ADU election ends in deadlock

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The general assembly elections of the Awba-Ofemili Development Union (ADU) in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State ended Tuesday, December 30, 2014 in a deadlock, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Correspondent on ground at the Central School Awba-Ofemili reports that the election was inclusive due to lack of due process based on ADU constitution enacted on April 15, 2001.

DigitalSENSE Business News also reports that the two major contestants for the post of the President General Of ADU, namely  Messrs Justin Oforkansi and Chukwuma Nwankwo differed on the modalities.

It was reported that Oforkansi camp were bent on the application of the ADU constitution on elections, while Nwankwo camp wanted option A4.

DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that option A4 entails that voters queue behind their candidates of choice, while ADU constitution stipulates that voting "shall be done by raising hands with eyes closed or by secret ballot."

Equally DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that deadlock was due to the inability of contestants to agree on way forward for the election which was first on the list to be conducted amongst others.

In addition,  DigitalSENSE Business News gathered there were counter allegations of mercenary importations from the neighbouring town of Ugbene and fishery settlement known as Ege in Awba-Ofemili.

These,DigitalSENSE Business News reports culminated in the inconclusive election and forced the representatives of the government and security agents who were deployed to Awba-Ofemili to withdraw to their stations without any pronouncement whatsoever on the outcome.

Just as there were allegations of non-accreditation of voters to pave way for the total number of votes to be expected.

+Remmy Nweke +Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) @Awba-Ofemili @ADU

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ITU launches ‘Ebola-Info-Sharing’ mobile app

ITRealms:

The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched a free mobile Application (app) for use in the campaign against the Ebola disease outbreak, reports ITRealms.

The "Ebola-Info-Sharing" mobile App, ITRealms gathered facilitates coordination among organizations responding to the Ebola crisis and offers the general public access to the latest Ebola news from official sources, including an interactive map on Ebola.

"Information and communication technologies are now critical components of emergency telecommunications not only when natural disasters strike, but also during epidemics such as the Ebola disease outbreak," said ITU Secretary-General Hamadoun I. Touré. 

He also said that mobile app would not only enhance prevention, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of diseases but would also strengthen healthcare systems through improvements in emergency response, healthcare practitioner support, healthcare surveillance and administration.

Mr Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau said that with such unprecedented computing power in the palms of mobile population it is imperative that it should be harnessed via mobile technology to serve humanity and especially in combating epidemics.

"Partnerships are key to the success of a collective global response to fight epidemics like Ebola," he said.

ITRealms recalls that the App is currently available for Android mobile devices and will soon be available for iOS devices. It, has two main components:
News and maps as well as contacts and interactive forum.

 

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WASPAN enjoins stakeholders’ collaboration for VAS growth

ITRealms:

The Wireless Applications Service Providers Ltd GTE (WASPAN) has solicited collaboration of all stakeholders in the nation’s telecommunications sector to attract adequate economic growth for the Value Added Service (VAS) sub-sector of the industry, reports ITRealms.

WASPAN made this call through its National Coordinating Consultant, Mr. Simon Aderinola, told ITRealms that collaboration in a burgeoning industry like telecommunications.

He explained to ITRealms that wireless application sub-sector is one that has emerged globally in recent years and not part of the traditional telecommunications services. 

This reality, he said, brought to the fore the uncertainty about how to regulate the activities of wireless application providers and how to help develop the sub-sector.

Mr. Aderinola equally told ITRealms that the problem was not unusual to Nigeria, stressing that in many countries after initial problems, collaboration between network operators, application service providers, the industry regulator and other stakeholders had led to the development of the industry with greater economic prospects.

For this reason, he said that Nigeria needs to learn from the successes of other models adopted in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Kenya and most recently Ghana.

“These are countries where the wireless application services industry is doing well. These countries collaborated to develop a framework that is now successfully benefitting stakeholders,” he told ITRealms.

Aderinola further pointed out to ITRealms that following unending controversies, especially between mobile networks and wireless application services providers in the past, WASPAN in 2012 invited experts from South Africa to help in sharing their experiences on the subject matter, Dr. Leon Pellman. 

According to him, Dr. Leon Pellman was the consultant that assisted South Africa  to set up the country’s joint industry regulatory framework by leading a delegation to Nigeria and had useful discussions with several stakeholders in the country on how to develop application service sub-sector in the telecom industry.

He underscored the fact that collaboration amongst stakeholders cannot be overemphasized, maintaining that joining forces would accelerate the realisatoon of potentials of the sub-sector and the industry generally.

He noted that recently industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) declared that the volume of businesses on mobile Value Added Service (VAS) segment is valued at $200 million, about N 37,010,000,000 year-on-year.

The revenue is, according to NCC, is expected to double in excess of $500 million in the next few years if proper regulatory framework is put in place.

A major issue of disagreement between WASPAN and mobile networks is the current revenue sharing formula that gives close to 80 per cent to the networks.

Another is the gradual encroachment by mobile network operators into the wireless applications sub-sector and the stifling of growth of small companies.

It will be recalled that NCC had called a stakeholders’ meeting earlier in the month to discuss several issues bedeviling wireless application services.

A fall out, he noted was the proclamation by the Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr. Eugene Juwah that a plan to develop an industry-driven regulatory framework to strengthen the mobile VAS market would soon be unveiled.

 

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Pix: Mr. Simon Aderinola,

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Etisalat December shopping dash ends in excitement

DigitalSENSE Business News:
 

Etisalat Nigeria has concluded its December shopping dash with lots of excitements from customers, DigitalSENSE Business News reports.

Launched in Lagos, recently DigitalSENSE Business News gathered that Etisalat has continued to honour 10 business customers at each location, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Lagos with a special reward scheme tagged “the Etisalat December Shopping Dash.”

Dedicated to reward 10 lucky customers for their loyalty and commitment to the Etisalat network at each of the locations, the Abuja edition of the event was held at the Shoprite, Apo, Abuja, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered.

One of the beneficiaries, Ibrahim Magaji of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), described his experience as gladdening. 

“I am very glad to participate in the Etisalat Shopping Dash and I am simply short of words at how generous Etisalat is. I can say boldly say that Etisalat Nigeria is a fantastic network that cares deeply about its customers” he said.

Another lucky customer, Safiya Runsewe, said “the Shopping dash was both exciting and engaging. I haven’t had this much fun in a long time and it is all thanks to Etisalat Nigeria.”

Director, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Lucas Dada told DigitalSENSE Business News that from inception the telco has remained focused and committed to customer service delivery.

“Since inception, Etisalat has remained committed to providing its customers with the very best customer service in Nigeria. It is to this end that the December Shopping Dash was berthed. The ten selected customers have a maximum of three minutes to select any item within the store that they desire, courtesy of Etisalat. Whatever they can carry, they can keep. It is our simple, yet innovative way of giving back to our customers and showing them that we truly care,” Dada said.

He further said that Etisalat has a lot more surprises in store next year and urged all esteemed customers to remain loyal because Etisalat will continue to deliver the very best to them.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that with the maiden edition launched in Lagos Nigeria and the Abuja edition a huge success, the Etisalat December Shopping Dash train arrived Port Harcourt on December 16 before it rounded-off in Lagos on December 18, 2014.

+Remmy Nweke +Etisalat UAE +Etisalat Nigeria

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PIC: L-R: Regional Corporate Sales Manager North, Etisalat Nigeria, Victoria Ibeji; Participants of the Etisalat December Shopping Dash, Ernest Abu and Ibrahim Magaji; and Sector Manager, Oil and Gas, Business Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Olayiwola Akinwunmi at the Abuja Edition of the 2014 EtisalatShopping Dash which held at the Shoprite Store, Apo, Abuja recently

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Why Glo unveiled Overload, Allawee promos

ITRealms:

Nigeria’s telecommunications giant, Globacom, has unveiled two mega promos, Glo Overload and Glo Allawee as a way of rewarding its subscribers this yuletide season, reports ITRealms.

Glo Overload, ITRealms also reports, automatically credits subscribers with 200 per cent airtime and data bonus and offers them an opportunity to be 100 times richer every time they recharge with N200 or more. 

Regional Chief Marketing Officer at Glo, Mr. Ashok Israni, told ITRealms that subscribers also stand a chance to win N120 million cash prizes during the promo.

“Glo Allawee, on its part gives every new customer N18,000 worth of free airtime for calls and text messages,” he said.

The two offers, he explained to ITRealms, are part of a series of promos being unveiled by the company to create unprecedented excitement for millions of subscribers on the network.

  

Israni equally told ITRealms, these promos are Globacom’s way of rewarding its esteemed customers for their consistent loyalty, and also for thanking new customers for choosing the network, moreso at this season.

He urged telecommunication subscribers across the country wishing to benefit from Glo Overload to dial *200# on their phones. They will consequently be admitted to the promo platform and be able to enjoy all the promised benefits.

The second promo, Glo Allawee, he said, enables subscribers to get free airtime of N50 everyday when they use N50 or more on calls, text messages or data before 10pm. The bonus is credited the following day and can be used to make calls or send text messages to Glo lines only. 

Globacom’s National Sales Coordinator, David Maji, “Glo Allawee was developed to encourage and empower teeming subscribers to join the network and begin to enjoy many other benefits which Glo provides on a daily basis.”

“Subscribers who activate a new SIM and achieve the usage target of N50 before 10pm on a day will get an additional N50 airtime and can earn up to N18,000 worth of free airtime in one year of activation,” said Maji.

To enjoy the benefits of Glo Allawee, customers are encouraged to buy a new Glo sim, dial *170*7# and use up to N50 on calls, data or sms.

Glo Allawee is one of the many innovations the Glo Network has introduced as part of its commitment to promoting friendship through efficient communications among Nigerians. “We will continue to provide innovative services to Nigerians at affordable rates. It is a commitment we have made in serving our subscribers better.” he concluded.

Globacom explained that these offers, among many others lined up for release, are coming after a massive nationwide network enhancement and modernization project that has seen major components of the network swapped with state-of-the-art equipment.

As a result of the expansion and modernization, Globacom said the capacity of the Glo network and quality of service have significantly been boosted, thereby guaranteeing Globacom subscribers enjoyable experience on the network during and after the promotions.

 

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