Judicracy and fairness in unfair - ITREALMS

Commentary@ITREALMS: 

Preamble:

Abraham Lincoln described democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people” during the American civil war in 1863. His notion later became the often quoted definition of democracy and a benchmark of rating its success globally. More than a few nations have actualized Lincoln’s thought, but Nigeria is lagging behind. Her quasi-democratic arrangement is what the writer terms Judicracy: representative government via the verdict of law lords. J-u-d-i-c-r-a-c-y is a flawed democratic system in which the court repeatedly determines who rules, instead of the electorates.

2019 general election is the worst in Nigeria’s history as it produced the highest ever, about a thousand lawsuits. Virtually all the governorship election outcomes were challenged up to the Supreme Court. The judgments issued bagged no dispute, except that of Imo and Bayelsa States. In Imo, the lordships sacked Emeka Ihedioha of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the fourth winner. Despite the unprecedented controversy and protests this sparked, the Supreme Court courageously made another upset in Bayelsa by nullifying David Lyon’s mandate barely a day to his inauguration.

The Bayelsa Case

Two lawsuits emerged from the Bayelsa 2019 governorship election. The first is an intra-party candidacy tussle between Hieneken Lokpobiri and David Lyon, both of the APC. The Supreme Court ruled in the case that Lyon was validly nominated. The other lawsuit is an inter-party, deputy governorship candidate qualification case, instituted against the APC by the PDP. Lyon’s running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremieoyo was accused of forgery and perjury. The Supreme Court pronounced him guilty, and consequently sacked him and Lyon on the basis of their joint ticket. Lyon did no wrong, but was fired for the sins of Eremieoyo. The judgment is both fair and unfair.

Why the Judgment is Fair

It is fair to sack persons who aspire to rule or are ruling with false documents. Eremieoyo’s deputy-governorship nomination form shows he has answered five different names since he was born. In his first school leaving certificate dated 1976, Eremieoyo bore the name Degi Biobaragha. He bore the name Adegi Biobakumo in his o-level results dated 1984 and Degi Biobarakuma in his bachelor’s degree dated 1990. Also, he bore the name Degi Biobarakuma Wangagha in his master’s degree dated 2002 and he’s currently bearing Degi-Eremieoyo Biobarakuma. One person. Five names.

Eremieoyo’s trial judge proclaimed that only a woman who’s been married five times could have changed names the way Eremieoyo did. My take is Eremieoyo may have been a fraudster who kept changing names to conceal his identity and wrongdoings. Before the advent of fingerprint technology, fraudsters conceal their identity by changing names and appearance.

Eremieoyo’s counsel and apologists argument that his periodic change of name was as a result of the chieftaincy titles he bagged holds no water. Traditional honors rarely require name change; the titles are only placed before the recipient’s conventional name. Though not impossible, it is very rare to come across honors that would require a total change of name. Bola Tinubu’s name didn’t change when he was made the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom. Also, Atiku Abubakar’s name didn’t change when he was turbaned the Waziri of Adamawa Emirate. Even kings don’t change names after coronation.

Nigerians are comparing President’s Muhammadu Buhari’s certificate and identity controversy case to Eremieoyo’s, but the facts are different. Buhari presented an affidavit and a re-issued copy of his disputed result to the court, while Eremieoyo only presented an unverifiable affidavit. Besides, in Buhari’s case, the spelling of ‘Muhammadu’ only changed to ‘Mohammed,’ on a single occasion and Islamic clerics clarified that both names are one and the same. On the other hand, Eremieoyo’s name changed significantly, sometimes completely, multiple times. God forbid a Nigeria where the court would free such a dubious personality to govern despite convincing evidence. Cry or smile, the Supreme Court judgment is fair.

The implication of allowing Eremieoyo rule Bayelsa is grievous. Every deputy governor is a governor-in-waiting. If Lyon had been sworn-in and (God forbid) dies in office, Eremieoyo will take over. By then, the same Eremieoyo the lordships fail to sack will be appointing judges to do his bidding and hounding those who fail to. The same Eremieoyo that has no clean record and certificate will be commanding professors who have many degrees and appointing vice chancellors. Haba! Nigerians should be grateful to the Supreme Court for saving Bayelsa State from such catastrophe.

APC’s failure to act right made her pay the hard price. Eremieoyo shouldn’t have been nominated, or better still, the party should’ve replaced him in the wake of the scandal. The court did no wrong to have enforced the law made by APC members for themselves and the national laws, made by the legislature in which APC is in the majority.

APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole’s aspersion on the judiciary over the Bayelsa judgment is dishonorable. He should rather resign for failing in oversight. If the party he leads deliberately fail to obey legitimate laws and the court decides to punish accordingly, how dare him utter unfair!

It is indeed a great loss to APC members and chieftains, but protesting Eremieoyo’s sack in the face of overwhelming evidence is a display of sophisticated foolishness. Will any of them, as an employer, retain an employee that secures a job under them with false identity and fake certificate? In this case, Bayelsa people lack the power to sack Eremieoyo for his dishonesty, but the constitution empowers the court to, and that has been done. Instead of belittling the lordships, they should be praised for acting right. Eremieoyo’s sack is fair and should not end there. He should be prosecuted for bringing pain to APC and Lyon.

Why the Judgment is Unfair

The Supreme Court’s verdict is deserving on Eremieoyo, but unfair to Lyon. Recognizing two persons as one is an unfair custom that will always make the guiltless sink with the guilty. That is not justice. If a father cannot be imprisoned for the crime of his son despite their blood ties, it is absolutely unfair to punish Lyon for the crime of Eremieoyo, a nonrelative.

Moreover, Lyon has been a businessman all along, while Eremieoyo is a career politician. Based on the difference in their yesteryear engagements, the governorship election is probably the first relationship between Lyon and Eremieoyo. There is word on the street that Lyon never chose Eremieoyo as running mate. He was imposed on him by the minister of state for petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva and the APC national chairman, Adams Oshiomhole. With the lordships awareness of the rampancy of imposition in Nigerian politics, crucifying Lyon with Eremieoyo is not justice. It is, in my opinion, a miscarriage of it.

Lyon shouldn’t suffer for Eremieoyo’s misdeed, especially when he never partook in the crime. The judgment would have been fair on Lyon if he’s complicit, but he’s not. With the judges’ awareness of such fact, it is unfair to waste Lyon’s 352,552 votes because his deputy broke the law. Such verdict is an injustice to the electorates that voted Lyon and his party, the APC.

Duoye Diri, the PDP candidate who lost at the ballot shouldn’t have been foisted on Bayelsans by the court. Such action will lead to an increase in political apathy. Electorates will no longer troop out to vote because the court may upturn their will. With apathy, rigging will increase and democracy will die slowly. To my mind, it is undemocratic for the court to keep installing those who lost at the ballot. It happened in Zamfara, and now Bayelsa state. The law should be amended if necessary and politicians must endeavor to always play by the rules.

A number of Supreme Court judgments states that votes are for the parties and not the candidates. This is premised on the reason that the names of candidates don’t appear on the ballot; only the parties’ logo appear. In this respect, it is disappointing that the lordships annul 352,552 votes when some previous judgments can be referenced and applied to save APC’s mandate. The judges should have protected APC’s vote, but punish Eremieoyo. Ordering that he be replaced with another person would have been just. Although the Supreme Court has the power to judge as it pleases, the adverse implication of the judgments on lives and properties must be considered, especially in sensitive cases.

Kogi State’s 2015 governorship election tussle also establishes the inconsistency of the Supreme Court. When candidacy dispute arose after Abubakar Audu’s demise during the Kogi election, the Supreme Court denied his running mate, James Faleke the chance to inherit the votes of the Audu-Faleke ticket. The mandate was surprisingly given to Yahaya Bello, who was selected by the APC to replace Audu. If Faleke wasn’t allowed to inherit the mandate of Audu, then it’s a miscarriage of justice to drag Lyon into Eremieoyo’s conviction. The logic is simple. Since Faleke wasn’t allowed to profit (positively) from Audu, it is unfair to make Lyon profit (negatively) from Eremieoyo.

The people of Bayelsa felt PDP hasn’t served them well, so they voted the APC. Upturning their decision means the court is forcing them to remain under the rule of an unwanted government. Such action itself is a murder of the democracy and rule of law the court is trying to protect.

Since Eremieoyo’s qualification case is a pre-election matter, justice would have been appropriately served if the ruling was given before the election. Democracy would’ve still manifest even if APC was denied participation. Several parties fielded candidates and the people may decide to vote massively for any them if they don’t want the PDP. With that, the leadership production process remains democratic and the people’s right of choice remains protected. The law must be amended to effect this.

A more sad side of the unfairness of the Supreme Court’s verdict is the cost and emotional effects on Lyon’s families, followers and political associates. It would have been kind if the judgment was delivered a week earlier. Governorship inauguration is a big ceremony in Nigeria. Even if Lyon chose to celebrate low key, his nearest and dearest would blow the trumpet with their personal fund.

Think about the level of preparation that would have been in place before Lyon was sacked some few hours to his inauguration. Special attire for the occasion (aso-ebi) have been bought and sown; cows have been slaughtered and stewed; wines have been iced; guests have started landing from across Nigeria and abroad; and all hotels had been booked. Furthermore, Lyon had rehearsed how to inspect the guards of honor and people were already addressing him as ‘Your Excellency.’ Even the President was preparing to grace the inauguration. But, all of a sudden, the Supreme Court threw Lyon into confusion. He was disgraced few hours to his glory for a crime he never committed. That’s unfair!

The Supreme Court should have kindly reduced the emotional and cost effects by issuing the judgment earlier, at least a week or two before the inauguration. Perhaps the judgment was delivered late to teach APC a bitter lesson for failing to learn from the annulment of its candidacy in Zamfara and Rivers States.

End Note

It is unfortunate that the court that is expected to be the last hope of the common man is now taking away the wishes of the common man in Nigerian elections. Judicracy is not good for Nigeria. It is a recipe for crisis that may tear the nation apart. Election must start and end at the ballot. Shifting the contest to court is distracting the APC and PDP from concentrating on governance. Both are devoting their energy and resources on winning in court, rather than tackling the nation’s challenges.

Certificate may not be the perfect means of measuring intelligence, but it is the global standard of confirming that an individual have passed through the rigor of acquiring knowledge and proficiency. Eremieoyo’s ordeal is a lesson for everyone to get some education and always act right. Although Nigerian courts sometimes fail to command justice on apparently guilty influential persons, Eremieoyo’s conviction may be beginning of the long-expected turnaround. The three arms of government must collaborate to address the flaws and lacunas in the laws. They must also devote attention to strengthening the institutions and the electoral process.

Lyon’s misfortune shouldn’t be the end of his political career. President Buhari should appease him with a major appointment. The APC should also give him an automatic ticket in the next election. On the other hand, PDP should not over rejoice as it may suffer the same tragedy if it doesn’t learn from APC’s mistake. Nigerian politics is an intriguing, suspense-filled, unending movie. New issues keep evolving each time the population thinks they’ve seen it all. It won’t be a surprise, if for the first time, the Supreme Court reverse either the Imo or Bayelsa verdict. Even at that, politicians must always abide by the rules, else the court will keep determining who rules.

*This piece is an innocent analysis and not an aspersion on the integrity of the Supreme Court. The writer, Omoshola Deji has profound respect for the judges, their decisions and the institution they represent. Deji is a political and public affairs analyst. He wrote in via moshdeji@yahoo.com

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2020 Anzisha dangles USD100,000 prize @10-yr commemoration - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Anzisha Prize–Africa’s premier award and fellowship for Africa’s youngest entrepreneurs, is excited to announce that the 2020 call for applications is now open to mark the 10th year commemoration with some USD100,000 prize, reports ITREALMS.

Every year, ITREALMS gathered, the prize celebrates 20 African entrepreneurs, aged 22 years and younger, each of whom have a chance to win a shared prize of US$100,000. The grand prize winner receives US$25,000, the 1st runner-up US$15,000, and 2nd runner-up US$12,500. Every finalist receives US$2,500.

In addition to the cash prize, selected entrepreneurs will join 120 previous winners and become Anzisha Fellows, receiving business consulting support and coaching services by a team of industry experts. They also gain access to the Young Entrepreneurs Fund – a catalytic matching fund designed to strengthen the credibility of very young entrepreneurs through investment.

“It has been an exciting 10-year journey with some of the continent’s brightest and youngest entrepreneurs. With the help of key partners and those who share in our vision, we’ve been able to support and celebrate very young entrepreneurs who represent the diversity of the African continent; entrepreneurs who tackle youth unemployment with vigour and courage beyond their years,” says, Melissa Mbazo-Ekpenyong, Deputy Director of the Anzisha Prize.

To celebrate the decennial, the Anzisha Prize has planned five regional events across the continent, including South Africa, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, and Kenya. The events end in October with the Anzisha Prize Forum in Nairobi, Kenya where the 2020 winners will be announced. Each event is designed to catalyze conversations around youth entrepreneurship and to gather key stakeholders within the entrepreneurship landscape to collaborate with and support these young entrepreneurs.

“The Anzisha Prize has grown to become a holistic and comprehensive prize program that celebrates, nurtures, and advocates on behalf of Africa’s young job creators,” says Daniel Hailu, Regional Head Eastern and Southern Africa Programs, Mastercard Foundation. “Ensuring young entrepreneurs have a clear pathway to learn and succeed is a core component of the Mastercard Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy, and we encourage entrepreneurs, especially young women to apply.”

Young African entrepreneurs between the ages of 15-22 years old, who are running job generative businesses, are encouraged to apply before 31 March 2020. Past winners of the prize include 2019 grand prize winner, education entrepreneur, Yannick Kimanuka (http://bit.ly/2STVncc) from Democratic Republic Congo (DRC). Yannick grew up in the war-torn North Kivu eastern Province of DRC where she saw the effect that conflict had on schools in her community and vowed to empower children by increasing access to quality education. By the age of 20, Yannick founded KIM’s School Complex – a nursery and primary school which aims to improve the education of young children in her community.

As the program continues to influence and inspire young people to seek entrepreneurship as a career path, the road ahead is a promising one. To encapsulate the last 10 years of the program, the Anzisha Prize has chosen the word 'Sankofa' in the Ghanaian Twi language, which means "We have the capacity to revisit the past and extract knowledge and wisdom that we need to remake the future".

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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N15m FOI suit against UNILAG: Journalist scales first hurdle - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The award-winning investigative journalist, Ms Tobore Ovuorie, has won the first round of her N15 million lawsuit against the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and its Vice-Chancellor at a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged unlawful breach of the Freedom of Information Act and her right of access to information, reports ITREALMS.

The presiding judge, Justice Maureen Adaobi Onyetenu, who granted her leave to proceed with her action to compel UNILAG to obey the Law, fixed March 4, 2020 for further hearing on the matter.

With the court’s decision on the preliminary motion, the stage is now set for the hearing of the substantive suit, initiated on behalf of Ms Ovuorie by Lagos-based lawyer, Mr. Agu David Nwaze, a member of the Freedom of Information Legal Response Network, established by Media Rights Agenda (MRA).

ALSO READ: For denial of FOI request: Journalist sues UNILAG for N15m - ITREALMS

In the suit, in which the Attorney-General of the Federation is also joined as a respondent, Ms Ovuorie is seeking:

· A declaration that the failure and/or refusal by UNILAG to proactively publish certain information in its custody as specified in Section 2(3) of the FOI Act and widely disseminate the information as required by Section 2(4) of the Act amounts to a violation of her right of access to information, established and guaranteed by Section 1(1) and 2(4) of the Act;

· A declaration that the failure and/or refusal by Unilag to proactively publish the title and address of its appropriate officer to whom applications for information should be sent as required by Section 2(3)(f) of the FOI Act amounts to a violation of her right of access to information established and guaranteed by Section 1(1) and 2(4) of the Act;

· A declaration that the failure and/or refusal by Unilag to comply with Section 13 of the FOI Act under which it is obliged to train its staff and officials on the public’s right of access to information and records held by it for the effective implementation of the Act amounts to a violation of her right of access to information under the Act;

· A declaration that the failure of Unilag to widely disseminate and make readily available to members of the public information about its activities as required by Sections 2(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the Act through print, electronic, online media and at the Head office of the institution amounts to a flagrant violation of the provisions of the Act;

· A declaration that the failure of Unilag to submit to the Attorney-General of the Federation its annual reports on its implementation of the FOI Act amounts to a violation of Section 29(1) and (2) of the Act;

· An order of mandamus compelling Unilag to comply with the provisions of Section 2(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5) of the FOI Act by widely disseminating and making readily available to members of the public by print, electronic, online media and at the Head office of Unilag the activities, records and information specified under these provisions of the Act;

· An order of mandamus compelling Unilag to train its officials on the public’s right of access to information and records held by the institution for the effective implementation of the Act as required by Section 13 of the Act;

· An order compelling Unilag to submit its annual report for the year 2018 and those of previous years, on its implementation of the FOI Act to the Attorney-General of the Federation, as required by Section 29(1) of the Act; and

· The sum of N15 million as exemplary and aggravated damages for the unlawful violation of her right of access to information established and guaranteed by Sections 1(1) and 4 of the Act.

At the preliminary hearing, Ms Ovuorie’s lawyer, Mr. Nwaze, moved three separate motions for an extension of the time allowed by Law for her to file her suit; for leave of the court to apply for judicial review of the actions of UNILAG; and for an order to abridge the time within which the court should hear and determine all pending applications.

Justice Onyetenu granted the three applications and adjourned the matter to March 4, 2020 for further hearing.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Scientists identify 24 genetic varaints on women to endometrial cancer - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

An analysis of 149 scientific studies has identified 24 genetic variants which predispose women to endometrial cancer, reports ITREALMS.

The systematic review, led by Emma Crosbie, Professor of Gynaecological Oncology from The University of Manchester, part of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), could help scientists develop targeted screening and prevention strategies for women at greatest risk of the disease.

Although each genetic variant, called single nucleotide polymorphysms (SNPS), changes cancer risk by a small fraction, when all 24 variants are combined in a so-called polygenic risk score, women who score within the top 1% have a risk of endometrial cancer more than three times higher than the average risk.

Published in the Journal of Medical Genetics, the study is the most comprehensive systematic review carried out to critically appraise the evidence on genetic variants implicated in predisposition to endometrial cancer.

The team was based at The University of Manchester, University of Cambridge and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, and was funded by the NIHR Manchester BRC.

“Manchester BRC’s cancer prevention and early detection research is helping transform the latest scientific breakthroughs in endometrial cancer, into lifesaving screening and treatments for patients.” said Professor Crosbie, BRC Cancer Early Detection Lead.

“Because many of the studies carried out to date have been of variable quality, we felt it was important to understand more fully genetic predispositions to endometrial cancer. We hope our work will facilitate personalised risk assessment so that prevention and screening could be targeted more efficiently.”

She added: “These genetic variants linked to endometrial cancer risk are involved in cell survival, oestrogen metabolism and transcriptional control - when the information stored in our DNA is converted into instructions for making proteins or other molecules.

“Studies with larger cohorts are needed to identify more variants with genome-wide significance but until data from larger and more diverse cohorts are available, these twenty-four SNPs are the most robust common genetic variants that affect endometrial cancer risk.”

The research is an important milestone in the study of endometrial cancer, the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women and the 15th most commonly occurring cancer overall according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

In the UK there are about 8,600 new cases per year according to Cancer Research UK.

The team searched 2,674 abstracts, narrowing them down to 149 papers which were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Specifically, genetic variants in HNF1B, KLF, EIF2AK, CYP19A1, SOX4 and MYC were strongly associated with the cancer.

Nineteen variants were reported with genome-wide significance and a further five with suggestive significance.

They found no convincing evidence for the widely studied MDM2 variant rs2279744 as a risk factor.

She added: “These genetic variants linked to endometrial cancer risk are involved in cell survival, oestrogen metabolism and transcriptional control - when the information stored in our DNA is converted into instructions for making proteins or other molecules.

“Studies with larger cohorts are needed to identify more variants with genome-wide significance but until data from larger and more diverse cohorts are available, these twenty-four SNPs are the most robust common genetic variants that affect endometrial cancer risk.”

The research is an important milestone in the study of endometrial cancer, the sixth most commonly occurring cancer in women and the 15th most commonly occurring cancer overall according to the World Cancer Research Fund.

In the UK there are about 8,600 new cases per year according to Cancer Research UK.

The team searched 2,674 abstracts, narrowing them down to 149 papers which were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Specifically, genetic variants in HNF1B, KLF, EIF2AK, CYP19A1, SOX4 and MYC were strongly associated with the cancer.

Nineteen variants were reported with genome-wide significance and a further five with suggestive significance.

They found no convincing evidence for the widely studied MDM2 variant rs2279744 as a risk factor.

Neny Dom/Editor

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Oyo State inaugurates Park Managers in 33 LGs. quarry parks - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Oyo State Government has inaugurated the Park Managers in 33 local governments across the state, reports ITREALMS.

Also inaugurated on Monday are the two Disciplinary Committees which are to intervene whenever conflicts arise between the Oyo State Government and Park Managers on the operations of the parks.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Professor Raphael Afonja, who inaugurated the Park Managers and the Disciplinary Committees at the Conference Hall of the Ministry, said that the new Park Management System, PMS, would bring sanity in the management of motor parks in the state.

Afonja, who further clarified that the Park Managers will be coordinated by a Consultant to ensure compliance with the terms of reference, while the Disciplinary Committees would intervene where there are issues between the State Government and the Park Managers, stated that the new Park Management System (PMS) would aid the efforts of the state government to double the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) in inherited from the previous administration.

The Commissioner said: “This instruction was given by His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. It is a new PMS that we are implementing. We are trying this to make sure we bring in a better structure into our motor parks and garages.

“Soon, other things like infrastructure will fall in place. So, for the main time, these people have been assigned to take charge of the parks on behalf of the state government.”

He added that the new PMS architecture has no links with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), as according to him, the managers were engaged by the government to ensure that financial leakages are blocked and that “there is increase in the internal revenue of the state.”

He stated: “This is not a union matter at all, as the PMs are basically employed by the state government. One of the things the governor is doing is to ensure that leakages are blocked and that there is an increase in the revenue of the state. So, that is why we have this management system in place; to coordinate on behalf of the government.

“Another reason that the governor is doing this is to avoid violence among the unionists, because our people feel insecure whenever issues of NURTW come up in the state.

“If there is anyone who, in some way, wants to threaten the peace of the state, such a person will face the wrath of the law. Governor Makinde is the number one citizen of this state and he has all rights to do what is good for the people of the state.

“We are asking the PMs and the committees to make sure that there is no traffic congestion in our state. They should coordinate Parks and make sure that the revenues, which the state is entitled to, get into the state coffers. These are the things this government is concerned about.”

He listed members of the Motor Park Disciplinary Committee as including Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi as the Chairman; Alhaji Jimoh Tajudeen as vice-chairman and Alhaji Wasiu Omolewa, as secretary.

He also named Mr. Wasiu Yekeen Olawale as the Chairman, Oyo State Tipper and Lorry Disciplinary Committee.

“Strictly speaking, the Disciplinary Committees are to concern themselves with disciplinary issues arising from the operations of the PMs in relation to the terms of reference. In reality, they are not involved in the day-to-day management and operations of the parks,” the commissioner added.

While speaking as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, Alhaji Lamidi clarified that he was not selected into the Committee because of his links with the NURTW, adding that his appointment as Disciplinary Committee chairman “is different from his role as a union member.”

He said: “First, let me thank God. I also appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde and God will always guide his steps aright. I want to assure the people of Oyo State that this position we have assumed is different from that of the union. It is very different because the governor said he does not want to hear about union in this state until all our internal crises are resolved.

“By God's grace, I am assuring the people that we will be positive role models. We will work hard to ensure that peace reigns in this state and the park fee that is currently on the high side will even reduce.

“I also want the people to know that we have resolved and are really ready to help the government to get enough funds to boost the internally generated revenue of the state in a peaceful manner.”

Ayo Midele/Editor

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Tinubu to el-Rufai: Your reputation as public servant eager to confront challenges well deserved - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

 

The national leader of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has felicitated with Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, on his 60th birthday, reports ITREALMS.

He said el-Rufai's reputation "as a public servant eager to confront challenges is well deserved". Kaduna State governor clocks 60 on Sunday, February 16, 2020.

The former Lagos governor said whether as Director-General of BPE, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory or Governor of Kaduna State, el-Rufai served to the best of his abilities with unquestionable zeal and energy.
Asiwaju Tinubu's congratulatory message to the Kaduna State governor was released on Saturday by his Media Office and signed by Tunde Rahman.

In the message, the APC leader said: "I congratulate Mallam Nasir el -rufai on turning 60.

Whether as Director-General of BPE, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory or Governor of Kaduna State, you have served to the best of your abilities with unquestionable zeal and energy.
"Your reputation as a public servant eager to confront challenges is well deserved. It is not surprising that this milestone birthday has come with you still in active public service.
"My prayer is that God Almighty grant you many more years, imbue you with good health and renewed strength to continue to govern the people of your state and serve our nation".

*Editor

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Women accounts for 53% of STEM graduates globally - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The UNESCO Science Report: Towards 2030, has revealed that globally, women now account for 53 per cent of the world’s bachelor's and master's graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), reports ITREALMS.

UNESCO also said that just 30 per cent of women are active in research and leave the sector at much higher rates than men.

This, ITREALMS gathered represents a waste of social investment, individual effort and suggests that there are structural problems around retaining women in STEM carriers.

In addition, ITREALMS gathered, whereas women have achieved parity in life sciences in many countries, they are consistently underrepresented in engineering and computer science.

“… With direct bearing on algorithms; So, how can we STEM the tide of women researchers leaving the field?” the report asked.

The report postulated that just as the devil is in the detail, the bias is in the algorithm, stressing on why the world needs more women in science and technology.

An instance, is that Gender bias could be illustrated using a simple Google exercise. Type into Google Translate: “She is a scientist. He is a nurse.”

Translate it into a language that does not have gender pronouns, such as Georgian or Turkish. When it comes back in English, the result shown after automatic translation is: “He is a scientist. She is a nurse”.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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3rd Freedom Online lecture: Sanwo-Olu leads Amaechi, Daniel, Bode George, Garba Shehu as speakers - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, would on Tuesday, February 25, lead other speakers to discuss the future of Nigeria at the third annual lecture of Freedom Online in Lagos, reports ITREALMS.

The Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the Freedom online newspaper, Gabriel Akinadewo, told ITREALMS in Lagos, that the theme of the lecture is 'Nigeria: Foundation, Fundamentals, Future' with Sanwo-Olu as the Guest Speaker.

He also said that the venue would be the Sheraton Lagos Hotel, Ikeja.
ITREALMS also gathered that some dignitaries expected at the event include Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi (Chairman); former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel (Special Guest of Honour); former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George (Keynote Speaker) and Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu (Guest of Honour).

Others are former Police Affairs Minister, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade; Iba Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland; Prof. Akinyemi Onigbinde, Senior Research Fellow, Institute of African Studies, University of Ghana, Accra and Mr. Isah Mustapha, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE).

“Nigeria's political, economic and social fabric is disintegrating due to the foundation of the country and something urgent must be done. Insecurity does not recognise a Christian or Muslim, it has no respect for APC or PDP. The security situation now is precarious. We must do a proper x-ray of the foundation of our security, our economy, our politics for Nigeria's future to be secured” he said.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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1.1m people suffering Psoriasis - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Estimated 1.7 per cent of the population of United Kingdom (UK) are affected by the chronic skin condition known as psoriasis, according to researchers at The University of Manchester and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, reports ITREALMS.

The figures, ITREALMS gathered is the first-ever compiled and published in the world’s first Global Psoriasis Atlas, an interactive web platform which aims construct a global picture of psoriasis and was first published on World Psoriasis Day today (29 October, 2019)

The team carried out extensive search of all available evidence and used the data in a statistical model to generate estimates of the prevalence of psoriasis for every country of the world.

Previously, such detailed information has only been available for a very small number of countries.

Also according to the Atlas, the country most affected by psoriasis is Norway with a prevalence of 1.98 per cent of the overall population. The lowest prevalence is across East Asia at 0.12 per cent.

Around 2 per cent of the West’s population are affected and the region with the lowest prevalence is East Asia with a prevalence of 0.12 per cent.

The UK is ranked 21st in countries with the highest prevalence of psoriasis worldwide , corresponding to approximately 1·1 million people affected by the disease.

However, the research team say the estimates could increase to 1.8 million or 2.78 per cent when taking self-reported and underdiagnosed psoriasis into account.

The Atlas was is supported by the International Federation of Psoriasis Associations (IFPA), the International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS) and the International Psoriasis Council (IPC).

Professor Chris Griffiths from The University of Manchester said: “Our understanding of the epidemiology of this chronic condition is limited in many countries but we believe the Global Psoriasis Atlas will radically transform this in the future.

“It will uncover the true burden of the disease, ensuring those people living with psoriasis have access to the best available care, wherever they live in the world.

“That is why we believe the Global Psoriasis Atlas is a significant milestone: for the first time we will have robust information on how many people psoriasis affects worldwide which in turn will start to address inequalities in its care.

”It will serve as a valuable source of information about psoriasis for researchers, policy makers, patients and healthcare providers across the world.”

“Our research shows that high-income countries have a prevalence of psoriasis higher than low-income countries. But that might be down to the fact that high-income countries have better healthcare systems, more awareness of the disease and better data quality.

“High-income countries also have a higher proportion of the elderly population and psoriasis is a chronic disease”

“Additionally many people with psoriasis in least developed countries do not have access to care.”


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Digital transformation to reshape ICT investment in oil & gas industry - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Businesses from the Middle East and Africa's resource industries, including oil & gas mining, other mining, and agriculture spent $5.17 billion on information and communications technology (ICT) in 2019, according to the latest insights from International Data Corporation (IDC), reports ITREALMS.

The global technology research, consulting, and events firm forecasts this figure to reach $5.33 billion this year and continue rising at a compound annual growth rate of 4.1% over the coming years to reach $5.79 billion in 2023.

“The oil industry is facing unprecedented challenges," says Gaurav Verma, oil and energy research manager at IDC Energy Insights. 

"Many industry experts believe that the era of 'easy oil' is over and that companies will have to explore new frontiers which pose more operational challenges. The complexities of extracting hydrocarbons in harsh and remote environments such as ultra-deep-water oil fields, coupled with uncontrollable external pressures and oil market volatility, are driving oil and gas companies to adopt digital transformation (DX) initiatives as they strive to enhance their levels of efficiency, agility, and resilience."

This pursuit of DX is driving a shift in investment focus for oil and gas companies, with many now turning to cloud to enable the enhanced efficiency and data-driven decision making that their new strategic priorities require.

Consequently, IDC expects that by 2021 about 75 per cent of oil and gas companies worldwide will have moved the majority of their on-premises applications to the cloud to facilitate scalability and digital innovation across the organization.

The industry's multifaceted transformation is also driving increased interest in artificial intelligence and machine learning as organizations look to augment employee productivity, boost business agility, and address the implications of an ever-growing skills gap. As such, IDC expects that by 2022, 90% of oil majors worldwide will have deployed AI-powered applications to various exploration processes ranging from automated drilling to cognitive seismic data analysis to reservoir modeling.

All these issues and more will be discussed during a dedicated oil and gas session titled 'Unlocking the Power of Data – The Keystone of Digital Transformation in O&G' that will take place at the upcoming IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2020. The annual event has served as a beacon of ICT thought leadership across the region since 2008, and this year's edition will be hosted at Dubai's Atlantis, The Palm on February 26-27.

Combining informative presentations, interactive panel discussions, and dedicated focus groups, the IDC Middle East CIO Summit 2020 will provide more than 500 senior C-Suite executives from a broad range of industries with the expert guidance required to benchmark the DX progress of their organizations.

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