GOCOP president, Oladipo, joins panel to unveil 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer

ITREALMS:

Preferred West Africa’s partner of Edelman, Chain Reactions Nigeria, has named the President of Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) Mr. Dotun Oladipo as panelist for the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer, reports ITRealms.

Chain Reactions Nigeria, ITRealms gathered is one of Nigeria’s leading Public Relations and Integrated Communications consulting firms and the exclusive Nigerian affiliate of Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm with presence in 65 countries across the globe.

ITRealms confirmed that on May 31, Chain Reactions would host an event to unveil the report of the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer.

Edelman Trust Barometer, ITRealms gathered, is the annual global trust and credibility survey conducted by Edelman Intelligence, the independent research arm of the Edelman global network.

The survey consists of 25-minute online interviews whereby respondents are asked questions on how much they trust the four mainstream institutions of society like government, business, media and non-governmental organisations to do what is right.

Since 2001, Edelman has been measuring trust in these four critical institutions of society across 28 countries, but this year is the first time Nigeria has been included in the survey.

The inclusion of an exclusive deck on Nigeria by Edelman Intelligence is on the heels of the significant impressions recorded last year when Chain Reactions hosted the presentation of the 17th edition of the annual global survey in Lagos, the first time ever in the history of Nigeria and since the survey was established in 2001.

Impressed with the positive impressions recorded with the presentation of last year’s Edelman Trust Barometer Report in Lagos, a delegation of senior Edelman executives, to be led by the Managing Director of Edelman, South Africa, Jordan Rittenberry, is scheduled to be in Nigeria to officially present the 2018 Edelman Trust Barometer Report in Lagos.

Rittenberry was also in Lagos last year for the launch of the 2017 edition, which attracted a large attendance of key representatives of government, CEOs of marketing communications firms, media executives and key representatives from non-governmental organisations.

Commenting on the significance of having exclusive data on Nigeria in this year’s survey, Managing Director/Chief Strategist of Chain Reactions Nigeria, Israel Jaiye Opayemi, expressed delight that Chain Reactions is taking leadership and stepping ahead of its peers in helping to overcome dearth of reliable data required by organisations in the public and private sectors to develop strategy for their growth.

“Lack of trust is a major factor that impacts organisational reputation everywhere. It is affecting government and businesses alike. This bespoke report on how Nigerians trust their government, businesses, the media and non-governmental organisations operating in Nigeria will become the most useful manual in the hands of those saddled with running these institutions,” he said.

This report, he said, will put quick insights and knowledge at the disposal of decision makers in government, business, media and non-governmental organisations on how to build or strengthen their trust equity.

“Last year, we made a promise to Nigerians to ensure we have a Nigeria-specific data in the 2018 survey, and we are glad to announce that together with our partners in Edelman, Chain Reactions has delivered on this noble promise. This is a demonstration of what we preach in business,” he said.

An eight-man panel comprising seasoned professionals, media practitioners, government officials and civil society activists will be discussing the survey report and its implications for Nigeria.

ITRealms further reports that respected investment analyst and chief executive officer (CEO) of Financial Derivatives, Bismack Rewane, would chair the occasion. He would be joined by GOCOP president, Mr. Dotun Oladipo and Seasoned Journalist and Editor of BusinessDay newspaper, Anthony Osae-Brown as panelists to discussing building trust for the media in the age of fake news.

Others include Lead Consultant/CEO of Thistle Praxis, Ini Abimbola, and Stanbic Bank’s Executive Head of Marketing and Communications, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, who would be dwelling on growing trust for businesses.

Additionally, respected personalities expected to lend their voices to the trust discourse at the event will include Publisher of Ovation Magazine and Columnist with THISDAY newspaper, Chief Dele Momodu, as well as the Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Kehinde Bamigbetan, who will represent Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and occupy a place on the panel for government.

Opayemi pointed out that the exclusive report would also help the key institutions of government, business, media and non-governmental organisations to future-proof their efficiency, value delivery and sustainability as they become more aware of how citizens perceive and trust them while they also take proactive steps to improve on their trust assets.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Falana, Ajibade influenced Nigerians in most profound ways -Tinubu

ITREALMS:

The month of May, which in 1999 heralded the rebirth of democracy again in Nigeria after almost 16 years of unbroken military interregnum, is also significant in one other respect. It is the month of birth of many prominent Nigerians, reports ITRealms.

But this statement is about just two of them, Messers Femi Falana and Kunle Ajibade, both of them icons in their chosen fields, the one an outstanding lawyer, the other exceptional journalist.

Falana, born May 20, 1958, and Kunle Ajibade, born on May 28, 1958, recently turned 60. I say happy birthday to them and wish them long life, continued good health and renewed energy to continue to make invaluable contributions to our country.

Both are close friends and associates, with whom I have interacted in our continuous struggle for the enthronement of true democracy, good governance and rule of law.

Mr. Falana is a lawyer, pro-democracy and human rights activist who over time employed and continues to employ the instrumentality of the law to correct the ills of the society.

His contributions to constitutionalism and jurisprudence know no bounds. He takes briefs from the rich to empower him to fight the injustices against the poor pro bono. Like his late mentor and comrade, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Falana is an advocate of the people, of the masses.

Ajibade is that astute journalist and celebrated author who through his pen fought against the military junta and was particularly a thorn in the flesh of the late Abacha regime.

He authored two popular books ‘Jailed for Life,’ his experience in prison to which he was clamped by the Abacha junta, and ‘What a Country,’ which speaks about the ills in the country.

As both were united in their month of birth, there is also an unmistakable meeting point in their life trajectories. Both fought against successive military regimes to facilitate the emergence of democracy in the land and a country laden with respect for human rights.

They fought to ensure Nigeria is a citadel of social justice and rule of law and generally a better place for the present generation and generations yet unborn.

There is no doubt that both Falana and Ajibade had impacted Nigeria and Nigerians in the most profound ways. 

We thank them for their struggles. We thank them for their sacrifices. But we are not yet in the Promised Land. We enjoin the duo not to rest on their oars and to join hands with us in the All Progressives Congress, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, to make Nigeria a better place.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Terror herdsmen attack Sacred Heart Minor Seminary Jalingo

ITREALMS:

Armed men suspected to be terror-herdsmen at the early hours of Monday, attacked the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Jalingo, with scores injured, closed for a week reports ITRealms.

Confirming this, the Rector, Sacred Heart Minor Seminary, Jalingo, Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Atsue with the permission of the diocese, Bishop, Most Rev. Charles Hammawa of Jalingo, told ITRealms, that the seminary was attacked in the early hours of this morning 28/05/2018.

“… At about 12:30am by sophisticated armed Fulani Herdsmen, at least, we heard their conversation,” he said.

According to him, “They shot sporadically at the Rector's residence, broke window glasses in the process, littered live bullets were collected by police, windscreen of one of the vehicles belonging to one of the priests, they shot and injured one of the priests Rev. Fr. Cornelius Kobah on the leg, beat up Fr. Stephen Bakari.”

Also, Rev. Fr. Atsue noted that from their conversation, “we were able to understand that their grievances against us is that the security men in the seminary have been challenging their decision to graze right inside the Seminary: around the classes, football field, laundry etc.

“They said even inside the church if they see grass their cows will graze. Normalcy has temporarily been restored thanks to the prompt response from the Nigerian Police, Army, Civil Defense and local vigilantee.”

All the students, he said, were complete, as none was missing.

“Two of them who were showing them the way to the Father's house suffered injuries from the sticks of the herdsmen,” he said.

Fr. Atsue further told ITRealms he had a meeting with the officials of the Parents Teachers Association PTA and the bishop has equally approved one week break for the seminarians to enable them manage trauma for a while and to show themselves to their parents that they were safe.

“For now this is the situation. Let us continue to pray for and work for peace in Nigeria,” he said.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Madonna students end debate, Mass Comm, Law others make final round

ITREALMS:

The second stage of the Madonna University (Okija campus) 2017/2018 Inter-departmental students debate has ended, with Mass Communication, Law, Philosophy and Accountancy departments qualifying for the final round of the exercise, reports ITRealms.

The last of the second stage of the competition ended Thursday, with Mass Communication department and Law faculty qualifying for the final round of the exercise, leaving behind English and Literary Studies and International Relations.

The first phase of the second round was held two weeks ago, wherein Philosophy and Accountancy departments emerged, also leaving behind two other departments.

Speaking earlier on the essence of the exercise, Coordinator of the Madonna University Debate competition, Dr. Tony Nkemakolam described it as a purely academic exercise, even as he urged the participants to imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship.

Adding his voice, Chaplain and Administrator of Madonna University, Okija campus, Rev. Father Francis Nwachukwu commended the decorum that characterized the exercise, while urging the students to see it as a challenge to develop their skills and intellect.

He however urged all to practice love for one another and imbibe discipline, even as he charged the students to take their studies very seriously to justify the huge investments on them by their parents. He further advised them to always be good ambassadors of the University wherever they find themselves.

In their separate speeches, Chairperson of the Madonna University Debate committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Uche Oboko and the University Orator, Mr. Charles Eze commended the students for what they described as their ‘can-do spirit’ and urged them not to relent.

They further charged the students to see the exercise as a friendly competition aimed at challenging their intellects, warning them not to see it as a do-or die affair.

The 2017/2018 phase of the competition commenced with seventeen (17) departments. At the end of Thursday’s round, only four of the departments qualified for the final stage of the exercise.

The topic of the second round of the debate was: “Taming the menace of corruption in Nigeria: my department, as the best panacea.”

The final round of the debate, with the topic: “Nigeria’s 2019 Presidential election: a candidate from my discipline, the hope of Nigeria’s advancement” shall hold on a date to be announced soon.

The law faculty was represented in the competition by: Tiku Ebam Okorinyen, Udolisa Chibuzor and Deborah Ngonadi; Philosophy department was represented by: Daniel Obi, Maurice Ugochukwu and Justin Obiesika; Accountancy department was represented by: Nancy Ejimole, Joy Anumba and Edmund Iwunze; while the department of Mass Communication was represented by three hot heads: Chinyere Linda Agbasiere, Adaeze Monday and Juliet Ogbozor.

Thursday’s event was attended by very important dignitaries, including Head of Exams and Records of Okija campus of the university, Rev. Father Tobias Ozioko, Acting Head of the Department of Mass Communication, Dr. Walter Duru, Head of Department of Economics, Dr. Theophilus Ugwoke, Professor (Mrs.) Bernadette Chukwuneke, head of the Panel of Judges, Stephen Kenechukwu and Timothy Onyejelem. Other members of the Panel are: Dr. Calistus Ogu and Dr. K.C. Obi. Thousands of undergraduate and graduate students of Okija campus of the university cheered their colleagues up in excitement, as the competition raged.

The highlights of the event were: musical, choral and drama presentations by highly talented students of the university.

Investigations revealed that the final round of the debate may be declared open by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Chuks Ezedum.

It would be recalled that the 2016/2017 winners of the interdepartmental debate of the university were given automatic Scholarship by the University authorities, a development that may be responsible for the keen contest and seriousness shown by the debaters.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Safety of Nigerian child non-negotiable - Opara-Ndudu

ITREALMS:

A front-line  governorship candidate of the  All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2019 gubernatorial  election in Imo State, Hon. Nich Opara-Ndudu, has stated that the safety of  a Nigerian child is non-negotiable, reports ITREALMS.

Opara-Ndudu  stated this on Sunday , in his country  home in Emeukuku,  Owerri  North Local Government  Area of the State , when he felicitated with children across the country.

In his goodwill message to commemorate the 2018 Children’s Day, the Imo  State governorship  hopeful noted that the Children Day provides the country a veritable opportunity to celebrate the young ones and to fully consider the important place they occupy in the heart of the nation as they are future  leaders .

He said that no Nigerian child should go to bed hungry , adding  that they should be adequately taken care of ,especially  as regards their their health  and education as part of the  vision and effort  to make the country strong and a better  society. 

Hon.Opara-Ndudu also insisted  that today marks an important occasion  to rededicate Nigeria to the cause of children , adding that it is a day  the leadership  of the country  should  be committed to doing all in its power to ensure that Nigerian children are protected and empowered to aspire to be great in life, and to remove all impediments in their way.

According  to the Imo former commissioner,  children are the leaders of tomorrow, hope for the future, hence  they are the ones  every Nigerian is depending on to take the country to greater heights in the future. 

For this reason,said the front line APGA candidate ,the Nigerian leadership must ensure their health and well-being. 

He  called on  all Nigerians to do their best to ensure that Nigerian children can live in liberty and in truth, insisting that no Nigerian child should go to bed hungry. Due attention, he said,  must be paid to their health.

He said  that the welfare  of Nigerian  children  is part of his vision to ‘Make Imo Stronger’, adding  that adequate  care must be given to  the  health , safety and education  of children  in Imo State.

 He insisted, that the country must invest in the people by first investing in the Nigerian child.

He said  that children  occupied important  place in APGA programme  which  he said  will be  implemented  to the letter  if given  the mandate to  govern Imo State  in 2019.

 

Hon. Opara-Ndudu  remembers Leah Sharibu and the other Dapchi Girls as well as those Chibok Girls still in captivity, on this symbolic day. 

He affirmed their rights to freedom, to live carefree with their loved ones, to go to school, and for their dreams to remain intact.

He urged all relevant authorities not to relent in the efforts to see that Leah Sharibu and others who are currently being held captive are returned safe and unharmed. 

He also felicitated with the families of all the girls who have been released.

He nothed that the issues of violence against children, child molestation, child labour and other evils committed against children has remained a grave concern.

He congratulated all Nigerian children, even as he enjoined  all  levels of government  in the  country to be proactive in providing  a better future for the Nigerian child.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Hon. Nich Opara-Ndudu

Voiding of Hon. Jubrin's suspension excites AFRICMIL

ITREALMS:

The African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), could not hide its excitement at the weekend following the voiding of suspension of Honourable Abdulmumin Jibrin by the House of Representatives, reports ITRealms.

The court, ITRealms also reports, had ordered that all the salaries due to him be paid for the period he was suspended.

AFRICMIL described the judgment handed down May 24, 2018, by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as the triumph of constitutional democracy and an enduring affirmation of the sanctity of the protection of whistleblowers.

In a statement, Chido Onumah, Coordinator of AFRICMIL, noted that, “It is regrettable that the judgment is coming so late in the day, yet we are delighted that it vindicates good reason as it met the expectations of the teeming lovers and advocates of justice, fairness, equity, and transparent and accountable governance.”

He said it was incontestable that Jibrin’s disclosure of budget fraud in the lower arm of the National Assembly was a patriotic act of whistleblowing done in the interest of the public.

According to Onumah, “Every citizen is legally and morally obliged to report crime. Section 24(b) and (e) of the 1999 constitution as amended empower citizens to do so, and this is much more compelling in a society like Nigeria where rampant corruption at every facet of national life has been identified as the major reason Nigeria has remained under-developed.”

Onumah expressed regret that despite repeated pledges of protecting whistleblowers by top government officials and political office holders, reprisals are routinely being visited upon whistleblowers by persons or groups desperate to cover up improper behaviour. He recalled the cases of Ntia Thompson, an Assistant Director in the Directorate of Technical Cooperation in Africa (DTCA), an agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Murtala Ibrahim, an auditor at the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN); Aaron Kaase, Principal Administrative Officer at the Police Service Commission (PSC) and Joseph Akeju, Chief Lecturer in the department of accountancy, Yaba College of Technology.

According to Onumah, “All were punished for exposing fraud in their offices. Except Kaase who was suspended without pay, all others were sacked. Although Thompson and Kaase were recalled after many months, Ibrahim and Akeju are still battling to go back to their jobs.”

Jibrin’s case is the second after Kaase’s that a court of competent jurisdiction will deliver judgment in favour of the protection of whistleblowers and the legitimacy of whistleblowing as a mechanism for enhancing good governance in the society.

Onumah noted that the protection of whistleblowers from all forms of victimization was important for the success of the whistleblower policy. “Unless people are assured of safety and protection, they will not find the courage to blow the whistle on misconduct,” Onumah said.

Although Jibrin was suspended for 181 days, he served 231 days in suspension. His victory at the court came after 20 months of a winding legal battle.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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Pix: Hon. Jubrin

Christian Democratic Movement urges Christians to care about politics

ITREALMS:

The Christian Democratic Movement (CDM) has urged Nigerian Christians to join politics, obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and become card carrying members of any of the 68 registered political parties in the country, reports ITRealms.

Mr. Wole Adedoyin hinted this while launching two latest of CDM initiatives, the “Christian Leaders Alliance for Politics (CLAP)” and the “Center for Christian Democracy (CCD)” in Lagos recently.

According to him, the Christian world view provides a comprehensive understanding of reality. It speaks to all reads of life, including political engagement, infact, the Bible speaks about civil government and provides examples of faithful engagement.

“Politics have real-world implications for Christian evangelism, missions and preaching the gospel, Christians ought to engage the political process by leveraging their rightful authority, advocating for laws and policies that contribute to human flourishing.”

“Politics is one of the most important areas in which Christians demonstrate love to neighbor. Infact, how can Christians claim to care about others and not engage the arena that most profoundly shapes basic rights and freedoms? Caring for the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and lonely is important.”

“Government plays a role in the work of God’s kingdom on earth. Good government encourages an environment conducive for people living peaceably, whereas bad government festers unrest and instability. Because of sin, the legitimate institution of government has, at times, been used illegitimately. However, numerous examples persist of Christians reasserting their influence and redeeming environment to promote good and restrain evil. “

“Christian witness in the public square contributes transcendent values about moral and ethical issues. Christian withdrawal opens a moral vacuum susceptible to influences that pressure government to move outside the purview designated by God. Politics affects government, shapes society and influences culture. Because of what Bible teaches and the inevitability of its effects on our culture, Christians must care about politics.”

Nenye Dom/ED, Ops

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We’re active in Delta State says Shell

ITREALMS:

The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC), operator of the SPDC Joint Venture, has restated its active presence in Delta State against the belief in some quarters that the multinational energy firm has pulled out of the state, reports ITRealms.

As a proof of its significant footprints in Delta State, the company said it has implemented wide ranging projects in different parts of the state, including the disbursement of N1.88 billion to Global Memorandum of Understanding (GMoU) clusters in host communities and the establishment of a Professorial Chair at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun (FUPRE).

SPDC’s General Manager External Relations, Igo Weli, said this at the presentation of the company’s 2018 Briefing Notes to journalists in Warri last Thursday where he said the company recently donated N600 million facilities to five schools under a Youth Sports and Athletics Development Project (YSADP,) to mark Nigeria’s centenary anniversary.

“These projects show our continuous presence and interest in the development of Delta State,” said Weli who was represented by the company’s Head of Community Interface, Evans Krukrubo. “While it is true that SPDC divested from a number of assets in Delta State in line with our business strategy, and in support of the participation of more Nigerian companies in the oil and gas industry, we are still active in the state, for example, operating Forcados Terminal, flow stations, gas plants and a network of pipelines. There is no better way to relay this message than undertaking projects and initiatives that are helping to rebuild lives and communities in the state.”

The GMoU funding covers the three clusters currently active in Delta State since the inception of the concept in 2006. The Cluster Development Boards (CDBs) like their counterparts in other parts of the Niger Delta, are implementing health and educational projects among others.

The centenary project in Delta State which was inaugurated this month includes the development of an athletic curriculum by Africare, an international NGO, using the American National Collegiate Athletic Association standards, the provision of facilities for long/triple jump, high jump, shot put, javelin, discus and hammer throw in five schools as well as the construction of a 400m six-lane rubberised track at Government College, Ughelli. These facilities have been installed at the highest standards. A key component of the project was the inclusion of 283 athletic and leadership training sessions, academic performance tracking and mentoring. A total of 150 students from across the five project schools benefitted from the leadership programme. Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa had said that the project marked a major turning point in the lives of students and communities.

The Professorial Chair in Light Weight Automobile Engine Development was activated at FUPRE in December last year and is the latest of six established by SPDC JV. The Chair at Effurun is expected to contribute to the growth of local content in Nigeria’s automobile industry. In a bid to boost employment especially among youths, more than 700 young men and women benefited from Shell’s LiveWIRE initiative between 2003 and 2017. Also, a total of 160 students from Delta State have received the SPDC flagship Cradle-to-Career scholarship awards since they were instituted in 2010.

The programme offers fully-funded six-year awards for children from rural communities to attend some of Nigeria’s top secondary schools

Mr. Weli added: “SPDC JV is always prepared and willing to contribute its quota to the development of its host communities in close collaboration with other stakeholders. It is however, necessary for communities to help create a conducive atmosphere to attract and retain investments in the Niger Delta. Violence, vandalisation of pipelines and other anti-social behaviours will not only discourage investments but also impede the holistic development we badly need in the Niger Delta.”

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Pix: L-R: Chairman Warri Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akpokona Omafuaire; Head, Government and Community Relations, The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, Alaye Dokubo; Michael Ikeogwu, State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Delta State Council; SPDC’s Head Community Interface, Evans Krukrubo; and Community Interface Coordinator, Jerry-Gaultney Udjo, at the media presentation of the 2018 Shell Nigeria Briefing Notes to Journalists in Warri, Delta State.

Beyond local content in oil, gas: ICT knowledge export call

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Can Nigeria export het tested Software Application Solutions? Yes, this has been happening unannounced for some time! Today, our innovation potential is weakened by the wedge of global financial Aid. It is therefore time to restore trust in the ability and audacity of Software Applications developed in Nigeria, by Nigerians wherever they may be anywhere in the world. In my professional assessment, the cumulative potentials of ICT Solutions, processes and services currently developed and supported by Nigerians all over the world is worth over 200billlion USD – including unaccounted patents and IP missing in digital action (MIDA).

To avoid emerging catastrophes in Nigeria’s and indeed Africa’s digital future, rethinking our national ICT strategy – beyond local content in Oil & Gas – has become a matter of critical urgency, for many cogent reasons. The first sustainable reason is that our digital destiny and national survivability should not be constructed on financial Aids as is the case presently at almost all levels of development and national security. In the last 60 years, Africa and Nigeria in particular has been going cap-in-hand, in search of and receiving insignificant financial Aids from Donors all over the world. However, Nations of the world that have attained constructive and sustainable development have not only done that through the mastery of science and technology, but conscious access to reasonable financial Grants for national development – but definitely not through Aids.

Secondly, the supersonic speed of digital evolution has accelerated the need and compels us to rethink national development strategies beyond Oil & Gas revenue generation. This can be done by advancing a National Software Strategic Plan, overhauling her inter-generational wisdom-database recourses and applying Innovative and creative ICT knowledge armory for global competitiveness. More than ever before, empowered by her youthful population of more than 65% of the Continent’s 1.28billion people, Africa/Nigeria is presented with an awesome opportunity to conquer knowledge poverty at all levels and enthrone astonishing prosperity beyond Oil & Gas, and devoid of financial Aids.

And thirdly, above all, the diminishing patriotism, audacity of merit and trustworthy content in our national development attitudes and social engagement agenda has become worrisome and constitute a multi-dimensional burden to sustainable development – especially within the ICT Ecosystem practically propelled by digital centrifugal force. Whereas, all the answers we have been searching for driving our sustainable development over the past 60 years have always resided in our skilled human resources and not on financial Aids.

With the TSA (Treasury Singly Account) and similar ICT solutions and services delivered to Nigeria by Nigerians, the nation has indeed arrived at the threshold to embark on the life-time business of knowledge export and support services to many parts of the world. This is why the promotion of inter-generational knowledge solutions – with particular reference to harnessing the National ICT Ecosystem should be our core strategic imperative. Numerous evidences abound and vividly illustrate why this is the wisdom roadmap to our collective destiny and prosperity. In my professional assessment, the cumulative potentials of ICT Solutions and services currently developed and supported by Nigerians all over the world is worth over 200 billlion USD – including unaccounted patents and IP missing in digital action (MIDA).

Problem is, we currently don’t have the commensurate data to proof this, due to the seeming neglect of critical Baseline studies and blatant appointments of non-professionals to deliver the IT-Profession-of Things at many critical levels. The following are glaring example:

The revenue of the Indian ICT (Information and Communication Technology) sector is expected to reach an approximate value of about INR 14,42,839.5 crores (US$ 225 Billion) by the end of 2020 from current level of INR 10,53,434 crores (US$ 164.3 Billion) growing at CAGR of about ~11.1%, reveals the ASSOCHAM-RNCOS study.

The study jointly published by ASSOCHAM and RNCOS has stated that since cloud, mobility, social media and big data analytics are playing significant role in driving growth of software products and continue to drive the need for investments.

Singapore ICT Industry - Outlook. Contribution to Singapore's Economy. • $167.1 billion Industry Revenue (2014). • 30.3 % Domestic Revenue of Industry  https://www.austrade.gov.au ›  Countries and economies › Singapore.

Malaysia: Te National Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Association of Malaysia, or PIKOM, aims to grow the industry’s revenue to RM95 billion by 2017 with its new “5-year strategic direction”. Last year, the national ICT revenue stood at RM57 billion while this year’s projection is expected to be around RM62 billion, according to a study by PIKOM.

Pakistan: The country’s IT industry is set to double by 2020, said the CEO of Pakistan’s national technology fund, increasing from the current worth of $3.5 billion to $7 billion. (source: Express Tribute Sat 19tha may 2018)

.IRELANS: Ireland has become the global technology hub of choice when it comes to attracting the strategic business activities of ICT companies. This has earned Ireland the reputation for being the heart of ICT in Europe. The industry employs over 37,000 people and generates €35 billion in exports annually. The drive is supported through Ireland's 25% R&D tax credit and generous grant support from the IDA. (Source : IDA, Ireland)

CHILE: Johannesburg – Multinational ICT group Datatec’s [JSE:DTC] Logicalis plans to acquire Chilean ICT services and solutions provider, Coasin Chile SA, for up to US$20.8m in cash.

On Tuesday, Datatec announced that a subsidiary of Logicalis Group had signed an agreement to acquire 100% of Coasin Chile, which also has operations in Peru. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2018.

TAIWAN: Taiwan’s science parks are designed and administered to provide ideal conditions for high-tech business operations. The parks also provide excellent environments for developing powerful synergy among clusters of related enterprises, some in nearby industrial parks, and public R&D institutions. Taiwan ranks first in the “state of cluster development” index of the World Economic Forum’s Global Competiveness Report 2013- (Source: Taiwan Republic of China –Government Year 2016).

Many smarter countries have realized that the effect of local-content legislation and policies in the oil and gas industry is not enough, recognizing that the core interface to ensuring maximum results reside in making ICT as the key driving force and critical linkage for promoting progressive and sustainable Local Content agenda. The Software-Nigeria knowledge frontier more than ever before, requires a National Software Strategic Plan and forward-looking legislation as roadmap to the creation of more employment, improved GDP, National Security, Youth empowerment assurances, global competitiveness and national survivability.  

*Courtesy: Chris Uwaje, former president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON)

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European Union's GDPR takes effect globally

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The European Union laws require we give European Union visitors information about cookies used and data collected on ITRealms, other words known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). In many cases, these laws also require you to obtain consent.

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Our responsible is to confirm this notice actually works, and that it displays.

Group Executive Editor

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