The Nation Newspaper

Tag: ICT

  • Hauwei, Immigration partner on ICT

    Hauwei Technology Nigeria Limited in conjunction with the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has commenced a nation-wide training programme for about 500 senior Immigration Officers.

    According to the firm’s Managing Director, Mr Tank Liteng, the ICT-based training programme, which kicked off at Hauwei Trainning Centre in Abuja, was organised for Immigration personnel as part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

    He said for five days, 50 officers would be trained in software development, cyber security techniques, and web design, among others, noting that officers would undergo the programme in Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, Bauchi, Minna, Owerri, Benin City and Makurdi.

    Mr Liteng also said Hauwei recently reached an understanding with the government to provide training for 2000 youths in ICT related fields, adding that 10 senior government officials were sponsored abroad for training in ICT by the company this year.

    While declaring the program-med open, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Muham-med Babandede, said the service generated about N31 billion as revenue into the coffers of the Federal Government this year.

    The amount, he said, was about N6billion higher than the previous year, adding that Nigerians should be prepared to pay more for International Passports very soon as the current cost of obtaining the document was not sustainable.

  • Zinox chief to youths: ICT knowledge crucial to digital economy

    Zinox chief to youths: ICT knowledge crucial to digital economy

    Chairman of Zinox  Group Leo Stan Ekeh has advised the youth and entrepreneurs to embrace the numerous opportunities for wealth creation, which abound with the growing pace of digital revolution and the knowledge economy.

    He said with global shift to information communications technology (ICT), wealth had become a right for all in the 21st Century.

    Ekeh spoke during an entrepreneurship summit with: The ABC of wealth creation and sustenance in the 21st Century as theme.

    It was organised by the Imo State University and its alumni association in partnership with an e-commerce outfit, Yudala, at the University Auditorium at the weekend.

    Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was represented by House Speaker, Acho Ihim; Vice Chancellor Prof. Adaobi Obasi, other principal officers of the university as well as several first class traditional rulers.

    Ekeh, who was the guest speaker, decried the attitude to quality education among Igbo youths, a generational problem which he traced to parents who erroneously assumed that education delays the progress of a man.

    He said: “The political leadership of the Southeast for decades has bemoaned the falling enrolment in schools. However, the mindset among many seems to be: Why do we need formal education when all we have to do is find the fastest way of making clean money? ‘Seek ye wealth first and all the rest shall be added unto you’ or drawn straight from the Bible in the book of Wisdom – ‘money answereth all’.

    “This mindset should change to ‘knowledge answers all’. In the 21st Century, knowledge is your right and the most important capital before cash.

    “Wealth creation would always be about generating material values and accumulating same but the knowledge economy says to us that the processes must change. These tools are to be used to reorganise society and fire innovation. The knowledge economy has shrunk the global village even further and our aspirations must rise above the tripod of Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo battle for supremacy. The globe must be the platform for our operations and it has been since 1859 but we need to look inwards if we are to take advantage of the knowledge era.

    “The Igbo entrepreneur would have to take quality education more seriously as deficiency in this is already a minus to her intellectual capacity to sustain her enterprise.”

    In his opinion, innovation, which he defined as when an invention meets a customer,  represents one key success factor for many budding entrepreneurs who seek to enjoy digital wealth.

    “There are Igbo entrepreneurs, including my humble self who have made huge investments in Lagos, Abuja, the UK, along the East and West Coast of Africa who would have no choice other than make investments at home given the qualified manpower and irresistible innovations. The 21st Century venture fund would be delivered to innovations no matter where they are found – China, Indonesia, South Africa, Israel, Brazil, name it.

    “The point being made here is that the world needs innovations – answers to challenges confronting humanity – and the 21st Century Igbo aspiration should be to provide these innovations that are technology driven so that the products would be cost efficient and cost effectively reach more consumers world over,” he said.

    Urging the audience to embrace the ICT revolution, Ekeh noted that there is a clear and urgent need for training and re-training in a bid to reveal the potentials of ICT to all.

    “It is important that I make it quite clear that what I am advocating is not that everyone must be an ICT professional. What I am saying is that every professional or entrepreneur at least for selfish reasons must be ICT literate enough to ensure that every sector of the economy is ICT driven. It is accepted globally that only ICT can catalyse national development at the pace that satisfies the high expectations in good living of the 21st Century,” he said.

  • Worried Minister says Indians are buying over MTN Nigeria

    Worried Minister says Indians are buying over MTN Nigeria

    Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has expressed sadness over the state of the economy noting that Indians are gradually buying over MTN Nigeria.
    According to Onu, not less than 75 percent ownership of MTN has been acquired by Indians.
    The minister disclosed this in Abuja at the weekend during the inaugural press conference of the Computer-Based Test, (CBT) Centre Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, (CPAN) with the theme: the impact of ICT in CBT system of examination.
    Government, Onu said, does not want foreigners to take away technological opportunities meant for Nigerians.
    Represented by the Assistant Director, Information Communication and Technology, (ICT) at the Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Adeyemi Adebayo, the minister said: “Indians are gradually buying over MTN in Nigeria now and one of the bad things about this development is that Indians now have the capacity to administer what MTN does by Physically employing Nigerians.
    “They want the capacity to do that from their country and if we in Nigeria allow all these opportunities to go it will not speak well.
    “Indians have now taking over not less than 75 percent of MTN and the control of MTN is not from Indian not even from Nigeria and if your association is not taken over this CBT may be Indians will come and take over CBT.
    “You people are doing a great work. Government does not want people from other countries to come and take away our technology. I believe that if we have associations like CPAN, they can regroup from the telecom companies they can take back what Indians have taking away from Nigeria.
    “MTN Nigeria is actually a Nigerian company, they came from South Africa but who are the people doing the work, are they not Nigerians?”
    Onu said Nigeria has not adequately exploited the potentials of the Information Communication and Technology, (ICT) hence weakening the economy.
    Onu said the country’s productivity capacity to compete with the world has also been weakened.
    The repercussion according to the minister, is that Nigeria may not have international competitive products in the world.

  • New ICT centre for Lagos school

    It was a moment of excitement as over 3,000 children of Lagos State Model Primary School GRA, lkeja celebrated the inauguration of 16-seater Information Communication Technology (ICT) Learning Centre built by SAP Nigeria in partnership with AYECI Africa at the school’s premises.

    The renovation of the ICT Centre worth over N5 million had 16 functional computer systems with internet, interactive maker board, IBM, projector and 3.5KVA power generating set.

    Speaking at the event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Science and Technology, Olufemi Odubiyi commended SAP Nigeria and AYECI Africa for their foresight in helping to build an army of ICT-compliant generation that will reshape the world.  

    Odubiyi said the gesture was in tandem with the Lagos State Government’s determination to provide quality education for public and private school pupils by ensuring that each pupil acquires the necessary computer knowledge in order to compete with their peers globally. 

    He noted that with an estimated shortage of some two million IT professionals in the world, the need to encourage more people to take interest in ICT, through training and skills development is a welcome way to deal with the deficit; and catching them young through SAP Africa Code Week programme is not just the way to go but the key to bridging the gap.

    He stressed that the ICT sector is a fast-growing one with unlimited possibilities. Consequently, governments, non-governmental organisations and stakeholders in the education sector need to do more in promoting ICT skills in not just primary, but secondary and tertiary institutions. 

    Odubiyi said: “The ICT sector remains a fast-growing area with limitless possibilities for national and international development. These days, ICT is effectively showing new dimensions to old institutional arrangements. It is in view of the boundless opportunities ICT offers that the Lagos State Government has been making concerted efforts to explore its potential in various aspects of governance; education inclusive.”

    As part of effort to encourage e-learning, he said, the government established a ‘Digital Village’ at Alausa, Ikeja for interested residents, especially youths to further have the opportunity of exploring the unbelievable potential of ICT. The major goal of the village is to produce a new generation of youths who are sufficiently versatile with appropriate IT skills to be positioned for personal development and active participation in nation-building.

    In her words, Marketing Lead for Africa SAP, Juliet Omorodion said the renovation of the ICT centre was in celebration of the annual global call to service day for organisations to give back to their communities or immediate environments.

    She said: “We want to improve learning experience of these young ones. We want to empower underserved people with learning opportunities to enable them to have a strong technology-driven future.”

    She added that to ensure regular power supply to the centre, the organisation had installed 3.5 KVA power generating set as an alternative to power supply for the centre.

    Continuing, Omorodion said: “Over 3,000 children are to benefit from the project. We are extremely glad and passionate about it.”

    The Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education, Dr Oluremi Sopeyin, urged the school’s management to use the facility well for the benefit of the children.

    He said the world has become a global village and the need to arm the children with requisite skills is imperative.

    He noted that the success of the sustainable development goals is hinged on inclusive education for all, especially today’s children.

     

  • TUC rejects proposed increase in data tarrif

    TUC rejects proposed increase in data tarrif

    …Says it is against Nigerians
    The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), said Tuesday that the proposed increase in data rate by the telecoms operators in the country was a conspiracy against the collective interest of the common man in the country.

    In a statement made available to newsmen and signed by the President, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and Acting Secretary General, Comrade (Barr.) Simeso Amachree, the Congress said the proposed increase was unacceptable as if is aimed at frustrating the lives of the Nigerian people.

    If said rather than increase awareness for greater citizens’ participation especially in ICT, they are doing the opposite, pointing out that while the government is banking on ICT for youth empowerment, the NCC is trying to cut youth participation.

    The statement reads: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria warns against the on-going conspiracy between the Federal Government through the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and some major telecom companies, especially MTN to further increase their data rates from December 1, 2016. It is really startling the extent government and its capitalist’s cronies would go to frustrate the lives of Nigerians.

    “We feel particularly awful about the move because data is one of the cheapest ways to empower the teaming youth. This move if allowed would make it unaffordable. In our view, this is insensitive and criminal on the part of the parties involved.

    “We are not surprised that MTN has thrown its whole weight behind the policy; but the telecom giant should realized that trying to lobby the government will not save the organization when the chips are down. Of course, this cannot happen in South Africa.

    “Naturally, we had expected that government would increase awareness for greater citizens’ participation especially in ICT, but unfortunately they are doing the opposite. One cannot really situate Federal government policy direction these days.

    “On the one hand, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is banking on ICT for youth empowerment while on the other, the NCC is trying to cut youth participation. All the promises made to the Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg when he visited the country cannot be achieved if the policy is implemented.

    “This is not the best way to make money. This move is spineless and should be done away with. What then would be the benefit of the policy to the self-employed who depend on data for their businesses? The truth is, cheap internet data is a vehicle of some sort to economic development.

    “It is very unfortunate, very unreasonable and inhuman to come up with such idea at a period of recession. Any call for increase in anything for now is most unreasonable, uncalled for and a calculated attempt to record more suicide cases and insecurity in our already tension-soaked country.

    “The telecoms sector was often used as a case study to justify the removal of fuel subsidy. But the question is, is the telecoms sector truly deregulated? What happens to the issue of free market in the telecoms sector?

    “There is so much deceit and insincerity in the system. We are calling on government to come up with godly policies that would encourage investment and stimulate growth, instead of deliberately trying to stifle businesses.”

  • ICT can pull economy out of recession, says NCC

    The Executive Vice Chairman, Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC), Prof. Umar Dambatta has advised investors and other key players in the nation’s economy to leverage on the information communications technology (ICT) sector as well as telecoms innovations to pull the economy out of recession.

    Represented by the Director, Public Affairs at the NCC, Tony Ojobo at the  Nigeria Innovation Conference (#nis2016), Dambatta cited the pharmaceutical industry where the authenticity of drugs are now verified through the use of mobile phones, as one of the innovations powered by telecoms industry.

    “We are all aware of the innovation where farmers were equipped with mobile phones and they are able to be reached for distribution of fertilisers and other critical infrastructure that have given them better yields.

    “In the movie industry, as represented by Nollywood, the Commission has taken steps to collaborate with the actors and producers to evolve better ways to distribute their contents to the worldwide audience and also to improve their production capabilities through the application of relevant technologies available in other parts of the world,” Dambatta said, adding that the overall effect of this is economic growth.

    The EVC said innovation is one of the eight-point agenda of the current leadership of the Commission. “The fourth item of that agenda, in particular, seeks to promote ICT innovation and investment opportunities. By this, the Commission makes conscious efforts to promote ICT innovations in ways that improve the nation’s ability to compete in the global economy, increase investments in youths, and promote small medium enterprises (SMEs) for new businesses deliveries and breakthroughs,” he said.

    Also speaking on: How Nigeria Higher Education System Can Drive Innovation: Opportunities for Collaboration and Partnership for Economic Development, Senior Education Specialist at the World Bank, Dr. Tunde Adekola, said: “What it means to be ‘innovative’ in 2015 may be different to what it was in 1885 or 1985 (and it will perhaps be different still in 2085). That said, there is little argument that, whatever the year, and wherever you are, basic numeracy and literacy skills are fundamental to one’s education and ability to navigate successfully through life now require learning and innovation skills, statistical literacy,  digital literacy skills, life and career skills”.

    He said both innovation and higher education are important for national development and must be value added. He said:  “In the midst of competition, time is also of essence. It is not only about what we know but when do we know it? Innovation makes all the difference between a developed and marginalised economy.

    “Developing countries will have little success boosting economic.

  • Economic diversification: ICT, failed promises and the new horizon

    For so long, successive Nigerian governments have made tons upon tons of promises of how they would turn around the fortunes of the nation by exploiting the opportunities that lie untapped in the non-oil sectors of the economy. But after many attempts (if any at all), they often ended in mere huffs and puffs and a litany of excuses of how “they tried” but did not succeed because it was too big a task to be accomplished during their tenure.

    This was the status quo when President Muhammadu Buhari emerged as the commander-in-chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It was a period of palpable doubt about the capability of any Nigerian government to truly diversify the nation’s economy. But here was a man that consistently offered hope that his administration would be committed to achieving this seemingly impossible feat – he had the trust of many, but needed to sustain it with an outstanding performance. So, we held onto the last straw of life – hope: that, finally, this new man we gave our hearts and mandate at the polls would not fail us like the others. But more than a year into his administration, we are still hoping for the fulfilment of his promises.

    Certainly, this administration got more than it bargained for. (Governance is different from merely being the voice of the opposition). So, it hasn’t been a jolly ride so far, especially with the crash in prices of oil, from which successive governments at the centre fed for so long. But surely, the times have thrown up more challenges, and government must arise and look elsewhere if indeed it desires to take the nation out of the woods. Already, one is glad that government seems to be putting mechanisms in place to ensure it achieves this. However, there arises questions about whether we are prioritising aright.

    At the inception of this government, two officials of this current federal government grabbed the attention of the media for their attempts at diversifying the economy. These two are the Ministers of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, and of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh. Fayemi had early in 2016 raised the hopes of many Nigerians when he announced that his ministry was making concerted efforts to harness Nigeria’s natural resources; only for him to return days later to shock us all with the news that his ministry may be unable to come out with any substantial results for at least a year because they would be spending a year researching on how best to revitalise Nigeria’s potential in solid mineral exploration. Certainly, research is important, but Nigerians are expecting swifter actions. Worse yet, after putting in “so much work”, it would be unfortunate if nothing worthy of note comes out of the “research.”

    Audu Ogbeh’s ministry also has been active – at least going by what we hear and read. Ogbeh has continued to court the media and has remained in the news for one reason or the other. Today, he is talking about establishing grazing reserves all around the country; tomorrow, he is talking about how Nigerians eat poison; day after tomorrow, he is with the President launching a project. But Nigerians still await concrete results from all the ministry’s activities. Or are we just too much of an impatient lot?

    It is time we did things differently. A major reason we have failed, time and time again, to achieve all our goals of diversifying our economy is because we have not acknowledged, let alone putting in a place of primacy, our human capital and their capabilities over resources hidden in the ground. Instead of first “tilling” our human resources, we have tilled our natural resource till they become almost useless to us – ala, oil. While other nations of the world, being aware of the global knowledge economy, are flourishing by optimising Information and Communications Technology (ICT); Nigeria has remained stuck in the agrarian economy which lost its relevance decades ago. Indeed, it is time we did things differently.

    It was therefore consoling to recently read in the news that the current administration is finally committing to promote indigenous technology by showcasing Nigeria’s leading technology solution providers and start-ups at the annual information technology exhibition, GITEX, holding in Dubai in October 2016. GITEX is the 3rd largest technology event on the planet. This is undeniably a step in the right direction! Nigerians have always expected more from National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) – the agency whose recently replaced Director General, Dr. Vincent Olatunji, made the statement on behalf of the federal government. We are however glad that the agency seems to finally be waking up to its responsibility.

    “If we get our ICT right, it would be more difficult for people to be corrupt, and where they are corrupt, it becomes a lot easier to track them down,” said John Obaro, Managing Director of SystemSpecs, developers of Remita, one of the IT solutions NITDA would be showcasing at GiTeX 2016. “The only reason the wealthiest people in the world are ICT professionals is because of the potentials inherent in the sector,” Obaro added.

    Nonetheless, showcasing Made-in-Nigeria technological solutions on the international scene should only be the beginning. It is important for government to prioritise the ICT sector, by equipping professionals in the industry. The talents who are already doing exploits without government support are there; all that is left is substantial backing from government. There is only as far individuals can go. These Nigerians, many of them youths, are daily inventing technological solutions capable of placing Nigeria on the global map and transforming us from the scorn of the world to the world’s envy, but lack the needed support.

    Studies have shown that the top economies in the world have successful ICT sectors upon which other sectors ride to attain greater heights. These economies are successful not only because individuals are gifted but because there is substantial government backing, especially through investments and incentives. For instance, a country like the United States that understands the relevance of ICT tripled investments in accelerators and incubator programmes in 2015 while the United Kingdom made direct investment of 1.1 Billion Pounds in Cyber Security. These are only two examples. Hong Kong, Singapore and Luxembourg are others. These nations did not become technological giants overnight, they started by taking little steps. It is time Nigeria took her little steps, capable of transforming our nation.

    Government, through such agencies as NITDA, should partner with stakeholders in Nigeria’s ICT sector, including the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), to reengage the National Assembly, to facilitate the refinement of our laws towards encouraging increased participation and patronage of indigenous technological solutions. The technology industry anticipates the fast-tracking of the National ICT Policy which would help to position the industry among the best in the world. Already, local players have demonstrated impeccable competence and should be patronised by government agencies and local Nigeria businesses. For us to command a pride of place on the international scene, Nigerians must first patronise and grow what is ours.

    Prioritising ICT in Nigeria means we need to discourage practices where foreign trade delegations are composed without the complement of Nigerian technological products to be promoted. Similarly, Nigeria should also no longer receive foreign technological solutions for challenges which our local competencies can resolve. Also, tech start-ups should cease to be burdened with high take-off costs and killer interest rates that they currently suffer from. Nigeria’s ICT sector should benefit from government incentives like the kind extended to the telecoms sectors where the first entrants got pioneer status which led to an unprecedented boom in the sector. If this is done, the impact would surely be felt, especially in the areas of mass employment and wealth creation across all sectors.

    For this government to succeed in its aim for economic diversification – and not fail like previous administrations, it must place emphasis on ICT by designating the sector as a catalyst for national economic prosperity. And this has to be about action, and not mere words. President Buhari’s government must entrust key national responsibilities to Nigerian technological firms and also champion the course of deploying indigenous ICT for national development. This way, Nigeria would again regain its pride of place on the globe. The ICT path is open before us today, and the best time to take the leap is now!

     

    Ekejiuba is an ICT analyst

  • Expert advocates ICT in Fadama AF II implementation for Northeast

    Mr Tunde Oladunjoye, the Media Consultant for World Bank, has advocated for the effective use of Information and Communication Technology for successful implementation of second Additional Financing AF II in the North-East Nigeria.

    Oladunjoye gave this advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

    He added that the success of Fadama III AF in Nigeria was traced to effective role of information and communication.

    He said communication was the vehicle with which the aims and objectives of an organisation were transported to its internal and external publics and feedback obtained for the attainment of set goals.

    “ The contribution from both local and International media generated lot of awareness creation for Fadama III AF Project all over the country and abroad.

    “ The use of Mass media in the project communication strategy is a well-informed decision because they have the monopoly of the airwaves, airtime, as well as the professional competence,” he said.

  • Lagos school gets ICT facility

    THE Advanced Management Programme (AMP) Class 26 of the Pan Atlantic University, Lekki, Lagos, has donated an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre to Lekki Community High School in Ibeju-Lekki.

    The facility, named School Knowledge Centre, was inaugurated by the donors, who adopted the school.

    Principal of the senior arm of the school, Mr Ebenezer Olusanya, urged his teachers to ensure that all the pupils were computer literate in the next three months.

    “I feel fulfilled,”Olusanya began,”Most of the things that have come to this school have been through the grace of God and the AMP Class 26 of the Lagos Business School (LBS). When you (AMP Class) donated furniture to the school, we promised you that there will be improvement in the West African Senior Secondary School Examination (WASSCE). This year, we have at least 70 per cent success. You also took the pupils out for sightseeing and that changed their lives for good.We must also be grateful to the Lagos State Government.

    “In the next three months, I promise that all my pupils will be computer literate. That means they will start attending classes after school from 3pm-5pm. Today, we may not have structures, but I can boldly say that my school is the best in Epe Local Government.

    “You must learn how to use the computer. It is for you,” Olusanya admonished the pupils.

    An alumnus and Vice Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Lagos State, Mr Wasiu Aiyeola, expressed gratitude to the class for members’efforts in facilitating the project, which, he said, would transform the school.

    “When I was a pupil of this school in the ’80s, if someone had prophesied that there would be an ICT centre here, I would have contested it. These children you have helped are my siblings,” he said.

    The AMP Class 26 also sponsored the Best teacher award, took the winners on one-week ICT training and presented a laptop to each of them.

    Mr Lateef Ogunbekun bagged the award for the junior school category, while Mr Gabriel Abikoye, won at the senior cadre.

    Public Relations Officer (PRO) of AMP Class 26, Mr Tobechukwu Inadozie, told the pupils not be intimidated by their humble beginning.

    He said: “It is tough leaving a school like this to compete with others out there.But one thing I learnt growing up in a school like this myself is that if you can succeed in a school in a remote area, then you can succeed anywhere. Being in this school is not a disadvantage. It is not about the external things, but what is inside of you.”

     

  • EKSU inaugurates ICT tools

    Ekiti State University (EKSU) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Samuel Oye Bandele  has inaugurated a multi-million Information Communication Technology (ICT) donated by the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).

    He said he the gift would help to move the institution closer to fulfilling its paperless operations goal.

    The donation was facilitated by Mr. Vincent Seinde Olatunji, Acting Director-General of NITDA, an EKSU alumnus.

    Bandele praised Olatunji for remembering his alma mater, saying: “the occasion marks a celebration of success and a celebration of the alumnus who facilitated the donation.‘’

    Olatunji expressed the hope that the equipment would further strengthened EKSU’S position as a centre of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB). He urged adequate maintenance of ICT equipment.

    The Co-ordinator of the EKSU ICT Directorate, Mr E.K. Falemu commended the vice chancellor for his untiring efforts to make the University one of the best in the country.