The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Renew

  • Renew Your Mind!

    A lot of people have lived for so long with negative words and reactions from the people around them that they now believe such words are normal. Our society has become so negative that we believe bad news twice as fast as we believe good news. If you receive two messages on your mobile phone, one stating that you just won N500,000 in a promo and the other stating that 180 people just died in a plane crash, which would you readily believe? How did we get to this point? How come we are in a place in our lives where we doubt good and believe bad? Abraham Lincoln made a profound statement which has been rendered in different ways but it generally states, “If you look for the bad in people expecting to find it, you surely will”.  Similarly, whoever looks for the bad in life expecting to find it will surely do.

    My argument is not that there is nothing bad in life or that you should believe every promotional hoax that comes your way. My argument is that you need a positive attitude to achieve positive result in life. According to Les Brown, “When life knocks you down, make sure you land on your back, because if you can look up, you can get up”. That is what I call a good attitude towards life. Those who are depressed are in a state of hopelessness. Hope is the reason you wake up in the morning and try again despite the failures of yesterday. Where there is no hope, people put an end to their lives because they don’t foresee a better future. Rather than having a “No more” attitude, why not try a “One more time” attitude? Some attitudes close us up to possibilities of progress while some others open us up to them.

    Here are a few suggestions of how you can build a positive attitude:

    1. Find solutions in problems: Zig Ziglar once stated that though he was never into counselling, he had spoken to persons in psychology, psychiatry and ministry who counselled people, and they all agreed that not everyone who came for counselling needed a solution.

    According to him, “A lot of people are just looking for who to tell about it. And if you spoil the show by solving the problem, then they can’t tell everyone about it. They want the attention that goes with the problem”. This, perhaps, explains why a lot of people look for, hold onto and cherish problems. They need to be able to compare notes with other people. They may even begin to feel odd if other people are complaining and they don’t have anything to complain about. Rather than ‘enjoying” problems and using our situations to justify how bad our nation has become, let us look out for solutions and become examples of how one can beat all odds to succeed.

    1. Understand that you are special: You have something special to give that no one else can. Everyone was created with a gift to give to humanity; the discovery of that gift is what is called purpose. If you discover your purpose, you will realise that you are relevant, important and valuable.
    2. Think good and speak good: my favourite book says that from the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. What you see outside you is a reflection of what is inside you. If you give up on the inside, you will lack the physical energy to go on. According to Norman Vincent Peale, “Change your thoughts and you change your world”. Robert H. Schuller went further to say, “It takes but one positive thought when given a chance to survive and thrive to overpower an entire army of negative thoughts”.

    Thanks for reading my article today. I would really love to hear from you. So, do share your views with me by sending SMS to 07034737394, visiting www.olanreamodu.com and following me on twitter @lanreamodu. Remember, you are currently nothing compared to what you can become. Don’t lock your potentials in; let them breathe!

  • Telcos renew push for OTT regulation

    These are not the best of times for Nigerian carriers. While average revenue per user (ARPU) continues to face steep decline, competition by platforms that neither erected a single base station, pay taxes to government nor are licensed by the regulator to provide services pose daunting challenges to the health ot telcos, LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

    Nigeria telecoms operators have renewed the push to get the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to regualte the activities of Over-The-Top (OTT) players.

    The carriers, including MTN, Globacom, Airtel, 9mobile and others, acting under the aegis of Association of Licensed Telecoms Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), said the time has come for the regulator to re-examine its position on issuing technology neutral licences because of emerging issues in the industry.

    Its Chairman, Gbenga Adebayo, in an interview with The Nation, lamented the high moprtality rate of telos. He said the number of operators has dipped by half over the past years because of issues that are not entirely their making.

     What is OTT?

    Online knowledge bank, Wikipedia, explaines that “OTT is where a telecoms service provider delivers one or more services across an IP (internet protocol) network. “The IP networks is predominantly the public internet, although sometimes telco-run cloud services delivered via a corporation’s existing IP-VPN (virtual private network) from another provider, as opposed to the carrier’s own access network. It embraces a variety of telco services including communications (e.g. voice and messaging), content (e.g. TV and music) and cloud-based (e.g. compute and storage) offerings.”

    It said stimulated by the availability of high performance fixed and mobile broadband networks as well as the rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets, telco-OTT is viewed by a selection of industry analysts and media commentators as the mechanism that mobile network operators need to employ in order to compete with the vast and growing range of over-the-top (OTT) services provided by non-telco companies.

    Telco-OTT is a response to the fact that users will have multiple devices (smartphones, laptops or other connected devices such as TVs, games consoles) which almost inevitably will have various different access providers (especially with the growth of public-access Wi-Fi).

    According to Wikipedia, to deliver consistent telco-branded services, at some points at least, they will need to be delivered over third-party access, Wikipedia submitted.

    ALTON’s position

    Adebayo said the regulator has said continuously that it is neutral about technology. This,  in essence, means it licences for services and not for technology.

    He said today, the reality is that technology is driving the market. It is no longer services. There is a need for the regulator to begin to look at issue of regulating technology and not services.

    For example, OTT as it is called, the likes of YouTube, Facebook, WhatsApp, BlackBerry Messenger and others, all of these are OTT and not part of the core services for which operators are licensed.

    “Those kind of services have social implication, economic implication, security implication and if they are not licensed, that means they are not regulated and if they are not regulated, there is no limit or scope to what they can do.  And no control over ther services and content they can provide.

    “We are therefore saying there is a need for the regulator to begin to look away from the neutrality of technology and technology certification and regulattion  than just licensing for service not only because of the social security implication but also because of the economic implication for the operators.

    “Today, more people send WhatsApp messages, they send messages over the social media platforms than they do on the conventional SMS platform.

    “Operators have been licensed to provide voice, SMS and data services for which they are licensed and being charged annual operating levy. OTT don’t have such and there is even loss of revenue to the regulator of the country too because they are not paying for rendering those services.

    “That is why we are  saying that our regulator must begin to look away from technology neutrality but

     Health of telecoms industry

    He said studies and report had shown that in a market such Nigeria’s, bigger operators survive better than smaller opeartors.

    “When I took up this role as the Chairman of ALTON, there were 35 companies in our group. Today we are 16, meaning that we have lost half of our members due to problems not of their own making,” he lamented.

    He said this might be forces of competition, this might be forces of nmarket forces, the challenges of investing, it might be access to fund, it might be anti-competitve prices of on the part of some of the big players.

    “We just think that studies such as the Study of the Level of Competiton in the Telecoms Industry in Nigeria organised by the NCC should dwell into those areas so that we begin to see the issues leading to the death of telecoms campanies.

    “The challenge we have now with one of the big operator attests to the fact that the industry may not be as healthy as we are thinking and therefore studies such as this are very important first as health check, to see where we are and to see where and how we can further adjust and tune things for a more competitive industry and for a more robust market and for the greater interest of the consumers,” Adebayo said.

  • Before we renew telecoms licences

    Before we renew telecoms licences

    • The issues of infrastructure and quality of service should be priority

    Sixteen months from now, the operating licences of the major telecommunications operators will be due for renewal. Those to be affected are MTN, Airtel and the moribund Mobile Telecommunications Limited, the mobile arm of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunication Limited (NITEL). The three operators had picked their licences on February 9, 2001. They are expected to revalidate the licences by February 18, 2016. Latter entrants like Globacom and Etisalat are to revalidate theirs in August, 2017 and March 2022, respectively.

    While it might seem premature to dwell on an exercise that is still a little over a year from now, the prevailing situation in the industry is such that demands not only that the regulator be up to speed in its oversight of the industry, but also to provide more strategic direction in the coming years.

    No doubt, the industry has come a long way. From a baseline of half a million lines, the industry has today grown to more than 131.1 million active subscribers within 14 years. Growth in the data sub-sector has been no less impressive; from near zero barely a decade ago, the latest available record from the National Communications Commission (NCC) – for June, puts the figure at 67,197,505 subscribers. While the development has confirmed the inherent possibilities in the Nigerian economy, it has also spawned a renewed focus on the challenges posed by the dearth of critical infrastructure – particularly of energy.

    Overall, the picture of the industry remains one of an under-achieving sector given the immense potential still locked in. Again, the challenges are not difficult to appreciate, being largely, derivatives of the dysfunctional environment under which typical Nigerian business is forced to operate. With public power supply virtually non-existent to power the cell-sites, the operators are forced to rely on generators. Also, security has become a big issue, particularly in the north-east. The situation, unfortunately, is hardly helped by the multiplicity of taxes and levies that the operators are forced to bear – all of which in the end drives costs up.

    There are however good grounds to see a huge chunk of the problems of the sector as being self-created. To start with, it is futile to de-link the current abysmal quality being experienced on the different networks from aggressive promotions that are regular features of the industry. The truth is that these promotions have not been matched by the requisite investment in network capacity. And while the operators have been content to deliver mouth-watering profits from year to year to their shareholders, customer frustrations from the unprecedented decline in Quality of Service (QoS), particularly in the rising incidences of dropped calls and other technical glitches have grown in equal measure.

    In May 2012, for instance, the NCC had to wield the big stick when it slapped a combined fine of N1.17 billion on the operators over failures to meet the minimum standard of quality of service, particularly the key performance indicators (KPIs). More than two years after, the problems have not only grown worse, the NCC’s response has swung from outright indifference to pathetic.

    The licensing renewal exercise obviously offers the industry an opportunity for renewal. The challenges include the need to keep operators on their toes – to ensure that they match the quality of service with the best in the world; deepening competition by getting more players on board; and ensuring that the telecommunications subscriber gets value for what he pays for. The NCC will do well to put these matters on the front burner in the countdown to the renewal date.

  • NIM, NYSC renew MoU on corps members’ training

    NIM, NYSC renew MoU on corps members’ training

    The Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) have agreed to renew the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the training and skills development of corps members during their service year.

    According to the NIM, the MoU will expire in June this year.

    Speaking during a courtesy visit to NYSC Director-General in Abuja, the President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr. Nelson Uwaga, said the MoU cemented the strategic partnership between both bodies, which took off in 2005.

    He said the partnership is meant to upgrade management skills of corps members, enhance their employability, improve their prospect of having their own businesses and for them to become employers of labour.

    While requesting that the MoU be renewed, Uwaga said:“This partnership is in the best interest of the nation and its teeming youth population. If the MoU is renewed, it will not only enable the institute to continue to fulfil one of its corporate social responsibilities of youth development to the nation, but will also help the beneficiaries to be self-reliant and readily employable on completion of the programme.”

    He said the institute, through its management training programme, has trained over 250,000 corps members in the areas of entrepreneurship and skills acquisition for self reliance since the inception of the partnership.

    “In addition to the professional management focused on self reliance training, which they receive during the six-month tuition free exercise, our records show that the number of corps members who die each year through road accidents has drastically reduced as they now use their spare time to attend lectures for the programme on weekends, “he said.

    The institute’s chairman called on the NYSC DG to nominate members of staff in his organisation to attend the NIM’s human capacity development and learning programmes.

    “Furthermore, I call on you to join the membership of the institute as the number one manager of the NYSC administration,” he added.

    In his response, the Director-General, NYSC, Brig-Gen. Johnson Olawunmi, stated that the corps is committed to getting the MoU renewed.

    “We have to ensure skills acquisition for our youth corps members, and from what I was told, I’ve come to realise that many corps members who partake in the programme are happy with it,” he said.

    Olawunmi noted that the NYSC is looking beyond renewing the MoU, adding that it was working out ways of expanding its collaboration with the institute.

  • Amaechi, Jang to renew NGF battle at NEC today

    Amaechi, Jang to renew NGF battle at NEC today

    Who occupies the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman’s seat at today’s National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja?

    Today’s meeting is the first since the disputed NGF election, which was won by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who scored 19 votes to beat Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who had 16.

    It will be a challenge for Vice-President Namadi Sambo, who is the chairman of the NEC.

    While majority of the governors were last night pushing for Amaechi as the rightful occupant of the seat, the 16 governors supporting Jang were lobbying the Presidency to concede the seat to the Plateau State helmsmen.

    It was learnt that pro-Amaechi governors may walk out of the NEC meeting if Jang is recognised as the NGF chairman.

    A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The governors have shifted the battle over NGF chairmanship to the NEC meeting.

    “As the chairman of NEC, the VP will face a major test today on who to recognise as the chairman of the NGF, who plays a pivotal role at the council meeting.

    “If Sambo recognises Jang, it could cause a split in NEC and if he does not, he will be working at cross-purpose with his principal.

    “The alternative is for Sambo to rely on the ongoing case in court and assume full control of the NEC session but some forces in the Presidency will not like it.”

    A governor, who spoke with our correspondent last night, said: “The real battle for the NGF chairmanship will be at the NEC meeting. Nigerians will now see the two camps in their true colours.

    “Apart from the fact that Amaechi was validly elected as the chairman of NGF, it will be subjudice for the VP to recognise Jang. There is a subsisting suit against Jang for claiming to be the NGF chairman.”

    Another source in the Presidency said: “The government is trying to address this issue; we envisage a smooth session at the NEC meeting.”

    Amaechi, who left the Presidential “Mid-tern dinner for tansformation team” before it closed last night at the Villa, spoke with reporters.

    He said it would be undemocratic if he was suspended by the PDP because he won the NGF election.

    Amaechi said: “If the PDP is suspending me for that reason, too bad. We must learn to be democratic. I am not aware that the party has given any reason for suspending me; if that is the reason, too bad. The party is yet to give any reason for my suspension. I am not aware that the party suspended me for winning an election.”

    The governor said he was not aware of any faction in the NGF as he is the forum’s authentic chairman.

    “Was NGF sick? I don’t know about factions. We are holding NGF meeting and we agreed that those of us who were there should honour the President and attend the dinner. We have attended; you saw all of them; some have left and I am leaving too.”

    On the way forward, Amaechi said: “That is the question to ask Jang and those who are supporting him. Those with me are in the majority.”

  • Renew pact with Allah, says Oshiomhole

    Renew pact with Allah, says Oshiomhole

    EDO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole yesterday urged the Muslims to renew their pact with Allah, in line with Quaranic teachings.

    Oshiomhole said: “I rejoice with our Muslim brothers and sisters on this Eid-el Kabir Festival.

    “The message of unflinching obedience to Allah, sacrifice and selflessness which is the hallmark of the festival must not be lost on the faithful.

    “We must never forget Prophet Ibrahim’s total obedience to Almighty Allah when asked to sacrifice his son, and all of us who call on the name of Allah must strive to be selfless and trust in His judgement as the all-sufficient, most merciful, and most gracious.

    “On this occasion, the faithful must renew the spirit of obeisance to the will of our creator in accordance with the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim and deepen our faith in Allah.

    “We should not forget to pray for our nation as it passes through this difficult phase.

    “I believe with the prayers of the faithful, Allah in His incomparable majesty will heal the wounds of the nation, and take us to a desirable destination.

    “I wish to remind all of us that, together, we have a duty to ourselves, our people and our nation to toe the line of peace with all men and imbibe the teachings of Islam.

    “I wish all the faithful Happy Eid el Adha.”