Grogan is ICANN Chief Contract Compliance Officer

ITRealms:

As the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) commenced in the city of Los Angeles, the body has appointed Allen Grogan as Chief Contract Compliance Officer (CCCO), reports ITRealms.

Mr. Grogan, ITRealms learnt would oversee Contract Compliance and Safeguards and will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Fadi Chehadé, thus becoming a member of ICANN’s Global Leadership Team.  Grogan has served as ICANN’s Chief Contracting Counsel since May 2013.

According to Chehade, “Expanding the domain name space as we are doing through the New gTLD Program requires that we continue to align our operational capabilities with the demands imposed by 1300 new Registry Agreements.” Stressing that Allen’s expertise would add value to the excellent operational capabilities of current team a deeper level of legal experience and analysis.

ITRealms gathered that Allen Grogan has negotiated and implemented the new gTLD agreements, and has more than 30 years of experience as a lawyer specializing in technology and the Internet.

In addition, his experience and knowledge of the contracts related to the new generic Top Level Domain (gTLD) programme will serve the team well in grappling with compliance issues related to the safeguards and ICANN’s Public Interest Commitments.

The workload of ICANN’s contractual compliance team has increased remarkably. From August 2013 to August 2014, 36,732 informal complaints were filed against registrars, while 853 informal complaints were filed against registries. During the same period, 72 formal complaints were filed.

Maguy Serad, ICANN’s Vice President for Contractual Compliance since 2012, will remain in her role and report to Grogan. During her tenure, Serad has successfully scaled and expanded the team, making it an effective global department. 

“She has operationalized our compliance capabilities in a way that embraces growth” says ICANN President.

For Grogan “Under Maguy’s leadership, the Contractual Compliance team has done an outstanding job building a sustainable foundation for the future. We now want to build on that foundation in the most efficient and comprehensive manner possible.”

Grogan will also be exploring ways that ICANN can work with others to help safeguard registrants and the global Internet community in ways that may go beyond pure contractual enforcement.

Further, the Director, Global Media Affairs at ICANN Mr. Brad White quoted Chehade as saying that a newly created position of Consumer Safeguards Director will also report to Grogan, and focus specifically on implementation of those ICANN contract safeguards directed toward protecting consumers.

“Today, we have 21 staff members, spread over three hub offices. We are now able to offer 24 hour support in nine languages. Our next step is to begin building a broader compliance vision that will serve us well in our mission of providing public benefit,” he said.

Remmy Nweke:

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ZICTA to construct 500 towers by 2016

ITRealms:

In a bid to expand rural mobile communication and fast track digital migration, Zambia's Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) has advanced plans to construct 500 communication towers by the end of 2016, ITRealms authoritatively gathered.

So far, ZICTA is constructing 169 across the country in order to enable villagers communicate effectively.

ITRealms investigations reveal that ZICTA has awarded the project to construct the 169 towers to China’s Huawei Technologies as part of its efforts to increase communication among Zambia’s rural population.

ZICTA, ITRealms gathered, said that by the end of this year, there will be more than 204 communication towers constructed across the country adding that by the end of 2016, the number of towers will reach 500.

Director General, ZICTA Margaret Mudenda said the project has both financial and political backing from the Zambian government that wants to see the benefits of mobile communication reach remote rural areas.

“So far, 169 have been installed across the country to enable villagers to communicate effectively. By the end of 2014, there will be 204 towers,” Mudenda said.

The towers, ITRealms checks found, will be shared among the country’s three mobile phone operators—MTN, Zamtel and Airtel, while the regulatory body will levy the mobile operators.

The project, ITRealms reports, is also considered part of the country’s digital migration process as some of the towers will also be used by radio and television stations to transmit signals.

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Airtel Malawi, UNAID sign MoU on HIV, AIDS app

ITRealms:

Airtel Malawi and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), have concluded plans to assist people living with HIV and AIDS in the country to access and share information about their medication use via their mobile phones, ITRealms reports.

This is coming after the Malawian telecommunications company signed a Memorandum of Understanding, (MoU) with UNAIDS recently.

Managing Director, Airtel Malawi, Heiko Schlittke, said the telco had made available a toll free number which will be used for information dissemination adding that mobile devices can be used as a tool to assess HIV and AIDS information.

"This mobile phone application will escalate the power of mobile technology in a bid to help reverse the HIV and AIDS crisis in Malawi by reaching out as many infected people as possible," said Schittke.

The UNAIDS country director for Malawi, Amakobe Sande, said the new mobile based platform would assist people affected and infected with the virus to access information about supplies of medication across the country apart from health tips among other things. 

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NIPOST intercepts N13.65bn fake financial instruments

ITRealms:

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has confirmed the interception of fake financial instruments worth N13.65billions in the first nine months of 2014 by its operatives, ITRealms  reports.

This is as the organisation says that United States of America and Britain were the major destinations for counterfeit mails, stressing officials of the two countries were cooperating with NIPOST to control transmission of counterfeit mails.

The Postmaster General of the Federation, Mallam Ibrahim Baba, who disclosed this recently while briefing newsmen in a ceremony to mark the 2014 World Post Day, said between January and September 159 scam letters containing counterfeit financial instruments and other prohibited items were intercepted.

Giving insight into the seizure, the NIPOST boss noted that of the counterfeit financial instruments seized by NIPOST to include 17 mails worth N149,891,400 were intercepted in January; 66 worth N8,439,690 in February; 18 worth N159,654,963 in March; and 26 worth N118,329,017.36 in May.

Others, Baba listed include 32 mails worth N11,481,408,130.40 in June; four worth N672,632,019 in July; four worth N229,240,200.16 in August; and two worth N757,525,422.16 in the month of September.

Chukwudi Obi

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Etisalat partners Kirusa on mobile apps in Nigeria

ITRealms:

Etisalat Nigeria has partnered with Kirusa, a voice and social media mobile application firm, to launch two mobile services in the country to give its subscribers a more fulfilling mobile experience, ITRealms  reports.

Kirusa’s partnership will see the launch of two of its most sort after mobile services including ‘Celeb Connect’ and ‘Sports Connect’ to Etisalat Nigeria subscribers.

A press statement from Etisalat, made available to ITRealms reveals that Etisalat subscribers will stay connected with their favourite celebrities and also receive exclusive sports voice bytes on their mobile phones.

Commenting on the launch, head Digital Media, Etisalat Nigeria, Adia Sowho expressed satisfaction with the partnership adding that the new mobile services will not only add value to the lives of the subscribers but also attract and connect them to their favourite celebrities.
“We are excited to partner with Kirusa for Celeb and Sports Connect services. These popular services attract customers’ attention and connect them to their favourite stars,” Sowho said.

Kirusa's Vice President, Sales, Taranjit Singh Batra while explaining how the mobile applications will add value to the lives of subscribers stated thus: “While voice chatting with a celebrity used to be a dream earlier, we are making it a reality for Etisalat Nigeria subscribers with Celeb Connect. With Sports Connect, soccer fans will stay updated on all the football action, from Spanish League to Premier League, and all other soccer tournaments around the world, right from their mobile phones.”

Celeb Connect links celebrities and fans, adding voice to their interactions, and provides a seamless flow of messages and creation of micro blogs.

With Sports Connect subscribers can receive daily updates such as team news, pre and post-match analysis and quotes of team managers as well as players.

The apps, the statement said, is compatible with smartphones and some other high end phones.

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Digital Switch Over: Malawi under pressure to deliver

ITRealms:

   

        

Stakeholders and concerned Malawians have raised concerns over the slow pace at which the company handling digital migration in the country is going about the process, ITRealms reports.

This is even as Malawi's government has stressed urgency in beating the June 2015 digital migration deadline set by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).

Malawian government, earlier set up a company called the 'Malawi Digital Broadcasting Network' to be responsible for the switchover.

ITRealms  gathered that Malawi's minister of information, Kondwani Nankhumwa, disclosed that while the company has already named a board of directors, the company is still not operational and the board, yet to meet with him.

Also ITRealms  checks indicate that the Malawian government also claims it has put in place all the necessary technical requirements for the switchover but that the uptake of set top boxes (STBs) by Malawians has not been sufficient.

"I will make sure that the company starts work so that it should take over all the activities to do with digital migration so that Malawi meets the deadline on the completion of the process," Nankhumwa said.

Chukwudi Obi
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Mara Mentor brings One-on-One Business Pitch to Abuja

ITRealms:

Banking on the success of the Lagos edition of the Mara Mentor One-on-One initiative, Mara Foundation has concluded plans to hold the second leg of the mentoring programme in Abuja come October 14, ITRealms authoritatively reports.

This is coming as organisers have listed 26 top notch business leaders to join the mentoring programme tagged One-on-One Business pitch.

A statement signed by Mara Foundation Media Officer, Douglas Imaralu states that the event will offer a lifetime opportunity for young entrepreneurs to access expert business mentorship from top Nigerian business leaders

“Sequel to its exceedingly successful Mara Mentor One-on-One Lagos, where over 60 young Nigerian entrepreneurs won six-month business mentorship placements under top Nigerian business leaders, young entrepreneurs are again set to benefit from the unique entrepreneurship support program facilitated by Mara Mentor  which will hold in Abuja on October 14”, he said.

Giving insight into the top business leaders, who will be the mentors, Imralu noted that the Mara Mentor One-on-One business pitch session has seen over 26 top business leaders in Abuja including: Dr. Mairo Mandara (Country Representative Nigeria, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation), Sonnie Ayere (CEO, Dunn Loren Merrifield and Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Company), Aisha Augie-Kuta (Ace Photograher), Muhammad Jibrin (Managing Director/CEO, SunTrust Savings & Loan) and Aisha Babangida (Chairperson, Better Life Program for Rural Woman Africa), confirm attendance.

“Other business leaders who have confirmed attendance include: Bankole Cardoso (CEO Easy Taxi Nigeria), Mohammed Santuraki, (MD/CEO, Bank of Agriculture), Shimite Katung (Founder/President, Nigerian Quintessential Business Women Association (NQBWA), Dr. Kazeem Mustapha (Executive Director, United Health Care), Adekunle Adebiyi (GM, Operations MTN), Doyin Adewola (Founder/CEO, Box Office Incu‎bator), Simeon Ononobi (CEO, Simple Pay 4U), and  Binta Max-Gbinije (CEO, Stanbic IBTC Trustees)”, he said.

According to him, Mara Mentor One-on-One has recorded great success in Africa, having been held 10 times across the continent, adding that the initiative is designed in a business pitching format and facilitated by the Mara Mentor entrepreneurship community, which connects ambitious entrepreneurs to inspiring and successful business leaders.

Chukwudi Obi

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Nigerian launches global women mentoring project

ITrealms: 

In a bid to help young women harness their potentials and achieve their set goals, London based Nigerian Information Technology professional, Ms Adanna Ononiwu, has launched a global mentoring project for young girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), ITRealms authoritatively gathered.

The project tagged InspireIT, in a statement made available to journalists recently, is a free online project aimed at empowering young girls and women to enable them choose their careers properly and achieve their career goals

“The project is aimed at young girls and women. It’s a program where experts in STEM can mentor these women to enable them harness their potentials. It will be mostly done via online (emails and skype)”, the Information Technology graduate of Anglia Ruskin University – Chelmsford, London and Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria said.  

According to Ononiwu, the project will give young girls and women the opportunity to participate in an online mentoring programme that will guide them to achieve their target goals.

“This is a new project recently launched this month and it is aimed at encouraging our young girls and women in STEM. Through this project, they will be able to have one on one interaction with their mentors mostly online and ask questions about their subject areas as it relates to the ‘real world’.

“If most young girls and women in STEM are mentored, I believe they will be able to choose their careers properly and achieve their career goals,” Adanna said.

The InspireIT mentors are professionals drawn from a variety of fields of STEM from different countries across the globe.

ITRealms gathered that the STEM online mentoring project is run by Nuecla Services, an IT consulting agency affiliated to Nuecla Services Limited UK.

Ms Ononiwu, who is a blogger, took to her blog to announce the kick off of the project thus:

“Hi All,

I have officially started my free mentoring project titled 'InspireIT' for young girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for interested girls and women”.

Already, online forms have been created for intending mentors and mentees to fill and participate in the project.

For young girls who wish to join the mentoring programme, the link, she said is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hu8AyqZfWeq5pK_g793Pb1V5Cn-tPSCnYwFa4y7ja_8/viewform while for professionals who wish to be mentors can register online using the link:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1OFFl7xRXIEcQ6IRxNMJqQxwuLK7QvoyxQptzUhQo9Ns/viewform.

Chukwudi Obi

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Jonathan, Johnson, NCC, GalaxyBB, others bag ICT Centenary Awards

ITRealms:

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and other prominent Nigerians who have contributed in upping the ante of the ICT industry as the greatest driver of the Nigerian economy, within the century, have been rewarded with garlands of honour, at the first ever ICT Centenary Conference and Awards, which held at the Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, reports ITRealms.

At the event which drew participation from top industry administrators, operators, regulators, and enthusiasts, the President was honoured with a trophy as the “Grand Commander of ICT promoter” at the event organised by the ICT Media Initiative. The award was received on behalf of the President by the Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. Omobola Johnson.

Other awardees included the Nigeria’s Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs) Omobola Johnson took away the trophy as the “Premier ICT Officer of the Federation” and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission was honoured as “The Consolidator” of the growth in the Nigerian telecom ecosystem as well as Galaxy Backbone with the award for promoting whole-of-Government approach in Information Age.

Equally, the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union, an agency of the United Nations (UN) responsible for ICT, Dr. Hammadoun Toure was decorated with “Africa’s ICT Ambassador.”

On the night of glitz, colour, music and cultural dances, spiced with integrated Africanese, the chairman of OpenMedia and former EVC NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe was also decorated with “The Pathfinder” award for setting the pace for the revolution in the Nigerian ICT ecosystem. Others similarly honoured were: The Group Chairman of Zinox Group, Mr. Leo-stan Ekeh, “The ICT Visioner”, Chairman of Globacom, Dr. Mike Adenuga “The Grand ICT Investor”, and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development for using ICT to transform agribusiness in Nigeria. Also on the honours list were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs Ibukun Abimbola Odusote - “The Nigeria Internet Amazon”; the founder and CEO of the CWG Plc, Mr. Austin Okere; CEO of MainOne, Ms Funke Opeke; Managing Director, Edo State Information Communications and Technology Agency (ICTA), Mrs Olayemi Wonuola Keri, and the founder of Visafone, Mr  Jim Ovia were also honoured.

Also brought to the podium for honours were the CEO of Teledom Group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem who was also former President of both ATCON and the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG). He alongside Chris Uwaje who also led several industry  fraternal bodies such as ITAN, NCS, Computer Professionals Registration Council and the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria (ISPON) were both decorated as “The ICT Evangelists” for the their advocacy roles in the industry.  Three state governors; Chief Willie Obiano (Anambra State), Comrade Adams Oshiomole (Edo State) and Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola (State of Osun) were also decorated for their roles in lifting ICT usage in their states. Corporate organisations honoured included MTN, NCC, NITDA, NIGCOMSAT, Galaxy Backbone, NIMC, CNSSLCCL, Systemspecs and Remita.

Dr. Toure who gave the keynote address focussed on the theme: ICT in the Nigerian Centenary: Matching towards a Connected Nigeria, noted that ICT has become an inseparable tool for individual and corporate existence in the increasingly connected world. He commended the Nigerian government for the purposeful pursuit of the broadband initiative and strategic action plan. The chairman of ICT Media Initiative, the organisers of the event, Mr. Aaron Ukodie said that President Jonathan led by example in the usage of ICT for governance and citizens interactions to justify the prestigious award in his honour. 

Besides the global accolades, he noted that in President Jonathan’s first term in office, “Nigeria’s e-government rating by the United Nation improved tremendously, moving 21 points, from 162 in 2012 to 141 in 2014 out of 193 countries rated in the recent UN Global e-Government Development Index for 2014. Nigeria’s e-Participation index has also improved by 22 points, ranking 97, up from 75 in 2012. Under his watch the National Identity Management Scheme has taken off. This was a project that past presidents were unable to deliver. It is for these achievements and many others not captured here that we have decided to award the president the Grand Commander of ICT Promoters.”

While also commending Dr Johnson of deserving the award as the Premier ICT Officer of the Federation, Mr. Ukodie commended her for carrying out several innovative strategies, action plans and policies that are unparalleled in Nigeria. 

“She has identified the need for increase in rural telephone penetration in her digital inclusion policy; development of incubation centres; new Right of Way guidelines; launch of student PC ownership scheme; drive for local content among others as some of her major focus in the ICT industry. Under her watch Nigeria’s ICT growth indices are on a constant rise,” he noted

Mr Ukodie also stressed that individuals, corporates and institutions deserved the honours because they contributed in no small measures to the evolvement of the ICT sector as the biggest contributor to Nigeria’s global recognition are the focus of these awards in order to motivate them for greater contributions to the growth of the nation.

Further speaking on the essence of the conference and awards, Mr. Ukodie said that the ICT sector has made significant impact on the lives of the urban and rural dwellers as well as the industries and the farming population. Specifically, he said that efficiency matrix in Nigeria had recorded positive strides because of the contributions of the ICT to the lives of the individuals, government machineries and the processes and procedures in the private sector.

He said that ICT Media Initiative is a synergy across three entrepreneurial media groups namely the ICT Publishers Alliance (ICTPA) – comprising leading ICT publications; Business and TechnologyNews Publishers Foundation (BTPF) - made up of foremost business and technology publishers, editors and very senior news managers across Nigeria; and Nigeria ICT Broadcast Network (NIBN).

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Pix: Dr Ndukwe presenting the Grand Commander of ICT Promoters award to President Jonathan represented by Mrs. Johnson.

All is set to honour Jonathan as ICT Century Conference, awards holds Oct. 8

ITRealms

All is now set for the ICT Media Centenary conference and awards slated for Wednesday, 8th October 2014, at the Musa Yar Adua Centre, Abuja where President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan will lead a list of distinguished Nigerians and other international personalities to be honoured during the commemoration of the ICT evolution as a development and growth tool in the transformation of Nigeria in the last 100 years, 

At the event where the Secretary General of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), Dr. HammadounToure is billed to give the keynote address on the conference theme: ICT in the Nigerian Centenary: Matching towards a Connected Nigeria, the chairman of ICT Media Initiative, the organisers of the event, Mr. Aaron Ukodie said that other personalities and companies listed for awards include the Otunba Mike Adenuga, Dr. Hammadoun Toure, the Minister of Communication Technology, Dr. (Mrs.)Omobola Johnson, the executive vice chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, the Chairman ofZinox Computers, Mr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, Chairman of OpenMedia and former EVC NCC, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe among others.

He also said that the conference will be very interesting as it would be instructive to give a fresh direction and guide to stakeholders on the new thinking for the broadband evolution in Nigeria. 

“We have also slated other sub-themes for discussion. One of the sub-themes is: Broadband, for a connected Nigeria and prosperity. The conference is intended to sustain the current growth and momentum of discourses and actions that would culminate in the cost-effective deployment of broadband. This fittingly complements the efforts of the Federal Government as exemplified by the inauguration of the National Broadband Initiative," he said.

The first sub-theme is: Connected communities for shared prosperity across the length and breadth of Nigeria and a second sub-theme will dwell on the emergence of Smart State and Broadband Access: What Prospects for theEconomy? The last sub-theme will focus on: Unlocking Nigeria’s entrepreneurial potentials with wired opportunities.

Mr Ukodie said that other deserving stakeholders in the ICT sector would be honoured in the other award categories such as investors, companies, innovators, pioneer efforts, products and services, regulatory milestones that have stood out within the last century of Nigeria’s nationhood.

Some of the award categories include: Most Outstanding Governor in usage of ICT 4 Development (North East, North west, North Central, South South, South East and South West), Premier ICT Officer of The Federation, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Agriculture and Rural Development, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for financial services, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Legal Administration, Outstanding Achievements in Software Development, Outstanding Achievements in Hardware, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Aviation Services, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Commerce,and the Most Outstanding Woman in ICT.

Others include the Most Outstanding CEO in ICT, Most Innovative ICT Company, Most Outstanding Bank in ICT usage, Most Outstanding Regulator in ICT, Most Outstanding Public Sector CIO, Most Outstanding Software Solution, Most Customer Friendly ICT Company, Most Outstanding e-Commerce Company, Most Outstanding Insurer in ICT usage, Outstanding achievement in Advocacy, Outstanding Achievement in Infrastructure Deployment, Outstanding Achievement in ICT for Public Services, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Broadcasting, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Identity Management, Outstanding Achievements in ICT for Education Development, and the Most Visionary  ICT Entrepreneur of the Century.

The chairman of ICT Media Initiative stressed that individuals, corporates and institutions that have contributed in no small measures to the evolvement of the ICT sector as the biggest contributor to Nigeria’s global recognition are the focus of these awards in order to motivate them for greater contributions to the growth of the nation.

According to him, apart from President Jonathan who through pro-active policy initiatives on the national broadband plan, the cybersecurity national strategy and plan, as well as micro and macro-economic policies that have sustained the growth in the telecoms sector, and increased FDIs inflow, other Nigerians have also invested creatively in the sector to compliment the efforts of the Nigerian government.

Mr. Ukodie stated that the ICT sector has made significant impact on the lives of the urban and rural dwellers as well as the industries and the farming population. Specifically, he said that efficiency matrix in Nigeria had recorded positive strides because of the contributions of the ICT to the lives of the individuals, government machineries and the processes and procedures in the private sector.

The event had already drawn on substantial goodwill and supports from the private and public sectors. The Minister of Communications Technology, Dr. (Mrs.) Omobola Johnson, the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Eugene Juwah, the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Mr. Peter Jack, acting Managing Director, Nigerian Satellite Communications Limited, Mrs.AbimbolaAlele, Director General National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr.EmekaMba and the Director General National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) Barrister Chris ‘E. Onyemenam have declared their supports for the event. Others who have also endorsed the event include the immediate past EVC of NCC and Chairman of OpenMedia, Dr Ernest Ndukwe and Managing Director of CWG, Mr. Austin Okere, chairman of Zinox Computers, Mr. Leo Stan Ekeh and Mr John Tani Obaro, MD of SystemsSpecs.

The management of MTN and Globacom, the leading telcos in Nigeria have also swollen the ranks of endorsers of the event.

He said that ICT Media Initiative is a synergy across three entrepreneurial media groups namely the ICT Publishers Alliance (ICTPA) – comprising leading ICT publications; Business and TechnologyNews Publishers Foundation (BTPF) - made up of business and technology publishers, editors and very senior news managers across Nigeria; and Nigeria ICT Broadcast Network (NIBN).

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Demo Africa 2014: African Economy on the rise - Sen. John Kerry

ITRealms: 

United States Secretary of state, Senator John Kerry has said that the 40 new start-ups who participated in the 2014 edition of the Microsoft sponsored Demo Africa exhibition were developing real world solutions worthy of real investment and global attention, ITReams gathered.

This is coming as he stressed that both research and evidence support the case for Africa’s emergence into the global economic landscape.

Senator Kerry who spoke through a recorded video message  at the 2014 edition of Demo Africa exhibition in Lagos recently said the US Department of State supports inspiring and challenging African innovators and entrepreneurs through various initiatives, including Demo Africa, observed that a great number f African countries are demonstrating real promise toward a market led economic system.

“By promoting entrepreneurship, especially among students and young professionals – in other words, the next generation of innovators and inventors – and harnessing their energy and creativity, we are contributing to a culture of innovation and collaboration that creates opportunity and economic prosperity.

A great number of African countries are demonstrating real promise toward a market-led economic system, which will pave the way for inward investment opportunities and economic growth. Both the research and evidence support the case for Africa’s emergence into global economic landscape. The ecosystem is particularly ready for high tech start ups”, he said.

Senator Kerry who urged African Tech companies to excel added that the US Department of State is one of the founders of the Lions of Africa.

“From the perspective of the US Department of State, one of the founders of the Lions of Africa partnership hosting this event, we see this event as a premiere platform (Demo Africa) for the most innovative companies from across the continent to launch their products and announce to Africa and the world what they have developed.

And today, real start ups are being created in Africa. They are developing real world solutions worthy of real investment and global attention. This is the rise of the African economy that provides an opportunity for key players to forge partnerships for mutual economic benefits.

So given all of this, now is the time for African Tech entrepreneurs to flourish and they are doing so through platforms like Demo Africa”, he said.

Chukwudi Obi

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World Telecom Labs celebrates 1bn minutes for Nigeria’s interconnect exchange carriers

ITRealms:

World Telecom Labs (WTL) has announced that more than 1 billion minutes have passed through its second generation Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) switches deployed by five of Nigeria’s interconnect exchange carriers, ITRealms reports.

The announcement was made at an event celebrating the achievement at the ongoing annual NigeriaCom telecoms conference and exhibition. All five of the carriers were presented with a trophy to mark the occasion.

“Licensed by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), the carriers – Breeze Micro, Exchange, ICN, Niconnx and Solid – were established to increase competition and transparency in the Nigerian telecom marketplace. The four leading mobile operators in Nigeria are now all required to divert 10% of their inter-carrier voice and SMS traffic to one of these operators,” WTL said.

Leigh Smith, MD of WTL, said “What a triumph for the NCC. The benefits of introducing the new carriers are clear:  a huge amount of traffic is being taken off the infrastructure of the established carriers in Nigeria thereby freeing up capacity, increasing speeds and reducing latency. In addition, there is greater transparency and openness in the market.”

Jihad Jaafar, CTO, Breeze Micro, said “The billionth minute is a significant moment for both Breeze Micro and our interconnect exchange carrier colleagues.  WTL has been instrumental in our success.  Its team of experts continue to be generous in sharing their knowledge and experience which is benefiting both the telecoms market and indeed the people of Nigeria.”

Chukwudi Obi

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NITDA awards postgraduate scholarships - set to establish IT Hubs

ITRealms:

The National Information Technology Development Agency, (NITDA) has awarded scholarship to 80 Nigerian youths to undertake postgraduate studies in various fields of Information Technology and related disciplines, ITRealms authoritatively gathered.

This is coming as the agency has concluded plans to establish IT parks and innovation hubs in its bid to bring ICT to the doorsteps of Nigerians.

Director General of NITDA, Mr. Peter Jack who disclosed this at a ceremony to disburse the awards to the students recently in Abuja, urged the students to focus on technologies that could solve real life challenges in the country and to develop alliances that can be helpful to them in the development of their careers in the future.

Mr Jack further called on them to sharpen their entrepreneurial skills, stressing that the agency’s innovative hubs would help them fulfil their dreams if they decide to go into entrepreneurship on completion of their programmes.

“NITDA is already embarking on the creation of IT parks and innovation hubs. We intend to raise support centres. The intention is to bring Information and Communication Technology to the doorsteps of every Nigerian. We plan to create 600,000 IT entrepreneurs and 1.2 million jobs. We are working closely to synergise our resources with other agencies in the country. Substantial resources have been invested in the last few years to build capacity in the ICT sector. There is a need for us to play among the top players in the ICT sector by the year 2020. We enjoin you to do your best to make Nigeria proud. Innovation is the way forward to improve the quality of life in Nigeria,” he said.

The scholarship programme is based on merit and covers the six geo – political zones of the country.

ITrealms gathered that 74 of the graduates (two from each of the states and the Federal Capital Territory) will be pursuing master’s degree programmes while six of them selected from six geo-political zones of the country will be pursuing doctorate degrees in Information Technology and related fields.

Chukwudi Obi

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