The Federal Government of Nigeria has engaged Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, to explore the possibility of establishing programs to create jobs in Nigeria through local maintenance and production of its hardware.
The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who disclosed this on a Sunday, mentioned that the discussions had taken place on the sidelines of the International Telecommunication Union-World Radio Communication (ITU-WRC) Conference in Dubai.
Tijani explained that he met with Ryan Goodnight, the Senior Director of Global Licensing and Activation at SpaceX.
He mentioned that the discussion focused on how Starlink could establish a program to certify local installers and maintenance personnel in Nigeria and explore contracts for hardware startups to produce Starlink’s repeater boxes locally.
This revelation coincided with the acknowledgement from a Starlink official who declared Nigeria the company’s largest market, as stated by the Minister.
Sharing the discussion details through a post on his social media handle, the Communications Minister stated: “Excellent conversation with Ryan Goodnight, Snr. Director, Global Licensing & Activation of @SpaceX on the sidelines of ITU-WRC 23, who shared that Nigeria is their biggest market in Africa. As demand for @Starlink continues to grow in Nigeria, we spoke about the issue of connecting unserved and underserved Nigerians. I also mentioned the possibility of creating thousands of new jobs in Nigeria through initiatives like a certified installer/maintenance programme for Starlink and working with hardware startups to produce repeater boxes locally.”
“Our intention is to encourage every tech company to invest and deepen our tech ecosystem.”
While Starlink officially declared its entry into the Nigerian market in January of the current year, Nigerians had pre-ordered its hardware since the preceding year.
Despite its relatively higher costs than local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Starlink garnered significant interest among Nigerians seeking to switch their service providers.
The widespread availability of its satellite service proved particularly enticing for individuals residing in areas with inadequate internet connectivity, prompting them to opt for Starlink.
According to data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Starlink has emerged as one of the leading ISPs in Nigeria in terms of customer numbers.
As of the end of June, Starlink Nigeria boasted a customer base of 6,756. This figure surpassed the customer numbers of many local ISPs operating in Nigeria for several years.
In a strategic move to expand its customer base, Starlink reduced its hardware costs by 21% last month, aiming to capture a larger share of the Nigerian ISP market.
… you’re doing well — Fmr Anambra Gov. hails young writers
The Presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Mr. Peter Obi, has been honoured with the Chinua Achebe Excellence Award.
The former Governor of Anambra State, Obi, and the traditional ruler of Obosi, Igwe Chidubem Iweka, received the award at the 2023 edition of the Chinua Achebe Literary Festival and Memorial Lecture organized by the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, which was held at the Professor Kenneth Dike Central E-Library Awka, the Anambra State capital.
Speaking after receiving the award, Obi commended young writers in Anambra State for annually celebrating the legendary Nigerian writer, Late Professor Chinua Achebe, whom he described as a revered writer; whose literary contributions have left an indelible mark on the global literary landscape.
The former Anambra Governor; who was the Keynote Speaker at the event, emphasized the importance of preserving Achebe’s legacy, saying that events like the literary festival play a crucial role in keeping the flame of Achebe’s influence and legacies alive.
While rating the annual event high, Obi commended the Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, for sustaining the literary initiative, and for their commitment to nurturing and promoting literary talents in Anambra State, urging young writers to draw inspiration from Achebe’s works and use their creativity to address contemporary societal issues.
Contributing, Igwe Iweka, who chaired the occasion, encouraged students to always focus on their studies and not be deterred by the challenges of the time, stressing that the late Achebe was a great literary icon, whose books were translated in many languages.
The Obosi monarch also urged the students to constantly seek knowledge through books, and to be proud ambassadors of Igbo language and culture anywhere, anytime.
On his part, former Secretary to the Anambra State Government and former Nigerian Diplomat, Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who highlighted the significance of such events in fostering intellectual growth and cultural awareness among the youth, commended the organizers of the event for their dedication to promoting literary arts and preserving the legacy of the late Achebe.
While reiterating the importance of reading as a cornerstone for personal and intellectual development, Mr. Obaze urged the youth to embrace Achebe’s legacies; not only through celebrations, but by actively participating in the literary world, and ensuring that the flame of enlightenment continues to burn brightly in Anambra State and beyond.
Also speaking, former MD/CEO, Anambra Broadcasting Service, Chief Dr. Uche Nworah, echoed the sentiments of preserving cultural heritage as a key aspect of Achebe’s literary legacy. He emphasized that Achebe’s works served as a bridge connecting the past, present, and future of the Igbo people, fostering a sense of identity and pride. He further encouraged the youth to delve into Achebe’s novels and essays, viewing them not only as literary masterpieces but also as valuable repositories of Igbo traditions
On his own part, the MD/CEO Anambra State Signage and Advertising Agency (ANSAA) and Co-founder of Awka Literary Society, Mr. Odili Tony Ujubuoṅu, passionately urged the youth and emerging writers to cultivate imaginative thinking and writing skills, emphasizing their pivotal role in fostering innovation. Ujubuoṅu underscored the symbiotic relationship between writers and innovators, asserting that groundbreaking ideas often originate from the creative minds of writers, while challenging participants to embrace avid reading.
Other personalities who graced the occasion include the first female Professor of Mass Communication in Sub-saharan Africa, Prof. Stella Okunna; the state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Mr. Don Onyenji, represented by Mrs. Chioma Ifediorah, the Ministry’s Director of Arts and Culture; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Power and Water Resources, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka; award-winning writer and journalist, Uzor Maxim Uzoatu; widely-published author and former governorship candidate in Anambra, Okeke Chika Jerry; the MD/CEO, Naira Rice Mill, Mr. Arinze Omenwa; former Director, Anambra State Library Board, Dr. Nkechi Udeze; award-winning author, Reginald Chinedu Ofordile; among others.
The guests, in their respective remarks, praised Achebe’s legacies, commended the event organizers, and encouraged students to prioritize their studies and always strive for excellence.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Convener of the event and Coordinator, Society of Young Nigerian Writers, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Izunna Okafor, said the primary aim of the event was to celebrate the late Achebe as a hero and eagle on the Iroko of African Literature, immortalize him in their own way as young writers, as well as keep his memory alive.
He commended the Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, for recently immortalizing Achebe, which he said had been one of the association’s major calls and appeals to government since the last eight years the event was initiated.
Themed “Ten Years After: Remembering Achebe’s Legacies in Today’s Nigeria”, the 2023 Chinua Achebe Literary Festival featured unveiling of the 8th Chinua Achebe Poetry/Essay Anthology — “Anthills of Words (In Memory of Achebe)”; cutting Achebe’s 93rd posthumous birthday cake, poetry renditions and dramatizing of Achebe’s books, Chinua Achebe Essay Writing Competition, and the presentation of certificates/awards to deserving participants and guests, along with other literary activities that made the event memorable.
Former Vice President Joseph Boakai has emerged victorious in Liberia’s presidential election, defeating incumbent President George Weah in a second round of voting.
With nearly all votes counted, Boakai, the candidate of the Unity Party, has secured an unassailable lead, garnering 814,212 votes of the available 1,625,684 votes. His opponent, Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change, has trailed with 785,778 votes.
As of 4 pm Friday, Boakai led George Weah with 28, 434 votes. With the total ballot outstanding for counting being 25,694, Weah cannot surpass Mr Boakai even if he gets all the pending votes.
Weah, a former football star, came into power in 2018, defeating Boakai.
Boakai, who served as vice president under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf from 2006 to 2018.
Weah is reported to have accepted defeat.
He said, “A few moments ago, I spoke with president-elect Joseph Boakai to congratulate him on his victory,” George Weah is quoted to have said on national radio. “I urge you (his supporters) to follow my example and accept the results of the elections.
“Tonight, the CDC has lost the election, but Liberia has won. This is a time for graciousness in defeat, a time to place our country above party, and patriotism above personal interest . . . Let us heal the divisions caused by the campaign and come together as one nation and one united people.”
Controversial actor Yul Edochie has stated that religion is a scam to a large extent. According to him, religion was created centuries ago by men to control, divide and rule others.
The actor made the assertion via his Instagram story recently where he wrote: “A large percentage of Religion na scam. Cooked up centuries ago by men, to control, divide and rule others. God teaches us to love one another. While religion is making us hate each other.”
UN aid deliveries to Gaza were suspended again on Friday due to shortages of fuel and a communications shutdown, deepening the misery of thousands of hungry and homeless Palestinians as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants in the enclave.
The United Nations’ World Food Programme (WFP) said civilians faced the “immediate possibility of starvation” due to the lack of food supplies. With the war about to enter its seventh week, there was no sign of any let-up despite international calls for a ceasefire or at least for humanitarian pauses.
Palestinian news agency WAFA said a number of Palestinians were killed and others injured in an Israeli strike that hit a group of displaced people near the Rafah border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Egypt – the transit point for aid.
Al Jazeera TV cited sources as saying that nine people were killed in the strike. Al Jazeera also said that at least 18 Palestinians were killed after an Israeli strike hit a house in the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza.
There was no comment from Israel on the reported incidents and Reuters could not verify them. Israel’s military, which has concentrated its assault on northern Gaza, said its troops and war planes were keeping up pressure on Friday.
Overnight they took control of an Islamic Jihad commander’s stronghold, it said, and also killed Hamas fighters inside a school where they found a large number of weapons. Earlier, Israel said its troops had found a tunnel shaft used by Hamas at Al Shifa hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip.
The hospital, packed with patients and displaced people and struggling to keep operating, has become a major focus of global concern. Israel says Hamas has stored weapons and ammunition and is holding hostages in a network of tunnels under hospitals like Shifa, using patients and people taking shelter there as human shields. Hamas denies this.
The conflict was triggered by a cross-border raid by Hamas militants on Oct. 7 that killed about 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, in the deadliest day in the state’s 75-year-history.
More than 11,500 Palestinians, at least 4,700 of them children, have now been killed in Israel’s retaliatory military assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry – a toll that far surpasses previous bouts of conflict in recent years.
Israel has vowed to wipe out the militant group. Whole neighborhoods of Gaza have been flattened in air and artillery strikes, hundreds of thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes, and the humanitarian situation is catastrophic, aid agencies say.
At the Indonesian Hospital in North Gaza, people wounded in Israeli strikes lay in the hallways.
“Yesterday we went to the mosque to pray at sunset. We kneeled the first time and suddenly… I was under a load of rocks and other people were under the rubble,” said one young boy.
“There were cut-up hands and legs and we didn’t know if someone would come and save us. The civil defense came.”
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), quoting Palestinian data, said Israeli attacks had destroyed or damaged at least 45% of Gaza’s housing units.
The United Nations said there would be no cross-border aid operation on Friday due to fuel shortages and a communication shutdown. For a second consecutive day on Thursday no aid trucks arrived in Gaza due to lack of fuel for distributing relief.
An Israeli official said later on Friday that Israel’s war cabinet had approved letting in two fuel trucks a day into Gaza to help meet U.N. needs, following a U.S. request.
Nearly the entire Gazan population is in desperate need of food assistance, said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
“With winter fast approaching, unsafe and overcrowded shelters, and the lack of clean water, civilians are facing the immediate possibility of starvation,” she said in a statement.
A U.N. human rights official said Israel must allow water and fuel into Gaza to restart the water supply network otherwise people would die of thirst and disease. Israel’s actions were a breach of international law, Pedro Arrojo-Agudo said.
The World Health Organization said it feared the spread of disease, including respiratory infections and diarrhoea.
The Israeli military’s chief of staff said Israel was close to destroying Hamas’ military system in the north of the coastal enclave of 2.3 million people.
The army released a video it said showed a tunnel entrance in an outdoor area of Al Shifa hospital.
The video, which Reuters could not verify, showed a deep hole in the ground, littered with concrete and wood rubble and sand. It appeared the area had been excavated. A bulldozer appeared in the background.
The army said its troops also found a vehicle in the hospital containing a large number of weapons.
Reuters journalists have been unable to reach anyone inside Shifa hospital for more than 24 hours.
Hamas said on Thursday that U.S. claims that the group uses Shifa for military purposes was “a repetition of a blatantly false narrative”.
Israeli officials had said Hamas held some of the 240 hostages taken by gunmen on Oct. 7 in the hospital complex.
On Friday, the Israeli military said soldiers retrieved the body of a female soldier who had been held captive, in a building near Shifa. On Thursday, troops recovered the body of another woman hostage, also in a building near Shifa.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Hamas’ Al-Quds Brigades said they had engaged Israeli forces for several hours in the city of Jenin overnight. Israel’s military said war planes struck militants in Jenin who had opened fire on Israeli soldiers and at least five militants were killed. At least 178 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since Oct. 7. The violence there has underscored fears that the territory, seized by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War, could spiral out of control in tandem with the conflict in Gaza.
Leaders of trade unions and pensioners in Kaduna State have commended the State Governor, Senator Uba Sani for the timely release of N3.1billion for payment of gratuities and death benefits under the Defined Benefit Scheme (DBS) and the Contributory Pension Schemes (CPS).
The State chapters of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) of Nigeria and the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) in separate letters of commendations, praised the governor for the proactive release of the funds especially in the face of current economic realities.
They maintained that the gesture would serve as an immediate intervention that would alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of those who have died.
“We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased retirees.
While pledging support to the governor, the unions advocated for the constitution of the board of the Kaduna State Pension Bureau to ensure total transparency in the system.
“This honourable gesture will serve as an immediate intervention that will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of our fallen heroes that served our dear state diligently,” the NLC stated in their letter signed by its Chairman, Ayuba Suleiman.
In their letters, the NUP and the TUC, applauded the governor for approving the money to pay gratuities and death benefits, noting that it would go a long way in alleviating the suffering of retirees and families of deceased workers.
“For inclusiveness and to strengthen the judicial utiliation of these funds even in the future, we are advocating for the constitution of the Board of the Bureau in accordance with section 20 of the Kaduna State Pension Reform (Amended) Law, 2020″, the unions stated in their letters.
In October 2023, the State government had approved the release of N3.1billion for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.
According to the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1,000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries were to benefit from the pension funds released as the verification exercise for the payments had commenced in the three senatorial districts of the state.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld the ruling of the Election Petitions Tribunal sacking Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State.
In its judgement on Friday, the Appeal Court agreed with the judgement of the tribunal, ruling that the fielding of Abba Yusuf was in breach of the Electoral Law as he was not qualified to contest that Election.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) commends all Biafrans for their unwavering vigilance and boldness in the face of the recent electoral coup witnessed in Imo State.
The Biafra Defacto Customary Government, BDFCG, has said that the events surrounding the Imo Gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023, demand attention and collective action to safeguard the democratic values.
It explained that the recent events should serve as a rallying point for the collective action, insisting that the need for a united front against political malpractice remains paramount.
BDFCG, in a statement by the Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, confirmed that Hope Uzodinma, in collaboration with security agencies, hijacked the electoral process and allocated results to himself, saying that he will be exposed in due time.
The group commended all Biafrans, including Biafra politicians, who actively contributed to exposing the actions of anti-democratic elements before the international community, assuring that there is no hiding place for criminals masquerading as political leaders.
The statement:
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) commends all Biafrans for their unwavering vigilance and boldness in the face of the recent electoral coup witnessed in Imo State. The events surrounding the Imo Gubernatorial election on November 11, 2023, demand our attention and collective action to safeguard the democratic values we hold dear.
1). BDFCG unequivocally restates that the power of the people is supreme, and no electoral fraud can prevail against a popular candidate. The resilience and determination exhibited by Biafrans in the face of manipulations demonstrate that the will of the people cannot be easily subdued.
2). As a people, Biafrans have not yet resolved to stop the madness going on in the internal elections within Biafraland. The need for a united front against political malpractice remains paramount, and the recent events should serve as a rallying point for collective action.
3). The credibility of a candidate, exemplified by Peter Obi in the presidential election, showcases the strength of a united Biafra. The overwhelming support for a credible candidate proved that manipulations and intimidation hold no ground when the people are united behind a popular choice, hence nobody can rig an election against a popular candidate.
4). While the condemnable events of the Imo Gubernatorial election are acknowledged by BDFCG, it should not discourage Biafrans from participating in the electoral process. There are valuable lessons to be learned, and political veterans like Hon Ugochinyere Ikenga Ugo have shown that confronting political criminals is more effective than staying away (see his various video interviews showing how Hope Uzdimma shamelessly and mindlessly allocated figures to himself).
5). BDFCG confirms that Hope Uzodinma, in collaboration with security agencies, hijacked the electoral process and allocated results to himself. However, it is essential to emphasize that no perfect crime exists, and he will be exposed in due time.
6). BDFCG commends all Biafrans, including Biafra politicians, who actively contributed to exposing the actions of anti-democratic elements before the international community. There is no hiding place for criminals masquerading as our political leaders, and collective vigilance remains our strength.
7). BDFCG reminds all Biafrans that democratic power is a continuous struggle, not a one-off transaction. Power is not easily given by oppressors but taken by an organized and resolute people. Therefore, Biafrans are urged to remain steadfast in the quest to place the right individuals in positions of political authority while holding those in government accountable.
National crowdsourcing innovation is set to open on 21st November, 2023 with a focus on social innovations which educate and empower women to make informed health decisions on prenatal care and child immunisation.
The programme, which will close on 20th December, 2023, is powered by Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Nigeria Hub in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR).
The organisations have called for submissions through their website, www.sihinigeriahub.com, adding that one can equally click directly on https://sihinigeriahub.com/crowdsourcing/3 or make enquiry on nigeria@socialinnovationinhealth.org.
“Social Innovation in Health Initiative (SIHI) Nigeria Hub in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (FMSTI) and the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) wishes to invite submissions of social innovations which have been developed and are being implemented in Nigeria.
“Social innovation has been identified as an important concept which would enable Nigeria achieve goal of safe and accessible healthcare. These innovations are developed at the community level and therefore provide practical solutions to local problems within Nigeria – from maternal health to accessing drugs by persons living in hard-to-reach areas.”
Concerned about reported cases of criminal activities within the Anambra Internal Revenue Services (AIRS); which shed light on the dispute between the Chairman, Dr Greg Ezeilo, and the Executive Director of Operations, Dr Christian Madubuko, the Biafra Defacto Customary Government, BDFCG, has urged relevant authorities to take swift action to restore public trust in the government, and demonstrate commitment to ethical governance.
Reacting to “leaked internal memos” and “revelations” that “exposed several transactions within the Soludo Government”, BDFCG, in a press statement signed by the Spokesperson, Prosper Odinga, said they raise grave concerns about ethical conduct and governance, as well as indicate a stark dissonance between the public assurances given by the state Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.
It noted alleged involvement of the Governor’s family “in the management of the ICT infrastructure responsible for powering the State’s revenue collection”, as well as claims that “the family’s company receives certain professional fees related to these operations, the fees higher than the one paid under Obiano Administration”.
The group said the allegations, if substantiated, “raise serious questions about a potential conflict of interest, which may explain the Governor’s hesitance to suspend the management of Anambra State Internal Revenue Services”.
Details:
PRESS STATEMENT
Wed, November 15, 2023
BDFCG Condems Criminal Activities going on in Anambra Internal Revenue Services (AIRS) Implicating Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s Government
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government (BDFCG) expresses its strong condemnation of the reported criminal activities within the Anambra Internal Revenue Services (AIRS), shedding light on the dispute between Dr Greg Ezeilo, the Chairman of AIRS, and Dr Christian Madubuko, the Executive Director of Operations. The revelations have exposed several transactions within the Soludo Government, raising grave concerns about ethical conduct and governance.
The leaked internal memos indicate a stark dissonance between the public assurances given by Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, and the actions within the revenue house. It is distressing to note that, despite the severity of the situation, there has been a noticeable silence from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, leaving the citizens awaiting accountability in a state of dismay.
From information obtained through reliable sources, it has come to our attention that the family of Prof Chukwuma Soludo, the Anambra State Governor, is allegedly involved in the management of the ICT infrastructure responsible for powering the State’s revenue collection. Additionally, there are claims that the family’s company receives certain professional fees related to these operations, the fees higher than the one paid under Obiano Administration. These allegations, if substantiated, raise serious questions about a potential conflict of interest, which may explain the Governor’s hesitance to suspend the management of Anambra State Internal Revenue Services.
The Biafra De Facto Customary Government calls for an immediate and thorough investigation into these allegations to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds. The citizens of Anambra State deserve to have confidence in the integrity of their government, and it is imperative that any wrongdoing is addressed promptly and decisively.
We urge the relevant authorities to take swift action to restore public trust in the government and to demonstrate a commitment to ethical governance. The BDFCG will closely monitor developments and continue to advocate for the principles of justice, accountability, and transparency. All patriotic Biafrans in various places of works are encouraged to imbibe the Biafra ideology of love, good Governance, equity, fairness and justice. Biafrans are encouraged to forward cases of corruption and victimization to the email and phone number below for appropriate escalation and necessary actions. We must restore sanity in Biafraland.
