ACSIS wants more inclusion, multilingualism @WSIS forum

ITRealms:

The African Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSIS) has called for more inclusion and multilingualism in the affairs and organization of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forums, reports ITRealms.

In his address to the forum which ended last weekend in Geneva, Switzerland, the President of ACSIS, Dr. Cisse Kane, appealed to the international community to support the WSIS Forum secretariat.

Welcoming the unique framework of the WSIS Forum, which he said, allows greater interaction between all actors in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.

Dr. Kane also said this is essential in the present and future, given the centrality of ICTs in the lives and the necessity to link ICT with sustainable development goals.

He commended the remarkable work of the secretariat of the Forum, beckoning on all actors, including the private sector, to further support the WSIS Forum by providing it with sufficient resources to strengthen the inclusiveness and enhance its resonance.

According to him, some of these supports would include to:

1. Translate the entire website of the WSIS forum at least in all United Nations official languages;

2. Ensure that all sessions of the WSIS forum are interpreted in UN official languages ​

3. Translate all WSIS Forum programmes into all United Nations official languages

4. Provide a significant number of scholarships (at least 20 per continent) each year to enable the most deserving members of the civil society and academic sector to travel to Geneva and participate in the WSIS Forum

5. Provide the opportunity to supplement the governmental delegations participating in the WSIS Forum by some deserving members of the Civil Society and the Academic Sector.

Nonye Dom/GEE 

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EFCC not after Etisalat, we repaid 42% of original loan - Management

ITRealms:

The management of Etisalat Nigeria has denied that they are being investigated by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following a petition to “the Federal Government asking that Etisalat be investigated” on how the funds from the syndicated loans were utilized, reports ITRealms.

The Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Ibrahim Dikko told ITRealms that a simple interrogation of the rigorous process for securing a syndicated loan from a consortium of reputable banks would have exposed the truth to the original writer of this story and other media channels who have subsequently re-circulated the falsehood without interrogation or verification.

Concerned parties have access to Etisalat books and do not require an investigation into how the loan sum was utilized.

“All of the infrastructure investment and services for which the loan was secured, were paid through our banks and these are verifiable,” he said.

Dikko stressed the need for the media to correctly inform the general public by providing the needful macro-economic context around which the challenges encountered with meeting up with the loan obligation occurred.

“It would be recalled that the $1.2bn loan, a medium-term seven-year facility, was obtained by Etisalat Nigeria for the purpose of expanding its network and improving the quality of service on its network. The economic downturn of 2015 and sharp devaluations of the naira negatively impacted on the dollar-denominated loan by driving up the loan value, thus prompting Etisalat to request a loan restructuring from the consortium of banks,” he explained.

This, he said was contrary to the widely reported misrepresentations about Etisalat Nigeria’s debt obligation to the consortium of 13 banks, thus, it has become pertinent to set the records straight.

Dikko also said that prior to this time, Etisalat had in fact consistently and conscientiously met up with its payment obligations.

“As at today, we can categorically state that the outstanding loan sum to the consortium stands at $227m and N113bn, a total of about $574m if the naira portion is converted to US Dollars,” he said.

Emphasising that this in essence meant almost half of the original loan of $1.2bn, has been repaid, insisting that Etisalat continued to service the loan up until February 2017, when discussions with the banks regarding the repayment restructuring commenced.

“We hereby appeal to our media partners to continue to uphold the ethics of the profession by exercising some restraint particularly in the publication of such misleading and damaging information. We have been accessible and remain available to the media to clarify or verify information when required,” Dikko assured.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Phase 2: Anambra trains 200 youth on skills acquisition

ITRealms:

The Anambra State government has trained some 200 youth from the 21 Local Government Areas of the state on skills acquisition, reports ITRealms.

The programme, ITRealms gathered was put together by the Anambra State Government through the Ministry of Youth, Entrepreneurship and Sports Development.

The Commissioner, Youth, Entrepreneurship and Sport Development, Barr. Mrs Uju Nwogu, said in Awka that the training is in line with the efforts of Gov. Willie Obiano to empower the youths.

Also she said, that the training is designed to make the youths self-reliant and self-confident by equipping them with contemporary skills to combat unemployment.

“You may recall that last year at the Youth Centre in Mgbakwu, 200 youths of Anambra State were trained in various self-sustaining skills. “Now less than a year, another batch of 200 will commence the training.

“This is a demonstration of our believe that developing entrepreneurial mind-set in the youths is panacea to economic growth. We are sure that the enormous resources being committed for the success of this programme will be justified.

“Thank God for the governor who has made this possible because he believes in the youth as the future of our state,” she said.

The two-week training is conducted at the Federal Youth Development Centre, Mgbakwu, Awka North Local Government Area.

Ozo Nweke Ozo/GEE 

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Nigeria missing @Facebook Messenger Developer challenge

ITRealms:

Nigerian mobile application developers were conspicuously missing on the winners of the first-ever Bots for Messenger Developer Challenge which ended recently in the city of Cairo by Facebook, reports ITRealms. This is coming as Egyptian developers swept the top three finalists at the challenge within the three winning categories for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from 60 finalists as part of the challenge. ITRealms recalls that the Bots for Messenger Challenge was launched on February 15th this year, in 64 countries across the MENA region to recognize and reward developers who were able to create the most innovative new bots on Messenger. The 3 top winners, ITRealms reports, won a prize of $20,000 USD and three months of Facebook mentorship. In addition from the Middle East and North Africa, three runner-up teams won $10,000 and three months of Facebook mentorship. The announcement was made via Facebook Live by Ime Archibong, Facebook's Vice President of Platform Partnerships, on Monday. MENA Runner-up/ Winning teams of these three categories are: Gaming and Entertainment Winner: Trivoxx from Morocco, winner of gaming and entertainment category, is a bot that allows one’s or a group of friends test their trivia on sports, science, and cities in three languages: Arabic, French, and English. Runner-up: Mastermind Games Bot from Egypt is a collection of five interactive games to solve codes based on various combinations of logic and memory. Every time a user guesses the correct code, a cave safe will open to obtain a diamond. Users can share games with their friends as they vie for the top scores. Productivity and Utility Winner: If you like to read books, then you'll agree that Mr. Ink from Egypt is the winner in the Social Good category. Users can either type a book name, or snap a photo of the book cover, to obtain information about the book including its author, rating, and book description. Runner-up: Evii from Jordan helps customers order and pick up food via its bot. Evii seize the opportunity to expand by building more end-to-end customers tools. Social Good Winner: MathHook from Egypt, is the winner in the Social Good category. It brings math into everyone’s life by helping users to solve complex math problems and search for math courses on YouTube across 3000 math videos. There's also a chat function to connect users with teachers or other students to solve math problems. MathHook is also a student submission to this Challenge. Runner-up: Adam (9 months) from Egypt aims to create community for pregnant women via tools and guidance, and safe communication channels between community members. Adam utilizes additional features such as location services to let users search for nearby pregnancy care, baby or maternity places. It also has an analytics tool to log user actions in custom events with custom parameters to better understand community perspectives. Says Emeka Afigbo, Facebook’s Head of Platform Partnerships for the Middle East and Africa: “It's been nearly five months since we first invited submissions for the 2017 Bots for Messenger Challenge and we're excited to share the winners. We were incredibly impressed with the bot submissions we received and the commitment to excellence that all the contestants have demonstrated, since the launch of the contest. We congratulate all the winners, wish them luck and thank all of the participants for making the Bots for Messenger Challenge a success! We look forward to seeing these bots continue to evolve into strong services for their communities.”

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Wale Aboderin takes over from Ncube @AMI as chair

ITRealms:

The Board of the African Media Initiative (AMI) has elected Mr. Wale Aboderin as the new Chair of the organization, at a session in Nairobi, Kenya, reports ITRealms.

Aboderin takes over from the maiden chair, Mr. Trevor Ncube, Executive Vice-chairman of South Africa’s Mail & Guardian, who has steered the organization since its inception in 2008.

Disclosing this, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the African Media Initiative, Mr. Eric Chinje, applauded Mr. Ncube, and his early co-Chair, Charlayne Hunter-Gault, for the valuable support and guidance of AMI during its formative years.

He also said that Mr. Aboderin, a Nigerian businessman is the Chairman of PUNCH, Nigeria’s leading newspaper group headquartered in Lagos; PUNCH publishes three print and two digital newspapers, and runs four major print presses across Nigeria.

Mr. Aboderin trained as a commercial pilot at the Burnside-Ott Flying School, Florida, United States. He was appointed chairman of the company’s board of directors in 2012. His tenure has witnessed groundbreaking changes in the editorial quality, management and fortunes of PUNCH, including a hugely successful redesign, the launch of several digital initiatives and the newspaper’s win of several local and international awards.

A popular sports enthusiast in Nigeria, Mr. Aboderin is the founder and owner of Dolphins Basketball Club, a leading African female basketball club, with local and continental honours. He is a former chairman of the Lagos State Basketball Association and a former member of the Nigerian Handball Federation.

“I thankfully accept this role and I believe AMI should help African media bridge the communication gap between policymakers and the citizens to allow for a two-way feedback engagement,” Mr Aboderin said. “During my tenure I will champion the AMI cause everywhere and ensure that Africans stop being suspicious about homegrown initiatives and support this organization.”

Further, Chinje said, with over two decades of direct involvement in media, Mr Wale brings a wealth of experience to the organization. Stressing he would surely help AMI refocus its work around the four major pillars of activity around which a new strategy is being developed, namely “strengthening media capacity (thematic specialization); content development and promotion; research; and performance incentives for media professionals.”

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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You can’t take over Etisalat - NCC

ITRealms:

The apex telecommunications regulator in the country, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned the consortium of banks led by Access Bank plc, saying they cannot take over Etisalat through the back door, reports ITRealms.

The Commission through its Director, Public Affairs, NCC, Mr. Tony Ojobo, told ITRealms that the despite the indebtedness of Etisalat to the consortium of banks, insisting that such takeover negates the provisions of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 Section 38.

This, he said, showed that granting of a license is personal to the licensee and not transferable.

According to Ojobo, NCA 2003 Section 38, Sub section 1 states inter-alia that “The grant of a license shall be personal to the licensee and the license shall not be operated by, assigned, sub licensed or transferred to another party unless the prior written approval of the commission has been granted.”

Buttressing this, NCC noted that Sub section 2 stated “A licensee shall at all times comply by the terms and condition of the license and the provision of this act and its subsidiary legislation.”

NCC condemned the planned takeover of Etisalat Nigeria by a consortium of banks, saying the Commission was aware of the indebtedness and had made efforts to resolve the aligning issues along the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) with a view to finding a resolution.

Unfortunately, the spokesman said, these meetings could not yield the desired results.

“The NCC wishes to reassure the over 21 million Etisalat subscribers that it will do all within its regulatory power to ensure that Etisalat subscribers continue to enjoy the services provided by the operator,” he said.

The Commission, Ojobo maintained, has taken proactive steps to cushion the impact of the takeover, this is without prejudice to the ongoing effort between Etisalat and the banks toward negotiated settlement.

“In view of the recent development, NCC wishes to reassure all stakeholders in the telecommunications sector in particular the subscribers on the Etisalat Network that the Commission will ensure that the integrity of Etisalat Network is not compromised,” NCC assured, stressing that subscribers would continue to enjoy the services provided by Etisalat.

ITRealms recalls that the bank consortium comprised Access Bank plc, Zenith Bank, GTBank, First Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Arewa youth ultimatum unacceptable - Martins

ITRealms:

The recent ultimatum by the Arewa youths coalition for the Igbos to leave the North on or before October 1, 2017, has been described as unacceptable the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos, His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale Martins, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Lagos, Most Rev. Martins told ITRealms, aside that the directive is not acceptable, its capable of deepening the division being experienced across the country.

According to him, Nigerians stand to gain more living together hence they must shun every act capable of further polarizing the country.

The Archbishop also expressed deep concern over the discordant tunes and call for disintegration being championed by some youths across the country, warning of the consequences of another civil war.

He urged the federal government to do everything possible to find a lasting solution to the genuine agitations of the various ethnic groups in the country in order to give everyone a sense of belonging.

“This country needs to be more united now than ever before. We not want drum beats of war or hate speeches. We must not trade the unity of this country for selfish motives because we have much more binding us together than those that divide us. I believe that several of the genuine agitations by the various ethnic groups can be looked into by the federal government with the intention of resolving them amicably without necessarily resorting to secession or bloodletting as some are currently advocating,” he cautioned.

Further, the Archbishop urged all Nigerians to be vigilant and continue pray for peace in our nation and in our families.

Matty Umah/GEE

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CRK not removed from secondary school curriculum - FG

ITRealms:

At last, the Federal Ministry of Education has refuted reports making a round that Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK), has was removed as a subject of study from the curriculum of public secondary schools across Nigeria, reports ITRealms.

The reports also alleged that the Ministry reintroduced Islamic Religious Studies (IRS) against CRK.

Director, Press at the Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Chinenye Ihuoma, explained to ITRealms that the ministry designed a new subject which combined Civic Education, IRS, CRK and Social Studies into “Religion and National Values.”

Equally, Ihuoma told ITRealms in a press statement made available to correspondent that the alternation was not from the minister, but precisely from the National Council on Education (NCE).

“It is just as the council has said that History should be a subject of its own at the basic level in the first nine years. Now, a new subject has been introduced, called Religion and National Values. It is a fusion of religion and civics” she said.

Although Ihuoma confirmed she was yet to see the details, but noted that in a case where students have subject combinations at the same time, “everyone will attend lectures that correspond with their own religion.”

“Arabic and Islamic Studies are not standing alone. Islamic Religious Study and Christian Religious Study as well as national values will be taught under a new subject,” she insisted.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pepper talks on ICT University

ITRealms:

The proposed ICT University of Nigeria, the first of its kind in Africa and one of the pet projects of Nigeria's Minister of Communications, Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, has received the endorsement and goodwill of Facebook and other industry giants at the just concluded World Summit on the Information Society tagged WSIS FORUM 2017, in Geneva, Switzerland.

Barr. Shittu, at a side meeting with Facebook Robert Pepper, a resource person at the conference, was assured of Nigeria's readiness for the ICT University take off. The university to be run on a multi - campus basis in six locations across the country with established infrastructure, will robustly address the dearth of adequate training of technocrats in the industry to meet international standards.

Mr Pepper, who was visibly elated by the Minister's disclosures, promised the full involvement and support of Facebook, saying it falls within the confines of Facebook vision for Africa.

In other interactions with representatives of Google, Access Partnership, Microsoft Group, AT&T and other investors targeting the African continent, the Minister was able to convince them that Nigeria, going by her population and strategic position as the largest economy in that region is the best investment destination for wise investors.

Meanwhile, many resource persons and Smart Cities investors have been invited by the Minister to attend Nigeria's Smart Cities Summit 2017,to be held in Abuja by the first week of August.

The WSIS Forum, which started on Monday June 12, 2017 and was rounded off last Friday, June 16.No fewer than 70 Ministers, including Nigeria 's Minister of Communications attended the week long summit. During the week, over 133 educative sessions were held with participants from across the member countries of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

It will be recalled that the six centres of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) with headquarters in Abuja and others in Lagos, Kano, Enugu, Yola and Asaba, will form the nucleus of the ICT University of Nigeria Multi- campus proposed University, an initiative of the Muhamadu Buhari administration.

Correspondent/GEE

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EtiAccess coming your way, as bank loan forces Etisalat to change name

ITRealms:

The Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited currently trading as Etisalat Nigeria may have been taken over by Nigerian banks led by Access Bank plc, reports ITRealms.

This may have led to industry watchers to postulate that Etisalat Nigeria may after all change its name to EtiAccess.

Confirming plans to tinker on the changing structure of Etisalat Nigeria including its shareholding, the Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the telco has commenced

restructuring with changes to its shareholding.

“As it had earlier stated in a release, the negotiations with the consortium of Lenders are considering a number of possible options,” he told ITRealms.

According to him, Etisalat Nigeria can now confirm the first stage of this has begun with a change in shareholding which was announced to the Abu Dhabi Stock Exchange this Tuesday morning.

“Etisalat Nigeria can confirm discussions are on-going regarding other issues such as the trading name during this transition phase,” he revealed but added that operations and services to subscribers remain normal and would in no way be affected.

“We will continue to tap into the rich, creative and innovative resources within our workforce to build a stronger business upon the stable foundation we have laid in our 9 years of operations,” he declared.

Further, he expresses, Etisalat Nigeria profound gratitude to the Government, the Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria for their patriotic zeal and tireless efforts at ensuring collaborative and productive engagement.

“We are also appreciative of the tremendous support we have received from the media since inception and we count on their continued support as we transition to a stronger business. We will update our stakeholders and the public on further developments shortly,” he said.

ITRealms gathered that as part of the outcome of the last meeting, the parties comprising the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), EMTS agreed on June 23 date to transfer 100 per cent to United Capital Limited Trustees, on behalf of the bank consortium, but a few days to this deadline, owners of Etisalat brand, Mubadala, made a technical withdrawal by filing a takeover of its shares at the Abu Dhabi stock exchange, today, Tuesday, 20 June, 2017.

Thus, paving the way for the official takeover by the next in line of majority shares, which in this instance are the bank consortum led by by Access Bank plc.

ITRealms recalls that on March 10, this year, in order to forestall the crises capable of creating a backlash on Foreign Director Investor, the apex telecom regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), CBN and some 13 banks met in Abuja, with top on agenda being how to harmoniously restructure the Etisalat indebtedness worth.

The meeting which was held at the CBN headquarters in Abuja, was convened by the apex bank at the instance of NCC, to further deliberate on how best to stave off the attempt by the banks to takeover Etisalat.

While Etisalat reported owes Access Bank plc the sum of N40 billion, about $131 million, other members of the bank consortium include Zenith Bank, GTBank, First Bank, UBA, Fidelity Bank, Ecobank, FCMB, Stanbic IBTC Bank and Union Bank.

 

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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