Imperative of FOI bill on democracy

Features of the week:

The imperative of endorsing the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill by President Olusegun Obasanjo before leaving office, would stand him out as an advocate of good governance and a boost to democracy, even as a pathing gift to Nigerians, writes REMMY NWEKE.

“The themes of transparency and information pervade good governance and reinforce accountability,” according to the World Bank: New Agenda in a changing world, authored by Michelle Miller-Adams in 1999.

Preamble:

THE importance of information cannot be over-emphasised at this time in history, and the above extract from Miller-Adams piece did not mince words as to the essence of information in 21st century human existences and nation building.

Hence, it was not out of place for the media to be awash at the weekend both locally and internationally, with the reports that President Olusegun Obasanjo has ignored the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill due to inability of the National Assembly to accommodate his observations, which currently awaits his assent in what he called ‘mistakes’ before it could become an Act.

Although the FOI bill was reportedly passed last October at the lower house followed by its sailing through the Senate in February this year, it was said to have reached the Presidency on March 23, 2007, that is, about 67 days before the expected date of handing power by Chief Obasanjo to the newly elected President, Alhaji Umaru YarAdua on May 29.

Equally, the Obasanjo purported refusal to assent to the bill has been described by many media rights activists globally as “disappointing,” even as he was not so comfortable with the term ‘freedom of information bill.’

What’s information?

Severally, information has been defined based on different situations and obviously, Miller-Adams was not alone on efficacy of information as Mr. Robert M. Losee of University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in a Journal of the American Society for Information Science, stated in a piece titled A Discipline Independent Definition of Information, “Information may be defined as the characteristics of the output of a process, these being informative about the process and the input.”

According to an online encyclopaedia, Wikipedia, “information is a term with many meanings depending on context, but is as a rule closely related to such concepts as meaning, knowledge, instruction, communication, representation, and mental stimulus, information, therefore, is the result of processing, manipulating and organizing data in a way that adds to the knowledge of the receiver.”

Basically, Wikipedia stressed that it’s the context in which data is taken, that affords information as a concept to bear a diversity of meanings, from everyday usage to technical settings.

Nowadays, however, many speak about the ‘Information Age’ as the advent of the Knowledge Age or knowledge society; where the information society and information technologies are placed at forefront, bringing to bear the likes of informatics, information science and computer science often in the spotlight, hence the word “information” is often used without thorough consideration of the various meanings it has acquired for itself.

The FOI bill:

The FOI bill had been with the National Assembly since 1999 unpassed; traversing between the House of Representatives and the Senate until February this year, thus leaving Obasanjo with a few days to sign it into law.

Though it is in harmony with President Obasanjo’s anti-corruption campaigns and reforms, a media freedom and freedom of expression based non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Nigeria, Media Rights Agenda (MRA) reported, that the President is “letting it slide.”

In an effort to ensure that the Obasanjo strengthens the system especially the evolving democracy in the country, MRA led a team of activists to Aso Rock Villa on a visit to Mr. President, urged him on to pass the law as anticipated.

According to MRA team led by its Executive Director, Mr. Edetan Ojo, the bill would have put Nigeria in the league of some 70 countries around the world that have such laws, and the fourth on the continent of Africa, after South Africa, Angola and Uganda.

“By signing the Freedom of Information bill, this government would have earned for itself credibility from the Nigerian people and the world by demonstrating its seriousness about its widely acclaimed fight against corruption in Nigeria,” he informed RAP 21 an off-shot of the World Association of Newspapers (WAN).

FOI, an end to secrecy:

Lots of meanings have been given to FOI bill, of what it will eventually become when signed into law.

For this, Mr. Ojo asserted, “The bill would have ended the culture of secrecy in government, which has allowed for corrupt practices and abuse of positions and privileges in government.”

Experts on public issues and media rights activists alike pointed out that with the development, that is the refusal of Mr. President to endorse the bill, it is expected to be returned to the National Assembly, where it will be voted upon again. Then, if passed by two-thirds majority of each house, it will take effect without the requirement of the president’s approval.

But due to the fear of some factors in the nation’s polity, the National Assembly may not be able to reconsider the bill and the process may be required to start from scratch all over when the next dispensation takes over on May 29, mainly because indications have emerged that even the incoming Yar Adua government may not assent to it due to what some industry watchers described as Obasanjo’s impact in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and on the new leadership in the country.

In which case, MRA said, it’s now focusing crusade on access to information on the National Assembly before it winds up this May, emphasising that all hope is not lost yet, because MRA intends to centre attention on advocacy and lobbying of National Assembly.

“We’re now working to ensure that they get the bill passed by two-thirds majority so that it can become law regardless of the President’s stance on the bill,” Mr. Ojo stated in RAP 21 website, even as he solicited for international support to ensure that the FOI bill’s ultimate goal is achieved.

FOI education for Obj:

Disturbed by the delay in endorsing the FOI bill by President Obasanjo, MRA during the visitation took time out to explain issues to Mr. President.

During the early hours of Friday, April 27; a month and three days after it was originally sent to the President through his Special Adviser on National Assembly Matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Chief Obasanjo claimed ignorant of it. MRA team while on visit took time out to educate Mr. President on some of his fears on why or not the FOI should be endorsed.

According to the report, President Obasanjo had informed his guests that he would not sign the Freedom of Information Bill into Law in its present form because he has some “serious problems” with the bill.

Although he claimed ignorant of the bill being sent to his office, Obasanjo noted however, he had two reasons why he will not put his signature on it, namely, that he is opposed to the title of the Bill, which is “Freedom of Information” adding that the Bill should have been called the “Right to Information Bill” and he had communicated this opinion to the National Assembly, complaining that they refused to change the title and, retained the “Freedom of Information Bill.”

Mr. Ojo was said to had explained to Mr. President that the title of the proposed law was not all that significant and that what should be paramount was the text of the bill and what it seeks to achieve.

Chief Obasanjo was said to had disagreed, stressing that the title of the Bill is very important as here in Africa, what ought to be discussed is the right to information and not freedom of information, insisting that the idea of ‘freedom of information’ was simply imported ‘from somewhere.’

And in order to prove to Mr. President that even national security information has been rightly accommodated in the proposed bill, a copy was given to him, especially the harmonised version of the Bill, pointing out to him the appropriate sections containing the exemptions.

Yet, after glancing through the bill and precisely reading Section 13 (1), he disagreed with the bill, which stated thus, “The head of a government or public institution may refuse to disclose any record, the disclosure of which may be injurious to the conduct of international affairs or the defence of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

For President Obasanjo this context depicts an exclusion from public access records, which may be injurious to the defence of Nigeria, but not the exclusion of records, which may be injurious to the “security” of Nigeria, stressing that defence and security of Nigeria mean different things.

When reminded that before the Bill was passed by the Senate, the Senate Ad Hoc Committee on the Freedom of Information Bill, had invited all law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies in the country to make input into the Bill and that most of them responded without objecting to this provision. President Obasanjo retorted that their inability to object was because “none of them practices security at the level at which I practice it” and therefore, they did not understand the implications.

In addition, Mr. President pointed out that he was completely opposed to Section 13(2) of the Bill, which provides: “However, in the interest of the public the court may override the refusal by the head of the government or public institution to disclose the information applied for.”

Mr. President had argued that this means that he could be compelled by a court to disclose any information another head of state may had told him in confidence, maintaining that he would not sign it and was quoted as saying that the National Assembly “should have come so that we can sit down and discuss these things.”

A charge for Nigerian civil society:

Following the purported refusal to endorse the FOI bill, the United States of America (USA), weekend, charged the nation’s Civil Society groups especially the media to mount pressure on the out-going president to sign the bill, stressing that it would reduce the enveloping corrupt practices in the country.

Speaking via a former United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Mr. Eduardo Cue, in a tele-conference at the Public Affairs Section of the US Consulate General in Lagos, noted that signing the bill into law would curb the prevalent corruption in government and give credence to democracy.

The event held May 3 in commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, Mr. Cue said, “the more freedom of information, the more open debate of issues and the more mistakes could be prevented in government decision-making.”

He cited an instance of a former US president, John F. Kennedy, who had censored certain information made available to the press in the name of “National Security” and which eventually backfired.

As explained by Mr. Cue who currently represents US News and World Report in Paris, that when the problem arising from the censorship began, Kennedy, had to apologise to the public for stopping the publication of the information and the media too.

“National security won’t be in danger if such information was released because it would have been properly debated,” by the citizens. He added that freedom of the press stabilises democracy, saying “freedom of expression is the pillar that holds democracy.”

Also speaking, the guest speaker at the event, Dr. Reuben Abati in his paper entitled “Freedom of Information bill: Panacea for Free Press” said freedom of information law regime would expand the coast of press freedom in Nigeria, underscoring that the main raw material of the press is the information that it makes available to various publics, while the public’s right to know is made possible by the media’s right to tell.

Dr. Abati highlighted the fact that the FOI law, as proposed is revolutionary and “will free Nigerians from a subsisting culture of exclusion and alienation from their own governments and society,” emphasising that it gives protection for “whistle blowers,” while encouraging the Nigerian public to blow the whistle of malfunctioning, the media’s right to tell will be further enhanced and the temptation to assault journalists will also hopefully be reduced.

He noted that signing the bill into law alone would not address the challenges of press freedom in Nigeria, but the journalists too must be proactive while the institutions in the industry must focus on welfare of journalists, deepening of competitive edge, capacity building, professional ethics and matching freedom with responsibility.

Sum Up

A deduction of the on-going currents on the FOI bill would be for Obasanjo to assent the bill or at best, advocates of information liberation in the National Assembly should stand aright by gathering their pals around this bill to prove its importance, because based on what Mr. President reportedly said, it is difficult for him to change his mind except if his aforementioned observations are met.

So, as we look forward for the FOI bill becoming law in Nigeria, more is equally expected of media practitioners to ensure that even the media and precisely, journalists understand the onus this law imposes on them and like a good driver, taking the right lane to make certain that transparency, accountability and good governance prevail.

Above all, hopes are not lost because even if eventually neither Chief Obasanjo endorses the bill nor the National Assembly uses its two-third majority veto, industry watchers believe that although the road to its passage has been long, it is not likely going to take us another eight years to get it endorsed, the pressure like the American, Mr. Cue urged, must continue, because there is light at the end of the tunnel, for an end to criminal treatment and prosecution of journalists is simply near.

But one significant point here is that if Obasanjo signs FOI bill, he would be remembered in the history of the country as the foremost friend of freedom, media and above all, the anti-corruption crusader among equals, thus a plus to his personality, the party and the nation as well as for the electronic government project to thrive.

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Telecom is not a cash cow – Adebayo

CHAIRMAN, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, has urged governments at all levels to change their views about telecommunications operators in a developing economy like Nigeria, because it is not a cash cow.

Speaking to newsmen on the quarterly briefing of ALTON, Mr. Adebayo decried a situation that state and local government authorities see the telecom industry and specifically the operators as where they could easily make ‘revenue’.

This attitude, he said, ought to change because “telecom is not a cash cow” where any one who cares could just come and take his or her own pound of flesh.

Instead, he said, state and local government authorities and Abuja Municipal authority precisely, should see themselves as stakeholders in growing the industry, by providing security to telecoms infrastructure.

“The economic implications of a state without telecom service can only be imagined,” he said, stressing that it would be worst than when the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL) held forte as the industry monopoly.

Although he pointed out that challenges facing telecom operators as in multiple taxation at various tiers of the government, may have began long ago, but warned that if allowed to continue it could retard the progress made in the last seven years following the advent of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM).

“It might erode the gains of the development of telecoms in Nigeria,” he said, stressing that networks operating cost has consistently been on the increase.

He also warned that the end result of increased operating cost could lead to increase in tariffs, “if the current levies being demanded by some states and local government authorities are allowed,” to go unchecked.

He singled out the situation with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), describing it as “quite worrisome.”

Mr. Adebayo pointed out that since February 2006, FCDA has refused to approve any new application to build new network sites in the FCT, alleging that it is an attempt to force its membership into a co-location agreement by a third party who is not a licensed telecom operator.

He recalled that on Friday, December 8, 2006, FCTA began demolition of telecommunications infrastructure such as BTS of private telephone operators, in the bid to achieve its demand notice served on telcos through the Abuja Metropolitan Management Agency (AMMA) in February 2006.

“AMMA on behalf of the FCTA demanded several billions of Naira from operators for installing and operating telecommunications facilities in FCT,” he declared.

He said, apart from the fact that FCTA appointed a private concern in a non-transparent manner to oversee that its demands were met, it was without reference to the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

Mr. Adebayo insisted that the plan was to coerce ALTON members into co-location plans that would not be commercially viable and technologically feasible.

“In total disregard to the industry driven co-location initiative and guidelines issued by NCC,” he said.

Just as he called on FCTA to allow operators to reconstruct perimeter fences of the demolished sites to prevent vandalisation, theft of diesel and protect members of the public especially children from exposed telecommunications facilities.

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Civil Society calls for revisiting of GAC role

THE Civil Society Caucus on Internet Governance (CSC-IG) has called for a re-visitation of the role of Government Advisory Committee (GAC) in the coordinating of Internet Governance (IG) by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

Whereas ICANN handles Internet Protocol (IP) address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system management, and root server system management functions, GAC on the other hand, plays a key role within the ICANN, specifically regarding to public policy issues, as the Internet continues to expand and command greater influence within all the societies.

GAC, currently being presided over by Ambassador Janis Karklins of Latvia, recently adopted a set of general principles guiding the introduction of new generic top-level domains (gTLDs), and a set of principles concerning gTLD WHOIS services.

CSC-IG also said it has advanced plans to make input into the forthcoming Global Internet Policy activities slated for Geneva, Switzerland, between May 13 and 25, this year, and called for the revisitation of the role of GAC, in just as they called for a special session on public issues relating to key elements of Internet Governance (IG).

Champion Infotel gathered that the Geneva meeting would consist of a follow-up and implementation meetings of the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS), just as the lead United Nations (UN) agency in-charge of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is also organising a session for the Commission on Science and Technology.

Equally, the Geneva meeting is to set the stage for the next Internet Governance Forum, scheduled for Rio de Janeiro in November this year and has been specifically billed to hold between May 23 and 25.

Additionally, IGCS called on the proposed plenary session on Internet Global Public Policy to ensure deliberation of public issues relating to key elements of Internet governance, noting that it is the first point in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) mandate in the Tunis agenda.

The group led by Adam Peake as its Coordinator, in a draft proposal sighted by Champion Infotel, noted that the agenda deals at length with the question of new global public policy issues regarding IG, “the possibility of new frameworks and structures as well as the role of existing ones evident in paragraphs 61 and 69.”

IG also expressed believe that an IGF plenary session should explore lots of begging issues in the industry, including “What is ‘public policy’ on the Internet and when do we need to use global institutions to establish it?”

They also pointed out that the Tunis Agenda (TA) distinguished between technical and public policy issues, and between public policy and the day-to-day technical and operational matters.

“What makes an Internet governance issue a ‘public policy’ issue, and what happens when policy concerns are closely linked to technical administration?” the group said.

The caucus wondered what was intended by the TA’s call for the “development of globally-applicable principles on public policy issues associated with the coordination and management of critical Internet resources and how can this goal be pursued?”

They tasked the meeting on issues of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and core Internet resources, saying, “Core Internet resources should be discussed as a main session in the IGF, but policy toward critical Internet resources were a major topic in the Tunis Agenda and the mandate for the IGF.”

Currently, the caucus said that name and number resources are being administered by ICANN and the Regional Internet Registries, stressing that this session should focus on the policy issues and policy-making processes in these institutions.

The caucus reiterated that ICANN’s status as an international organization, its representation of individual users, and the changing role of the Government Advisory Committee (GAC) within ICANN should be revisited.

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Celtel rejects fraudulent SMS promo

THE era of fraudulent Short Messaging Service (SMS) promo may have returned, but the good news is that telecommunications operators are quick in rejecting such exercise, especially it does not originate from the purported telcos, and such was the faith of Celtel Nigeria at the weekend.

Penultimate Wednesday, an SMS was making rounds requesting recipients to extend the same gesture to five other persons, especially subscribers of Celtel Nigeria and they would stand the chance of getting free credit worth N500.

And it read thus, “Celtel is celebrating her 5th anniversary today, send this to 5 people and get 500 naira credit, it is free.”

Celtel Nigeria, however, denied that such a promo is on-going and cautioned that SMS messages emanating from the telco usually have as the sender reading “Celtel,” which makes it easier to distinguish real SMS from the operator and fraudulent ones.

According to Public Relations Specialist at Celtel Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Otokhine, Celtel is not running any SMS promo and such a message as stated above does not originate from the telco.

“No. Celtel is usually written on top of every mail from Celtel,” he told Champion Infotel.

The unfortunate thing about this fraudulent SMS promo, though, is that even the so-called learned people still indulge in adhering to this kind of activities, who from all intents and purposes should be able to read below the lines of the SMS.

Take for instance, Celtel Nigeria has not even celebrated its one-year in the country let alone commemorating the fifth year.

Secondly, why should Celtel that offers some free SMS to all its subscribers now introduce a promo for just SMS, which ordinarily does not make sense, because what is on offer currently is over five SMS each month per subscriber.

Also worrisome is that why should somebody ask another, especially supposed close pals such as family members to originate such a message in the first place.

Industry watchers, therefore call on telcos in the country, mostly the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operators and the regulator, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to find a way of solving this bad image before it gets out of hand. A stitch in time, saves nine.

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Uwaje leads CPN committee on PR

Chief executive, Connect Technologies Limited, Chief Chris Uwaje has been appointed to lead the Computer Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) 7-man committee on Public Relations and Corporate Affairs.

CPN President, Dr. (Mrs) Adenike Osofisan, who disclosed this in Lagos, said that the committee was in response to strategically reposition the council.

She said that the decision was based on the realisation of the importance of public relations, describing it as “a very important tool for the development of individuals and organizations.”

According to her, CPN values this importance, hence it’s ready to optimally explore the opportunity in order to achieve sustainable development for the profession and recognition for Nigeria Information Technology (IT) practitioners internationally.

Dr. Osofisan noted that to be part of the global IT family, structures must be put in place beginning with “a sound information technology strategy that will be reviewed periodically to conform with the vision of the council.”

She also said the level of awareness about CPN is very low in the country as at the moment, adding, “lots of people who should know about us and be part of us by virtue of what they do are still ignorant of the existence of CPN.”

Osofisan called on the committee to come up with relevant strategies to project CPN internationally, advising that the committee should endeavour to collaborate with the secretariat.

In his remark, the committee chairman, Chief Uwaje, said his team would soon introduce its strategies, which have been designed to bring CPN to an enviable height.

“What we want to do is to unleash lots of positive publications on CPN,” he told Champion Infotel in a chat.

He also informed that members of the committee include Chief Anthony Ayodele of Labyet Polaris, Mr. Manny Enecheta, Mr. Afolabi Salitu and CPN registrar, Mr. Shehu Mohammed Shittu to name a few.

Chief Uwaje pointed out that the Federal Government has given approval for the erection of CPN House in Abuja and an IT Academy that would be a retraining institute for graduates of Computer Science in the country.

As said by him, it was discovered that Nigerian Computer Science graduates are not useful until they are retrained, stressing that for this reason, the Academy has decided to partner with multinationals and other corporate organisations to fashion out a training module to meet stakeholders requirement.

He explained that on completion of the proposed training, participants would become CPN certified professionals.

“The kind of training that they would be given, employers of labour would have no option than to ask for CPN certificate,” Chief Uwaje said.

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Apice plans big for West African UPS market

Leading distributor of Pyramid Plus brand of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Apice Investments Limited, is definitely planning big for penetration of this brand in the West African sub-region.

Disclosing this to newsmen at the one-day technical forum put together by her firm, the Managing Director, Apice Investments Limited, Mrs. Sola Ogunde, said that apart from contemplating taking active part in the independent power implementation process currently taking its hold on the country, Apice may host the regional factory of the Pyramid Plus in collaboration with the Inform Elektronic of Turkey.

She also said that Apice is seriously envisaging Accra, the capital of Ghana and may open country office before next year.

Mrs. Ogunde pointed out that her firm, has all it takes to serve the Nigerian UPS market, especially in the area of human capacity and technological know-how.

Equally, she said, that Apice deals on Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR), Inverters, Infobat batteries to name a few and “we’re determined to continue to invest in the Nigerian and West African market, the people and the future generation.”

She explained that Inform Elektronik, manufacturers of various ranges of industrial and domestic products is also committed to continue development of user-friendly, reliable and intelligent products that conform with the world acclaimed standards, which the company has been known for in over 27 years of its operations.

Mrs. Ogunde listed some of Apice corporate clientele to include the Lagos State government, Planet Press, Lagos Television, Delta State government, Kogi Radio, Eko FM, Consolidated Media, Fidelity Bank Plc, Global Plus, Union Bank of Nigeria Plc, Minaj Broadcasting International, Access Bank Plc, and Intercontinental Bank Plc among others.

She said that Apice in partnership with Inform would strive to remain on top of power solutions in the sub-region and monitor effectively the infiltration of substandard versions of the brands.

“So that our users and customers will continue to enjoy the world acclaimed standards for which our brands are known,” Mrs. Ogunde said.

The partnership, she said, would improve on research and development investment to ensure that earlier products are not completely made obsolete, but would offer an upgrade.

“We would offer special arrangements to accommodate technological changes at very little cost,” the Apice boss said, just as they would not loose sight of stocking hardware and spares to ensure timely attention is given to their valued product users.

As said by her, they would further work towards sustain the period uses cum resellers technical forum to constantly update partners on emerging developments in the Inform products technology.

She commended the President of Inform Elektronik, Mr. Davut Yurttas, Export Support Engineer, Mr. Ayhan Urek and the Marketing Director at Inform Elektronik, Mr. Levent Ilgin for their support to her company and solicited for more support in all ramifications in the future.

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NUC applauds New Horizons

The Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Julius Okojie has applauded the management of New Horizons Company for establishing an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resource centres in some institutions of higher learning in the country.

Prof. Okojie gave this commendation at the commissioning of ICT certification cum e-learning centres at both Covenant and Crawford Universities, recently and said that the collaboration is a demonstration of public and private partnership (PPP) that would facilitate the turning out of quality graduates at the end of the day.

“I am therefore pleased, on behalf of the National Universities Commission to be associated with this project,” he said.

Prof. Okojie also was happy that New Horizons has commenced the PPP programme, its in line with the objectives of the federal government as a means of improving the education sector.

Commenting on the resource centre, the immediate past Executive Secretary, NUC, Prof. Peter Okebukola, lauded the New Horizons ICT certification initiative.

Prof. Okebukola who doubles as the chancellor, Crawford University, Igbesa, noted that what the company has done would enable the students from the benefiting schools to compete favourably with their counterparts any where in the world.

He urged other universities in the country to buy into this initiative so as to ensure that their students, especially the undergraduates benefit from it regardless of their chosen discipline.

“The discipline is not the issue, everybody needs sound ICT training to prosper in the emerging knowledge economy,” he advised.

In his remarks, the chancellor, Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo did not stop at commending the management of New Horizons for the initiative of supporting Nigerian universities through the provision of ICT certification trainings, equally called on NUC to ensure that only proven institutions with clear motives are given the approval to operate in the education sector, especially in the area of private university education.

Speaking at the occasion, the managing director, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano, explained that the concept involves the establishment of ICT centers in the universities, deploying certified instructors to train students.

He stressed that this initiative has gulped about N100 million so far, saying that it would enable beneficiaries to have industry skills while still at the universities because it is a practical certification programme Mr. Akano pointed out that the essence of the programme is that before graduating, students of partnering institutions would have between two and six relevant ICT certifications.

Just as the New Horizons chairman, Prof. Adebayo Adedeji enjoined Nigerian students to embrace the revolution that ICT is bringing into the education system in the country.

“Only the universities that are adaptable to change in Nigeria will get to the promised land of being counted among the world’s best,” he said.

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Fresh application for NGOs @ WSIS-follow up confab

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) wishing to participate in the follow-up debates on the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), would need to apply according to the new resolution of United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

Recent resolution of UN number 46, stipulated that desiring participants in the follow-up to WSIS meeting as civil society entities would need fresh registration beginning June 2008.

Philippe Dam of the Conference of NGOs (CONGO) at the WSIS-CS Secretariat, an international, membership association facilitating participation of NGOs in United Nations debates and decisions, informed that only the previously WSIS-accredited entities would take part in this month’s meeting billed for Geneva and the one for May 2008, especially on the two session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development.

Information note on the NGO application process to the United Nations ECOSOC Consultative Status made available to Champion Infotel, showed that applications to the ECOSOC Consultative Status is managed by the NGO Section of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), based in the UN Secretariat in New York.

Mr. Dam explained that the first step in the application process is the letter of intent, saying that for any group to begin the process of applying for consultative status, an organization must submit a letter of intent to the UN DESA NGO section.

“The letter must include the letterhead of your organisation, signed by its Secretary General or President,” he said, adding that those who mention that their organisation were accredited to the World Summit on the Information Society, would be given accelerated hearing, but they must give some details regarding this accreditation.

“This application would be considered as expeditiously as possible by the ECOSOC Committee on NGOs, in accordance with ECOSOC resolution 2006/46,” he said, while the second step of the application involves response to a set of questionnaire with supporting documents.

“After your letter of intent is received by the NGO section, you might receive an application package and the questionnaire,” Mr. Dam said, pointing out that application form and list of requested documents to accompany each could be access on ECOSOC website.

He warned that those wishing to have their application considered by ECOSOC committee on NGOs at its January 2008 session must have their application fully completed before June 1, 2007.

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Progenics showcases Symbols, GovAC @ CTO-07

Leading software and systems integrator in the country, Progenics Corp Limited, is participating at this year’s Computer, Telecommunications and Office Equipment (CTO-07) exhibition, which began Monday in Lagos, with a showcase of the award winning Symbols and GovAc.

Head, Corporate Services at Progenics Corp Limited, Mr. Chris Ekeocha, said that his firm decision to participate at this year’s CTO exhibition organized by the Commercial Services Section, United States Embassy in Lagos, was to draw nearer to the public.

“Progenics is showcasing its award winning investment management solution - Symbols, and the first e-government solution in the country – GovAc at this year’s event,” he said.

According to him, CTO exhibition, holding at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos, would last till Friday.

He said, Progenics is using this event to showcase the uniqueness of its indigenous software, Symbols, which is currently making waves in the Nigerian and the sub-region.

“Symbols is a full-fledged asset and investment management software that can be put into use by different departments of any organization involved in the investment sector of the economy and it is currently the NIITA Best Indigenous Nigerian Software for 2006,” he pointed out.

Mr. Ekeocha emphasised that Progenics also have on display its GovAc, the electronic-government solution developed to help public sector administrators and relevant agencies to carry out their activities electronically and according to global standard.

“The GovAc solution can help governments in planning, budgeting, recruitment and retirement and it can also help to check the rate of ghost workers and fraud in government establishments,” he explained.

Reiterating that their participate at this year’s CTO was based on good experiences over the last editions, he said, “CTO presents us at Progenics with the opportunity to reach out to decision makers within our target market on a one-to-one basis to expatiate on the developments in our solutions and also interact with valuable prospects.”

He stressed that for this year’s event, Progenics would be paying a lot of attention to visitors from the financial services and government sectors of the economy as well as the media in order to ensure that right information is given to relevant bodies as may be requested.

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GetTV gives out N10m to winners

Management of GetTV, proprietors of Quiz Line on TV, has paid about N10 million to over 964 winners in the programme designed for small wins.

General Manager, GetTV, Mr. Olu Akinlabi, revealed this much while reviewing the programme recently, saying that the Quiz Line has been adding value to the lives of the viewers.

He also said that the programme being run on network television for wins of up to N10, 000, noted that two winners have proved that quite humble when they took advantage of the bonus opportunity provided by the presenter to strike gold beyond their imagination.

He explained that usually, the presenter puts a puzzle on screen which answer is supplied by the viewer at home after successfully dialing a particular number and accepted to proceed beyond the preliminary stage.

Mr. Akinlabi pointed out that the biggest winner presently is Mr. Eze Odiaka Pascal, who is a graduate of Pepsi Academy and a professional football player, along side the other big winner, Miss Elmina Ali.

As said by him, Pascal suddenly hit a goldmine when one fateful afternoon, his participation in Quiz Line earned him a cool N755,000.

Excited Pascal’s response was very interest as he declared, “I am traveling with the money in order to promote my soccer carrier. I have played for Delta United Football Club of Warri and time has come for me to move ahead.”

Even as Pascal took the decision after his parents gave their blessings to the plan to use the money in whatever way that would enable him realize his dream.

Speaking on Ms Ali, the general manager said that won a total of N507,500 as a result of bonus play in the TV quiz line.

On her part, Ms Elmina Ali, who is a Gombe resident and an OND holder in Nutrition Science said the win would make her dream come through.

“I feel very excited that I won. I am not doing anything now but with this money I can start a new life,” she said after receiving her win from Mr. Akinlabi in Abuja recently.

For Mr. Akinlabi, his firm was looking for a programme that could help change the lives of TV viewers and chose Quiz Line.

According to him, it is a veritable programme to reach as many people as possible within the shortest time possible.

He further explained that Quiz Line TV game is played in different parts of the globe as an interactive TV show; the drama to win is between the player at home and the presenter who would usually ask the interacting viewer some questions most times presented in form of a puzzle.

“The programme is highly cerebral and the player must have full concentration in order to get a win. It is a great game show that has continued to attract a large following in the country,” he said.

While explaining the play pattern, Mr. Akinlabi said that viewers are requested to call 345 on the MTN network or 358555on other networks at the cost of N100 per call, which serves as a non-refundable registration fee.

“You will then receive an automatic response from the computer which qualifies you for participation. If your number gets selected from the pool of numbers on our list, you will receive a call from the presenter inviting you to play the interactive game. And if you successfully solve the puzzle, you could win as much as N1m,” he said.

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UN agencies gear up for Info Society Day

International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is leading other United Nations (UN) agencies in gearing up for this year’s commemoration of World Information Society Day on May 17.

Chief, Media Relations and Public Information at ITU, Mr. Sanjay Acharya informed that in preparation for this annual event, experts from various fields of life engaged on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) development would be gathering at Geneva between May 14 and 25 on roundtable sessions.

Champion Infotel recalled that May 17 was slated to be the World Information Society Day to mark the inception of ITU over 140 years ago in the bid to fully connect the world that provides the benefits of ICT to all its inhabitants.

Mr. Acharya said that on this occasion, a number of steps would be taken to move forward the objectives of the outcome of the two-phased World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) and the commitment of world leaders who gathered in Geneva in 2003 and in Tunis in 2005.

To this end, he said, some events have been lined up for the event between May 14 and 25, 2007.

According to him, the highlight of the celebration would be the global event and ITU World Information Society Award ceremony that to be held at ITU headquarters in Geneva on 16 May.

He said that the award honours those who have made a significant personal contribution towards building the information society, stressing that personal achievement may take the form of social accomplishment, mobilization of public opinion, or a key technical innovation.

He recalled that last year’s laureates went to the duo of President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal and Professor Muhammad Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen bank, who subsequently won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr. Acharya equally said that a facilitation meeting on the WSIS action line related to cyber security (C5) has been scheduled to hold on May 14 through 16, pointing out that WSIS outcome documents emphasized on building confidence and security in the use of ICT is a critical component of the global information society.

“Tough ICT-based counter measures at the national and international levels are needed to ensure online security and enhance the protection of personal information, privacy and data,” he said in a press statement made available to Champion Infotel.

ITU Secretary-General, Dr Hamadoun Touré, was quoted as saying that the need for greater cooperation between regulators, governments, e-security firms, communication service providers, and end-users in dealing with the challenges of building a safe and secure information society, would be a motivator for discussion at the event.

He explained that on May 16, ITU and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) would meet to smoothen the progress of work on building information and communication infrastructure according to WSIS Action Line C2, capacity building (C4), and creating an enabling environment (C6).

“This joint meeting will focus on key approaches and issues needed for implementation,” he said, stressing that some large-scale projects in the pipeline include harmonization of ICT policies in sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, constructing a fibre-optic submarine communications broadband network in West Africa, and the development of ICT infrastructure along with migration to new technologies and services in the Pacific, among others.

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Ericsson assures 3G operators on rollout

Global leader in telecommunication end-to-end equipment solutions provider, Ericsson has assured the nation’s four licensees on the Third Generation (3G) platform of its support on rollout plans.

Managing Director, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Leif Edwall, gave this assurance in Lagos, saying that his firm has the pedigree in provision of relevant equipment for 3G mobile services worldwide.

“We have been directly involved in about 60 per cent of the 3G deployments across the world. The beauty of this is that we can bring our expertise and experience garnered from 3G implementations around the world, to bear on the Nigerian market for the benefit of telecom operators in the country and their consumers,” he said.

Mr. Edwall also said that Ericsson, which currently works for four major telecos in the country, expressed confidence in contributing to the growth of telecommunications in the country.

“We‘re proud to have contributed to the immense growth which the telecommunications industry has recorded in Nigeria and by so doing to the economic growth and development of the country,” he said.

He recalled that Ericsson in conjunction with the telecom operators conducted 3G pilot testing last year, and the results affirmed that the technology could be seamlessly deployed nationwide.

Mr. Edwall, pointed out that 3G would enhance the opportunities that are derivable from telecommunications to the Nigerian people.

“It will enable telecom operators deliver more value to telecom subscribers by unleashing a rich bouquet of services that will include mobile broadband and mobile television, video telephony among others,” he said.

According to him, “In so doing, 3G will help to generate additional revenue streams for telecom operators.”

Mr. Edwall believes that communication is an essential human need, saying this is the very essence of organization like Ericsson, stressing that this was why his firm continues to be at the frontline of efforts to create an all communicating world.

“And this is the reason why 40 per cent of every phone call made today, pass through Ericsson’s systems,” he said in a press statement signed by the Head, Corporate and Marketing Communications for West Africa, Ericsson, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi.

Ericsson was founded in 1876 in Sweden by Lars Magnus Ericsson, and has grown to be a multinational corporation with presence scattered in many countries including Nigeria.

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Motorola, others root for stakeholders forum

Leading mobile communications equipment manufacturer, Motorola is leading the pack of supporters for the second annual Stakeholders Forum billed to take place in Lagos, next week.

Champion Infotel, gathered that other telecom giants slated to participate at the forum as a show of their support comprise of Alcatel, and Alvarion among others.

Also, Champion Infotel investigations showed that even the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has identified Motorola, Alcatel, and Alvarion as telcos who are leading in broadband deployment globally.

Source at NCC informed that these companies have the capabilities to show their technological prowess in the broadband segment.

“Essentially, the commission is using the forum to ensure that manufacturers are adequately prepared for the nation’s next big Information and Communication Technology (ICT) move and that is broadband internet,” our source declared.

Other ICT companies that have shown interest in taking active part at this year’s forum include Redline Telecom and Echotel Global Wireless Communications, Philips Projects Centre Limited, NetCom Africa Limited and Direct On PC to name a few.

Speaking on the preparation, Editor-in-chief of the collaborating organization, IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang, said plans are in high gear and enthusiasm from anticipated participants, are encouraging.

He recalled that last year, his organisation initiated the forum as a means of creating awareness on new and emerging technologies as well as a medium through which the forerunners of the country’s emerging telecom boom, namely the regulator, equipment vendors and manufacturers, operators, and the general public; could brainstorm on topical issues affecting the telecom industry.

He noted that the nucleus of the first edition was on the Unified Licensing Regime – the Way Forward, in which the country’s former Communications Minister, Chief Cornelius Adebayo gave a keynote address, while Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), NCC, delivered the lead paper.

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ICANN plans transfer of RegisterFly domain names

Following the failure of RegisterFly to meet the conditions of a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) which a United States court issued on April 16, this year, global Internet coordinating agency, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN), has commenced plans to transfer domain names registered under RegisterFly.com.

Disclosing this, ICANN said that the subsequent ruling penultimate Friday by Justice Manuel J. Real, allows the organization to terminate RegisterFly’s accreditation as soon as possible.

This provides ICANN to ensure that current and accurate data for all of RegisterFly’s domain names are transferred, hence it is now inviting expression of interest.

A press statement made available to Champion Infotel by Media Advisers at ICANN, Messrs Jason Keenan and Andrew Robertson, informed that ICANN is immediately inviting statements of interest from accredited registrars which began Monday, April 30, 2007, who would act as transfer providers, in order to enable domain name registrants gain full access to their domains.

“The registrar handling the transfers will temporarily hold the names and help registrants transfer to any ICANN accredited registrar of their choice,” the advisers said.

They quoted the chief executive of ICANN, Dr. Paul Twomey as saying that getting correct registrants are the first concern of his organization as far as termination of RegisterFly accreditation is concerned.

He noted that ICANN is following a very determined approach in returning access to domain name registrants impacted by the collapse of RegisterFly.

“ICANN knows that many registrants are anxious for a transfer to occur. We are committed to making sure this process is put in place as quickly as possible,” Dr. Twomey said, adding that while ICANN understands that this process may be frustrating for some RegisterFly customers, “it is the first time that ICANN has had to intercede in such a way and these steps are being taken to ensure that the system introduced works as effectively as possible.”

The advisers also explained that potential registrants intending to be part of the transfer providers, must meet some guidelines, including that the entity must have been accredited by ICANN in the past two years and is in tandem with the Registrar Accreditation Agreement (RAA) requirement as well as able to demonstrate the possession of the technical and financial qualifications necessary to operate a registrar with the number of registrations that the applicant will need to manage if it is selected as the services provider.

They further recalled that the Court decision requires RegisterFly to immediately post a notice on its web site to this effect.

The advisers assured that once ICANN finalizes RegisterFly’s termination, the website notice must be revised to reflect the actual termination of RegisterFly’s accreditation.

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Info-economy rests on qualitative education – Microsoft

Country Manager for Nigeria at Microsoft, Mr. Chinenye Mba-Uzoukwu, has said that global information economy rests on qualitative education system.

Speaking at the company’s plan to introduce products focusing on scaling up the social and economic opportunity to boost livelihood of about five billion globally, Mr. Mba-Uzoukwu, underscored education as the bedrock for sustaining the efforts being made on global information economy.

“In the global information economy, the future prospects of individuals and entire nations rest on the quality of education available to them,” he asserted.

His declaration came handy as the chairman of Microsoft, Mr. Bill Gates told audience at the Government Leaders Forum (GLF) in Beijing, China, that Microsoft’s ‘Unlimited Potential’ initiative would be used to influence over 5 billion people worldwide.

“All human beings deserve a chance to achieve their full potential,” said Gates at the GLF. “Bringing the benefits of technology to the next five billion people will require new products that meet the needs of underserved communities; creative, new business approaches that make technology more relevant, accessible and affordable; and close collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and community organisations,” he said.

Also speaking, Regional General Manager at Microsoft for West, East & Central Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands, Mr. Thomas Hansen, noted that through this expansion of Unlimited Potential, Microsoft is increasing its long-term commitment to use technology, training and partnerships to improve education, accelerate innovation, enable jobs and enable sustainable social and economic growth – around the world and here in Africa.

The expansion of Unlimited Potential will focus on three areas, namely education, innovation, and jobs and economic opportunity.

In the area of education, the company’s five-year, $250 million investment in its Partners in Learning (PiL) programme is already active in 101 countries.

Training has equipped 2.5 million teachers and reached more than 57 million students across these countries.

Across Africa, more than 15 countries have PiL agreements with Microsoft, including Nigeria under which the recently signed Strategic Partnership Agreement, would provide the FGN with local resources to deliver ICT skills training and curriculum leadership to educational institutions.

Through PiL, Microsoft will make its new Student Innovation Suite available in the second half of 2007.

The suite is an affordable and reliable software package for those governments that purchase and give Windows-based PCs to primary and secondary students for their personal use at home and for schoolwork.

Microsoft also announced plans to increase its participation with Microsoft Innovation Centres over the next two years and anticipates opening and supporting 200 centres in an additional 25 countries, including Nigeria, by 2009.

Microsoft Innovation Centres provide local software communities with a set of programmes and services to expand people’s skills - helping to create jobs, strengthen innovation and improve competitiveness.

In the area of enabling jobs and opportunities, Microsoft is working with governments and industry leaders to accelerate skills development and help employers find qualified candidates.

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MTN begins test calls on 3G platform

Leading Third Generation (3G) telecommunication operator in Nigeria, MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, has announced the commence of the trial calls on its 3G Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) platform.

The trial that took off Monday, according to MTN’s Chief Technical Officer (CTO), Mr. Karl Toriola, was successfully made with “voice and video” testing.

Mr. Toriola confirmed that call testing of its 3G network has commenced across three major cities in Nigeria, namely Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt, stressing that the telco is working tirelessly to complete the ring and on time as scheduled.

MTN’s speedy roll out of the 3G, has been boosted by its existing 3,500-kilometre fibre optic network, launched in Abuja mid last year.

In addition, he said, MTN understands the importance of the 3G telephony, hence, “We’re deploying facilities at a very fast pace as we‘re certain that most customers on the MTN network are eager to switch on their phones to enjoy voice and video calls made.”

Mr. Toriola noted that those who have 3G-enabled mobile phones, would be able to access Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and 3G networks as soon as they subscribe for 3G services.

Key value of 3G telephony, he said, is the ability to transport high-speed data over the wireless network with full mobility.

“The high speed mobility enables Internet browsing, TV, video calls and all forms of content and value added services, to be at the fingertips of customers,” he said.

Mr. Toriola added that work is already at an advanced level to guarantee that all customers on the MTN network would be able to enjoy the advantage of making crystal clear voice and video calls on their 3G-enabled phones.

Also commenting, MTN Nigeria’s chief executive, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, said the deployment is in fulfilment of the company’s promise to the people of Nigeria and particularly its subscribers.

“This is a huge milestone for MTN and indeed for Nigeria,” he said, stressing that already numerous enquiries are coming from all nooks and crannies of the country on when MTN will roll out its 3G facilities.

“It is a mark of confidence in the company and its ability to consistently deliver value,” Mr. Farroukh said.

He emphasised on the commitment of the company to continuously live up to its responsibility to its customers and the country as a whole, hence MTN is keen in deploying a world class 3G telephony facilities that would not only stimulate an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) revolution in the country, but to ensure that customers enjoy excellent services.

MTN, it would be recalled was among the four telcos who made pay $150 Million for the recently awarded 3G licenses, by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

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