to dedicatedly produce innovative and globally competitive children with high standards, by using effective methodologies in teaching and building up a complete leader, capable of standing out in a crowd.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Chris Obasi is new MD, Zeta Web - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

Former General Manager, Information Technology and Facilities at MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Chris Obasi has been named the new Managing Director of Zeta-Web Nigeria Limited, with effect from July 1, 2018, reports ITRealms.

Mr. Obasi, ITRealms recalls, brings with him 20 years of industry leadership experience and knowledge of provisioning Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services and solutions.

The outgoing Managing Director for Zeta-Web, Mrs. Jumoke Ogunmodede said while welcoming Mr. Obasi said, his appointment brings immeasurable value to Zeta-Web due to his experience with providing strategic IT solutions across a variety of disciplines.

“With his track record, experience and exposure, I have no doubt that this organization will be led to even greater successes and exploits” he said.

Responding, Mr. Obasi noted that Zeta-Web has a tremendous potential for further growth and to diversify into new sectors while bringing sound business values and service delivery to match the demands and high expectations of our clients.

“I have always respected Zeta-Web’s brand, values and proven delivery models, and I am excited to be on board and part of the great team that will take these to the next level,” he said.

Obasi also expressed appreciation to Mrs. Ogunmodede for providing leadership to the company since 2013, despite operating in a highly competitive environment, stressing the company has consistently crested many milestones and done so in a sustainable manner – achievements which she should be proud of.

He reiterated that the core values of the company remain the customer focus, innovation, mutual respect, learning and development, as well as performance driven, high quality of service and inclusive participation will continue to be the business focus.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

N275m fraud: AFRICMIL petitions IGP, NBA over conduct of police lawyer - ITREALMS Online

ITREALMS:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL) has petitioned the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over what it called ‘unethical conduct’ of a police prosecutor, Superintendent of Police Joseph Nwadike, reports ITRealms.

The petition signed by Chido Onumah, Coordinator of the Centre, AFRCMIL is seeking the urgent intervention of these institutions to investigate and call to order, Mr. Nwadike of the Force Legal Department of the Nigeria Police Force and a prosecuting counsel for the police in a dubious allegation leveled against Aaron Kaase, a whistleblower in the Police Service Commission.

Mr. Kaase was suspended in May 2015 for reporting fraud amounting to N275.5m allegedly perpetrated by Mr. Mike Okiro, the outgone Chairman of the Police Service Commission.

“For this patriotic act, the whistleblower has been further visited with a series of reprisals, including threats, intimidation and a false allegation of visa scam in which Mr. Nwadike, is actively involved as prosecutor,” he said.

According to the petition, after a magistrate court in the Federal Capital Territory struck out the fraudulent case against Kaase, his persecutors took it to the High Court where the defendant was also victorious as the court discharged and acquitted him for “lack of diligent persecution.” But his persecutors would not relent.

“In a flagrant abuse of court process and display of unprofessional practice, Nwadike has been moving from one court to another in the FCT in a bid to ensure that the whistleblower is found guilty on a charge that is obviously trumped-up, and for which he had been discharged and acquitted by a competent court of jurisdiction,” Onumah said.

He noted that lawyers are stakeholders in the fight against corruption, and as officers in the temple of justice they are duty bound to help ensure justice at all times, including guaranteeing the safety and protection of whistleblowers.

The statement therefore urged the police authorities and the NBA to launch immediate investigation into the scandal with a view to reining in Mr Nwadike.

“This once again underscores the point we at the AFRICMIL have been making; you cannot have a policy that encourages public interest disclosures and at the same time allows those who make such disclosures to be unnecessarily persecuted” Mr Onumah said.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!