‘Nigeria is witnessing upsurge in ICT’

THE first eight years of the 21st century have continued to witness an upsurge in the application and use of telecommunications infrastructure technologies in nearly all aspects of human endeavour.

Making this assertion recently is the Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Ernest Ndukwe at the 2nd edition of the Stanford Africa Business Forum, held at the University of Stanford.

He said, the avalanche of wireless revolution; the internet phenomenon, the broadband capabilities and the massive deployment of national and intercontinental optic fibre highways have accelerated global access to information resources and changed the way people live and transact business.

Dr. Ndukwe also said a few years ago, the African continent represented a region of major concern to the international community because of its inability to industrialize and embrace essential technologies that are required to facilitate economic development of the region, stating that infrastructural facilities such as roads, transportation systems, public power supply, communications and information technologies were inadequate in most of the 52 countries in the continent.

He identified efficient and reliable public electric power supply and pervasive, reliable and modern and information and communication technology as pivotal for African renaissance, saying that if the continent could get these two infrastructure components right, the rest will fall in line and the continent would firmly be on the path of major economic growth.

He warned that ICT will not solve all the problems of sustainable development or social economic challenges but that nations that fail to take great opportunities offered by ICTs are likely to be left far behind in the global economy.

The NCC boss told the gathering that President Umaru Yar’Adua has this at the core of the seven point agenda of his presidency and advised Africans in the diaspora to consider coming home and join in the task of developing the continent.

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Ekpiwhre, Anyanwu, Ekeh to grace D-Link summit

The Minister for Science & Technology, Mrs. Grace Ekpiwhre and Minister of State for Information and Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, as well as the chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Senator Sylvester Anyanwu and chairman, Zinox Technologies, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh are expected to lead delegates to the D-Link seminar slated to hold in Lagos, tomorrow, Thursday.

Equally, founder of Visafone, Mr. Jim Ovia, Director General of the National IT Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye, among others are being expected.

Affirming this development, consultant to D-Link in Nigeria, Mr. Chris Uwaje, said D-Link Nigeria has lined up a series of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes to usher in its global position as the first among manufacturer of SMB networking products.

According to Uwaje, “DLINK Intelligent Network products and solutions” seminar promises to transform Nigeria’s ICT sector into efficient, productive and secured Knowledge Networks (KN).

He said, the firm tends to increase its market share in the enterprise market for industrial scale network solutions and services, stressing that seminar has been specifically planned for players in the key sectors of the Nigerian economy such as the financial sector, oil and gas, telecommunications, and educational institutions.

Uwaje added that the objective is to engage these sectors in the use of D-Link worldwide solutions that has great influence in the sectoral and national development in several countries, especially in developing nations.

“The great potential and the emerging nature of Nigeria demands for the best and most experienced players from all parts of the globe,” he declared.

Also, President, Nigeria Computer Society, Prof. Charles Uwadia, chief executive, Telecom Answers Associate, Mr. Titi Omo Ettu, President, Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, President Nigeria Internet Group (NIG), Mr. Lanre Ajayi and other captains of industry have accepted to honour the seminar.

The seminar will showcase new and emerging technologies with respect to network infrastructure, storage and data management solutions, WiFi WiMax, broadband, electronic IP digital surveillance security cameras solutions and others.

“The mission of D-Link International with more than 600 ICT-based high-tech products and solutions is to transform Nigeria’s network framework into knowledge supper-highway.

Resource persons according to the country manager, DLINK Networks, Nigeria, Mayokun Ogedengbe, would include the chief executive, Connect Technologies, Chis Uwaje, DLINK Regional Director for Africa and Middle East, Mr. Jacky Chang, DLINK Global Technical Product and Solutions Manager, Mr. Robin Than, and Senior Accounts Manager – projects, Ericsson Technologies, Mr. Anthony Ikemefuna.

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NCC worries over operator, distributor rapport

Apex telecommunications regulator in the country, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), has expressed dismay over the treatment being meted out to distributors of telecom accessories by various operators.

NCC which described the current relationship between the two as “unhealthy” advised that relationship should exist between telecom operators and their various distributors where operators have to treat their service vendors as partners and not subordinates or parasites.

Chief Executive, NCC Dr. Ernest Ndukwe, who expressed the commission’s disappointments at the weekend, said that prevalent reports of soured relationships between many of the operators and their service vendors, leading to many of the distributors loosing out, is worrisome.

He said, the operators ought to take advantage of distributors to deepen their reach to their customers.

Ndukwe also said convergence in telecom and information technology convergence offers ample opportunity for the operators to give more integrated roles to their service vendors and reap more advantages.

Speaking through his Special Assistant, Mr. Ayo Oke, at the Afritex Exhibitions and Forum which ended at the International Conference Centre, Abuja at the weekend, the NCC boss said there is need to draw the attention of the operators to various options offered by telecom and information technology convergence to enable them create business models that would provide more effective, efficient and economically vibrant marketing of telecommunications services.

He said these options will no doubt facilitate market entry and clear pathway for growth of smaller players in the distribution channel, who will also serve the vital role of being a feedback channel to the operators as they, retailers, relate directly with the consumers of the product.

“Operators need to see distributors, particularly the smaller ones, as necessary facilitators of the spread and growth of their network brands and therefore should benefit from the success stories of the operators as partners and contributors to that success.

The relationship ought to be a win-win relationship,” he said.

Dr. Ndukwe added with effective deployment of necessary hardware and software over existing networks, operators could outsource some of their current activities to service vendors and enable the vendor’s share and manage network information from remote locations.

“The more advantage is that it gives the channel players the potentials and capacities to carry out more services at greater degree of independence on behalf of the network operators”, he said.

In his address entitled, “Creating Innovative Partnering and Low Cost Business Model: Win-Win Solutions for Operators and Service Vendors”, Dr. Ndukwe identified many options available to the operators to include but not limited to low cost networking, low cost retailing and virtual operator retailing.

In low cost networking, operators, he said, can support surrogate operators or partners to extend their networks to rural locations by riding on their existing infrastructure to rural locations where such operators are not likely to reach soon.

This model, according to him, is supported by section 101- 102 of the National Telecommunications Act.

He said there are is low cost retailing which allows the operators to take advantage of e-transaction possibilities to reach out directly to retailers, including the small ones to offer top up services on demand.

He said one may allow retailers to serve full independent network service marketers, or provide franchise for the distributors to run customer care centres and call centre operations among others.

In conclusion, Dr. Ndukwe said, network operators need to encourage smaller players so that they can add value to their services to enable them concentrate in building, optimizing and maintaining their networks.

He said these are achievable though partnering with these service vendors and embracing technological advantages to enhance brand value, product marketing and product distribution.

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Transcorp resolves to make progress in NITEL

Indications have emerged that majority stake owners in the Nigerian Telecommunications Limited (NITEL), Transnational Corporation of Nigeria Plc (Transcorp) is determined to prove skeptics wrong with the steady progress in the telco.

Transcorp also said that it has made progress since taking firm control of NITEL.

Close sources at Transcorp hinted last weekend that a lot of progress have been recorded, especially in shoring up revenue inflow through improved processes and debt collection. “If the trend of revenue collection is sustained, NITEL may indeed by in apposition to pay its staff salaries without subvention within the next 60 days,” our source declared.

This is more evident as a result of the joint efforts of NITEL staff and a team of accountants sent by Transcorp to manage the process.

This development is coming as Transcorp sources said the firm is on the verge of injecting some fund to execute the interim resuscitation strategy for NITEL.

The interim strategy will restore the NITEL backbone and provide data services to critical sectors of the economy including financial service, oil & gas and security.

Meanwhile, Transcorp has reiterated commitment to revitalise NITEL and its mobile unit, the Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTEL).

Sources close to the firm, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed on penultimate Monday said that Transcorp might have felt disappointed with the financial irregularities discovered in NITEL recently; it is working out modalities to ensure the loopholes are blocked and that such occurrences do not repeat itself in the future.

Transcorp had, fortnight ago, alleged that its team of accountants which had been examining financial records of NITEL, discovered what it referred to as a major fraud. The team, according to Transcorp, had identified a huge leak in the billing system of NITEL through which revenue generation was unaccounted for.

As a result of this, Transcorp threatened to suspend further investments in NITEL until corrective steps were taken to block leakages in the financial system of the first national telephone network operator.

However, the source disclosed, Transcorp is committed to its plans for NITEL and MTEL; adding that the management is currently reviewing its blueprint meant for revival of the subsidiaries. ‘Transcorp still believes NITEL has enormous potential to return to the path of profitability.

Despite the challenges, Transcorp has a huge potential to pay huge returns to shareholders,’ he said.

Reacting to the position of the National Union of Postal and Telecommunications Employees (NUPTE) on the issue, the source said the body only needed to gain access to the various steps Transcorp is taking to address the pending issues.

NUPTE is calling on the Federal Government to take over the management of NITEL due to what it called incapability in managing the crisis in the first national carrier.

The source however was not satisfied with the NUPTE’s judgment of the prevailing crisis, asking whether the government would give thumps up for the financialirregularities just discovered in NITEL. I

nstead of pointing accusing fingers at Transcorp, the source advised the union to sanction any of its members involved in the alleged fraud, even if it would pitch another tent with the conglomerate.

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Odey leads speakers to 3G confab

Minister for Information and Communications, Mr. John Odey, would later this month lead speakers to this year’s 3G West Africa telecom conference scheduled for 18 and 19 June, 2008 in Abuja .

The conference would showcase Africa ’s network, which evolved from the highly successful GSM now 3G World series to deliver an expanded Programme and geographical focus.

A press statement made available to Champion Infotel said, it is the first time this congress is taking place in the country adding that telecommunications is a unique tool for economic growth and development in the region and that the nation is fully aware of the great opportunities that telecommunications can bring to a country.

The statement further said that the nation has taken the lead in creating a dynamic, high growth communications market and is inviting other participants to share their experiences, challenges and best practices.

Notable among the speakers expected at the conference are; Vice President, West Central Africa, MTN Group, Christian de Faria; Chairman Vodacom Congo, Alieu Conteh; Chief Executive Officer MTN Nigeria, Mr. Ahmad Farroukh; Executive Vice Chairman, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Dr. Ernest Ndukwe and a host of other experts from central and West Africa.

With the theme 5th Annual Event West and Central Africa Com: Optimizing business models and networks in West and Central Africa’s converging market, participants are expected to get a clear picture of the telecommunications market and its future direction, with forecasts.

The conference is also expected to review the latest developments in telecoms technology and best practice, discover how proven leadership techniques can be used within the telecoms industry, meet peers and network with 900 of Africa ’s foremost leaders in the region’s largest telecoms event and share best practice with colleagues experiencing similar market conditions in the region.

Expected as the conferences are senior managers, middle managers aspiring for senior roles and directors from all functions within the telecommunications sector and all those whose time is limited and who work in critical roles or situations, where a lengthy period away for study is not possible are expected at this conference.

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W.Afri.Tel: Celebration of speedy growth

5 Following the persistent unique growth of participation recorded over the years at the West African International Telecommunications (W.Afr.Tel) exhibitions and conferences, the nation’s Information and Communications Technology (ICT) companies are routing for the eighth edition of the event.

This include the federal government who it was gathered has concluded arrangements to send a high-powered delegation to this year’s W.Afri.Tel, given the kind of attention it has drawn for Nigeria through attraction of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) and growth recorded in the last eight years.

Historically, W.Afri.Tel which began just few months before the rolling out of commercial services on the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) in the country, that is, precisely in June 2001, is organised by Exhibition Management Services (Pty), owned by a Briton resident in South Africa, Mr. John Thomson, with the parent company being the Trade Fair Investments of United Kingdom (UK) with over 15 years experience.

Speaking recently on his vision for W.Afri.Tel, Mr. Thomson said, it’s to be the most professional and largest exhibition in its class for the West African sub-region and the event in its eighth year, no doubt event has achieved even more than that.

According to him, W.Afri.Tel has contributed immensely to the telecom revolution in Nigeria; that is coming when there was literally not much to talk about, thus bringing in investors, exhibitors and visitors from across the globe.

So far, the event has convinced foreign investors that Nigeria is indeed, the market to be in and it is interesting that Nigeria, which had less than 500,000 telephone lines prior to W.Afri.Tel initial entrance now has over 46 million lines and is still counting.

Therefore, it was not surprising that the government of the day has reason to celebrate and identify with W.Afri.Tel at this year’s event.

Latest information reaching ITRealms Online as at last weekend indicated that the Minister of Information and Communication, Mr. John Ogar Odey, his minister of state, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Ernest Ndukwe have advanced plans to be present at the W.Afri.Tel 2008.

Sources close to the ministry in Abuja, said that Odey would lead the federal government’s delegation made up of top government functionaries to grace the opening session of the event.

Affirming this, the sole agent of W.AfriTel, the publishers of IT & Telecom Digest, stated that several other industry operators including professional associations, like the Association of Telecom Companies of Nigeria, Nigeria Internet Group, Association of Licensed Telephone Operators, among others, would be represented at the highest levels at the opening ceremony.

Chief host at the event and editor-in-chief of IT & Telecom Digest, Mr. Mkpe Abang, in a press statement made available to ITRealms Online said W.Afri.Tel has over time grown to become the sub-region’s leading and most professional exhibition on the ICT sector.

“From a time when foreign direct investment (FDI) in the ICT sector was just under $50 million, today, FDI to Nigeria through the sector stands at over $12 billion,” he said.

As said by him, leading operators in the telecom sector, including the second national operator, Globacom, Celtel Nigeria, Starcomms, and the newest mobile operator, Etisalat are all geared toward taking active part in this year’s W.AfriTel as exhibitors, just as Sony Ericsson, Netcom Africa among others are not left out.

Available information also showed that foreign ICT firms that took part last year came from far away Europe, Asia, Americas and other parts of the continent, especially from South Africa.

The organisers pointed out that though W.Afri.Tel has been consistent in taking place every June since 2001 with phenomenal growth of over 60 per cent each successive year. Its major challenge has been the search for spacious location to accommodate what they described as “increasing number of prospective exhibitors.”

Statistically, W.Afri.Tel cuts across telecommunications, Information Technology (IT), communication, electronic, oil and gas, professional, banking and legal, commercial, manufacturing as well as building and construction sectors of the economy respectively.

As the industry players warm up for the 2008, invariably expectations are high and only time would tell how it fared, especially given the number of visitors which increased over 1,500 recorded in 2001 to above 2,000 in 2002, while in excess of 2,800 in 2003, the year 2004 recorded over 3,500 even as 4,000 participating in 2005 with additional300 in 2006, the 2007 expectedly doubled against 2005 record, another groundbreaking record of participants is obvious this year.

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NIG gets new exco, retains Ajayi

Convinced by the performance of his leadership in the past two years, members of the Nigeria Internet Group (NIG) have re-elected a seasoned telecom engineer and chief executive of PiNet Informatics, Mr. Lanre Ajayi for another two years in office as the president of the group.

Also on board to work with Ajayi from the election, which held in Lagos, last Friday at the Golden Gate Ikoyi-Lagos, were the chief executive of HiiT Limited, Mr. Kayode Shobanjo, as the vice president, and a seasoned Internet savvy accountant, Mr. Bosun Arebowa who also retained his position as the treasurer of NIG.

Equally elected in the new executive is the Head, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Desk at Champion Newspapers Limited, Mr. Remmy Nweke as the publicity secretary. Whereas the immediate past publicity secretary, Mr. Kazim Akinrete and Managing Director, Ice Cool Contracts, Mr. Destiny Amana were appointed ex-officio members.

Speaking at the occasion, leader of the election committee and a member of NIG board of trustees as well as the immediate past President of the group, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem tasked the new executive to always remember that they have been elected in the tradition of NIG to serve, emphasising that more service is demanded of them now that the nation is seeking transform from being a mere Internet-user country to content providers on the Internet.

Ekuwem congratulated the executive and wished them well in all endeavours as they carry the mantle of leader of the group till 2010.

Responding afterwards following the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the group and election, Mr. Ajayi who spoke on behalf of his team promised Nigerians an increased bright presence of local content on the Internet, mostly via the implementation of Internet for Job (I4J) initiative of the group launched June 12, 2007 and during his first term in office.

He paid tribute to members of NIG for the support given him in the past and in ensuring that the 2008 election was held without any atom of rancour as most of the elective positions were unopposed.

“We are committed to serve NIG and provide positive local content from Nigeria,” he asserted, enjoining Nigerian Internet public to make sure they take advantage of it and transform the Nigeria’s image positively.

Commending the electoral committee led by Dr. Ekuwem and supported by the group’s administrative secretary, Mr. Fidelis Orji, he reiterated the commitment of his team to try their possible best, noting that service to NIG is service to motherland.

Founded in 1995, NIG prides itself as an umbrella non-government organisation (NGO) dedicated to the promotion and growth of the Internet in the country with open membership for interested public who are involved in the growth of the Internet technology, irrespective of educational background and current field of employment.

Presently, NIG membership cuts across the academia, non-governmental organizations, government parastatals, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), private organizations and individuals.

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10% piracy reduction generates 24,000 jobs - BSA

Recent study conducted by the International Data Corporation (IDC) has shown that approximated 10 per cent reduction was seen in the level of piracy on the continent, just as this has given leverage to creation of 24,000 jobs in 2007.

The study was released by the Business Software Alliance (BSA), a group advancing free and open world trade for legitimate business software by advocating strong intellectual property protection.

According to the BSA Nigeria spokesman, Mr. Akeem Aponmade, the study also revealed that reducing the Personal Computer (PC) software piracy rate in the entire African region by 10 percentage points would have a multiplier effect.

This, he said, increases economic benefits and has the potential to generate 24,000 additional jobs, which has attracted estimated $600 million in tax revenues and $3.4 billion in spending in the local Information Technology (IT) sector over the next four years in Africa.

Mr. Aponmade, also commended the efforts being made so far by the law enforcement agencies notably the Nigeria Copyrights Commission (NCC) and the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), stressing that more work needs to be done, especially in the private sector.

He defined software as unique in its ability to drive value throughout other sectors and thus, policy makers should find a compelling case for taking steps to reduce software piracy in order to reap the economic benefits of a strong national software and IT sector.

“It is clear that reducing software piracy delivers real results that help real people with real challenges,” he said.

BSA is the foremost organization promoting a safe and legal digital world and serves as the voice of the world’s commercial software industry fostering technology innovation through education and policy initiatives that promote copyright protection, cyber security, trade and e-commerce.

A press statement from BSA Nigeria, quoted its African spokesman, Alastair de Wet, noted that when countries take steps to reduce software piracy, “everyone stands to benefit.”

He pointed out that with more and better job opportunities, a stronger, more secure business environment, and greater economic contributions from the already robust IT sector; reducing software piracy delivers tangible benefits for governments and local economies.

Equally, IDC findings indicated that for every $1 spent on legitimate packaged software, an additional $1.25 is spent on related services such as installing the software, training personnel, and providing maintenance services.

BSA emphasised that most of these benefits accrue to locally-based software services and channel firms, meaning the greatest proportion of the economic benefits from lowering software piracy stay within the country.

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Daniel praises Cisco Academy

Executive governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, has praised Cisco Network Academy over its ongoing commitment to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and networking skills amongst Nigerians and across West and Central Africa.

Speaking last weekend at the launch of Cisco Africa Networking Academy Safari held in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State, Daniel commended the firm on the initiative and sustaining the tempo.

ITRealms Online recalls that the Africa Networking Academy Safari, now in its third year, was organized by the Cisco Networking Academy and played host to academies across key regions on the continent aiming to raise and maintain the quality of IT instruction by offering quality technical retraining sessions to instructors as well as facilitating networking between Academy instructors, prospective employers for workforce development and Cisco strategic business partners otherwise known as resellers.

The two-day conference was attended by prominent Nigerian dignitaries such as the Governor Gbenga Daniel who was represented by a delegation led by the immediate past Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Titi Oseni, the Commissioner of Education, Professor Segun Awonusi, as well as Commissioners and Permanent Secretaries of the State.

Also in attendance were over 120 instructors as well as a large numbers of supporters and Cisco strategic partners.

In his keynote address Governor Daniel noted that Nigerians are pacesetters and have resolved to continue to make huge investments into the development of the education sector particularly.

“The area of Information and Communication Technology as a tool for economic, educational and social development in Nigeria. Joining forces with Cisco and indeed the Network Academy has been an invaluable asset to achieving that vision,” he said.

For Prof. Awonusi the event was a demonstration of Cisco’s commitment to the continuous development of the instructors to ensure cutting edge training to their students.

Managing Director, Cisco Nigeria, Mr. Maduka Emelife, said networking is the very heart of the Internet Protocol (IP) revolution experienced in the world today.

“So, we at Cisco are absolutely committed to ensuring that Nigeria is brought up to speed with prevailing technology,” he said, adding that its the essence of a conference such as this one.

“We are proud to be at the forefront of ensuring that Nigeria remains at the cutting edge of the global technological evolution,” he said.

Emelife explained that there was four awards given out at the event during the close of the first day of the conference, namely the Best Regional Academy won by the University of Jos; Best Local Academy won by Ijebu Igbo Polytechnic; Best New Academy went to AfriHUB academy in UniZik in Awka and Best Instructor award won by Mr Sadiki Babatunde of the Gateway Polytechnic Saapade.

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D-Link consolidates on regional presence

Regional Director, D-Link International, Mr Jacky Chang has disclosed that the firm would consolidate on its presence in Nigeria to expand to other countries in the West African region.

Mr. Chang in a press statement made available to correspondent in Lagos, said that D-Link brand is a niche with versatile and functional product, even as its technology is contemporary.

“Our brand is niche, our products are versatile and functional and our technology is contemporary,” he said.

According to him, D-Link Nigeria has lined up a series of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programmes that would further consolidate its global position as the number one manufacturer of SMB networking products, and as well increase its market share in the Enterprise Market for Industrial Scale Network Solutions and Services.

The Regional Director hinted that his team would be meeting specific players in the key sectors of the Nigerian economy such as the financial sector, oil and gas, telecommunications, and educational institutions.

He explained that the objective is to engage these sectors in the use of our worldwide acclaimed solutions that has greatly influenced sectoral and national development in several countries.

Chang added that the great potential and the emerging nature of Nigeria demands for the best and most experienced players from all parts of the globe, stressing that D-Link is well positioned to play and create a win-win situation for all Nigerians.

He emphasised that the scheduled event for June 5, at the Golden Gate Towers, Ikoyi, would have speakers including the Country Consultant, Dr. Chris Uwaje, defining it as the platform the organisation has chosen to emphasis and display its solutions as it applies to the different spectrums of the Nigerian economy.

Equally, the Minister for Science & Technology, Mrs Grace Ekpiwhre, Minister of State for Information and Communications, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, and chairman, Senate Committee on Communications, Sen. Sylvester Anyanwu would grace the event.

In addition, founder of Visafone, Mr. Jim Ovia, Director General of the National IT Development Agency (NITDA), Prof Cleopas Angaye, Zinox Technologies, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh among others are being expected.

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