₦airaland Forum

Nigerians have been urged to imbibe the need to be Digital literates as a tool to advancing Democracy and poverty eradication.
This was stated by the Senior Special Assistant to the Osun state governor, Mr Charles Adeyemi, during an Online conference organized by the Digital Literacy Advocacy Club and the Centre for Information Technology and Development on Friday.
According to Charles, the biggest miracle of the 21st century is technology.

“As Tech Savvy youths, one of the ways to promote democracy in this era is by using tech via different Social media to reach out to the people and engage government constructively” Charles noted.
He also encouraged Nigerians to ask questions, seek explanations using the instrumentality of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, Instagram and Others.
While praising the impact of Digital tools on Nigerian democratic development and evolution, he noted that the fastest way out of poverty for Nigerians is through Technology.
He also noted that Nigeria has not gotten to where it should get to but the freedom enjoyed and its promotion through technology is encouraging.
Earlier, the representative of the Centre for Information Technology and Development, Mr Ali Sabo, who is the Campaigns and Communications Officer at the organization, stated that the contribution of technology to Nigerian societal development in the 21st century must be commended.
“In 2015 for example, prior to the general elections when the card reader was introduced, many people were against it, especially politicians who sensed that it will bar them from rigging the elections. Interestingly, Card-Reader has helped us to conduct one of the most freest and transparent election in the most freest and transparent manner” he noted.

Speaking further, he appraised issues that led to the death of Ken-Saro Wiwa who was hanged for speaking for his people but Technology is changing the tide
“Technology has given us the opportunity to express ourselves, share information to a large number of persons and promote good governance in the country” Mr Ali Sabo said.

Ali Sabo stressed the readiness of CITAD to advance the cause of good governance through technology and information technology.
The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club is an initiative of TechMirror Magazine aimed ensuring development in Africa through Digital Literacy. The Club organizes sensitizations,outreaches, advocacies, trainings and enlightenment programs aimed at advancing the cause of Digital literacy on the continent.

https://techmirrormag.com.ng/index.php/news/nigerians-digital-revolution-democracy

The Digital Literacy Advocacy club has urged the Nigerian government and stakeholders in the country to prioritize Digital literacy as a tool to enhance economic development after Covid-19.

This was contained in a press statement issued by the club and signed by the media officer, Olugbenga Toki, in Abuja.
The statement noted that it has become more important than ever for Nigeria to leverage on Digital literacy for job creation, socio-economic enlightenment and poverty eradication.

“The world is going Digital even more by the day and Nigeria cannot exist in isolation.

The Covid19 has further shown us the importance of Digitalization and internet, Nigeria must begin to maximize the possibilities created by having citizens who are Digital literates” the statement read.
The club which advocates for Digital literates in the African society noted that if Nigerians are taught properly the application of their Digital knowledge, the country will be encouraging industrialization and innovation.

The statement also noted that as more corporate organizations are investing in Digitalization, Nigeria must tap the possibilities created by this.

Stressing on the need to have Technology used as a tool to promote education, Olugbenga on behalf of the club said Nigeria must pick lesssons from the closure of schools due to the current pandemic and ensure that internet accessibility including E-learning becomes a basic necessity for the society and not a priviledge.

“Covid19 has shown us that internet accessibility is a right and not a priviledge. Our schools must now give E-learning it deserved place of importance in the development effort for the nation’s Education advancement” the statement by the club noted.

The Digital literacy advocacy club is an initiative of the Techmirror Magazine. The club organizes programs, trainings and sensitization aimed at ensuring acceptance of Digital literacy by Africans and aimed at Global development.


https://techmirrormag.com.ng/index.php/news/digital-literacy-postcovid-nigeria

COVID-19: Experts task young journalists on factual reporting, safety precautions

Youths Digest, the organiser of annual Campus Journalism Awards & Dialogue, has trained young journalists on factual reporting and safety precautions to be observed while reporting the Coronavirus pandemic.

The training which was organised in collaboration with the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC featured a series of online seminars facilitated by prominent journalists, student union leaders and media experts.

The first phase of the training was coordinated by Jonathan Rozen, Senior Africa Program Researcher of the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ); Nasir Adhama, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Youth and Student Affairs and Coordinator of the National Youth Task Force on COVID-19.

The duo engaged the participants in digital security. 

Also, Ibrahim Ramalan, Editor of Daily Nigerian Newspaper; Akintunde Babatunde, Programme Manager at Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism; and Azeezat Adedigba, an award-winning journalist with Premium Times Newspaper, facilitated in three other series of the training that looked at various themes.

In his seminar chat, Rozen spoke on the need to use digital tools in protecting journalists and their works, including verifying news items to avoid fake news.

Also speaking during the chat, Adhama lamented that journalists were fighting two pandemics at the same time: “COVID19 and fake news”.

He, however, urged campus journalists to desist from reporting fake news.

Ramalan, on his part, tutored young journalists on how to gather, write and report news stories on the Coronavirus, just as Babatunde exposed campus journalists to steps to fact-check their news stories before publishing them. 

Speaking on the need to encourage more women in journalism, Adedigba emphasised the need for newsrooms to put measures in place towards ensuring gender balance and sensitivity.

Earlier in a short video, Comrade Auwal Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, praised Youths Digest for organising the online workshops, assuring them of CISLAC's continuous support.

In his remarks, Youths Digest editor, Gidado Shuaib, said though the online seminars organised to train student-journalists have ended, their online publication will soon introduce new activities to engage campus journalists during the lockdown.

“The Youths Digest will also be holding its Workers' Day online chat on May 1st, 2020, on Twitter.

“The chat will be facilitated by Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of Media Career Services.

“Mr Otufodunrin will speak on ‘Tips for building a successful career in journalism’,” the editor pointed out.

The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, has urged the government to waive taxes for citizens as part of socio-economic palliative measure to ameliorate the impact of Coronavirus pandemic.

The CISLAC’s Executive Director, Auwal Musa-Rafsanjani, in a statement on Tuesday, noted with concerns the current trend in the spread of Covid 19 virus pandemic.

According to him, the increasing global spread as well as the latest sporadic spread in Nigeria is worrying.

“We also note the continual shut-down of government offices including the legislative arm of government both at national and state levels, schools, some international airports and private sector offices within the country.

“CISLAC therefore urges citizens to abide by government directives on mass gathering and to observe personal hygiene, and imbibe healthy eating habits,” the statement noted.

Mr Rafsanjani also called on governments at local, state and federal levels be more prepared for disaster response and management to be able to curb the spread of the virus and other epidemics.

“COVID 19 has, as of now, infected over 350, 000 people worldwide and killed 15, 000 globally.

“CISLAC observes that inadequate preparedness for the management of epidemics, such as the Covid 19, is a result of poor funding allocation for the health sector, widespread corruption and lack of palliative measures.

“Nigeria has only two doctors per 1000 citizens and 0.5 beds per 1000 citizens. Health personnel is unable to effectively deliver essential health services.

“In addition, over 90% of the Nigerian population is without health insurance coverage and cannot afford even basic health care,” the executive-director lamented.

Continuing, Mr Rafsanjani said: “CISLAC's long-term experience in the health sector shows the inability to effectively address numerous public health challenges.

“Political instability, corruption, limited institutional capacity and an unstable economy are major factors responsible for the poor development of health services in Nigeria.

“Households and individuals in Nigeria suffer from dysfunctional and inequitable health system, which prompts them to delay or not seek health care and having to pay out of pocket for health care services that are not affordable.

“This could prove disastrous in the context of the fast spreading COVID 19 pandemic.”

Mr Rafsanjani, therefore, called on Nigerians to comply with health experts' advice and government directives in order to stay safe from contracting Coronavirus.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club had reacted to the disbandment of Zonal Intervention Squad in Ogun state, tagging it a welcomed decision.

The disbandment came after the killing of a footballer in Ogun state allegedly by a personnel of FSARS who pushed him out of a moving vehicle.
The deceased was killed over suspicion of involvement in Yahoo-Yahoo.

In the statement signed by Olugbenga Toki, the club said "While this development is heartwarming and reposes confidence that Nigerian Youths are not cyber criminals, we wish to encourage the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu to work with the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy towards training of Police personnels on how to track cyber criminals without creating fear and panic in the system".

Commending the Nigerian Police, Toki noted that the role of the security personnels in achieving a Digital Economy remains very enormous.

"We wish to remind the Nigerian Police that if a Digital Economy or Digital Literacy will be achieved, the Police will play a huge part in it towards safety and security".

The club also encouraged Nigerians to go about their Digital works without fear or favor

"We also wish to encourage everyone to remove the fear of been tagged as a Cybercriminal because you use your laptop to work or use Digital gadgets, applications, this move the Nigerian police Inspector General coupled by the Federal government and stakeholders effort is a way to show that Nigeria had begun to accept that either we encourage Digital Literates and respect them or we are cut off from global movements and developments."


"We once again reiterate that the Digital Literacy Advocacy Club will continue to support efforts toward spreading Digital Literacy in Nigeria and across Africa".the statement read.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club had in a statement condemned the killing of the Remo stars footballer, raising an alarm over the continual victimization of going Nigerians who are accused of Cybercrime for aligning with Information and Communication Technology or Technology related works.

This disbandment came few days after the club's release.

It is with sincere concern that the Digital Literacy Advocacy Club speaks against the death of a player of Remo stars, who was allegedly accused of Yahoo-Yahoo and allegedly pushed out of a moving vehicle by men of the Special Anti-robbery squad.

Few days ago, we warmed against the criminalization of everyone as Yahooyahoo and even those going about their normal business.

Over the past few years, there have been concerns about the tag of cybercrime for young Nigerians under the pretext of upholding security in the Country.
While this incident is unfortunate, it opens us to what young Nigerians face in the hands of some bad security personnels where it is easy to be extorted and fixated with a cybercriminal tag.

While in the case of the deceased he was not caught with a Laptop, most cases before now have been of people who have laptops or have applications to aid their Digital technology related works. This must stop. We will continue to create fear in the minds of Nigerians to explore technology and Information Technology For Development when families get scared that working on a computer or laptop means criminality. It is also wrong to tag young Nigerians as criminals or cyber-fraudsters.

This act of security personnels will continue to make it difficult to convince people to embrace the world of Technology and Information Technology For betterment of the society.

Special Anti-robbery squad(SARS) is not the one responsible for fighting cybercrime and they should not derail from their core functions.

While it is true that criminal elements also use the new media, laptops and computer, it is high time that we begin to draft measures towards combating cybercrime rather than hurting the country.
The Information Technology and Digital Economy remains a high contributor to the GDP of Nigeria and we must stand against harming the future. Afterall, in other countries, they do not tag their youths as cyber criminals because they do Information Technology.
We also call on the Federal government through the Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy to liase with security operatives further towards fashioning ways of fighting cybercriminality without hurting the system.

Olugbenga Toki
Media Lead,
Digital Literacy Advocacy Club

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club has called for reorientation of Nigerians towards the quest for a Digital Nigeria.

This was stated in a Press statement signed by the media lead of the club, Olugbenga Toki. The statement noted that many Nigerians still do not understand the importance of Technology with some seeing it as a less important in national development.
"We must begin to tell Nigerians why they should acquire skills, our findings show that in the rural areas for instance, many persons are yet to come to terms on why their wards who attend school should still have knowledge of Digital tools or understand its application" the statement read in part.

The club noted that trends such as abuse of the use of social media due to poor orientation is dangerous for the sustenance of the Country.
Toki in the statement also noted that not all those who use Laptops for their businesses are criminals and it is wrong to paint any other case a part from this.

"While we comment the efforts of the federal government towards ensuring that more Nigerians are Digital literates, it is still worrisome that security operatives are reportedly treating those who work with Laptop computers as potential cyber criminals, this will not help our quest for Digital literacy". The statement noted.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy club stated that parents now find it difficult to encourage their wards who do content writing, Social Media Marketing and other Digital works because of the cyber-criminal tag.

The club called on the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Pantami and other stakeholders to lead the reorientation exercise so Nigeria does not pay for it and so it does not affect the Digital Economy target for 2030.

The Digital Literacy Advocacy Club is an initiative of the TechMirror Magazine and hopes to support the quest for a Digital Africa through its works.

Kwara commissioner condemns vandalisation of Osi waterworks

The Kwara State Commissioner for Water Resources, Hajia Arinola Lawal has described as worrisome the vandalisation of Osi Waterworks in Ekiti local government area of the state.

The commissioner made the condemnation at the weekend while speaking with Journalists during her assessment tour to Osi and Oko communities in Ekiti LG to ascertain the condition of water supply in the areas.

According to her, the present administration would no longer condone any vandalisation of public properties in the state.

It would be recalled that in 2017 some miscreants stormed Osi waterworks and carted away all equipment meant for the supply of pipe borne water to the communities.

She described the vandalisation as very unfortunate, stressing that nemesis would soon catch up with the perpetrators of the act.

The commissioner, however, attributed the unfortunate incident to carelessness and negligence on the part of the past administration and their failure to secure the dam.

She added that the present situation of the dam calls for concern of the ministry and other authority and called for a change of attitude towards public properties.

Ms Lawal and her entourage used the visit to pay homage to the Palace of Olosi of Osi, Oba Abdulkareem Adasofegbe Arowobeku 1, where she informed the monarch about the present situation of the dam.

She urged the monarch to use his position to plead with the people of the community to support government in securing its properties in their various communities.

She reiterated the commitment of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq towards the provision of adequate water supply to all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Responding, Olosi of Osi, expressed his appreciation to Governor AbdulRahman and the commissioner for the visit.

The monarch pleaded with the state governor to repair Osi waterworks, as he assured government of the readiness of the community to secure and protect the dam as well as all government properties within the community.

Commissioner assures Kwara people of regular portable water supply

The Commissioner of Water Resources in Kwara State, Hajia Arinola Lawal, has assured that the administration of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq is doing everything possible to address the problem of water supply in the state.

Mrs. Lawal, who made the assurance during a visit to Ita-Elepa, Agaka community, following claims by the community members of not having regular water supply due to faulty water tanks and boreholes.

The commissioner disclosed that steps had already been taken to sanitize the water sector in the state, stressing that the problem of water scarcity will soon become a thing of the past in the state.

Addressing the community members, Mrs Lawal said the State Government will find a permanent solution to the problem within a short period of time.

"We are going to find a lasting solution to the problem, by finding a way to channel and increase the flow of water to the region," she said.

The commissioner also appealed to Kwarans to stop the vandalisation of government properties as this lackadaisical attitude will affect regular water supply in the state. 

Responding on behalf of the community, Ibrahim Oloyin, who applauded the determination of the State Government to restore the lost glories of Kwara, thanked the Commissioner for coming to inspect their water situation.

"We want to appreciate Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his effort to rebuild Kwara, and we are assuring him that he has our full support," he said.

News Digest also gathered that Hajia Lawal and her entourage, also visited and inspected rehabilitation works at Agba Dam, and the Ilorin Golf Club, to access how the prestigious club can be supplied with constant water.

le Arugbo Politics and Governance - A Youth Perspective, by Gidado Shuaib

Despite reported hullabaloo over the demolition of Ile-Arugbo, the alleged Charity Home established by Saraki’s family, the Ilorin appears to be calm and tranquil at least to a visitor.

I arrived Ilorin to attend to a N500m court suit filed against me and others by Hillcrest Agro-Allied Industry, a firm allegedly owned by President Muhammadu Buhari’s Special Adviser, Sarah Alade over an investigative report.

Before my arrival, I thought the city was in a state of unrest and restlessness only to notice a peaceful and serene environment with residents going about their normal businesses.

The controversy over the demolition of Ile-Arugbo still lingers as many players have argued for and against the decision of Governor Abdulrasaq Abdulrahman. The arguments were tarred with different shades of coloured perspectives based on several factors including political leaning and cultural affiliation.

During the heat of the matter, even Buhari’s minister and member of the All Progressives Congress, Gbemisola Saraki and her brother former Senate President and PDP Chieftain had condemned the demolition exercise. They are children of Dr Olusola Saraki who established Ile-Arugbo

The state government had justified the necessity of the demolition for the public interest. It said that the title of the land which was unlawfully allocated to a private firm without any record of payment was revoked to build a new government secretariat that it was originally meant for.

I strongly believe that like many have observed and as pointed out by a public commentator recently, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq had endeared himself to the people by his unassuming disposition, gender equality initiatives, developmental programmes and the prompt payment of the remuneration of workers.

In fact, in October 2019, Kwara ranked third on the list of states that had attracted huge foreign investments, recording an accumulated inflow of $1.14 billion. It was next to Lagos and Abuja. With this good rating the governor, the negative remarks against his governance is worrisome.

Out of curiosity, as a young man, I spoke to youths and various youth groups in the state to get their perspective over the demolition of the structure by the government.

Most of the respondents based their arguments on morality as well as the legality of the revocation and the demolition of the buildings. Meanwhile, some responses are just jejune, idiotic and childish bereft of any evidence as others claimed that it was a purely historical rivalry between families.

A youth group, Kwara Youths for Positive Change, said the action of the governor has been long overdue. “We believe that the revocation is long overdue because the land was intended for public use and not for private businesses. The government’s action is not an act of vengeance rather it followed the due diligence and procedure,” a member of the group, Mujeeb Olayiwola Alabi said.

Another youth advocate in the state, Muhammadu Kabir said: “Old women, mothers and grandmothers, usually go there from different parts of the state for as little as N500 with a local snack for a meal after the usual political rally at the venue. With the demolition of the Ile Arugbo, the women will be enterprising and productive in other endeavours rather their beggarly nuisance.”

Some people also claimed that the place was used for breeding political thugs. According to Mohammed Awwal, the Convener of Let-the-Youth-Lead Initiative (LYLI) nobody stayed in the house after every political event at Ile-Arugbo.

“Late Olusola Saraki did not stay in the place. He usually stood at the top part of the house to address his followers and after his demise, the place harboured political thugs and some miscreants. None of his family members ever spent a night in the place,” Awwal Said.

Meanwhile, a young legal practitioner in Ilorin, Yinka Oba said that the land was never allocated to any individual but to a company based in Lagos.

The lawyer said that "The controversy is unnecessary because the land was allocated to Asa Investments Limited with an office in Lagos rather than Kwara State. The company in its last annual return filed at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in 2006 had the main objective to acquire by purchase, lease, exchange, hire, or otherwise, lands and property of any tenure. The status of the firm currently is inactive."

While one can read political motives for most of the reactions especially in the media, the fact and the reality on the ground is that most people I spoke to commended the state government for addressing major socio-economic challenges in the state especially towards job creation, youth and women empowerment. The Ile-Arugbo drama could have been overblown for other intents and interests.

I advise the state governor to remain focused and avoid being distracted. In the process of executing good programmes and policy, the bedrock of good governance, one has to take hard decisions, march on thorny toes to withstand the concomitant pressure associated with doing the right thing. He should nevertheless, be conscious while taking sensitive and political decisions to avoid such actions being wrongly misinterpreted and misjudged.

Gidado Yushau Shuaib, the editor of Youths Digest and The News Digest, can be reached on giddyshuaib@gmail.com

2020 Campus Journalism Awards call for entries, nomination

YOUTHS DIGEST – The annual platform that celebrates gifted Nigerian campus writers and journalists, Campus Journalism Awards, CJA, has opened its portal on Friday for submission of articles and nominations by interested applicants.

A statement signed by the convener of the award, Gidado Shuaib who is also the editor of the Youths Digest & News Digest, said this year’s edition will consider 30 finalists to vie for 15 categories.

Mr Shuaib said the 15 awards up for grabs at event include “Upcoming Writer”, “Entertainment Writer”, “Sports Writer”, “Reporter”, “Gender Equality Reporter”, “Broadcaster” and “Photo-journalist”.

Others are: “Penclub”, “Author (Book)”, “Social Media Influencer”, “Investigative Journalist”, “Features Writer”, “Editor”, “Print Magazine”, and “Campus Journalist of the Year”.

According to him, entries will be closed on Monday, 10 February, 2020, while the grand award ceremony will hold on Saturday, March 28, 2020 in Abuja.


Mr Shuaib added that the edition would accommodate entries from campus journalists in neighbouring African countries such as Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Niger, among others.

The decision, he said, is geared towards “genuinely acknowledging and deservingly rewarding other rising journalists/writers outside Nigeria”.

Mr Shuaib added that the “Panel of Judges for the awards, like the previous edition, are seasoned and highly accomplished media practitioners, journalism scholars and celebrated writers”.

On how to apply, the statement said: “Please visit the youthsdigest.com/cja2020 from 12am, on Friday, January 10, 2020 to provide the following information.

“Full Name, Date of Birth, Department/Institution, Membership of Association, Position, and Weblink to published works.

“If you are submitting a work produced on a print newspaper, kindly scan or take a photo of such and send to awards@youthsdigest.com alongside the other details required.” statement added.

https://youthsdigest.com/2020/01/10/2020-campus-journalism-awards/

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In this Exclusive Interview with the Tech Mirror, the Chief Executive Officer of the Image Merchant Promotions Limited and Multi-award winning Public Relations expert, Yushau Shuaib bares his mind on Public Relations, ICT and the Social Media use in Nigeria. Image Merchant Promotions Limited owns the PRNigeria and Internationally recognized ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL.

Excerpts below

Tech Mirror: Over the years, you have been an advocate of better standards for the Nigerian, how has it been doing this?

Yushau: Good governance in the area of media requires that with the Social media, we have to be mindful of implication of the information we receive, so that when we are reporting, we will know that what we are reporting are factual and truthful.

Tech Mirror: Public Relations is one aspect of ICT development especially with the advent of the New Media, how has it been linking Public Relations with the new media?

Yushau: Information Communication Technology is affecting every sector of our National life.Journalism and Public Relations are at a new sphere on how to use Technology to advance some of the ideals of what is done in both sector. It is now easy to work due to presence of the Information Communication Technology tools, unlike when you need to go to the studio to transcribe your video, get Camera and all equipment. With your smart phone you are able to do a lot whether the image gathering or Video-editing. All this things have become possible in the Public Relations and Media perspective through the Information and Communication Technology.

Tech Mirror: Do you agree that the social media should be regulated?

Yushau: Yes, some parts of the Social media may need to be regulated because the National Broadcasting Corporation regulates the broadcasting sector, the Nigerian Press Council monitors and regulates the print Media, then what about the Social Media. We have had fake news, hate speech and other Vices on Social Media, so there is a need to regulate the Social media for more efficient use.

Tech Mirror: You run Nigeria’s only Press release platform, how has it been doing this in the age of ICT?

Yushau: Unlike in the past when agencies send their Press releases, most of them send hard copies, so when they send the hard copy, you have to re-write them, you have to solve the issue of signing and other rigors but now it is different. When we receive this through the Social media the only thing we do is, we do not touch the body, because we believe that handlers at various agencies have what it takes to write a news-worthy press release. The only thing we do now is to play with the headline and to ensure other grammar remains very perfect. We have gone a long way in ensuring that we use the tools in promoting our platforms. We now find it very easy to share information from our platforms through the Social media. It has definitely helped us.

Tech Mirror: As the Publisher of Economic confidential, how has the Technology sector affected the revenue generation of Nigerian States?

Yushau: What we do at the Economic Confidential is to advise states and the Country at large on diversification of their various economies. We produce an annual solvency index with the aim to discourage a mono-economy that relies on Petroleum alone. We also try to promote the Nigerian economy. Some states cannot survive without the revenue from the Federal government due to this focus on one resource. In context, we have preached to various states on leveraging on the Information and Communication Technology for development. Some states have keyed into it and are enjoying the benefit.

Tech Mirror: What advice would you give to the Nigerian government on utilizing the potentials of ICT, Communication and Public Relations?

Yushau: Whether we like it or not, the time of the ICT is now. It has also affected staffing at different organizations. For instance, when you go to the banks in the past, you would see everywhere filled with people but that is no longer so. We have to use ICT to ensure work efficiency, we must however be careful on ensuring that we do not take people off their jobs due to the presence of the ICT, we must ensure that we teach people how to be relevant even while using the Technology tools. We should not create unemployment in a bid to introduce the use of Technology tools. For instance, here at the PRNigeria, even with the advent of the new media, we did not lay-off people, instead, we found ways to ensure that we gave new tasks to them to help the Information and Communication Technology inclination. We do not force our staffs to come to office every-day for instance. The issues of Artificial intelligence among various tools are things you have to take note of. The government must find ways to maximize these sectors alongside human resource.

See more of his views below

https://techmirrormag.com.ng/index.php/interviews/why-nigeria-may-need-to-regulate-the-social-media-ceo-image-merchant-promotions-limited

Security, top priority in Yahaya Bello’s administration – CPS

NEWS DIGEST - Kogi State government has implemented deliberate reforms and policy actions introduced by Governor Yahaya Bello to arrest the tide of insecurity in the state, Onogwu Muhammed, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, disclosed.

The CPS, who made the disclosure in a chat with the News Digest, recalled that last year the governor recruited about 6,000 vigilante security personnel in the state.

According to the CPS, each of the vigilante members received a motorcycle, and have been mandated to interact with people in rural communities, so as to gather vital information for analysis and prompt response by mainstream security agencies.

"Securing lives and properties is the most fundamental responsibility of any government. And that, exactly, is what the Governor Yahaya Bello-led administration is doing in Kogi State.

Mr Muhammed added: "The streams of successes recorded in the area of security have attracted accolades and commendations for the State Government, from prominent persons and institutions across the country.

"The State Government has spent a lot on security in the last three years.

We procured and distributed over 155 patrol vans, together with motorcycles to various security outfits.

“Governor Yahaya Bello has also enhanced the allowances of various security personnel serving in the State.

“These are strategies that have helped to boost Intelligence gathering," he said.

"Before the advent of this government, Kogi State was the hotbed for all sort of crises, and crimes.

"There were incidences of kidnapping in the State. It even became so worse that a serving commissioner, under the then PDP-led administration, was kidnapped.

"The kidnappers did not also spare our traditional rulers. They were responsible for the murder of a prominent Igala traditional leader in 2014.

"But, presently, residents of the state now sleep without being apprehensive of criminal elements attacking them or invading their homes, either in broad daylight or at night.”

https://newsdigest.ng/state-news/2019/09/16/governor-bello-recruits-vigilantes/

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[File]Colossus Magazine.pdf


https://twitter.com/realtechmarket/status/1165980989312688133?s=19

RUGA Settlements: Our Hope, Our Fear, By Gidado Yushau Shuaib

Incontrovertibly, the recently suspended Ruga Settlement project was an initiative of President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration. The rationale behind such project was to help eliminate the age-long practice of open grazing of cattle by Fulani pastoralists, which has been the cannon fodder for farmer/herder clashes.



Shortly after the announcement of the program, different shades of opinion sprout into the open, with some believing that it was a deliberate effort by Mr. President to favour his Fulani ethnic group. Just as others saw the move as leeway for the president to compensate the rampaging bandits or more commonly tagged as ‘Fulani herdsmen’, because he shares the same ethnic lineage with them.

These Fulani herdsmen are so criminalised to such an extent that the recent killing of Mrs. Olufunke Olakunrin, the daughter of Reuben Fasoranti, the leader of the Yoruba socio-political group was linked to them. Such development generated a lot of controversies across Nigerians with different persuasions. Colossal of these allegations was the one shared by the brother to the late Olafunke for claiming to have been reliably informed that attackers who shot his sister were Fulani herdsmen.

However, the police commissioner, on the other hand, had said that the attack was carried out by bandits who came to the road and fired sporadically at motorists. From the foregoing, Fulani ethnic group seems to have become an endangered species. Aside from the fact that most security challenges have been blamed on Fulanis, anytime a herd of cattle is sighted roaming the streets of our towns, the submission by many people, especially on social media, is that these people do what they do because their brother is the one at the helms of affairs.

What a blatant misrepresentation! As far as I am concerned, the people don’t give a hoot who the president is. They only are concerned about where to locate a greener pasture. If we must tell ourselves the truth, in as much as these people remain, wanderers, no amount of misrepresentation or stereotyping can change the lot of these Fulanis.

Truth be told, the Ruga settlement project is impressive but the mode of delivery and the time of the project was wrong. I mean, why should the government introduce such an impressive policy when the atmosphere is well charged with mutual suspicion, Fulaninisation and Islamisation agenda claims?

Similarly, failure on the part of the government to provide a holistic document to explain the Ruga policy and its benefit received a backlash. The denial by Professor Yemi Osinbajo, saying his office has absolutely nothing to do with the project, and is not under the supervision of his office, was also unwholesome.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Umar, had attempted to shed more light on the debacle, but it seems that these words have been falling on deaf ears. Mr Umar was quoted as saying: “It is one project that will help to take them away from our streets and stop them from wandering in the bush. And in the next five to ten years, you will never see a nomad moving about, wandering or kidnapping. And this will help to address some security challenges we are contending with now.”

The perm sec’s verbiage never dropped down before various socio-cultural groups started coming out to express their displeasure with the programme. They described the establishment of cattle-rearing settlements for herdsmen as a move to colonize the country.

Another reason why the Ruga kite did not fly is that the nation is now fragmented along ethno-religious lines, a situation which will make it difficult to build consensus around important things that matter for our socio-economic progress. Also, the realisation that the Ruga settlements will cater for the livelihood of herders, while neglecting farmers, who many believe are the main victims of the conflict between both groups, has also elicited scathing condemnations from the majority who unabashedly opposed the idea.

I think the call for the suspension of Ruga project stemmed from the age-long rivalry with farmers. While herders are feeling relieved from troubles of farmers, farmers are however feeling cheated by the program because they own the lands. As expected, Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue and Arc. Darius Dickson Ishaku of Taraba state were the first to reject the move for setting up Ruga settlement in their states. This stemmed from the fact that the indigenes of this states are predominantly farmers, who could not stand the sight of settler-herders in their states.

By and large, I want to believe that it is only an incurable optimist would have concluded that debates on the project will not assume a regional, religious and ethnic dimension, right from the outset. In the meantime, it behoves on the Federal Government to go back to the drawing board, re-strategize, brainstorm and redesign the sacred objectives they seek for the programme. They should be clear-cut visions, not ones that will be greeted again with an unmitigated uproar. Otherwise, the project will be dead on arrival whenever it is relaunched in the sooner or later future.

Gidado Yushau Shuaib, the editor of The News Digest, can be reached on giddyshuaib@gmail.com.

lady on Twitter has shared her experience at Ilorin,Kwara State , Nigeria.

She claimed that a lady who was wearing Bum-Short was almost made naked over her dressing .

The lady was called a prostitute





"I was at oja tuntun today and the market women and men almost stripped a lady naked because she was wearing a bum short!! They called her an "ashewo".. For a state that their level of fornication is annoying. Hypocrites!!!" She posted via her handle @roocarh.



Do You think this should have happened?

See more pictures of lady via link below

https://technologymarket.com.ng/index.php/blog-bottom/shorts-twitter-ilorin

Participate in the Osun state Campus Tech/IT Idea competition

Grand Prize: *100,000naira Plus Laptop & other prizes*

Available to students of Tertiary Institutions in Osun state

*Click on link below to register Powered by Nigerian Technology Market ( https://technologymarket.com.ng )


https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfx_EXe-tNQPahJUgpS2B_4lvUCpLDGxker3HQB4keDAZjFig/viewform

Why We Are Demanding For a Technology Driven Tertiary Education In Nigeria- ASUU President

..Says ASUU does not have a Twitter handle ,reveals next step against fake Twitter handles

Speaks on possibilities Strike action

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities , Professor Biodun Ogunyemi has spoken extensively to THE TECHNOLOGY MARKET on variations of issues especially how Technology and Information Technology can be used to advance education in Nigeria.

In his words, the place of Information Technology cannot be underemphasized in Nigeria especially as it shapens the reception of information and how well people visualize issues. According to him, the importance of Information Technology has made it a tool that must be used to train students in the classrooms.

Speaking further he said the world has advanced fully and even countries that are nearby are making efforts toward using Information Technology and Technology in education.



"We at ASUU we are clamoring for use of Technology in teaching because that is what is obtainable, students can easily go back to listen to lectures, they can even receive lecture while their lecturer may be far away and they are exposed to realities of the current world environment " he noted.

The ASUU President encouraged that the more we embrace Technology and Information Technology in the country , the better. He also stated that countries in Asia and even South Africa have been embracing this possibilities.

Speaking further, Professor Ogunyemi stated that the body does not operate a Twitter handle while speaking on clamping down on impostors. "We are working with Twitter towards clamping down on impostors" he noted.

The Lecturers' president in Nigeria also denied that the Union plans to go on strike calling it a wrong information.



https://technologymarket.com.ng/index.php/blog-bottom/why-demanding-technology-tertiary-nigeria-ASUU-president

Kingsleydr:
They didn't just walk up to Ebuka and started beating him !, dude even looks like a rogue . Stop going to white man's land and be acting like you own it just because you think they're soft ... just look at what y'all blacks especially Nigerians have turned Italy into just because they gave y'all that little freedom..which work the guy even go do for Greece.

Your comment shows you are a Nigerian who is affected by the situation in the country.
Looks 'rogue' , what is your definition of a rogue like person?
Because SARS harass people based on dressing and everyone is a criminal in Nigeria , looking "rogue" as you put it is no justification for illegal killings

sogodihno:
Onoghen has been suspended, u guys should come to reality. the best thing u guys can do is to approach the court of law for redress.

No one will be spare in this anti corruption fight, we can't have a criminal as CJN. Even those in APC will still be dealt with.

It is only Buhari that can pull this through, the nation will be sanitize and more democratic leader will take over, but right now Nigeria need someone that is strong headed and with iron fist to fix this corruption that has form the foundation of this country.


Nigeria will be save.

It is safe.

Meet Nigerian Governor Who ‘Never Collected Salary nor Built a House ‘ during his tenure

Outgoing Osun state governor, Rauf Aregbesola has spoken extensively about his administration as governor of the state , making some claims in the process.

The governor said this during a Twitter chat themed #Ogbenitilldaybreak.

“The State feeds me, fuels my car and covers my other expenses. This is why I see no reason to earn a salary.
I have no house save the one I built before I became governor of Osun” he tweeted.

The outgoing governor also said that he has not bank account anywhere in the world even as governor of the state.

“I have no bank account anywhere in the world.
I have not earned a dime in salary since I became governor and I do not intend to so do. “

While speaking about his successor who is expected to take over on November 27, he described him as a very cool man with no swagger of his own calbre
“Gboyega Oyetola is a cool, calm and brilliant goal getter, but he is not a radical like me. He does not have my swagger but he is an extremely cerebral human being.” he said refering to Mr Oyetola.

The eight year tenure of Mr Aregbesola was filled with controversies and difficulty in paying workers’ salaries .
Although he has been applauded for his Education policies in parts of the state


https://excelmagazineinternational.com/2018/11/17/meet-nigerian-governor-who-never-collected-salary-nor-built-a-house-during-his-tenure/

JOB OPENING AT EXCEL MAGAZINE INTERNATIONAL

An International Media House, Excel Global Media Group,Publishers of Excel Magazine International, has opened applications for the following positions.

1)Marketing officers
2)Business Development officers

Excel Magazine which has its head office in United States of America has its reach in over 20 Countries across the world.
Qualifications:
BSC, HND or OND.

Experience in Social Media marketing and Digital Publication will be considered as an added advantage.

The position you are applying for should be the subject of your application.

Interested Persons should send their Curriculum Vitae and Cover Letter to Excelmaginformation@gmail.com

You can stay on excelmagazineinternational.com or excelglobalmediagroup.com for more update.


DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION IS
November 11,2018.

Event Design

Various stakeholders in the Nigerian Communication and Media sector will on Saturday,October 20, attend the Second edition of the Nigerian Social media summit in Abuja.

According to the Secretary of the planning committee,Adedapo Adewuyi,various personalities including the Nigerian Minister of Communication,Barrister Shittu Adebayo(Chairman and Chief Host of the summit), the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora Affairs,Honorable Abike Dabiri, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on youth and student Affairs,Nasir Adhama, Honorable Olanrewaju Oba,the Chief Press Secretary of Niger state government,Ndace Hinton,Adnan Muhktar, the founder of Nigerian internet Business conference, Lukmon Fasasi,an international Social Media analyst,Gidado Shuaib,Yinka Olaito, among several other persons will attend the summit.

The summit which is themed “Social Media as a tool for Social governance,electoral participation and national Unity” will be in its second edition.

According to the organizers,delegates from all over the country will be selected to attend the summit.
The summit will also feature launching of the Nigerian Social and Digital Media literacy program aimed at giving youths training on how to positively use the social and Digital Media in this critical time in the Country.

The summit is set to hold at Roses Regency hotel in Wuye,Abuja.

This summit is coming at a time when the Nigerian government and stakeholders have continued to rally round more digital and Social Media literacy for Nigerians owning to the growing importance of the new media in the Country .

http://thenationonlineng.net/abike-dabiri-others-for-nigerian-social-media-summit/

Developing Story: Despite Denials, LAUTECH increases Tuition Fee

NEWS DIGEST – Despite series of denials, the management of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has increased tution fee of students starting from the 2018/19 session.
This was contained in a mail sent to students and a copy obtained by this newspaper.
With the development indigenes are to pay 200,000naira (two hundred thousand Naira) while non Indigenes are to pay 250,000 Naira.
This newspaper could not get the reaction of the University as at the time of this report.
Attached is a copy of the mail sent to students.

https://newsdigest.ng/news/2018/10/15/despite-denial-lautech/

NEWS DIGEST – Senator Iyiola Omisore will tonight make his position known on which party he will support for Thursday Rerun election in Osun state, this newspaper can authoritatively affirm.

This is coming after the All Progressives congress sent represntatives to him led by incoming governor of Ekiti state Kayode Fayemi and visit by Senate President Bukola Saraki of People’s Democratic Party.

This newspaper gathered that the Ile-Ife born Senator will make his decision between 9pm to 10pm today.

As at the time of this report, he is in Osogbo to finetune his plan.

A source told this Newspaper that his decision will be based on blueprint which he has submitted to both parties , the blueprint includes payment of full salaries, Economic revitalization among others.

More details will emerge on this soon.
https://newsdigest.ng/featured/2018/09/25/omisore-pdp-apc/

BREAKING: AD, Accord Party, Labour Party, eight others withdraw from Osun guber race for Adeleke

NEWS DIGEST – Candidates of Alliance for Democracy, Accord Party, Labor Party and eight other political parties have withdrawn from the Osun state governorship race for People’s Democratic Party candidate, Senator Ademola Adeleke, this newspaper can report.
More details will emerge soon on this development.

https://newsdigest.ng/featured/2018/09/20/osun-guber-race-adeleke/

The Nigerian Police has ordered that all Special anti-robbery squad members must now be seen in police Uniforms and not the squad vest. The Nigerian Police said anyone found still putting on the vest will be disciplined. This was communicated at the Overhaul SARS press conference going on .
https://newsdigest.ng/featured/2018/08/24/sars-officials-uniform/

in a chat with an online newspaper,NewsDigest , the Academic Staff Union of Universities National President ,Prof Biodun Ogunyemi had said the solution to LAUTECH problem is ceding it to either Oyo or Osun state as sole owners.

Do you agree?
see full story below

https://newsdigest.ng/news/2018/08/23/ASUU-president-reveals/

NEWS DIGEST – In a tell it all chat with The News Digest, the national President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Mr Biodun Ogunyemi has spoken extensively about the crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) and Nigeria Education as a whole. The University don said the issue affecting Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is not just limited to the school alone but most Nigerian states. He described what is happening as a political game been played by both Oyo and Osun state government while hitting at Nigerian governors for paying lip service to education in the Country. “The issue rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology is not limited to the University alone,it is a political game that has continued to engulf Nigeria education. The governors when they need our votes will promise to invest in education but they never fulfill their promises, most of them refuse to drop any penny to support the schools. “Take Ladoke Akintola University of Technology for instance, the Oyo state government went on to establish a technical University and also Osun state government created Osun state University. Let me even tell you that the technical University Oyo state government created they have been forcing local governments to support students because they have made it beyond reach of masses. “What the state government want is a University that will be in their name and be their glory, the truth is Ladoke Akintola University of Nigeria should be the luckiest with two states owning it but both governors have refused to be responsible, what can a Technical University in Oyo state do that LAUTECH cannot do” he quipped. On the solution to the crisis rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, he said ceding the University to a state is the way forward. “There was a time that the Federal government through the National Universities commission tried to intervene by asking that the University should be owned by one state , the commission visited the University and was ready to go on but the owner states refused the gesture despite their shortcomings, it is only when we have one state responsible that we can talk of progress.” “They set up an international audit team but failed to release the report, they have kept telling people that lecturers are corrupt but no one is seeing the report, let them tell Oyo and Osun state citizens that they want LAUTECH to die a Natural death” he said. He lamented that staffs of the school have been working for several months without salary or any pay. “Most of the workers in LAUTECH have been working without salaries, some for over ten months and the issue is even if Ajimobi does not have his children in the Country, this politicians only pay lip service to Education, they do not really mean well, they have their kids out of the country or if their kids are in Nigeria, they send them to Private schools”. On the plan of the Union to continue to fight poor funding in the tertiary institutions, the ASUU President said: “The Minister of Education promised us a meeting, if they fail to call the meeting, we will take our decisions” he said. Ladoke Akintola University of Technology lecturers have been protesting lack of proper funding and welfare.
https://newsdigest.ng/news/2018/08/23/ASUU-president-reveals/