ABOUT 10 foreign-based Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) firms are slated to take part in the United Kingdom (UK) and Africa ICT conference taking place in the country between March 28 and 30.
The event has been divided into two sessions to hold at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Lagos.
Mrs. Lebarie Ukpong of the Trade Development section at the British Deputy High Commission, Lagos informed Business Champion that as part of the UK governments’ efforts to foster closer ties on ICTs with Nigeria and help bridge the digital divide, "the UK and Nigerian government through the Ministry of Communications is proposing to hold a joint 3-day event in Abuja and Lagos from 28 - 30 March 2006".
She also said that expectation is high as about 250 participants are being predicted to grace the event from the private and public sectors at each of the conference venues soon to be named.
These, she said, would be in addition to participants drawn from Nigerian and Ghanaian Ministers of Communications, senior government officials from Cameroon Ministry of Post & Telecommunications, which she said, have already committed to the event.
The UK official noted this event is part of the UK’s response to the 2003 World Summit on the Information Society declaration of principles, which, inter alia, called on developed countries to help countries such as Nigeria to bridge the digital divide.
Stressing that Nigerians are keen that ICTs should be at the forefront of the Federal Government’s drive to deliver the nation which she said is a highly prosperous country, with the availability of a high quality ICT infrastructure which is now widely accepted as being an essential pre-requisite for the development of national economies.
Cyber crime, she pointed out are seen as a real threat to this prosperity, and the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been keen towards working with the UK government in order to tackle this problem.
The trade official pointed out that Nigeria is potentially a good market for UK ICT companies, hence the nation is considered to be the fastest growing telecoms market in the world, and has become an attractive destination for UK telecommunications investors.
Some of the issues to be deliberated upon include includes e- governance, policy formulation, spectrum planning and management, spam, cyber security, deployment of low cost wireless broadband in rural areas, convergence, mobile telephony, domestic manufacture of telecommunications equipment.
Key objective of the conference, she said, is to bring together key decision-makers, experts and business practitioners interested in the development of ICTs in Africa, even as the confab is intended to highlight the importance of ICTs for social and economic development.
In addition, the confab would provide an opportunity to share regulatory techniques and best practice; enable participants to access international thinking on policies and technology developments in the ICT field and showcase UK and Nigerian capability and new technologies in ICT.
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Friday, March 10, 2006
Thursday, March 09, 2006
VoIP, crashing the call tariffs
features of the week:
With the coming on board of Unified Licensing Regime, operators stand the chance of crashing call tariffs through Voice over Internet Protocol offering, writes REMMY NWEKE.
Dare need ...
A student, Ms Atim Ekanem was recently in dare need to put a call through to her guardian, who resides in Texas, United States, from her base in Calabar, Cross River State.
She went to town in search of where to make her call at a cheaper rate. On the way she saw a cyber café cum call center’s sign-post inviting potential customers to come in for their international calls at what the owners considered as ‘low rate’.
Ms Ekanem simply asked the ‘Alalok man’ - commercial motorcyclist, conveying her to the city center to stop, and on inquiry, she was told that a minute call to her choice destination would cost N150 per minute.
Walking down the street, she saw another café and decided to find out their rate, which was N130.
As a cash-strapped student, she went down further with the belief she would get a better deal only to behold another café sign offering international calls for just N20 per minute.
She quickly went in to reconfirm the rate displayed outside. This much was reaffirmed to her surprise and she went on to place the call as she was ushered to a seat in a cubicle with a Personal Computer before her where she was requested to wear the headphone.
VoIP experience
Few minutes later, her international number telephone buzzed through the headset and in the next minutes that followed, Ms Ekanem was speaking to her guardian, very clearly. This gave her relaxed mind to say all she wanted for the moment.
Spending three minutes, she paid N60, which farther confirmed the operator actually charged N20 per minute. Ms Ekanem made bold to ask the attendant what they call the system she just used, and got “Internet call” for an answer, and that is also known as “VoIP” which means Voice over Internet Protocol.
VoIP equally known as Internet Voice or IP-enabled service, is a technology that allows users to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular or analog phone line, according to the Federal Communications Commission, (FCC).
It also notes that some services using VoIP may only allow users to call other people using the same service, but others may allow call to anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers, globally.
Whereas some services only work over the user’s computer or a special VoIP phone, depending on other services available to user, just as some allow the use of the traditional phone through an adaptor.
VoIP defined
Technically, VoIP permits users access to make telephone calls using a computer network, over a data network like the Internet. VoIP in other words converts the voice signal from the user’s telephone into a digital signal that literally travels over the Net, then converts it back at the destination point so as to enable the call originator and receiver speak and hear one another with a regular phone number.
The United Kingdom (UK)-based regulator, Office of Communications (OFCOM) gave its own version of VoIP as “a generic term which refers to a technical standard that enables the transmission of voice traffic in whole or in part, over one or more networks, which uses the Internet Protocol (IP).”
OFCOM also stated that VoIP traffic could be passed on either by privately managed network or public Internet, even as both could be combined. VoIP technology thus supports a wide range of applications from traditional telephone services to other interactive offering.
Placing Call on VoIP
When placing a VoIP call as said by FCC and using a phone with an adapter, users would first ensure that there is a dialing tone emanating from the phone device and simply dial just as they always have. VoIP also allows users to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone box or a microphone.
Although this service depends largely on the service provider, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to existing high-speed Internet connection.
The call goes through a local telephone company otherwise known as service provider in this case, to a VoIP service provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called receiver’s local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another means is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through a cable modem. Using microphone nowadays seems fashionable, hence most people prefer using it and costs about N1,500 to get.
Required apparatus
In making Internet call, there are required apparatus to facilitate the operation. Basic of this is a broadband; high speed Internet connection and seen as ultimate. It could come as a cable modem, or high-speed services derived from a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) or a Local Area Network (LAN).
This could further be accomplished by way of hooking an inexpensive head gear microphone to a Personal Computer (PC) and send or place voice calls through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.
What to know
Noteworthy is that VoIP offering varies from one provider to another. In certain cases, some VoIP providers give their services for free, yet some providers, at times, permit users to select an area code different from the area in which they live. Thus availing them the opportunity of not incurring long distance charges if calling a number within their area code.
It also follows that some people who make Internet call or being called may attract charges especially if it is long distance from their area code and service. This is because some providers charge for long distance calls outside user’s immediate environment. While other VoIP providers permit customers to place call anywhere at a flat rate for a given fixed number of minutes.
Consequently, consumers may even utilize the service to speak with more than one person at a time, which is known as conference call. The person called does not need any special equipment, but simply a phone, even as users could use their PCs while still placing call.
Regulations
Regulating the VoIP remains a great debate in most countries of the world and Nigeria is not an exception as some Private Telecom Operators (PTOs) cried out that it is taking business from them as well as the national carrier, Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL).
Immediate past chief executive of NITEL, Mr. Rein Zwolsman, had in 2004 raised alarm at a meeting with the media, that an estimated 90 per cent of international calls in the country were in the grey market.
For the nation’s regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) which seems to have adopted positive attitude to seeming controversy over VoIP, as its Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, recently made it clear, that any organization seeking to offer this service definitely would require appropriate licensing, noting that those proposing VoIP call service would need to interconnect with the national carrier, NITEL or the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom.
Creating a new chapter
Most countries like the United States through the FCC and Nigeria via NCC, have worked toward creating new chapter of environment that promotes competition and innovation to benefit consumers.
Historically, the Internet is still unregulated or the services provided over it and this has been the case in most countries which was top on the agenda of the second World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) held in Tunisia, last November.
However, West Africa is touted as large grey VoIP market and with the coming on board of Unified Licensing Regime (ULR) in the Nigerian telecommunications scene, the issue of regulating this module is seen as becoming clearer.
For a telecom expert and chief executive of Telecom Answers Associates, Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, ULR for instance, would facilitate improved access especially by ISP’s who are expected to work together, mostly in the area of service offering.
Pointing out that this could be a step to reposition the nation’s ISPs, who hitherto were facing acute competition with Internet telephony and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technologies as bundled by some PTOs.
“It may well be the regulator’s initial step to a novel initiative of using Internet telephony, VoIP, as a universal access enabler,” he said.
Experts on the other hand, are of the opinion that VoIP is the next step of competition for telco, moreso as Nigeria commences a new lease in its telecommunication sector with the Unified Licensing.However, usage or mass acceptance of VoIP depends largely on the user-friendly kind of service offering available to the populace.
80% system attacks internally generated – Expert
Enterprises at this Information Society (IS) era have been advised to take the issues of security seriously, even as 80 per cent of security breaches have been attributed to internal attacks.
Global Delivery Manager at the Hewlett Packard (HP) Nigeria, Mr. Abimbola Babalola, gave this advice as a guest lecturer at a colloquium on Information Systems Security, held at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos and organized by the International Data Management (IDM) the country franchise of NIIT Nigeria.
He said that enterprises should take the issues of security in this burgeoning Information Society seriously as research has shown that about 80 per cent of breaches originate within enterprises.
This, he said, could be either erroneously or deliberate by a disgruntled member of staff of an organization.
He insisted that if they neglect this advice, definitely there are some people out there that would pay attention.
“Because if you don’t, there are some people like hackers who would take it seriously,” he declared.
Mr. Babalola whose paper centered on “Information Society Security: Managing Enterprise Security” defined information security as an act of ensuring the integrity, availability and confidentiality of a given information.
This, he said stands on a tripod of CIA triad which is confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Information Society security goal, he also said, is based on the availability of the right of people to get the information they need and when they need it.
On the integrity, Mr. Babalola said, is information that is not changed without proper authorization. Whereas, the confidentiality part of the tripod affords people to have trust on information thereby exchanged officially.
He advocated a holistic approach to curtail any security violation in an enterprise capable of leading to reduction in productivity revenue, hidden costs and damaged image.
“It is very essential to have backup to withstand breaches when they come,” he affirmed.
The HP official also listed what he called ‘Seven Cs’ in management of information security in an enterprise.
These, he explained are embedded in checking of status, complying with regulation, construction of a trusted infrastructure, controlling access to resources, countering of the threats, ready to call for help and the ability to contain security risks.
Earlier in his welcome address, chief executive of IDM, Dr. Chris Bolu said the event was a technical seminar which began in 2003. “It’s vital for us to discuss issues of concern to very professional group,” he declared.
Dr. Bolu also said the importance of security in information society was what encouraged NIIT Nigeria to design a course on this particular issue to enable Nigerian professionals keep tab with security issues in information technology.
Global Delivery Manager at the Hewlett Packard (HP) Nigeria, Mr. Abimbola Babalola, gave this advice as a guest lecturer at a colloquium on Information Systems Security, held at the National Theatre, Iganmu Lagos and organized by the International Data Management (IDM) the country franchise of NIIT Nigeria.
He said that enterprises should take the issues of security in this burgeoning Information Society seriously as research has shown that about 80 per cent of breaches originate within enterprises.
This, he said, could be either erroneously or deliberate by a disgruntled member of staff of an organization.
He insisted that if they neglect this advice, definitely there are some people out there that would pay attention.
“Because if you don’t, there are some people like hackers who would take it seriously,” he declared.
Mr. Babalola whose paper centered on “Information Society Security: Managing Enterprise Security” defined information security as an act of ensuring the integrity, availability and confidentiality of a given information.
This, he said stands on a tripod of CIA triad which is confidentiality, integrity and availability.
Information Society security goal, he also said, is based on the availability of the right of people to get the information they need and when they need it.
On the integrity, Mr. Babalola said, is information that is not changed without proper authorization. Whereas, the confidentiality part of the tripod affords people to have trust on information thereby exchanged officially.
He advocated a holistic approach to curtail any security violation in an enterprise capable of leading to reduction in productivity revenue, hidden costs and damaged image.
“It is very essential to have backup to withstand breaches when they come,” he affirmed.
The HP official also listed what he called ‘Seven Cs’ in management of information security in an enterprise.
These, he explained are embedded in checking of status, complying with regulation, construction of a trusted infrastructure, controlling access to resources, countering of the threats, ready to call for help and the ability to contain security risks.
Earlier in his welcome address, chief executive of IDM, Dr. Chris Bolu said the event was a technical seminar which began in 2003. “It’s vital for us to discuss issues of concern to very professional group,” he declared.
Dr. Bolu also said the importance of security in information society was what encouraged NIIT Nigeria to design a course on this particular issue to enable Nigerian professionals keep tab with security issues in information technology.
Convergence in Church confab holds in London
THE 11th European Christian Internet Conference (ECIC) has announced the dates for this year’s meet slated to hold in London, inviting papers for the elucidation of the event.
The theme is “The Challenge of Convergency for the Church”. According to the President, ECIC, Juha Kinanen, who also said the steering committee invites webpastors, editors, webmasters and other new media professionals, especially from Europe to contribute their quota toward making the event successful and memorable.
He said that the conference to be hosted by Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, is scheduled for June 14-18 this year.
ECIC President noted that the aim is to exchange experiences about working with the Internet.
“We also seek to arrange co-operation in the area of this “new media” and past conferences have proved to be very fruitful and to fulfill a vital role for the Christian Internet presence,” he said.
The ECIC Steering committee, he further said, in a press statement made available to ITREALMS Online, extends an open invitation to all those who play a role in the Christian Internet presence in Europe, and hopes that the key personalities in the Internet field would be able to attend ECIC conferences.
The Conferences are not designed as “talk shops” but as “working conferences” For that reason , the number of participants is limited for each conference” he asserted.
Kinanen emphasised that the Steering Committee invitation for proposals, is aimed at making clear all aspects of the conference’s theme, including communion, education and mission.
On communion, he said that in ecclesiology the Church is defined as a community of believers but the new media challenges the definition of what a community is.
Online communities, he outlined, follow a different set of rules than face-to-face communities.
Issues such as does the traditional ecclesiological description of the church include the reality of online communities or do we need to adapt our theological framework to meet the new reality as well as could communion be complete if man do not have an effective online presence, would form part of the conference discussions.
On education, ECIC said, one important field of church activity is education, ranging from the traditional religious education or the teaching of catechism to e-learning.
As knowledge and education become more and more important in the information society, the church must fully explore the potential of the Internet.
Stressing, “If the digital divide is the border between the educated elite and the information-poor, then media education becomes an important task for the church” just as fostering media competence means enabling people to help themselves.
While on the mission of the church, ECIC boss explained that it is taking part in God’s mission to the world, describing it as not only reaching out to people who have not yet heard God’s Good News but also bearing witness and providing guidance within society, which includes a digital society.
In the time of media convergence, the church needs a holistic approach to deal with these challenges; integration of television, mobile phones and the internet and location based services.
Therefore, he noted that the conference will explore these challenges and try to search for answers.
Potential presenters, the President said, may submit proposals either for individual papers, workshops or for “Tell Your Story” sessions.
Individual paper proposals should include a one-page abstract and a one-page curriculum vitae. The abstract should summarize the argument of the paper, the sources on which it is based, and its relationship to existing scholarship, which could be sent the Steering Committee, ecic@ecic.info as attachment and has till March 31 March 2006.
The theme is “The Challenge of Convergency for the Church”. According to the President, ECIC, Juha Kinanen, who also said the steering committee invites webpastors, editors, webmasters and other new media professionals, especially from Europe to contribute their quota toward making the event successful and memorable.
He said that the conference to be hosted by Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth, is scheduled for June 14-18 this year.
ECIC President noted that the aim is to exchange experiences about working with the Internet.
“We also seek to arrange co-operation in the area of this “new media” and past conferences have proved to be very fruitful and to fulfill a vital role for the Christian Internet presence,” he said.
The ECIC Steering committee, he further said, in a press statement made available to ITREALMS Online, extends an open invitation to all those who play a role in the Christian Internet presence in Europe, and hopes that the key personalities in the Internet field would be able to attend ECIC conferences.
The Conferences are not designed as “talk shops” but as “working conferences” For that reason , the number of participants is limited for each conference” he asserted.
Kinanen emphasised that the Steering Committee invitation for proposals, is aimed at making clear all aspects of the conference’s theme, including communion, education and mission.
On communion, he said that in ecclesiology the Church is defined as a community of believers but the new media challenges the definition of what a community is.
Online communities, he outlined, follow a different set of rules than face-to-face communities.
Issues such as does the traditional ecclesiological description of the church include the reality of online communities or do we need to adapt our theological framework to meet the new reality as well as could communion be complete if man do not have an effective online presence, would form part of the conference discussions.
On education, ECIC said, one important field of church activity is education, ranging from the traditional religious education or the teaching of catechism to e-learning.
As knowledge and education become more and more important in the information society, the church must fully explore the potential of the Internet.
Stressing, “If the digital divide is the border between the educated elite and the information-poor, then media education becomes an important task for the church” just as fostering media competence means enabling people to help themselves.
While on the mission of the church, ECIC boss explained that it is taking part in God’s mission to the world, describing it as not only reaching out to people who have not yet heard God’s Good News but also bearing witness and providing guidance within society, which includes a digital society.
In the time of media convergence, the church needs a holistic approach to deal with these challenges; integration of television, mobile phones and the internet and location based services.
Therefore, he noted that the conference will explore these challenges and try to search for answers.
Potential presenters, the President said, may submit proposals either for individual papers, workshops or for “Tell Your Story” sessions.
Individual paper proposals should include a one-page abstract and a one-page curriculum vitae. The abstract should summarize the argument of the paper, the sources on which it is based, and its relationship to existing scholarship, which could be sent the Steering Committee, ecic@ecic.info as attachment and has till March 31 March 2006.
Onyekwere advocates arbitration panel for ULR
Chief Executive of premier Internet Service Provider (ISP), Linkserve Limited, Mr. Chima Onyekwere, has advocated the establishment of an arbitration panel in preparation of settling likely disputes emanating from the Unified Licensing Regime (ULR) due to commence this month.
Mr. Onyekwere who spoke at a one-day Stakeholder’s forum organized by IT & Telecom Digest called on the telecommunications regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to set up an arbitration panel to look into interconnection issues during the Unified Licensing regime.
Speaking on the forum with the theme, “Unified Licensing Regime-The Way Forward” he said, setting up such a panel is a key to the smooth implementation of unified licensing in the country.
He also said, this will ensure that such issues as interconnect are resolved on a timely basis and situations of disconnection among operators would not arise.
Mr. Onyekwere also said that having an arbitrating panel would reduce some of the problems that might result from interconnect disputes during the new regime.
NCC had last year indicated its intentions to operate a unified licensing structure due to changes brought about by convergence in technology.
To this end, the commission published a framework for the operation of the regime earlier in February 2006.
Under the said scheme, fixed and mobile telecom operators in the country would be allowed to operate across platforms, subject to certain conditions soon to be spelled out by NCC.
Responding, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said the suggestion by Linkserve boss was a good one, noted and well appreciated.
Ndukwe pointed out that the commission had considered having such a panel, adding that the NCC will look into setting up such a panel.
Warning operators against arbitrary disconnection, Dr. Ndukwe said the commission will come out with stiff penalties against such operator.
Mr. Onyekwere who spoke at a one-day Stakeholder’s forum organized by IT & Telecom Digest called on the telecommunications regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to set up an arbitration panel to look into interconnection issues during the Unified Licensing regime.
Speaking on the forum with the theme, “Unified Licensing Regime-The Way Forward” he said, setting up such a panel is a key to the smooth implementation of unified licensing in the country.
He also said, this will ensure that such issues as interconnect are resolved on a timely basis and situations of disconnection among operators would not arise.
Mr. Onyekwere also said that having an arbitrating panel would reduce some of the problems that might result from interconnect disputes during the new regime.
NCC had last year indicated its intentions to operate a unified licensing structure due to changes brought about by convergence in technology.
To this end, the commission published a framework for the operation of the regime earlier in February 2006.
Under the said scheme, fixed and mobile telecom operators in the country would be allowed to operate across platforms, subject to certain conditions soon to be spelled out by NCC.
Responding, the Executive Vice Chairman, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, said the suggestion by Linkserve boss was a good one, noted and well appreciated.
Ndukwe pointed out that the commission had considered having such a panel, adding that the NCC will look into setting up such a panel.
Warning operators against arbitrary disconnection, Dr. Ndukwe said the commission will come out with stiff penalties against such operator.
Vmobile retains FAME’s ‘GSM company of the year’ award
For consecutive two-year running, leading Global System for Mobile (GSM) communications, Vmobile Nigeria, has retained its position as FAME’s GSM company of the year award.
The award was presented at the just concluded 3rd Fame Achiever’s Award held in Lagos, an initiative of FAME Weekly, Nigeria’s oldest Celebrity Journal.
Vmobile came top in the GSM category by the FAME Award panel of judges for aggressively driving coverage in many parts of the country through its expansion programme, Project ROSE.
The GSM company was also rated for what the judges said was the offering of top-class customer care service, which impacted on the lives of Nigerians with innovative products and services and for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Vmobile was also short listed for “The Telecoms Brand of the Year” alongside MTN and Glomobile.
ITREALMS Online recollects that last April, Vmobile was selected as the “GSM Company of the Year” by the Award Committee of the 8th City People Award in Lagos.
Vmobile had in 2004 received Consumers endorsement when it was voted the “Most Customer Sensitive Network” in a consumer poll conducted by Thisday Newspapers, “for its customer-centric approach to customer services delivery and product innovation”.
Excited, Acting Head, Public Relations, Events and Sponsorship, at Vmobile, Mr. Emeka Oparah, expressed his firm’s appreciation to the Fame Achievers’ Awards panel for recognising the effort of the company is making to positively change the lives of the populace in the country.
Mr. Oparah also dedicated the award to the company’s customers, who are the key beneficiaries of the company’s initiatives.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel; First lady of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu; the Baba Omo-oba of Egbaland and the Chairman of First City Monument Bank Plc, Otunba Subomi Balogun, to name a few.
The award was presented at the just concluded 3rd Fame Achiever’s Award held in Lagos, an initiative of FAME Weekly, Nigeria’s oldest Celebrity Journal.
Vmobile came top in the GSM category by the FAME Award panel of judges for aggressively driving coverage in many parts of the country through its expansion programme, Project ROSE.
The GSM company was also rated for what the judges said was the offering of top-class customer care service, which impacted on the lives of Nigerians with innovative products and services and for its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes.
Vmobile was also short listed for “The Telecoms Brand of the Year” alongside MTN and Glomobile.
ITREALMS Online recollects that last April, Vmobile was selected as the “GSM Company of the Year” by the Award Committee of the 8th City People Award in Lagos.
Vmobile had in 2004 received Consumers endorsement when it was voted the “Most Customer Sensitive Network” in a consumer poll conducted by Thisday Newspapers, “for its customer-centric approach to customer services delivery and product innovation”.
Excited, Acting Head, Public Relations, Events and Sponsorship, at Vmobile, Mr. Emeka Oparah, expressed his firm’s appreciation to the Fame Achievers’ Awards panel for recognising the effort of the company is making to positively change the lives of the populace in the country.
Mr. Oparah also dedicated the award to the company’s customers, who are the key beneficiaries of the company’s initiatives.
Dignitaries at the occasion included Ogun State Governor, Gbenga Daniel; First lady of Lagos State, Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu; the Baba Omo-oba of Egbaland and the Chairman of First City Monument Bank Plc, Otunba Subomi Balogun, to name a few.
NeGSt ready to deliver – Agunloye
The National eGovernemnt Strategies (NeGSt) Limited has given indication of its readiness to commence implementation.
This is coming as the government agency in charge of ICT diffusion within the government of the federation has successfully tested the eHealth, telemedicine and eSchool solutions recently.
Executive Vice Chairman, NeGSt, Dr. Olu Agunloye. He gave this indication at the end of NeGSt board meeting recently in Abuja, which was presided over by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye.
He noted that NeGSt as a Special Purpose Vehicle specifically established to handle the eGovernment project on behalf of NITDA, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is keen on taking off the ground its mandate.
It would recalled that NITDA entrusted NeGSt on eGovernment related functions with the top on its agenda being to see to the implementation in alliance partners, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution providers, financial institutions and other private sector investors.
Five key players – presidency, ministry, NITDA, NeGSt and alliance partners, own the NeGSt.
Dr. Agunloye who was a former Minister of Power noted that since May 4, 2004 when the Board of Directors (BoD) of NeGST was inaugurated, said the company has systematically moved from designs, roadmaps to preliminary implementation of the eGovernment project which includes the creation and launch of www.eNigeria.com.ng, a citizen-centred portal which provides a one-stop shop and window for Nigerian citizens and visitors to interact with other political and economic components such as government institutions and private services providers.
He also pointed out that part of immediate challenges before the organisation include the issue of building its own database.
Stressing that the tour of 26 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) across all the three tiers of government nationwide.
“This is because a tour of a total of 26 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs spanning Federal and State Governments over 18 months starting from October 2004 has brought even more problems to the fore,” he disclosed.
In addition, he said these problems include lack of reliable data and sub-standard databases system where there were attempts to store data owing to non-compliance with any standards.
“Governments operations are generally disjointed with Low level of computerisation.
But the problem is being addressed,” he assured.
He listed three solutions as main part of deliverables the NeGSt visualized to accomplish before the end of this year, such as telemedicine, eSchool and eHealth.
The telemedicine solution, he said, has already been tested in a pilot scheme at Nyanya Hospital in the suburb of Abuja, at Maitama District Hospital, Abuja with doctors at Zanklli Medical Centre and National Hospital, Abuja participating as eDoctors.
The telemedicine is capable of telediagnosis based on live-measurement of pulse rate, body temperature, ECG and heart beats, even as this solution is by now being incorporated into the United Nations (UN) Millennium Village project at Ikaram, Ondo State.
For the eSchool solution, the EVC said, it has been pre-tested in a school in Wuse II also in Abuja and the data of all primary and secondary schools in Ondo State were being put in final database form for implementation of eSchool solutions throughout all public schools in the State among others.
This is coming as the government agency in charge of ICT diffusion within the government of the federation has successfully tested the eHealth, telemedicine and eSchool solutions recently.
Executive Vice Chairman, NeGSt, Dr. Olu Agunloye. He gave this indication at the end of NeGSt board meeting recently in Abuja, which was presided over by the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Angaye.
He noted that NeGSt as a Special Purpose Vehicle specifically established to handle the eGovernment project on behalf of NITDA, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, is keen on taking off the ground its mandate.
It would recalled that NITDA entrusted NeGSt on eGovernment related functions with the top on its agenda being to see to the implementation in alliance partners, including Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution providers, financial institutions and other private sector investors.
Five key players – presidency, ministry, NITDA, NeGSt and alliance partners, own the NeGSt.
Dr. Agunloye who was a former Minister of Power noted that since May 4, 2004 when the Board of Directors (BoD) of NeGST was inaugurated, said the company has systematically moved from designs, roadmaps to preliminary implementation of the eGovernment project which includes the creation and launch of www.eNigeria.com.ng, a citizen-centred portal which provides a one-stop shop and window for Nigerian citizens and visitors to interact with other political and economic components such as government institutions and private services providers.
He also pointed out that part of immediate challenges before the organisation include the issue of building its own database.
Stressing that the tour of 26 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) across all the three tiers of government nationwide.
“This is because a tour of a total of 26 Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs spanning Federal and State Governments over 18 months starting from October 2004 has brought even more problems to the fore,” he disclosed.
In addition, he said these problems include lack of reliable data and sub-standard databases system where there were attempts to store data owing to non-compliance with any standards.
“Governments operations are generally disjointed with Low level of computerisation.
But the problem is being addressed,” he assured.
He listed three solutions as main part of deliverables the NeGSt visualized to accomplish before the end of this year, such as telemedicine, eSchool and eHealth.
The telemedicine solution, he said, has already been tested in a pilot scheme at Nyanya Hospital in the suburb of Abuja, at Maitama District Hospital, Abuja with doctors at Zanklli Medical Centre and National Hospital, Abuja participating as eDoctors.
The telemedicine is capable of telediagnosis based on live-measurement of pulse rate, body temperature, ECG and heart beats, even as this solution is by now being incorporated into the United Nations (UN) Millennium Village project at Ikaram, Ondo State.
For the eSchool solution, the EVC said, it has been pre-tested in a school in Wuse II also in Abuja and the data of all primary and secondary schools in Ondo State were being put in final database form for implementation of eSchool solutions throughout all public schools in the State among others.
JACITAD faults proposed IT bill
JOINT Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD) has faulted the proposed Information Technology (IT) Bill being sponsored by Senator Iya Abubakar.
JACITAD is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed in 2003 by ICT stakeholders to advance the course of ICT awareness and development in the country.
The Bill is seeking passage at the National Assembly for an Act to establish legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
The NGO in its submission to the public hearing held Monday in Abuja, said it is better to handle one at a time so as not to stifle the success or otherwise, any of the purposes of the bill since it would undergo readings and agreement from other members of the National Assembly.
Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, informed in a copy of the recommendation available to Champion Infotel that JACITAD believes that if the bill is allowed to go to the Senate for debate, with these three broad issues at the same time, it may eventually become cumbersome for any to see the light of the day and therefore take a long time to come into effect.
“The reason is that traditionally, every clause in the Bill may have to be debated in the house before being adopted and passed into law,” the group explained.
Stressing that the adverse effect of this bottleneck “may bog down the effective running of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), or commission as the case may be.”
Besides, JACITAD noted that some of the clauses of the legal framework seem to have been adopted verbatim from a foreign environment, which places the industry at the risk of domesticating, perhaps, foreign Acts erroneously imposed in local legal framework.
Citing an instance, JACITAD said while clause 31(2)a, of the bill, provides that “a person convicted for an offence under sub section (1) shall be liable for a fine of N100,000
and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment”, clause 31(2)b states that “where as a result of the commission of an offence under subsection (1), the operation of the computer system, is impaired or data contained in the computer system is suppressed or modified, a person convicted of such offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees and to a penal servitude for a term not exceeding 20 years”.
Therefore, JACITAD observed that both rupee and “penal servitude” are not, respectively, popular currency and operating legal system in Nigeria and called for domestication of the clauses.
JACITAD is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed in 2003 by ICT stakeholders to advance the course of ICT awareness and development in the country.
The Bill is seeking passage at the National Assembly for an Act to establish legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
The NGO in its submission to the public hearing held Monday in Abuja, said it is better to handle one at a time so as not to stifle the success or otherwise, any of the purposes of the bill since it would undergo readings and agreement from other members of the National Assembly.
Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, informed in a copy of the recommendation available to Champion Infotel that JACITAD believes that if the bill is allowed to go to the Senate for debate, with these three broad issues at the same time, it may eventually become cumbersome for any to see the light of the day and therefore take a long time to come into effect.
“The reason is that traditionally, every clause in the Bill may have to be debated in the house before being adopted and passed into law,” the group explained.
Stressing that the adverse effect of this bottleneck “may bog down the effective running of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), or commission as the case may be.”
Besides, JACITAD noted that some of the clauses of the legal framework seem to have been adopted verbatim from a foreign environment, which places the industry at the risk of domesticating, perhaps, foreign Acts erroneously imposed in local legal framework.
Citing an instance, JACITAD said while clause 31(2)a, of the bill, provides that “a person convicted for an offence under sub section (1) shall be liable for a fine of N100,000
and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment”, clause 31(2)b states that “where as a result of the commission of an offence under subsection (1), the operation of the computer system, is impaired or data contained in the computer system is suppressed or modified, a person convicted of such offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees and to a penal servitude for a term not exceeding 20 years”.
Therefore, JACITAD observed that both rupee and “penal servitude” are not, respectively, popular currency and operating legal system in Nigeria and called for domestication of the clauses.
Goldman becomes VP sales at APC
Leading global provider of high availability systems, the American Power Conversion (APC) has announced the appointment of Tom Goldman as vice president, global sales. He replaces Mr. Ed Bednarcik who left APC to pursue other opportunities.
Mr. Goldman until recently was the president and chief executive officer of NetBotz, Incorporated, which APC acquired in October last year.
As vice president, global sales, he is expected to take charge for overseeing APC’s global sales teams addressing enterprise, mid-market and retail customers.
Making this announcement, APC President and chief executive, Mr. Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr, said, the company has made tremendous strides in recent times.
“APC has made tremendous strides expanding beyond our traditional markets into the approximately $7 billion Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) market for data centers.”
He also said that APC has been very successful in growing its businesses, expressing confident that with Mr. Golden’s leadership, the firm would continue to climb the ladder and expand its market present across the globe.
Mr. Goldman’s career spanned several senior executive level positions in sales and operations within the Information Technology (IT) field.
Prior to joining NetBotz, he had served as president and chief operating officer of enterprise software company Apogee Networks, where he grew and led the company to become the global leader in its market.
Before then, he was vice president of sales at systems integrator Xerox Connect and prior to his career in IT industry, Mr. Goldman served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Golden State University.
“I am very excited to be taking on this challenge at APC. It is obvious that APC sets it standards for customer satisfaction extremely high and has ambitious goals for expanding its traditional consumer, mid-market, and enterprise business worldwide. I look forward to applying my in-depth knowledge of data center customers and their NCPI solution needs toward accomplishing these objectives,” he said.
Mr. Goldman until recently was the president and chief executive officer of NetBotz, Incorporated, which APC acquired in October last year.
As vice president, global sales, he is expected to take charge for overseeing APC’s global sales teams addressing enterprise, mid-market and retail customers.
Making this announcement, APC President and chief executive, Mr. Rodger B. Dowdell, Jr, said, the company has made tremendous strides in recent times.
“APC has made tremendous strides expanding beyond our traditional markets into the approximately $7 billion Network-Critical Physical Infrastructure (NCPI) market for data centers.”
He also said that APC has been very successful in growing its businesses, expressing confident that with Mr. Golden’s leadership, the firm would continue to climb the ladder and expand its market present across the globe.
Mr. Goldman’s career spanned several senior executive level positions in sales and operations within the Information Technology (IT) field.
Prior to joining NetBotz, he had served as president and chief operating officer of enterprise software company Apogee Networks, where he grew and led the company to become the global leader in its market.
Before then, he was vice president of sales at systems integrator Xerox Connect and prior to his career in IT industry, Mr. Goldman served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Southern Florida and a master’s degree in business administration from Golden State University.
“I am very excited to be taking on this challenge at APC. It is obvious that APC sets it standards for customer satisfaction extremely high and has ambitious goals for expanding its traditional consumer, mid-market, and enterprise business worldwide. I look forward to applying my in-depth knowledge of data center customers and their NCPI solution needs toward accomplishing these objectives,” he said.
ITU launches ‘Golden Book’
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has launched ‘Golden Book’ a compendium of commitments made during the last phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Tunis.
ITREALMS Online, recalls that the last phase of WSIS held last November was the second leg after the initial summit was held in December 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The summit is unique in a way that it is the first in the history of United Nations (UN), a two-phased summit was held.
The Tunis phase was in honour of the country for proposing the summit on Information Society in the late 90s.
Golden Book, according to ITU, an agency that led other UN entities to organize the summit, it is a record of work undertaken to implement the goals of the WSIS and build the future Information Society.
Sources at ITU said it was launched last month during the Consultation Meeting of WSIS Action Lines Facilitators/Moderators, convened by ITU, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Geneva.
The book highlighted some of the valuable work being done around the world to promote ICTs in projects, large and small by governments, individuals or team effort, for the benefit of all.
It provides illustrative examples of new and innovative projects to build infrastructure, promote ICTs in education, health and governance, so as to ensure fair access and enhance online security.
All WSIS stakeholders at the summit were invited to submit an online questionnaire with details of their activities announced during the Tunis Phase.
These activities have been planned or are in progress and undertaken in line with the WSIS Plan of Action. The Golden Book also serves as a tool helping to coordinate the action taken to implement the 11 action lines and avoid duplication.
More than 375 submissions were made to the book by governments, international organizations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), companies and individuals, describing their work towards promoting ICT activities.
ITU estimates that the activities announced during the Tunis phase to promote WSIS goals represented a total value of at least, EUR 3.2 billion (US$ 3.9 billion).
Governments committed to implement projects for some EUR 1.9 billion, representing nearly two-thirds of the estimated total value of all commitments, while international organizations pledged to carry out activities for around half that amount, that is, 0.83 billion Euros.
Business entities announced plans to realize projects for around 0.35 billion Euros and civil society projects amount to least 0.13 billion Euros.
The work on implementation of WSIS Plan of Action will be monitored through a multi-stakeholder process to be overseen by ITU, UNESCO and UNDP, which started with the consultation meeting last February.
ITREALMS Online, recalls that the last phase of WSIS held last November was the second leg after the initial summit was held in December 2003 in Geneva, Switzerland.
The summit is unique in a way that it is the first in the history of United Nations (UN), a two-phased summit was held.
The Tunis phase was in honour of the country for proposing the summit on Information Society in the late 90s.
Golden Book, according to ITU, an agency that led other UN entities to organize the summit, it is a record of work undertaken to implement the goals of the WSIS and build the future Information Society.
Sources at ITU said it was launched last month during the Consultation Meeting of WSIS Action Lines Facilitators/Moderators, convened by ITU, United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Geneva.
The book highlighted some of the valuable work being done around the world to promote ICTs in projects, large and small by governments, individuals or team effort, for the benefit of all.
It provides illustrative examples of new and innovative projects to build infrastructure, promote ICTs in education, health and governance, so as to ensure fair access and enhance online security.
All WSIS stakeholders at the summit were invited to submit an online questionnaire with details of their activities announced during the Tunis Phase.
These activities have been planned or are in progress and undertaken in line with the WSIS Plan of Action. The Golden Book also serves as a tool helping to coordinate the action taken to implement the 11 action lines and avoid duplication.
More than 375 submissions were made to the book by governments, international organizations, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), companies and individuals, describing their work towards promoting ICT activities.
ITU estimates that the activities announced during the Tunis phase to promote WSIS goals represented a total value of at least, EUR 3.2 billion (US$ 3.9 billion).
Governments committed to implement projects for some EUR 1.9 billion, representing nearly two-thirds of the estimated total value of all commitments, while international organizations pledged to carry out activities for around half that amount, that is, 0.83 billion Euros.
Business entities announced plans to realize projects for around 0.35 billion Euros and civil society projects amount to least 0.13 billion Euros.
The work on implementation of WSIS Plan of Action will be monitored through a multi-stakeholder process to be overseen by ITU, UNESCO and UNDP, which started with the consultation meeting last February.
JACITAD faults proposed IT bill
JOINT Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD) has faulted the proposed Information Technology (IT) Bill being sponsored by Senator Iya Abubakar.
JACITAD is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed in 2003 by ICT stakeholders to advance the course of ICT awareness and development in the country.
The Bill is seeking passage at the National Assembly for an Act to establish legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
The NGO in its submission to the public hearing held Monday in Abuja, said it is better to handle one at a time so as not to stifle the success or otherwise, any of the purposes of the bill since it would undergo readings and agreement from other members of the National Assembly.
Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, informed in a copy of the recommendation available to Champion Infotel that JACITAD believes that if the bill is allowed to go to the Senate for debate, with these three broad issues at the same time, it may eventually become cumbersome for any to see the light of the day and therefore take a long time to come into effect.
“The reason is that traditionally, every clause in the Bill may have to be debated in the house before being adopted and passed into law,” the group explained.
Stressing that the adverse effect of this bottleneck “may bog down the effective running of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), or commission as the case may be.”
Besides, JACITAD noted that some of the clauses of the legal framework seem to have been adopted verbatim from a foreign environment, which places the industry at the risk of domesticating, perhaps, foreign Acts erroneously imposed in local legal framework.
Citing an instance, JACITAD said while clause 31(2)a, of the bill, provides that “a person convicted for an offence under sub section (1) shall be liable for a fine of N100,000
and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment”, clause 31(2)b states that “where as a result of the commission of an offence under subsection (1), the operation of the computer system, is impaired or data contained in the computer system is suppressed or modified, a person convicted of such offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees and to a penal servitude for a term not exceeding 20 years”.
Therefore, JACITAD observed that both rupee and “penal servitude” are not, respectively, popular currency and operating legal system in Nigeria and called for domestication of the clauses.
JACITAD is a non-governmental organization (NGO) formed in 2003 by ICT stakeholders to advance the course of ICT awareness and development in the country.
The Bill is seeking passage at the National Assembly for an Act to establish legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
The NGO in its submission to the public hearing held Monday in Abuja, said it is better to handle one at a time so as not to stifle the success or otherwise, any of the purposes of the bill since it would undergo readings and agreement from other members of the National Assembly.
Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, informed in a copy of the recommendation available to Champion Infotel that JACITAD believes that if the bill is allowed to go to the Senate for debate, with these three broad issues at the same time, it may eventually become cumbersome for any to see the light of the day and therefore take a long time to come into effect.
“The reason is that traditionally, every clause in the Bill may have to be debated in the house before being adopted and passed into law,” the group explained.
Stressing that the adverse effect of this bottleneck “may bog down the effective running of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), or commission as the case may be.”
Besides, JACITAD noted that some of the clauses of the legal framework seem to have been adopted verbatim from a foreign environment, which places the industry at the risk of domesticating, perhaps, foreign Acts erroneously imposed in local legal framework.
Citing an instance, JACITAD said while clause 31(2)a, of the bill, provides that “a person convicted for an offence under sub section (1) shall be liable for a fine of N100,000
and to a term of imprisonment of not less than 2 years, or both such fine and imprisonment”, clause 31(2)b states that “where as a result of the commission of an offence under subsection (1), the operation of the computer system, is impaired or data contained in the computer system is suppressed or modified, a person convicted of such offence shall be liable to a fine not exceeding 200,000 rupees and to a penal servitude for a term not exceeding 20 years”.
Therefore, JACITAD observed that both rupee and “penal servitude” are not, respectively, popular currency and operating legal system in Nigeria and called for domestication of the clauses.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
NGO endorses NITC, opposes member condition
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD) has endorsed the establishment of the National Information Technology Commission (NITC), just as it opposes membership of the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) as a prerequisite for top position in the commission.
Business Champion recalls that the bill seeks three core objects, namely an Act to establish a legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
In a presentation made Monday in Abuja at the public hearing of Information Technology (IT) bill 2005 sponsored by Senate Iya Abubakar, said that as long as it supports Clause 49 of the proposed bill which seeks to establish NITC, JACITAD said such a commission "should be made to be both a developmental and regulatory commission, with relevant powers to discharge its duties and deliver industry dividends."
Emphasising that the reason is that the development of the Nigerian IT sector is still at the infant level and there is need for a regulatory body that could regulate its growth effectively.
JACITAD, however, disagreed with the proponent of the bill in Clause 51 (4) where it recommended membership of CPN as a criterion for appointment into the commission, mostly the chief executive.
"JACITAD totally disagrees with this clause in proposing that the (DG) shall be a member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). We believe that membership of CPN should not be a criteria to effectively run a National Information Technology Commission" the NGO said.
According to the, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, the organisation’s view, is based on the entire Clause itself, because of what he described as the sagacity of its provisions, which tends to exclude very qualified, capable men with excellent managerial skills, under the age of 40 or 45 years of age.
The group opined that the clause negates its purpose, pointing out that experience has shown that all over the world, "thriving IT businesses and organisations are run by young and dynamic youths who are not even up to 45 years of age".
Stressing that the Bill Gates, Michael Dells of this world are perfect examples, even as locally, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Nigerian offices as well as the likes of Computer Warehouse Group and a lot of others are successful business organisations managed by young Nigerians who can also bring their wealth of experiences to bear in a commission such as is being proposed.
Insisting that to a very large extent, if the bill goes with such barriers, experts like Nigeria’ pride-Philip Emeagwali, may not be qualified to head the commission so being proposed and it could be nothing less than an unfortunate irony.
"We therefore recommend that anyone who has good managerial ability, with proven track record and good level of experience in the Information Technology sector, could be considered" the group said.
Business Champion recalls that the bill seeks three core objects, namely an Act to establish a legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
In a presentation made Monday in Abuja at the public hearing of Information Technology (IT) bill 2005 sponsored by Senate Iya Abubakar, said that as long as it supports Clause 49 of the proposed bill which seeks to establish NITC, JACITAD said such a commission "should be made to be both a developmental and regulatory commission, with relevant powers to discharge its duties and deliver industry dividends."
Emphasising that the reason is that the development of the Nigerian IT sector is still at the infant level and there is need for a regulatory body that could regulate its growth effectively.
JACITAD, however, disagreed with the proponent of the bill in Clause 51 (4) where it recommended membership of CPN as a criterion for appointment into the commission, mostly the chief executive.
"JACITAD totally disagrees with this clause in proposing that the (DG) shall be a member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). We believe that membership of CPN should not be a criteria to effectively run a National Information Technology Commission" the NGO said.
According to the, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, the organisation’s view, is based on the entire Clause itself, because of what he described as the sagacity of its provisions, which tends to exclude very qualified, capable men with excellent managerial skills, under the age of 40 or 45 years of age.
The group opined that the clause negates its purpose, pointing out that experience has shown that all over the world, "thriving IT businesses and organisations are run by young and dynamic youths who are not even up to 45 years of age".
Stressing that the Bill Gates, Michael Dells of this world are perfect examples, even as locally, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Nigerian offices as well as the likes of Computer Warehouse Group and a lot of others are successful business organisations managed by young Nigerians who can also bring their wealth of experiences to bear in a commission such as is being proposed.
Insisting that to a very large extent, if the bill goes with such barriers, experts like Nigeria’ pride-Philip Emeagwali, may not be qualified to head the commission so being proposed and it could be nothing less than an unfortunate irony.
"We therefore recommend that anyone who has good managerial ability, with proven track record and good level of experience in the Information Technology sector, could be considered" the group said.
KADCCIMA names Vmobile most hospitable teleco
Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) service provider, Vmobile Nigeria has emerged the most hospitable telecom company at the just concluded 27th edition of the Kaduna international trade fair.
The operator was also lauded by the President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) Hajia Saratu Aliyu, for participating in this year’s exhibition.
Commending the operator, Hajia Aliyu said the company’s presence at the exhibition added "a lot of colour, fun and excitant to visitors at the fair".
She expressed her delight over the ensuing relationship between Vmobile and Chamber. Saying, "I am very happy with the relationship that is growing between Vmobile and the Kaduna Chamber of commerce and pleased with the support we are receiving, we wish Vmobile more accomplishment".
She later awarded Vmobile the most hospital telecom company at the trade fair.
Responding, Vmobile Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Babatunde Ayoola, said the company’s appreciated the honour.
He also said that the award reaffirms the company’s position as being customer centric and placing the customer as key.
"By this award, Vmobile has indeed proved its pay off line, its all about you".
He further said that it is in line with the company’s vision of being a world class telco providing world class services to its numerous subscribers.
He explained that this year’s outing at the fair was "a very successful one for the as it provided the platform for further enlightenment on our expansion programme code-named project ROSE" (Rolling out Service Everywhere)".
The operator was also lauded by the President of the Kaduna Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KADCCIMA) Hajia Saratu Aliyu, for participating in this year’s exhibition.
Commending the operator, Hajia Aliyu said the company’s presence at the exhibition added "a lot of colour, fun and excitant to visitors at the fair".
She expressed her delight over the ensuing relationship between Vmobile and Chamber. Saying, "I am very happy with the relationship that is growing between Vmobile and the Kaduna Chamber of commerce and pleased with the support we are receiving, we wish Vmobile more accomplishment".
She later awarded Vmobile the most hospital telecom company at the trade fair.
Responding, Vmobile Regional Sales Manager, Mr. Babatunde Ayoola, said the company’s appreciated the honour.
He also said that the award reaffirms the company’s position as being customer centric and placing the customer as key.
"By this award, Vmobile has indeed proved its pay off line, its all about you".
He further said that it is in line with the company’s vision of being a world class telco providing world class services to its numerous subscribers.
He explained that this year’s outing at the fair was "a very successful one for the as it provided the platform for further enlightenment on our expansion programme code-named project ROSE" (Rolling out Service Everywhere)".
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
Uwaje: IT Strategist
By Remmy Nweke
Listening to Mr. Chris Uwaje at any Information Technology (IT) function, reminds one of St. John the Evangelist given his poetic and pragmatic proposals for emancipation of knowledge society based on local software development, diffusion and deployment in the country.
Uwaje who is a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS) and Institute of Analysts and Programmers (FIAP) is the helmsman at the Connect Technologies Limited, a local software engine-room known for developing Banker Enterprise, Enterprise Knowledge intelligence groupware and Enterprise Stock Master applications.
Having graduated from the University of Hamburg and British Institute of Engineering Technology specializing on Informatics, he proceeded to the Control Data Institute in Frankfurt, Germany for post-graduate qualifications; Uwaje has had over three decades on the job experience as a computer scientist, spreading the IT gospel across continents of Africa, Europe and America.
As a principal consultant and chief executive at Connect Technologies, Uwaje spends most of his time conceptualizing science and technology based projects, as well as designing the implementation, management and technological backup.
A firm believer in software revolution, especially locally designed applications, Uwaje is an advocate of Nigerian software taking the nation to the next level as the world continues to go digital. Hence he uses his software engineering antics to research, design for development, which he calls involvement in (RD & D).
An inspiration to many student software programmers, described in his words as ‘Code students,’ Uwaje currently serves as the coordinating chairman, Council for West Africa Information Technology Professionals (CWAITP).
He was two-term President, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) between 1999 and 2003; where he transformed ITAN into national and international acceptance in the scheme of IT professional groupings, especially with his input in the National IT Policy, which translated into the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) core agenda for implementation.
His influence as the first vice president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) saw him representing the president almost at every occasion within the industry. It was not surprising that he was not found wanting in the inter-ministerial committee on software development, and Presidential committee on Credit Development System.
Fellow of the Institute of Certified Professional, and a member, Institute of Management Specialist, both based in the United Kingdom, and also a member, Computer Professional (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) and former president, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria.
As the former co-chair of the National Software Development Initiative (NSDI), Chris Uwaje consults for the federal government on a number of projects, including that of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) cum NITDA, the National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), as well as Akwa Ibom State.
His input was not missing at the National Committee for the Acquisition of Computer and Electronic Technology (NACACET) and at the National Committee for Nigerian Solution on the Millennium Bug (Y2K), where he served as members.
With numerous industry papers to his credit, Uwaje is the designer cum promoter of the www.NigerianITExpert.com, a web portable and also conceptual designer of www.NigeriaITWorld.org homepage.
His managerial prowess came to the fore in 2002 when he presided over the organizing committee of the first-ever Nigerian global IT summit held in Lagos and the second leg which took place in the United States (US), a year later. He was also the chairman of “On-to-Silicon Valley with Nigerian IT delegates” to San Francisco, California in 2003.
In 2005, he authored “Globalisation of Software Development – Opportunities for Nigeria,” and serialized articles on Open Source Rain Clouds, which began in 2004. Uwaje has more than a hundred publications, including “Its Time to listen to Emeagwali and One Million Nigerians” parts 1-5; “Brain Drain Revisited”, and “Our Society Must Change”, in addition to “The Senate and Challenges of IT Legislation; Preparing for the Knowledge Economy, Imperatives of E-Commerce for Corporate Enterprise; IT and Education in Nigeria; Electronic Data Interchange – Focus on Inter-Vendor Relationship in the Computer Industry”.
The immediate past president, ITAN, once predicted in 2005, that the new vision of NITDA, under Prof. Cleopas Angaye, is capable of growing the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise in the next eight years.
He also projected that for this vision to be achieved, NITDA needs about $6 billion over the next eight years “to grow the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise” to lay the appropriate “formidable IT foundation”.
He was not short of words soon after it was announced that Nigeria has been granted $18 billion debt relief as he insisted on the investment of 50 per cent debt relief gains on IT, arguing that it should be channeled into improving the power/energy infrastructure and Information Technology (IT) in the country.
The Connect Technologies boss is proud of local software that recently, he gave a demonstration of his firm’s electronic government (e-govt) application known as ‘Enterprise e-Governance Operations Solution’ (EGOS), at the Presidency getting them excited on the performance of the solution, at a session witnessed by Presidential advisers, ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general, at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa, Abuja.
He believes the presentation was in line with the federal government’s e-strategies initiative through the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) window, which he noted, is the dream of the indigenous software developers.
On the importance of the local software solution, like EGOS, the chief architect thinks that it is a core engine for government-to-government (G2G) application based on software that is 100 per cent indigenous effort, resulting from over 26 months of research, design and development cycle.
State and local governments, to him, will reap significant administrative savings and will be able to improve programme delivery because the data necessary to measure performance will be more accurate and timely.
His desire for the sector could be summed up in this poetic assertion, “And for those who don't know, … "there is a light in the tunnel of Nigerian knowledge-gap. The wise will search for this link and drink from its wealth of exclusive knowledge in the Information Technology Domain."
N/B: This was also published in Daily Champion of Tuesday, March 7, 2006 as ICON.
Listening to Mr. Chris Uwaje at any Information Technology (IT) function, reminds one of St. John the Evangelist given his poetic and pragmatic proposals for emancipation of knowledge society based on local software development, diffusion and deployment in the country.
Uwaje who is a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS) and Institute of Analysts and Programmers (FIAP) is the helmsman at the Connect Technologies Limited, a local software engine-room known for developing Banker Enterprise, Enterprise Knowledge intelligence groupware and Enterprise Stock Master applications.
Having graduated from the University of Hamburg and British Institute of Engineering Technology specializing on Informatics, he proceeded to the Control Data Institute in Frankfurt, Germany for post-graduate qualifications; Uwaje has had over three decades on the job experience as a computer scientist, spreading the IT gospel across continents of Africa, Europe and America.
As a principal consultant and chief executive at Connect Technologies, Uwaje spends most of his time conceptualizing science and technology based projects, as well as designing the implementation, management and technological backup.
A firm believer in software revolution, especially locally designed applications, Uwaje is an advocate of Nigerian software taking the nation to the next level as the world continues to go digital. Hence he uses his software engineering antics to research, design for development, which he calls involvement in (RD & D).
An inspiration to many student software programmers, described in his words as ‘Code students,’ Uwaje currently serves as the coordinating chairman, Council for West Africa Information Technology Professionals (CWAITP).
He was two-term President, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) between 1999 and 2003; where he transformed ITAN into national and international acceptance in the scheme of IT professional groupings, especially with his input in the National IT Policy, which translated into the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) core agenda for implementation.
His influence as the first vice president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) saw him representing the president almost at every occasion within the industry. It was not surprising that he was not found wanting in the inter-ministerial committee on software development, and Presidential committee on Credit Development System.
Fellow of the Institute of Certified Professional, and a member, Institute of Management Specialist, both based in the United Kingdom, and also a member, Computer Professional (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) and former president, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria.
As the former co-chair of the National Software Development Initiative (NSDI), Chris Uwaje consults for the federal government on a number of projects, including that of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) cum NITDA, the National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), as well as Akwa Ibom State.
His input was not missing at the National Committee for the Acquisition of Computer and Electronic Technology (NACACET) and at the National Committee for Nigerian Solution on the Millennium Bug (Y2K), where he served as members.
With numerous industry papers to his credit, Uwaje is the designer cum promoter of the www.NigerianITExpert.com, a web portable and also conceptual designer of www.NigeriaITWorld.org homepage.
His managerial prowess came to the fore in 2002 when he presided over the organizing committee of the first-ever Nigerian global IT summit held in Lagos and the second leg which took place in the United States (US), a year later. He was also the chairman of “On-to-Silicon Valley with Nigerian IT delegates” to San Francisco, California in 2003.
In 2005, he authored “Globalisation of Software Development – Opportunities for Nigeria,” and serialized articles on Open Source Rain Clouds, which began in 2004. Uwaje has more than a hundred publications, including “Its Time to listen to Emeagwali and One Million Nigerians” parts 1-5; “Brain Drain Revisited”, and “Our Society Must Change”, in addition to “The Senate and Challenges of IT Legislation; Preparing for the Knowledge Economy, Imperatives of E-Commerce for Corporate Enterprise; IT and Education in Nigeria; Electronic Data Interchange – Focus on Inter-Vendor Relationship in the Computer Industry”.
The immediate past president, ITAN, once predicted in 2005, that the new vision of NITDA, under Prof. Cleopas Angaye, is capable of growing the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise in the next eight years.
He also projected that for this vision to be achieved, NITDA needs about $6 billion over the next eight years “to grow the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise” to lay the appropriate “formidable IT foundation”.
He was not short of words soon after it was announced that Nigeria has been granted $18 billion debt relief as he insisted on the investment of 50 per cent debt relief gains on IT, arguing that it should be channeled into improving the power/energy infrastructure and Information Technology (IT) in the country.
The Connect Technologies boss is proud of local software that recently, he gave a demonstration of his firm’s electronic government (e-govt) application known as ‘Enterprise e-Governance Operations Solution’ (EGOS), at the Presidency getting them excited on the performance of the solution, at a session witnessed by Presidential advisers, ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general, at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa, Abuja.
He believes the presentation was in line with the federal government’s e-strategies initiative through the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) window, which he noted, is the dream of the indigenous software developers.
On the importance of the local software solution, like EGOS, the chief architect thinks that it is a core engine for government-to-government (G2G) application based on software that is 100 per cent indigenous effort, resulting from over 26 months of research, design and development cycle.
State and local governments, to him, will reap significant administrative savings and will be able to improve programme delivery because the data necessary to measure performance will be more accurate and timely.
His desire for the sector could be summed up in this poetic assertion, “And for those who don't know, … "there is a light in the tunnel of Nigerian knowledge-gap. The wise will search for this link and drink from its wealth of exclusive knowledge in the Information Technology Domain."
N/B: This was also published in Daily Champion of Tuesday, March 7, 2006 as ICON.
Uwaje: IT Strategist
By Remmy Nweke
Listening to Mr. Chris Uwaje at any Information Technology (IT) function, reminds one of St. John the Evangelist given his poetic and pragmatic proposals for emancipation of knowledge society based on local software development, diffusion and deployment in the country.
Uwaje who is a fellow of the Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS) and Institute of Analysts and Programmers (FIAP) is the helmsman at the Connect Technologies Limited, a local software engine-room known for developing Banker Enterprise, Enterprise Knowledge intelligence groupware and Enterprise Stock Master applications.
Having graduated from the University of Hamburg and British Institute of Engineering Technology specializing on Informatics, he proceeded to the Control Data Institute in Frankfurt, Germany for post-graduate qualifications; Uwaje has had over three decades on the job experience as a computer scientist, spreading the IT gospel across continents of Africa, Europe and America.
As a principal consultant and chief executive at Connect Technologies, Uwaje spends most of his time conceptualizing science and technology based projects, as well as designing the implementation, management and technological backup.
A firm believer in software revolution, especially locally designed applications, Uwaje is an advocate of Nigerian software taking the nation to the next level as the world continues to go digital. Hence he uses his software engineering antics to research, design for development, which he calls involvement in (RD & D).
An inspiration to many student software programmers, described in his words as ‘Code students,’ Uwaje currently serves as the coordinating chairman, Council for West Africa Information Technology Professionals (CWAITP).
He was two-term President, Information Technology (Industry) Association of Nigeria (ITAN) between 1999 and 2003; where he transformed ITAN into national and international acceptance in the scheme of IT professional groupings, especially with his input in the National IT Policy, which translated into the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) core agenda for implementation.
His influence as the first vice president, Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) saw him representing the president almost at every occasion within the industry. It was not surprising that he was not found wanting in the inter-ministerial committee on software development, and Presidential committee on Credit Development System.
Fellow of the Institute of Certified Professional, and a member, Institute of Management Specialist, both based in the United Kingdom, and also a member, Computer Professional (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) and former president, Rotary International District 9110, Nigeria.
As the former co-chair of the National Software Development Initiative (NSDI), Chris Uwaje consults for the federal government on a number of projects, including that of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology (FMST) cum NITDA, the National Office for Technology Acquisition (NOTAP), as well as Akwa Ibom State.
His input was not missing at the National Committee for the Acquisition of Computer and Electronic Technology (NACACET) and at the National Committee for Nigerian Solution on the Millennium Bug (Y2K), where he served as members.
With numerous industry papers to his credit, Uwaje is the designer cum promoter of the http://www.nigerianitexpert.com/, a web portable and also conceptual designer of http://www.nigeriaitworld.org/ homepage.
His managerial prowess came to the fore in 2002 when he presided over the organizing committee of the first-ever Nigerian global IT summit held in Lagos and the second leg which took place in the United States (US), a year later. He was also the chairman of “On-to-Silicon Valley with Nigerian IT delegates” to San Francisco, California in 2003.
In 2005, he authored “Globalisation of Software Development – Opportunities for Nigeria,” and serialized articles on Open Source Rain Clouds, which began in 2004. Uwaje has more than a hundred publications, including “Its Time to listen to Emeagwali and One Million Nigerians” parts 1-5; “Brain Drain Revisited”, and “Our Society Must Change”, in addition to “The Senate and Challenges of IT Legislation; Preparing for the Knowledge Economy, Imperatives of E-Commerce for Corporate Enterprise; IT and Education in Nigeria; Electronic Data Interchange – Focus on Inter-Vendor Relationship in the Computer Industry”.
The immediate past president, ITAN, once predicted in 2005, that the new vision of NITDA, under Prof. Cleopas Angaye, is capable of growing the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise in the next eight years.
He also projected that for this vision to be achieved, NITDA needs about $6 billion over the next eight years “to grow the IT industry into a $10 billion global enterprise” to lay the appropriate “formidable IT foundation”.
He was not short of words soon after it was announced that Nigeria has been granted $18 billion debt relief as he insisted on the investment of 50 per cent debt relief gains on IT, arguing that it should be channeled into improving the power/energy infrastructure and Information Technology (IT) in the country.
The Connect Technologies boss is proud of local software that recently, he gave a demonstration of his firm’s electronic government (e-govt) application known as ‘Enterprise e-Governance Operations Solution’ (EGOS), at the Presidency getting them excited on the performance of the solution, at a session witnessed by Presidential advisers, ministers, permanent secretaries and directors general, at the Banquet Hall of Aso Villa, Abuja.
He believes the presentation was in line with the federal government’s e-strategies initiative through the Public, Private Partnership (PPP) window, which he noted, is the dream of the indigenous software developers.
On the importance of the local software solution, like EGOS, the chief architect thinks that it is a core engine for government-to-government (G2G) application based on software that is 100 per cent indigenous effort, resulting from over 26 months of research, design and development cycle.
State and local governments, to him, will reap significant administrative savings and will be able to improve programme delivery because the data necessary to measure performance will be more accurate and timely.
His desire for the sector could be summed up in this poetic assertion, “And for those who don't know, … "there is a light in the tunnel of Nigerian knowledge-gap. The wise will search for this link and drink from its wealth of exclusive knowledge in the Information Technology Domain."
N/B: This was also published in Daily Champion of Tuesday, March 7, 2006 as ICON.
Monday, March 06, 2006
NGO endorses NITC, opposes member condition
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Joint Action Committee on ICT Awareness and Development (JACITAD) has endorsed the establishment of the National Information Technology Commission (NITC), just as it opposes membership of the Computer Professionals (Registration Council) of Nigeria (CPN) as a prerequisite for top position in the commission.
ITREALMS Online recalls that the bill seeks three core objects, namely an Act to establish a legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
In a presentation made Monday in Abuja at the public hearing of Information Technology (IT) bill 2005 sponsored by Senate Iya Abubakar, said that as long as it supports Clause 49 of the proposed bill which seeks to establish NITC, JACITAD said such a commission "should be made to be both a developmental and regulatory commission, with relevant powers to discharge its duties and deliver industry dividends."
Emphasising that the reason is that the development of the Nigerian IT sector is still at the infant level and there is need for a regulatory body that could regulate its growth effectively.
JACITAD, however, disagreed with the proponent of the bill in Clause 51 (4) where it recommended membership of CPN as a criterion for appointment into the commission, mostly the chief executive.
"JACITAD totally disagrees with this clause in proposing that the (DG) shall be a member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). We believe that membership of CPN should not be a criteria to effectively run a National Information Technology Commission" the NGO said.
According to the, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, the organisation’s view, is based on the entire Clause itself, because of what he described as the sagacity of its provisions, which tends to exclude very qualified, capable men with excellent managerial skills, under the age of 40 or 45 years of age.
The group opined that the clause negates its purpose, pointing out that experience has shown that all over the world, "thriving IT businesses and organisations are run by young and dynamic youths who are not even up to 45 years of age".
Stressing that the Bill Gates, Michael Dells of this world are perfect examples, even as locally, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Nigerian offices as well as the likes of Computer Warehouse Group and a lot of others are successful business organisations managed by young Nigerians who can also bring their wealth of experiences to bear in a commission such as is being proposed.
Insisting that to a very large extent, if the bill goes with such barriers, experts like Nigeria’ pride-Philip Emeagwali, may not be qualified to head the commission so being proposed and it could be nothing less than an unfortunate irony.
"We therefore recommend that anyone who has good managerial ability, with proven track record and good level of experience in the Information Technology sector, could be considered" the group said.
ITREALMS Online recalls that the bill seeks three core objects, namely an Act to establish a legal framework for IT industry, National Information Technology Commission (NITC) and the National IT Development Fund (NITDF).
In a presentation made Monday in Abuja at the public hearing of Information Technology (IT) bill 2005 sponsored by Senate Iya Abubakar, said that as long as it supports Clause 49 of the proposed bill which seeks to establish NITC, JACITAD said such a commission "should be made to be both a developmental and regulatory commission, with relevant powers to discharge its duties and deliver industry dividends."
Emphasising that the reason is that the development of the Nigerian IT sector is still at the infant level and there is need for a regulatory body that could regulate its growth effectively.
JACITAD, however, disagreed with the proponent of the bill in Clause 51 (4) where it recommended membership of CPN as a criterion for appointment into the commission, mostly the chief executive.
"JACITAD totally disagrees with this clause in proposing that the (DG) shall be a member of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN). We believe that membership of CPN should not be a criteria to effectively run a National Information Technology Commission" the NGO said.
According to the, Mr. Prince Osuagwu, Acting Secretary General of JACITAD, the organisation’s view, is based on the entire Clause itself, because of what he described as the sagacity of its provisions, which tends to exclude very qualified, capable men with excellent managerial skills, under the age of 40 or 45 years of age.
The group opined that the clause negates its purpose, pointing out that experience has shown that all over the world, "thriving IT businesses and organisations are run by young and dynamic youths who are not even up to 45 years of age".
Stressing that the Bill Gates, Michael Dells of this world are perfect examples, even as locally, Microsoft, IBM, HP, Nigerian offices as well as the likes of Computer Warehouse Group and a lot of others are successful business organisations managed by young Nigerians who can also bring their wealth of experiences to bear in a commission such as is being proposed.
Insisting that to a very large extent, if the bill goes with such barriers, experts like Nigeria’ pride-Philip Emeagwali, may not be qualified to head the commission so being proposed and it could be nothing less than an unfortunate irony.
"We therefore recommend that anyone who has good managerial ability, with proven track record and good level of experience in the Information Technology sector, could be considered" the group said.
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