Setting agenda for Nigerians in Diaspora

Features of the week:

Forging partnerships among Nigerians in diaspora in bridging the digital and scientific divides, may suffer some set backs due to non-fulfillment of government’s part of the bargain, reports REMMY NWEKE.

OBVIOUSLY in response to the calls by President Olusegun Obasanjo since assuming office on May 29, 1999, the Nigerian Information Technology Professionals in the Americas (NITPA), Association of Nigerian Physicians in America (ANPA) and Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) are jointly putting up a two-day meeting, to raise the curtain for the deployment of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in nation building.

Response
This response, according to the President of NITPA, Prof. Manny Aniebonam, was taken in preparation for this year’s Diaspora Day slated to hold in the nation’s capital, Abuja, by middle of the year.

ITREALMS Online recalled that at the conference on the “Bridging the Digital and Scientific Divides: Forging Partnership with the Nigerian Diaspora,” which held in Abuja between July 25 and 27, 2005, President Obasanjo in his message at the occasion, reportedly declared July 25 as the annual Diaspora Day.

It was organised by the Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS), Office of the Secretary to the Federal Government, and Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST).

In realization of this, the conference being coordinated by NITPA along with two other core Nigerian entities decided to put up the two-day event to sensitize Nigerians on the importance of Diaspora Day.

As at Today
As at the time of this report, there are over 400,000 members of the Nigerians in Diaspora cutting across science and technology, residing and working in the United States (US).
This figure, as said by NITPA President, Prof. Aniebonam, comprise doctors, academics, engineers, ICT professionals, pharmacists, and nurses among others.

Dreams
The dreams of the initial conference to herald this historic move in the evolvement of Nigerians in Diaspora, was based on four broad areas, consisting of raising the profile of the Nigerians in Diaspora in the country and contributions they could make in Nigeria’s development process; creating awareness among Nigerian scientists and technology experts abroad on existing government policies especially in the area of science and technology; encouraging and fostering partnerships among Nigerian scientists and professional groups both at home and abroad in the area of science and technology; and collaborating with these groups towards making science and technology the basis for attaining rapid national economic development.

And after the first three plenary sessions, six technical issues were prominent on the list namely biotechnology and agriculture, engineering, infrastructure and environment, as well as manufacturing and technology parks cum incubation centers, ICT, health, basic and applied sciences and space science and nuclear technology.

Specifically on biotechnology and agriculture, the conference had requested that the government should facilitate the Nigerians in Diaspora’s visit, to selected institutions where their expertise is required ranging between two weeks and one month, just as they said this should begin immediately without delay and should be sustained.

In addition, government should establish a Biotechnology Innovation Fund (BIF) to support research, development and training in biotechnology, even as the National Biotechnology Development Agency (NIBDA) should manage the fund, to become accessible before the end of this year.

Equally, a databank of all Nigerian experts in biotechnology in the diaspora and at home should be composed with details of their skills and resources, as well as existing gaps that could be addressed by the former. Also this should be completed within one year, which is few months to the deadline.

On manufacturing and technology parks cum incubation centers, the conference had outlined this with the aim of Nigeria becoming an industrialized nation with diversified economy within 10 years, providing world standard infrastructure, such as near 100 per cent electrical power supply, regular water supply among others should be put in place by appropriate bodies without the burden to the manufacturing companies.

On ICT, they had demanded the establishment of a national or regional fiber-optic backbone and broad based infrastructure as the most urgent national priority; provide science, technology and ICT training at every level of education and integrate information system courses into the national curriculum to address the serious capacity deficiency in the industry.

Moreso initiate within a period of one year, the formulation and legislation of an integrated and sustainable national ICT policy to remove the current ad hoc efforts in the industry; and support local assembly and manufacture of ICT hardware to stem the current serious foreign exchange outflow through local and foreign direct investment and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) designation, with appropriate legislation to patronize use of such local products amidst several others.

Urgent attention
Barely five per cent of burning issues at the 2005 conference, demands and proposals put in place, could be said to have seen the light of the day.

Some of the things demanding urgent attention now are the efforts made in BIF, NIBDA and formation of databank for Nigerian experts in biotechnology, on top of the anticipated reverse of misconception on National Air Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) evolvement by giving credit to whom its due.

No doubt, the proposals are beautiful but one key element that could undermine the entire efforts is the non-recognition of individuals professionally, which may not be related to finances but a sort of patent.

Partnering with government
Adducing some reasons why government needs partnership, Prof. Aniebonam said that the 2005 Diaspora Day conference in Abuja was to define the framework for addressing all the issues contained in the communique, including the few listed above.

‘We are now meeting in Washington to lay down the operative modalities for effective execution. Granted, these things have been neglected for so long and will therefore take equally longer time and more efforts to address. Our approach now is to do it right with well mapped out strategy and carry everyone along. Gone are the days when we expect the government to do all it takes to develop our nation. A sustainable partnership between government, private sector in Nigeria, donor agencies, and Diaspora Nigerians is what is needed’ he asserted.

Two-day meet
As Nigerians in Diaspora meet in the next two days, some of these unaccomplished proposals would be uppermost in participants’ mind, if a successful nation building will eventually manifest; these questions must be resolved.

Internet is too important – Frendo

REMMY NWEKE, who was in Malta

AS the conference on the modalities to enthrone Internet Governance continues in Geneva,
Switzerland, Internet, the network-of-networks, has been described as too important to be left exclusively in the hands of the organized private sector (OPS).

Maltese Information and Communication Technology (ICT) lawyer and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Michael Frendo, noted this in a speech he presented at the just concluded conference on Internet Governance: The Way Forward, held in Malta.

Internet, he noted, is too important to be left to private hands, declaring “It could not be left exclusively to the private sector”.

He was certain that the Malta conference would add value toward shaping the use of Internet in the future.

Dr. Frendo pointed out that Internet has become a tremendous tool to addressing difficulties in assisting development countries to improve on their position economically.

This, he said, is more evident in creating and strengthening research and development among developing countries.

Expressing optimism that if Internet Governance (IG) is got right, the world would be better for it as it would be used as a tool for development of mankind.

Stressing that there should be a better way of regulating Internet through protecting the consumers, and educational people among several other interests on the Internet.

“At the heart of all the issues in our ability to ensure that Internet Governance does work and directed at all subjects, so that the developing world could see its value, mid-income earners could use Internet to create sectors of business, activities and employment,” he maintained.

Also speaking, Director of Diplo Foundation, organizers of the three-day conference, Dr. Jovan Kurbalija noted that nowadays, accepting online negotiation and deliberations are of great importance to the Least Developing Countries (LDCs).

Emphasizing that the proposed Internet Governance Forum (IGF) soon to be inaugurated by the United Nations, should avoid the application of point-of-order every moment of its proceedings, so as to strengthen trust among forum members.

NCC intervenes in MTN star prize squabble

Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has intervened in the MTN star prize squabble reportedly between two subscribers on the network in its recent 7th Yello Season promotion.

The intervention facilitated through its Consumer Affairs Bureau (CAB) according to the Head, Public Affairs at the commission, Mr. Dave Imoke was to ensure that the rightful winner was presented with the right prize.

The Consumer Affairs Bureau of NCC was established in September 2001, to inform, educate and protect all the consumers of telecommunications services in the country.

This intervention se to the complaint received by NCC from Mrs Martha Ugi that her son Mr. Isaac Dike, was the rightful winner of the star prize which hitherto was presented to one Chinenye Onyema,who GSM operator, MTN, claimed had the same winning number as Dike’s, the genuine winner, at the 7th draw of the promo earlier held in Port Harcourt.

Mrs Ugi brought her complain to NCC after several visits to MTN in order to get the claim rectified.

Hence, NCC through CAB took up the complaint after due investigations to ensure that the right prize winner got the appropriate prize.

NCC intervention saw the redemption of the prize on Tuesday, February 14, as the new Kia Optima car was presented to Mr. Dike.

Highlighting NCC input in settling the squabble, Mr. Imoke, explained that the Commission promptly instituted an inquiry into the matter which established that the complainant was the owner of the winning number 08065434897.

The complainant also produced a newspaper report with his number as the wining number and another newspaper report of the presentation of the star prize to someone else in Port Harcourt.

NCC, he also said, came to the conclusion that the error of handing over the star prize to someone else other than the genuine winner was made by MTN and therefore directed the teleco to give the complainant, the appropriate star prize won by him.

In consideration of NCC’s directive, MTN’s General Manager, Northern Region, Mr. Mike Ikpoki, on Tuesday, presented Dike with a new Kia Optima car on behalf of the company at its Abuja office in the presence of a delegation of the commission led by an Executive Commissioner, Licensing and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Bahir Gwandu.

Reacting after receiving the prize, Mr. Dike expressed gratitude to NCC for the intervention, which made it possible for him to get his due as the star prize winner.

Gentoo Linux founder, Robbins leaves Microsoft

Founder and former chief architect of the Gentoo Linux project, Mr. Daniel Robbins, has quit his job at Microsoft after only eight months.

CNET special report indicated that the software giant confirmed the latest move.

Only last May, Robbins made the unusual switch from being a well-known member of the free software community to becoming a paid employee of Microsoft, which is one of free and open-source software’s biggest critics.

He worked under Bill Hilf, who runs Microsoft’s Linux and Open Source Software Lab, and had an “educational” role within the company.

Robbins told ZDNet UK in an e-mail Monday that he decided to leave because he was not able to use all his technical skills in his role.

“I didn’t make the decision to leave Microsoft due to concerns about the company as a whole - Microsoft has just had a string of very successful product launches and I anticipate that it will continue to enjoy great success,” he said.

However, he said that the reason for taking the decision had to do with personal specific experiences working in Microsoft’s Linux Lab.

Expressing belief that the concept behind Microsoft’s Linux Lab is a good one, he was not able to work at full level of technical ability and thus found this frustrating.

His last day at Microsoft was Thursday, January 16.

Robbins has accepted a job as the chief technical officer of ABC Coding Solutions, a company based in Albuquerque, N.M., that provides information products and consulting services in the health industry.

Hilf, the director of technical platform strategy at Microsoft, said the company wishes Robbins well in his new role.

“Yes, Daniel Robbins has decided to leave Microsoft to pursue his passion for software development with an independent software vendor where he will be focused on building in .

Net on Windows. This move also takes Daniel and his family back to their hometown community of Albuquerque…We thank Daniel for his contribution to Microsoft and wish him the best of luck on his new job,” Hilf said.

Chris Gianelloni, the release engineering lead at the Gentoo project, was reluctant to comment on Robbins’ latest career move, but said that it would not affect the project: “While Daniel was a strong proponent of Gentoo back in his heyday, he’s been away from us long enough for his actions to not impact us in any way.”

NATCOMMS insists on switch-off, tomorrow

PRESIDENT, National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers NATCOMS, Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo, has said that the group’s resolve to embark on a second switch off boycott, tomorrow, nationwide is irrevocable for now.

He told ITREALMS Online Tuesday that mobilization is continuous because the rip-off is becoming unbearable for the Nigerians.

Ogunbanjo said that it is only in Nigeria that you see GSM services getting worse with the kind of growth in number of subscribers recorded in recent times.

Already, he said, that telecommunications operators are making overture for settlement he noted their propositions are nothing to talk home about.

‘This is because they keep giving us excuses of high cost of infrastructure and laying the same’ he said.

For him, what the group wants include reducing tariffs, free weekend calls and Short Messaging Service, 75 per cent reduced intra-network and off peak calls and SMS rates.

Above all, he said they demand efficient service delivery.

Noting that though telecom sector witnessed phenomenal growth, however, it is not reflected in good service delivery, subscriber-friendly products and reasonable tariff structure.

To say the least, the tariff has been deliberately exploitative and this has been further characterized by poor systems responsiveness, low call set-up, accurate, poor call voice quality, high call failure rate, inaccurate billings, low recharge call success rate and poor staff as well as customer-care responsiveness.

3 towns emerge in Vmobile SMS contest

Three new winners emerged in the Vmobile second quarter Short Messaging Service (SMS) contest, which began last year, with two out of the three located in the North East Regions of the country, namely Lessel, Yelwan Duguri and Gelengu.

Lessel, a community in Benue State in North Central Zone of the country with the Town Code 1631 came top in the second quarter phase of the competition followed by Yelwan Duguri, Bauchi State with town code 1070 and Gelengu in Gombe States with town code 1121.

Acting Head, Public Relations at Vmobile, Mr. Emeka Oparah, said the three towns would soon be added to the growing number of the company’s coverage map within 45 days.

Describing it as a success, he note the competition was very keen, especially after the company made it possible for voters to check the voting statistics themselves.

Mr. Oparah explained that the SMS contest was introduced last year under its expansion programme, project Rolling Out Service Everywhere (R.O.S.E) to give Nigerians the opportunity of bringing their communities first into the network’s coverage map more than normal expansion would allow.

This, he said requires those desiring to bring service to their communities to send SMS or text messages to the short code 39800.

Maintaining that it is open to both Vmobile subscribers and customers on other networks.
Stressing that to vote, Vmobile subscribers both pre-paid and post paid subscribers, could send SMS with the selected town code to 39800. Participants could influence others to vote by sending SMS with the referred person’s number and town code to 39800.

Contributors could, according to him vote as many times as they wish, just as, voters could refer as many people as they want too.

For the subscribers on other networks, he said that could participate by sending the code of their choice town by SMS to 0802 100 1000.

A comprehensive list of town codes and short codes for the competition is available in leaflets, Vmobile maps, brochure and posters in dealers’ outlets and Vmobile offices nationwide.
The top 10 voters will receive one free handset each.

To track the voting statistics, Mr. Oparah further said phone users could send SMS 39800 for Vmobile subscribers and 0802 100 1000 for customers on other networks, using the format: STAT (space) town name or code send as text to 39800 (Vmobile subscribers) or 0802 100 1000 indicating that he or she is non-Vmobile subscribers.

Vmobile, he said, plans to invest a minimum of USD 2,000 billion over the next 24 months in achieving nationwide network coverage and excellent quality of Service under its Project R.O.S.E. programme.

During the period, over 3,000 base stations will be deployed across the country and a transmission backbone constructed as well.

Finalists emerge at NISSCOM 2005

TWENTY student’s software genius have been announced as finalists of this year’s Nigerian Students Software Competition (NISSCOM 2005), which presentation comes up next week Thursday.

Most of the finalists came from the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, topping the chart with six finalists, followed by Kwara State Polythenic, Ilorin with two candidates, while others were drawn from Olabisi Onabanjo University, and Universal College of Technology, Ogun State respectively, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, University of Calabar, University of Ilorin, Federal University of Technology, Owerri to name a few.

Mr. Moses Braimah, Senior Manager, Marketing at SysteSpecs Limited, organizers of NISSCOM in conjunction with the National Association of Computer Science Students (NACOSS), said that presentation of prizes would take place at the annual conference of NACOSS scheduled to take place at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-Ife, Osun State, next week.

He also said that entries for competition opened on September 2005 and closed on November 30, 2005 with a total of 387 entries received from individuals and groups of which 71 were rated as outstanding.

“It is from this 71 that the 20 finalists, who have been adjudged as very capable of becoming the next computer software guru were selected,” he said.

Mr. Braimah quoted the Group Head Financial Solutions of SystemSpecs, Dr. Hakeem Bakare, saying, “The quality of the entries received are amazing, anyone among the initial 71 entries could win a competition of this nature easily.”

Although NISSCOM 2005 is in collaboration between NACOSS and SystemSpecs, it also enjoys support from Manna Bookstores.

Mr. Braimah further listed the names of these short listed candidates to include Odulami Kayode Olawale with software title: Medical Centre Manager, Adeyemi Babatunde Ayobami, software title: Internet Search Agent Software, Oyedemi Olumuyiwa Abisoye, software title: Citizens Mobile Identification Software, Adegunle Samson with entry Event Manager; Umoh Emmanuel with LABWATCH entry, Folaji Temitope Matthew making the list with ‘Payroll Software’.

Others are Itse Joseph with e-Advocacy, Opaleye Olabode Gabriel with Point of Sale Automation, Okpara Okechukwu Dominic with WIZDOMSHELL and Ibigbami Juwonlo A. with e-banking-XsWOAAD - Shopping with Online Automatic Account Deduction, Ikeora Daniel O. with ‘Parallel Port Interface’ and several others.