NIGERIAN Communications Commission (NCC) has directed that two Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators; MTN Nigeria and M-Tel who are currently having interconnection problems must speak to each other before the end of next month, August.
The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, gave this directive at the monthly Telecom Consumer Parliament held at Ogba-Ikeja in Lagos State.
He said that NCC has observed from the avalanche of complaints presented at the 22nd edition of the parliament that the two operators were not making life easy for their subscribers, who ordinarily would like to talk to themselves.
“MTel must talk to MTN, and MTN must talk to MTel,” he declared, stressing that failure for them to resolve their differences, if any, before the next edition of the parliament, the regulator may be forced to wield the big stick.
“Otherwise, NCC would intervene,” he asserted.
Dr. Ndukwe was not also comfortable with complaints of credit disappearances, saying that NCC would, along with the operators in the country, look into the cause and how to stop it forthwith.
He further cleared the air on the concept of Vmobile customers also using the firm’s website to reach the operator, which was endorsed by the parliament previously, even as he made it clear that it does not take the place of customer service lines.
Emphasising that it is not every subscriber that has access to the Internet which would avail them the opportunity to make contacts via the internet.
Cautioning that free Short Messaging Service (SMS) should be ensured to be free, decrying the lots of complaints generated on that issue and misconception thereof by subscribers on means of managing it.
NCC further lauded MTN for being consistent at the parliament sessions, even as it should look into call drops while the credit warning time should be reduced drastically so as not to interrupt calls for a long time.
Earlier, Dr. Ndukwe has said NCC has embarked on a national survey particularly on GSM networks, which is expected to be published soon.
The June edition of the parliament which held in Onitsha-Anambra State, he reported, was well attended.
This, he said, was part of the resolve by NCC to ensure that the parliament has a national spread, hence, it is rotated.
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Wednesday, July 27, 2005
ICT, key to e-payment solution
Features
Participants at the recent two-day forum on Smartcard and e-payment in Lagos, observed ICT infrastructure as key to propelling electronic payment (e-payment) in the country, reports REMMY NWEKE.
RISING from a two-day fifth edition of Smartcard exhibition and Electronic Payment (e-payment) forum 2005, recently in Lagos, participants made one point that must not be forgotten in a hurry.
The point being the consensus that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the key to the nation’s long-standing quest for global relevance, especially in this e-payment era through deployment of smartcards.
Electronic payment involves the deployment of ICT tools in the transaction system, but this dream seems to be obstructed by a lot of inadequacies including lack of infrastructure, awareness and usage, respectively.
Welcoming participants to the events, with the theme “Discover the World of payment,” chairman of Intermarc Consulting Limited, organisers of the event, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said that this year’s programme was built around the consumer. She also said that a lot of changes have taken place in the banking industry as a result of automation.
“The advent of e-Banking and increase in capitalization entails that banking business is now becoming less manual and more electronic,” she said, decrying the situation where about 70 per cent of transactions today in the country are cash-based.
According to her, the essence of the forum was to change this trend through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and smart wallets. She was of hope that by using the card technology, a strategy to bring forth the informal sector into the mainstream economy, a mission the government has been finding difficult to achieve.
Stressing that the use of cards would enhance business operations in the West African sub-region when common currency issues have been sorted out
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, represented by the Director, Research and Development (R&D) at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, pointed out that ICT revolution presently has gone beyond the industrial revolution in impact and speed as it affects the digital global economy, hence, the theme is apt at this time.
He however, noted that security questions in online payment systems are instrument to the realization of this revolution, therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the law on cyber security that seeks to create a favourable legal and other environments for a successful e-payment systems.
The minister also stated that the e-payment system through cards is transparent, a trend that leads to a cash-less society with an added advantage of deterring armed robbers. He encouraged Nigerians to follow the global trend, by imbibing the culture of electronic payment.
The Director, Banking Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Alade, who was represented by Mr. Chris Odiaka, in a keynote address, said the forum is timely as it seeks to enhance financial intermediation through migrating the economy from cash-based to card payment system.
She enjoined the fora to recognize the critical mass as the hallmark of the success of the system and encourage the citizens to move fast towards imbibing the system in their hearts. Just as she noted the some challenges in the area of implementation of the card system to include low income base of Nigerians, infrastructure shortages, which she hopes a Public-Private Partnership could address.
Additionally, the CBN Director, noted what the apex bank has been doing in terms of helping to develop firm infrastructure so as to reduce systematic risk in the industry through the N25bn capitalization directive.
Emphasizing that the new challenges which the use of card may introduce into the monetary policy in the measurement of money supply needed to be identified and addressed.
Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System Plc, Mr. Paul Lawal, also in his keynote, raised an alarm that over N500 billion in circulation in the country are outside the banking system. This, he said, equals to more than 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that are in currency outside the system.
“Electronic payment is the order of the day in all industrialized economies. Nigeria, and indeed all emerging economies, must deploy all appropriate resources to develop their respective payment systems,” he asserted.
Mr. Lawal also examined the state of the nation’s payment system, and said that the N500b represents about 90 per cent of the money supplied into the system as at the first quarter of this year.
Champion Infotel recalls that the country’s COB hovered between N300 billion and N400 billion.
He pointed out that this figure amounts to 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of CBN, against 4 per cent in the United Kingdom and 9 per cent in the United States. Stressing that the nation’s payment system is generally characterized by high cash payments volume and high resistance to new initiatives, resulting “in adequate data for planning”. This in effect causes the missing of economic development opportunities, even as low depth of financial intermediation also pervades the banking industry and the nation as a whole.
He said that this amounted to critical reduction in the efficiency of monetary policy, coupled with rife in corruption, which have contributed to the decay of the nation’s payment system. Thus the cost of banking business is high, “so much investment in cash handling machines, insurance, cash storage among others,” standing as obstacle to the growth of the system too.
According to him, duplication of payment structures and lack of infrastructure were not helpful at all and add to high under-utilization of installed capacity. But then, there are potentials of an efficient payment system in the country, that is, until customers embrace electronic payment solution fully.
This, he said, would bring about drastic reduction in the amount of currency outside the banking system as more funds would be available for banks to support credit demands.
He further said that the nation has potentials to earn foreign exchange due to export of new payment process, personnel and technology. Mr. Lawal also lauded the recent payment solution initiatives in the country, including the implementation of the Nigeria Automated Clearing System (NACS), which he said, reduces the clearing days for local cheques, just as the introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer by NIBSS has been very helpful.
Pointing out that the establishment of electronic payment schemes such as Valucard, Smartpay, eTranzact, Interswitch, Mastercard, GloMobile among others into the system, as well as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network have been on the increase and is very encouraging for the system growth.
Addressing the occasion on ‘Payment and the Macro-economy’ the Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, represented by Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi, noted that the Nigerian economy is mono product-based while consumption is import dependent, and payments made mainly by cash.
ePayment system, he said, affords simplicity and capable of using the same card for a number of transaction, consequently cost-effective, even as it would lead to employment. However, to encourage customer buy-in the current absence of reliable price information that mars market transparency should be put to a stop, whereas, interconnectivity problems expected to affect capacity utilization of installed card payment systems, and security issues must be addressed.
“Lack of credit cards in Nigeria is due to absence of credit bureau
and poor identification system for customers,” he said, outlining tools for economic growth using cards to include effective consumer awareness campaign, government creation of enabling policies to encourage use of cards, introducing discount/incentives to win competition, making use of GSM for e-payment to enhance reach and the legal system be overhauling.
Other speakers included the Managing Director of Nextzon Ltd, Mr. Mac Atasie, Mr. Deon LaGrange of ACI Worldwide, Mr. Noble E. Ekajeh of ATM Consortium Limited, and Dr. Olu Agunloye, chief executive, National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt).
Conversely, a communiqué issued at the fifth edition of the events warned that the nation’s quest would be in vain if proper recognition is not accorded ICT in the scheme of things, more so as the most populous and most endowed black nation in the world.
The communiqué endorsed by Managing Director of Intermarc Consulting, Mr. Yinka Adeyemi, also stated that electronic payment (e-payment) system is a missing link in the effort to achieve an ICT-driven economy and a vibrant e-commerce nationwide and in the West African sub-region.
He pointed out that e-payment system, being transparent and open to audit trail, could be an important antidote to corruption and robbery since it is also a vehicle for a cashless economy.
“The efficiency and sophistication of any payment system has a direct correlation to the level of economic advancement in the country, and banks have a central role to play in the evolution of any payment system, including e-payment, by providing a viable foundation upon which the system is built,” the communiqué read in part.
Expressing dismay over most transactions and payments in the country were still cash-based, regardless of the efforts to usher in e-government and credit culture, the conference noted that the citizenry could be encouraged to adopt this new systems, such as in using smart cards through incentive packages and policies.
He stressed that security issues abound in e-payment systems, and decried the absence of appropriate laws in the nation’s e-commerce environment and the non-enforcement of even the existing, relevant anti-breach provisions in the statutes.
Mr. Adeyemi further stated that the myriad of challenges such as poor infrastructure and e-culture, interconnectivity problems, absence of a unified and uniform citizen’s identification process and absence of enabling policies, all of which inhibit the entrenchment of e-payment culture.
Participants however, commended the federal government for the recent efforts on proposing legislation, which is expected to aid electronic transactions and criminalise unwholesome online and electronic activities.
This realization is gladdening in that the background of the forum is from the financial and banking sector, it goes to add that the other part of the economy, would make the sector to reposition as inclined to the core ICT issues such as in proffering financial facilities that would be amiable to the likes of software developers and hardware section of the community.
Participants at the recent two-day forum on Smartcard and e-payment in Lagos, observed ICT infrastructure as key to propelling electronic payment (e-payment) in the country, reports REMMY NWEKE.
RISING from a two-day fifth edition of Smartcard exhibition and Electronic Payment (e-payment) forum 2005, recently in Lagos, participants made one point that must not be forgotten in a hurry.
The point being the consensus that Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is the key to the nation’s long-standing quest for global relevance, especially in this e-payment era through deployment of smartcards.
Electronic payment involves the deployment of ICT tools in the transaction system, but this dream seems to be obstructed by a lot of inadequacies including lack of infrastructure, awareness and usage, respectively.
Welcoming participants to the events, with the theme “Discover the World of payment,” chairman of Intermarc Consulting Limited, organisers of the event, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, said that this year’s programme was built around the consumer. She also said that a lot of changes have taken place in the banking industry as a result of automation.
“The advent of e-Banking and increase in capitalization entails that banking business is now becoming less manual and more electronic,” she said, decrying the situation where about 70 per cent of transactions today in the country are cash-based.
According to her, the essence of the forum was to change this trend through the use of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) and smart wallets. She was of hope that by using the card technology, a strategy to bring forth the informal sector into the mainstream economy, a mission the government has been finding difficult to achieve.
Stressing that the use of cards would enhance business operations in the West African sub-region when common currency issues have been sorted out
In his opening speech, Minister of Science and Technology, Prof. Turner Isoun, represented by the Director, Research and Development (R&D) at the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Emeka Ezekwesili, pointed out that ICT revolution presently has gone beyond the industrial revolution in impact and speed as it affects the digital global economy, hence, the theme is apt at this time.
He however, noted that security questions in online payment systems are instrument to the realization of this revolution, therefore, it is necessary to facilitate the law on cyber security that seeks to create a favourable legal and other environments for a successful e-payment systems.
The minister also stated that the e-payment system through cards is transparent, a trend that leads to a cash-less society with an added advantage of deterring armed robbers. He encouraged Nigerians to follow the global trend, by imbibing the culture of electronic payment.
The Director, Banking Operations, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr. (Mrs) Sarah Alade, who was represented by Mr. Chris Odiaka, in a keynote address, said the forum is timely as it seeks to enhance financial intermediation through migrating the economy from cash-based to card payment system.
She enjoined the fora to recognize the critical mass as the hallmark of the success of the system and encourage the citizens to move fast towards imbibing the system in their hearts. Just as she noted the some challenges in the area of implementation of the card system to include low income base of Nigerians, infrastructure shortages, which she hopes a Public-Private Partnership could address.
Additionally, the CBN Director, noted what the apex bank has been doing in terms of helping to develop firm infrastructure so as to reduce systematic risk in the industry through the N25bn capitalization directive.
Emphasizing that the new challenges which the use of card may introduce into the monetary policy in the measurement of money supply needed to be identified and addressed.
Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-bank Settlement System Plc, Mr. Paul Lawal, also in his keynote, raised an alarm that over N500 billion in circulation in the country are outside the banking system. This, he said, equals to more than 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that are in currency outside the system.
“Electronic payment is the order of the day in all industrialized economies. Nigeria, and indeed all emerging economies, must deploy all appropriate resources to develop their respective payment systems,” he asserted.
Mr. Lawal also examined the state of the nation’s payment system, and said that the N500b represents about 90 per cent of the money supplied into the system as at the first quarter of this year.
Champion Infotel recalls that the country’s COB hovered between N300 billion and N400 billion.
He pointed out that this figure amounts to 20 per cent of the total monetary liabilities of CBN, against 4 per cent in the United Kingdom and 9 per cent in the United States. Stressing that the nation’s payment system is generally characterized by high cash payments volume and high resistance to new initiatives, resulting “in adequate data for planning”. This in effect causes the missing of economic development opportunities, even as low depth of financial intermediation also pervades the banking industry and the nation as a whole.
He said that this amounted to critical reduction in the efficiency of monetary policy, coupled with rife in corruption, which have contributed to the decay of the nation’s payment system. Thus the cost of banking business is high, “so much investment in cash handling machines, insurance, cash storage among others,” standing as obstacle to the growth of the system too.
According to him, duplication of payment structures and lack of infrastructure were not helpful at all and add to high under-utilization of installed capacity. But then, there are potentials of an efficient payment system in the country, that is, until customers embrace electronic payment solution fully.
This, he said, would bring about drastic reduction in the amount of currency outside the banking system as more funds would be available for banks to support credit demands.
He further said that the nation has potentials to earn foreign exchange due to export of new payment process, personnel and technology. Mr. Lawal also lauded the recent payment solution initiatives in the country, including the implementation of the Nigeria Automated Clearing System (NACS), which he said, reduces the clearing days for local cheques, just as the introduction of Electronic Funds Transfer by NIBSS has been very helpful.
Pointing out that the establishment of electronic payment schemes such as Valucard, Smartpay, eTranzact, Interswitch, Mastercard, GloMobile among others into the system, as well as the Automated Teller Machine (ATM) network have been on the increase and is very encouraging for the system growth.
Addressing the occasion on ‘Payment and the Macro-economy’ the Managing Director, Intercontinental Bank Plc, Mr. Erastus Akingbola, represented by Mr. Adeyinka Adebiyi, noted that the Nigerian economy is mono product-based while consumption is import dependent, and payments made mainly by cash.
ePayment system, he said, affords simplicity and capable of using the same card for a number of transaction, consequently cost-effective, even as it would lead to employment. However, to encourage customer buy-in the current absence of reliable price information that mars market transparency should be put to a stop, whereas, interconnectivity problems expected to affect capacity utilization of installed card payment systems, and security issues must be addressed.
“Lack of credit cards in Nigeria is due to absence of credit bureau
and poor identification system for customers,” he said, outlining tools for economic growth using cards to include effective consumer awareness campaign, government creation of enabling policies to encourage use of cards, introducing discount/incentives to win competition, making use of GSM for e-payment to enhance reach and the legal system be overhauling.
Other speakers included the Managing Director of Nextzon Ltd, Mr. Mac Atasie, Mr. Deon LaGrange of ACI Worldwide, Mr. Noble E. Ekajeh of ATM Consortium Limited, and Dr. Olu Agunloye, chief executive, National eGovernment Strategies Limited (NeGSt).
Conversely, a communiqué issued at the fifth edition of the events warned that the nation’s quest would be in vain if proper recognition is not accorded ICT in the scheme of things, more so as the most populous and most endowed black nation in the world.
The communiqué endorsed by Managing Director of Intermarc Consulting, Mr. Yinka Adeyemi, also stated that electronic payment (e-payment) system is a missing link in the effort to achieve an ICT-driven economy and a vibrant e-commerce nationwide and in the West African sub-region.
He pointed out that e-payment system, being transparent and open to audit trail, could be an important antidote to corruption and robbery since it is also a vehicle for a cashless economy.
“The efficiency and sophistication of any payment system has a direct correlation to the level of economic advancement in the country, and banks have a central role to play in the evolution of any payment system, including e-payment, by providing a viable foundation upon which the system is built,” the communiqué read in part.
Expressing dismay over most transactions and payments in the country were still cash-based, regardless of the efforts to usher in e-government and credit culture, the conference noted that the citizenry could be encouraged to adopt this new systems, such as in using smart cards through incentive packages and policies.
He stressed that security issues abound in e-payment systems, and decried the absence of appropriate laws in the nation’s e-commerce environment and the non-enforcement of even the existing, relevant anti-breach provisions in the statutes.
Mr. Adeyemi further stated that the myriad of challenges such as poor infrastructure and e-culture, interconnectivity problems, absence of a unified and uniform citizen’s identification process and absence of enabling policies, all of which inhibit the entrenchment of e-payment culture.
Participants however, commended the federal government for the recent efforts on proposing legislation, which is expected to aid electronic transactions and criminalise unwholesome online and electronic activities.
This realization is gladdening in that the background of the forum is from the financial and banking sector, it goes to add that the other part of the economy, would make the sector to reposition as inclined to the core ICT issues such as in proffering financial facilities that would be amiable to the likes of software developers and hardware section of the community.
NextDaySite boss lauds MoI portal
CHIEF executive, NextDaySite.com, Mr. Oliver Okafor, has lauded the recent launch of portal by the Ministry of Information (MoI) in Abuja.
A portal is online home site for Web browser and provides links to information and other Web sites, according to MSN Encarta.
Mr. Okafor who made his views known in Lagos, said the launch was in line with modern business modules, especially at the government circle.
He noted that it would afford Nigerian businesses the chance to align itself with the rest of the world through provision of adequate information on the country among others.
Mr. Okafor also lamented that less than five per cent of the nation’s businesses have functional websites.
“Nigerians must step up their game or risk extinction. The internet is a powerful engine that continues to bridge the physical and economic gap between us and the developed nations,” he said.
Internet, he pointed out, has empowered people in ordinary parts of the world to realize extraordinary financial wealth by taking their products and services to the world market.
Stressing that now is the time for the populace to think globally.
“Technology has made it possible for every individual to be an entrepreneur. I believe the time has come when an English teacher in Abuja can easily market her technical writing services, showcase her writing samples, and inform prospective clients on her labour rates on her website that will be viewed by the thousands of companies worldwide that control their overhead by outsourcing specialized tasks,” Mr. Okafor asserted.
To this end, he disclosed that NextDaySite is planning to introduce its full range of web enabled products and online solutions including eCommerce solutions, content management systems, database applications and Business to Business (B2B) communications architecture services.
Negotiations, he said, have already advanced for the firm’s proposed partnership with Fluent US to commence a new range of Learning Management Systems to encourage e-Learning for individuals and organizations alike.
Other core services of NextDaySite, he said, cut across the Internet, creative design, application development, e-learning and new media technologies.
A portal is online home site for Web browser and provides links to information and other Web sites, according to MSN Encarta.
Mr. Okafor who made his views known in Lagos, said the launch was in line with modern business modules, especially at the government circle.
He noted that it would afford Nigerian businesses the chance to align itself with the rest of the world through provision of adequate information on the country among others.
Mr. Okafor also lamented that less than five per cent of the nation’s businesses have functional websites.
“Nigerians must step up their game or risk extinction. The internet is a powerful engine that continues to bridge the physical and economic gap between us and the developed nations,” he said.
Internet, he pointed out, has empowered people in ordinary parts of the world to realize extraordinary financial wealth by taking their products and services to the world market.
Stressing that now is the time for the populace to think globally.
“Technology has made it possible for every individual to be an entrepreneur. I believe the time has come when an English teacher in Abuja can easily market her technical writing services, showcase her writing samples, and inform prospective clients on her labour rates on her website that will be viewed by the thousands of companies worldwide that control their overhead by outsourcing specialized tasks,” Mr. Okafor asserted.
To this end, he disclosed that NextDaySite is planning to introduce its full range of web enabled products and online solutions including eCommerce solutions, content management systems, database applications and Business to Business (B2B) communications architecture services.
Negotiations, he said, have already advanced for the firm’s proposed partnership with Fluent US to commence a new range of Learning Management Systems to encourage e-Learning for individuals and organizations alike.
Other core services of NextDaySite, he said, cut across the Internet, creative design, application development, e-learning and new media technologies.
TechnoWorld opens in Lagos
Multi-million dollar Korean technology company, LG Electronics (LGE) Nigeria Limited, has formally opened its ultra-modern TechnoWorld in Lagos, where it plans to share its Information Technology (IT) experience with consumers based on its dream to contribute to the technological growth of the country.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another landmark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics’ commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class- room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics showroom to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT-driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skills acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grassroots competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four-nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliant by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another landmark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics’ commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class- room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics showroom to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT-driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skills acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grassroots competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four-nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliant by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
Ndukwe lauds Globacom for honouring African ministers
Second National Operator, Globacom has received commendations from the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Earnest Ndukwe, for hosting African Information and Communications Technology (ICT) ministers to a bash, recently in Abuja.
He described the display of honour as deep commitment to the cause of telecommunications development not only in the country but on the continent.
Champion Infotel recalls that African ICT ministers were in the nation’s capital for a one-week pan-African Regional Preparatory meeting of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in the Federal Capital Territory recently.
The meeting was a prelude to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference coming up in Qatar in February 2006.
Globacom sponsored a Gala Dinner for delegates on the last day of the event, at the Sheraton Hotel and towers.
Present at the dinner were communications ministers and government representatives from over twenty African countries.
Speaking on that, Dr. Ndukwe expressed thank to Globacom for its act which brought forth warm praises for the company from the audience.
Globacom, it would also be recalled, has in over one year of operations, given overt support to public events and social projects aimed at promoting leisure, making life better for Nigerians and improving the image of the nation.
He described the display of honour as deep commitment to the cause of telecommunications development not only in the country but on the continent.
Champion Infotel recalls that African ICT ministers were in the nation’s capital for a one-week pan-African Regional Preparatory meeting of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) held in the Federal Capital Territory recently.
The meeting was a prelude to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) conference coming up in Qatar in February 2006.
Globacom sponsored a Gala Dinner for delegates on the last day of the event, at the Sheraton Hotel and towers.
Present at the dinner were communications ministers and government representatives from over twenty African countries.
Speaking on that, Dr. Ndukwe expressed thank to Globacom for its act which brought forth warm praises for the company from the audience.
Globacom, it would also be recalled, has in over one year of operations, given overt support to public events and social projects aimed at promoting leisure, making life better for Nigerians and improving the image of the nation.
Siemens shines in Beijing with Surpass
Siemens Communications has announced its new catch with the winning of the contract to install and deliver its Next Generation (NextG) networks solution, Surpass to the Beijing Telecom.
The solution will provide Beijing Telecom, with what the company is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in Beijing market.
With versatile access methods, such as Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Wide Local Area Network (WLAN), Beijing Telecom, could now offer its customers a number of value-added services such as voice/data convergence and multimedia applications.
President of Fixed Networks at Siemens Communications, Mr. Christian Unterberger, said the networking equipment from Siemens allows Beijing Telecom to offer differentiated value-added services, such as Internet Protocol (IP) cafe, video, freephone and prepaid services, paving way for it to gain more momentum in the highly contested Chinese telecommunications market.
He said due to the carrier-grade stability and powerful processing capability of the Surpass NGN solution, Beijing Telecom could fully address data and service stream pass-through session border control between public and private networks and enterprise intranets of its key customer, the China education network (CERNET).
The contract involves the Surpass hiE 9200 core softswitch as a media gateway controller, the Surpass hiG media gateways and terminals.
“At Siemens, we are committed to contributing to the success of our customers – and that of their customers – by offering best-in breed solutions tailored to their specific needs. That is the central factor that differentiates us from the competition,” Mr. Unterberger,
Champion Infotel recalls Siemens has been working with Beijing Telecom in the NGN arena for over two years.
On the strength of continuous marketing activities, including the trial projects in Chongqiang and Hangzhou, the Siemens Surpass NGN solution is now widely recognized and has been adopted by several carriers in the Chinese telecommunications market.
The contract is seen as a milestone for Siemens Surpass in the Chinese NGN market.
The solution will provide Beijing Telecom, with what the company is a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) in Beijing market.
With versatile access methods, such as Ethernet, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Wide Local Area Network (WLAN), Beijing Telecom, could now offer its customers a number of value-added services such as voice/data convergence and multimedia applications.
President of Fixed Networks at Siemens Communications, Mr. Christian Unterberger, said the networking equipment from Siemens allows Beijing Telecom to offer differentiated value-added services, such as Internet Protocol (IP) cafe, video, freephone and prepaid services, paving way for it to gain more momentum in the highly contested Chinese telecommunications market.
He said due to the carrier-grade stability and powerful processing capability of the Surpass NGN solution, Beijing Telecom could fully address data and service stream pass-through session border control between public and private networks and enterprise intranets of its key customer, the China education network (CERNET).
The contract involves the Surpass hiE 9200 core softswitch as a media gateway controller, the Surpass hiG media gateways and terminals.
“At Siemens, we are committed to contributing to the success of our customers – and that of their customers – by offering best-in breed solutions tailored to their specific needs. That is the central factor that differentiates us from the competition,” Mr. Unterberger,
Champion Infotel recalls Siemens has been working with Beijing Telecom in the NGN arena for over two years.
On the strength of continuous marketing activities, including the trial projects in Chongqiang and Hangzhou, the Siemens Surpass NGN solution is now widely recognized and has been adopted by several carriers in the Chinese telecommunications market.
The contract is seen as a milestone for Siemens Surpass in the Chinese NGN market.
Side-by-side cooling technology
Features:
A new cooling technology system was recently unveiled in the country, REMMY NWEKE examines the genesis.
MADAM Maureen Ose, is a resident in one of the nation’s cities. She had just finished cooking food for the family, after a heated argument with the husband on how best to preserve their food; cooked or fresh, especially the boiled ones, for some hours and days without it getting bad.
This was basically because the cost of cooking everyday is continuously going up. So it was agreed that a good refrigerator was needed in the house. Suddenly, she remembers seeing an advertisement on what was described as a three door side-by-side cooling system recently.
A refrigerator often referred to as fridge or freezer, ordinarily is an electrical appliance that uses cooling method to prolong the freshness of food, according to Wikipedia encyclopedia online. It went on to state that there are majorly two kinds of refrigerators; namely domestic and industrial.
A domestic refrigerator is reportedly present in about 99.5 per cent of the households in America, it works by way of using phase change heat pumps to operate a refrigeration cycle, while the industrial refrigerator or freezer is used in an industrial setting such as a restaurant or supermarket with the same characteristics.
Nowadays, refrigerators consist of either a cooling compartment only, also known as larder refrigerator or a freezing compartment only, otherwise known as purely a freezer or both.
This came as a result of dual compartment introduced commercially by the General Electronic in 1939, which also metamorphosed into some refrigerators being divided up to four zones for the storage of different types of food; namely at the temperature of -180 Centigrade Celsius (C) or 00 degree Fahrenheit (F) for freezers, 00C or 320F for meats, 40C or 400F for refrigerators and 100C or 500F for vegetables and for the storage of different types of food among others.
Fahrenheit is a scale of temperature in which, for instance, water freezes at 320 centigrades and boils at 2120 centigrades, whereas Celsius is abbreviated as C and is a temperature scale in which water freezes at 00 and boils at 1000 centigrades respectively.
History shows that as at 19th century, ice-houses were being used for thousands of years to provide a source of ice in summer, which is literarily known as ‘dry’ season in this part of the world. This was on the later days of the century when the first common domestic refrigeration was in the form of ice boxes, thus as the ice melted it was being replaced with ice bought from commercial manufacturers.
Although in 1856, usage of the principle vapour compression, led by Australian James Harrison, produced the world’s first practical refrigerator, which was commissioned by a brewery to build a machine that cools beer. A year later, the first refrigerated railway car made a debut through the Chicago Meatpacking Industry, to prevent spoilage during shipping. Also, the first railway car to carry fruit was built by Parker Earle of Illinois and was used to ship strawberries.
According to Gizmohighway Technology Guide, Mr. Fred W. Wolf Jnr in Chicago, named Domestic Electric Refrigerator (DOMELRE), reportedly manufactured the first domestic refrigerator in 1913.
However, the first known refrigerator to be used widely use was the General Electric ‘Monitor Top’ introduced in 1927, with the compressor assembly, which produces what experts called substantial heat, placed above the cabinet and surrounded with a decorative ring.
For www.keepitcool.com, the natural ice were harvested, distributed and used both commercially and at homes in mid 1800s. Pioneers, however, in refrigeration experts included Scottish Dr. Williams Cullen, Londoner Mr. Michael Faraday and Dr. John Goorie of Apalachicola in Florida.
Today’s compression refrigeration system evolves on a concept adapted from Faraday’s experiments, which involves compressing gas into a liquid that absorbs heat, thus returning to gas and is known as a simple description of what transpires in a home refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Noteworthy, is that the evolution of cooling technology has at the beginning of the 21st century shown a drift from the West to the Asian Tigers, to an extent that nothing electronics is discussed without the Koreans.
Then, came the era of side-by-side refrigerators, which has grown to the three-door series by a leading Korean pioneer manufacturer in home appliance convergence, LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company (DAC); providing a total package of digital products for homes.
Described as the new face of refrigeration technology by industry analysts, the LG’s three-door side-by-side has been said to be consumer friendly product by the President, LG Electronics for West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, at the unveiling ceremony of the chain in Lagos.
He said the launch brings to the fore the firm’s unique refrigerator technology into the nation’s market to ensure customer’s satisfaction. Stressing that the distinctive three-door gives it a special look and feel as well as more room for the consumers to use.
On the compressor, Mr. Ryu said it was specifically built for the Nigerian environment: where power supply is not regular and when it’s available, it comes with higher voltage than is required.
“The three-door side-by-side refrigerator has two doors at the top that opens side ways for easy use in terms of stocking it with various food items according to the desire of the consumer, while the third door is below the top doors allowing the consumer a unique space to increase the content of the fridge,” Mr. Ryu explained.
Emphasizing it is a statement of the leadership position of the company’s brand in the country, he also revealed that LG has succeeded in the country because of its understanding of the need of the consumer and providing it. He informed that the research findings indicated that consumers are very conscious of having good product such as this to enable them have time for other things as the size of a refrigerator allows them to store more food, thus reducing time spent on visiting the market
The fridge features extra wide storage space in form of adjustable bins and drawers and five digital sensors for accurate temperature controls to ensure food preservation and freshness, with a tilting freezer door for easy access to inner drawers.
Vice President for Refrigerators and Washing Machine at LG Electronics, Mr. T.Y. Park, was confident that consumers would take advantage of the exclusivity of the 3-door refrigerator. He maintained that apart from its functions and doors, 3-door has a unique marketing edge as it comes in different colours, including titanium, white finish and stainless.
Before unveiling the product at the LG Digital Center Ikeja-Lagos, Mr. Park pointed out that the firm has once again adapted technology to suit the needs of the local market by bringing innovative designs to African kitchens. “A world leader in electronics manufacturing, LG is at the forefront of technology with our range of home appliances, developed to satisfy diverse customer demands,” he said.
Additionally, Mr. Park said that apart from LG being the cooling technology business leader, that with the introduction of this series, the firm is challenging the ‘side-by-side’ niche previously dominated by the United States (US) and European brands.
He said “It offers extra wide shelves and wider storage space with the bottom compartment extremely easy to slide out and for storage of bigger items”. Thus, the firm’s cutting edge bio silver and bio shield technology as well as multi-air flow system to ensure food freshness.
“We have taken a bold step in bringing the future of living standards in the Middle East and Africa today,” he asserted. Stressing that by end of 2005, over 100 million homes are expected to be using networked digital appliances and LG believes a large proportion of those will be in the Middle East and Africa.
Emphasizing that the new fridge combines digital technology and artificial intelligence with LG’s renowned build quality that is styled with the modern home at heart.
The Korean firm, he said, would continue to invest in research and development (R and D) with emphasis on customer research, in order to enable LG to design and produce such advanced digital appliance technology.
He said, smart devices in homes, including home-networked appliances, will open up new markets for manufacturers, service companies, telcos and other organizations to offer expanded services to customers.
“At LG, we have set several new standards for refrigeration, and we hope the new models will allow customers in the region to invest in what it is arguably the most essential home appliance with greater confidence and peace of mind. As with all our products, these refrigerators offer great functionality value for money, and exciting features, and will further expand our already successfully refrigerator range” he informed.
For the Managing Director of Somotex Nigeria Limited, LG’s major distributor on refrigeration products, Mr. Anil R. Mohinani, the support service platform for the new products is handy as the partnership has concluded plans to open its local manufacturing plant in the country.
In addition, Nigerian technicians have been trained for a take off and more are still going to benefit from this to ensure knowledge transfer, which would enable the partnership to optimize the support service platform locally.
Champion Infotel also gathered that the world’s first of its 3-door side-by-side was patented in the United States and 41 other countries. This system offers double cooling speed with cool air coming out from the door in addition to the rear and by maintaining the best humidity level, produce stays fresh for approximately six days, which is double that of competition.
This advanced technology with multi-sensors, LG noted, controls the temperature variation within +/-1C of the set temperature, and responds to keeping foods fresh longer, even as the sound is regarded as the quietest, hence operating at a whisper-quiet 41 decibels; equivalent to the noise level of a living room.
As the 21st century envelopes, new technology-based products that would make life, like that of Madam Ose, more trouble-free are expected from all facets of manufacturers.
A new cooling technology system was recently unveiled in the country, REMMY NWEKE examines the genesis.
MADAM Maureen Ose, is a resident in one of the nation’s cities. She had just finished cooking food for the family, after a heated argument with the husband on how best to preserve their food; cooked or fresh, especially the boiled ones, for some hours and days without it getting bad.
This was basically because the cost of cooking everyday is continuously going up. So it was agreed that a good refrigerator was needed in the house. Suddenly, she remembers seeing an advertisement on what was described as a three door side-by-side cooling system recently.
A refrigerator often referred to as fridge or freezer, ordinarily is an electrical appliance that uses cooling method to prolong the freshness of food, according to Wikipedia encyclopedia online. It went on to state that there are majorly two kinds of refrigerators; namely domestic and industrial.
A domestic refrigerator is reportedly present in about 99.5 per cent of the households in America, it works by way of using phase change heat pumps to operate a refrigeration cycle, while the industrial refrigerator or freezer is used in an industrial setting such as a restaurant or supermarket with the same characteristics.
Nowadays, refrigerators consist of either a cooling compartment only, also known as larder refrigerator or a freezing compartment only, otherwise known as purely a freezer or both.
This came as a result of dual compartment introduced commercially by the General Electronic in 1939, which also metamorphosed into some refrigerators being divided up to four zones for the storage of different types of food; namely at the temperature of -180 Centigrade Celsius (C) or 00 degree Fahrenheit (F) for freezers, 00C or 320F for meats, 40C or 400F for refrigerators and 100C or 500F for vegetables and for the storage of different types of food among others.
Fahrenheit is a scale of temperature in which, for instance, water freezes at 320 centigrades and boils at 2120 centigrades, whereas Celsius is abbreviated as C and is a temperature scale in which water freezes at 00 and boils at 1000 centigrades respectively.
History shows that as at 19th century, ice-houses were being used for thousands of years to provide a source of ice in summer, which is literarily known as ‘dry’ season in this part of the world. This was on the later days of the century when the first common domestic refrigeration was in the form of ice boxes, thus as the ice melted it was being replaced with ice bought from commercial manufacturers.
Although in 1856, usage of the principle vapour compression, led by Australian James Harrison, produced the world’s first practical refrigerator, which was commissioned by a brewery to build a machine that cools beer. A year later, the first refrigerated railway car made a debut through the Chicago Meatpacking Industry, to prevent spoilage during shipping. Also, the first railway car to carry fruit was built by Parker Earle of Illinois and was used to ship strawberries.
According to Gizmohighway Technology Guide, Mr. Fred W. Wolf Jnr in Chicago, named Domestic Electric Refrigerator (DOMELRE), reportedly manufactured the first domestic refrigerator in 1913.
However, the first known refrigerator to be used widely use was the General Electric ‘Monitor Top’ introduced in 1927, with the compressor assembly, which produces what experts called substantial heat, placed above the cabinet and surrounded with a decorative ring.
For www.keepitcool.com, the natural ice were harvested, distributed and used both commercially and at homes in mid 1800s. Pioneers, however, in refrigeration experts included Scottish Dr. Williams Cullen, Londoner Mr. Michael Faraday and Dr. John Goorie of Apalachicola in Florida.
Today’s compression refrigeration system evolves on a concept adapted from Faraday’s experiments, which involves compressing gas into a liquid that absorbs heat, thus returning to gas and is known as a simple description of what transpires in a home refrigerator, freezer, air conditioner or dehumidifier.
Noteworthy, is that the evolution of cooling technology has at the beginning of the 21st century shown a drift from the West to the Asian Tigers, to an extent that nothing electronics is discussed without the Koreans.
Then, came the era of side-by-side refrigerators, which has grown to the three-door series by a leading Korean pioneer manufacturer in home appliance convergence, LG Electronics Digital Appliance Company (DAC); providing a total package of digital products for homes.
Described as the new face of refrigeration technology by industry analysts, the LG’s three-door side-by-side has been said to be consumer friendly product by the President, LG Electronics for West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, at the unveiling ceremony of the chain in Lagos.
He said the launch brings to the fore the firm’s unique refrigerator technology into the nation’s market to ensure customer’s satisfaction. Stressing that the distinctive three-door gives it a special look and feel as well as more room for the consumers to use.
On the compressor, Mr. Ryu said it was specifically built for the Nigerian environment: where power supply is not regular and when it’s available, it comes with higher voltage than is required.
“The three-door side-by-side refrigerator has two doors at the top that opens side ways for easy use in terms of stocking it with various food items according to the desire of the consumer, while the third door is below the top doors allowing the consumer a unique space to increase the content of the fridge,” Mr. Ryu explained.
Emphasizing it is a statement of the leadership position of the company’s brand in the country, he also revealed that LG has succeeded in the country because of its understanding of the need of the consumer and providing it. He informed that the research findings indicated that consumers are very conscious of having good product such as this to enable them have time for other things as the size of a refrigerator allows them to store more food, thus reducing time spent on visiting the market
The fridge features extra wide storage space in form of adjustable bins and drawers and five digital sensors for accurate temperature controls to ensure food preservation and freshness, with a tilting freezer door for easy access to inner drawers.
Vice President for Refrigerators and Washing Machine at LG Electronics, Mr. T.Y. Park, was confident that consumers would take advantage of the exclusivity of the 3-door refrigerator. He maintained that apart from its functions and doors, 3-door has a unique marketing edge as it comes in different colours, including titanium, white finish and stainless.
Before unveiling the product at the LG Digital Center Ikeja-Lagos, Mr. Park pointed out that the firm has once again adapted technology to suit the needs of the local market by bringing innovative designs to African kitchens. “A world leader in electronics manufacturing, LG is at the forefront of technology with our range of home appliances, developed to satisfy diverse customer demands,” he said.
Additionally, Mr. Park said that apart from LG being the cooling technology business leader, that with the introduction of this series, the firm is challenging the ‘side-by-side’ niche previously dominated by the United States (US) and European brands.
He said “It offers extra wide shelves and wider storage space with the bottom compartment extremely easy to slide out and for storage of bigger items”. Thus, the firm’s cutting edge bio silver and bio shield technology as well as multi-air flow system to ensure food freshness.
“We have taken a bold step in bringing the future of living standards in the Middle East and Africa today,” he asserted. Stressing that by end of 2005, over 100 million homes are expected to be using networked digital appliances and LG believes a large proportion of those will be in the Middle East and Africa.
Emphasizing that the new fridge combines digital technology and artificial intelligence with LG’s renowned build quality that is styled with the modern home at heart.
The Korean firm, he said, would continue to invest in research and development (R and D) with emphasis on customer research, in order to enable LG to design and produce such advanced digital appliance technology.
He said, smart devices in homes, including home-networked appliances, will open up new markets for manufacturers, service companies, telcos and other organizations to offer expanded services to customers.
“At LG, we have set several new standards for refrigeration, and we hope the new models will allow customers in the region to invest in what it is arguably the most essential home appliance with greater confidence and peace of mind. As with all our products, these refrigerators offer great functionality value for money, and exciting features, and will further expand our already successfully refrigerator range” he informed.
For the Managing Director of Somotex Nigeria Limited, LG’s major distributor on refrigeration products, Mr. Anil R. Mohinani, the support service platform for the new products is handy as the partnership has concluded plans to open its local manufacturing plant in the country.
In addition, Nigerian technicians have been trained for a take off and more are still going to benefit from this to ensure knowledge transfer, which would enable the partnership to optimize the support service platform locally.
Champion Infotel also gathered that the world’s first of its 3-door side-by-side was patented in the United States and 41 other countries. This system offers double cooling speed with cool air coming out from the door in addition to the rear and by maintaining the best humidity level, produce stays fresh for approximately six days, which is double that of competition.
This advanced technology with multi-sensors, LG noted, controls the temperature variation within +/-1C of the set temperature, and responds to keeping foods fresh longer, even as the sound is regarded as the quietest, hence operating at a whisper-quiet 41 decibels; equivalent to the noise level of a living room.
As the 21st century envelopes, new technology-based products that would make life, like that of Madam Ose, more trouble-free are expected from all facets of manufacturers.
HP explains N28m splash on MEAP, telecenter
LEADING Information Technology (IT) company, Hewlett Packard Nigeria, has explained why it splashed over $200,000 (about N28 million) on the Micro Enterprises Accelleration Programme (MEAP) and telecentre in the country.
The company said the aim is to empower both micro entrepreneurs and students in the society to be more useful in a modern way.
This development is coming as HP has signed a deal for the actualisation of this project in addition to the building of an advanced computing and telecenter at the University of Ibadan.
For MEAP, HP said it has partnered with Pan African University’s department of Enterprise Development Services to create a MEAP Center, located at the Lagos Business School’s Victoria Island campus.
This would enable enterprises in under-served communities’ access technology, training and business coaching, in order to accelerate and sustain business growth and economic opportunity, according to the Managing Director of HP Nigeria, Mr. Maduka Emelife.
Towards this programme, the company said it has donated equipments and services worth over $120,000.
Champion Infotel recalls that HP Nigeria had in the past made several donations annually in equipments and services to NGOs, educational institutions, and government agencies, but decided to take a more robust approach that is expected to make a more significant and sustainable impact in the community.
Mr. Emelife said at the signing ceremony recently in Lagos that by partnering with local training and business development service providers, like the Pan-African University which are already working with micro-enterprises, “HP would be more directly helpful to micro entrepreneurs who would learn how to apply the power of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to grow and sustain their businesses through its MEAP”.
Today’s micro enterprises, he said, are tomorrow’s corporations provided they are nurtured and developed.
“We believe that the combination of HP’s sponsorship and Pan African university’s execution would make a significant impact on the growth cycle of these micro enterprises”, Emelife said, describing micro enterprises as businesses with up to 10 employees that typically require minimal start-up costs.
Vice Chancellor of the Pan African University, Prof. Albert Alos, expressed gratitude to HP for recognizing the work the university is doing with micro enterprises, and for choosing to partner with it.
He restated the university’s commitment in working closely with HP to execute on this program.
Also speaking, Ms. Chioma Iwuchukwu, Channel Manager, HP said “over the last several years, as part of e-inclusion, HP has engaged with partners and communities around the globe to learn how information and communications technology tools and training can transform the lives of people in both rural and urban communities.
She enumerated some key benefits of the project for the micro enterprises who participate in the programme, to include access to state of the art HP technology at HP MEAP Centre, managed and staffed by local training and business development service providers, and hands-on training on how to use ICT to be more productive and grow their businesses faster.
For the second programme, which will be branded HP+IEEE Telecenter, HP is partnering with the department of Electrical Electronics Engineering at the University of Ibadan to build an advanced computing and telecenter, for the purpose of promoting computer education at the University of Ibadan, and nearby communities.
The center, which is costing HP over $80,000 in equipments and services, is a state of the art facility and is a 60-seat computer centre providing engineering students at the institution with modern computers and better access to the Internet.
The company said the aim is to empower both micro entrepreneurs and students in the society to be more useful in a modern way.
This development is coming as HP has signed a deal for the actualisation of this project in addition to the building of an advanced computing and telecenter at the University of Ibadan.
For MEAP, HP said it has partnered with Pan African University’s department of Enterprise Development Services to create a MEAP Center, located at the Lagos Business School’s Victoria Island campus.
This would enable enterprises in under-served communities’ access technology, training and business coaching, in order to accelerate and sustain business growth and economic opportunity, according to the Managing Director of HP Nigeria, Mr. Maduka Emelife.
Towards this programme, the company said it has donated equipments and services worth over $120,000.
Champion Infotel recalls that HP Nigeria had in the past made several donations annually in equipments and services to NGOs, educational institutions, and government agencies, but decided to take a more robust approach that is expected to make a more significant and sustainable impact in the community.
Mr. Emelife said at the signing ceremony recently in Lagos that by partnering with local training and business development service providers, like the Pan-African University which are already working with micro-enterprises, “HP would be more directly helpful to micro entrepreneurs who would learn how to apply the power of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to grow and sustain their businesses through its MEAP”.
Today’s micro enterprises, he said, are tomorrow’s corporations provided they are nurtured and developed.
“We believe that the combination of HP’s sponsorship and Pan African university’s execution would make a significant impact on the growth cycle of these micro enterprises”, Emelife said, describing micro enterprises as businesses with up to 10 employees that typically require minimal start-up costs.
Vice Chancellor of the Pan African University, Prof. Albert Alos, expressed gratitude to HP for recognizing the work the university is doing with micro enterprises, and for choosing to partner with it.
He restated the university’s commitment in working closely with HP to execute on this program.
Also speaking, Ms. Chioma Iwuchukwu, Channel Manager, HP said “over the last several years, as part of e-inclusion, HP has engaged with partners and communities around the globe to learn how information and communications technology tools and training can transform the lives of people in both rural and urban communities.
She enumerated some key benefits of the project for the micro enterprises who participate in the programme, to include access to state of the art HP technology at HP MEAP Centre, managed and staffed by local training and business development service providers, and hands-on training on how to use ICT to be more productive and grow their businesses faster.
For the second programme, which will be branded HP+IEEE Telecenter, HP is partnering with the department of Electrical Electronics Engineering at the University of Ibadan to build an advanced computing and telecenter, for the purpose of promoting computer education at the University of Ibadan, and nearby communities.
The center, which is costing HP over $80,000 in equipments and services, is a state of the art facility and is a 60-seat computer centre providing engineering students at the institution with modern computers and better access to the Internet.
SCN opens office in Lagos
BRITISH Information and Communications Technology (ICT) education service provider, Systems Communications and Networks (SCN) Limited, has opened a liaison office in Lagos-Nigeria.
SCN, Champion Infotel recalls was part of the eight British firms that participated at the recently held West African Telecommunication Exhibition (W. Afri.Tel 2005) in Lagos.
The firm said that it was encouraged to open the liaison office due to the large demand for its training courses by Nigerians.
“Nigeria presents one of the fastest developing telecommunication markets in the world and the demand for training in the sector is growing at a frantic pace,” a press statement from SCN said.
SCN is an independent professional services company providing technology training, consultancy, manpower services, network and cable installation, with core skills in telecoms and local and wide area networking, fixed and cellular communication.
The company is an established IT and Telecommunications training company which offers both training to industry as well as places to delegates from around the world via United
Kingdom Telecommunication Academy (UKTA).
The Liaison Office in Lagos was established as an administrative office to assist Nigerian delegates wishing to attend training courses in the UK as well as looking to develop SCN’s business relationship with corporate bodies seeking training for their ICT personnel.
Some of the courses offered by SCN include the Mobile Telecommunications Network Engineering (MTNE), Data Communication (DC), IT Network Technician (ITNT), and Installation of Communications Equipment (ICE).
The MTNE, DC and ITNT courses are all accredited as ‘H’ units towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification in Telecommunications Management via Blackburn College’s Accreditation of Prior Learning programme. The number of modules awarded is dependant on how the courses are combined, for example the MTNE and DC courses each carry 1 unit each however combined they carry 3 or 4 dependent on the candidates background, the ITNT carries 3 units. A typical UK student attending 6 weeks of training could pick up 6 or 7 units towards the 10 unit HNC.
SCN is aiming to achieve similar recognition from Nigerian universities and polytechnics in endorsing our courses with National Diplomas as done by the Blackburn College in the UK.
The company will also strive to achieve accreditation and high level of prominence as the training provider of choice from associations such as NCC, ATCON, Ministry of Communications.
SCN, Champion Infotel recalls was part of the eight British firms that participated at the recently held West African Telecommunication Exhibition (W. Afri.Tel 2005) in Lagos.
The firm said that it was encouraged to open the liaison office due to the large demand for its training courses by Nigerians.
“Nigeria presents one of the fastest developing telecommunication markets in the world and the demand for training in the sector is growing at a frantic pace,” a press statement from SCN said.
SCN is an independent professional services company providing technology training, consultancy, manpower services, network and cable installation, with core skills in telecoms and local and wide area networking, fixed and cellular communication.
The company is an established IT and Telecommunications training company which offers both training to industry as well as places to delegates from around the world via United
Kingdom Telecommunication Academy (UKTA).
The Liaison Office in Lagos was established as an administrative office to assist Nigerian delegates wishing to attend training courses in the UK as well as looking to develop SCN’s business relationship with corporate bodies seeking training for their ICT personnel.
Some of the courses offered by SCN include the Mobile Telecommunications Network Engineering (MTNE), Data Communication (DC), IT Network Technician (ITNT), and Installation of Communications Equipment (ICE).
The MTNE, DC and ITNT courses are all accredited as ‘H’ units towards a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or a Higher National Diploma (HND) qualification in Telecommunications Management via Blackburn College’s Accreditation of Prior Learning programme. The number of modules awarded is dependant on how the courses are combined, for example the MTNE and DC courses each carry 1 unit each however combined they carry 3 or 4 dependent on the candidates background, the ITNT carries 3 units. A typical UK student attending 6 weeks of training could pick up 6 or 7 units towards the 10 unit HNC.
SCN is aiming to achieve similar recognition from Nigerian universities and polytechnics in endorsing our courses with National Diplomas as done by the Blackburn College in the UK.
The company will also strive to achieve accreditation and high level of prominence as the training provider of choice from associations such as NCC, ATCON, Ministry of Communications.
NIIT launches 2005 scholarship campaign
NIIT Nigeria has launched this year’s scholarship for interested students who enroll into the school’s computer programmes.
Chief executive of International Data Management (IDM) Services Limited, NIIT franchise development partner in the country, Dr. Chris Bolu, said the scholarship which is in its sixth year is to reward meritorious students in the school.
This year, Dr. Bolu said NIIT Nigeria would invest in excess of N100 million as the scholarship fund, while training would be offered on Oracle, Microsoft, Sun and CompTIA technologies across the 15 NIIT locations nationwide.
Dr. Bolu stressed that based on students’ performances in a competitive written test, followed by a personal interview, NIIT will award successful students with scholarships.
This scholarship offers a waiver up to N175,000.00 on the free depending on the performance in the test and interview.
“Our launch of the NIIT scholarship scheme in Nigeria six year go was a unique opportunity for the nation’s youth to acquire the tools for working at the cutting edge of technology,” he declared.
Head, International Education Business at NIIT, Mr. Varun Khanna, said the idea behind the scholarships is to attract meritorious students in the IT industry, “as well as helping them financially to gain access to world-class IT education”.
Pointing out that the training would be delivered in a format that makes the programme easily accessible to all levels of trainees, from novice to expert.
“Thus, no IT background is necessary for prospective trainees,” he explained.
The scholarships, he said, would assist a large number of the nation’s youth to take up IT and will significantly increase the number of certified professionals in the country.
According to Head, NIIT Africa, Mr. Manish Jain, the motivation behind the scholarship by the management of the institute, was due to the wide acceptance of Oracle, Sun and Microsoft technologies, saying there is a tremendous demand for education on their products today.
“NIIT with its reach and capability to provide learning solutions is extremely well positioned to deliver quality education on their products across Africa, especially in the new technologies area,” he said.
Chief executive of International Data Management (IDM) Services Limited, NIIT franchise development partner in the country, Dr. Chris Bolu, said the scholarship which is in its sixth year is to reward meritorious students in the school.
This year, Dr. Bolu said NIIT Nigeria would invest in excess of N100 million as the scholarship fund, while training would be offered on Oracle, Microsoft, Sun and CompTIA technologies across the 15 NIIT locations nationwide.
Dr. Bolu stressed that based on students’ performances in a competitive written test, followed by a personal interview, NIIT will award successful students with scholarships.
This scholarship offers a waiver up to N175,000.00 on the free depending on the performance in the test and interview.
“Our launch of the NIIT scholarship scheme in Nigeria six year go was a unique opportunity for the nation’s youth to acquire the tools for working at the cutting edge of technology,” he declared.
Head, International Education Business at NIIT, Mr. Varun Khanna, said the idea behind the scholarships is to attract meritorious students in the IT industry, “as well as helping them financially to gain access to world-class IT education”.
Pointing out that the training would be delivered in a format that makes the programme easily accessible to all levels of trainees, from novice to expert.
“Thus, no IT background is necessary for prospective trainees,” he explained.
The scholarships, he said, would assist a large number of the nation’s youth to take up IT and will significantly increase the number of certified professionals in the country.
According to Head, NIIT Africa, Mr. Manish Jain, the motivation behind the scholarship by the management of the institute, was due to the wide acceptance of Oracle, Sun and Microsoft technologies, saying there is a tremendous demand for education on their products today.
“NIIT with its reach and capability to provide learning solutions is extremely well positioned to deliver quality education on their products across Africa, especially in the new technologies area,” he said.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
LGE, STB partner on 'Easy Life Scheme'
LG Electronics (LGE) Nigeria Limited and the Standard Trust Bank Plc have formed an alliance on the ‘Easy Life’ promotion, which made a debut over the weekend in Lagos.
The promotion scheduled to last over a period of one year has been put in place by the multi national electronics and information technology company to allow desiring consumers to purchase different LG products with easy by spreading payment over a period of time.
Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, LG Electronics major distributor in Apapa-Lagos, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, said the alliance was formed in display of the firm’s consumer friendly disposition through the promotion, which allows the consumer to begin to enjoy the products without completing the payment.
“The consumer is expected to walk into any LG Electronics authorized sales outlet and choose any LG product of preference, there after pick an Easy Life scheme application form,” he explained.
Mr. Fouani stressed that the Easy Life form should be presented to any Standard Trust Bank branch for assessment and approval.
According to him, STB on receipt of the application has three working days after the application to revert to the consumer with the position of the application, whether positive or otherwise.
However, the prospective customer, on approval of the application by the bank is expected to sign offer letter and make initial deposit to the bank, thereafter the LG product of choice will be made available.
“The scheme is a major consumer friendly initiative and the consumer could pay as low as N2,613.00 monthly for products depending on the type of product desired,” he said
Mr. Fouani noted that with this scheme, “LG wants the average consumer to appreciate its products hence the platform of credit scheme to enable them purchase the product”.
He further said that LG could not be receiving international awards and people in the country are not enjoying its product the way they should due to pricing.
LG Electronics recently announced 50 per cent unaided brand awareness in the country during the visit of the Middle East and Africa President Mr. K.H Kim.
The president expressed satisfaction with the nation’s growing economy and consumers, reiterating that the global brand’s commitment to the market is considered to be the fastest in growth.
The promotion scheduled to last over a period of one year has been put in place by the multi national electronics and information technology company to allow desiring consumers to purchase different LG products with easy by spreading payment over a period of time.
Managing Director of Fouani Nigeria Limited, LG Electronics major distributor in Apapa-Lagos, Mr. Mohammed Fouani, said the alliance was formed in display of the firm’s consumer friendly disposition through the promotion, which allows the consumer to begin to enjoy the products without completing the payment.
“The consumer is expected to walk into any LG Electronics authorized sales outlet and choose any LG product of preference, there after pick an Easy Life scheme application form,” he explained.
Mr. Fouani stressed that the Easy Life form should be presented to any Standard Trust Bank branch for assessment and approval.
According to him, STB on receipt of the application has three working days after the application to revert to the consumer with the position of the application, whether positive or otherwise.
However, the prospective customer, on approval of the application by the bank is expected to sign offer letter and make initial deposit to the bank, thereafter the LG product of choice will be made available.
“The scheme is a major consumer friendly initiative and the consumer could pay as low as N2,613.00 monthly for products depending on the type of product desired,” he said
Mr. Fouani noted that with this scheme, “LG wants the average consumer to appreciate its products hence the platform of credit scheme to enable them purchase the product”.
He further said that LG could not be receiving international awards and people in the country are not enjoying its product the way they should due to pricing.
LG Electronics recently announced 50 per cent unaided brand awareness in the country during the visit of the Middle East and Africa President Mr. K.H Kim.
The president expressed satisfaction with the nation’s growing economy and consumers, reiterating that the global brand’s commitment to the market is considered to be the fastest in growth.
Sunday, July 24, 2005
TechnoWorld opens in Lagos
Multi-million dollar Korean technology company, LG Electronics (LGE) Nigeria Limited, has formally opened its ultra modern TechnoWorld in Lagos, where it plans to share its Information Technology (IT) experience with consumers based on its dream to contribute to the technological growth of the country.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another land mark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics show room to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skill acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grass root competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliance by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
President, LG Electronics West Africa Operations, Mr. Tae Hun Ryu, while declaring the facility open said it is yet another land mark achievement for his company and the nation.
He reiterated LG Electronics commitment to the country, saying that the new facility is designed with a class room that seats 25 people at a time.
The TechnoWorld, he said, is the second LG Electronics show room to be opened in the country after the commissioning of the first Digital Center in May last year.
He explained that unlike the Digital Center, the TechnoWorld is the company’s expression of commitment to Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Ryu described the TechnoWorld as a point of Information Technology transfer to the country, stressing that everything in the place is IT driven with a focus on telecommunication and technology.
The training programme according to him, is IT skill acquisition and development for young Nigerians, even as the centre is fully air conditioned with 25 laptops attached to each desk of prospective students.
He pointed out that LG Electronics investment in the country has been very deliberate in the last couple of years from sports where it helped talent discovery through sponsorship of grass root competition to international games such as the 2003 and 2004 LG four nation cup.
LG Electronics has consistently displayed its leadership position in the country with the establishment of various consumer care programme such that the free product repair and warranty programmes.
The firm’s long-term goal for the IT market, he said, is to make every Nigerian information technology compliance by making LG’s products available while at this same time training the consumers.
MultiChoice, M-Net reiterate commitment, introduces 2 series
MULTI-Choice Nigeria has declared its commitment to the development of the nation’s Digital Satellite Television (DSTv) industry through provision of quality broadcasting.
This is coming as M-Net has also expressed commitment to the nation’s growth, introducing two Nigerian series into its programming.
Whereas MultiChoice is a DSTv service provider, M-Net is a continental broadcasting entity.
Speaking at the unveiling of the two Nigerian drama series in Lagos, the General Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Collins Khumalo, lauded M-Net for the vision, step and for mostly localising its contents on the continent.
“MultiChoice is committed to the development of this industry,” he declared.
Stressing that was why his firm is associated with this noble course of M-Net with a focus on the country.
Director, Local Productions at M-Net, Mr. Carl Fisher, also speaking, said the firm has entrenched its commitment to African television production.
The two Nigerian series, he said, are the tele-serial of Doctor’s quarters and Edge of Paradise.
Mr. Fisher pointed out that South African movie industry is envious of its Nigerian counter part due to the avalanche of home grown films being churned out in the country.
Public Relations and Publicity officer at MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Segun Fayose, noted that leading the way is ‘Doctors’ quarters, making DStv audience in over 40 countries to be able to tune in to the show, every Monday evening starting September 19.
The one-hour weekly drama series, he said, will follow the lives of young students who live in residence for trainee doctors.
“The show is set in Nigeria and will be shot on
location in Lagos. Pre-production is underway and filming is set to begin in August,” he said.
The result of a decision made by M-Net late last year to produce a 26-part Nigerian drama, Doctors’ quarters is the first Nigerian drama series commissioned by the channel, which was selected through a standard pitching process that was announced by M-Net in November last year.
Meanwhile, the Edge of Paradise has also begun pre-production, according to him, with its family-oriented series due also for broadcast on M-Net in the first quarter of 2006.
The show is produced by Royal Roots with Gregory Odutayo serving as director and Debbie Odutayo as producer while Femi Kayode is head writer.
This is coming as M-Net has also expressed commitment to the nation’s growth, introducing two Nigerian series into its programming.
Whereas MultiChoice is a DSTv service provider, M-Net is a continental broadcasting entity.
Speaking at the unveiling of the two Nigerian drama series in Lagos, the General Manager, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Collins Khumalo, lauded M-Net for the vision, step and for mostly localising its contents on the continent.
“MultiChoice is committed to the development of this industry,” he declared.
Stressing that was why his firm is associated with this noble course of M-Net with a focus on the country.
Director, Local Productions at M-Net, Mr. Carl Fisher, also speaking, said the firm has entrenched its commitment to African television production.
The two Nigerian series, he said, are the tele-serial of Doctor’s quarters and Edge of Paradise.
Mr. Fisher pointed out that South African movie industry is envious of its Nigerian counter part due to the avalanche of home grown films being churned out in the country.
Public Relations and Publicity officer at MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Segun Fayose, noted that leading the way is ‘Doctors’ quarters, making DStv audience in over 40 countries to be able to tune in to the show, every Monday evening starting September 19.
The one-hour weekly drama series, he said, will follow the lives of young students who live in residence for trainee doctors.
“The show is set in Nigeria and will be shot on
location in Lagos. Pre-production is underway and filming is set to begin in August,” he said.
The result of a decision made by M-Net late last year to produce a 26-part Nigerian drama, Doctors’ quarters is the first Nigerian drama series commissioned by the channel, which was selected through a standard pitching process that was announced by M-Net in November last year.
Meanwhile, the Edge of Paradise has also begun pre-production, according to him, with its family-oriented series due also for broadcast on M-Net in the first quarter of 2006.
The show is produced by Royal Roots with Gregory Odutayo serving as director and Debbie Odutayo as producer while Femi Kayode is head writer.
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