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The Board of Directors of foremost African financial institution; Guaranty Trust Bank plc, has announced the appointment of Mobolaji Lawal as an Executive Director of the Bank. Prior to his appointment, he was the Divisional Head, Digital Banking Division.
Mr. Lawal who joined the Bank in 1992 as an Executive Trainee and rose through the ranks to become a General Manager, a position he held until his appointment as Executive Director. He has over twenty-four (24) years’ of banking experience which covers various aspects of banking including Credit Risk Management; Corporate Banking Group; Commercial Banking Group; Investment Banking and Corporate Finance where he served as Group Head. Under his leadership, the Group worked on several landmark debt syndications, capital market and project finance transactions both in Nigeria and abroad.
He holds a Bachelor of Law degree from Obafemi Awolowo University (1990); B.L from the Nigerian Law School (1991) and a Master of Business Administration from the Oxford University, United Kingdom (2002). He has also attended several executive management and banking specific developmental programs in leading educational institutions such as Harvard Business School, Stanford Graduate School of Business and Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires (INSEAD).
Announcing the new appointment, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank, Mr. Segun Agbaje stated that: “As a Bank, we maintain high corporate governance standards and ensure our Board appointments are in line with global best practices”. He further stated, “Bolaji has been an integral part of the Bank’s success and has seen the bank evolve and develop through the years. I am confident that his appointment to the Board will further strengthen and position the bank for improved performance“.
Guaranty Trust Bank plc was established in 1990 and is regarded by Industry watchers as the best run and most ethical financial institution within the Nigerian Financial Services space, due to its bias for world-class corporate governance standards, excellent service quality and innovation. The Bank is one of the few Nigerian financial institutions to have a well-articulated succession plan and this has enabled it seamlessly undertake two management and several board changes since inception.
The Bank operates from over 238 branches within the country and has banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Cote D’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Emirates has enhanced comfort in the air with a host of exclusive, new products introduced to its First and Business Class cabins. Customers will travel in luxury with new additions including First Class lounge wear, luxury blankets, skincare from VOYA and a new range of amenity kits from Bulgari.
Emirates’ ongoing investment in product reinforces its emphasis on comfort, enhancing the travel experience. The airline has partnered with experts in their respective fields and no attention to detail has been spared in the luxury product overhaul.
Sleep well
For a comfortable night’s sleep on board the aircraft, Emirates has introduced the world’s first moisturising lounge wear designed for an airline. It will be available in the First Class cabin on overnight long haul flights. In partnership with Matrix, the suits use Hydra Active Microcapsule Technology designed to keep skin hydrated during the flight. The patented technology uses billions of capsules applied to the fabric which gently releases naturally-moisturising Sea Kelp during movement.
Sea Kelp, a brown sea algae or seaweed normally found in the Antarctic Ocean, is known to be rich in nutrients that hydrate skin while retaining moisture, especially useful in an aircraft environment.
The Microcapsule Technology of the lounge wear locks in the moisturiser for up to 10 washes so customers can re-use them. The suits include matching slippers and eye mask and come in a stylish felt pouch.
For added comfort, Emirates offers a plush, faux sheep-skin blanket in First Class. The soft and luxurious comforter is on board and also sold at the Emirates Official Store. Business Class customers can also look forward to newly-introduced soft duvets in charcoal grey on their next flight.
Wake up refreshed
To complete the relaxing travel experience, a new range of luxury spa products are now available both on board and on the ground from award-winning Irish brand VOYA. Created exclusively for Emirates, this skincare line includes shampoo, conditioner, body wash, cleanser, body moisturiser, hand wash, soap and hand cream. It will be available in the signature A380 shower spa on board and selected products in Emirates’ airport lounges. The hand and body cream can also be found in the First and Business Class washrooms.
The range for Emirates includes three different fragrances: rosemary & mint (Revitalise range), lavender & rosemary (Tranquility range) and lime & mandarin (Soothing range). VOYA’s line of skincare is made from sustainable organic seaweed which has been hand harvested in Sligo, Ireland. The brand is a mainstay in luxury boutique spas worldwide and is now available in the skies on Emirates.
Emirates has also partnered with luxury Italian brand Bulgari for its latest designs of the airline’s exclusive kit bags. The new set of amenity kits for both First and Business Class feature Bulgari’s woody floral fragrance – Eau Parfumée au thé noir – and contain skincare essentials to keep customers feeling fresh and pampered throughout the flight.
The First Class kit bags, made from fine leather, come in eight designs in charcoal grey for men and pale grey for women. Eight additional designs are available in Business Class – four for men and four for women. The amenity kits are available on long-haul overnight flights.
Emirates was named “World’s Best Airline” at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards earlier this year, a testament to its continuous investment in products and services.
Customers can enjoy gourmet, regionally inspired menus on board, paired with Emirates’ world class wine programme featuring the finest champagnes and wines from around the world.
Passengers in all classes can enjoy Emirates’ multi-award winning ‘ice’ Digital Widescreen with more than 2,500 channels of on demand entertainment including movies, TV programs, music and podcasts.
Emirates’ premium onboard experience is complemented by on ground comfort with a network of 40 dedicated Emirates Lounges located within major airports around the globe – all designed with the same attention to detail and exceptional service. First and Business Class passengers can also travel to and from the airport via Emirates’ complimentary Chauffeur-drive service.
Adekunle Olushola Social Media Manager JSP Communications No 26 Oroleye Crescent off Abel Oreniyi Street. Off Salvation Road, Opebi Ikeja, Lagos 08112808900,07069592772 W http://jspcommunications.com/ T https://twitter.com/jsprelations
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Dubai, UAE, December 20, 2016:AXILSPOT, a global vendor in enterprise wireless networking, announced the launch of its operations in the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region. As part of its regional expansion plans, the company will appoint reputed distributors and strengthen its channel network by onboarding partners across the region.
AXILSPOT offers state-of-the-art enterprise wireless connectivity solutions including wirelessaccess points, bridges, base station, enterprise WLAN management platforms and PoE Switches to name a few. A key differentiator of AXILSPOT from its competitors is its patented multi-beam smart selection array systemcalled Rscan, that reduces interference, allows the highest transmission speeds, successfully manages hundreds of concurrent users and offersthe more precise location based service (LBS).
"The Middle East and Africa has some of the fastest growing mobility growth rates as well as state of the art service provider technologies. With the arrival of 4G+ technologies in the region, end users want the same lighting fast mobile experiences available from service providers inside their offices, homesand in some public places too. Rscan, theAXILSPOT patented antenna array technology, fitted into all of our products, allows end users to experience the fastest wireless networking transmission speeds with minimum drop outs and line of sight interference," said Bruce Zhou, CEO, AXILSPOT.
In order to tap the fast-growing mobility opportunity in the region, AXILSPOT also announced its intention to appoint key channel partners in the region across its three partner categories. These include Authorised Solution Partner, Authorised Value Added Distributor, and Master Distributor.
Based on the above levels, AXILSPOT channel partners are variably offered Price Discounts, Online Training, Onsite Training, Deal Registration, Market Development Funds, Sales and Marketing Tools, Account Manager, Purchase Demo Kits, Dedicated Sales Person, Dedicated Trained Engineer, Marketing Activities.
"We have a simplified channel partner structure that allows partners to engage with us in the way best suited to their business. We offer significant discount and value benefits to all the three levels of channel partners. Based on our global experience and the large number of leisure hotels, shopping malls, tourist destinations, business events and conferences, in some of the countries in the MEA region, we are very confident that our products will dramatically change the experience of mobile users and visitors in these countries,” Bruce Zhou explained.
“This will help us to get traction with the wireless and network solution integrators, as well as technology decision makers. We are very confident of high levels of our business growth in this region, along with our prospective channel partners," he added.
AXILSPOT is a recent entrant in the global enterprise wireless networking industry with its core intellectual property rights. The company is committed to providing superior products and solutions for the most critical issues in wireless networks today, including how to create affordable reliability and how to meet dramatically increasing needs for connectivity, all over the world.
Swift, sensible, secure, stable, smart, scalable, simple, AXILSPOT is dedicated to providing consistent and the highest-speed wireless coverage and transmission solutions with the 7S WLAN experience. Catering to the entire enterprise and SME market including industry verticals and smart city projects, AXILSPOT provides smarter wireless solutions in four series: Dorado Series, Dolphin Series, Mobula Series and Seal Series.
With patented Rscan Smart Antenna Array Technology, AXILSPOT can deliver very high density of 800+ concurrent users with 5.3G capacity. The patented Rscan Smart Antenna Array Technology ensures AXILSPOT wireless solutions a consistent and high speed wireless coverage over the targeted area without being dropped off due to blind spots and interferences.
Over the next few months, AXILSPOT plans to offer high speed wireless connectivity to different industry verticals and will unveil its entire range of WLAN solutions for customers in the MEA region.
“More than Connection” – AXILSPOT’s sloganconveys the company’s will to deliver the most secure and outstanding wireless access experience globally and create more business value service based on big data,cloud management platform, cloud service , BI to name some.
About AXILSPOT:
AXILSPOT is a new force to reckon in the global Enterprise WLAN industry with the core intellectual property rights. AXILSPOT delivers Global Quality Products with superior innovative solutions to the most critical issues we are facing today in wireless networks: how to create affordable reliability and how to overcome dramatically increasing connected needs all over the world. AXILSPOT is dedicated to provide the most consistent and highest-speed wireless coverage and transmission solution(s) – anywhere, everywhere, all the time.
AXILSPOT is dedicated to provide the most consistent and highest-speed wireless coverage and transmission solutions. Their solutions are widely applied in SMEs, Large Corporate Enterprise, Government, Education, Hospitality, Transportation, Manufacture, Financial, Health etc. To know more please visit: http://www.AXILSPOT.com/.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
#GivingTuesday: Toyin Saraki, Gimbiya Dogara, Forums Of Senators and Representatives Wives Donate Towards Restoration And Rehabilitation Of IDPs Lives
In a uniquely unprecedented unity, the wives of Distinguished Senators of the 8th Senate and wives of Honorable Members of the House of Representatives led by Chair of the Forum of Senators’ Wives; Her Excellency Mrs. Toyin Saraki and Her Excellency, Mrs. Gimbiya Dogara, wife of The Speaker, House of Representatives, yesterday joined hands on Giving Tuesday to contribute their efforts once again, to the plight of displaced persons as they visited and donated relief materials to NYSC Orientation Camp Damare, Malkohi, Saint Theresa and Fufore Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) Camps in Yola, the capital of Adamawa State.
The entourage made a first stop at the Government House, Yola to pay a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Adamawa State, Senator Muhammad Umaru Jibrilla. They were received by the Governor, the Deputy Governor and wife; the wife of the Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly and other top officials in the state.
Mrs. Saraki in a statement delivered on arrival, sympathized with the people of Adamawa as theirs is one of the states most affected by the insurgency in the north east (NE) part of Nigeria while also commending the state government for their fortitude in providing continued succour, safety and security to the internally displaced persons in these trying times.
“I am happy this Giving Tuesday to be joined by my sisters, the wives of Distinguished Senators and the wives of Honorable Members. As we enter the end of the year, we have gathered materials to help the displaced families resettle back into their homes, their lives, and their productivity. It is indeed our prayer, that the end of this year will mark the end of regional conflict and internal displacement, while the new year ushers in an era of restored peace, progress and productivity.” She said.
The relief materials that were donated covered a total number of 132,626 IDPs in the 4 camps. Some of the items presented by the Forum of Senators’ Wives included: Sleeping Materials, Nutritious Foods Staple Items, Grains, Beans, Rice, Beverages, Ankara Clothes, Toiletries, Buckets, Diapers, Vegetable and Corn Oils, and Sanitary Supplies, while the Toyin Saraki's Wellbeing Foundation Africa Mamacare Program supported the effort by donating it's Let Girls Learn Adolescent Personal Social And Health Education's Skills And Drills Textbooks, No Child Left behind Back To School Literacy and Numeracy Kits, and Mamacare Clean Birth Mamakits, amongst others.
The Giving Tuesday mission led by the Wives of the Principal Officers of the 8th National Assembly at this time, identified with the core targets of the Future Assured and Get Involved initiatives of Her Excellency The Wife Of The President, Hajiya Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, in this end of year outreach, as the wives of members of the 8th National Assembly united to assist in the rehabilitation and restoration of dignity of families returning to their communities to rebuild their lives and homes, to deliver for the good of fragile and vulnerable familes and communities in North-East Nigeria.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
About a week ago when I petitioned the National Security Adviser on behalf of our client citing Cyberstalking as a crime contained in our extant laws, the security agents were brought alive by this revelation. Some arrests not even connected to the said petition were made. Since then some persons have gone to town with the yarn that arresting persons for Cyberstalking is a systematic infringement on the Right to Freedom of Expression.
Well, they are those whose stock in trade is to put a political colouration to everything; I am not that skilled. But as one of the first legal practitioners, if not the very first, who petitioned the National Security Adviser on the offence of the Cyberstalking and pointing public consciousness to this crime, I think I owe the public some sort of adumbration on this issue.
Here it is.
I have always maintained that the problem we have in Nigeria is not a dearth or lack of laws and policies. No. We have very good laws. But we lack a system that is capable of executing or enforcing these laws. A couple of months ago there was hoopla about a proposed social media bill. Apart from some ungodly aspects of that bill we didn’t even need it, not because there were no offences in our cyberspace to curtail but because we already had a law to deal with cyber offences; the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015.
“The Act provides an effective, unified and comprehensive legal, regulatory and institutional framework for the prohibition, prevention, detection, prosecution and punishment of cybercrimes in Nigeria. This act also ensures the protection of critical national information infrastructure, and promotes cybersecurity and the protection of computer systems and networks, electronic communications, data and computer programs, intellectual property and privacy rights.” The intendment of this piece is not to do a general analysis of this Act; that is already the business of a book I am working on. Now, let’s get to the section that provides for the crime of Cyberstalking.
Section 24 of THE CYBERCRIMES (PROHIBITION, PREVENTION, ETC) ACT, 2015 defines, describes and penalizes a crime known as Cyberstalking. This is what the said section 24 says: “Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that –‐ … (b) he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent: commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7, 000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) Any person who knowingly or intentionally transmits or causes the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network — … (c) containing any threat to harm the property or REPUTATION OF THE ADDRESSEE or of another or the reputation of a deceased person or any threat to accuse… commits an offence under this Act and shall be liable on conviction– … (ii) in the case of paragraph (c) … of this subsection, to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and/or a minimum fine of N15, 000,000.00 “.
Reading the provisions of section 24 of the Cybercrimes Act, one will wonder how enforcing this law infringes the Fundamental Human Right of Freedom of Expression encapsulated in section 39 of the 1999 Constitution as amended that says: “(1) Every person shall be entitled to freedom of expression, including freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference.”
Freedom of Expression or Speech is not the same thing as “… knowingly or intentionally send(ing) a message or other matter by means of computer systems or network that –‐ … (b) … (is) false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another … (2) … knowingly or intentionally transmit(ing) or caus(ing) the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network — … (c) containing any threat to harm the property or REPUTATION OF THE ADDRESSEE or of another or the reputation of a deceased person …”
You can criticize. You can rant. You can hold an opinion. You can blog. You can receive and publish intel from a source without revealing your source. You can damage anybody’s reputation with THE TRUTH. I repeat with the truth. But not with lies.
But when you “… knowingly or intentionally send (publish, blog, share, update, hashtag, twit, vblog, etc) a message (article, write up, audio, video, etc) or other matter by means of computer systems or network that –‐ … (b) (YOU) know to be (FALSE), for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent; (THEN YOU) commit an offence(CYBERSTALKING) under this Act (CYBERCRIMES ACT) and shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than N7, 000, 000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.
(2) (IF YOU) knowingly or intentionally transmit or cause the transmission of any communication through a computer system or network — … (c) containing any threat to harm the property or REPUTATION OF THE ADDRESSEE or of another … commits an offence(CYBERRSTALKING) under this Act(CYBERCRIMES ACT) and shall be liable on conviction– … (ii) in the case of paragraph (c) … of this subsection, to imprisonment for a term of 5 years and/or a minimum fine of N15, 000,000.00 “.
It is this simple. The offence of Cyberstalking is not an infringement of the Right to Freedom of Expression or Speech unless you are saying that to propagate falsehood or tell fabricated lies on social media is what you understand as Freedom of Expression. Even if that is your understanding, that is not the understanding of the law.
Finally, let me clear two points. One. Be careful of what you share on social media or your blog. You can be arrested and prosecuted for Cyberstalking for just sharing even if you are not the one that wrote the original post or article. By sharing you are liable for the same offence as the original author.
Two. Recently a blogger was arrested for Cyberstalking by the EFCC and some people were asking whether the EFCC has the powers to arrest for this offence. Though I don’t know the details of the activities he engaged in that warranted his arrest for Cyberstalking but the answer is yes, the EFCC has the powers to arrest under the Cybercrimes Act generally and for Cyberstalking.
Over 70% of cybercrimes are financial in nature. A casual scan of the Act will show that most of the offences provided for are financial in nature. Section 42 of the Act and the First Schedule established the Cybercrimes Advisory Council and listed EFCC as member respectively.
It is possible that someone could “… knowingly or intentionally send (publish, blog, share, update, hashtag, twit, vblog, etc) a message (article, write up, audio, video, etc) or other matter [OF A FINANCIAL NATURE] by means of computer systems or network that –‐ … (b) he knows to be (FALSE), for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another…” Thereby empowering the EFCC to arrest and prosecute under the EFCC Act and the Cybercrimes Act.
Freedom of Speech is sacrosanct, no one should stand by and watch it infringed. But Freedom of Speech is not the same thing as freedom to fabricate lies and disseminate falsehood. Those who fight to uphold the Right to Freedom of Speech should also be seen fighting to defeat those who fabricate lies and propagate falsehood. We cannot enjoy Freedom of Speech when falsehood is allowed to reign supreme.
First Baba Isa (FBI) is a Legal Practitioner and writes from Abuja. @firstbabaisa 07037162029
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Dr. Martin Luther King Said, “I have a dream.” Those words have been repeated around the world again and again- in print, on radio and TV. Because he dared to both live for and die for that dream, his life made a difference. Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream was not only for himself but for others. He had a dream for an American society devoid of racial discrimination and social prejudice. Today, Black Americans live freely with their white brothers.
Dr. Nelson Mandela had a dream for his country, South Africa. He dreamt of a country where the political subjugation and inhuman apartheid policy would be truncated. He was imprisoned because of his dream for his people. He spent 27 lonely years in incarceration. But at the end of the day, his dream prevailed, and apartheid was dismantled.
Our forefathers had a dream for an independent Nigeria. They fought colonization with so much nationalistic zest. Many of them were prepared to pay the supreme price. Eventually, on October 1st, 1960, their dream gave birth to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I can go on and on with a catalogue of great men that had great dreams that changed their generation and impacted their world.
The world is ruled by dreamers. Every advancement in human history was orchestrated and championed by a dream in the heart of one man. Dreamers foresee a better future for themselves and for society; they create the picture of a glorious destiny for their generation. Every dreamer in history changed their world
"Many of the greatest accomplishment in history have been done against impossible odds, because somebody dared to dream"
The urgent need to raise and nurture dreamers with a passion to change our nation gave birth to Voice of Change Network International, a non-governmental organization established to promote collective responsibility for national development, inspire individual passion, civic patriotism and commitment towards building the Nigeria of our dreams.
THE PICTURE OF A BETTER FUTURE. I have a dream of a new Nigeria, a nation where there would be freedom, equity and the spirit of enterprise; a nation that would be ranked amongst the top 20 developed economies in the world by the year 2030. I can see a society that will evolve selfless leadership with patriotic passion to re-invent this nation.
I have a dream of a country where there would be adequate provision of infrastructure and power supply for rapid industrial development. I have a dream that one day, Nigeria will be a corrupt-free society where her people will be law abiding and exhibit high sense of discipline in every facet of their lives. Then it would be a taboo to give or accept bribe. Our policemen and civil servants would no longer request for gratification before they discharge their duties. The time is coming when people will no longer dispose refuse indiscriminately, urinate and defecate anywhere. Our streets and cities would be clean.
I have a dream of a Nation where social miscreants “Area boys” will no longer infest our streets constituting nuisance; our youths would no longer use the internet to send scam (419) business proposal. I have a dream that, every Nigerian, both home and abroad would be proud of our National colors. Nigerians in the diaspora would be glad to return home to rebuild our Nation. I see a future where our green National Passport would have respect and value. I can see Americans and Europeans applying for the Nigerian lottery Visa.” Asian and other African nationals would queue up in our embassies other to obtain our visa.
I have a dream that made-in Nigeria products would be exported to America, Europe and Asian countries.
I have a dream that one day, the problem of unemployment would be a thing of the past, because there would be enough industries to absorb our young graduates. Even then, our youth would take pride in becoming entrepreneurs, starting their small businesses. Poverty would be eradicated. There would be sufficiency of food for all Nigerians, because agriculture would be completely revamped.
Nigeria is going to evolve a political culture where elections will no longer be a do-or-die affair. Money bags would no longer dominate our political firmament, then true leaders will emerge with the heart to serve the people. This is my dream for my beloved country.
I believe this dream can be realized in this generation. We can make them happen. Remember, Nigeria is our only country, we don’t have another one. We can’t fold our hands and allow this decay in our nation to continue. We must rise up for a change in this country. Enough of pointing accusing fingers at our leaders; enough of criticism and attack on our political leaders. Though they have their faults, we equally have to accept some measure of responsibility in taking this nation out of the rot we have found ourselves.
NIGERIA’S NATION BUILDING REQUIRES COLLECTIVE EFFORT
Nigeria’s nation-building and development requires collective effort.The development of this nation does not lie in the hands of one single individual. It is our collective effort that will make Nigeria great. I am a firm believer that there is hope for this country; there is a greater tomorrow for Nigeria.
So, whatever corner God has put you in whether big or small position, please give it your best shot, be the best and if each one of us is the best in our little corner, then we will see the Nigeria of our dream come to light.
Let us join hands together as Nigerians to build a nation where peace and justice reign, for that is the only way that the labor of our heroes past would not have been in vain. It is my prayer that we will all see the Nigeria of our dreams come to pass.
I will strongly advised against bulk passing and losing faith in the nation owing to some of our developmental and political challenges. In spite of our challenges in this country, I want to encourage every Nigerian not to begin apportioning blames. We must realize that distractions come from looking around, discouragement comes from looking down, defeat comes from looking backwards, but deliverance comes when we lift up our eyes to the hills from whence comes our help, because our help comes from the lord the maker of the heavens and the earth.
A CLARION CALL
The time has come for every one of us to rise up to begin to contribute our own quota to building the Nigeria of our dreams.
What is your dream for this Nation? What are you prepared to give or sacrifice to make Nigeria a better place? Nigeria needs you. You are an agent of change. There is something you carry that will impact this nation! Wake up! The time to do something is now!
We of the Voice of Change Network International, will not relent until, the dream for a new nation is realized, join this chariot now to champion the birth of a new Nigeria.
God bless you.
God bless Nigeria.
By: Azemobor Gregory
International Co-ordinator, Voice of Change Network
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
… Cautions that mudslinging will backfire on him Senator Magnus Abe, All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Rivers South East Senatorial District in the legislative re-run election, has warned Governor Nyesome Wike not to link him with anything about corruption as everybody in the state knows the antecedents of the governor before mounting the office. Speaking to scores of APC supporters in Ataba town in Andoni Local Government Area, while on a visit for the burial ceremony of late elder Caleb Simon Benjamin Ogbologugo, Abe said that his name is not associated with corruption but of service,idea generation and sound intellect. He told the supporters in Pidgin English that people should not forget their past easily.
Today, I no come Ataba for campaign.I no go stay for Ataba reply all the whole nonesense wey una dey hear people talk because no bi wetin bring me come here. Wetin bring me come here na to come honour our father. But let me say this. I think all of us wey dey here know the cream wey dem dey call 'Nku' cream. Na elders nai know wetin bi 'Nku'cream. Anybody wey know Governor Nyesome Wike make dem go tell am say when him dey talk about Senator Abe, make him no talk about corruption because plenty people for Nigeria still remember 'Nku' cream and we know the smell of 'Nku'cream and the bottle is white. Anybody wey no know the smell of something, him go dey talk the thing to people wey no know am. We know people wey fit talk about corruption and people wey no fit talk about corruption. Make Wike talk 'melebem' 'melebem'. You know, he is a governor and I am not a governor. But Rivers people know him and they know me. Me and am bin follow enter EFCC,I pass for door comot but him na court comot am. We no fit sidon here begin talk like say people no remember yesterday. We remember yesterday.” At the palace of the Okaan Ama and clan head of Ataba kingdom, HRM Dr. Benson Hebron Mgbo-Awaji Egwenre-Uruk (xvii), while on a courtesy visit, Abe said that he would forge stronger relationship between the Ogoni and the Andoni as started by Engr. Sampson Ngerebara. The former Secretary to Rivers State Government narrated how the Andoni people supported him during his first tenure as a Senator and that was why the first employment opportunity he had to give was given to an Andoni man whom today is a senior staff of NNPC. He said before the 2015 elections that the politics of Rivers State had been politics of being at the centre and Governor Wike campaigned that Rivers people cannot afford not to be at the centre. He said today,Rivers South East and indeed Rivers State should be at the centre to get their largesse as the treasure base of the nation, pointing out that any attempt to take away Rivers people from the centre is unacceptable and meant to deny them opportunities. “Gov. Wike, former Gov.Amaechi and all of us as political leaders in Rivers state agreed that Rivers State must be with the centre. The argument was where will the centre be? Today, we are no longer arguing,we know where the centre is. We don't want anybody to deceive the Andoni people and pull them behind. The challenges of Andoni are beyond the powers and resources of Rivers state government.” Abe urged the Andoni people to vote for him and all the APC candidates in the re-run elections to enable them work together to put Andoni at the centre.
Responding to the speech of Senator Abe,the clan head commended Senator Abe and the APC for attending the burial of their colleague. He said that Andoni people will do everything within their powers to send him to the Senate and reminded him of myriads of NDDC projects in the area. He appealed that he (Abe) should help the Andoni to persuade the NDDC to complete the projects now that a son of the district is the Executive Director designate Finance and Accounts.
“While coming down here I am sure you saw the work going on on the bridge linking Ataba to Kaa. That job has been on for quite sometime. By the contract specification by now we should be using that road.” He further stated that Ataba people had been lucky to be at the centre in the past and would be at the centre at present. “We are very grateful that today APC is controlling the centre and somehow in Ataba here we have a little bit advantage of being favoured by the centre in one way or the other.” He commended Senator Abe for his role in the clean-up of Ogoni land and appealed to him to extend it to Andoni and other communities of the Niger Delta.
“We also have SHELL that is trying to clean up Bodo and Ataba communities. We don't know how the two will work. But whichever way it goes, we call for your assistance. We are here in Ataba and we have heard your message. We are people who look ahead and know the direction where we should go that will be okay for us. Like I told you before we will do all in our power to ensure that all the candidates of APC win,” he said.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
PARIS, France, April 22, 2016/ — Ingenico Group (Euronext: FR0000125346 – ING) (www.Ingenico.com), the global leader in seamless payment, deployed, jointly with its local partner Tracom, a Revenue Collection solution in the County of Nyeri in Kenya.
This initiative was sponsored by Equity Bank and reinforces the emerging cashless-based culture by collecting County fees such as parking, land rates, business permits, market stall fees through electronic payment. Its benefits include stronger accountability for funds collected and effective cost reduction thanks to a fully electronic process.
People in Nyeri can now save time: instead of waiting in long queues, they can pay the County fees from the area of operations without wasting time commuting. In fact, County agents, equipped with Ingenico wireless smart terminals with a specific Revenue Collection application, can now simply collect payments when arriving at the business premises.
“We selected Ingenico Group and its local partner Tracom as they have shown a strong expertise in providing innovative solutions to strengthen cashless payment behaviors,” explained Andrew Wakahiu, General Manager-Agency Banking, Equity Bank. “This Revenue Collection program has been successful because it relies on a technology that is both simple and secure. No more paperwork, complex processes or cash management issues in the agent network; it’s a real game changer for the County administration.”
Equity Bank, a leading regional banking institution, has partnered with Ingenico Group and Tracom for the past few years to deploy cashless programs in East Africa. This has been part of a global strategy which aims to deepen Financial Inclusion among the local population. Equity Bank has been a pioneer in Branchless Banking where local merchants became trusted agents, offering the unbanked population a full banking portfolio (including account ownership and management as well as savings and credit) through a simple agency banking application on Ingenico iWL smart terminals.
“We are proud to be Equity Bank’s partner on this governmental program,” commented Luciano Cavazzana, Eastern Europe & Africa Managing Director for Ingenico Group. “We are demonstrating that our technology is not limited to traditional payment but is open to a wide range of new opportunities. Through this initiative, Tracom and Ingenico Group addressed administrative challenges by providing a quick and convenient fees collection solution to better anchor cashless habits in Kenyans’ daily lives.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Samsung prioritises access to education, healthcare and skills for employability in Africa to help achieve continent’s Sustainable Development Goals
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 18, 2016/ — Samsung Electronics Africa (http://www.Samsung.com/za) today announced that it will bolster its Corporate Citizenship efforts in Africa in a bid to help the continent achieve its Sustainable Development Goals.
Speaking at the 2016 Samsung Africa Forum, Abey Tau, Corporate Citizenship and Public Affairs Manager, said: “As a global citizen, we felt it was important to use our technology to give back to society. We do this in four ways: by creating new learning opportunities so that young people can enjoy access to better education; by using our technical expertise to develop and provide access to new healthcare solutions; by supporting youth employment through vocational training and skills development; and by reducing our impact on the environment.”
According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for more than 50% of all out-of-school children worldwide, which affects their future employment opportunities. The dire situation faced by many African countries is a result of a number of factors, including civil unrest, cultural beliefs and a lack of schooling infrastructure and resources.
It is against this backdrop that Samsung Electronics Africa has adopted an attitude of innovation by introducing technology where it previously has not existed. The aim is to make sure that every African child has access to education no matter where they are on the continent, using state-of-the-art digital technology enjoyed by children in developed countries.
Education as seed of innovation
Samsung believes that digital technology can completely transform the learning process, as well as the nature of teaching and learning, to create inclusive environments for everyone. Its Solar Powered Internet Schools, Smart Schools and E-Learning Academies provide solutions that deliver on this vision and improve the quality of learning, enhance teaching effectiveness and allow administrators to run institutions more effectively.
The company works with educators around the world to improve learning experiences through the use of technology, facilitating a classroom environment that is limitless and gives students access to a world of knowledge from their desks or on the go.
Through these education initiatives, Samsung hopes to instill a love of learning in students so that they may have equal access to opportunities and go on to become active participants in the economy. This can help to reduce the number of out-of-school children, giving them a chance to succeed.
Earlier this month, Nigerian president, Muhammadu Buhari, attended the launch of a Smart School in the state of Ogun.
Samsung will continue to drive access to education by launching a number of education initiatives in Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and DRC in 2016.
Skills of the future
However, it takes more than simply providing access to education. As a result of the work Samsung continues to do across the continent, alongside governments, private sector partners and communities, it has come to light that many graduates leave institutions of higher learning with strong theoretical knowledge but lack the practical skills needed by industry.
Samsung’s Engineering Academy and Air-conditioning and Refrigeration Academy aim to change this by providing free, intensive, hands-on training to graduates. The Academies seek to develop skilled young African leaders who are adequately prepared for the world of employment. The programme forms a core part of Samsung’s vision to fast-track the entry of African youths into the electronics job market and to reduce the shortage of scarce skills in the IT industry. Zimbabwe will be a recipient of one of these academies this year.
“Investing in the skills of the youth also benefits Samsung – the more young people we can develop with skills in the electronics industry, the more we can be assured of our ability to provide excellent service to our customers,” says Tau.
Access to quality healthcare
According to the World Bank, more than 60% of people in Sub-Saharan Africa live in rural areas and are unable to access clinics for proactive medical care.
To help alleviate this, Samsung Electronics Africa has put initiatives in place through public-private partnerships.
In 2013, Samsung introduced the Solar Powered Health Centre, a solution housed in a shipping container fitted with the most advanced medical equipment and Samsung solar panels. Patients can be screened at the centre to diagnose conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, tooth decay and cataracts. They can also access information on health issues.
Samsung’s Mobile Health Centre, which uses technology to remotely connect to specialist doctors anywhere in the world to get expert opinion and diagnoses, communities quick access to primary healthcare, screening, mother and child facilities, dental care, eye testing and emergency care This year, Samsung will be establishing a Mobile Health Centre in Togo.
Samsung’s Digital Village, which focuses on the challenges in underserved and rural communities, provides access to new experiences by bringing advanced Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) to under-resourced areas. This helps to bridge the digital divide and serves as a catalyst for local business and government service delivery.
The Digital Village is a hub where community members can access educational and health solutions.
Within a Digital Village set-up, Samsung also offers a Mother and Child Unit, which is equipped to offer comprehensive pre- and post-natal screening, care and education in an effort to reduce Africa’s high infant mortality rate.
In 2016, Samsung will be launching Digital Villages in Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
“These multi-purpose offerings provide a sustainable solution to challenges faced by African people, while improving their standards of living. The model addresses one of Africa’s largest economic challenges – electrification. The scarcity of electricity results in limited access to education, healthcare and connectivity – all of which are key to socio-economic development,” adds Tau.
Corporate Citizenship that makes a real impact
“Collaboration with communities is key to finding the correct remedies to societal challenges,” says Tau. “At Samsung, we have a vested interest in the communities we operate in and, as a result, we have come up with solutions that directly address the everyday challenges most people encounter. Over the years, our collaborative efforts – guided by our strategic focus in the areas of education, health, the environment, and skills and employability – have seen us collaborate with different communities, NGOs and governments. These collaborations have given us insights that we have used when designing the solutions we have installed in the different communities across the African continent. 2016 is another year we build on these progressive partnerships and ensure that we positively impact the lives of more people.”
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd..
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CONTACT: Abey Tau Corporate Citizenship Manager Samsung Electronics Africa Office R.Tau@samsung.com
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. (http://www.Samsung.com/za) inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies that redefine the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space with the open platform SmartThings, our broad range of smart devices, and through proactive cross-industry collaboration. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, and for the latest news, feature articles and press material, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Tigo becomes the only operator in Tanzania to offer interoperability with Airtel, Vodacom and Zantel
DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, February 18, 2016/ — Tigo Tanzania (www.Tigo.co.tz) announced today that customers of its Tigo Pesa mobile money service will now be able to move funds between any of the country’s mobile money operators, as Vodacom’s M-Pesa joins an interoperable network already set up by Tigo, Zantel and Airtel. Tigo becomes the only operator in Tanzania to offer interoperability with Airtel, Vodacom and Zantel.
Vodacom’s participation means that more than 16 million mobile money users in Tanzania will be able to conduct transactions with one-another regardless of which mobile operator they use.
It also creates Africa’s first universal interoperable mobile money network.
In June 2014, Tigo, Airtel and Zantel announced a pioneering interoperability agreement. Since then, their customers have enjoyed interoperability between their mobile money accounts which has accounted for an increase of 3.5 times the value of total offline transactions. After announcing it would join the interoperable network one year ago, Vodacom has now implemented the deal.
Interoperability in Tanzania today is not exclusive to mobile operators, and also includes more than 25 banks. The country’s 16 million mobile financial users transact the equivalent of more than 50% of Tanzania’s GDP each month. Thanks to this growing network, Tanzania is now the leading place for mobile money in east Africa, overtaking Kenya.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Tigo Tanzania Head of Mobile Financial Services, Ruan Swanepoel, said: “With Tigo Pesa, customers will now benefit from faster, cheaper and safer cashless transactions with anyone across the country.”
Swanepoel continued, “We believe interoperability is crucial to the success of mobile money and the wider goal of increasing financial inclusion. It is also a fundamental building block towards constructing a digital economy, enabling merchants and other start-ups to participate in the financial services ecosystem. Our aim going forward is to reach similar agreements with networks in other markets.”
Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of Tigo.
For more please visit: www.millicom.com or contact:
Press Enquiries John Wanyancha, Corporate Communication Manager, Tigo Tanzania Tel: +255 658123089 – john.wanyancha@tigo.co.tz
About Tigo Tanzania
Tigo Tanzania (www.Tigo.co.tz) is the leading innovative telecommunication company in the country, distinguished as a fully-fledged digital lifestyle brand. Offering a diverse product portfolio in voice, SMS, high-speed internet and mobile financial services, Tigo has pioneered innovations such as Facebook in Kiswahili, TigoPesa App &iOS users, Tigo Music (Deezer) and East Africa’s first cross-border mobile money transfer with currency conversion.
The Tigo 3G networks guarantees the best services to its subscriber’s in all regions across the country. In 2015 Tigo launched 4G LTE network in Dar es Salaam and selected regions with plans to become available all over the country in 2017. In the past three years the company has launched over 500 network sites bringing its total network sites to over 2,000. It plans to double its investment by 2017 in terms of coverage and additional capacity networks for deeper penetration in rural areas. With over 10 million registered subscribers, Tigo directly and indirectly employs over 300,000 Tanzanians including an extended network of customer service representatives, mobile money merchants, sales agents and distributors. Tigo started its operations in Tanzania in 1994
About Millicom
Millicom International Cellular SA is a leading telecommunications and media company founded in 1990 that is uniquely focused on frontier and emerging markets in Africa and Latin America. It is listed on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm under the symbol MIC, headquartered in Luxembourg, and operates across 14 markets that have fast GDP growth, a high proportion of young people and huge opportunities for the adoption of what we call the digital lifestyle. In 2015, Millicom celebrated 25 years of pace-setting innovation. Millicom is a pioneer on the world stage in its range of customer-centric digital lifestyle services and provides mobile services to more than 63 million customers. In cable, Millicom passes more than seven million homes. More than ten million subscribers actively use Millicom’s portfolio of mobile financial services. The Millicom Group employs more than 15,000 people. In 2014, Millicom generated revenue of USD 6.4 billion and EBITDA of USD 2.1 billion.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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