Still on PlayStation3 saga: Nigerians set to sue Sony Corporation

Aggrieved Nigerians especially those in diaspora may have started to strategise on the possibility of dragging Japanese electronic company, Sony Corporation, to court over the ‘malicious PlayStation3 commercial’ on the Internet which portrayed Nigerians as criminals.

ITRealms Online reliably gathered at the weekend that the impending law suit to be instituted in Lagos or Abuja, has reached an advanced stage and only awaiting final touches.

One of those concerned Nigerian professionals is an Abuja-based Independent Entertainment Management Consultant, Mr. Iboro Otu. He told ITRealms Online that he felt that the Sony’s PlayStation3 commercial adversely affected businesses of corporate Nigerians, including himself.

The suit, it was gathered would be worth $100 million.

According to Mr. Otu, his company has plans to assemble internationally reputed entrepreneurs in the country before the ‘ridiculous commercial’ was unveiled by Sony Corporation.

“We are working on bringing in global entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry to assist in reinventing this sector in Nigeria and a silly publicity like this just hit us below the belt, it kills the whole purpose,” he declared, asking “Who wants to go to a country when you hear issues like these are incessant? It’s very irritating.”

Iboro also said that his company, www.abillionmen.com, is working on collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Communications toward addressing such an issue.

“My company is looking at working in partnership with the ministry of information on ways to address issues like this and at the moment, we are still in communication,” he said.

He expressed optimism that this step of taking Sony to court would prevent such corporations like Sony and other countries of the world from insulting Nigeria and Nigerians wherever they may be.

“My hope is that we can get to stop corporations and nations from making Nigeria a butt of their jokes on corruption issues. We’re not worse than anybody. Enough is now enough,” he said.

ITRealms Online recalls that last week, management of Sony Corporation in the Middle East and Africa were at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja to apologise to the Federal Government through the Ministry of Information and Communications, which was rejected out-rightly by Prof. Dora Akunyili, insisting that the letter of apology from Sony be re-worded appropriately to reflect admission of guilt to all Nigerians instead of ‘some Nigerians.’

Akunyili said that the government noted with dismay that the reference to Nigeria is not accepted by the people and government of Nigeria and requested Sony Corporation to ensure the withdrawal of the advert from circulation, which depicted Nigerians as fraudsters.

A press statement from Akunyili’s office last week, maintained “Nigeria also demands an unconditional apology from Sony Corporation for this deliberate negative campaign against the country’s image and reputation. The apology must be given the same measure of publicity by Sony Corporation in all channels where the unfortunate adverts were aired.

According to her, the government of Nigeria sees this as an effort by Sony Corporation to undermine Nigerian’s business interest globally.

“This insinuation is in bad faith and unacceptable. The Government and the good people of Nigeria reject this unwarranted attack on the reputation and image of the country,” she said, highlighting the fact that the commitment of the present administration in making certain that fraudsters are rid of in the country by putting in place institutions and mechanisms to ensure the country of any form of fraudulent exercise.

However, industry analysts endorsed the plans to drag Sony to court in order to teach the company a life lession of respecting other people’s sanctity.

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Experts to explore key drivers of Nigeria’s telecom in UK

The key drivers for sector development and network expansion through creation of enabling environment for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) growth in Nigeria is top on the agenda of a two-day telecommunications summit to hold in the United Kingdom (UK) in November this year, says Ms Sylvia Ogunka, a member of the organizing team.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Ogunka said the event being put together by BEN Television and Lancaster Investments UK Limited, tagged Nigeria UK Telecommunications Summit is about promoting strategic growth.

She also said that the two day summit would hold in November in London, with top on the agenda focusing on the network expansion on Nigeria’s ICT growth strategy in addition to the government initiatives to stimulate investment and private sector participation - Nigeria’s privatisation programme and the telecommunications sector as well as the future of NITEL.

According to her, the role of government in providing communications infrastructure, viable options for solving the interconnectivity problem and plans for expansion into rural areas – investment and opportunities will form part of the agenda.

Additionally, the fiscal and legal frameworks for investment, enhancing the role of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to achieve the regulatory effectiveness, independence and transparency, and how the Commission plan to manage competition in the best interest of the consumers, have been slated as part of the programme for discussion at the summit.

Ogunka further said that investors’ expectation and perspective of the regulatory environment, independent regulatory and competitive analysis and best practice case study of a successful regulatory model would also be addressed.

She pointed out that the impact of market growth on profitability, growth of the fixed wireless network- realistic targets for broadband access, strategies to enhance operators’ performance, infrastructure sharing a means of construction amongst telecoms operators, just as the liberalization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and managing energy supply for the telecommunications sector have not been left out of the summit’s agenda.

Equally, Ogunka informed correspondents that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for economical rural telephone and infrastructure development were available inNigeria. How is VoIP advancing in Nigeria; how is it going to affect competition, would be adequately covered at the summit.

Even as seeking to answer which of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) that has the capability to increase internet penetration for all more efficiently in a state like Nigeria.

She emphasized that the summit would examine the potential for later generation technology 2.5G and 3G in Nigeria as well as the future of multimedia - digital music and mobile gaming to name a few.

ITRealms Online recalls that BEN Television in partnership with Lancaster Investments (UK) Ltd aims through the summit to provide a forum for learning which allows all established investors and new investors in the Nigerian telecommunications industry to meet with their peers and ultimately, expand their businesses.

They organizers are collaborating closely with the Ministry of Communications, and Nigerian Investment Promotion Corporation (NIPC).

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Ilukwe frowns @ duplication of infrastructure

MANAGING Director of Galaxy Backbone Plc, Mr. Gerald Ilukwe, has frowned at what he described as unnecessary duplication of infrastructure, lamenting that the situation has left Nigeria to be perpetually building infrastructure.

This is coming as the government-owned company plans to create about 10,000 electronic mails for government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) before the end of 2009.

Addressing newsmen at the weekend at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja after a facility tour of Galaxy installations, Mr. Ilukwe noted with dismay that individualizing structure in the country has not been helpful for the growth of the nation.

He pointed out that this was what the government realized and decided to set up Galaxy to correct that error, stressing that though Galaxy is a business concern of the government, they are not in business to take over business from the private sector operators, but to help government to drive its processes adequately and remain competitive in the face of Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) unprecedented growth in the past few years.

Individualizing infrastructure per state, for instance, he said, does not offer opportunities for sustainability of such projects for the holistic advancement of the nation.

“What happens now is that you have a lot of people when they have a project similar to ours, the huge chunk of money that is spent is on civil works, built this, built that and perpetually building, instead of exploring the existing assets and structures that we have and equipping those structures adequately by taking a holistic view of development,” he opined.

He advised corporate institutions in the country to be mindful of this by erecting infrastructure that could offer the populace many other options, citing the deployment of solar energy in some parts of the world to push penetration of access and maximization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

He also disclosed that Galaxy has operational presence in 2,300 site locations nationwide and is massively collaborating with other government agencies, through Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT), explaining that Galaxy is not limiting itself to usage of VSAT, but looks at other solutions that would make its objectives achievable.

“So, in some of the rural communities we go to, we have solar equipment to support that. It is easier to pick that via a helicopter and drop it anywhere in Nigeria,” he declared.

Ilukwe, therefore advocated strongly that Nigeria as a nation begin to use and subsequently begin to use existing infrastructure, thereby saving more money and channeling such savings into other infrastructure where it would be most needed.

“Take for instance, if you want to build a cybercafé, why don’t I say to somebody using existing infrastructure give me 10 x 10 or 20 x 20 room space and take the money and put in power generation or something else,” he suggested, maintaining on the need to take a holistic approach to let somebody bring this structures upto standards.

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Lack of awareness, bane of ICT – Jones

Lack of awareness of the benefits of and low appreciation of information and communications technology (ICT), have been identified as some of the problems confronting the growth of electronic payment (e-payment) systems in the country.

Stating this in Lagos last week, at the Telecom Device Forum 2009, was Mr. Wale Jones, a telecom lawyer.

Others he said, were low level of education and more particularly computer education; inadequate ICT infrastructure such as low internet bandwidth, problems of connectivity and uneven spread of available ICT infrastructure.

Mr. Jones who spoke on; The legal aspects of e-payment system in Nigeria-issues and challenges, also identified high cost of ICT infrastructure; epileptic power supply; problem of IT security particularly issues of cybercriminality and lack of proper legal and regulatory framework.

Mr. Jones identified IT security and cybercriminality, such as hacking, cracking, advanced fee fraud (419); general risk of fraud; adequate supervision of relevant institutions and consumer protection as some of the legal and regulatory issues in e-payment system.

Other regulatory issues, he said, Data Protection and Privacy- Relevance of s.37 of the Nigerian Constitution 1999; jurisdiction; applicable law; validity of electronic data; validity of electronic contracts; validity of electronic signature as well as the citizens confidence in the legal and regulatory framework.

“There is need for an Electronic Communications Act similar to what obtains in Europe, US and even in South Africa to address issues like E-Signature among others and to provide legal foundation for the growth of E-Commerce.

Also a law in the mould of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act, RIPA 2000 in the UK is required to regulate the Investigatory powers of law enforcement agencies. A data Protection Act is desirable,” he said.

The telecom lawyer, stated that the Nigerian Consumer Protection Council Act, 1992 is too general in terms of its provision. The relevant section (s. 2(j) viz provides that “consumer interests receive due consideration at appropriate forum and to provide redress to obnoxious practices or the unscrupulous exploitation of consumers by companies, firms, trade association or individual,” describing it as being too vague to serve an electronic consumers interest.

Mr. Jones said there is an urgent need to make the Computer Security and Critical Infrastructure Protection Bill 2005 a reality to check computer misuse and cybercrime.

“There is need to have some legal framework for E-signature. This assures that Nigeria accepts the legal validity of E-Signatures such that services requiring or relating to E-signatures can be provided in the Nigerian market without national/geographic obstacles.

The law will need to state that all kinds of electronic authentication attached to or connected with a data receive legal validity,” Jones said.

This, he said, can be done at a regional or continental level similar to the EU Directives on E-Signature, 2001.

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Internet eXchange supports DigitalSense forum

The Internet Exchange Point Nigeria Limited (IXPN) has given its support to the Nigeria Digital Sense forum slated to hold in November 2009.

Disclosing this, the Managing director and chief executive officer of IXPN, Mr. Muhammed Rudman, said that they understand the purpose of the Nigeria Digital Sense Forum, which is centred on rallying point for Nigerian internet stakeholders in raising and addressing salient issues concerning the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector, with particular reference to the Internet Governance-related issues and development in Nigeria.

The letter of endorsement made available to newsmen in Lagos and addressed to the Executive Director, Digital Sense Africa (DSA), Mrs. Nkemdilim Umah-Nweke commended the organization for coming up with such initiative, which he sees as an avenue to boost internet penetration in the country.

He recalled the theme of the forthcoming forum; Internet Governance-Creating Opportunities for all Nigerians, saying it is timely, just as he emphasized that IXPN is pleased to endorse the forum.

“Therefore, Internet Exchange Point Nigeria Limited (IXPN) will appreciate the support of all Internet stakeholders to take active participation,” he said.

Speaking further, he noted with interest that IXPN has connected to over 14 notable companies since it concluded installations of infrastructure in Lagos office.

These companies, he said, have confirmed their interest in joining the IXPN and will soon be exchanging traffic, keeping local traffic local, just as it should be.

He listed some of these companies are Amsco Telecoms, Tara Systems, Skannet, GS Telecoms, Netcom Africa, Megatech, Steineng, Medallion Communications, Inet Global, Linkserve, Nitel, Swift Talk, Microaccess and Starcomms.

Additionally, he noted that Cyberspace, Accelon, 21st Century, Setlins, Bestcom, Disc Communications, Cobranet, Galaxy ITT & MTN are on the network of keeping Nigeria’s internet traffic local.

In a related development, Rudman said IXPN is using technical support from Tara Systems to successfully perform a bench test of its equipment.

These equipments include switches and routers, so as the IXPN locations were simulated in a single room, in effect simulating the Internet exchange itself, stressing that some members of the public were invited to have a look at what the IXPN will eventually look like.

In her reaction, the Executive Director, DSA, Mrs. Nkemdilim Umah-Nweke said that it is heart-warming to get IXPN commendation at this time and enjoined stakeholders and Internet enthusiasts in the country to capitalize on the opportunity offered by the forum to enlighten themselves.

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Akunyili leads Nigeria to Telecom World-09

Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili is to lead the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) community in the country to the global ICT conference and exhibitions being organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

The event tagged ITU Telecom World 2009, is scheduled to hold at Palexpo, Geneva,
Switzerland, between October 5 and 9, 2009.

According to the head, Public affairs at the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Mr. Reuben Muoka, the event is an opportunity for the Nigerian government to showcase her achievements in the ICT sector and create multi-national platform for investors to explore immense business opportunities in the ICT sector in Nigeria.

Equally, he said, NCC is to coordinate Nigeria’s participation at the conference and manage the country’s pavilion to be mounted at a strategic location when the conference opens in Palexpo in Geneva.

Receiving the Secretary General of ITU, Dr. Hamadoun Toure recently in Abuja, the Prof. Akunyili asserted that the telecom revolution has been so successful in Africa because it touches ground with values for community and staying in touch.

“This is why Nigeria alone generates over 67 million GSM subscribers. Our people like to stay in touch. The digital divide is being effectively bridged by telecom” she was quoted as saying.

Also speaking in Abuja ahead of Nigeria’s participation at the global event, ITU Secretary General, Dr. Toure had said that Nigeria has been playing a significant role in the global ICT community and the Nigeria Pavilion would be one of the focal points at the Telecom show.

Already the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe has promised that NCC is looking forward to a successful participation.

“We are set for the big show and are playing a catalytic role to enable our local ICT companies and organisations to showcase their tremendous achievements at this event,” he said.

Nigeria’s participation will include key players drawn from the Public and Private sectors. In fact, the Nigerian private sector sees the event as one that must be fully explored to expand markets, build friendship and renew partnerships.

“We are devoting all the required resources to ensure that each partner in the Nigeria Pavilion will secure maximum benefit and value from its participation, given the enormous visibility that they will get”, he said.

The ITU Telecom World Series has become a great event for the global ICT sector. Over the years it has attracted stakeholders from ICT and related industries such as banking, insurance, petroleum from around the world. The ITU Telecom World is truly global, world-class and a
dependable networking platform.

The theme of this year’s event is: Open Networks – Connected Minds.

Heads of States and governments, over 70 Ministers and key CEOs will shape the future of the ICT industry through discourse, interaction and debates at the conference. It is also a forum for stimulation of economic growth, sustainability and development of emerging markets. With its focus on development opportunities, the event is ready to bring together corporate social responsibility and cases promote for best practices.

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Scrap right of way levies – ATCON

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr Gbenga Adebayo has called for the immediate scrapping of all forms of levies and fees charged by various government agencies on right of way approvals, as a way of encouraging rapid roll out of fibre optic networks and last mile copper infrastructure.

Adebayo who spoke last week in Lagos on, The Nigerian Telecom Industry: Fuelling the future of e-payment System, at the Telecom/Device Forum 2009, said government should not consider right-of-way approval as a way of generating revenue, but should see the end result as in the overall interest of the national ICT development and limit its role to compliance and control.

“Broadband is important for today and the future. Government must continue to encourage the roll-out of fibre optic networks and the last mile copper infrastructure. We need to return to the basis to rebuild our terrestrial fibre and copper infrastructure, which will bring high capacity, cheap and high quality data communications,” he said.

While advocating the independence of industry regulator, he said the regulator must be free of political interference stressing that multiple regulation is the bane of growth and government must continue to provide the right regulatory and policy environment without criss-cross between various arms of Government.

Mr. Adebayo identified the state of access roads, security of existing infrastructure built by private operators, need by government to ring-fence telecommunication infrastructure and classify same as national security infrastructure as some of the challenges facing the sector.

“The impact of inadequate power supply cannot be over-emphasized. Multiple taxation remains a challenge to telecom operations and growth and quality of service is traceable in-part to problems of national infrastructure,” he stated.
On capacity building, he said, it is critical for the sustenance of telecom development, adding that more effort is needed from Government to ensure that the technical manpower requirements for the ICT industry are met.
“This is also traceable to the challenges in our socio-economic environment and the guaranteed minimum quality of lives. The industry is losing a number of highly trained personnel to other countries with less potential, countries with better social security and standard of living and economic values, countries with better healthcare, better education guarantees for their children, better securities of lives and properties, and better quality of living, which leaves a major challenge for the industry,” Adebayo said.

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Etisalat produces more millionaires in Maiduguri

In keeping with its promise of enriching both new and existing subscribers, Etisalat Nigeria, has continued to produce more millionaires in its 9jillions promotion, with eight persons emerging at the Maiduguri show at the weekend.

The 7th edition held over in Maiduguri saw the emergence of Jeje Ojo, Grace Adonu, Ismaila Simon, Magdelene Emuan, Anthonia Akindenor and Tope Mustapha with other participants winning attractive cash prizes from N50,000 to N150,000.

In her speech at the occasion, Director, Segment and Marketing Strategy, Seki Akande, said, “Its inspiring for all of us to see how enthusiastic Nigerians from all walks of life are about the One9ja game show but more importantly the ripple effect of the principal winnings. We have witnessed mothers, fathers, siblings, aunties, uncles, neighbours and friends benefit from the One9ja game show. This is a unique reward platform for new and existing subscribers for remaining loyal to the brand.”

For Tope Mustapha who won N2, 050, 000 million “I feel like I’m dreaming. This is a wonderful birthday gift to me from Etisalat. I’ll be a year older on October 1st and Etisalat has made me have good reason to celebrate. I’m a first year student of Electrical Engineering at the Ramat Polytechnic, Maiduguri, and this money will ensure that I complete my education without stress to my parents. My friends were very skeptical when I came here but I just decided to try my luck since nothing ventured, nothing gained. But now see, I’m a millionaire. I’ m going to invest this money in my education, as there are books and materials to buy which is very important to me. I also intend to invest in my family too who have struggled to see me this far.”

Another lucky winner Magdalene Emuan, a police constable at Metro Police Station, Garlunku, Maiduguri who won One million naira said; “I was not eager to take part in the competition because of many fraudulent cases we hear around. But, after hearing of it from friends I was encouraged by them to join their team and now we are all the better for it. Six years as police officer has brought many challenges. You can’t imagine what this money means to me. I intend to pay my tithe first and thereafter invest very wisely.”

Seki Akande further explained that though the win-a-phone phase of 9jillions promotion where 4,320 mobile phones were given to lucky subscribers had ended, the regional one9ja game show is still on and the opportunity to be the ultimate prize winner still open. “All a new or existing subscriber has to do is use up to N1, 000 in a month, then send his location and name to #5123 to qualify for a chance to participate in the grand finale”, she said.

Sokoto, she noted would be next host state to the One9ja game show as preparations for the grand finale in Lagos in October is already in top gear. One lucky subscriber will walk away with the grand prize of one million dollars.

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Church of Nigeria goes digital with Zinox Bijimi

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Archbishop Peter J. Akinola’s leadership has gone digital with the acquisition of Zinox Bijimi for all the Bishops in his domain.

ITRealms Online gathered that the cleric had ordered Zinox Bijimi laptops for all the Anglican Bishops in Nigeria, thus confirming the image of the Bijimi as the fastest selling laptop brand, among equals.

The deal avails Zinox to offer the choice Bijimi Sage laptops at concessionary prices to support evangelism.

The Church, ITRealms Online learnt was also encouraged to pay either in cash or in installments.
Commenting on the development, the outgoing General Secretary of the Church, Ven. Emmanuel O. Adekunle, said that the exercise was part of an ongoing computerization programme based on the enthusiasm of the clergy.

He confirmed that they chose the Zinox Bijimi because it is rugged and has compelling aesthetics.

In a related development the Dunamis International Church in Abuja has joined the list of Churches distinctively computerizing their workers through the Bijimi Laptop brand.

The performance of the Bijimi otherwise known as digital work horse, has also earned it the patronage of the Nigerian judiciary with the order of over a hundred laptops for key officers of the Court of Appeal.

The acceptance of the Bijimi cuts across all sectors including the educational sector where the University of Education, Ikere Ekiti, has empowered the faculty and staff by nearly a thousand Bijimi laptops.

The Bijimi is the fulcrum of the IT infrastructure at Ikere Ekiti, providing platforms for staff computerization, students’ ownership scheme, digital centers and laboratories.

Reacting to these development, Head, Business Development at Zinox, Ms. Christy Yisa, said that the market penetration and the growing market share of the Bijimi has not come as a surprise to her team because of the world-class quality of the product.

Branded Bijimi after the Hausa name for the tireless work horse, the Bijimi PRO, she said, runs on T3400 – Duo Core 2.16 GHz/250gb HDD with a memory of 2GB DDR, Touch pad, Net Trace – Theft Tracker, built-in Blue tooth, built-in 2M pixel Camera, and Wireless LAN CARD.

The Bijimi PRO comes with Microsoft Windows PRO/Vista Business and will also come standard with 500,000 e-books with effect from October 1, 2009. According to Christy Yisa, the Bijimi PRO has become the new benchmark for laptops’ performance and dependability for users in the corporate category.

She revealed that the Bijimi, remarkably, has the least return rate among laptops in the Nigerian market today. She expressed the hope that the Bijimi variants – Bijimi PRO and the Bijimi Sage would be the flagship of the Zinox range of IT products destined to lead Nigeria’s charge for development.

Zinox Technologies Limited commenced operations in 2001 as the manufacturer of Nigeria’s First Internationally Certified Branded Computers. Rated second best selling computer in Nigeria and the largest Premium Partner for both Microsoft and Intel in Sub Saharan Africa, Zinox aims to be the preferred brand in Africa.

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Intel boosts computing with Core i7 processors

Chip manufacturers, Intel Corporation, has given a boost to Laptops with the launch of its three-in-one Core i7 m
obile processors.

Disclosing this in Lagos at the weekend, Channel Representative, Mr. Robinson Babatunde, described the latest in stock from Intel as novel.

For the Market Development Manager, Intel Nigeria, Mr. Femi Babajide, Core i7 processors are here to make laptops more durably mobile by making laptops to work faster, recalling that Intel Corporation has been making processors for over 40 years and is determined to continuously improve upon has been available in the market.

“What we have done now is to make and change the architecture of processors to make it to be more efficient, faster, consumes low power.

These processors, he said, included Intel PM55 Express Chipset, which provides the best laptop experience for intense gaming, digital media, photos, music, business applications and other multi-threaded software that hungers for faster processing speed.

The chips, he also said, boosts overall performance when using several of these applications simultaneously.

He pointed out that with intelligent features like Intel Turbo Boost Technology, Intel Hyper-Threading Technology and a host of others, Intel has revolutionized the laptop PC processor, delivering performance when users need it, energy efficiency.

Babajide emphasized that the world has continue to grow in mobility and Intel is very much aware of this trend so it structured its latest chips to advance this movement.

“For the first time, mobile users can choose a laptop that delivers Internet-server like speed, right in their laps for the most demanding tasks, from intense gaming to digital video editing and social media applications,” he said.

Formerly codenamed “Clarksfield,” Intel Core™ i7 mobile processors, he cited for instance, offers Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which can accelerate the processor clock speed up to 75 per cent to match workloads, as well as better performance on highly-threaded apps with the power of Intel Hyper-Threading Technology.

The new Intel Core i7 mobile processors, he said, comes with two-channel DDR3 1333 MHz memory support and full 1 x16 or 2 x8 PCI Express of 2.0 graphics.

“Whether users are editing a video, composing a song, playing a video game or updating their Facebook status with the latest YouTube video craze, Intel Core i7 mobile processors adapt to provide the right processing power for the task, with more performance and flexibility to match their on-the-go needs,” he said.

Equally citing laptops with Intel Core i7 mobile processor Extreme Edition support Intel® Extreme Memory Profiles (Intel XMP) and Intel Extreme Tuning Utility, the ultimate tuning utility making it possible to overclock3 and fine tune your laptop for incredible performance and battery life optimizations.

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Chams explains expansion

The management of Chams Plc has explained its position in delving into building of large-scale infrastructure, especially for delivery of efficient and reliable identification solutions within the reach of every Nigerian.

Stating this during a visit by the firm to National Identity Management Commission, the Managing Director, Chams Plc., Mr. Demola Aladekomo, said they, as a long-time partner of NIMC, would want to make certain the partnership with the commission remains a success.

This, he said, informed the decision by the firm to build several sites where Nigerians could easily find solution to their identity needs.

He recalled that Chams Plc is one of the two firms that are expected to implement the registration of Nigerians in a new national identity card scheme of the federal government.

The firm is currently developing and deploying various infrastructure which fit into the identity projects of the government.

As said by him, these projects are ChamsCity sites, which consist of several hundreds of computers that possess identity applications including biometrics. The firm, he said, is also deploying 40,000 point-of-transaction terminals which also have provisions to do human data capture.

Additionally, he noted, Chams has built a card production plant in Abuja, which is reputed to be the largest in the world, given its capacity to produce a million cards daily.

Mr. Aladekomo said at the end of 2009, the infrastructure being put together by Chams could handle the registration of 7,000 individuals at the same time and also offer other services to users.

Stressing that once work had been completed in the other sites being planned, the data capture capacity of the firm would be greatly enhanced.
Chairman, Chams Plc, Prof. Adebayo Akinde said at the occasion that the firm had identified the new Identity (ID) card project as one of great importance to Nigeria, stressing that it was very critical to the country’s success.
Pointing out that Chams would give the project the very best to ensure its success.
Meanwhile it was gathered weekend that more new ChamsCity sites are nearing completion and the development could see Chams Plc commissioning additional five of such locations across various cities in the country before the end of 2009.
Presently, the firm has two Chamscity locations in Lagos and Abuja with each of the locations has 1024 computers and have been identified as well as certified as the largest digital malls in the world by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Chamscity locations are purpose-built sites that serve as one stop shops for various use including internet café, large-scale data processing, recruitment testing, human resource development, professional examinations and computer-based competition and games.

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Gov. Obi to empower 10,000 youths on ICT

Estimated 10,000 youths from Anambra State will benefit from an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) empowerment initiative by the Governor Peter Obi in collaboration with the New Horizons and Microsoft Nigeria.

This follows the signing of a recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in the state by the trio will see to about 10, 000 Secondary School Students of Anambra State plus 1, 500 civil servants getting empowered with one laptop each and relevant ICT skills in Microsoft courses.

The initiative, which comes in phases is expected to take off officially in November, where 6, 500 participants will benefit.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Awka, Governor Peter Obi said ICT is the future of this country.

“Therefore, our people in Anambra State should be at the vanguard of the ICT revolution in Nigeria,” he said.

Obi also said that the greatest legacy any government could bestow to the incoming generation is qualitative education driven by ICT.

Speaking on the significance of an IT literate society, Developer Platform Manager, Microsoft Nigeria, Mr. Ken Spann, noted that education is a powerful and positive force for growth and development in every society.

“Microsoft believes that education drives forward the goals and aspirations of nations, industries and individuals, and is committed to create partnerships with students, educators, institutions and governments to help them achieve their educational goals and contribute to the development of the country and their industries,” Mr. Spann said.

The managing director, New Horizons, Mr. Tim Akano, said that with this partnership Anambra State under Governor Peter Obi has become the first to produce 100 Microsoft Academies.

He explained that the state is first to begin the process of allocation of one-laptop per child initiative.

“Thirdly, his administration is first to also give one-laptop per civil servant as against what obtains in other states where civil servants cannot have access to computer after working hours,” he said, stressing that Civil Servants in Anambra state can take the laptop home as this will increase their proficiency in ICT skills.

Gov. Peter Obi’s initiative, he said, is keeping to the tradition of excellence which he epitomises.

“The Peter Obi Initiative will go a long way to consolidate the intellectual achievement of old generations of Anambra State indigenes, a state that has produced great sons and daughters like the world’s renowned Poet and Writer – Albert Chinualumogu Achebe from Ogidi, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie from Abba and most significantly, Dr. Phillip Emeagwali, who according to Black Inventor’s website is called “Africa’s Bill Gates, and the biggest African Scientist of all time.”

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Experts to explore key drivers of Nigeria’s telecom in UK

The key drivers for sector development and network expansion through creation of enabling environment for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) growth in Nigeria is top on the agenda of a two-day telecommunications summit to hold in the United Kingdom (UK) in November this year, says Ms Sylvia Ogunka, a member of the organizing team.

In a statement issued in Lagos, Ogunka said the event being put together by BEN Television and Lancaster Investments UK Limited, tagged Nigeria UK Telecommunications Summit is about promoting strategic growth.

She also said that the two day summit would hold in November in London, with top on the agenda focusing on the network expansion on Nigeria’s ICT growth strategy in addition to the government initiatives to stimulate investment and private sector participation - Nigeria’s privatisation programme and the telecommunications sector as well as the future of NITEL.

According to her, the role of government in providing communications infrastructure, viable options for solving the interconnectivity problem and plans for expansion into rural areas – investment and opportunities will form part of the agenda.

Additionally, the fiscal and legal frameworks for investment, enhancing the role of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to achieve the regulatory effectiveness, independence and transparency, and how the Commission plan to manage competition in the best interest of the consumers, have been slated as part of the programme for discussion at the summit.

Ogunka further said that investors’ expectation and perspective of the regulatory environment, independent regulatory and competitive analysis and best practice case study of a successful regulatory model would also be addressed.

She pointed out that the impact of market growth on profitability, growth of the fixed wireless network- realistic targets for broadband access, strategies to enhance operators’ performance, infrastructure sharing a means of construction amongst telecoms operators, just as the liberalization of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) and managing energy supply for the telecommunications sector have not been left out of the summit’s agenda.

Equally, Ogunka informed correspondents that Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for economical rural telephone and infrastructure development were available inNigeria. How is VoIP advancing in Nigeria; how is it going to affect competition, would be adequately covered at the summit.

Even as seeking to answer which of Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) that has the capability to increase internet penetration for all more efficiently in a state like Nigeria.

She emphasized that the summit would examine the potential for later generation technology 2.5G and 3G in Nigeria as well as the future of multimedia - digital music and mobile gaming to name a few.

ITRealms Online recalls that BEN Television in partnership with Lancaster Investments (UK) Ltd aims through the summit to provide a forum for learning which allows all established investors and new investors in the Nigerian telecommunications industry to meet with their peers and ultimately, expand their businesses.

They organizers are collaborating closely with the Ministry of Communications, and Nigerian Investment Promotion Corporation (NIPC).

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Starcomms lifts telecentre operators with solar chargers

Fourth largest telecommunications network, Starcomms Plc, has lifted telecentre operators with solar chargers.

The solar battery charger is a portable device that is easy to use and environment friendly, competing effectively with regular source of power.

This, the operator said results into the solar devices which could be exposed to daylight.

Through clear medium, the solar power battery charger converts the sun rays into low voltage DC electricity, providing power that could be stored or used.

Speaking on chief executive officer, Starcomms Mr. Maher Qubain said that by providing these solar chargers to some telecentre operators, their experience concerning power cut in the country would change.

“I have always tried to empathize with these Telecenter operators each time there is a power cut in my office or home for hours. I always wondered how these low scale entrepreneurs cope. At Starcomms we always look for the best way to solve problems so that business can move forward for us and those working with us. So we came up with this solar charger solution for our associates,” he said.

The problem of epileptic power supply, he noted, has forced many businesses in the country to collapse especially in the last one year.

As said by him, among the worst hit were the call centers that always need electricity to remain in business.

“This is due to the fact that as more calls were made from these call centre telephones, the shorter the life span of the telephone batteries,” he declared.

Therefore, the challenge of charging, he said, is heightened by the fact that access to electricity in
the street is limited even when there is constant supply from the established agency.

With the device under the table, he pointed out that telecenter operators could take on as many customers as they want on a phone in a day.

Indirect Sales Manager, Starcomms, Mr. Tunde Odetunde, while presenting one of the devices on behalf of the company, to Mr. Kayode Agboola, whose telecenter is located at Adetokunbo Ademola junction in Victoria Island, commended the centre operator, reiterated the commitment of the network operator.

“Our commitment to providing quality, cutting-edge and affordable telecommunications services drives us beyond the primary products that we offer. We always endeavor to be socially responsible by looking at ways that we can help our stakeholders to mitigate the effect of the economic challenges on their businesses,” he said.

Odetunde said that it is for this reason that they have continued to bring in innovative products that could enhance their performance. “However, this solar device gifts to telecenters are for those who have against all odds continued to sustain a high tempo in their call center businesses,” he said.

Another recipient of the solar charging device, Miss Yemisi Fagbamigbe located at Ajose Adeogun, Victoria Island, Lagos was full of excitement as she received the solar charger.

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ITAN’s forum holds forum in Kano

Information Technology Association of Nigeria (ITAN) in collaboration with World Information Technology and Service Alliance and Nigerian Computer Society, (NCS) would today, in Kano present a one day IT Public-Private Forum, with the theme
“Plucking the Low Hanging Fruits.”

President ITAN, Dr. Jimson Olufuye in a press statement said that the capacity building forum is expected to attract State Commissioners for ICT /IT Advisers and IT CEOs/Technopreneurs for synergy, rapprochement to galvanize accelerated IT developments in all ramifications within the States in Nigeria for immediate economic recovery and long term prosperity.

According to him, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, would deliver a keynote paper on “Rebranding with ICT for Vision 20 2020.”Dr. Olufuye who is very passionate about software development among Nigerian youths  said that  Kano State Government through the  Commissioner for Science and Technology has concluded plans to host the meeting in the first meeting of the ITPPF after its inauguration by the WITSA Chairman Dato Dan E. Khoo, last April  at Abuja, during the ADIPENG International.

The Annual General Meeting, (AGM) of ITAN, he said, will hold shortly after at the same venue, stressing that key item on the agenda is the election of new officers of the association.

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Gartner rates Oracle high on CRM automation

Oracle’s Siebel Customer Relations Management (CRM) and Oracle CRM on Demand are both positioned in the leader’s quadrant of Gartner’s recent “Magic Quadrant for Sales Force Automation.”

According to Gartner, leaders in Sales Force Automation “demonstrate a market-defining vision of how technology can help the top sales executives achieve business objectives.”

The rating also stated that leaders have the ability to execute against that vision through products, services and demonstrated solid business results in the form of revenue and earnings.

“Leaders have significant successful customer deployments in North America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and Asia/Pacific in a wide variety of vertical industries with multiple proof points above 500 users,” part of the report said.

Gartner Magic Quadrants position vendors within a particular market segment based on their completeness of vision and their ability to execute on that vision.

Siebel CRM helps organizations differentiate their businesses to achieve maximum top-and bottom-line growth. It delivers a combination of transactional, analytical and engagement features to manage customer-facing operations across industries.

Oracle CRM On Demand extends the industry-leading Software as a Service CRM platform with more advanced core CRM functionality, deeper industry-specific capabilities and enhanced ease of use, customization and extensibility features.

With Oracle CRM On Demand, companies of all types and sizes can effectively and efficiently manage all facets of their customer relations, while enabling complete integration with their overall enterprise systems architecture.

“In my opinion, Gartner and the Magic Quadrant for Sales Force Automation recognize that Oracle continues to innovate, grow and provide customers with the effective capabilities to save money and resources through sales force automation,” said Anthony Lye, Senior Vice President of Oracle CRM.

In addition, he said, they believe in the placements of Oracle’s Siebel CRM and Oracle CRM On Demand in the leader’s quadrant provides further proof of how Oracle continues to impact customers and their overall business value.

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MTN wins SERA award on CSR

MTN Nigeria has been named the Most Socially Responsible Company in the nation’s telecommunications sectors by Social Enterprise Reports Awards (SERA).

In a statement by Mr. Ken Egbas, SERA said the awards, which included various segments of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), comprises the Best Company in Poverty Reduction (MDG1), Best Company in Gender Equality (MDG3), Best Company in Partnership for Development (MDG8) and Most Socially Responsible Company in the Telecommunications Sector.

He said SERA is about celebrating good corporate citizenship, celebrating people, good living and sustainable environment for all.

Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation (MTNF), Mrs. Nonny Nduka-Eze, noted that the foundation has been the corporate social responsibility vehicle of the company. Mrs. Nduka Eze had on behalf of the company received the awards which included a certificate of commendation as overall winner endorsed by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Nduka-Eze said the establishment of MTN Foundation is a demonstration of MTN’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.

She also said that from inception till date, the Foundation’s projects were envisioned to make a positive impact in the areas of health, economic empowerment and education.

“MTNF has 160 projects sites in 33 states in the six geo-political zones of the country,” she said.

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