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Microsoft sets up development centre in Lagos

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Microsoft, an American multinational technology company, has opened a facility in Lagos for its ‘African Development Center (ADC)’.

The ADC is Microsoft’s initiative in Africa for an engineering centre to provide local solutions with global scalability as well as provide employment opportunities and further enhance technological innovations on the continent.

At the launch ceremony yesterday, the company said the centre will now be based in its new ultra-modern state-of-the-art facility at the Kings Towers on Glover Road, Ikoyi — housing the product engineering, ecosystem development and innovation teams.

The new ADC facility will also house the Microsoft Garage, a new entity, launched as part of ongoing efforts to scale innovation in the tech ecosystem.

The facility was officially launched by Isa Pantami, minister of communications and digital economy, accompanied by Kashifu Inuwa, director-general of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Lagos state governor.

Speaking at the event, Pantami lauded the development, saying that it strengthens the country’s position as a leading regional digital innovation hub and puts Nigeria on the path to having the biggest digital economy in Africa.

Sanwo-Olu, represented at the event by Hakeem Fahm, commissioner of science and technology, said: “I join several Nigerians and Lagosians today in applauding Microsoft’s commitment to developing the tech in our state and country through this state-of-the-art 7-floor facility, which will improve employment and also contribute significantly to the training and rise of many tech giants in Nigeria.”

Gafar Lawal, managing director, ADC West Africa, said the facility would continue the company’s efforts towards training, equipping and hiring engineering talent in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole.

This, he said, would contribute to the “development of Microsoft products that are in use by over 1 billion devices and empowering millions of users and organisations across the world to do more”.

Celebrities

Helen Ukpabio demands N200bn damages in defamation suit against Bloody Civilian

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Helen Ukpabio, the founder of Liberty Gospel Church, has demanded N200 billion in damages from the singer Bloody Civilian after the latter alleged that she encourages child lynching.

Earlier on Friday, Bloody Civilian, born Emoseh Khamofu, had alleged that Ukpabio “literally made people burn their children alive”.

Khamofu commented on a post celebrating the cleric’s 60th birthday.

She also posted a YouTube documentary wherein Ukpabio’s methods and ideology were criticised.

Reacting to her tweet, Imabong, Ukpabio’s daughter, threatened to take legal action against Khamofu if she didn’t delete the post.

“I give you the next five hours to take this down, or I will educate you in court!” Imabong wrote.

But in a letter from her legal representative, Ukpabio described the allegations as “reckless, satanic, and libellous”.

She demanded that the singer issue a retraction and public apology on all social media platforms and ten national and international dailies within 72 hours.

The cleric also requested that the singer pay N200 billion as “damages for distress, trauma, pain and anguish”.

The letter added that the demands must be met in 72 hours.

She claimed the allegations had been investigated by the police and have been concluded to be “grossly false”.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to your reckless, satanic, and libellous posts on X (formerly Twitter), one of the world’s largest social media platforms,” the letter reads in part.

Responding to the letter, Blood Civilian made light of it by teasing that she is offering other services like comedy to afford the damages.

“This December I will be adding the following to my services: weddings, standup comedy and settling disputes,” she wrote.

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Plantashun Boiz attempted reunions failed because I wasn’t invited, says Blackface

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Blackface, the Nigerian dancehall singer, says Plantashun Boiz, a defunct music group, multiple attempts to reunite failed because he was not included.

Formed in 2000 with 2Baba and Faze, Plantashun Boiz disbanded in 2004 but briefly reunited in 2007 for an album.

In a recent episode of the ‘Curiosity Made Me Ask’ podcast, the host asked Blackface if there was any chance that the group might come back together.

The singer disclosed that his colleagues had attempted to reunite without him but were unsuccessful.

“Without me, they have tried and they have failed. Many times. You saw them in all those shows that they were going,” he said.

“They tried but they failed. But what I must say is I’m the plantation. So let it be known. Forget the fake memo that they spread before.”

In September, Blackface called for the reunion of the defunct music group.

He urged fans to join the mission, emphasising that “unity is strength, not division”.

“My people oya make una talk put mouth for this matter! We are on a mission for world peace and it’s not a small-time thing,” he said in pidgin English.

Since 2015, Blackface constantly tackled 2Baba for recording 2004 hit ‘African Queen’ which he claimed he wrote.

In 2017, he argued that 2Baba “sabotaged” his career in the music industry.

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Despite feud, Peter Okoye celebrates Paul on 43rd birthday

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Peter ‘Mr P’ Okoye, the Nigerian singer, has celebrated Paul ‘Rudeboy’ Okoye, his twin brother, on their 43rd birthday amid their ongoing feud.

The twin brothers have been in the public eyes since their second fallout in August.

They had their first rift in 2017 which led to the dissolution of Psquare, their music brand. Though they reunited in November 2021, their reconciliation was short-lived.

Paul recently revealed another fallout, accusing Peter of orchestrating his arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Peter, however, denied the allegations and accused Jude Okoye, their older brother, of diverting millions of dollars from their joint account into a secret company.

Responding to the accusations, Jude said he had done everything possible, even “sacrificing himself,” to mend the rift between his brothers.

In an Instagram post on Monday, Peter shared several photos showcasing their growth over the years.

He also celebrated their birthday while wishing himself as well as his twin brother more wins.

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Bodex F. Hungbo, SPMIIM is a multiple award-winning Nigerian Digital Media Practitioner, Digital Strategist, PR consultant, Brand and Event Expert, Tv Presenter, Tier-A Blogger/Influencer, and a top cobbler in Nigeria.

She has widespread experiences across different professions and skills, which includes experiences in; Marketing, Media, Broadcasting, Brand and Event Management, Administration and Management with prior stints at MTN, NAPIMS-NNPC, GLOBAL FLEET OIL AND GAS, LTV, Silverbird and a host of others

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