The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICT

  • FG should make ICT focus of nation building – NIRA President

    The President of the Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NiRA), Revd. Sunday Folayan, has advised the federal government to rebuild the nation’s economy through the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and depend less on oil.
    Folayan made this known at the 13th NETWORK Technology Conference and Workshop organized by Nigeria Network Operators Groups (ngNOG) held recently at the Zone Tech Park, Lagos, tagged; Affordable Broadband for the Next 100 Million Nigerian.
    According to him, we must carry out the task of rebuilding Nigeria’s Economy so that it will be less dependent on oil and more dependent on other sources of revenue, especially information technology and its will require concerted efforts in Legislation and Policies, Education and Capacity building, open Governance and enhanced accountability
    “the next 100 million Nigerians will be made easier by recognizing the importance of ICT in the nation’s socio-economic development by making ICT the centre-piece of national development through the steady pursuit of policies and programmes that will re-position Nigeria as a strong player in the emerging global digital economy.”
    “the need to recognize Information Technology as a matter of national priority and make it the bedrock of national development, by putting in place policies that will use ICT to drive socio-economic development and the enactment of appropriate legislations to give effect to the various ICT thrusts of the government such as mandatory continuing education, the national software strategic policy, national broadband policy or plan, financial technology services”.
    Folaya further said the need for the review of the ICT Curriculum in the various educational establishments and levels to reflect the realities of the current age and embark on a massive manpower development drive to harness the energies and capabilities of the Nigerian Youth.
     
    “Create mass IT literacy programmes at all levels, to take education to every Nigerian. Convert the NYSC to an IT Retooling Camp as part of the National IT capacity enhancement Strategy. There is less emphasis on defense and military/paramilitary training, as the next frontier is the Internet”, he said.
    Folayan urge mandatory automation of all Government processes, functions and operations and creation of a consolidated and centralized National Database for effective Governance”.
     “The march to connect the next 100 million and indeed all Nigerians requires the continuous cultivation and empowerment of the community, and a task for all to do,” Folayan said

  • 50 students complete first phase of EdoBits’ free digital skills training

    …As Gov promises  to employ committed trainees 

    Not less than 50 young school leavers have graduated from Course One of Edobits ICT Academy, a free one-year programme run by the Edo State Government through EdoJobs in collaboration with Edobits, Butterfly Works, Poise, and Wearebits.

     

    The students were trained on advanced graphic design skills and performed freelance job for clients in Benin City and environs while on training.

     

    Speaking to journalists at the graduation ceremony, Project Lead, Ekobits and Edobits, Innih Ikhide, said the ceremony is for the course one of the programmes run by Edobits ICT Academy.

     

    He said the Academy was set up this year by the Edo State Government through EdoJobs to train youths from less privileged communities and provide them with adequate knowledge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to contribute to economic development.

     

    Ikhide said course one lasted for eight weeks as the students were equipped with the fundamentals of ICT, noting that the total duration of the course is 12 months.

    Read Also: Free digital training for graduates

    According to him, “After course one, the students’ level of commitment will be reassessed because commitment is important. After the reassessment, the students will continue with course two, which will last for six months after which they will move to course three. At the end of the one-year programme, the students will get a diploma certificate.”

     

    He said the students are guaranteed to get jobs after the training, while those who want to toe the entrepreneurial path will be provided with the necessary support.

     

    Manager, Edobits, Omomoh Abraham, said Edobits will train the students to become professionals in graphics design and development.

     

    “In one of his visits here, the Edo State governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, promised that he will employ every one of them. This is a great opportunity brought to Edo people. We started from the scratch and today they are professionals in graphics design,” he noted.

     

    Abraham said the programme is for free, as the state government and its partners have paid for the course, adding, “the students did not pay; they only made themselves available and have shown commitment.”

     

    “I am really happy to be part of the training, I am graduating today. I am happy my life has changed for the better,” one of the beneficiaries, who identified himself as Osas, said.

     

  • Huawei, Fed Govt to train 1000 civil servants in ICT

    Huawei Technologies has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federal Government to train 1000 civil servants in Information, Communication and Technology (ICT).

    Huawei Vice President of Middle East, Mr  Xue Man at the signing ceremony in Abuja yesterday, said the ICT for Change training was part of the organisation’s effort to be more localised and fulfill its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    Man said that in fulfilling the company’s social responsibility, Huawei was not looking at simple material donation, but mind enlightenment and talent cultivation.

    “The ICT for Change training is aimed at empowering civil servants with fundamental ICT knowledge and skills.

    “The training will enable them to keep pace with the rapid advancement of ICT technology and the increasing demand for digital transformation-government and smart city capabilities.

    “With our rich experience in ICT, we will design and deliver the programme with our best subject matter experts.

    Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Mr Boss Mustapha, commended Huawei for the initiative as it exemplified government’s partnership for private sector organisation to drive its implementation policies and programmes.

    Mustapha said, “the ceremony marked another historic day in the annals of the current administration and the Federal Civil Service as the second phase of ICT for Change MoU is signed between the FG and Huawei.”

    He said that the first phase of the programme tagged: “Seed for Future that commenced in January 2017 and concluded early 2018 achieved the training of 2000 youths by Huawei as part of their contribution to national development.

    “This empowerment programme complements government, youths and students development initiative and job creation.

    The SGF said that the second phase of the programme would be jointly anchored by Huawei and Galaxy Backbone.

    Head of Service Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita said: “The training will go a long way in helping government in one of goals in the 2017 to 2020 civil service reform which is capacity development for our civil servants, especially in area of technology know how.”

    Galaxy Backbone Managing Director Yusuf Kazuare, said Huawei and Galaxy currently owned digital infrastructure to connect all Federal Government entities across the nation.

     

  • Huawei: ICT has transformative power on economy

    Chinese technology firm, Huawei Technologies, has said information communications technology (ICT) has the transformative power to boost sustainable socio-economic development. It argued that  governments have  vital roles to play in creating a favourable environment for the development of the industry.

    This was contained in a position paper launched at the just concluded International telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2018 in Durban, South Africa.

    In the position paper titled: Telco: Investment, Innovation and Competition in ICT Infrastructure, Huawei said the development trends of ICT  observed around the globe and their potential social economic development spurred by ICT are enormous. It said it arrived at the conclusion after conducting a regression analysis based on a data set of 125 countries for the period 2010 to 2016. It said every 16-20 per cent increase in ICT investment brings one per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP). It stressed that in order to fully unleash the potential of ICT in promoting economic growth and societal well-being, governments have a critical role to play in supporting investment in ICT infrastructure, encouraging ICT innovation, and in guiding and regulating ICT competition.

    At the launching ceremony, Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General, said government should make ICT policy not just sectoral but national. The development of ICT and relevant infrastructure cannot be realised by solely relying on participants in the ICT ecosystem. Instead, it requires support and guidance from governments.

    He said: “Our objectives are clear: connecting the unconnected, providing people with more advanced technologies, developing new applications, and facilitating other ecosystems. And to succeed in this endeavor, we need more innovative public-private partnerships.”

  • Senator advocates private, public partnership in ICT

    The Senator representing Lagos East Senatorial District at the Senate, Senator Gbenga Ashafa has said collaborative efforts between private and public sectors are needed in order to improve Nigeria’s education standard.

    The lawmaker, who spoke during the inauguration of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre and blocks of classrooms at St. John Anglican School, Imota Lagos, said acquisition of ICT skills is necessary for quality education.

    He said the world was becoming a global village as a result of technological advancements made possible by the ICT. He stated that stakeholders in the education sector could no longer watch from the sidelines.

    The Senator expressed optimism that with the right education and ICT skills, Nigerian youths would make the country better in terms of socio-economic and political developments.

    He noted that the project would facilitate youths’ development, even as he called on stakeholders to complement Lagos State government’s efforts in its drive to reduce illiteracy.

    He said: “We are  aware that ICT rules the world now, and if we have youths who are not trained in the right skills, they will not be able to communicate well with their counterparts from other parts of the world.

    “This is particularly helpful where we have the first private university in the country; Caleb University. So, it will facilitate scholarly research and assist youths to sharpen their skills in ICT.

    “To this end, we are complementing the efforts of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by having the technological hub in Yaba and locating new ones at Igbogbo and Imota.

    “The ICT centres are for people to learn while the blocks of classrooms will enhance the reading environment for the pupils.  This is part of my contributions to make life better for my constituents as I promised when I was vying for the position of Senator,” he said.

    He maintained that any society which ignores the development of its youths is doomed.

    “We are aware that education is priceless, but what is even inestimable is handing over valuable skills which will be relevant to the development of the young generation.

    “The world over, there is no doubt that the way to go is information technology. Therefore, I once again commit to you a responsibility to be much more ICT compliant.

    “Never forget that the gesture is in furtherance to the foundation laid down by our leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and the consolidation of the efforts of Governor Ambode,” he said.

     

  • Nigeria, China to sign $328 million agreement on ICT

    Nigeria is in the process of taking a $328 million loan from the Chinese EXIM Bank.

    An agreement for the loan is scheduled to be signed by President Muhammadu Buhari and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, during Buhari’s current trip to that country.

    The agreement is on the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone Phase 11 (NICTIB 11) between Galaxy Backbone Limited and Huawei Technologies Limited (HUAWEI).

    Buhari arrived Beijing yesterday to attend the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) taking place tomorrow and Tuesday.

    His  Senior Special Assistant on Media and publicity, Garba Shehu, said  yesterday that the loan  is for the  “development of NICTIB 11 project which is consistent with the current administration’s commitment to incorporating the development of ICT into national strategic planning under the National Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).”

    He added: “President Buhari and his Chinese host will also witness the signing of the MOU on One Belt One Road Initiative (OBOR). It may be recalled that in 2013, the Chinese leader proposed the initiative of building the Silk Road Economic Belt and the 21st-Century Maritime Silk Road, with a view to integrating the development strategies of partnering countries.

    “During the High-Level Dialogue between Chinese and African Leaders and Business representatives on the margins of FOCAC, the Nigerian delegation is also expected to sign no fewer than 25 MOUs, including those proposed by the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), and Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA).”

    On arrival at Capital International Airport, Beijing at about 9:04 am (Nigerian time), Buhari was received by the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Dr. Zhou Pingjian, Nigeria’s Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda and his wife Zahra; the Deputy Chief of Mission, Ambassador Bakori Aliyu Usman; Consular-General of Nigeria, Guangzhou, Shairudeen Oloko; Consular-General of Nigeria, Shanghai, Anderson Madubuike; and Defence Attaché, Brig-Gen. Temitope Ademola.

    President Buhari will tomorrow meet Nigerians living in China before the kick-off of FOCAC on Monday when he will join President Jinping and other African leaders for roundtable sessions which will essentially discuss the report of FOCAC since the 2015 Johannesburg Summit, including the implementation of the ”ten cooperation plans” adopted at the last meeting.

    “The Summit is also expected to adopt the Beijing Declaration and the Action Plan for the development of China-Africa cooperation and fashion out new opportunities to grow Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership from 2019 to 2021.”

     

  • Wapic leads talk on risk management to boost productivity in ICT, Telecom

    Wapic Insurance Plc has enlightened clients and other stakeholders on the alternative methods of managing risk and Telecoms & ICT companies’ exposures, especially within a volatile economic environment like Nigeria.

    Its Managing Director, Adeyinka Adekoya in her remarks at a Seminar Series organised by the firm with the theme: “Mitigating Risk in the Telecoms & ICT Industry: Challenges & Solutions”, said the firm aims to ensure that its clients and potential clients in the ICT and telecommunications industry manage their risks effectively and efficiently towards greater productivity and value creation. She said risk is constant in life and all business endeavours, noting that it is the reason risk management is an important aspect in the businesses’ life cycle.

    She stressed that in a progressively globalising world, risk management is in fact, a measure that calls for constant remodeling and fine tuning to fit evolutions in business and the world in general.

    She said: “Globalisation has allowed for the proliferation of digital solutions, Telecoms and ICT. Technological and industrial advancement pose a risk to our collective future. To secure a progressive future, it is important that all technological investments of today remain sustainable and scalable for the future.

    “Insurance is one very important risk management measure. However, there are many other  valid measures that together with insurance will provide the right fortification for Telecoms and ICT companies in Nigeria. There are also many more ways that insurance can provide fortification for this industry than the ways in which we currently do.

     

     

  • Minister, NCC to youth: help grow economy with ICT

    COMMUNICATION Minister Adebayo Shittu has urged youths and rural dwellers to key into the opportunities in Information Communication Technology (ICT) to create jobs and increase their low income level to high income ends.

    Shittu advised the youth to embrace ICT, train and keep retraining, saying it would significantly increase their access to education, global information pool, productivity, business opportunities and knowledge that are goldmine of money.

    The minister gave the advice in Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, during the Southwest zone stakeholders’ engagement workshop on ICT utilisation and sustainability.

    The programme was facilitated by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), an agency of the Federal Government and Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    About 150 beneficiaries at the workshop were students and artisans.

    Speaking at the workshop, themed: “ICT for community engagement through knowledge based development”, Shittu said the nation’s experience with oil wealth in the last 60 years and how it had not genuinely developed the country and the citizens was a sufficient reason why there should be a paradigm shift to ICT.

    He noted that there were other countries of the world, which were ahead of Nigeria in all indices of growth and development because they depended on the strength of ICT.

    “ICT is helpful in creating jobs, developing Nigeria and it will lead to eventual transformation of the country. This is why NCC is targeting 150 youths in the locality for training,” Shittu said.

    Chairman of NCC Senator Biyi Durojaiye said the essence of the workshop was to create avenue to identify, train and equip hidden talents among the nation’s youth that would blossom to help grow the economy, create jobs and enhance national competitiveness.

  • Vodacom seeks gender parity in ICT sector

    TO boost gender equality in the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector, Vodacom Business Nigeria officials have visited female pupils of Grace High School, Gbagada and Lagoon Secondary School, Lekki, all in Lagos.

    The officials said the visit was part of the  firm’s celebration of the seventh International Girls in ICT Day.

    They organised the Coding and STEM quiz contests, which the pupils won.

    Vodacom Business Nigeria’s Senior Manager for Product Development, Funke Atanda said: “Vodacom is committed to accelerating the change needed to create relevant opportunities for women through the use of ICT.

    “By supporting ICT skills acquisition for young girls, bringing them into our organisations and opening their minds to new technologies that exist and continue to develop, we are able to encourage more girls to choose courses in the ICT sector. This will help increase the number of women in the ICT sector in the near future.”

    She said initiatives like the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Girls in ICT Day would go a long way towards encouraging this change, thus strengthening the sector while continuing to improve social and economic progression in the country.

    ‘’By providing donations, training and support to ICT-driven programmes, Vodacom Business Nigeria is accelerating the removal of barriers for girls and women in the ICT industry.

    The official said the contest formed part of a global campaign that seeks to encourage young girls to consider ICT as a profession and contribute their quota to the growth of the industry in Nigeria and their self-development.

    The International Girls’ in ICT Day is an initiative of the International ITU to create a global environment that will empower and encourage girls and young women to consider careers in the ICT field.

    With some school girls opting to study technology-related disciplines in decline in most countries worldwide, ITU has committed itself towards championing young women  for a career in tech.

  • Lagos to tackle unemployment with ICT

    Lagos State Government has promised to reduce the problem of youth mass unemployment with Information Communication Technology (ICT).

    The state said it will provide additional Wi-Fi access in schools, bus terminals and several parks/gardens in addition to such facility already existing at the Ndubuisi Kanu; Johnson, Jakande & Tinubu as well as Muri Okunola Parks in Lagos.

    Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr Hakeem Popoola Fahm said this at ongoing briefing by ministries to mark Governor Akinwunmi Ambode third anniversary.

    Fahm noted that the state government has concluded plans to transform the Sabo Industrial Estate in Yaba into a Technology Hub and another Silicon Valley where a new set of entrepreneurs will be raised to address the challenges confronting the nation in the ICT sector.

    He explained that government saw the need to embrace software development and key into its vast available employment opportunities to drastically reduce unemployment in the state.

    According to him, the government has set up a Committee on the ICT Hub and all hands are on deck to ensure a successful implementation.

    He reiterated the state’s desire to install additional 10,000 High Definition (HD) Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the state as part of the comprehensive Smart City Programme,  saying that the smart city initiative, which is on course, was intended to allow the people and companies operate in a safe and secure environment.

    “In the second phase of the project, we will be deploying 10,000 HD cameras, world class e-Government solution and data centre solution, one key alarm, metro fibre network to serve as backbone for communication and unified communications with smart phones for first respondent agencies such as police, fire service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO), among others,” Fahm said.

    He said the initiative would address security, transportation and infrastructure in a sustainable manner.

    “The security component will deploy thousands of surveillance CCTV cameras through the length and breadth of the State. The transportation component focuses on Intelligent Transport Service (ITS) and the connectivity component with provision of a metro fibre network through a major Internet Service Provider (IPS) that will eventually lead connectivity to various homes, offices and institutions in the State,” Fahm said.