Category: Technology

The International Public Relations Association (IPRA) with headquarters in London has shortlisted PRNigeria, Nigerian Air Force (NAF) and National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as finalists for the Golden World Awards (GWA) 2023.

PRNigeria was shortlisted for its “Nigerian Ladies in PR” campaign, where female interns and staff are trained and tasked with promoting inter-ethnic relations, national unity, good governance, and gender equality. It involved public speaking, press releases, article writing, social media engagement, and book publishing.

The NAF was shortlisted for providing enablement for independent media reports and third-party news narratives on counter-insurgency operations. The reports and alternative narratives on the success of counterterrorism, widely used in the media, boosted citizens’ confidence and the morale of the troops.

The NITDA campaign was shortlisted, under Public Affairs/Government Relations Category, for deploying mainstream and social media, as a tech regulatory agency in countering misconceptions by educating the public on the benefits of its Code of Practice for Social Media and Online Platforms.

The campaigns of the three finalists were undertaken in partnership with a multi-award-winning Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), the Publishers of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential.

IPRA, the leading global network for PR professionals, aims to further develop the practice and open communication through networking opportunities, its code of conduct and intellectual leadership of the profession. With 60 years of experience, IPRA, recognised by the United Nations, is present in many countries worldwide.

The annual IPRA Golden World Awards (GWA), established in 1990, recognizes excellence in public relations in a variety of categories. An overall IPRA Grand Prix for Excellence is presented to the entry judged as representing the highest standards that year. The 2023 event will be held in Barcelona, Spain on October 20.

A Director in the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) Mr. Austin Sichinga, has identified the National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) as the government agency leading Africa’s technological growth and digital economy actualization.

Speaking when he led a working delegation from ZICTA to Abuja, the Information Communication Technology expert noted that NITDA has taken several steps in making the Nigerian ICT industry a model for other nations.

“NITDA has leapfrogged most African institutions that are into technology development in the continent. We have seen and acknowledged its development efforts in supporting ICT start-ups, and imparting relevant ICT skills on young minds.

“The agency has tremendously done well in terms of investing heavily in technology disruption in the Nigerian agricultural sector,” he said.

Read Also : ICT industry growing at 20%, says Minister

Sichinga explained that the delegation’s visit was to learn how ZICTA will also develop indigenous ICT technology for Zambia’s national progress, the way NITDA has been doing for Nigeria.

“There is a lot to be learnt from Nigeria, who has been on this path. Our mission is about learning from Nigeria on utilizing public infrastructure to promote and secure transactions in service delivery on the digital platform,” he added.

Responding, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the Director General of NITDA, underscored the need for African governments to forge a united front in achieving a strong digital economy for the continent.

The DG revealed that the Zambian delegation is the fourth to visit NITDA’s corporate office this year, after the visits by officials from Ghana, Kenya, and The Gambia to study Nigeria’s technological development drive.

“This means people, even from outside Nigeria, appreciate the modest efforts we have been putting to transform the digital economy space. Every country needs to attain digital sovereignty. Countries who are digitally independent will have the capacity to develop local technologies for their citizens’ consumption.”

NITDA has rejuvenated the working environment that conforms to 21st century ICT compliance, supporting tertiary institutions and the establishment of over 7,000 digital Economy Centres spread across various communities and secondary schools across the federation.

One of NITDA’s state-of-the-art facilities that attract international visitors is the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) that promotes research and development of emerging technologies, and their practical applications. It focuses on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and Drones, Internet of Things (IoT), etc.

With a modern digital fabrication laboratory (FabLab), the centre hosts boot camps for young children to make them conversant with emerging technologies. It also trains kids on AI, coding, digital communication, robotics and drones, embedded systems and IOT, virtual reality and 3D printing.

Foreign organisations are also fascinated by the Office for Nigerian Digital Innovation (ONDI), another special purpose vehicle (SPV) for incubating ideas and developing an enabling environment for startups. Through the ONDI, NITDA has supported over 250 startups leading to job creation and economic growth.

Apart from facilitated grants and seed funding, NITDA also supports startups by organising selection processes for their sponsorship of big tech events which included GITEX global event, LEAP Tech Conference, Intra-African Trade Fair among others where they won global awards and prizes.

An Engineer with Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA), Ibrahim Abdulmajeed, has bagged the Early Career Scientist Award at the 2023 Science and Technology Conference in Vienna, Austria.

NNRA is the Federal Government entity responsible for nuclear safety and radiological protection regulation in Nigeria.

The award was presented to Abdulmajeed at the end of the Science and Technology conference series, SnT2023 hosted by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO).

Abdulmajeed, who made a presentation on “Efforts, challenges and way forward for the CTBT entering into force”, is a graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria.

Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, and United States Department of Energy’s Under-Secretary for Nuclear Security and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Administrator, Jill Hruby, also made statements.

United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu delivered a video message, commending SnT2023 for “serving as a valuable opportunity for representatives to engage one another.”

The bi-annual event brought together over 2,000 scientists, technologists, academics, journalists, Member States as well as civil society representatives from around the world.

It focused on recent advancements and methods in nuclear-test-ban monitoring, on-site inspection, and the diverse civil and scientific applications of the data collected by CTBTO’s global monitoring system.

The organization was set up in 1996 with its headquarters in Vienna. It is tasked with building up the verification regime of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty ahead of its entry into force, as well as promoting the Treaty’s universality.

Indigenous luxury wristwatch brand, Bay Ice, has entered the market with its latest, Spacecraft, a collection of super-luxe watches.

Founder of Bay Ice, Azeez Olatunji stated that Spacecraft is not the regular run-off-the-mill watches portraying false luxury.

According to him: “Bay Ice Spacecraft is a super-luxe watch miles ahead of competition, carefully designed and handcrafted with selectively chosen components.  It is equipped with a VH63 sweeping movement, easily replaceable leather and rubber strap complete with 5ATM water resistant, sapphire glass and luminous hands and hour maker.”

He explained further the product comes with a robust 316L stainless steel case  that withstands the toughest challenges while exuding a bold, edgy, and futuristic design. 

“Other highlights include varieties. It is available in eight stunning colour-ways, and can be found in-store and online at a friendly price. It’s an affordable luxury that’s crafted to add glamour and upgrade people’s taste level”, Olatunji stated.

With huge presence also in Toronto and Canada, the brand has continued to push for global domination in the fashion world. 

Best known for its range of luxury fashion products including Bay Ice Rover Sunglasses and a host of the most collectible watches, it has continued to grow in leaps and bounds.

The brand has successfully wormed his way into the heart of many Nigerian celebrities including Afrobeat superstars, Davido and presently in a partnership deal with Bay Ice and Wizkid who is always spotting Bay Ice Rover Sunglasses. 

Bay Ice has carved an enviable niche as one of the most sought-after luxury watch brands in Africa. With thousands of its wristwatch customers around the world, the luxury watch brand is on its way to global prominence.

PressOne Africa has introduced a solution: Call Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is an innovative AI-driven tool that analyses customer calls in real time. 

The solution allows businesses to instantly detect and swiftly address customer grievances.

“Small businesses are pivotal to our economy, and equipping them with growth-enabling tools is vital,” Mayowa Okegbenle, Chief Executive Officer of PressOne Africa said. 

Before Call AI, businesses solely relied on call notes and missed out on understanding unsatisfied customers who ended calls unresolved.

With PressOne Africa’s Call AI, businesses can utilise the advanced technology to translate customer sentiments into actionable insights, fostering customer loyalty and catalysing revenue growth.

Read Also: Artificial Intelligence boosts loan access to FastCash customers

PressOne Africa’s Call AI seamlessly integrates into the PressOne cloud-based phone system and is also available as a stand-alone solution. 

This flexibility, Okegbenle said, ensures businesses, regardless of their existing setups, can leverage the benefits of real-time customer insights.

“Utilising our technology, small business owners can keep a pulse on their customer sentiments, without needing to be in the office,” Unoma Adeyemi, Co-founder of PressOne Africa added.

Adeyemi listed the benefits of PressOne’s Call AI solution including: Instantly understanding what your customers are saying to the team during calls so that the problem could be fixed right away to ultimately boost sales and retention rates.

Digital threats are ever-increasing in our highly connected world. To arm individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to combat these challenges, Hagital Consulting has announced an intensive six-month cybersecurity training programme from Monday, July 3.

Hagital’s initiative represents a significant stride toward fostering an environment of digital safety and awareness.

The online training is aimed at enhancing individuals’ ability to protect computer systems, networks, and digital information from unauthorised access, damage, theft, or other cyber threats. Cybersecurity is essentially about implementing measures that ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information in cyberspace.

A spokesperson from Hagital Consulting said: “Our classes are ideal for the working class as they take place in the evening at 7 PM, three times a week – Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Each session runs for two and a half hours and all sessions will be recorded for future reference.”

Considering the varying skills and interests of individuals, the course offers an understanding of both technical and non-technical paths in cybersecurity. This comprehensive approach ensures a broad spectrum of job opportunities are available to students after the training.

Read Also: Cybersecurity experts task govt on secured cyber systems 

After completion of the training, students can enter various roles, including Incident Responder, Threat Intelligence Hunter, Junior Penetration Tester, Security Operations Center (SOC) Analyst, Cybersecurity Engineer, Security Auditor, and Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Analyst.

“The goal of our training isn’t just to impart knowledge; we aim to create industry-ready professionals,” said one of the tutors who boasts a 17-year experience in the cybersecurity field. “Hence, we have incorporated employability readiness training, which includes interview preparation, CV revamp, LinkedIn optimisation, and Upwork mastery into our curriculum.”

The team of tutors at Hagital Consulting bring extensive experience to the table, with individual experiences spanning seven, five, and seventeen years in the cybersecurity field. With their deep knowledge and practical know-how, they are set to equip their students with the skills required to navigate and combat the evolving landscape of digital threats.

This training represents a significant opportunity for individuals looking to break into the field of cybersecurity or enhance their existing knowledge and skills. The blend of technical and non-technical cybersecurity paths, coupled with the addition of employability readiness training, makes this programme a comprehensive approach to tackling the cybersecurity challenges of today and the future.

Abbas Abdulazeez

While he held sway as the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, between 2019 and 2023, Prof. Ibrahim Isa Ali Pantami was the target of malicious attacks by persons who have an axe to grind. It appears they are not done yet, even after he bowed out with unrivalled achievements.

Recently, there was a futile attempt to discredit his feat regarding the passage of the NITDA Bill. An article, titled “Telecom: How Gbajabiamila saved Nigeria from Pantami’s curious Bill”, highlighted some issues that manifested the author’s ignorance about the legislation.

It would be recalled that in March 2021, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi proposed the realignment of the agency’s Act with “tenets and ideals of the fourth Industrial Revolution” and Nigeria’s Digital Economy Policy.

On 30th August 2021, the Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations, Hadiza Umar, who urged IT stakeholders to participate in the 2007 Act re-enactment, clarified that the agency was not seeking to regulate the telecoms industry nor operators, but to promote the development of the sector.

The NITDA bill seeks to introduce a licensing regime for IT operators and the digital economy. It empowers the agency to issue regulations, approve renewal, suspension or revocation of licenses, provide conditions that promote free market operation and competition, among others.

After studying the draft NITDA Bill 2021 and NCC Act 2003, 2007, I make bold to state that there is no basis for anyone to think otherwise but the critics are determined to pursue a sinister agenda. Detractors attempt to hide facts in plain sight but have failed to explain the purported clash of NITDA and NCC mandates.

The authority of NCC is derived from the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 (NCA 2003) signed into law by President Olusegun Obasanjo on July 8, 2003 after National Assembly’s approval. It applies to the provision and use of telecommunications services and networks, including on ships and aircraft registered in Nigeria.

Read Also: Gwarzo supports PRNigeria’s books as Pantami advocates diversified economy

It is important to point out that the laws that guide and enable the operations of the commission include NCC decree 75 of November 1992, the National Telecoms Policy (NTP) 2000, (under review), the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1990, and the Nigerian Communications Act 2003.

The NCA 2003 would facilitate telecom investment and entry into the market; protect the rights and interests of service providers and consumers; manage and deploy state-owned assets; ensure quality telecoms services, and advise the minister on the formulation of policies and other matters.

In a nutshell, one can understand that the key function of NCC is to regulate and oversee the country’s telecom industry. Therefore, Pantami should not be the target of abuses for no other reason other than his resolve to leave the digital space in Nigeria better than he met it. And he did.

NCC’s Vice Chairman, Professor Umar Garba Danbatta, a loyal and trustworthy public officer, appreciated the ex-minister’s efforts in the digital economy and at different times praised his actions and utterances. So why the brouhaha now that he is no more in the saddle?

Pantami came up with innovative ideas that expanded the digital space to accommodate more young citizens who would have been jobless, putting Nigeria’s digital economy on the global map. During his tenure, the ICT sector contributed 18.44 percent to the country’s GDP, the highest ever.

Also, apart from securing the approval and supervision of the distribution of 6,000 iPads to educational institutions to promote virtual teaching, learning and other scholarly activities, Pantami secured a partnership with Microsoft to train five million Nigerians in ICT and emerging technology courses.

The professor also sealed a partnership with Huawei that led to free training for over 30,000 Nigerians and the establishment of 300 ICT Academies. Another cooperation with KOICA attracted $13million aid to boost digital governance in the second phase of the e-Government Project.

Others are the implementation of broadband connectivity, reinvigoration of the digital economy sub-sector, implementation of a Digital Identity Programme, implementation of the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy, digitization of government processes, 4G deployment and the launch of 5G network.

The stuff of career attackers is to hit below the belt when their target is no longer in office. But a lie is a lie irrespective of when it is being told, who is telling it, or how often it is relayed. Whether disparagers accept or not, posterity will be kind to Pantami.

Abbas Abdulazeez writes from Federal Housing Lugbe, Abuja.

YouTube on Thursday reaffirmed its commitment to amplify Black voices in Africa with a two-day event in Nairobi, Kenya to celebrate the 2023 #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund grantees and allow them to connect, network and collaborate with other creators.

Over 100 Black creators from around the world took part in the celebrations in Kenya, which also highlighted the impact that the YouTube Black Voices Fund has had since its launch. Created in 2020 with the purpose of investing in talent and presenting fresh narratives that emphasise the intellectual power and authenticity of Black voices, the programme has helped over 500 creators and artists grow their channels and their audiences.

The #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund has been an opportunity to both celebrate and cultivate Black artistry around the world and forms part of the platform’s commitment to supporting Africa’s creative ecosystem. YouTube plays an essential role in the discovery and development of African culture and the fund takes this a step further by equipping up-and-coming Black creators, artists, songwriters and producers with the resources to succeed on its platform.

Read Also: MTN, TuneCore YouTube, others partner for music celebration

YouTube Managing Director of Emerging Markets, EMEA, Alex Okosi said: “When we announced the $100 million fund to amplify Black and African voices and perspectives on our platform, we wanted to create a space where Black people can share their own stories, in their own voices, with the world. The fund has, in many ways, created opportunities to amplify, celebrate and cultivate Black artistry for a global audience. 

“Being a part of the BVF programme Class of 2023 has literally changed my life. I moved from creating content in a room that I used to share with my sister, to getting my own space. I was also able to get better filming equipment like ring lights and tripods, I needed to increase the quality of my videos,” says Nigerian creator Osereme Egbor of Styleby Reme.

In addition to funding, creators also received one-on-one mentorship and classes on how to grow their revenue.

Kenyan creator Wongel Zelalem said the classes were very helpful adding, “I was given a strategic manager who was dedicated to helping me and giving me solutions to my problems. That was something that I didn’t know I needed in my life”.

South African creator Thato Rampedi says “YouTube Black has taught me a whole lot of things about how to be a really good creator.”

The growth of these creator channels has been tangible on the continent. YouTube data as of December 2022 shows that in South Africa, the number of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (ZAR) has increased by over 30 percent year on year . In Nigeria, the percentage of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (NGN) increased by over 15 percent, year on year; while in Kenya, the number of YouTube channels making 100k or more in revenue (KES) has increased by over 25 percent.

In addition,  in Nigeria, over 45 channels have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 50 percent, year on year. In South Africa, 25 channels reached the 1 million subscriber mark , an increase of over 30 percent, year on year, while in Kenya, over 14 channels have more than 1 million subscribers, an increase of more than 110 percent.

Beyond the Black Voices Fund, YouTube is committed to continuing to prioritise and centre Black creators, artists and content through programs, initiatives and improvements to the platform.

“We’re committed to ensuring that Black creators from Africa and around the world find a home on YouTube, and we are investing in strategic partnerships with culturally relevant organisations to ensure that we are able to reach and help even more creators and artists,” Okosi says.