APA: Defeating Abiola Ajimobi, a collective responsibility - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The African Peoples Alliance (APA), Oyo State Chapter has said that the defeat recently encountered by the current Executive governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi at the just concluded National Assembly elections four days ago was a collective responsibility and not the handiwork of PDP and her members in the South Senatorial district alone.

This was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Ibadan on Sunday by the Governorship Candidate of the Party, Deacon Tolulope Adedoyin.

According to the release “Makinde or members of Oyo PDP shouldn’t take the glory for themselves. God, Atiku, people of the Senatorial district and some opposition parties like us should be given the glory. It is on record that when Makinde was in SDP, he didn’t win any Assembly Seat or House of Rep. Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun couldn’t defeat Senator Abiola Ajimobi if Atiku was not running under PDP. Dr. Muhammed Kola Balogun didn’t campaign or spend much compared to Senator Ridwan Adesoji and Senator Abiola Ajimobi. It was grace he received from God. The same grace Senator Ridwan received from God in 2015. Right from day one that Senator Abiola Ajimobi expressed his interest in contesting for the senatorial election, APA was the first party to protest against such interest. We in APA still believed Makinde is not yet ripe for governance in the state.”

“The election of Atiku has gone. Now it’s governorship and house of assembly. Makinde shouldn’t expect what happened in NASS elections to happen in the governorship election. Oyo state needs an experienced and well qualified candidate.”

APA finally urged the good people of Oyo state to stay calm, study different governorship candidates with their programmes as governorship campaign resumes and vote their conscience.  

Ayo Midele/Editor

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ICANN raises alarm over risk to DNS infrastructure, demands full DNSSEC deployment - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) has raised alarm over threats to the ongoing and significant risk to key parts of the Domain Name System (DNS) infrastructure, reports ITREALMS.

ICANN was reacting to the rising reports of malicious activity targeted at the DNS infrastructure, called for full deployment of the Domain Name System Security Extensions (DNSSEC) across all unsecured domain names. The organization also reaffirms its commitment to engage in collaborative efforts to ensure the security, stability and resiliency of the Internet’s global identifier systems.

As one of many entities engaged in the decentralized management of the Internet, ICANN is specifically responsible for coordinating the top-most level of the DNS to ensure its stable and secure operation and universal resolvability.

On 15 February 2019, in response to reports of attacks against key parts of the DNS infrastructure, ICANN offered a checklist of recommended security precautions for members of the domain name industry, registries, registrars, resellers, and related others, to proactively take to protect their systems, their customers’ systems and information reachable via the DNS.

Public reports indicate that there is a pattern of multifaceted attacks utilizing different methodologies. Some of the attacks target the DNS, in which unauthorized changes to the delegation structure of domain names are made, replacing the addresses of intended servers with addresses of machines controlled by the attackers. This particular type of attack, which targets the DNS, only works when DNSSEC is not in use. DNSSEC is a technology developed to protect against such changes by digitally 'signing' data to assure its validity. Although DNSSEC cannot solve all forms of attack against the DNS, when it is used, unauthorized modification to DNS information can be detected, and users are blocked from being misdirected.

ICANN has long recognized the importance of DNSSEC and is calling for full deployment of the technology across all domains. Although this will not solve the security problems of the Internet, it aims to assure that Internet users reach their desired online destination by helping to prevent so-called “man in the middle” attacks where a user is unknowingly re-directed to a potentially malicious site. DNSSECcomplements other technologies, such as Transport Layer Security (most typically used in HTTPS) that protect the end user/domain communication.

As the coordinator of the top-most level of the DNS, ICANN is in the position to help mitigate and detect DNS-related risks, and to facilitate key discussions together with its partners. The organization believes that all members of the domain name system ecosystem must work together to produce better tools and policies to secure the DNS and other critical operations of the Internet. To facilitate these efforts, ICANN is planning an event for the Internet community to address DNS protection: The first is an open session during the upcoming ICANN64 public meeting on 9-14 March 2019, in Kobe, Japan.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Saudi smartphone market continues decline, but IDC believes worst is over - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Saudi Arabia's smartphone market experienced a 15.3 per cent year-on-year decline in shipments in 2018, according to the latest figures announced today by International Data Corporation (IDC), reports ITREALMS.

The global technology research and consulting firm's newly released Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker shows smartphone shipments to the Kingdom fell to 7.5 million in 2018, down 48% on the market's peak in 2015.

The Saudi market's performance was broadly in line with the overall trend of the wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, where smartphone shipments were down 12.2 per cent year on year in 2018. With Saudi Arabia being biggest market in GCC, accounting for 47 per cent of all smartphone shipments to the region last year, any declines felt in this market are bound to affect the region's overall performance.

The Saudi smartphone market has been in a dire situation since 2016, when the first aggressive decline occurred. IDC's data shows there was a 30% year-on-year decline in smartphone shipments in 2016, followed by a further 13% fall in 2017 and now a 15k per cent drop off in 2018.

"These massive double-digit declines have been caused by many different factors, beginning with the Saudization of the mobile phone industry in 2016 that caused more than 40 per cent of independent retailers to shut down," says Nabila Popal, senior research manager for mobile phones at IDC. "Then there was the introduction of VAT in 2017, as well as a reduction in government subsidies and the implementation of dependent taxes – all of which caused a significant reduction in consumer disposable income. These factors and the overall lack of innovation in the smartphone space have led to a lengthening of the refresh cycle. Indeed, consumers are becoming smarter, carefully analyzing the cost versus features of all new devices, and simply do not see the need to upgrade their devices as often as before."

In terms of vendor dynamics, there was considerable movement over the course of the year. The top brands for 2018 as a whole were Samsung, Apple, and Huawei, with unit shares of 34.8 per cent, 28.4 per cent, and 19.6k per cent, respectively. However, by the final quarter of the year Huawei had mirrored its global position by moving into second place and pushing Apple down into third. Honor has also grown drastically to reach fourth position.

"Huawei's growth in the region, at such a time when leading brands are declining, is to be commended," says Popal. "There is a tendency to attribute this growth purely to good features, low prices, and great marketing, but Huawei's success in the GCC has also been influenced by its focus on providing dedicated and customized channel support. By doing this, Huawei is able to respond quickly to local market conditions and directly help its channel partners clear slow-moving stock."

Looking ahead, IDC's outlook for Saudi Arabia's smartphone market in 2019 is not too rosy; however, it appears that the worst is over and that the market is starting to stabilize. While IDC does not expect the Saudi smartphone space to see any major growth in 2019, it is expecting the road to recovery to begin this year, with forecasts showing a flat or very slight decline in the market.

"The arrival of 5G and foldable devices this year may bring some movement to the market as they will finally feed the intense craving from consumers for some genuine innovation," says Popal. "However, given the high price tags likely to come with these devices, they will take time to gain traction. So, while they will undoubtedly generate some long overdue excitement, I wouldn't expect them to bring double-digit growth to the struggling smartphone market."

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Skype hypnotherapy effective treatment for IBS - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Experts have said that Skype hypnotherapy is an effective treatment for people with severe Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a new study has found, reports ITREALMS.

The study of 20 patients who had the treatment via the online communications tool, ITREALMS gathered  was led by Professor Peter Whorwell from The University of Manchester and published in the International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis.
ITREALMS  also gathered that Professor Whorwell is a gastroenterologist at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, where he runs a hypnotherapy clinic for IBS patients.

The patients in the study received 12 hypnotherapy sessions in total: the first was face to face with the remaining 11 sessions delivered via Skype.

Before the treatment, 65 per cent had severe IBS pre-treatment with the remaining 35 per cent having moderate IBS.

After the Skype sessions, 25 per cent of were classed as having severe IBS, 40 per cent moderate IBS and the remaining 35 per cent mild IBS.

All the patients enjoyed significant improvements in their IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain, abdominal bloating and bowel function. 

In addition, other symptoms commonly seen in IBS improved such as nausea, headaches, heartburn, low backache, constant lethargy, chest pain and bladder problems. Quality of life, and any anxiety or depression also improved.

When compared to an earlier study of 1000 patients who had face to face hypnotherapy at the clinic run by Professor Whorwell, the online treatment was only slightly less effective.

Hypnotherapy, in combination with other treatments, has been shown to be an effective treatment for patients with serious symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome which do not respond to other treatment.

However, many patients are unable to access treatment because they are unable to travel.

Despite the successes treatment and its endorsement by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE), hypnotherapy has not been widely adopted and is still of limited availability in the UK.

Professor Whorwell said: “Skype is starting to be used in a variety of clinical situations but to our knowledge there have, so far, been no reports of its’ use in hypnosis, particularly in relation to IBS.

“Our centre is funded by the NHS and consequently we receive referrals from all over the UK which means that some patients have to travel long distances for treatment.

“Not only is this costly but also travelling might be impossible because of symptoms such as severe diarrhoea and incontinence. Though some patients may need the occasional “top up” from time to time, there is no reason to believe that the benefits of hypnotherapy delivered by Skype should not be sustained.

“These encouraging results suggest that Skype is an ideal way of treating subjects who may find it difficult to travel to the unit. It is especially noteworthy that if Skype treatment had not been available, 71 per cent of subjects said they would not have been able to have the treatment.

“We now intend to offer Skype hypnotherapy to local residents if we feel that attending the unit would compromise treatment, especially in individuals with the diarrhoeal form of the condition.”
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Lai Mohammed: February 23RD is Day of Liberation in Kwara - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said that under an All Progressives Congress (APC) dispensation, Feb. 23rd of every year will be observed as the 'Day of Liberation' by the people of Kwara, reports ITREALMS.

''I want to ask the incoming Governor of our state to, immediately he is sworn in on 29 May 2019, to declare Feb. 23rd (the date of the 2019 Presidential and National Assembly elections) of every year as the 'Day of Liberation' for Kwara State,'' the Minister, who is also the APC leader in the state, said at a press conference in Ilorin on Monday.

He thanked God and the people of Kwara for the 'clean sweep' which the party achieved in last Saturday's elections in the state, saying the party won the match against the PDP 10-0 (1-0 for President, 3-0 for Senate and 6-0 for House of Representatives).

''With the outcome of last Saturday's elections, I can now conveniently say that KWARA IS FREE! Free from a choking and pauperizing political hegemony of a self-imposed dynasty! Never again will Kwarans be treated like slaves in their own land. Enough is Enough. O To Ge!'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

He said no single individual deserves credit for the APC's massive victory in the elections, adding that the credit for the victory goes to the good people of Kwara.

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HMD unveils 4 Nokia Android smartphones - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, has unveiled four new Android smartphones, including the world’s first smartphone with a unique five camera array, the Nokia 9 PureView, reports ITREALMS.

The new Nokia phones, ITREALMS gathered,  are as diverse as the consumer needs they serve. From Nokia 9 PureView to the Nokia 210 - the company’s most affordable internet enabled feature phone – consumers can trust there is a Nokia phone that meets their distinct needs.

Imaging innovation for enthusiasts  

Nokia 9 PureView features the world’s first five camera array with ZEISS Optics to put next generation computational imaging technology into the hands of advanced photography enthusiasts. Every picture taken with a Nokia 9 PureView is in HDR, five cameras simultaneously capture the image and fuse it together into one 12MP photo with outstanding dynamic range and depth of field. Designed with the needs of photography enthusiasts at its heart, Nokia 9 PureView also features the ability to capture images in uncompressed RAW “DNG” format and edit them directly on the phone yourself thanks to our partnership with Adobe Lightroom. It has been said that 50% of the art of photography is in post-production and with Nokia 9 PureView you have every opportunity to shine.

Heads-up: change the way you interact with your phone with a dedicated Google Assistant Button

Voice is changing the way people interact with their smartphones. With a dedication to delivering quality technology for all, Nokia smartphones bring the fastest way to access the Google Assistant with the dedicated Google Assistant button – starting with the brand-new Nokia 4.2 and Nokia 3.2.

The Google Assistant button will revolutionise the way you engage with your smartphone. Simply press once for instant access to the Google Assistant to get things done throughout your day, such as getting directions, making calls, listening to music and getting answers to your questions faster than ever before. Double press to receive a visual overview of your day from the Google Assistant with intelligent suggestions and personalised information, including transport info, and what you have in your calendar to make sure you never miss a meeting again. By long pressing the button, you will activate a walkie-talkie mode, which lets the Google Assistant listen to you until you release it for long sentence queries.

Nokia smartphone experience: it just keeps getting better

The depth of the global portfolio commitment to Android One guarantees three years of monthly security updates and two years of OS updates, delivering a range of Nokia smartphones that offer the latest Android experience which only gets better over time.  Each phone stays fresh with the latest AI powered innovations to the built-in security protection of Google Play Protect. With a pure Android installation, Nokia smartphones come with no unnecessary UI changes or hidden processes that would eat up battery life or slow them down, so you can enjoy your new phone for longer. Each of the new phones comes with a limited number of pre-installed apps so that you get more storage space, as well as the latest innovations that help you stay ahead of the game every day.

Android Enterprise Recommended

Nokia smartphones feature one of the most diverse portfolios of Android Enterprise Recommended handsets, from Nokia 9 PureView to Nokia 3.2. The Android Enterprise Recommended programme gives enterprise customers confidence that all smartphones validated by the programme have been approved by Google for meeting objective business standards, which includes an elevated set of specifications for hardware, software, deployment, security updates and user experience.

Florian Seiche, Chief Executive Officer, HMD Global said:

“We’ve had a phenomenal response from consumers to our entire portfolio, thanks to our unique approach to Android, delivering a pure, secure and always up-to-date experience. We have delivered on this commitment, changing the smartphone ownership paradigm by offering an experience that only gets better over time. Today, with these new phones, we are taking a leap forward by delivering the very latest innovations from Google across our entire portfolio.”

Juho Sarvikas, Chief Product Officer, HMD Global said:

“Today we use our heritage of innovation to take a bold step - pioneering a truly innovative approach to imaging with the Nokia 9 PureView. And we believe great experiences should be available to everyone, which is why we are bringing cutting-edge experiences like the stunning design, the best of Google including the dedicated Google Assistant button, and great imaging and display technology, to the most accessible price points yet. And all this comes with all the craftsmanship and durability you’d expect from a Nokia smartphone. And with our Android promise delivering a pure, secure and up-to-date experience, we ensure that your phone gets better over time.”

Pekka Rantala, Chief Marketing Officer, HMD Global said:

“With our unique brand promise we are altering the expectations people have from their smartphones. In addition to continuously delivering on the reliability and durability they expect from a Nokia phone, we are delighting them by offering the best Android experience on their Nokia smartphones. With two years of OS updates and 3 years of monthly security updates guaranteed, Nokia phones stay fresh for life and deliver an experience that just keeps getting better.”

Nokia 9 PureView

Nokia 9 PureView is the world’s first smartphone featuring a five camera array system with ZEISS Optics. Nokia 9 PureView’s two colour sensors and three monochromatic sensors give sharpness and detail. All five cameras work together to collect up to 10-times the amount of light than a single colour sensor of the same type. Every image captured by Nokia 9 PureView is HDR, with up to 12.4 stops of dynamic range and a full scene 12MP depth map. Each 12MP JPG image can benefit from outstanding detail in areas of both bright sunlight and dark shadows at the same time with incredible texture. The depth map allows beautiful bokeh, giving you the possibility to adjust focus in Google Photos after you have taken the shot. Maximising the heterogenous computing architecture of the Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ mobile platform and featuring a dedicated imaging co-processor, the Nokia 9 PureView gives you a glimpse into the future of smartphone photography with unparalleled control over your images through the updated Pro Camera UI. Nokia 9 PureView allows you to capture images in uncompressed RAW “DNG” format and through a partnership with Adobe Photoshop Lightroom allows editing on the device.

Nokia 9 PureView also brings flagship experiences in a flawless finish with advanced Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset technology, a 2K pOLED PureDisplay screen, integrated Qi Wireless charging and under display fingerprint sensor. There is no camera bump for a flawless finish that radiates the thoughtful design you expect of a Nokia smartphone. And you can rest assured that the Nokia 9 PureView will get through the knocks and mishaps of real-life thanks to the Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 on the front and back.

Nokia 4.2

Nokia 4.2 has been designed to offer the latest smartphone innovations at a truly accessible price. The classy, sculpted-glass design and all-screen display offer beauty on the outside and it’s not just skin-deep, as it packs in a dual-rear camera, AI innovations and the latest generation Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, all running the latest Android 9 Pie. Premiering the Google Assistant button, the Nokia 4.2 will revolutionise the way you engage with your smartphone. Simply press once for instant access to the Google Assistant to get help, double press to receive a visual snapshot of your day from the Google Assistant with intelligent suggestions and personalised information and long press the button to activate a walkie-talkie mode, which lets the Google Assistant listen to you until you release it for long sentence queries. Nokia 4.2’s compact size and edge-to-edge display with ‘selfie-notch’ delivers a smartphone which, at just 8.4mm, is slim enough for single hand use. Nokia 4.2 also brings flagship imaging features like multi-camera imaging to a new price point, with a dual depth-sensing rear camera ready to capture stunning memories.

Nokia 3.2

Nokia 3.2 combines the biggest HD+ display for the price with our signature two-day battery life¹ all powered by the latest Android 9 Pie experience. The Nokia 3.2 features an impressive 6.26” HD+ display so you’ll never struggle and strain to see more of your favourite movies, TV shows and streams. Taking a holistic view of battery life, Nokia 3.2 combines a larger battery than many premium smartphones with efficient hardware and software ingenuity. Powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 mobile platform, Nokia 3.2 will get through tasks with ease. Nokia 3.2 also comes with the Google Assistant button, to revolutionise the way you engage with your smartphone – one press for instant access to Google Assistant, double tap for a visual overview of your day and long press for walkie-talkie mode.

Nokia 1 Plus

Upgrade your entry smartphone experience with Nokia 1 Plus, a brand-new member of the Android (Go edition) smartphone family. One of the first global Android 9 Pie (Go edition) smartphones, Nokia 1 Plus brings solid imaging in a high-quality Nokia design with a big screen, at exceptionally accessible price points. Now you can enjoy all your favourite apps and games, along with the latest Android (Go edition) features like Google Assistant Go. The Nokia 1 Plus brings a progressive and cutting-edge design to the value segment. Using innovative materials with 3D tooling, it achieves a gorgeous textured nano-pattern at the back that cups Nokia 1 Plus all the way to the display. Get great details in your photos with the Nokia 1 Plus’s auto focus rear camera and up your selfie game with the new front camera, which comes enhanced with the ‘beautify feature’.

Nokia 210

Nokia 210 is a new addition to our market-leading feature phone family. Get connected to the web with Opera Mini browser and play hours of Snake without having to worry about battery. The Nokia 210 has a crucial role in the Nokia phone line-up as the most affordable internet device and comes in a durable, inherently coloured polycarbonate shell which is designed to hide the marks of everyday life. Surf the web with the Opera Mini web browser and stay up to date with your friends and family on Facebook without worrying about battery. Fans can make the Nokia 210 their own by downloading their favourite apps, ringtones and wallpapers straight from the Mobile Store.

Companion products

Joining the accessories portfolio are two wireless charging solutions: the Nokia Wireless Charger and Nokia Portable Wireless Charger. Both devices support the universal Qi charging standard, so they can work with compatible wireless charging devices, including the Nokia 9 PureView and Nokia 8 Sirocco.

The Nokia Wireless Charger supports fast 10-watt wireless charging, making it perfect for a quick top up when at home or in the office. The Nokia Portable Wireless Charger is a power bank that supports wireless charging, so you can charge your wireless devices on the go, even if you forgot your cable. The Nokia Portable Wireless Charger also supports universal USB output - so non-wireless devices can be charged through a USB cable.

*Nenye Dom/Editor

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2019 elections: US congratulates Nigerians, urges for patience as INEC collates results - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The United States Ambassador to Nigeria, William Stuart Symington IV has urged Nigerians to remain patience as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) collates results, reports ITREALMS.

A press statement from the US Embassy in Nigeria, made available to ITREALMS, the ambassador congratulated tens of millions of Nigerians who stood patiently in long lines to vote this week and the hundreds of thousands who worked together with INEC to conduct the elections.

He pointed out that as noted by many observer groups in their preliminary reports, this election was predominantly peaceful, and it was proof of the Nigerian people’s resolute commitment to choose their leaders.

As said by him, the peaceful achievement of millions was shadowed by the violence of a few.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to the families of those who lost their lives, and we urge all candidates to honor the Peace Accord they signed. All should convince those who support them to refrain from using force or violence to interfere with INEC,” he said.

Symington also warned that no one should break the law by announcing results before INEC does, or break the peace by claiming victory before the results are final.

“Everyone has a common interest in showing patience as INEC collates and announces the election results,” he said.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Internet of Things: ETSI unveils cyber security for consumer - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has unveiled a technical specification aimed at solving all security challenges associated with consumer Internet of Things (IoT), reports ITREALMS.

The documentary tagged ‘Cyber Security for Consumer Internet of Things (IoT),’ and made available to ITREALMS, ETSI noted in the introduction that as more devices in the home connect to the internet, the cyber security of the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming a growing concern, especially for consumers.

“People entrust their personal data to an increasing number of online devices and services. Products and appliances that have traditionally been offline are now becoming connected and need to be designed to withstand cyber threats,” part of the specification read.

The 16-page documentary produced by ETSI Technical Committee Cyber Security (CYBER), ITREALMS reports, brings together widely considered good practice in security for internet-connected consumer devices in a set of high-level outcome-focused provisions.

The objective of the present document, ITREALMS gathered, was to support all parties involved in the development and manufacturing of consumer IoT with guidance on securing their products.

Additionally, ITREALMS reports that the provisions are outcome-focused, rather than prescriptive, giving organizations the flexibility to innovate and implement security solutions appropriate for their products.

Further, ITREALMS reports that the document is not intended to solve all security challenges associated with consumer IoT. Rather, the focus is on the technical controls and organizational policies that matter most in addressing the most significant and widespread security shortcomings.

ETSI emphasised that as many IoT devices and services process and store personal data, the present document could help in ensuring that these are compliant with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) [i.7].

Also, this document, ETSI said, could help organizations implement a future EU common cybersecurity certification framework as proposed in the Cybersecurity Act [i.13] and the proposed IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act in the United States.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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Curbing fake news is social responsibility says Amolo – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Fact checking on suspected fake news has been described as a social responsibility of every stakeholders in the news industry, which requires the understanding of its implications by any news manager in this era, says Emmanuel Caine Amolo, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at the one-day workshop held recently by The Republic Media in Lagos, Amolo, an editor with The Beat99 fm charged media practitioners especially journalists to make efforts at understanding the implications of fake information and guard against sharing same as news.

“We all need to understand the implications of fake information and guard against sharing them as news,” he declared, urging that the positive change of checkmating this for every well-meaning media practitioners.

Dwelling on ‘Fact-Checking Tools to curb fake information’ Amolo said some fact-checking tools handle specific aspects of fake information such as plagarised texts, altered images, manipulated audios and videos as well as websites and individual accounts on social sites.

Decrying the fact that fake information purveyors are getting ever more sophisticated with their so-called ‘craft,’ Amolo pointed out that is for news persons to check them, “require a mix of traditional journalistic meticulousness, and up-to-date procedures in engaging with internet software.”

Some of the fact-checking tools for altered or recycled images, he listed to include TinEye, Google Reverse Image Search, Yandex, Jeffrey's Image Metadata Viewer, and FotoForensics.

And tools for fact-checking videos, GeoSearchTool, Amnesty International: YouTube DataViewer, InVid, and Mapping.

Tools for checking plagarised texts, he listed to include Who Tweeted It First, Grammarly, NoPlag, Plagiarism Checker and CopyLeaks.

While other fact-checking tools, he said comprised of Inteltechniques.com, Adobe Audition, Foller.me, Weaather underground, Who.is, Graph.tips for Facebook, to name but a few.

Amolo highlighted that TinEye, for instance, creates a “unique and compact digital signature” and compares it with its enormous 26 billion image dataset. Stressing that Google Reverse Image Search, visit and upload or drop your image by clicking on the camera icon. You can also use this on mobile using the browser menu and selecting ‘request desktop site.’

He also explained that Yandex, for instance, is similar to Google Reverse Image Search, and could download or drop any image into the search box. Just as Jeffrey's Image Metadata Viewer, is handy to find out particularly if “you are unsure when a photo was taken from,” noting that most social media platforms strip metadata from images.

In addition, FotoForensics, put in an image Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or drag a photo into this free tool to see how much editing has been done to it, describing it as a “Great tool for fact-checking fake photos” among others.

Nenye Dom/DoP

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PDP to INEC: Declare Atiku winner now - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

…Alerts that Buhari, APC are seeking to alter results

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) charges the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately announce results as delivered from the polling units and declare the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the winner of the February 23 Presidential election, reports ITREALMS.

National Publicity Secretary and Director, Media & Publicity PDP Presidential Campaign Organization, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said that their position is predicated on clear and verifiable results across the nation, showing that Atiku Abubakar is in clear lead both in spread and total number of votes cast.

"Intelligence available to us is that INEC is delaying the announcement of results following directives by the Buhari Presidency and the All Progressives Congress (APC), which are bent on altering the figures from the polling centers and allocate fictitious figures for President Muhammadu Buhari, particularly in northern states.

"Curiously, INEC server is now shut down, results are no more being transmitted and the reason is to enable the APC to inflate figures from six designated states.

"We call on international observers and election monitors to insist on a transparent process of transmission of results and the monitoring thereof.

"We already have reports of how APC governors in the northern states have been making desperate effort to tamper with the results of the elections in their respective states with the view to award conjured votes to President Buhari.

"In Kogi state, Governor Yahaya Bello has been making frantic moves to change results to suit APC’s intent and purposes as against the wishes of the people, expressly delivered at the polls.

"Nigerians already know how the Minister of Transportation and the Director-General of the Buhari Campaign, Rotimi Amaechi, used the military to hold an INEC official in River state, Mrs. Mary Efeturi, hostage and insisted that she will not be released until she alters the results in favour of President Buhari 

"The PDP calls on INEC Chairman, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu to note that in this age of Information Communication Technology, Nigerians already have the results as delivered at the polling centers and any attempt to alter any figure will be faced with vehement resistance.

"In delaying the announcement of the results, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu is allowing the APC to turn him into a villain and directly pitching him against the people. He should therefore extricate himself from the rejected APC and be on the side of the people, by immediately announcing the results as already delivered at the polling units and declare, the people’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the winner," he said. 

Insisting that anything short of this is not acceptable to Nigerians, "who had already expressed their wishes and aspiration at the polls," PDP declared.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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