Google launches Digital Skills for Africa to Aba - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Google Nigeria has launched its Digital Skills for Africa programme in Aba and other local communities in Abia State, reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this at a press conference held Aba this week, Google said its Digital Skills for Africa programme offers training courses to help individuals and communities develop and grow digital skills, find jobs and advance in their careers.

Also, ITREALMS gathered that the programme provides free online courses, tools, and in-person digital training to students, educators, job seekers and businesses.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the unemployment rate in Nigeria as at December 2017 was 18.8 per cent, about 16 million people and under-employment at 21.2 per cent.

Head, Brand & Reputation, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) at Google, Mojolaoluwa Aderemi-Makinde, said the youth made up 60 per cent of Africa’s unemployed, developing digital entrepreneurship and creating new job opportunities for them is critical to Africa’s transformative growth.

"We’re doing this because we believe that more needs to be done to empower young Africans to succeed in the digital world” Makinde said. 

ITREALMS recalls that Google proclaimed its Digital Skills for Africa initiative in 2016, when it committed to training 1m young Africans within one year. In 2017 it extended the programme for another 5 years in order to reach 10m Africans. 

Last year, Google unveiled plans to help more people in Africa prepare for jobs of the future through local community-focused Digital Skills Training programs. 

In total over 3m people have now acquired different levels of digital skills in 29 countries across Africa via face-to-face training as well as through the online platform - g.co/digitalskills which is available in English, French and Portuguese.

Barrister Chris Ezem, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) representing Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia State Governor, at the Google Digital Skills for Africa launch in Aba said that, “The Government of Abia State is excited to have Google introduce the Digital Skills Training to the business community and local manufacturers in Aba, Abia State; that that will drive business expansion, help to increase sales and create employment opportunities in Abia State.” He further said that, “The world is now a global place as a result of information technology and Abia through the Digital Skills Training by Google will be able to key into the digital narrative, giving Aba, the commercial hub in Nigeria, the needed visibility.”

Onyebuchi Nwigwe, President, Association of Tailors and Fashion Designers (ATFD) in Abia State, expressed appreciation to Google for introducing the Google Digital Skills Training to local manufacturers in Aba, Abia State.

“The association is opened to receive the training from Google because they know that as fashion designers and tailors they will be able to properly compete with their counterparts across the world after they have adopted and introduced the digital skills to their business models,” Onyebuchi said.     

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Imo declares state of emergency on infrastructure, approves N49m on Otamiri water plant - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Imo State Executive Council, Thursday, declared a state of emergency on Infrastructure in the State, even as it approved the sum of Forty Nine Million, Eight Hundred and forty five thousand Naira (N49,845.00) for the rehabilitation of Otamiri Water scheme, Owerri, reports ITREALMS.

The approval followed a recommendation by the Management of Imo Water Corporation, considered by the State Executive Council.

Deputy Governor of the State, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, who presided over the Executive Council meeting, assured stakeholders that the state Government will monitor the rehabilitation process, with a view to ensuring that it is done according to specifications.

He explained that the project will be executed through direct labour, while the approved funds shall be released in tranches.

The Deputy Governor reiterated the resolve of the administration, under the leadership of His Excellency, Chief Emeka Ihedioha to tackle the decay in infrastructure in the state.

The Executive Council also considered reports on the state of infrastructure in Imo, necessitating the resolve to declare a state of emergency on Infrastructure in the state.Adviser, Communications to the Deputy Governor, Dr. Walter Duru, listed among the areas considered for immediate intervention to include the poor state of roads in the state, the flooding challenge, particularly, within the state capital, among others.

Some of the roads considered for immediate attention include: the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede-Ihiagwa-Obinze road, Assumpta- Control Post axis, Mgbidi-Oguta road, MCC-Toronto junction, Aba Bridge-Mbaise road, among others.

The Executive Council also directed relevant authorities to produce the architectural designs of the Tunnels constructed by the immediate past administration, the Orji flyover (which are in very bad shape, with possibility of collapsing) as well as details of all civil works procurement by the immediate past administration in the state.

The Council further resolved that the procurement process for all the award of the identified roads commences immediately.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Msgr. Sylvester Osigweh passes to glory - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos has announced the glorious passage of the Very Rev. Monsignor Sylvester Osigweh, reports ITREALMS.

Archbishop, Metropolitan See of Lagos, Most Rev. Dr. Alfred Adewale-Martins, in a press statement made available to ITREALMS.

“It is with gratitude to God for a life well spent, that we announce the passing unto glory of the Very Rev. Msgr. Sylvester Osigweh, who departed this world on Saturday 22nd June 2019 at the age of 79 years,” he said.

Funeral arrangements, he said, would commence on Thursday, 4th July, 2019 with a farewell mass by 12 noon at Saint Mary Catholic Church, Alaja Ifo, Ogun State.

This, he said, would be followed by vigil masses by 9pm, 12am and 3am respectively at Saints (Ss) Peter and Paul Cathedral, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

On Friday, 5th July, 2019, Archbishop Martins said there would be a funeral mass by 10am at Ss. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

“Interment after mass at Catholic Bishop’s Court, Onikoko, Abeokuta, Ogun State. May God grant his soul eternal rest,” he said.

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Stop arming youths, Imo govt warns community leaders - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Imo State government has warned community leaders to desist from arming youth of the state, reports ITREALMS.

Deputy Governor of Imo State, Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona gave the warning while addressing stakeholders in war-ravaged Agwa clan, Oguta Local Government Area of the State, during a working visit on Tuesday.

According to him, part of the problem “is that some of the youths armed by some of the leaders have become uncontrollable.”

“I am aware that some of the youths causing trouble here were armed by some of the leaders. One of the dangers in arming any youth to do your bidding is that at some point he would become too strong for you to control and he would be doing his own bidding. I want to advise our leaders to stop arming the youths, because if you allow your son to slap an elderly person, time would come when he would slap you because you had taught him to slap an elderly person and nothing would happen”, he said.

He promised that Imo State Government will restore peace in the war-torn community, even as he called on people of the area to support the efforts of Government.

The Deputy Governor noted that the clan has been facing serious security challenges, describing efforts of the leaders of the area in addressing the security challenges as commendable.

“The state government under His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha will ensure that Agwa is safe for the people and conducive for business and government investment. We shall take over this Police Station and complete it and put security here so that the people and whatever investment we make here shall be safe.”

Describing Agwa indigenes as very resourceful, the Deputy Governor lamented the high rate of unemployment in the area, promising to tackle the challenge of insecurity and unemployment in the area.

“These people are very resourceful, but when you have a group of youths that are unemployed you would have this kind of situation. The moment this building is completed and operational we shall move quickly and develop this place and find a way of engaging the youths in a way that they will be useful to themselves, the society and the government.”

He however called on the youths to drop their arms and give the government a chance to develop the place, promising that the state government has great plans to engage them.

“I advise young men to drop their arms, embrace peace and give the government the opportunity to develop this place. We have better things to give you. Just give us a little time and we will develop this place. Those who want to go to school would do so and those who want to learn one trade or the other would have a conducive atmosphere to do so. We shall set up industries and empower you meaningfully. Under the Governor Ihedioha administration, we shall provide electricity here.”

Also speaking, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Ladado assured that the police will restore peace and order in Agwa, promising that the state command would intensify security presence in the area.

“This clan has a record of high rate of crime, but we shall move quickly to address the situation. We shall have interim measures to restore sanity in this place. From today, we shall improve Police presence here. We will establish SARS, Anti-Cultism or Anti-Kidnapping here, pending the actualization of the divisional police.”

Adding his voice, traditional Ruler of Obudi autonomous community, Agwa, HRH Eze I.O. Asor, who spoke on behalf of the six traditional rulers of Agwa clan, said the visit was remarkable.

He lamented the high rate of criminality in the area, saying that the activities of criminals were beyond what they could control.

“The activities of these boys are bigger than we can handle. Since 2015, we do not have police here and we had to go to Oguta or Ohaji-Egbema to get police. It is a distance. The rate of crime here is alarming, from cultism, vandalism, rape, robbery and others. This clan has six autonomous communities but the boys have chased away five of the traditional rulers and I am the only one left here”, he said.

In his speech, Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of Oguta Local Government Area, Hon. Hillary Eberendu expressed gratitude for the Deputy Governor’s visit, assuring that the Interim Management Committee would cooperate with the State Government in ensuring that normalcy returns to the area.

The Deputy Governor was accompanied to the area by the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Rabiu Ladado, senior police officers, political leaders and aides.

Highlight of the event was a visit to some of the communities ravaged by crises, among which are: Umuofeke Autonomous Community and Obeakuma in Mbano Autonomous Community.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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PwC advises Nigeria on reviving dead capital - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The PricewaterhouseCoopers has advised Nigeria on how to revive its dead capital, reports ITREALMS.

According to the latest outlook available to ITREALMS by the company, Nigeria is underperforming and unlocking dead capital is critical to stop this. 

"Our recent paper, Bringing Dead Capital to life - What Nigeria should do, discusses the essence of dead capital and the potential of its effective utilisation," the company stated.

Further, it stated that "We estimate that Nigeria holds at least $300 billion or as much as $900 billion worth of dead capital in residential real estate and agricultural land alone. The high value real estate market segment holds between $230 billion and $750 billion in value, while the middle market carries between $60 billion and $170 billion in value."

There are many forms of dead capital but in this paper, but they focused on real estate.

This report, ITREALMS gathered, estimates the amount of dead capital in residential and agricultural real estate across Nigeria. We also recommend ways in which the estimated capital can be unlocked and leveraged to create value and grow wealth in the economy.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Making new Internet domains work for everyone by UASG - ITREALMS

ForTheRecords@ITREALMS:

Since 2006 the Domain Name System (DNS) has expanded dramatically, not only fueling competition, choice and innovation, but truly enabling a multi-lingual Internet. There are now more than a 1,500 top-level domains (TLDs), many of which are longer than the traditional two- and three- character (e.g. .com, .edu, .nz, and .org) or are in non-ASCII based scripts – such as Arabic, Cyrillic, Devanagari and Thai.

The expansion allows people to claim a domain name that best reflects their sense of identity. While this expansion is critical in bringing the next billion people online and growing the global Internet economy, the incorporation of these new domains across the global Internet is not an entirely automatic process. CIOs, web administrators, application developers and others have an important role to play in making sure their applications are compatible with the evolved Internet infrastructure. That’s why we’re reaching out to make sure you know about this change.

The issue at hand

Many organizations and business have not updated their systems to accommodate the new domains or, in other words, become Universal Acceptance (UA)-ready. As a result, many applications and systems are unable to accept, validate, store, process or display all domain names. This causes problems for organizations and headaches for users because if the applications do not recognize or appropriately process the new domain names or email addresses that use these extensions, it will result in lost customers and a poor user experience.

Resources available to assist you

To address these issues and provide support, stakeholders and industry leaders such as Apple, GoDaddy, Google, ICANN, Microsoft and Verisign, created the Universal Acceptance Steering Group (UASG). The UASG exists to help organizations ensure their systems are UA-ready and able to accept all domain names and email addresses in any valid script.

The UASG has developed several helpful guides and resources which are available at https://uasg.tech/information/. Of particular note is the Quick Guide to Universal Acceptance (UASG005). We encourage you to visit our website and view these useful materials, and to get involved with the UASG (you can join the mailing list at https://uasg.tech/subscribe) so we can work together to fully incorporate these new domains for the benefit of the next generation of Internet users.

*Contributed by Don Hollander, Secretary General, Universal Acceptance Steering Group; a New Zealand-based former CIO for very large domestic and international corporations.

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Yoruba: Only unity'll ensure development says Gov Makinde - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has said that the Yoruba people must remain united if they intend to achieve the much-desired growth in the South West, reports ITREALMS.

The Governor, who was represented at the public presentation of an autobiography titled Awo, by his Deputy, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan, said that without unity there cannot be development.

The book was translated by to Yoruba by Mr. Alao Adedayo, the Publisher of Alaroye Newspaper.

The Governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, decried the security challenges in the Yoruba speaking states and in the nation in general.

According to him, collaboration and exchange of ideas among the South West States would enhance efforts geared towards tackling the insecurity.

He also urged the Yoruba to remain, united, adding that by speaking in one voice the forces of darkness attempting to overwhelm the region would be defeated.

Also speaking at the public presentation, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (III), said that vices such as kidnapping, harassments from herdsmen and other criminality have enveloped Yoruba land.

He said: "What is worrisome is that most of the herdsmen perpetrating these criminal activities are alleged to be non-Nigerians, but migrants from some West African countries.

"The Yoruba are proud of their harmonious relationship with indigenous Fulani.”

The monarch also stated that the solution to the current security challenges lies in restructuring of our federal system, noting that the central government was is too powerful.
In his contribution at the event, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, said that the Yoruba were against Federal Government's proposed cattle ranches in the South West states and other Yoruba- speaking towns and villages in Kogi and Kwara states.

He also cautioned Governors of the South West states against ceding any portion of their for the purpose of Cattle ranch adding that everyone must close ranks to tackle insecurity.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Alaafin of Oyo, Prof. Bamiji Akintoye, a representatives of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Chief Kessington Adebutu, Pa Ayo Adebanjo and the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria, PLC, Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu among many other Yoruba leaders.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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UNICEF, EU demand clean water, toilets in all Nigerian schools - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Some 4,500 people in Riyom local government area of Plateau State, north-central Nigeria will benefit from improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities following the commissioning of a communal solar driven motorized water facility and WASH facilities in a school which include gender segregated latrines and a handpump, reports ITREALMS.

The facility built with support from the European Union (EU), ITREALMS gathered, would go a long way towards ensuring that every child in Nigeria has access to safe WASH services. 

“Children who do not have safe access to WASH, are most likely to lose interest in pursuing learning opportunities because they are forced to spend more time in search for water during school hours or stay out of school to recover from illness caused by frequent episodes of diarrhea,” says Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative.

According to the data from the WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH NORM), as many as 47 million Nigerians practice open defecation, only 11 percent of Nigerians have access to complete basic water, sanitation and hygiene services and only 13 percent of schools have access to basic water and sanitation services.

The ripple effect of this is that more than 100,000 children under five years of age die each year due to water borne diseases like diarrhea, of which 90 percent is directly attributed to unsafe water and sanitation.

“Clean water, basic toilets and good hygiene practices are critical for the survival and development of children. Without these basic needs, the lives of millions of children are at risk. We must do better for children by prioritizing WASH on the development agenda,” Ambassador Ketil Karlsen, Head of EU Delegation in Nigeria said.

The European Union Ambassador explains that ending open defecation and making water, sanitation, and hygiene services available to children in rural Nigeria is one of the biggest challenges in Nigeria, construction and management of which requires sustained investments and more partnerships.

In November 2018, the Nigerian president declared a state of emergency in the WASH sector, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment for eliminating open defecation and launched a national campaign with an objective of achieving Open Defecation Free (ODF) status by 2025.

The EU through UNICEF and other development partners is supporting the government of Nigeria to protect the rights of children through the provision of access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services in needy locations within the country.

The EU funded programmes support WASH projects in urban and rural areas through the provision of water schemes, technical assistance and capacity development to sector institutions and agencies responsible, and improved access to safe water, adequate sanitation and hygiene services in communities. 

The European Union has has invested more than 250 MEUROs in the Nigerian water sector improving the WASH conditions of more than 10 million people in 14 States. Working towards achievieng the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) is a priority for the EU and Nigeria. SDG 6 ensure access to clean and sustainable water for all.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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ITU Telecom World goes to Hungary - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Decision-makers from the technology industry and governments across the globe will assemble from 9-12 September at Hungexpo, Budapest, Hungary to exhibit, debate, network and reward innovation at ITU Telecom World 2019, the leading United Nations global technology event for governments, corporates and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), reports ITREALMS.

The annual event, ITREALMS gathered is organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and this year's event is hosted by the Government of Hungary.

According to ITU team, technology can achieve results at a scale, speed, quality, accuracy and cost not imaginable just a decade ago. They are means to deliver quality goods and services in the areas of health care, education, finance, commerce, governance and agriculture, among others. They can help to reduce poverty and hunger, boost health, create new jobs, mitigate climate change, improve energy efficiency and make cities and communities sustainable.

At ITU Telecom World, participants will discover tech innovations, solutions and opportunities from around the world, hear from top decision-makers on the need for international collaboration to ensure digital technologies transform lives positively everywhere and meet those being recognized for their innovation at the ITU Telecom World Awards.

The International audience comprising C-level industry executives, government leaders, ministers and regulators of ICT and related sectors (finance, transport and health), digital visionaries, global media, consultants, academia and the flourishing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) community from across both developed and emerging markets.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Konga offers 90% to celebrate 7th anniversary - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Acclaimed Nigeria’s composite e-commerce giant, Konga, has unveiled massive discounts up to 90 per cent to celebrate its 7th anniversary, reports ITREALMS.

The commemoration of the anniversary will witness a mouth-watering discount sale covering a wide range of products including electronics, mobile phones, tablets, fashion, wine/spirits, home appliances, computers/accessories, Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and much more.

The Konga 7th Anniversary sale will run from June 24th to July 7th 2019.

Shoppers on Konga will enjoy amazing offers including flash sales and treasure hunt. There are also special deals and offers for visitors to its nationwide network of stores.

Furthermore, shoppers stand to enjoy free delivery nationwide on orders above N15,000 from Konga warehouse.

Head of Marketing, Chidalu Ekeh explained that Konga’s commitment to customers in the past seven years is borne out of deep appreciation for their patronage and loyalty. She added that this comes with an unbeatable offer of best prices and quality products.

“We’ve been able to serve our customers exceptionally these past seven years and that is down to our innovations in technology, swift delivery, cutting-edge service and other interventions that have improved the shopping experience.

“We are closest to Nigerians with the establishment of over 30 experience stores in major locations across the nation. Added to this is the presence of massive regional warehousing facilities that cater to the needs of our growing database of merchants and customers. The Konga Marketplace, a structure we pioneered, remains the best and most trusted online marketplace on this side of the Atlantic.

“We have also expanded the suite of offerings through Konga Pay, a Central Bank of Nigeria-licensed mobile money e-wallet as well as Konga Travel which remains the first omni-channel travel booking agency in Nigeria with best deals. Furthermore, Kxpress, our in-house logistics arm, is a world class company that has resolved the thorny issue of last mile delivery to our teeming customers nationwide. This is in addition to handling critical deliveries to external parties.

“We are excited with the journey and our aim is to go the extra-mile in satisfying our customers – a reason we crashed our prices to make the offers juicy.

With our effective customer service, we have the capacity to attend to and resolve feedbacks promptly. Our customers also have a range of payment options to choose from including payment on delivery, online payment through Konga Pay, payment on collection, cash payment in the store, payment through Visa, payment through USSD and much more,” she concluded.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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