Etisalat hosts customer forum in Kaduna

ITRealms:

Etisalat Nigeria has deepened its commitment with subscribers on its network by hosting its customers in Kaduna at the quarterly Etisalat Customer Forum, reports ITRealms.

At the Etisalat Customer Forum, attended by hundreds of customers shared their experiences with the network, asked questions, and commendations. In return, the Etisalat team, which included heads of service units, answered all questions and resolved all concerns raised by the customers on the spot.

Addressing the Forum, Director, Brands and Experience, Elvis Ogiemwanye, said the forum underscores the fact that Etisalat holds its customers in high esteem and seeks to engage them at every opportunity in order to deepen its relationship with them.

Ogiemwanye said, “We at Etisalat Nigeria consider the customer forum as extremely important because this is the platform from which we get feedback that helps us improve on our products and services and develop new ones. Also, at the customer forum sessions, we get to interact face-to-face with subscribers on our network; know them better and learn how to serve them better.

“We are passionate about engaging with our customers to know how they feel; what they think; and what their experiences are with our products and services. This is because we recognise our customers as number one in everything we do and our goal is to keep delighting them.”

One of the customers at the forum, Elijah Dodo, a banker, commended Etisalat for seeking feedback from its customers, saying he was satisfied with how his complaints were resolved at the forum.

He said, “The customer forum is a rewarding experience. I like the fact that customers that came for the forum participated actively. On a general note, I’ll say that the customers here seem quite happy with Etisalat”.

Another customer, Patience Madlion, a farmer, said the sincerity with which the Etisalat team answered questions at the forum was commendable.

“The customer forum was awesome and for me, it came at the right time. I’m glad I came for this forum. Though the Etisalat customer care unit has been doing very well, obviously, some issues cannot be easily resolved over the phone. By coming here today, I’ve got my complaint resolved and I have a better understanding of the Etisalat products and services that I use” she said.   

Ahead of the customer forum, the Etisalat team, led by Ogiemwanye, visited Rimi College, Kaduna as part of its community engagement efforts. The team held a career counselling session for students of the college, where Ogiemwanye, an old student of the college, enjoined the students to work hard for a bright future. Etisalat also presented books and other educational materials to the school. 

The Etisalat Customer Forum has been held in several cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Ibadan, Benin, Calabar, Uyo, Warri, Onitsha, Akure and Ilorin.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Why Ponzi schemes thrive amidst risks

Commentary@ITRealms: 

Largely unheralded for a long time, Ponzi schemes came to the consciousness of the entire nation in 2016. With the descent of the Nigerian economy into its first full depression in over two decades, many embraced the rise of these money-spinning schemes as a way out.  At the height of its fame, Mavrodi Mundial Movement (MMM), one of the most popular, had over three million Nigerians on its subscriber list.

Despite the crash of this and many others that came after it, many are still succumbing to the lure of Ponzi schemes. In this piece, the Research/Development Unit of Yudala, Nigeria’s fastest growing e-commerce outfit – x-rays why Ponzi schemes remain popular in spite of their clear and present dangers.

1.Mouth-watering and quick returns: In its hey-day, MMM offered Nigerians huge interests on their investment, as much as 30% within a period of 30 days. Hence, an investment of N100,000, for instance, was bound to earn the investor about N130,000 in addition to other bonuses that will reportedly accrue.  Same template was followed by the tons of other Ponzi schemes that followed; each looking to out-do the other in the terms offered. In the view of many, not even the banks or other financial institutions can match such returns.

2.Slick marketing: The operators of the various Ponzi schemes all have one thing in common: the ability to present the benefits of the scheme in glowing terms. Take the example of Twinkas, another very popular investment scheme that gained huge popularity when MMM suspended operations in December 2016: “It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s ‘get-rich-quicker’ through systematic effort and the compounding of effort through groups of people.” Another one, Joyful Donor which promised 100% returns on investments within 24 hours, claims to “connect donors to impact and outcomes increase satisfaction and giving.”

Many Nigerians have fallen for these slick marketing techniques at their own peril…

3.Tough economic climate: Nigeria fell into its full recession in 29 years at the turn of last year. Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other data agencies revealed that the economy experienced its first full-year recession due to drop in oil output to a 27-year low and reported paralysis in other sectors, mainly as a result of foreign exchange shortages. 

With job losses in various sectors and inflation rising to double digit figures, many distraught Nigerians were in desperate search of a lifeline. In came all manner of Ponzi schemes promising incredulous returns on investments.  These schemes, with newer ones popping up and dropping off on a regular basis, remain quite popular among Nigerians.

4.Free (and massive) publicity: When it discovered the huge number of Nigerians being drawn into the risky net of Ponzi schemes, the Nigerian government and its regulatory agencies decided to sound a note of caution. 

Various public financial and anti-graft institutions, including the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Nigerian Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) repeatedly warned that the schemes are fraudulent and that those investing in them may lose their money. Commendable as the warnings were, it also inadvertently played into the hands of the operators of these schemes by making them more popular.

5.Lucrative referral system: Ponzi schemes thrive on promises of extraordinary returns through a system which relies on regularly recruiting loads of new subscribers or investors for it to remain afloat. As a result, attractive incentives are offered to “Guiders” or those who succeed in recruiting new investors. 

As conspicuously displayed on the website of one of these schemes: “You get 10 per cent from all deposits of the participant you invited. Inviting new members into the Community is your additional contribution to its development. But nobody force (sic) the members of the Community to invite new participants. But at the same time, understanding that the network can’t exist without development and participants’ encouragement in the form of referral bonuses motivate many people to take an active position.” Slick, isn’t it?

6.Faceless and sophisticated nature of operations: The NDIC revealed the sheer scale and popularity of a particularly (in)famous Ponzi scheme when it disclosed that, an ‎estimated three million Nigerians lost N18billion when MMM suspended payment to investors last December. This has not deterred operators from floating other numerous investment schemes and ensnaring more gullible “investors” in its unsustainable fold. 

Recently, the Dangote Group raised the alarm over another Ponzi scheme in circulation alleging partnership between the “Dangote brand, Nestle, Cussons and other reputable food processing companies” in launching a multi-level marketing initiative that intends to “fight hunger, poverty and stop recession” by paying participants in food.

Most Ponzi schemes are run by faceless individuals who boldly disclaim any forms of liabilities on their websites. Indeed, it is believed that most of these schemes, although painted as distinct with different marketing pick-up lines, operations and branding, are actually run by the same set of individuals out of choice locations such as Dubai and the United Arab Emirates. Most of these chaps are young and digitally-savvy individuals, for whom the absence of the risk of discovery and legal consequences means a chance to float more of these dubious investment schemes.

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Buhari in London: Osibanjo to coordinate, not ‘acting’

ITRealms:

The Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo is to coordinate the activities of the Federal Government pending the return of President Muhammadu Buhari, reports ITRealms.

This was contained in President Buhari’s letter to the President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki and dated May 5, 2017.

The letter received by Saraki on Monday May 8, 2017 and leaked to ITRealms with the subject line on “Medical Follow-Up”.

According to Buhari, the letter was in compliance with Section 145 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), hence he wished to inform the distinguished Senate that he will be away for a secluded medical follow-up with his doctors in London.

“The length of my stay will be determined by the doctor’s advice,” Buhari said.

In addition, Buhari said that while he is away, that the “Vice President will coordinate the activities of the government,” he stated.

Already, many Nigerian industry watchers said the letter negates the constitution of the country as it was not explicit on the role of Prof. Osibanjo.

They equally argued that there is no place like “coordinate the activities of the government” other than expressly handing over the saddle of leadership to Vice President.

Others said the letter was a mischief by some cabal in the presdiency.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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U.S. Senate redesigns website, updates

ITRealms:

The United States (U.S.) Senate has updated its website after close to a decade, reports ITRealms.

Investigations by ITRealms revealed that last weekend, saw the U.S. Senate redesigned, refreshed, and updated website.

The new website, is reported to be more user-friendly with clear sections to navigate the site including Senate floor proceedings, archives, and upcoming Senate committee hearings – along with the easy to search Senators link and Committees link.

Observers said it is a much better resource for those wanting information on activity involving the U.S. Senate.

Nonye Dom/GEE
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DMO: Nwankwo denies scheming to extend tenure

PR@ITRealms:

The Director-General of the Debt Management of (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo, has denied any scheming to extend his stay at the Agency when his second five-year tenure ends in June 2017, sources at DMO and the Vice President’s Office, which supervises DMO, said on Monday afternoon. 

The sources dismissed rumours making the rounds that Dr. Nwankwo is reluctant to leave at the expiration of his tenure and that his purported ambition to stay on is generating tension or uneasiness at DMO.

“The rumours are not only senseless but also entirely false and ridiculous,” one of the sources said.

Insisting that “there is no iota of truth in the rumours,” the source declared that Dr. Nwankwo has no reason to scheme to extend his tenure, adding that that it is not even possible to do so.

“The law is specific on the issue; no one can do more than two terms of five years each at DMO. So why should the DG, who is in the last lap of his second tenure, nurse the idea of extending his tenure? Those who cooked up and are spreading the rumours do not know Dr. Nwankwo at all. 

He is a principled man who has built DMO into a globally-respected institution that impacts greatly on Nigeria’s economic fortunes and is contented with the two terms of office allowed by law.”

Also dismissing the rumours, a source at the Vice President’s Office described those behind them as enemies of Nigeria. He warned them to desist from spreading rumours capable of destabilising the country’s economy “in which DMO is playing a pivotal role and contributing significantly to the efforts to pull the country out of recession.” , 

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ISOC tackles enhancing entrepreneurship, innovation in Africa

ITRealms:

A two-day meeting of the Internet Society's Africa Bureau will focus on Enhancing Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Education in Africa through the Internet, reports ITRealms.

The meeting, ITRealms reports, is part of the African Regional Internet and Development Dialogue (RIDD 2017) on-going in Kigali, Rwanda.

The conference theme, ITRealms also reports is part of the global series of Internet Development conferences organized by the Internet Society with the aim of supporting the implementation of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Thereby offering an open high-level discussions addressing some issues including “Internet and SDGs; Connecting the Next Billion; African Internet Economy; Opportunities for Africa’s education”

Just as the plenary sessions will be webcast live via the Internet Society Livestream Channel. Kigali.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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African leaders meet in Kigali, reiterate focus on key priorities

ITRealms:

The African leaders have reiterated commitment to focus on key priorities to ensure that the African Union efforts are not dispersed by any member state, reports ITRealms.

The Ministers commitment, ITRealms gathered, will also enable a clear division of labour between the AU and member states.

These were some of the outcomes from the one-day between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Ministers of Foreign Affairs in Kigali, Rwanda.

ITRealms recalls that at the 27th African Union Summit held July 2016, member States of the AU entrusted President Kagame with the mandate to lead the African Union reforms to enable the Union to better meet its mission’s goal and truly serve African citizens.

And in January 2017, the proposed reforms were accepted by all Head of States and Governments. The reforms aim to make the AU more efficient politically, operationally and financially, so that the African multilateral organisation is better positioned to meet its mandate to member states and African citizens.

According to sources at the meeting, by realigning the AU institutions to deliver against these priorities and ensure that the Union Commission structures, organs, and specialised technical agencies focus on the agreed priorities.

Equally, the reforms will see to managing the AU efficiently at both political and operational levels, to allow the members to create an efficient and effective Commission staffed by the best African professionals.

This would also strengthen the working methods of the AU Summit to improve the quality and impact of decision-making whilst ensuring the timely implementation of Assembly decisions; and

Just as Financing the AU  and sustainably to strengthen the African Union’s financial management and accountability. 

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Nokia, Zain partner on RAN technology, boost 50% upload

ITRealms:

The Nokia and Zain Saudi Arabia have partnered to improve network upload speeds at Jeddah's King Abdullah Sports stadium by up to 50 per cent, reports ITRealms.

This comes in the wake of deployment of Nokia Centralized RAN technology to improve uplink connections and quality of experience for visitors to football matches and other events at the venue, which is also known popularly as the Al Jawhara Stadium, Jeddah's largest stadium.

ITRealms gathered that the volume of events held at the stadium has led to Zain Saudi Arabia finding a solution to address spikes in uplink data traffic triggered by thousands of fans sharing photos and videos via social media.

In addition, ITRealms reports that Zain chose Nokia's Centralized RAN technology to improve uplink performance, deploying clusters of LTE base stations within the stadium to optimize bandwidth and remove uplink congestion in the 1800 MHz bands.

A further benefit of the technology, ITRealms gathered is that it makes smartphones more energy efficient, reducing battery drain as it requires less power for uploading content.

Sultan Abdulaziz AlDeghaither, Chief Technology Officer at Zain Saudi Arabia, said: "With the increased penetration of smart mobile devices, people are sharing videos and pictures over social media such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram, especially during events at this stadium. The more people upload, the more the network becomes congested, so we have deployed Nokia's Centralized RAN technology to boost the uplink speed for fans while also improving their smartphone battery life."

Ali Al Jitawi, head of the Zain Saudi Arabia customer team at Nokia, said: "Our Centralized RAN technology helps operators like Zain Saudi Arabia address the network congestion caused by bandwidth-hungry applications and services at large venues and stadiums. In Jeddah, our planning and optimization services have ensured that the technology delivered as promised, maximizing the return on Zain's investment and working seamlessly with its existing network. With this, Zain can build denser LTE networks and improve customer loyalty by delivering higher capacity and more robust services even during high traffic events."

Chuks Egbune/GEE 

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Turkish Airlines offers laptops on-board for BC passengers

ITRealms:

As a result of the recent ban on use of information and communication technology (ICT) gadgets and other electronic devices on United Kingdom and United States-bound flights by the authorities, Turkish Airlines has provided an alternative way of making its passengers access state-of-the-art laptop onboard to continue with their business, reports ITRealms.

The service, ITRealms gathered, is touted as yet another innovation from Turkish Airlines for its U.S. and U.K. bound flights, would be accessible to Nigerian passengers and other nationalities, who are business class (BC) passengers of the flights.

Turkish Airline in a press statement made available to ITRealms, affirmed this development, saying that its flights to the most countries of the world, would continue to evolve new solutions for its passengers with respect to the electronics ban, applied on US and UK-bound flights.

“The national flag carrier has now started to offer laptops for its business class passengers of U.S. bound flights as from today. It will also launch the same practice for its U.K. bound business class passengers as of 12th May, 2017,” the statement said.

By the new service, Turkish Airlines said those passengers will be able to uninterruptedly be taken up with their personal things to do on their laptops above the clouds, while they can experience the Planet, seamless in-flight entertainment system of Turkish Airlines, on the other side.

“Within the context of this new practice, those passengers who deliver their personal laptops to the authorized TK staff before their flight, can request a laptop from the cabin crew in order to follow their business or personal processes on-board during the flight.

“Those laptops, that have the feature of being a tablet after being folded and as well as a touchscreen property, will be offered through a high security system which protect the personal information/works of the passengers by automatically and permanently deleting them all from the system when the notebook computer having shut down,” the airline said.

However, “if those passengers who wish to make a copy from those personal works to an USB memory stick, can easily do that,” said the statement.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Nollywood special, Cinema in Lagos, debuts

ITRealms:

As part of activities celebrating Lagos at 50, the state government has unveiled a special publication named Cinema in Lagos ahead of the 2017 Cannes Film Festival holding in France from May 17 to 28.

The unveiling was done on Friday at Filmhouse Cinema in Lekki and Silverbird Cinema in Ikeja during a programme tagged “Lagos Love the Cinema”.

Speaking at the Lekki event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Steve Ayorinde, disclosed that the publication was conceived to highlight the contributions of the film industry to the economy and culture of Lagos.

He added that it was produced to complement Nollywood’s participation at the Cannes Film Festival.

“Lagos will have a pavilion at Cannes Film Festival which is celebrating 70 years in the same month our dear state celebrates 50 years. As you know, Lagos is home to Nollywood, the second biggest film industry in the world, and Cannes is the biggest film festival in the world. We have therefore put together this special publication called Cinema in Lagos. It will be presented in Cannes to filmmakers, journalists, film buyers and other from across the world.

“This is about our love for cinema and part of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s vision to promote art and culture in the state. We are excited that films by Lagos producers are doing well in the cinema and contributing significantly to the economy of the state. The state government is therefore pleased to showcase the creativity and business opportunities that abound here to a global audience through this publication,” the commissioner said.

Mr Ayorinde’s words were echoed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Mr Fola Adeyemi, while unveiling the publication in Ikeja.

Like the commissioner, the permanent secretary promised that there will be other editions of the publication in line with Governor Ambode’s intervention in the creative industry.

Cinema in Lagos was produced by a team of film journalists and critics led by Mr Olumide Iyanda.

The magazine, according to Iyanda, “provides ready information about what is unarguably the capital of African cinema. It is invaluable for filmmakers, investors, fans and other Nollywood stakeholders.”

Joining Ayorinde and Folarin for the unveiling were eminent personalities like co-Chairman, Lagos at 50 Planning Committee, Hon. Habeeb Fasinro; Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Health Services, Hon. Segun Olulade; Lagos State Head of Service, Mrs Olabowale Ademola; Chairman, Lagos State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Ayodele Subair; Executive Secretary, Lagos State Film and Video Censors Board, Mr Bamidele Balogun and filmmaker, Mr Kunle Afolayan.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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