Unbelievable! FG’s website stale

NigeriaDirect located on www.nigeria.gov.ng is the official website of the federal government, just as the external service of Voice of Nigeria (VON), the website is the apparent gateway to accessing official information.

The thinking among stakeholders in the Nigerian project is that such a medium of communication will contain not only relevant, but current information about the country, her people and policies.

Relating these to the current efforts to rebrand Nigeria, it is expected that the functionality and efficiency of government would be exhibited on its official website to the extent that it will present itself as the dependable reference platform.

But all that is not to be going by what is currently on ground.

For eight long months, the official website of the federal government has gone stale considering that information contained there on were yet to be updated.

Investigations by ITRealms Online showed that majority of the 20 former ministers dropped last September by President Umaru Yar’Adua, are still in office, according to the official information gateway of the federal government, the NigeriaDirect, www.nigeria.gov.ng.

This is an indication that the official website has not been holistically updated for upward of eight months.

Created in 2005, at the wake of the campaign to rebrand the nation via the Heart of Africa by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, NigeriaDirect, the official website of the Federal Government of Nigeria, still has the Heart of Africa running instead of the ‘Nigeria, good people, great nation’ campaign, thereby misinforming the world and defeating its purpose.

A visit to the website by ITRealms Online, revealed that such former ministers as Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre, were yet to hand-over to her then Minister of State, Dr. Alhassan Bako Zaku, who is the incumbent minister.

Another instance of NigeriaDirect’s failure was to retain the immediate past Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo Umar and his Minister of State, Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe in office till date. Chief Charles C. Ugwu in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry as well as his Minister of State, Mr. Ahmed Garba Bichi, are very much in office.

Equally, at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and National Orientation, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, is still in-charge, even as Minister of State remained Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong.

According to NigeriaDirect, the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mahmud Yayale Ahmed is still a Minister and his then Minister of State, Mrs. Fidelia Akuabata Njeze, is yet to be redeployed to Agriculture and Natural Resources.

The case is not different at the Ministry of Education where Dr. Igwe Aja-Nwachuku, is yet to relinquish office to Dr. Sam Egwu as Minister, and Minister of State on education, Mr. Anthony Jerry Agada is yet to be sacked, while Aishatu Jibril Dukku retains her minister of state port folio, as revealed by NigeriaDirect.

However, in the Ministry of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Nkem Akunyili and Alhaji Aliyu Ikra Bilbis were reflected correctly as the Minister and Minister of State respectively. Just as Mr. Michael Kaase Aondoakaa, SAN, also correctly retained his office in the Federal Ministry of Justice as minister, together with the Minister of Interior, retired Major General Godwin Abbe, while the former minister of state at the Interior Ministry, Hassan Alhaji Haruna is yet to vacate his position.

The former Information Minister, Mr. John Odey seems to be in the right position, which is Environment ministry, even as the Minister of Finance is still Dr.
Shamsuddeen Usman, who has since gone to Planning Commission, rather than Dr Mansur Muktar, as Minister, though Aderemi W. Babalola, retains his position as minister of state at the official FG’s website.

Nevertheless, Chief Ojo Maduekwe is still in-charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whereas Tijjani Yahaya Kaura and Amb. Bagudu M. Hirse are the Minister of states 1 and 2 respectively.

Dr. Hassan Muhammad Lawal, currently managing the Ministry of Works & Housing has not been redeployed from the Ministry of Health, where he was supervising until the last shuffling by President Yar ‘Adua in December.

As at the time of filing this report, NigeriaDirect still maintained 19 ministries that existed during the Olusegun Obasanjo’s era, against the expanded 28 ministries by Yar’Adua since he took over office in May 2007.

This expansion is yet to reflect in the NigeriaDirect, the official online voice of the federal government.

Although NigeriaDirect was quick to affect some changes immediately after the shuffling in government was announced on Wednesday, December 17, 2008, including that of the Minister of Information and Communication, Prof. Dora Akunyili and her minister of state, among some ministers, ITRealms Online reliably gathered that those whose offices were updated were mainly the outspoken members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), thus revered.

Additionally, it was learnt that the ministry in-charge, which is the Information Ministry, may be having an issue with the website developer – contractor - warranting the irregular up dates; which from all intents and purposes negate the current rebranding drive by the government being championed by Prof. Akunyili.

Above all, industry observers called on Akunyili and her ministry to refocus the official website of the government in all aspects; be it ministerial and presidential as most of the information are currently outdated and are mostly sought after by foreign researchers and media practitioners, which cannot impact any change with the obsolete content as contained currently.

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Mobile phone emissions divide stakeholders

Worried by the rumours over mobile phone emissions, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) took advantage of the Telecom Parliament platform to enlighten consumers on the issue. REMMY NWEKE who was there reports.

The 51st edition of the Telecom Consumer Parliament hosted by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), for the month of April 2009, ended with divergent views from Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) stakeholders in the country.

Summing up his position, the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, allayed the fears that mobile phones were yet to be scientifically classified as a dangerous instrument as far as emissions from such tools are concerned based on a known investigation.

Wiki.Answers.com defined emission as “letting of something, mostly in the air, anything from body gas to carbon.”

This classification became apparent based on the question raised at the floor of the parliament by one of the participants on the effect of mobile phone emissions and viability of fertility, which experts at NewScientist.com clarified that there is no suggestion whatsoever that human fertility is affected negatively, but on the contrary, recent researches showed since 2002 that biological effects are possible without any warming of tissues.

However, Ndukwe noted during the event held at Eko Club, Surulere, Lagos, mobile phone “don’t pose the kind of danger like most people think but caution is the word,” advising Nigerians, mostly telecom consumers, to be cautious of the kind of information they absorb as not everything or claims made by some people are true.

While receiving the Director General, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Dr. (Mrs) Ngeri S. Benebo and her team, recently in his office, EVC Ndukwe, assured that NCC, would not allow telecommunications or the operators to endanger lives of Nigerians in the process of carrying out their telecommunications business, stressing that the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology is a mobile system that functions effectively with base stations, explaining that what the Commission has done was to set guidelines to checkmate the erection of such towers and masts in order to create a standard.

He cited for instance, that some studies have shown that mainland Britain alone has over 40,000 towers while Nigeria currently has about 15,000.

“The difference shows in the quality of telecommunications services available in the two countries, although Nigerian operators are continuing with their roll out of base stations in order to improve their services. Without base stations, you have no communications,” he said.

Ndukwe noted that in the past there have been all kinds of health concerns expressed about base stations, especially those located in residential areas, maintaining that although the steel structure of a mast may look imposing, “it is only the small antenna at the top that has any connection with radiation,” thus, the output might be very negligible.

“The radiation from the electric pole is more; even a TV antenna radiates more power,” he said, pledging on the readiness of NCC to work with other agencies like NESREA in order to give the best to the Nigerian people.

“As government agencies, it is mandatory for us to engage in continuous discourse,” he said.

Commending the success of the telecommunications industry, Dr. Benebo noted that even as Nigeria keys into breakthrough in this sector in order to meet up with modern challenges, it is imperative that key players are properly regulated and encouraged to adopt the environment friendly and best available technologies.

“There is also need to check the proliferation of communication masts with due regard to human rights, public health and environmental quality,” she advocated.

Also speaking at the last Telecom parliament, the national president, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said, Nigeria as a developing nation should focus more on the merits of ICT tools rather than paying attention to the hazards of mobile phones alone, which in the real sense accounts to a minute portion, when compared with the merits.

Driving home his point, Ekuwem asked participants, if the nation should go back to the era of NITEL with its scarcity of telephone not to mention exorbitant mobile phones. Equally responding to the question on the possibilities of mobile phones causing explosion, a Lagos-based physicist, Mr. Ayo Ibetoye, noted that the rumour over mobile phone emission, especially over explosion from a mobile battery, are all yet to be proved with empirical evidences.

Responding to these claims and counter claims, President, Biopro Technology Nigeria Limited, Mr. Sam Iheanacho, said that the recently launched Biopro chips into the country were duly certified by Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

He explained that BioPro products including the Cell Chip, Universal Chip and iwater, just as these products offer solution to electro-magnetic radiations (EMR), electro-magnetic frequencies (EMF) and problems associated with poor potable water in the country.

Mr. Iheanacho, also said he was inspired on humanitarian grounds to give to the Nigerian society these health and wellness package for a healthier living, stressing that Biopro was founded to create awareness of the dangers of electro-pollution in the environment and to collaborate with its technical partners, the American Medical

Team for Africa (AMTA) to provide the best health care for Nigerians.

“Our mission is to sensitize the Nigerian public about the concerns of EMR and EMF emitted by cell phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), Bluetooth, headsets, masts, microwaves, hair dryers, amongst others, which have been linked to serious stress-induced health issues,” he said.

He further said that the vision of the company goes beyond business profitability and focuses on service and humanity, emphasizing that they are committed to partnering with federal health agencies, relevant committees of the National Assembly, private telecommunication operators, state and local governments as well as corporate organizations in their healthcare delivery programmes to the citizenry.

Iheanacho pointed out that Biopro cell and universal chips would help to protect against the dangerous radiation associated with cell phones, cordless phones, computers and other EMF emitting devices.

“It is a must-have for anyone who is concerned about the effects of electro-pollution in our environment,” he declared.

In addition, global leader in telecommunications equipment manufacturing subsector, Ericsson, maintained that its base stations are free of emissions likely to cause cancer of any kind.

Affirming this, the Communications Manager, Ericsson Nigeria, Mr. Olabode Sowunmi, told ITRealms Online that over the years, there are studies by experts on the possible adverse health effects as a result of radiofrequency fields from mobile phones or base stations, which have been consistent as none have conclusive evidence from mobile phones or base stations.

“Regarding possible adverse health effects due to exposure for radiofrequency fields from mobile phones or base stations there are numerous independent expert reviews which have all given consistent conclusions,” he said.

Sowunmi also noted that even the World Health Organization (WHO) has concluded, mostly in its expert review fact sheet 193 that exposure to radiofrequency fields has no linkage to health consequences.

“None of the recent reviews have concluded that exposure to the RFfields from mobile phones or their base stations cause any adverse health consequence,” he declared.

According to him, in one of the most recent expert reviews performed by the European Commission SCENIHR (Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks) published in January 2009, he quoted the study as stating that it is doubtful from three major independent fields that radiofrequency, otherwise call emissions, could cause cancer in human beings.

“It is concluded from three independent lines of evidence, namely epidemiological, animal and in vitro studies; that exposure to RFfields is unlikely to lead to an increase in cancer in humans,” he said.

Equally, he said that the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) report released last October 8, 2008, has indeed commented on possible adverse health effects of mobile phone, just as he was quick to add that IARC has been conducting a major epidemiological study called INTERPHONE on mobile phone use and possible association with head and neck tumors.

The study, he said, is now completed but the overall combined results from all 13 countries have not yet been published.

“Overall, the available results from the INTERPHONE study, so far, do not show any association between mobile phone use and risk to develop brain tumor. The comment in the IARC report regarding increased risk for glioma refers to a joint INTERPHONE publication from the Nordic countries and part of the UK. In this publication no overall increased risk for brain tumors was found among mobile phone users regardless of number of years or intensity of use,” he said.

Sowunmi emphasized that though a slightly increased risk was observed among long
term phone users when analyzing a small subset of the data for those who reported use of the phone on the same side as location of the tumor.

The authors, he said, however, cautioned that “Recall bias may affect the reported side of mobile phone use if cases over report use on the side where the tumor was diagnosed.”

He further advised on the importance of waiting for the final publication of the full INTERPHONE study and also to take all other relevant studies into account.

“Numerous international expert reviews on the health and safety of mobile telephony have given consistent conclusions on absence of adverse health effects due to exposure to RF fields from mobile phones or base stations,” he insisted.

Vice chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Wale Goodluck, concurred with Sowunmi, maintaining that there is yet no evidence to backup any claims alleging that mobile phone usage or its infrastructure pose danger to the populace.

Most of all, experts submitted that caution is the word, whilst we await for the latest of WHO reports on mobile phones’ related radiation, there is need to avoid long stay on mobile phone every given time or one side of the ear and if possible prevent mobile phones touching your skin directly, mostly during heat, as well as remaining environmentally good user by adhering to notices at the airports, petrol stations and some other public places.

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Know your Skpe end-user license (7)

You are allowed to use the Skype Software at university or any other educational institution, subject to paragraph 4.4 below and in accordance with this Agreement and any applicable Additional Terms. You are allowed to use the Skype Software at work to make communications relating to Your business in accordance with this
Agreement and any applicable Additional Terms (such as the Terms of Service referred to in paragraph 7 below if You use the payable VoIP products and/or are a Member or an Administrator of a Business Control Panel).

2.2 No Granting of Rights to Third Parties: You will not sell, assign, rent, lease, distribute, export, import, act as an intermediary or provider, or otherwise grant rights to third parties with regard to the Skype Software or any part thereof.

2.3 No Modifications: You will not undertake, cause, permit or authorize the modification, creation of derivative works, translation, reverse engineering, decompiling, disassembling or hacking of the Skype Software or any part thereof except to the extent permitted by law.

2.4 Third Parties: The Skype Software may be incorporated into, and may incorporate itself, software and other technology owned and controlled by third parties. Any such third party software or technology.

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IT sector in dire need of intervention fund – Zinox boss

Chairman, Zinox Technologies Limited, Dr. Leo-Stan Ekeh, has said the Information Technology (IT) core sector needs intervention fund to transform the current economic meltdown into an opportunity for national growth.

Ekeh who spoke in Lagos, while commending the Federal Government (FG) for the huge interventions in the textile and agriculture sectors, said that the IT sector is in dire need of immediate attention because Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is the greatest capacity building platform ever.

According to him, the global economic meltdown, may turn out a golden opportunity for national growth if Nigeria gets her priorities right.

Affirming that Zinox was expanding and employing more Nigerians in spite of the recession, Ekeh who dwell on the impact of the economic crisis on ICT sector of the nation’s economy, noted that the company has a clear roadmap and the needed human capital.

Ekeh also said that Zinox invested heavily in infrastructure in the past two years resulting in new corporate headquarters, the most digitalized computer assembly plant in Nigeria, and the establishment of subsidiaries to provide software and broadband solutions to the country.

Zinox Chairman pointed out that the entire IT sector might weaken because of poor foundations and decline in access to disposable funds, noting that the sector has made remarkable gains in IT penetration in the past seven years, beginning with the launch of Zinox Computers and the launch of the Global System for Mobile communication (GSM).

He recalled the huge responsibility on the shoulders of the IT sector as the main pivot of national development, declaring that the best way forward today would be a conscious and systematic intervention by the governments of this federation.

Citing an instance with the governments of Hong Kong, India, Japan, China, and the USA, Ekeh observed that only nations that deliberately grow a knowledge economy can guarantee a productive citizenry.

He urged the Federal Government to pump money into the ICT sector to “re-train Nigerians, re-brand Nigerians, and give them global opportunities.”

Predicting that Nigeria will be different and better place if the government were to inject about N150 billion to provide subsidized computers and free internet access for all Nigerians.

“Within weeks, it would change the mindset of the people. It would stop kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking and many other vices,” he said.

Such a move, he underscored, would create immense goodwill for government and engender skills that would attract not just foreign capital, but would make Nigeria a great outsourcing centre like India.

“These things are possible because the incubation period for Information Technology is very short unlike other sectors of the economy, maybe three months. The people are retooled and empowered to get jobs anywhere in the world,” Ekeh said, stressing that the governments at all levels should invest directly on the people by giving them free access to the internet, to knowledge and the free world.

As said by him, 85 per cent of Nigerians are in darkness not because of electricity but because they are analogue systems, and urged government to take a cue from what other nations are doing to ensure the growth of the IT industry.

Ekeh further said that it is important that the government creates patronage for the products of credible local IT companies like Zinox among others in order to ensure that Nigeria’s technological platform is indigenous, secure and patriotic.

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Maduka bags Titans of Tech award

PRESIDENT, Coscharis Group of Companies, Dr. Cosmas Maduka, has won the Information Technology (IT) Entrepreneur Personality of the year award at the recently concluded 2009 edition of Titans of Tech.

The organizers of the award said that Maduka’s recognition was based on the role he played via Coscharis Technologies, promoters of Cosmos brand of computers.

Describing Dr. Maduka as a renowned international business mogul and computer entrepreneur, the organizers said he has businesses that span the motor industry, household equipment and beverages.

The Managing consultant, Technology Africa, the awards organizers, Don Pedro Agambi noted that Maduka who has been a computer education evangelist, is committed to putting computer in the hands of Nigerians at an affordable price.

Commenting after receiving his award, elated Dr. Maduka, appreciated the organisers for the honour, reiterating his firm’s commitment to produce not less than 1 million personal computers (PCs) by 2015.

“Coscharis Technologies Limited, promoters of Cosmos brand of computers will push one million personal computers into the Nigerian hardware market by the year 2015 to enable many Nigerians own their personal computers. We will follow other computer vendors and manufacturers to raise the penetration rate to 20 per cent by year 2015,” he said.

With this development, he also said that this would deepen the market by enabling consumers to have access to computers via installmental payment over a period of 24 months in partnership with a number of banks.

The scheme, he said, covers individuals, corporate organizations and educational institutions.

ITRealms Online recalled that Coscharis recently unveiled it’s brand of computers in Lagos.

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Abazie joins Multi-Links Telkom

MULTI-Links Telkom Nigeria has appointed Mrs. Ijeoma Gloria Abazie as the Chief Corporate Affairs Officer.

Confirming this, the Managing Director, Multi-Links Telkom Nigeria, Mr. Thami Msimango said Mrs. Abazie’s appointment took effect from May 1, 2009.

A press statement endorsed by the Corporate Communications manager, Mr. Olubayo Abiodun, said, the appointment was in furtherance of the current effort at strategically positioning Multi-Links Telecommunications Limited as a leading player in the Nigerian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) market.

Mrs Abazie, he said, has an impeccable pedigree in the legal profession having established her footprint in private legal practice with robust experience particularly in the mobile telecommunications sub-sector.

He also described her as a well-networked individual in the course of her professional pursuits with extensive legal practice as senior counsel at a number of Law Chambers, and has acquired requisite experience and expertise in the telecoms sector having previously worked with two private telecommunication companies.

Her last employment before joining MLTL was at MTN Nigeria Communications Limited.
Ijeoma as a Chartered Mediator and Conciliator is a member of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators of Nigeria (ICMC).

A graduate of the University of Benin, Edo State, Nigeria and the University of Buckingham, England with a combined honours degree in English and Literature, Mrs. Abazie also holds a Bachelor of Law degree.

She equally obtained a Masters in Law specializing in International Trade and Commercial Law from the University of Buckingham, England.

Mrs. Ijeoma Abazie has extensive networking experience particularly with key industry bodies such as the industry regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), other key regulatory institutions such as the Ministry of Information and Communications, International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the global GSM industry body, that is, the GSM Association (GSMA) and its varied sub-interest groups including GSM Africa Interest Group, GSM West Africa, GSM Operators Association of Nigeria, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and West Africa Telecommunications Regulatory Assembly (WATRA) amongst others.


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MTN votes N124m for scholarships

MTN Nigeria Communications Limited has advanced strategies to dish out 500 scholarships worth about N125 million, to deserving Nigerian undergraduates beginning next academic session.

Corporate Services Executive, at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Akinwale Goodluck, made this disclosure in a chat with newsmen last weekend in Lagos, said this forms part of the N1.5 billion earmarked for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) this year by the telecom operator,.

He also said that by September, the leading Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator in the country will proclaim the first beneficiaries, who are expected to each receive about N250,000 to support their educational pursuit among other Information and Communications Technology (ICT) tools to serve as backup.

“We are in the first instance going to give out 500 scholarships of N250,000 each to deserving Nigerians students,” he declared.

MTN he equally said, plans to give out this scholarship across various disciplines, most especially in the areas that are germane to the needs of the populace.

“So, we are looking at agriculture, engineering medicine and sciences. We also believe that a lot more focus should be giving to the development of our teachers,” he said.

Therefore, more attention would be given to a number of scholarships to people who are reading bachelor in education, that is, mathematics, and sciences.

“If we do not teach the teachers and give them the necessary support, who is going to teach our children? These are some of the initiatives we would be doing in the next two to three months,” he asserted.

Pointing out that MTN would collaborate with the likes of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) among other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the selection process is devoid of confusion or malpractices.

Akinwale said the company would also be intervening in helping the physically challenged Nigerians, through the provision of electronic ray machines for those that are visually challenged and a lot of modern equipment like wheel chairs to help those that are physically challenged, adding that the company hopes to engage in things that would impact people at the point of their needs.

He said the company would spend less time on projects that have no direct impacts on the people.

He noted that the company would be partnering with The Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) in giving some of the scholarships, which would kick start in September this year.

He further said the company hopes to commit the sum of N100million annually to the scholarship scheme, while the dialysis and the mammogram would gulp about N500 million, for the first phase, stressing that the company has earmarked the sum of N1.5 billion for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) this year.

On the schools and university connect projects, Akinwale explained that two things MTN is doing presently is to continue the process and had even identified the problems with the initial roll out.

“So, a lot of the things that we’re doing today are the responsibilities of the state governments. For instance, all the schools that we did the phase one to four, we are putting generators in those schools. But such ought to be the responsibility of the states. We are spending more resources on the training of teachers and I am happy to announce that phase five is starting with three states which are Kano, Kastina and Bayalsa.

General Manager, Corporate Communications MTN Nigeria, Mrs. Funmi Omogbenigun, said the company, currently has no programme for the enhancement of facilities in faculties of engineering departments in higher institutions but the project would be considered as the company makes progress with the scholarship and training programmes for teachers.

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Helios endorses Co-location‘09

Infrastructure sharing leader, Helios Towers Nigeria Ltd, has endorsed the forthcoming co-location forum as a sponsor.

Confirming this, Communications Manager, Helios Towers, Mr. Myke Ofili, said Helios is a co-location licensee which has been in the forefront of providing a platform for infrastructure sharing.

This is coming as IHS Plc, another co-location licensee, will host CEO’s who are participating in the event to a post-forum exclusive session at the Chirrasco Grill House which is located within the Lagoon Restaurant.

A press statement from TAA signed by Kayode Yussuf, affirmed these developments, noting that virtually all co-location licensees and infrastructure builders in the industry have opted to play one role or the other in the Forum, which seeks to generate an industry plan of action for assuring the benefits of co-location when it finally gets the approval of the authorities.

He recalled that the Nigerian Communications Commission has, for some time been working on providing intervention at various levels to assure that co-location is effectively launched and the National Assembly is known to have been working on a Bill which seeks to make co-location a workable reality.

Hence, the objective for hosting the business forum is to address the concerns of experts, investors, and technocrats by distilling the technology, management, legal and regulatory issues in a manner that we can push an industry ‘Plan of Action’ such that Nigerians at the end of the day benefit from the initiative if government eventually intervenes.

Reassuring that the co-location forum scheduled for May 19, 2009 in Lagos promises to feature presentation of a couple of strategic cost savers and technology enhancers in telecommunications infrastructure sharing.

Meanwhile, a six-man Technical Committee has been constituted to plan the proceedings of the one-day Forum.

They include Mr. Bako Wakil, a telecommunications engineer, Segun Sorunke, an information technologist/economist, Obed Awowede, a journalist who writes business, Remmy Nweke, journalist (ICT), Rachel Ogan, a lawyer and Titi Omo-Ettu, telecommunications consultant.

“The committee would plan the proceedings of the forum and generate an industry Plan of Action capable of assisting the authorities in firming up on intervention,” he said.

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Ndukwe, Spio-Garbrah to lead speakers @ WACIFIT-09

The Executive Vice Chairman (EVC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, will next month, June, lead speakers to the West Africa’s Information and Communications Technology WAFICT congress 2009 scheduled to hold in Lagos.

Also, the chief executive officer, Commonwealth Telecommunications Organisation, Dr. Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, will be speaking at the congress.

WAFICT organizers indicated that Dr. Ndukwe will deliver the keynote address at WAFICT which is billed to take place alongside the ninth edition of the West African International Telecommunications and Information Communications Technology exhibition (W.Afri.Tel) in the commercial nerve centre of the nation.

The list of speakers for the congress also includes Mr. Mohamed Jameel, the Group Chief Operating Officer (GCOO) of Globacom, Mr. Wale Goodluck, Corporate Services Executive of MTN Nigeria, Managing Director of Multi-Links Telkom, Mr. Thami Msimango, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, Chairman, Association of Licensed Telephone Operators of Nigeria; Mr. Sean Hsu, CEO of Netcom Africa, Steven E. Evans, CEO, Etisalat Nigeria, Funke Opeke, CEO, Main One Cable and Paul Usoro (SAN), a telecom lawyer.

Other speakers are Mr. Haile M. Kumsa, Deputy MD, (Operations), African Reinsurance Corporation, Mr. Harald Braun, President, Harris Stratex Networks of the United States of America, Mr. Greg Wyler, founder/CEO, o3b Networks, Mr. Bernard Forson, Jr., Director-General, National Communications Authority, Ghana and David Hartshorn, Secretary-General, Global VSAT Forum, among others.

The organisers of the event, IT & Telecom Digest also listed Mr. Adrian Wood, erstwhile CEO of MTN Nigeria, who is CEO of Bry Media, Mr. Lanre Ajayi, President of the Nigeria Internet Group and Mr. Thomas Ninan, CEO of Visafone as speakers for the WAFICT Congr0ess 2009.

The organizers said, they are assembling the best brains from across the world so that they can bring to West Africa what the sub-region needs to continue to be on the front burner of global telecom growth.

Mkpe Abang, Editor-in-Chief of IT & Telecom Digest, stressed that the list of speakers given so far is not exhaustive, as there are many more others that will be lending their expertise and experience to participants at the WAFICT Congress 2009.

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Etisalat targets 80% coverage by 2010

•Unveils Easycliq

Despite lateness to the telecommunications sector in the country, the fifth Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator, Etisalat Nigeria has said its target is to achieve 80 per cent coverage nationwide before 2010.

This is coming as Etisalat, weekend, unveiled another innovative product, EasyCliq, flaunted for the youths and youths at heart.

Speaking at the occasion, the chief executive officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Steven Evans, disclosed that before the end of 2010, his company projects to cover estimated 80 per cent of the country on the network.

Presently, he said, Etisalat has launched commercial services in nine (9) cities countrywide, noting that the most exciting thing is that the receptions at these cities are encouraging.

According to him, Etisalat has existed for about 33 years across Middle East and Africa.

He outlined some of the highpoints of the telco, saying at scale-wise, Etisalat’s products are keenly priced currently and financially, Evans said, “We have the financial muscle to grow our business without much ado.”

On the innovation, he said, Etisalat is reputed as an innovative company and assured Nigerians of more ground-breaking products like EasyCliq, while maintaining that it would not lose focus of its customers by mere focusing on deployment rather than quality of service.

Additionally, he said, that in the last nine months of commercial launch, Etisalat has learnt that Nigerians appreciate novel products and would not relent in introducing them into the nation’s ICT market.

“We need to be the innovatist in this market, so it is not surprising that we are introducing EasyCliq to add to our other products already being enjoyed in Nigeria,” he said.

Introducing EasyCliq, leader of the youngsters who developed the product at Etisalat, Mr. Oluwabunmi Akansheye, pointed out that the youth who the product is specifically channeled at are known to be individualistic and keen in keeping friends.

“EasyCliq is a name we gave to our youth prepaid package built on community concept,” he said.

According to the developers’ team, EasyCliq is a unique product that allows users to make calls with bonus on incoming calls, free all night calls and talk ‘n’ share.
Additionally, the product offers unlimited short messaging services, facebook services and one cliq-one tune.

Also speaking, director, brands communication, Mr. Yinka Akande, said that everything about EasyCliq have been developed locally by Nigerians.

While encouraging Nigerian youths to come on board with EasyCliq, Akande noted that the product is not meant for the youths, but equally for the youths at heart.

Responding to question, Director Product Services, Mr. Lucas Dada said that customers have the ability to check their data download size, even as EasyCliq is the first unlimited community by any network in the country.

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