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Revealed! Why Young Men Join Boko Haram

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The United States of America’s Institute of Peace has identified religious ignorance, grinding poverty, unemployment and illiteracy as reasons why Boko Haram has continued to be successful in recruiting young men into its ranks of deadly foot soldiers and potential suicide bombers.

According to Freedom Onuoha,  author of the special report, ‘Why Do Youth Join Boko Haram’, the ongoing insurgency was “a national, regional and international concern”.

In the 12-page report published in June, Onuoha, who is the Head of the Department of Conflict, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Studies at the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies of Nigeria’s National Defence College in Abuja, stated that the terrorist group had been able to recruit young men because of the little or lack of basic knowledge of what the Qur’an teaches.

In the report, Onuoha said, “The reasons a young boy agrees to spy on police may be completely different to the reasons other members abduct two hundred schoolgirls. The boy who carries out a suicide bombing at a police station certainly has different motivations to the one who makes a little money helping the organisation out.”

Touching on the role religion plays their recruitment as Boko Haram members he said, “Ignorance of religious teaching opposed to violence makes youth more vulnerable and susceptible to recruitment. In all the states surveyed, there is unanimity that initial ignorance of religious teaching is the leading factor influencing the adoption of extreme religious views, especially among youth.

“The lack of deep knowledge of true religious teaching is partly related to three observable dangerous trends in the recent practice of religion in Nigeria: the proliferation of sects in both Islam and Christianity, the proliferation of independent preachers in both religions, and the increasing reliance on preachers rather than on the holy books themselves.”

According to the author of the commissioned report, young people are very vulnerable to recruitment and radicalisation by independent and roaming preachers, extremist groups, and religious ideologues, who often distort religious injunctions.

In a survey quoted in the report, 93.2 per cent of respondents in Borno state were of the view that ignorance of the full teaching of their religion influenced young people’s adoption of extreme religious views.

 In Kano and Sokoto states, 90 per cent and 82 per cent of respondents, respectively, believed that ignorance of the full teaching of their religions is a factor that influences the adoption of extreme religious views by young people in the community.

Kashim Shettima, governor of Borno State, also gave credence to this observation when he said recently that “distorted translation of the Holy Book by the insurgents landed us in this mess. If we have had good understanding of Islam, we would have been in a better place.

“There is no room for extremism in Islam. We need to go back to Islam as practised by Prophet Muhammad, when Islam encouraged Muslims, Jews, and Christians to live in peace with one another.”

In some cases, the report said, some roaming preachers claiming to be Islamic scholars deceived impressionable youths who were radicalised in the training camps of the terrorist groups through distorted interpretation of the Qur’an.

In addition to religious ignorance, the report identified unemployment and poverty as making northern young men vulnerable to radicalisation.

The report said, “Figures from Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics show that the country’s unemployment rate in 2006 averaged 14.60 per cent until 2011, when it reached an all-time high of 23.90 per cent.

“NBS figures released in early 2013 revealed that, despite favourable economic growth and performance, Nigeria’s poverty rate jumped from 54.7 percent in 2004 to 60.9 percent in 2010. In 2011, 100 million Nigerians lived in absolute poverty and 12.6 million more were moderately poor. The worst hit by these afflictions are young people, especially in northern Nigeria.”

It added that incidence of unemployment in Borno and Kaduna states were high.

The report further noted that: “In Borno and Kaduna states, survey respondents identified the high incidence of unemployment and poverty that prevail in the state as the second most important reason why youth engage in religious-based violence.

“In Kaduna state, 83 percent of respondents reported that unemployment and poverty are important factors. In Kano, 92 percent cited them as important.

“This is not to argue that unemployment and poverty are direct causes of youth radicalisation; rather, privation and other frustrating conditions of life render youth highly vulnerable to manipulation by extremist ideologues.”


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60 Hearty Cheers to Chioma Ekeh, Africa’s Leading Unusual Female Tech

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The story has often been told in tech circles of how a relatively unknown Nigerian female student became a sensation of sorts among the international student population back in the early 80s in India owing to the unusual course of study she was undertaking.

60 Hearty Cheers to Chioma Ekeh, Africa’s Leading Unusual Female Tech

Chioma Ekeh

Electing to study Mathematics at Bachelor’s degree level – a course that required not only battling differential equations, calculus, advanced algebra, and so on, but also pitting one’s wits against that of wizened professors – is not a task for the faint-hearted. But that was the path that this unusual lady took at Punjab University, located in the culturally rich and aesthetically pleasing city of Chandigarh, India.

It was a decision that would lead Chioma Ekeh (nee Emelonye) along the path of meeting the love of her life, a certain Leo Stan Ekeh and returning to Nigeria with him to play a leading role in shaping the course of technology distribution in Africa.

Undoubtedly, unusual may also be a word that defines Chioma and Leo Stan Ekeh’s remarkable journey together. A power couple and exemplary partners who have worked together for over 30 years building a successful technology empire is a rarity, one that is not often seen.

That sojourn to India and her subsequent career trajectory laid the groundwork for the impressive reputation Chioma Ekeh has built in the highly competitive technology space. Business associates and representatives of global brands never fail to cite her intellect and brainpower.

Job seekers who cross her path during interviews often recall being asked to solve a simple arithmetic problem. For those who eventually become employees, there is never-ending adulation.

Her husband, Leo Stan Ekeh, describes her as the integral analytics, the backbone behind the brilliant success of the Zinox Group where she has continued to support all the businesses across the board.

Such is the cerebral aptitude of this unusual woman that she is reported to have taken the stage once at a company-wide business review to present a financial report punctuated by humongous accurate numbers, figures and percentages, all from memory and without recourse to any notes, a device or an actual presentation document.

Born on April 25, 1964, the story of the impressive diffusion, accessibility, useability and affordability of cutting-edge technology devices and solutions in Nigeria and indeed, sub-Saharan Africa will be grossly incomplete without a detailed citation on Chioma Ekeh and the leadership role she has played – one she has continued to play as a silent innovator and disruptor–alongside her legendary spouse.

A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK), Mrs. Chioma Ekeh is the brains behind TD Africa, a regional technology distribution powerhouse headquartered in Nigeria and with branches across Africa and in four other continents.

A company she led from start-up stage, TD Africa with Chioma Ekeh as CEO, pioneered ICT distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa and has remained the industry leader by market share in the region and the biggest provider of credit to resellers.

Founded in 1999, TD Africa is Africa’s leading distributor of technology and lifestyle products, boasting an unmatched and growing network of partnership with global brands like HP, Microsoft, Apple, Starlink, IBM, Dell Technologies, Ring (by Amazon), Cisco, Lenovo, APC by Schneider Electric, Samsung, Bosch, Phillips, Logitech, Vivo, among several others. Under Chioma’s exemplary leadership, the company has achieved numerous milestones, earned a long list of local and international awards/accolades and ensured Nigeria and indeed Africa is reckoned with at the global table of technology conversations and discussion-making.

However, this remarkable story may have turned out differently, had Chioma not returned to Nigeria under the guidance of her husband.

Armed with a formidable Mathematics degree after completing her studies in India, Chioma had the world at her feet and was the toast of leading companies the world over.

Moving to the United Kingdom at the invitation of her husband, Chioma joined the exalted league of Chartered Accountants and thereafter, bagged an MBA at the reputable Heriot Watts University.In 1987, she joined Sterling Deveraux as an Investment Analyst, engaging in researchand analyzing assets, such as stocks, bonds, currenciesand commodities.

Her acumen and exceptional skills were growing in demand and before long, she left Sterling Deveraux, joining the London Borough of Lewisham as an accountant in 1988.

Between 1988 and 1991, Chioma’s sterling work saw her rise swiftly through the ranks at the London Borough of Lewisham, moving from Accountant to Senior Auditor and then to Financial Auditor.

Certainly, Chioma Ekeh had a clear path to becoming CFO and possibly CEO at the London Borough of Lewisham or even going on immediately to taking up other elevated roles at other organizations. But the love of motherland and the call of her husband – Leo Stan Ekeh – to return home to Nigeria with him and build a technology legacy for Nigeria and Africa proved too strong.

Back home, Chioma Ekeh’s initial area of responsibility was with Task Systems Ltd., the first of many companies in the Zinox Group set up by Leo Stan Ekeh.

She took up the position of Financial Controller and spent six achievement-filled years at Task before driving the vision of technology distribution birthed by her husband in launching TD Africa where she became the company’s pioneer CEO.

A quiet, unassuming tech icon, Chioma Ekeh has acquired a well-deserved status as unarguably one of Nigeria’s top three leading Women-in-Tech, a female technology business leader with extensive years of proven capacity in building high-performing teams and transforming businesses beyond stakeholders’ expectations.

In partnership with her husband, Chioma Ekeh has played immense roles in growing and nurturing partner businesses, launching several thriving new businesses and successfully closing some of the biggest acquisitions in the technology space in Nigeria.

The Tech Experience Centre – Africa’s first technology experience centre – located at Yudala Heights, a sprawling edifice in the heart of Victoria Island – is another project that has Chioma Ekeh’s indelible signature on it.

The launch of the Tech Experience Centre in October 2020 received high praise from the Nigerian government and representatives of global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Under her guidance, Celebrating You, an annual showpiece celebratory event hosted by TD Africa has become unarguably the biggest year-end event in the Nigerian technology industry for over a decade.

Also, she has spearheaded several CSR projects, including The Herwakening – an empowerment programme for female entrepreneurs– and Girls in ICT – a project targeted at encouraging young girls to take up STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) disciplines and considering careers in technology.

As she turns 60, Chioma Ekeh deserves rarefied mention and unmitigated encomiums. An amazon, this unusual female tech icon who has shattered several glass ceilings, knows no fatigue and has continued to innovate, effortlessly leading from the front.

 

 


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Academic Technologists Propose N350,000 Minimum Wage

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National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), has proposed N350,000 as the new minimum wage for Technologists in the tertiary institutions.

Academic Technologists Propose N350,000 Minimum Wage

Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, national pesident of NAAT, stated this at 5th National Delegate Conference in University of Abuja.

Nwokoma, said the proposal was based on the present economic situation in the country occasioned by the removal of fuel subsidy, high inflationary rate and the attendant hardship.

Nwokoma maintained that technology rule the world and advanced development and shaping the landscape of education in developed countries.

Prof. Tahir Mamman, minister of Education, said the federal government will soon introduce the policy that will make skill acquisition compulsory for primary and secondary schools.

The minister said global space is driven by technology which the advanced world is using to solve problems and gaining grounds.

The Union protect, defend, and promote the rights and well being and interests of all members and to advance the cause of members, employed in Nigerian Tertiary Institutions Universities, Polytechnics, and Colleges of Education.

The theme of the conference is, “Technology, a recipe for national development and socioeconomic growth in the 21st century: the Nigeria quest for a better tomorrow.”

 

 


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9mobile Partners Microsoft to Host Impactful Training Session for Journalists

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9mobile, telecommunications company, recently partnered with tech giant, Microsoft to host a capacity-building session for journalists aimed at empowering them with innovative tools to improve their skills for maximum performance in their field.

The learning session held at Microsoft Africa Development Center had in attendance media partners from print and online platforms and publications.

The training session provided a platform to introduce journalists to the benefits of Microsoft Copilot and its potential to revolutionize the profession.

Microsoft Copilot is an advanced AI-powered tool which offers a wide array of functionalities designed to streamline workflow, enhance productivity, and elevate the quality of their output.

Through this partnership, 9mobile and Microsoft sought to equip journalists with the skills and knowledge necessary to leverage Copilot effectively in their day-to-day work.

Speaking at the training session, Chineze Amanfo, PR Lead, 9mobile, expressed her enthusiasm and satisfaction with the session, emphasizing the company’s commitment to fostering innovation and empowerment within the media industry.

She stated, “We are thrilled to collaborate with Microsoft in providing this invaluable training opportunity for journalists. At 9mobile, we recognize the pivotal role that the media plays in shaping public discourse and driving societal change.

Therefore, equipping them with the requisite knowledge and tools such as the Microsoft Copilot, will enhance their capability to deliver on their respective assignments efficiently by disseminating accurate and impactful information to the public.”

“We prioritize our relationship with the media hence, the need for the periodic capacity building session for journalists. With this training, we have clearly demonstrated our unwavering commitment to sustaining the initiative.

“We will continue to explore new avenues for collaboration and innovation, ensuring that our partners in the media industry have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive, Amanfo added.”

Yemi Orimolade, The Senior Business Programme Manager, Marketing Communications, Microsoft Africa Development Center, appreciated the participants for their contributions in making the session an engaging experience and enjoined them to champion the message of AI responsibility.

He said, “Microsoft’s Copilot is poised to be a game-changer for journalists. It is a reliable tool for generating and optimising content, staying informed, and enhancing productivity. Our commitment is to harness the transformative potential of AI for societal betterment. Welcome to the future of journalism, working smarter with Microsoft Copilot.”

The capacity-building session received an overwhelmingly positive response from participants, who lauded the practical insights and demos provided.

Attendees expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to familiarize themselves with a tool as powerful and versatile as Microsoft Copilot, acknowledging its potential to revolutionize their workflow and enhance their journalistic endeavors.

With the successful hosting of the capacity-building session, 9mobile and Microsoft look forward to more areas of sustained collaboration to drive positive change and innovation within media ecosystem in Nigeria.


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