The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICT

  • ‘ICT is catalyst for growth’

    Information Communication Technology (ICT) is a tool for sustainable economic development and knowledge advancement, says Chief Executive Officer of Zinox Technologies Limited Chief Leo-Stan Ekeh. He was speaking at the third International Conference on Science and Technology organised by the School of Technology of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH).

    The event with the theme: Information Communication Technology for economic development, was held at the 700-seater SMBS auditorium. It was anchored by the institution’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Olanrewaju Kuye.

    The conference, according to the organisers, was aimed at stimulating solutions to developmental challenges facing the nation using ICT.

    In his paper titled: Role of ICT in national economic development, Ekeh described digital age economy as an economy driven by technology and innovation. Ekeh, who was represented by Mr Dave Ibegu, Managing Director of Yudala, a leading online store, said digital age had made the Information Technology Domain (ITD) the battle field of all human activities.

    He said: “The paradigm shift and change management scenario dictates that we must first undertake, understand and master the ecosystem of small structures as imperatives for a spin-off to medium and large scale institutions. It is not the disconnected structures of government that are at the centre of the core challenge of the inefficiency in government. Rather, it is the abysmal missing link between existing small entities of government structures and robust technology, mechanisms and skill-sets required to interface, integrate, measure and control their mandate, functions and operations to efficiently achieve set goals.”

    To enhance the potential of education and strategically reposition the economy, Ekeh said government needed to consider ICT as a tool to achieve the aim.

    In his address, the Rector, Mr Samuel Sogunro, said the importance of ICT to economic growth had become a discourse among scholars in the last few years. He said the conference would come up with current data and results of research to guide policy formulators and government agencies into taking necessary action for improved ICT impact in the country.

    The Dean, School of Technology, Mr Olumide Metilelu, expressed hope that the conference would come up with a communique that will unleash the nation’s potentials in ICT.

  • Shittu: Federal Govt to release ICT blueprint next month

    Shittu: Federal Govt to release ICT blueprint next month

    A new blueprint for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry will be out in January, the Minister of Communications, Adebayo Shittu, said yesterday.

    In a statement in Lagos, he said the blueprint would transform and make the ICT industry a new cash-cow for the economy.

    “By the grace of God, in mid-January, I will be addressing the country on the blueprint for ICT development.

    “We have been receiving a lot of input from stakeholders across the country and from Nigerians in the Diaspora; some of which will form part of the details of the blueprint.

    “We have set up two days to do a retreat in Kaduna State in January after which the blueprint will be out.

    “Certainly, what you should be assured of is that you have a new minister, who is passionate about development.

    “A new minister, who does things the way they should be done, with a view to developing optimally the sector to generate a lot of employment in the economy,’’ he said.

    The minister said the planned ICT blueprint would bring about training and retraining of major experts and consequently, generate more revenue for Nigeria.

    According to him, government wants to put an end to the dependence on oil, even with the dwindling resources coming through oil.

    He assured stakeholders that the Federal Government would continue to encourage local investment in the ICT sector to enhance growth.

  • NCC, Ebonyi train 1000 youths in ICT

    NCC, Ebonyi train 1000 youths in ICT

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Ebonyi State Government have trained over 1000 youths of the state in Information Communications Technology (ICT).

    The training programme which held at the Akanu Ibiam International Conference Centre was organised by the Global Youths Awareness and Development Initiative (GYADI), a non-governmental organisation.

    The Executive Vice Chairman of the commission, Professor Umar Dantata at the event stressed the need for youths to be formally trained in ICT to enable them play active role in the emerging digital economy.

    Prof. Dantata said  that countries such as China, Singapore and Germany are recording high human development index and appreciable growth in gross domestic product as a result of unlimited access to Information Communications Technology provided to their citizens.

    Represented by a Deputy Director in the Commission, Mr Austin Odo, the Vice Chairman stressed that if Nigeria would join notable sustainable economies in the world there was the need for government at all levels to invest aggressively in ICT development.

    The President of the GYADI Prince Ejighionwu Ebei who described it as first of its kind in the state said it was packaged as capacity programme to encourage ICT proficiency literacy among the Ebonyi youths.

    “The youths who are the most valuabe human resources, the most agile and a critical demographic group of the nation needs to be incorporated in all developmental facets that will trigger sustainable national development,” he said.

    He noted that the training will create job opportunities for the teaming unemployed youths and improved Internally Generated Revenue of the state with accelerated increase in the Gross Domestic Products of the state.

    Earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Umahi on ICT, Prince Aja Nwabueze said the state government had partnered with federal government agencies including NCC on ICT.

    Prince Ajah explained that the participants would be trained on web design, networking, internet marketing and Graphic design.

    He disclosed that the participants were carefully selected from the thirteen local government areas of the state.

    Governor David Umahi represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Bernard Odo while declaring the event open announced plans by his administration to phase out blackboard in schools for e-learning facilities as part of a road map for ICT development in the state.

    Some of the participants appreciated the Nigerian Communications Commission and the state government for organizing the summit but called for the provision of free internet services in some public places.

    About one thousand youths participated in the summit which was the first of its kind in the state.

    The theme of the summit was refocusing talented Ebonyi youths for sustainable national development in training and capacity building through ICT.

  • Expanding the frontiers of ICT

    Expanding the frontiers of ICT

    The African Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS) of the University of Ibadan (UI) has marked its 25th anniversary. Its founding fathers were honoured at the event. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI reports.

    Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITOA) Executive Director Peter Jack has said.

    Delivering a keynote lecture at the University of Ibadan (UI) to mark the 25th anniversary of the institution’s African Regional Centre for Information Science (ARCIS), he said ICT could create jobs and wealth to improve societal wellbeing.

    Jack, represented by Rev Sunday Afolayan, spoke on: Emerging dimensions and issues in Nigeria’s ICT Space: Progress, challenges and prospects.

    He explained that the 21st century economy is powered by information technology, adding that any nation that craved for economic growth must explore ICT.

    Noting that the Information Technology had opened doors of opportunities for the jobless, Jack said the Federal Government had tapped into the opportunities to make the nation Africa’s ICT hub.

    In his address, the ARCIS Director, Dr Wole Olatokun, said the Centre was founded to train manpower in ICT research, networking, content creation and advisory services. He said ARCIS had been trying to live up to its mandate by playing no small role in promoting academic excellence and research in line with its vison.

    Olatokun promised the Centre’s commitment to finding solutions to ICT challenges.

    Speaking on behalf of the chairman of the event, Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, Prof Abiodun Ojo, the Provost of College of Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), described ARCIS as a center of excellence, noting that its impacts in the ICT world could not be quantified.

    “Marking 25 years in any establishment is a great feat. The success of ARCIS is owed to its founding fathers, who laid good foundation for the Centre to truly excellence in ICT,” he said.

    With the world becoming a global village, Ojo said the use of information technology remained pertinent, adding that any nation that failed to join the trend could be isolated for years. He said the celebration came at a period the nation transcended into the global system of information technology.

    In his goodwill message, former UI Vice-Chancellor (VC), Emeritus Prof Ayodeji Banjo, said that ARCIS was established at a time when computer revolution was about to take off in Nigeria, observing that the Centre was part of the nation’s success story in ICT.

    The event was attended by Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Samuel Odulana; Acting VC of UI, Prof Ambrose Emilolohun, and Prof Ayodele Falase, a former VC of the university.

    The event also featured award, exhibition and alumni homecoming. Aare Babalola was honoured as the most distinguished educationist and legal mentor par excellence, while Professors Banjo and Wilson Aiyepekun were honoured for their efforts to put the Centres on good foundations in its founding years.

  • Sokoto agency trains 7,560 in ICT in 17 years

    Sokoto agency trains 7,560 in ICT in 17 years

    No fewer than 7,560 people have gained Information Communication and Technology (ICT) training from the Sokoto Education Development Trust Fund (SEDTF) in the last 17 years.

    Its Board of Trustees Chairman, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, said this at the opening of a three-week Computer Training Programme for 88 civil servants drawn from the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies in Sokoto, State.

    The Second Republic President, who was represented by former Minister of Commerce, Alhaji Idris Koko, said SEDTF considered it imperative to assist civil servants gain computer education.

    “The SEDTF is assuring the state government of the continuous intervention along this line for the benefit of state civil servants,” Shagari said.

    Sokoto State Head of Service, Alhaji Bature Shinkafi, described the training by the fund as a milestone geared towards manpower development.

    He noted that the training would make the civil service more vibrant in tune with global best practices.

    “It will enhance efficiency and ultimately encourage productivity. Discipline and work ethics will also be projected for good governance which the civil service is in dire need of. It will also bolster transparency, accountability, relations with the public, electronic-governance and electronic-administration, among others,” he said.

    Shinkafi also praised the state governor, Aminu Tambuwal, for prioritising training of all cadres of civil servants, within and‎ outside Nigeria.

    Delivering a lecture, Prof Zayyanu Umar, Dean, Post Graduate School, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, noted that the knowledge of computer was key to the development and overall progress of the society.

    ‎Represented by Dr Sani Ibrahim of the Political Science Department of the institution, Umar said, “Even developed countries of the world have continued to make computer literacy a matter of immense national importance.”

    Meanwhile, a board member of the fund, Senator Mukhtar Abdulkareem urged participants to regard themselves privileged.

  • FG, Lagos trains 1000 unemployed youths on ICT

    FG, Lagos trains 1000 unemployed youths on ICT

    The Federal Ministry of Communication Technology, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Rockefeller Foundation has trained about 1000 unemployed youths in Lagos State on IT Digital Entepreneurship Skills.

    A statement signed by Mr. Olufemi Odubiyi, Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, in Lagos on Tuesday urged the youths to utilise the privilege to become self-employed by improving their skills and become fully committed to micro-working.

    According to the statement, the workshop should not be seen as mere propaganda, but a commitment from government to curb unemployment, urging the participants to get the best out of the workshop, by joining in the new phase of work and moving online.

    It noted that the commissioner appealed to the participants, who were drawn from all over the state, to ensure that they internalized the new opportunity offered them to become employers of labour.

    “The training session which was held in five batches of 200 participants each, was meant for Ordinary National Diploma (OND) graduates with basic computer knowledge on how to expand their knowledge about online work, which will serve as a source of income for the job seekers,’’ it said.

    The statement said that the participants, upon completion of the workshop, were expected to be well grounded in graphic design, programming, instructional designs, web designs, report writing and proof reading.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the opening ceremony took place at the Lagos state Digital Village in Alausa, Ikeja on Monday, Nov. 30

  • Ensuring sanity in the ICT sector

    Information and communications technology is central to all forms of social and economic development in contemporary times. They have significant influence on social, educational and commercial activities round the clock and across the world. The ICT age is about using knowledge to make a difference. The knowledge economy relies on the sustainable exploitation of ICT in all its facets.

    Developing countries are beginning to exploit ICT in order to enable them participate meaningfully in the global economy which is rapidly migrating to the digital platform. The use of information in the workplace, in the provision of public services, and in the conduct of

    commercial activities and basic communications are fast becoming virtual, non-personal, remote and ubiquitous. This is the age of information.

    By addressing needs that include poverty eradication, improved healthcare, wealth creation, job creation and education, ICT has become an essential requirement for competition, survival, and progress. In today’s world, weak or inadequate ICT availability means

    less efficiency in capacity utilisation, which translates to underachievement and underdevelopment.

    In other words, societies without ICT resources and infrastructure are disadvantaged in the 21st century world. Nigeria has developed national ICT policies aimed at building a knowledge based economy in order to ensure that citizens derive maximum value from the sector.

    Courtesy of this effort, Nigerians have joined the global ICT mainstream with more than 100 percent mobile phone penetration and about 93 million connections to the internet.

    It seems not to matter that Nigeria still imports almost 100 percent of all its IT requirements. The best effort at local production of some ICT facilities comes from the assemblage of imported components.

    However, cheaper imports from Asian countries such as India, South Korea and China are giving local producers assemblers a stiff challenge. This is discounting the large army of middle class and high-end users who go for first rate, even if expensive products from

    Canada, Europe and America.

    Notwithstanding the “rebasing” of the economy conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics and declared by the Ministry of Finance in 2014, Nigeria is the second largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after South Africa. It is one of largest producers of crude oil and has enormous natural gas reserves, arable agricultural lands, solid minerals and a developing private sector. It is also quickly catching up with other countries in ICT development. It terms of sheer volume, Nigeria’s ICT market surpasses competition in the continent and only takes second or third place when it comes to technical efficiency.

    Developments in the sector since 2001 have led to tremendous growth in social, economic and commercial activities, including employment generation. Since the GSM launch, mobile telephony has rapidly become the most popular means of communication in Nigeria. The telecom sector has also become the largest generator of Foreign Direct Investment

    (FDI) with significant contributions to GDP. Estimated investments in the sector since 2001 are at over $32 billion and still counting.

    The drastic changes in the telecom situation in Nigeria have had a serious impact on private and public sectors and even in governance, administration and policy implementation. In social and commercial activities, there has been a slow, subtle, but almost imperceptible migration from the reliance on cyber cafes to self-sufficiency, as many people acquired the capacity and resources to independently surf the cyberspace.

    E-commerce and e-payment initiatives have given rise to various payment solutions including automated teller machines, POS terminals, mobile and internet banking services, online bill payment solutions, etc. The ability to facilitate large volume transactions without the use of hard currency cuts down on the chances for crime, and helps the government’s effort at tackling financial crimes and corruption.

    In recent times, Nigeria has been consolidating on its achievements in the sector through the enactment of legislation to provide legal protection and security for the sector. The passage of the Cybercrime Prevention Act is a case in point. With increased awareness and application of ICT in public and social life, different forms of phone and computer-related crime have surfaced. It is therefore important to enhance the information security environment to instil confidence in digital or online transactions and activities. The cybercrime law is the first step to providing such security and deterrence.

    It is a positive step that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) does not take its responsibilities lightly. Under the headship of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, there is concerted effort to collaborate with the security agencies by having a reliable database of ICT users through ensuring they are all biometrically registered. In the past few weeks, network operators have come under pressure and a regime of fines for keeping unregistered subscribers on their platforms.

    With such a bark and bite, it is to be expected that soon, phone scammers and other criminal elements littering the cyber environment will scamper into hiding, or better still, give up completely on their nefarious activities.

    • Ikwuagwu is a cyber security analyst based in Lagos
  • Harnessing ICT for growth

    Harnessing ICT for growth

    National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Community Development Service (CDS) group have organised a conference to equip youths with skills to make them self-reliant. PHILIPS OGBAJE (NYSC ABUJA) reports.

    In the age of innovation and technology, how can graduates tap into the opportunity offered by Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to achieve self-reliance and contribute to national development? This was the aim of the ICT Youth Initiative Conference held in Abuja last Tuesday.

    The event was organised by the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members of the ICT Community Development Service (CDS) group. It was held at the main auditorium of the National Universities Commission (NUC). The  theme was: Harnessing emerging technology to advance national growth.

    At the event, the chairman on the occasion and Vice President of Abuja Graduate School, Dr Joe Ikoli, decried what he called “follow-follow attitude” of the country on technology, noting that Nigeria consumes everything in technology but produces nothing in return.

    “Whenever we talk of emerging technologies, we talk of technologies of other countries driven by their national interest and agenda. What about our home-grown technology? What technology have we developed to address specific national needs?” he queried.

    He posited that the only way to reverse the trend of unproductive use of technology was for the government to rethink the nation’s technological engagement. He called on policymakers to review curriculum of higher institutions to reflect the technological needs of the country.

    In his address, CDS coordinator, Mr Ikenna Ogu, hailed NUC Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okogie, for allowing the group to hold the conference in the commission’s premises free of charge, noting that the event was being held at the right place.

    He said CDS group was established because of the need to change the operation of the NYSC secretariat from analog to digital. According to him, the group has served as a pool from which capable and qualified hands are drawn to assist experts carrying out the operations.

    He said the conference was aimed at bringing together youths and professionals in the ICT field to encourage Corps members to take interest in the “money spinning ICT market” in Nigeria.

    In his lecture titled: The role of ICT in the Nigerian Customs Service operations, the Comptroller in charge of ICT department, Benjamin Aber, said the advent of technology had led to the improvement of pre- and post-clearing operations of the Customs, noting that complete automation of the processes had increased revenue generation for the country.

    Comptroller Aber said ICT had enabled the Customs to save cost and cut down human contact in the clearing of goods. He added that it had also led to increased pace of operations.

    In his presentation, the Acting General Manager of New Horizon, Mr Kingsley Nzewuji, advised students and Corps members to embrace ICT, saying anyone with the knowledge would be employable.

    The representative of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Mr Steve Aderemi, identified research, broadband penetration and favourable government policies as major drivers of ICT development. He said the ministry was ready to partner with any youth with good ideas by providing fund to develop the innovation.

    In an interview with CAMPUSLIFE, the CDS president, Idris Bello, appreciated the guests and members of his group for making the event successful. He also praised the NUC for the support of the initiative, saying: “With the successful hosting of this conference, I have the feeling that I have used my service year to make a great impact on my colleagues and the country.”

    Isreal Amogo, a Corps member, said the conference exposed him to opportunities in ICT, thanking the organisers for the initiative. He promised to put everything he learnt into practice.

  • ICT Weekly Arena hits airwaves

    ICT Weekly Arena, a 30-minute magazine programme designed to create publicity, understanding and growth for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector has hit the air waves of Metro 97.7 FM and Radio One 103.5 FM.

    It is aired every Tuesday at 3.30 pm and Friday 1.05 pm. The programme is a product of decades of active participation in research and communications by patriots keen on addressing the under achievement in the sector.

    The ICT Weekly Arena would sharpen the narrative in respect of revealing the enlightened enthusiasm of the indigenous enterprise often undermined by policy somersaults in government. The programme would attempt to define a standard approach to the challenges of globalisation while highlighting the gains and losses of collaboration.

    Its Executive Producer of the programme,  Echika Ezuka,  a columnist, veteran broadcaster, member of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and pioneer Corporate Communications Adviser of the Zinox Group, says that the programme has come at an opportune time in the history of Nigeria when all sectors of the economy must embrace the clarion call for change.

    Ezuka said the media must set a sustainable agenda for governments and practitioners to hasten the attainment of Nigeria’s manifest ICT destiny – a Nigeria that is exporting hardware and software to not just Africa but to the rest of the world.

    The programme is pre-recorded and broken into segments that capture the publicity and development needs of the ICT sector.

    Yudala has fully branded the Trends segment while high flying organisations such as Coscharis Technologies, Slot, Bank of Industries (BoI), Fidelity Bank and top telcos are considering partnership approaches that will serve their corporate interests.

     

  • Seven schools visit ICT firms

    Pupils from seven secondary schools in Lagos State got real-life demonstration of the application of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to daily life when they visited Systems Specs and Interswitch Ltd.

    The visits were facilitated by the Career Development Network (CDNET), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) under its Career Development Programme tagged: “The Discover Work Taster Programme (DWTP)”.

    Three schools, Igbobi College, Igbobi, Select International College, Lagos and Reagan Memorial Baptist School, Yaba, visited System Specs Ltd; while four schools, International School, Lagos(ISL), Redeemers International School, Maryland, Baptist Academy, Obanikoro, and Queen’s College, Yaba, visited Interswitch Ltd.

    The Programme, which involved lectures and practical demonstration of technology, were aimed at exposing the participants to application of technology to life to stimulate their interest in various careers especially within the ICT sector.

    The initiative was conceived by the NGO to help pupils choose their careers.