sammyinfotechs

Tuesday, April 30, 2019

Why I won’t leave APC – Kogi gov

Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State says he is still a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as there is no crisis in the state chapter of the party as being reported by the media.
Mr Bello spoke with State House correspondents on Monday at the sidelines of the Induction of New and returning governors at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said the outgoing and the incoming governors needed to be inducted so that they would be informed on the challenges ahead.
”I think all I can say about my state is that the APC is not in crisis in Kogi.
”The real elders and the real stakeholders, the youth, the women and people of integrity know that Kogi chapter of the APC is intact and that was why we were able to deliver the state for the President.

”We were able to deliver two out of the three Senatorial seats to our party; we were able to deliver seven out of nine House of Representatives to our party and for the first time ever in the history of politics in Kogi State we were able to deliver 100 per cent; that is 25 House of Assembly members in Kogi State.
“If there is crisis there is no how we could have achieved this.
”So I want to assure you that the APC in Kogi is intact and I remain a bonafide member of APC and as a matter of fact, I rebuilt the party in Kogi State from the scratch to what it is today and we are able to achieve this feat.
”So those that are making certain passes of me leaving the party I think that is their wish and by the grace of God their wish will never be granted,” Mr Bello said.
On alleged misappropriation of funds by the state government, Mr Bello said his administration had been transparent and could not be termed corrupt.

https://i2.wp.com/media.premiumtimesng.com/wp-content/files/2015/12/PIC.-21.-KOGI-GOVERNOR-ELECT-YAHAYA-BELLO1.jpg?w=800&ssl=1 He said the state’s finances, starting from bailout funds to Paris Club refunds and bank statements were published in dailies.
According to him, with the little resources the state is generating, his administration has been able to achieve a lot of infrastructural development, security among others.
”This is what was not done for the state in the past 20 years of Kogi State’s existence before I came on board but under three years we were able to achieve all these successes.
”Probably some might think we were using stones or sand to do all these but this is the prudent management of resources and the good hands that we were able to recruit in my cabinet and in governance in the state.
”So those that are making such comment; it is a strategy; it is either that they want me to perform more or they are simply living in oblivion.
”They don’t know anything that is happening in the state and they cannot participate in state’s politics as it stands today because we are doing politics of inclusiveness or exclusiveness, the way it was done in the past,” he said.
On recent remarks allegedly made by the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, that he would not support him for a second term office, the governor said he did not believe the royal father would say so.
He said the traditional ruler is like a father to him and could not have said such that about a son that restored the real value of the traditional institution.
Mr Bello said he had repositioned the state in terms of security, addressing lopsided employment among others.
”You know what security situation used to be in the state and Ebiraland and today we are having a different story.
“He should not be misquoted by the press or anybody.
”The Ohinoyi of Ebiraland is a revered person; we hold him in very high esteem; he will continue to be my father; my great supporter and by the grace of God, he is urging me to re-contest and also to do more than what I have done in this first term,” he said.

Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Nigeria loses two continental slots

CAF has given Nigeria one slot each in the Champions League and Confederation Cup in the 2019 season after the country’s clubs’ poor showing on the continent.

In a letter by its Deputy General Secretary Anthony Baffoe on Monday, CAF listed the 12 countries that would present two representatives each for the two continental club competitions. The list excluded Nigeria.

Consequently, the winners of the Premier League in 2018 and the winners of the Aiteo Cup will be the country’s representatives in the two competitions.

According to the CAF letter, Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, DR Congo, Algeria, South Africa, Sudan, Zambia, Libya, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Mozambique will present two clubs each for the two competitions next season.

Nigeria steadily dropped down the rankings in the last five years after the country’s clubs failed to perform well in the continental competitions.

Enyimba, who are still in the Confederation Cup, are the last Nigerian club to reach the group stage of the Champions League in 2016. Rivers United finished fourth in their group in the Confederation Cup in 2017 after dropping from the Champions League.

Meanwhile, some football stakeholders have lamented the loss of two continental representatives in the CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup.

Former Enyimba coach Godfrey Esu and former Nigeria international Friday Ekpo told our correspondent that the situation had confirmed that the Nigerian league needed to be developed.

Esu said, “The development is sad because it has never been this worse – it shows that our domestic league winners cannot stand against the other champions from other countries. It shows that a lot is wrong with our league and we need to work seriously on many aspects of the league.

“Officiating, facilities, welfare and many other things need to be worked on to produce a league champion that can compete on the continent.” Ekpo said, “In the past, Nigerian clubs were feared on the continent. They went away and won and come home to beat you roundly. But this has not been the case, our clubs go away and lose and even struggle at home where they are supposed to have an advantage.

“This is an eye-opener to everyone that we should work on the league and return it to the pride of place it previously occupied.”

Focus on ICT’ll reduce Nigeria’s dependence on oil –Kupoluyi

The Managing Director, Universal Power Systems, Mr. Leye Kupoluyi, who is the Chairman, Specialised Exhibition Committee of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, speaks with IFE OGUNFUWA on the state of the information technology sector and the upcoming 2018 ICTEL Expo

There has been extensive use of technology in the financial services sector in the country. In your view, are people applying sufficient technology to improve the health services?

We are not applying enough technology, though we have started. In the financial sector, Nigeria has made some tremendous improvement more than other countries have not achieved. Other countries are actually reaching out to Nigerians on how to deploy technology in the financial services. Most of the software being used is developed in Nigeria.

At the ICTEL Expo, there will be local and foreign companies that will teach us how we can employ technology to improve the way we do things especially in e-commerce and fintech. We are also focusing on the health sector and agriculture. Some people don’t know we can use technology to improve food production. These are some of the things that will be revealed at the exhibition.

What is your assessment of the use of data in achieving efficient services in Nigeria? We have realised that we can’t do anything today without technology because it enhances everything we do. That is why technology is the new revolution. For example, what India is getting from technology is more than what Nigeria is getting from oil. The difference between a developed country and underdeveloped country is technology, not about oil. We know that for Nigeria, this is the way to go and that is why we are providing the platform for young people.

We are refocusing Nigeria’s source of revenue. For example, the ICT contributes 11 per cent to our Gross Domestic Product and the average in Africa is about 14 per cent. In other words, in terms of performance of the economy, what we have here is lesser than some other African countries. We should be able to move our ICT’s contribution to GDP from 11 per cent to 25 per cent in the next 10 years. When that happens, our dependence on oil will reduce.

What is the success story of the last ICTEL Expo? The LCCI thought that there is a new frontier of business that Nigeria needs to focus on. That is why four years ago, we took that decision to provide a platform for people in the telecommunication space. The response has been great. The last three editions were opened by the minister of communications, and attended by the business community, network and Internet providers, software and hardware manufacturers. More importantly, it is a gathering of youths who will come together and learn and contribute. Four ministers will attend this expo – the ministers of communication, agriculture, education, and science and technology.

The theme of this year’s expo is ‘Developing efficiency and competitiveness in the digital age’. What is the reason for this theme? If we are not competitive and effective, definitely we cannot expect growth. We are focusing on how Nigeria’s information technology experts can develop indigenous products. The whole world is a global village. When the IT products are developed in Nigeria, it is not for Nigeria alone. We have to compete with other products developed all over the world. We have to look at how competitive and effective we are in that space. There are some local firms that are taking their services all over the world. Vodacom and other companies are using technology to accomplish a lot in the health sector.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Unizik students protest colleague’s death, blame varsity for tragedy

Scores of students of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, on Monday took to the streets to protest the death of a final year Microbiology student, Francis Madubuobi, who slumped and died on Saturday while playing basketball.

The protesting students claimed that the medical personnel at the university’s medical centre did not do enough to save Francis’ life when he was taken there .

But the Director of Information of the university, Dr. Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the deceased was brought in without a pulse.

Ojukwu said Francis was taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, where he was confirmed dead.

An eyewitness, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said he was among the students that rushed the deceased to the medical centre. He said that the medical personnel they met at the centre had asked them to pray for Francis, instead of treating him immediately on arrival.

But another student, who also witnessed the sad event, said, “I was inside the ambulance holding Francis’ foot. It was damn cold and his eyes were open. I was scared. I knew only a miracle could save him, since he had no pulse. On getting to Amaku, the doctors saw that it was already too late.

The protesters claimed that it was the second time that a student had died in similar circumstances at the university’s medical centre.

The students vowed to continue the protest until the management of the university addressed the situation and made a commitment to the issue.

But, in a press statement made available to journalists in Awka, the university authorities insisted that Francis had died before he was brought to the university’s clinic.

The statement read,” The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka has received with great shock the painful and sudden demise of one of our students, Francis Chinedu Mmadubuobi, a 400 level student of the Department of Applied Microbiology and Brewing.

“The deceased slumped while playing basketball with his friends on Saturday July 21, 2018.

“The deceased was quickly rushed to the University medical Centre but had no pulse upon examination. This means that he had died before being brought to the University Medical Centre.”

Wednesday, July 4, 2018

VACANCY PAGE

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR VARIOUS ENGINEERING POSITIONS

Phase3 Telecom is West Africa’s largest independent fibre optic infrastructure and telecommunications services provider. With coverage of 6000km and counting, the company is licensed to run its network on Nigeria’s power infrastructure with expansion into the ECOWAS region using its unique Right of Way (RoW). Phase3 is headquartered in Abuja and currently drives a fast growing efficient, affordable and reliable backbone that service many of the region’s largest telecommunications operators, internet service providers (ISPs), government institutions, schools, universities, multinationals, corporate organizations, small businesses, hospitals and residences; in Nigeria and West Africa sub-region. Phase3’s service offerings cover transmission, broadband and convergence.

JOB TITLE: NETWORK OPERATING CENTRE (NOC) MANAGER - ABUJA

We are seeking a candidate to fill the role of Network Operating Centre (NOC) manager at the company’s head office in Abuja. This role is fundamental to the success of the company, as it involves the direct management and supervision of its entire data centre; network, servers and any telecommunication equipment in the NOC.

ROLE SUMMARY

The NOC manager oversees the NOC operations, ensuring that system requirements are properly implemented and procedures are routinely followed. Field engineers and other technical teams rely on the NOC for information and troubleshooting during downtimes. Therefore, the NOC manager will interface with both internal, and external customers, as he bridges the gap between the clients, and the engineers working behind the scene.

Our clients are the leading players in the Nigerian telecommunication industry; hence an ideal candidate must possess strong analytical skills to provide robust but adaptable solutions to meet client needs, and make possible recommendations for changes in line with current, and future industry related requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Include but not limited to:

Leading the monitoring of operations of the NMS(s)/NOC 24/7; utilizing best practice operational processes with the aim of achieving service assurance and optimal customer experience.
Ensure proper analysis of network alarms to enable clear interpretation of issues.
Supervise the constant documentation of provisioned links in the database.
Coordinate the generation of network availability and performance on daily/weekly/monthly basis.
Ensure reconciliation of Service Level Agreement (SLA) indices with customers.
Ensure trouble tickets are generated with details whenever there is an incident on the network.
Escalation of incident to field team and necessary stakeholders immediately an outage occurs.
Responsible for coordinating and sending out mails to clients.
Responsible for the efficient management of customer complaints and escalation as may be appropriate.
Manage communication with field support engineers and other third party stakeholders on the SLA/KPI fulfillment.
Monitor and ultimately ensure service restoration in concordance with terms of SLA on services.
Foster relationships with various departments within Phase3; build customer trust by constant engagement and support, manage downtimes and negotiate conflicts (with a technical focus)

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

Degree in Electrical Engineering /Telecommunication/Computer science /Computer Engineering or equivalent.
Minimum of seven years experience with at least three of these spent managing a NOC in a medium to large sized organization.
Experience as a team lead.

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Significant proven experience in a similar role with an ISP or telecom organization.
Knowledge of network performance/configuration parameters and their interpretation and use.
Strong customer relationship management skills.
Ability to manage and lead a team.
Dynamic and creative as well as able to assimilate quickly and act decisively.
Professional and positive work approach.
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills that are comprehensible for a varied audience.

JOB TITLE: NETWORK OPERATING CENTRE (NOC) ENGINEERS - ABUJA

We are seeking a candidate to fill the role of Network Operating Centre (NOC) Engineer at the Company’s head office. This is an integral role within the company; which involves direct monitoring and management of network, servers and any telecommunication equipment in the data centre.

ROLE SUMMARY

The NOC Engineer is to ensure maximum service availability and performance; to provision customer network services on core equipment and; to provide support services for engineering and other technical teams. The role of the NOC engineer is pivotal as it oversees network surveillance and incident management activities which are at the core of our business.

Our clients are the leading players in the Nigerian telecommunication industry; hence an ideal candidate must possess high-level technical capabilities to function within the industry. Candidate must be able to prioritize remediation in a 24/7 environment with critical uptime requirements.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Include but not limited to:

Responsible for the monitoring of operations of the NMS(s)/NOC 24/7.
Ensure proper analysis of the network alarms to enable clear interpretation.
Ensure constant documentation of provisioned links in the database.
Coordinate the generation of network availability and performance on daily/weekly/monthly basis.
Ensure trouble ticket is generated with details whenever there is an incident on the network.
Escalation of incident to Field Team/NOC Manager immediately an outage occurs.
Have knowledge of the transmission equipment/data network (SDH/DWDM/ROUTING) technology.
Work with the support engineers in restoring network issues promptly.
Responsible in the coordination of mails with the NOC manager before sending out to clients.
Responsible for the efficient management of customer complaints and escalation as may be appropriate.
Perform any other task as designated by the NOC manager. EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

Degree in Electrical Engineering /Telecommunication/Computer science /Computer Engineering or equivalent.
Minimum two years relevant experience

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Good knowledge of network performance/configuration parameters and their interpretation and use.
Team player, and able to also work with own initiative
Strong Customer Relationship Management Skills.
Dynamic and Creative; Ability to assimilate quickly and act decisively.
Professional and Positive Approach
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

Result oriented, able to work independently and under pressure
Open minded approach to solving problems and dealing with new challenges.

JOB TITLE: NETWORK OPERATIONS & MAINTENANCE (NOM) TECHNICIAN - KANO

We are seeking a candidate to fill the role of NOM Technician at the Company’s Point of Presence (PoP) in Kano. The position holder is responsible for providing technical on-site support for fault resolutions.

ROLE SUMMARY

The NOM Technician is to undertake monitoring and maintenance of all the Company’s equipment, fibre optic network in the Kano region. Perform routine maintenance, ensure excellent remote support for NOC operations and respond to technical queries emanating from the HQ. This role will ensure high customer satisfaction through proactive maintenance of connectivity in the region.

Our clients are the leading players in the Nigerian Telecommunication industry; hence Candidate must possess high-level technical knowhow sufficiently to function within the industry.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Include but not limited to:

Ensure effective management of all active network equipment, analyze equipment’s current card performance and be responsible for technical running of the entire pop.
Perform routine preventive maintenance (RPM), corrective maintenance (CM) and carryout long-haul route survey on existing aerial optic fiber and other transmission paths.
Ensure that all aspects of the network operations run smoothly, maintain end-to-end interconnectivity with immediate remote pops for stable network availability.
Resolve emergency network failure with deepness in the usage of OTDR for fault troubleshooting especially on aerial fiber transmission path.
Carryout installations and maintenance of network equipment (e.g. DWDM/SDH/Inverter/Rectifier).
Ensure temporary restoration of network in critical situation/difficult terrain. Plan permanent restoration and manage OFC stringing, tensioning and perform splicing. Also, provide quick resolution basics to reduce MTTR.
Provide remote support for the NOC operations and other technical request from HQ. As well as information and guidance to other team members.
Responsible for the efficient operation and performance of all clients’ aggregated circuits through nodes and maintain cordial technical relationship with clients at all times.
Transmit detailed daily technical report of maintenance operations and network performance to NOM Supervisor.
Responsible for new circuit/client’s integration and involvement in field rollout and deployments.
Maintain technical spare management scheme and keep reconciliatory inventory of the PoP.
Perform any other task as designated by supervisor.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE

OND or equivalent in Electrical Engineering or other related courses
A degree is an added advantage
Minimum of three years relevant experience

KEY SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

Good knowledge of network performance/configuration parameters and their interpretation and use.
Detail oriented with good analytical leanings
Dynamic, creative, able to take initiative and act decisively
Strong Relationship Management Skills.
Professional and Positive attitude to work
Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
Result oriented, able to work independently and amidst pressure

Possessing an open minded approach to solving problems and dealing with new challenges

METHOD OF APPLICATION

Candidates who meet the stated requirements should forward CV of not more than three (3) pages in Microsoft Word or PDF, saved with candidate’s name to vacancies@phase3telecom.com. Position applied for should be the subject of the email.

Applications not sent in line with stated guidelines will be disregarded.

We value all applicants but due to the large volume of applications, we will only be able to respond to applications which meet the minimum requirement.

DEADLINE

The closing date for submission is July 13, 2018

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ALL VACANCIES

Microsoft to release tablet that folds up to fit in your pocket

Microsoft is developing a Surface tablet that can fold up to fit in a pocket. Codenamed Andromeda, the secretive project is described internally as ‘new and disruptive’, according to documents obtained by The Verge.

Although it is still under development, it is believed to have a wraparound display that bridges the gap of the hinge when it’s fully opened.

Internal documents show that Microsoft may be prepping a trio devices, as suggested by the secretive codenames ‘Andromeda’, ‘Carmel’ and ‘Libra,’ according to Thurrott.com

‘It’s a new pocketable Surface device form factor that brings together innovative new hardware and software experiences to create a truly personal and versatile computing experience,’ is how Microsoft describes the device internally.

Prototype devices include styluses and notepad-like apps to capture notes. Microsoft hopes the device could help make up for its disastrous attempts to create a mobile phone.

‘It will blur the lines between mobile and stationary computing,’ reads one internal document describing the device.

It is believed the first devices could be released this year, and the firm plans to license the design to other manufacturers as well.

Internal documents earlier this month reveal that the tech giant may be prepping a trio devices, as suggested by the secretive codenamed ‘Andromeda’, ‘Carmel’ and ‘Libra,’ according to Thurrott.com, which first spotted the documents.

Microsoft has filed patents for a pocketable, dual-screen, handheld device in the past, which many believe could be Andromeda.

Rumors have been swirling for months that Microsoft has been eyeing a complete refresh of its Surface lineup.

However, the firm could abandon the device at any point.

It previously developed a ‘Surface Mini’ that was abandoned just weeks before launch.

Surface boss Panos Panay previously confirmed the existence of a Surface Mini to Wired, describing the canceled device as ‘awesome’ and ‘like a Moleskine.’ Microsoft also confirmed its decision not to ship a Surface device in a ‘new form factor’ in its fourth-quarter earnings last year.

Both Andromeda and Libra could hit the shelves as soon as this year, while Carmel is more likely to be released in 2019 or later.

Andromeda was mentioned in the internal documents as having a release date of 2018, Thurrot noted.

A patent published in April showed off a device with a foldable display, or a ‘digital pocket notebook’ that’s capable of fitting in a user’s hands.

According to Thurrot, Microsoft may want Andromeda to serve as a personal computer and that it could take the shape of a Surface Phone.

A patent published in April showed off a device with a foldable display, or a ‘digital pocket notebook’ that’s capable of fitting in a user’s hands. This is rumoured to be ‘Andromeda’

Nursing mother bags 3 weeks imprisonment for stealing

A Magistrates’ Court sitting in Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti, on Wednesday sentenced a 35-year-old nursing mother, Bunmi Salau, to three weeks imprisonment for stealing a bra, mobile phone and N12,000 cash. The convict, who has an eight-month-old baby, pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of unlawful entry, theft and attempt to escape from police custody. Salau had pleaded with the court for leniency, saying she could not explain the reason for her action. The convict, who was not represented by a counsel, also pleaded that there was nobody to take care of her two little children. Delivering judgment, the Magistrate, Mrs Francisca Olaiye, sentenced the mother of two to three weeks imprisonment with an option of N1,000 fine. Olaiye also warned her to be of good behaviour. The prosecutor, Sgt. Adeniyi Famodimu, had told the court that the accused on June 19 at about 6 pm in Oye-Ekiti unlawfully entered the house occupied by one Imisioluwa Adetula, Toyin Ayeni and Rachael Fajana without their consent and stole their property. Some of the stolen items, according to the complainants, included a flashlight, one purse containing voter card, one trouser, one mobile phone and an ATM card. The prosecutor told the court that the convict on the same day jumped over the fence of the police station after her arrest. She was, however, later rearrested. He said the offence contravened Sections 383, 390 (9) and 135 of the Criminal Code, Vol. 1, Cap C16, Laws of Ekiti, 2012. The prosecutor also prayed the court for the release of the recovered items to the original owners, a plea which was granted. (NAN)