USPF to use Access Gap study for interventions – Johnson

ITRealms:

Chairman of the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) and Honourable Minister of Communication Technology (CommTech) Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has asserted that importance of the recently concluded Access Gap study by the USPF, saying it would be used for adequate interventions, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the recently relaunched website for USPF in Lagos, Mrs. Johnson told ITRealms that the new website and launch of ICT Gap clusters would boost the intervention of USPF in the country.

According to her, subsequently, the USPF will utilize these clusters to identify target areas, define Universal Access Service (UAS) and map the interventions respectively to the appropriate communities.

“We will also share the results of the study with the telecoms operators to enable them get a detailed view of the needs and demands of the market and assist them in developing roll out plans for these unreached areas,” she told ITRealms.

Johnson stressed that the nation forges ahead, the greatest wish of this administration, she told ITRealms, is to continue to collaborate with the telecom operators towards closing access gap in the country and set Nigeria on the path of being a full digitalized nation.

“We trust that we can rely on you to continue to be our trusted partners in deploying and delivering sustainable and impactful projects,” she said.

Mrs. Johnson further applauded participants at the forum, saying it’s a clear signal that as stakeholders, “we all share the same vision.”

Just as she emphasised that the results of the study, would be useful to clarify the results and how best they could be turned into projects for enhancing services to the communities.

“We hope to conclude this forum with a shared understanding about what to do and what our roles are in accomplishing what we have resolved to do such that when we leave this room all that will be left to do is to Execute! Execute!! Execute!!!” she concluded.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @USPFNG +Efem Nkanga @NGRCOMMTech @NgComCommission +ITU 

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Pix: Johnson and USPF secretary, Maikano

ICG proposes final transition process timeline

ITRealms:

The Internet Assigned Names Authority (IANA) Stewardship Transition Coordination Group (ICG) has issued proposal for the finalization and updated transition process timeline, reports ITRealms.

The four page document, ITRealms reports explained the process that the ICG will follow for assembly and finalization of the IANA Stewardship Transition Proposal.

This, ITRealms gathered includes information about the ICANN Board's role in conveying the final transition proposal to the United States-based National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).

In addition, ITRealms reports that ICG issued an update to its previously published process timeline.
Although ITRealms further gathered that the target dates remain unchanged in the updated timeline, but the explanations of the last two steps in the timeline have been updated for consistency with the Assembly and Finalization Process

ITRealms notes that previously published timeline graphic remains consistent with the updated timeline.
 

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GoTv extends to south-east, delights Nigerians

ITRealms:

GOTv, a digital terrestrial pay-TV has continued to extend its services in the South-Eastern parts of the country with latest signal availability now at Awka, the capital of Anambra State, Nsukka in Enugu State and Umuahia, capital of Abia State, reports ITRealms.

Also, ITRealms gathered that GOTv signals now accessible at Ilorin, Ikom, Ondo, Owo and Sagamu, this is coming as GOTv footprints visible in over 20 states and Abuja, the federal capital territory.

General Manager, Elizabeth Amkpa confirmed to ITRealms that TV viewers in these cities now enjoy the benefits of the digital television revolution namely based on clearer pictures and sound, by subscribing to the highly subsidized and latest approved GOtv DVB-T2 decoders for N2,900 in the ongoing “GO Gaga” offer.

“The use of the outdoor antenna (GOtenna) which is sold at a standalone price of N1,600 is recommended to guarantee optimal reception,” she advised.

According to her, with affordability at the core of the GOtv offering, subscribers have the option of two bouquets – GOtv with 28 local and international channels which is accessible at a monthly subscription of N1,000, and GOtv Plus with 41 channels, at a monthly subscription of N1,500.

Both bouquets, she told ITRealms offer seven programming genres namely; news and current affairs, general entertainment, music, documentary, sport, religion, sport and children’s programming. The channels including Al Jazeera, CNN, SuperSport Select 1 and 2, AfricaMagic, E! Entertainment, Mnet Movies Zone, Telemundo, Televista, BET, Sony Max, Faith Broadcasting Network (formerly TBN), One Gospel, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon, JimJam, MTV Base, Hip TV, Discovery World, Nat Geo Wild, Channel ED and several more provide entertainment which cater to the varied tastes of different members of the family.

“With schools just back in session, teenagers can learn of the latest happenings in the world of science, art and business by tuning into Channel ED on GOtv, while pre-schoolers can be engaged with several programming on Disney Junior, JimJam and Nickelodeon which will enable them to laugh and learn,” she said.

Stressing that for men, there is a lot of sporting action to look forward to, even as women could get the best of the red carpet coverage on E! Entertainment as the awards’ season kick-off with the 2015 Golden Globes and Fashion Police returns.

ITRealms recollects that GOtv was launched in October 2011 in Nigeria, and has enabled digital migration with readily accessible decoders, covering Ibadan, Port Harcourt, Lagos, Enugu, Benin, Aba, Owerri, Kano, Kaduna, Onitsha, Asaba, Uyo, Calabar, Osogbo, Ife, Ogbomoso, Akure, Oyo, Jos, Abeokuta, Ilesa, Ede, Iseyin, Makurdi, Ado-ekiti, Mararaba, Suleja, Ondo, Owo, Abraka, Agbarho, Effurun, Ekpan, Jeddo, Kokori, Oghara, Okpe, Sapele, Udu, Ughelli, Warri and Eket.

 +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @GOTV

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Jonathan confirms Abimbola Alale as MD/CEO NIGCOMSAT

ITRealms:

The President Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, has approved the appointment of Ms Abimbola Alale as the Managing Director, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) Ltd, reports ITRealms.

A letter conveying this message endorsed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim GCON, revealed to ITRealms that the President has confirmed appointment as Managing Director/Chief Executive, Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT) for a first term of four (4) years and also wished her the best of luck on her new assignment.

ITRealms recalled that Abimbola Alale became the Ag MD/CE in February 2014, having served as the Executive Director, Marketing, a position she held since the inception of the company in 2006.

Ms Alale, ITRealms gathered, holds a postgraduate degree in Space Studies and an MBA from the International Space University in Strasbourg, France and has since undergone several trainings in space technology.

Equally, ITRealms gathered that she started her career with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) where she served as NigComSat-1 Project Secretary, a project that gave birth to NIGCOMSAT Ltd.

Additionally, ITRealms reports that Alale has worked on key national projects, including the Nigcomsat 1R project in which she was Project Director with the responsibility of managing the launch of the replacement satellite otherwise known as NigComSat-1R.

This African space Amazon has served in various capacities on various national committees that have advanced the utilization of space applications in Nigeria. 

In her reaction, Ms Alale promised to be wholly committed to the utilization and development of space applications to the socio-economic development of Nigeria.

ITRealms further gathered that her appointment took effect from December 24, 2014.

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Football tweeps route for new African idols as Enyama top list

ITRealms:

Barely 24 hours count down to the proclamation of Glo-Confederation of African Football (CAF) African Footballer of Year 2014, followers of key contenders on social media, especially Twitter, known as tweeps are routing their support for the Super Eagle Captain Vincent Enyeama @vincentEnyeama and current title holder, Yaya Toure @YayaToure as well as the Gabonese midfielder Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, reports ITRealms.

The pronouncement, ITRealms gathered is due at the gala nite slated to take place on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Lagos.

The aforementioned trio, ITRealms reports, made the final lap following the verdicts from Head Coaches or Technical Directors of the national associations affiliated to #CAF, Vincent Enyeama and Yaya Toure are the leading contenders.

Touted as the Oscars of African Football the Glo-CAF award ITRealms reports is an annual event to celebrate the continent’s premium football idols for an individual award, personal performance of a player as football club or country a player represents to win tournaments like the FIFA World Cup, nations cup, champions league or Europa league, play minimal role in picking a candidate.

Thus Glo-CAF attracts the biggest names in world of sport, just as this year awards promises to surpass the last edition in terms of the detail of planning, and overall event quality and class. 

ITRealms recalls that Nigerian golden gloves, Vincent assisted his club side, Lille to finish third in Ligue1, even as he assist the Les Dogues to the UEFA Champions League preliminary stages as well as leading the Super Eagles to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil round of 16 with top class saves.

To crown it all a prestigious French Newspaper, L’Equipe, picked him as best in Ligue1 for 2014.

Responding on his performance on the forth coming prestigious accolade, on Nigeria Super Eagle Twitter page @NGSuperEagles Goal Keeper Vincent Enyeama tweeted that “he has done enough to win #GloCafAwards2014, I deserve it.”

However, the President of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick said that Enyeama's individual exploits in 2014 will stand him out this time around. "He was in fabulous form for his club (Lille of France), and also played brilliant roles for the Super Eagles to reach the round of 16 at the Brazil 2014 World Cup. I am not in anyway disrespecting the other candidates. I have immense respect for them, but I will pick Enyeama," Pinnick said.

Corroborating NFF’s President, Former super Eagles Captain, Joseph Yobo expressed confident that “For me it was a great year and good season for Enyeama. All the nominated candidates are good but the Lille goalkeeper will dust his opponents and end Nigeria’s 15year wait for the continents prestigious award

More so, Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Chairman of Enyimba International Football Club of Aba, has thrown his weight on Enyeama that “ he has been outstanding for the club and country and when you judge his performance over the years, he deserves such an accolade.

Jamila Buhari, @jamilaAM Nigeria’s first female referee could not  hide her thought and believe when she said,  “Enyeama deserves to be given the award.  “He was even picked as the best African Goalkeeper of the Year at the FIFA level.

He singled himself out among the super Eagles with the passion of playing, and I pray the award finally goes to him,’’ 

Seyi Akinwunmi, NFA’s First Vice-Chairman, is also optimistic of Enyeama clinching the personal accolade.

“I think he should win it. I have given him my vote and I’m very hopeful, first of all as a Nigerian, but having watched Enyeama’s performance. There is no doubt in my mind that he will take it this time,” he said.

Banji Bayo/GEE

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Pix: Super Eagle Captain Vincent Enyeam

ADU election ends in deadlock

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The general assembly elections of the Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State ended Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in a deadlock, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Correspondent on ground at the Central School Awba-Ofemili reports that the election was inclusive due to lack of due process based on ADU constitution enacted on April 15, 2001.

DigitalSENSE Business News also reports that the two major contestants for the post of the President General Of ADU, namely  Messrs Justin Oforkansi and Chukwuma Nwankwo differed on the modalities.

It was reported that Oforkansi camp were bent on the application of the ADU constitution on elections, while Nwankwo camp wanted option A4.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that option A4 entails that voters queue behind their candidates of choice, while ADU constitution stipulates that voting "shall be done by raising hands with eyes closed or by secret ballot."

Equally DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that deadlock was due to the inability of contestants to agree on way forward for the election which was first on the list to be conducted amongst others.

In addition,  DigitalSENSE Business News gathered there were counter allegations of mercenary importations from the neighbouring town of Ugbene and fishery settlement known as Ege in Awba-Ofemili.

These,DigitalSENSE Business News reports culminated in the inconclusive election and forced the representatives of the government and security agents who were deployed to Awba-Ofemili to withdraw to their stations without any pronouncement whatsoever on the outcome.

Just as there were allegations of non-accreditation of voters to pave way for the total number of votes to be expected.

+Remmy Nweke +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @Awba-Ofemili @ADU

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