THE Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, has charged marketers of Information and Communications Technology products in the popular Computer Village at Otigba, Ikeja to promote Nigerian brands at the market Johnson who gave this charge during her visit to the Ikeja Computer Village at the weekend, urged the marketers to support government efforts in promoting local content in the ICT sector by marketing and promoting local Nigerian brands. She observed that her tour of the market showed that the marketers were predominantly promoting foreign brands at the Computer village to the detriment of local brands. The ComTech minister reiterated the need for local brands of computers like Zinox, Omatek, Beta Brian, Veda etc to be marketed, the same way foreign brands are marketed. The minister, who was impressed with the potential of the market and number of shops, urged the marketers to use that potential to promote Nigerian brands. “My biggest disappointment is that there were not enough Nigerian brands in the shops I visited. We need foreign devices, but we also need local products from Nigerians on display in the market. I will work with the market association to ensure more of local products in the computer village,” the minister said. On the issue of congestion, Johnson said: “The market is very congested, and it is important that the Lagos State Government work with the association for possible expansion. The market is huge but it needs an environment that is quite appealing for people to transact business. This is not the Federal Government issue, it is the responsibility of the Lagos State Government to take it upon itself and expand the market.” She also assured traders of government’s commitment to grant zero per cent duty to all imported ICT products into the country, if the importers could prove that all Completely Knocked Down (CKD) ICT devices that are imported into the country, are used for product assembling. Areas visited in the market include Brian Integrated System, Slot Technology, Micro Station, MizBeach, IT World, Large Michaels Technology etc. In his remarks, Chairman of Slot Technology, Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo expressed the appreciation of the Computer village marketers to the minister. He stressed since the market was established, a minister of the Federal Republic was visiting the market for the first time to witness firsthand the opportunities and challenges in the market. He listed inadequate power supply, vendors of fake and substandard products, and market congestion as some of the challenges marketers are grappling with at Otigba. Ezeigbo urged the minister to use her good office to help sanitise Otigba. “We need government to help us sanitise the market by getting rid of traders who sell substandard goods, because their presence is creating bad image for the market. The market, he stressed, has great potential to boost the Nigerian economy. The minister has in the last couple of weeks toured the factories of major local computer brands like Zinox, Omatek, Beta and Brian Computers to further her local content initiative in the ICT sector. She unveiled the PC Ownership scheme for students, which will be launched later this year in a bid to make personal computers acquisitions for students in tertiary institutions stress free and more affordable. The scheme will allow students to pay as little as N3, 000 every month over a 24 month period to own a PC. In addition to increasing the percentage of device ownership amongst Nigerians, the scheme will also help create more jobs for Nigerians.
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Minister asks computer marketers to promote made- in- Nigeria brands
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Nigerian Senate blames poor telecoms services on sealing of base stations
THE incessant closure of Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) in the country by the National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency (NESREA) has drawn the ire of the Upper Legislative chamber, describing the exercise disturbing. The Senate had at a recent public hearing chided the agency for arbitrarily sealing base stations, which it has found to be contributory to the poor quality of telecommunications services in the country. The Senate is miffed over the refusal of the NESREA to unseal the 52 base stations which officials of the agency sealed in recent months in spite of the intervention of the lawmakers. The Senate Committee on Communications expressed worry over the inability of the Minister of Environment, and her Communications Technology counterpart to resolve the matter of sealing of base stations by NESREA within two weeks as promised during the public hearing to forestall the impact of abrupt closure of live base stations given its security and other implications. A staff attached to the Senate Committee on Communications said on Monday that the committee’s latest angst was precipitated by a media report credited to NESREA, that it has only sealed 22 base stations, against 52 submitted to it by the Nigerian Communications Commission, an act the Committee said was a ploy to discredit its work. The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Gilbert Nnaji, had during the meeting, categorically sought from NESREA if it has unsealed 52 Base stations allegedly sealed by its officials, to which the representative of NESREA, Mrs. Ronke Soyombo, who is the Director of Inspection and Enforcement under oath replied thus: “No Sir. Because most of them contravened the laws and we have about 39 of them in the courts, they are already in the courts, sir”. Her response was said to have drew flaks from a member of the Committee, Senator Ayogu Eze, who moved for a scheduling of an urgent session to resolve the matter between the NCC and NESREA because of the implication of the actions of NESREA that is now a major source of worry in the industry. “Your answer is not satisfactory. I don’t know the law that allows you to physically go and lock up a base station, or switch off a base station or lock it down. I think that quite a number of organisations are behaving from the throwback of the military era, and secondly, in the light of the report of the World Health Organisations, what is the basis of your actions”, he queried the NESREA official. He said: “What we are saying today is very fundamental because there has been a lot of arbitrary exercise of power, not just by NESREA but by lots of agencies in Nigeria and yet these same people, who behave in this manner, are the first to accuse the National Assembly and the politicians, and yet the little authority that you give to them, they get very tyrannical and apply power arbitrarily”. The Director of Telecom and Postal Services in the Ministry of Communications Technology, Mr. John Ayodele, who represented the minister, then urged the Senate Committee to give a chance to the Minister of Environment, and her counterpart in the Communications Technology, as they had already scheduled a meeting within a week of the public hearing to resolve all the issues related to indiscriminate closure of base stations by NESREA. “One of the recommendations for the meeting is that all base stations constructed before the advent of NESREA Act, will remain as they are as they were not built under that law and there will be no more powers to close base stations because the law says they will first go to court”, he said. The Committee is now said to be considering holding another public hearing to know why the two ministries have failed to resolve the matter while the controversy has continued to rage with the latest statement from NESREA which appears targeted at the Committee. Efforts to reach the Chief Press Secretary of NESREA, Sule Oyofo proved abortive as his telephone number was said not to be available as at press time. . But the Director of Public Affairs at NCC told The Guardian that there was no substantive information yet, but that the two agencies involved in the face off are still working to resolve issues. A senior official at the Ministry of Communications Technology also confirmed to The Guardian that the matter between the two ministries of Environment and Communications Technology on BTS closure would soon be resolved It would be recalled that at the first meeting of the two ministers, it was agreed that all base stations that met with NCC requirements of 5-meter setback be unsealed, rather, the NESREA insisted that the operators pay the fines before they are unsealed.
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Nigerian Farmers to get free mobile phones in 2013 — Minister
The Rockefeller Foundation is looking for ways to partner with Nigeria in the Agricultural sector.The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and the Ministry of Communications Technology have concluded plans to distribute 10 million mobile phones to small-holder farmers in 2013.Akinwunmi Adesina, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, disclosed this on Tuesday when Judith Rodin, President of the Rockefeller Foundation, led a delegation to his office in Abuja. According to Mr. Adesina, the phones will carry features such as information on climatic conditions, market prices of farm produce, extension workers and how farmers can access agricultural funds. He explained that this would be rolled into the second phase of the Growth Enhancement Support scheme. The scheme is a Federal Government initiative, aimed at subsidising the cost of major agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser and seeds. Under the initiative, the direct procurement and distribution of farm inputs to farmers is discontinued and supplies are expected to be done through an electronic distribution channel known as thee-wallet. The conditions of the e-wallet scheme stipulate that a farmer, registered under the scheme, is expected to pay 50 per cent of the cost of farm inputs, while the federal and state governments would pay 25 per cent each. “By that the farmers can get information on planting seasons. We cannot do that by newspapers, we need to have something they can relate with in local languages. “We will continue to build on the scheme. Right now we have only one company called Cellulant managing it. Nigeria is huge; so one company can’t practically cover the entire country. “We are going to have three more companies to join Cellulant to make it easier for farmers in the different parts of the country to access the e-wallet,” Mr. Adesina said. He condemned reports in some quarters that the e-wallet was too technical for farmers, adding that the scheme would soon be a “powerful tool” in the hand of the farmer. Mr. Adesina added that the ministry had also concluded plans to improve on the supply chain management from the suppliers to the farmers. He said that the ministry had gotten in touch with four companies, whose job would be to manage the supply chains. On the level of decline in foreign exchange on food import since the inception of the Agricultural Transformation Agenda, he said: “we are gradually reaping the dividends’’. “The result is not an instantaneous thing. It takes time to actually get the result. You plant and then you wait to harvest. “We can only measure the decline in foreign exchange on food import, as we move forward in the quest to bring agriculture back to its glory days,” he said. Earlier, Ms. Rodin said that the need to provide food for the entire population of the country is about building peace and unity. She described the agricultural innovation under the ministry as creative. “I recognised that climate change is impacting on some parts of Nigeria differentially in different locations. So the move to find solution to this problem is important,” she said. She noted that the Rockefeller Foundation is looking at how to support new innovations, ideas and applications in some sector of the country. The Rockefeller Foundation is one of the world leading philanthropic organisations. The foundation supports innovations to strengthen resilience risks and ensure more equitable growth around the world.
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Govt begins mega hospital projects in six zones
THE first major effort at setting up private sector-managed mega hospitals in Nigeria’s six geo-political zones was initiated by the Federal Government yesterday. Under the scheme, the government is giving the private sector the nod to mobilise resources to establish and manage the facilities in a selected state in the six zones. The projects are part of the government’s renewed attempt to bring affordable health services to Nigeria and check the exodus of the citizens abroad for medical tourism. At the inauguration of the panel to undertake the task yesterday in Abuja, the government said the committee headed by former United Bank for Africa (UBA) chief executive, Tony Elumelu and 19 other members drawn from the leading private hospitals in Nigeria, the African Finance Corporation would design a roadmap for unlocking private health entrepreneurship in Nigeria. The panel will also draw up an implementable plan for the Presidency’s vision of establishing at least one world-class private hospital in each of the zones before the end of the tenure of the present administration. Other members of the committee are officials of the Guild of Medical Directors, Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment, Federal Ministry of Finance and the Federal Ministry of Health. Health Minister, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu, who inaugurated the panel, tasked the members to conduct a critical analysis of low private sector investment in high-end specialist hospitals and medical diagnostic centres in Nigeria. They are also to identify and engage potential investors with a view to guiding them to develop business models and plans for the establishment of world-class hospitals in the country. The team will also look into and propose an accreditation scheme that would ensure full compliance with global best practices in the operations of the proposed facilities. Chukwu said: “As many of you have observed, tertiary healthcare services in Nigeria have been largely in the domain of the public sector. However, inefficiency in resource management and service delivery, and the ever dwindling financial resources per capita for the health sector have made it difficult for many of the government-owned hospitals to keep up with global best practices “The associated failure to provide high-end medical services in many instances coupled with globalisation has resulted in loss of patients to medical tourism with its attendant capital flight from the economy further worsening the economic situation in the country. In the circumstances, it is obvious that government alone cannot provide all the facilities needed to provide adequate healthcare services to the teeming population, now at 167 million and still expanding. These issues have been a source of concern to the President who in his transformation agenda for the health sector has decided to engage the private sector under different models of Public Private Partnership.” On his part, Elumelu stressed the need to ensure that the report of the committee does not go the way of previous ones, stressing that the panel would come up with implementable plans. He also called on the government to create a competitive environment for the businesses to strive. Representatives of the National Assembly at the event pledged the support of the two legislative chambers for the projects. The health sector has also received a boost from the Nigerian Navy, which has placed order for modern medical equipment for its hospital in Calabar. The equipment are expected in the country soon, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command, Rear Admiral Olufemi Ogunjimi, has said. He asserted yesterday in Calabar, Cross River State, that the era of Nigerians travelling abroad for medical treatment would not be the vogue when the equipment are installed. Ogunjimi spoke when the Chiefs of Abasi Obori Traditional Council, host community of the hospital, led by its chairman, Chief Effanga Asuquo Edet, visited him at the Eastern Naval Headquarters, Calabar. He said the hospital, which would attract medical experts from all over the globe, was modelled after teaching hospitals in terms of services and others. Ogunjimi explained that the Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) decided that the Navy should take over the hospital that was started over 30 years ago and abandoned as a result of changes in administration and some other logistic reasons. He disclosed that the CNS has mobilised resources for its completion. Ogunjimi explained that the Navy Clinic in Calabar would relocate to the abandoned hospital’s permanent site.
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LG Launches Innovative Battery Powered TV for the Nigerian Market
Tapping into the problem of perennial power outage in Nigeria, LG Electronics chose to introduce the world’s first battery LED TV into the Nigerian market. The novel LG LED TV called LG 32LS3800 Battery LED TV, though operates on electricity has a long lastingbattery that ensures TV viewing is not unnecessarily interrupted when in it is use.The TV is portable and easy to carry which makes it convenient for it to be moved from one place to the other it also have the in-built surge protector for long lasting durability and better performance against Power surge; the battery which comes in handy during power outages has a long battery life as it can last the duration of a football match. The General Manager, Home Entertainment Division, LG Electronics, Mr. Dave Shin said that the LG Battery TV has come to end the embarrassment faced by Nigerian TV viewers
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www.Joblistnigeria.com – Joblist Nigeria Company (Jobs in Nigeria)
Joblist Nigeria is the leading provider of online careers and recruitment resources committed to connecting individuals (employees) to organisations (employers). For Nigerians thinking about a new job, new career, or a new direction, Joblist Nigeria helps you explore the possibilities and find the opportunities that is right for you, with job updates on daily basis 24/7, so there will always be something for you. Jobs in Nigeria
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www.Jetheights.com – Jetheights Company (Jobs in Nigeria)
This is the official website of Jetheights, the Number 1 Jobsite in Nigeria that publishes the latest Job updates, Scholarship,Employment tips and career links in Nigeria & Africa. We are the Most updated Jobsite in Nigeria. Also read: www.Joblistnigeria.com – Joblist Nigeria Company (Jobs in Nigeria) Writers, Journalists and Guest Bloggers required at Technology-Africa.com Nigerian Universities: 2012/2013 Post UTME Screening Exercise (LASU, OAU, UNIJOS, UNN, UNIUYO, FUNAAB, UNICAL, FUTA ) THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA (CBN): MAY 2012 MASSIVE VACANCIES Nigeria’s No 1 Jobsite Launches Version 2.0 – Jetheights If you are a Nigerian, thinking about a new job, a brand new career, or a new direction, we help you explore the possibilities and find those elusive opportunities in Nigeria and Africa. To get the best from Jetheights, Register today, join several thousands of job seekers and harness the world of opportunities within this lovely site. Jobs in Nigeria
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www.Jobsnigeriana.com – Jobs Nigeriana Company (Vacancies in Nigeria)
Details of Jobs Nigeriana: Jobs Nigeriana is a website that publishes Jobs, careers and recruitment resources, we are committed to connecting individuals (employees) to organisations (employers). JobsNigeriana.com is NOT a recruitment agency, we are a specialist job board dedicated to providing Jobs for Nigerians and Africans alike, We allow small and large organisations to post Free job ads. Jobs in Nigeria
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www.nigeriagalleria.com: Nigeria Galleria Company
www.NigeriaGalleria.com is a Nigerian information portal featuring; Business directory, Jobs and Vacancies, Finance, Country Guide, News and Commentary, MarketPlace, Health and Lifestyle, Forums and much more… NigeriaGalleria is published by Galleria Media Limited RC 648403 (formerly New Dawn Inspiration Multi-Link Limited). Galleria Media Limited is a media and publishing company, publishers of Nigerian online directories and inspirational web content. MISSION STATEMENT TO PUT NIGERIA ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB. VISION STATEMENT TO BE THE PREFERRED ONLINE DESTINATION FOR INFORMATION ABOUT NIGERIA. Office: Address: Suite 213, All Seasons Place, 74 Isheri Road, By FRSC, Ojodu, Lagos, Nigeria. Phone: +234 1 7929774, 8132585
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www.vanguardngr.com – Nigeria’s No 1 Online Newspaper
Details: Vanguard Media Limited, publishers of Vanguard Newspapers was established in 1984 by Mr. Sam Amuka (a renowned, veteran journalist and columnist of the Sad Sam Fame. Sam Amuka was editor of Sunday Times and the First Managing Director of the Punch Newspaper.) He is from Itsekiri land in the present Delta State of Nigeria. The maiden copy of VANGUARD hit the news stands as a weekly on Sunday June 3rd, 1984 with the motto: Towards a better life for the People. It went daily on July 15, 1984. It aims to serve the people through unflinching commitment to free enterprise, the rule of law and good governance.
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www.etisalat.com.ng – Etisalat Nigeria Company
Etisalat was Established in the UAE in 1976, Etisalat has over its 32 years of experience, pioneered various innovative technologies in emerging markets and extended the reach of millions of subscribers globally. Vision and Mission Vision Etisalat’s vision is a world where people’s reach is not limited by matter or distance; a world where people will effortlessly stay in touch with family and friends; a world where businesses of all sizes can reach new markets without the limitations of distance and travel. Mission Etisalat’s mission is to extend people’s reach. Etisalat is actively developing advanced networks that will enable people to develop, learn and grow. It has been at the forefront of technological innovations, including a 3.75 network deployed in Egypt. In addition Etisalat owns majority shares in Thuraya, a leading provider of satellite telephony.
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www.GraduateJobs360.com – Graduate Jobs 360 Nigeria
Graduate Jobs 360 is one the many providers of Graduate Jobs in Nigeria, Careers and Recruitment Resources committed to connecting individuals (employees) to organisations (employers). For Graduates thinking about a new job, new career, or a new direction, Graduate Jobs 360 helps you explore the possibilities and find the opportunities that is right for you, with update jobs on daily basis 24/7, so there will always be something for you
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Software Company, Rancard deepens Nigeria’s mobile VAS market
Application and content developers in the country can now tap into Africa’s burgeoning mobile Value Added Service (VAS) market expected to generate revenues of over $11.5 billion by 2014. Rancard, a software company, focused on delivering brands to relevant mobile audiences across Africa, weekend opened up its platform to local content developers with lofty plans to unlock the opportunities here-in by assisting them Monetise their offerings. The company says it could also assist operators’ drive up non-voice revenues through cloud-based technologies. Industry analysts told BusinessDay, weekend that over the years there has been increased demand for VAS, but the ecosystem has remained a secondary focus for most operators. Considering the steady decline in telcos ARPUs (Average Revenue per User) with voice services accounting for the bulk of telecoms revenues, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are increasingly looking for feasible ways increase data revenues by delivering targeted content to their teeming subscribers. Rancard, backed by Intel Capital and Adlevo Capital Managers, LLC, a private equity fund manager focused on investments into technology-enabled businesses in sub-Saharan Africa, said it is poised to benefit from the growth in mobile data services. Intel Capital and Adlevo Capital had recently completed an expansion investment into the company, further positioning it to bridge the gap between content owners and mobile operators. Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, weekend, Kofi Dadzie, chief executive officer of Rancard noted that the VAS Company had since 2001 established itself as a trusted provider of cloud-based mobile software and services which Africa’s mobile operators are increasingly turning to. “As voice-based average revenue per user declines, telecoms companies are increasingly using our content discovery platform to profitably increase data revenues by delivering targeted content to their subscribers. We have developed a cloud-based social recommendations engine called ‘Rendezvous’, which maps connections among mobile users and ultimately uses this mapping of shared interests as a basis for recommending content to consumers.” Dadzie disclosed that Rancard intends to play a pivotal role in Nigeria’s cashless economy drive. “As a software company, we have built a platform that would enable content creators and owners of merchandise who are targeting mobile networks and mobile users to be able to talk to them regardless of which mobile wallet or m-payment solution they are using. Our software helps users connect to different licensed mobile wallets. In the same vein, Ehizogie Binitie, chief product officer, Rancard, pointed out that there exists huge opportunity for Nigerian innovation beyond the borders of Nigeria. “We are basically creating a conducive environment where the barriers for really smart Nigerians who are creating value everyday is significantly reduced.” He stated that the firm is uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between content owners and mobile operators and is poised to benefit from the growth in mobile data services. Giving some insight into why Intel Capital is investing in Rancard, Christian Morales, general manager, Europe, Middle East, Africa of Intel Corporation noted that the company provides a wide range of services that are well placed to meet consumers’ rapidly shifting demands, particularly as the market for cloud based mobile content grows. “The company provides a platform for mobile operators to connect with relevant audiences. Rancard is a company that has a promising future and as such we feel it could benefit not just from access to our capital, but also from our global network and technological expertise.” According to him, Rancard was indeed a perfect example of African entrepreneurs bringing world-class technology solutions to market.
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Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) plans to deploy 10,000km fibre link across Nigeria
Rural communities shut out of the global digital community will get respite in the next three years with respect to ubiquitous access to efficient and affordable broadband services. The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) says it has concluded plans to deploy its Backbone Infrastructure Project (BTRAIN) Pilot Project. BTRAIN is a 1000km-fibre backbone infrastructure project under which USPF and is providing subsidy to accelerate the build-out of backbone transmission infrastructure to all local government areas in Nigeria. A survey conducted by MTN revealed that over 850 villages had never had access to any form of telecoms services. Consequently, the federal government has designed a five year programme for the USPF to develop rural Information Communications Technology (ICT) connectivity across Nigeria. The USPF organised a one-day industry consultative forum in Lagos to provide stakeholders with an opportunity to make inputs and assist in properly defining the direction of the Fund’s activities in the next five years. Speaking at the event, Omobola Johnson, minister of communications technology who is also the Chairman of the Fund’s board revealed that the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 placed significant responsibilities on the USPF to not only facilitate universal access to communication and applications services, but to also promote greater social and cultural development in Nigeria. “The USPF’s role has never been more crucial as Nigeria is poised to create a broadband revolution, so the programmes considered by USPF could give our country the push it needs to become a truly digitized nation”, he noted. The USPF said it would drive increasing access to community-based data and voice service on a shared basis by establishing additional Community Communication Centres (CCC) across the country, embarking on Schools Access Project (SAP) and Tertiary Institution Project (TIAP), with the specific intention of subsidising the costs of providing internet services, ICT equipments to identified target population on a shared or individual basis. According to a draft management plan covering the next five years between 2013 – 2017 released by USPF, it also reviewed its projects over the last five years noting that it has covered considerable ground in some its projects including the Community Communication Centers (CCCs) planned to provide shared access to telephone and internet services in rural areas. USPF says it has subsidised a total of 224 CCCs across the six zones of Nigeria achieving 77 percent of their set targets of building 291 CCCs across the six geo-political zones across the country. The fund disclosed that it has implemented its Rural Broadband Initiative (RUBI) in 18 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to facilitate easier access to high speed internet. In her presentation at the forum, Yetunde Kanu, senior manager, management consulting, KPMG, consultants in the development of the USPF five year strategic plan, noted that the Fund would carry out relevant researches and studies to determine the market efficiency and true access gap within the country. “We will have a detailed mapping of ICT infrastructure in the country. Other outcomes of the study would also be the determination and quantification of the true access gap where the USPF may focus its interventions.” Highlighting some of strategic objectives of the USPF in line with its new strategic plan (2013 – 2017), Kanu pointed out that USPF would provide subsidies or other forms of incentives to telecommunications operators and eligible service providers to extend ICT transmission infrastructure to identified unserved and underserved communities across the country. According to the KPMG manager, the USPF would also explore opportunities to deploy a full suite of universal access and service initiatives to build utilisation and sustainability of ICT projects. “USPF will encourage community ownership of universal service projects and consequently, promote entrepreneurship in target communities”, she stated. In recent times, mobile network operators have expressed reservations about the lack operator buy-in in the implementation of USPF projects. According to them, there are no set targets and time- lines in terms of implementation. Osondu Nwokoro, head of regulatory affairs for Airtel told Business Day recently that, “There should be a list clearly stating and delineating those areas in Nigeria that are unserved or underserved, so that requisite funds could be delivered to them for the deployment of telecoms services. Rural telephony must be target and performance driven.” Abdullahi Maikano, secretary of USPF said that going forward the USPF would consult with key players in the telecoms industry to identify the barriers and issues which prevent the market from functioning effectively. Stakeholder recommended that the USPF makes provision for subsidizing ICT equipments such as laptops, mobile phones to promote the usage of ICT services deployed in target areas. - Businessdayonline
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Nigerians to hold e-conference about constitution amendment on Twitter
As the fourth review of the 1999 Constitution enters its critical stage, a group of Nigerians have decided to organise an e-conference seeking the participation of the vibrant online community in the country. The e-conference is hosted by the Youth Alliance on Constitution Review and according to the group, “it is imperative that citizens at all levels debate freely the content of the constitution review.” A statement by the Youth Alliance, claimed that “if the preamble of the 1999 constitution which begins with the phrase ‘we the people of Nigeria…’ must make any sense then the review process must not only ensure active citizens participation but it must guarantee that the outcome of the review process is a true reflection of the demands and aspirations of the people.” The group also noted that the constitution review process provides a unique opportunity to address several socioeconomic and political challenges confronting Nigerians and therefore calls every Nigerian that is active in the online community to join the conference.. “Now is the time for citizens to respond to this national call to address our daunting challenges and deepen our democracy process through constitution review” the group stated. The e-conference on Constitution Review is slated for Thursday, the 23rd of August 2012. It will between the hours of 3:00pm – 5:00pm. Leading the panel of participants will be constitutional lawyer and human right activist, Ayo Obe. She will be participating with the handle @naijama. Others are Japhet Omojuwa @omojuwa, Chude Jideowo @chude, Toyosi Akerele @toyosirise, Egghead Odewale @eggheader, Wale Ajani @waleajani. The Youth Alliance has enjoined Nigerians to follow the conference on @yacorng to participate at the e-conference. The official hash tag of the conference will be #youthCRV The Youth Alliance is an alliance of about 30 youth civil society organizations working together to facilitate inputs of young people in the process of constitutional review process through proactive and effective engagement with relevant stakeholders.
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Nigeria’s 14 Year old Teenager Starts His Own Company – Press Release
For Immediate Release August 21st 2012. NIGERIAN TEEN OPENS NEW COMPANY Fourteen-year-old Nigerian Teenager, Kanyinsola Sagoe announced today the creation of his business, Omia Group. The Group will contain three subdivisions, Omia Web Design Agency, which he launched today, Omia Rescue, an online computer repair firm and Omia Training, to teach the public about all that has to do with a computer. Kanyinsola is starting his own enterprise as a way to learn about business and supplement of his income. His short term goal is to raise enough capital to be independent (not having to collect a kobo from his parents). Kanyinsola’s long term plan is to expand his brand worldwide. Kanyinsola believes that creating a successful business is a great way to help not only himself but his community. For interviews with this young entrepreneur, please call +234 (0) 8039593226 or email him at kanyinsola.sagoe@omiaweb.com To view Omia’s Homepage go to www.omiaweb.com To publicize your business in Nigeria contact Ayo Alao (CEO of Technology Africa and Jetheights Services Int.) via our contact page above.
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Google commences online training for 500 Nigerian entrepreneurs
GOOGLE Nigeria has announced the commencement of the “Succeed Online” training series, in an effort to help Nigerian small and medium business owners make better use the Internet in reaching more customers and meeting their business goals. Bunmi Banjo, the marketing manager for Small Medium Enterprises products at Google Nigeria said that the goal of the Succeed Online training series was to educate small and medium business owners on crucial tips that would help them boost the impact of their online presence. In other words, while having a website gives businesses an opportunity to showcase their goods and services, they can further benefit from a comprehensive online presence which include good use of social media, listings, blogs etc. These tools are available to them at no cost. The “Succeed Online” training is an educational series by Google to help business owners understand how to manage a wide range of internet tools that can take their businesses to the next level. It is a part of the Get Nigerian Businesses Online programme (GNBO), launched in September 2011, which has so far enabled over 25,000 SMEs in Nigeria to build their own websites for free. The GNBO programme is a joint initiative by Google and partners such as Ecobank to help SMEs create their first websites and help them make the most of the opportunities offered by the Internet. See www.gnbo.com.ng for more information. Participants of the Succeed Online programme are current GNBO website owners, who have expressed interest in enhancing their online presence. Some of the other topics to be covered in these sessions are: ? How to use platforms such as Google Trader to list various products and services for immediate sale ? How to use social media and YouTube videos to interact with customers and get valuable feedback for improving their businesses ? How to use Google’s ‘Insight for Search’ to improve the content of their websites. While these sessions are currently offered to GNBO website owners only, many tips and tricks on improving websites and building an effective presence on the Internet can be found by doing a simple online search. - Guardian
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Nigeria Leads In African Internet Speeds
According to the latest State of the Internet report by Akamai Technologies Global Internet Platform, Nigeria has overtaken South Africa in terms of Internet speed – less than eleven years after reforming its communications networks and market. According to a report, Nigeria has overtaken South Africa in terms of internet speed. In the report it is revealed that Nigeria has an average connection speed of 322kbps with a peak rate of 5674kbps. But while South Africa’s average speed is faster at 496kbps, the country’s peak speed is only half that of Nigeria, at 2172kbps. “All mobile providers had average peak connection speeds above 2 mbps, though last place South African provider, ZA-1 was just above the threshold, losing over 13 per cent from the prior quarter, at 2.2 mbps,” the report stated. According to Leadership, “in 2011 South Africa was one of only two countries listed in the report with an average peak connection speed below 2 mbps. South Africa had average 442kbps over Nigeria’s 286kbps, however, Nigeria outperformed with peak 4871kbps and average 462mbps per month over South Africa’s 1654kbps and 197mbps.” The report also noted that speeds across the globe were improving, and that all 117 countries that qualified for inclusion measured an increase in average connection speeds. The gain in average speed however isn’t uniform, as Montenegro grew by 0.2 per cent to 2.8 mbps, while Libya measured a 75 per cent increase to 0.5 mbps. - ITNewsAfrica
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2Face Twitter Account Verified, Joins Omotola, D’Banj, Genevieve, Others
One of Africa’s finest stars, Innocent Idibia better known as 2Face has finally joined the few Nigerians that have their account with popular social networking site, Twitter verified. The twitter handle of this Africa Queen crooner ‘@2faceidibia’ now carries the ‘blue mark’ sign associated with accounts with verified users. 2Face has now joined the likes of D’Banj, Ice Prince, Dencia, Asa, Omotola, Genevieve and few others. Before now, many have wondered why the over 200,000 twitter followers’ music icon has not been verified on the micro-blogging site until now.
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Nigeria Has 37 Million Inactive Telephone Lines
Nigeria’s Communications Commission (NCC) recently revealed that the country has over 37-million inactive telephone lines on operators’ networks. The report detailed how inactive lines increased by 3.3-million above 33.6-million recorded in June. Nigeria’s Communications Commission (NCC) recently revealed that the country has over 37-million inactive telephone lines on operators’ networks. Data provided by the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) also said that while the network had 124,266,618 connected lines, only 99,474,080 of those lines were actively in use. That equates to 24,792,538 inactive lines for the GSM. “The mobile section of the Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) had 10,350,537 as against 13,802,905 connected lines and 3,452,368 active CDMA network users. Furthermore, the Fixed Wired/Wireless network with a total of 2,394,139 connected lines in July, had an active subscriber base of 449,010 with the number of unused lines at 1,945,129” wrote Nigeria’s Leadership publication. Combining the figures for active lines on the GSM (mobile), CDMA (mobile) and the Fixed Wired/Wireless networks, it actually showed an increase of 1,055,459, as it had 102,369,999 lines in June and 103,425,458 active lines in July. According to Leadership, “the GSM networks had an installed capacity of 181,160,659 to accommodate their 124,266,618 connected lines. The CDMA installed a capacity of 18,400,000 for the 13,802,905 while the Fixed networks installed 11,286,251 capacities for the connected 2,394,139 lines. Teledensity of Nigeria’s telecommunications industry climbed to 73.88 per cent in July, compared to 73.12 per cent in June.”
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