The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICT

  • ICT firm partners NBA

    The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has partnered with an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) firm, LawPavilion, on use of technology in law practice.

    The firm, which provided ICT facilities at the 54th NBA Annual General Conference, also launched a new product, tabletarize your practice.

    The firm’s Managing Director, Mr. Ope Olugasa, said Law Pavilion is is leading the adoption of the ICT in the legal industry.

    According to him, over 52 per cent of Nigerian lawyers is yet to embrace ICT.

    Mr. Olugasa said: “If you look at the email of lawyers, over 85 per cent of them still use yahoo and we are still wondering how will serious multi- national converse with them? How will they communicate with them by e- mail, using yahoo? It does not show a good brand and a high level of professionalism.”

    He said with the tabletarize campaign, every lawyer can have access to Samsung Galaxy or i-Pad at affordable rates.

    “With the tabletarize campaign, the issue of power supply, for example, will longer stop lawyers from adopting ICT, because most of these tablets can stay seven to  10 hours without electricity.

  • CAC: Deadline on online registration stays

    CAC: Deadline on online registration stays

    The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)  has restated its commitment to the October 1 on-line registration deadline despite challenges and attempt at sabotaging the programme.

    Its Registrar-General, Alhaji Bello Mahmud, said the commission would take  steps to configure a new system that would ensure that the deadline is met.

    He blamed the problems that saw clients failing to access its platform on technical challenges. He said the agency was working hard to resolve the issues and assured customers that the service had not been scrapped as had been insinuated in some quarters.

    He said the issues had  been resolved, adding the platform was back online for customers that wanted to register their business.

    He said: “With a timeline of October 1, 2014 already set for the development of a new on-line registration system, the disruption in its services would be addressed very soon.

    “We wish to state unequivocally that the 24-hour business registration procedure launched in 2012 by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment is functional and serviceable to the satisfaction of our clients.”

    He said the problems faced by the commission on the platform were information and communication technology (ICT) challenges that were common in developing economies.

    He called on stakeholders in the economy to embrace the code of corporate governance.

    He said an effective code of corporate governance would create a suitable environment for business growth as well as improve the overall interest of business objectives. He expressed the commitment of the commission in nation building, adding that the CAC was institutionalising an annual corporate citizens’ award intended to stimulate a solid foundation for enterprise and proper business ethics.

    The Registrar-General urged major players and stakeholders in the economy to embrace the code of corporate governance to ensure great integrity and rapid business growth.

    According to him, the corporate citizens’ award would promote the culture of good corporate governance in the Nigerian environment by recognising corporate citizens who have conducted their affairs in compliance with statutory requirements and best practices of corporate governance.

  • Lagos trains 1000 teachers on ICT in curriculum

    Lagos trains 1000 teachers on ICT in curriculum

    Lagos State Government has trained no fewer than 1000 of its secondary schools’ teachers in the effective use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in the education curriculum.

    The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, at the opening of a workshop in Lagos, noted that the training was part of capacity-building for the teachers in public secondary schools.

    She said the quality of education was one of the major planks of national development.

    Mrs. Oladunjoye added that nations that had developed paid great attention to their educational service delivery as they have not only invested in physical infrastructure, but also in the human infrastructure at all levels.

    She said: “In Lagos State, our thinking is that while it is right to build infrastructure, it is even of greater importance to build the capacity of staff who will deliver services to the teeming populace.

    The reasoning behind this is that only competent and committed teachers teach, not bricks and mortar.”

    The commissioner said the government invested in capacity building through the Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project by strengthening school administration, enhancing service delivery and improving learning outcomes.

    She enjoined participants to maximise the opportunity afforded by the workshop, noting that their participation in the programme would be measured by how well they were able to apply and replicate the knowledge gained in their classrooms, lessons and in their overall effectiveness as teachers.

    “Remember also that you owe it a duty to yourselves and to posterity to serve humanity diligently through your various Schools. It is only when you do this and faithfully manage and execute that which is committed into your hands, that the expenditure of public resources on this learning and development intervention would have been justified,” the commissioner added.

     

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  • LASACO deploys ICT for insurance penetration

    LASACO Assurance Plc has eased the process of consumers having access to its numerous products through sale of products online real-time.

    The LASACO customers are  able to obtain and pay premiums for their products on line.

    Speaking on the strategic initiative of LASACO Assurance to support its marketing efforts with information computer technology (ICT), the ICT Head, Deji Ogundele, explained that LASACO is committed to ensuring its numerous customers as well potential ones enjoy seamless service satisfaction using the instrumentality of ICT.

    “The ICT operations is on 24/7 basis to ensure seamless flow of the processes so that our customers can enjoy great customer experience. Our products are sold through e-payment systems; awareness campaign; and development of  knowledge in various electronic and print media. The world is actually going digital and more transactions are done online real-time.

    “We have put in place a number of platforms to effectively reach out to our numerous and potential clients by embarking on digital marketing and also making it more accessible through the various social media market platforms. Once the desired product is purchased, several alternative channels are available to make payments easier.”

    He said payments can be made through bank branches nationwide, Quickteller, point of sale (POS), and our e-commerce portal in a seamless manner, adding that these alternative channels of payment are built on a world class web-based integrated solution, which combines the core insurance businesses with powerful administrative and marketing tools.

    LASACO Assurance’s use of alternative channels is a great boost to the Federal Government’s initiative of promoting cashless economy, which is the best global standard practice of driving the economy.

    He stated that LASACO’s operating ICT tool is Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), therefore, whether the company’s operatives are in the office or out in the field, ERP empowers them to be more productive by providing a highly functional system that meets international standards. It also automates document storage and retrieval, enhances communication links with customers, provides online/ real-time access, ensures effective security and auditing both internally and externally and very scalable.

    “In order to stay ahead of competition, LASACO ICT processes are continuously reviewed to meet up with the dynamic demands of valued clients with a view to ensuring that the retail marketing is enhanced and more accessible to our numerous clients.

    In addition to this, the company is also committed to marketing retail insurance through well trained agency system for effective penetration into the huge population of Nigeria that is yet to be fully maximised.

  • Foundation empowers teens with ICT skills

    Foundation empowers teens with ICT skills

    In its quest to build the skills set of teenagers in the area of information and communication technology, Working to Advance Science and Technology Education for African Woman (WAAW), a nonprofit, nongovernmental organisation, organised a capacity building workshop for public and private secondary school girls.

    Justifying the need for the workshop, its Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Mrs. Unoma Okoroafor, said the foundation is committed to ensuring that every young girl is adequately empowered through the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) programme, a one-week long camp meeting aimed at training, mentoring and inspiring secondary school girls to explore science-related careers.

    Besides, Dr. Unoma noted that the camp objective is to ensure that girls think of science and technology as a tool to innovate and enable real problem-solving in their respective communities.

    She further said that the foundation provides scholarships to girls in African schools who demonstrate verifiable financial need and maintain excellent academic records, so that when they become WAAW fellows, they would in turn give back to their respective communities either by launching a STEM outreach cell or organising outreach initiatives geared at mentoring younger girls.

    Echoing similar sentiments, Ms. Frances Sloun, the Operations Director from St. Thomas University Minnesota, said the STEM camp is specifically for girls for the advancement of science and technology in Africa, adding that the girls have been able to explore computer programmes on many different platforms like renewable energy and how it works, climate change and other science-related topics.

    Sloun also said Africa does not need to import to do technology because everything is right here for them to use, citing the story of a young Malawian boy, who through scraps and metals was able to build a wind turbine for his community without even attending school. She further urged the girls to share with others what they have learnt from the STEM camp.

  • ‘ICT bridges digital divide between young, old’

    ‘ICT bridges digital divide between young, old’

    A new study from Ericsson ConsumerLab carried out in the United States (U.S.) has shown that seniors who use communications technology feel more enriched, informed, younger and more in touch with others and society. This is the first generation of seniors who are able to utilise a wider range of communication technology in older age.

    Commenting on the result, Senior Advisor, Consumer Insights at Ericsson ConsumerLab, Ann-Charlotte Kornblad, said: “They see it as a perfect tool, with its easy handling enabling them to have conversations with close friends and family. It also allows for the details and circumstances of life to be shared.” The results of the “Connecting the Senior Generation” report can be read in full here. Ericsson ConsumerLab conducted 30 interviews with seniors between the ages of 65 and 75 in the San Francisco area, with an additional eight in-home interviews also carried out.

    In a statement, those who have adopted the technology feel more enriched, informed, young, and in touch with others as well as what is happening in society. In short, they feel they have an improved quality of life.

  • Ogun slashes fees in tertiary schools

    The Ogun State government has reduced tuition fees in state-owned tertiary institutions by 61 per cent.

    The reduction takes effect from the 2014/2015 academic session.

    The government abolished the payment of different fees by indigenes and non-indigenes.

    Addressing students’ representatives at the Governor’s Office in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology Segun Odubela said the reduction was reached after deliberations by the government with students’ leaders and heads of the institutions.

    Some students will now pay as low as N29,700.

    According to Odubela, medical students of the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), who have been paying N301,610, will now pay N176,596. Arts students in the same institution will pay N81,112 instead of N126,540.

    Other schools affected by the development are the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta; Tai Solarin University of Education, Ijagun; College of Education, Omu; the four Information Communication Technology (ICT) polytechnics and the College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu.

    The government donated 13 buses to the Student Unions of all tertiary institutions in the state.

  • ‘Insecurity is killing businesses’

    ‘Insecurity is killing businesses’

    Businesses need a conducive environment to grow. In Nigeria, many businesses are dying because of many factors, including insecurity, especially in the Northeast, in this interview with ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI, Mr Steve Babaeko, founder of X3M Ideas, says insecurity must be addressed for businesses to thrive.

    Your agency is marking its second anniversary. How has the journey been considering the challenges in the industry?

    It has been one of the most challenging ventures I have ever undertaken. It is also interesting because we have passed the stage where the initial doubts have ceased to exist. However, the next challenge is how we push the envelope and move to the next level.

    How have you been pushing the emvelope (i.e. challenging the barriers)?

    If you have seen the kind of work we have been doing, you would agree with me that we are part of the agencies that have been pushing the envelope in this country. We get briefs because of the quality of works we churn out. If you see our clientele list and the portfolio we have in our custody, you will see that there has been quality in terms of the creativity coming out.

    How many clients do you have?

    Anybody who is conversant with our work will know that we have a very robust portfolio across different segment of the market. From telecoms to banking, carbonated soft drinks, card and switching business and the FMCG. Etisalat, Diamond Bank, Inter-switch and DStv are four of the clients that have been pushing us to continuously deliver. We are really grateful to them because without them, we are nothing.

    Are clients complying with the issue of pitch fee?

    Those are issues for the new Association of Advertising Agencies ofNigeria (AAAN) executive to tackle. The laws are there; we just have to follow up and see that clients stay compliant. At agency level, we just follow the law; we are not like the regulatory body, we are participants in this game.

    How have you been able to transform your employees?

    The crux of our team is people who are a part of the system that are very young when we started. Then, the other 70 per cent of our team are those who have never done advertising before. Our model was different ab initio: people who are well travelled, well exposed in different fields with the idea that we don’t want do the same old kind of communication. We set the agenda and everything followed.

    Is there any business objective attached to your company’s CSR?

    This is something we really feel strongly about. This is our country and we have no place to call our own. The issue is that as individuals and corporate organisations, we must step up and fight for this country. Hence, the only way we can do that is being able to salvage the future of this country. How can you survive in today’s world without having a grasp of Information Communication Technology(ICT)? Sadly, today, you find many schools without computer and technology. We feel that this is something we will continue to do and not a one off thing.

    How do you select schools for your CSR?

    We believe that charity begins at home. That was why we decided to renovate the five blocks of a school that was close to our office which is Opebi Junior High. Before we got here, we set up an in-house committee that carefully selected and made a presentation on the challenges of the school they visited. This year, we have focused on ICT because we are a forward-thinking company and we want to give young minds the opportunity to be more ICT compliant.

    Do you have confidence in the  AAAN executives?

    My belief is that whatever the last exco did not finish; hopefully, this  exco would be able to finish it. Even if they don’t, it is all about continuity and we hope that someday we would get it right.

    To what extent has insecurity affected advertising business?

    The state of security has affected business for everybody in Nigeria. Almost like 1/3 or 2/3 of the economy is totally cut off. If the Northeast is not operational, it is going to affect your clients. So, it means that for people who produce goods, you cannot ship to a lot of states in the Northeast. That has already hit their bottom line. Telecom masts are being sabotaged. It affects everybody, which is why we are really hoping that the government would step up and curb the scourge. This is an issue that affects our means of livelihood.

  • Local capacity can drive ICT, says CWG chief

    Local capacity can drive ICT, says CWG chief

    The Chief Executive Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc, Mr. Austin Okere, has said indigenous information technology (IT) professionals have the capacity and competence to deliver high profile IT projects.

    He said gone are the days when important IT projects are contracted to expatriate firms, adding that the situation will keep getting better.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), the first of its kind in West and Central Africa, built by a consortium of technology companies led by his firm, in Abuja, he said: “We have never been in doubt of local capacity to deliver major technology projects for government. We have matured in delivering projects of this scale, and are grateful to the NUC and World Bank for the opportunity to prove this with the timely delivery of the NgREN. We do look forward to the opportunity of extending this success in the next phases of the project.

    “CWG Plc was named a World Economic Forum Global Growth Company at the 2014 WEF Africa. CWG was selected for this recognition based on our phenomenal growth, global corporate citizenship, executive leadership and impact on the competitive landscape of the ICT industry in Africa.”

    The project was commissioned by President Jonathan Ebele Goodluck who was represented by the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike.

    The president said: “As I join the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the celebration of this achievement in the establishment of NgREN, I commend the individuals and groups that dedicated time and energy to make it a reality. Let me particularly appreciate the World Bank for its support to the NgREN project, the Executive Secretary of the NUC for championing its cause and the hardworking team of dedicated individuals from within the university system he put together to realise this dream.

    “Government expects all education and research institutions to enlist as members of the NgREN and that the current low ranking of Nigerian universities in quality of teaching and research output will improve significantly within a short time as a result.

    “To ensure the broadband infrastructure and services already provided are maintained and improved upon for the use of all education and research institutions in Nigeria, I hereby approve and therefore direct the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to provide the necessary funds for this purpose.”

     

     

  • Huawei pledges to empower African youths in ICT

    Huawei pledges to empower African youths in ICT

    Leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, Huawei, has said it would invest N80million to continuously empower Nigeria ICT industry for young talents cultivation. Speaking on 2014 Nelson Mandela International Day event in Abuja, the firm said N4 million will be provided to the Nelson Mandela Institution (NMI) which will invest it in its affiliate, the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja as scholarship for students who have been admitted.

    How the funds are administered will be mutually agreed upon for each academic year or programme of the beneficiaries. ICT equipment worth N76 million will be provided by Huawei to to NMI, which will put it at the disposal of AUST on the basis of identified needs of this institution and consistent with Huawei’s policies and procedures  and those of NMI and AUST.Huawei will also provide access to its Abuja training centre to AUST for the computer science students on the basis of proposals to be developed jointly by AUST computer science faculty and Huawei engineers. AUST will invite Huawei engineers and researchers to organise workshops or specific classes to the students. “Bridging digital divide is Huawei’s global strategy. Huawei has set up an ICT scholarship in University of Lagos since 2012.

    Speaking on the initiative, Deputy Managing Director of Huawei Abuja office, Mr. Osita Iweze, said: “A 1,000 girls training programme with Federal Ministry of Communication Technology was launched last year and until now about 500 girls have finished their training courses. This year, Huawei keeps expanding the investment on young ICT talents education and we are glad to work with AUST to ensure the graduates could be ICT industry leader in Nigeria and other sub-Sahara African countries.”

    NMI’s CEO, Mr. Bonaventure Mbida-Essama,  appreciated the firm’s gesture. He said: “The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) is the first of the Nelson Mandela Institutions (NMIs).

    It was established as a centre of excellence in science and technology with a focus on African development. Since its inception, the AUST has more than 300 of PhD and MSc students from 19 African countries in five disciplines (computer science and engineering, pure and applied mathematics, theoretical physics, petroleum engineering, and materials science and engineering). NMI is willing to collaborate with Huawei, which is the world leading ICT solutions provider, not just with its affiliate in Nigeria, AUST, but also with the other institutions affiliated to NMI in Africa in places such as Tanzania, and Burkina Faso. This would also include institutions being considered in Zimbabwe and Mali. The main purpose for Huawei is to introduce the latest technology into the class and to give certain financial support to these institutions for the benefits of their students.”

    The Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and South African High Commissioner for Nigeria, H.E. LLA MnGumi graced the occasion.

    According to a statement, Huawei has been in Nigeria for 15 years and become a preferred ICT solutions provider for all telecom operators. Huawei’s enterprise business for industries such as banking, oil & gas, power and education is growing rapidly in terms of its integrated and customized solutions with Nigerian partners. Huawei also launched its global flagship Smartphone product Ascend P7 a few days ago to expand Nigeria market.