CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN OKIGWE MOURNS THE PASSING OF FR ILONU

CATHOLIC COMMUNITY IN OKIGWE MOURNS THE PASSING OF FR ILONU

His death came as a suprise to many! Known as Papa by a whole lot, especially the seminarians of the St Peters Seminary Okigwe Diocese, the death of Fr. ILONU,the brother to Bishop ILONU. Many folks especially those of the Catholic community in the zone and Arondizuogu in particular are encouraged to bear the loss of a gem.

Coming from a strong Catholic village ,Fr ILONU has worked in the vineyard of the Lord for over 40 years. Having impacted many in many areas of life such as spiritually, financially and most importantly educationally.

He was the founding priest that laid the foundation of one of the best schools in Imo State known as St Peter’s Seminary Okigwe,which has over time build morals and capacity in all works of life with strong old boys (Alma mater ) association.

The body of the priest was laid to rest at the St Peter’s Seminary School where the who is who in Catholic community was present.

“The death of Papa was a shock to some of us, having known him for over twenty years now, we believed that he has done the best and worked for the Lord . We take solace in the fact that he is with the Lord. He was one of the people that moulded us to what we are today “, Sir Cajetan Eberendu, the president general of the St Peter’s Seminary Okigwe Old Boys association and a high Catholic Knight.

“We believe that the death of Papa is just a natural course in the scheme of things, he has done his bits which we are a living testimony. We are honored to be associated with him ” Jerry Iwuchukwu ,London, United Kingdom.

“He was a disciplinarian,he doesn’t take half measures be it in spiritual or educational affair. He is a good man that understand what it meant to mould characters” Eboh Chijioke Lawrence , Dublin Ireland

“He loves sports,apart from his high standards in education and spiritual aspect, he would ensure that we participated in football and other competition, it is a pleasure been tutored by him”, Tochukwu Ekeocha ,Lecturer, University of Port Harcourt.

With tons of econiums pouring during the funeral ceremony,it can be categorically said that Papa (Fr. ILONU ) lived a good life . This is in line with the popular Latin maxim “Vox populi vox dei” meaning the voice of people are the voice of God.

Anthony Emeka Nwosu

Omenugha Reveals Secret of Anambra’s High Educational Performance

Omenugha Reveals Secret of Anambra’s High Educational Performance

The Anambra State Commissioner for Basic Education, Prof Kate Omenugha has finally revealed the secret behind the recent streak of excellence recorded by the state in both international and national academic contests.

Speaking on Tuesday at the “Meet the Media” forum organized by Governor Willie Obiano’s team in Awka, Prof Omenugha attributed the dazzling performance of Anambra school children to the successful transfer of Anambra’s Shared Values to them. Anambra has 10 Shared Values which are recited by school children every morning.

Anambra’s Ten Shared Values include; to make a positive impact on everyone I meet and everywhere I go, to be a solution provider and not a part of the problem to be solved, to be a role model worthy of emulation, to be my best in all I do, particularly the things I am naturally good at, to do the right thing at all times regardless of who is doing the wrong thing, to value time and make the best use of it, to care and show respect through my words and actions, to consciously build a great legacy starting now, today and every day, to live a life of integrity and honour and to make my family, my state, my nation and my God proud.

“We have made them to believe in themselves and who they are,” explained Prof Omenugha. “How did we do that? In the first retreat that Governor Obiano had in 2014 with his political appointees and EXCO members, we developed what we call Ten-shared values. I am always proud to talk about our 10 Shared Values because that is something that was done by this administration to begin to build the confidence of our school children. To begin to change their psyche about who they are and what they can do. To begin to make them believe in their capacities and capabilities.”

Prof Omenugha explained that the dazzling performance of Anambra school children in national and international academic, scientific and technological contests is a clear indication that the children had deeply assimilated the state’s Ten-Shared Values.

Said she: “That’s the key. That’s what I am saying, because we have driven it in. Education is about ideology. It is what you believe in that you profess and what you profess, that you do. We have our mantra – We say, ‘Nothing is impossible. I do not accept Failure. Yes, we can!’ Ask any Anambra child; he will tell you “I do not accept failure. Nothing is impossible. Yes, I can.” That’s our mantra. And what we do is to get it into the head of every Anambra child that nothing, absolutely is impossible! The can-do spirit. And therefore each time we tell them to go for laurels, we tell them you have to be the best you are, particularly in things you are naturally good at. You have to value time and make the best use of it, to consciously build a great legacy, starting now, today and every day. To live a life of integrity and honour, and to make my family, my state, my nation and my God proud, so help me God. It has worked like magic.”

Throwing more light on the psychological boost that was given to the legendary Regina Pacis girls that won Gold at the World Technovation Challenge San Farancisco in 2018, Prof Omenugha recalled that the actual journey to the Gold Medal began with a visit to Governor Obiano during a full session of the Anambra Executive Council in Awka.

“When the Technovation girls were going to America for the competition, I brought them to the EXCO Chamber to see the governor”, Omenugha recalled. “The governor told them, Ndi ocha enwero isi n’abo (the white people do not have two heads on their shoulders). You can win. You go there and bring the laurel and see what I can do. And they went and brought the laurel.”

Professor Omenugha also revealed that contrary to the speculation that the Golden Girls had been abandoned, the state government had set up a trust fund for their education covering SS2 to the university.

“We have in trust for them with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, their school fees up to the university level. Six years in the university. From SS2 and SS3 to the university. Six years of university. We have all the money put in trust for them with the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha. They are our stars. We are following up on them. They are our role models,” she further explained.

It would be recalled that since the inception of the Obiano administration, Anambra State has been a consistent super performer in all external examinations and other academic contests for students and teachers.

Following closely on the heels of the Gold Medal won by the Regina Pacis girls at the World Technovation Challenge, four boys from St John’s Science and Technical College, Alor in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state had also won Bronze medal at the International Festival of Engineering, Science and Technology that took place in Tunisia in March 2019.

James Ezeh

Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Inaugurates Management Board Of Isi-Nri Museum

Eze Enugwu-Ukwu Inaugurates Management Board Of Isi-Nri Museum

The traditional ruler of Enugwu-Ukwu, in Njikoka local government area of Anambra state, His Majesty, Igwe Sir Ralph Obumnaemeh Ekpeh on Friday, July 24th, 2020 inaugurated the management board of Isi-Nri museum, Enugwu-Ukwu.

Inaugurating the 22-man Board of Management, Igwe Ekpeh charged them amongst other things to source more artifacts and collections on Nri and Igbo literature, label and trace the origins of artifacts already in the museum, attract local and foreign visitors, establish linkages with international agencies for grants and support, and position Isi-Nri museum as an international cultural and academic centre.

Chief Ramas Asuzu Okoye (Akajiofor), patron and consultant to the museum pledged his continued support to the museum. He said that he is pleased with the progress and development which Enugwu-Ukwu has experienced under the leadership of Eze Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Ekpeh.

Ozonkpu Chief Jude Ekwunife (Okwuatuegwu), Culture Minister of Enugwu-Ukwu and Chairman of Isi-Nri Museum Board of Management spoke on behalf of the members and assured that the Board will work very hard to achieve their mandate. He said that Isi-Nri museum remains one of the most critical projects that Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu have embarked on as it is a center for the preservation and showcasing of not only Enugwu-Culture, but also Nri and Igbo culture.

Ozonkpu Ekwunife said that the museum has potentials to attract revenue that will also be used for other projects in Enugwu-Ukwu.

Chief Pat Nwume (Ohamadike), Chairman, Enugwu-Ukwu Igu-Aro Commission requested the Board to provide a space for Igu-Aro Commission to archive memories, pictures and videos of the annual Igu-Aro Enugwu-Ukwu.

Professor Ifeoma Dunu of Mass Communication department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka and a member of the management board praised ndi Enugwu-Ukwu for the dynamism and spirit they show which led to the setting up of the museum. She suggested that the museum should create programmes that will attract visitors and revenue to the museum. She said that Nollywood practitioners would find the museum useful in their film productions.

Bonny Ozo Nkwuaku, President General of Enugwu-Ukwu Community Development Union (ECDU) pledged that ECDU will support and work with the Board of Management to achieve their mandate.

Mr Tagbo Oguejiofor, a writer who has written so much on Enugwu-Ukwu history and a member of the Board of Management expressed joy over the museum project. He said it would contribute to ongoing efforts to document the history and culture of Ndi Enugwu-Ukwu, Ndi Nri and Ndigbo.

Ambassador -designate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Elijah Onyeagba in his first public outing in Enugwu-Ukwu since his confirmation as Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by the National Assembly officially informed Eze Enugwu-Ukwu, Igwe Ralph Ekpeh of his ambassadorial appointment. He preached co-existence in Nigeria and informed the audience that he owes his appointment to Boss Mustapha, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF). He charged Anambra youths to always invest in skills and capacity building programmes so as to take advantage of any emerging opportunity. Ambassador Onyeagba also promised his support for the museum.

Chief Nduka Anyanwu, Chairman of the Board, Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), a native of Abia state who accompanied Ambassador Onyeagba to the inauguration expressed delight at the spirit shown by Ndi-Enugwu-ukwu and said that he is now an adopted son of Enugwu-Ukwu. He promised his support to the Isi-Nri museum project.

Chief Uche Nworah (Ezeudo), Secretary of the Board of Management, Isi-Nri museum thanked Igwe Ekpeh for considering the members worthy to serve. He assured that they will work together to achieve their mandate.

The members of the Board and other guests took a tour of the museum to appreciate the cultural pieces on display. Igwe Ekpeh later entertained all at his palace.

Members of Isi-Nri Museum Board of Management are (1) Ozonkpu Chief Sir Barr. Jude Ekwunife (Chairman) (2) Chief Uche Nworah (Secretary) (3) Ozonkpu Chief I. G Okoye (4) Prof. Ifeoma Echezona (5) Prof. Ray Okafor (6) Senator Ozonkpu Chief Sir I.G Abana (7) Professor Ifeoma Dunu (cool Chief Chika Balogun (9) Ozonkpu Chief Sir Clem Nwafor (10) Ozonkpu Chief Frank Nwokike (11) Ozonkpu Chief Sir Amb. Dr. A. Mgbakor (12) Dr Joseph Dilora (13) Prof. Okonkwo (14) Mr Tagbo Oguejiofor (15) Nze Ebuka Ifeacho (16) Chief Amb. Charles Agbakwu (17) Prof. J Nwana (18) Mr Linus Nwankwo (19) Prof. Mike Nwafor (20) Mr Gabriel Okoye (21) Akajiofor Dr. Ramas Okoye Asuzu (Patron/Consultant) (22) HRM Igwe Sir Ralph O. Ekpeh (Grand Patron).

Isi-Nri museum is located at Isi-Nri Museum junction (formerly Ezi Okpalanri junction), old Enugu / Onitsha expressway, Enugwu-Ukwu. To donate materials, arrange a tour or visit, contact the curator Emma Okolo on
+234803675 2010.

Uche Nwora

PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON MONDAY 27th JULY, 2020 PROTOCOL

PRESS BRIEFING BY HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, DR. OSAGIE EHANIRE AT THE PRESIDENTIAL TASK FORCE ON COVID-19 PRESS BRIEFING ON MONDAY 27th JULY, 2020 PROTOCOL

The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Nigeria crossed the 40,000 mark to 40,534 over the weekend, with 555 new cases recorded in the past 24 hours, of which 17,374 have been successfully treated and discharged. We have regrettably lost 858 persons, most of them with co-morbidities. With 262,579 persons tested, we have crossed the quarter million mark. When the epidemic curve will begin to flatten is still a matter of conjecture, given the relatively small fraction of our population that has been tested so far.

2.​60 PCR Public Health laboratories are now active in Nigeria, which together should be in a position to address testing capacity challenges and ramp up utilization if only the logistics could be improved. This would, along with sheer community spread, be responsible for the rising trajectory of the epidemic curve in the population tested so far.

3.​The 70 to 30 male to female gender ratio and the case fatality rate of 2.1% have not changed significantly. Two thirds of all fatalities remain in the over 50 year age group, while comorbidities like diabetes, hypertension, asthma, etc, are common among all fatalities. They underscore the need to protect senior citizens and the vulnerable from infection, by giving special attention to risk communication and priority for admission for observation and treatment. Of utmost concern are still the asymptomatic cases, with the potential to spread the disease, of whom the young and able bodied can be difficult to manage.
4.​We continue to strive to improve the quality of services in our hospitals as more persons are admitted to treatment, not only for covid-19 infection, but also for routine and essential care. It is also our desire to reduce the fatality rates, and expand our treatment capacity such that our Health System is not overwhelmed. In this regard, the FMoH expects to take delivery of the newly completed Isolation Center at UATH Gwagwalada, as other centers are under construction nationwide.
5.​ The UN System in Nigeria informed us of the arrival of another consignment of essential COVID-19 related commodities yesterday, to be officially handed over to us. We remain appreciative of the UN System for this gesture and their consistent support, which greatly increases our reserves and recognizes our needs, especially of oxygen concentrators and PPEs, but also reassures our frontline health workers that we are well stocked and can ensure availability of essential items and consumables at point of use. I use this opportunity to formally introduce the Country Representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, who assumed duty here with us in Abuja some days ago, and wish him successful tenure, despite the challenging times.

  1. ​I also use the opportunity to salute our frontline health workers, whose service helps reduce fatality. I urge them to continue their work in line with global best practices in case management and to keep themselves safe and take no risks. Coronavirus does not respect doctors or nurses.
    7.​As Salah approaches, I again wish all our Muslim brethren a happy celebration and enjoin all persons not to forget prescribed precautions and to reduce risk of transmission even as we celebrate. Wear your face mask at all times, especially when out of your homes; wash hands regularly; use sanitizers, practice distancing, I again remind everyone that controlling the spread of covid19 is not the responsibility of government alone, but of us all, individually and collectively.
    8.​Thank you for your attention.

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY HMIC ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS IN GOVT AGENCIES…IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY JULY 28TH 2020

TEXT OF PRESS CONFERENCE BY HMIC ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS IN GOVT AGENCIES…IN ABUJA ON TUESDAY JULY 28TH 2020

Good afternoon gentlemen, and welcome to this press conference

  1. As you are all aware, Nigerians have recently been inundated with allegations of monumental corruption in a number of government agencies, including the NDDC, NSITF and the anti-corruption agency, EFCC.
  2. Many, especially naysayers, have misinterpreted these developments as a sign that the Administration’s fight against corruption is waning. In fact, the main opposition PDP has latched on to the developments to call for the resignation of Mr. President, a call that is nothing but infantile!
  3. Let me state here and now that the fight against corruption, a cardinal programme of this Administration, is alive and well.
    President Muhammadu Buhari, the African Union’s Anti-Corruption Champion, who also has an impeccable reputation globally, remains the driver of the fight and no one, not the least the PDP under whose watch Nigeria was looted dry, can taint his image or reverse the gains of the fight. Anyone who disagrees that the anti-corruption fight is alive and well is free to dare us.
  4. What the revelations of the past few weeks, especially the investigation of the nation’s anti-corruption Czar, have shown is that this Administration is not ready to sweep any allegation of corruption under the carpet; that there is no sacred cow in this fight, and that – unlike the PDP – we will not cover up for anyone, including the members of our party and government, who faces corruption allegations.
    Our fight against corruption is blind to party affiliation, position in government and any other consideration. If the nation’s anti-corruption Czar can be investigated, then the fight against corruption cannot be deemed to be fake, neither can it be said to be waning.
  5. I am not prepared to go into the details of the various corruption allegations – whether at the NDDC, NSITF, EFCC or any other agency – because they are all still under investigation. However, I wish to state that the allegations of corruption in NDDC, for example, are not new. What is new is the speed and seriousness with which this Administration has tackled, and is still tackling, the allegations.
    Had such attention been paid to the running of the NDDC by previous Administrations, the Commission would probably have avoided its present predicament. Is it not a sad irony, then, that those under whose watch the alleged freewheeling spending by the Commission started are now the ones accusing those who are cleaning up after them of corruption?
  6. As I said earlier, this Administration’s fight against corruption is as strong as ever, and we have the records to back up this claim.
    This Administration has recorded over 1,400 convictions, including high profile ones, and recovered funds in excess of 800 billion Naira, not to talk of forfeiture of ill-gotten properties. This is no mean feat.
  7. Remember, gentlemen, that the fight against corruption is not about loot recovery or convictions alone. We are also putting in place enduring institutional reforms that will deter acts of corruption.
    Here we are talking about the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the Whistleblower Policy, the expansion of the coverage of the Integrated Payroll Personnel and Information System as well as the Government Integrated Management Information System and the Open Government Partnership and Transparency Portal on Financial Transactions, among others.
  8. Let me also mention the ICPC’s Constituency and Executive Projects Tracking Group, aimed at tracking performance of publicly-funded projects, and the Commission’s escalation of the use of administrative sanctions in the public service by periodically submitting, for sanction, names of public servants who are being prosecuted. There is also the review of the personnel and capital fund expenditure of MDAs.
  9. Therefore, those who are celebrating the so-called waning of the Administration’s anti-corruption fight are engaging in wishful
    thinking, and are not looking at the full ramifications of the fight.
  10. Let me end this press conference by quoting what Mr. President said on the fight against corruption in his speech marking the 59th independence anniversary of the country: ”This Administration has fought against corruption by investigating and prosecuting those accused of embezzlement and the misuse of public resources. We have empowered teams of prosecutors, assembled detailed databases of evidence, traced the proceeds of crimes and accelerated the recovery of stolen funds….The policies that we are putting in place today are to ensure such criminal and unpatriotic acts do not go without consequences.”
  11. Gentlemen, there is no better expression of the Administration’s commitment to the anti-corruption fight than this statement, which is as true and relevant today as it was in 2019! I thank you for your kind attention.

ORJI UZOR KALU GETS A HERO’S WELCOME IN ABIA

ORJI UZOR KALU GETS A HERO’S WELCOME IN ABIA

Senator Orji Uzor Kalu received a rousing welcome when he returned to Abia state on Monday, July 27, months after he was released from prison…

Recall that in December 2019, the former Abia state governor was sentenced to 12 years in prison after he was convicted for N7.1bn fraud alongside his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited, and a former Director of Finance during his tenure, Ugo Udeogu.

The Supreme court on May 8, 2020, then nullified Kalu and Udeogo’s conviction on grounds that the presiding judge, Justice Mohammed Idris, lacked the jurisdiction to have presided over their case. He was released from Kuje prison on June 3, 2020.

On Monday, July 27, he made a triumphant return to the state and was received by his teeming supporters.

See photos below.

John Ayogu

DR. STELLA EMMANUEL,IS SHE STEPPING ON TOES?

DR. STELLA EMMANUEL,IS SHE STEPPING ON TOES?

The campaign to discredit doctor Stella Emmanuel is on going. The main forte of their attack is that she is a prophetess who believes in ancestral curses and witchcrafts.

The video in total is over forty minutes. Different doctors spoke but where the Nigerian warped intellectuals are more interested in is that of the woman.

They’re already exhuming pictures of her preaching.

That’s the height of madness. So a preacher can’t practice medicine again? How does being a prophetess discredit one’s ability in practicing medicine. Can you imagine these people?

In that press conference there were only two black doctors, the lady and one other black man with over eight white doctors saying the same thing but these harebrained individuals have gone base to attack the personal life of this woman and not the science behind her statement.

One that claims to be a pastor even joined mocking the lady on the pulpit. They go so low that you wonder how they think. They throw decorum to the dogs just because their lies are challenged.

I rather walked and sit with a thorough bred Christian doctor who will be truthful to me and God than sit and listen to a liberal guzzling twisted mind of a doctor.

That’s the truth.

Challenge the woman to a peer review. Notes should be compared and not this pedestrian attempt at discrediting her.

Michael King

Sad suicide note of Izuchukwu Madubueze…

Sad suicide note of Izuchukwu Madubueze…

Video showing Izuchukwu Madubueze, 23, reading a suicide note before shooting himself dead has been shared online.

Izu, from Anambra state, committed suicide in the US on Thursday, July 16, after a Twitter user accused him of harassing a woman.

According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, United States, the Nigerian entrepreneur died by self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“Izuchukwu Madubueze was the victim of what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound on July 16, 2020. The case is open and active and no further information will be provided at this time,” said Deputy Travis Sibley, a spokesman for the office.

Before taking his life, Izu recorded himself reading his suicide note. The video has now been shared online.

In the video, he addressed the harassment allegation, declared his love for his family, and said some words to his accuser.

“I feel like it’ll be awesome to say some last words before I leave,” Izu began in the video.

He added: “In the last couple of weeks, I have seen the tweets. I have heard from several people, I’ve also seen some people who I expected a lot more from subtweeting me and I wasn’t ever given a fair chance to clear my name or explain my side of the story or verify whether any of the allegations against me were true or not.

“To my family, first of all, I apologize for bringing disgrace to your name. I love you all unconditionally from the bottom of my heart.”

“To my mum, I pray you stay strong, ” he said with a shaky voice.

“To my dad, you always said God will never give me a load that’s too heavy to carry but last two years have been the heaviest moments of my life… actually last three years have been the heaviest moments of my life.

“To my little bro, Ekene, I love you man. I wish we hadn’t grown super distant.

“To my sister, I love you so much sis. You have great things in store for you. You’re gonna be a very very great person.”

He then addressed his accusers, saying: “To Ify and Duby I wronged and who I… who said I groped them, which hurts a lot.

“To girls who posted the list, thank you for posting the list.”

Izu was referring to the list posted on Twitter where a number of men were named as people accused of sexual assault, harassment, or rape. Izu’s name was listed and he was accused of harassment.

The list was posted by a user named Nani.

Izu continued: “I mean, like I told you Nani, I can’t shoot the messenger. but your attitude not to work towards clearing up accusations was piss-poor. You denied me the opportunity to clear my name and you refused to tell me what exactly I did that was harassment, even after I provided proof that I didn’t harass this person….”

After recording the suicide note, Izu also scheduled a short note that was posted on Twitter on July 17, one day after his death.

The tweet reads: “Oh, and if you’re reading this, I’m dead. Lol.”

Video of Izuchukwu Madubueze reading his suicide note before shooting himself dead after being accused of harassing a woman

Nani, the lady who accused him of harassing a woman has been receiving heat on Twitter following Izu’s death.

Muojeke Chidinma

NETCOM AFRICA ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE TOP GLOBAL PROVIDERS IN IT SECURITY

NETCOM AFRICA ANNOUNCES ITS PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE TOP GLOBAL PROVIDERS IN IT SECURITY

In today’s changing business environment, the need to have a robust virtual security architecture has become imperative. Having this in mind, Netcom Africa, Nigeria’s foremost managed IT service provider and outsourcing firm has brought to the fore a bouquet of information technology ( IT ) security solutions for businesses in Nigeria. 

With the high rising incidents of breaches in various organizations today, investing in IT security becomes more imperative in order to secure critical assets and information. According to reports, over N127 Billion losses annually as a result of security breaches in the country, and $2.1 Trillion USD worldwide. Over 60% of small and medium sized busineses that suffer a cyber security breach will go out of business within 6 months of the breach due to reputation damage, customer and financial loss, and legal actions. Netcom Africa has introduced top-notch security solutions that would address the issue of breaches. Over the years, Netcom has solidified its footprint in Nigeria’s tech market with the deployment of robust cyber security services targeting Nigerian corporate where high-end tech services are steadily on the rise.

“Security is best when it’s silent, our solutions feature both cloud and on-premise SSO, multi-factor authentication, user provisioning with self-service and access governance, password synchronization, self-service password reset and even AD & NTFS auditing tools”, Harrington Charles, Vice President, Corporate Development & Marketing, Netcom Africa.

Organizations are to enjoy the latest deployments in the cyber security system. According to Netcom Africa, the company opined that their security information and event management (SIEM) service collects and analyses security information in real time from across your organization. A combination of powerful proprietary technologies and human intelligence helps to prevent attacks on your network, and protect your commercially sensitive information.

One of the best preventative measures that any organization can undertake is education of its people. Providing cybersecurity training for your employees is by far the best value for cost and too many users don’t know the basic practices such as updating software, recognizing a phishing email, and use of strong passwords.

Netcom Africa have designed these types of trainings as well as partnered with global reputable brands to bring Nigerians the best cyber security solutions available in any part of the world.

“We’ve partnered with Shelt, the European Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), to offer the first cloud-based cybersecurity platform in Nigeria, FirstWave Cloud Content Security Platform (CCSP). The Email Security, Web Security, and Firewall Security suite is based on the most robust enterprise solutions of Cisco, Palo Alto and Fortinet and does away with the need to have an on premise appliance. The suite is available on per user model and can be easily scaled for any size business and gives small and medium sized companies access to high end solutions that would normally be suited for Fortune 500 companies with 1000+ users. In addition, we also have partnerships with Microsoft, Kaspersky, Tata Communications, and Sophos, the global leaders in Cynbersecurity including Endpoint protection, Firewall, DDoS Detection and Mitigation, UTM (Unified Threat Management), and Penetration testing, to complete our suite of security solutions allowing us to give your company the right balance between value and cost to meet your objectives,” Charles Concluded.

NCC Explains Reasons for Revising Complaints Categories, Service Level Agreements

NCC Explains Reasons for Revising Complaints Categories, Service Level Agreements

… Says revision to strengthen consumer protection

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) said it undertook a revision of the framework stipulating the processes for resolving consumer complaints arising from service delivery by telecoms operator in order to achieve greater effectiveness in the sector and to strengthen the protection of telecoms consumers and other stakeholders.

Tagged: Complaints Categories and Service Level Agreements (CC/SLA), the framework was revised by the Commission in November 2019 at a programme attended by representatives of telecoms operators, consumers and other consumer rights advocacy groups in the country.

“The 2019 review of the CC/SLA, in collaboration with operators and other stakeholders, was essentially to strengthen effective and prompt resolutions of consumers complaints by reviewing the timelines, broaden and streamline complaint categories and establishing applicable sanctions on operators that fail to meet the timelines stated for resolving issues related to services delivery to their consumers,” the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Prof. Umar Danbatta, said.

In the reviewed CC/SLA, with respect to the broad category of Quality of Service and Quality of Experience (QoS and QoE) in the data segment, when a telecom subscriber experiences fluctuation in service, such as instability in the Internet services, the subscriber shall be contacted by the service provider within four hours of reporting the incident and the disruption shall be restored within 72 hours.

If the matter is escalated to the Commission, the consumer is expected to receive feedback within two hours, while the Commission ensures the issue is resolved within 48 hours. Additionally, the subscriber shall be offered an apology and the expiry date of his data bundle shall be extended by the number of days the disruption lasted.

Under the broad category, ‘Billing’, complaints connected to any unexplained change in account balance resulting in a drop in balance, due to overcharging subscriber’s account for calls, Short Messaging Services (SMS) and Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), shall be resolved by the operator within 24 hours. Should there be a need by the subscriber to escalate the complaint to NCC, the Commission shall ensure the matter is resolved within 12 hours. The subscriber shall be notified of resolution and where applicable, compensated with five percent of overcharged amount which is payable daily to the consumer for every 24hrs of default.

Similarly, within the framework of QoS/QoE in the voice segment, the revised agreement stipulates that, when there is call interference or challenge with voice clarity, resulting in the inability of a subscriber to carry out uninterrupted conversation, the subscriber shall receive response from the service provider within four hours of reporting the incident and the service provider shall ensure the challenge is resolved within 72 hours. Should there be a basis for the subscriber to escalate the matter to NCC, the Commission shall revert to the subscriber within two hours of receiving the report and ensure that the matter is resolved within 48 hours in line with the Quality of Service (QoS) Regulations and the subscriber shall be communicated.

Also, under the new CC/SLAs that have now come into force, in the case of Sales Promotion and Advertisement, when a subscriber does not receive (within stipulated time) bonus or incentives won during promotions, the service provider shall resolve the matter within 12 hours of receiving the complaints, instead of 24 hours as stipulated in the hitherto existing categorisation and agreement. Should the matter be escalated to NCC, Commission shall ensure it is resolved within six hours in line with the Guidelines on Advertisement and Promotions. As in all cases, the subscriber shall be communicated on steps taken towards resolution of complaints.

Similarly, in the expansive category of Call Centre/Customer Care, the NCC agreed with stakeholders that when a subscriber is unable to connect to Call Center or Service Provider Help Line, the matter shall be treated by the Service Provider within four hours of receiving the report. Where the matter is escalated to the Commission, NCC shall ensure that the issue is resolved within two hours of receiving the complaints, and steps taken towards resolution shall be communicated to the subscriber in all circumstances.

On matters connected to faulty terminals, such as defective devices that stifle a subscriber’s ability to use phones, modems, routers and related devices appropriately, the Commission said such incidents shall be resolved based on Terms and Conditions for all devices.

Meanwhile, Danbatta equally stated that matters relating to Base Transceiver Stations (BTS), such as problems arising from installation and location of base stations, masts or towers, shall be resolved by the concerned operator(s) within the 48 hours, as stated in the revised CC/SLA. In case the Commission is notified by the affected consumer, the matter shall be referred, immediately to Commission’s Compliance Monitoring and Enforcement Department, which shall ensure resolution of the matter within 48 hours and inform the complainant accordingly.

The EVC added that the CC/SLA document, which is available on the Commission’s website, contains 17 broad categories and about 90 subcategories. He enjoined all stakeholders, particularly the telecom consumers, to create the time to study the document in order to understand their rights and privileges.

Dr. Ikechukwu Adinde
Director, Public Affairs