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Blord, Crypto Billionaire in Police Net over Alleged Fraud, Terrorism Funding

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Linus Williams
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The Nigeria Police Force has said that it has arrested Linus Williams, popularly known as BLord, a crypto billionaire over alleged crypto fraud and others.

Blord, Crypto Billionaire in Police Net over Alleged Fraud, Terrorism Funding

Linus Williams

ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said BLord was arrested in Abuja on Tuesday.

Adejobi stated that the FCID (NPF-NCCC) was currently investigating complaints lodged against Blord Group, Blord Real Estate Ltd, Blord Jetpaye Limited, and Billpoint Technology.

He said the offences allegedly committed by Williams included allegations of cryptocurrency fraud, aiding internet fraud, computer-related fraud, terrorism funding, and non-compliance with regulatory frameworks.

Adejobi said the police would do thorough investigations on the matter, saying that the nation’s cyber space   must be safe and secured by all means.

In his words: “We will do due diligence in our investigations. Our cyber space in Nigeria must be safe and secured by all means. We are committed to achieving that.”

Williams, born on March 14, 1998 is from Umuji Ebenebe, Awka North Local Government, Anambra state, but spent his early days in Delta State, Nigeria.

He graduated from Anambra State University Uli where he studied Computer science.

He started his career in 2017 as a business coach on Instagram where he mainly focuses on sharing business tips, on cryptocurrency entrepreneurship.

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

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Nigeria to Witness First Lunar Crescent on 28 February – NASRDA

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National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) has announced that Nigeria is expected to witness its first astronomical lunar crescent on 28 February 2025.

Nigeria to Witness First Lunar Crescent on 28 February – NASRDA

Dr Felix Ale, director, Media and Corporate Communications at NASRDA, made this known in a statement at the weekend.

He explained that the lunar crescent is predicted to occur at 1:45 a.m. West African Time (WAT), a moment referred to as Crescent Zero Hour.

At this time, the crescent may be observed under optimal atmospheric conditions using optical instruments such as binoculars or telescopes.

According to Ale, the crescent will become visible to the naked eye on the evening of Friday, 28 February, between 6:17 p.m. and 7:35 p.m. across different locations in Nigeria.

Maiduguri will be the first city to witness the young lunar crescent, visible from 6:17 p.m. to 6:48 p.m., followed by Yola from 6:21 p.m. to 6:51 p.m.

Damaturu will experience the crescent between 6:22 p.m. and 6:53 p.m., while Kano, Katsina, Jos, and Kaduna will see it between 6:38 p.m. and 7:12 p.m.

In Enugu, the lunar crescent will be visible between 6:42 p.m. and 7:32 p.m., with sunset and moonset occurring at 6:42 p.m. and 7:18 p.m., respectively.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will witness the crescent between 6:44 p.m. and 7:15 p.m., with sunset and moonset around 6:44 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.

The last cities to see the lunar crescent will be Lagos and Abeokuta, between 6:59 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Ale noted that other cities across Nigeria would experience the lunar crescent at varying times within the estimated visibility window of 6:17 p.m. to 7:35 p.m. on the same day.

“For a clear sighting of the first lunar crescent, observers should use optical aids where necessary and ensure they are in locations with an unobstructed view of the western horizon after sunset,” he advised.

He added that the scientific report provided accurate lunar crescent predictions for various locations, ensuring precision for those who rely on lunar observations for religious, cultural, and scientific purposes.

NASRDA encouraged researchers, scholars, and religious groups to utilise the findings and stated that anyone requiring further analysis could visit the agency’s official website: www.nasrda.gov.ng.

Dr. Bonaventure Okere, director, Centre for Basic Space Science and Astronomy (CBSSA), a research centre under NASRDA, described the crescent as the first stage of the moon’s cycle.

He highlighted its significance in Islamic traditions, where it determines important rites such as the beginning of the Ramadan fast.

“The Islamic faith uses moon phases to mark religious observances, but astronomers study the moon’s rising and setting cycles to determine lunar days, which typically last 28 days,” Okere explained.

He added that astronomers rely on these cycles to generate lunar calendars and understand the moon’s daily phases.

This astronomical event marks an important moment for both scientific research and cultural observances in Nigeria.


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NITDA Inaugurates Technical Working Group to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Sovereignty

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In a significant move to bolster Nigeria’s digital infrastructure, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has inaugurated the Technical Working Group (TWG) on National Cloud Infrastructure.

This initiative aims to enhance local cloud capabilities, attract hyper-scale investments, and position Nigeria as a leading technology hub in Africa.

Speaking at the inauguration, NITDA’s Director-General, Kashifu Inuwa, CCIE, emphasised the need for accurate data and regulatory frameworks to support these initiatives, necessary for Nigeria to control its digital infrastructure, data, and technological future noting that, “Without this foundation, we cannot achieve true digital sovereignty. Our goal is to build an ecosystem where both local data centre providers can scale, and global hyper-scalers see Nigeria as a viable investment destination.”

While identifying lack of accurate data on Nigeria’s IT infrastructure as significant challenge, Inuwa noted that while Africa comprises nearly 19% of the world’s population, it hosts less than 1% of global data centres.

“This disparity, coupled with limited insights into Nigeria’s existing IT capacity, hampers investment efforts and without clear data on our infrastructure, attracting investment becomes challenging,” he said.

The NITDA boss maintained that, to address this, NITDA commissioned comprehensive research to assess Nigeria’s digital landscape which findings have highlighted the need for improved regulatory frameworks, clearer investment incentives, and stronger public-private collaboration. He added that subsequently upon this, NITDA has engaged global consultants to redefine strategies for cloud development.

As the TWG embarks on its mission, NITDA urges industry experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to contribute their expertise and resources. “With collective effort, Nigeria can emerge as the premier digital hub for West and Central Africa,” Inuwa concluded.

While corroborating the Director General’s point of views, Acting Director of Regulation and Compliance, Barrister Emmanuel Edet, underscored the importance of regulatory intervention in fostering a robust digital economy.

“Our objective is to establish policies and legal frameworks that support cloud development, enabling us to securely host and manage our data. This is crucial for the growth of our digital economy, he said.”

He also highlights the necessity of capacity building, stating that, “Equipping ourselves with top-tier training and expertise is essential to fully leverage digital technologies.”

Barrister Edet called on all stakeholders to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s digital future. “Collaboratively, we must develop a framework that reflects our national interests, and it should be widely accepted. This effort will define Nigeria’s role in the global digital arena, he observed.

The TWG will help in the drive to attract hyperscale investments and enhance local cloud capabilities by proffering measures to encourage the use of accurate data, recommend the enactment and compliance to enabling policies.

Members of the TWG which includes Google, AWS, IBM, Oracle, Microsoft, HUAWEI Cloud, Equinix, Kasi, Rack Centre, Africa Data Centres, several other data centre operators and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission expressed support and readiness to volunteer and contribute resources.


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Austriacard to Partner Banks, Fintechs, Others Boost Payment System

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Austriacard Holdings, an international card and secure chip solution provider, has   said it will partner with banks, fintechs and other stakeholders   to enhance development of the Nigerian payment system.

Burak Bilge, Executive Vice President, Turkiye, Middle East and Africa, MEA, Austria Card disclosed this while speaking to journalists at the sidelines of a breakfast event organized by the company to interact    with senior management officials in the payment industry including banks and fintechs companies.

Stressing that the vision of Austria Card is to be an important partner in the Nigerian payment ecosystem, Bilge   explained that the purpose of the meeting is to   introduce the company’s latest product and service offerings to the stakeholders in the Nigerian payment industry.

Speaking on the value of partnership   for the Nigerian payment industry, Bilge said, Austriacards offers B2B clients solutions ranging from bank payment cards, technologies and chip operating systems.

The company, he said, “is a leader in fast growing segments such as Challenger banks, with dominant positions in Central and South Eastern Europe, expanding in MEA, UK and the US.

“Austriacards has an   industrial presence in nine countries, and sales operations across the world, having Visa, MasterCard, HSA, CC EALS certifications, and strong research and development capabilities.”

In addition to this, Bilge said Autriacard has strong financials, with the company achieving over €300 million in revenue, 43.1 million Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization, EBITDA and Net Income of   €16.8 million in the first three quarters of 2024.

He said: “We are bringing in, first, a lot of domestic experience from other countries. There are a lot of local brands across the world which we know, which we have developed so far.

“We don’t want to sell a chip or card. We want to become a stakeholder in the Nigerian ecosystem so we can support and we can also learn from Nigeria.”

Stressing the benefits of partnership with Austria Cards to   Nigerian payment firms, Bilge said, “In   order for a local brand to become successful, it also need international experience, because this has been done in other markets, so you need that experience to come into the market also, and this is what Austriacard will do.

“I believe it’s the right moment for Austriacard to step in, because especially with the trade tariffs, and especially with states being more active against China, Taiwan, there will be gaps, and there will be potentials in Nigeria, which they (local brands) will not be able to fulfill.

“So I believe, if we don’t act as Austriacards and as a company that wants to help the industry here, there might be some interruptions also with the service levels and with the kind of products that is coming into the market.”


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