NIXP, a plus for Nigeria

Features of the week:

SIX months after the end of the two phased World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-05), Nigeria seems to be on the right track in implementing the Tunis outline with the setting up of the Nigeria Internet Exchange Point (NIXP), writes REMMY NWEKE.

PREAMBLE

On November 17 at the last phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS-05) in Tunisia, when President Olusegun Obasanjo declared his administration’s interest in the development of the nation’s Internet Exchange Point (IXP), most industry analysts took it for another political rhetoric.

Still he immediately directed that a meeting be held with the members of his delegation comprising the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and Director General, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Prof. Cleopas Officer Angaye, and relevant organizations at the summit to facilitate this quest as soon as possible.

President Obasanjo who was in Tunis for the world summit gave the directive after a session on Internet Exchange Point and infrastructural development.

As said then by Dr. Ndukwe, after a session on Global Symposium for Regulators during the WSIS-05, his office would endeavour to meet with the presidential directive, and despite that he did not give a definite date when this would take off, EVC on return took relevant steps for a successful take-off of the IXP, saying that it would improve Internet adoption and usability in the country, just as it would reduce the cost of access to the common people.

Although Nigeria has observed various evolutions in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in last five years, yet the nation has one known IXP, the Ibadan exchange, which has been up for over a year but suffered lack of patronage from members of the Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN).

However, President Obasanjo’s motives were not far from aligning itself with the agreed clause in Article 50b of WSIS on “Tunis Agenda,” which identified IXP as a key to cheap internet penetration and called for the strategic development of IXP to ensure affordable global connectivity and improve equitable access for all citizens.

What is IXP

Internet Exchange Point (IXP) is defined as a physical network infrastructure operated by a single entity whose purpose is to facilitate the exchange of Internet traffic between ISPs, which entails a minimum of three ISPs to be connected to each other.

Noteworthy is that at present, local internet traffic is exchanged outside the country, often across several hops with the associated high cost of service delivery which limits internet penetration and local-content distribution, along with security risks, and the potential increase in congestion of international access circuits which could negatively affect Quality of Service (QoS).

Hops on the other hand is one file transmission in a series required to get a file from point A to point B on a store-and-forward network; an important inter-machine metric is the number of hops in the shortest path between them, which could be more significant than their geographical separation.

Nigerian IXP

And on April 14, this year, NCC board approved a proposal to fund the setting-up of a Nigerian Internet Exchange Points (IXPs) in the country, on behalf of the federal government, in collaboration with ISPAN to achieve this objective, of which it would operate on a not-for-profit platform.

The main objective of having a Nigerian IXP (NIXP) is to keep and interchange local Nigerian internet traffic such as electronic mail (e-mail), download of local website content, file transfers via File Transfer Protocol (FTP) among others, within the country and allow only international traffic to be exchanged at off-shore points.

NIXP, an outcome of the NCC organised consultative meeting on February 28 this year with the key industry stakeholders at its Abuja office, culminated in setting up of an industry cum implementation committee to further discuss and chart a way forward for the rapid establishment of the IXP in the country.

Members of the committee consist of the chief executive of Amsco Telecoms and Vice President of ISPAN, Mr. Ndukwe Kalu, who was also appointed the Committee Chairman. Others to serve with him are chief executive, Medallion Communications Limited, Mr. Ike Nnamani, Chief Business Development Officer at Interconnect Clearing House Nigeria Limited, Mr. Tosin Oni, Head, Content Department, Emperion West Africa, Mr. Femi Adalemo, Deputy General Manager (DGM) Internet Services at the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Mr. Olayinka T. Abiodun, Assistant Director, Licensing, NCC, Mr. Abubakar Yakubu, and Deputy Manager, Technical Research and Standards NCC, Mr. Chris Agha.

Equally the IXPs would be built in phases beginning with seven (7) branches to be located in Lagos, with main-branch at NECOM House, and additional two sites at Ikeja and Victoria Island. Other branches would be located at Ibadan, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Abuja, Kano and Maiduguri, covering the six geo-political zones of the nation; after which further sites could be built as may be required.

As said by the Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Dave Imoko, lately, all sites would be linked using high capacity Internet Protocol (IP) backbone of over 100 Mega bites (Mbs), just as the commission has also approved the appointment of Digitek TeeVee Engineering Co. Limited, to manage the implementation of the first phase of the IXP project in Lagos.

NIXA

NIXP to be managed by the Nigeria Internet Exchange Association (NIXA) according to the implementation committee chairman, would operate as a non-profit, cost recovery and neutral facility model.

Mr. Kalu, also said that NIXA would be based on three-layer organizational structure, comprising board of trustees, board of directors and management, as promised it would be run in accordance with the nation’s statutes for a company limited by guarantee as its activities would be steered by men and women of integrity.

Speaking at the just ended one-day IXPs’ stakeholders meeting in Lagos, Mr. Kalu noted that NIXP though would have a management and a total of three employees at this initial stage, consisting of the chief executive officer, sales and marketing manager and the finance manager, whose recruitment have reached an advanced stage, to ensure smooth operations.

He emphasized that relevant documentations have been developed in conjunction with a law firm, Ekpe Iko & Co. These include constitution, memorandum of understanding, mandatory multilateral peering agreement, connection form, associate member agreement, associate member connection form, joining procedure, appeal procedure dispute resolution, partnership programme, fee schedule, services definition and membership form.

ISPAN Commitment: Responding to questions on the NIXP, President of ISPAN and chief executive of Steineng Limited, Mr. Sam Adeleke, said that already, about seven (7) members of the association have really committed themselves to this project. He assured that there are two medium to be deployed at each of the IXP branches that is wireless and fibre links, as he also counseled members to support the project, noting that those who have problems with trusting others are those who have something to hide.

Conclusion

The steps taken so far depicts the kind of seriousness the present day government attaches to ICT and Internet evolution to be precise, thus the efforts must not be allowed to fail, given the PPP between NCC on behalf of the government and ISPAN representing the private sector.

This kind of partnership is what stakeholders have been yelling for over the years and now that it is here together with the kind of support the government is ready to offer, ISPAN membership on the other hand, must ensure that the efforts are optimized for local content to thrive as noted by the President, Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi, in a recent chat with correspondent. Hence, it would lead to reduction of cost of bandwidth and then, “the Internet exchange would thrive”.

Before you send that PIN numbers

By Remmy Nweke

RECENTLY, Ms Ngozi, a factory worker in a Lagos suburb, Isolo, received a call from unknown fellow who claimed her Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) phone number was provided to him by her relative residing abroad for a possible contact on arrival in the country and to give her some foreign currencies for upkeeps.

She definitely jumped at the offer by agreeing to meet with the fellow in two days time at an address to be disclosed later. But before the day runs off the same fellow called again to reassure her that the ‘gift’ was intact.

A day to the meeting, another call was received by Ms Ngozi to restate confidence on the proposed deal.

However, on the d-day, Ngozi woke very early to a phone call from the same fellow reminding her of the day’s business with a clause that he is stocked somewhere, invariably outside Lagos that would require him to pay between N5,000 and N10,000, an estimated $50 and $90, in order to find his way to the city, change the foreign currency and settle her.

In essence, she was asked to buy a recharge card of N5,000 and above, scratch off the sliver coated colour on top of the Personal Identification Number (PIN) codes, and send to him to be sold and then have local currency, with which to make it back to Lagos, where the foreign currency could be exchanged, even as a make up would be provided for the value of recharge card PIN sent.

Basic questions for anybody who receives this kind of call should include the reason behind such a fellow – caller – decision to see her two days after arrival, instead of asking that they meet at the international airport, for instance, where such currency could be changed instantly.

Secondly, the possibility of traveling to rural area without sufficient plan financially should not be taken for granted.

However, it is advisable that whoever is behind this plot has some private information about you, therefore must have known you.

The first thing to do on getting such a call, is to put a call to whoever was purposed to had sent the money via the caller, in order to even ascertain if actually something was sent to you and what was the exact message value herein.

Though the appropriate thing to do is to report suspicious moves or callers to the nearest police station, yet self alert is very crucial.

Above all, be on guide as that is the only way to detect such plots on time, so as to avoid being a victim, like Ms. Ngozi, who eventually realized too late after sending the required recharge PIN codes of the value she could afford, only to be told by the receiver when next she called that he did not know what she, Ngozi, was talking about and in fact, that the line she called is a business center.

Teledom takes new solutions to CTO-06

By Remmy Nweke

Wireless broadband solution provider, Teledom Group, has concluded plans take some new solutions to this year’s Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO) expo holding in Lagos.

CTO-06 is slated for May 15 through 19 at the Muson Center, Onikan-Lagos.

Champion Infotel gathered that Teledom Group, would use the expo to unveil its own brand of Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Television and monitors, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) fax terminal, as well as tabletop GSM handsets along with its locally developed software, UNIPORTAL and Education Management Information System, (EMIS).

Confirming this, the Public Affairs Manager, Teledom Group, Mr. Segun Ogunnaike said that the new products were response to the huge demand in the local market.

According to him, these products were borne out of Teledom’s desire to make life pleasurable for Nigerians.

“They are coming due to the dexterity of our Research and Development team, in response to the yearning of its numerous customers cutting across public, private and Institutional sectors,” he declared.

He explained that the Teledom’s brand of LCD TV, comes in various sizes ranging from 20” to 42”.

He also said that the firm’s locally developed software, EMIS 1.0 and UNIPORTAL 1.0, are products meant to address issues in the educational sector.

“EMIS 1.0 caters for the interest of all stakeholders in secondary education. That is, the owners, teachers, parents and the students, through its enhanced capabilities of result processing/checking, fees processing and database management,” he asserted.

Stressing that UNIPORTAL 1.0, on the other hand is a custom-built portal for universities and higher institutions as integrated web-based management software, aimed at achieving effective administration of the university system.

“It combines a student end, library end, registry end, bank end and the Vice-Chancellor end to form a multi-user uni-portal for efficient administration of universities and other higher institutions,” he stated.

Mr. Ogunnaike also said being in line with the mission of the company, vast experience in technology infrastructural support, Teledom would also demonstrate at CTO 2006 how it has integrated the engineering processes, hardware and software from world renowned companies such as Alvarion, Infosmart, VCON and its Nigerian subsidiaries Web In Solutions and Technology Development Company in offering highly efficient turnkey IT solutions.

Poverty hampers broadcast taxes in Africa – Report

By Remmy Nweke

THE level of poverty on the continent may have contributed immensely to the inability of the populace to accept the evolution of paying specifically for their radio and television broadcast taxes, according to a research conducted by an online newshound, ITRealms Online, recently

The research had respondents across the continent including Malawi, Tanzania, South Africa as well as Nigeria among others.

Investigations revealed that in a country like Uganda, such taxes were supposed to take off as at August 1, 2005, but was scrapped by the Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, in order not to burden the already impoverished populace further.

A respondent and lecturer, Department of Mass Communication, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, Ms Sara Namusoga, noted the scrapping was to save the populace from another tax burden.

In South Africa, for instance, the populace according to the research findings showed only pay tax for TV, currently. Although before now, radio tax was being collected by the South African Post and Telecommunications, that was, prior to restructuring of the polity.

As at date the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) collects taxes for television licenses.

The research also touched ground in Tanzania, where it was learnt that radio or TV owners do not pay taxes for usage in the country.

“Since independence in 1961, there has not been any tax changed for radio or tv,” a respondent, Mr. Emmanuel Onyango, was quoted in the report.

In recent times, especially in 1990s, there was one national radio station in Tanzania before the liberalization of the media sector in 1992.

Scrapping of such taxes as radio and tv in the Tanzanian’s government was to reduce the poverty level of her citizens.

He further described plans to introduce taxes, if any as unimaginable for now in a place like Tanzania.

Also in the East African country of Malawi, the ITRealms Online research indicated that few Malawian media practitioners could afford to pay taxes on their radio and television sets equally due to poverty level and disparity in the income.

Additionally, those who managed to own TV sets, mostly reside in the cities whereas there is no distinctive radio policy for taxation in the country.

The report also quoted Ms Rebecca Chimjeka, as saying that though the government has began talks on the issue of tax but only for the radio, for instance.

“But it could take a long time to permeate the system by way of drafting the policy and implementation,” she submitted.

NNVS to honour Nigerians in Diaspora, seeks nomination

By Remmy Nweke

Nigerian National Volunteer Service (NNVS) would honour some members of Nigerians in Diaspora Organization (NIDO), who significantly contributed to the growth of development in the country such as in the area of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), at the first Nigerian Diaspora Day (NDD) slated to hold in Abuja in July.

NNVS is under the office of the Secretary to the federation is collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, with this year’s theme on “Bridging the Digital and Scientific Divides: Forging Partnerships with the Nigerian”.

Coordinator at NNVS and chairman, Local Organising Committee (LOC), Mr. Joe Keshi disclosed this in a letter seeking nominations from members of NIDO worldwide titled “Recognizing and celebrating the Nigerians Diaspora” would come in form of “Presidential Nigerian Diaspora Award”.

He also said in the letter addressed to presidents and chairmen of NIDO in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, that on July 25, Nigeria would for the first time mark the Nigerian Diaspora Day.

“It is a Day declared to draw attention to Nigerians in the Diaspora as stakeholders in the Nigerian Project, recognize their contributions to national development and celebrate their individual and collective success,” he stated.

The Diaspora Day, he further said, would be marked with a number of activities, including the second Science conference, along parallel workshops comprising that on project collaboration, execution and some other events of interest to the NIDO.

The LOC chairman equally noted that NDD is part of the efforts of the government to mobilize and encourage the participation of the NIDO members in development process thereby providing them ample opportunities to contribute to the transformation of the country into a modern industrialized nation.

Already, Mr. Keshi said, a number of Nigerians in the Diaspora are now involved in small and large investments in the country which are bound to impact positively on the society.

“Some are involved in capacity building and a large number continue to carry out humanitarian missions to Nigeria to provide much needed medical relief, especially to people in the rural areas,” he asserted. He cited an instance that in the last three years, more than 30 medical missions have been undertaken to Nigeria, especially from America.

And in furtherance of government’s envisaged partnership for nation’s building, he said, there is need for the involvement of a critical mass of professionals from the diaspora.

“Nigerians must recognize that they and nobody else, will develop the country and this could be accomplished through the joint establishment of businesses, industries and building the appropriate capacities including leadership,” he said.

As such, he pointed out that efforts are being made to identify, recognize and celebrate the contributions of those who are already engaged in one development efforts or the other.

To this end, LOC is seeking nomination as a way of recognizing those who contributed significantly starting this year.

Other initiative, according to him, is first a compilation of annual activities, including investments of NIDO members, along with the institution of a Presidential Nigerian Diaspora Award.

“While the compendium is to highlight the growing contributions of Nigerians in the Diaspora and illustrate their increasing participation in the affairs of Nigeria, the Presidential Award is to accord due recognition to the immense contributions being made by Nigerians abroad to the socio-economic development of the country,” he said.

LOC, therefore seeks nomination of Nigerian professionals or organizations’ activities so far carried out in the country, location, focus, impact and cost, which could either be completed or on-going.

For the Presidential award, LOC requested identification and nomination of NIDO members whose projects, programme and activities specifically focused in the country that worth recognition.

Deadline for submission of nominations, the coordinator informed, is June 30 and could be facilitated via joekeshi@nnvs-ng.org.

20 foreign firms for Card Expo

By Remmy Nweke

OVER 20 international e-payment solution companies have confirmed their participation at the 6th edition of Card Expo and Conferences scheduled to hold next month in Lagos.

Conference Director, Intermarc Consulting, organizer of the annual event, Mrs. Onajite Regha, informed that these companies have registered and would exhibit at the three day event, noting that this latest development has shown that Nigeria is ready for e-payment services.

According to her, the event billed to take place between June 14 and 17 would witness participation of Altech, Fundamo, Itex Pty and ATM Africa from South Africa, Diebold and Oberthur from Dubai, Verifone from the United Kingdom, Muhlbauer from Germany and NPC from Egypt.

Others include Axalto from France, Lipman from Isreal, Orga from Germany and CardsNow from Malaysia

She said Lipman in conjunction with Itex Pty, south Africa, would showcase its ranges of POS terminals at the expo. Lipman’s range of Point of Sale (POS) terminals comprises of a suite of NURIT and Dione product that incorporate top-level security, advanced technology and superb quality to provide retailers with a comprehensive, future-proof solution.

Equally, Muhlbauer in conjunction with SecureID, their local representative in the country, will be displaying latest state of the art personalisation competencies in bank, government and SIM cards at the show.

Axalto, the French firm and the world’s leading provider of microprocessor cards and a major supplier of point-of-sale terminals, would also storm the expo with its range of high-tech products and services.

ATM Africa and their counterparts from China, GRG Banking Group, will also be at the fare to showcase latest ATM technology using the asian models that have worked successfully in south Africa.

With a full range of self-service, software, security/facility, and card-based products, as well as consulting and support services, Diebold, the foremost Dubai firm would storm the expo with its products and services.

With sales above 600 million dollars in 2005, Oberthur Card Systems one of the world’s leading providers of card-based solutions, software and applications including SIM and multi-application smart cards as well as services ranging from consulting to personalization.

It is interesting to note that these foreign companies are to join about 30 other reputable Nigerian epayment and card companies being led by Interswitch limited at the show.

Meanwhile Intermarc Consulting has announced that Card Expo 2006 will feature card, e-payment, interoperability integration, switching and new business.

ICT4D action plan due in September

Remmy Nweke

FINAL draft of the National Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Strategic Action Plan, otherwise known as ICT4D, is due for completion in September this year.

Indications to this effect, follows the recent review of the draft 2 by a renowned ICt consultant commissioned by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), Prof. Clement Dzidonu.

The Action Plan is the government’s response at having practicable and sustainable plans to execute specific ICT policies in all sectors of national life from health, national security to education and agriculture among others.

The ICT Strategic committee oversees the draft and is led by chief executive officer of Alteq (ICT) Limited, Dr Armstrong Takang, who took over from Prof A. Adekunle of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), who has since been given another national assignment.

The draft when finalized is expected to provide the roadmap for the nation’s entry into the Information Society, offering strategic guidance on the deployment of ICT in all sectors, and help harmonise various private and public sector ICT initiatives towards attaining the goals of the NEEDS, Nigeria’s socio-economy vision.

The committee, which meets this week in Abuja, would further review work level so far. Briefing members at its last meeting Prof. Dzidonu assured the leadership of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) that the committee will not only complete the assignment but would achieve the utmost result.

He said that the UN perceives Nigeria as a major component of Africa and that ICT development in the country will impact greatly on other nations on the continent.

Prof. Dzidonu equally recalled the contributions of the pioneering Director General (DG) of NITDA, late Prof. Gabriel Ajayi in the development of ICT Ghana, which he is committed to pay back.

It could be recollected that the Minister of Science and Technology, Prof Isoun Turner initially constituted the committee almost three years ago with members drawn from cross sections of the society, cutting across the academia, the private sector, federal ministries and agencies, civil societies and the media, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) and the Computer Professional Registrations Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN).

It was also gathered that work slowed down owing to inadequate funding to finance the various programmes designed by the different sub-committees that make up the committee, but the committee’s work was re-energised as a result of the UNECA support.

The sub-committees include Human Resource Development, ICT Popularization & Deployment in Rural Areas, Infrastructure, National Security & Law Enforcement, Health and Commerce among others.

Members and resource persons include Mr. Adeolu Odusote, Prof. Charles Akinyokun of Bell of Bell University, Dr John Dada of Fauntsuam Foundation, Imo Ukpong of Oracle, Dalhatu Hamza of the US Embassy, Dipo Bali, Ajibola Ajijola of the Presidency, Vincent Olatunji of NITDA, Segun Oruame of Knowledge Media, Mr. S.A. Adedeji, and Dr. Ado Danusa among others.

The resource person in each sub-committee is expected to work with the head of the sub-committee and members to produce the draft document.

Nokia unveils 3 phones @ Soweto

... Says no plant for Nigeria yet
By Remmy Nweke, just back from SA

[Caption: L-R, Senior Vice President, Customer and Market Operations, Mr. Timo Toikkanen, Director Strategy and Business Development for New Markets, Mr. Petteri Terho with Ms Tania Steenkamp Communications Manager all of Nokia at the event.]

Leading phone manufacturer, Nokia, has unveiled three Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) phones, at the South-Western Township, otherwise known as Soweto in South Africa.

This came as Nokia said it has no immediate future plan to establish a manufacturing plant on the continent, let alone Nigeria, where it sold estimated 1 billion mobile phones as at last September.

The three new mobile phones unveiled included Nokia 26010, 2310 and 1112 respectively, which the telco said would boost its penetration of the African markets.

Described as the 2006 Nokia Experience Mobility show, the event heralded the introduction of three level mobile phones for first time users.

These new phones to be made available in the market by next month, June, would sell between $55 and $90, that is, about N7,061 and N11,554

Senior Vice President, Customer and Market Operations for Middle East and Africa (MEA) at Nokia, Mr. Timo Toikkanen, the launch was in the bid to expand Nokia’s market presence on the continent, even as the three new entrants are within the easy-to-use, reliable and affordable mobile phones categories.

Nokia 2610 phone, he said, offers an iconic design and a strong range of features for business-minded consumers, via its electronic mail (e-mail) support as well as mobile Internet access through a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) browser.

In addition, Nokia 2610, supports Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Nokia Xpress Audio Messaging, recording and editing messages on the go, to name a few.

Nokia 2310, the senior vice president, who was accompanied by Director, Strategy and Business Development at Nokia Networks, Mr. Petteri Terho, and Vice President Sales and Market Operations for MEA, Mr. Tomi Paatsila, said it’s for those with a mind for fashion and music.

With dedicated short-cut key for the in-built FM radio, Nokia 2310 also comes with the “sound visualization” features, which include graphics that move in sync with the music, thus keeping in tune with consumer desires, while offering polyphonic and Media Player (MP3)-grade ring tones.

For the Nokia 1112 phone, Mr. Toikkanen pointed out that it’s manufactured with special emphasis on ease-of-use, availing users to interface by making use of graphical icons and large font sizes to make user navigation simple for first-time mobile phone users.

Timekeeping is another made convenient with the speaking clock and alarm, which announces the time in a range of local languages.

It would be recalled that fortnight ago, Nokia also launched another three sets of mobile phones in its Nokia Nseries in Berlin and Hong Kong respectively.

Digital Village to host Youth Agenda-06

By Remmy Nweke

Lagos Digital Village (LDV) in partnership with the Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN) has advanced plans to host Nigerian youth to its annual ‘Youth Agenda’ 2006 forum.

Sponsored by the Heinrich Boll Foundation (HBF), the Youth Agenda 2006 has the theme, “ICTs for Rural Development (ICT4RD)”. This development is coming as deadline for submission of applications draw nearer.

Programme Manager, Lagos Digital Village, Mr. Gbenga Sesan informed correspondent that this is in alliance with the vision of the village to raise, “a new generation of Nigerian youth who are well equipped with appropriate Information Technology (IT) skills and are well positioned for personal development, nation building and global participation.”

Beyond LDV’s traditional training, he said, the village hosts young people who may be computer literate but wish to explore additional opportunities that Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) offers.

Mr. Sesan, noted that one of such discussions is delivered in partnership with Paradigm Initiative Nigeria (PIN), and it introduces youth to possible application of their ICT knowledge in nation building.

Dubbed “Youth Agenda”, the forum is expected to assemble between 30 and 50 young people to discuss thematic issues that would be pre-defined before their selection from a pool of interested youth.

He also said that this year, the forum would discuss holistically, the approach in the use of ICTs for rural development.

And working with local youth leaders, Youth Agenda 2006, would consider the effective model of “Village Resource/Knowledge Centres” that could grow into “Digital Villages” and also serve the purpose of meeting Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for their local community.

According to the programme manager, LDV current mission was inspired by the MSSRF Knowledge Centres in India along with the Mission 2007 project.

“We will discuss possible ICT-enabled projects for rural community volunteers such as Community Newspapers and Information Centers,” he said.

While expressing gratitude to HBF for the sponsorship, Mr. Sesan also said that LDV is now accepting applications from qualified youth who are already active in their local communities, especially those who work outside the popular urban centers that are already open to numerous project support opportunities.

He emphasized that selected project representatives will bear their cost of traveling and accommodation while in Lagos, while application should include a resume and cover letter of about 500 words, providing detail of works and activities so far, even as it should be sent to yagenda@lagosdigitalvillage.org.ng, just as applications must be received before 12noon on Saturday, May 13, 2006.

MTS introduces incentives, moves to new office

By Remmy Nweke

FINALLY, the pioneer wireless telephone operator, MTSFirst has commenced full operation at its new corporate headquarters located at Alfred Rewane Road, Ikoyi-Lagos.

ITRealms Online, recalled that early April had reported exclusively the move to the new office located new the British Council at Falomo.

This confirms that MTS has moved from IMB Plaza on Akin Adesola Road, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Head, public relations at MTS, Mr. Akin Fadeyi in a press statement said the company’s new corporate head office is now located on Alfred Rewane Road, formerly known as Kingsway Road Ikoyi, Lagos.

He quoted the Chief Marketing Officer, Ms. Uche Ofodile as saying that the relocation was geared towards enhancing more visibility for the MTS brand and also enable it cope with the growing rate of its daily operations.

According to her, it is also part of the company’s overall repositioning strategy to gain access advantage in the face of existing competition and challenges in the industry.

“We are certain this has been achieved through the relocation of our corporate head office to the business district of Ikoyi.” Ofodile declared.

Meanwhile, MTSFirst is offering the first hundred customers to activate a line in the new office a gift package.

This is aimed at keeping faith with the company’s widely acknowledged customer-centric tradition.

And to make good its promise, the company presented a gift to the first caller to activate a line at the new corporate headquarters in Ikoyi on Thursday 4th May, 2006.

The customer, Prince Gbolahan Laja, a Lagos based businessman, activated an MTS phone line and walked away with a token of appreciation from the company.

Ms Ofodile, while presenting the gift reiterated the company’s unwavering commitment to a world class customer care delivery as the company continues in its aggressive roll-out campaign to cover over 20 cities before the end of 2006.

It will be recalled that in line with the new vision and mission of the company, MTS recently unveiled a new corporate identity at the Federal Palace Hotel, Ahmadu Bello way, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The event was attended by top government representatives, the company’s board members and many captains of industry.

Shareholders inject N1,7 bn in Starcomms

By Remmy Nweke

SHAREHOLDERS of the leading telecommunications company, Starcomms Limited has injected additional $14 million, about N1,793,890,000 billion, as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the firm.

This is coming after a year Starcomms’ shareholders had invested estimated $42 million in January 2005.

Chief Executive of Starcomms, Mr. Maher Qubain said the injection would enable the company to embark on aggressive marketing and expansion across all the states where it has operations.

The expansion plan would include Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt among others.

“We are trying to double capacity in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, even as more base stations are expected to be announced soon,” he declared.

According to him, significant investment has been made in the company by its investors and the management is not leaving any stone unturned in ensuring adequate delivery of quality services.

The shareholders at the occasion was represented by Mr. Hywel Rees-Jones of Actis Nigeria Limited, said that they are satisfied with the level of roll-out development by the company and that is more reason the shareholders decided to inject more fund into the telco.

This, he said, would help Starcomms to continue making stride in its innovative services to the Nigerian people.

“The facility is to further boost Starcomms presence in the country,” he asserted.

Equally commenting, the chairman, Starcomms board of directors, Chief Maan Lababidi, noted that the capital injection demonstrated that the new investors who came on board in 2005 had full confidence in both the management of the telco and development of telecommunications sector in the country.

This gives credence to the sector’s recognition as one of the fastest growing market in the world.

Starcomms already has operations in Lagos, Kano, Maiduguri and Port Harcourt with over 300,000 active subscribers, even as the firm plans to enter more states before the end of this year.

Founded in 1996, Starcomms Limited, a privately held company is supported as shareholders by the Agro Industrial Investment and Development S.A. (AIID), Actis and EMP Africa Management LP.

AIID, an investment company with interest in telecommunications and hotels across the continent and Middle East, has immense interest in Africa.

Another shareholder, Actis, has over 55 years experience in investment in emerging market with particular interest in Africa, China, Malaysia and South Asia. Actis has over currently over $3.0 billion in funds under management.

While the EMP is a leading private equity fund manager targeting Africa and manages currently four private equity funds to the tune of $730 million committed capital.