Ondo State Governor and one time Minister of Housing – Governor Olusegun Mimiko recently hosted Asiwaju Dayo Israel and other Leading entrepreneurs at the Ondo State (Youth) Economic summit. The summit which was held from 26th – 28th June with the theme, ‘Economic Awareness and the Relevance of the Youth to the Sustainable Development of the Nation’ had in attendance over 3000 young minds gathering at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre Hall for three days under the tutorlage of Mr. Bode Pedro (CEO VEDA Technology), Asiwaju Dayo Israel (CEO Amandla Consulting UK), Dr. Segun Mimiko (Governor Ondo State), Mr. Fela Durotoye (CEO GEMSTONE), Mr. Rotimi Eyitayo (CEO TM) and Mr. Francis Anyaegbu (CEO Outbox Consulting). The event which was organised by the State Government was powered by the Green Hub and the Office of offices of Special Assistants on ICT, Youth and Sport and Youth Development to develop more individuals and institutions that are capable of bearing a structural responsibility for socio-economic and socio-political transformation in Ondo State. Whilst speaking at the event, Award winning Entrepreneur and Special Assistant on Strategy and Community Development at the Nigerian Senate – Dayo Israel charged the delegates to dream and make relevant sacrifices to achieve those dreams. In his words “those who don’t dream ends up at the feet of a dreamer”. He challenges the delegates to play their part in shaping a new path for Nigeria. “Earlier this year I took up a new role as Special Assistant on Strategy and Community Development at the Nigerian National Assembly to enable me serve my country and play my role in the development of my Nation. Through this national assignment, I have been able to contribute to the socio-economic development of our constituent; if we have 108 other young people do the same in their various constituencies, we would be able to successfully impact the 109 constituencies we have in Nigeria and transformed the Nation”, He said. The Governor in his response commended the speakers and delegates whilst also charging them to be the change they desire.
↧
Ondo (Youth) Economic Summit: Governor Mimiko host Dayo Israel, Bode Pedro and Fela Durotoye
↧
Africa: Future Awards 2012 Nominees Full List
This is indeed BIG: THE FUTURE AWARDS, described by the World Bank as “The Nobel Prize for Young Africans”, after unveiling its spectacular Young Person of the Year nominees earlier this week, has now released the full Nominees List for all 21 categories. Voting begins immediately! The voting numbers are 33120 (All networks) for Nigeria, and 1523 (Expresso & MTN), 1910 (Airtel) for Ghana. You can also vote on www.thefuturenigeria.com [1]. According to the organisers, voting takes only 50% of the second stage of judging, so winners are not selected by voting popularity – there is a 4-stage judging process involving a Board of Judges and an Independent Audit Committee. There is also a one-week period for members of the public to make complaints about any of the nominees to the awards Central Working Committee (CWC). Please send complaints to info@thefuturenigeria.com [2].All the nominees will be celebrated at an invitation-only media and VIP Nominees Reception on Saturday, 4 August 2012 – where they will also be inducted into the elite The Future Alumni Network. The Reception is also a yearly charityfundraiser – and this year, the event will be raising money for the Down Syndrome Association of Nigeria, a pioneering advocacy platform for children with Down’s Syndrome. “Though there were remarkable difficulties in getting young leaders and entrepreneurs closer to 20 than 30, but we are excited to have yet arrived at an inspiring run-down of young Nigerians,” said CHUDE JIDEONWO, WHO IS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FUTURE PROJECT. “We gave ourselves the tough task of finding innovators, entrepreneurs and the kinds of young people you don’t always hear about, which is the essence of The Future Awards and we are as always, incredibly proud of the nominees we have.” Profiles of the nominees will be published on the official website www.thefuturenigeria.com [3] and on www.facebook.com/thefutureawards [4] by July 31, 2012. Let the race begin! THE FUTURE AWARDS 2012 NOMINEES LIST _*Note that, due to the adjusted The Future Awards calendar (it was moved from its traditional January to August, the period in review is October 2010 – May 2012. Nominees who were still 31 years as at March 2011 (six months into the period in review) are therefore eligible. _ CHANGE Best Use of Advocacy 1. Ferdinand Adimefe (Interface Foundation) 28 2. Olumide Makanjuola (The Initiative for Equal Rights) 25 3. Orode Jade Uduaghan (Pink Pearl Cancer Foundation) 22 4. Adamma Umeofia (WeBuilt: Nigeria) 20 5. Chizoba Imoka (Unveiling Africa Foundation) 25 6. Esther Agbarakwe (Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition) 28 7. Priscilla Usiobaifo (Brave Heart Initiative) 28 8. Babafemi Oyediran (Rural Enterprise Development Project) 29 Best Use of New Media 1. Japheth Omojuwa 28 2. Gidi Traffic 22 3. Ediong Umoh 25 4. #OccupyNigeria 26 5. #SaveOke 28 6. Beacons 29 7. Nmachi Jidenma 24 8. Wale Adetula 27 CREATIVITY Creative Artist Of The Year 1. Obi Somto (Photographer) 23 2. Bayo Omoboriowo (Photographer) 25 3. Chibundo Onuzo (Writer) 21 4. Bobo Omotayo (Writer) 29 5. Imole Balogun (Photographer) 23 6. Remi Adegbite (Photographer) 30 7. Onyeka Nwelue (Writer) 30 8. Mohammed Abbagana (Painter) 26 Designer of the Year 1. Adebisi Anita (Ms Makor) 23 2. Kola Kudus (Kola Kudus) 30 3. Olorunyomi Omoniyi Makun (Yomi Casuals) 27 4. Toluwaloju Olowofoyeku (Toju Foyeh) 23 5. Osakwe Amaka (Maki Oh) 26 6. Rukky Ladoja/Obi Obi/Tola Ayanwale (Grey) 27/29/27 7. Ugonna Omeruo (House of Nwocha) 28 8. Akpos Okudu (Akpos Okudu) 25 EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE Public 1. Akin Rotimi (Ekiti State Governor’s Office) 31 2. Banks Omisore (National Assembly) 29 3. Chime Asonye (The Presidency) 26 4. Ohimai Amaize (Ministry of Sports) 31 5. John Gomiluk Otokwala (Securities and Exchange Commission) 28 6. Adaeze Nnamani (Ministry of National Planning) 31 7. The Corper (National Youth Service Corps) All ages 8. Hadiza Abdullahi (The Presidency) 31 Journalism 1. Chiemelie Ezeobi (Thisday) 24 2. Tolu Ogunlesi (NEXT/Forbes Africa) 29 3. Alkasim Abdulkadir (CNN) 31 4. Toyosi Ogunseye (The Punch) 29 5. Oluyinka Ezekiel Adeparusi (National Mirror) 30 6. Tomi Oladipo (BBC) 27 7. Barnabas Hunjo (Radio Nigeria) 28 8. Elo Nkereuwem (NEXT/Premium Times) 31 Corporate 1. Adim Isiakpona (Marketing Manager, HP) 27 2. Seyi Ogunro (Associate, Banwo & Ighodalo) 29 3. Aneto Okonkwo (Manager, Google) 27 4. Ngozi Nkwoji (Senior Brand Manager, NB Plc) 30 5. Tomiwa Adesida (Head of CSR, Sahara Group) 32 6. Tomijogun Ogunlesi (Campus Brand Manager, Reckitt Benckiser) 28 7. Kayode Jegede (General Manager/Head of Facility Management, Deux Project) 30 8. Tokini Peterside (Communication Manager, Moet Hennessy) 24 INNOVATION Science and Technology 1. Ahmed Mukoshy (Yrn.me) 23 2. Nnoduka Eruchalu (Ploggin.com) 22 3. Olumide Adewunmi (Gidilounge) 27 4. Zubair Abubakar (Nigerian Constitution BlackBerry App) 32 5. Chinwe Njokwu (Novel designs for microwave antennas using Nanomaterials) 27 6. Seun Onigbinde (BudgIT) 26 7. Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile) 30 8. Raheem Temitope Bello (geoUtil, a solution for 70% current household energy consumption) 19 Education 1. Gossy Ukanwoke (Beni Online University) 24 2. Iyinoluwa Aboyeji (Bookneto) 21 3. Tosin Jegede (One Child, One Book) 31 4. Adebayo Adegbembo (ASA) 29 5. Otto Orondaam (Slum to School Project) 26 6. Desiree Craig (Efiko) 23 7. Tolulope Sangosanya (Love on the Streets) 30 8. Obinna Okwodu (Robotic teaching in secondary schools) 21 ENTERPRENEURSHIP General 1. Oyigoye Doyle (Nylahs Catering) 30 2. Kola Oyeneyin (Venia Business Hub) 31 3. Titus and Tobias Igwe (Speadmeals Mobile Kitchen) 24 4. Aisha Maina (Aquarian Consult) 31 5. Ayodele Arigbagbu (Dada Books) 32 6. Osaru Alile & Lape Caxton-Onakoya (Caxton-Alile) 30 7. Ola Orekunri (Flying Doctors Nigeria) 26 8. Ladi Delano (Bakrie Delano Africa) 30 Agriculture 1. Ajo Kunnuho John (Animal husbandry) 29 2. Omoteso Sogo Ayodele (Piggery/Fishery/Poultry) 27 3. Tochukwu Onyemelukwe (Jaeet Nigeria Limited) 30 4. Olukayode Adeoye (Whails and Chase) 32 5. Ayodeji Adeyinka Adeoye (Irewolede Farms) 30 6. Fawolu Taiwo (Abivict Farms) 28 7. Olusola Amusan (Olusola Amusan Company) 22 8. Zechariah Obasola (Crop farming) 30 Media/Communication 1. Julie Odia (WOW) 31 2. Adaora Mbelu (Innovation Factory) 26 3. Uyi Omokaro (DM2) 30 4. Bobby Taylor (Bobby Taylor Consulting) 30 5. Komolafe Adesola (Media Insight) 30 6. Samuel Olatunji (Big Sam Media) 30 7. Uche Eze (BainStone) 29 8. Funmilade Alalade (Elev8) 28 Entertainment 1. David Adeleke (HKN) 20 2. Keke Hammond (Flytime Productions) 30 3. Tana Adelana (Tana Adelana Productions) 28 4. Emmanuel Dole Onoja (Delphino Entertainment) 28 5. Don Jazzy (Mo-Hits/Mavin Records) 30 6. Cobhams Asuquo (CAMP) 31 7. Mamah Nwanchukwu (Ape Planet) 28 8. Clarence Peters (CAPital Dreams Pictures) 29 Technology 1. Ayodeji Adewunmi/Opeyemi Awoyemi/Olalekan 28/24/28 Olude (Jobberman) 2. Ajibola Modupe (OTG Playa LLC) 29 3. Jason Njoku (Iroko Partners) 31 4. Eno Essien (Rheycrak) 30 5. Bode Pedro (Veda Technology) 29 6. Kayode Disu (IISA) 29 7. Temi Kolawole (Antigravity) 27 8. Femi Alade (Pliris Mobile) 30 ENTERTAINMENT On Air Personality of the Year (Radio) 1. Oladotun Kayode (Cool FM) 28 2. Twitwi (Wazobia FM) 32 3. Toke Makinwa (Rhythm FM) 26 4. Maltida Duncan (Rhythm FM, Abuja) 31 5. Tolu “Toolz” Oniru (Beat FM) 30 6. Nike Adewuyi (Splash FM, Ibadan) 27 7. Lorenzo Menakaya (Lion FM, Enugu) 26 8. Mazino (Smooth FM) 30 On Air Personality of the Year (TV) 1. Dolapo Oni (Studio 53/Mnet) 28 2. Denrele Edun (Channel O) 28 3. Uti Nwanchukwu (Jara/Mnet) 30 4. Ill Rymz (Nigerian Idol) 27 5. Andre Blaze (Nigezie) 29 6. Adams Ibrahim (Soundcity) 24 7. Yvonne “Vixen” Ekwere (Silverbird TV) 25 8. Maupe Ogun (Channels TV) 29 Musician of the Year 1. Davido 19 2. Wizkid 22 3. Tim Godfrey 31 4. Ice Prince 26 5. Flavour 29 6. Naeto C 30 7. MI 30 8. Bez 29 Actor of the Year 1. Ini Edo 30 2. Tonto Dike 26 3. OC Ukeje 31 4. Ivie Okujaye 26 5. Gideon Okeke 29 6. Ramman Hassan 30 7. Kabirah Mojisola Kafidipe 31 8. Lala Akindoju 25 Producer of the Year Music 1. D’tunes 22 2. SamKlef 27 3. DJ Klem 28 4. Jesse Jagz 28 5. Ikon 29 6. Fliptyce 30 7. Legendary Beats 23 8. J Sleek 24 Producer of the Year Screen 1. Clarence Peters 29 2. Victor Sanchez Aghahowa 29 3. Onye Ubanatu 31 4. Ishaya Bako 26 5. Ladi Odebunmi 21 6. Adeola Oloyede 32 7. Anietie James Ekins 27 8. Deji Adeniyi 31 YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR 1. Bankole Wellington [Banky W] (Musician/Entrepreneur/ Activist) 31 2. Dapo Oyebanjo [D’banj] (Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur) 32 3. Jason Njoku (Media Entrepreneur) 30 4. Peter and Paul Okoye [Psquare] (Musician/Entertainment Entrepreneur) 31 5. Linda Ikeji (Blogger/Media Entrepreneur) 31 6. Chinwe Njoku (Scientist) 26 7. Idris Akinbanjo (Journalist) 30 8. Raheem Temitope Bello (Scientist) 19 _*Note that, due to the adjusted The Future Awards calendar (it was moved from its traditional January to August, the period in review is October 2010 – May 2012. Nominees who were still 31 years as at March 2011 (six months into the period in review) are therefore eligible.
↧
↧
New Tech: Free Instant Notifications with Gmail SMS in Africa
Now Available in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana: If you want to be notified in real time whenever you get an email, then Gmail SMS is for you. This feature will allow you to access your Gmail account via your phone. This comes after certain Gmail subscribers complained that they could not check their mail through their older generation phones. Also read: Uproar Grows Over Proposed “Facebook for Kids” Google launch Free Gmail SMS in Africa [Now in Kenya, Ghana & Nigeria] US President Obama ‘Shocked and Saddened’ Over “Batman Premiere Shooting” YouTube Video: Terrible Aftermath of Batman Shooting [Update] 10 People Killed in Mass Shooting at Batman Premiere in Colorado Olympics, Sport Fans & Twitter – Love Sports? Most of the world is now used to high speed internet access. However, this is not true for the greater part of the African population. This is because some Africans still find it hard to enjoy modern communication tools such as email. It is in this light that Google announced Gmail SMS very recently. This is the latest breakthrough in the world of technology. The service is now available in Kenya, Nigeria and Ghana. It has been hailed globally for its unique ability to bring Gmail closer to the people. The highlight of the whole charade is that you do not need a data connection to access your Gmail account now.
↧
Nigerian Police provide e-mail address to fight crime
The Inspector General of Police, Mr Mohammed Abubakar has approved the release of a new e-mail address to enable the public communicate directly with him on issues relating to crime. The address is policemonitor@npf.gov.ng. This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday by Mr Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer. The statement advised that the address should be strictly used for the purpose for which it was meant. The statement said the address could also be used to report cases of breach of public peace and information on ongoing investigations by the police and other security agencies. According to the statement, other information that the public can use the address to provide are comment on matters relating to national security, especially when such matters have direct bearing with the activities of the police. It should be used “to report the conduct of police personnel or the conduct of personnel of other law enforcement agencies involved in corrupt and other forms of unlawful acts. “To commend members of the force for acts of gallantry or other forms of exemplary or exceptional conduct displayed in the course of their duties. “To report cases or incidents of electoral offences or other matters related thereto. It appealed to potential users of the email to ensure the authenticity of their information. The statement stated that the information provided through the medium would be treated with confidentiality, adding that the anonymity of providers would be respected. “The effective use of the new email address will help in checkmating excesses of law enforcement personnel, encourage free flow of information between the public and police managers, and ultimately promote efficiency and better service delivery. (NAN) - Vanguard
↧
OLX Launches in Nigeria – Classified Ads Site
In June this year, we published an article here on Technology Africa that Naspers-owned classified ads service, Dealfish was in the process of transition and currently being shuttered and rebranded to OLX. Well, as at the time of writing this post, Dealfish is still operating as a ‘skeletal’ classified ads service, but OLX Nigeria has been launched. Since May, Dealfish had stopped digital advertising and brand campaigns, and the OLX brand is said to be replacing Dealfish in Nigerian and Kenyan markets. The service is also available on mobile devices and apps on several app stores including the Apple Store, Google Play, Blackberry App World and Nokia Ovi Store, which lets you search for listings in several locations around the world, including Nigeria, although I could hardly find any listing in some locations in Nigeria. Last month, we asked Neil Schwartzman, CEO of MIH Internet, Sub-Saharan Africa the reasons for the consolidation. According to him, the two major reasons for the consolidation were: technology and branding, adding that the technology behind the OLX platform is quite sophisticated and robust than that of Dealfish which would see the classified ads service become more useful and feature-rich for users. In terms of branding, Schwartzman reckons that a lot has been spent to build the dealfish brand, but given the fact that OLX has a solid global brand and is internationally renowned in more than 90 countries, this could help to cement MIH Internet’s classified ads presence in Africa. The move to consolidate its online classified ad properties seems to be a good one, considering the fact that OLX is a global brand with a more sophisticated technology platform, and it wouldn’t make much sense to own two competing free classifieds business in the country. OLX, a Craiglist competitor founded in March 2006, is an international classifieds service used in more than 90 countries and 40 languages and has more than 150 employees across offices in South Africa, Argentina, USA, Russia, China, Brazil and India. Interestingly, Naspers (parent company of MIH Internet, owners of Dealfish) holds a 71.5% majority stake in OLX as at March 2011, after an undisclosed investment into OLX in August 2010. - Techloy
↧
↧
Senate Tells GSM Operators, Leave Nigeria If You Can’t Improve On Service Delivery
Chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Gil Emeka Nnaji, PDP, Enugu-East has warned providers of Global System for Mobile Telecommunications, GSM, to improve on their services to Nigerians or face the risk of being pushed out of the country. According to Nnaji, the Senate was ready to invoke the necessary legislative provisions to make the GSM operators in Nigeria sensitive to the sufferings of the masses on the poor quality of telecommunication service, rural telephony and fixed lines, adding that if they fail to improve on their services, they should be prepared to leave the Nigerian business environment. Nnaji, who spoke at the committee’s public hearing on the deteriorating service by GSM providers, described as unacceptable, the claims by the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, that of all the telecommunication service providers, it was only the MTN that was presently making profit since commencement of operations in the country. According to him, Nigerian public deserves nothing short of the best in the area of telecommunications, considering the huge investments the Federal Government had made in the sub-sector, primarily in the aspect of tax holidays upon licence acquisition to enable the operators deploy sufficient infrastructure. Nnaji noted that the move became imperative following distress calls and messages from Nigerians about the incessant cases of dropped calls, bad network reception, unauthorised deductions of airtime. According to him, “the Senate as a responsive and socially-responsible institution, after series of interactive sessions towards addressing the lingering public outcry, subsequently decided to ascertain the level of culpability or otherwise of these network service providers on these issues with a view to advising the plenary appropriately.”
↧
Nigeria: ISPON begins Nationwide search for software talents
ON the heels of the global software contest powered by Microsoft Corporation which held in Sydney, Australia a fortnight ago, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has flagged off this year’s edition of the National Software Competition, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government. In addition, ISPON also named immediate past EVC of NCC, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe the “Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador” for the software contest whose grand finale will hold at the National Software Competition and Conference slated for October. It would be recalled that last year’s contest, which held at the Tinapa Resort in Calabar, was also sponsored by Cross River State Government Software is tool for change Describing Ndukwe as a knowledge champion in ICT whose leadership of the telecoms regulator, NCC re-awakened the nearly comatose communications profession and industry in Nigeria, ISPON President, Chris Uwaje while flagging off the national software competition told journalists that Nigerian IT professionals and youths have in the past decade recognized the potentials of software as a dynamic tool to change the world with and resolve the many challenging ambiguities associated with life and development. Optimistic that the event will actualize potentials of Nigerian software initiative, he recalled that last year’s competition unexpectedly threw up Abia State Polytechnic as winners of the national software competition cup, adding “and that is some of the lessons learned from ICT knowledge development process. That is, anything can happen — all nations have equal chances to emerge winners,” he explained. Software crucial to Vision 20-2020 Meanwhile, Governor Imoke who was represented at the press conference by his Special Assistant on ICT, Henry Asor noted that national software policy engineering was important in achieving Vision 20-2020 and the mission of re-branding and transforming Nigeria. Chairman, Open Media Group, Engr. Ernest Ndukwe, ISPON President, Mr. Chris Uwaje and the Personal Assistant on IT to the governor of Cross River State, Henry Asor jointly present the trophy for this year’s National Software Conference and Competition, TINAPA 2012. Incubation and development of software, he said, was imperative for enhancing productivity, creating new jobs, enabling more efficient businesses, producing higher quality of goods and services, and leading to greater innovation for the creation of wealth. He said that the theme for this year and the apointment of Engr. Ernest Ndukwe as Distinguished Knowledge Ambassador were both significant and timely as it seeks to promote conscious national awareness on t buy cialis online safely he imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous intellectual property in the software knowledge space. “It is our belief that this knowledge conference and competition adventure will unleash the currently suppressed ideas and creativity of Nigerian software professionals and the entrepreneurial spirit and skills of our teeming youths, as well as create the platform for beneficial networking and business attractions. “Cross River State Government is happy to partner with ISPON and other industry players to raising the bar for quality of the conference and ensuring a memorable, beneficial and sustainable experience,” he added. Nigeria can lead software Africa In his response, Engr. Ndukwe expressed happiness for the honour done him by ISPON, and promised to work with the software group in preparing youth for global challenges. His words: “ I am excited with this honour. I will work with ISPON to see these youths are encouraged for global challenges. I am very passionate about youth empowerment. What is most important now is capacity building; I haver always hoped that Nigeria can lead other African countries in IT capacity building. It is important to replicate the success of telecommunication in the software arena. Speaking further, ISPON president, Chris Uwaje said the Cross River State Government is committed to raising the bar for quality of the conference and ensure a memorable, beneficial and sustainable experience. “One of the key factors behind last year’s success was the quality and range of individuals and organisations spread across Africa, Asia and the Americas. This enriched the Round table Interactive sessions and breath-taking presentations. The central challenge for 2012 is how to improve on the milestone and success of last year’s conference and competition. This is why we have completely re-strategized and revamped the entire branding, speaker, panel of judges, and faculties. What informed the theme Theme of the contest and conference, Cloud and the Future of Software Nigeria, Uwaje said, addresses the overriding mission of ISPON national software conference/software competition for tertiary institutions geared towards promoting conscious national awareness on the imperatives for developing Nigeria’s indigenous intellectual property in the software knowledge space. It also aims to harness our collective IT potentials, resources, capacity and capability as a national priority for global competitiveness, he added. “We want to assure all the participants of an inspirational experience. This, amongst other things is what informed the selection of the current theme which isdesigned to explore some of the most critical challenges of the software profession and industry namely: software in the cloud and what Nigeria must do to survive,” he said. zp8497586rq
↧
The Nigerian software Giant is Awake!
Suppressed Development and Under-development of Indigenous Software The Nigerian Software Lion has roared in an effort to occupy the international software space – this has come to pass. Engr. Chijioke Simeon Agu, a Fellow of the Nigeria Computer society and past president of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) accomplished the feat before his dawn. It will be recalled that many decades ago – 1980’s, Tara Systems (Nig) Limited emerged as one of the first Oracle-based application developers in the national and international circuit. Indeed, the first known digital signature ported into Oracle Database was said to have been developed in Nigeria by Tara. Not only that, the Oracle-based application software developed by Tara was exported abroad. The Nigeria Local Content Act 2010 was enacted in April, 2010 as the quantum of composite value added or created in the Nigerian economy by a systematic development of capacity and capabilities through the deliberate utilization of Nigerian human, material and intellectual resources and services in the Nigerian economy in order to stimulate growth of indigenous capacity. National Software initiatives constitute a significant part of the content under the act. Also the Federal Government, through its circular, reference No. SGF/OP/I/S.3/VII/795 2006 directed all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to operate strictly on the patronage of Nigerian Developed Computer Software and services. The Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Act 2010 (‘the Act’) was signed into law on 22 April 2010. With effect from this date, the Act is expected to be applicable to all matters pertaining to Nigerian content in respect of all operations or transactions carried out in or connected with the Nigerian oil and gas industry. Meanwhile, comparative studies have shown that by extension, Information and Communications Technology and Software in particular represent the core operation and transactions processes referred to in the Act. Nigeria can create at least one million jobs in the software sector within 24 months and earn an estimated $10billion USD annually after a critical incubation program of 3-5years. The Act is designed to give the force of law to the Nigerian Content Policy, the objective of which is to increase the quantum of composite value added to or created in the Nigerian economy, through a systematic development of capacity and capabilities for the deliberate utilisation of Nigerian human and material resources and services. From its inception in early 2000, the Nigerian Content Policy envisioned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation served as the basis for measuring and ensuring local participation and job creation for Nigerians in the oil and gas industry. In pursuit of global quality standards, the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) in April 2012 on behalf of Software Nigeria received an International Quality (QC 100) Award conferred on her by Arch of Europe at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt – Germany. In light of all the above, the National Executive Council (NEC) of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) has continuously advocated that Software operational and transaction related information and data from organizations referenced in the Act, including Banking and Financial Institutions on the level of compliance with the Local Content Act 2010 with respect to the application of indigenous software. This is informed by the fact that government Transformation Agenda may not be effectively implemented unless indigenous Software content and services delivery is made a very high priority. The senior advocate of local content in Nigeria software space is undoubtedly, Engr. Chijioke Simeon Agu, who recently passed on to higher glory. He was the founding President of the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), a distinguished IT practitioner, Software Industry Pioneer and Fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society. He left many legacies behind. But the core focus of this write-up is how conscious is the nation on the critical and strategic imperatives of indigenous and global Software for national survivability? Like Hussein Bolt, he has beaten all known records in the Software Ecosystem in Nigeria. He laid the foundation for the development of software Nigeria with his 10 point agenda to the Federal Government which led to the establishment of the National Software Development Initiative is 2005. For the records, Engr Simeon Agu was the Great Lion of ICT-Nigeria, whose words alone awakened an entire IT industry; whose presence inspired confidence in a fledgling industry to go forth and claim its due; a fiercely loyal friend and a competitor respected by all. His roar will be missed by us all, as will his sure guidance and sagacity. He was the founder and Chairman of Computer Systems Associates (Nigeria) Limited. TO BE CONTINUED NEXT WEEK…
↧
‘Nigerians not maximising use of GSM technology’ – Amechi Stanley
Mr. Amechi Stanley is the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Leystel Nigeria limited, a Nigerian based IT Consulting firm and wireless communication service that specialized in tailoring quality wireless communication solutions and added value services. In this interview with HiTech, he bared his mind on telecom operation in Nigeria, the explosion, challenges and the potentials in the economy, and forecasts that satellite telecommunications will soon die out in Nigeria. Excerpts: How would you appraise the Nigeria telecom market? The Nigerian telecom market is a fast growing market with high teledensity rate of over 92m active subscribers but Nigerian market is lacking the basic infrastructure and requisite skills to deliver one stop solution to the teeming subscribers. Again, the market is not growing as it should, compared the way other countries that manufacture technology do because it consume a lot of technology without manufacturing. Our cost of deploying fibre is high. We don’t have what it takes to move at the desired speed compared to what obtains in other places. Apart from voice calls and data, what other benefits can we derive from use of this technology? We can use technology to fight crime by the use of toll free lines. We can design a product people can use to offer information on security. It can also be used to plan a hitch free election and fight fake drugs. It can equally be used to track stolen cars. With this, it will be easier for security agencies to tracks cars that are not registered in Nigeria and this will make their work easier. With our telecom solution, we can write a programme and query it. Although, we are distributors of transmission equipments and consultants in telecom sector. We can sit down with our clients and visualize where their client needs lie. Our partnership with the core telecom operators has resulted into increase in their revenue base. One of the areas of the partnership is in deploying a technology can enable them see traffic build up. The technology works in such a way that when the network is saturated, a red alert shows, telling the clients where to upgrade and will not wait for everything to freeze before taking a proactive measure. This is work we see in the banking sector very often, leading to a huge economic loss to the country. Why is Nigeria in this kind of situation? It is chain reaction. There is no company in Nigeria that can provide a one stop solution that can deliver a total package level of network. All the service providers have to be on top of their game to provide this service. That is what I learnt from my eleven years experience in Denmark, Canada and other European countries, where I worked on transmission of fibre to all the sectors. Are Nigerians actually making quality use of their GSM phones? I don’t think so. We have to make quality use of GSM tools like transfer of data in e-payment because it is not a luxury. Added value can also added to the use of GSM phones when Nigerians use it more for data transfer and internet services and SMS. GSM has gone beyond voi The Hidden Secret ce services. Who are your partners? Our major mostly on telecom service providers, oil and gas and manufacturing companies. We have partners like Lavia that majored in microwave equipment, Wavion for networking, through which we try to deploy WiFi technology. We equally have Alvarion, that is manufacturing a transmission solution. We did not stop there, we synergize with Ragwi company in UK that major on microwave communication that deliver one stop solution to customers, a major distributor in the whole of Europe. We have CISCO for networking and hardware solution. We partner with them to deliver profitable solutions to our clients. We are here to deliver one stop solution that will give Nigerian operators value for their money.We also offer support to upcoming telecommunication companies and conglomerates in the manufacturing sector. We don’t just drop the box, we also deliver the solution on behalf of our foreign partners. Competitors? Our major competitors are people coming from China and India, but we are not afraid of them because that is why we focus on on offering advanced solutions that cannot be matched by any other company. However, we try to adopt the approach of measuring twice and cutting ones. What other services do you offer? We certify companies that may want to offer services withing our area of operation. We needed to certify them for them to be acquainted with the latest technologies. Our strength lies in our solution. Wherever, we deploys, the quality of output speaks volume about the uniqueness of our service. We equally provide WiFi communication services to pipelines, carrying WiFi and fibre over pipelines. With our WiFi services, any 3G phone within the area of coverage will be hooked up in the network service. We are working with oil and gas companies to provide WiFi services on the pipelines, carrying internet over fibre. We equally offer Ragway services, which has about 23 member countries that make up the RAG Group that offers radio, internet, voice and other communication services. On the launch of Sat-3 Satellite In Europe and US, satellite is mostly used for monitoring weather forecast, for GPRS tracking. Satellite communication is gradually dying all over the world. It is best used for monitoring services. Presently, it will be difficult for satellite to survive in this market. All the telecommunication companies have started laying fibre and as fibre is getting to the last mile, they are decommissioning satellite. The one that can’t get to the last mile point, they use last mile radio. Again, fibre delivers service in seconds while satellite delivers in minutes. Though, fibre may be expensive at the beginning, but at the long run, it will return value for the money. As at today, about sixty percent of Satellite services have been decommissioned in Nigeria. We have Main One, Glo 1, MTN Direct and others coming, providing choice to Nigerians. This is driving us towards having a robust communication line. The issue of traffic will be dealt with using fibre. That is where the whole world is going because that is where we can deliver quality internet services. That is why a branch of a bank in Nigeria can talk to another branch in London an South Africa and exchange data via cable. We have to look at how we are going to bridge the existing gap in communication system in every sector of the economy, using GSM and by the time we finish we will have so many options. The Hidden Secret zp8497586rq
↧
↧
Nigeria’s Got Talent show – Airtel, RBF offer N10m star prize
According to Vanguard, Within two weeks of the commencement of auditions for the Nigeria’s Got Talent Show across the country, Nigeria Telecommunications Services Provider, Airtel Nigeria and Rapid Blue Format have announced a star prize of N10 Million Naira for the Show. With this offer, all the Gifted Nigerians, male and female of all ages with talents in acrobatics, magic display, fire eating, ball juggling, dancing and others have a chance to showcase their talents in the reality Television show. The show auditions according to the organizers, will kick-off in Abuja between the 31stof July and 1st of August at the Rockview Hotel before it moves to the Coal City, Enugu on the 3rd of August at the Independence Hotel. Other cities where the talent showcase would take place include: Calabar on August 7, Port Harcourt on 9th, Warri 11th, Benin 13th, Ibadan 16th with auditions ending in the Centre of Excellence, Lagos on August 18th and 19th. Commenting on this project, Executive Producer, Rotimi Pedro described the programme as a definitive talent show for Nigeria which stands out as unique show. “This is the definitive talent show in the country at the moment; the encompassing nature is strictly unique to the Got Talent brand and puts it ahead of other shows”, he added. For the Chief Operating Officer & Executive Director, Airtel Nigeria, Deepak Srivastava, “Airtel is pleased to partner with RBF to empower talented Nigerians. Aside providing a great platform for talented Nigerians, we are also passionate about thrilling and exciting telecommunications consumers across the country. Airtel is excited to tour the country on yet another credible project that will celebrate and reward Nigerians especially its youth following the brand vision to remain the most loved brand in the lives of Nigerians.” Nigeria’s Got Talent reality show, powered by Airtel Nigeria would run between July and December this year featuring amazing performances and stunts on National television. According to the organizers, the Nigeria’s Got Talent Show has no demographic barrier as any body could emerge ultimate winner and grab the 10 million prize money. It will be recalled that Nigeria apart from South Africa is the only African country that has been able to secure the Got Talent franchise and is set to experience the magic of the show like other nations across the world. The Got Talent franchise has produced many notable performers in the last couple of years including Diversity, Bianca Ryan and Britain’s Got Talent’s 2009 1st runner up Susan Boyle, whose debut album became the fastest selling UK debut album of all time, selling over 3 million copies in the U.S amongst others. The franchise currently in its 6th year is one of the fastest growing international franchises, closing the gap on other successful franchises such as ‘The Weakest Link’, ‘The X Factor’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars,’ amongst others.
↧
Jason Njoku [IrokoTV] Nominated at The Future Awards Tech and Young person of the Year
Jason Njoku, co founder and CEO of iROKO Partners has been Nominated at The Future Awards (Season 7) as Tech Person and Young person of the Year. Lets show our support by voting for him via The Future Awards official Website. http://thefuturenigeria.com/vote/
↧
Ice Prince, Brymo, Dencia’s Twitter Account Verified: Omotola, 2Face, P-Square, Others Left Out
Reports have it that Dencia and members of Choc Boys; Ice Prince, Brymo, Jesse Jagz excluding MI had theirTwitter accounts verified. In view of this they have now joined the likes of Asa, D’Banj, Osaze Odemwinge, Genevieve Nnaji, Oluchi and Nneka who already have their twitter accounts verified. Also, top stars like 2Face, P-Square, Don Jazzy, Omotola and many other Nigerian celebrities were left out in the twitter verification exercise. This has left many to question twitter’s criteria for account verification of its users. Findings revealed that a twitter account is verified when a user, who is a public figure is being subjected to activities of impostors, who create ‘fake’ accounts in the name of the original user. This causes problems faced by some celebs when some of their fans find it difficult to identify their true twitter accounts. With respect to the above criteria, some have questioned the rationale behind Dencia’s twitter account being verified when top stars Omotola, 2Face, P-Square, Don Jazzy and others have not had their twitter accounts verified by social networking site.
↧
Nigerian Rated as 9th World Best Innovator in E-learning
In the latest rating by a United Kingdom based agency, Bob Little Public Relations, a Nigerian, Mr Muyiwa Bamgbose, has been rated world’s 9th best innovator in electronic learning. According to the rating, Bamgbose has joined the list of the World’s best 10 innovators in e-learning for the second time. In last year’s ratings, he was said to have rated 10th in the world. Bamgbose, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), of Educational Advancement Centre (EAC), Ibadan, invented the electronic learning platform that delivers contents of subjects to mobile telephones of candidates preparing for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME). According to Bamgbose, the mock examination enables all stakeholders involved to identify the volume of work that needs to be done before the time of the actual examination. He said, the aim of the examination was to help government determine who is actually prepared for the examination and deserves the sponsorship of the government. This is a welcome development as the JAMB registrar, Professor dibu Ojerinde recently made it clear that the examination itself will be taken electronically, starting from next year.
↧
↧
PROJECT FAME WEST AFRICA SEASON 5: MEET YOUR CONTESTANTS
Hosts – Joseph Benjamin and Adora Oleh The fifth season of the MTN Project Fame West Africa has kicked off with contestants already in the academy. A total of 15 contestants were picked at the recently held opening gala on Saturday, August 4, 2012. Side attractions from the gala included performances from Project Fame season 4 winner Monica and Chuddy K. A final contestant will however be chosen through a ‘Wild Card Contest‘ which will see the academy accommodate 16 contestants in total. A few changes have been made from last year’s show – Most notably, Nigezie bossFemi ‘Kwame’ Aderigbigbe who has served as a judge since inception has been replaced with Nigerian-German musician, producer Ade Bantu. The duo Joseph Benjamin and Adora Oleh will continue as hosts. Check out your contestants and pick a favourite! Adetoun The ever-smiley Adetoun is a bubbly 26 year-old woman whose confidence exudes in leaps and bounds. She is a studio-rat as far as she’s concerned, and has done a lot of back-up work for established artistes. Adetoun is a graduate of Mass-Communication from Olabisi Onabanjo University. She caters for a living and has a very outgoing and friendly personality and believes in people. She is highly competitive in nature and is aiming for the Top. Ayo Ayobami Ayoola Ayolola is the 25 year old personal assistant to renowned saxophonist Mike Aremu. Apart from his involvement in this saxophonist’s band, Ayo’s father is also a pastor and was a choir director for many years. In Ayo’s own words, ‘my father discovered the music in me’ – and for this he is grateful to his dad whom he speaks of with pride. Ayo is also an actor and has had a few stints on television. He says he cannot run away from acting but music is his first love and seeing as this is his fifth stab at Project Fame West Africa, he intends to milk the opportunity for all it is worth. Brenda Brenda Adigwe is a 16 year old go-getter. She is a third-year mass communication undergraduate of the Littoral University, Porto-Novo, Benin Republic. Brenda tends to come across as older than her age and even though the competition is open to only people eighteen years and above, she returned for another season of auditions to give it another shot and convinced the academy to let her in. Brenda is very close to her mother and hopes to make her proud by going far in the competition and possibly emerge as the winner. Chinyere She’s 23 years old, studies Linguistics and African Languages at University of Benin, Edo State – Nigeria, and is in love with a young man who she calls her best friend. He’s a base guitarist and her number one fan apart from her family. Chinyere is the last-born child and she receives a lot of support from her older siblings who are all married. She tends to be a bit shy and taciturn but she does express herself well enough and her biggest asset is her crystal-clear voice. Christian Dark-skinned and very expressive Christian is of mixed Nigerian heritage. His father is Yoruba and his mother is from Benue state. Christian has lived in Markudi for most of his life and is a fourth year Computer-Science student of the Federal University of Agriculture, Markudi, in Benue state, Nigeria. Even though he has lived in the middle belt for most of his life, Christian emphasises that he is a Yoruba boy through and through and nothing can change that. Christian loves television, movies, and travelling. A very jovial sort, Christian does not fail to point out that he is only jovial and happy-go-lucky when he wants to be. He takes his music seriously and intends to win this competition, bringing the first prize back to Benue like Monica Ogah did in Season four. Didi Dimipre Kosu likes to be known as ‘Diddy’. He is 20 years old and an Engineering fourth-year undergrad at Niger Delta University. Diddy Kosu is playful and has his own style which he believes tends to stand him out from the crowd. He loves rock jazz and soul music and really loves to dance. At the slightest opportunity, Didi is likely to break into ‘Azonto’ – the now famous dance of Ghanaian origin which the young man seems to have mastered and given his own unique twist. Edward Edward is a 26 year-old and has being doing music and song-writing for a living since his college days. He has a little daughter and a girlfriend both of whom he loves very much. He says he’s a good guy but doesn’t smile much because his eyes have seen ‘too many things’ during the savage war years that besieged Sierra-Leone. Edward says he isn’t religious but is quite spiritual and is very connected to God. He certainly doesn’t see himself as a ladies’ man but is not averse to making new friends along the way, if they can accept him for who he is. Grace Grace Mark is a smallish twenty-four year old. Pretty-faced and with a chirpy speaking voice, she comes alive when she’s singing. Grace is from a large family – she has nine siblings and apparently, almost everyone in her home has a flair for music. She has come a long way since last year, when she reached the semi-final stage of the auditions, so she is determined to make this opportunity in the Project Fame Academy count. Joshua Joshua Owusu Effriyie is 20 years old, dark skinned, quite charming, and has a personality that draws you in. The young Ghanaian singer says he loves to eat, and therefore, loves to cook. He spends a lot of time in the kitchen but when he isn’t cooking up a delicious dish, he is really into video games and his music. Joshua plays the saxophone, the guitar and the keyboard and is a staunch Arsenal Football Club fan. Kemi Kemi is a 20 year-old ND-1 student of Federal Polytechnic, Offa – Kwara State. She grew up with her mother who is a fashion designer. Kemi is also a talented seamstress but unlike her mother, is yet to master the art of cutting design-patterns. Kemi loves singing and wants to take it to the highest height. She believes she picked up the talent from her father who used to sing and play several instruments during his lifetime. She knows she has a lot to learn and wants to lap up as much as possible from all the faculty memebers. Marvellous Marvellous Odiete is 33 years old. He is a graduate of the University of Ibadan. His father is a pastor and Marvellous sometimes works in the church’s music department. Marvellous has a very strong voice which he wants to learn to use better. Having done some studio gigs to earn a living, he believes it is time for him to take the bold step and do something really big with his talent, hence his participation in the competition. Marvellous says that despite his desire to win, he only sees himself as a competitive person, but not a desperate one and so he intends to do the best he can, take advantage of the platform which MTN Project Fame West Africa presents, and see where this takes him. Musulyn Musulyn Myers is a 19 year-old Liberian girl who likes to laugh a lot. Bubbly-spirited and sweet, Musulyn says she is kind-hearted and likes to put a smile on people’s faces. Musulyn is best friends with her mother but points out that it hasn’t always been that way. As a result of the war, she and her mum had to move to the United States of America when the young Musulyn was two years old and only returned three years ago in Musulyn’s mid-teens. Musulyn says that having grown into a young adult, she finds that she and her mother understand each other a lot more and so their relationship is tighter now than it ever was. She loves singing and dancing and also plays the keyboard. She hopes that the Academy will give her insights about how to develop her music career and significantly improve her abilities and wants to learn. Oyinkansade Akande Oyinkansade Akande, is a dark-skinned handsome young man with a calm demeanour and an air of wisdom around him. Oyinkansade knows what he wants and this isn’t a new trait of his. Always hoping to have formal knowledge of music, Oyinkansade felt that the stars shined on him when he finally got the opportunity to study music in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. He now has a diploma in Music and is happy to have made the choice to go for it when he did. He however feels that he doesn’t know enough about music to make a successful career of it and for this reason he hopes to go far in the Project Fame West Africa competition. Oyinkansade is south-pawed and plays the left-handed guitar. Sonia Obi Sonia Obi is a 22 year old student of Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution at the National Open University. She is social and likes to talk. She however tends to be pretty sensitive and emotional especially concerning her late mother whose ring she still wears as a keepsake. She loves to sing and gives it her best. While she admits her emotions are close to the surface she wants to do well in the Academy to make her mother proud. Tega Apochie Tega Apochie is a 22 year-old Delta State babe who has a non-identical twin brother Tejire. Tega loves singing but if she wasn’t following the path of music, she would like to try her hands at fish-farming. She has her own style fashion-wise and readily admits to liking attention. She has a distinct voice which she hopes can be trained to be outstanding. She is looking forward to the Academy as a growth experience in music, style and performance too. Joseph-Benjamin-and-Adora-Oleh-460×305
↧
WAEC withholds 112,000 results over examination malpratices
NIGERIA - The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) on Friday said it withheld the results of 112,000 candidates who sat for the May/June 2012 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Dr Iyi Uwadiae, Head of National Office of WAEC, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, said that the results were withheld over examination malpractices. “I want to say that these cases are already being investigated and the reports of our findings will be presented to the Nigerian Examinations Committee (NEC) of the council in due course for consideration. “The committee’s decision will be communicated to the affected candidates through their schools,” he said. Giving a breakdown of the results, he disclosed that only 1,672,224 of the 1,695,878 candidates who registered for the examination nationwide sat for it. He said that those who sat for the examination include 923,974 males and 748,250 females and that only 1,545,004 had their results fully released. Uwadiae said that a few subjects of 150,874 other candidates were still being processed, due to some errors mainly traceable to the candidates and schools in the course of registration or writing the examination. He disclosed that 771,731 candidates had six credits and above, 952,156 others had five credits and above while 1,107,747 had credits and above in four subjects. Uwadiae said that 1,246,729 had credits and above in three subjects and 1,380,596 obtained credits and above in just two subjects. The head of national office said a total of 649,156 candidates who sat for the examination obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics He said that out of the 114 blind candidates that registered for the examination, only 95 sat for it and 21 of them had credits in five subjects including English Language. He said that blind candidates were usually not allowed to take Mathematics and Science practicals. Uwadiae said that the performance of candidates was an improvement, compared to previous years. “This year’s results have shown an improvement on the 23.71 per cent of candidates who obtained credits in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics in a similar examination in 2010. “This year’s 649,156 candidates with that record, represented 38.81 per cent and I can say that this is a marked improvement in the performance of the candidates,” he said. Uwadiae attributed the improvement to the investment made by the current administration in the education sector, which he said, was in line with the transformation agenda. He urged candidates to check for the details of their performance on the council’s result website within the next 48 hours. (NAN)
↧
Nigeria’s VConnect takes 2 million SMEs to YouTube
History Made or History in the Making, whichever one you choose to call it, VConnect is making waves at the moment. As an Information Provider, Vconnect has recently connected two million Small and Medium Enterprises among other users operating in The Beginners System For Writing Funded Grant Proposals Nigeria on YouTube. VConnect had developed a video tagged: ‘VConnect Fever’ to encourage Nigerians to embrace the free localised search engine. The General Manager of the company, Mr. Deepankar Rustagi said this recently in Lagos that the new video had recorded a milestone and was fast becoming one of the most viewed videos on YouTube with over two million views within a week. He stressed that the ‘VConnect Fever’ video was conceptualised to further connect the users of search engines to the brand and reinforce the varied offering of VConnect to prospective users. He said, “the ‘VConnect Fever’ video upload on YouTube is designed to further carve a niche for VConnect brand as the largest local search engine and leading information provider for Nigerians, especially the teeming youth as well as SME’s, who make use of the portal to connect with those who need their product or services.” Rustagi stressed further that the VConnect Fever Video attempted to further drive home the unique selling proposition of VConnect as the first 24/7 tele-search service, providing product, service, business information to Nigerians. Also as part of the ‘Vconnect Fever Campaign,’ he said youths would get the opportunity to contest in a dance competition nationwide by uploading a video to demonstrate creative and unique dance steps to the connect song, after which an overall winner would emerge. As part of the viral marketing initiative to connect the ‘VConnect Fever’ song and video to the users, Rustagi said the company had recently organised a flash mob activation, in which a troupe of 100 dancers stormed the Silver Bird Galleria thrilling the crowd with happy dance steps.
↧
Dragons’ Den’s Doug Richard to help Nigeria business
UK businessman and former reality TV star Doug Richard has launched an initiative in Nigeria to help young entrepreneurs set up businesses. “There’s everything from web start-ups to snail farms going on,” he told the BBC’s Newsday programme. The former judge on the Dragons’ Den show said he hoped to help 1,250 people set up businesses in a scheme funded by the Nigerian and UK governments. The West African state is plagued by chronic poverty and unemployment. Mr Richard said his School for Startups would help young entrepreneurs in Nigeria to develop and execute business ideas. “Nigeria has the potential to be Africa’s entrepreneurial superpower,” he said. Mr Richard said he was looking forward to working in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country with some 160 million people. “It’s the single most diverse group of opportunities I shall ever see in my life,” he said. “I’m hoping that the vast majority of the 1,250 [people earmarked for training] start up businesses and that business is on the way to some kind of success.” He said the Nigerian government had set aside $50m to help entrepreneurs open businesses.
↧
↧
Top Actress, Omotola Jalade Gets Verified on Twitter
Nigerian celebs have continued to make themselves relevant in this jet age of technological advancements and social media craze. The latest gist is that Nollywood Actress, Omotola ‘Real Omosexy’ Jalade Ekeinde has joined the list of Nigerian celebrities like Genevieve Nnaji, D’banj, Asa, Nneka etc who now have their Twitter accounts verified.
↧
Beta, Speedstar to manufacturers PC for students
NIGERIA: There are indeed very strong indications that the market for locally manufactured personal computers in the country will soon get a huge boost as the minister of Communications and Technology, Omobola Johnson, at the weekend unfolded plans b Super Uniqe CB Product: Turnkey Real Estate Flyers Package y the Federal Government to partner with Nigeria -based indigenous PC manufacturers, including Beta Computers Limited, on a Students PC ownership scheme. Johnson gave this indication when she visited th Speedstar Computers brand manufacturing plant of Beta Computers Limited. She disclosed that the scheme was a public- private arrangement expected to equip Nigerian students, in tertiary institutions for the first phase, with notebook computers and relevant content and broad band connectivity needed to face the challenges of bridging the digital divide and emerging world knowledge economy. The minister who was excited by the motorised conveyor driven assembly plant of Beta Computers assured that the scheme when fully implemented would create thousands of jobs in the country for a lot of Nigerians who would be involved in not only the manufacture of the these computers, but also in distribution, sales and support of the deployed computers. Earlier in his response, the managing director of Beta Computers, Will Anyaegbunam was full of praise for the minister for conceiving the laudable scheme and the methodological way and thoughtfulness that is very evident in her approach to its implementation. He assured her that “We are ready to partner with the government on this scheme. We have the capacity to do that with our high quality Speedstar range of computers.” While commending the federal government on the scheme, Anyaegbunam identified negative perception as the major challenge indigenous brands face in the market today. This he said was inspite of the fact that there was no real difference in what foreign brands were doing in PC manufacturing and what the locals were doing . All the laptops contain the same Intel processors and motherboards and the chasis known as “barebones” come from the same top ODMs (Original Design Manufacturer’s) in Asia. He assured the minister that with Beta’s over 20 years’ experience in the ICT industry in Nigeria, Speedstar laptops offer the best value in the market for propagating the desired e-learning experience of Nigerian scholars at every level, which is part of the requirements of the 21st century knowledge economy. Anyaegbunam further said that their PCs products had been put through stringent quality tests which ensure the user gets the very best in performance, stability and compatibility, while providing excellent scalability and practical functionality for both home and enterprise computing demands. Speaking further on the students PC ownership scheme which will be launched later this year, the minister said it was expected to make personal computers available to students of tertiary institutions at affordable prices with the payment done in such a way that students may pay as little as N3, 000 every month over up to 24 months to own a laptop. While assuring the Board of Beta Computers represented by its’ chairman, Anthony Oboh, and two other directors, of government commitment in ‘Buy Nigeria’ goods, the minister said, “We are going to work with the banks. We will work out the payment structure so that no student runs away without adequate payment for the PC. We cannot continue to be consumers of foreign products. With our large student population, we will create demand for our local manufacturer’s with a level playing ground and healthy competition among them.” Omobola Johnson, who has been preaching buy Nigeria goods, assured that the present administration was committed to facilitating device penetration among Nigerians but lamented that only 10% PCs in use were locally manufactured. “What we are saying is that more devices will be pushed into the market through this scheme, so that local brands can create jobs for Nigerians. This is the only way to move forward and create captive market for local computer manufacturers.”
↧
Mast, Tower Users in Nigeria Urged To Adhere To Usage Directive
According to Nigeria’s Daily Trust reports, local telecom operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other operators that make use of masts, towers and base stations for service delivery have been urged to adhere to state directives regulating rx cialis low price the infrastructure. Lagos State Government urges telecoms, ISPs and other operators to adhere to mast, tower regulation. The report quotes Mr Joe Igbokwe, General Manager of the Urban Furniture Regulatory Unit (UFRU) as saying, “It has been more than a month since we made formal request to telecoms operators, banks and other builders of masts and base stations in Lagos to furnish us with the number of their structures in Lagos and addresses to enable us carry out integrity test on them and keep a database for record purposes.” According to Igbokwe, despite continued communication regarding the matter, the majority of telecoms operators in the state had not responded. UFRU has been established by the Lagos Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development to regulate activities of operators, specifically in the area of masts and tower installations writes The Daily Trust. Igbokwe has stated that the use of masts by telecoms operators, ISPs and banks reportedly constitutes the most signficant threat to lives and property – because the infrastructure has become defective through age and “does not have landscape worthiness.” He has warned institutions that fail to cooperate with UFRU monitors of the possible future involvement of law enforcement agencies. - AllAfrica
↧