Anyim commends NCS on sustainable leadership

Former Senate President, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim has commended the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) on sustainable leadership quality devoid of rancour especially during transitions.

Champion Infotel recalls that in the past 20 years of the body since its days as the Computer Association of Nigeria (COAN) to its present status as NCS since 2003, it has been a smooth transition.

Chief Anyim gave his commendation while presiding over the opening ceremony at the 21st national conference of NCS at the Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri, last Monday.

“I am told that the society is about 20 years old without any record of rancorous leadership transition,” he said.

The former Senate President also said that he was convinced that these 20 years would have been most eventful given the amount of progress NCS has made in recent times.

“May I therefore use this opportunity to commend and congratulate the present and past leadership of NCS, all members of the society, all stakeholders in the industry and more so the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and relevant State Governments for their respective roles in giving IT its right of place in Nigeria. Though, a lot more is obviously required to be done,” Chief Anyim asserted.

The conference which focused on “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria: IT strategies and tools,” he noted, played up the strategies and tools of IT that are indispensable for the actualisation of MDGs.

He also subscribed to the assertion of the former scribe of the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Mr. A.M. Mbou that Information Technology has opened up such tremendous vista for modern societies and “any failure to master it would mean a life of permanent subordination – for Information Technology is more than a form of power, it is a power system.”

He pointed out that the technology involves not just one form of technology among others but an ability to make use of other technologies to give or refuse access to a whole range of scientific data and knowledge and thus to design new models of development.

He equally charged NCS to live up to expectation presented by the conference and remain one of the most IT strategic approaches for achieving the MDG.

This is so because, he expects the conference to highlight new developments in the areas covered by its themes and how to deploy them in achieving MDGs in the country.

He added that Nigerians would not loose sight of major IT tools in achieving MDGs such as in the establishment of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the subsequent establishment of Nigerian Internet Registration Association (NIRA) to control the .ng domains in the country.

photo: r-l Chief Anyim with Zinox chairman, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh at NCS meeting in Owerri.

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Kolade presides over SystemSpecs

Quintessential communicator and the outgoing Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, has emerged the new chairman of the nation’s leading software house, SystemSpecs Limited.

This follows the acceptance of the invitation to preside over the Board of Directors of SystemSpecs.

Making this known to Champion Infotel, Managing Director and Chief Executive, SystemSpecs, Mr. John Tani Obaro, said that his firm saw it as honour for Dr. Kolade to accept to lead the board with his wealth of experience.

According to him, SystemSpecs has done very well in the last 15 years, hence the time has come for it to migrate to the next level in growing the company.

“As we say in Information Technology (IT), it is time to upgrade and move to the next level for sustainable business growth,” he declared.

Mr. Obaro also said that in order to achieve this objective, the company believes that it would benefit immensely from the extensive public and private, local and international exposure, experience and leadership quality of Dr. Kolade.

“We’re delighted by Dr. Kolade’s acceptance of this appointment and are confident that all our current and would-be stakeholders will gain from his wealth of experience,” Obaro asserted.

Senior Manager, Corporate Services at SystemSpecs, Mr. Moses Braimah quoted Dr. Kolade in a press statement made available to Champion Infotel, as being delighted with the invitation.

“I am delighted to accept the invitation to lead the board of SystemSpecs. I am highly impressed by the dynamism and clear-sightedness of its youthful executive team, and look forward to joining in the endeavour to add more value to this national asset that has already secured a leadership position in the software industry in Nigeria,” Dr. Kolade said.

SystemSpecs is proudly Nigerian software house that prides itself as human capital and financial business software solutions provider since 1992 and has over 200 clients in Nigeria and other parts of Africa.

Champion Infotel recollects that late last year, the Federal Government in collaboration with the World Bank, following a highly competitive bid involving global leading Payroll and Human Resources (HR) solution providers, awarded the contract for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) to the SystemSpecs Consortium.

The pilot phase involving seven ministries, departments and agencies has been completed and used to pay the relevant staff since April 2007.

Just as the SystemSpecs equally, introduced Remita into the nation’s market. Remita is an electronic courier service that rides on secured platforms to deliver funds to bank accounts and associated schedules to relevant bodies.

With Remita, workers salaries and pension contributions are remitted at the touch of a button. Payment hits the staff account instantaneously and the staff immediately receives a Short Messaging Service (SMS) alert that his salary has been paid.

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Linkserve empowers Orogbum youths with IT training

Pioneer Internet Service Provider (ISP), Linkserve Limited, has announced the recent conclusion of a two-weekend training for the Orogbum Youth Council, Orogbum community in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

A press statement from the ISP and endorsed by Head, Corporate Affairs and Business Development, Mrs. Clementine Ibekwe, said that the training which took place in May, this year, has its theme “Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Systems Installation,” comprising both the theoretical and practical aspects of VSAT installations was accompanied with free handouts and manuals for the students.

She said that the training was part of Linkserve’s continuous belief and participation in youth growth and education in Information Technology (IT).

Mrs. Ibekwe quoted the senior Operations Officer of the company’s Port Harcourt office, Mrs. Jessica Omohefe, as saying that the training was a measure by Linkserve Limited to appreciate the community having been the host community of the company’s Port Harcourt branch office.

She added that in the past eight years, when Linkserve Limited opened for operations in the vicinity, there has not been any form of threats.

“They truly deserve this and more,” she declared.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Secretary and Public Relations Officer of the Youth Council, Messrs Izim Sunny and Uche Ali respectively, expressed appreciation to Linkserve Limited for the privilege and opportunity given them to gain such knowledge.

They submitted by saying that such measures taken by Linkserve to empower and make relevant the youth, should be emulated by other companies in all the sectors of the economy.

“They should seek ways to enhance the ‘Tomorrows’ of Nigeria,” the youth leaders said.

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Zinox, Abia team up on CANi

LEADING Nigerian brand and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Zinox Technologies Limited, has teamed up with the Abia State to boost the Computer for All Nigerian Initiative (CANi).

This follows the launch at the weekend the state Computer for All Abians Initiative (CAAi) in Umuahia, the Abia State capital.

Disclosing this, Zinox chairman, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh described the partnership as a well-deserved one and is expected from every government in other states of the federation.

He also commended the Abia state government for upholding the initiative, especially now that some governors are yet to settle down for business, saying that the launch shows the readiness of the government in Abia State to empower and reposition its citizenry with Information Technology (IT), especially with Zinox brand of Personal Computers (PCs) and laptops.

Also speaking to Champion Infotel on the CAAI, the chief executive of the Computerise Nigeria Project (CNP), Mrs. Vivian Abii, said that the event went well.

“It went very well and amusingly well,” she said.

Mrs. Abia equally disclosed that already, the Abia State government through the project has ordered 500 Personal Computers (PCs) made up of desktops and laptops.

This figure, she said, have been supplied immediately by CNP in collaboration with Zinox Technologies Limited.

“They have ordered almost 500 which have been supplied already,” Mrs Abia said, adding that the PCs are expected to be distributed among the state’s civil servants.

According to her, the CAAI is an initiative of the Abia State government in collaboration with AfriBank Plc, even as CNP would soon commence training for the civil servants.

“They brought their own bank, AfriBank and the next step is training for civil servants, including those who bought and potential buyers,” she said.

The essence of the training, she pointed out would be to ensure that the PCs they bought are put to use both at home and office.

She further said that the state governor, Chief Theodore Orji, endorsed CAAI and prayed that the support would continue in order for a steady progress to be recorded.

“It was very good and the government was fully behind it,” she declared.

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NCS tasks Yar’Adua on ICT ministry

Umbrella body of the nation’s Information Technology (IT) professionals, the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) has tasked President Musa Umaru Yar’Adua over the need to revisit the creation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) ministry, because of convergence.

Champion Infotel recalls that convergence in ICT has become increasingly hot topics, which avails the possibilities of integrating telecommunications and broadcast media both in operation and regulation.

An instance is the use of Internet for telecommunications through the Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and Podcast, which is an online broadcasting via the Internet.

Additionally, podcasting, is a method of publishing files to the Internet, that allows users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically by subscription, but used largely as audio files since 2004.

NCS speaking through its immediate past President and chief executive, Condata Systems Limited, Dr. Chris Nwannenna at the just concluded 21st Annual General Meeting and international conference held at the Sam Mbakwe’s Hall, Imo Concorde Hotel, Owerri, Imo State, called on President Yar’Adua to revisit the issue of creating ICT ministry.

Presently, he noted that key federal government parastatals are scattered into three ministries, including the placing of telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) in Information and Communications Ministry, the national IT policy administrator, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in Ministry of Science and Technology and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) located at the Ministry of Education.

Although, he noted that NCS had in the past consistently advocated for the creation of an IT Ministry, in the light of obvious implications and convergence at this time, as well as need to learn from other countries like Egypt, the society has reiterated its recommendation for ICT Ministry.

Dr. Nwannenna pointed out that a Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MCIT) should comprise a merged National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and NCC, NITDA and CPN.

This recommendation, he noted, was almost unanimously adopted by members of the Technical sub-committee of the Federal Government’s Task Force for restructuring the industry last year before the then Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s government moved NCC to the Ministry of Information.

“While NITDA was left in the Ministry of Science and Technology, and CPN still in the Ministry of Education,” he said.

NCS also stressed that this arrangement placed the IT and communications agencies in three different ministries thus still leaving room for duplication of functions, which the society thought the whole exercise of harmonization was intended to curb.

“Another point worth mentioning is that the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology has more that 20 agencies and parastatals under its supervision,” he observed.

Dr. Nwannenna equally said that to leave NITDA in this overstretched Ministry implies that the country is not placing any premium on Information Technology (IT), “which the whole world has come to accept as a key enabler of the economy.”

Theme of the event was “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria: IT Strategies and Tools.”

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Digitest to empower 400 children

Digitest, an initiative of the Digital Peers International (DPI), has concluded plans to empower over 400 Information Technology (IT) youngsters at this year’s edition.

Digitest Nigeria is an annual gathering of children with focus on IT just as the 2007 edition would hold at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.

This is coming as 30 of these whiz kids are slated for the international version of this year’s Digitest Abroad to be held in Singapore.

Disclosing this, National Coordinator, DPI, Mrs. Ibukun Odusote, said that each of the session, be it Digitest Nigeria or abroad would last for two weeks with the theme: Excellent Governance through e-government.

She also said that the programme has been designed to expose participating children, aged 8 to 18 with the basic IT training and website design on the Internet using various tools.

“Team building among Nigerian children, thought provoking debates and lectures are some of the sub-themes for the programme,” she declared.

While Digitest Nigeria would hold at the Loyola Jesuit College Abuja, between August 19 and 31, she said that Digitest Abroad has been scheduled for August 2 through 13, 2007 at the Informatics Institute in Singapore-South East Asia.

Mrs. Odusote noted that the focus on children was because no development nowadays takes place without Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), even as computers have taken over the determinants of national development.

“Digitest which is IT based is a modest contribution to the computer age in terms of creating awareness for what would happen in this country if any of our children between the ages of 8 and 18 now are not computer proficient in the next seven to 10 years, it would be disastrous for this great country,” she lamented.

Mrs. Odusote added that the concept of using vacation periods to host Digitest camping was not an accident, but carefully designed arrangement to ensure that school children are heavily involved in IT as their vacation jobs instead of making unfriendly friends and associating with undesirable elements within their midst or spending their long vacation fruitlessly.

She stressed that DPI recognises this temptation and equally came up with the idea.

While charging parents to create an exciting and focused future direction for their children, Mrs. Odusote noted this could be achieved by involving and registering such children as DigiPals, members of the national Digitest IT Club and get them acquainted with the new world order based on ICT.

DPI is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) championing the development of ICT capabilities in women and children, and empowerment based on knowledge.

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Ugly trends of ATM bombing

Market Intelligence:

Recent reports revealed that some Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), were bombed by robbers to ease their operations of carting away physical cash at the location.

An ATM allows a bank customer to conduct banking transactions from almost every other ATM machine in the world and is better known as unattended electronic machine in a public place, connected to a data system and related equipment for dispensing of cash.

Specifically, few weeks ago in South Africa, two ATMs were bombed but in all cases no money was stolen, the South African Police Service (SAPS) reported.

According to Captain William McErwa of SAPS, three armed men recently bombed a Standard Bank ATM at the Daxina Shopping Complex in Lenasia.

He also said that the robbers fled before the ATM exploded, and police found money scattered around the ATM.

Equally, First National Bank ATM was bombed at about 03:00 on Friday in Sebokeng, Zone 7 on June 8.

“The money was not taken but the ATM was badly damaged,” Mr. McErwa added that the Police believed the two incidents were linked.

He pointed out that in both cases commercial mining explosives were used.

This is coming as SAPS’ Gauteng police spokesperson Sanku Tsunke informed that an ATM robber’s arms were surgically amputated after explosives detonated while he was trying to remove cash from the machine.

However, the impact of this kind of robbery is the realty of the danger associated therein, especially when most of the ATMs in the country are attached to bank building.

The aforementioned situation could be averted when our security agencies begin to wear their thinking caps appropriately.

Also, financial institutions deploying ATMs in the country should be cognisance of this fact and dangers thereof, hence begin now to think about overcoming this ATM bombing incidents before this ugly trend hits the nation.

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Linkserve offers free bandwidth to customers

Linkserve Limited, a leading Internet Service Provider (ISP) in the country, has upgraded its bandwidth offering to customers on the Kurtz-under (KU) band for free.

The Ku band is principally used for satellite communications, particularly for editing and broadcasting satellite television.

Additionally, Ku band is a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies ranging from 11.7 to 12.7GHz for downlink frequencies and 14 to 14.5 Gega Hertz (GHz) uplink frequencies.

The most common Ku band digital reception format is the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) with the main profile video format, .vs.

Disclosing this to Champion Infotel, Head, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Development, Mrs. Clementine Ibekwe informed that with this new development, all Linkserve customers would enjoy a free 20 per cent increase in bandwidth capacity.

She also said that this capacity comes with a very generous connection for Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) calls and all the services provided by the company.

“It allows the customer to make local calls as well as international calls and at the same time browse the Internet,” she said.

Mrs. Ibekwe, equally disclosed that this increased capacity is being given at no extra cost to customers.

“It is the company’s way of appreciating their loyalty and patronage in 10 years of Linkserve’s existence,” she said, stressing that Linkserve has reaffirmed its commitment to providing the best services possible to customers at all times.

Linkserve is the acclaimed first Nigerian company to venture into the ISP business with priority to ensure value creation for her customers, since 1997.

Champion Infotel recalls that the award winning company was the only official ISP for CHOGM and The Eight All African games in 2003.

In a related development, Linkserve has announced the conclusion of a two-weekend training for the Orogbum Youth Council, Orogbum community in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

The training theme was on the “Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) Systems Installation,” comprised of both the theoretical and practical aspects of VSAT installations was accompanied with free handouts and manuals for the students.

Mrs. Ibekwe added that the training was part of her continuous belief and participation in youth growth and education in Information Technology (IT).

Also, senior Operations Officer of the company’s Port Harcourt office, Mrs. Jessica Omohefe, said that the training was a measure by Linkserve Limited to appreciate the community having been the host community of the company’s Port Harcourt branch office.

She added that in the past eight years, when Linkserve Limited opened for operations in the vicinity, there has not been any form of threats.

“They truly deserve this and more,” she declared.

Speaking on behalf of the participants, Secretary and Public Relations Officer of the Youth Council, Messrs Izim Sunny and Uche Ali respectively, expressed appreciation to Linkserve Limited for the privilege and opportunity given them to gain such knowledge.

The submitted by saying that such measures taken by Linkserve to empower and make relevant the youth, should be emulated by other companies in all the sectors of the economy.

“They should seek ways to enhance the ‘Tomorrows’ of Nigeria,” the youth leaders said.

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HP unveils Pavilion range of computers

Hewlett Packard (HP), a technology solutions provider has formally introduced its ultra-stylish Pavilion range of Personal Computers (PCs) in the West African region, reports LEONARD OKACHIE.

Unveiling the product recently in Lagos, the company’s management said with sleek good looks and all the performance, users could expect from HP, the pavilion PCs are set to be the fashion-craze’s choice for turning heads in the home personal computing arena.

As an emerging market, HP is starting with a limited range of options to ensure that there is full after-sales-service support in the country to ensure HP Total Customer Experience a major focus of HP.

Speaking at the event, the Managing Director, HP West Africa, Dr Lloyd Atabansi, said the Pavilion will give people freedom to reach out to friends and family across the world wherever they may be.

“People want personalized, rich services that fit their unique lifestyles. Today, we want you to begin living the HP strategy which is reliable innovation at a price out customer can afford, delivered with an experience that sets HP apart from the competition” he explained.

According to the category manager, English-Africa, Ms Terae Onyeje the desktop options will excite the young and adults to explore HP’s digital entertainment solutions with the media centre Pcs.

“The stylish Thin Film Transistor (TFT) panels are delivered with speakers and widescreen technology; waiting videos on these PCs would make a world of difference,” she remarked.

Onyeje noted that entry and mid-range notebook options have been specifically built for the West African market.

The notebook according to her “does not only look great but performs well too.”

She added, “Touchpad media buttons allow you to launch your favourite music, DVDs and photographs with just a swipe of the finger, perfect for no fuss entertainment on the move.”

Consumers, she said, could also be sure to staying in touch using built-in Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) to keep connected to the largest fashion news.

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HiTV signs on 3 Tv channels, Ovation

Direct-To-Home (DTH) pay broadcasting house, Highway Television (HiTV) has signed on three Nigerian broadcast channels for its growing viewers on the continent.

These new sign-on include Channels News, Amuludun and Multimesh Cable Television as well as Ovation magazine.

Disclosing this, the chief executive, HiTV, Mr. Toyin Subair said that the broadcast outfits are the Nigeria’s first all news station, Channels News, first 24-hour Yoruba language television programme, Amuludun Tv owned by the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation (LSBC) and Port-Harcourt based Multimesh Cable Television (MCTV).

According to him, Channels TV would provide 24-hour news channel different from the programme it does on its terrestrial free to air station in country, while Amuludun would also provide a 24-hour Yoruba language channel.

MCTv, he said, as a cable service provider of repute would be collaborating with HiTv to bring premium television programme to five states within the South-south zone of the country.

Mr. Subair also informed that HiTV would give some of its channels to MCTv to add to its bouquet of 10 channels and transmit within its area of coverage while it would take MCTv channels onto its DTH satellite as part of its exports to the global audience.

In addition, he said that HiTV in partnership with international celebrity magazine, Ovation, would create a television version of the magazine to be known as Hi Ovation.

Confirming this deal at the press meeting in Lagos recently, the publisher of Ovation, Chief Dele Momodu, said the plan would avail global audience to enjoy Ovation on television, which is a focus on achievement of blacks.

Endorsing the partnership with HiTV, spokesperson for Channels Television, Ms Olayiwola Fadero said its an opportunity for the first indigenous all news station to do what it does best and take its rating to the international arena.

She reiterated the resolve of Channels reputed for its credibility to take the challenge and tell the Nigerian story to the outside world the Nigerian way.

In his reaction, the chief executive, MCTv, Sir Godfrey Nwabunwa noted that as a known terrain his company is ready for the partnership with HiTv, especially in the effort to make TV viewing much cheaper for Nigerians.

He expressed glad that the platform would be used to create impact for Nigerian cartoons and children’s shows.

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Palms, MSI gear for children on scientific summer

The Palms, a premier western styled shopping mall in collaboration with Mad Science Incorporated (MSI), has concluded plans to take children for a summer ride in Lagos with free mix of educative and entertaining scientific displays and inventions.

A press statement from The Palms, informed Champion Infotel that from August 1st to 14th, children would gather in The Palms’ foyer for an amazing “Fire and Ice” show.

It was also gathered that plans have been advanced to ensure participating children are dazed as they watch objects levitate in mid air.

The children are equally expected to learn all about Bernoulli’s principle of aerodynamics through these interactive experiments, even as they will be having some fun alongside.

The organisers said that the event has been structured to enable them touch, feel and taste what science is really all about.

“They will build rockets, make indoor lightning, learn why airplanes fly and volcanoes erupt and so much more,” the statement from The Palms read.

Mad Science is an international organization that was founded in 1985 and currently services children in over 220 locations in 22 countries globally, including Nigeria.

The company said it’s mission is to spark the imagination and curiosity of children everywhere by providing them with fun, entertainment embodied in educational activities, so as to instil a clear understanding of what science is really about and how it affects the world around them.

In addition, Mad Science offers in-class workshops, after school enrichment programmes, summer camps, school assemblies, special events, birthday parties, and a series of scholastic books for children 3 to 14 years old.

Equally, a team of professional educators, scientists and entertainers to ensure that Mad Science programmes are accurate, educational and fun.

Themes of various Mad programmes cut across rocketry, lasers, sound modulation, space, indoor fireworks, and over 70 more topics.

The Palms Mall, managed by Broll Property Services Ltd, is the Nigerian subsidiary of Broll Property Group (PTY) Limited South Africa, owned by Persianas Properties Ltd and is home to about 69 businesses offering a wide range of products and services ranging from clothing, food, household items and electronic equipment to gift items and artwork.

The Palms recently celebrated Father’s Day by putting up a display of the latest Information Technology (IT) and communication gadgets for father’s and customers alike.

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Net Solution joins HP premier partners

Foremost Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solution provider, Net Solutions Limited, has been named one of the Hewlett Packard (HP) ‘Premier Partner’ for West Africa at a ceremony held recently in Cape Town, South Africa.

Managing Director, Net Solutions, Dr. Steve Uwazie who disclosed this to Champion Infotel, said the elevation came with an award in recognition of his firm’s contributions in the sub-regional market.

This contributions, he said, were both satisfactory in technical and sales requirements to deliver world-class solutions on HP platform.

He also said that the award is a welcome development for his company, which has continued to support the Nigerian IT market said to be the toast of international community.

Dr. Uwazie added that Net Solutions has also joined the HP’s Millionaire Club as the company’s turnover in HP business has tremendously grown in the last one year.

“We‘re invited in Cape Town , South Africa for the HP annual award night for Premier Partners. We have met all the technical requirements to deliver HP solutions on the sales and technical side,” he declared.

Dr. Uwazie while expressing delight over the honour assured Net Solution would continue to support the West African market with its goods and services.

He equally commended HP’s market performance in Nigeria , stressing that Net Solutions looks at the problems of the IT industry and as such react appropriately for different clients with IBM, Cisco, Microsoft, Veritas Software Solutions, among others.

Uwazie who worked for about 16 years for IBM noted with excitement that his company’s partnership with HP has added great value not only to his company but also to the Nigerian IT market.

As the competition increases in the market place, he assured that Net Solutions has all it takes to support the nation’s IT market and beyond in the sub-region.

“We have come to stay even though there are many challenges ahead. The market is very large. This award and others won in the previous years have elevated Net Solutions. We will always deliver to our customers” he reiterated.

As the certified system integrator for SAP implementation for Obajana Cement factory in Kogi State owned by Dangote Company, he said that Net Solutions will not only continue to deliver services to its customers but will also take the Nigerian IT industry to the next level with its value added services.

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Senator Arise to preside @ FIT summit

Senator Ayo Arise of Ekiti State and chief executive, Card Technologies Limited, is billed to preside over the Finance and Information Technology (FIT) summit scheduled for tomorrow, July 26 in Lagos.

This is coming as the sole provider of toll free and vanity number services in the country, Alpha Technologies Limited and leading switching services provider, InterSwitch Limited, have confirmed participation in the summit.

Confirming this development, Coordinator of ICTAfrica, the organisers, Don Pedro Aganbi, while disclosing that over 150 key decision makers are expected at the event, said the Chief Executive of InterSwitch Limited, Mr. Mitchell Elegbe, is expected to lead discussions on “ATM’s cum e-Payment’s in Nigeria and the shape of things to come”, whereas Alpha Technologies would exhibit their innovative toll free 0800 and non-toll free 0700 numbers, also known as SMAT numbers.

Speaking on the summit with the theme, “Seamless ICT Integration in Post-Consolidation Era,” Managing director, Alpha Technologies, Mrs. Maggie Peters, revealed that the company would also stage a raffle draw for participants at the summit where winners would get free special SMAT numbers.

The firm, she said, would print for the winners a set of cards bearing the SMAT numbers to brand the winners, adding that SMAT or vanity numbers, are telephone numbers where the letters associated with the number digits on the telephone.

, spell a name or word of value which the subscribers feels is memorable enough to associate his telephone number contacts with.

“What happens is that instead of reeling out the 11 digit numbers as in the case of GSM numbers, the subscriber hooks on the 0-700 or 0-800 SMAT numbers in combination with his name or business name. With SMAT numbers, a subscriber’s number becomes for instance 0-700 Adewale or 0700 ABC,” she cited.

Mrs Peters equally explained the difference between the 0-700 and the 0-800 numbers, saying that the former is a non-toll free platform while the later is a toll free line.

“What this means is that under the 0-700 platform the callers pay the normal call charges while the0-800 are meant for companies or individuals who require volume of enquiries on their products or activities and so the call cost is reversed and paid not by the caller but the company or individual who owns the number,” she said.

The SMAT numbers, she said, have advantages of improving communication accessibility as much as permitting number portability, enhances image and makes for easy networking for companies with large network branches.

The theme for this year’s FITS is “seamless ICT integration in post - Consolidation Era” was chosen to enable stakeholders review progress made in IT integration post consolidation and to chart a new course going into the future.

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ATCON resuscitates NICOMM, plans Pan-awards

In the bid to resuscitate the Nigerian Communications (NICOMM) exhibitions and conferences, its organisers the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has announced a new date for NICOMM 2007.

Disclosing this to newsmen in Lagos at the weekend, ATCON president, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said that NICOMM 2007 would hold in October in Lagos.

Champion Infotel recalls that since the unexpected murder of ATCON’s immediate past president, Chief Alaba Joseph in his office in 2005, several efforts have been made to bring NICOMM back to life with the last one described as a flop by stakeholders.

This is coming as ATCON’s proposed one-day Stakeholders’ summit on energy and power, has once again been shifted till August this year.

Dr. Ekuwem said that the NICOMM event scheduled to take place at the Musical Society of Nigeria (MUSON) Centre, Onikan-Lagos, would hold on October 22 – 24, 2007.

“This edition is the 12th in the series of annual international exhibitions and conferences organised by the association,” he said.

He stressed that NICOMM-07 promises to be a mega event judging from the repackaged initiatives ATCON has given to the event.

He also said that ATCON took the decision to ensure that NICOMM measure up to international standards by introducing innovations that would attract more serious local exhibitors and multinational participants, sponsors, and visitor as well as guests.

“We have visited international shows in Europe and Asia and have made useful observations that will help us improve the standard and value of NICOMM events in the best interest of participants. The lessons we have learnt will manifest in our management of NICOMM 2007,” he declared.

He cited for instance, the collaboration with commercial sections of foreign embassies to organise trade delegations from their respective countries to participate in the NICOMM 2007.

This, he said would make it the biggest telecom/ICT event in West Africa since its inception in 1994. According to him, these trade delegations would take up Country Pavilions where they would showcase their best technologies, products and services which they offer in the global telecom/ICT market.

Equally, Dr. Ekuwem noted that there would be opportunities for special product presentations and demonstrations as well as private meetings by visiting exhibitors and sponsors with potentials local partners, dealers or country representatives.

“Opportunities will also be created for state governments wishing to attract more ICT investments to their states to showcase investment opportunities and incentives to local and foreign investors at the expo,” he said.

Dr. Ekuwem also said that ATCON at its Annual General Meeting (AGM) gave the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association approval to organise a joint stakeholders meeting to fashion out a Pan-industry Information and Communication Technology (ICT) awards.

The meeting expected to cut across ATCON, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Global System for Mobile Association (GSMA), Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON), Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) and Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) among others, to discuss the modalities and set the agenda for the pan-industry awards.

This, he said, was agreed upon to curb the prevalence of Telecom/ICT Awards in Nigeria. “We are still worried that except urgent positive steps are taken to address the situation, ICT awards in Nigeria may soon lose credibility ad public respect,” ATCON noted, adding that plans are up to host such awards that would be of international standards and recognition.

He further said that ATCON is not unmindful of the genuine efforts of leading industry media that have instituted awards to honour companies and organisations that have contributed immensely to the rapid growth of the telecom/ICT sector in the country.

“Their initiatives have been very commendable and ATCON appreciates the laudable work they have been doing. You will recall that ATCON itself instituted in 1996 the Nigerian Telecom Merit Awards to recognise individuals and companies that pioneered development in the deregulated telecom sector in Nigeria,” he said.

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Glo bags SERA prize

The Second National Operator, Globacom has bagged the maiden Social Enterprise Report & Awards (SERA 2007) recognition award.

This, the organisers said was in acknowledgement of Glo’s contributions to the social lives of people and communities in the country.

The award presented at a ceremony in Lagos, weekend, was organized by the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) in collaboration with TruContact Communications.

Reacting to the development, the Executive Director for Marketing Communication at Globacom, Mr. Okon Iyanam, said the telco was elated by the recognition, especially its contribution in the areas of sports development and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the country.

“Whether in the provision of world-class telecommunications services in the remotest Nigerian communities or in the area of corporate social investment, Globacom as a proudly Nigeria brand has positioned itself to continue to play a significant role in the lives of our people and will continue to catalyse socio-economic development not only in Nigeria but also in Africa,” he said.

According to the organisers, the Nigerian Enterprise Reports and Awards recognize and celebrate the role of corporate organizations in social giving and social transformation in Nigeria.

They also emphasised that the reports are a compendium of best practices highlighting the innovative ways that these organizations continue to engage with the people and the communities where they do business.

Champion Infotel recalls that Globacom since commencing operations in 2003 has won several awards in the telecommunications industry, including the Best Mobile Telephone Company and Best Telephone Company 2006 award by Nigerian Technology and Telecom awards (NITTA).

It also won the Thisday and Global Excellence 2006 Company of the Year as well as West Africa’s Most Preferred Telecommunications Company of Year 2006 award by Institute of Direct Marketing of Nigeria (IDMN).

It was awarded the Subscriber’s Friendly Operator in its first year, by Nigerian Telecommunications Subscribers and adjudged the network with the Lowest Call Drop Rate by Nigeria Telecom News.

Industry regulator, the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), in 2005 declared it the network with the “Better overall Quality of Service and Billing Accuracy”.

Equally, the International Telephone Union (ITU), an agency of the United Nations in its report on African Telecommunication Indicators noted that the entry of Globacom into Nigeria ’s telecom industry had brought “greater innovation, lower tariffs and better services.”

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Mrakpor tasks FG on policy

Chief Executive of Nigeria’s acclaimed Internet service provider, HiREST Africa Limited, Mr. Igho Mrakpor, has tasked the Federal Government to ensure that it puts in place policies that would encourage the growth of broadband Internet access in the country.

This, he also said would pave the way for adaptation and growth of technology convergence.

Speaking through the firm’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mrs. Ufuoma ‘Daro, at the recently ended Nigerian International GSM Strategic conference and exhibition in Abuja, Mr. Mrakpor noted that currently only estimated 3.1 per cent of the population have access to the Internet.

Dwelling on his paper, “Growing Broadband Internet penetration through Convergence,” Mrakpor said that with the convergence of technologies access to the Internet is excepted to increase.

Mr. Mrakpor emphasised that statistics have also shown that there is a growing awareness of the importance of the Internet among Nigerians hence more and more citizens are itching to have access.

“The increase in the number of users from 200,000 in year 2000 to five million in year 2006 is a clear indication in the growing interest and awareness in the use of the Internet. This therefore, calls for the need to grow the Internet market penetration in the country,” he said.

He advocated that social benefits to the end user should be the major motive behind regulation in the era of convergence and not economic gains only.

“Every decision the government has to take on this issue of technological convergence should be based on giving consumers benefits in terms of service and cost,” he said.

As said by him, the Internet is a perfect example of convergence, which is driven by openness and as such, is very difficult to regulate.

He stressed that in the country today, the Internet is becoming increasingly popular with greater percentage of the penetration on a daily basis.

He further observed that technology right now is based on mobility and as such should be encouraged at all levels.

He recalled that in recent times, the emergence of the Internet and the increasing capability of existing networks to carry both telecommunications and broadcasting services, have brought about evidences of convergence with the increasing use of the same technologies by different sectors, notably the telecoms, media and information technology (IT).

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