CTO, NBC bring 3-day Digital Broadcasting Africa forum to Lagos

ITRealms:

The Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO) and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) have concluded plans to stage a three-day Digital Broadcasting Africa Forum 2016 to Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the nation, reports ITRealms.

The forum, which commences tomorrow, Wednesday at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, would last till Friday this week.

According to the Communications Team at Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), the event comes with the theme: The pan-Africa transition: Achieving digital migration success.

ITRealms reports that some of the highlights include a joint CTO and National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) meet the press session, just as topics such as “Broadcast Technology Trends, Next Generation, Entertainment, Creation of Local Content, Digital Migration and Spectrum Allocation, Financial and Business Considerations, The consumer Perspective, Digital Radio, Achieving Digital Inclusion, and Financial and Business Considerations” would top agenda.

Robert Hayman, Manager, International Events had informed ITRealms that the event promises to build on the successful Digital Broadcasting Switchover Forum Africa events that have taken place over the last decade, and recognises the changes that have taken place in broadcasting during that time.

These events have helped policy makers, regulators and operators from the African broadcasting and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sectors to map out their strategies for digital switchover.

Remmy Nweke/ED, Op

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Borrowed funds to finance capital projects – Nwankwo, DMO Boss

ITRealms:

The Director-General of Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo has said that the Federal Government is fully committed to ensuring that all fund borrowed to finance the 2016 budget, will be dedicated to fund capital projects, reports ITRealms.

Nwankwo stated this on Tuesday at a one-day workshop by DMO on “Public Debt and the challenge of financing Nigeria’s economic recovery” organised for Capital Market Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CAMCAN) in Lagos.

“The DMO is committed to making sure that we raise money to fund the 2016 budget deficit from appropriate sources and through appropriate mix during the fiscal year to make sure that capital projects are funded,” he said.

The DMO boss who stressed that the Nigerian debt level is highly sustainable, noted that the nation still had a lot of idle potential, which the administration is currently working to harness for effective growth of our national economy.

According to him, while comparative tax revenue to GDP ratio of Nigeria is less than 7.0 per cent, its peer group has a ratio of 18 per cent.  He therefore, stressed the need to widen the tax net to generate more revenue for the government.

“The debt to GDP ratio is 13 per cent, compared to the 56 per cent of peer group.  So in that essence, our debt is still very sustainable. In this respect, I am encouraging all Nigerians to continue to make sure that they pay their taxes fully as at when due because our tax revenue GDP ratio is relatively lower to countries in our peer group.  As our economy grows, as our GDP grows, as we are collecting enough in taxes from individuals and corporates bodies to be able to fund capital projects, our economy will continue to grow” he said.

He said the debt sustainability and overall economic sustainability can be significantly influence by individuals and corporate bodies paying taxes fully.

Speaking on the economic recession caused mainly by unfavourable structural change in the fall of oil prices globally, he said the Nigerian government is addressing the challenge through diversified, self-sustaining growth in agriculture and agro processing, solid minerals, manufacturing and ICT.

According to him, in the medium to long term, debt sustainability in Nigeria hinges on the overall sustainability of the economic, and the overall economic sustainability hinges on diversifying the economy in a sustainable manner.

“That is what the government is doing in agriculture, solid minerals, ICT and manufacturing. And to do that we need a strong infrastructure base and that is why government is spending what is borrowing on capital projects,” Nwankwo said.

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Opinion; I foresee full-blown war In Niger Delta - Joe Igbokwe

Opinion@ITRealms:

 

Unless senior citizens of the Niger Delta and patriots rise up now to talk sense into the empty heads of the people that call themselves the Avengers and the Concerned Militant Leaders, a full scale war is imminent in the Niger Delta and it is going to be bloody and destructive. I have been a strong advocate and supporter of people in the Niger Delta to get a fair share of the oil resources in Nigeria found 90% in their soil. In 1999 I wrote in my Book, Heroes of Democracy that:

“I cannot pretend that I do not know the level of atrocities and man’s inhumanity to man that has been going on in the oil rich region of the Niger Delta neither have I closed my eyes to the tragic stories of the blood bath in the region. The struggle for the liberation of the Niger Delta, which has suffered 42years of criminal neglect did not start yesterday. In February 23 1966, Major Isaac Idaka Boro with some 50 men of the Niger Delta Volunteers Service

(NDVS) declared an Ijaw secession from Nigeria. Nigeria instead of listening to their grievances, declared war on Isaac Boro and his men and eventually crushed the rebellion. Ken Saro-Wiwa picked up the campaign from where Isaac Boro stopped in the 80s and 90s until General Abacha murdered 9 prominent Ogoni sons (including Ken Saro-Wiwa) and others in very bizzare circumstances. The tragedy attracted both local and international condemnation but it was not enough to stop the human carnage and degradation in the Niger Delta”

I have preached justice, equity and fairplay for the people of the Niger Delta but 17years after I am beginning to have a rethink about the inhabitants of the Niger Delta and their antics.

Yes Nigerians asked for justice in the Niger and in the past 17years we saw massive deployment of resources to that very important region via NDDC, Ministry of Nigeria Delta, and 13% derivation to oil producing States. Inspite of all these huge interventions I saw former President Obasanjo blackmailed. I saw Former President Yar’Adua blackmailed and intimidated. Yar’Adua was compelled to negotiate with them and he put together billions of naira for reconciliation, rehabilitation, training and financial support to enable them to stand on their feet without resort to violence and brigandage to get attention.

I saw Former President Jonathan blackmailed to the extent that he had to cede oil wells and dolled out billions of naira and dollars to the militants led by Tompolo, Asari Dokubo, Baylof etc. in six yearsJonathan was in power, these criminal militants thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were big boys in town. They talked tough, they walked tough and painted the cities of Abuja and Lagos, Bayelsa and Port Harcourt red.

They became laws unto themselves. Power, money, influence, position, connection, contacts etc began to becloud their senses of reasoning. During the 2015 Presidential Elections they threatened fire and brimstone that if the rudderless and clueless Jonathan loses the election. They knew that no serious President will condone their excesses, blackmail, impunity and brigandage if their man Friday loses.

Oil or no oil, every ethnic group has something to put on the table in Nigeria. There is no zero zones in this country. While the Niger Delta region produces oil and gas, the Northern region provides Shiroro Dam, kainji Dam, cows, beans, yams, goats, Ram, potatoes, chicken, cucumber, water melon, tomatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, groundnut, onions etc.

The North feeds Nigeria. Yoruba have offered Nigeria cocoa, commerce and industry, and in fact have provided some 40% of Nigeria’s workforce. The technocrats, best lawyers and other professionals in Nigeria come from the Yoruba nation. They are the fathers and mothers of Newspaper industries, Radio and Tv stations. They were the first to receive the white man’s education.

Their own Lagos is the undisputable center of civilization. They control all the professional bodies in Nigeria. In fact there is no ethnic group in Nigeria better placed to show the light in Nigeria. And for the Igbo, let me reproduce here what the late Chief Gani Fawehnmi said about the Igbo in 1998. Hear Gani “ The Igbo by their contribution to the economic development of this country are otherwise called the Jews of Nigeria. They are very hard-working, very industrious, very innovative and very articulate people. The economic development of this country owes much to their contribution. I don’t like the way they have been treated since 1970. They still bear the scars of the Biafran crisis and they are still being treated as if the civil war is still nascent, which is wrong. They have been kept out of the security forces of this country at the strategic levels, the law enforcement of this country at the most strategic levels, they are ignored, despised by the cabal. Even in the civil service, I do not know how many permanent secretaries are Igbo.

I do not know how many senior police officers are Igbo, and same goes for the Navy, Air Force and the Army. They are one of the largest groups in this country. In fact it is a nation within a nation. The major manpower pull of this country is being supplied by the Igbo. I was so angry when Abacha came to establish the Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) and the Igbo were not represented, I went to court to fight the cause of the Igbo. It was after my suit in court, challenging Abacha and asking that PRC composition be set aside by the court until Igbo were given their rightful place that Abacha then reversed the composition of PRC and appointed some Igbo”

This country is what it is today because all have sacrificed something even blood to make it what it is today. Now the Niger Delta militants are destroying oil platforms. They have crippled power stations that run on gas. They have destroyed their own landscape and polluted the waters and aquatic life. Apart from NDDC, Ministry of Niger Delta and 13% deprivation, the militants from the region have been granted amnesty by the Federal Government and have been on the pay roll for close to 10years now. Jonathan was the President for 6years and he used the exalted position to provide massive empowerment to the people of the region. Apart from making the militants multi billionaires for doing nothing, people from the region were made Heads of juicy MDAs. What else do they want?

There is no hope for these bloody idiots who call themselves the avengers. They are a bunch of reprobates and common criminals. They are too small and too insignificant to hold this responsible and responsive government to ransome through blackmail and intimidation. They blackmailed Obasanjo, Yar'adua , Jonathan and now Buhari. They have reached their final bus stop and the point of no return. If president can crush boko haram, these useless avengers are damned too small. I foresee war in the Niger delta and it will bloody and destructive. Niger delta has nothing to offer Nigeria anymore except, criminality, sabotage, destruction of oil platforms, murder, brigandage and corruption.

This the time to stop the criminals who have had it call. Apart from Niger Delta Ministry, NDDC, and  13% derivation, the idiots and the leaders of Niger delta have cornered oil wells , they have stolen crude oil worth billions of dollars, Nigeria has spent billions training thousands of  the so called militants and their cronies in Nigeria and beyond. Now this cycle of stupidity must stop. To me oil is nothing, and Nigeria is diversifying for good. Look at what these animals are doing to their environment in the name of avenging the federal government. Ah, ah , I see war . I see war. And i hope the human rights community are seeing the damage and the open confrontation.

Joe Igbokwe contributed this from Lagos.

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Airtel, Facebook offer Nigerians free basic internet access

ITRealms:

The Bharti Airtel Africa, a leading telecommunications service provider with operations in 17 countries across Africa, today in Lagos, unveiled free basic Internet access on Facebook, reports ITRealms.

Chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya, said that with an Airtel mobile connection, Nigerians telecom consumers now could access services available through Free Basics without paying extra for data charges or rental.

He also said that that basic internet service provides mobile websites and services for free to people around across the country demonstrating the value the internet could provide.

With this launch, he said, Nigeria now has over 85 free services dedicated to health, education, jobs, and finance.  Stressing that till date, Facebook estimates that its connectivity efforts, which include basic internet access have brought over 25 million people online and has been launched in over 20 other African countries.

Airtel Africa will also be offering Facebook Flex in Nigeria, which allows people to access a version of Facebook without data charges. This initiative is part of Facebook’s commitment to bringing people online and reducing affordability barriers.

“Today marks a significant milestone in our nation’s drive towards deepening digital connectivity and enhancing mobile broadband access for millions of Nigerians in line with the key objective of Nigeria’s National Broadband Plan (NBBP). It is our belief that this partnership, the first of its kind in Nigeria, will create a plethora of opportunities for millions of Nigerians, empowering them to connect to their dreams, realize their full potentials, and succeed in their professional and personal endeavours,” Ogunsanya said.

In addition, MD and CEO of Airtel Africa, Christian de Faria, said, they are pleased to take this big step forward in partnership with Facebook, bringing more people online in Africa’s most populous country and helping to further narrow the digital divide.

“This builds on our vision of using our widespread 3G network to help improve lives and communities by empowering them with access to digital content and services that are tailored to their needs” de Faria said.

Airtel Africa has worked with Facebook since 2014 in enhancing accessibility to the internet in an affordable manner through the launch of Free Basics in Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Ghana, Seychelles and Rwanda. With the launch of Free Basics in Nigeria, millions more people will have the ability to access basic services.

Chris Daniels, Vice President of Internet.org at Facebook, said: “Bharti Airtel Africa has been an important partner in bringing connectivity and access to people across Africa. Our partnership has played a key role in helping bring digital content and services to people and communities in growing countries.”

In his remarks, Ime Archibong, Director of Global Product Partnerships at Facebook, said they have spent time with the developer community in Nigeria to understand how they could help people build and create for their communities, and by bringing basic access to Nigeria which they hope to provide another platform for developers to bring relevant services to people free of charge.

“At launch, we have more than 85 services included in Free Basics and hope to spur more development to bring relevant, basic services to Nigerians,” he said stressing they believe that local entrepreneurs and developers will be the ones to meet the needs of their immediate community.

Facebook, he said, is working with developers to know how best to support them in doing so.

“Together, Facebook and the developer, entrepreneur and non-profit communities in Africa can still do so much more, and we will continue to invest in technology and partnerships to help people realize the benefits of connectivity,” Archibong said.

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Pix: L-R, CEO Airtel Segun Ogunsanya; Head of Policy for Facebook in Africa, Ebele Okobi; Global Director Product Partnerships, Facebook, Ime Archibong and Global Director Operator Partnerships, Markku Makelainen, also of Facebook, at the launch of Free Basic Services by Airtel Nigeria in partnership with Facebook, held at Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday.

World Communications Day 2016: Adewale Martins advises media, FG on security, herdsmen

ITRealms:           

The Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace, Alfred Adewale-Martins has counseled the Nigeria media practitioners and the Federal Government (FG) on advancing the security of the country, just as FG should take control of the situation, reports ITRealms.

Speaking both at the Holy Mass to celebrate the 2016 World Communications Day marked May 8, at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Onikan, Lagos and a press conference thereafter, Archbishop Adewale-Martins admonished media practitioners in line Pope Fraancis message, using media to be mindful of the words they use in conveying information to the public, especially in Nigeria.

“Words can build connecting bridges, words can also create wars” he asserted, saying that the media should also communicate the mercy of God to the people.

On the recent carnage by Fulani herdsmen in some parts of the country including Agatu in Benue State and Nimbo in Enugu State, the Archbishop implored the Federal Government to take control of the situation, advising that in trying to solve the problem, another problem should not be created.

“The peace and unity of the nation must be protected at all times. We cannot allow what is good for one side of a nation to affect what is good for the other side of the nation. Yes of course, we know that the herdsmen need to have grazing land for their cattle, but at the same time, people who are settled in their homelands also need their lands to farm and earn a living,” he warned.

Government, the Archbishop said, must ensure that impunity is not allowed to go unpunished, insisting that “If there are people who have attacked others, they should face the wrath of the law.”

He stressed that the needs of the herdsmen should be addressed as well, suggesting that the solution Government was proposing which has been frowned upon by the people will only be a source of more problems.

“As in many other countries, ranches should be built by the Government where they are needed,” he advised, emphasising that with the use of irrigation method, it would be possible to have grass all the year round in any part of the country for the purpose of grazing.

Pointing out on the need for adequate communication between the leaders and the led, saying “our leaders need to communicate a lot more than they are doing presently.”

Okoli Vincent/GEE

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World Communications Day 2016: Fr. Ahukanna urges dialogue, says its path to unity

ITRealms:

The Parish Priest of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Mafoluku, Oshodi-Lagos, Rev. Fr. Joseph Ahukanna, has urged for more dialogue among Nigerians, saying it’s the path to unity in diversity, reports ITRealms.

Fr. Ahukanna made this call during a homily he delivered to mark the 2016 World Communications Day in his parish on Sunday, May 8, saying that Nigerians should take delight in dialogue because it paves the way for communication and forgiveness which bottom line is unity.

According to him, when there is adequate communication, forgiveness is easy, thus building unity among humanity and Nigerians particularly.

He also said that unity emanated from the Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, stressing that Christ Jesus prayed for unity among His followers ahead of time.

In addition, Fr. Ahukanna said that the Seventh Sunday of Easter, represents the unity Sunday for the Catholic Church, because it’s the only known date that Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of His followers ahead of time, knowing fully well that they will be under various persecutions.

Quoting the Gospel According to John chapter 17 verse 21 which states:

“May they all be one, just as, Father, you are in me and I am in you, so that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe it was you who sent me,” he said, stressing that Jesus Christ wanted Christians to be with Him so as for the world to recognize that He was sent by the Father.

“With me in them and you in me, may they be so perfected in unity that the world will recognise that it was you who sent me and that you have loved them as you have loved me,” Fr. Ahukanna reiterated, praying for unity among Nigerians, especially the Christendom.

The first reading was taken from the Acts of Apostel 7: 55-60 and second reading, an extract from the book of Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20; while the Gospel was taken from book of John 17: 320-26.

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Dickson signs 2016 Appropriation, Child Rights Bills into effect

ITRealms:

The Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has signed the 2016 Appropriation and the Child Rights Bills into law, reports ITRealms.

Assenting to the bills in Government House, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson expressed hope that the country’s economic situation would improve to enable the government make projections in its budgeting provisions.

The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended workers in the state for their patience and understanding over the non-payment of salaries, noting that, the government has been meeting with labour leaders on the way forward to resolving the problem.

Dickson expressed delight that the new Child Rights Bill would offer protection for children of the state, stressing that, anyone caught violating the rights of children would be prosecuted according to the provisions of the law.

He commended the leadership of the State House of Assembly for their hard work in considering the bill as well as the enforcement component embedded in the document and expressed the hope that with the law in place, the rate of child abuse would be minimized.

Presenting the bills to Governor Dickson, Speaker of the State Assembly, Mr. Konbowei Benson, explained that, the Child Rights Bill was sent to the house on the 2^nd of March this year and was passed on April 28.

He explained that the Child Rights Bill had earlier been presented to the State Assembly twice in 2004 and 2007 but, was not signed into law before Governor Dickson assumed office in 2012.

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Lawson advises Nigerian youths to shun cultism

ITRealms:

The National Coordinator of Rebuild Nigeria Initiative (RNI), Chief Hope Rex Lawson has advised Nigerian youths to shun cultism and embrace peace in order to secure their future, reports ITRealms.

Lawson gave this advice, weekend, in an address to a youth gathering in Calabar, argued that cultism and other acts of violence are short cuts to destruction, even as he tasked them to be good ambassadors of their families.

“The menace of cultism is such that every young person must avoid. Cultism and other forms of violent activities are short cuts to destruction. I wonder why it is difficult for the young people to understand this. Government must also introduce programmes that will enable the repented cultists get rehabilitated,” Lawson said.

On the violent activities of Fulani herdsmen across the country, Lawson described it as unacceptable, the unprovoked attacks on innocent Nigerians and charged law enforcement agencies to rise to the challenge.

“The primary function of government is the protection of lives and property. It is unacceptable that any group, under whatever guise will wake up any day and begin to slaughter innocent people. Government must rise to the challenge before the situation gets out of hands. We need peace in this country and nobody, no matter the tribe or how highly placed has the right to take the law into their hands. Security agencies must increase their intelligence gathering capacity and ensure that all such evil attacks are nipped on the bud,” Lawson said.

He, however, urged the government to implement policies that will enhance the socio-economic wellbeing of the people, while charging the youths to be creative in order to survive the present economic reality.

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Pix: Rex Lawson

MainOne aligns with global effort on women in ICT

Gender ICT@ITRealms:

Leading connectivity and data center solutions provider, MainOne, has aligned with the global campaign on girls and young women to deliberately choose careers in the growing information and communications technology (ICT) sector, reports ITRealms.

Marketing Manager, MainOne, Ms Jumoke Akande, made this call at the International Girls in ICT Day hosted by E-Business Life Communications Limited in Lagos, saying that there is currently a gender disparity in ICT jobs, and urged girls as well as women to pursue ICT-related careers in the burgeoning sector.

“We believe that improving the number of girls in ICT careers creates a more balanced and inclusive society. Therefore, it is important that we encourage girls to expand their horizons, to empower and enable them overcome whatever limiting mindsets and fears they might have regarding pursuing careers in ICT,” she said.

Emphasizing that MainOne’s support of initiatives aimed at encouraging technology careers for Nigerian girls aligns with the goal of the company to provide girls of all ages with support, mentorship and the motivation to pursue ICT-driven careers, eventually becoming active role models themselves to the next generation of girls.

“Our CEO, Ms. Opeke, is an ITU female role model and believes this cycle is necessary to create better opportunities for our girls and reverse the gender imbalance in technology,” Akande said.

The Chief Executive Officer, eBusiness Life Communications, Ufuoma Emuophedaro commended MainOne for its efforts in expediting digital literacy and called on other stakeholders to join hands to further invest in girls and young women by supporting the Girls in ICT campaign in addition to empowering them by offering them the confidence to pursue ICT studies and careers.

ITRealms recalls that the Girls in ICT Day, celebrated every year on the fourth Thursday in April, is an awareness-raising initiative designed to promote studies and careers in technology to a new generation of girls and young women with an interest in becoming ICT enthusiasts.

The theme for this year’s celebration was "Expanding Horizons and Changing Attitudes" and it was sponsored by MainOne along with other organizations and individuals. The event was attended by the representative of the Minister of Communications, representatives from IT companies and other industry stakeholders.

Nkemdilim Nweke/GEE

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NCC, NiTDA drum support for 2016 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on IG4D, IPV6

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) have expressed support for the 2016 Nigeria DigitalSENSE Forum on Internet Governance for Development (IG4D) and Nigeria IPv6 Roundtable, reports ITRealms.

The Executive Director, Operations, DigitalSENSE Africa Media, the organisers of the two-day event, Mrs. Nkemdilim Nweke told ITRealms that the forum which is on its 8^th edition, would hold at Digital Bridge Institute (DBI), former NITEL Training School, Cappa-Oshodi in Lagos on June 2 and 3, this year.

According to her, the Executive Vice chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta and Acting Director-General of NITDA, Dr. Vincent Olatunji are expected to lead discussions on day 1 and 2 respectively.

She also revealed that the 2016 theme is on Day 1 IG4D is ‘Internet Governance: Creating Opportunities for All Nigerians’ scheduled for Thursday, June 2, 2016, while Day 2 is the Nigeria IPV6 Roundtable in commemoration of the World IPv6 Day with the theme ‘Creating Opportunities for Nigerians with IPv6’ on Friday, June 3, 2016.

She said that DigitalSENSE Africa (DSA) Media, an At-Large Structure (ALS) certified by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), has sustained the tempo since 2009 in collaboration with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and beckon on other corporate Nigeria to join the queue in enlightening Nigerians on the positive use of the Internet for the good of all, especially the youth through creation of opportunities.

NCC, she explained is the apex telecom regulator in the country with over-arching role among others to assist communications industry stakeholders and practitioners with a view to the development of the industry, whereas NITDA’s mandate encompasses among other things the establishment of human and infrastructure development within the Information Technology (IT) industry and maximization of these nationwide.

These, opportunities, she said, when well assimilated could be translated into job and wealth creation, noting that the forum also known as Nigeria ICT4D event has been streamlined to act as a rallying point for Nigerian internet stakeholders in raising and addressing salient issues concerning the ICT sector.

“The two-day forum is aimed at encouraging positive usage of the Internet among the youths, women, students and offers product sellers and manufacturers in Nigeria the opportunity to engage, with global contest in mind,” she told ITRealms.

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