Madueke presides @Titans of Tech

Former military administrator and executive chairman, Interconnect Clearinghouse Nigeria Limited (ICNL), Admiral Alison Madueke has been confirmed as the chairman of the Titans of Tech planned for April this year.

This is coming as industry interest groups led by the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria (CPN) and Nigeria Computer Society (NCS) have given their supports for the Titans of Tech nite, just as the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has not been left out.

Coordinator of the Titans of Tech nite, Mr. Don Pedro Aganbi, said that the organisations are not just supporters of the project but collaborators in the efforts to recognize the individuals and institutions that have contributed toward making the nation a leading Information and Communication Technology (ICT) hub in the sub region.

According to him, Admiral Madueke, the executive chairman of ICNL, has consented to preside over the event that is assumed to be the biggest gathering of ICT professionals in the nation’s history.

The Registrar, CPN, Mr. Sikiru Shehu, was quoted as describing the event as a clear departure from the norm as it is a night dedicated to celebrate professionals in the nation’s burgeoning ICT industry.

For him, CPN council would be present in its strength as he urged its members to back the project as one dedicated to recognize “our own”.

Meanwhile more companies have shown support for the Titans Of Tech Nite, including the telecom giant, Globacom, Computer Warehouse Group (CWG) and Hyperia.

In accordance with the event coordinator, Nigeria is a major beneficiary of the technology revolution that has marked the world over the last decade.

“The liberalisation of the nation’s communications sector has precipitated a time of unprecedented technological development, which is increasingly altering the way people live, work and communicates, with the widespread use of the mobile phone the most visible symbol of this technological revolution” he said.

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Elmina receives prize fromTelemedia

It was all words of praise for the management of Telemedia, the promoters of Quiz Line as one of the winners, Miss Elmina Ali, was presented with her prize money at the weekend.

Ms Ali who is unemployed until she emerged winner in the phone-in quiz programme said that she is excited.

“I feel very excited that I won. I am not doing anything now but with this money I can start a new life,” she declared.

According to her, one fateful day she had played on Quiz Line, an afternoon network programme on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), from her home in Gombe.

Fortunately, she saw herself in the programme designed for small wins of N10, 000 with the opportunity to play for a bonus win, which gave her the hit of N507,500.

For her, it is a new phase of her life, stressing that the programme has demonstrated what it’s like to play Quiz Line.

“Especially if one is meticulous such a person should be able to get involved with interactive TV programmes,” she advised.

Ms Ali revealed that she holds Ordinary National Diploma (OND) in Nutrition Science, and plans to use the money judiciously.

Also speaking, General Manager, Telemedia, Mr. Olu Akinlabi, enumerated some benefits of the programme to TV viewers.

As said by him, it has helped to improve the lives of over 839 Nigerians who have won since the show began last May.

He said everyday the programme is on air, a winner must emerge, and particularly very interesting is the fact that so many who really need the money have won some handy packages.

He explained that the quiz line programme which could be played in different parts of the world is an interactive TV show.

“The drama to win is between the player at home and the presenter who would usually ask the interacting viewer some questions most times presented in form of a puzzle,” he said.

Mr. Akinlabi stressed that the programme is highly intellectual and a player must have full concentration in order to get a win.

“It is a great game show that has continued to attract a large following in the country. This is one of the reasons, Akinlabi told us last week, the process of play must always be explained to the players.

Further, he explained that the play pattern of Quiz Line, allows interested audience to Call 345 on the MTN network or 358555 on the other networks at the cost of N100 per call, which also serves as a non-refundable registration fee.

“You will then receive an automatic response from the computer which qualifies you for participation. If your number gets selected from the pool of numbers on our list, you will receive a call from the presenter inviting you to play the interactive game. And if you successfully solve the puzzle, you could win as much as N1m,” he said.

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TD explains roadshow @ Otigba

Emerging Information and Communication Technology (ICT) distributing leader, the Technology Distribution (TD) Limited, has given reasons for its recent roadshow at the popular computer market, known as Otigba in Ikeja-Lagos.

The company said that this goes to show how important the Otigba Computer Village is to its goal of sustaining the number one position in ICT distribution in the West African region.
Assistant General Manager (AGM), Marketing at TD, Mrs. Meg Ugoanusi, said that the week-long event was a special session with partners of TD.

According to her, while penultimate Monday, was slated as Microsoft Day, Tuesday was for APC Day, Wednesday HP Day, Thursday for Cisco and Friday was Epson Day.

Mrs. Ugoanusi said the event offered TD an opportunity to showcase the latest in stock for technological developments at the doorsteps of Otigba traders.

She also said that as major players in the ICT market “it was important to attune the market and traders specifically with new trends to ensure that the activities of Otigba complement the formal sector in ICT.

Mrs. Ugoanusi further explained that TD shares a common goal with Otigba in the sense that the healthy growth of the ICT market remain the primary concern of all stakeholders.

She noted that key advantage of the roadshow was the assembling of international giants like Microsoft, APC, Epson, Cisco and Hewlett Packard (HP), stressing that the session offered an opportunity for the traders to interact directly with these original manufacturers and obtain clarifications on all aspects of the business.

She observed that a direct relationship with these manufacturers would create awareness against counterfeit and fake products, which could undermine the integrity of the market place.

Mrs. Uzor Okpaka of Microsoft said at the occasion that the Microsoft Vista would introduce a totally refreshing new era for personal and business computing, that is easier, faster, safer and more enjoyable.

She said that Microsoft expects that 100 million computers around the world would be using the Vista in 12 months time and stakeholders should expect new next generation hardware, software, and entertainment devices.

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ExpertEdge takes bankers to Oracle classroom

ExpertEdge Systems and Software Limited, a subsidiary of the Computer Warehouse Group (CWG), at the weekend, took some Information and Communication Technology (ICT) professionals from the banking industry back to Oracle’s financial solution classroom.

Speaking at the session held in Lagos, the Managing Director, ExpertEdge Systems and Software Limited, Mr. James Agada said that the essence was to intimate the nation’s financial sector of the Value Added Services (VAS) inherent in Oracle Financial Solutions.

This session, would also afford the company to know where and where to channel its resources in supporting the nation’s banking industry.

Also speaking, the Applications Sales Consultant for Middle East and Africa Operations at Oracle Systems Limited, Mr. Zakhia Zaarour, said that Oracle Data warehousing is built for establishments based on individual model, describing it as a multipurpose solution.

According to him, Oracle transfer pricing helps organisations to streamline their price offering, just as the Oracle performance analyser assists users to optimise their performances, even as Oracle risk manager and budgeting is not value less.

He noted that each department in an organisation could be structured to depend on individual needs, as some could start from pricing and another from budgeting.

He said that Oracle financial analytics include data reporting and end user layer, business rules, parameters, management ledger, chart of accounts and transactions.

On the statistics data tables, Mr. Zaarour said that it has eight standard instrument tables, consisting of general ledger table, unlimited user model among others.

He highlighted the fact that Oracle places high esteem on security, thus the company has launched the solution with data-based security applications that affords users to define individual and group roles.

“In addition, there is room for correction and manipulation,” he asserted.

The applications sales expert said that there is available some business intelligence modules developed by Oracle to enable banks develop detailed solutions.

Equally speaking, Joseph Diouf of Oracle, pointed out that the analytics solution of the firm drives higher values.

“It is a big shift when you buy a business intelligence,” Mr. Diouf said, emphasising the imperative of the banking industry to engage in Oracle solution, so as to maximize customer profitability, comply with regulations, increase customer retention, monitoring and decrease costs.

He also said that Oracle banking solution has been built to empower agents to build what he described as “360 degree view with each customer.

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HiREST boosts brandband services

Fast growing Internet Service Provider (ISP), HiREST Africa Limited has restated its resolve to boost broadband Internet service in the country, especially as the company brings what it described as new approach in service delivery to the market.

Corporate Affairs Director at HiREST, Mrs Ufuoma Daro, said that the company, which commenced full operations about a year ago, is focused on providing extraordinary services to its customers nationwide and in the West as well as Central Africa region.

She said that these steps by HiREST have reached advanced arrangement with some foreign partners to actualise its offering.

She quoted the chief executive in a press statement made available to Champion Infotel, Mr. Igho Mrakpor, who refused to give details of the partners, as saying that HiREST was set up basically to fill the gap that hitherto existed between service providers and their customers.

According to Mr. Mrakpor, there was yearning gap of service inadequacies.

“We noticed that subscribers complained about unstable and unreliable networks. It was in an effort to bridge this gap that HiREST was set up and we intend to do all that is required to close this gap,” he said.

Mr. Mrakpor also said that, Internet business in Nigeria is no doubt witnessing one of its glorious moments as today’s customers are no longer conservative but are well aware of global developments and as such demand better services.

He stressed that was the reason his company decided to bring a new approach in service delivery to the market.

“We do not believe that we should just take a customer’s money, give him his equipment and disappear,” he asserted.

He emphasised that the only thing that will make the Internet service sector better again is to make the customer king once more and to give him value for his money.

“We’re customer focused, at HiREST because customer is the king. The customer is first for us and while we look at customer satisfaction, we ensure that we exceed our customers’ expectations,” he added.

Mrakpor pointed out that there was a need for a paradigm shift by ISPs to put the customer back at the centre stage and provide services to them instead of overselling bandwidth and leaving customers to suffer the attendant poor service quality associated with such actions.

HiREST, he said has also opened two new offices in Abuja and Port Harcourt, stressing that the Abuja office is the company’s international office, while the Port Harcourt office will serve the East and Central Africa office.“Our customers are already enjoying better services as a result of this,” he noted.

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Nokia Siemens Networks reaffirms April 1 take off

Nokia and Siemens have reaffirmed the operational take off date of their partnership that resulted into Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN), saying it will start operations on April 1, 2007.

Champion Infotel recalls that the two telecommunications giants contributing their respective carrier networks businesses and corresponding assets into what is known as new 50:50 company.

Both parties also agreed to increase their respective net asset contributions to the new company, with Siemens expected to contribute EUR 2.4 billion (about N408 billion) and Nokia EUR 1.7 billion (about N28.9 billion).

The above contributions coupled with the global scale and size of Nokia Siemens Networks, industry observers pointed out, that it would be in a great position to play leading role in the industry by developing innovative, cost-efficient products and services.

NSN is reported to have one of the world’s best research and development (R&D) teams, who will assist in advancing development of product platforms and services for next-generation fixed and mobile networks.

Reaffirming the readiness of NSN, the chief executive, Nokia, Mr. Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo said that in consolidating the telecommunications market the new company is billed to offer customers cost-saving, leading-edge solutions that will also optimally meet their needs with regards to convergence.

For President Siemens AG, Mr. Klaus Kleinfeld, the launch of Nokia Siemens Networks, avails the company to be a strong leader with excellent growth potential and entering at the top league of the telecommunications market.

“In taking this step, we’re dramatically strengthening our market position and creating sustainable value,” he said.

Equally, NSN would set the highest standards of ethics and integrity as well as based on the results of a pre-closing compliance review, Nokia and Siemens have reached an agreement on compliance and control processes that are meant to become a benchmark for the entire industry.

Other pertinent issues in this partnership include consolidation of the financial results of Nokia Siemens Networks, which both companies have agreed that the compliance processes will be based on Nokia’s system and practices.

In addition to a strong finance and control organization with centralized reporting systems and robust internal control processes, Nokia Siemens Networks plans to have an expanded compliance programme including training programmes and defined approval processes for governmental business and for engaging third party consultants in the sales process.

Further, NSN said it has zero tolerance for financial or other business misconducts and has also defined anti-corruption policies, principles and materials.

Chief executive of Nokia Siemens Networks, Mr. Simon Beresford-Wylie, pointed out that ethical behaviour is about more than strong policies, programmes and processes.

“It is also about company culture and individual choice,” he said.

Integrity will be a prominent and deeply embedded part of the Nokia Siemens Networks culture,” said Simon Beresford-Wylie, CEO of Nokia Siemens Networks.

As communicated previously, the board of Nokia Siemens Networks would consist of seven members, Mr. Kallasvuo presiding, while Mr. Kleinfeld would act as the vice-chairman.

The other members of the board are the head of Nokia Operational Human Resources, Juha Äkräs; Siemens CFO, Joe Kaeser; member of the Siemens managing board, Eduardo Montes; head of Nokia Technology Platforms, Niklas Savander; and Nokia CFO, Rick Simonson.

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ATCON ready for stakeholders’ forum

The Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON) has said that it is ready for this year’s Telecom Stakeholders’ Forum with focus on ‘Telecom Franchise and Virtual Operation’.

“All is now set for the Telecom Stakeholders Forum” Executive Secretary of ATCON, Mr. Godwin A. Morgan.

He also told Champion Infotel that the event being organised jointly with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) for which almost all the dignitaries invited to brainstorm at the forum have confirmed their acceptances to attend and actively participate.

Mr. Morgan noted that the one day forum holding at the Golden Gate Restaurant, Ikoyi, Lagos, this Friday, March 30, 2007, would however, be preceded by the Association’s 13th Annual General Meeting (AGM) scheduled for 10.00am at the same venue.

According to the programme of event, he said, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Chief Frank Nweke Jnr. invited as the special guest of honour, would deliver a keynote address at the forum while the Minister of State for Communications, Dr. Femi Anibaba, also a special guest, would preside over the plenary session of the event and give an opening remark.

The Science and Technology Minister, Prof. Turner Isoun, who also is special guest, would chair the interactive session at the forum.

Mr. Morgan pointed out that four special presentations are expected in a session with Mr. Fola Odufuwa, a renowned industry analyst and founder of eShekels Limited, speaking on “Telecom Franchise & Virtual Operation: Accelerating Telecom Services Provisioning in Rural Nigeria”.

He said that the Executive Vice Chairman (EVC) of NCC, Dr. Ernest C. Ndukwe, would make a special presentation on “Making Telecom Franchise & Virtual Operations Work In Nigeria: A Preview of Policy & Regulatory Framework”, whereas the Director, USPF, Mrs. Lolia S. Emakpore has been slated to speak on “Funding Rural Telecom Projects: How the USPF Can Support Franchising & Virtual Operations”.

Equally, he said, that the Director-General, Small & Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Mrs. Modupe Adelaja, would be speaking on “Rapid Extension of Telecom Services to Rural Nigeria: The Role of Small & Medium Enterprises”.

The Executive Secretary added that panel of discussants would include the chief executive, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh, his counterpart at Celtel, Mr. Bayo Ligali, chairman of Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo and chief executive, Linkserve Limited, Chief Chima Onyekwere.Others he said, are the Executive Director, Marketing Communications at Globacom Limited, Mr. Okon Iyanam, President, Internet Service Providers Association of Nigeria (ISPAN), Mr. Sam Adeleke, chief executive, Oceanic Bank Plc, Chief (Mrs.) Cecilia Ibru, as well as the first Vice President, ATCON, Mr. Bayo Banjo.

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More winners emerge in Glo N750 promo

More winners have continued to emerge in the on-going Glo N750 Recharge card promo.
The latest of these winners were six Glo Mobile subscribers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja and Jos regions, who have become owners of the brand new Honda Accord i-vtec cars.

Glo mobile said that this brings to 34 the number of subscribers who have so far won cars in the N750 Recharge card promotion.

Four of the new winners were from Abuja region comprising Niger, Kogi and Benue states, while two were from the Jos region made up of Plateau, Nasarawa, Bauchi and Gombe states.

The Abuja winning numbers were 08058303327, 08075177058, 08053557369 and 08053864952. For the Jos region, the lucky subscribers were owners of 0805 4048077 and 08058363695.

The owner of 08058303327, who identified himself as James Omale, when contacted on phone, screamed, “It is a lie, it is a lie. Please are you joking? Tell me you are not joking, please!” Omale who was in the Abuja metropolis raced down to the Valencia Hotels, Wuse II, venue of the draw ceremony to confirm that the call was real.

He described Glo as the best, saying its services are cheap and wonderful, stressing that he never expected to have this good fortune of being among the promo car winners.

“I am now a Glo ambassador for life. I am urging everybody to drop every other line and patronize Glo,” he declared.

When called and informed of the car prize win, owner of number 08053557369, muttered “Jesus, Jesus,” repeatedly before the line went off.

The two winners from Jos region who were also reached on telephone gave their names as Abdul Abubakar (08054048077) and Victor Okechukwu Ikekwe (08058363695). For Ikekwe, his reaction was simply “That’s incredible.”

In his speech at the draw, the Globacom’s Abuja Regional Manager, Mr. Valentine Ossai, said the promotion was a demonstration of Globacom’s commitment to improving the quality of lives of its over 12 million subscribers.

Ossai noted Globacom’s resolve to continue to empower Nigerians to rule their world by offering world-class telecommunication services and improve their quality of lives.

Also speaking, Regional Manager for Jos, Chudi Nwoye, said that Globacom had the best customer-reward package in the industry, pointed out that the telco decided to hold the draws in several regions of the country in order to give subscribers in all parts of the country the opportunity to win the prizes being offered in the promotion.

Champion Infotel learnt that draws have also been scheduled to hold in Sokoto and Lagos regions respectively for the six remaining cars, just as Globacom is offering prepaid subscribers a total of 40 Honda Accord cars for win in the promotion.

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John Holt, FG Wilson join force on capacity building

Acclaimed generating set infrastructure provider in the country, John Holt Plc Nigeria and FG Wilson Generators of United Kingdom, have joined forces in improving capacity building for local work force.

Deputy Managing Director (DMD) John Holt Plc, Dr. Nosike Agokei, disclosed this at the commencement of weeklong training for John Holt Engineering work force and nominees from its clients in Lagos.

He said that John Holt as exclusive distributor of FG Wilson Generators in the country remain committed to delivering a world class after sales services, quality customer care and total customer satisfaction.

“We believe in capacity building,” he declared, stressing that more the training would be offered to employees of the company and its local clients in partnership FG Wilson in development of local manpower.

Dr. Agokei noted that before now John Holt has about 25 expatriates which has since been reduced to three, pointing out that more Nigerians are being trained to aspire and occupy top management positions in the company.

He assured that the firm would focus on its core competence, so the company has decided to provide services based on internationally accepted standards.

“We have to contribute extensively to the economy, so as to benefit stakeholders and communities where we operate,” he said.

He also revealed that the partnership between John Holt and FG Wilson has produced over 200 trainees since it was inaugurated in 1990.

Dr. Agokei who was accompanied at the press briefing by the Product Training Engineer at FG Wilson, Mr. Paul Hutchinson, General Manager, Engineering Services, John Holt Engineering, Mr. Tonnie Uwoghiren and Business Development Manager, John Holt, Mr. Arthur Nwachukwu, emphasised that it is only when a customer is happy and satisfied that a product is sold, hence, John Holt takes delight in training its personnel to ensure that anytime any day they are equal to the task of meeting up with customers requirement.

Also speaking, General Manager, John Holt Engineering, Mr. Austin Onono, his firm offers genuine FG Wilson parts and up to 1000 KVA.

Mr. Onono further said that John Holt has diagnostic laptop deployed in identifying problems of generating sets.

He called on government to improve the electricity power supply to the populace, noting that although power should be improved, there is still need to have generating sets at high-rise buildings in case of power failure and some people are trapped in the lift.

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Celtel organises roadwalk for unity tariffs

In the bid to start its aggressive marketing campaign, Third Generation (3G) compliant and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) operator, Celtel Nigeria, on Monday embarked on T-Trek in Lagos to carry the message of its new tariff structure known as unity tariffs to doorsteps of Nigerians.

The T-Trek team led by the chief executive of Celtel Nigeria, Mr. Adebayo Ligali, consists of management team of the telco.

The event, which involved roadwalk from its corporate headquarters at Olakunle Bakare Close off Sanusi Fafunwa to Silverbird Gallery, also saw other Celtel outlets assembling at the same venue from various parts of Lagos including Ikoyi, Ikeja and Apapa.

Speaking on the new tariff, Mr. Ligali reiterated that it is another first by introducing a flat tariff structure, to be known as ‘Unity tariffs’ even as the telco declared its readiness for 3G regimes in the country.

Celtel CEO said that the introduction of the unity tariffs on its network is in the bid towards making life better for Nigerians, stressing that the flat tariffs come in three formats, namely simply special, simply smooth and simply smart, just as it has slashed the international call tariffs by 45 per cent and on per second billing.

Mr. Ligali, also said the flat tariffs has three key elements including simplicity, affordability and transparency, adding that the ‘simply special’ offers subscribers on the network affordable prices and maximum benefits as on or across the net calls during peak hours, that is, 6am to 7pm which attracts 66 kobo while off peak is 39 kobo respectively.

Equally, he explained that, subscribers on this platform would have access to local Short Messaging Service (SMS) nationwide at the cost of N9 at all times, whereas SMS send internationally would attract N15 per message.

He said, on the Simply smooth, that its targeted at customers who are business people and high volume users desiring affordable prices while removing complexity and price discrimination between networks, even as subscribers are expected to pay a monthly fee of N400 while having access to on and off net calls during peak hours at 59 kobo and off peak at 33 kobo respectively, with local SMS costing N9 and international SMS attracts N15.

In addition, Mr. Ligali explained that on Simply Smart, which is focused on small and medium enterprise (SME) owners looking at increasing convenience while controlling phone costs.

He pointed out that Simply Smart attracts N3,600, which includes 100 free minutes and 30 free SMS, stressing that on and off peak periods attract 61 kobo and 33 kobo in that order, even as it has the same offering for local and international SMS like in other platform on this new package.

Mr. Ligali further said that extra features of flat tariffs structure include that midnight happy hours between 12am and 4.30; friends and family enjoy 15 free SMS monthly apart from Simply Smart which comes with 30 free SMS.

Other benefits, he enumerated include 10 per cent recharge bonus, 300 ‘call me back’ option per month and 300 ‘credit me’ monthly options.

He pointed out that for any subscriber to migrate to the new unity tariff structure, those who want to engage in Simply Special has to send ‘Yes’ SMS to 701, while 702 is for Simply smooth and 703 is for Simply smart.

“You would get an SMS containing the Personal Identification Number (PIN) for your migration,” he said.

Mr. Ligali added that by entering *126* plus the PIN number and then send.“You would be migrated within 48 hours and would receive an SMS when done followed by a congratulation message,” he said.

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