Nigeria: O-Mobile gets $10m grant to promote digital economy

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A Nigerian firm that specializes in technology-based financial and agricultural services development, O-Mobile Multimedia Limited, has obtained a grant of $10m, about N3,605,000,000 billion, from So.Sui.Ben Foundation, a Swiss-based non-governmental organization that promotes development in Africa, reports ITRealms.

The grant, ITRealms gathered, is to promote digital economy on African continent, was facilitated by AfriCunia Limited, trading as AfriCunia Bank, an innovative banking technology firm headquartered in United Kingdom.

A press statement made available to ITRealms quoted the Chief Executive Officer, O-Mobile Multimedia Limited, Mr. Benjamin Aduli, as saying, the focus of the pact is to promote and deepen knowledge of the practice of digital-based services among Africans and thereby reduce poverty.  

“We are excited about this ground-breaking pact which involves the creation of awareness about digital banking opportunities, educating governments and the general public about digital banking opportunities. We will be developing applications that will help Africans utilize digital banking technology and reduce poverty on the continent,” he said.

Aduli also said that the company would offer its multimedia business academy and provide free, digital and multimedia training to all interested micro, medium, small and small enterprises in Nigeria through a network of 1,200 O-Mobile academy centres that are currently being set up across the country.

President, AfriCunia Bank, Don Chancellor, was also quoted saying that the time had come to tackle poverty in Africa using every available means adding that technology will help do this.

“Development needs to be fast-tracked in Africa and we are committed to the continent’s growth through digital banking products and services.  We are very elated about this opportunity to develop MSMEs across Nigeria and Africa and make them globally competitive in this era of technology. We have already started the hardwork. Working with O-mobile and So.Sui.Ben affords us the opportunity to quickly reach the unbanked and unconnected and give them access to first-world banking infrastructure and services. We believe that our partnership with a firm that already understands technology and has wide presence in Nigeria will help us quickly accomplish our goal,’’ Chancellor commented.

Aduli stated further that the company had already commenced work and hoped to sign-up at least 500,000 digital banking customers for AFRICUNIA BANK within 90 days globally. 

He said O-mobile had already commenced rolling out the first agency group network in Africa that will take financial, telecoms, insurance, educational, agricultural extension services and data mining services to the unbanked and unconnected in the continent.

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Kano to adopt FOI Act - HOS

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The Kano State Head of Service (HOS), Alhaji Mohammad Auwal Na’iya, has revealed that the state government committed to adopt the Freedom of Information Act to complement its other transparency and accountability initiative in the State, reports ITRealms.

Disclosing this in a keynote addressed delivered at the joint roundtable workshop of state and non-state actors held to assess the level of understanding and implementation of the FOI Act in Kano State, he said, that the state government has initiated a number of processes to promote transparency, accountability and prudence in government.

“The Kano State government, according to him has agreed to adopt and implement the Freedom of Information Act through the OGP process which the State has signed unto,” he said.

The adoption of the FOI Act in the State, he said, is being subjected to wide consultation and will go through the legislative process.

Also speaking, the Executive Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) Alhaji Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, related what the state government is doing to complement the FOI implementation including the establishment of PCACC, its participation in the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Initiative through which it has chosen to adopt the FOI Act and the development of an anti-corruption strategy.

Two issues that run through the roundtable workshops were the observations that there is need for statewide awareness, sensitization and educational activities to carry the people along. They also noted that the existence of the Official Secrets Act and the administration of the Oath of Secrecy on civil servants will impede the implementation of the FOI Act and should be reviewed or repealed as the case may be.

They also made a number of recommendations following the adoption of the communiqué issued at the end of the workshop.

The three-day roundtable which took place from Tuesday, May 15 to Thursday, May 17, 2018, brought together public officials, the media, professional bodies and non-governmental organisations to assess the level of awareness, understanding and implementation of the FOI Act, 2011; ascertain the gaps that exist and work on closing those gaps, as well as to get a sense of the needs that exist in knowledge about the FOI Act in order to adequately prepare and put strategy in place to address the identified needs.

Resource persons were drawn from the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, including Dr. Walter Duru, Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Coalition and Ayode Longe, the Secretary of the Board of Governors of the Coalition.

The roundtable recorded various sessions, comprising presentations, situation assessment through administration of questionnaires, feedback through questions and comments and viewing of a video on how members of a rural Indian community called Rajasthan successfully used the country’s FOI law to hold their elected officials to account for funds that they administered and the ripple effect it had in the State which entrenched transparency policy as a result.

The roundtable workshop was held with support from the European Union, through the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) Programme, managed by the British Council.  The Round table took place at Tahir Guest Palace on Ibrahim Natsugune Road, Nassarawa, Kano.

Kano State is one of the four focal states of the RoLAC programme. The other three states are Adamawa, Lagos and Anambra.

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Pix: Gov. Ganduje of Kano State

NCCF-ICT Working Group meets practitioners in Lagos

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The NCCF-ICT, a sectoral working group under the Nigerian Content Development Monitoring Board (NCDMB) which represents the interest of ICT practitioners in the oil and gas sector has been fixed for tomorrow, May 18, for her quarterly group meeting, reports ITRealms.

According to public statement made available to ITRealms by the Mr Uchenna Onyekaonwu, Secretary, NCCF – ICT and made available to NCCF ICT members by Olatunji Abibat (Mrs.), the meeting would feature the Executive Secretary to the Board, which promises to be an avenue for questions and answers, networking and interaction. 

"And of course the latest update on the Board’s activities and the 10 Years Strategic Plan recently approved for implementation will be discussed," Onyekaonwu said. 

ITRealms reports that the meeting slated to kick off by 11:00am, would hold at the Southern Sun Hotels, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Intending participants will be given opportunity to ask relevant questions from the representatives of the Executive Secretary with regards to the implementation of the NOGICD Act in relation to ICT goods and services required in the Oil and Gas sector

It would be recalled that NCDMB created NCCF-ICT to represent the interest of ICT practitioners in the oil and gas sector. Due to lack of awareness/information about the provisions of the NOGICD Act. 

ITRealms recalls that the Act, in recognizing the importance of IT/ICT to the oil and gas sector specifically in section 58(f) of the Act, directed the NCDMB to set up the NCCF-ICT required to consist of stakeholders, government and regulatory agencies in the ICT.

According to Section 12 of the NOGICD Act, Nigerians are to be given first consideration for the provisions of goods and services in the sector.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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NiOMA organisers postpone award date

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Organisers of the Nigerian Online Merit Award (NiOMA) have announced a postponement of the event originally scheduled to hold this Friday, May 18, 2018, at the Main Hall of Lagos Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, reports ITRealms.

The chairman, NiOMA Organising Committee, Mr. Lanre Alabi, said in a statement issued on Tuesday that the postponement was necessitated by the Ramaddan, which altered the plans of some of the key personalities expected to grace the event.

“We sincerely regret any inconveniences which this development may cause our esteemed awardees and guests. The event will now take place after the Ramaddan, at a date to be made public in due course,” Mr. Alabi said.  

He restated that Honourable Minister for Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, and Africa’s Serial Digital Entrepreneur, Leo Stan Ekeh, will headline the event while former Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, would serve as chairman.

The occasion, according to the NiOMA Organising Committee Chairman, “will be used to X-ray topical ICT issues facing the nation. It will be a grand one as it will attract senior executives, top government functionaries, industry leaders, market analysts, professional groups and diverse economy sectoral leaders, among others.”

A brainchild of Nigeria’s leading daily online newspaper, News Express Nigeria (newsexpressngr.com), NiOMA is designed to celebrate outstanding individuals and corporates driving the Nigerian online revolution.

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Africa Utility Week'18: Siemens takes Digital Solutions of the year award

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The latest operators of microgrids, Siemens has won the Digital Solutions of the year award for its Siemens South Africa Headquarters Micro Grid Project at the 2018 Africa Utility Week Industry Awards evening which took place in Cape Town, Wednesday night, reports ITRealms.

On why microgrids, ITRealms gathered they are the future of energy management, pointing out that the traditional power grid provides reliable power most of the time. But when natural disasters or security breaches threaten the grid, the ensuring blackouts can be catastrophic and costly.

“It is for this reason that organisations and utilities are working together to build resilient, flexible power systems called microgrids. Operating either as part of traditional grid or independently (or both), mircogrids are revolutionizing the way we manage our energy resources,” said Keshin Govender, Head of Corporate Communications, Siemens, Southern and Eastern Africa.

Govender also explained why microgrids matter, stressing that it’s a scaled-down version of the centralized power system, which could generate, distribute, and control power in a campus setting or small community.

“They are reliable and flexible, they are resilient, they more secure, they save money, they store and incorporate renewable energy,” Govender maintained in a press statement made available to ITRealms.

Further, Govender said, Siemens provides a comprehensive portfolio of products, solutions, and services to help build and operate microgrids of any size.

“We provide generation and distribution of electrical energy as well as monitoring and controlling of microgrids,” he said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Pix: Marco Rahne (Left) and Johan Helberg (Right) receive award on behalf of Siemens

N10B defamation suit: Ugwuonye fails to file response

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... Aiyedogbon presents electronic-evidence

Barely Eighteen months after being served with court papers in a N10 billion defamation suit by ex-husband of the missing Abuja woman, Charity Aiyedogbon, Mr. David Aiyedogbon, Lagos-based lawyer, Emeka Ugwuonye, is yet to file his response to the suit, just as his trial continues, reports ITRealms.

Fortifying his evidence on Wednesday, ITRealms reports that Mr. Aiyedogbon had earlier presented an electronic evidence to support existing volumes of documentary evidence in support of his suit.

Responding to questions from Ugwuonye on the efforts he has made in searching for the missing woman, Aiyedogbon informed the Court that the Police is handling the investigation, adding that four persons, including the defendant, Ugwuonye, are already being prosecuted for their alleged involvement in the sudden disappearance of the woman.

“So far, a lot has been done. We reported the matter to the Police and Police investigations led to the arrest and charging to court of four people, including you, Emeka Ugwuonye, for being complicit in the matter. By my efforts, the Police conducted a DNA test on the lifeless dismembered body you earlier posted on Facebook and identified as that of Charity. Police investigations led to the recovery of the missing Charity’s car and two handsets in your home state, Enugu. Even this suit, wherein you are a defendant is part of my efforts to look for Charity.  

"I brought you to this Court to enable you produce the overwhelming evidence you claim you have; you said severally that Charity is dead, alleging that you have an overwhelming evidence that I killed her; and whether the defense of justification will avail you. I want you to present your overwhelming evidence before this Court. Emeka, after collecting money from members of the public, you have not taken any step in looking for Charity. I want you to tell this Court even one thing you have done in looking for Charity. You have not made any effort in this regard. Emeka, you have never reported this matter to the Police. You also have not presented your overwhelming evidence anywhere, not even to the Police. You only reported it on Facebook. The only thing you have done is to attack David Aiyegbodon,” he said.

While the cross examination was going on, the presiding Judge, Justice Peter Kekemeke cautioned Mr. Ugwuonye, stating that all the questions he raised were not relevant to the matter before the court.

After over two hours of questions and answers, the Judge reiterated that all the respondent’s questions were not relevant to the defamation suit before the Court. He however adjourned the matter to 28th of June, 2018, for continuation of the cross examination, while advising the respondent to prepare to ask questions that are relevant to the issues before the court.

It would be recalled that Mr. David Aiyedogbon approached the Court to seek redress following the alleged refusal of Ugwuonye to desist from posting materials he considered defamatory on his Facebook group, The Due Process Advocates. He also wrote Mr. Ugwuonye through his lawyers, demanding an apology and retraction, but he refused to listen, prompting Mr. Aiyedogbon to approach the court to seek redress.

Ugwuonye had falsely accused Mr. Aiyedogbon of having a hand in the sudden disappearance of his estranged wife, Charity Aiyedogbon; an unsubstantiated claim that compelled Mr. Aiyedogbon to institute the N10b suit against him.

In addition to the Ten Billion Naira damages, the Suit, with number CV/2750/16, between David Aiyedogbon (Plaintiff) and Emeka Ugwuonye (Defendant) on defamation of character, before Justice Peter Kekemeke of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court 14, Apo, Abuja; also prays that the defendant be ordered to pay for the cost of the litigation.

The Plaintiff is also seeking an order of perpetual injunction “restraining the Defendant, his Agents, Privies, Associates or whosoever called” from making further defamatory publications against him and his family members.

Mr. Ugwuonye is accused of posting severally on The Due Process Advocates (DPA), a Facebook group, claiming to have evidence of the involvement of the missing Charity Aiyedogbon’s ex-husband, David Aiyedogbon in her sudden disappearance.

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Pix: Late Mrs. Charity Aiyedogbon

Metropolitan Networks lands in Lagos, pledges cutting-edge IT solutions

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The United Kingdom-based Information and Technology firm, Metropolitan Networks, has landed in Lagos-Nigeria with a pledge to offer cutting edge solutions, reports ITRealms.

Founded in 2003 in London, to provide quality customer-centred network support, and later security and managed service, the Managing Director, Ashok Thomas, in an interaction with journalists in Lagos, said the firm has the experience and capacity to meet the needs of organisations both large and small in the country.

Thomas said the advantage of Metropolitan Networks’ vast experience in the IT Industry will help improve the connectivity, efficiency and security of businesses.

  

According to him, the firm would offer advanced IT security services, managed services, hosting, infrastructure, and server connections for businesses in Nigeria.

  

He said each business sector has specific requirements, which the firm is equipped to support, stressing that the vast resources both human and material in Nigeria are potential to be developed and explored.

According to him, the country has what it takes to rule Africa and impact the world greatly, especially with the right and adequate policies from government at all levels.

Thomas added that Metropolitan Networks plans to grow and develop further with Nigeria, saying it has made impact through projects done in Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobaggo, and a host of others.

   

“We have a lot of experience with service providers in the U.K., the Caribbean. As an IT Integrator, we bring operational efficiency and innovation to business organisations. The intention is to replicate that in Nigeria and the plan is already mapped out to achieve this,” he said.

Equally, Thomas said they were in the country for a long term, noting that Metropolitan would want to play huge roles in Lagos smartcity projects.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Emirates in 30th consecutive profit year

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The Emirates Group has announced its 30th consecutive year of profit and steady business expansion, reports ITRealms.

Made available to ITRealms, Emirates Group in its 2017-18 Annual Report, posted a profit of AED 4.1 billion (US$ 1.1 billion) for the financial year ended 31 March 2018, up 67 per cent from last year.

The Group’s revenue reached AED 102.4 billion (US$ 27.9.billion), an increase of 8 per cent over last year’s results, and the Group’s cash balance increased by 33 per cent to AED 25.4 billion (US$ 6.9 billion) supported by the bond issued in March and strong sales due to the early Easter holidays at the end of March.

In line with the overall profit, the Group declared a dividend of AED 2.0 billion (US$ 545 million) to the Investment Corporation of Dubai.

His Highness (H.H.) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said: “Business conditions in 2017-18, while improved, remained tough.

“We saw ongoing political instability, currency volatility and devaluations in Africa, rising oil prices which drove our costs up, and downward pressure on margins from relentless competition. On the positive side, we benefitted from a healthy recovery in the global air cargo industry, as well as the relative strengthening of key currencies against the US dollar,” chairman said.

“We’ve always responded to the challenges of each business cycle with agility, while never losing sight of the future, and this year was no exception. In 2017-18, Emirates and dnata delivered our 30th consecutive year of profit, recorded growth across the business, and continued to invest in initiatives and infrastructure that will secure our future success.”

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FG actively promoting business, inaugurates stakeholders committee

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The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has reiterated the policy of the present administration to actively promote the participation of the private sector in the nation's strategic economic agenda, reports ITRealms.

The Minister stated this when he inaugurated the Stakeholders Engagement Committee of the National Council on Privatisation (NCP) in Abuja on Tuesday.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to reiterate that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari recognizes and actively promotes the participation of the private sector in the strategic economic agenda of the nation.

“This pro-business posture of the government is eminently reflected in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan of this government,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed said the government will continue to create an enabling environment for private businesses to thrive and build economic prosperity for the generality of Nigerians, including the provision of critical infrastructure through Public Private Partnership.

Expressing delight at the caliber of members of the committee, he enjoined them to do everything possible to ensure that the committee lives up to its responsibilities by ensuring that it identifies and maintains contacts with various stakeholders and opinion leaders; and advises the Council accordingly.

In his remarks, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises, Mr. Alex Okoh, said in the last 30 years, over 140 public enterprises across various sectors of the economy have been fully or partially privatized or fully or partially commercialized or concessioned.

“Of these privatized enterprises, over 60% have achieved a good level of performance. The generation companies are performing very well. I can also tell you that the seaports are performing despite some infrastructural constraints,” he said.

Mr. Okoh said the importance of an effective stakeholders' engagement strategy cannot be over-emphasized, in view of the need to build support and understanding for the Federal Government’s reform agenda by effectively communicating the benefits of the privatization programme.

The committee, chaired by the Minister of Information and Culture, has the Director General of the National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari; Iyalode Alaba Lawson, the President of NACCIMA; Mr. Ben Upah of NLC, Auwal Musa from the Civil Society; Mr. Maxwell Loko of the Nigerian Television Authority; Olaniyi Omodara of the National Human Rights Commission and Mr. Uchola of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment as some of the members.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (middle); Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu-Gekpe (fifth from left); the Director General, Bureau for Public Enterprises, Mr. Alex Akoh (fourth from left) and other members of the Stakeholders Engagement Committee of the National Council on Privatisation during the inauguration of the committee by the Minister in Abuja on Tuesday.

Runway Jazz: Ibidunni recounts hardship women go through, bags award

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Mrs. Ibidunni Ighodalo has been honoured with the Runway Jazz Humanitarian award as she recounts hardship women go through in search of fruit of the womb, reports ITRealms.

Ibidunni who is the promoter of Avant Garde, a bridal fashion brand, had worked closely with the organisers of the Runway Jazz; all week through the Masterclass and preparations leading to the show itself, it was astonishing how the award was carefully concealed until the last instance.

ITRealms gathered that the previous day, Ibidunni had participated in a training session to encourage budding entrepreneurs, just as she lit the candle of joy for two participants by gifting them with wedding gowns worth N1 million each.

The dresses, ITRealms also gathered, featured on the runway by Avant Garde by Elizabeth R were the fashion house’s high-end wedding dresses, designed in partnership with Walid Shebab Couture.

ITRealms reports that for her first runway show, Ibidunni Ighodalo collaborated with Mr. Frank Osodi who provided the models, styled them and directed the runway flow.

For her, it was an experience best described as “truly magnificent feeling.”

Further, ITRealms reports that Ibidunni was honored for being a pillar of support for many couples who are waiting to become parents; through Ibidunni Ighodalo Foundation (IIF), a non-profit organization created to raise awareness on issues pertaining to infertility and to provide grants for couples that require fertility treatments such as In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination, she has continued to bring hope and joy to many couples.

The recognition insignia was handed over to her by the wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo at the Convention Centre of the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. Among other interests, Ighodalo has become one of the most recognizable transmitters of charity, which includes, but is not limited to an orphanage.

“I thank God first because without Him none of these would be possible. Special mention must be made of the good people who have donated immensely to the foundation. It’s amazing how people have supported the foundation. To the couple who celebrated their wedding anniversary, this award is for them as well because they donated towards IVF treatment for 20 couples. I am also indebted to my humble friends Tonye Cole, Mrs Titi Adenuga and Pastor Mattew Ashimolowo who were at the Parents-in-Waiting Conference and donated funds for treatment of couples.

“To my Instagram followers who have donated immensely to the foundation, this award is for all of you and I pray that the Lord will answer every prayer in your heart and put smile on your faces. To my special administrator, Dayo Richard who has poured herself into this task and finally to our partner hospitals who have bent over backwards to be a part of this journey of putting smiles on the faces of our couples, God bless you all. May you never experience barrenness,” she said.

Ibidunni equally praised the efforts of her team, dedicating the award to “God who has blessed us with children in the foundation. To all the families who are still expecting their bundles of joy, to the families who have received theirs and to everyone helping the foundation and donating from every part of the world and everyone working for the foundation, without their support, the IIF couldn’t have made it.”

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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