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Tag: ICT

  • ICT is key to survival, says Ajala

    ICT is key to survival, says Ajala

    • By Mistura Oseni and Naimat Dauda

    The Chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Rasaq Ajala, has reiterated the importance of having Information Communication and Technology (ICT) skills for survival in today’s world.

    Ajala stated this at the presentation of certificates and honouring of best two students with laptop and consolation prizes to deserving participants of the free two weeks Summer Tech Boot Camp 2.0 organised by the council.

    The council boss said: “We are in a digital age. As we are all aware, ICT has become a cornerstone of development, innovation, and progress. So, if we want our children to be progressive, we must train them with the right skills and knowledge that will make them compliant with what is obtainable in today’s world.”

    Affirming the immeasurable benefits in having ICT skills, Ajala said it provides individuals with distinct advantage that improves their employability status.

    “In today’s competitive job market, employers are increasingly seeking candidates with robust computer skills. Possessing such skills can provide individuals with a distinct advantage, allowing them to stand out from the competition and secure their desired employment,” he said.

    The training brought together over 250 enthusiastic pupils from primary and secondary schools within the council, providing them with invaluable exposure to the world of technology.

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    Mufatu Fatia and Eze Samuel won the best participants for the Secondary and Primary categories respectively, while other participants received consolation prizes.

    Administrative Officer of Ilupeju ICT Workstation, Amb Mustapha Yaqub, said the training covered fundamental principles of computing along with general troubleshooting of systems.

    He urged the participants to take their education seriously, adding that the training exposed them to unique experiences.

    Eze said he was happy to be one of the participants, noting that the efforts he invested in the training made him emerged as one of the winners.

    Olamiposi Olaniran, while thanking the council boss for the opportunity, promised to make good use of the knowledge acquired.

  • FG set to amend guidelines for ICT service providers

    FG set to amend guidelines for ICT service providers

    Information and Communications Technology (ICT) service providers and contractors have received notification from the federal government regarding its intentions to conduct a thorough review of guidelines governing their operations and registrations.

    The government announced that the review has become imperative considering the fact that the existing document has been in use since 2018 coupled with the necessity of nourishing the growth of the local Information Technology (IT) companies in the country. 

    The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) under the purview of the Ministry of Communications, Innovations and Digital Economy made the announcement in Abuja yesterday. 

    The Head of Corporate Affairs and External Relations of NITDA,  Hajiya Hadiza Umar said the review was “designed to streamline the process for the delivery of IT services to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

    She said in a statement:”These guidelines, initially issued in 2018, has outlined the registration process for indigenous IT service providers that guarantees the delivery of high-quality IT projects to the federal government, uphold the highest standards of professionalism in IT services, and nourish the growth of local IT companies, all in adherence to the relevant Presidential Executive Orders. 

    “Since the issuance of the guidelines, the Agency has identified the need to improve the efficiency in the process of registration, promote indigenous IT service provision, ensure competent vendors are engaged for IT service delivery to Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government of Nigeria. 

    “This is in line with the present administration’s drive to ensure collective prosperity through efficiency and innovation. 

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    “The review, which will result in the amendment of the guidelines, will create opportunities for more digital services to be provided by Nigerian companies while strengthening the ease of doing business for IT service providers.  

    “It is the desire of NITDA to collaborate with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigerians benefit from the use of Information Technology to enhance and simplify their daily activities, especially service delivery by government and other institutions. 

    “In view of this, The Agency kindly invites the public to provide their comments, inputs, and feedback on or before the Sunday 21st January 2024, via this link: https://nitda.gov.ng/draft-regulatory-instruments/.”

  • Local council employees get training in ICT  

    Local council employees get training in ICT  

    Lagos  State has trained 60 officers in the unified Local Government Service in Information and Communication Technology to equip them for better productivity.

    Permanent Secretary in the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Mrs. Bibilomo Olushekun, said the training is to position them to serve the people better.

    According to her, the first 60 beneficiaries were picked in the first phase while others will be trained in subsequent phases.

    She added: “This training is to position our ICT officers to serve the people better. This will upscale their knowlegde to improve their productivity. 

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    “ICT is an area where initiatives and innovations come up rapidly. We will be training 876 officers, and it will cut across cadres. We are starting with ICT; education and human resource officers will also be trained.”

    Some participants thanked the government, saying it is a way to improve their skills.

    Principal Software Enigeer at Oshodi/Isolo Local Council Development Area, Adedola Adeyeye, said: “This training will help me learn new ways of doing things in ICT, particularly in cybersecurity.”

    Senior Programme Analyst at Ibeju Lekki, Ololade Ogunkoya, said: “This training is one of a kind, focusing on excel and cybersecurity. It will help to rekindle my knowledge and add to my exposure to cybersecurity and other information security platforms.”

  • When maritime meets art, ICT

    When maritime meets art, ICT

    With the theme: “The Convergence: Maritime meets ICT”, the second edition of the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE) drew who is who in the industry last Friday to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research, Lagos. They came to with the mind of charting fresh and innovative course for the Blue economy, EVELYN OSAGIE reports

    They came representing different sectors in the maritime industry, now widely dubbed Blue economy. Top players in the industry came gorgeously dressed in vibrant colours and attires to the Nigerian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research last Friday.

    They were on a mission: to chart fresh and innovative course for the Blue economy, while leveraging information and communication technology (ICT).

    The event, which brought together the worlds of maritime, ICT and art, was the second edition of the African Maritime Art Exhibition (AMAE).

    This year’s edition featured a conference with the theme: “The Convergence: Maritime meets ICT”; and an exhibition which was curated by Linus Eyimiegha, popularly called Mr. Danfo.

    AMAE is an initiative of Maritime TV Africa, owners of Hazi’s Art. AMAE’s interest in art arose from marine landscape photography which it has collated over the years.

    This year’s edition was headlined by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola (CON); Consul General, Danish Embassy, Jette Bjerrum, and and former Federal Minister of Interior Capt. Emmanuel Iheanacho.

    According to industry experts, the Blue economy in Nigeria is estimated to be about $296 billion, and provide opportunity for at least 100 different careers. Africa currently generates about $300 billion for the industry, supporting nearly 50 million jobs. These numbers are projected to continue to rise year in, year out.

    For the Minister, Maritime art can be a very effective tool in driving the agenda and ideas of the Maritime industry since art connects with human emotions, adding that it can be a viable alternative to project the enormous potentials available in Nigeria’s blue economy, thereby diminishing sea blindness in the country.

    Oyetola, who was represented by a Technical Aide, Prof. Busayo Fakinlede, said: “Maritime art exhibition is another way to reach out to Nigerians about blue economy. It can be an effective way to build the consciousness of the maritime in the minds of Nigerians. With the creation of the new Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, there is a greater need for this awareness to enable the citizens to grasp the importance of the sector.”

    While giving the assurance of the Ministry’s willingness to collaborate with industry stakeholders to infuse the required technologies and infrastructure to optimise the huge socio-economic gains accumulative from the sector, he said “For people to have that clarity and understanding about maritime and how to channel the necessary sectors, we have to explore all approaches. It could be via social media, traditional media or art. We have to explore all approaches and art can play a vital role.”

    Speaking with The Nation at the event, Bjerrum noted: “Art is very significance in projecting issues around maritime industry. The challenge is to be able to connect the dots and discovering how to bring art into the equation of business and politics? I think we can learn a lot from the artists here today in that perspective and that’s why I think the combination is important. And it is very inspiring what Ezinne is doing with the Maritime art exhibition.”

    While giving his remarks, Capt. Iheanacho, who Chaired the event, observed that he would have love to  turn the  theme to “Maritime Meets AI” as  Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Artificial intelligence (AI) have already changed the operations of all facets of life.

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    Capt. Iheanacho, who was represented by Mrs. Jean-Chiazor Anishere (SAN), Principal Partner, Jean-Chiazor and Partners commends the Convener of the event for such theme, adding that.as the world is going global so is the need to be more rooted in Information Technology.

    Anishere called for a more practical approach to ICT and innovations, saying it would be more beneficial to the nation as it seeks to maximise the gains inherent in blue economy.

    On his part the guest speaker for the event, UK Government Country Lead & Programme Adviser and Global Digital Access Programme in Nigeria, Mr. Idongesit Udoh, emphasised on the need for human capital development and infusion of technology in the nation’s maritime space, while delivering the lecture on “ICT Disruptions for the Sustainability of the Blue Economy”. He said: “ICT is an enabler of development irrespective of the sector. For blue economy, there are lots of areas where ICT could drive growth from marine transportation to tourism. However, surveillance using artificial intelligence and internet of things; documentation and cloud computing; as well as decision making guided by big data and data analytics; not forgetting climate related technologies. These are areas in maritime can be enhanced with the deployment of ICT,” he states.

    The high point of the event was official opening of the art exhibition by the minister’s representative accompanied by maritime dignitaries, including the president of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association, Eunice Ezeoke and the vice president, Nigerian Chamber of Shipping, Ify Akerele; the first Nigerian female bonded terminal operator, chief executive, AML Bonded Terminal, Affi Ibanga; vice president, women in maritime, Nigerian chapter, Gloria Kanabe and commercial manager, AP Moller Terminals, Temilade Ogunniyi.

    For the programme’s Convener/Programme  Director,, Ezinne Azunna, AMAE uses photography, textile art, paints, sculpture and other motifs/subjects to tell stories and support causes around the Blue Economy. “It is a meeting point for the town and gown. The idea is to set the agenda, policies and highlight the worth of the Blue economy through art. She added that the theme, “The Convergence: Maritime Meets ICT”, underscores the invaluable need for updates technologies across the value chain with the audience largely drawn from the Blue Economy, Art and ICT world. The conference will help participants/stakeholders find Information Communication Technology solutions” she said.

  • Tinubu appoints five ICT CEOs

    Tinubu appoints five ICT CEOs

    • Alubankudi now SA on tech

    President Bola Tinubu has appointed new chief executives for some of the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.  

    He also renewed the appointment of others for new term.

    Amongst those appointed newly are Aminu Maida, who had been the Executive Director, Technology & Operations at Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System Plc (NIBSS), now appointed the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC)/CEO of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    However, the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, got reappointed for a second term in office.

    According a issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu also appointed Idris Alubankudi as his Special Adviser on Technology and Digital Economy.

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    “President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of new and returning Chief Executives to fresh terms in office across multiple agencies under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy.

    “EVC/CEO, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) – Aminu Maida; MD/CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) – Nkechi Egerton-Idehen; DG/CEO, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) – Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi; National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) – Dr. Vincent Olatunji; and Postmaster General/CEO, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) – Tola Odeyemi”

    “Furthermore, in line with President Bola Tinubu’s determination to maximally leverage on Nigeria’s proven technological and digital economic prowess to reposition the nation’s economy toward greater financial inclusion, the President has approved the appointment of a new Special Adviser to the President.

    “Special Adviser to the President on Technology and Digital Economy – Idris Alubankudi.

    “By this directive of the President, the above-mentioned appointments take immediate effect”, the statement said.

  • Foundation calls on FG to invest in ICT for teens

    Foundation calls on FG to invest in ICT for teens

    The Director General of Teen Ambassador Foundation (TAF) Dr Paul Adiwu has urged the Federal Government to invest more in teenagers in the area of Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    Adiwu made the call at the closing ceremony of a Summer Programme organised by the Foundation in collaboration with the Net Access Communication Ltd in Abuja.

    The summer which began on July 24 and ended September 2 was targeted at training teenagers and youths on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics education.

    Adiwu said the centre was not a training institute but his passion to develop the potential of the children motivated him to carry out the exercise which was done free of charge.

    He said his passion was to expose the children to science, technology engineering, mathematics and robotics by employing experts to engage them.

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    Several teenagers and youths were trained in robotics and were presented with certificates, while some of them demonstrated what they have learnt in robotics.

    Also speaking at the event, Babatunde Bamigboye, Head, Legal Enforcement and Regulation,The Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) also warned Nigerians especially teenagers against sharing personal information on the internet.

    Bamigboye who represented, the Director General of the commission, Dr Vincent Olatunji said Nigerians should be wary of putting all their data on the internet.

    He said, “At the commission, we protect data, and most of what you will need to develop apps depends on data.

    “You must protect your information when you go online. It is important that this form part of our curriculum as teacher of children because they are now exposed to what adults are exposed to.”

    Bamigboye said he was hopeful that from the kids who attended the summer organised by Teen Ambassador, the country would have renowned innovators among them.

    He commended TAF for organising such a programme to keep the children busy during the holiday,.

    Rep. Avia Agah, member, representing Jos North, Bassa Federal Constituency of Plateau State commended the Director General of TAF Dr Paul Adiwu, adding that the gesture was laudable.

    He said, “I am overwhelmed and happy, you have chosen humanity at a time when the country is grappling with so many challenges, you have chosen to keep our children in this endeavour. “

    Mr Victor Taiba, Chief Executive Officer, Net Access Communication Ltd., who trained the teenagers said the training would provide a solid foundation for the children.

  • First Lady’s RHI trains 35 women In ICT, empowerment programme

    First Lady’s RHI trains 35 women In ICT, empowerment programme

    The Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), First Lady Oluremi Tinubu‘s pet project, has graduated the first set of beneficiaries of its Women ICT Training and Empowerment Programme.

    According to a statement issued by Busola Kukoyi, the First Lady’s spokesperson, the programme, which is in keeping with RHI’s mandate of empowering Nigerian women with enabling skills, had no fewer than 35 women drawn from across the FCT.

    The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, in her address, congratulated the participants and applauded the Director General and his team of facilitators for the success of the training.

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    She emphasized the importance of digital literacy and its role in fostering economic independence, noting that these skills are indispensable tools for driving growth and innovation.

    The statement said: “The importance of digital literacy and its role in fostering economic independence cannot be overemphasized. In a world driven by technology, these skills empower women to take control of their lives, contribute to their communities and seize opportunities”.

    “As we celebrate the successful conclusion of this programme, I extend my congratulations to all participants. You have exhibited resilience, determination and a hunger for knowledge that will undoubtedly set you on a path of success”, she said.

    The Director General National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Abdullahi, appreciated the First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for the opportunity given to work with the RHI

    “Thank you for protecting all the vulnerable Nigerians, we are blessed to have you as the First Lady and mother of our nation, the participants, your daughters are graduating today taking home five major things, they are all equipped with digital literacy and ICT proficiency, they are going home empowered to safely and responsibly use digital platforms, they also master digital marketing on how to be able to use social media to sell your products and services, you are also enlightened on how to be part of gig economy, you learnt skills on how to work remotely and earn money, you also learnt how to use productivity tools, and lastly they were empowered on how to network. They are going back home with a laptop and N100, 000.00.

    “The First Lady has agreed with us to work and collaborate with Renewed Hope Initiative to craft a national digital gender inclusion strategy in order to bring you at parity with the men to benefit from digital economy”, he said.

    The Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, also promised to work with the Initiative in ensuring that the training is extended to millions of women across the country.

    He said the programme was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for women inclusion and empowerment among others.

    “I want to extend my appreciation to the visionary of this initiative, our First Lady. Your unwavering commitment to empowerment and progress has charted the course for change for all the members of this cohort. This is a programme that we hope we can partner with you to actually scale significantly.

    “I’m a big believer in the fact that we have to empower women because there is something that works really well for me, women are empathetic and when you have women around you, it is about the good for people not egos, this is why it is important the role you are playing in the society Ma.

    “I must also acknowledge the DG of NITDA and his team for their role in bringing this programme to fruition.

    “Women empowerment is fundamental for the development and growth of every society, there is actually no any individual that was not raised by a woman. By empowering women, we unlock the unique creativity and innovation that can enrich every aspect of our lives.

    “It is well documented that when we provide equal access to education resources and opportunities, that it becomes architect of positive change, changing the trajectory of economic progress, social harmony and sustainable development.

    “This programme represents a critical step in this direction; it also aligned with two priority areas of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the first one being the investment in the digital economy to empower Nigerians with new skills and also sustain jobs, secondly to driving women empowerment to champion equity and parity across every facet of our lives.

    “The power of digital tools and connectivity, through the training, also shattered the boundaries of what the participants thought it was impossible according to what representatives of the participants said”,Tijani said.

    On behalf of other participants, Miss Nkiru Ogbuli, a graphic designer expressed gratitude to the First Lady for keeping her promise of empowering women and explained that the program has expanded her knowledge and provided her with opportunities she wouldn’t have known existed.

    Another beneficiary, Promise Ogbuehia, a makeup artist says the training is not only beneficial for her but also the people she would subsequently teach in order to impact them with knowledge she has gathered.

    The First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside the Minister, then handed Certificates, brand new laptops and #100,000 intervention grant to each of the graduates.

  • Ministry, ICT stakeholders to partner on curbing technology importation

    In line with consolidating Nigeria’s position on the global internet governance forum, groups, IT experts, relevant stakeholders in the communication ministry and ICT related sectors on Thursday advocated for advancement in the digital future of Nigeria.

    The Nigeria Internet Governance Forum 2019 which was centered on policy dialogue on issues of internet governance held at Muson Center, Lagos and had different IT experts in attendance with the theme as ‘Enabling digital commonwealth for development’.

    The Ministry of Communication has disclosed that ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) of the government would partner with stakeholders in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector to curb the loss of billions of naira to importation of technology by ensuring digital inclusion for local internet initiative.

    The permanent secretary, Ministry of Communications, Istifanus Musa Mik Fuktur, represented by the director of ICT at the ministry, Moni Udoh, while speaking at the event disclosed that the ministry in conjunction with other parastatals especially the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) was set to curb billions of naira loss to technology importation.

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    She stated that the target was to ensure digital inclusion for local internet initiative through education by discussing ways the internet can be used to address the development in achieving the SDGs.

    Also speaking at the event, the executive chairman of Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), Professor Umar Danbatta, represented by Engr. Chidi Diugwu, stated that the Internet Governance Forum was established in July 2006 for policy dialogue on issues and programmes that shape the evolution and use of the Internet.

    At the panelist workshop session, information Technology (IT) experts urged internet users to be mindful of what they post online so as to ensure their safety.

    The experts deliberated on “Cybersecurity and Trust: Enabling People-centered Data Protection and Privacy Regulations” during the workshop session.

    Dr Dimie Wariowei, the Director, Cybersecurity of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) said that what one uploaded online could be used for criminal acts.

    Wariowei said that people were no

    w using digital means to transact businesses, accessing banking activities through the phones every day.

    He said that there were a lot of challenges associated with such actions, hence, users had to be careful.

    Mr Emmanuel Edet from the Federal Ministry of Justice said that personal data protection was key to being safe online.

    Edet said that there were different laws in Nigeria that protected people’s data, hence, should be leveraged on.

    He said that personal data should be protected so that they would not be misused by others.

  • ICT and the poverty question

    SIR: If there is one thing deemed worthy of  commendation by a great number of  President Muhammadu Buhari’s followers in spite of his perceived cracked veneer of integrity in some quarters, it is saying the truth about the state of the nation,even when it is self-indicting.

    True to his mai gaskiya sobriquet, Buhari had on Monday last week lamented the degree of grinding poverty in Nigeria, stating that the elite, including himself had failed to put certain programmes that could guarantee basic education for all irrespective of their level of poverty.

    Of course, it was not his first moment of uncomfortable truth. In December 2018, Buhari informed Nigerian governors that the economy was in a bad shape, charging them to come  together, think and rethink on the way forward at a time his handlers were busy reeling out “impressive” statistics about how well the economy was doing.

    But the fulcrum of governance is the welfare of the people. No impressive statistics can take its place. Let all the economic indicators read positive, if they contrast sharply with the living conditions of the masses, it makes little sense. Buhari hit the bull’s eye in the instances aforementioned.

    Indeed,poverty crawls on all fours here. Also, it is hard to contest the fact that there is a wide gulf between our current economic realities and where we ought to be as a country. Ours is a classic case of a people surrounded by drinkable water but still thirst.

    Beyond the lamentation about an economy in a tailspin and the heavy concentration of the wretched of the earth in the most populous black country in the world, the current government must demonstrate that the political will to transform Nigeria from a mono-cultural economy to a truly heterogeneous economy by developing the right strategy to boost the revenues generated from other sectors of the economy,creating new avenues for economic growth and providing opportunities to liberate a good number of Nigerians from the dark cell of  poverty. Dishing out handouts will not cut it.

    It is true that the current government has shown some commitment in its drive to revive the agriculture sector but it can do more. With the advancement in technology changing the way we live and the black gold gradually losing its relevance, there cannot be a more auspicious time than now to invest heavily in Information and Communications Technology (ICT)  to lift Nigerians  out of poverty and change the sad narrative associated with our economy.

    Today, the first five most capitalised companies in the world – Apple, Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Facebook- are technology companies. The African continent is the next frontier in terms of market size and opportunities. But the full potentials of the continent has not been deployed in terms of its ability to leapfrogging ICT capabilities.

    Truth be told, a lot of state actors are still oblivious of  the capabilities of ICT. It is evident in the paltry investment in ICT infrastructure. With a population of almost 200 million people and broadband penetration of about 33 percent, opportunities for investment, innovation and growth abound in the ICT sector.

    The growth of ICT and its contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP)  can be increased if there is a realisation by the Nigerian government and other African governments that every 10 percent growth in broadband penetration leads to 1.38 percent growth in GDP and also reduces youth unemployment.

    It is time and Nigeria and other African countries removed their economies from being  heavily dependent on export of oil and raw materials.We can draw inspiration from the Indian model and how the ICT industry has developed into a $100 billion industry per annum for that country.

    Back home in Africa, Nigeria can borrow a leaf from countries with a digital focus like Rwanda, Egypt, Morocco and South Africa. In Rwanda, for instance, President Paul Kagame is directly promoting the digital growth of the country, especially broadband. Government policies to promote the technology and Communications sector are also stimulating entrepreneurial creativity and growth across the economy.

    The earlier we realise that the fastest way to lift our economy and our compatriots out of poverty is to embrace ICT, the better for all of us. We must begin to develop  local capacities and come up with innovations to solve problems around the world.

     

    • Ladelokun writes from Ogun State via ladesopeladelokun@gmail.com

  • Pushing writers craft through ICT

    Writers, under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), sought new ways of advancing their craft and the business of creative writing in an age by driven ICT.

    With the theme, ‘Pushing the writers craft and business in the age of ICT, they decried the “lorry-loads” of challenges confronting their venture, such as constant power outage, piracy and lack of proper distribution channels.

    While exploring solutions to the challenges confronting their venture in the country, they named ICT compliance as one of the forward-looking ways to achieving better results.

    The thoughts were expressed at the 2019 Authors Groove, an annual event literary clinic for writers, held at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    The dialogue was championed by 11 writers. They included Akeem Lasisi, Folu Agoi, Dagga Tolar, Eriata Orhibabor, , Lola Akande, Henry Akubuiro, Abigail Ohiero, Dickson Ekhaguere, Taofeek Olatunbosun Oladele Medayese and Tolani Salawu. The event ,which fielded the founder of Bambooks, was graced by the Director-General of the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), John Asein.

    But how has Nigerian writers been able to stay afloat. “The tenacity of writers and individual efforts has kept the Nigerian literature thriving,” former ANA Lagos Chair, Tolar, said. “Writers have refused to give up. In fact, it has taking sweat and blood of authors to survive.”

    “My take is, ‘use what is available to push and express yourself”, Medayese opined.

    Ohiero blamed the leadership for the poor reading culture and lack of infrastructure in the country. According to her, “If leaders don’t read, how do you expect the followers to? Parents are also to blame. How many have imbibed the attitude of reading or the time t read?”

    Adding his voice to the issue of survival, PEN Nigeria President, Agoi said: “It is longer day and shorter night in Nigeria for writers because of the hostility of the terrain that we have been operating in. Anybody still  writing in Nigeria should be praised and given an award.”

    “It is no gainsaying that the ICT world holds huge opportunity for writers. The onus is on writers to seize the day and use technology to make the book business better. That is what we are here to explore. It was for this reason that ANA chose to focus this year’s Author Groove,” said the ANA national president, Mallam Denja Abdullahi.

    “The future of reading”, according to the founder of Bambooks, an online reading subscription service firm, is mobile”.

    Okoye observed that lack of infrastructure, bookstores, and libraries have hampered the advancement of creative writing and writers over the years, arguing that the advent of ICT seemed not to have helped especially because most reading platforms initially focused mainly on international and foreign-based Nigerian authors.

    For this reason, he said, his company introduced a mobile application that not only allows users to read an unlimited numbers of books on its platform, but chiefly to empower African authors and writers thereby creating a niche for the African/Nigerian reading space.

    “So we saw a niche there and we decided to talk to authors and some of their associations. Most writers and authors have challenge of making money from their books. Some of them wait for years to get it published. That is because most are yet to go digital. They forget that their device is a library and market in their hands. They are still battling with the challenges of distribution of books and piracy, among others.

    “Our digital platform, we launched last October, addresses the distribution problem. While working with writers and content creators, it allows them to monetise their contents overnight. Once they have written their books they can publish with us and readers can start reading immediately and they can start making money and also they never run out of books because it is digital. The app comes in a mobile app and a web application, which allows users to read on their phones, tablets, laptops at any time of the day as long as they have a valid subscription.”

    While encouraging copyright owners and holders – writers and publishers alike – to take advantage of its online bouquet by registering their works with the commission, Asein warned that they should ensure they have a lawyer check every contract before they sign. The commission had a dedicated stand from where it operated a legal clinic, where scores of authors (copyright owners) and publishers who are copyright holders had first hand opportunity to register their interests with the NCC under its e-registration platform during the Nigeria International Book Fair (NIBF) where the Authors Groove was held.

    “Don’t sign out all your rights. Beyond pursuing your passion, it is important to understand the business of your craft. There is much money to be made as a writer. For example do you know many are making millions through the secondary use of their works,” he said.

    According to him, although the e-registration is not new, it has become more interactive to service creators with their relevant bouquet. “The system will also allow users to search for information relating to registered copyright works or authors; protection for copyright works of Nigerian authors in all countries who are signatory to international copyright conventions to which Nigeria is a signatory, among others services,” he said.