NIGERIA AGAIN SWOOP AWARDS AT HIGHWAY AFRICA-06

Remmy Nweke in Grahamstown, South Africa

Nigeria has this year swoop for the second time the African media awards on Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) at the 10th Highway Africa (HA) conference held in Grahamstown , South Africa , carting away six out of the 22 total awards.

It would be recalled that last year, Nigeria got over six awards at HA, especially through the African Information Society Initiative (AISI).

The awards which came in two folds included the SABC-Highway Africa Awards for Innovative Use of New Media in Africa and AISI.

While the HA awards were organised by Journalism Department of Rhodes University, Grahamstown, South Africa in partnership with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) in recognition and promotion of creative, innovative and appropriate use of new media technology on the continent, AISI was put together by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) based in Ethiopia.

Both awards were presented simultaneously at a ceremony well-attended at the Guy Berger Auditorium, Grahamstown, Tuesday night.

Leading the pack in this year’s awards at HA-06 is the Editor, ITRealms Online and Senior Reporter on ICT with Daily Champion Group of Newspapers Lagos-Nigeria and pioneer member of the Highway Africa News Agency (HANA) editorial team, Mr. Remmy Nweke, who took the cap as the HANA Journalist of the Year and was presented with Fujitsu/Siemens laptop and a souvenir.

It would be recalled that Mr. Nweke, who has won several international media awards was nominated as the first Nigerian in the HANA team since 2003 and has been consistent and a boost to the agency, which specialises in ICT information dissemination for the purpose of African renaissance through the media, according to the Executive Director, Highway Africa, Mr. Chris Kabwato.

This is coming as 2006 is the first time HA instituted the best staff award to further boost ICT reportage on the continent.

Also, five other Nigerians, namely Mr. Don Pedro Aganbi of the ICT Africa on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA network), Mr. Emmanual Okwuke of New Age and Ms. Evelyn Tagbo, as well as Mr. Chima Akwaja of Financial Standards, Mr. Segun Oruame of ITEdge, equally emerged first and second category winners in the AISI awards.

However, Cameroon got four out of the total awards for grab at HA-06.

In addition, the SABC-HA award on individual/student category went to David Kezio-Musoke a HANA journalist from Uganda, while the non-profit category was grabbed by Jo’s Toolkit, a website created for student and grassroots media created by two fourth-year new media students, Carly Riz and Gregor Rohrig, even as the corporate award went to Andnetwork (African News Dimension’s Network).

In addition, the SABC-HA award on individual/student category went to David Kezio-Musoke a HANA journalist from Uganda, while the non-profit category was grabbed by Jo’s Toolkit, a website created for student and grassroots media created by two fourth-year new media students, Carly Riz and Gregor Rohrig, even as the corporate award went to Andnetwork (African News Dimension’s Network).

While Nigeria took the first categories in the AISI-GTZ Media awards on promoting the Information Society (IS) on TV, AISI-IDRC award on Reporting on ICT policy and AISI-OSIWA reporting on ICTs and Rural communities, Nigeria also got the second categories AISI-IICD award on local content and local content applications in that order.

Cameroon, on the other hand, went home with the first prize AISI-GTZ awards on promoting the Information Society, through Ms Marie Noelle Guichi and Ms Bapidi-Mbom Didier Parfait on print and radio respectively.

While also Mr Roger Taakam and Ms Jeanine Fankam emerged first in the local content as well as reporting on research and innovation categories in that order.

Uganda, nevertheless, got two winners in the first and second categories of AISI-OSIWA best female reporter and reporting on research and innovation through Ms Ester Nakkazi and Mr. David Muwanga respectively.

Other countries that won in the single categories at the AISI awards include Ghanaian Jacob Kofi Mensah who took second category on Promoting IS for print, Kenyan Eric Ombok also on second category on radio. Equally, Algerian Laid Zaghlami came first in the local content applications, Malian Salif Sanogo came second on promoting IS on Tv, with Mr. Guedegbe Gerard of Benin coming second category in Reporting on ICTs and rural communities and Zambian Timothy Kasonde Kasolo also coming second in Reporting on ICT policy.

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Anti-MOPHTI: Who hosts the CEIR?

As the strategies for combating mobile phone theft heightens in the country, REMMY NWEKE in this report asks, who would host the database, otherwise known as the Centralised Equipment Identity Register (CEIR)?

RETURNING from Victoria Island one Monday afternoon, Mr. Asup Ukwo, was exhausted when he boarded a bus to Oshodi-Lagos from Obalende on the way to his office located at Isolo Industrial Estate.

Before reaching the bus terminus at Oshodi, he catched on some sleep and in the process a ‘smart’ co-passenger capitalized on that when his Siemens C65 fell off his trouser pocket and the phone was gone.

By the time he woke up at Oshodi-Oke and every one was also disembarking, he realized his handset was missing.

Narrating his ordeal to our correspondent recently, Mr. Ukwo said that was the fifth phone he had lost in three months.

Additionally in an open office located at Mainland, a mobile phone mysteriously developed legs recently when one of the staff left his phone while charging to buy a top-up voucher across the road.

By the time he returned in less than 10 minutes later, his Sagem MyX3 phone was nowhere to be found.

The other day at the Computer Village Ikeja-Lagos, a little drama ensued when telecom a subscriber who had his Panasonic mobile phone stolen was directed to search for it at the market, due to its peculiarity.

His visit paid off as he was able to discover his phone among several others and his checks also confirmed it was his stolen Panasonic, the previous day.

Promptly, the customer invited the Police, who took both the seller and phone into custody, pending when the customer was certified the true owner of the mobile phone.

Also, Mr. Chuks was at the Computer Village recently to buy a digital camera. As he was about to pay, he received a call from his wife, afterwards, he left his phone on the counter before a sales girl and the camera. On his return to that spot, about four steps apart, his Samsung flip mobile phone was gone till date.

To this end, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), based on inundated complaints regarding high incidence of theft of mobile handsets nationwide, first invited memorandum from stakeholders.

Following this estimated 11 submissions were received from Newstream Technologies Limited, National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers (NATCOMS), Hummingbird Limited, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), NetVisa, XIUS, Akin-Ruby Ventures Limited, Cornerstone Cardinal Links, GSM Subscribers and Product Distributors Association, Engr. O.O. Oyediran and L-Obyo Obyo Nelson.

According to the Head, Public Affairs at NCC, Mr. Dave Imoko, in order to address the issue motivated the commission to organize a one-day consultation with stakeholders on “National Scheme to Curtail the Theft of Mobile phones” at the MUSON Centre, Onikan-Lagos.

“In order to galvanise ideas that would assist the commission come up with a scheme that would provide an effective, efficient and feasible means of curtailing the menace both within and around Africa,” NCC spokesman said.

For the management of Newstream Technologies, who had earlier proposed the Anti-Mobile Phone Theft Initiative (Anti-MOPHTI), just as it opted to host the database, also known as the Centralized Equipment Identity Register (CEIR).

This, the firm said, would be accessible to the four Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) operators in the country.

“So that stolen phones could now be barred on all networks by reference to the phone’s unique identifying code, known as the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number,” experts at the firm said.

They also explained that CEIR could only be set up consequent upon an agreement by operators to activate same on their networks.

Thus, Newstream, intends to assume responsible for managing and maintaining the central database while charging subscribers an annual registration fee per handset.

NATCOMS position
In view of the foregoing, NATCOMS in support of Newstream position suggested that operators, especially the GSM operators inform subscribers to register their phone, which will make barring easier as soon as decision is made on CEIR host.

The group led by Chief Deolu Ogunbanjo also said that subscribers have a duty here, which is to record their IMEI, phone numbers respectively and keep same at safe places apart from their phone.

“Your IMEI number can be accessed by keying *#06# into most phones or by looking behind the battery of your phone,” Ogunbanjo said as he then, charged subscribers to report theft of their phones to respective network operators as promptly so as to enable them disable such phones.

NATCOMS also canvassed for an insurance coverage to be bundled with anti-MOPHTI, saying that handset insurance protection policy has been in existence, but has suffered unattractive to most insurers due to insincerity of users when handsets are lost, stolen or damaged.

Pointing out that inability to block lost phones on all networks provides further despairs insurance protection and called for partnership with reputable insurance firm for proper adherence and implementation of the insurance protection policy aspect.

In UK and Kenya
Investigations revealed that having an independent firm to host the database may not be the way out, citing the instances of how it is managed in the United Kingdom and Kenya; where initiatives such as Anti-MOPHTI were being offered free of charge by operators.

Investigations, however, revealed that since all subscribers may not be disposed to have their data stored by another firm apart from their operators and at the same time pay for the hosting, thus CEIR in the hands of independent operator may be catastrophe.

In addition, operators were concerned with the issues of data security on the hands of the third party, which most of them described as ‘sensitive database’.

In addition, NATCOMS said that with anti-MOPHTI, subscribers will be required to provide make and type of phone, model and serial number, purchase receipt, network provider culminating in the anti-MOPHTI registration.

Some subscribers at the meeting, advocated that NCC hosts the CEIR as a neutral ground, from where all operators would be linked.

The charter
Definitely there are lessons to be learnt from the recently Mobile Industry Crime Action Forum (MICAF), an umbrella of all the mobile operators in the UK endorsed a charter, which took effect on July this year.

Details of the charter stipulates that each signatory would support IMEI numbers of handsets reported stolen to the network and being blocked on all UK networks via the UK Shared Equipment Identity Register (UKSEIR) within a time frame agreed with the National Mobile Phone Crime Unit (NMPCU) and home office.

MICAF was also charged to establish a specialist group to market this charter and develop programme of activity to raise awareness of mobile phone theft, ability to block stolen phones across networks and provide advice to consumers on mobile phone theft among others

Way forward:
There is need to connect the Nigerian CEIR to the likes of UKCEIR located in Dublin, even as the Nigerian CEIR would now act as a hub for tracking stolen phones in the West African sub region.

NCC on the other hand has to educate the consumers on the need to buy only officially type approved handsets.

For an expert in preservation of Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) contents, Mr. Adedayo Akintobi, Nigerian telecom users should always go for cheap and low-end phone sets, otherwise described as ‘Pure water phones.’

He said this way, users would make their phone sets unattractive for mobile phone thieves.
“So that every one can at least buy one and nobody would be able to steal or buy stolen phones,” he declared and as such they should be cautious and avoid trendy looking phones.

Therefore, “buy pure water phones, because that is the self insurance,” he advised.

Whilst the nation awaits NCC eventual position to reduce the lost of stolen phone in the country and subregion, it is noteworthy that the Nigeria Police needs to be in the mainstream of the technologies available, methodologies and training of its men for anti-MOPHTI to be a success.

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FMS chooses Nigeria as continental hub

Remmy Nweke

NIGERIA has been singled out as the operational hub of a web-based Fleet Management Solutions (FMS-Panabiz), just as it launched services in Lagos.

Announcing this development, Director Operations for Africa at FMS-Panabiz, Mr. Sanjiv Dewan, said “Nigeria is the African hub,” even as the firm provides 100 per cent coverage of the continent via the satellite.

FMS, he said, offers its services through a combination of proven technologies such as Global Positioning System (GPS), two-way wireless via the Low Orbit Satellite or cellular technology, which is easy to use and web-based location mapping software.

Mr. Dewan also said this affords clients the ability to track vehicles, “day or night via our satellite tracking website.”

He explained that customers could locate vehicle’s present position, see the historical path and monitor its speed and direction with FMS systems.

“You can be notified of excessive speeds, or vehicle leaving constraints and regions, which could be set electronically to trigger an alarm,” he said.

The firm’s GPS, he said, facilitates improved customer service and increased productivity through asset location and recovery.

“What makes this possible is the onboard tracking and communication device, which is used in collecting data via the GPS and transmits all data to our partners server over the wireless data network,” Mr. Dewan said.

According to him, only the authorized users could assess the data on any Internet-enabled Personal Computer.

FMS-Panabiz web-based solution, he noted, offers unique utility and convenience, even as there would be no additional hardware and software required.

Pointing out that usually, the hardware comes in form of a modem and antenna that could be installed on a required asset like vehicles and ships to help in tracking, stressing that the installation would be completed within 45 minutes.

“Then, all it takes is Internet access with common web browsers,” he asserted.

Already, he said, FMS-Panabiz solution covers the nation and could deliver on the site report, as well as deployable for creation of landmarks of special locations.

He further said that the partnership between FMS and Panabiz in Nigeria was borne out of the desire to deliver dependable and affordable services to Nigerians.

Founded in 2002, FMS, a privately owned United States based firm is managed by seasoned professionals with the spirit of staying at least two years ahead of potential competition.

Currently, servicing 42 countries globally, FMS has network operation centre (NOC) that is capable of handling 500,000 simultaneous subscribers, and could be scalable to handle over 10 million.

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NCS contributions immense – President

Remmy Nweke

Contributions of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), says its President, Dr. Chris Nwannenna, has been immense, mostly on the issues of computer awareness and literacy in the country.
He made this declaration at the third software developers summit (SDS) in Lagos.

As said by him, NCS contributions encompassed in the areas of software development and computer languages, networking, the Internet, electronic business, electronic learning, security and education to mention a few.

These issues, he said, were adequately raised at various conferences and workshops that were held at various parts of the country.

“Our annual conferences and workshops are also used as forums for discussing issues that advance the Information Technology (IT) profession in the country,” he said.

Emphasising that since metamorphosing into NCS from hitherto Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) in June 2002, IT industry has felt the impact of the group much more than ever, as the umbrella body to about four interest groups.

NCS, he noted, shelters the likes of Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Software Developers’ Group (SDG), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN).

He explained that each of the aforementioned sub-groups has independent structure and interest.

Dr. Nwannenna who also is the chief executive Condata Systems, equally cited the impact of the group in launching a successful Y2K campaign in 1999, sensitizing Nigerians on the dangers involved in not remediating their computer hardware and software systems.

“During that period, we offered free compliance testing services, provide a testing model that was copied by government agencies,” he said.

Recalling that NCS pioneered contributions to the nation’s IT policy document which led to the setting up of the National IT Development Agency (NITDA) among others, he said, the annual software developers summit is organized in collaboration with ISPON and sponsored by Microsoft Nigeria.

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Essence of mobile lines

Market Intelligence:

Remmy Nweke

HAVE you ever answered calls on another person’s behalf, especially without the consent of such a person and most importantly on a mobile phone.

First in the line of demerits or even dangers, mostly on mobile phone is that you may after all be a victim of what you know nothing about, which could be generating problems for some one else.

Second, it is believed in certain quarters that it is ethically wrong to answer calls on behalf of someone else on his or her given mobile phone with or without the persons consent or on the mere excuse that the phone tones were disturbing.

Third, as long as this kind of attitude could be condoned in fixed lines, it may not be pardonable for any mobile line owner.

Most importantly too, every call that goes to a mobile phone definitely shows that the caller wanted to speak directly to the owner of that number.

Imagine this scene where a kid brother of Joseph, a young working class in the city, needed to reach him urgently, his credit has been exhausted and the only option left for him at that moment was to use a friend’s phone.

Unfortunately, his friend has just N30 credit and since the friend also is on per second billing platform, they thought the remaining N30 could be of great help in reaching out to Joseph.

Incidentally, Joseph stepped out leaving his mobile phone on his table.

Persistent ringing of the phone forced his colleague in the office, Mr. Taiwo, to answer on his behalf and the kid-brother could not relay the very important message because it’s a family affair and requested that Joseph calls back as soon as possible.

And by the time the kid-brother could finish his message after introducing himself, the credit ran out.

About 30 minutes later when Joseph returned, the message recipient has forgotten the name of the caller, but was still lucky to recollect there was a call for the Joseph requesting a call-back.

Searching his phone’s received call records, Joseph could not fathom who the person was that even was requesting a call back and insisted that if the caller was serious, he or she would eventually call again.

Forty-eight hours later, Joseph received a message that his loving mother had died because he did not return the call to find out details for himself and mostly arrange for treatment.

So, never you leave your mobile phone apart from you because, anytime could be critical and the regrets could be devastating like that of Joseph.

And even if you have to, not as long as 30 minutes and if you are in position to know that a person’s mobile phone was ringing the best thing to do is to take the phone and look for the owner. This way you could be avoiding a disaster or better still leave it to ring continuously without picking the call.

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iTouch plans Independence promo

… As 101 winners emerge @ Movilisto

Remmy Nweke

Information and Communications Technologies (ICT)-based Value Added Service (VAS) company, iTouch Nigeria Limited, has concluded plans to unveil a new promotion tagged “Independence.”

The new promo is coming on the heels of 101 winners emerging in its Movilisto draw held weekend in Lagos.

Managing Director, iTouch Nigeria, Mr. Samson Isa, who disclosed this to our correspondent, said the Independence promo has been scheduled to take off on October 1, this year, in commemoration of the nation’s 46th anniversary of getting independent from the British in 1960.

He also revealed that the promo would focus on history, which entails that participants would be required to send responses through short messaging service (SMS) to 33577.

The promo slated to last till end of October, he said, would hold a weekly raffle draw to reward participants.

The raffle, he explained, would produce, at least, three winners who would go home with Digital Video Display (DVD) machines, Media Player 3 (MP3) and Plasma Television (Tv) sets on weekly basis.

Mr. Isa further commended Nigerians for embracing Movilisto promo, which draw saw to emergence of 101 persons, including the overall winner, Mr. Idris Abdulkadir Idris.

The overall won for himself airtime worth of N5,000 monthly for life with Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) phone number 0802327264. While 100 others emerged as consolation prize winners of Wahl hair clippers and dryers.

The d101 winners were picked by the Director-General of the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) represented by the President, Consumer Rights Advocacy League (CRAL), Chief (Mrs) Cordel Okafor.

She also lauded iTouch for ensuring transparency in its activities by inviting an independent person outside the firm to pick and witness the draw.

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Genaic pushes 8,000 computers into market

Remmy Nweke

An estimated 8,000 Personal Computers (PC) and laptops on Genaic brand would be pumped into the nation’s market before the end of this year, according to the chief executive, JuniSat Limited and promoters of Genaic, Mr. Gboyenga Ojuri.

He disclosed this in a chat with ITRealms Online in Lagos, stressing that Genaic laptop has over four hours battery life time.

The journey to introduce Genaic into the nation’s market, Mr. Ojuri said, began over a year ago, when his firm was shopping for options to accelerate PC and internet penetration in the country.
He said they were thrilled when eventually VIA Technology was chosen as partner to see this dream through using VIA PC-1 initiative.

Pointing out that the PCs would be offered for sale at $300, approximated N42,000 and everything about the brand is rugged.

He also said that the mission of Genaic initiative is to ensure that every family, has at least, one PC and every professional in the country, an affordable laptop.

“Our mission is to get you a laptop without breaking a bank,” he declared.

Stressing that Genaic brands of PCs and laptops come with original chipsets from VIA Technologies which produces all the required chipsets needed for PC-1 initiative, either on PCs or laptops.

Describing Genaic brand of laptop as very rugged for the Nigerian environment, he said his firm’s target is not to compete with existing brands like Zinox and Omatek or initiatives like Computer for All Nigerian Initiative (CANi) being propelled by Intel and Microsoft, but is looking critically at closing the digital divide gap among the common people of the country.

This, he further said, would be achieved through exceptional customer support services to be offered to Nigerians by his firm.

Already, he noted that Genaic, has received accreditation from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

He pointed out that the brand would soon open service centres across the nation, especially where it is most needed.

His firm is hopeful of contributing greatly to the VIA PC-1 Initiative globally, which goal is capped on enabling the next one billion individuals access to Pcs.

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Technology, key to NSE growth – Udoh

Remmy Nweke

Managing Director, Progenics Corp Limited, Mr. Tony Udoh, has identified technology as the key to the burgeoning activities in the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

Speaking after the recent launch of the automated cum electronic trading floor of NSE, in ancient city of Ibadan, Mr. Udoh said that cutting edge technology deployed at NSE, facilitated its growth.

“The Nigerian Stock Exchange is clearly the most effective and proficient economy body in the country today and the reason for this is obviously its total dependence on deploying the tools of information and communications technology (ICT) to achieve seamless and modern capital market activities,” he asserted.

He also cited the launch of automated/electronic trading flow in various cities in the country, for instance, noting that technology is assisting in bridging the gap for stakeholders in the capital market sub-sector.

Mr. Udoh equally lauded, members of NSE who have contributed in different ways to ensure that the recent launch was a success, describing it as “the leading lights of the nation’s economic revolution.”

He identified too, the features of the automated trading floor, explaining that all the electronic trading points of the Ibadan NSE have been connected online and real time with the Nigerian Stock Exchange floor in Lagos, even as efforts are on for expansion of the branchy.

Progenics, he said, as the foremost systems integrators for the financial and public sectors, has been solely responsible for the complete automation of the Ibadan trading floor as well as other electronic branches of NSE.

It would be recalled that Progenics has been active in the technology sector for over a decade now with award winning products like Symbols, specifically meant for deployment at the capital and investment market and GovAc, for the public sector.

Mr. Udoh, whose Progenics is a total solutions provider servicing the financial sector with software solutions, said, dependence on technology has not been a bad idea for NSE.

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IBN names Net Solutions Top sales performer-05

Remmy Nweke

International Business Machines (IBM) has named a Nigerian solution provider, Net Solution Limited, as the ‘Top Sales Performer’ in software category for 2005, within the IBM partners group in Central Africa Region, including sub-Saharan Africa.

Managing Director, Net Solutions, Dr. Steve Uwazie, who received the award in South Africa recently informed that it was a welcome development for his company which has already made a mark in the nation’s Information Technology (IT) industry.

He also said Net Solutions was excited for emerging winner of the award for the second time running, stressing that the award would take the firm to the next level in the challenging Nigerian IT market.

Coming on top for the second since partnering with IBM in the whole of sub-Sahara Africa, which spanned for over five years, he said, was a big feat for Net Solutions.

Uwazie, who was recently awarded a honourary doctorate degree in Business Administration at Bradley University, United States, said, that winning the Top Sales Performer award in the region would enable the company to remain relevant and more focused.

He further said, Net Solutions’ partnership with IBM has added immense value to the clientele, even as it has given boost to the Nigerian growing IT market.

“Net Solutions has finally come to stay. Even though there are challenges ahead, we have all it takes to remain relevant in the competitive Nigerian IT industry. The market is very large and this award has again elevated Net Solutions and we’re glad,” he declared.

According to him, Net Solutions has won many international awards including IBM business partner top contributor initiative 2004, partner award by Tri-Continental on eServer xSeries for 2003, Gold partner award for high PSG growth in 2003 also by Tri-Continental among others.

Before now, he said, Net Solutions has also formed strategic alliances with other global companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Veritas Software Solutions, Dell and Hewlett Packard (HP).

“This gives us access to uncommon solutions that will be applied to uncommon problems in the global village,” he declared.

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MTN passionate about Nigeria – Akingbade

Remmy Nweke

UNIFIED Licensed Operator (ULO), MTN Nigeria Communications, said it has the passion to move Nigerians ahead.

Speaking recently on the five years of investment into the nation’s telecommunications sector in Lagos, the Chief Marketing and Customer Relations Officer at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade, said they had long recognized special attributes in Nigerians.

Top on his list includes the eager to embrace progressive development, “almost at the speed of light.”

Thus, the phenomenal growth recorded in the last five years, he said, was as the result of how progressive Nigerians are.

“We’re a people of whose reach for information for the purposes of unusual knowledge acquisition, the kind that leads to the realization of progressive aspirations,” he noted.

MTN, he said, in recognition of this fact has chosen to connect more Nigerians with experiences that could generate a modern and progressive rhythm of life.

“In so doing, we in MTN have no doubt that it will be helping to ignite the passion which Nigerians have for progress,” he said.

Unfolding this passion further, Mr. Akingbade said, “It’s a passion to move ahead in their world.”

Pointing out that MTN commitment in the last five years saw to the milestone “to delight Nigerians both individuals and business interests alike with products and services.”

Hence, the telco is committed to innovations and experiential initiatives use that will make Nigerians proud.

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Globacom leverages on ICN

Remmy Nweke

LEVERAGING on the need to ensure seamless interconnection for its subscribers, the Second National Operator (SNO), Globacom Limited, has signed a deal with Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria (ICN).

Glo said, the deal avails its teeming subscribers better option of interconnecting with friends and families in other networks.

ITRealms Online recalls that the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), which licensed seven interconnect exchanges, Globacom, therefore, has chosen ICN to act as its interconnect exchange, transiting traffic to and from all licensed telephone operators in the country.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, which took place at the Mike Adenuga Towers in Lagos, Globacom’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Mr. Mohammed Jameel described as another step by Globacom in guarantee that the interest of the subscribers are well protected.

He equally said that immediately the NCC gave the directive for interconnect clearing firms to handle interconnection among telecommunications operations, Globacom embraced the idea so that there would be seamless communication between Glo subscribers and subscribers on other networks.

Globacom, Mr. Jameel said, decided to take advantage of this opportunities and benefits inherent therein by using an interconnect exchange.

The merits, he also said, include the consolidation of the number of interconnects links resulting in increased network reliability and simplified network architecture and operations, saying, its expected to benefit the subscribers on the network.

The agreement is also providing for simple, cost effective and reliable points of interconnection. It will also assist in eliminating disputes and enhance reconciliation exercises with multiple partners thereby eliminating interconnect indebtedness in the industry.

Chairman and chief executive, ICN, Admiral Alison Madueke said that the company “is the first interconnect clearing house in Africa and like Globacom, we shall continue to blaze the trail in providing our people access to state of the art and next generation services.”

He also said ICN believes that with over 25 service providers already connected to its network, “we are in a position to assist Globacom in achieving its goal of becoming the largest and the best network in Africa."

ICN, as the pioneer interconnect exchange and clearinghouse for telecoms operators, had earlier signed agreements with the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), M-tel, Multilinks, Starcomms, MTS First, Independent Telephone Network (ITN), Intercellular, Rainbownet, Oduatel, Reltel, Cellcom, 21st Century, Monacom, Topcom, Allied Bond, Peace Global, Imperial Telecoms and GTE.

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Reltelwireless adds five new cities

Remmy Nweke

Arrangements have been concluded by Reltelwireless to add five new cities on its network, including Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Owerri and Umuahia.

The private telecom operator (PTO) also said the latest is part of the aggressive rollout programme aimed at keeping residents of these cities connected before the celebration of the forthcoming Christmas 2006.

Head, Corporate Communications and Brands at RelTel, Mr. Utibe Uko, said in Lagos that the rollout entails the installation of about 100 base stations nationwide within the next three months.

``The cities of Benin, Enugu, Ibadan, Owerri and Umuahia will soon experience the premium telephone service that has been the selling point of Reltelwireless over the years,’’ he asserted.

The telco, he said, has the strategic philosophy and vision to extend telephone services across the nooks and crannies of the country in due course to give voice to the voiceless anytime and anywhere.

Mr. Uko also said that the addition of five new cities on the network was in response to the clamour by residents in these areas to have a taste of RelTelwireless services.

Further, he said, that these five cities would be supported with over 40 base stations to maintain quality services, while 60 others would be installed to boost the services of the network in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Aba, Abuja and Onitsha.

He assured subscribers of added benefits, saying more incentives and value-added services await them, as the network opens shop in more communities and cities in the country.

It would be recalled that RelTel recently lowering its international call tariff, a gesture the telco said had given an opportunity to many people in the country to be part of the current telephone revolution.

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ABSA boss tasks media on African development

… As Reserve Bank supports Pearson school with R5m

Remmy Nweke in Grahamstown, South Africa

MANAGING Director, Africa Bank South Africa (ABSA), Mr. Dana Botha, has enjoined African media practitioners to take the continent’s journalism to the next level, saying that they should ensure African journalism takes its rightful place in the world, even as ABSA consolidates partnership with Highway Africa.

He also said this would be achieved by endearing their profession to the development of the continent.

This is coming as the Pearson Economic Journalism School in Rhodes University, has received about five million Rands (R5m) from the South African Reserve Bank.

In a speech laden with African renaissance spirit, Botha said, that the continental journalism has shown immense contribution to the development of Africa.

Hence, ABSA decided to consolidate its partnership with HA by the recent formal signing of sponsorship with organisers of the Highway Africa.

“This is my first time of attending Highway Africa and am already looking forward to coming back next year,” he declared.

Stressing that ABSA is excited with the development HA has made in the past 10 years.

“We’re happy for the African success story. Without the media it should not have been possible and we look forward to being part of this success story to enable Africans to speak with one voice,” he asserted.

According to him, ABSA already has offices in over14 countries on the continent with representative office in Nigeria, emphasising that his firm’s dream is to provide financial solutions to Africans, thereby becoming a leading bank in the region.

Botha, who proposed a toast for 10 years of Highway Africa, also commended the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) for remaining focused by partnership with Rhodes University in reshaping the continental journalism and encouraging the telling of successful African stories.

“We all have a duty to tell the African stories. ABSA and its group are proud to be the financial partner of Highway Africa and supports NEPAD objectives that shore up governments for socio-economic development.

In a related development, the South African Reserve Bank has donated R5m in support of economic journalism studies in Rhodes University.

As said by Pearson chair, Economic Journalism School, Rhodes University, Mr. Robert Brandt, disclosed this while speaking last night at ABSA’s dinner for HA delegates.

He said that the donation would go a long way in improving economic journalism on the continent in the next five years.

Brandt, therefore, invited interested participants to approach his office on how they could benefit from the endowment, saying that before the end of this week, every information required would be uploaded on the school’s website.

Welcoming guest earlier, Director, Highway Africa, Chris Kabwato, noted that apart from African Union (AU), Highway Africa conference comes second in assemblage of Africans in diaspora on African soil.

He disclosed that participants were drawn from about 42 African countries, and congratulated HA team and sponsors over the years for their supports and believing in the dream of HA.

Equally in his remarks, Head, Journalism School at Rhodes University, Prof. Guy Berger, expressed appreciation for all the participants for their interest in African issues and media precisely.

Berger further commended ABSA among other sponsors of HA-06, singling out Botha, whom he said, delivered an inspiring speech likened to a visionary leadership that is evident in ABSA.

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Mobile and Internet improve in LDCs - ITU report

Remmy Nweke in Grahamstown, South Africa

United Nations (UN) agency in charge of telecommunications development, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), has said that mobile and internet connectivity improved in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of the world.

Just as the full report is due to be released at the forthcoming Brussels Plan of Action review in New York slated for tomorrow, Wednesday.

It would recall that currently estimated 50 LDCs have been recognised as such by ITU globally.

ITU in a press statement endorsed by the Chief, Media Relations and Public Information at ITU, Sanjay Acharya and Head, Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States and Emergency Telecommunications also of ITU, Cosmas Zavazava said that it is no longer doubtful if the state-of-the-art information and communication technologies (ICT) could empower people to achieve their development aspirations through information and knowledge.

According to the officials, in the past five years, many of the LDCs have made remarkable progress in achieving the ICT connectivity targets set out in the Brussels Plan of Action for Least Developed Countries.

“These targets have been met by 25 of the 50 LDCs,” ITU said.

The mobile sector in LDCs, the world body said, has grown considerably and access to the internet has also increased, providing a host of applications, such as electronic education (e-education), electronic-health (e-education), e-business, e-agriculture, and e-government as attached in the goals and objectives of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

So, ITU, plans to launch its report on ICT/Telecommunication development in least developed countries, tomorrow in New York.

The report, they said, examined key developments in the ICT and telecommunications sector including trends and challenges in the world's poorest countries in the period 2001 to 2005.

Also, the report will be unveiled during a special session on "Integrating Least Developed Countries (LDCs) into the world economy through telecommunications/ICT" to be held during the mid-term review on implementation of the Brussels Programme of Action for LDC for the decade ending 2010.

ITU further said the special session will review progress in ICT and telecommunications development in LDCs as well as discuss the concrete work to be implemented in the next five years.

Others areas of priority for the New York meet agenda, ITU said, include promotion of universal, ubiquitous, equitable and affordable access to ICT in underserved areas.

Equally, rehabilitation and reconstruction of telecommunication infrastructure in LDCs following disasters and war as well as ICT for disaster management would receive attention, even as the dissemination of understandable warnings to those at risk would be discussed.

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Shope-Mafole tasks African states on infrastructure investment

Remmy Nweke in Grahamstown, South Africa

The 10th Highway Africa (HA) conference opened Monday in the city of Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, South Africa with the Director-General, Department of Communications, South Africa, Ms Lyndall Shope-Mafole, calling on African states to embrace investment in infrastructure, because it is the key to sustainable development.

HA is annual gathering of media practitioners for the promotion and propagation of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) organised by the Rhodes University, Grahamstown, with the theme, “Celebrations, Reflections and Future Directions.”

In her keynote address to the occasion on Africa and Post-World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) entitled “Making South Africa a global leader in harnessing ICT for socio-economic development” Ms Shope-Mafole, said it is high time African leaders and investors alike embrace and focus on infrastructure, stressing it is the only way to strongly develop the continent.

“Investment in infrastructure is the key to sustainable development,” she declared.
Ms Shope-Mafole, who was the chair, Preparatory Committee on WSIS for Africa, noted that there is no way to talk about Africa in the current trend of development without the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).

“You can’t talk about Africa without NEPAD,” she declared, emphasising that NEPA has an agenda to facilitate socio-economic development of the continent.

Pointing out NEPAD’s strategic framework document came from the mandate given to the five initiating Heads of State, namely Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa; by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to develop an integrated socio-economic development framework for Africa.

She also said that NEPAD primary objectives include efforts to eradicate poverty and place African countries both individually and collectively on a path of sustainable growth and development.

In addition, she said, NEPAD objectives include to halt the marganisaliation of Africans, by their leaders.

This could be attained with investment in infrastructure both in the cities and rural areas.

“Unless some one is going to give access to the poor and marganialised in the rural areas through infrastructure layout, it would be difficult to eradicate poverty,” she said.

Therefore, she said, investment should be made in infrastructure with enabling good policy frame work.

She emphasised at the session chaired by the Mrs Anne Rachel Inne of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), that this would accelerate socio-economic development of the continent, especially in the areas of ICT.

According to her, “development would not come unless you (African states) and the investment community invest in infrastructure and nobody is going to do that for you.”

She further said that unless Africans put their investments in their own hands, development would continue to elude the continent.

“It would be difficult to see a change in development,” the DG asserted.

Insisting that African development should be led by Africans because aids come with certain conditions, noting that asking for help is good and it’s also good that those who offer you help leave you with some dignity.

Pointing out that African media has a role to play here in setting agenda for the development of Africa, be it on the continent or empowerment of women among others.

Also speaking and corroborating Mafole, chairman of the session, Mrs Inne, said that Africans should arise and take their own destiny into their hands by investing in the future via infrastructure.

Even as this would elevate the much suffering the young and women go through in development of African states.

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High way to Grahamstown-06

Some pictures on the road to Highway Africa 2006.
1. Registration desk at Port Elizabeth on Sunday evening.

2. Officials of Rennies attending and welcoming visitors for 2006 Highway Africa at Port Elizabeth.

3. Kenya delegates, Rosy, another collegue and Alari Ken at PE in a chat
4. O! We got to fix this car at Engen and it is wet ...

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