Business
Killer-Phone Number: Matters Arising
In recent times, the advent of Information technology in the country has rather been used to circulate rumours instead of the promotion of education and the likes.
Sometime, one begins to wonder what those in the information industry in the country are doing and even their effort to curb these menace.
Even among respective villages/ communities, there are always ways of getting to the root of some rumours, especially the case of accusation like witchcraft and murders. The leaders will summon each and every one and agree on a particular measure to adapt in order to find out the truth.
At times, they go as far as consulting deity (depending on their believe system) to enable them know the culprit. They also do some local investigations among other things.
But in Nigeria, it is a different ball game. Her leaders forget in a hurry the particular issue (rumour) that caused panic among its citizens,once it dies down. No one cares to find out the facts in the rumour.
I know that there is this saying that “in any rumour, there is an atom of truth”. But the Federal Government, Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) and other agencies in Information/Communication business in the country never considered that old saying.
The issue of killer beans was treated carelessly without the leaders setting up committees to find out the true position of the rumour.
No long ago, the rumour of Acid rain threw many in heavy panic, some nearly committed suicide than to allow the rumoured acidic rain touch them. So many things happened then.
Also the recent rumour of the killer number (09141) on Wednesday September 14, 2011. the situation caused no little stir among members of the public.
Many people sent swift text messages across to their loved ones, charging them sternly not to answer or reply any call from a five digit number, especially 09141. in fact, all network providers in the country raked in more money in their coffers due to the repeated calls and text messages, warning against any five digit number. There was even rumour that between seven to 10 persons have been reported dead.
The Federal Government was swift to react that day through NCC’s spokesman, Reuben Mouka, who said that it is “unimaginable that somebody will die while receiving a call”, and that phone call can not kill. He even stressed that only very gullible people that would believe such rumour.
Many applauded the moves. But it is beyond issuing a statement from his air conditioned office in Abuja. It calls for an immediate setting up of committee with the sole task of getting to the root of the matter.
There are several agencies whose duties revolve around communication/information and also security operatives who could have been drafted into groups to visit those states to find out the actual fact concerning the rumoured death of some Nigerians.
Nothing stops them from making few arrests in connection with the rumour, but as usual, “nothing will happen”. The killer phone number rumour was hot to the extend that some network providers advised their subscribers who called to know the true position of things not to answer any call from five digit number to be at the safer side.
Cases like this demand strong Federal action to dig deep into it, in order to prevent future occurrence. Until such investigations are made, one cannot rule out public reaction about a particular outbreak or development.
No wonder the Bible said in (Psalms 11 verse 3) if the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? KJV. If the activities of NCC as the major manager of the country’s information/communication is under-reported what can other agencies do?
The NCC ought to be a vibrant commission with trained foot soldiers that are ready to browse even the creeks and mangroves in pursuit of details about some rumours. Those who are ready to stake their necks in an attempt to unveil or track down those behind the act.
If rumours of whatever nature is being peddled, the NCC and others should see it as a matter of importance, and carry out a well informed public enlightenment campaign, to drive home their claims. The issuing of a statement about the alleged five digit killer phone number is not out of place, but concerned authorities should learn how to add colour to issues, as well as back it with facts.
Some Nigerians, like the Etisalat Head, regional Sales, South South/South East, Mr. Enekwachi Aja, who reacted promptly, described the rumour as a pure lie. Mr. Aja, was swift to hint that 09141, represented September 14, 2011.
At this point, many who read The Tide Newspaper on Friday, September 16, 2011 got relieved. He said that some lazy people were only trying to make themselves popular by spreading the rumour.
The Etisalat bigwig, blamed part of the ugly incident on poor educational background of some members of the public, adding that death cannot come through phone calls.
Now that the country is always faced with diverse kinds of rumours, it will not be ambiguous for the NCC and those who are saddled with information/communication control/management to tighten its grip on all network providers in the country for proper scrutiny.
Whether acidic rain, killer beans or phone number, let there be a deliberate attempt by the concerned authorities to unmask those behind the act. They should also see the actions of the unseen hands as sabotage and should urgently adopt a radical approach that will permanently prevent future occurrence, if the business of information/ communication management of the country means any thing to them.
A word, they say, is enough for the wise, even as a stitch in time, saves nine.
The Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), the country’s satellite operator, has called for immediate promolgation of policy action that will enable the country to harness the potentials of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
NIGCOMSAT, also warned that Nigeria risks missing out on Africa’s projected $1.2trillion share of the global AI economy by 2030.
Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT, Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued at the weekend following her participation in the Meeting of the National Council for Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.
“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries, economies, and societies worldwide, with projections that it will contribute up to $15.7trillion to the global economy by 2030. Africa stands to gain $1.2trillion of this if the right policies and innovations are in place”, Idehen said, citing a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
The NIGCOMSAT MD underscored the transformative potential of AI in agriculture, highlighting its applicability in Benue State, widely regarded as Nigeria’s “food basket.”
According to her, machine learning tools could revolutionize agricultural practices by improving pest detection and optimizing planting schedules using satellite imagery.
“AI offers us the chance to not only flourish economically but also to achieve food security. However, we must ask ourselves if we are prepared to manage this technology responsibly”, she added.
Idehen also noted that internet access remains a significant barrier to AI adoption in Nigeria.
“For AI tools to be effective, basic digital infrastructure is essential. Addressing this gap must be a priority.
“AI is happening. We have the opportunity to manage this technology revolution responsibly, both in Africa and globally, through innovation and governance”, she said.
In August 2024, the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy released a draft National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, aiming to position Nigeria as a global leader in AI.
Corlins Walter
The Chairman of Emohua Local Government Council, Chief David Omereji, has said the council has so far spent over N1 billion for the electrification of communities in the area.
Omereji said this while addressing staff of the council at the council headquarters recently.
He said the move was part of his administration’s resolve to ensure peace and development of the LGA.
According to him, the Council spent about N29 million on monthly basis for the maintenance of the Emohua Local Vigilante group known as OSPAC, with each member being paid a stipend of N100, 000 monthly.
He diaclosed that 11 out of the 14 wards are currently enjoying electricity, while efforts are on to light-up the remaining ones.
“I also want to use this opportunity to inform the political class for purposes of records and for the understanding of the people that the Council under my watch have done more than enough”, he said .
The Emolga boss explained that all that have been achieved were through the personal effort of the Council, without support from anybody as rumoured in some quarters.
Omereji further reaveled that a number of other projects, including roads, fencing of schools, hospitals, courts premises, and reconstruction of some abandoned buildings at the Council Headquarters are being undertaken by his administration.
He enjoined the people of the area to support his administration’s drive to bring purposeful development to the LGA.
The Emohua Council boss, who reiterated his hatred for noise making, stated that his works would speak for him, and solicited the support of staff of the council and the entire people of the area.
He noted the fact that some people may not be happy with his achievements, saying that he would remain focused, while advising critics of his government to do so constructively with facts and figures.
King Onunwor
The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) has raised some ethical questions over a Financial and Technical Services Agreement (FTSA) between Sahara Energy and West African Gas Limited (WAGL), an affiliate of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
MOSOP said the agreement was not done in good faith, not in the interest of the Nigerian people, and did not follow due process.
Foremost Ogoni born activist and MOSOP leader, Fegalo Nsuke, who made this known in Abuja, weekend, described the Sahara-WAGL deal as fraudulent, deceptive and an insult on the intelligence and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
Nsuke called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to cancel that FTSA between Sahara Energy and WAGL, noting that the agreement is fraught with irregularities and deceptive.
“What Sahara and the NNPC did in the FTSA between Sahara and WAGL is shameful and depicts high level corruption in public service of our country.
“WAGL is an affiliate of Sahara and the NNPC. How then can Sahara go into an agreement with its own affiliate? It’s as good as going into an agreement with itself. This is deceptive and fraudulent”, Nsuke said.
He continued that “Sahara Energy is certainly not a company the Ogoni people want on their soil and we are calling on Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to terminate any deal between the NNPC and Sahara Energy over OML 11, and to allow for an inclusive arrangement that considers a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in the distribution of revenues from natural resource extraction on Ogoni soil.
“The last Ogoni Congress has been unequivocal on the Ogoni demand for justice and has given a clear path to resolve the three decade old conflict between all critical parties.
“It will be good to explore this path to peace and development for Ogoni and for our country”.
Nsuke accused Sahara Energy and the NNPC of frustrating the progress made by MOSOP to achieve a permanent solution to the Ogoni problem.
He urged a presidential intervention with deep consideration for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in order to permanently address the problem.
He noted that Sahara Energy should give up on the Ogoni area to allow for an engagement in the interest of the country and the people.
Recall that MOSOP and Sagara Energy have recently been engaged in a row in what MOSOP describes as an unholy relationship between Sahara Energy and the NNPC over OML 11.
MOSOP expressly rejected Sahara Energy and called for a fair treatment of the Ogoni people in natural resource extraction in Ogoni.
It noted that Ogoni people, led by MOSOP, paid the sacrifice to take the oil from Shell, hence “the position of MOSOP must be taken into consideration in decisions relating to resumption of oil production in Ogoni”.