New Boards for Parastatals Under the Ministry of Communication

Nigeria's President, Muhammadu Buhari recently approved appointments into the boards of ministerial departments and agencies (DAs), including the Ministry of Communication.  The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has the following: Mallam Ikira Iliyasu Bilbis-Chairman, Members-Saliu Bamidele Aluko, Rabi Anna Haruna, Chief Ajibade E. Balogun, Hon Ndubuisi K. Agbo, Danladi Bako, Dr. Yushau U. Ahmed and Hon Tijani Marafa. 

Others:

National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA)
Prof. Adeolu Akande-Chairman
Members-Hon Kazeem Salako, Dr. Lawal Bello Moriki, Hajia Binta Mohammed, Mr. Uche Onwude, Rt. Hon. Abdullai Bello and Senator J.J. Akpanunudoedehe.

Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST)
Barrister Maimuna Yahaya Abubakar-Chairman
Members-Tunde Agbabiaka, Mainasara A. Sani.

Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT)
Chief George Moghalu-Chairman
Members-Zainab Ibrahim Jabo, Comdr. Chidi Okonji

ICT changes lives – a taste of my dreams

By Huawei Technology

15 December 2017  

My name is Victoria Aduwo, the only female child of my parents and the first of two. I am from Ondo State, Nigeria and I grew up in Navy Town, Festac area of Lagos. My father is a retired Nigerian Naval officer and my mother is an entrepreneur. I studied Chemical Engineering at the Lagos State University, LASU.

Growing up, I always wondered what it was like to be an innovator. As a little girl, I had dreams of being one of the world’s most prominent female innovators. I loved to create things. I enjoyed exploring and experimenting. This shaped all I thought about and all I aspired to do with my time. It fueled my passion. I spent my time experimenting and trying to develop solutions.

Unfortunately, this sort of behavior was generally regarded as masculine, especially as the male gender dominated the sciences, and information technology. I had little or no encouragement from my parents or the people around me. But I was not deterred.

I remember what it was like trying to convince my parents to allow me study Chemical Engineering in the University. My Dad wanted me to be a Medical Doctor. He clearly had his plans for me especially given my position in the family.

I was constantly reminded me that I needed to spend more time building myself as a woman, and not chasing ‘unrealistic’ dreams. The African society still considers the woman’s role as being primarily in the home. I do not entirely disagree, because the home and family should remain important to a woman. However, I do not agree with the idea that a woman should spend the better part of her life in the kitchen, or in the other room for that matter.

The world is itself the woman’s kitchen – a place she prepares and incubates her dreams before serving it to the world to enjoy. I am glad there are many more women in ICT, and that these women are looking to make a difference.

I remember studying Chemical Engineering at LASU. The course was expectedly male dominated and I faced the typical challenges women face being in such environments. People doubted my ability when I tried to prove myself. I was either not given the full credit for my work, or not rewarded for it at all.

This was very discouraging. For the first time in my life, I understood what it meant being in a man’s world. When I tried to be a voice, I was shut down; sometimes by threats. There were times when I would have spent all week building a model or perfecting an experiment. Yet the focus of students and teachers alike seemed to dwell lower down my anatomy than where my mind occupied. My hard work was often times secondary. However, I was determined to keep on trying and I am glad I did because all the hard work eventually paid off.

I had heard a lot about China but like many people of my generation, China meant Kung Fu. China meant the place where anything could be manufactured at low quality. I also innocently had the impression that it was a big country with poor people, poor housing and electricity problems. I had thought generators were used for power at night like most Nigerian neighborhoods. Although I knew it was a tech-driven society, I didn’t know to what extent until I was given the opportunity to see for myself.

My trip to China was facilitated by the ‘Seeds for the Future’ project championed by Huawei Technologies in partnership with the Nigerian Government. I had heard of the Seeds for the Future programme through a friend who sent me the ICT for Change website link. When I told my parents about it, they thought it was one of those scams or ‘promise and fail’ offers by the Nigerian Government.

Though my parents agreed that I apply, no one really expected me to be shortlisted. After all, applications had come from all over Nigeria. Having applied via the online portal, we got feedback after three months that I was one of the shortlisted students. I was so excited but this was just the first phase.

My parents had slowly started to believe but they still had doubts of my final selection. We were invited for the training programme, and scheduled to write an exam afterwards. Forty (40) out of two thousand (2000) students from different Nigerian universities were eventually selected.

The next phase was the interview, after which, ten finalists were selected, and I was one of the ten (10). I was so thrilled when I got the call informing me that I was one of the successful ten. I was commended for my effort and informed of my trip to China. My parents could not have been prouder! To be a top ten candidate from a pan Nigeria exercise, which only required intellectual input was an achievement almost unparalleled in my entire existence so far. Getting the B.Sc. in engineering was special but this was a completely different kind of rush.

Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in China. Guangzhou airport alone was a wonder. On our trip to Shenzhen, I was completely blown away. During my stay, I realized China was made up of ultra modern cities, high level technologies, state of the art transport systems, great infrastructure. My original perception was completely wrong.

I particularly loved the Yellow Bike Park, which has bicycles accessible for public use via a mobile app. The app grants access to use the bike and makes payment when returned. I saw cars and buses running on electricity. What a wonderland!

Through the Seeds for the Future platform, we learnt so much about ICT and got first-hand experiences in a global ICT firm from leading ICT facilitators. I got hands-on with state of the art technologies.

My knowledge of ICT prior to the trip was clearly limited. I was introduced to the endless possibilities of information technology. I learnt about Smart Cities, Smart Banking, Smart Housing, Smart Digital Pipelines, Smart Agriculture, and Telemedicine. I learnt so much. My desire for innovation and to make an impact soared to an all-time high. Once again, I dared to dream. I could truly achieve anything I set my mind to.

Travelling to China broadened my horizon. I had a rich experience of the Chinese culture and visited so many historical centers like the Great Wall of China, the Zoo and Pearl Market in Beijing, Folk Town and Luohu Market in Shenzhen. I met other students from all over the world.

I made new friends from different countries like Ecuador, Sweden, Peru, and we still keep in touch up till now. I was thrilled to receive birthday messages from my new friends just a few weeks ago. And the people in China are so friendly. The food is exquisite, with a variety of delicacies to pick from like fried duck, crystal noodles, and dried beef. I really cannot wait to go back.

Professionally, my trip to China inspired me to keep believing that I had a future in ICT. I have developed more passion for innovation. I hope to acquire my Masters degree and probably get a doctorate degree in Information and communication technology, ICT.

Now I am back in Nigeria, with my nine colleagues, and I have new skills ready to execute on projects I am currently running. ICT is clearly the future, and has the capacity to change lives. I am so fired up and excited for the future of ICT in Nigeria, especially with my desire to train the coming generation of ICT enthusiasts.

I recommend that the Nigerian government explores the endless possibilities of ICT just like China has done to tremendously enhance its economy, particularly in the areas of human capacity building, knowledge acquisition and the creation of innumerable opportunities for individuals to optimize their potentials. ICT can be a part of our everyday lives, from smart education to smart telemedicine, smart communities, smart banking.

As Nigeria climbs back from its recent recession, the need for diversification increases and ICT can most definitely fast track the process. Currently, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Nigeria is ranks 143 on the 2017 global ranking on ICT Development Index (IDI). This status can be improved with the joint effort of the Federal Government, academia, and the private sector.

With the appropriate funding for research and telecommunication infrastructure, and with the presence of leading ICT organizations like Huawei Technologies in Nigeria, the potential for success is without limit.

Through structured exchange programmes, Nigerian ICT students can attend foreign programmes in China and other leading ICT countries, to improve their skills. An ICT University with global facilitators can also be built in Nigeria. These skills and exposure can be used to improve the Nigerian economy.

My message to the other young people in the ICT space is that the possibilities are truly endless and with hard work, determination and dedication, their dreams are totally within reach.

Thank you Huawei Seeds for the Future, now I can believe again.

10 Firms Make It To 9mobile Bidding Stage

...Regulators raise serious concerns 

Which firm will acquire 9mobile?  This is the question on the lips of investment analysts who have raised their permutation game on the eventual suitor for the telco.  So far, 10 of the 16 companies who had submitted their expressions of interest(EoIs) for snapping 9mobile, have progressed to  the next stage.

Financial advisor Barclays prequalified the ten firms to advance to the financial bid stage of the process.  Those prequalified list the cellular arm of the First National Operator, Globacom, the Indian parent of third-placed Airtel Nigeria, Bharti Airtel; Dangote Group’s telecoms business unit, Alheri Engineering; pan-African LTE operator Smile Telecoms Holdings; infrastructure company Helios Towers; Centricus Capital with Africell, a subsidiary of Lebanon-based Lintel Group; Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital; Teleology Holdings Limited; pan-African investment firm Africa Capital Alliance (ACA); and The Carlyle Group from the US.

The companies will be required to submit bid bonds of US$150 million each as part of the financial bid process.
The lenders of 9mobile hired Barclays to scout for new investors for the Nigeria’s fourth largest telco by subscribers.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s central bank (CBN) and telecoms regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commision (NCC) have expressed reservations over how Barclays Africa is handling the sale of 9mobile. The authorities believe companies with strong financial standing and advanced technical capabilities were dropped from the final bidding process.

In a joint letter, the CBN and the NCC said they want the sale process to be “transparent and fair”, but stated financial adviser Barclays Africa had “repeatedly exhibited signs of opacity”.

“Given the overriding public interest in the company and the need for transparency, we advised that Barclays advertise the call for ‘expression of interest’. Barclays declined, insisting instead that the company, being a private one, should not be taken through a public sale,” the pair wrote.
“This lack of a transparent process has proven to be selective and arbitrary, leading to allegations that the process is being teleguided to a rigged and predetermined outcome. The CBN and the NCC will not fold their arms and allow this to materialise,” they added.

Executive vice-chairman of NCC, Umar Garba Danbatta, and CBN governor Godwin Emefiele said their concerns were heightened following complaints from stakeholders, including some bidders.

CBN and NCC called for all decisions taken by the financial adviser to be approved by them in writing and said a 31 December deadline for the handover of 9mobile to the preferred bidders is “sacrosanct”.
The letter was sent to GTBank, the facility agent for a $1.2 billion loan Etisalat Nigeria was unable to pay to a consortium of banks, leading to parent Etisalat terminating a management agreement and the operator being rebranded as 9mobile.
Ten companies reportedly moved to the financial stage of the bid process, including Globacom Nigeria Limited, Bharti Airtel, Smile Telecoms Holdings, Helios Towers and Africell.

                                                                                        ### 

GutsyPen4ICTD: Telecommunications Regulator Reaffirms Commi...

GutsyPen4ICTD:




Telecommunications  Regulator Reaffirms Commi...: Telecommunications  Regulator Reaffirms Commitment To High Leadership And Management Standards …Puts Code of Corporate Governan...

Telecommunications  Regulator Reaffirms Commitment To High Leadership And Management Standards

…Puts Code of Corporate Governance In Active Mode

The total or near absence of good corporate governance practices in the telecommunications industry in Nigeria prompted the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), pursuant to its consultative regulatory stance, to come up with the Code of Corporate Governance For The Telecommunications Industry in 2014.  Three years down the road, has the code enthroned a culture of good corporate governance practice in the industry?

Investigations by GutsyPen4ICTD  revealed not a few analysts agree that ‘NO’ is the ideal answer to give under the circumstance.  So, in a bold strategic move to walk its talk on high corporate governance principles in the Nigerian telecommunications industry, and stave off descent of telcos into oblivion, the NCC has reaffirmed its commitment to seeing that the highest standards in leadership and management is maintained within the sector.

Now, the regulator is saying time has come for all stakeholders to take the code seriously.

The Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, Professor Umar Garba Dambatta says the NCC under his watch is committed to raising the standards of leadership and management in the telecom sector.

Professor  Danbatta, speaking at The Renaissance Hotel Lagos, venue of the Stakeholders Sensitization Workshop on the provisions of the Code, recently said the critical place of telecommunication to all spheres of the national life demands that "we raise the standards of leadership and management in the sector to sustain the sector's role as a driver of economic growth."

Professor Dambatta’s confidence in the renewed confidence of his agency to implement the code of corporate governance in the sector, was buoyed by the physical presence and participation of the Chairman of NCC Board of Commissioners, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye; the Executive Commissioner Stakeholder Management, Sunday Dare; other top management staff of NCC; representatives of Mobile Network Operators; and a broad spectrum of other telecom stakeholders.

The code, had earlier been presented to stakeholders in 2016 at an inclusive forum, as an instrument which provisions are mandatory, but the apparent lethargy to observe and entrench  the code, may have excited the commission  to once more put the code enforcement on active mode. By so doing, the NCC is communicating boldly to all sector players it will not tolerate observing the code in the breach, going forward.

Analysts believe by these provisions, the Code has become part of the extant regulatory instruments guiding telecommunications operation in Nigeria.

The code stipulates, among other things, that the Board of Directors is responsible for the governance of the company.  The Board should ensure that a culture of ethical behavior and right doing permeates the company.

To create room for functional specificity, eliminate  fraud and reduce poor governance principles to the barest minimum, the Code stipulates  the offices of Chairman and the CEO shall not be occupied by one person concurrently in any telecom company in Nigeria. In addition, no one can serve as a director in any telecom company for more than 15 years.

In the perspective of the NCC, good corporate governance ensures proper incentives for the Board and Management to pursue objectives that are in the interests of the company and its shareholders and also facilitates effective monitoring.-GutsyPen4ICTD.

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Day Around The Bay: Fired Google Engineer Fudged His Resume

BY JAY BARMANN 

The fired Google software engineer who wrote that lengthy diatribe about how women aren't biologically suited for tech stuff, James Damore, apparently had a PhD in Systems Biology on his LinkedIn page that he recently downgraded to a Masters. [Business Insider]

Relatedly, conservatives have latched on to his biology background to suggest he knows what he's talking about when it comes to women and their biological shortcomings. And so now he's a free-speech martyr. [American Conservative][Slate]

Also, Damore filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board which means he may have a federal case in court. [Wired]

Woman's photos, memories of late father stolen from car in San Francisco. [ABC 7]

The SFPD and other agencies did a massive sweep in a Bayview housing project Tuesday, executing 30 search warrants, and so far they've refused to comment on the raid. [ABC 7]

A toddler was found wandering the street in San Jose alone early this morning, and the boy's guardian has now been located. [CBS 5][ABC 7]

A multi-story construction crane came crashing down on a home in Campbell. [CBS 5]

The SFPUC becomes first city department to set a policy for drone use. [Examiner]

Three 15-y-o female shoplifters were arrested in Union Square after pepper-spraying three individuals who tried to stop them at the door of a store. [Examiner]

Flying Magazine Bestows Innovation Award on HondaJet

Flying Magazine, the world's most widely read aviation magazine, has bestowed “Flying Innovation Award” on HondaJet in recognition of its breakthrough design and advanced technologies. The announcement was made during Flying’s event on the opening evening of 2017 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

“On behalf of the Honda Aircraft Company, I am incredibly honored to receive this prestigious award. We are proud that HondaJet has been recognized for its innovative design and advanced technologies by such a prestigious aviation industry publication,” said Honda Aircraft President & CEO Michimasa Fujino.

”Fitting the HondaJet won as it embodies innovation, the HondaJet shows what can transpire with hard work. Honda aircraft did an amazing job not only with the aircraft but also the manufacturing facilities. It's an incredible story.” said Flying Editor-in-Chief Stephen Pope.

Flying’s Innovation Award was created to recognize the most significant innovation in general aviation from the previous year. The HondaJet was chosen from among six nominees. HondaJet also received a 2016 Flying Editors’ Choice Award.

-http://world.honda.com/news/2017/c170726eng.html?r=m

GutsyPen4ICTD: Honda’s planned technological partnership with Saub...

GutsyPen4ICTD: Honda’s plannedtechnological partnership with Saub...: Honda’s planned technological partnership with Sauber Crumbles Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the technological partnership with t...

Honda’s planned technological partnership with Sauber Crumbles

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced the technological partnership with the Sauber F1 Team, which was intended to start from 2018 onwards for the Federation Internationale De L’automobile (FIA⁾ Formula One World Championship (F1), is no longer in place, GutsyPen4ICTD learns.

The project,  originated after an initial proposal from Sauber, has been called-off due to differences in the future direction between Honda and Sauber, which pecipitated during the preparation process for power unit supply systems.

General Manager, Motor Sports Division, at Honda Motor Co., Ltd. Masashi Yamamoto commented: “We had built a good relationship with Sauber, and had been looking forward to entering the 2018 F1 season together. However, during discussions after management changes at the team, we reached a mutual agreement to call-off the project due to differences in the future directions of both parties. We would like to thank Sauber for their cooperation, and wish them all the best for their future."

Despite this announcement, Honda says its passion for motorsports and strong commitment to Formula One remains unchanged.

GutsyPen4ICTD: ICTs may hold the ace in redefining the pro...

GutsyPen4ICTD:
ICTs may hold the ace in redefining the pro...: ICTs may hold the ace in redefining the property market in Africa Property market investors in Africa ar...

GutsyPen4ICTD: Kamar Abass Quits Asntel bossKamar Abass, the Ma...

GutsyPen4ICTD:
Kamar Abass Quits Asntel boss
Kamar Abass, the Ma...: Kamar Abass Quits As ntel boss Kamar Abass, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NATCOM trading as ntel, which prides its...

Kamar Abass Quits As ntel boss

Kamar Abass, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NATCOM trading as ntel, which prides itself as Nigeria’s first 4G/LTE-Advanced network,  has quit his job for personal and health reasons, GutsyPen4ICTD has learnt.  In his place, ntel has appointed the Chief Finance Officer, Abhulime Ehiagwina, as the acting CEO.  Ehiagwina will be on the saddle until a substantive CEO is found.

Director, External Affairs of the company  Osondu C. Nwokoro confirmed this in a statement seen by us. The statement said “Mr. Abass has stepped down from his role as CEO due to urgent personal and medical considerations….”

No clarification was provided on what personal and health conditions for Abass represented and whether these were enough reasons to warrant his resignation.

Kamar Abass joined the Board of Directors of NatCom in 2015 as the CEO of ntel and led the company through launch on April 8, 2016 with operations in Lagos and Abuja and then subsequently in Port Harcourt by December 2016.

Abhulime Ehiagwina, has a BSc Accounting degree from the Obafemi Awolowo University, an MBA from the University of Lagos and an Advanced Management & Leadership Programme (AMP) certificate from the Said Business School, Oxford University, UK.

Before joining ntel as CFO, Abhulime was CFO & Board member of Helios Towers Nigeria where he oversaw the Finance and IT functions. He helped grow the Company EBITDA by over 300 per cent in 3 years and raised a $250m Eurobond, first non-bank or Oil/Gas Company out of Nigeria. He also sat on the board of Interswitch as a non-Executive Director during this period. He has over 25 years financial management experience.

The company assures its stakeholders that it remains committed to existing obligations and will honour same, adding  the leadership transition will be smooth and orderly with no impact on its operations.

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ICTs may hold the ace in redefining the property market in Africa

Property market investors in Africa are realizing  that a more measured approach may hold the key to reaping long term rewards in Africa, with the continental real estate narrative shifting and evolving over the past 2 years, following the impact of geo-political and economic challenges affecting the property landscape, and information and communication technologies (ICTs) are proving to be a critical component of the strategy to change the narrative, GutsyPen4ICTD learns. API Events is hosting the 8th annual API Summit & Expo in Johannesburg on August 24th and 25th, 2017, in order to address this new reality. Key themes and trends (validating the critical role of ICTs) up for discussion at this year’s summit will include: ·  Trumpenomics, Brexit, African elections and their effects on African real estate; ·  New debt: the emergence of non-bank lenders and new sources of debt financing; ·  Will local governments and public sector step up in the drive to make housing more affordable and accessible? ·  How are Zambia, Kenya and Ghana leading Africa’s logistics sector rise? ·  The move towards convenience retail or are mixed-use developments the answer to a successful African retail sector? ·  Overcoming the overcrowding issue: how can African cities become more economically dense — not merely crowded? ·  Green-building in Africa: uncovering the return on investment; ·  Healthcare facilities and serviced apartments as lucrative new asset classes? ·  The rise and rise of collaborative offices and its effect on Africa’s commercial real estate sector ; ·  Local institutional and pension fund capital fuelling African real estate; ·  How will innovative technologies impact the way we design, build and operate real estate in Africa? Cameroon: Africa’s new hotspot. The 2017 API Summit and Expo promises to delve in-depth into each of these topics, and more, with participation from over 35 countries, 600 delegates and 250 companies, providing insights, thought-leadership and solution-focused tools. “Africa is facing a new reality, but what does this mean for investors and developers looking to expand their growth and uncover new opportunities? Not only do we need to better understand this new reality, but also how best to approach it, realigning development strategies and investment models, all the while working together with new players in order to continue to develop and enhance Africa’s future property market,” says API Events Managing Director, Kfir Rusin. Alongside this new era for the African continent comes a divergence in growth paths for two groups of economies. On one side we have Africa’s oil exporters, who have experienced sharp declines in growth, while Africa’s more diversified economies have continued to accelerate their GDP expansion. Despite these differing growth patterns from an economic point of view, the shift in real estate capital flows have yet to fully move over to East Africa, with long term investors still seeing the likes of Nigeria as a key market. These changing fortunes, together with strict central bank regulations within individual countries, and the volatility of local currencies against the US dollar, have, however, made real estate funding a lot more complex. “With modest recovery expected in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) economies, prospects for improved real estate funding would increase where there are strong domestic governance policies and strong risk management practices. Attracting capital flows into SSA depends on the ability of individual nations to improve sovereign risk and growth prospects”, said Barclays Africa’s Head of Commercial Property Finance, Klaus-Dieter Kaempfer. The geography of opportunity within Africa has also evolved with French-speaking West Africa, particularly Ivory Coast, Senegal and Cameroon piquing new interest from an investment point of view, while East Africa continues to lead as Africa’s most stable frontier. In this regard, companies like Mara Delta continue to focus on the long term fundamentals rather than short term volatilities, as seen with their own sustained and increased investments into countries such as Mozambique and Zambia over the last 2 years. Chief Executive of Mara Delta Bronwyn Corbett commented: “In addition to taking a view on political and currency risk, key considerations for us are the ability to conduct business in hard currency, the repatriation of funds, land tenure and the ability to raise debt. Based on these considerations, we have identified Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Botswana and Ghana as potential territories for expansion. Our nodal expansion in-country depends on tenant demand, as you need some level of concentration in an area or region to make it economically viable.” Looking ahead, there will be a definite shift in terms of sectors of interest and asset sizes. The office market has suffered a steady decline across the continent, while the retail sector is expected to continue to move towards convenience retail and smaller, more tailored retail centres across Sub-Saharan African cities. Divisional Director for Research at Broll Property Group Elaine Wilson says: “Some investors are getting wary of investing in the continent because of currency volatility especially in the retail sector due to dollar based rentals. East Africa is seeing an increase in formal retail space, however, financially strained consumers will still frequent informal traditional markets.” On the other side of the spectrum, the demand for bigger and better warehousing space has increased significantly, with mega distribution warehouse projects kicking off in cities like Lusaka, Nairobi and Tema. In terms of infrastructure on the continent, LAPPSETT, West African rail network and The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam are expected to further influence the direction of Africa’s future going forward, boasting huge potential in unearthing new real estate opportunities across the continent in the current year.  “Our understanding of Africa has changed over the last decade, and developers and investors alike are now ready to take a more measured approach to the continent, with a specific focus on attaining sustainable growth in the years to come. With this new understanding in mind, it has become vital for all industry players to come together, to learn from their peers, share their own on-the-ground experiences and forge new avenues for real estate growth in Africa,” Rusin says.

GutsyPen4ICTD: Google Hopes to Train10M Africans in Online Skill...

GutsyPen4ICTD:
Google Hopes to Train10M Africans in Online Skill...: Google Hopes to Train 10M Africans in Online Skills , CEO Says Alphabet's Google aims to train 10 million people in Africa in onl...

Google Hopes to Train 10M Africans in Online Skills, CEO Says

Alphabet's Google aims to train 10 million people in Africa in online skills over the next five years in an effort to make them more employable, its chief executive said Thursday.

The U.S. technology giant also hopes to train 100,000 software developers in Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, a company spokeswoman said.

Google's pledge marked an expansion of an initiative it launched in April 2016 to train young Africans in digital skills. It announced in March that it had reached its initial target of training 1 million people.

The company is "committing to prepare another 10 million people for jobs of the future in the next five years," Google Chief Executive Sundar Pichai told a company conference in Nigeria's commercial capital, Lagos.

Google said it would offer a combination of in-person and online training. Google has said on its blog that it carries out the training in languages including Swahili, Hausa and Zulu and tries to ensure that at least 40 percent of people trained are women. It did not say how much the program cost.

Africa, with its rapid population growth, falling data costs and heavy adoption of mobile phones, having largely leapfrogged personal computer use, is tempting for tech companies.

Executives such as Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s Chairman Jack Ma have also recently toured parts of the continent.

Basic phones, less surfing

But countries like Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa, which Google said it would initially target for its mobile developer training, may not offer as much opportunity as the likes of China and India for tech firms.

Yawning wealth gaps mean that much of the population in places like Nigeria has little disposable income, while mobile adoption tends to favor more basic phone models. Combined with bad telecommunications infrastructure, that can mean slower and less internet surfing, which tech firms rely on to make money.

Google also announced plans to provide more than $3 million in equity-free funding, mentorship and working space access to more than 60 African startups over three years.

In addition, YouTube will roll out a new app, YouTube Go, aimed at improving video streaming over slow networks, said Johanna Wright, vice president of YouTube.

YouTube Go is being tested in Nigeria as of June, and the trial version of the app will be offered globally later this year, she said.

-https://www.voanews.com/amp/google-hopes-train-millions-africans-online-skills/3962512.html

GutsyPen4ICTD: Mass Communication Enabled By ICTs Can Foster Nat...

GutsyPen4ICTD:
Mass Communication Enabled By ICTs Can Foster Nat...: Mass Communication Enabled By ICTs Can Foster National Cohesion and Progress -NCC Commissioner … Says Internet Opportunities Are Eclip...

Mass Communication Enabled By ICTs Can Foster National Cohesion and Progress-NCC Commissioner

… Says Internet Opportunities Are Eclipsed Without Robust Broadband

By Clifford Agugoesi

Mass communication practitioners in the country have been handed a charge to use their expertise and immense value propositions of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to facilitate the cohesion of the country and ensure its survival as an indivisible entity.

Executive Commissioner for Stakeholder Management (ECSM) at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Sunday Dare, gave the charge in a keynote titled Imagery and National Cohesion in the age of Communication Technology delivered Wednesday, July 19, 2017 at the Annual Lecture of the Mass Communication Students Association of the University of Lagos, UNILAG. The lecture is a key component of the annual students week programme of the Department.

The event was held at the Biodun Shobanjo Hall, Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos.   Dare was represented at the event by NCC's Head of Online Media and Special Publications, Omoniyi Ibietan.

Dare’s challenge to mass communicators is coming against the heels of mounting discordant tones and heightened agitations to dismember the country, culminating to pointed calls for the restructuring of the country, even as some analysts feel the restructure calls are self-serving, although they argue there is the need for Nigerians to discuss and chat the way forward for the country.

Dare’s position is that despite the diagnosis and prognosis undertaken by doomsday doctors on the future of Nigeria, the national question could be resolved with a careful application of imagery potentiated by ICTs. “Given the contemporary realities of our country, majority of us here will agree the timing is auspicious for us to discuss how we can foster national cohesion using the force of logic, rather than the logic of force,” he said.  

Praising the quality of the guest lecturer, the keynote speaker said he was convinced, the lecturer was ‘sufficiently armed with the tools of dialectics to enrich our understanding in this regard as we listen to his brilliant presentation. The thematic focus of the main lecture is: Imagery – A Mechanism in Building Brand Acceptability and National Cohesion.’

Showing understanding of his critical remit at the lecture, he affirmed his duty to speak briefly and through that process nudge the participants to reflect on how they might explore the potential of imageries to build brands, especially brand Nigeria to foster national cohesion amidst the age of communication technology.

According to the ECSM at NCC, imagery finds expression in the use of pictures and ideas to represent and communicate thought. As a generic word, it incorporates metaphors, personification, allegory, symbols, similes and other figures of speech and arts rooted in cultural practices. Imageries, he said abound in many forms in practically all literary works, not only as figures of speech but also in folktales and many cultural forms, citing the works of two of Nigeria’s leading lights of the literary world Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart which has been translated into tens of languages and nobel laureate Wole Soyinka’s Telephone Conversation to buttress his point.

The import of the works of Achebe and Soyinka, according to the keynote speaker, demonstrates the value of imagery especially in helping humans construct a better understanding of their world. Noting that there is a special significance and illumination the use of imagery brings to the communication process and the enhancement of meaning exchange, he stated the most central benefit of the process is the unity of those involved in the communication process arising from mutual sharing of meaning, understanding and tolerance of the perspectives and dynamics of the process, adding it is from this reality that a sense of solidarity and the spirit of cohesion grow.

Looking above and beyond fiction, which in actual sense is a representation of reality, Dare explained there are tangible realisms from the daily lives of Nigerians of how imagery has helped them create a more perceptive understanding of their existence. More concretely, he cited as examples the Nigerian flag and the Coat of Arms which he believes have helped to foster cohesion and as mainstream symbolisms of the national identity. On the National Pledge he wondered whether the rendition was undertaken sincerely or perfunctorily and how much of the real significance and meaning of these brand identities do people know?

He said this is where the duties of mass communicators are critical. “Since communication is a creative science, as students and practitioners of communication, it is our responsibility to interpret the essence of the identities to the rest of the people because we are supposedly armed with the tools that prod a better understanding of the brand essence to the formation of national cohesion,” stated Dare.

Crucially, he pointed out that to be able to play this role effectively, mass communicators need both information and transformative knowledge. “Knowledge of new ways to optimise our creative enterprise. Knowledge that will enable us to deploy new skills that our country requires to nudge national cohesion. That cardinal principle and obligation required to deploy the knowledge as communication professionals operating in a multicultural society, is to focus on the elements of our culture and social reality that tend to bond the people, NOT to emphasize on the differences – though knowledge of the differences and their recognition is important to shape our relationships.

That knowledge is today enabled by information and communication technologies. There is no aspect or sphere of knowledge today that is not available on the Internet. For instance, when it comes to using imagery for communication, GIMP, an Image Manipulation Programme is available on the Internet, among many others, and it is free to download tool which can be used with digital photos to make creative touches (image composition, changing colour to black and white, picture editing, touch ups) to your snaps. All you need do is “to download a piece of software first to enable you to install GIMP”

“Flickr is another of the available resource of the virtual world which combines as a networking site. Flickr is a way of sharing images and a basic membership is free. If you already have a Yahoo account then you can use that to sign up. Through Flickr, you can create an online photo album but there are a number of other ways to use this tool especially as a means of creative communication. Indeed, there are so many other applications and software that enable users to create imagery for fantastic creative and expressive communication. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are proven enablers and the Internet is the abode of these resources.”

He underscored the critical place of ubiquitous and affordable broadband to release the huge opportunities locked up on the Internet. The evidence of the centrality of technology in contemporary world, he said, is the fact most innovative countries are the most advanced and prosperous because investments in technology and innovations have been major sources of wealth creation. To underscore this point, he stated that the top four most capitalized companies in the world are communication technology firms namely Microsoft, Apple Google, and Facebook.

“This explains why the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the regulatory authority for telecommunications in keeping with the spirit of the National Broadband Plan instituted clear processes to make broadband available, accessible and affordable in all nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Specifically, Two slots in the 700MHz band have been earmarked for Commercial Broadband deployment; The 800MHz band also known as the Digital Dividend 1 has been re-planned and licensed for LTE deployment – LTE is acronym for Long Term Evolution, a wireless technology designed to support roaming Internet access by cell phones and handheld devices; Part of the 1800MHz band has been refarmed for LTE deployments; The 60GHz unlicensed band will soon be opened up for broadband deployment; The 900MHz E-GSM band has been licensed for LTE deployment; The 2.3GHz band was licensed for LTE deployment; The 2.6GHz band was licensed for broadband wireless; and the 70/80GHz band (E-Band) is also opened up for LTE deployment.

“In addition, NCC already put in place a robust strategy to explore for the benefit of all Nigerians, the huge possibilities of 5G networks – the next evolution of mobile broadband. As the Commission plans for the future, it is also addressing the challenges of the moment. The declaration of 2017 as the Year of the Nigerian Telecom Consumer by the Nigerian Communications Commission speaks to the preeminence of the consumer in the comity of the industry stakeholders. It is a statement of commitment by the Commission to back Nigerians all the way as the citizens tap into the limitless possibilities offered by new communication technologies.

“The advent of ICTs gave birth to greater possibilities of exploring our world. The pervasiveness of ICT tools in almost all spheres: media, health, education, finance and banking, governance, entertainment and agriculture has opened up our world to great opportunities - whether through imagery or other digital means we are able to perform our tasks smarter. This ICT revolution now plays out in the emerging smart world we live in. We have smart phones, smart cities, smart governance and smart cars. Today, humanity is at the threshold of the Internet of Things (IOT) that promises the interconnectedness of virtually everything via a smart technology process. So, welcome again to the smart world. And be primed to explore its limitless possibilities and opportunities.”

Dare concluded that the connection and values of imagery, national cohesion and communication technologies have been espoused in the keynote in a manner that would deepen the day’s discussion and enable participants reflect on how they could communicate better and build a peaceful and prosperous country driven by creativity, technology and innovation.

Some of those who were at the lecture included but were not limited to Head of Mass Communication UNILAG, Dr. Sunday Oloruntola, and Zonal Head FCMB, Omowunmi Kalejaiye;  and Nigeria Editor AFRICA CHECK, David Ajikobi

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Data Centre As A Critical National Infrastructure , powered by the Rack Centre, is up for discussion at the LCCI-ICTEL EXPO 17, taking place at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, July 25, 2017.

Etisalat Nigeria To Trade As 9Mobile

Etisalat Nigeria has bowed to pressures from the Etisalat Group to rebrand.  The telco will now trade as 9Mobile and this information is from the grapevine.

Details of the name change are sketchy, but GutsyPen4ICTD learns that the new name resonates with the stakeholders as it has connection with the 0809 that the brand launched with which gels with its promise to uphold everything Nigerian!

Earlier today, we engaged with the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the firm, Boye Olusanya, who, in a friendly revert said: “Thanks.  I am sure we will catch up soon.”

It is not clear whether the catching up has to do with interfacing with our reporter or attempts by the new management to tidy up things at the embattled telco.

The Etisalat Group as part of their exit plans gave Eisalat Nigeria three weeks within which to cease using the Etisalat name.

Etisalat Nigeria Rubishes Claims of Closure of Its Offices Etisalat Nigeria has assured its stakeholders that Etisalat Group’s reported refusal of the right to the continued use of the Etisalat brand in Nigeria by EMTS, does not translate into discontinuation of its business.  It is promising its subscribers that quality of service on the network will not be compromised. Currently, Etisalat Nigeria is the fourth largest mobile service provider. Reports in the media Etisalat Nigeria’s experience centres and outlets are being closed are false, the telco assures through a company statement signed by Vice President, Regulatory & Corporate Affairs Ibrahim Dikko and seen by GutsyPen4ICTD. “All Etisalat offices, Experience Centres and outlets across Nigeria are in full operation and are providing services including customer care services on 24/7 basis,” Dikko said. The telco reiterates its unwavering commitment to delivery of quality services and commitment to continuously empowering all segments of Nigeria through the development and roll-out of innovative products, services and solutions that help individuals, businesses and organisations solve their everyday problems. The firm is intensifying efforts aimed at reaching full closure on ongoing discussions with regards the transition phase, and assures its customers and stakeholders will be informed as soon as these are concluded, including  details of a rebranding should that become necessary.”

: Universal Service Provision FundTasks Young Innov...

GutsyPen4ICTD:
Universal Service Provision FundTasks Young Innov...: Universal Service Provision Fund Tasks Young Innovators …Says they ought to be solutions providers By Clifford Agugoesi From the Un...

Universal Service Provision Fund Tasks Young Innovators

…Says they ought to be solutions providers

By Clifford Agugoesi

From the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) comes a challenge to Nigerian young techpreneurs to deploy  their ingenuity in  solving relevant problems  confronting the country and wrought disruption in the system through creativity and innovation.

As a catalyst to this charge, it has set up a nationwide contest  open to young innovators, software developers, UX designers, students, and other ICT enthusiasts from all over Nigeria, tagged  USPF Innovation Changemaker Challenge 2017.

Africa Telecom & IT understands that the challenge is aimed at tackling a selection of identified problems based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), as they apply to Nigeria and offer working solutions to them.

Participants will be required to create their own technology intervention for any of the following areas:

1.         Agriculture and Creation of Mass Employment: In the production, storage or distribution of food.

2.         Environment: Oil & Gas, Flood, Erosion/Climate Change.

3.         National e-data on Poverty, Disease, Security.

4.         Health/Lifestyle: Medical Doctors Information Exchange Tool; Health Insurance etc.

5.         Epidemic Mobility Tracking Solutions: e.g. Ebola, Lassa fever.

6.         Disease Destroyer Games: Educational games on disease eradication e.g. Malaria, Polio, and HIV.

7.         Education: Virtual Education, E-Library & E-Learning Systems.

8.         Intelligent Technologies for Scientists, Science Teachers, Engineers, etc.

9.         Girls4Tech: Interactive solutions aimed at getting young girls interested technology and innovation.

10.       Fraud whistle-Blowers: Enabling or assistive technology.

11.       Information Technology: Communications Quality of Service.

12.       National Security: Cybercrime and Cyber security Solutions, etc.

13.       E-Government: Government Automation Processes.

14.       E-Commerce: e-Transactions, Payment Systems, etc.

Entry is open to teams, minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 members (no individuals). Teams with female members will have definite added advantage as USPF seeks to encourage more gender diversity in technology innovation. Thirty (30) teams will be shortlisted (consisting of the top 5 entries from each geopolitical zone). They will be invited for the national finals, where the top 3 finalists will win the following prizes:

1st Prize – N1, 000,000* plus acceptance into incubation programme

2nd Prize – N750, 000* plus acceptance into incubation programme

3rd Prize – N500, 000* plus acceptance into incubation programme

*Monetary prize includes product completion and cash

Registration for the challenge commenced  4th July and closes  14th August, 2017.

Finals for the Changemaker Challenge  come up on 28th & 29th October, 2017

To register, interested contestants are to log on to: http://www.uspfchangemaker.ng

The Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) No 19 of 2003, Part IV, established the Universal Service Provision and mandated the Board to supervise and provide broad policy directions for the management of the USP Fund.

Section 118 of the Act established the USP Secretariat and states that it shall reside in the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of the Universal Service Provision. Pursuant to this mandate, the USP Fund started operation in August 2006 and has embarked on various projects to realize its objectives.

NCC Board  Hails Collaboration  with CBN over Etisalat Restructuring

The Board of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC),  has praised the quality of collaboration between the agency and the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, on the on-going restructuring at Etisalat Nigeria Nigeria, GutsyPen4ICTD has learnt. The NCC board, headed by Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, rose from an emergency meeting, Wednesday July 5, 2017, to comprehensively review  issues around troubled the telco.

Information on the meeting, seen by GutsyPen4ICTD, signed by the Commission’s Director of Public Affairs, Tony Ojobo, said financial and technical integrity standards, the telco is expected to meet, took the front burners at the crucial board meeting.

While commending the NCC Management for its able handling of the Etisalat issue till date, the board noted  its concerns are three-fold: ensuring continuous service to the over 21 million Etisalat subscribers, safeguarding the employees, and stabilizing the telecom sector to ensure its contribution to GDP is not impacted and investment interest continues. 

Details on the three-fold concerns were sketchy yet as at the time of this report, but the NCC board directed the Management to ensure always  that telcos meet the financial and technical integrity standards expected of them.

It will be recalled that, the Central Bank of Nigeria, recently reconstituted the board of Etisalat Nigeria, chaired by its deputy director, Dr. Joseph Nnanna, giving it a 6-month deadline to ensure the telco met its financial obligations to 13 creditor  banks led by Access Bank Plc.

Ntel targets mass market with new device.

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Ntel targets mass market with newdevice
By Cliffo...: Ntel targets mass market with new device By Clifford Agugoesi In a strategic move to avail its subscribers of functional and affo...

Ntel targets mass market with new device

By Clifford Agugoesi

In a strategic move to avail its subscribers of functional and affordable devices and ensure their stickiness with its network, Ntel has launched the  NOVA 4G/LTE dual-SIM phone into the Nigerian market.

Ntel operates a 4G/LTE Advanced network which is not 2G or 3G phone-compatible.

By the introduction of the Nova into the market place, telecom industry watchers believe, Ntel is targeting the mass market segment, which previous devices launch may have inadvertently  literally excluded, in order to shore up its subscriber base and delete whatever disadvantages this may have caused the firm, as it strives to take its disruptive services to all parts of Nigeria.

The timing of the launch of the Nova 4G/LTE device is apt as the Nigerian economy struggles to wriggle out of recession waters and subscribers could barely cope with the pricing of other devices which literally bites the already lean purses of consumers of telecom services. 

Make no mistakes about it, Nigeria, nay Africa, is a price-sensitive market and even a marginal price reduction will excite the right sentiment in buyers and get them respond to a product or service even when they are least ready to part with their money. And, coupled with the exchange volatility in the market, a product pricing around N25,000.00, envisaged for Nova, will most likely gel with consumers. 

And, from a hardware point of view, Nigeria is least operator-led, say experts. In operator-led markets, subscribers purchase devices directly from network operators.  In Nigeria, most subscribers buy their devices in the open market.   At  best, it is a laggard market  with a small percentage of buyers depending on their networks, while South Africa is a clear continental leader, although Kenya is held to be Africa’s best example when considering a hybrid model wherein operators supply devices to consumers in addition to purchases from an open market.

Interestingly, Ntel CEO Kamar Abass  maintains his company is not for the rich.

So, what is the insider thinking within Ntel that instigated the telco to bring in the Nova?  An amalgam of factors put together, especially a recessed economy and exchange rate volatility,it is held, will not attract many deep pocket buyers for the princely priced devices and so focusing on these will not help Ntel achieve the kind of volume and scale its marketers are projecting.  So what will do the magic?  A rugged , well-priced, double sim device that is market-tested and reliable.  This is a yawning vacuum that the Nova 4G/LTE phone has come to fill and it proves to be a killer strategy for the telco.

“The entry of ntel NOVA into the device market signals a new dawn in the evolution of the Nigerian 4G/LTE segment which has been impacted by concerns around the availability and affordability of 4G/LTE-capable devices. Our investment in ntel NOVA further underscores our firm commitment to changing the game in the 4G/LTE broadband segment and to support the actualisation of the penetration targets outlined in the National Broadband Plan of 2013,” a company information to which Africa Telecom & IT is privy, says.

From a devices design perspective, the ntel NOVA phone is, according to the Ntel information  “an exciting ergonomically designed, low priced, dual-SIM device defined by characteristics of both a feature phone and a smart phone.

The sleek device which comes in three distinct colours; rose gold, gold and grey, runs on the Android 6.0 operating system with a 8GB+1GB RAM capacity and has front 5 mega pixels and rear 2 mega pixel cameras, with Bluetooth and WiFi hotspot capabilities.

The ntel NOVA has space for a micro USB 2.0, earphone jack and two micro SIM card slots. It has 1800mAh battery capacity, with Standby time of 7 days and talk time of 9 hours.

In addition to a high-quality 3.8-inch capacitive touch screen, it also provides a traditional keyboard for quick dialing while boasting 4 dedicated Quick Launch keys for internet apps – Facebook, Internet Browser, Twitter, and WhatsApp.

To ensure visibility and ubiquity of the Nova,  Ntel is doing a road show across its three major cities of operation to introduce the phone and create awareness for its latest 4G/LTE device which comes in to complement its fast selling MiFis and routers.

Ntel is Nigeria’s first advanced 4G/LTE network providing superfast Internet access that enables voice, data video and TV on demand. Its network is built on the 900/1800 Mhz which are the best propagation frequencies for the deployment of 4G/LTE technology.

Ntel offerings include: National Bandwidth, International Voice Termination, International Bandwidth, Mobile Network and Fixed Network.

The company made its first on-net test data call in Lagos on Monday January 18, 2016 and followed up with its first on-net Voice over LTE (VOLTE) call in Lagos on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

Full commercial operations began on Friday 08 04 2016 in Lagos and Abuja with Port Harcourt coming on stream in December 2016.

 

Enabling Environment and Market Forces Critical to Bourse Listing of Telcos

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Enabling business environment and market forces c...: Enabling business environment and market forces critical to bourse listing by telcos– Airtel CEO A conducive business environment cou...