Headline

Google To Link Africa, Australia With Landmark Umoja Cable

Published

3 weeks ago

May 23, 2024

Editor

Google has announced plans to build Umoja, the first-ever fibre-optic cable directly connecting Africa with Australia.

This groundbreaking project is poised to enhance digital connectivity and economic integration between the two continents, the tech giant said in a statement on Thursday.

Anchored in Kenya, the Umoja cable will pass through several African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, before making its way across the Indian Ocean to Australia.

The route also incorporates the Google Cloud region in South Africa, ensuring robust cloud service connectivity.

Google said, that in collaboration with Liquid Technologies, the Umoja cable will provide a highly scalable network path, featuring multiple access points to facilitate broader regional connectivity.

This infrastructure was designed to deliver reliable and expansive digital services, addressing the chronic issue of network outages that have historically plagued the region, the search engine giant stated.

Named after the Swahili word for “unity,” Umoja is a part of Google’s Africa Connect initiative, which includes the Equiano subsea cable project.

Google said the project was made possible with partnerships from leaders across Africa and Australia, stating that the project aimed to connect African people, businesses, and governments.

Reacting to this development, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, said access to the latest technology, supported by reliable and resilient digital infrastructure, was critical to growing economic opportunity.

“This is a meaningful moment for Kenya’s digital transformation journey, and the benefits of today’s announcement will cascade across the region,” he remarked.

In addition to today’s infrastructure announcement, Google will sign a Statement of Collaboration with Kenya’s Ministry of Information Communications and The Digital Economy to accelerate joint efforts in cybersecurity, growing data-driven innovation, digital upskilling, and responsibly and safely deploying AI for societal benefits.

Kenyan President, Dr. William Ruto, expressed his pleasure regarding Google’s investment in digital connectivity, calling it a historic achievement for Kenya, Africa, and Australia.

He noted that the new intercontinental fibre optic route would greatly improve the country’s global and regional digital infrastructure.

“This initiative is crucial in ensuring the redundancy and resilience of our region’s connectivity to the rest of the world, especially in light of recent disruptions caused by cuts to sub-sea cables.

“By strengthening our digital backbone, we are not only improving reliability but also paving the way for increased digital inclusion, innovation, and economic opportunities for our people and businesses,” Ruto said.

Since Google opened its first Sub-Saharan Africa office in Nairobi in 2007, it has partnered with governments from countries across Africa on numerous digital initiatives.

In 2021, Google said it committed to investing $1bn in Africa over five years to support a range of efforts, from improved connectivity to investment in startups, to help boost Africa’s digital transformation.

Since then, Google has invested more than $900m in the region and expects to fulfil its commitment by 2026.

The Australian Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP, said, “Diversifying Australia’s connectivity and supporting digital inclusion across the globe are both incredibly important objectives, and Google’s Umoja cable will help to do just that.

“Australia welcomes Google’s investment and congratulates all those involved in undertaking this crucial initiative.”

As part of the collaboration, Google Cloud and Kenya will announce a partnership to strengthen Kenya’s cybersecurity.

The Department of Immigration and Citizen Services is evaluating Google Cloud’s CyberShield solution and Mandiant expertise to strengthen the defence of its eCitizen platform.

CyberShield enables governments to build enhanced cyber threat capabilities, protect web-facing infrastructure, and help teams develop skills and processes that drive effective security operations.

Headline

Churches Should Stop Receiving Money From Unexplained Sources – Osinbajo

Published

3 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Editor

Former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo has stated that churches should always ask for the source of the donations they get from people.

Speaking at the inaugural lecture in honour of the late senior pastor of Fountain Life Church Taiwo Odukoya on Saturday, June 15, Osinbajo also admonished the church to teach good values that Christians can hold on to when they find themselves in public service.

The former Vice President who gave a lecture titled ‘Strengthening the Christian voice in government or public office’, said: “How often do those who receive money from politicians and from other sources ask the source of the money?

“So the question is not how many Christians are in government, business, or professions? The question is, what are they equipped with?

“What are the relevant principles of the gospel that they know and apply in their daily and professional or public lives?”

Headline

Japa: 7 Cities In US That Pay New Residents Who Move In

Published

4 hours ago

June 16, 2024

Editor

In a notable shift, many residents in United States of America are moving away from larger cities and coastal states to smaller locations across the country. This is just as migrants are also trooping into these locations for the benefits they offer.

Between 2021 and 2022, California saw a net loss of nearly 350,000 residents, while rising living costs are driving some residents in New York out.

In response, several cities and towns are offering financial incentives to attract new residents.

In this article are 7 cities in the United States, as rolled out by Business Insider, who pay people that move in:

Cities that pay you when you move in there

Tulsa, Oklahoma: $10,000 to Relocate

Ryann Cooke, a social media professional in her late 20s, moved from Washington, D.C., to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in June 2022. Tulsa’s “Tulsa Remote” program, which offers $10,000 to remote workers willing to relocate, drew her attention. Cooke highlighted the significant cost savings and improved quality of life in Tulsa compared to D.C.

Tulsa Remote is one of the most well-known programs aimed at boosting local populations and economies by attracting talent and spending.

Columbus, Georgia: $5,000 for Remote Workers

Columbus, Georgia, offers remote workers $5,000 to move to the city. The program, managed by the local chamber of commerce in partnership with Make My Move, targets remote workers earning at least $75,000 annually. Besides the cash incentive, new residents receive six months of coworking space membership and various community perks.

Headline

Okomu Attack: Edo Govt Has Failed In Its Responsibility; We Need Military Base – Community

Published

16 hours ago

June 15, 2024

Editor

…say we’re Ijaw people; we have no link to Okagheles, cultism

Following incessant attacks on Okomu community, indegenes of the community in Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State have appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, to provide them military base in the community.

Recall that some militia allegedly led by one Lawrence Yanbor invaded the community on May 14, 2024, burnt down over 30 houses in the community, shot some Edo State Security Network personnel in their base and also set ablaze a Horse Power Speed Boat donated by the Edo State Government.

The terrorists were said to have also invaded the community on June 7, attacked military personnel, shot the traditional ruler of the community and also carted away ancestral valuables.

In a statement issued by Chief Edwin Denmene, the Ibeiyaidonwei of Okomu, on behalf of Okomu Traditional Council; Comrade Ayewa Eres, Vice Chairman, Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Okomu clan, and Comrade Samson Yanbor, former Vice Chairman, IYC, West Zone, and made available to Info Daily, said until military base is stationed in the community and the culprits arrested, the attacks would persist.

“We want the government to come to our aid; we need a military base in our community to ensure peace in the community. If this is not done, and Lawrence is not arrested, this problem will continue,” the statement added.

Speaking further, Chief Denmene said they have written several letters to the Edo State Government seeking to meet with the governor but to no avail, adding that they have also petitioned the Commissioner of Police and Director of Department State Services (DSS) in the state.

He said: “We have been calling on the State Government for intervention. Personally, the community has written letters to the governor and also informed him on this issue, but up till now nothing has been heard from the government.

“Even the local government chairman was informed of the incident on the second day of the incident. The chairman of the local government met with some persons affected in Benin and promised to meet with the governor alongside the affected persons, but up till now, we have not heard from the local government chairman, neither have we heard from the governor.

“We believe that the government has failed in its responsibility of securing the lives and properties of Okomu people. This is almost a month, we have not heard from the government. I don’t know if Okomu community in Ovia South West is not part of Edo State,” he stressed.

On the government linking the attacks to cultism and Okagheles, the Okomu Chief said: “The statement by the Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Chris Nehikhare, linking the attack in Okomu community to Okagheles and cultism was a pure mixup. The attack on Okomu has nothing to do with cultism or Okagheles, it is purely criminality.”

“We are purely Ijaw people, we don’t know what is called Okagheles in Ijaw communities.”

Also speaking, Vice Chairman, IYC, Okomu clan, Comrade Ayewa lamented that due to the attacks, the community has been deserted, adding that many are currently in the bush taking refuge while others have fled to neighbouring communities for safety.

He, therefore, appealed to the leaders of the Ijaw nation across the Niger Delta and beyond to rise to the challenge of rescuing Okomu from attack.