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Tag: NCC

  • NCC gives telcos 48 hours to deactivate unsued SIMs

    NCC gives telcos 48 hours to deactivate unsued SIMs

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said it has given telcos order to deactivate any subscriber identity module (SIM) card that was registered but unsused after 48 hours.

    Its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, who dropped the hint yesterday  in Lagos, said ongoing SIM card registration by the telcos has reduced criminal activites perpetrated via the use of mobile phones.

    Speaking on: Trackable Identity and Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria  at a function organised by public relations practitioners, he said trackable identity has become a sine qua non to ease of doing business.

    He said: “In spite of whatever challenges, the global trend is for all citizens to be registered, and for each citizen to be covered with a legal identity including birth registrations.

    “Citizen registration is now an item in post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda with 2.4 billion people identified as having no official identity and these people reside in Africa and Asia.

    “While traditional identification rely on passwords, PINs, smart cards, and the likes, biometric identification, using finger prints and iris scans are generally more reliable and secure. The are adopted more universally like in driving licences and international passports.

    “Biometrics identity are also more reliable in linking individuals to event and actions. It is therefore preferred by security institutions in fighting crimes.”

    He urged the Federal Government to pay more attention to identity management in the country, arguing that the existence of a central data base for the citizens which potential investors can depend on would engender trust and reliability.

  • NeFF, NCC collaborate to check e-fraud

    The Chairman, Nigeria Electronic Fraud Forum (NeFF), ‘Dipo Fatokun, has said the group will be partnering with the Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC) to check e-fraud in the country.

    Speaking at the NeFF quarterly forum held in Lagos, he said the forum had last May, organized a stakeholders workshop on Cybercrime collaborating with Technology Advisors (ICT Lawyers/Consultants) the first specialty ICT Law practice in the country to organize a two-day workshop titled; “Tackling Enforcement Challenges Under The Cybercrime Act”.

    He said smishing, Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) swaps and recycled SIMs have posed a new challenge in Nigeria’s space, with subscribers constantly being inundated with messages and calls aimed at phishing personal banking information from the unwary. It thus has become important to partner with the telcos who can assist us in probably ending this dimension of fraud.

    “Users of financial products need to keep payment safety buttons on top of their mind at all times. We hope that our members will show the much needed cooperation when the time comes for us to jointly engage the public and push our message to the forefront of payment conversations alongside convenience and speed,” he said.

    The workshop, he said, attracted stakeholders as defined by the Act from the Presidency, Banks, Telecommunication Companies and the Nigerian Stock Exchange with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele who was ably represented by the Deputy Governor, Operations of the Central Bank delivering the Keynote address.

    “The workshop was able to issue a 10 point communiqué which was delivered to the representative of the Hon. Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation for further action. I want to assure you that with your cooperation, we will not relent in realizing the points that have been birthed from this process in order to create a safer operating environment in our payments system,” he said.

  • How we fared at ITU Telecom World, by NCC

    How we fared at ITU Telecom World, by NCC

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), yesterday said it did well at the just concluded International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 where it hoisted the Nigerian flag.

    The technology fiesta was held in Busan, South Korea.

    In a statement, the relegilator said it was the toast of ITU at the event.

    “The NCC was named the most Valuable Partner by the ITU for its commitment and participation in ITU Telecom World events over the years.  “The NCC was also awarded a certificate of Appreciation for the ITU Telecom World 2017 National Pavilion and thematic Pavilion as well as Loyal Participation and supporters of the yearly ITU Telecom World in a number of years,” the statement endorsed by its Director, Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo explained.

    The statement added that Nigeria also won the ITU Telecom World Government Award for being the government with the most innovative Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) included in the nation’s pavilion.

    Also, five Nigerian SMEs and start-ups qualified for the ITU Telecom World 2017 pitch for the Global SMEs Awards. Three of the SMEs, Miss Temitope Awosika (Medsaf), Mr. Valentine Ubalua (Ubenwa) and Mr. Chizaram Ucheaga (Mavis Computel) joined the ITU Global SME honours lists.

    Medsaf for instance leverages technology to make the process of buying and selling, and managing medication easy and efficient, connecting hospitals, pharmacies and clinics to safe quality medication from leading local and foreign drug manufacturers.

    Ubenwa’s recognition is for leveraging the most innovative use of ICTs category for pioneering a cry-based diagnostic mobile app for birth asphyxia.

    participation and told other nations present at the award ceremony to emulate the Nigerian example personified by the NCC; for putting together quality participation every year and bringing to ITU Telecom World 2017 SMEs with innovative ICT digital solutions that have social impact.

    Dr. Mustapha Babagana of Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, received the award on behalf of Nigeria while, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) Nigeria and Director, Spectrum Administration, NCC, Mr. Austin Nwaulune received the NCC awards on behalf of Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta.

  • NCC: telecoms sector investments hit $70b

    NCC: telecoms sector investments hit $70b

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday said total investments attracted by the telecoms sector to the country have reached $70billion.

    It however said a large chunk came from Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

    Its Executive Vice Chairman, Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta, who spoke while welcoming guests to the Nigeria Pavilion in the International Telecoms Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017, Busan, South Korea, said despite these modest achievements, Nigeria’s information communications technology (ICT) sector is still, “work in progress”.

    He said: “Since the Digital Mobile Licences (DML) were issued 16 years ago, investment in the sector has hit about $70billion from a mere $50million in 2001. Most of these investments are FDIs.

    “Although, we have made very modest progress in the sector, we still need to deepen investments to make broadband pervasive in the country.”

    He said the country comes to the ITU Telecom World every year to tell its story, share experiences and borrow a leaf from global best practices to address its concerns, engage and collaborate with the global community to strengthen the growth and impact of the Nigerian telecoms industry.

    “We therefore come to enlist the support of other players, governments, regulators and the global community from whom there is always a basket of ideas to take back home to Nigeria.  The implementation of these ideas will ensure a better regulatory environment, even though ours has been seen as a very robust and consultative regulatory agency right from 2001 when the DML were issued.

    “The spirit of cooperation and consultation is very high at ITU Telecom World events,” he said.

    He said the engagement of the delegation with the global community during the event will include creating awareness of the investment opportunities in Africa’s biggest telecom market, as well as guarantee of adequate Returns on Investments (RoIs).

    “In this connection, we are here to tell the ICT community that Nigeria with a population of about 170 million is a preferred investment destination in Africa.

    “With over 150 million active subscribers, in the voice segment, over 102 per cent teledensity and a little over 92 million internet connections, Nigeria is indeed a place to invest,” he told participants.

    According to him, the ITU/UNESCO Broadband Commission for sustainable development said Nigeria now has about 21 per cent broadband penetration and conscious of the reality that broadband fuels faster data transmission speed and capacity, focus now is on how to attract the right investments to grow this critical area of the sector through broadband coverage expansion.

  • Nigeria @ ITU 2017: Bolder steps, stronger network

    Nigeria @ ITU 2017: Bolder steps, stronger network

    Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)Executive Commissioner (Stakeholder Management) SUNDAY DARE, in this piece, examines the global telecoms circle.

    As the Telecom industry summons the tribe of telecommunications experts, organisations, ICT gurus, regulators, investors and governments to the city of Busan in South Korea, expectations are high for conquering new frontiers.

    The telecoms industry is a very rapidly evolving and dynamic one. New digital services and innovative service delivery models are creating fresh opportunities for all. As technology platforms, markets and media daily converge, disruption is fast becoming the “new” normal. Not only are the new platforms challenging existing business and regulatory models, they are also impacting the attainment of critical national objectives such as Nigeria’s push to attain 30% Broadband penetration by 2018. Because technology platforms overlap national boundaries in their impact, forums for inter-national co-operation take on even more critical importance. The ITU’s Telecom World Conference 2017 holding in Bussan, South Korea therefore provides a much-needed platform for public and private sector players in the global telecoms community to forge consensus on critical issues, share ideas for addressing technical, commercial and developmental issues, as well as measure progress on agreed growth initiatives. Additionally, the regular Nigeria Day and Investment Forums held during the Conference have deepened investor confidence, attracting fresh commitments and consolidating on existing ones in the Nigerian telecoms industry. This year will not be different.

    Looking back to Nigeria’s participation at previous editions of the Conference, one can boldly state that much has been achieved. Beyond providing a platform for networking with industry leaders, Nigeria has used the ITU World Conference to showcase the remarkable successes that our industry has attained since its liberalization. Indeed, Nigeria’s telecoms industry has become a reference point for what can be achieved in a short time through the effective interplay of focused regulation, moderated competition and very strong policy support from government. From providing basic telephony services to a very small segment of the population in 2001, we have extended 2G/3G telecoms infrastructure throughout Nigeria, and we are now boldly tackling the challenge of ensuring pervasive rollout of Broadband infrastructure and services to drive national development in accordance with the National Broadband Plan, the Sustainable Development Goals, the National Economic Recovery and Growth (ERGP) and the NCC’s 8-point agenda.

    To be clear, ITU Telecom World 2017 is holding at a time of great stress for the telecoms industry – globally and locally. Voice, SMS and other traditionally high revenue streams are fast depleting, as disruptive digital platforms mature and gain the trust of increasingly sophisticated consumers. In Nigeria, we also have the recent drop in active subscriber base to contend with. In an ideal world, factors such as migration to digital alternatives by both businesses and consumers, the growing uptake of interconnected devices, the enthusiastic uptake of streaming services and the attendant increase in the use of data/digital platforms should lead to revenue transference and/or displacement effects, meaning that what is lost in voice revenues should be automatically recovered from data and digital income streams. This has not happened, however. Monthly ARPU of some players has fallen by more than 85% since 2002, and industry players are struggling to monetize new platforms as they aggressively resist their forced transition to “dumb pipe” status. Meanwhile, infrastructure deployment and maintenance costs are increasing, and some have argued that this will significantly affect the capacity of the major players to fund innovation and growth.

    Being an incurable optimist, one considers that these ordinarily daunting factors should challenge our minds and intellect on coming up with new ideas and innovations that can deliver more efficient services and revenues. As everyone knows, the Nigerian telecom industry horizon is bright and ripe with great potentials. Our sector has achieved significant milestones in GDP contribution (9.5% in Q2’2017), Investment inflows (estimated at US$68billion), employment and citizens’ empowerment without direct government interventions as with the energy, aviation and manufacturing and other sectors over which the sector towers. We cannot however rest on these laurels. The realization of our sector’s huge potentials will not be achieved by sitting on our hands and clinging to our traditional ways of doing things – either as regulators or operators. It is critical that we leverage on forums like the ITU Telecom World to seek workable, win-win solutions. Nigeria’s participation will therefore be leveraged to pursue understanding in several areas, some of which we highlight below.

    First, innovation. ITU World 2017 promises to bring “smart technologies together with smart ideas and smart people to make the world better, sooner” by maximizing opportunities from the ongoing digital transformation. No doubt, the challenge of innovation is a global one. The great irony is that very often, innovation is only truly successful when it displaces an existing model. To illustrate: GSM services disrupted and supplanted the old analog telecoms systems; conversely, the mobile services sector itself is now being disrupted by so-called “Over-the-Top” (OTT) technologies and services. These next-generation applications like Whatsapp, Viber, Facebook messenger, Instagram and a slew of others have come to stay. Described as offering “free rides” to users according to Brian Williamson, a member of Communications Chambers United Kingdom have been aided by the rise of smart phones and improved mobile data and Wi-Fi.   As noted above, developments such as this challenge not only existing business models, but also regulatory models as well.

    The NCC is very much conscious of its statutory responsibility to support the government in ensuring the sustainability of players who have invested in taking communications services to an overwhelming majority of Nigerians. We are also very conscious of the direct, indirect and multiplier effects of the “OTT disruption” on the industry, as well as the security and other implications of the shift in voice communications to data. But no responsible regulator will prevent consumers from taking the full benefit of smarter, more robust and/or cheaper digital alternatives for enhancing their social and business interactions – especially in an emerging economy keen to accelerate development across all sectors through digital platforms. As we can see, operators in Europe and North America are already taking advantage of the new technologies to explore new revenue initiatives through the so-called telecom 2.0. New value chains and new opportunities are being explored, creating new paradigms.  In essence, the “OTT threat” needs to be re-examined from both a business and developmental perspective.

    Our tentative deduction (which we shall be critically interrogating with colleagues from other jurisdictions at ITU World 2017) is that the winning formula is to view disruptive solutions as opportunities for deeper and mutually reinforcing partnerships. Our view is that the challenge of innovation is to design and deliver new models, which will advance Nigeria’s national interest for faster, more efficient digital access for all. In this regard, the NCC has been aggressively pursuing options such as spectrum trading, active infrastructure sharing, and the creation of a value-added service aggregation model to allow for cost efficiencies, quality improvements and consumer satisfaction. With continued support from the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government, the NCC is well positioned to continue on its path as a model regulator and clear leader in regulatory excellence, determined to keep pace with global developments and trends so as to reap maximum benefits for our stakeholders. Our focus in Bussan will therefore be to champion win-win partnerships. We shall thus be showcasing our carefully developed approaches at ITU 2017 and seeking best practice for improvement.

    Second, the data economy: As the Economist recently noted, “data are to this century what oil was to the last one: a driver of growth and change”. Data is being mined from all available sources, analyzed to create artificial intelligence and new services. That Nigeria has not yet taken its rightful place in the emerging data economy is not debatable. But our economic recovery and growth aspirations demand that we move away from mere consumption, to the creation of content and the localization of data flows. Paradoxically, our current position creates a unique leapfrogging opportunity for us to design and deploy a local template. We shall therefore be working very closely with colleagues from other government agencies like NITDA, and from other jurisdictions on the design of new regulatory approaches in a manner that promotes our national interest but which does not jeopardize our country’s ability to derive maximum benefits from the data economy.

    Third, Broadband infrastructure. The NCC is keenly aware that Nigeria’s ability to meet the 30% Broadband penetration target (and other, bigger milestones which rest on Broadband availability) largely depends on the speed with which we can roll out essential Broadband infrastructure over the next fifteen months. The Commission has therefore designed a bold, dynamic and innovative InfraCo (Infrastructure) licensing framework to address the overdependence on mobile Broadband networks and provide an efficient distribution backbone for taking capacity from the submarine cables lying fallow at the shores of Nigeria into the hinterlands where they are needed. The InfraCos are to provide the infrastructure whilst government will provide output-based subsidies, which are contingent on meeting, roll out milestone. The prospect is exciting for the industry.

    In addition, we are currently reviewing our respective licensing and spectrum frameworks to achieve speedier results. As the Broadband Commission has noted, a 10% growth in Broadband penetration adds as much as 1.38% growth to national GDP. We are therefore keenly looking to examine the approaches taken by other jurisdictions and see how we can improve ours, as well as forge partnerships and leverage investment opportunities with both regional and global players. In this regard, it is gratifying to note that the NCC has received firm assurances of support from the Federal Government as well as a number of State Governments on easing up approval processes and charges as we pursue the national objective for the delivery of pervasive Broadband infrastructure throughout Nigeria.

    In summary, our engagement with telecom experts, organisations and policy makers at ITU World 2017 in Bussan is designed to hone an agenda that we are carefully chiseling out for the Nigerian telecoms industry. It is a unique opportunity not only to showcase our successes as an industry, but also to take new learning for the growth and development of our sector. We shall be interrogating our new regulatory models and approaches, maximising the benefit of existing research and deepen our collaboration with other industry players. Equally we shall be pitching our country as a choice destination for telecoms investment, knowing that attracting such investments is key to our future growth. Above all that it keys into the core economic agenda of the President Buhari-led government.

     

  • Telcos, subscribers seek NCC’s SIM reg requirements review

    Telcos, subscribers seek NCC’s SIM reg requirements review

    Increasingly, telecoms subscribers are showing interest in the quality of services (QoS) they get from their carriers. The monthly Telecom Consumer Parliament (TCP) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has become a veritable platform for both consumers and the regulator to cross-pollinate ideas on how to develop the industry. The 81st edition of the TCP, which was held in Lagos, provided an opportunity for the telcos and subscribers to seek a review of the subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration guidelines of the NCC, among other issues, writes LUCAS AJANAKU.

    Telcos and subscribers have complained bitterly about the strict subscriber identity module (SIM) card registration requirements by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    Particularly, they complained about the rigorous process they have to pass through when trying to retrieve lost SIM cards from their service providers.

    Subscribers, who spoke during the 81st Edition of Telecoms Consumer Parliament (TCP) in Lagos at the weekend, said the regulator should do something about the strict guidelines, which are hurting them.

    A subscriber, who identified herself as Angela, complained about her experience with her service provider two months ago. According to her, her mobile phone was stolen and she promptly notified her service provider about the development, asking the carrier to block the line from making or receiving calls because she did not want criminals to use her phone number to make calls.

    “After getting the line blocked, I went to the customer service centre of my telco for SIM swap. I was completely shocked by the very hard and fast rules spelt out for me to meet. I was asked to name three numbers I usually call, present an identity card (either a valid drivers’ licence, international passport, national identity card or a permanent voter’s card (PVC). As at the time of making efforts to retrieve my SIM, aside my international passport, which was with the South African embassy for visa application, I also had my staff identity card. After deposing to an affidavit that the SIM card belonged to me and that it was stolen, my service provider insisted that I should present my great grand-father death certificate, who died four decades ago.

    “The most frustrating aspect of the issue was that efforts by officials of the Public Affairs Department to intervene proved abortive. These requirements are too hard and fast in a dynamic industry,” she said on the sideline at the forum.

    Reacting at a panel discussion, which had representatives of the telcos and the NCC, the telcos lamented,  had written to the regulator about subscribers’  complaints over the issue, but had not got any reprieve.

    The telcos blamed the pains subscribers go through on the SIM registration requirements of the NCC.

    A Deputy Director, Consumer Affairs Bureau, at NCC, Ephraim Nwokenneya, explained that some unscrupulous elements leveraged the loopholes in the system, impersonating people and committing fraud.

    Also speaking, NCC’s Director, Licensing and Authorisation, Ms Funlola Akiyode, said the regulator received a letter from the telcos, but said the NCC will look at the issue, arguing that the regulator will not rush to change the rules.

    She said the fact that the telcos had written would not make the regulator change the rules overnight, insisting that the regulator is proactive and is abreast with developments in the sector.

    Starting in 2007, the NCC begun the process for SIM registration, but the process only got finalised in 2011 with the enactment of SIM Registration Regulations.

    Key objective of the exercise is to create a central database of all users of telecoms services in Nigeria, regardless of medium. Other objectives include facilitating know your customer (KYC) for adjacent agencies, such as Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and others.

    NCC’s actions, Akiyode said, were hinged on assisting law enforcement and security agencies to fight the growing level of insurgency in the Northeast and criminality (in the South), noting that some subscribers abused anonymity to embarrass, defraud or carry out illegitimate activities.

    “Unregistered SIMs have been implicated in acts of kidnapping, financial crimes (419) and others while registration/location information have been used successfully to track down criminals. It was also discovered that SIMs can be used to detonate explosive devices,” she said.

    NCC’s SIM Registration Regulations set forth very clear requirements for subscriber registration. For biometric information: four fingerprints; and clear facial image of the subscriber collected in accordance with the agreed registration specifications.

    Personal information:  full names;   mother’s maiden name; gender; date of birth; residential address;  nationality; state of origin;  occupation and  contact details.

    Proof of identity: any of the following must be sighted: National Identity Card, International Passport; Driver’s License; Letter of authentication by traditional ruler/community leader affixed with passport photograph (in rural areas).

    Data quality must be in accordance with registration specifications in digital image standards, data dictionary and others.

    Confidentiality of registration information: personal information not to be released without subscribers’ prior written consent, or transferred abroad without NCC’s prior written consent.

    Represented at the event by the Executive Commissioner, Stakeholders Management, Sunday Dare, NCC’s Executive Vice Chairman, Prof Umar Dmabatta, said the telecoms consumer remained central to the commission, adding that it informed the declaration of the year as that of the telecoms consumer, which is consistent with the eight-point agenda set out in 2015 when he mounted the saddle.

    “The number two and six items of the agenda are the core drivers of the NCC year of telecoms consumer initiative. While the number two of the agenda addresses improved quality of service, item six is concerned with protection of and empowerment of the telecoms consumers.

    “It must be emphasised that all NCC initiatives such as SIM card registration, mobile number portability, broadband policy implementation, development of 2442 and 622 short codes as well as various consumers awareness campaigns are to ensure consumer satisfaction and protection.

    “The NCC has declared 2017 the Year of Telecom Consumer. The focus of the declaration are: continuous improvement of quality; ubiquitous and affordable service to the consumer; increasing our consultative engagement with the consumer to always service the needs of the consumer positively; ensuring that services yield the result of improving consumer experience by supporting better access to life changing and improvement opportunities, access to governance services, business and career development, quality education and social engagement; increasing consumer information and education as well as consumer-centric regulatory governance and policy administration,” Dambatta said.

    A short video vox pop conducted by the regulator and played at the event showed that many telecoms consumers are still far from getting the quality of service they expected from their service providers. While a subscriber alleged that his service provider gives only data but no service. “If I get a call and I want to pick it, I will just hear message,” she said.

    A female National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, Enitan, lamented very poor data quality while another, Esther, lamented poor service quality at Okelewo, Abeokuta. Other subscribers, Jonathan, Supo, Ajewole and Olanrewaju were also not happy with the current tariff regime, which they claimed is too expensive. They urged the NCC to set a timeline for improved service  stiffer punishment for nonperforming telco. According to Olanrewaju, who resides in Akure, Ondo State, most text messages from the thelcos were  unsolicited ones.

    While some subscribers lauded NCC regulatory intervention, others want it to do more in creating awareness about 2442 and 622 short codes, whose existence they claimed ignorance of.

     

  • NCC committed to achieving 30% broadband penetration by 2018 – Danbatta

    NCC committed to achieving 30% broadband penetration by 2018 – Danbatta

    The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says it is committed to achieving the 30 percent approved National Broadband Implementation Plan by 2018.

    Prof. Umar Danbatta, Executive Vice Chairman of NCC, said this on Wednesday at the Nigeria Digital Innovation Conference in Ibadan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference is sponsored by Centre for Cyber Awareness and Development (CECAD) in conjunction with Federal Ministry of Communication and NCC.
    The theme of the conference is “Building a New Nigeria in Digital Economy: Policy, Innovation and Entrepreneurship’’

    Danbatta, who was represented by Mr Reuben Muoka, NCC Head of Public Affairs, said that the plan was part of the 8-point agenda conceptualised for comprehensive national economic growth.

    He said that Nigeria’s broadband penetration was empirically adjudged by the global telecom regulator, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), as 21 percent in 2017. no

    “We have witnessed the success of online shopping malls, online banking and other transactions in a way that it is being experienced in far more developed countries.

    “We are supporting ICT innovations in our institutions of higher learning and among several youth organisations across the country, ’’ he said.

    Danbatta said that the Commission had taken the agenda as its guide in measuring regulatory impact and aligning development agenda in the course of regulating one of Africa’s biggest telecom market.

    The Executive Vice Chairman said that the NCC would not relent in its effort at promoting investment opportunities and selling the country’s investment potential to the international telecom community.

    The NCC boss also said that the toll-free 622 secondary consumer complaints initiative had been upgraded, adding that the success rate of resolution of consumer complaints on the platform had reached 75 percent.

    “We have intensified our monitoring and compliance activities to achieve sanity and compliance to the rules of the game.

    “We are in the process of introducing a mandatory corporate governance code to improve the level of integrity of the industry,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), said that lack of commitment to innovative ideas accounted for the 56 percent unemployment rate in the country.

    Sesan, who recalled how he made headway through strong innovation in 1997, charged students to stop giving excuses, saying such could limit their future.

    “I don’t think there is a reason for any student to graduate without a skill with the presence of the internet. Stop complaining about government.

    “What you become in the future is the product of whatever you start now,’’ he said.

    Mr Sunday Afolayan, President, Nigeria Internet Registration Association (NIRA), said the association was committed to ensuring that the identity and investment of Nigerians was maintained and protected.

    Afolayan also said that the association would ensure that Nigerians participated favourably in the digital space.

    Mr Bayo Oyeleke, Deputy Rector, The Polytechnic Ibadan, thanked the organisers for choosing the institution as the venue for the conference in the South West Zone.

    Oyeleke said that the conference would open the windows for students who participate actively.

    NAN reports that the conference was organised to promote innovation in tertiary institutions and as an avenue for students to interact with stakeholders and experts in the digital innovation world.

  • Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    Anambra poll: PDP Appeal Panel upholds Obaze’s candidature

    The National Caretaker Committee (NCC), Peoples Democratic People (PDP), has upheld the Primary Election that produced Mr Oseloka Obaze as the party’s flag bearer for the Anambra governorship election scheduled for Nov. 18.

    The PDP Head of Publicity Division, Chinwe Nnorom, disclosed this in a statement issued on behalf of the Caretaker Appeal Panel, on Saturday in Abuja.

    Nnorom said the committee upheld Oseloka’s candidacy having critically examined all the petitions validly filed before it.

    She said appeals for the Aug. 28, governorship primaries were heard on Sept. 12, at the PDP National Secretariat, Abuja, by the Panel chaired by its National Chairman, Sen. Ahmed Makarfi.

    “To this end, the Leadership enjoins all party members and supporters in Anambra, especially the aspirants, to put the issues regarding the Primary Election before, during and after behind them.

    “We should work together as one indivisible family ahead of the Nov. 18 governorship election,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some of the aspirants on the primary election day staged a protest at the venue of the party’s primaries in Anambra over alleged unwillingness of the party to listen to their complaints.

    Some of the aspirants were Chairman, Capital Oil, Ifeanyi Uba, Sen. Stella Oduah, former Minister of Aviation, Mr John Emeka and a member of the House of Representatives, Lynda Ikpeazu.

    Oduah, who withdrew from the primary election cited imposition of candidates on the party for her action.

  • NCC seized pirated works worth N926m in eight months

    NCC seized pirated works worth N926m in eight months

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) says it has seized pirated materials worth about N926 million in the last eight months in Lagos metropolis.

    Mr. Obi Ezeilo, the Zonal Manager of the Commission, Lagos Office, said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.

    He said that the seizures were made between January and August 2017 in several locations within the city.

    “NCC has scaled up its enforcement activities in the last eight months and we have seized pirated items to the tune of over N926 million, removed from containers at Apapa Port, warehouses and shops.

    “So, in terms of enforcement and prosecution, things have dramatically changed over the last eight months and the creative industry should be well aware of that.”

    According to him, 12 suspected pirates were arrested in the last eight months while 21 pending cases are in court.

    He said that the Commission had also closed case files of seven of the suspected pirates.

    Ezeilo said that three containers of pirated materials were seized at Apapa Terminal Port and in seven warehouses in Mushin, Ajegunle, Surulere and Amuwo-Odofin.

    The materials seized included cinematographic works, literary works, CDs and video CDs.

    He said that the commission would introduce a new legislation to strengthen the fight against piracy in the country.

    “The draft copyright bill is undergoing fine-tuning at the office of the Attorney-General.

    “We are hoping that when the new bill becomes law, it will help to make the copyright industry more vibrant, encourage more creativity and address the issue of piracy on the internet.

    “These are the sort of things we are hoping to achieve so that the industry will become a more vibrant industry and contribute more to the economy and the GDP of the country.’’

    Ezeilo said that the commission recently carried out another anti-piracy raid, tagged ‘Operation No Mercy’ at Yaba Book market in Lagos, suspected to be a piracy activity zone.

    “The anti-piracy raid was carried out following intelligence and surveillance report.

    “They were accompanied on the raid by officers of the Nigeria Police.

    “The anti-piracy action proved to be successful as major literary book titles were seized and three suspects arrested.’’

    Ezeilo commended the unwavering support and collaborative efforts by the Nigeria Police and stakeholders in the copyright industry towards the fight against piracy in Lagos.

    NAN reports that the Copyright Decree No. 47 of 1988 established NCC in August 1989.