Youth Governance Dialogue at Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library

The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library in fulfilling its mandate
of preserving  the past, capturing the present and inspiring the future, under the aegis of its Youth Development Centre is convening a Youth Governance Dialogue on 'Preparing Successor Generation for effective participation in Governance'


The Youth Governance Dialogue is designed as a Youth-adult learning
platform for young people to engage the experiences of older and past
political office holders, distilling from their philosophies and overriding principles on how to effectively engage the governance process.

Date: Sunday 28 May 2017
Time: 12.00 noon
Venue: The Conference Hall, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library Oke-Mosan Abeokuta Ogun State

Keynote Speaker:
Mr Osita Chidoka Former Corp Marshal FRSC

Discussants
Rt. Hon Luke Onofiok (Speaker, Akwa-Ibom State House of Assembly)
Fatimah Kyari Mohammed (Peace Advocate & Development, Consultant)
Dr Eghosa Imasuen ( Medical Doctor, writer and Publisher)


Mentoring Session on Enhancing Youth Participation in Politics
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo

Chief Promoter:
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library

Chairman:
HE Aminu Waziri Tambuwal  The Executive Governor Sokoto State

Moderator:
Samuel Ajibola

The Dialogue will be followed by a reception with Chief Olusegun
Obasanjo: Chief Promoter Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library




How to apply
Interested participants must submit a completed application form in English via email to: youthcentre@oopl.org.ng. Please find attached a copy of the application . The closing date for Submission of completed application has been extended to Monday  May 15, 2017.

Shortlisted participants will be responsible for personal transport and accommodation. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be reviewed.Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be
contacted by Friday May 19, 2017.

For further enquires contact:
The Youth Development Centre
Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library
Presidential Boulevard
Oke-Mosan Abeokuta Ogun State
youthcentre@oopl.org.ng | 0817 277 9988


Important Notice

* Please note that the programme is an equal opportunity programme and females are encouraged to apply.
* Shortlisted participants are entitled to a tour of the library at a special subsidized rate of N1, 500 only. However, participants interested in the tour should indicate such interest in the application form.

Invitation to A4AI-Nigeria Meeting

Tuesday, April 25, 2017 from 8:30 AM - 2:00 PM Venue: Sheraton Lagos Hotel in Ikeja Lagos, Nigeria We are pleased to hold the next A4AI-Nigeria coalition meeting alongside the Internet Freedom Forum 2017 (#IFF2017). The meeting will include presentations of the 2017 Global Affordability Report and the Africa and Nigeria snapshots. There will also be discussion sessions on topics such as public access and net neutrality, as well as updates on the work A4AI-Nigeria working groups are leading to address key barriers to affordability in the country. The meeting is open to all stakeholders. If you haven't done so, please register by tomorrowFriday, April 21st at 12:00 PM GMT+1 — space is limited, and we're nearly at capacity. View the agenda | Register here ABOUT A4AI The Alliance for Affordable Internet (A4AI)—the world’s broadest technology sector coalition—brings together prominent players from government, the private sector, and civil society to work to reduce the cost of a broadband connection and enable billions more to come online. The A4AI-Nigeria coalition advocates for policy and regulatory reform in four priority areas: infrastructure sharing and open access, spectrum, consumer awareness and pricing transparency, and taxation and financing. JOIN THE COALITION Thank you for your continued support of A4AI and your commitment to making Internet in Nigeria more affordable. You can sign up to join the multi-stakeholder coalition and one or more of its working groups on the A4AI-Nigeria page. Questions? Email Karolle Rabarison, A4AI Membership Coordinator, at karolle.rabarison@webfoundation.org.

Register Now

Accusations against NITDA: What you need to know.

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In a swift response, the Head Corporate Affairs and External Relations of the National Information Technology Development Agency, Mrs. Hadiza Umar released a signed document to the Press to refute the allegations that was making waves against the agency.

The management of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) described the information that employment racket in the Agency being circulated on some online news media is false.

The fake news is aimed at discrediting the laudable efforts of the current management that is laying a foundation for a stronger NITDA . 

Recall that the agency was able to achieve the following milestones since the the inception of a new Director General::

1. The Agency has since inception been involved in headhunting individuals that can add value to the effective execution of its mandate and has been engaging staff on Secondment. In this regard, there is no single staff that has been engaged on Secondment without due approval of the relevant authority;
2. There has been no employment in the Agency since the exit of Mr Peter Jack, the previous Director General. Only non-pensionable Consultants are being engaged on contract basis to support some offices, departments and units;
3. The allegations against some staff of the Agency have been thoroughly investigated about two months ago and found to be baseless and nothing but character assassination;
4. There has been no region that has been marginalised in the Agency as the North. Upon resumption of the Director General, there was no single full Director from the entire Northern Nigeria. Very soon the Agency’s nominal roll with states of origin of all staff will be made public;
5. The Director General is a man of proven integrity who vowed to do all he can in supporting Mr President’s fight against corruption in all forms, both within and outside the Agency. He has, for the first time, set mechanisms in place that will ensure transparency, accountability and value for money in all IT-based contracts in the country;
6. The Director General is the first in the history of the Agency to implement the Auditor General of the Federation’s report. In the over 1,000-page report, about 100 people were affected and the Director General ensured that all recommendations were carried out to the latter;
7. The Director General also ensured that contracts awarded by previous Administration were negotiated and reviewed downwards. A typical example is the e-Nigeria Conference where the Contractors brought down the cost by 10% and this was paid back to the account of the Federation. The negotiation saved money for government, not any individuals; and
8. The Director General has, in an effort to ensure transparency and accountability in service delivery, instituted a whistleblowing initiative. This is in addition to the Federal Government’s initiative and any staff member that provides credible information that results in the recovery of public funds is handsomely rewarded.

The Agency appreciated the reaction of the general public in bringing the attention of the news to the department responsible for clarifying the details. It reiterates that such action would support the success of the President’s fight against corrupt practices. She restated NITDA's commitment to serve the country in the best interest of all, without discrimination or unfair favour to any Nigerian.

-Opomulero omo Akinbo.

NIRA LIFTS THE TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF DOMAINKING.NG

NiRA Chief Operating Officer, Edith Udeagu signed a press release stating the status of one of their Accredited Registrars that had been suspended for certain allegations under investigation in India. They had been waiting for an official response to determine how best to address the negative response from registrants of the .ng string with the said registrar.

On Friday 24th March 2017, an official representative of Hannu Internet Corp PVT LTD, the manager of DomainKing.ng, informed the .ng Registry that since 20th March 2017, the organization had re-opened its support channels, commenced resolving clients’ queries and has commenced preparations for full operations as a .ng Accredited Registrar.

The officer also reported how they are cooperating with their clients to provide them with support and other services beyond registering .ng domain names.

The NIRA Board has evaluated and assessed the situation of Domainking.ng, considering the response to the .ng Registry within the allowed grace period with an outline on its dealings with its clients and its eagerness to return to full operations.

Since Monday, March 27, 2017, NIRA haD lifted the temporary suspension of Hannu Internet Corp PVT Ltd. However, the Registrar will not be able to register new domains for another two weeks, as the .ng Registry continues to monitor its  activities and the way it resolves  pending customer issues.

NiRA informs that during the period that Domainking.ng was not available to attend to its .ng clients, such clients that requested for the transfer and renewal of their .ng domain names were able to do such successfully.

Successful Candidates Announced for ICANN59 Fellowship

ICANN announces 55 individuals from 43 countries selected to participate in ICANN's Fellowship program at the 59th Public Meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa from 26-29 June 2017. As ICANN59 is a Policy Forum, only alumni of the Fellowship Program were eligible to apply. These successful candidates represent all sectors of society including; civil, government, ccTLD operations, academia, facets of the business community, technical, security and end user groups.

The Fellowship program seeks to create a broader and more diverse base of knowledgeable constituents with priority given to candidates currently living in underserved and underrepresented communities around the world, those who represent diversity of gender, sector, region, experience, expertise and/or have established financial need. An independent selection committee assessed the 72 Fellowship applications received for this meeting.

Visit the ICANN Fellow website to see the full list by clicking here.

Culture Games debut soon with Fair and Awards

Cultural and linguistic diversity, while stimulating respect for cultural identity, traditions and religions, is essential to the development of an Information Society based on the dialogue among cultures and regional and international cooperation. It is an important factor for sustainable development.

Based on the above, Akinbo A. A. Cornerstone and partners launched the Culture Games to span a planning space of three (3) years to commence in 2018. At a Press briefing, the convener shared that the adopted approach is in stages to help advance economic and socio-political growth and development in Africa. This will ensure that the public is informed, oriented and educated. it also announced the change of its logo and theme to Connecting Cultures.

With the use of the internet and its span of network, the games would progress to fairs, workshops, seminars and festivals with other key organisations across the globe.

Under the platform and collaboration of KOBOKINGs and Beyond Saving Lives Foundation, KonnectKulture will ensure that the Games address National Unity and Peace while bring the history of diversity to change the mindset of the average African.

They intend to partner with all countries across Africa, Ministries, NGOs and CBOS. 

KOBOKINGs Limited is the first disruptive communication technologist in Africa with start-up products and service that are committed to citizen, community and continent.

Outsourcing and Creative Communication Technologist, driven by passion for results

and success within our scope of work. 

DEBATE ON BIAFRA: JOE IGBOKWE TELLS HIS STORY!

NNAMDI KANU CALLED ME A HUNGRY SLAVE RESIDING IN LAGOS AND I HAVE FOUND THE NEED TO TELL MY STORY AGAIN FOR RECORD PURPOSES. I WANT NNAMDI TO TELL HIS OWN STORY TOO. PLEASE READ THIS:

In 1971, after my primary school education, poverty drove me to Lagos to find something to do to help my poor mother and siblings. Civil War devastated my father’s thriving business in Onitsha and we all suffered from 1966 to 1970 when the war ended.

With four wives and 34 children, my parents could not cope any more. My brothers and sisters dropped out of school to learn a trade. Because I was a little ‘sharp’ in school, my father encouraged me to finish primary school. It is needless here to recall how I and few of my siblings survived to finish our primary education. Consequently when my mates were taking Common Entrance Examination, I did not because there was no need to do so. No money, no three square meals a day, no good clothing, just nothing.

My mother encouraged me to travel with friends to Lagos. We landed at Sawmill Ebute Metta where I worked as a sawdust carrier at seven Shilling, six Pence a day. My job was to pack sawdust from the Machines to the Lagoon from 7am to 5 pm daily. I did this for nearly two years and later I became a danfo conductor plying Idioro/Ajegunle axis. From there I joined my brother in a supermarket business at Ijesha Road, Surulere. I did this until I returned home during Christmas in December 1973. I came home to meet my friends I was beating academically in school trying to make me feel and look inferior. Again I also noticed while in Lagos that if I fail to go to school, I may end up doing menial jobs meant for illiterates till the end of age. I decided to go back to school to add values to my life. But where are the school fees? There was nothing. How I managed to get the first school fee to start and what happened thereafter will take a book to do the narrative.

In 1979 I left Okongwu Memorial Grammar School Nnewi with Division One and was the school Head Boy. I taught in the same school as an Auxiliary Teacher from 1979 – 1980.  In 1980 I got admission to read Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nigeria Nsukka and graduated in 1985. I did my Youth Service in Ogun State and thereafter I returned to Lagos in 1986 to begin a journey to where I am today. I walked the streets of Lagos from 1986 – 1988 until the then military government headed by Gen Ibrahim Babangida set up the National Directorate of Employment, (NDE) to encourage graduates to start their own businesses. I got a loan of N27,500, using my NYSC discharge Certificate and my Degree Certificate as collateral at 9% interest rate. I set up a Restaurant Business in Western Avenue, Lagos and hit an instant success. While doing this business, I spread my nets also to the auto spare parts market in Lawanson, Surulere where my brother thrives as a very successful importer. I opened a shop there and got a boy to take charge of the business. From there, I entered into Auto dealership in Western Avenue Surulere. I paid back that loan in full and collected back my certificates.

In 1995, I wrote my first book, Igbos: 25 Years After Biafra. I also established National Vision Newspapers in 1997. In 1999, I wrote my second book: Heroes of Democracy. In 2004 I co-authored 2007: The IBB Option with my good friend, Peter Claver Oparah. One thing led to another. I became an opinion molder, a public commentator, political analyst, writer and an advocate of the peoples’ cause. I bought my first car in 1990 and became a millionaire in 1995 after launching of my first book.

In 2006, the then Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made me the pioneer General Manager of the Lagos State Infrastructure & Regulatory Agency (LASIMRA) and I was there for almost 10 years. I served Asiwaju’s government for the remainder of his days as Lagos Governor. I served His Excellency Governor Babatunde Fashola for 8years. In September 2015, His Excellency Governor Akinwunmi Ambode moved me to Wharf Landing Fees Collecting Authority Apapa as Chairman. I became the Publicity Secretary AC, ACN, and APC since late 2006 till date. By the grace of God I have been the Chairman of Conference of APC Publicity Secretaries (CAPS) in Nigeria since 2014.

These positions and exploits have put me in the limelight in Lagos and Nigeria since the early 90s, and God has been kind to me. These offices have opened the doors of the rich and poor to me. They have opened the inner ways,byways, subways, expressways and highways to the corridors of power in Nigeria. I have been connected to the pace setters, policy makers, the movers and shakers of blue chip companies, newsmakers and the powers that be in Lagos. The magic of Lagos, the beauty of Lagos, the dynamics of Lagos, the glory of Lagos, the momentum of Lagos, the capacity, capability and the strength of Lagos touched me in no uncertain terms since 1986 (32years ago) till date…..and still counting.

My sojourn in Lagos for 32 years has also opened my eyes as a historian as to what Lagos has done for my people from South East. Today as I write this Igbo do not have a quarter of what they have in Lagos in the South East in terms of investments. As I write this book, Igbo are the second most populous ethnic group in Lagos. Today, Igbo exert tremendous influence and capacity in Lagos and its success story. Few years back two prominent sons of Nnewi told me in confidence that they did not know they have been wasting their time in Nnewi until they came to Lagos. They said Lagos opened doors for limitless opportunities and endless possibilities. I have seen people come from other parts of Nigeria to hit gold mine in Lagos.

I got married in 1990 and all my five kids are all Lagosians and so are millions of Igbo kids born in Lagos. They have lived most of their lives in Lagos, schooled in Lagos, worked in Lagos, made friends in Lagos and have keyed to the Lagos success story. They know any other place except Lagos. Lagos is their home. This is not limited to Igbo alone but all other ethnic groups and of course Yoruba from outside Lagos. Lagos is a melting pot, a mega city, a cosmopolitan beehive. Lagos controls the heartbeat of Nigeria, its wealth, its influence and its strategic socio-economic and political hub.  Lagos changed my thinking and original thoughts, Lagos emboldened me, Lagos motivated me, Lagos challenged me and Lagos made me. I can say no less. This is the story of Lagos, my Lagos. It is still unraveling, not for me alone but millions of other Nigerians, to the glory of God."

Joe Igbokwe
Lagos.