‘Tunde Oloyede, a creative genius’

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has described the death of former Village Headmaster Producer, Chief Tunde Oloyede, as a big blow to the creative industry in particular and the nation in general, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Lagos, the Minister told ITRealms that Chief Oloyede's demise has robbed the nation's Creative Industry of a great icon, a creative genius and a passionate advocate of the industry.

He said while Chief Oloyede was a man of many parts, he stood out for his legendary role in the production of the TV drama series, Village Headmaster, which for a long time enraptured Nigerians.

''Chief Oloyede was a key player in the timeless and evergreen Village Headmaster. The industry and the nation remain grateful to him and the other greats who made the TV series a household name in its time, and even now.

''As a notable producer and a former President of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria, Chief Oloyede helped to pave the way for the emergence and success of today's Nollywood, for which the industry remains eternally grateful,'' Alhaji Mohammed said.

As said by the Special Assistant (SA) to Hon Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Segun Adeyemi, the Minister was quoted as also saying, the best tribute that could be paid to the late Chief Oloyede is for the industry practitioners to dedicate themselves to a life of excellence, creativity and hard work, qualities that made him to excel in his chosen career and brought him accolades in his lifetime and after his demise.

He prayed that God will give strength and succour to the family of the deceased, and also grant them the fortitude to bear their irreparable loss.

The Minister also prayed that God will grant eternal rest to the soul of the departed.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Onitsha-Enugu road to receive attention in 2018 - Buhari

ITREALMS:

The President, Muhammadu Buhari has assured that the dilapidated Onitsha-Enugu Expressway would receive attention this years, reports ITRealms.

Making this disclosure in his new year message broadcasted in Nigeria on Monday, January 1, 2018, President Buhari said that Onitsha-Enugu Expressway is among the 25 major highways to be funded under the N100b SUKUK facility.

“Each geo-political zone will benefit by an equal amount of N16.67b,” he declared, and also listed the benefiting major highways to receive special attention to include the Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Way, Oyo – Ogbomosho, Ofusu – Ore – Ajebandele – Shagamu, Yenagoa Road Junction – Kolo Otuoke – Bayelsa Palm, Kaduna Eastern Bypass, Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road, Dualization of Abuja – Lokoja – Benin Road, and Dualization of Suleja – Minna Road.

In addition, he said, Federal Government has approved work to start on the re-construction of Abuja – Kaduna –Zaria–Kano road which is in a state of disrepair.

“Work will soon start and is expected to be completed in 2019,” he said.

Buhari equally blasted some oil marketers who took pride afflict difficulties on Nigerians especially at this period of Christmas and New Year, described the situation as “unfortunate and sad.”

“Instead of showing love, companionship and charity, some of our compatriots chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country,” he said.

According to him, the consequence was that not many could travel and the few who did had to pay exorbitant transport fares, describing that as “unacceptable given that NNPC had taken measures to ensure availability at all depots. I am determined to get to the root of this collective blackmail of all Nigerians and ensure that whichever groups are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again.”

Buhari further promised to get to the root of such unpatriotic attempt to divert his administration from the course they set for themselves.

“Our government's watch word and policy thrust is 'Change'. We must change our way of doing things or we will stagnate and be left behind in the race to lift our people out of poverty and into prosperity,” he assured.

Uboshe Uboshe/GEE

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New Year babies: Nigeria, eight other countries record 200,390 newborns

ITREALMS:

Estimated 200,390 babies were reportedly born on the 2018 New Year’s day globally, reports ITRealms.

The Acting Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, Mr. Terry Durnnian, made this disclosure to ITRealms, saying that the record represents some nine countries under surveillance, just as UNICEF urges nations around the world to ensure the newborns survive their first days of life.

UNICEF pointed out that Kiribati’s Christmas Island, a small island in the Pacific, welcomed 2018’s first baby while the United States, was the last.

Over half of these births, UNICEF noted are estimated to take place in nine countries comprising Nigeria -20,210; India - 69,070, China — 44,760, Pakistan — 14,910, Indonesia — 13,370, United States of America — 11,280, Democratic Republic of Congo — 9,400, Ethiopia — 9,020 and Bangladesh — 8,370.

While many babies will survive, some will not make it past their first day. In 2016, an estimated 2,600 children died every day of the year, on the day they were born. For almost 2 million newborns, their first week was also their last. In all, 2.6 million children died before the end of their first month. Among those children, more than 80 per cent of all newborn deaths are due to preventable and treatable causes such as premature birth, complications during delivery, and infections like sepsis and pneumonia.

 “This New Year, UNICEF’s global resolution is to help give every child more than an hour, more than a day, more than a month - more than survival. We call on the government and partners to join the fight to save the lives of millions children by providing proven, low-cost solutions,” he said.

Over the past two decades, the world has seen unprecedented progress in child survival, halving the number of children worldwide who die before their fifth birthday to 5.6 million in 2016. But despite these advances, there has been slower progress for newborns. Babies dying in the first month account for 46 per cent of all deaths among children under five.

Further, ITRealms reports that next month, UNICEF will launch Every Child Alive, a global campaign to demand and deliver affordable, quality health care solutions for every mother and newborn. These include a steady supply of clean water and electricity at health facilities, the presence of a skilled health attendant during birth, disinfecting the umbilical cord, breastfeeding within the first hour after birth, and skin-to-skin contact between the mother and child.

 “We are now entering the era when the entire world’s newborns should have the opportunity to see the 22nd Century. Unfortunately, nearly half of the children born this year likely won’t. A child born in Sweden in January 2018 is most likely to live to 2100, while a child from Nigeria would be unlikely to live beyond year 2072,” Durnnian said.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2018 New Year Message

For the Records@ITRealms:

I join my fellow citizens this morning to welcome and celebrate the New Year 2018. This year promises to be pivotal in our quest for CHANGE.

Unfortunately, I am saddened to acknowledge that for many this Christmas and New Year holidays have been anything but merry and happy. Instead of showing love, companionship and charity, some of our compatriots chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the country.

The consequence was that not many could travel and the few who did had to pay exorbitant transport fares. This is unacceptable given that NNPC had taken measures to ensure availability at all depots. I am determined to get to the root of this collective blackmail of all Nigerians and ensure that whichever groups are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again.

Such unpatriotism will not divert the Administration from the course we have set ourselves. Our government's watch word and policy thrust is CHANGE. We must change our way of doing things or we will stagnate and be left behind in the race to lift our people out of poverty and into prosperity.

My address to fellow Nigerians this morning is devoted mainly to informing you about the intense efforts this Administration is putting to address our country's huge infrastructural deficit.

We are going to make significant in-roads in advancing road, rail and power projects across the country.

The Ministry of Power, Works and Housing is one of the drivers of this Government’s commitment to renew and increase Nigeria’s stock of infrastructure in order to achieve global economic competitiveness as targeted under the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan.

With regards to Railways, we have set ourselves ambitious targets. Already in construction stage is the Lagos-Kano Standard Gauge Railway.

The line should reach Ibadan from Lagos by the end of 2019 and will carry two million passengers per year and five million tons of cargo will be transported every year giving a substantial boost to the country’s economy.

Construction of the Kano – Kaduna segment is expected to commence this year and reach Kaduna by the end of 2019. By the end of 2021 the two ends will be joined so that we will have standard gauge railway across the main North-South trading route.

The Abuja – Kaduna route will be boosted by additional rolling stock next Thursday and will be able to handle one million commuters annually.

At the same time I have approved and negotiations will be concluded in the first part of this year for the Port Harcourt to Maiduguri line covering Aba, Owerri, Umuahia, Enugu, Awka, Abakaliki, Makurdi, Lafia, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Yola and Damaturu. The Abuja to Itakpe line will go through Baro and terminate in Warri with construction of a new seaport at Warri.

Negotiations are also advanced for the construction of other railway lines, firstly from Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic passing through Kazaure, Daura, Katsina, Jibia to Maradi.

Secondly, Lagos to Calabar the “Coastal Rail” through Ore, Benin, Agbor, Asaba, Onitsha, Sapele, Ughelli, Warri, Yenagoa, Otuoke, Port Harcourt, Aba, Uyo and Calabar. In the next few years, all these Nigerian cities will be linked by functional modern rail systems, giving enormous boost to the social and economic life of our people.

With respect to the Abuja Capital Light Rail, progress has reached 98% completion, as at 64% completion when we assumed office. Only test runs remain before start of operations.

This train service will stimulate economic activities in the Federal Capital and provide residents with an efficient and safe transportation system. Twelve railway sub-stations around the capital over a 45.2 kilometre route will serve as a catalyst and a pull factor to the economy of the area. The Light Rail System will reduce traffic congestion and carbon emission in line with the Administration’s policy on climate change.

Management of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has been reconstituted and has been charged with a 12 week rapid intervention in road repairs to cover all the geo-political zones. Government is undertaking repairs and maintenance of 44 roads within the six geo-political zones.

Twenty five major highways will be funded under the N100b SUKUK facility. Each geo-political zone will benefit by an equal amount of N16.67b. The following major highways are to receive special attention:

a. Oyo – Ogbomosho,

b. Ofusu – Ore – Ajebandele – Shagamu,

c. Yenagoa Road Junction – Kolo Otuoke – Bayelsa Palm,

d. Enugu – Port Harcourt Dual Carriage Way,

e. Onitsha – Enugu Expressway,

f. Kaduna Eastern Bypass,

g. Dualization of Kano – Maiduguri Road,

h. Dualization of Abuja – Lokoja – Benin Road,

i. Dualization of Suleja – Minna Road.

In addition, Government has approved work to start on the re-construction of Abuja – Kaduna – Zaria – Kano road which is in a state of disrepair. Work will soon start and is expected to be completed in 2019.

More Nigerians across the country are experiencing improved power supply to their homes and businesses. However, power remains a concern to this government because too many people still do not have regular and reliable supply.

The Payment Assurance Guarantee Scheme which started in January 2016 has enabled the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader to raise so far N701 billion to assure Generation Companies of at least 80 per cent payment for any power delivered to the national grid.

Consequently, generation has now reached 7,000MW. On December 8, 2017 the country achieved 5,155MW of power delivered to consumers, the highest level ever recorded.

Several moribund projects have been revived. Repairs of Afam Power Station added 110MW in 2017 and another 240MW will be added this year through a private investment partnership.

Katsina Power Project is now being tested and producing 10MW of power from wind for the first time in Nigeria. It should be fully operational this year.

The Zungeru 700MW Hydroelectric Power Project, stalled by court cases is due for completion in 2019. The transmission and other requirements to operate the 30MW Gurara Phase 1 Hydroelectric Plant, the 40MW Kashimbilla Hydroelectric Plant and the 215 MW Kaduna Gas/LPG/Diesel Power Plant will also be completed this year.

A landmark project, Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project is at last taking off. This project has been on the drawing Board for 40 years, but now the engineering, procurement and construction contract for the 3,050MW project has been agreed with a Chinese joint venture Company with a financing commitment from the government of China. Completion is targeted for 2023.

As I mentioned earlier, the Transmission Company of Nigeria can now distribute all the 7,000MW that can be generated. TCN and the Niger Delta Holding Company have added 1,950MVA of 330 down to 132KV transformer capacity of 10 transmission stations and 2,930MVA of 132 down to 33KV transformer capacity of 42 sub-stations including Ikot Ekpene, Aba, Alagbon, Ajah, Ejigbo, Funtua and Zaria.

This Administration is working with the privatised distribution Companies to overcome the continuing challenges of distribution.

These massive public works should spearhead the recovery and lead millions back to employment. You will recall that it was not until last year that we got out of the economic recession into which the country had fallen as a consequence of past unsustainable economic policies which projected short-term illusory growth.

The government is slowly stabilizing the economy.

It was in order to change the steady and steep decline that we adopted the more sustainable policies and programmes captured in the Economic Recovery Plan. Diversification efforts have resulted in improved output particularly in agriculture and solid minerals sectors. The relative exchange rate stability has improved manufacturing sector performance.

We have got to get used to discipline and direction in economic management. The days of business as usual are numbered.

Two years ago I appealed to people to go back to the land. I am highly gratified that agriculture has picked up, contributing to the government's effort to re-structure the economy. Rice imports will stop this year. Local rice, fresher and more nutritious will be on our dishes from now on.

By the same token, I am today appealing to enterprising Nigerians with ideas and unemployed graduates and other able-bodied and literate men and women with ideas not to just sit and wait for employment from the government or the Organized Private Sector. Great nations are built by enterprising people who turn their hands to anything that circumstances dictate.

In respect of political developments, I have kept a close watch on the on-going debate about "Restructuring". No human law or edifice is perfect. Whatever structure we develop must periodically be perfected according to changing circumstances and the country's socio-economic developments. We Nigerians can be very impatient and want to improve our conditions faster than may be possible considering our resources and capabilities. When all the aggregates of nationwide opinions are considered, my firm view is that our problems are more to do with process than structure.

We tried the Parliamentary system: we jettisoned it. Now there are shrill cries for a return to the Parliamentary structure. In older democracies these systems took centuries to evolve so we cannot expect a copied system to fit neatly our purposes. We must give a long period of trial and improvement before the system we have adopted is anywhere near fit for purpose.

However, there is a strong case for a closer look at the cost of government and for the public services long used to extravagance, waste and corruption to change for the better. I assure you that government is ever receptive to ideas which will improve governance and contribute to the country's peace and stability.

As the electioneering season approaches politicians must avoid exploiting ethnicity and religion by linking ethnicity with religion and religion with politics. Such must be avoided at all costs if we are to live in harmony.

In this respect the rest of Nigeria could learn from the South Western States who have successfully internalized religion, ethnicity and politics.

Political discourse should be conducted with civility, decorum and in a constitutional manner. We all have a collective responsibility to strengthen our democracy and entrench the rule of law. We should draw encouragement from the series of bye-elections conducted by INEC last year which were generally violence free and their outcomes adjudged to be free and fair.

Before I conclude my address I must reassure my fellow citizens that security of life and property is still top of our government’s agenda. We have since beaten Boko Haram. Isolated attacks still occur, but even the best-policed countries cannot prevent determined criminals from committing terrible acts of terror as we have seen during the past years in Europe, Asia, Middle East, elsewhere in Africa and in America.

Our government remains determined to protect all Nigerians in line with our election pledge and promises. On behalf of all Nigerians let me offer our thanks to the Armed forces, the Police, other para-military forces and traditional authorities who are working round the clock to ensure that you and I go about our normal business in reasonable safety.

Terrorism and urban crimes are world-wide phenomena and our security forces are continuously adapting their responses to changing threats.

With regard to rampant cases of kidnappings, we are taking immediate short-term measures to combat this new evil creeping into our societies. Tighter police methods and swift and severe punishment for those proved to be engaged in kidnapping are on the way.

With respect to Niger Delta, Government is still engaging responsible leadership of the Communities to help in identifying and addressing genuine grievances of the region. Our clean-up programme in collaboration with the United Nations is making satisfactory progress.

I am grateful to all the Governors and other Political & Community leaders of the Niger Delta States for their part in bringing relative peace to the areas.

Finally let me again express my heartfelt thanks to all Nigerians who prayed for me during my illness last year. I feel deeply humbled by your prayers and good wishes and I am more determined than ever to serve you to the best of my ability.

Good morning. And I wish everyone a Happy New Year.

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WSIS prize 2018 now up for grabs, deadline January 2

ITREALMS:

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) has continued to grow and develop towards the WSIS Forum 2018, with WSIS prize now up for grabs until January 2, reports ITRealms.

The prize, ITRealms gathered would form part of the 2018 WSIS Forum slated to hold in Geneva, Switzerland from 19-23 March 2018.

Vladimir Stankovic of WSIS, CSD, International Telecommunication Union (ITU) said that the annual Forum serves as a platform to discuss how information and communication technologies (ICTs) can accelerate progress on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

The Forum hosted by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and co-organized by ITU, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); provides an opportunity to exchange information and share best practices. It represents the world’s largest annual gathering of the ‘ICT for development’ community.

The annual WSIS Prizes have emerged as a popular and integral part of the WSIS stocktaking process, because they recognize individuals, governments, civil society, local, regional and international agencies, research institutions and private-sector companies for their success in leveraging the power of ICTs as an enabler of development.

ITRealms further reports that deadline for submission of applications is January 2, 2018.

Nonye Dom/GEE

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New Year 2018: Glo expresses optimism in Nigeria

ITREALMS:

The acclaimed national telecommunications company, Globacom, has expressed optimism in the country, advising Nigerians to embrace the New Year with positive outlook and hope for a better and prosperous 2018, reports ITRealms.

Globacom, in a statement in Lagos made available to ITRealms by John Awe, the telco said that 2018 offers Nigerians a unique opportunity to restart their personal, social, economic and other spheres of lives with renewed vigour and passion.

The company which congratulated Nigerians on the successful completion of 2017 and cross over to 2018 stated that the outgoing year was full of challenges, adding that it was a test of Nigerians’ resilience to weather all the storms without giving up.

Globacom expressed strong optimism that with collective hard work, sincerity of purpose, and an enduring commitment to do the right thing always by all, the country’s economic prospects will improve tremendously.

 “The future looks really bright for Nigeria. It can only get better,” Globacom said in the statement, urging Nigerians to renew their hope in the sustenance of the Nigerian project.

Globacom stated further that the economy will continue to improve with hard work and total commitment by Nigerians.

“As a new year rolls in, another opportunity opens for us all to review the past with a view to drawing vital lessons and re-ordering priorities accordingly. Let us forge ahead in love and unity. It will surely be a prosperous year for us all,” Globacom prayed.

The company thanked Nigerians for supporting the brand all through 2017, adding that Globacom is totally committed to delivering unmatchable value to its subscribers in the New Year.

“Our solemn pledge is that we will continue to roll out products and services that meet and exceed the expectations of our subscribers in the New Year, both in terms of innovation and quality of service”, part of the statement read.

Ayo Midele/GEE

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Newton Jibunoh, DESERT WARRIOR, pens his MEMOIRE at 80

Commentary@ITREALMS:

Those who, like me, have read newspaper accounts of Dr Newton Jibunoh's odysseys, would tell you huge stories about his crossing the Sahara Desert by car three times; his activism on desertification and the environment; his love for the Arts; and his obsession for Artifacts.

Apparently those are but only a part of him that he chose to allow flaunted in the media.

Now he has written a book to celebrate his 80th birthday and those things, believe me, are just footnotes in the book. I can say that because I am REVIEWING the BOOK at its public presentation come his birthday in January 2018.

About a year ago, Dr Jibunoh called me up on telephone......

"Hello My brother, I hope I am talking to Engr Titi Omo-Ettu"

"Yes sir I am Titi Omo-Ettu"

"I am Newton Jibunoh"

"Aaah!, good day sir. The DESERT WARRIOR? Yes sir, I am Titi Omo-Ettu. I greet you sir".

"Yessooo, na me o. Thank you very much. I got your No from a mutual friend of ours. Please allow me to bump on you".

"You are welcome sir" and he went straight to business.

"My brother, there is this book I have just completed scripting and it is on its way to my publishers as we speak.

"Wow, that's great sir...." I could not wait to hear of it

"Yessooo my brother, and my plan is to present the book to the public on my 80th birthday which will be on January 1, 2018. I am just wondering if you can kindly accept to be the REVIEWER of the BOOK at the Event.."

"Consider it done sir and i dare say, Sir, that with this, I feel I have received my own reward here on earth while others are waiting to receive theirs in heaven. I am all yours sir. May the Almighty spare our lifes till then and beyond".

Between then and now, I have been very close to this Enigma and soil mechanics guru, and I even spent a night at his Mandela Park in his native Asaba. I have also read the books he wrote earlier and enjoyed a guided tour of DIDI MUSEUM.

I have already secured his permission to share the text of my REVIEW of the new

 BOOK with my friends immediately I am done with it at his birthday celebration in January. Please stay tuned on this platform.

I can say it here rightaway, however, that the book, HUNGER FOR POWER, is about human beings and humanity; power and its enormity; corruption and its venom; the hypocrisy of 'Godliness' and/versus religiosity;... and many more.

There are very deep accounts of personal experiences that befuddle human thoughts and understanding plus the fact that the book is written in the best, most simple usage of the English language. 

What's more, imagine this issue of religiosity which we present to ourselves as godliness, especially here in Nigeria, as he drives it home with a story:

"A very good friend of mine was kidnapped, blindfolded and dumped in the boot of his own car. The kidnappers kept him in their hide-out for  5 days, during which time he learned a few cold facts.

The boys who abducted him were nothing but paid soldiers schooled in the art of abduction. Their masters remain out of sight in the hideout and are responsible for conducting the ransom negotiations. These masters live like Lords and princes, wining and dining scores of girls all the time. Occasionally, the kingpins would plan and launch another abduction raid for fresh victims.

What struck my friend as odd was that before embarking on each raid, they would gather with the boys for prayers and praise worship. My friend was curious to find out who they were praying to until he heard them intone - "in Jesus name."

*Contributed by Titi Omo-Ettu, erudite telecommunication engineer and partners at Telecom Answers

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Ijakadi goes into national festival calendar

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has said the local wrestling contest in Offa, Kwara State, called 'Ijakadi Festival', will now be included in the National Festival Calendar, reports ITRealms.

The Minister, who made this known at the 2017 'Ijakadi Festival' in Offa on Saturday, said the people in charge of the festival will also be trained under a (training) programme for festival managers, being jointly implemented by the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and the British Council.

"It is my pleasure to say that my ministry is going to put this particular festival on our own calendar. We have an MoU with the British Council through which, every year, we train festival managers all over the country. I want to assure you that in 2018, they (Ijakadi festival managers) will benefit from this training," he said.

Alhaji Mohammed assured the organizers that the Federal Government will leverage the power of Information and technology to promote the festival, with a view to attracting domestic and international tourists, thus improving the economy of the state.

He congratulated the organizers of the festival for reviving it in 2012, after over three decades, and said the decision to raise its visibility could not have been timelier, considering the determination of the Buhari Administration to make the Creative Industry a pillar of the economy, under its economic diversification policy.

"What we have come here to celebrate is a history that goes back to the 14th century, and I want to seize this opportunity to congratulate Kabiyesi, the Olofa of Offa, that after almost a hiatus of 30 years, when there was no festival, the festival was reborn in 2012 and every year it's getting bigger and bigger," the Minister said

He said the festival was significant because it is not just about the history of the people of Offa, but a celebration of their virtues of “equity, justice and wisdom”, as well as strength and determination.

Highlights of the Ijakadi Festival include traditional dances, parade by districts, wrestling bouts and horse racing.

Other dignitaries at this year's festival included the Minister of Communication, Mr. Adebayo Shittu, and the Olofa of Offa, Oba Mufutau Muhammed-Gbadamosi, and the President of the Offa Descendants Union, Alhaji Najeemdeen Usman Yasin;

Uj. N. Dominic/ED, Ops

 

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Pix: President of Offa Descendants Union, Alhaji Najeemdeen Usman Yasin; Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Okikiola Muhammed-Gbadamosi, at the 2017 Ijakadi Offa Festival in Offa, Kwara State, on Saturday