News
HP Unveils Vivienne Tam Edition Notebook
Hewlett Packard, a solutions provider has launched its first feminine notebook using fashion designer Vivienne Tam – author of the lavishly illustrated book China Chic and one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People as its label.
HP is teaming up with Tam to add even more style to your digital experience. The HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition: the world’s first "digital clutch” is targeted at the needs of Internet-centric consumers, mobile professionals, always-on social media enthusiasts and fashion-forward women.
The notebook is gleaming red and bursting with peony flowers –a signature staple of Tam’s collection. The peony design is then meticulously carried inside the notebook, under the keypad. The design was inspired by Tam’s "China Chic" style, which is recognized from the runways in Milan to the Olympics in Beijing and represents her personal mantra to live well and be beautiful.
“The final product? Tam’s stunning design on the outside, HP’s reliable technology on the inside, the portability of a mini computer and the look of a clutch” said, Chioma Nweke, General Manager, HP Personal Systems Group, West Africa. “You CAN’T go wrong with this Valentine gift!”
Tam personally designed the finishing touches, including an elegant embroidered HP Vivienne Tam sleeve that will ship with the mini to help keep the exterior protected. Her goal was to design a system that would encourage the feeling of peace and tranquillity you get from being in a garden. (Everyone needs a little "Zen" moment now and then!)
Adding to the mood, the enter key on the HP Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition includes the Chinese symbol for double happiness. Tam explains that she chose peonies because they are the most beautiful flowers and have many layers of unfolding blossoms — much like the layers of a busy woman’s life. As the digital clutch helps you juggle the demands of home and office, it can also remind you of what’s beautiful and feminine in your life. It’s a design that’s continued to grow on her. In fact, it’s incorporated into her spring 2009 line of clothes, as well as the invitations to her show and a new carrying case she’ll be selling in her stores.
This ‘companion PC’ provides a simplified Internet experience in a sleek, ultra-portable design. Weighing about 1kg and less than 1-inch thick, it comes with a keyboard that is 92 percent the size of a standard notebook PC keyboard. All options come with a Bright View widescreen Infinity display (1,024 x 600 resolution) with flush glass and LED backlight, built-in webcam and microphone. The Vivienne Tam Edition companion PC runs Windows XP Home, making the web, critical files and PC applications easily portable. It includes an Ethernet jack, two USB ports, and Wi-Fi, Bluetooth wireless and 3G capabilities.
“Staying connected to your world – however you define it – is increasingly important to people on the go,” said Terae Onyeje, Country Category Manager for HP’s Personal Systems Group, West Africa. “That’s why HP is excited to address this new high-growth market with a portfolio of head-turning mini companion PCs that are fun and easy to use. This product is a definite hit with the modern woman and we can’t wait to get feedback from our esteemed Nigerian customers.”
HP said the Mini 1000 Vivienne Tam Edition is available only in the HP Experience Store in Victoria Island and that as a special edition PC, quantity is limited even as it said that owners of this wow PC will be smiling for a long time to come.
News
Tomato ‘Ebola’ May Disrupt Nigeria’s Agric Value Chain- Rewane

Bismarck Rewane, renowned economist and chief executive officer of the Financial Derivatives Company, has warned that the recent outbreak of the tomato leaf miner, commonly referred to as “Tomato Ebola,” is a disruption to Nigeria’s agriculture value chain.

Bismarck Rewane, CEO, Financial Derivatives Company
Speaking on Channels Television’s Business Morning programme on Thursday, Rewane emphasised that the impact of the outbreak extends far beyond tomatoes, triggering a cost ripple effect across the broader food basket.
“The effect of an increase in the price of tomatoes leads to cost elasticity which means that the price of other substitutes will begin to increase, including the price of carrots, the price of tomato paste, price of tomato puree and other things.
“One for the reddening, two for the effect and the thickening on the sauce you’re making.
“However, because tomato is a perishable commodity, it also means that if there is tomato ebola, then the price has increased, and also the supply has reduced, it has a knock-on effect on so many other things,” Rewane explained.
He added that Nigeria’s lack of food storage and preventive mechanisms has worsened the crisis, causing severe supply chain disruptions.
Rewane’s comments come amid a sharp increase in the price of tomatoes, with a 50-kilogramme basket of the commodity which used to sell for N5,000, now selling for N10,000 to N30,000, thereby compounding food inflation and straining household budget.
The Federal Government said Nigeria has so far lost over N1.3 billion to the outbreak of the invasive pest in key tomato-producing states like Kano, Katsina, and Kaduna.
Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, explained that the outbreak has significantly disrupted tomato supply chains, causing a surge in prices.
He noted that the outbreak of tomato Ebola highlights the fragile nature of Nigeria’s horticultural systems, and that the invasive pest can destroy tomato crops within 48 hours, resulting in catastrophic yield losses.
He added that this crisis highlights the urgent need for integrated pest management strategies, investment in resilient crop varieties, and enhanced support for farmers to safeguard the country’s food supply chains.
News
Loan Controversy: Court adjourns Otudeko, others’ case to June 11

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned the N12.3 billion loan controversy case involving the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Oba Otudeko, and three others, to June 11, 2025.

Oba Otudeko,
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke postponed the case to allow time for either a peaceful settlement or the formal arraignment of the suspects.
The decision followed reports that negotiation are still ongoing between the parties involved for out-of-court settlement as advised by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), who is trying to mediate.
During Thursday’s hearing, Otudeko’s lawyer, Bode Olanipekun (SAN), told the court that negotiations for an out-of-court resolution were still in progress.
Similarly, the lawyer for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Bilikisu Buhari, acknowledged the discussions but asked the court to set a new date for arraignment in case the negotiations fail.
It will be recalled that at the last sitting of the court on March 17, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) had informed the judge that a meeting involving all counsel had been convened at the instance of the Attorney General of the Federation.
He said that this was aimed at reaching a peaceful settlement of the case.
Olanipekun had also stated that substantial progress was made, and the AGF directed all parties to refrain from actions that could jeopardize the resolution process, including filing further applications.
The court will reconvene on June 11 to hear the outcome of the settlement talks or proceed with the arraignment if no agreement is reached.
News
Zamfara, Oracle Partner to Drive Digital Skills Development

The Zamfara State government has signed an agreement with Oracle to invest in youth development, workforce capacity building and the digital economy under Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative (SDI).
The agreement was signed at Oracle’s Offices in London, United Kingdom, with Governor Dauda Lawal representing the Zamfara State government.
A statement on Wednesday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, explained that the development will foster collaboration between the Zamfara Information and Technology Development Agency (ZITDA) and Oracle.
Secretary to the State Government, two Special Advisers and the Executive Secretary of ZITDA were also present at the event, along with Siobhan Wilson, Oracle UK Country Leader and Senior Vice President, EMEA.
The statement said, “Zamfara State government has signed a strategic agreement with Oracle to drive digital skills development across the state.
“Facilitated through the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, the collaboration will use the expertise and learning services of both Oracle Academy and Oracle University in their digital transformation efforts.
“The collaboration signifies a commitment to education and a strategic investment in the future of Zamfara’s youth, workforce and digital economy.
“Oracle Academy, Oracle’s global philanthropic educational programme offers a robust portfolio of technology education teaching and learning resources, including curriculum and software access, to educators and students worldwide.
“With the support of the Zamfara Information Technology Development Agency, these resources will be made available to validate higher education institutions across Zamfara.
“ZITDA will help lead efforts to integrate Oracle Academy offerings into Zamfara’s higher education curriculum, equipping educators with the tools and resources they need to guide students in learning hands-on tech skills and toward Oracle’s professional certifications and foster a new generation of tech-savvy leaders.
“In addition, Oracle University’s Skills Development Initiative, a global programme that provides access to world-class learning and certification programmes at no cost to eligible learners, will further expand opportunities for learners in Zamfara.
“Through a co-branded Learning Portal in collaboration with ZITDA, Oracle University plans to provide free access to digital learning paths and foundational certifications for eligible participants across Zamfara. This includes curated learning journeys offering over 200 hours of professional-level training in high-demand areas such as Cloud, AI, Data Science and APEX development.”
In his remarks at the ceremony, Governor Dauda Lawal restated that the collaboration with Oracle is part of his administration’s commitment to transforming Zamfara into a hub of innovation, education, and digital excellence.
He said, “on behalf of the government and the good people of Zamfara State, I extend my deepest appreciation to Oracle for believing in our vision and for partnering with us on this transformative journey.
“What we are doing today goes beyond technology, it is about giving hope, creating opportunities and unlocking the future. By investing in digital education and innovation, we are offering real alternatives to poverty, to joblessness and to despair. I sincerely thank Oracle for standing with us, believing in the power of partnership, purpose, and shared dreams.
“Today, we are not just signing a document, we are making a promise, promise that every child in Zamfara will have a fair chance to dream, to learn, and to succeed. A promise that technology will be our bridge to a stronger, more inclusive economy. And, a promise that Zamfara will not merely participate in the digital revolution, we will lead it.”
- News2 days ago
Tomato ‘Ebola’ May Disrupt Nigeria’s Agric Value Chain- Rewane
- Broadcasting2 days ago
MultiChoice vs FCCPC: Only President has Power to Fix Prices- Court
- Telecom2 days ago
SEO Secrets: How Media Professionals Can Make Their Blog Posts Rank High
- News2 days ago
Loan Controversy: Court adjourns Otudeko, others’ case to June 11
- E-Financial2 days ago
IMF Confirms Nigeria’s Full Repayment of $3.4bn COVID-19 Loan
- E-Business2 days ago
NEPC, NBS Sign MoU on Data Capturing
- Telecom2 days ago
Airtel Africa Records Customer Base Increase of 8.7Percent to 166.1m
- E-Financial2 days ago
SEC Launches Capital Market Technology Survey