BREAKING: Chike Onwuegbuchi emerges NITRA chairman, promises welfarism, improved advocacy - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Deputy Editor-in-chief of the Nigerian CommunicationsWeek, Mr. Chike Onwuegbuchi has emerged the new chairman of the Nigeria Information Technology Reporters Association (NITRA), reports ITREALMS. Short URLs: goo.gl, mcaf.ee, cli.gs

Telecom infrastructure: Airtel laments 1022 fibre cuts in 9 months, stresses need for CNI inclusion - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

Acclaimed leader in telecommunications sector, the Airtel Nigeria, laments the 1022 fibre cuts on its infrastructure in the last nine months, stressing the need for inclusion of telecom in the Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by the Federal Government (FG), reports ITREALMS.

The Director of Corporate Communications & Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Emeka Oparah, told ITREALMS that the declaration of telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) by FG would assuage the quality of services by telecom operators.

As said by him, Airtel alone recorded some 1022 cases of fibre cuts in nine months, that is, between July 2019 and 11th of February, 2020.

In addition, he explained that 405 cases of the fibre cut were as a result of road rehabilitation activities by construction workers while 617 cases were due to vandalism.

Airtel urged FG to quickly come to the aid of telecoms operators in the country as these activities have resulted in unprecedented dropped calls, poor network quality, network congestion and poor user experience for telecommunications subscribers across the country.

He also urged the federal and state governments to hasten the approval process for right of way for fibre deployment as well as quicken the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) approval process, noting that these actions would help solve the problem of network congestion and network failure.

Also speaking during the briefing, the Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Adedoyin Adeola, lamented that telecoms installations across the country are repeatedly vandalized, stolen, bombed and destroyed with reckless abandon, creating myriad of problems for the network operators as well as the telecommunication consumers.

“Telecoms operators are plagued with so many problems ranging from security issues to illegal signal boosters. While a network provider is working hard to restore a fibre cut due to vandalism or activities of road construction workers, it also has to deal with illegal signal boosters, which interfere with network quality and operated by unlicensed operators.

“Then, all operators would have to wait endlessly for Right of way approvals, EIA approvals and other approvals. Also, telecoms installations are huge targets for thieves who cart away with inverter batteries, generators, diesels in addition to the other daily and long standing problems of multiple taxation, community issues and all,” he said.

Dr. Adeola also highlighted the efforts telcos are making to remedy the situation despite the harsh operating climate, stating that steps are being taken to improve surveillance across telecoms fibre routes; proactively engage with construction companies and communities; and enlisting the support of security agencies to access sites/telecoms infrastructure in flash points or troubled areas, among many others.

He also called on the government to urgently declare fibre routes as critical National Assets, contain the security challenges Country-wide and improve public power availability and quality.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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African themeparks to benefit @DEAL 2020 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The DEAL 2020 has advanced plans to provide an effective platform for the stakeholders within the African entertainment and amusement sector, reports ITREALMS.

Over 300 plus exhibitors will be present at the 26th edition of the DEAL 2020 (www.DealMiddleEastShow.com) Show (Dubai Entertainment and Leisure), from across 35 plus countries. Global industry exhibition, (DEAL) (www.DealMiddleEastShow.com), held between 23rd and 25th March, has packed a spectrum of VR concepts that is specifically catering to the African markets. Interested trade visitors planning to visit the show can register on the website and get in touch with the show organisers for special air tickets and accommodation rates.

DEAL 2020 will host 300 plus exhibitors from across the globe. There are several global and regional brands at the show that includes – Amusement Services International, Warehouse of Games, Al Hokair, Semnox, Intercard, Zamperla, Embed, Sacoa, ICE, UDC, Polin Waterparks, ProSlide, Whitewater, HPS Play, SBF-VISA, Guzzi Eugenio, IE Park, I-TPS, Mammamia Rides and QubicaAMF Worldwide among several others. Furthermore, the African trade visitors can also meet close to 50 plus new exhibitors.

“Apart from the other country pavilions, this year DEAL will host companies under the ‘Korea pavilion’ for the very first time. Korea Creative Content Authority (KOCCA), a government agency which promotes the Korean content industry will be instrumental in bringing some of the best Korean FEC and entertainment companies. Trade visitors from Africa can expect a plethora of creative VR concepts from the Korean brands at its country pavilion during the DEAL 2020 (www.DealMiddleEastShow.com) show,” stated Sharif Rahman, CEO of International Expo Consults (IEC), organizers of DEAL 2020. (www.DealMiddleEastShow.com)

Africa will witness the launch of new retail entertainment hubs and malls in the next couple of years where more global brands will find more space and better infrastructure. It adds that the continent is home to 45 million households having what it terms as ‘discretionary income’. With the new malls attracting brands that were only known through cable television, Forbes Magazine says the African market can no longer be viewed as a secondary one.

DEAL 2020 is the region’s most important meeting point since its inception for manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, entrepreneurs, businessmen, technologists, and professionals in the leisure, FEC and amusement industries. Apart from the VR gaming concepts there is a massive representation from other sectors such as arcade, redemption, card machines, rides, water fountains, soft toys, coin machines, gifts, souvenirs, bowling, character costumes, theming services, interactive sports, revenue management systems, inflatables, laser tag, photobooth, snow park, water park, trains, vending machines, trampolines among other entertainment concepts.

Africa’s VR (virtual reality) gaming space is taking shape with several malls in the country looking to house the best in the VR gaming industry. The VR concept is increasing the business value of the malls with the help of this new disruptive technology. Virtual reality gaming refers to applications where a person can experience being in a three-dimensional (3-D) environment and interact with it during a game. Virtual reality (VR) environments help the user in experiencing the game as reality.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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Vandalism: Airtel demands FG special protection for telecoms infrastructure - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The leading telecommunications services provider, Airtel Nigeria, has called on the Federal Government (FG) to urgently deal with the menace of vandalism, insecurity and insurgency otherwise the current spate of dropped calls experienced by telecommunications consumers nationwide, reports ITREALMS.

Speaking to ITREALMS on Thursday, at Airtel Nigeria Corporate Headquarters in Ikoyi, Lagos, the Director of Corporate Communications & CSR, Mr. Emeka Oparah, noted that the declaration of telecoms infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure by the government would go a long way in helping to safeguard telecoms infrastructure as Airtel alone recorded 1022 (One Thousand and Twenty -Two) cases of fibre cuts between July 2019 and 11th of February, 2020.

According to him, 405 cases of the fibre cut were as a result of road rehabilitation activities by construction workers while 617 cases were due to vandalism.

Also, Oparah requested that FG should come to the aid of telecoms operators as these activities result into increasing dropped calls, poor network quality, network congestion and poor user experience for telecommunications subscribers across the country.

He also urged the federal and state governments to hasten the approval process for right of way for fibre deployment as well as quicken the Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA) approval process, noting that these actions would help solve the problem of network congestion and network failure.

Equally speaking, the Vice President, Network Operations, Airtel Nigeria, Dr. Adedoyin Adeola, lamented that telecoms installations across the country are repeatedly vandalized, stolen, bombed and destroyed with reckless abandon, creating myriad of problems for the network operators as well as the telecommunication consumers.

“Telecoms operators are plagued with so many problems ranging from security issues to illegal signal boosters. While a network provider is working hard to restore a fibre cut due to vandalism or activities of road construction workers, it also has to deal with illegal signal boosters, which interfere with network quality and operated by unlicensed operators.

“Then, all operators would have to wait endlessly for Right of way approvals, EIA approvals and other approvals. Also, telecoms installations are huge targets for thieves who cart away with inverter batteries, generators, diesels in addition to the other daily and long standing problems of multiple taxation, community issues and all,” he said.

Dr. Adeola who highlighted the efforts telcos are making to remedy the situation despite the harsh operating climate, stating that steps are being taken to improve surveillance across telecoms fibre routes; proactively engage with construction companies and communities; and enlisting the support of security agencies to access sites/telecoms infrastructure in flash points or troubled areas, among many others.

He also called on the government to urgently declare fibre routes as critical national assets, contain the security challenges country-wide and improve public power availability and quality.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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TenticPComm partners ThinkBig on NiCoS 2020 - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The TenticP Communications Nigeria Limited has entered a partnership agreement with Think Big Freelance Consulting on the 2020 Nigeria Corporate Services Conference (NiCoS),reports ITREALMS.

The partnership, ITREALMS gathered was announced during signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU by the management of both organisations.

According to the Founder and the Lead Strategist, TenticP Communications, Nahimah Ajikanle-Nurudeen, the partnership is to form a synergy between both organisations for hitch free conference.
She said NiCoS conference 2020 rides on the success of the maiden edition of the event held in May last year where the Director General, Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, Mr. Muda Yusuf gave the keynote address on the theme: “Building a sustainable economic growth through quality corporate services delivery” while the immediate past Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Services, FIRS, Mr. Babatunde Fowler made a presentation on a subtheme: "Due diligence, best practices in revenue generation.


Ajikanle-Nurudeen disclosed that the conference is to rsise conversation on due diligence and best practices that can guarantee quality service delivery in both private and public sectors of the Nigerian economy.
She said, "The NiCoS conference is a platform designed to enhance business and economic growth, foster best practices and due diligence to drive sustainable development in Nigeria through corporate services.
"Consequently, the Programme focuses on: Getting the public to have a fair idea of variance of public services available to them in both public and private organizations. To showcase the performance of public and private organizations in dispensing quality services. To broadly enable members of the public to have a fair knowledge of the comparative advantages or benefits they can access from organizations performing similar functions. Achieving overall business objectives through quality and effective corporate services. Leveraging Technology for Corporate Services across sectors of the Nigerian economy. Networking, Collaboration, Connectivity for business opportunities."
The TenticP boss hinted that partnership with Think Big Freelance Consulting is a demonstration of her organisation's commitment to create another impactful engagement with stakeholders from different sectors of the economy on the focus of the conference.
The year’s conference is scheduled to hold on Thursday 2nd April, 2020 at the Civic Centre, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Victoria Island, Lagos with the main theme: "Corporate Good Governance: A Necessity for Economic Growth and Advancement".


Ajikanle-Nurudeen said the Chairman and President, Institute of Directors Nigeria, IoD, Chief Chris Okunowo will deliver keynote address on the conference theme with line of experts who will speak to various subthemes:
Corporate Governance: Panacea to Tax Evasion
Corporate Governance in Waste Management for Economic Prosperity
Corporate Governance: A Necessity for Corporate Creditworthiness
Imbibing the Culture of Corporate Governance in Human Capital Development
Achieving Sustainable Development Through Corporate Governance
Legislating for Corporate Governance in a Mega City
Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Think Big Freelance Consulting, Ayodeji Abdulrauf expressed satisfaction with the partnership.
According to him, Think Big Freelance Consulting is committed to nurturing innovation ideas and businesses capable of advancing Nigeria's economic growth.
He said Think Big Freelance Consulting activities centers around business management, succession and retirement, NGO management, mentoring and coaching as well as human resources management and training.
Abdulrauf said, "The issue in focus is corporate governance and there is no doubt that we need to talk about it especially in our business community because compliance to good corporate governance will surely enhance business and economy in the country.



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Google partners Flutterwave to train 5000 SMEs across Nigeria - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Google Nigeria in partnership with digital payments company, the Flutterwave, would next week kick off a series of business clinics aimed at helping 5000 merchants across Nigeria acquire the skills and tools needed to leverage the web for growth, reports ITREALMS.

Tagged, the ‘Digital Business Compass’, the first clinic sessions will be run from 3 - 5 March in Lagos, and will focus on equipping businesses with the tools, technologies and insights needed for them to grow in the digital age.

The sessions will include case studies and live sessions to give attending businesses hands-on experience of how Google and Flutterwave’s products can be leveraged, and will be followed by consultations with Digital Business Managers and support teams who will give attendees personalised advice on how they can use Google and Flutterwave’s tools and solutions to grow their businesses.

“According to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Nigeria has over 37.07 million micro, small and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs), which account for more than 84 percent of jobs in the country,” says Tolulope Akinyele, Google Partners Lead, West Africa. “Many of them lack the skills and tools to take advantage of the Web to grow their businesses, however. Working with Flutterwave, our goal for holding these clinics is to provide a platform for SMEs to learn skills and master tools that will help them better utilise the Web to grow their businesses.”

“We have always been passionate about inspiring a new wave of prosperity across Africa. In partnership with Google, we are looking forward to empowering SMEs across Africa to scale and drive up revenue,” says co-founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Olugbenga Agboola.

“Helping these businesses grow is a net positive for all parties including Google,” Akinyele adds. “Beyond contributing to the growth of the country’s digital economy, when these businesses better learn about online tools, they join a community of businesses and users that are leveraging Google’s tools to further drive their growth.”

Interested SMEs can apply to attend the sessions on 4 March and 5 March.

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African Mayors commit to inclusive sanitation policies - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Mayors from across Africa reaffirmed their commitment to create and improve inclusive sanitation policies across African cities, at the 20th AfWA International Congress and Exhibition, reports ITREALMS.

At the congress’ Mayors’ Forum, 12 African city leaders made commitments to strengthen City to City partnerships for advancing the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) agenda at city level. Strategies were agreed to implement the ‘Citywide Inclusive Sanitation’ (CWIS) approach to accelerate ‘access to Sanitation for all by 2030’.

Opened by Erias Lukwago, Lord Mayor of Kampala City, the Mayors’ Forum featured introductory comments from Africa Water Association and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a keynote address from WaterAid, and presentations from city leaders and sanitation experts. Participants also shared their practical experiences on progress made following the Cape Town 2019 Mayors’ Declaration last year, alongside panel discussions and brainstorming sessions to strengthen intercity partnerships.

The event was also attended by Political Heads of Local Authorities and cities from across Africa, development partners, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), CEOs from the utilities and private sectors, as well as High level Government Officials.

Participants were required to commit and demonstrate political will to take an innovative approach to leverage financing and adopt technical sanitation. Discussions focused on the need to develop comprehensive approaches to improve sanitation that encompass long-term planning, technical innovation, institutional reforms and financial mobilization, to benefit the lives and health of local populations.

Sylvain Usher, Executive Director of the African Water Association (AfWA):

“With limited financial and human resources, a changing climate and rapid unplanned urbanization, cities are struggling to cope. When it comes to sanitation in Africa, the ‘business as usual’ approach is not working, and we urge cities and Mayors to step up and take charge of sanitation. That is why, at AfWA, we are proud to host this forum, and get back on track to achieving SDG target 6.2.”

Juliana Gondwe, Mayor of Lilongwe, Malawi, adds:

“Access to adequate sanitation not only benefits citizens, it supports progress on a wide range of health and economic development issues, extends lifespans and protects the urban environment, including water and food supplies. As the mayor of a rapidly growing city, I recognize that it is my duty to advocate for my people, and to best represent their interests. Mayors play a vital role for their citizens in delivering and managing services that improve lives, and without their engagement, effecting positive change would be impossible. For cities to achieve this for the WASH sector, comprehensive approaches to sanitation improvement must be made.”

The objectives of the forum aligned to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Ngor Declaration’s goal of achieving universal access to adequate and sustainable sanitation and hygiene services and eliminate open defecation by 2030.

In most African cities, over 90% of the population relies on on-site sanitation, a large proportion of which is unimproved and unsuitable. With increasingly rapid urbanisation and a younger population, the pressure on Africa’s sanitation infrastructure is increasing exponentially. Municipalities therefore have an increasingly important responsibility to provide adequate sanitation facilities to serve city needs. Poor sanitation conditions lead to public health risks ranging from disease outbreaks, pollution and deterioration of water quality, as well as negative socioeconomic outcomes.




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Bode George calls for unity to address nation’s challenges - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has called on Nigerians to see themselves as one and work assiduously to address national challenges, reports ITREALMS.

George made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the 3rd Freedom Online Annual Lecture in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports the theme of the lecture was: “Nigeria: Foundation, Fundamentals, Future.”

George said the challenges confronting the country required that all citizens work together with a common purpose to address them.

He said tribalism, sectionalism, religious bigotry and others were an albatross to national development, urging citizens to shun them.

The PDP chieftain further urged Nigerians to strive to build an ideal nation that would promote the well-being of the present generation and even posterity.

“A nation is not a mere conglomeration of a space and a people. It is more. A nation is about agreed destiny and collective vision; a nation is about shared values with well been cultivated ideals.

“It is the effortless summation of a common dream, of common truth, of common objectives, and of agreed realities.

“A nation is the spontaneous voiding of parochial limitations. It is the deliberate eclipsing of ethnic or sectarian articulations.

“It is to reside in a unifying universe where growth is measured by hardwork and merit, where human enhancement is predicated on demonstrated rallying virtues of leadership, of strength of character, of dedication to duty and repose in honour.

“We must re-assess and boldly confront what is wrong with the national architecture. We must work together to identify and rectify the variegated ills and the wrongs presently subsisting,” he declared.

Further, George said the country must take the bold step to ensure devolution of power to guarantee sustainable development.

According to him, the country cannot meet the development aspirations of the people with a too strong centre and weak states.

He said the states and even the local governments had to be more empowered to bring about development.

The PDP chieftain urged Nigerians to demonstrate patriotic zeal in all they do, saying citizens must believe in the country even in the face of challenges.

He commended the Publisher of FreedomOnline, Gabriel Akinadewo, for organising the lecture, saying it had provided a platform to proffer solutions to national challenges.
Malam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, in his speech, urged Nigerians not to give ethnic or religious colouration to the security challenges.

He urged citizens to see criminals as criminals, irrespective of where they were from.

Shehu said the Federal Government was doing everything possible to provide adequate security for all Nigerians.

Earlier, Akinadewo said the country’s security architecture must be overhauled to address security challenges.

He called for more funding for the police, saying inadequate funding had hampered their capabilities to provide security.

*Editor*

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North West: Actions to address insecurity in Nigeria inadequate says French Envoy - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Head of Cooperation, Embassy of France in Nigeria, Mr. Ellien Helios, said that efforts to find sustainable solutions to the spate of insecurity in Nigeria particularly in the Northwest is inadequate, tasking all concerned authorities and stakeholders to step up actions to effectively define and tackle the menace, reports ITREALMS.

This is just as stakeholders on the matter have warned that insecurity may escalate deeper to other regions in Nigeria and the country is at risk of underdevelopment, food shortage among others if not addressed.

Helios who represented the Ambassador of France in Nigeria, Mr. Jerome Pasquier, made this call in Abuja on Wednesday at a workshop on "Addressing Rural Insecurity and Violence in North-western Nigeria" convened by Pastoral Reserve (PARE) in collaboration with Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Nextier SPD and the French Embassy.

The envoy said the workshop presents a unique opportunity for stakeholders to develop a better understanding of the issues and strategize appropriate response.

He said: "There are many factors affecting the northwest region for years now, there are also many actors, but I don't think there is enough being done by the actors to have a better understanding of the situation and try to find some appropriate solutions to the insecurity and the subsequent sufferings.

"We have a unique opportunity to work and listen to people that are gathering the best expertise on these issues, so let's seize this opportunity as a starting point to get humble, but to also develop a better understanding of the issues , strategize response, develop a coordinative approach and increase action.”

Speaking, the Senior Research and Policy Lead, Nextier SPD, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo, pointed out that the insecurity bedevilling the north should not be seen as a northern problem only, warning that the entire nation could bear the consequences of collective negligence.

Nwokolo warned that the entire country is at risk of food insecurity due to the unresolved insurgency in the north and advised that dialogue and a regional approach is needed to permanently address the problem.

"A very critical thing that we should all know first is that Zamfara and the north-western states are our food basket, if we don't sort them out, Nigeria will face a food security problem. What is happening now is that the youths are running away from communities where their skills are needed in agriculture, but we find them now as ‘Okada riders’ in the cities or unemployed because they cannot stay in their communities.

"Why do you think some states are banning 'okada' and tricycles? So, we need to sort these things out, the better we sit as a people and talk about how to solve this pockets of conflict, else we cannot get out of it. And, if we sort out the northeast and we don't sort out the northwest, it will move diagonal to that place, so as we are handling the northeast we should be talking about the northwest," he advised.

In the same vein, the Country Director SFCG, Mr. Sher Nawaz, stressed that it was important is to look at the crisis at a regional, geographic level and develop a regional approach rather than focusing on a singular state.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner, Security and Home Affairs in Zamfara State, Mr. Mohammed Dauran, while giving a brief on the experience of the State government in addressing rural violence and insecurity since 2011, regretted that banditry activities has led to daily loss of lives, destruction of properties and food insecurity.
According to Dauran, 95 percent of the states population in farming activities are no longer going to farms for fear of being attacked.

The commissioner who was represented by Mr. Muhammad Adamu, regretted that the situation has made Zamfara, which used to be the most peaceful state no longer attractive to investors.

He further disclosed that over 2000 people (reported cases) were kidnapped by armed bandits which translated into low level of income of larger percentage of rural dwellers who were relegated to the background

"Example, in one emirate of Dansadau, about N75,000,000.00 has been paid as ransom by families of kidnapped victims," he said.

He however revealed that, in addition to dialogue, Peacebuilding efforts, the unconditional release of about 525 kidnapped victims from both bandits and armed militia group between July - December, 2019 restored see level of peace to the state.

To this end, the Commissioner called for more support from government and non governmental agencies to rehabilitate and empower victims. He also called for more deployment of security agencies which is currently "not enough".

Earlier, the chairman of the workshop from PARE, Mr. Abubakar Jauro, stressed that the North West Nigeria is not only facing insecurity problem, but development challenges that needs intervention of all.

"Food shortages are imminent, Joblessness has risen, hundreds of families are homeless and access to school and health services has been further impeded," he said.

Jauro added, "Strategic and programmatic interventions are urgently required from all stakeholders to support Peacebuilding and restoration and to assist in addressing the developmental challenges of poverty, infrastructure deficit, poor health service delivery, malnutrition and unemployment among young people.

He expressed hope that the workshop will provide another avenue to share experiences on how best to respond to the multispectral and multifaceted challenges.

"It is hoped that the deliberations will contribute valuable suggestions and recommendation on the way forward. We are confident that with collective actions, the problems will soon be history," he said.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pic: L-R; Country Director, Search for Common Ground (SFCG), Mr. Sher Nawaz; Senior Research and Policy Lead, Nextier SPD, Dr. Ndubuisi Nwokolo; Chairman of the Occasion, Alhaji Abubakar Bobboi; Head of Cooperation, French Embassy in Nigeria, Mr. Ellien Helios; Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Kaduna State, Mr. Samuel Aruwan; during the workshop on Addressing Rural Insecurity and violence in Northwestern in Abuja

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Minister Tasks NTDC on Promotion of Tourism in Nigeria - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has tasked the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) to adopt creative ways of actualizing its mandate of developing and promoting tourism in Nigeria, with a view to attracting tourists to the country.

The Minister gave the charge when he paid a working visit to the NTDC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday to kick-start his tour of agencies under his ministry.

“The truth of the matter is that NTDC is not just the apex organization for tourism, it’s actually at the centre of all these tourism activities and when you look at your Act, it actually mandates you to develop, promote and market tourism in Nigeria.

''In other words, you are the chief marketer of Nigeria in terms of bringing in people from outside to see what we have been blessed with and also encouraging people locally to see what they have been blessed with,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Deaconess Grace Isu Gekpe, said it is important for the NTDC to understand its pivotal role in coordinating all the activities in the tourism sector, and to realize its huge potential in view of its capacity to create employment and contribute immensely to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He stressed the need for the NTDC to appreciate that tourism is beyond mere sightseeing as it encompasses the entire creative industry, which includes film, music, gastronomy, fashion, photography and monuments.

“There are many reasons why people should come to Nigeria. We are a country of colours. We are a country of about 250 ethnic groups and each with its own history, its own culture and we are blessed with miles and miles of beaches. We have an almost all-year round good weather.

“We have been blessed with a film industry which is number two in the entire world. We have been blessed with a music industry that has become global,” the Minister said.

Alhaji Mohammed, who noted that the film industry is the least untapped with only 51 cinema houses and less than 200 screens for a population of about 200 million people, urged the NTDC to strive to attract investments that will raise the number of cinema houses to 1000 and at least 6000 screens in order to turn the film industry into a money spinner.

“This is where I think the NTDC will need to work even more closely with the ministry so that we can actually actualize the potentials of this industry and make it not just the fastest growing sector of the economy of Nigeria but also increase its contribution to the GDP from 1.24% to 3 or 3.5%,'' he said.

In his remarks, the Director General of the NTDC, Mr. Folorunsho Coker, said it is important to have a legal framework to harness the potential of the tourism sector as a deliberate policy to develop the sector.

He solicited the support of the ministry, especially in utilizing its Information platforms to promote tourism at a global scale.

Mr. Coker later took the Minister on a brief tour of some of the facilities at the NTDC headquarters.

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Pix: The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mr. Folorunsho Coker (left), presenting a souvenir to the Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed (right), when the Minister paid a working visit to the NTDC headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday. Short URLs: goo.gl, mcaf.ee, cli.gs

Imudia, Konga CEO eyes $10m daily turnover in four years - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The electronic-commerce (eCommerce) giant, Konga has revealed that the business is anticipated to hit the $10 million daily turnover mark by 2024, reports ITREALMS.

To realise the target, Konga has disclosed that the growth trajectory and overall operational efficiency backed by the consistent reduced losses it has witnessed are critical factors in the projections.

Making known the brand’s ambitious plans was Konga Co-CEO (Online), Nick Imudia.

Imudia revealed that Konga has put necessary machinery in place to achieve the goal. To this end, he stated that Konga would work assiduously to reach a target of $5 million daily turnover by 2022 as preparation towards realizing the $10 million set target by the end of 2024.

Since its entry into the Nigerian e-commerce market as one of the foremost pioneers in the sector, Konga has stood out; with its several revolutionary strides ultimately catapulting it to pole position. Today, Konga unarguably occupies leadership of the Nigerian e-commerce sector being largely responsible for restoring investor and customer confidence after a testy 2019 marred by allegations of fraud that trailed the activities of another major player.

Imudia said: “Konga has used the last decade to lay a solid foundation for e-commerce business in Nigeria and to build trustworthy relationships with customers and potential investors across the Nigerian business spectrum. With the high level of trust the brand has gained among shoppers in and out of Nigeria, it is safe to say Konga is ready to scale big in the early part of this third decade. Therefore, we are targeting a $10 million daily turnover by 2024. We shall attain half of this target at least by 2022. To meet this target, we would be relying on the efficiency we have brought to bear on the business and the renewed confidence the Konga brand enjoys among critical stakeholders.

“There is no iota of doubt that Konga remains in prime position to attain this target, especially when one looks at the consistent growth the brand has recorded in the past years. Konga has grown over eight times since the business was acquired by the Zinox Group. Secondly, we have consistently reduced our losses by nearly 70%. Added to this is the addition of new and thriving business units such as Konga Travel, among others, all of which have enjoyed huge growth and massive acceptance by our rapidly expanding customer base.

Konga, which remains the only e-commerce brand in Nigeria operating an omni-channel structure, currently has more than 30 stores across Nigeria. With the aid of KongaPay, a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) licensed payment platform, which recently added Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card-less withdrawal and Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) features, Konga has captured more Nigerians in the e-commerce net; while lending an unprecedented level of ease and refinement for online shoppers across the e-commerce landscape.

Imudia also disclosed that Konga, which has won several awards in the e-commerce industry, has made significant strides in resolving the challenge of logistics through K-Xpress, its in-house logistics company, which has proven its capacity to handle hassle-free, last-mile and same-day delivery to the company’s teeming customers, while also resolving logistics thorny issues for external customers. Furthermore, he revealed Konga state-of-the-art regional warehousing facilities, which enables it to retain huge inventory in diverse states and locations, while fulfilling costumers’ orders in the shortest possible time, are a critical success factor in its revenue ambitions.

“Furthermore, we are not relenting on our determination to continually meet and exceed the aspirations of our numerous customers, no matter who they may be and where they may be. In addition to this, we shall continuously grow investor confidence in Nigeria’s e-commerce sector and help everyone to see the brighter side of e-commerce business in Nigeria, even as we consistently explore ways of ways of upgrading our processes and raising the standard of service delivery and customer satisfaction in the sector.

‘‘We will be rolling out additional new business units in the weeks and months ahead. These additions will excite our customers and expand the Konga retail revolution to new verticals. To make the shopping experience a memorable one for our customers, we have also lined up various value-adding services and promotions throughout the year. These assets and many others too numerous to mention will shape the Nigerian e-commerce sector in 2020 and the succeeding years,’’ he submitted.

*Editor
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Nigeria’s salvation lies in decentralisation federation says Osinbajo - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has offered a fresh impetus on how true federalism can solve the current security challenges bedeviling Nigeria and put the country on the path of accelerated development, reports ITREALMS.

Sanwo-Olu said decentralisation of some exclusive functions of the Federal Government, including provision of security, would provide instant answer to the current agitations threatening the unity of the country.

The Governor said the emergence of “beggar-states” as the major constituents of the Nigeria’s federation would not take the country to the future it desires in a world that is developing rapidly.

He said the flawed federalist ideals enshrined in the 1999 Constitution had continuously limited the power of the states to pursue individual development at their own pace, stressing that Nigeria must holistically address the “fundamental question” of federalism if the political class was serious about lifting the country out of the current quagmire.

Sanwo-Olu spoke on Tuesday while delivering a paper at the Freedom Online third annual lecture, with the theme: “Nigeria: Foundation, Fundamentals and Future.”

The Governor, represented by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, was the guest speaker at the event held at Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja.

The Lagos State Governor recalled that Nigeria was administered efficiently during the period of regional arrangement, pointing out that the feat was achieved because each region assumed autonomy on its resources and developed at its own paces without relying on handouts from the centre.

“One of the legacies of military rule was the abolition of powerful and largely financially independent regional governments, and replacement with weaker entities known as States. These States were of course beholden to a very powerful central government that doled out resources to them and used every opportunity to make it clear that the states were appendages of the centre.

“At the time, the regions worked hard, earned their revenues from exports, from taxes, and so on, and kept a large chunk of what they earned. None of them came to Lagos – the then Federal Capital – with caps in hands for what we now refer to as ‘Federal Allocation’. Every region survived mainly on its internally generated revenue. There was also a healthy competition among the regions.”

The Governor stressed that provision of security must be “highly” decentralised, adding that States must play significant role in providing internal security, while the Federal Government must face the issue of defence, foreign policy, border controls, currency, and customs among others.
Sanwo-Olu also called for review of the terms of fiscal federalism between the centre and state governments, saying the Federal Government must consciously devolve more responsibilities and resources to states and local governments as those entities are the closest to the people.

“Today, the revenue sharing formula is 52.6 per cent for the Federal Government, 26.7 per cent to the States and 20.6 per cent to local governments. The Federal Government takes the lion share, out-muscling the State and Local Governments, which are the closest tiers to the populace. State and local governments ordinarily should be drivers of development. As it is today, it is common knowledge that most states depend on monthly allowance from Abuja to survive.

“States should be free to control the drilling of oil and mining of solid minerals and pay the required taxes and royalties to the Federation Account. Many States really have no business being poor or suffering a cash-crunch given their huge mineral deposits. There is also no reason why States cannot generate and distribute electricity and license same, within their geographical limits. This can be done in a way in which necessary returns will be made to the Federal Government.”
In spite of challenges facing the nation, Sanwo-Olu said no one should lose hope of a better future, observing that the ongoing revolution in the agricultural sector and investment in infrastructure by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration had started to gradually change the outlook of the national economy.

The Governor said ongoing reforms in agriculture must continue to sustain non-oil revenue and reduce dependency on single commodity economy.

“What is clear to me is that to achieve these reforms that we require, many of our laws need to change. We need to re-write and update obsolete laws to bring them in line with the realities of today," he said.

“We must believe in what we produce, and encourage everyone who seeks to make a difference in this regard. We must also consume what we produce. One advantage we have is our population; we have a local market that is sufficient to sustain as much local production as we can achieve. Many other countries are too small to enjoy this kind of privilege,”

Sanwo-Olu also called for increased investment in technology and innovation, which he described as the magic wand Nigeria could employ to be on the same page with global development.

The Convener and Publisher of Freedom Online, Gabriel Akinadewo, observed that the nation’s security challenges required the collective sacrifice of all citizens, stressing that the blame game among the ruling elite would not bring about solution to the problem.

Akinadewo noted that the Nigeria Police Force was efficiently run until the collapse of the Second Republic when the degradation of the police force began.

“We cannot continue to use central method to tackle challenges. We need a national conversation on the current situation as the political class is challenged. Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind while the world moves at speed in development.”

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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Gbenga Aruleba @60, a worthy ambassador of Ekiti says Fayemi - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has described a renowned broadcast journalist, Mr. Gbenga Aruleba, as worthy ambasssador of the state, as he marks his 60th birthday, reports ITREALMS.

Dr. Fayemi in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Olayinka Oyebode, said Aruleba has found the favour of the Almighty attaining the diamond age in good health and fulfilment.

The Governor noted that Aruleba, who hails from Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, is a worthy ambassador of the Land of Honour and an example of the noble ideals Ekitis are known for.

Aruleba, according to the Governor, had a stellar broadcasting career and acquired local and international recognition with his unique presentation style especially in his popular news and current affairs programme, FOCUS NIGERIA, on Africa Independent Television (AIT).

The Governor hailed Aruleba's contributions to the sustenance of democracy, rule of law, good governance, probity, accountability and transparency.

He described Aruleba as a highly cerebral political analyst, a great presenter, dedicated producer and a reformer who make use of his media platform to advocate a better Nigeria and speak truth to power.

Describing Aruleba as a committed patriot who loved his home state dearly, Dr. Fayemi recalled that the celebrated broadcast journalist is always ready to make his services available to his state of origin whenever he is called upon.

He recalled Aruleba's contributions as a member of the Fact-Finding Committee that investigated the running of the Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES) by the past administration joining other panelists to come up with appropriate recommendations.

The Governor said the recommendation of the Panel, of which Aruleba served as a member, has gone a long way in repositioning the state-owned media corporation which has become more efficient, professional and impartial in news reportage.

Dr. Fayemi prayed God to grant Aruleba long life, good health and more fruitful years to continue to serve Ekiti and Nigeria meritoriously.

Ayo Midele/Editor

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African Union endorses Adesina for second term @AfDB - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Executive Council of the African Union (AU) has endorsed the candidacy of Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, for a second term as President of the African Development Bank, reports ITREALMS.

The decision was taken during the thirty-sixth Ordinary Session of the AU Executive Council, held during the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 6-7 February 2020.

ITREALMS recalls that Adesina was elected to his first term as President by the Bank’s Board of Governors at its Annual Meetings in Abidjan on 28 May 2015. He is the eighth President of the African Development Bank Group and the first Nigerian in the post.

During his first term, the Bank’s shareholders approved a landmark $115 billion capital increase in late October. The increase in the capital base, from $93 billion to $208 billion, signaled strong support from the Board of Governors in the continent’s foremost financial institution.

Adesina is a renowned development economist who has held a number of high-profile international positions, including with the Rockefeller Foundation, and as Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development from 2011 to 2015.

The African Union Executive Council comprises 55 ministers of foreign affairs representing the member states of the African Union.

In December 2019, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also endorsed Adesina for a second term as Bank chief. The election will again take place at the Bank’s Annual Meetings in May in Abidjan.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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FMIC, WHO to partner on NCDs, TB - ITREALMS

ITREALMS: 

The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture is to partner with the World Health Organisation (WHO) to sensitize the public on measures aimed at tackling Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Tuberculosis, reports ITREALMS.

The Minister, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, stated this while responding to the request of the WHO Coordinator for NCDs Primary Prevention, Dr Jean-Marie Dangou, who led a high level Joint United Nations Programming Mission on NCDs and Tuberculosis on a courtesy visit to the Minister in Abuja on Monday.

Alhaji Mohammed said the ministry is ready and willing to support WHO as part of its contribution to the quest for Universal Health Coverage.

“We understood that you have come asking for our platforms to use to send out your messages and that is why you can see that all the relevant platforms that the country has are here today. Without being immodest, I think here you are speaking to the converted and we have practical experience,” he said.

The Minister said going by the statistics of deaths caused by NCDs and Tuberculosis in the country, which cut across the young and active population, the ministry is more than willing to partner with WHO on the preventive measures against the diseases.

“What we need from you is the content. We have the platforms but we need the content. In other words, what message do you want to put out there in respect of the non-communicable diseases and tuberculosis.

“You have just told us here that we lose 18 people everyday to tuberculosis and that these people are the youngest and the most active, so we can understand really why this team needs our support and collaboration,” he said.

In his remarks, the WHO Coordinator, Dr. Dangou, said the team is in the country for high level advocacy, with a view to turning into concrete action the commitment made by President Muhammadu Buhari on the Universal Health Coverage at the United Nations General Assembly.

“The objectives of this mission are to make high level advocacy on tuberculosis and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), following the commitment made by the President and Head of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at the UN high level meetings held during the UN General Assembly in New York...with regard to eliminating tuberculosis and also addressing NCDs. So this mission will like to advocate for going from commitment to action,” he said.

While soliciting the support of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Dr. Dangou stressed the need to also mobilize non-state actors in order to galvanize all stakeholders towards achieving Universal Health Coverage.

The Minister was joined at the event by the heads of the ministry's public information organs, including the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), News Agency of Nigeria and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN).

Uboshe Uboshe/Editor

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Study shows 29.79% domains renew annually - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Latest study by WhoIsHostingThis.com has shown that some 29.79 per cent of domains are renewed annually, reports ITREALMS.

According to the study made available to ITREALMS and endorsed by the chief executive officer, WhoIsHostingThis.com, Mr. Richard Kershaw noted that often many have great ideas for a website and purchased the domain, but only to let it elapse a year later.

He said that this is not uncommon, hence his team set out to find how often people let domains lapse each year or churn rate and which of the most popular Top Level Domains (TLDs) suffer the most from this.

“On analyzing the data sample, which covers one million domains, registered across the eight leading TLDs, we found that just 29.79 per cent of domains are renewed each year. Of the 70.21 per cent of domains that are not renewed, 41.22 per cent are left to expire, while 28.99 per cent are registered by other users,” he said.

As said by him, “whether we’re ditching the domains due to high second-year costs, or simply struggling to follow through with our ideas after an impulsive, speculative or optimistic registration, the data shows fewer than one in three domains are renewed each year.”

The CEO declared that “We wanted to find out more about domain registration behavior so we commissioned this study of one million domains — it turns out the churn rate for domains is much much higher than I think many would expect.”

The study, ITREALMS gathered was to understand more about registrant behavior when it comes to domain registrations including finding out how many domains are renewed, how many are re-registered by other registrants, and how many are left to expire and go back on sale.

Chuks Egbune/DoP

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FirstBank goes to Garden City, FCT with SMES Clinic - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Plans have been concluded to host the SMEs by the First Bank of Nigeria Limited at the Garden City, Port Harcourt and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, reports ITREALMS.

This, ITREALMS gathered is in recognition of the significant role SMEs play in achieving sustainable growth and development in the economy of the country.

The 2020 session, ITREALMS also gathered would be the second of the SME Business Clinic with the theme “Building a sustainable Business” and has been slated to hold on 25th and 27th February 2020 in Port-Harcourt and Abuja respectively.

SMEs are encouraged to take the FirstBank SME diagnostic tool by visiting in order to stand a chance to be amongst the participants that will be in the SME Business Clinic in Port-Harcourt and Abuja. The FirstBank SME diagnostic tool is designed for SMEs to check the health of their business, better understand it and drive profitability. 

The Deputy Managing Director, FirstBank, Gbenga Shobo,  said the SME Clinic will feature one-on-one business advisory services, mentoring, networking opportunities and participants will also be acquainted with the requisite knowledge and business tools needed to drive efficiency in the day-to-day operations of their business.

“At FirstBank, we are proud of the giant strides we have taken over the years towards enhancing the SMEs for their businesses to thrive, have a fair play in the market and contribute to the Gross Domestic Product of the country. We remain the trusted financial partner of SMEs and reiterate our resolve to be known as the brand that enables their success; much the same way that we have for over 125 years enabling Nigerians and the economy at large” Shobo said.

The coaches at the event are Seye Olurotimi, Lead Consult at Cedar Tribe Limited, an SME branding expert and business growth consultant with vast experience helping SMEs grow effective brands and Robert Yakubu, founder of the Instabiz Academy and the Business Mastery Program, a digital entrepreneur and business strategist empowering entrepreneurs, marketers and business professionals in Port-Harcourt and Abuja respectively.

The SME Clinic session is organized in partnership with SME Traction, a leading business coaching platform aimed at empowering SMEs to make informed choices about their businesses, thereby facilitating growth and bolstering their contribution to the development of the economy.

Expressing her delight on the impact the inaugural SME Clinic has had on her business, the CEO, Nibbles Plus More Ventures, Owoeye, Oluyomi, stated that “the first step I took after the SME business clinic was do a strategic road map for my business. Riding on the information I got from the business trend session on consumer landscape, I had a clearer understanding of who my target audience are and have included that in my business plan. The feedback we believe will help us identify untapped markets and problems in our industry, how to reach them and what value we can offer them”.

Like we were told at the clinic, progressing into the counter intuitive zone of the business model reinventing box is what brings about Innovation. Something must trigger innovation and not just our intuition. Hence, we have chosen research, she submitted.

Chuks Egbune/Editor

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DEMS applauds Pantami, NBP 2020-2025 Committee on draft submission - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Digital Economy Media Support Volunteers’ (DEMS Volunteers’), a non-governmental group leading nationwide awareness/campaigns on Digital Economy, has commended the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), for the vigour and zeal he has shown towards achieving a digital Nigeria.

In December 2019, to foster the growth of a Digital Economy and to achieve broadband penetration by the year 2025, the Nigerian Government inaugurated the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (NBP) Committee for the Development of the 2020-2025 National Broadband Plan for Nigeria.

The Director General, DEMS Volunteers, Prince Stan Okenwa, in a Press Statement at the weekend, noted that the recent submission of a National Broadband Plan 2020-2025 report in less than three months the steering committee was inaugurated is another confirmation that Dr. Pantami is on a fast lane hence the industry should rally round him to achieve the goals.

DEMS Volunteers also lauded the Committee Chaired by the MD/CEO, MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke and Co-Chaired by the former Executive Commissioner Technical Services at NCC, Dr. Bashir Gwandu, while NCC’s Executive Commissioner Technical Services, Engr. Ubale Maska, served as the Secretary of the Committee.

Prince Okenwa said that the Committee proved themselves worthy of the national assignment by ensuring the report was not delayed but delivered on record time.

“We followed up the progress report while the NBP Committee was on course for two months; deliberating on issues as they relate to the national broadband, with focus on how to penetrate the underserved and unserved areas in the country and drive the Nigerian digital economy. At some points, the Minister, out of his tight schedules, paid them visit, and took notes of progresses and areas of concerned raised. This is commendable.

Recall that the Minister was at the 2020 - 2025 National Broadband Planning Committee Meeting, which held on the 5th of February 2020 and on the 18th February 2020, the Committee submitted its draft report.

“This is commendable and shows that the Minister is not operating as an armed-chair executive, but a determined achiever. The NBP holds a critical place in the nation’s economic drives. Without adequate broadband, telemedicine won’t happen, smart transportation, seamless fintech, eLearning, ecommerce, eGovernance, and other multiplier effects would become mere thoughts on paper.

“Therefore, we call on the Minister not to relent, but to ensure immediate critical study of the recommendation for swift implementation. By doing that, we would have solved enormous challenges faced by the economy and further unleash new windows for multiple job creation and revenue generation in the country.

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Ikon, MD Fintech firm, emerges 3rd winner @Konga Travel Rolls Royce promo - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Recently named Most Innovative Agency by global airline, Virgin Atlantic, the Konga Travel and Tours, has named Mr. Imeh Gam Ikon as the third winner of its Rolls Royce promo which kicked off on Monday, February 10th, 2020, reports ITREALMS. 

The lucky flyer, Mr. Ikon, ITREALMS gathered, hails from Akwa Ibom and emerged winner of the third digital raffle held on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.

Ikon is the Managing Director of Viva Finance Ltd., a Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)-licensed financial institution.

He is scheduled to fly Virgin Atlantic to London on Monday, February 24, 2020.

Consequently, Ikon, a seasoned Virgin Atlantic flyer, will be picked up by a Rolls Royce from his residence at Ikota for the ride to the airport, with full complement of a VIP treatment throughout the journey and upon arrival at the airport where a red carpet reception awaits, among other special privileges.

The delighted winner had high praise for Konga Travel.

‘‘I am so happy to have emerged winner of the Rolls Royce promo. To be honest, the experience with Konga Travel has been very, very impressive. I have been so satisfied. I mean, two years ago when I went to the US, I had issues changing my ticket. However, Konga Travel did it so effortlessly for me. As a result, I have had no regrets referring customers to Konga Travel.

‘‘In fact, my in-law went to the US last year, someone else travelled last week, all of them through Konga Travel. I never fail to refer everyone around me to Konga Travel and that is basically because of the satisfaction I have derived from Konga Travel.

‘‘I have never been messed up or disappointed since I started using Konga Travel. Never! So, keep it up,’’ he submitted.

Meanwhile, the Rolls Royce promo, which runs from Monday, February 10, until Tuesday, March 31, 2020, offers customers of Konga Travel a chance to travel in style with a chauffeur-driven ride to the airport in a Rolls Royce.

Ikon, who is happily married with three kids, also revealed that he has been a die-hard customer of Konga.

‘‘I have been a Konga customer for several years now. The standard of service I receive is at par with what obtains globally. So, when Konga Travel launched, it was easy to continue the relationship,’’ he disclosed.

Prior to Ikon’s emergence as the third winner of the Konga Travel Rolls Royce, two other winners had equally enjoyed the special treatment. They include inaugural winner, Kelly Junior Babatunde, a professional footballer and Dr. Mrs. Nancy Iwara, a retired civil servant.

Every week, new winners will emerge in the Konga Travel Rolls Royce promo through the weekly digital raffle. Also, prospective travellers can book their discounted flights online at travel.konga.com or offline in any Konga Travel retail store nationwide. Intending flyers who book their flights during the promo period, between Monday February 10 and Tuesday, March 31, 2020, stand a chance to be selected for the special treatment in the Rolls Royce.

Apart from being picked up and chauffeur-driven in grand style to the airport, lucky winners of the Konga Travel Rolls Royce promo are also in for the time of their lives with in-car refreshments during the ride to the airport and red carpet reception upon arrival at the airport, while also enjoying the privilege of having Konga Travel assist with their check-in formalities and the possibility of lounge access at the airport, upgrades to Business Class and special gifts, among others.

Konga Travel is Nigeria’s foremost omni-channel travel booking company.

Having emerged on the scene less than two years ago, Konga Travel, a 21st Century lifestyle travel booking agency, has distinguished itself. Within a short space of its existence, the company has grown nearly 25% on a month-on-month basis, acquired all the requisite and major travel certifications and rolled out multiple physical store locations nationwide.

Nenye Dom/Editor

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