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Microsoft To Train Five Million Nigerians In Three Years

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Tech giant, Microsoft says it will be training at least five million Nigerians in the next three years as part of efforts to help the country boost its digital technology.

Microsoft President, Brad Smith, said this on Friday when he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at the state house.

According to Smith, 60,000 people have already enrolled for courses while another 300,000 have completed some courses.

This comes weeks after the company launched a $200 million African Development Centre located in Lagos.

President Buhari commended the development, saying the country is happy to welcome more initiatives and investments in digital technology.

“I have been informed that the African Development Centre in Nigeria is Microsoft’s first engineering hub in Africa as the current investment stands at about $200 million.

“I have also been informed of Microsoft’s skilling initiative that aims to train five million citizens and provide 27,000 jobs over the next three years. These initiatives are commendable and I urge you to expand them and continue to prioritize Nigeria as you roll out your global initiatives,” President Buhari was quoted as saying in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina.

He told the visiting Microsoft team that as the largest economy and most populous country in Africa, Nigeria was positioned to play a strategic role in the global technology ecosystem and seek the right partnerships to harness the potentials.

The President added that one of such key partnerships was in the area of capacity building.

According to him, his administration has shown great commitment in providing a conducive environment for investors and the massive jump in the Global Ease of Doing Business Ranking was proof that the efforts were yielding positive results.

“Our emphasis on the development of our Digital Economy has also positioned the sector as a prominent factor in the Nigerian economy. As the fastest growing sector of the Nigerian economy in 2020, the Information and Communications Technology sector played a very important role in supporting our country to exit the recession triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are keen to build on the momentum as we continue to implement our National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, along with other related policies.”

Apart from partnerships in the area of skills building, President Buhari said he looked forward to further partnerships that will support the digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem, with regard to emerging technologies.

“I believe that this meeting will provide an opportunity to discuss how the Nigerian government can support the growth of your business here and how Microsoft can contribute to the growth of our economy through the active support of our policies and programmes,’’ he added.

President Buhari said he launched the Nigerian National Broadband Plan on the 19th of March 2020, with the aim of expanding broadband access across Nigeria and Microsoft’s connectivity initiative aligns with the plan.

“I believe it would be very useful and mutually beneficial to both Microsoft and Nigeria if your connectivity project is expanded beyond the current four locations in this country.

“Emerging technologies play a key role in digital transformation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and a number of indigenous companies have developed very useful solutions. We are willing to partner with Microsoft to make Nigeria the epicenter for innovative emerging technology in Africa.’’

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Update On How Bobrisky Is Treated In Prison – Top Official Discloses

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Top official of the Nigerian Correctional Service has given an update on how crossdresser, Bobrisky is being treated in prison.

Recall that Bobrisky was handed a six-month prison sentence over naira abuse. While sentencing him, Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos, said the judgment would be a deterrent to others who are found abusing and mutilating the naira.

An official of the prison who spoke to Punch said the crossdresser was taken to prison after the judgement and he was examined at the point of admission. It was also stated that no realignment of gender or genital organ was discovered as his male biological features were the same.

The source told the publication;

“Bobrisky made a public declaration that he was a male and court proceedings are public records. Every inmate brought into a facility during admission is examined. He was equally examined and no realignment of gender or genital organ was discovered. The male biological features were the same.

“After that, a cell was allocated to him, and he had a certain number of inmates with him. A bed space was also allotted to him. It is just like a boarding house where your housemaster will issue you your personal belongings.

“When it is time for class, he attends. When it is time for food, he will go and get his portion. The same goes with prep and light out. He observes all these without preference. He has been going about his business just like other inmates since he was brought in here.

“He is not getting any five-star treatment and is not being protected from anybody. He follows the same rules and regulations just like every other inmate. Single cells of isolation cells are to prevent outbreaks of communicable diseases.

” In a male prison, homosexuality is outlawed and it is a grievous offence. Sodomy or homosexuality, is frowned upon here in the custodial centre. So any inmate that tries to violate him will face the law.”

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NIMC: Federal Government Of Nigeria To Issue New GMPC National Identity Card To Citizens Via Their Commercial Banks

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The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said that commercial banks will issue a new national identity card to it’s users.

The commission stated that users applying for the card will do so using their NIN cards and the new card is enabled with multiple features, including payment and financial service, eliminating the need for multiple cards.

The federal government also provided an update on the issuance of new national ID card as Nigerians have been told to visit their banks and apply for the card.

“The card can be picked up by holders at the designated center or delivered to the applicants at the requested location at an extra cost to be borne by the applicants,” NIMC disclosed.

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) said the planned national identity card (ID card) will be issued to applicants by their banks.

It said applicants need to request their cards with their NIN “through the self-service online portal, NIMC offices, or their respective banks”.

According to NIMC, the multipurpose National ID card will also be enabled for the eNaira in compliance with the EMV operational and security standards.

National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) clarified its stance on the new national Identity card project, which is designed to promote financial inclusion and other social services.

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Governor Of Akwa Ibom Offers Automatic Employment To Abigail’s Elder Sister, Directs Renovation Of House And Promises Assistance To Undergraduate Sisters

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Tears, Agony As Governor Eno Of Akwa Ibom State Visits Family Of Late Nollywood Make-up Artist, Abigail.

The tragic occurrence of the death of Actor Junior Pope and 4 other crew members of which includes Abigail, Is still a huge shock to Nigerians.

Abigail and Precious were buried beside the river as culture demanded since their parents couldn’t pay for the necessary rituals to be done in order for their bodies to be sent home for proper burial.

The Governor had earlier on asked that the Body of the Makeup Artist be Exhumed and brought back home for proper Burial. He is seeing to it that the required sacrifices are carried out to enable them bring home her body to her Father’s House in Akwa Ibom State.

Governor’s Request for Abigail’s remains to be exhumed and brought home

The Governor also offered Automatic Employment To Abigail’s Elder Sister, Directs Renovation Of Family House, Promises Assistance To The Undergraduate Sisters.

Here are pictures from the Governor’s visit to the bereaved family.

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