Nigeria'll not attain SDGs by 2030, except … says Dr. Winjobi - ITREALMS

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The National Coordinator, Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development (CSCSD), Dr. Tola Winjobi, in this chat with a cross section of media, lamented the seemingly inability of Nigeria to attain the SDGs, especially Goal 16+ by 2030.

Excerpts:

Tell us about the coalition established and its mission?

Established in 2010 as Campaign2015+ and in 2016 formally re-registered as Civil Society Coalition on Sustainable Development (CAC/IT/No 87678), CSCSD is a network of close to 2000 non-governmental orgnisations (NGOs), Community-Based Organisation (CBOs), Faith-Based Organisations (FBOs), professional associations based in Nigeria, and a staunch partner of TAP Network and Action for Sustainable Development.

Kigali to host WTDC2022 focusing on SDGs - ITREALMS

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The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will host its World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) in Kigali, Rwanda, between 6 and 16 June.

This landmark conference is dedicated to driving digital transformation in line with the global Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations. 

Youth for Africa and SDGs - ITREALMS Online

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a Pan-African Entrepreneurship Portal-Platform, facilitated by Accenture, reports ITRealms.

The YAS! Portal-Platform is designed for young African entrepreneurs with the intent of cultivating an ecosystem that will promote mentorship, funding, information-sharing and networking.

According to UNDP Special Advisor for Private Sector, Tomas Sales, “YAS! is a much needed Pan African digital mechanism for youth entrepreneurs to access opportunities and contribute to the positive transformation of the continent through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are directed to ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that people everywhere enjoy peace and prosperity.” The Portal-Platform will be activated in East, West and Southern Africa.

The YAS! Portal-Platform was created to support the development and growth of youth entrepreneurship on the continent by providing four pillars

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IGF unveils BPF output on cybersecurity, boosts SDGs

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The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has unveiled the final output of the 2017 Best Practice Forum (BPF) on Cybersecurity, just as it has potentials to boost the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reports ITRealms.

The IGF Consultant on BPF Cybersecurity, Wim Degezelle, confirmed this to ITRealms saying that he was excited to announce the final output which is now available on the IGF website.

Degezelle  also said that the 2017 BPF focused on the important role of good cybersecurity to enable Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and Internet technologies to contribute to development and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Equally, Degezelle said the BPF explored what security areas would benefit from further multistakeholder dialogue.

“On behalf of the BPF Coordinators, Markus Kummer and Olusegun Olugbile, and the BPF Lead-Expert, Maarten Van Horenbeeck, I’d like to thank all who contributed throughout the year to the BPF and enriched its discussions,” Degezelle said.

Chuks Egbune/GEE

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Over 2,500 ICT4D stakeholders converge for SDGs @WSIS Forum 2017

ITRealms:

Over 2,500 information and communication technology (ICT) experts and advocates from around the globe are taking part this week in the World Summit on the Information Society Forum 2017 (WSIS Forum 2017), reports ITRealms.

Participants, ITRealms gathered would afford them to exchange knowledge and experiences towards achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ITRealms reports that WSIS Forum 2017 commenced Monday, June in Geneva, and expected to end by Friday this week.

The participants also ITRealms report, represents the world's largest annual multi-stakeholder gathering of the ICT for development community, and is co-organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), UNCTAD and UNDP, in close collaboration with all UN agencies.

The Chair-elect of this year's forum is Mr. Jean Philbert Nsengimana, Minister of Youth and ICT, Government of Rwanda.

This year's forum will focus on sustainable development trends and inclusive ICT initiatives in key SDG priority areas such as health, education, gender empowerment, the environment, infrastructure and innovation. Participants are set to include at least 500 high-level policy-makers from 150+ countries, including government ministers and experts, civil society leaders, academics, business leaders and international organizations.

"The ICT community plays a paramount role in supporting the realization of the SDGs. The rich discussions and knowledge sharing among ICT for development stakeholders set to take place here at WSIS Forum 2017 will make great strides to leverage the power of ICTs for achievement of the SDGs," said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.

WSIS Forum has become a real demonstration of how the WSIS and SDGs processes are being aligned at the implementation level, building on the WSIS-SDG Matrix developed by UN WSIS Action Line Facilitators. An interactive mapping tool is available for the WSIS Forum 2017 Agenda to emphasize the linkages between the Action Lines and the SDGs identified by WSIS stakeholders in their respective sessions and workshops.

The WSIS Forum 2017 agenda features more than 200 specialized workshops covering a wide array of topics identified through a participatory process with WSIS stakeholders. This includes a Virtual Reality for SDGs special track bringing together high-level personalities, world class virtual reality experiences, and a focus on education. 

Nonye Dom/GEE

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Chad to host first-ever Pan African summit on digital economy, SDGs

ITRealms:

Plans have been advanced for the hosting of the first-ever Pan African summit on digital economy and sustainability development goals (SDGs) in Ndjamena, Chadian capital, reports ITRealms.

Confirming this to ITRealms at the weekend after a courtesy visit by the president, African Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSIS-SCASI) Dr. Cissé Kane to Chad President, Mr. Idriss Deby Itno, said that his office received a nod from Chad presidency for the event in 2017.

According to him, His Excellency Mr. Idriss Déby Itno, President of the Republic of Chad, and chairman of African Union (AU) on Friday, gave his agreement to hold the 1st Pan-African Summit on the Digital Economy and Sustainable Growth in N'djamena by first quarter of next year.

The audience during the visit includes Mr. Mahamat Allahou Taher, Chad Minister of Posts and New Information and Communication Technologies and Mr. Bedoumra Kordjé, Secretary General of the Presidency of the Republic of Chad.

Dr. Kane also congratulated President Idriss Déby Itno for his vision and pan-African leadership and for having the bright idea of setting up the African Center for Information Technologies (CATI), recalling that he had proposed the organization of such a summit at the WSIS Forum 2016 in Geneva (Switzerland), which received the support of several African ministers, Ambassadors and personalities present in Geneva at the occasion.

ACSIS President pointed out that the Summit will respond to three major questions, namely on “How to make African countries benefit from resources generated by the ICT/telecom sector in Africa? What concrete financial mechanisms to put in place to get there? How to finance sustainable digital development in Africa?; How to make Africa moving from a consumer status to a real and sustainable actor of the digital economy status?;  What are the priorities for digital resources generated by Africa to be used as leverage for the development of Africa?”

Dr. Kane also emphasized that summit was inspired by four major repositories comprising the African Union 2063 Agenda; Addis Ababa Agenda of Action (2015); the WSIS recommendations, particularly the WSIS +10 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

ITRealms  further recollects that the Pan African organization, the Africa Civil Society on the Information Society (ACSIS) was formed in June 2003, during the first phase of the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) in Geneva, to promote open and inclusive information society in Africa.

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Pix: ACSIS president, Dr. Cise Kane and Chad president, Idriss Deby during the visit.

Broadband Commission calls on world leaders to harness ICT4D to drive SDGs

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The Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development has called on world leaders to harness Information and Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D), reports ITRealms.

The Commission at the end of its recent High-Level Policy Forum in New York, cited ICTs as uniquely powerful tool to drive global development, mostly in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Also, the Commission in a press statement made available to ITRealms, urged policymakers, the private sector and other partners to make deployment of broadband infrastructure a top priority in strategies to accelerate global development and progress towards the SDGs.

The statement presented to the 2016 High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, which is meeting in New York City from 11-20 July to guide global efforts on the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Commission outlined the myriad ways broadband could improve global sustainable development.

These, they said, include addressing basic needs such as education and access to information, helping lift people out of poverty through e-commerce opportunities and job growth, improving health services, monitoring climate change and planetary processes, and bridging the digital gender divide.

“The theme of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development is ‘Ensuring that no-one is left behind,” said Houlin Zhao, ITU Secretary-General, stressing that Broadband Commission outlined the fundamental role broadband technology could play in helping the world achieve its most pressing sustainable development goals.

“Let us all grasp this vital opportunity to strive for a world where every citizen enjoys the opportunities and benefits of universal, affordable and inclusive access to ICTs,” he said.

This, he said, will be the first HLPF that examines efforts at national, regional, and global levels to put policies and measures in place that will help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

In the months since the global community unanimously adopted the goals at the SDG Summit in New York, last September, they have become the development ‘gold standard’ for countries, the business community, civil society and local governments around world. The HLPF also offers an opportunity for the UN to highlight the important work all members of the UN family are doing in support of the Goals.

This year’s HLPF consists of a five-day Expert-level Meeting and a three-day Ministerial Meeting, 18 and 20 July.

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Pix from the 12th meeting of the Commission.

Etisalat boosts primary education in North East with kits

ITRealms:

In efforts towards achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on education in the country, Etisalat Nigeria, has partnered with a non-governmental organisation, Abuja Global Shapers Community and the Governments of North-Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa to provide free educational support to primary school pupils in the states, reports ITRealms.

The initiative tagged, “Community School Support Programme (CSSP)” features donation of Back-to-School kits, including school uniforms and bags, to pupils drawn from 10 primary schools in the states.

This, ITRealms gathered, is part of the company’s multi-faceted CSR programme that is committed to giving value to communities through various intervention programmes covering education, health, among others.

The benefiting schools are Yerwa Practising Primary School, Abbaganaram Primary School and Bulumkutu Primary School all in Borno State; Katuzu Community School, Gashua, Central Primary School, Potiskum and Lawan Kawuri Primary School, Geidam, all in Yobe State; and, Wuro Hausa Primary School, Yola Town, Community School, Demsa and Tudun Wada Primary School, Mayo Belwa in Adamawa State.

Speaking at the formal presentation of the kits to these schools in Maiduguri, Borno state on Monday, the Vice President, Regulatory and Corporate Affairs, Etisalat Nigeria, Ibrahim Dikko, said the partnership is intended to enhance ongoing efforts aimed at making basic education available and sustainable.

Mr. Dikko, who was represented by the company’s Head, Government and Community Relations, Mohammed Suleh-Yusuf, reiterated the commitment of the telecommunications giant to sustainable development initiatives that impact on the wellbeing of the populace across various sectors.

“Etisalat Nigeria is committed to delivering sustainable community support programmes that will complement public services and extend benefits to the grassroots across Nigeria. We are proud to be able to contribute positively to achieving the objective of improving our partner states especially in the area of Education. We will continue to collaborate to move the states and indeed the nation forward,” he assured.

Also speaking, the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Hon. Musa Inuwa Kobo represented by the Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education, commended Etisalat for pursuing causes that serve the interest of the societies in which it operates. He identified investment in education as one fundamental way to secure a progressive future while advancing the cause of the larger society.

“Today, if we are not mindful of the education sector, tomorrow, we will have incompetent lawyers and as a result, people will lose their liberty, we are going to have incompetent doctors, and as a result, people will lose their lives, we are going to have incompetent engineers  and as result, bridges will collapse, roads will fail. If we are to be called a civilized society, we should take time and make sacrifices for the future. This is the lesson Etisalat is teaching us. Etisalat as a corporate organisation is mindful of its social responsibility,” he said.

Uj. N. Dominic/GEE

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Pix: (L-R) Head, Government and Community Relations, Etisalat Nigeria, Mohammed Suley-Yusuf; Permanent Secretary, Borno State Ministry of Education and Member, Borno State Education Board, Engr. Mohammed Gamboni presenting to a pupil of Yerwa Practising Primary School, Borno, one of the Back-to-School kits donated by Etisalat Nigeria in Maiduguri on Monday.

Unwin predicts Internet access to top agenda for 2015 SDGs

DigitalSENSE Business News:

The Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation (CTO), Professor Tim Unwin, has predicted that access to the Internet will top agenda for the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), reports DigitalSENSE Business News.

Professor Unwin, DigitalSENSE Business News gathered, made his prediction at the just ended inaugural Commonwealth Broadband Forum 2014 held between 18 and 20 November in Nairobi, Kenya.

He told DigitalSENSE Business News the importance of broadband and stressed how all should work collectively to ensure that the poorest and most-marginalised groups are not excluded, but able to grasp the opportunities provided by new technologies.

“Broadband connectivity should not only be used for economic growth but should also be used as a driver for social justice and effective governance,” Prof. Unwin declared to DigitalSENSE Business News in a press statement made available to correspondent by Marcel Belingue.

DigitalSENSE Business News recalls that over 130 delegates from Commonwealth countries took part in the event, hosted by the Communications Authority of Kenya.

 
Over three days, DigitalSENSE Business News also gathered, participants examined several aspects of broadband, including the future of broadband and mobile technologies across the Commonwealth and beyond, and the impact that these technologies will have in driving innovation and growth.

Some of the session-focused discussions, DigitalSENSE Business News gathred from 2014 theme "Broadband for Accelerated Growth” comprised the Mobile broadband technologies: 4G and LTE; Broadband access and infrastructure aiding development; Cloud computing for emerging markets; Broadband applications and value-added services; Inclusion and innovation beyond broadband: The rise of tech cities, Financing broadband in Africa; and Strengthening broadband public-private partnerships to accelerate investment projects.

@Chuks Egbuna +Remmy Nweke +Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation

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