Ireland: War on tobacco worthy, but must not be rushed

ITRealms:

Opinion:

IT was not so long ago that secondary school children were allowed to smoke in many of the more "advanced" schools around the country. Staff rooms were also often full of teachers puffing on pipes and cigarettes as pupils regularly entered and left.

Today, the idea of a 17-year-old taking a puff between classes seems as strange as quill pens or the regular floggings that were a feature of the Irish educational system for far too long. The world changes, and smokers have had to endure more change than most as their habit has moved from socially acceptable to pariah status.

The Government's latest plans to outlaw smoking anywhere in secondary school grounds and near creche facilities is another step in a long-term strategy to "de-normalise" smoking and ensure that fewer than one person in 20 smokes by 2025.

That is a noble objective, but like many others it is one to be pursued carefully.

The prohibition of alcohol in the United States during the 1920s did little more than cement the position of criminal gangs, and serves as a salutary warning. There is already plenty of evidence that high taxes in Ireland are a boon for crooks while also turning many otherwise law-abiding citizens into criminals.

There is also the question of equity. Many ordinary smokers deeply resent their outlaw status and insist, not without reason, that their behaviour is likely to be less lethal to others than speeding drivers or alcohol.

That is all true, but the truth is that most smokers wish they could kick the habit, and hundreds of thousands of smokers have done just that thanks to the policy of de-normalising smoking. The gradual escalation of this policy will undoubtedly save more people from premature death while also saving them money.

Health Minister James Reilly has had a mixed tenure in office, but he cannot be faulted for his commitment to fighting tobacco and the tobacco industry. He must now set himself measurable targets so he knows whether he really is on track with this grand ambition.

Additional reports by Irish Independent: 

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Rafik Dammak wins NCSG chairmanship

ITRealms:

The 2013 annual election of the Noncommercial Stakeholders Group (NCSG) of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) closed Monday, October 14, 2013, with emergence of Rafik Dammak as the new chairman of the group.

Also elected as NCSG Representatives to the Generic Name Supporting Organisation (GNSO) Council include Wolfgang Kleinwachter, Avri Doria, and Amr Elsadr.

Confirming this to ITRealms, the outgoing chair of NCSG, Ms Robin Gross, said that the newly elected chairman is expected to stay in office for a one-year term, while the three representatives to GNSO would be in office for a two-year term each.

It was further gathered by ITRealms that Rafik’s emergence came with 176 votes, whereas Wolfgang got 141, Avri got 140 and Amr has 96 respectively.

However, information available to ITRealms shows that total ballots cast were 147, while 126 were the actual votes counted after exclusion of duplications with 74 members could not vote.

With its charter approved in 2011, NCSG represents through its elected representatives and its constituencies, the interests and concerns of noncommercial registrants and noncommercial Internet users of generic Top-level Domains (gTLDs).

 
Thus, providing a voice and representation in ICANN processes to non-profit organizations that serve noncommercial interests; nonprofit services such as education, philanthropies, consumer protection, community organizing, promotion of the arts, public interest policy advocacy, children's welfare, religion, scientific research, and human rights; public interest software concerns; families or individuals who register domain names for noncommercial personal use; and Internet users who are primarily concerned with the noncommercial, public interest aspects of domain name policy.

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Pix: Rafik Dammak

NIRA: Onyekwere takes over BoT chair from Odeyemi

ITRealms:

Chairman of Linkserve Limited, Chief Chima Onyekwere, OON, has been elected the new chairman of the Board of Trustee (BoT) of the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA).

ITRealms gathered at the weekend that following the inaugural meeting of the NIRA Board of Trustee (BoT) which took place on Thursday, 10th of October, 2013 at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, Chief Onyekwere emerged.

According to our investigations, main business of the day for the inaugural BOT meeting was the election of a new chairman. 

"Chief Chima Onykwere, was unanimously elected as the chairman BoT. He takes over from Dr. Isaac A. Odeyemi, who is the pioneer BoT Chairman," Mrs. Uduma, the NIRA president confirmed to ITRealms.

She further said that Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture retained her post as the Secretary of the BoT. 

The only new member to the BoT, she said, was Mr. Emmanuel Edet who is representing National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) on the BoT.

Other members, she said, who returned to the BOT include Mr. Olaleye Alao, Mr. Shina Badaru, Mr. Y.Z Ya’u, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, Prof. Adenike Osofisan and herself, Mrs. Mary Uduma, President, NIRA.

Onyekwere prides himself as the pioneer Internet service provider in Nigeria and has continued to prove his capacity as far as internet development is concerned in Nigeria.

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US introduces new $100 note with 3D

ITRealms:

The United States Federal Reserve, equivalent of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Tuesday began what it classified as supplying financial institutions with a redesigned $100 note that has Third Dimension (3D) security feature among others, ITRealms reports.

This $100 note incorporates new security features to deter counterfeiters and help businesses and consumers tell whether a note is genuine,

A press statement made available to ITRealms, showed that distance, demand and policies of individual financial institutions would influence how quickly the redesigned notes reach businesses and consumers globally.

The Federal Reserve Board Governor, Jerome H. Powell says that the new design incorporates security features that make it easier to authenticate, but harder to replicate.

“As the new note transitions into daily transactions, the user-friendly security features will allow the public to more easily verify its authenticity,” he said.

Also, Jerome was quoted as saying that the Federal Reserve, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, and the U.S. Secret Service partnered to redesign Federal Reserve notes to stay ahead of counterfeiting threats.

According to him, the redesigned $100 note includes two new security features: a blue 3-D security ribbon with images of bells and 100s, and a colour-changing bell in an inkwell. The new features, and additional features retained from the previous design, such as a watermark, offer the public a simple way to visually authenticate the redesigned $100 note.

ITRealms recalls that consumers worldwide are advised that it is not necessary to trade in older-design $100 notes for new ones.

“It is U.S. government policy that all designs of U.S. currency remain legal tender, regardless of when they were issued,” part of the statement read.

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Future of Internet: Experts warn against fragmentation

ITRealms:

Some 10 leading organisations responsible for the coordination of the Internet technical infrastructure globally ended its meeting in Montevideo, Uruguay reinforced their commitments, warning against fragmentation of future Internet.

Those at the meeting according to the Director of Global Media Affairs at the Internet Corporationn for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) Mr. Brad White, in a chat with ITRealms include Adiel A. Akplogan, CEO, African Network Information Center (AFRINIC); John Curran, CEO, American Registry for Internet Numbers (ARIN); Paul Wilson, Director General, Asia-Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC); Russ Housley, Chair, Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Fadi Chehadé, President and CEO of ICANN; Jari Arkko, Chair, Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF); Lynn St. Amour, President and CEO, Internet Society (ISOC); Raúl Echeberría, CEO, Latin America and Caribbean Internet Addresses Registry (LACNIC); Axel Pawlik, Managing Director, Réseaux IP Européens Network Coordination Centre (RIPE NCC) and Jeff Jaffe, CEO, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

ITRealms gathered that the meeting rose after considering and insisting that the Internet and World Wide Web have brought major benefits in social and economic development worldwide.

“Both have been built and governed in the public interest through unique mechanisms for global multistakeholder Internet cooperation, which have been intrinsic to their success,” they said.

The leaders also discussed the clear need to continually strengthen and evolve these mechanisms, in truly substantial ways, to be able to address emerging issues faced by stakeholders in the Internet.

The meeting further recommended that “They reinforced the importance of globally coherent Internet operations, and warned against Internet fragmentation at a national level. They expressed strong concern over the undermining of the trust and confidence of Internet users globally due to recent revelations of pervasive monitoring and surveillance.

“They identified the need for ongoing effort to address Internet Governance challenges, and agreed to catalyze community-wide efforts towards the evolution of global multistakeholder Internet cooperation.

“They called for accelerating the globalization of ICANN and IANA functions, towards an environment in which all stakeholders, including all governments, participate on an equal footing.

“They also called for the transition to IPv6 to remain a top priority globally. In particular Internet content providers must serve content with both IPv4 and IPv6 services, in order to be fully reachable on the global Internet,” they stated. 

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Mastercard CFO meets President Jonathan, reassures on smart ID card commitment

ITRealms:

As MasterCard and partners advance plans to commence issuance of the newly approved smart national identity card to Nigerians in the next quarter, President Goodluck Jonathan recently held a meeting with the chief financial officer (CFO) of MasterCard, Ms Martina Hund-Mejean on the roll out plans.

ITRealms gathered that the meet between Nigerian President Jonathan and Mastercard CFO centred majorly on the roll out of the forthcoming ID project.

This meeting which took place as side exclusive at the New York Stock Exchange, ITRealms further learnt, afforded MasterCard leadership to reassure President Jonathan on the firm’s determination to deliver on the project as planned.

But responding to ITRealms chat, the Divisional President, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Mr. Daniel Monehin, disclosed that they are oiling machines to issue the first set of this smart card by next quarter.

ITRealms recalls that echoes from the 2013 World Economic Forum on Africa showed that Nigeria may awarded contract for the provision of 13 million MasterCard-branded National Identity Smart Cards with electronic payment capability.

The Nigeria’s National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) and MasterCard in South Africa, just as officials of MasterCard confirmed to ITRealms that the proposed National Identity SmartCard is the Card Scheme under the recently deployed National Identity Management System (NIMS).

Also, ITRealms gathered from proponents including other issuing banks comprising United Bank for Africa, Union Bank, Zenith, Skye Bank, Unity Bank, Stanbic and First Bank; that the 13 Million Cards would be the first of its kind and assumed to be the largest card rollout on the continent of Africa; a formal electronic payment solution in a country and the broadest financial inclusion initiative of its kind on the African continent.

ITRealms was informed that in its first phase, Nigerians 16 years and above as well as all residents in the country for more than two years, would get the new multipurpose identity card which has 13 applications including MasterCard’s prepaid payment technology that will provide cardholders with the safety, convenience and reliability of electronic payments.

This, the proponent said, would have a significant and positive impact on the lives of Nigerians who have not previously had access to financial services.

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Pix: Martina Hund-Mejean, MasterCard Chief Financial Officer at the New York Stock Exchange, with President Goodluck Jonathan, at the meeting.

Aregbesola, Johnson lead delegates to ADA Hall of Fame’13

ITRealms:

The Governor of the State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson will in December lead delegates for induction into Africa Digital Forum and Awards (ADA) Hall of Fame.

Confirming this to ITRealms:, the coordinator, ADA, Mr. Tayo Adewusi, told correspondent that ADA has instituted ADA Hall of Fame, which would induct Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun and Technology Minister, among others.

He also said that several industry bigwigs including the Governor Aregbesola have confirmed attendance for the event scheduled for December 8, 2013 at the Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.

The guest speaker, he said will be speaking on the theme ‘’Deepening e-governance, Transparency with Broadband Access,” while Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, who is the chief host, would support him and host, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), Executive Governor of Lagos State.

Special guest of honour, he said, is Mrs Omobola Johnson, Hon. Minister of Communication Technology, just as the keynote speakers include the Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah, Prince Emeka Mba, Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Gerald Ilukwe MD / CE, Galaxy Backbone Plc.

The event consists of the Africa Digital Forum (ADF 2013) where issues in the industry will be critically examined, solutions will be proffered, and the Africa Digital Awards Hall of Fame 2013, would celebrate outstanding individuals that have contributed immensely to the growth and leveraged on the potent power of ICT to innovate and execute different ideas.

The panelists are Austin Okere, Group MD of CWG, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chairman Zinox Computers, Engr Emma Ekuwem, EVC Teledom Group, Engr. Florence Seriki Group MD Omatek Ventures, Ms Funke Opeke, MD Main One Cable, Engr. Lanre Ajayi, President ATCON, Engr. Gbenga Adebayo Chairman ALTON, Engr. Bayo Banjo, President NIG, Akinwale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive of MTN among others.

ADA is the brainchild of Tayo Adewusi. His TV Network is watched on MITV, TVC, NTA, Focus Television on Cable and YouTube Channel. In addition, for effective coverage of this unique and futuristic programme the event is expected to be transmitted live on NTA, Streaming on the internet, Focus Television on Cable and the programme’s YouTube Channel, respectively.

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Pix: Tayo Adewusi

MasterCard’s Priceless Africa lands in Nigeria

 

 ITRealms:

Leader in electronic payment system, MasterCard, Monday, launched its Priceless Africa campaign in Lagos, Nigeria.

Divisional President, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, Mr. Daniel Monehin, told ITRealms at a media launch, said that the initiative is a part of the global Priceless Cities campaign, which aims at rewarding consumers in Nigeria for their loyalty and to enhance their journey towards embracing cashless transactions.

Nigeria, he said, would join other 26 MasterCard Priceless destinations across the globe in this campaign, as consumers get to enjoy the best in travel, attractions, sports, dining, shopping and entertainment.

“Nigeria has been making great strides in the transition towards becoming a cashless economy, owing to the drive by the Central Bank of Nigeria. Through the Priceless Africa campaign, MasterCard aims to reward consumers who have adopted cashless transactions and are already benefiting from the security and convenience they bring. The campaign incorporates all MasterCard debit, prepaid and credit card users in Nigeria,” he said.

Monehin, also noted that Nigeria already appreciates the immense benefits that cashless transactions have to offer and the Priceless Africa launch could not have come at a better time, when more and more consumers are adopting electronic payments.

“As we make strides towards a world beyond cash in Nigeria and across Africa, we create opportunities like these to reward our valued consumers with unrivalled experiences that help them pursue their passions and encourage a continual shift from cash to electronic payments,” he said.

The Priceless Africa campaign, he explained, also aims to make Nigeria an attractive destination for visitors travelling to the country for business or leisure. It will also give Nigerian cardholders access to a plethora of experiences and offers in their preferred travel destinations around the world.

“We understand that many international visitors are coming to Nigeria for business and leisure so we want to create a conducive environment to experience all that this great country has to offer. According to the MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, Lagos was in the top 5 of the most visited cities in Middle East and Africa and registered 2.2 million international overnight visitors in the second quarter of 2013. Nigeria is a strategic country for MasterCard and through the priceless opportunities we create for residents and overseas visitors, we aim to bring out the depth of African warmth and hospitality,” Monehin said.

In his remarks, Tarek Abdelnabi, Vice-President Marketing, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, said that MasterCard is delighted to introduce the Priceless Cities platform to consumers across the region, as an appreciation of their loyalty and engagement.

“We are working closely with our local partners to enhance Nigeria’s reputation as a global destination, by creating unique experiences for residents and tourists. MasterCard places its consumers at the core of all it does; and by making their experiences in Nigeria or around the world unforgettable and priceless, we are doing just that,” Abdelnabi said.

Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head for MasterCard in West Africa, said that some of the experiences and offers that consumers would enjoy in Nigeria vary from luxurious beach retreats, food and dining discount offers at selected restaurants, unforgettable entertainment experiences, travel and shopping experiences from around the world, and access to exciting sporting events.

She reiterated that Priceless Africa is part of MasterCard’s Priceless Cities platform, which was initiated in New York City in July 2011. This campaign, she said, would be extended to other countries in Africa, with the aim of connecting consumers through Priceless experiences across the continent. The launch of Priceless Africa follows the launch of Priceless Arabia in Dubai in September 2013.
 

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Pix: L-R: Daniel Lanre Monehin, Division President, Sub-Saharan Africa at MasterCard;  Omokehinde Ojomuyide, Vice President and Area Business Head for MasterCard in West Africa and Tarek Abdelnabi, Vice-President Marketing, Sub-Saharan Africa, MasterCard, during the MasterCard Priceless Africa launch to the media at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos on Monday, September 30, 2013

Apple topples Coca as No. 1 brand globally – Interbrand

ITRealms:

The latest brand analytics from Interbrand, a consulting firm has shown that Apple is now the most valuable brand globally.

ITRealms gathered that based on Interbrand findings, especially with the iPhone 5 by Apple, the brand was reported to have been valued at $98.3 billion, about N15,880,625,069,973.41 trillion by Interbrand.

According to the report today, Monday, Interbrand, a corporate identity and brand consulting company owned by the Omnicom Group that has been compiling what it calls the Best Global Brands report since 2000. The previous No. 1 brand, Coca-Cola, fell to No. 3.

Additionally, the report showed that not only has Apple overtaken Coca-Cola as first among the 100 most valuable brands based on criteria that include financial performance, Interbrand said, this is the first time Coca has not been No. 1 in almost a decade.

Global chief executive at Interbrand, Jez Frampton, had recently noted that Apple’s emergence was perchance “A matter of time” just as ITRealms recalls that Apple was No. 2 last year, climbing from No. 8 in the 2011 report.

“What is it they say, ‘Long live the king’? This year, the king is Apple,” He asserted.

Part of the 2013 report stated: “Every so often, a company changes our lives, not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following Coca-Cola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Interbrand has a new No. 1 — Apple.”

In addition, the value of the Coca-Cola brand also rose, by 2 per cent to $79.2 billion, but that was not sufficient to give Coca-Cola a 14th year as Interbrand’s most valuable brand, as Apple clinched it with $98.3 billion.

Although “Coca-Cola is an efficient, outstanding brand marketer, no doubt about it,” Mr. Frampton said, Apple and other leading technology brands have become “very much the poster child of the marketing community.”

That is underscored by the brand in second place in the new report: Google, which rose from fourth place last year. In fact, of the top 10 Best Global Brands for 2013, five are in technology: Apple; Google; Microsoft, No. 5, unchanged from last year; Samsung, 8, compared with 9 last year; and Intel, 9, compared with 8 last year.

Samsung’s ascent followed the company’s adoption of a new brand strategy called the Brand Ideal, which includes “a greater focus on social purpose,” Sue Shim, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Samsung, said by e-mail. That reflected research indicating American consumers would switch brands to “one that was associated with improving people’s lives,” she added.

International Business Machines (IBM) was ranked No. 4 in 2013, down a notch from 2012, is ranked as a business services brand. Otherwise, technology would account for six of the top 10.

“Brands like Apple and Google and Samsung are changing our behavior: how we buy, how we communicate with each other, even whether we speak with each other,” Mr. Frampton said. “They have literally changed the way we live our lives.”

Among other transformative technology brands that performed well in the new report was Facebook, which climbed to 52 from 69 last year, its first year on the list.

However, in Nigeria, ITRealms also gathered that Apple iStore in Ikeja Shopping Mall is the home for everything Apple in Nigeria, according to the Executive Director, Rutger-Jan Spaandonk.

Further, ITRealms recalls that Apple iStore at Ikeja is the authorised Apple reseller in Nigeria and has several initiatives since the store opened for business, including plans to offer free training to customers on Apple hardware and software.

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Pix: Apple iPhone 5c, with additional report from New York Times.

ICANN opens call for 49 fellowship

ITRealms: 

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN)  has announced the opening of the fellowship programme for the Singapore public meeting, tagged ICANN 49.

ITRealms gathered that the fellowship programme has demonstrated success in its mission to build capacity in the ICANN multistakeholder environment through focused interactive engagement between newcomers to ICANN and community members at each of the ICANN meetings.

The programme also seeks to identify members of the Internet community who either have not previously been able to participate in ICANN processes or constituent organizations, or those who require further exposure to the Internet community and its work but cannot travel and attend a meeting without financial support.
This outreach programme seeks participants from developing regions and countries of the world, in order to help create a broader base of knowledgeable constituents who will become the new voice of experience in their regions and beyond.

Equally, ITRealms gathered that applications to become an ICANN Fellow are assessed for each meeting by an independent selection committee.

Priority, however, is given to applicants who: meet minimum programme requirements; are current residents of developing and least developed nations; and are interested in participating in the ICANN multistakeholder process and its supporting organizations, advisory committees or stakeholder groups.

Also efforts will be made to include participants from the region in which the ICANN meeting is being held.
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