Jonathan commends AVCNU, CWG-led consortium on NgREN

ITRealms:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has commended the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU), National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG plc)-led consortium on the establishment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), reports ITRealms.

The president, represented at the occasion held in Abuja by the Minister of State for Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and were supported by Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senate Committee Chairman on Education, Honourable Aminu Suleiman, House Committee Chairman on Education, Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. Macjohn Nwaobiala, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Senator Amadu Ali, Chairman, NUC Board and Prof. Julius A. Okojie, Executive Secretary, NUC and Chairman, NgREN board.

“As I join the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (AVCNU) and the National Universities Commission (NUC) in the celebration of this achievement in the establishment of the Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN), I commend the individuals and groups that dedicated time and energy to make it a reality,” he said.

President Jonathan also appreciated the World Bank for its support to the NgREN project, and the Executive Secretary of the NUC for championing its cause and the hardworking team of dedicated individuals from within the university system to realize this dream.

He said that government expects all education and research institutions to enlist as members of the NgREN and that the current low ranking of Nigerian universities in quality of teaching and research output will improve significantly within a short time as a result.

Further, President Jonathan urges NgREN stakeholders to ensure the broadband infrastructure and services already provided are maintained and improved upon for the use of all education and research institutions in Nigeria, while directing the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), the Nigerian Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) to provide the necessary funds for this purpose.

For Dr. Omobola Johnson the major milestone in local technology advancement with a network of this magnitude wholly designed by Nigerians, built by Nigerians and managed by Nigerians. She specifically singled out CWG Plc, Resourcery Limited and Phase 3 Telecoms for commendation.

Commenting, CWG group CEO, Mr. Austin Okere said his team has never doubted local capacity to deliver major technology projects for government.

“We have matured in delivering projects of this scale, and are grateful to the NUC and World Bank for the opportunity to prove this with the timely delivery of the NgREN. We do look forward to the opportunity of extending this success in the next phases of the project,” he said.

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Pix: Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Minister of State for Education; Dr. Mrs. Omobola Johnson, Honourable Minister of Communication Technology; Mallam Yakassai, Deputy Director, Public Relations, NUC and Mr. Phillip Obioha, Chief Operating Officer, Computer Warehouse Group Plc during the commissioning event of Nigerian Research and Education Network (NgREN) recently in Abuja.

Airtel launches Touching Lives CSR Initiative

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Airtel Nigeria in effort to better its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the country has introduced a scheme tagged “Touching Lives Initiative” in Lagos, reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Chief executive officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Segun Ogunsanya told DigitalSENSE Business News at the launch that the initiative is to enrich the CSR intervention of the mobile network operator to Nigerians through provision of succour to the under-privileged members of the society.

This initiative, he said, marks a significant milestone in the company’s history of CSR interventions in the country, noting that Airtel Touching Lives is a responsive CSR project targeted at providing timely aid to underprivileged Nigerians irrespective of their gender, background or geographical locations.

According to him, Touching Lives Initiative seeks to identify underprivileged persons with specific challenges, pains and struggles with the ultimate objective of providing the needed help to empower and enrich the lives of these individuals.

He went on to describe the programme as a timely, deliberate and responsive CSR initiative to tackle myriad of life challenges confronting most Nigerians.

“At Airtel, we’re passionate about the people we serve and the Nigerian society. Airtel Touching Lives provides a platform for the underprivileged in our society to be identified, heard and also cared for,” he said.

Stressing that it is this commitment to connect with millions of Nigerians, alleviate their suffering and bring smile to their faces that encouraged Airtel to come up with this initiative.

He insisted that the primarily objective for embarking on this initiative it’s genuine interest in the general well-being of Nigerians, especially people with special needs. Pointing out that the project is one of the vehicles by which the company complements the developmental efforts of various governments.

Also speaking on the project, Airtel’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Mr. Emeka Oparah, expressed the readiness of the telecommunications operator to contribute to efforts of government, non-governmental organisations and individuals who are highly-spirited like Airtel Nigeria in humanitarian courses.

 “Touching Lives is one of the philanthropic gestures of Airtel Nigeria designed to connect and alleviate the suffering of helpless people across the country. This initiative underscores our determination to enrich lives and contribute to humanity.”

The programme allows Nigerians to nominate disadvantaged persons who are in need of care or special interventions.

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Pix: Touching Lives: L-R, Former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Muiz Banire; Director, Legal & Company Secretary, Airtel Nigeria, Olugbenga Rotimi; Producer, Airtel Touching Lives Programme, Patricios Spero; Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Segun Ogunsanya; Mrs Tijani Azizat, representing Dame. Abimbola Fashola, First Lady of Lagos State; Mrs. Oluranti Odutola, representing the Deputy Governor of Lagos State and Jibril Saba, HR Director, Airtel Nigeria at the unveiling of Airtel Touching Lives CSR programme held in Lagos.

Upperlink becomes ICANN registrar

ITRealms:

Finally, the Nigeria’s internet industry received a boost as the global internet body, Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers [ICANN] announced the accreditation of Nigeria’s leading registrar, Upperlink, reports ITRealms.

Upperlink is first Nigerian registrar and eighth accredited registrar on the content of Africa by ICANN, just as the new status, would avail Upperlink to serve Nigerian and international markets comfortably.

Upperlink’s core areas are in internet and mobile applications, software development and deployment, database management, systems integration and cloud solutions.

As the leading Nigeria Internet Registration Association [NIRA]’s registrar, Upperlink is in the forefront of registrars spearheading the migration of Nigerian companies from .com to the .ng domain name, which is Nigeria's Country Code Top Level Domain.

The Managing Director and chief executive officer (CEO), UpperLink, Mr Segun Akano, said the .ng domain “is a shorter and unique domain.”

As ICANN registrar, he said, Upperlink would offer Nigerians opportunities to register any domain name extension such as .com, .org, .net etc at affordable prices locally.

Upperlink’s accreditation follows a similar exercise that was achieved in Ghana, Senegal and South Africa.

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