Violence Against Children costs Nigeria N1.42trn - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Unabated Violence Against Children (VAC), has costed Nigeria the sum of N1.42 trillion, says 2019 Financial Benchmark and Economic Burden of Violence Against Children report on Lagos, ITREALMS can report authoritatively.

Presented today by the chief protection specialist at the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), Juliane Koenig and conducted by the duo of Prof. Obinna Okwudili and Dr. Emmanuel Nwosu, both of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), the report was supported by UNICEF in collaboration with the Federal Government of Nigeria, United States AID (USAID), Ministero Dell Interno, European Union (EU), and UN Women.

Koenig said, on the average, that Nigeria loses N1.42 trillion annually associated to deaths and disability resulting from acts of violence against children.

“This is equivalent to 1.6 per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP),” she said, stressing that the economic burden of violence against children has a tripartite burdens based on physical, sexual and emotional violence respectively.

She pointed out that on physical violence, Nigeria’s economic burden is worth N1,008 billion, which amounts to 52 per cent of boys and 50 per cent of girls in Nigeria being victims of physical violence prior to age 18.

On the sexual violence, the researchers said that Nigeria losses N307 billion based on the 11 per cent of boys and 25 per cent of girls in Nigeria being victims of sexual violence prior to attaining the age 18, which on average cost Nigeria N307 billion annually.

Nigeria, the researchers noted lost some N91 billion to emotional violence meted to some 20 per cent boys and 17 per cent of girls in the country.

“On average, emotional violence against children costs Nigeria N91 billion annually,” part of the economic burden revealed.

The launch held at the Dover Hotel, Ikeja-Lagos, saw in attendance some Permanent Secretary Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Lagos State, Dr. (Mrs) Bola Balogun, and Permanent Secretary Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Lagos State, Mrs. Funmi Balogun, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, Mr. Dennis.

Also in attendance were stakeholders from the Lagos State Bureau of Statistic, Lagos State Ministries of Education, Justice, Health and Lagos State Office of the Accountant General, in addition to the Lagos State Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and Health Service Commission. Representatives of the Domestic Sexual and Violence Response Team (DSVRT) Lagos and Assistant Director Social Development Department from the Federal Ministry of Budget and Planning, Mrs. Grace Obi-Ukpabi.

The study which came in two part study included the Economic Burden of Violence Against Children, which was a study of Nigerian selected analysis on health and education outcomes.

While the second part entitled a Financial Benchmark for Child Protection, was tagged Benchmark Report Volume 1 of Main Report.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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NITDA explains efficacy of new logo - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

NITDA new logo @ITREALMS

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has given detail explanation on its new official logo, reports ITREALMS.

NITDA, ITREALMS gathered changed its pioneer logo since foundation last November, unannounced to reflect its mandate, according to officials.

In a detailed explanation exclusively to ITREALMS in inquiry, the Head, Corporate Affairs at NITDA, Mrs Hadiza Umar, noted though that the new logo was a slight alteration from the earlier.

She also told ITREALMS that the new logo has “010” symbol depicting digital relevance, while the whole speaks to the cybersecurity.

Mrs Umar equally explained to ITREALMS that the lines around the represents data, whereas the logo’s coat of arm shows the presence of the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) as an agency.

Further, ITREALMS gathered that why the agency did not proclaim this in the media on the change of the logo, was because of its plan to review the 2007 NITDA’s Act.

ITREALMS recollects that NITDA is a Federal Government agency established in 2001 to development policies for the Nigerian Information Technology sector.

Precisely, ITREALMS gathered that Section 6 (a,c) of the Act mandates NITDA to- create a frame work for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria and develop guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Nweke urges media patriotism on dotNG, says pros are original social influencers - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Remmy Nweke, making his presentation @NIRA Academy 2019

The Lead Strategist and Group Executive Editor at DigitalSENSE Africa Media, Mr. Remmy Nweke, has urged Nigerian media practitioners to be patriotic about the country’s code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), reports ITREALMS.

Speaking at the 2019 Media College on .NG on his paper entitled “Media as catalyst for change in Domain Name System (DNS) industry, Mr. Nweke, urged at the weekend, that Nigerian media practitioners to own this country resource beginning with their becoming individual registrants on .NG string like ITREALMS.com.ng.

He told participants at the 2019 “Media College on .NG” organized by the Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NiRA) on the overarching theme of ‘The Role of Media in DNS Industry’ that by the fact of becoming a registrant, an end-user, media practitioners are drawing nearer to understanding the modus operandi of NIRA as the registry for dotNG.

Nweke, a former Executive Director at NIRA, pointed out that by associating with the dotNG brand by media practitioners should be reciprocal with requisite industry supports like instituting a direct reward for the media foot-soldiers such as reporters and editors alike, especially for those playing active positive roles in sustaining the Nigeria’s DNS industry, as those media entities need to be sustained too.

Also, Nweke, who doubles as the Editor-in-chief of multiple award-winning ITREALMS, advised that media practitioners could leverage the resellership of domain names to empower themselves knowledge-wise on DNS industry, whilst adding up a new income stream, as well as offering online writing and editing services, webdesign, Voice Over services to name a few.

By developing new online products, he said, media practitioners should ensure they build strong media brands on the internet and consistent with their dreams, so as to be seen as adding value by making money.

Remmy Nweke ... in session at 2019 NIRA Media Academy

With this notion, he said, DNS industry in Nigeria will thrive for the benefit of all Nigerians including media professionals.

Drawing attention to the importance of new media, Nweke said, it’s a form of media that are native to computers, computational and relying heavily on computers for redistribution, stressing that new media nowadays comprises telephones, computers, virtual worlds, single media, website games, human-computer interface, computer animation and interactive computer installations.

He defined DNS as the Internet's system for converting alphabetic names into numeric Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, citing for instance that a web address’ Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is typed into a browser, DNS servers return the IP address of the web server associated with that name, within nanoseconds.

Further, Nweke, who is a multiple award winning author and techmediapreneur, said that as a catalyst, Nigerian media should reawake their watchdog role with focus on the DNS industry, so as to precipitate the needed change by making certain that .NG receives the attention it deserves thereby making the difference a change agent.

Describing well-trained media professionals as the original social influencers, who have contributed immensely in every burgeoning society and advised them not to let that role be swept away by fades in the name of ‘social media influencers.’

This, he said, they can be done by enmeshing themselves with the knowledge of the new media, through avalanche of open sourced education opportunities like Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) among others.

In addition, he called for closer collaboration between NIRA and likes of Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA) and Guild of Corporate of Online Publishers (GOCOP), to name a few.

Emphasizing that NiRA is the registry for .NG Domain Names and maintains the database of names registered in the .ng country code Top Level Domain (ccTLD), just as NIRA is a Not-for-Profit, Non-Governmental Self-Regulating body and managers the .ng national resource, in the public interest of Nigeria and global internet community.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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Rape Allegations: Prof Bayo Adebowale replies detractors, SaharaReporters - ITREALMS

ForTheRecords@ITREALMS:

My attention has been drawn to a rumour and insinuations that a Professor of Creative Arts had canal knowledge of his daughters. The grave allegation has been wickedly and maliciously linked to my person on social media. This includes a satanic and libelous story in an online newspaper, SaharaReporters, which published the grave information without bothering to get the fact.

To say the least, I am alarmed and traumatised by the insinuations. I would have responded to the wicked rumour immediately it broke out but I did not get to know about it on time. A part of the reasons is that I’d been indisposed for some time. As a matter of fact, I had been hospitalised and so many people could not reach me. Even on their part, many of my family members, are equally traumatised by the allegation, deliberately kept away the information from me because they feared that it could worsen my health and even lead to a sudden death. I can only thank God that I am still alive to be able to boldly deny the shocking rumour, because if one had died in the last few days, the same wicked people would have said that one committed suicide to cover up the sacrilege.

Apart from having reached the climax of my profession and talent as some people have noted in their hasty, malicious and ungodly comments, I am truly blessed with children that include daughters who know me as a true father, who has never contemplated any unholy relationship with them for whatever reason. While I lost a daughter to the cold hands of death some years back, I still have daughters who are alive and doing well as individuals, as professionals and also as wives in their various matrimonial homes. The identities of my daughters are not hidden and if anyone bothers to know them and speak with them there is an opportunity to do so.

This, indeed, is what one expects any responsible person, whether as an individual, citizen journalist or a so-called online publication like SaharaReporters, ought to have done. Whatever stopped anyone from going after my children to ask them questions about the allegation that has nothing to do with me? Instead of doing so, the wicked ones went for my profile, which I built through the thick and thin, with a dint of hard work crowned by God’s mercy, and sought to establish me as that ruined person said to have raped her own daughters. Let me ask this question: if this kind of grave allegation is levelled against the father of any of those who have been mentioning my name in the context of the indicated sacrilege, will they just jump into attacking his personality or they will try to find out the fact of the matter? I could say I leave all of them to their consciences if such consciences are still alive, but I believe such a decision will not prevent nemesis from playing its role in the theatre of their lives.

I will not labour to begin to an analyse one after the other the issues raised in the stories circulating on social media. The reason is that they are definitely not my stories. They are not the stories of my families. I can only advise those who are truly agitated to go after seek the identity of such a man if he truly exists. Yet, I want to note that one of the things said about the man is that he has four daughters, that he impregnated the four daughters and caused them to have broken homes.

Well, I am happy to note that this is not the statistic of my own God-given family. I have no daughters who've been raped and my own daughters are happily married and are in their husband’s homes.

Of course, I know there will be further insinuations despite this statement of mine. Why I believe so is that some people who could be behind the genesis of the attempt to destroy my reputation may not stop at anything. While assuring anyone who may genuinely want further facts about me that the book of my life is a open one, I will also invoke the law to the last letter to protect my name and that of my family. My lawyers are studying everything that has been said about me concerning the matter and necessary actions are bound to be taken.

I thank everyone, within and outside the country, who have shown concern over the matter. A lot of people have reached or attempted to reach me. Some are even more devastated than I am, shattered not just by the heaviness of the allegation, but by the fear that such could be true. I however categorically say I am the Bayo Adebowale you have always known: a true father, a true teacher and cultural person who is alive to his moral responsibility within and outside his home. I have never sought or got any canal knowledge of my daughter.

Thank You and God bless all.

*Bayo Adebowale

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Re-Order revenue allocation formula says Fayemi - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi, has stressed the need for the Federal Government to allocate more fund to the states in order to make them more responsible and responsive to the yearnings of the people, reports ITREALMS.

Fayemi who expressed his displeasure on the present revenue sharing formula where the larger chunk is allocated to the Federal Government, leaving the federating states and local governments with low allocation, said approval of the new minimum wage by the Federal Government required that government make moves to increase states’ funding to enable them effectively take up the responsibility.

The Governor, who spoke on a Television/Radio network programme in Ado-Ekiti on Monday evening, however, assured workers that his colleagues in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum are committed to the payment of the new minimum wage as soon as the Federal Government releases the template.

He reiterated the need for government at all levels to diversify the economy and think of ways to generate more revenue to enable them effectively address the socio-economic challenges facing them.

“We have a bigger issue, which does not necessarily apply to workers, it’s about re-ordering the revenue allocation formula in the country, because you cannot continue to impose on states a tyranny of unfunded mandate. If you want us to take responsibility for certain things then it’s only fair that we are funded to take responsibility for them. So, right now, 52 percent of the Nigerian resources goes to the Federal Government; 26 percent to state governments; and 20 percent to local governments. We feel that this ought to be revisited and the allocation formula needs to be reviewed.

“The ability of the Federal Government and the federation account to also respond to this would depend largely on the capacity of the Nigerian state to generate more resources, so everybody has a role to play in baking the pie if we want the pie to provide the resources that would be available to all Nigerians particularly workers”. Governor Fayemi said.

On the issue of minimum wage, Fayemi said “Governors were part of the negotiations, there is no uncertainty around government’s commitment. It’s been signed into law, so, governors definitely would honour the law as it is. The issue that needs to be addressed fundamentally by workers and employers is one clear issue, is a minimum wage review also a general wage review?

“What do I mean by that? Minimum wage apply to anyone earning anything less than N30,000 now. It should not apply to people who are earning above that. However, because the increase is going to have an implication on those who already earn above N30,000, there necessarily ought to be some adjustment to make provision for that shift, that is where the sticky point is. From what I gathered, Federal Government that is supposed to provide the template for the implementation of the minimum wage review has offered a general increase of, I think, 5 percent to workers that may not fall within the minimum wage category but who might be affected by the increase that the junior workers would benefit from.

“ I have reassured the union leaders in Ekiti that once we get the template, difficult as it might be for us, we are committed to honouring the minimum wage review that we have signed up to at the Governors’ Forum and I can assure you that my colleagues in the governors’ forum are also committed to doing this”.

While assuring workers that his government would continue to ensure prompt payment of their salaries, the governor urged them to improve on their level of productivity to justify the huge resources government was expending on them

He further assured that his administration would fulfill its promise to pay all outstanding arrears owed by the immediate past administration within one year.

He said, “A labourer deserves his wage and that is why we’ve made it a duty to ensure that workers earn their salaries as at when due so that they can plan their lives, part of the problem that we met on ground when we came to office was that workers had not received their salaries in some cases for about ten months, so how do you plan your life if you don’t even know when your next salary is going to come, but that has become a thing of the past now.

“In the course of that period, we also said we would clear the outstanding arrears owed workers by the previous administration and we are on course to doing that. I gave a year of clearing arrears and we are working assiduously to ensure that we would clear the arrears We’ve made sure that workers earn their salaries every month since I came into office. But I don’t think this is extraordinary anyway, that is what it should be. I know Ekiti people are appreciative because this was a problem in the past, but really, if you work, you should be paid, it’s not something to praise the governor for frankly and I’m not being modest about it, I just think it’s a duty, it’s not a favour done to workers.

“What they need to do in response is to ensure that the level of productivity increases so that Ekiti people can also feel the impact of the improvement in the regular payment of their salaries, to whom much is given, as they say much is expected” he said.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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OrderPaper vs Tony Nwulu: MRA condemns threat to publisher, demands Police investigation - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has condemned the harassment of Mr. Oke Epia, publisher of the online newspaper, OrderPaper Nigeria, by a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tony Nwulu,over fraudulent constituency project, reports ITREALMS.

MRA also called on the Nigerian Police to thoroughly investigate the alleged threat to the life of the journalist.

Programme Director at MRA, Mr. Ayode Longe, reminded the Police that  as a journalist, Mr. Epia has a constitutional right and duty to hold the government and government officials accountable to the people.  

"The Police is duty-bound to protect him as a citizen and as a journalist as well as to refrain from harassing him or interfering with the performance of his professional duties, while thoroughly investigating any threat to him or any attempt by any individual to harass him with a view to bringing the culprit to justice,” he said.

Mr. Epia and his colleagues at OrderPaper are reported to have received a series of telephone calls from Hon. Nwulu and other “strange persons”, some of whom refused to identify themselves, threatening to hunt down Mr. Epia and his colleagues at all costs.

Mr. Longe noted that the report published by OrderPaper regarding the collection and expenditure of funds meant for the execution of constituency projects in Hon. Nwulu’s constituency and the allegation that the project was not implemented is well within the professional duties and obligations of the online newspaper and its publishers, adding that if the former legislator feels that the story had defamed him or in any way unfairly portrayed him in bad light, he has recourse to the courts in a civil action for defamation.

He said: “We are shocked that the former legislator, who ought to know that as an elected official, he is accountable to the public,  has chosen to include the Police in his arsenal of tools for harassing and intimidating a media organization and its publisher rather than explaining to the public what has happened to the funds in question and demonstrating that the project for which the money was meant was actually implemented as specified.  It is even more shocking to us that Police are allowing themselves to be used to harass and intimidate a media organization, its publisher and staff for carrying out their professional and constitutionally mandated duties.”

According to him, if Hon. Nwulu is alleging that he is being blackmailed by the news organization, then it seems very likely that he has done something wrong that he is trying to prevent from coming out. Otherwise, a simple explanation from him on whether the constituency project has been implemented and details of how it was implemented, the cost and satisfactory proof of these would show if the report by OrderPaper was inaccurate or completely false and would likely lay the matter to rest.

Mr. Longe observed that “Rather than provide the public with a credible explanation, Hon. Nwulu is leaving the substance of the issue and trying to use his power as a politician to silence the media while throwing up a lot of smoke in the process.  It will not work; we can see through these antics.”

He added: “Mr. Epia says given the rate of attacks against journalists in Nigeria in recent times, he is fearful for his life as a result of the threat by Hon. Nwulu to hunt him down.  We share his concern and call on the Nigerian Police to protect the journalist from an obviously angry individual who is determined to punish the publisher of the media outlet that dared to examine his performance in office.  Hon. Nwulu feels that because he was once elected to the National Assembly, he is above the Law and cannot be questioned or asked to give account of his performance in office.  Any demand on him to be accountable is viewed as blackmail.”

Nenye Dom/Editor

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FBN Holdings Plc records N294.2bn earnings @ H1’19 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Parent company of First Bank of Nigeria Limited, the FBN Holdings Plc, has recorded gross earnings of N294.2 billion for the six months ending June 30, 2019; first half year (H1’19), reports ITREALMS.

This represents 0.3 percent growth when compared with the N293.3 billion recorded as gross earnings in the corresponding period of 2018 (H1’18). 

The company disclosed this on Monday, saying its financial results for the six months period ending June 2019, showed that the company recorded profit before tax of N39.9 billion in H1’19, up by 2.6 percent from N38.9 billion in H1’18. 

A press statement from the company made available to ITREALMS indicated that FBN Holidings recorded "Profit after tax however dropped by 5.4 percent to N31.7 billion in H1’19 from N33.5 billion in H1’18."

The Group Managing Director, FBNHoldings, Elder Urum Kalu Eke, was quoted as saying that despite the difficult operating environment, they remained resolute in delivering guidance across key metrics, including commitment towards a single digit Non Performing Loans (NPL) ratio by the end of year, as evidenced by the reduction in NPLs from the last quarter.

“Essentially, Atlantic Energy, our largest NPL, was written off, translating into a decline in the NPL ratio from 25.9 percent in December 2018 to 14.5 percent as at June 2019, a step that brings us closer to our full year 2019 target and create more headroom for quality asset growth," Eke said.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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NITDA extends deadline for initial data audit - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has held series of consultations with various industry and government stakeholders on the implementation of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR), reports ITREALMS.

Disclosing this to ITREALMS, the Director General/CEO, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim-Pantami, said that it has been an overwhelming consensus of all stakeholder groups that, the NDPR is an appropriate regulation that would help provide clarity for data controllers and processors on the rights of data subjects, basis of processing personal data and transfer of data outside Nigeria among others. NITDA is pleased to note that stakeholders including other Sector Regulators, Government, Banks, Industry groups, Private Sector players among many others, have shown tremendous willingness towards compliance with the NDPR.

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 NITDA investigates banks, fintech, NIS over data breaches ... - ITREALMS

Consequently, he noted in a press statement made available to ITREALMS that Article 4.1(5) of the NDPR requires Data Controllers to submit an initial audit report within six months of issuance of the Regulation (which lapsed on 25th July, 2019). Several Data Controllers have appealed for an extension of time to meet this obligation.

“Therefore, NITDA is hereby granting a three-month extension for the conduct of the initial audit report for every data Controller and Processor. This extension period would elapse on Friday 25th October, 2019,” he revealed.

This extension, he said, for the purpose of audit filing does not limit NITDA’s right to investigate and enforce other allegations of breach made against any Data Controller or Processor pursuant to the NDPR and the NITDA Act 2007.

He recalled that NITDA is a Federal Government Agency established in 2001 to implement the Nigerian Information Technology Policy as well as coordinate general IT development and regulation in the country. Specifically Section 6(a,c) of the Act mandates NITDA to- create a frame work for the planning, research, development, standardization, application, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and regulation of Information Technology practices, activities and systems in Nigeria and develop guidelines for electronic governance and monitor the use of electronic data interchange and other forms of electronic communication transactions as an alternative to paper-based methods in government, commerce, education, the private and public sectors, labour, and other fields.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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Perm Sec Mourns Akinloye Oyebanji, says he is quintessential sports journalist

ITREALMS:

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Deaconess Grace Isu-Gepke, has condoled with the management of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and the family of Mr. Akinloye Oyebanji over the death of the veteran Sports Journalist, reports ITREALMS.

In a Letter of Condolence addressed to the Director General of the NTA, Mallam Yakubu Ibn Mohammed, the Permanent Secretary said the Late Oyebanji distinguished himself as a sports journalist, who displayed uncommon enthusiasm and passion during his meritorious service to the station, which spanned over three decades.

“I received the news of his death with shock and profound sadness. His death has definitely robbed Nigeria of one of its finest Sports Journalists, who would be remembered for the enthusiasm and passion he exuded while discharging his duties.

“Mr. Oyebanji was a role model and a quintessential reporter, who acquainted himself creditably as a Sports Journalist and Commentator. His sudden death is a monumental loss not only to his family and the sports industry but to Kwara State and the nation in general,” she said.

Deaconess Gekpe urged his family to take solace in the fact that the deceased lived an exemplary life of service to the nation, which is worthy of emulation.

She prayed God to repose the soul of the deceased and grant his family, friends and colleagues the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

Banji Bayo/Editor

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BREAKING! Chijioke cries out: My picture is wrongly used in place of late Precious Owolabi - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Original photo: Chijioke and friends @ITREALMS

A serving member of the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Oraeki Chijioke, has cried out over the wrong use of his picture in the Nigerian media since the death of late Precious Owolabi, reports ITREALMS.

He declared that “I am not demised but alive.”

Chijioke who is currently serving in Agbara, Ogun State, told ITREALMS, he has been inundated with calls from relatives and friends over the wrong picture usage.

“For this, I have had to deal with streams of calls coming in from the early hours of Tuesday, 22nd July, 2019 to this moment to be sure it was a misplaced image identity,” he lamented.

According to him, “I commiserate with the family of the late Corp member (Precious Owolabi) incidentally, I have discovered that my picture is being used instead by some media houses."

Chijioke explained that he noticed that his photo was cropped off a group picture with some two other friends.

This, he said, was initially on Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja)  and has since escalated even though the initial users were contacted and had since stepped down the material.

The latest, he said was that of The Nation Newspapers on July 26 and 28, 2019 and The Punch of 28.

“I will appreciate an apology, and retraction in requisite measure that the picture was used as soon as possible, both offline and online. Also, I will appreciate if editors of concerned media houses could review their posts and publications by editing out my picture and better still bring it down when such update is made soonest,” he appealed in a letter to the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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2yr after: Amanda Chinwe Aguh still in our hearts - ITREALMS

Tribute@ITREALMS:

Today, Monday, 29th July, 2019 marks the second remembrance anniversary of Mrs. Amanda Chinwe Aguh. 

Each passing day, we remember her; for her level of joviality, her level of frankness, her promptness & dedication towards her commitments can't be over-looked.

As we remember her today, praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear. Remembrance is the only paradise out of which we cannot be driven away. We remember her, as she is ever present in our minds.

Sweet is the memory of our loved ones! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.

The entire members of Catholic Women Organisation (CWO), Cardinal Newman, the Parishioners of St. Jude's Catholic Church, Mafoluku-Lagos, her family members & friends still remember her because she was a force to be reckoned with. The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.

For us, there are no goodbyes, wherever she is, she will always be in our hearts.

Life is eternal and love is immortal; And death is only a horizon, and a horizon is nothing as per the limit of sight. The tide recedes, but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand. The sun goes down, but gentle warmth still lingers on the sand. The music stops, yet it echoes on in sweet refrains ... for every joy that passes, something beautiful remains.

Those we love can never be more than a thought away, for as long as there's a memory, they live in our hearts to stay.

Amanda, we love you, we remember you today, thought of you yesterday and days before. We think of you in silence, we do mention your name and what we have now is memories and your picture frame.

Losing one of our own is never easy, especially one who offered such unconditional love.

We won't forget your face, your smile, your wisdom, your unconditional love. You left shoes too large to fill & pain in our hearts that only God whom you served faithfully can take away. In all, we have been comforted that you did not leave us helpless.

Out of sight, but you are never out of our minds.

There is a link death cannot sever, love & remembrance last forever.

I won't forget to mention here that she loved St. Maria Goretti passionately as a result of the group she belonged to in CWO. 

The feast is celebrated every 6th July, a date she always looked forward to. She followed her way of life closely by showing love to people and also showed compassion in her dealings.

Amanda, your memories sneaks out of our eyes, and roll down our cheeks. The greatest treasures are those invisible to the eyes, but found by the heart. Remembrance is a golden chain, death tries to break it all in vain.

The song is ended, but the melody lingers on. Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

May her soul continue to rest in peace, Amen!

*Chris Uruakpa contributed this from Lagos.

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DSO: A win-win for consumers, TV industry & Govt – ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Questech Media Consulting Limited and former Director-General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Emeka Mba has prescribed that proper implementation of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) scheme as a win-win for the three tiers of the stakeholders in the broadcast industry, reports ITREALMS.

The three tiers of stakeholders, he said, include consumers, TV industry and the government.

Speaking recently on “Nigerian Broadcasting Industry: How Digital and Industry Structure is shaping growth on trends and developments: Impact on Business Models and Evolving Media Landscape” Mr. Mba said that with revolution ongoing in the industry, that television is now out of the box.

On driving Nigerian DSO, he said, that massive new distribution channel for Nollywood would involve Netflix style kind of push Video on Demand (VOD) service in development.

As part of the win-win for all stakeholders, he said, DSO would create a massive new distribution channel for Nollywood straight to the consumer rather than via Digital Video Disk (DVD)

Mba said that some estimated N60 billion per annum increase is expected in Nollywood income by reducing piracy and increasing Nollywood’s per cent on every sale.

According to him, about $350m DSO budget in place which was self-funding as a result of auction of the spectrum freed-up by DSO.

This, he said, leads to some $170m raised so far, in addition to N1000 per annum Digital Access Fee anticipated to be paid by each consumer (like the BBC TV licence), paving the way for technology platform expected to complete for November launch and digital transmitter network being built out.

He pointed out that 13 local Set-Top Box (STB) manufacturer licences established, just as 1m STBs have been ordered for initial launch

“10,000 jobs, would be created,” he said, even as there is plan to implement and make STB affordable at only N1500.

Further, he said, there is anticipation that heavy marketing plan in place with channels committing 10 minutes advertising airtime a day.

“Digital and internet have changed everything!” he declared, maintaining that on digital disruption and battle for relevance, have created new ecosystems in the broadcast industry with new business models and monetization.

On traditional media versus new media, Mr. Mba said that the more content is out there, the more important context becomes.

The need to protect intellectual property rights, he also said, promotes intellectual capital, emphasised that nowadays, the “Anything that can be disrupted will be disrupted by digital.”

For the media and entertainment industries, he said, have continually been impacted by digital technology, resulting in new products and services.

The pattern of disruption will ebb and flow depending on developments in broadband cum digital media, giving rise to market and industry re-alignment and convergence, affecting incumbents, insurgents, and neo-cumbents, while competition will come from many directions in many forms.

“Everyone becomes a potential rival or a potential ally … or both!” he said.

Remmy Nweke/DoP

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2019 SheCreates ready for quartet camps, unveils speakers - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The 2019 SheCreates has concluded plans to host its two-week quartet camps across the country, including Awka in Anambra State, Ilorin in Kwara State and two in Lagos via Lekki and Mainland camps respectively, reports ITREALMS.

The organisers of 2019 SheCreates informed ITREALMS that the camps will hold in Lagos, Kwara and Anambra States between the month of July and September.

ITREALMS gathered that SheCreates 2019 Camp at Lagos-Mainland Camp, will be a Residential Camp, while other SheCreates 2019 will be non-residential camps.

Others, include Lekki Camp slated for July 29th – August 9th, while Awka and Ilorin Camps are for August 26 through September 6, simultaneously.

Also, the 2019 SheCreates speakers, ITREALMS gathered include the founder and CEO of BellaNaija, Uche Pedro, founder of Sebeccly Cancer Care, Dr Omolola Salako; ICT consultant, Naheed Vadsaria; Chief Operating Officer at Flutterwave Incorporated, Bode Abifiran; Co Founder / COO at Piggy Bank.ng (Piggy Tech Global Ltd ), Odunayo Eweniyi; the Founder and Executive Director, Women's Rights and Health Project, Bose Ironsi; Finance Director at Etihad Airways-Nigeria, Yejide Aina; Dr Princess Olufemi-Kayode is the Executive Director of Media Concern Initiative and a Senior Minister at Regal Robes Ministries; Ommo Clark is the Founder / CEO of iBez; Tracy Ezebuike is a Software Developer at Andela - Nigeria; Emeka Okoye is the Snr Semantic Web Architect at Cymantiks Nigeria Ltd.

ITREALMS recalls that She Creates Camp programme for Girls is an initiative of Women’s Technology Development Centre (W.TEC) designed to help Nigerian secondary school girls between the ages of 13 and 17 years to develop an early interest in computer science, information technology and related careers.

The camp programme, holds annually from its inception in 2008, providing an avenue to increase the numbers of women working and using technology by dispelling stereotypes of gender-appropriateness of technology, providing information about technology careers and practical applications of technology, presenting female technical role models and providing access to mentorship and emphasizing the importance of education.

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Zenith Bank eases Dubai visa application online - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Zenith Bank Plc has introduced a new feature on its internet banking platform that allows customers apply for Dubai Visa and make the associated Visa fee payment effortlessly, reports ITREALMS.

According to the bank, the new offering is aimed at creating a more convenient and efficient way for Nigerians to apply for Dubai Visa, as a large number of people travel there several times each year.

Customers simply need to log on to the Zenith Bank Internet Banking Platform, select the Dubai Visa tab under the payment menu, fill out their personal information, upload a passport photograph, 6 months bank statement and international passport data page with a minimum of 6 months’ validity from proposed travel date and submit their application.

The Visa fees would be instantly charged to the customer’s account and he/she would be notified of the status of his/her visa application within 36 hours.

Zenith Bank Plc is recognized as one of the most innovative financial institutions in Nigeria and was voted the most customer-focused bank in Nigeria for the Retail and SME segments in the 2018 KPMG Annual Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS).

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Gowon says NYSC gave credibility to Nigeria’s elections - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has commended the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for boosting the credibility of elections in Nigeria, reports ITREALMS.

Gowon made this assertion in an address delivered on his behalf by General Ahmadu Ali, pioneer Director General of the scheme, at a sensitisation workshop on the National Youth Service Corps Act, CAP. N84 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

While listing the achievements of the scheme, the former head of state said its “collaboration with INEC has given credibility to our elections.”

Some other achievements of the NYSC, according Gowon, include: “National unity has been achieved by the deployment of corps participants to states other than their states of origin.

“The scheme has contributed to so much in educational development of the country. In the health sector, the contributions of the scheme to our health care delivery cannot be quantified. The scheme is involved in Legal Aid work, rendering pro bono Legal services to the indigent members of the society.”

Gowon said though the original enabling statute was repealed by Decree 51 of June 16, 1993, which is now National Youth Service Corps Act CAP. N84, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, “the objectives of the Act have remained constant and very relevant to the contemporary challenges of our dear nation Nigeria.”

According to him, the establishment of the scheme was not misplaced. 

“I am very proud to note that the establishment of the National Youth Service Corps in 1973 by my administration was not misplaced, judging from the laudable achievements of the scheme,” he said.

Meanwhile, Ali, while giving his personal remarks before presenting General Gowon’s address, called for the expansion of the scheme beyond the shores of Nigeria.
He said the time has come for the NYSC programme to be expanded to other African Union countries.

The ex-DG advised professional bodies against making requests for deployment to specific areas.

Also speaking during the opening ceremony of the sensitization workshop, the DG, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim, said “given the current realities of the continuing relevance of the NYSC, we have recognized the need to provide avenue for enlightenment of Nigerians on the enabling Act and the various aspects of our operations. This is based on our firm belief that the roles of stakeholders are better played if the provisions of the enabling law are clearly understood.”

The DG however advised professional bodies who request for corps members for specific areas to desist.

Ibrahim said: “I consider it appropriate to remind professional bodies who have been inundating us with requests for posting of Corps members to specific areas of endeavours for Primary Assignment that such requests are not in tandem with the provisions of the NYSC Act from which our posting policy is derived.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Corps members are assigned to serve in areas where their services are required in line with national needs, with priority given to rural transformation.”
The DG therefor urged Nigerians “to familiarize themselves with the NYSC Act for better understanding of the policies and operations of the Scheme.”

A minute’s silence was observed in the course of the programme for Precious Owolabi, a corps member serving with Channels TV. 

Owolabi was killed during this week’s clash between members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shiites, and the police in Abuja.


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Motorcycle, Tricycle licenses: FRSC, JTB agree on new enforcement date - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Following further consultations between the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Joint Tax Board (JTB), the two bodies have agreed on a shift of date slated for enforcement of the use of motorcycle and tricycle riders licence and number plates from the earlier 1st August 2019 to a new date of 2nd October 2019. 

This is to allow the JTB to further sensitise the State Governments, especially the Boards of Internal Revenue of the States on the proposed clampdown. The shift in date is to also give room for the State Boards of Internal Revenue to make requests for the number plates and driver's licences for motorcyclists and tricyclists, especially in States where the items are currently in short supply.

The grace period would also be utilised for further consultations with relevant stakeholders and sensitization of the general public so as to secure the support of all on the need to adhere to road traffic laws to enhance the success of the ongoing campaign against insecurity in the country.

According to a press release signed by the FRSC Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, the earlier ultimatum given by the Corps Marshal for commencement of enforcement was sequel to reports of pervasive use of motorcycles and tricycles for urban transportation without the riders being properly licensed, or operating without registered number plates as prescribed by law.

In the earlier press release, FRSC relied on Section 10 Sub Section 4(h) and (i) of the FRSC (Establishment) Act, 2007, which made possession of class A driver's license and number plates mandatory for riders of motorcycles and tricycles before they can operate on the nation's roads.

"By this extension, all Motor Licensing Authorities (MLAs) across the country are advised to make necessary arrangements that would facilitate easy acquisition of the Class A licence and the number plates to avoid any ugly incidents," Kazeem reiterates the need for all applicants desiring fresh class “A” License to first present themselves for driving tests at the Vehicle Inspection Office before advancing to the capturing unit for continuation of the process.

It would be recalled that the Corps Marshal had earlier issued directives to FRSC Commanding Officers nationwide to engage the relevant stakeholders and Associations on the proposed clampdown, while the Corps Public Education Officers were equally directed to carry out elaborate advocacy and sensitization of the riders on the need to register their motorcycles and tricycles.

"The general public is by this information updated on the shift in the date of enforcement earlier set for 1st August but now shifted to October 2nd, 2019 and for all concerned to take appropriate measures to avoid being caught on the wrong side of the law by October, 2019.

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Oyo SUBEB warns teachers who extort students - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Government of Oyo State said on Thursday that it will deal ruthlessly with any school teacher found to be extorting students of fees it has canceled, reports ITREALMS.

Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Adeniran, who issued the stern warning on behalf of the state government during an inspection tour some schools in Ido Local Government Area of the state said that acts of indiscipline would not be condoned by the government.

A statement by the Media Officer to the SUBEB Chairman, Olamide Adeniji, quoted the Chairman as saying that the government would immediately clamp down on any school found to be contravening the order of Governor Seyi Makinde canceling the payment of fees in schools.

According to the SUBEB Chairman, any recalcitrant public Secondary or primary school that is caught forcing students to pay levies that have been canceled will face severe punishment.

The statement also indicated that the SUBEB Chairman and other top management staff of the board had visited schools within Omi-Adio axis in Ido Local Government area following complaints by parents that schools in the area have continued to demand fees from students and pupils.

Dr. Adeniran warned teachers against sabotaging Government’s efforts at bringing succour to the populace.
He said: “It is very sad to note that these Head Masters and their teachers are recalcitrant to our policy to ensure that basic education is free.

“We are not witch-hunting anybody, rather what we are doing is to cleanse the system.”

Speaking further at Hope Center Primary School, Omi Adio, one of the suspected schools, Dr. Adeniran wondered why teachers would disobey Government’s directives, at the detriment of the future of their pupils.

“A situation whereby children are locked out by teachers because they did not pay fees that Government has suspended would not be condoned or tolerated by this administration,” the Chairman emphasised.

In another development, Dr. Adeniran has frowned at the slow pace of ongoing FGN-UBEC/SUBEB Projects at Ogbomoso zone.

The Chairman expressed the displeasure while inspecting projects at Ogo-Oluwa, Ogbomoso North, Ogbomoso South, and Oriire Local Government Areas.

He promised that the Board will ensure speedy completion of the projects, stressing "I am not happy with the situation of projects in Ogbomoso zone. The Government of Oyo State will ensure these projects are completed, so we expect these contractors to come to our office and give us reasons why these projects have been abandoned."

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9mobile to redeem 2018 Prize for Literature - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Emerging Markets Telecommunication Services Limited (EMTS) has reiterated commitment to the development and promotion of talents and assures of fulfilling its commitment to the finalist of the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Prize for Literature, reports ITREALMS.

The winner from the shortlist for the 2018 edition of the 9mobile Prize for Literature competition comprising "What it Means When a Man Falls Down from the Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah, a Nigerian; Stay with Me by Ayobami Adebayo, also a Nigerian; and Asylum by Marcus Low from South Africa, will be announced soon."

The Executive Management of 9mobile will like to sincerely thank all the eminent scholars that have served as the Patrons and Judges of the 9mobile Prize for Literature initiative for their excellent service over the years since the debut of this flagship literary Prize in 2013.

Acting Director, Marketing, 9mobile, Layi Onafowokan, noted that the 9mobile Prize for Literature, launched in 2013, is the first pan-African literary Prize that celebrates African first-time writers of published fiction. It is open solely to writers from African countries, resident anywhere in the world. 

Zimbabwe's NoViolet Bulawayo won the inaugural edition of the prize in 2014 with We Need New Names, while South African novelist Songeziwe Mahlangu won with Penumbra in 2015. Fiston Mwanza Mujila from the Democratic Republic of Congo won in 2016 with Tram 83, and in 2017 Nigeria's Jowhor Ile won for his first book And After Many Days.

Uj. N. Dominic/Editor

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