The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICT

  • Omatek MD wins award

    Omatek MD wins award

    Managing Director, Omatek Plc, Florence Seriki, an engineer, has been conferred with a honorary distinguished Gold Medal Award by the Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa.

    At the awards held at the corporate headquarters of Omatek, Director-General, Centre for Democratic Governance in Africa, Dr. Dafe Akpocha, who led other members of the board, said the Omatek boss was recognised for the giant strides she has achieved in the ICT sector in the last few decades.

    According to Akpocha, the board and management of the centre deemed it fit to bestow the award on Seriki in recognition of her laudable achievements in the ICT sector.

    “Through dint of hard work and perseverance you have been able to make a mark in the sector,” Akpocha said.

    In her acceptance speech, Seriki said she was not only humbled by the award, but that the recognition came from such an eminent body would further spur her to greater heights.

    Omatek, which is the first indigenous computer assembling plant, has recorded many firsts, including investing in solar power, among other innovative products.

    The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of the award medal and certificate of recognition to the recipient.

     

  • Students get entrepreneurship, ICT training

    Afirm, Wisdom Computer Technology, in collaboration with National Association of Information Technology Students (NAITS), Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) chapter, has held an Information and Communication Technology summit and entrepreneurship workshop for students.

    Tagged 21 computer secretes that give money in the 21st century, the seminar, held in USB Lecture Hall 3 in the School of Management Technology, was geared towards making students self-reliant and productive after graduation.

    For students to achieve prosperity in the absence of white-collar jobs, Francis Uzor, a guest speaker, said the solution was to embrace entrepreneurship while in school.

    Uzor said information technology was widely acknowledged as jobs dispenser. He urged students to take advantage of abundant human and natural resources in Nigeria to enhance their living standard. He explained that the biggest economies in the world achieved growth through the utilisation and development of small-scale medium enterprises, adding that it was vital for Nigeria to embrace such a concept to enhance its own development in the Information technology (IT) world.

    To address the problem of unemployment in Nigeria, Uzor urged the students to embrace Information Technology, which he said was capable to drive job creation to power the engine of the economy.

    The programme was attended by members of the NAITS executive among who included Christian Esomofor, president and Uche Agomuo, Financial Secretary. The staff adviser of the association, Mr Cosmos Nwakanma also graced the seminar.

     

  • ‘ICT can contribute 15% to GDP’

    THe contributions of the information communications technology (ICT) sector to the Gross Domestic product (GDP) should jump from 5.6 per cent to about 15 per cent by 2015, Executive Vice Chairman, National Communications Commission (NCC), Dr Eugene Juwah, has said.

    He spoke at the Broader Way seminar organised by equipment manufacturer, Huawei, at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    Juwah traced the growth in the country’s communications industry and submitted that good programmes and strategies would put Nigeria on a faster lane in broadband deployment and development.

    Regretting a dearth of infrastructure in the sector, which affected projections and growth, Juwah canvassed a synergy between the government and the private sector in infrastructure funding and build up to stimulate demand and competition.

    He said the licensing of 2.3GHz would be concluded this year and that it would stimulate more competition in the industry.

    Juwah said he had been developing a broadband concept, which would encourage the government to give incentives to service providers that would take services to far-flung areas.

    In fact, such incentives would influence a reduction in the cost of bandwidth and, expectedly, put bandwidth in the hands of those who would need it, but are unable to afford it, he added.

    On the infrastructure, he advocated equal focus on the wireless and wired technologies.

    He appealed to equipment manufacturers and suppliers to roll out products that can harmonise and encourage the two technologies.

    Putting people at the centre of the business, almost all the experts at the forum said competition should not only focus on prices, but also on services and quality.

    Speaking in another forum, Dr Hamadoun Toure, whose tenure at the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has witnessed ground-breaking developments in the ICT sector, including the digital migration, hailed the transformation in the telecoms sector, which is driving profound changes in sectors and helping countries to meet millennium development goals (MDGs), among others.

    For instance, the digital economy allows anyone, anywhere play an active role in global issues and value chain, Toure said.

    He was excited about ICT growth in Africa, a continent that has become an honey pot for mobile growth, and specially commended Nigeria for a good regulatory framework by the Juwah-led team, which has increased mobile phone growth in Africa’s most populous nation.

    Toure was particularly excited that Africa is part of this inclusive technology that has given voice to the voiceless and allows even the ordinary folks in rural areas to participate in global discourse and share useful information.

    He hailed manufacturers for turning the phone into some multi-purpose devices saying: “It is no longer a phone but multi-purpose devices.”

    With these devices, people are able to share information and bounce them around the world.

  • Corps member builds ICT centre for host community

    Corps member builds ICT centre for host community

    A Corps member serving in Gadabuke area in Nasarawa State, Tom Samuel, has built an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Government Secondary School located in the remote village of Kullo. Tom said the project, which was part of his Community Development Service (CDS) task, was carried out to leave his host community a better place.

    The computer centre offers all ICT services to the populace with modern facilities such as digital computer laboratory, digital computer almanacs, design cottons, window nets, generator, flash drive and computer parts.

    While speaking during the commissioning of the centre, the state co-ordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Mr Stephen Alabi, who was represented by the NYSC Local Inspector in Gadabuke area, Mr Moses Adamolekun, praised the Corps member for the project.

    He said: “When Tom discussed the project with me, I thought it was something that will not be possible, but through the determination and zeal, Tom has fulfilled his dream for his host community.” He, however, challenged other Corps members who are yet to take up any CDS project to do so and affect their places of primary assignment positively.

    Tom said: “When I resumed at Government Secondary School, Kullo in Gadabuke Development Area, I discovered that there was no computer education in the school curriculum. This prompted me to ensure that the students from JSS One to SSS Three learn the rudiments of computer. So, I took them through the practical aspect of computer through my personal laptop. So far, no fewer than 252 students have been trained in computer application such as Microsoft excel, power point, Corel Draw, Internet browsing among others.”

    On what the school and the community would benefit from the centre, the Principal of the Government Secondary School, Mr Abubakar Adamu, said: “With the computer resource centre in place, the school needs not to waste money for typing or printing examination questions or any official documents. Also, online registration can also be done here, which will save money and time.”

    While praising the initiator of the project for a job well done, the Administrator of Gadabuke Development Area Council, Alhaji Salihu Ibrahim, said: “It takes courage for a Corps member to come up with a brilliant idea like this, not even minding that he is serving in a village. The computer resource centre will help build leadership ability in our students and enhance their intellect.”

  • A lift for youths, needy in Ekiti

    A lift for youths, needy in Ekiti

    Lawmaker provides jobs tools

    A House of Representatives member, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, has donated poverty alleviation items worth several millions of naira to over 1000 beneficiaries across the 33 wards making up the Ekiti South Federal Constituency II in Ekiti State.

    The constituency comprises Emure, Ekiti East and Gbonyin Local Government areas.

    Faparusi, who represents Emure/Gbonyin/Ekiti East Federal Constituency at the National Assembly, received a groundswell of praises in Ode Ekiti during empowerment programmes he organised principally for youths, needy adults, women groups and the physically challenged in his constituency.

    Under the programme with the theme, Fighting Poverty, various items distributed.

    The items included four 14-seater buses for the party, one per local government area and one for constituency operations; a 10-seater bus; two saloon cars;  35 motorcycles, 35 grinding machines; 10 deep-freezers, 25 sewing machines; 25 hair-dryers; 35 generators for small business owners; 160 knapsack sprayers for farmers; 10 wheelchairs for disabled persons; 32 complete sets of business centre gadgets and materials; five sets  bricklayers tools; clothing materials for 400 women; 200 stoves for women; N10,000.00 cash support for 64 market women and cash donation for 10 entrepreneurs worth N1million.

    Faparusi said it was natural for him to share his wealth with the poor, adding that he felt compelled to give back to the people who freely gave him their mandate to represent them.

    He said further that empowering women and the youth is surest way to reduce poverty among Nigerians.

    Faparusi noted: “Pursuant to the careful assessment of the needs of the communities in the constituency, we have gotten the nod of the National Assembly to embark on crucial community projects under the Constituency Project Scheme.

    “These shall be commenced fully in January 2013 after necessary modalities have been put in place. These projects include the construction of an ICT centre at Emure; installment of a 33KV feeder line at Isinbode; construction of boreholes at Ijan, Kota, Omuo and Emure, installation of solar streetlight at Ekiti East and Gbonyin, and supply of library materials and facilities at Omuo.

    The federal parliamentarian described the increasing spate of unemployment rate among Nigerian youths and women, as a time bomb that could kill the future of the country, unless concerted efforts are made to halt the trend.

    At the event, over 10 vehicles and motorbikes were distributed to commercial drivers and motorcyclists including youth groups, while women numbering over 1,000 went home with sowing and grinding machines, as well as generating sets to boost their businesses.

    While some women received financial assistance to help them in setting up

    small scale businesses, some youths also got free recharge cards and mobile phone sets to set up phone call business that would make them economically independent and cushion their poverty.

    Faparusi insisted that the country must place high premium on the development of the youths and women categories, if it is sincere with its development and transformational agenda in boosting its economic potential

    “The rate of unemployment among the youth groups and women is alarming and it is an issue that calls for sober reflection because that is the why Nigeria has found it very difficult to develop economically.

    “Today, youths are taking into armed robbery and other crimes as well as prostitution because they are not gainfully employed. This is why the governments have to be passionate about the development of its youth population for economy to develop, because they are the active and productive population”, Faparusi said, adding: “No country had ever abandoned its youths and developed. They should be the focus of the economy. They should be well-equipped and positioned to drive the economy for Nigeria to move up. There should be interventions for them to have education, skills and leadership focus to guarantee the future of this country. That was why all my intervention programmes since elections have been centred on education and skills acquisition to complement the efforts of Governor Kayode Fayemi”.

    He further said: “What we have given them are just palliatives. Many others will still have their share, but above all, I have acquired lands for the purpose of building skill acquisition centres across the constituency where people will be able to get trained in vocations with more supports from us. That will, by God’s grace, commence next year.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Chief Ajisafe Moses who got a car noted that the kind of experience in Ekiti in which thousands have so far benefitted from both state and national lawmakers and political office holders in the state across the three senatorial districts has turned peoples’ lives around dramatically.

    Moses said: “This experience we are having is new in the state. We are thankful to God and grateful to our lawmakers. We are not being disappointed however as we elected them and what we thought is what we are getting today especially from Hon. Faparusi.

    According to Kunle Oloruntoba, it is total surprise that he could get nearly a hundred thousand naira worth motorcycle from Hon. Faparusi. I am grateful to our lawmaker for this great gift. I have been saving for this for a long time and I now have it without spending any amount.”

  • $300m global research boosts HP operations

    The newly injected $300 million investment for global researches would boost new market and innovations in Nigeria and other Africa countries, HP Global Information Communication Technology (ICT) has said.

    Briefing reporters at the end of HP EG GEN 8 Server Launch, the HP Blade Systems Manager, Majed Zied, said the company aims to accelerate server market in African countries.

    “HP is accelerating Server Market Transformation with Self-sufficient HP ProLiant Gen8 Servers,” adding that the new generation of ISS Proliant servers has been launched.

    “This is a result of a $300 million research to provide better services to our customers, the project was called Project voyager. With intelligent technologies that automate tasks and significantly improve uptime, HP ProLiant Gen 8, with HP ProActive Insight architecture addresses the top concerns of enterprises.”

    He said companies spend an average of $24 million over three years on manual operations to support servers, stating that HP ProLiant Gen8 triples administrator productivity has eliminated most manual operations, such as server updates, which typically take five hours of administrator time per rack of servers.

    Also, the HP Public Sector Manager in Nigeria, Chukwuma Okpaka, said with the new strategy, Nigeria will no longer represent Ghana and that the Nigerian market for HP will only cater for Nigeria, while Ghana will now be run independently.”

    “The skyrocketing cost of operations in the data center is unsustainable, and enterprises are looking to HP to help solve this problem.

    “We are delivering innovative intelligence technologies that enable servers to virtually take care of themselves, allowing data center staff to devote more time to business innovation,” he stated

  • Kebbi trains workers

    Kebbi trains workers

    Kebbi State government is enhancing the capacity of its workers to help them perform better and meet the needs of the people.
    Its latest effort is in information communication technology (ICT) and computer operation in which the its Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has trained no fewer than 225 teachers in junior secondary schools and 160 education managers.
    Disclosing this at the opening ceremony of a two-week teachers’ workshop held at the multi-purpose Hall of Waziri Umar Federal Polytechnic, Birinin-Kebbi, the chairman of the Board, Alhaji Haruna Dankatsina said the relevance of computer literacy and ICT capacity training for teachers is necessary.
    ICT and computer knowledge have become indispensable in today’s knowledge-driven world.
    He also pointed out that since 2009 to date, the Board has trained 3,546 primary school teachers, 767 junior secondary teachers, 403 management and supervisory staff as well as 274 care-givers on ICT across the state.
    The chairman said the Board is working closely with over 70 per cent of those trained in computer literacy and ICT, adding that it has established computer centres in some primary and junior secondary schools across the state.
    Dankatsina also commended the Saidu Dakingari administration for his contribution toward improving the education in the state.

  • Free ICT training for unemployed youths

    Free ICT training for unemployed youths

    To boost capacity and help reduce unemployment, an Information Technology firm, Webhpro, has held a free training programme in Lagos to boost the computer skills of youths.

    Its Managing Director, Mr Taiwo Pillar, said the course is aimed at empowering those who attend.

    He said the eight set of web design students graduated on August 18; the ninth set is currently undergoing training and will graduate on September 29.

    Since the training began, about 1,000 students have graduated as website designers. Registration is ongoing for the 10th set, which can be done on webhproteam.com, Pillar said.

    The firm has launched a training programme named “Learn and Win”, in which participants will acquire skills in the use of Microsoft Office packages. This is as it has developed training software, which is in Compact Disc and can also be downloaded online.

    Pillar said the Webhpro Free Training Programme has received the support of a group, the Lifehouse Global Mission, as well as the Redeemed Christian Church of God.

    He said: “I have always had the passion to empower people, particularly young people. I didn’t start in life with a lot of money, so giving money was out of it. I finally settled for helping people with the skills I have developed over the years, the skills that have helped me to stabilise in life.

    “As web developer, I reasoned that if I could start helping people by giving them free training, I could have helped someone put food on his table, pay for his children school fee, be self-employed, increase his income, as well contributed my own quota to the development of my country.

    “We have had of testimonies of students that are now gainfully employed in reputable organisations and some are now their own bosses, courtesy of the web skills acquired from Webhpro Free Training Programme.”

    Pillar said since the training is free, it focuses on Web development due to financial constraints. He called for sponsorship support from organisations, religious bodies and individual.

  • How ICT raised Osun IGR by 100%, by Aregbesola

    How ICT raised Osun IGR by 100%, by Aregbesola

    The proactive deployment of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is responsible for the improvement of the monthly Internally Generated Revenue of Osun State from N300m to N600m.
    Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, disclosed this at the 2012 Nigerian Telecoms Awards where he was conferred with the ICT Governor of the Year.
    Aregbesola said one of the many areas where ICT has been deployed to drive service delivery was in tax administration.
    According to him: “We have stopped the old practice of tax collection by travelling clerks.
    “Rather, all taxes, rates and levies payable in the state are now done through the banks and paid directly into the accounts of the government.
    “With this technological innovation alone, we have blocked loopholes and have been able to double the internally generated revenue of the government from N300m to N600m monthly.”
    The Governor also said the administration has embarked on an aerial mapping of the entire state and the establishment of Geo-Spatial Land Information Systems, adding that the project had reached an advanced stage.
    “At the end of the exercise, farm holdings are now easily validated, records updated and geo-referenced using Global Positioning Systems (GPS) devices and the data sets were then imported into a GIS environment to allow for storage, retrieval and analysis of the spatial datasets,” he said.
    He further explained that with the Agricultural Land Parcelling Information Systems (A-LPIS) scheme, the state would have access to information relating to agricultural lands available and real time at the touch of a button.
    He also explained Osun ICT youth–centric scheme, christened OYES TECH is aimed at providing digital empowerments for the youthful elements.
    Aregbesola said each of the 5,000 OYES agents under the initiative would be given a terminal (POS/POT machine) and its accessories, which will be financed upfront by the partnering firm.
    “The terminal will be used with skills acquired to earn a minimum monthly income of N40, 000 under the firm’s mentoring and training,” he assured.

  • Govt unfolds plans for local ICT manufacturers

    The Federal Government has unfolded strategies to support local manufacturers of computers among other information and communication technology (ICT) devices. Part of the strategies include revisiting the issue of waivers for local assemblers of ICT products, and ensuring that local products are well patronised.

    Speaking after her visits to some of the local manufacturers of computers in Lagos recently, the Minister of Communications, Mrs Omobola Johnson said the decision to support local manufacturers of ICT devices was borne out of the need to improve the economy. Johnson said access to computers in Nigeria is lower, adding that many people would access the products when manufacturers produce them at cheaper rates.

    She said the government has been making efforts to promote computer ownership while at the same time developing broadband infrastructure.

    She said it would be futile to develop broadband infrastructure when many Nigerians do not have access to computers, tablets among other devices. She said her visits to the local ICT manufacturers was informed by the need to intimate them of the government’s plans and the roles they are expected to play to improve the economy.

    She said: “Ïf we build broadband infrastructure and people don’t have computers, tablets, and whatever to access it, it is going to be a waste of time. The next thing we are trying to drive is that as we build the infrastructure, we need to make sure we all have the devices. And in doing this, we could create genuine demand for locally-made PCs.

    “What we are saying is that there is a huge market for PCs in Nigeria but the participation of Nigerians in meeting the demands of the market is very low. It will be good if we can open up the market for Nigerian companies. So, what we are trying to do is to create captive markets for our local computer makers and the first captive markets we are trying to create are students in tertiary institutions. The reason for this is because we believe that these are people who desperately want to have computers but they may not be able to afford them.”

    In his response, the Chairman, Zinox Group, Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, said if Nigeria could create demand for two million computers in a year, this could create a minimum of 250,000 jobs in the first year and the multiplier effect in the subsequent years shall be double the first year.

    He said: “These computers (hardware) shall create a huge market for the software and ICT solution market which will employ millions of Nigerians within five years of this intervention.“