Telcos to deploy FDD on 38, 42 GHz - NCC

ITRealms:

Telecommunications companies eyeing to get a part of the forth coming licensing regime in the 38 Gega Hertz (GHz) and 48 GHz spectrum bands, should be able to deploy Frequency-division duplex (FDD) technologies, reports ITRealms.

The Deputy Director, Spectrum Administration Department at NCC, Engr. O.A. Yusuf made this disclosure while responding to questions during a one-day Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Licensing of 38 GHz and 42 GHz spectrum bands as well as re-planning of 23 GHz band in Lagos.

He stressed the purpose of the forum, saying that participants were to discuss spectrum plan, pricing scheme and licensing of service providers in the bands on offer in addition to re-planning of 23GHz Microwave Spectrum bands within the Nigerian telecoms industry in line with the global best practices.

Yusuf further asserted that the new frontier is broadband and in effort to ensure Nigeria take full advantage of the new licensing regimes available, and across channel plan, licensing model and pricing.

ITRealms recalls that FDD, is a telecommunications duplex indexing method which means that the transmitter and receiver operate at different carrier frequencies. The term is frequently used in ham radio operation, where an operator is attempting to contact a repeater station. 

The station, experts explained, must be able to send and receive a transmission at the same time, and does so by slightly altering the frequency at which it sends and receives. This mode of operation is referred to as duplex mode or offset mode.

Experts at Wikipedia said that uplink and downlink sub-bands are usually separated by the frequency offset. Thus, frequency-division duplexing could be efficient in the case of symmetric traffic.

In this case, they explained, time-division duplexing tends to waste bandwidth during the switch-over from transmitting to receiving, and has greater inherent latency, and may require more complex circuitry.

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40-yr after: Usman Dan Fodio, Bayero Universities deny Christains access to erect churches – CBCN

 ITRealms:

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has lamented that after 40 years, the two universities in the north have persistently denied Christian access to erect a worshiping place in their campuses, reports ITRealms.

This revelation was made by President of CBCN, Bishop Ignatius Kaigama when he led his administrative members on courtesy call to President Muhammadu Buhari at State House, Abuja.

“We bring to your notice that sad enough, Christians are still unable to erect places of worship in Federal Universities in the northern states,” the bishops said.

Pointing out that after 40 years, the aforementioned two universities, for example, have out-rightly denied Christians access to lands already in the plans for the erection of Churches, in spite of their being so many mosques built by the university authorities.

They also noted that in some northern states, “it is such a herculean task for Christians to obtain certificates of occupancy to build Churches in some northern States. We urge you to kindly encourage State governments to kindly enforce the freedom of religion enshrined in our Constitution.

+ITRealms DSA 
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No bomb explosion in Anambra - Govt

ITRealms:

The government of Anambra State has denied any bomb explosion in any part of the state, saying it was stored fuel, reports ITRealms.

A public statement made available to ITRealms late last night, the Anambra State government said, "An explosion occurred at about 8 at Eva Water Staff settlement, Kara on the way to Atani in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State. 

"On receipt of report,  we arrived the scene and discovered that the explosion was from fuel stored in Jerry-cans. 

"We immediately evacuated 11 persons who received degree of burns to Hospital around Onitsha."

ITRealms also gaatheredt that no death was recorded following the incident. 

"We are using this opportunity to warn people to desist from storing petrol in their houses" – Mr Ali Okechukwu (PPRO Anambra), adding that Anambra remains the safest State in Nigeria.

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How N67.45m was transfer from NIMASA in 9 days

ITRealms:

An account officer with the Access Bank Plc, Oliver Ewerem has narrated how funds were transferred to Gama Marine Nigeria Limited and one Vincent Udoye from a NIMASA account within nine days to the tune of N67.45m, reports ITRealms.

Noteworthy is that a former Director-General of the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick  Ziadeke Akpobolokemi and six others continued before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, 

Ewerem made this disclosure while being led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Idris Abdullahi Mohammed, and gave a breakdown of some of the transactions that occurred between 2nd - 11th February, 2015.

“On 2nd February, 2015, there was a credit of N28,000,000 from the account of Committee of Voluntary International Maritime Organization Member State Audit Scheme, (VIMSAS). The same day, another credit of N39, 450,000 entered into account of Gama Marine.

“On 10th February, 2015, there were withdrawals from Gama Marine account in favour of one Vincent Udoye, N10 Million in three tranches which is N30 million was made. Another withdrawal by same Vincent Udoye in three tranches of N10, 000,000 which is N30 million occurred again in the same account.

"Also, on 10 February, 2015, a credit of N10, 000,000 in three tranches was paid  into Vincent Udoye’s account. On 11 February 2015, another credit of N10,000,000 million in three other tranches were again paid into the account of Vincent Udoye, altogether being seven transactions and amounting to N67,450,000."

ITRealms recalls that Akpobolokemi is standing trial alongside six others on a 13-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and fraudulent conversion of funds to the tune of N687, 294,680 (Six Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Two Hundred and Ninety Four Thousand, Six Hundred and Eighty Naira).

His co-accused persons are Captain Ezekiel Bala Agaba, Ekene Nwakuche, Governor Amechee Juan, Vincent Udoye, Captain Ade Sahib Olopoenia and Gama Marine Nigeria Limited.

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Unearthing Instagram security flaw: 10-year-old Finish earns $10,000

ITRealms:

For successfully hacking into Instagram server, a 10-year-old Finnish hacker identified as Jani, has received 10,000 dollars, reports ITRealms.

The boy’s hacking of Instagram server assisted the company in discovering vulnerability in its back-end applications; which afforded him to delete comments on certain Instagram accounts.

Facebook in announcing this said that the boy, whose name was simply given as Jani, discovered the security vulnerability in the Instagram app, a photo-sharing service owned by Facebook in March this year.

Jani was reported to had deleted other people’s comments when he inputted malicious code into the comment field of the application.

ITRealms gathered that Jani informed Instagram about the technical fault via electronic mail (email) a few days later. Instagram in response and in appreciation rewarded him USD10,000 dollars from Instagram.

Jani pointed out that he is enthusiastic about coding games for years and had been building up his skills on his own with his twin brother.

The boy’s father, whose name was also kept on seal, said that he was very surprised that his son had learnt so much about coding and data security.

In the meantime the boy said he dreams of becoming an information security expert in the future.

“It would be my dream job; security is really important,” Jani asserted.

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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CEO of GE Ethiopia, Yohannes Tilahun, resigns

ITRealms:

The Chief Executive Officer, General Electric Ethopia, Yohannes Tilahun has resigned from his position effective May 1, this year, reports ITRealms.

President  and CEO, GE Africa, Jay Ireland in confirming this development said, “I would like to inform you that Yohannes Tilahun has announced his intent to resign from his position as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of GE Ethiopia as of May 1st 2016 to pursue other opportunities.”

GE, Ireland said, thank Yohannes for his contributions to support GE’s growth in Ethiopia and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Meanwhile, GE has announced Daniel Hailu, the chief operating officer (COO) Ethiopia will be acting CEO Ethiopia until a replacement is identified. 

ITRealms recalls that Yohannes joined GE from Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC), where he held the role of Senior Director, Strategy.  He has also served as a special advisor to the CEO of the EIC as well as other Government Ministers on numerous issues including priority focus areas for greater economic development through private sector involvement.

Prior to this, he held roles of increasing responsibilities in the US with Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley. Yohannes brought years of experience in designing and successfully executing large multi-stakeholder projects and leading teams to deliver results.

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FG committed to uphold Freedom of Information Act

ITRealms:

The Federal Government has said its committed to uphold the Freedom of Information Act as a necessary instrument in the fight against corruption and promoting transparency in governance, reports ITRealms.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave this commitment in a remark in Abuja on Tuesday to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day, which has the theme “Access to Information and Fundamental Freedoms: This Is Your Right.”

“We are indeed in a very interesting period, which calls for full support and use of the FOI Act and which recognizes the citizen’s right to know, promote war against corruption and sustain economic development. If activities of public institutions are subjected to scrutiny, it will be easier to measure their efforts against their goals and our expectations,” he said.

He said the government has taken a bold step further in not just guaranteeing Freedom of Expression but creating access to information.

“It is apparent that the tide today is to grant freedom of not just expression but also of access to information. However, each nation has to consider its own peculiarities in joining the fray. Since Sweden started the enactment several decades ago, many countries have embraced it and I believe many more are seriously considering the enactment. The fact is that if well utilised, an FOI Act will offer citizens a sense of involvement, belonging and fulfillment.

''It will go a long way in entrenching transparency, which will in turn help curb corruption, promote accountability, good governance, rule of law and service delivery in public office”, Alhaji Mohammed said.

He observed that for democracy to be entrenched in the country, the culture of transparency and accountability must permeate all then strata of government, and therefore enjoined the media to hold the government to account by exploring the Freedom of Act.

Alhaji Mohammed commended the media for remaining resolute in the pursuit of liberty, social justice, equality and democracy and assured that the Federal Government will continue to create the enabling environment for the media to thrive.

“Without even prompting, the citizens require full information on how they are represented and governed. The very nature of democratic government implies accountability and transparency, a free press and other democratic checks. Interestingly, Nigeria, as a developing nation, has a free and independent press. Its vibrant media have successful exposed corruption in higher places and remained undaunted in the face of victimization, politicization and sentiment expressed in some quarters against their professional stubbornness,'' he said.

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Nigerians are groaning, herdsmen on rampage – Catholic Bishops told Buhari

ITRealms:

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), has told President Muhammadu Buhari that Nigerians are groaning under the worsening hardship under his leadership in addition to Fulani herdsmen rampage has remain on unchecked, reports ITRealms.

Speaking through the President, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of Nigeria, and Catholic Archbishop of Jos, Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, said, the harsh economic situation in which Nigerians are living presently is being felt everywhere.

“In many States, workers are worrying about their monthly salaries, many pensioners are crying for many months for unpaid pensions, while so many self-employed and non-employed persons and family dependents are groaning for their daily meal,” he said.

However, commending Buhari for the bail-out funds to cushion this hardship in various states, CBCN urged him to ensure that these monies are used mainly to take care of salaries, pensions and their basic human needs.

They also decried the clashes between farmers and herdsmen in all zones of the country

CBCN cited for instance the Agatu killings, the Nimbo killings and many other killings in Benue, Taraba, Nassarawa, Ondo, Edo, Delta and elsewhere which should be seriously investigated, with the perpetrators unmasked and decisively dealt with.

“Our people cannot continue to live in perpetual fear of attacks by fellow Nigerians with criminal intent. Happily, we understand that you have ordered some investigations into the Agatu and Nimbo killings. For a more permanent peace between herdsmen and farmers in our country, some streamlining is necessary for the good of the cattle rearers in the North and for the welfare of farmers in the South and elsewhere in Nigeria,” they said.

Cattle ranches, the bishops said, should be created in states known for cattle breeding, with adequate water and fodder provided and nurtured, while farmlands for root crops and other plants should be protected for their specific products in states known for such.

This, they said, will reduce or eliminate clashes stemming from trespassing.

“We certainly need these two sectors to supplement our near-total dependence on oil. But the fact that armed attacks and wanton killings have become a national threat, it should be declared an insurgency and treated as such, with the aim of dislodging the insurgents from occupied communities by the security/military operatives,” CBCN said.

+Remmy Nweke 

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Canada supports women’s empowerment MENA region with $16.3m

ITRealms:

The government of Canada has announced a new support for Women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with the sum of  $16.3 million, about N3,2 trillion, reports ITRealms.

Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who disclosed this today on behalf of the Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, said Canada’s contribution of $16.3 million is to further support women’s empowerment in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region through a project implemented by the Forum of Federations.

ITRealms reports that the project, Empowering Women for Leadership Roles in the MENA Region, will help more than 5,400 women in Jordan, Tunisia and Morocco increase their participation and representation at all levels of government, including in parliaments, local governments, women’s coalitions, civil society organizations and academia.

“By improving their skills in such areas as public speaking and management, as well as their familiarity with political systems, this project will empower women to take leadership roles in parliaments and participate in decisions that will have an impact on their lives and their communities,” she said.

Also Goldsmith-Jones made this disclosure at the Women in Parliaments Global Summit in Amman, Jordan, saying that the summit presents a unique opportunity to discuss and engage in dialogue on the most pressing issues regarding the role and importance of female decision makers in today’s parliaments.

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Edo Assembly impeaches Speaker,

ITRealms:

… As Ativie takes over

A new speaker has emerged at the Edo House of Assembly following the impeachment of the erstwhile Speaker, Mr Victor Edoro, reports ITRealms.

The newly elected speaker is Mrs Elizabeth Ativie who emerged by the vote of 16 lawmakers out of the 24 members of the House.

Edoro’s impeachment followed a motion moved by the Majority Leader, Mr Folly Ogedemgbe (APC-Owan- East) and seconded by Mr Patrick Illuobe (PDP – Esan-North East).

“This is an impeachment notice signed by 16 members that the speaker Victor Edoroh and his deputy, are hereby impeached,” Ogedemgbe said during the house sitting.

ITRealms reports that shortly after moving the motion, Ogedemgbe nominated Illuobe to preside over the election, who thereafter called for nomination for a new speaker and deputy. Ativie’s name was submitted as speaker by Mr Victor Assen (APC-Owan-East), while Mr Justin Okonobo ( APC-Igueben) was nominated as deputy speaker by Henry Okhuobo (APC-Orhionmwon). The two were subsequently approved to lead the House by the lawmakers.

Further report by correspondent showed that soon after the new speaker took her seat, there was little chaos as the assembly’s chamber was invaded by some suspected thugs. 

The situation made security operatives to immediately take over of the assembly’s premises, as staff scampered for safety.

Okoli Vincent with additional reports from Vangaurd/GEE

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