Technology: Strategic enabler of efficiency, operational growth says Onyeali-Ikpe @ABoICT'17 - ITREALMS

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The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Dr. Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe, has asserted that modern technology must not be viewed as an abstract, siloed concept, but rather as an active, practical utility engineered to solve real-world operational problems, reports ITREALMS.

She stated that the tier-one banking institution has aggressively integrated emerging technologies as a core, strategic enabler to drive internal efficiencies, manage baseline overheads, and scale enterprise growth across the West African sub-region.

NCC: A digital enabler of renewed hope agenda - ITREALMS

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In Nigeria, a young tech-savvy and upwardly mobile population is teeming, and exploring derivable benefits of digital technologies. They are propelled by rapidly expanding internet access and steady broadband penetration, currently about 43 per cent. Our digital economy is poised for significant growth, positively impacting various sectors and benefiting the nation through enhanced connectivity and digital skills.

Digital transformation is happening globally at a record pace. During the Covid-19 pandemic, for example, remote work and virtual collaboration tools took centre stage; platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet became—and still are—essential for meetings, conferences and team collaboration. E-commerce and online retail have transformed how consumers seamlessly order and receive goods and services.

Diverse leadership in ICT, enabler of innovation – Cathy Smith

ITRealms:

Diverse leadership has been described as enabler of innovation by companies, especiaolly those playing within the Information and Communication Technology (ICT), reports ITRealms.

This was made known by the newly promoted Managing Director of Cisco for Sub-Saharan Africa, Mrs. Cathy Smith, noted that as a female in a predominantly male industry, the challenges faced at onset of her career in the industry really had to do with educating oneself and colleagues.

She also said that by educating each other on different backgrounds equally provided everyone the use of different strengths to conquer.

“We are indeed stronger together, as the saying goes,“ she declared.

ITRealms recalls that Cathy Smith joined Cisco in April 2015 as the head of Cisco’s business operations across South Africa. In her role, Smith was responsible for the development and execution of Cisco’s go-to-market sales and digital transformation strategies for the region.

She will now look after the whole of the region reporting to David Meads. Olakunle Oloruntimehin who is the General Manager for Cisco Nigeria and English speaking West Africa and David Bunei (General Manager: East Africa and Indian Ocean Islands) remain in their roles but will work with and report to Smith in her expanded role.

As Sub-Saharan  Africa’s Governments and organizations embrace the next wave of technology transformation and become fully digitized, this presents a new opportunity for new revenue streams, better customer, citizen service delivery, new operating models to deliver greater value, and new job streams. Smith has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry leading diverse teams in both private and public sector organizations, as well as building strong partner and customer relations. Smith spent 23 years with IBM where she held various leadership roles in IT service delivery, HR and Sales.

Before joining IBM, she worked for several companies in the Insurance Industry as an application developer. She also spent three years in the United Kingdom where she consolidated her international expertise and held a number of executive roles for the European and global markets with a focus on outsourcing services business.

Cathy Smith is a fellow of the African Leadership Initiative (ALI), an organization set up to develop the next generation of value-based African leaders who are capable of guiding and leading their countries as they struggle to align the demands of globalization with local visions of a sustainable society. She is a Board Director at Cisco Systems South Africa (Pty) LTD and Cisco Technologies Solutions.

Smith is married and has two daughters. Her passion lies in Leadership Development, particularly as the world transforms to the Digital Era.

Uj. N. Dominic/ED, Ops

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Shittu applauds telecom sector, says its enabler to Nigerian economy

ITRealms:

The Minister of Communications, Barr. Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Shittu has applauded telecoms industry for enabling other industries and growth strategies to the Nigerian economy, reports ITRealms.

Addressing the 2016 Information Communication Technology & Telecommunication Expo (2016 ICTEL EXPO) organized by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Tuesday, Adebayo also said, the Smart Digital Nigeria project is suitable ICT platform for diversification of the economy.

According to him, ICT is the only sector that has recorded a positive growth of about 10 per cent in the first quarter of 2016 and has become a major contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Shittu equally said that the mobile ecosystem currently contributes over $10 billion in  value add to the Nigeria economy and that mobile services have the potential to enable Nigerians benefit from the exchange of information for business and social needs for increase productivity.

He pointed out that global quest for ICT for development is enormous to both developed and developing countries because ICT skills are critical to the success of enhancing national development in a globalised era. “In this regard, our government is focused on creating opportunities for citizenship participation in ICT training, knowledge and skills acquisition, and general application and usage of ICT tools to solve problems, promote their wellbeing and enhance national growth”, he added.

“No doubt, with the dwindling revenue from the Oil and Gas sector, the Federal Government has realized more than ever before that Telecommunication and ICT are amongst the main drivers for the social and economic development of Nigeria and play a vital role in enhancing access to basic services in all sectors of our national life”.

Charging the organisers of the event, the minister said, “I want to enjoin the President of LCCI, our tireless and quintessential Mother- Dr. (Mrs) Nike Akande, to continue to connect businesses and create opportunities for Nigerians in the ICT sector as the nation strives to diversify its economy from the non-oil sector”.

He stressed that the theme for the Expo is apt as the platform will encourage conversations and the sharing of opinions on innovations and trends as well as providing an excellent networking opportunity for business decision makers, innovation managers, start-ups, ICT academics, OEMs, venture capitalists, and other players in the Nigeria ICT sector.

Barr. Shittu assured that the government will provide the needed enabling environment for the ICT and telecommunication sector to thrive through enactment of relevant legislations, saying ”With the e-Government Masterplan implementation, government’s attention on e-Governance as the nucleus to drive other automation and IT agenda is assured under my very watch. I want to also charge you to continue to connect businesses and create businesses and opportunities for Nigerians in the ICT sector”.

“The Change Mantra of this administration comes in different colourations. We in the ICT sector have a responsibility to put the nation on the path of growth. This can be easily achieved when partners like LCCI key into the SMART Digital initiative.

“There is no doubt in my mind that this ICTEL Expo 2016, will further offer a platform for corporate organisations seeking to build partnerships for enhanced profitability in the sector. It is also a veritable opportunity for government and private sector operators to meet and articulate policies that would boost the productivity of ICT sector in Nigeria and create more jobs”.

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