ICT Expert, Jegede, Wants Journalists To Take Advantage Of Broadband Technologies

May 24, 2017

An expert in the Information Communication Technology (ICT), and Chief Executive Officer of Phase 3 Telecom, Mr. Stanley Jegede has advised Journalists in Nigeria to take advantage of the emerging broadband technologies to enhance their professional standards.

Jegede, who delivered a paper, titling “harnessing the power of broadband technologies for effective new media practice” at a two-day retreat by members of the State House Press Corps (SHPC) in Lagos at the weekend, said that media houses and journalists can engender new media practice successfully in the nation if they learn to optimize the benefits of broadband technologies.

“As new media feeds on internet accessibility on digital devices and the savvy to effectively utilize that accessibility; to drive political and social change as well as push out content/information on demand with interactivity, feedbacks and creative participation being its main goals.

“Hence, the effectiveness of new media channels such as online newspapers, blogs, micro blogs, wikis, and “social media” – which is the focal theme of today’s gathering would never be optimized without making the very best of the accessibility that broadband technologies provide.

“Of course the new media space (especially social media) is both diverse and dynamic due to the consistent explosion of new ideas driving it but we cannot deny that a significant attribute of new media is dialogue.”

The Phase 3 CEO took a look at short and memorable insights on the benefits of using the former as leverage to maximize the latter by Nigerian media houses and journalists, saying that the first of such insights is that “we understand that broadband being a large range of communication technologies with technical capacities for each – is all for one purpose mostly – and that is to provide high speed internet for real time access to information.

“As cross-examining the future of journalism is a very pressing task for every media practitioner;er in defining the public interest today due to constant enormous changes in the media milieu and its technologies.”

The ICT expert quoted the words of the communications strategist, Vineet Kaul to buttress his points: “saving journalism will not in itself save the world. That should be left to people and politicians; but a healthier local and global news media is a necessary precondition for international development and security”

He said therefore that not taking that bait of adopting the aforementioned technologies for effective new media (social media being the most influential) practice by Nigerian journalists to be at par with their global counterparts would be a stance in great error.

Phase3 Telecom is a West Africa’s largest and foremost independent fibre optic infrastructure and telecommunications services provider.

The company’s service offerings and seamless communication solutions cover transmission and broadband that allow its clients to enjoy network access to over 400 cities worldwide through international partnerships. [myad]

Osinbajo Hails Edwin Clark’s Unwavering Patriotism At 90

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has commended the former Federal Commissioner of Information and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark for his unwavering patriotism and relentless pursuit of the unity of Nigeria.

He said that Clark, who will celebrate his 90^th birthday tomorrow, May 25^th, is well known for his maturity in speaking for the good of all Nigerians, promoting the South-South quest for a new developmental vision and supporting the cause of the poor and vulnerable.

The Acting President extolled the personal sacrifices and diplomatic shuttles of the great Nigerian leader, who worked relentlessly for the birth and sustenance of ECOWAS even as he assured the nonagenarian that his labour of love for the South-South and the progress of the country will be remembered by many generations to come.

Professor Osinbajo commemorated the milestone in the life of Chief Clark whom he described as nationalist, “whose life reflects our collective and continuous efforts towards building a great nation.” [myad]

UNESCO, Bauchi Govt Partner To Train 50,000 Girls, Women

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

Bauchi state government and UNESCO have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train 50, 000 girls and women in basic education through the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

The National Professional Officer, Communication and Information Sector of UNESCO, Macaulay Olushola, said in a statement in Abuja that the MoU was signed during the courtesy visit of some UNESCO officials to Bauchi State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the empowerment programme would be the second phase of the project by UNESCO and product of Procter and Gamble, a Consumer Product company.

The project in its first phase empowered 60,000 girls and women in the state. The statement quoted the governor as saying: “we must give the opportunity for those who lost the opportunity of education during their childhood.

“This will enable the 50,000 girls and women have a second chance so that citizens of the state will enjoy basic education, which in turn will lead to better life for them.

“Education opens all doors, health care delivery improves, when you have that, other social ills are attacked and settled,” the governor said.

Also, the Director, Multi-Sectorial Regional office, Abuja, Mr Yao Ydo, said that the project would empower the girls and women in skills development through Information Communication Technology.

“School Meet the Learners Approach” would be deployed to implement the project that would last for two years.

“The School Meet the Learners Approach project, is for the empowerment of girls and women in literacy and skills development through the use of ICT.

“It is expected to improve the performance of the low performing Junior Secondary School Two (JSS 2) girls who have difficulties in some specific subjects in school.

“It will also empower women on literacy and skills development through the use of ICT. “The signing of the MoU opens another window of opportunity in Bauchi State, prepares us to move together to empower 50,000 girls and women in the next two years of the project.” [myad]

$1.28 Billion External Loan: Osinbajo Seeks Approval Of Reps

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, has requested approval of the House of Representatives for fresh $1.28 billion and €9m loans under the 2016-2018 External Borrowing (Rolling) Plans of the Federal Government.

A letter he wrote to the House of Representatives on the matter was read to members by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday, Tuesday.

Osinbajo explained that the $1.28 billion was to support the operations of the Development Bank of Nigeria. He said the “multi-donor supported bank” was approved during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan and had its financial agreements executed on February 25, 2015.

The acting President said that the $1.28 billion, which ought to have been included in the 2014-2016 borrowing plans, was inadvertently omitted.

He said that there was an urgency to re-list the $1.28 billion in the 2016-2018 borrowing plans because the creditors were ready to provide the funding.

Osinbajo said that the World Bank Group would provide $500 million while African Development Bank would give $450 million even as Kfw Development of Germany is expected to provide $200 million; and French Development Agency would give $130 million, bringing the total to $1.28 billion.

The letter said that the €9 million would go into the Fund for Agricultural Finance in Nigeria, saying that the Kfw Development Bank of Germany would provide the money.

“The first phase (FAFIN-I) was in the €10.5m and the financing agreement was executed on the 3rd of October, 2013. It is an investment facility in agricultural financing. The first tranche of FAFIN-I has been fully disbursed and the donor is ready to provide another tranche of €9m for FAFIN-II.

“The second tranche is for the consolidation of the gains in the investment of the first tranche.” Earlier on April 26, 2017, President Muhammadu Buhari had written the National Assembly seeking approval to include another $6.9 billion in the borrowing plans.

The facility was requested for the execution of key rail projects, the rehabilitation of the North-East and projects in education, agriculture and health sectors.

According to the President’s request, the Chinese, through the China Eximbank, will provide over $5.8 billion of the loan, while the World Bank will make provisions for the balance. Among the rail projects are the Coastal Railway Project (Lagos-Calabar segment), estimated at $3.4 billion; the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan segment), $1.2 billion; and the Lagos-Kano Railway Modernisation Project (Kano-Kaduna segment), $1.1 billion. [myad]

Federal, States, Local Governments Share N415 Billion For April

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

The Federation Accounts Allocation Committee (FAAC) yesterday shared among the three tiers of government-

Federal, States and Local Governments have shared the sum of N415.730 billion for the month of April 2017.

According to the Accountant General of the Federation, Idris Ahmed, who spoke after the Committee’s meeting in Abuja, the gross statutory revenue of N274.100 billion received for the month was lower than the N331.583billion received in the previous month.

“We have a balance in the Excess Crude Account as at 23rd of May 2017 of $2.299billion. We also have a balance in the Excess Petroleum Profit Tax, account as at 23rd May, 2017 of $67million.”

He said that there was significant increase in export sales revenue by about $63.69 million due to increase in the average unit price of crude oil from $52.38 per barrel and a rise in crude in oil export volume by 1.07 million barrels.

He said that despite the improvement, production still suffered the perennial setbacks.

“Leakages arising from sabotage and programmed maintenance led to shut-ins and shut-downs at terminals. The Force Majeure declared at Forcados Terminal since February, 2016 was still in place.

“Distributable statutory revenue for the month is N272.115billion. The sum of N6.330billion was refunded by NNPC to the Federal Government. There is a propos end distribution of N20.425 billion from the Excess PPT Account. Also, exchange gain of N38.517billion is proposed for distribution. The total revenue for the current month (including VAT) is N415.730billion.” [myad]

Spanish Court Sends Football Maestro, Lionel Messi To 21-Month Jail For Tax Fraud

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

The Supreme Court of Spain has affirmed the 21-month jail sentence plus 2.09-million-euro ($2.25 million) fine slammed on Lionel Messi for tax fraud.

Thee judgment came months after the Argentine/Barcelona football superstar appeal the judgment of the lower court which primarily handed him the sentence. The judgment was delivered today, Wednesday,

More details soon… [myad]

Aisha Buhari To Women: I Can’t Forget You For All Your Support

Greenbarge Reporters

May 24, 2017

Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari has expressed her appreciation to Nigerian women for the support they have been giving her husband since the last presidential election and assured that she would not forget them in the scheme of things.

She said: “I am deeply appreciative of the support that you show to us at every turn and promise that I will never let you down.”

The President wife, who spoke during a session organized to distribute food items to women organizations in Yola, Adamawa state today, Wednesday, said that such support had been the force driving the President and herself.

Aisha Buhari also thanked the women also for the consistent prayers over her husband’s improved health, saying: “today’s event, which is the distribution of food items, is a symbolic gesture and a token of my appreciation. It is meant to confirm that I have not forgotten you, and never will.”

In her welcome remarks, Wife of the Governor, Mrs. Maryam Muhammad Bindow, thanked Aisha Buhari for all that she has been doing through Future Assured programme, adding that the event is consistent with the policy drive of the present administration at both the Federal and state levels.

“I urge the beneficiaries to reciprocate the gesture by supporting government in its policies and programmes aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.”

Items distributed include rice, sugar, tomato puree and milk. The beneficiaries are widows, physically challenged, religious groups and cultural groups, women council and market women. [myad]

Was This Easy For Chukwuman To Die? By Yusuf Ozi-Usman

Greenbarge Reporters

May 23, 2017

I was driving to Nasarwa in Nasarawa State to visit my son in the Federal Polytechnic there today, Tuesday, when Elizabeth Archibong posted in the State House Press Corps WhatApps group: “Guys, Chuks has passed…” either I didn’t quite understand the message or I was dodging the implication of the four words: Guys…Chuks…Has…Passed.

What followed immediately were a deluge of lamentations coming from over 100 members in the group. And I didn’t know when I wrote simply: “Whaaaat!”

As a matter of fact, because of the shock that seized my psyche, I parked the car by the road side for a while, reflected briefly on the Chuks that was said have, in diplomatic language, “passed” which simply means dead. Chukwuman Oneokwusi dead?

The Chukwuma that, not quite two months ago, was bubbling with life and was downed only by two deadly diseases: Liver and Kidney…the Chukwuma that was full of life; the man who always brought conviviality to even those who might not want to associate with him? In any case, would anyone in his right sense not want to associate with him?

Was it Chukwuman I personally visited in a private hospital at Garki Village a fortnight ago, who, as usual, hailed my name: “Ozi my men!!! Even when he was sick?…the Chukwuman who said Amen, Amen, Amen to prayers I offered for his quick recovery? Which Chukwuma?

Indeed, when I found that I could no longer drive, I handed over the steering to my son. And throughout the journey to Nasarawa and my return to Abuja, the feeling was noggin at my heart like a bad dream that refused to go away. And lo! The news came that Acting President Yemi Osinbajo and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki sent condolence messages to Chuks family. Another news came that a five-minute silence in prayer was observed for him when the three Presidential spokesmen: Femi Adesina, Garba Shehu for President Muhammadu Buhari and Laolu Akande for Acting President Yemi Osinbajo met with the state House Correspondents for a different purpose.

So, true, Chukwuman is dead????

In the many years I had practiced Journalism and interacted with people across the country and the world, I found Chuks to be one of the few people, of the Igbo extraction who was proud of his birthplace without being malicious about it. He was an Igbo man who genuinely respected other peoples’ views, ethnic, religious and regional backgrounds.

Besides being a thoroughbred Journalist who took his job with all the seriousness it deserved, Chukwuma was a jolly good fellow who was easily attracted to lively people. So good he could mix with people that he and I became more of a family friend than colleagues on the same beat. He and his wife had cause to pay me and my family me visits on more than two occasions. When I broke the news to my wife that Chukwuman was dead, she virtually rolled on the ground, wailing. Chukwuman was a Christian and I and my family are Muslims, but our relationship transcended all such sentiments.

As a matter of fact, Chukwuma was so free-minded that at times, I would wonder whether he was brought up in Igbo land, because he was not behaving like typical Igbo men who choose friends on the basis of some kind of sentiments (apology).

Late Chukwuma introduced me to one of his friends and brothers to partner with me at the time I wanted to go fully into online publishing. He was always there encouraging me to move on, citing the example of Channels Television where he worked and made name up to his death.

He told me that when John Momoh, a veteran broadcaster, started the Channels TV, he and those who believed in him (including himself) would go for months without a single advert coming to the station. He said that they used news items, most of them irrelevant, to fill the airspace, just so as to remain floating.

Today, he encouraged me; Channels TV would even turn down some adverts because there would usually no airtime to allocate to such adverts. He would encourage me not to lose hope but to continue publishing and that someday, the business would pick up.

And so, how easy was it for such Chukwuma to die? How easy? [myad]

Late Chukwuma Combined High Professionalism With Patriotism – Osinbajo

Greenbarge Reporters

May 23, 2017

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has said that Channels Television’s State House Correspondent, Mr. Chukwuma Onuekwusi, who died today, Tuesday in Abuja was a man who combined high professionalism with dedication and patriotism in his diligent reportage of activities in the Presidential Villa.

Professor Osinbajo, who said in a statement by his senior special assistant on media and publicity, Laolu Akande, that he received the news of the death of Chukwuma with great sadness.

The Acting President, who condolence with the family of the deceased, as well as the Channels TV family, also commiserated with the State House Press Corps over the passage of their professional colleague.

He prayed to God to comfort his family and all who mourn this exceptional gentleman.

Also today, the Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, expressed sadness over the death of Chukwuma Onuekwusi.

Saraki in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, described the late Chukwuma Onuekwusi as a hardworking, passionate and conscientious reporter who left nobody in doubt about his professional competence.

He commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased, the management and staff of Channels Television and the State House Correspondents over the loss of the broadcast journalist.

“The news of the demise of Chukwuma Onuekwusi came to me with great shock. He was a thoroughbred broadcast journalist whose reports always leave you wanting more,” Saraki said.

“I believe his death has left a vacuum in the broadcast industry that cannot easily be filled. We can only thank God for his eventful life, contributions to national development and service to humanity. He shall be sorely missed.”

While praying that God should grant the soul of the departed eternal rest, he called on other reporters in broadcast media covering sensitive beats to borrow a leaf from Onuekwusi’s humility, dynamism and dedication to his job. [myad]

Channels TV’s Aso Rock Correspondent, Chukwuma Onuekwusi Dies At 55

Greenbarge Reporters

May 23, 2017

Channels Television State House correspondent in Abuja, Mr. Chukwuma Oneokwusi is dead. He was 55.

Onuekwusi, according to a statement issued by the television house, died in a private hospital in Abuja.

Read Channels’ TV statement on the death of the reporter below:

”The Management and Staff of Channels Television wish to announce the passing away of Chukwuma Onuekwusi, our State House Correspondent.

He died at a private hospital in Abuja, in the early hours of Tuesday.

He has covered several beats on Channels Television before he was seconded to cover the Presidential Villa as the State House correspondent.

An excellent reporter who joined Channels Television from 1998, he showed great passion for his job.

A perfect gentleman and a great family man, Mr Onuekwusi was a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

He also worked at the Imo Broadcasting Corporation, Owerri.

He died at the age of 55 and is survived by his wife and children. [myad]

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