ANA secures N3m grant for 2019 ANA/Yusuf Ali Nationwide Literary Awareness Campaign - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Association of Nigerian Authors has secured funding for the 8^th year towards the   ANA/Yusuf Ali nationwide literary awareness campaign, reports ITREALMS.

The Association received the sum of N3,000,000(Three Million Million Naira) on the 7^th  of January,2019 for the 2019 project from the donor,  Yusuf Ali(SAN), an Ilorin-based renowned legal practitioner, author and dedicated  philanthropist, whose son Dr Yusuf Olanrewaju Ali recently  wedded Barrister Hasiya Altine Nagode in a well-attended Nikkah wedding ceremony in Ilorin on the 29^th of December,2018.

The Grant was first secured by the National EXCO of ANA in 2012 and all state chapters of the Association  received sub-grants of N150,000 at various times between 2012-2014 for local literary awareness campaigns involving secondary schools across the country. In 2015, the grant was applied by the then National Executive Council of ANA to host a workshop on fiction writing in Abuja in which about 25 students, drawn from tertiary institutions across the country via a competitive process, participated.  

In 2016, the Denja Abdullahi-led National Executive Council of ANA took the literary awareness campaign a notch further by focusing on innovative literary awareness campaign among tertiary institutions across the country through the States’ chapters. Chapters submitted proposals on envisaged activities based on which they were assessed and sub-grants finally awarded to 16 Chapters that met the provisioned requirements.

The competitive process was introduced to ensure greater compliance to the overall project vision and to improve on the process of monitoring, evaluation and reportage of the implemented activities. The grant was used in 2017 to publish three (3) children’s literature titles under the Nigerian Writers Series(NWS) which have been distributed to chapters of ANA Nationwide to power  ANA ‘s A-Book-A-Child nationwide project that was flagged off at the ANA ‘s 36^th International Convention which held in Makurdi, Benue State in October,2017 and the phase two of it launched by the wife of the Governor of Ekiti State,Erelu Bisi Fayemi, at the 37^th International Convention of the Association held in Ikeja, Lagos in October,2018.

For the year 2018, the Yusuf Ali grant was deployed to facilitate a comprehensive media supplement on the projects executed with the yearly grants over the years since 2012 to date and an intensive workshop for 15 selected chairmen of ANA chapters focusing on ‘innovations in contemporary literary awareness campaigns’ to deepen the execution of the project in the coming years.

This year 2019 grant will be devolved to selected State Chapters of the Association to carry out innovative and cutting edge literary awareness campaigns in their domains as learnt in the capacity building workshop held in Ilorin in 2018  .

Yusuf Ali, who in 2015 promised to sustain the annual grant to ANA for life, is a Nigerian lawyer who received the highest honour available to practicing lawyers in 1997 when he was called to the inner bar as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He attended the University of Ife [now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife] and is the Principal Partner at the Law Firm of Yusuf O. Ali & Co in Ilorin. His reputation in the Bar has been balanced by a deep interest in literature which has seen him supporting the Kwara State Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Authors as well as serve as an Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Bar Journal. He is also an associate lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the University of Ilorin.

Yusuf Ali in 2017 presented a book “ Anatomy of Corruption in Nigeria” to the public in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja . He has also been consistently hosting the National Executive Council members of ANA and chairmen and secretaries of chapters in his office during their annual meeting in Ilorin since 2012.

We thank Yusuf Ali (SAN) for his consistent and yet-to-be matched generosity in supporting literary awareness in the country and we call on other well meaning Nigerians to emulate his gesture of support for the literary arts.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Okowa 2nd term support: AMP lauds Clark, Gbagi, Oritsejafor - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

THE Anioma Media Professionals (AMP) has commended Ijaw, Urhobo and Itsekiri leaders for their public support for equity in Delta State through their endorsement of a second term for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa in this year’s general elections, ITREALMS.

AMP believes such stance would engender peace, unity and development in the state and giver all ethnic nationalities and sections a sense of belonging.

Ijaw national leader, Chief Edwin Clark; prominent Urhobo politician and former Minister of State for Education, Chief Kenneth Gbagi and Itsekiri leader, Chief Roland Oritsejafor, had, at different fora, expressed support for the governor’s second term bid.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Ken Ugbechie, AMP, whose memberships cuts across the Delta North senatorial district, otherwise known as Anioma, said with such statements from prominent sons of the state from different ethnic group, it was obvious that Okowa, as a political bridge builder, has the support of all the ethnic nationalities in the state.

While Clark said: “Delta Central Senatorial District has had the governorship through Chief James Ibori, for eight years. Delta South had it for eight years through Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. It is the turn of Delta North to have it for eight years through Okowa," Gbagi noted that: “The greatest mistake APC made and to the advantage of Okowa is to have nominated a non - Anioma for 2019 governorship... what I am saying in effect is that we cannot alter the issue of Delta State, the state is bigger than anybody. Together we will stand up for the peace and success of the state as opposed to an individual."

Chief Oritsejafor, a respected Itsekiri leader added his voice: "Delta State can only move forward and maintain peaceful co- existence with the re-election of a governor of Anioma origin in 2019. Okowa fits the position as an illustrious governor with vision."

Ugbechie stated that the positions of the three eminent Deltans was consistent with the stance of AMP that what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander; hence the need to re-elect Okowa for a second time to complete the circle across the three senatorial districts of the state.

He urged well-meaning Deltans to be wary of those struggling to disorganise the tripodal arrangement of power rotation among the three senatorial districts of the state, saying sticking to the working formula would save the state from political tension and agitation of the past.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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1st year anniversary: Adams appeals to FG, multinationals to sponsor sports - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, has urged the Federal Government and multinational companies operating in the country to recommit themselves to the development of sports in the country, reports ITREALMS.

The appeal came Thursday at the final of the Aare Gani Adams U13 football tourney at the Legacy Pitch of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, where Adams lamented that the National Stadium was in such a bad shape, recalling his growing up days when he used to visit the edifice to play football and watch the country’s national teams practice and play.

Adams said it was saddening that even football, in which the country once excelled at the club level, had nosedived in performance.

He recollected the days when the likes of Leventis United FC of Ibadan, Julius Berger FC of Lagos, Spartans FC of Owerri, IICC of Ibadan and Enugu Rangers of Enugu held their own on the continent and made Nigeria proud.

“I am calling on the Federal Government to put this edifice into full use once again. It is not befitting that all we do with our stadium now are social events and crusades. Whoever wants to do crusade and socials should use other facilities. We should use this place to breed future stars. Brazil has turned sports, especially football, into an economy on its own," he said.

Adams insisted that Nigeria has the potentials, stressing optimism that if the Federal Government makes a commitment and the multinational companies commit between 3 per cent and 5 per cent of their profit to sports development in the country, the economy will be the better for it.

ITREALMS reports that the tournament was won by Lagos Island-based Junior Arsenal by pipping their Ultimate FC counterparts by a lone goal in the final match of the competition to commemorate the one year installation of Adams as the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland. 

Junior Arsenal's Folami Habeeb scored the lone goal in the entertaining final on Thursday at the Legacy Pitch, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos. 

Earlier in the day, Rivers FC of Ebute Metta thrashed Anibaba FC by three goals to nil to win the consolatory bronze medal.

Adams said of the performance of the teams: “I am glad to witness a soccer tournament of this magnitude. 

“The kids have made me proud with their unlimited skills. I pray they will shine like the Messi, Ronaldo of this world. With what we have seen, I am sure next year event will be better than this. 

“We shall produce a more conducive environment for the kids to showcase their talents. I will try my best and make sure this tournament is sustained. The kids are the future if this country and I also urge other philanthropists to show interest in the game of sport,” he commended.

Bayo Banjo/Editor

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Pix: Gani Adams kicking off football for 1st year anniversary @ITREALMS

Sylva to suffer historical verdict prophesied Dickson - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Governor òf Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, has prophesied that the verdict of history will be hard on former Governor, Timipre Sylva, due to some nefarious activities linked to him, reports ITREALMS.

Dickson said that politicians who desecrated the opportunities to serve, to abuse state resources to lure Bayelsa youths to violence would face condemnation in the courts of posterity.

The Governor, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, stressed that politicians buying guns for Bayelsa youths and fanning the embers òf violence would have their place of rejection on history’s pages of villainy.

Dickson was reacting to a publication in which Sylva alleged of media plot by the governor to pitch him against the Chief òf Staff to the President, ABBA Kyari.

The Governor said that it was rather unfortunate that Sylva had descended to level of scavenging for imagined information from the gutters.

He said that while genuine and responsible political leaders respond to real issues, Sylva had continually showed that he is yet to extricate himself from the agony of excruciating rejection by Bayelsa people at the polls.

Soriwei said that Governor Dickson is too occupied with the effective execution of his responsibilities as Governor òf Bayelsa State to devote attention to trivialities especially imagined media reports.

He said that it was the determination of Dickson to finish his administration well and strong insisting the Sylva was one distraction which serious leaders should avoid.

Soriwei said that Sylva’s statement was a product of blackmail inspired by the feared and anticipated consequences of hidden guilt.

He said it was rather sad that Sylva in his desperation to prove his political relevance to his political overlords saw casting aspersions on Dickson as the only route to political relevance.

He said, “Again, we are constrained to react to spurious claims and distractions from Sylva and his cohorts who are bent on misinforming the Nigerian public.

“It is indeed unfortunate that Sylva has descended to the level of scavenging for imagined information in the gutters for the purpose of attacking the Governor.

“While it is the standard for genuine leaders and serious members need politicians to respond to real issues, Sylva is yet to recover from bitterness occasion by his excruciating rejection by his own people.

“Now that Sylva knows that a leaked audio is not emanating from Bayelsa, he may try catch some sleep. Dickson has great plans for bayelsa and Sylva is a costly  distraction no leader would  would want to afford.

“The recent invectives from Sylva are a product of Blackmail inspired by consequences of some tormenting sense of guilt. When Sylva talks about conscience, Bayelsans shiver! There couldn’t have been better way to advertise hypocrisy.

“While Sylva is worrying over the imagined consequences of a badly buried corpse, we are mindful to remind him once again that the only thing in hot pursuit of him is his shadow. When he looks back, he shall find no Dickson. The Governor is miles ahead of him.”

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ETSI Summit on AI gates April date - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has advanced plans to host its summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) reports ITREALMS.

ETSI, ITREALMS recalls is an independent, not-for-profit, standardization organization in the telecommunications industry in Europe, headquartered in Sophia-Antipolis, France, with worldwide projection. 

ETSI Summit on Artificial Intelligence (AI) will take place on 4 April 2019 at the ETSI premises in Sophia Antipolis, France.

ITREALMS equally reports that the ETSI Summit on AI will seek to separate the hype from the science and provide better understanding of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Deep Learning, as well as describing where AI is currently deployed using practical examples.

ITREALMS also gathered that this event will focus on AI’s role in the telecommunication sector particularly in network and service management for virtualized networks, the use of AI in the manufacturing industry as well as examining the principle challenges and opportunities that AI applications bring.

Although the event is free of charge to participate, potential attendees are enjoined to reserve your place now as space is limited.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Igwe Ofemili declares 2019 ‘year of advancement’ - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The traditional ruler of Awba-Ofemili in Awka-North Local Government Area of Anambra State, His Royal Highness Igwe Ezekwesili Maduagwuna, has declared this year, 2019, as year of advancement for his people, reports ITREALMS.

Addressing the General Assembly of the Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) at its end of 2018 session, Igwe Ofemili 1 of Awba-Ofemili expressed optimism that before the end of first quarter, the electricity supply must have been stepped down at the remaining Umuosite village to enable the citizens enjoy the goodwill of the Anambra State government under Governor Willie Obiano and his leadership in the community.

This, he said, will no doubt boost the economics of his community at all levels, especially with their massive rice cultivation undertakings.

Igwe Ofemili who also offered progressive prayers with kola nut at the meeting, urged indigenes to support the current leadership of ADU-led by Dr. Ike Oforkansi, even as he planned to embark on a nationwide tour alongside the president for a townhall sessions with ADU branches so as to bring them up to speed with developments and prospects within the year, 2019 and beyond.

He equally warned trouble makers to stay clear of Awba-Ofemili as their time is up and there is no room for regressive people in the town and sued for peaceful coexistence of all well-meaning indigenes, and committed Awba-Ofemili into God’s guidance.

Also speaking, the President General (PG) of Awba-Ofemili Development Union, Dr. Oforkansi, used the opportunity to beckon on indigenes to support his administration, assuring them of fiscal accountability on every income.

Oforkansi-led ADU equally gave account of the internally generated revenue since inauguration last year with applause as participants enjoined them to sustain the accountability and openness towards educating people by ensuring they carry peace-loving majority along.

Further, branches in attendance shared their activities in the past year with some insights into 2019 plan of activities including Lagos and Port Harcourt among others.

Chuks Egbune/HOP

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M.C Olu-Omo not dead says Lagos State - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The operatives of the Lagos State Task Force (LSTF) have said that Lagosians should disregard the rumour making the round on social media that Mr. Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya  [a.k.a MC OLU-OMO] is dead, reports ITREALMS.

LSTF in a press statement made available to ITREALMS stated unequivocally that Mr. Musiliu Ayinde Akinsanya [a.k.a M.C Olu-omo] is not dead as being circulated, but still responding to medical treatment at the hospital.

Further, LSTF stated that "For any avoidance of doubt members of his family could be contacted for further information. 

It therefore cautioned those peddling the rumour to desist.

"The agency therefore warned miscreants and hoodlums who might want to use this opportunity to forment any trouble to immediately desist as anybody caught disturbing the peace of innocent members of the public would be seriously dealt with.

"Parents and guardians are hereby enjoined to be vigilant about activities of their wards as both the Lagos State Police Command and the operatives of the Lagos State Task Force are on ground patrolling" part of the statement read.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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1st year: Aare Adams insists on restructuring, plans 21-man Aare-in-council - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, on Wednesday reechoed the call for restructuring as a way out of the challenges confronting Nigeria, accusing those opposing it as misunderstanding the true meaning, reports ITREALMS.

Adams spoke in Ikeja at the launch of two books in his honour by the Lagos Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists to mark the first year of his installation.

Adams, who highlighted other events to mark the anniversary, said: “I cannot end this speech without touching on a topic that is dear to us in Yorubaland.

“I said this before at various fora and I will still repeat it today that the only way out of the various crises Nigeria is facing is restructuring. Whether it is done today, tomorrow or next year, restructuring is a must if Nigeria must move forward.

“Many people, who are against restructuring, don't even know what it means. To me, restructuring simply means reorganisation, not disintegration. When we insist on restructuring, we are not after the balkanisation, disintegration or collapse of the country. What we are simply saying is that we need to reorganise this country.

“All over the world, development is always through Bottom-Up approach, not the other way round.

“Simply put, development can only come from ward to council, to state and then federal.
What the federal must do is to ensure effective compliance with laid down rules. 

“It is not possible to sit in Abuja and control what happens in the remotest part of Zamfara, Osun, Enugu or Rivers States.

“There is no need postponing this because the present system just won't work. The earlier restructuring is done, the better for all Nigerians. I pray that God will give our leaders the will to do the right thing.”

Adams, at the event, also reiterated the need to preserve the rich culture of the Yoruba people, recalling that his predecessors, the 14 Aares who reigned over a period of 589 years, did so in periods of war.

Adams, however, said his own period was important as the 15th Aare to promote Yoruba cultural heritage in a peaceful environment.

He said that 21 traditional council chiefs would be installed as members of the Aare-In-Council on Saturday.

“History will be made on Saturday as these eminent people are installed” he asserted.

Delivering his lecture, the guest speaker, Chief Gboyega Adejumo, said the current Aare was one with a purpose.

“All traditional rulers should please support the Aare, because he is an Aare with purpose. Respect him, don’t look at his young age,” he said

Adejumo, who also represented the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, said the office of the Aare was recognised as far back as 1622.

He explained that democracy started with the Aare because the roles and powers of the executive, legislature and judiciary were clearly separated.

The Chairman of the Lagos Council of the NUJ, Dr. Quasim Akinreti, lamented the effect of technology on culture in the nation.

He said the two books were written to preserve the cultural heritage of the Yoruba race.
“We want the next generation to have respect for their culture and respect for elders,” Akinreti said.

He implored all to patronise the books and also partake in the line up of the events for the installation of the Aare chiefs.

Prof. Siyan Oyeweso of the Department of History, Osun State University, who reviewed the first book, titled: “Gani Adams: The 15th Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land,” said it has 200 pages.
According to Oyeweso, Adams is a worthy Aare, a man of integrity who rose from humble background to greatness.
“The Aare is a role model, exemplar and one of the ambassadors of the Yoruba race,” he said and recommended the book for Ministries of Information, Culture and Tourism.

He also requested the NUJ to make an online version available for wider audience.
Reviewer of the second book, Dr. Tunde Akanni, a lecturer in the Lagos State University, said the book: “Voice of Media, Voice of People,” was a good one, but pointed out the need for consistency in the spelling of nomenclature of the Oodua People’s Congress, which has Aare Adams as National Coordinator.

The “Voice of Media, Voice of People” has 129 pages and contains various media publications and comments about Adams.

Other activities lined up for the anniversary include the final match of the Aare Ona Kakanfo Under-13 football competition at the National Stadium in Lagos on January 10 at 3pm.
On Friday, another book: “1,000 Yoruba proverbs,” will be launched.

On Saturday at the 10 Degrees Event Centre in Oregun, Lagos, 21 Yoruba sons and daughters will be installed as members of the Aare-in-Council, while the launching of a documentary on the Aare and a lunch will conclude the events on Sunday.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Bode Opeseitan returns to Globacom - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The else while Director of Public Relations, Events and Promotions at the telecom giant, Globacom, Mr. Bode Opeseitan has returned to the company after a year and half since initial departure, as Director, External Communication & PR, reports ITREALMS.

Opeseitan, who is a founding partner at SA&B Mega Resources Limited until his return to Globacom, confirmed this to ITREALMS on his Facebook timeline, saying he has been deluged with messages and enquiries on the veracity of his return to Globacom.

“I wish to confirm that it is true. I thank everyone, particularly my friends and associates in the media who called or sent messages to wish me well and assure me of their full support,” he declared, pointed out he left Globacom at first, on “July 2017, one and a half years ago.”

As said by him, “I was stupefied when a media chief said last night, ‘you're one of the best in your field.’ I cannot thank you all enough for the confidence you have reposed in me. As we embark on this journey, I urge you all to please stand by me and this great brand which definitely has a lot of spectacular offerings for its subscribers.

“Some reports have also been published about this development. I wish to request that as it has been my tradition over the years, the focus should be on the corporate brand and not on my personality” he pleaded.

Opeseitan also used the opportunity to set the records straight regarding a report in an online publication, ‘The Capital’ entitled “Second Time Lucky... Bode Opeseitan Gets A Second Chance, Returns To GLOBACOM.”

He insisted that his return to Globacom was never a second chance per say but based on the respect for chairman of Globacom, Otunba Mike Adenuga, who he sees as “a father than an employer.”

He also maintained he never jettison SA&B Mega Resources Limited, a company he co-founded alongside other thoroughbred professionals.

ITREALMS gathered that Opeseitan return to Globacom was in effort to further support brand in its quest to consolidate position as a revolutionary institution in Africa's telecommunications environment.

Chuks Egbune/HOP

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Pix: Mr. Bode Opeseitan Director, External Communication & PR

Multiplied Innovation set agenda for ICT players in Dubai - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Acclaimed most influential technology vendors, telecommunications operators, and IT service providers from across the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) are set to gather at the Address Dubai Marina hotel on Wednesday, January 23, as International Data Corporation (IDC) hosts 'IDC Directions 2019', an event specially tailored for the region's leading ICT players to garner insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie in wait for the coming 12 months.

Running under the theme 'Multiplied Innovation: Scaling a Technology Revolution in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa', the event will provide an exclusive platform for senior executives from the region’s pre-eminent technology firms to engage with experienced local and global IDC analysts on their predictions for the META landscape and evaluate the countries, industries, and technologies where opportunities for future growth lie.

IDC's senior vice president and chief analyst, Frank Gens, will speak at the event, presenting his outlook for the global ICT industry and examining the role that multiplied innovation will play in furthering the development of the region's digital transformation economy.

"Multiplied innovation represents the next chapter of the digital transformation journey, and the emergence of new digital business models will see more than half of the global economy become digitalized by 2021," says Gens. "The new imperative is to keep pace with the unprecedented rate of business change while increasing the speed of business operations, the speed at which changes are delivered, and the speed and scale of innovation. The forces of multiplied innovation are powering up in the META region, and we are seeing an explosion in digital innovation platforms and ecosystems to facilitate this transformation."

There will be a dedicated session exploring the META region's economic outlook, while a panel of senior IDC country heads will dissect and contextualize the technology-led innovation and entrepreneurship taking root in many cities and countries across the region. An executive panel session will examine the emerging priorities that will shape the CxO growth agenda of tomorrow, with a particular focus on the struggle that many organizations will face in trying to balance traditional systems and next-generation technologies.

"Developing an effective digital transformation platform that can sustain, advance, and scale business operations may be the most important task facing the region's decision makers over the next few years," says Jyoti Lalchandani, IDC's group vice president and regional managing director for META. "Many future applications will be developed by AIs without human supervision, and the future workplace will undoubtedly become far more collaborative. However, while new technologies are transforming key aspects of the modern business, legacy systems are holding others back, limiting innovation, opportunity, and engagement."


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