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President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja inaugurated his  new cabinet with majority of the re-appointed members of his first term cabinet retaining their posts.

Some other members of the old team who returned either had their jobs trimmed or got a raise in their responsibilities.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed returns to the Ministry of Information and Culture as Dr Ogbonnaya Onu returns to the Ministry of Science and Technology but unlike Mohammed, Onu is to be assisted by a Minister of State, Mr Mohammed Abdullahi.

Others who retained their positions are Alhaji Muhammed Bello (Federal Capital Territory) Adamu Adamu (Education), Dr Chris Ngige Labour and Employment), Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs).

Alhaji Hadi Sirika , takes full charge as Minister of Aviation, while Mr Chibuike Amaechi is in-charge of Minister of Aviation in the Ministry of Transportation without the Aviation segment.

Malam Suleiman Adamu returns to the Ministry of Water Resources,  while Zainab Ahmed  is back to the Ministry of Finance.

Abubakar Malami retains his post as Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation and Mr Babatunde Fashola keeps the Ministry of Works and Housing without the Power segment.

Dr Ikechukwu Ogah, a fresh hand, is Minister of State, Mines and Steel Development; Godswill Akpabio (Minister of Niger Delta Affairs) and Mr Festus Keyamo is Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs.

Mr Sabo Nanono is the Minister of Agriculture and Natural Resources; retired Maj.-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magash (Minister of Defence) and Ramatu Tijjani (Minister of State, FCT.)

Mrb Muhammed Madmud is Minister of Environment; Sharon Ikeazor (Minister of State, Environment) and Amb. Maryam Katagun is the Minister of State, Trade

Mr Timipre Sylva is the Minister of State, Petroleum, Mr George Akume is the Minister of Special Duties and International Affairs, while Mustapha Baba Shehuri is Minister of State, Agriculture and Natural Resources.

NAN

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo has stated that the two ministers would work assiduously to deliver on the mandate given to them by President Muhammadu Buhari in the next level Agenda in his present Administration. Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo and Amb.  Mariam Yalwaji Katagum who resumed office immediately after their inauguration disclosed that they will repose the confidence given to them by Mr. President.

Mr. Adebayo said there is enormous task for the staff to discharge their duties diligently within the 4 years of the present administration. The Minister said we are in the Ministry to achieve result and we will work out work plan to move the ministry forward in terms of economic growth and job creation, assuring staff that they would be motivated to deliver on the ministry’s policies and progammes.

Earlier,the Minister of State, Amb. Mariam Yalwaji Katagum commended Mr. President for finding them worthy for the appointment and promised to work vigorously to achieve the mandate of Mr. President.

Yalwayi stated that we will not let the system down, and further solicited for the support of the staff to work as a team to achieve result.

While receiving the Ministers, the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Edet Sunday Akpan welcomed them and assured them of the unalloyed support of the staff to achieve the Ministry’s mandate.

Mr. Akpan disclosed that the Ministry’s mandate is to create an enabling environment to stimulate industrialization, accelerate domestic and foreign direct investment and to ensure a coordinated and integrated approach to Nigeria’s Trade policy.

He thereafter presented them with the handover Notes containing an extract of the achievements and report of the ministry from 2015- 2019.

(FLOWERBUD NEWS) The National Executive of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for appointing Mr Sunday Dare and the Minister of Youth and Sports.

A statement issued in Abuja on Thursday signed by National President Almustapha Asuku, the council expressed satisfaction at the appointment, describing Dare as the best choice.

“We consider this pragmatic choice as a beam to the rediscovery of the potentials of the Nigerian youth and developing the country through unification.

“Considering the antecedents of Mr Sunday Dare as a known unbiased and complete detribalized Nigerians with wide professional and political experience, we expect a turnaround in the Youth and Sports Ministry.

“Indeed, there is no doubt that Mr Dare is a dedicated and upright citizen whose contribution to national development had earned several national appointments including chief of staff/Special assistant to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“Mr sunday Akin Dare is also a veteran Nigerian journalist who has worked in diverse aspects of the media with experience spanning over two decades,” he said.

The NYCN stressed that given the experiences of Dare in both administration and politics, his appointment will surely boost the sporting potentials of Nigeria.

“It is our beliefs that, more responsible young leaders will be unveiled under Mr Dare, who share the Eagle eye, Leadership instinct and Large heart of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Philosophy.

“The NYCN under my leadership, therefore, wishes to congratulate the New Minister, and wish him well in the discharge of his duties. We also pledge to work closely with him in advancing the vision of the ministry under his watch.

LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 22 August 2019 – When Satoshi Nakamoto solved the Byzantine General’s problem in 2008 by inventing the Proof of Work consensus mechanism, not only did the world come to know what is today collectively known as Bitcoin, it received something which triggered a profound and irreversible chain of events. Few of us knew and even fewer dared to imagine that the solution to a mathematical problem would be the key to decipher a myriad of social, economic, and political issues. This is the essence of blockchain.

But first, let’s provide some very basic definitions for those not versed in computer programming. After all, if blockchain is to change the world it is necessary for industry leaders to speak to the people, and not just each other.

Blockchain is basically a record of transactions and this record is spread across several computers linked in a peer-to-peer network. This means it is decentralized, as there is no central authority; transparent, as everyone has access to the information, and immutable, as the record cannot be retrospectively changed. The first real use of blockchain was Bitcoin, the first functioning virtual currency. This was all made possible by solving the Byzantine General’s problem, which was how you can verify the person you send a message to is indeed that person without a central actor acting as a go-between. This is of course oversimplifying matters, but it gives the reader the general idea.

Can blockchain resolve all the problems of the world? Obviously not, but it is an important step towards reaching that ultimate goal. One case that perfectly illustrates the conundrum of the Byzantine General’s problem would be the fake news phenomenon, which has yet to meet an adequate response from those who fight against it. This is where the magic of blockchain comes into play.

Over the past few years, fake news has become a global issue that raises challenges for both democracy and wider society. While technology and various social media channels are an important tool for spreading disinformation, technology — and more precisely blockchain — can help us fight it. As technology has rapidly evolved over the past few decades, often faster than we might have imagined, the ways in which people communicate have also changed drastically. People must be aware of the risks of disinformation and fake news and must learn how to protect themselves by differentiating between what is and is not trustworthy.

There is a difference between disinformation and misinformation. Misinformation is “false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead,” and disinformation is “deliberately misleading or biased information, manipulated narrative or facts, [and] propaganda.”

The real threat of disinformation

The term fake news came into focus in 2016, when the U.S. Presidential elections took place. Since then, the spread of disinformation by politicians, foreign powers, and entrepreneurs has become a hot topic for discussion, triggering reactions and commentary from all sides. Fighting disinformation is not easy as it is easy set-up an online presence, mask identities and locations, and broadcast information and ads to disseminate fake news. The threats posed by fake news are real and have serious consequences for democracy and liberty since fake news can be used to influence people for political purposes and to fulfill private agendas which are rarely in tune with society’s goals. Hoaxes spread through fake news contain sensational, eye-catching, and fabricated content that is intentionally created to mislead, harm, and accomplish certain political or financial objectives.

The digitization of human life has led to the greater ease of disseminating news through social media channels and apps, the availability of big data that allows the customization of news feeds and the creation of polarized so-called “filter-bubbles,” and rapid progress made by generative Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) algorithms in creating realistic-looking yet fake digital content. It is obvious that there is a real need to combat the steady rise of fake news and disinformation. Blockchain has the power to do that.

Blockchain and eIDAS to the rescue

Based on the experience of the FinTech and blockchain industries, blockchain-based technology can allow users and information suppliers to publish information in exchange for a tamper-proof record of identity to be stored on the blockchain. Thanks to its characteristics, blockchain can improve the transparency, reliability, and traceability of news. Furthermore, the data used for identification would be securely held by an independent third party, which thwarts abuse and unauthorized access. Blockchain can be leveraged to preserve and verify the integrity of the news and other multimedia content being shared online. As a Decentralized Ledger Technology (DLT), blockchain has the potential to bring transparency and trust to our new post-truth world by enabling smart contracts, decentralized consensuses, and tamper-proof authentication. DLT is basically a record, i.e. ledger, of transactions spread out across several computers in a peer-to-peer network, making it decentralized.

Electronic Identification and Trust Services (eIDAS) could also be used to fight fake news and disinformation. Everyone creating an account, posting content online, writing a review, or buying an ad would be required to identify themselves electronically in order to demonstrate that they are indeed who they claim to be. This can take the form of electronic signatures or video identification that are able to securely associate the signer with the online account or the information shared using a secure private key. This would end many fake accounts and bots, while also increasing accountability for people who share information.

In the middle of the problem

It is not just industry experts who think that blockchain can make a difference when it comes to fighting fake news. Big names from the publishing industry are turning to blockchain with the aim of unlocking and using its full potential. The New York Times is using the Hyperledger Fabric permissioned blockchain to guarantee the provenance of digital files.

Hyperledger Fabric, among other uses, acts as a foundation for developing applications or solutions. At Modex, we are also using Hyperledger Fabric for our Blockchain Database solutions (BCDB). BCDB is our most important product, and basically allows us to apply blockchain solutions to already existing databases, making it easier for our customers to reap the benefits of blockchain with minimal disruption to their already existing structures.

The New York Times’ News Provenance Project will use blockchain technology to fight misinformation in the media. Currently in its first phase, it aims to create a photojournalism-focused proof-of-concept that demonstrates how such a blockchain-based system could work to scale. The News Provenance Project will also rely on blockchain technology to record metadata about video and audio recordings published by news organizations.

Another great example is Forbes. The magazine has joined forces with Civil, a journalism blockchain network, to become the first major media company to experiment with publishing stories to the blockchain. Civil previously entered into a photo partnership with the Associated Press (AP) using its blockchain technology for photos, but Forbes is the first media company to strike this type of partnership regarding actual stories. The broader goal will be to migrate all of Forbes’ published content over to the blockchain in the future, using Civil’s proprietary content management system, ‘Bertie’. Once plugged in, Forbes journalists are able to upload their metadata to the Civil network, while simultaneously publishing to their own website. Initially, only cryptocurrency-related content will be uploaded and if the experiment works well, other topics will follow.

Blockchain is no longer simply about crypto culture or a closed club for computer programming enthusiasts. It is a tool that offers trust in a way that was never available before. Blockchain is about being bottom-up, decentralized, transparent, and honest. Blockchain is about progress.About Modex – for background information

Modex is a company that promotes the adoption of blockchain technology as a key pillar of future progress. Modex offers fully integrated services designed to solve the last mile adoption problem of the blockchain and aims to make blockchain user-friendly for every device and person.

At Modex, we can innovate thanks to our incredible team of experts and we offer services for the entire blockchain technology ecosystem: marketplaces for Smart Contracts, community tools for developers, and blockchain as database services for enterprises.

Over the past two years, using cutting-edge technologies and a clear strategy, Modex has evolved from the world’s first app store for blockchain into a complex ecosystem designed for developers’ needs and enterprises looking for blockchain solutions.

 

(FLOWERBUD NEWS) Protective styling is extremely popular thanks to its numerous benefits and braids are definitely one of the most common go-to amongst them all. However, there are a number of myths surrounding braids and we’ve taken it upon us to debunk these myths for you. Right from receding hairlines to hair loss – there are quite a few out there so read on up some myth busting around braids.

1. Braids Make Hair Weak and Brittle

If you don’t take good care of your hair any hairstyle can lead to brittle hair. But the thing with natural hair is that it tends to be dry and brittle and thus needs moisture. Failing to take good care of it by leaving your braids on for longer than recommended as well as not washing and moisturizing as recommended means they’re bound to turn weak and brittle. But there’s a reason by African Pride Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoois our favourite. It is gentle on hair and is perfect for washing braids. The honey and coconut concoction is known to have moisturizing and strengthening properties and we all know that well-nourished hair = healthy hair!

2. Braids are the reason for a Receding Hairline

Hair loss in protective hairstyles only takes place when there is too much pressure and tugging at the hair and ultimately the scalp. It only is the case if your braids are not well installed. Make sure you get your braids installed by an experienced stylist who takes into consideration your hair type and structure as well as the weight of the extensions. We recommend using Darling One Million braids – they are super easy to install, extremely lightweight, perfect for all types of hair and doesn’t tug at your hair and scalp.

3. Washed Braids Can Be Smelly

Keep in mind that if your braids are thick, it will take longer than usual for them to dry out effectively. Heading will have to wait as wet braids can lead to mildew which in turn can lead to smelly hair. It’s key to choose your braids basis your lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, opt for fuss-free hairstyles that are easy to maintain.

Unpleasant smell from hair can be indicative that your hair and scalp is dirty. It can also mean that your hair care regimen is not working for you. Wash hair to get rid of sweat, oil and dirt build-up. Use gentle, moisturizing shampoos such as the African Pride Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo which is mild on the scalp and doesn’t cause irritation

4. It is Unsafe to Wear Protective Hairstyles During Pregnancy

How could braiding your hair during pregnancy cause complications? Your health or the baby’s health is not affected in any way as braids do not require harsh chemicals for maintenance or even installation. In fact, braids will make sure your hair stays protected, looks stylish and stays out of the way during your special time. Use products as such as African Pride Moisture Miracle 5 Essential Oils as they are gentle on your hair and scalp and are enriched with not one or two, but five essential oils! This includes grapeseed, castor, argan, coconut and olive oil that seals in moisture and adds shine.

5. Braids Are Unhealthy for Scalp Health

Braids are not unhealthy for the scalp. It is oil and product build-up that can affect your scalp’s health. Washing your braids will help rid any product build up or dirt residue, leaving them looking refreshed.